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Clear Skies Ahead: Agoda’s Guide to February’s ‘Fresh Air Getaways’

SINGAPORE, Jan. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda highlights seven destinations in Asia where travelers are likely to enjoy fresh and healthy air this February. From the snowy landscapes of Sapporo to the coastal beauty of El Nido, these locations are expected to offer a breath of fresh air for those seeking a refreshing getaway.


February is traditionally the month in which certain regions face air quality challenges, caused by a combination of vehicle emissions, seasonal agricultural practices, and climatic conditions. While efforts are being made in many locations to combat the increase of PM2.5 dust particles, some might prefer to travel to destinations that are more likely to offer cleaner air.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda shared, “Traveling is all about new experiences, and what better way to refresh than by visiting a destination that offers clean, crisp air? Whether it’s the snowy streets of Sapporo or the sunny shores of El Nido, Agoda is here to make any fresh air getaway a reality.”

Agoda highlights seven destinations that are likely to offer fresh air in February based on historical PM2.5 data. The destinations are:

Sapporo, Japan
Sapporo, known for its winter wonderland scenery, provides not only stunning snow-covered landscapes but also crisp, clean air. In early February, visitors can enjoy the famous Sapporo Snow Festival while breathing in the refreshing atmosphere.

Kuching, Malaysia
In Malaysia, Kuching offers a tropical escape with its lush greenery and good air quality, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts. The city is a gateway to the natural wonders of Borneo, providing a perfect blend of urban and natural experiences.

El Nido, the Philippines
El Nido in the Philippines is celebrated for its pristine beaches and clear waters. The coastal town benefits from sea breezes, ensuring a pleasant and healthy environment for travelers. It’s a paradise for those looking to unwind by the sea and explore vibrant marine life.

Singapore
Known for its urban sophistication, Singapore also boasts numerous green spaces and parks that contribute to its commendable air quality. Visitors can enjoy the Gardens by the Bay or take a leisurely stroll through the Botanic Gardens, all while enjoying the city’s clean air.

Gangneung, South Korea
Meanwhile, Gangneung in South Korea offers a mix of cultural experiences and natural beauty, with its low PM2.5 levels providing a clean air experience. The city’s coastal location and cultural festivals make it a lively destination for fresh air seekers.

Nantou, Taiwan
Nantou, Taiwan, surrounded by mountains and lakes, offers a serene escape with good air quality. Visitors can explore the picturesque Sun Moon Lake and enjoy the tranquil surroundings, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Koh Lipe, Thailand
Koh Lipe, a small island in southern Thailand, is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and colorful coral reefs. The island’s location in the southern Satun province benefits the air quality and ensures a peaceful environment, ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy nature’s tranquility.

These destinations are not only likely to offer cleaner air but also a variety of experiences, from cultural festivals to natural wonders. Travelers can explore Agoda’s offerings, which include over 5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all of which can be combined in the same booking. For more information, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda app.

ZO Motors North America Announces its First North American Manufacturing Plant and New Regional Headquarters in Fontana, California

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ZO Motors, a global leader in innovative zero-emission vehicles, proudly announces the establishment of its first North American manufacturing plant in Fontana, California. This significant milestone also marks the relocation of the company’s regional headquarters to the Fontana facility, solidifying its commitment to advancing sustainable transportation solutions in the USA.

ZO Motors North America Announces its First North American Manufacturing Plant and New Regional Headquarters in Fontana, California
ZO Motors North America Announces its First North American Manufacturing Plant and New Regional Headquarters in Fontana, California

The newly constructed facility spans 9.67 acres, with a factory floor area of 210,000 square feet. It is located in Fontana, approximately 49 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

The new Fontana manufacturing plant will serve as the cornerstone of ZO Motors’ operations in the United States, supporting series production of a diverse portfolio of zero-emission products under the ZM Trucks brand. These will include electric commercial trucks, terminal tractors, and airport ground service equipment initially. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to commence production in the first half of 2025.

