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Former Lions and Wales Rugby Captain Alun Wyn Jones partners with AliveCor to launch ‘Let’s Talk Rhythm’ campaign to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation

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World’s most-capped rugby union player was living with an undetected, irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AF), whilst still playing professional rugbyLet’s Talk Rhythm campaign aims to raise awareness of the early warning signs of AF and encourage people to talk about their heart healthAlun Wyn believes personal heart monitoring can play an important role in the early detection of cardiac abnormalities

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —  AliveCor, the global leader in AI-powered cardiology, has partnered with former Wales rugby captain, Alun Wyn Jones, to launch ‘Let’s Talk Rhythm’, a new campaign to raise awareness of the early symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AF) and encourage people to talk about their heart health.

AF is a condition that causes an irregular heart rhythm. It affects around 1.5 million people in the UK, and it is estimated that there are least another 270,000 people who remain undiagnosed, putting them at increased risk of serious complications.[i]

“During my rugby career I was used to training hard and pushing my body to its limits. When I was told during a routine medical that my tiredness was the result of a heart condition, I was surprised to say the least”, said Alun Wyn. “Through the ‘Let’s Talk Rhythm’ campaign, I want to share my personal experience and practical advice to help people recognise the early warning signs of AF and talk about their concerns”.

Following his AF diagnosis, Alun Wyn’s wife purchased a KardiaMobile® personal heart monitoring ECG device to help him track his heart rhythm. KardiaMobile, a clinically validated personal ECG device, allows individuals to track their heart rhythm in just 30 seconds using their smartphone anytime and anywhere. It detects six of the most common heart arrhythmias – atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, sinus rhythm with supraventricular ectopy, sinus rhythm with premature ventricular contractions and sinus rhythm with wide QRS – in addition to normal heart rhythm. Each KardiaMobile reading is stored on a user’s smartphone, which can then be shared with their doctor at the press of a button.

“I have always invested in my health and longevity is an absolute priority to me at this stage of life. Personal heart monitoring allows me to track my heart rhythm, providing me with the reassurance I need to live my life to the fullest. With KardiaMobile I can take a medical grade ECG in 30 seconds using my smartphone, in the comfort of my own home,” said Alun Wyn.

AF can affect adults of any age, but it’s more common in older people, and more men than women are currently diagnosed with the condition.[ii] Symptoms of AF include heart palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.[ii] With someone suffering an AF-related stroke every 15 seconds in the UK, improving AF detection and diagnosis rates is essential to saving lives.[iii] However, people may not be aware of the early warning signs of AF or know how to monitor it effectively.[iv] [v] 

Commenting on the partnership, Chris Shelford, Senior Marketing Director at AliveCor said, “We are delighted to partner with Alun Wyn Jones to further our mission to advancing heart health and reducing the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases. We hope that through spotlighting Alun Wyn’s powerful story, we can help accelerate the early detection of AF, and other arrhythmias.”

Alun Wyn will be sharing his story across his social channels and encouraging others to look out for the signs and symptoms of AF using #LetsTalkRhythm.

To get involved, follow Alun Wyn’s journey on his Instagram channel (alun.wyn.jones). More information can be found at www.alivecor.co.uk/letstalkrhythm

Kardia devices are available to order directly from the AliveCor website, Amazon, Boots, or any official reseller, from £99.

About KardiaMobile®

KardiaMobile® is the first personal ECG to be recommended by NICE for use within the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales.[vi] KardiaMobile® would be prescribed by a healthcare professional for people experiencing arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm) symptoms more than 24 hours apart. The instructions for use state that all interpretations of ECG recordings are reviewed by a healthcare professional and used to support clinical decision making.

The user starts a 30-second ECG recording on their smartphone via the Kardia app, by placing two fingers from each hand on each of the two top electrodes – enabling the patient to remotely capture a recording of their heart activity. KardiaMobile® provides instant detection of AF, bradycardia (slow heart rhythm) and tachycardia (fast heart rhythm) which are leading indicators of cardiovascular disease.

Once a recording has been taken by KardiaMobile®, the artificial intelligence algorithm performs an automatic analysis and informs the patient whether AF, bradycardia, tachycardia or a normal rhythm is detected. The data collected can be sent directly to a clinician for further analysis and consultation. This allows patients to take positive steps to remotely monitor their own heart health as early diagnosis of AF is essential to avoid the potential consequences of an AF-related stroke.

About AliveCor

AliveCor, Inc., the leading provider of FDA-cleared personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology, is transforming cardiology with its medical-grade AI solutions. AliveCor is committed to providing innovative devices and services that empower patients and physicians with personalized and actionable heart data. With over 250 million ECGs recorded, the company’s Kardia devices are the most clinically validated personal ECGs in the world and can remotely detect six of the most common heart arrhythmias in just 30 seconds. The company’s latest offering, Kardia 12L ECG System, powered by KAI 12L to detect 35 cardiac conditions (14 arrhythmias and 21 morphologies), was designed exclusively for use by healthcare providers. AliveCor’s enterprise platform allows third-party providers to manage their patients’ and customers’ heart conditions simply using state-of-the-art tools that provide easy front-end and back-end integration to AliveCor technologies, addressing gaps in care and improving the treatment experience for patients across a range of disease areas. AliveCor is a privately held company headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. For more information, visit alivecor.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook.

[i] British Heart Foundation (2023). Heart and Circulatory Disease Statistics 2023 Published by British Heart Foundation (BHF). [online] Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/for-professionals/research/heart-statistics/bhf-statistics-compendium-2023.pdf. Last accessed: June 2024.

[ii] nhs.uk. (2017). Atrial fibrillation. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atrial-fibrillation/. Last accessed: June 2024.

[iii] www.england.nhs.uk. NHS England — Midlands» 73 lives saved across East Midlands thanks to drive to reduce strokes. [online] Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/midlands/2020/02/20/73-lives-saved-across-east-midlands-thanks-to-drive-to-reduce-strokes/. Last accessed: June 2024.

[iv] www.nhsinform.scot. Atrial fibrillation. [online] Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/heart-and-blood-vessels/conditions/atrial-fibrillation/. Last accessed: June 2024.

[v] McCabe, P.J., Barton, D.L. and DeVon, H.A. (2017). Older Adults at Risk for Atrial Fibrillation Lack Knowledge and Confidence to Seek Treatment for Signs and Symptoms. SAGE Open Nursing, 3, p.237796081772032. https://doi.org/10.1177/2377960817720324. Last accessed: June 2024.

[vi] www.nice.org.uk. KardiaMobile for detecting atrial fibrillation. [online] Available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg64/chapter/1-Recommendations. Last accessed: July 2024.

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Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2466124/Kardia.jpg

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How President Xi Jinping Has Charted the Course for Boosting China’s Strength in Finance: Nurturing a Financial Culture with Chinese Characteristics

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BEIJING, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from en.qstheory.cn:

Boosting strength in finance requires us to enhance not only China’s hard power but also its soft power. With an outstanding financial culture, we can shape the values that orient the financial sector, create internal incentives and constraints, and provide the moral foundations for the law and supervision. In this regard, President Xi Jinping has stressed the need to operate in an honest and trustworthy way and never cross the line; to prioritize the greater good in the pursuit of interests, rather than placing self-interest above all else; to adopt a steady and prudent approach and resist the urge to recklessly seek quick gains; to uphold fundamental principles while breaking new ground and ensure finance does not become decoupled from the real economy; and to uphold the law, ensure regulatory compliance, and refrain from misconduct. These requirements not only draw on the essence of traditional Chinese culture, but also articulate the philosophy underpinning modern finance.

Honesty is the lifeblood of finance. Since its advent, finance has been intrinsically tied to trust. China’s commercial traditions have long placed a premium on honoring one’s commitments. The requirement to operate in an honest and trustworthy way and never cross the line aims to turn the pursuit of honesty into a binding code of conduct that spans all dimensions of financial activity and ensure that financial institutions and practitioners consciously honor their commitments. In this way, the spirit of the contract, market rules, and professional ethics will become conscious norms throughout the financial sector, leaving no room for fraud or breaches of trust.

Properly managing the relationship between principle and profit is the linchpin for balancing the dual nature of finance. While capital is inherently profit-seeking, it must adhere to the baseline requirement of upholding principle. Finance is both functional and profit-driven in nature. The unique wisdom of Chinese culture lies in valuing both principle and profit, while placing greater emphasis on the former. At its core, the requirement to prioritize the greater good in the pursuit of interests aims to ensure that the pursuit of profit gives way to the functional role of finance. Financial activities must remain anchored in the overriding goals of enhancing the efficiency of the real economy and improving public wellbeing. The financial sector must fulfill its social responsibilities and develop symbiotically with the economy, society, and the environment.

Prudence can be thought of as an “immune system” preventing the spread of risk. As finance carries risk in its very DNA and has the effect of amplifying leverage, the reckless pursuit of quick gains must be avoided at all costs in the financial sector. So-called innovation and growth pursued without sufficient prudence will ultimately backfire. A steady and prudent approach must therefore become an innate part of the self-discipline and conscious practice guiding the sector. Institutions must cultivate the correct perspectives on operations, performance, and risk management. They need to strike the right balance between stability and progress, between short-term and long-term development, and between development and security, all aimed at steady and sustainable high-quality development.

*This is an excerpt from an article titled “How President Xi Jinping Has Charted the Course for Boosting China’s Strength in Finance” by Qiushi Editorial Department published in Qiushi Journal, English edition, No. 2, 2026. Full text: https://en.qstheory.cn/2026-05/25/c_1184007.htm 

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SOURCE en.qstheory.cn

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Mashreq launches generative AI capabilities to strengthen fraud risk management with Clari5

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BENGALURU, India, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mashreq, a leading financial institution in the MENA region, has launched new generative AI capabilities within its fraud platform in collaboration with Clari5 – A Perfios Company. The move brings tangible benefits across three priority areas: enhancing fraud detection effectiveness, improving analyst productivity, and supporting stronger investigative decision-making.

Announced at Mashreq’s Innovation Hub in Dubai in the presence of senior leadership from both organizations, the launch demonstrates how generative AI can be applied within a banking environment to complement the expertise and judgement of fraud professionals.

Ahmed Abdelaal, Group Chief Executive Officer at Mashreq, said: “In an increasingly digital financial landscape, fraud is becoming more sophisticated, and the way banks respond must adapt accordingly. At Mashreq, we are committed to implementing AI responsibly in areas where it can have a meaningful impact, strengthening the resilience of our operations and the trust our customers place in us.”

Nitin Chugh, MD and Group CEO, Perfios, said: “Our collaboration with Mashreq demonstrates how generative AI can help banks tackle the growing complexity of financial crime by bringing together disparate information, accelerating investigations and enabling better-informed decisions. The goal is to augment investigators’ expertise, not automate judgement, while ensuring AI operates with the rigour and accountability that financial crime management demands.”

Rivi Varghese, Co-Founder and CEO, Clari5, said: “Banks don’t need AI that acts on its own. They need AI they can govern by their own rules. Clari5 has shown how AI can operate on-premises inside a bank’s own environment, grounded in the bank’s context, and remain auditable, explainable and under human control. We are proud to have gone live with Mashreq and set an example of how enterprise-grade AI should operate in managing financial crime.”

Rania Nerhal, Group Chief Client Experience & Conduct Officer at Mashreq, said: “The value of generative AI lies in its ability to help us interpret relevant information and respond to emerging risks with greater speed, consistency, efficiency, and precision. This launch is part of our continued investment in deploying the latest technology to evolve our fraud risk management framework.”

Developed through the ongoing collaboration between Mashreq and Clari5, the new capabilities further strengthen the bank’s fraud detection platform. They are designed to deliver two key benefits:

Seamless customer experience: Supporting faster, more consistent, and more effective fraud detection.Greater consumer trust: Reinforcing confidence in the bank’s ability to protect customers and respond to emerging risks.

About Mashreq:

Mashreq is a leading financial institution headquartered in Dubai, serving individuals, entrepreneurs, corporates, and institutions across the UAE and key regional and international markets. With a heritage spanning nearly six decades, Mashreq combines digital-first innovation with deep relationship banking across retail banking, corporate and investment banking, global markets, transaction banking, Islamic banking, wealth management, and treasury. The bank delivers secure, advanced, and customer-centric experiences while actively driving the transition toward a sustainable economy. Through a robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, Mashreq is committed to facilitating sustainable finance, fostering responsible operations, and delivering positive societal impact.

With an extensive international footprint spanning the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye, India, the UK, the US, and Hong Kong, Mashreq seamlessly connects regional businesses with global markets while maintaining deep local expertise.

Guided by its core purpose to help customers Rise Every Day, Mashreq partners with clients to navigate change, unlock sustainable growth opportunities, and achieve long-term success.

For more information, please visit: www.mashreq.com

About Clari5:

Clari5 – A Perfios Company, is the leading provider of real-time financial crime management platforms for banks, insurance companies, telcos and other financial institutions worldwide. Powered by AI-native capabilities, Clari5 helps detect, prevent, report and investigate financial crime in real time. Trusted by 80+ banks across 30+ countries for over two decades, Clari5 unifies fraud and AML on a single platform. It processes 12+ billion transactions every month and protects more than 1 billion accounts. Clari5 is part of the Perfios group, India’s largest B2B SaaS TechFin, serving over 1,000 financial institutions across 18 countries. To know more, visit www.clari5.com.

 

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RedotPay Deepens Hong Kong Investment as OASES Strategic Enterprise Partner

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RedotPay is investing in global talent in Hong Kong to scale the city’s stablecoin payments industry and entrepreneurial ecosystem

HONG KONG, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RedotPay, a global stablecoin-based payments fintech company, has expanded its hiring and infrastructure presence in Hong Kong. The company is part of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) program and has received OASES support since being included in its strategic enterprise cohort in April 2026.

RedotPay, which serves over nine million users across more than 100 countries, has worked alongside OASES to strengthen Hong Kong’s stablecoin payments industry and entrepreneurial landscape, directing significant investment toward local infrastructure and talent.

RedotPay has added more than 125 employees in Hong Kong since 2025, recently expanding its office in Central and establishing a research and development (R&D) center in Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park with the support of OASES.

RedotPay is one of the OASES strategic enterprises exhibiting at Hong Kong FinTech Week, where it is engaging with public and private sector stakeholders and showcasing its future investment plans in Hong Kong.

Established by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2022, OASES supports the growth of high-potential companies like RedotPay to cement the city’s position as a leader in financial technology and digital assets. To date, OASES has attracted 142 strategic enterprises, which are expected to invest HK$84 billion and create around 27,000 jobs in the coming years.

“Hong Kong has become one of the world’s foremost centers of financial innovation, and we are committed to working with OASES to strengthen its position as a leading hub for the stablecoin payments industry,” said Michael Gao, co-founder and CEO of RedotPay. “Going forward, we plan to invest further in talent and infrastructure here in Hong Kong to better serve our users around the world.”

“We are pleased that RedotPay has joined the OASES cohort, with Hong Kong serving as its headquarters and R&D center. We look forward to continuing our support for RedotPay’s development and to working with partners across the ecosystem,” said Bryan Peng, Executive Director of OASES. “Its investment in local R&D and talent strengthens the digital asset ecosystem here and shows how Hong Kong can serve as a launchpad for companies with global ambitions. We look forward to continuing to support the company’s growth.”

About RedotPay

RedotPay is a global stablecoin-based payment fintech that integrates blockchain solutions with traditional banking and finance infrastructures. Its intuitive platform empowers millions around the world to spend and send digital assets, ensuring faster, more accessible, and inclusive financial services. RedotPay advances financial inclusion for the unbanked and supports crypto enthusiasts, driving global adoption of secure and flexible stablecoin-powered financial solutions to bring crypto to real life. For more information, visit www.redotpay.com.

About OASES

The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) is a dedicated HKSAR Government agency—operating directly under the Financial Secretary—established to attract high-potential and representative strategic enterprises from around the globe to set up or expand operations in Hong Kong.

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