HONG KONG, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda announces travel trends for Hong Kong travelers during the upcoming Lunar New Year. As the Year of the Snake approaches, the choices of destinations by travelers from Hong Kong reveal intriguing patterns.
The top five outbound destinations for Hong Kong travelers are Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Mainland China, and South Korea, respectively. The popularity of these locations indicates Hong Kong travelers’ preferences for shopping, leisure, and adventure.
Meanwhile, the top five markets visiting Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year holiday are Mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Singapore, respectively. The diversity of these markets reflects Hong Kong’s broad appeal.
Angel Huang, China Director at Agoda, stated: “Lunar New Year is a special time when many choose to travel. Agoda is delighted to help travelers explore their dream destinations, whether it’s reuniting with family or discovering new cultures.”
As Lunar New Year approaches, Agoda offers over 5 million vacation accommodations, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, making it easy for travelers to plan their holidays. Travelers can find more information on Agoda.com and get the best deals on the Agoda mobile app.
HONG KONG, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IQAX Limited’s electronic bill of lading (eBL) solution has received approval from the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG P&I Clubs) for IQAX eBL interoperable addendum (version dated 6 December 2024).
This official approval extends IQAX eBL’s capabilities to include eBL transactions between IQAX eBL and other approved eBL solution providers, marking a crucial step toward achieving seamless digital trade documentation across platforms. The approval builds upon IQAX eBL’s existing success, which has seen over 20,000 customers trust the platform for digital bill-of-lading transactions since its initial IG P&I Clubs approval in June 2022.
“This approval means our customers can conduct inter-platform transfers with the same confidence they’ve had in our standalone solution,” said Lionel Louie, Chief Commercial Officer of IQAX. “They can be assured that eBL-related liabilities are covered under standard P&I terms, identical to paper bills of lading.”
The newly approved interoperable addendum highlights that the current interoperable eBL approach—utilizing GSBN as a Control Tracking Registry—ensures the uniqueness and validity of interoperable transfers. This not only satisfies the legal requirements for IG P&I Club approval but also establishes a scalable and commercially viable solution that brings us closer to the goal of full eBL adoption.
IQAX’s recent interoperability initiative with ICE Digital Trade, for example, demonstrates the practical application of cross-platform eBL transfers, ensuring security and legal compliance every step of the way.
“This approval positions IQAX at the forefront of digital trade innovation,” said Lionel Louie. “We are now equipped to support interoperability with other eBL platforms that share our vision for an interconnected future. We look forward to establishing partnerships with like-minded organizations to drive the digital transformation of global trade documentation.”
IQAX remains committed to expanding its network of interoperable partners and continuing to enhance its digital solutions to meet the evolving needs of the global trade community.
For more information about IQAX eBL and its interoperability capabilities, please contact:
IQAX Limited is a global information technology company that provides intelligent digital transformation solutions using blockchain for enterprises in the logistics ecosystem. Backed by a strong heritage in container shipping, IQAX strives to foster a harmonized and connected global trade environment. As an industry leader, IQAX connects with shippers, consignees, freight forwarders, carriers, terminals, and financial institutions, and empowers them with digitized solutions to meet emerging business challenges throughout the supply chain.
IQAX is an independent technology company wholly owned by Orient Overseas International Ltd. (HKEX:0316), which is in turn part of Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), one of the largest integrated international transport and logistics companies in the world.
BOSTON, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Antennova, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on oncology today announced the presentation of latest data from its Phase I/II CLINCH study ongoing in China and Australia evaluating ATN-022 (CLDN18.2 antibody-drug conjugate [ADC]) in patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium 2025 (ASCO GI 2025).
The CLINCH study is a Phase I/II study ongoing in China and Australiawith a dose escalation phase followed by a dose expansion phase. As of November 22, 2024, among 21 gastric cancer patients in dose expansion phase with CLDN 18.2 expression of IHC 2+ ≥ 20% who had at least 1 tumor evaluation, the overall response rate (ORR) was 42.9%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 95.2% (9 partial responses [PRs] including 8 confirmed PRs; and 11 stable diseases [SDs]).
Among 10 gastric cancer patients with CLDN 18.2 expression of IHC 2+ < 20% treated at efficacious doses of 1.8 – 2.4 mg/kg, the ORR was 30.0% (1 complete response [CR] and 2 PRs, all PR/CR were confirmed with CLDN 18.2 expression of IHC 2+ < 5%), and the DCR was 50.0%. The patient with CR has demonstrated durable response and has been on the study for over 14 months as of the cut-off date.
