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STEM Mentorship Event Brings Together LA Dodgers Foundation and SoCalGas to Inspire the Next Generation of STEM Professionals

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LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) hosted an inspiring STEM event today at SoCalGas’ Energy Resource Center (ERC), welcoming students from the Brotherhood Crusade, Kollab Youth Workforce Development Program, and Dodgers Dreamteam participants. The event brought together 50 students from across the Los Angeles area to learn about the exciting opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Students engaged in a variety of sessions, including breakout modules on the life of an engineer, sustainability, and the application of STEM in sports. These sessions offered hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to interact with industry professionals. Attendees also enjoyed a networking lunch with SoCalGas employees, LADF representatives, and members of SoCalGas’ and the Los Angeles Dodgers Employee Resource Groups (ERG), and speed networking providing a platform for meaningful conversations and mentorship about career paths in STEM.

Key speakers, including Andy Carrasco, vice president of communications, local government and community affairs at SoCalGas, and Rachel Resnick, chief program officer at LADF, shared personal stories and emphasized the importance of higher education, specifically in STEM.

SoCalGas is committed to creating opportunities that spark interest and introduce new skills to help individuals pursue careers in the energy sector. Over the last five years, SoCalGas has sponsored more than 100 STEM events, awarded scholarships, and donated over $2.5 million to organizations that support workforce development. By partnering with the community it serves and fostering interest in STEM fields, SoCalGas is helping develop the next generation of skilled professionals. These initiatives can open doors to strong careers for local youth while contributing to the overall growth and innovation within the STEM industry.

“SoCalGas is deeply committed to the transformative power of education. This STEM event is a testament to our unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation of innovators and leaders,” said Andy Carrasco, vice president of communications, local government and community affairs at SoCalGas. “By equipping these young minds with tools and inspiration to pursue STEM careers and education, we are not just investing in their futures, but a brighter, more innovative world for all.”

Students also toured SoCalGas’ H2IE, an innovative microgrid with the first clean hydrogen-powered microgrid and home model in North America. The ERC was also the first building in California to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “green building” recognition and is a model of advanced, energy-efficient, and environmentally sensitive building technology.

“This event is a fantastic opportunity for our youth to explore the possibilities within STEM fields. We are proud to collaborate with SoCalGas and LADF to provide these valuable experiences that can shape their futures,” said Charisse Bremond-Weaver, president and CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade.

In addition, SoCalGas supports various workforce development programs to prepare the next generation of professionals. These initiatives include partnerships with organizations to provide training, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities. SoCalGas also collaborates with local educational institutions to offer internships and apprenticeships, helping students gain practical experience and skills needed for careers in the energy sector.

For more information on SoCalGas’ workforce development initiatives, visit: Promoting STEM and Energy Education | SoCalGas 

About SoCalGas
SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States, serving more than 21 million consumers across approximately 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Our mission is: Safe, Reliable and Affordable energy delivery today. Ready for tomorrow. SoCalGas is a recognized leader in the energy industry and has been named Corporate Member of the Year by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce for its volunteer leadership in the communities it serves. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), a leading North American energy infrastructure company.  For more information, visit SoCalGas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on social media @SoCalGas.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about the future, involve risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees. Future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In this press release, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “contemplate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “envision,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “confident,” “may,” “can,” “potential,” “possible,” “proposed,” “in process,” “construct,” “develop,” “opportunity,” “preliminary,” “initiative,” “target,” “outlook,” “optimistic,” “poised,” “positioned,” “maintain,” “continue,” “progress,” “advance,” “goal,” “aim,” “commit,” or similar expressions, or when we discuss our guidance, priorities, strategies, goals, vision, mission, projections, intentions or expectations.

