The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

“We are urgently working to clarify issues as directed by the MoC regarding the application of a domestic aviation fuel surcharge mechanism, to promptly remove difficulties for airlines,” said CAAV director-general Uong Viet Dung last week.

The MoC has requested the CAAV to further study, supplement, and clarify the legal basis, decision-making authority, and methodology for determining the fuel surcharge. At the same time, it has called for an assessment of the appropriateness of the current price ceiling for basic economy-class domestic air transport services, as well as an assessment of airlines’ production and business performance following the implementation of support policies by the government and relevant management agencies.

Aircraft refuelling at Noi Bai International Airport

At present, the process of formulating, appraising and issuing decisions to adjust the price ceiling is time-consuming, failing to keep pace with rapid fuel market fluctuations and making it difficult to ensure fairness and transparency for consumers.

“Therefore, it is necessary to implement an emergency policy allowing the temporary application for about three months of a fuel surcharge mechanism for domestic economy-class air passenger transport services, to promptly respond to abnormal fluctuations, ensure stable aviation operations, align with international practices, and balance the interests of the state, businesses and society while considering people’s ability to pay,” Dung said.

On March 25, CAAV had proposed that the MoC report on urgent solutions to support aviation operations in response to adverse Jet A-1 fuel price developments.

Alongside proposals to reduce takeoff, landing and air traffic control service fees, the CAAV recommended extending the zero import tax, cutting the environmental protection tax to VND1,000 per litre (about 4 US cents), and considering a reduction in VAT on Jet A-1 fuel to ease cost pressures and cash flow constraints for airlines.

Based on proposals from domestic carriers, the aviation regulator suggested that the MoC allow the application of a fuel surcharge mechanism for domestic economy-class passenger transport services (set outside the current price ceiling), with flexible adjustments in line with Jet A-1 price fluctuations.

According to the CAAV’s assessment, military conflict in the Middle East has directly impacted the global energy market, with Jet A-1 prices rising rapidly and fluctuating sharply over short periods, significantly affecting operating costs for Vietnamese airlines.

Meanwhile, the current pricing mechanism for domestic air passenger transport services still imposes a maximum fare under the Law on Prices. Without an appropriate compensation mechanism, airlines may be forced to continue cutting routes, weakening connectivity, increasing the risk of losing international slots, and undermining post-crisis recovery.

The government has taken timely supportive measures by reducing taxes on petrol, oil and aviation fuel to the lowest possible levels when necessary. At the same time, energy diplomacy efforts have been intensified to ensure a stable supply of Jet A-1 fuel for the domestic market.

On April 12, the National Assembly (NA) adopted a resolution introducing a number of provisions on environmental protection tax, VAT, and special consumption tax (SCT) applicable to petrol, oil products, and aviation fuel.

Under the resolution, the environmental protection tax on petrol (excluding ethanol), diesel, kerosene, mazut, and aviation fuel is set at VND0 per litre. The SCT rate on all types of petrol is also zero per cent. The resolution takes effect from April 16 through the end of June 30.

In addition, to ensure that the domestic petrol, oil, and aviation fuel market is managed in line with global price developments, the NA has authorised the government to issue a resolution to adjust – either shorten or extend – the effective period of this measure.

In urgent cases, the government may also adjust provisions on environmental protection tax, VAT, and SCT as stipulated in this resolution, and will report such actions to the NA at its nearest session.

According to the CAAV, additional costs arising from fuel price fluctuations would be shared equally between airlines and passengers at a 50/50 ratio. While this still represents a significant financial burden for carriers, the approach is considered a relatively balanced way to align the interests of all parties under current conditions.

The aviation regulator also noted that the simultaneous rise in crude oil prices, refining costs and war risk insurance premiums, coupled with localised supply shortages as regional refineries cut capacity, has pushed aviation fuel costs to a new level that is likely to persist in the medium term.

In this context, airlines' operating costs could increase by as much as 40 per cent compared with the pre-conflict period, leaving carriers on the defensive as input costs surge and fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably.

Vietnam Airlines to suspend domestic routes as fuel costs rise Vietnam Airlines is planning to suspend several domestic routes from April 1 amid tightening Jet A-1 fuel supply and surging prices linked to Middle East tensions.

Aviation and maritime fee exemptions proposed until end-2026 The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has proposed exempting a range of fees and charges in the aviation and maritime sectors from April 1 until the end of 2026, in a move aimed at supporting businesses amid volatile fuel prices.

Rising fuel costs disrupt flight plans, squeeze airline earnings Airlines are scaling back routes to offset surging fuel costs, as rising expenses begin to erode profitability despite solid passenger growth, reflected in mixed Q1/2026 financial results across the sector.

Pamela brings over 20 years of experience in public relations and integrated communications. Having engaged Media OutReach Newswire's global press release distribution, she developed a first-hand appreciation of the newswire's core promise: guaranteed news posting on real media with domain authority, direct access to over 200,000 real journalists and editors through a proprietary international media database to achieve earned media coverage, post-release reports with data insights, as well as its pioneering PR Campaign Intelligence reports for C-suites that give clients a clear, measurable picture of communications impact.

"I have seen how Media OutReach Newswire has genuinely changed the way brands communicate beyond their home markets, reaching journalists to build cross-border media relations and garner earned media coverage. The newswire's ability to guarantee verbatim placement on authoritative news sites with high domain trust – ensures that key messages are cited by the AI models that now shape how the world discovers brands. This is a capability that is much needed now by PR, communications and marketing professionals," said Pamela.

"With guaranteed news posting on real news sites, there is full control in delivering campaign key messages to maximise PR impact, in addition to achieving quality earned media coverage on top of that. I am inspired by the newswire service as a key partner for Southeast Asia's most ambitious companies and strategic communicators in telling the region's growth story," she added.

The appointment follows the recent naming of Ms Kitty Lee as Managing Partner, Greater China, signalling a strategic push by Media OutReach Newswire to connect Asian brands, companies and governments to global journalists and audiences.

Powering the "East-to-Global" Narrative with SEO, GEO, AI Citation and Earned Media

Southeast Asia is producing a new generation of regionally confident, globally ambitious brands. At the same time, deepening trade and investment ties between Greater China and Southeast Asia are driving a surge in East-to-East communications, alongside growing East-to-global expansion.

Ms Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, said: "We are witnessing a structural shift where Asia is increasingly driving global innovation, with Asian brands expanding their business across Southeast Asia, ASEAN, Asia Pacific, as well as international markets. Media OutReach Newswire's Total PR and Communications Solution is focused on supporting these brands as they develop corporate and brand messaging that builds trust with journalists, editors, investors and customers."

Recognising the importance of AI-citation, Media OutReach Newswire recently launched JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data) Schema Markup to enhance the technical infrastructure of clients' press releases and optimise AI visibility. The company continues to focus on adopting AI across its press release distribution network, workflows, and post-release reporting.

As AI algorithms trust news posted on real media, Media OutReach Newswire's guaranteed news posting empowers AI discoverability. The newswire's guaranteed news posting partners in Singapore and Asia Pacific (APAC) include leading media Asia News Network (ANN), AsiaOne, CNA, Vulcan Post, MoneyFM89.3 , Malay Mail, The Sun Daily, Dagang News, MySinchew, Vietnam News, Vietnam Plus and The Manila Times to name a few.

"With a global press release distribution network spanning APAC, USA, Canada, UK, and Europe, as well as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, we are uniquely positioned to help Southeast Asian companies and governments build lasting brand equity and trust globally. I am excited to have Pamela on board to help our clients leverage our unique ability to power both SEO and GEO, as well as earned media, internationally," Jennifer added.

Before her senior management roles at consultancies including Ruder Finn, Ogilvy PR and Omnicom PR Group over the past eight years, Pamela held in-house leadership roles heading Marketing and PR at airline HK Express, as well as Communications and Guest Relations at airline Scoot (under the SIA Group).

https://www.media-outreach.com/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

New Zealand's participation in FHA demonstrates long-term commitment not only to Singapore but across the region, showcasing how New Zealand looks to continue its partnership through trade and innovation, while helping to shape the future of food.

