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Minnesota County Is Still Reaping Huge Benefits from ASAP Service Five Years Later

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1 year ago

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The Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) Service is saving telecommunicators at the Anoka County Emergency Communications Center an average of 30 hours each month.

ANOKA, Minn., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Monitoring Association (TMA) announced today that Anoka County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) has dramatically reduced the amount of time that 911 telecommunicators spend on calls generated by alarm and sensor systems as a result of implementing TMA’s ASAP Service. The solution leverages the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP), which was developed jointly by TMA and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).

Rarely does the public-safety sector encounter a decision that is a no-brainer — but implementing ASAP Service is one of them. I urge every ECC to do so as soon as possible.

“Our latest data shows that ASAP Service is saving our telecommunicators an average of 30 hours each month,” said Kari Morrissey, Anoka County’s director of emergency communications.

Anoka County ECC has handled 911 and nonemergency calls for service, and has dispatched the appropriate emergency response, since 1974. ECC officials sought a way to lessen the impact of alarm- and sensor-generated calls for a variety of reasons. One is that the 911 community has been suffering from an acute staffing shortage for several years — it is estimated that 77 percent of ECCs nationwide are understaffed.

Another reason for the ECC to address the high volume of alarm-and sensor-generated calls that it was receiving is that the role of 911 telecommunicators is inherently stressful and such calls exacerbate that stress. ECCs nationwide field about 240 million calls for emergency service annually and most of them involve life-and-death situations. Consequently, it is estimated that 25 to 44 percent of telecommunicators have experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point in their careers.

Arguably the most important reason, however, is that the legacy approach to handling alarm- and sensor-generated calls is time-consuming and prone to human error on several levels. Both outcomes are highly detrimental to the ability of emergency responders to save lives.

Traditionally, alarm- and sensor-generated alerts have been delivered to ECCs via telephone. Each one requires interaction between alarm-monitoring-center personnel and 911 telecommunicators. Sometimes it takes as many as five voice calls to deliver the information needed by the ECC to dispatch the appropriate emergency response.

ASAP Service eliminates these inefficiencies by automating the alarm-notification process and directly integrating with an ECC’s computer-aided-dispatch (CAD) system. The platform electronically transmits alarm and sensor data directly into the CAD system, reducing response times by up to two minutes. Further, the automation that ASAP Service provides also reduces administrative call load significantly, freeing telecommunicators to prioritize 911 calls that require their unique skills and expertise.

Anoka County ECC implemented ASAP Service in 2020. Today, about 36 percent of the alarm- and sensor-generated calls that reach the center do so via ASAP Service.

Consequently, the human errors that plagued the legacy approach to handling alarm- and sensor-generated calls have been reduced dramatically because verbal information-sharing for such calls has been eliminated, as has manual data entry into the CAD system. Further, the platform provides pre-verified addresses, eliminating transcription and geographical errors that can delay emergency responses.

“Rarely does the public-safety sector encounter a decision that is a no-brainer — but implementing ASAP Service is one of them,” Morrissey said. “I urge every ECC to do so as soon as possible.”

Learn more about how TMA’s ASAP Service is saving lives every day nationwide at www.ASAP911.org.

About Anoka County Emergency Communications

Anoka County Emergency Communications has been providing public-safety communications services to the citizens of Anoka County since 1974. The department answers 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls — about 400,000 annually — for the county’s 367,018 citizens and provides dispatch services for 11 law-enforcement agencies and 17 fire departments. The department also is responsible for operating and maintaining the countywide 800 megahertz (MHz) public-safety radio system that is used by all emergency responders in the county, which is the fourth-largest by population in the state.

About The Monitoring Association

The Monitoring Association (TMA), formerly the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), is an internationally recognized non-profit trade association that represents professional monitoring companies, security systems integrators, and providers of products and services to the industry. Incorporated in 1950, TMA represents its members before Congress and regulatory agencies on the local, state and federal levels, and other authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) over the industry. Learn more online at https://tma.us/about-tma/.

About TMA’s ASAP Service

Launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, TMA’s Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) service allows for the direct electronic dispatch of first responder calls for service from alarm companies to PSAPs and ECCs. Increasing the accuracy and efficiency of dispatches, the ASAP service utilizes ANSI standard protocols developed cooperatively by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and The Monitoring Association (TMA).

Media Contact

Alex Oltmanns, Pipitone, 1 412-321-0879, aoltmanns@pipitone.com

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SOURCE Anoka County Emergency

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LG Electronics Kicks Off UAE Winter Roadshow for the All-New LG OLED EVO W6 Wallpaper TV

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59 minutes ago

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October 17, 2026

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UAE residents can spot the ultra-thin 9 mm True Wireless OLED evo W6 at iconic destinations across the country, with interactive social contests and a chance to win the flagship television.

LG Electronics is launching a winter-long roadshow across premier UAE destinations to showcase the all-new flagship LG OLED evo W6, True Wireless Wallpaper TV.The tour officially kicks off at The Lotus Lounge, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, running from 16 to 19 October 2026.Secret upcoming locations will be teased on Instagram via @lg_gulf. Guests who visit one of the spot and post an Instagram Story tagging #LGW6spotted and @lg_gulf will enter a grand draw to win an LG OLED W6 TV.

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) has announced the official launch of its nationwide UAE Winter Roadshow, showcasing the groundbreaking LG OLED evo W6, True Wireless Wallpaper TV. Commencing this weekend, the showcase will invite residents and visitors across the Emirates to experience the future of ultra-premium home entertainment firsthand in some of the country’s most scenic and luxurious lifestyle venues.

The roadshow marks the regional debut of the LG OLED evo W6, True Wireless Wallpaper TV, celebrating the much-anticipated return of LG’s iconic “Wallpaper” aesthetic. Measuring an ultra-slim 9.95mm in depth, the W6 mounts seamlessly flush against the wall with zero gaps, transforming the living space into a high-tech art gallery. Equipped with LG’s proprietary Zero Connect wireless transmission technology, the screen delivers lossless 4K video and audio from an untethered AV box placed up to 10 meters away, completely eliminating visible cable clutter.

First Stop: The Lotus Lounge, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort

The LG OLED evo W6 winter journey kicks off with an exclusive opening pop-up at The Lotus Lounge at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, running from 16 to 19 October 2026. Guests visiting the venue will see the display blending seamlessly into an upscale seaside hospitality environment.

A Gamified Winter Tour: #LGW6spotted

Throughout the winter season, the LG OLED evo W6 will pop up at surprise footfall lifestyle destinations across UAE.

To engage consumers and tech enthusiasts, LG Gulf is introducing an interactive social campaign:

Ahead of every pop-up, upcoming secret locations will be teased on @lg_gulf on Instagram. Followers who correctly guess the venue can win exclusive on-the-spot giveaways.Visitors who embark on the city-wide trail and spot the installation at locations can enter a lucky draw to win their very own LG OLED evo W6, True Wireless Wallpaper TV at the conclusion of the campaign. To qualify, participants simply need to capture a photo of the TV, upload it to their Instagram Story, tag @lg_gulf, and use the hashtag # LGW6spotted.

Next-Generation Picture and AI Performance

Beneath its ultra-thin profile, the LG OLED evo W6 is driven by LG’s most sophisticated brain yet: the α11 (Alpha 11) AI Processor 4K Gen3. Engineered to analyze content frame-by-frame, the processor utilizes deep learning to upscale imagery with astonishing spatial depth, refine facial realism, and map multi-channel virtual surround sound tailored to room acoustics.

Complementing the processor is LG’s next-evolution Hyper Radiant Color technology alongside Brightness Booster Ultra, delivering luminous peak highlights that push conventional OLED boundaries while preserving the iconic inky, Perfect Blacks that define the medium. To suit the light-filled, open-plan spaces characteristic of modern homes in the region, the screen incorporates an advanced Reflection Free Premium coating that dramatically suppresses ambient glare without muting color vibrancy.

Setting an industry first, the LG OLED evo W6 also stands as the world’s first True Wireless TV capable of transmitting 4K visual clarity at an ultra-smooth 165Hz refresh rate. Complete with full support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and leading gaming technologies, including Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync Premium, the LG OLED evo W6 ensures uncompromising performance whether playing host to high-octane gaming or an intimate, theater-grade cinema evening.

For more information about the LG OLED evo W6, visit:
https://www.lg.com/ae/tvs-soundbars/lg-oled83w66la. To follow the roadshow schedule, decipher location clues, and enter the contest, follow @lg_gulf on Instagram.

About LG Electronics Media Entertainment Solution Company

 The LG Media Entertainment Solution Company (MS) is a recognized innovator in televisions, audio, displays and smart TV platforms. The MS Company enhances the media entertainment experience with its OLED TVs, renowned for perfect black and perfect color, and premium LCD QNED TVs, all powered by the personalized webOS smart TV platform. The MS Company also offers Information Technology solutions (gaming monitors, business monitors, laptops, projectors, cloud devices and medical displays) as well as Signage solutions (Micro LED signage, digital signage, hospitality displays and signage software solutions) that are designed to maximize customers’ work efficiency and deliver strong value. For more news on LG, visit www.LGnewsroom.com. 

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SOURCE LG

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JinkoSolar Unveils Tiger Neo 5.0 All-Black Residential Solar Module with 25.52% Efficiency

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4 hours ago

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October 17, 2026

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SHANGRAO, China, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar” or the “Company”) (NYSE: JKS), today unveiled Tiger Neo 5.0, an all-black residential solar module built on its all-new TAC technology. The first version to reach the market, an all-black 48-cell module, delivers a maximum power output of 510 W with a module efficiency of 25.52%. It was designed to redefine the upper limits of what a scenario-specific module can deliver in both appearance and efficiency for premium homes and other architecturally refined residences.

The module showcases a deeper, more uniform and more refined black appearance than conventional back-contact (BC) modules. Semiconductor-grade low- and high-temperature processes bring the power temperature coefficient down to -0.24%/℃, meaning stronger energy yield in high-temperature environments.

TAC technology combines the excellent carrier transport of TOPCon with the low-temperature processing and positive electrode passivation of HJT, pushing peak cell efficiency to 28%, approaching the theoretical limit of monocrystalline silicon cells. Together with a zero-gap cell layout and hidden-ribbon technology at module level, the module achieves an efficiency of 25.52%. Compared with conventional BC products, it delivers approximately 30 W more power, and a lower temperature coefficient. Its deeper, more premium black appearance blends seamlessly into residential rooftops— especially dark-colored ones — making it a standout in the residential module category for both power and aesthetics.

“Our vision for Tiger Neo 5.0 was to develop a panel tailored to premium residential rooftops. It pushes the boundaries of both performance and aesthetics with innovations in cell technology, passivation processes, structural design, module format and interconnections. With this launch, we aim to help move the industry toward solutions tailored to specific applications,” said Charlie Cao, CEO of Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.

About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is a holding company combining clean energy industrial operations and strategic investment in emerging technologies. Its industrial foundation is a controlling interest in Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. (SSE: 688223), a global leader in clean energy technology. The Company makes disciplined strategic investments in renewable energy, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, commercial space and other frontier technologies, drawing on its industrial experience and its ability to identify emerging technologies and bring them to commercial scale.

Through Jinko Solar Co., Ltd., the Company distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Greece and other countries and regions.

JinkoSolar has over 10 production facilities globally, over 20 overseas subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Mexico, and other countries, and a global sales network with sales teams in China, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Vietnam and India, as of June 30, 2026.

To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com 

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company’s operations and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in JinkoSolar’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Stella Wang
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 21-5180-8777 ext.7806
Email: pr@jinkosolar.com

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SOURCE JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

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AGFUND wins international award for excellence in inclusive banking and social impact

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5 hours ago

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October 17, 2026

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 Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal credits the founders of AGFUND’s microfinance banks for laying the foundations of its development impact

BANGKOK, Oct. 17, 2026 /CNW/ — The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) won the “Excellence in Inclusive Banking and Social Impact” award at the 2026 Sustainable Development Goals Awards, organized by the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) in cooperation with the European Savings and Retail Banking Group (ESBG).

AGFUND CEO Hammam bin Nasser bin Juraid accepted the award in Bangkok, Thailand, alongside the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group.

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, President of AGFUND, said the recognition acknowledges AGFUND’s experience using financial services to empower underserved communities, strengthen livelihoods and promote economic independence.

He credited the founders of AGFUND’s microfinance banks, particularly the late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, for establishing institutions centered on empowering people.

He added that the award reflects over two decades of commitment, the dedication of financial inclusion banks and partners, and clients who transformed financing into businesses and family income. He emphasized expanding opportunities and measuring success through lasting improvements in people’s lives.

Prince Abdulaziz stressed that the recognition reflects the value of institutions reaching excluded populations and encourages broader access and economic opportunities for families.

AGFUND’s financial inclusion banking network has served more than 1.3 million clients and disbursed over US$1.37 billion in financing since inception. Women represent 59 per cent of borrowers, demonstrating its contribution to economic empowerment.

Presented by WSBI, established in 1924, together with ESBG, the award recognizes an approach linking financial services, social impact and sustainable development.

Following its first bank in Jordan in 2004, AGFUND expanded across nine countries: Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, Mauritania and Sierra Leone, focusing on communities underserved by conventional financial institutions.

The network has issued more than 1.5 million loans, opened over 927,000 savings accounts, established 112 branches and employed more than 1,500 people. Its services finance micro and small enterprises and income-generating activities, improving livelihoods and economic independence.

AGFUND plans to strengthen development partnerships, advance digital solutions and innovative financial products, and integrate financing with training, capacity development, market access and risk protection.

It is also exploring geographic expansion, particularly in Africa, through institutional partnerships that adapt successful approaches to local needs and extend sustainable financial inclusion to more communities.

Website – https://agfund.org/

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SOURCE The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND)

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