26.8 C
Vientiane
Monday, June 23, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 964

CGTN: 2025 Spring Festival Gala: A heartwarming celebration of humanity and cultural heritage

BEIJING, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This year’s Spring Festival Gala, an annual celebration produced and broadcast by China Media Group, commenced on Tuesday, the eve of the Chinese New Year, as Chinese people worldwide celebrated the Spring Festival, the most important Chinese festival centering on family reunions.

Known as “Chunwan,” the gala, the first since China’s Spring Festival was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has not only continued its tradition as the must-watch show for Chinese families on Chinese New Year’s Eve since 1983 but also reached new heights in showcasing human warmth and cultural heritage.

The gala showcased a mix of performances, from music, comedy and traditional arts like opera and martial arts to spectacular acts such as magic and acrobatics. It was also the fourth year viewers could watch the gala on vertical screens. The mobile-optimized vertical format of the gala has proved especially popular, garnering 130 million, 190 million, and 420 million views, respectively, in the three preceding years.

A heartfelt gathering

This year’s gala placed a stronger emphasis on celebrating the lives and contributions of ordinary people, further embodying the idea of “the people’s Spring Festival Gala.”

From grassroots police officers and railway crew members to intangible cultural heritage inheritors and famous internet personalities, people from all walks of life were invited to share their personal stories and introduce the programs in the gala.

The gala also introduced barrier-free broadcasting for visually and hearing-impaired audiences for the first time, using augmented reality (AR) virtual technology and AI voice recognition to provide an inclusive viewing experience for them.

Sign language interpreters, enhanced by AR effects, and audio descriptions of the performances ensured that everyone could enjoy the festivities, further solidifying the gala’s role as a celebration for all.

Bridging cultures through celebration

As the first Spring Festival Gala following the UNESCO recognition, the 2025 edition emphasized showcasing China’s intangible cultural heritage.

The opening visual spectacle, “Welcoming Fortune,” combined cutting-edge technologies such as AR, interactive screens, and naked-eye 3D to present traditional Chinese New Year customs and cultural elements from across the country.

From the vibrant art of paper cutting to copper engraving and “iron flowers,” a folk art performance in which molten iron is cast into the air to show a firework effect, each performance was a testament to the richness and diversity of Chinese intangible cultural heritage.

Another standout program was “The Pillars and Beams,” a song-and-dance act inspired by Beijing’s Central Axis, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024.

Modern digital art was also used to show the structures of ancient Chinese architecture to viewers in detail, bringing an immersive experience of excellent Chinese traditional culture.

The gala is not just a domestic phenomenon but also a global event, inviting people from around the world to participate in the celebration.

Evan Kyle, a young American man who donated a World War II photo album to China, was invited to attend the gala. Foreign musicians and singers also performed during the gala. Among them, American rock band OneRepublic performed its hit song “Counting Stars.” Chinese and Peruvian singers sang “Condor and Lanhuahua,” which combines Lan Huahua, a popular folk song of Northern Shaanxi in China, and  “El Condor Pasa,” a Peruvian folk song.

Through CGTN and its multilingual platforms, this year’s gala reached viewers in over 200 countries and regions.

With live broadcasts in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian and coverage by more than 2,900 media outlets worldwide, the gala continues to serve as a cultural bridge connecting people across the globe.

CGTN has launched the Snake Year Dance Fun challenge to celebrate the Year of the Snake, attracting active participation from more than 70 countries and regions. CGTN also hosts its Spring Festival special “Super Night” on the eve of the Chinese New Year, presenting splendid programs to viewers worldwide in multiple languages to promote cultural exchanges.

For more information, please click:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-01-28/2025-Spring-Festival-Gala-A-toast-to-humanity-and-cultural-heritage-1AxjvW3Y9eE/p.html

Laos, UNFPA Discuss Milestones in Country Program Meeting

Laos, UN Mark Milestones in 7th Country Program Progress
photo supplied

On 28 January, the Lao government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) held an annual review and planning meeting, sharing progress in the 3rd year of implementation of the 7th Country Program 2022-2026.

Lunar New Year meets the digital age as eGift Cards offer a modern take on tradition

SYDNEY, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lunar New Year festivities are upon us, with an estimated 2 billion people worldwide, set to celebrate with the exchange of traditional hongbao (red packets).

