Category: Asia

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Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit to be held next Tuesday to chart new milestone in global family office succession

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – The Government announced that the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong (WGHK) Summit will return next Tuesday (March 24). Under the theme “Building Lasting Legacies”, this year’s summit in its fourth edition highlights the wave brought by continuous growth of family office assets and generational wealth transition in recent years. In addition to serving as an exchange platform for overseas, Mainland and local family office decision-makers and successors, the WGHK Summit is also an occasion for them to experience firsthand how Hong Kong leverages its solid financial foundation to facilitate wealth succession and value appreciation.

Co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the WGHK Summit will once again convene influential family office decision-makers and successors from around the world in Hong Kong. Participants from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa will join attendees from the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong in insightful sharing. This year’s summit is going to showcase Hong Kong’s profound strengths and development potential through three core themes: “Strategic Asset Management for Family Legacy”, “Cultural Value Foundation for a Thriving Market”, and “Smart Tech Innovation Driving Capital Appreciation”. A number of heavyweight speakers will inspire the participants with their visionary thinking on the future of the family office ecosystem.

Nowadays, quite a number of family offices are deepening their philanthropic endeavours. Taking advantage of Hong Kong’s diverse and vibrant philanthropic ecosystem, a special fireside chat on “Sports and Philanthropy” is set for the summit to explore how sports and philanthropy can work together to create positive value for society.

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “The global landscape is evolving fast these days with geopolitics getting more complex. There has never been a better time for hosting the WGHK Summit than now to give family offices looking for diversified allocation and risk dispersion an occasion to connect with each other and explore opportunities. Hong Kong offers a highly favourable development environment with numerous potential and predictability for family offices, underpinned by our diversified international financial markets coupled with resilience, robust and transparent legal and tax systems, world-class financial and professional services, and well-developed ecosystems for philanthropy, arts, and innovation. The WGHK Summit is a flagship event hosted by our Government to showcase to the global wealth owners the unique advantages of this city. We will continue to consolidate Hong Kong’s leading position as a family wealth hub in the Asia-Pacific region, and adopt a multipronged approach to keep fostering the development of the family office sector through measures in areas such as tax concessions, talent attraction, investment facilitation and building of an ecosystem. All these will make Hong Kong even more attractive in all aspects to global family capital, positioning this city as the most preferred platform for ultra-high-net-worth families worldwide to manage their cross-border wealth.”

The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, noted, “According to the latest market study, the number of single-family offices in Hong Kong surpassed 3 380 by the end of 2025, reflecting a growth of over 25 per cent in two years – a testament to Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a global family office hub. The WGHK Summit serves as a pivotal platform for Hong Kong to deepen connections with the global family office community and foster cross-border collaboration. Against the backdrop of increasing trend of reallocation of global capital toward Asia, alongside rising trade protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty, Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique advantage of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world. We will provide global families with a predictable, one-stop environment for establishing a presence and operating in Hong Kong, helping them capture growth opportunities on the Chinese Mainland and in Asia, and steadily advancing long-term investment and multi-generational succession through diversified asset allocation and professional risk management.”

The WGHK Summit will feature a distinguished line-up of guest speakers:

  • Dr Han Bicheng – Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), BrainCo
  • Mr Maximilian Kaufmann – Representative of Major Shareholder of Leica Camera AG
  • Mr William Heinecke – Founder and Chairman, Minor International PCL
  • Mr François Pictet – Managing Partner, Pictet Group
  • Mr Yao Ming – Founder of Yao Foundation; Former Chairman of Chinese Basketball Association; NBA All-Star
  • Mr Qiu Heng – Chief Marketing Officer, AgiBot
  • Ms Irene Lee – Chairman, Hysan Development Company Limited
  • Dr Ren Feng – Co-CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, Insilico Medicine
  • Mr Wesley Ng – CEO and Co-founder, CASETiFY
  • Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges – CEO, The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and
  • Mr Michael Wilding – Group Chief Operating Officer, ZURU Group

Beyond the WGHK Summit, the Milken Institute and Bloomberg LP (Bloomberg) will also host the Global Investors’ Symposium (March 23) and the Family Office Forum (March 25) respectively in the same week, focusing on wealth management and global investment trends. The synergy generated by these three major forums will showcase Hong Kong’s unique charm in the family office landscape to the fullest to international capital, allowing participants to interact, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities together in Hong Kong.

Hashtag: #WGHK

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/wealth-for-good-in-hong-kong-summit-to-be-held-next-tuesday-to-chart-new-milestone-in-global-family-office-succession/

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Phuket Strengthens Position as a Secure International Residential Destination for Global Families

Source: Media Outreach

Growing international demand, strengthened long-haul connectivity, and the continued evolution ofLaguna Phuket are reinforcing Thailand’s largest island as a stable, private, and internationally accessible place to live and invest.

PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – Phuket’s evolution from a world-renowned holiday island into a mature international residential community is entering a new phase, supported by expanding long-haul connectivity and sustained global confidence in Thailand as a safe and welcoming destination.

The island has recorded consistent growth in long-term residents and international property buyers, reflecting a broader shift among globally mobile families seeking stability, quality of life and secure residency pathways. Phuket offers privacy, natural beauty and international-standard infrastructure within a country known for hospitality and political stability.

Thailand welcomed more than 35 million international visitors in 2025. Long-haul arrivals exceeded 11 million, rising 13% year-on-year and generating approximately 668 billion baht in tourism revenue. Despite short-term geopolitical fluctuations, long-term demand for Thailand as a stable and accessible destination has remained resilient.

Connectivity continues to strengthen with new direct long-haul services from Europe, including Paris, London and Scandinavia. Improved access is driving interest in extended stays, family relocation and residential investment, as visitors increasingly explore long-term living options.

Phuket offers international-standard healthcare, leading international schools, yacht marinas, championship golf courses and well-developed infrastructure. High-speed connectivity and direct air links to more than 80 cities ensure seamless access to global business and travel networks while maintaining privacy and lifestyle comfort.

Industry research ranks Phuket among the world’s leading destinations for branded residences, alongside Dubai, Miami and New York. Foreign buyers account for more than 60% of condominium purchases, underscoring sustained international confidence.

Thailand’s structured long-term visa framework provides renewable residency pathways for retirees, investors, entrepreneurs and remote professionals. For buyers of select premium residences, Banyan Group facilitates Thailand Elite long-term residency visas, offering multi-year entry privileges.

At the centre of this evolution is Laguna Phuket, developed by Banyan Group. Over 35 years it has grown into one of Asia’s most established integrated resort and residential communities. Spanning more than 1,000 acres along Bang Tao Beach, Laguna Phuket includes six hotels, an award-winning golf course, wellness facilities, RAVA beach club and more than 3,000 branded residences linked by scenic lagoons. Residents from over 70 nationalities call it home.

The next phase includes approximately 5,000 additional residences across Laguna Phuket and neighbouring Laguna Lakelands, reflecting sustained confidence in Phuket’s long-term residential future.

Banyan Group Residences, ranked fifth worldwide and number one in Asia in branded residences, plans to launch approximately US$1 billion in new residential projects in Phuket, reinforcing its commitment to the island’s continued development.

Phuket today represents more than a luxury retreat. It has matured into a secure, internationally integrated residential market offering stability, privacy and long-term clarity for globally minded families.

Hashtag: #BanyanGroup

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/phuket-strengthens-position-as-a-secure-international-residential-destination-for-global-families/

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Phuket Sees Increasing Number of Americans Looking to Buy Property for Lifestyle and Investment

Source: Media Outreach

Growing international demand, strengthened long-haul connectivity, and the continued evolution ofLaguna Phuket are reinforcing Thailand’s largest island as a secure, globally connected and structurally mature place to live and invest.

PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – Phuket’s transformation from a leisure destination into an established international residential market continues to gain momentum, supported by expanding air connectivity and rising interest from globally mobile investors and families.

The island has seen steady growth in long-term residents and international property buyers, reflecting a broader shift toward geographic diversification and lifestyle-driven asset allocation. Increasingly, Americans are exploring markets that combine quality of life with infrastructure reliability and clear long-term residency pathways.

Compared with many major U.S. coastal cities, Phuket offers significantly lower living costs while maintaining international-standard healthcare, hospitality infrastructure and strong global connectivity.

Thailand welcomed more than 35 million international visitors in 2025, including approximately 1.2 million from the United States. Long-haul arrivals exceeded 11 million, up 13% year-on-year and generating approximately 668 billion baht in tourism revenue, underscoring continued international confidence.

Thailand is accessible from the U.S. via major hubs including Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok, with travel times comparable to many trans-Pacific routes. Expanding airline networks are further improving access through key Asian gateways.

Improved connectivity is driving interest in extended stays, remote work flexibility and international property ownership, with more visitors exploring long-term residency alongside leisure travel.

Phuket offers international-standard healthcare, leading international schools, yacht marinas, championship golf courses, premium retail and dining, and reliable high-speed connectivity. The island combines resort-style living with the infrastructure required for full-time residence.

Industry research ranks Phuket among the world’s leading destinations for branded residences, alongside Dubai, Miami and New York. Foreign buyers account for more than 60% of prime condominium purchases, reflecting broad global participation. Direct air links to more than 80 cities reinforce integration into global travel networks.

Thailand’s long-term visa framework provides renewable pathways for retirees, investors, entrepreneurs and remote professionals. For buyers of select premium residences, Banyan Group facilitates Thailand Elite long-term residency visas, aligning property ownership with multi-year entry privileges.

At the centre of this evolution is Laguna Phuket, developed by Banyan Group. Over 35 years it has grown into one of Asia’s most established integrated resort and residential communities. Spanning more than 1,000 acres along Bang Tao Beach, it includes six hotels, an award-winning golf course, wellness facilities, RAVA beach club and more than 3,000 branded residences. Approximately 5,000 additional residences are planned across Laguna Phuket and neighbouring Laguna Lakelands.

Banyan Group Residences, ranked fifth worldwide and number one in Asia in branded residences, plans to launch approximately US$1 billion in new residential projects in Phuket.

Phuket today represents more than a resort destination. It has matured into a stable, internationally integrated residential market offering infrastructure reliability and long-term growth potential for American families and investors seeking global diversification.

Hashtag: #BanyanGroup

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/phuket-sees-increasing-number-of-americans-looking-to-buy-property-for-lifestyle-and-investment/

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China’s 2026 Government Work Report Indicates a New Cycle of Quality Enhancement for Commercial Real Estate Stock

Source: Media Outreach

Cushman & Wakefield Interpretation Report Highlights Eight Impact Areas for Real Estate Market

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – Global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has released its China’s Two Sessions 2026: Interpreting the Government Work Report publication. Against a backdrop of increasingly complex domestic and international conditions, the 2026 government work report outlines more flexible and adaptive targets for national economic development. These policy directions will have a profound influence on the real estate sector. The market’s transition from focusing on incremental expansion to revitalizing and optimizing existing assets — combined with the accelerating integration of artificial intelligence across industries —will reshape market structures, redefine asset values, and reconfigure spatial development patterns in far-reaching ways.

Macroeconomic Stability Strengthens the Foundation for Commercial Real Estate Stabilization

China’s core economic targets for 2026 are clearly defined, with GDP growth set between 4.5%–5%, balancing the dual objectives of stabilizing growth and adjusting structure. This forms a strong macro foundation for the stabilization and gradual recovery of the commercial real estate sector. Between 2024 and 2025, GDP growth remained steady at around 5.0%. For 2026, the fiscal deficit ratio is maintained at a relatively high 4.0%, with RMB4.4 trillion in local special‑purpose bonds. The quota for ultra‑long‑term special treasury bonds is further expanded to RMB1.3 trillion. Coordinated fiscal and monetary policies will continue to support leasing demand recovery and improved business sentiment in the commercial property market.

Accelerated Industry Transformation Sees Quality Enhancement of Existing Assets Become the Core Theme

The report emphasizes a three‑pronged approach of “city‑specific policies to control new supply, reduce inventory, and improve quality”, while encouraging diverse channels to revitalize existing housing stock and advancing the construction of “good homes.” This marks an accelerated shift from incremental expansion to quality enhancement of existing assets. In 2024, China’s real estate value‑added as a proportion of GDP was just 6.3%, far below the 12.56% average of developed economies. This reflects a structural imbalance characterized by heavy investment in development and insufficient focus on services and leasing. The ongoing transition will make asset management, property services, and leasing operations increasingly central to asset valuation.

Consumption‑Driven Momentum Creates a New Growth Window for Retail Properties

Consumption‑boosting policies are injecting new vitality into the retail property market. The government work report allocates RMB250 billion of ultra‑long‑term special treasury bonds to support product upgrades and replacement, complemented by RMB100 billion in coordinated fiscal‑financial funds — creating a RMB350 billion consumption stimulus package. In 2025, China’s total retail sales of consumer goods exceeded RMB50 trillion, with per‑capita GDP reaching USD13,953, signaling a critical inflection point where service‑oriented consumption accelerates. With services currently accounting for just 46.1% of consumption, there remains significant room for growth. Policies promoting “high‑quality service consumption” and “new consumption scenarios,” combined with the promotion of staggered school holidays in spring and autumn, will create opportunities for high‑quality shopping centers focused on experiential and social retail formats.

AI‑Powered Intelligent Economy Drives an Upgrade in Office Market Demand

The rapid evolution of the intelligent economy is reshaping office market demand. The work report calls for expansion of “AI+,” wider deployment of intelligent agents, and accelerated development of large‑scale computing clusters, indicating the transition of AI into commercialized and scaled applications. In 2025, China’s core digital economy industries accounted for more than 10.5% of GDP, with the target set at 12.5% during the 15th Five‑Year Plan. AI‑related companies are expected to become key new leasing drivers in 2026. This will also stimulate a fresh investment cycle for data centers and industrial parks, with core computing hub cities — in the Beijing‑Tianjin‑Hebei region, Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area — set to benefit first.

Capital Market Reforms Expand, Enabling a Full “Investment–Financing–Management–Exit” Cycle for Commercial Real Estate

Capital market reforms continue to support expansion in commercial real estate investment. The work report calls for deepened reform of comprehensive investment and financing mechanisms, expanded exit channels for private equity and venture capital, and accelerated growth of the public REITs market. By 2025, China’s public REITs issuance exceeded RMB210 billion, making it the largest REITs market in Asia. In 2026, commercial public REITs enter their first year of development, with pilots extended to hotels and commercial offices. This establishes a “dual‑engine” landscape of “infrastructure + commercial real estate” and enables a more complete investment‑financing‑management‑exit cycle

Further Opening‑Up Boosts Cross‑Border Logistics and Foreign Investment Demand

China’s opening‑up objectives in 2026 feature two core characteristics: expanding services sector openness to attract foreign investment, and promoting standardized, high‑quality development of cross‑border e‑commerce. In 2025, China’s cross‑border e‑commerce imports and exports totaled RMB2.75 trillion, with growth outpacing overall trade for the fourth consecutive year. The sector’s demand for high‑specification warehouses — characterized by high density and rapid turnover —continues to rise. Cushman & Wakefield data shows that the warehouse market is experiencing volume growth alongside price adjustment, with notable regional differences. As cross‑border e‑commerce becomes more regulated, and cold‑chain logistics demand continues to expand, green‑certified, intelligent high‑spec warehouses are expected to gain a competitive advantage.

Advancement of New Urbanization Brings Opportunities for Urban Clusters and Urban Renewal

A notable highlight among 2026 urbanization policies is the first‑ever proposal to build “innovation‑driven industrial communities and business communities.” This concept breaks the traditional boundary between industrial parks and business districts, fostering integrated complexes that combine office, commercial, and residential functions. The report also supports the development of world‑class city clusters in the Beijing‑Tianjin‑Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Greater Bay Area, while enhancing the dual‑city Chengdu‑Chongqing Economic Circle and accelerating growth in the middle‑Yangtze city cluster — further intensifying regional differentiation in the commercial property market. Urban renewal and revitalization of existing stock assets are core pillars of the current urbanization strategy. Policies promoting the reuse of existing land and idle buildings align closely with efforts to revitalize existing housing stock. For owners and operators of prime urban assets, regeneration projects offer strategic opportunities for repositioning and value enhancement.

Green Transformation Prompts Sustainability Certifications to Become a Key Competitive Advantage

The work report dedicates a standalone section to the green transition, announcing dual controls on total carbon emissions and intensity, as well as new policy tools such as zero‑carbon parks and a national low‑carbon transition fund. In 2025, China’s national carbon market saw 235 million tons of allowances traded, with transaction value reaching RMB14.63 billion, up approximately 24% year‑on‑year. Carbon costs have become an increasingly important factor in corporate leasing and location decisions. With 97.9% of newly built urban buildings in 2024 meeting green standards, green retrofits of existing buildings are gaining momentum. Commercial properties certified under LEED, WELL, and China’s Green Building Label standard enjoy notable advantages in rental premiums and tenant attraction.

Sabrina Wei, Chief Policy Analyst and Head of Research, North China, Cushman & Wakefield, said, “The 2026 government work report outlines a clear development vision for commercial real estate characterized by macroeconomic stability, targeted policies, and structural transformation. A GDP growth rate of 4.5%-5% will provide market stability, a RMB350 billion consumption stimulus will activate demand for retail properties, “AI+” will reshape the office market; capital market reforms and public REITs will enable a full “Investment–Financing–Management–Exit” cycle, urban renewal will unlock values of existing assets, and green certification will define new competitiveness for the industry. As the real estate industry transitions from a construction‑focused model to one centered on operations and services, institutions with strong capabilities in asset management and high‑quality operational service delivery will be best positioned to capture the emerging opportunities of this transformative new cycle.”

To access the full report please click here.

Hashtag: #CushmanWakefield

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/chinas-2026-government-work-report-indicates-a-new-cycle-of-quality-enhancement-for-commercial-real-estate-stock/

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Live: Chiefs v Brumbies – Super Rugby Pacific round six

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action as the Chiefs take on the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

Kick-off is at 9.35pm.

Chiefs team list:

1. Jared Proffit 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho 3. Reuben O’Neill 4. Josh Lord 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc) 6. Simon Parker 7. Jahrome Brown 8. Luke Jacobson (c) 9. Cortez Ratima 10. Damian McKenzie 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc) 13. Daniel Rona 14. Leroy Carter 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling

Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson 17. Ollie Norris 18. George Dyer 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi 20. Samipeni Finau 21. Xavier Roe 22. Josh Jacomb 23. Lalakai Foketi

“The Brumbies are a terrific side and the Force next week will be tough in Perth, so this is a good mini tour for us. If we get things right, it will help set us for the rest of the season.” – Head coach Jonno Gibbs.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/live-chiefs-v-brumbies-super-rugby-pacific-round-six/

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Qianhai Launches OPC Mavericks Program to Empower Global AI Solopreneurs

Source: Media Outreach

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – On March 18, Qianhai, a flagship hub for institutional opening-up, high-end services and technological innovation in southern China, officially opened the application portal for the Qianhai OPC (One-Person Company) International Community and launched its global OPC Mavericks Program. Adhering to the philosophy of “All Innovation, Zero Distraction”, the initiative aims to build the world’s leading ecosystem for AI-driven one-person companies.

Qianhai OPC (One-Person Company) International Community officially opens for applications

Widely recognized as a pioneering zone for China’s institutional opening-up and a key innovation node in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Qianhai leads the country in piloting cross-border cooperation, regulatory innovation and business-friendly reforms. It has grown into a highland for advanced services, tech research and development, and entrepreneurial ecosystems, connecting global talents, capital and technologies with the massive market of the Greater Bay Area.

The OPC Mavericks Program targets six elite groups: academic pioneers, tech veterans, global AI competition winners, elite prodigies, influential open-source contributors, and outstanding graduates in AI and computer science. Eligible projects should leverage generative AI, large language models, AI agents and automation to build sustainable closed-loop businesses.

As the world’s first vertical accelerator dedicated to OPCs, the community provides a tailor-made AI launchpad with the SENSE ecosystem and the “Eight Zeros” guarantee to remove startup barriers: supported office space up to 200㎡ for two years, talent housing up to 50㎡ per person, annual free computing power up to 50P, free LLM trials, Greater Bay Area market access, collateral-free loans, high-risk-tolerance seed funding, annual talent rewards up to 600,000 RMB, and one-stop services for visas, finance, IP, taxation and global internet access.

To help global innovators experience opportunities in the region, Qianhai offers the Shenzhen-Hong Kong 72-Hour Experience Pass, which was officially launched in 2025. This pass provides streamlined entry arrangements, guided visits to tech platforms, enterprises and research institutions in both cities, and on-site insights into the OPC entrepreneurship environment. It serves as a key channel for global talents to fully explore cooperation and development prospects in the Greater Bay Area.

The program supports AI solopreneurs to turn ideas into scalable businesses. Qualified applicants can submit core founder resumes and project pitch decks to inqianhai@qhidg.com to join the program and embrace new opportunities in the Greater Bay Area.

Hashtag: #Qianhai #GreaterBayArea #AIInnovation #GenerativeAI #StartupEcosystem #AIEntrepreneurship

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/qianhai-launches-opc-mavericks-program-to-empower-global-ai-solopreneurs/

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Police appeal for witnesses after Hastings pub brawl leaves several injured

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police want to identify the man in the fawn cap – the photo on the right shows him without the hat. Police/Supplied

Police are looking for the public’s help to identify people involved in a pub brawl in Hastings.

Detective Sergeant Heath Jones, Hastings Criminal Investigation Branch, said a fight involving both men and women took place inside the Common Room bar between 1.30 and 2am on Sunday 8 March.

Several people were injured, some seriously, with one requiring hospital treatment.

“Police are disappointed at the aggressive and careless behaviour on display at the Common Room that night and will be holding any offenders to account,” Jones said.

“We are asking the public for information to help identify the offenders and anyone else who was there at the time who may have suffered injuries or witnessed the fight.”

Police have released images of one of the people they wish to identify, a man wearing a fawn ‘Gucci’ baseball cap with a white shirt.

Information can be reported to Police by calling 105 or online using the file number 260308/6292, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/police-appeal-for-witnesses-after-hastings-pub-brawl-leaves-several-injured/

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Chuangxin Industries Posts a 33% Profit Jump as “Cost Leadership”

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – Chuangxin Industries Holdings Limited (Chuangxin Industries, 02788.HK), a dominant leader in China’s fully integrated aluminum value chain, announced a stellar financial performance for the fiscal year 2025 this week. Despite a complex global macroeconomic environment, the company reported revenue of RMB 18.68 billion, representing a robust 23.2% year-on-year increase. Profit attributable to owners of the company surged by an impressive 32.8% to RMB 2.731 billion. Basic earnings per share rose to RMB 1.75 from RMB 1.37 in 2024. In a move that underscores its strong balance sheet and commitment to shareholder returns, the Board has proposed a final dividend of HK$ 0.77 per share.

The global aluminum landscape in 2025 was defined by extreme volatility in London Metal Exchange (LME) prices and escalating energy costs across traditional smelting hubs. Chuangxin Industries showcased notable resilience, underpinned by its fully integrated electrolytic aluminum industrial chain. The company’s revenue was anchored by its core electrolytic aluminum business, which contributed RMB13.62 billion (72.92% of total), while alumina and related products added RMB4.42 billion.

Central to Chuangxin Industries’ outperformance is its 100% self-sufficiency in alumina and power, the twin pillars of its strategic “cost moat.” This vertically integrated footprint is anchored by a 788.1 kt/a electrolytic aluminum smelter and a dedicated captive power plant in Huolinguole, Inner Mongolia, complemented by a 1.2 million t/a alumina refinery in Binzhou, Shandong, which is strategically positioned near import ports. This tightly coordinated infrastructure allows the Group to exert precision control over core input costs. Consequently, the Group ranks as a top-tier cost leader in China, possessing a structural advantage that serves as both a defensive shield during commodity downcycles and a powerful lever for earnings elasticity during market recoveries.

The Chuangxin Industries’ March 9 entry into the Hong Kong Stock Connect opens the door to mainland investors. Expected Southbound liquidity should enhance market depth and catalyze a valuation recovery. Analysts view its structural cost moat and green manufacturing leadership as a compelling, cash-flow-resilient proposition for long-term investors navigating today’s high-interest-rate environment.

Looking ahead, Chuangxin Industries is focusing on green growth and global expansion.

Domestically, Chuangxin Industries is rapidly building 1,750 MW of wind and solar capacity in Inner Mongolia, aiming to source over 50% of its power from renewable sources by the end of 2026, reducing both carbon emissions and long-term energy costs.

Internationally, Chuangxin Industries’ planned 500 kt/a aluminum smelting facility in Saudi Arabia will leverage Saudi Arabia’s competitive energy costs and port logistics to serve regional demand and diversify its production base beyond China. By establishing a footprint abroad, Chuangxin Industries is hedging against geopolitical barriers while enhancing its global edge through competitive energy costs in the Middle East.

Chuangxin Industries is cementing its status as a world-class green aluminum leader. Its synergy of integrated efficiency and global expansion offers investors a resilient, sustainable play at the heart of the sector’s high-growth future.

Hashtag: #ChuangxinIndustries

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/chuangxin-industries-posts-a-33-profit-jump-as-cost-leadership/

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Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes humiliate Highlanders

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fehi Fineanganofo of the Hurricanes, pictured in an earlier match, scored a hat-trick. Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz

The Hurricanes have kicked clear at the top of the Super Rugby standings after hammering the Highlanders 50-7 in Dunedin.

A hat-trick for Fehi Fineanganofo and a brace for Cam Roigard saw the Hurricanes romp to a 10th straight win over the Southerners.

The Highlanders would strike first through Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as the fullback sliced through untouched to score beside the bar.

But that would be as good as it got for the home side as the Hurricanes went on a 50-point unanswered scoring spree.

Roigard’s first came as he threw an audacious dummy just a metre from the chalk and launched himself over.

Next was from a quick tap, Roigard catching the Highlanders napping from a scrum penalty.

The Cane’s stretched their advantage courtesy of a pinpoint, flat cross kick by Ruben Love which landed perfectly in the arms of Fineanganofo.

The tries kept coming after the break, the best of the night coming shortly after sparked by a Ruben Love break.

Some beautiful interchange between the Hurricanes putting Devan Flanders over to cap a 60-metre scorcher.

The wheels well and truly fell off the hosts as replacement Bailyn Sullivan cruised over the chalk with Fineanganofo completing his trio.

The half century came through Peter Lakai as he lunged over from close range, mercifully ending the desiccation.

Follow how the action unfolded:

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/super-rugby-pacific-hurricanes-humiliate-highlanders/

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Tourism Authority of Thailand invites global travellers to rediscover balance through “Healing Journey Thailand” campaign.

Source: Media Outreach

Campaign highlights wellness, culture and meaningful travel across the Kingdom featuring international creators including British singer-songwriter Henry Moodie.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites travellers worldwide to rediscover balance through the global Healing Journey Thailand campaign, guided by the communication concept Healing is the New Luxury. Launched in January 2026, the campaign reflects Thailand’s tourism strategy focused on high-value, wellness-led, purpose-driven travel, positioning the Kingdom as a destination where travellers reconnect with themselves through cultural encounters and restorative journeys.

Henry Moodie plays a central role, with his storytelling shaping the campaign narrative. His journey, featured in the campaign film premiered at The Cinema at Selfridges London, follows travels through Krabi and Trang, from Ko Muk and Ko Kradan to the Na Muen Sri community, highlighting Thailand’s living culture and spirit.

The campaign presents creator-led experiences in the Kingdom, reflecting a global shift in luxury from material to meaningful engagement.

In southern Thailand, Swedish creators Malin & Jules (@Malinandjules) explored “hidden luxury” in Chumphon and Ranong through slow living, coffee culture, island life on Ko Phayam, hot springs and a garden lunch.

In northern Thailand, Casey Pickup (@howtotravelfulltime) and Kseniia Kalenyk (@kseniia.journey) explored Chiang Mai‘s heritage through Lanna arts and craft workshops, including Nuat Fon, Lanna massage inspired by Fon Leb dance, Yam Khang massage, concluding with a Ping River dinner cruise and sound healing meditation.

In the historic Sukhothai, Aytan Abbasli (@aytanabbasil) and Mia Emilie Persson (@miaemiliepersson) explored UNESCO-listed sites, Sukhothai silver craftsmanship, Tin Chok textiles and community life at Baan Na Ton Chan, concluding with merit-making at Wat Traphang Thong.

Nature and adventure shaped the Khao Yai journey of Naziha Banu Fathima (@the_fatimablejournal) and Khaled Mohamed Abdulla Hamad Aljneibi (@alsinaani_khalid000), combining sustainability with outdoor activities including park trekking, forest glamping and dialogue at Khao Yai Art Forest.

In Phang-Nga, Patrick James Mitchell and Meghan Celina McPhee (@megsandpat) experienced harmony with nature at Samed Nangshe Viewpoint, Surin Islands diving, bamboo rafting, and in Khao Lak with a fire show and sound healing by the Andaman Sea.

Together, these journeys reflect Thailand’s identity, where travel is shaped by quality and sustainability. Guided by Healing is the New Luxury, the campaign advances TAT’s Value over Volume strategy, encouraging travellers to engage with landscapes, culture and communities, fostering support for sustainable tourism growth.

Hashtag: #Healingjouneythailand #Healingisthenewluxury #Amazingthailand

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/tourism-authority-of-thailand-invites-global-travellers-to-rediscover-balance-through-healing-journey-thailand-campaign/

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Country Life: Inside Kapiro Farm’s quest to find the sheep of the future

Source: Radio New Zealand

The seven-year long Sheep of the Future project started off with a flock of Romneys and the fifth generation in the programme is ready for mating. Jess Burges Photography

Climate change, increasing costs, fussier consumers and changing rules have researchers and breeders working hard to develop a sheep that will not only be economic to farm but good for the planet.

Kapiro Farm in Northland is five years into a seven-year project to breed the sheep of the future.

The Sheep of the Future programme is a $10.5 million collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries, Pāmu and its subsidiary Focus Genetics.

How well the sheep grow on the feed they’re given in Northland’s warm and sticky climate, which other regions will likely increasingly experience, is being measured.

Sheep on the Sheep of the Future programme standing in yards, their bodies displaying shedding wool traits. Jess Burges Photography

The animals that do best are the ones to breed from, and there are other traits to balance too, including the animal’s resilience to disease like facial eczema and the amount of methane it emits.

Reducing costs for the farmer within a struggling wool industry has been a big consideration for the breeders.

“With the way the world’s heading with global warming and whatnot, [we’re also aiming for] an animal that is easy care, that has an element of shedding about it,” Kapiro Farm manager Ian Leaf told Country Life.

“An easy care sheep of the future that can handle what the future has in store for us.”

With wool prices strengthening of late Leaf said there was not as hard a focus on 100 percent shedding ability, ” more like 30 percent.”

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The fifth generation of ewes culled from the original 2000-strong flock of Romney sheep are being mated now.

Over the programme, at least 12 different breeds have been mated with the Romneys, including Dorper sires, Damaras, Exlanas and Wiltshires. They “basically chucked every shedding or no wool sire into the paddock,” Leaf said.

The Romney-based flock has had sires from at least 12 different breeds of ram including the Dorper, Damara and Wiltshire. Kara Tait Photography

The Damara from Namibia, known for its hardiness in arid climates and maternal instincts, was the first breed to be culled out, as much for its looks as anything, Leaf said, pointing out the final sheep must be acceptable to the market.

“They resemble a lot a goat. They have a lot of goat traits. They grow horns. They’re a bit bit more slender of a build. They hold their fat stores in their tail.”

“Moving forward, there’s always a visual aspect that you look to adhere to. A lot of people are going to have their own impressions and judgements visually before looking at data. So just cleaning that up and getting a nice uniformed animal that everyone’s used to seeing.”

The main breeds coming through now include the Wiltshire “definitely for the shedding ability,” UltraWhites and Exlanas, low maintenance sheep developed in Australia and the UK respectively.

“We’ve had our struggles with the Wiltshire with their feet. They don’t tend to have very good feet, so just making sure we’re mixing them in the right volumes of Wiltshire.”

They also want to end up with an animal that “gives you a decent lamb at weaning.”

“There’s a little bit of Texel in there … for the meat and carcass production.”

Ian Leaf, Kapiro Farm manager. RNZ/Sally Round

The ram lambs are methane-tested every year.

“That all has a huge impact on the selection process.”

So will there be a perfect sheep of the future at the end of the programme in two years’ time?

Lesf said they were starting to see a “nice, uniformed animal now … that is growing, well, growing at competitive rates to where we were as a Romney-based flock.”

He was interested to find out what the animals could do further south ” in the land of milk and honey”, saying there’s always room for improvement.

“What [the programme] is bringing is insurance on the data. The data is there. We now know exactly how much these guys emit in methane. We know exactly how much feed they take to convert into a kilo of carcass.

“What this Sheep of the Future has done is it’s given you actual facts, ‘what is’ not ‘what ifs’.”

Learn more:

  • Learn more about the Sheep of the Future project here

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/country-life-inside-kapiro-farms-quest-to-find-the-sheep-of-the-future/

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University students facing the ‘toughest time’ in years as costs increase

Source: Radio New Zealand

Victoria University of Wellington Students Association president Aidan Donoghue displays empty boxes at the association’s foodbank. SUPPLIED

Student association leaders warn more students are struggling to make ends meet and rising prices will make the problem worse.

Victoria University’s student association says its food bank shelves are being cleaned out every week, AUT’s association says international students are especially hard hit, and Lincoln University’s association says demand for financial assistance has remained high since the pandemic began in 2020.

Their comments accompanied the launch of a study that found a marked increase in student hardship across several universities in the past five years.

The report by an Otago University student during an internship with the Green Party said there had been sustained growth in the use of foodbanks and hardship grants at several universities since 2019.

It said numbers were highest during the height of the pandemic in 2020, but remained above pre-pandemic levels last year.

The report said international students, single parents and female students were more likely to seek help for food insecurity.

It said the the number of students using a foodbank at AUT jumped from about 100 in 2020 to more than 1800 last year, about three-quarters of them foreign students.

At Victoria University, the student association’s spending on its food bank jumped from about $7000 in 2019 to more than $13,000 last year.

The report said Otago University Students Association provided about 250 food bags in 2019 and nearly 700 last year.

The three associations awarded on average $20,000 each in hardship grants last year, less than at the height of the pandemic but about double the figure in 2019.

The report’s author Anika Texley said the students’ associations collected different data about student hardship, but the overall picture was of growing demand for help.

“They’re struggling to meet their needs and their most basic needs. So things like rent tend to be prioritized over groceries,” she said.

Texley said students were struggling with rising expenses across the board.

“It’s not just groceries, it’s also bills, rising utility, rent is going up, and it’s consistently going up. So it’s an ongoing issue,” she said.

Texley completed her report while working as an intern for Green Party MP Francisco Hernandez.

He said students had been struggling for years and the report showed that the situation had worsened.

“And sadly, things are only going to get worse with the war ongoing in Iran. The cost of everything, gas, energy, groceries, rents, will spike up even further,” he said.

Hernandez said all students should be eligible for an allowance, rather than having to borrow for living costs through the student loan system.

The cupboard is bare

Victoria University of Wellington Students Association president Aidan Donoghue said its foodbank cupboards had been cleared out by hungry students.

“This Monday we had an order to completely fill out that food bank and it’s completely gone already,” he said.

“We’ve seen an increase of us having to order from roughly once every fortnight to once every week to now twice a week.”

Donoghue said the association received about $10,000 a year from the university to stock the foodbank and it would need double that sum to keep up with demand.

He said the fund ran out before the end of the year in 2025 and this year it has cut back on non-food items.

“We’ve had to cut all of our non-food expenditure. We’ve really just had to keep it to the basics of rice, pasta, food in cans,” he said.

“There’s no more toilet paper, there’s no more toothpaste, there’s no more deodorant, because all that costs far too much, and we need to stretch the food bank as far as it will go.”

Donoghue said about 100 students a week were visiting the food bank and many more students were struggling to pay their bills.

“Students are facing the toughest time they’ve had in years when it comes to just meeting the basics of rent, power, public transport,” he said.

He said students could receive up to $320 for living costs from the student loan scheme or as a student allowance if they qualified but needed roughly a further $100-200 to make ends meet.

AUT student association president James Portegys told RNZ students were coming every day for food vouchers or food bank packs and rising prices were making the situation worse.

“Obviously, the prices were already high, and now they’re increasing, so it’s quite a few students are now struggling,” he said.

Portegys said last year some students stopped coming to university because they could not afford the bus fare and the association successfully campaigned for discounted fares for students.

“We heard evidence of students choosing between paying rent, eating, or coming to campus. And what are you going to do? You’re going to choose to pay your rent and eat food,” he said.

Lincoln University students association president Zara Weissenstein told RNZ

“We had a huge increase in all of our financial assistance fund applications during COVID-19, of course and that consistently stayed quite high,” she said.

Weissenstein said the university ran a food bank and the association had noted an increase in students attending events with free food.

“Food is a really big thing because that’s often the first thing that students won’t prioritise because you have to prioritise your general expenses first, so your rent and your utilities that happen every month,” she said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/university-students-facing-the-toughest-time-in-years-as-costs-increase/

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Global Talent Summit Week Looks Ahead to the Future Workplace in the AI Era

Source: Media Outreach

Nobel Laureate affirms Hong Kong’s strengths in attracting global high-calibre talent, contributing to the country’s drive to become a high-technology hub

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 -The Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) are jointly hosting the Global Talent Summit Week (GTS Week) in Hong Kong. The two flagship events — the International Talent Forum and the CareerConnect Expo — were held over the past two days, drawing over 10,000 participants and 170,000 live-stream views. Through a series of keynote sessions, panel discussions and networking opportunities, the events further solidified Hong Kong’s dual advantages as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talent.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Global Talent Summit Week. Photo shows (front row, from third left) the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; Nobel Laureate and Regius Professor of Economics of the Department of Economics of London School of Economics, Professor Christopher A Pissarides; Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Mr Yu Jiadong; Mr Lee; the President of Peking University, Professor Gong Qihuang, and other guests at the ceremony.

Among the distinguished speakers at the International Talent Forum was Professor Christopher A Pissarides, 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences. In his keynote address, he said that Hong Kong possesses clear strengths in traditional industries such as finance and commerce, and is home to a world-class education system. With the rapid development of advanced technology across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) — in particular its proximity to Shenzhen as a hub for innovation hardware and industrial artificial intelligence (AI) — Hong Kong is well placed to develop into a regional high-tech hub, further strengthening its appeal to global talent.

“Hong Kong possesses a vibrant service-based economy, a high-quality talent pool and productivity, proactive government policies, and a thriving entrepreneurial culture. These strengths define Hong Kong’s unique role within the GBA and will be key to its continued ability to attract international talent,” he said.

Professor Pissarides emphasised that AI is having a comprehensive impact across all areas of production and work. He stressed that AI should be positioned as a tool to complement human resources — designed to enhance productivity and improve employee well-being, rather than to replace the workforce. He anticipated that proficiency in AI development and application, such as engineers and data analysts, would be at the forefront of the coming wave of global talent competition.

Hong Kong’s Unique Advantages Attracting Global Talent to Thrive with Confidence

Mr John Lee, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, officiated at the opening ceremony of the GTS Week and delivered the opening address at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre(HKCEC) on the 18th March. He said that Hong Kong is fast rising as an international talent hub, driven by a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy that integrates talent development with economic transformation, technological advancement and regional co-operation. Such efforts have been widely recognised, with Hong Kong rising to fourth globally and first in Asia in the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025.

Mr Lee said that Hong Kong will continue to uphold openness, deepen international engagement and align closely with national development strategies. Policies in education, innovation and infrastructure will be further refined to ensure Hong Kong remains a fertile ground for ideas and enterprises, where global talent feels welcomed, valued and supported. He stressed that while economic indicators and technological achievements are important, human development remains the ultimate goal, and Hong Kong will continue to place people at the centre of its vision for the future.

At a critical juncture in the global transformation of innovation, technology and talent development, Hong Kong — positioned as a regional nexus for high-calibre talent — is leveraging the GTS Week to foster international talent collaboration, showcase diverse development opportunities and garner insights from government, business and academic leaders on future talent trends.

Centred on the integrated development of education, technology and talents, the GTS Week includes a series of discussions and exchanges across multiple sessions. Speakers so far have included Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Mr Joe Ngai, Chairman of McKinsey & Company Greater China, who discussed the evolving demand for skilled professionals and how innovation is reshaping China’s talent development landscape.

Experts and Leaders Envision the Future Landscape of Education, Technology and Talents

The Forum also held panel discussions on education, technology and talents, bringing together industry leaders including Professor Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University; Dr Lin Dahua, Co-founder and Chief Scientist of SenseTime Group Limited; and Ms Ruchee Anand, Vice President of Talent Solutions of Asia Pacific at LinkedIn. They examined the emerging talent ecosystem and explored how cross-border and cross-sector collaboration could nurture future-ready talent.

During the GTS Week, HKTE welcomed around 100 government representatives responsible for talent development in the Chinese Mainland and the Macao SAR, as well as delegates from leading universities in the Mainland to take part. They shared valuable experiences from various regions in talent attraction, retention, nurturing and recruitment, and explored strategies for talent attraction and development under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

In recent years, the HKSAR Government has introduced a series of talent admission measures to attract and facilitate talent from around the world to develop their careers in Hong Kong, and settle down in the city.

Another highlight of this year’s GTS Week was the CareerConnect Expo, held concurrently with the Forum at the HKCEC. The Expo brought together around 70 corporations, educational and technology institutions, and government departments across five thematic zones, presenting Hong Kong’s latest talent admission policies and industry information, settlement support services, and career prospects across the GBA.

GTS Week continues until March 29, with nine satellite events covering regional conferences, career fairs and corporate award ceremonies, establishing a comprehensive platform for professional networking and information exchange. These include the signing of a cooperation agreement between HKTE and Junior Chamber International Hong Kong (JCIHK). Leveraging JCIHK’s network of over 150,000 young leaders and members across 114 countries and regions worldwide, HKTE will reach out and invite global talent to explore development opportunities in Hong Kong and the GBA.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, this year’s GTS Week has expanded into a series of events, themed around the integrated development of education, technology and talents. The GTS Week follows Hong Kong’s historic ascent to the top position in Asia on the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Talent Ranking 2025, fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s strong appeal to global talent.

To learn more about the highlights of the GTS Week and Professor Pissarides’ insightful views, please visit gts.hkengage.gov.hk/en/video-gallery or follow HKTE on social media.

Hashtag: #HongKongTalentEngage

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/global-talent-summit-week-looks-ahead-to-the-future-workplace-in-the-ai-era/

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CREGIS Empowers Hong Kong Custodians and Trustees to Build a Solid Foundation for Digital Asset Governance

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – CREGIS, a leading Hong Kong-based digital asset infrastructure provider, recently announced that its privatized deployment solution, CREGIS Nexus, has officially been honored with the “Excellent Brand of Enterprise Digital Asset Infrastructure” award. The award was presented by Mr. Joseph Chan Ho-lim, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government of Hong Kong, to CREGIS Founder and CEO, Shawn Yan. This distinction not only recognizes CREGIS’s technical prowess but also marks its standing alongside industry leaders such as HSBC, AXA Hong Kong, ICBC (Asia), Bank of China(Hong Kong), and CITIC Bank (International) in driving innovation within Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem.

CREGIS Nexus awarded “Excellent Brand of Enterprise Digital Asset Infrastructure.

In the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, fiduciaries—represented by custodian banks and trust companies—have long faced challenges regarding security, compliance, and high technical barriers. Relying solely on third-party services often means forfeiting critical control, while building internal systems entails prohibitive costs and risks. The CREGIS Nexus solution provides global licensed custodians, trust companies, and professional trustees with institutional-grade infrastructure that aligns with existing compliance and risk control frameworks, ensuring they maintain absolute “Asset Control.”

“We are standing at a turning point in the evolution of financial infrastructure,” said Shawn Yan, Founder and CEO of CREGIS. “For institutions bearing fiduciary responsibilities, asset security and compliant governance are paramount. Privatized deployment offers the highest level of autonomy, transparency, and business resilience.”

CREGIS serves over 3,500 corporate clients and manages over $300 billion in transaction assets. The company has maintained a record of zero incidents over the years, with its business among financial institution clients growing at an annual rate of over 50%. This is because “Security Autonomy” and “Compliance Controllability” are at the core of CREGIS’s mission.

The core advantage of the CREGIS Nexus solution lies in its reshaping of the underlying trust model. It deeply integrates TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) technology and seamlessly incorporates bank-grade Hardware Security Modules (HSM) compliant with FIPS 140-2/3 standards. This ensures that private keys are never exposed throughout their lifecycle, and all critical computations are completed within a client-controlled physical environment or a hardware-protected TEE secure zone, eliminating single points of failure and external interference.

CREGIS also addresses the complexities of operational and governance compliance. Its unique Declarative Intent Gateway (DIG) technology allows institutions to transform internal risk policies, compliance mandates, and trust agreement terms into programmable, immutable business logic. This ensures that every asset operation is not only cryptographically secure but also automatically executed at the business intent and compliance levels, with full auditability. This “Rules-as-Code” capability aligns perfectly with Hong Kong’s maturing digital asset regulatory regime.

As a company with its global strategic headquarters in Hong Kong, CREGIS has introduced a “Tripartite Oversight” logical architecture for licensed institutions. This framework technically separates asset operational rights, ownership, and audit supervision rights, providing custodians and trustees with a ready-to-use digital upgrade solution that meets licensing requirements.

“CREGIS is closely monitoring the legislative progress of the licensing regime for digital asset custody service providers by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau(FSTB) and the Securities and Futures Commission(SFC),” Yan added. “Once the relevant regulatory framework is formally implemented, we plan to officially submit our application for a Hong Kong digital asset custody service license, leveraging the institutional-grade security and compliance capabilities built upon the CREGIS Nexus solution.”

https://www.cregis.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cregis
https://x.com/0xCregis

Hashtag: #cregis #cregisnexus #CEOShawnYan

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/cregis-empowers-hong-kong-custodians-and-trustees-to-build-a-solid-foundation-for-digital-asset-governance/

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Winston Peters meets Cook Island PM ‘informally’, but no deal on key issues

Source: Radio New Zealand

Cook Islands PM Mark Brown and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters held an informal discussion at Peters’ private residence in Auckland on Friday, 20 March 2026  Supplied / Minister of Foreign Affairs

Winston Peters has met “informally” with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown at Peters’ home in Auckland.

Four days ago, Peters’ office said they had no plans to meet Brown while he was in New Zealand.

In a joint statement, they said they discussed “fundamental challenges facing the New Zealand-Cook Islands relationship over the past 18 months” though there appeared to be no resolutions.

“Political dialogue between the two countries will continue in the coming weeks in order to determine whether these challenges can be resolved in the present circumstances,” it stated.

“In the meantime, the Governments of the Cook Islands and New Zealand will not be providing further comment.”

Christopher Luxon said on Thursday that he would not meet with Brown in any capacity, preferring to keep it between officials.

“I’m confident we’ll get to a good place in the end, we’ve made some good progress recently, but I’m going to let our officials handle that progress,” he said.

Addressing a room of dignitaries on Wednesday, Brown said his country was “growing in influence” globally on its “voyage of statehood”.

“Our desire to pursue our own policies and interests have been reflected in our growing participation on the international stage,” Brown told a room of dignitaries.

“There are times when we must pause and consider whether the conventions and evolved understanding between our freely associated states remain aligned … we find ourselves in such a moment.”

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/winston-peters-meets-cook-island-pm-informally-but-no-deal-on-key-issues/

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Empty pumps at two North Island truck stops concern rural transporter

Source: Radio New Zealand

Danniverke Carriers owner Nigel Castles expects further price rises for fuel are inevitable. 123rf

A rural transport company carting stock to the meat works couldn’t get the fuel it needed at two North Island commercial truck stops.

Pumps ran dry in Wairoa and Eltham on Thursday when the Stephenson Transport truck and trailer units from Central Hawke’s Bay were on a freezing works run.

Owner Bruce Stephenson said it’s a situation he’s never faced during his seven decades in the business.

“We had stock trucks on the road obviously all over the place. We couldn’t get fuel in Wairoa and we couldn’t get fuel in Eltham,” he said.

“They were loaded with stock heading to the works, so we had to stretch things out a bit – it gets a bit tricky when you’re doing that sort of thing.”

He fielded phone calls from his concerned drivers wondering what to do next.

“I’m talking about truck stops where we fuel up and where we get our contract prices from. That’s where access is relatively easy for a big truck and trailers with crates on.”

“So we had to go to service stations and find one we could get under the canopy of.”

Danniverke Carriers owner Nigel Castles is also coping with the swiftly evolving situation.

His company also carts stock around the country and he’s concerned about the massive spike in prices.

And his family-owned business can’t absorb the soaring fuel prices alone.

He’s reluctantly passing these increases on to farmers and estimates his fuel bill is up 20 percent from the start of the year.

The company filled its tanks last week, and he hopes the next delivery will arrive in a week.

With no signs of tensions easing in the Middle East, he expects further price rises for fuel are inevitable.

“The next lot of fuel supply is actually going to go up again,” he said.

“Definitely out on farm there’s a lot of worry, and as transporters we certainly don’t want to come to a grinding halt either.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/empty-pumps-at-two-north-island-truck-stops-concern-rural-transporter/

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SIM Global Education Highlights Integrated Undergraduate Experience, Combining Academic Learning and Career Preparation

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – Undergraduate education today extends beyond academic instruction, with institutions increasingly emphasising the development of practical skills, career readiness and personal growth. At SIM Global Education (SIM GE), the undergraduate experience is structured to combine academic learning with career preparation and student engagement, reflecting the evolving expectations of higher education.

Through partnerships with universities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, SIM GE provides access to internationally recognised degree programmes delivered in Singapore. Students are supported by a learning environment that integrates classroom instruction with opportunities for applied learning and professional development.

A Structured Undergraduate Experience
A typical weekday at SIM GE reflects a balance between academic commitments and broader developmental activities.

Mornings are generally dedicated to lecture preparation and collaborative study, with students making use of campus facilities designed for both individual and group learning. Formal classes, including lectures, seminars and case discussions, typically take place later in the morning. These sessions often incorporate group-based assignments and presentations, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts.

Midday periods frequently involve informal collaboration, with students using shared spaces to coordinate group work and prepare for assessments. This collaborative approach reinforces teamwork and communication skills, which are essential in professional environments.

Afternoons may include academic support activities, such as consultations and workshops offered through the Student Learning Centre. These resources are designed to strengthen competencies in areas including academic writing, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Career development forms an integral component of the undergraduate experience. SIM GE provides access to career advisory services, networking opportunities and industry engagement initiatives, allowing students to gain insights into employer expectations and explore potential career pathways prior to graduation.

Beyond academic and career-focused activities, students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular engagements. With a wide range of student clubs, interest groups and volunteering initiatives available, these activities provide opportunities to develop leadership, interpersonal skills and cross-cultural understanding within a diverse student community.

Evenings are often dedicated to independent study, assignment completion and preparation for upcoming classes, reflecting the balance between structured learning and self-directed development.

Supporting Holistic Student Development
The undergraduate experience at SIM GE is designed to support both academic progression and personal development. Through a combination of structured coursework, academic support services, career preparation and student-led activities, learners are able to build a broad set of competencies relevant to both further education and employment.

This integrated approach enables students to develop practical skills, expand professional networks and gain exposure to diverse perspectives, contributing to a more comprehensive preparation for the demands of the global workforce.

References:
1. Devanshi Soni student story –
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/from-new-delhi-to-singapore-how-sim-global-education-shaped-devanshi-sonis-global-journey/articleshow/122850280.cms

2. SIM GE Student Ambassador Yong Kunyada story –
https://regional.simge.edu.sg/philippines/en/scholar-student-ambassador-yong-shares-her-experiences-of-learning-and-thriving-in-sim/

3. SIM Student Learning Centre – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/learning-support

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/sim-global-education-highlights-integrated-undergraduate-experience-combining-academic-learning-and-career-preparation/

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SEEK’s AI Lead Speaks at Global Talent Summit: How responsible AI is helping connect candidates and hirers with trust in an increasingly noisy hiring market

Source: Media Outreach

Jobsdb by SEEK hosts “The Hong Kong HR Awards 2025/26” celebrating industry excellence

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – Mr Grant Wright, Group Executive, Artificial Intelligence at SEEK, the parent company of Jobsdb, spoke at the “Global Talent Summit Week – Hong Kong’s International Talent Forum” on 18 March 2026, organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau and Hong Kong Talent Engage. At the panel titled “Thriving in a dynamic talent landscape – Sustaining skills and fostering resilience”, Mr Wright addressed the challenge of increasing noise in the recruitment market and outlined how SEEK is leveraging its responsible AI framework and automated verification tools to help employers identify authentic talent signals.

Mr Grant Wright, Group Executive, Artificial Intelligence at SEEK, the parent company of Jobsdb, spoke at the “Global Talent Summit Week – Hong Kong’s International Talent Forum” on 18 March 2026

Building trust with Responsible AI and verification

At the forum, Mr Wright described the current global talent landscape as increasingly noisy with the rise of AI agents and the use of large language models in the recruitment process making it harder to assess candidates fit and motivation without the right tools.

“In a world where AI allows every candidate to put their best foot forward, traditional signals like the CV and cover letter tell us less than they used to,” said Mr Wright. “Simply applying for a role is no longer necessarily a signal of motivation or suitability. In this noisier AI environment, marketplaces play a critical role to connect interested and high-fit candidates and hirers faster, and to add more trust to the process.

SEEK established a dedicated Responsible AI team in 2017 to address fairness and bias in AI-driven matching. Mr Wright outlined the company’s core principles for ensuring technology empowers rather than excludes.

“AI makes predictions, which means by definition it can be wrong. We must consider the impact of those predictions on individuals,” Mr Wright added.

“Humans can be biased in recruitment, and we need to recognise that exists in the system and in the data we train on. Our responsible AI team and processes aim to ensure AI improves outcomes for everyone and creates opportunity.”

SEEK has invested in AI to improve customer experiences for over a decade, building one of Asia Pacific’s most established AI teams. Beyond making job hunting and hiring simpler, SEEK is focused on using AI to add trust and efficiency into our marketplace. This proprietary technology powers every stage of the hiring process:

  • Enhanced targeting for high-fit candidates: SEEK identifies which candidates are a high fit for a role. This allows us to predict a candidate’s likelihood of being shortlisted for any given job ad. High-fit candidates are three times more likely to be shortlisted.
  • Enhanced Efficiency and Search Experience: Features like AI-assisted ad writing help employers create compelling job descriptions, while AI-powered analytics provide real-time insights to optimise ad performance. At the same time, candidates can use natural, everyday language to describe what they’re looking for, and personalised search models match them to the most relevant roles.
  • Responsible AI and Trust: SEEK’s dedicated Responsible AI framework focuses on fairness, transparency and bias mitigation in AI‑driven matching. To combat market friction and build confidence, SEEK has also introduced automated verified credentials, reducing verification times from days to seconds, increasing hirer trust in the integrity of matches and helping candidates stand out.
  • Voice AI Refence Checks: SEEK also leverages natural language AI to transform the reference checking experience. SEEK’s voice AI assistant allows referees to complete checks through natural conversation with SEEK’s Voice AI service. This cuts completion time for hirers in half, from 24 to 12 minutes, while capturing more data than traditional reference checking methods.

When asked about his vision for Hong Kong’s workforce over the next five years, Mr Wright highlighted that while Hong Kong has always been exceptional at attracting talent, the automation of entry-level tasks could pose a risk to traditional learning curves.

“I would like to see Hong Kong focus on the development problem for the future workforce,” said Mr Wright. “If you take away entry-level jobs, you remove the safe space for newcomers to ‘fail fast’ and learn how an organisation works. That would be a real challenge, and I hope to see Hong Kong find a solution to bridge this gap for the betterment of organisations and future talent.”

Celebrating excellence in HR

The dialogue on the future of work continued later that day as Jobsdb celebrated industry excellence at ‘The Hong Kong HR Awards 2025/26’. With the theme ‘Empowering Talent and Technology Towards Tomorrow’, the awards recognised 70 companies, for their excellence in talent acquisition and management strategies. The ceremony was attended by approximately 450 guests, witnessing the industry’s achievements in integrating technology with talent development.

Mr Bill Lee, Managing Director, Hong Kong, Jobsdb by SEEK, stated, “Now in its fifth year, The Hong Kong HR Awards are once again dedicated to celebrating the exceptional organisations and visionary individuals who are reshaping the future of people strategy in Hong Kong. This year’s winners demonstrate how forward‑thinking employers are transforming talent attraction, development and engagement through the smart use of data and technology. We are also proud to introduce the inaugural SEEK APAC Employer of the Year Award, recognising excellence across our Asia markets plus Chinese Mainland and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a hub for talent in Asia Pacific. At Jobsdb, we are committed to providing the tools and insights to help the local workforce navigate this transformation and unlock new possibilities for growth.”

For the full list of winners and more details, please visit:
https://hk.employer.seek.com/page/the-hong-kong-hr-awards-2025-26-winners

Hashtag: #Jobsdb #AI #SEEK

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/seeks-ai-lead-speaks-at-global-talent-summit-how-responsible-ai-is-helping-connect-candidates-and-hirers-with-trust-in-an-increasingly-noisy-hiring-market/

Posted on

Person critically injured in assault in North Canterbury

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are investigating following a serious assault on Thursday night in Amberley, in the Hurunui District in North Canterbury.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons said officers responded around 10.25pm after being told a person had been seriously assaulted at a rural property on Racecourse Road.

The victim was taken to hospital with critical injuries and was due to undergo surgery on Friday, she said.

Police are speaking with a person in relation to the incident and are not seeking anyone else at this time.

A scene examination is underway at the address, and enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are continuing.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/person-critically-injured-in-assault-in-north-canterbury/

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Robot Rampage: Enthusiasts watch epic final fight in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

Team Brazil was crowned champion at the Robot Rampage World Cup. Robot Rampage

Fought inside a bulletproof cage, a battle between combat robots is not for the faint-hearted.

It’s the grand final of Robot Rampage World Cup, a four day competition between teams from New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, and the United States.

Sparks are a common sight during the battle between the bots. Robot Rampage

Unfolding on a quiet Sunday evening at Auckland’s shopping suburb Onehunga, the venue is packed with enthusiasts.

Ten-year-old Elon Jacobs secured a front row seat to catch the sparks, the clashes, and sometimes even a small fire.

Ten year old Elon Jacobs brought a robot he is building to the battle. Ke-Xin Li/RNZ

“It’s really loud and there’s a lot of robots fighting today. So far there’s been a lot of action and it’s been very fun.”

He had been sketching robots since he was four years old, and thinks robotics will definitely be a big part of his future.

On Sunday, the battle was between Brazil and USA.

Thirteen-year-old Josephine Estevez gave her predictions.

“Brazil looks like it’s winning. I do enjoy watching different robots. I really like Touro. That was a great design. Displaying blade and it being a mostly defense robot, it’s very locked in on all sides and very sturdy looking.”

Josephine Estevez and Kira Matevie are enjoying the battle between the robots. Ke-Xin Li/RNZ

Her mom, Kira Matevie, the bigger robotic fan among the two, has her eyes laid on other robots.

“For tonight, I’ll have to say my favorite is Jump Rope because he’s a showboat, I like that. But my favorite robot to date is Black Rose. It reminds me of a vacuum cleaner.”

The matches are livestreamed for free, but that didn’t stop Ashley and Bryan Pierre booking a trip from USA to watch in person.

“It’s a neat format that they have here. You have five robots and basically until all your robots are out, you keep going. So, they kind of need a little bit of strategy to play. Do they want to fix a robot after the match if they win? They only got eight minutes to fix it. Not a lot of time if they got a lot of damage.”

Robot Rampage

After Bryan introduced Ashley to battlebots, robots quickly infiltrated every part of the couple’s life.

“Our wedding rings are made of a battle bot. We’re from Wisconsin and Team Wyachi is from Wisconsin. One of their main bot, Son of Wyachi, they sent us a signed part of Son of Wyachi.”

Ashley and Bryan Pierre’s wedding rings are made of a part of one of their favorite combat robots. Ke-Xin Li/RNZ

Ashley said turning the signed part into rings is another miracle.

“We randomly met someone who could work titanium and they were able to save the signature and make 4 rings out of it.”

Back inside the cage, the decisive moment arrives.

As Brazil’s Touro Feather defeated USA’s last standing bot, they were declared champions!

The decisive moment when Team Brazil defeated Team USA. Ke-Xin Li/RNZ

Team Captain Matheus Freitas said the victory means a lot.

“It’s such an amazing fight. We are from 4 different teams from Brazil, we designed two new robots that we put to test here. It did such a great job, and we are very excited for the results. It’s our first time here on New Zealand. I hope that we come on more times in the future.”

His family had been up early to watch him fight.

“When the live stream started, it’s 3am in Brazil and they [stayed up] just to watch and send good energies to us.”

The team brings together members from Brazil’s top robot combat teams, and Freitas said their strategy paid off.

In between fights, the Brazil team works on fixing their robots. Ke-Xin Li/RNZ

“We won the first fight with Dark Khaos and then we unfortunately got some damage and then we swapped that, very strategically, and then we brought Jublieu. Jublieu did such a good damage on Synthesis 30, and then we put Touro, Touro did the rest of the job.”

The competition format means teams have very little time to fix their robots. Robot Rampage

Getting to New Zealand was a battle in itself.

Together, the Brazilians travelled with more than 180 kilograms of gear.

Team member João Marcos Cavalheiro recounted his journey.

“From Brazil to Miami, Miami to Atlanta, Atlanta to Austin, then we drove to Dallas, and Dallas to Houston, and Houston to New Zealand, six flights.”

Meanwhile, runnerup Team USA is looking on the bright side.

Team USA is fully made up of members without engineering backgrounds. Ke-Xin Li/RNZ

Captain Sam Hanson is proud the team is made up entirely of members with no engineering background, and encourages anyone to give robot building a go.

“One of them is a student. One is a nurse. I managed a farmer’s market. I’ve been building fighting robots since the early 2000s. All the information is on the internet. You don’t have to be an engineer. You just have to want to do it.”

Hosting the event was Robot Rampage, a venue founded by friends Jack Barker and Nick Mabey.

Jack Barker and Nick Mabey are founders of Robot Rampage. Outside of hosting events, the space also runs robot building and fighting experiences. Ke-Xin Li/RNZ

Barker said the venue has 90 seats, but there were more people standing.

“I’m really stoked with the turnout. We’ve had six shows and every single seat has been sold out.”

He said there is a special appeal to the format.

“Normally it’s a 1v1 fight, but this is a 5v5 fight format. It’s more exciting because instead of supporting one robot for one fight, you get to support your country between five to nine matches.”

Barker said it took them two years to build the venue with a bulletproof cage, and now they intend to fully utilise it.

Their next event – Kings Crown – is scheduled for May at Robot Rampage in Onehunga.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/robot-rampage-enthusiasts-watch-epic-final-fight-in-auckland/