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Canada and Quebec are co-organizing the first meeting of the UNESCO Group of Experts on the diversity of cultural expression in the digital environment

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QUÉBEC CITY, May 27, 2024 /CNW/ – The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for Youth and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, as well as Martine Biron, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, are proud to launch the activities for the first meeting of the UNESCO Group of Experts on the diversity of cultural expression in the digital environment.

This meeting of experts from around the world will be held in Québec City from May 28 to 30, 2024. It will be preceded on May 27 by a day of conferences for Canadian, Quebec and international cultural workers. These conferences will be organized by the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE), with the collaboration of the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD).

Over the past few months, Canada and the government of Quebec have supported the creation of this international group of 18 independent experts within UNESCO. Until the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee in February 2025, this group will conduct a reflection and make recommendations to the Parties to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (“2005 Convention”) on four themes: the linguistic diversity of cultural content online, the discoverability of local and national cultural content online, the greater transparency of digital platforms, and the impact of artificial intelligence on cultural and creative industries.

As co-organizers of the UNESCO Group of Experts meeting, Canada and Quebec will use this work on the 2005 Convention to advance the priorities of Canadian and Quebec artists, organizations and cultural and creative industries, as they relate to the implementation of this Convention in the digital environment. The 2005 Convention, which now has 153 signatories, is an essential instrument for ensuring the diversity of cultural expressions in all environments, including the digital environment.

The May 27 conferences, organized by the CDCE, with the collaboration of the IFCCD, will be held under the theme Promoting our cultures in the digital age – Conversations among cultural workers from here and abroad. These conferences will focus on the priority themes listed in UNESCO’s mandate to this group of international experts. The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is also involved in the activity and will present an Indigenous cultural segment as part of the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

Cultural workers from Quebec and Canada are invited to visit the CDCE website for program information on the May 27 conferences.

Quotes

“UNESCO is dedicated to strengthening the diversity of cultural expressions in the context of innovative digital technologies, particularly generative artificial intelligence. We are delighted to be working with our longstanding partners, Canada and Quebec, to bring together, for the first time, experts who can enlighten Member States on the opportunities and challenges of the digital environment.” 

Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture, UNESCO

“Our priority is to promote the growth and influence of our creative industries in a context of profound change, especially in the digital sphere. This is why the discussions taking place in the coming days are crucial in helping governments identify the solutions and collaborative solutions that should be adopted to reach these goals. As a government, it is important to take stock of current challenges and act. This work has already started with the adoption of the Online Streaming Act, which modernizes our approach to taking account of issues like discoverability and to ensuring that foreign platforms contribute to our cultural ecosystems by promoting our creators, our stories and our expertise.”

The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

“Today’s digital environment is having a major impact on people’s access to their cultures and to diverse cultural content in multiple languages. It is vital to find solutions to promote diversified cultural content that reaches its audiences, especially youth. We are working on these issues and hope that the work carried out by the UNESCO Group of Experts will fuel Quebec’s actions. This international mobilization for linguistically diverse cultural content in the digital world is tremendous.” 

Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for Youth and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region

“The Quebec government’s role at UNESCO on the diversity of cultural expressions is a true diplomatic success. In recent months, Quebec has reaffirmed its leadership in this field, particularly on the issue of linguistically diverse online cultural content. Hosting this international meeting in Québec City, our national capital, will allow us to reaffirm our commitment to the 2005 Convention in the digital environment and, with the contribution of Quebec civil society, to reflect on innovative solutions to better address the issues we consider priorities for ensuring the continuity of our culture and language.” 

Martine Biron, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Status of Women

“It is heartening to note that, 25 years after an initial wave of mobilization that gave rise to the very first Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE), and few years later, to the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD), the Canadian and Quebec cultural milieu remains strongly committed to preserving cultural sovereignty in the context of digital commerce, a core element of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.”

Bill Skolnik, Co-Chair of the CDCE and representative of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada

“Amplifying the diversity of our cultural expressions through technology is possible. If States firmly commit to updating their implementation of the 2005 Convention in the digital context, this could well be the stepping stone needed to achieve that amplification.”

Hélène Messier, Co-Chair of the CDCE and President and CEO of the Association québécoise de la production médiatique

Highlights

The creation of this group was approved by the 153 Parties at the 9th session of the Conference of Parties to the 2005 Convention, held from June 6 to 8, 2023.The Intergovernmental Committee, which is responsible for monitoring the decisions of the Conference of Parties, is the other governing body of the 2005 Convention.The meeting will be held in Québec City, whose historic district of Old Québec has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985 in recognition of its rich history and heritage. Québec City is part of UNESCO’s global Creative Cities Network as a City of Literature.A conference organized by the cultural community will take place ahead of the meeting. The organizers are the CDCE and the IFCCD. The CDCE brings together some 50 associations, unions and management companies in the Quebec and Canadian cultural sectors, representing over 350,000 creators and professionals, and 3,000 companies. The IFCCD brings together some 30 members, based in 30 countries, representing coalitions of creators and cultural businesses.

