New Zealand’s online safety organisation Netsafe and child rights organisation Save the Children have teamed up to bring children’s voices to the internet safety conversation.
Launching ahead of Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki, New Zealand Children’s Day on Sunday (2 March), children are being asked to share their experiences of using the internet, including social media and gaming, and what they believe would make it a safer space for children. The anonymousonline surveyis open to all children and young people aged 5-18 and the results will be shared with parents, teachers and decision makers to better understand how to support young people online.
“The internet is a big part of life for many tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa, but adults don’t always understand what it’s really like for them. Often, we take an ‘adults know best’ approach rather than taking time to seek the views of children,” says Save the Children New Zealand’s Director of Advocacy and Research Jacqui Southey.
“The views and opinions of young people matter – they know best the experiences they are having online, and what actions decision makers could take to make it a more fun and safe experience.”
Netsafe CEO Brent Carey says the survey builds on existing research conducted by Netsafe around children’s experiences online by asking for their input and guidance around what would improve internet safety.
“Children are often told by adults what will make their experiences online better but rarely asked to contribute to this important conversation around internet safety. Hearing directly from them about their experience and advice for decision makers will help inform our own efforts to ensure the internet is a safer space for everyone.
“We’ve already started to hear directly from children and young people and have had some great suggestions around what children want to see.”
This includes creating safer online gaming spaces, better tools to stop online bullying and harassment, greater controls over what content they see, including blocking harmful sites, including those containing false and extremist content, and more education for parents and teachers around online experiences for children. Younger children are communicating the important role their parents are playing in helping them to feel safe.
One in two New Zealanders believe the Government should invest more to protect people and properties from extreme weather events, according to a new survey.
Commissioned by the Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ), the survey found 49% of respondents believe the Government should invest more to safeguard lives and properties, compared with 53% in 2023 and 39% in 2002. Some 29% remain unsure about this issue.
A sizeable majority of 83% of respondents believe there should be more control on where properties are built so they are not at risk from flooding, similar to previous surveys.
“It’s clear Kiwis want to see more investment in resilience measures and action to avoid building in dumb places,” ICNZ chief executive Kris Faafoi said.
“The Government is taking steps in the right direction, but New Zealand needs to remain focused on finding solutions to reduce risk and keep communities safe as we face the prospect of more extreme weather.”
The survey also found:
Nearly half of those surveyed (46%) feel the Government should cover the cost of actions to reduce risk from the impact of climate change, followed by councils at 13%, individuals (12%), private sector (6%), and local communities (4%)
A majority of people (62%) believe the Government should take the lead to build New Zealand’s resilience and ability to cope with natural events such as earthquakes, floods and wildfires. This is followed by councils (16%), local communities (6%), individuals (4%) and thr private sector (3%).
“New Zealand is highly vulnerable to natural hazards and we are used to responding to major events. The insurance industry is committed to working collaboratively with government to reduce risk before disaster strikes,” Kris Faafoi said.
“ICNZ is holding its annual conference next week in Auckland and we are bringing together politicians, industry leaders, and regulators to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and actions necessary to build resilience in the face of climate change.
“The industry supports a broad political consensus that delivers a clear, coordinated and enduring climate change framework that ensures we avoid building in dumb places and that we do invest in infrastructure to protect communities.
“By investing in solutions to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate and reduce risk, we can safeguard New Zealanders, reduce the costs to taxpayers and ratepayers, and keep insurance affordable and accessible,” Kris Faafoi said.
The Southbound lane of State Highway 29, Tauriko is partially blocked while emergency services respond to a crash involving three vehicles, reported at 6.40am.
Several people are reported to have been injured, none of them seriously.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and to expect delays.
Dunedin Police urge parents to be aware of the potential risks facing young people online after the sentencing of a 23-year-old man who posed as a young person online to deceive other children into sending sexualised content.
The man was sentenced on 21 February to three years imprisonment.
Detective Sergeant Reece Munro says Police were able to hold this offending to account thanks to the help of the victims.
“The strength and bravery from these victims who came forward to assist in the prosecution of this offender cannot be overstated.