New Zealand food and beverage exports to Asia grew from NZ$5.5 billion in 2018 to NZ$8.4 billion in 20251. Notably, New Zealand and Singapore share a strong partnership spanning over 60 years – both are small, advanced economies that depend on international trade for growth. Food and beverage illustrate this relationship: it plays an important part in addressing common challenges between both countries. For New Zealand exporters, Singapore serves as a key market and a strategic gateway to the region.

"FHA is an important meeting point for buyers across Asia, and this pavilion gives interested buyers and partners a direct way to meet New Zealand producers and explore our outstanding, safe, great tasting F&B products for retail, hospitality and foodservice," said Joe Nelson, Regional Director for South East and East Asia at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).

He adds, "We want to showcase the best of what New Zealand has to offer. The 15 companies exhibiting this year have something specific to offer – from dairy and honey, to snacks, beverages and premium ingredients. Several already supply into the region and are here to deepen those relationships, while others are bringing products to Asian buyers for the first time. Either way, buyers who visit will be tasting products and talking directly to the people who make them."

Companies showcasing their products at the New Zealand Pavilion include Ao Cacao, a New Zealand bean-to-bar artisan chocolate maker with 18 international medals across leading chocolate competitions, including an award in the Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat Guide – widely known as the "Michelin Guide of Chocolate". The brand will feature its single origin dark chocolate, specialty milk chocolate and foodservice range at the show. Family business Barker's, founded in 1969, has more than 20 years in exporting and producing fruit and vegetables-based syrups, spreads, chutneys and sauces and will feature its new squeeze relishes and preserves at the tradeshow.

Blue Frog, New Zealand's leading premium granola brand, known for its bold flavour combinations and high nut content, will showcase their breakfast cereals, made using premium natural ingredients for an indulgent granola experience. Meanwhile, New Zealand's only certified organic chicken producer Bostock Brothers & Waitoawill be featuring its naturally lean, halal-certified organic Smoked Applewood chicken rashers, among other products.

Producers of high-quality, premium dairy products Canary Foodswill be showcasing its double-churned pastry butter sheets and butter medallions known for its deliciously creamy texture and spreadability, while international specialty coffee icon and B-Corp Certified Coffee Supremewill be showcasing its Supreme Blend in different formats, from whole beans and espresso roast to drip bags.

Comvita, the global leader in UMF-certified Mānuka honey and science-backed bee-based health products will introduce its limited edition MānuKaya and Bird's Nest Mānuka Honey drink, alongside its Kids Mānuka Honey Eye Health Jelly and Mānuka Honey Pops. Meanwhile, the number one supplier of retail natural cheese and cheese manufacturer in New Zealand Dairyworkswill showcase its creamy cheese and cracker snack packs, along its natural, orange-coloured cheddar burger slices.

New entrants to Singapore and the region, family-owned juice brand Eden Orchards, will be showcasing its Pure Blueberry and Pure Cherry juice. Its blueberry juice is rich in antioxidants; while its cherry juice, which naturally contains melatonin, is becoming a go-to addition to evening routines. Meanwhile, Griffin's, New Zealand's largest snack food company since 1890 will spotlight its high quality and premium snacks – from natural snack bars and biscuits – to crisps and crackers across its 4 brands.

Leading New Zealand protein snack business Jack Link'swill feature its high protein meat snacks, renowned for bold flavours – perfect for those who are active and health conscious. Southern Fresh, New Zealand's leading growers and processors of premium fresh produce will introduce its airfreight, popular and crunchy baby spinach and baby coloured carrots at the pavilion.

Stock Shop Co., premium New Zealand producer of chef-made stocks, glaces, jus and sauces for professional kitchens, will feature its two globally recognised products, Veal and Lobster Stock, while Tatua,world-class manufacturer of specialty dairy ingredients and products made from New Zealand grass-fed certified milk, will showcase its newly launched indulgent Crème Custard. Not forgetting Whittaker's, New Zealand's beloved chocolate and confectionery brand will feature its 100% bean-to-bar, palm-oil free chocolates at the pavilion.

Don't just visit the booth – experience New Zealand's finest at your table. For a limited time this April and May, Singapore restaurants Artichoke and Magpie will launch specially crafted menus using premium ingredients from several innovative New Zealand companies.

Taste the difference. Visit the New Zealand Pavilion at Hall 8, Booth 8D4-01 at Food & Hospitality Asia 2026 from 21 to 24 April 2026 at Singapore Expo, and our exclusive website to find out more about our exhibiting companies.

https://nzte.govt.nz

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The Green Export Incubation and Acceleration Programme through Voluntary Sustainability Standards (GEVA) held its closing conference on April 5. Funded by the Swiss government and co-managed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, the initiative was implemented by KisStartup JSC.

The event was attended by representatives from the Trade Promotion Agency, the ITC in Vietnam, experts, project partners, more than 10 businesses (representing 25 participating companies), and media agencies.

Nguyen Dang Tuan Minh, CEO of KisStartup, said, "After one year, participating businesses have demonstrated clear progress in both mindset and action. KisStartup aims to further develop green export support services to accompany Vietnamese enterprises over the long term."

Luu Trong Hieu, project coordinator of GEVA, said the initiative has delivered several notable results. "It launched three self-assessment toolkits on the greenexport.vn platform, covering green business models, VSS compliance, and green export readiness," he said. "Five training courses were organised in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Dak Lak, and Gia Lai, attracting 485 participants."

The programme also selected 25 businesses for the incubation and acceleration scheme, providing more than 270 hours of in-depth one-on-one consulting across seven thematic areas, along with field assessments conducted at 15 enterprises.

In terms of green export market connections, GEVA supported 17 businesses to participate in the Vietnam Sourcing Expo 2025, five businesses at the Taiwan Lunar New Year Fair 2026, and trade promotion activities at VIPO 2026, along with four online matchmaking conferences with partners from Taiwan, Canada, the EU, and Japan. These outcomes have enabled businesses to meet standards while building sustainable competitive advantages.

Bui Khanh Tung from the Centre of Organic Agriculture Development and Support said standards should be seen as a foundation for sustainable business growth, not a burden. Within GEVA, businesses were equipped with three practical tools to self-assess their level of greenness, resilience, and export readiness.

"Although Vietnamese agricultural products are present in many global markets, most high-value segments remain controlled by foreign distributors," he said. "Vietnamese businesses need to take a more proactive approach in enhancing capabilities and rigorously adopting sustainability standards to meet market requirements and gradually position themselves in higher-value segments."

Vu Thu Van, CEO of Richard Moore Associates (RMA) – the branding consultancy partner for the programme – said she fully understands the challenges businesses face in brand building.

"While many companies have refreshed their image, building a brand is a long-term journey," she said. "Many still struggle to differentiate between domestic and export markets and have yet to develop systematic strategies. RMA aims to bridge this gap by helping businesses redefine their brand stories and core values."

Nguyen Dang Tuan Minh, CEO of KisStartup

KisStartup's Minh noted that RMA experts identified two major limitations among businesses: weak digital export capabilities, particularly in websites and sales channels, and a lack of compelling impact stories.

"A Canadian importer once remarked that the market is saturated and in need of new stories," Minh said. "This is precisely the gap that GEVA has helped businesses address."

After a year with GEVA, participating businesses have seen tangible progress in both green export practices and sustainable development. Many have strengthened their export capabilities, refined brand positioning, and gained a deeper understanding of international market expectations, particularly around sustainability and green consumption trends.

For Detech Coffee, GEVA has played a key role in enhancing export readiness and market insight. "We now better understand customer requirements and green consumption trends, especially after participating in the Taiwan Lunar New Year Fair 2026," said Le Thi Hang, deputy director of Detech Coffee.

At Ede Cafe, the transformation has been more strategic. “We have shifted our mindset towards green exports, clarified our core values, and built a more consistent brand story,” Y Nie Pot, director of Ede Cafe, said. The company has since successfully exported coffee to the United States.

Meanwhile, Red River Spices reported concrete business outcomes. After joining the Taiwan Lunar New Year Fair 2026 through GEVA, the company successfully shipped its first export container to Taiwan, marking an important milestone in its green export journey.

For SAOLA, the initiative helped strengthen communication and market expansion efforts. "Field visits supported us in expanding our growing areas and building greater confidence in our export strategy," said Pham Nguyen Thanh, director of SAOLA.

