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Striking A Balance: Sustainable Phosphate Practices For A Growing World Population

Arianne Phosphate

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Phosphate plays a crucial role in ensuring global food security. As an essential nutrient, phosphate is a key component of fertilizers, which are fundamental in enhancing crop productivity. Phosphorus is responsible for promoting root development, aiding in seed production and supporting overall plant growth. Without an adequate supply of phosphate, plants would struggle to obtain the necessary energy for crucial metabolic processes. The efficient management and use of phosphate resources are critical to maintaining a sustainable agricultural system, ensuring that future generations have long-term access to an essential nutrient for food production. However, the current state of phosphate usage and production is being criticized by global experts. Phosphate is undeniably essential for global food security, but the need for sustainable phosphate usage has become even more critical. The current state of the global phosphorus cycle presents a dilemma and an opportunity. In certain regions, excessive amounts of phosphorus are being added to soils to support food production, which can lead to run-off into water bodies such as lakes and rivers, causing excessive algae growth in coastal ecosystems. On the other hand, there are areas where farmers are facing challenges in accessing enough phosphorus to meet the increasing food demand. This situation is made even more complicated by unsustainable mining practices, which have drawn their own share of criticism. With the global population continuously growing, it is imperative to re-map the phosphorus cycle on a global scale. This re-mapping process aims to ensure that sufficient food can be provided for everyone while simultaneously reducing the costly environmental damage caused by nutrient pollution and questionable mining practices. By adopting sustainable phosphorus usage practices, the international community can strike a balance between meeting food production needs and preserving the health of our ecosystems, thereby achieving long-term food security. A recent report calls on governments across the world to adopt a "50, 50, 50" policy: a 50% reduction in global pollution of phosphorus and a simultaneous 50% increase in recycling of the nutrient by the year 2050. This will require other phosphate mining projects to help produce and work ethically to ensure the resource is equitably distributed. The projections compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) showcase that we will need to produce 60% more food by 2050 to feed a growing global population of 9.3 billion. Continuing with a business-as-usual approach to agriculture would put an enormous strain on already limited natural resources. The need for more phosphate companies that are committed to sustainable practices cannot be understated. Companies like Arianne Phosphate Inc. (OTCMKTS: DRRSF), a promising phosphate mining company, are among the very few in North America that can respond to the growing demand for phosphate and are committed to sustainability. The company’s Lac à Paul project in Quebec is a response to a growing global demand for phosphate for fertilizer, which is increasing by 2% to 3% each year. Arianne has a world-class mining project, and the company reports it is the single largest greenfield deposit of phosphate. One major edge Arianne has is the deposit is igneous – which allows it to produce a high-purity/low-contaminant concentrate which compares very favorably to phosphate housed in sedimentary rock. This rare geological setting allows Arianne to produce a finished phosphate concentrate that is amongst the purest in the world and ideal for use in batteries and fertilizer. But beyond quality phosphate, Arianne also boasts strong community support and adheres to stricter environmental, social and corporate standards. For North American companies that want their suppliers to align with their social agendas, Arianne is a perfect partner. Hydroelectricity – a clean, green, renewable energy source – will provide 75% of all energy required for the Lac à Paul project. Arianne also has followed a greenhouse gas emissions accounting program since 2010 to help reduce its ecological footprint. The company is committed to being as carbon-neutral as possible. Meeting the increased global food demands projected by the FAO by 2050 will require significant usage of phosphate. Sustainability initiatives such as ethical phosphate mining, precision farming, management of value chains and adoption of green fertilizer technologies will be a cornerstone in striking a balance between meeting the increasing food demand and utilizing phosphate and other natural resources sustainably. ARIANNE PHOSPHATE INC. ( www.arianne-inc.com ) owns the Lac à Paul phosphate deposit in Quebec, Canada. Fully permitted and shovel ready, the asset is among the world’s largest greenfield deposits, capable of producing an environmentally friendly phosphate concentrate. Due to the nature of its high-purity, low-contaminant product, Arianne’s phosphate can be used to produce fertilizer as well as meeting the technical requirements of specialty applications such as the lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery. The Lac à Paul deposit is rare due to its geographic location and geological structure. Arianne Phosphate is listed on both the TSX-V: DAN and the OTCQX: DRRSF. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. This information contains forward looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralisation and reserves, exploration results and future plans and objectives of Arianne Phosphate Inc, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Arianne Phosphate Inc’s (“Arianne Phosphate” or the “Company”) expectations are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Arianne Phosphate Inc’s documents filed from time-to-time with the TSX Venture and other regulatory authorities. Contact Details Brian Ostroff, President brian.ostroff@arianne-inc.com Company Website https://www.arianne-inc.com

February 05, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

HTX Lunar New Year Celebration: Join the Activities to Reap Million-dollar Rewards

