TaiwanPlus invites viewers into the fields, farms, and communities that nurture the island’s ingredients

TAIPEI, Nov. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TaiwanPlus is pleased to present “Straight to the Source” Season 2, taking viewers on an in-depth journey through Taiwan’s rich food culture and the care that goes into producing it. The series explores how ingredients from around Taiwan are transformed into foods and products that are central to the nation’s heritage. Through stunning and immersive cinematography, the show captures the dedication, skill, and patience behind every step of the process.

Building on the foundation of the first season, the second season of “Straight to the Source” takes a closer look at how raw ingredients are processed, focusing on the careful work of cleaning, shaping, drying, and preserving. These practices are often passed down through generations and reveal the artistry and cultural meaning behind many of Taiwan’s most beloved ingredients.

Producer Yenming Lai explained, “Our goal with ‘Straight to the Source’ is to show viewers that food is more than something to eat. Every ingredient has a story and a connection to the environment. We want people to see the care and skill behind it and to appreciate the culture behind every meal.”

Through visually rich sequences, viewers can see the colors, textures, and shapes of ingredients as they are handled and prepared. From the sheen of fresh produce to the intricate details of handcrafted foods, the cinematography emphasizes the beauty in everyday practices that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Through all these themes, “Straight to the Source” aims to inspire viewers to think differently about the food they eat.

Watch “Straight to the Source” now on the TaiwanPlus website and the TaiwanPlus Docs YouTube channel, with new episodes released weekly.

About TaiwanPlus
TaiwanPlus is the premier global provider of English-language news and infotainment from Taiwan — offering trustworthy news coverage, informative perspectives on cross-strait relations, plus inspiring lifestyle content focusing on food, travel and entertainment. Proud to be based in one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies, our diverse team of journalists and producers is committed to delivering independent news and stories that inform, enlighten and inspire audiences worldwide. Get a global perspective backed by a Taiwanese point of view on our website, mobile app, TV channel and various social media channels.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has released a list of must-visit bridges across Asia, showcasing the architectural beauty and cultural significance of these unique destinations. Bridges have long been more than just functional structures; they are symbols of connection, history, and artistry. For travelers, visiting these bridges offers a unique glimpse into the heart of a region, blending scenic views with cultural experiences.

Asia, with its diverse landscapes and rich history, is home to some of the world’s most stunning bridges. These structures not only serve as vital links but also as landmarks that tell stories of the past and present.

Here’s Agoda’s curated list of destinations with unique bridges that promise unforgettable travel experiences.

1. Dragon Bridge, Da Nang, Vietnam
   Known for its dragon-shaped design, this bridge breathes fire and water during weekend nights, creating a spectacular show. It spans the Han River, offering views of Da Nang’s vibrant cityscape. Nearby, visitors can explore the Marble Mountains or enjoy the local cuisine at the bustling night markets.
2. Lover’s Bridge, New Taipei City, Taiwan
   Located in the picturesque Fisherman’s Wharf, Lover’s Bridge is a romantic spot known for its sunset views. The bridge, illuminated at night, offers a magical atmosphere perfect for evening strolls. Nearby, travelers can explore the vibrant Tamsui Old Street, filled with local snacks and crafts, providing a taste of Taiwanese culture.
3. Seri Gemilang Bridge, Putrajaya, Malaysia
   This grand bridge is an architectural masterpiece, featuring intricate designs and majestic arches. It connects the core island of Putrajaya to the mainland, offering panoramic views of the city. Visitors can also explore the nearby Putra Mosque and the lush Putrajaya Botanical Gardens, making it a perfect blend of nature and architecture.
4. Banpo Bridge, Seoul, South Korea
   Famous for its Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, Banpo Bridge transforms into a vibrant spectacle at night. The bridge spans the Han River, offering views of Seoul’s skyline. Travelers can enjoy a leisurely walk along the riverbanks or visit the nearby Banpo Hangang Park, a popular spot for picnics and outdoor activities.
5. Longevity Bridge, Hong Kong
   This ornate, Chinese-style footbridge is surrounded by lovely coastal views and steeped in local legend, claiming to add three extra days to one’s life with each crossing. It offers a peaceful spot for reflection and is tucked away at the southern point of Repulse Bay Beach, where visitors can soak up the sun and explore nearby cultural landmarks.
6. Patapat Viaduct, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
   The Patapat Viaduct is a scenic coastal bridge that stretches along the northern tip of Luzon, offering breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and the West Philippine Sea. Travelers can enjoy the natural landscapes and explore nearby attractions such as the enchanting Kabigan Falls and the historic Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

Jun Dong, Associate Vice President at Agoda, shared, “Bridges are gateways to new adventures and cultural discoveries. At Agoda, we make it easy for travelers to explore these unique architectural sights with our fantastic deals and seamless booking experiences. Whether you’re chasing sunsets or seeking cultural immersion, Agoda is your perfect travel companion.”

