Category: MENA

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AI-Media Partners with the England and Wales Cricket Board for Cutting-Edge Captioning Solution

AI-Media Partners with the England and Wales Cricket Board for Cutting-Edge Captioning Solution.

 

AI-Media Partners with the England and Wales Cricket Board for Cutting-Edge Captioning Solution.

LONDON, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AI-Media, global leader in AI-powered captioning and translation solutions, is proud to announce its recent collaboration with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to provide cutting-edge captioning services for their cricket fixtures. With their first season successfully completed, this partnership marks a significant milestone in enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of cricket matches for all spectators.

AI-Media began working with the ECB to create a tailored workflow delivering live captions on LED displays at cricket stadiums across the UK to ensure accessibility during England internationals. Using AI-Media’s Encoder Pro (HD492) and AI-Live platform, the bespoke workflow ensures seamless audio input and live captions for cricket events. By leveraging AI-Media’s expertise in Topic Modelling, the ECB enhanced the accuracy of their captions and now easily self-manages their LEXI usage through a dedicated Cloud account. This tailored workflow highlights AI-Media’s ability to integrate cutting-edge technology with customer-specific needs for reliable, high-quality captions.

The resulting captions were prominently displayed in all four corners of the cricket grounds on LED screens for specific pre-match and interval announcements. This setup ensured that all attendees, including those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, could fully engage with the live match experience. AI-Media and ECB are now working towards expanding this service to all fixtures.

“We are thrilled to support the ECB in making cricket more accessible and enjoyable for all fans,” said James Ward, Chief Sales Officer at AI-Media. “Our advanced captioning technology and tailored workflow solutions demonstrate our commitment to enhancing the live sports experience through innovation and inclusivity.”

For more information about AI-Media and its services, please visit AI-Media.tv

About Ai-Media:

Founded in Australia in 2003, AI-Media is a pioneering technology company specialising in AI language and captioning workflow solutions.
As a global leader, AI-Media provides high-quality AI-powered live and recorded captioning and translation technology and solutions to a diverse range of customers and markets worldwide.
For the first time in February 2024, AI-Media unveiled groundbreaking data showcasing the superiority of its AI captioning product, LEXI, over traditional more expensive human workflows.
With deep industry experience and sophisticated AI technology to create solutions which streamline and simplify processes, AI-Media empowers leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies globally to ensure seamless accessibility and inclusivity of their content.
AI-Media (ASX: AIM) commenced trading on the ASX on 15 September 2020.

About ECB:
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is dedicated to making cricket the most inclusive sport in the country – improving lives, connecting communities, and inspiring a new generation to engage with the game. With a focus on delivering high-performance international and domestic cricket while promoting widespread participation, the ECB continually seeks innovative partnerships to enhance the sport’s reach and impact. In collaboration with Ai-Media, the ECB is leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide greater access, richer storytelling, and real-time insights that resonate with fans across all levels – from grassroots to the highest echelons of professional cricket. This partnership underscores the ECB’s commitment to modernising cricket, ensuring it remains a dynamic force for good both on and off the field.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2f2a792f-ff39-4d09-a09f-015d6ab52292

Media Contact

Fiona Habben

Head of Global Marketing, AI-Media

[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9385775

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Zoom and Mitel announce rollout of AI-first hybrid communications and collaboration solution

Jointly developed, globally available solution combines Zoom’s seamless AI-first collaboration experience with Mitel’s enterprise-grade telephony reliability and resiliency through a single application

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Zoom Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) and Mitel, a global leader in business communications, announced the global launch of a unique hybrid cloud solution that integrates Zoom Workplace and Zoom AI Companion with Mitel’s flagship communications platforms, including its leading telephony solutions. This marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between the companies announced in September 2024.

Today, organizations are navigating the adoption of emerging technologies like AI while maintaining security, business continuity, and flexibility when modernizing business communications. This new solution is designed to meet the growing enterprise demand for hybrid unified communications (UC) deployments by offering a “best-of-both-worlds” approach that empowers organizations to deliver mission-critical communications capabilities alongside exceptional collaboration functions to enhance business productivity.

The multi-phased rollout will see Zoom’s AI-first solution integrate seamlessly with existing Mitel software and devices, starting now with global availability for Mitel’s OpenScape Voice and OpenScape 4000 platforms. This will be expanded to include MiVoice Business solutions in the coming weeks, as well as MiVoice 5000 and MX-ONE solutions before the end of 2025. Device portfolios like the OpenScape CP and the Mitel 6900 Series are now Zoom Phone certified, with the full list of certified models available here. Certification of Mitel’s OpenScape SBC is also complete, enabling compatibility with Zoom’s Bring-Your-Own-PBX (BYOP) and Bring-Your-Own-Carrier (BYOC) direct routing capabilities. Mitel Border Gateway (MBG) certification will follow in the weeks ahead.

“As businesses navigate the connectivity requirements to support hybrid work, they need solutions that unite the benefits of on-prem or single-instance cloud communications infrastructure with Zoom’s industry-leading collaboration experiences, giving them the best of both while future-proofing their organizations,” said Graeme Geddes, chief sales and growth officer at Zoom. “The AI-first solution provided by Zoom and Mitel makes connecting and collaborating seamless and efficient while giving customers the flexibility to migrate to the cloud on their own terms and with their existing Mitel devices.”

“Recent research shows 92% of mid-to-large enterprises are considering hybrid deployments, and for good reason,” said David Petts, chief sales officer at Mitel*. “In today’s rapidly changing workplace, staying connected through video, chat, or voice is more important than ever and a vital part of business continuity planning. Mitel’s strategic partnership with Zoom has produced an offering that provides seamless access to these solutions while enabling compliance and security control in the most demanding use cases, industries, and geographies. With the integration of Zoom’s AI Companion, it’s a winning combination for organizations looking for an elevated collaboration experience that truly fits their overall communication needs.”

Deliver AI-first collaboration tools built for modern work
With the Zoom Workplace app fully integrated with secure Mitel telephony and devices, users can call, meet, and chat from a single solution, including the ability to escalate from a Mitel-powered call directly into a Zoom meeting. Additionally, users can brainstorm ideas, develop content, and kickstart project plans with Zoom Docs, Zoom Whiteboard, Zoom Clips, and more. AI Companion is woven throughout to help users jumpstart content creation, stay focused, prioritize what’s important, and get answers fast.

Maintain control and maximize current investments
With the joint hybrid solution, users can maintain unmatched control over mission-critical activities like release schedules, configurations, updates, system changes, and telephony while leveraging existing investments without isolation. For organizations in specialized industries like healthcare, hospitality, government, and financial services, this means having the ability to continue to leverage existing Mitel-certified vertical integrations along with specialized devices and workflows for frontline workers.

Blend on-prem and cloud capabilities to suit an organization’s unique requirements
The hybrid architecture from Zoom and Mitel provides users with a simple approach to blending on-prem with the right mix of private and public cloud on their terms to meet their unique needs. It gives organizations the flexibility, tools, and resilience they need to future-proof their current systems while maintaining reliability throughout the process. Additionally, using the Zoom Workplace app, users will have access to a consistent modern user experience every step of the way. If UCaaS is ultimately their preferred deployment model, they can easily bring their certified Mitel devices with them.

Jim Lundy, Founder & CEO of Aragon Research, confirms that “The Mitel-Zoom partnership is a game changer, offering businesses a path to hybrid communications with AI collaboration and communications capabilities.”

The joint solution is now available to customers worldwide. Further advanced capabilities are underway as part of the multi-phase partnership plan. For more information about the joint solution, please visit https://www.mitel.com/products/zoom-workplace.

* According to a June 2024 global survey of 1,954 organizations conducted by Mitel and Techaisle.

About Zoom
Zoom’s mission is to provide one platform that delivers limitless human connection. Reimagine teamwork with Zoom Workplace — Zoom’s open collaboration platform with AI Companion that empowers teams to be more productive. Together with Zoom Workplace, Zoom’s Business Services for sales, marketing, and customer care teams, including Zoom Contact Center, strengthen customer relationships throughout the customer lifecycle. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ: ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more information at zoom.com.

About Mitel
Mitel is a global leader in business communications, providing businesses with advanced communication, collaboration, and contact center solutions. With more than 70 million users across over 100 countries, Mitel empowers organizations to connect, communicate, and collaborate seamlessly, with the flexibility and choice they need to thrive, both now and for the future. Through proven experience and innovative solutions, Mitel delivers communications without compromise. For more information, go to www.mitel.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Mitel is the registered trademark of Mitel Networks Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Zoom Public Relations
Karen Modlin
[email protected]

Mitel Public Relations
Trever Kerr, Americas
Sandrine Quinton, Europe and Asia
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9385980

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Mavenir’s Network Intelligence as a Service AI Agents Deliver 40% Mobility KPI Gains in 5G Non-Standalone Networks