HTX

2024 is destined to be a spectacular year for the crypto industry. There has been an observed enhancement in the overall economic situation and emerging innovations within the crypto sphere. These trends suggest an anticipation for the imminent arrival of a new bullish market cycle. Narratives surrounding cryptocurrencies have become increasingly diverse and enriched, fueled by a confluence of favorable factors. These include the anticipation of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs, the Bitcoin halving, Ethereum's Cancun upgrade, and the emergence of numerous new sectors and concepts within the crypto space. To thank the new and existing users of HTX for their companionship and support for the platform and HTX DAO and to welcome the new crypto cycle, HTX is launching the Lunar New Year Celebrations! Reward yourself on HTX! It features a series of special promotions such as $HTX spot trading, PrimePool, Shark Fin, and Mars Program. Users will have the opportunity to gain rewards by participating in these events. For event details, please click the link: https://www.htx.com/support/en-us/detail/44961434771431 Event 1: Join the $HTX Spot Trading Contest to Share in a 20,000 USDT Prize Pool According to HTX's official announcement, the $HTX Trading Contest has started. The event is from 14:00 (UTC) on February 2 to 14:00 (UTC) on February 9. Throughout the event period, users who visit the event page on any given day will be automatically enrolled in the event, and their transaction amounts during the event period will be calculated. Participants who trade $HTX spot trading pairs are eligible to share the 12,800,000,000 $HTX (worth 20,000 USDT) prize pool based on their spot trading volumes. They can win up to 1,280,000,000 $HTX. *Announcement link: https://www.htx.com.co/support/en-us/detail/54961094188096 Event 2: HTX's PrimePool #16: Lock TRX to Share 10 million SAROS According to HTX's official announcement, the sixteenth round of PrimePool commenced on January 29. Participants will have the chance to share in a prize pool of 10,000,000 SAROS by locking their TRX. According to the announcement, from 12:00 (UTC) on January 29 to 12:00 (UTC) on February 12, users who lock a minimum of 2,500 TRX for at least one hour will be eligible for rewards. * Announcement link: https://www.htx.com/support/en-us/detail/54960761520577 Event 3: Win up to 10 Billion $HTX in HTX Futures' Epic Airdrop According to HTX's official announcement, HTX Futures launched the Epic Airdrop of 100 billion HTX tokens on January 25. Participants in trading can receive up to 10 billion $HTX and unlock more benefits. In addition, a limited-time extra offer for Lunar New Year is available. Participants can register for the event and receive a random airdrop of a 3-day valid futures trial bonus worth 1 to 88 USDT. According to the announcement, the event is from 10:00 (UTC) on January 25 to 15:59 (UTC) on February 23. See below for details: 1. The first 38,888 new futures users completing trades of 1,000 USDT will be eligible to receive one million $HTX on a first-come, first-served basis. 2. Participants in futures trading can receive up to 5 billion $HTX in airdrop if their cumulative trading volume (including that of copy trading) of USDT-M futures reaches the following requirements. The total prize pool is 240 billion $HTX, which will be shared in proportion to individual trading volumes within the tier. 3. Win up to 3 billion $HTX by depositing to the futures account and meeting the requirements. Users need to click Register Now to participate in the event. * Announcement link: https://www.htx.com/support/en-us/detail/74960406694081 Event 4: Win 1,000 USDT at the Ace Lead Trader Contest According to HTX's official announcement, the HTX Ace Lead Trader Contest has officially commenced. This contest gathers lead traders on HTX's futures copy trading achieving notable PnL percentages, significant earnings, and substantial increases in copy trading followers. They will compete for rewards of up to 1,000 USDT and HTX's traffic support. *View details: https://futures.htx.com/en-us/futures/copy_trading/home/ Event 5: Triple Rewards Await: Join HTX's Copy Trading this Chinese Lunar New Year for a Share of 70,000 USDT According to HTX's official announcement, HTX's Copy Trading for this Chinese Lunar New Year has started. Join the contest for a chance to win a share of 70,000 USDT in futures trial bonuses by following our lead traders. Additionally, newcomers to HTX Copy Trading will receive additional rewards. According to the announcement, the event is from 10:00 (UTC) on February 4 to 10:00 (UTC) on February 25. See below for details: 1. During the event, participants new to HTX's Copy Trading will receive a 10 USDT trial bonus through a net deposit of at least 50 USDT to their Copy Trading accounts and completing their first copied trade of any amount. 2. Followers engaging in copied trades and reaching a margin of at least 100 USDT for copy trading will become eligible to share the total prize pool of 50,000 USDT based on the proportion of the volume of their copied trades; 3. During the event, followers who rank in the top 10 based on their total PnL achieved in copied trades will be eligible to share an additional prize pool of 2,000 USDT. The champion will be awarded a 30% share of the prize pool. * Announcement link: https://www.htx.com.co/support/en-us/detail/74960925310688 Event 6: Shark Fin 3/7-Day Term Products Open for Subscription with APY of up to over 40% According to HTX's official announcement, HTX Earn will launch Shark Fin products for subscription every Monday and Thursday at 12:00 (UTC). The new round of Shark Fin products is ready for subscription. The 3-day term products will be available for subscription starting from 12:00 (UTC) on February 5, 2024, and the settlement time is on February 9. The maximum APY is 37.98%. The 7-day term products will be available for subscription starting from 12:00 (UTC) on February 8, and the settlement time is on February 16. The maximum APY is 47.22%. * Visit the product page for details: https://www.htx.com/en-us/financial/earn/?type=limit&currentProjectType=11 Event 7: $HTX Referral Carnival: Invite Friends to Trade and Share 32 Billion $HTX According to HTX's official announcement, in celebration of the listing of the $HTX, HTX is excited to roll out a referral carnival. Users can invite friends to trade $HTX to have the chance to share a prize pool of 32 billion $HTX. According to the announcement, the event is from 12:00 (UTC) on February 3, 2024, to 15:59 (UTC) on February 19, 2024. See below for details: 1. During the event, the first 888 new users are eligible to share the 3.2 Billion $HTX Airdrop, provided that they sign up via a referral link and register for this event. Each eligible participant can receive a reward