At Pearl Group JSC, GEVA supported a more focused communication strategy and clearer sustainability narrative. According to deputy CEO Tran Phuoc Hau, the company is now better positioned to reach target customers and is preparing to expand into new product lines, including coffee and instant pho, with continued support from the project.

Beyond these examples, other participating businesses – including DACE, Essence Forest, RainCoffee, and The Cil Coffee – have also made significant strides, refining their brand stories, pursuing green certifications, and adopting more circular and sustainable business models.

GEVA marks not just the conclusion of a one-year initiative, but the beginning of a new phase for Vietnamese businesses on their green export journey. With stronger capabilities and clearer direction, participating businesses are now better positioned to bring sustainable products, authentic stories, and Vietnamese values to global markets.

KisStartup reaffirmed its long-term commitment to supporting a green export business community in Vietnam. "Starting with more than 20 purpose-driven businesses, we have begun shaping Vietnam's green export journey – and we will continue to build it together," Minh said.

Voluntary Sustainability Standards pave way for Vietnam’s agricultural exports A single rejected shipment can take years for an exporter to rebuild trust with international partners, and may even tarnish the reputation of an entire sector. By contrast, exporters that consistently meet required standards can benefit from “green lane” clearance, enjoying faster inspections and lower logistics costs.

From standards to strategy: building Vietnam’s green export capability Sustainability standards alone are not enough–Vietnamese enterprises must integrate them into market-driven business models to unlock real export opportunities.

GEVA boosts Vietnam’s green export push Against the backdrop of increasingly stringent international market requirements regarding quality, traceability, and sustainability standards, strengthening the capacity of Vietnamese enterprises and supporting their access to green export markets has become a critical priority.

Addressing the classic sunscreen dilemma, Katherine explained: "Physical blockers often leave a white cast, while chemical filters raise absorption concerns recently flagged by the FDA. KK Éclat offers a groundbreaking alternative."

By merging Nano Frame technology with high-shearing encapsulation, the formula utilizes sunscreen particles with a slight negative charge matching the skin's natural state. This creates a precise, repelling "safety layer" that keeps active filters effectively on the skin's surface without penetration.

Additionally, the cream features Biosaccharide Gum-4, a breathable biological barrier that shields against UV rays, environmental pollutants, including PM2.5 particles. This multi-layered defense specifically combats photo-aging, meeting the high-frequency demands of modern urban life.

https://www.kkeclat.com

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The new data center improves platform performance for customers in Australia and nearby markets, ensuring low-latency access, strong data residency, and alignment with regional privacy regulations. It also supports Sprinto's mission to make trust accessible and frictionless for every business.

"Increasing demand from APAC markets made Australia a clear next step in our infrastructure roadmap," said Girish Redekar, Co-founder and CEO of Sprinto. "By establishing a local data center, we are providing Australian businesses with the assurance that their data is managed with the highest standards of security and sovereignty, right here at home."

Sprinto is also strengthening its regional partner ecosystem, working with Digital Resilience, Kantanna, and TerraEagle to support implementation and accelerate compliance outcomes.

"Kantanna is excited to continue partnering with Sprinto as they expand in Australia," said Sop Chen, Co-founder, Kantanna. "Their commitment to simplifying compliance aligns strongly with our mission, and we're excited to work together to deliver more reliable, high-impact outcomes for customers across the region."

For customers such as Ferve Tickets, the impact is immediate. "In one case, it took us over 50 hours to clear a single client's security assessment," said Rob Raulings, CEO, Ferve Tickets. "With ISO certification through Sprinto, the next organization assessed our security posture in just 5 minutes."

This launch marks another milestone in Sprinto's global expansion, strengthening its position as a trusted compliance partner for high-growth businesses.

Learn more at https://www.sprinto.com

Recently, LX Pantos entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SK Innovation E&S.

Under the agreement, LX Pantos will have solar power systems installed at three of its Korean logistics centers and establish a framework for the generation, consumption, and sharing of renewable electricity among those same logistics centers. SK Innovation E&S will provide end-to-end solutions covering the investment, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar power facilities.

LX Pantos plans to have solar power systems installed with a combined capacity of 2 MW on the rooftops of three logistics centers: the MegaWise Cheongna Center in Incheon, the New Port Eco Logistics Center in Changwon, and the SC Yongin Center in Yongin. In addition to generating and consuming electricity on-site at each center, the company will establish an inter-center power-sharing system under which power generated at the SC Yongin Center will be supplied to the New Port Eco Logistics Center, maximizing overall energy efficiency. Upon completion, these solar power systems are forecast to allow LX Pantos to reduce its carbon emissions by 1,200 tons annually.

In fact, LX Pantos is already successfully operating a 2.5 MW solar power system at its Sihwa MTV Logistics Center. Building on this experience, the company plans to expand the deployment of solar power systems at all of its logistics centers.

Commenting upon this tremendously significant development, one LX Pantos official said, "This partnership suggests significant progress in our ESG commitment, presenting a model for transforming logistics centers into infrastructure capable of both renewable energy generation and power sharing. We will continue to advance climate action and ESG management in ways that allow the logistics industry to best serve the sustainability of both the company and the planet."

Meanwhile, LX Pantos is accelerating the transition of its logistics infrastructure toward sustainability and actively pursuing greenhouse gas reduction initiatives.

In particular, the company is expanding the installation of solar power generation systems across its self-operated logistics centers, while also pursuing the global green building certification, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Recently, the MegaWise Cheongna Logistics Center in Incheon was awarded LEED Gold certification. Administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is a globally recognized green building rating system used by organizations in 186 countries worldwide. It evaluates buildings based on rigorous criteria across key environmental performance categories, including energy, water, materials, land, and indoor environmental quality.

In the international transportation sector, LX Pantos is also leading decarbonization efforts in the logistics industry by expanding cooperation with global transport partners on the use of sustainable fuels. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from air freight operations, the company has entered into agreements with major global airlines to expand the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Across insurance, government, and the architecture, engineering, construction and operations industries, understanding property conditions has traditionally required piecing together information. Imagery may come from one provider, analytics from another, and materials data only after a loss occurs. This fragmentation slows decision-making and leaves organisations working with incomplete insight.

Nearmap property intelligence connects visual data, AI analytics, and verified materials insight to create a comprehensive understanding of properties at scale, turning what was once disparate information into clear, actionable evidence. While most providers specialise in individual layers of property data, Nearmap brings capture, analytics, and materials intelligence together in one platform.

"Organisations have long been forced to make important property decisions without having the full picture – an image here, a dataset there, and a lot of manual interpretation between," said Andy Watt, Chief Executive Officer at Nearmap. "Nearmap connects capture, AI-driven analysis, and materials intelligence into a single, reliable source of truth. When organisations can clearly understand what exists on a property and how it's changing, they can reduce uncertainty and make better decisions at scale."

"Nearmap imagery is one source of truth that allows us to understand many attributes about a property that standard data sources may not catch," said Adam Sturt, SVP of Data and Analytics at Kin Insurance. "Recent imagery from Nearmap allows us to review the insights against the analytics and truly understand the property's condition."

Nearmap controls the full property intelligence value chain, from patented camera technology that captures high-resolution aerial imagery to AI-derived insights about structures, conditions, and change over time. When combined with building materials intelligence, the result is a consistent and verifiable understanding of properties at scale.

A key step in expanding these capabilities came with the acquisition of itel in 2025, a leader in building materials intelligence. Integrating itel's verified materials data and pricing expanded what Nearmap can deliver to insurers and property professionals, particularly when evaluating repair-versus-replace decisions and improving claims accuracy within a single platform.

"Nearmap has been a part of our business for as long as I can remember. Witnessing the evolution of the product - and the insights it now delivers – has been truly remarkable," Ben Marsonet, Chief Executive Officer, Altus Traffic Australia.

Another milestone in the company's growth was its acquisition by leading software investment firm Thoma Bravo in 2023, which accelerated investment in capture technology, artificial intelligence, and data innovation.

"Organisations are under increasing pressure to understand property risk, cost, and change with far greater precision," said Peter Hernandez, Principal at Thoma Bravo. "The Nearmap approach to combining capture, analytics, and materials intelligence creates a differentiated platform that addresses those needs. We're excited to support the company as it continues to scale that vision."

