Latest news with #Synergy
5 hours ago
- Sport
Rutgers' Harper headlines a bevy of 1-and-done guards set to go high in the NBA draft
There's a deep set of high-end guard prospects in the upcoming NBA draft. Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper is positioned to be the first name called after projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, while Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, Texas' Tre Johnson, Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears and Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis are possible top-10 picks as one-and-done prospects. Here's a look at the guards entering Wednesday's first round: STRENGTHS: The 6-foot-5, 213-pound son of former NBA guard Ron Harper has size at the point and two-way potential. The lefty thrived as a scorer (19.4 points) with athleticism to finish at the rim, score on stepbacks and hit catch-and-shoot looks. Notably, he went for 36 points in an overtime win against Notre Dame, then 37 more a day later in a loss to then-No. 9 Alabama during the Players Era Festival in November. Harper is a playmaker with good court vision, averaging 4.0 assists. He also averaged 1.4 steals, including six against Southern California and four more against a ranked Illinois team in February. CONCERNS: He shot 33.3% on 3-pointers while launching 5.2 per game, though shot selection against contested looks didn't always help. There's also the optics of being the NBA-bound floor leader on a team that finished with a losing record despite featuring a second one-and-done talent in forward Ace Bailey. STRENGTHS: Explosive athleticism stands out at both ends, notably as an above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments. The 6-4, 193-pound Edgecombe finished in the combine's top 10 with a 38.5-inch max vertical leap, had seven games with at least three made 3s and 11 games with three-plus steals. 'I think for freshmen, the universal (issue) is just being able to sustain the level of intensity required as long as they're on the court,' Baylor coach Scott Drew said recently. 'The size, length, speed is one thing, but just to be able to compete each and every play, it's a different level. And VJ has that.' CONCERNS: Edgecombe shot just 34% on 3s, though Drew said Edgecombe could see gains after refining his shot mechanics. He could also improve in shot creation, such making just 25% (13 of 59) in off-dribble jumpers, according to Synergy's analytics rankings. STRENGTHS: The 6-5, 190-pound Johnson averaged 19.9 points to lead all Division I freshmen, as well as being the Southeastern Conference's overall scoring leader. The highlight was Johnson going for 39 points against Arkansas in February to break Kevin Durant's Longhorns freshman single-game record. He thrived off screens (shot 52.1% in those scenarios to rate in the 91st percentile in Synergy) and shot 39.7% from 3-point range, including 12 games with at least four made 3s. He also shot 87.1% at the foul line. CONCERNS: The 19-year-old could use some bulk on a slender frame to help him hold up against bigger and stronger opponents at both ends. STRENGTHS: The combo guard pressures defenders with his ball-handling and space creation, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He got to the line 6.3 times per game and ranked tied for 11th among all Division I players by making 183 free throws. Fears also had a knack for clutch plays, including a four-point play to beat a ranked Michigan team along with a tough late scoring drive for the lead in the SEC Tournament loss to Kentucky. CONCERNS: He needs to get stronger (6-3, 180) and improve his outside shot. He made 28.4% of his 3s, including nine games of going 0 for 3 or worse. Reducing turnovers (3.4) would help, too. STRENGTHS: Jakucionis brings size (6-5, 205) and an all-around floor game to the perimeter. He averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists with four double-digit rebounding games and eight games with at least seven assists. He was also one of the nation's best freshmen at getting to the foul line (5.1 attempts per game). CONCERNS: Jakucionis shot just 31.8% on 3s, including 5 of 22 (22.7%) in four bright-spotlight games during the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. He averaged 3.7 turnovers — sixth-most in Division I, most among freshmen — and had 13 games with at least five turnovers. — EGOR DEMIN: The BYU freshman from Russia is a possible lottery prospect as a playmaker with size (6-8, 199), known for elite passing and vision. He averaged 5.5 assists to rank second among all Division I freshmen. — JASE RICHARDSON: The Michigan State freshman and son of former NBA guard Jason Richardson is small (6-1, 178), though the first-round prospect is a 41.2% 3-point shooter. — NOLAN TRAORE: The 6-5, 175-pounder is a scoring playmaker from France. The first-round prospect had previously drawn interest from programs like Duke, Alabama and Gonzaga. — NIQUE CLIFFORD: The 6-5, 202-pound Clifford spent three years at Colorado then two at Colorado State. The first-round prospect is older (23) but had career-best numbers last year (18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 37.7% on 3s). — BEN SARAF: The 6-6, 201-pound lefty from Israel is a scoring playmaker and first-round prospect. He averaged 12.8 points and 4.6 assists last season with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. — CEDRIC COWARD: The 6-5, 213-pound senior started at Division III Willamette, spent two years at Eastern Washington, had an injury-shortened season at Washington State and was set to transfer to Duke. Now he's a first-round prospect after testing well at the combine. — WALTER CLAYTON JR.: The 6-2, 199-pound combo guard was a first-team Associated Press All-American and Final Four's most outstanding player in Florida's national title run. He's a first-round prospect and gamer who thrived in pressure moments. — DRAKE POWELL: The North Carolina freshman wing has perimeter size (6-6, 195), athleticism, 3-point range and defensive potential to be a possible first-round pick. He has a 7-foot wingspan and had combine-best marks in standing and max vertical leap. — KAM JONES: The Marquette senior and potential first-rounder was a finalist for the Cousy Award presented to the nation's top point guard after averaging 19.2 points and 5.9 assists. He missed two games in his career. ___
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Vast majority of members from 3 Sask. credit unions vote to merge
Members of Conexus, Cornerstone and Synergy credit unions in Saskatchewan have voted in favour of merging. The vast majority of members from three Saskatchewan credit unions have voted in favour of a merger. More than 87 per cent of members of Conexus Credit Union in Regina, 86.5 per cent of Cornerstone Credit Union members in Yorkton and 88.7 per cent of Synergy Credit Union members in Lloydminster voted in favour of a merger. A successful vote required at least 75 per cent approval from members that cast a vote from each credit union. The three credit unions will officially merge Jan. 1, 2026, forming a new province-wide institution. A joint news release from the three partners says the new Credit Union will be governed by an inaugural board that will include 12 directors comprised of six directors from Conexus and three each from Cornerstone and Synergy. 'The overwhelming member support confirms the shared vision and commitment to building a stronger, more resilient credit union that remains member-focused and dedicated to thriving in Saskatchewan,' the release said. The credit unions feel that a merger will better prepare them to meet future investment needs, access specialized expertise and navigate regulatory challenges while continuing to 'offer the service, innovation and local decision-making members expect.' Required legal and regulatory processes will be finalized in the coming months. A CEO and credit union name is also expected to be announced during that period. 'The CEO and credit union name will be selected from one of the three existing credit unions before we officially become one,' the release said. Progress on the merger can be seen here.
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Sangfor Technologies Unveils Sangfor Athena: A Bold New Brand for Its Cybersecurity Business
Hong Kong: Sangfor Technologies, a leading global provider of cybersecurity and cloud computing solutions, proudly announces the launch of Sangfor Athena, the new brand identity for its cybersecurity business. This new brand brings together Sangfor's advanced security technologies under one unified name, marking a strategic evolution in its commitment to delivering intelligent, integrated, and proactive cyber defense. The Sangfor Athena brand was first introduced through a soft launch during the recent Sangfor International Roadshows, where it was exclusively previewed to local audiences of customers and partners in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, the Philippines, Italy, Türkiye, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Initial feedback showed strong alignment with market needs and confirmed the demand for a more AI-driven, solution-focused approach to cybersecurity. Sangfor Athena: Outsmart Cyber Threats with SynergyAI Inspired by Athena—the symbol of wisdom and warfare in Greek mythology—Sangfor Athena embodies strategic security and powerful protection. Just as Athena wielded wisdom and weaponry in perfect harmony, Sangfor Athena unites cutting-edge AI with advanced security tools to create an intelligent and cohesive security framework. At the heart of Sangfor Athena is SynergyAI—Sangfor's vision of AI-driven and integrated cybersecurity. Synergy represents the powerful collaboration between cloud-based and on-premises infrastructures, between solutions and services, and between security and cloud computing. By infusing AI across this ecosystem, SynergyAI delivers a streamlined and end-to-end security infrastructure that not only enhances threat detection and response but also reduces complexity. It empowers organizations to shift from a reactive stance to a proactive one—anticipating, adapting to, and outsmarting evolving cyber threats with speed and precision. Athena personifies this concept through her six symbolic elements: Shield : Impenetrable defenses against advanced cyber threats : Impenetrable defenses against advanced cyber threats Spear : Fast, precise, and proactive response to active attacks : Fast, precise, and proactive response to active attacks Helmet : Robust protection for critical systems and sensitive data : Robust protection for critical systems and sensitive data Owl : Deep visibility and insight into security events : Deep visibility and insight into security events Wisdom & Strategy : Transforming fragmented tools into an intelligent