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Laos Hits 60% Milestone on Mega Solar Project, Eyes Year-End Launch

Construction at the 1,000 MW solar farm in Oudomxay province, Laos is 60% complete and expected to be operational by the end of 2025. (Photo: ສະຖານີວິທະຍຸ ແລະ ໂທລະພາບ ແຂວງອຸດົມໄຊ)

A 1,000-megawatt solar power project in northern Laos’ Oudomxay Province has reached 60 percent completion and is scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2025, according to provincial governor Bounkhong Lachiemphon.

During an official site inspection on 29 May, Governor Lachiemphon reviewed progress at the large-scale solar farm, which spans 2,090 hectares across seven villages in Xay and Namor districts. The project is being built by a team of around 800 technical experts and laborers.

Key milestones have already been achieved. Land clearing is 100 percent complete, while landmine clearance has reached 95.74 percent. Infrastructure development is advancing steadily, with internal roads 81.32 percent complete and electrical pole installation at 59.78 percent.

Solar panel deployment has begun, with mounting structures at 3.56 percent and panel installation at 1.89 percent. For transmission infrastructure, surveys and site confirmation have been completed for 43 pole bases.

The project is being developed under a comprehensive concession agreement signed on 12 September 2024 between the Government of Laos and CGN Energy Technology (Laos) Co., Ltd.

Phase I of the project is expected to generate approximately 1.7 billion kWh of electricity annually, enough to power about 10 million households

Once operational, the solar energy will be transmitted to China’s Yunnan Province via the China-Laos 500 kV power grid interconnection. This will contribute to Yunnan’s energy transition and enhance regional power supply stability.

The project forms a key part of the Northern Laos Interconnected Clean Energy Base, which spans Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, and Phongsaly provinces. The initiative aims to establish a regional clean energy hub by integrating solar, wind, and biomass power.

This solar farm directly supports Laos’s national renewable energy targets, including the goal of achieving 30 percent renewable energy consumption by 2025. It also marks a significant step toward strengthening the country’s energy independence and clean energy portfolio.

South Korea’s President Lee Takes Power After Sweeping Election Win

South Korea’s President Lee Takes Power After Sweeping Election Win
South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung takes his oath during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4, 2025. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / POOL / AFP)

By Hieun SHIN/AFP – South Korea’s centre-left Lee Jae-myung was declared president Wednesday after winning a snap election, taking the helm of a nation deeply divided after his predecessor’s disastrous attempt to declare martial law.

Witness the power of images to change the world: The First SmallRig Awards Announce 22 Global Winners

SHENZHEN, China, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 International Image Culture Week kicked off in Shenzhen with the highly anticipated 2025 SmallRig Awards Ceremony, where 22 prestigious awards were presented to exceptional global creators.

The 2025 International Image Culture Week covers three main sections: 2025 Visionary Storytellers Industry Forum, SmallRig Awards Ceremony, and public image experience activities such as The Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions, Filmmaking Class. As one of the core events of this year’s International Imaging Culture Week, the SmallRig Awards Ceremony saw creators and guests from around the world dressed in elegant attire. The international judging panel, headed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang, made a full appearance.

Out of 3,891 submissions from 120 countries and regions, a distinguished international jury led by Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang selected the winning works across 22 categories, including 12 Bronze, 5 Silver, and 2 Gold Awards, as well as the Emerging Talent Award, Audience Choice Award, and Outstanding Achievements Award.

SmallRig Awards Winners List
SmallRig Awards Winners List

Zhou Yang, the founder and CEO of SmallRig, Leqi Innovation, shared the inspiration behind establishing the SmallRig Awards. “This award belongs to all those who believe in the transformative power of visual storytelling and strive to make a difference through their work. We aim to foster ongoing creativity, communication, and sharing of social impact stories through visual media.” The SmallRig Image Development Fund will also be launched to promote the creation of meaningful content, facilitate exchange, and connect creators with impactful initiatives.

