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Agoda Hosts Spectacular Sale to Celebrate 20 Years of Travel

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda is celebrating its 20th birthday on May 19, marking two decades of helping travelers see the world for less. To highlight the occasion, Agoda will run one of its biggest sales campaigns with global discounts of up to 60% between 7-20 May and reaching up to 70% on May 21st.

The milestone event turns a spotlight on Agoda’s journey in transforming the travel space by helping millions of global travelers to see the world for less. The sale provides customers with a chance to book dream trips at lower prices while marking Agoda’s two decades of pioneering travel innovations.

Although the company began life as a small startup in Phuket, Thailand in 2002, Agoda was officially founded by Michael Kenny and Rob Rosenstein in Singapore in 2005. Agoda was then acquired by Booking Holdings (then Priceline) in 2007. 

Headquartered in Singapore, over the years Agoda has evolved into one of the world’s fastest-growing online travel platforms and a leading tech employer in Southeast Asia, now employing over 7,000 staff in 27 markets. 

Over the past two decades, Agoda has grown its reputation as a preferred travel marketplace with great value deals on a global network of over 5 million properties and 130,000 flight routes in more than 200 markets with 87 million app downloads annually according to Data.ai.

Agoda continues to deliver on its customer promise by investing in world-class technology and using data-driven insights to give its users a personalized experience. Operating in 39 languages and supported by over 100 distinct payment methods, Agoda empowers travelers to book with flexibility and ease across diverse locales

“As Agoda marks 20 years of helping our customers see the world for less, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by hosting a sale packed with even more great deals,” said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply at Agoda. “Over the years, we’ve always focused on helping our customers enjoy memorable travel experiences by making them easier to book as well as more affordable. We’re continuing to invest in new technologies on our platform to ensure we are well placed to do the same thing for the next 20 years and beyond. This is not just about us of course, we’re also celebrating Agoda’s decades-long partnerships with hotels, airlines, and activity providers across the region. We’re very aware and grateful that we work with some of the best partners in the world in order to deliver so many unforgettable experiences for our customers.” 

 

Neumann Introduces RIME

An Integrated Solution for Monitoring Immersive Audio on Headphones

BERLIN, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — German pro audio specialist Neumann is proud to announce the release of RIME (Reference Immersive Monitoring Environment), a new software solution for Neumann headphones. RIME enables music producers and mixing engineers to monitor immersive formats like Dolby Atmos in reference quality, providing an excellent alternative when a multichannel loudspeaker setup is unavailable or when working on the go.

RIME (Reference Immersive Monitoring Environment) a newly launched software solution for Neumann headphones
RIME (Reference Immersive Monitoring Environment) a newly launched software solution for Neumann headphones

“Immersive audio is the new standard. Streaming services favor content that can be enjoyed in spatial audio formats such as Dolby Atmos or Sony 360 Reality. More and more DAWs now offer immersive audio capabilities, and engineers, producers, and musicians alike are eager to explore these new possibilities. Reliable monitoring is essential for this,” said Yasmine Riechers, CEO of Neumann. “With RIME, we’re offering an integrated solution that meets these evolving needs, providing a more cost-effective and mobile alternative to loudspeaker-based monitoring solutions. Our NDH headphones have the same carefully balanced sound as our studio KH studio monitors, making it easy to switch between the two. With RIME this unique benefit extends to immersive monitoring as well.”

Neumann RIME Room View
Neumann RIME Room View

RIME is a plug-in for all major DAWs on Mac and PC (VST3/AU/AAX) and is typically used on the output or monitoring bus. It converts multichannel formats to binaural audio, retaining surround and height channel information, thus enabling users to monitor and mix content in formats such as Dolby Atmos using headphones.

RIME captures a real purpose-built studio room using reference-quality Neumann equipment throughout. Immersive setups of Neumann KH Line loudspeakers and subwoofers were installed by acoustics experts and fine-tuned using MA 1 automatic monitor alignment. The three-dimensional sound field was captured using the legendary KU 100 binaural head microphone connected to Neumann’s acclaimed MT 48 audio interface featuring cutting-edge preamp and converter technology. This state-of-the-art setup ensures pristine sound quality throughout the entire signal chain.