As risks tied to climate, infrastructure, and development continue to evolve, organisations need clearer insight into the properties and assets they manage. Nearmap helps replace uncertainty with evidence so teams can see truth, assess risk, and act with certainty.

Founded in Australia in 2007, Nearmap has grown into a global technology company supporting customers across North America, Australia, and beyond. For more information, visit www.nearmap.com.

Amid intensifying competition, growing product diversification, and the approaching end of support for legacy systems, Hoshizaki identifies this timing as an opportunity to drive business transformation. The company's existing ERP environment relies heavily on extensive customization and fragmented ancillary systems, which constrains operational agility and limits the advanced use of data.

IFS Cloud provides comprehensive coverage of core business functions through standard capabilities, while also offering the flexibility required to support make-to-order and customized production. By upgrading to IFS Cloud, Hoshizaki aims to reduce excessive customization, optimize investment costs, and establish a scalable ERP platform capable of supporting future growth and expansion.

At the heart of this transformation is Hoshizaki's vision not only to produce high-quality products, but also to leverage IFS in its standard configuration wherever possible. This will allow the company to stay aligned with the latest releases in a timely manner while enabling future enhancements in manufacturing efficiency and more advanced decision-making through AI and other digital technologies. By consolidating order management, production planning, manufacturing execution, and inventory control into a unified platform, IFS Cloud provides the standardized data infrastructure and real-time visibility essential for advanced AI-driven analytics and optimization, positioning the company to capitalize on emerging AI capabilities within the IFS ecosystem as they evolve.

Hannes Liebe, Regional President, APJMEA, at IFS, said: "Hoshizaki is undertaking the modernization of its IT foundation with a forward-looking perspective, in response to the evolving environment surrounding the manufacturing industry. By establishing a modern, standardized ERP foundation, the company will make the use of industrial AI a practical option to support the next stage of manufacturing advancement, strengthening Hoshizaki's sustainable competitive advantage."

Tetsuya Kawai, Managing Director, Manufacturing Industries Solutions Division at NEC, said: "NEC has continuously supported Hoshizaki's core business operations through the implementation of IFS solutions. We are pleased to support Hoshizaki's upgrade to IFS Cloud as a strategic partner as it embarks on its business transformation journey. Through this collaboration, we will contribute our experience in large-scale manufacturing IT transformation to help build a stable and scalable ERP foundation. This platform will enable Hoshizaki to enhance operational efficiency while creating new value through the application of Industrial AI."

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

To participate, please call the following numbers 10 minutes before the call start time and ask to be connected to the "China Automotive Systems" conference call with pin 861648:

Toll Free: 888-506-0062

International: 973-528-0011

China Toll Free: 86 400 120 3199

A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website in the investor relations section.

For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com.

As the medical robotics sector continues to gain momentum, market discussion tends to center on technical specifications and commercialization progress. Yet from a long-term investment perspective, these dimensions alone cannot explain the divergence in value among companies. What truly determines a medical robotics company's long-term worth is not the technology itself—but the level of clinical problem it solves.

The global medical robotics market is projected to grow from roughly USD 70–80 billion in 2023 to over USD 200 billion by around 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate above 15%. More notable, however, is the structural shift underway: the industry's core growth driver is moving rapidly from the "surgical execution end" toward the "diagnostic gateway"—that is, earlier disease detection and more accurate early-stage diagnosis and intervention. Competition around device performance is giving way to competition around solving clinical problems themselves.

I. A Three-Tier Value Framework: Problem Level Determines Long-Term Upside

At its core, medical innovation addresses clinical problems that can be organized into three progressive tiers:

• Tier 1: Can it be done at all? — Procedures that were previously infeasible or unreliable, representing breakthroughs in clinical capability.
• Tier 2: Can it be done faster? — Corresponding to efficiency gains.
• Tier 3: Can it be done more affordably? — Corresponding to cost optimization.

Most medical robotics innovation today remains concentrated in the latter two tiers—essentially extending existing clinical capabilities. The truly scarce and defensible direction is Tier 1: using technology to make previously unachievable medical procedures safe and accurate, thereby creating breakthrough clinical value.

This logic has been validated repeatedly. The da Vinci Surgical System, with a global installed base exceeding 8,000 units and over 2 million annual procedures, owes its sustained high gross margins and steady growth to one thing: its irreplaceable ability to enable complex minimally invasive surgeries that could not otherwise be performed. The same principle applies to TAVR and electrophysiology ablation—each opened new markets by establishing entirely new clinical capabilities.

Companies that solve "can it be done at all" typically enjoy higher technological barriers, stronger pricing power, longer product lifecycles, and more pronounced valuation premiums.

II. An Overlooked Capability Gap: From Detection to Diagnosis

This framework is particularly clear in lung cancer care. Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide, with over 2.2 million new cases and nearly 1.8 million deaths annually—accounting for more than 18% of all cancer-related mortality.

In recent years, the widespread adoption of low-dose CT screening (LDCT) has dramatically improved our ability to detect problems, with pulmonary nodule detection rates reaching 20–30% among high-risk populations. Diagnostic capability, however, has not kept pace—and has instead become a new systemic bottleneck.

Consider the challenge of peripheral lung nodules: over 65% of pulmonary nodules are located in the lung periphery, where conventional bronchoscopes face clear limitations in reaching deep-seated lesions. Compounding this, dynamic discrepancies between preoperative CT imaging and the patient's actual respiratory state introduce widespread localization errors in clinical practice.

This is not an efficiency problem. It is a capability that has yet to be established. How to reliably access targets within complex pulmonary anatomy, and how to achieve precise localization in a dynamically shifting environment—these capabilities directly determine diagnostic accuracy and safety. They represent a textbook "capability-gap opportunity."

For investors, such opportunities share distinct hallmarks: well-defined demand, clear pain points, and high technological barriers. Once a breakthrough is achieved, it typically produces durable competitive moats and extended growth cycles.

III. Noah Medical: A Strategic Entry Through the Capability Gap

As the industry migrates from "efficiency optimization" to "capability creation," Noah Medical has chosen to enter precisely through the capability gap described above—targeting the core challenge of the confirmatory diagnosis stage in early lung cancer detection, and using technology to enhance lesion access and localization, completing a critical missing link in the diagnostic chain.

The technological foundation of this approach lies in the deep integration of real-time image-based localization, AI, and robotic control systems. The Galaxy system dynamically corrects discrepancies between imaging and the patient's anatomy during the procedure, delivering higher-precision lesion localization in complex environments. This is the single most critical technical challenge in diagnosing peripheral lung nodules today.

Core Clinical Data

Since receiving FDA clearance in 2023, the Galaxy system has been used in over 10,000 clinical procedures across an installed base of more than 50 systems. Robotic navigational bronchoscopy diagnostic yield exceeds 90–93%, with a lesion localization success rate of approximately 96% and a low complication rate, demonstrating a strong safety profile. In the robotic bronchoscopy segment for pulmonary applications, Galaxy holds roughly 5% market share and remains in a phase of rapid growth.

From a market standpoint, the global natural orifice surgical robotics market is expected to surpass USD 80 billion, with the lung cancer biopsy sub-segment alone representing approximately USD 6 billion. China's surgical robotics market is projected to sustain a 30–36% compound annual growth rate over the coming years, with select early-stage innovative sub-segments growing even faster. More critically, the shift toward non-invasive approaches is continuously expanding the addressable patient population—patients previously excluded due to procedural risk or diagnostic difficulty are steadily entering the diagnosable and treatable pool.

The core value of Noah Medical's chosen path lies in combining assured demand with room for expansion: on one hand, lung cancer diagnosis and treatment represents a large and steadily growing base of inelastic clinical need; on the other, the precision access and localization capabilities built on the natural orifice approach carry platform potential for replication across other specialties.

Noah Medical is not positioned in a single-product niche. It sits along a capability pathway with the potential for progressive, multi-specialty expansion.

Conclusion

The investment logic of medical robotics ultimately comes down to a judgment about problem hierarchy. Amid similar levels of technological excitement and market narrative, the companies that choose to tackle clinical problems not yet effectively solved—and that create new medical capabilities through technology—are the ones most likely to deliver true long-term structural value.

