Storm scientists warn that the world’s oceans are now fuelling hurricanes and typhoons of a strength that strains the limits of existing classification systems, as deep layers of unusually warm water enable cyclones to intensify far beyond historical norms. Measurements from satellites, autonomous floats and research vessels show that pockets of heat extending hundreds of metres below the ocean surface are becoming more widespread. These subsurface hot […]
By Dr Arun Mitra The new nuclear bill, titled Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI), passed by Parliament, has received the assent of the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. With this, it has become an Act governing various aspects of nuclear energy in the country. There is a strong push […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 December 2025 – Z.ai has released GLM-4.7, the latest version of its open-source large language model, ahead of Christmas, as the company steps up efforts to position its models for real-world software development and production use.
The new model is designed around practical engineering workflows, with a focus on long-running task execution, stable tool calling, and multi-step reasoning, capabilities that have become increasingly important as developers deploy large language models in complex, agent-based systems.
Compared with its predecessor, GLM-4.6, GLM-4.7 shows notable gains in code generation, complex reasoning, and agent execution. According to Z.ai, the model delivers more consistent and controllable performance over extended tasks, while producing cleaner and more concise language output, addressing a common weakness in many open-source models.
To evaluate performance in realistic settings, Z.ai tested GLM-4.7 on 100 practical programming tasks in production-like environments such as Claude Code, spanning front-end, back-end, and command-execution scenarios. The company said GLM-4.7 achieved higher task completion rates and greater stability than GLM-4.6, and has since been adopted as the default model for its GLM Coding Plan.
Benchmark results also place GLM-4.7 among the strongest open-source models currently available. It scored 67.5 on BrowseComp and 87.4 on τ²-Bench, the latter marking a new high for open-source systems. In coding-focused evaluations, including SWE-bench Verified and LiveCodeBench v6, its overall performance approaches that of Claude Sonnet 4.5. In Code Arena’s large-scale blind evaluation, which aggregates votes from more than one million comparisons, GLM-4.7 ranked first among open-source models.
The model is available through the BigModel.cn API and has been integrated into Z.ai’s full-stack development platform, according to the company. As open-source models take on a more prominent role in the global technology ecosystem, Z.ai’s progress offers a clear indication of how such systems may continue to evolve, and what they might enable next.
In partnership with SBS, Australia’s multicultural and multilingual public broadcaster, Coca-Cola delivered a 24-hour Christmas Day broadcast of heartfelt carols and messages of gratitude, bringing Filipino families closer to loved ones working in Australia this festive season.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 December 2025 –For millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Christmas carries a quiet longing: another year spent celebrating from thousands of miles away. This year, Coca-Cola set out to bring the warmth of home back to them through SoundOfHome.FM, a 24-hour Christmas broadcast that turned Australia’s airwaves into a powerful audio love letter from families in the Philippines, connecting people across thousands of miles.
The holiday season is meant to be joyful, yet for many OFWs, the weight of distance can dim the spirit they work so hard to sustain for others. Grounded in the global Christmas insight that “the pressures of the holidays steal the Christmas spirit from the true givers,” Coca-Cola sought to uplift these unsung heroes in a way that only Coca-Cola could: through the familiar, comforting Sounds of Home.
More than an airwave takeover, SoundOfHome.FM became an emotional conduit, a continuous stream of Caroloke (carol + karaoke), touching dedications, and heartfelt messages of gratitude recorded by families across the Philippines dedicated for the loved ones they miss every day. It allowed love to travel across oceans in the most human way possible.
“This initiative comes from a place of deep respect for the people who give so much of themselves from far away, a recognition of their immense, yet quiet sacrifices,” shared Francis Izon Reyes, Coca-Cola Marketing Director for ASEAN & South Pacific. “We know that during the holidays, the distance and not being with family can feel heavier than ever. With SoundOfHome.FM, we wanted to bring a moment of comfort, a small piece of home to Filipinos overseas – a familiar voice, a favourite carol, something to remind them that their sacrifice, love, and dedication are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated. That is the real spirit of Christmas, and we are honoured to help bring it to life.”
The groundwork started weeks before Christmas Day, where Coca-Cola brought the Philippines together through a nationwide Caroloke Caravan —visiting key cities and major Pasko (Christmas) Festivals to help families record personalised messages and carols. From children singing their parents’ favourite Christmas songs to spouses whispering the ‘thank you’ they’ve held onto all year, each message carried profound emotional weight.
Families also had access to a digital platform where they could upload dedications remotely. A unique notification system ensured OFWs received personalised alerts inviting them to tune in once their family’s message was scheduled to air, guaranteeing the moment would reach its intended recipient.
The 24-hour broadcast went on air from 6pm on Christmas Eve to 6pm on Christmas Day, bringing festive cheer to listeners throughout the broadcast. It was a day of celebration and nostalgia, a reminder that even when ocean separate families, the sound of home can still find a way.
Coca-Cola also released a powerful Christmas film titled, ‘Sound of Home’. Filmed across Australia, it captures real, authentic reactions from OFWs as they hear their families’ voices mid-shift: a mechanic wiping away tears inside a garage, a convenience store clerk stunned into silence, a kitchen hand breaking into a smile that says everything. These moments reveal a simple truth — sometimes, hearing someone you love is enough to feel home again.
Reyes added, “Our simple wish is that with this project, we hope we were able to bring even a moment of warmth to those spending Christmas far from home. If the Sound of Home helped one person feel remembered even for a few seconds, then we’ve done something meaningful this season.”
Nikhil Panjwani, Executive Creative Director Ogilvy @WPP OpenX, the creative agency supporting the campaign, commented, “Christmas is about togetherness, but for millions of OFWs, it’s defined by distance. SoundOfHome.FM was our way of using something as simple as radio to bring families closer — if only for a moment — on a day when it matters most. We couldn’t shorten the distance — but we did close the silence with a 24-hour love letter, in audio form.”
The Sound of Home initiative reinforces the Coca-ColaTM brand’s longstanding belief in the power of human connection. By uplifting those who give so much of themselves during the holidays, Coca-Cola celebrates the real magic of Christmas — the simple yet profound moments that bring us back to one another.
Even when families are oceans apart, the feeling of home can still find its way through.
Watch the Sound of Home film on YouTube or visit SoundOfHome.FM to learn more. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news about the brand.
Hashtag: #Coca-Cola
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. The Coca-Cola ASEAN and South Pacific (ASP) operating unit serves 25 diverse countries across Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. We offer a diverse portfolio of great-tasting beverages including sparkling beverages, water, juices, dairy, nutrition, sports, and tea. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities, and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices, and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain.