“Our new Fontana facility reflects ZO Motors’ commitment to the U.S. market, U.S. domestic manufacturing and sustainable innovation,” said Joost de Vries, CEO of ZO Motors. “This expansion allows us to deliver zero-emission solutions that lower total cost of ownership and drive long-term value for our customers.”

ZO Motors has already announced its cutting-edge manufacturing plant in Cambodia, which will be instrumental in supplying the Asian Pacific markets. The addition of the Fontana plant underscores the company’s strategic commitment to scaling its operations in regional markets and grow its global footprint.

The new regional headquarters and manufacturing facility in Fontana are expected to create significant job opportunities in the region while reinforcing ZO Motors’ mission to lead the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transportation solutions.

For more information about ZO Motors and its ZM Truck commercial vehicle brand, please visit ZMTRUCKS.COM

About ZO Motors

ZO Motors is a global leader in zero-emission commercial vehicles, dedicated to delivering sustainable transportation solutions for industries including commercial vehicle, port and aviation ground logistics as well as transit and tourist transportation. With manufacturing facilities in Asia and North America, ZO Motors is at the forefront of innovation, combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to reducing environmental impact.

6 Game-Changing Security Tech Trends for 2025: Insights from Axis

HONG KONG, Jan. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — With global security challenges evolving at unprecedented pace, Axis Communications unveils six key tech trends to revolutionise safety and efficiency in 2025. These trends highlight the growing role of innovation and adaptability in addressing the complex needs of businesses and communities worldwide.

Six Game-Changing Security Tech Trends

1. Hybrid Solutions: The Foundation for Freedom of Choice
Organizations will increasingly adopt hybrid architectures that combine edge, cloud, and on-premise technologies. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor their security solutions to meet specific regulatory, data control, and energy efficiency needs.

2. AI Evolution and Efficiency
The application of various AI technologies, from deep learning to generative AI, will transform operational efficiency in security. The continued evolution of AI presents opportunities to enhance analytics and decision-making processes, reinforcing hybrid architectures as the standard.

3. Beyond Safety and Security
Advanced AI-driven analytics will enable quicker and more effective incident responses. The data generated by diverse sensors—video, audio, and environmental—will be leveraged for various applications beyond traditional security, promoting greater operational efficiency and business intelligence.

4. The “Rebirth” of Image Quality
Advances in analytics and AI mean that a higher resolution image will inevitably lead to a better result, whatever the use case. Object recognition will be more accurate and more detailed data (and metadata) created. The drive towards even better image quality has been reignited. With this has also come opportunities for efficiency as well as effectiveness.

5. Long-Term Value in Products Through Software Support
As hardware quality improves, the importance of ongoing software support will become paramount. A camera’s functionality and cybersecurity will depend on robust software maintenance, ensuring longevity and reliability.

6. Technology Autonomy for Customer Benefit
Vendors with greater autonomy over their core technologies will be better equipped to meet customer needs. This control allows for the design of tailored capabilities and helps mitigate risks associated with global supply chain disruptions.

As change accelerates in the security sector, these trends present significant opportunities for enhanced capabilities, increased flexibility, and greater value for customers.

“The security industry stands at a pivotal moment,” said Jessica Chang, Regional Director of North Asia at Axis Communications. “Our insights into 2025 trends underscore the importance of innovation in shaping a safer, smarter world”.

Unlock the Full Potential of 2025 Security Trends
For an in-depth look at these transformative tends, visit our blog and explore how your organisation can stay ahead in 2025 https://newsroom.axis.com/blog/technology-trends.

About Axis Communications
Axis enables a smarter and safer world by improving security, safety, operational efficiency, and business intelligence. As a network technology company and industry leader, Axis offers video surveillance, access control, intercoms, and audio solutions. These are enhanced by intelligent analytics applications and supported by high-quality training.

Axis has around 5,000 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with technology and system integration partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions. Axis was founded in 1984, and the headquarters are in Lund, Sweden.