Company Demonstrates New Industry Standard with Unprecedented AI/ML Milestone Proven in Live Open RAN Deployments with South Asian Mobile Operators

RICHARDSON, Texas, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider building the future of networks, today announced a groundbreaking achievement with its full-stack AI framework, Network Intelligence as a Service (NIaaS). For the first time globally, deep reinforcement learning (RL)-based live AI Agents – an integral component of Mavenir’s NIaaS – are autonomously controlling and performing full-closed-loop optimization for operational 5G non-standalone (NSA) networks, delivering over 40% gains in key performance indicators (KPIs) related to mobility in radio access networks (RAN). The significant performance gains were also cost-effective, since NIaaS runs only on CPUs in the field rather than GPUs. Hosted in Mavenir’s RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), NIaaS has proven these milestones in live Open RAN deployments with two Tier 1 5G NSA operators in South Asia, with each deployment corresponding to 25+ sites and 100+ LTE and New Radio (NR) cells.

Presenting the first-of-its-kind telco AI capability for large-scale Open RAN operations, Mavenir’s NIaaS has significantly reduced the rate of unstable handovers (including mobility ping-pongs, too-late handovers, too-early handovers, radio link failures and wrong-cell handovers) by 40% to 60% for the aggregate KPI and individual KPI components, thereby improving the mobility robustness of 4G/5G mobile subscribers in the live networks.

“We are thrilled to lead the industry with our innovative NIaaS that is revolutionizing telecom network operations,” said BG Kumar, President, Access Networks, Platforms, and Digital Enablement at Mavenir. “While traditional SON systems are too functionality-centric, without any guarantees of tangible improvement of the target KPIs in the field, our AI-native NIaaS is KPI-centric, extracting deep-dive intelligence about the KPIs from cell-to-cell, site-to-site, market-to-market, and precisely optimizing those factors impacting the KPIs in the live network. This achievement underscores our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and our in-house skillset of inventing, innovating and designing state-of-the-art AI/ML models to drive tangible improvements in network performance and customer experience,” added Kumar.

Looking ahead, Mavenir’s NIaaS will focus on consistently improving other operational Telco KPIs, such as connectivity, coverage, traffic management, accessibility, retainability, traffic quality, efficiency and CAPEX/OPEX. Though hosted in Mavenir RIC for the Open RAN deployments, NIaaS is also offered as a stand-alone telco intelligence capability for other domains (such as Packet Core, IMS, etc.). Moreover, NIaaS is not only confined to offering telco AI capabilities in markets with Mavenir network functions (NFs), but also to markets with third-party NFs as well.

Mavenir NIaaS thus represents a significant leap forward in live telco AIOps, providing operators with AI-native tools to enhance network efficiency, reduce operational costs, and deliver superior service quality to their customers. As the telecom industry continues to evolve, Mavenir remains at the forefront of innovation, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with AI/ML technologies.

Mavenir’s NIaaS hosts state-of-the-art AI suite including Deep-RL AI Agents – developed by Mavenir – that are blended with transfer learning to autonomously control and optimize mobility offsets across LTE cells, reducing network-wide unstable handovers. These Deep-RL AI Agents for optimization are significantly aided by other agents & models in full-stack AI suite of NIaaS. For example, AI causation and explainability models help in identifying and quantifying the root causes of unstable handovers and mobility KPI degradations, and data clustering and classification models help in correlating radio frequency, mobility, traffic, and other observability patterns across cells and across time, towards evaluating the net effect. The Deep-RL AI Agents address these factors and account for the effect, optimizing the mobility thresholds autonomously in the field.

About Mavenir:

Mavenir is building the future of networks today with cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions which are green by design, empowering operators to realize the benefits of 5G and achieve intelligent, automated, programmable networks. As the pioneer of Open RAN and a proven industry disruptor, Mavenir’s award-winning solutions are delivering automation and monetization across mobile networks globally, accelerating software network transformation for 300+ Communications Service Providers in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com

Meet Mavenir at Mobile World Congress 2025, Barcelona, Mar 3-6, 2025.

To explore Mavenir’s latest innovations and learn more about how Mavenir is delivering the Future of Networks – Today, visit us in Hall 2 (Stand 2H60) at #MWC25.

Mavenir PR Contact:
Emmanuela Spiteri
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9385568

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Budget to maintain Hong Kong’s competitiveness amid fiscal consolidation

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2025 – Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivered his 2025-26 Budget yesterday (February 26), with clear path and initiatives to rein in the deficit, while accelerating the city’s development and maintaining its competitive edge of a low and simple tax regime.