ATN-022 demonstrated a manageable safety profile and promising preliminary antitumor activity in late stage gastric cancer patients across various levels of CLDN18.2 expression, supporting further clinical investigations of ATN-022 in gastric cancer patients. The enrollment of gastric cancer patients for dose optimization and patients with other solid tumors is ongoing in China and Australia.
Details of the Poster Presentation:
ATN-022 (also known as ATG-022, CLDN18.2 antibody-drug conjugate)
Title: Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of ATG-022 in Patients with Advanced/Metastatic Gastric Cancer (CLINCH)
Abstract Number: 456
Session: Poster Session A: Cancers of Esophagus and Stomach and Other Gastrointestinal Cancers
Presenter: Jinfeng Ma Shanxi Cancer Hospital
Date:Thursday, January 23, 2025
Time:11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Pacific time)
3:30 AM – 5:00 AM, January 24, 2025 (Beijing time)
About ATN-022
ATN-022 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) designed to target CLDN18.2, a member of the Claudin family of cell adhesion molecules. Under normal conditions, Claudins are located within tight junctions between cells, forming a barrier to regulate cell permeability. However, in cancer, Claudins are aberrantly expressed on the cell surface due to changes in cell polarity. CLDN18.2 is frequently overexpressed in a range of primary malignant tumors, including gastric, esophageal, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic and other cancers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded Orphan Drug Designations to ATN-022, for gastric and pancreatic cancers.
Data from the ongoing CLINCH study of ATN-022 has shown promising clinical efficacy in gastric cancer patients with various levels of CLDN18.2 expression. The efficacy already observed across all levels of CLDN18.2 expression in patients with gastric cancer suggests that ATN-022 holds the promise as a competitive treatment option.
About Antennova
Antennova, a Delaware corporation and a subsidiary of Antengene (HKEX: 6996), is a clinical-stage biotech company specialized in developing innovative therapeutics that target the critical biological mechanisms that enable cancers to evade and resist treatment by current drugs. Antennova is developing a pipeline of oncology candidates that can potentially enhance the effectiveness of standard therapies.
Forward-Looking Statements
The forward-looking statements made in this document relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this document. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this document completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this document, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this document. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development.
Availability of Databricks infrastructure in the Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region in early 2025
JAKARTA, Indonesia and SINGAPORE, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Databricks, the Data and AI company, today announced plans to expand its investment in the ASEAN region amid more than 70% annualized growth over the past three years, driven by a surge in demand for data intelligence. To meet the data, AI and governance demands of Indonesian enterprises, the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform will be available in the AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region in early 2025.
As generative AI adoption gains momentum, Indonesian organizations are increasingly recognizing data as a critical driver of competitive advantage and innovation in the digital economy. This expansion marks a significant milestone in Databricks’ commitment to the ASEAN region.
ASEAN companies leverage Databricks Intelligence Platform built on AWS
Hundreds of customers in ASEAN including Standard Chartered Bank, Ikano Retail (IKEA franchise), Maya, and Xendit, are already leveraging the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform on AWS to drive digital transformation, enhance operational efficiencies, and unlock new business opportunities. With this expansion, Databricks aims to empower a broader set of Indonesian organizations to harness the full potential of their data and AI capabilities.
The Databricks Data Intelligence Platform democratizes access to analytics and intelligent applications by marrying customers’ data with powerful AI models tuned to the unique characteristics of their business. The platform is built on a lakehouse foundation of open data formats and open governance to ensure that all data is completely within the customers’ control. The platform is also available onAWS Marketplace, a curated digital store where customers globally, including Indonesia, can find, buy, deploy, and manage cloud solutions from Databricks.
Databricks recently expanded its partnership with AWS. Indonesian enterprises can now leverage new capabilities, including faster development of custom models using Databricks Mosaic AI on AWS Trainium chips. This allows customers to pretrain, fine-tune, and deploy large language models (LLMs) on their own data with improved cost performance. Enhanced integrations on AWS Marketplace also streamline the adoption of Databricks, enabling businesses to run generative AI applications at scale while maintaining full control over their data and intellectual property.
“We’re thrilled to support Databricks’ expansion into Indonesia which reinforcesAWS’s IDR$71 trillion investment in the AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region. By building the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform exclusively on AWS in Indonesia, we are committed to supporting Databricks and our joint customers to securely manage data locally, and drive digital and AI innovation that addresses industry needs,” said Kirsten Gilbertson, Head for Partner Management, ASEAN, AWS.