Associated Links

Government of Canada Web page: Online meeting of the UNESCO group of experts on the diversity of cultural expressions – May 27 to 30, 2024Gouvernment of Québec Web page (in french only): Première rencontre du groupe de réflexion de l’UNESCO sur la diversité des expressions culturelles dans l’environnement numériqueConvention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural ExpressionsDiversity of Cultural Expressions: Investing in Creativity. Transforming Societies.Promoting Our Cultures in the Digital Age (CDCE)International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD)

Québec.ca

Québec.ca/international

SOURCE Federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for culture and heritage

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Robinson Nuclear Plant receives approval from U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to continue operating until 2050

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License extension supports growing energy demand, helps keep customer costs as low as possibleExtended operation provides significant economic benefits for Pee Dee region

Editor’s note: Visit the Duke Energy News Center for downloadable B-roll and high-resolution images of Robinson Nuclear Plant.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has renewed the operating license for Duke Energy’s Robinson Nuclear Plant for an additional 20 years, extending the plant’s ability to deliver reliable energy until 2050.

Robinson, located in Hartsville, S.C., provides enough energy to power 570,000 homes and plays an important role in protecting reliability and affordability for customers as regional electricity demand continues to grow.

What they’re saying

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster: “South Carolina’s energy needs continue to rise, and extending Robinson Nuclear Plant’s operating license preserves a reliable, affordable source of nuclear energy our state depends on. This plant ensures we have the power needed to support jobs and strengthen communities across the Pee Dee region.”Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07): “For 50 years, Robinson Nuclear Plant has been the backbone of South Carolina’s nuclear fleet. The extension of its license is monumental for the Pee Dee and allows Duke Energy to continue providing affordable, reliable electricity to homes and businesses in the region. This renewal is a win for families in the Pee Dee, Robinson Nuclear Plant’s employees and Darlington County as a whole.”Steven Capps, chief nuclear officer for Duke Energy: “Extending the operating life of this proven asset helps us deliver low-cost, always-on electricity for customers while supporting jobs and energy security for the region. Robinson’s subsequent license renewal reflects the strength of our safety culture and the rigorous work our teams do every day to support our communities.”

Why it matters

Duke Energy’s nuclear fleet provides about 51% of customers’ energy needs in the Carolinas, making nuclear energy an essential component of the company’s diverse generation portfolio.License renewal extends the use of cost-effective generation, resulting in significant savings for customers over time.Extended operation sustains significant economic benefits for Darlington County and the broader Pee Dee region.

Robinson by the numbers

Delivers 759 megawatts (MW) of electricity, powering nearly 570,000 homes.Nearly 500 high-paying jobs supported.$1.7 billion in equipment upgrades completed.Approximately $28 million in annual local tax contributions.

Go deeper

U.S. nuclear facilities are licensed by the NRC. The process to renew a license requires a comprehensive analysis and evaluation to ensure the plant can safely be operated for the period of extended operation.Robinson’s original 40-year operating license was granted by the NRC in 1970, making it one of the first commercial nuclear power plants in the Southeast. Robinson’s initial license was renewed for an additional 20 years of operation until 2030, and the subsequent license renewal allows for continued operations until 2050.Robinson is the second Duke Energy nuclear facility to receive approval for subsequent license renewal, following Oconee Nuclear Station in 2025. Duke Energy plans to seek subsequent license renewal for all 11 operating units across its nuclear fleet.For more background and updates on the subsequent license renewal process, visit Duke Energy’s subsequent license renewal webpage.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.

More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities.

Contact: Mikayla Kreuzberger
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/robinson-nuclear-plant-receives-approval-from-us-nuclear-regulatory-commission-to-continue-operating-until-2050-302752297.html

SOURCE Duke Energy

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Cin7 Appoints Sheldon Cummings as Chief Executive Officer

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Seasoned SMB technology leader joins to drive AI-powered growth for inventory and commerce platform

DENVER, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Cin7, a leading inventory management and connected commerce platform for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), today announced the appointment of Sheldon Cummings as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 20th. Sheldon succeeds Ajoy Krishnamoorthy, who is stepping down after leading the company through a significant period of product investment, global expansion, and customer growth.

I’m thrilled to be joining Cin7 at such a defining moment for both the company and the future of commerce.

