“In some more remote places we’ve seen a few bits and pieces, but otherwise we haven’t seen much rubbish at all,” said Jack and Sarah, campervan tourists from Australia who’d parked up at Lake Takapō as part of a three-week South Island road trip.
Caroline and David, from Germany, had their van parked up near Lake Ruataniwha at the southern side of Twizel.
“In Germany, it’s super important to take care of the environment,” they said.
“So, it’s cool to see the same thing happening here. The scenery here is crazy by the way.”
Katrien and Femke, Dutch friends travelling near Lake Takapō, said their stay had been “super clean and nice to experience”.
Health2Sync’s SugarGenie app is experiencing rapid growth and positive reception in South Korea.
The platform is being utilized in both hospital settings and through government programs. Health2Sync has partnered with Sanofi for hospital rollouts and integrated its solution with South Korea’s Primary Health Care Chronic Disease Management Program, reaching over 100 healthcare institutions by December 2024 for diabetes, hypertension, and obesity care.
Healthcare professionals praise the app for improving patient care: SugarGenie enhances the ability to monitor patient data, provide personalized guidance, and effectively manage chronic conditions like diabetes.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 February 2025 – Health2Sync, a leading provider of digital therapeutics solutions for chronic diseases, announced today that it is experiencing significant growth and positive feedback from healthcare professionals in South Korea. Since launching its app, SugarGenie, in January 2024, the company has witnessed a surge in adoption among healthcare institutions. The company’s solution offers data integration, visualization, and personal insights to improve patient care quality and streamline clinical workflows.
Health2Sync’s “SugarGenie” app enables users to view their blood glucose and other lifestyle data in one place.
While Health2Sync started rolling out its integrated diabetes management solution with Sanofi in hospitals and clinics in South Korea, the company also tapped into the local government’s Primary Health Care Chronic Disease Management Program, which empowers doctors to engage with patients directly. As of December 2024, over 100 healthcare institutions have implemented Health2Sync’s Patient Management Platform to enhance the care of patients with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
“Health2Sync’s solution has been instrumental in improving the quality of treatment for our patients,” said Prof. SunJoon Moon, Gangbuk Samsung Hospital. “We can easily monitor patients’ data in the hospital and provide personalized guidance, significantly enhancing our ability to manage diabetes patients effectively.”
The SugarGenie app captures data from various devices from renowned chronic disease management brands, including Abbott, Sanofi, Omron, Roche, and i-SENS. It allows automatic data synchronization from Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), Blood Glucose Meters (BGMs), insulin caps such as SoloSmart™, and blood pressure monitors.
Besides the vitals, other lifestyle data such as diet, medication, exercise, and sleep play crucial roles in chronic disease management. SugarGenie seamlessly connects with the iPhone’s Health App and the Health Connect (such as Samsung Health) from Android phones. With patient consent, this comprehensive data is automatically transmitted to the platform, empowering healthcare providers with valuable insights for informed decision-making.
To help patients better self-manage diabetes, the SugarGenie App offers automated engagement programs prescribed by doctors to deliver personalized education, reminders, and insights directly to patients. This innovative approach alleviates the burden on healthcare resources and enhances patient engagement.
“This platform is very useful for managing patients registered in the government’s ‘Primary Health Care Chronic Disease Management Program.’ At our clinic, we monitor patients’ self-measured data such as blood sugar and blood pressure and send educational materials and guides to patients’ apps through the two-way messaging function,” said Dr. Kun-Ho Yoon, Dr. Yoon IM Clinic, former Chairman of the board, Korean Diabetes Association).
Health2Sync has integrated with Eghis Healthcare, a leading Electronic Medical Record (EMR) company serving over 6,000 clinics in South Korea, to streamline clinical workflows. This synchronization enhances the efficiency and quality of chronic disease management by smoothly embedding Health2Sync’s data with existing clinical systems.
“We are thrilled by the rapid adoption of Health2Sync’s solutions in South Korea,” said Ed Deng, Co-founder and CEO of Health2Sync. “Our commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovative digital therapeutics is unwavering, and we look forward to continuing to expand our reach and impact in this dynamic market.”
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 February 2025 – On February 12, 2025, HWOO Energy Storage hosted a grand brand launch event in Islamabad, Pakistan. The event attracted numerous distinguished guests, including Pakistani government officials, representatives from the PSA Solar Association, and industry experts. This milestone event signifies HWOO’s official entry into the Pakistani market, injecting new momentum into the region’s energy transition.
HWOO Energy Storage Successfully Launches in Pakistan, Ushering in a New Era of Global Expansion
Localized Operations to Deepen Market Penetration
During the event, HWOO’s General Manager, Zhang Feng, delivered an insightful speech, showcasing the brand’s development journey, technological innovations in products, and its localized operational strategy for Pakistan, along with future plans. Zhang Feng stated, “HWOO has always been committed to providing safe, reliable, and intelligent energy solutions to our users. In Pakistan, we will continue to promote localized operations, deeply understand market demands, and help local businesses and households achieve their sustainable energy goals through customized energy storage products and services.”
As a crucial part of HWOO’s global strategy, the Pakistani market has been given significant attention. HWOO has already established a subsidiary, service centers, and warehouses in the region, with plans to build a local production base in the future to achieve localized manufacturing. Zhang Feng emphasized, “We will thoroughly understand the needs of the Pakistani market and provide tailored products and services to help local enterprises and families achieve their sustainable energy objectives.”
Deep Expertise in the Power Industry Gains Global Recognition
Since its founding in 2006, HWOO has been deeply rooted in the power industry, covering the entire power supply chain from distribution and retail to consumption. By the end of 2024, HWOO had earned the trust of over 10,000 users worldwide. On the consumption side, as a multi-scenario energy solution provider, HWOO offers a range of products including inverters, lithium batteries, energy storage cabinets, and portable power stations for both residential and commercial energy storage needs. HWOO’s comprehensive product portfolio, combined with its localized operational strategy, will provide Pakistani users with safe, stable, and efficient energy solutions, further driving the region’s energy transition and delivering a green, sustainable energy experience for businesses and households.
Global Expansion Accelerates Green Energy Transition
This launch event not only marks HWOO’s official debut in Pakistan but also represents a significant step in HWOO’s contribution to the global green energy revolution. Moving forward, HWOO will continue to uphold its philosophy of “Green, Intelligent, and Sustainable,” accelerating its global expansion by implementing localized strategies in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. This will further promote the optimization and upgrading of the global energy structure. HWOO firmly believes that green energy is not just a future trend but a shared global responsibility. We will continue to collaborate with global partners to move towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Hashtag: #HWOO #EnergyStorage
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
A man has been charged after several people were injured when a vehicle fled the scene of a shoplifting in Henderson.
Waitematā West CIB have been investigating the offending which unfolded in the car park at Woolworths on Lincoln Road after 11am on 27 January.
Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie says a shoplifting allegedly occurred at the supermarket, with the female offender running to a waiting vehicle.
“The driver tried to leave the car park quickly but, in the process, crashed into another vehicle carrying two occupants,” she says.
“Shockingly, the getaway driver allegedly stole a handbag from the victims he had just crashed into after the occupants got out to exchange details.”
A third member of the public tried to intervene with what was unfolding.
“All three members of the public suffered injuries after the getaway vehicle was driven off at speed,” Detective Senior Sergeant Goldie says.
“They all suffered physical injuries including grazing and bruising.
“Understandably this ordeal has left them very shaken up and we are continuing to support them through this process.”
This week, detectives located a 19-year-old Ranui man and charged him with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of theft.
He will appear in the Waitākere District Court on 24 February.
Detective Senior Sergeant Goldie says the initial offender, a 21-year-old woman, has been summonsed to court over the supermarket shoplifting.
“I would like to acknowledge the support from the public we received in this investigation,” she says.
Today’s release of two reports into the protection of personal information show agencies must be better at privacy, says Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster.
The Inquiry into how government agencies protected personal information for the 2023 Census and COVID-19 vaccination programme (the PSC Inquiry) and the Independent investigation and assurance review of allegations of misuse of 2023 Census information (the Stats NZ report), show the protection of personal information needs to be treated as a priority.
Several matters have now been referred to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (these are detailed below).
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster said he is carefully reviewing the referrals raised in the two reports. That work will be done in the context the Privacy Act and the need to ensure individuals’ rights to privacy is protected and respected.
“New Zealanders need to be confident that when they do activities, like filling in their Census form, or giving over information for medical services, that their information is collected, used, and shared as the law outlines it should be,” says Mr Webster.
“The Privacy Act is very clear that agencies collecting personal information need to keep it safe and treat it with care. This responsibility extends to the use of third-party service providers.
Agencies need to be confident that personal information is protected wherever and whatever organisation is handling it.”
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has recently issued guidance to help agencies working with third-party providers understand their responsibilities.
Mr Webster said he was encouraged to see that work on a new information sharing standard is underway, supporting the information stewardship framework at the core of the Privacy Act.
“Its important people can trust that their information is treated with care. In our 2024 Privacy Survey the percentage of people who said they are “more concerned” about privacy issues over the last few years has increased to 55%, a 14% increase from two years ago. New Zealanders were clear in their response to these concerns:
80% want more control and choice over the collection and use of their personal information.
63% said protecting their personal information is a major concern in their lives.
around two-thirds of New Zealanders are concerned about businesses or government organisations sharing their personal information without telling them.
“Good privacy is an essential part of providing services and doing business in a digital economy. Today’s findings should be a reminder to government organisations that good privacy practices aren’t an optional extra but are fundamental to the work they do,” says the Commissioner.
A number of questions have now been referred to the Privacy Commissioner by the PSC Inquiry:
Whether systems and controls were appropriate for personal data following its transmission by Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Health and Stats NZ to service providers
Whether there were appropriate means in place for these public agencies to be confident that their service providers were meeting their contractual privacy requirements
Whether personal information was collected or used by Manurewa Marae for unauthorised purposes
Whether separation of personal data from Census data was maintained at Manurewa Marae, and whether privacy statements were adequate to inform people about the use of their information.
A further matter has been referred to the Privacy Commissioner by the Stats NZ report about the collection and management of personal information and confidential census data.
While the review of the referrals takes place, the Office will not be making any further comment.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 February 2025 – The global cryptocurrency market has seen unprecedented growth in the previous year, spearheaded by Bitcoin and Ethereum. Institutional participation was very important in driving prices higher, with Bitcoin reaching an all-time high above $100,000 in December 2024. With the spreading adoption of crypto assets, regulators have paid even more attention to the industry. Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker, explains what regulation can be expected in 2025 and beyond.
Key Events Shaping the Cryptocurrency Market in 2024–2025 The cryptocurrency market has entered a new phase, defined by record-breaking milestones and regulatory shifts that are reshaping opportunities for traders and institutional investors. Bitcoin’s surge past $100,000 in December 2024 underlined the increasing mainstream acceptance of digital assets. Institutional adoption played a leading role in this rally. Companies such as MicroStrategy expanded their Bitcoin holdings, cementing the asset’s store-of-value status, while Bitcoin ETFs made access easier for retail and institutional investors alike, boosting liquidity and demand.
This trajectory is also framed through regulatory changes. The friendly crypto attitude taken by the Trump administration, from its Crypto Task Force to the plan for a national Bitcoin reserve, has put the grounds on a much friendlier landscape for institutional investments. Meanwhile, Europe has moved in a structured manner with the full implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework in January 2025, bringing legal clarity and market stability across EU member states. Yet, in Asia, the regulations are mixed: Hong Kong has been trying to reaffirm ambitions to be a digital-asset hub by issuing fresh licenses for new crypto exchanges, while China is tightening restrictions on crypto-related financial activities in its bid to cut high-risk transactions.
Factors Influencing Cryptocurrency Prices Factors Influencing Cryptocurrency Prices Regulatory decisions, institutional involvement, and macroeconomic conditions will interact in complex ways to determine the prices of cryptocurrencies in 2025.
Regulatory Factors: Frameworks and Compliance Standards Regulatory oversight has remained one of the most significant drivers of market sentiment. The FATF revised its guidelines on virtual assets to include a more robust framework toward compliance to mitigate illicit financial activity. While such efforts bring greater transparency, they simultaneously affect transaction privacy and how decentralised exchanges function, shifting how market participants operate.
Yet, in the United States, the SEC’s relaxing of restrictive accounting rules on cryptocurrency holdings has given corporations a clearer pathway for putting Bitcoin on their balance sheet. This, along with the expected acceleration of institutional adoption, will likely increase the presence of digital assets in corporate portfolios.
According to Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker, ‘Regulation is going to make the difference to crypto market stability in 2025: even as clearer rules can boost investor confidence, rigid measures may affect liquidity and innovation’. Critical decisions on regulation, macroeconomic factors, and the rise of institutional investors’ participation in the digital asset space will shape the outlook for this year.
Macroeconomic Factors: Interest Rates, Inflation, and Monetary Policy Besides regulation, broader economic trends are driving investor behaviour toward crypto assets. For example, the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening in 2024 to contain inflation accelerated demand for alternative assets such as Bitcoin. Many investors now consider Bitcoin digital gold, a hedge against inflation and a store of value during periods of economic turmoil. This trend has been most pronounced in countries with weak fiat currencies, where crypto adoption has accelerated to preserve purchasing power.
Institutional Investors and Market Liquidity With the increased participation of corporations and investment funds, crypto markets have become more liquid, thus increasing stability and raising concerns about over-centralisation and regulatory control.
With the launch of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has further consolidated its position and opened up crypto assets to traditional investment channels. This has helped legitimise cryptocurrency further and fed demand for regulated crypto investments. Meanwhile, speculation continues to build over potential government Bitcoin accumulation. Some analysts say the U.S. Treasury could consider adding Bitcoin to its reserves, which would change market dynamics and speed up institutional adoption.
While institutional involvement strengthens market stability, it also concentrates Bitcoin holdings in fewer hands, increasing the risks of regulatory intervention and market manipulation and challenging the decentralised foundation of digital assets.
The Road Ahead for Crypto Markets In 2025, the cryptocurrency market is defined by regulatory shifts, institutional expansion, and macroeconomic forces. Bitcoin’s surge past $100,000 reflects growing confidence, but its long-term trajectory depends on global policy decisions. The EU’s MiCA framework fosters stability, while the U.S. adopts a more crypto-friendly stance. Meanwhile, Asia remains divided between regulatory tightening and innovation. Institutional players like BlackRock continue to drive liquidity, but the industry must balance mainstream adoption with decentralisation. Staying adaptable will be key for investors looking to navigate and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
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Disclaimer: Trading involves risks and may not be suitable for all investors. Use your expertise wisely and evaluate all associated risks before making an investment decision.
Hashtag: #Octa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DUBLIN, IRELAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 February 2025 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today announced that Jennifer Richards has been selected as CEO of Asia Pacific, effective 1 March.
Richards assumes the role from Anne Corona who has recently been named CEO of enterprise clients and global chief commercial officer. She will work alongside the Asia Pacific Executive Committee to enhance the firm’s capabilities across the region, create distinctive value for clients, deliver growth and strong financial performance, inspire colleagues and execute on the 3×3 Plan. Richards will report to CEO of Regions, Lori Goltermann, join the Aon Executive Committee and move from Australia to Singapore in the coming months.
Since joining Aon in Australia 13 years ago, Richards has been a dedicated and passionate colleague, supporting Australian, regional and global clients to make better decisions to address their risk and people challenges. She served most recently as head of Australia where she has a track record of success, fostering key client relationships and embedding the firm’s 3×3 Plan to accelerate growth and capabilities across all solution lines.
“The Asia Pacific region is critical to Aon’s strategy, representing significant growth opportunities across a diverse market,” said Goltermann. “Jennifer’s experience, Aon United mindset and ability to build and inspire high-performing teams position her to lead the Asia Pacific region to continued success.”
Prior to joining Aon, Richards held several senior management roles at AIG in its Financial Institutions and M&A businesses in North America. Before joining the insurance industry, Richards practiced corporate and securities law at Sidley Austin LLP in New York City.
Richards said, “I am excited to work even more closely with this exceptional team and look forward to collaborating with such talented colleagues across the region. There is so much opportunity in the Asia Pacific region, and together we will build on our existing momentum and accelerate our ability to help our clients navigate the multi-faceted, complex and interconnected challenges they face.”
Read more about Aon in the APAC region: aon.com/apac
Hashtag: #Aon
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Foodstuffs Own Brands in its recall of Pams brand Tempura Coated Chicken Nuggets as they may contain small pieces of blue rubber.
“If you have a 1kg bag of Pams Tempura Coated Chicken Nuggets with a best-before date of 16 October 2025, don’t eat them,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.
“Return the nuggets to the place of purchase for a refund or, if that’s not possible, throw them out.”
The affected products are sold at Four Square, Gilmours, New World, Pak’nSave and Social Supermarket stores nationwide.
The products have been removed from stores and have not been exported.
Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s food recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected product.
The problem came to light as a result of a customer complaint, and New Zealand Food Safety has had no notification of associated issues.
“As is our usual practice, we will work with Foodstuffs Own Brands to understand how this issue arose and to prevent it happening again,” says Mr Arbuckle.
The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts.
Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.
While Health Minister Simeon Brown pushes for more Telehealth services, Health New Zealand (HNZ) is proposing to cut key Telehealth support roles to meet the Government’s drive to reduce health spending.
These proposed cuts would reduce access to virtual healthcare, increasing wait times and delaying vital diagnosis and treatment, Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi Acting National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says.
Under HNZ’s proposed restructures of the Data and Digital, and Planning, Funding and Outcomes teams there would be a loss of 14 Telehealth roles.
The proposed cuts would see only two full time Telehealth data and digital roles, and one Planning, Funding and Outcomes (PFO) role remain, reduced from 17 Telehealth support roles (including vacant roles). Roles proposed to be cut include Telehealth co-ordinators and Telehealth facilitators.
Telehealth Data and Digital staff provide critical technical support to clinicians delivering healthcare services virtually, Fitzsimons says.
“These cuts will mean clinical staff delivering virtual patient care will not be able to access the support they need to deliver that care in future,” Fitzsimons says.
Removing this number of Telehealth roles will result in significant loss of access, availability and quality of healthcare for our communities, she says.
“Axing vital Telehealth support roles makes a nonsense of the Government’s claims that their cuts to health won’t affect the care New Zealanders receive,” Fitzsimons says.
The proposed cuts are part of the overall 47% cut to Data and Digital health services under the HNZ restructure proposal announced in late November, following a directive from the government to cut health spending.
The PSA understands some Telehealth workers have already left the team via voluntary redundancy or not having their contracts renewed.
“There is a risk that Telehealth workers will head offshore, and they would be hard to replace,” Fitzsimons says.
“In January and February new Health Minister Simeon Brown strongly signalled he would be looking for increased use of virtual health care in the future. At the same time the Government is driving spending cuts that will see vital Telehealth technical support severely eroded.
“Cutting Telehealth is not going to help the Minister Simeon Brown’s intention to embrace technology and open new ways for patients to access healthcare. These cuts pull the plug on this.
“It’s further evidence that the Government’s funding cuts are rushed, disorganised and ill thought out.”
Telehealth enables patients to connect with healthcare providers for a range of reasons, including new mums accessing lactation experts, diabetics receiving help with insulin self-management and support for women who were survivors of the pelvic mesh medical scandal.
Some communities who may be impacted the most by these cuts include the nearly 25% of New Zealanders with disabilities, and those in rural communities, who may struggle to physically access healthcare.
“The geography of New Zealand coupled with a spread-out population present certain challenges for accessing healthcare services. Virtual healthcare will undoubtedly be part of the solution, but this requires funding and resourcing to meet the need,” Fitzsimons says.