Together with our bottling partners, we help bring economic opportunity to local communities across the region.
WPP Open X is a bespoke global agency model created in November 2021 for The Coca-Cola Company that’s integrated at its core and unprecedented in its scale. Our work spans across over 200 brands in 195 countries and provides access to the entire agency network and the best talent, capabilities and resources in and outside of WPP. Combining scale and agility, WPP Open X supercharges creativity and is a multiplier for growth and innovation.
Matein Khalid My very best wishes to my friends and readers for a wonderful Christmas break and may the New Year bring the world the peace the human race so richly deserves. I will be in Alex/Cairo to revisit and pay my homage to the genius of Pharonic antiquity supplemented by the Ptolemaic, Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad, Fatimid, Seljuk, Mamluk, Ottoman, French, British and even Soviet brutalist influences […]
CAN GIO, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 December 2025 – In 2024, when Hines released its seminal report Why Asia Now, the message was simple yet profound: The world’s most compelling growth story was shifting eastward. At that time, global markets were turbulent but still predictable.
Vinhomes Green Paradise: A Hidden Gem Poised to Shine in Vietnam’s Real Estate Market.
A year later, the landscape has morphed into something far more complex, rippling with tariff shocks, persistent inflation, rising bond yields, and growth downgrades across traditional economic powerhouses. The world feels as if it is moving through a narrow channel, buffeted by waves from every direction. And yet, amid all the noise, Asia has not only held its ground but stepped forward with a clarity and confidence that few regions can match.
Why Asia Now: A New Era of Resilience, Growth, and Opportunity
The forces shaping Asia’s rise have been gathering momentum for decades. What we are witnessing now is their convergence. Asia is not simply adapting to global volatility, it is redefining the foundations of resilience and growth. Its economies are becoming wealthier, stronger, and more self-reliant, and its real estate markets are revealing layers of opportunity that long-term investors have waited years to see.
The near-term picture, though challenged, underscores this resilience. Tariffs have uneven effects, and countries with strong domestic engines such as Australia are absorbing shocks with surprising ease.
But it is the longer horizon that illuminates Asia’s true arc. The region’s working-age population and middle class have expanded at a breathtaking pace, setting the stage for decades of consumption-led dynamism. Education levels are rising, service sectors are flourishing, and manufacturing capabilities are climbing the value chain.
Meanwhile, intra-Asia trade has quietly become the backbone of global commerce, with Asia-to-Asia routes now forming the largest share of world trade. As the region turns inward, not in isolation, but in self-reinforcing collaboration, Asia ex-China is projected to contribute more to global growth than the United States and Europe combined.
Real estate, often seen as a mirror for economic sentiment, is telling a similar story. Transaction volumes across Asia have been less volatile than those in Western markets, and pricing has remained more stable, offering a predictable return profile. Supply constraints, elevated construction costs, and a decade-low pricing position relative to long-term trends are creating what can only be described as an extraordinary entry window.
Why Capital is Flowing into Vietnam
If Asia’s trajectory could be captured in a single idea, it would be the beginning of a Value Uprising, a structural rise in long-term asset worth, powered by demographics, policy, and economic integration, rather than speculation.
From this continental narrative emerges Vietnam, a nation whose ascent is increasingly impossible to ignore. Over the past decade, Vietnam has transformed from a rising star into a gravitational force for global investors. Supply chain diversification has accelerated its role as a manufacturing and logistics nexus. Even with global tariffs shifting, Vietnam’s logistics sector continues to expand in sophistication, efficiency, and international relevance. Its demographic profile, marked by a median age years younger than China, offers a demographic dividend that many Asian economies have already spent. And as Southeast Asia’s digital backbone grows, Vietnam is stepping into the spotlight as one of the region’s next major data-center markets, a signifier of future industrial depth.
Ho Chi Minh City, in particular, has entered a new chapter. Its standing among Asia-Pacific cities for investment and development has climbed steadily, reflecting not only macroeconomic resilience but the confidence of global capital. It has become a symbolic frontier, an emerging metropolis where the contours of modern Asia are being redrawn.
At the heart of Vietnam’s momentum lies another extraordinary phenomenon: The consistent and rising flow of remittances. Vietnam ranks among the world’s top recipients, and Ho Chi Minh City alone welcomed over USD 9.46 billion in 2023, USD 9.6 billion in 2024, and more than USD 5.3 billion in the second quarter of 2025.
A remarkable portion of these funds, around one-fifth, finds its way into real estate. But this is not passive investment. It is a gesture of return, of building a future homeland, of preparing for business, family, and retirement. It is long-term capital with long-term intent.
Vinhomes Green Paradise: A Hidden Gem Poised to Shine in Vietnam’s Real Estate Market
Regulatory reform is reinforcing this trust. The revised Land Law and Real Estate Business Law offer stronger protections and broader rights for Vietnamese citizens, including those living abroad. In a period where global currencies fluctuate and deposit rates decline, investors are increasingly confronting a hard truth: Holding cash is, in many cases, a slow erosion of value. As economist Can Van Luc notes, the VND has lost 3.4 percent of its value in two years, even as the USD depreciated. Real estate, therefore, is not merely an alternative, it has become one of the few asset classes capable of preserving and multiplying value in real terms.
Against this backdrop, regions entering new cycles of infrastructure development are drawing accelerated capital inflows. And among them, one name rises above all others: Can Gio.
For decades, Can Gio stood quietly at the edge of Ho Chi Minh City, an ecological jewel, admired but distant. Today, it has become the most powerful symbol of Vietnam’s coastal urban future. Massive infrastructure investment is reshaping its accessibility, and yet its real estate prices remain a fraction of central districts. Compared to Phu My Hung, Can Gio’s price base is nearly half; compared to Districts 1 and 3, just one-fifth. The gap is not a discount, it is untapped potential waiting to be realized.
The emergence of Vinhomes Green Paradise has pushed this transformation into global consciousness. As the first official participant in the New7Wonders “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign, the project is channeling the same catalytic energy once witnessed in iconic developments. Internationally, such recognitions do not merely elevate prestige, they accelerate valuation cycles, attract global capital, and redefine a city’s future skyline.
With its one-of-a-kind geographic formation and proximity to Can Gio’s million-year-old biosphere reserve, Vinhomes Green Paradise stands as a once-in-a-century asset. It embodies scarcity in its purest form, an asset class that cannot be replicated, reshaped, or reborn elsewhere.
And that is where the narrative converges. Asia’s rise, Vietnam’s momentum, Ho Chi Minh City’s evolution, and Can Gio’s emergence are not isolated stories. Together, they form a new investment epoch characterized by structural uplift, demographic acceleration, and a rapidly expanding middle class. It is the era of the Value Uprising, a phase in which the forces of economics, policy, population, and global capital align to propel real estate into a new price horizon.