Additionally, Xi Zhinong, a globally renowned wildlife photographer, gave a keynote address titled “Presence Is a Photographer’s Duty.” With four decades of field photography experience, Xi spoke about the critical importance of being on-site to capture the truth of nature. Xi called on photographers to uphold professional integrity and use their craft to preserve nature: “The power of images in nature conservation lies in being present and telling the truth.”


Following the awards, the event hosted a global roundtable series titled “Dialogues on Social Impact Images.” Two themed discussions, “The Power of Storytelling in Social Impact Images” and “See It, Change It: The Potential of Impact Visuals”, included prominent guests such as Ruby Yang, filmmaker Gu Tao, German documentary award-winner Uli Gaulke, as well as scholars, authors, and media leaders from China and abroad.

Roundtable
Roundtable

The event also marked the launch of the SmallRig Social Impact Media Alliance, a global initiative uniting prominent media organizations to co-create, distribute, and incubate impactful visual content.

Moreover, the Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions have successfully gathered 124 proposals from creators across more than ten countries, such as China, US, Belgium, etc. These submissions feature a rich array of 18 series, 53 short films, and 53 feature films, focusing on different topics such as disability care, ecological protection, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, all presented through various formats, including documentaries, animation, and experimental films.

To recognize excellence, the sessions awarded prizes to the top 10 works, while the esteemed Chinese independent film streaming platform CathayPlay has introduced the CathayPlay International Communication Honor at the event.

Winners of the Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions
Winners of the Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions

About SmallRig

Founded in 2013, SmallRig designs and builds complete accessory solutions including camera and phone rigs, battery, tripod and video light for content creation. SmallRig’s accessories are widely used in live broadcasting, vlogging, professional video production, and other fields supported by over two million creators worldwide. SmallRig pioneered the User Co-Design (UCD) approach and the DreamRig program, with the ultimate goal of co-designing alongside global creators to help turn their dreams into reality.

For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/smallrigcinema/

Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smallrig_awards_winners_list-1.jpg
Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image_5030555_43650244-1.jpg
Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/roundtable-1.jpg
Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/winners_social_impact_image_pitching_sessions-1.jpg

Dmall and Frost & Sullivan Release White Paper on China’s Smart Retail Global Expansion at NRF APAC 2025

SINGAPORE, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ –Dmall (02586.HK), a leading Chinese retail digitalization solution provider, has released a new white paper in partnership with global consultancy Frost & Sullivan at NRF 2025. The report, titled White Paper on Current Status and Trends of Overseas Expansion for China’s Retail Digitalization Enterprises, marks its global premiere.

White Paper on Current Situation and Trends of Overseas Development of China's Retail Digitalization Solution Providers
White Paper on Current Situation and Trends of Overseas Development of China’s Retail Digitalization Solution Providers

The white paper provides a detailed look into the evolving needs of global retailers and the growing role of Chinese tech providers in driving digital transformation. It highlights how Chinese companies like DMALL are offering cost-effective, scalable solutions built for high-volume, fast-moving markets — and now taking those solutions global.

“Retail digital transformation is an inevitable trend,” said Gabriel Lu, Partner and Managing Director at Frost & Sullivan Greater China. “Chinese enterprises are helping shape the next phase of global retail innovation — especially with the rise of AI.”

Dmall has spent the last decade building smart retail infrastructure in China, helping retailers digitize their supply chains and physical stores. Today, the company is applying its experience globally, integrating AI, cloud, and big data to support international retail clients.

According to the report, Asia’s retail digitalization market is projected to reach USD 13.07 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 22.5% from 2024 to 2029 — signaling major growth opportunities.

“We’re committed to accelerating retail innovation worldwide,” said Zhang Feng, Co-founder and President of DMALL. “With our technology and experience, we’re ready to support retailers in achieving sustainable growth in the AI era.”