ranging from 640,000 $HTX to 32,050,000 $HTX; 2. During the event, invitees will receive an additional commission of up to 30% based on the $HTX trading volume of their referred friends. (The maximum commission percentage during the event will reach up to 60%). * Announcement link: https://www.htx.com.co/support/en-us/detail/74960924786520 Event 8: Invite Friends to Unlock Mystery Boxes Each Worth up to 1,500 USDT in the Lunar New Year Giveaway According to HTX's official announcement, the "Lunar New Year Giveaway: Unlock Mystery Boxes Each Worth up to 1,500 USDT" event has commenced. According to the announcement, participants will receive three Mystery Boxes, and invitees will receive two Mystery Boxes every time participants make a referral, and the invitees log in to the HTX app within 14 days of signup and trade at least 200 USDT in spot trading or at least 300 USDT in futures trading. Each Mystery Box contains cryptocurrencies worth up to 1,500 USDT. You may discover popular cryptos such as BTC, ETH, HTX, and more. Rewards for this event grow as participants invite more, with no cap! Event details: https://www.htx.com/microapps/en-us/double-invite-retail/h5 Event 9: Hold $HTX to Share 20,000 USDT in 100% Margin Interest Vouchers According to HTX's official announcement, HTX Margin is excited to present an amazing promotion where users can hold $HTX to share a prize pool of 100% Margin Interest Vouchers worth 20,000 USDT. The event is from 12:00 (UTC) on February 2, 2024, to 12:00 (UTC) on February 15, with the snapshot taken for users with $HTX holdings at 12:00 (UTC) on February 15. This event offers a total of 5,000 100% Margin Interest Vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis. Each eligible participant will receive a 100% Margin Interest Voucher worth up to 20 USDT based on the quantity of their $HTX holdings. * Announcement link: https://www.htx.com.co/support/en-us/detail/44961095316177 Event 10: Win Triple Rewards at HTX DAO × HTX Mars Program #6 According to HTX's official announcement, HTX officially launched the 6th round of the Mars Program on January 31 at 12:00 (UTC). According to the announcement, the task period is from 12:00 (UTC) on January 31 to 15:59 (UTC) on February 21. The space NFT minting period is from 12:00 (UTC) on January 31 to 15:59 (UTC) on February 26. The prize drawing time is 12:00 (UTC) on February 28. Lucky users from this round enjoy triple rewards. The prize package includes the eligibility of a space traveler candidate, a round-trip experience on a private jet, and 6,000,000,000 $HTX tokens. Additionally, each successful NFT minting grants users one platform lottery chance. * Announcement link: https://www.htx.com.co/support/en-us/detail/74960933688342 Event 11: Lunar New Year Affiliate Special: Trade Designated Cryptos to Share an $HTX Prize Pool Worth $30,000 According to HTX's official announcement, the Trade to Win $HTX event is from 16:00 (UTC) on February 6, 2024, to 15:59 (UTC) on February 17, 2024. Participants engaged in spot trading or futures trading with designated cryptos like BTC, ETH, SOL, ADA, LTC, FIL, TRX, WIN, and JST will have the chance to share in an HTX prize pool worth $30,000 and potentially earn up to $4,000 in HTX tokens. This event is exclusively open to HTX Affiliates and users referred by them. Participants are required to click Register Now to enroll in the event. * Announcement link: https://www.htx.com/support/en-us/detail/54961364999235 Event 12: Complete P2P Tasks to Win New Year Rewards and Share a Prize Pool of 50,000 USDT According to HTX's official announcement, participants completing P2P tasks during 16:00 (UTC) on January 30 and 15:59 (UTC) on February 17 can claim Lunar New Year benefits and share a prize pool worth 50,000 USDT based on their fortune points. According to the announcement, there are three ways to obtain fortune points: Users can earn one fortune point for daily P2P deposits of 100 USDT or more; by inviting friends for P2P transactions, both inviters and invitees can get one fortune point for each transaction completed; in addition, new users completing P2P deposits of 100 USDT or more on the day of the registration can earn additional one fortune point. Fortune points can be accumulated. The more the fortune points, the more the rewards. The prize pool includes TROLL, RATS, and SATS tokens, worth 50,000 USDT in total. At the end of the campaign, the prize pool will be distributed according to the proportion of the fortune points obtained to the fortune points obtained by all users. Furthermore, the top 15 users with the highest cumulative P2P deposits during the event period will have a chance to win a special prize, a 500ml bottle of Moutai Feitian. *Announcement link: https://www.htx.com.co/support/zh-tc/detail/104960910076622 Event 13: Lunar New Year HTX Fiat Promo: Use Quick Trade and Split 10,000 USDT According to HTX's official announcement, HTX Fiat will launch a New Year celebration tailored for users from China's Hong Kong and Taiwan. By using the Quick Trade feature of HTX Fiat, users will be eligible to share a prize pool of 10,000 USDT. According to the announcement, the event is from 02:00 (UTC) on February 7, 2024, to 14:00 (UTC) on February 21, 2024. Specifically, it includes two activities: 1. The top 5 users with the highest trading volume in Quick Trade will share a prize pool of 5,000 USDT. The event will last 15 days, and a total of 75 users will have the opportunity to share in the prize pool; 2. The first 1,000 users who complete their Quick Trade orders during the event will become eligible to share a prize pool of 5,000 USDT in the form of cashback vouchers. * Announcement link: https://www.htx.com.co/support/en-us/detail/74961178881742 2024 has arrived. As HTX joins HTX DAO ecosystem builders and the crypto market picks up steam, in this new competitive cycle, HTX is set for a revival and to reintroduce itself to the market with a focus on liberating from constraints through community governance and decentralization. It has demonstrated a stronger competitive edge. About HTX Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved over a decade from a simple cryptocurrency exchange to a comprehensive blockchain business ecosystem. This expansion covers a wide range of services including digital asset trading, financial derivatives, wallets, research, investments, incubation, and more. As a world-leading portal to Web 3.0, HTX is committed to a growth strategy focused on global expansion, ecological prosperity, wealth effect, and safety and compliance. This approach enables us to offer comprehensive, safe, and reliable services and value to virtual currency enthusiasts around the world, reinforcing our position as a global gateway to Web3. Contact Details Michael Wang glo-media@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/