While traditional customs remain strong, many individuals are turning to modern methods of gifting to engage with this ritual in the digital age. Digital red envelopes and gift cards have become increasingly popular, offering a convenient and modern twist on this centuries-old tradition.

Leading branded payments provider Blackhawk Network (BHN) expects to see an uptick in gift cards exchanged over this festive period.

BHN Head of APAC Region Peter Malycon says “As we welcome the Year of the Snake, we’re seeing a fusion of tradition and digital innovation as consumers embrace digital gifting this Lunar New Year. BHN’s gift card range allows for prosperity and joy to be shared with ease, whether sending a gift to loved ones across the world, the country, or the street. BHN gift cards ensure the heart of the celebrations remains unchanged: spreading good fortune, joy and meaningful connections.”

Digital gift cards offer a simple, efficient way to give and receive gifts. Sent via email, text, or even social media, they serve as a modern twist on a long-standing tradition, making it easier to share in the joy of Lunar New Year.

The rise of digital gifting reflects broader trends as more aspects of life become digitally conscious. Digital gift cards have seen significant growth, especially among younger generations. BHN research shows that younger shoppers, Gen Z and Millennials, are twice as likely to share and store gift cards via email (63%), digital wallet (41%) or text (22%)[1]. These generations are leading the way in embracing the convenience of online purchases, including gift cards.

Yet the essence of Lunar New Year remains unchanged: it is a time for renewal, compassion, and generosity. Whether choosing to honour the holiday with traditional customs or embrace the convenience of digital gifting, the spirit of the festival continues to celebrate family, community, and the promise of new beginnings.

BHN Lunar New Year gift cards are available for purchase at Giftz or via the BHN Corporate Card Store if you are looking to order in quantities for your employees or customers as timely rewards or incentives.

[1] https://blackhawknetwork.com/au-en/resources/guide-2024-could-be-shockingly-normal-year-for-gift-cards

Casio to Release G-SHOCK Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the DW-6900

TOKYO, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the release of new DW-6900TR watches which celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic round-shaped DW-6900 models, known for their triple-graph display and front button. This anniversary collection re-creates the first color variations beyond black offered in a DW-6900.

DW-6900TR
DW-6900TR

The Casio purpose is: “Through the power to put wonder at hand, bring new levels of joy to lives one by one.” One example is G-SHOCK, which ushered in an entirely new genre of toughness in wristwatch design, breaking industry conventions and setting new standards through innovative use of color, materials, and collaborations. The DW-6900, one of the iconic style* G-SHOCK watches, has served as the base for over 100 collaboration watches with brands, artists, and environmental organizations.

* There are five iconic styles in total (including 6900): the 5000 and 5600, inheriting the form of the very first G-SHOCK, the DW-5000C; the 110 with its three-dimensional dial; and the 2100 with its octagonal bezel.

The new DW-6900TR shock-resistant watches commemorate the 30th anniversary of the DW-6900 by re-creating the color variations of the DW-6900H, the first model in the line to introduce colors other than black. The collection features the three colors originally used in the DW-6900H: black, red, and yellow, evoking a sense of 1990s nostalgia that transcends time. Unique to this anniversary collection, the words “SINCE 1995” — referencing the debut year of the 6900 line — appear on the LCD when the backlight is activated. Additionally, the case back is engraved with 30 stars, adding an exclusive celebratory touch.

The front button is crafted from metal with a mirror finish, enhancing its texture and highlighting the “G” mark for a bold presence. The bezel and band are made with bio-based resin, which is expected to help reduce environmental impact.

The packaging features the “G” mark and the signature colors of black, red, and yellow, making it a fitting presentation for this commemorative collection.

DW-6900TR-1 DW-6900TR-4 DW-6900TR-9
DW-6900TR-1 DW-6900TR-4 DW-6900TR-9

 

The NYSE Celebrates Lunar New Year!

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) extends warm wishes for a prosperous, healthy, and joyful Lunar New Year. May the Year of the Snake bring wisdom, success, and fortune to all.

Included images show the celebration of the Lunar New Year across the New York Stock Exchange Building from its iconic six columned façade to the NYSE Trading Floor. The NYSE building is located at 11 Wall Street at the heart of the global financial markets.

NYSE façade with its iconic six columned façade, lit with red and yellow to signify wisdom, success, and fortune for the lunar new year celebration, photo taken on Jan 28th 2025
NYSE façade with its iconic six columned façade, lit with red and yellow to signify wisdom, success, and fortune for the lunar new year celebration, photo taken on Jan 28th 2025

 

Exterior images of NYSE building and its digital screens, photo taken on Jan 28th 2025
Exterior images of NYSE building and its digital screens, photo taken on Jan 28th 2025

 

NYSE Trading Floor during live trading hours, photo taken on Jan 28th 2025
NYSE Trading Floor during live trading hours, photo taken on Jan 28th 2025

 

NYSE Lobby where guests are welcomed into our building, photo taken on Jan 28th 2025
NYSE Lobby where guests are welcomed into our building, photo taken on Jan 28th 2025

 

About the New York Stock Exchange: Founded in 1792, the New York Stock Exchange, now part of Intercontinental Exchange, has been a leading exchange for over 230 years. The NYSE’s market model, extensive network, brand visibility, and core services assist companies in navigating global markets and accessing capital. Combining human expertise on the world’s oldest active equities trading floor with advanced trading technology from NYSE Pillar, the NYSE offers deep liquidity and stable markets.

Stockholm Exergi wins auction for government support for BECCS

STOCKHOLM, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stockholm Exergi has been awarded support in the Swedish Energy Agency’s reverse auction for BECCS. The approved support amounts to just over 20 billion SEK and will be disbursed continuously over a maximum of 15 years, starting from the commencement of geological storage. The support is an important part of the funding to enable the permanent removal of 800,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, which is more than Stockholm’s road traffic emits during the same period. 

–  This long-awaited announcement is the result of our dedicated efforts. This support is essential for us to move forward with building Europe’s largest facility for capturing and storing biogenic carbon dioxide” says Anders Egelrud, CEO of Stockholm Exergi.  

Today there is a broad consensus that global warming cannot be limited to 1.5°C or below 2°C without carbon removals. Along with emission reductions and land-based carbon sinks, permanent carbon removals are needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and combat climate change. Almost all scenarios outlined by the UN Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that align with the Paris Agreement require large volumes of BECCS. 

–  The government’s investment in BECCS together with private financing from climate-ambitious companies mark the beginning of a new green industry. This initiative paves the way for Sweden and the EU to achieve their long-term climate goals, while providing companies with a real way to reach net-zero through agreements with us to purchase permanent carbon removals.”, says Anders Egelrud. 

Stockholm Exergi’s next step in the process will be to reach an investment decision, which is expected to happen as soon as possible in 2025, paving the way to start capturing carbon dioxide within three years from now. 

About BECCS and Beccs Stockholm 
BECCS is a technology that captures biogenic carbon dioxide before it reaches the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide is converted into liquid form and permanently stored in the bedrock, creating permanent removals by removing carbon from the biogenic cycle. Permanent carbon removals can be used to balance emissions that are either unavoidable or very difficult to eliminate. It is an essential piece of the puzzle in order to reach the climate goals and net-zero emissions.  

Stockholm Exergi’s planned facility, Beccs Stockholm, will be constructed at the existing bio power plant in Värtan. The plant already leverages forest residues to generate sustainable electricity and district heating, delivering safe and reliable power while keeping Stockholm’s residents warm through a 300-mile district heating network. By now adding the removal of the biogenic carbon dioxide, we create even more climate benefits. 

generated by system

Contact Details:
Fredrik Persson
Fredrik.persson@stockholmexergi.se
+46 73 063 81 71

SURVEY REVEALS AUSTRALIANS STILL HOLIDAY MORE AT HOME

BRISBANE, Australia, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — It seems Australians have become comfortable with holidaying at home, with a new survey showing 60 per cent of respondents who had holidayed in the past 12 months did so domestically.

Holidays within Australia became the norm during COVID due to international border closures but 2024 data by Budget Direct Travel Insurance has shown the trend has stuck.

Capitalising on nearby travel options has meant 51 per cent of respondents holidayed for one to two weeks, with 26 per cent making the most of a long or standard weekend to get away.