To download the full white paper, please complete the request form. The PDF will be sent to your email.

https://forms.office.com/r/X0cjgA15kU

About DMALL

Dmall (02586.HK), founded in 2015, is committed to driving retail innovation through technology, providing digital and intelligent solutions for the global retail industry. As a leading retail digitalization solution provider in Asia, Dmall covers a wide range of business scenarios, serving diverse customer segments and addressing all critical operational needs of retailers. As of December 31, 2024, Dmall provided technical services to 591 clients, such as DFI Retail Group, SM Group and Metro Group, demonstrating the widespread validation of its business model.

Witness the power of images to change the world: The First SmallRig Awards Announce 22 Global Winners

SHENZHEN, China, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 International Image Culture Week kicked off in Shenzhen with the highly anticipated 2025 SmallRig Awards Ceremony, where 22 prestigious awards were presented to exceptional global creators.

The 2025 International Image Culture Week covers three main sections: 2025 Visionary Storytellers Industry Forum, SmallRig Awards Ceremony, and public image experience activities such as The Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions, Filmmaking Class. As one of the core events of this year’s International Imaging Culture Week, the SmallRig Awards Ceremony saw creators and guests from around the world dressed in elegant attire. The international judging panel, headed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang, made a full appearance.

Out of 3,891 submissions from 120 countries and regions, a distinguished international jury led by Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang selected the winning works across 22 categories, including 12 Bronze, 5 Silver, and 2 Gold Awards, as well as the Emerging Talent Award, Audience Choice Award, and Outstanding Achievements Award.

SmallRig Awards Winners List
SmallRig Awards Winners List

Zhou Yang, the founder and CEO of SmallRig, Leqi Innovation, shared the inspiration behind establishing the SmallRig Awards. “This award belongs to all those who believe in the transformative power of visual storytelling and strive to make a difference through their work. We aim to foster ongoing creativity, communication, and sharing of social impact stories through visual media.” The SmallRig Image Development Fund will also be launched to promote the creation of meaningful content, facilitate exchange, and connect creators with impactful initiatives.

Additionally, Xi Zhinong, a globally renowned wildlife photographer, gave a keynote address titled “Presence Is a Photographer’s Duty.” With four decades of field photography experience, Xi spoke about the critical importance of being on-site to capture the truth of nature. Xi called on photographers to uphold professional integrity and use their craft to preserve nature: “The power of images in nature conservation lies in being present and telling the truth.”

Following the awards, the event hosted a global roundtable series titled “Dialogues on Social Impact Images.” Two themed discussions, “The Power of Storytelling in Social Impact Images” and “See It, Change It: The Potential of Impact Visuals”, included prominent guests such as Ruby Yang, filmmaker Gu Tao, German documentary award-winner Uli Gaulke, as well as scholars, authors, and media leaders from China and abroad.

Roundtable
Roundtable

The event also marked the launch of the SmallRig Social Impact Media Alliance, a global initiative uniting prominent media organizations to co-create, distribute, and incubate impactful visual content.

Moreover, the Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions have successfully gathered 124 proposals from creators across more than ten countries, such as China, US, Belgium, etc. These submissions feature a rich array of 18 series, 53 short films, and 53 feature films, focusing on different topics such as disability care, ecological protection, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, all presented through various formats, including documentaries, animation, and experimental films.

To recognize excellence, the sessions awarded prizes to the top 10 works, while the esteemed Chinese independent film streaming platform CathayPlay has introduced the CathayPlay International Communication Honor at the event.

Winners of the Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions
Winners of the Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions

About SmallRig

Founded in 2013, SmallRig designs and builds complete accessory solutions including camera and phone rigs, battery, tripod and video light for content creation. SmallRig’s accessories are widely used in live broadcasting, vlogging, professional video production, and other fields supported by over two million creators worldwide. SmallRig pioneered the User Co-Design (UCD) approach and the DreamRig program, with the ultimate goal of co-designing alongside global creators to help turn their dreams into reality.

For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/smallrigcinema/

 

Kontron Launches Brand-new 2.5″-SBC-AML/ADN Single Board Computer To Help Developers Realize Ultra-compact Or Portable AI-native Systems

TAIPEI, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kontron, a global leader in smart IoT solutions, launches a brand-new Pico-ITX single board computer, 2.5″-SBC-AML/ADN, providing developers a low-power, real-time and AI-native computing platform to realize ultra-compact or even portable computing systems and appliances for diverse edge applications, including industrial automation, healthcare, smart city, smart retail, office automation, safety and security.