“As RIME is made for Neumann headphones exclusively, this perfect signal chain extends all the way to the user,” explained Product Manager Jorma Marquardt. “Our NDH 20 and NDH 30 headphones are manufactured to extremely tight tolerances. And of course, we know all their acoustic parameters. Using groundbreaking AMBEO algorithms, we are able to realize true immersion with unmatched sonic consistency and razor-sharp 3D localization.”

Unlike competing solutions that confound the user with a multitude of options and different sounding virtual spaces, RIME is easy to use and reproduces one reference room as a single source of truth. “RIME is not a simulation but captures an optimal control room in ultimate quality. RIME sounds real, because it is real!” Marquardt stated.          

For added realism, RIME supports OSC compatible head tracker devices to create a listening experience that responds to the user’s head move–ments. Moreover, RIME can also be used for stereo playback to enjoy a loudspeaker-like listening experience without the in-head localization typically associated with headphones. This feature enables users to check their mixes for loudspeaker compatibility using Neumann headphones, allowing them to mix with confidence that their tracks will translate perfectly to all playback systems.

With the launch of RIME, Neumann continues to serve the audio community with pioneering innovation. RIME makes immersive audio accessible and easy to handle. Finally, mix engineers can work from anywhere. Likewise, artists can now approve immersive mixes using NDH headphones, without having to visit a physical studio.

RIME is out now and available from authorized Neumann dealers. RIME licenses can also be purchased directly from the Neumann web shop (select countries only).

Price: EUR 99.00 / USD 99.95 / GBP 85.00

System Requirements
Mac: macOS 10.15 and above, Intel and Apple Silicon native
PC: Windows 10 and above
Plug-in formats: VST3, AU, AAX
Compatible with major DAWs such as Pro Tools, Pyramix, Logic, Reaper, Cubase/Nuendo

More information: www.neumann.com/en-gb/products/software/rime

HistoIndex Secures SGD9 Million Investment to Drive Next Phase of Expansion

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HistoIndex, known for its groundbreaking biophotonic Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) technology and a pioneering leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) digital pathology for the management of fibrotic diseases, has announced the close of a S$9 million investment round to support its next phase of expansion. OCBC, the longest established bank in Singapore and the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets, investing for the first time in a medical technology/healthcare company, leads the round with continued support from two existing shareholders – ZIG Ventures and SEEDS Capital, an investment arm of SG Growth Capital.

Daniel Kwan, Global Head of the Mezzanine Capital Unit at OCBC, said: “HistoIndex’s groundbreaking technology has revolutionized liver disease diagnostics through cutting-edge AI innovations, and has the potential to enhance global healthcare by enabling precise and personalized patient care. We are proud to support this homegrown MedTech company with its growth plans and international ambitions.”

With the increasing demand for routine clinical testing of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), particularly in liver biopsy assessment, this investment is focused on 1) expanding HistoIndex-partnered laboratories and operations within the US; and 2) developing next-generation AI-powered SHG digital pathology tests for MASH patients.

In line with this mission, HistoIndex has recently launched its very first Laboratory Developed Test (LDT), FibroSIGHT™ – now available for order in the US. FibroSIGHT™ is designed to empower clinicians with accurate and consistent liver fibrosis assessment1. The first in a pipeline of new product launches reaffirms HistoIndex’s commitment to revolutionizing personalized treatment for MASH. By integrating research in pivotal clinical trials with clinical practice, the company is advancing precision medicine with the aim of improving patient outcomes worldwide.

“This investment plays an enabling role in positioning the company for strategic expansion within the US, while accelerating the adoption of advanced digital pathology solutions poised to transform MASH diagnosis and treatments.” said Dr. Gideon Ho, Chief Executive Officer of HistoIndex.

About MASH

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a progressive form of Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) characterized by steatosis and inflammation, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis, liver failure, and an increased risk of liver cancer. The presence of ballooned hepatocytes (enlarged and damaged liver cells) is a key feature distinguishing MASH from simple steatosis. Pathologist assessments of liver biopsy remain the gold standard for diagnosing and assessing the severity of MASH. Histological categorial scoring systems are often used as surrogate endpoints to evaluate drug efficacy in clinical trials. These endpoints are limited in capturing the complex and heterogeneous nature of the disease. As a result, there is a growing need for more accurate and reliable tools, such as AI-based digital pathology solutions, to improve the assessment of treatment response and disease severity in MASH.

About HistoIndex

Founded in 2010, HistoIndex pioneers in stain-free, fully automated imaging solutions for visualizing and quantifying fibrosis in biological tissues. By combining cutting-edge biophotonic technology with AI-based analysis, HistoIndex provides innovative tools to improve the assessment of fibrosis changes and drug efficacy. HistoIndex’s breakthrough digital pathology solutions are currently used in accelerating clinical research, expediting pharmaceutical drug development, and transforming medical standards.

References: 

1.  https://histoindex.com/fibrosight/

 

 

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL AND CG HOSPITALITY ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO LAUNCH THE FARM AT SAN BENITO, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Slated to open in end-Q3 2025, the property marks the brand’s debut in the Philippines following a strategic conversion deal.

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Marriott International Inc. and CG Hospitality recently announced a signed agreement to convert The Farm at San Benito, the well-renowned Philippines wellness retreat, to an Autograph Collection resort, the first in the nation which is expected to welcome guests in end-Q3 2025. With a brand promise of “Exactly Like Nothing Else”, the Autograph Collection brand is home to a curated selection of individual boutique hotels, each chosen for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, offering rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint.

From L-R: Mr. Rajan Uttamchandani, Director, The Farm at San Benito; Mr. Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director, CG Corp Global and CG Hospitality Global; Dr. Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global; Mr. Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International; and Mr. Peter Gassner, Regional Vice President, Hotel Development, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International
From L-R: Mr. Rajan Uttamchandani, Director, The Farm at San Benito; Mr. Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director, CG Corp Global and CG Hospitality Global; Dr. Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global; Mr. Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International; and Mr. Peter Gassner, Regional Vice President, Hotel Development, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International

“We’re excited to collaborate with CG Hospitality on the debut of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection brand in the Philippines — a milestone that expands our footprint in this vibrant market.” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. “With wellness emerging as a key driver of travel decisions, this is a timely and strategic entry for us. The Philippines, with its rich natural beauty and growing reputation as a rejuvenating destination, offers the ideal setting for the Autograph Collection and underscores our continued commitment to bringing differentiated experiences to new markets across the region.

“At CG Hospitality, we have always believed in nurturing destinations that leave a lasting impact, and The Farm at San Benito has long been a jewel in our portfolio — a sanctuary where nature, wellness, and heartfelt hospitality come together. Our strategic partnership with Marriott International to bring The Farm at San Benito into the Autograph Collection family reflects our commitment to creating experiences that are both timeless and transformative. By joining hands, we are taking this vision global, introducing the Philippines’ first Autograph Collection property, and setting a new benchmark for wellness hospitality in the region,” said Dr. Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global.

Spanning 52 hectares of lush greenery, The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection is a wellness destination rooted in transformation and personal growth. The property’s philosophy centres on nurturing personal growth through a holistic care – where nutrition, movement, integrated medicine and mindful living intersect to support each guest’s evolving journey towards long-term wellbeing.

Nestled in Lipa City, Batangas, a 90-minute drive from Metro Manila – the 70-key property is expected to feature one-bedroom villas and exclusive two- and four-bedroom private pool villas.

The resort is also expected to feature a swimming pool with a pool bar, a fully equipped fitness centre, a tranquil spa, and a medical wellness centre — setting a benchmark for next-generation wellness hospitality in the region. Guests can look forward to a bespoke culinary journey across five dining venues, a lobby lounge, and two additional bars.

The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection’s strategic location offers convenient access for both leisure seekers and corporate guests — meeting the rising demand for restorative escapes from Manila and beyond. The resort will also cater to business and social gatherings anticipated to feature 321 sqm of flexible meeting and event space, complete with natural light.

Nearby cultural and recreational attractions include the “Little Rome of the Philippines,” known for its historic churches, monasteries, and religious landmarks, Mount Malarayat Golf & Country Club, and Casa de Segunda, a beautifully preserved 19th-century heritage home, offering a glimpse into the Filipino lifestyle.

Marriott International currently has 12 properties across six brands in the Philippines with five more in the pipeline. Slated to be Marriott’s 13th property in the nation, The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection will also be part of Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International.

ABOUT MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL  

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of over 9,300 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 144 countries and territories. Marriott operates, franchises, and licenses hotel, residential, timeshare, and other lodging properties all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel platform. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram. 

ABOUT CG CORP GLOBAL

CG Corp Global, the Global face of Nepal’s first and only Multi – Billion Dollar Multinational Conglomerate with an exceptional legacy of 140 years across 4 generations. CG Corp Global has 261+ brands, 202+ companies, over 20,000 employees and spread across 32 countries with industry leading foray into Fast – Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Banking, Power, Hospitality, Real – Estate, Telecom, Cement, and education amongst others.

CG Hospitality Global, a hospitality arm of CG Corp Global has a diversified portfolio of more than 193 Hotels & Resorts across 12 countries and 127 destinations with over 12,000 keys.

CG Hospitality’s successful joint ventures include partnership with globally renowned hospitality brands such as IHCL (A Tata Enterprise) through its Taj, Taj Safari and Vivanta brands, Jetwing, Radisson, Hilton, and Fairmont brands. CG Hospitality owns The Zinc, The Fern, and The Farm brands. By 2028, this portfolio is expected to grow to over 600 hotels and 30,000 keys.

CG Hospitality’s diverse portfolio features some of the most iconic properties and destinations across the globe. This includes Taj Exotica Resort & Spa (Maldives), Jetwing Vil Uyana & Taj Samudra (Sri Lanka), The Farm at San Benito (Philippines), Meghauli Serai – A Taj Safaris Lodge (Nepal), Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers (Dubai, UAE) and Fairmont The Norfolk & Fairmont Mara Safari Club (Kenya), Double Tree by Hilton JFK Airport in New York amongst others.

CG Hospitality also owns one of the largest management company in India through Concept Hospitality (CHPL)/Fern Hotels, which manages over 120 Mid – Market to luxury hotels through its own brands under Fern, Zinc and Beacon. This portfolio is set to grow to 500 hotels by 2028.

ABOUT AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION ®  HOTELS  

Autograph Collection Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its over 330 independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across more than 50 countries and territories. Each hotel is a product of passion, inspired by a clear vision, soul, and story that makes it individual and special: Exactly LikeNothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection properties offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. For more information, please visit www.autographhotels.com, and explore on social via Instagram, X, and Facebook to be inspired by immersive moments that are #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Autograph Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Marriott International:

Kiran Hans
Sr. Manager, Communications
Marriott International, Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC)
kiran.hans@marriott.com 

The Farm at San Benito:

Kathy Solis
Director of Marketing & PR
The Farm at San Benito
kathy.solis@thefarm.com.ph 

Fertility experts urge the creation of registries to safeguard donor conception practices

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gamete donation has accelerated around the world in the past decade driven in part by the emergence of commercial sperm and egg banks and a growing recognition of the validity of this form of family building among single women in some countries.

However, lack of regulation on donor conception in many countries is exposing those seeking to build families in this way to potential medical, legal and psychosocial ramifications.

Associate Professor Sonja Goedeke, a New Zealand-based clinical psychologist specialising in psychosocial and ethical implications of infertility, has called on policy makers to help those seeking donor conception to make safer choices for themselves, their donors and their potential offspring and families.

Speaking at the 2025 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Singapore, Associate Professor Goedeke said legislation, policies and practices regarding donor conception vary significantly across jurisdictions and anonymous donation remains possible in some countries, including across the Asia Pacific.

“Anonymity can prevent donor conceived people from accessing vital health information and deny them knowledge of their genetic origins,” she said. “It may also increase the risk of half-siblings unknowingly forming relationships with each other. 

“Internationally, many donor conceived people have emphasised their desire for and right to access information about the donor.”

Associate Professor Goedeke said limited local access to egg, sperm and embryo donors may be one of the key drivers in so-called cross-border reproduction. “However, this may present significant risks including unspecified donor limits leading to potentially large numbers of siblings,” she explained.

“Unified legislation is required to set up central donor registries for each country and enforce limits around the number of donor-conceived people born from one donor to reduce the risk of consanguineous relationships and the psychological impact of discovering an unlimited number of potential siblings.

“Proper record keeping would allow central donor registries to share information with each other and ensure those seeking and providing donor conception can operate in a more regulated, safer environment.”

Associate Professor Goedeke is from the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the Auckland University of Technology, and she is the Co-Chair of the ASPIRE Special Interest Group on Psychology and Counselling.

She said unregulated donor conception raised potential legal issues surrounding parentage, access rights to offspring and responsibilities for financial child support.

“Significant advances in science that have allowed families to be created using donated gametes have also advanced the growing availability of direct-to-consumer DNA testing,” Associate Professor Goedeke explained. “This, coupled with a growing recognition of the rights and needs of donor-conceived people has driven a shift toward greater openness.

“DNA testing has become commonplace among people who suspect they were donor conceived and so true donor anonymity is no longer guaranteed. DNA samples may allow the tracing of anonymous donors and donor conceived people and access to medical and genetic data.

“Donor conceived people have the right to develop and conserve mutually agreeable relationships with biological, social and gestational families regardless of when or where they were born.

“But DNA testing for biological links can also have its downsides. In an unsupported environment, it can be challenging to negotiate outreach to individuals who may be previously unknown genetic relatives. Individuals to whom they outreach may not be anticipating contact, or genetic siblings may not be aware of their own donor conception, so responses may become psychologically confronting.

“Donor conception is a growing trend that is becoming more complex, so guidance is needed to help the recipients/parents, donors and donor conceived people to navigate the rapidly changing landscape in assisted reproduction. Donor conception is not just a treatment to help individuals conceive. It is a form of family building with long-term implications for all involved.”

Associate Professor Goedeke said donor registries, donor limits, support for parents to disclose and access to properly recorded information were required to ensure ethical donor conception. This includes an understanding of complex cultural and religious contexts.

“Policy makers and health care professionals have a duty to ensure that adequate support provisions are in place to promote the health and well-being of all parties affected by donor conception,” she said. “Qualified counsellors in clinical settings can provide psychosocial and decision-making support, education and advocacy and, if sought, help manage linking between donors, parents, children and siblings.”

More than 2,000 experts in fertility health are attending the ASPIRE Congress at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore. For more information, go to www.aspire2025.com

Interview: Associate Professor Sonja Goedeke is available for interview.

Smart Digital Group Limited Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Smart Digital Group Limited (the “Company”), a digital marketing service provider in Singapore, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 1,500,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.001 per share (“Ordinary Shares”) at a public offering price of US$4.00 per share. The Ordinary Shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market and are expected to commence trading on May 2, 2025 under the ticker symbol “SDM.”

The Company expects to receive aggregate gross proceeds of US$6.0 million from the Offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 225,000 Ordinary Shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts. The Offering is expected to close on or about May 5, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Proceeds from the Offering will be used for business expansion, brand promotion and marketing, software development, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The Offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. US Tiger Securities, Inc. is acting as the sole book-runner for the Offering. Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC is acting as counsel to the Company, and VCL Law LLP is acting as counsel to the underwriters in connection with the Offering.

A registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the Offering was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (File Number: 333-283152) and was declared effective by the SEC on May 1, 2025. The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, forming a part of the registration statement. Copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained from US Tiger Securities, Inc. by email at ECM@ustigersecurities.com, by calling +1 646-978-5188, or by standard mail to 437 Madison Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10022. In addition, a copy of the prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and other documents the Company has filed or will file with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company’s securities, nor shall such securities be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any of the Company’s securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Smart Digital Group Limited

Smart Digital Group Limited is a digital marketing service provider headquartered in Singapore. The Company provides event planning and execution services, internet media services, software customization and marketing services and business planning and consulting services. For more information, visit the Company’s website at http://www.sdmmeta.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the Company’s proposed Offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs, including the expectation that the Offering will be successfully completed. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to,” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and in its other filings with the SEC.

