H aving pursued higher studies in Japan, I was deeply inspired by their development, culture, and attitudes. The Japanese transport system, in particular, stands as a symbol of efficiency, professionalism, and meticulous planning. This article explores into the invaluable lessons from Japan’s approach to public transport and infrastructure, offering insights for Sri Lanka to embrace a holistic and progressive vision. Japan’s transport system integrates convenience, punctuality, and user-centric design. Buses, trams, trains, and taxis operate seamlessly, reflecting a deep respect for public service. Short-distance travel is primarily facilitated by buses and trams. Most of the trams run on electricity, making them environmentally friendly. These systems demonstrate Japan’s commitment to serving all stakeholders, including the elderly, differently-abled individuals, and families. A System Rooted in Discipline and Professionalism One defining feature of Japan’s transport system is the “one-man operation” model for short distance operations, where the driver manages both the operation of the vehicle and passenger transactions. Despite the dual responsibilities, services remain highly punctual and organised. Passengers are encouraged to pay fares accurately, facilitated by onboard machines that allow for cash adjustments. The trust placed in passengers to pay their due amount reflects the integrity of Japanese society. Punctuality is another hallmark of the system. Buses and trams arrive at each stop precisely as scheduled, with deviations measured in seconds. Drivers, irrespective of the vehicle type, significantly shape the image of Japan’s transport system. Known for their politeness, punctuality, and attentiveness, drivers often bow to greet passengers, reflecting respect and professionalism. Rigorous training programmes equip them with technical skills and soft skills, ensuring they manage time efficiently, prioritise safety, and handle challenges calmly. Drivers’ formal attire—white shirt and a cap complete with ties and gloves—reinforces their professional image and inspires trust among passengers. This commitment to service excellence ensures that every journey reflects the nation’s dedication to public welfare. Accessibility and Inclusivity for All Japanese transport infrastructure is designed to cater to all members of society. Drop-down curbs and ramps at the junction of side walks and pedestrian crossings as well as bus stops and tram stations facilitate wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and travelers with luggage. Tactile tiles on sidewalks guide visually impaired pedestrians, while sound systems at pedestrian crossings ensure safe and independent mobility. These thoughtful features underline the inclusivity ingrained in Japanese transport planning. Platforms for trams and trains are designed to minimise gaps, ensuring that boarding and alighting are safe and convenient for everyone. The bus doors are equipped with mechanisms to lower the vehicle’s height at stops, making it easier for passengers to step in. These inclusive practices not only enhance usability but also reflect the nation’s commitment to equitable access. Integrating Technology for Efficiency Japanese transport systems are a testament to the seamless integration of technology. Bus halts and tram stations provide detailed information, including route numbers, timetables, and live updates. Passengers can track the arrival of the next bus or tram via online platforms, enabling precise journey planning. Ticket vending machines and automated gates at train stations simplify transactions, reducing wait times and ensuring a smooth flow of passengers.Train platforms are marked with compartment numbers, allowing passengers to wait exactly where their designated car will stop, stream lining the boarding process. The Marvel of the Shinkansen Japan’s Shinkansen, often referred to as the “bullet train,” operates at speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour and is a global model of speed, reliability, and punctuality. According to Japan Railways, the average delay of a Shinkansen train in 2021 was just 24 seconds, demonstrating the precision of its operations. Beyond speed, the Shinkansen offers a travel experience that prioritises comfort, with spacious seating, clean carriages, and onboard amenities such as Wi-Fi and catering services. Integrated with Japan’s extensive network of local and metro trains, it creates a seamless transport ecosystem that connects urban hubs with rural areas. As former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aptly stated, “Infrastructure is not just about moving goods or people; it’s about connecting hearts and creating new opportunities.” Stations themselves are well-equipped, offering shops, dining options, waiting areas, and hygienic restrooms. This focus on passenger convenience extends to long-distance buses, which operate with similar accuracy and comfort. Such comprehensive facilities ensure that public transport is not just a means of travel but an enjoyable experience. A Culture of Respect and Order The discipline and orderliness of Japanese society are mirrored in their transport systems. Public transport is free from disruptions such as unauthorized vendors, beggars, or parked vehicles obstructing access. Passengers maintain decorum by avoiding loud