February 05, 2024 08:24 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Kodiak Finance Raises $2M Seed Round

Kodiak

Kodiak is thrilled to announce the close of its $2 million seed financing round to develop Berachain’s native liquidity hub. The funding will further enable them to increase the pace at which they scale Kodiak and allow them to continue delivering cutting-edge trading products native to Berachain. The Kodiak contributors consist of seasoned builders and enthusiasts with diverse backgrounds in DeFi and infrastructure as developers, venture capitalists, and, notably, as prior founders. Their collective journey began approximately seven months ago, fueled by a shared passion to innovate and push the boundaries within the DEX landscape. With an open-ended vision, they set out on this endeavor, driven by the excitement of enhancing Berachain’s growth and user experience. Joining their development includes their investors: Build-a-Bera, Amber Group, Shima Capital, No Limit Holdings, Ouroboros Capital, Baboon VC, dao5, ODA Capital, Kenetic, Dewhales Capital, Tenzor Capital, Lotus Capital, Owl Ventures, nonce Classic, 3Commas Capital, Wizards Capital, Credo, Blocmates, DoraHacks, Moni, and their valued angels, including Gainzy, Altcoin Sherpa, NaniXBT, Mckenna (Arete Capital), Mr.Block (Curve), Evan Luthra, Ken (Mechanism), Marc (Mechanism), Jerd (Agnostic), Soby (Xai Games), Jani (0xHoneyJar), John Fiorelli (Kenetic), Kirby Ong, Joyce (GCR), and many others who have joined hands to support and contribute to their project. Kodiak would also like to give a shout-out to the Berachain Foundation and, more specifically, the Build-a-Bera accelerator. When Kodiak started this journey and joined Build-a-Bera, they were unsure what to expect as they were the guinea pigs of the first cohort. However, without Berachain's support, Kodiak would be nowhere close to where they are now. Whether it’s through weekly office hours, in-person working sessions, or even hopping on ad-hoc calls, the Build-a-Bera team has been phenomenal with support on fundraising, strategic direction, business development, product, and marketing. About Kodiak Kodiak is a foundational building block for liquidity on Berachain — an innovative DEX that combines concentrated liquidity and automated liquidity management. Their product suite is designed to provide traders with the best trading experience and simplify concentrated liquidity provisioning for liquidity providers and protocols. By integrating the following DEX layers, they offer a full suite of trading and liquidity solutions: Decentralized Exchange (Kodiak DEX) Automated Liquidity Manager (Kodiak Islands) Integrated Incentive Layer (Sweetened Islands) No-Code Token Deployer Factory (Panda Factory) In the following weeks, they will open up their Discord server to the public and release their public testnet. Make sure to turn on Twitter post notifications for the most up-to-date information on Kodiak. 2024 is the year of the Bera, Ooga Booga. Kodiak is currently not live. Users should be cautious of scams. Kodiak's Twitter is the only source of accurate information! Website | Twitter | Medium Contact Details Kodiak Contributors Kodiak Teaem berarodman@kodiak.finance

February 05, 2024 08:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Comcast Expanding Network in Minnesota