Agoda offers over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all of which can be combined in the same booking. Discover the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app and start planning your next adventure today.

BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Smart City Expo Doha closed on November 26 after two days of intense discussions on how technology can transform cities in the Middle East into sustainable and livable environments. The leading event on the urban future in the MENA region is now preparing for its fifth edition, scheduled for April 28–29, 2026.

Next Smart City Doha will be held from April 28 to 29, 2026.

The 4th Smart City Expo Doha, organised by Fira de Barcelona and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) of Qatar, focused on the impact of AI in fields such as mobility, design, and urban management. Under the slogan “Beyond connectivity: a digital solutions pathway to a smarter, thriving future”, the event brought together over 30 international experts and featured four standout keynotes: Kent Larson (MIT) on tech-driven urban design, Jesús Serrano on AI innovation, H.E. Reem Al Mansoori on Qatar’s urban transformation strategy, and FIFA ambassador Ghanim Al-Muftah with an inspiring message on resilience and inclusion.

The celebration of this local edition of SCE highlights Qatar’s leadership in smart and sustainable urban development across the MENA region. This prominent role is already evident through major national projects that translate the country’s digital vision into reality. Lusail City, one of the most advanced smart city developments in the region, integrates real-time data systems, intelligent mobility solutions, and connected urban services that enhance quality of life and operational efficiency. Similarly, Msheireb Downtown Doha stands as the first fully built smart and sustainable city district in Qatar, combining digital innovation, energy efficiency, and human-centred urban design. Together, these living examples demonstrate how Qatar is shaping future-ready urban environments and progressing toward the ambitions outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the nation’s Digital Agenda 2030.

This year, Smart City Expo Doha has been featured at MWC25 Doha. Organised by the GSMA in collaboration with MCIT, the first MWC event in the MENA (Middle East and Africa) region brought together over two days nearly 300 thought leaders and over 250 exhibitors and sponsors.

Smart City Expo in the world

Held annually in Barcelona, Smart City Expo World Congress is the world’s leading event on smart cities. SCE Doha is one of its local editions organized outside Spain in 2025, including those in New York, Curitiba, Puebla, Santiago del Estero, Santiago de Chile, Kuala Lumpur, Cartagena de Indias, and Tomorrow.City in Shanghai.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The inaugural Golden Singa Awards 2025, organised by NoonTalk Media Limited, will take place on 1 December 2025 at The Capitol Theatre in Singapore. Bringing together renowned artistes, filmmakers, and industry leaders from across the region, the Awards will serve as a vibrant celebration of creativity, talent, and cultural exchange. Members of the media are invited to join the day’s programme, including pre-event press conferences, an MOU signing ceremony, and the highly anticipated red-carpet evening gala. A formal media invitation letter follows:

Dear Members of the Media,

On behalf of the Golden Singa Awards Committee, we are pleased to invite you to the inaugural Golden Singa Awards 2025, taking place in Singapore on 1 December 2025 at The Capitol Theatre, 17 Stamford Road, Singapore 178907.

The Awards ceremony will be held in the evening, with regional guests, artistes and industry partners coming together in a vibrant gathering where filmmakers and talent from across the region meet, connect and celebrate wins.

As part of the day’s programme, please find below the schedule of key events. We warmly welcome members of the media to join us for these sessions:

Schedule: Pre-Awards Press Conferences

12:30 PM

Media registration and camera/video crew setup

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

MOU Signing Ceremony

In conjunction with the Golden Singa Awards, NoonTalk Media will be entering into a strategic collaboration with two partners to promote Chinese traditional culture and elevate the global presence of Guofeng (Chinese-style) music. The partnership will focus on talent development, culturally inspired performance content and the use of innovative technologies such as virtual idols and immersive media experiences.

The session will be chaired by NoonTalk Media’s Deputy CEO, Mr Zheng Le (郑乐).

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Press Meet with the Golden Singa Awards Final Juries

This session will be conducted in a Q&A format, providing media with the opportunity to engage directly with the international juries, as well as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Golden Singa Awards Committee. Members of the media may raise questions about the Awards, the adjudication process and perspectives.  A copy of the jury profiles can be downloaded here.

