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Airport surfaces most likely to have a deadly virus lurking on themIn IDC’s April 2024 of 105 senior IT professionals and CIOs, “developing better IT governance and enterprise architecture” emerged as one of the top priorities for 2024, ranking fourth. While other priorities — including incorporating a focus on AI into the IT strategy, improving the approach to software sourcing and deployment, and building better IT skills and competencies — ranked higher in the survey, IT governance is much more foundational. Without well-functioning IT governance, how can you progress on competing priorities? It is fundamental for AI and essential for reducing cybersecurity risks or streamlining cloud migration processes, among other things. Additionally, CIOs indicate that the lack of alignment between IT and the business is their third biggest challenge within their organization (IDC’s ). Unfortunately, traditional governance models are proving insufficient to meet the dynamic demands of the digital or modern business environment as they were introduced to mostly enforce rules and regulations instead of shaping culture and bringing IT and business together. And alignment between IT and the business is still a challenge according to my conversations with CIOs today, and it has been for a long time. IT governance should facilitate how your organization’s culture shifts toward collaboration and focus on aligning how technology can accelerate and improve your organization’s products and services to delight customers and employees. The limitations of traditional IT governance models Historically, organizations have relied on three primary governance models: centralized, decentralized, and hybrid. While each model has its strengths, it also comes with significant limitations. Centralized governance often results in slower decision-making processes, as decisions are concentrated at the top levels, stifling agility. Decentralized governance, on the other hand, can lead to fragmented approaches and shadow IT, where departments independently adopt technologies without IT oversight. Hybrid governance attempts to balance control with flexibility, but it can still struggle to align IT initiatives with overarching business goals. The journey to digital business is not yet complete, with less than 38% of global organizations saying that digital is integrated or has transformed their organization, according to the . That leaves more than 50% of organizations with some work toward maturing their digital business. Also, the same survey shows that 33% of IT departments collaborate with other business units, but 67% are either collaborating ad hoc or making decisions with limited input from others — which does not improve the IT/business alignment agenda. Digital transformation requires alignment among all involved to deliver key initiatives with velocity and quality to key stakeholders such as customers, patients, or citizens. Pervasive IT governance can help, but it requires a shift in culture, which can start with IT and with you as the CIO. Embracing pervasive IT governance for greater business impact Pervasive IT governance is not just an evolution of existing models but a transformation in how organizations align technology with business strategy. It emphasizes a continuous feedback loop between IT and business units, enabling rapid adaptation to changing business needs. At its core, this approach focuses on collaborative governance, ensuring that decisions are made with input from across the organization, not just by or within the IT department. Key benefits of adopting pervasive IT governance include: Implementing pervasive IT governance: Best practices for CIOs Shifting to a pervasive IT governance model is not without its challenges. The top three governance and compliance challenges we found in the are support from LOB leaders (32%), support from the C-suite and board of directors (30.7%), and employee engagement (30.4%). This means that CIOs must rethink the structure, processes, and relationships within their organizations and in collaboration across the organization. Here are some best practices for CIOs looking to implement a pervasive IT governance approach: The road ahead: Balancing risks and rewards While pervasive IT governance offers numerous benefits, it is not without risks. The collaborative nature of this model can sometimes slow decision-making, particularly if there are conflicting opinions among stakeholders. To mitigate this, CIOs must strike a balance between inclusive governance and the need for decisive action. Moreover, there’s a risk of overcomplicating governance processes if there isn’t a clear focus on shared outcomes. This is why strong leadership is essential to ensure that the governance model remains aligned with the organization’s strategic goals. Conclusion: A call to action for CIOs As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the role of IT governance must evolve with it. You as CIO can set the standard for how organizations can leverage technology to drive business value. By embracing pervasive IT governance, you can unlock new levels of agility and innovation within your organization and more importantly you can shift the culture toward purposeful collaboration, achieving valuable outcomes for the organization at large. The journey toward pervasive governance is not easy, but the rewards are significant. Now is the time to assess your current governance model, engage stakeholders, and take the first steps toward a more agile and collaborative approach. The future of IT governance is here — will you lead the way? For more details, see (IDC, November 2024).