In moments like this, markets rarely wait. History shows that investors who move early define the benchmark for everyone who follows. The question is no longer whether Asia will rise, or whether Vietnam will lead, or whether Can Gio will transform. The question, now, is whether investors will seize a moment that may not return for another generation.
Positioning Vietnam as Production-Export Hub to Global Markets, with SCGD Leading Decorative Surface Materials and Ceramic Tiles Market Ready to Drive Cement Business Expansion of Low-Carbon Products to Global Markets
HCMC, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 December 2025 – SCG continues its Regional Optimization strategy, positioning Vietnam as a Strategic Hub in the ASEAN region for manufacturing and exports to global markets. SCG Decor (SCGD) supports PRIME GROUP in expanding production capacity for high-quality tiles to meet growing demand. The cement and building materials business in Vietnam is accelerating development of low-carbon cement for both domestic sales and global exports under the Green Building policy to create sustainable growth while enhancing quality of life.
Mr. Kulachet Dharachandra, Country Director – Vietnam, SCG, stated: “Vietnam is a strategically important country for SCG, with total investments exceeding 7 billion US dollars across 28 companies, representing 28% of SCG’s total assets. This covers chemicals, cement, building materials, packaging, and logistics businesses to serve both domestic and export market demands, enhancing competitive capabilities and building comprehensive production and supply chain potential.
Under the Regional Optimization strategy, SCG combines the strengths of Thailand and Vietnam in digital technology, artificial intelligence and automation, safety standards, and plant management, as well as social, environmental, and governance practices following ESG principles. Vietnam is a high-growth potential market due to its economy, government infrastructure policies, and increasing Green Building trends. It also has consumers with purchasing power for high-quality products and a large consumer base of over 100 million people, plus export potential with efficient production costs, which strengthens sustainable business growth and elevates quality of life in the region.”
SCGD supports PRIME GROUP, Vietnam’s Number One Market Leader of Decor Surface
PRIME GROUP, the flagship business in which SCG acquired shares in 2012, is the market leader of decorative surface materials in Vietnam and will be a key force strengthening SCGD toward its goal of becoming ASEAN leader.
Mr. Numpol Malichai, The Chief Executive Officer and President of SCG Decor Public Company Limited, stated: “Vietnam’s economy is growing, the middle class is expanding, and the real estate market is recovering in mid-range to premium residential projects that favor Glazed Porcelain (GP) tiles, leading to continuously increasing demand for these products.
PRIME has sales revenue of approximately 5,500 million baht with total production capacity of around 80 million square meters. The company plans to invest in expanding GP tile production capacity from 19 million square meters in 2025 to 25.6 million square meters in 2026, targeting expansion to 45 million square meters by 2030 to align with increasing demand. PRIME can also manage and control production costs of GP tiles to be able to competitive with the products from world-class competitors. This cost advantage supports PRIME to become the strategic production and export base of SCGD, strengthening the Regional Optimization strategy for sustainable growth.
In response to market change and maintain competitive level, PRIME invested in Biomass Gasifier systems at the Pho Yen plant to replace fossil fuel with biomass, thereby reducing energy costs and greenhouse gases, supporting Vietnam to become the strategic export hub to ASEAN and other countries. Furthermore, PRIME’s products meet customers’ needs of all market segments with product offering that covers innovative design and health and safety functions that are well-recognized throughout the Asian region. This supports business growth along with environmental care enhancement. Additionally, SCGD grows bathroom business and strengthens COTTO brand in the ASEAN market with over 44 distributors appointed in Vietnam, as well as growing Complementary products such as adhesive and grout, and others.”
SCG Low-Carbon Cement Supports Vietnam’s Infrastructure and Green Cities, Advancing Its Role as a Global Export Hub
SCG Cement and Building Materials has operated in Vietnam for more than 20 years, with 11 companies across the cement, roofing, and building materials businesses. With production bases located in the central and southern regions, the company supports domestic market growth while also serving as a strategic manufacturing hub for exports to global markets.
Mr. Wichet Chuchaeu, Country Director – Vietnam, SCG Cement and Building Materials Business, stated: “Vietnam’s economy continued to expand in 2025, driven by growth in the industrial and construction sectors. Accelerated government infrastructure investment has supported a steady recovery in demand for building materials and cement—especially low-carbon cement, whose growth aligns with national policies such as the 2050 Net Zero Emission commitment and the Green City policy, which targets that by 2050 at least 50% of new urban areas and 10% of all cities nationwide must meet government-defined green city criteria.”
The cement business has an annual production capacity of 3 million tons of clinker and 4 million tons of cement. Vietnam is the best-managed production-cost base among SCG’s regional cement operations, positioning the country not only as a strong domestic supply base but also as a key hub for exports. SCG currently exports both low-carbon cement and clinker to America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Asia.
SCG Cement continues to enhance environmental performance through the use of alternative and recycled materials, reduced coal consumption via alternative fuels such as biomass and refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and the implementation of Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) systems that significantly reduce natural resources, lower energy consumption and reduce CO2 emission.
These initiatives have earned SCG recognition through international environmental standards, including Singapore Green Building Product certification and International Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) System certification—affirming sustainability from production through to finished products.
“Our investment strategy and production cost optimization under the Regional Optimization concept have strengthened SCG’s competitiveness. Vietnam is now positioned as a central hub for manufacturing and exporting quality products to global markets. This supports growing demand for high-quality surface materials and environmentally friendly building materials, contributing to green city development and sustainably enhancing the quality of life for people in Vietnam and the region.”, Mr. Kulachet concluded.
Hashtag: #SCGCement
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Japan’s MONJI+—A WebOps Enablement Platform Inspired by Voices from 77 Countries—Launches Its English Edition
OSAKA, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 December 2025 – ALAKI Inc., celebrating its 15th anniversary, has officially launched the English edition of MONJI+, an evolution of its 2018-born feedback tool MONJI β, now reimagined as a comprehensive WebOps Enablement Platform.
Alongside its free plan, available indefinitely, MONJI+ begins its full-scale expansion into the ASEAN market, helping teams elevate their website operations. In addition, a free Academic Edition is now offered to educational institutions to foster the next generation of web and IT talent.
A Platform Born from 77 Countries of Real-World Insight
Since its launch in Japan in 2018, MONJI β has been adopted by web agencies, corporations, and advertising firms worldwide—across 77 countries and regions—streamlining feedback workflows for website management and development.