“We’re excited to bring the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to Indonesia by leveraging the reliability, scalability, agility, and security of AWS. This expansion reflects our commitment to not only deepen our footprint in the region but also help Indonesian enterprises unlock the full potential of their data through advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, enabling them to transform their businesses in an increasingly digital economy,” said Cecily Ng, Vice President and General Manager of ASEAN and Greater China, Databricks.
About Databricks
Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 10,000 organisations worldwide — including Block, Comcast, Condé Nast, Rivian, Shell and over 60% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to take control of their data and put it to work with AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe, and was founded by the original creators of Lakehouse, Apache Spark™, Delta Lake and MLflow. To learn more, follow Databricks on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.
BANGKOK, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Thailand is set to make a grand debut at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, highlighting the country’s commitment to becoming one of the global leaders in medical and wellness services. In line with the Expo’s theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,”Thailand will demonstrate how its unique blend of traditional practices and advanced medical services fosters the greatest happiness and well-being for all.
Thailand Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (April 13 – October 13, 2025)
Promoting Thailand as a Preferred Global Medical Hub
According to Thailand’s Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsutin, the World Expo provides an exceptional opportunity for nations to connect and showcase innovations that shape a better future.
“We are excited to take part in this global event, where Thailand will share its unmatched expertise in both traditional Thai medicine and modern healthcare,” Minister Somsak stated. “Thailand’s policies are focused on transforming the country into an international medical hub, and our participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka will highlight our strengths in these areas.”
Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Public Health of Thailand
Thailand’s Medical and Wellness Excellence
The Thai Pavilion at Expo 2025 will feature five key areas of excellence that set Thailand apart as a leader in healthcare:
Traditional Thai Healthcare: Emphasizing the harmony between humans and nature, traditional Thai medicine has been practiced for centuries and remains integral to the country’s identity.
Thai Herbs and Culinary Health: Thailand’s rich culinary traditions, such as the world-famous Tom Yum Goong, incorporate the healing power of Thai herbs, showcasing their health benefits.
Thai Herbal Medicine: Visitors will learn about unique herbal products such as aroma inhalers and therapeutic massage oils, commonly used to promote health and well-being.
Thai Massage: Recognized as a UNESCO cultural heritage, Thai massage is world-renowned for its healing properties, combining therapeutic techniques with relaxation.
Modern Medical Excellence: Thailand is a recognized leader in modern healthcare, with 62 medical organizations accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), ranking the country 4th globally and No. 1 in Southeast Asia.
A Thriving Medical Tourism Industry
Thailand’s healthcare services and exceptional hospitality have helped the country rank among the world’s top five medical tourism destinations. The industry is valued at one trillion baht and is expected to reach 2.2 trillion baht (64.02 billion USD) by 2034, contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth.
Thailand to Showcase Medical and Wellness Excellence at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
The Thai Experience at Expo 2025
“Thailand’s appeal as a medical and wellness hub is not only due to our advanced healthcare system but also our warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and stunning natural beauty,” Minister Somsak continued. “At Expo 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to experience these elements firsthand, and we hope to inspire them to explore more about Thai medicine and visit Thailand to discover these healing practices in person.”
A Global Gathering in Osaka
Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan, from April 13 to October 13, 2025, and is expected to attract 28 million visitors from around the world. Thailand’s participation will be a key opportunity to share its medical and wellness excellence on the global stage.
For more information, please contact Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health Email: thaipavilion.official@gmail.com FACEBOOK: Thailandpavilionworldexpo2025
BEIJING, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Professor WANG Neng, Dean’s Distinguished Chair Professor of Finance and Senior Associate Dean at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), has been awarded the prestigious 2024 CBER-Circle Insight Award, an award jointly founded by the Crypto and Blockchain Economic Research (CBER) Forum and Circle, a prominent U.S. fintech company, which recognizes one groundbreaking academic study each year for its global impact. This honor highlights the world-class research expertise and significant global impact of CKGSB’s faculty.
CKGSB Professor Wang Neng receives the 2024 CBER-Circle Insight Award for his research in blockchain economics
Blockchain economics has become a pivotal area of exploration within economic research. The award-winning study, “Tokenomics: Dynamic Adoption and Valuation”, co-authored with Professor William Lin CONG from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business and Professor Ye LI from the University of Washington, is one of the earliest theoretical frameworks in token pricing and a foundational study in the field. It has laid the groundwork for a wide range of theoretical and empirical studies, many of which have been featured in top-tier academic journals and presented at prominent conferences worldwide.
The study introduces a dynamic asset pricing model for blockchain platform tokens, illustrating how tokens drive user adoption and foster ecosystem growth. It also analyzes the nonlinear relationships between token prices and factors such as platform productivity, user heterogeneity, and network size. This research holds profound implications for understanding competition among blockchain platforms and the pricing of related assets.
As of January 2025, “Tokenomics: Dynamic Adoption and Valuation” had garnered over 730 citations on Google Scholar, ranking among the most-cited papers published in recent years by the Review of Financial Studies, one of the leading finance journals. Recognized as a top 1% highly cited paper in the Scopus database, the research has also informed policy decisions by major organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Government of Canada.
About Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)
Established in Beijing in November 2002, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) is China’s first privately-funded and research-driven business school. The school aims to cultivate transformative business leaders with a global vision, sense of social responsibility, innovative mindset, and ability to lead with empathy and compassion (https://english.ckgsb.edu.cn).
With over 1,000 guests in attendance, this year’s gala underscores the company’s commitment to promoting creativity and innovation, providing content creators and viewers with a diverse and enriching experience.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 January 2025 – Bigo Live, a leading global social live-streaming platform, is excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated BIGO Awards Gala, now in its sixth edition. Under the theme “LIVE YOUR OASIS”, the event celebrates creativity, community, and sustainability while fostering a safe and innovative digital ecosystem. Taking place on January 24, 2025, at the iconic Marina Bay Sands, Sands Theatre in Singapore, the gala returns to the city where Bigo Live was founded.
BIGO Awards Gala 2025
With over 1,000 attendees from across the globe, the gala will honor outstanding content creators in categories like “Most Uplifting Livestream” and “Global Community Builder”. Winners will receive trophies, in-app rewards, and billboard recognition at iconic locations. Viewers can join the celebration by voting for their favorites in real-time, emphasizing Bigo Live’s commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.
Bigo Live continues to empower creators with tools and resources to produce impactful content while enhancing its User-Generated Content (UGC) policies. Stricter private stream verification, advanced moderation practices, and localized content guidelines ensure a secure and enriching digital environment for creativity and meaningful connections.
This year’s event is also carbon-neutral, marking a significant step toward environmental responsibility. By measuring emissions from materials, transportation, and energy use—and offsetting them with carbon credits—the gala sets new benchmarks for sustainable practices in the digital space.
“The BIGO Awards Gala 2025 is a celebration of the vibrant global community that makes Bigo Live so unique,” says a spokesperson from Bigo Live. “This year, as we return to Singapore, we’re not only honoring exceptional talent but also reaffirming our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and sustainable digital oasis where creativity and connections thrive.”
Co-hosted by Singaporean actress Vernetta Lopez and comedian Rishi Budhrani, the evening will feature performances from 35 international artists across genres such as pop, opera, hip-hop, and dance, alongside acrobatics and a spectacular EDM performance.
Livestreaming continues to revolutionize the social media landscape. Since its launch in 2016, Bigo Live has been at the forefront, empowering creators and ranking as the 7th most popular live-streaming platform worldwide (Stream Hatchet, Q4 2024). With tools like Virtual Live and personalized incentives, the platform cultivates a thriving ecosystem for creators and viewers alike.
The BIGO Awards Gala 2025 will be livestreamed on Bigo Live’s Music Livehouse channel (Bigo ID: music) via the Bigo Live app. Interactive features, including live chat and lucky draws, will enhance the experience for a global audience making the community more engaged.
Date: January 24, 2025
Red Carpet: 3 PM (GMT+8)
Gala Start: 7 PM (GMT+8)
Follow Bigo Live on Facebook and Instagram for updates, and join us in celebrating the transformative power of livestreaming. Hashtag: #BIGO #BIGOAwardsGala
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Bigo Live
Bigo Live is one of the world’s fastest-growing live-streaming social communities where users broadcast in real-time to share life moments, showcase their talents, and interact with people from around the world. Bigo Live has around 500 million users in over 150 countries and is currently the market leader in the live streaming industry. Launched in March 2016, Bigo Live is owned by Bigo Technology, based in Singapore.
