Qunabox Interim Report Announced: Revenue and Profit Continue to Grow

HONG KONG, Aug 19, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Entering mid to late August, the Hong Kong stock market began to enter the peak period of interim report disclosure. Some high-quality enterprises, with their unique business models and outstanding performance in management and operation, achieved significant performance growth and stood out in the Hong Kong stock market, such as Qunabox Group (00917. HK).Revenue and profit continue to grow significantly, set to be included in Hong Kong Stock Connect in SeptemberQunabox Group is the largest AI interactive terminals network company in China and also the pioneer in providing AloT marketing solutions through experiential intelligent terminals. It uses AI interactive terminals to deliver innovative, engaging and immersive product experiences which align with evolving market trends and consumer needs. It effectively connects fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands with their customers and consistently delivers comprehensive marketing solutions that seamlessly integrate both online and offline channels, addressing a variety of scenarios.Qunabox Group was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in May 2024. As a newly listed company, in the first half of 2024, the Company delivered an impressive results in its debut after going public with innovative marketing models, precise market positioning, and efficient service execution.On 15 August, Qunabox Group released its 2024 interim results report. Data shows that in the first half of 2024, the Company recorded revenue of RMB515.1 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 41.7%; gross profit of RMB281.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 45.0%; and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of RMB121.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 35.9%. As at 30 June 2024, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash amounted to RMB887.6 million. The rapid growth of performance, stable financial condition, and adequate liquidity not only demonstrate the Company's strong market competitiveness and growth potential, but also provide solid financial support for the Company's long-term high-quality development.According to the announcement of Hang Seng Indexes Company on 16th August, Qunabox Group has been successfully selected to be included as a constituent change of the Hang Seng Composite Index, which will become effective on 9th September. After the inclusion in Hong Kong Stock Connect, the Company will receive more attention from investors and its liquidity is expected to be further enhanced.Well recognized by market, AI interaction marketing becomes the main driving force for performance growthPublic information shows that Qunabox Group's business mainly includes marketing services, merchandise sales and other services, among which, marketing services revenue accounts for nearly 80%, being the core business segment of the Group.In terms of marketing services, in the first half of 2024, Qunabox Group accurately grasped market dynamics and industry development trends, continuously improved service capabilities and operational efficiency, and achieved significant growth in both customer base and revenue. During the period, revenue from marketing services segment amounted to RMB411.8 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 41.1%, and gross profit amounted to RMB245.7 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 42.9%, driving significant growth in the overall performance of the Company. In terms of customers, during the period, the Group provided marketing services to a total of 171 brand customers, representing an increase of 41 customers as compared to the same period last year; among them, the number of KA customers served was 30 and the average revenue per KA customer was RMB10.6 million, both of which increased as compared to the same period last year. It demonstrates the brand customers highly recognize the value of Qunabox’s marketing solution which is based on AI interactive terminal.In terms of the merchandise sales, in the first half of 2024, benefiting from the overall recovery of the consumption industry, improved effectiveness of its terminal network and its more cost-effective pricing strategy, Qunabox Group’s AI interactive terminals significantly enhanced their capabilities in merchandise sales, driving continuous growth in the merchandise sales business, with a substantial increase in the number of offline terminals. During the period, revenue from the merchandise sales business segment amounted to RMB78.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 48.8%, and gross profit amounted to RMB24.1 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 69.7%. Revenue from merchandise sales per terminal per day amounted to RMB58.9, an increase of 25.2% year-on-year, which further consolidated the Company’s leading position in the market.In addition, leveraging its technological strengths in the AIoT sector, growing demand for related developments, and its solid reputation, customer demand and the number of projects have continued to grow. This has driven revenue generated from other services increasing from RMB19.0 million in the first half of 2023 to RMB24.9 million in the first half of 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 30.8%. This growth fully demonstrates the Company’s strong capabilities in the technical service sector.Continuously increasing investment in technology and data to enhance brand market competitivenessTechnology and data serve as pivotal sources of innovation for enterprises, constituting their fundamental competitive advantage. As China’s leading AI interaction marketing service provider, in the first half of 2024, Qunabox Group continued to increase its efforts to develop offline marketing activities featuring AI interactions, encouraging its intensified technical experts to deeply engage in the design of marketing activities. This aims to expand the application scenarios and range of multi-sensory AI interactions, such as scent emission, motion detection, and voice interaction, while also extending emotion recognition technology in a bid to further enrich the forms of AI interactions and improve service capabilities. In the domain of data and algorithm, Qunabox Group has consistently driven the exploration of data value and the commercialization of product to enrich its data product offerings. At the same time, it has also improved the performance of AI interactive terminals and the efficiency of internal operation.According to the interim report, the Company’s R&D expenditure increased from RMB27.3 million in the first half of 2023 to RMB37.5 million in the first half of 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 37.3%. Continuous investment in R&D not only brings the Company the ability to upgrade its services and improve efficiency, but also lays a solid foundation for the Company’s business expansion and steady development in the future.Expanding into overseas markets for a second growth curveQunabox Group has officially announced the launch of its internationalization strategy, with the Middle East market serving as the first stop in its expansion into overseas markets. This further expands the Company’s development space and is expected to drive accelerated growth in its performance.In the medium to long term, as the consumer market will witness further revitalization, the consumer goods marketing industry is anticipated to become even more dynamic. The multi-channel, one-stop, closed-loop marketing solutions provided by Qunabox Group based on the AI interactive terminal network will be accepted and applied by more brands with its advantages of being more innovative, efficient, and precise, and its market value will continue to increase. Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
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Retail Revolution in the Age of AI: Rockbird Media Launches 12th Retail and E-Commerce Summit Asia in Singapore ACN Newswire

Retail Revolution in the Age of AI: Rockbird Media Launches 12th Retail and E-Commerce Summit Asia in Singapore

SINGAPORE, Aug 19, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - A clear testament to the success of its past editions, Rockbird Media is thrilled to announce the 12th Retail & E-Commerce Summit Asia, set to unfold on September 26, 2024, at the One Farrer Hotel in Singapore. Themed “Retail Revolution: The Limitless Growth in the Age of AI,” this premier event is poised to dive deep into the seismic shifts reshaping the retail and e-commerce landscape.Despite its smaller population compared to regional neighbors, Singapore is on track to achieve a remarkable US$5,901 million in retail and e-commerce revenue by 2024. This impressive growth highlights the city-state's burgeoning role in the global digital economy and underscores the urgent need for businesses to adapt and thrive in this dynamic environment.The summit will offer an unparalleled opportunity for industry professionals to explore the latest trends and technologies driving the retail revolution. Attendees will benefit from keynote presentations, interactive breakout sessions, and panel discussions featuring leading experts. Personalized agendas, 1-on-1 meetings, and vibrant networking sessions will also be integral to the event, ensuring that each participant gains actionable insights and valuable connections.Singapore stands at the forefront of e-commerce innovation, and this summit will provide crucial insights into harnessing AI and technology for limitless growth, bringing together 100+ industry leaders and experts to shape the future of retail.For more information, including registration details, the in-depth agenda, speaker updates, pricing, and more, please visit https://rockbirdmedia.com/all_b2b/resa-singapore-2024/.About rockbird mediaRockbird media is an international business media company that produces B2B events and offers business solutions.Whether it is through online media and content, must-have business intelligence and analytics, effective networking, and partnering solutions, we help businesses and professionals learn more about the latest trends, and know more about their customers, peers, and competition, to make that decision that allows them to grow.Media contact:annjubelle@rockbirdmedia.com Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
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Rockbird Media Unveils 16th HR Leaders and HR Tech Strategy Meeting: ‘Advancing into the Nexus of Human and Technology’ in Kuala Lumpur ACN Newswire

Rockbird Media Unveils 16th HR Leaders and HR Tech Strategy Meeting: ‘Advancing into the Nexus of Human and Technology’ in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - With rapid HR advancements on the horizon, Rockbird Media is just in time to announce the 16th edition of the HR Leaders & HR Tech Strategy Meeting, taking place on September 24, 2024, at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event, themed “Advancing into the Nexus of Human and Technology,” will be a crucial platform for addressing the evolving role of technology in HR.As Malaysia’s HR Technology market is poised for a significant 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years, this year’s gathering will focus on equipping HR professionals with strategies to integrate cutting-edge tools and bridge the technological skill gap. Attendees will explore methods to enhance operational efficiency, boost employee engagement, and optimize legacy systems with modern technology.One in a series of successful HR Strategy Meetings across Southeast Asia, its 16th edition will emphasize the urgent need for HR leaders to strategically adapt to technological advancements, providing a unique opportunity to engage with industry experts, share best practices, and prepare for the future.The event will feature keynote addresses, interactive breakout sessions, panel discussions, and one-on-one meetings, designed to offer actionable insights and foster networking among over 100+ CHROs and HR leaders from various industries.For more information, including registration details, the in-depth agenda, speaker updates, pricing, and more, please visit: https://rockbirdmedia.com/all_b2b/hrmy2024/About rockbird mediaRockbird media is an international business media company that produces B2B events and offers business solutions.Whether it is through online media and content, must-have business intelligence and analytics, effective networking, and partnering solutions, we help businesses and professionals learn more about the latest trends, and know more about their customers, peers, and competition, to make that decision that allows them to grow.Media contact:annjubelle@rockbirdmedia.com Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
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Pencerobohan Kursk Ditujukan Untuk Mencipta ‘Zon Penampan’ Rusia-Ukraine, Kata Zelenskyy

(SeaPRwire) - Serangan mengejut di rantau Kursk Rusia bertujuan untuk mewujudkan "zon penampan" antara kedua-dua negara dan terus merumitkan serangan rentas sempadan Moscow, kata Presiden Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy pada Ahad."Sekarang tugas utama kita dalam operasi pertahanan secara keseluruhan adalah untuk memusnahkan sebanyak mungkin potensi perang Rusia dan menjalankan tindakan balas serangan maksimum," kata Zelenskyy dalam ucapan malamnya, pengakuan awam pertama tentang niat sebenar serangan itu. "Ini termasuk mewujudkan zon penampan di wilayah penceroboh - operasi kita di rantau Kursk," Zelenskyy meneruskan.Pasukan Ukraine memusnahkan satu jambatan di rantau ini pada hujung minggu dan menyerang jambatan kedua dalam usaha untuk mengganggu bekalan Rusia. Blogger perang pro-Kremlin sejak itu mengakui bahawa serangan pertama, yang menyasarkan jambatan di Sungai Seim berhampiran kampung , berjaya. Lokasi dan keberkesanan serangan kedua tidak ditentukan sehingga pagi Ahad.Kesan serangan yang dilaporkan terhadap infrastruktur Rusia terus merumitkan keadaan yang telah meletakkan Moscow dalam pertahanan yang tidak dijangka, memaksa ia untuk menilai semula strateginya di sepanjang sempadan timur laut Ukraine, yang merupakan wilayah yang pada dasarnya dianggap tidak penting untuk hanya beberapa bulan selepas ia bermula pada tahun 2022."Operasi Ukraine di Wilayah Kursk [telah memaksa] titik keputusan pada Kremlin dan komando tentera Rusia tentang sama ada untuk melihat sempadan antarabangsa sepanjang 1,000 kilometer dengan timur laut Ukraine sebagai garis hadapan yang sah yang perlu dipertahankan oleh Rusia," kata George Barros dari Institute for the Study of War sebelum ini memberitahu Digital."Rusia telah menghabiskan sumber yang besar untuk membina kubu pertahanan di sepanjang kawasan sempadan antarabangsa," kata Barros, "tetapi tidak memperuntukkan tenaga kerja dan [matériel] untuk secara signifikan mengawaki dan mempertahankan kubu-kubu tersebut."Ukraine mendakwa telah menguasai kira-kira 400 batu persegi wilayah Rusia sejak melancarkan operasi pada 6 Ogos.Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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Anak Pengasas Hamas Tegaskan ‘Tidak Ada’ Israel, Gencatan Senjata Hamas Sehingga Ayatollah Hilang

