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Be Friends Holding Announced the 2024 Interim Results, Revenue Increased by over 43%, Net Profit Surged by over 90%

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HONG KONG, Aug. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Be Friends Holding Limited (“Be Friends” or the “Group,” Stock Code: 1450), a leading live-streaming e-commerce platform in China, today announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (the “Interim Period”).

For the first half of 2024, the Group recorded revenue of approximately RMB622.1 million, representing a 43.8% year-on-year increase compared to approximately RMB432.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 (the “Corresponding Period of the Previous Year”). The Group’s net profit amounted to approximately RMB83.8 million, marking an approximately 93.8% growth compared to RMB43.3 million in the Corresponding Period of the Previous Year.

Business Review

In the first half of 2024, China’s economy steadily recovered, demonstrating an upward trend toward stabilization. The nation’s gradual relaxation of industrial policies and further emphasis on consumption-driven growth positively impacted various industries. Consequently, the Group’s new media services segment experienced sustained robust growth during the Interim Period, generating revenue of approximately RMB563.6 million, representing an increase of approximately 43.9% compared to approximately RMB391.7 million in the Corresponding Period of the Previous Year. This segment contributed roughly 90.6% of the Group’s total revenue. By implementing a standardized and replicable “matrix live-streaming channel” operation model, the Group has been able to cater to consumers’ diverse and nuanced preferences, thereby enabling more precise user engagement and fostering enhanced user conversion efficiency. During the Interim Period, the Group completed gross merchandise volume (GMV) of approximately RMB5.96 billion on the new media platform, representing an increase of approximately 18.2% as compared to the Corresponding Period of the Previous Year, and remained firm in occupying the top spot in the live-steaming e-commerce industry. The number of live-streaming channels independently owned and operated by the Group exceeded 50, which is one of the most significant numbers of live-streaming channels in the new media business area, reflecting the Group’s valuable operational experience, methodology, and data capabilities in the field of live-streaming e-commerce, and demonstrating the successful practice of our standardized and replicable “matrix live-streaming channel” operation model.

The Group’s live-streaming e-commerce business is always committed to building a long-term trust environment for merchants and consumers, creating a shopping channel that satisfies merchants and makes consumers comfortable, and becoming a trustworthy friend of our partners. The Group consistently deepens its efforts in product selection, diligently discovering and promoting high-quality merchandise with solid credentials. On the supply chain front, the Group continues to expand its capabilities, with its self-developed “Friend Cloud” platform providing stable and efficient operational support for multi-platform live streaming across various channels, realizing end-to-end management of the entire chain from merchant recruitment, intelligent product selection, compliance audit, goods management to financial settlement, which has greatly improved the efficiency and standardization of the live-streaming retail business. Concurrently, as the live-streaming e-commerce industry experiences rapid development, the Group actively explores innovative technologies and emerging opportunities to spearhead industry advancement. The Group has formally set up a team to initiate the research and development of artificial intelligence (“AI”) live-streaming project during the Interim Period. The goal of the AI live-streaming project is to realize full-scene decision-making by AI system in the field of live-streaming e-commerce, including product selection decision-making, data analysis, traffic placement decision-making, and data review, etc., to ensure that the entire operation process is highly efficient and intelligent.

The Group’s strategic layout of new media services business has passed the fourth year, “Be Friends” has become a popular brand in the field of new media. During the Interim Period, the Group set up the “Be Friends Industry Research Institute” and were included in the “Specialized, Sophisticated and New Enterprises Cultivation Plan for Improving Quality and Efficiency in Zhejiang Province” as a think-tank. In addition, the Group was awarded the “Best MCN Organization of the Year” by Douyin E-commerce for its outstanding performance and contribution to the field of e-commerce live-streaming.

The Group’s television broadcasting business segment also strongly performed during the Interim Period. With the impact of the pandemic gradually fading and improved annual budget conditions among clients, the Group’s television broadcasting business segment generated approximately RMB58.4 million, representing an approximately 42.6% increase compared to approximately RMB41.0 million in the Corresponding Period of the Previous Year. This segment accounted for roughly 9.4% of the Group’s total revenue. The Group has continued to invest in research and development, responded to the government’s policy of supporting the localization of scientific and technological achievements, and persisted in accumulating self-developed products in the field of communication and transmission. Relying on its strong technical strength, rich industry experience, and sales channels, the Group’s television broadcasting business segment remains in a relatively leading position in the industry.

Looking to the future, the all-media industry has entered a new stage of development. As industry concentration gradually increases, it presents challenges and significant opportunities for the Group. The Group will firmly march towards becoming a technology-driven new retail enterprise. The Group persists in cultivating technological innovation and digital infrastructure development. By leveraging the “Friend Cloud” platform and AI systems, the Group strives to enhance supply chain management and operational efficiency comprehensively. Additionally, the Group actively promotes the new retail model of industrial traceability, explores overseas markets, and aspires to achieve long-term, stable business growth globally.

Meanwhile, to express its gratitude for the unwavering support from the shareholders, the Group announced on July 8 that it intends to use its own funds of up to HK$30 million to repurchase shares of the Company in the open market from time to time to bolster market confidence, enhance shareholder returns, and demonstrate the management’s belief in the long-term value of the Group.

About Be Friends Holding Limited

Be Friends Holding Limited (1450.HK) is dedicated to becoming a technology-driven new retail enterprise with a core focus on all media live-streaming operations within its new media services and television broadcasting business. The Group has successfully established its presence across multiple platforms, including Douyin, Taobao, and JD.com, independently owning and operating over 50 live-streaming channels, with a total live-streaming fan base exceeding 68 million and a standardized and replicable “matrix live-streaming channel” operation model, enabling the Group to become a trusted channel brand for both merchants and consumers, ultimately contributing to steady business growth.

For more information about the Company, please visit: https://www.befriends.com.cn

For inquiry, please contact: IR@befriends.com.cn, or DLK Advisory: +852 2857 7101 pr@dlkadvisory.com

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Axon Announces Body 5: Next-Generation Camera Built for the AI Era

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Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power of earlier-generation cameras, with upgraded connectivity, audio and battery life to support real-time situational awareness in the field

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Axon (Nasdaq: AXON), the global leader in public safety technology, today announced Axon Body 5, its newest body-worn camera designed to bring more powerful intelligence, connectivity and real-time support directly to officers in the field.

For years, Axon body cameras have helped agencies capture critical evidence and create greater transparency. Body 5 is built to help officers during the call, with information, assistance and backup on the spot.

“Officers shouldn’t have to choose between getting information and watching the scene. With Axon Body 5, they don’t,” said Rick Smith, Axon Founder and CEO. “They capture a license or document with the camera, keep their hands free and eyes up, and get information faster than writing it down and calling it in by radio. An officer fully engaged with the person in front of them, not down at a notepad, is a safer officer and a better-served community.”

Axon Body 5: Built for the AI Era

Built from the ground up for the AI era, Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power than earlier generation Axon body cameras, alongside advancements in connectivity, audio, video and battery life. Together, these upgrades give the camera the physical power to run smarter AI features — both today and as new AI tools are developed in the future — while also making it more dependable for officers to use every day. 

For the first time, Axon is also introducing two versions of its latest flagship camera: Axon Body 5 and Axon Body 5 Pro.

Both models feature several key advancements, including:

25x more processing power for AI: A powerful new computing architecture creates the capacity to support current and future AI features directly on the body camera.Enhanced video: Improved video captures clearer evidence across challenging environments, including better low-light performance.Improved connectivity: Seamless connectivity in urban and remote environments – and more precise location capability – helps officers, cameras and remote support teams stay connected when timely information matters most.Longer battery life: 20% more battery life than the previous generation helps keep the camera ready and connected throughout an officer’s shift.

The Axon Body 5 Pro will continue to gain new AI capabilities as they become available, growing along with the AI Era Plan. Additionally, new hardware features include:

A near-focus camera: An additional dedicated camera lens lets officers scan driver’s licenses to check status and search for wants or warrants in seconds, without returning to the patrol vehicle, with relevant information sent to Axon Fusus to support real-time operations.Front-facing speakers: Four additional speakers project even more powerful audio toward the person an officer is speaking with, helping real-time translations from Axon Assistant carry more clearly over heavy traffic or crowd noise. Additional memory: Extra space lets the camera run several AI tools at once, helping officers stay better informed and work faster.

Bringing More of Axon’s AI Era Into the Field

Axon Body 5 helps officers get more out of the Axon AI Era Plan by bringing smart tools right to the scene. Axon’s portfolio already supports public safety professionals across a growing range of tasks. For example, Draft One helps officers turn body-camera audio into high-quality report drafts and Axon Assistant provides voice-based information access and real-time translation.

Increasingly, Axon is also bringing AI into real-time operations.

Axon Guardian is a new category of AI features within the AI Era Plan that was specifically created to work with an officer’s field-based devices – starting with body cameras and in-car cameras – to improve safety. Guardian is designed to flag potential risks as situations unfold and create alerts when additional attention may be needed. Two of the first features include:

Escalation Detection: When an Axon Body 4 or Axon Body 5 camera is activated and recording, Guardian has the ability to detect potential conflicts in real time and create an alert in Axon Fusus. A human reviews the livestream and decides if additional support or action is needed.Approach Alert: When active on Axon Fleet 3, Guardian can detect if the door of a stopped vehicle opens and alert the officer through the in-car display and their body-worn camera.

Combined, Axon Body 5 and the expanding AI Era portfolio demonstrate the importance of AI as a critical resource to assist public safety professionals before, during and after an incident — reducing administrative burden, improving situational awareness and helping protect more lives.

Innovating Responsibly

Axon’s Responsible Innovation framework guides the development of all of its products. Designed with this in mind, Axon Body 5 and Guardian prioritize human oversight and maintain agency control over data. As a key part of the responsible innovation process, Axon’s independent Ethics and Equity Advisory Council was created to help responsibly develop and deploy new technologies with transparency, while aligning with community expectations.

General availability dates for Axon Body 5 and Axon Guardian will be announced soon. Product features and capabilities vary by configuration. For more information on Axon’s current products and services: Axon Product Catalog – Axon.com.

About Axon
Axon (Nasdaq: AXON) is the global leader in public safety technology supporting state, local, federal and international public safety agencies with technology designed to Protect Life. Complementing its mission, Axon’s growing Enterprise market focuses on protecting critical infrastructure and frontline workers across multiple industries including corporate security, hospitality, retail and healthcare. Founder-led since 1993, Axon builds products with transparency and responsibility. From TASER energy devices to today’s connected network of hardware – including cameras, drones, and robotics – cloud software, sensors, and AI-tools, the Axon ecosystem helps seamlessly protect people and places when it matters most. To ensure these technologies align with community expectations, Axon’s independent Ethics & Equity Advisory Council guides the ethical, inclusive, and accountable design of its products and services. Learn more about the EEAC and Axon’s Responsible Innovation framework at Axon Responsibility. 

Non-Axon trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Axon, TASER and the Delta Logo are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.

Please visit https://investor.axon.com and https://www.axon.com/newsroom for more information.

Media Contact:
Kate MacKinnon
Vice President, Communications
press@axon.com

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In HelloNation, Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle Explains a Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design

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The article explains why smart geometry, not thicker walls, creates stronger, more efficient aluminum components.

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What early design choice causes many custom aluminum projects to become heavier, costlier, or harder to manufacture? That question is addressed in a HelloNation article featuring insights from Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle of American Custom Metals, Inc. in Rochester, New York, that outlines how misunderstanding aluminum behavior leads designers to rely on thick walls instead of stronger geometry.

The article begins by explaining that many people assume thicker walls automatically make aluminum parts stronger. It notes that aluminum does not respond to wall thickness the way steel does. Instead, its performance is shaped by how the metal flows through the extrusion die. The article states that custom aluminum design is more effective when profiles use ribs, chambers, and flanges to create stiffness without adding unnecessary weight. This guidance helps readers understand why adding material often increases cost without improving strength.

The article also highlights that thicker walls change how aluminum moves during extrusion. When heavy areas fill more slowly, the metal cools unevenly and can develop stress that only appears later. The HelloNation piece explains that well-balanced geometry keeps extrusion smooth and predictable. This consistency makes it easier to maintain dimensional accuracy across long production runs. By focusing on geometry, custom aluminum design avoids the problems that come with slow extrusion speeds and uneven cooling.

Another insight in the article centers on how ribs and internal supports influence stability. It describes how a thin wall supported by a properly placed rib often performs better than a thick wall with no reinforcement. This happens because the rib helps distribute load, improve stiffness, and guide the aluminum as it cools. The article explains that this structural approach makes custom aluminum design more efficient and gives designers more control over how the final part behaves under pressure.

The article also shows why early collaboration between designer and fabricator prevents costly changes. It states that a fabricator familiar with extrusion can catch potential issues before a die is built. Small adjustments to corners or transitions can remove weak points or improve metal flow. The article notes that this teamwork keeps the design aligned with real-world production. By working together early, both sides reduce the risk of redesigning the die after the first test run.

Machining is another area where the article explains how wall thickness affects performance. Features such as deep pockets or sharp internal angles may require slow feed rates or special tooling. When walls are thicker than needed, those areas can become difficult to machine cleanly. The article states that thoughtful custom aluminum design makes machining more predictable. Small changes, such as adding radiused edges or sizing features to match standard tools, help shorten cycle times and prevent tool wear.

Thermal behavior receives detailed attention as well. The article explains that aluminum retains heat differently depending on the mass of each section. Thicker walls hold heat longer, which increases the chance of distortion during extrusion, machining, or finishing. When a design uses geometry to create strength, the material cools more evenly. This reduces warping and helps long profiles stay aligned. The article notes that stable cooling is important for components that require a precise fit and consistent shape throughout an entire production run.

Cost is also a key topic in the article. It states that heavier profiles increase material use, extrusion time, and tooling needs. A custom aluminum design that relies on geometry instead of mass lowers material consumption and keeps the fabrication process efficient. The article explains that lighter parts are easier to handle, ship, and assemble. This saves money across multiple stages of production and supports long-term manufacturing efficiency.

The article also notes that smart custom aluminum design creates profiles that behave predictably during extrusion and machining. Smooth transitions, balanced wall dimensions, and structural features help reduce the chance of distortion or dimensional drift. These elements also lower scrap rates and support reliable performance. By using geometry instead of excess material, designers build parts that maintain strength without compromising manufacturability.

As the article concludes, it emphasizes that avoiding thick walls is one of the best ways to improve performance and lower cost. It states that the most dependable custom aluminum components come from designs that use structural features to strengthen the profile. When designers understand how aluminum behaves at each stage of extrusion and machining, they create parts that are strong, efficient, and consistent from batch to batch. This approach turns custom aluminum design into a predictable process rather than a series of uncertain adjustments.

A Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design features insights from Mark Coyle, Custom Fabrication Expert of Rochester, NY, 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 publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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World Young Scientist Summit 2026 Opens in Wenzhou, Zhejiang

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WENZHOU, China, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report by China Daily:

On October 24, the World Young Scientist Summit 2026 opened in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. The event is hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, and the World Association of Young Scientists. Nearly 800 representatives, including scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries and regions, are attending the summit.

He Junke, Vice President of CAST in charge of daily work and First Secretary of its Secretariat; Lian Yimin, Chairman and Party Group Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences; and Zhang Zhenfeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Wenzhou Municipal Committee, attended the summit and delivered remarks. Yao Gaoyuan, Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, presided over the first segment of the plenary session.

With the theme “Gathering Talents Worldwide to Create a Better Future,” the summit’s annual agenda is “Global Youth Action in the AI Era: Building a Sustainable Future.” It aims to draw on the insights of young people around the world, deepen international sci-tech cooperation, and jointly address questions about young people, science, the world and the future.

Efim Zelmanov, Fields Medalist and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chen Yunji, Deputy Director of the Institute of Computing Technology, CAS, and Director of the National Key Laboratory of Processor Chips; Mary Garson, President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; and Lu Chaoyang, Member of the Standing Committee of CAST, Executive Dean of the Shanghai Institute of Advanced Study, University of Science and Technology of China, and Chairman of the Council of the World Association of Young Scientists, delivered keynote speeches respectively on education reform in the AI era, AI and processor chips, young women scientists’ participation in science, and quantum computing. They explored new opportunities for scientific research, talent cultivation, and international cooperation in the AI era.

This year’s summit placed greater emphasis on the growth needs of young scientists, with young talents under the age of 45 accounting for 88 percent of participants. It aimed to build a cluster of international journals, bring together young scientific talent, facilitate a batch of international collaborative projects and advance the application and commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. The summit released the Report on the Distribution and Mobility of Young Scientists in the Field of Embodied Intelligence, launched the World Young Scientist Summit Partner Journal Program and the 2026 World Young Scientist Innovation and Entrepreneurship Growth Support Program. It also published the “Young Scientist Pioneers 2035” list and announced the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award. The awards were presented to four Chinese and foreign scientists.

Chen Tianrun, Founder of Hangzhou Moxin Technology Co., Ltd.; Yuan Yang, Assistant to the Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences at Tsinghua University; and two of the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award winners, César de la Fuente and Nicola Segata, among other Chinese and foreign young scientist representatives, spoke at the flash-talk session to share their research practices and reflections.

In addition, the conference focused on fields such as future manufacturing, quantum information, embodied intelligence, brain-computer intelligence, environmental science, deep-sea resources, and life and health, and held 12 parallel forums. It also included the “Gravitation π” Future Technology and Concept Products Exhibition and Exchange, local thematic side events, and sci-tech and humanities study visits, further building an interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector platform for youth sci-tech exchange and cooperation.

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SOURCE China Daily

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