Tag: PR Newswire

Annual Summit marks its final gathering with valuable insights from T.D. Jakes, Mellody Hobson, Dr. Myron Rolle, James Meeks and Others

ORLANDO, Fla., April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Never before has it been so important for leaders to be future-ready: to anticipate and act on change before it happens and to pivot strategies to stay a step ahead. T.D. Jakes’ annual International Leadership Summit, presented by Wells Fargo, will give leaders at the intersection of faith and business a leg up on navigating a rapidly changing world as they learn from global leaders making an impact as innovators, entrepreneurs, and church and business leaders when the event returns to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, April 10-12.

Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Advisors and chairman of the board of trustees for Ariel Investment Trust, will join T.D. Jakes on stage Friday, April 11. Named by Time Magazine as one of the most influential people in the world in 2015, Hobson served as Ariel Advisors’ president for nearly two decades prior to being named co-CEO. She is also the founder of Project Level® to change the game in women’s sports. Hobson co-founded Ariel Alternatives, LLC in 2021 and its inaugural private equity fund, Project Black® to scale minority-owned businesses. Beyond Ariel, she serves as a director for JPMorgan Chase and is the former chairman of Starbucks Corporation. Hobson was a long-standing board member of the Estée Lauder Companies and chairman of the board of DreamWorks Animation until the company’s sale in 2016.

Now in its final year, the International Leadership Summit, presented by Wells Fargo, will focus on the theme, “Changing of the Guard,” concentrating on advancing a new generation of ministry and business leaders as they continue to glean wisdom from past generations. Although this is the final year for the International Leadership Summit, next year will usher in a revolutionary platform curating high-level summits and conversations designed to engage leaders in deeper, more impactful ways. More details are forthcoming.

Speakers at the 2025 International Leadership Summit embody a variety of skilled leaders, shaping the conversation about navigating challenging times, the importance of women in leadership, leadership and wealth generation, turning technology into a competitive edge, and the changing of the guard. Some of the other speakers include:

Dr. Myron Rolle, pediatric neurosurgery fellow at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, chairman and founder of the Caribbean Neurosurgery Foundation. A resident of Orlando, Rolle is a Harvard/Massachusetts General Hospital trained neurosurgeon serving as the current pediatric neurosurgery fellow at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He is a Rhodes Scholar, best-selling author, former All-American Florida State University football player, and former National Football League player for the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. He published the Rolle Scoring System – a public health rating scale used to determine a developing country’s governance around helmet safety to prevent traumatic brain injury.

James Meeks, founding pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, CEO Hope Center Foundation. Meeks is the founding pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, which has been recognized as one of the fastest growing megachurches in the United States. Starting with 125 members in 1985, under Meeks’ leadership, Salem has grown to a congregation of 9,000 members around the country. In 2005, he led Salem in the building of Hope House, a 10,000-seat community and worship center on the South Side of Chicago and, upon his retirement from pastoral ministry in 2023, became CEO of the Hope Center Foundation, a nonprofit that helps residents of the urban Chicago community successfully transition out of poverty to living wage and into generational wealth. Meeks has served as an Illinois State Senator and is the author of two books.

Launched in 2011, the International Leadership Summit remains a crucial gathering of business and spiritual leaders discussing the most pressing issues of today while working together to solve society’s most complex problems. The summit is one of the most transformative leadership conferences as a standard-bearer for values-based business learning and professional development.

The International Leadership Summit will be the first of three conferences the T.D. Jakes Group will host in 2025. Presented by Wells Fargo, each of the three conferences aims to empower leaders and communities around the world. Following the International Leadership Summit, Good Soil will take place June 12-14, 2025, at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas to catalyze and support a broad range of business owners. Sarah Jakes Roberts’ Woman Evolve is set to host its next conference at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, July 31-Aug. 2, 2025. Woman Evolve’s mission is to equip women through spiritual and practical development with the tools necessary to evolve into the highest version of themselves. At all three of the T.D. Jakes Group conferences, women will be keynote speakers as the organization joins partner organizations as a part of the transformational agenda to prepare leaders.

The International Leadership Summit will welcome these key industry leaders.

WHO:

• T.D. Jakes, CEO of the T.D. Jakes Group
• Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president, Ariel Advisors and chairman of the board of trustees, Ariel Investment Trust
• Steven Furtick, faith leader and author
• Cindy Trimm, founder and CEO, Trimm Institute of Global Leadership + Trimm Global Charities
• Carla Harris, senior client advisor, Morgan Stanley
• Dr. Myron Rolle, pediatric neurosurgery fellow at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
• Joel Tudman, senior pastor, The Faith Center
• James Meeks, CEO, Hope Center Foundation
• Lambert Gates, president, L.W. Gates Ministries
• John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO, Operation Hope
• Courtney McBath, Courtney McBath Leadership and president of Virginia Christian College
• … and more leaders of business and faith found on the website.

WHERE:
Orange County Convention Center
9800 International Dr.
Orlando, FL 32819

WHEN:
April 10-12, 2025

About the International Leadership Summit
Founded by T.D. Jakes – real estate mogul, New York Times best-selling author, pioneering CEO and entrepreneur, global humanitarian, devoted philanthropist, senior pastor of The Potter’s House – the International Leadership Summit is an annual transformative conference. Since 2011, the conference has cultivated aspiring and tenured entrepreneurs and leaders with the tools to become successful in for-profit and not-for-profit industries.