conversations or disruptive behavior, ensuring a peaceful journey for everyone. Safety is a cornerstone of the system. Regular announcements remind passengers to hold on tightly during travel, hold their belongings not to interrupt or disturb fellow passengers, and be courteous to fellow commuters. These practices foster a sense of community and shared responsibility, making public transport a reliable and respectful space. Inspiring Stories of Public Commitment A touching example of Japan’s dedication to public convenience is the story of Ky-Shirataki Station in Hokkaido. This station was kept operational to serve a single high school student, ensuring her access to education until her graduation. Shortly after she completed her studies, the station was closed. This act demonstrates the Japanese government’s recognition that long-term societal benefits often outweigh immediate economic returns. Such a commitment to individual needs highlights the value placed on public service. Lessons for Sri Lanka Sri Lanka’s transport system can benefit immensely from adopting Japan’s best practices. Key lessons include: Punctuality and Discipline: Implementing stringent schedules and fostering a culture of timeliness among operators and passengers. Inclusivity: Designing infrastructure to accommodate differently-abled individuals and other vulnerable groups. Integration of Technology: Introducing live tracking systems, cashless payments, and automated ticketing to enhance efficiency. Professionalism: Encouraging high standards of service, with well-dressed and courteous staff. Cleanliness and Safety: Maintaining hygienic and secure facilities across all transport modes. Comprehensive Planning: Viewing transport as an enabler of broader societal goals, including education, healthcare, and economic growth. By adopting these principles, Sri Lanka can create a transport system that not only meets immediate needs but also fosters long-term development and societal progress. A Holistic Approach to Development Japan’s transport success is part of a broader, integrated development strategy. The interconnectedness of sectors such as education, healthcare, tourism, and agriculture is well-recognised. Transportation enables access to schools, hospitals, markets, and tourist destinations, underscoring its central role in national development. To match this holistic approach, Sri Lanka must consider the ripple effects of transport investments across various sectors. Policymakers should prioritise projects that enhance connectivity, reduce inequalities, and improve quality of life. A cohesive strategy will ensure that investments in transport yield benefits far beyond the immediate scope. A Call to Transform Sri Lanka’s Transport System An effective transport system mirrors a nation’s progress and values. Japan’s example illustrates how discipline, technology, and collective commitment can create a seamless network that benefits all. Sri Lanka must prioritise long-term investments, align policies, and adopt Japan’s best practices to build a transport system that fosters national pride. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” By investing in an inclusive and efficient transport system, Sri Lanka can ensure equitable access to mobility while driving economic growth. “A developed country is not where the poor own cars, but where the rich use public transport.” Let this be our vision for Sri Lanka—a nation connected not only by roads and railways but by a shared commitment to progress and unity.
These numbers are specific to Indiana and reflect how undocumented immigrants impact the state’s economy. FORT BRANCH — Steve Obert’s family-run dairy farm has assembled the best team of workers it’s had in years. The crew is made up of well-trained people managing feed supplies, running the milking parlor and treating sick animals to ensure the 1,200 cows there continue producing about 10,000 gallons of milk a day. But Obert worries the team that is essential to the farm’s success could soon be gone. They’re all immigrants who could be targeted under President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to undertake the largest mass deportation in U.S. history. “It’s absolutely concerning,” he said. “We just can’t deport these people.” While some business owners like Obert question the cost and logistics of deporting millions of undocumented immigrants, Trump on Monday confirmed his commitment to the plan, which he promised to implement the first day he takes office, Jan. 20. On social media, he posted “TRUE!!!” in response to a conservative commentator who wrote that Trump would declare a national emergency and use military assets to lead “a mass deportation program.” Obert, who serves as the executive director of the Indiana Dairy Producers, said the organization is offering an online seminar reeducating farmers about how to maintain the required documents to ensure immigrant workers are audit-proof and can remain in the U.S. Steve Obert, an Indiana dairy farmer and executive director of the Indiana Dairy Producers That’s especially critical in an industry where migrants make up about 80% of the workforce. A mass deportation could lead dairy farms to close in droves and milk tanks to run dry, Obert explained. “You won’t just see a ripple effect,” he said. “It’ll be more like a tsunami when it comes to food production, agriculture and so many other industries.” Across the state, farmers, builders, manufacturers and other businesses that rely heavily on immigrant workers are closely watching how new policies could disrupt the workforce that keeps operations running. In Indiana, undocumented workers make up about 2.2% of the entire labor force and just under 25% of the state’s total immigrant population, according to the American Immigration Council. Foreign-born people in total make up nearly 8% of Indiana’s employees. But those numbers are much higher in the construction industry, in which immigrants make up around 25% of the workforce, equaling more than 43,400 employees in Indiana, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Rick Wajda, CEO of the Indiana Builders Association, right, poses with Indiana U.S. Sen. and Governor-elect Mike Braun. Rick Wajda, CEO of the Indiana Builders Association, said the construction trades are already in the middle of a workforce shortage. Without immigrants, it could become insurmountable. “The immigrant workforce is essential to meeting the demand and sustaining Indiana’s economic and housing market,” he said. Removing any portion of the construction labor force would only deepen the state’s severe housing shortage that’s led to skyrocketing home and rental prices, explained Michael Hicks, director of Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research. “It’ll be more expensive to fix your home or to see a new home built and delay the American Dream for some families of owning their own home,” he said. The same holds true for food prices, which have climbed sharply because of rising inflation following the COVID pandemic. A study conducted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics found that mass deportation could affect agricultural labor and lead to a 10% increase in food prices. Nationally, undocumented people composed roughly 41% of all hired crop farm workers in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Obert said he trusts that Trump and federal legislators understand that deporting large swaths of the agricultural workforce would only hurt Hoosiers already struggling to afford food. “They all ran on the fact that they would tame inflation and improve housing,” he said. “You’re not going to tame inflation and you’re not going to fix housing if we have a mass deportation.” Gurinder Kaur, CEO of the Immigrant Welcome Center, was leaving her Indianapolis office earlier this month when she saw a man standing outside holding a suitcase. The client said he had just arrived from Haiti with the proper paperwork and was looking for a job. “ ‘I’m here to work.’ That’s what he said,” recalled Kaur, who immigrated to the U.S. from India. “I think that is the crux of the immigrant spirit. We want to work hard. We want jobs, and we want to make an impact.” That stands in stark contrast to Trump’s view that undocumented people drain public resources, drive up housing costs and bring crime and drugs into communities around the nation. In reality, immigrants, regardless of their legal status, have lower unemployment rates and fewer criminal arrests than natural-born citizens. About 77% of foreign-born men participated in the labor force in 2023 compared to 66% of their native-born counterparts, while foreign-born women worked at about the same rate as native-born women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Indiana, immigrants paid $4.3 billion in taxes in 2022 — $647 million of which came from undocumented workers, according to the American Immigration Council. Undocumented immigrants were arrested at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for violent and drug crimes, and a quarter the rate of for property crimes, according to a study in Texas covering 2012-18 and released in September by the National Institute of Justice. Add it all up, and Hoosier immigrants work at greater rates, commit fewer crimes, make less money and take fewer state and federal benefits despite having higher rates of poverty, according to a 2019 study by the Center for Business and Economic Research. “This is not the dominant narrative in the current immigration debate, but is one that is born out by the data,” the study says. Jenifer Brown, an Indianapolis-based business immigration attorney, said the question isn’t whether immigrants want to work; it’s whether the nation’s immigration laws will allow them to work. Jenifer Brown, a business immigration attorney in Indianapolis Current policies don’t make it easy for migrants to obtain and keep work visas, she noted, and many worry that it will become even harder under Trump, who put more restrictions on some visa programs during his first term as president. That’s a major concern for businesses and industries who need foreign-born labor but are in a holding pattern as Trump pitches varying ways he might change immigration policy, Brown noted. Companies that use the most highly regulated visas to hire skilled employees, such as software developers and mechanical engineers, could be especially impacted by new visa policies, she explained. “The business community may be in for a rough stretch,” Brown said. “Businesses like stability and consistency, and I think we’re entering a phase where we’ll probably have more uncertainty and unpredictability.” Trump has aimed his immigration policy at deporting