Factors, among others, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include: decisions, denials of cost recovery, audits, investigations, inquiries, ordered studies, regulations, denials or revocations of permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations, renewals of franchises, and other actions, including the failure to honor contracts and commitments, by the (i) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Internal Revenue Service and other regulatory bodies and (ii) U.S. and states, counties, cities and other jurisdictions therein where we do business; the success of business development efforts and construction projects, including risks related to (i) completing construction projects or other transactions on schedule and budget, (ii) realizing anticipated benefits from any of these efforts if completed, (iii) obtaining third-party consents and approvals and (iv) third parties honoring their contracts and commitments; changes to our capital expenditure plans and their potential impact on rate base or other growth; litigation, arbitration and other proceedings, and changes (i) to laws and regulations, including those related to tax, (ii) due to the results of elections, and (iii) in trade and other foreign policy, including the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. and foreign countries; cybersecurity threats, including by state and state-sponsored actors, of ransomware or other attacks on our systems or the systems of third parties with which we conduct business, including the energy grid or other energy infrastructure; the availability, uses, sufficiency, and cost of capital resources and our ability to borrow money or otherwise raise capital on favorable terms and meet our obligations, which can be affected by, among other things, (i) actions by credit rating agencies to downgrade our credit ratings or place those ratings on negative outlook, (ii) instability in the capital markets, and (iii) fluctuating interest rates and inflation; the impact on affordability of our customer rates and our cost of capital and on our ability to pass through higher costs to customers due to (i) volatility in inflation, interest rates and commodity prices and (ii) the cost of meeting the demand for lower carbon and reliable energy in California; the impact of climate policies, laws, rules, regulations, trends and required disclosures, including actions to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas, increased uncertainty in the political or regulatory environment for California natural gas distribution companies, the risk of nonrecovery for stranded assets, and uncertainty related to emerging technologies; weather, natural disasters, pandemics, accidents, equipment failures, explosions, terrorism, information system outages or other events, such as work stoppages, that disrupt our operations, damage our facilities or systems, cause the release of harmful materials or fires or subject us to liability for damages, fines and penalties, some of which may not be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms or insurance or may impact our ability to obtain satisfactory levels of affordable insurance; the availability of natural gas and natural gas storage capacity, including disruptions caused by failures in the pipeline and storage systems or limitations on the injection and withdrawal of natural gas from storage facilities; and other uncertainties, some of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control.

These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that the company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, and on Sempra’s website, www.sempra.com. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements.

Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) and Infraestructura Energética Nova, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric Company or Southern California Gas Company, and Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the CPUC.

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company

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Maritime Launch Services and Isar Aerospace Extend Deadline to Finalize Statement of Work and Programmatic Milestones

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HALIFAX, NS and MUNICH, Sept. 1, 2026 /CNW/ — Maritime Launch Services Inc. (CBOE: MAXQ) (OTCQB: MAXQF) and Isar Aerospace have agreed to extend the deadline to provide additional time to complete the statement of work and certain programmatic milestones contemplated under their previously-announced facilities usage agreement for Spaceport Nova Scotia. The deadline was extended from September 1, 2026, to September 15, 2026.

The parties continue to make strong progress through an intensive and productive planning process. The extension reflects the time required to complete this work.

“We are very pleased with the progress being made between both parties,” said Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch Services. “Our teams are working through the detailed planning required to advance this important program. The additional 14 days will allow us to complete that work and maintain the strong momentum we have established together.”

The extension does not change the other key terms of the facilities usage agreement announced on July 7, 2026. The parties remain focused on advancing the development of Isar Aerospace’s dedicated launch complex for its Spectrum launch vehicle at Spaceport Nova Scotia, with first orbital launches targeted for 2028.The agreement supports the development of sovereign orbital launch capability from Canada and expands Isar Aerospace’s launch capability into North America.

“We are making strong progress together with Maritime Launch Services as we advance the detailed planning for our launch operations at Spaceport Nova Scotia,” said Alexandre Dalloneau, Vice President Mission and Launch Operations, Isar Aerospace. “The work between our teams has been intensive and productive, and this additional time will allow us to finalize the remaining details as we move toward execution of the program.”

About Maritime Launch Services 
Maritime Launch Services Inc. (CBOE: MAXQ, OTCQB: MAXQF) is a Canadian-owned commercial space company based in Nova Scotia. Maritime Launch is developing Spaceport Nova Scotia, a dual-use commercial spaceport designed to support both civil and defence-related space missions. The spaceport will provide satellite launch services to domestic and international clients across the global commercial space market, supporting a wide range of orbital inclinations from a single location.

Spaceport Nova Scotia is Canada’s first commercial orbital launch complex, enabling small and medium launch vehicles to place satellites into low Earth orbit.

For more information, visit: www.maritimelaunch.com

About Isar Aerospace

The European space company Isar Aerospace offers launch services for transporting small and medium-sized satellites and satellite constellations into Earth orbit. The launch vehicles used to transport these satellites are developed, manufactured, and tested almost entirely in-house. Headquartered near Munich, Germany, Isar Aerospace was founded in 2018 and has grown to over 400 employees, working across 5 international locations. Private funding from international investors provides strong backing for the company’s pioneering approach to scale and industrialize launch vehicle production through vertical integration. More information: www.isaraerospace.com

https://x.com/maritimelaunch

https://www.linkedin.com/company/maritimelaunch

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release include (without limitation) statements regarding the continuing of the term of the facilities usage agreement, continuing negotiations of the parties to the facilities usage agreement and the timing of completion of such negotiations, and anticipated launch timing.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Although Maritime Launch has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: risks related to Maritime Launch’s strategy going forward; capital requirements; risks related to interest rates and inflationary pressures on the cost of doing business; geopolitical events and changes, availability of third-party contractors and service providers, and other risks inherent in the industry in which Maritime Launch operates.

Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company’s expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maritime-launch-services-and-isar-aerospace-extend-deadline-to-finalize-statement-of-work-and-programmatic-milestones-302866904.html

SOURCE Maritime Launch Services Inc.

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Visa Launches Enhanced A2A Protect Innovations to Help Financial Institutions Stop Fraud Before Money Leaves Accounts

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New unified fraud score is the company’s first combined offering in-market since Visa’s acquisition of Featurespace which delivers real-time A2A risk insightsNew graph-powered, agentic capability helps accelerate complex fraud and risk investigationsA2A Protect has been shown to reduce over 50% more fraud and help reduce over 40% in unnecessary fraud alerts

SINGAPORE, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa (NYSE: V), a world leader in digital payments, today announced an enhanced version of A2A Protect, delivering real-time risk insights that help banks stop account-to-account fraud before money leaves customer accounts. The expanded solution introduces a new unified fraud score—Visa’s first in-market integration of Featurespace technology—giving financial institutions faster, clearer signals to detect more fraud while reducing unnecessary alerts.

In addition, Visa is developing its complementary fraud prevention capabilities through Visa Graph IQ, a graph-powered, agentic investigation capability that provides deeper investigative insights to help financial institutions uncover fraud networks, identify money mule activity, detect emerging threats, and accelerate fraud and risk investigations.

As account-to-account (A2A) payments accelerate globally, A2A transactions are projected to surpass 5.8 trillion by 2028, a 160% increase from 2024, with Asia Pacific expected to account for more than half of global A2A consumer transactions by 2028[1]. While this growth presents significant opportunities, it also creates new fraud risks. Asia Pacific accounts for an estimated 67% of the world’s USD 1.03 trillion in annual scam losses, with Asia alone recording USD 688.42 billion in scam-related losses in 2024[2]. This growing threat is driving increased regulatory and industry focus on strengthening fraud prevention capabilities and enhancing consumer protection.

A2A Protect leverages advanced AI and sophisticated transfer learning and gives banks immediate access to critical global risk insights on A2A transactions, without waiting months for models to develop intelligence from a bank’s own transaction data, and without having to wait for other banks to join a consortium, delivering results and value from day one. Banks that opt in can incorporate additional network-level signals to enhance detection of emerging threats operating across the ecosystem.

“As account-to-account payments continue to accelerate across Asia Pacific, financial institutions are looking for ways to grow digital payments with confidence while maintaining a seamless experience for consumers and businesses,” said Serene Gay, Head of Value-Added Services, Asia Pacific at Visa. “The latest enhancements to A2A Protect combine Visa’s network intelligence with advanced AI capabilities to help our clients detect fraud earlier, respond faster to emerging threats, and strengthen trust in the digital payments ecosystem.”

For financial institutions that opt into network level intelligence sharing, A2A Protect highlights emerging scam hotspots and coordinated fraud activity – insights that may be difficult for individual financial institutions to detect alone, and that help the wider ecosystem respond faster to new threats. This gives financial institutions an earlier and more complete view of risk, helping to identify scams before authorisation. In fact, Visa A2A Protect has been shown to increase fraud detection by up to 75% in the first six months of deployment.

A2A Protect integrates with financial institutions’ current systems through a single API, reducing implementation time and complexity. Each alert includes a plain language explanation of why a transaction was flagged, helping fraud teams act quickly and confidently without disrupting genuine customers.

For more information on how Visa works to prevent fraud across the ecosystem, visit Visa.com/security.

[1]  Juniper Research, Global Instant Payments Market Report, September 2025

[2] GASA, Asia Scam Report, 2024

About Visa Inc.
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

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SOURCE Visa

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Chemonics Australia Expands Public Sector Advisory, Infrastructure, and Development Delivery Capabilities with Acquisitions of 35 South and JID

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The acquisitions strengthen Chemonics Australia’s ability to support governments, development partners, and institutions across Australia and the Indo-Pacific with practical delivery capability from strategy and design through implementation.

