27.3 C
Vientiane
Friday, July 18, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 1047

AstraZeneca achieves top rankings as Best Place to Work across North Africa and Levant in 2024


DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 January 2025 – AstraZeneca, a leading multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, has been recognized as the second-best place to work across the Middle East for 2024 according to the annual prestigious “Best Places to Work” ranking.

The company achieved remarkable country-specific ranking in the Best Places to Work certification, including being named the Best Place to Work for Women and the Best Place to Work for Millennials in select markets.

AstraZeneca took the top spot in Iraq, Algeria, and Lebanon, while securing second place in Morocco and Tunisia. In Jordan, the company earned the third position. Last year, AstraZeneca ranked second across the Middle East, demonstrating sustained recognition of its workplace culture and reinforcing its position as an employer of choice in the region.

In a statement from Rami Scandar, Near East & Maghreb Country President, he said: “It brings me immense pride and gratitude to witness the remarkable achievements that AZ NEMAG consistently attains. With the recent announcement of our rankings as the best places to work, I am delighted to share that we have secured the 1st and 2nd positions in the Middle East. This outstanding accomplishment is a true testament to your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence.”

Heba El Shabrawy, HR Director for AstraZeneca Near East & Maghreb commented on this achievement “Despite the numerous challenges that NEMAG has consistently faced, we continue to be amazed by the incredible talents, commitment, and passion demonstrated by our team members. The achievement of securing the first and second rankings in all our participating markets is a true testament to the remarkable strides we have made over the past year. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your hard work and perseverance.”

AstraZeneca Near East & Maghreb has consistently demonstrated its commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture, earning the prestigious Best Place to Work certification for several consecutive years. This achievement reflects the company’s dedication to creating an environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and motivated to excel.AstraZeneca Near East & Maghreb excels by prioritizing well-being, growth, and diversity.

For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit www.astrazeneca.com.

For more information about Best Places to Work certification program, visit www.bestplacestowork.org.

Hashtag: #BestPlacesToWork

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

IBM and Palo Alto Networks Find Platformization is Key to Reduce Cybersecurity Complexity

Global survey reveals 75% of surveyed organizations pursuing a consolidated approach to security agree better integration across security, hybrid cloud, AI and other technology platforms is crucial

ARMONK, N.Y. and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — New global research from the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value (IBV) and Palo Alto Networks® (NASDAQ: PANW), found that surveyed organizations are facing security complexity challenges as they juggle an average of 83 different security solutions from 29 vendors. It also shows 7 out of 10 surveyed companies with a high degree of security platformization report their cybersecurity investments have helped business outcomes such as operational efficiencies and revenue generation.

In the study, “Capturing the cybersecurity dividend: How security platforms generate business value,” more than half (52%) of surveyed executives note fragmentation of security solutions is limiting their ability to deal with cyber threats, but 75% of organizations that have embraced security platformization agree that better integration across security, hybrid cloud, AI, and other technology platforms is crucial. The analysis suggests the trend of adding more solutions to combat evolving security threats is contributing to inefficiency – impacting both performance and the bottom line – while moving to a platformized security approach can help businesses achieve reduced response times and costs without sacrificing security efficacy.

Cybersecurity Complexity is a Daunting Reality
Increased digital interconnectedness expands attack surfaces and can create new cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated and harder to defend against, while AI is being used by both defenders and attackers, creating a race in cybersecurity capabilities.

In an evolving threat landscape, surveyed executives estimate security fragmentation and complexity costs their organizations an average of 5% of their annual revenue. For a $20 billion annual revenue company, that’s a $1 billion cost to the business in aggregate. Tally the costs of security incidents, lost productivity, failed digital transformations, stalled AI initiatives, loss of customer trust and reputational damage and the numbers add up.

“Organizations continue to be challenged with updating their security posture to address new threats, while simultaneously being pressed to reduce complexity and decrease spend,” said Mark Hughes, Global Managing Partner for Cybersecurity Services, IBM. “Security executives need to enable innovation, protect assets and derive value from their cybersecurity investments to help their organizations thrive and further their business goals.”

