Latest news with #COG
Business Wire
13 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Adds 908 Devices' XplorIR to Its Hazardous Materials Response Toolkit
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 908 Devices Inc. (Nasdaq: MASS), a pioneer of purpose-built handheld devices for chemical analysis, announces that the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has purchased eight XplorIR devices, one for each of the seven counties and District of Columbia, which comprise the COG. The devices were shipped in Q1 2025, with training taking place in Q2 2025. The handheld XplorIR gas analyzer from 908 Devices is a crucial addition to our hazardous materials response toolkit. The ability to quickly detect and identify an unknown gas provides the information we need to contain a potentially dangerous situation. Share The handheld XplorIR device accurately detects, identifies, and quantifies 5,000 unknown gas and vapor chemical threats in seconds. The device has simple controls, an intuitive display and is built for harsh environments, making it easy for first responders to use in emergency situations. 'The XplorIR is a crucial addition to our response toolkit,' said Peter J. Dziubla, Captain, DC Fire and EMS Department, Hazardous Materials Unit. 'The ability to quickly detect and identify an unknown gas provides the information we need to contain a potentially dangerous situation and to keep people safe.' The Metropolitan Washington COG is an independent, nonprofit association that brings District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia leaders together to address regional issues, such as homeland security and public safety. COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication. About 908 Devices 908 Devices is revolutionizing chemical analysis with its simple handheld devices, addressing life-altering applications. The Company's devices are used at the point-of-need to interrogate unknown and invisible materials and provide quick, actionable answers to directly address some of the most critical problems in vital health and safety applications, such as the fentanyl and illicit drug crisis, toxic carcinogen exposure, and global security threats. The Company is headquartered in the heart of Boston, where it designs and manufactures innovative products that bring together the power of complementary analytical technologies, software automation, and machine learning. For more information, visit Forward Looking Statements for 908 Devices This press release includes "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the expected uses and capabilities of the Company's products. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement, including the risks outlined under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are available on the SEC's website at Additional information will be made available in the Company's annual and quarterly reports and other filings that it makes from time to time with the SEC. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results. The Company has no obligation, and does not undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect changes since the date of this press release, except as may be required by law.
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Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
SAIL's Bhilai plant installs new system to cut emissions, boost efficiency
Safety and monitoring systems have been deployed for safe and efficient COG operations, said BSP officials Raipur SAIL 's Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) has achieved a milestone in its targets for energy efficiency and emissions by commissioning a Coke Oven Gas (COG) Injection System, said a statement. The system will use coke oven gas, which has 'significant calorific value', as an auxiliary fuel in producing sinter, a mass of fine iron ore dust and other materials fused together as part of steelmaking. According to the BSP officials, injecting COG into a sinter bed reduces around 2 kg of coke per tonne of sinter produced. It improves sinter quality and cuts carbon emissions by an estimated 12,700
San Francisco Chronicle
09-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
This California region is changing the way America looks at urban governance
The first 19 cities on the list of 20 finalists for this year's All-America City Award, the most prestigious prize in local governance, were no surprise: big, growing cities like Denver, Seattle, Austin, Texas, and distinguished small towns such as Petaluma and Statesboro, Ga. But at the very bottom of the roster sat a puzzle: ' Western Riverside Region, California.' There is no municipality in the state by that name. That's because Western Riverside is not a city. It's an organization of municipalities and other local governments, known as a COG, or council of governments. Its inclusion on the list may be historic. While local regions and counties have won the All-America City Award, the National Civic League, which hands out the award, is unaware of a council winning before. Western Riverside's selection as a finalist also points to the future. As national governments are consumed by political conflict, they neglect bigger problems like climate change, disease, corruption and inequality. So, the work of handling these difficulties falls to local governments. But local governments often lack the capacity to address such big problems. In response, local governments around the world are collaborating to build capacity. Which is where a council of governments comes in. COGs are voluntary associations that assist member local governments with planning, coordination and technical assistance on issues that cross jurisdictional lines. There are 23 council of governments in California. Some of them —particularly the Association of Bay Area Governments, Southern California Association of Governments and San Diego Association of Governments — are well-known for transportation planning. The Western Riverside Council of Governments does not draw as much notice as these COGs. But it has contributed significantly to one of the fastest-growing regions in 21st century California. Western Riverside provides a 'collective voice' for the county government, two regional water districts, the county schools superintendent and 18 demographically and politically diverse cities. The municipalities range from young Eastvale and Jurupa Valley in the county's northwest corner to Temecula on the San Diego County border. If Western Riverside's 527-square-mile region were one city, it would have more than 2 million people, making it the second most populous municipality in California and the fifth most populous in the country. This growth might not have occurred without the COG, which was formed to restore the Inland Empire's economy and improve planning during a severe recession in the early 1990s. One challenge was making room for the Stephens' kangaroo rat, a Western Riverside native, which was listed as an endangered species in 1988. Combined with the recession, new legal protections for the rat had drastically slowed development in the area. Through the COG, governments came together to establish a county habitat conservation agency, which through public forums, created a Stephens' Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan. The initiative ultimately protected 46,000 acres from development for the benefit of the rat and for human recreation. The plan also made it easier to build affordable housing and infrastructure in other parts of Western Riverside. The Western Riverside Council of Governments, with a staff of 35, is unusual for the breadth of its programs and its willingness to experiment and innovate to enhance the governing capacity of its member cities. Among its major initiatives are two fellowship programs to produce skilled government workers, particularly in energy and environmental sustainability. The Western Riverside Council of Governments Public Service Fellowship, launched in 2016, places students in city and county agencies and funds up to 100% of their salaries. In 2022, Western Riverside launched a fellowship with the Inland Regional Energy Network to train university and community college students to work for local agencies on municipal energy audits, climate planning and energy-saving measures. Western Riverside also encourages residents to volunteer their time to enhance the government's reach. Its Love Your Neighborhood program has placed over 5,000 volunteers on environmental projects, from community clean-ups to stormwater pollution prevention. Its new Regional Food Rescue Program fights food waste and climate change by enabling direct donations from restaurants and other food-generating businesses to a network of more than 50 food banks and nonprofits. The COG's community engagement and capacity building skills are almost certainly why it was recognized as a finalist by the National Civic League, founded by Louis Brandeis, Teddy Roosevelt and other municipal leaders in 1894. The civic league's All-America City Award recognizes 'communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon results.' This year's award theme emphasizes 'strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement.' Representatives from Western Riverside — and members of its all-female executive team — are expected to join reps of the 19 other finalists to 'present their stories' in late June in Denver, where the All-America City designation will be awarded to 10 cities.
