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Northern Data Group presents AI-enabled film “The Glass Hermit” by Oscar-winner Shona Heath

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The short film will make its global debut in New York, London and LA

FRANKFURT, Germany, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Northern Data AG (ETR: NB2) (Northern Data Group or Northern Data), a leading provider of AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) solutions, announces the premiere of “The Glass Hermit,” an original short film created by Oscar-winning artist Shona Heath. The film demonstrates how AI can connect art and technology to enhance human creativity.

Created in collaboration with Northern Data Group, this is a first-of-its-kind showcase of the stunning visual creations made possible with AI. Heath is best known for her production design on the Oscar-winning motion picture Poor Things, and “The Glass Hermit” marks her first foray into working with AI. The film will make its global debut in Times Square in New York, Piccadilly Circus in London and Moxy in Downtown LA, and will be available to view online at: https://northerndata.de/theglasshermit.

Northern Data Group’s “Innovation Bravery” campaign champions innovators like Heath who push creative boundaries and spark important conversations about the future of AI. Heath remained true to her analogue creative process to bring “The Glass Hermit” to life, while experimenting with AI through each stage of the production. This included the creation of her own AI environment exclusively designed to manipulate original moving imagery. The finished product balances experimental filmmaking with the latest developments in AI to demonstrate the irreplaceable impact of human creativity.

“AI has opened a door to other dimensions. It makes sense to me to use it in conjunction with my original ideas, the hand made and human crafted. It is like another color,” says Shona Heath.

The film is fueled by a moving performance from Ruby Gaskell, who plays the enigmatic “Glass Hermit”. Heath’s creative vision takes inspiration from the world around us: the circularity and fluidity of nature; the journey of shell to sand to water to glass; the love we should have for our planet. This inspiration was perfectly aligned with Northern Data’s ethos of sustainability and ensuring that the use of new technology, like AI, has a limited impact on the planet.

Rosanne Kincaid-Smith, Northern Data Group COO, says, “Northern Data emphasizes the collaboration between human creativity and AI capabilities, and importantly our shared accountability to care for our planet.  “The Glass Hermit” is a one-of-a-kind work of art that embodies these values. A production of this type would not have been possible a year ago, but now we are able to see first-hand how AI innovation, in the hands of visionaries like Shona, will ensure refined and tailored outcomes that drive industries forward.”

Throughout the film-making process, Heath and Northern Data worked with Emmy award-winning production and innovation studio HELO and motion design collective Blind Pig to create a film that showcases the full breadth of artistic capability.

Neil Evely, HELO Global Head of Innovation, says, “We made sure that any AI used was complimentary to Shona’s aesthetic and story. Alongside Blind Pig, we developed a new VFX+AI pipeline that evolved daily, enabling us to combine traditional post-production tools with cutting edge AI technology. There isn’t an instruction manual for what we wanted to do – every day was an experiment for us just as much as it was for Shona and Northern Data.”

About Northern Data Group:
Northern Data Group is a leading provider of AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) solutions, leveraging high-density, liquid-cooled, GPU-based technology to empower the world’s most innovative organizations. Together with our partners, we are passionate about the potential of HPC to drive not only technological advancements but also societal progress.

About Shona Heath:
Shona Heath is an Oscar award and BAFTA winning Set Designer and Creative. She is responsible for creating some of the most memorable fashion photography from the past two decades. Her links with the fashion, art and film world continue to grow, making her an in demand creative collaborator.

Shona’s vision could be described as confident and playful, a balance of refined and raw with an experimental use of materials and always with a feminine approach. She draws inspiration from the people and the art around her, stretching and distorting motifs from the natural world to create her own unique landscapes. Often taking a humorous approach to the everyday domestic or the concept of luxury, her work has a lightness and sense of fun that she is renowned for.

About HELO: 
HELO is a Creative Innovation Studio, assembled by an eclectic group of professionals from the worlds of entertainment, technology and design. We collaborate with partners to create moving experiences and craft content, producing original work at scale. Our passion for innovation is woven through everything we do. In 2024, HELO won an Emmy for Digital Innovation in Sport, a Grand Prix at Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity and Production Company of the Year at The One Show.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/northern-data-group-presents-ai-enabled-film-the-glass-hermit-by-oscar-winner-shona-heath-302325643.html

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LianLian Global and PayPal Power Cross-Border Payouts for Social Commerce, Marketplace, and eCommerce Customers

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Social commerce, marketplaces and eCommerce players served by LianLian Global can now pay creators, influencers, developers, and independent contractors directly to their PayPal and Venmo wallets.

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LianLian Global  today announced it has partnered with PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) to enable its social commerce, marketplace and e-commerce clients to send payouts directly to PayPal accounts globally and to Venmo accounts in the U.S.

The creator and gig economy runs on fast, low-friction payouts. Brands are expected to spend $32.6 billion on creators in 2026 and roughly 50 million people worldwide create content professionally or semi-professionally (Gigapay Global Creator Economy Report 2026). Many of these recipients already hold a PayPal or Venmo account: PayPal had over 400 million active accounts across approximately 200 markets at the end of Q2 2026, and Venmo reached 67 million monthly active accounts in Q4 2025.

Paypal Payouts is live in 96 global markets and 24 currencies. It allows merchants to send to any email address, mobile number, or Venmo user handle, with or without an existing PayPal or Venmo account.

To support enterprises expanding globally, LianLian Global provides digital payment services including pay-in, pay-out, acquiring, foreign exchange, virtual cards and payment aggregation. To date, its parent company Lianlian DigiTech has served more than 13.3 million clients. Its services reach more than 200 countries and regions, support transactions and settlement in more than 140 currencies, and connect with more than 180 global e-commerce platforms.

The partnership combines LianLian Global’s cross-border collection, FX and compliance infrastructure with PayPal’s global wallet network. Key offerings include:

Pay to PayPal: Payouts from LianLian Global clients to PayPal account holders in 96 markets, using only the recipient’s email or phone numberPay to Venmo: Domestic U.S. payouts to Venmo users, including creators, influencers and independent contractorsPayPal Payouts for Platforms: Mass disbursements for social commerce, marketplaces and affiliate platforms paying large numbers of sellers, creators and contractorsSpeed to settle: Save time and money by eliminating check runs and postage; no need for routing numbers and bank accounts.

Sandra Lam, Deputy CEO of US at LianLian Global: “Social commerce is creating a new economy, where creators, influencers and independent sellers drive discovery and sales alongside the platforms they sell on. Paying these participants fast, across borders and in small amount is what powers the network effect of social commerce. We see our work with Paypal as a key step in building the payout rails for the global gig economy.”

The collaboration expands LianLian Global’s payout coverage and supports its growth in the U.S. and global markets as cross-border platforms scale their creator and contractor programs.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lianlian-global-and-paypal-power-cross-border-payouts-for-social-commerce-marketplace-and-ecommerce-customers-302917635.html

SOURCE LianLian Global

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Crab2B Debuts as Hong Kong’s First Dedicated B2B Platform for Mobile Electronics

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HONG KONG, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the global population surpassing 8 billion, mobile electronics have become essential to modern life, with smartphones now used by billions of people. Across approximately 13,861 cities worldwide, electronics wholesalers play a vital role in the supply chain. Among the world’s three major wholesale hubs for digital electronics, Dubai serves the Middle East and Africa, Miami connects markets across Latin America, and Hong Kong draws strength from its unique position linking mainland China with global markets. According to Hong Kong Customs data, re-exports of used mobile phones from Hong Kong reached 51.5 million units in 2025, while the total value of electronics exports hit HK$3.9216 trillion. Yet despite its value running into the trillions of Hong Kong dollars, it has long lacked a dedicated online platform.

Crab2B was created to fill this gap as Hong Kong’s first B2B platform dedicated to mobile electronics. Inspired by Alibaba’s online B2B marketplace model, the platform focuses on consumer electronics, bringing together hundreds of thousands of buyers and sellers worldwide and enabling them to connect directly.

Crab2B covers a broad range of products, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and other smart devices. Listings span brand-new and used devices, as well as certified pre-owned (CPO) and as-is products. The platform also connects buyers and suppliers with service providers offering product inspection, international logistics and repair services. Users can search for products by brand and model, while all merchants undergo rigorous verification before joining the platform. With these safeguards in place, Crab2B is designed to meet the needs of businesses across the value chain, protect the interests of both buyers and sellers, and facilitate mutually beneficial transactions.

Building on Hong Kong’s established trading network, Crab2B made its debut at the HKICEC Global Mobile Exchange Pavilion during the Global Sources Hong Kong Shows, held at AsiaWorld-Expo from October 18 to 21, 2026, where it also launched the Crab2B app. Looking ahead, Crab2B will remain firmly rooted in Hong Kong while expanding its global reach, continuing to refine the platform to deliver a smarter, more comprehensive digital marketplace for mobile electronics. By helping international buyers identify suitable suppliers, simplifying cross-border sourcing and reducing transaction costs, Crab2B aims to support the continued growth of Hong Kong’s digital trade sector and contribute to the city’s long-term prosperity and stability.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/crab2b-debuts-as-hong-kongs-first-dedicated-b2b-platform-for-mobile-electronics-302917652.html

SOURCE CRAB 2B TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED

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AiMOGA Launches Global Robot Innovation: Mobo Debuts from Wuhu, Empowering Homes and Businesses

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AiMOGA Robotics has officially launched Mobo, its first consumer-grade humanoid family companion robot, marking a new chapter in intelligent living for Malaysian households and enterprises. Unveiled globally from AiMOGA’s headquarters in Wuhu, China, during a joint international users summit with its sister brands, this groundbreaking product reflects the company’s commitment to worldwide innovation and technological excellence.

Standing 0.9 meters tall with 22 degrees of freedom, Mobo supports over 20 languages—including Bahasa Malaysia—and delivers rich, personalized interactions. Designed for family life, it offers children interactive learning, storytelling, and object recognition, while providing elders with conversational companionship and customizable reminders. Powered by MoAgent, AiMOGA’s embodied intelligence system, Mobo features a dual-brain architecture enabling real-time responses, multi-tasking capabilities, and adaptive learning through facial recognition and secure MogaCloud integration.

Peng Xia, AiMOGA Robotics Executive Vice President, said Mobo’s spatial perception, interaction, execution, decision-making, and cognition layers form a perception-decision-execution-feedback loop. Spatial memory enables object retrieval, while social navigation recognizes pedestrian paths and interaction zones. Multimodal technologies coordinate language, facial expressions, and movement for natural interaction.

Beyond home use, Mobo shows strong potential in professional settings—from customer service to logistics—supporting AiMOGA’s vision of integrating robotics into everyday workflows.

Since its debut in August 2026, Mobo has attracted over 10,000 prospective users. Thirty-five were selected as Global User Experience Officers, receiving one year of complimentary use to help shape future improvements.

At the event, Guibin Zhang, AiMOGA Robotics General Manager, outlined strategies in R&D, cost optimization, sales and leasing. The “Platform Institute + Scenario Institute” model drives validation for bipedal, quadruped, and wheeled robots. Plans include 300 global experience centers and “Jia Tian Xia”, a robot leasing brand launching in Wuhu. Leveraging Chery’s manufacturing and platform resources enhances cost efficiency and scalability.

Notably, AiMOGA’s impact in Malaysia is amplified through strategic collaboration with sister brands Chery, OMODA & JAECOO, iCAUR, and LEPAS. Their partnership extends far beyond vehicle showrooms and daily operations—jointly developing integrated smart ecosystems that span mobility, retail, smart offices, and connected living.

As part of a global rollout with over 3,000 units deployed across 60+ markets, this initiative aims to bring intelligent, accessible robotics to more Malaysian families and businesses—enhancing productivity, convenience, and quality of life.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/aimoga-launches-global-robot-innovation-mobo-debuts-from-wuhu-empowering-homes-and-businesses-302917658.html

SOURCE AiMOGA Robotics

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