illegal immigrants, but the state’s business community almost unanimously agrees that more migrant workers, not fewer, are needed. That’s why nearly every industry is calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s immigration system that would allow current undocumented workers to gain legal status while legally streamlining new immigrants into unfilled jobs. Michael Hicks “Many business groups are pro-immigration,” said Hicks, the Ball State economist. “They want folks to come in.” The Indiana Chamber of Commerce, as part of its 2024 legislative agenda, pushed lawmakers to increase quotas for highly skilled and seasonal migrant workers, while decreasing processing times that can constrict the pipeline of undocumented workers. At the same time, the chamber requested the creation of a new program that would require undocumented workers to earn legal status rather than deport them, as Trump proposes. Industry groups for decades have advocated for an updated work visa program that encourages immigrants to come to the U.S. legally, and at times those changes appeared close to becoming reality. A 2013 proposal from a bipartisan coalition in Congress created a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the U.S. while also improving work visa options for low-skilled workers. The bill passed the Senate but died in the House. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 proposes similar policies to the 2013 bill and has been approved by the Senate, but the House again has yet to approve the legislation. Despite Trump’s promise of mass deportation, many groups advocating for a business-friendly immigration policy are hopeful such a policy could happen now that Republicans control the House, Senate and White House. Obert, with the state dairy association, is one of those who sees a real opportunity for major reforms from GOP lawmakers whose policy goals include boosting the economy and helping businesses. But if Trump’s mass deportation scheme becomes a reality without a comprehensive immigration reform bill to offset the loss of labor, businesses and consumers in Indiana will suffer, he argued. “The cost of getting rid of millions of immigrants will be astronomical, but I think that’s crumbs compared to the economic impact of not having an adequate workforce,” Obert said. “Inflation won’t be your issue. It’s whether store shelves will be stocked or if they’re going to be empty.”
Governance Risk And Compliance (GRC) Platform Market Size To Increase By USD 37.63 Billion Between 2023 To 2028, Market Segmentation By Deployment, Component, Geography , TechnavioWASHINGTON , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy and Nicola Fox , associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, will travel to Mexico City on Sunday, Nov. 24 , for a multi-day trip to build on previous engagements and advance scientific and technological collaboration between the United States and Mexico . This visit will focus on fostering partnerships in astronomy and astrophysics research, as well as highlighting opportunities for economic, educational, and science, technology, engineering, and math collaborations between the two nations. Melroy's trip will include high-level meetings with senior Mexican government officials, including the secretariat-designate for Science, Technology, Humanities, and Innovation. Melroy and Fox also will meet with leaders from academia, industry, and scientific institutions. These discussions will emphasize expanding cooperation in space science, with particular focus on Mexico's growing astronomy programs. This visit builds on Melroy's trip to Mexico City earlier this year and reflects NASA's commitment to advancing international cooperation in space and science for the benefit of all. For more information about NASA's international partnerships, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-leadership-to-visit-strengthen-cooperation-with-mexico-302314627.html SOURCE NASA
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The Trade Desk’s Ashton De Santis: Upfronts Uncovered – Measurement and accountability take centre stageONTARIO, Calif. , Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A Holiday Story to Brighten the Road Ahead It's the festive season—a time for family, togetherness, and the joy of giving. But imagine this: it's Christmas Eve, and you're driving with loved ones to see sparkling lights or deliver gifts, only to have the dreaded check engine light flicker on. Such an unexpected disruption can easily cast a shadow on the holiday cheer. This very scenario echoes the experience that inspired Mr. Jin, the founder of VDIAGTOOL , to create tools that ensure no journey, whether a holiday trip or a routine errand, is derailed by car troubles. Where It All Began The spark for VDIAGTOOL ignited in 2015. Mr. Jin was preparing for a delightful spring outing with his family when car troubles unexpectedly put their plans on hold. Hours of waiting for a mechanic dampened the day, leaving him thinking there had to be a better way. When a friend later recounted a similar experience, it clicked: Why can't drivers handle car diagnostics on their own? Fueled by this vision, Mr. Jin began a journey to turn frustration into innovation. He assembled a team of mechanics worldwide who has over 20 years of hands-on experience average. Step by step, they achieved milestones, bringing the vision of empowering drivers to life. Building a Vision VDIAGTOOL set out with a clear mission: simplify car diagnostics, testing, and maintenance for everyone. Catering to DIY enthusiasts and professional technicians alike, the brand combines affordability with intuitive design. Whether it's an amateur checking their car's health or a seasoned mechanic fine-tuning a vehicle, VDIAGTOOL tools are designed to make the process efficient and hassle-free. From Concept to Creation True to Mr. Jin's philosophy, "We are customers first, then merchants," VDIAGTOOL's journey began with a deep understanding of user needs. The first product—a code reader—was crafted to balance simplicity and functionality. Over time, the team expanded its offerings, overcoming challenges through open collaboration and persistence. Each product, from automotive diagnostic tools to battery testers and circuit testers—all engineered for quality, reliability, and innovation. A Glimpse at Our Milestones Throughout its history, VDIAGTOOL has built a diverse product lineup, including: Introducing the VD70S As we celebrate our progress, we're thrilled to unveil the VD70S —Building on the success of the VD70 and VD70 Lite.The VD70S is the artwork of the dedication and expertise of our 200+ technicians and mechanics. Their passion and hard work have driven every innovation, enabling the release of this cutting-edge scanner tablet. This relentless pursuit of excellence continues to push boundaries, bringing easy, accessible car repair to families worldwide. With its advanced connectivity and upgraded features, the VD70S represents the pinnacle of our efforts to combine innovation with reliability. Spreading Joy Worldwide Unti l to day, VDIAGTOOL has grown to a team of over 200 engineers worldwide, with numerous patents and intellectual property under its belt and available in over 50 countries. Our mission is simple: to create user-friendly, affordable tools that make car repairs easy and accessible , j ust like the guiding star of the holiday season, our tools provide drivers everywhere with peace of mind, and ensuring every journey is as smooth as possible. Your Trusted Holiday Companion This Christmas Holidays season and beyond, VDIAGTOOL is here to keep your travels safe and joyful. Whether it's a Christmas road trip or a daily commute, let us light the way, ensuring you and your loved ones arrive safely and happily wherever the road leads. Happy Holidays from VDIAGTOOL—Your Trusted Partner in Every Journey! For more information, please visit https://www.vdiagtool.com/ For Purchase, please visit https://vdiagtools.com/ ABOUT VDIAGTOOL Established in 2018 by a team of industry experts with over 20 years of experience in automotive repair and maintenance, VDIAGTOOL is dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of automotive diagnostic and maintenance tools, as well as testing equipment. Make automotive diagnostics, maintenance and testing easier, affordable and more efficient. Media Contact: Full company name: VDIAGTOOL Company website: www.vdiagtool.com Name: Jerry Chen Email id: Support@vdiagtool.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vdiagtool-makes-car-diagnostics-great-again-302331963.html SOURCE VDIAGTOOL Technology Co, Ltd
Business combination closed November 13, 2024 Raised $10 million of gross proceeds in connection with the business combination Agreements are in place with Yorkville for up to a $50 million standby equity purchase agreement, to raise an additional $2 million in debt financing and the sale of up to 500,000 shares of common stock pursuant to forward purchase agreement Financing will support advancement of Abpro's pipeline of its next-generation antibody therapies for cancer, ophthalmology, and infectious diseases WOBURN, Mass., Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abpro Holdings, Inc. ABP ("Abpro"), a biotech company with the mission of improving the lives of mankind facing severe and life-threatening diseases with next-generation antibody therapies, celebrated the closing of its business combination with Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp II ("ACAB"), a special purpose acquisition company, with a Nasdaq bell ringing ceremony. Abpro also celebrated the consummation of a PIPE offering raising $7 million in gross proceeds and a $2.76 million convertible note financing with YA II PN, LTD ("Yorkville") to cover expenses in connection with the closing of the business combination. As previously announced, Abpro also has entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement with Yorkville (the "SEPA") pursuant to which Abpro has the right, but not the obligation, to issue up to $50 million in shares of its common stock to Yorkville upon registration of such shares, provided that no balance is outstanding on any promissory note to Yorkville (currently $3 million dollars outstanding). Among other restrictions and conditions set forth in the SEPA, the number of shares Abpro may request may not exceed the average of the daily traded amount of its shares of common stock during the five consecutive trading days preceding such request, and shall not cause Yorkville's ownership to exceed 4.99% of the then outstanding common stock of Abpro, and the maximum amount of shares issued under the SEPA cannot exceed 19.99% of the outstanding common stock of Abpro without prior shareholder approval. Upon registration of the shares subject to the SEPA, Abpro has the right to receive financing for an additional $2 million. As previously announced, Abpro also has entered into a forward purchase agreement for the sale of up to 500,000 shares of common stock. Abpro believes that the various financings should significantly improve Abpro's financial flexibility as it advances the development of its pipeline of its next-generation antibody therapies. "Becoming a public company represents a major milestone in our journey to provide solutions for patients with difficult-to-treat oncology and ophthalmology indications," said Ian Chan, CEO and co-founder of Abpro. "The funds are expected to help accelerate the advancement of our pipeline to clinical trials. The financing will also provide the foundation for ongoing development of novel immunotherapies and next-generation antibody treatments in our pipeline with the aim of improving the lives of patients in need." Abpro is advancing its pipeline of next-generation antibody therapies for HER2+ breast, gastric, and colorectal cancers, non-HER2+ gastric and liver cancer, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and infectious diseases. These next-generation antibodies are developed using Abpro's proprietary DiversImmune® platform, which creates antibody therapies against traditionally difficult targets. Abpro has partnered with Celltrion , a leading South Korean pharmaceutical company, in an exclusive global collaboration to further advance ABP 102, a T-cell engager, which is being developed for the treatment of HER2+ breast, gastric, and pancreatic cancers. Soo Young Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of the New Drug Division of Celltrion Inc. and a member of Abpro's Board of Directors, remarked, "Abpro's ABP 102 drug candidate has shown preclinical data indicating the potential for better efficacy and less toxicity. We look forward to working closely with Abpro to advance ABP 102 into clinical trials." Tony Eisenberg, who serves as a Director of Abpro, and had served as Chief Strategy Officer of ACAB prior to the business combination, added, "It's an honor to be part of Abpro and the groundbreaking work they are doing. The Atlantic Coastal team is excited to have successfully completed this business combination with Abpro and to work with the Abpro management team to execute their long-term operational and strategic objectives as they develop next-generation antibody therapies with the potential to save lives and generate real return for investors." Abpro's Chairperson, Miles Suk, stated, "As the chairperson of the board, I am honored to guide Abpro through this landmark achievement. This listing marks a new chapter of growth and opportunity, and we remain committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders." About Abpro Abpro's mission is to improve the lives of mankind facing severe and life-threatening diseases with next-generation antibody therapies. Abpro is advancing a pipeline of next-generation antibody therapies, for HER2+ breast, gastric, and colorectal cancers, non-HER2+ gastric and liver cancer, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and infectious diseases. These antibodies are developed using Abpro's proprietary DiversImmune® platform. Abpro has partnered with Celltrion, which is a leading South Korean biotechnology company, ranked top 25 in the world by market capitalization, in an exclusive collaboration to further advance ABP 102, a T-cell engager, which is being developed for the treatment of HER2+ breast, gastric, and pancreatic cancer. Abpro is located in Woburn, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.abpro.com . Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "aim," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result" and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; Abpro's ability to raise additional capital; the outcome of judicial proceedings to which Abpro or its subsidiaries is, or may become a party; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, including difficulty in, or costs associated with, integrating the businesses of ACAB and Abpro; risks related to the rollout of Abpro's business and the cost and timing of expected business milestones; the effects of competition on Abpro's future business; and those factors discussed in Abpro's public filings under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents of Abpro filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in the "Risk Factors" section of Abpro's public filings and other documents to be filed by Abpro from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward- looking statements, and while Abpro may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Abpro does not give any assurance that Abpro will achieve its expectations. Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially, and potentially adversely, from any projections and forward-looking statements and the assumptions on which those forward-looking statements are based. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a predictor of future performance as projected financial information and other information are based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to various significant risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