For more information about Axis, please visit www.axis.com.

EVM, Solarvest and PECC2 Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Renewable Energy Adoption in Vietnam through the new Direct Power Purchase Agreement Mechanism (DPPA) via National Grid


HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 January 2025 – A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between, Saigon Jim Brother’s Corporation (EVM), Solarvest (Vietnam) Company Limited (“Solarvest”), and Power Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company 2 (PECC2), marking the start of a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of a renewable energy solution in Vietnam. This collaboration focuses on leveraging the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) Mechanism via National Grid to supply a large amount of green electricity by Solarvest and PECC2 to EVM’s operations in Vietnam, playing a part in facilitating sustainable energy projects and drive Vietnam’s clean energy transition.

EVM, Solarvest and PECC2 Forge Strategic Partnership

After years of research, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree 80/2024/ND-CP on July 3, 2024, regulating the mechanism for direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) between renewable energy generators and large electricity consumers. Among the two types of DPPA outlined in this Decree, the DPPA through the national grid, also known as the virtual DPPA, is the option selected by the parties under this MOU. This mechanism allows EVM, who has substantial renewable energy needs, to access a utility-scale renewable energy generating source, a solar farm project, with electricity purchases made through the national grid. EVM, Solarvest and PECC2 recognize that this DPPA Mechanism presents a unique opportunity to overcome barriers to renewable energy adoption, including accessible, regulatory, financial, and technical challenges. By uniting their expertise, the parties aim to streamline the adoption of renewable energy solutions and accelerate participation in the DPPA Mechanism for solar energy projects.

Speaking at the event, Global Vice President – Sales, Assets & Marketing of Solarvest, Mr. Jack Tan Qi Jie, emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainability: “This partnership between EVM, Solarvest and PECC2 is more than a collaboration—it’s a strategic alignment of expertise and shared values. Together, we are addressing one of the most critical challenges businesses face today: the transition to renewable energy in a way that is both economically viable and operationally efficient. Solarvest brings years of experience in clean energy development, with over 1,300MW of renewable energy projects across Asia-Pacific. By combining our proven financial models with the technical expertise of PECC2 and the innovative drive of EVM, we are creating tailored solutions that enable businesses to achieve their sustainability goals without compromising profitability. We see that The DPPA via National Grid marks an important milestone in Vietnam’s energy transition and it is expected to transform Vietnam’s energy market, policies, and power system operations toward achieving NET ZERO and excited to be a part of this progress as a pioneer.”

Mr. Emil Lin, CSR Senior Manager of Saigon Jim Brother’s Corporation (EVM), commented: “As a footwear manufacturing company in Vietnam for a top international brand, sustainability is at the core of our operations. This cooperation with Solarvest and PECC2 marks a pivotal step in our journey toward achieving our turning green targets. By integrating renewable energy into our production processes, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also aligning with EP Group’s global sustainability goals. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship as we continue to lead by example in the manufacturing industry.”

Representing PECC2, Mr. Nguyen Hai Phu, Chief Operating Officer of PECC2 said: “This collaboration with Solarvest and EVM represents a significant step forward, allowing PECC2 to provide large-scale green electricity to EVM’s operations in Vietnam. This partnership signifies more than a legal agreement; it demonstrates a shared vision to overcome challenges in renewable energy adoption. By combining our expertise, we aim to address accessibility, regulatory, financial, and technical hurdles, thereby streamlining the implementation of renewable energy solutions and enhancing participation in the DPPA Mechanism for renewable energy projects.”

Hashtag: #Solarvest #Energy #SolarEnergy #Sustainability




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

About Solarvest (Vietnam) Company Limited

Solarvest (Vietnam) Company Limited is the subsidiary of Solarvest Holdings Berhad, Malaysia’s largest clean energy developer with multi-national presence across Asia-Pacific in 8 countries. The company is a one-stop solar photovoltaic system solution provider for residential, commercial & industrial, and utility-scale solar farms. Today, Solarvest has accumulated over 1,300MW renewable energy portfolio.