Kontron 2.5"-SBC-AML/ADN Single Board Computer
Kontron 2.5″-SBC-AML/ADN Single Board Computer

Commercial & Industrial Variants Available

2.5″-SBC-AML/ADN is driven by commercial-grade Intel® Atom® x7000E Series, Intel® Core™ i3 N-Series, Intel® N-Series processors and industrial-grade Intel® Atom® x7000RE Series processors. To better unleash the processor’s features, it is offered with commercial-grade operating temperature range of 0°C ~ 60°C and industrial-grade range of -40°C ~ 85°C to address more applications.

More Power in Small Footprint

In contrast to its footprint of around a credit card, 2.5″-SBC-AML/ADN unleashes incredible graphics performance. Three 4K@60fps displays can be driven via eDP, DisplayPort and DisplayPort over USB-C interfaces. Up to 32 execution units in iGPU and Intel® Deep Learning Boost AI acceleration capabilities deliver faster AI inference performance. What’s more, all are enabled at a low TDP of 6W ~ 15W.

Low Latency & Real-time

2.5″-SBC-AML/ADN is outfitted with high-speed soldered LPDDR5 4800MHz SDRAM, two higher-bandwidth 2.5GbE LAN ports, and three 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A & C connectors, achieving ultra-low latency within and between the system and peripherals. Partial variants support Time-Sensitive Networking, ensuring real-time network responsiveness.

More Rugged & Securer

Besides soldered memory, 2.5″-SBC-AML/ADN comes with soldered eMMC storage and has intrinsic resistance to shock and vibration. It operates over a wide input range from DC 9V to 20V to accommodate to unstable power supply, surge or various voltage requirements in different applications. A discrete TPM 2.0 chip is integrated, providing securer hardware-based encryption.

Uncompromising Connectivity & Expandability

Despite its small footprint, 2.5″-SBC-AML/ADN doesn’t skimp on connectivity and expandability. It reserves wiring interface options, including two COM ports and eight digital I/O channels, for industrial sensing and controlling, and two M.2 slots for Wi-Fi, 4G/5G, SSD or other possible expansions.

For details, visit https://www.kontron.com/en/products/2.5–sbc-aml-adn/p184482.

About Kontron

Kontron champions IoT and Industry 4.0 with secure state-of-the-art solutions including hardware, software and services to speed market entry, reduce cost of ownership, and offer longevity, ensuring its role as a trusted partner in the integration of smart technologies. For more information, visit www.kontron.com, dial +886-2-2799-2789 or email SalesAsia@kontron.com.

USER-FRIENDLY, SAFE AND RELIABLE – SOCOMEC’S FLEXIBLE NEW NETYS RT COMBINES BEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE WITH INTELLIGENT DESIGN

Global independent manufacturer – Socomec – announces the latest addition to its range of UPS equipment: a fourth generation single-phase rack-tower solution – NETYS RT – that delivers on both reliability and flexibility.

SINGAPORE, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Specialist manufacturer of integrated energy solutions, Socomec, has expanded its range of industry-leading UPS equipment with a new single-phase rack-tower model that ensures the protection and availability of IT infrastructure, meeting the demands of both power reliability and installation flexibility.

The NETYS RT – available from 1 to 10kVA – has been engineered for the unique demands of IT equipment, micro edge data centres, enterprise servers, critical nodes, large network peripherals, routers, bridges, hubs and other key electronic equipment.

Proven design plus high-performance developments

True online double conversion technology with sinusoidal waveform means that disturbances are completely filtered out both to and from the mains power supply, ensuring optimum protection for the utility.

Tested and verified by a third party independent laboratory, the NETYS RT range incorporates best-in-class design features that ensure reliability in even the most demanding settings, with a wide operating ambient temperature up to 45°C and robust coated versions available for the most challenging applications. 