The press conference will be chaired by Mr Dasmond Koh (许振荣), Chairman of the Golden Singa Awards Committee.

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Announces Strategic Collaboration

In this inaugural edition of the Golden Singa Awards, eight Hong Kong or Hong Kong co-produced films are competing across all 17 award categories. In conjunction with the Awards, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore will announce a strategic collaboration between Singapore and Hong Kong to foster new opportunities and facilitate exchanges for film professionals from both cities.

This session will be chaired by Mr Owin Fung (馮浩然), Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Singapore).

Schedule: Awards Ceremony

5:45 PM – 6:45 PM

Red Carpet & Pre-Event Cocktail Reception

Venue: The Capitol Plaza

A designated area will be set aside for members of the media. In the event of wet weather, the red carpet will be cancelled.

6:45 PM – 7:00 PM

Guests proceed to The Capitol Theatre and be seated by 7:00 PM.

A designated area will be set aside for members of the media.

7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Awards Ceremony

10:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Post-Awards After Party

Media are invited to join the After Party and may conduct interviews with Award winners during the session.

Kindly RSVP by Saturday, 29 November 2025 to doris.boo@noontalk.com

For any enquiries, please feel free to contact me at 9769 0506 or visit the Golden Singa Awards website for more information.

Thank you and we look forward to hosting you on 1 December 2025.

About the Golden Singa Awards

The Golden Singa Awards is an annual international initiative founded in Singapore to honour excellence in Chinese-language film production. Its inaugural edition will take place on 1 December 2025, coinciding with SG60 — Singapore’s 60th year of independence and a milestone that marks the nation’s growing influence as a global creative hub.

Positioned as a premier platform for Chinese-language film, the Golden Singa Awards aims to recognise outstanding cinematic achievements, spotlight distinguished talent, and uphold artistic and technical excellence across the industry. Through its mission to foster cross-border collaboration and deepen

engagement with Chinese-speaking audiences worldwide, the Awards seeks to strengthen Singapore’s role as a bridge for cultural exchange and a driving force in advancing the standards of Chinese-language filmmaking internationally. For more information, on the Golden Singa Awards, please visit www.goldensingaawards.com

About NoonTalk Media Limited (SGX: SEJ)

NoonTalk Media Limited is a Singapore-based media entertainment company specialising in artiste and talent management, multimedia production, film and drama development, as well as event conceptualisation and management.

Guided by its vision to be Singapore’s leading media and edutainment agency, the Company is dedicated to creating quality entertainment content that enriches audiences and contributes to a vibrant media landscape, with a distinct focus on Chinese-language productions.

Leveraging its integrated suite of capabilities, NoonTalk Media positions itself as a comprehensive provider of bespoke, high-quality events and entertainment solutions, adaptable to the evolving needs of its clients and partners. Through its initiatives and productions, the Company continues to champion talent, foster regional collaboration and strengthen Singapore’s presence in the international media industry. For more information, on NoonTalk Media, please visit www.noontalk.com

Third Win After 2022 and 2023 Recognition

SINGAPORE, Nov. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ensign InfoSecurity, Asia Pacific’s largest pure-play, end-to-end cybersecurity service provider, announced today that it has been named the winner of The Cybersecurity Awards (TCA) 2025 in the MNC Vendor category. This reaffirms the organisation’s position as one of the region’s leading providers of advanced, intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions. The award marks Ensign’s third win, following earlier recognition in 2022 and 2023, and underscores the company’s continued leadership, innovation, and contribution to Singapore’s cyber ecosystem.

Organised by the Association of Information Security Professionals with support from the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, TCA celebrate excellence across the cybersecurity ecosystem including outstanding organisations that demonstrate brilliance in innovation, industry contribution, talent development, and the strengthening of national cyber resilience.

Charles Ng, Chief Executive Officer at Ensign InfoSecurity, said, “We are grateful and humbled to receive the award. Over the years, Ensign has had the privilege of serving clients across the world and we do not take this responsibility lightly. We will continue to work hard and build capabilities to better serve them.”

Ensign’s win reflects the company’s sustained commitment to innovation through its dedicated R&D arm – Ensign Labs; its investment in next-generation AI-driven defence with the latest launch of Agentic Security Operations Centre; and its ongoing efforts in nurturing cybersecurity talent through internships, technical pathways, community initiatives, and public education programmes. The company’s work in the regional ecosystem, ranging from contributions to national frameworks, global research collaborations, sector-wide drills, and participation in international cyber governance dialogues, further strengthens Singapore’s reputation as a hub for cybersecurity expertise and cyber diplomacy.

