OrthAlign, Inc. Announces First Cases Using Lantern® Hip; The Next Evolution in Total Hip Replacement Technology.TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC), the world’s leading manufacturer of civil helicopters, secured approval from EASA authority, Argentina, Japan, and India for its improved empennage on all Robinson helicopter models. This follows the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) prior approval of the same configuration for the R66 in 2023 and R44 and R22 in 2024. The new empennage includes a symmetrical horizontal stabilizer and tailcone, is now standard on all newly manufactured Robinson helicopters. Since securing approval from the FAA, the company has delivered nearly 700 retrofit kits, in addition to about 250 new production aircraft with the new empennage. Robinson Helicopter is currently offering a retrofit kit for existing R22, R44, and R66 aircraft at a discounted rate of $3,600 USD through the end of December 2025. Horizontal stabilizers can be purchased through authorized dealers, service centers, or by calling Robinson Helicopter customer service. The symmetrical horizontal stabilizer is a key improvement that enhances the safety and performance of Robinson helicopters. By improving roll stability, particularly during high-speed flights, it contributes to a smoother and safer flight experience. Additionally, the symmetrical stabilizer helps reduce the right-rolling tendency when the aircraft is operated outside of the approved flight envelope. “This is a significant milestone in our commitment to continuous safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction around the world,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. “This certification is a testament to our team’s tireless pursuit in enhancing the Robinson flying experience and setting new standards for safety and performance in the industry.” About Robinson Helicopter Company For more than 50 years, Robinson Helicopter Company has been at the forefront of the helicopter industry by delivering safety-enhancing technologies, including OEM-designed crash-resistant fuel cells, 4K cockpit video cameras, autopilot systems, and NVG-compatible cockpits. Robinson is committed to developing, manufacturing, and supporting the most reliable and efficient helicopters in the industry. For additional information, visit www.robinsonheli.com . Contact: Robyn E. Eagles Robyn.eagles@robinsonheli.com 323-547-5102 Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97e6f39f-6622-4025-bce0-525932cca657 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03fc0ff4-fd26-4c7b-a23d-41f34c25d5a0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be56e968-42b5-41df-b62a-a17690dc55f0 This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.The SNP seems to be rediscovering its political confidence after the bleakest period the party's had since winning power at Holyrood. In the last couple of years its independence strategy has hit a brick wall, the party has tied itself in knots over gender reform, and it has fallen in and out of love with the Scottish Greens. There have been three first ministers during that period and one of those remains under police investigation as the Branchform inquiry into SNP finances drags on. The party's worries have not gone away. Far from it. It still has huge challenges to overcome, not least significant underperformance in key public services like the NHS. Even its selection process for the Holyrood election could be a source of bitter infighting. Yet at the end of the week in which First Minister John Swinney's government delivered its draft Scottish Budget, his team seems more optimistic than at any time for at least two years. That may seem odd given the SNP completely lost control of the narrative in Scottish politics and was comprehensively defeated by Labour at the general election in July. There has been an understandable tendency to write the party off. For a while it has felt that Labour was on course to defeat the SNP at the next Holyrood election and to regain devolved power after 19 years in opposition. The most recent opinion polling raises questions about that analysis. Labour's "change" mantra at the general election seemed to tap into a public appetite for exactly that and it remains perfectly possible they could win. The point is that a change of government at Holyrood is not inevitable. The SNP will put up a fight and it remains a political force to be reckoned with. The budget setting process is a good demonstration of how wily they can be. At the end of October, the UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves helped put Labour on the front foot in Scotland by announcing a substantial uplift in funding for the SNP government this year and next. As I said at the time , this opened up political space for Labour to turn the focus on the delivery of better public services in Scotland (under SNP administration since 2007). With the publication of the draft Scottish Budget this week, the SNP has managed to seize back some of the political initiative. It has happily banked the £1.5bn extra spending from the UK Treasury this year and the £3.4bn extra next year. Much of this is gobbled up paying growing NHS, social welfare and public sector wage bills. However, the SNP has managed to direct some of that cash to policy priorities that pile political pressure on Labour. The Scottish government has promised to partly reverse cuts to winter fuel payments for older people not in receipt of pension credit. These cuts were initiated by the UK government and are being matched by the Scottish government this winter before a new payment is brought in next year. It has also promised to end the two-child cap on access to benefits in Scotland, something that Scottish Labour has previously expressed a desire to achieve. It is clear this policy was a very late addition to the budget statement. It has not yet been fully costed. The Scottish Fiscal Commission's rough estimate is £150m in the first year and it has described the policy as a "fiscal risk". Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar initially dismissed the SNP's idea as a "policy without a penny" because the first tranche of payments are not in the budget for 2025/26. SNP ministers are proposing to make the change from spring 2026, just before the Holyrood election. However, they insist there is £3m in their budget plans to make the necessary preparations. They have also formally requested assistance from the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to access the data required to establish who would be eligible for extra cash. They may also need the UK government to tweak the law so that anything extra paid out in Scotland is not simply clawed back by another part of the system. The DWP has said it will "engage constructively with the Scottish government where necessary" - which may or may not be an expression of willingness to assist. On Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said ending the two child cap was not a "silver bullet" for tackling child poverty and that the policy could not be afforded across the UK. On Friday, he held private talks with John Swinney in Edinburgh, after which Mr Swinney said the PM had agreed to work with him on the two-child cap. Having reset the relationship with the devolved governments since taking power at Westminster, Labour's commitment to partnership politics is now being tested by the SNP. At Holyrood, Scottish Labour also has a Budget dilemma. It is perfectly entitled to criticise the SNP's approach to taxation and public spending. The question is: Can Labour afford not to back a Scottish Budget that includes winter fuel cash for pensioners and a pathway to ending the two-child cap? The SNP is not counting on their votes but if it does not get them, it will never tire of reminding voters of what Labour chose not to support. In that sense, this is a politically savvy budget from John Swinney's administration. It also includes policy suggestions from the Greens, the Liberal Democrats and the Alba party, which are more likely allies. There is no expectation of Conservative support. They are firmly opposed to the SNP's approach to taxation, which requires higher earners to pay more than they would in England to raise extra funds for public spending. All parties know there needs to be a budget deal before key votes in February. Otherwise there could be chaos in disbursing public money to pay bills and deliver promised wage increases to public servants. It's not clear any party would want to risk being held responsible for that - or the possibility of an early Holyrood election.Press release: Five new members appointed to the board of directors of Meals on Wheels of Southwest OH & Northern KY

Harrisburg, Pa. — Crow droppings are such a nuisance that the state detonates explosives to mitigate the problem. Beginning on Monday, Dec. 9, the Department of General Services will begin the annual State Capitol Complex crow dispersal program. The program will continue daily between 5 and 7 p.m. throughout the next few months until the crows have been effectively dispersed. The public is being made aware to prevent any unnecessary alarm when the program begins. The crow dispersal program helps reduce slipping hazards for pedestrians due to the increased amount of crow waste that can accumulate on sidewalks — especially in wet weather. The program also helps reduce the damage from crow waste to buildings in the Capitol Complex. Pennsylvania Capitol Police will use the U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved method of discharging exploding shells and whistling devices to deter crows from roosting. The use of these methods is non-lethal and not harmful to people, crows, other animals, or the environment. For more information, visit the DGS Capitol Complex Crow Dispersal Program webpage .Geneva, Switzerland, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) ("SEALSQ" or "Company"), a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, today announced that it has completed a registered direct offer to several institutional investors of 13,157,896 ordinary shares at a public offering price of $1.90, for gross proceeds of $25.0 million (the “Offering”), before deducting commissions and offering expenses. This brings the total gross proceeds from financings completed this week to $60.0 million, before deducting commissions and offering expenses. The Company confirms that, given the terms of the financings completed in the last week, it does not currently expect to enter into any further registered direct offering of ordinary shares for at least the next 60 days as a result of the funds raised. Maxim Group LLC acted as the sole placement agent for the Offering. SEALSQ currently intends to utilize the net proceeds from the Offering to fund the deployment of its next-generation post-quantum semiconductor technology and ASIC capabilities in the United States, to support working capital and for general corporate purposes. Carlos Moreira, CEO of the SEALSQ, said, “We are delighted to have secured this financing, which enables us to focus on advancing our quantum strategy, particularly the development and market launch of our post-quantum chips. The funds raised over the past week will significantly support the achievement of our strategic goals. As we move into the new year, we look forward to sharing further details on the Company's next steps.” The securities described above were offered by the Company pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-283358) previously filed with and subsequently declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 27, 2024. A prospectus supplement relating to the securities issued in, and describing the terms of, the Offering was filed by the Company with the SEC. Copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the Offering, together with the accompanying prospectus, can be obtained at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by contacting Maxim Group LLC, at 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Syndicate Department, or via email at syndicate@maximgrp.com or by telephone at (212) 895-3745. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. About SEALSQ: SEALSQ focuses on selling integrated solutions based on Semiconductors, PKI and Provisioning services, while developing Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products. Our solutions can be used in a variety of applications, from Multi-Factor Authentication tokens, Smart Energy, Smart Home Appliances, Medical and Healthcare and IT Network Infrastructure, to Automotive, Industrial Automation and Control Systems. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) refers to cryptographic methods that are secure against an attack by a quantum computer. As quantum computers become more powerful, they may be able to break many of the cryptographic methods that are currently used to protect sensitive information, such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). PQC aims to develop new cryptographic methods that are secure against quantum attacks. For more information, please visit www.sealsq.com. Forward Looking Statements This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning SEALSQ Corp and its businesses. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business strategy, financial performance, results of operations, market data, events or developments that we expect or anticipates will occur in the future, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include SEALSQ’s ability to implement its growth strategies; SEALSQ’s ability to successfully launch post-quantum semiconductor technology; SEALSQ’s ability to capture a share of the quantum semiconductor market; the growth of the quantum computing market; SEALSQ’s ability to expand its U.S. operations; SEALSQ’s ability to make additional investments towards the development of a new generation of quantum-ready semiconductors; SEALSQ’s ability to continue beneficial transactions with material parties, including a limited number of significant customers; market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; the growth of the quantum computing market; and the risks discussed in SEALSQ’s filings with the SEC. Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by SEALSQ with the SEC. SEALSQ Corp is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Press and Investor Contacts SEALSQ Corp. Carlos Moreira Chairman & CEO Tel: +41 22 594 3000 info@sealsq.com SEALSQ Investor Relations (US) The Equity Group Inc. Lena Cati Tel: +1 212 836-9611 / lcati@equityny.com Katie Murphy Tel: +212 836-9612 / kmurphy@equityny.com

By DEE-ANN DURBIN and MANUEL VALDES, Associated Press SEATAC, Washington (AP) — Background music is no longer an afterthought at many airports, which are hiring local musicians and carefully curating playlists to help lighten travelers’ moods . London’s Heathrow Airport built a stage to showcase emerging British performers for the first time this summer. The program was so successful the airport hopes to bring it back in 2025. Nashville International Airport has five stages that host more than 800 performances per year, from country musicians to jazz combos. In the Dominican Republic , Punta Cana International Airport greets passengers with live merengue music. Tiffany Idiart and her two nieces were delighted to hear musicians during a recent layover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport . “I like it. There’s a lot of people here and they can all hear it,” said Grace Idiart, 9. “If their flight got delayed or something like that, they could have had a hard day. And so the music could have made them feel better.” Airports are also carefully curating their recorded playlists. Detroit Metro Airport plays Motown hits in a tunnel connecting its terminals. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas has a playlist of local artists compiled by an area radio station. Singapore’s Changi Airport commissioned a special piano accompaniment for its giant digital waterfall. Music isn’t a new phenomenon in airport terminals. Brian Eno’s “Music for Airports,” an album released in 1978, helped define the ambient music genre. It’s minimalist and designed to calm. But Barry McPhillips, the head of international creative for Mood Media, which provides music for airports and other public spaces, said technology is enabling background music to be less generic and more tailored to specific places or times of day. Mood Media – formerly known as Muzak – develops playlists to appeal to business travelers or families depending on who’s in the airport at any given time. It might program calmer music in the security line but something more energizing in the duty-free store. “We see it as a soundscape,” McPhillips said. “We design for all of these moments.” There’s a science to Mood Music’s decisions on volume, tempo, even whether to play a song in a major key versus a minor one, he added. “How do we want to affect their mood at that moment?” McPhillips said. “It’s not just like, ‘Here’s a load of songs.’ It’s a load of songs for that 10-minute segment, and then we move to the next 10 minutes.” At the same time, many airports are going low-tech, hiring local musicians to serenade travelers and give them a sense of the place they’re passing through. Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports have more than 100 live performances each year. Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport began a live music program five years ago and now has two stages featuring local artists. Tami Kuiken, the manager of airport music in Seattle, said the Seattle-Tacoma airport launched its live music program about a decade ago after a city commissioner heard live music at the airport in Austin, Texas . “The idea was like, ’Man, why doesn’t Seattle have music? We’re a music city too,” Kuiken said. At first, the airport created a playlist featuring emerging artists along with famous ones like Pearl Jam . Then it decided to try live musicians for a 12-week trial. It was so successful that the airport now features live musicians daily and is building new performance spaces. “People’s anxiety levels are very high when they’re traveling,” Kuiken said. “The feedback that we started getting was that once they got through the checkpoint and they were greeted with music, all of a sudden their anxiety and stress levels dropped.” The programs also benefit musicians, who get paid to perform and gain wider exposure. When Colorado Springs Airport announced a live music program in March, more than 150 musicians applied. It now hosts two two-hour performances each week. David James, a singer and guitarist who plays at Seattle’s airport about once a week, said waking up in time for a daytime gig took some adjustment. But he’s gained new fans from all over the world. “I get really sweet responses from people all the time, saying, ‘That was so soothing to be able to just sit and listen to music in between flights,’” James said. “So it feels like it’s especially therapeutic for people.” Country stars like Blake Shelton and Keith Urban have come through Nashville’s airport and interacted with local musicians, said Stacey Nickens, the airport’s vice president of corporate communications and marketing. Shelton even gave one his guitar. Otto Stuparitz, a musicologist and lecturer at the University of Amsterdam who has studied airport music, said airports should think carefully about their selections. Music that’s meant to be actively listened to – like live music or catchy pop songs – can be very distracting in an already chaotic environment, he said. He has noticed some airports – especially in Europe — turning off piped melodies altogether. But McPhillips said big spaces like airports can feel cold and unwelcoming without background music. “A well-crafted audio strategy is one that people aren’t particularly cognizant of,” he said. “They just know they’re having a good time and that it’s appropriate.” Durbin reported from Detroit.Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) will host an Open House on January 3 and 4, during which visitors can explore laboratories and research centres. As many as 60 stalls will showcase ground-breaking research and products. The Open House is a special initiative under the institute’s vision of Anaivarukum IIT-M (IIT-M For All) . Those interested may register through shaastra.org/open-house, before December 25. Visitors can explore the four national research centres and the 11 institute research centres, besides the 15 Centers of Excellence and 90 advanced laboratories. Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean (Students), said the Open House would be a unique opportunity for people to visit the campus and motivate the younger generation. The institute expects over 60,000 visitors for the two-day event, which would be held alongside Shaastra, which will be held from January 3 to 7. Murugaiyan Amirthalingam, Advisor, co-curricular, said the visitors will have a first-hand experience of the cutting-edge facilities at the institute. Published - December 20, 2024 01:00 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit higher education / engineering colleges

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