PR Newswire

CUTTACK, India, Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The historic Bali Jatra, one of Asia's largest open-air festivals, was inaugurated on Monday, November 27 with great fervor and enthusiasm. The festival, which celebrates the maritime glory of the people of Odisha, commenced with the gracious presence of esteemed dignitaries and government officials.

Hon'ble Minister of Finance, Government of Odisha, Shri Bikram Keshari Arukha, had the honor of inaugurating the festival at the Bali Jatra ground. He was joined by Chief Speaker Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Shri Bhatruhari Mahtab, and Hon'ble Guest Minister, Shri Ranendra Pratap Swain, Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, Government of Odisha. The event witnessed the participation of several other prominent figures, including Hon'ble Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Cuttack, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Mayor Shri Subhash Chandra Singh, and Deputy Mayor Ms. Damayanti Majhi, among others.

This year's Bali Jatra festival promises to be an extraordinary experience featuring an array of attractions designed to delight visitors. Among the highlights are a tunnel aquarium, a digital exhibition, an eco-friendly fire show, an urban self-help group (SHG) enclosure, a rural pavilion, an art exhibition, and captivating sand art displays.

The digital hanger stands out as a unique offering, providing visitors with an immersive experience that includes anamorphic, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) displays, engaging digital games, a digital pathway, the Corporators' Corner, and an exhibition featuring the present Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Cuttack.

A remarkable collection of 420 stalls has been set up by Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), showcasing a diverse range of handlooms, handicrafts, agri-horticulture value-added products, and authentic spices. These stalls feature the work of talented women producers and artisans from across 30 districts of Odisha and 22 other states including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Manipur, Tripura, and Chhattisgarh. Mission Shakti Self Help Groups, a leading entity in empowering women and fostering local entrepreneurship, proudly announced the opening of 70 stalls in Cuttack. These stalls offered a diverse range of products, from exquisite handicrafts to mouth-watering food items, all meticulously crafted by its talented members.

This initiative aims to empower women by providing opportunities to strengthen their economic condition. Furthermore, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has established the 'Mo Khata' counter, offering recycled waste turned into manure for sale.

Environmental sustainability has been a key focus of the Bali Jatra festival this year. CMC has taken numerous precautionary measures to ensure the festival remains plastic litter-free.

Eighteen dedicated stores have been designated for the collection of plastic waste, and shopkeepers and vendors have been educated on the importance of waste segregation. Dry and wet dustbins have been made available throughout the festival grounds, and individuals who deposit bulk waste such as tin cans, PET beverage containers, and plastic items will receive token money as an incentive. Additionally, eight Food Safety teams have been formed to ensure the availability of high-quality food, and regular defogging and sprinkling of water will be conducted to prevent dust accumulation.

Enhancing the lively atmosphere of the event, a stunning laser light show was inaugurated by CMC Mayor Shri Subhash Chandra Singh. The spectacle was met with tremendous appreciation from the visitors, making it a night to remember, beautifully blending local commerce and entertainment. The combination of diverse stalls and captivating entertainment adds to the vibrancy and charm of the Bali Jatra festival.

Bali Jatra is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Odisha and holds significant historical value. The festival takes place on the banks of the majestic river Mahanadi at Gadagadia Ghata and commences on Kartika Purnima, the day when Odia's sail handmade colorful boats in rivers and ponds, symbolizing their ancestors' voyages for trade to distant lands.

In a momentous event held at the Barabati Stadium last year, Bali Jatra etched its name in history. On 15th November 2022, the festival achieved a remarkable feat, making its mark on the global map by setting a Guinness World Record. Thousands of paper boats, symbolizing tradition and festivity, were lovingly crafted by 2,121 students from 22 different schools in Cuttack. Their efforts resulted in an astounding 22,000 paper boats being made within a mere 35 minutes. The joint efforts of the Cuttack District Administration and the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) made this record-breaking event possible. Their dedication and support have provided a platform for the tradition and culture of Odisha to flourish and be celebrated on an international scale, further solidifying its place as a cultural phenomenon.

Bali Jatra continues to evolve and captivate the hearts of millions and thrives as a significant trading event attracting merchants from all corners of the country. As the festival looks to the future, it promises to bring even greater joy, spectacle, and cherished memories to all who immerse themselves in its vibrant charm.

Make sure not to miss the awe-inspiring Bali Jatra Festival, where tradition, culture, and celebration intertwine to create a truly remarkable experience!

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LONDON, Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Smirnoff, the world's #1 vodka^[1], is today unveiling multimarket activations to boldly champion the power of the collective and reignite social connections around the world in a celebration of the spark that's created when different people, flavours and ingredients come together.

With a recent report indicating that 79% of 18-29 year-olds feel their emotional connections are weaker today than they were in the past^[2], this new initiative aims to tackle feelings of disconnection and isolation around the world. Rolling out in more than 20 countries including the UK, Canada, North America, Mexico, Brazil, Ireland, India and Australia, the initiative will bring local communities together through activities, partnerships and events that lean into local culture and passion points such as music, sport and dance.

These activations will be underpinned by a new global creative, Atomic, which brings this inclusive ethos to life through a playful "life is like a cocktail" metaphor. Embodying the spirit of togetherness, the spot, initially launching in the UK, shows a diverse group of people spontaneously turning into bubbles which mix together before turning back into human form and finally connecting with one another.

In the UK, Smirnoff is reigniting social connection with a focus on lowering social barriers through a new long-term partnership with Sinead Burke's accessibility and inclusion consultancy, Tilting the Lens, and Stonegate, one of the UK's largest hospitality groups, to make socialising more accessible.

Spearheaded by an event curated by legendary nightlife performers, Sink The Pink, the London launch took place last night, Wednesday 29 November, and was hosted by comedian Fats Timbo and actor Layton Williams. The night saw Drag Syndrome, a collective of fabulous Kings and Queens with Down syndrome, take to the stage alongside an array of performers including former Spice Girl Mel C.

The venue was transformed to showcase some of the ways in which barriers found in the built environment of our social venues can be addressed. The inclusion of features such as a low-counter bar, accessible viewing platforms, a quiet room, BSL interpreters and visual interpreting tools meant that Disabled guests were able to enjoy the night as their full, true, and diverse selves.

The ambition is that the brand's partnership with Stonegate and Tilting the Lens will drive positive change for the Disabled community over the coming months by reviewing the settings in which people drink and engage with Smirnoff products.

Lady Mercury and Lady Francesca, members of Drag Syndrome, commented:

"As a collective of fabulous drag artists, we love performing and had a great time on stage alongside all of the other talented acts. Through the new partnerships that Smirnoff announced last night, we hope to see more events like this across the UK with easier access and representation of the Disabled community in the audience."

Sinéad Burke, CEO and Founder of Tilting the Lens, commented: 

"Smirnoff's commitment to implement measurable changes in accessibility, by working with Disabled people, is a much-needed approach to a sector that, for too long, has excluded Disabled people as customers and talent. Viewing accessibility not merely as a measure of compliance, but one of community and creativity means that through the inclusion of Quiet Rooms, British Sign Language performers, inclusive furniture, and trained staff, Disabled people can be who they are, as they are, not merely for one night only."

Beyond the UK, Smirnoff has used the medium of dance to reignite social connections across Brazil through its partnership with popstar IZA to launch a unique track and dance challenge that has got everyone moving together. The initiative has spanned borders with interactive billboards in major global cities encouraging passers-by to get involved. 

In the US, Smirnoff has been using the power of sport to reignite social connections with an NFL partnership that encourages all fans to come together and celebrate their unique traditions and fandom for Game Days. A new national TVC campaign launched with custom spots that demonstrate the cultures of each fanbase alongside a coin toss activation that enabled fans to win delicious game day cocktails, demonstrating how Smirnoff brings people together.

Stephanie Jacoby, Smirnoff Global Brand Director, commented: 

"Despite there being more ways than ever for us to connect with one another, we know that feelings of loneliness and isolation are rising around the world. At Smirnoff, we fundamentally believe that we're better when we're together, which is why these acts feel so important and relevant for today. By reinforcing social connections and doubling down on our longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusivity, we aim to make it as easy as possible for as many people as possible to come together." 

More activities are being planned in markets all around the world over the coming months, including fresh partnerships and initiatives focussed on festival season and Pride - building on Smirnoff's well-established commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community - and ensuring they continue to reignite social connections and bring people together like never before.

NOTES TO EDITOR

For all media inquiries and/or interview requests, please contact smirnoffglobal@smarts.agency
The Atomic creative spot can be viewed here and behind the scenes of production is available here.

About Smirnoff Vodka

Smirnoff is the world's #1 vodka^[3] and Diageo's most popular spirit brand by volume^[4]. Smirnoff is a brand for everyone and has been enjoyed for more than 150 years. To learn more about Smirnoff and any upcoming news, visit www.smirnoff.com. 

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

^[1] Spirits Business, Brand Champions Report 2023
^[2] McCann Worldgroup Truth Central Truth About Youth 2023
^[3] Spirits Business, Brand Champions Report 2023
^[4] Diageo Performance Results for fiscal year 2023

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PARIS, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unither Pharmaceuticals, a leading CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization), celebrates 30 years in business. In 1993, Unither Pharmaceuticals began operations by acquiring a 17-man pharmaceutical plant that produced 3 pharmaceutical forms. Today, the company is a world leader in the manufacture of sterile unit doses, with a production capacity of 5 billion doses and a presence on four continents. This growth is also reflected in rising sales, which should reach 500 million euros by 2023.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/9229051-unither-pharmaceuticals-celebrates-30-years-innovation-expertise/

Unither first implemented Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS) technology in 1995, enabling them to manufacture sterile doses of saline solutions, asthma medications, and eye drops. From 1997 onwards, the company developed its international business, first by exporting its products, then by acquiring a factory in the United States in 2013. With the acquisition of Barretos in 2015, Unither gained a foothold in Brazil. Then in 2020, an acquisition in China, inNanjing, consolidated its global footprint. In 2022, Unither further expanded its activities with the acquisition of a new site specializing in ophthalmology in São Paulo. This international development is designed to support its customers' international industrial strategies by getting closer to their target markets.

Since its inception, Unither has been at the forefront of innovation, continuously striving to improve patients' lives. Eric Goupil, President of Unither Pharmaceuticals, reminds the group's vision: "We want to be recognized for making healthcare solutions that improve and simplify patients' lives accessible to as many people as possible. We imagine new ideas, and our enthusiasm and energy enable us to realize them for the benefit of our customers.".

Jean-François Hilaire, CEO of Unither Pharmaceuticals, looks to the future: "Unither's vocation is to support our customers in their drive for innovation and in their efforts to meet the demands of their markets. With Euroject®, our recent breakthrough in merging a single-use dose with a needle to create a ready-to-use injection system, illustrates Unither's commitment to simplifying the lives of healthcare practitioners and patients, while keeping costs under control.".

About Unither Pharmaceuticals:  www.unither-pharma.com/about/who-are-we/

Press contact:
contact@unither-pharma.com

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SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Addressing the smart campus development needs in Macau SAR, China, CTM has partnered with Huawei and the Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.), to establish the first Smart Campus Private Network in Macau SAR, China, and also the first cross-regional solutions between Mainland China and Macau SAR China, which rides on the high security of CTM 5G networks, providing a safe and mobile network environment for scientific research in school.

Utilizing Huawei's pioneering 5G Mobile VPN solution, the 5G Smart Campus Network empowers teachers and students to securely access the campus' intranet with high-speed capabilities regardless of their physical location via the 5G network. The network ensures data remains within the campus' private network, enhancing the protection of sensitive data. The solution facilitates academic research and enhances user experience. Additionally, the solution extended to support with international roaming, allowing seamless access to the campus intranet for teachers and students abroad.

The solution also supports the scientific research of the Macau Science-1 satellite project. This solution addresses the limitations of the current data transmission method between ground stations by establishing a cross-regional 5G Private Network. Enhancing speed, security, and large bandwidth, it elevates the accuracy and efficiency of planetary magnetic field data collection for the Macau Science-1 satellite project, providing strong support to the research teams located at the M.U.S.T. in Macau SAR, China, also the ground stations located in Xi-An and Ning-Bo in Mainland China. This pioneering 5G application will not only contribute to Macau's aerospace research but also allow Macau SAR, China to shine at the intercity event.

The project clinched the first prize in the 6th "Bloom Cup" 5G Application Competition organized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China and was awarded the Best International Application Award among the applications from 23 countries and regions worldwide.

Dr. Tong Ka Lok, Vice-President of M.U.S.T. highlighted that "5G Smart Campus" is an innovation project that combines 5G technology and campus infrastructure, as well as an innovative demonstration for the promotion and adoption of 5G technology in Macau SAR, China. M.U.S.T. has continued to increase investment in information infrastructure, established a modern data center, developed the system architecture of large platforms and micro-services, and achieved Wi-Fi 6 network coverage throughout the campus, which lays a solid foundation for the construction of the "5G Smart Campus".

Ms. Ebel Cham, Commercial Vice-President of CTM said that since the launch of 5G services, CTM has popularized smart application scenarios under a 5G cloud network integration through its "Three Networks, Four Centers and One Platform" smart city comprehensive infrastructure. The collaboration enhances the safety and convenience of connecting to the campus intranet and applications by CTM 5G network across Macau SAR, China. Meanwhile, CTM will waive the 5G data usage when connecting to intranet and campus applications within Mainland China, Macau SAR, China, and Hong Kong SAR, China.

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CHANGSHA, China, Nov. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SANY Group, ("SANY"), a globally leading enterprise of the high-end equipment manufacturing industry, is accentuating advancing sustainable development and the green manufacturing transformation of the heavy machinery industry, ahead of the COP28 UAE, that is set to take place from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai. The theme of the 13-day program this year is "Actionism," calling for people to rise to meet the climate change challenges.

The COP28 will center on four major paradigm shifts – namely accelerating the transition from fossil fuels, agreeing on climate finance shifts, emphasizing the role of people and nature in climate action, and ensuring the summit is an inclusive event that women, indigenous people, local communities, youth, countries and more can all be a part of.

SANY is responding actively and positively to the summit's agenda with concrete actions to promote the transformation of green manufacturing, bringing sustainable solutions to the industries of mining, construction, wind power, and more.

Taking green actions to build a sustainable future

SANY is vigorously expanding the use of green energy (renewables such as solar and wind) in production processes to reduce the reliance on traditional energy sources, lower carbon emissions, and support climate change actions. It has adopted multiple initiatives, especially in accelerating the R&D and application of wind energy, hydrogen, and electrification solutions, and achieved significant results.

SANY's subsidiary SANY Renewable Energy has been investing in and constructing wind farms to boost the proportion of wind power in the energy structure, through intelligent upgrades in manufacturing and creating intelligent workshops. By doing this, SANY Renewable Energy has reduced the overall unit energy consumption and carbon emissions by 15 percent compared to pre-upgrade.

In 2022, SANY has added more than 3,000 energy metering connections. SANY built China's first intelligent mixing station park and invested 3.22 million yuan in photovoltaic construction that will produce 900,000 kWh of power annually. The park will cut 887 tons of carbon emission, 242 tons of dust emissions, 26.7 tons of sulfide, and 13.4 tons of nitric oxide to achieve synergetic development of intelligent manufacturing and environmental conservation.

A total of 11 subsidiaries of SANY have installed photovoltaic power generation equipment, with clean energy usage amounting to 16.013 million kWh.

SANY is actively engaged in the R&D of hydrogen fuel cell technology to improve battery efficiency, reduce cost, and boost the production and storage capabilities, while expanding the applications of hydrogen energy.

Innovation-driven climate action tackles industry bottlenecks

Through establishing a green supply chain, SANY adopts renewable materials and environmentally friendly technologies to reduce resource waste and improve the sustainability of the supply chain.

SANY continues to improve the long-term mechanism for pollution prevention and control, strengthen the control of waste emissions including water, gas, and other hazardous substances, and be cautious of business and operation actions that could damage the ecological environment. In 2022, the group's wastewater and gas emissions met the standard rate of 100 percent, with a 100 percent compliance rate for hazardous waste disposal.

The group is also pushing for using environment-friendly materials to minimize pollution, so that the carbon reduction throughout the product life cycle also includes materials. In 2022, its VOCs emission density was 0.0011 tons per million revenue, a 39.71 percent reduction from the base year.

Meanwhile, the continuous upgrade of production techniques and processes, promotion of energy conservation technologies, and advancement of low-carbon technology development are not only playing key roles in improving production efficiency, but also reducing carbon footprint and aims to reach the "dual-carbon" goals.

Calling for the public's participation

SANY has been carrying out training programs and campaigns centered on environmental protection for employees, while further raising community engagement in terms of green, low-carbon, community-friendly, and educational innovation agendas. In 2022, the company employees completed 687.4 hours of volunteer work, and SANY invested 9.75 million yuan in the year to support 15 public welfare projects.

SANY Construction Industry is leading the green technology application in urban infrastructure construction to accelerate the sustainable development of cities and building intelligent cities, green transportation systems, and energy-conserving architectures to reduce energy consumption, improving urban environment quality and people's livelihoods.

In terms of biodiversity and sustainable development, SANY emphasizes the conservation of soil, ocean, crops, and animals to create a better future, and advocates a circular economy to decrease the waste of resources.

In the context of increasingly severe issues of global climate change, SANY, as a leader in the green industry, is committed to promoting sustainable development and actively joining global efforts to address climate change through comprehensive initiatives such as green supply chains, green energy, and carbon emission reduction.

For more information about SANY Group, please visit www.sanyglobal.com or follow us on Facebook or YouTube.

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Upgrading their data distribution backbone will help Finalto meet the performance and reliability standards required to remain competitive

LONDON, Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Solace, the leading enabler of event-driven architecture for real-time enterprises, announced today that Finalto, a London-based financial services firm, is replacing its legacy messaging infrastructure with Solace PubSub+ Platform in order to stay ahead of the curve in an environment with ever-increasing market data volume, providing efficient, low latency pricing and trading to its clients.

As a broker, Finalto will accept trades from clients and submit them to liquidity providers. To offer competitive pricing for its customers, Finalto required a trading platform that could support higher throughput and lower latency which their current system was unable to deliver.

"We knew our desire to continually improve our offering demanded that we upgrade our trading platform's data distribution infrastructure, and quickly realized Solace was the answer," said Paul Groves, CEO, Finalto Financial Services Ltd and Finalto Trading Ltd. "The Solace team's deep experience in building high performance trading systems was as impressive as it was unsurprising, given their stable of blue-chip customers in the Capital Markets space."

To support this shift, Finalto is deploying a combination of Solace PubSub+ Event Broker appliances and software in financial centers around the world, including London, Copenhagen, New York and Singapore. The company is linking these event brokers to build an event mesh that will efficiently stream information across their enterprise in real-time – from the low latency distribution of market data that informs trades, to the guaranteed delivery of pre- and post-trade data between front-, middle- and back-office systems across lines of business and geographies.

"We're proud to be helping Finalto expand their business by upgrading their trading platform," said David Mitchell, Regional VP, United Kingdom and Ireland, Solace. "By giving Finalto the power to route tens of millions of messages a second with mere microseconds of latency, our proven technology will be a key part of their ongoing success."

About Finalto
Finalto is a market leader in global financial services. Formerly the Tradetech group comprising of a number of B2B businesses, CFH, Alpha, and Tradetech 360 in addition to our B2C brand Markets.com, we have been raising the industry bar for years. We are market leaders in next-generation multi-channel trading software, systems and liquidity services which are offered in a B2B capacity to our global partner network. Visit https://finalto.com to learn more.

About Solace
As the experts in EDA, Solace helps enterprises become modern and real-time by giving them everything they need to make their business operations and customer interactions event-driven. With PubSub+, a complete events streaming and management platform, the company provides a comprehensive way to create, document, discover and stream events from where they are produced to where they need to be consumed. Established enterprises worldwide use Solace's advanced event broker technologies to modernize legacy applications, deploy modern microservices, and build an event mesh to support their hybrid cloud, multi-cloud and IoT architectures. Learn more at solace.com.

Solace Press Contacts

UK
Positive
Carl Escoffier
cescoffier@positivemarketing.com
+44 (0)780 080 5625

Europe & Americas
IBA International
Jamie Kightley
Jkightley@iba-international.com
+44 (0) 1572 757932

APAC
Rice Communications
Neil Mirano
neil.mirano@ricecomms.com
+65 3157 5685

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BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Daily: 

In front of the camera, Manzoor Hussain Soomro, 67, in a suit, burst with vigor. Speaking of the role of youth in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), he cast his eyes to the volunteers present with visible excitement. "They are the future," he said. "They are more energetic than our generation and more adapted to modern technology, and they are the world's future leaders."

It was the seventh time that Professor Manzoor Hussain Soomro has taken part in the Belt and Road Teenager Maker Camp and Teacher Workshop. The sight of the teachers and students from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, countries along the Belt and Road, as well as the Chinese volunteers who worked at the venue, impressed him with the aim of the event: to draw on the power of youth. A sustainable supply of talent is a decisive factor for growth in the field of science and technology and beyond.

Railways, roads and bridges bring in engineers

" Science and technology are powerful. For countries with young people who are not good at the development and application of technology, they must seek cooperation to catch up," Soomro said. The Pakistani teacher is committed to researching international scientific and technological collaboration, especially collaboration among BRI partners. He is recognized as an international heavyweight as Vice President of the Belt and Road International Science Education Consortium (BRISEC) and a recipient of the Chinese government's Friendship Award in 2020.

Soomro refers to Pakistan, his home country, as a laboratory for many collaborative projects between China and other BRI partners. In recent years, he has seen railways, highways, bridges, dams and other large infrastructure projects spring up in Pakistan as a result of close collaboration with China. Upon the completion of these projects, many Pakistanis have been employed for the daily maintenance of the facilities, after which they would be trained to be engineers or technicians with scientific literacy. "It will offer great access to science education [for young people in developing countries], Soomro said. As part of the BRI, youth training has kept pace with the times and has delivered remarkable outcomes.

A teenager grows out of a village without electricity

Soomro grew up poor in a hot Pakistani village with no electricity and little access to information.

His father, a farmer, had no formal education but was wise in raising his young son, encouraging his curiosity about and exploration of the world of science, including astronomy.

As a student, Soomro had a strong desire to escape poverty. He loved science, and as he explored it, he came to realize the significance of communication and education for individual growth. After excelling in various science competitions he was awarded the President's Merit Scholarships in Pakistan and travelled to the United Kingdom to pursue a PhD. He has gradually earned his place on the international stage and has been engaged in more and greater international collaboration.

Technology gives the underprivileged access to education

Working experience in UNESCO, FAO UN and other organizations has made Soomro deeply aware of the role of science and technology in helping the disadvantaged. In the past, in some remote rural areas, schools were understaffed and under-equipped, especially for subjects such as physics. Science is dynamic but generally the teachers don't get updated training. As a consequence, their education quality lagged far behind that of city schools. The introduction of distance education and collaboration with external teachers has made it possible to greatly improve education in poor areas. However, there is no replacement for the face to face interaction.

Personalized learning is also more favorable for education as artificial intelligence is introduced into traditional classrooms, Soomro says. Students can adjust the pace and difficulty of their learning to suit their needs, and those with disabilities and those who speak different languages are no longer shut out of education.

"Young people can work together instead of just competing and comparing with each other." "The future of work will change drastically, but it is predictable that strong critical thinking, analytical capability, adaptability and continuous learning will all be vital for young people."

Through the Maker Camp organized by the China Association for Science and Technology and local governments, he says, he expects young person will find their own unique strengths, discover themselves and will learn to work with others while pursuing their dreams. His idea is consistent with the vision of the BRI: drawing on one's strengths so as to achieve growth that everyone benefits from.

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MUMBAI, India, Nov. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OKX, a leading Web3 technology company, today launched its cricket-themed 'Be a Crypto Player' Web3 ad campaign in India. Strategically timed to coincide with the 2023 international cricket championship final between India and Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19, the campaign positions OKX as a key Web3 player in India and showcases its comprehensive suite of Web3 products.

Scheduled to launch with a prominent takeover of X (formerly known as Twitter) across the Indian market on November 19, the ad campaign revolves around a character named Ajay, who is engrossed in the international cricket championship final. In the ad, Ajay hears the voice of OKX encouraging him to become a crypto player and join a community of millions in a new economic system powered by Web3.

The goal of the ad is to inspire the wider audience to embrace the world of Web3 via the OKX Wallet, which makes crypto accessible for everyone. The ad highlights the benefits of OKX's all-in-one Web3 wallet, which provides access to 200,000 tokens via its DEX aggregator, as well as thousands of NFTs and DApps across nearly 80 blockchains. The ad, available in Hindi in addition to English, also marks OKX's recent addition of Hindi support to its Web3 wallet.

OKX Chief Marketing Officer Haider Rafique said: "India's growing enthusiasm for crypto and its position as a significant market for Web3 users have made us prioritize the country in our expansion efforts. The campaign aims to introduce the Indian market to the world of Web3, encouraging users to explore the countless possibilities offered by blockchain technology. It also reflects our commitment to driving the widespread adoption of this revolutionary technology in the country, while encouraging people to learn about Web3 and its applications in a responsible way."

This campaign follows the recent launch of OKX Crypto Cricket Cup, an interactive competition that ran from October 5 to November 5 alongside the 2023 international cricket championship. The competition saw participation from over 80,000 users and aimed to encourage eligible participants to learn about Web3, capture exclusive, cricket-themed NFTs and compete for a share of a prize pool worth over USD200,000.

As part of its expansion efforts in India, OKX's Web3 team will strengthen its connection with India's thriving developer community by organizing Web3 activations, hackathons and side events at prominent developer events during the month of December. Some of the events they will be participating in include EthSign, Polygon Connect and ETH India.

For further information, please contact:
Media@okx.com

About OKX

A leading global technology company driving the future of Web3, OKX provides a comprehensive suite of products to meet the needs of beginners and experts alike, including:

• OKX Wallet: The world's most powerful, secure and versatile crypto wallet which gives users access to over 80 blockchains while allowing them to take custody of their own funds. The wallet includes MPC technology which allows users to easily recover access to their wallet independently, removing the need for traditional, 'written down' seed phrases.
• DEX: A multi-chain, cross-chain decentralized exchange aggregator of 300+ other DEXs and approximately 15 bridges, with 200,000+ coins and more than 20 blockchains supported.
• NFT Marketplace: A multi-chain, zero-fee NFT marketplace that gives users access to NFT listings across seven top-tier marketplaces including OpenSea, MagicEden, LooksRare and Blur.
• Web3 DeFi: A powerful DeFi platform that supports earning and staking on about 70 protocols across more than 10 chains.

OKX partners with a number of the world's top brands and athletes, including English Premier League champions Manchester City F.C., McLaren Formula 1, The Tribeca Festival, Olympian Scotty James, and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo.

As a leader building innovative technology products, OKX believes in challenging the status quo. The company recently launched a global brand campaign entitled, The System Needs a Rewrite, which advocates for a new paradigm led by Web3 self-managed technology.

To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com

Disclaimer

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HONG KONG, Nov. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aligning with Toshiba TV's commitment to crafting enduring models featuring dynamic sound and picture performance, the Z870 model stands out as a significant addition to its legacy.

The recently concluded #MakingSoundVisible campaign surpassed the portrayal of the Z870 as a mere home entertainment centerpiece. With the endorsement of respected music producers, the campaign showcased the Z870 not just as a screen, but as a testament to professional-grade sound quality. Social media interactions during this event uncovered the exceptional depth of audio and visual clarity inherent in the latest model.

With a suite of features designed for modern-age appeal, the Toshiba TV Z870 is primed for success. The Mini-LED technology is a distinguishing offering of the Toshiba TV Z870; impressively weaving deep sound into vivid pictures to complete the music creation experience.

The Dolby Atmos technology is in-fitted for sonic brilliance, providing a three-dimensional sound experience. Every note comes out as powerful and thrilling as intended by the producer. This is complemented by the REGZA Bass Woofer Pro, designed to enrich music with deep bass, taking you to the heart of live concerts, where the thumping beat resonates through the crowd.

Behind the spectacular audio rendition of the Z870 is the REGZA Engine ZRi, an AI-powered system that optimizes every decibel for an all-immersive experience.

Like its well-received predecessors, the Z870 is fitted with the Quantum Dot Color Technology, which makes for a billion shades of accurate colors to make every displayed frame a realistic scenery. Full Array Local Dimming PRO delivers remarkable contrast, and the IMAX Enhanced Certification takes visuals to the next level, ensuring a superior picture quality for the cinematic feel.

Beyond the #MakingSoundVisible campaign, Toshiba TV's new Z870 orchestrates a complete sensory fusion of sound and visuals, offering an immersive experience tailored for the enjoyment of music and elevating the realm of home entertainment.

About Toshiba TV

Toshiba TV has 70+ years of history in TV production. With its strong DNA in inventions and innovative ideas, Toshiba TV has produced many TVs with the world's first features. Toshiba TV has provided unforgettable experiences and new viewing styles to many people around the world through its high image quality.

For more details, stay tuned to Toshiba TV on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube

Contact
Elina Cao
elina.cao@smplcty.marketing 

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PARIS, Nov. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting today, Vestiaire Collective, the leading global second-hand luxury fashion platform, announces it is banning a second wave of fast fashion brands from its platform. This marks the second year in a three-year rollout to ban all fast fashion from Vestiaire Collective's website. Following last year's initial announcement, Vestiaire Collective saw 70% of members impacted by the ban come back to the platform to shop for better quality items and invest in second-hand. Furthering their commitment to create a more circular economy, Vestiaire Collective worked with a committee of nine fashion and sustainability experts to create a clear definition of fast fashion and leverage this framework to ban industry giants from its website.

BANNED BRANDS AND DEFINING FAST FASHION

Banning more fast fashion from Vestiaire Collective's website will spark debate, however, with the climate crisis accelerating and ninety-two million tons of textile waste thrown away every year¹, it is a necessary step to reduce fashion's environmental and social impact. As part of the company's mission to change the way people consume, Vestiaire Collective will utilize the platform to bring awareness to issues of textile waste and fashion overconsumption, as well as encourage other key fashion players to join the mission to change the industry. After a year of research and planning, starting today, Vestiaire Collective proudly bans a list of 30 brands including: Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, H&M, Mango, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, and Zara among others.

Vestiaire Collective gathered key industry experts to help build a framework defining fast fashion based on the five criteria fueling overproduction and overconsumption:

• Low price point: estimated average price point, also considering the repairability component
• Intense renewal rate: the estimated number of collections or number of new items drops per year
• Wide product range size: the number of items available at a given moment
• Speed to market: the production cycle time, from designing phase to finished goods in store
• Strong promotion intensity: the frequency and intensity of sale promotions

Vestiaire Collective's nine industry and sustainability committee members were selected based on their expertise and strong understanding of fast fashion's negative environmental and social impact. The experts gave their in-depth opinion and analysis of the fast fashion market. The members include:

¹ (Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation)

• Orsola de Castro, Co-founder of Fashion Revolution and author
• Rachel Cernansky, Senior Sustainability Editor at Vogue Business
• Christina Dean, Founder and Board Chair of NGO Redress and Founder and Chief Operating Officer of The R Collective
• Eva Kruse, Chief Global Engagement Officer Pangaia, Founder of the Global Fashion Agenda
• Liz Ricketts, Co-founder and Director of The Or Foundation
• Lauren Singer,  Managing Partner, Overview Capital
• François Souchet, Global Head of Sustainability and Impact Consulting at BPCM, Former lead "Make Fashion Circular" at Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• Lucianne Tonti, Fashion journalist and author
• Matteo Ward, Co-founder of Wrad living, activist, UN/CEFACT advisor

"The decision to ban fast fashion was made to support Vestiaire Collective's long time work to promote alternatives to the dominant model of fashion. Fast fashion brands contribute to excessive production and consumption, resulting in devastating social and environmental consequences in the Global South. It is our duty to act and lead the way for other industry players to join us in this movement, and together we can have an impact." noted Dounia Wone, Chief Impact Officer, Vestiaire Collective.

EDUCATION AND AMPLIFICATION

Vestiaire Collective knows that banning fast fashion only works if consumers shop more consciously, and the company encourages buyers to think critically about their purchasing habits and the true impact of their choices. Vestiaire Collective created an educational journey for buyers and sellers who will see informational messages at every step of their shopping or listing experience. They will also receive practical alternatives for their existing fast fashion items via an online guide with resources for donation strategies and sustainability insights. Vestiaire Collective also commits to educating companies on the benefits of sustainable operations as well as evaluating existing relationships with partners and influencers based on their current practices.

To create awareness, Vestiaire Collective is launching a global campaign "Think First, Buy Second" across its digital channels. The campaign leveraging AI technology, will include a video and visuals of piles of clothes located in some of the most recognizable locations of the Global North, such as Times Square, or The Eiffel Tour to replicate what textile waste and landfills would look like in consumers' own countries. The campaign will encourage social media users to take the pledge in an effort to turn Black Friday into a Better Friday. Participants can choose between pledging to only buy second-hand this Better Friday, until the end of the year, in 2024 or to stick to second-hand forever.

ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

As part of the creation of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for textiles currently under discussion at the European Parliament, Vestiaire Collective has drawn up a position paper advocating greater transparency in the regulation of end-of-life and textile waste exports. The Company has called on the European Parliament and all industry stakeholders to address the urgency of textile waste.

Today, France is the only European country to benefit from an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system that the European Commission proposes to expand to all European countries. Vestiaire Collective and Paris Good Fashion have conducted research and examined the shortcomings of the French system, which still relies heavily on the mass export of textiles, in order to propose a responsible and circular management of used garments, on a sound and solid basis, within the European Union and worldwide.

About Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective is the leading global platform for pre-loved luxury fashion. The company's mission is to transform the fashion industry for a more sustainable future, promoting the circular fashion movement as an alternative to overproduction, overconsumption and the wasteful practices of the industry. Driven by the philosophy "Long Live Fashion," Vestiaire Collective offers a trusted space for its community to prolong the life of its most-loved fashion pieces. The platform's innovative features simplify the selling and buying process and give its members access to one-of-a-kind wardrobes around the world. The company boasts a curated catalog of five million rare and highly desirable items. Founded in Paris in 2009, Vestiaire Collective is a Certified B Corporation® and is active in 80 countries worldwide. To learn more, download the app, visit vestiairecollective.com and follow @vestiaireco o n Instagram.

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