In everyday website operations, teams often face:
Feedback scattered across tools and channels
Miscommunication between internal teams and agencies
Unclear priorities that fail to drive results
Knowledge loss when members change
Valuable learnings buried and forgotten
MONJI+ connects creation, publishing, maintenance, and optimization into a single workflow—eliminating silos and enabling all members to move forward toward shared goals.
Since its official launch in Japan in January 2025, MONJI+ has rapidly spread among enterprises and educational institutions. It is increasingly adopted as a practical standard among agencies and in-house teams, improving productivity and measurable outcomes.
Responding to Global Voices – Official Launch of the English Edition
During forums and seminars held alongside the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, ALAKI engaged with government representatives and industry leaders from around the world.
The feedback was clear: inefficiencies in website operations, lack of improvement cycles, and a shortage of web marketing expertise are universal challenges. But one issue stood out above all—the shortage of skilled web and IT professionals.
Some governments even requested that MONJI+ contribute to national web/IT talent development, not just productivity gains. Following the Expo, inquiries from multiple countries confirmed the demand, prompting the official release of the English edition of MONJI+.
Confidence from SWITCH 2025, and a Vision for What’s Next
As part of its ASEAN expansion, ALAKI visited SWITCH 2025 (Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology), held from October 29–31. Through dialogues with government agencies, corporations, startups, and academic institutions, the importance of website operations productivity and digital talent development was reaffirmed.
Insights from leading ASEAN web and IT innovators will continue to shape the evolution of MONJI+.
Key Benefits of MONJI+
Eliminate inefficiencies and dependency on individuals—enhancing both productivity and performance in website operations.
Workflow Efficiency: Centralize feedback and progress tracking to prevent oversights
Error Reduction: Detect typos automatically with AI proofreading
Results-Oriented: Integration with analytics tools helps identify improvement areas instantly
Team Collaboration: Share real-time updates across internal and external members
Knowledge Building: Use the Wiki feature to retain expertise and reduce training costs
The Future of “Agentic WebOps” — Powered by Data and AI
MONJI+ evolves beyond a simple management tool—it becomes an AI-driven partner that learns from operational data to support human decision-making and creativity.
Our vision: a human-in-the-loop “Agentic WebOps” environment that helps teams achieve outcomes with AI-assisted decision support.
Available AI Features:
AI typo and error detection for feedback
AI chatbot assistance
Upcoming AI Features (Examples):
Content suggestion and creation
Feedback trend analysis and improvement recommendations
Design assistance
Webpage performance analysis and enhancement
Customer Success Stories
Global Marketing Agency (Singapore): “Sharing the same interface greatly improved collaboration across our international offices.”
Web Production Agency (Japan): “Centralized feedback management accelerated delivery times by roughly 30%.”
E-commerce Company (Japan): “By linking with an analytics tool, we identified key improvement areas instantly—our conversion rate increased by over 20%.”
Recruitment Platform (Japan): “With AI detecting typos automatically, our job listing checks became faster and more reliable.”
Vision Video – ‘Pride and Hope for the Web Industry’
Discover how MONJI+ envisions the future of website operations.
“Website operations shouldn’t be about chasing scattered messages—it should be about generating results that matter. With MONJI+, we unify feedback, workflow, and analytics, while AI suggests the next strategic move. Our mission is to help ASEAN teams reach outcomes faster and more reliably.”
— Yuji Yamauchi, Founder & CEO, ALAKI Inc.
Getting Started
Getting started is easy, with no credit card required. MONJI+ aims to be the shared foundation for website operations, accessible to everyone.
Forever-Free Plan: Access essential functions without time limits
30-Day Free Trial: Experience all features in a live environment
Free “Academic Edition” for Educational Institutions
To empower the next generation of web and IT professionals, MONJI+ offers an Academic Edition free of charge to universities, vocational schools, and online programs. Students and educators can experience real-world website operations, gain practical skills, and collaborate through shared projects.
By Ashis Biswas How serious is the slogan for wresting the seven sister states in India’s northeast region, raised by Islamic extremists in Bangladesh, for New Delhi? For a proper assessment of the political challenge this poses for India, a brief study of background information is necessary. Bangladesh sought to revive old links with Pakistan […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 December 2025– MyRepublic today announced the launch of Card Sub, a new subscription-based service designed for Trading Card Game (TCG) enthusiasts. Card Sub offers subscribers a convenient way to receive Magic: The Gathering (MTG) products monthly, including access to premium booster packs not typically available through standard retail purchases.
MyRepublic Launches Card Sub, Singapore’s First Subscription Service for Trading Card Game Fans
Card Sub introduces a structured monthly subscription model in which customers pay a fixed monthly rate and receive up to 3 Play Booster packs or 2 Play booster boxes from the current MTG release. In addition, subscribers will receive free premium booster packs or boxes. These premium boosters may include Collector Booster Packs or Boxes, such as the highly sought-after Final Fantasy Collector Booster, which is constantly sold out worldwide which features the extremely valuable serialised Golden Chocobo card
“The trading card community in Singapore is incredibly passionate, and Card Sub is our small way of adding value to that ecosystem,” said Terry Williams, Head of Consumer at MyRepublic. “As TCG players ourselves, we wanted to offer something to the community to provide an easier access to the latest release every month, and the chance to secure premium packs that might not be readily accessible to players. We see Card Sub as a community-driven initiative, open to all who share a passion for growing the hobby.”
The subscription tiers available at launch are:
MyRepublic Card Sub Plans
Card Sub will be available to both MyRepublic and non-MyRepublic customers. All product redemptions will take place in person at the upcoming Card Arena by MyRepublic, located at Suntec City. Customers will redeem their Premium booster or box in-store.
Card Sub is positioned to serve cost-conscious TCG consumers by providing reliable monthly access to boosters with the added benefit of premium packs or boxes at no additional charge. The inclusion of Collector Boosters in the premium pool provides an opportunity for subscribers to obtain higher-value products through a predictable monthly model. MyRepublic also plans to expand Card Sub to additional TCG franchises, including Pokémon.
Card Sub is open for sign-up at cardsub.net and available to everyone in Singapore. Monthly redemption of subscription items will be fulfilled exclusively at:
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
MyRepublic
MyRepublic is an award-winning telecom operator whose values lie in the future of connectivity, the next opportunity to disrupt, and innovations that will make a real difference. The provider’s priority is to redefine broadband and mobile connectivity in the markets it operates and empower customers to understand what a true modern connectivity experience can be.
