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ETSI OSM launches Release THIRTEEN with a new scalable architecture for massive closed-loop operations

ETSI OSM launches Release THIRTEEN with a new scalable architecture for massive closed-loop operations

Sophia Antipolis, 15 December 2022

The ETSI Open Source MANO community is proud to announce OSM Release THIRTEEN, meeting the already established cadence of two releases per year, alternating between Long Term Support (LTS) releases such as Release TWELVE (2 years’ support) and Standard releases (6 months support).

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ETSI Top 10 Webinars in 2022 Starring: Cybersecurity, AI, IPv6, MEC, Open Source MANO and more

Sophia Antipolis, 20 December 2022

As 2022 comes to an end, we have selected for you our most popular webinars of the year. If you missed them, listen to the recorded presentations and their Q&A sessions, deep dive into the Cyber resilience Act and AI Act, IPv6, Multi-access Edge Computing, Open Source MANO and much more.

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6G-IA and ETSI sign MoU bridging the gap between European research, standards and industry

Sophia Antipolis, France/Brussels, Belgium 24 January 2023

The 6G-IA brings together a global industry community of telecoms and digital actors such as operators, manufacturers, research institutes, universities, verticals, SMEs and ICT associations. The association carries out a wide range of activities in strategic areas including standardization, frequency spectrum, R&D projects, technology skills, collaboration with key vertical industry sectors, notably the development of trials, and international cooperation.

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ETSI NFV Releases Architecture Enhancements to Support Cloud-Native Network Functions

Sophia Antipolis, 26 January 2023

The ETSI Industry Specification Group for Network Functions Virtualization (ISG NFV) has just published its next drop of specifications around new enhancements of the NFV architecture that will support cloud-native network functions.

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ETSI launches second release of TeraFlowSDN, its open source Cloud-Native SDN Orchestrator and Controller for transport networks

Sophia Antipolis, 2 February 2023

ETSI Open Source Group TeraFlowSDN has just announced the 2nd release of TeraFlowSDN controller, an innovative and robust SDN orchestrator and controller.

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ETSI Research Conference: Research and Standards on a successful journey

Sophia Antipolis, 10 February 2023

With more than 170 face-to-face attendees, coming from 30 countries, the three day ETSI conference on Maximizing the Impact of European 6G Research through Standardization came to a close on 8 February. The event provided a unique opportunity for the research community to come together with industry representatives and standardization experts to discuss future technology research and building stronger links to standardization.

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ETSI and TCCA Statement to TETRA Security Algorithms Research Findings Publication on 24 July 2023

Sophia Antipolis, 24 July 2023

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and The Critical Communications Association (TCCA) are the proud authorities and custodians of the ETSI TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) technology standard, one of the world’s most secure and reliable radio communications standards.

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ETSI Open Source MANO announces Release FOURTEEN providing a new scalable architecture for service assurance

Sophia Antipolis, 26 July 2023

The ETSI Open Source MANO community is proud to announce OSM Release FOURTEEN. Release FOURTEEN is a Long-Term-Support (LTS) release of ETSI OSM, providing two years of continuous support with bug fixes and security patches, and including significant improvements in many key areas.

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Linux Foundation and ETSI Further Collaborate to Drive Harmonization Across Open Source and Open Standards

BILBAO, SpainOpen Source Summit Europe, 19 September 2023

The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization focused on fostering innovation through open source, and ETSI, the independent organization providing global standards for ICT services across all sectors of industry, today announced expanded collaboration. While the two organizations have been working together for years, the 2019 formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  recently has been updated and expanded.

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ETSI Open Source MANO announces Release FIFTEEN, leaner and easier to maintain

Sophia Antipolis, 21 December 2023

The ETSI Open Source MANO community is proud to announce OSM Release FIFTEEN, meeting the well-established cadence of two releases per year. The OSM community delivers one Long Term Support (LTS) and one regular release every year, to ensure the OSM user base is provided with continuous innovations and production-ready stability.

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ETSI Releases Ground-breaking Technical Report to mitigate technology-enabled Coercive Control

Sophia Antipolis, 31 January 2024

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has published a significant new technical report, "ETSI TR 103 936 V1.1.1 (2024-01): Cyber Security; Implementing Design Practices to Mitigate Consumer IoT-Enabled Coercive Control". This pioneering document addresses the increasingly important issue of safeguarding individuals from coercive control through the misuse of consumer Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Coercive control encompasses a range of abusive acts such as security breaches, privacy invasions, harassment, physical assault, and other patterns of behaviour that can limit autonomy or cause emotional harm to potential targets.

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Future confidence: Inaugural LTA Signature Augmentation and Validation Plugtests™ focuses on Long-Term Archive signatures

Sophia Antipolis, 21 February 2024

ETSI’s first LTA Signature Augmentation and Validation Plugtests™ has seen international participants exchange over 35 000 digital signature validation reports.

Held from 23 October - 22 December 2023, the remote interoperability event was organized by the ETSI Centre for Testing and Interoperability (CTI), on behalf of ETSI’s Technical Committee for Electronic Signatures and Trust Infrastructures (TC ESI). This Plugtests™ event was facilitated with the support and co-funding of the European Commission (EC) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Conducted using a dedicated web portal, sessions over the month-long Plugtests™ attracted the involvement of 190 participants from 121 organizations across 38 countries.

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ETSI Open Source MANO announces Release SIXTEEN, enabling cloud-native orchestration of cloud infrastructure and applications

Sophia Antipolis, 4 September 2024

The ETSI Open Source MANO community is proud to announce OSM Release SIXTEEN, a Long-Term-Support (LTS) release of ETSI OSM, which becomes the most innovative and feature-packed release shipped by OSM to date.

This release brings a revolution in OSM’s functionality, positioning OSM as a generalized cloud-native orchestrator for infrastructure, platforms and services, which extends significantly its former scope. Full cloud-native management of Kubernetes clusters in public clouds, together with the applications or software units running on them, is now possible with Release SIXTEEN. Every operation related to the cluster management (creation, upgrading, scaling, deletion) or the applications running on them is reflected in Git repositories, following the GitOps model. This has been possible thanks to a major change in the internal architecture of OSM.