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SOURCE International Leadership Summit

A Magical Journey Inspired by an Awe-Filled Adventure

PLANO, Texas, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota is inviting drivers to rediscover adventure with its latest marketing campaign, “Your Window to the Wild,” celebrating the all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner. Staying true to its legendary heritage while integrating premium comfort and cutting-edge technology, the redesigned 4Runner is built for those who seek the thrill of exploration – whether navigating city streets or connecting to the awe of the great outdoors.  

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/toyota/9326251-en-toyota-your-window-to-the-wild-all-new-2025-4runner-campaign

“This campaign captures the essence of adventure that has defined the Toyota 4Runner for over 40 years,” said Mike Tripp, Group Vice President of Toyota Marketing. “The 2025 4Runner blends rugged capability with modern innovation, inspiring drivers to embrace the magic of the outdoors.”

Created by Saatchi & Saatchi, the campaign features a 30-second and 15-second CTV spot “Into the Wild,” as well as a variety of 6-second and 15-second NLV spots including “Full Screen,” “Jam Session,” and “Unsteady Ground,” directed by Peter Thwaites. Each spot captures the spirit of the 4Runner, showcasing its ability to inspire confidence and find adventure at every turn.

https://youtu.be/C_u8BvWbH44

In “Into the Wild,” a father and daughter explore the mountains in their all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner set to the tune of Lord Huron’s La Belle Fleur Sauvage. Noticing his daughter glued to her tablet, the father decides to change direction, igniting her sense of awe-filled adventure. As the 4Runner conquers rugged terrain, playful forest creatures mirror its spirit of exploration. The daughter is captivated with wide-eyes and engaged with the world around her. The spot closes with them setting up camp under the open sky, fully present and immersed in the wild.

In more feature focused content, the creative continues in that same world, catching these physical manifestations of the awe experienced in the 4Runner while interacting with the vehicle. From a mischievous group of stick and acorn creatures admiring the legendary power rear window and available JBL FLEX portable Bluetooth speaker, to an ancient rock colossus rising from centuries long slumber to catch a glimpse as the 4Runner makes its way over the rocky terrain.

The Hispanic creative campaign, “4Runner Landia,” takes the all-new 2025 4Runner launch to unexpected territory. Blending the excitement of off-road adventure with the dream of land ownership, the campaign invites adventure seeking Latinos to enter a contest for a chance to win an all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner and a piece of land of their choice to create their ultimate playground. The campaign features a 30-second video, directed by Eric Maldin, starring a charismatic realtor who showcases the stunning views both inside and outside the all-new 4Runner.  In addition, a custom real estate listing on realtor.com places the all-new 4Runner in a space where car campaigns rarely venture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4l6HnjiTsE

Created by Conill, the campaign includes additional digital and social content promising to inspire those who crave awe-inspiring adventure. The contest runs from April 14 to May 26.

Media Placements
The all-new Toyota 4Runner campaign is a fully integrated campaign extending across CTV, digital content, digital video, paid social, programmatic, streaming audio, and experiential. Digital content/video includes partners such as Amazon Music Live, Canela Media, Discovery Channel en Espanol, Gear Patrol, Google Maps, Google TV, Huckberry, Hulu Latino, National Geographic, NBA, Netflix, NWSL, Outside, Outside TV, Paramount+, Peacock, Preakness, Premier League, Prime Video, ROKU, Sphere, Stagecoach Music Festival, Telemundo, The Dyrt, Univision, ViX, WMBA, Wunderking, YouTube, and more. Partnerships/programming highlights include Magnite, OpenX, Outside TV, Realtor.com, Samba TV, YouTube, among others. Paid Social runs across Meta, Pinterest, Reddit, and Snap. 

The campaign spots are available for viewing here. For images and credits, please click here. 

About the 2025 4Runner
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is built for adventure, combining legendary capability with modern innovation in an all-new design that stays true to its rugged heritage.

With a bold, athletic stance and refined details, the all-new 4Runner is ready for any terrain. Its chiseled exterior features the signature power rear window and a reinforced body-on-body frame construction, ensuring durability and versatility for every journey.

Available in a range of grades, including SR5, TRD Pro, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, all-new Platinum, and the all-new Trailhunter, the 2025 4Runner offers a choice of two powerful and efficient i-FORCE powertrains. The standard i-FORCE engine delivers 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, while the i-FORCE MAX hybrid system ups the ante with 326 combined net horsepower and an impressive 465 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains are paired with an advanced 8-speed automatic transmission for smooth performance on and off the road.

Designed for exploration, the 2025 4Runner offers advanced off-road capabilities, including available Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and an electronically locking rear differential. The all-new Trailhunter grade is purpose-built for overlanding, featuring suspension enhancements and off-road accessories straight from the factory.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner has a starting MSRP of $40,770 for the SR5 grade, excluding the Delivery Processing and Handling fee. All prices are subject to change.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. By spring 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 31 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com

Media Contacts:
Adam Lovelady
Toyota Motor North America
469-292-1740
Adam.lovelady@toyota.com

Kimberly Harms
Saatchi for Toyota
Kimberly.harms@saatchi.com

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SOURCE Toyota

https://www.youtube.com/embed/C_u8BvWbH44?autoplay=0

Established CEO Brings Lifetime of Business Experience to Foundation

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation (GWOTMF) announced that Jon Hammes, the founder of Hammes Company, will join the Foundation’s esteemed Board of Directors.