Elite, Regular, and Foundation Programs Available – Top Tutors Help Students Reach Their Full Potential
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 January 2025 – The Learn Smart Education (LSE) team, which came together during the pandemic in 2021, started with only a handful of teachers but has persevered through challenges to achieve remarkable success. By 2024, the team has nurtured numerous students who have excelled in the HKDSE, with some achieving top-tier results as second and third place scorers. Recently, LSE announced the launch of its self-developed AI learning system, which adheres to the philosophy of “designing the most effective learning solutions for students.” This innovative system enhances teaching efficiency and accelerates students’ learning progress by leveraging advanced AI technology. It analyzes students’ strengths and weaknesses, providing targeted support for weaker areas, and offers personalized learning plans tailored to each student’s needs.
Elite, Regular, and Foundation Programs Available – Top Tutors Help Students Reach Their Full Potential
LSE is renowned for its highly efficient learning environment, where students can seamlessly engage with teachers in an interactive and enjoyable setting that further inspires their motivation to learn. The team members are all highly experienced educators, and its star tutors in various disciplines are graduates of the world’s top universities. Each tutor specializes in their respective subject and brings over five years of tutoring experience, ensuring a high level of teaching quality.
Students at Learn Smart Education consistently achieve outstanding results in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) each year. Over the years, LSE has cultivated multiple second and third place scorers in the HKDSE, solidifying its reputation for excellence.
1 to 1 Personalized Learning with AI-Powered Analysis
Unlike traditional teaching methods, LSE prioritizes individual students’ needs. Its in-house curriculum development team crafts intensive courses, and the advanced AI system analyzes students’ strengths and weaknesses, providing personalized learning plans with targeted support for areas needing improvement. This approach empowers students to identify their strengths while addressing weaknesses effectively, maximizing learning outcomes. The LSE student app features an enrollment system and practice exercises in both Chinese and English. For example, in Classical Chinese literature practice, teachers input passages and translations, selecting difficulty levels. The AI then generates practice questions and suggested answers. After completion, the system uses big data to analyze student performance, comparing it to peers and providing accurate predictive assessments.
LSE offers a diverse range of secondary school courses, covering Chinese, English, Mathematics, and other subjects for students from Forms 1 to 6. Three learning pathways – advanced, regular, and remedial – ensure students start at an appropriate level, gradually building their foundation and improving their learning effectiveness. All teachers are graduates of top universities with extensive teaching experience, providing high-quality instruction. Unlimited Chinese and English essay feedback and unlimited mathematics practice opportunities are included, promoting holistic development and improved learning outcomes.
Free DSE Strategy Workshops and Mock Exams
LSE regularly hosts free one-day DSE strategy workshops and a pre-exam “Register for One Subject, Practice All Subjects Free” campaign, providing additional practice opportunities for students with limited time or resources. Large-scale mock exams help students identify and address weaknesses, preparing them for the DSE examinations and fostering continuous improvement.
Industry Recognition and Future Plans
LSE has received numerous accolades, including the Most Outstanding Classroom Awards and recognition in the Second Mega Rich Family Good Employer Award Program. LSE continuously refines its teaching system, offering increasingly personalized learning solutions tailored to individual student needs. The institution is dedicated to developing strategies to enhance student motivation, encouraging practical application of classroom learning and continuous self-improvement. With the introduction of AI Systems and a series of effective initiatives, LSE aims to provide a superior learning experience, empowering students to overcome academic challenges and build a brighter future. Hashtag: #LearnSmartEducation #AILearningSystem #AISystem #SecondaryCareer #EnhancementCourses #DSEexam #examtips #DSEprepare #HKTUTOR #Tuitionteacher #parentrelationship #Concentration #Tutor
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Learn Smart Education
Currently operating four campuses in North Point, Prince Edward, and Mong Kok, Learn Smart Education boasts top-tier tutors in each subject. These tutors are graduates of prestigious universities, specializing in their respective fields with over five years of tutoring experience, guaranteeing expertise.
Address︰ North Point Java Road:7/F, 108 Java Road, North Point North Point King’s Road:2/F, 383 King’s Road, North Point Prince Edward Building:5/F, Central Commercial Tower, 736 Nathan Road, Mong Kok Mong Kok Building:6/F, Hua Chiao Commercial Centre, 678 Nathan Road, Mong Kok WhatsApp:852 5950 5987 Tel︰852 3580 8982 Website: https://learnsmart.edu.hk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnSmartEducation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnsmarteduhk/