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MediCapture Launches aiScope™ Pilot for Veterinary Sciences at VMX 2026

Medical AI Made Easy—From Lab to Real-World Training & Practical Use

CHEROKEE, Texas, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MediCapture Inc., a global leader in medical imaging systems, today announced the launch of aiScope™, software that runs Vision AI models in real-time, locally on MediCapture’s MTRs and selected MVR imaging systems. First aiScope™ pilot deployment will be in veterinary science.

The technology will be demonstrated live at VMX 2026 in Orlando, Florida, working on MediCapture’s VUEES™ University Edition and on portable VUEES™ Mobility platforms. (abbreviated as Veterinary Ultrasound and Endoscopy Education Systems).

Medical AI Made Easy
iScope™ enables real-time object detection, image classification, and AI-assisted video analysis directly on medically certified MediCapture MTR and MVR devices — eliminating the need for external PCs, GPUs, or complex proprietary systems in the operating room or in the field.

“By embedding AI Vision at the point of care, aiScope™ solves the long-standing “last-mile problem” that has prevented many research AI models from being used in real-world clinical and teaching environments”, says Bernd Jotzat, Senior Product Manager at MediCapture.

Powerful data collection engine for your Vision AI datasets  
MediCapture MTRs and MVR with aiScope™ turn your surgical camera into a powerful vision data capture device, enabling classification or detection in real-time.

Using custom models, aiScope™ analyses captured images and automatically generates bounding boxes and labels. Future updates will add auto-annotation and pre-annotated exports, cutting manual review and labelling time.

Vendor Neutral and Open Source
aiScope™ is vendor-neutral and operates with an MTR or MVR to run Vision AI applications across endoscopic, microscopic, and surgical camera systems. It supports open source models and training, conversion and deployment of publicly available models, and integration of community-developed models.

First Deployment in Veterinary Education 
The aiScope™ pilot launches on January 15 during VetExpo Europe in Leipzig, Germany, and this Saturday, January 17 at the VMX Expo in Orlando, USA. It will run through the spring, then extend to data collection programs for veterinary universities and research centers for the remainder of 2026.

Medical AI in the Field with VUEES Mobility
MediCapture’s MTR with aiScope™ can fit easily into a case the size of a carry-on. Using under 20 watts of power, an MTR can run aiScope for 8+ hours on a quality power bank. MediCapture will demonstrate aiScope on VUEES Mobility™ at VMX 2026 in Orlando, USA, on January 17.

MediCapture President and CEO Michael Bishop explained the company’s decision to begin in veterinary science: 
“Veterinary medicine spans more than 65,000 vertebrate species. That’s where science begins. That’s how discovery accelerates. aiScope™ is portable, allowing us to bring AI-driven imaging to every corner of the earth.”

Availability 
aiScope™ planned availability for university pilot participants is in March, 2026 with broader commercial availability on select MediCapture systems early this summer.

About MediCapture  
MediCapture Inc. designs and manufactures innovative imaging, recording, and archiving solutions for medical use in surgery, endoscopy, ultrasound, and clinical education. With a strong focus on vendor-neutral devices, OR integration tools, smart workflow engines, and Vision AI technology, MediCapture empowers human healthcare professionals and veterinary professionals worldwide to capture more, understand more, and teach more. For more information, visit medicapture.com or contact sales@medicapture.com

For Media Inquiries:
Global Marketing Communications Department
marketing@medicapture.com 
MediCapture Inc. – All Rights Reserved 2026

ATFX Releases Q1 2026 Trader Magazine Spotlighting Policy Divergence and Global Market Volatility

HONG KONG, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ATFX has launched the latest edition of its Trader Magazine, offering a forward-looking market outlook for Q1 2026. Despite ongoing uncertainties and global tensions, the economy remains stable enough to inspire cautious optimism. With countries adopting different monetary policy approaches, traders should expect increased market fluctuations across bonds, currencies, and other asset classes.

Prepared by ATFX’s in-house market analysts, the magazine delivers a structured, research-driven framework for evaluating market opportunities across regions and asset classes, guiding traders through key insights and strategies.

What Traders Will Find in the Q1 2026 Edition

This Q1 2026 edition of ATFX Trader Magazine offers insights that guide traders in navigating macro uncertainty, translating it into practical market awareness and effective trading decisions. Inside, traders will find:

  • Clear frameworks to understand how policy divergence, economic data, and geopolitical risks impact short-term volatility
  • Asset class views across equities, FX, commodities, and indices, highlighting key themes and potential market reactions
  • Regional insights covering the U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, and emerging markets to assess relative opportunities
  • Risk scenarios and strategy ideas to support position management and volatility planning around major data releases

By delivering in-depth analysis and actionable trade ideas, this edition of ATFX Trader Magazine empowers traders to navigate the complexities of global markets with confidence. Download your copy here: ATFX Q1 2026 Trader Magazine

About ATFX

ATFX is a leading global fintech broker with a local presence in 24 locations and holds 9 licenses from regulatory authorities, including the UK’s FCA, Australia’s ASIC, Cyprus’ CySEC, the UAE’s SCA, Hong Kong’s SFC, South Africa’s FSCA, Mauritius’ FSC, Seychelles’ FSA, and Cambodia’s SERC. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, innovative technology, and strict regulatory compliance, ATFX delivers exceptional trading experiences to clients worldwide.

For further information on ATFX, please visit ATFX website https://www.atfx.com.

Yum China to Report Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results

SHANGHAI, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987, “Yum China” or the “Company”) today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 before the U.S. market opens on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (after the trading hours of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday, February 4, 2026).

Yum China’s management will hold an earnings conference call at 7:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Wednesday, February 4, 2026).

A live webcast of the call may be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/yzqfdybh.

To join by phone, please register in advance through the link provided below. Upon registering, you will be provided with participant dial-in numbers and a unique access PIN.

Pre-registration Link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI94a8d7c07e5f45f2823c62b0f012cf5f

A replay of the webcast will be available two hours after the event and will remain accessible until February 3, 2027. Earnings release accompanying slides will be available at the Company’s Investor Relations website http://ir.yumchina.com.  

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company operates over 17,000 restaurants under six brands across over 2,500 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. In addition, Yum China has also partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China. Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world’s most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com.

Investor Relations Contact
Tel: +86 21 2407 7556
E-mail: IR@yumchina.com 

Media Contact
Tel: +86 21 2407 3824
E-mail: Media@yumchina.com 

Gaw Capital Acquires Korea’s Leading Waste Management Firm Koentec as First Waste Management Infrastructure Investment


SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 January 2026 – Gaw Capital Partners, a leading multi-asset investment management firm, today announced that the firm has acquired a 100% stake in Korea Environmental Technology Co. Ltd. (Koentec”), a leading integrated waste management company in South Korea, for approximately US$500 million from E&F Private Equity and IS Dongseo. This marks Gaw Capital’s first investment in the waste management infrastructure sector, establishing a strategic foothold in Asia’s waste management industry.

KOENTEC's waste incineration and steam plant in Ulsan, Korea
KOENTEC’s waste incineration and steam plant in Ulsan, Korea

Koentec is the number one operator in waste incineration and steam production (by single-site capacity) with sizable landfill capacity in South Korea. Strategically located in the Ulsan Industrial Complex Zone, the country’s hub for automotive, shipbuilding, and petrochemical industries, Koentec operates a highly efficient, end-to-end waste management platform from a single site. The company boasts industry-leading EBITDA margins with significant potential for organic growth through capacity expansion and bolt-on acquisitions.

Founded in 1993 through a joint investment by 85 companies operating in the Ulsan/Mipo Industrial Complex, Koentec has established long-standing relationships with a roster of blue-chip customers. These relationships are anchored by B2B contracts, many of which span over 20 years.

This acquisition underscores Gaw Capital’s strategic commitment to expanding its presence in the infrastructure sector and leveraging Koentec’s strong market position to capitalize on future growth opportunities in the waste management industry in Korea and across Asia-Pacific.

Kenneth Gaw, President & Managing Principal at Gaw Capital Partners, said, “We are excited to see our first waste management infrastructure investment in Asia, a quality addition to our portfolio. Waste management is an essential public service with inelastic demand regardless of economic conditions, providing predictable revenue streams that appeal to institutional investors. This acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategy of diversifying the asset classes we invest in, reinforcing Gaw Capital’s position as a leading multi-asset investment manager. Korea is also a key focus market for our firm, and we continue to look for opportunities to expand our presence there.”

Hyun-Chan Cho, Head of Infrastructure and Head of Korea at Gaw Capital, said, “Koentec holds a strong position in the region, supported by attractive long-term growth potential and a robust financial profile. With high regulatory and capital barriers, proven private-sector operators play a critical role in Korea’s waste industry. We are pleased to invest in a business that advances the circular economy and provides carbon credits to its steam customers, and we look forward to growing the company in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders.”

Korea’s waste management industry is one of the most advanced in the world, with significant barriers to entry. Strict government oversight has resulted in a recycling rate of over 80% and a landfill diversion rate of over 90%, both ranking among the highest in OECD nations.

Hashtag: #GawCapital

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Gaw Capital Partners

Based in Asia, Gaw Capital Partners is a multi-asset investment management firm focusing on real estate, growth equity, private credit and infrastructure markets globally.

Since its inception in 2005, the firm has raised seven commingled funds targeting Asia Pacific, alongside value-add /opportunistic funds in the U.S., a Pan-Asia Hospitality Fund, a European Hospitality Fund, a Growth Equity Fund and a Credit Fund. It also manages credit strategies and separate account direct investments globally.

Gaw Capital has consistently generated high yields by revitalizing underperforming assets, enhancing value through creative financing solutions and leveraging deep expertise in capital allocation.

Since 2005, the firm has managed US$34.3 billion in assets and raised US$24.6 billion in equity as of Q3 2025.

Anytime Fitness Singapore’s Boldest Community Fitness Experience Yet

Battle of the Purple Champions marks a milestone celebration of movement, community, and the kampong spirit as the brand reaches 150 clubs islandwide

SINGAPORE, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This 31st January 2026, OCBC Square will turn purple as Anytime Fitness, the world’s largest 24-hour fitness brand, rallies Singapore to move together at its first-ever fitness festival: Battle of the Purple Champions (BOPC), powered by Skechers.


More than just a competition, BOPC is a celebration of the people and community that have powered Anytime Fitness’ growth to 150 clubs across Singapore. The one-day festival embodies the brand’s belief that fitness is better when experienced together, and reflects the kampong spirit that continues to unite members across neighbourhoods islandwide.

“With the opening of our 150th club, we wanted to celebrate how far we’ve come, and who we’ve built this for. Battle of the Purple Champions is our way of bringing that kampong spirit to life, uniting members and non-members alike through shared strength and purpose,” says Ryan Cheal, Group Chief Operating Officer of Inspire Brands Asia, Exclusive Master Franchisee of Anytime Fitness across Singapore.

Train For Your Life: Starting the Year with Purpose

Anchored in Anytime Fitness’ regional Train For Your Life campaign, BOPC invites everyone, from seasoned gym-goers to first-time movers to approach fitness with intention rather than perfection.

Designed as a powerful way to kickstart the new year, the festival encourages participants to build everyday resilience through consistency, connection, and enjoyment. Each challenge reflects real-life movements that support strength beyond the gym.

The Challenge: Four Stations, One Goal

Teams of four (2 Male & 2 Female) will tackle four functional stations inspired by real-life movement and teamwork:

  • Moving Day – Teamwork meets coordination as participants rearrange furniture to match a given layout.
  • Sandbag Shuffle – Lift, load and push sandbags on a “sled car” in perfect alignment.
  • Bike Race – All team members ride 2km each with added resistance, synchronising pace and power.
  • Champion’s Climb – A stair-climbing finale with kettlebells (16kg each for female and 24kg each for male) — the ultimate test of grit and unity.

Together, the stations bring the Train For Your Life philosophy to life where fitness that prepares you for every challenge, in and out of the gym.

Beyond the Arena

Besides just being a fitness festival, it is also a vibrant and family-friendly celebration designed for everyone. Whether you are cheering from the sidelines or pushing through the fitness stations, expect exciting carnival games and delicious bites to enjoy together. From the first whistle to the final cheer, there will be complimentary refreshments sponsored by Elite Supplements will be provided for participants and spectators all day long.

The festival grounds will also feature mini fitness stations, live demonstrations, and quick-hit challenges that invite spectators to get moving alongside competitors. A curated lineup of wellness and lifestyle vendors will offer wholesome bites, recovery experiences, and interactive “fitness-for-life” activities with prizes and giveaways. Among them, Elite Supplements will host a sampling booth where visitors can try three different flavours of its products, while at the Skechers booth, attendees will be able to check out the latest Skechers Aero collection for themselves and even win prizes on-site.

All participants and spectators who sign up for an Anytime Fitness membership on event day will enjoy a sure-win lucky draw, with prizes including a 1-year Anytime Fitness membership, a Nintendo Switch, or the latest iPhone 17.

Registration Opens from 24th November 2025

  • Team entry: $120 (per team of 4; 2 male & 2 females)
  • Early bird: $100 for the first 20 teams
  • Prizes: Prizes worth over $10,000 are up for grabs, including a cash pool of up to $7,000, along with 12-month memberships and sponsor rewards featuring Elite Supplements and Skechers. Top-performing teams will be rewarded with Elite Supplements products valued at $600 for first place, $400 for second place, and $200 for third place, while Skechers, the Official Footwear Partner, will outfit winners with four pairs of footwear for first place, performance T-shirts and bottoms for second place, and caps for third place.

Participants will receive a Champion Kit filled with goodies from sponsors – a BOPC-branded water bottle and towel, a limited-edition Comeback Apparel X BOPC tee, Elite Supplement’s samples, Skechers sponsored challenge tee, headband, socks and a commemorative medal.

Come for the challenge, stay for the community, and start the year stronger, together. Because when you Train For Your Life, every rep, every stride, every drop of sweat counts.

For more information, visit https://www.anytimefitness.sg/battle-of-the-purple-champions/ or follow @afsingapore_ on Instagram.

High-res images are available here.

-END-      

About Inspire Brands Asia

Headquartered in the Philippines & Singapore, Inspire Brands Asia (IBA) is a multi-award winning consortium of Anytime Fitness Asia’s top sub-master franchisees. IBA acquired the Master Franchisee licence to the nine countries and territories of Anytime Fitness in Asia in 2020 and has since then grown the network to over 550 Anytime Fitness clubs in Asia. From one gym to the largest regional network of franchisees, IBA began as a business opportunity that has since grown into a platform for changing lives.

For more information on Inspire Brands Asia and its various franchise opportunities, please visit https://www.inspirebrandsasia.com/ or email franchise@inspirebrandsasia.com.

About Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness is the largest and fastest-growing fitness brand in the world, averaging 300 new clubs per year while serving over 5 million members at almost 6,000 clubs in 42 countries and territories on all seven continents.

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Anytime Fitness delivers personalised and affordable health and wellness training, coaching, nutrition, and recovery guidance for our members – in the club, in their homes, in their pockets, wherever they are and anytime they need it. All franchised clubs are individually owned and operated, and members have access to any Anytime Fitness club worldwide. For more information, visit www.anytimefitness.com.

 

Shoucheng Holdings (0697.HK) Pioneers Investor-Led Livestream Commerce, Advancing End-to-End Commercialization of Its Robotics Ecosystem

HONG KONG, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the robotics industry accelerates its transition toward large-scale commercialization, Shoucheng Holdings (0697.HK) has announced another significant milestone in its robotics investment and ecosystem-building strategy. The Company disclosed that it will officially launch China’s first full-scenario livestream platform dedicated to robotics product sales — the “PoBiren (Barrier-Breaker) Initiative Livestream Studio” — at 19:50 on Sunday, January 18, simultaneously on Douyin and WeChat Video Channels.

The launch of this platform marks a key step in Shoucheng Holdings’ efforts to accelerate the integration of online and offline sales channels across the robotics value chain, from R&D and manufacturing to end-user consumption. Through an innovative “robotics + commerce” model, the Company aims to facilitate the transition of robotics products from primarily industry-level applications toward broader mass-market adoption, offering a new commercialization pathway for the robotics sector.

Building China’s First Sales-Oriented Robotics Livestream Platform and a “Showcase–Transaction–Delivery” Closed Loop

According to the Company, the PoBiren Initiative Livestream Studio is not a conventional brand-promotion or content-driven livestream. Instead, it is a robotics-focused livestream platform designed with product sales and transaction conversion as its core objective. The platform will bring together multiple robotics ecosystem companies, including Unitree Robotics, Noetix Robotics, DEEP Robotics, and Differential Robotics, enabling a one-stop closed loop covering product demonstrations, interactive engagement, real-time ordering, and sales conversion.

Unlike traditional livestream commerce models, which often emphasize promotional messaging and short-term sales tactics, the PoBiren Initiative adopts an investor-perspective narrative. Through in-depth discussions of industry trends and portfolio companies’ strategic positioning, the livestream not only showcases product features, but also explores the underlying technological innovation, brand philosophy, and long-term development roadmaps of the participating companies.

By integrating industry analysis with product presentation, this format allows viewers to gain insight into both the functional value of robotics products and the competitive positioning of the companies behind them. Compared with conventional livestream selling, the approach places greater emphasis on industry depth and brand value communication, providing robotics companies with a more effective and credible channel to engage directly with consumers.

Industry participants generally view this model favorably, noting that it has the potential to enhance brand recognition for portfolio companies, improve market conversion efficiency, and accelerate the transition from industrial deployment to broader market acceptance. The model may also set a new benchmark for marketing and communications within the robotics sector and beyond.

Building an Agent Network of Nearly 100 Robotics Companies to Enable Ecosystem-Level Commercialization

Beyond capital investment, Shoucheng Holdings has been actively expanding its ecosystem-level commercialization infrastructure. The Company has established an agent network covering approximately 100 robotics companies, providing portfolio enterprises with integrated support across production-sales coordination, channel expansion, and order generation, thereby facilitating faster market entry and real-world deployment.

This agent network functions not only as a commercialization channel, but also as an extension of the Company’s investment strategy. By leveraging the network to generate early demand signals and collect real-time market feedback, Shoucheng Holdings enables portfolio companies to refine and iterate their products based on practical deployment data, supporting rapid ecosystem growth.

Robotics Investment Portfolio Delivers Breakthrough Returns as Flagship Projects Achieve Strong Performance

Shoucheng Holdings’ robotics investment portfolio has delivered notable results. One of the most prominent examples is Variable Robotics, an embodied-intelligence company that recently completed an approximately RMB 1 billion Series A++ financing round. Based on the valuation achieved in this round, funds affiliated with Shoucheng Holdings that invested at an early stage have reportedly realized investment returns exceeding 10x, underscoring the Company’s strong execution and forward-looking judgment in frontier technology investments.

In addition, Shoucheng Holdings’ robotics portfolio includes other core enterprises such as Unitree Robotics and Galaxy General, many of which continue to advance both technological development and capital-market readiness. According to public reports, certain portfolio companies have entered IPO tutoring stages or have established leading positions within their respective robotics sub-sectors.

The growth of these enterprises not only supports technological breakthroughs within the industry, but also contributes tangible and scalable value to Shoucheng Holdings’ investment portfolio.

Beyond individual success stories, the Company’s overall robotics investment portfolio has achieved significant aggregate returns. According to Kang Yu, Company Secretary of Shoucheng Holdings, the portfolio’s book return in the robotics sector has exceeded 4x, a particularly notable achievement amid heightened valuation volatility in the private equity market.

Public analysis suggests that such performance is not coincidental, but rather the result of a systematic investment strategy focused on selective exposure to high-quality enterprises. Shoucheng Holdings’ investments span multiple key segments of the robotics industry, from hardware manufacturing and intelligent systems to service and industrial applications. This multi-dimensional布局 enables portfolio companies to collaborate and reinforce one another, maximizing overall portfolio value creation.

From Investor to Ecosystem Builder: Shoucheng Holdings’ Long-Term Strategic Path

Shoucheng Holdings’ long-term commitment to the robotics sector extends well beyond financial investment. The Company emphasizes a coordinated model integrating capital, application scenarios, and ecosystem development. On one hand, it continues to deploy industrial funds to invest in companies with core technologies and strong growth potential; on the other, it provides portfolio companies with access to real enterprise-level application scenarios and commercialization validation through its agent network and proprietary resources.

This end-to-end support model — spanning capital deployment to real-world implementation — enables a tighter alignment between capital and technology, and between technological innovation and market demand, thereby facilitating faster value realization and more sustainable growth.

As robotics technologies continue to penetrate industrial automation, service applications, and smart-city scenarios, the sector is entering a more mature phase of commercialization. Against this backdrop, Shoucheng Holdings’ sustained execution and tangible results position the Company as a key participant in the evolving robotics value chain. Looking ahead, as livestream initiatives roll out, portfolio companies scale commercialization, and capital markets reassess high-quality technology assets, Shoucheng Holdings is well-positioned to unlock further value from its robotics ecosystem.

AMPLIFON IS A GLOBAL TOP EMPLOYER 2026

Only 17 companies worldwide have earned this recognition for their human resources management practices in 2026. Certification obtained for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region, together with confirmation in Europe, North America, and Latin America. Switzerland, India, China, and Singapore were also certified for the first time

MILAN, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Amplifon, the global leader in hearing care services and solutions, is one of 17 companies worldwide certified as a Global Top Employer in 2026, as well as the only company in the hearing care sector to obtain this international recognition for good practices in human resources management and the workplace.

The novelty for 2026, along with global recognition, is the certification in the Asia-Pacific region, which adds to those obtained in previous years in Europe, North America, and Latin America. As for individual countries, this year Amplifon is also a Top Employer in China, India, Singapore, and Switzerland. The company is certified in a total of 20 countries. These include Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, Canada, Panama, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, New Zealand and Australia. This is the sixth consecutive year that Amplifon has obtained Top Employer certification.

“This important recognition – comments Enrico Vita, Amplifon CEO – rewards our company’s continuous commitment to people development, our consistency with our values, and our ability to translate them into our mission every day: improving the quality of life of our customers. The Top Employer certification represents a significant milestone in a long-term journey and, at the same time, an incentive for us to continue striving to do even better”.

We are extremely proud to be the first Italian company to achieve this important recognition on a global scale – says Giovanni Buonajuto, Chief HR Officer at Amplifon – which makes us a global benchmark in attracting and developing talent. This certification is testament to our ongoing commitment to the development and growth of our employees and to an organizational environment characterized by a strong human dimension that encourages the exchange and generation of ideas.

The Amplifon group currently employs over 20,000 people in 26 countries and five continents, representing over 100 different nationalities. The average age of the group’s employees and collaborators is under 40, and more than 70% of the company’s workforce is women. Each year, the company provides each of its employees with an average of at least three days of training.

Top Employer is the official recognition of corporate excellence in policies and strategies in HR development and workplace improvement. The program, created by the Top Employers Institute, the global organization that identifies excellence in human resources management, ranked and certified more than 2,400 companies in 125 countries in 2025. Only the companies that meet the highest standards in six macro areas (people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, training, diversity and inclusion, well-being) can access certification.

Amplifon
Amplifon, the global leader in the retail hearing care market, makes it possible to rediscover all the emotions of sound. All of Amplifon’s more than 20,000 employees worldwide are committed every day to understanding the unique needs of each customer, offering exclusive, innovative, and highly personalized products and services to ensure the best solution and an extraordinary experience for everyone. The Group, with annual revenues of over €2.4 billion, operates through a network of more than 10,000 specialized centers in 26 countries and 5 continents. For more information about the Group: https://corporate.amplifon.com

 

Sinkhole Prompts Evacuation of 38 Households in Vientiane, Four Still Missing

Four people remain missing after a sinkhole collapsed in Thongmang Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital, on 2 January. (Photo credit: Ministry of Industry and COmmerce)

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered the immediate evacuation of 38 households from high-risk areas of Thongmang village in Xaythany district, Vientiane, following a deadly sinkhole collapse earlier this month.

The order followed inspection by Vice Minister Chansaweng Bounyong. He visited the affected area after a sinkhole opened on 2 January. Authorities described the evacuation as a precautionary measure to protect residents from further ground subsidence, warning that moderate-risk zones could experience additional collapses.

The 2 January incident marked the fifth sinkhole in the area since May 2025 and the first to result in four people missing. Rescue teams and technical experts have been unable to descend into the sinkhole due to its depth and ongoing safety concerns. 

Concerns intensified on 11 January when a sixth sinkhole emerged in the same location as the first collapse from 4 May 2025, followed by incidents on 14 September, 23 October, and 30 October 2025.

Temporary shelters have been arranged for evacuated families who do not have permanent housing elsewhere. Officials noted that most of the affected residents only stay in the area seasonally, as the land is primarily used for agricultural land, while their main homes are located in safer parts of the village.

Officials linked the sinkholes to underground potash salt extraction and tunnel construction by a nearby company. The government ordered the company to halt operations in July 2025, and since May 2025, the firm has implemented ground stabilization measures under official supervision.

Authorities have extended condolences to the families of the missing individuals and provided financial assistance for funeral arrangements. Experts and local officials continue monitoring the site and investigating the causes.