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Notice of Coming into Force of National Instrument 93-101 Derivatives: Business Conduct

National Instrument 93-101 Derivatives: Business Conduct (the Rule) will come into force on September 28, 2024 (the Effective Date), pursuant to section 143.4 of the Securities Act (Ontario).




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CSA Staff Notice 51-365 Continuous Disclosure Review Program Activities for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023

This document is only available in PDF format.




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Research Analyst I/II

Job Summary The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Research Analyst I/II in its Development Strategies and Governance Unit. This position is a one-year, renewable appointment, based at IFPRI’s office in New Delhi, India. The Successful candidate will have experience in using mixed methods for research and excellent writing skills. Interested applicants must have work authorization to work in India. The final grade level will be determined by level of education and years of relevant work experience. Essential Duties:  Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Assist with the analysis of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) technologies and interventions and their increasing significance as part of agricultural adaptation in the wake of climate change, particularly in the developing countries. Assist in conducting cost-benefit analysis, constraint analysis, and policy analysis to estimate the extent to of CSA adoption in the South Asia region.  Conduct data analysis (using primary and secondary), statistical and econometric analysis. Familiarity with trade-related data and data sources to assist with the analysis of trade barriers (tariff and non-tariff) associated with various CSA technologies. Preparation of analytical reports and peer-reviewed publishable papers using information from primary surveys and secondary data. Assist in the preparation of project reports, policy briefs and journal articles. Conduct literature reviews & synthesis. Verify or triangulate key data to ensure the robustness and relevance of it in developing indices. Regular travel and meetings with various stakeholders including government officials, extension agents, local service providers, and farmers to gather inputs for drafting reports. Assist in organizing high level policy forum, workshops and seminars. Required Qualifications:  At the Research Analyst I level, Bachelors’ degree plus two years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree in Economics, Rural Development, Public Policy, or a closely related field. At the Research Analyst II level, Master's degree in the above-mentioned fields plus three years of relevant post Master’s work experience. Demonstrated experience working with large quantitative data sets (data cleaning, management, analysis, etc.) Knowledge of standard econometric tools Excellent Stata, data visualization (Tableau/Power BI), MS Excel and ArcGIS skills (knowledge of ArcGIS and Tableau/Power BI is not compulsory)  Demonstrated strong writing skills. Fluency in written and spoken English and Hindi Ability to work independently, with initiative and minimal supervision. Preferred Qualifications:  Experience in fieldwork, using mixed methods for research. Experience in designing and conducting focused group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and analysis of policy documents.   Experience working in rural South Asia Experience in liaison and coordination with ministries and departments.  Physical Demands and Work Environment Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time. Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds. Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading.  




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Research Analyst I/II

Job Summary   The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Research Analyst I/II in its Development Strategies and Governance Unit. This position is a one-year, renewable appointment, based at IFPRI’s office in New Delhi, India. Successful candidate will engage in quantitative research to generate empirical evidence on efficiency in agricultural research & development, impact of agricultural technologies, farm credits & insurance, innovations in input delivery systems, linkages between agriculture and nutrition etc. Job duties will include support to quantitative data analysis, literature reviews including policy and program reviews and assistance in the preparation of reports and journal manuscripts. The RA is expected to support policy and stakeholder communications activities also. Interested applicants must have work authorization to work in India. The final grade level will be determined by level of education and years of relevant work experience. Essential Duties:  Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Assist in various tasks involving Data collection, compilation, cleaning, and analysis of primary and secondary data from various sources.          Coordinate and manage large field surveys. C onduct literature reviews and synthesize findings. Perform economic modeling and statistical analysis. Facilitate coordination between collaborators and stakeholders.                                             Assist in the drafting and editing of research papers, blogs, policy briefs, technical guidance, presentations, etc. Perform other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications:  Research Analyst I: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, Agricultural Statistics plus two years of professional experience or Master’s degree in closely related field. Research Analyst II: Master’s degree in one of the above fields plus minimum three years of post-master’s relevant experience. Skills in quantitative research methods and data analysis. Experience of using Stata software for data analysis. Fluency in written and spoken English. Excellent interpersonal skills along with the ability to work independently and with colleagues from diverse cultures. Ability to manage multiple tasks and produce completed products in time. Ability to work independently, with initiative and minimal supervision. Preferred Qualifications:  Experience in handling large agricultural and household survey data from developing countries. Demonstrated strong writing skills. Physical Demand & Work environment: Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time.  Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds.    Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: data preparation, web-scraping, preparing, and analyzing data and figures; dashboard; viewing computer terminal; extensive coding.  




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Research Assistant/ Research Analyst I

Job Summary: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Research Assistants/ Research Analyst I in its Development Strategies and Governance Unit for the Sudan Strategy Support Program. This is a one-year, renewable appointment. The successful candidates will work with senior research staff in the analysis of agriculture, rural development, food and nutrition security and related policies and other research activities including research work related to the ensuing conflict in Sudan. The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the IFPRI Sudan Program Leader but will be employed directly by IFPRl's organizational host, the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) - employment policies, compensation, and benefits of AOAD will apply to this position. Interested applicants must have authorization to work in Sudan. The final grade level will be determined by level of education and years of relevant work experience. Essential Duties: Specific Duties include but are not limited to: Assist the collection of primary and secondary data, Asist build large dataset from multiple sources, Assist to analyze data using advance analytical methods, Assist in conducting literature reviews and synthesis, Assist in drafting and translating reports, research papers, and blog posts between English and Arabic languages, Assist in capacity building and support outreach activities, Assist to coordinate projects and conduct other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications:  Research Assistant: Bachelor's or its equivalent in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or closely related fields, Research Analyst: Bachelor’s degree plus two years of relevant professional experience or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, Excellent knowledge of macroeconomic and/or microeconomic theory, Excellent knowledge of and quantitative econometric methods and/or economic modeling, Excellent knowledge of Stata and/or GAMS, Excellent analytical mind and drafting skills, Demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic , Excellent interpersonal skills and to work in a team-oriented multi-cultural environment, Demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and manage time, Demonstrated professional level of attention to detail and accuracy of work, Ability to work independently and take initiative, Willingness to travel. Preferred Qualifications: Previous experience conducting research on and collecting data in Sudan. Familiarity with the literature on economic and agriculture development, food security, poverty reduction and related fields. Previous experience related to policy analysis and impact evaluation. Experience with spatial analysis and ARC-GIS. Experience with policy communication activities and events organization. Experience with managing websites and updating their contents. Experience in academia, the private sector, a development-oriented organization, or comparable institution,   Physical Demand & Work environment Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time. Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds. Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading.  