(SeaPRwire) - Bekas ejen dua kali ganda Israel dan menyatakan bahawa tidak ada "sesuatu yang dipanggil" gencatan senjata antara Israel dan Hamas sehingga pemimpin tertinggi Iran disingkirkan dari kuasa."Ini adalah perang terbuka, dan saya bimbang bahawa kita belum melihat yang terburuk lagi," kata Yousef kepada Digital. "Dan izinkan saya memberitahu anda sesuatu: Semua ini hanya untuk satu tujuan - untuk membawa tebusan kembali, dan setiap kali ada peluang untuk membawa tebusan, saya rasa di sini Israel membuat kompromi.""Tetapi, akhirnya, perang ini tidak akan berhenti sehingga Islamis disingkirkan dari kuasa, dan saya takut sekarang bahawa kita mula sedar, tanpa menyingkirkan ayatollah dari kuasa, Timur Tengah tidak akan pernah mengalami keamanan dan kemakmuran," kata Yousef. Putera pengasas Hamas itu menerangkan dalam bukunya yang baru, kesan psikologi yang mendalam dari kehidupannya yang menyedihkan sebagai ahli Hamas, masanya sebagai ejen dua kali ganda yang bekerja untuk Agensi Keselamatan Israel (Shin Bet) dan kepindahannya ke Amerika selepas sedekad perkhidmatan. Ini memberikan Yousef perspektif unik mengenai konflik di Timur Tengah, dan pesannya jelas: "Gencatan senjata sekarang, yang boleh membawa beberapa tebusan pulang hidup-hidup bukanlah sesuatu yang buruk, tetapi saya takut ini hanyalah keadaan sementara." "Pendekatan pentadbiran semasa yang ragu-ragu, yang cuba menyenangkan semua orang, untuk memenangi undi... baiklah, ini adalah kepentingan politik jangka pendek dengan mengorbankan asas negara," hujah Yousef. "Saya rasa di sini Hamas dapat merasakan kompromi itu, apabila mereka melihat keraguan mereka, apabila mereka melihat konflik dalam pentadbiran, apabila mereka merasakan kemunafikan, mereka tahu bahawa ahli politik telah dikompromikan," katanya. "Dan inilah masanya mereka sebenarnya dapat mencari cara untuk menyusup dan menekan untuk menciptakan lebih banyak perpecahan dan lebih banyak kekacauan."Yousef menegaskan bahawa tidak akan memberi kesan kepada Hamas atau kumpulan proksi Iran yang lain, yang akan "membenci Amerika - tidak kira siapa yang memegang jawatan," tetapi dia bimbang tentang presiden yang "tidak cukup tegas, tidak cukup kuat di belakang asas Amerika."Dalam perbualan sebelumnya, Yousef telah menyatakan kekecewaannya dengan penunjuk perasaan kampus kolej di AS, dengan mengatakan bahawa pelajar "menemukan sebab yang marah, dan ini sangat berbahaya untuk menyokong sesuatu yang tidak mereka fahami." "Ramai orang tidak faham bahawa dengan melegitimasi kekerasan, katakanlah di Timur Tengah, sebagai contoh, dengan membenarkan atau mengesahkan tindakan membunuh orang awam yang tidak bersalah secara tidak sengaja atau dengan merogol wanita, dengan membunuh kanak-kanak, dengan menculik orang awam, dengan membunuh orang di ruang tamu mereka - jika mereka fikir itu adalah perkara yang sah dengan nama rintangan atau... pendudukan, penjajahan, apa pun... mereka sedang menghasut keganasan," katanya. "Ini adalah tentang prinsip, dan ramai orang telah didoktrin dengan begitu banyak ideologi yang pelik," sambung Yousef. "Kita ada Islamis dan komunis, sosialis - semua jenis lawan ekstrem telah bermain sejak awal konflik ini." The Free Press' Bari Weiss awal bulan ini menceritakan bagaimana kerana mengutuk serangan pengganas pada 7 Oktober terhadap Israel, dengan mengatakan ia "meletakkan saya dalam posisi yang sangat berbahaya" dan bahawa dia telah "dilabelkan sebagai pengkhianat berkali-kali oleh pelbagai orang." Yousef membesar di Tebing Barat di tengah peluang dan sumber yang terhad, dengan ramai rakan sekelasnya sama ada berhenti sekolah atau bekerja buruh kasar di Israel. Dia diajar untuk takut kepada Yahudi dan hanya bertemu dengan orang Israel dalam "seragam" ketika dia berumur 27 tahun. Yousef, dalam bukunya, membincangkan hidupnya sebagai anggota Hamas, termasuk penderaan seksual yang dialaminya sebagai kanak-kanak dan masanya di penjara Israel sebelum bersetuju untuk bekerja dengan Shin Bet. Dia akhirnya melarikan diri ke AS, di mana dia terus hidup dan bekerja, bersuara tentang pengalamannya dengan Hamas. Semasa dalam penjara, Yousef mula , dan dia memeluk agama Kristian pada tahun 1999. Dia kemudiannya melarikan diri ke AS pada tahun 2007, di mana dia mengalami sedikit kejutan budaya disebabkan oleh "ideologi palsu" yang telah melimpah ruah di negara-negara Barat, seperti "teori zaman baru" yang menurutnya boleh menjadi "sama bahayanya dengan ideologi ekstrem atau pengganas." "Saya tidak lagi terkejut dengan delusi manusia," kata Yousef. "Anda boleh mengatakan sama ada di Barat atau di Timur, ia adalah keadaan manusia, dan masa akan membuktikan setiap teori sebenarnya berdasarkan reka bentuk sejagat, evolusi - walaupun evolusi adalah istilah yang sangat sensitif - atau naratif dengan jalan buntu.""Saya menghargai kebebasan bersuara, walaupun saya telah dibatalkan berkali-kali oleh liberal dan media arus perdana, yang pada asasnya - saya tidak mahu mengatakan ia mengejutkan, tetapi menarik untuk melihat orang yang bersumpah dengan nama kebebasan dan demokrasi, tetapi dalam praktiknya, mereka adalah sebaliknya," tambahnya. "Bagi saya, ini adalah perjalanan saya, dan tidak kira apa yang orang tangkap di luar," tegasnya. "Yang penting bagi saya ialah apa yang saya pelajari, apa yang saya lihat ketika saya berkembang dan berintegrasi." Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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Panda gergasi dan ibu pertama melahirkan kembar bersejarah: ‘Kami teruja’

(SeaPRwire) - Ibu panda gergasi pertama yang paling tua pernah melahirkan kembar di Ocean Park di Hong Kong.Ying Ying, 19, melahirkan anak lelaki dan perempuan "selepas lebih dari lima jam bersalin," menurut Ocean Park.Dalam catatan media sosial, Ocean Park berkongsi bahawa ia "teruja untuk menyambut kelahiran kembar pertama di Hong Kong!"Taman ini telah berusaha selama bertahun-tahun untuk membiak panda dengan jayanya. Panda betina hanya mengalami ovulasi sekali setahun, menjadikan kelahiran kembar ini lebih istimewa.Anak-anak itu dilahirkan pada 15 Ogos di Ocean Park, hanya sehari sebelum ulang tahun ke-19 Ying Ying. Dia adalah ibu panda pertama yang paling tua di dunia."Kelahiran ini adalah sesuatu yang luar biasa, terutamanya memandangkan Ying Ying adalah panda gergasi tertua yang direkodkan untuk berjaya melahirkan anak untuk pertama kalinya," kata taman itu dalam catatan media sosial."Sebagai ibu pertama, Ying Ying agak gugup sepanjang proses itu. Dia menghabiskan banyak masa berbaring di tanah dan berpusing."Kembar itu dilahirkan dengan jarak lebih dari satu jam, dengan Ocean Park menambah, "pasukan Taman dan pakar CCRCGP memberikan keselesaan, membolehkan Ying Ying selamat melahirkan anak kembar pada pukul 2:05 pagi dan 3:27 pagi masing-masing."Anak-anak itu "sangat rapuh" sebagai bayi baru lahir, terutamanya anak perempuan. Kembar itu berada di bawah penjagaan dan pengawasan 24 jam oleh pasukan Ocean Park dan veterinar.Anak panda betina yang tidak bernama itu "mempunyai suhu badan yang lebih rendah, tangisan yang lebih lemah, dan pengambilan makanan yang lebih rendah" daripada abangnya.Catatan itu diakhiri, "Kami semua tidak sabar untuk bertemu dengan anak-anak panda gergasi. Sila tunggu beberapa bulan lagi dengan sabar untuk melihat penampilan sulung mereka dan secara rasmi bertemu semua orang!"Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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Parlimen Thailand Memilih Perdana Menteri Termuda, Bersiap untuk Ujian Berat

(SeaPRwire) - Parlimen Thailand telah memilih Paetongtarn Shinawatra, seorang politikus baru, sebagai Perdana Menteri termuda mereka pada hari Jumaat, hanya sehari selepas beliau diangkat ke perhatian di tengah-tengah perebutan kuasa yang tidak henti-henti antara elit yang bertikai di negara itu.Anak perempuan berusia 37 tahun kepada tokoh politik yang berpengaruh, Thaksin Shinawatra, telah menang dalam undian dewan dan kini menghadapi cabaran besar, hanya dua hari selepas sekutunya, dipecat sebagai Perdana Menteri oleh badan kehakiman yang menjadi titik pusat pergolakan Thailand selama dua dekad.Yang dipertaruhkan untuk Paetongtarn adalah warisan dan masa depan politik keluarga Shinawatra yang berbilion dolar, yang dulunya merupakan kuasa politik yang tidak dapat dihentikan, tetapi mengalami kekalahan pilihan raya pertama mereka dalam tempoh lebih dua dekad tahun lalu, dan terpaksa membuat perjanjian dengan musuh-musuh mereka dalam tentera untuk membentuk kerajaan.Beliau akan menjadi Perdana Menteri wanita kedua Thailand dan Shinawatra ketiga yang memegang jawatan tertinggi selepas mak ciknya, Yingluck Shinawatra, dan bapanya, Thaksin, ahli politik paling berpengaruh dan paling kontroversi di negara itu.Dalam komen medianya yang pertama sebagai Perdana Menteri yang dilantik, Paetongtarn berkata beliau bersedih dan keliru dengan pemecatan Srettha dan memutuskan bahawa sudah tiba masanya untuk melangkah maju."Saya bercakap dengan Srettha, keluarga saya dan orang ramai dalam parti saya dan memutuskan sudah tiba masanya untuk melakukan sesuatu untuk negara dan parti," katanya kepada pemberita."Saya harap saya dapat melakukan yang terbaik untuk membuat negara maju. Itulah yang saya cuba lakukan. Hari ini saya berbesar hati dan saya berasa sangat gembira."Paetongtarn menang dengan mudah dengan 319 undi, atau hampir dua pertiga daripada dewan. Respon beliau selepas menang ialah memuat naik gambar makan tengah hari beliau - nasi ayam - di Instagram dengan kapsyen: "Makan pertama selepas mendengar pengundian."Paetongtarn tidak pernah berkhidmat dalam kerajaan dan keputusan untuk meletakkan beliau sebagai calon adalah perjudian bagi Pheu Thai dan ketua parti mereka yang berusia 75 tahun, Thaksin.Beliau akan segera menghadapi cabaran di pelbagai peringkat, dengan ekonomi yang merudum, persaingan daripada parti lawan yang semakin meningkat, dan populariti Pheu Thai yang semakin merosot, setelah gagal untuk memenuhi janji program bantuan tunai utama mereka yang bernilai 500 bilion baht ($14.25 bilion).Indeks penanda aras Thailand, SETI, meningkat kira-kira 1.1% pada 0900 GMT pada hari Jumaat, selepas susut hampir 9% tahun ini."Perjudian Shinawatras di sini adalah berisiko," kata Nattabhorn Buamahakul, Rakan Pengurus di Vero Advocacy, sebuah syarikat perundingan hal ehwal kerajaan."Ia meletakkan anak perempuan Thaksin dalam keadaan bahaya dan kedudukan yang lemah."Kejatuhan Srettha selepas kurang daripada setahun memegang jawatan akan menjadi peringatan yang jelas tentang jenis permusuhan yang mungkin dihadapi oleh Paetongtarn, dengan Thailand terperangkap dalam kitaran pergolakan rampasan kuasa dan keputusan mahkamah yang telah membubarkan parti politik dan menjatuhkan pelbagai kerajaan dan Perdana Menteri.Shinawatras dan sekutu perniagaan mereka telah menanggung beban krisis, yang mengadu domba parti-parti yang mempunyai pengaruh massa terhadap gabungan yang kuat yang terdiri daripada golongan konservatif, keluarga kaya lama dan jeneral kerajaan yang mempunyai hubungan rapat di institusi utama.Sembilan hari yang lalu, mahkamah yang sama yang memecat Srettha atas pelantikan kabinet juga membubarkan Move Forward Party, parti pembangkang - pemenang pilihan raya 2023 - atas kempen untuk meminda undang-undang terhadap penghinaan terhadap raja, yang menurutnya mengancam untuk melemahkan kerajaan perlembagaan.Partai pembangkang yang sangat popular, pesaing terbesar Pheu Thai, telah sejak itu bergabung semula di bawah sebuah parti baru, .Kemelut dalam beberapa hari kebelakangan ini juga menunjukkan keruntuhan gencatan senjata yang rapuh yang dicapai antara Thaksin dan pesaingnya dalam kumpulan lama establishment dan tentera, yang telah membolehkan ahli perniagaan itu kembali secara dramatik dari 15 tahun buangan sendiri pada 2023 dan sekutunya, Srettha, menjadi Perdana Menteri pada hari yang sama.Perjudian Thaksin terhadap Paetongtarn pada masa yang genting ini mengejutkan ramai penganalisis, yang menjangkakan beliau akan menangguhkan dinastinya dan mengelakkan daripada mendedahkan anak perempuannya kepada jenis pertempuran yang mengakibatkan kejatuhan dirinya dan adiknya, Yingluck, yang kedua-duanya melarikan diri ke luar negara untuk mengelakkan penjara selepas kerajaan mereka digulingkan oleh tentera."Ini adalah taruhan besar bagi Thaksin. Ada kemungkinan dia akan gagal dan itu adalah risiko besar bagi seluruh dinasti Shinawatra," kata Titipol Phakdeewanich, seorang ahli politik di Universiti Ubon Ratchathani."Jika dia tidak dapat mengembalikan ekonomi dan mengembalikan parti, maka ini mungkin menjadi berakhirnya dinasti kerana People's Party semakin mendapat momentum selepas pembubaran mereka."Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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Kumpulan minoriti di Bangladesh terperinci tentang keganasan dan layanan buruk berikutan kejatuhan kerajaan: ‘kambing hitam’

(SeaPRwire) - Ahli kumpulan minoriti di Bangladesh bercakap kepada Digital tentang keganasan dan layanan buruk yang mereka hadapi susulan keruntuhan kerajaan awal bulan ini, semuanya menggunakan nama samaran kerana takut dibalas dendam.Keganasan, malah pembunuhan dan pembakaran perniagaan, tempat ibadat dan kediaman milik minoriti, telah menjadi masalah besar sejak kerajaan bekas Perdana Menteri Sheikh Hasina . Bangladesh adalah 90% Muslim, dengan beberapa Kristian tetapi kebanyakannya Hindu dan Buddha membentuk selebihnya penduduk.Sathya, seorang Hindu dari Chittagong, memberitahu Digital bahawa kerajaan Hasina "bukanlah yang terbaik" terhadap minoriti Hindu, dengan menunjuk kepada kes rampasan tanah kediaman dan kuil Hindu di bawah pemerintahannya, tetapi mencadangkan bahawa mereka menghadapi layanan yang lebih baik daripada di bawah kerajaan lain - "kejahatan yang lebih kecil," tetapi hanya apabila "kita kehabisan pilihan." "Hindu selalu menjadi 'kambing hitam' dan dipersalahkan setiap kali terdapat krisis ekonomi atau isu politik lain yang tidak dapat kita kawal," kata Sathya. melaporkan bahawa 278 lokasi milik Hindu telah dirosakkan sejak Hasina melarikan diri dari negara itu. Dia mendakwa bahawa jika sebuah rumah Hindu kosong, penyeludup akan menceroboh dan mula membina, dan kerajaan serta sistem perundangan akan sedikit membantu melindungi hak tanah Hindu. Geng akan masuk dan mengambil apa sahaja yang mereka mahu, seperti perabot, wang tunai dan makanan.Malah dalam masyarakat Islam, mazhab Ahmadiya telah menghadapi penganiayaan daripada majoriti Sunni yang memanggil mereka "sesat," Ali, memberitahu Digital. "Kumpulan kami juga semakin menjadi sasaran seperti Hindu dan minoriti agama lain."Seorang warga Bangladesh yang kini tinggal di AS, berkata bahawa apabila dia melihat tanah airnya, dia melihat "tiada undang-undang dan ketertiban" dan bahawa "Hindu perlu berwaspada, terutama pada waktu malam, bimbang rumah kita akan diserbu dan dirompak." "Kerajaan seolah-olah tidak peduli tentang minoriti," katanya sambil merahsiakan namanya. "Talian bantuan disediakan untuk Hindu untuk menghubungi jika mereka menjadi sasaran, tetapi tiada siapa yang menjawab nombor telefon yang diberikan." "Walaupun wilayah ini secara amnya merupakan minoriti Buddha hari ini, Buddha berasal tidak jauh dari sini di Nepal berdekatan dan mempunyai sejarah yang sangat panjang di sini dan merupakan salah satu agama utama dunia. Kami tertanya-tanya mengapa seluruh dunia tetap senyap apabila kita berada dalam krisis sebegini,' Rajarshi, memberitahu Digital. Dia berasa bahawa keganasan terkini menggambarkan bahawa mana-mana kumpulan yang bukan Sunni tidak selamat. "Apakah gunanya kita semua berjuang untuk kemerdekaan daripada Pakistan jika kita diberitahu bahawa kita tidak mempunyai tempat di negara ini sekarang?" Walaupun Kristian membentuk minoriti kecil penduduk negara itu, Digital baru-baru ini melaporkan bahawa , yang menjejaki diskriminasi terhadap Kristian di seluruh dunia, menduduki Bangladesh sebagai mempunyai tahap penganiayaan yang "sangat tinggi," mendakwa bahawa "penganut agama Kristian menghadapi sekatan, diskriminasi dan serangan yang paling teruk.""Kepercayaan agama dikaitkan dengan identiti masyarakat, jadi berpindah dari kepercayaan yang dominan secara tempatan kepada pengikut Yesus boleh mengakibatkan tuduhan pengkhianatan," tulis kumpulan itu di laman webnya. "Penganut agama Kristian Bangladesh sering berkumpul di gereja rumah kecil kerana risiko serangan."Awal minggu ini menulis di platform media sosial X bahawa dia telah bercakap dengan pemimpin sementara negara, Profesor Muhammad Yunus, dan kedua-duanya telah "bertukar pandangan tentang keadaan yang berlaku.""Mengulangi sokongan India untuk Bangladesh yang demokratik, stabil, aman dan progresif," tulis Modi. "Dia menjamin perlindungan, keselamatan dan keamanan Hindu dan semua minoriti di Bangladesh." The Washington Post melaporkan bahawa kerajaan Modi telah menekan Amerika Syarikat untuk mengurangkan kritikan terhadap bekas Perdana Menteri Sheikh Hasina, dan pentadbiran Biden mematuhi - malah menangguhkan rancangan untuk mengenakan sekatan lanjut terhadap kerajaan Bangladesh. Jabatan Negara AS memberitahu Digital bahawa "Penglibatan kami yang berterusan mengenai demokrasi dan hak asasi manusia di Bangladesh dan di seluruh dunia berkata sendiri," dan menambah bahawa "Kami tidak mengulas mengenai komunikasi diplomatik peribadi kami."Bangladesh kembali memilih parti Liga Awami Hasina pada Januari, melanjutkan pemerintahannya, yang bermula pada tahun 2008, mendorong protes pelajar di universiti yang akhirnya merebak menjadi demonstrasi seluruh negara menentang pemerintahan parti itu. Kedua-dua parti dan pemimpinnya telah menghadapi tuduhan pemerintahan yang "keras tangan" dan autoritarian, dengan ramai yang mendakwa pilihan raya 2014 dan 2018 sebagai "palsu" kerana pembangkang sama ada memboikot atau dikurangkan kepada "minoriti yang tidak berdaya," . Pengangguran yang menyusut dan inflasi yang tinggi menjejaskan penggal terakhir Liga Awami, dan tekanan ekonomi terbukti terlalu banyak untuk ramai, terutamanya dasar baharu yang melaksanakan kuota untuk kerja perkhidmatan awam - dengan itu menahan pekerjaan yang diidamkan dalam apa yang dituduh penunjuk perasaan sebagai langkah kleptokratik. Akhirnya, Hasina meletak jawatan dan melarikan diri ke India, mengejutkan ramai tetapi membolehkan penunjuk perasaan mendapat perubahan yang mereka mahukan, termasuk mencantumkan ahli kemanusiaan dan penerima Hadiah Nobel Keamanan sebagai penasihat ketua kerajaan sementara menjelang pilihan raya baharu pada bulan November.Penunjuk perasaan pelajar merancang untuk menubuhkan parti baharu untuk bertanding dalam pilihan raya dan menamatkan monopoli dua parti yang telah membebani negara selama hampir dua dekad, . Kumpulan pelajar di tengah-tengah protes itu ingin bercakap dengan rakyat di seluruh negara sebelum memutuskan platform mereka dan akan memuktamadkan keputusan mereka dalam tempoh sebulan. "Kami tidak mempunyai sebarang rancangan lain yang dapat memecahkan sistem binari tanpa membentuk parti," kata Tamid Chowdhury, salah seorang penyelaras pelajar di tengah-tengah usaha untuk menggulingkan Hasina, kepada pemberita. Seorang lagi pelajar berkata bahawa "semangat pergerakan itu adalah untuk mencipta Bangladesh baharu, di mana tiada fasis atau autokrat boleh kembali." "Untuk memastikan perkara itu, kita memerlukan pembaharuan struktur, yang pasti memerlukan sedikit masa," jelas Nahid Islam, seorang penunjuk perasaan yang mengambil peranan dalam kabinet sementara Yunus. Reuters menyumbang kepada laporan ini. Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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AS mengambil tempat teratas dalam indeks ranking AI dengan pelaburan tiga kali ganda, jawatan kerja berbanding China dan negara lain: laporan Berita

AS mengambil tempat teratas dalam indeks ranking AI dengan pelaburan tiga kali ganda, jawatan kerja berbanding China dan negara lain: laporan

(SeaPRwire) - Amerika Syarikat menduduki tempat teratas dalam satu lagi kajian yang melihat industri (AI) yang paling pesat berkembang di dunia, menurut satu laporan baharu. "Teknologi AI sedang berkembang pesat di seluruh dunia," kata pengasas dan CEO ZeroBounce, Liviu Tanase mengenai laporan itu. "Ini didorong oleh pelaburan swasta yang besar dan peningkatan bilangan permulaan AI.""Sepanjang dekad yang lalu, berbilion dolar telah dilaburkan, dan kita melihat peningkatan yang ketara dalam peluang pekerjaan dan inovasi yang berkaitan dengan AI," kata Tanase dalam satu kenyataan. "Syarikat-syarikat sedang membangunkan tenaga kerja AI yang mahir untuk kekal kompetitif.""Memandangkan pelbagai industri akan terus mengintegrasikan AI, pelaburan dan perkembangan ini akan memainkan peranan penting dalam membentuk masa depan," tambahnya. Laporan daripada ZeroBounce melihat 10 negara yang telah menunjukkan pembangunan dan keupayaan AI yang kukuh: Amerika Syarikat, China, United Kingdom, Singapura, Kanada, Korea Selatan, Israel, Jerman, Jepun dan Australia, . Syarikat itu menyatakan bahawa ia bergantung terutamanya pada data daripada laman web Statista dan GlobalData serta indeks AI umum yang dikira oleh Tortoise Media, sebuah laman web berita British yang diasaskan oleh bekas pengarah BBC News dan editor The Times, James Harding pada tahun 2018.Berdasarkan skor komposit dan penarafan indeks global, lebih rendah daripada negara lain disebabkan oleh kurangnya jawatan pekerjaan AI dan bakat yang tersedia, tetapi negara itu telah melabur paling banyak ketiga dalam AI selama dekad yang lalu dan hanya dalam setahun yang lalu.Kajian ini memberi tumpuan kepada pelaburan swasta yang dibuat selama dekad yang lalu bersama-sama dengan bilangan permulaan AI dan pekerjaan khusus AI yang tersedia di pasaran.Amerika Syarikat telah melaburkan $335 bilion dalam pelaburan swasta ke dalam teknologi AI selama dekad yang lalu dan $67.22 bilion hanya dalam setahun yang lalu dengan kira-kira 5,500 permulaan. Amerika Syarikat juga mempunyai 71,000 jawatan kosong untuk AI pada tahun 2024 sahaja, , yang menyumbang 1.62% daripada jawatan kosong.Nombor-nombor itu mengatasi China, yang mempunyai kira-kira sepertiga pelaburan yang dibuat dalam tempoh yang sama dan jauh lebih sedikit permulaan dan jawatan kosong. Tetapi apa yang tidak dimiliki China dalam bidang-bidang itu, ia diganti dengan bilangan pakar yang lebih besar. Israel menduduki tempat yang tinggi, dan banyak laporan telah memperincikan dorongan yang kuat ke dalam pelaburan dan pembangunan AI yang telah dilakukan oleh negara itu untuk kekal di hadapan sekutu serantau. Sebelum 7 Oktober, dan potensi, terutamanya dalam penguatkuasaan undang-undang dan keupayaan ketenteraan. Dalam video yang memaparkan segmen animasi untuk menunjukkan potensi tangki Barak, seorang pengendali Angkatan Pertahanan Israel dapat mengenal pasti sasaran di hadapan dan di belakang tankinya, terima kasih kepada topi keledar yang direka khas yang membantunya menapis data medan perang. Tangki itu juga berkomunikasi dengan lancar dengan maklumat tersebut kepada tangki berdekatan, yang segera bertindak balas kepada data itu dan mengenal pasti sasaran tersebut. Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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Gereja England nampaknya berhenti menggunakan perkataan ‘gereja’ untuk kedengaran lebih ‘relevan’: kajian

(SeaPRwire) - ternyata sedang meninggalkan perkataan "gereja" dengan harapan untuk menarik lebih ramai orang ramai, menurut satu kajian baru-baru ini.Kajian itu, yang dipanggil "Benda Baru: Satu penyiasatan teologi ke dalam kerja memulakan gereja-gereja baru di seluruh 11 keuskupan dalam Gereja England," dijalankan oleh Pusat Teologi dan Penyelidikan Penanaman Gereja di Durham.Kajian kualitatif itu memeriksa bahasa yang digunakan oleh 11 keuskupan Gereja England untuk menggambarkan gereja-gereja baru mereka.Secara tradisional, gereja-gereja baru disebut sebagai "tanaman gereja." Dalam kajian ini, Pusat Teologi dan Penanaman Gereja mendapati bahawa walaupun lebih daripada 900 gereja baru telah ditubuhkan oleh 11 keuskupan dalam tempoh 10 tahun yang lalu, tiada satu pun daripadanya menggunakan perkataan "tanaman gereja" atau "gereja.""Tiada satu pun keuskupan menggunakan istilah ‘gereja’ dalam penerangan utama mereka. ‘Tanaman gereja’ tidak digunakan oleh mana-mana 11 keuskupan. Hanya satu keuskupan menggunakan ‘ekspresi segar’ daripada ‘perintis’ dalam penerangannya," demikian kesimpulan kajian itu.Kajian itu merujuk kepada tanaman gereja yang tidak berapa ini sebagai "benda baru," kerana tidak ada spesifikasi yang diberikan mengenai apa benda-benda ini."Hakikat bahawa istilah ‘gereja’ tidak digunakan, demi istilah lain (masyarakat, jemaah, dan sebagainya) adalah sesuatu yang perlu dipertimbangkan. Kita meneroka sama ada soalan, ‘Apakah gereja?’ adalah soalan yang patut ditanya."Enam daripada 11 keuskupan lebih suka menggunakan bahasa "ibadah" sebagai penerangan utama mereka untuk projek-projek gereja baru. Tujuh menggunakan "masyarakat," dan hanya dua menggunakan "jemaah," menurut Reverend Dr. Will Foulger. Foulger adalah pengarang utama laporan itu serta juga vikar Gereja St. Nicholas di .Vikar St. Anne di Kew, Dr. Giles Fraser, menyatakan kepada Telegraph bahawa penurunan mendadak perkataan "gereja" menunjukkan "keinginan yang tidak kena tempat untuk menjadi relevan dan berbunyi moden".Dr. Foulger mengakui dalam kajiannya bahawa perubahan bahasa baru ini "memaksa kita untuk mentakrifkan semula apa yang kita fikirkan gereja itu dalam Gereja England".Gereja England tidak segera memberi respons kepada Digital's request for comment.Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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Pakar tolak dakwaan ‘amat tidak mungkin’ komander Rusia mengenai kelebihan ketenteraan utama berbanding AS

(SeaPRwire) - Dakwaan yang dibuat minggu ini oleh ketua pembangunan teknologi Rusia untuk Kementerian Pertahanannya yang mencadangkan bahawa Moscow "mendahului" dalam yang tercetus di tengah-tengah perang di Ukraine sedang ditolak oleh seorang pakar terkemuka.Bercakap dari Forum Tentera-Teknikal yang diadakan di Moscow minggu ini, Jeneral Vasily Elistratov, ketua pembangunan AI Kremlin, bahawa Rusia "mendahului rakan kongsi asing kita" walaupun "cubaan untuk mengasingkan kita di peringkat teknikal."Pencerobohan Rusia selama lebih dua tahun ke atas Ukraine telah memacu negara-negara bergegas untuk meningkatkan keupayaan AI mereka untuk aplikasi masa perang.Tetapi sementara perang telah terutama dalam pembangunan sistem senjata autonomi, Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin telah lama menjadikan pembangunan AI sebagai keutamaan utama.Pada tahun 2017, lima tahun sebelum perang terbesar yang pernah dilihat oleh Eropah sejak Perang Dunia II, Putin mengisytiharkan, "Siapa yang memimpin dalam AI akan memerintah dunia," dan menjelang tahun 2022, pasaran AI Rusia telah meningkat sebanyak 18 peratus pada tahun itu sahaja, menurut Perdana Menteri Rusia Mikhail Mishustin.Moscow menggandakan usaha AInya tahun lalu dan daripada belanjawan persekutuannya pada tahun 2024 untuk pelaburan AI – walaupun itu hanya sebahagian kecil daripada $1.8 bilion yang telah diperuntukkan oleh AS untuk AI dalam .Walaupun usaha Moscow, bekas pegawai perisikan DIA dan pengarang "Putin’s Playbook", Rebekah Koffler, memberitahu Digital, "Sangat tidak mungkin bahawa Rusia mendahului AS dalam pembangunan AI."Koffler menerangkan bahawa sejak awal, AS dan Rusia telah mengambil pendekatan yang berbeza dalam AI, dan sementara Washington menumpukan usahanya pada kemajuan teknologi, Moscow juga menumpukan pada bagaimana ia dapat menggunakan AI untuk peperangan psikologi."Apabila anda mengalami serangan siber, bukan sahaja ia boleh mengganggu komputer anda, tetapi ia juga boleh memberi kesan psikologi kepada pengguna," jelasnya. "Dalam masa perang, anda boleh mengganggu pasukan dengan menyerang komputer [sistem]."Koffler menunjuk kepada kesan psikologi yang jelas yang telah dibuat oleh Rusia terhadap seluruh penduduk susulan penggunaan kempen disinformasi, propaganda, pemalsuan digital dan campur tangan pilihan raya – satu strategi yang biasanya tidak dilakukan oleh AS dan Barat."AS tidak melakukan perkara seperti itu," katanya. "Itu bukan cara kita beroperasi. "Berkenaan dengan Rusia, ia sentiasa menjadi perkara – bukan sahaja untuk penonton asing tetapi juga untuk domestik," Koffler meneruskan. "Dengan kuasa AI, anda boleh menyebarkan disinformasi dengan lebih pantas."Ini bermakna Moscow mungkin mendahului dalam teknologi pengambilan keputusan, kata Koffler, walaupun dia mengulangi keraguannya bahawa Rusia mengalahkan AS dalam mana-mana aspek pembangunan AI.AS mula dalam peperangan pada akhir Perang Melawan Keganasan di Afghanistan dalam usaha untuk mengurangkan beban yang ditanggung oleh pasukan AS dan koalisi ketika mereka cuba mengekalkan rangkaian perisikan manusia pada Taliban di tengah-tengah pengurangan.Sejak awal, pengawasan manusia telah memainkan peranan penting dalam bagaimana dalam masa perang, dan masih belum jelas bagaimana faktor khusus ini boleh memainkan peranan dalam strategisasi musuh apabila melibatkan AI di medan perang.Tetapi ia bukan sahaja AS yang kemungkinan besar dirujuk oleh Elistratov ketika dia menonjolkan pembangunan AI Moscow berbanding "rakan kongsinya".China, sekutu utama Rusia, telah membuat kemajuan besar dalam pembangunan AI dan sering dianggap sebagai pesaing utama AS dalam perlumbaan untuk membangunkan semua aspek teknologi yang sedang berkembang pesat itu.Koffler berkata bahawa sementara Moscow hampir pasti mengalahkan sekutu seperti Iran dan Korea Utara dalam perlumbaan AI, lebih mungkin bahawa Rusia "hampir" dengan China dalam pembangunan AI.Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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‘Terobosan bersejarah’: AS membatalkan sekatan perdagangan pertahanan dengan sekutu utama untuk menentang China

(SeaPRwire) - Amerika Syarikat dan sekutunya yang utama telah mengambil langkah penting dalam menghapuskan sekatan perdagangan pertahanan untuk memastikan bahawa teknologi dan peralatan dapat dikongsi dengan pantas memandangkan ia berusaha untuk menentang ancaman China yang semakin meningkat di Indo Pasifik.“Kejayaan bersejarah” ini bermakna United Kingdom dan Australia tidak lagi tertakluk kepada kawalan lesen eksport yang ketat di bawah Peraturan Perdagangan Senjata Antarabangsa (ITAR) Amerika Syarikat untuk “kebanyakan” teknologi pertahanan Washington."Kami mahu United Kingdom menjadi sekutu nombor satu Amerika Syarikat, dan keinginan Australia ialah untuk menjadi sekutu nombor satu Amerika Syarikat di Pasifik," kata seorang pegawai United Kingdom yang biasa dengan perjanjian itu kepada Digital. "AUKUS adalah mengenai kita yang mengakui ancaman yang ditimbulkan oleh China dan keperluan bagi kita, sebagai sekutu Amerika, untuk melakukan segala yang termampu untuk menjadi sebahagian daripada persaingan dengan China dalam ruang itu."Sejumlah kecil item sensitif akan kekal di bawah kawalan ketat Amerika Syarikat, dan pegawai United Kingdom berkata ini adalah satu lagi bidang di mana pakatan itu boleh berusaha untuk memperdalam kepercayaan dan perkongsiannya berdepan dengan agresif yang semakin meningkat."Kami mencari kerjasama yang mendalam dengan Amerika Syarikat dalam tempoh akan datang," kata pegawai itu. "Sebahagian daripada sekatan yang kekal dalam senarai pengecualian akan berada dalam teknologi yang sangat maju di mana Amerika Syarikat masih berhati-hati untuk mengawal akses kepadanya dan benar-benar melindungi teknologi itu."Apa yang ingin kita lakukan dengan status quo yang baru ini ialah menggunakannya untuk menunjukkan bahawa industri kita sama-sama kompeten untuk mengawal rahsia itu, sama-sama kompeten untuk melindungi teknologi itu, jadi kita boleh membina lebih banyak lagi kepercayaan dengan Amerika Syarikat, jadi kita boleh meluaskan perkongsian teknologi ini lebih jauh lagi," tambah pegawai United Kingdom itu.Pegawai itu tidak dapat menentukan peratusan senjata dan teknologi pertahanan Amerika Syarikat yang akan dikecualikan daripada perjanjian perkongsian perdagangan terkini tetapi menyatakan bahawa pengecualian itu hanya kekal dalam "teknologi yang jauh" pada sistem yang melibatkan , senjata autonomi dan senjata hipersonik.Pembaharuan ini dianggarkan meliputi sehingga £500 juta dalam eksport pertahanan United Kingdom setiap tahun bersama-sama dengan berbilion dolar perdagangan di seluruh ketiga-tiga negara, yang seterusnya akan "meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi bersama kita," Digital diberitahu.Perjanjian AUKUS muncul ketika Amerika Syarikat dan United Kingdom berusaha untuk membantu kerana pakatan itu berusaha untuk meningkatkan postur pertahanannya untuk menentang agresif China di rantau ini dan di luarnya."Saya fikir sangat sukar untuk mengatakan betapa pentingnya kapal selam itu, dari segi Indo-Pasifik dan mengekang China," kata pegawai itu kepada Digital. "Hanya kerana ia kelihatan agak tradisional, ia masih sangat, sangat penting untuk teater itu."Pakatan itu, yang dibentuk pada tahun 2021 khusus untuk menentang Beijing, yang bimbang bahawa Amerika Syarikat dan United Kingdom menjauhkan diri dari Eropah pada masa ancaman keselamatan di benua itu telah mencapai tahap yang tidak pernah dilihat sejak Perang Dunia II.Tetapi Washington dan London telah menolak hujah-hujah ini, dan dalam perbualan dengan Digital, pegawai British menyerlahkan bahawa peningkatan hubungan dengan Amerika Syarikat hanya dapat memperdalam keselamatan di teater di seluruh dunia."United Kingdom sebagai sekutu yang sangat rapat dengan Amerika Syarikat membantu mengunci United Kingdom dan Amerika Syarikat bersama dalam NATO," hujah pegawai itu. "Saya tidak fikir ini akan menjauhkan kita daripada itu."Jika ada, ia memberi kita berdua keupayaan yang lebih baik dan keserasian yang lebih baik untuk bekerjasama di kawasan Euro-Atlantik jika kita perlu melakukannya secara ketenteraan," tambah pegawai itu.Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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Korea Utara Akan Membuka Semula Pelancongan Secara Sebahagian Selepas Hampir 5 Tahun Berita

Korea Utara Akan Membuka Semula Pelancongan Secara Sebahagian Selepas Hampir 5 Tahun

(SeaPRwire) - Korea Utara akan menyambung semula pada tahun ini selepas hampir setengah dekad, menurut pengendali pelancongan. Agensi pelancongan , Koryo Tours, yang pakar dalam pelancongan ke Korea Utara, mengumumkan pada hari Khamis bahawa pelancongan ke Republik Rakyat Demokratik Korea akan disambung semula pada bulan Disember tahun ini. Lawatan hanya akan dianjurkan untuk bandar Korea Utara Samjiyon tetapi pembukaan semula mungkin dilanjutkan ke lokasi lain, kata Koryo Tours. "Selepas menunggu lebih 4 tahun untuk membuat pengumuman ini, Koryo Tours sangat teruja dengan pembukaan semula pelancongan Korea Utara," kata agensi itu dalam satu kenyataan akhbar. Agensi itu berkata Samjiyon dipilih kerana ia baru-baru ini dibangunkan sebagai destinasi pelancongan. Ia sebelum ini melawat pada tahun 2018 ketika membuat filem siri dokumentari British "Michael Palin in North Korea". Koryo Tours berkata rakan kongsi Korea Utara mereka telah memaklumkan kepada agensi itu bahawa jadual perjalanan dan tarikh akan diumumkan dalam beberapa minggu akan datang. "Sebaik sahaja kami telah menetapkan tarikh dan jadual perjalanan, ia akan tersedia untuk ditempah di laman web kami," kata syarikat itu. Negara Hermit itu menutup sempadannya pada awal pandemik COVID-19, mengharamkan hampir semua orang luar daripada memasuki negara itu untuk urusan perniagaan, perjalanan atau hubungan diplomatik bukan penting. Negara itu hanya mula membuka semula sempadannya secara separa tahun lepas. Negara itu telah bergelut untuk membuka dirinya sepenuhnya sejak pandemik, apabila rejim itu tidak dapat menyediakan sumber dan infrastruktur yang diperlukan untuk memerangi wabak secara berkesan di dalam sempadannya. Digital’s Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed to this report. Artikel ini disediakan oleh pembekal kandungan pihak ketiga. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) tidak memberi sebarang waranti atau perwakilan berkaitan dengannya. Sektor: Top Story, Berita Harian SeaPRwire menyampaikan edaran siaran akhbar secara masa nyata untuk syarikat dan institusi, mencapai lebih daripada 6,500 kedai media, 86,000 penyunting dan wartawan, dan 3.5 juta desktop profesional di seluruh 90 negara. SeaPRwire menyokong pengedaran siaran akhbar dalam bahasa Inggeris, Korea, Jepun, Arab, Cina Ringkas, Cina Tradisional, Vietnam, Thai, Indonesia, Melayu, Jerman, Rusia, Perancis, Sepanyol, Portugis dan bahasa-bahasa lain.
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OrbusNeich Records Net Profit of US$18.8 Million for the First Half of 2024 ACN Newswire

OrbusNeich Records Net Profit of US$18.8 Million for the First Half of 2024

Results Highlights:- Revenue and net profit reached US$78.9 million and US$18.8 million, respectively.- APAC market revenue grew significantly by 31.0%, driven by both organic growth and contributions from SJ Medicare and PT Revass, the South Korean and Indonesian distributors acquired in Q4 2023.- Total sales volume of proprietary products remained at 717,000 units.- In 1H2024, the Group made extensive efforts to integrate eucatech AG, a German company acquired last year, into its operations and reorganize its production lines, and expects eucatech AG to resume production and shipment in Q3.- The Group has been actively registering products of eucatech AG in various countries and regions, and eucaLimus, a coronary drug eluting stent, has already received registration approval in Malaysia.- For the clinical studies of TricValve, patient enrollment has commenced in 13 hospitals in the PRC. In Japan, the Group is working closely with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (“PMDA”) and the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to prepare for the clinical trial and registration process.- In May 2024, the Group engaged the main contractor for its largest R&D and manufacturing facility in Hangzhou, which is expected to begin operation in 2027, adding an annual production capacity of 2.4 million product units upon commencement of production.- The Group’s financial position remained strong, as evidenced by the cash and bank balances of US$246.7 million as of June 30, 2024.- The Group expects to maintain a stable dividend policy, demonstrating its confidence in future prospects.HONG KONG, Aug 16, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - OrbusNeich Medical Group Holdings Limited (“OrbusNeich” or the “Group”; stock code: 6929), a major global medical device manufacturer specializing in interventional devices for percutaneous coronary intervention (“PCI”) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (“PTA”) procedures, today announced its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2024 (the “Reporting Period”), with revenue and profit for the period attributable to owners of the Company maintained at US$78.9 million and US$18.8 million respectively despite various market challenges.Mr. David Chien, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of OrbusNeich, said, “The global economy has been highly volatile in recent years, as a result of factors such as geopolitical tensions and major central banks shifting their monetary policies. Albeit the challenging external environment, we were able to seize the opportunity to implement a series of measures to enhance operational efficiency and integrate the businesses of SJ Medicare, PT Revass and eucatech AG acquired last year into our Group. We believe the investments made in the first half year are crucial to supporting our future sustainable growth.”For the Reporting Period, the Group’s revenue decreased slightly by 3.1% to US$78.9 million, mainly attributable to decline in sales volume in the US due to integration of Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (“CSI”) into Abbott Laboratories (“Abbott”), and in the PRC market due to on-going impact of anti-corruption campaign, as well as the Group’s termination of distribution of certain third-party products, despite the significant sales growth recorded in APAC, as well as the modest revenue growth in Japan in terms of Japanese Yen. Excluding the impact of the foreign exchange fluctuations, total revenue would have recorded a slight year-on-year increase of 0.6%. Gross profit amounted to US$55.8 million while gross profit margin stood at 70.7%.Despite the decline in revenue and the short-term increase in expenses incurred by the Group’s series of measures to enhance operational efficiency and integrate the businesses acquired in the previous year, the Group maintained a healthy level of net profit for the first half of 2024. It is worth noting that, excluding the operating expenses of the newly acquired businesses, the three core operating expenses, namely selling and distribution expenses, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses, for the first half of 2024, remained flat against the same period last year. As of June 30, 2024, the Group maintained a strong financial position with cash and bank balances of approximately US$246.7 million, laying a solid foundation to support its growth objective.Robust Balloon Sales in APAC and EMEAThe Group’s proprietary balloon products continued to gain traction worldwide. In the first half of 2024, revenue from the APAC market saw organic growth of a marked 8.6% year-on-year, thanks to strong balloon sales growth in markets such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam and Singapore. Particularly, the latest generation of scoring balloon, Scoreflex TRIO, recorded a rapid rise in sales since it was launched in Malaysia in early 2024. Together with the additional contribution of US$4.3 million from the SJ Medicare and PT Revass, distributors acquired in South Korea and Indonesia respectively in Q4 2023, the revenue generated from APAC amounted to a total of US$24.0 million, representing a significant increase of 31.0% year-on-year.In addition, mainly attributable to the increase in sales of the Group’s proprietary balloon products in direct sales markets such as Germany, France and Spain, as well as distributor sales markets including Czech Republic and Slovakia, revenue generated from EMEA slightly increased by 1.3% to US$19.2 million, even being partly offset by the termination of distribution agreement with CSI for atherectomy products.During the first half of 2024, Scoreflex TRIO continued to drive revenue generated from Japan, the Group’s largest single-country market, in terms of Japanese Yen, achieving an 8.1% increase year-on-year.Integrating Newly Acquired Business to Drive Future GrowthFollowing the acquisition of eucatech AG in November 2023, extensive efforts were made to integrate eucatech AG into the Group’s operation and reorganize production lines. The Group has been actively registering eucatech AG’s four products, namely eucaLimus, Support C, Resistant, and VITUS, in various countries and regions to avail those products via the Group’s own sales network to physicians and patients in different markets. In the first half of 2024, eucaLimus was granted registration approval in Malaysia, one of the Group’s direct sales markets. Registration applications for eucatech AG’s products have also been submitted to relevant regulatory bodies in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Switzerland, Italy and Saudi Arabia and are pending approval. The Group also promoted eucatech AG’s products at major conferences including EuroPCR, as well as educated distributors about these offerings so that sales could be ramped up smoothly once the products become available.In April 2024, the Group supported eucatech AG’s on-site Medical Device Directive (“MDD”) and Medical Device Regulation (“MDR”) surveillance audit, as such, was able to extend the CE Mark expiration dates for their 4 products under the MDD framework. All these efforts are expected to see eucatech AG resume production and shipment in the third quarter of the year.Relentless Drive to Translate Innovations into Thriving Product LinesAs of June 30, 2024, OrbusNeich had an aggregate of over 50 approved products. The Group has maintained a steadfast commitment to translating its R&D efforts into commercially successful products. To date, the Group achieved major milestones, including:- Obtaining NMPA approval for Teleport Neuro, FDA approval for Teleport XT and JADE PLUS 14/18/35 OTW, CE Mark for Sapphire ULTRA and Sapphire NC ULTRA;- Submission of registration applications to the NMPA for its Guiding Catheter;- Completion of the clinical trial patient enrollment for Scoreflex TRIO in the PRC, with the NMPA application expected to be submitted in Q3 2024;- Preparation for the Sapphire 3 clinical trial in the US, with enrollment scheduled to begin in Q3 2024.Alongside these regulatory and commercialization efforts, the Group continued to invest in new pipeline products, such as the Corepass modular microcatheter, support catheter and the JADE Plus. Registration applications for these innovative offerings are planned for submission to various authorities in 2024.Meanwhile, the joint venture OrbusNeich P&F made significant efforts to advance the clinical studies of TricValve in two major Asia Pacific markets. Patient enrollment has commenced in the PRC for its clinical trial, and the clinical trial and registration process in Japan is being prepared in close collaboration with the PMDA and the FDA.Boosting Production Capacity through Rigorous Quality Processes and Operational ExcellenceThe Group has always prioritized product quality, which is ensured by a robust quality management system. During the Reporting Period, various sites successfully passed audits conducted by various regulatory and notifying bodies. Furthermore, the Group remains committed to enhancing operational efficiency and reducing production costs by continually optimizing manufacturing processes, work-in-progress inventory levels, and employee productivity. To meet future production needs, the Group will construct its largest R&D and manufacturing facility in Hangzhou, the PRC, for which it engaged the main contractor in May 2024 and which is expected to begin operation in 2027, adding an annual production capacity of 2.4 million units of products upon commencement of production.Mr. Chien concluded: “Looking ahead, as new sales strategies are being executed in the PRC and the US markets, we expect these key geographies will regain growth momentum in second half of the year. Meanwhile, OrbusNeich has maintained active efforts to expand our market presence. On the product front, we are leveraging our comprehensive sales network and brand recognition to market innovative endovascular intervention products to enhance the solutions we provide to the physicians. New products from eucatech AG which is expected to resume production soon will also contribute to improved profitability. We are also actively identifying M&A opportunities that align with our strategic priorities and position us for sustainable growth. Despite the first-half headwinds, we remain optimistic about restoring growth momentum soon and expect to maintain a stable dividend policy for shareholders based on our robust financial position.”- End -About OrbusNeich Medical Group Holdings LimitedOrbusNeich is a major global medical device manufacturer specializing in interventional devices for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) procedures. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China, OrbusNeich sells its products in more than 70 countries and regions worldwide. It is also actively expanding into neuro vascular intervention and structural heart disease. As of June 30, 2024, OrbusNeich has more than 230 granted patents and published patent applications worldwide. Its in-house R&D team has more than two decades of product development experience and has developed world-leading proprietary technologies.For more information, please visit the Group’s official website: https://orbusneich.com/. Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
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Overcome Cybersecurity Challenges in the Financial Services Industry at CISO FSI ANZ Online ACN Newswire

Overcome Cybersecurity Challenges in the Financial Services Industry at CISO FSI ANZ Online

BRISBANE, AUS, Aug 16, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - CISO FSI ANZ 2024 invites cybersecurity professionals in the Financial Services Industry to join this free virtual event designed to inspire and share intelligence. The online gathering will cover everything from cyber strategy, risk management, governance, program and incident management, leadership, to enabling business growth.CISO FSI ANZ offers a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge and find ways to avoid cyber threats in the FSI industry. Benchmark your strategies with peers and learn how to get buy-in and collaboration in your projects across the board.Key topics include:Strategies to advance your company’s cyber security maturity modelsHow to align cyber risk management with the company's goalsComplying with APRA regulations in Australia and MBIE in New ZealandThe impacts of the privacy act reform in information securitySuccessful practices to mitigate the increase of third-party risksBridging the talent gap by investing in culture, education and trainingNavigating the “AI high” by leveraging its benefits while minimising its risksCISO FSI ANZ is an essential online event for those looking to advance their knowledge and network within the cybersecurity community. Join us on 12 September 2024 at 10 AM AEDT or 12 PM NZT.It’s free! Register now: https://bit.ly/4dpyOUYVisit website: https://ciso-fsi-anz.coriniumintelligence.com/About Corinium IntelligenceCorinium Intelligence is a global leader in providing conferences, events, and content to the information and technology industries. With a focus on fostering collaboration and innovation, Corinium Intelligence brings together industry leaders to share insights, best practices, and strategies for success.Media Contact:Claudia Peixoto, Marketing Managerclaudia.peixoto@coriniumgroup.com Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
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Join the Collective Effort to safeguard government and commonwealth entities at CISO Canberra ACN Newswire

Join the Collective Effort to safeguard government and commonwealth entities at CISO Canberra

CANBERA, AUSTRALIA, Aug 16, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - CISO Canberra invites cyber security professionals to explore the critical role of public sector cyber security in protecting the public and driving transformative leadership strategies for delivering the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.The tech demo exhibition will showcase cutting-edge services and innovations driving change in the cybersecurity landscape. InfoSec leaders will share their strategic insights in no-nonsense talks, providing valuable substance over empty rhetoric.Key themes include:STRENGTH IN UNITY: Building robust shields against cyber threats by navigating the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy to be the most secured nation.AWARENESS, EMPOWERMENT, & COORDINATION: Maturing cyber security culture through collective responsibility and collaborative efforts for enhanced resilience.PROACTIVE GRC MANAGEMENT: Integrating Zero Trust and evaluating risks in supply chains, data and AI to empower decision making at the pace of innovation.MODERNISING THREAT DETECTION & RESPONSE: Embracing cutting-edge technologies and strategies to advance security, integrity and resilience capabilities.CISO Canberra 2024 is an essential event for those looking to advance their knowledge and network within the cybersecurity community. Join us at the Canberra Rex Hotel on 14 November 2024 for an event that promises to inspire and empower.Use the code ACNNEWS20 for 20% off the ticket price.Register here: https://bit.ly/4dqzPfbVisit website: https://ciso-bris.coriniumintelligence.com/ About Corinium IntelligenceCorinium Intelligence is a global leader in providing conferences, events, and content to the information and technology industries. With a focus on fostering collaboration and innovation, Corinium Intelligence brings together industry leaders to share insights, best practices, and strategies for success.Media Contact:Claudia Peixoto, Marketing Managerclaudia.peixoto@coriniumgroup.com Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
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China Medical System (00867) Released its 2024 Interim Results: Steady Increase in Revenue and Profit Compared with 2H 2023 ACN Newswire

China Medical System (00867) Released its 2024 Interim Results: Steady Increase in Revenue and Profit Compared with 2H 2023

SHENZHEN, Aug 16, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - On August 15, 2024, China Medical System Holdings Limited (“CMS” or the “Company”) released its 2024 interim results announcement, with a steady increase in overall revenue and profit for the period compared to the second half (2H) of 2023. In the first half (1H) of 2024, the Company recorded a turnover of RMB3,611.1 million, representing a decrease of 21.7% compared with 1H 2023, an increase of 6.1% compared with 2H 2023. In the case that all medicines were directly sold by the Company, the turnover was RMB4,287.5 million, representing a decrease of 22.6% compared with 1H 2023, an increase of 8.9% compared with 2H 2023; Among which, the total revenue of non-National VBP exclusive products and innovative products was RMB2,404.7 million, accounting for 56.1% of CMS’s revenue in the case that all medicines were directly sold by the Company. Profit for the period was RMB903.4 million, representing a decrease of 52.8% compared with 1H 2023, a substantial increase of 92.8% compared with 2H 2023.The year 2024, not only marks the first year of the commercialization of CMS’s innovative products, but also a crucial point for the release of National Volume Based Procurement (“National VBP”) impact on its financial performance. Deanxit entered the seventh batch of National VBP in November 2022, Plendil and Ursofalk entered the eighth batch of National VBP in July 2023, and none of the three original drugs were selected, which had a negative impact on the Company’s business performance. In 1H 2024, the Company’s overall performance showed a growth trend compared with 2H 2023, indicating that CMS has basically digested the impact of National VBP and successfully entered the "New Product Era" where non-national VBP exclusive products and innovative products drive its growth.With the approval for marketing of LUMEBLUE (Methylthioninium Chloride Enteric-coated Sustained-release Tablets) in June and METOJECT (Methotrexate Injection)’s additional indication of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults in July this year, CMS's innovative drug portfolio in the commercialization stage has expanded into 5 products (including 6 indications); simultaneously with a rich and differentiated innovative pipeline reserve. Gathering the power of innovation and riding the momentum of development, CMS is comprehensively shaping new drivers for development with a healthier product structure, further opening up a new cycle of quality development.The "Collaborative and In-house" dual-engine R&D model drives the simultaneous improvement in quantity and quality of the pipeline, accelerating the transformation of innovative biotechnologyA profound innovative drug R&D pipeline is an important driving force for the long-term development of CMS. The Company adheres to the purpose of innovation for meeting the unmet clinical needs and solving the difficulties of patient medication, and promotes innovation development through a two-wheel drive of “Collaborative R&D and In-house R&D”, continuously deploying FIC (first-in-class) and BIC (best-in-class) innovative products, and enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of research and clinical development to achieve a rapid transformation of scientific outcomes into social and commercial values.As of now, CMS's innovative product portfolio approved for marketing in China has been expanded into 5 products (including 6 indications), among which, 4 innovative drugs (VALTOCO, ILUMETRI, METOJECT - psoriasis indication, VELPHORO) have been included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) and entered large-scale clinical application; also, CMS newly added LUMEBLUE and METOJECT (RA), for being approved for marketing in China recently.CMS has also steadily advanced the clinical development of innovative products. Currently, Desidustat Tablets is under NDA review in China; Also, a total of about 10 projects have been prepared/launched for their registrational clinical trials, mainly randomized controlled trials (RCT).At the same time, the Company had continued to strengthen basic research and independent innovation capabilities, and successfully promoted more than 10 in-house R&D projects, among which, three innovative drugs (VEGFA/ANG2 Tetravalent Bispecific Antibody, Highly Selective TYK2 Inhibitor CMS-D001 Tablets, and GnRH Receptor Antagonist CMS-D002 Capsules) have entered the clinical development stage.In addition, the Company’s innovative pipeline has continued to expand. CMS Skinhealth collaborated with Incyte once again, and has obtained exclusive license to research, develop, register and commercialize povorcitinib, a selective oral small-molecule JAK1 inhibitor, in countries/territories including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan Region and 11 Southeast Asian countries. This further enriched the product portfolio of CMS Skinhealth in the treatment of vitiligo and other immune-mediated dermatology diseases.Subsequently, CMS will continue to produce innovative products with higher efficiency and more controllable costs every year, accelerating the release of innovative value and embracing quality and sustainable performance growth through a healthy product structure dominated by non-National VBP exclusive products and innovative products.Successful commercialization system releases the clinical value of innovative products in an efficient and collaborative mannerAfter 32 years of deep cultivation in specialty therapeutical fields, successful commercialization capability is one of CMS’s core competitiveness. By continuously reinforcing and integrating its commercialization platform, it has achieved in-depth development of its three major business segments including cardio-cerebrovascular/gastroenterology, dermatology, and ophthalmology, and expanded its boundaries in related fields. Additionally, the Company established a highly qualified, professional promotion team with strong execution, as well as extensive channel and resource coverage, which has laid a solid foundation for the rapid market entry and brand building of its innovative products.Four innovative drugs of CMS have entered large-scale clinical applications, covering various disease fields such as central nervous system, dermatology, nephrology, and gastroenterology, and developed synergistically with the existing marketed products in promotion team and channels. Meanwhile, leveraging on the opportunity of being included in the NRDL, CMS is advancing hospital development, brand building, real world studies and medically-driven academic promotion. CMS is improving patients’ accessibility to innovative drugs with the help of patient aid and disease knowledge popularization programs, promoting the release of products’ clinical value.The Dermatology and Medical Aesthetic Business "CMS Skinhealth" regards dermatology prescription products as its core, and extends to light medical aesthetic products and dermatology-grade skincare products, continuously improving the construction of a full life-cycle skin-health management platform covering dermatological treatment, skincare, and medical aesthetics through internal development and external collaboration. In terms of clinical development of dermatology prescription drugs, CMS has completed the Pivotal Real World Study for ruxolibinib cream in vitiligo, and is advancing the registration application process in Mainland China. At the same time, it has continuously complemented the regenerative light medical aesthetic portfolio, among which the China’s medical device registration application of the Poly-L-lactic Acid Microparticle Filler Injection has been accepted by the NMPA during the Reporting Period; and the Company has newly obtained exclusive licenses of three regenerative light medical aesthetic products (Polycaprolactone Microsphere Gel for Injection, Calcium Hydroxylapatite Microsphere Gel for Injection, and Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Implant), which are currently under the registrational clinical trial stage in China.The results announcement shows that, as of the end of June, the promotion network of CMS has covered over 55,000 hospitals and medical institutions, and approximately 280 thousand retail pharmacies in China.Leveraging the accumulated advantages in cardio-cerebrovascular, gastroenterology, central nervous system, nephrology, ophthalmology, dermatology and other specialty therapeutical fields, CMS steadily releases the scale effect of its specialty businesses, and builds high competition barriers, creating broad commercial potential for its innovative products and exclusive products.Drawing up the internationalization layout to gather momentum for the incremental marketIntegrating the advantageous resources of the Company, its Southeast Asia business “Rxilient Health”, shares and expands the successful experience of CMS gained from the China market, as well as global quality products and innovative technological resources, into the Southeast Asia market. This accelerates the improvement of the platform integrating “R&D, manufacture, and commercialization” of the Southeast Asia business, empowering Chinese and global pharmaceutical companies to implement the “overseas development” strategy, and also opening up a larger space for incremental development opportunities for CMS.As of the end of June, Rxilient Health has established a competitive product portfolio with more than ten differentiated products, covering therapeutic areas such as oncology, central nervous system, autoimmune, dermatology, and ophthalmology, etc. Rxilient Health is accelerating the relevant work on the market registration processes in Southeast Asian countries for innovative pipeline products, such as ruxolitinib cream, Methylthioninium Chloride Enteric-coated Sustained-release Tablets, and Diazepam Nasal Spray, etc. Furthermore, Rxilient Health collaborated with Junshi Biosciences to promote the registration process of toripalimab (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody) in multiple countries in Southeast Asia, aiming to benefit local cancer patients as soon as possible.In December last year, the Company and Rxilient Health joined hands with Pharmaron and other partners to complete the purchase of the Singapore manufacturing plant. This year, all relevant parties have been orderly advancing a series of work for the Singapore manufacturing plant, including equipment testing, quality verification, and production quality system certification, etc., so as to accelerate the CDMO business development, and to optimize the Company’s overseas supply chain and manufacturing capabilities. The business layout will further facilitate more inter-industry cooperation between CMS and global partners in the future, thus jointly building a win-win medical innovation ecosystem with mutual benefits.ConclusionSince its establishment in 1992, CMS has followed the development pattern of the industry and has promoted three significant strategic transformations successfully with a forward-looking vision. The Company started as an agent of imported original drugs, gradually developed to control the rights of original/exclusive products, and then achieved a comprehensive innovative transformation. Each step of the transformation is in sync with the industry development trends. CMS steadily aims towards the ultimate goal, and constantly builds up its strength and resilience to persist through the industry development cycle. With the gradual release of the impact of national VBP on its financial performance, CMS has been transforming into a brand-new company. While embracing the innovation achievements in each stage, CMS is fully prepared for a sustainable and healthier development in the future.About CMSCMS is a platform company linking pharmaceutical innovation and commercialization with strong product lifecycle management capability, dedicated to providing competitive products and services to meet unmet medical needs.CMS focuses on the global first-in-class (FIC) and best-in-class (BIC) innovative products, and efficiently promotes the clinical research, development and commercialization of innovative products, enabling the continuous transformation of scientific research into clinical practices to benefit patients.CMS deeply engages in several specialty therapeutic fields, and has developed proven commercialization capabilities, extensive networks and expert resources, resulting in leading academic and market positions for its major marketed products. CMS continues to promote the in-depth development of its advantageous specialty fields and expand business boundaries. While strengthening the competitiveness of the cardio-cerebrovascular/gastroenterology business, CMS independently operates its dermatology and medical aesthetics business, and ophthalmology business, aiming to gain leading positions in specialty therapeutic fields, whilst enhancing the scale and efficiency. At the same time, CMS has expanded its business territory to the Southeast Asian market, striving to become a "bridgehead" for global pharmaceutical companies to enter the Southeast Asian market, further escorting the sustainable and healthy development of the Group.CMS Disclaimer and Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release is not intended to promote any products to you and is not for advertising purposes. This press release does not recommend any drugs, medical devices and/or indications. If you want to know more about the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, please follow the opinions or guidance of your doctor or other medical and health professionals. Any treatment-related decisions made by healthcare professionals should be based on the patient’s specific circumstances and in accordance with the drug package insert.This press release which has been prepared by CMS does not constitute any offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and shall not form the basis for or be relied on in connection with any contract or binding commitment whatsoever. This press release has been prepared by CMS based on information and data which it considers reliable, but CMS makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, whatsoever, and no reliance shall be placed on, the truth, accuracy, completeness, fairness and reasonableness of the contents of this press release. Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain statements regarding the Group’s market opportunity and business prospects that are individually and collectively forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Any forward-looking statements and projections made by third parties included in this press release are not adopted by the Group and the Company is not responsible for such third-party statements and projections.Media ContactChina Medical System Holdings Ltd.CMS Investor RelationsEmail: ir@cms.net.cnWebsite: https://web.cms.net.cn/en/home/Source: China Medical System Holdings Ltd. Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
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LI NING: Adhered to the Core Strategy of ‘Single Brand, Multi-categories, Diversified Channels’ ACN Newswire

LI NING: Adhered to the Core Strategy of ‘Single Brand, Multi-categories, Diversified Channels’