Aon Names Puneet Swani Head of Talent Solutions in Asia Pacific to Accelerate Aon’s Human Capital Strategy in the Region


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 January 2025 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today announced Puneet Swani has been named head of Talent Solutions for Asia Pacific, effective immediately. Swani will be based in Singapore and report to Tim Dwyer, head of Human Capital for Asia Pacific at Aon. Swani will help drive Aon’s Talent Solutions capability and integrated Human Capital approach in Asia Pacific working closely with the Talent, Health and Wealth Solutions teams, across the region.

Puneet Swani-Aon TalentSolutions

“Talent Solutions is crucial to our overall Human Capital strategy due to its impact on clients’ abilities to attract, retain and develop their talent. By addressing these needs, we aim to assist clients in making better decisions in the pursuit of stronger, more adaptable and motivated workforces. I am excited to welcome Puneet to the Aon team,” said Dwyer. “Puneet’s business acumen, combined with his twenty-five plus years of experience as an international HR advisor will accelerate our ability to deliver human capital capabilities to our clients.”

Swani is an experienced leader specialising in human resources consulting spanning more than twenty-five years. He joins Aon having had a distinguished career at both Hewitt Associates and Mercer, most recently serving as senior partner – international region at Mercer.

“I am thrilled to join Aon as the firm continues to innovate and provide data and expertise to help organisations attract and retain key talent. I look forward to working with Aon’s talented team and building on their existing momentum of delivering insights and scalable solutions to mitigate people risk and help organisations create resilient workforces,” Swani said.

Read more about Aon’s capabilities in Asia Pacific here.

Hashtag: #Aon

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

About Aon

(NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.

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Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is solely for information purposes, for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although Aon endeavours to provide accurate and timely information and uses sources that it considers reliable, the firm does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of any content of this document and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way by any person who may rely on it. There can be no guarantee that the information contained in this document will remain accurate as on the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or entity should make decisions or act based solely on the information contained herein without appropriate professional advice and targeted research.

Global Times: Xi’s pre-Spring Festival visits to the grassroots reflect ‘people-first’ philosophy

BEIJING, Jan. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As the Year of the Snake draws near, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Thursday inspected Shenyang, capital city of Northeast China’s Liaoning Province. Xi made the trip to the city shortly before the Spring Festival, the most important festival for the Chinese people, which falls on January 29 this year.

Xi visited a food market and a residential community in Shenyang, where he learned about the supply of goods during the holiday season and measures in place to meet residents’ daily needs and optimize public services, as well as details of progress made in improving people’s life.

Xi also made a trip on Wednesday to the village of Zhujiagou, under the administration of Suizhong county, Huludao city in Liaoning Province to visit people affected by floods, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Since assuming the Party’s top post in November 2012, Xi has made it a tradition to spend time with members of the public ahead of the Spring Festival, especially those in disadvantaged groups, extending festive greetings to them. The tradition started in 2013, when Xi went to villages located in a hostile natural environment in Northwest China’s Gansu Province, asking villagers whether they had enough food, sufficient subsistence allowances, and access to medical and educational resources.

Impoverished farmers, frontline workers, elderly people living alone, orphaned and disabled children – countless grassroots workers and ordinary citizens have always been the people Xi cares about the most.

“To secure a better life for our people is the original aspiration and purpose of the Chinese Communists,” Xi, who is also the Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, once said during his trip to Sichuan in 2018. This spirit has remained an unchanging principle in Xi’s pre-festival inspections, and vividly embodies the “people-first” governing philosophy.

Care for the people

In 2015, Xi met with old acquaintances from Liangjiahe Village, Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, where he had spent seven years as an adolescent and young adult. “I will never forget the villagers here and the people in the old revolutionary base,” Xi said.

In 2018, after venturing deep into the mountains of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, Xi said: “Not a single ethnic group or family should be left behind in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.”

