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Sharon AI Appoints Melissa Anastasiou as Chief Legal Officer

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Advertorial Desk
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NEW YORK, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sharon AI Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SHAZ) and its subsidiaries (“Sharon AI” or “the Company”), a leading Australian Neocloud, today announced the appointment of Melissa Anastasiou as Chief Legal Officer (CLO).

This appointment further strengthens Sharon AI’s executive leadership team as it continues to scale its AI Cloud platform and sovereign AI infrastructure.

Melissa brings more than two decades of experience across legal, finance and governance. Her appointment bolsters the leadership, risk oversight and enterprise readiness required to support disciplined execution of the Company’s long-term growth strategy.

Melissa joins Sharon AI following more than 16 years at Spark New Zealand, where she served as Executive Group General Counsel and Commercial Director. During her tenure, she advised the Board and Executive Leadership Team on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory, privacy and cyber matters together with digital transformation. She also chaired Spark’s AI & Data Ethics Committee, leading the development of enterprise AI governance and responsible data frameworks.

As Chief Legal Officer, Melissa will lead Sharon AI’s legal, governance and compliance functions, with a focus on regulatory discipline, responsible AI practices and risk management as the business scales.

James Manning, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Sharon AI, said:

“Melissa is an exceptional leader with deep experience supporting one of Australasia’s largest and most complex technology organisations. Her appointment reflects our commitment to building a leadership team capable of supporting customers, partners and investors as AI becomes critical national infrastructure.”

“As demand for sovereign AI infrastructure continues to accelerate, organisations expect world-class governance and operational excellence. Melissa significantly strengthens our ability to meet those expectations and position Sharon AI for its next phase of growth.”

Melissa Anastasiou, Chief Legal Officer at Sharon AI, said:

“Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, creating significant opportunities alongside new legal and governance requirements. My focus will be on building the legal and governance foundations that will support responsible execution and long-term growth.”

The appointment is part of Sharon AI’s investment in building one of the region’s leading AI infrastructure teams. As the Company expands its AI cloud platform and sovereign AI capabilities, Sharon AI is attracting experienced executives from some of Australia and New Zealand’s most respected technology organisations, creating high-value local jobs while building deep expertise across finance, legal and AI infrastructure.

This investment in local leadership and technical talent is intended to support Sharon AI’s ability to serve a sophisticated customer base across Australia and internationally, while maintaining the governance and security standards expected of critical AI infrastructure.

About Sharon AI

Sharon AI is a leading Australian Neocloud delivering high-performance computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence workloads. Through its AI Cloud platform and GPU/CPU compute infrastructure, Sharon AI is accelerating the build of AI factories and sovereign AI solutions. For more information, visit www.sharonai.com.

Disclosure Information

Sharon AI primarily uses its Investor Relations page (https://sharonai.com/investors/) to disclose material non-public information and to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. The Company also notes that, at times, it uses other communication mediums including, but not limited to, its X account (sharon__ai) and/or LinkedIn account (sharon-AI) to disseminate information about the Company, and can be additional sources of information outside press releases, regulatory filings with the SEC and any other conference calls, webcasts, investor days, etc. that the company may hold.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are not historical facts, and which are not assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. In some cases you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “project,” “strategy,” “plan,” “expect,” “goal,” “seek,” “future,” “likely” or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions or references to future periods. Forward-looking statements in this release include specific statements regarding the intended use of proceeds. Examples of such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to express or implied statements regarding Sharon AI’s management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future including, without limitation, statements regarding:

  • Service and product offerings;
  • Receipt and use of proceeds;
  • The deployment of assets and expansion of network procurement;
  • Sharon AI’s ability to engage with additional potential customers;
  • Expansion of Sharon AI’s data center footprint and capacity; and
  • The strengthening of Sharon AI’s partner network.

In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others, all of the risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and other reports subsequently filed with the SEC. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.

The forward-looking statements and other information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Sharon AI does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Contacts

Media
media@sharonai.com

Investors
investors@sharonai.com

Trooly Raises Nearly $20M Seed and Launches AI Research Platform for 45-Minute In-Depth Interviews With Global Consumers

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Advertorial Desk
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Powered by an intelligent follow-up engine, the AI-native platform reaches the depth of a senior research interview and opens its first public beta in North America.

WILMINGTON, Del., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trooly today launched its AI-native user research platform and opened its first public beta in North America, backed by nearly US$20 million in seed funding.

