Aldar has acquired a portfolio of industrial and logistics assets in KEZAD for AED650 million, strengthening its exposure to Abu Dhabi’s warehouse market as demand for modern supply-chain space continues to build across the emirate. The transaction, announced on 23 April 2026, involves three purpose-built, multi-let warehouses sold by Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group. The assets add about 163,000 square metres […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s Emirati Human Resources Development Council and Dubai International Financial Centre have launched a specialist programme to prepare UAE nationals for roles in wealth management, private banking and financial technology, strengthening the emirate’s push to deepen local participation in high-value financial services. The Wealth Strategist Programme is designed to equip Emirati talent with practical skills required by private banks, asset managers, family offices, […]
A research paper done by higher education academia indicates transition, particularly after a break from formal education, can influence students’ academic performance, particularly as they rebuild study habits and self-directed learning.
A National Transition with Growing Relevance
As Singapore continues to emphasise lifelong learning and workforce readiness, the NS-to-university transition is increasingly viewed as a critical phase in the education journey. National policies allow some flexibility, such as disruption schemes that enable eligible servicemen to begin university alongside their academic cohort. However, most students still enter university after completing NS, requiring them to re-engage with academic learning after a prolonged hiatus. This has prompted educators to call for stronger institutional support to help students bridge the gap effectively.
Supporting NS Returnees: SIM’s Student-Centric Approach
Recognising the challenges faced by students transitioning from National Service back into academic life, the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) provides a range of structured academic and student support services to facilitate reintegration. Through refresher workshop and learning support initiatives, students are introduced to university expectations, including academic writing, study strategies, and independent learning skills.
The SIM Student Learning Centre provides academic support and enriching learning experiences for all students. It is staffed by a dedicated team of senior students with strong proficiency in academic writing, who regularly conduct workshops on study skills and university life, sharing practical insights with their juniors. In addition, the Peer‑Assisted Learning (PAL) Programme, established in 2013, continues to run today. Under this programme, high‑performing students are trained as subject leaders to facilitate group learning sessions, supporting collaborative learning and helping participants improve their academic performance.
In addition, SIM provides holistic student support through its Student Wellness Centre and Student Care services, which offer counselling, stress management programmes, and peer support initiatives to help students adjust to academic and personal challenges. These services are designed to support students in managing the transition to university life and maintaining overall well-being.
Complementing its academic and personal support structures, SIM promotes a vibrant campus culture through student communities and peer networks that strengthen social integration and contribute to student resilience and success. The institution further supports employability by providing facilities and career-related resources that help students build connections and prepare for the workforce.
Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive support ecosystem that helps students returning from NS rebuild academic confidence, adapt to self-directed learning, and progress successfully in their higher education journey.
Preparing Students for Academic and Career Readiness
The transition from NS to university involves not only academic adjustment but also broader behavioural and social adaptation. By combining structured support, flexible learning pathways and applied education, SIM aims to support students in rebuilding academic confidence and sustaining long-term learning success. As Singapore continues to strengthen its education to employment pathways, supporting students through key transition phases such as NS to higher education will remain an important focus for institutions and policymakers alike.
Reference:
Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.
SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.
For more information on SIM Global Education, visit 
www.sim.edu.sg
Emirates has completed the first installation of Starlink Wi-Fi on an Airbus A380, marking a major step in its plan to turn onboard internet from a limited add-on into a core part of the long-haul travel experience. The upgraded superjumbo returned to Dubai after installation and certification work in Newquay, United Kingdom. The aircraft is the first A380 in the world to be fitted with the next-generation […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Al Ain’s major citizen housing programme is moving ahead with five residential developments that will deliver 10,316 villas, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s push to build integrated neighbourhoods around family stability, public services and sustainable urban growth. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, reviewed progress on the projects being implemented by the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority with strategic partners. […]
Retail and hospitality companies are facing a widening extortion campaign by BlackFile, a financially motivated hacking group using voice calls, fake helpdesk scripts and spoofed caller identities to steal credentials and force ransom negotiations. The group has been linked to attacks that began surfacing in January 2026, with sustained targeting of customer-facing businesses from February. Its activity has been tracked under several names, including CL-CRI-1116, UNC6671 and […]
A Vision Rooted in Sustainable Tourism
Guided by its corporate vision to grow sustainably across all dimensions of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Proud Group aims to set the benchmark for quality tourism that is responsible to the planet — balancing long-term business growth with the preservation of natural resources for generations to come.
Highlight Activity: Returning Ten Sea Turtles to the Wild
This year, the project hosted its signature event — the release of 10 sea turtles back into the wild on Saturday, 25 April 2026, from 09:00 to 10:00 hrs, at the Wedding Pavilion, InterContinental Phuket Resort by IHG.
As part of the event, Proud Group presented a donation of THB 200,000 to the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, raised through Reefuel drinking water sales and a curated collection of eco-friendly merchandise, including reusable cups, Sarang-Pu fisherman dolls, sea turtle bracelets, sea turtle keychains, and dugong-patterned hats.
The activity was made possible through close collaboration with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), via the Upper Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, whose expertise ensured each turtle was fully prepared for release. This cross-sector partnership contributed to tangible conservation outcomes, supporting sea turtle survival rates and strengthening the long-term resilience of marine ecosystems.
