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Expert explores China for unknown reptiles

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‘Doctor Snake’ from the US has discovered some 10 new species inside Hubei World Natural Heritage Site

BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily

“Not venomous, it’s Elaphe carinata,” Kevin Messenger said to his companions with a smile, as a colorful king ratsnake sank its teeth into his left forearm.

The 42-year-old herpetologist from the United States, who is also a professor at the College of Life Sciences of Nanjing Forestry University, was conducting a field survey in the Shennongjia National Park in Hubei province.

“He’s not attacking, he’s defending. I attacked him,” he said calmly, clutching in his left hand the snake, which was almost as long as the height of a grown man, while one of his companions wiped away the fresh blood trickling from the wound.

Such a scene is a regular occurrence in his daily work. Over the years, Messenger has conducted scientific research in various ecological reserves in China, earning the nickname “Doctor Snake” among his colleagues.

Messenger has been fascinated by snakes since childhood. His earliest memory of a snake was at the age of 3, when his father, an emergency vet, brought home a python.

“I remember looking in the back of the truck and seeing this massive snake, and falling in love with it,” he recalled. “I just thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.”

In May 2006, while he was finishing his undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University, Messenger noticed an online job posting that offered the chance to do a survey of reptiles and amphibians in the unexplored mountain range of Shennongjia.

He applied for the job, which was provided by a Sino-US collaborative research program, and just five days after his graduation, he flew to China and embarked on a four-month exploration of Shennongjia. “It was like a dream come true. Hiking and getting into the woods to catch reptiles and amphibians. … That is exactly doing what I love,” he said.

Messenger’s interest in China continued to grow in the following years, deciding to do field work in China for his PhD program.

In 2017, Messenger earned two PhDs, one from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and the other from Nanjing Forestry University. He then received a job offer in the US, but stayed in China to continue his research.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to continue my work in China is because the state of herpetology in China is still wide open,” he said. “You can still go out to many many different places and find new species. And the natural history of many of these species we still don’t have a full understanding of.”

During a field survey, Messenger usually spends about one week at a field station, going out multiple times a day to find and identify the reptiles and amphibians, trying to get a complete picture of their distribution.

He photographs them, sometimes collects a specimen, and occasionally does genetic work to identify their species. Following the survey, he returns to the university or home base and documents all the recordings in a database. “It is very tiring, very hard and underappreciated. But it is also very enjoyable. Every single time I see a snake, I just get super excited,” Messenger said.

Although he’s been bitten by snakes countless times, he does not blame them, believing that the majority of snakes are gentle and kind, and that biting is a form of self-defense.

In May 2012, Messenger was bitten by a venomous snake — Protobothrops jerdonii, or Jerdon’s pit viper — in Shennongjia, which left him unconscious for 30 to 40 minutes and his entire arm swollen.

He stayed in the hospital for two days, and it wasn’t until the seventh day that he was able to use chopsticks or write with his right hand.

Shennongjia is a place that Messenger holds dear, having visited the area as many as 16 times. He has discovered roughly 10 new species within this UNESCO World Heritage Site and he is currently working on what’s most likely a new species of toad.

“I’ve noticed more and more local people having an appreciation for the environment and wildlife and being more interested in doing whatever they can do to help,” he said, adding that this has further motivated him to continue his work in Shennongjia.

In June, he was appointed by the Shennongjia National Park Administration as an external expert to conduct long-term field research in the area.

As part of his work, Messenger explores new areas outside of Shennongjia to study the local flora and fauna. If these areas meet the criteria for inclusion within the protective zone, new boundaries will be drawn accordingly.

“Protecting the environment is protecting ourselves, because we belong to the environment,” he said.

In March, Messenger registered his marriage to Li Yecheng, from Anhui province, who subsequently accompanied him on his exploration of Shennongjia.

Messenger said his sister always asks their father, who has visited China and attended his wedding, when her brother will return home.

On the most recent occasion, their father told her that he sees no reason for Messenger to go back, as his support system in China is so good. “I’m hoping to stay in China for at least another 10 years, and then maybe continue for another 10 years after that,” he said.

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SOURCE China Daily

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Orion Innovation Names Brian Bronson Chief Executive Officer

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November 15, 2024

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Technology Industry Executive and Leader to Drive Next Phase of Company Growth

EDISON, N.J., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Orion Innovation (“Orion”), a leading digital transformation and product development services firm, today announced the appointment of Brian Bronson as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. With over 25 years of leadership experience across global technology sectors, Bronson will lead Orion’s next phase of growth and transformation, focusing on expanding the company’s digital capabilities and market presence. Brian succeeds Raj Patil, who will transition to an advisory role with the company and One Equity Partners.

“Brian’s impressive track record of driving profitable growth and leading large-scale organizational transformation makes him the ideal leader for Orion’s next chapter,” said Carlo Padovano, Partner at One Equity Partners and Lead Director of Orion Innovation. “His deep expertise in product engineering, GenAI adoption, and digital transformation perfectly aligns with our vision for Orion’s future.