“Domestic holidays remain an easy and comfortable holiday option for Australians; we can benefit from the incredibly diverse range of destinations on offer to explore from sandy beaches to ski fields to rain forests,” a Budget Direct spokesperson said.

It seems age makes little difference when it comes to short-term holidays, with Australians aged 18-75 showing similar frequency of local breaks. The age group taking the most weekend breaks was the 38–47-year-old group, with 30 per cent taking weekend holidays.

The lowest was the 68–75-year-old group, with 20 per cent taking weekend breaks in the past 12 months.

For holidays of one to two weeks, the age group varied little with 53 per cent of 18–27-year-olds and the 48-57-year-old groups holidaying for one to two weeks in the past 12 months.

When it came to which state took the most weekend and one-to-two-week holidays, New South Wales took the most weekend holidays (30 percent of respondents) and South Australia took the most one-to-two-week holidays (58 per cent).

As for who we holiday with, either couples or family and relatives were mostly out and about together holidaying in the past 12 months, representing 51 per cent and 44 per cent of travellers.

Friends represented 17 per cent of travelling companions, with 14 per cent of holidayers travelling alone and 1 per cent joining a tour.

While mostly taking local holidays, Australians are still savvy holiday planners with 70 per cent saving for their holiday and 70 per cent also sticking to, or coming in under, their budget.

ENDS

Link request: Please keep all links in this article to direct readers to the most accurate location for more information.

DISCLAIMER

Insurance is arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd (ABN 61 003 617 909, AFSL 241 411, Registered Office: 13/9 Sherwood Rd, Toowong 4066) on behalf of the insurer, Auto & General Insurance Company Limited ABN 42 111 5 86 353.

SoftBank Corp. and Quantinuum Announce Groundbreaking Partnership Toward Practical Application of Quantum Computing

Partnership to drive commercial value through practical go-to-market use cases and develop business model for a quantum data center

TOKYO and BROOMFIELD, Colo., Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”) and Quantinuum (“Quantinuum”) announced they agreed to a wide-ranging partnership in quantum computing.

SoftBank Corp. and Quantinuum announce partnership
SoftBank Corp. and Quantinuum announce partnership

By combining their respective strengths, both companies will unlock innovative quantum computing solutions that will overcome the limitations of classical artificial intelligence (AI) and realize next-generation technologies.

This unique initiative coincides with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) in 2025, and it is expected to ignite new business opportunities through the dynamic fusion of AI and quantum computing.

The Necessity of Quantum Computing Beyond the Limits of AI

In this modern era, AI is delivering impressive results across various domains. However, it is widely recognized that there are still significant challenges that AI alone is struggling to overcome. Complex optimization problems, deciphering causal relationship analysis, and conducting high-precision simulations based on fundamental equations remain formidable obstacles for current AI technologies.

Moreover, the hybrid approach that combines Central Processing Units (CPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) holds the potential to further extend the capabilities of AI. By leveraging the unique strengths of each type of processing unit, hybrid systems can execute more advanced and diverse computations, providing innovative solutions that surpass traditional limitations.

SoftBank and Quantinuum believe in the power of quantum computing and are committed to exploring its transformative potential.

Current State and Challenges of Quantum Computing

Despite impressive growth in the quantum computing sector, several technical and business challenges need to be addressed to advance the state-of-the-art so that quantum computers are used to solve practical problems.

(1) Building a Business Model

  • Initial Investment and Operational Costs: The substantial initial investment and operational costs required for the development and deployment of quantum computers lack concrete cost recovery strategies, which in turn suppresses the drive for companies to develop and adopt the technology.
  • Clarification of Revenue Models: The business models for generating revenue, including the methods of offering quantum computers and setting usage fees, have not yet been fully realized.

(2) Establishing Specific Use Cases

  • Discovering Use Cases: There is a shortage of use cases that clearly demonstrate which fields quantum computers will be useful in. Understanding the market size and revenue models through clear examples, especially in areas such as quantum chemical calculations and machine learning, is necessary.
  • Understanding the Market and Revenue Predictions: It is crucial to specifically identify the areas where computations can only be performed by quantum computers and are commercially viable, as well as to predict the timing and scale of these applications.