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS- In the first half of the year, the Group recorded the following operating results: – Revenue rose by 2.3% to RMB14,345 million; gross profit margin rose by 1.6 percentage points to 50.4% – Net operating cash inflow increased by 40.6% to RMB2,730 million – Net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company was RMB1,952 million with net profit margin of 13.6%, and EBITDA margin was 24.0%- Working capital remained at a healthy level: – The percentage of gross average working capital to revenue was 7.1% – The cash conversion cycle was 31 days, representing an increase of 1 day as compared to the same period last year- The Board resolved to declare an interim dividend of RMB37.75 cents per ordinary share of the Company issued or to be issued upon conversion of convertible securities for the six months ended 30 June 2024.OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS- The retail sell-through for the overall platform decreased by low-single-digit, including online and offline channels- Channel inventory increased by mid-single-digit comparing to the same period last year. The inventory turnover and ageing structure remained at a healthy level- Offline channel new product sell-through decreased by mid-single-digitHONG KONG, Aug 16, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Li Ning Company Limited (stock codes: 2331 (HKD counter) and 82331 (RMB counter)) announces today its 2024 interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.Financial ResultsIn the first half of 2024, China’s economy demonstrated an orderly recovery, with favorable national policies continuously injecting vitality into the market. Against the backdrop of the rising public health awareness, numerous international and national events have spurred public’s enthusiasm for sports. Currently, overall consumer confidence still has room for recovery, and the market is in a gradual and positive adjustment phase.Leveraging the brand’s professional sports background, the Group maximizes its insights into the sports industry, understanding of sports categories, and technological innovation capabilities, concentrating on five core categories of running, basketball, fitness, badminton, and sports casual during the Reporting Period. Through continuous research and development (“R&D”) investment and technological innovation, the Group consistently enhances product capabilities, optimizes consumer experience, and ensures sustainable development in the long run while expanding the Group’s business.In the first half of 2024, the Group’s overall performance remained stable with pragmatic growth. During the Reporting Period, revenue amounted to RMB14,345 million, representing an increase of 2.3% as compared to the corresponding period of 2023 (2023 H1: RMB14,019 million). Gross profit increased by 5.8% from RMB 6,839 million in the same period of 2023 to RMB 7,236 million, and the overall gross profit margin was 50.4% (2023 H1:48.8%), the gross profit margin increased by 1.6 percentage points as compared to the corresponding period of last year. Basic earnings per share was RMB75.80 cents (2023 H1: RMB80.63 cents). The Board resolved to declare an interim dividend of RMB37.75 cents (2023 H1: RMB36.20 cents) per ordinary share of the Company issued or to be issued upon conversion of convertible securities for the six months ended 30 June 2024. The interim dividend payout ratio is 50%.In terms of cash flow management, the Group's net cash generated from operating activities during the Reporting Period amounted to RMB2,730 million (2023 H1: RMB1,942 million). As at 30 June 2024, cash and cash equivalents (including cash at banks and in hand, and fixed term deposits with original maturity of no more than three months) amounted to RMB6,147 million, representing a net increase of RMB703 million, as compared with the position as at 31 December 2023. Adding back the amount recorded as fixed-term deposits held at banks, cash balance amounted to RMB17,558 million, which represented a net decrease of RMB417 million as compared to 31 December 2023. During the period, revenue increased year-on-year while the efficiency of settlement remained stable, which, in conjunction with the reasonable purchase and payment plan, contributed to the year-on-year increase in net cash generated from operating activities. The Group will continue to place extra emphasis on its cash flow management to ensure stable development of the Group in the long run.Operational SummaryDuring the Reporting Period, the Group adhered to the core strategy of “Single Brand, Multi-categories, Diversified Channels” focusing on seven major business transformation tracks and continuously strengthening its sports genes to establish a clear professional sports brand positioning. Meanwhile, the Group was efficiently empowered in supply chain management, logistics platform, channel expansion and store upgrading, jointly building a solid foundation for the overall sales of the Group.In terms of technological innovation, in May 2024, the Group successfully held a technology conference with the theme of “In My Name, Tech LI-NING” , which demonstrated that the Group has built two key pillars of product development and innovation consisting of technology R&D and sports science research through long-term accumulation of technological innovation. At the conference, the Group presented its six innovative technologies of “Carbon Core” , “Dual-Stage Assist Curves”, “Super Jiang” , “GCU”, “Super BOOM” and “Extreme Boom Fiber” , and also unveiled three new innovations for the first time: the running shoes of “Shadow 3”, the premium racing shoes of “Dragonflight” and dual-vent nanotechnology for rainstorm protection.In terms of professional products and marketing, the Group continued to focus on the five core categories of running, basketball, badminton, fitness and sports casual, and continued to make efforts in the innovation in sports technology. At the same time, the Group also actively integrated with sports fashion culture, launched sports products with both technology and fashion attributes and continuously enhanced the core competitiveness of products. In addition, the Group actively deployed universal marketing to enhance consumers’ awareness of the Group’s products, continuously enhance brand influence and expand its consumer base.In the midst of a great year for sports, the Group launched a campaign theme “In My Name” , to encourage everyone to engage in sports activities and create their own highlight moments. Through delivering the brand proposition and spirit and telling stories of the athletes from the national gold medal team, top athletes in various categories and sports KOLs, as well as overall demonstrating Li Ning’s technological strength, launching theme series products and creating atmosphere for themes at stores, the Group reinforces the professional brand image of LI-NING, realizes the whole chain from brand proposition to product experience, and deeply connects the brand with each consumer.In terms of supply chain management, the Group constructed an all-round and high-efficiency supply chain ecosystem. It not only deeply explored and expanded high-quality supplier resources for high-end sports and outdoor products to form a strong supplier matrix, but also flexibly responded to market changes with a flexible supply strategy as the core.In terms of logistics management, the Group adopted refined logistics plan management, customized strategies based on the characteristics of the business divisions, and optimized the process of goods warehousing and delivery. Meanwhile, the logistics informationization platform empowered distributors to share information in real time, improved the efficiency of store distribution, and further improved the quality of logistics services.In terms of channel expansion and image upgrading, the Group actively optimized its channel layout, consolidated and expanded its competitive advantage in the high-end market by closing low-efficiency stores and strengthening the renovation and expansion of premium stores. Meanwhile, the active development of emerging markets, the new upgrading of the 9th generation stores, and the successful establishment of premium outlets further enhanced the brand image and market influence. In order to create an immersive experience of key events, 4,238 stores introduced key visual display designs featuring “In My Name” themes and core sports resources in the first half of the year, further enhancing consumers’ visual experience and brand awareness.As of 30 June 2024, the number of conventional stores, flagship stores, China LI-NING stores, LI-NING 1990 stores, factory outlets and brand stores under LI-NING brand (including LI-NING Core Brand and LI-NING YOUNG) amounted to 7,677, representing a net increase of 9 Point-of-sale (“POS”) as compared to 31 December 2023. The number of distributors was 44 (including sales channels of China LI-NING stores), representing a net decrease of 2 as compared to 31 December 2023, demonstrating the Group’s precision and efficiency in channel layout.In terms of retail operation, in the first half of the year, the Group deepened the innovation and practice of the single-store operating model to effectively promote the comprehensive implementation of retail operation standards. The store management efficiency has been significantly improved through the comprehensive promotion of its retail end sales planning system and the implementation of the system in core stores.In terms of new retail business, the Group strengthened community operations and content creation through digital transformation to achieve efficient conversion of private traffic, effectively improving sales and conversion efficiency. In addition, the Group actively explored diversified business models, including attracting traffic through social platforms such as Douyin and online business cooperation with core channels, constantly injecting new momentum into store sales, increasing the proportion of out-of-store sales in stores, and further enhancing the operating efficiency of stores.In respect of the e-commerce operation, the e-commerce of Li Ning continued to focus on breakthroughs in professional functional products, especially achieving rapid growth in the field of running shoes, while professional basketball shoe products also consolidated its market leading position. In addition, in terms of online exclusive IP, the Group has successfully created a number of IP that have gained volume and reputation in the industry. During the period, the Group achieved synergistic growth of e-commerce business and retail operation through effective integration and innovative practices across online and offline channels, driving a significant increase in sales performance and further strengthening of market share.In terms of kidswear business, LI-NING YOUNG comprehensively streamlined the youth product matrix, clarified the core competitiveness of clothing and accessories, and improved the footwear product matrix. For marketing, LI-NING YOUNG consolidated its marketing resources and actively explored omni-channel marketing and community operation. By actively cooperating with basketball star Wade to further increase the brand influence. LI-NING YOUNG also actively actively carried out various member community activities and launched new celebrity athlete in-store opening activities to continuously drive store traffic. As at 30 June 2024, the total number of LI-NING YOUNG POS in China amounted to 1,438, representing a net increase of 33 POS since the end of the previous quarter and a net increase of 10 POS since the beginning of this year. The Group will continue to intensely develop its LI-NING YOUNG business, take a product focused approach to upgrade core product technology and design, advance the exploration of market demands and product categorization and strengthen brand promotion, so as to develop LI-NING YOUNG into a leading professional sportswear brand for kids in China.OutlookThe Group will continue to practice its core strategy of “Single Brand, Multi-categories, Diversified Channels”, persistently strengthen its product capabilities and integrate its operational resources to propel the Group towards stable and enduring growth by leveraging the organizational capability as an efficient corporation:– Develop the fundamental business with stability. The Group will continue to amplify the market influence of the LI-NING brand, focusing on the development of its five core categories including running, basketball, fitness, badminton and sports casual. Through investment in research, development and innovation, the Group will achieve continuous upgrading of its product matrix to meet the growing consumer demand for high-quality and personalized sports equipment, thereby reinforcing and expanding the Group’s market leading position in core areas.– Optimize and upgrade the product structure. The Group will further upgrade its diversified product matrix under the single-brand strategy, aligning with the evolving market trends and consumer preferences. By fully leveraging the complementary functions of “China LI-NING” and “LI-NING 1990” in the sports casual sector, and expanding multiple dressing scenarios, the Group will enhance the competitiveness of its brands in diverse scenarios.– Look to the future and seize opportunities to make a breakthrough. The Group will actively explore breakthroughs and take the lead in entering new tracks in sports consumption. By tapping into the huge potential of the women’s, outdoor and youth markets, formulating targeted marketing strategies and launching products that meet the needs of the target groups, the Group aims to make breakthroughs in these new areas.– Optimize market expansion strategy. To achieve comprehensive market coverage, the Group will optimize the allocation of resources to existing high-level markets to improve market efficiency. Concurrently, by actively exploring emerging markets and formulating strategies for overseas markets, the Group strives to achieve significant breakthroughs in overseas markets while keeping a steady and sustainable momentum.Mr. Li Ning, Executive Chairman and Joint CEO of the Group, concluded, “The country's series of in-depth market reform policies will steadily advance, providing the Group with a fair and more vibrant market environment, and opening up broader growth space. The Group will adhere to its established development strategy, rely on the professional sports genes of its brands and continue to launch high-quality sporting products for the public. At the same time, the Group will continue to cultivate the sports market in China, and ride the wave of the Olympics, upholding the spirit of ‘Anything is Possible’, to propel the Chinese sports industry onto the international stage.”- END -About the GroupLi Ning Company Limited is one of the leading sports brand companies in China, mainly operating professional and leisure footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories under the LI-NING brand. Headquartered in Beijing, the Group has brand marketing, research and development, design, manufacturing, distribution and retail capabilities. It has established an extensive retail distribution network and supply chain management system in China. The Group is committed to be the most prominent, stylish, world-leading sports brand from China.In addition to its core LI-NING brand, the Group also manufactures, develops, markets, distributes, sells various sports products which are selfowned by or licensed to the Group, including Double Happiness (table tennis), AIGLE (outdoor sports), Danskin (fashionable fitness products for dance and yoga) and Kason (badminton), which are operated through joint venture/associate with third parties of the Group. Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
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Darwinbox revolutionizes Security Bank HCM operations ACN Newswire