“I am honored to welcome Jon, a fellow Army Veteran whose expertise and experience is on par with our exceptional Board of Directors team,” said GWOTMF President and CEO Michael “Rod” Rodríguez. “His business acumen, coupled with his personal support and connection to our mission, elevates our organizational capability and furthers our goal to ensure all are honored in this first-of-its-kind Memorial.”

Jon is the founder of Hammes Company, a national real estate consulting, development, and investment firm. Before founding the Hammes platform in 1991, Jon was a Managing Partner at Trammell Crow Company.

He currently serves as a trustee and past chair of the Medical College of Wisconsin, a director of the George W. Bush Presidential Institute, a former trustee and chair of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, an emeriti trustee for Marquette University, a past director of the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and a past chair and director of Teach for America.

About the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation 

Formed in 2015 by veterans, military spouses, and supportive Americans, the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designated by Congress to lead the effort to plan, fund, and build a reverent and apolitical GWOT Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Our sole mission is to construct an inclusive place of honor for both uniformed and non-uniformed personnel, as well as their families, who served and sacrificed as part of global counterterrorism operations since September 11th, 2001. The Memorial will be a place for Americans to honor, heal, be empowered, and unite. The Memorial will be entirely funded by donations; no federal government funding will be used. All donations are 100% tax deductible. Learn more by visiting our website. Follow our progress on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation

YUMA, Ariz., April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — We Recycle Solar, Inc. and Renewables.org are launching an initiative for Earth Month 2025, making it easier and more rewarding for businesses to donate surplus, working solar panels and earn recycling credits in return. This new program helps solar asset owners, developers, independent power producers (IPPs), and manufacturers reduce disposal costs while supporting sustainable energy solutions that benefit global communities.

New Solar Panel Donation Program: A Win for Business and the Planet
Businesses can donate excess and receive recycling credits for future use. For every 10 panels donated, participants will earn one recycling credit, which can be applied toward future recycling services. This program offers businesses a cost-effective, sustainable solution while supporting responsible recycling practices through Renewables.org, which works on solar energy projects worldwide.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Renewables.org this Earth Month,” said Adam Saghei, CEO of We Recycle Solar. “By turning these solar panels into future recycling credits, we’re not just helping businesses save money—we’re accelerating the shift to a circular solar economy. This collaboration extends the life of solar technology and expands clean energy access to underserved communities.”

We Recycle Solar: Pioneering Responsible Solar Panel Management
We Recycle Solar is North America’s first and only vertically integrated organization focused on utility scale recycling and remarketing of excess, damaged, and end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) panels. The company aims to maximize the economic value of end-of-life panels, which are often landfilled, creating long-term environmental issues.

“With PV panel waste expected to exceed 78 million tons globally over the next 30 years, We Recycle Solar is positioned to enhance the U.S. solar value chain, ensuring that America remains a leader in the clean energy transition,” said AJ Orben, Vice President of We Recycle Solar. “Our goal is to make responsible solar panel management both easy and rewarding, while helping bring solar power to communities.”

Innovative Solutions to Maximize Sustainability
We Recycle Solar’s circular economy platform helps solar asset owners manage their panels responsibly and profitably. The company’s full-service decommissioning, proprietary data engine, and recycling processes ensure compliance with regulations while providing verified solutions for recycling and remarketing panels of all conditions.

Key services include:

• Onsite Decommissioning: Full-service collection, shipping, and disposal of PV panels, inverters, racking, and other balance-of-plant elements.
• Proprietary Data Engine: A database optimizing the recycling process by identifying the chemical and precious metal composition of secondary panels.
• Remarketing and Resale Distribution: Maximizing the value of good-condition panels through We Recycle Solar’s global network.
• Regulatory and ESG Assurance: Compliance with environmental regulations, providing visibility and data for companies’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting.

We Recycle Solar has recycled or remarketed hundreds of thousands of panels, diverting millions of pounds of waste from landfills. This initiative is part of their commitment to advancing sustainable energy practices.

A Partnership with Purpose
This marks the second year of We Recycle Solar’s partnership with Renewables.org, following a successful 2024 initiative focused on solar donations and recycling. The partnership demonstrates We Recycle Solar’s dedication to creating impactful, scalable solutions that foster both environmental and economic sustainability.

For more information on how businesses can benefit from the Earth Month Solar Panel Donation Program, visit https://werecyclesolar.com/earth-day-2025/ and view the initiative from last year here.

About We Recycle Solar, Inc.
We Recycle Solar, Inc., founded in 2019, is the first U.S. vertically integrated organization focused on recycling and remarketing end-of-life solar panels. The company’s mission is to build a sustainable renewable energy industry by maximizing the economic value of panels while ensuring environmental responsibility. To date, We Recycle Solar has diverted millions of pounds of waste from landfills through its innovative solutions.

Media Contact:
Name: Quanah Locklear
Number:  (480) 482-7050
Email: 392602@email4pr.com

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SOURCE We Recycle Solar, Inc.

ATLANTA, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today announced that Asha Sharma, Microsoft corporate vice president and head of product, AI platform, has been nominated for election to its Board of Directors at its 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be held virtually on May 22, 2025.

Sharma leads product development and computational design for the artificial intelligence platform which includes models, tools and services for Microsoft’s enterprise, developer and data science customers. Prior to joining Microsoft, she held various leadership roles at Instacart, Facebook (now known as Meta), and home service software provider Porch Group, bringing a blend of leadership experience in technology, data protection and cybersecurity, e-commerce, supply chain, finance, operations and marketing.

“We are continuing to enhance our capabilities to provide our customers with an interconnected, frictionless shopping experience that enables them to seamlessly blend the digital and physical worlds,” said Ted Decker, chair, president and CEO of The Home Depot. “As we continue to evolve the interconnected experience for our associates and customers, including through the use of generative AI tools, Asha’s extensive technology and operational experience will be a tremendous asset.”

ABOUT THE HOME DEPOT
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer.  At the end of the fourth quarter, the company operated a total of 2,347 retail stores and over 780 branches across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs over 470,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index. 

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SOURCE The Home Depot

SAVANNAH, Ga., April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In honor of the annual World Health Day, MakeWell, a pioneering AI healthcare start-up, is proud to announce that its AI-driven healthcare companion app is now available free of charge on the App Store and Google Play. This initiative aligns with MakeWell’s commitment to expanding access to critical healthcare information and resources, particularly for underserved populations worldwide.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” MakeWell notes that approximately 300,000 women lose their lives during pregnancy or childbirth each year. The vast majority of these deaths occur in low resource settings due to preventable causes. MakeWell’s AI-powered app is designed to bridge healthcare gaps by providing real-time, personalized guidance on maternal health, chronic disease management, and general well-being. The MakeWell app supports 200+ languages, broadening its worldwide appeal.

“With the launch of our free app, we are taking a step toward making healthcare more accessible to everyone, regardless of geography or economic status,” said Daniel Carroll, Founder of MakeWell. “No one should lose their life due to a lack of medical knowledge or access to care. Our AI-driven platform empowers individuals, putting reliable, evidence-based health insights right at their fingertips.”

MakeWell’s app offers features such as symptom assessments, possible treatment/care options, preventative health recommendations, and connections to local healthcare resources. By leveraging advanced AI technology, it serves as a 24/7 digital health companion, supporting individuals in making informed medical decisions. The MakeWell app supports 200+ languages, broadening its worldwide appeal.

The MakeWell app is now available for free download in the App Store. To learn more about how MakeWell is working to create a healthier world, please visit us at www.makewell.ai 

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SOURCE MakeWell

New estimates from the IDF Diabetes Atlas highlight the growing diabetes threat, with nearly one in nine adults now living with the condition.

BRUSSELS, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Globally, nearly one in nine adults (589 million) are now living with diabetes. Of these, an estimated 252 million are not yet aware they have the condition, placing them at higher risk of serious complications and early death. Many will be diagnosed when they already have one or more of the associated complications and have missed opportunities to prevent or delay their onset. These alarming findings are from the 11^th edition of the International Diabetes Federation’s Diabetes Atlas, released today at the start of the organisation’s World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand.

The latest IDF estimates show that:

• 589 million adults (20-79 years) are living with diabetes globally, more than the population of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean combined.
• The estimated number of adults with diabetes is projected to reach 853 million by 2050.
• 3 in 4 adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Diabetes is responsible for over 3.4 million deaths annually.
• 1 in 8 adults are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• 1.8 million children and young adults under 20 are living with type 1 diabetes.

As the number of people living with diabetes continues to rise, the latest IDF Diabetes Atlas emphasises the urgent need for improved prevention, early detection and intervention to tackle the burden diabetes places on individuals, communities, health systems and economies. In 2024, global diabetes-related health expenditure surpassed one trillion US dollars for the first time, up from $966 billion in 2021.

First published in 2000, the IDF Diabetes Atlas offers insights into the impact of diabetes at national, regional, and global levels, based on the best available evidence. The 11^th edition reflects new methodologies that incorporate trends in health expenditure, regional prevalence rates, and a focus on undiagnosed diabetes.

Commenting on the new edition, Professor Dianna Magliano, who co-Chairs the IDF Diabetes Atlas Committee along with Professor Edward Boyko, said: “The new data provides strong evidence that should spark action and promote initiatives to improve the lives of the many millions now living with diabetes and encourage more to detect diabetes in those at risk.” Professor Boyko added: “Addressing the rising trend will require greater awareness, a focus on prevention and ongoing surveillance of diabetes prevalence to support accurate monitoring of the global diabetes impact.”

Diabetes is associated with serious complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, nerve damage and loss of vision. The latest data shows that people living with type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90% of all diabetes, are at 84% higher risk of heart failure than people who do not have the condition.

The International Diabetes Federation warns that the alarming rise in the prevalence of diabetes demands immediate action. Governments should invest in preventive healthcare programmes, especially in regions where diabetes is often undiagnosed, to detect people at high risk early and help delay or avoid the onset of diabetes and its related complications.

Speaking at the launch, IDF President Professor Peter Schwarz said: “The findings underscore an urgent need for bolder national and global action to tackle diabetes. With over 4 in every 10 people with diabetes not yet diagnosed, governments must prioritise screening, early diagnosis, and education. Addressing the rising tide of diabetes will demand collaboration across multiple sectors and disciplines. Governments, the healthcare sector, education, technology and the private sectors all have a role to play. The consequences of ignoring or not paying sufficient attention to the diabetes challenge are too significant. Inaction in the face of this pandemic is not an option.”

To explore the global, regional and national findings presented in the IDF Diabetes Atlas 11^th Edition, visit https://diabetesatlas.org/.

About the International Diabetes Federation

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organisation of over 240 national diabetes associations in more than 160 countries and territories. Its mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent diabetes in those at risk. www.idf.org.

About the IDF Diabetes Atlas

The IDF Diabetes Atlas is the authoritative resource on the global impact of diabetes. First published in 2000, it is produced by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in collaboration with a global committee of scientific experts. It contains statistics on diabetes prevalence, diabetes-related mortality and health expenditure at the global, regional and national levels. The 11th edition has been produced thanks to educational grants from Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and MSD. https://diabetesatlas.org/.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2657497/International_Diabetes_Federation_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE International Diabetes Federation

30 Years of Public Welfare Education
“Worry-free, Time-saving and Money-saving” Project Creates a New Paradigm in Services

HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (“Ping An“, the “Company” or the “Group”, HKEX: 2318; SSE: 601318) has published its Sustainability Report 2024.

This is the 16^th consecutive year that Ping An has released its sustainability report. The report features two themes: “Public Welfare Education” and “Worry-free, Time-saving and Money-saving” services. It also discloses the Company’s latest progress across five key areas: strategic management; business; operations and community; climate change and carbon neutrality; and governance.

Theme One: Thirty Years of Public Welfare Education

Ma Mingzhe, Chairman of Ping An Group said, “As long as there is still one student at Ping An Hope Primary School, our public welfare volunteer teaching will continue.”

Ping An’s public welfare education initiative marked its 30^th anniversary in 2024. Since the establishment of the first Ping An Hope Primary School in 1994, the Group has continued to support rural education through measures such as infrastructure and maintenance, volunteer teaching, educational scholarships, training and development, and summer camps. In 2024, Ping An’s support included:

• renovation of 22 rural schools
• donation of sports grounds to five rural schools to create a better learning and sports environment for students
• organization of 987 volunteers to conduct teaching in 74 schools, contributing 6,767 teaching hours
• educational scholarship programs that collectively supported 1,065 students, including enabling 65 students realize their university dreams
• training of 294 rural teachers
• organization of 165 teachers and students from 27 schools to participate in summer and winter camp activities

As of the end of 2024, Ping An had assisted in building 119 Ping An Hope Primary Schools across the country. It recruited 12,708 volunteer teachers who contributed more than 443,000 total teaching hours. Ping An also established educational scholarships which have cumulatively supported 31,345 students, and trained over 20,000 rural teachers, benefiting 310,000 students.

Theme Two: “Worry-free, Time-saving and Money-saving” Project Creates a New Paradigm in Financial Services

Michael Guo, Co-CEO of Ping An Group, said, “Customers’ voices, needs and suggestions are the guide for our service reform and product upgrade.”

Since Ping An was established 36 years ago, the Company has grown into a world-leading “integrated finance + health and senior care” services group. Adhering to the value proposition of “worry-free, time-saving, and money-saving” services, Ping An focuses on developing professional products and services for three main scenarios: financial advisers, family doctors, and senior care concierges. Ping An made every effort to promote its value proposition in 2024. The Group launched its 2024 Customer Listening Day in May, calling on senior executives, business teams and front-line employees to engage with customers to understand their needs and pain points, and then accelerate the upgrading of product and service upgrades.

To meet customers’ diversified needs in wealth management, health, and senior care, Ping An provides services such as wealth management, insurance protection, and consumer credit through an integrated financial model featuring “one customer, multiple accounts, multiple products, and one-stop services.” As of the end of 2024, Ping An had 242 million retail customers, with an average of 2.92 contracts per customer. More than 25% of them were holding four or more contracts within the Group. Nearly 63% of Ping An’s retail customers were entitled to service benefits in the health and senior care ecosystem as of the end of 2024. In 2024, over 21 million customers of Ping An Life used health management services. Ping An has approximately 50,000 in-house and contracted external doctors and partnered with all top 100 hospitals and 3A hospitals in China. It has also established cooperation with over 104,000 health management institutions and 235,000 pharmacies. Ping An’s home-based senior care services cover 75 cities nationwide, and over 160,000 customers are eligible for home-based senior care services.

Top 10 highlights of Ping An’s sustainable development in 2024

1.    Stable business performance, with total cash dividends increasing for 13 consecutive years:  In 2024, Ping An achieved an operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company of RMB121,862 million, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%; net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company was RMB126,607 million, a substantial year-on-year increase of 47.8%; and total revenue was RMB1,141,346 million, a year-on-year increase of 10.6%[1]. With the goal of providing stable returns to shareholders, Ping An distributed a full-year dividend of RMB2.55 per share in cash in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 5%. The cash dividend ratio based on the operating profit attributable to the parent company was 37.9%, with the total dividend amount maintaining growth for 13 consecutive years.

2.    Technology empowering sustainable development, driving innovation in finance and healthcare: Ping An continues to increase investment in technology, comprehensively improving the user experience of financial and healthcare services through cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. As of the end of 2024, Ping An had accumulated 55,080 patent applications in the fields of financial technology and healthcare. AI service representatives reached about 1.8 billion times, covering 80% of Ping An’s total customer service volume in 2024. Through intelligent underwriting and intelligent claims settlement, 93% of life insurance policies achieved second-level underwriting. Ping An Property & Casualty independently developed the Disaster Risk System (DRS3.0) and the Catastrophe Emergency Service Platform, integrating over 2 trillion pieces of geographic, disaster, meteorological, and insurance data, combined with meteorological disaster models, satellite remote sensing, machine learning, and other technologies. These tools provide intelligent risk control services such as disaster early warning, risk screening, and catastrophe risk management. In 2024, the DRS 3.0 issued 10.55 billion early warning messages, providing pre-disaster early warnings to 67.34 million individuals and enterprises. In healthcare, Ping An’s independently developed AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment system currently covers the diagnostic knowledge of over 2,000 diseases, with an accuracy rate of over 99% in triage – guiding patients to the appropriate medical department – and an assisted diagnosis accuracy rate of over 95%.

3.    Continuously developing green finance to support the low-carbon transformation of industries: Ping An regards green finance as a systematic initiative, supporting green development and industrial transformation through insurance, lending, investment, and other products and services. In 2024, Ping An’s green insurance premium income reached RMB58,608 million, a year-on-year increase of nearly 57%. The balance of green loans was RMB157,762 million, a year-on-year increase of 13%, and the scale of insurance fund green investment was RMB124,712 million. As an extension and expansion of green finance, transition finance has become a key driving force for promoting industrial upgrading and stable economic operations. Ping An is actively responding to this trend, increasing its support for transition finance and emerging low-carbon technologies. As of the end of 2024, Ping An Bank had cumulatively issued RMB440 million in project loans for carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology (CCUS) to Baotou Iron and Steel Group; and cumulatively issued approximately RMB3.44 billion in project loans for the Coal Grading Clean and Efficient Conversion Project to Yulin Chemical Co. Ltd.

4.    Leveraging integrated financial advantages to promote inclusive financial development: Ping An is committed to improving the accessibility of financial services, providing broader protection and support for micro and small enterprises and low-income groups. In 2024, Ping An Property & Casualty added 304 new inclusive insurance products to further expand the scope of protection. Ping An Life Insurance launched low-premium rural insurance products, covering accidental risks such as transportation and natural disasters, and the product provided protection for 42,000 customers throughout the year. Ping An Bank issued loans of  RMB160,224 million to micro and small enterprises, with a loan balance of RMB 506,331 million in 2024. It also issued 63,000 Rural Revitalization Debit Cards. As of the end of 2024, Ping An Property & Casualty had provided over RMB220 trillion in full-risk protection for nearly 2.4 million micro and small enterprises, with over 900,000 claims processed, worth nearly RMB4 billion. Ping An Bank had cumulatively served 782,000 micro and small enterprise loan customers, and issued nearly 260,000 cards.

5.    Operating carbon emissions decreased by 8% year-on-year, accelerating towards the 2030 carbon neutrality goal: Ping An identifies and assesses climate change-related risks and opportunities, conducts climate risk scenario analysis, and formulates response measures and transformation plans. In 2024, the company actively promoted energy conservation and carbon reduction, with total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the year at 439,291 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e), a year-on-year decrease of 8%. Among them, Scope 1 (direct GHG emissions) was 28,158 tCO₂e, a year-on-year decrease of 22%. Scope 2 (energy-related indirect GHG emissions) was 342,193 tCO₂e, a year-on-year decrease of 8%. In 2024, Ping An purchased a total of 11,612 megawatt-hours (MWh) of green electricity, avoiding nearly 6,800 tCO₂e emissions. Scope 3 (paper use and employee travel) was 68,941 tCO₂e emissions, about the same as in 2023. As of the end of 2024, Ping An’s self-developed employee carbon account platform covered 180,000 employees, recording 2.26 million carbon reduction actions, achieving an emission reduction contribution of approximately 23,662 tCO₂e. In the field of green buildings, Ping An has 30 building projects that have obtained domestic and foreign green and healthy building certifications, of which 10 buildings have obtained Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold and above certification.

6.    Protecting consumer rights and privacy, exploring an aging-friendly service model: In 2024, Ping An updated its Policy Statement on Privacy Protection (2024) and Policy Statement on Information Security (2024), conducted special audits on consumer rights protection, and tracked the rectification of problems found in the previous year, ensuring a rectification rate of 100%. Targeting the senior population, Ping An is exploring the “aging-friendly” service model. Actions include installing anti-collision corners in the basic infrastructure of service counters, setting up rest areas for the elderly, and providing equipment such as wheelchairs, walking sticks, reading glasses, and medicine kits for a more friendly service environment for the elderly. Ping An also provides an exclusive service hotline for customers over 60 years old. Through the service hotline, senior customers can directly reach the dedicated customer service with one click, enjoying convenient and caring services. In addition, Ping An continues to explore digital methods such as intelligent voice assistants and simplified mobile app interfaces to help elderly customers cross the digital divide.