Comcast Twin Cities

Comcast announces expansions of its smart, fast, reliable fiber-rich network to seven new cities in Minnesota by the end of 2024. The cities of Corcoran, Cologne, Nowthen, and parts of Grant, Hugo, Rogers and Stillwater Township will see 5x-10x faster upload speeds and smoother connections with the Xfinity Network. The 2024 planned expansion is part of the company’s nationwide rollout of multi-gig Internet speeds and adds to Comcast’s ongoing $473 million investment across Minnesota over the last three years. The new planned expansions fulfill a need for fast, reliable, secure broadband service across the state. In June 2023, Comcast completed an expansion to more than 2,300 homes and businesses in the City of Wayzata. Area businesses enjoy broadband speeds of up to 100 Gbps and speeds faster than 1 gigabit per second for residents over standard connections in the home. By the end of 2024 Comcast will also expand into Cologne and extend its network into Nowthen, Corcoran, and throughout parts of Rogers, Grant, Hugo and Stillwater Township with funding support from the State of Minnesota’s Border-to-Border Broadband program. “Access to reliable, high-speed broadband is a powerful driver of economic growth and development in our community,” said Corcoran Mayor Tom McKee. “Internet access is at the center of our modern lives and the quality of those lives will be greatly enhanced thanks to the partnership with Comcast, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Office of Broadband. Together we will be bringing broadband to nearly 500 unserved homes and businesses in Corcoran.” These locations will have the foundational next-generation network in place to begin deploying DOCSIS 4.0, setting the stage for the introduction of new symmetrical multi-gigabit Internet options that will enhance performance across Comcast’s existing networks. “The Internet has increasingly become the epicenter of our existence, influencing many aspects of our lives, and people and businesses are consuming more data,” said Kalyn Hove, Senior Vice President, Comcast Midwest Region. “We are building a future of unlimited possibilities in the Twin Cities and across the Midwest. These expansions, plus planned networks enhancements, will service nearly 14,000 additional homes.” Powered by Xfinity Comcast’s network and Internet experience are powering homes and businesses today and into the future: Ultimate Capacity: Xfinity customers connect more than 1 billion devices across the company’s network annually. With the next-generation Xfinity gateways we deliver the most advanced WiFi technology carrying three times more bandwidth to power streaming, gaming, videoconferencing, and more, simultaneously. Fastest Internet: More than a third of Xfinity Internet customers subscribe to gigabit speed products. Recently, Comcast connected the first customers in the world to a DOCSIS 4.0 connection, delivering symmetrical gig speeds over existing connections in customers’ homes with plans to continue to rollout these speeds across the country, including the Twin Cities, over the coming years. Unprecedented Coverage: The latest Xfinity Gateway provides a more reliable connection throughout the home. Customers can get wall-to-wall WiFi coverage with a powerful WiFi Boost Pod that extends coverage to hard-to-reach areas of the home. Most Reliable Connection: Comcast is scaling the nation’s largest and most reliable network that passes 62 million homes and business and counting. The company launched Storm-Ready WiFi, a new device that comes powered with cellular and battery backup to help keep customers connected even when the power goes out. Ultra-Low Latency: The Xfinity Network and the latest Xfinity Gateway are a powerful combination that deliver ultra-low latency for those moments when response times matter most like video games, a fast-growing category with Xfinity households averaging more than one gaming console per home. The Xfinity Network is also self-monitoring and uses AI to detect potential problems before they arise, delivering a reliable connection that is up and running in customers’ homes 99% of the time. Visit Xfinity to learn more and sign up for these exciting new products. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Jill Hornbacher +1 651-425-1695 Jill_Hornbacher@comcast.com Company Website https://midwest.comcast.com/

February 05, 2024 07:00 AM Central Standard Time

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22nd Century Group CEO Larry Firestone: Transforming Tobacco Industry with FDA-Approved VLN Brand

22nd Century Group Inc

22nd Century Group new CEO Larry Firestone joined Steve Darling from Proactive to discuss his role and the company's strategic direction. 22nd Century Group is an agricultural biotech firm specializing in tobacco harm reduction and developing low-nicotine content plants for cigarettes. Notably, the company received FDA authorization for modified risk tobacco products in December 2021, with its flagship brand, VLN (Very Low Nicotine), aimed at addressing smoking-related health issues. Firestone emphasized the strategic shift the company is undergoing, which includes streamlining operations, divesting non-core assets such as the hemp cannabis business, and refocusing solely on the tobacco sector. The company's primary goal for 2024 is achieving financial self-sustainability, with a focus on cost optimization, gross margin improvement, and streamlining the overhead structure. 22nd Century Group is also committed to expanding its presence in established markets, particularly in the United States, and delivering its core products. Firestone's leadership will play a crucial role in guiding the company through these transformative changes and positioning it for growth and success in the coming years. This strategic shift and renewed focus on tobacco harm reduction reflect 22nd Century Group's commitment to addressing health-related issues associated with smoking and its determination to make a positive impact in the tobacco industry. Contact Details Proactive United States Proactive United States +1 347-449-0879 action@proactiveinvestors.com

February 05, 2024 07:29 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Latest Survey from Sotera Digital Reveals Shocking State of Mobile Phone Security in the Workplace.

PlatoData

New York, February 5, 2024 - ( PlatoData via 500NewsWire) -- Sotera Digital Security, a leading US based provider of secure communications solutions, has today released its findings from a survey it conducted among over 1,000 senior personnel of large businesses and multinational corporations across the globe. Sectors covered by the survey participants focused on those that require the need for ultra-secure and private communications - both regionally and worldwide - with clients, colleagues and suppliers; namely legal, pharmaceutical, media and corporate affairs, government, and blockchain / AI tech specialists. The survey results provide key insights into current mobile phone security practices within the workplace, and reveal a startling lack of awareness among both professionals and their companies of the significant privacy threats with standard smartphones and popular ‘ secure ’ messaging apps, despite a reportedly growing reliance on such for work-related communications. Key Findings 70% of the professionals surveyed were unaware that popular messaging apps are vulnerable to privacy attacks. Yet, 96% reported that their company allows the use of Signal and/or WhatsApp from their personal mobile phones for work communications, with over half (57%) reporting an increased usage of such apps compared to the previous year; 90% of the professionals surveyed place more importance on safeguarding the security and privacy on their laptops than their mobile phones, despite 26% having had their mobile phone hacked in the past; 24% reported that their company doesn ’ t have an official mobile phone policy, while a closer look at those that do reveals that approximately 1 in 4 such policies don ’ t provide adequate guidance, such as the requirement of having a password to unlock the device; 87% of companies don ’ t provide Mobile Device Management or Mobile Application Management to their employees - on both company and privately-owned devices that are used for work communications; Less than half of respondents update their device (48%) within 24 hours of a new software release, meaning over 50% are neglecting Android and IOS vulnerabilities which those updates attempt to patch. Despite the prevalence of vulnerabilities, there is a significant lack of awareness among professionals regarding the susceptibility of popular smartphones and apps to privacy attacks. Findings signal an urgent call to organizations to reevaluate their mobile phone security protocols. "Our survey demonstrates a clear gap in understanding and addressing phone security in the workplace. I am proud Sotera continues to raise critical awareness on standard smartphones and popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, often perceived as secure, that are in fact nowhere near one-hundred percent secure, with vulnerabilities that leave users and their organizations exposed to data breaches and privacy infringements”, comments David Kay, CEO of Sotera Digital. “ The Sotera SecurePhone is the first and only out-of-the-box solution, purpose-built for ultimate professional privacy, which can and does claim one-hundred percent protection,” David concludes. The Sotera SecurePhone addresses the applications, operating system, and hardware - offering government-trusted, enterprise-dependable end-to-end mobile security and safeguarding sensitive data at every point. The multi-layered lockdown approach protects all three pillars of security, addressing vulnerabilities where standard smartphones cannot. For example, according to a recent report, over 75% of mobile security breaches occur through apps, and standard IOS and Android security features are ‘ added-on ’, leaving vulnerabilities at each integral layer. The Sotera SecurePhone, trusted by government agencies and enterprises, delivers comprehensive end-to-end security for voice and text communications. Crafted specifically for professionals in mission critical industries, this state-of-the-art mobile device is fortified with the same operating system employed to safeguard the US Nuclear Arsenal - Integrity 178B. Sotera ’ s unparalleled level of security positions the SecurePhone as the premier choice for professions handling highly confidential data, uniquely able to promise peace of mind. In these sectors, any risk to phone security is non-negotiable. The survey included 1,004 respondents (38% female, 56% male, 6% prefer not to say), between the ages of 20 and 55+ (24% 20-35, 46% 36-45, 21% 46-55, 9% 55+). Largest proportion of the sample were located in Europe (46%), but respondents were also located in the USA (27%), the UAE (17%) and SE Asia (12%). Respondents were CEO ’ s (8%), COO ’ s (14%), CTO/CDO ’ s (32%), Partners (22%, law firms) and middle management (24%), spanning Blockchain / AI Tech entrepreneurs (38%), the legal sector (24%), Pharmaceutical / Meditech (11%), and Media / PR / Corporate affairs (11%). About Sotera https://soteradigital.com / Sotera Digital Security offers clients across the globe with end-to-end security for both voice communications and text messages. Led by a team of recognized mobility experts, Sotera is focused on delivering innovative, data privacy solutions that offer clients a competitive edge. The company ’ s current offering, the Sotera Secure Communications service represents the successful engineering of multi-layered defense and security combining Integrity 178, the only operating system in the world to achieve NSA ’ s highest certification level (EAL6+); propriety partitioned communication apps; and data transmission encryption. For more information, for press interviews, and to receive the entire survey, please contact pr@soteradigital.com. Contact Details Sotera Digital Security pr@soteradigital.com

February 05, 2024 07:07 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Nibiru Chain Secures $12 Million to Fuel Developer-Focused L1 Blockchain

