Transport – LiveNews.co.nz

Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown open 2026 Impact Grants

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:22:21 +0000

Source: Lake Wānaka Tourism and Destination Queenstown

Queenstown Lakes, New Zealand (14 July 2026) – Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown have opened applications for their 2026 Impact Grants, with close to $100,000 raised this year to support environmental initiatives across the Queenstown Lakes district.

The annual grants programme supports charitable organisations and community groups working to protect and regenerate local ecosystems. Eligible organisations can apply for funding between $5,000 and $10,000, with applications open from 14 July to 6 August 2026.

Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown Community Fund Coordinator Ash Bickley says the annual grants round is an opportunity to direct community support towards local environmental projects.

“There is always a real sense of excitement when applications open, because this is where the generosity of visitors and local businesses turns into practical support for our communities,” Ash says.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who contributes to Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown, from visitors making donations through to local businesses and partners who continue to back this work year after year.

“These grants support work that is often hard to fund, but incredibly important for the wellbeing of our place. It’s a joy to see that support flow through to local projects and play a small part in looking after the environment that makes Queenstown and Wānaka so special.”

Funding is available for project, programme, or operational costs.

Previous grants have supported a wide range of community-led initiatives, including conservation programmes in Tāhuna-Glenorchy, region-wide planting initiatives, wetland restoration at Wai Whakaata-Lake Hayes, citizen science projects, efforts to reduce single-use cups in Wānaka, and programmes that connect visitors with local conservation and restoration stories.

Since launching in 2023, Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown have raised more than $250,000 for environmental mahi, supported the planting of more than 10,000 native trees, and shared stories of sustainable and regenerative travel with more than 12 million visitors.

Funds are raised through donations from visitors, local businesses and the visitor industry, including one-off contributions, customer donations and support from Impact Partners. Impact Partners make an annual commitment to contribute 1% of their net proceeds, or $10,000 or more.

Last year, $85,505 was shared across 12 organisations working across the district, while 20% of every contribution was also invested into endowment funds, helping build a legacy for community and environmental projects in Queenstown and Wānaka.

2025 grant recipients included Mana Tāhuna, Plastic Free Wānaka, WAI Wānaka, Whakatipu Wildlife Trust, Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust and the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Skies Group.

Mat Woods, chief executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, thanks everyone who has contributed.

“That support means a lot in any year, but especially in a year when the cost of running a business has been under real pressure,” he says.

“For businesses to keep showing up, contributing where they can, and supporting local environmental action says a lot about the commitment in this region.

“These funds are a practical example of tourism giving back to the places and communities that make Queenstown and Wānaka so loved.”

Funding is allocated in partnership with the 45South Community Foundation, with applications assessed by an independent distribution committee.

More information, including full eligibility criteria and application details, is available at lovewanaka.co.nz or loveqt.co.nz.

About Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown

The Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown Community Funds support grassroots environmental efforts, providing an opportunity for visitors and businesses to give back and help care for the environment at the heart of our region.

Launched in 2023, Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown were the first initiatives to come to life from the region’s Destination Management Plan: Travel to a Thriving Future. They are delivered in partnership with Destination Queenstown, Lake Wānaka Tourism and the 45South Community Foundation.

Grants are available on an annual, contestable basis for charitable organisations undertaking local climate, conservation and biodiversity work.

Impact Partners include:
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
Skyline Enterprises
Tourism Innovation Group
Southern Trails
Alpine Luxury Tours
Relax It’s Done
iSite Visitor Centre (Queenstown)
New Zealand Photography Workshops
Release NZ
Wānaka Mountain Guides
Wildwire
Active Massage
Racers Edge
Brand and Butter
Flooring Xtra (Wānaka)
Catch a Fish
Bella Vista Motel (Wānaka)
Copper Beech Lodge
Sweet Cheeks
iSite Visitor Centre (Wānaka).

MIL OSI

Leave Legislation – A fairer, simpler leave system is a crucial step closer – EMA

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 03:37:39 +0000

Source: EMA

The return of the Employment Leave Bill from select committee marks another important step towards delivering a simpler and more consistent approach to holiday and leave entitlements, says the EMA.

The select committee has now reported back on the Bill, with only minor amendments recommended. The key changes supported by the EMA, including the move to an hourly accrual system for leave calculations, remain unchanged.

The Bill will now proceed through its second and third readings in Parliament. The Government has signalled its intention to pass the legislation before the election in November.

EMA Head of Advocacy and Strategy Alan McDonald says the Bill addresses long-standing issues that have created uncertainty for employers and employees.

“The Holidays Act has been difficult to apply in practice for many businesses. That has resulted in backpay liabilities ranging from thousands to tens of millions of dollars,” McDonald says.

“The return of the Bill from select committee is a significant milestone. While some minor changes have been made during the select committee process, the core reforms remain intact and bring us another step closer to a system that is easier to understand and implement.

“That will help lift confidence for both employers and workers.”

A key feature of the Bill is the shift to an hourly accrual system for calculating leave.

“We have consistently supported an hours-based accrual model,” McDonald says.

“Linking leave to the hours actually worked is a straightforward and transparent way to ensure entitlements are calculated correctly.”

The EMA says this approach is particularly important for part-time and variable-hour workers.

“An hourly system creates a more balanced and consistent framework across different working arrangements,” McDonald says.

The EMA also supports changes to how sick leave entitlements are applied. Previous settings, introduced during the Covid period, have placed financial and operational strains on employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.

“Aligning sick leave with hours worked supports a fairer outcome across the workforce,” McDonald says.

The Bill includes a transition period of up to two years after enactment to allow businesses time to adjust.

“Employers will need time to update payroll systems, review employment agreements and ensure they are applying the new rules correctly,” McDonald says.

“Businesses need rules they can apply with confidence, and employees need to trust their entitlements are right.”

MIL OSI

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

Animal Welfare – Europe moves beyond cages while New Zealand doubles down – SAFE

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 03:31:54 +0000

Source: SAFE For Animals

SAFE says a major new commitment by the European Commission to phase out cages and crates for farmed animals including hens and pigs highlights how far New Zealand is falling behind on animal welfare.

The European Commission has committed to releasing a targeted revision of animal welfare rules by the end of 2026 which would phase out cages for laying hens. It has also committed to releasing transition proposal away from crates for pigs by mid-2027. The proposals also include ending the routine killing of male chicks born into the egg industry and introducing equivalent animal welfare requirements for imported animal products.

The announcement comes as New Zealand continues to make very different policy choices about the future of factory farming.

In December 2025, the Government abandoned the planned phase-out of farrowing crates for mother pigs. Right now, the Ministry for Primary Industries is consulting on the future of housing systems for laying hens, without proposing a pathway to end colony cages.

SAFE Head of Campaigns Jessica Chambers says the contrast could not be clearer.

“Governments around the world are recognising that confining intelligent, sentient animals in cages and crates is simply unacceptable. Meanwhile, New Zealand is choosing to preserve these systems.”

SAFE says the European Commission’s announcement demonstrates that governments can, and do, choose to move away from factory farming systems.

“Factory farming exists because governments choose to permit it. They can also choose to end it. Europe’s announcement shows these systems aren’t inevitable, they’re a political choice.”

Chambers says New Zealand’s approach has focused on regulating the impacts of factory farming rather than questioning the systems themselves.

“For decades we’ve regulated the harms of factory farming instead of asking a more fundamental question: should these systems exist at all? While comparable countries are planning to leave cages and crates behind, New Zealand’s governmentcontinues to defend them.”

Ahead of the 2026 general election, SAFE is calling on political parties to commit to ending the use of cages and crates for farmed animals in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Every major reform begins with a simple decision that the status quo is no longer acceptable. Around the world, governments are beginning to make that decision about cages and crates. It’s time New Zealand did too.”

SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.

We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.

Notes:

The European Commission has committed to proposing legislation to:

phase out cages for laying hens by the end of 2026;

transition away from crates for pigs by the second quarter of 2027;

end the routine killing of male chicks; and

introduce equivalent animal welfare requirements for imported animal products.

The Animal Welfare (Regulations for Management of Pigs) Amendment Act was passed in December 2025 and allows the indefinite use of farrowing crates and mating stalls — confinement systems the High Court ruled unlawful in 2020 for preventing mother pigs from turning, nesting, and caring for their piglets.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is currently accepting public submissions on changes to the Layer Hen Code of Welfare. Submissions close on August 14.

MIL OSI

Employment Issues – Northland Mill workers feel ‘abandoned’ as closure confirmed

LiveNews Publisher — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 03:31:51 +0000

Source: Workers First Union

Around sixty jobs will be lost as Northland Mill has confirmed its closure, becoming the seventh wood processing facility to close under this term of Government, Workers First Union said today.

Marcus Coverdale, Workers First organiser, said that Juken New Zealand’s Northland Mill workers were called to meetings yesterday where the outcome of a consultation period was confirmed, with the mill to close by 21 August 2026.

“Many of the workers were expecting this outcome, but there’s a feeling of abandonment and disbelief that a solution could not be found to save the mill,” said Mr Coverdale.

“Last week, they processed the last of the logs at Northland Mill. The machines have stopped and as the dust settles, the workers will be gone by the end of the month.”

“There was every opportunity for the Government to step in and facilitate the sale, run the mill as a temporary measure, or just guarantee the operations until a buyer is found. None was taken.”

“Shane Jones and the Coalition Government have turned their backs on these workers and offered excuses not to intervene, and the Northland region will pay for it.”

“We’ll be supporting our members through these next steps and ensuring that Juken lives up to their promises of support and care through the redundancy process.”

Workers at the mill will attend individual consultations over the next week, where the company will offer support services before issuing letters of redundancy. Existing Collective Agreement provisions negotiated by union members will ensure workers receive redundancy payments even if seeking alternative employment. A small number of people may also be able to be redeployed to the neighbouring Triboard Mill.

Meanwhile, the union understands that negotiations over a buyer for the Triboard Mill continue, but there is not yet any certainty over its continued operation. Over 140 people work at the Triboard Mill, which produces a specialised composite wood product that is used in building and housing materials.

“Triboard workers are mostly just worried about their colleagues down the road right now, but there is a lot of anxiety about what comes next for them too,” said Mr Coverdale.

“The Northland region can’t afford to lose any more jobs or industry. Kaitāia is struggling, our manufacturing sector is struggling, and over 800 jobs have now been lost in this industry since this Government came to power.”

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.

Northland News – Weed Workshops – Register Now

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:11:54 +0000

Source: Northland Regional Council

WEED WORKSHOPS – REGISTER NOW!

Northland Regional Council’s annual series of weed workshops are happening around the region during August, in Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Whangārei, Mangawhai and Rawene.

The three-hour workshops are free and traditionally a drawcard for home gardeners, members of community/restoration groups and contractors.

They’re hands-on and delivered in a relaxed and fun way to help people learn how best to tackle a wide variety of nasties, including wild ginger, lantana, moth plant, Taiwan cherry and privet.

Spaces are limited – to register, visit www.nrc.govt.nz/weedsworkshops

MIL OSI

Property Market – Residential construction costs continue to accelerate as building recovery gathers pace

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:11:51 +0000

Source: Cotality

New Zealand residential construction costs continued to edge higher in the June quarter, with stronger building activity and renewed global cost pressures driving the fastest annual increase in almost three years.

The latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) shows residential construction costs rose 1.1% in the three months to June, up from 1.0% in the March quarter and broadly in line with the long-term quarterly average.

Annual cost growth accelerated to 3.5%, from 3.0% in the previous quarter, marking the strongest annual increase since mid-2023.

Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said although the annual figure was still below the long-term average of around 4%, the figures suggest the period of unusually subdued construction cost growth has begun to fade.

“Construction costs aren’t surging again, but conditions are becoming less favourable for builders and households, who may have been hoping build costs would soften further,” he said.

“As construction activity starts to recover, quarterly growth remains close to its long-run average, but the annual rate has accelerated for three consecutive quarters. That suggests the exceptionally quiet period for construction cost inflation is probably behind us.”

He said the construction sector was emerging from a prolonged downturn, with more projects beginning to move ahead after a significant lift in dwelling consents over recent months.

“The annual number of dwelling consents has risen from below 34,000 last year to more than 39,000 and even though not every consent becomes a completed home, it’s a sign that activity is beginning to return.”

Recovery brings fresh cost pressures

Alongside stronger domestic activity, global events also flowed through to impact construction costs.

Oil price increases following the conflict in the Middle East have led to higher transport costs, while suppliers are reporting price hikes on several building materials.

Cordell’s latest analysis identified increases across structural steel, plumbing components, insulation and aluminium roofing accessories, with several suppliers indicating further increases may follow if global uncertainty persists.

“Builders are still operating in a competitive market where existing house prices have been flat or only rising modestly, so there’s limited ability to pass higher costs directly on to customers,” he said.

“That means many firms are absorbing some of those increases through tighter margins rather than significantly increasing contract prices.”

“Clearly, a lasting US-Iran peace deal would be another welcome boost for the sector, as well as taking some heat out of cost pressures. But unfortunately this hope has gone backwards in recent days.”

Better home building conditions ahead

Despite higher construction costs, Mr Davidson said the growing prospect of improving economic conditions should support a gradual recovery in residential building over the second half of the year, notwithstanding US-Iran uncertainty.

Lower mortgage rates, easing inflation pressures and stronger confidence – if they become reality – were expected to improve project feasibility for both developers and owner-builders.

“If inflation can moderate a bit and interest rates remain supportive, more households will have the confidence to commit to building,” he said.

“Construction costs aren’t cheap by any means, but the industry isn’t seeing the rapid increases we experienced through 2021 and 2022. Conditions are closer to long-term averages, where modest cost increases reflect healthier levels of activity rather than the supply shocks we saw during the pandemic.”

However, Mr Davidson said construction costs were likely to come under further upward pressure as the pipeline of approved projects continued to grow.

“A busier construction sector is ultimately positive for housing supply, even if it brings some modest upward pressure on build costs.”

The CCCI is comprised of around 50% materials, 40% wages, and 10% for other charges such as professional fees.

MIL OSI

Perth Commercial Electrician Always Electrical Flags Compliance Testing Backlog

MIL OSI — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:07:13 +0000

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

Forrestdale, Western Australia, July 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Forrestdale, Western Australia – July 14, 2026 –

Forrestdale-based Always Electrical says Perth’s commercial and industrial clients are feeling the national electrician shortage most, with mandatory compliance testing and project deadlines colliding with a shrinking pool of licensed trades.

Businesses across Perth are waiting longer for licensed electrical contractors, with Jobs and Skills Australia listing electricians among the occupations in national shortage and industry estimates pointing to more than 32,000 additional electricians needed by 2030. Always Electrical, an electrical contracting company based in Forrestdale in Perth’s south east, says the squeeze lands hardest on commercial and industrial clients, whose compliance deadlines do not move when trades are scarce. Finding a commercial electrician Perth businesses can book without long lead times has become a genuine scheduling problem for facility and site managers, the firm said.

The numbers behind the shortage are not new, but they are getting worse. The Housing Industry Association’s Trades Availability Index recorded Perth among the tightest markets in the country in late 2025, and Western Australia’s mining, energy, and defence projects continue to draw licensed trades away from metropolitan work at premium rates. Firms that once quoted within days are now booking weeks ahead.

More information is available at https://alwayselectrical.com.au/

Commercial work carries the least flexibility. Much of a commercial electrician’s workload is compliance-driven: RCD safety switches must be tested on a fixed schedule, emergency exit lighting has mandated inspection intervals, and portable appliances require regular testing and tagging. A business that misses those dates is liable regardless of how hard it is to find trades. Industrial sites add their own demands, from three-phase power and machinery connections to switchboards and plant lighting across factories, warehouses, and processing facilities.

Always Electrical has operated in Perth since 1984 and holds electrical contractor licence EC2295. The company works across commercial, industrial, and residential construction and maintenance, from fit-outs and scheduled testing for commercial premises to switchboard upgrades and fault-finding in homes. Owner Ron de Vos still runs the business, and the firm has kept its focus on being the electrician Perth businesses and homeowners can reach directly rather than through a national call centre. .

“The shortage is real, but it is not evenly spread. The big projects up north absorb the trades, and metro businesses feel it in their maintenance schedules,” said Ron de Vos, Owner of Always Electrical. He added that compliance work is where delays hurt most, since testing dates for RCDs and emergency lighting are set by regulation rather than convenience. “Nobody rings us about their exit lights until the audit is due. The businesses that book their testing on a cycle never have that panic.”

The pressure is unlikely to ease soon. The electrification of homes, vehicles, and industry is driving demand for electrical work faster than apprentices are completing training, with providers across the country reporting capacity limits. For Perth businesses, the practical response is planning: scheduling compliance testing in advance, bundling maintenance visits, and holding a relationship with a local contractor rather than searching from scratch each time a fault appears.

About Always Electrical

Always Electrical is a Perth electrical contracting company based at Unit 1, 56 Alex Wood Drive, Forrestdale WA 6112, providing commercial, industrial, and residential electrical construction and maintenance across the Perth metropolitan area since 1984.

###

For more information about Always Electrical, contact the company here:

Always Electrical
Always Electrical
08 9399 2071
admin@alwayselectrical.com.au
Unit 1, 56 Alex Wood Drive, Forrestdale WA 6112

– Published by The MIL Network

Federated Farmers warn of last-minute rush for iwi agreements

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:26:52 +0000

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is sounding the alarm over councils rushing to sign new iwi partnership agreements before the Resource Management Act is replaced.

Federated Farmers RMA reform spokesperson Mark Hooper says Environment Canterbury is the latest council attempting to finalise a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement before the new planning system comes into force.

“Under the Government’s replacement legislation, as currently drafted, councils won’t be able to enter into new Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements.

“But that draft legislation presently carries over any existing Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements.

“Predictably, that has triggered a rush from iwi organisations seeking to lock agreements in before the law changes.

“The latest example is Environment Canterbury, which has suddenly announced it’s considering an agreement with Ngāi Tahu, with elected councillors given only one week to consider and decide on the draft agreement.

“ECan is showing flagrant disregard for their community, pushing this through with no public notification before it appeared on the agenda this week, to be ratified next week.

“That’s deeply concerning and we’re calling on the Government to intervene so councils can’t rush these agreements through before the system is reformed.”

Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements, created under the Resource Management Act, set out how councils and iwi work together on resource management matters.

They can allow for joint decision-making on plans and resource consents.

In its Election Platform launched last month, Federated Farmers expressed concern about the increasing number of agreements between councils and iwi that allow for co-governance or co-management of natural resources.

Since the Government released its draft Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill in late 2025, dozens of new agreements have been initiated around the country, including in Manawatū-Whanganui, Northland and most recently Taranaki.

Hooper says councils have little discretion once an agreement is formally requested.

“Councils are legally required to negotiate these agreements, which puts elected members under enormous pressure to complete them before the law changes.

“That creates a real risk of rushed decision-making and inadequate public scrutiny.

“In Canterbury, councillors have had very little time to consider the proposal before being asked to ratify it.”

Federated Farmers will write to Environment Canterbury urging it to pause the process and allow proper consultation.

“The timing couldn’t be worse. Local government reform is also underway and, within a year or two, Environment Canterbury may no longer exist, with smaller unitary councils taking its place.

“Signing long-term partnership agreements now could bind future councils that don’t even exist yet.

“Those future councils should be free to negotiate their own relationships with iwi once both local government and resource management reforms are settled.

“Rushing agreements through now shows little respect for future elected representatives or the communities they’ll serve.”

Hooper says the situation reinforces the need for Government action.

“This scramble highlights exactly why ministers need to step in and change the new legislation before it’s enacted.”

In its submission on the Government’s resource management reforms, Federated Farmers recommended the new system shouldn’t carry over Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements.

“If the Government decides to retain them, there need to be clear limits.

“They shouldn’t override democratic decision-making, expand the scope of planning legislation or create additional consent requirements.”

Hooper says the agreements raise important questions about who should influence planning rules and resource consent decisions.

“We fully support councils and iwi working together and building strong relationships.

“But decisions affecting property rights and resource consents should ultimately rest with people the public can vote in or vote out.

“Our concern is that some agreements move beyond collaboration and hand significant influence to groups that aren’t democratically accountable in the same way elected councils are.”

While some agreements focus primarily on improving communication, Hooper says others extend much further.

“For example, Northland Regional Council’s agreement with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine includes funding for iwi environmental planning work and provides opportunities for iwi representatives to participate in resource consent processes.”

He says farmers are concerned about what that could mean in practice.

“A farmer wanting consent for a feed pad, a new effluent system or worker accommodation could end up facing extra costs, delays and bureaucracy.

“Federated Farmers is firmly opposed to blanket requirements for cultural impact assessments on routine consent applications.

“Farmers already spend enough time and money navigating an overly complex consent system.

“The last thing rural New Zealand needs is another layer of consultants, planners, lawyers and reports added to an already broken resource management system.”

MIL OSI

Northland News – Biodiversity ‘detectives’ provide first regional plant threat report

LiveNews Publisher — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:26:49 +0000

Source: Northland Regional Council

The ‘Conservation Status of Indigenous Vascular Plants in Northland’ provides the first comprehensive regional plant threat listing, giving landowners, hapū, iwi and resource managers a powerful tool to better protect 878 plants including rare and declining plant taxa.

The Northland Regional Council and a panel of botanist experts under the lead of senior author Marley Ford were tasked with undertaking a new regional threat listing, which will inform a national threat listing that will be updated every five years in future.

Council Biodiversity Manager, co-author and project coordinator, Lisa Forester says the report identifies plants that are rare in Taitokerau and allows for ongoing monitoring in a move to help prevent plants reaching regional extinction (or ‘extirpation’).

“Of the 878 plants we assessed, 34 plants are in the ‘extirpated’ category, with one (Adam’s mistletoe) being ‘nationally extinct’.” “A further 128 plants are in high threat categories and another 83 are likely to be threatened, but we didn’t have enough information to rank them.”

“Another 283 plants were labelled ‘at risk’ and likely to move into threat categories if they weren’t looked after.” “In total, less than 40% of Taitokerau plant taxa were ranked as not threatened,” she says.

Northland Regional Councillor and Chair of the Biodiversity and Biosecurity Working Party, Jack Craw, says while the results of the report are confronting, council remains hopeful that the next assessment will show an improvement.