7.    Focusing on employee development and protection, with satisfaction increasing for two consecutive years: Ping An is committed to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of employees, helping employees grow through salary incentives and training, and achieving the common development of employees and the company. In 2024, Ping An updated the Statement on Employee Rights (2024), improving its employee protection mechanism. As of the end of 2024, Ping An had 273,053 employees. Female employees accounted for 51%, and in senior management, female personnel accounted for 36%. To encourage retention of core talent, Ping An implemented the Core Personnel Stock Ownership Plan and the Long-term Service Plan. As of the end of 2024, 103,610 employees participated in the plans, covering 38% of employees. For employee training and development, Ping An cooperated with educational institutions to introduce high-quality courses. In 2024, the Group invested RMB956 million in training, and employees benefitted from an average of 49 hours of training each. In addition, Ping An conducts satisfaction surveys for all employees every year. In 2024, the overall employee satisfaction reached 90 points, steadily improving for two years in a row. With excellent talent development and management practices, Ping An ranked 318th globally and second in the Chinese financial industry in Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2024.

8.    Strengthening information security management and building an AI ethics system: Ping An continues to improve its information security management system and is promoting the construction of an artificial intelligence (AI) ethics system. In 2024, the Group, together with its member companies, completed 67 security emergency drills, covering 11 emergency scenarios such as ransomware, anti-DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks, and phishing emails. It carried out database backup recovery drills and cross-regional joint disaster recovery exercises, effectively improving the Group’s emergency response capabilities for information security. Throughout the year, more than 30 information security training sessions were conducted, focusing on eight major risk scenarios, such as personal information leakage, data outsourcing, phishing emails, and third-party personnel management. The training pass rate was 100%. Ping An has maintained information security management system certifications for many years. As of the end of 2024, Ping An’s ISO/IEC 27001 certification coverage rate reached 93%. In addition, in terms of AI governance, Ping An follows five ethical principles: people-oriented; human autonomy; safe and controllable; fair; and just, open and transparent. It issued the Policy Statement on AI Ethics Governance (2022), and aims to scientifically manage the development and application of AI to ensure that technological innovation meets ethical and moral standards.

9.    Actively fulfilling social responsibility and enhancing community influence: In 2024, Ping An provided over RMB52 billion in rural industrial revitalization assistance funds, provided free physical examinations for 6,859 villagers, held 29 lectures on chronic diseases science, upgraded 45 rural clinics, and held 45 free medical consultation sessions in rural areas. Ping An also encouraged employees to devote themselves to public welfare projects. As of the end of 2024, there were more than 490,000 employee and agent volunteers, who participated in voluntary blood donation, educational public welfare, emergency disaster relief, and other public welfare actions.

10. Outstanding performance recognized by international rating agencies and capital markets: In 2024, Ping An was awarded an AA rating in the MSCI ESG rating, ranking first in the Asia-Pacific region in the multi-line insurance and brokerage industry for three consecutive years. It was rated “Low Risk” in the Sustainalytics ESG rating, with a score of 15.6, the best score among insurance companies in Chinese mainland. It was selected for the S&P Global’s “Sustainability Yearbook 2024 (China Edition)”, the only insurance company included in mainland China. In addition, Ping An has been selected as a constituent stock of the FTSE4Good index series for five years and has been a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series for 14 years.

Sustainable development is a cornerstone of Ping An’s long-term strategy. The Group will continue to deepen the “integrated finance + health and senior care” technology-driven strategy, using technological innovation to create a competitive advantage in service. It will provide customers with all-around professional financial advisory, family doctor, and senior care concierge services, enabling customers to enjoy “worry-free, timesaving, and money-saving” services experience, and it will continue to create long-term, stable, and sustainable value for customers, employees, shareholders, and society.

For details of the report, please click here.

About Ping An Group

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (HKEx:2318 / 82318; SSE:601318) is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. It strives to become a world-leading provider of integrated finance, health and senior care services. Under the technology-driven “integrated finance + health and senior care” strategy, the Group provides professional “financial advisory, family doctor, and senior care concierge” services to its 242 million retail customers. Ping An advances intelligent digital transformation and employs technologies to improve financial businesses’ quality and efficiency and enhance risk management. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. As of the end of December 2024, Ping An had more than RMB12 trillion in total assets. The Group ranked 29^th in the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2024 and 53^rd in the Fortune Global 500 list in 2024. 

For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn – PING AN.

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SOURCE Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd.

• At Bauma 2025, Scania will introduce its new all-electric and hybrid power solutions for the construction and mining sectors, complementing its existing range of fuel-efficient combustion engine options.
• Scania and Cometto will launch a self-propelled platform for heavy load transportation operations, powered by a fully electric Scania solution.
• See Scania’s full range of zero-emission and fuel-efficient power solutions at Hall B4, booth/stand 120, and the Scania-Cometto vehicle will be at Cometto’s stand, FN.718/7, outside area north.

