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Three athletes nominated to compete for Canada in Para canoe at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

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– Hennessy, Scarff, and St-Pierre set for second Paralympic appearances

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games takes place August 28 to September 8

OTTAWA, ON, June 24, 2024 /CNW/ – Three athletes – Brianna Hennessy, Erica Scarff, and Mathieu St-Pierre – have been nominated to represent Canada in the sport of Para canoe at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canoe Kayak Canada announced Monday.  

Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team – PARA CANOE

Brianna Hennessy – Ottawa, ONErica Scarff – Mississauga, ONMathieu St-Pierre – Shawinigan, QC

Paris will be the second Paralympic Games appearance for all three athletes. Hennessy and St-Pierre competed at Tokyo 2020 while Scarff, at the age of 20, was part of the first-ever Para canoe roster to compete at the Games, as the sport made its Paralympic debut in 2016.

“I am so excited for my second Paralympic Games,” said Hennessy. “Our team has been working extremely hard to become a medal potential for these Games. I hope that we can make our country proud and bring home some shiny hardware! I can’t wait to wear the Canadian flag with the utmost pride!”

Both Hennessy and Scarff reached the podium at the 2023 Para Canoe World Championships, earning Paralympic quota spots for Canada. Hennessy took silver in the women’s VL2 200m and bronze in the KL1 200m, while Scarff finished second in the women’s VL3 200m.

At the 2024 worlds last month, Hennessy secured another silver medal in the VL2 event while Scarff was fourth in the VL3.

“We are in our final push towards Paris and there is lots of preparation still ahead,” said Scarff. “I am looking forward to showcasing our hard work and enjoying our Paralympic moment!”

A final Paralympic quota spot for the nation was earned by St-Pierre at the 2024 worlds following a seventh-place finish in the men’s VL2 200m.

“For an athlete, participating in the Paralympic Games is the pinnacle of their career,” said St-Pierre. “It is truly an honour to be able to compete for your country and to give everything in order to bring back a medal. It is also an opportunity to show all those who have made sacrifices for us that with their support we can achieve the ultimate goal!”

Para canoe is contested in two different boats – K classes race in kayaks while V classes race in va’a, an outrigger canoe with a support float. In Paris, Hennessy will compete in both the women’s VL2 and KL1 200m events, while Scarff will feature in the women’s VL3 200m race and St-Pierre in the men’s VL2 200m.

Para canoe events will take place September 6-8 at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium in Paris. The heats will race day one, with semifinals and finals running September 7 and 8.  

This will be the third Games Para canoe will be on the Paralympic program, first debuting in 2016. Canada is still looking for its first medal in the sport.

“A huge congratulations to Brianna, Erica, and Mathieu on their nomination to compete at this summer’s Paralympic Games,” said Josh Vander Vies, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team. “All three are experienced racers, and it has been so exciting to follow their international success over the past few years leading into the Games. I know they will be ready for Paris.”

“We are so thrilled to welcome three outstanding athletes in Brianna, Erica, and Mathieu to the Canadian Paralympic Team,” said Karolina Wisniewska, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team. “Para canoe is still a fairly new sport at the Paralympic Games, and I cannot wait to see it in person. I’ll be there to cheer them on!”

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place August 28 to September 8 in Paris, France. Canada is expecting to send a team of approximately 140 athletes.

Prior to being officially named to the Canadian Paralympic Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The current list of nominated athletes can be found HERE. The approved final roster will be announced closer to the start of the Games.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee: Paralympic.ca 

About Canoe Kayak Canada: Canoekayak.ca

SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships)

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Odense University Hospital selects RayStation

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STOCKHOLM, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) announces that Odense University Hospital (OUH), which is part of the South Denmark Region, has placed an order for RayStation®*.

The radiotherapy center at OUH is known for being at the forefront of automated solutions to provide high-quality care in an efficient way, including the ability to automatically generate treatment plans.