CANBERRA, Australia, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Chemonics has completed its acquisitions of 35 South Advisors and JID, strengthening its capabilities across public and social sector delivery, international development, infrastructure, and implementation support throughout Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Together, these acquisitions strengthen Chemonics Australia’s ability to help clients tackle complex challenges by combining talented professionals with deep analytical and implementation expertise, advanced technology, and data-driven decision-making tools.

As part of Chemonics, which has been delivering programs for over 50 years, Chemonics Australia launched in 2025 to better support governments, institutions, and development partners across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. The acquisitions of 35 South and JID strengthen that effort by adding complementary expertise in public sector delivery, infrastructure, and program implementation, expanding Chemonics Australia’s capabilities to support partners from planning and design through to delivery.

35 South strengthens Chemonics Australia’s ability to support Commonwealth, State, and Territory agencies. With practical expertise in public policy, program and service delivery, economics, and data insights, the firm has built a reputation for exceptional client service, agility, and practical problem solving. Its experience spans finance, health, social services, central agencies, international development, defence, and other sectors. Its fit-for-purpose consulting, government delivery experience, and tailored client engagement will help agencies turn complex reforms into practical action and measurable results.

JID strengthens Chemonics Australia’s on-the-ground delivery capability. With teams already delivering key programs across the Indo-Pacific region, JID brings proven expertise in social and economic infrastructure, service delivery, disaster response and resilience, and complex program execution. JID has supported Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other regional partners across Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu. This includes work leading and managing major infrastructure investments across the Pacific. JID’s end-to-end model combines advisory services, program management, and operational delivery, enabling partners to implement complex programs and strengthen resilience in remote, disaster-affected, and resource-constrained settings.

Chemonics Australia was established to bring Chemonics’ global experience and delivery capability closer to partners across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Building on that foundation, the acquisitions deepen Chemonics Australia’s expertise, while drawing on Chemonics’ more than 50 years of experience delivering programs in over 160 countries. Together, they expand Chemonics Australia’s ability to support partners including Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Defence, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Asian Development Bank, and other government and development institutions across the region.

“I’m very excited to welcome 35 South and JID to the Chemonics family,” said Jamey Butcher, Chair and CEO of Chemonics. “I’ve been incredibly impressed by the work both organisations have done and by the people behind it. Bringing these teams together with Chemonics Australia strengthens what we can offer partners across Australia and the Indo-Pacific and brings expertise and experience that will make our organisation stronger around the world.”

“35 South was created to help governments and not-for-profits design better policies, deliver citizen-centred services, and operate more effectively,” said Scott Alexander, CEO of 35 South. “This next chapter gives our team access to broader capability, expertise and knowledge that Government demands while preserving the close client delivery, relationships, agility, and practical approaches that will help our clients achieve lasting, positive outcomes for Australian communities.”

“JID was established to help partners deliver complex development programs that work in practice,” said Brad Bowman, CEO of JID. “Our strength comes from teams embedded across the region and their ability to manage infrastructure and services in demanding environments. This partnership will give those teams stronger systems and resources to support larger programs, while keeping local knowledge at the centre of delivery.”

Looking ahead, the acquisitions create opportunities to strengthen public sector delivery, infrastructure implementation, and development programming across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. The combined Chemonics Australia organisation will continue to work in partnership with governments, regional institutions, development partners, and communities to support complex reform efforts, manage large investments effectively, and deliver programs that respond to local priorities and contribute to long-term outcomes.

For additional media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Natalie Wisely
Senior Director, Executive Strategy and Communications, Chemonics International
media@chemonics.com

About Chemonics Australia
With a focus on the Indo-Pacific, Chemonics Australia works with partners to offer fit-for-purpose solutions to today’s toughest challenges, combining deep regional insights with a global track record to deliver practical, sustainable impact. Through our regional offices, long-term partnerships, and network of local and international experts, we deliver tailored, results-driven solutions that strengthen systems, build local capacity, and achieve lasting impact for communities.

About 35 South
Founded in 2021, 35 South is a consulting firm recognised for its exceptional client service, data analytics, program delivery, financial and economic modelling and practical problem-solving. The firm supports Australian Government and not-for-profit partners across priority sectors including health, social services, central agencies, defence, and international development.

About JID
Established in 2016, JID specialises in project advisory, program management, and on-the-ground delivery in complex environments. With teams across the region, JID draws on deep local expertise and strong project management discipline to deliver infrastructure and service delivery programs that support sustainable, long-term impact.

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SOURCE Chemonics Australia

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