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DHL Express demonstrates highest security standards with 100th TAPA “A” certification in Asia Pacific

  • The West Hanoi Service Center is the 100th facility in the region (excluding China) to receive the TAPA Facility Security Requirements (FSR) certification – class ‘A’
  • The TAPA class ‘A’ certification is the highest level of security standard – indicating DHL Express’s commitment to security excellence

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 2 November 2022 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider and the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) today officiated the company’s 100th TAPA FSR Class ‘A’ certified site – the highest level of TAPA certification – for DHL Express in Asia Pacific (excluding China). The 100th site was DHL Express’ newly inaugurated EUR2 million-West Hanoi Service Center, in Vietnam.

Travis Cobb, EVP, Global Network Operations & Aviation, DHL Express (left) receives the 100th TAPA class ‘A’ certificate for Asia Pacific (excluding China) from TAPA APAC Chairman, Tony Lugg

Commitment to the highest security standards is paramount for DHL Express which was among the pioneers applying TAPA standards to its facilities in Asia Pacific some 20 years ago. The TAPA certification is an internationally recognized industry standard that is given to companies that meet the requirements for secure warehousing or in-transit storage of high value goods across the global supply chain. The TAPA certification is only awarded upon rigorous audit processes.

The TAPA certification is highly sought after and is regarded as one of the most stringent independent security standards in the logistics and supply chain sectors. In 2001, DHL Express received the first TAPA certification for the Penang Gateway in Malaysia.

Security a cornerstone of resilience

“The term ‘resilience’ is the business buzzword of this decade, but a key cornerstone of resilience is security. Customers entrust us with high value goods – from technology products to luxury fashion labels, lifesaving medical devices to vaccines – we handle hundreds of thousands of shipments daily. Our relentless focus on security and regular training helps build business resilience for us, and our customers’ supply chains. The 100th site is a significant milestone and a testament to the dedication to building a great and secure place to work,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.

Tony Lugg, TAPA Certified Expert and Chairman of TAPA APAC, said: “TAPA Class “A” is the highest level of our security standards and denotes a facility as one that offers “elevated security protection”. DHL’s 100th TAPA “A” certification in Asia Pacific is a significant achievement which enhances their position as an industry leader in the international express service domain. Customers everywhere are increasingly demanding their logistics partners to build resilience and sustainability into their networks. DHL has certainly proved that their network is safe, secure and certified by the internationally recognized TAPA Standards.”

The focus on sustainability is of paramount importance for DHL Express. Facilities like the 100th TAPA site – the company’s West Hanoi Service Center – was built with sustainable features. Across the Group, Deutsche Post DHL Group has announced global targets of reducing carbon emissions from 33 million tons in 2020 to under 29 million tons by 2030. It is designing all new and owned buildings to be climate neutral by procuring electricity from renewable and sustainable sources. This includes the use of solar panels and rainwater harvesting solutions as well as digitalization and smart building management systems. These low carbon facilities – combined with its growing electric delivery vehicle fleet in Asia Pacific – are ongoing efforts to achieving net-zero carbon emissions for its logistics operations by 2050.

Hashtag: #DHL

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 81 billion euros in 2021. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

Alphacelle Introduces Integrated Stem Cell Solutions Amidst Rising Degenerative Diseases Amongst Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 2 November 2022 – The total Malaysian elderly population is estimated at 2.4 million or 7.5% of the total Malaysian population. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), ages 60 and above are increasing yearly and Malaysia is set to become a nation of the elderly by 2030, with citizens over 60 reaching 15.3% of the total population. This means 1 out of every 6 people will be over 60 years of age in 8 years’ time.

(From left) Dr. Lee, Dato’ Dr. Rajbans Singh, Lew Mun Yee (President & Founder of AlphaCelle), Chan Suet Fong & Dr. Billy at the pre-launch of AlphaCelle

This spells significant threats to Malaysia’s health care industry and society in general, and escalates common, degenerative and chronic diseases and immune deficiencies – leading to disability, immobility and dependency and premature deaths amongst Malaysians. In addition, Alzheimer’s disease will increase about 50 million people worldwide are Alzheimer’s patients.