“It’s a good way for people to get better with their plant knowledge, being able to identify them and learn.” “Because resources to undertake field monitoring are limited, community support is important to help monitor and care for the plants – everyone can play a part in protecting and monitoring our precious biodiversity.”

Northland’s ‘everyday botanists’ are encouraged to record plant sightings by photographing them and uploading to the iNaturalist website where anyone can get involved as removing these plants from the wild is discouraged.

Gathering data for conservation status rankings relies heavily on plant records and herbarium collections from professional and amateur botanists, past and present, who have spent countless hours in the field collecting the records that make these threat status assessments possible.

Ms Forester would like to thank the whole team of botanists and experts that sat on the panel and undertook the ranking, mostly voluntarily.

“For some of us it feels like a culmination of a life’s work and a great investment for the future, so we are very pleased and proud to finally have it finished.” “We know that it will be a useful document for to help prioritise conservation efforts going forward.”

This is the fourth regional plant threat assessment completed in Aotearoa, following assessments undertaken in Wellington, Auckland and Otago, and is intended to strengthen both local RMA decision-making and future national New Zealand Threat Classification System reassessments.

The full report can be found on the NRC website: www.nrc.govt.nz/vascularplants

MIL OSI

Paymentology and T2P partner to accelerate the future of card issuing in Thailand

MIL OSI — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:31:53 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 July 2026 – Paymentology, the leading global issuer processor, today announced a strategic partnership with Thailand-based fintech and payment technology provider T2P to expand access to modern card issuing capabilities and accelerate digital payment innovation across Thailand.

Through the partnership, T2P will leverage Paymentology’s next-generation issuer processing platform to deliver scalable, secure and flexible card programmes for fintechs, financial institutions, corporates and enterprises looking to launch innovative payment solutions.

The collaboration strengthens T2P’s growing payments ecosystem, enabling businesses to bring new prepaid, corporate and digital wallet-linked card programmes to market more quickly while benefiting from Paymentology’s real-time processing capabilities, global expertise and highly configurable platform.

Thailand has become one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital payments markets. According to the Bank of Thailand, online payments increased by 13.5% year-on-year in 2025, reflecting growing adoption of digital wallets, QR payments, embedded finance and cashless payment experiences. As businesses look to capitalise on this shift, they increasingly need trusted technology partners that can reduce complexity and accelerate innovation.

By combining Paymentology’s cloud-native issuer processing platform with T2P’s local market expertise, the partnership will help organisations develop payment solutions that meet evolving consumer and business expectations while supporting Thailand’s continued digital transformation.

Minh Ha Truong, Head of Growth APAC at Paymentology, said:“Thailand is one of the most exciting payments markets in Asia. As demand grows for embedded financial services and innovative card programmes, organisations need technology that allows them to launch quickly while remaining flexible enough to evolve with customer expectations.We’re delighted to partner with T2P as they continue expanding their payment capabilities.“

The partnership will initially support a broad range of use cases including:

Prepaid card programmes
Corporate and commercial payments
Employee spend management
Digital wallet-linked cards
Embedded finance solutions
Cross-border payment programmes supporting Thailand’s thriving tourism sector

TaweechaiPureethip, Chief Executive Officer at T2P, said: “Our partnership with Paymentology is an important step in strengthening T2P’s card and payment technology capabilities. Paymentology’s modern issuer processing platform, real-time processing capabilities, flexibility and experience across markets give us confidence as we continue to develop reliable and scalable payment solutions for businesses in Thailand. Together, we aim to make it easier for organisations to bring practical, secure and flexible card-based payment programmes to market.”

As payment services become increasingly embedded into everyday consumer journeys and business operations, the partnership positions both organisations to support the next generation of payment innovation while expanding access to more secure, reliable and practical payment tools for businesses and consumers across Thailand.

https://www.paymentology.com/en/

Hashtag: #Paymentology #T2P

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

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

Thailand Advances Net Zero 2050 through Public–Private “ONE MIND” Collaboration TCMA Launches “The NEXT Chapter” to Position Industry as a Climate Solution Partner

MIL OSI — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:34:11 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 July 2026 – Thailand is strengthening its transition toward a net-zero economy through enhanced collaboration between government and industry. On the occasion of its 20^th anniversary, Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) announced its strategic initiative, “The NEXT Chapter to Net Zero 2050,” aimed at accelerating implementation across five priority areas under the theme ‘Accelerating Collaborative Action towards Net Zero 2050.’ The initiative reinforces the cement industry’s evolving role as a Climate Solution Partner, aligned with the Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete Roadmap, a collective industry commitment supporting national climate goals.

The TCMA at 20 event was presided over by H.E. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, and brought together senior representatives from government agencies, industry, professional institutions, and international organizations, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing Thailand’s Net Zero 2050 target.

In his remarks, the Minister of Industry emphasized that achieving net-zero emissions requires coordinated action across all sectors under a unified ‘ONE MIND’ approach. The Ministry of Industry continues to advance enabling policies, regulatory frameworks, and economic instruments to support industrial decarbonization, while promoting green industry development, strengthening ESG standards, and enhancing competitiveness. He also highlighted ongoing collaboration with international partners, including UNIDO, GIZ, and the Government of Canada, to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon technologies.

Dr. Chana Poomee, Honourary Chairman of TCMA, noted that Thailand’s cement industry is transitioning beyond its traditional role toward becoming a Climate Solution Partner, contributing to climate mitigation through both emissions reduction and the development of sustainable construction solutions.

Representing the government sector, Dr. Raweewan Bhuridej, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Mr. Sunthorn Kaewsa-ard, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Industry, underscored the importance of public–private partnerships (PPP) in translating policy commitments into measurable outcomes, ensuring that emissions reductions are achieved alongside sustained industrial competitiveness.

Mr. Surachai Nimla-or, Chairman of TCMA, described “The NEXT Chapter” as a strategic inflection point for the industry, guided by the principle of being competitive, sustainable, and low-carbon. TCMA is advancing this transition through five key implementation engines, integrating policy, technology, innovation, energy transition, circular economy, and digitalization to enable systemic change that is measurable, scalable, and aligned with national timelines.

TCMA also continues to advance the SARABURI SANDBOX, a low-carbon city pilot that serves as a platform to test policy instruments, technological solutions, and green financing mechanisms through multi-stakeholder collaboration, with the objective of scaling successful models at the national and regional levels.

The launch of “The NEXT Chapter” underscores the role of Thailand’s cement industry as a key contributor to regional decarbonization efforts and highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing an inclusive and sustainable transition toward a low-carbon economy.

Hashtag: #TCMA #TCMAat20 #TCMAinAction #TCMAtoNetZero2050 #NextChapterNetZero #ClimateSolutionPartner #CementDecarbonization

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

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

HKUST and Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Deepen Partnership with Garuda Scholarship Framework to Nurture Top-Tier Talent

MIL OSI — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:20:03 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 July 2026 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reinforce the implementation of an Indonesian government-funded scholarship framework aimed at cultivating top-tier future talent. A cornerstone of this collaboration is the integration of Indonesia’s newly launched Garuda Scholarship to support more outstanding students pursuing undergraduate studies at HKUST. Building on the cooperation agreement established in May 2024, the new MoU solidifies the formal scholarship framework while paving the way for both parties to explore further synergistic opportunities in student internships, academic exchanges, and joint research initiatives to drive innovation in higher education.

The agreement was recently signed by Prof. Badri Munir SUKOCO, Acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, and Dr. Alison LLOYD, Associate Provost (Academic Strategy and Data Analytics) of HKUST. With the implementation of this agreement, HKUST is set to welcome its fifth batch of government-sponsored undergraduate students from Indonesia in the upcoming academic year starting this September.

Beyond providing scholarship support for undergraduate students, HKUST and the Indonesian authorities actively discussed broadening the scope of their future collaboration during their recent meeting. Both parties are keen to explore potential avenues for joint research initiatives, academic knowledge exchange, student and faculty mobility programs, and the introduction of credit-bearing internships. These efforts aim to widen students’ global perspectives, equip them with practical work experience, and better prepare them for future career success.

Dr. Alison LLOYD, Associate Provost (Academic Strategy and Data Analytics) of HKUST, said, “HKUST is the first higher education institution in Hong Kong to partner with the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology in nurturing outstanding Indonesian undergraduates. We are deeply honored by the Indonesian government’s enduring trust and support for HKUST’s academic excellence. Indonesian students are an integral part of our international community, enriching our campus through their talent, perspectives, and consistent excellence across various academic disciplines. The signing of this new agreement marks a significant milestone in our partnership. Moving forward, HKUST will fully leverage its strengths in education, pioneering research, and knowledge transfer to advance shared objectives with Indonesia in areas such as digital transformation, green energy, and business innovation. Together, we aspire to cultivate future leaders—equipped with a global outlook, innovative mindset, and a strong sense of social responsibility—to inject new momentum into the sustainable development of Indonesia, the ASEAN region, and the world.”

Prof. Ardi FINDYARTINI, Director of Transformative Learning Strategies and System at the Directorate General of Science and Technology, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, said, “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to developing Indonesia’s future leaders through the Garuda Scholarship initiative. By embedding our talented undergraduate students within world-class academic and research ecosystem, we are not only expanding their global perspectives but also equipping them with essential future competencies. We highly value HKUST’s enduring trust and collaboration, and we are confident that this synergy will greatly contribute to Garuda ecosystem.

Currently, Indonesian students constitute HKUST’s second-largest international undergraduate student population. Building on this strong partnership, HKUST now hosts the largest number of Indonesian government-sponsored undergraduate students among all tertiary institutions in Hong Kong. These students are rigorously selected from leading secondary schools across Indonesia and represent the country’s most promising young talent.

This agreement will further leverage HKUST’s world-class teaching and research capabilities to cultivate outstanding talent aligned with Indonesia’s national development priorities. Currently, most sponsored Indonesian students are enrolled in programs spanning Engineering, Business and Management, Science, and Biotechnology. Moving forward, both sides plan to explore opportunities to expand their cooperation in frontier research collaboration and high-impact educational and talent-development initiatives, injecting fresh momentum into the socio-economic development of both Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Hashtag: #HKUST

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

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

Central & Western District Youth-to-Career Expo Connects Hong Kong Youth to Future Careers in AI Era

MIL OSI — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:43:54 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Two-day flagship youth to career exploration event unites 30+ corporates and organisations for youth empowerment, officiated by Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 July 2026 – The Central and Western District Office, Central and Western District Youth Network, and FutureGen Youth Foundation (“the Foundation“) co-organised the two-day Central & Western District Youth-to-Career Explo on 9 and 11 July. This event is funded by the Government of HKSAR, with the Hall of the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex provided as a venue. The event, part of the IGNITE18: Jumpstart Your Career series, brought together over 1,200 participants —including students, parents, teachers, and careers masters —alongside education institutions, prominent industry leaders, and community partners to explore future careers, AI, and the evolving world of work. Committed to expanding the program’s reach across the district, The Council of Central & Western District School Heads served as the event’s education partner.

Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Jennifer Yu Cheng, JP, Founder of FutureGen Youth Foundation and Secy Cheung, Founding Board Director of FutureGen Youth Foundation, alongside students, Strive and Rise Program participants and youth

Hosted at co-organiser and seed school St. Stephen’s Girls’ College, and the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex, the event was officiated by Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, with a rich lineup of keynote sharing sessions on career insights, future trends and opportunities; AI and future skills workshops; youth dialogue sessions; and career exploration company booths.

Building A Future Talent Pipeline Through Early Industry and AI Exposure

Successfully equipping youth with direct access to leading industry representatives and companies, the signature youth event supported students across the Central and Western District in navigating their career and life planning journeys while strengthening Hong Kong’s future talent pipeline across diverse industries. Bringing together education institutions, corporations, government departments, professional organisations, NGOs and community partners, and spanning across more than 20 industries, the event bridged the gap between education and the rapidly evolving world of work, connecting young people with real-world industry insights and equipping them with the access, opportunities, and resources they need to explore future pathways and prepare for tomorrow’s workforce.

The IGNITE18 event series was pioneered by the FutureGen Youth Foundation, which aims to establish a citywide collective impact ecosystem connecting schools, industry, universities, and parents to support students navigating career and life planning. The initiative seeks to provide exposure to diverse industries, future career pathways, and hands-on future skills and AI experiences, while offering valuable workforce market insights and professional development opportunities for teachers and careers masters. By engaging parents in understanding AI and future-ready skills, the program actively strengthens Hong Kong’s future talent pipeline across diverse sectors. The Foundation plans to expand IGNITE18 across all 18 districts in Hong Kong in the next two years.

“In a world where AI, business transformation, and entirely new fields are reshaping career pathways, there is an urgency to create greater access earlier – from secondary age – to better equip and support youth on their career development journey,” said Jennifer Yu Cheng, JP, Founder of FutureGen Youth Foundation.

“At our Foundation, we have created a platform connecting over 140 Supporting Organisations with representation from education institutions, corporations, public institutes, NGOs, entrepreneurs and innovators to support youth career exploration and development in Hong Kong. Through IGNITE18, we aim to open doors earlier and inspire students to explore diverse career opportunities to be better equipped for tomorrow’s world – with the ultimate hope of building a stronger and more diverse talent pipeline for Hong Kong’s future.”

Uniting Corporate and Education Leaders in a Collective Impact Ecosystem

The Central & Western District Youth-to-Career Explo brought together an extensive network of participating and supporting organisations across corporate, tech, education, and public service sectors, including:

Strategic Partner: Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited

Fully Supported By: McDonald’s Hong Kong

Supporting Organisations: DALLOYAU; Deloitte Foundation; DETERMINANT; Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry; Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management; Police Community Relations Office, Central District,Hong Kong Police Force; Hong Kong Qualifications Framework; HSBC; JEMS Character Academy; L’Oréal Hong Kong; Microsoft Hong Kong; MTR Corporation Limited; Ocean Park Corporation; Pet Space Group Limited; PRISTER Corporation Limited; Project Management Institute; Story Jungle Education; Tencent Wetech Academy; XPENG Hong Kong; XPENG Hong Kong ARIDGE; Y.L.Yang Foundation; iREd Solutions Limited; Plus One Dimension Interactive Company Limited

Education Partners: Center for Global & Community Engagement (GCE), School of Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; The University of Hong Kong; Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong; Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance Masters; Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools; Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Chai Wan), Higher Diploma in Food Technology and Safety; Lingnan University Department of Digital Art and Creative Industries; Pre-incubation Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; School of Business, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong; The Council of Central & Western District School Heads; The Education University of Hong Kong; The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

Supporting Statutory Body: The Authority of Qianhai SZ-HK Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen

The event also featured prominent leaders and experts sharing insights across business, finance, education, technology, innovation, and the public sector:

Lawrence Hung – Immediate Past President and Executive Council Member, Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management
Gary Wong Chi-him, MH, JP – Chief Hong Kong and Macao Liaison Expert, Authority of Qianhai SZ-HK Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen
Professor Ava Kwong – Chairman, Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer FamilyRegistry; Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Professor Lee Man Hoi – Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
Serena Tang – Career Development and Training Director, HKU Business School

“We are deeply grateful to our seed schools, education partners, and Supporting Organisations for transforming the Foundation’s vision into action and for joining us in empowering young people,” said Secy Cheung, Founding Board Director of FutureGen Youth Foundation.

“Through our work with students, we have seen how powerful it can be when young people hear directly from industry leaders, professionals, and innovators. Often, a single conversation, sharing unexpected angles, can spark new aspirations and help students see pathways they had never previously imagined. IGNITE18 is about planting those seeds of possibility – inspiring young people to explore, discover, and take their first steps towards shaping their own futures.”

The signature event showcased the boundless possibilities of a strong ecosystem connecting schools, industry, universities, and families in supporting Hong Kong’s future leaders and talents. The IGNITE18 Central & Western District Youth-to-Career Explo generated strong community momentum that will continue to support students in understanding the future world of work, discovering their own pathways, and stepping into the future with confidence.

Hashtag: #FutureGenYouthFoundation

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

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

L’OCCITANE Malaysia’s 7th Race for Vision Draws 3,000 Participants, Donates RM50,000 to Support Children’s Eye Health in Kelantan

MIL OSI — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:04:36 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Annual charity run champions eye health, visual inclusion, sustainability and community connection while funding a new Schoolchildren Refractive Error Intervention Programme

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 July 2026 – L’OCCITANE Malaysia successfully hosted the 7th edition of Race for Vision, bringing together more than 3,000 participants in a nationwide movement championing eye health, inclusivity, sustainability and community connection.

Mock cheque presentation by L’OCCITANE Malaysia’s top management team:Mr Sing Loonpoh, Deputy General Manager of L’OCCITANE Malaysia (left), and Ms Elida Wong, General Manager of L’OCCITANE SEA (centre), with Professor Dr Shatriah Ismail, Deputy Director of Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia (right).

The annual charity run donated RM50,000, which will fully fund the launch of the Schoolchildren Refractive Error Intervention Programme in Kelantan in partnership with Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia. The initiative aims to help children with uncorrected vision problems gain access to eye care support, restoring confidence and ensuring they remain connected to their education and peers through better eyesight.

Since launching Race for Vision in 2018, L’OCCITANE Malaysia has grown the initiative into one of its most meaningful purpose-driven platforms. Together with its broader vision-related programmes, the brand has contributed RM1.75 million over 17 years in Malaysia, positively impacting nearly 100,000 lives through eye health, accessibility and community empowerment initiatives.

Key Highlights

Over 3,000 participants joined the 7th edition of Race for Vision
RM50,000 donated for children’s eye health in Kelantan
RM1.75 million contributed by L’OCCITANE Malaysia over 17 years
Nearly 100,000 lives impacted through vision-related initiatives
Visually impaired participants ran alongside dedicated Sighted Guides
3,000 sustainable finisher medals handcrafted by OKU artisans
96kg of recycled beauty empties transformed into finisher medals
Supported by Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysian Association for the Blind and Society of the Blind Malaysia

Crafting Life Ties Through Inclusion and Trust

More than a charity run, Race for Vision brought to life L’OCCITANE’s global purpose of Crafting Life Ties by creating meaningful moments of connection between sighted and visually impaired participants.

The event welcomed members of the visually impaired community from across Malaysia, including participants from the Malaysian Association for the Blind and Society of the Blind Malaysia, many of whom travelled significant distances to join the run.

Throughout the 5KM route, visually impaired runners completed the course alongside dedicated Sighted Guides, demonstrating the power of trust, accessibility and inclusion. What began as a race became a shared experience where participants moved forward together, regardless of ability.

Addressing participants during the flag-off, Elida Wong, General Manager, L’OCCITANE SEA, reflected on the significance of the event.

“Look around you. Today, we have 3,000 people lacing up together. Whether you are running with family, friends, or guiding a visually impaired partner, today we are fully equal on the exact same track.

“This morning is all about Crafting Life Ties – real human connections built step by step. These ties go far beyond the track. They are crafted by the conscious choices we make, by the hands that created your medals, and by every single person here. It’s about an entire community coming together, side by side, to make this beautiful moment happen.”

Supporting Children’s Eye Health in Kelantan

Funds donated from this year’s Race for Vision will support the launch of the Schoolchildren Refractive Error Intervention Programme in Kelantan, helping children access the vision care they need to thrive in school and daily life.

By addressing uncorrected refractive errors at an early stage, the programme seeks to improve learning outcomes, confidence and overall quality of life for school-aged children.

For L’OCCITANE Malaysia, eye health advocacy extends far beyond a single event. Race for Vision reflects the brand’s long-term commitment to making vision care more accessible while empowering communities through meaningful partnerships and sustained impact.

Turning Beauty Empties & Pre-loved Spectacles Into Meaningful Impact

In line with L’OCCITANE Malaysia’s commitment to circular sustainability, every finisher medal carried a story of environmental and social impact.

A total of 3,000 sustainable finisher medals were produced using 96kg of recycled beauty empties collected through the brand’s ongoing recycling initiatives. Designed as both a commemorative medal and a functional card holder, each piece was handcrafted by local OKU artisans from AACE and Kawan Guni.

The initiative transformed discarded beauty packaging into something meaningful while creating opportunities for the artisan community to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship.

“When you cross that finish line, you’ll receive a sustainable medal made from recycled beauty empties. But what makes it truly priceless is that every single medal was lovingly handcrafted, one by one, by talented artisans from the OKU community,” said Elida Wong.

“They told us that creating thousands of these by hand was hard work, but seeing participants wear them today makes them incredibly proud. When you put it on after the run, I want you to know that you’re wearing a piece of someone’s heart.”

Participants were also encouraged to contribute to future sustainability efforts by bringing pre-loved spectacles and empty beauty packaging for recycling, while using reusable tote bags during race kit collection. During the event, more than 236 beauty empties and 96 pairs of pre-loved spectacles were collected, giving these items a second life while supporting L’OCCITANE Malaysia’s ongoing circular sustainability initiatives and helping extend access to vision care for communities in need.

A Community Effort Powered by Shared Purpose

L’OCCITANE Malaysia expressed its appreciation to the sponsors, volunteers, beneficiaries, media partners, Sighted Guides and participants who helped make the event possible.

The brand also acknowledged the contributions of Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia, the Malaysian Association for the Blind, Society of the Blind Malaysia, AACE, Kawan Guni and numerous partners who worked together to bring the event to life.

As Race for Vision enters its seventh year, the initiative continues to demonstrate how collective action can create meaningful change – connecting people, supporting communities and contributing to a more inclusive future.

From restoring sight to empowering artisans and reducing waste, every step taken at Race for Vision reflects L’OCCITANE Malaysia’s belief that small actions can create lasting impact for people and the planet.

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Hashtag: #LOccitaneMY #LOccitaneFoundation #RaceForVision2026

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

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

Happitat Unveils the New Global Landmark of Happiness, Opening 21 August

MIL OSI — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 04:19:23 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 July 2026 – Happitat today announced its official opening on 21 August2026, introducing the New Global Landmark of Happiness and the world’s first destination dedicated to happiness. Built on the belief that happiness should not be reserved only for special occasions, Happitat is designed to bring happiness into everyday life.

At a time when most destinations compete on scale, convenience, and comprehensive offerings, Happitat began with a different question: How can we design a place that enables lasting happiness?

That question evolved into the Happiness Movement, a philosophy that redefines the role of destinations from places people simply visit to places that actively cultivate happiness, enrich emotions, and create meaningful positive experiences for everyone.

“We never set out to build another shopping mall. Our ambition has always been to establish a new benchmark for destination creation,” said Orada Kerdhong, President of Axtra Happitat Co., Ltd.

“Our mission is to create a world-class happiness destination where happiness is at the heart of everything we do—from architecture and design to every experience we curate. With Happitat, we aspire to redefine the future of Happiness-led landmarks through a Happiness-Led Destination model. Rather than simply creating places that meet functional lifestyle needs, we create destinations that enrich people’s emotional well-being through meaningful moments, genuine human connections, and lasting memories that inspire them to return.

This is the DNA of Happitat and the change we hope to bring to the industry. While Happitat is rooted in Thailand, our vision is global. We are moving beyond destinations built solely for shopping or convenience to create places where happiness becomes a lasting part of people’s lives. This belief was never an afterthought—it has been the foundation of Happitat since day one, shaping every experience, every partnership, and every decision we make.”

Bringing this philosophy to life, Happitat has created the 7Magical Happiness—a signature framework that brings together visionary thinking, thoughtful design, nature, imagination, and collaboration to create the distinctive happiness experience that defines Happitat.

1. Happiness as a New Paradigm for Destination Design
For decades, the success of destinations has often been measured by scale, commercial performance, and visitor numbers. Through its Happiness-Led Destination philosophy, Happitat is introducing a new paradigm for destination development—one where happiness becomes the driving force behind every decision.

This new paradigm elevates the role of destinations beyond places for lifestyle, leisure, and commerce. At Happitat, happiness is not merely an outcome of a visit, but the very DNA behind every layer of design—created to deliver meaningful experiences, nurture human connections, and enhance people’s quality of life.

Happitat places customer value at the center of its destination creation philosophy, shifting from Space to Moments, from Transactions to Connections, and from Visitation to Memories. It is designed to enrich the way people learn, play, dine, and spend time together through imagination and new forms of experience—not as an escape from everyday life, but as a more joyful way of living.

2. Happiness Through Nature
From the earliest stages of development, Happitat’s research revealed that happiness flourishes when people are immersed in nature. This insight shaped a design philosophy where nature is not an added feature, but the foundation of the entire destination.

Masterplanned by Foster + Partners, in collaboration with F&P (Thailand), TK Studio, one of Thailand’s leading landscape architecture firms, and Atelier Ten, the global environmental design consultancy behind acclaimed projects including Jewel Changi Airport and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Expansion, Happitat seamlessly integrates architecture and nature to reconnect people with the natural world.

Every aspect of the destination has been thoughtfully designed to create a seamless transition from the energy of the city into a lush forest environment. Pocket gardens, greenery woven throughout every level, and carefully selected native plant species tailored to each area’s microclimate work together to create a thriving ecosystem and a comfortable, nature-filled environment throughout the destination.

Beyond the development itself, Happitat serves as the gateway to a 30-rai urban forest behind the project—one of eastern Bangkok’s most ecologically diverse green spaces. Grown from seed into a flourishing ecosystem rich in biodiversity, the forest has become Bangna’s Urban Lung, restoring balance between the city and nature while giving people the opportunity to reconnect with nature as part of everyday life.

3. Happiness Through Imagination
At Happitat, imagination is where happiness begins. Rather than asking what should fill a space, the design process began with a different question: How do we want people to feel when they are here?

To bring this vision to life, Happitat partnered with ITEC Entertainment, former consultants to some of the world’s leading theme parks, and BUG Studio to create a destination where storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences come together—inviting visitors of all ages to explore, discover, and become part of the story.

This vision comes to life at Whimsical Market, a fantasy-inspired family destination featuring more than 60 curated cafés and restaurants. Home to exclusive magical original charactersthat come alive through movement, hidden stories waiting to be discovered, and a three-storey-tall imaginative tree accompanied by a towering giraffe welcoming every visitor, Whimsical Market transforms every visit into a shared adventure. Daily performances further immerse guests in the narrative, turning an ordinary dining experience into a memorable journey of wonder and discovery.

Another highlight is Lumis Theater Hall, a multi-purpose venue inspired by the interplay of light, architecture, and technology. Designed to host performances, exhibitions, and immersive experiences, it creates ever-evolving storytelling experiences unlike any other.

4. Happiness Through Immersive World
Happitat creates a seamless connection between the physical and digital worlds through a new generation of Phygital Experiences, elevating everyday life with an Immersive World beyond imagination.

At the heart of this vision is the LED screen at the Grand Stairs, one of the largest indoor digital screens in Southeast Asia and a new landmark for immersive storytelling. Designed to captivate both Thai and international visitors, the Grand Stairs will showcase large-scale immersive experiences, including world-class content premiering in Thailand for the first time.

These experiences will be brought to life by leading creative studios from around the world, including:

Pixel Artworks (UK) – The London-based global experience design studio behind immersive experiences for some of the world’s most ambitious brands and entertainment destinations, including Netflix’s Stranger Things global launch.
BoraBora Studios (Germany) – A creative technology studio specializing in emotionally engaging spatial experiences. Awarded Gold – Best Immersive Experience at the 2026 Mondo-DR Awards for The Lost World Aquarium Dubai.
Idyllias (Thailand) – A creator of interactive experiences powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), immersive technology, and gamification, connecting engagement between the physical and digital worlds.
Yellaban (Thailand) – One of Thailand’s leading creative media studios specializing in projection mapping, immersive installations, visual storytelling, and experience design. Selected to showcase its work at the EXPO Hall during World Expo Osaka 2025, the studio combines design, art, and technology to create fresh immersive content and experiences that evolve throughout the year.

5. Happiness Through Culinary Excellence
At Happitat, happiness begins around the table. Guided by the belief that memorable dining experiences are created not by the number of restaurants, but by thoughtfully curating partners who share the same passion for culinary excellence, Happitat is setting a new benchmark as Thailand’s Finest Culinary Destination.

For the first time in Thailand, the destination brings together the country’s largest collection of restaurants by Michelin-starred chefs and acclaimed culinary talents under one roof. Highlights include Vuur by three-Michelin-starred Dutch chef Jacob Jan Boerma, alongside a new concept under the Chim portfolio by Thai chef Thaninthorn Chantrawan, whose restaurant has retained one Michelin Star for nine consecutive years. Happitat also features an exceptional selection of Bib Gourmand restaurants curated by Lotus’s Eatery, together with concepts from celebrated chefs and leading culinary brands.

Beyond fine dining, Happitat curates more than 100 restaurants and cafés serving over 3,000 menu items, bringing together a diverse world of culinary experiences within a single destination. Exclusive concepts include Thailand’s first pet-friendly CHAGEE, Sostare Gelato, the premium Italian artisan gelato brand making its shopping centre debut, and Forist Delight, an immersive dessert destination inspired by The Edible Forest, where nature, imagination, and indulgence come together.

The destination also introduces several first-to-Bangna concepts, including UORIKI (Hokkaido Izakaya) by CP-Uoriki, offering authentic Japanese dining with premium Hokkaido ingredients, CTM, ChaTraMue’s fourth flagship store in Thailand, and Yuan Ji Dumpling, the renowned freshly made dumpling brand from China. These are joined by well-loved favourites such as Ahjou Tea, Dairy Queen, GAGA, Good Cha, Greek’s Cup, 1:2 Coffee, Paul, White Story, Kestiew, and legendary street food favourites—creating a destination where every generation can gather around the table and discover happiness through food.

6. Happiness Through Curated Partnerships
At Happitat, happiness is not measured by the number of brands or retail offerings, but by the quality of the partnerships behind every experience. Every brand is carefully selected not simply as a tenant, but as a long-term partner that shares Happitat’s vision of creating meaningful experiences and building a sustainable ecosystem of happiness.

First-to-Thailand & Exclusive Destination Concepts

Happitat introduces a collection of first-to-Thailand concepts and destination-exclusive experiences developed in collaboration with leading partners, including:

Axtra Club – A membership-based retail concept, featuring a curated selection of premium products sourced from around the world with exclusive prices for members, complemented by an exclusive dining experience created by Chef Willment Leong, Global Master Chef and Asia Director of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies.
7–Eleven – A completely new store concept created exclusively for Happitat, reimagining the convenience store experience in an entirely new way.
Lotus’s PRIVÉ Market – A new premium supermarket concept built around the philosophy of “Less, but Better.” Spanning more than 500 square metres, the Premium Fresh & Lifestyle Hub is designed exclusively for Happitat around two core pillars: Curated Excellence and Modern Experience. Curated Excellence brings together the finest imported ingredients, premium wagyu, organic fruits and vegetables, an extensive wine cellar, and a curated selection of premium chocolates from around the world. Modern Experience combines boutique-inspired design with smart retail innovations and a dedicated Healthy Bar, creating a premium lifestyle experience thoughtfully designed for modern everyday living.
True Branding Shop & TrueSphere – A new destination where premium retail meets community experiences, combining True’s comprehensive retail offering with the signature Super First Class hospitality of TrueSphere to create a premium environment that brings together people, lifestyle, and community.
A New Toy & Technology Kingdom – A new destination for imagination and discovery, bringing together toys, AI technology, collectible art toys, rare collectibles, and globally recognised character IP merchandise in one place for collectors, families, and fans of all ages.

Exclusive Destination Concept

Happitat has partnered with leading brands across education, wellness, lifestyle, and pet services to create a destination that supports every aspect of everyday life.

– Learning & Family Hub
Happitat is creating Bangna’s largest family learning destination by bringing together more than 15 leading institutes covering academics, music, arts, movement, fitness, and language education, including Bagel Swings Social Club, Cymath School, Dinos Drum, Phonic 1st, Top One, The D.T x Math Logik, Yamaha Music School, Chinese Hub Language School, NEXT GEN Success School, and many more.

– Health & Wellness
Putting holistic well-being at the heart of everyday life, Happitat introduces a new-to-Thailand fitness concept alongside a rooftop swimming pool, panoramic pickleball courts, and a curated selection of wellness and beauty partners, including Kaew Pilates Studio, Flex Rehab, Setai Exclusive, Sarang Hair, HANA STUDIO, and THE LOFT CLINIC.

– Lifestyle Brands
Supporting modern everyday living through a curated mix of leading retail and lifestyle brands, including Eco Ring Japan, OWNDAYS, LAB PHARMACY, Studio 7, BANANA, and IT CITY | CSC, enabling visitors to enjoy shopping, technology, and essential services within a single destination.

– Comprehensive Pet Services
Happitat extends its destination experience to pet lovers through partnerships with leading pet care brands, including Jerhigh, complemented by dedicated pet services, a 150-square-metre Pet Park, and thoughtfully designed pet-friendly spaces where owners and their pets can exercise, spend quality time together, and become part of a growing pet-loving community.

7. Happiness for Multigenerational Joy
At Happitat, every moment shared with family and loved ones is the beginning of meaningful relationships and lasting memories. Designed as a destination for togetherness, Happitat brings people of all generations together—not only by catering to the diverse lifestyles of children, adults, seniors, and even pets, but by creating opportunities for every member of the family to learn, play, connect, and create memories through thoughtfully curated programmes, workshops, and experiences.

Throughout the year, Happitat will come alive with seasonal festivals, signature events, parades, live performances, immersive experiences, and community gatherings designed to create moments of happiness that people can return to again and again. These experiences are seamlessly connected through the Happitat Application on the Amaze Super App, CP Group’s digital platform that integrates services, rewards, and loyalty benefits across the Group’s businesses and partners into a single seamless ecosystem. As part of this connected loyalty programme, Happitat bridges the digital and physical worlds, extending every visit beyond the destination itself.

Beyond its own experiences, Happitat also serves as an open platform for brands, partners, creators, and communities to co-create new ideas, collaborations, and cultural experiences. By continuously welcoming new programmes, partnerships, and conversations, Happitat is designed to remain a vibrant destination where people can reconnect, rediscover, and create new memories together throughout the year.

“When we first began designing Happitat, putting happiness at the heart of every decision was a philosophy that many people were not yet familiar with. Today, I’m encouraged to see more developments placing greater emphasis on nature, well-being, and meaningful experiences. If destinations can play a greater role in enhancing people’s quality of life and creating more happiness, then everyone stands to benefit.

We like to think of it as the butterfly effect. Every significant transformation begins with the smallest flutter of a butterfly’s wings, yet its impact can ripple far beyond where it started. If Happitat has helped spark that shift and inspired happiness to become an important consideration in the way destinations are designed, then that is something we are truly proud of,” Orada Kerdhong concluded.

On 21 August 2026, Happitat will officially open its doors, welcoming visitors to experience a new kind of happiness destination where nature, imagination, innovation, shared experiences, and curated partnerships come together to bring happiness to life.

For the latest news, updates, and more information, follow Happitat Thailand on Facebook or visit http://www.happitatthailand.com/.

Hashtag: #Happitat

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

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

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Hong Kong Generously Presents This Summer: “The True NINJAGO® Trials”

MIL OSI — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 04:19:21 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Calling All Little Ninjas Across the City! Team Up to Battle Elemental Monsters and Celebrate 15 Years of NINJAGO®

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 July 2026 – LEGO^®NINJAGO^®stands as one of the LEGO^®Group’s most successful original storylines. Over the past 15 years, millions of fans worldwide have learned valuable life skills — such as inclusivity, friendship, confidence, and staying true to oneself — through the epic tales of these legendary ninjas. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the LEGO^®NINJAGO^®series, LEGOLAND^®Discovery Centre Hong Kong is bringing an all-new themed event to town this summer: “The True NINJAGO^® Trials.” Combining creativity, courage, and teamwork, this ultimate adventure invites guests to step into the mysterious Whispering Woods, defeat elemental monsters, and restore balance to the NINJAGO^®world.

“Monster Strike” Battle Table: Build Your Own Spinner and Unleash the Power of Spinjitzu
The highlight of this event is the brand-new “Monster Strike” battle table. Guests of all ages are invited to unleash their creativity using the LEGO^®bricks provided to custom-design their very own Spinjitzu spinner on top of a pre-built base. Once completed, participants can put their creations to the test at the dedicated ninja battle table, aiming carefully to knock down the elemental monsters. This challenge not only tests building skills but also lets everyone experience the true power and fun of LEGO^®Spinjitzu in live battle.

“The True NINJAGO^® Trials”: Five Major Challenges to Spark Infinite Potential

Beyond the high-octane battle table, the themed zone features a series of trials designed to test wit, bravery, and teamwork, allowing families to fully immerse themselves in the way of the ninja this summer:

Ninjaverse Search: Evil elemental monsters are trying to stop the ninjas from reuniting! Participants must track down hidden ninja characters across MINILAND^® and record their findings on their trial map. Each LEGO^® ninja minifigure is set within a miniature scene intricately crafted by our Master Model Builders, adding extra fun and surprises to the search.
NINJAGO^® Training: Led by our on-site crew, participants will learn iconic ninja moves and stances, training alongside Lloyd’s classic “Dragon Mode” transformation from the TV series. Upon completing the training, each “Spinjitzu Master” will receive an exclusive training headband to mark their mastery of fundamental ninja skills.
Whispering Woods Quest: Elemental monsters are slowly taking over the Whispering Woods, and only powerful dragons can defeat them! Participants will need to tap into their imagination to build their own majestic dragon and join the fight to protect the woods. Our Master Model Builders have set up an elaborate Whispering Woods backdrop—complete with trees, lush greenery, and vines tangled with various monsters—ready for your dragon creations to take center stage.
Elemental Masters Mosaic：A true test of teamwork. All guests will work together to piece together a massive LEGO^® mosaic artwork, collectively celebrating NINJAGO^®‘s 15-year legendary legacy. This giant masterpiece will not only be a collaborative work of art but also a stunning photo spot.
LEGO^® 4D Cinema: Guests can dive into the action with the 4D movie LEGO^® NINJAGO^® – Master of the 4th Dimension, featuring immersive special effects like wind, rain, and snow that make you part of the 4D adventure.
Ninjas who successfully complete all the trials will be rewarded with a limited-edition, exclusive commemorative badge to honour their courage and effort.

The Legendary Backstory: Reborn from Crises, A New Ninja Era Begins
The world of NINJAGO^® faces an unprecedented challenge. In the latest storyline, multiple legendary realms have merged into one following “The Merge.” The Ninja Master, Lloyd, must now take on the responsibility of training a new generation of heroes to protect this fragile new world from evil forces. In this era of peril and opportunity, every guest visiting LEGOLAND^® Discovery Centre Hong Kong has the chance to transform into an apprentice ninja. Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with heroes like Lloyd, Arin, and Sora, and fight together to preserve peace in the world of NINJAGO^®.

New Arrivals
To celebrate 15 years of the LEGO^® NINJAGO^® TV show, LEGO^® has released the brand-new ” LEGO^® Ninja^® Character Display 15th Anniversary”, perfect for LEGO^® fans aged 14 and up. This 447-piece NINJAGO^® monastery measures over 19 cm high and includes steps, opening doors, a lantern, a cherry tree in blossom, and a tearoom at the back. It also features 8 classic season 1 NINJAGO^® minifigures, including Kai, Zane, and, for the first time, the elemental Master of Lightning on a separate stand.

The set also supports the LEGO^® Builder app for an intuitive digital building experience, making it an excellent gift idea to help fans escape into an immersive fantasy world of NINJAGO^®.

Two Exclusive Ticket Offers — Summer Early Bird Sale Now On!

To ensure ninja fans of all ages can fully dive into this summer adventure, LEGOLAND^® Discovery Centre Hong Kong is rolling out two limited-time ticket offers: the “Unlimited Pass Annual Pass” and the “Limited Minifigure Package.” These special deals give families ultimate flexibility to explore the attraction’s interactive zones and themed challenges at their own pace. Whether you are looking to plan multiple return visits or want to conquer every single trial in one action-packed summer day, we have the perfect option for you. Quantities are limited, so act fast! Grab your tickets now and kick off your epic NINJAGO^® trial journey!

Two Exclusive Ticket Offers — Summer Early Bird Sale Now On!

Unlimited Play Annual Pass

From HK$599 only

Limited Minifigure Package:

LEGO^® Minifigure Accompanies Your Summer Adventures

Limited 15% Off | Special Price HK$239

LEGOLAND^® Discovery Centre Hong Kong — “The True NINJAGO^® Trials”
Date: 13 July 2026 to 13 September 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM on Sat, Sun & PH)
Location: B1, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

For event details and ticketing information, please visit the official website or social media pages of LEGOLAND^® Discovery Centre Hong Kong.

https://www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com/hong-kong/
https://www.facebook.com/LEGOLANDDiscoveryCentreHongKong/
https://www.instagram.com/legolanddiscoverycentre_hk
https://www.youtube.com/@LEGOLANDDiscoveryCentreHK
Xiaohongshu: https://shorturl.at/pwSAy
Douyin：https://shorturl.at/c7XFz

Hashtag: #LEGOLANDDiscoveryCentreHK #LEGOHK #K11MUSEA #LEGO #LEGONINJAGO

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

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

UEM Edgenta Cements Role In Delivering Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak

MIL OSI — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 03:07:46 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 July 2026 – UEM Edgenta Berhad (“UEM Edgenta” or “the Company”), a leading Asset Management and Infrastructure Solutions company serving as the appointed Independent Checking Engineer (ICE), has successfully steered the development of Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak. The project marks a significant milestone in strengthening Sarawak’s transport connectivity, unlocking greater economic opportunities and improving access for communities across the state.

The Pan Borneo Highway is expected to enhance mobility, improve logistics efficiency and support long-term socio-economic growth by connecting towns, rural communities and key economic corridors. Beyond the physical infrastructure, the project represents a long-term investment in the state’s resilience, competitiveness and quality of life.

Spearheaded by Jabatan Kerja Raya Sarawak as the project’s principal team lead, this achievement was executed through UEM Edgenta’s critical governance, technical oversight, and project management expertise. Drawing on its experience managing more than RM100 billion worth of major infrastructure projects across Malaysia, the Company ensured every stage of delivery adhered to stringent standards of quality, safety, regulatory compliance and sustainability.

To navigate the physical realities of Sarawak’s vast landscape, UEM Edgenta’s experience in managing mega projects such as the PLUS Highways, the Penang Bridge, and international infrastructure projects contributed to the highway’s development. Overseeing a project of this scale meant implementing advanced structural reviews to address deep and unstable soil conditions, engineering resilient solutions to bridge extensive river networks and managing highly complex logistical supply chains across vast, remote distances. By tailoring these engineering solutions to Sarawak’s specific topographical and climate challenges, the technical oversight provided by UEM Edgenta helped ensure that the physical asset is designed to minimise future maintenance costs, reduce environmental impact and maximise structural resilience for decades to come.

Stretching approximately 786 kilometers from Telok Melano in the south to Merapok in the north, Phase 1 of the Pan Borneo Highway represents one of the most ambitious civil engineering undertakings in Southeast Asia. UEM Edgenta’s technical governance oversaw the successful delivery of 115 bridges and 25 complex interchanges, navigating treacherous topography and vast river networks.

Moreover, managing this mammoth operation required logging millions of safe man-hours, laying down immense volumes of specialised asphalt, and coordinating a massive daily workforce. All these were deployed with uncompromising safety and operational standards on the ground.

Commenting on the sheer magnitude of the operations involved, Shaiful Subhan, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UEM Edgenta, said, “Delivering an infrastructure project on the scale of the Pan Borneo Highway across Sarawak’s vast and diverse landscape demands exceptional technical expertise, disciplined governance and close collaboration among all stakeholders. At UEM Edgenta, we are proud to have supported this vision by providing the engineering oversight, project management and quality assurance needed to deliver infrastructure of this complexity. Through proven engineering practices and rigorous project governance, we have helped ensure this highway will serve the people of Sarawak safely, reliably and sustainably for generations to come.”

Beyond infrastructure delivery, the Company has also contributed to strengthening Sarawak’s engineering ecosystem through the development of local talent and industry capabilities. Recognising that sustainable infrastructure is built not only through physical assets but also through people, UEM Edgenta has embedded capability building throughout the project by integrating local contractors and professionals into internationally recognised project management and engineering practices.

Today, more than 70% of UEM Edgenta’s workforce supporting projects in Sarawak comprises local talent, reflecting the company’s commitment to developing homegrown expertise. Strategic collaborations, including its ongoing partnership with Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, have further strengthened the local talent pipeline through internships, graduate programmes and technical knowledge transfer. These initiatives not only support the successful delivery of today’s infrastructure projects but also help cultivate the next generation of Sarawakian engineering professionals equipped to lead the state’s future development.

For UEM Edgenta’s Sarawak team on the ground, the project transcends corporate milestones; it taps into deep local sentiment and is a matter of profound state pride.

Reflecting on the socio-economic weight of the project, Raihana Ahmad, Managing Director of Infrastructure Solutions at UEM Edgenta, said, “The Pan Borneo Highway is more than a road, it is a catalyst for unity, progress and opportunity across Sarawak. For our team in Sarawak, delivering this long-awaited vision has been deeply meaningful because it is, ultimately, about improving the lives of the communities we serve. We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Sarawak State Government, our partners and local contractors to help bring this vision to life, while strengthening local capabilities that will support the state’s future infrastructure ambitions.”

Marking its final completion milestones, the Pan Borneo Highway stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a client’s bold vision is met with uncompromising engineering expertise. With a highly skilled local workforce now equipped with world-class operational standards, Sarawak is primed for its next great leap.

As the state gears up to celebrate Sarawak Day in July and continues to expand its horizons through highly anticipated mega-projects like the Coastal and Second Trunk Roads which consists of the iconic Batang Lupar 1 Bridge being the record longest river-crossing bridge in Malaysia; UEM Edgenta remains steadfastly positioned to drive the realisation of the Sarawak Government’s aspirations.

For further information on UEM Edgenta, log on to https://www.uemedgenta.com.

https://www.uemedgenta.com

Hashtag: #UEMEdgenta

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

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

Skyro Rolls Out Reusable Digital Credit Across the Philippines, Explores Opportunities in Southeast Asian Markets

MIL OSI — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 02:05:35 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 July 2026 – Skyro, a digital-first consumer finance platform, today announced the nationwide rollout of SkyroCredit, its reusable digital credit line, making it available to all eligible customers across the Philippines. The launch follows a pilot phase that attracted more than 100,000 users who have used SkyroCredit for everyday purchases, including groceries, medicines, fuel, and dining. Skyro is also exploring opportunities in Southeast Asian markets to tackle financial exclusion.

SkyroCredit is a reusable, revolving digital credit line that provides access to a fixed credit limit without a plastic and without relying on the Visa or Mastercard networks. Once approved, a customer’s credit is available within the Skyro app and can be used instantly by scanning any QR Ph code, the Philippine QR payment standard accepted at more than 90% of merchant outlets nationwide. Leading merchants include SM, Mercury Drug, Watsons, Jollibee, McDonald’s, and DALI Supermarket. Customers can borrow, repay the amount they have used, and reuse the same credit limit without reapplying.

NasimAliev, Skyro co-founder, said:
“Our goal is to provide access to affordable credit for underserved communities across Southeast Asia at a time when everyday expenses continue to rise and consumers’ financial priorities are evolving.

“Today’s consumers need financial solutions built around real-life spending needs and changing financial priorities. With SkyroCredit, we bring flexible financial solutions to our customers’ fingertips. The credit line offers all the benefits of flexibility, including an interest-free grace period. This provides customers with maximum convenience for everyday use while even allowing them to save money through cashback.

“By expanding our portfolio of point-of-sale loans, cash loans, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) products to include flexible credit lines, we are building long-term customer relationships based on everyday use, responsible borrowing, and trust.”

Eligible customers receive initial credit limits of PHP 1,000 to PHP 10,000 (approximately USD 17 to USD 170), with the opportunity to increase their limit to as much as PHP 100,000 through regular, responsible use. Purchases carry 0% interest for up to 45 days. Every purchase also earns 1% cashback, which customers can redeem on future purchases through the app.

Skyro’s expansion into reusable digital credit addresses one of Southeast Asia’s largest financial inclusion opportunities by enabling sustained customer engagement. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the central bank of the Philippines, only half of Filipino adults have a formal financial account. As QR-based payment networks continue to expand across the region, Skyro can leverage this infrastructure to deliver accessible digital credit products that meet growing consumer demand.

Hashtag: #Skyro #SkyroCredit #DigitalCredit

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

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

Save the Children – “They’re flinching at the slightest noise” – Children’s mental wellbeing at stake two weeks on from devastating Venezuela earthquakes

LiveNews Publisher — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:22:42 +0000

Source: Save the Children

Children are showing signs of mental distress in the wake of last month’s devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, with parents and psychologists reporting children flinching at the slightest noise, finding it difficult to sleep, and showing more signs of irritability and aggression.

Children who have undergone such stressful experiences will often show their stress through behaviour changes and need support to recover, said Save the Children.

Save the Children has established safe spaces for children within the earthquake zone where families can bring their children to play and regain a sense of normalcy and strengthen their resilience, while also being assessed for more severe psychosocial distress or other protection concerns.

Counsellors at these spaces have reported some children are showing signs of acute distress including anger, while children as young as seven or eight are saying they are scared of what the future holds. Some parents have told our staff that their children now become anxious when they see the cracks in the ground, while others are struggling to sleep at night and are flinching when they hear loud sounds such as rumbles of thunder.

Some older children told Save the Children staff that they had to protect and rescue younger family members while they escaped from the earthquake, despite feeling deeply scared themselves, and continue to carry this anxiety with them.

Around 1.8 million people including about 680,000 children have been impacted by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela two weeks ago, many of whom witnessed their friends and family members die before their eyes, with mental and health and psychosocial support identified by the UN and NGOs as one of the key needs facing affected people.

Children who have experienced extremely distressing events are at risk of long-lasting impacts for months or even years to come unless they receive mental health and psychosocial support at the onset of the distressful event, said Save the Children.

Two-year-old Daisy- was with her parents when the earthquake struck their home in Caracas. When Daisy stopped eating after the earthquake, her mother Yusmary-, 24, brought her to Save the Children’s mobile health clinic, run by local partner Paluz. Yusmary said that Daisy will now only breastfeed for comfort and will only eat a few spoonfuls of solid food if she is extremely hungry.

Yusmary said: “Before the earthquake, [Daisy] used to eat normally, just fine. But after the earthquake, she became like this. When she sees cracks on the floor, she starts crying and screaming. Then she calls me and says, “Mom, look at the floor!”

Isabel-,

“In our safe spaces where children come to play and receive support, we are seeing children who are scared about what the future holds. They are telling us things such as ‘my parents worked so hard to have a house, and now we have nothing.’ Children as young as seven or eight are deeply worried about how they’re going to rebuild their lives.

“Our safe spaces allow children to express themselves in a safe and supportive environment which is vital since some children are telling our teams that they are reluctant to express their fears at home, as they see their parents and caregivers upset and worried”.

Fatima Andraca, Save the Children’s Country Director in Venezuela said:

“Many children in Venezuela have experienced extremely distressing events that no child should ever have to see. They have witnessed their friends and family members die before their eyes, while others continue to live with the uncertainty of not knowing where their loved ones are. Thousands of children are sheltering in tents in the streets where their daily routines and sense of security have been ripped away.

“Protection and psychosocial support are urgent priorities for children. With so many people dead, injured or missing, and so many families uprooted from their homes, children need both immediate and long-term support to ensure that this devastating disaster does not cause long lasting mental harm. With the right help, most children psychologically impacted by the earthquakes will eventually be able to recover.”

Save the Children is an independent, impartial child rights organisation, working in Venezuela since 2019. Since the humanitarian crisis started to rapidly deteriorate a few years ago, Save the Children has been scaling up its response through local partners to support the increasing number of children in need.

-Names changed for anonymity.

About Save the Children NZ:

Save the Children is responding and working urgently with teams and partners to assess needs and support affected children and families.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Save the Children is raising much-needed funds to support the response. To donate, go to: Venezuela Earthquakes Appeal.

MIL OSI

Election 2026 – EMA calls for fewer policy shocks, more certainty for business in 2026 Election Policy Directives

LiveNews Publisher — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 23:56:43 +0000

Source: EMA

A plan for manufacturing, a clear future for energy, and stable settings for the business community are the post-election policy directions for the EMA as November’s general election approaches.

The EMA’s 2026 Election Policy Directives, released today, focus on further improving the business environment for EMA members and the wider business community across the key areas in which the EMA policy team operates, as well as several broader strategic themes.

The directives centre on five key priorities: stability and certainty, infrastructure and consenting, energy supply, employment legislation, and investment and innovation.

Collectively, they have the common goal of improving business productivity.

“In the past few years, we have seen the rapid progression of de-industrialisation across New Zealand,” says the EMA’s Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald.

“The time is right to make a clear call on retaining the critical businesses that underpin our supply chain resilience, and to ensure the policy settings are in place to support them.

“There are always a number of factors behind the closures of these businesses, but a common factor has been the cost and availability of energy supply. We’ve gone from a country that attracted international business because of our energy supply, to having energy costs and availability routinely cited as a reason for closing domestic businesses.

“We need to accelerate new supply, unlock the regulatory constraints faced by our transmission network, and further encourage electrification.

“However, we also need to ensure we have sufficient firming capacity available to back up the electricity system during dry years. It’s a tough mix to get right, but our market regulators are clearly failing.”

McDonald also highlighted the lack of work readiness among those graduating from educational institutions as a major concern that needed further work.

“The number of NEETs (those not in employment, education, or training) in the 18-24 age bracket continues its concerning rise. There is no doubt one of the drivers behind these numbers is a reluctance by employers to hire those new faces. They are simply not ready for the workforce, lacking many basic skills, and struggling with the simple disciplines of turning up, listening and engaging in the workplace.

“We are finally acknowledging that not all school leavers are going to university and that we need residency pathways for skilled workers, not just university grads, in our immigration system.

“But none of the recent changes, which we see as moving in a positive direction for business, will endure if we face another round of political utu and change for its own sake.

“Reforms in areas such as the problematic RMA, infrastructure planning and implementation, education and immigration, fast-tracking energy generation, employment law and gains in Free Trade Agreements need time to settle and stick.

“That’s regardless of who is in Government.”

McDonald says the past decade of constant change and turmoil, both domestically and internationally, has left businesses hardened but cautious, with managing crises becoming a form of BAU (business as usual).

Businesses are also navigating emerging challenges such as AI – particularly the need for strong governance to capture its benefits while supporting workforce adaptation. The EMA has launched Workforce 2030 to help businesses prepare for this shift.

“Some calm would be a welcome respite. That’s why you see these calls for a grand coalition (not going to happen) and bi-partisanship (not that realistic either) popping up.

“If whoever forms the Government can keep the major settings and guardrails in place, and make some adjustments around the edges, that’s about as close to bi-partisanship as we can expect – and that level of stability would be welcome.”

McDonald says that level of domestic certainty, ideally matched by greater global stability, is needed to unlock the underlying strength in the economy, which remains dampened by ongoing uncertainty.

“And could we throw in a four-year electoral term too please.”

The EMA’s 2026 Election Policy Directives, developed from extensive engagement with EMA members, has been shared with political parties and policymakers ahead of the election. The document is available at: EMA_Policy-Directives_2026_A4_07FA-spreads.pdf (ref; https://ema.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/EMA_Policy-Directives_2026_A4_07FA-spreads.pdf )

MIL OSI

Rethinking Urban Development: Vietnamese Developers Shaping Future Cities

MIL OSI — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:04:38 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 July 2026 – As global urban challenges evolve, Vietnamese Developers offer valuable insights into alternative development models.

Vinhomes’ strategic response is crystallized in its ESG

For much of the past century, urban development followed a relatively straightforward equation: build housing, expand infrastructure and accommodate population growth. This formula is now showing its limitations. As climate risk intensifies, biodiversity declines and cities compete not only for investment but also for talent, developers around the world are now forced to redefine the very nature and purpose of what they build.

From the Gulf to Singapore, and from Scandinavia to Southeast Asia, large-scale urban projects are evolving into integrated ecosystems where mobility, green infrastructure, education, healthcare, digital services and environmental restoration are planned together. The industry paradigm has shifted from constructing buildings to designing places capable of sustaining both economic growth and quality of life over generations.

Vinhomes has initiated a comprehensive repositioning to navigate this global transition.

Known as Vietnam’s largest residential developer, the company is increasingly recognized not merely as a builder of housing projects, but as a creator of large-scale lifestyle ecosystems, communities where urban planning, technology, ecology and public services are conceived as parts of the same system.

When Nature Becomes Urban Infrastructure

For decades, environmental considerations were often introduced after a city’s masterplan had already been completed.

The emerging model reverses that sequence. Across many of its recent developments, Vinhomes operates on the principle that natural systems should become the starting point of planning. Hydrology, coastal conditions, biodiversity and existing vegetation are treated as design inputs that shape the urban layout from the earliest stages.

This philosophy marks a notable departure from conventional large-scale development, particularly in rapidly urbanising markets where natural landscapes have frequently given way to intensive construction.

With more than 30 developments across Vietnam and a land bank equivalent to roughly two-thirds the size of Singapore, Vinhomes has the unusual opportunity to test this planning approach at a metropolitan scale.

Rather than replicating identical urban formulas, each project is designed around the ecological characteristics of its location.

The company maintains that the long-term success of a city should ultimately be measured not by how much has been built, but by whether natural ecosystems continue to thrive decades after residents have moved in. That perspective aligns with an increasingly influential school of urban planning in which green infrastructure is viewed as essential public infrastructure.

Factors Compelling Cities Toward Regeneration

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks have become standard across global investment. Urban planners, however, are beginning to question whether sustainability alone is sufficient.

Maintaining today’s environmental conditions may no longer be enough if tomorrow’s cities must also respond to rising temperatures, sea-level change and growing demographic pressures.

Vinhomes’ strategic response is crystallized in its ESG++, a framework that extends beyond conventional ESG principles by introducing two additional objectives: Regeneration and resilience.

The distinction is subtle but important.

Regeneration implies restoring ecological systems rather than simply reducing environmental impact. Resilience focuses on designing cities capable of adapting to changing climatic, technological and social conditions over many decades.

Projects such as Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio and Vinhomes Global Gates Ha Long are intended to demonstrate how these concepts can be incorporated into large-scale urban planning, combining renewable energy, smart infrastructure and ecological restoration within a single development model.

This shift highlights a growing global consensus: the success of next-generation cities will ultimately be measured by their ability to adapt to increasingly complex environmental challenges.

Vietnam’s Urban Story Is Becoming Part of a Global Conversation

For many international audiences, Vietnam remains associated primarily with its cultural heritage and natural landscapes. Urban development may become an equally important part of that story.

Rapid urbanisation, expanding infrastructure investment and a national commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 have created conditions in which entirely new urban models can be planned without many of the legacy constraints facing older cities.

This developmental opportunity is capturing increasing global interest.

Commenting on Vinhomes Green Paradise’s participation in the global 7 Wonders of Future Cities initiative, Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Director of the New7Wonders Organisation, described Vietnam as undergoing a “transformative step change” in its national identity and global positioning. He pointed to the country’s progress in reducing the carbon footprint of urban mobility as an example of coordinated action between government and the private sector that offers valuable insights extending beyond Southeast Asia.

For Vinhomes, participation in international platforms such as 7 Wonders of Future Cities is therefore less about showcasing a single project than about contributing to a broader discussion on how rapidly developing economies might approach urban growth differently. The company’s evolution mirrors a wider shift taking place across the global property sector.

Increasingly, the core value proposition for developers is no longer anchored in how many buildings they can deliver. Instead, it centers on whether they can create cities that remain economically competitive, environmentally resilient and socially relevant long after construction has ended.

https://vinhomes.vn/en

Hashtag: #Vinhomes

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

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

HKDL’s Immersive Interactive Experiences Win Guests’ Hearts Lucky Nugget Spin at Grizzly Gulch Surpasses 30,000 Participations

MIL OSI — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 01:04:37 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

Immersive experiences fuel collectible merchandise craze and extend magical memories

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 July 2026 – In tune with the growing popularity of experiential travel and guests’ desire for participation and immersive experiences throughout their journeys, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) has been integrating retail with storytelling at the park through an endless flow of innovative interactive experiences and distinctive merchandise offerings. Emotional connections with guests are strengthened as merchandise is transformed into meaningful souvenirs interwoven with their Disney memories.

Launched in April this year at Grizzly Gulch, the Chip ‘n’ Dale Lucky Nugget Spin has recorded more than 30,000 participations as of the end of June, becoming one of the park’s most popular activities. Combining storytelling, live interactions, and surprises, the experience has been warmly received by guests and has further enhanced the atmosphere throughout the land.

David Koo, director of merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, shared: ‘Today’s guests are looking for more than products; they want keepsakes that capture the stories and memories of their visit. Through interactive experiences, we hope to make merchandise a natural extension of the Disney park journey. Whether it is a plush toy, a pin or an accessory, the true value lies not only in the item itself, but in the magical moments and personal memories it represents.’

David Koo, director of merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, is pictured in the center

This story- and interaction-driven strategy has been incorporated into various guest experiences across the resort. For example, in an engaging experience at the Popcorn Pop-Up Shop on Main Street, U.S.A., guests can reach into a giant popcorn bucket-themed installation to catch a “popcorn” and reveal the hidden Pixar pals plushie together with Disney cast members on the spot. Meanwhile, the Snow White Grotto, located beside the Castle of Magical Dreams, has introduced a new “Lock of Dreams” experience, offering guests a sense of ceremony and a souvenir to cherish.

Disney’s Classic Pin Trading Tradition Extends the Magic Beyond the Visit

Disney’s iconic Pin Trading tradition has long been an important part of how guests explore the park and connect with others. Reopened in June, Main Street Collectibles now features dedicated pin display areas designed to celebrate and elevate this beloved tradition. Guests can discover unexpected treasures while searching for favorite designs as they trade pins with Disney cast members and fellow collectors. More than just an addition to a collection, each pin carries unique memories and extends the guest journey.

More Than 3.5 Million 20th Anniversary Merchandise Items Snapped up

New Pixar and Marvel Experiences on the Way

Merchandise sales grew continuously during Hong Kong Disneyland’s 20th anniversary celebrations, which attracted a large number of local, mainland, and international visitors and concluded with fanfare in June. Since late June last year, the resort has sold more than 3.5 million 20th Anniversary-themed merchandise. Among them, about 600,000 units of the SouvenEARS collection have been snapped up. Meanwhile, the blind-box series inspired by attractions and themed lands achieved sales of more than 500,000 units during fiscal year 2025, demonstrating the continued popularity of merchandise with strong storytelling elements and collectible appeal.

Looking ahead, HKDL will continue to enrich the guest experience across the resort. New Pixar-themed and Marvel-themed experiences will be introduced, further expanding both entertainment and retail offerings. Through ongoing innovation, HKDL remains committed to meeting guests’ demand for more immersive experiences, enhancing its appeal to local, mainland, and international visitors, and strengthening its position as a leading travel destination in the region.

Hashtag: #HongKongDisneylandResort

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

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

Green SM Wins Double Honors at the HR Asia Awards 2026

MIL OSI — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:15:35 +0000

Source: Media Outreach

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 July 2026 – Green SM has been recognized with two prestigious accolades at the HR Asia Awards 2026: “Best Companies to Work for in Asia – Vietnam” and the Technology Empowerment Awards. These achievements recognize the Company’s people-centric talent strategy, its commitment to empowering employees through technology, and its efforts to cultivate a unified organizational culture across its global operations.

Green SM representatives receive the “Best Companies to Work for in Asia – Vietnam” and “Technology Empowerment Awards” at the HR Asia Awards 2026.

The HR Asia Awards are among Asia’s most prestigious annual human resources awards, recognizing organizations that demonstrate excellence in workplace culture and sustainable people development. Winners are evaluated using the TEAM (Total Engagement Assessment Model), which measures employee engagement, organizational trust, and workplace experience, drawing on benchmarking data from more than 2.5 million employees across 20,000 organizations throughout the region.

According to the independent assessment conducted for the HR Asia Awards 2026, Green SM significantly outperformed market benchmarks in the “Best Companies to Work for in Asia” category, achieving outstanding scores across several key dimensions, including technology enablement in the workplace (4.8/5), workplace sustainability (4.71/5), and diversity, equity, and inclusion (4.72/5).

A defining element of Green SM’s workplace culture is its unwavering commitment to the principle that “Every Voice Counts.” This commitment is embedded through comprehensive employee engagement initiatives, including regular internal surveys, 360-degree performance evaluations, and multiple feedback channels that transform employee insights into tangible improvements in policies, workplace practices, and operational excellence.

At Green SM, talent development is viewed not merely as an HR function but as a strategic driver of service excellence. The Company continues to invest comprehensively in recruitment, professional training, operational standardization, workplace culture, and structured career development pathways for its Green Drivers. In parallel, Green SM delivers continuous capability-building programs for managers and employees, combining practical learning with digital learning platforms to strengthen leadership and management capabilities and organizational agility in an evolving business environment.

Alongside its investment in people, Green SM has been progressively building a unified organizational culture across its international markets. Rooted in values established in Vietnam while embracing the diversity of local cultures and communities, the Company fosters an environment that encourages collaboration, continuous learning, and empowerment. This enables teams across different countries to uphold consistent service standards while remaining responsive to the unique needs of local customers and communities.

Green SM also received the Technology Empowerment Awards in recognition of its continued digital transformation in human resource management. Through the digitalization of HR processes, the development of competency frameworks, the expansion of digital learning ecosystems, and the integration of data-driven people management, the Company has streamlined repetitive administrative tasks, enhanced decision-making efficiency, and enabled employees to devote greater focus to innovation, customer experience, and superior service delivery.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Global Chief Executive Officer of Green SM, said: “Our people have always been the cornerstone of Green SM’s sustainable growth. We believe that when individuals are empowered by technology and united by shared values, our teams across every market can deliver exceptional experiences for our customers. These two awards affirm the direction we have taken and further strengthen our commitment to building a truly multinational organization with its roots in Vietnam.”

In 2026, Green SM aims to expand its global workforce and partner network to approximately 400,000 people worldwide. As the Company continues to accelerate its international expansion, it will further invest in talent development and technology-driven people management to build a highly capable global workforce, maintain consistent service excellence across markets, and advance its vision of becoming the world’s leading green mobility platform.

Hashtag: #GreenSM

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

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