“We have seen the positive impacts of adopting a platformized approach to security, and the benefits it delivers to organizations. In today’s AI-fueled world, strong partnerships are more essential than ever,” said Karim Temsamani, President, Next Generation Security, Palo Alto Networks. “IBM and Palo Alto Networks are aligned on a common vision of creating better outcomes for our customers – whether in value, operational, or security…and platformization accomplishes all of them. This isn’t just about improving fragmentation today, it’s about enabling better outcomes for the future.”

Key insights from surveyed business leaders:

  • 52% of executives say complexity is the biggest impediment to their cybersecurity operations;
  • 80% agree they face pressure to reduce the cost of security, and 41% say security fragmentation has driven up procurement costs;
  • 4 out of 5 non-platform organizations say their security operations cannot effectively deal with the sheer quantity of threats and attacks;
  • 80% of platformization adopters say they have full visibility into potential vulnerabilities and threats; and,
  • For platformized organizations, mean time to identify (MTTI) and mean time to contain (MTTC) security incidents are shorter by an average of 72 and 84 days, respectively.

Enhancing Businesses with Platformization: Unleashing the Power of Digital Transformation
In today’s world, the research finds effective security requires platformization. Consolidating multiple tools into a unified platform not only bolsters security posture but enables organizations to experience nearly 4 times better return on investment (ROI) from their cybersecurity investments, leading to revenue generation and increased operational efficiencies.

When it comes to AI, a platform approach can also enable an organization to better ingest and analyze data to deliver actionable insights. With 90% of surveyed executives expecting to scale, optimize, or innovate with AI within the next two years, integrating AI into their platforms can play a critical role in advancing their security preparedness. For example, accelerating adoption of agentic AI for security and tapping platformization for fewer investment cycles; or, using platformization to create the common governance needed to deliver the AI capabilities shaping the future.

By adopting a platformization approach, businesses can align technologies, drive innovation, and prioritize security as a core business requirement. Through IBM and Palo Alto Networks’ strategic partnership, the companies are bringing together leading security platforms, AI, and transformation capabilities to help organizations confidently navigate their digital transformation journey, achieve their desired outcomes and drive substantial business value.

Tips for Platformization Success

  • Choose partners that streamline your security mission and trim those that don’t. Critically evaluate current and potential technology, services, and support partners, and make hard decisions about where to double down and when to part ways.
  • Run your playbook. Stage incident response drills to assess where a unified platform can deliver the greatest impact. Take action to improve your incident response capabilities.
  • Help your business get prepared to respond to threats by putting it to the test. Visit a cyber range to prepare business and technical teams to address the latest cyber threats through an immersive, organization-wide business-focused engagement. IBM and Palo Alto Networks now provide a joint Cyber Range experience in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where clients can leverage the facility to support continuous improvement, training, and change management as they transform their security operating models with platformization.

Additional Resources:

Study Methodology
This IBM Institute of Business Value (IBV) research, conducted in collaboration with Oxford Economics and published in partnership with Palo Alto Networks, surveyed 1,000 executives across 21 industries and 18 countries from July through September 2024. The IBM IBV team then analyzed insights and data from respondents to facilitate the creation of a “platformization index,” which measures the extent to which an organization has moved toward security platformization, then used that index to ascertain the relationship between security platformization and security and business outcomes.

The IBM IBV, IBM’s thought leadership think tank, combines global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: www.ibm.com/ibv.

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit ibm.com for more information.

About Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks is the global cybersecurity leader, committed to making each day safer than the one before with industry-leading, AI-powered solutions in network security, cloud security and security operations. Powered by Precision AI, our technologies deliver precise threat detection and swift response, minimizing false positives and enhancing security effectiveness. Our platformization approach integrates diverse security solutions into a unified, scalable platform, streamlining management and providing operational efficiencies with comprehensive protection. From defending network perimeters to safeguarding cloud environments and ensuring rapid incident response, Palo Alto Networks empowers businesses to achieve Zero Trust security and confidently embrace digital transformation in an ever-evolving threat landscape. This unwavering commitment to security and innovation makes us the cybersecurity partner of choice.

