#Digital Europe Programme

[nrgnews-it]

IA: L'Era dell'Elaborazione Real-Time Rivoluziona il Mercato Il mercato dell'intelligenza artificiale (IA) sta vivendo una trasformazione epocale, trainata dall'esplosione dell'elaborazione dati in tempo reale. Le aziende che sapranno sfruttare questa tendenza avranno un vantaggio competitivo significativo. Le piattaforme IA gestite e il calcolo neuromorfico, con le sue reti neurali spiking (SNN), sono le tecnologie chiave di questa rivoluzione, offrendo prestazioni senza precedenti in termini di velocità, efficienza energetica e capacità di adattamento. Il mercato globale è in crescita esponenziale, con stime che parlano di centinaia di miliardi di dollari e opportunità di investimento uniche, sia per investitori privati che attraverso fondi europei come Horizon Europe e l'EIC Accelerator". Si assiste ad una vera e propria corsa all'oro in cui i finanziamenti in seed e SeriesA sono all'ordine del giorno

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Two new satellites added to Galileo constellation for increased resilience

The European Galileo satellite navigation system keeps growing: a new pair of satellites has joined the constellation after a journey on a Falcon 9 rocket, launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 18 September at 00:50 CEST (17 September 18:50 local time).

The 13th launch in the Galileo programme, performed by SpaceX under contract with ESA, has taken Galileo satellites number 31 and 32 (FM26 and FM32) to medium Earth orbit, extending the constellation to make it more robust and resilient. In the coming weeks, the new satellites will reach their final destination at 23 222 km, where they will be tested prior to starting operations. 

ESA Director of Navigation Javier Benedicto said, “With the deployment of these two satellites, Galileo completes its constellation as designed, reaching the required operational satellites plus one spare per orbital plane. The remaining 6 Galileo First Generation satellites are expected to be deployed in 2025 and 2026 for increased robustness and performance, solidifying the resilience and reliability of Galileo and enabling uninterrupted delivery of the world’s most precise navigation.” 

ESA, as design authority and system development prime, together with manufacturer OHB, has developed and tested 38 satellites since the conception of Galileo. All but six satellites have been launched, with the remaining ones ready to join the constellation starting next year. They will be launched in pairs by Ariane 6, ESA’s new launcher that successfully completed its inaugural flight in July. Thereafter, the first batch of Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites, currently under development by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space, will also be placed in orbit by ESA’s heavy launcher. 

Galileo, onwards and upwards

2024 has been a busy year in the Galileo programme, that moves ahead at full speed. In April, the first dual launch of the year placed satellites 29 and 30 in orbit. After a successful early orbit phase and test campaign, the pair entered into service in September.  

Just a few days prior to the April launch, Galileo’s new Public Regulated Service (PRS) signals started broadcasting. This encrypted navigation service is specifically designed for authorised governmental users and sensitive applications, contributing to increase Europe’s autonomy and resilience in the critical domain of satellite navigation. 

Also in April, Galileo’s ground segment, the largest in Europe and one of the continent’s most critical infrastructures, was migrated with no user impact. This upgrade was needed in part to prepare the system for Galileo’s Second Generation, that is being built by European industry. G2 satellites will be ground-breaking with fully digital navigation payloads, electric propulsion, a more powerful navigation antenna, inter-satellite link capacity and an advanced atomic clock configuration. 

About Galileo

Galileo is currently the world’s most precise satellite navigation system, serving over four billion smartphone users around the globe since entering Open Service in 2017. All smartphones sold in the European Single Market are now guaranteed Galileo-enabled. In addition, Galileo is making a difference across the fields of rail, maritime, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations. 

A flagship programme of the EU, Galileo is managed and funded by the European Commission. Since its inception, ESA, as system development prime and design authority, leads the design, development and qualification of the space and ground systems, and procures launch services. ESA is also entrusted with research and development activities for the future of Galileo within the EU programme Horizon Europe. The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) acts as the system prime for the operational system provider, ensuring exploitation and safe and secure delivery of services while overseeing market demands and application needs.  

[mariacallous]

Internet freedoms are deteriorating at an unprecedented pace in Southeast Europe, the “Rights in the Digital Space 2024” webinar organised by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, ECPMF heard on Friday.

“Discrimination, genocide denial, foreign influences and disinformation are key violations in the region,” Ivana Jeremic, digital content lead at BIRN’s Digital Rights Programme, said.

Jeremic added that the use of artificial intelligence had caused a major spike in digital violations in 2024.

At the event, BIRN and ECPMF presented their latest publications – BIRN’s Digital Rights Violations Report 2023-2024 and ECPMF’s Media Freedom Monitoring Report – both of which highlight worrying online trends.

Cara Raeker, from ECPMF, said the organisation “found most cases [of press freedom violations] in Turkey, Serbia and Hungary”. Raeker underlined that online attacks are the most common breaches of press freedom.

Gurkan Ozturan, from ECPMF, who is also Turkey rapporteur for Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net project, said Turkey remains a major violator of digital and internet freedoms.

“Turkey remains still ‘not free’ in the digital space, with continuous restrictions on press and media fields as well as in the field of freedom of expression, access to information and digital privacy,” he said.

He cited the use of draconian laws to censor internet and media as well as major violations of citizens’ online data.

Mila Bajic, from Share Foundation and Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net project, said internet freedoms continue to deteriorate in Serbia as well.

“In 2024, Serbia fell to 70 points [on the Freedom on the Net rankings] which is basically the line between ‘partly free’ and ‘free’, which is the lowest score the country ever got,” Bajic said.

In a panel about big tech companies, Bojana Kostic, a human rights and tech researcher, noted a major disparity between big tech and citizens’ rights.

“[This] incredible power asymmetry will not play out well at the end, to the detriment of freedom of expression and other human rights and all citizens’ wellbeing,” Kostic argued.

Speakers at the webinar agreed that journalists are among the most-targeted groups because of their work.

Teona Sekhniashvili, network and advocacy officer at the International Press Institute, IPI, cited the continued detention of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, director of internet news sites Batumelebi and Netgazeti, on charges of assaulting a police officer.