“The key is managing expenditure growth, making good use of the Government’s fiscal resources, and identifying new revenue resources,” Mr Chan said.

Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan (second left), at a press conference on the 2025-26 Budget

He forecast a consolidated deficit of $87.2 billion for 2024/25 with the Operating Account returning to surplus within two years.

The deficit, Mr Chan said, was largely due to the impact of counter-cyclical measures launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as challenges such as the geopolitical landscape and related disruptions to trade, supply chain, cash flow and sentiment in the investment market.

Under a proposed “reinforced version” of the fiscal consolidation programme, Mr Chan announced a range of measures, including a cumulative reduction of 7% in government expenditure by 2027-28, compared to the level in 2024-25.

The Government has also put forward that the executive authorities, the legislature, the judiciary and members of the District Councils take a pay freeze for 2025-26. That includes, among others, the Chief Executive and all politically appointed officials, and all civil servants.

The civil service establishment will be reduced by 2% each in 2026-27 and 2027-28, with about 10,000 posts expected to be deleted within the next two years.

“The Government has all along endeavoured to deliver more efficient public services to citizens through leveraging technology, streamlining processes and driving the digital transformation of public services,” Mr Chan said.

The Budget proposes a reinforced version of fiscal consolidation programme to restore fiscal balance in the Operating Account within the current term of Government

Meanwhile, the conditions of the two public transport fare subsidy schemes will be adjusted, with expected saving of $6.2 billion in the next five years.

Alongside controls on government expenditure, the Financial Secretary proposed a raft of measures to boost revenue, notably by adjusting some government fees and charges under the “user pays” and “affordable users pay” principle.

These include, for example, reviewing government fees and charges for road users in relation to some tunnel tolls, trunk roads, licences and parking charges, and increasing the rate of air passenger departure tax from $120 to $200 per passenger starting from October 2025.

The Financial Secretary noted that issuing bonds to support infrastructure development is a common practice worldwide.

To take forward major infrastructure projects, particularly the Northern Metropolis development, Mr Chan said “Hong Kong has the prerequisite and capability to suitably increase bond issuance, thereby effectively utilising market resources.”

“With the increase in capital works expenditure, I will expand the scale of bond issuance accordingly. It is expected that during the five-year period from 2025-26 to 2029-30, a total of about $150 billion to $195 billion worth of bonds will be issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme and the Infrastructure Bond Programme every year.” He remarked that bonds will not be issued to fund government recurrent expenditure; instead, they will be used to invest in infrastructure only.

The ratio of Hong Kong SAR Government debt to GDP will stay at 12 to 16.5 per cent, which is a prudent and manageable level, and is much lower than most of the advanced economies, Mr Chan emphasised.

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Samitivej International Children’s Hospital Expands, Advancing Pediatric Healthcare in Asia-Pacific

A 2 Billion THB Investment in Pediatric Excellence and Smart Hospital Innovation

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2025 – Samitivej Hospital, a leader in pediatric care, unveils its newly expanded standalone Samitivej International Children’s Hospital at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital. Backed by a 2 billion THB investment, the expansion strengthens Samitivej’s commitment to becoming Asia-Pacific’s Leading Pediatric Referral Hub, providing specialized care, innovative treatments, and seamless medical coordination.

Samitivej International Children’s Hospital Expands, Advancing Pediatric Healthcare in Asia-Pacific

The upgraded facility serves patients from Thailand and beyond, earning a strong reputation in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, reinforcing its global healthcare role.

Revolutionizing Pediatric Care with Advanced Treatments

Samitivej International Children’s Hospital redefines pediatric excellence, offering cutting-edge treatments for complex and rare conditions:

  • Open-Heart Surgery to Minimally Invasive Catheterization – Complete heart care from birth, ensuring advanced treatment and faster recovery.
  • Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) to CAR-T Cell Therapy – Advanced treatments for blood disorders and cancer.
  • Comprehensive Pediatric and Newborn Surgery – Expertise in performing procedures from head to toe, led by specialized doctors.
  • Epilepsy Treatment with Medication to Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Implants – Solutions for drug-resistant epilepsy.