On behalf of the Orion Board, I’d like to thank Raj for his leadership and dedication in helping develop Orion into a market leader. Raj will transition to an advisory role with the company and One Equity Partners.”

“I’m honored to take on this role and excited about the tremendous opportunities ahead for Orion,” said Bronson. “The company has built an impressive foundation with a blue-chip roster of clients, a global delivery platform, and a talented team with deep domain and engineering expertise. I look forward to working closely with our employees, clients, and partners as we deliver transformative solutions to our clients, drive innovation, and scale our capabilities.”

Before joining Orion, Brian served as EVP of US Telecom, Media, and Entertainment at Capgemini. Additionally, he led the integration and execution of Capgemini’s global engineering services business across the Americas and Asia. This included driving growth in many industries leveraging innovative capabilities tied to 5G, connectivity, and software product engineering. Previously, as President & CEO of Radisys, a leading provider of open telecom solutions, he led the company’s strategic transformation from a hardware company to a provider of cutting-edge software and enabling technologies for the telecom, technology, and medical industries. This transformation culminated in the sale of Radisys to Reliance Industries in 2018, marking a successful exit for the company.

About Orion Innovation

Orion Innovation (“Orion”) is a leading digital transformation and product development services firm. Rooted in engineering and design thinking, along with a unique combination of agility, scale, and maturity, its team of approximately 6,400 associates helps Fortune 1000 companies improve efficiencies, enhance customer experiences, and develop new digital offerings. Through its delivery centers in North America, EMEA, India and Latin America, Orion serves clients across Telecom, Media & Technology, Sports & Entertainment, Professional Services, Financial Services, and Healthcare industries. For more information, visit www.orioninc.com. 

About One Equity Partners

One Equity Partners (“OEP”) is a middle market private equity firm focused on the industrial, healthcare, and technology sectors in North America and Europe. The firm seeks to build market-leading companies by identifying and executing transformative business combinations. OEP is a trusted partner with a differentiated investment process, a broad and senior team, and an established track record generating long-term value for its partners. Since 2001, the firm has completed more than 400 transactions worldwide. OEP, founded in 2001, spun out of JP Morgan in 2015. The firm has offices in New York, Chicago, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. For more information, please visit www.oneequity.com.

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Morrison Securities launches one of Australia’s first plug-and-play global trading to 15 countries with ViewTrade

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November 15, 2024

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SYDNEY, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Equities clearing business Morrison Securities (“Morrison”) is launching one of Australia’s first plug-and-play global trading to 15 countries with trading technology provider ViewTrade.

This will mean Morrison’s 38,000+ active clients trading $30 billion annually will only need to go through KYC once and then will be provided unprecedented rapid global trading access.

Morrison will now also offer enhanced global equity and options trading, fixed income, ETFs, seamlessly integrate domestic and global trading, and choice between fully disclosed or omnibus operating models.

ViewTrade has calculated that implementation of solutions like this across all of Australia’s global trading could generate efficiencies of nearly $240 million annually.

A business the size of Morisson launching this solution is a watershed moment for enhancing global opportunities for Australia’s wealth management sector, according to ViewTrade.

Nigel Singh, CEO of ViewTrade International Australia, said: “We are excited to work with Morrison Securities. Together, we are unlocking a world of investment opportunities for Australians. By accessing global markets, firms can offer their clients more diversified portfolios, reducing risk and protecting wealth. This benefits both domestic and international clients. We invite other firms to join us in this partnership and unlock the potential of global market access.”

William Slack, CEO of Morrison Securities, said: “We’ve designed a solution that integrates global market access into our domestic offering for a superior customer experience. With our combined expertise, we’re confident in delivering an efficient, scalable solution tailored to the specific needs of our clients.”

Laksh Gangwani, Chief Revenue Officer – APAC and Middle East at ViewTrade, added: “We are thrilled about the partnership with Morrison Securities as they launch one of Australia’s first plug-and-play global trading solutions to 15 countries. Morrison’s integrated approach to technology, compliance, and operations is enabling investors to complete KYC once, while accessing multiple markets and asset classes with ease. This will ensure Australian investors can build diversified international portfolios with ease.”

ViewTrade (www.viewtrade.com) is a global leader in investment and trading infrastructure solutions that power cross-border investing for financial services firms throughout the world. ViewTrade provides the technology, support, and brokerage services that business innovators need to launch or enhance retail investing experiences. For more than 20 years, ViewTrade has partnered with over 300 clients – from technology startups to large banks, brokers and advisors – to deliver innovative investment solutions and exceptional customer service.

Morrison Securities (https://www.morrisonsecurities.com/) Established in 1985, Morrison Securities is an Australian Broking firm specialising in trading, execution, and clearing services tailored to advisory firms and wholesale clients. They partner with firms to navigate operational challenges and help them realise their full potential. Their comprehensive suite of solutions covers seamless international market access, advanced equities and options trading, capital raising and DVP settlement services, integrated APIs, and stock lending. With a platform-agnostic approach and enterprise-level client service, they prioritise operational excellence and long-term partnerships.