The food-surplus app returned more than HKD 20 million to partner businesses while making meals more affordable for consumers
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 December 2025 – As Southeast Asia grapples with growing food waste and rising living costs, Yindii, Asia’s number 1 food‑surplus marketplace, celebrates a year of remarkable growth and impact. Co-founded in 2020 by Louis‑Alban Batard‑Dupré and Mahima Rajangam Natarajan, Yindii connects restaurants, bakeries, grocers and hotels with diners who collect “Surprise Bags” of unsold food at 50-80% off the usual price. By turning what would otherwise become waste into affordable meals, Yindii offers a simple, scalable solution that benefits consumers, businesses and the environment.
One meal rescued every minute. In 2025, the Yindii community saved over 500,000 meals across the region, helped Hong Kong users save more than HK$10 million, and kept surplus food out of landfills.
In 2025 alone, the Yindii community across the region saved over half a million meals from going to waste. That is roughly one meal rescued every single minute, equivalent to offsetting over 1,375 tonnes of CO₂. To put this into perspective, that saving is comparable to driving an average petrol-powered car for about 6.9 million miles, or around 277 trips around the world. It is also on par with the emissions from burning around 154,000 gallons of petrol, or roughly 575 one-way passenger flights from Paris to New York.
Elaborating on the ethos that drives Yindii’s growth, Co‑Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Mahima Rajangam Natarajan, shared, “Every meal rescued is a step toward making high-quality food accessible and affordable for everyone. We’re proving that sustainability and affordability can go hand in hand with social equity. What excites us most is seeing families, students and office workers discover new neighbourhood favourites while knowing they are doing something tangible to help the planet. We are also watching our partners turn what used to be an end-of-day loss into a new source of loyalty, revenue and pride for their teams. Thousands of F&B brands are now transforming surplus into a meaningful new revenue stream, with more than US$2.5 million (HKD 19.45 million) flowing back into their businesses instead of into the bin.”
Across the region, the numbers tell an even richer story at the market level. In Hong Kong, diners using Yindii rescued over 250,000 meals in 2025. Flagship partners such as Saint Honore Cake Shop, Circle K and Pret A Manger have turned surplus into real value, with Saint Honore alone saving over 75,000 meals or 187 tonnes of CO₂. Other partners, including Rosewood Hong Kong, Little Mermaid, NOC Coffee Co and Pacific Coffee, all managed to clear an impressive 85-95% of their surplus on the app. In Hong Kong, Yindii has more than tripled in size since last year and reached profitability, strengthening partner confidence in a model especially popular with women, who make up around two-thirds of users.
In Singapore, diners using Yindii rescued over 300,000 meals in 2025. Since launching in 2024, the app has helped partners achieve a nationwide saved ratio of around 75%. Popular brands such as Paul, Baker & Cook and SaladStop, alongside hotel buffets and neighbourhood grocers, are using “Surprise Bags” to move premium food at accessible prices while cutting waste. Altogether, Singapore partners have already recovered more than SGD1.5 million in avoided food losses, underscoring Yindii’s role in helping diners stretch their budgets while giving the F&B industry a powerful new way to protect profitability.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we are focused on building on this momentum by bringing Yindii to more cities, including South Korea, and deepening our partnerships where we are already present. Our goal is to make it easier for people to save great food rather than see it go to waste, and for businesses to treat surplus as an opportunity rather than a loss. At the heart of all this, our mission goes far beyond transactions. It is about building a community where strangers become food heroes and where food that once represented loss becomes a source of joy and connection. We have seen that spirit take root in Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore, and we cannot wait to grow new communities of local food heroes in the years ahead,” Mahima concluded.
Throughout the year, Yindii’s success also earned recognition beyond the dining table. In October, it was named a finalist in the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards for its creative approach to tackling food waste. During Impact Week at ONE in Singapore, the company hosted the Yindii Eco‑Brand Awards 2025, celebrating 25 leading brands and media partners. Guest of Honour Poh Li San, Chair of Singapore’s Parliamentary Environment Committee, highlighted that Singapore wastes 800,000 tonnes of food annually and noted that fighting waste is essential not just for the planet but for national food security.
Since launching in 2020, Yindii has registered more than 700,000 food heroes, rescued over 900,000 meals and prevented more than 2,250 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. For more information, visit www.yindii.co or follow Yindii on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Hashtag: #Yindii #SaveFoodWithYindii #YindiiHK
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Yindii
Yindii is Asia’s #1 sustainable food app, connecting people with surplus meals from restaurants, bakeries, grocers, and hotels at a fraction of the price. Operating in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea, Yindii empowers communities to rescue food, save money, and fight climate change — one meal at a time.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 – Academia Sinica, Taiwan’s national academy of sciences and a leading research institution, invites outstanding students worldwide to apply for the 2026 Fall semester of its Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP). Applications are now open until 1 February 2026 (GMT+8).
TIGP offers 14 fully funded interdisciplinary PhD programs spanning the sciences and humanities. The Program provides a rigorous research environment supported by Academia Sinica’s world-class faculty, research facilities and extensive international collaborations.
Admitted students receive a monthly stipend of NTD 40,000 (approximately USD 1,200) for the first year. The stipend will be extended for more years for student with good academic performance. Outstanding students may also receive an additional NTD 6,000 per month through the TIGP Research Performance Fellowship.
With a diverse academic community and a comprehensive doctoral training program, TIGP offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced research in a globally connected setting.
Japan has taken a decisive step towards restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station, the largest such facility in the world by capacity, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s post-Fukushima energy policy. The move follows regulatory clearance and political backing after more than a decade of safety reviews, legal scrutiny and local opposition stemming from the 2011 nuclear disaster. The plant, located in Niigata prefecture on the […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 –As Christmas and New Year holiday draw near, UnionPay International has launched a promotional campaign spanning 26 countries and regions, which includes over 170 marketing activities across more than 100,000 merchant stores, with selected offers providing discounts of up to 33%.
Aligned with the travel peak season at the end of the year, the campaign covers key destinations including Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. Offline promotions extend to 30 major international airports, 65 premium shopping districts, 40 leading department stores, 15 outlet villages, as well as duty-free shops and luxury boutiques within 30 major global airports. The initiatives also encompass daily consumption, such as supermarkets, cosmeceutical retailers, dining spots, tourist attractions, entertainment, accommodation, local transportation and telecommunication services.
UnionPay has also customized activities for mobile payment methods, including UnionPay mobile QuickPass and UnionPay QR code payment, which are accepted in more than 100 countries and regions. For instance, in Australia and New Zealand, UnionPay cardholders can enjoy instant discounts when using UnionPay mobile QuickPass at participating merchants nationwide.
