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Amazon opens first Canadian Disaster Relief hub in Edmonton, specialized in wildfire response

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New hub will stock specialized wildfire relief supplies for donation to Canadian nonprofits; full-scale grand opening planned for fall 2026

EDMONTON, AB, July 22, 2026 /CNW/ — Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced the opening of its first Disaster Relief hub in Canada, dedicating a portion of an existing Amazon fulfilment centre in Edmonton, Alberta to supporting Canadian communities before, during, and after major disasters.

The hub specializes in wildfire response, stocking and donating supplies that nonprofits and responders need most. It is operational now, with a grand opening planned for October 2026 when the facility reaches its full capacity with more than 180,000 emergency supplies ready to go.

“Amazon uses its global scale and strengths to make a positive impact in communities, and this hub is a powerful example of that,” said Eva Lorenz, vice president and country manager of Amazon Canada. “By dedicating a portion of an existing facility where we deliver for customers every day, we can also serve communities when disaster strikes, responding in hours, not days. Our team in Edmonton will keep the hub ready year-round, stocking specialized wildfire relief supplies, so first responders get what they need fast. We’re proud to partner with the nonprofits doing this critical work, bringing Amazon’s global disaster relief network to Canadian communities.”

Built for Canada’s wildfire reality

“Wildfire season in Canada is starting earlier, lasting longer, and becoming harder to contain. Wildfires don’t wait — and neither do we,” said Abe Diaz, Amazon’s head of disaster relief. “El Niño drives temperatures higher, drying out vegetation and turning landscapes into fuel. Wildfires surge dramatically during these cycles. Our expansion in Canada means we’ll be prepared on both sides of the border to put resources in the hands of communities in hours, not days.”

Amazon is monitoring the current wildfire situation closely and is ready to respond when our non-profit partners need us. The last three fire seasons in Canada have been among the 10 worst on record. Canada experienced its most destructive wildfire season ever in 2023, with fires consuming 16.5 million hectares — nearly seven times more than the historical average.

Amazon will work with nonprofit organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross and Team Rubicon Canada to donate and deliver supplies within hours of a disaster from the Canada hub, stocking the items needed most for wildfire response, including:

Air purifiers and N95 masksHeavy-duty boots and glovesRespirators, helmets, and gogglesSifters

The hub will be stocked to respond to additional natural disasters, too, such as floods and tornadoes. It will contain general disaster relief supplies, including cleaning equipment and diapers, wipes, and strollers to support displaced families. Amazon is monitoring hundreds of active wildfires in Canada and related air quality issues and ready to respond to nonprofit requests for assistance if needed.

“Disasters are increasing in complexity, intensity, and duration. We have entered a new normal in terms of Canada’s response requirements, and our communities cannot wait for help to arrive. This hub is a game changer. It means that when our teams hit the ground, their supplies are right behind them — and that’s the difference between responding in days to now being able to respond within hours,” said Team Rubicon Canada Chief Operating Officer Tim Kenney.

The new hub will assist with community preparedness, which has been recognized as a need by non-profit organizations.

“The Canadian Red Cross recognizes the increasing need for disaster preparedness and is grateful to Amazon and all those who are investing in building response readiness and community resilience,” said Vice President of Emergency Management at the Canadian Red Cross, Melanie Soler.

To keep the hub ready year-round, Amazon associates at the Edmonton fulfilment centre have the opportunity to dedicate a portion of their regular shifts each week to fully paid work supporting the hub — receiving, sorting, and organizing relief supplies. When a disaster strikes, associates can shift to full-time hub operations, rapidly preparing and shipping supplies to meet urgent demand.

“At YEG1, our team is known for our active community involvement, and helping the communities around us is at the heart of what drives us,” said Osman Butt, site leader at Amazon’s Edmonton fulfilment centre. “We are incredibly proud to be the home of Amazon’s first Disaster Relief hub in Canada. Knowing that what we do here will help our neighbours across the country when they need it most — that’s what makes this meaningful for everyone on the team.”

Part of a global relief network

The Canadian hub is Amazon’s second wildfire-dedicated facility globally. The first wildfire relief hub opened in California in 2024, which has since grown fivefold in capacity with thousands more masks, air purifiers, and general relief supplies. The hub was an important source of support during the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Amazon now operates 12 Disaster Relief hubs across seven countries, having donated and delivered more than 30 million relief items in response to more than 200 disasters since 2017.

For more information about Amazon’s wildfire relief efforts and the global disaster relief hub network, visit www.aboutamazon.com/news/community/amazon-wildfire-disaster-relief.

About Amazon in Canada

As of the end of 2025, Amazon has invested more than $40 billion in Canada since 2012, creating more than 40,000 direct jobs across the country in technology, operations, and corporate functions. Amazon operates more than 100 facilities across Canada, including fulfilment centres, delivery stations, sortation centres, and corporate offices. For more information, visit www.aboutamazon.ca.

For more information: Amazon-pr@amazon.com

SOURCE Amazon Canada

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Compal and ARC Cloud Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Large-Scale AI Infrastructure

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The MOU outlines a global strategic collaboration spanning advanced AI computing systems, high-performance GPU clusters and next-generation data center infrastructure.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Compal Electronics, Inc. (TWSE: 2324) (“Compal”) and ARC Cloud today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance their strategic collaboration in large-scale AI computing infrastructure.

Signed during the 2026 OCP Global Summit, the MOU establishes a framework for collaboration across multiple projects. As part of their broader collaboration, the companies will explore opportunities related to a data center development roadmap of up to 100 MW. The partnership also aligns with ARC Cloud’s plans for continued expansion through significant capital investments in AI infrastructure and data center development across the United States, including California, Nevada, Texas and Georgia.

The collaboration brings together Compal’s advanced AI server technologies and manufacturing expertise with ARC Cloud’s end-to-end capabilities in AI infrastructure investment and the design, deployment and operation of large-scale GPU clusters.

The partnership extends beyond AI server supply to encompass system engineering, technical validation, deployment coordination and ongoing support. By aligning advanced computing technologies with infrastructure requirements, the companies aim to accelerate the delivery of computing capacity for AI model training, fine-tuning and inference.

“AI computing is moving toward increasingly integrated, high-density systems that require closer coordination between technology manufacturers and infrastructure providers,” said Alan Chang, Vice President of Infrastructure Systems Business Group (ISBU) at Compal. “Our partnership with ARC Cloud allows us to build on our engineering strengths and explore new opportunities to support the growing NeoCloud market.”

How the Companies Will Work Together

Under the MOU, Compal will contribute its expertise in AI server manufacturing, rack-scale integration and liquid-cooling technologies. ARC Cloud will bring its capabilities in infrastructure investment, strategic technology partnerships, and the engineering and operation of high-performance GPU clusters.

The companies will work to align system configurations, production schedules and data center deployment requirements, while exploring cooperation in joint engineering, system validation and lifecycle technical support. These efforts are intended to improve deployment efficiency and operational readiness as AI computing environments grow in scale and complexity.

“AI customers need more than access to GPUs. They need computing environments that can deliver consistent performance for demanding workloads,” said William Tiah, Co-Founder of ARC Cloud. “Working with Compal allows us to bring system engineering and infrastructure planning closer together, helping us build and operate reliable GPU clusters as demand for AI computing continues to grow.”

About Compal

Founded in 1984, Compal is a leading global manufacturer of computers and smart devices and a Forbes Global 2000 company, partnering with top-tier brands worldwide. The company has expanded into cloud servers, automotive electronics, smart medical and healthcare, and advanced communication solutions. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, Compal operates globally across the U.S., Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, and Poland. Website: https://www.compal.com

About ARC Cloud

ARC Cloud (Accelerated Research Computing) is a U.S.-based, full-stack NeoCloud company specializing in the investment, development and operation of large-scale AI computing infrastructure. With end-to-end capabilities spanning data center development, GPU cluster design and deployment, infrastructure orchestration and operations, and cloud-based AI services, ARC Cloud provides dedicated GPU compute, managed infrastructure, model deployment and production inference for AI developers, enterprises and cloud service providers. Website: https://arccloudai.com

Forward-Looking Statements

The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation and does not constitute a binding investment or purchase commitment. The potential 100 MW data center development roadmap referenced in this announcement is exploratory and does not represent a confirmed project, capacity commitment, purchase commitment or revenue forecast. Specific projects, capacity, commercial terms and timelines remain subject to further agreements and applicable conditions. Actual outcomes may differ from current expectations.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/compal-and-arc-cloud-forge-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-large-scale-ai-infrastructure-302920332.html

SOURCE Compal Electronics, Inc.

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IX at IPVS 2026: Listening to Global Voices, Partnering to Advance HPV Prevention

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ATHENS, Greece, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Xiamen Innovax Biotech Co., Ltd. (IX) participated in the 38th Annual Conference of the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS 2026), held in Athens, Greece, from October 22 to 25, joining global experts and partners to exchange scientific insights and explore collaborative approaches to HPV prevention and cervical cancer elimination.

Under the theme “Together Against HPV,” IX welcomed international attendees to Booth 14 for discussions on vaccine innovation, scientific evidence, accessibility and international collaboration. An interactive signature board and message wall invited participants to share their perspectives and commitments to HPV prevention.

Recognizing the diverse public health needs and challenges across countries, IX emphasized the importance of listening to global voices, respecting local contexts and translating scientific innovation into accessible, sustainable solutions.

New Interim Data Presented at IPVS 2026

During the scientific program, Dr. Nana A. Ansah of Ghana’s Navrongo Health Research Centre presented the Month 6 interim analysis of PATH’s Single-dose HPV Immunobridging Study with New Vaccines (SHINE I; CVIA 104).

This Phase III, double-blind, randomized, multinational study in Ghana and the Philippines compares the immunogenicity and safety of single-dose Cecolin 9 with Gardasil 9 among girls aged 9–14 and young women aged 15–20, respectively. Final data are expected in 2028.

From Innovation to Global Collaboration

IX’s HPV vaccine portfolio includes Cecolin, its WHO-prequalified bivalent HPV vaccine, and Cecolin 9, its next-generation 9-valent HPV vaccine launched in China in 2025.

Built on its proprietary E. coli-derived virus-like particle (VLP) technology platform, IX continues to advance vaccine innovation, scalable manufacturing and international partnerships. Through technology transfer and local capacity building, IX aims to strengthen sustainable vaccine supply and bring innovation closer to local public health needs.

IPVS 2026 reaffirmed IX’s commitment to listening, learning and collaborating with the global HPV community. Guided by its mission to provide high-quality, affordable vaccines, IX will continue working with partners worldwide to advance HPV prevention and support the shared goal of cervical cancer elimination.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ix-at-ipvs-2026-listening-to-global-voices-partnering-to-advance-hpv-prevention-302920340.html

SOURCE Xiamen Innovax Biotech Co., Ltd.

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SandStone IDM empowers automotive electronics inspection data management, reducing storage costs by 65%

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BANGKOK, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Thailand accelerates its efforts to establish a regional hub for electric vehicle manufacturing, quality management of automotive electronic components is facing new challenges. Under Thailand’s policy guidance to promote the localization of the electric vehicle industry, market access is increasingly closely linked to local value creation, placing higher demands on the quality traceability and supply chain integration capabilities of automotive electronic components.

Quality data management has become a core bottleneck in automotive electronics production lines.

In automotive electronics manufacturing, systems such as AOI (Automatic Optical Inspection), MES (Manufacturing Execution System), and YMS (Yield Management System) continuously generate massive amounts of unstructured data, primarily consisting of quality inspection images. According to the requirements of the IATF 16949 quality management system, the retention period for inspection data of safety-critical components needs to cover the entire lifecycle of the vehicle platform (typically 15 years or even longer). Faced with the dual pressures of continuously expanding data volume and increasingly longer compliance retention periods, automotive electronics suppliers are facing increasingly severe challenges in the storage, management, and traceability of inspection data.

SandStone IDM: An integrated quality data management solution for storage, management, and use

Addressing the aforementioned pain points, the SandStone Inspection Data Management System (IDM) provides an integrated solution for manufacturing enterprises. SandStone IDM supports exabyte-scale capacity expansion and trillion-level quality inspection image retrieval in seconds across multiple dimensions. Through AI lossless compression technology, it can save up to 90% of storage space.

From a data perspective, SandStone IDM provides full lifecycle management functions covering data collection, storage, processing, analysis, utilization, and archiving. It is equipped with comprehensive quality management, rapid quality traceability, and flexible visual business dashboards, assisting automotive electronics industry chain enterprises in building a comprehensive inspection data management system and achieving comprehensive breakthroughs in cost reduction, efficiency improvement, and quality enhancement for production line operations.

Practical verification: From storage burden to strategic asset

SandStone IDM has been implemented in a leading automotive parts manufacturing plant in Thailand. The plant mainly produces core powertrain components, including electric drive systems and power supply systems. By deploying SandStone IDM, the plant has built an integrated production quality data management platform, enabling the ingestion, unified storage, and intelligent analysis and processing of massive data. After the platform went online, data retrieval time was shortened from hours to seconds, with efficiency increased by thousands of times, providing strong support for precise quality traceability and process optimization.

With the continuous expansion in the Thai market, SandStone has served multiple manufacturers operating in Thailand, such as Peng Shen Technology, Zhongji InnoLight, Sunwoda, Quanta Computer and Victory Giant Technology, helping automotive supply chain manufacturers to address the dual challenges of efficient management and compliant storage of inspection data. SandStone IDM is becoming a key support for Thai automotive electronics manufacturing enterprises to maintain the lifeline of inspection data.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/sandstone-idm-empowers-automotive-electronics-inspection-data-management-reducing-storage-costs-by-65-302920355.html

SOURCE SandStone

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