Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Bitcoin fell sharply on Friday, sliding to a 16-month low and briefly testing the psychologically important $60,000 level as a broad sell-off in technology shares spilled into risk-sensitive assets, intensifying volatility across global markets. The world’s largest cryptocurrency touched an intraday low close to $60,000 before rebounding, trading modestly higher later in the session at around $64,000 as buyers stepped in. The […]
Featuring Renowned Actor Wang Zhuo Cheng and T-Pop Sensation BUS to Boost Thai–Chinese Tourism Economy
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 February 2026 – ICONSIAM, the global landmark on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, announces a major collaboration with leading public and private partners—including the Ministry of Culture (Thailand), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), KASIKORNBANK, CP AXTRA “Makro – Lotus”, Alipay +, and Tiger Balm—to host a world-class Chinese New Year celebration. Reinforcing its Destination Marketing strategy, ICONSIAM aims to position itself as one of the world’s premier Chinese New Year destinations through festivities that blend Thailand’s cultural heritage with revered Chinese traditions. A key highlight is ICONSIAM’s spiritually significant location, known as the “Dragon’s Belly,” a powerful symbol of prosperity along the most beautiful curve of the Chao Phraya River. To honor the Year of the Horse, a sacred statue of Guan Yu—the deity of honesty, loyalty, and righteousness, will be enshrined. The celebration will feature world-class entertainment led by renowned Chinese actor Wang Zhuo Cheng and T-Pop Sensation BUS, alongside dragon and lion dances, festive street food, shopping, and cultural experiences. ICONSIAM is confident that foot traffic and spending within the destination will grow by more than 10%, helping to stimulate overall economic activity and tourism in the first quarter. The event will take place from 12–17 February 2026 at River Park, ICONSIAM.
Mrs. Suma Wongphan, Executive Vice President of ICONSIAM Co., Ltd. said “This event reaffirms ICONSIAM’s role as a Global Experiential Destination that captivates visitors worldwide. Our ambition is not only to elevate Thailand’s tourism experience, but also to celebrate the deep-rooted ties between Thailand and China. We have curated a landmark festival that seamlessly blends traditional beliefs with contemporary artistry, creating a special experience to attract global audiences to witness the most magnificent Chinese New Year celebration along the Chao Phraya River. Alongside the cultural aspects, ICONSIAM enhances the festive experience through its ‘Lucky Angpao Mega Campaign’, offering over 8,300 prizes, with expectations of driving more than 10% growth in visitor traffic and 10% increase in consumer spending during the campaign period.”
The2026 Chinese New Year season is expected to generate significant economic impact across Thailand’s tourism sector, aligning closely with the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s strategy in setting the target of attracting 6.7 million Chinese visitors under ongoing visa-free measures. ICONSIAM is confident that the scale and creativity of this celebration will serve as a powerful catalyst in advancing Thailand’s tourism and retail sectors to global prominence.
The ICONSIAM A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2026 key highlights include:
Landmark of Blessing: Visitors are invited to experience profound spiritual power at The Auspicious Guan Yu Shrine, featuring the enshrinement of five sacred manifestations of Guan Yu, brought directly from the People’s Republic of China for the first time in Thailand. Enhancing the experience is the Interactive Blessing Pavilion, showcasing the “Eight Auspicious Horses” through cutting-edge interactive technology that breathes new life into ancient mythology.
Prosperous Celebration: The riverside comes alive with a world-class cultural spectacle led by the appearance of globally renowned Chinese actorWang Zhuo Cheng, who joins the grand procession of the legendary ‘Long Ma’ (Dragon Horse), a mythical creature stretching over 32 metres in length, symbolising success and progress. The celebration is further energised by a breathtaking performance of the dragon-horse dance by Thailand’s leading T-POP sensation BUS (Because of You I Shine), creating a powerful fusion of tradition and contemporary pop culture.
The Miracle of Fountain: At ICONSIAM’s iconic river curve — regarded as the most beautiful bend of the Chao Phraya, visitors will witness the mesmerising “Chao Phraya River Dragon Multimedia Water Feature,” the longest of its kind in Southeast Asia, featuring a choreographed spectacle of dancing fountains, light, and sound.
More than a celebration, ICONSIAM A PROSPEROUS CHINESE NEW YEAR 2026 is a cultural phenomenon that positions Bangkok as one of the world’s most compelling festive destinations. Be part of this extraordinary celebration from February 12–17, 2026, at River Park, ICONSIAM. Discover upcoming events and the latest updates via ICONSIAM’s Facebook atwww.facebook.com/ICONSIAM or call 1338 for more information.