SÖDERTÄLJE, Sweden, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Visitors to the Scania stand at Bauma 2025 will have the chance to experience its new, electrified, hybrid and zero-emission power solutions offer, which promises to dramatically transform the efficiency and sustainability of the construction and mining industries.

Scania’s unique offering provides a complete in-house developed solution for parallel hybrid operation, with a master power unit controlling it all, including the e-machine, inverter, batteries and internal combustion engine. A cooling system, charging interfaces, mechanical connection interfaces, VCB cables and other auxiliary equipment are also included.

The e-machine has an integrated clutch which not only allows it to be used as a hybrid solution but also as a fully electric solution, thereby making the future transition to full electrification a seamless process. The low noise levels in electric mode makes it ideal for use in cities, while also creating a better work environment for the operators. Hybrid mode also provides possibilities for extra power and range when needed.

Customers benefit from a modular-based solution from a single supplier – Scania – which allows easy integration, tailored fit and services for their own specific operations, and spans a wide range of applications in the industrial segment.
  
The launch of this new range of electric power solutions marks the latest impressive progress in Scania’s work to make the industrial segment truly sustainable and builds upon the company’s existing and versatile range of fuel-efficient products. It means that both our fuel-efficient and zero-emission alternatives support customers’ needs now and, in the future, backed by our global service network.

“We are committed to helping our customers with their sustainability transformation,” says Björn Winblad, Director for e-Mobility Solutions at Scania Power Solutions.

“And with Scania’s existing knowledge of electrification from the truck, bus and marine applications and the modular nature of our offering, we have a strong range of solutions that are diverse and adaptable for the many applications in the wider industrial sector.”
 
Scania and Cometto launch self-propelled, electric-powered platform for heavy lifting

In another milestone for Bauma 2025, Scania has teamed up with Italy-based company Cometto to present a new fully-electric self-propelled modular trailer (SPMT) for moving large goods, powered by Scania’s electrification solutions.

The high-torque, modular-based solution has been designed to be used for a variety of heavy industries, such as Wind, Energy, Aviation & Space, Industrial Plant Relocation and Mechanical & Plant Engineering. It boasts a number of impressive features, including a built-in charger, compact design, long battery life, fast charging capability, quiet operations, and above all, zero emissions to support a cleaner, safer environment.

After using Scania internal combustion engines in its products for many years, it’s the first SPMT with electric powerpack unit from Cometto, which is the specialist within the Faymonville Group for the development and manufacture of self-propelled modular transporters, heavy load modules and special transporters for industrial applications. Scania’s extensive investment in R&D and its electrification roadmap make it the ideal partner for Cometto’s own electrification journey.
 
Cometto’s Product Manager Adrian Zingan says, “For over 50 years, Cometto has led the way in self-propelled transporters, continuously innovating to meet specialised transport needs. Our longstanding partnership with Scania has proven their expertise, reliability, and outstanding global service support through years of working with their diesel engines.”
  
“While we have successfully developed electric and hybrid solutions for special applications in the past, we chose Scania for our standardised SPMTs because their full solution integrates seamlessly into our powerpacks, ensuring top performance and efficiency.”

The all-electric SPMT already has a customer. After Bauma one will be delivered to Mammoet, the world’s largest heavy-lifting company. 

For further information, please contact:

Jessica Thompson
Marketing Communications Manager, Power Solutions
+46 70 795 08 93
jessica.thompson@scania.com 

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/scania/r/scania-s-new-electric-power-solutions-drive-the-construction-and-mining-industries–sustainability-s,c4129900

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SOURCE Scania

LOS ANGELES, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In observance of World Health Day on April 7, Scientology Network presents a marathon television event featuring the Drug-Free World movement to educate people on the true dangers of drugs.    

Drug overdose is among the leading causes of death for Americans ages 18–45. This crisis is driven, in part, by the fact that nearly half of American youth have used an illegal drug by the time they graduate high school.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World works to provide critical, fact-based information to combat drug use through prevention. Using the resources of the Truth About Drugs campaign, the foundation partners with schools, community organizations and government institutions and has empowered people in nearly 200 nations with effective tools for drug education.

The World Health Day Marathon includes:

• Voices for Humanity, the only ongoing television series dedicated to those working in the streets, schools and communities to combat drugs and other major social ills;
• PSAs to raise awareness of the dangers of drug use; and
• The Truth About Drugs documentary, an eye-opening look into the reality of drug abuse—covering everything from marijuana, opioids and synthetic street drugs to the addictive pharmaceuticals promoted with slick advertising campaigns.

The World Health Day Marathon begins April 7 at 8am ET.

See the full schedule at Scientology.tv/schedule.

Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018, launched by David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. Since then, Scientology Network has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization and presenting its Social Betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by Independent filmmakers who represent a cross section of cultures and faiths, but share a common purpose of uplifting communities. Scientology Network’s innovative content has been recognized with more than 125 industry awards, including Tellys, Communitas and Hermes Creative Awards.

Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church’s global media center in Los Angeles, Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM and AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scientology-network-presents-world-health-day-marathon-to-shape-a-drug-free-future-302421739.html

SOURCE Church of Scientology International