Press release ROCK HILL, S.C. — For the second straight year, Limestone QB Dustin Noller and Wingate DL Marquise Fleming have been named the South Atlantic Conference’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year as the SAC announced its award winners and All-Conference teams. A.L. Brown grad Erwil Anthony (Wingate) brought home one of the biggest awards, the Jacob Blocking Trophy that goes to the SAC’s top offensive lineman. Andrew Bradshaw (Carson) was named as the long snapper on the All-Mountain Division team. Joining Noller and Fleming as award winners are Carson-Newman’s OL Turk Daniels who is the Offensive Freshman of the Year and Barton’s LB E’Lla Boykin as the league’s Defensive Freshman of the Year. Wingate’s Erwil Anthony brings home the Jacobs Blocking Trophy award and Wingate head coach Rashaan Jordan is the Ken Sparks Coach of the Year. Noller threw for 3,104 yards on the season and had 30 touchdown passes to just six interceptions as the Saints went 8-3. The 30 TD passes rank as the eighth-most in a single season in SAC history and he ranks 14th in most passing yards for a season. He finishes his esteemed career with 96 touchdown passes which places him third in SAC history. He is one of just four players in SAC history to repeat as Offensive Player of the Year. Fleming led is just the third player in SAC history to repeat as Defensive Player of the Year and the first since Stanley Tootoo in 1981 and 1982. His eight sacks are the most in the conference and he also paces the league with 19.5 tackles for loss which are four more than any other SAC player. He totaled seven QB hurries and a pair of forced fumbles. For his career, his 71.5 tackles for loss are the fourth-most in conference history and his 37 sacks are just one shy of tying the all-time SAC record. Daniels is the first Carson-Newman offensive lineman to start every game in his rookie season. He set a school record for single-season knockdowns with 68 which was nine more than any other player. He helped an Eagle offense that ran for a SAC-best 273 yards per game and 34 touchdowns on the ground. The Eagles are the third-best rushing offense in Division II. Boykin finished fourth on the Bulldogs with 55 total tackles despite missing a pair of games in his first year. He recorded 23 solo stops, 3,5 tackles for loss and one sack to go with an interception and a pass breakup. Anthony is the best offensive lineman on the SAC Championship team and helped the Bulldogs rank fourth in the SAC in rushing and fifth in scoring while starting every game. Wingate has now won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in three of the past four years. Jordan is the Coach of the Year after just his first season at the helm. He took over for legendary leader Joe Reich and the Bulldogs didn’t miss a step. He guided the program to its fourth SAC title and the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Playoffs. His defensive unit ranked second in the nation in yards allowed per game and fifth in fewest points allowed per game. In the SAC Championship game, they held Carson-Newman to just 84 yards of total offense on 45 plays. Emory & Henry led the way with a staggering 15 All-Conference selections between the All-SAC and All-Mountain Division teams. The secondary, which helped E&H lead the nation in interceptions and defensive touchdowns, had five All-Conference selections. Carson-Newman had 11 named All-Conference and Wingate, Limestone and Lenoir-Rhyne had 10 selections each. ALL-SAC FOOTBALL ALL-SAC OFFENSE QB – Dustin Noller, Limestone RB – LJ Turner, Catawba RB – Kevin Lalin, Limestone RB – Jordan Jackson, Emory & Henry WR – DJ Black, Limestone WR – Cam Abshire, Emory & Henry WR – Songa Yates III, Lenoir-Rhyne OL – Erwil Anthony, Wingate OL – Avery Swinton, Catawba OL – Porfirio Acosta, Wingate OL – Kanyon James, Catawba OL – Deshaun Sharp, Emory & Henry TE – Tre Williams, Limestone PK – Bryce Earley, Newberry LS – Carson Keaton, Lenoir-Rhyne RS – Songa Yates III, Lenoir-Rhyne ALL-SAC DEFENSE DL – Marquise Fleming, Wingate DL – Andre Jefferson, Lenoir-Rhyne DL – Daniel Morrison, Wingate DL – Kai Russell, Wingate LB – Dontorian Best, Wingate LB – Dexter Fitzpatrick, Mars Hill LB – Luke Janack, Limestone LB – Kaleb Lundy, Emory & Henry DB – Tristan Rankin, Mars Hill DB – Major Williams, Carson-Newman DB – Nic Cheeley, Lenoir-Rhyne DB – Jarrell Harrison, Emory & Henry P – Stefaan Forbes, Tusculum ALL- MOUNTAIN OFFENSE QB – JR Martin, Mars Hill RB – Jayden Sullins, Carson-Newman RB – Jon Gullette, Mars Hill RB – Ian Scammell, Virginia-Wise WR – Cam Peoples, Emory & Henry WR – Seth Fischbach, Virginia-Wise WR – Jalon Warthen-Carr, Anderson OL – Turk Daniels, Carson-Newman OL – Christian Jones, Carson-Newman OL – Adrian Gumm, Tusculum OL – Noah Sage, Emory & Henry OL – Kamron Burris, Anderson TE – Beau DeBerry, Mars Hill PK – Trace Butcher, Emory & Henry LS – Andrew Bradshaw, Carson-Newman RS – Cam Peoples, Emory & Henry ALL- MOUNTAIN DEFENSE DL – Elijah Harper, Emory & Henry DL – Ean Rhea, Emory & Henry