About Ensign InfoSecurity
Ensign InfoSecurity is the largest pure-play, end-to-end cybersecurity service provider in Asia Pacific. Headquartered in Singapore, Ensign offers bespoke solutions and services to address their clients’ cybersecurity needs. Their core competencies are in the provision of cybersecurity advisory and assurance services, architecture design and systems integration services, and managed security services for advanced threat detection, threat hunting, and incident response. Underpinning these competencies is in-house research and development in cybersecurity. Ensign has two decades of proven track record as a trusted and relevant service provider, serving clients from the public and private sectors in the Asia Pacific region.

For more information, visit www.ensigninfosecurity.com.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The inaugural Golden Singa Awards 2025, organised by NoonTalk Media Limited, will take place on 1 December 2025 at The Capitol Theatre in Singapore. Bringing together renowned artistes, filmmakers, and industry leaders from across the region, the Awards will serve as a vibrant celebration of creativity, talent, and cultural exchange. Members of the media are invited to join the day’s programme, including pre-event press conferences, an MOU signing ceremony, and the highly anticipated red-carpet evening gala. A formal media invitation letter follows:

Dear Members of the Media,

On behalf of the Golden Singa Awards Committee, we are pleased to invite you to the inaugural Golden Singa Awards 2025, taking place in Singapore on 1 December 2025 at The Capitol Theatre, 17 Stamford Road, Singapore 178907.

The Awards ceremony will be held in the evening, with regional guests, artistes and industry partners coming together in a vibrant gathering where filmmakers and talent from across the region meet, connect and celebrate wins.

As part of the day’s programme, please find below the schedule of key events. We warmly welcome members of the media to join us for these sessions:

Schedule: Pre-Awards Press Conferences

12:30 PM

Media registration and camera/video crew setup

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

MOU Signing Ceremony

In conjunction with the Golden Singa Awards, NoonTalk Media will be entering into a strategic collaboration with two partners to promote Chinese traditional culture and elevate the global presence of Guofeng (Chinese-style) music. The partnership will focus on talent development, culturally inspired performance content and the use of innovative technologies such as virtual idols and immersive media experiences.

The session will be chaired by NoonTalk Media’s Deputy CEO, Mr Zheng Le (郑乐).

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Press Meet with the Golden Singa Awards Final Juries

This session will be conducted in a Q&A format, providing media with the opportunity to engage directly with the international juries, as well as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Golden Singa Awards Committee. Members of the media may raise questions about the Awards, the adjudication process and perspectives.  A copy of the jury profiles can be downloaded here.

The press conference will be chaired by Mr Dasmond Koh (许振荣), Chairman of the Golden Singa Awards Committee.

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Announces Strategic Collaboration

In this inaugural edition of the Golden Singa Awards, eight Hong Kong or Hong Kong co-produced films are competing across all 17 award categories. In conjunction with the Awards, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore will announce a strategic collaboration between Singapore and Hong Kong to foster new opportunities and facilitate exchanges for film professionals from both cities.

This session will be chaired by Mr Owin Fung (馮浩然), Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Singapore).

Schedule: Awards Ceremony

5:45 PM – 6:45 PM

Red Carpet & Pre-Event Cocktail Reception

Venue: The Capitol Plaza

A designated area will be set aside for members of the media. In the event of wet weather, the red carpet will be cancelled.

6:45 PM – 7:00 PM

Guests proceed to The Capitol Theatre and be seated by 7:00 PM.

A designated area will be set aside for members of the media.

7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Awards Ceremony

10:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Post-Awards After Party

Media are invited to join the After Party and may conduct interviews with Award winners during the session.

Kindly RSVP by Saturday, 29 November 2025 to doris.boo@noontalk.com . Thank you and we look forward to hosting you on 1 December 2025.

About the Golden Singa Awards

The Golden Singa Awards is an annual international initiative founded in Singapore to honour excellence in Chinese-language film production. Its inaugural edition will take place on 1 December 2025, coinciding with SG60 — Singapore’s 60th year of independence and a milestone that marks the nation’s growing influence as a global creative hub.

Positioned as a premier platform for Chinese-language film, the Golden Singa Awards aims to recognise outstanding cinematic achievements, spotlight distinguished talent, and uphold artistic and technical excellence across the industry. Through its mission to foster cross-border collaboration and deepen

engagement with Chinese-speaking audiences worldwide, the Awards seeks to strengthen Singapore’s role as a bridge for cultural exchange and a driving force in advancing the standards of Chinese-language filmmaking internationally. For more information, on the Golden Singa Awards, please visit www.goldensingaawards.com