Latest news with #SEJ
International Business Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- International Business Times
Israel Labels Iran's Central Bank as Terror Entity Amid Rising Tensions
Israel has officially labelled Iran's Central Bank a terrorist entity, citing its alleged role in financing militant operations across the Middle East. The Israeli government declared that no institution linked to terrorism will be spared, marking a strategic push to undermine Iran's financial networks. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signed the directive that also blacklists two additional Iranian banks—Shahr Bank and Mellat Bank—along with an energy firm affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Top executives from Sepehr Energy Jahan Company (SEJ) have also been sanctioned. "The Central Bank of Iran isn't just a bank—it's a channel for terror financing," Gallant asserted. "We will strike where the regime feels it most." Backed by Mossad and Israel's National Economic Warfare unit, this move targets what officials call the backbone of Iran's terror infrastructure. Israeli sources claim SEJ's revenue stream aids the IRGC and its regional allies, including Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthi rebels, and Shiite groups in Iraq. Meanwhile, Iran executed three men it claims were working for Israeli intelligence. State media reported the accused were convicted of espionage and transporting gear used in targeted killings. While specifics remain unclear, the executions signal Tehran's intensified clampdown on suspected Israeli operatives. Nournews, an Iranian state-linked outlet, said around 700 people with alleged ties to Israel have also been detained recently. These developments follow a tentative U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran, ending nearly two weeks of hostilities triggered by Israeli concerns over Iran's nuclear advancements. Israeli and U.S. forces had struck nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, sparking global concerns. Though violations were alleged from both sides, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped mediate the truce, said it was still holding. "Israel will not attack Iran," he stated, noting Israeli jets had stood down as a sign of goodwill. Declaring the sanctions, Gallant emphasized that Israel will continue to disrupt what he termed "Iran's axis of terror" and will not allow impunity. This marks Israel's first designation of a sovereign nation's central bank as a terror body—deepening its economic warfare without open conflict.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SPARROW Executive Jets Welcomes Niel Pirthipal as Chief Experience Officer
PALM BEACH, Fla., May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SPARROW Executive Jets (SEJ) recently welcomed Niel Pirthipal as its new Chief Experience Officer. A seasoned sales associate with a background in the luxury automotive industry, he brings more than a decade of experience in delivering unparalleled service to clients. Pirthipal comes to SEJ from Ferrari, where Niel held a Senior Sales and Leasing Consultant position for Ferrari Worldwide. In this capacity, he developed a mastery in luxury sales strategy, business development, complex finance negotiations, and cultivating trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals. He previously also held sales roles with Ferrari of Tampa Bay (Florida) and Ferrari of Central New Jersey, where he developed and managed a portfolio of sophisticated clients, particularly in the New York, New Jersey, and Florida markets. "I'm pleased to welcome Niel to SPARROW," said Jacquie Dalton, SEJ Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "This is a significant position of leadership that requires his level of expertise and experience serving elite clients at the highest level. Having worked for Ferrari, one of the world's most luxury brands, he understands the expectation of excellence and knows how to deliver. Private aviation is a level up and I am confident that he'll be an asset to this industry as an executive at SPARROW." In his new role with SEJ, Pirthipal will be expanding access to the company's exclusive FlySAFE System™ for select private fliers and corporate accounts, operator partners, aircraft owners, and executive jet manufacturers. He is expected to assure that the established safety and service level of SPARROW in brokering flights and delivering superior customer service remains intact during the company's planned expansion into additional markets. He also will represent SEJ at aviation industry events and conferences nationwide. With his transition from the luxury automotive sector to private aviation, Pirthipal brings a passion for elite relationship-building and delivering tailored, high-touch experiences. "As with all industries, it's about the people. The commonality between these two industries is powerful and allows me to leverage my unique expertise and clients for the future growth of SEJ. Flying private is not only a valuable resource for business but also a lifestyle for SEJ clients," Pirthipal said. "They take private jet charter seriously, and so do we. I'm excited to be joining SEJ and the private aviation community." Prior to his positions with Ferrari, Pirthipal worked as business development manager for Toyota. He holds a B.S. in psychology from Liberty University and an MBA in Human Resources from The Keller School of Business Management. He also is a Certified Human Resources Specialist and is AFIP-certified, a credential that proves knowledge and qualifications on dealership compliance for professional financial services. About SPARROW Executive JetsSPARROW Executive Jets (SEJ) is committed to delivering exceptional jet charter experiences, one flight at a time. Fostering a community-driven approach to private aviation, the company represents clients worldwide, with a strong focus on seamless flight operations and an uncompromising dedication to safety throughout every phase of the jet charter experience. SPARROW's FlySAFE System™ ensures the highest level of safety, security and financial protection for charter clients and operator partners, beginning at the point of sale. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE SPARROW Executive Jets Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Environmental journalists: Readers are losers in the AI revolution
The rise of artificial intelligence is making it harder for journalists to convey complicated science news about the environment, said panelists at the annual 2025 Society of Environmental Journalism conference in Tempe. And readers of that news stand to lose the most from AI, said Panayiotis Moutis, Assistant Professor of the City College of New York. As AI becomes more human-like, it's becoming harder to differentiate the wording or images of a robot from those of a real person. AI programs lack the creative thinking of a human brain, leaving readers feeling they've read it all before. They click away. ASU Professor Punya Mishra said the winners of the AI revolution are software developers and powerful companies. Jay Barchas-Lichtenstein, senior research manager for the global Center for News, Technology and Innovation, agreed. Not only are the companies becoming wealthier as these systems are being invented, but they are also using the public input as a sort of 'trial test-run' to constantly improve on these systems to be better, Barchas-Lichtenstein said. Barchas-Lichtenstein conducted an international public survey in 2024 asking journalists if they use AI in their current work, and if so, for what. At least one in three of the public responders said they use AI technology and accept journalists doing the same. In 2024, two-thirds said they use AI to translate content from another language, and 60% said they use AI to summarize or analyze documents or data. But only 39% said they use AI to write story drafts. Over 70% of the public said they were okay with journalists using AI. The biggest issue was with image creation and editing. As 43% of journalists said they've used AI to edit an image, less than 50% of the public said they were comfortable with that. Mishra said that AI should never be used as a substitute for their own research or in place of their original writing. 'Use AI when accuracy doesn't matter,' said Mishra. Serenity Reynolds is a junior studying journalism at Arizona State University and is part of a student newsroom led by The Arizona Republic. Coverage of the Society of Environmental Journalists conference is supported by Arizona State University's Cronkite School of Journalism, the University of Arizona and the Arizona Media Association. These stories are published open-source for other news outlets and organizations to share and republish, with credit and links to This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: SEJ 2025: How to trust environmental news in the world of AI
