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Global Times interview with Maria João Rodrigues on China-Europe relations

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BEIJING, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 2024 Understanding China Conference is being held in Guangzhou, capital of South China’s Guangdong Province, from Monday to Wednesday. What is the significance of understanding China? How should Europe understand China amid a time of global turmoil and changes? Are more Europeans willing to have a positive interaction with China? Maria João Rodrigues (Rodrigues), president of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies and former member of the European Parliament, discussed these issues with Global Times (GT) reporter Li Aixin.

GT: On the topic of “understanding China,” what do you think is the most important aspect for the world to understand about China?

Rodrigues: I’ve been in China for several important moments. I first came in 1997, quite a long time ago, and I’ve witnessed how China has moved through different stages of development. I must say that, in my case and for many others, this is quite impressive because, in a very short period of time, China has been able to address critical issues.

China has almost eradicated absolute poverty and is steadily improving the average living standards of Chinese people. This is remarkable because we are talking about a massive transformation of a country on a very large scale, achieved in a relatively short time. I know that behind this progress lies a well-prepared strategy.

The fact that China has been able to combine two key features of development is remarkable. One of these features is innovation. China has been able to innovate new products and services for the domestic population, while also exporting them around the world. The other key feature is social inclusion. There is a strong focus on social inclusion within China, addressing the needs of the population at large and systematically improving living conditions. Achieving both of these things at the same time is not easy, but China is a prime example of how this can be done.

GT: You once mentioned, “instead of being systematic rivals, Europe and China should be global partners to improve global governance. This can make a big difference for the world.” Could you elaborate on this?

Rodrigues: It is true that we started with a very intensive partnership – we are partners. Then, competition is also part of our relationship. But on the global level, China and Europe can do a lot together to tackle global challenges, starting with climate change, sustainable development as a whole, reducing poverty, and supporting developing countries to catch up more quickly on sustainable development goals.

To achieve this, they need to rely on stronger financial resources, trade opportunities and technological cooperation. Europe and China both have important resources in technology, trade and finance. Together, they can truly support developing countries in catching up.

GT: Is the number of people in Europe who are willing to understand and engage in dialogue with China, increasing or decreasing?

Rodrigues: I would say that we have mixed trends. Europeans are very interested in China because it is an ancient civilization, a civilization they recognize as being sophisticated. They admire it because Europe, too, is an old civilization, and we relate to each other well in that regard.

Furthermore, the European population has benefited greatly from importing many goods from China, which has also helped improve living standards in Europe. This openness between China and Europe has continued. But more recently, because China has become very successful and is now a highly competitive economy, some sectors in Europe are feeling the pressure. China has a trade surplus with Europe, and European authorities are addressing this with their Chinese counterparts, saying – let’s cooperate, but in a way that this trade surplus is reduced.

GT: The EU decided to impose tariffs of up to 45.3 percent on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) from October 30. Do you see any solution to this dispute between China and Europe?

Rodrigues: The starting point of this issue is related to China’s success. China was able to start producing EVs that are cheaper and more affordable for the middle class. Europe, however, is still not there, as it began producing EVs, but only for the high-end market.

We need to maintain openness. Trade opportunities should remain open for both sides – China and Europe. Therefore, what I believe should be done from the European side is to develop an industrial plan to produce EVs for the middle class in Europe, which are more affordable.

I think this is on the horizon. The main carmakers in Europe are preparing to achieve this goal. Once they do, we can have natural competition between Chinese and European brands in open markets and trade. This is my hope, but we will have to see.

I can also tell that within EU institutions, there is a discussion on what the plan should be – an industrial plan to develop electric cars that should be cheaper and more affordable. So, this discussion is also taking place in European institutions.

If the resolution can be reached, Europe and China will give a strong signal to the world that we don’t believe in a protectionist reaction. Regarding trade, we prefer to have openness.

GT: Will the next US administration bring more opportunities or more risks for China–Europe relations?

Rodrigues: There is something very important to understand – Europe will define its relationship with China on its own. Europe needs to have its own criteria to assess why a relationship with China is important and under what conditions. This is something that the EU must do on its own.

The EU is a political entity that truly wants to maintain openness to the world and develop international cooperation to address global challenges. We also want a stronger multilateral system.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-interview-with-maria-joao-rodrigues-on-china-europe-relations-302321921.html

SOURCE Global Times

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Capline Healthcare Management Expands RCM Support To 1,300+ Practices, Citing Rising Demand From Health Providers

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April 20, 2026

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The Houston-based company, founded in 2016 and BBB A+ accredited, says health providers are increasingly turning to third-parties to keep their revenue cycle running.

HOUSTON, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Capline Healthcare Management has crossed a significant operational threshold, supporting more than 1,300 independent medical practices across the United States. The Houston-based revenue cycle management firm says the growth is not incidental. It reflects a measurable and accelerating shift in how independent providers are choosing to manage their RCM operations amid rising payer complexity and shrinking administrative capacity.

Independent medical practices are under increasing pressure due to complex payer requirements, workforce shortages, reimbursement challenges, and growing administrative demands.