DL – Sakarri Morrison, Mars Hill DL – Jacorey Long, Carson-Newman LB – Christian Hicks, Carson-Newman LB – Jerrod Woods, Anderson LB – Mekhi Brown, Carson-Newman LB – Josiah Jeffery, Anderson DB – Jacob Robinson, Emory & Henry DB – Shawn Collins, Emory & Henry DB – Addison Knicely, Emory & Henry DB – Chendrick Cann, Emory & Henry P – Grayson Campbell, Carson-Newman ALL- PIEDMONT OFFENSE QB – Brooks Bentley, Wingate RB – O’Brien Barnett, Wingate RB – Dwayne Wright, Newberry RB – Jackson Parrish, Barton WR – Jalen Jones, Limestone WR – Evan McCray, Wingate WR – Adonis McDaniel, Lenoir-Rhyne OL – Dallas Foard, Catawba OL – Damari Joyner, Newberry OL – Christopher Wehnert, Lenoir-Rhyne OL – Luke Bond, Limestone OL – Cooper Trnavsky, Newberry TE – Kobe Christian, Catawba PK – Caleb Bonesteel, Wingate LS – Everett McLaughlin, Wingate RS – Jake Snapp, Wingate ALL- PIEDMONT DEFENSE DL – Colby Taylor, Newberry DL – Maddox Aprile, Lenoir-Rhyne DL – Darius Randolph, Wingate DL – JT Black, Lenoir-Rhyne LB – Jaelin Willis, Lenoir-Rhyne LB – Matt Smith, Barton LB – Dereck Barringer, Barton LB – Luke Taylor, Newberry DB – Brandon Perry, Wingate DB – Dequan Mosley, Wingate DB – Mark Burks, Wingate DB – Jeremiah Lomax, Limestone P – Bryan Frey, LimestoneMalik Nabers says calling the Giants 'soft' was wrong but he doesn't regret speaking out
NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle’s winning run in the English Premier League came to an abrupt end when goals from Thomas Souček and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave West Ham a surprise 2-0 win at St. James’ Park on Monday. The Hammers rose into 14th place and the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui was eased. The London club has been inconsistent all season and Monday’s win was just its fourth in 12 league games. West Ham was worth it in the end but the three points came courtesy of slack defending by the home side. Emerson whipped in an out-swinging corner after 10 minutes and, with Newcastle defenders rooted to the spot, Souček stole in to nod home the opener. Then eight minutes into the second half, captain Jarrod Bowen found Wan-Bissaka in the penalty box and he was left unchallenged and had time to fire an angled drive past Nick Pope. “The second goal ... if you settle on a lead it can come back to haunt you,” Bowen said. Newcastle brought on Harvey Barnes, and then Callum Wilson returned from a long-term back injury to make his first appearance of the season, but to no avail. “I said we needed a performance and we did that,” Bowen said. “Newcastle always score at home so to keep them to a clean sheet and score twice ... it’s a tough place to come to. We did that perfectly.” The defeat ended a three-game winning streak for Newcastle and left the Saudi Arabia-owned club in ninth place, four points outside the top four. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
MULTIBILLION-PESO PROJECT President Marcos led on Thursday the groundbreaking ceremonies for Meralco’s MTerra Solar Project in Nueva Ecija, touted as the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility. —PCO PHOTO Power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on Thursday kicked off the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan that is expected to deliver clean energy to some 2.4 million households by 2027. Dubbed the MTerra Solar Project, it costs around P200 billion and spans 3,500 hectares in the Nueva Ecija towns of Gapan, General Tinio, Peñaranda, and San Leonardo as well as San Miguel in Bulacan. Expected to be operational by February 2027, it will be equipped with five million solar panels with a capacity of 3,500-megawatt (MW) peak for the Luzon grid, a 4,500-MW hour battery energy storage system, and 13 kilometers of 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines. READ: Going solar: The limitless power of the sun The MTerra Solar Project will be initially connected to the existing 500-kV Nagsaag-San Jose Transmission Line and later linked to the upcoming 500-kV Nagsaag-Marilao Transmission Line. “By leveraging our abundant solar resources, the MTerra Solar Project will help stabilize our power supply, reduce energy costs, and contribute significantly to our target of 35-percent renewable energy share in the power generation mix by the year 2030,” said President Marcos who attended the groundbreaking ceremony at Peñaranda. “The strong typhoons that we have been experiencing should further strengthen our resolve to find and facilitate solutions that will save our planet and the future of mankind,” he added. Meralco is spearheading the project with its subsidiaries Terra Solar Philippines Inc. and Meralco PowerGen Corp., along with the SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) and UK-based Actis. SPNEC, founded by Leandro Leviste, forged a strategic partnership with Actis to infuse $600 million (approximately P34 billion) into the endeavor. “Numbers alone fail to articulate the full significance of this project, we are making a statement today that the Philippines is not only keeping pace with the global energy transition but more so express our intention, the Philippines’ intention to lead the migration from thermal to renewables,” Meralco chair Manuel V. Pangilinan said. The facility is expected to avoid carbon emissions by an estimated 4.3 million tons annually, equivalent to removing more than three million gasoline-powered vehicles from the roads annually. China Energy Engineering Corp. (Energy China) clinched the engineering, procurement and construction contract. READ: World’s biggest solar farm to get budget boost According to the Department of Energy, the solar project is expected to generate over five billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, which will boost power supply in Luzon and address the growing demand for nonconventional sources of energy while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . “This major investment in solar and energy storage technology is a crucial step toward achieving our goal of increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix, reducing our carbon footprint, and addressing electricity demand in Luzon,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in a statement.
Why British newspapers are still in demand: New owners circle The Telegraph and ObserverFood photography has never been more popular — all you have to do is open TikTok or Instagram and you’ll be flooded with an array of recipe videos and stunning photographs of culinary creations. In a bid to elevate the art of food photography, FujiFilmAustralia has launched an exciting new experience for Sydneysiders — Foodtography Tours. Designed to help food lovers and content creators level up their social media game, the exclusive tours will run until November 30 with tickets available from $60. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today They offer a unique opportunity to explore some of Sydney’s hottest culinary spots while learning the ins and outs of capturing the perfect food shot. The initiative comes on the heels of new research conducted by FujiFilm revealing that 32 per cent of young Aussies struggle to snap good food photos, with many admitting they lacked the right tools or skills to do justice to their meals. The Foodtography Tours have been developed in collaboration with Local Sauce Tours, one of Australia’s leading culinary tour operators, and TikTok sensation Adrian Widjonarko (aka Adrian Widjy). The tours will give participants a chance to taste their way through Sydney’s Newtown neighbourhood. Some of the delicious treats, you’ll get to try include Turkish ice cream, Italian fritti, modern Cantonese dishes and Mexican street food, and even a twist on the classic Aussie meat pie — all while Fujifilm’s expert photographers share tips and tricks to get that picture-perfect shot. The tours are a perfect introduction to FujiFilm’s latest innovation, the X-M5 mirrorless digital camera, launched in October as the brand’s first camera aimed squarely at the creator generation. The X-M5 boasts a lightweight, compact design, superior image quality, and a 9:16 recording mode ideal for creating engaging content. It’s a camera that allows content creators, whether beginners or experienced, to snap vibrant photos and videos with ease, perfect for everything from food shots to vlogs. “At FujiFilm we are passionate about inspiring creativity, and we know that food photography has become a beloved genre for many Australians,” general manager of the Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices Division at FujiFilm Australia Shaun Mah explains. “With the launch of the X-M5, we saw an opportunity to bring together the worlds of food, photography, and technology.” Throughout the Foodtography Tours, guests will be guided by Adrian Widjonarko, a renowned food content creator who has become a household name thanks to his TikTok presence. Widjonarko, who has been documenting Sydney’s must-try food spots for over four years, is excited to share his knowledge with participants and show them how to bring their food photography skills to the next level. “It’s been an incredible journey capturing and sharing Sydney’s food scene, and I’m thrilled to work with FujiFilm and Local Sauce Tours to help others do the same,” Adrian says. Whether you’re a food lover looking to capture the perfect shot, or an aspiring content creator ready to take your social media presence to the next level, these tours promise to offer a deliciously creative experience you won’t want to miss. The tours also make a perfect early Christmas present for any foodies in your life. To book, head over to Local Sauce Tours website here for more information and to secure a place on one of the exclusive tours.NASA’s mission to return humans to the Moon has been delayed again until 2026PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MISTRAS Group, Inc. MG —a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions—today announced that the Company's Board of Directors has appointed Natalia Shuman as MISTRAS Group's new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2025. Ms. Shuman brings over two decades of leadership experience to MISTRAS Group, having held executive roles at prominent global organizations in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry. Most recently, as Group Executive Vice President and Group Operating Council Member for Eurofins Scientific, she led over 12,000 employees, driving growth strategies, operational excellence, and strategic value creation. Known for scaling billion-dollar enterprises through organic growth and M&A, Ms. Shuman has a proven track record of fostering strong teams and delivering innovative, value-driven solutions. Building on a Strong Foundation Ms. Shuman succeeds Manuel (Manny) N. Stamatakis as the CEO, who has been serving as both Interim CEO and the Executive Chairman of the Board since October 2023. Mr. Stamatakis will continue in the role of Executive Chairman of the Board, providing strategic oversight and support to the CEO and the Company's leadership team. The Board of Directors extends its gratitude to Mr. Stamatakis for his exemplary service as Interim CEO during a pivotal time for the Company, helping to advance key initiatives and positioning MISTRAS Group for future growth. Mr. Stamatakis expressed the Board's confidence, stating: "Today's announcement is the result of a deliberate, rigorous search to find the right leader to continue MISTRAS Group's pursuit of profitable growth and sustainable improvement in shareholder value. Natalia's extensive experience, proven leadership, and fresh perspective make her the ideal choice to guide MISTRAS toward achieving its strategic goals and unlocking its full potential." "I'm honored to join MISTRAS Group to lead the Company into its next phase of growth," said Ms. Shuman. "Working alongside Manny, the Board of Directors, and the leadership team, I am committed to building on the strong foundation established and driving meaningful value for all our stakeholders." Leadership Excellence in TIC and Across Global Industries A global business leader with extensive experience across diverse industries and cultural landscapes, Ms. Shuman has demonstrated a strong ability to achieve results in business-to-business services, spanning manufacturing, energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial services, and construction. As North American CEO for Bureau Veritas, Ms. Shuman oversaw 7,000 employees across 130 offices and laboratories in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. She spearheaded a period of significant growth and transformation, steering the company to a diversified, more resilient business model. She also championed a unified "one company" culture, elevating brand recognition in North America. Before joining Bureau Veritas, Ms. Shuman led international business operations at Kelly Services, a global staffing and human resources outsourcing company. She is also recognized as a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion, receiving accolades from several prominent organizations. Ms. Shuman earned a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School and London Business School. About MISTRAS Group, Inc. - One Source for Asset Protection Solutions ® MISTRAS Group, Inc. MG is a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization's most critical industrial and civil assets. Backed by an innovative, data-driven asset protection portfolio, proprietary technologies, strong commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, and a decades-long legacy of industry leadership, MISTRAS leads clients in the oil and gas, aerospace and defense, renewable and nonrenewable power, civil infrastructure, and manufacturing industries towards achieving operational and environmental excellence. By supporting these organizations that help fuel our vehicles and power our society; inspecting components that are trusted for commercial, defense, and space craft; building real-time monitoring equipment to enable safe travel across bridges; and helping to propel sustainability, MISTRAS helps the world at large. MISTRAS enhances value for its clients by integrating asset protection throughout supply chains and centralizing integrity data through a suite of Industrial IoT-connected digital software and monitoring solutions. The company's core capabilities also include non-destructive testing field and in-line inspections enhanced by advanced robotics, laboratory quality control and assurance testing, sensing technologies and NDT equipment, asset and mechanical integrity engineering services, and light mechanical maintenance and access services. For more information about how MISTRAS helps protect civilization's critical infrastructure and the environment, visit https://www.mistrasgroup.com/ . Contact: Nestor S. Makarigakis Group Vice President, Marketing and Communications MISTRAS Group, Inc. marcom@mistrasgroup.com +1 (609) 716-4000 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a06ebcd-e31e-4295-892e-c6b91f4b67fb © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.