At Palo Alto Networks, we’re committed to bringing together the very best people in service of our mission, so we’re also proud to be the cybersecurity workplace of choice, recognized among Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces (2021-2024), with a score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index (2024, 2023, 2022), and HRC Best Places for LGBTQ+ Equality (2022). For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.

Media Contacts:
Joel Rushing, IBM
Joel.Rushing@ibm.com

Nicole Hockin, Palo Alto Networks
nhockin@paloaltonetworks.com 

 

 

Lichen China Limited to Integrate DeepSeek Optimization into Its Financial and Taxation AI Model

XIAMEN, China, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lichen China Limited (the “Company” or “Lichen China”) (NASDAQ: LICN), a leading provider of financial and taxation services in China, today announced its plans to integrate the DeepSeek optimization framework into its existing Lichen Financial and Taxation AI Model. This integration is expected to significantly enhance the AI’s capabilities in handling complex financial and taxation tasks, offering more efficient and accurate solutions to its users.

The DeepSeek optimization framework, known for its advanced multi-modal generation, efficient computation, and long-context processing capabilities, will be integrated into Lichen China’s AI architecture to improve its performance in various financial and taxation scenarios. The integration is scheduled to be completed by the end of Q2 2025, with a trial phase set to begin in early March 2025.

Mr. Li Ya, Chairman of Lichen China, commented, “The integration of DeepSeek into our AI Model marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing cutting-edge financial and taxation solutions. With DeepSeek’s advanced capabilities, our AI Model will be able to handle multi-modal data inputs, such as text, images, and audio, making it easier for financial professionals to process complex documents like invoices, contracts, and financial statements. This will not only improve the efficiency of financial operations but also enhance the accuracy and reliability of our AI-generated outputs.”

**Key Benefits of DeepSeek Integration:**

  1. **Multi-Modal Support**: DeepSeek’s ability to process and generate text, images, and audio will enable the Lichen AI Model to handle a wider range of financial documents, improving data extraction and analysis capabilities.
  2. **Efficient Computation**: By leveraging DeepSeek’s sparse attention mechanisms and dynamic computation paths, the AI Model will achieve faster response times and reduced resource consumption, making it more cost-effective to deploy.
  3. **Long-Context Processing**: DeepSeek’s hierarchical attention mechanisms will enhance the AI’s ability to process long documents and complex queries, which is particularly beneficial in the financial and taxation sectors where lengthy reports and regulations are common.
  4. **Adaptive Learning**: The integration will allow the AI Model to dynamically adjust its evaluation criteria based on user feedback, ensuring continuous improvement in output quality.
  5. **Enhanced Security**: DeepSeek’s safety alignment technology will ensure that the AI Model’s outputs are reliable and secure, meeting the high standards required in financial and taxation applications.

About Lichen China Limited

Lichen China Limited is a leading provider of financial and taxation solutions, offering a range of services including financial consulting, tax planning, and software solutions under its “Lichen” brand. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, the Company has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses seeking professional and high-quality financial services. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://ir.lichenzx.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and trends that may affect the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. While the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

For more information, please contact:

Tian Sun
Phone: +86-0592-5586999
Email: ir@lichenzx.com

ZK International Group Co., Ltd. Announces Shareholder Call to Discuss Upcoming News and Strategic Growth Plans

WENZHOU, China, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ZK International Group Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: ZKIN) (“ZK International” or the “Company”), a leader in high-performance stainless steel and carbon steel pipe solutions, is excited to invite its shareholders and interested parties to a special conference call to discuss the Company’s latest achievements, major upcoming news, and strategic growth plans for the future.

After achieving an astounding 405% increase in gross profit, reaching revenues of $108.20 Million, and significantly reducing net losses by 95.44% all during its for Fiscal Year of 2024, ZK International is now looking ahead to an even brighter future. The shareholder call will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about the Company’s recent milestones and upcoming initiatives that are poised to strengthen its market position and drive shareholder value.

Details of the Shareholder Call:

Why Attend? During the call, ZK International’s leadership team will:

  • Provide insights into the Company’s financial performance and the impact of recent strategic initiatives.
  • Share details about big announcements and innovative projects underway.
  • Discuss ZK International’s long-term vision and its commitment to creating value for shareholders through diversification, operational improvements, and new market opportunities.