By Nitya Chakraborty Bangladesh, Nepal and now Myanmar. Indian foreign policy makers are clueless in dealing with the developing situation. Myanmar’s three phase general elections organized by the military junta ended on January 25 and the results were released on January 29 and 30. As expected, the military aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 February 2026 – The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today successfully launched its annual flagship event, “ForeSight 2026”, at the HKPC Building, with the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) as the strategic partner of the event. With the theme of “Empowering Hong Kong’s Innovation Ecosystem, Bridging Opportunities with the 15th Five-Year Plan”, the event brought together, both in online and offline, more than 500 government, business, industry leaders and approximately 16,000 viewers in Chinese Mainland to discuss how Hong Kong can proactively connect with the national “15th Five-Year Plan” and jointly promote innovation and industrial integration, helping enterprises achieve high-quality development and enhance international competitiveness.
The Honourable Paul CHAN Mo-po,GBM, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officiated at the forum and expressed, “The country has consistently given strong support to Hong Kong’s development of innovation and technology. Whether in the ’14th Five‑Year Plan’ or in the recommendations for the ’15th Five‑Year Plan’, there is clear support for Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology hub”. He added, “Looking ahead, we will continue to proactively align with national development strategies, promote the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation, and further strengthen the linkage between technology and industry. We will encourage enterprises to devote more effort in research and development, expand the scope of technology applications, and nurture innovative enterprises with an international outlook and forward-looking vision, driving the economy toward a high value-added and more diversified future”.
The Honourable Sunny TAN, Chairman of Hong Kong Productivity Council, said in the closing remarks, “The ’15th Five-Year Plan’ brings significant and far-reaching development opportunities to Hong Kong. At the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s recent group study session, President Xi Jinping urged adopting a strategy whereby industry poses questions and science and technology provide the answers. HKPC will continue to play an active role in promoting innovation and industrial upgrading, closely echoing the overall development strategies of the national and HKSAR Government, and making good use of innovative technologies to address business challenges, providing comprehensive support to enterprises to accelerate their upgrading and transformation, enhance their competitiveness, and seize new opportunities”.
Unlocking Hong Kong’s Connectivity Advantages and Gathering Leadership Wisdom
The “ForeSight Visionary Leaders Panel” was held at the day, moderated by Mr Vincent WONG, Columnist and Media Veteran, and invited industry leaders including Ms ZHI Tao, Founder of Beijing Yunji Technology Ltd., Mr WANG Yong Chao, Founder and Chairman of Henan Oriental Materials Company Ltd., Mr Jonathan CHIU, President of Schneider Electric Hong Kong, Mr Peter YAN, JP, Director-General, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Mr Mohamed D. BUTT, MH, Executive Director of Hong Kong Productivity Council, to share their insights. The topic features three key areas of enterprise going global, technological empowerment and talent development, and delved into the practical experience of how enterprises can achieve innovation-driven and high-quality development under the national “15th Five-Year Plan” through Hong Kong’s role as a “bridgehead”, Chinese brands going international through Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s advantages in technical support and innovative talent gathering, and how it can provide the Chinese Mainland enterprises with a one-stop platform for upgrading and going globally.
Realising the Full Empowerment of Enterprises to “Go Global”
HKPC echoes the national and HKSAR Government’s development strategies to address business challenges and industrial technology needs. Over the years, HKPC has successfully assisted many Chinese Mainland and local enterprises in expanding overseas markets, with many of these expansions implemented in Southeast Asia, Europe, ASEAN and the Middle East, etc., achieving upgrades and internationalisation. In recent years, HKPC and OASES have jointly established an “introduction-application-growth-go global” service model to help enterprises go global, with success cases include Westwell, Yunji Technology, UNISEE, etc. HKPC will continue to work with OASES to leverage the advantages of “Made in Hong Kong” to help enterprises connecting the world through Hong Kong.
Mr Peter YAN, JP, Director-General, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said, “Hong Kong possesses a robust financial system, deep talent pool, and an international environment that integrates with international regulations, standards and operation practices. Coupled with the government’s relevant industry policies and long-established overseas networks, Hong Kong provides unique support for Chinese Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a base to go global, as well as for overseas enterprises to development in the GBA. OASES is dedicated to attracting global strategic enterprises from five strategic I&T sectors, actively aligning with the national 15th Five-Year Plan. We provide comprehensive landing support services and assist enterprises in establishing their ‘first project’ in Hong Kong, fully leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a ‘Super Connector’ and ‘Super Value-Added'”.
At the same time, HKPC, as a member of the GoGlobal Task Force of the HKSAR Government, will continue to focus on providing “Six Tactics to Go Global” for enterprises through “The Cradle Go Global Service Centre” (The Cradle), including smart production, Technology research and development and evaluation, international standards and testing, professional services, training and on-site visits, and funding schemes, to support Hong Kong to leverage its unique advantages and empower enterprises to expand overseas with high quality.
Since its establishment in April, The Cradle has attracted more than 350 companies that have expressed interest in using its services. Among these, over 100 cases have entered a concrete follow‑up stage. Together with overseas expansion projects supported prior to its establishment, the cumulative total exceeds 450 cases.
