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Asia’s digital future: Economist Impact’s 5th annual Technology for Change Asia to showcase innovation for business and society with keynote address by the Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, GBM, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

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March 3, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 March 2025 – Economist Impact will host the 5th annual Technology for Change Asia on March 12th-13th at the Hopewell Hotel in Hong Kong. This premier event will bring together 500 leaders to understand the transformative power of emerging technologies for business and societal advancement.

Economist Impact will host the 5th annual Technology for Change Asia on March 12th-13th at the Hopewell Hotel in Hong Kong.

Key themes include:

Future of work in the AI era: analyse AI’s impact on job markets, skills development, and the evolving relationship between humans and machines
The quantum revolution: investigate how quantum computing can reshape sectors such as cybersecurity, healthcare, and finance
Sustainable tech solutions: discuss innovative green technologies to combat climate change and promote sustainable development
Human-centered innovation: ensure technology adoption prioritise human needs and societal well-being
Greater Bay Area transformation: explore the GBA’s pivotal role in driving innovation and economic growth in Asia
China’s digital roadmap: gain insight from Chinese tech leaders on innovations shaping the global tech landscape.
Smart and green mobility: examine electric vehicles, smart city initiatives, and government policies driving sustainable transport.
Ethical AI: address critical issues in data privacy, cybersecurity, and public trust in generative AI.

70 speakers confirmed including distinguished figures such as:

The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, GBM, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Professor Brian Cox, renowned physicist, author, and television presenter
Yan Xie, chief technology officer, Li Auto
Daryl Pereira, director and head of ‘Office of the CISO’ Asia-Pacific, Google
Milind Gaharwar, principal AI scientist, Mercedes-Benz Group
Allan Zeman, Chairman, Lan Kwai Fong Group
Chris Bezuidenhout, chief information officer, global emerging markets, Deutsche Bank
Paulo de Guzman, chief technology officer, Sephora
Puneet Gambir, head of risk and GrabDefence business, Grab
Clair Deevy, global director of social impact, WhatsApp
Irwan Yulianto, general manager and head of Asia-Pacific enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity and smart innovation, Panasonic
Nancy Wang, country manager and senior director of talent solutions, LinkedIn China
Prerit Mishra, head of analytics, Asia-Pacific, DHL
Ayumi Nakajima, senior director and head of Asia-Pacific, content, Pinterest
David Liu, chief customer experience officer, Klook
Laura Houldsworth, vice-president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Booking.com

“We are at a pivotal moment. New technologies such as quantum computing, nuclear fusion and AI promise to revolutionise our societies, and Asia stands centre stage,” says Professor Brian Cox. “But the development and deployment of these technologies requires focused funding, R&D and regulation. We must not forget they emerged from curiosity-driven science. I believe it is vital that we maintain the science base – the wellspring of new knowledge – alongside the development of new technologies based on discoveries of the past. I look forward to engaging with leaders and experts and contributing to this debate.”

“From quantum computing to ethical AI, Technology for Change Asia 2025 tackles the innovations defining our future,” says Charles Ross, principal, technology and society, Asia-Pacific at Economist Impact. “The conversations we’ll have are not just about technology but about shaping a more resilient and equitable world. I’m looking forward to engaging with the leaders making it happen.”

The 5th annual Technology for Change Asia is sponsored by the Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA Program, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation, Tata Communications, IBM, AIA and McKinsey Global Institute. The event is supported by Brand Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Tourism Board, AI Club Asia, Asia MarTech Society, and the British Consulate-General Hong Kong. The official travel partner is Cathay Pacific.

Register here: https://bit.ly/EconTechforChange

Hashtag: #EconomistImpact #technology

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

– Published and distributed with permission of

Media-Outreach.com.

Health – General Practice gives cautious thumbs up to primary healthcare boost

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March 3, 2025

Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)

General practice is giving a cautious thumbs up to the government saying it will increase investment in general practice and help grow the workforce, said Angus Chambers, Chair of the General Practice Owners Association (GenPro).

“On the face of it, today’s announcement is good news for general practice and our patients, but we’ll need to look more closely at the package before celebrating,” Dr Chambers said.

“While general practice will welcome the focus on growing the numbers of GPs – which is essential to an accessible high-quality GP service – and we’re pleased to see investment in nursing, we are disappointed that the key issue of nurse pay parity has not yet been addressed.”

In regard to the announced 100 placements for overseas-trained doctors, Dr Chambers said while this was positive, retaining the current workforce should have equal priority to bringing in new staff.

“And we need to see the detail around the 24/7 digital service, as overseas experience suggests that telehealth has little impact on key targets for access and waiting times,” Dr Chambers said.

GenPro looks forward to working with the Minister of Health to support this investment achieving the right outcomes.

GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit www.genpro.org.nz

Kenanga Investors Celebrates Multiple Wins at The 2025 LSEG Lipper Fund Awards

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March 3, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 March 2025 – Kenanga Investors Berhad (“Kenanga Investors“) was presented with a total of five (5) awards at the LSEG Lipper Fund Awards 2025 (“Awards“). This year, the firm surpassed its previous successes, earning recognition across multiple categories, marking a continued commitment to excellence in fund management.

From left to right: Brandon Ong, Portfolio Manager; Low Pei Yee, Portfolio Manager; Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer; Cristopher Kok, Head, Equities; Dawne Chin, Portfolio Manager; and Muhammad Nur Azmi Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Akbar, Portfolio Manager.

The firm was recognised for the performance of the following funds:

Kenanga DividendEXTRA Fund (“KDEF”) – Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Funds Over 3 Years
Kenanga Malaysian Inc Fund (“KMIF”) – Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Provident Funds Over 10 Years
Kenanga Balanced Fund (“KBF”) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Provident Funds Over 10 Years
Kenanga Managed Growth Fund (“KMGF”) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Flexible – Malaysia Provident Funds Over 10 Years
Kenanga SyariahEXTRA Fund (“KSEF”) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Islamic Funds Awards Over 10 Years

Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, expressed pride in the firm’s performance, stating, “These awards highlight our ongoing commitment to excellence and consistency, especially in delivering strong returns year after year, even in tough market conditions. Our success comes from a disciplined, bottom-up stock-picking approach, which helps us identify high-quality companies and spot opportunities others may miss. We dig deep into industry dynamics, company business models, and the key factors driving return on equity. Through thorough channel checks, we assess competitive advantages and growth drivers, focusing on management quality, sustainability, industry trends, and balance sheet strength. As such, we are glad to see our expertise demonstrated by our success in both conventional and Shariah categories”.

Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer, shared the firm’s outlook for 2025, stating, “We will continue to emphasise stock picking, while maintaining a higher-than-usual cash allocation to ensure flexibility amidst ongoing external uncertainties. We will focus on sectors tied to Malaysia’s domestic growth story, such as financials, construction, and healthcare, while complementing these with increased defensive holding. Selected small-cap stocks could present an opportunity, especially after their underperformance compared to large-cap stocks in 2024. By staying consistent with our investment philosophy, I am confident we can manage our portfolios effectively to capitalise on market opportunities, even with volatility”.

The performance¹ of KMIF² for the 2024 calendar year, which has received recognition for four consecutive times at the Awards, stands at 24.14%, significantly outperforming its benchmark of 16.98%. KDEF² recorded returns of 21.31%, surpassing its benchmark of 16.98%, while KMGF³ delivered 19.24%, exceeding its benchmark of 10.39%. KBF⁴ posted a return of 18.53%, also outperforming its benchmark of 12.52%, and KSEF⁵ achieved 15.39%, outpacing its benchmark of 10.23%.

The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months.

With this year’s multiple wins, Kenanga Investors strengthens its position as a leading fund house in Malaysia, committed to delivering value and growth for its investors over the long term.

For more information about Kenanga Investors, please visit www.kenangainvestors.com.my.

Hashtag: #Kenanga

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

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

Update on critical incident investigation in Ōrere Point

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March 3, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

To be attributed to Assistant Commissioner Jill Rogers:

Police are continuing with a critical incident investigation surrounding the events leading up to a man dying after being taken into Police custody in Ōrere Point on 2 March.

Today, Police are in a position to release some further information as those enquiries continue.

This was an incredibly fast-moving and volatile incident which unfolded over a short period of time.

We would like to acknowledge the impact that yesterday’s events will have had on the community and our thoughts are with everyone involved.

We are providing support to staff involved in this incident and there are now several investigations underway, including a critical incident investigation and a policy, practice, and procedure investigation.

As is standard procedure, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has also been notified, along with WorkSafe.

Clarification around Sunday’s events:

Police can advise that the vehicle sighted in Papakura on Sunday afternoon was a vehicle of interest in an aggravated robbery at a Takapuna bar on Saturday night.

That investigation remains ongoing. No charges have been laid as yet.

In an earlier release, Police advised the passenger of the vehicle challenged Police staff with a samurai sword.

We can now confirm this was in fact a metal pole.

Officers have then deployed taser and pepper spray however the man has continued to resist arrest and an officer has suffered a serious hand injury after being bitten by the man.

A Police dog was then deployed, and the man was eventually taken into custody but has quickly become unresponsive.

Medical assistance was rendered immediately and a medical helicopter was dispatched, however he was unable to be revived and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Injuries to Police officer:

A Police officer suffered a serious hand injury after being bitten by the passenger of the vehicle.

We are continuing to support this officer after they underwent medical treatment at Middlemore Hospital and have since been discharged.

Further information around the deceased man:

Until the next of kin notifications have been carried out, further details regarding the deceased are unable to be released.

A post mortem examination will be carried out in the coming days, to establish the cause of death, and Police will make enquiries on behalf of the Coroner.

Footage at Ōrere Point:

Police are aware members of the public may have filmed the incident at Ōrere Point yesterday afternoon.

Given the man has yet to be formally identified, and next of kin not yet notified, we would encourage people not to share footage.

This is for the family’s sake, and there is a critical incident investigation underway.

Police ask anyone with footage to contact Police to assist with the investigation.

If you have footage please update Police online or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250302/2478 or cite ‘Operation Fielder’.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Name release: Fatal crash, Martinborough

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March 3, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are now in a position to release the name of the person who died after a car collided with a shared cycle in Martinborough on 13 February.

She was 48-year-old Alison Robyn Korny, from Cheshire, England.

Our thoughts remain with her friends and family at this incredibly difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Chubb to Acquire Liberty Mutual’s P&C Insurance Businesses in Thailand and Vietnam

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March 3, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 March 2025 – Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) today announced agreements to acquire the insurance businesses of Liberty Mutual in Thailand and Vietnam. The terms were not disclosed.

The two companies — LMG Insurance in Thailand and Liberty Insurance in Vietnam —offer a range of consumer and commercial P&C products, including Automotive, Accident & Health and Non-Motor insurance such as fire/property and industrial all-risk. This portfolio is coupled with complementary distribution through 56 branches, 2,600 brokers and agents, and 26 finance partners. The combined operations produced approximately $275 million in net premiums written in 2024.

The transactions are expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2025 (Thailand) and late 2025 / early 2026 (Vietnam) and are subject to required regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Hashtag: #Chubb

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

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

Update following Pōkeno incident

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March 3, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Please attribute to Acting Counties Manukau District Commander, Inspector Jared Pirret:

A man has been charged following a serious crash that left a member of the public injured near Pōkeno on Saturday.

The crash occurred at about 3pm on State Highway 2, when the fleeing driver attempted to avoid road spikes that had been laid across the road and swerved directly into the path of the oncoming car.

The driver of that car initially suffered critical injuries, and now remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The fleeing driver also suffered injuries and was transported to hospital.

The 42-year-old man appeared in Auckland District Court today charged with dangerous driving causing injury and driving while disqualified.

We would like to acknowledge the impact this incident had on those involved.

We are providing support to everyone affected and there are now several investigations underway, including a critical incident investigation and a policy, practice, and procedure investigation.

As is standard procedure, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has also been notified.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Group arrested following Ōrākei aggravated robbery

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March 3, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police have arrested four people following an aggravated robbery in Ōrākei this morning.

Just before 9am, a group of offenders entered a dairy on Kepa Road.

Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, of Auckland City Crime Squad, says the group ran into the store armed with a machete and two hammers making threats towards the attendant working.

“The attendant was chased out of the store,” he says.

“These offenders have taken the store’s cash register as well as other products from the store.

“Following this, the group fled in a stolen vehicle.”

Police were conducting enquiries in the nearby area, when suspicious activity reports were made by local residents.

“A group of offenders were seen abandoning a vehicle and stealing a small van, and this detail was relayed to Police.”

The van was later sighted in the Panmure area, when it fled from staff from an address.

Police did not pursue the vehicle, but the Police Eagle helicopter had deployed and took over monitoring the van.

“It was observed by Eagle travelling at speed south towards Weymouth,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.

“Eagle has observed the van drop off various occupants at different locations around the area.

“Ground staff have since located all of those occupants, who are young people.

“The driver eventually stopped the van in the Clendon Park and was arrested by Police.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says Police have since recovered the cash register and some items stolen this morning.

Those arrested this morning were aged between 12 and 17. Charges are still to be confirmed.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

A night at the theatre, from one century to another

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March 3, 2025

Source: Auckland Council

Imagine it’s 2030. The St James Theatre has opened its doors again.

You’ve just seen Six60 play on the newly restored stage inside the amphitheatre, or heard Sol3Mio soar at great heights through the harmonies of the Pearl Fishers opera duet.

And you step out into the street.

There are plants and trees lining both sides of Queen Street – mature and lush-green. Footpaths are generously wide and the Waihorotiu path has become a gentle lane of riders who give priority to pedestrians. Shoppers have right of way.

You’re thinking about which travel option you’ll choose to get home. And there are many.

Render of Te Hā Noa, Victoria Street – under construction.

Will you stroll to your apartment a short distance away? Will you cross Queen Street to the Wellesley Street bus interchange and catch a bus – now smoothly funnelling people to all parts of the region?

Will you catch a train at Te Waihorotiu Station? The City Rail Link – Auckland’s new underground train system – has been operating for a few years and is already a hit with Aucklanders of all ages.

Will you grab an e-scooter and ride the Waihorotiu path to catch a ferry at the bottom of town, or hop on your bike parked on a rack outside the theatre and ride the cycleway now lining Te Hā Noa, Victoria Street? You’ll see beautiful artwork, mature trees on either side of the upgraded street and spacious streetside spaces for socialising.

Or will you meet friends after the show at one of the area’s vibrant hospitality lanes bustling with people, and drive home later? Or will a taxi meet you at a pick-up zone nearby, making the theatre experience accessible especially for the disabled and elderly.

If the St James Theatre had eyes, it would have witnessed a metamorphosis. It would have seen a burgeoning population and a transforming city centre since it first opened in 1928.

Back then, the theatre would have seen trams pulling up outside, an asphalted roadway, women daring to lift their hemlines, department stores leading a new retail trend, and the splendour of the Civic Theatre taking shape across the street, among many other stitches of an everchanging urban tapestry.

When the much-adored St James Theatre opens again, it will open to a city centre re-designed and responsive to changing times, a century after the theatre’s 1928 opening. There will be pedestrian-prioritised spaces, trees, rain gardens, public art, more visibility of te ao Māori narratives, and more transport options.

More information on the history of the St James Theatre is available via PDF [1.16 MB].

Theatregoers might even hear the singing of waiata in the underpass at nearby Myers Park, something they might not have been able to imagine a century ago. Read about Waimahara here and explore six other majestic icons in the central city here.

Pictures tell the story of our city centre’s transformation here.