Chairman’s Perspective: Jiancong Huang, Chairman of ZK International, commented: “2024 was a transformative year for ZK International, and we are entering 2025 with great momentum. This call will allow us to engage directly with our shareholders and provide clarity on the exciting path ahead. With new projects in the pipeline and significant growth opportunities on the horizon, we believe ZK International is uniquely positioned to deliver substantial returns for our shareholders.”

How to Join: Shareholders and interested participants are encouraged to join this important call. Registration details and a full agenda will be provided on the Company’s website at www.ZKInternationalGroup.com.

ZK International remains committed to transparency, innovation, and fostering strong relationships with its shareholders. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from the Company’s leadership about the exciting developments shaping ZK International’s future.

For more information about ZK International, visit www.ZKInternationalGroup.com or follow the Company on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Weibo.

About ZK International Group Co., Ltd.

ZK International Group Co., Ltd. is a China-based designer, engineer, manufacturer, and supplier of patented high-performance stainless steel and carbon steel pipe products that require sophisticated water or gas pipeline systems. The Company has delivered stainless steel pipelines for over 2,000 projects, including notable landmarks like the Beijing National Airport, the Water Cube, and the Bird’s Nest Olympic venues.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate” or “continue” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of ZK International.  Actual results may differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties, as well as other risk factors that are included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although ZK International believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in forward-looking statements will be realized.  In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by ZK International or any other person that their objectives or plans will be achieved. ZK International does not undertake any obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Altair and Cranfield University Sign MoU to Advance Use of Simulation, Data Analytics, and AI

Altair solutions help students and startups pioneer next-generation advancements in aerospace and robotics

TROY, Mich., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Altair (Nasdaq: ALTR), a global leader in computational intelligence, and U.K.-based Cranfield University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore and expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI), simulation, and data analytics within the aerospace and robotics industries. The organizations will also support students, researchers, and startups looking to harness the power of computational intelligence within these industries.

Altair and Cranfield University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore and expand the use of AI, simulation, and data analytics within the aerospace and robotics industries.
Altair and Cranfield University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore and expand the use of AI, simulation, and data analytics within the aerospace and robotics industries.

“Cranfield University is a proven leader and innovator in aerospace and beyond,” said Pietro Cervellera, senior vice president of aerospace and defense, Altair. “This MoU is just the first step in developing new breakthroughs and helping organizations of all kinds explore the immense power of simulation, data analytics, and AI within aerospace.”

“We’re looking forward to working together with Altair to identify ways we can integrate technologies to support students and their research projects, and accelerate startups already working with Cranfield,” said professor Antonios Tsourdos, director of AI, robotics, and space, Cranfield University. “We anticipate great things from our joint efforts and are delighted to work with Altair experts to drive next-generation aerospace innovation.”

The agreement comes at a time when the convergence of AI, machine learning, data analytics, and simulation is increasingly pivotal in developing new innovations in areas like autonomous space exploration, Earth observation, telecommunications, and defense.

Cranfield University is a leading global university and has world-renowned expertise in aerospace research and innovation. It is the only university in Europe with its own airport and runway and is the U.K.’s largest provider of accredited aerospace and space master’s degree courses.

To learn more about Altair’s aerospace capabilities, visit https://altair.com/altair-rapidminer. To learn more about Cranfield University, visit https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/.

About Cranfield University
Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university with globally renowned expertise in science, technology, engineering and management. We deliver applied research that has real-world impact – 88% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021). For more information, visit www.cranfield.ac.uk.

About Altair
Altair is a global leader in computational intelligence that provides software and cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and AI. Altair enables organizations across all industries to compete more effectively and drive smarter decisions in an increasingly connected world – all while creating a greener, more sustainable future. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.

