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Freedom House Announces 2025 Award Recipients

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The honorees were recognized at Freedom House’s annual awards ceremony.

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Freedom House recognized a distinguished slate of advocates for democracy and freedom around the globe at its Annual Awards in Washington, DC, last night. Award recipients included Venezuelan democratic movement leader María Corina Machado, US Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), representatives from the government and civil society of Taiwan, and Server Mustafayev, an unjustly imprisoned Crimean Tatar human rights defender.

“The suppression of freedom anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere,” said Freedom House interim Copresidents Gerardo Berthin and Annie Boyajian. “For almost 85 years, Freedom House has worked tirelessly around the world to expand and defend freedom and democracy. Our latest research has shown that we are in the midst of a nearly two-decade decline in global freedom. But there is hope. The courage and commitment of these groups and individuals in their defense of democratic principles are a powerful reminder that democracy only endures through the resolve of those who rise up to protect it. Freedom House is thrilled to honor our 2025 awardees.”

The Freedom Award

María Corina Machado received the Freedom Award, which recognizes outstanding leaders in the cause of freedom and democracy. Machado, the leader of Venezuela’s democratic movement, won more than 92 percent of the vote in an October 2023 presidential primary election. Despite her triumph, the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro disqualified her from running for president in the 2024 general election. Machado unified democratic forces behind Ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia’s candidacy in response, empowering nearly a million volunteers within Venezuela to safeguard the vote. Today, although she and her team remain under intense persecution by the regime, Machado continues to lead efforts alongside Venezuelans and the international community to achieve a democratic transition.

This year’s award was presented by Russian human rights activist and Free Russia Foundation advocacy director Evgenia Kara-Murza, who is married to former political prisoner and 2023 Freedom Award winner Vladimir Kara-Murza. The award was accepted by Rafael de la Cruz, an advisor to María Corina Machado.

Past recipients of the Freedom Award, which was launched in 1943, include the women of Iran; His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama; Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Václav Havel, the playwright, dissident, and first postcommunist president of Czechoslovakia; Saudi activist Hala al-Dosari; journalist Edward R. Murrow; Uyghur activist Ilham Tohti; and Pablo Casals, the musician and opponent of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco.  

The Leadership Award

US Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Roger F. Wicker (R-MS) each received Freedom House’s Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding dedication to principled US leadership on the world stage and support for those on the front lines of the struggle against tyranny, such as in Ukraine, Taiwan, and the prodemocracy movement of Belarus.

The Honorable Jeanne Shaheen has represented New Hampshire in the US Senate since 2009. As current ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Shaheen champions a strong national defense and robust engagement with transatlantic allies, and has been a consistent advocate for democracy movements around the world. The Honorable Roger F. Wicker has represented Mississippi in the US Senate since 2007. He is currently serving as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chairman of the US Helsinki Commission, and is a champion for democratic values and human rights across Europe and Eurasia.

Previous recipients of the Leadership Award include then–Vice President Joe Biden, Senator John McCain, Senator Bob Corker, then–House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senator Lindsey Graham. This year’s award was presented by the Honorable Jane Harman, cochair emeritus of the Freedom House Board of Trustees.

The Beacon Award

The government and civil society of Taiwan received the inaugural Beacon Award for their steadfast efforts to protect their own vibrant democracy, and to support the global struggle for freedom, in the face of escalating pressure from the Chinese Communist Party. Representative Alexander Tah-Ray Yui, on behalf of the government of Taiwan, and civil society representative Chiang Min-yen accepted the award.

Alexander Tah-Ray Yui has been Taiwan’s representative to the United States since December 2023. He has over 35 years of experience in diplomacy and previously served as Taiwan’s vice minister of foreign affairs from 2021 to 2023. Chiang Min-yen is a nonresident fellow at the Taiwan Economic Democracy Union, where he focuses on Beijing’s economic coercion toward Taiwan, and at the Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET), where he specializes in economic security and the semiconductor industry. The award was presented by Ambassador Robert Tuttle, a member of the Freedom House Board of Trustees.

The Alfred Moses Liberty Award

Server Mustafayev received the Alfred Moses Liberty Award, which honors exemplary courage by political prisoners or outstanding efforts to secure their release.

Mustafayev, a Crimean Tatar human rights defender, cofounded the Crimean Solidarity movement to support victims of political persecution in Russian-occupied Crimea. He was arrested by Russian authorities seven years ago on May 21, 2018, for alleged involvement with the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir—such charges are often fabricated by Moscow as a pretext to silence dissent. In 2020, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison alongside six codefendants. His detention is widely recognized as politically motivated and has been condemned by Amnesty International, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and Freedom House’s Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners. The award was accepted on Mustafayev’s behalf by Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova and presented by Norman Willox, chairman of the Freedom House Board of Trustees.

Key Supporters

Freedom House is grateful to the Event Chairs Karen and Norman Willox, Co-Chairs Rodger Desai and Dr. Susan Gauthier, The Honorable Jane Harman, Maurice Perkins, Collin and Joanna Roche, and the Event Underwriters of the 2025 Annual Awards, Aegon Transamerica Foundation, Rodger Desai and Dr. Susan Gauthier, William and Sheila Konar Foundation, Collin and Joanna Roche; Freedom Supporters — Eileen Donahoe, Thomas and Susana Kahn, Karen and Norman Willox; and Freedom Advocates — Anonymous in Memory of Former Freedom House Trustee, Congressman Jim Kolbe, The Honorable Goli Ameri, The Honorable Jane Harman, Conrad Kiechel and Nancy Savage, Pan American Energy, Susan and Thomas Staudt, Telecom Argentina SA, Carlotta and Wendell Willkie, and David Willkie.

Freedom House is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to create a world where all are free. We inform the world about threats to freedom, mobilize global action, and support democracy’s defenders.

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SOURCE Freedom House

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Shanghai Electric Presents Full-Chain Collaborative Solutions for Zero-Carbon Transition at Carbon Neutrality Expo 2026

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SHANGHAI, June 15, 2026 /CNW/ — Shanghai Electric (“the Company”) (SEHK: 02727, SSE: 601727) has successfully concluded its exhibition at the 2026 Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo in Technologies, Products and Achievements (Carbon Neutrality Expo 2026) held from June 10 to 12 in Shanghai under the theme of “Engineering the Optimal Zero-Carbon Solution.”

By presenting zero-carbon park construction achievements, low-carbon technology innovations and green product solutions, Shanghai Electric showcased its core capabilities in full-chain synergy, on-demand customization and project execution. Its integrated energy equipment value chain enables tailored solutions for diverse scenarios and supports green, low-carbon development.

Industrial parks are vital platforms for green and low-carbon development. At the expo, Shanghai Electric released the “White Paper on Technical Measures for Zero-Carbon Park Planning and Construction,” offering systematic and actionable guidance for green and low-carbon park development. Centered on energy efficiency, energy substitution and resource circulation, Shanghai Electric offers end-to-end services from planning and construction to operations. Its full-chain solutions cover clean energy supply, low-carbon infrastructure, resource recycling and smart O&M.

In recent years, the Company has advanced several demonstration projects for green and low-carbon park development, including the “Zero-Carbon Bay” project in Shanghai’s Lin-gang Special Area and a smart energy park in Shantou, Guangdong Province. Selected as one of China’s first 52 national zero-carbon parks and the only project in Shanghai to receive the designation, the Lin-gang project highlights Shanghai Electric’s role in planning, construction and operational deployment, as well as its ability to build integrated zero-carbon systems for advanced manufacturing industries. The Shantou project integrates wind, solar, storage, charging and intelligent energy management, and has received Guangdong’s first carbon neutrality certificate.

With full-category new energy capabilities across wind, solar, storage, hydrogen and nuclear, Shanghai Electric covers the zero-carbon chain from generation to smart platforms and energy-saving equipment. The full-chain synergy provides robust technological and industrial foundation for building zero-carbon scenarios.

Shanghai Electric also released social carbon reduction contribution data for the second consecutive year. In 2025, the Company achieved a reduction of approximately 389 million tons of CO₂ equivalent, continuing to apply its green technologies and industrial capabilities to drive low-carbon transition.

Meanwhile, Shanghai Electric unveiled its next-phase ESG development strategy, reaffirming its commitment to clean technology innovation, low-carbon management and sustainability governance as it works with global partners to support the global zero-carbon transition.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shanghai-electric-presents-full-chain-collaborative-solutions-for-zero-carbon-transition-at-carbon-neutrality-expo-2026-302800953.html

SOURCE Shanghai Electric

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56% Want It, 38% Leave For It: The Critical State of Work-Life Balance in Hong Kong: Randstad Hong Kong

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Work-life balance remains the #1 Employee Value Proposition (EVP), jumping 10% in importance since 2024 (56% in 2026 vs. 46% in 2024).Top 3 turnover drivers: Poor work-life balance, uncompetitive compensation & benefits, and limited career growth.Mobility trends: 30% of Hongkonger plan to change jobs (peaking at 32% among Gen Z), while 14% seek internal transfers (highest among Millennials at 16%).

HONG KONG, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ‘Work-life balance’ continues to reign as the top employee value proposition (EVP) for talent in Hong Kong, while ‘career progression’ has entered the Top 5 EVPs for the very first time in 2026.

Randstad – the global talent company – today revealed early findings of its 14th annual Employer Brand Research in Hong Kong SAR. Commissioned by Randstad and independently conducted by Kantar, this annual study is the world’s most comprehensive employer brand research, surveying over 166,000 people globally, including 2,500 respondents in Hong Kong SAR.

Natellie Sun, Managing Director of Randstad Greater China and Southeast Asia said, “Our 2026 findings show that while work-life balance remains the ultimate priority, career progression has broken into the top five EVPs for the first time in six years. Immediate rewards and daily workplace experiences are still highly valued, but we are seeing a distinct shift: talent in Hong Kong is adopting a much more long-term, strategic mindset when managing their careers.”

Work-life Balance Remains the Leading EVP Driver

The 2026 research reveals that 56% of Hong Kongers prioritise work-life balance when seeking an ideal employer, marking a 10% increase from 2024. This is closely followed by attractive salary and benefits (52%) and job security (43%).

Top 5 Most Important EVP Factors When Thinking about an Ideal Employer

Hong Kong SAR

Gen Z

Millennials

Gen X

work-life balance

work-life balance

work-life balance

work-life balance

salary & benefits

salary & benefits

salary & benefits

salary & benefits

job security

pleasant work atmosphere

job security

job security

career progression

career progression

career progression

pleasant work atmosphere

pleasant work atmosphere

job security

pleasant work atmosphere

career progression

Hongkongers View Work-life Balance through a Functional Lens

Data shows that Hongkongers prioritise tangible benefits which are good environments, reasonable workloads, flexible arrangements, health support, time off and access to work, over soft factors like “supportive leadership and culture”.

44% of talent in Hong Kong cite reasonable workload and expectations as the primary driver of a healthy work-life balance, nearly double the proportion who prioritise supportive leadership and culture (23%). 

Amid talent shifts driven by agile business iterations, forward-thinking managers should do more than simply reassign tasks to teams or AI tools. Instead, they should take actions to prioritise employees’ morale, redesign workflows, and reallocate resources to ensure sustainable productivity.

Another 42% attribute better work-life balance to flexible working arrangements. However, the proportion of employees offered hybrid or remote options has declined (32% in 2026, down from 37% in 2025). Increasingly, employers are mandating a return-to-office (RTO) to track productivity and drive growth. Yet, companies need to be wary of “pseudo-flexibility”, which is when workloads are unreasonable and the line between work time and personal time becomes blurry. Consequently, a poor work-life balance remains the leading driver of resignations in Hong Kong (38.2%).

Switch or Not? Hongkongers Seek Job Security and Career Progression

The Hong Kong talent market is currently navigating a structural supply-demand mismatch, accelerated by AI and economic uncertainties. Faced with these external market risks, talent are increasingly choosing security over mobility.

While 30% of workers still plan to change jobs, external mobility intentions have noticeably slowed down compared to previous years. Instead, the appetite for internal transfers has grown to 14%. Driven by a challenging macroeconomic environment, talent is opting to anchor themselves to current employers, looking for security rather than risking an external move.

However, choosing security does not mean no retention pressure. Employers need to look beyond surface-level declines in turnover and evaluate the workforce through the lens of EVP and attrition factors, to mitigate the risks of ‘job hugging’ fallout and talent loss.

A disconnect exists between what talent expect and what they experience daily. The widest gap lies in “salary and benefits,” followed by “career progression”. Notably, 38% of respondents leave because salary and benefits failed to keep pace with rising living costs and workload, while 29% leave due to a lack of career growth opportunities.

As market-wide salary increments slow down and corporate budgets become cautious, talent are adopting a more pragmatic approach toward compensation and benefits. When weighing salary ceilings against career ceilings, talent possess far greater agency to shatter their career barriers.

Career development is a continuous journey that relies on both personal commitment and a supportive work environment. It encompasses vertical advancement and horizontal expansion, with expectations evolving across the short, medium, and long term. As Partner for Talent, Randstad is committed to supporting candidates through every stage of the career journey.

Randstad Hong Kong 2026 Employer Brand Research Report: Now Available

The 14th edition of the Randstad Hong Kong Employer Brand Research is available now on the website, exploring the insights from 2,500 respondents for the following themes:

how talent across different generations is ranking EVP importancewhat elements strengthen job security and enhance work-life balancejob-switching behaviour and the reasons for leaving jobsAI powers the job search, human connection builds trust.

About Randstad Employer Brand Research

Randstad Employer Brand Research 2026 explores the views of working people in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and North America.

Data was collected from over 166,000 respondents in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay In January 2026. For this research, Randstad partnered with Kantar, a global research and analysis firm.

About Randstad

Randstad is a global talent leader with the vision to be the world’s most equitable and specialised talent company. As a partner for talent and through our four specialisations — Operational, Professional, Digital and Enterprise — we provide clients with the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces that they need to succeed in a talent scarce world. We help people secure meaningful roles, develop relevant skills and find purpose and belonging in their workplace. Through the value we create, we are committed to a better and more sustainable future for all.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, operating in 39 markets and Randstad N.V. is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam. For more information, see www.randstad.com.

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SOURCE Randstad Hong Kong

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TECNO Unveils SPARK 50 Pro: The Segment’s Durable Powerhouse

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HONG KONG, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On June 16 Beijing Time, AI-driven innovative technology brand TECNO unveils SPARK 50 Pro, the segment’s durable powerhouse. Designed for users who expect their smartphone to keep up with them for years, TECNO SPARK 50 Pro offers two battery options — a 5600mAh dual-cell version and a 6000mAh single-cell version — both paired with a Sony LYTIA 600 50MP main camera, a slim 7.8mm body, IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance, and SGS Five-Star certified durability. This stylish and durable smartphone is built to deliver long-lasting all-round performance for entertainment, creativity, and everyday life.

Long-Lasting Power and Performance for Streaming and Multitasking

Built for the way users stream, scroll, game, chat, and multitask throughout the day, TECNO SPARK 50 Pro delivers dependable performance with battery durability designed for the long run. Both battery versions — 5600mAh dual-cell and 6000mAh single-cell — support more than 1,900 charge cycles, retaining over 80% capacity after six years, as certified by TECNO Lab, for long-lasting reliability and fewer battery replacements.

TECNO SPARK 50 Pro also supports 60W Super Charge, powering the device to 63% in just 30 minutes and charging fully in 55 minutes. Three adaptive charging modes – Hyper, Smart, and Low-Temperature – give users control over speed versus heat, while bypass charging routes power directly to the motherboard during heavy use, reducing battery strain and keeping the device cooler when gaming or streaming while plugged in.

Powered by the MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate processor with AnTuTu score around 550,000, TECNO SPARK 50 Pro is designed to support smooth everyday performance across entertainment, productivity, and social use. It also features Memory Fusion 4.0 technology, delivers up to 24GB RAM. Its large 6.78-inch display with up to 120Hz refresh rate brings fluid visuals to supported scenarios, while dual stereo speakers with DTS Sound deliver a richer audio experience for video, music, and gaming. Together, these features make SPARK 50 Pro a reliable entertainment companion built for daily streaming, multitasking, and playback.

Capture Life in Motion: 50MP Sony Camera Meets Ultra-Fast FlashSnap

TECNO SPARK 50 Pro elevates everyday photography with the Sony LYTIA 600 main camera which was developed by Sony Semiconductor Solutions with Sony optical technology, features a 50MP resolution and a large 1/1.953-inch sensor. It delivers superior light-gathering capability compared to smaller sensors in its class, enabling clearer shots in low-light conditions.

Capture fast-moving moments with TECNO’s FlashSnap technology. With shutter speeds of up to 1/10,000s, users can freeze motion with precision, whether capturing pets in action, moving vehicles, sports, or quick-fire moments with friends.

Beyond still images, TECNO SPARK 50 Pro brings memories to life with Live Photo, saving the atmosphere of a shot in motion with every shutter press. AI-powered imaging tools, including AI Eraser 2.0 and AI Extender, help users remove distractions, reframe compositions, and refine images directly on device. TECNO’s Universal Tone technology further supports more inclusive portrait photography, helping users capture natural-looking skin tones across environments.

Slim Yet Durable: Premium Design with Solid Protection

TECNO SPARK 50 Pro combines a slim 7.8mm profile with premium durability, backed by the Swiss SGS Five-Star Premium Drop Resistance. Adding to its resilience, the device features IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, ensuring reliable protection against dust, spills, rain, and high-pressure water jets.

TECNO SPARK 50 Pro extends its all-round experience with features built around how users actually move through their day. FreeLink 2.0 enables off-grid communication in supported scenarios, while 4.5G and 4G carrier aggregation strengthens network performance for streaming, browsing, and social use. AI Noise Cancellation supports clearer calls in busy or noisy environments, and TECNO’s Ella AI Agent and AI Health Assistant bring intelligent everyday assistance for health monitoring and daily productivity.

The device is available in five stylish colors: Ink Black, Titanium Grey, Midnight Blue, Dynamic Orange, and Cloud White. Blending ultra-slim aesthetics with modern style, TECNO SPARK 50 Pro is designed to feel as polished as it is practical — a device that looks premium, performs smoothly, and stays reliable over time.

About TECNO

As a global innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 markets, TECNO has been committed to revolutionizing the digital experience in global emerging markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies and AI. TECNO offers a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, smart gaming, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO is committed to unlocking the newest technologies and AI-powered new experiences for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.tecno-mobile.com.

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SOURCE TECNO

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