Alberto Dallosto, Product Creation Leader, Socomec comments: “This fourth-generation design builds on solutions that are proven in the field and is packed with additional high-performance features.  Battery life is prolonged thanks to a wide input voltage tolerance that reduces switchovers to battery mode, and the new Li-ion battery option means that space can be optimised even further as well as having the benefit of reducing maintenance requirements.”

This new system also offers the potential for N+1 parallel and redundant configurations to maximise the availability of critical utilities up to 30 kVA. 

Battery management – optimised

Dallosto continues, “We’ve worked extensively to optimise lead-acid battery management, with hot-swap modular battery extensions to meet all back-up time needs – even after installation has taken place.  The system also incorporates a battery ageing detection function and very fast recharge – even for long back-up times.”

The Li-Ion Battery solution, available for NETYS RT 1-3 kVA, provides higher back-up power density and much longer battery life than traditional lead-acid batteries. The Li-Ion Battery solution is equipped with an embedded interactive BMS (Battery Monitoring System) that provides accurate and individual cell monitoring and coordinates the recharging profile with the UPS to maximise the back-up power availability.

Enhanced connectivity and warranty cover up to 5 years for complete peace of mind

The NETYS RT leverages the power of IoT to deliver real-time monitoring and streamlined management. With the optional Net Vision network card, the user can access Socomec’s digital services such as the SoLive remote monitoring app.

This digital service ensures that critical power infrastructure can be monitored securely by the end-user or by Socomec’s experts (with a service upgrade), supported by compliance with ISO/IEC 27001 certification from AFNOR, attesting to resilience in terms of cyber security, as well as the international standard IEC 62443 certifying that Socomec products meet cyber best practices.

Complementing its advanced connectivity features, the NETYS RT offers an industry-leading warranty programme, underlining Socomec’s commitment to reliability and customer satisfaction.

Users benefit from extended coverage options, including a warranty of up to 5 years for both lead-acid and Li-ion models.

Also, in case of failure, thanks to the advanced SWAP service capabilities, a replacement product is dispatched within 48 hours across Europe, ensuring business continuity with minimal disruption.

Juri Romito, Operational Marketing Leader for the business line Expert Services, comments: “Not only is the NETYS RT tested and verified independently, as well as conforming to the cybersecurity guidelines of ISO/IEC 62443-4-2, but for total peace of mind we also offer a warranty of up to 5 years according to battery choice.”

Straightforward integration within existing architecture

Driven by extensive investment in research and development and feedback from the market, the system has been engineered to be easy to use, with a multi-language LCD and large LED status bar.  NETYS RT also supports Facilities Managers by offering a load segmentation function in order to prioritise loads and manage critical situations as they evolve – as well as a wide range of communication protocols for integration into LAN networks or Building Management Systems.

With a compact footprint in tower mode – and a high density module that saves valuable cabinet rack space – it’s easy to switch from rack to tower mode in most environments, even those with limited space and very specific needs.

Alberto Dallosto explains: “We know how important it is to be able to integrate intelligent new solutions within an existing operating infrastructure – without compromising on performance and without eating into valuable space. That’s why we’ve made it incredibly straightforward to install the NETYS RT – with no configuration necessary on first start-up this completely avoids the risk of any human error.

“This latest launch combines the best of proven technologies with the best of new design features for a solution that really performs.”

About Socomec

Founded in 1922, SOCOMEC is an independent industrial group with more than 3,600 experts working in 28 subsidiaries around the world. Its mission is to ensure the availability, control and safety of low-voltage electrical networks, in the interests of its customers’ energy performance. In 2023, SOCOMEC achieved a turnover of 843.1 million euros.