Sekhniashvili pointed out that Amaglobeli was one of those who stood up against the Georgian government’s notorious ‘foreign’ agents law, which requires NGOs receiving a certain level of funding from abroad “to register as organisations pursuing the interests of foreign power”.

Azem Kurtic, BIRN’s Bosnia and Herzegovina correspondent, said the Republika Srpska entity is also preparing a similar foreign agents law, targeting press freedoms and civil liberties.

“The law gives a lot of legal rights to the justice minister [of Republika Srpska] to mark anyone receiving money from abroad as an agent of foreign influence. In the end, they could be banned from existence and from actually conducting their activities,” Kurtic said.

More about digital rights violations in Southeast Europe can be found in BIRN’s Digital Rights Violations Report 2023-2024 and in the latest ECPMF Media Freedom Monitoring Report.

[daryatalia]

Completed my Second Game Jam!!

I completed Brackeys second game jam of 2024! The theme was Calm Before the Storm, and I was one of 1500 submissions!

I cannot fully express how happy I am to have finished my second game jam! The team I worked with were super amazing and I will go into their skills and what I appreciated later.

The game we made was a resource management, mobile defense, hack n' slash. While the submission build is not 100% functional, it still shows off some really cool systems and designs, and I'm very happy with how it turned out! I am continuing to do post-release updates and any new builds will be submitted to our Github while the Game Jam voting is ongoing.

Please check out Automik Breakers and submit your rating and thoughts if you can! All feedback is welcome because I may be fixing/completing it or need to know if it needs fixing.

Designing and programming this game was really fun! This was a week long game jam with a secret theme that was revealed on Day 1. Before the jam, I wasn't sure if I would work solo or as a team, so I drafted some ideas ahead of time for each theme that I was confident I could independently make systems for. Some of those ideas were an endless "swimmer", house break-in incremental horror, and helping neighbors with tasks around the neighborhood.

Ultimately, I decided to find a team. I'm still quite new to game jams and really enjoyed meeting people last time. I searched within Brackey's Discord server to find open teams looking for a programmer, either for Unity or Unreal Engine. I reached out to many cool people and ended up creating a team of my own! I made a Discord server for us to collaborate it, as well as the GitHub repo, Google Drive, and Miro. I focused a lot on making sure everyone was comfortable with one another and that everyone could contribute their skills to the project the way they wanted to.

Once the theme was announced, we started workshopping ideas day one. With team members in multiple time zones from NA to Europe, we met several times over the next two days to hammer out the main game genre, game loop, and systems. There were many ideas and possibilities, so talking through how we would implement each aspect of it and what assets would be needed for development helped us land on our chosen game. We made sure to keep the theme in mind throughout the development of systems, design, narrative, and artwork.

The biggest challenges for me as both a developer, designer, and team lead were managing scope and schedules. We knew what systems we wanted, but getting them to interact properly was already going to be a challenge, and we were essentially developing two "Game Modes" to function as one. As such, we were mindful to keep a list of minimum viable features and to knock additional features into "if we can" territory. When it comes to scope, to improve I would say I would start digital prototype development and systems design even a day sooner, and to build certain features one at a time until completion rather than bouncing around a bit (this is my experience). Using User Stories was especially helpful for helping me organize what the goals of development were, even more so then the task list I made for the team.

When it comes to scheduling, we have 9 team members in 5 different time zones, so making sure work and delegations were queued up for when I was offline and others were up was very important. Task lists as well as morning "hi-hello-today we will-" really helped with managing expectations and updating the whole team on development progress. It was really satisfying seeing the whole team interact and work together. I was actively learning from my fellow programmers, Spoon, Necron, and GraphicEdit, and I hope everyone else can say the same. Also, I think having a diverse time zoned team also helped us with maximizing production development without burning everyone out. Knowing something was being done around the clock without forcing anyone to crunch or sacrifice IRL activities was really nice.

Scope ultimately led to our game being less than 100% complete. We didn't have much time the last 2 days to tune the enemy strength, add greater significance to delivery items, attach power-ups to each resource item, or to fine-tune additional bugs. The story also wasn't able to iterate correctly, the random deliveries queue is still in-production, and the custom deliveries option could be more clear. I'm satisfied that these are aspects that I know can be improved and lead to a satisfying and complete game with replay value.

As for contributions, personally, I worked on a few different things throughout the jam. I managed onboarding team members, creating and updating team resources, and developing task lists for async development. I supported the team by reviewing sounds and music, artwork, and game systems. I developed the Cargo Controller ( the script that controls the movement and inventory of the cargo vehicle), the Hub Manager (the script that controls the inventory of the Hub during "Calm Mode", as well as the assignment of deliveries), and the Storm Mode Journey (which controlled the "Storm Mode"s game loop). With assistance from Spoon, I also worked on the Game Manager, making sure that it had access to both game modes and could keep track of persistent objects and values like our currency, story deliveries, and delivery items. With his assistance I also created the scriptable objects for the various resource and delivery items based on Spoons SO script.

I worked on the UI for the Hub, designing potential layouts, finding references, coordinating with the team on colors and fonts, and laying out the structure and prefabs using Unity's UI system. It was a bit of a headache but only because the nesting got so deep and the layout groups were a little unpredictable. Still, a much more satisfying and improved experience than my last game jam. Thank you to Rusty for the beautiful UI panel art!

Most days, I would start work off by connecting with the team, seeing what they needed to be successful, updating docs as necessary, all before digging into my code or UI responsibilities. My experience in project management really helped me succeed in this, as well as the dedication and talent of the team I was working with.

Thank you to RatDrum for developing the music for this game, as well as additional sound effects. Thank you to JollyGoodFriend for developing sound effects, as well. Thank you to Rustyscreech for designing the UI art and backgrounds and the Cargo Cart, as well as the concept art for the characters. Thank you to Danieluxx for designing the character animations. Thank you to Necron for developing the enemy systems. Thank you to Spoon for developing the background pooling system, the Base Item scriptable objects, and the inventory system, and for helping to optimize my and Necron's code. Thank you to GraphicEdit for developing the main menu and pause menu UIs, for developing the for-now unutilized save system, and for supporting Github commits and troubleshooting. Thank you to SirSunstone for writing a captivating story for our game world, and integrating it piece-by-piece into the Story missions, as well as for coming up with a cool list of items for us to implement.