and unified security framework : Transforming fragmented tools into an intelligent and unified security framework Olive Tree: Delivering peace of mind so organizations can thrive securely Basis for the New Brand The new brand marks more than a name change; it's a reorganization of Sangfor's security portfolio to enhance product clarity, usability, and recognition. In the past, Sangfor's cybersecurity offerings were spread across multiple individually named products, including Network Secure, Endpoint Secure, and Cyber Command. As the product portfolio expanded, it became increasingly difficult for customers to remember and understand how these individual products address their needs. Today's cybersecurity challenges are complex and multidimensional, and point solutions alone are no longer enough. What organizations need are integrated solutions—combinations of technologies that work seamlessly together to fully resolve their security challenges. 'Our mission has always been to Make Your Digital Transformation Simpler and Secure,' said Darren Du, Vice President of Sangfor International Market. 'We recognize that 'simpler' means more than easy-to-use products and streamlined operations; it also means having a brand that's memorable and offerings that align with customer needs. Sangfor Athena brings clarity and confidence to our customers as they navigate increasingly complex cybersecurity landscapes.' The Three Pillars of Sangfor Athena Under the Sangfor Athena brand, cybersecurity offerings will now be organized into three series: 1. Sangfor Athena Foundation Main Offerings : Athena NGFW (Next Generation Firewall), Athena EPP (Endpoint Protection Platform), Athena SWG (Secure Web Gateway), and Athena NDR (Network Detection and Response) : Athena NGFW (Next Generation Firewall), Athena EPP (Endpoint Protection Platform), Athena SWG (Secure Web Gateway), and Athena NDR (Network Detection and Response) Focus: Network and endpoint security, and core components of Sangfor's XDR and SASE platforms. 2. Sangfor Athena Security Operations Main Offerings : Athena XDR (Extended Detection and Response) and Athena MDR (Managed Detection and Response), both enhanced with Sangfor Security GPT : Athena XDR (Extended Detection and Response) and Athena MDR (Managed Detection and Response), both enhanced with Sangfor Security GPT Focus: Building full-fledged, AI-driven security operations by addressing the needs across people, technology, and processes. Notably, Sangfor was recently honored with the Frost & Sullivan 2025 APAC XDR Customer Value Leadership Recognition, demonstrating its ability to meet market demands and deliver superior customer outcomes. Download your complimentary copy of the Frost & Sullivan report to discover why Sangfor Athena XDR leads the way in shaping the future of the XDR market in APAC and beyond. 3. Sangfor Athena Cloud Security Main Offerings : Athena SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) : Athena SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) Focus: Providing secure and reliable access to cloud services, SaaS applications, data centers, and the internet across all business locations and remote users. Together, these three pillars provide comprehensive protection across the entire organization—from core to edge and on-premises to cloud—addressing today's most pressing security challenges: defending against sophisticated attacks, managing complex security operations, and securing hybrid and cloud-first environments. Transform Your Security Strategy with Sangfor Athena The Sangfor Athena brand is a reflection of Sangfor's enduring mission: To Make Your Digital Transformation Simpler and Secure. By unifying its cybersecurity portfolio under one powerful, intuitive brand, Sangfor empowers organizations to better understand, implement, and optimize their security strategies. As Sangfor takes a bold step forward with Athena, you too can take the bold step to rethink and reinforce your cybersecurity posture for a smarter, safer future. Discover how Sangfor Athena can help you Outsmart Cyber Threats with SynergyAI. Visit to explore the future of intelligent security. View source version on Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Sangfor Technologies Unveils Sangfor Athena: A Bold New Brand for Its Cybersecurity Business
HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sangfor Technologies, a leading global provider of cybersecurity and cloud computing solutions, proudly announces the launch of Sangfor Athena, the new brand identity for its cybersecurity business. This new brand brings together Sangfor's advanced security technologies under one unified name, marking a strategic evolution in its commitment to delivering intelligent, integrated, and proactive cyber defense. Sangfor Athena blends cutting-edge AI with powerful product synergy, empowering organizations to take a proactive stance against today's sophisticated cyber threats. The Sangfor Athena brand was first introduced through a soft launch during the recent Sangfor International Roadshows, where it was exclusively previewed to local audiences of customers and partners in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, the Philippines, Italy, Türkiye, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Initial feedback showed strong alignment with market needs and confirmed the demand for a more AI-driven, solution-focused approach to