LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Distinguished youth sports advocate and civic leader, Renata Simril, President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation, will be honored as the 2025 Woman of the Year by THE MUSES of the California Science Center Foundation. The annual luncheon, which will take place on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Jonathan Town Club in Los Angeles, honors women who are leaders and trailblazers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), business, or academia.

Renata’s career is defined by leadership, service, and a lasting positive impact. Committed to the communities and children of Los Angeles, Renata is dedicated to uplifting those around her, regardless of their background or economic status. Her work focuses on creating opportunities for youth—especially those with the least access—to engage in physical activity. Under her leadership, the LA84 Foundation has become a national leader in positive youth development through sports. 

Renata has been involved with the California Science Center for decades, including previously serving on the Board of Directors as an appointee of Governor Jerry Brown. Additionally, Renata is a driving force behind the Science Center’s newest exhibition – GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play – opening May 15, 2025. She helped to shape GAME ON! from an early concept and led the effort to secure significant funding and high-profile partnerships to make the exhibition possible.

A respected advocate for the vital role of sport and play in children’s lifelong well-being, Renata works to address today’s pressing issues with an eye toward their impact on future generations. She is an appointee of Mayor Karen Bass to serve as President of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to California’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being. Renata is also a board member of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

Prior to joining LA84, Renata was Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and Senior Vice President of External Affairs of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For over a decade, she worked in real estate development with Jones Lang LaSalle, Forest City Development and LCOR, Inc. Her public service includes serving as Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Housing in the James K. Hahn Administration. She was Development Deputy to Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, helping rebuild communities in South Los Angeles after the 1992 civil unrest, and began her career as a U.S. Army Military Police Officer in Germany and the U.S.

The annual Woman of the Year luncheon is the major fundraiser that allows THE MUSES to support youth education programs of the California Science Center. Proceeds help to fund educational programming for children from underserved communities who are historically underrepresented in STEM fields, including scholarships to Hands-On Science Camp, Young Curators after-school enrichment programs, and Community Teen internship opportunities at the Science Center.

Tickets to the Woman of the Year luncheon are $200 each, with sponsorships of tables for 10 beginning at $2,000. To RSVP and obtain tickets, or for further information, please contact Melanie Miller at mam645@gmail.com and Michelle Conrad at hollywoodmich@gmail.com.

About THE MUSES
Like the mythological figures for which they are named, THE MUSES strive to be patrons of learning to stimulate innovation in science education. Over six decades after the group was established in 1962, their membership and spirit of commitment continues to grow. Today, THE MUSES encourage public goodwill and provide financial assistance for youth education programs of the California Science Center, contributing to the Science Center’s role as a world-class learning institution for children, families, students, and educators.

More information about THE MUSES and the luncheon is available at: https://californiasciencecenter.org/volunteer/the-muses

About the California Science Center
The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where families, adults, and children can explore the wonders of science through hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs, and awe-inspiring large-format movies. The California Science Center and IMAX Theater are located in historic Exposition Park just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission to the Science Center is FREE. The California Science Center is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Visit californiasciencecenter.org for more information.

Media Contact: Kristina Kurasz Cutting
(213) 744-7446 | kkurasz@californiasciencecenter.org

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SOURCE California Science Center Foundation

~ Adopted by Leading Industry Players, with 66% Share in Banking and 96% in Telecommunications ~

TOKYO, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Liquid Inc., a member of the ELEMENTS Group, is pleased to announce that “LIQUID eKYC,” has achieved the No.1 market share for the sixth consecutive year in vendor revenue share within the eKYC market. This recognition comes from the market research report “ITR Market View: Identity & Access Management / Personal Authentication Security Market 2025” published by ITR Corporation (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Motohiro Miura).

Background
Since 2019, the ELEMENTS Group has been offering the online identity verification service “LIQUID eKYC” as one of its personal authentication solutions. The service supports a variety of verification methods, including capturing images of identification documents such as driver’s licenses and My Number cards, reading data from IC chips, and matching them with a selfie, as well as utilizing public personal authentication methods (JPKI / smartphone JPKI). These capabilities have enabled the company to meet identity verification needs across a wide range of industries. In March 2025, ELEMENTS Group acquired Polarify as a subsidiary and now also provides the “Polarify eKYC” service, which, like “LIQUID eKYC,” enables online identity (and background) verification.

About Market Share

No.1 Market Share for 6 Consecutive Years※, with Approximately 130 Million Cumulative Identity Verifications and Around 600 Client Companies

Our online identity verification service, LIQUID eKYC, has been increasingly adopted across various industries due to its low user drop-off rate enabled by highly accurate facial recognition and image processing technologies, along with its advanced IC solutions designed to anticipate future legal and regulatory changes. As a result, it has maintained the No.1 market share for six consecutive years. ※

Including Polarify eKYC, the ELEMENTS Group has achieved approximately 130 million cumulative identity verification transactions and has contracts with about 600 companies in total.

By Industry: 66% Share in Banking and 96% in Telecommunications (According to Our Research)

In the banking sector, 66% of banks that have implemented eKYC have adopted the ELEMENTS Group’s online identity verification services. In the telecommunications sector, 3 out of the 4 major mobile carriers in Japan are using our solutions, representing a 96% share based on the number of contracts. This demonstrates the strong trust we have earned in industries where identity verification is mandated by laws such as the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds and the Act on Prevention of Improper Use of Mobile Phones.

About LIQUID eKYC: No.1 Market Share for Six Consecutive Years※
The service provides online completion of identity verification required for online contracts, account registration, and account opening. We offer a method that takes a picture of an identification document or reads an IC chip and matches it with selfies, as well as a method that utilizes public personal authentication (JPKI / Smartphone JPKI). We can also support age verification for student discounts. Our proprietary AI, biometric, and OCR technologies have enabled us to maintain a low drop-off rate from the start to the end of the photo shooting process. As a result, the ELEMENTS Group has achieved a cumulative total of approximately 130 million identity verifications, with around 600 companies having adopted our services.
Website: https://liquidinc.asia/global/kyc-application/

※ITR “ITR Market View: Identity Access Management / Personal Authentication Type Security Market 2025 eKYC Market: Sales Value Share by Vendor (FY2019-FY2024Forecast)

About Liquid Inc.
Liquid aims to create a seamless world where all of the world’s approximately 8 billion people can easily and safely use all services as they are, by automatic and ubiquitous authentication. We provide our own Digital ID, KYC, and Authentication service, where users can prove their identity anytime, anywhere in the world with their smartphone or face. We are expanding our service globally and use the know-how accumulated under the strict Japanese laws and rules. We adapt our operations and services flexibly and quickly to changes in the required legal and security framework.
For more information, visit: https://liquidinc.asia/global/

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SOURCE Liquid, Inc.

MANILA, Philippines, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. State Department’s recent approval of the proposed sale of 20 F-16 Block 70 aircraft to the Philippines marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to modernize its air power capabilities. The F-16 Block 70 is a highly advanced and proven platform for air-to-air defense and air-to-ground support, with advanced technology and mission systems, including the life-saving Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS). 

The F-16 has a proven track record of reliability, versatility, and effectiveness, with over 3,100 aircraft operating in 28 countries. Recently, the F-16 participated in the Cope Thunder exercise at Clark Air Base, Pampanga demonstrating its capabilities and interoperability with the Philippine Air Force. This exercise showcased the F-16’s ability to operate in a complex and dynamic environment, and its effectiveness in enhancing the combat readiness of air forces in the Asia-Pacific region. 

“Lockheed Martin is proud to support the Philippines’ efforts to modernize its air power capabilities with the F-16 Block 70,” said Aimee Burnett, vice president – Lockheed Martin F-16 Business Development. “The F-16 Block 70 will deliver advanced capabilities and performance to address the Philippines’ defense requirements and serve as a strategic asset to support the country’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture.” 

The F-16 seamlessly integrates into the Philippine Air Force fleet, with commonality with the FA-50 in terms of support equipment, driving affordability and pilot readiness. Additionally, the F-16 can be maintained and supported in-country, with the Philippine Air Force having the capability to ensure its F-16 fleet remains operational and ready, further enhancing its self-reliant vision. 

“As an industry partner on both the Black Hawk and C-130 platforms, Lockheed Martin is uniquely positioned to address the Philippines’ sustainment needs and enhance industrial cooperation opportunities,” adds Burnett. “The F-16 offer builds upon decades of worldwide technical transfer experience and could include robust workforce development programs and in-country maintenance and repair capabilities, among other research & development concepts currently being discussed with the Philippine government, industry and academia.” 

More information about the F-16 Block 70 for the Philippines at https://lockheedmartin.com/en-ph/index.html.   

About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics