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CGTN: China, Africa set to embrace closer economic, trade ties at FOCAC

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BEIJING, Aug. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Located 95 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa, in the heart of the East African Rift, the Adama Wind Power Project stands tall with its impressive 80-meter-high white turbines. The project, built by Chinese companies, is a landmark in the partnership between China and African countries.

Since they started operating in May 2015, the wind turbines have been a vital source of power for about 600,000 households. They have helped ease Ethiopia’s power shortages, reduced the need for diesel generators and supported economic growth. Around 2,100 local jobs were created and several universities are involved in training and maintenance. This hands-on experience has prepared many for future roles in Ethiopia’s wind energy sector.

Adama city has also seen significant growth, with its population rising from 324,000 in 2015 to over 480,000 in 2023. Improved infrastructure and investment have attracted businesses from various countries, leading to rapid changes in the city’s landscape. For nearby villagers, improvements in transportation, reliable electricity, and enhanced access to education and healthcare have greatly elevated their quality of life.

Chinese firms have brought advanced green technology to Ethiopia, helping the government meet its renewable energy goals. And the collaboration has also contributed to a green transformation and the global fight against climate change.

China and African countries have enjoyed a friendship since World War II, and recent years have seen increasing collaboration through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). From railways and roads to wind farms and power stations, as well as schools and hospitals, China-assisted infrastructure projects have supported African economic development across the continent.

The Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway, a transport artery connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti, for example, has greatly cut travel times, reduced logistics cost and boosted local economic growth. To date, the railway has transported 680,000 passengers and 9.5 million tonnes of cargo, with an average annual growth rate of 39 percent in revenue.

According to the white paper “China and Africa in the New Era: A Partnership of Equals” released by China’s State Council in 2021, since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, Chinese companies have helped African countries build or upgrade more than 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of highways, roughly 1,000 bridges, almost 100 ports, and 66,000 km of power transmission and distribution.

Closer economic and trade ties

Aside from BRI projects, China and African countries have also developed closer economic and trade ties with ever-increasing trade volume, diversified commodities and services. China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. Data from China’s General Administration of Customs showed that China–Africa trade reached a record high of $282.1 billion in 2023, up 1.5 percent year on year, and trade between China and Africa rose 5.5 percent year on year to 1.19 trillion yuan (about $166.6 billion) between January and July.

According to Sang Baichuan, dean of the Institute of International Economy at China’s University of International Business and Economics, China–Africa trade has grown rapidly as a result of win-win cooperation. He said that the Chinese economy and the economies of African countries are highly complementary, as China possesses mature and applicable technologies, equipment, and sufficient capital, while African countries have significant advantages in terms of manpower and natural resources.

“Strengthening trade ties between China and Africa is beneficial in leveraging their respective advantages and vast markets, achieving mutual benefits, and win-win development,” said Sang.

Diane Sayinzoga, a senior official with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), also spoke highly of the China–Africa trade partnership, saying it has facilitated major infrastructure projects that are crucial for the economic integration and growth of the African continent.

She added that China’s assistance is also aligned with UNCTAD’s goals of promoting Africa’s sustainable development by enhancing its manufacturing capacities, increasing trade opportunities, fostering economic diversification, and integrating African countries into the global value chain.

Beijing is set to hold the 2024 FOCAC Summit from September 4 to 6. Experts say the forum will be a crucial opportunity for China and Africa to deepen their economic and trade relationships, achieving mutual benefits and advancing shared development goals.

“FOCAC has led to numerous agreements on investment, trade and development projects between China and African countries to achieve shared development goals, which are perfectly in line with UNCTAD’s mission,” Sayinzoga said.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-08-30/China-Africa-set-to-embrace-closer-economic-trade-ties-at-FOCAC-1wuF1bzTjVe/p.html

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cgtn-china-africa-set-to-embrace-closer-economic-trade-ties-at-focac-302235439.html

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Tucker Medical selects GE HealthCare MRI technology to advance personalized preventive care in Singapore

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September 3, 2026

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Collaboration will explore clinical education, knowledge exchange and imaging excellence across Southeast Asia

Tucker Medical has installed a SIGNA™ 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging system at its Novena Specialist Center in Singapore to support its personalized, risk-informed approach to assessment and screening.Through a memorandum of understanding, Tucker Medical and GE HealthCare intend to explore clinical education, knowledge exchange, research support and opportunities to advance imaging practices across Southeast Asia.

SINGAPORE, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC) and Tucker Medical today announced a new relationship centered on advanced magnetic resonance imaging and a shared interest in supporting personalized, preventive healthcare. Tucker Medical has installed a GE HealthCare SIGNA™ 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system at its Novena Specialist Center in Singapore, adding advanced imaging capabilities to its precision prevention model.

Founded by medical oncologist Dr. Steven Tucker, Tucker Medical applies its “ASAP” (Assessment, Screening And Prevention) framework to personalize care based on individual risk, including genetics, family and personal history, prior cancer treatment, and metabolic and cardiovascular factors. Particular focus includes hereditary cancer risk, adult survivors of childhood cancer, long-term cancer survivors, and others requiring individualized long-term surveillance.

The installed system includes GE HealthCare’s AIR™ Recon DL deep-learning image reconstruction technology, Sonic DL™ for accelerated MRI acquisition, AIR™ Coil technology and Digital Expert capabilities. These technologies are designed to support high-quality imaging, workflow efficiency and the patient experience across MRI examinations.

“At Tucker Medical, we believe prevention becomes more meaningful when it is informed by a deeper understanding of each individual’s risk and health trajectory,” said Dr. Steven Tucker, Founder and Medical Director, Tucker Medical. “This applies both to individuals with increased risk who have never had cancer and cancer survivors whose disease and prior treatment may create health risks that persist for decades. Imaging is an important part of that picture. The addition of MRI allows us to further integrate imaging into our broader assessment, screening and longitudinal surveillance approach and to continue developing our model of personalized preventive care in Singapore and across the region.”

“Healthcare is increasingly moving toward more personalized approaches that bring together clinical information across the patient journey, and imaging has an important role to play in supporting that shift,” said Dede Yan, Zone General Manager, SEA6 (Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei, Laos), GE HealthCare. “We are pleased to support Tucker Medical as it expands its imaging capabilities and to explore opportunities to share knowledge, strengthen clinical education and help advance imaging practices across Southeast Asia.”

Through a memorandum of understanding, GE HealthCare and Tucker Medical are establishing a framework to explore clinical education, knowledge exchange, research support and imaging excellence.

The organizations also intend to explore establishing Tucker Medical as a regional immersion training centre. The initiative could provide healthcare professionals with opportunities to experience MRI technologies in a clinical setting through activities such as workflow demonstrations, case reviews, clinical observations and peer-to-peer education.

In addition, the organizations plan to explore opportunities to gather product feedback and clinical insights and to support future educational activities, professional forums and knowledge-sharing initiatives in medical imaging and oncology.

About GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

GE HealthCare is a leading global healthcare solutions provider of advanced medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and AI, cloud and software solutions that help clinicians tackle the world’s most complex diseases. Serving patients and providers for 130 years, GE HealthCare is delivering bold innovations designed for the next era of medicine across its Advanced Imaging Solutions, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics segments to help clinicians deliver more personalized, precise patient care. We are a $20.6 billion business with approximately 54,000 colleagues working to create a world where healthcare has no limits.

GE HealthCare is proud to be among 2026 Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or visit our website for our latest news and perspectives. 

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SOURCE GE HealthCare

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Minor Hotels partners with Checkout.com to power high-performance payments across global hospitality

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September 3, 2026

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Checkout.com will support Minor Hotels’ global expansion through its global acquiring network, powering high performance payments across international marketsAI-powered payment optimization will help Minor Hotels improve acceptance rates and deliver more seamless, secure checkout experiences for guestsA global payments partner with local acquiring and expertise will help simplify operations and reduce lost revenue from failed payments

SINGAPORE, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Checkout.com, a leading global digital payments company, today announced its partnership with Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group with more than 640 hotels across 67 countries.

Minor Hotels operates a diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts, alongside food and beverage businesses and luxury transportation services. As the group continues to expand across markets, it is consolidating its payments infrastructure to create a consistent foundation for growth and ensure high quality digital payment experiences for guests.

Through the partnership, Checkout.com will provide global acquiring and payment optimization capabilities for Minor Hotels’ resort properties across multiple markets worldwide. Minor Hotels selected Checkout.com for its global reach and local expertise, and its ability to deliver payment performance across multiple international markets while adapting to local requirements. Checkout.com’s domestic acquiring capabilities improve authorization rates and reduce processing costs through local transaction routing. Where possible, like-for-like settlement in local currencies reduce unnecessary foreign exchange conversions and simplify treasury and reconciliation as Minor Hotels scales.

The partnership will also bring together Checkout.com’s Intelligent Acceptance and Dynamic 3DS Authentication capabilities. Intelligent Acceptance is Checkout.com’s AI-driven optimization engine that enhances the performance of every transaction and is powered by global network intelligence. It maximizes first-attempt approvals and reduces failed transactions, helping to drive revenue across complex cross-border and multi-currency payment flows. Dynamic application of 3DS authentication is based on issuer preferences and local regulatory requirements, reducing unnecessary friction for guests.

Anthony Green, Global Head of Digital Marketing and Ecommerce at Minor Hotels, said: “As our portfolio continues to grow across markets, we need payment infrastructure that is reliable, flexible and able to support a premium experience for our guests. Checkout.com’s global acquiring capabilities and payments expertise will help us simplify complexity, improve performance and build a stronger foundation for our next phase of growth.”

Yao Xiang, Head of Commercial, Greater China and Southeast Asia at Checkout.com, said: “Hospitality businesses operate across complex payment flows, markets and currencies, while guests expect every payment to be simple and secure. We’re proud to partner with Minor Hotels as it continues to grow globally, bringing together our local acquiring capabilities, payment optimization technology and dedicated expertise to help its team improve performance and deliver better guest experiences.”

About Checkout.com

Checkout.com processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high-performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually. In 2025, Checkout.com processed more than $300bn in ecommerce payments volume.

We help enterprise merchants boost acceptance rates, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver. Headquartered in London and with 19 offices worldwide, Checkout.com is trusted by leading brands such as Spotify, HelloFresh, eBay, Uber, Pinterest, Vinted, Klarna, Financial Times, and Sony.

Checkout.com. Where the world checks out.

About Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels is a global leader in the hospitality industry with more than 640 hotels, resorts and branded residences in operation and committed development across 67 countries. The group crafts innovative and insightful experiences through its hotel brands including Anantara, Elewana Collection, The Wolseley Hotels, Tivoli, Minor Reserve Collection, NH Collection, nhow, Avani, Colbert Collection, NH, Oaks, and iStay, as well as a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, travel experiences, and spa and wellness brands. With over four decades of expertise, Minor Hotels builds stronger brands, fosters lasting partnerships, and drives business success by always focusing on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/minor-hotels-partners-with-checkoutcom-to-power-high-performance-payments-across-global-hospitality-302868813.html

SOURCE Checkout.com

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Technology

AWOL Vision Debuts LuxVision at IFA 2026: World’s First 4K 120Hz UST with Optical Shift

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September 3, 2026

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Engineered for premium home entertainment, AWOL Vision’s new flagship ultra-short-throw projector delivers 4K 120Hz performance, 6,000 ISO lumens of brightness, optical lens shift, and intelligent setup.

BERLIN, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AWOL Vision, a global home entertainment brand delivering immersive audiovisual experiences through large-format displays, home cinema technology, and connected entertainment—makes its first appearance following a refreshed global brand identity unveiled in June 2026. Centered around its new vision, “Bring Wonder Home,” this milestone unites the AWOL Aetherion UST series and AWOL Valerion long-throw series under one cohesive AWOL Vision brand framework.

Nothing between you and the moment
At the heart of the LuxVision is 4K at 120 frames per second. It processes nearly one billion pixels per second to display fast-paced scenes with sharp, smooth, and rich detail. Gamers also benefit from an input lag of just 1 ms, ALLM, VRR, and Dolby Vision Gaming. Three HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort, and 4-channel HDMI Multiview allow you to connect multiple screens and sources simultaneously.

Maximum Flexibility and Design
A throw ratio of 0.18:1 transforms a surface into a cinema screen of up to 200 inches even at extremely short distances, while vertical optical lens shift enables precise image positioning at the touch of a button—while fully preserving true 4K detail sharpness. A motorized lens cover and a stray-light-free lens ensure a pure, precise, and distortion-free image. At the same time, customizable CMF options (color, material, finish) allow for elegant integration into any living space.

Brilliant Image Quality and Laser Technology
With 6,000 ISO lumens (RGB triple laser), the projector ensures vivid images even in bright daylight or during a movie night at home (110% Rec. 2020). Dynamic tone mapping, a 7-step iris, and support for Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, Filmmaker Mode, and 3D guarantee a true cinematic experience. AWOL’s 2nd-generation Anti-RBE technology minimizes rainbow effects and visual fatigue.

True immersion removes every distraction. With LuxVision, there is Nothing Between You and the Moment.

Price and Availability

MSRP: $5,999 / €5,999 / £4,999
Launch Time: Around October
Booth: H22-113

Check out more photos of the AWOL LuxVision here.

About AWOL Vision

Founded in 2020, AWOL Vision is a home entertainment brand focused on delivering immersive audiovisual experiences through large-format display solutions, home theater technologies, and connected entertainment products. For more information, visit  www.awolvision.com.

PR contact: pr@awolvision.us 

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