cybersecurity. Sangfor Athena: Outsmart Cyber Threats with SynergyAI Inspired by Athena—the symbol of wisdom and warfare in Greek mythology—Sangfor Athena embodies strategic security and powerful protection. Just as Athena wielded wisdom and weaponry in perfect harmony, Sangfor Athena unites cutting-edge AI with advanced security tools to create an intelligent and cohesive security framework. At the heart of Sangfor Athena is SynergyAI —Sangfor's vision of AI-driven and integrated cybersecurity. Synergy represents the powerful collaboration between cloud-based and on-premises infrastructures, between solutions and services, and between security and cloud computing. By infusing AI across this ecosystem, SynergyAI delivers a streamlined and end-to-end security infrastructure that not only enhances threat detection and response but also reduces complexity. It empowers organizations to shift from a reactive stance to a proactive one—anticipating, adapting to, and outsmarting evolving cyber threats with speed and precision. Athena personifies this concept through her six symbolic elements: Shield: Impenetrable defenses against advanced cyber threats Spear: Fast, precise, and proactive response to active attacks Helmet: Robust protection for critical systems and sensitive data Owl: Deep visibility and insight into security events Wisdom & Strategy: Transforming fragmented tools into an intelligent and unified security framework Olive Tree: Delivering peace of mind so organizations can thrive securely Basis for the New Brand The new brand marks more than a name change; it's a reorganization of Sangfor's security portfolio to enhance product clarity, usability, and recognition. In the past, Sangfor's cybersecurity offerings were spread across multiple individually named products, including Network Secure, Endpoint Secure, and Cyber Command. As the product portfolio expanded, it became increasingly difficult for customers to remember and understand how these individual products address their needs. Today's cybersecurity challenges are complex and multidimensional, and point solutions alone are no longer enough. What organizations need are integrated solutions—combinations of technologies that work seamlessly together to fully resolve their security challenges. 'Our mission has always been to Make Your Digital Transformation Simpler and Secure,' said Darren Du, Vice President of Sangfor International Market. 'We recognize that 'simpler' means more than easy-to-use products and streamlined operations; it also means having a brand that's memorable and offerings that align with customer needs. Sangfor Athena brings clarity and confidence to our customers as they navigate increasingly complex cybersecurity landscapes.' The Three Pillars of Sangfor Athena Under the Sangfor Athena brand, cybersecurity offerings will now be organized into three series: 1. Sangfor Athena Foundation Main Offerings: Athena NGFW (Next Generation Firewall), Athena EPP (Endpoint Protection Platform), Athena SWG (Secure Web Gateway), and Athena NDR (Network Detection and Response) Focus: Network and endpoint security, and core components of Sangfor's XDR and SASE platforms. 2. Sangfor Athena Security Operations Main Offerings: Athena XDR (Extended Detection and Response) and Athena MDR (Managed Detection and Response), both enhanced with Sangfor Security GPT Focus: Building full-fledged, AI-driven security operations by addressing the needs across people, technology, and processes. Notably, Sangfor was recently honored with the Frost & Sullivan 2025 APAC XDR Customer Value Leadership Recognition, demonstrating its ability to meet market demands and deliver superior customer outcomes. Download your complimentary copy of the Frost & Sullivan report to discover why Sangfor Athena XDR leads the way in shaping the future of the XDR market in APAC and beyond. 3. Sangfor Athena Cloud Security Main Offerings: Athena SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) Focus: Providing secure and reliable access to cloud services, SaaS applications, data centers, and the internet across all business locations and remote users. Together, these three pillars provide comprehensive protection across the entire organization—from core to edge and on-premises to cloud—addressing today's most pressing security challenges: defending against sophisticated attacks, managing complex security operations, and securing hybrid and cloud-first environments. Transform Your Security Strategy with Sangfor Athena The Sangfor Athena brand is a reflection of Sangfor's enduring mission: To Make Your Digital Transformation Simpler and Secure. By unifying its cybersecurity portfolio under one powerful, intuitive brand, Sangfor empowers organizations to better understand, implement, and optimize their security strategies. As Sangfor takes a bold step forward with Athena, you too can take the bold step to rethink and reinforce your cybersecurity posture for a smarter, safer future. Visit to explore the future of intelligent security.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Claims WA's main power grid 'slowly collapsing' as its biggest gas plant teeters on edge