Noah Medical is a representative company worthy of sustained attention within this framework. Subsequent articles in this series will further examine its technology pathway, clinical evidence, and commercialization trajectory.

— This is the first article in the Noah Medical deep-dive research series —

As a premier technology event in Asia, GITEX ASIA 2026 drew nearly a thousand global technology companies. WPS 365 attracted wide attention and positive feedback at the show for its full compatibility, flexible deployment, cost-effectiveness, safe and reliable AI capabilities.

Amid rapid digital transformation, stricter regulatory compliance requirements, and growing AI adoption, enterprises across Southeast Asia are increasingly turning to integrated, one-stop AI collaborative office platform. Zhiqiang Jiang, Senior Vice President at WPS, stated at the event that WPS 365 combines full interoperability, flexible deployment, cost-effectiveness, and advanced AI capability to build an "Enterprise Brain" that deeply understands corporate data, organizational dynamics, and business workflows. The platform is engineered to help Southeast Asian enterprises accelerate digital transformation while cutting costs and driving growth.

Biwei Qi, Deputy General Manager of WPS Global Commercial Business, explained that WPS 365 is built around the company's proprietary Knowledge-Augmented Generation (KAG) architecture. Running on enterprises' private document repositories, the platform supports permission-controlled information retrieval and content generation, with results that are traceable, verifiable, and linked to original sources. This structure effectively reduces decision-making and compliance risks stemming from AI hallucinations.

Notably, WPS 365 helps Southeast Asian enterprises easily comply with local data residency and regulatory requirements as they scale. It offers seamless compatibility with major international document formats, enabling zero-cost migration, and supports flexible public, hybrid, and private cloud deployment to meet diverse data sovereignty needs. A key competitive edge is its strong cost efficiency, which directly lowers IT expenditures while boosting collaboration efficiency, fully addressing enterprises' demand for AI-powered teamwork.

WPS 365 is implementing a three major B2B expansion strategies across Southeast Asia: building a local channel partner network, deepening integration with global cloud providers, and delivering customized digital support for enterprises. The platform has already established strategic alliances with Huawei Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud, integrating application capabilities with underlying infrastructure to deliver solutions better tailored to local computing environments and regulatory frameworks. By empowering regional distributors and partners, WPS aims to shift from standalone product sales to full-stack service co-creation, gradually forging an comprehensive B2B service network across Southeast Asia.

The enterprise office market in Southeast Asia is shifting from standardized standalone tools toward platform-based, intelligent, and compliance-focused solutions. Providers that can balance cross-border collaboration, local regulatory compliance, cost control, and safe AI applications will command stronger long-term competitiveness. Built on 38 years of technological expertise, a large global user base, and mature go-to-market capabilities, WPS 365 holds a distinct strategic position in the market.

As of the end of 2025, WPS Office boasted more than 678 million monthly active devices worldwide, covering over 220 countries and regions. Its mobile applications support 46 languages. WPS devotes 66% of its workforce to R&D, with research investment accounting for more than 35% of total revenue, providing consistent support for product iteration and global delivery. WPS already serves prominent regional clients including Thailand Post, Indonesia's Erajaya Group, and Vietnam's VNG Games, building a strong track record in localization expertise.

LG Corp. announced a global display of celebratory visual tributes created by the Guggenheim using the distinctive graphic identity of the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative. These tributes present excerpts of landscapes perceived by machines and AI from Trevor Paglen's practice, courtesy of the artist. These celebratory visual tributes will be displayed on LG's prominent digital billboards at Times Square in New York, Piccadilly Circus in London, and Gwanghwamun in Seoul.

These three cities represent important landscapes in Paglen's career. An American artist based in New York, Paglen has garnered international acclaim through major exhibitions at prestigious institutions such as London's Barbican Centre and Tate Modern. His ties to the Korean art community are equally profound; he was previously honored with the 'Nam June Paik Art Center International Art Award' in 2018, and his selection as this year's LG Guggenheim Award recipient further solidifies this enduring connection.

The commemorative display is expected to engage a global audience of approximately 30 million people throughout their duration. The tribute launched at New York's Times Square on April 6 for an eight-week run, and will be followed by five-week displays at London's Piccadilly Circus and Seoul's Gwanghwamun starting April 13. This wide-reaching activation leverages the high-traffic nature of these landmark locations—averaging 250,000 daily visitors in Times Square, 300,000 in Piccadilly Circus, and 130,000 in Gwanghwamun—to bring Paglen's visionary practice to the forefront of public consciousness.

Paglen is the fourth artist to be recognized as part of the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative, a five-year, multifaceted collaboration designed to research, honor, and promote artists working at the intersection of art and technology. Selected by an international jury of leaders in contemporary art, Paglen will receive an unrestricted honorarium of $100,000 in celebration of his groundbreaking contributions to this field.

Trevor Paglen is an artist whose work brings visibility to digitally invisible structures, helping audiences better understand current technologies and their underlying logic. Drawing on sustained engagements with landscape renderings, advanced technologies, and the history of photography, he reveals how power, secrecy, and surveillance influence what we see–and what remains unseen–within digital systems.

Paglen has presented solo exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (2019); Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Washington, DC (2018); Frankfurter Kunstverein, Frankfurt (2015); Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan State University, East Lansing (2015); Protocinema, Istanbul (2013); Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, the Netherlands (2013); and the Vienna Secession (2010). His work has also been included in group exhibitions at leading museums such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (2009, 2010, and 2018); Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid (2014); Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2011); and Tate Modern, London (2010), among many others.

In recognition of his work, Paglen received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2017 and the Electronic Frontier Foundation Award in 2014, honoring him as a groundbreaking investigative artist. His work is in the collections of the Guggenheim; Centre Pompidou, Paris; Cleveland Museum of Art; Dallas Museum of Art; FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais, Dunkirk, France; Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston; Israel Museum, Jerusalem; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; Mudam Luxembourg, Luxembourg City; Museum of Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; Pérez Art Museum Miami; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, and more.

The 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient Trevor Paglen will be recognized at the Young Collectors Council (YCC) Party on May 14. Paglen will deliver the lecture-performance "The Lizard People Are Here!" at Guggenheim New York on May 18. Please visit guggenheim.org/calendar/ for more information.

For additional information:
https://lgartssponsorship.lg.co.kr/en/

Favre most recently served as CEO of OPmobility, a leading Tier 1 automotive supplier, where he led a complex global transformation, delivering profitable growth and strong cash generation. He brings more than 20 years of automotive industry experience, with a strong track record of operational improvement, financial performance, and deep OEM partnerships.

Marelli today also announced the appointments of Roberto Fioroni as Chief Financial Officer and Helen Redfern as Chief Human Resources Officer, both effective May 1, 2026. Fioroni, who joins from Dowlais Plc, where he served as CFO, will succeed Alanna Abrahamson. Ms. Redfern also joins from Dowlais Plc, where she served as Chief People Officer.

A spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Group said: "We are excited to announce our plan to appoint Laurent Favre as Marelli's future CEO following Fritz Henderson's tenure to ensure a seamless leadership transition. Laurent is a highly regarded industry leader with the operational and strategic expertise required to guide Marelli for long-term success.

"We are also delighted by the appointments of Roberto Fioroni as CFO and Helen Redfern as CHRO," continued the spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Group. "Together, this leadership team brings the right combination of financial discipline, operational rigor and people leadership to support Marelli's transformation and future growth."

Favre said: "Marelli is distinguished by its strong technology, global footprint and long-standing customer relationships. I look forward to working closely with the OEMs and the full Marelli team to refine the company's strategic roadmap and support a successful emergence from Chapter 11. I am also very pleased Marelli will welcome Roberto Fioroni and Helen Redfern, whose experience will be critical in strengthening the organization."

The Ad Hoc Group expressed its appreciation for the contributions of current CEO David Slump, who has led Marelli over the past four years through a period of significant transformation and will remain an Executive Board Member through the company's emergence from its Chapter 11 restructuring process.

"We thank David Slump for his leadership, discipline and commitment during a challenging and important period for Marelli," the Ad Hoc Group spokesperson added. "His efforts have helped position the company for a successful transition to its next chapter."