Building on Four Years of Progress
Since its inception in 2022, the “Go Zero Waste, Save Our Ocean Project“ has steadily expanded its impact. In 2024, the project successfully released 5 sea turtles back into the wild — three in the first release and two in the second — contributing to the recovery of marine ecosystems in Phuket. The initiative also champions plastic reduction through its Reusable Cup campaign, with proceeds and ongoing support from Andamanda Phuket channeled directly into long-term conservation efforts.
A Portfolio of Ongoing Sustainability Initiatives
Over the years, Proud Group and its affiliates have implemented a comprehensive portfolio of sustainability programs:
Toward a Shared, Sustainable Future
The “Go Zero Waste, Save Our Ocean Project 2026” reflects the collective intention of Proud Group and its partners to drive responsible tourism — balancing business growth with environmental conservation and sustainable community development. Proud Group invites everyone, locally and globally, to embrace small, meaningful changes in everyday life, creating positive impact that endures for our planet.
Hashtag: #Andamandaphuket #CSR #Sustainable #GoZeroWasteSaveOurOcean #EarthWeek2026 #ProudGroup #AndamandaPhuket #InterContinentalPhuket #Reefuel #SustainableTourism #Phuket
https://www.andamandaphuket.com
https://www.facebook.com/Andamandaphuket
https://www.instagram.com/andamandaphuket/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Proud Group is a leading developer of integrated entertainment and resort destinations in Thailand, with a portfolio that includes hospitality, real estate, water parks, and lifestyle retail. Anchored in the principles of sustainable business, the group is committed to building experiences that elevate communities, protect natural resources, and inspire conscious travel.
The program has brought in local recycling startup The Loops Hong Kong (“The Loops”) as its strategic partner. By leveraging advanced recycling equipment and a well-established processing system, the initiative introduces a breakthrough approach—rinse-free recycling. Customers no longer need to wash out bottles or disassemble components. Instead, they simply hand over used fragrance bottles or skincare cosmetics containers to store staff for collection. The materials are then sent to The Loops’ Hong Kong facilities for processing and ultimately transformed into recycled resources—lowering the barrier to recycling and making participation far more convenient.
Hong Kong’s first rinse-free recycling program
“Green is Eternal” is built on two key advantages: rinse-free and all brands. It greatly simplifies the recycling process—customers do not need to wash away any residue left in the bottles, nor do they need to remove decorative elements from packaging. Eligible glass or plastic bottles can be handed directly to store staff at designated Eternal Beauty locations to complete the recycling process.
The eligible recycling scope includes fragrance bottles, skincare product bottles, home fragrance bottles, and cosmetics packaging from various brands. Excluded from the program are personal care products (such as shampoo and hair-care products, body wash, body-care products, aerosol spray containers, and makeup tools), as well as fragrance bottles with a capacity of less than 10ml.
To encourage widespread public participation, the program features an incentive mechanism: for every eligible fragrance or skincare cosmetics bottle recycled, customers receive an electronic stamp. After collecting 10 electronic stamps, they can redeem them for a shopping voucher.
The program is already up and running at the Group’s eight outlets and offices across Hong Kong. The Group has also provided dedicated environmental recycling training for frontline staff to ensure the recycling process is standardized, efficient, and seamlessly woven into everyday customer service. Throughout the year, the Group will collaborate with a local charity to host recycling facility tours, guiding the public and students through the inner workings of recycling operations—raising environmental awareness and helping cultivate lasting recycling habits.
Beyond recycling: Advancing sustainability at the community level
“Green is Eternal” is more than an environmental recycling initiative—it is a structured sustainability project that blends retail-based education with deep community engagement. According to industry data, packaging is one of the major sources of carbon emissions in the sector. Furthermore, recycling fragrance and makeup bottles poses significant challenges due to the complexity of residual ingredients, which limits the adoption of recycling practices and results in persistently low voluntary recycling rates for these containers.
Drawing on its industry expertise, the Group partners with The Loops to tackle the challenges of traditional recycling through professional technology. The company also works with community organizations to build an educational and awareness platform, bringing employees, community members, and students into recycling facilities for in-depth environmental learning, while encouraging the public to integrate recycling into daily life. The goal is to establish a sustainable corporate model that is both socially responsible and environmentally friendly.
Wendy Lau, Executive Director of Eternal Beauty and Chairperson of its ESG Committee of the Group, commented: “Understanding the core challenge in traditional recycling systems—that customers are required to put in effort to clean bottles—explains why many people give up on participation. We are delighted to work with The Loops, whose advanced recycling system and equipment can effectively address the impact of residual ingredients in fragrances and cosmetics, truly enabling rinse-free recycling. We hope this program motivates more customers to take the initiative in environmental protection and, together with our partners, promotes sustainable development across the fragrance and beauty industry.”
Jorch Wong, Founder of The Loops Hong Kong, added: “This program marks a major milestone for sustainability in the fragrance and beauty industry. In recent years, while the number of recycling programs has increased, recycling fragrance and beauty packaging has remained difficult and cumbersome, leading to persistently low recycling rates for this category. As an industry leader, Eternal Beauty has proactively taken the lead in launching Hong Kong’s first rinse-free recycling program. This not only strengthens consumers’ environmental awareness but also helps the public build long-term recycling habits—an important encouragement for the entire recycling industry and a replicable model for sustainable development.”
As a leader in China’s fragrance industry, the Group fosters sustainable development through four key pillars: Environment, People, Product, and Community, while actively fulfilling its corporate social responsibility. Following the successful launch of “Green is Eternal” in Hong Kong, the Group aims to expand the program to its distribution points across Mainland China within the year—strengthening environmental collaboration between Hong Kong and Mainland markets, extending the program’s environmental impact, and encouraging the broader industry to move toward sustainability.