Nibiru

Nibiru Chain, a general-purpose layer 1 blockchain, has successfully closed its latest round of funding, securing $12 million to set the stage for an ambitious phase of growth. Venture investments included contributions from Kraken Ventures, ArkStream, NGC Ventures, Master Ventures, Tribe Capital, and Banter Capital. “Nibiru has taken all of the best in class technology and research developed over the past few cycles and packed them into the best new chain we have ever analyzed. They optimize for developers with a built-in dev toolkit, easy-to-use APIs, language SDKs, and a native oracle. MV Capital could not be more excited to be a partner with Nibiru as we move into the new level of adoption for crypto.” - Tom Dunleavy, CIO and Partner at Master Ventures Capital Nibiru’s Community Sale on CoinList sold out its initial allocation of $3M in 9 minutes. An additional $3M extension sold out as well within 11 minutes. By the end, this sale had 842% in pre-funded excess interest, attracting 42,713 registrants and over 5,000 purchasers of the network’s staking and utility token, NIBI. Onboarding Next Generation Blockchain Applications Nibiru Chain stands out with its innovative tech and emphasis on developer and user-centricity. Key partners expressed their enthusiasm: “We look forward to supporting the distinctive Layer 1 model Nibiru has designed, where the core primitives are built alongside the core foundation for maximum interoperability — all while incentivizing developers and users through its smart contract royalty mechanism.” - Brandon Gath, Managing Partner at Kraken Ventures It’s the platform of choice for developers who prioritize security and performance. Boasting 40K transactions per second (TPS), 1.4s block times, and robust security, Nibiru Chain’s versatility spans multiple sectors including real-world assets (RWAs), gaming, DeFi, and more. Developers build on Nibiru Chain with confidence, leveraging CosmWasm smart contracts for enhanced security or the familiarity of the EVM. Additionally, developers can leverage Nibiru’s “dev gas” royalty mechanism to ensure a sustainable model for long-term growth. At its core, Nibiru Chain is driven to create the optimal environment for developers and users. "Nibiru's integrated super applications, native oracle, and data-indexing significantly reduce the technical selection difficulties for Web3 projects while simultaneously lowering the likelihood of security incidents. This will heighten user and developer confidence and the consequent growth and prosperity of the Nibiru ecosystem. - Allen Su, General Partner at ArkStream Capital Looking Ahead - Nibiru Chain’s 2024 Roadmap In 2024, Nibiru Chain sets its sights on expanding the ecosystem. Key developments include several initiatives such as a gamified engagement airdrop, integration with major liquidity centers, listing on several top-tier centralized exchanges, implementing parallel optimistic execution, and achieving full EVM-compatibility. This year is marked by the anticipated launch of Nibiru Chain’s flagship dApps such as Nibi-Perps, Nibi-Swap, and NUSD. These releases will mark major milestones in Nibiru Chain’s journey towards a user and developer-centric platform. About Nibiru Chain Nibiru Chain is a breakthrough L1 blockchain and smart contract ecosystem sporting superior throughput and unparalleled security. Nibiru aims to be the most developer-friendly and user-friendly smart contract ecosystem, leading the charge toward mainstream Web3 adoption by innovating at each layer of the stack: dApp development, infra, consensus, a comprehensive dev toolkit, value accrual. For more information visit: Nibiru.fi Follow Nibiru Chain on Socials Discord Twitter Telegram YouTube GitHub Contact Details Nibiru Chain Nibiru Team Media@nibiru.org

February 05, 2024 07:07 AM Eastern Standard Time

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New Year's Resolutions Across the UK in 2024

Intelligiants Ltd

In the second month of 2024, many are still looking ahead, making plans for the remainder of the year, and working towards health, financial and career plans and goals. New Year's resolutions, with roots tracing back to historical and religious origins, have evolved into a universal catalyst for positive change. In a nod to historical customs, modern-day resolutions have evolved, focusing on self-improvement and prioritising a more balanced lifestyle. An analysis of these resolutions across generations and regions has been summarised by online bingo site, Heart Bingo, which has been looking at results from surveys on New Year’s resolutions in the UK for 2024 from reputable sources. Are there generational trends in making resolutions? Examining New Year's resolutions across generations reveals a notable pattern: the likelihood of making resolutions decreases with age. In 2023, 23% of Generation Z expressed their intent to set resolutions, while the figures gradually declined among older generations, reaching only six percent for those over 50. England has a clear focus on health-related resolutions “Doing more exercise or improving my fitness” was the top pick for poll takers in England, with 56% of respondents opting for this resolution. “Losing weight” came in second at 49% and third place “Eating healthier” (43%) summarises the results with a clear health focus for 2024 in England. Below is a comparison between England, Wales and Scotland: Doing more exercise or improving fitness: England 56%, Wales 71%, Scotland 52% Improving diet: England 43%, Wales 33%, Scotland 41% Cutting down on drinking: England 12%, Wales 23%, Scotland 8% Giving up smoking: England 6%, Wales 14%, Scotland 5% Regional Contrasts: Scotland Another popular focus area has historically been to “save more money” for the new year, which was the highest priority in Scotland, with as many as 61% picking this as their top resolution. There is no surprise that “Doing more exercise or improving fitness” is the second pick, although this is a bit lower when compared to the rest of the UK, but “Improving my diet” comes in at a third place, on par with the other nations. Wales: A Standout Commitment to Health in 2024 Wales emerges as a health-conscious nation, setting a record-high with 71% pledging to focus on fitness routines and workouts for 2024. When it comes to alcohol consumption and smoking habits, the Welsh population appears more committed to positive changes, with twice as many respondents planning to cut down on drinking or quit smoking compared to England and Scotland. Generations and Regions Behind Diverse Outcome for 2024 In summary, as the UK embraces 2024, New Year's resolutions reflect a blend of generational and regional priorities, showcasing a diverse tapestry of hopes and aspirations across the UK. This diversity underscores the dynamic nature of the UK, where individuals, influenced by their generational outlooks and regional contexts, contribute to a collective vision for self-improvement and positive change. END. Contact Details Intelligiants Ltd. F Kvarnebrink +27 71 221 8445 fred@intelligiants.net

February 05, 2024 06:57 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Bitget Wallet Welcomes Alvin Kan, Former Senior Executive at BNB Chain, as New COO

