SYDNEY, NSW, March 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SYDNEY, NSW – March 04, 2026 – –
Clean Group Commercial Cleaning has been recognized as Sydney’s leading commercial cleaning provider for 2026 by Kinross Research, marking a significant milestone for the family-owned company that has served the Greater Sydney area for over 25 years. The recognition highlights the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability through 100 percent eco-friendly practices and triple ISO certifications.
The distinction comes as businesses across Sydney increasingly prioritize health, sustainability, and regulatory compliance in their operational decisions. Clean Group’s innovative approach combines non-toxic, GECA-certified products with advanced waste management protocols, enabling clients to achieve NABERS sustainability ratings while maintaining pristine workplace environments.
“This recognition validates our long-standing commitment to transforming commercial spaces into healthier, greener environments,” said Stephen Matthews of Clean Group. “Our triple ISO certifications and dedication to eco-friendly practices demonstrate that businesses don’t have to compromise between exceptional cleanliness and environmental responsibility.”
The company’s comprehensive service portfolio spans multiple sectors, including corporate offices, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, strata buildings, warehouses, and places of worship. Each cleaning program is tailored to meet specific industry requirements while adhering to stringent environmental and safety standards.
Clean Group commercial cleaning in Sydney has evolved significantly in response to post-pandemic hygiene requirements. The company has implemented enhanced protocols that address current health concerns while maintaining its commitment to using only non-toxic cleaning products. This approach has proven particularly valuable for sensitive environments such as childcare centers, medical facilities, and NDIS participant spaces.
The recognition from Kinross Research evaluated multiple factors, including customer satisfaction ratings, environmental practices, service quality, and operational excellence. Clean Group’s 4.9-star rating on major review platforms and consistent client feedback regarding attention to detail, timeliness, and professionalism contributed to the top ranking.
“What sets us apart is our ability to deliver spotless results without lock-in contracts or operational disruptions,” Matthews explained. “Our flexible approach allows businesses to maintain the highest cleanliness standards while focusing on their core operations.”
The company’s green cleaning methodology extends beyond product selection to encompass comprehensive environmental strategies. These include water conservation techniques, energy-efficient equipment, and waste reduction protocols that align with corporate sustainability goals. This holistic approach helps clients meet their environmental commitments while maintaining healthy indoor air quality.
Clean Group in Sydney continues to invest in advanced cleaning technologies and equipment designed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. The company’s ISO-certified procedures ensure consistent service delivery across all client locations, from small professional offices to large industrial warehouses.
The family-owned business has built its reputation on reliability and quality over more than two decades of operation. Its services include specialized offerings such as after-builders cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning, and comprehensive spring cleaning programs. Each service maintains the same commitment to environmental safety and exceptional results that earned the company its recent recognition.
Clean Group Commercial Cleaning operates throughout the Greater Sydney metropolitan area, providing customized cleaning solutions for businesses of all sizes. The company’s expertise spans routine maintenance cleaning, deep sanitization services, and specialized industry-specific cleaning requirements.
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For more information about Clean Group Commercial Cleaning, contact the company here:
Clean Group Commercial Cleaning Stephen Matthews +61291607469 sales@clean-group.com.au 1b L1/299 Elizabeth St Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a new partnership which supports business owners with their hiring decisions will help get more Kiwis into work.
ChamberWorks launched in Auckland today, as a partnership between the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and New Zealand Chambers of Commerce.
“This is an exciting new development, and I welcome the joined-up approach between MSD and the Chambers,” Louise Upston says.
“ChamberWorks will support more successful job placements and will be a valuable recruitment service for employers, helping them to find the right people for their vacancies.
“It aligns workforce needs with job seekers, meeting a gap in the market. Employers frequently tell me recruitment is one of the biggest challenges they face.
“It makes sense for these two key groups to work together because MSD has the largest talent pipeline of workers in the country. They’re also able to support the recruitment process with access to training and online learning.
“Along with MSD, I share the Chambers’ commitment to supporting businesses to build capable teams and getting job seekers into work. Working together, we can deliver more.
“Our Government is committed to fixing the basics and building the future for New Zealand. Getting more Kiwis into work is key to this,” Louise Upston says.
ChamberWorks will be available nationally across the 23 New Zealand chambers and each will partner with MSD and collaborate on workforce plans, events and opportunities.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says when conditions allow, NZDF planes will help New Zealanders get to locations where they can get on commercial flights home.
He says they will not be long flights.
The minister says at the speed at which potentially thousands of people need to be moved, it’s better they are taken to a safer place as fast as possible.
More children under 12 are ringing Youthline, with its latest figures showing that age group makes up 10 percent of calls for help.
At the charity’s inaugural youth mental health summit at Parliament on Wednesday, speakers called for cross-party support and a more connected model of care for young New Zealanders who, since Covid-19, are struggling more than ever.
Youthline runs free services including a helpline, face-to-face counselling, mentoring, and programmes in schools.
Its chief executive, Shae Ronald, said the helpline had 28,000 conversations a year but demand had been climbing for more than a decade, particularly since Covid-19.
“We had a big jump last year in January, and we’ve had another big jump over the last three months.”
And the cases were growing in seriousness, too – the number of rangatahi who were considered very high risk, and requiring emergency intervention, was up to four a day. Ronald said she remembered a time when it was one a week.
Youthline’s Shae Ronald.RNZ David Steemson
Today, many young people were battling something she called the “missing middle service gap”.
“Many young people fall into the space where their needs are serious, but do not meet the threshold for urgent or specialist intervention. As a result, they may face long wait lists, limited availability, or uncertainty about where they fit within the system,” she said.
And the callers were getting younger, too.
“As of last year, 10 percent of all people contacting Youthline are under 12,” she said.
Australian psychiatrist Pat McGorry explained the increase of mental health distress among youths was a global trend, and it could be down to any combination of factors – social media, climate anxiety, rising cost of living and buying a house, and notably, Covid-19.
“The younger age groups had a much more precipitous drop in their mental health during the pandemic,” he said.
“We think it’s about 25 percent of the rise over the last 20 years, Covid is responsible for it.”
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey – who himself had spent time as a Youthline counsellor in the 1980s – expressed envy of Australia over the size and scale of their resources to respond to the mental health crisis.
But McGorry said it wasn’t all smooth sailing there, either.
“I assume it’s the same in New Zealand,” he said.
“Life is much more precarious in an economic sense for [young people]. Their futures are clouded in many, many ways. House prices in Australia cost you three times the median income 40 years ago to buy a house. Now it’s 10 times. And rents are proportionally equal.
“And there are students in Western Sydney at the universities who have to choose between buying textbooks and eating. So they have food banks in the universities. Now, how can a society like Australia, one of the richest countries in the world, tolerate that? I mean, it’s just madness.”
Dr Jess Stubbing, a clinical psychologist and researcher now working in Massachusetts, said New Zealand was yet to see the true peak of the wave.
“I’m seeing more and more younger people, who are coming in at a younger age with really significant need, and a lot of that is young people who were in their very formative, early years during Covid, when their families were stressed, the country was stressed, we were all divided, and that affects us, that affects how we grow up.”
She said the New Zealand system was not meeting the current need, and it was definitely not going to meet future need, either.
That left a couple of options, she said – spend money today on an integrated, cohesive mental health system, “or spend ten times that in a decade when those people are adults and need our adult services”.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey.RNZ / Mark Papalii
Doocey said the feedback he frequently received was that the system felt fragmented, with long wait times, unequipped to meet growing demand.
In the past 12 months, an extra 35,000 accessed support compared with the year before, which Doocey said was largely due to a reduction in workforce vacancies.
But that same growth wasn’t seen among young people.
A prevalence survey – the first of its kind for mental health and addiction among young people – was set to begin in the coming months, Doocey said.
And while that would take years to start producing data, it was a step in the right direction for a system where the need grew year on year.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Three years after being unceremoniously dumped as Wallabies coach months out from 2023 World Cup, Dave Rennie will take on the All Blacks’ top job.PHOTOSPORT
Analysis – The road travelled over the last 26 years by Dave Rennie, from fledgling coach of the Upper Hutt club to the top job with the All Blacks, has been a long and winding one.
A quick promotion to the Wellington ranks in 2000 brought instant success, an NPC title that had eluded the Lions for 20 years, but since then there have been troughs to go with the peaks.
And it’s the experience gained from those most trying of times, notably his dismal 13 from 34 record with the Wallabies before being fired for Eddie Jones just months out from the Rugby World Cup, that might just prove as valuable as that gleaned from his successes.
Tony Johnson has been a Sky Sport rugby commentator for 27 years.Supplied
Sir Graham Henry has often spoken about how he’d had to learn to become a better people manager after his Lions team blew up in Australia in 2001. Were it not for a run of defeats against the Springboks in 2009 that forced he and his coaching team to have a long hard think about what they were doing, would they have won the World Cup two years later?
Failure at high level was something Scott “Razor” Robertson had no real experience of, and it showed. The defeat against England last November not only cost the All Blacks a much hoped for Grand Slam, it had a profoundly deflating impact on the team, from which the rumours of player discontent emerged.
Dave Rennie knows how to handle success, but will have learned much from his failures.
One of his first tasks will be to address the oft reported, but never truly proven cracks in the group and ensure the team ethos is intact. In this regard, his credentials are compelling.
For sure, his back to back successes with the Chiefs owed plenty to an outstanding group of players and a (cliché alert) coaching “Dream Team”, but it was Rennie who realised from the get-go that they were unlikely to win anything unless they figured out just who they were as a club, and who and what they represented.
From that journey of discovery came a powerful kaupapa, He Piko He Taniwha, On Every Bend (of the Waikato River) a Chief. It established a sense of identity Liam Messam describes as “bone deep”, and the hitherto elusive success came instantly. You’ll battle to find a single player from that era with a bad word to say about Dave Rennie.
Dave Rennie was renowned for building a strong team culture at the Chiefs, alongside a coaching dream team.PHOTOSPORT
As for his playing style, one thing Rennie will not be afraid of, is to bring some abrasion. His Chiefs teams infuriated opposition with their policy of clearing out anyone or anything within coo-ee of ruck. It is a risk-reward strategy that can be devastatingly effective when managed well, but a liability if carried out recklessly.
That’s all in the future. Of immediate importance now will be the establishment of a good coaching team around him. Whilst a complete clear-out of Robertson’s group is unlikely, it is also inconceivable that they will all survive. Rennie will want people with him he can trust, who align with his thinking. It won’t work otherwise.
Whilst public opinion appears to be well in favour of the decision, not everyone is convinced. Some have been quick to point at how his methods did not bring success to the Wallabies, a notable win over the Springboks notwithstanding. In his defence, he was trying to coach a team against an impossibly unstable backdrop, and he could hardly have fared worse than the man who replaced him so abruptly.
Some of those doubts may have been allayed by Rennie’s opening press conference, which was carried out with a clarity and authority that his predecessor had always struggle to convey. It also demonstrated his trademark willingness to challenge boundaries, exemplified in his comments about Brodie Retallick.
Retallick has been in outstanding form in Japan, and could clearly be a difference maker, but that would need the NZR eligibility laws to be tweaked.
Scott Robertson tried it with Richie Mo’unga and got nowhere. The fact that Rennie made his pitch with Chair David Kirk right beside him does make you wonder what they might already have discussed.
Kirk has made it clear that whilst a huge year lies ahead in 2026, it’s next years World Cup that is the number one priority. Was Dave Rennie saying “if that’s the task, then how far are you prepared to go to give me the best chance of achieving it?”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Thanks to powerful partnerships with industry leaders, NOTE 60 Ultra represents Infinix’s boldest entry in the flagship tier, debuting in Barcelona during MWC 2026
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Infinix is cementing its status within the premium smartphone segment in a bold new way with NOTE 60 Ultra, its landmark flagship debuting in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress 2026.
Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra Design by Pininfarina
Co-developed with Italian automotive and design legend Pininfarina, NOTE 60 Ultra’s design is driven by an emotion-led aesthetic inspired by super cars. Beneath its bold design lies a fully realized flagship experience, integrating breakthrough in-house innovations with best-in-class partner technologies. A professional-grade 200MP ultra-high-definition imaging system, built-in multi-country satellite communication connectivity, and immersive audio precision-tuned by SOUND BY JBL come together to challenge expectations in the premium segment.
Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra family
Supercar Design DNA in a Flagship, Shaped by Pininfarina
In the premium segment, the design language is a device’s opening statement. A user’s perception at first glance is shaped by aesthetics, long before a single specification is considered.
Drawing inspiration from the aerodynamic philosophy and pioneering spirit of high-performance sports cars, Infinix, in partnership with Pininfarina, takes a radical departure in sculpting a flagship. What stands out immediately is what’s missing: the camera bump. As premium handsets adopt larger sensors, they often sacrifice form with increasingly protruding camera modules.
True to the sports car heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra introduces a fully integrated, single-body rear: the Aluminum Unibody Design. At the heart of this craftsmanship is the World’s 1st Uni-Chassis Cam Module, formed a single, continuous sheet of CORNING® GORILLA® GLASS VICTUS that virtually conceals the presence of the camera. Much like a supercar sculpted for low-drag, the rear design maintains a smooth, uninterrupted silhouette. This also ensures a natural in-hand feel and unobtrusively slips into any pocket, while reinforcing the phone’s durability and structural integrity.
Paying homage to Italian cultural and racing heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra arrives in four striking colorways: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver. Each hue draws inspiration from the most iconic scenes and legends of Italy’s motorsport and cultural history, capturing the spirit of speed, lifestyle, and emotional beauty.
Just as a supercar announces its ignition through sound and light, NOTE 60 Ultra mirrors the ritual. A Floating Taillight signature spans the rear, illuminating as the device powers on. And as a final nod to automotive heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra features an Active Matrix Display reminiscent of a supercar dashboard at startup. Concealed within the rear surface, the hidden display lights up to reveal notifications, expressive icons, or a pixel-style virtual companion.
Dual Flagship Cameras for Detail, Zoom, and True-to-Life Imaging
Although discreet at first glance, Infinix makes no concessions on camera performance and earmarks a new era for Infinix’s imaging capability. Delivering performance on par with industry-leading standards, Infinix’s Dual Flagship Imaging Architecture marks several brand-first breakthroughs and improvements across three dimensions, reinforcing its position as a signature offering.
Under the hood, it’s clear that NOTE 60 Ultra refuses to settle for less. Discreetly integrated within the Uni-Chassis Cam Module is a powerful triple-camera array. Anchored by a next-generation 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPE sensor, NOTE 60 Ultra delivers ultra-high-definition clarity. And ensuring flagship-grade versatility across focal lengths, the phone is complemented by a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 periscope telephoto lens and a 112° ultra-wide lens.
However, hardware alone does not define the full experience. For the first time, Infinix supports the XDR display standard with Ultra HDR Capture. Powered by a proprietary XDR Image Engine, Infinix’s advanced system delivers a superior dynamic range, ideal for true-to-life photos of bright lights at night or breathtaking sunset scenes.
The result is exceptional resolution that sets a higher bar for precise framing in daylight or after dark, while faithfully preserving details often lost in standard photography. Whether exploring daytime cityscapes or distant horizons, NOTE 60 Ultra excels with its advanced optical‑to‑digital zoom performance. Crisp, detailed shots are captured across a versatile zoom range, from a 2× optical crop and native 3.5× optical zoom to a 7× lossless digital zoom, extending up to 100× for extreme distances.
Expansive Satellite Calling and Messaging Coverage
Beyond what meets the eye, NOTE 60 Ultra carries a more subtle capability designed to accompany the user’s ambition, as far as and wherever the road leads. NOTE 60 Ultra is the first¹ to introduce dual-way satellite calling with expansive global coverage across a far greater number of countries¹. Powered by two-way messaging and calling beyond traditional terrestrial networks, NOTE 60 Ultra offers an added peace of mind whether navigating remote terrain beyond cellular coverage or facing large-scale network disruptions. The device bridges regional connectivity gaps to maintain communication and enables emergency location sharing when it matters most.
Ultra-Fast, Enduring Functionalities for an All-Around Flagship Experience
NOTE 60 Ultra combines category-leading performance and enduring power to support multi-sensory entertainment without interruption. Complementing this, its latest user experience delivers forward-looking innovations and AI-driven optimizations, making it more accessible and seamless for everyday use.
Impressively, Infinix debuted the Proprietary Battery Self-Healing Technology. Despite featuring a massive 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery within a slim, lightweight frame, NOTE 60 Ultra is engineered to restore up to 1%² of battery health every 200 charge cycles. Complementing this breakthrough, NOTE 60 Ultra supports wired 100W All-Around Fast Charge and 50W wireless charging, achieving a full charge from 1% to 100%² in only 48 minutes through a wired connection.
Even with a massive battery, Infinix pulls out all the stops to optimize for both speed and energy management. Featuring a 4nm all-big-core MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultimate chipset together with Infinix’s self-developed performance engine, NOTE 60 Ultra achieves up to 25%² faster multitasking, accelerated app responsiveness, and sustained smoothness.
NOTE 60 Ultra excels in its class with a captivating, 1.5K Ultra HDR cinematic display. Delivering fluid 144Hz responsiveness and exceptional 4500-nit peak brightness, visuals remain vibrant across most lighting conditions. Even in motion, intelligent predictive stabilization minimizes motion sickness, whether watching a film or playing games from within a car. And just as a high-performance vehicle demands calibrated acoustics, NOTE 60 Ultra doesn’t settle for less. It delivers high-fidelity audio through a stereo system with SOUND BY JBL, completing a truly compelling entertainment experience.
The NOTE 60 Ultra’s optimized performance enables its intelligent AI features to run fluidly and efficiently with minimal battery drain. Its integrated AI ecosystem focuses on practical daily-enhancing functions, including real-time vitals tracking via Advanced Health Monitor, personalized file organization and an adaptive AI-powered knowledge base, all evolving with user preferences. These AI capabilities are seamlessly woven into GlowSpace, a new interface debuting on XOS 16.³ Powered by Android 16, GlowSpace introduces a fully reimagined UI centered on fluid motion and luminous details that animate with every interaction.
Through co-engineering with leading technology and innovation partners, Infinix has aligned NOTE 60 Ultra around a unified vision of excellence. The outcome is a benchmark-setting flagship defined not by spectacle, but by deeply integrated and purposeful engineering, inside-out.
Product availability
NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a promise of 3 years of major OS updates and 5 years of security patches.
NOTE 60 Ultra is available in four colors: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver.
It will be available in a single variant with 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and built-in eSIM⁴.
NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a deluxe gift box with automotive-inspired display stand design. A Supercar-Inspired MagCharge Base in Zinc Alloy, a Kevlar-Pattern MagPad, a Custom Kevlar MagCase, and a Track-Edition SIM Ejector Pin are included in the gift box.
Disclaimer
¹As of launch, this device is the first commercially available smartphone to support two‑way satellite calling across multiple countries. Feature availability, supported regions and coverage are subject to local certification, network deployment and market conditions.
²All data comes from Infinix laboratories. The testing data may vary slightly between different test versions and testing environments.
³The specific XOS upgrade plan for each model will be announced separately. Please note that availability of this upgrade may be limited in certain countries.
⁴eSIM availability is carrier and region-dependent; it may not be supported in all countries.
Hashtag: #Infinix
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Focusing on talent ecosystem in the AI-era, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s Premier International talent hub
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – The Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in collaboration with Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), will host the Global Talent Summit Week (GTS Week) in mid-March. Anchored by the integration of education, technology and talents, the mega talent event will foster regional talent exchange and explore future talent trends through an international forum, a large-scale expo and diverse networking activities.
Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) announced the programme for the Global Talent Summit Week on March 2, featuring the International Talent Forum, CareerConnect Expo and nine satellite events from March 17 to 29. Photo shows (from left) Account Delivery Director of DayOne Data Centre, Mr Tony Zhou; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Director of HKTE, Mr Felix Chan; and Partner of Ernst & Young Advisory Services Limited, Mr Jeff Tang, at the press conference.
Building on the success of its inaugural event in 2024, this year’s GTS Week expands its programme to include the International Talent Forum and CareerConnect Expo on 18 and 19 March, alongside nine satellite events co‑organised with HKTE’s working partners from 17 to 29 March. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive international platform for talent exchange, further strengthening Hong Kong’s dual role as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talent.
The GTS Week follows Hong Kong’s historic ascent to the top position in Asia on the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025, which marks the city’s highest-ever ranking.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare,Mr Chris Sun, stated: “At a pivotal moment of rapid transformation in the global talent ecosystem, the GTS Week aims to explore forward looking perspectives on talent development, policies and opportunities, while aligning with the country’s development, thereby building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent.”
The Director of HKTE, Mr Felix Chan, expressed his hope that through this flagship international talent event, the GTS Week will promote cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration on talent, and provide a platform for exchange with various partners that helps talent seize opportunities, understand development pathways in Hong Kong and gain foresight into manpower trends.
International Talent Forum | 18 and 19 March
Anchored by the theme “Connecting Global Minds”, the Forum brings together top government officials, business and academic leaders from Hong Kong and abroad.
Headlining the first day of the Forum will beProfessor Christopher A. Pissarides, 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, delivering a keynote speech. He will be joined by Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Mr Joe Ngai, Chairman of McKinsey Greater China, who will share perspectives on the talent ecosystem in a new era. The Forum programme is structured with three panel discussions aligned with the GTS Week’s core pillars:
Education — — “Navigating the Future: The Paradigm Shift in Education and Talent Strategy” brings together academic leaders to explore how cross-border collaboration and industry partnerships can drive innovation and build future-ready skills. Panellists include Professor Qihuang Gong (President, Peking University), Professor Nancy Ip (President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), Professor Simon Marginson (Professor of Higher Education (Emeritus), University of Oxford), Professor John Quelch (American President and Executive Vice Chancellor, Duke Kunshan University), and Professor Heiwai Tang (Associate Vice-President (Global), Universiry of Hong Kong).
Technology — — “Technology as a Catalyst–Shaping Talent Strategies for Innovation” examines how innovative AI technologies can support talent attraction and development. Panellists include Ms Venetia Lee (General Manager, Ant International Greater China), Dr Dahua Lin (Co-founder & Chief Scientist, SenseTime), Mr Yat Siu (Co-founder & ExecutiveChairman, Animoca Brands; Founder & CEO, Outblaze), and Ms Basima Abdulrahman (Founder and CEO, KESK).
Talent — — “Thriving in a Dynamic Talent Landscape–Sustaining Skills and Fostering Resilience” explores how AI and digital technologies are reshaping talent strategies. Panellists include Mr Jeff Tang (Partner, Market Development Leader, Consulting, Ernst & Young Group), Mr Paul Moody (Managing Director, Global Partnerships & Client Solutions, CFA Institute), Mr Grant Wright (Group Executive, AI, SEEK), Ms Ruchee Anand (Vice President of Talent Solutions for APAC, LinkedIn), and Ms Joy Xu (Group Chief People & Culture Officer, DFI Retail Group).
The second morning will feature panel discussions and dedicated sessions with satellite event partners. An invitation-only closed-door Forging a National High-calibre Talent Hub Symposium will follow in the afternoon, bringing together government representatives from the Chinese Mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration and high‑calibre talent networks.
The Forum is by invitation only; HKTE will provide a global livestream on both days.
For the full list of confirmed speakers and the detailed forum agenda, please visit: gts.hkengage.gov.hk/en/speaker-list
CareerConnect Expo | 18 and 19 March
Running concurrently on 18 and 19 March, the Expo will feature about 70 large enterprises, education and technology institutions, and government departments. The free-admission Expo will provide participants direct access to the latest industry information, diverse support services and networking opportunities with multinational companies across thematic zones, showcasing career prospects across the Greater Bay Area. Pre-registration is now open.
Nine Satellite Events | 17 to 29 March(New for 2026)
For the first time, the GTS Week will extend into a week-long series, with nine satellite events taking place from 17 to 29 March in partnership with HKTE’s various working partners. The programme includes regional conferences, career fairs and corporate award ceremonies, creating a comprehensive platform for professional networking and information exchange. During the week, HKTE will formalise a cooperation agreement with JCI Hong Kong to deepen international promotion of the city.
Registration and Enquiries
Hashtag: #GlobalTalentSummit
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – The inaugural “Study in Hong Kong” Week (February 23 to March 1) was successfully launched to promote the city’s attractiveness as a destination for students around the world to pursue higher education.
A major highlight was the prestigious Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, which ranks among the world’s top three international higher education conferences. The event attracted over 3,500 leading international education professionals to explore the latest trends and critical issues in higher education.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of APAIE 2026, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)’s Secretary for Education, Dr Christine Choi said, “To further promote higher education in Hong Kong to the world, we are dedicating this week as the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ Week, during which we will share our success stories and connect more closely with partners worldwide.”
HKSAR’s Secretary for Education, Dr Christine Choi (second row, ninth left), visits the “Study in Hong Kong” Pavilion at the APAIE with other guests
“Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the distinctive advantages of being part of China with strong support from our Motherland and at the same time being centrally located in Asia.
“Our universities are globally recognised, with five of them within the world’s top 100 and Asia’s top 20. Hong Kong claimed all top four spots in the ranking of the world’s most international universities last year. Indeed, one in every four of our students come from outside Hong Kong. The proportion is even higher for academic staff, with around 70 per cent from elsewhere.”
Held under the theme “Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good”, APAIE 2026 featured pre-conference workshops, summit forums, keynote speeches, and exchange activities.
Dr Choi met with education officials and representatives from various regions on international education development trends and co-operation. She held separate meetings with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, Mr Róbert Zsembera, and the Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, Dr Nguyen Thu Thuy, to exchange views on the development, co-operation, and promotion of international higher education.
Dr Choi also toured the “Study in Hong Kong” Pavilion, where she learned about the promotional efforts of University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities and how they expand international networks to recruit students from various regions for study and exchange in Hong Kong. She also visited other booths at the exhibition, exchanging views on higher education development with representatives from various countries and regions.
Dr Choi noted that Hong Kong, as Asia’s world city, possesses advantages in global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and rich cultural experiences that attract outstanding talent.
During the Week, UGC-funded universities hosted campus tours, allowing overseas guests to experience first-hand the fusion of diverse cultures from different regions. Universities also organised student exchange activities to foster friendships among international students from different regions, deepen their understanding of Hong Kong, and help them better integrate into local campus life.
“While Hong Kong is highly popular among students from the Chinese Mainland, those from other parts of the world, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Belt and Road countries or regions, have increased significantly in recent years,” Dr Choi said.
“As we welcome more non-local students to our schools and universities, we hope Hong Kong can serve as a springboard for them to engage with the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asia-Pacific, and as a pathway to widen collaborations across this vibrant region.”
Proposed changes to Household Labour Force Survey income data
4 March 2026
We are seeking feedback on whether administrative (admin) data could be used to create viable replacements for Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) income measures.
Please read our evaluation of current HLFS income measures against admin alternatives and tell us how you currently use these measures. Your input will help inform our work and ensure the data we produce on income measures continues to meet the needs of New Zealand.
Feedback closes at 5pm on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
Visit our website to read the evaluation and to provide feedback:
Carried out by Talbot Mills, 68 percent of respondents agreed with the ultra wealthy being taxed more to support public goods like healthcare, housing and climate action.
Thirteen percent disagreed in the poll from 11-26 February of 1033 people.
Half of people surveyed – 50 percent – agreed there should be no billionaires while people struggle affording the basics like housing, food and healthcare.
Think tank director Gareth Hughes told Midday Report there is deep unease about how the economy is handling challenges like housing and the cost of living.
“Kiwis know that our tax system isn’t fair, it’s putting too much of the responsibility on workers, on things like GST, which are incredibly regressive,” he said.
“Yes, they would like those ultra-wealthy to be contributing more for our health and education system.
“That’s two-thirds agree that billionaires should be paying more to fund these public services.”
The numbers were closer together in another question in the poll – whether there should be a “billion-dollar wealth cap” or maximum amount of wealth a person can have.
Among the respondents, 37 percent agreed, while 34 percent disagreed.
“Oh, personally, I would be comfortable with that,” Hughes said.
“I think once you had a billion dollars you could get a certificate saying you’ve won capitalism and you could contribute to society.”
Hughes said he was part of a global network working to try to redesign the economic system “to deliver wellbeing for people and nature”.
He said it was a topic being raised overseas, and Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa wanted to test the idea in New Zealand.
“I acknowledge it’s a pretty new idea for New Zealanders, the idea of wealth caps,” he said.
“But remember, once upon a time we had very high marginal tax rates for the super wealthy in this country to contribute towards society.”
The National Business Review‘s annual rich list reported last year that New Zealand had 18 billionaires, up from 16 the year before.
“I think the big message though is that billionaires around the world and through corporate influence in New Zealand has seen a system which advantages them,” said Hughes.
“It’s very hard for people to pull themselves by their bootstraps today, you can almost say the ladder’s being pulled up behind the super-wealthy.”
Hughes said it was up to political leaders to put their solutions to the public.
On the question of billionaires paying more tax, 71 percent of people under 30 were supportive, and also 71 percent of people 30-44.
Sixty-eight percent of people 45-59 agreed and 64 percent of people polled over 60.
Eighty percent of Labour and Green voters agreed, 69% percent of Te Pāti Māori voters, 67 percent of the poll’s New Zealand First supporters, 58 percent of National and 44 percent Act.
The poll responses:
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following:
The economic system in New Zealand is not set up to effectively address the big issues like housing, healthcare, and climate change. 66% total agree. 10% total disagree.
No one should be a billionaire while so many people struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and healthcare. 50% total agree, 24% total disagree.
How strongly do you support or oppose the following in NZ:
Billionaires paying more tax to fund public goods like healthcare, housing, and climate action. 68% total agree. 13% total disagree.
Introducing a billion-dollar wealth cap – a maximum amount of wealth any person can legally hold. 37% total agree. 34% total disagree.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – HAEXC Mobile Pte Ltd, a specialist in rugged and intrinsically safe communication technology, today announced its latest range of Zone 1 phones, Zone 2 phones, and hazardous area phone solutions designed to enhance frontline safety and operational efficiency for workers in hazardous industrial environments.
HAEXC Zone 1/21 Phone
Purpose-built for explosive and high-risk conditions, HAEXC Mobile’s intrinsically safe devices meet stringent international safety standards, including ATEX and IECEx certification. These solutions enable reliable communication for industries requiring certified intrinsically safe phone technology, including oil and gas, marine, defence, and heavy industrial sectors.
Enabling Safe Communication in Hazardous Zones Workers operating in hazardous environments require devices that can perform safely without creating ignition risks. HAEXC Mobile’s intrinsically safe (IS phone) and explosion-proof devices are specifically engineered to function safely in environments classified as Zone 1 and Zone 2, where explosive gases may be present.
The company’s portfolio includes certified Zone 1 phone and Zone 2 phone models designed to support mission-critical communication for:
Personnel requiring reliable hazardous area phone solutions
Defence and specialised applications requiring IECEx phones for military environments
These devices provide dependable performance while protecting workers and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Integrated Safety Features Including EX Camera and EX Proof Camera Technology In addition to intrinsically safe communication, HAEXC Mobile devices incorporate advanced imaging solutions such as EX camera and EX proof camera capabilities. These explosion-proof camera systems enable workers to safely capture images and videos for inspection, reporting, and compliance documentation without compromising safety.
The company’s intrinsically safe phone solutions also feature:
Push-to-Talk communication for instant team coordination
Lone worker protection and emergency alert features
Rugged, shock-resistant and waterproof design
Long battery life for extended field operations
Secure enterprise mobility integration
These features make HAEXC Mobile’s devices ideal for organisations seeking reliable IS phone solutions in demanding environments.
Supporting Critical Industries Worldwide “As industries continue to digitise their operations, the need for reliable and safe communication tools becomes even more important,” said Raymond Tan, Managing Director of HAEXC Mobile Pte Ltd.
“Our intrinsically safe phone and hazardous area phone solutions are designed to protect frontline workers while enabling seamless communication in even the most hazardous conditions, including oil and gas facilities, marine environments, and military applications.”
HAEXC Mobile’s rugged devices are widely used as certified phones for oil and gas, marine, and industrial sectors, helping organisations enhance safety compliance and operational efficiency.
Driving the Future of Industrial Safety Technology With increasing demand for intrinsically safe mobile solutions, HAEXC Mobile continues to innovate in explosion-proof communication technology, including intrinsically safe smartphones and integrated EX camera solutions.
The company’s mission is to empower organisations with reliable communication tools that protect workers and support safer industrial operations worldwide.
For more information, visit: https://www.haexc-mobile.com/
Schema Markup for SEO and GEO, combined with guaranteed posting on authentic news media, provides visibility boost for press releases.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Media OutReach Newswire, Asia Pacific’s Global Newswire, has introduced functionality for AI search, empowering brands and boosting PR visibility.
The AI search enabling tech, in combination with Media OutReach Newswire’s guaranteed online news posting exclusively on real and authentic media, enhance SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) for AI search. This increases the visibility and reach of press releases distributed via Media OutReach Newswire.
Schema Markup Code is added to Media OutReach Newswire press releases posted online. This key piece of technology significantly enhances both SEO and GEO.
The code helps search engines index, find and list content in search results, while making AI models like LLMs discover, understand, surface and cite content in AI generated answers – increasing the visibility and reach of press releases.
LLMs and other AI models rely heavily on credible, and authoritative online sources, and among the top-ranked are authentic news media sites – sources with authority, content frequency, consistency and with strong E-E-A-T signals, signalling authenticity.
MediaOutReach Newswire is the only global newswire that offers Guaranteed Online Posting exclusively on real, authentic news media sites.
Press releases with Schema Markup code, published verbatim on real online news media sites, are seen by LLMs as trusted information, enhancing both SEO and GEO. As a result, Media OutReach Newswire’s press release distribution builds trust with journalists and audiences, while empowering SEO, GEO for AI search and LLM citations.
Jennifer Kok, Founder & CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, said: “As part of our continuous strive to redefine press release distribution, we are pleased to introduce this research-based technology, which, combined with our guaranteed online news postings, empowers both SEO, GEO for AI search, as well as LLM citations. I am proud of our strong focus on innovation and that we the only newswire that provides guaranteed online news posting exclusively and 100% on real, authentic news media.”
Media OutReach Newswire continuously adopts and develops AI technology to further improve its Total Communications Solutions, helping PR professionals achieve success, with targeted distribution, direct journalist access, guaranteed visibility on real news media, data insights, ready-to-use reporting, and C-suite ready PR campaign intelligence showing ROI.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – AEON Bank, the first digital Islamic bank in Malaysia, has gone live with its Zakat feature on its digital banking app, making it easier than ever for Muslim customers to fulfil their mandatory obligation of Zakat Fitrah payment during the month of Ramadan.
This Zakat payment feature is made possible through a strategic partnership with Tulus Digital, an Islamic social finance fintech platform that serves as an authorized agent of the State Zakat authorities, including Pusat Pungutan Zakat MAIWP and Lembaga Zakat Selangor. Together, the collaboration provides a sah, secure, seamless end-to-end digital solution that effectively brings the Zakat payment directly to customers’ smartphones.
AEON Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, YM Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz said, “At AEON Bank, we believe that digital banking should be more than just about managing money; it should also support your lifestyle and values. By enabling the Zakat feature in our app, we are fulfilling the amanah to make mandatory religious obligations as convenient and stress-free as possible. This partnership with Tulus Digital is about merging ethical technology – just in time for Ramadan, allowing our customers to focus on their Rukun Islam amal ibadah while we facilitate the technical details.” Why Paying Your Zakat via AEON Bank App is Sah and Seamless
Ultimate Convenience : No queues, no physical counters. Pay anytime, anywhere, in just a few steps.
Comprehensive Coverage : It supports 11 types of Zakat, including Zakat Fitrah, Pendapatan (Income), Perniagaan (Business), Emas (Gold), KWSP and more.
Built-in Shariah Integrity : Every Zakat payment includes the digital Aqad (contract), ensuring your contribution is sah and compliant with Shariah principles.
Automated Record-Keeping : Receive an immediate in-app receipt and a formal notification from Tulus Digital. Official tax-deductible receipts from state authorities are easily accessible via their respective portals.
Tulus Digital’s Commercial Director, Ubaida Othman, added, “Our key focus is to enable secure, Shariah guided digital payments and social finance solutions. Tulus Digital provides payment settlement via secure API integrations, mobile applications, and enterprise-grade payment rails, directly into institutional bank accounts, serving state zakat authorities, corporate partners, and financial institutions across Malaysia. Through our strategic partnership with AEON Bank, we are committed to strengthen the country’s Islamic finance digital economy by combining ethical technology, Shariah governance, and purpose-driven financial innovation.”
Pay Your Zakat in 4 Simple Steps
Step 1 : Log in to the AEON Bank app Download the AEON Bank app and activate your Savings Account-i.
Step 2 : Select “Zakat” icon on the app’s home screen Click on the Zakat app on the Home screen and choose the authorised Zakat agency and the type of Zakat contribution.
Step 3 : Enter required details Fill in the necessary payment information, including the number of dependents or selected rice category (for Zakat Fitrah only).
Step 4 : Confirm and complete payment Review the details, click on the ‘T&C’ and ‘Aqad’, and authorise the transaction securely within the app to complete your Zakat contribution.
Upon successful payment, customers will receive :
Zakat payment receipt within the AEON Bank app
Zakat payment notification email from Tulus Digital, sent to the customer’s registered email address
Official Zakat receipt issued by the respective Zakat agency, accessible via the agency’s website
The introduction of the Zakat feature on the AEON Bank app further strengthens the Bank’s suite of digital utility services, seamlessly integrating financial and Shariah obligations in one secure digital platform. The service currently facilitates payments for Lembaga Zakat Selangor and Pusat Pungutan Zakat MAIWP, and AEON Bank will progressively enable contributions to other state Zakat authorities in the near future – all part of its commitment to expand accessible and trusted digital financial solutions anchored on Shariah governance and integrity.
Click HERE to visit AEON Bank’s website and download the AEON Bank app on the App Store or Google Play Store.
New Board Appointments and Strategic Partnerships Drive Fresh Momentum Accelerating Expansion into Chinese Medicine and Physiotherapy
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Trinity Medical Group (“Trinity Medical” or the “Group”), a leading provider of patient-centred healthcare premium diagnostic imaging and screening services, today marks a significant milestone with its 10th anniversary. The Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Wu Ting-yuk, Anthony, GBS, JP, Member of the Standing Committee of the 12th and 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Dr. the Honourable Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council, to its Board Members. In addition, the Group has entered into strategic partnerships with FWD, Prudential Hong Kong Limited, YF Life Insurance International Limited and United Imaging (in alphabetical order of company names), enhancing cross-sector synergies between premium healthcare services and insurance solutions to deliver comprehensive and high-quality care for clients.
Trinity Medical Group hosts its 10th anniversary celebration, which brings together distinguished leaders from the government, business, and medical sectors. The event is a remarkable success and sees an exceptional turnout.
The Group celebrated its 10th anniversary yesterday (3 March), bringing together distinguished guests, Professor Lo Chung-mau, BBS, JP, Secretary for Health; Mr. Fan Hung-ling, Henry, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Hospital Authority; Mr. Tong Ka-shing, Carlson, GBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; and Professor Ma Si-hang, Frederick, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to commemorate this major chapter in its journey.
Mr. Lau Kevin Chung-hang, MH, Founder of Trinity Medical Group, remarked in the welcome speech, “With the steadfast support of our insurance partners, corporate clients, and medical professionals, as well as the commitment and trust of our professional team, our Group is proud to reach this significant 10th anniversary milestone. Looking ahead, we will remain dedicated to the principles of preventive medicine and will proactively expand our service portfolio. This year, we plan to introduce Traditional Chinese Medicine and physiotherapy services, further diversifying our offerings and providing the community with more comprehensive care as we drive the Group’s ongoing development.”
Mr. Lau Kevin Chung-hang, MH, Founder of Trinity Medical Group, delivered the welcome address. Mrs. Christine Ma-Lau, Director of Trinity Medical Group, delivered the thank-you speech.
Trinity Medical welcomes Professor Wu Ting-yuk, Anthony, GBS, JP, Member of the 12th and 13th Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC, as Non-Executive Chairman, and Dr. the Honourable Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council, as Independent Non-Executive Director.Mr. Lau Kevin Chung-hang, MH remarked in his speech, “Professor Wu brings more than networks; he brings international governance DNA; Dr. Lam connects our boardroom strategy to bedside community care.” With the addition of these highly respected industry leaders, the Group is confident that their expertise and strategic insight will significantly strengthen the Group’s vision, clinical capabilities and overall growth trajectory, injecting new momentum into the Group’s future development.
Professor Wu Ting-yuk, Anthony, GBS, JP, Non-Executive Chairman of Trinity Medical Group (Left); Dr. the Honourable Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP, Independent Non-Executive Director of Trinity Medical Group (Right).
Forging Cross-Industry Alliances to Pioneer New Frontiers in Chinese Medicine Consultations and Physiotherapy
At the anniversary celebration, Trinity Medical announced the strategic cooperation agreements with FWD, Prudential Hong Kong Limited, YF Life Insurance International Limited, and United Imaging. Through these partnerships, the Group aims to deliver international-standard diagnostic services and diverse insurance solutions, creating a seamless, one-stop integrated healthcare experience for clients.
Trinity Medical Group enters into a strategic partnership agreement with FWD and is honoured to have Mr. Ken Lau, Managing Director of Greater China and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer, FWD, to attained the event and join the commemorative photo.
Trinity Medical Group enters into a strategic partnership agreement with Prudential Hong Kong Limited and is honoured to have Ms. Candy Au Yeung, Chief Customer Operation and Health Officer, Prudential Hong Kong Limited to attend the event and join the commemorative photo.
Trinity Medical Group enters into a strategic partnership agreement with YF Life Insurance Limited and is honoured to have Ms. Jasmine Hui, Chief Proposition Officer and Senior Vice President, YF Life Insurance Limited, to attend the event and join the commemorative photo.
Trinity Medical Group enters into a strategic partnership agreement with United Imaging, and expresses gratitude for United Imaging’s significant support in advancing medical technology.
Looking ahead, Trinity Medical will further diversify its service portfolio, including the introduction of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) consultations and physiotherapy services this year. These initiatives will continue to advance holistic recovery and preventive care initiatives. These efforts are designed to address the growing demand for premium healthcare and to reinforce the Group’s leadership within the sector.
Since its establishment in 2016, Trinity Medical has been committed to providing high-quality diagnostic imaging and health screening services. The Group continues to expand its clinical and check-up offerings, underscoring its drive for diversified development and excellence. To date, the Group has formed partnerships with over 10 insurance companies and earned the trust of over 300 corporate clients.
The professional team now exeeds 200 members, collectively having served more than 1.8 million individual clients. Its online health platform has recorded over 5.5 million visits, underscoring the Group’s industry leadership and strong market reputation.
In addition, Trinity Medical has also actively contributed to the community, including:
Supporting government primary healthcare policies: Over the past decade, the Group has provided influenza, COVID-19, and HPV vaccinations to more than 10,000 schoolchildren, helping to build herd immunity.
COVID-19 response: Throughout the pandemic, all Trinity Medical centres across the city offered COVID-19 vaccinations and PCR testing, providing accessible services throughout Hong Kong.
Supporting the “eHealth” initiative: By participating in the Hospital Authority’s referral network and the Electronic Health Record Sharing System, the Group has helped relieve the burden for tens of thousands of public hospital patients.
Appointed as a “SafeCity Ambassador 2025”: Trinity Medical has partnered with the Hong Kong Police Force to jointly promote crime prevention, cyber security, and mental health awareness.
Championing youth development: Through participation in the “Strive and Rise Programme,” the Group helps secondary school students learn about the medical profession and supports their personal growth.
Recognised for corporate social responsibility: The Group has been awarded the “Caring Company” and “Good Employer” accolades for consecutive years, reflecting our dedication to social welfare, employee development, and environmental protection.
(Starting from the left) Mrs. Christine Ma-Lau, Director of Trinity Medical Group; Dr. the Honourable Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP, Independent Non-Executive Director of the Group; Professor Wu Ting-yuk, Anthony, GBS, JP, Non-Executive Chairman of the Group; and Mr. Lau Kevin Chung-hang, MH, Founder of the Group, officiate at the toasting ceremony.
Trinity Medical Group’s 10th Anniversary Celebration is attended and supported by prominent leaders from the government and business sectors.
Click here to download more event photos.
Hashtag: #TrinityMedical
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
As the global “SaaSpocalypse” reshapes enterprise software, data from the Asia-headquartered AI commerce platform reveals a decisive shift in how businesses are buying and deploying technology.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – New data from SleekFlow, an AI-native agentic commerce platform serving over 2,000 businesses across 80 countries, points to a sharp shift in software buying behavior. In Q4 2025, 76% of newly acquired customers on the platform bypassed traditional messaging tiers entirely and signed up directly for AI plans. Many upgraded their usage within 90 days.
The data arrives amid what Wall Street has dubbed the “SaaSpocalypse” — a sector-wide sell-off that has erased hundreds of billions in market value from legacy SaaS companies as investors reassess traditional per-seat software models in an agentic AI world. SleekFlow’s numbers tell the story from the buy side: businesses aren’t experimenting with AI cautiously. They’re choosing it outright at the point of purchase.
Since launching AgentFlow in July 2025 — a platform that lets businesses build and deploy autonomous AI agents across messaging channels — SleekFlow has tracked a rapid acceleration:
76% of new customers chose AI-native plans over basic tiers in Q4 2025
64% quarter-on-quarter growth in new customer acquisition
25% quarter-on-quarter revenue growth
Self-serve sign-up rates nearly doubled since the AgentFlow launch
“The market is moving past the era of static tools,” saidHenson Tsai, Founder and CEO of SleekFlow. “Businesses are no longer buying software to make their teams more efficient. They’re buying AI agents that function as a digital workforce.”
SleekFlow’s AI agents operate across WhatsApp, Instagram, and live chat, handling the full customer journey — from inquiry to product recommendation to payment processing — without human intervention. The platform’s underlying AI continuously learns from millions of daily messages and customer interactions, building an evolving understanding of each customer’s history and autonomously identifying gaps in its own knowledge. The company calls this approach “agentic commerce” — AI that doesn’t just chat, but transacts.
The shift is being felt at enterprise scale. HKBN, the publicly-listed Hong Kong telecommunications company, deployed AgentFlow earlier this year. Kenneth She, HKBN’s Chief Transformation Officer, said the deployment changed the company’s entire growth trajectory.
SleekFlow is now expanding its agent suite to include specialized AI for data analysis, customer retention, and pricing optimization. The company’s technical roadmap is led by a Silicon Valley veteran and former CTO of LinkedIn China. Tsai expects SleekFlow to more than double its revenue year-over-year by the end of 2026.
“The winners of 2026 won’t be those who adopted AI,” Tsai said. “They’ll be those who were rebuilt by it.”
Last week Police said we’d be taking action on the illegal sale of nitrous oxide in our communities and this week we are seeing results.
“Many districts, including Eastern, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Central, and Bay of Plenty had already begun working with retailers to ensure they knew the laws around the sale of nitrous oxide,” says Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny.
“One retailer has shown complete disregard for the law and has persisted in selling this substance for recreational use. That retailer has now been charged under the Psychoactive Substances Act.”
District Commander Superintendent Will Loughrin said this result will be great for the Rotorua community.
“We took a planned prevention approach and this shows if retailers ignore us, we will follow through with enforcement action.
“We have taken more than 300 cannisters out of circulation. That will mean reduced harm for our young people, and also less danger on the road because of it.
“Our beat team had engaged with the retailer several times, yet he refused to heed our warnings. So now he will face the consequences, which is a criminal charge of selling or suppling a non-approved psychoactive product which carries a fine of up to $500,000 or a maximum term of two year’s imprisonment,” says Superintendent Loughrin.
The man will appear in the Rotorua District Court tomorrow.
“This is the first prosecution of a retailer in our district and I hope that any other retailer selling nitrous oxide for recreational use will note this and think again.”
Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny says she is disappointed some retailers are choosing to snub the law despite engagement by Police.
“However, I am pleased to see this great effort by our staff and this demonstrates that we will use enforcement if people break the law.”
Police urge anybody who is aware of a retailer selling nitrous oxide for recreational use to contact Police on 105 or call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 to report it.
If people see discarded cannisters in public they should contact their local council for advice about safe disposal, as these cannisters can explode if not emptied and disposed of properly as a hazardous substance.