Darwinbox revolutionizes Security Bank HCM operations

MANILA, Aug 16, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Darwinbox, a global leader in providing end-to-end Human Resources Management Systems (HRMS), has significantly transformed the operations of Security Bank Corporation, one of the largest private domestic universal banks in the Philippines and its subsidiaries.This comes as Darwinbox continues to enhance the HR landscape in the Philippines by helping companies optimize their human resources (HR) and improve overall operational efficiency.Security Bank EVP and Chief People Officer, Nerissa Berba, said that Darwinbox, a new-age, enterprise-ready Human Capital Management (HCM) platform, optimized the bank's processes, reduced manual tasks, and enhanced efficiency with streamlined workflows.Security Bank has already observed significant enhancements in its HR processes thanks to Darwinbox. To date, it has automated close to 90 per cent of HR processes, leading to a 67 per cent increase in HR operational efficiency within the first year, which exceeded the initial projection of 30 per cent. Consequently, this has allowed for a 30 per cent improvement in report generation speed and a 75 per cent reduction in the time taken for performance administration ensuring full compliance with policies.Berba further said that Darwinbox met all the bank’s HCM requirements. First, the entire employee lifecycle, from hire-to-retire, can be managed within Darwinbox, allowing the bank to have one system for all its employees’ needs. The Bank has implemented most of the Darwinbox modules, ensuring a consistent experience across the majority of the organization and HR processes.Additionally, the simplicity and user-friendliness of the Darwinbox interface, along with its deep functionality and intuitive mobile app, add significant value to the Bank’s operations. The no-code backend of the highly configurable platform empowers its HR team to tailor processes to the organization’s needs without external consultants.“[Darwinbox] is truly an empowering platform for an enterprise that is customer-first and people-empowered,” Berba said.Security Bank currently provides banking services across the Philippines through a dedicated workforce of nearly 9,000, who deliver the brand’s promise of ‘BetterBanking’.“Our commitment to a future-ready organization hinged on a compelling employee value proposition and a transformative work culture,” Berba said.Meanwhile, Darwinbox, founded in Asia and currently catering to over 950 enterprises worldwide, is actively expanding its presence in the Philippines.The company plans to engage various sectors, utilizing its advanced HR technology to address the diverse needs of organizations in the region. This expansion is in line with Darwinbox's goal to provide businesses with comprehensive and intuitive HR solutions, specifically designed for the unique challenges and opportunities within the Philippine market.Media Contact:Shruti Parmarshruti@bloomingdalepr.comBloomingdale Public Relations Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
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China Medical System (00867) Released its 2024 Interim Results:Steady Increase in Revenue and Profit Compared with 2H 2023

CMS enters the “New Product Era” driven by exclusive and innovative products, with exclusive and innovative drugs revenue accounts for over 56%. SHENZHEN, CHINA – August 15, 2024 – (SeaPRwire) – On August 15, 2024, China Medical System Holdings Limited (“CMS” or the “Company”) released its 2024 interim results announcement, with a steady increase in overall revenue and profit for the period compared to the second half (2H) of 2023. In the first half (1H) of 2024, the Company recorded a turnover of RMB3,611.1 million, representing a decrease of 21.7% compared with 1H 2023, an increase of 6.1% compared with 2H 2023. In the case that all medicines were directly sold by the Company, the turnover was RMB4,287.5 million, representing a decrease of 22.6% compared with 1H 2023, an increase of 8.9% compared with 2H 2023; Among which, the total revenue of non-National VBP exclusive products and innovative products was RMB2,404.7 million, accounting for 56.1% of CMS’s revenue in the case that all medicines were directly sold by the Company. Profit for the period was RMB903.4 million, representing a decrease of 52.8% compared with 1H 2023, a substantial increase of 92.8% compared with 2H 2023. The year 2024, not only marks the first year of the commercialization of CMS’s innovative products, but also a crucial point for the release of National Volume Based Procurement (“National VBP”) impact on its financial performance. Deanxit entered the seventh batch of National VBP in November 2022, Plendil and Ursofalk entered the eighth batch of National VBP in July 2023, and none of the three original drugs were selected, which had a negative impact on the Company’s business performance. In 1H 2024, the Company’s overall performance showed a growth trend compared with 2H 2023, indicating that CMS has basically digested the impact of National VBP and successfully entered the “New Product Era” where non-national VBP exclusive products and innovative products drive its growth. With the approval for marketing of LUMEBLUE (Methylthioninium Chloride Enteric-coated Sustained-release Tablets) in June and METOJECT (Methotrexate Injection)’s additional indication of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults in July this year, CMS’s innovative drug portfolio in the commercialization stage has expanded into 5 products (including 6 indications); simultaneously with a rich and differentiated innovative pipeline reserve. Gathering the power of innovation and riding the momentum of development, CMS is comprehensively shaping new drivers for development with a healthier product structure, further opening up a new cycle of quality development. The “Collaborative and In-house” dual-engine R&D model drives the simultaneous improvement in quantity and quality of the pipeline, accelerating the transformation of innovative biotechnology A profound innovative drug R&D pipeline is an important driving force for the long-term development of CMS. The Company adheres to the purpose of innovation for meeting the unmet clinical needs and solving the difficulties of patient medication, and promotes innovation development through a two-wheel drive of “Collaborative R&D and In-house R&D”, continuously deploying FIC (first-in-class) and BIC (best-in-class) innovative products, and enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of research and clinical development to achieve a rapid transformation of scientific outcomes into social and commercial values. As of now, CMS’s innovative product portfolio approved for marketing in China has been expanded into 5 products (including 6 indications), among which, 4 innovative drugs (VALTOCO, ILUMETRI, METOJECT – psoriasis indication, VELPHORO) have been included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) and entered large-scale clinical application; also, CMS newly added LUMEBLUE and METOJECT (RA), for being approved for marketing in China recently. CMS has also steadily advanced the clinical development of innovative products. Currently, Desidustat Tablets is under NDA review in China; Also, a total of about 10 projects have been prepared/launched for their registrational clinical trials, mainly randomized controlled trials (RCT). At the same time, the Company had continued to strengthen basic research and independent innovation capabilities, and successfully promoted more than 10 in-house R&D projects, among which, three innovative drugs (VEGFA/ANG2 Tetravalent Bispecific Antibody, Highly Selective TYK2 Inhibitor CMS-D001 Tablets, and GnRH Receptor Antagonist CMS-D002 Capsules) have entered the clinical development stage. In addition, the Company’s innovative pipeline has continued to expand. CMS Skinhealth collaborated with Incyte once again, and has obtained exclusive license to research, develop, register and commercialize povorcitinib, a selective oral small-molecule JAK1 inhibitor, in countries/territories including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan Region and 11 Southeast Asian countries. This further enriched the product portfolio of CMS Skinhealth in the treatment of vitiligo and other immune-mediated dermatology diseases. Subsequently, CMS will continue to produce innovative products with higher efficiency and more controllable costs every year, accelerating the release of innovative value and embracing quality and sustainable performance growth through a healthy product structure dominated by non-National VBP exclusive products and innovative products. Successful commercialization system releases the clinical value of innovative products in an efficient and collaborative manner After 32 years of deep cultivation in specialty therapeutical fields, successful commercialization capability is one of CMS’s core competitiveness. By continuously reinforcing and integrating its commercialization platform, it has achieved in-depth development of its three major business segments including cardio-cerebrovascular/gastroenterology, dermatology, and ophthalmology, and expanded its boundaries in related fields. Additionally, the Company established a highly qualified, professional promotion team with strong execution, as well as extensive channel and resource coverage, which has laid a solid foundation for the rapid market entry and brand building of its innovative products. Four innovative drugs of CMS have entered large-scale clinical applications, covering various disease fields such as central nervous system, dermatology, nephrology, and gastroenterology, and developed synergistically with the existing marketed products in promotion team and channels. Meanwhile, leveraging on the opportunity of being included in the NRDL, CMS is advancing hospital development, brand building, real world studies and medically-driven academic promotion. CMS is improving patients’ accessibility to innovative drugs with the help of patient aid and disease knowledge popularization programs, promoting the release of products’ clinical value. The Dermatology and Medical Aesthetic Business “CMS Skinhealth” regards dermatology prescription products as its core, and extends to light medical aesthetic products and dermatology-grade skincare products, continuously improving the construction of a full life-cycle skin-health management platform covering dermatological treatment, skincare, and medical aesthetics through internal development and external collaboration. In terms of clinical development of dermatology prescription drugs, CMS has completed the Pivotal Real World Study for ruxolibinib cream in vitiligo, and is advancing the registration application process in Mainland China. At the same time, it has continuously complemented the regenerative light medical aesthetic portfolio, among which the China’s medical device registration application of the Poly-L-lactic Acid Microparticle Filler Injection has been accepted by the NMPA during the Reporting Period; and the Company has newly obtained exclusive licenses of three regenerative light medical aesthetic products (Polycaprolactone Microsphere Gel for injection, Calcium Hydroxylapatite Microsphere Gel for injection, and Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Implant), which are currently under the registrational clinical trial stage in China. The results announcement shows that, as of the end of June, the promotion network of CMS has covered over 55,000 hospitals and medical institutions, and approximately 280 thousand retail pharmacies in China. Leveraging the accumulated advantages in cardio-cerebrovascular, gastroenterology, central nervous system, nephrology, ophthalmology, dermatology and other specialty therapeutical fields, CMS steadily releases the scale effect of its specialty businesses, and builds high competition barriers, creating broad commercial potential for its innovative products and exclusive products. Drawing up the internationalization layout to gather momentum for the incremental market Integrating the advantageous resources of the Company, its Southeast Asia business “Rxilient Health”, shares and expands the successful experience of CMS gained from the China market, as well as global quality products and innovative technological resources, into the Southeast Asia market. This accelerates the improvement of the platform integrating “R&D, manufacture, and commercialization” of the Southeast Asia business, empowering Chinese and global pharmaceutical companies to implement the “overseas development” strategy, and also opening up a larger space for incremental development opportunities for CMS. As of the end of June, Rxilient Health has established a competitive product portfolio with more than ten differentiated products, covering therapeutic areas such as oncology, central nervous system, autoimmune, dermatology, and ophthalmology, etc. Rxilient Health is accelerating the relevant work on the market registration processes in Southeast Asian countries for innovative pipeline products, such as ruxolitinib cream, Methylthioninium Chloride Enteric-coated Sustained-release Tablets, and Diazepam Nasal Spray, etc. Furthermore, Rxilient Health collaborated with Junshi Biosciences to promote the registration process of toripalimab (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody) in multiple countries in Southeast Asia, aiming to benefit local cancer patients as soon as possible. In December last year, the Company and Rxilient Health joined hands with Pharmaron and other partners to complete the purchase of the Singapore manufacturing plant. This year, all relevant parties have been orderly advancing a series of work for the Singapore manufacturing plant, including equipment testing, quality verification, and production quality system certification, etc., so as to accelerate the CDMO business development, and to optimize the Company’s overseas supply chain and manufacturing capabilities. The business layout will further facilitate more inter-industry cooperation between CMS and global partners in the future, thus jointly building a win-win medical innovation ecosystem with mutual benefits. Conclusion Since its establishment in 1992, CMS has followed the development pattern of the industry and has promoted three significant strategic transformations successfully with a forward-looking vision. The Company started as an agent of imported original drugs, gradually developed to control the rights of original/exclusive products, and then achieved a comprehensive innovative transformation. Each step of the transformation is in sync with the industry development trends. CMS steadily aims towards the ultimate goal, and constantly builds up its strength and resilience to persist through the industry development cycle. With the gradual release of the impact of national VBP on its financial performance, CMS has been transforming into a brand-new company. While embracing the innovation achievements in each stage, CMS is fully prepared for a sustainable and healthier development in the future. About CMS CMS is a platform company linking pharmaceutical innovation and commercialization with strong product lifecycle management capability, dedicated to providing competitive products and services to meet unmet medical needs. CMS focuses on the global first-in-class (FIC) and best-in-class (BIC) innovative products, and efficiently promotes the clinical research, development and commercialization of innovative products, enabling the continuous transformation of scientific research into clinical practices to benefit patients. CMS deeply engages in several specialty therapeutic fields, and has developed proven commercialization capabilities, extensive networks and expert resources, resulting in leading academic and market positions for its major marketed products. CMS continues to promote the in-depth development of its advantageous specialty fields and expand business boundaries. While strengthening the competitiveness of the cardio-cerebrovascular/gastroenterology business, CMS independently operates its dermatology and medical aesthetics business, and ophthalmology business, aiming to gain leading positions in specialty therapeutic fields, whilst enhancing the scale and efficiency. At the same time, CMS has expanded its business territory to the Southeast Asian market, striving to become a “bridgehead” for global pharmaceutical companies to enter the Southeast Asian market, further escorting the sustainable and healthy development of the Group. CMS Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements This press release is not intended to promote any products to you and is not for advertising purposes. This press release does not recommend any drugs, medical devices and/or indications. If you want to know more about the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, please follow the opinions or guidance of your doctor or other medical and health professionals. Any treatment-related decisions made by healthcare professionals should be based on the patient’s specific circumstances and in accordance with the drug package insert. This press release which has been prepared by CMS does not constitute any offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and shall not form the basis for or be relied on in connection with any contract or binding commitment whatsoever. This press release has been prepared by CMS based on information and data which it considers reliable, but CMS makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, whatsoever, and no reliance shall be placed on, the truth, accuracy, completeness, fairness and reasonableness of the contents of this press release. Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain statements regarding the Group’s market opportunity and business prospects that are individually and collectively forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Any forward-looking statements and projections made by third parties included in this press release are not adopted by the Group and the Company is not responsible for such third-party statements and projections. Media Contact Brand: China Medical System Holdings Ltd. Contact: CMS Investor Relations Email: ir@cms.net.cn Website: https://web.cms.net.cn/en/home/ Source: China Medical System Holdings Ltd.
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