Bringing the strengths of Government, Industry, Academia, Research and Investment to Build an Innovative Industrial Ecosystem
HKPC has been working closely with the government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors to promote new industrialisation and enhance the new quality productive forces of industries, including:
The major project led by Harbin Institute of Technology on key technologies and equipment for circular economy: Provide dynamic identification and big data resource pool construction solutions for multi-source solid waste in megaurban agglomerations
The project led by Jiangsu University on wheat green smart processing and key technology integration and industrialisation demonstration: Provide core technical support such as AI and the Internet of Things
Tsinghua University: Jointly established a technology centre to focus on the industrial transformation of intelligent manufacturing and AI technology
Zuquan Research Institute of Fudan University: Signed a cooperation agreement to promote collaboration and transformation of scientific and technological outcomes between Shanghai and Hong Kong
HKPC will continue to promote cross-sectoral dialogue between government, industry, academia, research and investment, focusing on the implementation of future industries and technology applications, and helping to build Hong Kong into a key node in the global I&T value chain.
HKPC’s annual flagship event, “ForeSight 2026”, themed “Empowering the Innovation Ecosystem and Bridging Hong Kong with New Opportunities under the 15th Five‑Year Plan,” brought together numerous government and business leaders.
The Honourable Paul CHAN Mo-po, GBM, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, delivered a speech as the guest of honour at the “ForeSight 2026”, pointing out that going forward, efforts will continue to proactively align with national development strategies and promote the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation.
The Honourable Sunny TAN, Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council and Legislative Council Member, said in his closing remarks that the Productivity Council will leverage innovation and technology to address enterprises’ real pain points, provide all‑round support to help enterprises accelerate their upgrading and transformation, enhance competitiveness, and seize new opportunities.
The Honourable Paul CHAN Mo‑po, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, GBM, GBS, MH, JP (centre); The Honourable Sunny Tan, Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council and Legislative Council Member (second from right); Mr Peter YAN, JP, Director-General, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (second from left); Mr Emil YU, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (far right); and Mr Mohamed D. BUTT, MH, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (far left), attended HKPC’s annual flagship event, “ForeSight 2026”.
Moderated by veteran media professional Dr. Vincent WONG, industry leaders shared their insights at the “ForeSight Visionary Leaders Panel”.
(From right to left) Mr Peter YAN, JP, Director-General, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises; Mr Jonathan CHIU, President, Hong Kong, Schneider Electric Hong Kong; Mr WANG Yong Chao, Founder & Chairman of Henan Oriental Materials Company Limited; Ms ZHI Tao, Founder of Beijing Yunji Technology Ltd.; and Mr Mohamed D. BUTT, MH, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Productivity Council.
Hashtag: #HKPC #Foresight2026
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Productivity Council
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.
HKPC focuses on addressing business challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.
To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.
HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical, assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.
For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en.
By Nitya Chakraborty Nearly 48 hours after Donald Trump’s announcement about the India-US trade deal and Narendra Modi’s confirmation in his telephonic conversation, much has been written in the media by the experts, mostly following the lead given by the commerce minister Piyush Goyal in his press meet on Tuesday as to what positive impacts […]
AACHEN, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 4 February 2026 – Aachen, FEV has teamed up with Daimler Buses to create the first coach with a hydrogen fuel cell drive system. The starting point for the “H₂ Coach” technology demonstrator, which is intended for testing purposes, was a conventional Setra coach. This marks an important step toward locally emission-free long-distance travel: short refueling times, ranges of at least 800 kilometers per tank filling, and quiet operation underscore its practicality.
FEV and Daimler Buses have jointly developed the “H2 Coach”, the first coach with a hydrogen-based fuel cell drive system. Source: Daimler Buses
Daimler Buses and FEV jointly carried out the complete system transformation from diesel drive to fuel cell electric vehicle. After creating the overall vehicle concept, FEV took over the mechanical and E/E integration. One distinguishing feature is that the individual components deployed – including fuel cells, high-voltage components (such as batteries and electric motors), H₂ tank assemblies, control units including software – originate from different technology platforms from Daimler Buses and Daimler Truck. FEV integrated the systems into a functional powertrain in the overall vehicle.
An important factor in the development process was safety. Measures were developed for various crash load cases as well as for functional, high-voltage, and hydrogen safety.
“The ‘H₂ Coach’ impressively demonstrates how complex subsystems can be integrated into a testable, safe complete vehicle when vehicle, powertrain, and E/E expertise come from a single source,” said Klaus Wolff, Vice President Project Management at FEV. “With our one-stop-shop approach, we quickly and efficiently delivered the desired customized solution to our customer – from concept to approval.”
After successful approval by German technical inspection authority TÜV and passing electromagnetic compatibility tests, FEV handed over the vehicle to Daimler Buses in the summer of 2025 after approximately two years of joint project work.
Hashtag: #FEV
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held substantive talks with His Excellency Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, emphasising cooperation on artificial intelligence, economic partnership and water security while reinforcing diplomatic commitment to global peace and stability. The discussions at Qasr Al Shati brought forward agreements aimed at deepening bilateral relations between the two […]
By Nitya Chakraborty The announcement on India-US trade deal was expected, but the manner in which both President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi did the same in social media has led to big confusion. After a phone call with Narendra Modi, Trump claimed on Monday that the US had reached a trade arrangement […]
Theme: Leading with Purpose — Fair and Sustainable Insurance
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 February 2026 – 10Life held its annual 5-Star Insurance Awards on Jan. 29, 2026, at Rosewood Hong Kong, reaffirming its commitment to helping consumers identify quality insurance through independent ratings. The event drew a record-breaking turnout of more than 70 senior executives from 11 insurers — a testament to the Awards’ growing influence in driving higher standards across the industry.
Award-winning insurers in attendance included AXA, BOC Group Insurance, BOC Life, Blue Cross, FWD, Generali, Hang Seng Insurance, Manulife, MSIG, Sun Life and YF Life.
This year’s theme, “Leading with Purpose: Fair and Sustainable Insurance,” brought together industry leaders to address a critical question: with increasingly complex risks and diverse consumer needs, how can insurers keep protection both adequate and affordable for the long term? The answer, 10Life believes, lies in building a fairer, more customer-centric insurance ecosystem.
Independent Selection of Top 10% 5-Star Insurance Products
10Life was founded with a singular mission — to make insurance fair. Each year, 10Life raises its 5-Star rating standards to ensure only the best products earn recognition. Its actuaries and data scientists analyse coverage scope, policy terms and fine-print details across thousands of data points. Only the top 10% of products earn 5-Star certification, helping consumers cut through marketing noise to find genuine quality protection.
“The 10Life 5-Star Awards has upheld one principle above all: independence,” said Dennis Lun, Co-founder and CEO of 10Life. “We rate every product on its merits, and our results are never influenced by commercial partnerships. More than 2.3 million users rely on 10Life annually, and independent research shows that 87% trust our ratings when making insurance decisions.”
Mr. Lun added: “The insurance landscape is evolving rapidly. People are living longer and need sustained wealth and health protection. Medical inflation is testing affordability. Advances in diagnostic technology mean pre-existing conditions are detected earlier — challenging traditional underwriting norms. As Hong Kong integrates more deeply with the Greater Bay Area, cross-border protection needs are surging. 10Life’s role is to hold insurers accountable and help Hong Kong consumers access fair, sustainable protection.”
10 Life Co-founder and CEO Dennis Lun delivers a keynote address.
Why Fairness and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand
Mark Saunders, President of the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong, delivered the keynote address on building a fair and sustainable insurance ecosystem.
“The insurance industry must evolve from passive claims payer to proactive risk prevention partner,” said Mr. Saunders. “Traditionally, insurers compensate after misfortune strikes. But the future lies in prevention — delaying or mitigating adverse events benefits society, individuals and the sustainability of insurance itself.”
He added: “Fairness is the bedrock of trust. Only when consumers believe the system is fair will they confidently participate in risk-sharing. Sustainability ensures insurers can honour their promises across generations — so policyholders and their families can rely on their coverage when it matters most.”
Trust, Mr. Saunders noted, is not built when premiums are collected — it is built when claims are honoured.
Mr. Mark Saunders, President of the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong, delivers a speech at the event.
Recognising Excellence Across Products and Insurers
5-Star Awards were presented across seven product categories: Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Savings Insurance, QDAP (Tax-Deductible Annuity), Immediate Annuity, Whole Life Insurance and Travel Insurance. The 5-Star Innovative Product Award was newly introduced this year to spotlight products offering industry breakthroughs in customer-centric features, coverage and value.
In recognition of overall excellence, 10Life also presented four insurer-level awards. FWD was honoured with the Health Insurer of the Year Award for excellence in medical and critical illness protection. BOC Life received the Wealth Insurer of the Year Award for outstanding savings and retirement solutions. Manulife was honoured with the GBA Insurer of the Year Award, newly introduced to recognise insurers best equipped to serve cross-border protection needs between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Sun Life was named Insurer of the Year for achieving 5-Star ratings across six product categories, demonstrating the strongest all-round performance.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About 10Life
10Life is Hong Kong’s leading independent insurance comparison platform, founded by insurance professionals with a single purpose: to make insurance fair. Powered by technology and guided by consumer interest, 10Life delivers fair products, fair advice and fair claims support. Its pioneering product rating system empowers more than 2.3 million users annually to compare insurance with confidence. A team of in-house advisors provides recommendations based solely on customer needs with no hard sell. Independent claims specialists advocate for policyholders, navigating the claims process and challenging insurers when necessary to secure fair outcomes. To learn more or compare insurance products, visit 10Life.com
First-of-its-kind multi-region study on the perceptions of ageing and ageing well officially launched at the Intercontinental Alliance for Integrated Care (IAIC) gala dinner.
The study featured insights from five member regions to advance support for ageing.
The Alliance welcomed seven new members, strengthened its local chapters and handed over 2026 hosting duties to the United Kingdom.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 November 2025 – The Intercontinental Alliance for Integrated Care (IAIC), hosted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), today launched its first-ever multi-region study on the perceptions of ageing and ageing well. Now in its second edition, the Alliance’s annual flagship event IAIC 2025 brought together partners from across Asia, Europe, and North America, including new members from Estonia, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei, to advance new knowledge, partnerships and innovations shaping the future of ageing and integrated care.
Launch of the IAIC Multi-Region Study Report
Led by SUSS and co-developed with IAIC members, the multi-region study – A Study on Perceptions of Ageing and Ageing Well: Exploring Older Adults’ Experiences and Coping Strategies Across Regions – draws insights from five regions: Singapore, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and the United Kingdom. It examines how older adults across different societies understand ageing, navigate later-life transitions and define what it means to age well.
Guest-of-Honour, Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor, SUSS, at the official launch of the IAIC Multi-Region study.
Placing the lived experiences of older adults at its core, the study offers a clearer picture of what ageing well means to them and underscores the role of families, communities and care systems in shaping those experiences. It provides a cross-cultural view of older adults’ aspirations and coping strategies, revealing how social, economic and policy contexts influence their day-to-day realities. Insights from Brunei and Thailand will be incorporated in the next phase and shared progressively.
Across regions, the findings highlight a common theme: ageing is shaped not only by biological changes, but also by social and cultural contexts. A recurring paradox emerges – despite physical decline, many older adults continue to experience purpose, connection and well-being.
Singapore Chapter: Local Insights into Ageing Well
Within this broader landscape, the Singapore chapter adds depth to how these themes manifest locally, drawing on responses from about 1,000 survey respondents and 15 in-depth interviews. Several key insights emerged on how older Singaporeans understand and experience ageing. For instance:
Women aged 75–84 placed higher value on family and close relationships than men of the same age bracket, underscoring the central role of social bonds. Staying socially connected helps them remain emotionally engaged and supported by strong community ties. Men, by contrast, are more vulnerable to isolation after retirement, particularly when their identities were closely tied to work.
The study also highlighted “mastery” – the belief that one can still influence the course of one’s life – as a strong predictor of successful ageing. Older adults with a strong sense of mastery tend to stay socially connected, feel more satisfied, and continue pursuing activities that bring purpose and joy. They remain active not simply because they are physically stronger, but because they believe their actions continue to matter.
Associate Professor Justina Tan, Vice President of Strategic Partnership and Engagement at SUSS and Principal Investigator for the study, shared “As Singapore becomes ‘super-aged’ next year, the multi-region study aims to provide us with invaluable insights to guide more targeted policies and interventions. By understanding the unique needs and aspirations of our older adults, we can design programmes that not only preserve autonomy and foster meaningful conversations but also ensure that support is tailored to help every senior thrive in their own way.”
Following today’s launch, the IAIC partners will move into the implementation phase, where each country will adapt insights into on-the-ground pilot initiatives within their local care systems.
IAIC 2025: Beyond Borders, Beyond Age
Themed “Beyond Borders, Beyond Age: Shaping Tomorrow’s Tapestry of Integrated Care”, IAIC 2025 convened like-minded partners such as academic institutions, care providers, policymakers, and innovators across regions to shape care systems that transcend geographical, generational, and institutional boundaries.
Across the two-day programme, delegates took part in discussions, learning journeys and collaborative sessions focused on integrated care and healthy ageing. A key highlight was a visit to TOUCHpoint@AMK 433 this morning, where participants learned about Singapore’s community-based approaches to ageing well and supporting seniors to age in place.
The event culminated in a gala dinner at Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, where Guest-of-Honour, Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor, SUSS, witnessed the official launch of the multi-region study together with IAIC representatives from Singapore, Canada, Mainland China and the United Kingdom.
In her address, Mdm Halimah said “Ageing is not a burden to be managed. It is a season of life to be respected, supported, and reimagined, where every person, regardless of age, continues to have value, voice, and belonging.” She added, “As we look to the future, the challenge of ageing will test every society’s capacity for compassion, creativity, and courage. It also offers a profound opportunity to redefine what it means to live and age well, and to reaffirm our shared humanity.”
Alliance Expansion and New Local Chapters
IAIC 2025 also marked a significant milestone for the Alliance with the addition of seven new member institutions, welcomed through a symbolic handprint ceremony. Led by SUSS, the IAIC is supported by 12 founding members across Asia, Europe and North America, each contributing expertise in ageing and integrated care.
This year, the Alliance expanded its network with the following new members:
Jeonbuk National University (South Korea)
Center for Sports Science and Healthy Aging, National Cheng Kung University (Chinese Taipei)
National Mental Health and Welfare Commission (South Korea)
Public Health Foundation India (India)
Tallinn University (Estonia)
Teikyo University (Japan)
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Malaysia)
SUSS also formalised two new Local Chapter Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Presbyterian Community Social Services Limited and Singapore Hospice Council. These partnerships seek to strengthen community-based initiatives, pilot projects and workforce development in integrated care, while advancing applied research and fostering innovation to better serve community needs.
Intergenerational Fashion Runway Featuring Seniors and Young Designers
A highlight of the gala dinner was a vibrant intergenerational fashion showcase co-created by seniors from Lions Befrienders and student-designers from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), in partnership with SUSS.
Themed “Tapestry of Style: Weaving Generations Together through Fashion,” the showcase brought together lived experience, creativity and technical skill as seniors and students co-designed each ensemble. It celebrated seniors as active creators, spotlighting their stories, perspectives and style while demonstrating the value of intergenerational collaboration.
Passing the Baton
IAIC 2025 drew to a meaningful close with a symbolic handover ceremony, where SUSS formally passed hosting duties to Royal Holloway, University of London, which will host IAIC 2026. After two years of stewardship in Singapore, the Alliance now continues its journey of learning and collaboration beyond Singapore’s shores.
The handover highlighted IAIC’s rotating stewardship model and its commitment to continuity, shared leadership and cross-border knowledge exchange. It reaffirmed the Alliance’s vision of a global community working together to advance integrated care through partnership, research and collective progress.
Professor Tan Tai Yong, President, SUSS, said “The Intercontinental Alliance for Integrated Care reinforces a collective commitment across regions to rethinking how societies can better support ageing populations. SUSS is proud to take the lead in convening this year’s Alliance and in spearheading the multi-region study with our partners. The intergenerational elements woven into this year’s edition – from the study’s findings to the collaborative fashion showcase with Lions Befrienders and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts – remind us that strengthening care systems requires the voices, creativity and participation of all ages.” Hashtag: #IAIC2025 #SUSS #HealthyAgeing #IntegratedCare #ActiveAgeing #SeniorsWellbeing #PublicHealth #SocialCare #Gerontology #AgeFriendlySociety
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Singapore University of Social Sciences
At SUSS, we have a singular vision to be a university that inspires learning for life and impacts lives, regardless of age, background or life path. Our university is a vibrant tapestry of ages and experiences. From recent JC and polytechnic graduates to seasoned professionals, parents seeking new horizons and individuals redefining their careers in their golden years—our diverse community comes together for one common goal: to empower themselves with an education that impacts lives and society.
We offer more than 110 undergraduate and graduate programmes, available in full- and part-time study modes which are flexible, modular and interdisciplinary, catering to both fresh school leavers and adult learners. SUSS also offers a broad range of continuing education and training modular courses for the professional skills upgrading of Singapore’s workforce.
Our programmes and courses are offered by our six schools:
S R Nathan School of Human Development
School of Business
School of Humanities & Behavioural Sciences
School of Law
School of Science & Technology
School of Social Work & Social Development
Since becoming an Autonomous University in 2017, over 25,000 graduates have experienced our unique brand of education. More than 19,000 students are currently pursuing their full- and part-time studies with us.
The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), as part of SUSS, leads in the field of research on adult and workplace learning and training of adult educators to build capabilities of the training and adult education sector in Singapore and beyond.
For more information about SUSS, please visit www.suss.edu.sg.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Major refiners based in New Delhi have signalled that transitioning away from Russian crude will require an orderly wind-down period before imports can be fully halted, even as leaders from the United States and India have proclaimed a landmark trade agreement that hinges on this shift. Refineries say they are bound by previously booked cargoes set to load and arrive over the coming […]
A UAE-based investment firm has acquired a 49% holding in World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency platform linked to Donald Trump, in a transaction that values the venture at about $500 million and places foreign capital at the heart of a politically sensitive digital-asset business. The investment, disclosed through corporate filings and confirmed by people familiar with the transaction, gives the Gulf investor a near-equal stake in a […]
Matein Khalid Something is dangerously wrong in a world where the price of gold rises 30% and silver surges a surreal 65% in a single month, as we witnessed in January 2026. True, an American carrier strike force with a full complement of 80 F-18 Hornet war planes and missile destroyers laden with Tomahawk cruise missiles has sailed from the South China Sea into the Gulf. Once […]
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Donald Trump has chosen former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as chair of the US central bank when Powell’s term concludes in May, signalling a sharp shift in tone at the Fed and reviving a long-running debate over the institution’s independence and policy direction. The selection places a frequent critic of the Fed’s crisis-era interventions at the helm of the world’s most influential […]
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The Group was also ranked third in Thailand under the international “Best Place to Work in Thailand 2025” certification, reinforcing ONYX’s commitment to sustainable people management and a strong corporate culture.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OuReach Newswire – 30 January 2026 – ONYX Hospitality Group has been recognised as the seventh Best Place to Work in the Asia-Pacific region for 2025, awarded by Best Places to Work, an internationally recognised organisation specialising in workplace assessment and employee experience benchmarking. The recognition reflects the Group’s people-centric workplace practices and a culture that places equal emphasis on employee development and service excellence, and is further reinforced by ONYX’s third-place ranking in Thailand under the “Best Place to Work in Thailand 2025” certification, highlighting the Group’s long-standing focus on sustainable people management and a strong, values-driven corporate culture.
With a diverse portfolio spanning hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, and luxury residences under well-established brands including Amari, OZO, Shama, and Oriental Residence, ONYX Hospitality Group continues to strengthen its position across key strategic markets in the region. As the Group approaches its 60th anniversary in 2026, these accolades further highlight ONYX’s long-standing commitment to building a resilient organisation powered by engaged and capable people.
The “Best Places to Work” certification is an internationally recognised programme that benchmarks organisational excellence in human resource practices and employee engagement. Certification is awarded through a comprehensive evaluation covering employee engagement, employee experience, and the effectiveness of HR policies and practices. In this year’s assessment, ONYX Hospitality Group demonstrated strong performance across multiple dimensions, including a supportive work environment, an open and inclusive corporate culture, and a people development strategy closely aligned with the Group’s regional business direction.
One of the key pillars supporting ONYX’s evolution as a trusted workplace is ONYX Academy, the Group’s comprehensive learning and development institute. ONYX Academy delivers structured programmes spanning foundational skills training, advanced role-specific competency development, and clearly defined career pathways for employees at all levels. By prioritising both future-ready capabilities and practical, applicable skills, the Academy equips team members for sustainable personal and professional growth.
The effectiveness of ONYX Academy has also been recognised at an industry level through multiple honours at the EXA: Employee Experience Awards 2025, including awards for the General Manager Development Programme (GM Track), the NextYou Initiative, the HR Leadership Enhancement Programme, and the Group’s ESG initiatives. These accolades further underscore ONYX Hospitality Group’s long-term and focused commitment to meaningful employee development.
Alongside capability building, ONYX Hospitality Group continues to foster a corporate culture rooted in openness and dynamism, encouraging employees to think creatively, experiment, and contribute new ideas. The Group actively supports agility and adaptability by creating space for diverse voices across the organisation. Employee well-being is also prioritised through the ONYX Cares programme, which holistically supports physical and mental health, relationships, and team engagement—contributing to a work environment that nurtures both individual fulfilment and organisational growth.
Saranya Watanasirisuk,Senior Vice President, Corporate Human Resources, commented: “At ONYX Hospitality Group, we believes that our people are the foundation for delivering exceptional experiences and service. Our success in human resource management is driven by strong leadership support at every level, enabling employees to grow across all dimensions. This commitment spans from recruitment and holistic learning systems to cultivating an environment that encourages creativity, experimentation, and the full expression of individual potential. These efforts have positioned ONYX not only as an employer of choice, but also as an organisation trusted by partners and guests alike.”
Receiving the “Best Place to Work” Certification at both national and regional levels marks another significant milestone for ONYX Hospitality Group. The achievement reinforces its commitment not only to being a regional leader in hospitality management, but also to being an organisation that genuinely values its people.
Looking ahead, ONYX remains dedicated to continuously enhancing the workplace environment and delivering meaningful employee experiences that support long-term growth and sustained competitiveness.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About ONYX Hospitality Group:
ONYX Hospitality Group, a reputable force in Southeast Asia’s hospitality industry, operates a collection of comprehensive yet complementary brands – Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence – catering to the distinctive needs of discerning business and leisure travellers in Southeast Asia where their expertise lies. In addition to its brand portfolio, ONYX Hospitality Group also operates additional hospitality services across spa and food and beverage. With over five decades of management experience, the company extends its innovative solutions throughout the region, upholding internationally recognised standards and ensuring optimal operational manoeuvrability. By fostering enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers unparalleled experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, meeting the ever-evolving demands of travellers.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 January 2026 – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) yesterday unveiled the PolyUResearch Excellence Report at a high-profile forum co-hosted with Clarivate, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. The landmark report provides a comprehensive evaluation of PolyU research achievements and impact, reaffirming the University’s position as a global innovation powerhouse. The event, “Research Excellence Report Launch cum Impact Forum: Innovating for Global Impact”, drew around 100 distinguished attendees, including academic leaders from other tertiary institutions in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, industry partners and policymakers. According to Clarivate, PolyU achieved a remarkable 65% surge in high-impact research output and a 55% rise in highly cited papers from 2020 to 2024, and led all University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions in research publications in 2024, underscoring its position at the forefront of Hong Kong’s academic excellence.
The event was officiated by Prof. Timothy TONG, Chairman of the Research Grants Council (RGC); Mr Osher GILINSKY, Vice President for Asia Pacific, Academia and Government, Clarivate; and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, who delivered opening remarks.
Celebrating PolyU’s exceptional research achievements and their far-reaching impacts on society, the Nation and the world, Prof. Tong stated, “The PolyU Research Excellence Report vividly demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development, reflecting the dedication and innovation of its faculty, researchers and students.” Prof. Tong commended PolyU for its effective use of research resources, noting the significant advancements in AI-driven medical breakthroughs, climate solutions and sustainability. He further emphasised the RGC’s ongoing commitment to supporting research that addresses major societal challenges, exemplified by initiatives such as the Research Impact Fund. Additionally, he reaffirmed the RGC’s partnership with universities in strengthening Hong Kong’s status as a global knowledge hub.