Note: The recycling scope does not include personal care products (such as shampoo and hair-care products, body wash, body-care products, aerosol spray containers, and makeup tools), nor fragrance bottles with a capacity of less than 10ml.
Green is Eternal Collection Points:
| District | Location | Brands | Address |
| Causeway Bay | wwwtc | Jimmy Choo Parfums | Shop No L1-05, Level 1 280, Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island |
| Parfums de Marly | Shop No L1-05, Level 1 280, Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island | ||
| Tsim Sha Tsui | K11 MUSEA | BABOR | Shop No. B223, Basement 2, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| Harbour City | Dolce&Gabbana | Shop 2522, Level 2 Gateway Arcade Harbour City, Kowloon | |
| Kowloon Tong | Festival Walk | Acca Kappa | Kiosk E1, UG Level, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| BABOR | KIOSK Q, UG Level, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong | ||
| Mong Kok | Langham Place | Laura Mercier | Shop L2-08, Langham Place, Mong Kok Kowloon, Hong Kong |
For campaign details, please visit https://www.eternal.hk/green-is-eternal/campaign.
Hashtag: #EternalBeautyHoldings
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Eternal Beauty Holdings Limited is the largest perfume group (apart from brand-owner perfume groups) in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) in terms of retail sales in 2023. It primarily sells and distributes products procured from third-party brand licensors, and deploys market for these brand licensors, offering such services as brand management, and designing and implementing customized market entry and expansion plans for their brands. The Group boasts large and diversified brand portfolios that include not only perfumes, but also color cosmetics, skincare products, personal care products, eyewear and home fragrances. As at 30 September 2025, it conducted product distribution and market deployment for a total of 74 external brands, including Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chopard, Albion and Laura Mercier, with products in different pricing tiers and of versatile features that meet the differentiated demands of consumers in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and/or Macau.
The Loops, founded in 2019, is Hong Kong’s premier one-stop recycling center, offering door-to-door collection, sorting, and reporting. Handling over 40 recyclable types in a single basket, we simplify waste management for homes and businesses, provide real-time ESG data, innovative food waste recycling, and dirty recycling services, fostering sustainable practices. The Loops also empowers disadvantaged homemakers with flexible work, supports families, and transforms waste into resources for a sustainable future through a circular economy.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved a new set of Cabinet decisions aimed at strengthening the UAE’s industrial base, led by the creation of a AED1 billion National Industrial Resilience Fund to localise critical industries, secure supply chains and accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing. The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai reviewed the measures during a Cabinet meeting that also […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Gulf bourses posted modest gains on Sunday even as hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran weakened, leaving investors to balance fragile ceasefire expectations against higher oil prices, inflation risks and slowing global growth. Trading was cautious across the region, with market moves reflecting selective buying rather than broad confidence. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index rose 0.1 per cent, supported […]
“Across Hong Kong, organizations are rethinking how work gets done with agentic AI—moving beyond experimentation to running operations at scale,” said Judson Althoff, CEO of Microsoft’s Commercial Business. “Frontier Transformation is helping them deliver business impact and measurable outcomes by embedding AI into real workflows, with trust, security, and governance fully integrated throughout.”
Frontier Success Framework: How Microsoft Helps Organizations Scale Agentic AI with Confidence
As AI matures, success is no longer defined by deploying individual tools. At the AI Tour, Microsoft shared its Frontier Success Framework—a practical approach designed to help organizations turn agentic AI into business real, measurable business value. The framework centered on four outcomes: enrich employee experience, reinvest customer engagement, reshape business process, and bend the curve on innovation.
As part of this journey, Microsoft announced that Wave 3 of Microsoft Copilot, delivered through Microsoft 365 E7 (Frontier Suite) will reach general availability in Hong Kong on 1 May 2026. Built on the principles of Intelligence and Trust, Microsoft 365 E7 brings together Microsoft 365 Copilot, Work IQ and Agent 365, alongside enterprise security, identity, and agent governance. By grounding AI in deep work context—understanding how people collaborate, what they work on, and how decisions are made—Work IQ enables Copilot and AI agents to operate with relevance and accuracy. At the same time, Agent 365 provides a centralized control plane to govern agents, while integrated security and governance ensure AI can scale responsibly across the enterprise.
Frontier Success in Action across Hong Kong
Across industries, Hong Kong organizations are already demonstrating what Frontier Success looks like in practice.
AIA –AdvancingAgentic AI Across Its Enterprise: AIA is applying Microsoft’s AI platform to deploy a holistic, agentic AI strategy across its operations. This includes agentic AI supporting product training, lead management and knowledge access, automated claims processing and customer self-service. In addition, a citizen developer program using Copilot Studio to increase productivity. Together, these capabilities enable AIA to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and scale operational efficiency while meeting the requirements of a highly regulated industry.
AS Watson Group – Driving Scaled AI‑Powered Personalization Across O+O Retail Channels: AS Watson Group has adopted a wide range of AI tools in its Retail HK businesses, including Microsoft Copilot and its AI capabilities across its O+O (Offline plus Online) platform to enhance productivity and decision‑making. Key use cases include AI‑driven product discovery, AI skin analysis, and in‑store personalization to enhance customer engagement, alongside employee‑focused applications such as AI‑enabled store support and AI‑generated marketing content. By scaling generative AI across operations and customer insight analysis, the Group achieves efficiency, effectiveness and cross-team collaboration in its unique O+O business model.
These examples reflect a broader shift across Hong Kong’s business community: organizations are no longer asking whether AI works, but how it should sit inside the operating model to drive meaningful outcomes.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Frontier Success Through Continuous, Enterprise‑Grade Trust
Microsoft has been part of Hong Kong’s technology and business community for 35 years, supporting enterprises as the city evolves into a hub for innovation and global impact.
“Over the past 35 years, we have had the privilege of supporting Hong Kong through multiple waves of digital transformation. Today, as this momentum carries Hong Kong into the frontier era of AI, where organizations are not just adopting new technologies, but rethinking operating models across the enterprise,” said Leo Liu, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau. “As this frontier journey accelerates, Microsoft is committed to empowering local customers and partners to get ahead in the age of AI while maintaining strong data governance and enterprise‑grade privacy—ensuring human judgment remains firmly in control and enabling Hong Kong to define what Frontier Success looks like on the global stage.”
As AI adoption accelerates, Microsoft emphasized that Frontier Success is not a single milestone, but a continuous transformation—one that requires clarity of purpose, strong governance, and real-world execution. Through its platform, partners, and ecosystem, Microsoft aims to support Hong Kong organizations as they move from experimentation to sustained, responsible AI driven growth.
Hashtag: #Microsoft #AI #FrontierSuccess
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Qatar’s media-sector push has gained fresh momentum after Media City Qatar and the International Association for MediaTech entered a Platinum Partnership designed to raise the country’s profile as a regional centre for media, technology and content creation. Announced in Doha on 26 April 2026, the agreement gives Media City Qatar wider access to IAMT’s international platforms, industry events, market intelligence and training […]
OpenAI has opened a GPT-5.5 Bio Bug Bounty programme that invites selected researchers to test whether the company’s latest model can be pushed past safeguards designed to block dangerous biological guidance. The initiative offers a reward of up to $25,000 for the first verified “universal jailbreak” capable of defeating a five-question biosafety challenge from a clean chat without triggering moderation. The model in scope is GPT-5.5 in […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Gulf Bank has renewed its long-term strategic collaboration with Mastercard, strengthening a payments alliance aimed at expanding digital banking services, improving transaction security and responding to changing customer behaviour across Kuwait’s financial sector. The renewed agreement gives Gulf Bank continued access to Mastercard’s payment technologies, digital solutions and global expertise, with a focus on contactless payments, mobile wallet services, card security, customer convenience […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned visit to Pakistan by two of his senior envoys for negotiations over the Iran conflict, leaving a fragile ceasefire under deeper strain and casting doubt on the next phase of diplomacy aimed at halting a war that has unsettled energy markets and widened security risks across West Asia. Trump told Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, and special […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai UAE authorities have launched an ambitious public-sector transformation programme to move half of government sectors, services and operations onto agentic artificial intelligence within two years, marking a major shift from digital service delivery towards autonomous government systems. The initiative was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, under the […]
Under the agreement, Umoney will be integrated as a direct payment method within the Green SM app. The two parties will also implement an embedded integration model enabling Umoney users to seamlessly access Green SM’s mobility services directly within the Umoney platform.
For the first time in Laos, customers will experience a fully seamless ride-hailing journey with fares processed instantly via the Umoney e-wallet upon trip completion, replacing the previously common manual bank transfer method. Users simply link their Umoney wallet to the Green SM app for fast, convenient, and fully cashless transactions. Additionally, customers using partner banking applications can pay drivers through Umoney’s QR system, delivering a flexible, fast, and secure payment experience that enhances user convenience and broadens customer reach across both platforms.
As part of the collaboration, Green SM Laos will provide comprehensive mobility solutions for Umoney’s enterprise partners and individual customers, including Green SM Car electric ride-hailing, Green SM Limo, Green SM Airport transfer services, as well as corporate travel packages and flexible, customized mobility plans. Umoney, in turn, will collaborate with Green SM to develop digital financial and payment solutions tailored for drivers within the Green SM ecosystem, encompassing e-wallet services, direct income disbursement, operational expense payments, and cash flow management tools. This synergy is designed to optimize operational efficiency while enhancing the experience for businesses, drivers, and end-users alike.
Beyond mobility and payment solutions, both parties plan to expand their shared digital services ecosystem by integrating Umoney and Unitel’s telecommunications and digital utilities into the Green SM platform, including SIM card registration, mobile top-ups, data package purchases, and other digital services, thereby enhancing the value proposition for users across both platforms.
The two companies will also jointly roll out customer benefit programs targeting Umoney users in Laos, with a particular focus on airports, transaction points, and key high-traffic locations. Through integrated service offerings and incentives promoting electric mobility, Green SM and Umoney aim to foster environmentally responsible travel habits while delivering greater value to customers within their shared ecosystem.
Mr. Ha Chien Thang, Director of Star Fintech Sole Co., Ltd, shared:”Our partnership with Green SM marks a significant milestone in Umoney’s strategy to develop a comprehensive digital finance ecosystem in Laos. The integration of payment capabilities and digital services not only enhances user convenience but also contributes to the advancement of cashless payments and the broader digital transformation of the economy.”
Ms. Tran Hanh An, Director of Mobility Services Sales at Green SM Vietnam & Laos, stated: “The partnership between Umoney and Green SM reflects a shared commitment to connecting the essential infrastructures of modern urban life, from digital finance and telecommunications to a green mobility ecosystem. Through this collaboration, we aim to expand benefits for our customers and driver community while driving meaningful green transformation that is firmly grounded in everyday mobility and consumption needs.”
Furthermore, Green SM and Umoney will collaborate on multi-channel communications initiatives to strengthen brand awareness and expand their combined customer base. Planned activities include co-branded campaigns, promotional programs for new users, digital platform communications, and on-ground experiential activations in key markets.
The partnership between Green SM and Umoney marks a significant convergence of two leading ecosystems in green mobility and digital finance in Laos, united in their pursuit of integrated service solutions that meet the increasingly diverse demands of modern urban life. This collaboration also represents a pivotal step toward fostering innovation, elevating the user experience, and contributing to the sustainable growth of the digital economy in Laos.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
I remain strongly positive on AI. The pace of development, the scale of capital flowing into the sector, and the productivity upside it promises are all significant. Equity markets have responded accordingly, with leadership concentrated in semiconductors, cloud platforms, and software. The concentration reflects real earnings power and strong visibility. At the same time, the investment landscape around AI is broadening. The next phase is taking shape, […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 April 2026 – DYXnet, a wholly-owned subsidiary of VNET Group (Nasdaq: VNET) and a leading enterprise network and ICT service provider in Greater China, has been honored the BRONZE STEVIE® Award for Innovation in Technology Management, Planning & Implementation at the 13th annual Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards.
Gaining this prestigious recognition not only affirms DYXnet’s dedication to delivering professional, high-quality ICT services but also underscores its ongoing commitment to advancing with the fast-evolving technological landscape—particularly in the AI era—empowering enterprises to achieve seamless digital transformation through innovative, integrated solutions.
The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all 29 markets of the Asia-Pacific region. The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programs such as The International Business Awards® for 24 years.
This accolade celebrates DYXnet’s proven expertise in guiding enterprises through the complexities of the AI era. By combining thoughtful strategic planning with precise, end-to-end execution, DYXnet has created a powerful, unified infrastructure that seamlessly brings together high-performance AI computing, flexible cloud resources, reliable network connectivity, and comprehensive cybersecurity protections.
This integrated “AI+ Cloud-Network-Cybersecurity” approach empowers businesses to deploy and scale AI initiatives with confidence—whether through rapid private AI environments, intelligent operations automation (AIOps), or tailored enterprise AI applications that enhance decision-making, streamline processes, and boost overall efficiency. It effectively addresses critical demands such as surging computational requirements, secure hybrid environments, regulatory compliance, optimized resource use, and seamless multi-cloud connectivity, all while maintaining robust data protection.
These capabilities have already delivered tangible value across industries: improving production efficiency and security modernization in manufacturing, accelerating R&D cycles in emerging technology sectors, and strengthening operational resilience through compliant, high-performance infrastructure.
As a trusted enterprise network service provider in Hong Kong and Greater China, DYXnet places strong emphasis on the transformative power of AI. The company is committed to empowering enterprises with greater agility, resilience, and innovation through its one-stop “AI + Cloud + Network + Cybersecurity” solutions, and was amongst the first ICT service providers in the regions to obtain the prestigious ISO/IEC 42001 certification for AI management systems last year. The company continues to turn strategic vision into tangible outcomes, enabling enterprises to achieve secure, intelligent, and sustainable growth in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Hashtag: #DYXnet #第一線 #AI #雲網安
https://www.linkedin.com/company/90470
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DYXnet, established in 1999 in Hong Kong, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of VNET Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: VNET) in 2014. It is a leading ICT service provider in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region, delivering innovative technologies and solutions to enterprises of all sizes and helping them fully embrace digital transformation. DYXnet offers a comprehensive portfolio of services, including enterprise networks (MPLS and SD-WAN), cloud solutions, data center services, cybersecurity, and AI solutions, empowering businesses to realize their full potential.
Being a pioneer in the ICT sector, DYXnet operates over 200 PoPs worldwide, covering more than 700 cities and serving over 30,000 client sites. DYXnet was among the first ICT service providers in the region to obtain prestigious ISO certifications, including ISO/ IEC 42001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 20000, and ISO 9001. Additionally, DYXnet is one of the inaugural official members of the China Cross-border Data Telecommunications Industry Alliance and has played a crucial role as one of the initial drafting units for SD-WAN service standards.
A newly completed Hong Kong study suggests there may finally be a way to bridge that gap. The AIM Greater China Psychology Research Group has completed a Hong Kong-based study conducted in the 2025–2026 academic year, comparing the effectiveness of human hypnotherapists against AI in delivering hypnotic experience-based stress relief experiences. The findings were striking: a significant proportion of participants felt that both approaches yielded virtually equivalent levels of relaxation — and more than 60% reported preferring their AI session after the fact.
Over 400 Applicants: A Reflection of a Generation in Need of Being Heard
The research team recruited participants experiencing family-related stress via Facebook. Within a short period of the post going live, over 400 individuals voluntarily applied — a figure that speaks not only to the pervasiveness of stress in modern life, but also to a growing willingness among the public to prioritise their own emotional wellbeing and actively seek self-care solutions.
From the applicant pool, 48 participants were randomly selected to take part. Each participant underwent two separate hypnotic experience stress relief audio sessions, each lasting approximately one hour — one recorded by a human hypnotherapist, and one fully generated by AI, including both the script and voice. Participants then compared their personal experiences of both sessions.
What Humans Can Do, AI Can Do Too
In the most critical area of comparison — stress relief effectiveness — the largest single group of participants (41.7%) rated the AI and human sessions as equally effective. On a scoring basis, the AI hypnotic experience averaged approximately 2.92 points, compared to 2.58 points for the human session — with AI coming out marginally ahead.
The study further found that nearly 90% of participants indicated they would enjoy a session if it genuinely helped them feel relaxed. In other words, what people truly care about is whether it works — not whether the voice behind it belongs to a human or a machine. On this front, AI has passed the test.
Over 60% More Willing to Share Their Feelings with AI
The results around personal preference were perhaps the most eye-opening. When asked which session they enjoyed more, 62.5% of participants chose the AI experience — and among women, that number climbed even higher, to 68.4%.
So what made AI the preferred choice? Researchers believe it comes down to one simple thing: feeling safe. With AI, there is no worry about being judged. No fear of saying the wrong thing. No awkwardness. About 1 in 4 participants said they actually found it easier to talk openly with AI — because it communicates in a way that feels clear, calm, and natural, much like everyday conversation.
The truth is, some things are just easier to say when no one is watching. That is not a flaw in human nature — it is simply how many of us work.
When it came to privacy, the findings were equally reassuring. More than half of all participants said they had no concerns about AI handling their personal information. Only a very small number — just 2.08% — said they felt uncomfortable. This points to a growing sense of trust in AI tools among the general public.
AI Reads the Data; Therapists Read the Person
Beyond the hypnotic experience itself, the local research team also evaluated AI’s capability as an analytical tool — with equally impressive results.
AI was able to rapidly process large volumes of participant responses, objectively assess individual stress levels, and identify underlying patterns. For instance, AI identified that 35% of participants independently expressed a desire for “personal space” or “better soundproofing” in their homes. On the surface, these may seem like trivial lifestyle concerns — yet AI connected this pattern to the reality of Hong Kong residents living in constrained spaces, highlighting a deeper psychological sense of having “nowhere to breathe”. This level of insight would be difficult to uncover through manual review of dozens of questionnaires alone.
AI also observed that many participants habitually occupied the role of “problem-solver” or “mediator” within their households, suppressing their own emotional needs in the process. Researchers noted that this reflects a widely recognised social phenomenon — the pressures faced by eldest daughters and the so-called “sandwich generation,” caught between the responsibilities of caring for ageing parents and raising children. AI’s ability to rapidly identify these hidden emotional burdens allows therapists to bypass lengthy preliminary assessments and focus more swiftly on the core issues that require their attention.
AI Is Here to Help, Not to Take Over
The local research team emphasises that the study was never intended to position AI as a replacement for human therapists. Rather, the aim is to explore how the two can work in tandem. Much like how blood test reports assist physicians in diagnosis, AI can play an analogous supporting role in the mental health field — organising data, identifying patterns, and lowering barriers to seeking help, so that mental health professionals can direct their energy towards the moments that truly require a human touch.
Those who proactively seek psychological support remain a minority, often deterred by the fear of inconvenience, social stigma, or the awkwardness of speaking up. If AI can serve as the bridge that encourages more people to take that first step, that alone may be its most meaningful contribution to society.
Hashtag: #HypnosisInstitute
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Hypnosis Institute is dedicated to helping people in Hong Kong lead healthier and more fulfilling lives through hypnotic experience. We offer accessible and practical hypnotic experience training programmes designed to integrate hypnotic techniques into everyday life, with a focus on stress management, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth.
Hypnosis Institute is Hong Kong’s only hypnotic experience professional development platform that simultaneously operates a research group, social innovation group, practical training group, crisis psychological support group, charitable initiatives, networking events, therapeutic services, and a comprehensive training pathway.
As the sole Hong Kong chapter of the Association for Integrative Medicine (AIM) in the United States, the sole overseas Hong Kong academy of UK educational institution Study House (Quality Licence Scheme), and the sole specialist hypnotic experience training school in Hong Kong under Cambridge International College in the United Kingdom, Hypnosis Institute provides internationally recognised qualifications that contribute to the advancement of the industry.
Founder Charles Leung is a trainer of trainers in the field of hypnotic experience, and has been specially appointed by the Association for Integrative Medicine as the Chief Instructor for Specialist hypnotic experience in Greater China. He has trained over 1,000 hypnotherapists and instructors, upholding the highest standards of professional development in the mental health field.
The Institute’s programmes integrate a comprehensive range of methodologies, including hypnotic experience combined with MBTI personality profiling, DISC behavioural analysis, mental health coaching, emotional education, and the HiddenMe Cards inner child tool — providing a holistic and personalised approach to hypnotic experience practice. Instructors specialise in paediatric hypnotic experience, Internal Family Systems (including inner child) hypnotic experience, stress and insomnia relief hypnotic experience, interpersonal relationship hypnotic experience, as well as hypnotic experience in reminiscence and palliative care.
Driven by the belief that everyone can harness the power of hypnotic experience to enhance their mental wellbeing, Hypnosis Institute is committed to sharing psychological knowledge and providing professional support in the areas of emotional management, life challenges, and the professional development of the hypnotic experience industry.
Follow us at hypnosisinstitute.com.hk, Facebook, Instagram and 
YouTube for the latest updates.
Dubai has moved to link social policy with high-end retail employment after the Community Development Authority signed an agreement with Louis Vuitton aimed at opening more career pathways for Emiratis and People of Determination across fashion, retail and craftsmanship. The memorandum of understanding, announced on 22 April, sets out training and employment tracks that officials say are designed to convert inclusion goals into long-term jobs rather […]
Under the agreement, IHG will develop four hotels with a total of more than 1,000 rooms at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, including InterContinental Saigon Can Gio with 400 rooms, Crowne Plaza Saigon Can Gio with 400 rooms, Holiday Inn Express Saigon Can Gio with 130 rooms, and Garner Saigon Can Gio with 130 rooms.
InterContinental Saigon Can Gio, a world-renowned luxury brand, will deliver premium hospitality experiences tailored to international travelers and domestic guests seeking high-end accommodation. Crowne Plaza Saigon Can Gio, one of the largest upscale hotel brands globally, will cater to frequent travelers with modern, flexible spaces designed to optimize productivity and foster connections.
Holiday Inn Express Saigon Can Gio and Garner Saigon Can Gio will expand the destination’s accommodation offering with efficient, high-quality stays focused on value, making the development more accessible to a broader range of guests. This also marks the official debut of both brands in the Vietnamese market.
According to the development timeline, Holiday Inn Express Saigon Can Gio and Garner Saigon Can Gio are expected to open in 2028, followed by InterContinental Saigon Can Gio and Crowne Plaza Saigon Can Gio in 2030.
In this partnership, Vinpearl, a member of Vingroup, will act as the project operator and lead the collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts, while coordinating with all stakeholders throughout the development and operational phases.
Together with Vinpearl’s world-class hospitality brand, the addition of four premium IHG hotels will help realize a 7,000-room accommodation ecosystem at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, meeting the growing demand for extended stays and diverse experiences year-round in Can Gio and Ho Chi Minh City.
Complementing the hospitality offering, a series of large-scale entertainment and resort facilities unique to Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio will further elevate the destination. These include the 122-hectare VinWonders theme park featuring the world’s tallest artificial snow mountain and nearly 200 attractions, the 5,000-seat Blue Waves Theater, the 800-hectare Paradise Lagoon, the five-star international cruise port Landmark Harbour, and two 18-hole international-standard golf courses. Together, these developments aim to position Can Gio as a globally-recognized tourism and resort hub, targeting 40 million visitors annually and standing alongside leading destinations in Vietnam and worldwide.
Mr. Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, East Asia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “This agreement marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between IHG and Vingroup. Bringing four of our standout brands to Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio reflects the diversity of our portfolio, as well as our strong commitment to supporting Vietnam’s goal of becoming a leading global tourism destination. With brands spanning multiple segments, we believe this collaboration will help create an integrated hospitality ecosystem that meets the diverse needs of travelers at one of Vietnam’s most significant developments.”
Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, Chief Executive Officer of Vinpearl Joint Stock Company, said: “We selected IHG not only for its global brand portfolio but also for its proven operational expertise across international markets. Introducing InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, and Garner to Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio is a key step in completing our service structure and establishing international operating standards for the mega project’s hotel system. With this partnership as a foundation, we believe Vinhomes Green Paradise will progressively emerge as a world-class destination, where a fully integrated ecosystem continues to enhance its appeal to residents and both domestic and international visitors.”
Vinhomes Green Paradise is located in the southeastern part of Ho Chi Minh City. Construction began on April 19, 2025, with a total area of 2,870 hectares. The development features three sides facing the sea and is adjacent to the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognized site. The project is being developed to leading ESG++ standards, integrating green, smart, ecological, and regenerative principles.
The development benefits from a well-connected transport infrastructure network, including the Ben Thanh – Can Gio high-speed railway, which will reduce travel time from central Ho Chi Minh City to just 13 minutes, the Can Gio Bridge, the interchange connecting Rung Sac Road with the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway, and the Can Gio – Vung Tau sea-crossing route, enabling travel between two major tourism hubs in just 10 minutes.
With a diverse range of accommodation options, internationally-standardized hotel systems, and a wide array of cultural, artistic, sports, and entertainment facilities aligned with green, smart, and community-friendly principles, Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio stands out as a rare mega urban development that both sets new benchmarks for ESG living and delivers a world-class tourism and resort experience.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company with a portfolio of 21 brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programs with over 160 million members. IHG currently franchises, leases, manages, or owns more than 6,900 hotels across over 100 countries, with more than 2,300 hotels in its development pipeline.
IHG’s brand portfolio spans Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials, and Suites segments, including well-known brands such as Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, Garner, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites.
About Vinhomes
Vinhomes is Vietnam’s leading real estate developer, pioneering the development of large-scale, well-planned urban areas with integrated amenities, green living environments, and modern lifestyles. In addition to 36 urban developments currently in operation nationwide, Vinhomes continues to focus on building next-generation mega and super urban developments of regional scale and significance, aspiring to create some of the most livable cities in the world while significantly transforming Vietnam’s urban landscape.
For more information, please visit https://vinhomes.vn/vi
The survey shows that 68 per cent of Hong Kong SMEs recorded growth in 2025, up from 65 per cent in 2024 and marking the highest result on record. This positive momentum is expected to continue this year, with 71 per cent of SMEs expecting their businesses to grow and 76 per cent anticipating growth in the local economy — both at record highs. Customer loyalty and a strong workforce were identified as key drivers behind SMEs’ solid performance last year.
Mr Cliff Ip, Councillor of CPA Australia’s Greater China Divisional Council, said Hong Kong’s improving business environment played a critical role in supporting SME growth. “Hong Kong’s business confidence and economic growth strengthened last year, supported by robust capital markets, a recovery in tourism and consumption, and signs of stabilisation in the property market,” said Mr Ip. “Against this stable and supportive backdrop, small businesses not only benefited from increased business activity, but were also able to expand in a healthy and sustainable manner.”
Looking ahead, Mr Ip noted that while global geopolitical tensions and external uncertainties pose rising challenges, Hong Kong’s underlying strengths remain a key advantage for SMEs. “Rising geopolitical risks are likely to create headwinds for many sectors such as trade and logistics through higher fuel costs and supply chain disruptions. However, I remain confident about Hong Kong’s overall business outlook this year,” he said. “As many regions become more unpredictable or less secure, Hong Kong’s stable and consistent business environment, together with supportive policy settings including the city’s low and simple tax regime stand out as important advantages in attracting international companies and investors.”
Mr Ip added that these developments also present new opportunities for local SMEs, particularly as increased international interest creates scope to build partnerships, expand networks and tap into new markets. “This environment also creates favourable conditions for younger entrepreneurs to explore emerging markets and pursue new business opportunities,” he said.
Improved business performance has strengthened the solvency of many local SMEs. The share of businesses reporting difficulty paying debts fell sharply from 22 per cent in 2024 to just 3 per cent in 2025, while only 4 per cent expect to face difficulties this year, down markedly from 26 per cent previously. As a result, Hong Kong small businesses are now the least likely among the surveyed businesses to report solvency concerns.
Mr Ip said, “The solvency of many SMEs has notably improved, driven by stronger cash flow from improved business growth, a robust capital market and a recovering property market over the past year. This healthier cashflow has both supported easier access to external finance and reduced the need for such finance.”
Hong Kong SMEs have also strengthened their capability to invest in technology that delivers rapid improvements in profitability. In 2025, 64 per cent of SMEs reported that their technology investment in that year helped improve profitability, up from 59 per cent in 2024. Two in five Hong Kong SMEs invested in artificial intelligence (AI) last year, making it the leading technology investment among local SMEs, followed by customer relationship management (CRM) software.
At the same time, cyber protection has improved, with the share of Hong Kong businesses reporting losses from cyber incidents falling sharply from 72 per cent in 2024 to 43 per cent in 2025. However, as digitalisation accelerates, cyber risks remain elevated, with nearly three in five SMEs expecting to face cyber threats this year, above the survey average 42 per cent.
Mr Davy Leung, Deputy Chairperson of CPA Australia’s SME and Entrepreneurship Committee of Greater China, said the growing maturity and availability of AI tools is helping SMEs enhance productivity, reduce operating costs and improve customer experience.
“However, rising digital fraud, wider AI adoption and SMEs’ increasing reliance on digital banking have prompted the Hong Kong Government to significantly strengthen banking security and cybersecurity resilience over the past year. This includes the rollout of low-cost and practical initiatives such as the Cybersec One Programme and the continued implementation of the ‘9+5’ SME support measures. The decline of cyberattack-related losses reported in the survey in part reflects the effectiveness of these measures.
“As cybersecurity threats and digital fraud risks continue to escalate, SMEs should make better use of these available resources, including free website risk assessments and vulnerability identification services, to strengthen their defence capabilities and safeguard business operations.”
Mr Leung also suggested that the Government consider revamping the Technology Voucher Programme to support broader digitalisation efforts, including the adoption of both AI and non-AI technologies. He added that enhanced training support would help SMEs identify and implement modern tools to drive innovation, improve efficiency and strengthen long-term competitiveness.
Rising costs remain a key challenge for Hong Kong SMEs in 2025, with 29 per cent reporting it having a negative impact on their business. However, this was the second‑lowest level among all surveyed markets, underscoring Hong Kong’s relatively low inflationary environment last year. Notably, the share of SMEs citing staff costs as a negative factor rose from 35 per cent to 42 per cent, making it the most significant cost pressure for Hong Kong businesses in 2025. This increase may help explain why the proportion of SMEs hiring additional staff declined from 42 per cent to 38 per cent last year.
Mr Leung said, “Increasing costs remain a significant barrier for many SMEs across Asia‑Pacific region, but Hong Kong’s relatively low inflation has helped cushion the impact on local small businesses,” Mr Leung said.
Mr Leung added that while headcount growth has moderated, overall staff costs have continued to rise as businesses invest in higher‑value talent. “Greater digitalisation and automation have helped ease labour constraints in Hong Kong. When SMEs do add staff, they are increasingly recruiting employees with digital and AI capabilities, or creating new roles to support business transformation. These positions typically command higher salaries, which has contributed to higher overall staff costs despite slower hiring growth.”
The annual survey collected the views of 4,166 small businesses across 11 Asia-Pacific markets, including Singapore, the Chinese Mainland, and Australia, with 305 respondents from Hong Kong.
Hashtag: #CPAAustralia
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CPA Australia is Australia’s leading professional accounting body and one of the largest in the world. We have more than 176,000 members in over 100 countries and regions. Our core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. A CPA is a Certified Practising Accountant. More at cpaaustralia.com.au
Dubai has set out the biggest public-transport expansion in its history with approval of the Metro Gold Line, a Dh34 billion underground corridor designed to bind older neighbourhoods to newer growth districts and give the emirate a fresh rail spine by 9 September 2032. The scheme covers 42 kilometres and 18 stations, will run as Dubai’s first fully underground metro line, and is intended to serve 1.5 […]