“Leading Cin7 over these past few years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” said Ajoy. “I am proud of the work that we’ve done to improve the product, unite our global team, and deepen our connection with our customers. I’m confident that Sheldon is the right leader for Cin7’s next phase and I look forward to watching this team take the business to the next level.”

Sheldon brings more than 25 years of experience scaling technology businesses that serve small and mid-sized businesses. He most recently served as President and General Manager of the Corporate Business Unit at Smarsh. Prior to Smarsh, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Mailchimp, leading revenue, strategy, and operations across one of the world’s most widely used SaaS platforms for small businesses. He has also held senior leadership roles at Intuit, including Vice President of Sales, where he contributed to scaling go-to-market engines for SMB and Mid-Market focused products.

Sheldon joins Cin7 at a pivotal moment as AI reshapes how businesses manage inventory, fulfill orders, and connect their commerce operations. Already deeply invested in AI, Cin7 is positioned to lead the transformation by delivering smarter, faster, and more connected capabilities to its customers around the world.

“I am thrilled to be joining Cin7 at such a defining moment,” said Sheldon Cummings. “Cin7 has built something genuinely valuable. It has real product depth, a passionate global team, and a large market still full of opportunity. There is a compelling opportunity to become the intelligent commerce platform for SMB and Mid-Market product sellers across the globe. To be the one that harnesses the power of AI to help businesses operate better and grow faster. I am excited to partner with this team to chase that opportunity and to continue delivering the innovation our customers deserve.”

Cin7 serves thousands of businesses worldwide, helping them manage inventory, streamline operations, and connect their sales channels through a single, powerful platform. With teams in the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, India, and the Czech Republic, Cin7 operates as a truly global business with a local commitment to every market it serves.

About Cin7

Cin7 is the leading inventory management and connected commerce platform for small and mid-sized product businesses. Cin7 helps growing brands manage inventory, automate workflows, and connect their sales channels, from e-commerce to wholesale to retail, in one powerful, easy-to-use platform. With over 8,500+ customers in over 100 countries processing over 125 million orders annually, Cin7 is a global business on a mission to make commerce simpler, smarter, and more connected for product sellers everywhere. For more information, visit www.cin7.com.

Media Contact

Karla Fleege, Cin7, 1 509-413-0025, pr@cin7.com, www.cin7.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/cin7-appoints-sheldon-cummings-as-chief-executive-officer-302752187.html

SOURCE Cin7

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ShareRing, TKC and Transformational Launch Thailand’s First National Trust Infrastructure for Verifiable Credentials, with Production Rollout Starting June 2026

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A three-party alliance between ShareRing, publicly listed digital infrastructure provider TKC, and Thailand digital transformation firm Transformational will deliver the country’s first integrated Verifiable Credential and Digital Document Wallet infrastructure, anchored on ShareRing’s Privacy KYC technology.

BANGKOK, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Turnkey Communication Services PCL (TKC), in partnership with Transformational and ShareRing, today announced a strategic alliance to launch Thailand’s first integrated Verifiable Credential and Digital Document Wallet infrastructure, bridging the trust gap between government and private sector transactions.

We are building the trust layer that the whole country runs on.

“This partnership is about establishing a ‘National Trust Infrastructure,’ which is a critical national policy direction,” said Mr. Sayam Tiewtranon, CEO of TKC. “TKC’s role is to merge our existing infrastructure with global technology standards to drive widespread adoption in alignment with MDES and ETDA. We aim to reduce costs and increase transparency without burdening existing systems, while ensuring future international connectivity.”

Thailand’s Digital Paradox: Connectivity vs. Physical Friction

Despite a 95 percent internet penetration rate, the transactions that matter most, proving where you live, verifying a professional qualification, or applying for a loan, still require a physical visit and photocopies. “In 2026, citizens are still taking half-days off work to manage paperwork at service counters that close at 3 PM,” said Khun Ariya Banomyong, CEO of Transformational, and former Country Head of Google Thailand and Managing Director of LINE Thailand. “What Thailand lacks is a shared infrastructure layer connecting verified documents to real transactions.”

The High Cost of Unverifiable Documents

Reliance on paper documents leaves citizens and businesses vulnerable. “Paper documents are the ‘weakest link’ in the trust chain; easy to forge and impossible to verify,” Mr. Ariya added. “Once data is on paper, you lose control. For businesses, scanned affidavits prove nothing without independent verification, exposing them to massive risks, from unauthorized directorship changes to fraudulent contracts. Nationally, the cost is measured in hundreds of billions of baht in untraceable educational loan portfolios and public services.”

The Solution: Digital Document Wallet plus Verifiable Credential

The alliance introduces a Digital Document Wallet infrastructure, acting as a “Digital Twin” for critical documentation. Powered by ShareRing’s blockchain technology, already deployed in multiple international markets, the platform supports a wide array of Verifiable Credentials. It is designed to accommodate professional licences, employment certifications, company affidavits, academic transcripts and other identity documents as they transition into the ecosystem.

A Three-Party Architecture

The alliance is designed around three complementary roles. TKC provides the national infrastructure footprint and institutional reach into Thai state-owned enterprises. Transformational leads enterprise and government delivery, translating national policy direction into operational rollout. ShareRing contributes the production Privacy KYC technology stack, already live in multiple international markets. ShareRing also holds a strategic equity stake in Transformational, aligning commercial incentives across delivery and technology beyond a standard vendor relationship.

What Institutions Actually Buy: Sovereign Issuance

The commercial offering at the core of the alliance is what ShareRing calls Sovereign Issuance. A government agency, university, regulator or large enterprise issues its own verifiable digital documents, from its own infrastructure, under its own seal. The end user holds the document on a personal device, gives explicit consent before anything is shared, and reveals only what the verifier requires through Zero-Knowledge Proofs. Verification happens in real time, cryptographically, without the verifier ever needing to contact the issuer. Trust stays with the real authority, the issuer, rather than with a centralised intermediary.

Compliant with Global Security Standards (Private and Secure by Design)

The platform is built on privacy-first global standards, with User Consent at its core. It is W3C Verifiable Credential compliant, DIATF certified and ISO 27001:2022 accredited, and aligned with GDPR, Thailand’s PDPA and the Australian Privacy Act. Implementation is being tracked against the emerging OpenID for Verifiable Credentials (OID4VC) interoperability layer being shaped by ETDA.

“By utilizing Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) and Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), we ensure users verify information without exposing sensitive data,” said Mr. Tim Bos, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of ShareRing. “No information is accessed without explicit user consent, ensuring only the owner holds the access keys to their digital identity.”

From Policy to Implementation

The alliance focuses on providing enterprise-ready solutions to bridge the gap between policy and execution:

Seamless connectivity via SDKs and APIs for immediate integration into existing legacy systems.Sovereign issuance infrastructure enabling organisations to securely issue their own verifiable digital documents.Real-time verification to eliminate manual delays and fraudulent documentation risks.

“We are building the trust layer that the whole country runs on,” said Mr. Rohan Le Page, Founder and Co-CEO of ShareRing. “By deploying W3C-compliant and ISO-accredited technology, we are providing Thailand with an infrastructure built for global interoperability and international business expansion.”

Implementation Roadmap

“We are already in execution,” said Mr. Piya Jirapapongsa, Deputy Managing Director (Operations) at TKC. “Our first deployment goes live with a major state-owned enterprise in June 2026, followed by digital credential issuance for a network of Thai universities in August 2026, with active discussions underway across financial services, hospitality, and public administration.”

A Blueprint for the Region

Thailand is the first national-scale deployment of the alliance’s model. The partners intend the same architecture, a national infrastructure anchor, a locally credible delivery partner, and a W3C compliant identity and credential stack, to serve as a template for broader South East Asian rollout, with regional conversations already active.

For further project enquiries, please contact Mr. Ekkapol Promratanapong, Digital Product Director, TKC, who leads this initiative.

About Turnkey Communication Services PCL (TKC)

TKC is Thailand’s full-service digital infrastructure provider, covering telecommunications, cybersecurity, and digital solutions for government and large enterprises. Led by CEO Sayam Tiewtranon, the company focuses on building infrastructure that is resilient, secure, and compatible with international standards, supporting the country’s transition to a digital economy.

About Transformational Co., Ltd.

Digital transformation consultancy, working with corporate clients and state-owned enterprises, specialising in digital document trust infrastructure and verifiable credential solutions. Led by CEO Ariya Banomyong.

About ShareRing

ShareRing is a Privacy KYC and Verifiable Credential platform operating across multiple international markets. W3C Verifiable Credential compliant, DIATF certified, and ISO 27001:2022 accredited, ShareRing’s infrastructure is built for institutional scale. The company operates ShareLedger, a Cosmos-based Layer 1 calibrated for identity workloads, and ships the ShareRing Me consumer wallet and ShareRing Link enterprise SDK. ShareRing holds a strategic equity stake in Transformational Co., Ltd.

Media Contact

Rohan Le Page, ShareRing, 61 438094075, marketing@sharering.network, https://www.sharering.network

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/sharering-tkc-and-transformational-launch-thailands-first-national-trust-infrastructure-for-verifiable-credentials-with-production-rollout-starting-june-2026-302752315.html

SOURCE ShareRing

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