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Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Microsoft schedules 'Gears of War Reloaded' launch for Aug 26: Details here
Microsoft has announced the global launch date for Gears of War: Reloaded, a remastered edition of the classic 2006 title. The game will be released on August 26 for Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation, and PCs, priced at $40. The multiplayer-focused title promises upgraded performance and visuals, including 4K resolution and support for up to 120 frames per second (FPS). 'Gears of War: Reloaded includes the full breadth of content from the Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, delivering the most complete version of the original game to date,' noted Xbox in the launch announcement. The company added: 'Players will gain immediate access to all post-launch downloadable content at no additional cost — this includes the bonus Campaign act, all multiplayer maps and modes, and a full roster of classic characters and cosmetics unlockable through progression.' Gears of War: Reloaded – What's new The remaster has been re-engineered to provide a visually immersive and seamless experience across platforms. The game supports 4K resolution at 60 FPS in Campaign mode, and up to 120 FPS in Multiplayer. Visual upgrades include High Dynamic Range (HDR), Dolby Vision, remastered 4K textures, improved shadows and reflections, and enhanced post-processing effects. The game also features super-resolution with improved anti-aliasing, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for smoother gameplay. The audio experience is enhanced through 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and 3D Spatial Audio. Xbox also highlighted the presence of zero loading screens in Campaign mode, contributing to uninterrupted gameplay. Gears of War: Reloaded – Plot summary Set on the war-torn planet of Sera, the story unfolds after the discovery of Imulsion, a powerful energy source that triggered economic turmoil and a global conflict known as the Pendulum Wars, which lasted 79 years. Amid this unrest, the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG), a once-obscure political philosophy, gained influence. Its military unit, the "Gears," rose to prominence after Emergence Day (E-Day), when a subterranean species called the Locust launched a devastating assault on humanity. Following the chaos of E-Day, the COG imposed martial law and led the resistance. One year later, in a desperate move, it deployed the Hammer of Dawn—a satellite-powered weapon—on its own cities to halt the Locust advance. Survivors were evacuated to the Jacinto Plateau, the only region immune to Locust tunnelling.
Axios
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
WorldPride DC organizers flag travel and safety risks as festival nears
WorldPride has been years in the making for D.C. and a global coalition of organizations, but President Trump's rhetoric is sparking safety and participation concerns just a month before the festivities kick off May 17. The big picture: This comes amid the Trump administration's attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations — focusing especially on the trans community, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion programming. What they're saying: "Our community is living in fear right now, with a lot of unknowns and uncertainty," said Ashley Smith, president of Capital Pride Alliance (one of WorldPride's organizers), during the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' (COG) board of directors meeting this week. State of play: Several aspects of the festival are being affected by the Trump administration's actions, Smith and CPA executive director Ryan Bos told the COG members. Fewer people will likely travel internationally to attend the festival — originally planned for 2-3 million visitors — as they might be concerned about being able to enter the country or arriving and "immediately being sent back, or being held up," said Smith. In January, Trump issued an executive order declaring that the federal government would only recognize two sexes, and U.S. citizens must have their assigned birth sex on their passports. It's possible that CPA might issue a statement recommending that international trans folks do not travel to the U.S. for the festival — "or if they come, they come at their own risk," said Bos. Zoom out: Several countries, including Germany, Ireland and Denmark, have issued travel warnings to their citizens who are trans, nonbinary or hold third-gender passports. Two major international LGBTQ+ organizations are raising concerns, according to the Washington Post: The African Human Rights Coalition called for a boycott of WorldPride, citing safety concerns, and Egale Canada — the largest gay rights organization in the country — declined to participate in any U.S. events. InterPride, one of the event's co-organizers, also issued a travel advisory. U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokespeople tell the Post that an individual's gender or sexuality does not and will not impact their ability to enter the country with a valid ID. Meanwhile, some sponsors — including some who have participated for years — are dropping out or remaining anonymous, said Bos. Federal contractors Booz Allen Hamilton and Deloitte dropped their sponsorships, according to the New York Times, as well as Comcast. "That's very anti what pride is all about." Zoom in: It's not just festival organizers that are worried: Owners of local LGBTQ+ bars brought up concerns about maintaining safety and security during the event in a community meeting last month, reports the Washington Blade. What we're watching: Organizers are making changes to boost safety. The two-day street festival and concert, featuring Cynthia Erivo and Doechii, will now be fenced with a gated entry, said Bos. And there will be safe spaces erected throughout the DMV. Between the lines: During the May 17 Trans Pride celebration, attendees can attend workshops on advocacy and be connected with legal resources. "Trans Pride Washington DC is not just a celebration; it is a powerful act of resistance and affirmation," Trans Pride executive director Bianca Sprague writes on the event's website.
