BIRMINGHAM, England, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In response to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealing a 4% increase in knife-related crime across the UK—with a staggering 55,008 recorded offences— tech-for-good company, Cornerstone VR, have partnered with professionals across the UK, including Thurrock Council and Enfield Council, to launch a series of virtual reality (VR) films that confront the realities of youth knife crime.

Created in collaboration with police officers, educational institutions, youth justice, foster agencies, social care professionals, and most importantly, young people who are – or could be – impacted by knife crime, the new series of VR films aims to build empathy and understanding amongst professionals, caregivers and young people about the impact of carrying a knife.

Scenarios depicted include being the victim of a robbery, being threatened with a knife, and a serious knife related incident at a party. 

Professionals working directly with adolescents are finding more young people are carrying knives due to societal pressures. “There’s an element of peer pressure, they think it makes them scarier, instead of making them more of a target,” shared a Youth Justice Service police representative from a partnering council.

“The statistics aren’t enough. From me personally, speaking to young people about carrying knives is that they think they are invincible. That carrying the knife will protect them and they don’t believe that carrying puts them in more danger, not less.” 

The 2024 Children, Violence and Vulnerability Survey from the Youth Endowment Fund found that nearly half of teenagers (47%) who carry a weapon do so for self-protection.

Seema Moules, Child Exploitation and Missing Team Manager at Thurrock Council, highlighted the importance of relatability in addressing this issue: “It was important to create a resource that feels relevant to young people. These VR films capture the real pressures and risks of knife crime in a way that resonates.” 

Linda Crawford, Head of Enfield Youth Justice Service, shared “Addressing knife crime with young people means overcoming fear, distrust, and deeply ingrained norms. Cornerstone VR’s VR-enabled films are creating a powerful, interactive way to educate, engage, and equip young people and the adults around them with the tools to promote safer decisions.”

Serena Hadi, Head of Operations and Practice at Cornerstone VR, explained how the VR series seeks to fill this gap: “Statistics alone often fail to communicate the visceral reality of knife crime. We wanted to create a series that allows our users to understand the scope of this societal issue affecting young people every day.”

Mohammed Hussain, Managing Director of Cornerstone VR added “Our ultimate aim is to help children and young people make more informed decisions, and to have the support from those around them to do so. We are extremely grateful to our collaborators for their input in making these films as realistic and impactful as possible.”

Cornerstone VR drives impactful change through its flagship VR programme, empowering professionals and caregivers to deliver enhanced care and support to individuals of all ages. 

Learn more: www.cornerstonevr.co.uk/knife-crime

Media Contact:

Corinna Leaning, Marketing Manager
Stacey Cox, Marketing Executive
info@cornerstonevr.co.uk
0808 1756 414

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— Innovative Technologies Drive Automakers to Redefine Smart Mobility

BANGKOK, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei HMS for Car showcased its upgraded smart cockpit ecosystem at the Bangkok International Motor Show, Southeast Asia’s premier automotive event, emphasizing localized innovations and cross-border partnerships. Marking its second consecutive appearance, the company highlighted enhanced MAAN 3.0 architecture (MAP BOX, APP BOX, AI BOX, NET BOX) alongside regional deployment cases, reinforcing its leadership in intelligent vehicle solutions.

Localized Tech Breakthroughs

The MAAN framework demonstrated precision localization: MAP BOX integrates lane-level navigation and smart EV charging planning tailored to Thai road networks; AI BOX supports 15+ Southeast Asian languages and dialects for seamless voice control; APP BOX accelerates third-party service integration for automakers, while NET BOX ensures low-latency connectivity for real-time entertainment and emergency services. An interactive zone let visitors test Petal Maps’ localized routing and multilingual commands in the Chery JAECOO 6.

Global Partnerships, Regional Impact

Huawei revealed collaborations with Chery, GWM, and Changan, whose flagship models (JAECOO 6, HAVAL H6 PHEV, AVATR 11) now feature customized Petal Maps. Live demos highlighted adaptive interfaces for Thailand’s traffic patterns and charging infrastructure. Simultaneously, regional ecosystem alliances were expanded: Malaysia’s SYOK audio app and Bateriku.com connected roadside assistance services and Thailand’s AtimeFungfin music app joined HMS for Car’s in-car service network.

Driving Dual-Engine Strategy

The exhibition underscores Huawei’s “technology + ecosystem” approach to smart mobility. By bridging global R&D with hyper-local adaptations, HMS for Car aims to empower 30+ automakers worldwide by 2025 while delivering context-aware experiences for ASEAN drivers, adapting to the dynamic road situations across the region.

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SOURCE Huawei Mobile Services

Celebrates milestone victory with innovative DEI initiatives and unwavering commitment to gender equity

MUMBAI, India, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hexaware Technologies, a global leader in IT services and solutions, today announced its triumphant win as the ETNow Best Organisations for Women 2025, marking its third consecutive victory since 2023. The prestigious award, which recognizes exemplary efforts in fostering gender equity and inclusion, was felicitated at a grand ceremony on March 21, 2025, at Mumbai. 

The accolade follows a rigorous evaluation of Hexaware’s policies, including women’s workforce representation, board diversity, compliance with workplace harassment prevention laws, learning & development programs, and DEI practices. Hexaware’s holistic approach to empowering women—spanning progressive policies, innovative healthcare, and career-reintegration initiatives—cemented its position as an industry frontrunner. 

Hexaware’s award-winning framework prioritizes work-life balance through various initiatives, including post-maternity sabbaticals and customizable shifts. Its StrongHer Up program supports women returning from career breaks with coaching and community-building, while Rising Women@Hexaware propels female talent into leadership roles. The company’s AI-driven breast cancer screening initiative, accessible to employees and families, underscores its commitment to democratizing healthcare. 

With 4,400 women certified in AI skills and structured mentorship linking them to industry experts, Hexaware is shaping a future-ready workforce. The Coffee Catchups initiative fosters networking and leadership alignment, and Employee Resource Groups like Women@Hexaware and Allies to PRIDE cultivate safe spaces for dialogue and growth. 

The company’s DEI milestones include its annual Diversity Festival, monthly awareness campaigns like Diversity Wednesday, and the Reverse Mentoring Program bridging generational and leadership gaps. The IWD Awards spotlight women’s achievements, while Faces of Hexaware amplifies diverse employee stories globally. 

Nita Nambiar, Chief People Officer, Hexaware, said, “Three consecutive wins are a testament to our unrelenting focus on equity. Every policy we’ve built—from Rising Women at Hexaware, AI skilling to our inclusive benefits policies —reflects our belief that empowering women fuels innovation. This honor energizes us to build an inclusive workforce globally.” 

Echoing the sentiments, R Srikrishna, Chief Executive Officer, Hexaware, said, “Women are at the core of Hexaware’s success. Our targeted programs and upskilling initiatives ensure we not only attract exceptional talent but also nurture their growth at every stage. Winning this award thrice validates our belief that inclusive workplaces drive exponential progress—for our people, clients, and communities.”

About Hexaware

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Every day, Hexawarians wake up with a singular purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With offices across the world, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes.

Learn more about Hexaware at https://hexaware.com

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