The year-end incentives have been further expanded to online scenarios. UnionPay has collaborated with digital entertainment platforms to accommodate the high-frequency online spending during the holiday, such as Hoyoverse Honkai: Star Rail top-up promotion, Apple Services promotion. In Australia, UnionPay has launched an online tuition payment promotion for students.
In select markets, UnionPay has partnered with local issuing banks to provide exclusive privileges for cardholders. For example, DBS Bank in Singapore offers UnionPay Platinum debit cardholders value-added benefits, such as cashback, fee waivers, airport lounge access and other travel-related perks.
UnionPay has built up a global payment network covering 183 countries and regions, providing stable and convenient payment support for cross-border travel and holiday consumption. Through in-depth cooperation with issuing banks, financial institutions and merchants, UnionPay has provided diverse holiday discounts and supporting services to optimize the consumption experience for cardholders.
Hashtag: #UnionPay
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Boeing has appointed Omar Arekat as vice-president for the Middle East, Gulf and North Africa, a senior leadership move that places a long-serving regional executive at the helm of one of the company’s most strategically important markets. The appointment comes as aircraft demand across the region continues to be shaped by fleet expansion, widebody replacement cycles and sustained defence procurement.
Arekat, who will be based in Dubai, takes charge of Boeing’s commercial and defence engagement across a region where the aerospace group employs more than 700 people and supports over 30 commercial airline customers alongside 12 armed forces. His remit covers government relations, industrial partnerships, customer support and business strategy across markets ranging from the Gulf to North Africa.
The leadership change underscores Boeing’s intention to maintain continuity in a region that has long been central to its widebody sales, particularly for long-haul aircraft. Airlines in the Gulf operate some of the world’s largest fleets of twin-aisle jets, while carriers in North Africa are increasingly modernising fleets to support tourism recovery and regional connectivity. Defence ties, including fighter aircraft, rotorcraft, training systems and sustainment contracts, also form a significant pillar of Boeing’s regional presence.
Arekat is widely regarded within the industry as a seasoned regional hand. Before taking on the vice-presidential role, he held senior commercial positions within Boeing’s Middle East operations, working closely with airline leadership teams, civil aviation authorities and defence ministries. His career has been closely tied to the region’s aviation growth story, particularly the expansion of hub-based carriers and the emergence of maintenance, repair and overhaul ecosystems in the Gulf.
Boeing’s Middle East footprint extends beyond sales offices. The company has invested heavily in training, engineering and supply-chain partnerships, working with local firms on aerostructures, composites and advanced manufacturing. These initiatives are often framed as part of national industrial diversification strategies pursued by several Gulf states, where aerospace has been identified as a priority sector.
The appointment takes place against a complex commercial backdrop for Boeing globally. The manufacturer continues to navigate production stabilisation, regulatory scrutiny and supply-chain constraints, particularly in its narrowbody programmes. While these issues have been most visible in North America, their implications are closely watched by Middle East carriers, many of which have large order backlogs and tightly planned delivery schedules.
Industry analysts note that leadership continuity and strong regional relationships are especially important for Boeing in this market. Gulf airlines tend to place large, long-term orders, often timed around major fleet renewals or network expansion phases. Any disruption to deliveries can have cascading effects on capacity planning, route launches and leasing strategies, making senior-level engagement critical.
Defence remains another key dimension of Boeing’s regional strategy. Several armed forces across the Middle East and North Africa operate Boeing platforms, including fighter aircraft, transport planes, helicopters and surveillance systems. The company’s regional leadership is typically involved in government-to-government frameworks, offset arrangements and long-term sustainment planning, areas that require deep familiarity with local regulatory and security environments.
Arekat’s appointment also reflects a broader trend among global aerospace firms to elevate executives with strong regional expertise rather than rotating leadership from headquarters. This approach is seen as a way to navigate increasingly complex geopolitical, regulatory and industrial landscapes, particularly in regions where aviation policy, defence procurement and industrial strategy are closely intertwined.
Boeing has indicated that the Middle East and North Africa will remain a growth priority over the coming decade, driven by air traffic growth above the global average and continued investment in defence modernisation. The company’s market outlooks have consistently pointed to strong demand for both single-aisle aircraft, supporting intra-regional travel, and widebodies for long-haul connectivity linking the region to Asia, Europe and the Americas.
By Nantoo Banerjee US President Donald Trump may have problems with Russia, Venezuela and a host of other states and has every right to decide on the US trade and diplomatic policies to deal with those countries. But he has no right to thrust upon other free nations his likes, dislikes and prejudices. Unfortunately, he […]
The accolade marks another major milestone for the reimagined Dusit Thani Bangkok
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 – Cannubi by Umberto Bombana at Dusit International’s reimagined flagship hotel, Dusit Thani Bangkok, has been awarded One Michelin Star in The Michelin Guide Thailand 2026 – the first time an Italian restaurant in Thailand has received the distinction.
Curated by renowned chef Umberto Bombana (right), Cannubi by Umberto Bombana at Dusit Thani Bangkok has made history as the first Italian restaurant in Thailand to receive one Michelin star. His vision is brought to life in Bangkok by Executive Italian Chef Andrea Susto (left).
Curated by the renowned Chef Umberto Bombana – best known for his Hong Kong flagship, 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, the world’s only three-Michelin-starred Italian restaurant outside Italy – Cannubi by Umberto Bombana reflects the chef’s lifelong dedication to exceptional produce, terroir, and refined Italian cooking.
His philosophy is brought to life in Bangkok by his longtime protégé, Executive Italian Chef Andrea Susto, who works with the finest locally sourced and imported ingredients to craft classically rooted dishes refined with contemporary technique. Seasonal à la carte offerings, tasting menus, a set lunch experience, and a celebrated white truffle menu – honouring Bombana’s reputation as The King of White Truffles – are complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine list of more than 350 labels chosen for their heritage, character, and quality.
Cannubi by Umberto Bombana’s design plays an equal role in shaping the dining experience. Situated on the lobby level of the reimagined Dusit Thani Bangkok, the two-level space looks out over the hotel’s dramatic nine-storey waterfall. Inside, the main dining room is crowned with intricately carved golden teakwood panels preserved and meticulously restored from the original hotel’s Benjarong restaurant. These heritage teak elements, combined with flowing lines and atmospheric lighting, create a warmly intimate setting, complemented by private dining rooms accommodating six and twelve guests.
“To be recognised as the first Italian restaurant in Thailand to receive a Michelin Star is a tremendous honour,” said Chef Umberto Bombana. “Cannubi by Umberto Bombana is a project very close to my heart, created to express the truth and soul of Italian cuisine through integrity, passion, and respect for exceptional ingredients. Seeing this spirit recognised in Bangkok means the world to me. I am incredibly proud of Chef Andrea Susto and our entire team. This accolade also reflects the vision of the new Dusit Thani Bangkok, where craftsmanship and creativity shape every detail.”