Media contacts

Altair Corporate                                             

Altair Investor Relations

Bridget Hagan                                                 

Stephen Palmtag

+1.216.769.2658                                           

+1.669.328.9111

corp-newsroom@altair.com                   

ir@altair.com

Altair Europe/The Middle East/Africa   

Altair Asia-Pacific

Louise Wilce                                                     

Man Wang

+44 (0)7392 437 635

86-21-5016635,,825

emea-newsroom@altair.com                   

apac-newsroom@altair.com

Cranfield University

Kath Middleditch

+44 (0) 1234 754 594

kath.middleditch@cranfield.ac.uk

 

 

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, Recognized as an Innovator on the TIME100 Climate 2024 List

KITCHENER, ON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Canadian Solar Inc. (the “Company” or “Canadian Solar”) (NASDAQ: CSIQ), a global leader in solar power and renewable energy solutions, is pleased to announce that its Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Dr. Shawn Qu, has been named an Innovator on the prestigious TIME100 Climate 2024 list. This recognition celebrates his outstanding contributions to the renewable energy sector and his leadership in advancing solar and energy storage solutions worldwide.

The TIME100 Climate 2024 list recognizes 100 influential leaders who are driving successful and equitable climate solutions. This year’s honorees were selected based on measurable and scalable achievements, with an emphasis on recent action. Prominent figures on the list include Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank; Bill Gates, Founder of Breakthrough Energy and TerraPower; and Jennifer Granholm, former U.S. Secretary of Energy.

Since founding Canadian Solar in 2001, Dr. Qu has grown the company from a small startup into a global leader in solar and energy storage. Operating in 23 countries, Canadian Solar has delivered more than 142 GW of solar modules and 8 GWh of battery energy storage solutions worldwide.

This honor from TIME Magazine follows Newsweek naming Canadian Solar the World’s Most Trustworthy Company in the Energy and Utilities sector, a global ranking which underscores Canadian Solar’s commitment to transparency, reliability, and sustainability.

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, commented, “I am overwhelmed and deeply honored by the recognitions from TIME and Newsweek. Today’s Canadian Solar is more than just a climate company. We are a comprehensive energy solutions provider, leveraging cutting-edge solar, lithium battery energy storage, and even wind power when needed to meet the world’s evolving energy demands.”

For the full TIME100 Climate 2024 list, visit the TIME website here.

About Canadian Solar Inc.
Canadian Solar is one of the world’s largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Ontario, Canada, the Company is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules; provider of solar energy and battery energy storage solutions; and developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale solar power and battery energy storage projects. Over the past 23 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered around 142 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Through its subsidiary e-STORAGE, Canadian Solar has shipped over 8 GWh of battery energy storage solutions to global markets as of September 30, 2024, boasting a US$3.2 billion contracted backlog as of November 30, 2024. Since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built, and connected approximately 11 GWp of solar power projects and 3.7 GWh of battery energy storage projects globally. Its geographically diversified project development pipeline includes 26 GWp of solar and 66 GWh of battery energy storage capacity in various stages of development. Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, having been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit www.canadiansolar.com.

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are made under the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by such terms as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general business, regulatory and economic conditions and the state of the solar power and battery energy storage market and industry; geopolitical tensions and conflicts, including impasses, sanctions and export controls; volatility, uncertainty, delays and disruptions related to global pandemics; supply chain disruptions; governmental support for the deployment of solar power and battery energy storage; future available supplies of silicon, solar wafers and lithium cells; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand from major markets such as China, the U.S., Europe, Brazil and Japan; changes in effective tax rates; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; changes in corporate responsibility, especially environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) requirements; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in or failure to timely adjust average selling prices; delays in new product introduction; delays in utility-scale project approval process; delays in utility-scale project construction; delays in the completion of project sales; the pipeline of projects and timelines related to them; the ability of the parties to optimize value of that pipeline; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features that customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange and inflation rate fluctuations; litigation and other risks as described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 26, 2024. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today’s date, unless otherwise stated, and Canadian Solar undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

CANADIAN SOLAR INC. INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT
Wina Huang
Investor Relations Canadian Solar Inc.
investor@canadiansolar.com

Vodafone Egypt secures top spot in the Best Places to Work for Women ranking list for 2024


CAIRO, EGYPT – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 January 2025 – Vodafone Egypt has been named the #1 Best Place to Work for Women, a prestigious recognition celebrating the company’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplace for women. This achievement underscores Vodafone Egypt’s leadership in creating a culture where diversity thrives, and female employees can excel both personally and professionally.

The Best Places to Work for Women ranking is based on a rigorous evaluation of workplace practices, policies, and initiatives designed to empower women. Vodafone Egypt’s top position is a testament to its forward-thinking programs, including mentorship opportunities, leadership development, flexible working arrangements, and initiatives aimed at addressing gender equity across all levels of the organization.

Vodafone Egypt has been at the forefront of advocating for gender equality, launching initiatives such as & not limited to:

  • Parental Leave Policies: Vodafone Egypt’s industry-leading parental leave program provides equal opportunities for both mothers and fathers, supporting families and enabling career progression.
  • Leadership Development: Targeted programs to mentor and advance women into leadership positions, ensuring representation at the highest levels.
  • Supportive Culture: A workplace environment that actively champions diversity and inclusion through employee resource groups, training, and regular engagement.

In a statement, Nagla Kinawi, Vodafone Egypt’s Human Resources Director, said: “We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious award, which stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to empowering women and supporting their professional aspirations. This recognition underscores our dedication to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive environment.

This accomplishment reflects our vision of cultivating a workplace that empowers women to drive change, inspire creativity, and pursue excellence daily. It directly contributes to our success and long-term sustainability. This recognition is the result of various innovative initiatives and programs designed to empower women, which have had a profound and lasting impact, significantly enhancing satisfaction levels among our female employees.”

As a leading company in Egypt, with localized efforts to promote diversity and gender equality within the communities it serves. This recognition is a milestone in the company’s broader mission to champion equality and inclusivity across all areas of its operations.

For more information about the certification and ranking process, please visit www.bestplacestoworkfor.org
Hashtag: #BestPlacesToWork

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

Mastery Made Easy – HIKMICRO Packs Next Generation Thermal Technology into One Hand with New FALCON 2.0 & CONDOR LRF 2.0

HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pioneering optics manufacturer HIKMICRO set a new standard for thermal hunting with the launch of the FALCON 2.0 and CONDOR LRF 2.0 thermal monoculars at JAGD & HUND Dortmund 2025. The hunting showcase, in Germany’s Messe Dortmund from Tuesday 28th January to Sunday 2nd February, is the perfect place for the world-leading optics brand to reveal these two groundbreaking devices and share their “Mastery Made Easy” ethos with the shooting community.


Mastery Made Easy – FALCON 2.0 & CONDOR 2.0 Launch

HIKMICRO has been focusing on one-handed operation over the past year and the team’s uncompromising pursuit of excellence has culminated in these two remarkable products. These devices reaffirm HIKMICRO’s commitment to “Continually Make Crafted Confidence” for hunters by pushing the boundaries of technological performance while respecting traditional hunting values and expert craftsmanship.

HIKMICRO R&D expert Mr. Wang said: “We have made comprehensive improvements to the FALCON and CONDOR models with “Mastery Performance” and “One-handed, easy operation” functions. These advancements have been made while maintaining high image quality to provide the most comfortable observation, with enhancements in usability delivering a simplified and intuitive operating experience.”

Continuously Making Crafted Confidence – Reinforcing Commitment to Best Hunting Experience

HIKMICRO conducted meticulous market and audience research for these new products. HIKMICRO’s Product R&D team insists that user-centered innovation can overcome all challenges and that truly innovative products not only contain technological breakthroughs but do so in meaningful ways. Working together brings the “Mastery” to thermal products to significantly improve users’ hunting experience.

The strive for excellence entails deconstruction and careful analysis, countless tests, factory experiments, industrial design drafts and proofing demonstrations. Final testing then sees products sent to professional hunters for the ultimate test in demanding real-life scenarios.

The FALCON 2.0 and CONDOR LRF 2.0 are born from this extensive R&D. Perfecting the product before taking it to market provides hunters with Continuous Crafted Confidence.

Mastery Made Easy – Boosting Image Quality and Usability for Hunters

HIKMICRO’s two new handheld thermal products – FALCON 2.0 and CONDOR LRF 2.0 – both take “Mastery Made Easy” as their core ethos. This comprises Mastery level image quality and a key upgrade for one-handed operation. The main difference between the two products is the positioning of the laser rangefinder module and their ergonomic design.

The compact CONDOR LRF 2.0 series is equipped with integral laser rangefinder and is sculpted to cradle the hand. FALCON 2.0 is traditionally styled with the classic cylindrical shape and the FQ50L 2.0 model boasts LRF module in-lens design. Both share Mastery performance and simple one-handed operation, reflecting HIKMICRO’s devotion to providing a more precise, faster and easier way to immerse hunters in observing the mystery of the night.

Mastery Performance

Image quality is vital for hunters who need to effectively spot and quickly identify their quarry with absolute confidence. CONDOR LRF 2.0 and FALCON 2.0 thermal monoculars feature higher performance and more sensitive 15mK thermal detector to capture tiny temperature differences. This provides the richest image details on the 0.49” display to accurately depict the most intricate hunting scenes. Animals are shown in the finest detail, right down to every hair. The result is easy location and recognition of target species in all weather conditions and environments.

Precise shot placement is an essential requirement for safe, humane hunting. Laser rangefinder function removes guesswork by giving the hunter precise distance readings at the press of a button. Both devices can precisely determine range up to 1000m (±1m) and also display horizontal data. This enables hunters to always keep shots right on target.

Image freeze has been an irritation to hunters – but not anymore. CONDOR LRF 2.0 and FALCON 2.0 eliminate this problem with HIKMICRO’s Shutterless Image System (HSIS). The annoying countdown will no longer interrupt the hunt – viewing is smooth and continuous as HSIS delivers fluid observation. The detector continuously learns the background images to avoid image loss, so hunters are free to enjoy seamless visual immersion.

HIKMICRO has strived to ensure hunts are never cut short by a low battery. These devices boast an optimised 21700 battery for operation time of over 6 hours. Replaceable batteries can quickly be swapped to maintain power for non-stop operation. An ordinary power bank with Type-C connection can also be used as an external power supply. This flexible system facilities the longest hunting trips.

The mastery performance goes far beyond the product itself. The connection with the Sight App provides users with more operational possibilities, including live-viewing, browsing & saving captured images and videos, sharing with friends, product upgrades, tracking after-sales information, and more. This allows you to experience not only CONDOR LRF 2.0 & FALCON 2.0’s impressive capabilities but also the enhanced connectivity in hunting community and personalized after-sales service supported by the HIKMICRO Sight App.

One-handed Operation

The newly introduced rear focus wheel and inline button arrangement ensure intuitive operation for hunters of all ages, while thoughtful design facilitates easy transitions between both hands during the changing stages of the hunt.

Focusing of the CONDOR LRF 2.0 and FALCON 2.0 is easily done with one finger. The rear focus wheel is within easy reach so hunters can quickly adjust focus between nearby and distant animals. This easy operation gives an unrivalled observation experience without distraction or delay.

Button components have been simplified and feature easily distinguishable up and down arrows to help hunters quickly locate their position – even in complete darkness. The power button is positioned aside to avoid accidental touch, and the silent buttons won’t frighten wary animals.

Hunters are always on the move, but their devices are not always in hand. With multiple carrying options (neck strap, wrist lanyard and monocular carrying bag) hunters can choose the most convenient method, ensuring their hunting partner is always close by and ready for action.

Careful design makes for comfortable operation and reduced fatigue whichever hand you use. The compact and easy-to-grasp profile of the HIKMICRO CONDOR LRF 2.0 perfectly fits the curvature of the hand while the FALCON 2.0 series maintains the traditional cylindrical shape for hunters who prefer classic styling. Both allow everyone, whether left- or right-handed, to intuitively find the best hold position. A soft, skin-friendly rubber housing gives a comfortable and secure grip in all conditions.

HIKMICRO’S Ongoing Commitment
HIKMICRO remains committed to continuously making crafted confidence for hunters, providing more mastery solutions to make hunting easier and even more rewarding. Stefan Li, HIKMICRO’s overseas director, highlighted the exciting new ways in which thermal technology is impacting the relationship between hunters and their devices. HIKMICRO’s vision is to keep blazing the trail by creating more precise, faster and easier ways to help hunters master the mystery of the night.