TXOne Networks Introduces Breakthrough Capability for Intelligent Vulnerability Mitigation in New Release of TXOne SageOne

TXOne Networks’ OT Cybersecurity Governance Platform uniquely provides meaningful guidance on which CPS vulnerabilities legitimately require priority attention to safeguard operations

TAIPEI, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TXOne Networks, a leader in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) security, today announced an expanded new version of its SageOne OT Cybersecurity Governance Platform. Already relied upon by many industrial leaders across sectors with exacting cybersecurity requirements, TXOne SageOne has been enhanced to deliver a novel capability for intelligent vulnerability mitigation.

TXOne SageOne provides a comprehensive, detailed and easy-to-understand visualization of the precise security posture of operations at any given moment
TXOne SageOne provides a comprehensive, detailed and easy-to-understand visualization of the precise security posture of operations at any given moment

One of the most common challenges faced by (operational technology) OT cybersecurity practitioners is how to patch effectively under time constraints—making risk-based prioritization essential. TXOne SageOne uniquely integrates external intelligence on emerging threats, the specific operational context of each manufacturer and industry-standard vulnerability scoring to provide meaningful, tailored guidance to the organization’s security team. The TXOne Networks solution implements a rigorous, three-phase approach to risk-based vulnerability management:

  • Assess—TXOne SageOne pulls deep, OS-level vulnerability and configuration data—augmented by real-time threat intelligence—to build an accurate, context-rich view of every CPS asset’s true risk exposure.
  • Prioritize—Asset criticality, observed attack patterns and existing defenses are fused into TXOne Networks’ proprietary Vulnerability Situational Awareness Rating (VSAR) risk score to distill thousands of potential flaws to the few that truly demand attention.
  • Remediate—TXOne SageOne automatically interprets each asset’s context (device type, operational status and business impact) and prescribes the optimal mitigation path (full patching, virtual patching or just-In-time guided micro-segmentation) without disrupting production.

CPS consist of mission-critical assets and sophisticated computation and shutting down a production line to implement a patch on such a system or to undertake other protective measures in the OT network generally is not an option. Conventional cybersecurity management platforms rely on vulnerability scoring that is predicated on concepts and protocols borrowed from information technology (IT). That information is useful in OT cybersecurity—but impractical if relied upon alone. Conventional systems often indicate thousands of high-priority vulnerabilities across a large-scale manufacturing environment. A security team tasked with securing OT often is no more than 10 people, so the practical reality is the majority of alerts generated by today’s conventional systems go unaddressed.

TXOne SageOne, however, narrows guidance to a manageable number of legitimately critical vulnerabilities that demand immediate action across a given manufacturer’s OT threat landscape. Armed with a holistic, dependable overview of the truly urgent threats to its corporate environment, the security team is positioned to immediately take concrete, meaningful steps to protect people, OT assets and processes.

“TXOne SageOne represents a breakthrough in OT security governance, having been conceived and purpose-built from the ground up to address the unique cybersecurity needs of OT networks and systems—not IT,” said Dr. Terence Liu, CEO of TXOne Networks. “The latest release introduces intelligent vulnerability mitigation capabilities that underscore this differentiation, empowering security teams with tools tailored to the specific nature of OT environments and delivering actionable insights that lead to achievable, impactful outcomes.

All of TXOne Networks’ industry-leading point products for CPS security are centrally controlled via the SageOne platform—Stellar for endpoint protection, Element for security inspection and Edge for network defense. As the central hub for all TXOne Networks security offerings, SageOne brings Element, Stellar, and Edge into seamless collaboration to deliver unified visibility, centralized control and optimized vulnerability management. TXOne SageOne provides a comprehensive, detailed and easy-to-understand visualization of the precise security posture of operations at any given moment.

For more information on TXOne SageOne, please visit https://www.txone.com/products/cps-protection-platform/txone-sageone/.

Follow TXOne Networks on Blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About TXOne Networks 

TXOne Networks offers cybersecurity solutions that ensure the reliability and safety of industrial control systems and operational technology environments. TXOne Networks works together with both leading manufacturers and critical infrastructure operators to develop practical, operations-friendly approaches to cyber defense. TXOne Networks offers both network-based and endpoint-based products to secure the OT network and mission-critical devices using a real-time, defense-in-depth approach. www.txone.com