In 2024, Xi visited primary-level officials and residents in Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival. He also talked with shop owners and employees at an ancient culture street during his inspection tour in the municipality.

“I care particularly about grassroots officials and the people as we ring in the lunar new year,” Xi once said.

Over the years, he had interacted with people including frontline workers, and the elderly and children at welfare homes, leaving many heartwarming moments.

Over the years, Xi has extended sincere wishes for a better life and a brighter future to people across China during each pre-festival visit.

With these wishes, the entire Party and the Chinese people have been brought together to forge ahead toward building China into a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation.

Rural revitalization

From old revolutionary bases to remote mountainous areas, these places mark China’s path from the campaign of combating impoverishment to the pursuit of rural revitalization.

In January 2017, Xi went to the snow-covered grasslands of northern China. Zhangbei in North China’s Hebei Province – just 200 kilometers north of Beijing – was classed as a deprived county in 2013, with one-eighth of its population still living on less than $1 a day by October 2016.

Ye Runbing, the Party secretary of Desheng village in Zhangbei county, still vividly remembers President Xi’s visit there in 2017. Xi stressed the importance of making sure every poor family had a program for increasing income and every poor person had a way of casting off poverty.

Ye told the Global Times he felt greatly inspired.

Some eight years later, Zhangbei is completely different. The village has integrated land resources, natural resources and market resources.

Potatoes are a specialty of Desheng village. But the smallholder model of the past could not guarantee stable yields. In recent years, Desheng village has actively developed a collective economy, investing in greenhouses for potato seed breeding, scaling up this industry and helping villagers increase their income.

Adhering to the concept of sustainable development, Desheng village takes advantage of Zhangbei grassland’s high latitude and long sunlight hours, developing a photovoltaic industry that can provide a stable long-term income, and exploring a profitable homestay tourism industry.

The new year is important to build Desheng into a beautiful and prosperous village. Ye hopes to attract more professionals in agricultural technology and tourism management to his hometown, in hope that they can settle down and further promote its all-round revitalization.

Inheritance and innovation

During past visits, Xi has brought gifts of festive goods, joined local people making festive foods, and practiced Spring Festival customs.

In 2020, Xi went to the home of farmer Li Fashun in Simola Wa Village, Yunnan Province, where he learned about the family’s daily life, and was invited to join the family in making rice cakes. He also beat a wooden drum of the Wa ethnic group three times, a local ritual activity to bless the coming year.

During his inspection trip to Southwest China’s Guizhou Province in 2021, Xi visited Huawu village, which successfully eliminated poverty through crop planting and animal husbandry as well as tourism. He was invited to the home of Zhao Yuxue, a Miao villager, and made a traditional festival food “Huangba” with Zhao’s family. He also visited a Miao embroidery workshop, urging efforts to promote ethnic and traditional cultures.

In 2022, Xi visited Shanxi Province before the Spring Festival. Touring Pingyao, one of the best-preserved ancient walled cities in China and a UNESCO world heritage site, Xi called for more efforts to conserve the country’s cultural heritage and protect “the valuable treasure left to us by our ancestors.”

Wang Huiming, who runs a lacquer wares store in the ancient city, recounted that President Xi demanded cultural treasures such as the traditional lacquering skill be better protected.

“We should promote traditional cultural industries with distinctive Chinese features to the rest of the world,” said Xi, as reported by Xinhua.

Wang, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, was excited that Chunjie, or Spring Festival, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. “It demonstrates the richness of Chinese culture is recognized and that what I am doing is meaningful.”

Ready to welcome tourists to Pingyao during the holidays, Wang’s wish for the Year of the Snake is to increase sales by 20 percent, to make more innovative wares, and to have more trainees interested in this cultural heritage.

Aspiration for better life

Deliveryman Qi Nannan clearly remembers February 1, 2019, the day when President Xi visited an express delivery station located in Shitou Hutong in central Beijing’s Qianmen area when he and his colleague were sorting piles of parcels.