The future treatment for degenerative diseases will not be drugs nor surgeries, but cell therapy . University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) which conducts research into regenerative medicine therapy (RMT) shared that stem cells therapies are a viable avenue to restore organ functions via regeneration and functional repair of damaged tissues.

There are two types of human stem cells – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), found in cord blood, bone marrow & peripheral blood and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), found in Wharton’s Jelly of the umbilical cord, bone marrow, fat tissue and tooth pulp. It is the MSCs that are multipotent as they carry and release a wide range of growth factors for repair and rejuvenation of various organ parts.

Enters AlphaCelle – the world’s first integrated stem cell therapy combining stems cells, high electric potential and exosomes. AlphaCelle sources stem cells ethically from umbilical cords of young and healthy women post-delivery from hospitals, ensuring the highest quality and energy mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) available.

The stem cells are then processed with the most advanced biotechnology under stringent hygienic condition, governed by Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) compliant by the Malaysian Ministry of Health and the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

Most crucially, the live mesenchymal stem cells have a maximum of 8 hours’ time-window from the process of de-thawing from cryo-frozen form to the delivery of it intravenously that ensure maintaining the continuous living nature and quality of the MSCs. Also, AlphaCelle uses a high volume of passage 2 MSCs, which are of the highest quality.

Mr Lew Mun Yee, President & Founder of AlphaCelle shares that stem cells therapy increases in efficacy when combined with high-electric potential therapy as it purifies the blood and enhances its circulation in the body which then optimises the dissemination of stem cells. The high electric potential medical device promotes better sleep quality and enhances blood circulation hence allowing the MSCs to reach the required area of the body to regenerate and repair weak and damaged cells.

AlphaCelle‘s brand promise is “Life Anew”, suggesting with regenerative medicine, everyone’s lives can be restarted, youthful and away from pain. Its mission is to capitalize stem cell therapy for every Malaysian. In short, AlphaCelle aims to help delay aging, reduce diseases so Malaysians can live fulfilling live into their golden years with dignity.

AlphaCelle recently conducted rolled out public education workshops with their panel of medical practitioners to discuss the future of regenerative therapies.

Dr Lee Tjen Jhung, Cardiologist at the National Heart Institute (IJN) of Malaysia shared that 15% of the deaths in Malaysia is caused by heart disease – the number 1 killer in the nation and globally. “While heart diseases are usually treated with medication, angioplasty and by-pass surgery, cell-based regenerative therapy is gaining popularity in the cardiovascular field due to the ability of MSCs to promote new tube formation of ECs to provide new blood for ischemic tissue and promoting the formation of new blood vessels,” said Dr Lee.

Dato’ Dr Rajbans Singh, Consultant Physician and Geriatrician, President of the Malaysian Wellness Society, with years of aging research and clinical studies, said stem cells are crucial to treating aging. “At birth, the human body has approximately 80 million active stem cells working and by age 40, less than 25 million active stem cells are working. Aging leads to a massive loss of stem cells in the body where organs and tissues become unable to repair and regenerate hence the body gradually ages and deteriorates,” he said.

Dr Billy Lee, an expert in stem cell therapy, studies its efficacy as regenerative and anti-aging medicine. The MSCs collected at the centre are utilized to potentially treat OR to improve including orthopaedic injuries, brain trauma, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, joints degeneration and neurodegenerative diseases. “For comprehensive regenerative treatment, the benefits we reap from stem cell therapy would be exponentially increased with the addition of exosomes and high electric potential. Exosomes contain many growth factors and cytokines which act as ‘boosters’ to promote more MSC activity, hence prolonging and maximizing MSCs effects.” said Dr Lee.

For more information, please visit www.alphacelle.com and facebook.com/AlphaCelle

Hashtag: #Alphacelle

Weavr expands to Singapore, bringing embedded finance to the region’s businesses

Weavr’s radically simpler embedded finance solution aims to help companies redefine business models to become more resilient

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 2 November 2022 – Weavr, a London-headquartered technology provider that empowers businesses with plug-and-play embedded finance solutions, sets up in Singapore as part of its mission to make embedded financial services available to any digital business. Backed by a US$40m Series A led by American investment firm Tiger Global, the official launch of Weavr in Singapore will be announced this week at the Singapore Fintech Festival at the Singapore Expo, wherein Weavr will be part of the United Kingdom (UK) Trade Mission pavilion led by the UK Department for International Trade.

With rising economic uncertainty, inflation rates at decade highs, and escalating geopolitical tensions, companies need to re-orient their business models to become more resilient. One sure way to do so is to deliver greater value to their existing customer base. Embedded finance can help digital businesses achieve this by providing the relevant financial services at the point they are needed by customers, using the rich data that many such businesses collect and process for their customers. In doing so, digital businesses have the opportunity to add significant new revenue streams from their existing customer base, in other words increasing their revenues without the need to increase their marketing budgets.

According to a report by Bain & Co and Bain Capital, the embedded finance market is predicted to more than double to US$51 billion by 2026. The key driver is the removal of barriers to adoption for non-financial businesses that wish to deliver financial products that enhance customer experiences while also offering immediate opportunities to amplify their revenue per user.

Embedded finance, in a nutshell, is the seamless integration of financial services into the customer journey in non-financial applications wherever they are needed. For example, an application that enables gig workers to find work can also provide them with ways to get paid faster and to help them keep their business finances separate from their personal money. Applications like these that embed financial services intelligently can provide customers with unparalleled convenience and ease of use, thus enhancing the customer experience and building loyalty. With Weavr’s radically simplified model, Plug-and-Play Finance, digital businesses can launch and monetise financial services quickly and efficiently, and at a fraction of the cost of the traditional Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) model.

“We’re excited to enable digital businesses in Singapore, and in the region for which Singapore is such an effective hub, with the means to seamlessly integrate financial services wherever their customers need them. We see few better opportunities for deploying a significant portion of the US$40m of capital we raised earlier this year to bring the benefits of embedded finance to digital innovators and ultimately to their customers in the region,” said Weavr co-founder and CEO, Alex Mifsud.

Aligned with the Financial Services Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 announced in September 2022 by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Weavr’s entry into Singapore comes amid an innovation drive powered by embedded finance, which will in turn enable the redefining of business models for greater resilience. This availability of simple solutions to deploy financial services will further enable businesses in Singapore to drive innovation and create more value for all stakeholders. Singapore is well-positioned as a hub for digital and financial innovation in the region and a natural first stop on Weavr’s mission to help online businesses and SMEs radically innovate through the simplicity of their embedded financial solution. The move will also enable Weavr to contribute to meaningful advances in financial inclusion, green tech and more, as part of Weavr’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing.

Weavr’s unique Financial Plug-ins represent a simple solution for any business to seamlessly deploy financial services within its own platform with zero heavy lifting. Key benefits include:

● Pre-defined solutions for a range of use cases that reduce time to market to just 5 weeks and take care of compliance, data security and regulation.
● A low-code offering that allows brands to embed services quickly and seamlessly without compromising on quality and security.
● Extensible solutions that enable customers to add new financial services in new markets as they grow.

The British High Commissioner to Singapore, Kara Owen CMG, said, “It is fantastic to see Weavr expanding into Singapore. Their presence here will help more Singaporean businesses – and those in Southeast Asia, as it expands – to seamlessly integrate financial services for their customers. Our financial services trade with Singapore was £1.7bn in 2020. This value is only set to grow as our countries grasp the opportunities of digital trade and technology innovation. The UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement, which entered into force in June this year, will support more companies to embark upon journeys like Weavr’s. We are delighted to celebrate Weavr’s success.”

“I am delighted to see UK fintech Weavr expand into Southeast Asia with the opening of its office in Singapore as a launchpad into the region,” added Natalie Black, the UK’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific. “The UK Digital Trade Network powered by Tech Nation are supporting UK companies like Weavr to make the most of the opportunities in Southeast Asia. With a market of 650m people with significant demand for innovative fintech that can make business and everyday lives easier – demand for products like Weavr’s is significant.”

Sam Evans, Director of International at Tech Nation, also said, “As part of the UK government’s Digital Trade Network, Tech Nation has worked with over 300 UK tech companies interested in expanding into Southeast Asia. We are delighted to see that Weavr is now launching in the Singaporean market and look forward to continuing to support their growth in this region.”

“We are excited to see continued interest from UK companies to leverage Singapore as a launchpad into Southeast Asia amid the rise in tech demand and digital adoption across the region,” added YC Choy, Vice President and Head of Region (Europe), Singapore Economic Development Board. “We warmly welcome Weavr into Singapore’s fintech community and will continue to work closely with the team to drive innovation and deepen their capabilities to capture new opportunities in the region’s burgeoning fintech sector while enriching the local ecosystem.”

Hashtag: #Weavr

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

About Weavr

Weavr enables digital businesses to seamlessly embed financial services into their application via a radically simplified model, called Plug-and-Play Finance. In just a few weeks, businesses can launch and monetise financial services – and at a fraction of the cost of Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS).

By making embedded finance accessible to a far wider range of digital businesses, Weavr is helping drive a new wave of expansion in the frontiers of embedded-finance innovation.

Founded in 2018, with offices in London and Malta, the company is backed by renowned names such as Tiger Global, who led its $40-million Series A in 2022 to deepen operations within Europe and expand to the US and Singapore.

Oasys Partners with YGG Japan to Deepen Global Access to Marketing Support for Blockchain Gaming in Japan

Game developers around the world will be able to access marketing support dedicated to Japan

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 2 November 2022 – Oasys, an environmentally-friendly and gaming optimized blockchain built by gamers for gamers, today announces that it has formed a strategic partnership with YGG Japan, a blockchain games guild, to promote blockchain gaming ecosystem development and growth in Japan.

The partnership will see Oasys and YGG Japan working together to promote the blockchain gaming ecosystem in Japan by providing global game developers access to networking opportunities and marketing resources in the local market, targeted at Japanese gamers.

As part of the collaboration, game developers building on Oasys’ blockchain will be able to access preferential support on marketing and promotional services provided by YGG Japan, as well as leverage both YGG Japan and Oasys’ extensive ecosystems for further networking and growth opportunities.

Daiki Moriyama, Director, Oasys, said: “As the third largest gaming market in the world, Japan’s gaming credentials are well-established. With the government continuing to invest in building the local Web3 infrastructure, there is now tremendous potential for blockchain gaming to grow globally with Japan serving as a launchpad. Through collaborations with strong ecosystem partners such as YGG Japan, we firmly believe that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and will support game developers worldwide with resources to help their business expansion strategies in Japan. ”

Tetsuya Fujiwara, Co-Founder, YGG Japan, added: “Japan has a substantial gaming market and is well-positioned for a blockchain gaming renaissance. As the first and most-established gaming guild in Japan, YGG Japan seeks to contribute to the Japanese blockchain gaming market by addressing the common growth issues that many local game developers face. With these barriers to entry reduced, we can bring more users into the blockchain gaming space and enhance the ecosystem for all. Our partnership with Oasys will help us to reach even more developers that are building compelling blockchain games of the future. ”

Oasys’ partnership with YGG Japan follows the announcement of Oasys’ Mainnet launch, the first phase of which commenced on 25 October. With several major gaming companies including Square Enix, SEGA, Bandai Namco Research, Ubisoft and Netmarble having joined as initial validators, Oasys will continue to focus on building better experiences and pave the way for mainstream adoption of blockchain games.

Hashtag: #Oasys

About Oasys

Oasys was established in February 2022 to increase mainstream play-and-earn adoption, and at launch, committed to partnering with 21 gaming and Web3 tech companies to act as validators, such as Bandai Namco Research, SEGA, Ubisoft and Yield Guild Games. Led by a team of blockchain experts and joining forces with the biggest gaming company names to serve as the initial validators, Oasys is revolutionizing the gaming industry with its Proof-of-Stake (PoS) based eco-friendly blockchain.

With a focus on creating an ecosystem for gamers and developers to distribute and develop blockchain-based games, Oasys solves the problems game developers face when building games on the blockchain. The trifecta approach of the fastest network powered by the gaming community, a scalable network powered by AAA game developers and the blockchain offering the best user experience with fast transactions and zero gas fees for users, readies participants to enter the Oasys and play.

For more information, please visit:
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About YGG Japan

YGG Japan (YGGJ) aims to lead Japanese gamers beyond “Play to Earn” to a world of “Play and Earn”. YGGJ also supports Japanese game companies in launching their blockchain games to the world. Many worldwide IPs have been created in Japan so far, and many game companies are respected around the world. YGG Japan and the YGG Group support the global expansion of Japanese content.

Quadriga Systems Limited to be acquired by HSG Holding as part of HSG’s continued long-term acquisition and investment strategy focused on technology in the hospitality industry.

HSG Holdings announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the EMEA leading hospitality technology provider, Quadriga Systems Limited, in a transaction that will enable Quadriga to support its market expansion across the region and introduce expanded cloud based, data centric sets of solutions bringing more services to its clients

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO – EQS Newswire – 1 November 2022 – HSG Holding has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Quadriga Systems Limited (QSL), a market-leader in cloud-based IT solutions and infrastructure, in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. With this acquisition, HSG Holding strengthen its position in the hospitality arena as an investment vehicle to support the development of companies within the industry in the post Covid 19 period.

HSG Holding was established to focus on investment opportunities within the hospitality sector at the intersection where the strength of traditional hospitality operations meets with new technologies that can assist in the digital transformation of the industry. The company believes in investing over the long-term as it sees great opportunities for growth in the EMEA region and beyond.

Helping the hospitality industry with its digital transformation journey

The Quadriga brand and companies has been a leader for more than three decades as a premier Managed Service Provider built on its Unified Interactive Digital platform operating on Wired, Wireless and Coaxial Network medium. It has a vast expertise in Network deployment and integration to hotels in more than 100 countries worldwide and providing solutions to over half a billion hotel rooms over the years.

Quadriga has been supplying interactive TV platforms, property-wide connectivity solutions and network integration to global hospitality chains since the early days of the industry and has consistently been an industry leader of innovation and development.

Quadriga had been the first to introduce Digital Video on demand as well as full streaming solution to its customers and recently rolled out its fully integrated, cloud based and data centric set of services.

“The acquisition brings to the group product and solution capabilities, and demonstrates continued commitment to clients, and helps them navigate their digital convergence and transformation journey. Quadriga also brings comprehensive service management portfolio, in-house platform development, including next generation networks and integration with partner services over converged network infrastructure” says Jean-Philippe Delouis, CEO of Quadriga Systems Ltd.

Hashtag: #HSGHoldings

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

About HSG Holding:

Backed by a multi-national asset manager, HSG Holding is a newly established investment firm dedicated to the hospitality industry focused on acquiring technology companies that will help their clients to face the next industry challenges. In September, HSG Holding announced the acquisition of IT Hospitality Group and continues to assess further acquisition opportunities.

About Quadriga Systems Ltd:

For the last 40 years, Quadriga has become the leading designer of network integration providing property-wide connectivity and entertainment services and solutions for the hospitality industry creating a “better than home” experience for hotel guests. Quadriga provides complete end-to-end services and solutions that enrich guest stays and maximizes on-property value through Cloud based Services & Data Management.

De Beers Group: New Research Highlights Key Trends Shaping How Younger Generations Perceive, Research and Buy Diamonds

Ethical assurances, branded offerings, ‘phygital’ retail and Web3 experiences will define the new diamond world

LONDON, UK – Media OutReach – 1 November 2022 – Ethical assurances, ‘phygital’ retail strategies, branded offerings and Web3 experiences are key trends shaping how diamond consumers – in particular Gen Z – perceive and engage with diamond jewellery, according to new research published today by De Beers Group in the 2022 Diamond Insight Report, titled A new diamond world: bringing trusted brands to new generations in a digital age.

Based on previously unpublished research findings, including a new survey of 18,000 US women conducted earlier this year, the report explores how these megatrends are converging and accelerating – spurred by global events, the power of digital technology and attitudes of younger generations – to create a new future for diamond jewellery acquisition. The four trends analysed are:

Values will underpin industry value

The report found that 36% of women overall and 39% of Gen Z now specifically seek information on a brand’s ethical credentials when buying diamond jewellery. What is more, 40% of women overall said that knowing about the positive impact of diamonds on local mining communities would make them more likely to buy diamonds, while this proportion went up to 50% for Gen Z consumers, highlighting a significant opportunity for brands and retailers to capture value differentiation by clearly communicating their values and connecting end-clients to a diamond’s provenance and story.

The rise of brands

Branded diamond jewellery represented two-thirds of all diamond jewellery purchases in the US in 2021 – double the proportion in 2015 – and almost 80 per cent of all sales by value. Branded offerings appealed most to Gen Z consumers, who saw brands as contributing to their sense of self-worth and desire for self-expression. A total of 76% of diamond jewellery purchases by Gen Z consumers were branded, compared with 64% for Gen X and only 38% for Baby Boomers. In addition, affluent consumers and those purchasing diamond jewellery for themselves were more likely to desire brands. Brands represented 74% of diamond jewellery purchases among women earning more than $150,000 (compared with 65% across all incomes), while 73% of self-purchased diamonds were branded compared with 62% for bridal and 61% for gifting.

Phygital retail is here to stay

Online sales of diamond jewellery represented 25% of US sales by value and 31% by volume in 2021. When compared with 2015, when online represented only 14% and 18% of sales respectively, the acceleration of ecommerce in recent years has been remarkable. Online purchases were higher than average among Gen Z consumers (at 42% of total Gen Z purchases), those self-purchasing (40% of total purchases) and single women (37% of total purchases). In addition, 54% of online purchases in 2021 were by people buying diamond jewellery for the first time. While this was likely due to pandemic-related store closures, it also indicates a growing trust in diamond jewellery ecommerce. Importantly, 68% of US consumers who had purchased diamond jewellery online said they intended to do so again in the future.

While diamond jewellery purchases made in-store still outweigh those made online, the full journey of buying diamond jewellery increasingly includes a digital component. It is this melding of the physical and digital retail experiences – ‘phygital’ – that today’s consumers most desire. In the US, around half (49%) of all diamond jewellery purchases are now researched online, compared with only 29% in 2015. Of that 49%, 19% of ultimate purchases occurred online while 30% were in-store, highlighting the importance of a seamless phygital offering.

Web3 and the metaverse are potential game-changers

While a compelling phygital strategy is a must for any retailer today, the arrival of Web3, NFTs and the metaverse has the potential to open up new revenue, customer acquisition and brand opportunities for diamond jewellery brands. These nascent technologies aim to merge the physical and digital worlds in previously unforeseen ways, bringing new virtual shopping, entertainment and socialising experiences to digitally-savvy consumers. With a number of high-profile luxury brands already investing heavily in this space, it promises to be an emerging area of focus for diamond brands.

Esther Oberbeck, SVP Strategy Analytics & Insights, De Beers Group, said: “This year’s Diamond Insight Report explores four key trends that are already making their mark on the diamond industry, having been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, new technologies and evolving consumer expectations as Gen Z comes of age. The convergence of these trends means the diamond industry must prepare for a future where new, digital-native and socially-conscious consumers expect to engage with brands and retailers in fundamentally different ways to the generations that have come before them.”

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “The 2022 Diamond Insight Report demonstrates that the consumer trends we have been observing for some time – such as a desire to purchase more sustainably, to buy from trusted brands, to know where and how a diamond is sourced and to shop digitally – are no longer future predictions for the diamond industry. They are already in evidence today and are set to become even more prominent in the future. We have seen in recent times just how quickly areas of emerging interest, such as e-commerce and diamond provenance, can become overnight priorities for both brands and consumers. This report serves as a timely reminder that we must continue to prepare for tomorrow, today. We are on the cusp of a new diamond world and should embrace the opportunities it presents.”

The 2022 Diamond Insight Report also includes the annual Diamond Value Chain Dashboard, which tracks industry performance in 2021 and the first half of 2022, reflecting on 2021’s record performance and providing an outlook for 2022.

Hashtag: #debeersgroup #diamonds #diamondjewellery #naturaldiamonds

About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group is committed to ‘,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit .





Fully-Funded PhD Positions in 13 Cutting-Edged Fields at Academia Sinica, Taiwan’s Top Academic Institution

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 1 November 2022 – Academia Sinica (AS), the preeminent research institution in Taiwan, announces the application for 2023 fall semester of its Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP@AS). The online application is open from 1st November 2022 to 1st February 2023 (GMT+8).

TIGP@AS provides 13 interdisciplinary and funded programs ranging from physical sciences, life sciences to social sciences and the humanities. The all-English Ph.D. Program cooperates closely with Taiwan’s leading universities and provides superior scientific training courses. It is aimed to attract the top talents from around the world with ambition to grow personally and professionally.

TIGP@AS offers competitive financial support for its students. All admitted students enjoy a monthly stipend of NTD 34,000 (about USD 1,100) for the first year. For those who perform well, this stipend will be extended to the 2nd and the 3rd year. In subsequent years, financial support will come from the thesis advisor. Besides, full-time TIGP Ph.D. candidates or students who have passed their qualifying exams with distinction are eligible to apply for the TIGP@AS Research Performance Fellowship. Awardees can receive an additional NTD 6,000 per month for one year.

Through Academia Sinica’s substantial connections with first-rate institutions worldwide, TIGP@AS can make arrangements for students to visit and conduct research in renowned laboratories around the globe. The yearly Travel Grant Award of TIGP@AS encourages students to join important global symposiums. Other international exposure opportunities include attending seminars abroad, doing short-term research projects abroad, and participating in international meetings such as Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. Academia Sinica also invites distinguished scholars, entrepreneurial masters, and Nobel Laureates to visit the campus and share their unique stories on achieving success in their respective fields.

To facilitate first-year students’ quicker adaptation to the local environments, TIGP@AS provides free-of-charge Mandarin language courses at the entry-level and a convenient and affordable fully-furnished dormitory. All the students of TIGP@AS will find their experiences at Academia Sinica and in Taiwan not only personally rewarding but also culturally enriching.

Application is free of charge through TIGP@AS online system. For any questions, please visit the TIGP@AS official website or contact Ms. Huan-Yi Shen with the TIGP@AS Admission Office at tigp@gate.sinica.edu.tw.

Hashtag: #AcademiaSinica

About TIGP@AS

Started in 2002, TIGP@AS is a joint-effort between Academia Sinica and top research-leading universities in Taiwan. It integrates first-class facilities with outstanding faculty to offer interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs across a wide range of disciplines. All courses are conducted in English. After completing the graduation requirements, students receive certificates from Academia Sinica and degrees from the partner universities. TIGP@AS also periodically accepts applications to funded , which provides an opportunity for young talents to experience Academia Sinica’s research environment.

The 13 interdisciplinary programs within TIGP@AS are in cooperation with 10 top domestic universities as follows.

    1. Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics
    2. Molecular Science and Technology
    3. Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences
    4. Bioinformatics
    5. Molecular and Cell Biology
    6. Nano Science and Technology
    7. Molecular Medicine
    8. Earth System Science
    9. Biodiversity
    10. Interdisciplinary Neuroscience
    11. Sustainable Chemical Science and Technology
    12. Social Networks and Human-Centered Computing
    13. Artificial Intelligence of Things

TIGP@AS is a genuinely international community with over 586 students from 47 countries. To date, more than 651 students have completed TIGP@AS’s rigorous requirements and obtained Ph.D. degrees. In the past years, TIGP@AS students have published more than 2,138 research papers in top scholarly journals; many alumni have taken up teaching or research positions in world-renowned universities and academic institutions.

TIGP@AS graduates also proved themselves qualified to contribute their expertise to the industry. Many of them are now working in internationally well-known companies such as Samsung and TSMC. Academia Sinica has recently launched its as a biotech industry corridor linking Taiwan to the global market. Right next to the campus of TIGP@AS, the Park should shortly become a bridging platform of multidisciplinary research collaboration and occupational opportunities for the students.

Academia Sinica – laying foundations for discovery

As the leading government-funded research institute in Taiwan, Academia Sinica (AS) has spearheaded numerous fundamental and interdisciplinary research initiatives to address diverse challenges in Taiwan and beyond. Its key objectives, outlined by its president, James Liao, are to achieve global recognition, fulfil social responsibilities, and attract and cultivate top talent. These objectives are embedded in the diverse research programmes at AS, spanning life sciences, mathematics and physical sciences, as well as humanities and social sciences.

American Express Elevates the Platinum Card® in Singapore with New Benefits as Card Members’ Lifestyles Change

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 1 November 2022 – American Express will refresh the Platinum Card® with an expanded suite of premium benefits across entertainment, dining, retail and travel. With the new benefits, the total Platinum Card privileges will be valued at over S$7,400 – with no change to annual fee.

“Our customers’ lives have evolved as the pandemic has changed their lifestyles and priorities. For many of them, meaningful experiences and unforgettable adventures are not just found abroad anymore, but also here in Singapore. Our diversified benefits reflect their many new desires to travel, stay home, wine and dine and create those unique experiences,” said Mr. Marlin Brown, the newly appointed American Express Singapore Country Manager.

New benefits worth up to S$1,200 in statement credits each year, starting in early 2023

Card Members can enroll via the Amex mobile app or website to enjoy these new credits from early 2023[1]:

  • S$400 in Dining Credits comprising S$200 for use at participating local restaurants, and S$200 at participating restaurants overseas.
  • S$400 in Lifestyle Credits with a minimum spending at participating lifestyle retail partners.
  • S$204 in Entertainment Credits per year for monthly news or music streaming services.
  • S$200 in Airline Credits for ticket purchases with a minimum spending at Singapore Airlines.

With the introduction of these new credits, the existing S$800 in travel credits (comprising S$400 in air travel credits and S$400 in lodging credits, for bookings made through the Platinum Concierge) will be discontinued on 31 January 2023.

Card Members can continue to enjoy all other existing benefits, services and rewards that come with the Platinum Card, including:

  • 5 Membership Rewards® points for every S$1.60 spent on eligible Singapore Airlines and Scoot ticket purchases.
  • Exclusive priority access to concerts and experiential dining such as the Chef Residences, and access to Tower Club.
  • Global Lounge Collection: With access to more than 1,400 airport lounges in 650 cities, including American Express’ own Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges, the Global Lounge Collection provides access to the most airport lounges among all Singapore-issued card.
  • Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits: Platinum Members receive perks worth up to S$800 including complimentary daily breakfast for two, early check-ins, late check-out when they book at over 1,300 Fine Hotels and Resorts properties via the American Express Travel Online website or the Platinum Concierge.
  • Elite status at retail and hotel loyalty programmes: Card Members can also gain elite status with complimentary membership upgrades from partner retail and hotel loyalty programmes, with no minimum stay required, such as Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors Gold Status and Radisson Rewards Premium Status.


[1] Terms and conditions apply.

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

Welcome offer

Card Members who sign up for The Platinum Card between 3 November 2022 and 31 January 2023 can receive up to 125,000 Membership Rewards points if they spend a minimum of S$20,000 in the first three months of their Card Membership[2]. This is enough to redeem a return Business Class trip to Hong Kong or Taiwan, based on Singapore Airlines Business Saver Awards published as of 5 July 2022. In addition, Card Members who sign up and receive their Card during the period mentioned above will receive the existing S$800 in travel credits before it is discontinued on 31 January 2023 and will be able to enroll for the new credits from early 2023.

For more details, or to apply for the Card, please visit .


[2] Terms and conditions apply.

About American Express

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