Cannubi by Umberto Bombana’s Michelin Star adds to a remarkable year for Dusit Thani Bangkok, which, since reopening in September 2024, has received one Michelin Key and earned its place among the world’s top 100 hotels, ranking #60 on the inaugural extended list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. The restaurant’s achievement further strengthens the hotel’s emergence as one of the region’s most compelling new dining destinations, with Pavilion, Dusit Gourmet, 1970 Bar, and the dramatic rooftop venue, Spire Rooftop Bar, among the other standout options.
Cannubi by Umberto Bombana is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. For more information, please visit dusit.com/dusitthani-bangkok.
Hashtag: #DusitHotels
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About Dusit Thani Bangkok
Part of the landmark Dusit Central Park development, Dusit Thani Bangkok is a reimagined icon that blends timeless Thai elegance with contemporary sophistication. With a prime location overlooking Lumpini Park in the heart of the city, the 257-key property redefines luxury with all park-view accommodations and sets the scene for unforgettable experiences with world-class dining and peerless event venues.
More than just a hotel, Dusit Thani Bangkok brings classic grandeur to life and invites discerning travellers to experience a vibrant blend of modern elegance and timeless charm inspired by the original hotel’s rich heritage and Dusit’s unique brand of gracious Thai hospitality.
Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes close to 300 properties operating under a total of nine brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, Dusit Hotels, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 – In today’s fast evolving job market, traditional qualifications alone are no longer sufficient to guarantee career longevity. Employers increasingly value agility, digital fluency, and continuous learning qualities that micro credentials deliver in concise, impactful ways.
Why Micro-Credentials Matter
Micro credentials are short, focused courses designed to equip professionals with in demand skills quickly. Unlike full degree programs, they enable learners to upskill or reskill without disrupting their careers. For industries shaped by rapid technological change such as digital marketing, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and sustainability, these credentials are becoming essential for staying relevant.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 39% of workers’ core skills will change by 2030, and 59% of the global workforce will need reskilling to meet evolving demands. This shift, driven by automation, AI, and sustainability imperatives, makes continuous learning a necessity rather than an option.
Micro credentials bridge this gap by offering industry aligned, stackable learning experiences that can be completed in weeks rather than years. Research indicates that employers are 72% more likely to hire candidates with micro credentials, as these certifications validate practical, job ready skills.
SIM’s Commitment to Career Readiness
SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is at the forefront of lifelong learning, responding to the urgent need for professionals to stay competitive in a rapidly changing economy. Through its Centre for Micro-Credentials (CMC), SIM offers a curated portfolio of short, stackable courses designed to deliver future-ready skills in high-demand areas such as digital marketing, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability.
These programs are industry-aligned and developed in consultation with employers and global education partners to ensure relevance and practical application. Each course provides actionable knowledge that learners can immediately apply in their roles, making them ideal for busy professionals seeking quick, impactful upskilling.
A distinctive feature of SIM’s micro-credential ecosystem is the integration of digital badges. These secure, verifiable credentials contain metadata about the achievement, issuer, and criteria. Learners can showcase these badges on platforms like LinkedIn, signalling to recruiters and employers that they possess specialized expertise in emerging fields. This visibility supports skill-based hiring, a growing trend among organizations seeking demonstrable competencies rather than just academic qualifications.
SIM also emphasizes flexibility and accessibility. Courses are delivered in bite-sized formats, often online or blended, allowing learners to progress at their own pace without disrupting their careers.
The Bottom Line
Micro-credentials represent a strategic shift in preparing for the future of work. As industries evolve rapidly, the ability to adapt, upskill, and demonstrate verified competencies is essential. Degrees provide a foundation, but they often lack the agility to keep pace with emerging technologies.
SIM’s micro-credential programs offer flexibility, relevance, and recognition, enabling professionals to stay competitive in a skills-driven economy. Learners can customize pathways, focus on areas like AI, cybersecurity, or sustainability, and earn digital badges that employers value in skill-based hiring.
Micro-credentials help professionals future-proof their careers, ensuring resilience amid automation and digital transformation. For organizations, they build a workforce that is agile and ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SIM Global Education
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 16,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 36% 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 sim.edu.sg
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Italy’s Saipem has clinched a multi-billion-dollar offshore engineering, procurement, construction and installation contract from QatarEnergy LNG, marking one of the largest project awards in the global energy services sector and reinforcing Doha’s long-term expansion plans for liquefied natural gas production. The Milan-based engineering group said the overall value of the contract is about $4 billion, with Saipem’s share estimated at roughly $3.1 billion. […]
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 – Although wellness conversations are rising, many Malaysians still struggle with consistent daily self-care. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, 54.4% of Malaysian adults are overweight or obese, highlighting widespread lifestyle-related health risks linked to poor diet, inactivity, and inconsistent preventive care. As healthcare costs continue to increase and lifestyle-driven diseases become more common, practical and preventive self-care at home has never been more crucial.
In response to this growing need, Alpro Group Malaysia (parent company of Alpro Pharmacy, Malaysia’s largest prescription pharmacy chain) today launched the 2026 Health & Habit Calendar, a nationwide self-care education initiative developed to bring simple, credible, and actionable health guidance into Malaysian households throughout the year.
Drawing from daily patient engagements across Alpro’s nationwide network, this calendar compiles real-world self-care gaps frequently observed by pharmacists. It further includes insights curated together with family doctors, nutritionists, and dietitians to ensure each habit is both practical and medically credible.
The 2026 Health & Habit Calendar covers five key foundations of daily wellbeing like nutrition: healthier everyday food choices; rest: better sleep routines and fatigue reduction; movement: simple physical activities suitable for all ages; emotional Wellbeing: stress management and mindful practices; preventive care: small reminders that reduce long-term health risks.
The cover of the calendar presents easy-to-follow habits designed to support gradual, sustainable lifestyle improvement, making self-care more achievable for Malaysian families.
“Most people only start thinking about their health after something goes wrong, and as pharmacists, we see this every day,” said Pharmacist Lim En Ni, Chief Pharmacist and Engagement Director of Alpro Group. “This calendar brings self-care earlier into daily life. When families practice small habits consistently, it can significantly reduce long-term health risks.”
Beyond health education, the initiative also embodies a strong social mission. 100% of proceeds from the 2026 Health & Habit Calendar will be donated to the Alpro Foundation’s Growing Stars Project, providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children nationwide. Each calendar purchased directly contributes to improving both community health and children’s access to education.