Xi stressed that priority should be given to solving employment problems and creating more jobs. He praised the hard work of deliverymen, saying they were “busy as bees” to bring convenience to people’s lives.

“It was such a surprise. It was also a moment when I felt important and proud,” Qi told the Global Times.

Like every Spring Festival in past nine years since he became a deliveryman, Qi, along with his colleagues, is busy delivering parcels as quick as he can. They mostly consist of festival gifts and necessities.

From unexpensive snacks and souvenirs in the past, to fresh quality specialties and presents sometimes from overseas now, Qi is a witness to China’s booming logistics and e-commerce market, as well as people’s improving living standards.

Qi hopes in the Year of the Snake, his daughter can enter an ideal college and he will continue to be a hardworking “bee” to convey the happiness of ordinary people.

“Of all the jobs in front of us, the most important is to ensure a happy life for our people,” said Xi in his 2025 New Year address.

“Every family hopes that their children can have a good education, their seniors can enjoy good elderly services, and their youngsters can have more and better opportunities. These simple wishes are our people’s aspirations for a better life. We should work together to steadily improve social undertakings and governance, build a harmonious and inclusive atmosphere, and settle real issues, big or small, for our people. We must bring more smiles to our people and greater warmth to their hearts,” Xi said.

Montage Technology Delivers Gen2 MRCD & MDB Engineering Samples for DDR5 MRDIMM

Gen2 MRCD & MDB reach 12800 MT/s, 45% higher than Gen1 products

SHANGHAI, Jan. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Montage Technology today announced that it has successfully sampled its Gen2 Multiplexed Rank Registering Clock Driver (MRCD) and Multiplexed Rank Data Buffer (MDB) chipset to leading global memory manufacturers. Designed for DDR5 Multiplexed Rank DIMM (MRDIMM), this new chipset supports data rates up to 12800 MT/s, delivering exceptional memory performance for next-generation computing platforms.

Montage Technology's Gen2 MRCD & MDB Chipset
Montage Technology’s Gen2 MRCD & MDB Chipset

The release comes at a crucial time, as AI and big data analytics drive increasing demands for memory bandwidth in data centers. MRDIMM technology has emerged as a key solution to address this challenge, particularly as server processors continue to increase in core count.

The innovative MRCD and MDB chips are fundamental to MRDIMM operation, featuring a “1+10” buffer architecture where each MRDIMM module incorporates one MRCD with ten MDB chips. In this configuration, the MRCD chip handles buffering and re-driving of address, command, clock, and control signals, while the MDB chips manage data traffic between the memory controller and DRAM chips. This architecture, coupled with double data rate and time-division multiplexing technology, enables simultaneous operation of two memory ranks at standard rates, effectively doubling data throughput.

Montage Technology’s Gen1 MRCD and MDB chipset, supporting speed up to 8800 MT/s, has already secured volume purchases from major memory manufacturers. The new Gen2 engineering samples push performance boundaries further, achieving 12800 MT/s — a 45% improvement over the previous generation.

“The memory demands of AI and other intensive workloads continue to drive innovation in data center memory architecture,” said Stephen Tai, President of Montage Technology. “Our rapid progression from first-generation production to second-generation sampling demonstrates Montage Technology’s expertise to DDR5 memory technology. This achievement strengthens our position as a leader in memory interface solutions.”

Beyond MRCD and MDB, Montage Technology offers comprehensive memory interface and module support solutions, including RCD, DB, CKD, SPD Hub, PMIC, and TS. Additionally, the company has begun sampling its Gen5 DDR5 RCD (RCD05) chip in the fourth quarter of 2024, further expanding its industry-leading portfolio. These offerings enable one-stop sourcing for customers while ensuring optimal system integration and performance.

For more information on Montage Technology’s memory interface products, please visit: https://www.montage-tech.com/Memory_Interface.

Sephora Unveils Its First Film, “Beauty & Belonging” Celebrating Diversity and Authenticity

This exclusive film captures stories from around the world to shed light on the purpose of beauty, through the lens of committed documentary director Anastasia Mikova.