The platform is built to do what most research tools won’t: hold a single, 45-minute in-depth interview with a consumer anywhere in the world and return with the kind of understanding a senior researcher would. It is anchored by an intelligent follow-up engine that decides each next question in real time based on what the person actually said — not a fixed script. The company frames its promise to customers in a single line: Make User’s Voice Matter.

Modern teams face a familiar tradeoff. Surveys are fast and large but thin — capturing what people clicked, rarely why. Traditional interviews go deep but are slow, costly, and hard to run across markets and languages. A wave of AI tools has tried to close the gap by running large volumes of short, survey-like sessions at speed.

Trooly takes the opposite approach. Rather than optimizing for the number of interviews, it optimizes for the depth of each one — the information density a 45-minute conversation can hold when the interviewer keeps asking the right next question. The new funding goes toward exactly that bet: continued R&D on the core product and its multimodal voice-agent technology, building out a global panel of interview participants, and expanding among globally scaling companies and high-stakes, decision-dense industries.

“Speed and volume aren’t the hard part of AI research anymore — depth is,” said Whisper Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of Trooly. “A great interview is not just a fast survey. It’s a real conversation where every answer earns a sharper next question. We built Trooly so any team, anywhere, can have that conversation with their customers — and find out what’s next before their competitors do.”

How It Works

Trooly runs as a four-step workflow that carries a single research question all the way to an executable insight — at roughly 20x the speed and one-tenth the cost of traditional research.

01 • Frame the Question — ~5 min — Work with the customer to define the research goal, turning a fuzzy business problem into a proposition that can actually be answered.

02 • Recruit With Precision — 2–4 days — Draw on a global participant pool of 180 million respondents across 6 continents and 30+ countries, screening across three dimensions: profile, behavior, and purchase context.

03 • Run the Interview — 45 min each — An AI interviewer, sharpened by a two-layer fast-and-slow reasoning model, asks deep follow-ups that  illuminate the hidden purchase drivers and emotional triggers behind a customer’s final choice.

04 • Deliver the Report — always on — Straight from conversation to report, with interactive output that product, brand, and growth teams can act on directly.

Who It’s For

Because interviews run natively across markets and languages, Trooly serves companies expanding into new regions and global brands researching audiences across borders — without flying in a research team or rebuilding a study market by market. Teams use it wherever a multiple-choice answer isn’t enough:

  • Product teams — pressure-test a concept, diagnose why a feature stalls, or understand a workaround before committing a roadmap.
  • User research teams — run deep qualitative studies at a fraction of the usual timeline, and reach participants in markets they couldn’t previously staff.
  • Growth and marketing teams — learn why a message lands or misses, and hear positioning in customers’ own words.
  • Founders and strategy teams — enter a new market or category with the depth of a senior researcher’s read, not a survey’s surface.

What Customers Say

Trooly is already trusted by some of the most innovative companies in the world.

More than 400 teams across gaming, consumer goods, manufacturing, and lifestyle apps use the platform to sharpen their product, brand, and growth decisions.

“User research used to be our slowest input — 60+ days from brief to insight. With Trooly, the same depth arrives in 2–3 days, and the emotional texture of what customers say still comes through intact. For a consumer brand that lives or dies by listening, that’s a structural advantage — the closest thing we have to hearing our customers in real time.” — Glen, CEO & Executive Director, Beetles

“We first heard about Trooly through a press article. As a user research team, we were skeptical at first, so we ran a side-by-side test against human-led research. It quickly became our go-to for qualitative work — and the more we used it, the more it surprised us. It breaks the efficiency ceiling of traditional research without losing the personal touch of real conversation. I’m especially fond of ‘talk to transcripts,’ which makes unstructured data remarkably easy to work with. Trooly is a young, sharp team, and it’s gratifying to see our product suggestions shipped one by one.” — Tao, Head of Strategy, Halara

Trooly’s public beta is open to research, product, and growth teams in North America today, with global availability rolling out from [trooly.ai].

About Trooly

Trooly is an AI-native user research platform that conducts 45-minute in-depth interviews with consumers around the world, powered by an intelligent follow-up engine that adapts to each conversation in real time. Trooly helps product, research, and growth teams reach the depth of a senior research interview at a fraction of the time and cost — so they can Ask, Find what’s next. Learn more at [trooly.ai].

“Across the Table” – Iconic Chefs Come Together for Luxury Dining Series at The Naka Island, Phuket

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Advertorial Desk
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Four nights of refined coastal gastronomy and creative collaborations will be staged from August 12-15, 2026, featuring highly acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs from Bo.lan, Andō, Maison Dunand and more.


PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 – Some of the deepest conversations happen over food – the kind that pull you in close and ensure you stay a little longer than planned. This August, these conversations will become even more meaningful at the “Luxury Dining Series, Across the Table” – a collection of immersive epicurean experiences unfolding across six extraordinary destinations in Asia.

LDS 2026.jpg

One of these six destinations will be hosted from August 12-15, 2026, at The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, the five-star sanctuary nestled on an idyllic island in the Andaman Sea, where some of the region’s leading Michelin-starred chefs will join hands for four nights of culinary celebrations and collaborations.

A Gathering of Gastronomic Visionaries

The Luxury Dining Series brings together visionary guest chefs Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava and Dylan Jones from Bangkok’s iconic Bo.lan, Agustin Ferrando Balbi, chef-founder of Andō in Hong Kong, and Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, chef-founder of Maison Dunand in Bangkok, alongside mixology maestros Sudarat “Taln” Rojanavanich of Bar Us and Jane Kaew-Yod, co-founder of Lay Heritage Cocktails Space.

They will join The Naka Island, Phuket’s own highly acclaimed Chef Joseph William Talbot, Chef Ratchanee “Kob” Nu-On, and Mixologist Adi Sukasta, along with culinary artists and mixologists from across the Marriott portfolio—including Pastry Chef Sylvain Constans from The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, Chef Laongdao “Aong” Tohkhot of Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, and Mixologist Fransiska Siregar from The St. Regis Jakarta—for a series of mesmerizing, multi-hand dining and cocktail experiences spanning four engaging, interactive evenings.

Four Idyllic Evenings, Four Enchanting Chapters

  • August 12 – “The Art of Culinary Discovery & Craft Brew Experience” will be hosted by chefs Agustin Ferrando Balbi and Joseph William Talbot at the resort’s Multi-Purpose Sala, with handcrafted pass-around bites and live stations inspired by island life, paired with Phuket’s finest craft beers.
  • August 13 – “The Grand Banquet: Eight-Hand Dinner” will be staged on the Beach Lawn, as chefs Agustin Ferrando Balbi, Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, Joseph William Talbot, and Sylvain Constans come together for an exceptional, wine-paired menu that showcases the essence of Phuket beneath the Andaman sky.
  • August 14 – “Chefs at the Table: Six-Hand Dinner” will see chefs Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, Joseph William Talbot, and Sylvain Constans present an elegant wine-paired menu at Veranda, balancing Alpine precision, Mediterranean warmth, and French artistry.
  • August 15 – “Chefs at the Table: Eight-Hand Culinary Journey” will be a celebration of refined Thai cuisine at Aiyara, as chefs Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava, Dylan Jones, Laongdao “Aong” Tohkhot, and Ratchanee “Kob” Nu-On honor the kingdom’s gastronomic heritage, with cocktail pairings by Jane Kaew-Yod.

Beyond the Table: Uncover Phuket’s Culture and Crafts

Alongside these four epicurean evenings, guests are invited to a series of experiences that will connect them with the authentic essence of the island. A Gin Distillery Tour and hands-on Gin Making Workshop, a Dye Textile Workshop rooted in local artisan techniques, and a sunset catamaran excursion along the Andaman coast will highlight the natural, cultural and culinary wonders of Phuket. Every celebration extends into the evening with a curated line-up of cocktail experiences, including a bar takeover by Bar Us and a special cocktail collaboration with The St. Regis Jakarta, bringing fresh energy and creative pairings to The Naka Island, Phuket.

The Ultimate “Experience Dining Package”

Finally, guests staying from August 12-15, 2026, can reserve the “Experience Dining Package”, which includes daily breakfast and a set dinner for two people, with each evening thoughtfully elevated to reflect the spirit of “Across The Table”.

To reserve your place at the “Luxury Dining Series“, please visit luxurydiningseries.com/phuket, and to book the “Experience Dining Package”, please click here.

For more information about The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, please connect with us via these channels:

Email: naka.reservations@luxurycollection.com
Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pyxlc-the-naka-island-a-luxury-collection-resort-and-spa-phuket/overview
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thenakaisland

Line Official: lin.ee/6wOs1Rw

Hashtag: #TheLuxuryCollection #NakaIsland #Phuket

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

About Marriott Bonvoy®

Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit .

About The Luxury Collection® Hotels & Resorts

The Luxury Collection® is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort are a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of over 130 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in 42 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit or follow and . The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit .

Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Cluster Developed by Rönesans Attracts Over US$3 Billion in Investment

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Advertorial Desk
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  • Total investment across the Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Cluster (DAPEK) now exceeds US$3 billion, anchored by the US$2 billion Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal
  • New port, energy and logistics investments position DAPEK as one of the Eastern Mediterranean’s most comprehensive integrated industrial hubs
  • Partnership with Surbana Jurong Group is driving international investor interest in DAPEK, drawing on models such as Rotterdam and Singapore’s Jurong Island

ISTANBUL, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Cluster (DAPEK), developed by Rönesans Holding in Ceyhan, Adana, has entered a new phase of growth with recent additions including polypropylene production facility, liquid bulk terminal, port investments. DAPEK has attracted increasing interest from international investors with total investment across the cluster now surpassing US$ 3 billion.

Ceyhan Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal
Ceyhan Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal

DAPEK is recognised as one of the Eastern Mediterranean’s most comprehensive industrial, energy and logistics projects. Spanning approximately 1,300 hectares it brings together petrochemical production, port operations, energy infrastructure and logistics services under a single platform. A strategic investment that will contribute to Türkiye’s industrial transformation. At the heart of the project is the US$1.8 billion Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal, developed jointly by Rönesans Holding and international partners. Combined with ongoing container port and infrastructure investments, total investment in the cluster has surpassed US$3 billion.

Erman Ilıcak, President Emeritus of Rönesans Holding, stated that DAPEK is far more than an industrial investment:

“With our investment programme, which has now reached US$3 billion, we are creating a next-generation industrial ecosystem, not simply construction facilities. Our goal is to establish Türkiye’s most competitive industrial hub by co-locating production and logistics to energy and port infrastructure – everything investors need within a single location. We view DAPEK as a foundational to Türkiye’s industrial infrastructure for the next 50 years.”

Coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye, DAPEK aims to become one of the country’s globally competitive industrial centres through its integrated structure.

“The Polypropylene Production Facility will be one of the cornerstone investments of this ecosystem. Alongside the liquid bulk terminal, container port, dry bulk terminal, energy infrastructure, railway connections and shared-use facilities, these investments represent a comprehensive ecosystem that extends well beyond the production facility itself.”

Ceyhan’s Strategic Importance Continues to Strengthen

Addressing recent geopolitical developments and energy security discussions, Ilıcak highlighted the growing significance of alternative energy and trade corridors:

“As energy and trade routes reshape globally, Ceyhan’s strategic importance increases daily. Companies are recalibrating their production, supply chain and investment strategies. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of the European, Middle Eastern and North African markets, DAPEK offers port, energy, logistics and industrial infrastructure within a single integrated ecosystem – an increasingly rare and attractive proposition.”

Surbana Jurong Partnership Places DAPEK on the Radar of International Investors

“Companies now evaluate beyond location; they also assess logistics capabilities, energy infrastructure and access to markets.”

“Inspired by successful industrial clustering models like Rotterdam and Singapore’s Jurong Island, we’ve partnered with Surbana Jurong Group, one of the world’s leading industrial zone developers. Since 2026, we’ve collaborated on investor development, international marketing, sustainability and long-term growth strategies. This partnership has significantly raised DAPEK’s profile among global investors”.

DAPEK Preparing for New Investors

As infrastructure works progress and key construction milestones are reached, efforts to attract new investors to DAPEK are gaining momentum. 

DAPEK is targeting medium- and high-technology industrial investments in the years ahead, with active discussions already underway with companies across a range of sectors, including petrochemicals, chemicals, energy equipment, composite materials, biofuels and other value-added manufacturing industries.

Offering large-scale development plots and a multimodal logistics infrastructure that seamlessly connects road, rail and sea, DAPEK presents itself as a truly distinctive industrial platform. Its industrial zone framework provides investors with a long-term land-use model that delivers meaningful advantages in terms of both cost and financing.

The overarching vision is to build DAPEK into something greater than a collection of standalone investments – to create, instead, a thriving industrial ecosystem in which production, energy and logistics reinforce and feed into one another.

With road, rail and maritime links converging at a single location, alongside vast development land and best-in-class infrastructure, DAPEK is establishing itself as a strategic platform in support of Türkiye’s ambition to become a leading centre for production and trade in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Supporting the Reduction of Türkiye’s Petrochemical Import Dependence

At a time when Türkiye remains significantly dependent on imported petrochemical products, the project is well-positioned to bolster domestic industrial output and make a tangible contribution to the country’s trade balance.

Ilıcak concluded:

“Once completed, the Polypropylene Production Facility at the heart of DAPEK will have an annual production capacity of 472,500 tonnes and will meet approximately 17 per cent of Türkiye’s annual polypropylene demand. This is expected to contribute around US$300 million annually to Türkiye’s current account balance while reducing the country’s dependence on imported petrochemical products.”

Beyond strengthening industrial and logistics infrastructure, ongoing investment at DAPEK is also generating significant local employment. The project currently supports 4,000 jobs on site, 70 per cent of which are held by workers from the surrounding region. As development continues, that number is expected to surpass 4,500 by the end of the year.

Press Contact:
Bensu Celik, bensu.celik@ronesans.com 

Erman Ilicak, President Emeritus of Rönesans Holding
Erman Ilicak, President Emeritus of Rönesans Holding

OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia Hits Impressive Sales Milestones, Pushes Electrification Forward and Innovates Smart Living Together with AiMOGA

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Advertorial Desk
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest-growing automotive brands, delivering over 8,100 vehicles year-to-date as of July 2026 to claim the fifth spot among Malaysia’s best-selling automotive brands. This robust performance underscores rising customer trust in its expanding SUV lineup, solidifying Malaysia’s status as a key overseas market for the brand.


A major driver of this success is the JAECOO J5, a premium SUV launched in March 2026 that has surpassed 2,500 deliveries in just four months. Renowned for its premium craftsmanship, intelligent technology and everyday practicality, the J5 has struck a chord with Malaysian consumers.

Building on this momentum, OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia has opened bookings for the all-new JAECOO J5 EV, its first fully electric model in the country with an estimated starting price of RM125,000. This marks a significant milestone in the brand’s electrification journey, following a stellar first half of 2026 where new energy vehicle (NEV) deliveries surged 843% year-on-year to 2,300 units, up from 244 units in H1 2025.

The J5 EV expands OMODA & JAECOO’s NEV portfolio, complementing its plug-in hybrid offerings and giving Malaysian consumers more choices across internal combustion, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains. As it enters a new growth phase, the brand remains committed to delivering intelligent mobility solutions, innovative technologies and exceptional ownership experiences to shape Malaysia’s mobility future.


OMODA & JAECOO, a youthful global brand with a vision to “Co-create a Beautiful Life with Young People,” has seen global sales hit one million in three years, expanding into 77 markets worldwide. It leads in hybrid technology with its SHS super hybrid system and is accelerating BEV deployment, while focusing on intelligent driving and cockpit features. In collaboration with embodied intelligent robotics company AiMOGA, the brand has developed robots that extend smart technology into diverse interactive scenarios, enriching the smart living landscape.

Laos Enhances Climate Resilience Through Its First Climate Adaptation Forum

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Public Diplomacy
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A picture of Participants from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, GGGI, and UN-Habitat attend Laos’ first Climate Adaptation Forum in Vientiane Capital. (Photo supplied)

The Lao Climate Adaptation Forum was successfully convened to strengthen collaboration among relevant stakeholders in accelerating climate adaptation developments across the country in Vientiane Capital, on 22 July. The forum gathered representatives from line ministries, development partners, private sectors, civil society organizations, academic institutions, youth initiatives, and local communities to communicate strategic priorities and identify actionable pathways for building a climate-resilient future of Laos.

This forum highlighted Laos’ key policy frameworks in climate change adaptation, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), the three Sectoral Adaptation Strategies and Action Plans (SAPs), the development progress of the Sub-national Adaptation Roadmap and other relevant initiatives. 

Served as a national platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and stakeholders’ engagement, the Forum featured introduction of key policy instruments, interactive panel discussions, and exhibition booths showcasing climate adaptation initiatives, and innovative practices from across sectors. Through this forum, participants were perceived to highlight climate adaptation policies of Laos, explored opportunities to strengthen partnership, and identified pathways to scale up effective adaptation measures to mobilize greater investments and support for enhancing climate resilience.

In addition, the Forum offered a remarkable stage to demonstrate that climate adaptation finances and private sector roles can drive policies into actionable and impactful investments. Importantly, voices from subnational representatives were heard which will inform strategic investment in areas that are most vulnerable, and people are at risk of climate change impacts.

With the joint efforts of the Department of Environment within the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and UN-Habitat, the Lao PDR Climate Adaptation Forum built a strong partnership in advancing Laos climate adaptation developments. The Lao PDR Climate Adaptation Forum marked a vital step toward translating policies into coordinated action to enhance the resilience of our livelihoods, ecosystems, and economy.

Keynote from Chairs:

Quote from Chanthakhone Boualaphanh, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment

“To translate our strategies and plans into concrete action, this forum serves as an important platform for all relevant stakeholders to exchange knowledge, identify opportunities, and foster the multi-sector partnerships needed to implement climate adaptation efforts across Lao PDR.”

Quote from Dagmar Zwebe, GGGI Country Representative, Laos

“Climate change is a complex challenge that no single entity can solve alone and real progress on happens when plans become action. Through strong partnerships and targeted investments, we can deliver practical solutions that strengthen resilience across Lao PDR.” 

Quote from Avi Sarkar, Regional Advisor for South-East Asia and Head of Office, UN-Habitat Laos 

“Every year, climate impacts become more visible, more frequent and more costly. Climate adaptation is not a conversation we can have once and move on from. The challenge before us is no longer simply identifying climate risks; it is deciding together how we translate those priorities into action, investment and lasting impact.”

HKU Launches First Community Pharmacist-Led Osteoporosis Screening Programme in Hong Kong

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Advertorial Desk
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COSA Risk Assessment Tool Deployed Across Community Pharmacies to Identify Undiagnosed Patients


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 – The Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine , the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) today announced the launch of Hong Kong’s first structured community pharmacist-led osteoporosis screening programme, built upon the validated Chinese Osteoporosis Screening Algorithm (COSA). The initiative enables trained community pharmacists to proactively identify individuals at high risk of osteoporosis — a condition that affects millions yet remains widely undiagnosed — and to facilitate timely referral to family physicians for clinical evaluation, bone mineral density assessment, and diagnosis, thereby helping hidden patients in community to receive appropriate care.

(from left) Ms Kuki Ku, a Christian Family Service Centre (CFSC) community pharmacist; Mr. Gary Kong Ching-yue, Programme Director - Primary Health Care Services, CFSC; Professor Cheung Ching-lung, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong and Ms Shum, a participant of COSA screening service, support more community pharmacies and other primary healthcare platforms establish osteoporosis screening, working collaboratively to build a comprehensive bone health management network rooted in "early identification, timely diagnosis, and prompt treatment."
(from left) Ms Kuki Ku, a Christian Family Service Centre (CFSC) community pharmacist; Mr. Gary Kong Ching-yue, Programme Director – Primary Health Care Services, CFSC; Professor Cheung Ching-lung, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong and Ms Shum, a participant of COSA screening service, support more community pharmacies and other primary healthcare platforms establish osteoporosis screening, working collaboratively to build a comprehensive bone health management network rooted in “early identification, timely diagnosis, and prompt treatment.”

Despite being one of the most prevalent bone diseases in Hong Kong, osteoporosis is estimated to go undiagnosed and untreated in up to 80% of those affected, largely because the disease is asymptomatic until a fracture occurs. By embedding screening within the familiar and accessible setting of community pharmacies, this programme represents a significant step forward in closing the gap between disease burden and clinical intervention.

Osteoporosis Can Lead to Fragility Fractures with Mortality Rates Comparable to Major Cancers

Osteoporosis affects approximately 30% of women and 8% of men aged over 50 or above in Hong Kong, causing progressive deterioration of bone density that leaves patients vulnerable to fragility fractures — fractures that occur from low-impact forces such as a minor fall or even a sudden movement. These fractures carry consequences far beyond physical injury.

Research demonstrates that the one-year mortality rate following a hip fracture can exceed that of certain common cancers, including prostate and breast cancer. Local hospital data further indicate that nearly half of all patients who sustain a fragility hip fracture do not survive beyond five years. Despite these grave outcomes, public awareness remains alarmingly low: international studies suggest that fewer than one in ten at-risk individuals proactively seek a bone mineral density assessment.

Community Pharmacies as an integral part of Primary Healthcare with Pharmacists Playing a Key Role

Recognising the urgent need for a scalable, community-based approach to osteoporosis detection, community pharmacies are increasingly recognised as one of the vital platforms for screening and health education. Community pharmacies play a unique position in the primary healthcare ecosystem — they are among the most frequently visited and trusted healthcare touchpoints in daily life, offering not only medication dispensing but also accessible health consultations, disease prevention education, risk assessments, and referrals, serving as a critical component of the primary healthcare ecosystem.

Standardising the COSA Screening Process to Reach High-Risk Individuals in the Community

Since 2026, the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at HKUMed has collaborated with multiple community pharmacies to introduce a standardised osteoporosis risk assessment protocol into the community, enabling specially trained community pharmacists to utilise the COSA tool to screen high-risk individuals. The assessment requires only four data points — sex, age, body weight, and prior fracture history — and can be completed within minutes during a routine pharmacy visit.

Pharmacists trained in the protocol explain results to patients immediately upon completion. Individuals identified as high-risk receive a written referral to a family physician or other healthcare professionals for further evaluation, including Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scanning to confirm diagnosis. All participants, regardless of risk classification, receive bone health education, including guidance on calcium and vitamin D intake, balanced diets, appropriate weight-bearing exercise, fall prevention, and other lifestyle modifications. Studies have demonstrated that these non-pharmacological interventions independently reduce fracture incidence, offering bone protection even in the absence of drug therapy.

Promising Early Results: Approximately 60% of High-Risk Individuals Willing to Undergo Assessment

Since the programme’s launch, community pharmacists have proactively approached over 1,000 high-risk individuals — defined as men aged 70 or above, women aged 65 or above, and adults aged 50 or above with at least one additional osteoporosis risk factor — and invited them to complete the COSA assessment. Notably, approximately 60% of those approached agreed to undergo the assessment, demonstrating that community pharmacy-based osteoporosis screening is an effective means of raising public awareness of the disease and encouraging individuals to take an active role in managing their own health. Of those assessed, more than 100 individuals were identified as being at very high risk for osteoporosis and were referred to family physicians for further diagnostic workup. These findings confirm that this service model can effectively reach and identify undiagnosed high-risk individuals hidden within the community, facilitating early detection and timely intervention.

“Osteoporosis is a disease that is too often discovered only after a fracture has already occurred,” said Professor Cheung Ching-lung, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, HKUMed. “By integrating COSA screening into community pharmacies, we have been able to reach a substantial number of high-risk individuals who had never previously undergone assessment. Establishing routine screening services within community pharmacies not only helps elevate public understanding of bone health but also facilitates the early identification of undiagnoised patients, promoting timely diagnosis and treatment through established referral pathways.”

Proactive Outreach by Community Pharmacies Enhances Screening Accessibility

The Diamond Hill Family Pharmacy, operated by the Christian Family Service Centre (CFSC), is among the participating sites offering osteoporosis screening and health counselling as part of this programme. “Community pharmacies are places people trust and visit regularly. This programme demonstrates precisely how community-based healthcare can extend disease prevention and health education into everyday life. We are delighted to support this clinical model that brings practical osteoporosis screening services into the community so that more high-risk individuals can receive early assessment.” said Mr Gary Kong Ching-yue, Programme Director – Primary Health Care Services, CFSC.

Ms Kuki Ku, a CFSC community pharmacist involved in the programme, highlighted a natural entry point that has proven particularly effective: many older adults visit pharmacies routinely to purchase calcium supplements or vitamin D — products directly associated with bone health. This provides pharmacists with an organic opportunity to initiate a conversation about bone health, introduce the COSA assessment, and deliver personalised guidance on nutrition and exercise to support bone density maintenance. Ms Ku recalled one particularly illustrative case: during a routine COSA screening, she identified an elderly woman as being at high risk for osteoporosis and promptly referred her to a family doctor for further evaluation, including a DXA scan. The scan revealed osteoporosis . She is currently consulting with her doctor on follow-up management to reduce further bone loss.

Ms Shum, a participant of COSA screening service in her eighties living with hypertension, hyperglycaemia, and hypercholesterolaemia, visited the pharmacy to collect a blood glucose meter. At the pharmacist’s invitation, she completed the COSA osteoporosis screening — an encounter she had not anticipated. Her results indicated a high risk for osteoporosis, and she was issued a referral letter alongside personalised advice on fracture-preventive exercise and dietary calcium intake.

Standardised Guidelines and Training Readiness Pave the Way for Expanded Osteoporosis Screening

With Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population, the number of osteoporosis patients is projected to rise continuously, with hip fracture cases potentially surging several-fold to reach 27,468 cases by 2050. To strengthen community bone health management, the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at HKUMed has developed a comprehensive practice guideline for community-based osteoporosis screening services. These guidelines encompass the latest disease management information, standardised screening protocols, public education materials, and referral mechanisms, and have been officially reviewed by The Osteoporosis Society of Hong Kong (OSHK).

Additionally, the Department has launched an online Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) course to provide training for pharmacists, supporting the standardised development of the service. With guidelines, training courses, and referral pathways now established, the community screening service is fully equipped for expansion. This sets the foundation for more community pharmacies to adopt the service and enables future integration into District Health Centres (DHCs) and other primary healthcare platforms, working collaboratively to build a comprehensive bone health management network rooted in “early identification, timely diagnosis, and prompt treatment.”

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About the Chinese Osteoporosis Screening Algorithm (COSA)

The Chinese Osteoporosis Screening Algorithm (COSA) is a risk prediction tool developed by The Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, specifically tailored for the Chinese population. Unlike previous risk prediction tools, such as FRAX and OSTA, which have demonstrated biases due to ethnic differences, COSA offers greater accuracy for Chinese demographics. This algorithm assesses an individual’s risk of developing osteoporosis by posing four straightforward questions related to gender, weight, age, and fracture history, achieving an accuracy rate between 74% and 94%.

Laos Pushes Ahead with USD 5 Billion Luang Prabang Mekong Dam, on Track for 2030

By
Thongsavanh Souvannasane
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The Luang Prabang hydropower dam is now 72% completed and on track to begin operations in 2030. (Photo: Luang Prabang Television)

The USD 5 billion Luang Prabang hydropower dam on the Mekong River remains on track to begin generating electricity in 2030, with construction now more than 72 percent complete, Lao and Thai officials said following a high-level site visit on 18 July.

The project is one of several major dams planned along the Mekong as Laos continues to expand its role as a regional electricity exporter. Most of the power generated by the Luang Prabang dam will be sold to Thailand, according to state reports.

Located about 25 kilometers from Luang Prabang town, the dam stretches between Chomphet and Pak Ou districts, around 4 kilometers downstream from where the Nam Ou River joins the Mekong. It sits between the planned Pak Beng dam upstream and the Xayabouly dam downstream.

The dam is designed as a run-of-river project and will generate electricity year-round through seven 200-megawatt turbines, giving it a total installed capacity of 1,460 megawatts.

The structure will stand about 80 meters high with a crest length of 281 meters. It has also been designed to allow 500-ton cargo vessels and passenger boats to pass through in about 40 minutes and to meet seismic safety standards.

Ownership and Shareholders

The Luang Prabang Dam is owned by Luang Prabang Power Company Limited (LPCL), which holds the Lao government concession to design, build, and operate the project.

Thailand’s CK Power is the largest shareholder with a 50 percent stake, followed by Gulf Hydropower with 20 percent. CH. Karnchang, TTW Public Company, and Laos’ PT Sole each hold 10 percent

Once completed, the Luang Prabang project will become Laos’ third hydropower dam on the Mekong mainstream, following the Xayabouly and Don Sahong dams, which began operating respectively in 2019 and early 2020.

Six more mainstream dams are currently planned along the Mekong: Pak Beng, Pak Lay, Sanakham, Pak Chom, Ban Koum and Phou Ngoy.

Earlier this month, Laos and Myanmar also signed an agreement to study the feasibility of building a hydropower dam along the section of the Mekong River they share.

The Luang Prabang project affects 22 villages with a combined population of about 7,000 people across Chomphet district of Luang Prabang province, Hongsa district in Xayabouly, and Nga district in Oudomxay. Some residents have already been relocated to new settlements.

Authorities said the developer is carrying out the resettlement in line with government policy, with the aim of improving living conditions after relocation.

Heritage Concerns

Because the dam is just outside Luang Prabang, the public has often questioned whether it could affect the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status.

International experts and heritage groups have previously warned that changes to the Mekong River and the surrounding landscape could undermine the historic character of Luang Prabang, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1995.

However, during the 18 July site visit, Lao authorities said those concerns had been addressed through environmental studies and lessons learned from the Xayabouly dam. They’d confirmed that the project includes measures to help fish migrate and was designed to reduce environmental and social impacts while protecting the World Heritage city.

Hydropower Still Drives Laos’ Energy Plans

Hydropower remains Laos’ main source of electricity, producing about 70 percent of the country’s power.

According to the latest public data, Laos operates 94 power plants, including 81 hydropower dams, with a combined installed capacity of more than 11,600 megawatts.

The country’s electricity capacity has grown steadily, from 9.4 gigawatts in 2020 to 12.3 gigawatts in 2025. That figure is expected to nearly triple to 30 gigawatts by 2035, with hydropower continuing to make up around 80 percent of total capacity.

Under the government’s latest power strategy, hydropower is expected to provide about 75 percent of Laos’ domestic electricity by 2030. Solar, wind and other renewable energy sources are expected to account for around 11 percent of the country’s power mix.

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