According to the American Medical Association, the number of physicians in private practice dropped from 60.1% in 2012 to 42.2% in 2024. Meanwhile, denial rates across commercial payers have climbed steadily, with some studies pointing to denial volumes increasing by as much as 20% over five years. This highlights how difficult it has become for many practices to maintain both quality care and financial stability.

According to Capline, these growing pressures are why many practices are turning to outside partners. They’re looking for experts who can bring order and consistency to their revenue cycle. Capline supports healthcare providers across the board, from billing and coding to eligibility checks, provider credentialing, follow-ups, and denial handling.

“Independent practices need more than basic billing help,” said Abhinav Rastogi, Founder, Capline Healthcare Management. “They need a revenue cycle partner that understands the details, works with discipline, and helps protect the financial health of the practice. Reaching 1,300+ supported practices is an important milestone for us because it reflects the trust providers place in our team and in the way we work.”

Unlike generalist billing vendors, Capline said its model focuses on practical execution across the full revenue cycle. That includes front-end work such as eligibility checks and credentialing, as well as back-end support such as claim follow-up, denial review, and accounts receivable management. Practices working with Capline gain a single operational partner rather than patching together multiple vendors. The goal is to help practices reduce delays, improve collections, and gain a clearer view of financial performance.

Our role is to help practices build a stronger financial foundation and that requires more than billing experience. It takes process discipline and a clear understanding of how every stage of the revenue cycle connects to the health of the whole organization,” said Sumeet Patney, Director at Capline Healthcare Management.

Looking ahead, he noted that Capline plans to expand its proprietary AI-driven analytics capabilities and invest further in its specialized billing and coding teams, building the infrastructure needed to accelerate growth well into 2027 and beyond.

About Capline Healthcare Management

Capline Healthcare Management is a Houston-based healthcare management company founded in 2016. Capline has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau and has HIPAA-compliant practices to ensure confidentiality and the privacy of sensitive healthcare data.

The company offers end-to-end RCM support and other back-office support services to healthcare practices in the United States. Its services include medical billing, coding, denial management, accounts receivable follow-up, eligibility verification, and provider credentialing. Capline specializes in assisting healthcare organizations to enhance financial performance, reduce administrative workload, and streamline practice operations for healthcare providers.

Across its supported healthcare practices, Capline reports an average first-pass claim acceptance rate of 96% and a denial resolution turnaround of 3 business days.

Practices that have transitioned to Capline’s full-cycle model report measurable reductions in AR aging and double-digit percentage gains in net collections, with several multi-physician groups seeing those results within the first two quarters of engagement.

“A multi-specialty practice working with Capline reported a reduction in claim denials of over 25% and an 18% improvement in collections turnaround time within six months.”

To learn more about Capline’s revenue cycle services, visit https://caplinehealthcaremanagement.com/.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capline-healthcare-management-expands-rcm-support-to-1-300-practices-citing-rising-demand-from-health-providers-302746340.html

SOURCE Capline Services

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Liene Launches Mother’s Day Campaign Celebrating the Individuality of Moms with PixCut S1 Smart Printer

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April 20, 2026

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Celebrating Every Mother’s True Self Beyond the Role of a Mom

LOS ANGELES, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MOM is a title she earned, but it’s not the only story she owns. When a woman becomes a mom, some of her traits grow stronger, while others may be temporarily set aside. This Mother’s Day, Liene, a global leader in innovative smart printing solutions, today launches a campaign titled “Stick What Makes Her, HER”, celebrating the full and more authentic person behind every mom.

During this campaign, Liene teamed up with four real families to create heartfelt surprises for their moms. Each family used Liene’s PixCut S1 Smart Printer, the world’s first all-in-one photo printing and cutting machine for home use, to create custom stickers that honor a mother’s unique traits, passions, and hidden stories that make every mom an individual. Instead of praising “perfect mom”, Liene encourages people to see “the complete her”.

 

“Moms are often reduced to their role as caregivers, overshadowing the passions and personalities they carried before and continue to have alongside motherhood,” said Kim, Marketing Director of Liene, “With the PixCut S1, we want to give people a simple, joyful tool to say: ‘We love you not only for what you’ve done for us, but for exactly who you are.'”

PixCut: Stick What Makes Her, HER

Creating a heartfelt gift for mom is more achievable than you realize. With the PixCut S1, you can upload a cherished photo, a symbol of her favorite hobby, or a family moment that captures her essence. In just moments, the Liene app connects seamlessly to the printer, producing your design in vibrant, high-resolution 300 dpi. The process is smooth and effortless. If the design doesn’t quite look right in the preview, you can easily adjust it before printing to ensure it perfectly captures what makes your mom unique.

The PixCut S1 does more than just print. It combines AI-powered precision cutting into one machine, ensuring that each design is refined to perfection and delivers clean, detailed results with minimal waste, making the process as smooth and thoughtful as the gift itself. Additionally, the PixCut S1 uses thermal dye-sublimation technology to make every sticker waterproof, fade-resistant, and scratch-resistant, preserving the memories you create for years to come. Every creation becomes more than just a gift; it’s a lasting tribute to the mom you admire, celebrating her uniqueness and the love she shares.

