Aviation – LiveNews.co.nz

Government Cuts – More than 200,000 people face a pay cut under the Government’s new leave law, bill to become defining election issue – PSA

LiveNews Publisher — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:08:29 +0000

Source: PSA

Progressing employment law will cut the annual pay of more than 200,000 people during a cost-of-living crisis, according to fresh analysis by the PSA.

The Employment Leave Bill, which passed its second reading in Parliament on Tuesday, will strip overtime pay and other allowances from payments to workers while they’re on leave. This adds up to hundreds of dollars a year for people who rely on these extra payments to survive. Based on figures from Stats NZ, the PSA estimates this will leave over 200,000 workers out of pocket, including people working in health, public services, retail, manufacturing and more.

“Supporting this law in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis is irresponsible,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. “ACT, National, and NZ First are taking money away from hundreds of thousands of people who are already doing it tough.”

“The Government cannot claim to be ignorant of the harm it’s causing. We presented clear evidence to the select committeeshowing the effects of this bill. Affected workers have met National MPs directly to present their case. And we gave all MPs the opportunity to pledge to oppose any changes that will leave workers worse off – only Labour, Green, and Te Pāti Māori MPs signed.”

“It is particularly galling to see Winston Peters and New Zealand First support this attack on working people at the same time as claiming to be the Party of workers – this couldn’t be further from the truth.”

The PSA will continue to campaign against the bill every day between now and the election, and will inform the public of the scale and severity of its effects.

“Brooke Van Velden claims only ‘edge cases’ will be left worse off by her bill – two hundred thousand people are not edge cases,” said Fitzsimons. “If this doesn’t cut your pay, it will cut the pay of someone you love, or someone in your community who works tirelessly to keep New Zealand going.

“The best time to stop this bill is right now. But if the Government continues to ignore the evidence and passes the bill, we will make sure the devastating effects of this law are on every voter’s mind come November.”

Example of how the Employment Leave Bill will cut workers’ pay

An airport firefighter works 50 hours a week, including 10 hours a week of overtime, which is paid time and a half. Under the current law, their pay while on leave reflects how much they’re paid while working, including their overtime pay. So, if they go on leave for a week, they’d get their usual pay of $2,145, including $585 in overtime pay.

Under the Employment Leave Bill, they will be paid a 12.5% loading for their overtime hours, but those overtime hours no longer count towards their pay while on leave. So, their weekly pay will be $2,193.75, including $633.75 overtime pay, but their pay while on leave goes down to $1560. This adds up to them losing $1,267.50 a year.

Breakdown of workers who will have their pay cut by the Employment Leave Bill

Affected workers include anyone who receives: commissions, higher rates for overtime, variable allowances or shift rates. Figures are drawn from Stats NZ, rounded to the nearest 500.

Manufacturing: meat, seafood, dairy, fruit and vegetables, wood, chemicals and metals – estimated 24,000 affected workers
Electricity supply – estimated 1,500 affected workers
Heavy and Civil Engineering and road construction – estimated 1,500 affected workers
Retail: supermarkets, motor vehicles, electronic goods, and furniture – estimated 11,000 affected workers
Road, bus, rail, water, and air transport – estimated 13,500 affected workers
Newspaper publishing, broadcasting and telecommunication services – estimated 1,500 affected workers
Financial and insurance services – estimated 6,500 affected workers
Police, Corrections, Inland Revenue, Department of Internal Affairs, Department of Conservations, and local government – estimated 35,500 affected workers
Health: allied health, health administration, doctors, nurses, midwives, orderlies, care and support workers, ambulance officers, social workers – estimated 106,500 affected workers
Total – estimated 201,500 affected workers.

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

MIL OSI

Philippine Airlines Selects GE Aerospace GEnx engines to Power New 787-10 Dreamliners

MIL OSI — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:04:33 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

FARNBOROUGH, ENGLAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 July 2026 – GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) announced today that Philippine Airlines (PAL) has selected the GEnx-1B engines to power its 15 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, including purchase rights for five additional aircraft.

Signing Ceremony – Philippine Airlines and GE Aerospace

PAL is the Philippines’ flag carrier and the country’s only full-service network airline. It has been a GE Aerospace customer for over 50 years and currently operates a fleet of GE Aerospace and CFM* powered aircraft. This includes the GE90 for its Boeing 777-300ER widebody fleet and CFM56-5B for its Airbus A320s with a total of 52 engines currently in service.

Mohamed Ali, President & CEO, GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services, said: “Philippine Airlines’ selection of the GEnx engine for its new Boeing 787-10 fleet builds on our long-standing relationship and reflects the strength of our technology, services and support. We are proud to support PAL as it grows its widebody fleet with an engine that delivers proven reliability, fuel efficiency and strong operating performance.”

Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings, Inc., said: “As we continue to invest in our fleet and expand our international network, GE Aerospace remains an important partner of Philippine Airlines. We are confident that the GEnx engines will provide the reliability, efficiency, and performance needed to support our operations and deliver an even better travel experience for our customers.”

Today, the GEnx boasts a 99.98% dispatch reliability rate and stays on-wing at a rate three times higher than competing engines.

The flights that GEnx engine powers traverse some of Earth’s harshest environments. Over the last decade, GE Aerospace has upgraded the GEnx engine’s high-pressure turbine blades and combustor coating technology, more than doubling time on wing in harsh environments.

The GEnx-1B engine has surpassed the 50 million flight hour mark in just over 14 years, the fastest rate ever for a GE Aerospace commercial widebody engine.

*CFM is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines

Hashtag: #GEAerospace

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

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

7-Eleven Hits 1,000 CAFé Stores, Expands Airport Convenience Experience at KLIA

MIL OSI — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:19:29 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Milestone reflects Malaysians’ growing demand for quality grab-and-go food and coffee, with KLIA café bringing greater convenience to millions of travellers

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 July 2026 – As Malaysians increasingly embrace grab-and-go lifestyles and quality coffee on the move, 7-Eleven Malaysia today marked a major milestone with the opening of its 1,000th CAFé by 7-Eleven outlet at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, reinforcing its commitment to making quality food and beverages more accessible wherever customers are.

From left to right: Mr. Wong Wai Keong, Co-CEOs of 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Ms. Hani Ezra Hussin, Senior General Manager – Commercial Services of Malaysian Airport Holdings Berhad, Mr. Tan U-Ming, Co-CEOs of 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Zulhikam Ahmad, General Manager – Commercial (Business Performance & Growth) of Malaysian Airport Holdings Berhad, Jim Girard – Senior Regional Director of 7-Eleven International and Estaban Velasquez, Senior Director and Controller of 7-Eleven International officiating the opening of the 1,000th CAFé by 7-Eleven store at KLIA Terminal 1.

Located at Level 5, next to the Domestic Departure Gate at KLIA Terminal 1, the milestone café places freshly brewed coffee, hot meals and ready-to-eat favourites within easy reach of one of Malaysia’s busiest transport hubs. KLIA Terminal 1 serves approximately 28 to 30 million passengers annually, with around 13,000 to 14,000 departing and arriving travellers each day. During peak operating hours, the terminal can accommodate nearly 6,800 passengers per hour, while festive travel periods see passenger volumes surge significantly.

More than just another store opening, the milestone reflects how CAFé by 7-Eleven has evolved into an integral part of Malaysians’ daily routines, serving everyone from busy professionals grabbing their morning coffee to students on the go, families travelling home, and holidaymakers beginning their next adventure.

With more Malaysians seeking convenient, quality food and coffee throughout the day, CAFé by 7-Eleven has steadily expanded to meet evolving consumer lifestyles. The opening of its 1,000th outlet at KLIA marks another milestone in bringing that convenience to one of Malaysia’s busiest travel gateways.

The choice of KLIA for this milestone reflects 7-Eleven Malaysia’s strategy of expanding into high-traffic locations where convenience matters most. As consumer lifestyles become increasingly mobile, transport hubs have become key destinations for quick, quality food and beverage solutions, allowing CAFé by 7-Eleven to better serve travellers at every stage of their journey.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Wong Wai Keong, Co-CEO of 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., said the opening of the company’s 1,000th CAFé by 7-Eleven represents more than a numerical milestone. It reflects how consumer expectations and lifestyles have evolved over the years.

“Today’s customers expect quality coffee, fresh meals and convenience wherever they are, whether they’re heading to work, commuting across town or catching a flight. Over the years, we’ve transformed CAFé by 7-Eleven into a destination that fits naturally into those everyday moments. Convenience today is no longer just about being nearby. It’s about being exactly where customers need us most, whether that’s in neighbourhoods, commercial districts or one of the country’s busiest airports.”

“There is no better place to celebrate this milestone than KLIA, one of Malaysia’s busiest travel gateways. Millions of passengers pass through the airport every year, making it the ideal location for us to demonstrate how convenience retail can better serve today’s increasingly mobile consumers. Whether they’re catching an early morning flight, returning home or travelling for business, we want CAFé by 7-Eleven to be part of that journey.”

As one of Malaysia’s largest convenience retailers, 7-Eleven continues to evolve beyond traditional retail by expanding CAFé by 7-Eleven across neighbourhoods, commercial districts, hospitals, transport hubs and major travel gateways. Offering an expanding range of food, beverages and ready-to-enjoy meal options, the growing network reflects the company’s commitment to making quality food and beverages more accessible wherever customers need them.

The KLIA outlet represents another step in that strategy, enhancing the travel experience by ensuring customers can conveniently enjoy fresh food and beverages before departure without compromising on quality or speed.

Today, with more than 2,700 stores nationwide and 1,000 CAFé by 7-Eleven outlets, the company continues to strengthen its position as Malaysia’s leading convenience retailer by adapting to evolving consumer expectations through innovation, accessibility and everyday convenience.

As Malaysians continue to embrace increasingly mobile lifestyles and seek greater convenience in their daily routines, 7-Eleven Malaysia remains committed to expanding CAFé by 7-Eleven into locations where quality food and beverages are needed most. Guided by its promise of “Always There For You”, the company will continue bringing greater convenience to customers wherever life takes them.

Hashtag: #7eleven

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

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

2026 Hainan Island Carnival Sends a Global Summer Invitation

MIL OSI — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:19:26 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HAIKOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2026 – As midsummer arrives in the Northern Hemisphere, Hainan, China, welcomes its annual island-wide carnival. The 2026 (27^th) Hainan Island Carnival will be held from July 18 to August 18, extending a vibrant summer invitation to guests from around the world.

The 2026 (27th) Hainan Island Carnival will be held from July 18 to August 18.

With the theme “Vibrant Free Trade Port, Charming Hainan Island,” this year’s carnival will present more than 50 distinctive events across the island, blending ocean thrills, rainforest wonders, millennia-old cultural heritage, signature cuisine, and dazzling nighttime light shows.

Unlike traditional island holiday models, this year’s carnival breaks free from the spatial limits of conventional scenic spots, introducing a brand-new concept of “the whole island as a carnival.” Four featured thematic segments debut with innovative offerings: water sports, joyful performances, gourmet flavors, and trendy shopping. Catering to outdoor adventurers, cultural enthusiasts, family travelers, and food lovers alike, the carnival offers a fully tailored vacation experience—ensuring every guest discovers their own unique island delight.

During the carnival, Hainan’s entire island will come alive in synergy, with highlights unfolding everywhere. In Sanya and Lingshui, romance by the sea sets the tone, with beach music festivals and island art exhibitions bringing to life a laid-back yet passionate summer atmosphere. In Wanning and Qionghai, the spotlight is on trendy outdoor pursuits, with surfing adventures and island cycling events taking center stage one after another. In the central rainforest region, the focus is on wellness and slow living. Activities such as rainforest trekking and immersive Li and Miao cultural experiences invite visitors to escape the bustle of the city and encounter the pristine beauty of nature. In Danzhou’s Haihua Island on the western coast, the grand carnival will conclude with a spectacular mass chorus carnival, bringing the entire celebration to a resounding finale.

Meanwhile, a grand culinary carnival unfolds across Hainan, with coastal specialty markets, Southeast Asian–style food streets, and rainforest-themed dining experiences spread throughout the island’s cities and counties. Fresh seafood, authentic local snacks, and a dazzling array of Southeast Asian flavors set the stage, while a starry beachside gala dinner—rich in atmosphere—brings together ocean views, gourmet cuisine, and live music for an immersive holiday experience.

For international visitors, Hainan continues to expand its openness: citizens of 86 countries enjoy visa-free entry with a 30-day stay, while international routes at Haikou and Sanya airports are steadily increasing, making the island directly accessible from many global destinations with efficient and convenient travel. To further enhance the inbound holiday experience, this year’s carnival upgrades exclusive benefits for international visitors, offering multilingual guided tours, exclusive discounted flight & hotel packages, and special duty-free promotions—delivering a wealth of benefits across the island.

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

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

Enshi Suobuya Stone Forest in China Launches Rich Cultural Experiences to Welcome Southeast Asian Tourists

MIL OSI — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:04:23 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

ENSHI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – With China’s inbound visa-free policies continuing to be optimized, the Suobuya Stone Forest Scenic Area, located in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province, is welcoming Southeast Asian tourists with a refreshed experience. Known as the “World’s First Ordovician Stone Forest,” this 460-million-year-old geological wonder has introduced a series of diverse cultural experiences and interactive programs in 2026, offering Southeast Asian visitors a journey through natural and cultural wonders spanning hundreds of millions of years.

Geological Wonder: Exploring an Ancient Underwater World from 460 Million Years Ago

Located in Taiyanghe Township in the northwest of Enshi City, Suobuya Stone Forest is approximately a one-hour drive from the city center. The scenic area was formed during the Ordovician Period 460 million years ago. Originally covered by an ancient ocean, it gradually evolved through geological transformations over hundreds of millions of years into the extraordinary stone forest landscape seen today. Covering a total area of 21 square kilometers, the area features towering stone peaks surrounded by lush greenery, resembling a vast “underwater labyrinth.” As a “crowned stone forest” with one of the highest vegetation coverage rates in China, the scenic area enjoys a cool and pleasant average summer temperature, making it an ideal destination for summer retreats and nature-based relaxation.

The four major scenic areas currently open to visitors each have their own unique appeal. Qinglongtai serves as the highest point of the scenic area, offering panoramic views of the entire stone forest from above. Lianhuazhai features the breathtaking “Xiniugou” secret landscape, where towering cliffs on both sides and changing light and shadows create a dreamlike atmosphere. Mozigou is rich in ancient biological fossils, allowing visitors to touch traces of life from the Ordovician Period with their own hands. Jiulonghui features circular rock walls and groups of waterfalls, with stone peaks rising dramatically from the ground to create a magnificent landscape. The scenic area also features the 5D theater “Shanhaijing,” where visitors can enjoy an immersive experience of the evolution of the Ordovician ocean world. With gentle walking trails and an easy travel route, the area is suitable for families and nature exploration enthusiasts.

Cultural Feast: Immersive Experiences of Tujia Folk Traditions

Suobuya Stone Forest is not only a treasure trove of geological wonders but also an important carrier of Tujia culture. The Tujia ethnic group is one of the major ethnic minorities in the Enshi region, with a long history and distinctive cultural traditions. The “Baishou Dance” is one of the most representative folk dances of the Tujia people and has been listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The dance movements often imitate scenes such as hunting, farming, and warfare, featuring a lively rhythm. Visitors can personally participate in this cultural experience at the Tiejiazhai Square and Duigetai Stage.

The Tujia Girls’ Festival is one of Enshi’s most distinctive traditional folk festivals and has been held at Suobuya Stone Forest during the seventh month of the lunar calendar for many consecutive years. The festival is a traditional social activity where young Tujia men and women use songs as a medium for communication and dances to express emotions. It carries the unique marriage customs and collective memories of the Tujia people and has been recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage of Hubei Province and one of the “Top Ten Most Charming Festivals in China.” During the festival, the scenic area hosts a variety of activities, including matchmaking through folk songs, traditional cultural parades, and traditional handicraft exhibitions, allowing visitors to experience the rich ethnic culture amid the stone forests and mountain scenery. Suobuya Stone Forest has therefore also been recognized as the “Hometown of Chinese Folk Art” and the “Hometown of Mountain Folk Songs.”

Since 2026, the scenic area has continued to enhance its tourism products and cultural experiences. During the May Day holiday, it launched the “Exploring Wonders on Horseback · Fun in the Million-Year Stone Sea” folk culture series, featuring interactive programs such as folk song and dance flash mobs, the “Nature Guardians” activity where visitors exchange collected litter for cultural souvenirs, the immersive intangible cultural heritage experience “Stone Workers’ Chant,” and the outdoor role-playing game “Stone Forest Secret Order · Pursuing the Shadow of Rocks.” These activities allow visitors to explore the ancient stone sea while deeply engaging with Tujia cultural traditions.

Improved Transportation: Easier Access to Enshi for Southeast Asian Tourists

Since the opening of Enshi Xujiaping International Airport’s aviation port, the international flight network has continued to improve. In 2026, the Enshi–Hong Kong route achieved year-round regular operation, while flights between Enshi and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have resumed successively, creating a dual-route network connecting Vietnam’s two major cities in the north and south. According to the development plan of the Enshi aviation port, new routes to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and other destinations will be steadily promoted in the future, further strengthening the Southeast Asian aviation network. Tourists from major Southeast Asian cities can fly directly to Enshi and reach this 460-million-year-old underwater world after only a one-hour drive. Hidden deep within the Wuling Mountains, this ancient stone forest wonderland is welcoming visitors from around the world with a more open and international approach.

Hashtag: #SuobuyaCulturalTourism

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

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

Aviation – Drone operator sentenced for serious aviation safety breaches

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 03:37:37 +0000

Source: Civil Aviation Authority

A Napier man has been sentenced to 150 hours of community work after being found guilty of four charges relating to unsafe drone flights in controlled airspace near Napier Airport.

The defendant operated a DJI Mavic Air 2 drone on multiple occasions in 2023 within controlled airspace around Napier Airport without the required air traffic control authorisation. He was also found guilty of operating the drone carelessly and in a manner that caused unnecessary danger.

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Deputy Chief Executive Regulatory Enablement and Response, Gayle Holmes, says the case highlights the real risks unsafe drone use can create in an increasingly busy and shared airspace environment.

“It reinforces why drone rules exist and why every drone operator has a responsibility to understand the rules and operate safely.”

The Court heard evidence of the drone being flown thousands of feet above the legal height limit, beyond visual line of sight, in and above cloud cover, at night during a fireworks display, and while an aircraft was landing at Napier Airport.

This was not a case involving recreational drone use in a park or another low-risk environment. The offending involved repeated flights in airspace used by passenger aircraft, training aircraft, medical flights and other aviation operators.

Ms Holmes says our aviation system relies on people understanding and following the rules that keep everyone safe.

“Controlled airspace is carefully managed to protect aircraft, passengers and people on the ground, and unauthorised drone activity in these areas creates real risk. A collision between a drone and an aircraft has the potential to cause catastrophic harm.”

“We take a proportionate approach to regulation, which includes education and guidance. However, when there are clear breaches that create safety risks, enforcement action may be necessary.”

Drone operators, whether flying recreationally or commercially, should familiarise themselves with the rules before every flight. This includes requirements relating to airports, controlled airspace, height limits, maintaining visual contact with their drone, and getting authorisation when required.

Practical guidance is available on the CAA drones pages, including information on where people can fly, training options and pre-flight checks.

Details of charges

The defendant was convicted in the Napier District Court on 16 June 2026 on the following charges:

Under Section 57 of the Civil Aviation Act 1990, he was convicted and discharged for: operating an unmanned aircraft in controlled airspace without prior authorisation from the Napier air traffic control where the operation was not a shielded operation.

He was sentenced for the following charges:

Under Section 43A of the Civil Aviation Act 1990, for: operating an aircraft in a careless manner
Under Section 44 of the Civil Aviation Act 1990, two charges, for: operating an aircraft in a manner that caused unnecessary danger.

MIL OSI

A SIM Guide to Comparing Graduate Salaries and Employability in Singapore

MIL OSI — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 01:35:19 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – As students and parents in Singapore evaluate higher education pathways, employability, starting salary and return on investment are increasingly important considerations. A degree is often assessed not only by academic interest, but also by how it supports entry into the workforce and future career development.

Graduate salary data provides useful guidance, but it should not be read in isolation. Starting salary is one indicator of return on investment. It should be considered alongside employment rates, full-time permanent employment, industry pathways, career support, programme fit and long-term skills relevance.

For students considering Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE), SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page provides a reference point for understanding graduate outcomes. The page explains how SIM graduates have performed in the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey (PEI GES), where they have worked, and how SIM supports students in building career readiness.

Why the PEI Graduate Employment Survey matters
For students considering private education pathways, the PEI Graduate Employment Survey (GES) is an important reference because it provides employment and salary outcomes for graduates from registered private education institutions.

The 2024/2025 PEI GES focused on economically active fresh graduates who graduated between May 2024 and April 2025 from full-time Bachelor’s level External Degree Programmes. The survey covered about 6,150 full-time graduates across 26 private education institutions, with a response rate of 61.6 per cent, and was conducted from October 2025 to January 2026.

Among 2,600 economically active PEI fresh graduate respondents in the labour force, 78.9 per cent secured employment within six months of graduation. The median gross monthly salary for PEI fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment remained stable at S$3,500.

This makes the PEI GES useful for students and parents who want to compare graduate outcomes within the private education sector. It also allows SIM’s graduate outcome data to be read against a broader PEI sector benchmark.

What SIM graduate outcome data shows
SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page reports that SIM fresh graduate respondents recorded 81.0 per cent secured employment, 77.9 per cent currently employed, 47.0 per cent in full-time permanent employment and a median gross monthly salary of S$3,565. The page attributes these figures to Skills & Workforce Development Agency 2024/2025 PEI GES.

Indicator	SIM	Avg of All PEI (include SIM)
Secured employment	81.0%	78.9%
Full-time permanent employment	47.0%	46.9%
Median gross monthly salary	S$3,565	S$3,500

This comparison places SIM’s graduate outcomes at the top spectrum of the PEI sector. It also shows why employability should be assessed through more than one indicator. Secured employment, full-time permanent employment and median gross monthly salary each provide a different view of graduate outcomes.

Secured employment indicates whether graduates entered work, accepted job offers or were taking steps to start a business venture. Full-time permanent employment provides a view of stable employment. Median gross monthly salary shows the middle salary point among full-time permanently employed graduates.

Where SIM graduates have worked
SIM graduates have entered a range of sectors, including aviation, aerospace and engineering, airline and tourism, banking and financial services, information and communications technology, cybersecurity, insurance, consumer services, public sector and government, consulting and professional services, healthcare, logistics, transportation, retail and manufacturing.

These employer destinations are relevant because students are not only selecting a degree. They are also considering possible pathways into industries, job functions and future career options. A business-related pathway may support roles in banking, consulting, retail, logistics or entrepreneurship. A technology-related pathway may lead to opportunities in information and communications technology, cybersecurity, data, digital services or business technology roles.

How students should compare salary, employability and ROI
A practical approach to comparing degree options is to consider four areas: relevance, return, readiness and resilience.

Factor	What to consider
Relevance	Does the degree connect to industries that are hiring?
Return	What do employment and salary outcomes show?
Readiness	What career support, internship guidance and employer exposure are available?
Resilience	Can the skills support future career changes?

This approach helps students avoid selecting a degree based only on the highest salary benchmark. While starting salary is an important consideration, long-term value also depends on whether the student can build relevant skills, gain experience and adapt to changes in the labour market.

How SIM supports employability
SIM supports students through career preparation and employer engagement, including résumé writing, interview preparation, job search guidance, career fairs, employer talks, recruitment events, internship search guidance and workshops that build communication, teamwork, problem-solving and professional confidence.

Such support is relevant to return on investment because employability is influenced not only by the qualification awarded, but also by how prepared students are to enter the workforce. Career readiness, employer exposure and workplace skills can support the transition from study to employment.

Conclusion
Graduate starting salary is an important consideration for students and parents assessing higher education options in Singapore. However, it should not be the only measure used to evaluate a degree pathway.

A more balanced assessment considers employment rates, full-time permanent employment, median gross monthly salary, industry pathways, career support and long-term skills relevance. This provides a broader view of how a higher education pathway may support employability and future career development.

When read together with the PEI Graduate Employment Survey, national salary benchmarks and SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page, graduate outcome data can help students and parents make more informed decisions about salary expectations, employability and return on investment.

References

SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/parent-resource-hub/graduate-outcome-employability
SWDA PEI Graduate Employment Survey 2024/2025 – https://www.swda.gov.sg/home/skills-career-resources/private-education-resources/graduate-employment-survey/2024-2025
Employment Outcome for PEI Graduates – https://www.swda.gov.sg/home/newsroom/employment-outcomes-for-private-education-institution-graduates-remain-stable-in-2024-2025
SIM Career Service – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services

https://www.sim.edu.sg/

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.

“TVB Green Summit 2026” was Successfully Held

MIL OSI — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:04:12 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

A Smarter Green Future: A New Era of GreenTech Enabled by AI Government, Business and Research Leaders in Dialogue on AI-empowered Green Technology

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 July 2026 – In light of the global net-zero transition, AI and green technology continue to serve as vital engines driving economic growth and industrial advancement. The TVB Green Summit 2026, organised by Television Broadcasts Limited (“TVB”), was successfully held today under the theme “A Smarter Green Future: A New Era of GreenTech Enabled by AI”. The Summit brought together representatives from the government, business, technology and professional sectors to jointly explore how AI accelerates the green transition, drives sustainable economic development, and creates new momentum for the green future of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The TVB Green Summit continues to connect different sectors, foster knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration, and work towards a smarter, greener and more sustainable future for Hong Kong.

Photo 1: The “TVB Green Summit 2026” was held today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Summit was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (centre); Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited (2nd right); Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR (1st left); Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (1st right); and Mr. Sai Wo SIU, General Manager (Business Operations), Television Broadcasts Limited (2nd left).

This year’s Summit examined AI, innovation and technology, low-carbon development, sustainable supply chains, and building decarbonisation from multiple perspectives, promoting cross-sector exchange and collaboration. The Summit was honored to have officiating guests Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited; Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR; Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises; and Mr. Sai Wo SIU, General Manager (Business Operations), Television Broadcasts Limited. The Summit also introduced the Environmental, Social and Governance Awards 2026 (TVB ESG Awards 2026) and the judging panel.

Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, stated in his keynote speech, “The Government is actively enhancing Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem, promoting the development of a comprehensive I&T ecological chain encompassing the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. The Government is providing more favourable conditions for development of green technology. The Innovation and Technology Fund has supported approximately 160 green technology-related R&D projects. The newly established third InnoHK research cluster, ‘SEAM@InnoHK’, focuses on advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, and sustainable development. These initiatives provide support to nurturing of world-class green technology R&D outcomes in Hong Kong, while responding to the nation’s strategic direction in developing emerging industries including new energy and energy conservation.”

Industry Leaders Share Sustainability Practices, Driving Green Transition with Innovative Thinking
Following the opening, industry leaders took to the stage at the Leadership Insights Sessions and the Green Innovation Forum to share how innovative thinking and practical experience drive sustainable development, offering forward-looking inspiration for enterprises. The three Leadership Insights Sessions featured Mr. James TAM, Co-Chairman of EcoCeres; and Ms. Brenda HOU, CFA, Senior Head of Asia-Pacific Global Partnerships and Client Solutions at CFA Institute, as respective speakers. Mr. James TAM shared the application of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the building of a regional circular supply chain based in the GBA to drive the aviation industry’s green transition; Ms. Brenda HOU elaborated that AI is a key driver of green transformation — helping to identify transition risks and optimise capital allocation. Hong Kong can leverage its strengths as an international financial centre to support green and transition finance across the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited, presented at the Leadership Insights Session titled “Qianhai and Northern Metropolis Interconnection: Building a New Pattern for Green and Low-Carbon Development”, noted that Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park will leverage the deep interconnectivity between Qianhai and the Northern Metropolis to forge a new green and low-carbon development model for the GBA. By setting ESG targets, developing high value-added green industries, building green infrastructure and offering one-stop, high value-added support services, the Park will drive low-carbon transition and cross-boundary collaboration — achieving a win-win of economic prosperity and sustainability, and contributing to GBA’s high-quality development.

Furthermore, the Green Innovation Forum, themed “From Hong Kong to the World: Building a Global Future through AI and GreenTech”, featured Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, as the keynote speaker. He noted that OASES has successfully attracted 124 strategic enterprises to Hong Kong, including Tencent Cloud and Tianqi Lithium, both of which also participated as speakers at the forum. These enterprises will collectively invest a total of $73 billion and create 25,000 job opportunities in Hong Kong, further advancing the city’s development into an International Innovation and Technology Centre. OASES will soon announce its seventh batch of strategic enterprises and continue to attract more leading green energy and green technology companies to Hong Kong. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR. Focusing on how enterprises can seize low-carbon development opportunities across the GBA and global markets, Mr. Mark WANG, Vice President of Tencent Cloud; and Ms. Doris KWOK, Deputy General Manager of Tianqi Lithium Corporation, sharing how enterprises can leverage green data centres and smart energy to balance AI computing demands with carbon reduction, while advancing battery recycling and the utilisation of new energy materials.

In the Industry Insights Session, themed “Guide to Sustainability: The Sustainable Transition of the Textile Industry”, Mr. YEUNG Fan, BBS, Chairman, HK General Chamber of Textiles, introduced that the textile and apparel industry faces shifting market dynamics and evolving consumer shopping habits, enterprises should embrace the philosophy of “governing the enterprise for the greater good”. This drives sustainable development through stronger governance, supply chains and carbon footprint analysis. Mr. Howard LEE, Associate Director, Green Tech, HKSTP, then moderated a discussion with Ms. Anne CHOW, Marketing & Business Development Manager, Consinee Group Co. Limited, exploring new directions and opportunities for sustainability in the textile industry, such as low-carbon cashmere, green technology applications and smart factories.

Spotlighting GBA Innovation, Property Decarbonisation, and ESG Women’s Empowerment — Diverse Perspectives to Unlock Green Opportunities
Mr. Joseph CHAN, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury, stated in his keynote speech, “Hong Kong’s green debt market has grown at a remarkable pace. Total green and sustainable debt instruments issued in Hong Kong exceeded USD76 billion in 2025, with bonds arranged locally reaching approximately USD38 billion, representing over half of Asia’s market share. As of end-June 2026, the Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme has approved subsidies for over 700 green and sustainable debt instruments issued in Hong Kong, which involves debt issuance amount of over HKD1.5 trillion. We will support the exploration with the Mainland and international multilateral financial institutions of the establishment of a Hong Kong-based Green Technology Projects Accelerator. The Accelerator will provide incubation, acceleration, and empowerment services for green technology projects in the Belt and Road Regions.”

The afternoon session featured a GBA Green Innovation Roundtable, themed “Qianhai Shenzhen–Hong Kong Hub – Accelerating Cross‑Border Collaboration with AI‑Enabled Green Technologies”, moderated by Mr. Ivan LAU, General Manager of Operations (Shenzhen-Hong Kong Nexus). The session engaged Mr. Yee LOCKE, General Manager, South China Region, 51WORLD, in an in-depth exchange on low-carbon transition, AI, and the application of green technology. The discussion explored how enterprises can leverage institutional advantages including flow of capital, data, personnel, and goods, showcasing the immense potential of synergistic development between Qianhai and Hong Kong in advancing green innovation and new quality productive forces.

Thematic Session I, “Advancing ESG Women’s Empowerment for a Sustainable Economy”, was moderated by Ms. Loretta FONG, Sustainability Assurance Leader, PwC Hong Kong. She engaged with Ms. Jennifer TAN, Partner, 01F Group, Senior Advisor, Ant Digital Technologies; and Ms. Yvonne YEUNG, Chief Executive, HKYWCA, in exploring how digital transformation, business collaboration and corporate governance can empower women, sharing relevant success stories and translating ESG vision into concrete action to advance women’s participation in socio-economic development.

At the closing session “SME Transformation in the Supply Chain: Advancing Green and Technology in Parallel”, Dr. Keith CHOY, General Manager of the Green Living and Innovation Division of HKPC, served as moderator, delivering a conclusion on insights across the Summit’s sessions and leading a panel with four guests, namely Mr. Henry HO, Senior Manager – Sustainability, China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited; Prof. Edwin TSO, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach), Chair Professor of Energy and Sustainability, School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong; Ms. Oliver SUM, Network Representative for Greater China and the ASEAN, amfori; and Mr. David LO, Head of Environmental Intelligence and Excellence, Green Living and Innovation Division, HKPC, in a discussion on how SMEs with relatively limited resources can leverage AI and data-driven management to achieve carbon reduction in the most cost-effective way, enhance supply chain transparency, and seize market opportunities arising from green building development and international ESG requirements.

Thematic Session II, “How the real estate industry can use technology to reduce carbon emissions”, was moderated by Mr. Alkan AU, Head of Value and Risk Advisory, JLL. Three speakers includes Mr. Elvis LI, CEO, isBIM Limited; Ms. Melanie KWOK, Deputy General Manager, Sustainability and Innovation, Sino Group; and Mr. Marvin WU, Director, Value and Risk Advisory, JLL. They discussed how the construction and real estate industries can adopt the ESG framework to drive low-carbon operations, introducing solutions such as high-quality data utilisation, automated valuation tools and smart monitoring systems, to strengthen risk management and audit tracking, while capitalising on sustainable planning opportunities arising from new development zones.

TVB ESG Awards 2026 Recognises Outstanding Practices of Enterprises in Hong Kong and Macau
The Summit also introduced the landmark “TVB ESG Awards 2026” and its judging panel. The Awards encompass categories including the “Outstanding ESG Award”, “Best in ESG Practices”, “Best in ESG Report”, “ESG Environmental Innovative Technology Award”, and “ESG Social Innovative Technology Award”, recognising the achievements of enterprises of all sizes across multiple dimensions including ESG practices, reporting, and innovative development.

To further advance TVB ESG’s mission as a local platform for sustainable development exchange, TVB has once again partnered with the Hong Kong Productivity Council’s “ESG One” to launch the “SME ESG Excellence Award”, covering five categories: “Business Decarbonisation”, “Employee Care”, “Supply Chain Partnership”, “Sustainable Governance” and “ESG Tech Enhancement Excellence”. — aiming to comprehensively recognise SMEs that demonstrate outstanding performance in sustainable development. Registration for the TVB ESG Awards 2026 is now open, with the submission deadline of 5pm on 7 August 2026. For further details about the TVB ESG Awards, please visit: https://www.tvbesg.com.hk/latest-awards/esg-awards-2026

High resolution photos HERE

Photo captions:
Photo 1: The “TVB Green Summit 2026” was held today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Summit was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (centre); Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited (2^nd right); Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR (1^st left); Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (1^st right); and Mr. Sai Wo SIU, General Manager (Business Operations), Television Broadcasts Limited (2^nd left).

Photo 2: Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, delivered the keynote address.

Photo 3: Mr. Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited, shared at the Leadership Insights Session III — “Qianhai and Northern Metropolis Interconnection: Building a New Pattern for Green and Low-Carbon Development”.

Photo 4: Mr. Joseph CHAN, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury, delivered the keynote address.

Photo 5: Leadership Insights Session I — “From Table to Sky: New Pathways for Advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Green Transition”.

Photo 6: Leadership Insights Session II — “From Risk Management to Growth Engine: How AI, Energy and Investment Accelerate Sustainable Development”.

Photo 7: Mr. Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, delivered the keynote address at the Green Innovation Forum.

Photo 8: Green Innovation Forum — “From Hong Kong to the World: Building a Global Future through AI and GreenTech”.

Photo 9: Mr. YEUNG Fan, BBS, Chairman, HK General Chamber of Textiles, delivered a speech at Industry Insights Session — “Guide to Sustainability: The Sustainable Transition of the Textile Industry”.

Photo 10: Industry Insights Session — “Guide to Sustainability: The Sustainable Transition of the Textile Industry”.

Photo 11: Greater Bay Area Green Innovation Roundtable — “Qianhai Shenzhen–Hong Kong Hub – Accelerating Cross‑Border Collaboration with AI‑Enabled Green Technologies”.

Photo 12: Thematic Session I — “Advancing ESG Women’s Empowerment for a Sustainable Economy”.

Photo 13: Closing Session — “SME Transformation in the Supply Chain: Advancing Green and Technology in Parallel”.

Photo 14: Thematic Session II — “How the real estate industry can use technology to reduce carbon emissions”.