THANK YOU to our team! Could not have done this without you all!

I'm so excited for my next game jam and to see what else I can do!

[beardedmrbean]

A Polish tech entrepreneur's global project, aimed at getting more children into computer programming, has been endorsed by Pope Francis.

Miron Mironiuk, founder of artificial intelligence company Cosmose AI, is drawing on his own experience of coding transforming his life.

He said the "Code with Pope" initiative would bridge "the glaring disparities in education" across the globe.

It is hoped the Pope's involvement will attract Catholic countries.

"We believe that the involvement of the Pope will help to convince them to spend some time and use this opportunity to learn programming for free," Mr Mironiuk told the BBC.

The initiative will champion access to coding education through a free online learning platform for students aged 11-15 across Europe, Africa and Latin America.

After 60 hours of dedicated learning, children will be equipped with the basics of Python, one of the world's most popular coding languages.

In the digital age, programming skills have become as fundamental as reading and writing.

World Economic Forum data released in 2023 revealed that "the majority of the fastest growing roles are technology-related roles".

However, a severe global shortage of tech skills threatens to leave 85 million job positions unfilled by 2030.

As a result, increasing access to high-quality programming education has become a necessity, particularly in low and middle-income countries - many of which are Catholic.

A large percentage of the Polish population identifies as Catholic.

The 33-year-old millionaire Mr Mironiuk told the BBC that he was proud of his Polish heritage and to be part of a crop of successful Polish people working in technology.

The country is making significant strides in the tech scene, particularly in AI, with companies like Google Brain, Cosmose AI and Open AI having significant numbers of Polish employees.

But Mr Mironiuk is also aware that many countries are not as fortunate, and hopes this educational programme could help change that.

The programme will be available in Spanish, English, Italian and Polish. It is expected to reach children all over South America except Brazil, and in English speaking nations in Africa and South East Asia.

This is not the first time the Pope has encouraged young people to get into coding, having helped write a line of code for a UN initiative in 2019.

Mr Mironiuk will meet the Pope at the Vatican. But he admits he's not anticipating the pontiff to emulate his students in acquiring new skills.

"I don't expect him to know Python very well, at least," he said. "But he will get a certificate for his efforts in helping start the programme."

[jordanianroyals]

11 June 2023: Crown Prince Hussein, the Regent,  checked on the progress of the Aqaba Development Corporation’s (ADC) projects and programmes.

Chairing a meeting at the company, he was briefed by CEO Hussein Safadi on the ADC’s new cargo lines launched this year, targeting the US market with a 17 per cent increase in exports.

Safadi said the company has prepared a risk assessment study of the ports and the industrial area in Aqaba’s south, noting that work is underway to establish the Aqaba Digital Hub to provide a digital infrastructure that is up to international standards. (Source: Petra)

He added that the hub would benefit from the submarine cable connecting Asia and Europe, highlighting plans to launch the Aqaba corridor for agricultural food technology, which would extend over an area of 7 dunums west of King Hussein International Airport, with the aim of unleashing the potential of sustainable agri-tech in Jordan and promoting investment in this field, to bolster food security and create green job opportunities.

Safadi continued that ADC has also prepared a vision for launching a media hub in Aqaba to provide audiovisual production facilities, a vocational training institute, and residential buildings, to meet local and international market needs.

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Chief Commissioner Nayef Al Fayez attended the meeting.

[praxismatters]

THE EVENS ARTS PRIZE 2023

Exploring the critical imaginaries of AI The Evens Arts Prize 2023 is dedicated to artistic practices that challenge prevailing systems of knowledge and experiments new alliances between living beings and machines. 

The Jury is composed of Daniel Blanga Gubbay, Artistic Co-Director, Kunstenfestivaldesarts; Nicolas Bourriaud, Artistic Director, 15th Gwangju Biennale; Elena Filipovic, Director and Curator, Kunsthalle Basel; Matteo Pasquinelli, Associate Professor in Philosophy of Science, Ca’ Foscari University; Gosia Plysa, Director, Unsound. The Jury Chair is André Wilkens, Director, European Cultural Foundation. Artistic Director:  Anne Davidian, curator.

Focus of the Evens Arts Prize 2023 The widespread use of AI applications, particularly in the form of text-to-image generators and large language models, has sparked intense scrutiny and debate. These discussions, fueled by both excitement about their potential and concerns about their biases, bring to the forefront crucial questions about human subjectivity, autonomy, and agency.

Technical systems are deeply intertwined with social systems, shaping our lived experiences, aspirations, and politics. Together with artists, how can we better understand and address the impact of AI and the broader constellation of digital technologies and algorithmic politics? What new imaginaries and alliances can we cultivate between living beings and machines?

The new edition of the Evens Arts Prize seeks to highlight artistic projects that explore alternative cosmologies and epistemologies, question human exceptionalism, and shed light on issues such as surveillance, manipulation, extractivism, digital governance, justice, care, and responsibility in the age of machine intelligence. Of particular interest are practices that experiment with AI to challenge prevailing systems of knowledge and power asymmetries, mobilise technologies towards emancipatory community outcomes, and envision democratic futures.

The laureate is selected by an independent jury from a list of nominations put forward by representatives of major European cultural institutions.