Recognising PolyU’s outstanding global research performance, Mr Gilinsky elaborated, “In recent years, PolyU has demonstrated high research productivity in high quality, driving for high impact for the society. PolyU was granted 1,020 patents between 2020 and 2024, the second highest among UGC-funded universities. To enhance research translation, PolyU has formed partnerships with companies including NVIDIA, Huawei and Alibaba. These achievements illustrate PolyU’s international connectivity, diverse disciplinary strengths and strong culture of research translation. Leveraging its strength with the Chinese Mainland resources, PolyU is also accelerating knowledge transfer and identifying emerging areas for discovery, particularly in AI-powered healthcare, sustainable engineering, advanced manufacturing and smart city development—fields where it aims for global leadership.”
Prof. Chao emphasised, “The report is a testament to years of dedicated effort, groundbreaking innovation and the unwavering commitment of the PolyU academic community. In 2025, we are proud to have 21 PolyU scholars named Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate, while 428 rank among Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists—placing PolyU second among Hong Kong tertiary institutions. Our Strategic Plan 2025/26 – 2030/31, themed ‘Unite to Meet Challenges, Innovate to Benefit Society,’ will further empower PolyU to deliver even more transformative contributions to society.”
Clarivate has been forging continuous collaborations with numerous institutions, including co-authoring the report series The impact of research undertaken by universities in Hong Kong with UGC in 2022. Produced by Clarivate using authoritative data from the Web of Science, the PolyU Research Excellence Report delivers a comprehensive assessment of the University’s overall research performance and achievements, highlighting PolyU’s global leadership in engineering, advancements in powering medical research with emerging AI technologies, and unique contributions to the hospitality, fashion and textile, design and art disciplines that distinguish the University on the global stage.
PolyU’s strengths are exemplified by its leadership in Hong Kong’s research output growth, achieving the highest number of publications among UGC‑funded universities in 2024. Nearly 40% of its outputs are internationally co-authored, while 27% involve QS Top 50 university partners. The quality and impact of the University’s research output are further evidenced by its strong disciplinary performance. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, seven PolyU disciplines rank in the global Top 30, while, overall, 26 disciplines are listed among the world’s Top 100, underscoring the breadth and depth of the University’s academic excellence across multiple fields.
Following the report launch, the Impact Forum featured a high-level panel discussion on “Innovations and Challenges in Research Evaluation”. The discussion facilitated insightful exchanges between the panel and attendees on evolving approaches to research assessment, the importance of measuring societal impact and strategies for fostering cross-institutional collaboration.
Engineering Leadership: Ranked 6th globally in Engineering and 2nd in Civil Engineering (Subject Rankings of U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2025-2026), with research supporting Hong Kong’s Cross Bay Link project and national space missions. PolyU engineering publications grew by 68% between 2020-2024, with 38% of Hong Kong’s engineering publications affiliated with the University in 2024.
AI-driven Medical Innovations: 261 patents in Computing and Control solutions, including LungRT Pro (a radiotherapy support system), Scolioscan® (radiation-free scoliosis diagnosis) and STARS (a smartphone-based vision screening tool for children). These life‑changing innovations demonstrate PolyU’s strong interdisciplinary integration across computer science, optometry, biomedical engineering, rehabilitation sciences and nursing.
Unique Disciplines: Global top rankings in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Textile Science and Engineering (1st and 5th respectively in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025), as well as Art and Design (22nd in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). Groundbreaking work includes smart wearables for stroke patients, AI-powered tourism demand forecasting platforms and sustainable community design projects.
Collaborative Impact: Over 600 international collaboration agreements with 390+ institutions across 45 countries and regions, and 3,100+ collaborative projects in the Chinese Mainland. Between 2020 and 2024, nearly 40% of its high-quality research publications were co-authored with international institutions. PolyU Unicorn startups have created over 5,000 international job opportunities and generated significant economic value.
By Nitya Chakraborty The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, January 29 in Beijing assumes special significance at a time when Britain is fighting its transatlantic ally U.S. over the sovereignty of Greenland and President Trump has mentioned security threat from China and Russia in Arctic […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai has unveiled a landmark expansion of its international financial hub, launching a $27 billion development designed to scale the city’s role in global finance as demand from overseas firms pushes existing capacity to its limits. The project, known as the DIFC Zabeel District, will extend the Dubai International Financial Centre across a substantial new area and is slated to reshape the emirate’s […]
Signs are emerging that President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration drive is carrying political risks, with polling shifts, street protests and unease among key voter blocs suggesting the strategy is beginning to dent public support. The administration has intensified workplace raids, expanded detention capacity and accelerated deportations while federal authorities have moved forcefully to disperse demonstrations against the sweeps, framing the approach as a necessary restoration of law […]
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By Nitya Chakraborty The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, January 29 in Beijing assumes special significance at a time when Britain is fighting its transatlantic ally U.S. over the sovereignty of Greenland and President Trump has mentioned security threat from China and Russia in Arctic […]