The group of senior lenders to Marelli encompass Deutsche Bank, Strategic Value Partners, MBK Partners, Fortress Investment Group and Polus Capital Management.

The University Assembly was held in the Chan Tak Tai Auditorium on the Tuen Mun campus. There was an audience of around 600 people, including Lingnan's senior management, staff, students, and young scholars.

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University, warmly welcomed Nobel Chemistry Laureate Prof Warshel, in honour of his visit to engage with Lingnan students and learn about the University's latest developments. He said, "Leading scholars are a cornerstone of Lingnan's competitiveness and help drive the University's academic development and international exchange. Following Nobel Laureate in Physics Prof Samuel C.C. Ting's joining Lingnan, we are delighted to host world-class scholar Prof Warshel at one of our signature academic events. This initiative enhances the campus internationalisation, providing faculty and students with invaluable opportunities to interact with outstanding scholars and to advance interdisciplinary inquiry. It not only inspires students to combine frontier research with societal needs, but also facilitates the translation of research outcomes into practical applications that deliver tangible benefits for society and sustainable development."

In his lecture Electrostatic Basis of Biological Actions, Prof Warshel provided a systematic overview of more than four decades of research on biological reactions. He also shared how his interest in chemistry began. When he first entered university, he was uncertain about his academic direction. Encouraged by a friend who recognised his keen observational ability, he chose to study chemistry, a decision that sparked his lifelong passion for the field.

Prof Warshel is best known for developing multiscale molecular modelling of complex chemical systems, enabling the simulation of biomolecular systems and protein reactions at multiple levels. This work transformed the understanding of biochemical processes and led to his award of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2013.

Prof Warshel guided the audience from fundamental physical principles, tracing the development from classical theories such as Maxwell's equations and energy models to modern computational approaches. He emphasised that the key to understanding the complexity of biological systems lies in translating microscopic electronic interactions into macroscopic dielectric environments. The electrostatic models he pioneered have enabled scientists to calculate electrostatic free energy within proteins with remarkable precision.

These computational approaches have advanced the understanding of enzyme catalysis and the molecular basis of cancer-related mutations. Enzymes, as highly efficient natural catalysts, accelerate reactions not primarily through mechanical strain, but through electrostatic preorganisation that lowers activation barriers. Using the Ras protein (Rat sarcoma protein) as an example, Prof Warshel explained that mutations can disrupt electrostatic balance in GTP hydrolysis (Guanosine Triphosphate hydrolysis), leading to uncontrolled cell growth and contributing to tumour formation.

The influence of electrostatic interactions extends beyond reaction rates to energy transport and macromolecular dynamics in living systems. Processes such as proton transfer within cells and ion transport across membranes are governed by electrostatics. At the molecular level, systems such as ATP synthase (Adenosine Triphosphate synthase) operate under strict electrostatic constraints. These insights have been applied to the study of complex biological processes, including protein folding and cardiac hypertrophy.

Prof Warshel concluded that the missing link between the structure and function of biological macromolecules lies in electrostatic interactions. This highlights the fundamental role of physical principles in biology and underscores the importance of electrostatics in guiding future developments in precision medicine and bioengineering.

During an in-depth discussion session with students and faculty, Prof Warshel encouraged young people to pursue excellence, and integrate knowledge and translate it into a meaningful contribution to society.

Taking place from 10–15 June 2026, the tournament will feature leading teams across Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball and Phygital Dancing, all aiming to secure qualification to the Games of the Future 2026 (GOTF 2026), where they will compete for global glory and a share of over US$4 million prize pool.

With qualification on the line and only a limited number of slots available, Astana will host some of the most intense and competitive matchups seen across the phygital calendar to date. Teams arriving have already proven themselves across the Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals regional circuits, but only a select few will progress to compete on the global stage at the Games of the Future 2026 this summer, raising the stakes across every match and performance.

Across all three disciplines, teams will compete in the Games of the Future's signature phygital format, combining digital gameplay with live physical performance into a single competitive structure.

In Phygital Football, one of the most popular disciplines, a strong international field will take to the stage, with teams such as KMF Titograd from Montenegro returning with unfinished business after narrowly missing out on a place at GOTF 2025 last year, alongside teams including Lahore Athletics, coming all the way from Pakistan for the first time, and one of the most successful Liga Fut7 teams in Brazil, OEASTE SP, all set to compete for qualification in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.

In Phygital Basketball, Valencia Basket 3x3, winners of Phygital Rivals Spain, arrive as one of the new phygital teams to watch. Representing the city's professional 3x3 team, they will face strong opponents including Boca, the official 3x3 team of Boca Juniors from Argentina, and Serbia's 2025 3x3 champions, Vozdovac, as they look to secure their place at the Games.

Meanwhile, blending rhythm, precision and physical endurance, Phygital Dancing will bring together a truly international line-up of performers from across the globe, featuring established names such as Brazil-based GOTF 2025 runner-up Tiago Silva and Netherlands-based Dion Visser, alongside emerging talents including Armenia-based Lala Geborgyan and Jose Campos from Peru, all competing for the final places on the global stage later this summer.

"This second edition of Phygital Contenders reflects the strength of the pathway we have built," said John Hewitt, International Marketing & Communications Director at Phygital International. "Seeing such a competitive and diverse line-up, with both returning teams and new challengers, is a strong indication that we are moving in the right direction. As teams compete for their place at the Games of the Future in Astana this summer, it is clear that the ecosystem is not only growing, but also becoming more competitive with each season."

With Astana preparing to host the Games of the Future 2026, the qualifiers provide an early opportunity to showcase the city's role at the centre of the global phygital calendar.

Alibek Khassenov, Head of the Directorate of the Games of the Future 2026 said: "Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana represents a key milestone on the road to this summer's Games of the Future, and an opportunity to showcase Kazakhstan's ambition to be at the forefront of innovation in sport. Together with our partners, we are proud to welcome the world's top phygital athletes and support the continued growth of this dynamic format."

In parallel to the announcement of the lineup for Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana, the first teams for the Games of the Future 2026 in Phygital Shooter have also been revealed. Among them are new challengers such as South Africa's Hybrids and Spain-based Klan Pedrajas, who will join reigning champions xGoat as part of an eight-team line-up in Astana.

The Games of the Future 2026 (July 29 – August 9) will bring together multiple phygital and esports disciplines, including Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Dancing, Phygital Shooter and Phygital Fighting, alongside thrilling esports competitions including MOBA on both PC and mobile, as well as Battle Royale.

As the pinnacle event of the global phygital calendar, GOTF 2026 is expected to bring together more than 900 participants from over 50 countries, continuing to define the future of sport by integrating digital competition with physical performance under a single competitive framework.

The full list of participants at Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana, along with the rankings overview across all phygital disciplines, is available here.

To keep up to date with the latest news on Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana and the Games of the Future 2026, visit the official website. Fans can catch all the action from Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana live (and relive the action from GOTF 2025) via the official OTT platform: tv.gofuture.games.

For more information please visit: https://gofuture.games/

Caroline brings more than 35 years of digital and data experience spanning government, industry, and most recently defence, combining deep expertise in digital, data and AI with an extensive international background including working across Five Eyes, allied partners and agencies.

In this new role, Caroline will help expand Strider's AI capabilities to deliver an agentic data refinery that global organizations rely on to understand and navigate global competition.

"Caroline is one of the foremost leaders in applying data and AI to complex economic and national security challenges," said Eric Levesque, President and Co-Founder of Strider Technologies. "Her experience building and operationalising advanced data capabilities across allied ecosystems aligns directly with how Strider is evolving its AI-powered strategic intelligence platform. As we continue developing our agentic AI capabilities to transform open-source data into strategic intelligence, her experience will strengthen our ability to provide clients with clearer, faster insight into nation-state risk and support more confident decision making."

As Western nations confront growing economic security threats from strategic competitors, organisations, industry and governments face persistent hostile activity from adversarial nations seeking to access sensitive data, critical infrastructure, technology, and talent. At the same time, organisations must navigate increasing operational complexity and resource constraints while making high-stakes decisions about technology, personnel, investment, and global partnerships.

Strider's AI-powered strategic intelligence platform analyses billions of publicly available data points to identify patterns of state-linked activity and emerging risks, enabling organisations to uncover hidden connections, assess exposure, and make quicker, more confident decisions.

"Throughout my career, I have seen first-hand how increasingly sophisticated competitors and indeed state actors exploit the openness of advanced digital and data capabilities and economies to access technology, talent, and sensitive intellectual property," said Caroline Bellamy, Executive Director at Strider Technologies. "Economic security is one of the defining challenges of our time, and it requires the best combination of technology, data, AI, and the right people with the skills to meet it. What drew me to Strider is exactly that, a diverse team that is genuinely mission-driven and ethically motivated, working globally for the security of what we want to defend. I'm proud to join an organisation where purpose and capability go hand in hand."

Caroline has spent the past six years serving as the UK Ministry of Defence's first ever Chief Data Officer, and most recently as its Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer. Caroline led the transformation of data capabilities and AI enablement across the organisation, spearheading the first Defence Data Strategy and driving a fundamental shift in how data is governed, shared, and exploited. Her work established new policies, governance frameworks, talent and capabilities to accelerate the use of advanced technologies and analytics, delivering data-enabled insight and decision advantage across Defence. Caroline has worked extensively across the global defence data ecosystem, forging collaboration with NATO, Five Eyes partners, allied governments, and industry to strengthen collective capability and accelerate the responsible use of data and AI in Defence and national security.

Prior to the Ministry of Defence, Caroline held senior leadership roles within FTSE 100 organisations working internationally including nine years at Vodafone and eight at Centrica, where she led major data and digital capability developments and required transformation programs. She has been recognised among the Top 50 Most Influential People in UK Technology (2024) and has been named one of DataIQ's 100 Most Influential People in Data since 2018. Caroline is a committed leader the promotion of diversity and talent and was named in top 20 Women in Data and Technology in 2019.

As the first co‑branded index between HKEX and Korea Exchange (KRX), the HKEX KRX Semiconductor Index provides cross‑market exposure to Hong Kong‑listed semiconductor companies eligible for Southbound Stock Connect and to leading South Korean semiconductor names, represented by constituents of the KRX Semiconductor Top 15 Index.

The HKEX Tech & US Tech 100 Index tracks the performance of all constituents of the HKEX Tech 100 Index and the 100 largest Nasdaq‑listed technology companies by market capitalisation, including the Magnificent Seven.

With weightings of approximately 60 per cent for Stock Connect-eligible Hong Kong-listed companies and 40 per cent in overseas-listed companies, the indices are designed to support the development of exchange traded funds (ETFs) and to be eligible for inclusion under Southbound ETF Connect — enabling investors in the Chinese Mainland to access more diversified cross-market exposure.

HKEX is also pleased to announce it has entered into licensing agreements with Bosera Asset Management (International), Da Cheng International Asset Management, E Fund Management (Hong Kong), GF International Investment Management, and Huatai-PCG Asset Management, for the introduction of ETFs based on the two newly-launched indices in Hong Kong, subject to regulatory approval.

HKEX Chief Executive Officer, Bonnie Y Chan, said: "We are delighted to announce the launch of these exciting additions to HKEX's index suite, part of our strategic commitment to building an exchange‑led index ecosystem that supports product innovation and market development. By expanding our proprietary and co‑branded benchmark offering, along with its strong focus on technology opportunities, we aim to create a liquidity flywheel—broadening the universe for index‑linked products, deepening market participation and enhancing vibrancy across both the primary and secondary markets."

"We also warmly welcome the licensing agreements with Bosera International, Da Cheng International, E Fund HK, GF International, and Huatai-PCG to launch ETFs based on these new indices, underscoring our deep collaboration with the industry and our focus on developing indices that are fit for purpose, meeting the needs of our regional and international investors," Ms Chan added.

As Hong Kong welcomes even more technology companies across different industries to list on its vibrant markets, investor demand for related products is becoming increasingly diverse. These new benchmarks are designed to reflect that evolution, offering targeted and diversified exposure to global and regional technology themes, whilst supporting the development of products tailored to different investment strategies and risk appetites.

Index methodology and additional information about the HKEX KRX Semiconductor Index and the HKEX Tech & US Tech 100 Index are available on the HKEX website.

www.hkexgroup.com

Ovarian cancer

This presentation reported, for the first time, important data on sac-TMT as maintenance treatment in breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) wild-type, second-line platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Among the 40 patients enrolled in the ovarian cancer cohort, 27 received sac-TMT (4 mg/kg, every other week (Q2W)) in combination with pembrolizumab, and 13 received sac-TMT (5 mg/kg, Q2W) in combination with pembrolizumab. Among the enrolled patients, 70% had prior bevacizumab therapy, and 58% had prior PARP inhibitor therapy. The median follow-up was 22.2 months (data cutoff date: November 17, 2025).

The data showed that median progression-free survival (PFS) in the overall population was 20.9 months; median overall survival (OS) was not reached; and the 12-month OS rate was 92%. Additionally, the adverse events of sac-TMT in combination with pembrolizumab were manageable. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were anemia, stomatitis, and decreased neutrophil count. No deaths or discontinuations due to sac-TMT-related TRAEs was reported.

The study results showed that sac-TMT in combination with pembrolizumab as maintenance therapy for platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer demonstrated positive efficacy signals and a favorable safety profile, providing important evidence for further clinical exploration of this combination regimen in the ovarian cancer population.

Cervical cancer

A total of 68 patients with previously treated second-line or third-line recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer were enrolled in the cervical cancer cohort to receive sac-TMT at doses of 3 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, or 5 mg/kg Q2W in combination with pembrolizumab. Among the enrolled patients, 57% had prior bevacizumab therapy, and 51% had prior immunotherapy. The median follow-up was 24.7 months (data cutoff date: November 17, 2025).

The data showed that after treatment with sac-TMT in combination with pembrolizumab, the objective response rate (ORR) in the total population was 51% and 54% in IO-pretreated population. The median PFS was 7.3 months and the median OS reached 18.9 months in the total population. Furthermore, the safety profile of sac-TMT in combination with pembrolizumab was manageable, with no new safety signals identified and no deaths due to TRAEs.

The study results demonstrated promising and durable antitumor activity with a manageable safety profile in patients with pre-treated second-line or third-line recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer receiving sac-TMT in combination with pembrolizumab, providing robust data to support further clinical development.

For more information, please visit https://en.kelun-biotech.com/.

Notably, efforts to reduce display creases are shifting from traditional mechanical solutions—relying on hinges and support structures—to a materials-driven approach centered on managing structural stress. Crease mitigation has become a key benchmark for evaluating a brand display's integration capabilities.

TrendForce estimates that Apple, leveraging its strong brand positioning and consumer anticipation, could capture nearly 20% market share in 2026, compressing the share of competitors such as Samsung Electronics and Huawei to around 30% each.

Industry developments highlight growing expectations for crease reduction and material innovation. At CES 2026, Samsung showcased a crease-free display panel, while OPPO recently introduced the Find N6, marketed with a "virtually crease-free" design.

Creases originate from the misalignment of the neutral layer within the panel stack, which causes localized tensile stress, leading to micro-cracks or permanent deformation under stress concentration. The core solution lies in precise control of stress distribution and neutral layer positioning within the multilayer structure.

In next-generation foldable devices, ultra-thin glass (UTG) is no longer just a surface protection layer. As indicated in Apple's patents, a variable thickness design combined with chemical strengthening allows the folding area to be locally thinned at the bending axis to improve bendability, while non-folding regions retain greater thickness for impact resistance.

However, the key breakthrough for foldable displays in 2026 lies in the evolving role of optically clear adhesive (OCA). No longer limited to a bonding function, OCA now exhibits pronounced viscoelastic properties through optimized modulus design and material composition.

Since elastic modulus determines a material's resistance to deformation under stress, an optimized OCA enables dynamic modulation of the panel's mechanical response. It remains soft during gradual bending to reduce fatigue stress, while under sudden external force, its modulus temporarily increases to provide localized structural support.

OCA uses these mechanisms to help stabilize the neutral layer and significantly reduce stress concentration during folding. Its micro-flow characteristics also allow it to fill microscopic irregularities formed over long-term use, reducing light scattering and further minimizing the visible crease.