Jenna, a daughter from one of the four families, is creating a personalized 3D photo book using the PixCut S1 to print stickers of her mother’s favorite video game character. “My mom loves video games,” Jenna said. “This year for Mother’s Day, I wanted to show my mom how cool her video game character is. Something so uniquely ‘my mom.'”

How to participate

In-Person Event: On Mother’s Day (May 10), Liene will host a pop-up activation at the Melrose Trading Post in Los Angeles from 10 AM to 5 PM. Visitors can print custom stickers for free, featuring their mom’s favorite things, to personalize any gift they bring. An artist KOL will also be on-site to offer crafting guidance.Online Participation: From April 25 to May 9, families are encouraged to record their mom’s reaction when she receives the sticker-decorated gift. Share the video on social media with #StickWhatMakesHerHer #PixCutS1, and tag @lienephotoprinter (on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok) or @LienePhoto (on Facebook). Participants will have a chance to win a free Liene Pearl N200 Pro Portable Photo Printer, plus a special mystery gift.

Mother’s Day Discount

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Liene is offering Top 35% off on any product from May 4 to 10. Just click here to go to Liene’s official Amazon store and order the best gift!

Media contacts
Liene
liene.service@liene-life.com 

Media Resources
https://youtu.be/I5-lXN5H3PU

About Liene

Established in 2017, Liene was born from a deep belief in the enduring power of printed memories. Our journey is fueled by the desire to empower you to capture and preserve life’s most beautiful moments through our innovative photo printers.Liene photo printers are renowned for their exceptional print quality, whether it’s color reproduction, clarity, or detail. Designed with user convenience in mind, our printers offer smart connectivity features that make printing photos directly from a variety of devices quick and easy. Join us as we weave your digital memories into tangible treasures that you can touch, share, and hold close to your heart.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liene-launches-mothers-day-campaign-celebrating-the-individuality-of-moms-with-pixcut-s1-smart-printer-302747313.html

SOURCE Liene

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In HelloNation, Property Management Expert Jennifer Oliver Highlights When to Hire a Property Manager

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28 minutes ago

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April 20, 2026

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The article examines how growing demands in rental ownership can signal the need for more structured support and improved efficiency.

DETROIT, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When should rental owners recognize that managing their properties alone is no longer sustainable? The answer is explored in a HelloNation article featuring Jennifer Oliver of Elite Real Estate Professionals that outlines how increasing demands can signal the need for property management and more consistent systems.

 

The HelloNation article explains that many property owners in Detroit, MI, begin their real estate investment journey with a hands-on approach. Early stages of rental property management often feel manageable, with owners handling leasing, property maintenance, and tenant communication directly. Over time, however, these responsibilities tend to grow and become more complex.

A key early indicator discussed is time pressure. The article notes that when daily property management tasks begin to interfere with schedules, it can lead to missed communications and slower responses. These small disruptions may affect tenant satisfaction and signal that support is needed.

Property maintenance is another area where strain often becomes clear. Coordinating repairs, managing vendors, and ensuring quality outcomes requires consistent attention. The article describes how inconsistent property maintenance can frustrate tenants, which may increase tenant turnover and create additional operational challenges.

Vacancy trends also provide valuable insight into performance. The article explains that extended vacancy periods may indicate issues with pricing, marketing, or tenant screening. Structured rental property management systems can help reduce vacancy by improving how quickly units are filled and how effectively listings reach qualified tenants.

Financial organization is equally important. The article emphasizes that accurate rent tracking and expense monitoring are essential to evaluating a real estate investment. When rent tracking becomes inconsistent or unclear, it limits an owner’s ability to make informed decisions about property performance and future planning.

The HelloNation article further explains that as workloads increase, owners often shift away from long term planning. Instead of focusing on improvements or expansion, time is spent addressing daily concerns. This shift can slow the growth of a real estate investment and reduce overall efficiency in rental property management.

Tenant relationships are also impacted by inconsistent processes. The article notes that without clear systems for screening, leasing, and communication, small issues can escalate. This can contribute to higher tenant turnover, affecting both stability and income for the property.

Local conditions in Detroit add another layer of responsibility. Regulations, inspections, and neighborhood trends require ongoing attention. The article highlights that keeping up with these factors while managing property maintenance and rent tracking can become difficult without structured property management support.

Growth further increases complexity. Managing multiple units requires coordination across maintenance, communication, and financial tracking. The article explains that rental property management becomes more system driven as portfolios expand, making professional support more valuable in reducing vacancy and maintaining consistency.

The article concludes that recognizing when demands outweigh the benefits of self management is an important step. When time constraints, rising tenant turnover, and inconsistent rent tracking begin to impact results, property management can help improve both efficiency and long term outcomes.

How Do Detroit Rental Owners Know It’s Time to Hire a Property Manager? features insights from Jennifer Oliver, Property Management Expert of Detroit, MI, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. HelloNation maintains partnerships with the National Governors Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the United States First Responders Association.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-hellonation-property-management-expert-jennifer-oliver-highlights-when-to-hire-a-property-manager-302747323.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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