Advancing Pediatric Excellence with Cutting-Edge Facilities

The new eight-floor hospital features 111 beds, including 12 for critically ill children and 8 neonatal intensive care beds. It integrates Smart Hospital technology for efficiency and patient-centered care. Key features include:

  • Hybrid Operating Room: Precision-driven newborn and pediatric surgical procedures using biplane imaging technology.
  • World-Class Pediatric Specialties: Multidisciplinary teams treating complex and rare conditions.
  • Advanced Neonatal & Pediatric Intensive Care: Specialized care for premature infants under 500 grams.
  • Cutting-Edge Rehabilitation Center: Robotic-assisted gait training, Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) therapy, and Redcord NEURAC systems.
  • Comprehensive International Patient Services: Pre-arrival teleconsultations, aeromedical transport, multilingual care teams, follow-up appointments, and medical evacuation and repatriation.

Global Partnerships & Medical Expertise

Samitivej collaborates with Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (OHSU, USA) to enhance care for critically ill children, newborns, and trauma patients. A partnership with Takatsuki General Hospital (Japan) ensures specialized neonatal and allergy treatments, providing access to the latest pediatric advancements.

Pioneering Smart Hospital Innovations

Samitivej leads in digital healthcare, integrating technology to enhance efficiency and care:

  • Well Kidz App: Manages medical records, appointments, and remote consultations.
  • Smart ER & Smart Ambulance Services: Real-time monitoring ensures rapid emergency response.
  • Smart OPD & Smart IPD: AI-powered cost estimation, queue tracking, and seamless patient-medical team communication.
  • D-Discharge System: Streamlined hospital discharge for greater convenience.

Exceptional Pediatric Outcomes & Achievements

Samitivej delivers outstanding results:

  • 7,000+ critical pediatric cases treated annually
  • 1,000+ newborn and pediatric surgeries performed, including minimally invasive procedures
  • 92% one-year survival rate for bone marrow transplants, surpassing global benchmarks
  • 400+ newborns with heart conditions successfully treated through surgical correction
  • Specialized care provided for premature infants with birth weights below 500 grams
  • 98% trust rating from families

A Commitment to a Healthier Future for Every Child

Dr. Surangkana Techapaitoon, Deputy CEO of Samitivej and BNH Hospitals and Director of Samitivej International Children’s Hospital, stated:

“We want to see a healthier future for every child by integrating innovation, world-class expertise, and compassionate care. This facility strengthens our role as a leading pediatric referral hub, expanding access to specialized treatment and ensuring children everywhere receive the best care from infancy through adolescence.”

For more details, please visit: https://smtvj.com/3F5dPKC

About Samitivej Hospital

Samitivej is a JCI-accredited hospital group, offering world-class care since 1979. With seven hospitals, it is a leading provider of healthcare in Thailand and Southeast Asia, serving both locals and expatriates.

 

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Axi Recognised With ‘Best Workplace 2025’ Award by Xref Engage

AXI RECOGNISED WITH ‘BEST WORKPLACE 2025’ AWARD BY XREF ENGAGE

AXI RECOGNISED WITH ‘BEST WORKPLACE 2025’ AWARD BY XREF ENGAGE

SYDNEY, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading online FX and CFD broker Axi announced that it has been recognised with the Best Workplace 2025 award by Xref Engage. The latest award builds on the broker’s previous recognition by Voice Project, where Axi won the ‘Best Workplace’ award for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021.

Rajesh Yohannan, CEO at Axi, shared his excitement for the company’s newest recognition: “This award is a testament to the strong culture we’ve built together—one grounded in innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. At Axi, we continually invest in creating a safe and respectful environment where everyone can express their opinion and be heard, and thrive and succeed, and we’re incredibly proud to see our efforts reaffirmed.”

Founded in 2007, the Australian-based broker has grown from a two-person startup to a highly respected global group of companies, with over 400 staff members from 45+ nationalities across nine offices worldwide: Australia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Dubai, Philippines, Malaysia, India, and Vanuatu.

The latest accolade follows a series of other notable achievements for Axi. In 2024, the broker was recognised with the ‘Innovator of the Year’ award at the 2024 Dubai Forex Expo and was recently named ‘Most Innovative Proprietary Trading Firm’ by Finance Feeds. Additionally, the broker was also named Best Broker (MENA), Most Trusted Broker (LatAm), Most Reliable Broker (Europe), and Best Introducing Broker Programme (Asia) for 2024 by Global Forex Awards.

About Axi

Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Shares, Gold, Oil, Coffee, and more.

For more information or additional comments from Axi, please contact: [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cccccb40-307b-4f21-bcf2-1af3f88de766

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1001050815