With the introduction of RayStation, the clinic is now taking the next step by further developing automation to cover all aspects of the treatment planning process-from initial planning to finalized treatment plans. RayStation was chosen after an extensive evaluation of the market, where the decisive factor was to find a system that would enable OUH to continue developing new automated methods.

RaySearch has had a strong focus on automation for a long time. RayStation offers several approaches for automated planning, both using machine learning techniques but also more conventional automated planning algorithms. In the upcoming version of RayStation, a new algorithm for automated optimization, which is still under development and led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the US, will be included. The objective of the implementation project at Odense’s radiotherapy center is to analyze the advantages of different auto-planning approaches and to clinically apply the approach that is best suited for each tumor site.

Henrik Robenhagen Jensen, Chief Physicist, Odense University Hospital: “Odense University Hospital has long been dedicated to enhancing the quality of treatment planning, with a strong research focus on improving outcomes for cancer patients through state-of-the-art radiotherapy technologies. We are excited to begin our collaboration with RaySearch, which we see as a significant step forward. This partnership holds great promise for advancing automated treatment planning, with a clear emphasis on quality, efficiency, and the optimal use of clinical resources.”

Johan Löf, founder and CEO, RaySearch: “We have long been committed to increasing the degree of automation in RayStation. We are therefore particularly pleased that Odense University Hospital has chosen RayStation primarily based on this functionality. I am convinced that we will meet the center’s requirements for automation and look forward to their feedback and a fruitful cooperation.”

The order value is DKK 10.5 million (approximately SEK 15.4 million), excluding service contract, of which the majority will be recognized as revenue in the first quarter of 2025.

* Subject to regulatory clearance in some markets.

For more information, please contact:

Johan Löf, founder and CEO, RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ)
Telephone: +46 (0) 8 510 530 00
johan.lof@raysearchlabs.com 

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SOURCE RaySearch Laboratories

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DeepRoute.ai and Volcano Engine Partner to Accelerate AI-Driven Vehicle Innovation

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SHANGHAI, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DeepRoute.ai, a pioneer in developing and deploying end-to-end smart driving solutions, today announced a partnership with Volcano Engine, a cloud and AI service platform, during Auto Shanghai 2025.

The two companies will collaborate to accelerate the development of AI vehicles by integrating advanced large language models, smart driving systems, and cloud computing infrastructure. As part of the partnership, Volcano Engine will provide high-performance computing support to DeepRoute.ai, boosting training efficiency for the Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model evolution.

“Computing power, data, and algorithms are the three engines behind VLA’s evolution,” said Maxwell Zhou, CEO of DeepRoute.ai. “With enhanced compute from Volcano Engine and our closed-loop data system, we are accelerating iteration. Algorithm innovation remains our core strength.”

Designed for versatility, DeepRoute.ai VLA model supports both camera-only solution and LiDAR-camera fusion configurations, compatible with various automotive computing platforms. Multiple AI vehicle models integrated with DeepRoute.ai’s VLA model are set to release in 2025.

Liwei Yang, General Manager of Volcano Engine Automotive and Head of the Institute of Intelligent Mobility and Embodied AI, also expressed his confidence in the collaboration and strong anticipation for DeepRoute.ai’s VLA model to enter the market soon.

This advanced system excels in long-context understanding, analyzing driving scenarios over extended time frames of up to dozen seconds. It provides step-by-step explanations of its decision-making process, offering insights into its surroundings, predictions and planned actions. By enhancing both performance and transparency, the VLA model fosters greater trust in smart driving technology.

“To reach full autonomy, AI systems must evolve like human intelligence — from generalists to specialists,” Zhou added. “VLA is the generalist foundation of smart driving and stands as one of the most promising paths toward fully autonomous driving.”

At Auto Shanghai 2025, DeepRoute.ai is showcasing its latest smart driving advancements, the VLA model and RoadAGI strategy at exhibition booth 8BD012. CEO Maxwell Zhou is also attending the panel on the stage, sharing insights into the company’s vision for expanding AI-driven mobility.

About DeepRoute.ai

DeepRoute.ai is an artificial intelligence company dedicated to the research, development and application of smart driving solutions. Being the first to develop production-ready smart driving solutions and a pioneer in deploying end-to-end architecture, DeepRotue.ai aims to create artificial general intelligence in robotics through mass-produced passenger vehicles.

DeepRoute.ai is headquartered in Shenzhen, with offices in Beijing and Fremont, California. For more information, visit deeproute.ai, follow DeepRoute.ai on LinkedIn, and X, and subscribe to DeepRoute.ai on YouTube.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deeprouteai-and-volcano-engine-partner-to-accelerate-ai-driven-vehicle-innovation-302438204.html

SOURCE DeepRoute.ai

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Earth Day 2025: POWERCHINA Powers the Planet by Advancing Global Water Sustainability, Environmental Protection, and Livelihoods

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BEIJING, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Power Construction Corporation of China (“POWERCHINA” or “the Company”) is helping to power the planet this Earth Day 2025, themed Our Power, Our Planet™. The Company has advanced sustainable development goals and clean resource supply through global water resource projects. From the world’s largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in the Middle East to water conservation initiatives in Angola and Benin that improve livelihoods, POWERCHINA is taking action to support global water security and environmental protection.

The Taweelah Desalination Plant, located along the Arabian Gulf coastline about 50 kilometers northeast of Abu Dhabi City, is the world’s largest reverse osmosis desalination project. Producing 900,000 tons (200 million gallons) of fresh water daily, it supplies nearly two million residents, easing water shortages in the UAE. The project plays a crucial role in supporting local economic and social development while standing as a model for China-UAE cooperation.POWERCHINA has actively supported the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which aims to ensure a sustainable water supply in both normal and emergency conditions.

In early March, the groundbreaking ceremony was held for thePOWERCHINA-built 400-hectare Ouinhi Irrigation Project in Benin, a key initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity. The project includes land leveling, road repairs, water supply pipelines, irrigation and drainage networks, pump stations, reservoirs, and agricultural equipment storage. This project marks a major step forward in Benin’s agricultural development, addressing water shortages during the dry season and boosting drought resistance and crop yields. It will also enhance agricultural infrastructure, creating better production conditions for local farmers and improving their livelihoods.Benin’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Gaston Cossi Doussouhoui, emphasized at the ceremony that the Wessi Irrigation Project will significantly increase the country’s irrigation capacity, mitigate the effects of the dry season, and foster sustainable agricultural growth. The mayor of Quinhi, Jonas Babatoundé HOUESSOU noted that the irrigation system will improve crop yields, enhance the lives of farmers, and contribute to increased food production and economic development.

In early March, POWERCHINA and Angola’s Ministry of Water Resources and Energy inked several agreements aimed at drought relief initiatives in Huila Province. Concentrating on enhancing water infrastructure, ensuring water supply, and rehabilitating reservoirs, these projects notably encompass the construction of an earth-rock fill dam with a storage capacity of 89 million cubic meters, a water treatment facility capable of processing 40,000 cubic meters per day, as well as the installation of water pipelines and pumping stations. Since entering Angola, POWERCHINA has helped improve local livelihoods and drive sustainable growth, strengthening its leadership in water and infrastructure while reaffirming its role as a trusted long-term partner in the country’s development journey.

As the world focuses on Earth Day 2025, POWERCHINA is turning its commitment into action, bringing the event’s theme to life through sustainable water resource projects. By linking a greener future with global livelihoods, the Company is contributing innovative solutions and fostering international cooperation to help build a more sustainable and equitable world.

Video – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669689/2c480e65fec4ebc7676a9f9d6973a461.mp4

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/earth-day-2025-powerchina-powers-the-planet-by-advancing-global-water-sustainability-environmental-protection-and-livelihoods-302438217.html

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