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AFTEC’s Epic Three Kingdoms Trilogy Concludes with Taming the Dragon in 2025/26 School Season

By
MIL OSI
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0

Source: Media Outreach

Enrolment opens for new school programmes introducing creative learning through live theatre, arts workshops, and digital innovation.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2025 – AFTEC (The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection) today announced the launch of its 2025/26 school programmes, opening enrolment for a dynamic line-up of arts education experiences. Headlining the season is Taming the Dragon, the highly anticipated final instalment of the From Page to Stage® Three Kingdoms Trilogy. The season also features the bilingual Young Theatre Makers programme, comprehensive Creative Teaching & Learning professional development for educators, and the versatile free digital learning platform, digiAFTEC®.

The 2025/26 programme suite encompasses four distinct offerings designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation among primary and secondary school students. From the flagship From Page to Stage® theatre production to cutting-edge digital learning platform, these programmes address the evolving needs of 21st-century education while aligning with the Education Bureau’s learning goals.

From Page to Stage®: Taming the Dragon

The season’s flagship production, Taming the Dragon, will premiere in March 2026 at AFTEC’s venue partner, the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Theatre. Adapted and directed by AFTEC’s Artistic Director, Dr Vicki Ooi, this English-language production with bilingual surtitles brings the legendary saga to a thrilling conclusion. The story picks up with Liu Bei on his deathbed, the fate of the Shu-Han kingdom resting on Zhuge Liang’s final, decisive campaign against his lifelong rival, Sima Yi. This production culminates the exploration of loyalty, brotherhood, and resilience that has defined the trilogy.

Directed by Dr Vicki Ooi, this gripping adaptation explores themes of loyalty, bonding, and leadership through the legendary strategic duel between two of history’s greatest military minds. The production features professional actors, live music, and bilingual surtitles, making classical Chinese literature accessible to contemporary and international audiences.

Reflecting on the trilogy, Dr Vicki Ooi stated, “Bringing the full arc of this epic to the stage has been a remarkable journey. With Taming the Dragon, we are not just concluding a story; we are reaffirming the power of classic literature to speak to new generations. These tales of strategy, loyalty, and human determination are timeless. Our goal with From Page to Stage® has always been to ignite a passion for the arts and literature by creating theatre that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant for students.”

Since its inception in 2009, From Page to Stage® has engaged over 130,000 secondary school students and teachers, establishing itself as one of Hong Kong’s longest-running English-language theatre-in-education programmes. The 2025/26 season offers comprehensive learning experiences including pre-show materials, interactive workshops, and post-show activities designed to deepen students’ understanding of literature and performing arts.

Transforming Classrooms into Creative Studios

Beyond the main stage production, AFTEC’s 2025/26 season continues to offer a comprehensive suite of programmes designed to embed creativity in schools:

  • Young Theatre Makers: This bilingual drama programme empowers secondary students to explore contemporary and coming of age themes like identity, social media, and family through a curated collection of 14 original plays from local and international playwrights. The programme fosters critical thinking and self-expression through in-school training and a final showcase and discussion.
  • Creative Teaching & Learning CPD: Continuing its commitment to educators, AFTEC offers a series of professional development workshops. These interactive sessions provide teachers with practical strategies and tools to integrate creative, arts-based, and object-based learning into their classrooms.
  • digiAFTEC®: This free, 24/7 online educational resource supports self-directed learning for P4 to S3 students. It includes interactive modules such as Serendip to cultivate creative thinking, Walking the Amazon to explore physical theatre and resilience, and A Young Person’s Guide to the Theatre to demystify the world of stage production.

“Our 2025/26 season embodies our belief in a holistic approach that connects arts with education,” said Ms Lynn Yau, Chief Executive Officer, AFTEC. “By combining the excitement of a cultural bridge like Taming the Dragon with a discussion and thinking platform like Young Theatre Makers, all-round teachers’ training and accessible digital resources on digiAFTEC®, we provide multiple pathways to engage with the arts. Our goal is to foster the 5C competencies — Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Contribution — through the arts, equipping a new generation with the skills essential for the future.”

Full programme details are available in the appendix.

Appendix: AFTEC 2025/26 School Programmes Overview

Programme Target Audience Key Features & Offerings Costs
From Page to Stage® 2026: Taming the Dragon

“From Page to Stage®” 2026: Taming the Dragon

 S1 – S6 Students
  • Live Theatre: The final instalment of the Three Kingdoms Trilogy, performed in English with bilingual surtitles.
  • Performance Dates: March 4 – 6 & 9 – 13, 2026.
  • Comprehensive Learning: Includes pre-show digital resources and post-show activities.
  • In-School Workshop: Schools booking 100+ tickets receive one free pre-show workshop (quota applies).
  • Video Option: In-school screening with a workshop is available from June – August 2026 (bespoke arrangement).
 HK$120 per teacher & student
Young Theatre Makers

Young Theatre Makers​

 S1 – S6 Students
  • Bilingual Theatre Programme: Students explore storytelling and performance by working with a curated script.
  • Choice of 14 Plays: Scripts available in English or Cantonese, exploring themes like identity, technology, and family.
  • In-School Training: 24 hours of guidance from an experienced drama tutor.
  • Holistic Experience: Includes teachers CPD workshops, inter-school exchange, and a final showcase.
 HK$36,000 per group

(Max. 30 students & 4 teachers)
Creative Teaching & Learning CPD

AFTEC’s Creative Teaching & Learning CPD

 Primary & Secondary School Teachers
  • Professional Development: Systematic CPD workshops for teachers.
  • Practical Skills: Provides creative teaching strategies, tools, and techniques for immediate classroom application.
  • Flexible Topics: Includes modules like Creative Teaching & Learning through the Arts, Object-based Learning, and Learning English through Drama.
  • Bespoke Arrangements: Can be tailored for school professional development days and delivered in English or Cantonese.
 Bespoke arrangements
digiAFTEC®

digiAFTEC®​

 P4 – S3 Students
  • Free Digital Platform: An online resource accessible 24/7 to support self-directed learning.
  • Interactive Modules:
    • Serendip: Cultivates understanding of the arts and develops creative thinking.
    • Walking the Amazon: Explores physical theatre and resilience.
    • A Young Person’s Guide to the Theatre: Demystifies theatre production.
  • Rich Content: Features games, quizzes and videos.
  • Teaching Support: Dedicated online Teacher’s Zone with lesson plans.
 Free

Hashtag: #AFTEC

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

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

MyRepublic Unveils HaloHome: The Bespoke Home Network and IT Solutions For Homes Beyond Standard Wi-Fi and IT Needs

By
MIL OSI
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0

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2025 – MyRepublic, a recognised innovator in the broadband industry for its appeal to gamers and digital natives, today announced the launch of MyRepublic HaloHome, a premium managed home network and IT solutions designed for homeowners seeking enterprise-grade connectivity, reliability, and convenience.

MyRepublic HaloHome

“As homes become smarter and more digitally demanding, families need more than a one-size-fits-all Wi-Fi setup,” said Ng Wey Keen, Head of Connectivity at MyRepublic. “Larger homes, luxury residences, and uniquely designed apartments require networks that are both robust and seamless. With MyRepublic HaloHome, we deliver bespoke Wi-Fi solutions as the foundation of the modern home, complementing them with integrated IT and smart-home services, such as CCTV, doorbells, and more. The result is a truly seamless and convenient living experience where connectivity and technology work effortlessly together.”

Built for the demands of modern digital living, MyRepublic HaloHome combines advanced networking with a white-glove service model. Backed by a dedicated team of industry network professionals, every solution is curated, from consultation and customised design to professional installation and proactive ongoing support. MyRepublic HaloHome transforms connectivity and IT solutions into an effortless experience, ensuring every home enjoys reliable, end-to-end performance.

Every MyRepublic HaloHome customer is paired with a personal account manager, a single, trusted point of contact who understands their household setup, lifestyle and evolving digital needs. This dedicated relationship means that support is always personalised, efficient, and accessible, assuring homeowners that their household connectivity and IT solutions are being expertly cared for at all times.

To further elevate the customer experience, MyRepublic HaloHome customers enjoy privileged access to a priority service channel, ensuring that their concerns are addressed ahead of standard queues. With faster response times, expedited troubleshooting, and expert support on demand, MyRepublic HaloHome redefines what it means to have concierge-level service for the modern connected household.

To provide absolute peace of mind, MyRepublic HaloHome comes with clear service guarantees, including a firm warranty commitment. Any faulty equipment is replaced quickly and efficiently, minimising long downtimes and ensuring that the home network remains as dependable as the lifestyle it supports.

With MyRepublic HaloHome, connectivity is supported by network monitoring and periodic health checks that keep the home network running optimally. By ensuring that the system adapts as device usage expands, MyRepublic HaloHome minimises common frustrations and provides homeowners with greater confidence in their digital lifestyles.

The launch of MyRepublic HaloHome signals a new benchmark for the Internet Service Provider (ISP) industry. Traditionally, providers have focused on raw speeds and bandwidth, leaving customers to self-manage their networks. With HaloHome, MyRepublic positions itself as a true partner in digital living, delivering personalised solutions, premium support, and enterprise-grade reliability to the home.

Beyond setting a new standard for the industry, MyRepublic HaloHome is already transforming daily life for families. One of the first installations was for a family of five living in a three-storey residence in the East of Singapore. Long plagued by dead zones and dropped calls, the family now enjoys seamless streaming, flawless hybrid work calls, and the confidence that any support they need is just a phone call away.

“At MyRepublic, we believe true luxury means effortless living,” said Lawrence Chan, Managing Director and Chief AI Officer at MyRepublic. “With HaloHome, homeowners can be confident that their networks and IT needs are always cared for, their issues swiftly resolved, and their digital lifestyles worry-free.”

MyRepublic HaloHome is now available to homeowners in Singapore, with availability expanding in phases. To experience the future of home connectivity and IT solutions, visit any MyRepublic store to speak with the team and explore personalised solutions, or find out more online at https://myrepublic.net/sg/halohome/

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https://www.facebook.com/MyRepublicSG/
https://www.instagram.com/myrepublicsg/

Hashtag: #MyRepublic #HaloHome #Broadband #SignalEverywhere #NoDeadZonesEver #NextGenNetworking

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

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

Gang Conflict Warrant extended across Manawatū

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LiveNews Publisher
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Source: New Zealand Police

A Gang Conflict Warrant has been extended to cover the entire Manawatū area, as Police broaden their focus on dangerous gang activity.

It follows several firearms incidents in Levin, which led to the initial Gang Conflict Warrant being issued on 21 August, and two separate events in Palmerston North on Sunday and Monday morning this week, where Police were shot at while trying to stop suspicious vehicles.

Superintendent Dion Bennett, Central District Commander, said Police applied to the district court on Monday, asking it to broaden the coverage of the Gang Conflict Warrant that had been issued for Levin. The application was granted the same day.

“We’re still working to establish what, if any, links there are between the Palmerston North and Levin incidents, but it appears the message hasn’t sunk in for the gangs yet.

“No police officer expects to come to work and be shot at as part of their daily routine, and our communities don’t want this stupidly reckless behaviour either.”

Gang Conflict Warrants are temporary orders that broaden Police’s power under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act, giving Police special powers to search vehicles and occupants of vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms and weapons, and vehicles.

The Nomads and Mongrel Mob are the focus of the Police operation, with tensions between both gangs and gang members.

“By extending the footprint of the warrant, we’re able to reach gang members across the district, including those who left Levin since 21 August to avoid the attention,” Superintendent Bennett said.

The warrant extends to from Levin to Feilding, across to Dannyvirke, and south to Eketāhuna.

“We remain open to mediating between these gangs, but their actions are a risk to the community, a risk to our Police, and we’re not going to sit idly by while this dangerous activity plays out.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Bosch and Alibaba Group Deepen Strategic Partnership to Advance AI-powered Digital Innovation

By
MIL OSI
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0

Source: Media Outreach

  • Alibaba cloud to dedicate its global capabilities to support Bosch’s technology stack
  • Both intend to deepen collaboration in leveraging Alibaba’s AI strength to facilitate Bosch’s business innovations, such as smart cockpit
  • Bosch to expand its e-commerce presence in Southeast Asia, Spain, and Latin America through Alibaba’s global platforms

HANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2025 – Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, and Alibaba Group, a global technology company focused on e-commerce and cloud computing, today announced an expanded strategic partnership to accelerate digital transformation through advanced cloud computing and AI technologies. The enhanced collaboration will focus on cloud-based enterprise operations, AI-driven business innovations, and e-commerce expansion.

“Our partnership opens up exciting opportunities for both Bosch and Alibaba to expand our offerings in the global market,” said Dr. Tanja Rückert, member of the Bosch board of management and Chief Digital Officer. “By joining forces, we combine Alibaba’s advanced cloud infrastructure, AI capabilities and e-commerce market reach with Bosch’s deep technological expertise in mobility, industrial technology and consumer goods to drive greater efficiency and innovation worldwide. AI has been an innovation booster for Bosch across all business sectors, and cooperation with strong partners like Alibaba is essential for Bosch to realizing its full potential and creating greater value.”

“This partnership with Bosch demonstrates our commitment to empowering global businesses with world-class technologies and highlights Alibaba’s strengths in AI and cloud computing,” said Joe Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba Group. “Bosch’s leading expertise in advanced automotive solutions and household appliances, combined with Alibaba’s innovations in cloud, AI and e-commerce, will enable both our companies to bring compelling value propositions to customers worldwide.”

Powering Innovation through Cloud Services and AI

The expanded partnership – focusing on cloud migration and AI cooperation- marks a significant step further in bolstering Bosch’s digital operations and fostering industrial innovation. As part of Bosch Group ‘s cloud hyperscalers strategy, the collaboration between the two companies covers multiple business areas, such as corporate operations, home appliances and commercial vehicles, to enhance operational efficiency and enable smarter business processes. In addition, the two companies intend to collaborate on exploring the potential of running Bosch’s intelligent driving environment on Alibaba Cloud’s AI infrastructure.

The partnership will leverage Alibaba’s AI capabilities to support Bosch’s businesses, boosting operational efficiency and enhancing product intelligence. In the automotive sector, for instance, the two companies plan to evaluate Qwen-based multimodal models to elevate the smart cockpit experience with more intuitive in-vehicle interactions. The two companies also intend to explore the possibility of development of next-generation automated driving solutions powered by Qwen’s visual language model to enhance scene recognition accuracy.

Driving Global E-commerce Growth

As a key pillar of the expanded partnership, Bosch and Alibaba will further drive growth and innovation in e-commerce through expanded product portfolio, enhanced customer engagement, and optimized brand experience. In 2025, Bosch plans to launch new product categories in China with consumer insights from Alibaba’s e-commerce platform. Alibaba will also support Bosch in reaching a broader consumer base in China through comprehensive omni-channel digital marketing.

Based on the framework of collaboration in China, Bosch will extend its e-commerce footprint to Southeast Asia, Spain, and Latin America through Alibaba’s global e-commerce platforms including Lazada, Miravia and AliExpress, to better serve local consumers with innovative, high-quality products.

Bosch and Alibaba’s collaboration in e-commerce began in 2017. Bosch has since established a strong presence on Alibaba’s Tmall platform, offering a wide range of consumer-focused products, including home appliances, power tools, heating systems, and automotive aftermarket parts. Joint efforts across marketing, sales, membership programs and online-to-offline services have significantly strengthened Bosch’s digital ecosystem and customer engagement in China.

Hashtag: #AlibabaGroup

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

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

Maritime Union Honours Merchant Navy Sacrifice

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LiveNews Publisher
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Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

As New Zealand prepares to commemorate Merchant Navy Day tomorrow, 3 September 2025, the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is paying tribute to the sacrifice of merchant seafarers in times of war, while issuing a warning about our current maritime vulnerability.

Merchant Navy Day marks the anniversary of the sinking of the first Allied merchant ship in 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Throughout the war, New Zealand and Allied merchant seafarers served as a vital lifeline, crewing vessels that carried troops, military equipment, and essential supplies through perilous waters.

“Tomorrow we will honour the memory of the thousands of merchant seafarers who never returned to port,” says MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay.

“These unsung heroes faced unimaginable dangers to keep our country and our allies supplied, and their courage and sacrifice must never be forgotten. They crewed the ships that were the backbone of the war effort.”

Mr. Findlay says that the lessons of history underscore a critical weakness in modern New Zealand’s infrastructure, the decline of its domestic coastal shipping fleet.

“New Zealand is an island nation, utterly dependent on sea freight for our economic survival. But we have allowed New Zealand-flagged and crewed ships to be pushed off our coast through bad policies and short-term greed.”

The Maritime Union is a vocal advocate for rebuilding New Zealand’s coastal shipping capacity.

“For too long, we have outsourced our own supply chain resilience. A global pandemic, an international conflict, or a trade dispute could see foreign-flagged ships redirected overnight, leaving our ports isolated, our shelves empty, and our industries crippled,” says Mr. Findlay.

MUNZ is calling for Government and industry to invest in a national strategic fleet that can guarantee the movement of essential goods, create skilled maritime jobs for New Zealanders, and build a more resilient and secure nation.

“The best way to honour the legacy of our past merchant mariners is to ensure New Zealand has a strong, sovereign maritime capability for the future. On this Merchant Navy Day, we remember their service and recommit to our struggle to secure our nation’s lifeline,” says Mr. Findlay.

MIL OSI

Citi Raises Fosun International’s Target Price to HK$6.5 and Reiterates “Buy” Rating

By
MIL OSI
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0

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2025 – On 29 August, Fosun International held its 2025 interim results presentation, during which management delivered a clear strategic message—highlighting a sharpened focus on core businesses, the deepening of global operations, and sustained investment in innovation to lay a solid foundation for future development. Following the results presentation, both domestic and foreign securities firms have published optimistic research reports, affirming Fosun’s long-term value and promising outlook.

Citi and Industrial Securities have reiterated their “Buy” and “Overweight” ratings respectively, expressing their bullish views on Fosun’s “business streamlining, and strategic advancements and exits” strategy and its proactive asset structure optimization. Previously, Citi renewed coverage of Fosun International with a “Buy” rating on 23 July. Following the recent results presentation, Citi issued another research report on Fosun International, reaffirming its “Buy” rating and raising the target price from HK$5.86 to HK$6.50.

Citi notes that Fosun is accelerating its “strategic advancements and exits” strategy. By the end of June 2025, Fosun completed the sale of its 99.743% stake in the German private bank HAL, while retaining the asset servicing business HAFS. Citi believes that the capital recycling from asset divestments will enhance shareholders’ returns. The report highlights that Fosun’s share price is currently trading at a 72% discount to its net asset value (NAV). Reflecting the market value of listed investments in the NAV, Citi expects a potential valuation recovery for Fosun International and has therefore raised its target price. Industrial Securities also acknowledges Fosun’s ongoing asset portfolio optimization and clear strategic direction, noting that the Group expanded offshore USD bonds, organized offshore syndicated loan, and issued domestic bonds in the first half of the year, resulting in a financing cost reduction of over 30 basis points compared to the end of 2024.

Both Citi and Industrial Securities highlight that Fosun’s core industries, such as innovative drugs, have made significant breakthroughs, while its cultural tourism business, Club Med, has achieved record-high results and insurance operations have showed steady growth. Fosun’s Health segment, particularly biopharmaceuticals, performed exceptionally well, with multiple innovative drugs of Henlius achieving major breakthroughs. HANSIZHUANG (serplulimab), the world’s first anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) approved for first-line treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), recorded a global sales revenue of RMB597.7 million. To date, HANSIZHUANG has been successfully approved for marketing in nearly 40 countries and regions, covering nearly half of the world’s population. HLX43, the world’s first PD-L1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) to enter Phase II clinical trials, is undergoing clinical studies for solid tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and thymic carcinoma in countries including China, the US, Japan, and Australia. Meanwhile, HLX22, another innovative drug, was granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) by the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of gastric cancer, marking it as the first anti-HER2-targeted therapy for gastric cancer to receive ODD approval from both the EU and the US.

Industrial Securities also points out that Fosun’s overseas revenue accounted for 53%, representing an increase of 6.6 percentage points year-on-year, demonstrating the effectiveness of its globalization strategy. Club Med’s global performance once again reached a record high, with business volume amounting to RMB9.25 billion in the first half of 2025. The insurance segment also delivered solid performance, with the Group’s insurance business generating revenue of RMB20.89 billion in the first half of 2025. Fosun Insurance Portugal recorded overseas gross written premiums (GWP) of EUR924 million and received an “A” rating from S&P, while Peak Reinsurance achieved GWP of US$1,061 million, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 25.1%, demonstrating strong growth momentum.

In addition, Fosun has continued to drive innovation in financial technology. Finloop, independently incubated by Fosun Wealth, has launched the FinRWA Platform (FRP), a comprehensive one-stop solution for Real World Assets (RWA) technology. The company is actively advancing asset tokenization projects. Fosun International Securities Limited and Fosun International Asset Management Limited have respectively obtained upgraded Type 1 and Type 9 licenses from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (HKSFC), with steady progress in building virtual asset and RWA platforms.

Overall, by focusing on its core advantageous industries, optimizing capital structure, and deepening its global operations, Fosun has earned unanimous support from domestic and foreign securities firms, with the market highly optimistic about its future growth prospects.

Hashtag: #Fosun #FosunInternational

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

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

Grey Launches Faster Rupee Payouts for Indians Earning Globally

By
MIL OSI
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0

Source: Media Outreach

Y Combinator-backed US fintech expands services to India with minutes-fast transfers that bypass traditional banking delays

SAN FRANCISCO, US – EQS Newswire – 2 September 2025 – Y Combinator-backed startup fintech Grey (https://Grey.co/) has expanded its services to India, now offering almost instant rupee payouts to serve Indians earning from international sources—from freelancers and entrepreneurs to students and expats sending money home, receiving support from family and managing cross-border finances.

The product expansion positions Grey, a US-licensed fintech, that serves over 2 million users across 50+ countries, as a major player offering comprehensive global banking services specifically designed for India’s digitally connected workforce, providing instant access to USD, EUR, and GBP accounts alongside local rupee conversions.

India processes over $125 billion in annual remittances, more than any country globally, yet most recipients still wait 3-5 business days and pay 3-7% in hidden fees for international transfers.

“Traditional banks treat international payments like it’s still 1995,” said Idorenyin Obong, Grey’s CEO, who spent time in Bengaluru meeting users “I talked to a freelance designer who was losing ₹15,000 monthly just on conversion fees and delays. That’s serious money.“

The timing reflects India’s growing global economic integration. The country has the world’s largest freelance market with over 15 million freelancers and approximately 3 million remote workers employed by foreign companies. Most still rely on traditional payment methods with multi-day delays, despite having clients primarily based in the US, UK, Australia, Europe, and South America.

Grey’s approach differs by providing users with actual US, European, and UK bank account details, allowing international clients to pay as if hiring locally, then instantly converting funds to rupees on the recipient’s end.

“We’re not just another remittance app,” Obong explained. “We’re giving Indians the same financial infrastructure that Americans and Europeans have which is instant access to global money.”

The launch positions Grey directly against established players in India, a market where cross-border payment companies have struggled with regulatory complexity and local banking partnerships.

Indian users can sign up immediately at https://Grey.co/. The service supports payouts from 170+ countries and includes virtual USD debit cards and USDC cryptocurrency deposits and payouts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Grey.

Hashtag: #Grey

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

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

Serious crash, SH6, Gibbston

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LiveNews Publisher
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0

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on SH6, near Gibbston, between Gibbston Back Road and Victoria Flats Road. 

Police were called about 5.45pm.

The road is blocked, and there are expected to be delays.

Please avoid the area and use an alternate route, if available.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Wanted to arrest: Raupunga Puru

By
LiveNews Publisher
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0

Source: New Zealand Police

Auckland City Police are seeking help locating Raupunga Puru who has multiple warrants for his arrest.

The 28-year-old is wanted by Police for breaching release conditions.

Puru is transient and known to frequent the Auckland City area.

Numerous attempts to locate him have been unsuccessful and we believe the public can provide information as to his whereabouts. 

Anyone with information is urged not to approach him and instead call 111 immediately quoting file number 250710/1106.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

MIL OSI

Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2025 Tackles Escalating Scam Threats In Southeast Asia With Cross-border Collaboration And Technology-Driven Solutions

By
MIL OSI
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0

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2025 – At the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Asia 2025 today, Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Health, and Patron of the GASA Singapore Chapter, announced a series of key initiatives to combat the rising tide of online scams, which have cost Southeast Asia an estimated US$23.6 billion in the past year. The key initiatives include:

● GovTech Singapore joining the Global Signal Exchange (GSE): The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore) is the first government agency globally to commit to exchanging scam signals through the GSE for scam disruption.

● Google.org’s US$5 million fund: Google.org is providing US$5 million in funding to The ASEAN Foundation to expand online scam prevention resources to 3 million people across Southeast Asia.

● New report and game: A new report on building resilience against digitally-enabled scams and fraud in Southeast Asia was released by the Tech for Good Institute in partnership with Bamboo Builders. Additionally, an immersive web-game was announced as part of the ScamWISE National Education Programme by Bamboo Builders.

● GASA network expansion: The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) network has grown, with new operational chapters in Indonesia and the Philippines joining the existing one in Singapore.

State Of Scams In Southeast Asia 2025 Report

The newly launched “State of Scams in Southeast Asia 2025 Report,” which surveyed 6,000 people across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, revealed the staggering scale of the problem. An average of US$660 is lost per person, with Singapore experiencing the highest per person loss at US$2,132. The report also found that nearly two-thirds of all scams occur within 24 hours of first contact, and an alarming 77% of Southeast Asian adults were exposed to a scam in the past year.

Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of GASA, emphasised the urgent need for action. “Online scams are not just a consumer inconvenience, they are a global security challenge undermining digital trust and economic resilience,” Abraham said. “Criminal networks are moving faster than our protections, but it is possible to close the gap. GASA’s mission is to provide the infrastructure and partnership needed to close this gap – uniting efforts across sectors and borders to build a stronger, collective defence.”

GovTech Singapore Has Become The First Government Agency To Commit to Exchanging Scam Signals Through The Global Signal Exchange (GSE)

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore) has joined the GSE, making it the first government agency globally to commit to exchanging scam signals. Tracking over 400 million threats in real time, the GSE allows member organisations to rapidly share information for scam disruption. Co-founded by Oxford Information Labs Research (OXIL), Google, and the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), GSE is the first global clearinghouse for the sharing of scams and fraud threat signals, with members including technology giants such as Meta and Microsoft. This collaboration is a major step in strengthening global public-private partnership against online scams.

Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Health, and Patron of the GASA Singapore Chapter said, “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has introduced powerful new tools, but it’s a double-edged sword. With AI, scammers can create hyper-realistic deepfake videos, generate persuasive and personalised text messages at scale, and automate fraudulent campaigns with unprecedented speed. Combating this requires close collaboration between governments, industry, and civil society, and a strategy of using technology to fight technology. These global summits are vital for sharing lessons and building more coordinated responses across the region.”

Google.org Announces US$5 Million In Funding To Support The ASEAN Foundation

Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, also announced US$5 million in funding to support The ASEAN Foundation, which will work with local partners to expand online scam prevention resources for 3 million people across Southeast Asia. This includes scaling the educational game “Be Scam Ready”, a tool designed by Google to build resilience against online threats by exposing players to common scam tactics in a safe environment, helping them learn how to spot the real thing. Google plans for an October launch in Singapore and aims to roll out the interactive game to more markets in the Asia Pacific region in 2026 by leveraging GASA’s extensive member network.

New Report And Web-game Announced At The Sidelines Of The Global Anti-Scam Summit

In a separate announcement, the Tech for Good Institute, in partnership with Bamboo Builders and supported by Google.org, released a new report at the sidelines of the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2025. The new report, “Building Resilience Against Digitally-enabled Scams and Fraud in Southeast Asia,” emphasises the critical need for a “whole-of-society” approach to combatting online scams. It advocates for building digital resilience at every stage of a victim’s journey and stresses the importance of localised, relevant strategies. The findings are based on insights from over 70 regional experts, including members of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance.

In addition, Bamboo Builders also announced an immersive web-game as part of the SG ScamWISE National Education Programme. “ScamWISE Squad,” by Bamboo Builders with the support of Google.org, is an immersive game that transforms real-life scam case studies from Singapore into an engaging and relatable educational experience for all ages. Scheduled for a full release in 2026, the game aims to equip 100,000 Singaporeans, particularly youth and seniors, with the skills to defend themselves against scams and online threats.

GASA Network Expansion in Southeast Asia

The recently launched “State of Scams in Southeast Asia 2025 Report” revealed that 63% of Southeast Asian adults claim to have had a scam experience in the last 12 months. To address the growing threat of scams, the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) has significantly expanded its presence in Southeast Asia, establishing operational chapters in both Indonesia and the Philippines over the past year. These new chapters join the existing one in Singapore, creating a stronger regional network for combating online fraud.

By creating local chapters, GASA is able to foster greater collaboration and intelligence-sharing within these key markets. Rajat Maheshwari, chairman of the GASA Singapore Chapter and Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, added that effective solutions cannot be developed in silos. “Singapore has shown that with the right alignment between public and private sectors, we can move the needle,” Maheshwari noted. “Our collective responsibility is to scale these solutions across Southeast Asia and beyond to ensure that citizens and businesses alike can operate in a trusted digital environment.”

Hashtag: #GASS #GASA

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

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