The Nominators of the Evens Arts Prize 2023 Ramon Amaro, Senior Researcher in Digital Culture, Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam; Zdenka Badovinac, Director, Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb; Lars Bang Larsen, Head of Art & Research, Art Hub, Copenhagen; Leonardo Bigazzi, Curator, Foundation In Between Art Films, Rome; Mercedes Bunz, Professor Digital Culture & Humanities, King's College, London; Francesca Corona, Artistic Director, Festival d'Automne, Paris; Julia Eckhardt, Artistic Director, Q-02, Brussels; Silvia Fanti, Artistic Director, Live Arts Week /Xing, Bologna; iLiana Fokianaki, Founder, State of Concept, Athens; Cyrus Goberville, Head of Cultural Programming, Bourse de Commerce | Pinault Collection, Paris; Stefanie Hessler, Director, Swiss Institute, New York; Mathilde Henrot, Programmer, Locarno Film Festival; Nora N. Khan & Andrea Bellini, Artistic Directors, Biennale Image en Mouvement 2024, Geneva; Peter Kirn, Director, MusicMakers HackLab, CTM Festival, Berlin; Inga Lace, Curator, Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art, Riga; Andrea Lissoni, Director, Haus der Kunst, Munich; Frank Madlener, Director, IRCAM, Paris; Anna Manubens, Director, Hangar, Barcelona; Anne Hilde Neset, Director, Henie Onstad, Høvikodden; Nóra Ó Murchú, Artistic Director, transmediale, Berlin; Maria Ines Rodriguez, Director, Walter Leblanc Foundation, Brussels; Nadim Samman, Curator for the Digital Sphere, KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin; Andras Siebold, Artistic Director, Kampnagel, Hamburg; Caspar Sonnen, Head of New Media, International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA), Amsterdam; Marlies Wirth, Curator for Digital Arts, MAK, Vienna; Ben Vickers, Curator, Publisher, CTO, Serpentine Galleries, London.

The Evens Arts Prize The Evens Arts Prize honours artists who engage with contemporary challenges in Europe and shape inspirational visions for our common world. Far from reducing artistic practice to a function – whether a social balm or a political catalyst – the Evens Arts Prize supports aesthetically and intellectually powerful work that pushes the understanding of alterity, difference, and plurality in new directions, questions values and narratives, creates space for silenced or dissonant voices, and reflects on diverse forms of togetherness and belonging.

The biennial Prize is awarded to a European artist working in the fields of visual or performing arts, including cinema, theater, dance, music; it carries a sum of €15,000. The laureates are selected by an independent jury, from a list of internationally acclaimed artists, nominated by representatives of major European cultural institutions.

The 2011, 2019 and 2021 editions were curated by Anne Davidian and celebrated Marlene Monteiro Freitas, Eszter Salamon, and Sven Augustijnen as laureates of the main prize, while Eliane Radigue and Andrea Büttner received the Special Mention of the Jury.

More about the Prize

📷 from Atlas of Anomalous AI, edited by Ben Vickers and K Allado-McDowell, Ignota Books, 2020

[industrynewsupdates]

Understanding the Critical Infrastructure Protection Market: Trends and Future Outlook

According to a recent report by Grand View Research, Inc., the global critical infrastructure protection market is projected to reach a value of USD 190.42 billion by 2030. This growth reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030. A major trend propelling this growth is the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber incidents targeting essential facilities and national security systems. As nations become more reliant on the internet, digital infrastructure, and information technology, new vulnerabilities are emerging. These technological dependencies provide adversaries with avenues to disrupt national economies and compromise critical infrastructure sectors, including government, defense, and banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI).

The growing severity of cyber threats posed by hostile entities, along with heightened efforts to mitigate these attacks, is expected to significantly boost the demand for critical infrastructure protection solutions. As cyber-attacks become more frequent and damaging—especially those targeting national security—governments around the world are becoming increasingly aware of the need to strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks and deploy advanced protection systems for essential assets.

To address these challenges, many countries have enacted and institutionalized comprehensive strategies, policies, and regulatory bodies dedicated to safeguarding critical infrastructure. For example, the European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection (EPCIP) provides a strategic framework to enhance the security of Europe's vital infrastructure. Similarly, in the United States, the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) was introduced to foster collaboration between the government and private sector, with the goal of enhancing the resilience and security of key service sectors. These kinds of proactive government initiatives and the widespread adoption of cybersecurity frameworks are anticipated to play a central role in driving market growth over the coming years.

Meanwhile, rapid advancements in information and communication technologies (ICT) have led to notable improvements in business productivity and operational efficiency. However, this technological progress has also expanded the attack surface of digital infrastructure, allowing malicious actors to exploit networks for purposes such as data breaches, sabotage, and service disruption. The increasing threat landscape has compelled organizations to prioritize cybersecurity investments to safeguard sensitive data and maintain operational integrity.

Get a preview of the latest developments in the Critical Infrastructure Protection Market? Download your FREE sample PDF copy today and explore key data and trends. 

Here are some commonly asked questions related to the Critical Infrastructure Protection Market, along with answers that provide essential insights

1. What are the primary drivers of growth in the Critical Infrastructure Protection market?

Key drivers include increasing cyber threats, government regulations and initiatives promoting infrastructure security, advancements in technology, and the rising dependence on digital platforms across various industries, specifically in sectors that rely heavily on operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT).

2. What are the main types of solutions offered in the Critical Infrastructure Protection market?

Solutions in the CIP market can be categorized into two main types: physical security solutions (e.g., video surveillance, access control) and cybersecurity solutions (e.g., encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems). These solutions aim to protect both physical assets and sensitive data from unauthorized access and attacks.

3. What regions are seeing significant growth in the Critical Infrastructure Protection market?

While North America currently holds the largest market share, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to experience the fastest growth in the CIP market due to rapid urbanization, digital transformation, and increasing government initiatives to enhance security measures against cyber threats.

4. What are the future trends in the Critical Infrastructure Protection market?

Future trends include the adoption of AI and machine learning for advanced threat detection, integration of cybersecurity measures into existing systems, smart infrastructure investments, and increased collaboration between public and private sectors to enhance security protocols.

5. Who are the key players in the Critical Infrastructure Protection market?

Major players in the Critical Infrastructure Protection market include BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell International, Thales, and General Dynamics. These companies are focusing on innovation and developing advanced security solutions to address the growing complexity of threats.

Order a free sample PDF of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[lizseyi]

Second Fashion Act Event Set For Paris In May, With Focus On Circularity - Skywire London

Many luxe branding specialists and their clients that are engaged in matters of fashion circularity will have reason to get excited about the upcoming second edition of the Fashion Act trade show. That’s because circularity will be the “central theme” of the event, which is scheduled to be held at the New Cap Event Centre in Paris on 14th and 15th May 2025. 

The trade show – organised by a consulting firm that focuses on the sustainability of fashion – is this year set to explore traceability and the environmental footprint within the industry. 

What topics will be explored at the latest Fashion Act, and who will be exhibiting? 

The latest information on confirmed exhibitors for this year’s event can be found at www.fashionact.fr. At the time of typing, the list includes such names as La Belle Empreinte, Carbonfact, Fairly Made, TextileGenesis, Save Your Wardrobe, Prolong, Weturn, PRELOVV, and By Expert. 

Of no less interest for many observers, however, will be the rundown of topics the organisers have pledged the latest show will concentrate on. 

Among these crucial issues will be environmental labelling at both French and European levels, and scientific advances in the fashion sector – particularly with regard to extrinsic sustainability, which is a key element of upcoming legislation in Europe. Also expected to be discussed at the event is legislation aimed at curbing “fast fashion” practices. 

A highly relevant and informative interactive programme

The organisers of Fashion Act 2025 have announced an “immersive and interactive” programme comprising the following elements: 

Sector experts and decision-makers leading strategic conferences and testimonials 

An exhibition space showcasing circular solutions, drawing attention to advancements in traceability, environmental impact, and new circular models such as repair services, reuse schemes, recycling processes, and second-hand markets 

Expert masterclasses and workshops tackling these major issues 

Opportunities for brands, industry participants, startups, experts, and institutional representatives to network, thereby helping to drive forward the sector’s transformation. 

Hopes that Fashion Act 2025 will be a “catalyst for solutions” amid “increasingly complex crises” 

A press release issued earlier in March to set out details about the event, stated that “in a context where the fashion and luxury industry faces increasingly complex environmental, economic, political, and geopolitical crises, this event stands out as a key moment for dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders.” 

The organisers added that Fashion Act 2025 aimed to be a “catalyst for solutions” amid “regulatory and economic tensions” that are redefining brands’ strategic priorities. 

In short: now is the time for fashion and luxury players to get proactive in adapting to fast-moving changes affecting and reshaping the sector. 

Looking to the years ahead, legislation will be a major focus for European fashion 

Even simply from a “regulatory” standpoint, brands across the French and European markets will need to prepare for the “tsunami” of changes that are set to peak in 2028. 

For example, by that year, textile marketing will be governed by strict ecodesign criteria, alongside the Digital Product Passport (DPP)’s implementation. 

The Fashion Act 2025 press release also mentioned such regulatory developments as the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Europe under the Waste Framework Directive (WFD), as well as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). 

Join forces with Skywire London to help propel your brand to growth in 2025 

Needless to say, these are not-altogether-predictable times for fashion on the “Old Continent”. Certainly, clients of luxe branding specialists both on and beyond mainland European shores need to get themselves ready for the raft of changes. 

To learn more about the role our strategic, creative, and digital specialists at Skywire London can play in helping your fashion, luxury, or lifestyle brand to navigate this ever-evolving economic landscape – and achieve growth in the process – please contact us today.  

[sophiejt1234]

Own It, Move It, Trade It: The Power of Transferable NFT Tokens

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique digital tokens on a blockchain that represent ownership of real or virtual items. Crucially, an NFT is a transferable digital asset​, meaning its owner can send, sell, or trade the token on open marketplaces. This transferability is what makes NFTs powerful for businesses and creators. Recent reports note that NFTs have “well and truly entered the European lexicon” as a tech phenomenon​. Across Europe and beyond, companies are exploring how NFTs let them own it, move it, trade it – turning ideas and products into tokens that customers can legitimately own and exchange.

Understanding Transferable NFT Tokens

An NFT is created and managed on a blockchain via smart contracts. Standards like Ethereum’s ERC-721 or ERC-1155 ensure each token is unique and programmable. These standards define how tokens are created, tracked, and transferred between users ​on Coinbase.com. In practice, each NFT has a unique identifier and an owner recorded on an immutable ledger. Because the blockchain records every transfer, the sale and movement of NFTs are always transparent and tamper-proof​, blockchain-observatory.ec.europa.eu. In other words, anyone can verify an NFT’s provenance, and the token can be moved or sold by its owner at will, ​blockchain-observatory.ec.europa.eu. This combination of uniqueness and transferability underpins the entire NFT ecosystem.

The Core Benefits of Transferable NFTs

Transferable NFTs give businesses several clear advantages:

Verifiable Ownership & Provenance: Every NFT is tied to a blockchain record, so ownership and creation history are public and immutable​. Buyers and sellers can see exactly when and by whom a token was minted and traded. This makes counterfeiting or disputed claims nearly impossible, which protects creators and collectors alike​.

Market Efficiency & Direct Sales: Tokenizing an asset as an NFT can remove intermediaries. For example, an artist selling a digital painting as an NFT can connect directly with a global audience. This streamlines sales processes and “eliminates the need for agents,” improving market efficiency​.

Built‑in Royalties: Smart contracts allow NFT creators to earn a percentage of every resale. Each time the NFT is sold on a secondary market, the code can automatically pay royalties back to the original creator​. This creates a continuous revenue stream and aligns incentives: artists, developers, and brands all benefit if the asset gains value.

Global Liquidity: NFTs trade on 24/7 international marketplaces. A token created in one country can be auctioned in another instantly. This global accessibility means businesses can reach more customers and turn scarce digital goods into liquid assets.

Innovation & Engagement: Beyond art and collectibles, companies can use NFTs for marketing and community building. Limited-edition tokens, membership passes, or branded collectibles tap into customer excitement and exclusivity. The transferability of the token means these assets can circulate among fans, deepening engagement and buzz.

Use Cases Across Industries

Digital Art and Collectibles

Artists and creators were early adopters of NFTs. By minting artwork as NFTs, they turn a digital file into a verifiable collectible. Buyers get a provable “certificate” of ownership instead of just a copy of the image. This protects creators from fraud, since the blockchain shows an art piece’s origins​. NFT marketplaces allow artists to sell directly to collectors anywhere in Europe or the world. Moreover, as noted above, creators can program royalty payments, so an artist earns from every future sale of their work​. Galleries and digital exhibitions in cities like Berlin and Paris have sprung up around NFT art, helping artists monetize work in ways that were not possible before.

Gaming Assets

In the gaming world, NFTs unlock true player ownership. In-game items such as characters, skins, weapons or cards can be issued as NFTs. This means a sword earned in one game can be sold or traded outside that game. Players can also buy assets in one title and use them in another compatible platform. This interoperability, plus global marketplaces, creates real value for gamers. For example, players of blockchain games can buy land, weapons, or avatars as NFTs and later resell them to other players. Even traditional game publishers are experimenting: European companies are exploring card games and fantasy titles where all cards are NFTs. Transferable gaming NFTs enable vibrant secondary economies where the community sets item value.

Music and Entertainment

Musicians and entertainers use NFTs for exclusive content and fan engagement. An album, concert ticket, or video clip can be sold as an NFT, giving the buyer a unique, ownable digital asset. This helps artists ensure authenticity and scarcity. For example, a band could issue a limited NFT edition of a song; fans who buy it get proof they own a special copy. Moreover, NFTs can serve as backstage passes or VIP memberships. As with art, smart contracts can reward creators on each resale. European festivals and clubs have started offering NFT tickets to curb fraud and empower fans (each ticket can be transferred legitimately without scalpers).

Virtual Real Estate

Virtual worlds and the metaverse use NFTs to represent property and land. Users can buy, sell, or rent digital plots just as in the real world, but without paperwork. Ownership deeds are tokenized on the blockchain. In one academic proposal, for example, virtual real-estate agreements are literally stored on Ethereum as “transferable NFT assets”. Owners in these platforms can build, develop, and trade virtual property. This has attracted European companies too: some brands are opening virtual stores or galleries on blockchain land, selling goods and experiences. Transferable NFTs make such metaverse economies possible by securely handling land titles and property transfers.

Identity Credentials

Another emerging idea is using NFTs for identity and credentials. Each NFT is unique and verifiable, which makes it suitable as a digital certificate or license. In theory, governments and institutions could issue an NFT as proof of identity, a passport, a university degree, or a professional license. For example, one vision is that an academic diploma could be an NFT on a blockchain. Anyone could verify it instantly. Similarly, an NFT could represent vehicle ownership or real estate deeds. In fact, experts note that countries might use NFTs as “digital certificates” for things like land titles or licenses​. Transferring such a credential would be as simple as sending the token. (It’s worth noting that non-transferable “soulbound” tokens have also been proposed for identity, but even a transferable NFT can carry a lot of personal credential data if privacy and standards permit.)

Challenges and Considerations in the World of Transferable NFTs

While powerful, transferable NFTs come with challenges. Businesses must consider legal, technical, and market factors. For example, users need secure crypto wallets and must guard against scams. Environmental concerns have been raised about blockchain energy use, though many NFT projects now use efficient proof-of-stake networks. On the regulatory side, things are still evolving. Notably, the EU’s MiCA regulation explicitly excludes unique NFTs from its scope​, since NFTs are “non-fungible.” This means most art and collectible NFTs aren’t treated as regulated securities under that law. However, questions remain around taxes, intellectual property rights, and compliance (for instance, could certain NFT collections ever be classified as investment contracts?). Market volatility is also a consideration: NFT values can swing widely, and the space has seen booms and busts. In short, businesses should do due diligence, have clear use cases, and prepare for a fast-changing environment when engaging in NFT token development.

The Future is Transferable: Embracing Innovation in Digital Ownership

Transferable NFTs are at the forefront of a broader shift in digital ownership. By moving assets and data from centralized platforms to individuals, NFTs can “enable digital ownership by transferring data from the hands of large data monopolies to the hands of individual users”​. Looking ahead, we expect transferable NFTs to expand into new domains: loyalty programs, event memberships, fractionalized assets, and more of the metaverse. Businesses that adopt these innovations early will gain an edge. In practice, this means leveraging NFT token development solutions and services. Working with an experienced NFT token development company can help a firm design and deploy custom tokens securely. Such partners offer end-to-end NFT token development services, from smart contract coding to marketplace integration. By building well-designed NFT transferable assets, companies can confidently enter new markets and revenue models. The road of digital ownership is wide open, and with NFTs, any business can own it, move it, and trade it for success.

Conclusion

Transferable NFT tokens are more than a fad – they are a new way to digitize and trade value. For European business owners and digital creators alike, NFTs offer tools to prove authenticity, engage global markets, and unlock fresh revenue streams. Companies can harness this power with professional NFT token development, drawing on expert services to ensure their projects are secure and user-friendly. By adopting the right NFT token development solutions, a business can turn ideas into ownable, tradable assets. In the emerging digital economy, those who embrace the potential of NFTs today will lead the market tomorrow. Own it. Move it. Trade it. The future of digital ownership is here, and it’s confidently transferable.

[mehallasahby-blog]

Radio Sisko FM : webradio d'information bilingue française et arabe fondée en 2021

Radio Sisko FM est une webradio et un média digital français fondé en 2021. Diffusant principalement en français et en arabe, la station est accessible exclusivement en ligne via des plateformes de diffusion et de vidéo telles que Zeno.FM et Dailymotion.

Historique

Radio Sisko FM a été fondée en 2021 à Aubagne, dans le département des Bouches-du-Rhône, en région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Après ses débuts, la station a transféré son siège à La Ciotat, dans la même région. Le projet vise dès l'origine à combiner information internationale, diffusion musicale, et contenus digitaux multimédias, en ciblant un public jeune et connecté.

Ligne éditoriale

La ligne éditoriale de Radio Sisko FM est centrée sur la diffusion de contenus d'information mondiaux. Elle revendique une approche objective de l’actualité, avec une volonté d'analyse et de contextualisation. Son slogan officiel est :

> « Prenez conscience du monde si vous voulez le changer » .

En plus de ses journaux d'information, Radio Sisko FM propose des programmes culturels et musicaux, notamment autour de la musique arabe contemporaine et traditionnelle.

Accès et diffusion

Radio Sisko FM est diffusée via :

Zeno.FM, une plateforme internationale de webradios,

Dailymotion, pour la publication de vidéos d'actualité.

Elle ne dispose pas de fréquence FM ou DAB+ et opère exclusivement sur Internet.

Langues de diffusion

Les programmes de Radio Sisko FM sont principalement réalisés en :

Français,

Arabe.

Cette particularité vise à toucher un public francophone et arabophone, notamment en Europe et en Afrique du Nord.

Localisation

Bien que disponible en ligne partout dans le monde, Radio Sisko FM est basée en France. Après avoir commencé ses activités à Aubagne, elle est désormais enregistrée comme opérant depuis La Ciotat, selon les informations accessibles sur ses canaux de diffusion.

Références

Radio Sisko FM sur Zeno.FM

Radio Sisko FM sur Dailymotion

[worldpharmatoday]

Berry to Showcase Latest Technologies for Fast-to-Market, Patient-Centric Solutions

Solutions for patient-centred drug delivery devices that enhance dosing, administration, and medication adherence will be the focus of Berry Global Healthcare’s participation at this year’s RDD (Respiratory Drug Delivery) Europe Conference, taking place at the Estoril Congress Centre, Estoril (Lisbon), Portugal from May 6th to 9th.

The company’s Medical Devices team will present a wide range of ready-to-use platforms for inhalation therapies, which enhance the patient experience through ease of use and accurate drug delivery, as well as providing faster-to-market solutions. As part of Berry’s ‘Dose Better’ initiative, all have been developed to deliver better healthcare outcomes by improving quality of care, while helping to reduce costs.

Latest innovations on show will include the RS01-X digital inhaler with built-in sensors and digital services to track inhaler use and help improve adherence and technique; the BerryHaler, a dual chamber dry powder inhaler with dose counter, designed to provide better patient access to and support the effective delivery of combination drugs; and the PneumoHaler, a breath-actuated, metered dose inhaler with dose indicator for the effective management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“We continue to invest in the latest healthcare technologies to provide dosing solutions that give end-users a safe and comfortable experience,” said Arturo Cubi of Berry Global. “Our attendance at RDD is a critical part of our ongoing NPD (new product development) programme, enabling us to engage with healthcare professionals to better understand current market demands and challenges.”

The RDD Conference will also give Berry the opportunity to demonstrate its over 50 years’ experience as a contract manufacturer. The company’s fully integrated CDMO service provides a complete solution from product concept through manufacturing to final packaging, enabling it to design customised devices incorporating customer IP and proprietary platforms, and bring these bespoke drug delivery products quickly to market.

To arrange an appointment at RDD, please email inhalation@berryglobal.com, or to learn more about Berry’s range of medical devices, visit www.berryglobal.com/en/product/medical-devices.

[fiveprogrammers]

Why Businesses Trust the Best Logistics Software in Riyadh

In a dynamic market like Riyadh, where commerce and delivery services are expanding at record speed, logistics software has become the foundation of operational success. As businesses compete to meet rising customer expectations, they’re increasingly relying on digital tools to streamline processes, reduce delays, and drive profitability. But what makes the best logistics software in Riyadh stand out—and why do so many companies place their trust in it?

This in-depth guide breaks down the reasons why businesses across Riyadh are turning to trusted logistics platforms, with a special focus on Five Programmers, a leading software development company delivering customized solutions tailored for local businesses.

The Growing Importance of Logistics in Riyadh

With Saudi Arabia aiming to diversify its economy under Vision 2030, Riyadh has positioned itself as a key logistics gateway between Asia, Africa, and Europe. The city’s rapid development in e-commerce, retail, and supply chain operations has created a demand for intelligent, scalable, and reliable logistics software.

From same-day deliveries to bulk inventory distribution, businesses now need tools that offer:

🔄 End-to-end supply chain visibility

📦 Accurate inventory tracking

🚚 Smart fleet and delivery coordination

📊 Advanced analytics for performance optimization

Riyadh’s businesses no longer see logistics software as a luxury—it’s a necessity for staying competitive.

What Makes Logistics Software in Riyadh Trustworthy?

When companies in Riyadh evaluate logistics solutions, trust comes from more than just flashy features. It’s about consistent performance, deep integration, and tailored support. Here are the pillars of trust for the best logistics software solutions in the region:

✅ Local Customization

Generic software won’t cut it in a city with unique logistical needs like Riyadh. Businesses want platforms that understand local infrastructure, regulations, and business culture. Five Programmers specializes in developing software customized to the specific requirements of Saudi businesses, offering localization that global tools can’t.

✅ Real-Time Accuracy

Whether tracking fleets across Riyadh’s busy highways or managing warehouse stock, real-time data is crucial. Trusted logistics software provides accurate, live updates, reducing errors and empowering better decisions.

✅ User-Friendly Design

Companies choose systems that are intuitive, minimizing the learning curve. Employees at all levels—from warehouse staff to managers—should be able to use the system effortlessly.

✅ Scalability and Flexibility

Businesses grow, and so should their logistics platforms. The best software grows with your needs, allowing you to add new features, expand warehouses, and manage more vehicles.

Five Programmers – Riyadh’s Trusted Name in Logistics Software

When businesses in Riyadh talk about dependable logistics systems, Five Programmers is always part of the conversation. This homegrown software development company has earned the trust of startups, SMEs, and enterprises alike by delivering solutions that actually solve day-to-day logistics challenges.

Why Riyadh Chooses Five Programmers

🚀 Tailored Logistics Software: No templates. Every platform is built from the ground up based on your workflow.

🌐 Built for Riyadh’s Logistics Landscape: Software is optimized for Riyadh’s traffic patterns, warehouse layouts, and delivery zones.

📈 End-to-End Efficiency: From fleet scheduling to inventory automation, every function enhances operational speed and accuracy.

🤝 Long-Term Partnership: More than just software delivery—Five Programmers provides ongoing support, updates, and feature upgrades.

Real Benefits Riyadh Businesses Gain from Logistics Software

Let’s explore the real-world improvements companies in Riyadh are experiencing after adopting trusted logistics software solutions like those offered by Five Programmers.

📦 Seamless Inventory Management

Managing stock across multiple warehouses can be a nightmare without the right system. With logistics software, businesses can monitor stock levels in real-time, track expiry dates, automate reorders, and avoid overstocking.

🚚 Fleet Coordination & Route Optimization

Instead of relying on guesswork or outdated spreadsheets, logistics software calculates the best routes, avoids traffic delays, and tracks vehicle movement live—saving time and fuel.

⏱ Faster Order Fulfillment

With real-time alerts and automation, order processing becomes faster. Orders are picked, packed, and dispatched without delays, leading to higher customer satisfaction.

📊 Better Decision Making

Software from Five Programmers includes powerful analytics and reporting features. Business owners and managers can access KPIs, delivery times, and inventory stats instantly—allowing for smarter business decisions.

🔐 Data Security and Compliance

In a city like Riyadh, where data protection and regulatory compliance are increasingly important, top logistics platforms come with robust security layers, regular backups, and built-in compliance tools.

Industries in Riyadh Benefiting from Logistics Software

The impact of high-performance logistics software isn’t limited to one sector. Multiple industries in Riyadh have seen impressive results after digitizing their logistics operations:

🛒 E-commerce: Quick order processing, delivery tracking, and returns handling

🏬 Retail Chains: Centralized inventory visibility across multiple outlets

🍽️ Food & Beverage: Cold chain monitoring and on-time delivery

🏗️ Construction & Manufacturing: Raw material tracking and equipment logistics

🚛 3PL Providers: Complete visibility for clients and optimized route planning

Whatever your industry, Five Programmers offers solutions tailored to your business logic and goals.

How to Choose the Right Logistics Software in Riyadh

If you’re a business owner or logistics manager in Riyadh, here’s a simple roadmap to selecting the best solution:

1. Assess Your Needs

Do you need warehouse automation? Fleet tracking? Customer delivery updates? Identify your most pressing challenges.

2. Set Clear Goals

Outline what you hope to achieve with software—whether it's fewer delivery delays, less manual work, or better reporting.

3. Choose a Local Expert

Working with a Riyadh-based developer like Five Programmers ensures cultural and logistical understanding, faster communication, and easier on-site support.

4. Test the Platform

Ask for a trial or demo. This lets your team explore the interface and test its compatibility with your workflow.

5. Ensure Integration

Make sure the logistics system can connect with your existing tools—ERP, CRM, POS, etc.

Why Trust Matters More Than Ever

In a fast-paced city like Riyadh, where delays can cost millions, businesses can’t afford unreliable technology. Trust is built over time, but it starts with:

Clear communication from your software provider

Transparent pricing and delivery timelines

Reliable customer service

Proven success with local companies

That’s why more and more organizations are turning to Five Programmers. Their commitment to quality, customization, and support makes them a partner—not just a vendor.

Final Thoughts: Choose Logistics Software That Riyadh Trusts

Efficiency, speed, and reliability are no longer optional—they’re expected. And businesses in Riyadh are rising to that expectation by investing in logistics software they can count on.

By partnering with a reputable company like Five Programmers, you gain access to a platform built with your local challenges and business goals in mind. Whether you're a growing startup or a seasoned enterprise, the right logistics software will not only streamline your operations but also fuel long-term success.

[beardedmrbean]

German security officials say they are carefully examining possible indications of foreign finance or influence in a series of attacks in German cities in the past year.

However, they have reacted coolly to a German TV report suggesting suspicious internet searches were carried out in Russia before a deadly attack in Mannheim last year.

A 26-year-old Afghan man has admitted a knife attack that targeted anti-Islam activist Michael Stürzenberger and killed a police officer in May last year, days before European elections.

A ZDF TV report has now suggested that Russian Google searches days earlier had included "terror attack in Mannheim" and "Michael Stürzenberger stabbed".

Digital intelligence analyst Steven Broschart told the public broadcaster ZDF's Terra X History programme that the searches were highly unusual: "it's pretty unlikely that we're talking about a coincidence here".

He spoke of Russian internet searches for webcams in Mannheim's market square before the 31 May attack took place.

The broadcaster also highlighted fires inside parcels at a DHL cargo hub in Leipzig which Western security officials blamed on Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.

That attack in August 2024 preceded regional elections in Saxony, and the head of domestic intelligence Stephan Joachim Kramer in neighbouring Thuringia told ZDF that "those who deal with this know we've actually been at war for a long time, even if it's not been declared".

Police officer killed in Mannheim attack

Russian 'test runs' targeted cargo flights to US

The trial of the man accused of carrying out the Mannheim attack, Sulaiman A, has heard how he became fascinated by jihadist group Islamic State and how he had ordered a knife online beforehand.

Other German cities have since been hit by attacks, including this year in Aschaffenburg and Munich, ahead of federal elections. The killings coincided with a spike in support for the far-right anti-immigration party, Alternative for Germany.

Interior ministry officials have not commented on ZDF's report on Russian internet searches four days before the Mannheim attack, other than to say the issue of "possible indications of targeted influence from abroad" was being taken seriously.

There were "no clear indications" so far, the spokesman told AFP news agency.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Germany's BND intelligence service voiced scepticism over the analysis of internet searches before last year's Mannheim attack.

"The results from Google Trends are unsuitable for presented analysis and evaluation methods and cannot be used with validity either," the spokesman told Reuters.

The spokesman suggested that the the results were based on samples and searches that were too small, and that VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) that disguised the location of a search would not have been taken into account.

Despite the wariness of the intelligence response, former BND employee Gerhard Conrad warned that it would be "naive" not to pursue these leads.

Such violent crimes would certainly fit the "toolbox of what we now called hybrid measures, hybrid warfare", he said.

The domestic intelligence service warned only last week that Russian spies were using "espionage, sabotage and exertion of influence, including disinformation" to target Germany and the rest of Europe.