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Research Unit Contracts & Grants Manager I

The Development Strategies and Governance (DSG) Unit within the Transformation Strategies Department of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a Research Unit Contracts & Grants Manager I, who will be responsible for financial management which includes budgetary responsibilities, cost monitoring and control, and financial analysis and reporting, contracts administration which includes proposal preparation and submission and the administration of the Unit’s special projects. Other responsibilities include supervising Unit Admin Support staff, serving as liaison with finance and administration as well as the Director General’s office; drafting correspondence for the Unit director and communication with external contacts (donors, clients, collaborators, sub-contractors and auditors); and service as active member on various standing and ad-hoc committees, as well as work with Project Managers in management of budgets, contracts, deliverables, invoices and other payment documents. This position is a 2-year, renewable appointment based in Washington, DC.   Essential Duties: Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Providing technical support in proposal preparation, reviewing contracts to ensure they reflect the provisions negotiated, and monitoring performance of contracts and submission of specified deliverables.  Drafting, negotiating and monitoring consultant collaborative agreements, serve as liaison between program collaborators and finance/administrative issues, review monthly financial reports, and provide financial analysis reports on projects.  Preparing the divisional budgets and monitoring expense budgets Coordinating the drafting of project/program budgets; review of accounting transactions.  Developing spreadsheets & maintaining financial information for planning & reference. Drafting routine correspondence regarding contracts or project/program finances. Assisting in financial audits Coordinating financial and operational activities for field offices Ensuring the smooth operation of the program’s day-to-day activities; coordinate seminars and workshops, manage logistical arrangements on seminars/workshops. Liaising with IFPRI HR Services, Facilities and IT department for related issues and needs. Preparing administrative and operational procedures for the division and approves timesheets Maintaining division files Supervising administrative support staff Other tasks as assigned. Required Qualifications:  Bachelor’s degree plus ten years of relevant experience, or associate’s degree plus twelve years of relevant experience.   Two year of management experience Experience in developing, monitoring and managing budgets and contracts. Experience in coordinating budget processes, reviewing accounting transactions, developing financial projections and reports. Solid composition, grammar and proof-reading skills, with the ability to compose correspondence and reports; excellent written and oral English communications skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office; word processing & spreadsheet programs required. Ability to handle multiple tasks & prioritize tasks with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated experience and comfort working with multiple program managers simultaneously.  Ability to prioritize and coordinate tasks in such an environment. Demonstrated flexibility to adjust to multiple individual work styles.  Attention to detail and ability to work within a team in a multicultural environment.   Preferred Qualifications: Familiarity with IFPRI’s operational systems (finance, accounting, etc.) and the CGIAR system is highly desirable.  Proficiency in a second language of the U.N. system Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office, especially Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint required, and demonstrated proficiency with financial management and administrative software applications such as Costpoint, OnBase, Deltek, and/or other applications. Physical Demand & Work environment: Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time  Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds.  Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading. Salary Range: The expected salary range for this job requisition is between $85,600- $104,900. In determining your salary, we will consider your experience and other job-related factors.  Benefits: IFPRI is committed to providing our staff members with valuable and competitive benefits, as it is a core part of providing a strong overall employee experience. This position is eligible for health insurance coverage and a summary of our benefits can be found on our website. Please note that the listed benefits are generally available to active, non-temporary, full-time and part-time US-based employees who work at least 25 hours per week. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is an equal employment opportunity employer - F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.




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Senior Research Fellow I/II

Job Summary: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF I or SRF II) for a two-year, renewable appointment for its Nutrition, Diets and Health Unit. This position is based at IFPRI headquarters located in Washington, D.C but would involve travel to any of the countries in which IFPRI carries out its research. The SRF I/II would manage complex, multi-partner surveys and evaluations, mentor junior research staff, lead the development of new research activities, including developing proposals for the evaluation of multisectoral programs and food systems approaches to improving diet, nutrition and health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, the SRF I/II would lead research activities related to the CGIAR Research Initiative on Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) which would include leading the co-development of programmatic activities (with program implementation partners) to increase intake of fruit and vegetables. Essential Duties:   Specific duties include but are not limited to: Conducting research related to diets, nutrition, health, and well-being in low-and middle-income countries and the impact of multisectoral programs and/or food systems approaches on these types of outcomes.  Developing and managing large/complex research projects and/or programs including developing workplans, coordinating research activities, monitoring and reporting on progress and sharing research findings with diverse audiences.  Design and supervise large-scale data collection activities such as household surveys, food environment surveys, dietary assessment surveys and nutritional status assessments.   Supervising the work of various research support staff and providing professional mentoring to others.  As part of multisectoral program and/or food systems evaluation activities, work closely with program implementation partners and other key stakeholders, to identify and oversee the design of programmatic activities to address constraints to sustainable, healthy diets. Recruiting and managing national collaborators. Developing and monitoring of the project or program budget. Publishing research in peer-reviewed publications. Providing strong research leadership in developing new ideas into proposals. Preparing donor and other project/program reports. Liaising with donor & senior government and other types of stakeholders on projects Communicating research to a broad spectrum of stakeholders (researchers, academicians, policy makers, local partners. Required Qualifications: At the Senior Research Fellow I level:  PhD in Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology, International Development, or closely related field and a minimum of 7 years of post-PhD experience. At the Senior Research Fellow II level:  PhD in Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology, International Development, or closely related field and a minimum of 10 years of post-PhD experience Major external recognition within peer professional network due to publications and other leaderships activities. Extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Strong skills in quantitative data analysis Demonstrated ability to perform critical analyses of own & others’ research.  Sustained and consistent excellent publications record in peer-reviewed journals.  Demonstrated leadership skills and strong experience building and managing teams. Demonstrated leadership in developing global research programs with policy recommendations. Demonstrated experience in effective interactions in a multicultural setting with other researchers and with policymakers, donors, and civil society, facilitating impact of research & capacity strengthening. The ability to effectively contribute to IFPRI’s overall institutional value through demonstrated participation and support for organization-wide programs and activities. Willingness to travel extensively as required. Excellent written and spoken English communication skills with demonstrated excellence in written and oral presentations. Demonstrated computer literacy (PC and Microsoft Applications).  Proven record of fundraising success for broad and complex programs and projects. Preferred Qualifications: Proficiency in a second language of the U.N. system Dietary assessment and analysis expertise Experience with qualitative assessment methods and associated analytic techniques and software. Physical Demand and Work Environment: Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time.  Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds.  Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading. Salary Range : The expected salary ranges for this job requisition are between 24 R : $135,400 -  $169,300 ; 25 R: $159,800 -  $199,700 .  In determining your salary, we will consider your experience and other job-related factors. Benefits IFPRI is committed to providing our staff members with valuable and competitive benefits, as it is a core part of providing a strong overall employee experience. This position is eligible for health insurance coverage and a  summary of our benefits can be found on our website . Please note that the listed benefits are generally available to active, non-temporary, full-time and part-time US based employees who work at least 25 hours per week. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is an equal employment opportunity employer - F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.




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Associate Research Fellow / Research Fellow

Job Summary The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as an Associate Research Fellow or Research Fellow. This is a two-year, renewable, exempt appointment based at IFPRI’s Washington, DC Office.  The ideal candidate will have demonstrated aptitude with modeling water resources and hydrologic systems at multiple scales, experience in developing and operating modeling suites that link biophysical and economic models, and interest/experience in the analysis of risk and uncertainty. The successful candidate will work on interdisciplinary teams to conduct research, produce high-impact publications and disseminate knowledge that (for example): assists national level policy-making units confront the challenges posed by climate change and water constraints; fosters regional strategies for resilient growth and development in a context of climate change; works with CGIAR partners on research and/or model development, particularly in IWMI; and assists key agri-food system actors in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and other constituencies in the formation of investment plans in water resources, including in relation to food and energy. Specific areas of research are expected to be developed in accordance with the intersection of the interests and skills of the successful candidate and the objectives of the Foresight and Policy Modeling Unit. It is anticipated that about 80 percent of the job will be dedicated to applied research, and the remaining 20 percent will be allocated to capacity-building, policy engagement, and outreach activities supporting evidence-based decision-making. Essential Duties  Specific duties include but are not limited to:  ·          Lead development, maintenance, and improvement of IFPRI’s water data and modeling systems compatible with global (IMPACT) and national levels (RIAPA). ·          Contribute to scenario development, modeling and analytics supporting a variety of foresight-related research projects. ·          Lead focused studies on water-related issues relevant for food system transformation globally and in LMICs. ·          Work with other modelers in the Foresight and Policy Modeling unit to maintain and improve water modeling components of established modeling frameworks. ·          Conduct research in the service of the CGIAR’s mission to advance positive transformation of food, land, and water systems. ·          Support efforts to strengthen the capacity of partner organizations and networks to conduct scholarly research and communicate evidence-based policy recommendations. ·          Prepare project reports, research papers, presentations, and peer-reviewed journal articles in collaboration with CGIAR researchers, other collaborators, and partners. ·          Regularly communicate research outputs via policy seminars, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed publications to a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including researchers, academics, policymakers, and government officials. ·          The successful candidate will work with a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team of researchers and is expected to engage in a broad range of research projects and activities consistent with the research program of the Foresight and Policy Modeling Unit. Required Qualifications ·          PhD in Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology, or closely related field ·          Significant expertise in using water resources systems and hydrologic models and experience or interest to link these to economic and other simulation models at global, regional and national levels to evaluate policies related to food, land, and water systems. ·          Demonstrated capabilities in quantitative analysis and ability to use spatial data and methods in innovative and policy-relevant ways to examine water resource management issues in the context of climate change and other major drivers. ·          Ability or willingness to work in the GAMS modeling environment and code, other math/statistical programming languages, and GIS. ·          Experience using river basin modeling tools, (e.g. Mike Hydro Basin, WEAP, and Riverware). ·          Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well both with a team and independently. ·          Ability to work in a dynamic environment, take initiatives to resolve issues and effectively work with minimal supervision. ·          Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. ·          Willingness to travel extensively (including internationally) as required. Preferred Qualifications ·          Ability to work in Python. ·          Relevant research experience as applied to LMIC country contexts in Africa, Asia, and/or Latin America. ·          Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written reports, oral presentations, blog posts, and/or other forms of written and oral communications associated with scholarly research outputs. Additional requirements at the Research Fellow level ·          At least 3 years of post-PhD experience relevant to the job and demonstrated fundraising experience. ·          Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals. ·          Major external recognition within professional peer network based on publications and other leadership activities. ·          Demonstrated leadership skills and successful experience building and managing teams. Physical Demand & Work environment ·          Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time ·          Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds. ·          Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading. Salary Range :  The expected salary range for this job requisition is between $85,600 - $107,000. In determining your salary, we will consider your experience and other job-related factors. Benefits : IFPRI is committed to providing our staff members with valuable and competitive benefits, as it is a core part of providing strong overall employee experience. This position is eligible for health insurance coverage and a summary of our benefits  can be found on our website . Please note that the listed benefits are generally available to active, non-temporary, full-time and part-time US-based employees who work at least 25 hours per week. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is an equal employment opportunity employer - F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.    




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Research Analyst I

Job Summary The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Research Analyst in its Development Strategies and Governance Unit (DSG). This is one-year, non-renewable appointment based in Yangon, Myanmar, and may include travel and extended stays in different parts of rural Myanmar. The successful candidate will work on several research projects, involving household survey data collection and analysis. Interested applicants must be authorized to work in Myanmar. Essential Duties: Specific Duties include but are not limited to: Collection, cleaning, and analysis of primary and secondary data Assist in handling household survey data (including survey design, sampling & questionnaire) Assist with development of research instruments and analytical tools Conduct data analysis, statistical analysis, econometric analysis Conduct literature reviews & synthesis Contribute to the writing of discussion papers, donor reports, and other scholarly publications. Coordinate field implementation of survey activities (scoping, pretesting, training survey enumerators, etc.) Prepare large datasets for public access Develop data documentation manuals or other learning materials, as needed Help develop & coordinate technical workshops Interact with collaborators and project partners. Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications: Bachelors degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, International Development or related field plus two years of professional experience or a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Experienced in conducting literature reviews of academic publications, research reports, etc. Demonstrated experience in coordinating activities in the field. Demonstrated experience in effective interaction and coordination with collaborators and project partners. Demonstrated experience working with large quantitative data sets (data cleaning, management, analysis, etc.) Demonstrated ability to perform in-depth statistical analysis and report the results. Demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English and Myanmar language. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) Excellent interpersonal skills and to work in a team-oriented multi-cultural environment. Demonstrated ability to multi-task as needed, consistently meet deadlines and manage time well Demonstrated professional level of attention to detail and accuracy of work. Ability to work independently, with initiative and minimal supervision. Ability to travel. Preferred Qualifications: Skilled in programming in Stata and in managing household databases. Excellent econometric skills on cross-section and panel data analysis. Experience with data entry and CAPI software packages. Proficiency in Shan, Karen, Kachin, Chin, and/or Mon language. Physical Demand & Work environment: Employee will seat in an upright position for a long period of time. Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds. Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading.




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Senior Research Coordinator I

Job Summary: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to fill the position of Senior Research Coordinator for a 2-year, exempt appointment. This position will be based at IFPRI’s office in Lilongwe, Malawi. The Senior Research Coordinator will play a leading role in developing and implementing policy research and engagement strategies, as well as capacity strengthening. Essential Duties: Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Policy engagement/influence and capacity strengthening ·          Lead efforts of IFPRI to promote evidence-based policy planning and implementation in Malawi, including the promotion of policy dialogue and mutual learning. ·          Engage with other relevant continental and regional processes to seek opportunities for influencing and strengthening policy processes in Malawi. ·          Strengthen leadership and develop policymaking capacity in Malawi. ·          Develop and strengthen links between IFPRI and Malawi’s relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). ·          Represent IFPRI in regional meetings and interactions. ·          Develop new partnerships with strategic partners, as and when appropriate. ·          Engage at international level with relevant platforms and processes.   Research development, facilitation and management ·          Develop, implement and manage programs of research at IFPRI in Malawi. ·          Liaise with IFPRI partner organizations to ensure the policy workstream is responsive and complementary to other work streams. ·          Identify funding opportunities for proposals for policy-relevant research. ·          Develop new policy-relevant research to address knowledge gaps/research needs that exist, or emerge. ·          Link with platforms and initiatives to harmonize and strengthen research plans and outputs. ·          Link to and collaborate with (as appropriate) other external partners and stakeholders. ·          Support the dissemination and publication of research results in policy briefs and other targeted publications. ·          Support the Malawi Country Program Leader in internal and external (including donor) reporting and proposal development.   Required Qualifications: ·          PhD plus 5 years’ experience in public policy, economics, political science or quantitative social science. Strong track record of policy research and engagement, and a strong understanding of development policies and practice. Specific experience in Malawi is an advantage. ·          Experience in cross-sectoral policy engagement on agricultural commercialization, urbanization and rural transformation.   ·          Demonstrated leadership and experience in effective interactions in a multicultural and international development setting with other researchers and with policymakers, donors, and civil society in Africa, and preferably in Malawi, facilitating impact of research and capacity strengthening. Experience with CGIAR institutions is desirable. ·          Experience with development of capacity strengthening strategies and programs in Africa, and preferably in Malawi. ·          Major external recognition within peer professional network ·          Willingness to travel extensively as required ·          Excellent written and spoken English communication skills with demonstrated excellence in written and oral presentations. Knowledge of Chichewa is an advantage. ·          Demonstrated leadership skills and strong experience in working in and influencing development institutions. ·          Demonstrated ability to critically assess own and others’ research Physical Demand & Work environment: ·          Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time with little opportunity to move/stretch ·          Employee will lift between 0-10pounds ·          Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading   Salary Range : The expected salary range for this job requisition is between $115,800 - $144,800. In determining your salary, we will consider your experience and other job-related factors. Benefits : IFPRI is committed to providing our staff members with valuable and competitive benefits, as it is a core part of providing a strong overall employee experience. This position is eligible for health insurance coverage and a summary of our benefits  can be found on our website . Please note that the listed benefits are generally available to active, non-temporary, full-time and part-time US-based employees who work at least 25 hours per week. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is an equal employment opportunity employer - F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.




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Cybersecurity Snapshot: CISA Warns of Global Spear-Phishing Threat, While OWASP Releases AI Security Resources

CISA is warning about a spear-phishing campaign that spreads malicious RDP files. Plus, OWASP is offering guidance about deepfakes and AI security. Meanwhile, cybercriminals have amplified their use of malware for fake software-update attacks. And get the latest on CISA’s international plan, Interpol’s cyber crackdown and ransomware trends.

Dive into six things that are top of mind for the week ending Nov. 8.

1 - CISA: Beware of nasty spear-phishing campaign

Proactively restrict outbound remote-desktop protocol (RDP) connections. Block transmission of RDP files via email. Prevent RDP file execution.

Those are three security measures cyber teams should proactively take in response to an ongoing and “large scale” email spear-phishing campaign targeting victims with malicious RDP files, according to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

A foreign threat actor is carrying out the campaign. Several vertical sectors, including government and IT, are being targeted.

“Once access has been gained, the threat actor may pursue additional activity, such as deploying malicious code to achieve persistent access to the target’s network,” CISA’s alert reads.
 


Other CISA recommendations include:

  • Adopt phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA), such as FIDO tokens, and try to avoid SMS-based MFA
  • Educate users on how to spot suspicious emails
  • Hunt for malicious activity in your network looking for indicators of compromise (IoCs) and tactics, techniques and procedures

Although CISA didn’t name the hacker group responsible for this campaign, its alert includes links to related articles from Microsoft and AWS that identify it as Midnight Blizzard. Also known as APT29, this group is affiliated with Russia’s government.

To get more details, check out the CISA alert “Foreign Threat Actor Conducting Large-Scale Spear-Phishing Campaign with RDP Attachments.

For more information about securing RDP tools:

2 - OWASP issues AI security resources

How should your organization respond to deepfakes? What’s the right way of establishing a center of excellence for AI security in your organization? Where can you find a comprehensive guide of tools to secure generative AI applications?

These questions are addressed in a new set of resources for AI security from the Open Worldwide Application Security Project’s OWASP Top 10 for LLM Application Security Project

The new resources are meant to help organizations securely adopt, develop and deploy LLM and generative AI systems and applications “with a comprehensive strategy encompassing governance, collaboration and practical tools,” OWASP said in a statement.



These are the new resources:

  • The Guide for Preparing and Responding to Deepfake Events,” which unpacks four types of deepfake schemes – financial fraud, job interview fraud, social engineering and misinformation – and offers guidance about each one in these areas:
    • preparation
    • detection and analysis
    • containment eradication and recovery
    • post-incident activity
  • The LLM and GenAI Center of Excellence Guide,” which aims to help CISOs and fellow organization leaders create a center of excellence for generative AI security that facilitates collaboration among various teams, including security, legal, data science and operations, so they can develop:
    • Generative AI security policies
    • Risk assessment and management processes
    • Training and awareness
    • Research and development
  • The AI Security Solution Landscape Guide,” which offers security teams a comprehensive catalog of open source and commercial tools for securing LLMs and generative AI applications.

To get more details, read OWASP’s announcement “OWASP Dramatically Expands GenAI Security Guidance.”

For more information about protecting your organization against deepfakes:

3 - Fake update variants dominate list of top malware in Q3

Hackers are doubling down on fake software-update attacks.

That’s the main takeaway from the Center for Internet Security’s list of the 10 most prevalent malware used during the third quarter.

Malware variants used to carry out fake browser-update attacks took the top four spots on the list: SocGholish, LandUpdate808, ClearFake and ZPHP. Collectively, they accounted for 77% of the quarter’s malware infections. It's the first time LandUpdate808 and ClearFake appear on this quarterly list.


(Source: “Top 10 Malware Q3 2024”, Center for Internet Security, October 2024)

In a fake software-update attack, a victim gets duped into installing a legitimate-looking update for, say, their preferred browser, that instead infects their computers with malware.

Here’s the full list, in descending order:

  • SocGholish, a downloader distributed through malicious websites that tricks users into downloading it by offering fake software updates 
  • LandUpdate808, a JavaScript downloader distributed through malicious websites via fake browser updates
  • ClearFake, another JavaScript downloader used for fake browser-update attacks
  • ZPHP, another JavaScript downloader used for fake software-update attacks
  • Agent Tesla, a remote access trojan (RAT) that captures credentials, keystrokes and screenshots
  • CoinMiner, a cryptocurrency miner that spreads using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
  • Arechclient2, also known as SectopRAT, is a .NET RAT whose capabilities include multiple stealth functions
  • Mirai, a malware botnet that compromises IoT devices to launch DDoS attacks
  • NanoCore, a RAT that spreads via malspam as a malicious Excel spreadsheet
  • Lumma Stealer, an infostealer used to swipe personally identifiable information (PII), credentials, cookies and banking information

To get more information, the CIS blog “Top 10 Malware Q3 2024” offers details, context and indicators of compromise for each malware strain.

For details on fake update attacks:


VIDEO

Fake Chrome Update Malware (The PC Security Channel)

4 - CISA’s first international plan unveiled

CISA has released its first-ever international plan, which outlines a strategy for boosting the agency’s collaboration with cybersecurity agencies from other countries.

Aligning cybersecurity efforts and goals with international partners is critical for tackling cyberthreats in the U.S. and abroad, according to the agency.

The three core pillars of CISA’s “2025 - 2026 International Strategic Plan” are:

  • Help make more resilient other countries’ assets, systems and networks that impact U.S. critical infrastructure
  • Boost the integrated cyber defenses of the U.S. and its international partners against their shared global cyberthreats
  • Unify the coordination of international activities to strengthen cyberdefenses collectively

The plan will allow CISA to “reduce risk to the globally interconnected and interdependent cyber and physical infrastructure that Americans rely on every day,” CISA Director Jen Easterly said in a statement.

5 - Interpol hits phishers, ransomware gangs, info stealers

Interpol and its partners took down 22,000 malicious IP addresses and seized thousands of servers, laptops, and mobile phones used by cybercriminals to conduct phishing scams, deploy ransomware and steal information.

The four-month global operation, titled Synergia II and announced this week, involved law enforcement agencies and private-sector partners from 95 countries and netted 41 arrests.


“Together, we’ve not only dismantled malicious infrastructure but also prevented hundreds of thousands of potential victims from falling prey to cybercrime,” Neal Jetton, Director of Interpol’s Cybercrime Directorate, said in a statement.

In Hong Kong, more than 1,000 servers were taken offline, while authorities in Macau, China took another 291 servers offline. Meanwhile, in Estonia, authorities seized 80GB of server data, which is now being analyzed for links to phishing and banking malware.

For more information about global cybercrime trends:

6 - IST: Ransomware attacks surged in 2023

Ransomware gangs went into hyperdrive last year, increasing their attacks by 73% compared with 2022, according to the non-profit think tank Institute for Security and Technology (IST).

The IST attributes the sharp increase in attacks to a shift by ransomware groups to “big game hunting” – going after prominent, large organizations with deep pockets. 

“Available evidence suggests that government and industry actions taken in 2023 were not enough to significantly reduce the profitability of the ransomware model,” reads an IST blog.

Global Ransomware Incidents in 2023

Another takeaway: The ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model continued to prove extremely profitable in 2023, and it injected dynamism into the ransomware ecosystem. 

The RaaS model prompted ransomware groups “to shift allegiances, form new groups, or iterate existing variants,” the IST blog reads.

The industry sector that ransomware groups hit the hardest was construction, followed by hospitals and healthcare, and by IT services and consulting. Financial services and law offices rounded out the top five.

To learn more about ransomware trends:




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Social Media for Science Outreach – A Case Study: AntarcticGlaciers.org

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OSC publishes gamification research and launches new trading simulation tool for Investor Education Month

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SpotOn London 2012: My not-so-secret-anymore double life: Juggling research and science communication

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SpotOn London 2012 Storify: ORCID – why do we need a unique researcher ID?

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The Black Panther Party : a graphic novel history / David F. Walker ; art, colors, and letters by Marcus Kwame Anderson.

"Founded in Oakland, California, in 1966, the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was a radical political organization that stood in defiant contrast to the mainstream civil rights movement. This gripping illustrated history explores the impact and significance of the Panthers, from their social, educational, and healthcare programs that were designed to uplift the Black community to their battle against police brutality through citizen patrols and frequent clashes with the FBI, which targeted the Party from its outset. Using dramatic comic book-style retellings and illustrated profiles of key figures, The Black Panther Party captures the major events, people, and actions of the Party, as well as their cultural and political influence and enduring legacy." -- Page [2] of cover.




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Firefly. Blue Sun rising. Part 1 / created by Joss Whedon ; written by Greg Pak ; illustrated by Dan McDaid, Lalit Kumar Sharma, Daniel Bayliss ; colored by Marcelo Costa ; lettered by Jim Campbell.

"Sheriff Mal Reynolds has a new partner— a law enforcing robot from the Blue Sun corporation, who doesn't care about motives, about mercy, about anything other than enforcing the law— no matter the cost. The Blue Sun Corporation has helped to run the universe from the shadows for years, but they're ready to step into the light and take over. If Mal wants to keep his job and protect his sector, the smart move would be to play by their rulebook. But for Mal, there's really one choice— reunite the crew of the Serenity for one last impossible job to save the 'verse. Greg Pak and artist Dan McDaid launch Mal & the crew of Serenity into their biggest war yet, officially continuing Joss Whedon's acclaimed series." -- Provided by publisher.




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Firefly. Blue Sun rising. Part 2 / created by Joss Whedon ; written by Greg Pak ; illustrated by Dan McDaid, Lalit Kumar Sharma, Daniel Bayliss ; inks by Vincenzo Federici ; colored by Marcelo Costa ; lettered by Jim Campbell.

"The stage is set for the final battle as the first ever Firefly event concludes, with Sheriff Mal Reynolds— yeah, he's still getting used to it too— making a choice that may cost him those he loves most, whether he knows it or not … Shocking losses lead to stunning decisions as Mal and the crew of Serenity must face the consequences of their choices in war against the Blue Sun Corporation. The 'Verse is changing in ways no one ever expected— and a new chapter of Firefly begins here." -- Provided by publisher.




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2022 annual research and policy conference: Agricultural transformation and food security in Sudan [in Arabic]




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The architecture of the Sudanese agricultural sector and its contribution to the economy between 1990 and 2021 [in Arabic]

بنية القطاع الزراعي السوداني ومساهمته في الاقتصاد بين عامي 1990 و2021




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OSC and RCMP issue joint warning on coronavirus investment scams

TORONTO – The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) – Integrated Market Enforcement Team (IMET), is warning the public about fraudulent investment opportunities related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).




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Hybrid Research and Policy Conference on “Livestock, Gender, and Agency Amid Conflict in Ethiopia”

The CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS) presents: 'Livestock, Gender, and Agency Amid Conflict in Ethiopia' 📅 Dec 11, 2024, ILRI Info Center, Addis Ababa. Join us as we discuss CGIAR NPS’s latest findings to guide policies that strengthen Ethiopia’s livestock sector. CGIAR International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Policy Studies Institute […] Source: IFPRI Ethiopia: Ethiopia Strategy Support Program




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La seguridad alimentaria y el comercio agroalimentario en América Latina y el Caribe

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SpotOn London 2014: Early career researchers And Twitter




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SpotOn London 2014: Public Involvement, engagement and participation in research




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Batman, the Dark Knight detective. Volume 5 / Alan Grant, Archie Goodwin, writers ; pencilers, Norm Breyfogle, Dan Jurgens ; Steve Mitchell, Dick Giordano, inkers ; Adrienne Roy, colorist ; Todd Klein, letterer.

"Bruce Wayne's latest ward, Tim Drake, has all the makings of becoming the greatest Robin yet. He's intelligent, athletic, and levelheaded, and his detective skills rival those of his mentor. However, every Boy Wonder who has come before has endured tragedy, and Tim may be no exception when his parents are marked for death by the sinister Obeah Man. Will the Dark Knight stop the Obeah Man in time, or must Tim face a deadly rite of passage in order to be worthy of inheriting the mantle of Robin?"--Provided by publisher.




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Blades of freedom / Blades of Freedom: A Tale of Haiti, Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase Nathan Hale.

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"Raised from a kitten by a kindly old ninja master, Claude now spends his days as the pampered house cat of an eleven-year-old boy. But when trouble arises, Claude dons his mask and springs into action as Cat Ninja— Metro City's secret protector." -- Provided by publisher




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Abraham Lincoln : Defender of the Union! / by Mark Shulman ; illustrated by Tom Martin ;lettering & design by Comicraft ; cover art by Ian Churchill.

"Considered by many historians to be the greatest American president, Abraham Lincoln led the Union at the greatest turning point in the nation's history. Abraham Lincoln: Defender of the Union! tells the story of one of America's most admired figures in graphic novel format. From his childhood on a farm in Kentucky to the battlefields of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln served the United States with resolve, intelligence, and courage unlike that of any other president. Readers of all ages will be entertained and educated by the full-color illustrations and historically accurate narrative of this graphical biography." -- Provided by publisher.




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Alexander Hamilton : the fighting founding father! / by Mark Shulman ; illustrated by Kelly Tindall ; lettering & design by Comicraft ; cover art by Ian Churchill.

"A fascinating and entertaining biography of Alexander Hamilton, in graphic novel format. Alexander Hamilton: The Fighting Founding Father!tells the story of one of the most ambitious and controversial figures in American history in a graphic novel format. From a rough childhood on the Caribbean island of Nevis to the highest levels of American politics, Alexander Hamilton's life was filled with adventure, conflict, and controversy. Full-color illustrations and an entertaining narrative make this graphical biography of America's first Secretary of the Treasury accessible for readers of all ages." -- Provided by publisher.




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Amelia Earhart : pioneer of the sky! / by James Buckley Jr ; illustrated by Kelly Tindall, lettering & design by Comicraft ; cover art by Ian Churchill.

"When Amelia Earhart became the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, she immediately became an American icon and a subject of endless fascination for generations to come. In Amelia Earhart: Pioneer of the Sky!, the story of the bold and daring aviator's life is presented in graphic novel format, with full-color illustrations and historically accurate details. From her hardscrabble childhood to her final flight— and mysterious disappearance— Earhart's journey will entertain, captivate, and inspire readers of all ages." -- Provided by publisher




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Benjamin Franklin : inventor of the nation! / by Mark Shulman ; illustrated by Kelly Tindall ; lettering & design by Comicraft ; cover art by Ian Churchill.

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How can African agriculture adapt to climate change: Analysis of the determinants of farmers' choice of adaptation methods and perceptions of climate change in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia [in Amharic]

"Ethiopia's agricultural sector, which is dominated by smallscale, mixed-crop, and livestock farming, is the mainstay of the country's economy. It constitutes more than half of the country's gross domestic product, generates more than 85 percent of foreign exchange earnings, and employs about 80 percent of the population. Unfortunately, Ethiopia's dependence on agriculture makes the country particularly vulnerable to the adverse impactsof climate change on crop and livestock production.




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How can African agriculture adapt to climate change: Perceptions of stakeholders on climate change and adaptation strategies in Ethiopia [in Amharic]

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Tenable Research Uncovers Thousands of Vulnerable Cyber Assets Amongst Southeast Asia’s Financial Sector

 New research conducted by Tenable®, Inc., the exposure management company, has uncovered more than 26,500 potential internet-facing assets among Southeast Asia’s top banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) companies by market capitalisation across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

On July 15, 2024, Tenable examined the external attack surface of over 90 BFSI organisations with the largest market capitalisations across the region. The findings revealed that the average organisation possesses nearly 300 internet-facing assets susceptible to potential exploitation, resulting in a total of more than 26,500 assets across the study group.

Singapore ranked the highest among the six countries assessed, with over 11,000 internet-facing assets identified across its top 16 BFSI companies. Over 6,000 of those assets are hosted in the United States. Next on the list is Thailand with over 5000 assets. The distribution of internet-accessible assets underscores the need for cybersecurity strategies that adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

CountryNumber of internet-facing assets amongst top 90 BFSI companies by market capitalisation
  1. Singapore
11,000
  1. Thailand
5,000
  1. Indonesia
4,600
  1. Malaysia
4,200
  1. Vietnam
3,600
  1. Philippines
2,600

“The results of our study reveal that many financial institutions are struggling to close the priority security gaps that put them at risk. Effective exposure management is key to closing these gaps,” said Nigel Ng, Senior Vice President, Tenable APJ. “By identifying and securing vulnerable assets before they can be exploited, organisations can better protect themselves against the growing tide of cyberattacks.” 


Cyber Hygiene Gaps 
The Tenable study revealed many potential vulnerabilities and exposed several cyber hygiene issues among the study group, including outdated software, weak encryption, and misconfigurations. These vulnerabilities provide cybercriminals with easily exploitable potential entry points, posing potential risk to the integrity and security of financial data. 

Weak SSL/TLS encryption 

A notable finding is that among the total assets, organisations had nearly 2,500 still supporting TLS 1.0—a 25-year old security protocol introduced in 1999 and disabled by Microsoft in September 2022. This highlights the significant challenge organisations with extensive internet footprints face in identifying and updating outdated technologies.

Misconfiguration increases external exposure

Another concerning discovery was that over 4,000 assets, originally intended for internal use, were inadvertently exposed and are now accessible externally. Failing to secure these internal assets poses a significant risk to organisations, as it creates an opportunity for malicious actors to target sensitive information and critical systems.

Lack of encryption 

There were over 900 assets with unencrypted final URLs, which can present a security weakness. When URLs are unencrypted, the data transmitted between the user's browser and the server is not protected by encryption, making it vulnerable to interception, eavesdropping, and manipulation by malicious actors. This lack of encryption can lead to the exposure of sensitive information, such as login credentials, personal data, or payment details, and can compromise the integrity of the communication.


API vulnerabilities amplify risk

The identification of over 2,000 API v3 out of the total number of assets among organisations' digital infrastructure poses a substantial risk to their security and operational integrity.

APIs serve as crucial connectors between software applications, facilitating seamless data exchange. However, inadequate authentication, insufficient input validation, weak access controls, and vulnerabilities in dependencies within API v3 implementations create a vulnerable attack surface.

Malicious actors can exploit such weaknesses to gain unauthorised access, compromise data integrity, and launch devastating cyber attacks.

“The cybersecurity landscape is evolving faster than ever, and financial institutions must evolve with it, so they can know where they are exposed and take action to close critical risk” Ng added. “By prioritising exposure management, these organisations can better protect their digital assets, safeguard customer trust, and ensure the resilience of their operations in an increasingly hostile digital environment.”

About Tenable
Tenable® is the exposure management company, exposing and closing the cybersecurity gaps that erode business value, reputation and trust. The company’s AI-powered exposure management platform radically unifies security visibility, insight and action across the attack surface, equipping modern organizations to protect against attacks from IT infrastructure to cloud environments to critical infrastructure and everywhere in between. By protecting enterprises from security exposure, Tenable reduces business risk for more than 44,000 customers around the globe. Learn more at tenable.com

Notes to Editors:

  1. Tenable examined the top 12-16 BFSI companies discoverable based on market cap. 
  2. In the context of this alert:
  • An asset is a domain name, subdomain, or IP addresses and/or combination thereof of a device connected to the Internet or internal network. An asset may include, but not limited to web servers, name servers, IoT devices, network printers, etc. Example: foo.tld, bar.foo.tld, x.x.x.xs.
  • The Attack Surface is from the network perspective of an adversary, the complete asset inventory of an organisation including all actively listening services (open ports) on each asset.