“Unfortunately, this sentencing serves as a reminder that this offending continues, and we urge parents to ensure they take the appropriate steps in keeping their kids safe online.
“We want parents to be alert of the possible risks, but not alarmed.”
Police encourage parents and caregivers to educate themselves on this topic so they can have open and regular conversations with their young people about the dangers online.
This is the most important tip we can give to ensure parents can promote healthy online habits and can verify who their children are communicating with and befriending online.
• Supervision is essential. This means knowing what your children are doing online, who they are interacting with, and what platforms, apps, or games they are using.
• Check privacy settings. We recommend parents and caregivers research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. This can include turning off location settings, setting profiles to private, or turning off chat functions.
• Long term impact. Offenders will often use tactics such as fear or shame to manipulate young people, and make them feel alienated or trapped, like they cannot escape the situation. These situations can be very distressing and can have long term impacts and need to be addressed appropriately.
• Report suspicious behaviour. Make a report and seek help and support.
For victims:
• Stop talking to the offender and avoid sending any more images or videos – even if they are threatening you. Once you have complied with their demands, there is nothing preventing them from targeting you again.
• Save all the online chat, immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the Police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.
• Report the content and person’s profile to the platform and request the content is removed.
• Block the profile.
Where to report offending:
• To report any offending to Police, please call 111 in an emergency, and for non-emergencies, online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or by calling 105.
• If you would like advice and support from Netsafe, text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282 or call for free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723). You can also report online at netsafe.org.nz/report or by email at help@netsafe.org.nz.
SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2025 – Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has taken Hong Kong by storm, topping the city’s box office charts for four consecutive days since its release. As of now, its cumulative earnings in Hong Kong have surpassed $2.07 million, securing its position as 2025’s highest-grossing film in the region.
The premiere of the Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” was held in Hong Kong on February 18.
The sequel to the 2019 hit “Ne Zha” premiered in Hong Kong on February 18 and hit the theaters on February 22, drawing enthusiastic crowds and critical acclaim. The film reimagines the mythical tale of Ne Zha—a divine warrior from Chinese folklore—with modern storytelling and cutting-edge animation, captivating audiences across the Chinese mainland since its Lunar New Year debut.
The Hong Kong premiere at Causeway Bay drew a star-studded crowd, including representatives from its Hong Kong and Macau distribution teams, local cultural figures, and residents. Industry professionals praised the film’s technical brilliance and narrative depth, with many cinemas, such as Kowloon Tong’s Festival Grand Cinema, scheduling near hourly screenings to meet demand.
The billboards in Hong Kong cinemas promoting the release of “Ne Zha 2” on February 22.)
Two Hong Kong moviegoers shared their excitement after attending early screenings. One resident remarked, “I don’t usually watch adult-oriented animated films, but this one is definitely worth watching. Chinese animation can now rival, or even surpass, foreign productions.” Another added, “Chinese animation keeps improving. Compared to films six years ago, the artwork is more beautiful, the visuals more vibrant, and the storytelling completely unexpected.”
LO Shuk-pui, Director of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, highlighted the film’s collaborative effort, stating, “The script is exceptionally well-written, with sharp dialogue and rich character development. I heard 138 companies worked on this project over five years—the dedication and technical excellence are evident.”
WONG Bak-ming, Chairman of Hong Kong’s Oriental Film Company, emphasized its cultural significance, noting that Ne Zha series has successfully brought traditional Chinese stories to the global stage. It proves Chinese animation can achieve world-class results, and they’re proud to contribute to this milestone.
Globally, Ne Zha 2 has grossed over $1.698 billion as of February 18, surpassing “Inside Out 2” to become the highest-grossing animated film in history and entering the top eight of the all-time global box office chart. Due to its sustained popularity, the film’s screening period in Chinese mainland has been extended to March 30.
From its mythological roots to its record-breaking success, Ne Zha 2 continues to redefine the possibilities of Chinese animation, bridging cultural heritage with global appeal.
Hashtag: #ShanghaiEye
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2025 – Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivered his 2025-26 Budget yesterday (February 26), with clear path and initiatives to rein in the deficit, while accelerating the city’s development and maintaining its competitive edge of a low and simple tax regime.
“The key is managing expenditure growth, making good use of the Government’s fiscal resources, and identifying new revenue resources,” Mr Chan said.
Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan (second left), at a press conference on the 2025-26 Budget
He forecast a consolidated deficit of $87.2 billion for 2024/25 with the Operating Account returning to surplus within two years.
The deficit, Mr Chan said, was largely due to the impact of counter-cyclical measures launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as challenges such as the geopolitical landscape and related disruptions to trade, supply chain, cash flow and sentiment in the investment market.
Under a proposed “reinforced version” of the fiscal consolidation programme, Mr Chan announced a range of measures, including a cumulative reduction of 7% in government expenditure by 2027-28, compared to the level in 2024-25.
The Government has also put forward that the executive authorities, the legislature, the judiciary and members of the District Councils take a pay freeze for 2025-26. That includes, among others, the Chief Executive and all politically appointed officials, and all civil servants.
The civil service establishment will be reduced by 2% each in 2026-27 and 2027-28, with about 10,000 posts expected to be deleted within the next two years.
“The Government has all along endeavoured to deliver more efficient public services to citizens through leveraging technology, streamlining processes and driving the digital transformation of public services,” Mr Chan said.
The Budget proposes a reinforced version of fiscal consolidation programme to restore fiscal balance in the Operating Account within the current term of Government
Meanwhile, the conditions of the two public transport fare subsidy schemes will be adjusted, with expected saving of $6.2 billion in the next five years.
Alongside controls on government expenditure, the Financial Secretary proposed a raft of measures to boost revenue, notably by adjusting some government fees and charges under the “user pays” and “affordable users pay” principle.
These include, for example, reviewing government fees and charges for road users in relation to some tunnel tolls, trunk roads, licences and parking charges, and increasing the rate of air passenger departure tax from $120 to $200 per passenger starting from October 2025.
The Financial Secretary noted that issuing bonds to support infrastructure development is a common practice worldwide.
To take forward major infrastructure projects, particularly the Northern Metropolis development, Mr Chan said “Hong Kong has the prerequisite and capability to suitably increase bond issuance, thereby effectively utilising market resources.”
“With the increase in capital works expenditure, I will expand the scale of bond issuance accordingly. It is expected that during the five-year period from 2025-26 to 2029-30, a total of about $150 billion to $195 billion worth of bonds will be issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme and the Infrastructure Bond Programme every year.” He remarked that bonds will not be issued to fund government recurrent expenditure; instead, they will be used to invest in infrastructure only.
The ratio of Hong Kong SAR Government debt to GDP will stay at 12 to 16.5 per cent, which is a prudent and manageable level, and is much lower than most of the advanced economies, Mr Chan emphasised.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2025 – Samitivej Hospital, a leader in pediatric care, unveils its newly expanded standalone Samitivej International Children’s Hospital at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital. Backed by a 2 billion THB investment, the expansion strengthens Samitivej’s commitment to becoming Asia-Pacific’s Leading Pediatric Referral Hub, providing specialized care, innovative treatments, and seamless medical coordination.
Samitivej International Children’s Hospital Expands, Advancing Pediatric Healthcare in Asia-Pacific
The upgraded facility serves patients from Thailand and beyond, earning a strong reputation in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, reinforcing its global healthcare role.
Revolutionizing Pediatric Care with Advanced Treatments
Samitivej International Children’s Hospital redefines pediatric excellence, offering cutting-edge treatments for complex and rare conditions:
Open-Heart Surgery to Minimally Invasive Catheterization – Complete heart care from birth, ensuring advanced treatment and faster recovery.
Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) to CAR-T Cell Therapy – Advanced treatments for blood disorders and cancer.
Comprehensive Pediatric and Newborn Surgery – Expertise in performing procedures from head to toe, led by specialized doctors.
Epilepsy Treatment with Medication to Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Implants – Solutions for drug-resistant epilepsy.
Advancing Pediatric Excellence with Cutting-Edge Facilities
The new eight-floor hospital features 111 beds, including 12 for critically ill children and 8 neonatal intensive care beds. It integrates Smart Hospital technology for efficiency and patient-centered care. Key features include:
Hybrid Operating Room: Precision-driven newborn and pediatric surgical procedures using biplane imaging technology.
World-Class Pediatric Specialties: Multidisciplinary teams treating complex and rare conditions.
Advanced Neonatal & Pediatric Intensive Care: Specialized care for premature infants under 500 grams.
Comprehensive International Patient Services: Pre-arrival teleconsultations, aeromedical transport, multilingual care teams, follow-up appointments, and medical evacuation and repatriation.
Global Partnerships & Medical Expertise
Samitivej collaborates with Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (OHSU, USA) to enhance care for critically ill children, newborns, and trauma patients. A partnership with Takatsuki General Hospital (Japan) ensures specialized neonatal and allergy treatments, providing access to the latest pediatric advancements.
Pioneering Smart Hospital Innovations
Samitivej leads in digital healthcare, integrating technology to enhance efficiency and care:
Well Kidz App: Manages medical records, appointments, and remote consultations.
Smart OPD & Smart IPD: AI-powered cost estimation, queue tracking, and seamless patient-medical team communication.
D-Discharge System: Streamlined hospital discharge for greater convenience.
Exceptional Pediatric Outcomes & Achievements
Samitivej delivers outstanding results:
7,000+ critical pediatric cases treated annually
1,000+ newborn and pediatric surgeries performed, including minimally invasive procedures
92% one-year survival rate for bone marrow transplants, surpassing global benchmarks
400+ newborns with heart conditions successfully treated through surgical correction
Specialized care provided for premature infants with birth weights below 500 grams
98% trust rating from families
A Commitment to a Healthier Future for Every Child
Dr. Surangkana Techapaitoon, Deputy CEO of Samitivej and BNH Hospitals and Director of Samitivej International Children’s Hospital, stated:
“We want to see a healthier future for every child by integrating innovation, world-class expertise, and compassionate care. This facility strengthens our role as a leading pediatric referral hub, expanding access to specialized treatment and ensuring children everywhere receive the best care from infancy through adolescence.”
For more details, please visit: https://smtvj.com/3F5dPKC
Hashtag: #SamitivejInternationalChildrensHospital
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2025 – Cyberport, the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA) and the International Academicians Science & Technology Innovation Centre (IASTIC) co-organised the “AI Safety, Trust, and Responsibility (AI STR)” Forum. This event served as the Hong Kong session of the recently concluded AI Action Summit 2025 in Paris, France. The forum convened leading international and local academicians, scholars, industry leaders, and experts to share insights on the risks and challenges in AI development and application, and to discuss strategies for balancing innovation with security governance. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Prof Yale Li, Executive Chairman of WDTA; Prof C.C. Chan, Founder of IASTIC, joined Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, and Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport, in delivering keynote addresses and sharing their perspectives on the future of AI.
Cyberport, the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA) and the International Academicians Science & Technology Innovation Centre (IASTIC) co-organise the “AI Safety, Trust, and Responsibility (AI STR)” Forum. The forum convened international and local experts to discuss the strategies for balancing innovation with security governance.
Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, remarked, “To provide the most conducive environment for AI development, Cyberport, being Hong Kong’s digital tech hub, established the AI Supercomputing Centre last year, which will provide high-performance computing power of 3,000 petaFLOPS to support impactful R&D projects on AI. As announced yesterday by the Financial Secretary in the 2025-26 Budget, to establish the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute. A dedicated, public mission-driven undertaking, the institute will spearhead AI development and industry application in Hong Kong, promote cross-sectoral collaboration, and add another exciting chapter in our AI history book. We are mindful of the safety, responsibility and trust issues that beset the AI explorers and users. We could only harness the full power and potentials of AI by addressing these contentious issues proactively.”
Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, expressed, “We are delighted to bring together prominent industry experts and leaders from around the world at Cyberport to explore the establishment of a trustworthy and responsible AI ecosystem. This will ensure the controllable, balanced, and sustainable development of this transformative technology. As Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, Cyberport has achieved significant milestones in building a thriving AI ecosystem over the past year. These include Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre, currently the largest in Hong Kong, and Cyberport’s AI Lab, which unites local AI ecosystem partners and talents to facilitate R&D and collaboration. We look forward to continuing our collaboration across sectors to strengthen Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem and promote AI for good.”
During the forum, WDTA announced the establishment of the “WDTA Asia-Pacific Institute (preparatory)” (The Institute) at Cyberport, marked by an official plaque unveiling ceremony. The Institute will spearhead the development of regional AI safety standards and related initiatives, promote innovation in digital technologies, cultivate scientific and industrial talent, and foster global collaboration in the digital era.
Prof. Yale Li, Executive Chairman of WDTA, addresses the forum, highlighting WDTA’s recent accomplishments and emphasising the importance of a human-centric and safety-based approach to AI. He outlined three core initiatives: First, to build a “safety-native” technological framework by embedding security throughout the entire AI lifecycle and promoting algorithm transparency and data provenance certification. Second, to establish a “human-oriented” value system that ensures technology addresses social needs, such as equitable healthcare and SME transformation. Finally, WDTA is committed to “responsible innovation” globally, with its AI committee addressing challenges like deepfakes and data misuse within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals framework.
Prof. Li officially launched two WDTA certification programs for AI professionals: the “Certified Large Language Model Application Engineer (LLMAE)” and the “Certified Large Language Model Technical Expert (LLMTE)”. These programs are designed to accelerate the training of the next generation of AI professionals, equipping them with both technical expertise and a sense of social responsibility to promote the safety, trust, and responsible development of AI. Prof. Li emphasized, “These certification programs represent a significant step by WDTA to advance global AI talent development. We must establish technical standards and cultivate professionals who embody the principles of ‘human-oriented and safety-based’ to ensure that technological advancements truly benefit society.”
Prof. Ching-chuen Chan, Founder of IASTIC, stated, “As a global innovation hub, Hong Kong is an ideal platform to advance AI governance and collaboration. The WDTA will adhere to the core principles of ‘Speed, Safety, and Sharing’, and leverage The Institute to accelerate collaboration among governments, industries, and academia in the APAC. This will facilitate the formulation of digital technology standards and the transformation of cutting-edge research into practical applications. We will lead the establishment of AI STR standards and certification systems, enhancing the international framework for AI governance and security. By working together across industries and borders, we can achieve an inclusive digital future where no one is left behind.”
At the forum, Cyberport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WDTA and IASTIC, under which the three parties will join hands to promote best practices in AI STR testing and evaluation. They will work together to actively cultivate AI talent and explore collaboration in the development of AI testing infrastructure. Cyberport also signed MoUs with five local tertiary institutions: the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), and the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT). These partnerships aim to foster AI-related applied research and talent development. These partnerships will provide students at the partner institutions with internships and employment opportunities, injecting new forces into Hong Kong’s AI industry and accelerating its growth.
In addition to leading AI academics and experts, the forum also brought together leaders from Hong Kong’s public, financial, and healthcare sectors to share their valuable insights and practical experiences on topics such as cross-industry AI transformation and balancing AI innovation with risk. They discussed how to leverage AI to enhance efficiency, improve service quality, and address emerging challenges in their respective fields, while ensuring the responsible use of AI.
As Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, Cyberport is committed to building a thriving local AI ecosystem. The Cyberport’s Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre (AISC), the largest of this kind in Hong Kong, and the AI Lab, officially commenced operations last year, bringing together talents and innovation resources from mainland and overseas to support innovative R&D and applications across the AI value chain, driving industrialisation. The Government has allocated $3 billion to Cyberport for the launch of a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme to support local institutions, R&D centres and enterprises in utilising the AISC computing power to achieve scientific breakthroughs and accelerate the commercialisation of I&T. Cyberport is home to over 350 start-ups specialising in AI and big data, and has attracted leading AI enterprises to combine their R&D capabilities in computing power development, large model construction, algorithms, and data science, to promote AI-driven innovation and application.
Hashtag: #Cyberport
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