Hashtag: #TVBGreenSummit #ESGAwards

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

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

Thailand Approves $1.99 Billion in New Investment, Led by AI and Advanced Electronics

MIL OSI — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:04:17 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 July 2026 – Thailand has approved nine major investment projects worth a combined USD 1.99 billion (66.3 billion baht) in high-value sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), advanced electronics, aviation, clean energy, and food as global manufacturers reposition their supply chains across Southeast Asia.

Thailand Board of Investment Meeting

The approvals, cleared during a meeting of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) chaired by Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, highlight the country’s appeal to multinational corporations seeking reliable production hubs.

“These investments by leading multinationals signal strong global confidence in our industrial capacity,” said Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BOI. “By locating key parts of the AI and advanced electronics value chain here, we are connecting our economy directly to the core of next-generation global technology.”

To sustain this influx of high-tech investment, the BOI has restructured and expanded the mandate of its specialized energy panel into the “Subcommittee on Energy Management for Data Center Investment and Project Screening.” Chaired by the Minister of Energy, this body will serve as a one-stop regulatory filter to evaluate data center proposals on resource consumption, environmental impact, and clean energy sourcing before investors can apply for tax incentives, thereby providing policy transparency for international operators.

The largest share of the approvals covers Thailand’s advanced electronics and digital sector, led by companies from East Asia’s technology supply chains. In the AI infrastructure sector, Datasection (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan’s Datasection Inc., will invest USD 235.2 million (7.8 billion baht) to establish high-performance GPU server infrastructure for data hosting in Bangkok and Pathum Thani. This specialized hardware will directly power advanced AI applications and digital businesses in the region.

Doosan Electro-Materials (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a unit of South Korean conglomerate Doosan Corp. and a global leader in non-flow prepregs, will also invest USD 180.2 million (6 billion baht) in Samut Prakan to manufacture copper-clad laminate (CCL) and prepreg, which serve as critical inputs for printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Similarly, Taiwan Union Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is set to invest USD 189.2 million (6.3 billion baht) in Chonburi to manufacture CCL and prepreg designed specifically for high-demand AI servers and data centers. Fulltech Fiber Glass (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will invest USD 99.4 million (3.3 billion baht) to produce specialized glass fiber fabric, a raw material for PCB manufacturing, in Chachoengsao.

Beyond technology, multinational brands and critical infrastructure providers committed major investments to serve regional demand. In the consumer goods sector, Switzerland’s Nestlé (Thai) Co., Ltd. is committing USD 688.7 million (22.9 billion baht) to expand its Samut Prakan production facilities for instant, mixed, and ready-to-drink coffee, targeting both domestic and regional Southeast Asian markets.

National carrier Thai Airways International PCL secured approvals for two expansion projects totaling USD 430.2 million (14.3 billion baht) to lease eight passenger aircraft for its international flight networks.

For the infrastructure sector, Lomrak Green Energy Co., Ltd. will invest USD 168.7 million (5.6 billion baht) across two wind power projects in Lopburi province. The facilities will deliver a combined capacity of 120 megawatts to Thailand’s electrical grid, supporting the clean energy needs of high-demand industrial users.

To accommodate hyper-scale projects, the government has fast-tracked a seven-point energy action plan. This includes establishing a dedicated utility tariff rate for data centers, aligning data centers’ green energy targets with the Power Development Plan, facilitating clean power trading via Direct PPAs, introducing electricity usage guarantee rules, exploring direct high-voltage transmission for major operators, accelerating grid investment, and mapping water and power availability to guide site selections.

“We are building the infrastructure needed for the next wave of future-industry investment,” said Mr. Narit. “The government is aligning resource management with its green transition goals to ensure long-term operational security and give global investors confidence.”

Note: Currency conversions are based on the Bank of Thailand’s average selling rate of approximately 1 USD = 33.30 THB.

https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/

Hashtag: #Thailandboardofinvestment #BOI #FDI #Investment

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

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

Security and Aviation – Updates to security screening at Hamilton Airport

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:08:07 +0000

Source: New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority

From 15 July 2026, passengers travelling through Hamilton Airport will notice a change to our security screening process.

Body scanners (Automated Imaging Technology, or AIT) will become the main way we screen passengers at Hamilton Airport. This change supports New Zealand’s strong aviation security standards, as body scanners have proven highly effective at detecting items carried on a person at major airports. They also help make the screening process smoother and quicker for passengers.

This change also comes a year after Hamilton Airport reopened its refurbished international terminal, which reconnected the Waikato region to trans-Tasman travel for the first time in 13 years. The return of international services marked a significant milestone for the region, and as more people travel through the airport, body scanners will become the main screening method to support safe and efficient travel.

For passengers who choose not to use the body scanner or are unable to do so, we have alternative screening options available. Our Aviation Security Officers are at screening points to answer questions and guide you through the process.

For more information about body scanners, including accessibility, safety and privacy, see Our new body scanners explained – protecting you and your privacy.

MIL OSI

StarCharge Releases Industry White Papers: From Infrastructure to Network Systems, Microgrids Moving from Customization to Scaling Up Development

MIL OSI — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:51:20 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

CHANG ZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 July 2026 – The global new energy vehicle market has seen rapid growth in recent years. With continued strong expectations for new energy vehicle exports, the global electric vehicle (EV) charging market is entering a new stage of rapid expansion. Recently, StarCharge, the global leading brand of EV Charging equipment and smart energy systems, held a major industry seminar in Hong Kong and released two new white papers at the event, exploring two major transformative trends in the industry that are worth paying attention to.

Charging stations are becoming a key connection of smart energy systems

According to the ‘Technical White Paper’ by StarCharge, for years, EV charging infrastructure has mainly been seen as support for vehicle sales expansion: building more chargers, expanding coverage, and speeding up charging.

However, this role is starting to change.

As electrification scales up, charging networks are becoming a part of the energy system itself. They are no longer just places for vehicles to top up; they are evolving into smart energy nodes connecting vehicles, the grid, distributed energy, storage, and digital management.

This shift from charging infrastructure to charging network systems shows that the industry is moving from basic access to integrated value: from charging services to energy services, from standalone stations to PV-storage-charging systems, from equipment deployment to scenario-based infrastructure.

StarCharge believes that the future charging network ecosystem will go through four major turning points.

Four Key Points Reshaping the Ecosystem

1. Charging Networks Are Becoming Energy Infrastructure

Charging infrastructure is going beyond its original role as just a support for EVs. As EV adoption grows, charging networks are becoming strategic energy infrastructure: they connect mobility demand with the grid, distributed energy, storage, digital platforms, and future energy services.

2. Defining the Scenarios for the Network

The future charging network won’t be shaped by hardware alone. Policies determine whether infrastructure should be built, technology determines the speed of construction, but real-world scenarios determine what the charging network actually needs to look like.

Urban commuting, highway trips, ride-hailing, logistics fleets, county and rural coverage, holiday peak demand, heavy trucks, mining areas, ports, airports, and autonomous driving all create different charging needs. Therefore, a mature charging network can’t be ‘one-size-fits-all’; it has to be designed around different vehicle types, operating hours, power requirements, reliability needs, and grid conditions.

3. Digital platforms turn charging networks into operable assets

A large charging network only truly has value when it can be scaled, optimized, and managed. This is exactly the core role of cloud platforms. They turn millions of charging points, users, stations, transactions, and energy flows into a measurable, controllable, and continuously optimized operating system.

StarCharge’s platform capabilities cover site selection, pricing, marketing, station operations, smart maintenance, charging safety, station robots, AI-based smart charging, fleet management, energy optimization, and ESG reporting. In other words, digital platforms are the key to transforming charging infrastructure from a heavy-asset network into smart, operable, and scalable assets.

4. Charging stations are becoming grid-friendly energy resources

The next-generation charging infrastructure won’t be defined by any single technology. It will be built on a complete tech stack, combining high-power charging, liquid cooling, integrated PV-storage-charging, DC bus architecture, V2G, automated charging, and AI-driven operations. In other words, future charging stations shouldn’t just be passive electricity consumers that add stress to the grid. Through energy storage, renewable energy integration, V2G, smart scheduling, and AI-based energy optimization, charging stations can become grid-friendly energy resources.

This means that aside from charging vehicles, a charging station can absorb renewable energy, buffer peak loads, respond to demand-side signals, support peak shaving and valley filling, regulate frequency, and provide carbon-neutral ESG data for fleet operators. Its business model will also go beyond charging fees, creating new value through energy services, data services, carbon-related benefits, and grid interaction capabilities.

Microgrids Have Emerged at the Right Time

At the same time, with the continuous development of distributed energy and photovoltaic energy, microgrids have emerged at the right time. They are not just a product, but a local energy system built around real-world scenarios.

In the latest “White Paper” on scenario-based microgrid technology, StarCharge points out that microgrids are moving from customized engineering projects toward scalable, replicable energy systems.

A microgrid is a scenario-based local energy system

According to StarCharge, a microgrid is not a single device, nor is it just an energy storage product. It’s a local energy system designed around the needs of a specific scenario, coordinating local generation, loads, storage, control, and operational strategies within a defined electrical boundary.

Moreover, depending on the scenario—such as data centers, individual charging stations, zero-carbon industrial parks, or green mines—the energy challenges are completely different. The right microgrid is defined by the scenario it serves.

The white paper also highlights four high-value paths: electricity-computing synergy, independent power supply, zero-carbon parks, and green mines. In areas with weak grids or limited grid access, microgrids ensure the operation of critical loads. In emerging load scenarios like data centers and industrial parks, microgrids support renewable energy integration, energy resilience, and cost optimization. In high-tech-demand scenarios like mines, microgrids become the foundation for ensuring production continuity, energy transition, and ESG competitiveness.

The three-stage evolution of microgrids

As power sources and loads become increasingly DC, microgrid architectures are evolving from AC-dominated systems to AC-DC hybrid systems, and eventually toward microgrids with a higher proportion of DC.

Microgrid 1.0 — dominated by AC architecture. It integrates renewable energy into the existing AC grid framework, but its control heavily relies on grid-following management and support from the external grid.

Microgrid 2.0 — the AC-DC hybrid stage. AC and DC buses coexist, allowing PV, storage, and DC loads to connect more directly. Bidirectional power hubs, solid-state transformers (SST), and energy routers become important bridges between AC and DC systems. This stage balances strong AC compatibility with higher DC efficiency and is expected to remain mainstream in the next 10-15 years.

Microgrid 3.0—it’s the era of DC microgrids. As solar PV, wind power, battery storage, data centers, LED lighting, and EV charging increasingly move toward DC, DC microgrids can reduce repeated AC-DC conversion losses, simplify control, and support millisecond-level responses.

This evolution is closely linked to the mission of microgrids: breaking through energy access bottlenecks, enabling sustainable development, connecting technology, industry, policy, market, and community needs, and unlocking the integrated value of local energy systems.

In the future, StarCharge will steadily expand into the growing global markets for new EVs and renewable energy, building on its smart energy systems that have been widely validated in the Chinese market.

Hashtag: #StarCharge

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

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

Hong Kong Hosts Lions International Convention for the Third Time

MIL OSI — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 07:35:30 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Over Ten Thousand International Delegates Gather in Hong Kong Confirming City’s Status as World’s Meeting Place

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2026 – The Hong Kong Tourism Board is proud to support the 108th Lions International Convention 2026 in Hong Kong. Having previously hosted the convention in 1992 and 2005, Hong Kong has once again been chosen by Lions Clubs International as the venue for its flagship event, attracting around 17,000 delegates from across the globe. Hong Kong has thus become one of the very few cities among more than 200 Lions member countries and regions worldwide to have secured hosting rights three times. This underscores Hong Kong’s status and appeal as the Events Capital of Asia and the World’s Meeting Place.

The opening ceremony was attended by more than 10,000 representatives from Lions Clubs worldwide.

Hosting Same High-Profile Event for the Third Time Cements Hong Kong’s Title as Asia’s World City

HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said, “HKTB is delighted to partner with the Lions Clubs International District 303 Hong Kong and Macao, China, to bring this Convention to Hong Kong for the third time. Its return affirms Hong Kong’s position as the World’s Meeting Place and a top-of-mind destination for MICE tourism. It also showcases Hong Kong’s integrated strengths in world-class MICE infrastructure, global aviation connectivity, diverse and distinctive tourism offerings, and quality hospitality services. These are the key factors in attracting international MICE events and encouraging business travellers to return time and again. We extend our warmest welcome to Lions from around the world and, together with our industry partners, have curated exclusive itineraries and experiences to encourage delegates to stay longer and discover the unique appeal that can be found only in Hong Kong.”

HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam delivered the opening remarks at the 108th Lions International Convention, held at AsiaWorld-Expo.

Lions Clubs International is one of the world’s largest service organisations, with more than 1.4 million members and around 50,000 district clubs across over 200 countries and regions. Since 1917, the organisation has supported communities worldwide through a wide range of social service and community aid initiatives.

Lions International Convention 2026 Honorary Chairman and Past International President Dr Tam Wing-kun said, “Hong Kong is an international metropolis where Eastern and Western cultures converge. With its well-developed professional services and comprehensive MICE infrastructure, Hong Kong is an ideal host for this international mega event. I am delighted that the Convention has returned to Hong Kong. This year’s edition will provide Lions from all corners of the world with a broad and diverse platform to explore the future development of international services. Delegates will also be able to experience first-hand Hong Kong’s world-class cuisine and rich cultural appeal. I am confident they will be the best ambassadors possible when they return home, telling the good stories of Hong Kong to the world.”

Lions Attempt Tai Chai World Record in Hong Kong
The 108th Lions International Convention is being held for five consecutive days from 3 to 7 July at AsiaWorld-Expo. To celebrate its return to Hong Kong and promote traditional Chinese culture, the organiser will attempt to set a world record with thousands of international Lions practising Tai Chi simultaneously. The activity aims to promote exercise for all and deepen participants’ understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals, creating a meaningful finale to the convention.

HKTB Teams Up with the Trade to Offer Unforgettable Cultural Tourism Experiences

As a supporting organisation of the 108th Lions International Convention, HKTB has teamed up with the local travel trade and major attractions to curate a series of exclusive tourism itineraries and offerings for convention delegates. These include transport offers, attraction tickets and shopping mall discounts, gift redemptions, and theme park deals to encourage delegates to stay in Hong Kong after the convention and explore more of the city’s diverse culture, cuisine, and unique tourism appeal.

HKTB will continue to bring more influential large-scale international MICE events to Hong Kong, further strengthening the city’s competitiveness and appeal as world-class, top-of-mind destination for both business and leisure tourism.

https://www.mehongkong.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/meetings-exhibitions-hong-kong

Hashtag: #MEHK #MeetingsandExhibitionsHongKong #HongKong #MICE #Lions #LionsInternationalConvention2026

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

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

Aviation – CAA sets direction and priorities with latest planning documents including new 2026-2027 safety and security focus areas

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:31:45 +0000

Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

The Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Statement of Intent (SOI) and Statement of Performance Expectations (SPE), published on 1 July, set out what the organisation will deliver and how it will measure progress.

Both documents can be downloaded from our corporate publications page.

For the first time the SPE highlights CAA’s new safety and security focus areas for the 2026-2027 year. See table below.

“These will drive where we direct our regulatory effort across the aviation system, so we can have the greatest impact,” CAA Director Kane Patena says. “We’ll work closely with the sector through targeted engagement and education, helping participants and organisations meet their safety and security responsibilities and manage their own risks effectively.”

“A recent example of this approach is our work on dangerous goods and lithium battery safety through airport security. By identifying this as a key risk area, we focused efforts on targeted education and awareness activities, helping industry participants and passengers better understand and manage the risks traveling with these items brings.” Patena says.

These focus areas have been informed by ICAO’s global and regional priorities, alongside an understanding of New Zealand’s unique aviation environment and domestic context. The CAA intends to review these periodically to ensure they remain fit for purpose and to ensure our regulatory efforts continue to be directed towards the areas where they can have the greatest impact on aviation safety and security outcomes.

Patena says the documents provide a clear line of sight between the organisation’s strategy, delivery and Government expectations.

“The SOI and SPE outline what matters most for aviation safety and security right now, and how we will demonstrate progress against our deliverables with practical actions and measurable results.”

“Our intent is on being a safety-focused, efficient, and responsive regulator to support the aviation sector, align with Government expectations and facilitate a safe and secure aviation system for New Zealand.”

The SOI outlines the CAA’s medium-term direction for the next four financial years from 2026 to 2030, including how it will track progress against its vision and purpose.

The SPE is published annually and focuses on delivery in 2026-27. It sets out the five activities the CAA is funded to deliver, the results it is aiming to achieve, and how performance will be measured. These activities are:

Policy and rule settings
Education and engagement
Certification and licensing
Monitoring and investigation
Security delivery.

Together, the SOI and SPE meet the CAA’s statutory reporting requirements under the Crown Entities Act 2004 and provide transparency about its priorities, performance, and use of public resources.

The performance measures in these documents also support quarterly and annual reporting, providing a clearer picture of progress and impact. The SPE includes financial statements and estimated costs for 2026-27, outlining the resources required to deliver work programmes.

Performance measures for 2026-27 have been refreshed to ensure they remain relevant, clear, and useful for tracking performance over time.

Overall, the SOI and SPE link the CAA’s strategic direction with its day-to-day activities, showing how priorities translate into measurable results and public value.

CAA’s focus over the next 18-24 months also includes work to modernise CAA’s regulatory certification and decision-making processes, continue its progress with the Rules Update Programme, and deliver a new Business Transformation Programme which will make targeted investments across technology, capability and systems to drive CAA’s performance.

As New Zealand’s aviation regulator, the CAA’s primary focus is maintaining aviation safety and security. This focus underpins all decisions and actions, helping ensure the aviation system remains safe and secure for those who work in, and rely on it. Over time, this has contributed to a sustained reduction in aviation accidents and fatalities.

Safety and security focus areas 2026-27

Safety focus areas	Outcomes sought from CAA activities
Dangerous goods	Ensuring dangerous goods on passenger aircraft are handled safely and meet required standards
Avoiding Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)	Reducing terrain and weather-related risks in regional air transport and helicopter operations
Uncontrolled airspace and aerodromes	Supporting safer operations in busy uncontrolled environments and reducing mid-air collision risks
Airworthiness and maintenance	Supporting participants and organisations to mitigate component failures and loss-of-control events through strengthened maintenance compliance and practices
Runway and aerodrome safety	Reducing runway incursions and excursions at aerodromes that support passenger air transport using large aircraft

Security focus areas	Outcomes sought from CAA activities
Security of air cargo	Enhancing security across the secure cargo system, including known-customer arrangements and cargo-only aircraft
Airside boundary integrity	Strengthening access controls and protecting airside security areas at security-designated aerodromes
Security in vulnerable locations	Improving physical and personnel security in landside areas at airports with security screening and lifting practices at regional aerodromes
International security risks	Improving our understanding of offshore risks and the security performance of foreign air operators.

MIL OSI

Toblerone Presents ” The Ultimate Gift “: The Toblerone Crystal Bar crafted by Swarovski

MIL OSI — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:01:55 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 July 2026 – An iconic Swiss chocolate brand meets one of the world’s most celebrated names in crystal artistry to bring ‘Never Square’ to life. Creating something unexpected, something beautiful, and something that gives back: Toblerone today announces The Ultimate Gift.

The Making of – Toblerone Crystal Bar crafted by Swarovski

The centrepiece is the Toblerone Crystal Bar crafted by Swarovski: an exceptionally rare series of hand-made crystal replicas of the original Toblerone chocolate bar – the gift many associate with travel. Familiar in form. Remarkable in execution. Individually numbered, certified, and utterly one-of-a-kind.

The Ultimate Gift: A Global Auction for Good

From 1st July to 31st July 2026, travellers passing through some of the world’s most iconic airports (Athens, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Madrid, New York JFK, Singapore and Zurich) will encounter a mesmerising pop-up experience celebrating both brands and, above all, will have the chance to bid in person on the Toblerone Crystal Bar crafted by Swarovski.

Toblerone Crystal Bar crafted by Swarovski

Each auction is linked to the airport’s own established charity partner – organisations already embedded in their local communities and chosen by the airports themselves. 100% of winning bids will be donated to the designated charity at each location.

However, the auction is open to everyone globally. No need to be travelling to take part. Bidding is available online (terms and conditions apply), click here to visit the auction site and here for more information on the charities.

Toblerone Crystal Bar crafted by Swarovski unveiled in the Crystal Dome at Swarovski Kristallwelten

The Story Behind the Crystal Bar

Toblerone was born in Switzerland in 1908. Its triangular shape has made it one of the most recognised silhouettes in the world. For generations of travellers, it has been the gift you bring home: a small but indulgent, reliable piece of Switzerland.

To bring the Toblerone Crystal Bar to life, Toblerone turned to Swarovski. Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity. Founded in 1895 in Austria, the company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality crystals and created stones as well as finished products such as jewelry.

The two share more than Alpine geography. They share a belief that quality is not a detail but it is the point. That the things worth making are worth making properly. And that some of the most enduring objects in the world are the ones that manage to be both beautiful and, somehow, completely unpretentious about it.

The result is the Toblerone Crystal Bar crafted by Swarovski: Toblerone’s unmistakable triangular form, unapologetically rich on the inside, reimagined as a luxury artefact through Swarovski’s crystal craftsmanship.

Iain Livingston, President Toblerone & World Travel Retail, says: “Toblerone has always been more than a chocolate bar. It’s a ritual, a symbol of travel, and one of the world’s most recognised gifts. Creating the Toblerone Crystal Bar crafted by Swarovski feels like a natural expression of who we are: a brand that takes quality seriously but never takes itself too seriously. The Ultimate Gift is exactly that and will raise funds to support brilliant causes that help make the world a better place.”

The Craft Behind the Crystal

Each Toblerone Crystal Bar crafted by Swarovski is exclusively designed and developed using Swarovski’s rich savoir-faire:

Modelled on the original Toblerone chocolate bar & manufactured in Austria
Each weighs 851g and measures 305mm in length
546 individually cut facets per bar
140 hours of development and 65 hours of production – 100% handmade
Crafted with high-precision cutting technology, characterised by unmatched brilliance

The Ultimate Gift Box: Available to All

For those who prefer to take something home immediately, Toblerone is also launching a limited-edition Ultimate Gift Box adorned with Swarovski crystals, available exclusively in World Travel Retail throughout the campaign period across airports globally.

Inside: a Milk Toblerone bar.

Crystals on the outside. Unapologetically rich on the inside. The answer, as ever, to the question every traveller eventually asks themselves at the airport: “Where is my Toblerone?”

Hashtag: #Toblerone #Neversquare #CrystalBar #UltimateGift #SwarovskiCrystals

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

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

Kai Tak Sports Park Claims Top Honour

MIL OSI — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:35:13 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Quality Building Award 2026 Winners Announced with Strong GBA and International Participation

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 June 2026 – The winners of the Quality Building Award 2026 (QBA 2026) were announced and presented at a ceremony held last Friday (26 June) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event brought together industry leaders, representatives of professional institutions, and project teams to celebrate the outstanding achievements of building projects from Hong Kong and beyond. Ms Bernadette Linn, JP, Secretary for Development, Development Bureau, HKSARG graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Kai Tak Sports Park received two awards, including the highest honor – the “Quality Excellence Award” – and the “Quality Building Award” in the Hong Kong Non-Residential (New Building – Government, Institution or Community) category.

Ms Chang Yuk Kam, Patricia, Chairlady of the Quality Building Award 2026 Organizing Committee, expressed gratitude to Ms Bernadette Linn, JP, Secretary for Development, Development Bureau, HKSARG and Mr Ho Chun Hung, JP, Director of Buildings,HKSARGwho served as Chairman of the Jury Panel, and also congratulated all the award winners. Ms Chang said: “Hong Kong is now proactively integrating into the national development strategy and fully participating in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The construction industry is embracing unprecedented opportunities. The Quality Building Award is also keeping pace with the times, actively breaking down geographical boundaries and vigorously promoting cooperation and project exchanges among the construction sectors in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. We hope that outstanding construction practices and cutting-edge technologies from different regions can be shared and complement each other, and that we can jointly build a vibrant and sustainable cross-regional architectural ecosystem, while seizing opportunities together and pursuing shared development.”

For over two decades, the Quality Building Award has remained committed to its founding principles of recognizing excellence, driving innovation, and promoting inclusion, while witnessing the continuous evolution and growth of Hong Kong’s building industry and that of the wider region. Notably, this year’s Award significantly relaxed the entry requirements for the “Building Outside GBA (include International)” and “Building in GBA (Not include Hong Kong)” categories, with participating teams no longer required to include a Hong Kong-registered company. This move has successfully attracted a number of high-quality non-local projects, including outstanding entries from Egypt and Shanghai, fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s unique advantage of being of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world, and further consolidating its status as a regional building hub.

The award-winning projects from past editions have covered a diverse spectrum of areas, including residential, non-residential, government and institutional buildings, renovation and revitalization projects, temporary structures, and cross-regional developments, showcasing the multifaceted value of architecture. This year’s winning projects not only combine aesthetic design with functional excellence, but also actively respond to the industry’s prevailing trends in green and low-carbon practices, as well as smart construction and management. They embody the core mission of driving urban development and enhancing the quality of living environments.

Ms Bernadette Linn, JP, Secretary for Development, Development Bureau, HKSARG, said: “The Quality Building Award has long been regarded as the ‘Oscar of the construction industry’. Over the past two decades, it has recognised numerous outstanding projects demonstrating excellence in design, construction, teamwork and sustainable development. This year’s Award is closely aligned with the policy direction of enhancing green development momentum under the National 15th Five-Year Plan. It reflects Hong Kong’s firm commitment to advancing high-quality sustainable development, and supports the national dual carbon goals as well as the broader green and low-carbon development strategy.”

The Quality Building Award 2026 featured eight award categories. Following months of rigorous evaluation by a 17-member judging panel comprising industry leaders, Kai Tak Sports Park stood out. With its “park-within-a-stadium” concept, it transformed the former airport site into an iconic landmark integrating sports, entertainment, community, and commercial functions. The design seamlessly blends aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability, which particularly embodies this year’s theme: “Smartly We Build | Sustainably We Thrive | Inclusively We Lead.” It was therefore honored with the highest award of the ceremony, the “Quality Excellence Award,” as well as the “Grand Award” in the category of “Hong Kong Non-Residential (New Building – Government, Institution or Community).”

This year, the Organizing Committee also presented two special awards: the “Innovative Project Award” and the “Sustainable Development Award”, which were awarded to Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park – Batch 1A Development: Building 11and Kai Tak District Cooling Plant No. 3 respectively. Among them, Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park – Batch 1A Development: Building 11 also received the “Grand Award” in the Hong Kong Residential (Single Building) category, while Kai Tak District Cooling Plant No. 3 also received the “Merit Award” in the Hong Kong Non-Residential (New Building – Government, Institution or Community) category.

Projects in the Hong Kong Residential (Multiple Buildings) category also performed exceptionally well, with NOVO LAND receiving the “Grand Award”. In the Hong Kong Building (Renovation / Revitalization) category, both Lo Pan Spirit Inheritance: Conservation of Lo Pan Temple and the Expansion of the Legislative Council Complex received the “Grand Award”. Meanwhile, W.I.S.E. Complex received the “Grand Award” in the Temporary Building category.

To bring together professional expertise from the Greater Bay Area and beyond, this year’s Award has specially revised the entry requirements for the categories of “Building Outside GBA (include International)” and “Building in GBA (Not include Hong Kong)”, breaking geographical boundaries and broadening the international exchange landscape of Hong Kong’s construction industry. The “Grand Award” in the “Building Outside GBA (include International)” category was presented to Arbour and The Iconic Tower, New Capital CBD, Egypt; while the “Grand Award” in the “Building in GBA (Not include Hong Kong)” category was presented to China Overseas Headquarters and Marisfrolg Industrial Park.

Mr Ho Chun Hung, JP, Director of Buildings, HKSARG who served as Chairman of the Jury Panel, said: “The pursuit of quality buildings, together with the creation of a sustainable and inclusive built environment, has long been a shared mission of the construction industry. Through recognising outstanding projects and exceptional professional teams, we aim to drive the industry forward, promoting the adoption of smart technologies, green and sustainable practices, and inclusive, people-oriented collaboration. Together, we can build a safer, higher-quality, and more liveable environment for all.”

The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) will serve as the Chairing Organization of the next Quality Building Award. The Award will continue to serve as an outstanding platform for industry exchange, recognizing outstanding projects and actively driving innovation and transformation within the construction sector. By working hand in hand with stakeholders across all sectors, Quality Building Award aims to build a higher-quality and more sustainable urban environment together.

QBA 2026 Awardees (in alphabetical order):
Quality Excellence Award
Kai Tak Sports Park
Innovative Project Award
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park – Batch 1A Development: Building 11
Sustainable Development Award
Kai Tak District Cooling Plant No. 3
Hong Kong Residential (Single Building)	Award Type
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park – Batch 1A Development: Building 11	Grand
ECHO House	Merit
Parkwood	Merit
Belgravia Place I	Finalist
JARDINI	Finalist
One Central Place	Finalist
Hong Kong Residential (Multiple Buildings)	Award Type
NOVO LAND	Grand
Casa Sierra	Merit
Victoria Voyage	Merit
Baker Circle	Finalist
THE PAVILIA FOREST	Finalist
Hong Kong Non-Residential (New Building – Government, Institution or Community)	Award Type
Kai Tak Sports Park	Grand
Kai Tak District Cooling Plant No. 3	Merit
Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool Complex	Merit
Hospital Authority Supporting Services Centre	Finalist
Kwai Chung Hospital	Finalist
The Pentecostal Holiness Church Wing Kwong Junior School	Finalist
Hong Kong Non-Residential (New Building – Non-Government, Institution or Community)	Award Type
98 How Ming Street	Merit
One Causeway Bay	Merit
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park – Batch 1A Development : Building 8 & Building 9	Finalist
Hong Kong Building (Renovation / Revitalization)	Award Type
Lo Pan Spirit Inheritance: Conservation of Lo Pan Temple	Grand
Expansion of the Legislative Council Complex	Grand
Conversion of the Old Wan Chai Police Station into the Headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation	Merit
Tai Po Civic Centre	Merit
Hong Kong Temporary Building	Award Type
W.I.S.E. Complex	Grand
Hip³ MiC Collaboration Centre	Merit
Light Public Housing at Olympic Avenue, Kai Tak (Phase 1)	Merit
Light Public Housing – Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok	Merit
Light Public Housing – Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long	Finalist
Building Outside GBA (include International)	Award Type
Arbour	Grand
The Iconic Tower, New Capital CBD, Egypt	Grand
Building in GBA (Not include Hong Kong)	Award Type
China Overseas Headquarters	Grand
Marisfrolg Industrial Park	Grand
China State Construction Science and Technology Innovation Building	Merit
Guangzhou Respiratory Center	Merit

Photos of the Award Presentation Ceremony can be downloaded from the following link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WuprPeClXBBB6rr4iaWqR6qvsVheeGl7?usp=drive_link

For more information about the Quality Building Award, please visit:
Official Website: www.qba.com.hk; Facebook: QBAHK; LinkedIn: QBAHK;
Weibo: 優質建築大獎; WeChat Official Account: 優質建築大獎

Hashtag: #QualityBuildingAward2026

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

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

SIM GE Prepares Graduates for Singapore’s Evolving Workforce

MIL OSI — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:36:54 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 June 2026 – In a labour market shaped by rapid industry transformation and evolving skills demands, the link between higher education and employment outcomes has become a key consideration for students and families evaluating their education pathways.

In Singapore today, employability is no longer defined by academic achievement alone. Employers are looking for graduates who can apply knowledge in real workplace settings, work across cultures, adapt to new technologies and continue learning as industries evolve. This is especially relevant as Singapore’s labour market continues to move towards growth areas such as digitalisation, technology, sustainability, healthcare, business transformation and professional services.

Against this backdrop, Singapore Institute of Management Global Education, or SIM GE, continues to strengthen its role as a private education institution that prepares learners for the demands of today’s workplace and the opportunities of tomorrow’s economy.

Employability begins with industry relevance
For prospective students, one of the biggest considerations when choosing a higher education pathway is whether their studies will remain relevant by the time they graduate. This is particularly important in a job market where roles are changing quickly and where employers increasingly value both technical capability and transferable workplace skills.

SIM GE addresses this by offering a broad range of academic programmes through partnerships with reputable universities from Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. These programmes span disciplines such as business, computing, social sciences, aviation, nursing and other applied fields, giving students access to international curricula while studying in Singapore.

This global education model is particularly relevant for Singapore’s open economy. Graduates entering the workforce are expected to understand local business realities while being able to operate in regional and international contexts. By learning from local and international faculty, and studying alongside peers from diverse backgrounds, SIM students are exposed to global perspectives that can support their workplace readiness.

Career support that connects learning to work
Employability also depends on how students translate classroom learning into career action. At SIM GE, career preparation is supported through Career Connect, which provides career workshops, career guidance, résumé reviews, mock interviews, profiling support, internship and job opportunities, as well as career events such as company visits, networking sessions, career talks and fairs.

This structured support is important because many students do not only need a qualification, they also need guidance in understanding industries, articulating their strengths, preparing for interviews and building professional networks. These practical areas can influence how confidently graduates enter the job market.

Through CareerSense, SIM students can also access an integrated online platform to browse and apply for internships, jobs and career events. This helps students take a more proactive approach to career planning while creating a clearer bridge between academic life and employment opportunities.

Real world exposure through internships and traineeships
One of the strongest contributors to graduate employability is exposure to work before graduation. Internships allow students to understand workplace expectations, test their skills in real business scenarios and build confidence before entering full time employment. SIM GE supports this through internships with a range of employers, from SMEs to multinational corporations. Its Work Integrated Learning for Life initiatives and internship related awards further encourage students to gain practical experience and develop holistically across cognitive, interpersonal and applied skills.

For fresh graduates, SIM’s Graduate Traineeship Programme provides structured traineeship opportunities across industries, typically lasting three to six months. The programme is designed to help graduates gain hands on experience, build workplace confidence and develop industry relevant capabilities as they transition into full time employment. This emphasis on work exposure responds directly to a key concern among prospective students, which is whether they will be ready for employment after graduation. By combining academic learning with career guidance, internships and traineeships, SIM GE helps students build not only credentials but also workplace familiarity.

The value of practical exposure is reflected in the experience of Keisha Shevila, a SIM-University of Wollongong Computer Science graduate who secured a Software Engineer role before completing her degree. In sharing her journey, she credited Career Connect with helping her better understand the job search process and preparing her “more confidently for entering the workforce”.

Building future ready graduates through skills and adaptability
The future of work is increasingly shaped by AI, automation, sustainability and cross functional collaboration. In this environment, students need more than role specific knowledge. They need adaptability, communication skills, critical thinking, creativity, cultural awareness and the confidence to keep learning.

SIM GE’s broader student experience supports this development. Beyond academic programmes, students can participate in more than 70 student clubs and co-curricular activities that build leadership, communication and teamwork skills. The EDGE Award, developed in partnership with employers, recognises students’ cumulative achievements across their learning journey and encourages a more holistic approach to personal and professional growth.

SIM GE’s diverse learning environment also plays an important role. With students from more than 50 nationalities, the campus experience provides opportunities for cultural exchange, collaboration and global awareness. These are qualities that are increasingly valuable in multinational and regional workplaces.

Aligning with Singapore’s skills first economy
Singapore’s workforce strategy continues to place strong emphasis on skills, lifelong learning and adaptability. National reports and government agencies have highlighted rising demand in areas linked to the digital, green and care economies, as well as the importance of AI literacy and transferable skills. This makes higher education choices more consequential. Prospective students are not simply choosing a programme. They are choosing a platform for long term career resilience.

SIM GE’s approach aligns with this direction by combining academic pathways, global university partnerships, employability support, industry exposure and continuous skills development. Its graduate outcomes also reflect this emphasis, with SIM reporting a secured employment rate of 81 per cent based on the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey 2024/2025.

Preparing graduates for Singapore today and tomorrow
Employability in Singapore today is shaped by industry relevance, practical exposure and future ready skills. SIM GE’s proposition sits at the intersection of these priorities. For students, this means access to internationally recognised academic pathways, career services, internships, traineeships, employer engagement, student development opportunities and a diverse campus environment. For employers, it means a pool of graduates who have been encouraged to build both knowledge and workplace ready capabilities.

As prospective students consider their higher learning options, the question is no longer only what they can study. It is also how that education will prepare them for the future of work. For SIM GE graduates, the answer lies in an education experience designed not only to support academic achievement but also to develop employable, adaptable and globally minded individuals ready to contribute to Singapore’s evolving economy.

References

The SIM Advantage – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/sim-advantage
SIM Career Services – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services
Achieving the three “Beyond” at individual, industry and institutional levels: Minister Chan Chun Sing at the inaugural SIM Future of Work Series – https://www.sim.edu.sg/news-events/achieving-the-three-beyonds-at-individual-industry-and-institutional-levels
How One International Student Graduated Career-Ready: Keisha Shevila’s Journey at SIM – https://www.sim.edu.sg/articles-inspirations/how-one-international-student-graduated-career-ready-keisha-shevila-journey-at-sim
Job Vacancies 2025: Labour demand gradually shifting to growth areas as firms adjust hiring plans – https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0320-job-vacancies-report-2025
Opening Address by Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Education for the Launch of the Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report 2025, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre – https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/speeches/20250122-opening-address-by-ms-gan-siow-huang-minister-of-state-ministry-of-education-for-the-launch-of-the-skills-demand-for-the-future-economy-report-2025-marina-bay-sands-expo-and-convention-centre
SDFE 2025 report – https://jobsandskills.skillsfuture.gov.sg/sdfe-2025

https://www.sim.edu.sg/

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.

OR Sets 2030 Sustainability Goals Amid Global Energy Transition, Targeting Inclusive Growth for People, Planet, and Performance

MIL OSI — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:49:05 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2026 – PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR), Thailand’s leading energy and lifestyle retail operator, has announced its OR 2030 Goals – a comprehensive sustainability framework across three dimensions: Economic Prosperity, Living Community, and Healthy Environment – as the global energy industry undergoes accelerating transition, navigates geopolitical uncertainty, and responds to climate imperatives.

The announcement comes as OR marks its third consecutive year as the No. 1 ranked company in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026 in the retail industry category, placing it among the top 1% of more than 9,200 companies assessed globally. OR has also been selected as a member of the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices (DJBICI) for the third straight year, reflecting the company’s consistent performance across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions.

“At OR, we believe that growth and responsibility are not trade-offs – they are the same pursuit. Our 2030 Goals reflect our commitment to ensuring that as OR grows, so do the people, communities, and environments we operate within. Inclusive growth is not a vision statement. It is how we run our business,” said M.L. Peekthong Thongyai, Chief Executive Officer, PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR).

OR’s 2030 Goals are built on the 3Ps framework – People, Planet, and Performance, with three concrete targets: driving inclusive growth with more than one million partners, entrepreneurs, employees, and community stakeholders; improving quality of life across more than 17,000 communities, reaching over 12 million people; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than one-third against the 2022 baseline, with a long-term commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2050.

Across all three dimensions of its sustainability framework (Economic Prosperity, Living Community, and Healthy Environment), OR’s commitments are grounded in existing operations and measurable outcomes.

On the Economic Prosperity front, OR’s PTT Station network in Thailand – spanning over 2,400 stations nationwide, serving 4 million customers daily alongside 681 partner brands – provides small entrepreneurs and investors with direct access to one of Thailand’s largest retail ecosystems. OR also opens sales channels within Café Amazon stores for community bakery entrepreneurs.

On the Living Community front, the Café Amazon for Chance program has opened more than 500 branches, each employing at least one hire from vulnerable groups – elderly, disabled, or otherwise disadvantaged individuals – creating over 400 jobs through an accessible franchise model. The Thaidet program, which promotes local SME products through OR’s retail network, has expanded to 487 outlets nationwide, creating a direct sales channel for community entrepreneurs. The Sustainable Coffee Project develops farmers across the full supply chain from cultivation to processing, providing stable income to agricultural communities while reducing the carbon footprint of production.

On the Healthy Environment front, OR’s EV Station PluZ network has expanded to more than 1,300 locations across all 77 provinces, with 2,931 DC charge connectors including Ultra-Fast Charge technology delivering up to 480 kW – capable of serving six vehicles simultaneously. OR also supplies Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to leading airlines at Suvarnabhumi Airport, contributing to the decarbonization of Thailand’s aviation sector. Solar installations – spanning Solar Rooftop, Solar Floating, and Solar Farm formats – are being scaled across PTT Station sites and beyond under 15–25-year Private Power Purchase Agreements. The company has also invested in Thai Pipeline Network, operator of Thailand’s oil pipeline infrastructure, strengthening energy supply security while reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

As the energy transition reshapes markets across Asia, OR’s 2030 Goals chart a clear path toward inclusive and sustainable growth, with a long-term commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2050.

Hashtag: #OR

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

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

Successful debut of International Symposium on Emergency Response and Aeromedical Services in Hong Kong

MIL OSI — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 04:04:26 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 June 2026 – Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service (GFS) held its inaugural three-day International Symposium on Emergency Response and Aeromedical Services (ISERAS) (June 16-18), bringing together more than 230 policymakers, experts and academics, and industry representatives from over 70 institutions and accredited organisations.

With participants from places including Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Australia, the United Kingdom, Austria, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, the event aimed to foster closer co-operation in emergency linkage, resource sharing, and professional training among different regions.

The inaugural International Symposium on Emergency Response and Aeromedical Services was held in Hong Kong from June 16 to 18. Photo shows the Under Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Michael Cheuk (fifth left); the Director General of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Lei (fifth right); the Controller of the Government Flying Services of the HKSAR Government, Captain Eddie Liu (fourth right), and other guests at the opening ceremony.

The symposium featured a series of plenary sessions, panel discussions, technical visits, and live demonstrations jointly conducted by the GFS and various government emergency units. A number of memoranda of understanding were signed during the event, to deepen collaboration between the GFS and the Chinese Mainland as well as domestic and international emergency, aviation, and medical institutions.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Security, Michael Cheuk, said that the challenges of emergency response as a result of the realities of climate change are evolving at an unprecedented pace.

“A shift to proactive prevention, continuous enhancement of international and cross-regional collaboration, and enhanced experience and insight sharing among stakeholders are key to rising to new and complex challenges,” Mr Cheuk said, adding that the collaborative spirit of ISERAS will forge stronger partnerships, further strengthen emergency response capabilities, and secure a safer future for communities.

The Director General of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China (CRS), Wang Lei, also attended the symposium and delivered a keynote presentation on air rescue capabilities and strategic development in the South China Sea.

The symposium concluded with an interdepartmental counter-terrorism drill and exchange session, with the participation of the GFS, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, showcasing Hong Kong’s professional capabilities in responding to terrorist attacks.

The symposium concluded with an interdepartmental counter-terrorism drill.

The Controller of the GFS, Captain Eddie Liu, said that the GFS has always played an important role in emergency response and rescue. “In addition to assisting in search and rescue, providing air ambulance and other emergency aeromedical services, the GFS also shoulders the responsibility of maintaining internal security of the HKSAR,” he said.

“In emergencies such as terrorist attacks, the GFS would make rapid deployment to assist the disciplined services in conducting air assault, offering all-round support to the HKSAR Government’s overall counter-terrorism efforts.”

Since its establishment in 1993, the GFS has served at the forefront of round-the-clock search-and-rescue and emergency aeromedical operations, while the ISERAS aims to collectively build a truly transnational pool of professional expertise, thereby underscoring Hong Kong’s status as an aviation hub for emergency response in Asia.

https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/
https://x.com/Brand_HK/
https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isd
https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong

Hashtag: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #GFS #Emergency #Response #Aeromedical #Symposium

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

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

Aviation – Changes to security screening at Invercargill Airport

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:37:50 +0000

Source: Civil Aviation Authority

From 29 June 2026, passengers travelling through Invercargill Airport will notice a change to our security screening process.

Body scanners (Automated Imaging Technology or AIT) will become the main way we screen passengers. This change supports New Zealand’s strong aviation security standards, as body scanners have proven highly effective at detecting items carried on a person at major airports. They also help make the screening process smoother and quicker for passengers.

We know that travel is important in New Zealand, and we want to help you reach your flight safely and on time. As we transition to the new screening setup, we’ll keep our Walk Through Metal Detector available for a short time to help if needed.

We also have alternative screening options available for passengers who choose not to use the body scanner or are unable to do so. Our Aviation Security Officers are at screening points to answer questions and guide you through the process.

For more information about body scanners, including accessibility, safety and privacy, visit Our new body scanners explained.

MIL OSI

DHL Express partners with Absurd Laboratory to create limited-edition fashion accessories using retired courier uniforms

MIL OSI — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:03:51 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Winner of the Redress Design Award 2025 “DHL GoGreen Plus Alumni Prize”, Eric Wong has created “DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection”, a limited-edition fashion accessory line that gives retired courier uniforms a second life
All profits will be donated to the local environmental NGO Redress to foster the next generation of sustainable design talent

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2026 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has started a new initiative with Hong Kong fashion designer Eric Wong, winner of the Redress Design Award 2025 “DHL GoGreen Plus Alumni Prize”, to launch the “DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection”. The collection is a unique line of fashion accessories ingeniously crafted from the company’s own retired courier uniforms including DHL polo shirts and cargo pants.

DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection

For the collection, Eric Wong brings his signature creative and sustainable mindset, blending everyday wearability with bold experimental design. He has deconstructed and creatively reimagined retired DHL polo shirts and cargo pants to create the playful “DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection”. The result is a whimsical cast of characters, including a convertible bucket hat and sling bag, comfortable unisex clogs, and a duo of charming bear pendants with movable limbs. Each piece gives the original uniform a new and artistic life, transforming it into a statement of contemporary style.

The collaboration extends beyond design through a partnership with Hong Kong–based environmental NGO Redress for a charitable sale of the collection. All profits will be donated to support Redress’s work in nurturing emerging talent within its alumni network – a new generation of designers who place sustainability and circularity at the heart of their creative vision.

Andy Chiang, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DHL Express Hong Kong and Macau, said, “We are proud to stand alongside Redress in advancing sustainability and circularity efforts in Hong Kong’s fashion industry. Brought to life by visionary designer Eric Wong, this initiative reimagines our retired uniforms with creativity and purpose—reflecting our shared commitment to a more sustainable future. As a key logistics partner to the fashion industry, we are also putting this commitment into action by shipping international orders of this collection with our GoGreen Plus service, which helps reduce CO₂e emissions through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We are also proud that all profits from this collection will go towards supporting Redress and its mission to cultivate the next generation of sustainable designers, helping to spark positive, lasting change in the industry.”

Eric Wong, founder of Absurd Laboratory, said, “I’m honored to collaborate with DHL and Redress on this meaningful project. Winning the DHL GoGreen Plus Alumni Prize sparked the journey, and it’s rewarding to see the concept come to life. By upcycling retired DHL courier uniforms, I wanted to give overlooked materials a new narrative—creating contemporary, desirable accessories with a strong story of sustainability and circular design.”

Hong Kong–based designer Eric Wong has built a reputation for challenging the norms of fashion through deconstruction and upcycling. His work consistently breathes new life into pre‑existing materials that might otherwise be discarded, making him the perfect creative partner for this circular fashion initiative.

“DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection” Charity Sale

The limited-edition fashion accessories will be available for purchase starting today, through the following channels:

Reinforcing the project’s commitment to sustainability, all overseas orders will be shipped using GoGreen Plus service, which enables shippers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of sustainable aviation fuel. By participating in this charity sale, customers can acquire a unique upcycled accessory while contributing to the development of sustainable fashion. Be ready to shop with purpose and own a piece of this unique design story.

DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection

All funds raised will be donated to Redress, directly fueling the work of emerging designers as they forge exciting collaborations and advance the movement towards a more circular fashion industry.

Bailey

Two-way Bucket Hat / Sling Bag

This clever two-way design transforms from a stylish bucket hat into a functional sling bag, featuring the iconic DHL logo and details repurposed from the original uniforms.
Price: HK$499

Sam

Unisex Clogs

Designed for everyone, this comfortable unisex slip-on is inspired by a timeless European clog. Crafted from upcycled DHL uniforms, it features a classic single-strap detail and subtle heritage accents.
4 sizes available: 36-37, 38-39, 40-41, 42-43
Price: HK$899

Frankie

Bear Earphone Case Plush Pendant (Large)

A playful and practical accessory, this bear-shaped pendant features movable limbs and a discreet earphone case on its back, accented with repurposed DHL uniform trims.
Price: HK$399

Felix

Bear Plush Pendant (Small)

This charming smaller bear pendant adds a touch of personality to any item, featuring movable limbs and crafted from iconic, upcycled DHL materials.
Price: HK$239

To learn more about this collaboration:
https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-hk/about-dhl/dhl-stories/uniform-upcycling-with-absurd-laboratory

Hashtag: #DHLxAbsurdLab #BFFS #DHLGoGreenPlusAlumniPrize #Upcycling #DHLExpressHongKong #DHLxRedress #RedressDesignAward

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

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

Vietnam Airlines Launches Nonstop Hanoi–Amsterdam Service

MIL OSI — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 03:46:38 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – Vietnam Airlines has officially inaugurated its nonstop service between Hanoi and Amsterdam, becoming the first Vietnamese carrier to operate a direct route connecting Vietnam and the Netherlands. The new service marks a significant milestone in the airline’s international network expansion strategy and further strengthens air links between Vietnam and Europe.

Vietnam Airlines has officially inaugurated its nonstop service between Hanoi and Amsterdam, becoming the first Vietnamese carrier to operate a direct route connecting Vietnam and the Netherlands.

The inaugural flight, VN83, departed Noi Bai International Airport at 3:50 AM on June 16, carrying nearly 300 passengers aboard an Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft. After a flight time of more than 12 hours, the aircraft landed at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. In the opposite direction, flight VN82 departed Amsterdam for Hanoi at 2:00 PM (local time) on the same day.

Vietnam Airlines will operate three round-trip flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Airbus A350 aircraft. The new route provides a direct air link between the two capitals, while offering passengers greater convenience and seamless onward connectivity across Europe and beyond.

Nguyen Quang Trung, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines, said: “The inauguration of the Hanoi–Amsterdam service reflects Vietnam Airlines’ continued commitment to expanding its international network and strengthening Vietnam’s connectivity with key global markets. This new route not only offers Vietnamese travellers more convenient access to Europe, but also facilitates greater travel to Vietnam for international visitors. As the national flag carrier, we will continue investing in service excellence and network development to meet evolving customer demand and further reinforce our role as an air bridge linking Vietnam with the world.”

Amsterdam serves as a major hub for finance, trade, logistics and commerce in Europe. Through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, passengers can conveniently access hundreds of destinations across Europe and beyond, further enhancing Vietnam’s connectivity with international markets.

The new route also strengthens Vietnam Airlines’ presence in Europe. With the addition of Amsterdam, Vietnam Airlines now operates 12 nonstop routes linking Vietnam with eight major European destinations: Paris, London, Frankfurt, Munich, Milan, Copenhagen, Moscow and Amsterdam.

Beyond expanding the airline’s network, the new service is expected to support growing trade, investment and tourism flows between Vietnam and the Netherlands, while creating new opportunities for business, cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

From 1 July 2026, Vietnam Airlines will increase the frequency of its Hanoi–Moscow service from three to four round-trip flights per week to accommodate growing travel demand between Vietnam and Russia. Together, the launch of the Amsterdam route and the expanded Moscow schedule reflect the airline’s ongoing efforts to align capacity with market demand and support Vietnam’s increasing integration with the global economy.

Hashtag: #VietnamAirlines

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

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

Aviation Sector – Minister visits CAA staff to recognise progress improving aviation services and safety oversight

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 03:07:30 +0000

Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

Acting Minister of Transport with responsibility for Aviation, Hon James Meager, has visited Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) staff to recognise the work of the Aviation Safety Oversight Group and the progress made over the past year to strengthen aviation safety and improve services for the sector.

The visit acknowledged the significant contribution the Group makes to maintaining a safe aviation system while supporting innovation, growth and the day-to-day needs of aviation participants across New Zealand.

Over the past year the Group has delivered improvements across certification, medical certification and regulatory oversight, helping reduce delays and improve the experience of aviation participants interacting with the CAA.

One of the most significant achievements has been the completion of CAA’s certification backlog through the “Get to Green” programme. The programme has improved timeliness and responsiveness, cleared longstanding certification work ahead of schedule and introduced new processes to help prevent future backlogs.

For aviation operators, this means greater certainty, improved turnaround times and more timely regulatory decisions when seeking certifications, approvals and other regulatory services.

CAA Deputy Chief Executive Aviation Safety Oversight Catherine MacGowan said the progress reflected the dedication of staff and a strong focus on improving outcomes for both safety and the sector.

“Our people work every day to support a safe, efficient and resilient aviation system. The improvements we’ve made are helping aviation participants get the services they need more quickly while maintaining the robust safety oversight New Zealanders expect. We will keep working hard to improve our regulatory performance, but it’s great to stop and acknowledge progress towards our goals.”

The Group has also made improvements to aviation medical certification processes, increasing efficiency and supporting better alignment with international best practice. This includes mutual recognition arrangements with Australia that help support workforce mobility and retention across the aviation sector.

The Aviation Safety Oversight Group has also continued to support the safe introduction of new technologies, including autonomous aircraft, advanced uncrewed aircraft operations and emerging electric aircraft programmes.

During the visit, Hon Meager acknowledged the role CAA plays in supporting both safety and economic growth.

“The Aviation Safety Oversight Group at the CAA plays a critical role in keeping New Zealand’s aviation system safe, resilient and fit for the future,” Hon Meager said.

“The team have worked constructively with industry, improved regulatory delivery and helped create an environment where innovation can occur safely.”

He said the achievements reflected the commitment of staff across CAA.

“These results demonstrate the value of a modern, capable regulator that works alongside industry while maintaining strong safety standards. The progress made is benefiting aviation participants and helping position New Zealand’s aviation system for the future.”

CAA Chief Executive Kane Patena said the Minister’s visit was an opportunity to recognise the professionalism and commitment of staff.

“This work is ultimately about supporting a safer and more effective aviation system for everyone who relies on it. I’m proud of what our people have achieved and grateful for the Minister taking the time to acknowledge their contribution.”

Although significant progress has been made, CAA’s Board Chair and Chief Executive both acknowledged that improvements are not yet complete, with a sustained focus over the next 18-24 months to modernise CAA’s regulatory certification and decision-making processes. This will be complemented by the Rules Update Programme (an ambitious two-year plan to modernise aviation’s out-of-date rule set) and a new Business Transformation Programme which will make targeted investments across technology, capability and systems to drive CAA’s performance.

MIL OSI

Defence News – RNZAF P-8A Poseidon spots missing vessels for two successful Pacific rescues

LiveNews Publisher — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:11:49 +0000

Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)

A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon has successfully located eight people on two missing boats in the Pacific.

The aircraft was flying to Fiji to refuel, while en route to a Kiribati search and rescue earlier this week, when Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre asked them to conduct the additional search for a small craft in Fijian waters.

On discovering the vessel, the aircraft crew passed on its location and the Republic of Fiji Navy Ship (RFNS) Savenaca was able to rescue five people on board.

Acting Air Component Commander Group Captain Brett Clayton says the quick response to the diversion request and successful rescue was a credit to the aircraft crew, the RFNS Savenaca ship’s company and Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre.

“Thanks to the professionalism and readiness of the personnel involved in the air, on the sea and on land, the sailors on this vessel will make it home to their families.”

The P-8A Poseidon and crew resumed the search for the missing small Kiribati boat, with three on board, which they were able to locate.

The fishers had got into trouble with an engine issue on Wednesday.

MIL OSI

Trransfer Technologies And LINE GO Partner To Expand Enterprise Ground Transportation Across Taiwan And Global Markets

MIL OSI — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 01:46:29 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Partnership combines LINE GO’s MaaS ecosystem platform with Trransfer Technologies’ global B2B ground transportation platform to serve Taiwan’s growing outbound business travel demand

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 June 2026 – Trransfer Technologies, a global B2B ground transportation platform serving corporate travel managers, private aviation firms, banks, luxury concierge services and enterprise customers to fulfill across more than 80 destinations worldwide, announced the official launch of its strategic partnership with LINE GO, Taiwan’s premier MaaS (Mobility as a Service) ecosystem platform. Officially commencing today, the partnership follows a successful one-month operational pilot since May 11, 2026, and is designed to unlock new enterprise demand in Taiwan while creating a scalable outbound travel solution for Taiwanese companies, multinational corporations and business travelers.

Taiwan’s outbound travel market reached 18.94 million departures in 2025, a 12.43 percent increase from 2024 and a new historical high. This upward trajectory underscores a compelling opportunity for enterprise-focused mobility providers to capture demand from corporations and business travelers who require seamless, reliable ground transportation solutions across global destinations.

A Partnership Built on Complementary Strengths

Trransfer Technologies will bring international corporate and enterprise travel demand into Taiwan, with LINE GO providing local fulfillment through its established mobility network, operational capabilities and deep integration within the LINE ecosystem. LINE GO’s MaaS platform aggregates seven mobility services including taxi-hailing, car rentals, airport shuttles, designated driver services, scooter sharing, private car charters and an EV charging network, giving enterprise clients a comprehensive local mobility experience upon arrival in Taiwan.

Looking ahead, both companies will extend their collaboration to serve the outbound travel needs of Taiwan-based enterprises, leveraging Trransfer Technologies’ global destination network across more than 80 destinations worldwide. This positions both companies to become the preferred mobility partner for Taiwanese businesses and multinationals requiring end-to-end ground transportation coordination across borders.

Targeting Taiwan’s Enterprise Traveler Segment

The partnership specifically targets multinational corporations, corporate travel managers, enterprise clients and high-frequency business travelers. As Taiwan’s outbound travel continues its upward trajectory, enterprises increasingly need partners who understand both local logistics and the complexity of global coordination.

“This partnership creates immediate strategic value for both companies. LINE GO brings market-leading mobility technology and operational insights, while Trransfer Technologies contributes the global platform, enterprise workflows and international fulfillment network. Together, we are building a scalable outbound mobility solution for Taiwanese enterprises traveling globally.”

Michael Chiay, Chief Executive Officer, Trransfer Technologies

“This collaboration marks a transformative milestone in LINE GO’s journey. We are proud to offer our partners a one-stop solution that delivers on our promise to make every journey smarter, safer, and more efficient.”

Isaac Lin, Managing Director, LINE GO

Hashtag: #TrransferTechnologies #MaaS #BusinessTravel #CorporateTravel #TravelTech #GlobalMobility #TrransferTechnologies #LineGo #EnterpriseTravel #SmartMobility #concierge

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

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

ANZLF brings business leaders together with Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers ahead of leaders’ meeting

LiveNews Publisher — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:52:56 +0000

Source: BusinessNZ

The Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) today convened a Business Dialogue with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and senior business leaders from both sides of the Tasman ahead of their official Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting in Noosa.

The Dialogue focused on the issues shaping the future prosperity and resilience of Australia and New Zealand and provided a forum for business and government to exchange perspectives on economic security, long-term competitiveness and trans-Tasman cooperation.

Prime Ministers Albanese and Luxon heard directly from industry about how businesses are responding to current geopolitical and economic uncertainty, technological change, supply chain disruption and economic security challenges, and the factors likely to shape future economic performance and stronger trans-Tasman outcomes.

Business leaders shared perspectives from sectors that underpin the trans-Tasman economy including energy, aviation, logistics, agriculture, technology, infrastructure and manufacturing, highlighting the increasingly interconnected nature of supply chains, critical infrastructure, trade, investment and industrial capability across the trans-Tasman economy.

Participants discussed approaches to strengthening resilience across key systems and supply chains, lifting productivity through technology and innovation, and supporting investment in the industries, infrastructure and capabilities needed for future growth.

The Dialogue also explored the industries, technologies and capabilities likely to shape future prosperity, including artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, cyber security, advanced manufacturing, industrial transition and strategic industries.

The discussion highlighted areas where Australia and New Zealand can build on their complementary strengths and deepen collaboration to support long-term economic growth, resilience and competitiveness.

ANZLF Co-Chair John Paitaridis said the Dialogue provided an important opportunity for business to contribute practical perspectives on the issues and challenges facing both countries.

“Australia and New Zealand are among the most integrated economies in the world. The business dialogue with the Prime Ministers provided an opportunity to discuss how we can strengthen resilience, lift productivity and position both countries to succeed in an increasingly competitive and uncertain global environment. The focus is on how business and government can solve these challenges together.”

ANZLF Co-Chair Greg Lowe said the discussion reinforced the importance of looking beyond immediate challenges and focusing on the drivers of future growth.

“The years ahead will increasingly be shaped by technology and investment in strategic industries. Australia and New Zealand have significant potential to work together to support innovation, attract investment and build the foundations for long-term prosperity and economic growth.

The ANZLF thanked Prime Ministers Albanese and Luxon for their participation and continued engagement with the Forum.

MIL OSI