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Fairtrade Unveils First-Ever ‘Non-Fungible Banana’ Amid Rising Climate Threat to Global Agriculture

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At COP27 Climate Conference, The Last Banana will warn delegates and governments alike that the future survival of the world’s most popular fruit is at risk

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Fairtrade International, the leading certification for social justice and sustainability, is set to launch the world’s first Non-Fungible Banana, or NFB, in an effort to spotlight the increasing threat climate change poses to the planet’s most beloved food products and the livelihoods of the farmers and agricultural workers who grow them, the organization announced today.

Dubbed The Last Banana, Fairtrade’s NFB, which differs from a Non-Fungible Token in that it is not commercially accessible and does not rely on energy-intensive processes for production, will be unveiled on 10 November at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, where it will be on view at the FAO Pavilion as a definitive warning to visiting delegates that the future of the global food system hangs in the balance. The Last Banana will also be accessible to audiences in over 21 Fairtrade markets as Fairtrade organizations around the world encourage viewers to visit the NFB’s virtual gallery space online.

“The Last Banana is Fairtrade’s call to the world that if we don’t step up and achieve inclusive and equitable climate solutions with farmers and agricultural workers at the centre of climate action, we risk losing our favourite food products forever,” said Melissa Duncan, Executive Director at Fairtrade International.

Bananas are hands down the world’s most popular fruit. And with an estimated global export value of $7 billion dollars per year, they are also likely one of the most essential, as the banana trade remains the cornerstone of many countries’ economies.

For more than 450 million people around the world, bananas and plantains are vital staple crops. But amid the impact of climate change and the threats posed by plant diseases like Fusarium TR4, the future of bananas is increasingly at risk – a frightening reality brought out in the Fairtrade and Climate Change study released in late 2021. 

According to the study’s findings, dramatic weather patterns spurred by climate change will likely deliver severe blows to agricultural production in key regions around the world, from Latin America to the Asia-Pacific. Banana producers in the Caribbean and in Central America, for instance, are expected to face less rainfall and more extreme temperatures, while those in Southeast Asia and Oceania will see an increased risk of tropical cyclones.

“Farmers and workers are not only on the frontline of the climate crisis, they also have critical know-how that can mitigate and address climate risks for the benefit of humanity,” Ms. Duncan continued. “If governments fail to include them in the COP27 outcome and empower them to be the custodians of our planet’s food supply, the only future for one of the world’s most popular fruits may very well be a digital NFB.”

Representing more than 1.8 million farmers worldwide, Fairtrade’s delegation will be active at COP27 calling on leaders of government and the private sector to immediately deliver on climate targets by meeting the $100 billion USD climate aid commitment promised by the end of 2022; ensuring climate finance delivers for small holder farmers and workers by including them in the design of climate programmes; agreeing on regulations that tackle the root causes of environmental degradation, such as deforestation, by penalising non-compliance; and supporting farmers and workers with the costs of adaptation and mitigation.

“We already know that the impacts of the climate crisis are being felt by local communities in low-income countries through unprecedented heatwaves, calamitous droughts, intensified hurricanes and destructive downpours,” noted Juan Pablo Solis, Fairtrade International’s Senior Advisor for Climate and Environment.

“The unveiling of a Non-Fungible Banana is a powerful way for us to remind everyone – from global leaders to consumers – that they cannot take their favourite foods for granted. The current climate crisis could very well mean that the last banana is not too far away.”

Visit The Last Banana in Fairtrade’s Virtual Gallery Space

About Fairtrade America

Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It’s about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all partnering so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the US chapter of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is the world’s largest and most recognized fair trade system—part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtradeamerica.org, and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact: 
Emily Rado
954-592-2003
emily@schroderhaus.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fairtrade-unveils-first-ever-non-fungible-banana-amid-rising-climate-threat-to-global-agriculture-301667747.html

SOURCE Fairtrade America

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Alogent Receives Federal Reserve Authorization to Directly Exchange X9 Check Image Files for Banks and Credit Unions, Expanding its Role as a Payments Infrastructure Provider

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April 21, 2026

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PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alogent (@AlogentCorp), a global software leader in the banking and financial services market, announced it has been authorized by the Federal Reserve to send and receive X9 check image exchange files on behalf of its financial institution clients, enabling end-to-end check presentment and returns without the need for intermediary processors.

This direct connectivity allows banks and credit unions to consolidate capture, processing, clearing, settlement, and returns within a single, integrated Alogent platform, delivering faster processing, simpler integrations, fewer vendors, and greater operational control.

“Becoming authorized by the Federal Reserve to directly exchange X9 files for both outbound presentment and inbound returns marks a fundamental shift in Alogent’s role in the payments ecosystem,” said Dede Wakefield, CEO of Alogent. “By removing third‑party intermediaries, we’re repositioning Alogent as a core infrastructure provider, giving banks and credit unions a more direct path to the Fed, and a strong foundation as payments continue to modernize toward consolidation and real‑time settlement.”

Key Benefits for Banks and Credit Unions Include:

Direct exchange of X9 check presentment and return files with the Federal Reserve, without intermediary processorsFaster clearing and settlement times for check image exchangeEnd-to-end visibility across forward presentment and returns workflowsSimplified technology integrations and reduced vendor sprawlGreater operational control and transparency across payment workflowsA future‑ready foundation for real‑time and next‑generation Fed services

“This authorization translates our product strategy into tangible operational benefits for banks and credit unions,” said Ashish Bhatia, VP of Product Management at Alogent. “By consolidating critical payment workflows within a single platform, institutions gain simpler operations, stronger oversight, and sustained control.”

As adoption of faster payments and modern settlement models accelerates, Alogent’s direct Federal Reserve connectivity positions both the company and its clients at the center of the evolving U.S. payments infrastructure, while establishing a foundation for potential direct connectivity to additional Federal Reserve services, including FedNow® real‑time payments, Fedwire®, FedACH®, and FedLine®. This authorization places Alogent among a limited group of technology providers trusted to directly exchange check image files with the Federal Reserve on behalf of financial institutions.

About Alogent

Alogent provides proven, end-to-end check payment processing, and enterprise content, information, and loan management platforms, to financial institutions of all sizes, including credit unions, community banks, and some of the largest national and international institutions. Our unique approach spans the entire transaction ecosystem — capturing and digitizing transaction data, exception tracking, and automating entire transaction and loan management workflows so that information is available across the enterprise. Alogent’s solution suites leverage the latest in machine learning and predictive analytics, including enterprise-wide data intelligence and reporting solutions that enable financial institutions to deliver products and services that boost engagement through personalization and data-backed decisions. Learn more about Alogent at www.alogent.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alogent-receives-federal-reserve-authorization-to-directly-exchange-x9-check-image-files-for-banks-and-credit-unions-expanding-its-role-as-a-payments-infrastructure-provider-302746616.html

SOURCE Alogent

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yieldWerx and Enlight Technology Extend Design-to-Test Data Continuity Across Taiwan’s Semiconductor Ecosystem

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44 minutes ago

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April 21, 2026

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HSINCHU, Taiwan, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — yieldWerx is expanding its presence in Taiwan through a collaboration with Enlight Technology Co., Ltd., bringing advanced test data aggregation and analysis capabilities to one of the world’s most concentrated semiconductor markets.

The collaboration combines Enlight Technology’s established role across Taiwan’s semiconductor design, manufacturing, and research landscape with yieldWerx’s expertise in data aggregation and statistical analysis. Together, the companies aim to address the increasing demand for data-driven yield optimization as device complexity grows across advanced packaging, silicon photonics, and heterogeneous integration.

Enlight Technology is the authorized representative of Siemens EDA in Taiwan and provides a portfolio of electronic design automation (EDA), manufacturing execution systems (MES), and engineering solutions spanning IC, silicon photonics, MEMS, PCB, and system-level applications. The company supports semiconductor and electronics customers, including fabless design houses, foundries, OSATs, and system companies, with engagement across more than 100 semiconductor organizations and 300 system companies in the region.

As part of the partnership, the companies will work together to:

Provide localized technical engagement and support aligned with Taiwan’s semiconductor workflows and language requirements.Support improved yield learning cycles and more efficient production ramp across the region.Extend yield analytics capabilities into an ecosystem spanning design, verification, and manufacturing execution.

“We are excited to partner with Enlight Technology as we expand into Taiwan and the broader Asian market. Their deep domain expertise and strong ecosystem presence significantly enhance our ability to deliver scalable, data-driven yield solutions to customers operating at the forefront of semiconductor innovation.” — Aftkhar Aslam, CEO, yieldWerx

“As advanced packaging and silicon photonics drive exponential test data growth, our partnership with yieldWerx equips Taiwan’s ecosystem with powerful statistical analysis. We empower customers to turn complex data into actionable insights, accelerating yield learning and time-to-market” — Su Cheng Yu, General Manager, Enlight Technology

About yieldWerx
yieldWerx is a leading data and yield analytics platform for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, and photonics I/O. The platform provides end-to-end visibility across wafer probe, optical and electrical wafer acceptance, module assembly, and system-level test. By analyzing this data, yieldWerx helps organizations understand yield performance, variability, and production trends, enabling optimized quality and faster time-to-market.

About Enlight Technology Co., Ltd.
Enlight Technology Co., Ltd. is a Taiwan-based provider of electronic design automation and engineering solutions and serves as the authorized representative of Siemens EDA in Taiwan. The company delivers solutions spanning IC, silicon photonics, MEMS, PCB, DFM, and manufacturing execution systems, supporting customers from IC-level design to system-level integration. With over three decades of experience, Enlight Technology provides customized solutions and technical services to the electronics industry.

For further information, please visit https://www.yieldWerx.com or https://www.enlight-tec.com/.

Company contacts:

yieldWerx
Tina Shimizu
Chief Marketing Director
412529@email4pr.com
+1 888-929-4022

Enlight Technology Co., Ltd.
Jamie Su
Marketing Director
412529@email4pr.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yieldwerx-and-enlight-technology-extend-design-to-test-data-continuity-across-taiwans-semiconductor-ecosystem-302748158.html

SOURCE yieldWerx

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Former UK SAS Sargeant Joins Delta Three Oscar to Drive Awareness of Next-Generation Military Protection

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44 minutes ago

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April 21, 2026

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BLACKSBURG, Va., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Three Oscar, the military and ballistic protection division of D3O, today announces former UK Special Forces veteran and expedition leader Jay Morton as its first-ever brand ambassador.

 

Morton will bring his military expertise to Delta Three Oscar and will be endorsing the company’s latest impact protection and shock absorbing footwear whilst providing experience backed insights to the team as part of the company’s ongoing innovation into protective equipment.

The partnership is a strategic move for the protection brand to increase awareness and the benefits of its impact and shock absorbing personal protection systems amongst end users. Delta Three Oscar engineers the most advanced ballistic helmet liners, impact protection body armour, and shock absorbing midsoles used in helmets, uniforms, chest plates and footwear worn by U.S. military, NATO forces and law enforcement departments worldwide. The body armour is lightweight, flexible and designed to reduce fatigue by ensuring a comfortable fit with unrivalled impact protection, tough enough to be used in the harshest environments.

Morton served 14 years in the British Armed Forces, including four years in the Parachute Regiment and ten years with the Special Air Service, touring the Afghanistan and Iraq on multiple occasions. His frontline experience and expertise in high-risk environments give him huge credibility to endorse Delta Three Oscar’s next-generation protection designed for elite performance, enhanced comfort, and impact reduction.

Now as an elite expedition leader, Morton has highlighted the importance of trust, comfort, and reliability in protective gear.

“Trust in your protective equipment is absolutely essential,” he said. “When you’re operating in high-risk environments, comfort and reliability are paramount and you can’t afford distractions. Delta Three Oscar’s body and limb protectors deliver exceptional impact and ballistic performance while remaining incredibly comfortable. It’s ‘fit and forget’ protection that allows operators to focus entirely on the mission.”

Delta Three Oscar engineers advanced protection technologies including:

Ballistic body armour protection materials to mitigate back face deformationHALO® helmet suspension systems available in 3, 7 and 9 pad configurationsImpact protection flexible moulded armour for knees and elbows including tough outer shellsUnderfoot shock-absorbing protection used in midsoles

These products and materials are engineered to reduce fatigue, improve comfort, and enhance operational effectiveness in demanding environments.

“Jay brings a huge amount of credibility and real operational insight into what frontline personnel require from their protective equipment,” said Mostyn Thomas, Chief Marketing Officer at Delta Three Oscar. “His experience at the highest level of military performance makes him an ideal partner as we continue advancing protection technology and supporting those who serve, giving them a subconscious advantage by knowing they have the best protection available”

As Delta Three Oscar’s first ambassador, Morton will feature in the company’s latest brand campaign highlighting the benefits of Delta Three Oscar’s unique military protection innovation and performance.

Media Contact:
Serena Thynne
09178533121
412519@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-uk-sas-sargeant-joins-delta-three-oscar-to-drive-awareness-of-next-generation-military-protection-302748124.html

SOURCE D3O

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