One of Western Australia's biggest gas-fired power plants has been teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, fuelling worries its failure could spark a wider crisis in the state's electricity system. It is understood former WA energy minister Reece Whitby last year sought a bailout of more than $30 million for the Newgen power station in Kwinana, south of Perth, as the generator battled to keep its head above water. With a capacity of more than 310 megawatts, Newgen is one of the most important units in WA's main power grid and supplies a significant share of the energy contracted by state-owned utility Synergy. Ian Porter, a 50-year veteran of the energy industry who now runs his own consultancy, said the importance of a plant such as Newgen should not be underestimated. He said it represented anything up to 15 per cent of the production in the state's main grid, which covers the south-western corner of the continent. The Newgen plant is owned by Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo and UK infrastructure group Foresight. Sumitomo is also the owner and operator of another troubled WA plant — the coal-fired Bluewaters near Collie, 180 kilometres south of Perth. Amid the pleas for a bailout, it is believed Mr Whitby argued that a failure by Newgen would directly expose Synergy to the wholesale electricity market, where prices have been soaring in recent times. Such an exposure would come as a further blow to Synergy, which sought its own billion-dollar bailout last year as its financial position continued to deteriorate. But the government is believed to have rebuffed the request, instead saying Synergy should fund any lifeline out of its own pocket. Mr Porter backed the government's decision to reject the bailout proposal, saying it should not be up to taxpayers to rescue privately owned companies. What's more, he said even if the plant became insolvent, that did not necessarily mean it would stop operating. "The company may go, but the assets remain," he said. Central to Newgen's troubles was a big shake-up in late 2023 of WA's biggest electricity market. The revamp was aimed at helping the grid cope with the transition towards renewable energy, which now accounts for about 40 per cent of WA's power. Mr Porter said the rise and rise of renewable energy in the west had been successful in many ways but he noted it had not been without its challenges. Chief among them, he said, was the way in which renewable energy could force out virtually all other generators when the sun was shining and the wind was blowing. Mr Porter said this presented a major problem for thermal generators such as coal and gas plants, which still provided most of the so-called essential system services that kept the grid stable and reliable. To maintain those services, he said the market had been redesigned to ensure market players were better paid for providing them. The problem was, he said, payments only benefited some generators and not others such as Newgen, even though the costs were spread across all market players. "I'm surprised that this would affect a gas generator," he said. "It would certainly affect renewables generators and how they're affected by that. I'm rather puzzled." On top of these problems, it is understood Newgen has also been affected by hurried moves to buttress the grid through back-up services such as large-scale batteries. Financial disclosures by Newgen show the plant has been losing money for some time. According to filings with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the generator was underwater to the tune of $1.67 million in the 12 months to June 30 last year. This followed on the heels of a $2.9 million reverse the previous financial year. Its financial health for the current period — the year in which Mr Whitby made his pitch for a bailout — will not be revealed for months yet. Summit Kwinana Power, the operating company behind Newgen, declined to comment. WA Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson also declined a request to be interviewed about Newgen's predicament. Instead, the new minister provided a statement in which she said Newgen's finances were a matter between it and Synergy. "Synergy's contractual arrangements are commercial in confidence," Ms Sanderson said. Shadow Energy Minister Steve Thomas was more forthcoming, saying the problems at Newgen were just the latest sign of distress in the state's main electricity market. Dr Thomas said Newgen was a vital cog in what was arguably the state's most important machine — the grid — and letting the generator fail was a dangerous option. "I'm worried about Newgen, but I'm worried about the entire energy system," Dr Thomas said. "I'm worried about all of the generators who seem to be struggling. "I'm worried that the lights will not stay on in the fullness of time. "And I'm worried that the price for consumers, business and families will be beyond their capacity to pay." Critically, Dr Thomas said the government was facing a reckoning over its plans to get out of coal by 2029. He noted the government was already falling way behind in its efforts to build the new capacity needed to replace its giant Muja and Collie coal plants. If critical gas plants such as Newgen started falling over, too, he said, the state's plans and the broader energy system would end up in tatters. "We're going to see more of this," he said. "As the pressure comes on the government to provide the energy that's required at a cost that business and families can afford, the government is going to be under enormous pressure. "And this may well be just the first step. "The result will be prices through the roof as the system slowly collapses."