The 2026 Health & Habit Calendar is now available for purchase online via Alpro OneClick: https://bit.ly/Alpro-2026-HealthandHabitCalendar . Customers may also receive the calendar with a minimum spend of RM288 at any Alpro subsidiary, including Alpro Pharmacy, Alpro Sugi Pharmacy, Alpro OptiSaver, and Alpro Baby. Members of the public, organisations, and corporate partners are encouraged to support this initiative and help make preventive self-care a visible, daily habit in Malaysian homes.
Hashtag: #Alpro
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Alpro Group
Founded in 2002, Alpro Group’s ecosystem has grown to include Alpro Pharmacy, Apotek Alpro, Alpro スギ (Sugi) Pharmacy, Alpro Physio, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Baby, Alpro OptiSaver, Alpro Audiology, and Alpro Health. Supported by a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, optometrist and many others, Alpro serves over 5 million families in Malaysia and Indonesia through its extensive network of 500 physical outlets.
Alpro Pharmacy is the first and only community pharmacy in the region to offer product liability insurance of MYR 1 million in Malaysia and IDR 3 billion in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of genuine medications and enhancing consumer trust.
With the vision of a healthy and vibrant world, Alpro Group aims to become the No. 1 prescription pharmacy chain in Southeast Asia.
Matein Khalid The Indian equity markets have experienced one of Asia’s most frenetic IPO bonanzas in 2024-25 even if no less than 50% of all new flotations are now trading below their offer price. Despite the decline of the Indian rupee’s new low against the dollar beyond 91 and Dalal Street’s underperformance relative to my fave emerging markets Argentina, Poland and Brazil in 2025, the macro omens […]
A dramatic concept video portraying a proposed “Dubai Air Hotel” by Emirates has ignited global attention, depicting a full-scale Airbus A380 mounted atop a 580-metre, 125-storey tower in Dubai. The vision, priced at an estimated $3 billion, imagines an aviation-themed landmark that would combine ultra-luxury hospitality with a striking architectural statement, reinforcing the city’s reputation for headline-grabbing development. The footage shows the double-deck superjumbo positioned like a […]
PeerTube, the decentralised video-sharing platform positioned as an open-source alternative to YouTube, has rolled out a set of updates aimed squarely at creators, signalling a strategic push to make the network more attractive to professional and semi-professional video producers who have grown uneasy with the economics and governance of large, centralised platforms. The most significant change is the introduction of “Creator Mode”, a feature set designed to […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 December 2025 – Singapore’s job market is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digitalisation, sustainability imperatives, and demographic shifts. The challenge for graduates and professionals lies in maintaining relevance within industries that are shaping tomorrow’s economy. The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) plays a pivotal role in this development, equipping learners with critical skills and internationally recognised certifications sought by employers.
Growth Sectors Driving Singapore’s Economy
According to the Ministry of Manpower’s Labour Market Report (Q2 2025), resident employment continues to expand in Health & Social Services, while demand for roles in Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and sustainability-related fields remains robust despite global uncertainties. Job vacancies reached 76,900 in June 2025, surpassing the number of jobseekers, with a ratio of 1.35 vacancies per unemployed person—underscoring sustained demand for skilled talent.
Singapore’s Smart Nation and Green Plan strategies highlight key growth sectors including the digital economy (AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing), finance and fintech (green finance, blockchain, digital banking), healthcare and life sciences (driven by aging demographics and biomedical innovation), and sustainability (ESG consulting and renewable energy)
SIM’s Industry-Aligned Programmes
SIM addresses the needs of Singapore’s fastest-growing sectors through two key business units: SIM Global Education (SIM GE) and SIM Academy (SIMA).
SIM GE collaborates with leading universities to deliver degree programmes in high-demand areas, such as:
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Data Science and Business Analytics (University of London) – preparing graduates for careers in data analytics and machine learning
Bachelor in Computer Science (Big Data and Artificial Intelligence) (University of Wollongong) – developing expertise in cybersecurity and generative AI
Bachelor of Business, Majors in Economics, Finance etc (RMIT University) – enabling roles in finance
SIM Academy complements these academic pathways with professional development courses for upskilling and reskilling, including the Starting and Managing Corporate Sustainability, designed to empower professionals to lead ESG initiatives aligned with Singapore’s Green Plan 2030. These offerings combine academic rigor with practical certifications, internships, and industry-aligned projects, ensuring competitiveness in Singapore’s evolving job market.
Alumni Success Pathways
Graduates from SIM’s cybersecurity-related programmes come from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of talent entering Singapore’s growing digital sector. Many begin their learning journeys with different motivations, whether to upskill for emerging roles, pivot from adjacent fields or pursue deeper specialisation in cybersecurity.
Some learners are inspired to pursue formal training after encountering real world risks, such as online fraud or data breaches. Others choose to build on existing technical foundations to take on more specialised responsibilities in national and enterprise cybersecurity functions. Through industry-aligned curricula, practical exposure and professional networks, SIM enables these learners to strengthen their competencies in areas such as threat intelligence, AI-enabled defence and cloud security.
These varied pathways highlight how SIM programmes support both early-career and mid-career professionals in progressing to roles within high-demand sectors, as well as further studies at reputable institutions. The outcomes reflect the value of accessible, skills focused education in developing the cybersecurity workforce needed to support Singapore’s transformation into a resilient and digitally driven economy.
Looking Ahead
Singapore’s economic future depends on a workforce that is agile, skilled, and prepared for change. SIM remains a catalyst in this transformation, offering programmes and professional courses aligned with national growth sectors and global trends. By combining academic excellence with practical industry exposure and showcasing alumni who have successfully transitioned into high-demand fields, SIM demonstrates how education drives employability and innovation.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Singapore Institute of Management
The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) is an International Institute of Higher Learning (IIHL) that empowers, uplifts and strengthens employability, at all seasons of life and starting points. Seeded by the Singapore Economic Development Board in 1964, SIM nurtures leaders with industry focused skills, knowledge and values to create impact in Singapore and Asia through globally recognised education and learning pathways.
SIM harnesses new knowledge, skills, and technology to provide skills-based learning experiences that enable students, professionals, and enterprises to Learn for Life and Thrive for Life. Through SIM Global Education (SIM GE) and SIM Academy, SIM supports diverse learning needs—offering higher education pathways and tailored learning journeys for working professionals and enterprises to adapt and grow in an ever-changing world.
With a steadfast commitment to transforming lives, SIM continues to be a catalyst for change across communities, inspiring learners to contribute meaningfully to society, and fostering progress in society.
For more information on the Singapore Institute of Management, visit sim.edu.sg.
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