 

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SOURCE ViewTrade

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Australia’s least-favourite chores just got easier with Roborock’s Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals

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November 15, 2024

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SYDNEY, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Roborock, the global best-selling robot vacuum brand[i], is thrilled to announce its exclusive deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024.

Starting from 21 November to 4 December 2024, Roborock is offering significant discounts on a wide range of popular models, with savings of up to $700 – including popular models such as the S8 MaxV Ultra, Qrevo MaxV, Q8 Max+, Qrevo Master, Qrevo S, and Flexi Pro.

In a recent survey conducted across Australia, Roborock found that 27% of Australians would happily skip cleaning their floors forever, with many Aussies also admitting to neglecting high-maintenance tasks such as vacuuming, mopping, and appliance cleaning. With these cleaning challenges in mind, Roborock is offering unbeatable savings on popular models across Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with savings of up to $700.

The deals are available at Robrock Australia’s Official Online Store, Roborock’s Amazon storefront and all authorised retailers.

 Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals

S8 MaxV Ultra – (SAVE $700) – MSRP $2,999 / Promo: $2,299The S8 MaxV Ultra is the company’s most powerful one-stop cleaning solution, combining the company’s most sophisticated deep cleaning technology with user-friendly features. The model introduces a unique robotic arm and an extra mop that efficiently cleans challenging areas with complete corner cleaning capabilities. Newly launched.Qrevo Master – (SAVE $700) – MSRP $2,699 / Promo: $1,999Newly launched and the most advanced model in the mid-range Qrevo series, the Qrevo Master is built for those who seek top-of-the-line cleaning technology at a mid-range price point. With high-powered suction, deep corner cleaning capabilities, and complete self-maintenance features, it’s designed to tackle the toughest cleaning challenges effortlessly.

Qrevo MaxV – (SAVE $700) – MSRP $2,199 / Promo: $1,499Offers users a complete hands-free floor cleaning experience at the mid-range price point, taking both vacuuming and mopping off your plate while combining powerful cleaning functions, self-maintenance capabilities, and intelligent features such – as pet recognition from flagship models – into one convenient cleaning package.

Qrevo S – (SAVE $400) – MSRP $1,499 / Promo: $1,099Newly launched, the Qrevo S is ideal for those looking for their first robot vacuum that excels at both vacuuming and mopping with self-maintenance features. It blends cleaning performance with a streamlined design for everyday cleaning.

Q8 Max+ – (SAVE $500) – MSRP $1,299 / Promo: $799The Q8 Max+ delivers high-performance cleaning with enhanced navigation and automatic dirt disposal. It’s equipped with powerful suction and a flagship roller brush system making it perfect for homes with mainly hard floors, ensuring a deep and thorough clean.

Flexi Pro – (SAVE $300) – MSRP $999 / Promo: $699 (Available starting 14th November)The Flexi Pro is a versatile handheld vacuum option designed for deep floor cleaning and tight spaces. Capable of handling both wet and dry messes, and the ability to clean itself after every clean-up, the Flexi Pro tackles all types of messes with ease.

According to Roborock’s recent survey, garages are the dirtiest spaces in Australian homes, with 46% of respondents admitting they need more attention. Other problem areas include bathrooms (41%), kitchens (38%), and even kids’ playrooms (32%). Given the demands of busy lives, it’s easy to see why some chores fall through the cracks.

With these exclusive Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers, Roborock makes it easier than ever for Aussies to maintain a clean and comfortable home – without the hassle. Whether it’s tackling neglected garages, high-traffic kitchens, or hard-to-reach corners in the bathroom, Roborock’s innovative products are ready to take on the task.

For more information on Roborock products, please visit https://au.roborock.com  

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors: 

The Roborock survey was conducted by TGM Research and involved 1,028 nationally representative respondents across Australia. The survey aimed to understand the cleaning habits, preferences, and challenges faced by Australians ahead of the launch of Roborock’s Qrevo Master, Qrevo S and H5. 

About Roborock     

Roborock is a leading smart cleaning brand renowned for its intelligent cleaning solutions. With a steadfast dedication to becoming a global leading smart appliance player, Roborock enriches liveswith its innovative line of robotic, cordless, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, and washer-dryers. Rooted in a user-centric approach, our R&D-driven solutions cater to diverse cleaning needs in over 15 million homes across 170+ countries.  Headquartered in Beijing and with strategic subsidiaries in key markets, including the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and South Korea, Roborock is dedicated to elevating its market presence worldwide. For more information, visit https://au.roborock.com/.    

[i] [1] The data comes from Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. The sales figures of robotic vacuum cleaners worldwide in the first three quarters of 2023 (in RMB hundred million) were used for calculation. Roborock ranks first in the industry. Robotic vacuum cleaner refers to vacuum cleaners that automatically move around rooms using sensors to clean floors. The research was completed in February 2024.

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SOURCE Roborock

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