TrendForce notes that while material innovation now leads crease reduction, mechanical structures remain critical. For example, the OPPO Find N6 incorporates precision machining and 3D printing technologies to enhance hinge flatness, while polymer materials fill structural gaps to prevent localized suspension and stress concentration, ensuring stable deformation during repeated folding.

Meanwhile, for the metal support plate behind the display, Samsung Display has adopted laser drilling technology to reduce hole spacing in bending areas, achieving a balance between structural rigidity and flexibility, and enabling a near crease-free visual experience.

Essentially, the key to crease improvement has shifted from hinge design to the synergistic optimization of material modulus, thickness distribution, and stress release. This transition, driven by material science, marks the final milestone toward achieving a truly "crease-free" foldable display.

Starting from April 13, 2026, owners and renters of VinFast electric vehicles in Indonesia and the Philippines can register to become service partners on the Green SM Platform. Developed within GSM's fully electric mobility ecosystem, the platform is designed to expand driver and vehicle supply, while ensuring all operations are delivered under consistent, professional service standards.

Upon successful registration, driver partners will undergo structured training programs covering operational procedures and service standards to ensure a consistent and high-quality customer experience. The platform offers a competitive revenue-sharing model of up to 90%, along with performance-based incentive schemes, enabling driver partners to maintain stable income and pursue long-term development opportunities.

In parallel, Green SM Indonesia and Green GSM Philippines are introducing comprehensive support policies to help partners access vehicles more easily through VinFast electric vehicle purchase and rental programs. These initiatives reducebarriers to entry and accelerate the expansion of the driver network.

In Indonesia, partners can register for the program and quickly gain access to VinFast electric vehicle models such as VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, and Limo Green, enabling them to begin operation as soon as the required procedures . are completed. The model requires no loans or significant upfront investment, enabling drivers tobuild stable income streams.

In the Philippines, Green GSM is rolling out the program with VF 5 and Limo Green models, supported by comprehensivepolicies covering registration, insurance, and operations. This enables drivers to join the platform with ease and gradually build stable operations, with income potential aligned with local market conditions and business needs.

Notably, drivers operating VinFast electric vehicles will continue to benefit from free charging policies through March 31, 2029, significantly reducing operating costs and improving income efficiency.

Nguyen Van Thanh, Global CEO of GSM, said: "Green SM Platform is not only a step forward in service expansion, but also a solution to accelerate the transition to green mobility across Southeast Asia. By building an open platform with high service standards, we aim to rapidly increase the number of electric vehicles in operation, delivering a sustainable, modern, and reliable mobility experience for the community. This is a strategic move toward shaping a comprehensive green transportation ecosystem across the region."

Amid growing demand for flexible employment in major cities, the Green SM Platform enables workers to quickly access vehicles, start earning, and generate stable income withoutlarge upfront investments or complex financing schemes. The platform rollout in Indonesia and the Philippines not only strengthens Green SM's regional presence but also helps shape a sustainable urban mobility model, where technology, environmental responsibility, and livelihoods can grow in parallel.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Founded in 1772, Osborne is an international food and beverage group with a portfolio of premium brands and a presence in over 70 countries, supported by production facilities across Spain. It owns and manages more than 30 brands across wines, spirits and gourmet products, including global labels such as Carlos I brandy, Nordés gin, Cinco Jotas ham and Bodegas Montecillo wines.

As part of the partnership, Osborne will invest S$5 million in Singapore-listed Octopus by subscribing for new shares at S$0.0680 each, representing a 13.33% premium to the Company’s last closing price of S$0.0600 on 9 April 2026. The investment will give Osborne a 6.40% equity stake, aligning its interests with Octopus’ regional growth strategy.

Osborne, a family-owned business now led by the sixth generation, in 2024 reported net sales of €251 million (S$372 million) and net profit of €16.1 million.

Under the five-year agreement, renewable for successive three-year periods, Octopus will manage Osborne’s distribution value chain in Singapore. This includes distribution across retail, on-trade and e-commerce channels, alongside marketing, trade execution and brand positioning.

From distribution to product development

Beyond distribution, the partnership opens a pathway for Octopus to develop its own wines and spirits by leveraging Osborne’s production expertise. Products developed under this collaboration will be tailored for Asian palates, drawing on Octopus’ on-the-ground understanding of consumer preferences, pricing dynamics and route-to-market execution.

Through its wholly owned Octopus Distribution Networks, established in 2011, the Company has built a regional wholesale platform specialising in the import, distribution and marketing of beverages across Southeast Asia. Its portfolio spans both local and international brands with established provenance and heritage, supplying a customer base ranging from high-end cocktail bars to mass-market retailers.
The Osborne partnership marks a natural extension of this model. It positions Octopus to move upstream from distributor to brand creator, with the ability to originate and scale products designed for regional markets. Economic benefits from jointly developed products will be shared equally between both parties.

Scalable platform for regional expansion

The partnership is structured as a scalable regional platform, enabling Octopus to extend Osborne’s distribution footprint across Asia-Pacific. Expansion beyond Singapore will be carried out via separate local distribution agreements with existing and newly acquired distribution companies. This allows the network to scale progressively as Octopus builds its regional presence.

Fernando Terry Osborne, Chief Executive Officer of Osborne, said: “This partnership with Octopus represents a decisive step in Osborne’s international growth strategy. Asia-Pacific is a priority region for our brands, and Singapore provides a solid platform from which to strengthen our presence in high-potential markets. The investment in Octopus reflects our confidence in their operational capabilities and business vision. We share the same ambition: to bring the excellence and authenticity of our brands to new consumers across the region. We are convinced that, together, we can accelerate our expansion and develop value propositions adapted to the preferences of the Asian market.”

Paul Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of Octopus, said the collaboration expands the Company’s role within the value chain.

“This partnership goes beyond distribution. By combining Osborne’s production expertise with our market knowledge, we will be able to develop products built for Asian consumers from the outset,” he said. “It marks a step forward in our strategy to become not just a distributor of global brands, but a creator and owner of brands in our own right.”

The distribution agreement is expected to contribute to Octopus’ revenue growth and enhance margins through a greater mix of premium, brand-led products.

Octopus intends to replicate this model across future partnerships, combining distribution mandates and strategic investments, where appropriate, with product co-development to build a regional, brand-led platform.

https://www.octopusholdings.asia/

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According to data by Vietnam Customs, Vietnam spent over $2.9 billion importing 3.4 million tonnes of petroleum products in the first three months of this year, soaring 79 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively, from a year ago. In March, the country imported nearly 1.2 million tonnes of petroleum products totalling $1.46 billion, representing a 13 per cent on-month increase in volume and a surge of 94 per cent in value due to skyrocketing prices in the global market.

In the first quarter of 2026, crude oil imports saw a 15 per cent decrease against last year’s period, reaching more than 3.1 million tonnes, worth nearly $1.7 billion.

The share increase in import value is attributed to the rising global oil prices amid the escalation of the Middle East conflict. Businesses have stepped up imports and source diversification to avoid domestic fuel shortages.

In March, key businesses and import traders purchased approximately 3.2 million cubic metres of petroleum products. This, coupled with existing inventories, helps ensure the supply until the end of April.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is building plans for the upcoming months. Some measures include increasing supply, enhancing domestic production, diversifying sources, developing environmentally friendly alternative fuels such as biofuels, and enhancing commercial reserve capacity.

As reported by Business Insider on April 13, oil prices spiked past $100 per barrel after the US administration imposed a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to failed peace talks between Iran and the US.

Oil prices have skyrocketed globally since the US and Israel's war on Iran began in February. Iran retaliated by effectively closing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Around 20 per cent of the world's oil supply and liquefied natural gas passes through the waterway off Iran's coast.

ASEAN countries exposed by Middle East oil dependence ASEAN countries are vulnerable to supply chain disruptions due to their heavy dependence on crude oil imports from the Middle East.

Nghi Son Refinery secures alternative crude amid Middle East disruptions Nghi Son Refinery has secured alternative crude supplies to maintain operations amid disruptions to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

National Assembly approves zero tax on petrol, oil, aviation fuel The National Assembly has unanimously approved sweeping tax cuts on petrol, oil and aviation fuel, reducing key rates to zero through June 30 in a bid to cushion domestic markets against volatile global energy prices.