SINGAPORE, Jan. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sephora is proud to announce the premiere of its inaugural global film “Beauty & Belonging,”, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Anastasia Mikova. This film was presented at BrandStorytelling at Sundance, offering a profound exploration of beauty and its diverse definitions around the globe.

Watch the film here.

“Beauty & Belonging” is an immersive documentary featuring conversations with over 75 Sephora employees and founders of iconic beauty brands. Filmed over six months across eight countries – Brazil, Canada, China, France, Poland, Thailand, UK and USA, the film explores individual experiences and perspectives on beauty from the importance of a diverse representation in society to embracing ones’ authentic beauty. It also includes testimonials from brand founders such as Christine Chang and Sarah Lee from Glow Recipe, Danessa Myricks from Danessa Myricks Beauty, Mario Dedivanovic from Makeup by Mario, Mathilde Thomas from Caudalie, and Akash and Nikita Mehta from Fable & Mane.

Jenny Cheah, Managing Director of Sephora Southeast Asia & Oceania said, “It’s truly heartening to see the stories of our employees and brand partners come to life in this film. At Sephora, everything that we do – from deciding the brands to partner with to hosting large scale events for our loyal community of beauty enthusiasts – is guided by our purpose to champion a world of inspiration and inclusion where everyone can celebrate their beauty. Beauty & Belonging has succinctly and powerfully captured that essence.”

Through this film, Sephora celebrates its passionate worldwide community and reaffirms its commitment to fostering a world of inspiration and inclusion. “Beauty & Belonging” poignantly reflects how society, culture and peers influence our perception of beauty while Sephora’s commitment is to welcome everyone for who they truly are and feel. By highlighting the unique personal stories of a diverse group of individuals, the film encapsulates Sephora’s core values of inclusion, diversity, and equity, which have been central to the company since its inception.

“It makes me so proud to be a part of Sephora when I watched the film,” added Xia Ding, Managing Director of Sephora Greater China. “Our employees are the heartbeat of the organisation, and I am convinced that when they feel empowered to embrace and define their beauty, that will deepen the connection and impact that Sephora has with our customers and partners.”

Anastasia and Sephora first met, when Sephora sponsored WOMAN, the immersive exhibition based on “Woman”, a film she co-directed with Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Her vision of the world, and her drive to uncover our world’s most compelling societal issues by putting peoples’ lives at the heart of meaningful storytelling strongly resonated with Sephora’s purpose-driven and outward looking culture.  

Anastasia Mikova added, “I’ve always been fond of meeting people and discovering their stories – what makes them unique, their journeys, and their perspectives on life. At the same time, I love finding the threads that connect us all as humans and the meaning of beauty across cultures is one of them. Throughout the shoot of the movie, I was able to sense how rich, diverse, and sensitive the Sephora community is, but above all these people are part of one big inclusive family.”

The film is available on Sephora’s YouTube channel and corporate site, Inside Sephora.

About Sephora

Sephora is the world’s leading global prestige beauty retail brand. With 52,000 passionate employees operating in 35 markets, Sephora connects customers and beauty brands within the world’s most trusted and dynamic beauty community. We serve a highly engaged community of hundreds of millions of beauty followers across our global omnichannel network of more than 3 000 stores and iconic flagships, and our e-commerce and digital platforms, offering personalised and immersive seamless experiences across every touchpoint. With our curation of close to 500 brands and our own label, Sephora Collection, we offer the most unique and diverse range of prestige beauty products, tailored to our customers’ needs from fragrance to make-up, haircare, skincare and beyond, as we constantly reimagine the world of prestige beauty.

Since our inception in 1969 in Limoges, France, and as part of the LVMH Group since 1997, we have been disrupting the prestige beauty retail industry. Today, we continue to break with convention to drive our mission: champion a world of inspiration and inclusion where everyone can celebrate their beauty.