Finding the right attorney begins with understanding which law firm is best suited to your specific legal needs. From recovering after a serious injury and resolving family disputes to protecting your business, planning your estate, or defending against criminal charges, working with an experienced legal team can make the process more manageable. St. Louis is home to many respected law firms, each offering different areas of legal […]
By K Raveendran The Narendra Modi government’s position on fuel prices now looks less like prudent caution and more like an overly defensive reading of a market that has already absorbed much of the Iran-US risk. The more calibrated question, therefore, is not whether New Delhi is right to watch the West Asian security situation, […]
The article Modi Govt’s Overcautious Oil Market Reading Hurting Retail Fuel Customers appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Charging stations are becoming a key connection of smart energy systems
According to the ‘Technical White Paper’ by StarCharge, for years, EV charging infrastructure has mainly been seen as support for vehicle sales expansion: building more chargers, expanding coverage, and speeding up charging.
However, this role is starting to change.
As electrification scales up, charging networks are becoming a part of the energy system itself. They are no longer just places for vehicles to top up; they are evolving into smart energy nodes connecting vehicles, the grid, distributed energy, storage, and digital management.
This shift from charging infrastructure to charging network systems shows that the industry is moving from basic access to integrated value: from charging services to energy services, from standalone stations to PV-storage-charging systems, from equipment deployment to scenario-based infrastructure.
StarCharge believes that the future charging network ecosystem will go through four major turning points.
Four Key Points Reshaping the Ecosystem
1. Charging Networks Are Becoming Energy Infrastructure
Charging infrastructure is going beyond its original role as just a support for EVs. As EV adoption grows, charging networks are becoming strategic energy infrastructure: they connect mobility demand with the grid, distributed energy, storage, digital platforms, and future energy services.
2. Defining the Scenarios for the Network
The future charging network won’t be shaped by hardware alone. Policies determine whether infrastructure should be built, technology determines the speed of construction, but real-world scenarios determine what the charging network actually needs to look like.
Urban commuting, highway trips, ride-hailing, logistics fleets, county and rural coverage, holiday peak demand, heavy trucks, mining areas, ports, airports, and autonomous driving all create different charging needs. Therefore, a mature charging network can’t be ‘one-size-fits-all’; it has to be designed around different vehicle types, operating hours, power requirements, reliability needs, and grid conditions.
3. Digital platforms turn charging networks into operable assets
A large charging network only truly has value when it can be scaled, optimized, and managed. This is exactly the core role of cloud platforms. They turn millions of charging points, users, stations, transactions, and energy flows into a measurable, controllable, and continuously optimized operating system.
StarCharge’s platform capabilities cover site selection, pricing, marketing, station operations, smart maintenance, charging safety, station robots, AI-based smart charging, fleet management, energy optimization, and ESG reporting. In other words, digital platforms are the key to transforming charging infrastructure from a heavy-asset network into smart, operable, and scalable assets.
4. Charging stations are becoming grid-friendly energy resources
The next-generation charging infrastructure won’t be defined by any single technology. It will be built on a complete tech stack, combining high-power charging, liquid cooling, integrated PV-storage-charging, DC bus architecture, V2G, automated charging, and AI-driven operations. In other words, future charging stations shouldn’t just be passive electricity consumers that add stress to the grid. Through energy storage, renewable energy integration, V2G, smart scheduling, and AI-based energy optimization, charging stations can become grid-friendly energy resources.
This means that aside from charging vehicles, a charging station can absorb renewable energy, buffer peak loads, respond to demand-side signals, support peak shaving and valley filling, regulate frequency, and provide carbon-neutral ESG data for fleet operators. Its business model will also go beyond charging fees, creating new value through energy services, data services, carbon-related benefits, and grid interaction capabilities.
Microgrids Have Emerged at the Right Time
At the same time, with the continuous development of distributed energy and photovoltaic energy, microgrids have emerged at the right time. They are not just a product, but a local energy system built around real-world scenarios.
In the latest “White Paper” on scenario-based microgrid technology, StarCharge points out that microgrids are moving from customized engineering projects toward scalable, replicable energy systems.
A microgrid is a scenario-based local energy system
According to StarCharge, a microgrid is not a single device, nor is it just an energy storage product. It’s a local energy system designed around the needs of a specific scenario, coordinating local generation, loads, storage, control, and operational strategies within a defined electrical boundary.
Moreover, depending on the scenario—such as data centers, individual charging stations, zero-carbon industrial parks, or green mines—the energy challenges are completely different. The right microgrid is defined by the scenario it serves.
The white paper also highlights four high-value paths: electricity-computing synergy, independent power supply, zero-carbon parks, and green mines. In areas with weak grids or limited grid access, microgrids ensure the operation of critical loads. In emerging load scenarios like data centers and industrial parks, microgrids support renewable energy integration, energy resilience, and cost optimization. In high-tech-demand scenarios like mines, microgrids become the foundation for ensuring production continuity, energy transition, and ESG competitiveness.
The three-stage evolution of microgrids
As power sources and loads become increasingly DC, microgrid architectures are evolving from AC-dominated systems to AC-DC hybrid systems, and eventually toward microgrids with a higher proportion of DC.
Microgrid 1.0 — dominated by AC architecture. It integrates renewable energy into the existing AC grid framework, but its control heavily relies on grid-following management and support from the external grid.
Microgrid 2.0 — the AC-DC hybrid stage. AC and DC buses coexist, allowing PV, storage, and DC loads to connect more directly. Bidirectional power hubs, solid-state transformers (SST), and energy routers become important bridges between AC and DC systems. This stage balances strong AC compatibility with higher DC efficiency and is expected to remain mainstream in the next 10-15 years.
Microgrid 3.0—it’s the era of DC microgrids. As solar PV, wind power, battery storage, data centers, LED lighting, and EV charging increasingly move toward DC, DC microgrids can reduce repeated AC-DC conversion losses, simplify control, and support millisecond-level responses.
This evolution is closely linked to the mission of microgrids: breaking through energy access bottlenecks, enabling sustainable development, connecting technology, industry, policy, market, and community needs, and unlocking the integrated value of local energy systems.
In the future, StarCharge will steadily expand into the growing global markets for new EVs and renewable energy, building on its smart energy systems that have been widely validated in the Chinese market.
Hashtag: #StarCharge
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban has cleared the United States forward to face Belgium in Monday’s World Cup last-16 tie in Seattle, triggering a sharp protest from the Royal Belgian Football Association and fresh scrutiny of football’s disciplinary system. Balogun had been expected to miss the knockout match after being sent off during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on […]
Bitcoin, Ether and other large crypto tokens are moving in unusually tight formation as a market worth more than $2.2 trillion tries to recover from a bruising correction, raising fresh questions over whether investors are gaining diversification or merely holding different versions of the same risk trade. Live market data showed Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, BNB, Solana, Dogecoin, Tron and Hyperliquid’s HYPE controlling roughly $1.74 trillion in combined […]
The Asian Excellence Awards is one of Asia’s most prestigious accolades in the fields of corporate governance, ESG, and investor relations. Organized annually by Corporate Governance Asia since 2011, the awards are recognized for their rigorous evaluation standards and stringent selection criteria.
This year, VinFast received recognition in three major categories: Best Investor Relations Company, Asia’s Best CFO awarded to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, and Best Investor Relations Professional awarded to Ms. Amandae Baey.
VinFast was the only Vietnamese company recognized at the 2026 awards. Other recipients this year were leading corporations from several key Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
In the Best Investor Relations Company category, VinFast was highly regarded for its transparency in information disclosure, its ability to maintain regular engagement with investors and analysts, and the effectiveness of its communication and outreach initiatives with financial communities.
For the Asia’s Best CFO award, the organizers recognized the critical role of corporate finance leaders in maintaining strong financial foundations, developing effective capital-raising strategies, and navigating market volatility. The award honors CFOs who demonstrate exceptional leadership in guiding their companies toward stable and sustainable growth across varying economic conditions.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Chief Financial Officer of VinFast, said: “This series of recognitions at the Asian Excellence Awards 2026 is a meaningful acknowledgment of VinFast’s journey in building a global enterprise founded on advanced and sustainable governance standards. VinFast will continue to strengthen governance capabilities, enhance transparency, and foster open dialogue with stakeholders to build long-term trust in international markets.”
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of VinFast Auto Ltd since 2024. Having joined Vingroup in 2020, she brings extensive knowledge of the Company’s operations through her leadership experience across multiple functions, including finance, manufacturing, and supply chain management. She is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and a Certified Practising Accountant of CPA Australia.
Ms. Amandae Baey has served as Vice President of Investor Relations at VinFast since 2024, where she leads the Company’s global investor engagement, analyst relations, and capital markets positioning. She is a CFA charterholder.
The awards highlight VinFast’s increasing integration into global capital markets and reaffirm its commitment to adopting international governance standards, enhancing disclosure quality, and strengthening engagement with shareholders and investors through a professional, proactive, and sustainable approach.
Over the past year alone, VinFast has received dozens of prestigious international awards spanning investment and finance, corporate communications, electric mobility, technology, design, and sustainability. Notable recognitions include the “Outstanding Innovation in Sustainable Electric Mobility” and “Remarkable Contribution to Energy Independence” awards at the CNN Indonesia Awards; the “Best Value Car of the Year” award at the Autocar India Awards 2026; ranking 101st in TIME magazine’s “Asia-Pacific’s Best Companies of 2025” list; and six awards at the APAC Effie Awards.
Hashtag: #VinFast #AsianExcellenceAwards #InvestorRelations
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Corporate Governance Asia is Asia’s leading publication covering corporate governance, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), investor relations, and sustainability. Since its launch in 2002, it has become a trusted source of insights and analysis for corporate leaders, investors, regulators, and financial professionals across the region.
The Asian Excellence Awards, organized annually by Corporate Governance Asia since 2011, recognize outstanding companies and business leaders across Asia for excellence in corporate governance, ESG practices, and investor relations.
By K Raveendran The alleged theft of donations from the Ayodhya Ram Temple has pushed a long-simmering question into the national foreground: who should guard the wealth of religious institutions when faith, money and power converge without adequate public accountability? The issue is not confined to Ayodhya, nor to Hindu institutions. Across denominations, religious endowments, […]
The article Faith Assets Need Secular Oversight As Temple Fraud Exposes Governance Vacuum appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Dubai, UAE: As Dubai continues to attract property buyers from overseas markets, DSQ Real Estate is highlighting the growing importance of post-purchase advisory for international investors who own property in the emirate but may not be physically present to manage every stage of the ownership journey. For many overseas buyers, purchasing a property in Dubai is only the beginning. Once the transaction is completed, owners often need […]
Cincinnati has long been recognized as one of Ohio’s most dynamic cities, blending a strong business community with historic neighborhoods, growing startups, major healthcare systems, and family-owned enterprises. As the city continues to evolve, legal needs have expanded in areas such as estate planning, family law, business formation, criminal defense, employment disputes, and personal injury. The city’s legal community includes firms that have spent decades serving local […]
UAE investors are moving into the second half of 2026 with stronger risk appetite as easing energy-market stress and lower geopolitical risk premiums reshape sentiment across the Middle East, Standard Chartered has said. The bank’s latest market outlook points to a more constructive backdrop for regional portfolios after the US-Iran interim deal helped cool fears of a prolonged disruption to Gulf energy flows. The retreat in oil […]
DUBAI – The Gulf region continues to rank among the world’s most dynamic destinations for tourism and hospitality investment. Against this backdrop, Christopher Aleo, Chief Executive Officer of iSwiss Hedge Fund, has announced a significant new project in the Sultanate of Oman. The New York-headquartered investment fund, active in real estate, infrastructure and international tourism, has confirmed a major investment in Salalah, located in Oman’s Dhofar Governorate. […]
Between 2027 and 2028, VinEnergo and SunAsia Energy plan to bring three flagship projects into operation, with a combined installed capacity of 422MWp. These are projects located in Macabebe, Pampanga (181 MWp), Sagay (126 MWp) and Silay (115MWp), both in Negros Occidental Province.
The partnership aims to deliver reliable renewable energy to the national grid, while supporting the Philippines’ goals of strengthening energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting local economic development. Once operational, the projects are expected to supply electricity to approximately 278,000 households and reduce carbon emissions by more than 460,000 tons annually, equivalent to planting around 21 million trees.
Over the next 18 months, VinEnergo will work closely with SunAsia Energy on engineering design and project implementation. This phase will include the selection of engineers, technology providers, and contractors to install nearly 700,000 solar panels mounted on pile structures, as well as approximately 62 kilometers of new transmission lines across Negros and Pampanga.
The project portfolio will utilize the Solar on Stilts technology, in which solar panels are mounted on pile-supported structures above the water surface, enabling the integration of clean power generation with aquaculture activities. This approach effectively leverages the Philippines’ strong potential for combining renewable energy development with agriculture and fisheries, while serving as a model for future sustainable energy projects. It also aligns with VinEnergo’s strategy of advancing the Food-Energy-Water Nexus to optimize resource use and create long-term value for communities.
ING and SGV & Co. acted as exclusive M&A advisors to VinEnergo and SunAsia, respectively.
Mr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, Chief Executive Officer of VinEnergo, said: “Our partnership with SunAsia Energy on this strategic project portfolio is a clear demonstration of VinEnergo’s regional growth ambitions. We are proud to bring forward solutions that combine sustainable energy development with responsible resource utilization. Floating solar not only contributes to addressing energy security challenges, but also provides a valuable opportunity to share Vietnam’s development experience in protecting local livelihoods and fostering the parallel growth of the energy and agricultural sectors.”
Ms. Tetchi Capellan, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of SunAsia Energy Inc., said: “This partnership is driven by the shared commitment of SunAsia Energy and VinEnergo to strengthen energy security, support economic growth, improve people’s lives, and help protect the planet. Through the Floating Solar model, we are not only developing renewable energy infrastructure but also creating a framework where food production and clean energy generation can thrive together.”
The announcement of this strategic partnership comes as the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit, underscoring VinEnergo’s role in advancing cross-border collaboration to address energy and climate challenges. It also marks an important milestone in VinEnergo’s international expansion strategy, while highlighting the capabilities of Vietnamese enterprises in developing pioneering renewable energy models that contribute to ASEAN’s and the world’s sustainable energy transition goals.
Hashtag: #VinEnergo #SunAsiaEnergy #SolarOnWater
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
VinEnergo is a leading Vietnamese energy developer focused on investing in and developing large-scale energy projects to accelerate the sustainable energy transition in Vietnam and across the region. With innovation at the core of its strategy, VinEnergo develops projects that deliver positive socio-economic impact while leading the deployment of integrated solutions that combine renewable energy, baseload power, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to build a greener, more stable, and more reliable energy system.
SunAsia Energy Inc. is a Philippine renewable energy developer focused on innovative clean energy and solar solutions, including floating solar, Solar on Water, and other renewable energy projects that support the country’s clean energy transition.
Valve has acknowledged that its new Steam Machine will cost more than it wanted, putting pressure on the company’s attempt to bring PC gaming deeper into the living room at a price well above mainstream consoles. The Bellevue-based games and hardware group has priced the 512GB Steam Machine at $1,049, while the 2TB version costs $1,349. Bundles with the new Steam Controller lift the prices to $1,128 […]
By Nitya Chakraborty The opposition INDIA bloc which completed its three years on June 23 is passing through a critical period when the very foundation of this alliance, the strong regional parties, are shattered by defections and splits backed by the ruling party BJP. Mamata Banerjee who gave the name of the alliance at the […]
The article Three Years After Founding, INDIA Bloc Is Facing Uncertainty On Its Future appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2026 – As the Hong Kong government’s various talent admission schemes continue to deepen, a significant wave of high-achieving elite families has settled in the city. Latest official data from the Labour and Welfare Bureau[1] reveals that more than 410,000 applications have been approved under these admission schemes over the past three years. Among the approved cases, the “Top Talent Pass Scheme” (TTPS), which targets high-income individuals or graduates of top-tier global universities, recorded over 120,000 successful applications. Notably, nearly 40% of approved applicants in Categories B and C graduated with bachelor’s degrees from top international universities, possessing strong, insightful mindsets and professional capabilities. This significant intake of highly educated “New Hong Kong” families has enriched the local talent pool while directly accelerating substantial demand for international education and curriculum transitions.
According to the Q2 market trends observation by For You Education, an esteemed tutoring and admissions consulting institution in Hong Kong, TTPS parents demonstrate highly strategic foresight in planning their children’s education. Most favor international schools or a “dual-track” pathway via Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools, triggering an exponential increase in consultation and registration volumes for international examinations such as IB, IGCSE, and A-Level. For You Education identifies three core reasons behind this phenomenon: first, parents view studying abroad as a critical pathway to cultivating a global worldview and expanding horizons; second, international curricula offer rigorous academic depth, allowing students to focus on their strengths and achieve higher academic merit; third, international examinations feature flexible pacing and allow retakes, granting students greater autonomy in their preparation.
Bridging the Dual Gap of “Language and Academic Depth”: Comprehensively Enhancing the Support System via “Private Candidate Programs”
When transitioning into the Hong Kong or international education systems, cross-border students often encounter two major hardships: the “language adaptation period” of moving from a Chinese-medium to an all-English teaching environment, and the “systemic differences” in curriculum breadth and depth between mainland and international examinations. Taking International A-Level (IAL) as an example, though it offers fewer subjects than the Mainland National Higher Education Entrance Examination (Gaokao), it requires deeper academic exploration and a higher degree of self-directed study within specific disciplines.
Traditional mainland education focuses heavily on intensive test-drilling, whereas international curricula (such as IB and IAL) emphasise critical thinking and research writing, such as IB’s Extended Essay. Unlike the high-stakes Gaokao, which allows students to take the exam only once, international tracks offer greater subject flexibility and an elevated margin for error. For instance, GCE A-Level allows students to choose three to four specific subjects based on their personal strengths for deep focus, while permitting modular retakes, resulting in significantly greater autonomy in preparation.
For You Education observes that many TTPS families discover that, after relocation, their local schools do not offer international curricula such as IB or IAL. Consequently, despite students’ willingness to sit, they lack institutional support and resources within their schools. To address this market gap, For You Education has carefully designed its “Private Candidate Programs” to fully support students registering for international public examinations as private candidates. Through comprehensive curriculum structuring and pre-exam coaching, the team helps students overcome institutional barriers and seamlessly transition to top global universities.
Official Opening of Fo Tan Campus: One-on-One and High-Efficiency Group Tutoring Aimed Directly at Return on Investment (ROI) in Education
To better serve newly arrived TTPS families, For You Education announced the official opening of its new branch campus in Fo Tan this quarter. The new campus features upgraded teaching facilities and a centralized team of core professional tutors. Most For You Education tutors possess prestigious international academic backgrounds and extensive cross-border teaching experience, equipping them with a nuanced understanding of the linguistic, psychological, and academic blind spots faced by mainland students transitioning to Hong Kong. Following a comprehensive service upgrade, the center offers an array of solutions encompassing Hong Kong international school admissions, IB tutoring, IGCSE curriculum, and A-Level subject selection.
In response to growing parental expectations regarding the Return on Investment (ROI) of international education, the new Fo Tan campus will prioritize personalized one-on-one and high-efficiency small-group teaching models. Practicing a modern philosophy of “individualized teaching,” the tutoring team assists students in precisely selecting subjects aligned with their personality traits and academic strengths (such as guiding suitable students to pivot from DSE to IAL tracks where they can better leverage their core academic capabilities). Over the past few years, the institution has successfully guided numerous cross-border and local students through their academic transition periods, securing placements at top global institutions across the UK, the US, and Hong Kong.
Cultivating Critical Thinking in the AI Era: “Learning Supplement” Rather Than “Replacement”
Global education frameworks are undergoing a paradigm shift, and the rise of AI technology has introduced parental anxiety regarding future academic majors and career landscapes. Addressing these concerns, Mr. Terry Lo, the Founder and Director of For You Education, stated:
“In the AI era, the core assessment metrics of international examinations like the IB program are shifting away from pure knowledge transmission toward ‘critical thinking’ and ‘knowledge application’. While consolidating our foundation in traditional academic tutoring, For You Education actively guides students on how to properly leverage advanced AI tools to assist their preparation and enhance learning efficiency. However, AI can never replace a tutor’s emotional care, the discovery of a student’s unique potential, or intellectual mentorship. We believe that learning to master AI tools to boost personal productivity is vital today, and we look forward to exploring this boundary alongside our students. We aim to utilize technological advantages to shorten students’ adaptation phases while maintaining close communication with parents who care about educational cost-effectiveness, ensuring children steadily build adaptability and competitiveness along their admissions journey.”
To assist parents in staying up to date with the latest trends in international education, the new Fo Tan campus of For You Education is now open for consultations. Parents are welcome to visit in person or browse online for successful case studies and academic consulting (admissions advice) assessment services, tailoring the optimal breakthrough path for their children’s inclusive education.
Hashtag: #foryoueducation #education #TTPS #internationaleducation
https://www.foryouedu.com.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/for-you-education-limited/
https://www.facebook.com/ForYouEducationHK
https://www.instagram.com/foryoueduhk/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Founded in 2013, For You Education is a premier, highly experienced subject-specialist tutoring institution in Hong Kong. For years, the Center has championed an “efficient learning model” to deliver high-quality educational services to students from prestigious local and international schools across Hong Kong. Classes are conducted primarily through one-on-one and high-efficiency small-group formats to address the personalized learning needs of each student.
In addition to local school curriculum support, For You Education specializes in international examinations, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE/GCSE), GCE A-Level, and SAT. It uniquely provides core academic guidance for Internal Assessments (IA), Extended Essays (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Individual Oral Commentaries (IOC). For You Education currently operates three major campuses across Hong Kong: the Hong Kong Island Main Campus (Causeway Bay), the Kowloon Branch (Yau Ma Tei), and the newly completed Fo Tan Branch, establishing a comprehensive bridge to global educational excellence.
Official Website: https://www.foryouedu.com.hk
The initiative formalises capabilities the Group has been building internally, combining data-led demand identification, integrated distribution, and execution across more than 17,000 O+O stores in Asia and Europe.
Over the past two years, AS Watson has introduced more than 4,800 new brands and brand extensions across its network, underscoring the scale of its brand development activity.
From Incubation to Execution
AS Watson brand lab departs from traditional incubator models by embedding brand development directly within AS Watson’s retail ecosystem.
Rather than incubating brands ahead of their market entry, the platform operates inside the market, using real-time customer data, shopping behaviour and category dynamics to inform development decisions.
Dr Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, said the model reflects the company’s structural advantage. “We don’t wait for brands to find the market – we build them where demand already exists, and scale them through our ecosystem.”
A Systemised Growth Model
At the core of AS Watson brand lab is an integrated operating model linking insight, creation, distribution, demand activation and scaling.
The platform leverages AS Watson’s over 180 million loyalty members and O+O capabilities to accelerate brand selection and commercial execution.
A Structured Pathway to Scale
Brands within AS Watson brand lab are supported through a structured growth pathway, progressing from early-stage validation to regional scaling and category leadership.
At each stage, brands receive differentiated support across insight, distribution, marketing activation and investment, ensuring resources are focused where the greatest growth potential exists.
This staged approach enables AS Watson to systematically build, scale and prioritise brands, improving success rates while maintaining disciplined capital allocation.
Focus on High-Growth Segments
AS Watson brand lab will prioritise product segments including Asian beauty trends (K-beauty, J-beauty, C-beauty), ingredient-led skincare, health and wellness products and elevated personal care – areas where consumer demand continues to evolve rapidly.
The Group expects the platform to strengthen its ability to build proprietary and exclusive brands while improving speed-to-market and capital efficiency.
Proven Brand Scaling in Action
Early outcomes demonstrate how AS Watson brand lab translates insight into accelerated growth – not only by shaping brand development, but by scaling brands rapidly across markets through its integrated O+O ecosystem.
Across multiple categories and geographies, the platform has enabled brands to move from targeted market entry to multi-market expansion with speed and discipline:
COSRX (K-Beauty)– By combining COSRX’s innovation-led skincare expertise with
AS Watson’s extensive retail footprint and deep consumer insights, the partnership has accelerated international expansion and broadened consumer reach. This illustrates how the platform converts strong brand propositions into sustained category growth across markets.
&honey (J-Beauty) – Leveraging its distinctive product positioning alongside
AS Watson’s regional scale, &honey rapidly expanded beyond its home market, rolling out across multiple Asian markets within a short timeframe. This demonstrates the platform’s ability to systematically scale proven domestic leaders into regional brands.
e.l.f. Cosmetics (US) – Through partnership with AS Watson, e.l.f. has extended its community-led, value-driven model across Europe, translating strong brand engagement into measurable market penetration. The example highlights how consumer-centric brands can be amplified through local market execution at scale.
essence (Germany) – The expansion of essence across multiple markets, including exclusive partnerships, reflects how purpose-driven brands can achieve consistency and reach when supported by integrated distribution and retail insight. This underscores the platform’s ability to build sustained brand relevance and loyalty across diverse markets.
Across these examples, brands have scaled through a consistent model – combining data-led selection, integrated distribution, and coordinated market execution – demonstrating how AS Watson brand lab functions as a repeatable engine for brand growth, from market entry through to regional scale.
Scaling a Repeatable Engine
AS Watson brand lab positions AS Watson to leverage its retail footprint not only as a distribution channel, but as an engine for brand creation and scaling.
The initiative signals a shift from opportunistic brand sourcing towards a structured, repeatable growth model, reinforcing AS Watson’s ability to scale brands with speed, discipline and consistency while driving long-term portfolio value.
AS Watson continues to engage with selected brand partners and emerging brands aligned with its focus areas, with further information available through its official
AS Watson brand lab platform (https://www.aswatson.com/asw-brand-lab)
Hashtag: #ASWatson
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Established in 1841, AS Watson Group is one of the world’s longest-standing and most recognised retail companies with roots in Asia. Today, the company operates over 17,000 stores across 12 retail brands in 31 markets, employing 130,000 people globally. This makes AS Watson Group the largest international health and beauty retailer in the world.
In the fiscal year 2025, AS Watson Group reported revenue of over US$26 billion. The company’s technology-enabled O+O (Offline plus Online) platforms serve over 6 billion shoppers annually, seamlessly integrating physical and digital retail experiences.
AS Watson Group supported over 180 charitable and non-profit organisations every year, dedicating over 40,000 hours of volunteer work to serve over 370,000 people in need in our operating markets.
AS Watson Group is also a member of the world-renowned multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, which has four core businesses – ports and related services, retail, infrastructure and telecommunications in over 50 countries.
Please visit www.aswatson.com/our-company/o-and-o-strategy/ for more information.
Keir Starmer has said he will resign as prime minister, triggering a Labour leadership contest and setting Britain on course for its seventh head of government since the 2016 Brexit referendum. Starmer announced on Monday, June 22, that he would oversee an orderly transfer of power and remain in Downing Street until Labour chooses a successor, expected by September. His decision ends a premiership that began with […]
By Arun Srivastava The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) strategy of fracturing regional parties serves as a quaternary-track political manoeuvre designed to secure long-term constitutional dominance, dismantle the opposition architecture INDIA bloc, give a shape to its long cherished desire to create Bharat free of active opposition and finally, consolidating its position in 2029 and sweeping […]
The article BJP Top Brass’s Three-Year Plan To Achieve ‘One-Party, One-Nation’ Goal appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
By T N Ashok On a humid June morning in India’s capital, the birthday wishes began arriving before sunrise. Students posted videos on Instagram. Party workers unfurled banners across small towns. Political allies issued carefully worded messages of solidarity. Critics, never far behind, reminded the nation of his electoral defeats, his verbal missteps and the […]
The article The Twists And Turns In Rahul Gandhi’s 22 Year Old Political Journey appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
DAMAC Properties has launched The Lifestyle Collection, a new apartment ownership offer with monthly plans starting from AED 1,999 across four of its master communities, as developers sharpen affordability-led campaigns in a Dubai housing market facing softer transaction momentum after a record-breaking 2025. The offer covers a curated selection of apartments in DAMAC Hills, DAMAC Hills 2, DAMAC Lagoons and DAMAC Riverside, positioning the company’s suburban and […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 June 2026 – FastMed today announced the launch of online consultation support for hair loss concerns, providing a private and structured pathway for medical assessment of increased shedding, a receding hairline, thinning at the crown and reduced hair volume. The service covers online information submission, doctor assessment, review of possible hair loss causes, evidence-informed ingredient information and follow-up arrangements where appropriate.
Structured Online Assessment for Hair Loss Concerns
Hair loss has become an earlier concern among urban adults. Many cases are first managed through over-the-counter shampoos, hair growth serums, supplements or products promoted online. Hair loss, however, may be associated with a range of factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, stress, lack of sleep, nutritional status, scalp conditions, underlying illnesses and medication-related effects.
FastMed’s online consultation workflow supports the submission of relevant health information before medical assessment. Information reviewed may include duration of shedding, location of hair thinning, family history of hair loss, recent health status, lifestyle factors and products previously used. The process is designed to support assessment of whether hair loss may be related to temporary shedding, scalp-related concerns, or genetic and hormonal factors.
Genetic and Hormonal Factors Included in Assessment
Male-pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, and female-pattern hair loss are commonly associated with genetic and hormonal factors. These conditions may appear before middle age. Early signs may include a gradually receding frontal hairline, thinning at the crown, finer hair strands or widening of the hair parting. Because these changes often develop gradually, early signs may be mistaken for stress, insufficient rest or unsuitable haircare products.
Dr. Leung Kin Hei, medical adviser to FastMed, said: “Hair loss can involve a range of underlying causes. General haircare products may help cleanse the scalp or improve hair appearance, but hair loss associated with genetic or hormonal factors requires a clearer understanding of hair loss type and possible causes. A structured assessment process can support more appropriate follow-up decisions.”
Evidence-Informed Ingredient Information
FastMed’s online consultation support may also provide medical information on commonly discussed ingredients for hair loss, based on assessment findings. For androgenetic alopecia, ingredients commonly referenced in medical literature and supported by regulatory approval include finasteride and topical minoxidil. Finasteride is the active ingredient in prescription medicines such as Propecia and Damocare, while topical minoxidil is commonly found in external hair growth products such as Regro and Regaine.
Suitability, method of use and potential risks vary across ingredients. Prescription medicines in particular should only be considered following medical assessment. FastMed’s service is designed to support appropriate information provision and assessment-based follow-up, rather than product selection based solely on advertising, online reviews or brand claims.
Online Process Supports Privacy and Convenience
Hair loss is common, but concerns about appearance, confidence and privacy may delay medical support. FastMed’s online process allows information to be submitted through a digital pathway before doctor assessment. Where appropriate following assessment, the platform may arrange relevant support, medication advice, delivery or follow-up.
Dr. Leung added: “Hair loss concerns may affect confidence, social interaction and emotional well-being. Medical support is not intended to create anxiety. A structured assessment process can help clarify possible causes, reduce reliance on unverified online information and support more informed follow-up decisions.”
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
FastMed is a medical platform providing online doctor consultations and delivery support. The platform supports access to appropriate medical information and follow-up arrangements in a private, convenient and compliant manner, with assessments conducted according to individual circumstances.
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