Bitget

Bitget Wallet, a global leading Web3 trading wallet, has officially announced the appointment of Alvin Kan as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the company's global growth strategy and coordinate brand development, operations, and growth initiatives. Alvin Kan brings a wealth of expertise with over 15 years of professional experience, having held prominent roles at BNB Chain and Sei Labs. Notably, he spearheaded ecosystem growth at BNB Chain and served as the Head of Asia for Sei Labs. Before this, Alvin spent almost a decade at LinkedIn, where he led the Asia-Pacific data team and played a crucial role in the company's strategic development across Asia. With a strong background in market growth and data analysis in the Web2 domain, coupled with his insightful understanding of building Web3 ecosystems, Alvin is well-equipped to introduce innovative ideas and steer global growth strategies at Bitget Wallet. His leadership will be instrumental in shaping the company's direction and planning for the upcoming year, elevating the brand's global presence. In outlining the company's 2024 development plan, Alvin emphasizes a strategic focus on acquiring new users, expanding the roster of supported assets, and exploring novel opportunities. Global Expansion and Growth In 2024, Alvin is charting a course for global expansion, outlining a comprehensive globalization strategy that involves deploying localized teams in strategic regions worldwide. This initiative aims to establish operational capabilities tailored to specific regions, facilitating accelerated growth and market penetration on a global scale and catering to the diverse needs of a global userbase. Initial endeavors in Turkey, Vietnam, and Pakistan have demonstrated promising outcomes, laying the groundwork for broader success. Amidst a bullish market outlook, the cryptocurrency sector is poised to attract a diverse influx of new users and key opinion leaders (KOLs) spanning various industries. Alvin's unwavering commitment involves fostering a symbiotic relationship between product development and market operations within the company. This approach ensures a seamless integration for new users, hailing from diverse backgrounds, into the dynamic realm of Web3. Moreover, strategic collaborations with well-established Web2 brands are on the horizon to amplify synergy and elevate Bitget Wallet's global brand recognition. Capturing New Narratives and Assets As the COO of Bitget Wallet, Alvin will be spearheading the establishment of a more adaptive team structure, geared towards swift responses to market dynamics and keen recognition of emerging narratives and assets. This initiative aims to facilitate the rapid implementation of technology and product strategies. "New assets will always be at the core of wealth generation within this industry," Alvin says. "Our goal is to be the first to uncover the next big opportunity for our users." Equipped with core features like Swap, smart quotes, Launchpad for new offerings, and inscription tools, Bitget Wallet is strategically crafted to empower users in capitalizing on valuable assets early, thereby maximizing returns. Alvin underscores a dual-strategy approach, advocating for the robust execution of long-term initiatives alongside flexible engagement with short-term trends. This balanced strategy ensures a nimble response to market shifts while concurrently focusing on meticulous infrastructure development. The overarching aim here is to fortify Bitget Wallet's product suite and establish a robust infrastructure to fully harness the benefits of sustained growth. Exploring New Opportunities in Wallets Web3 wallets as an industy have witnessed significant growth from basic functionalities such as address creation, fund transfers, and receipts to more advanced features such as the integration of multi-chain DEXs, NFT marketplaces, and diverse protocols. This evolution has broadened the scope and redefined what it means to serve a Web3 wallet in today's context, elevating them to comprehensive Web3 gateways that encompass asset management, Swap transactions, inscriptions, NFT minting, and interactions across entire blockchain ecosystems. Notably, innovations like MPC and AA wallets have contributed to enhancing user experiences, introducing greater convenience. Throughout this transformative journey, Bitget Wallet has consistently positioned itself at the forefront, actively exploring and anticipating future trends in the realm of Web3 wallets. Under Alvin's leadership, Bitget Wallet is actively working towards establishing systematic capabilities, consistently expanding core product features, and fostering innovation based on emerging narratives. The goal is to carve out a distinctive competitive edge for Bitget Wallet in the dynamic market. Alvin places a strong emphasis on simplifying the product experience, aiming for Bitget Wallet to serve as a seamless Web3 bridge. "In our recent App version, the team has thoroughly reconsidered and redesigned the UI, with a dedicated focus on enhancing user-friendliness and ease of experience," Alvin highlights. "Bitget Wallet has always been on what we believe is the right path to chart the future of Web3 Wallets," he concludes. "Continuous progress is key in ensuring that we continually place ourselves and our users at the forefront of Web3 innovation." About Bitget Wallet (Web3 Trading Wallet) Bitget Wallet stands as Asia's largest and global frontrunner among all-in-one Web3 multi-chain wallets. We offer a comprehensive range of on-chain products and DeFi services to our users, including wallet functionality, Swap feature, NFT trading, DApp browsing, and more. With a 5-year legacy, Bitget Wallet has garnered acclaim from over 15 million users worldwide and has secured partnerships with prominent industry leaders including Bitcoin, Ethereum, TRON, BNB Chain, Solana, Base, and others. This success stems from our commitment to consistently delivering secure and convenient products and services. For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | Discord Contact Details Bitget Rachel Cheung media@bitget.com Company Website https://www.bitget.com/

February 05, 2024 05:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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New Year's Resolutions Across the UK in 2024

Bitget Wallet Welcomes Alvin Kan, Former Senior Executive at BNB Chain, as New COO