Notes to media
Next week Police will be able to provide an update on numbers of letters delivered to retailers by Police around the country.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Best Nights VC (BNVC) is proud to announce its investment in Mad Monkey, one of the world’s leading socially responsible hostel groups, joining lead investor EXS Capital. With locations across Southeast Asia and Australia, Mad Monkey welcomes hundreds of thousands of young travelers every year, creating unforgettable nights, lifelong friendships, and meaningful human connection on the road.
For Best Nights VC, the venture capital investment firm of globally known spirits brand Jägermeister, this partnership is a natural strategic fit. Best Nights don’t only happen at home, they happen while traveling, meeting strangers who become friends, and sharing unique experiences in unfamiliar places. Perfectly reflecting BNVC’s Emerging Markets Strategy, Mad Monkey stands out as a hospitality platform that already enables more than one million bed nights for over 115,000 guests a year across seven countries, including the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Australia, creating epic social connections on the journey.
“This investment marks an exciting next chapter for Mad Monkey,” said Tom Edwards, Co-Founder and Director at Mad Monkey. “With the support of EXS and Best Nights VC, we’re excited to continue with our growth plan while staying true to our mission of creating meaningful, inclusive travel experiences. Their shared belief in connection, community, and responsible travel strongly reflects our own values.”
“We’re delighted to welcome Best Nights VC into the Mad Monkey journey,” said Eric Solberg, Founder and CEO of EXS Capital. “Their deep understanding of culture-led consumer brands and their focus on meaningful social experiences make them a natural partner. Together, we see strong alignment in supporting Mad Monkey’s continued expansion and its ability to create safe, high-energy environments for travelers.”
“We’re excited to join EXS in backing Mad Monkey,” said Lorrain de Silva, Managing Director at Best Nights VC. “From empowering solo travelers to creating authentic social connection on the road, Mad Monkey represents exactly the kind of platform we believe in. We’re proud to come on board and contribute to a brand that already delivers more than one million Best Nights every year.”
Mad Monkey embodies the core mission of Best Nights VC: building safe, inclusive, high-energy environments where people connect, celebrate, and discover new cultures together. This investment is anchored in three narrative pillars that define Mad Monkey’s impact and long-term relevance:
Empowering the Solo Traveler
Safety at Mad Monkey is not an add-on, it is the foundation for inclusivity. Especially for first-time and solo female travelers, Mad Monkey offers a trusted and consistent standard across 24 locations in
Southeast Asia. From secure accommodation to strong on-site communities, the brand provides a reliable safety net that enables confidence, independence, and freedom of movement.
Social Tech: Connection Before Arrival
Mad Monkey bridges digital convenience with real-world connection. Through the Mad Monkey App, guests can see their future “tribe” before they arrive. Features such as pre-stay chat and real-time guest transparency allow travelers to start building community even before packing their bags, and allowing an extended user experience beyond the trip – fostering immediate social bonds, accountability, a sense of belonging from day one and lasting connections.
Community Impact
Guided by the belief that “one community shouldn’t ruin it for the next,” Mad Monkey sees itself as a guest in every region it operates. Its CSR initiatives are designed to support local communities and ecosystems rather than exploit them, Mad Monkey is proud to employ 77% of their staff from outside city communities ensuring that the local communities are enriched by the platform too.
Together, Mad Monkey, EXS and Best Nights VC are excited to co-create the next chapter of global backpacker culture, scaling experience-driven hospitality, expanding into new markets, and delivering more moments of joy, connection, and adventure worldwide.
More Best Nights. More global community. More meaningful travel experiences. www.bestnights.vc www.madmonkeyhostels.com https://www.exs.com
Hashtag: #MadMonkey #BNVC #EXSCapital
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Legal action over a controversial mega-dump in Auckland’s Dome Valley is continuing, with Forest and Bird granted leave to appeal part of the decision to approve the landfill.
Forest and Bird will appeal the Environment Court’s 2023 decision to allow the landfill to go ahead, focusing on river protections.
The proposed landfill is 80 hectares and would collect around half of Auckland’s annual waste – but about 12 kilometres of streams in the valley would be destroyed within its footprint.
Forest and Bird senior environmental lawyer May Downing said the case raises critical questions about how rivers are protected across the country.
“These aren’t just a river that’s nice to look at they’re essential habitat for indigenous fresh water species,” she said.
“The concern really is the normalisation of river loss when it’s something that should be stopped, not normalised especially for this type of development.”
Dome Valley is five kilometres from Warkworth and home to Hochstetter’s frogs, freshwater species, pekapeka-tou-roa long-tailed bats and diverse birdlife.
Downing said the landfill’s approval also raised questions about whether riparian planting elsewhere can really mitigate the loss of rivers destroyed by a landfill.
Timeline of events:
2021: Landfill given conditional approval by Auckland Council’s independent commissioner panel
2023: Environment Court provisionally granted consent after iwi and community groups appealed council’s decision
2024: High Court dismissed two appeals of Environment Court decision
2025: Forest and Bird asked for leave to appeal High Court decision, in Court of Appeal
2026: Court of Appeal grants leave in part for Forest and Bird to appeal
As part of the consenting process, developers can often offset the loss of a stream by agreeing to undertake stream protection work elsewhere – sometimes in different regions.
In this case, Waste Management proposed a general mitigation, offset and compensation package to address the stream loss, including riparian planting of up to 60km of streams elsewhere – likely in the Hoteo catchment of the Kaipara Harbour.
It alternatively offered to pay $10 million for these works to be done – these will be considered in the ongoing Environment Court process.
Forest and Bird’s appeal relates to the interpretation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and whether it allows streams to be removed to make way for a landfill.
When Waste Management lodged plans for the dump, it was strongly opposed by iwi and community groups due to cultural and environmental concerns.
Waste Management has said the landfill was needed to cater for Auckland’s growth.
It opposed Forest and Bird’s application for leave to appeal the decision, as did interested parties Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia and Environ Holdings.
Auckland Council declined to comment on the Court of Appeal’s decision to allow an appeal in part.
A hearing date for the appeal is still to be confirmed.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
A Police investigation has shut down a suspected methamphetamine manufacturing operation and seized several firearms in north-west Auckland.
Two arrests were made in the operation, led by the Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit, after Police descended on a Riverhead property early on Tuesday.
The operation included Police staff from the GDU, local Kumeū Police staff and the Armed Offenders Squad.
“We have been investigating the manufacture of methamphetamine, and these enquiries led us to a property with suspected links to the Headhunters,” Detective Senior Sergeant Josh Lautogo says.
“Police arrived at the property and executed a search warrant, locating a range of equipment, materials and substances used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.”
Two firearms were also located: a semi-automatic M4-style rifle and a 3D-printed semi-automatic pistol.
A quantity of cash and methamphetamine was also recovered from a locked ammunition box at the property.
“The box had been thrown off a deck on the property by one of the occupants as our staff were approaching the address, and it was soon secured,” Detective Senior Sergeant Lautogo says.
A 62-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested at the address and will appear in the Waitākere District Court today.
The pair have been jointly charged with possession for supply of methamphetamine and the possession of equipment and materials.
The 62-year-old man has also been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and pistol.
“Our investigators continue to target those nestled amongst our communities who are manufacturing illegal drugs,” Detective Senior Sergeant Lautogo says.