(3) Advancing Hardware and Software Technologies

  • Limitations and Challenges of Hardware: The current hardware performance (number of qubits and operation precision) of quantum computers is inadequate for handling practical problems, and significant enhancements in performance are needed for practical use.
  • Software Development and Error Mitigation: The development of hybrid algorithms that combine traditional methods, as well as advancements in error suppression, mitigation, and correction technologies, are essential to enable practical computations. Furthermore, developing technologies that mutually complement hardware and software are also indispensable.
  • Timing for Service Provision: Making decisions based on a deep understanding of technology to provide services at the optimal timing requires assessing the speed of technological advancements and market needs.

Key Activities

SoftBank and Quantinuum are committed to addressing these challenges together to advance the practical application of quantum computers.

(1)  Joint Market Research & Business Model Development for Quantum Data Center

  • With a view toward the realization of a “quantum data center” capable of performing advanced calculation processing by combining CPUs, GPUs and quantum computers (QPUs), both companies will use the Japanese market as a foothold to conduct global market research in the Asia-Pacific region and other regions, and explore specific business models based on that research.
  • Both companies will jointly consider methods to reduce investment risks, such as revenue sharing and cost sharing.

(2)  Construction of Quantum Use-Case Timelines and Validation

  • SoftBank will provide its own business challenges as use cases.
  • Both companies will clarify use cases in quantum chemistry and network analysis, and construct a timeline showing when these use cases will be realized. In quantum chemistry, the search for new optical switch materials for All Optical Networks is anticipated, while in network analysis, the application to anomaly detection and fraud detection in SoftBank’s communication network is envisioned.
  • Both companies will develop software technology that makes effective use of limited hardware resources, and explore methods for linking CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs.
SoftBank Corp. and Quantinuum announce groundbreaking partnership to drive commercial value through practical go-to-market use cases and develop business model for a quantum data center
SoftBank Corp. and Quantinuum announce groundbreaking partnership to drive commercial value through practical go-to-market use cases and develop business model for a quantum data center

Comments from each company

Ryuji Wakikawa, Head of Research Institute of Advanced Technology, SoftBank Corp., commented: “SoftBank believes in the potential of quantum computers and has been testing and evaluating various internal issues using quantum computers, and has started to obtain certain results. However, as a telecommunications operator, there are still many challenges remaining regarding how to provide quantum computing services in Japan. Through our collaboration with Quantinuum, which possesses the world’s highest-performance quantum computer hardware, we aim to be the first in the world to identify problems that can only be solved by quantum computers and look forward to significantly accelerating the practical application of quantum computing.”

Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum, commented: “Our partnership with SoftBank represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of quantum computing. By combining our strengths, we are poised to unlock innovative solutions that will not only enhance the capabilities of AI but also tackle challenges that have long been beyond reach. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a future where quantum technologies drive transformative advancements across multiple industries.”

By integrating quantum computing with AI, this initiative is expected to contribute to problem-solving in diverse fields such as healthcare, finance, logistics, and energy. This collaboration not only addresses unsolved challenges but also creates new market opportunities and fosters technological innovation across society.

About SoftBank Corp.

Guided by the SoftBank Group’s corporate philosophy, “Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone,” SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) operates telecommunications and IT businesses in Japan and globally. Building on its strong business foundation, SoftBank Corp. is expanding into non-telecom fields in line with its “Beyond Carrier” growth strategy while further growing its telecom business by harnessing the power of 5G/6G, IoT, Digital Twin and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions, including High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)-based stratospheric telecommunications. While constructing AI data centers and developing homegrown LLMs specialized for the Japanese language with one trillion parameters, SoftBank is applying AI to enhance radio access network performance (AI-RAN) with the aim of becoming a provider of next-generation social infrastructure.

To learn more, please visit https://www.softbank.jp/en/.

About Quantinuum

Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum computing company, pioneers powerful quantum computers and advanced software solutions. Quantinuum’s technology drives breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-gen quantum AI. With around 600 employees, including 370+ scientists and engineers, Quantinuum leads the quantum computing revolution across continents.

For more information, please visit the website at www.quantinuum.com.

 

  • SoftBank, the SoftBank name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and other countries.
  • Other company, product and service names in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.