UNIQLO Adds New Akamai T-Shirt to PEACE FOR ALL Collection

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online, is pleased to announce the launch of a new T-shirt design in UNIQLO’s PEACE FOR ALL collection, UNIQLO’s charity T-shirt project. After an incredible response to UNIQLO’s charity T-shirt project, UNIQLO was inspired to team up with Akamai again—this time for a brand-new design. The second T-shirt in the collection drops globally on Friday, June 20.

Design message
More than 25 years ago, Akamai helped make the internet we know today possible. This shirt’s design is a callback to those early days of life online. The light tan color is a reference to the “beige box” plastic casings that housed the early internet computers, and the heart on the front represents how the internet has been used for good all over the world. On the back of the T-shirt is real code. It’s a reference to Linux, the open-source language of the internet. This common language unites Akamai with the world’s top brands and the people they serve, as we work together toward a vision of a safer and more connected world.

“We’re honored to once again be part of the PEACE FOR ALL project,” said Kim Salem-Jackson, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Akamai. “Our mission to power and protect life online inspires us to help create a safer, more connected world—and we’re truly grateful for the continued partnership that supports this vision. Through this project, we’re proud to share a message of peace, expressed through the universal language of fashion.”

About UNIQLO’s PEACE FOR ALL project
UNIQLO’s PEACE FOR ALL project, launched in June 2022, features graphic T-shirts with designs that express a wish for peace, which are provided voluntarily by contributors who have close ties to UNIQLO and support the aim of “taking action with a desire for world peace.” All profits from sales of PEACE FOR ALL T-shirts are donated to international humanitarian organizations, including UNHCR (the UN refugee agency), Plan International, and Save the Children. More than 6.6 million shirts have been sold globally, raising more than US$12.8 million in donations as of January 2025. The funds raised are provided to partner organizations for emergency humanitarian assistance, to protect the lives of displaced people around the world, and to support children who are facing difficult circumstances due to conflict or other issues.

About Akamai
Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at akamai.com and akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn.

Media Contact 
Akamai PR
akamaiPR@akamai.com

 

Longbridge Launches Industry’s First Brokerage MCP to Enable AI for Market Analysis and Trading

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As AI technology becomes increasingly integrated into the financial industry, the connection between AI agents and financial services has emerged as a key area of innovation. Longbridge Singapore, a next-generation internet broker, has pioneered the first broker-integrated Model Context Protocol (MCP) in the financial industry—LongPort MCP. This groundbreaking service empowers professional investors to interact with AI using natural language, enabling instant access to market data, assisting in submitting trade orders, managing account assets, and performing other core financial services, thereby facilitating seamless AI adoption for professional investors.

Longbridge Debuts Industry-First Broker-Integrated MCP

With advancements in large language models (LLMs), investors are increasingly exploring the use of AI for accessing financial data, obtaining real-time market insights, and implementing AI-driven trading. Traditionally, this process required substantial programming expertise and a significant time investment to build integrations and ensure accurate semantic understanding, presenting high barriers to entry.

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that establishes a standardized interface for transferring contextual information between LLMs and external tools or data sources. Similar to how USB provides a universal connection standard for devices, MCP serves as a unified protocol for AI agents to connect with various tools and datasets. 

Developed by the LongPort technology team, LongPort MCP leverages MCP’s capability to efficiently read data, allowing AI to interact directly with securities services. LongPort MCP is now officially available on the Longbridge website and has simultaneously launched on GitHub, the world’s largest open-source developer platform, as well as on the largest MCP service platform.

Out-of-the-Box MCP Service Empowers AI with Investment and Trading Capabilities

LongPort MCP offers three core capabilities designed to meet the majority of investment analysis and trading needs for AI agents today:

  1. Smart Investment Assistant : Through MCP services, AI agents can rapidly access real-time market data, generate market analyses, and facilitate trade execution via API, delivering a highly efficient user experience.
  2. Account Management Assistant – Investors can use natural language commands to instruct AI agents to check account balances, profit and loss status, and historical transaction records, and generate asset reports quickly using real-time brokerage services.
  3. Real-Time Risk Monitoring – AI agents can dynamically invoke risk assessment services, monitor portfolio risks in real-time, and prompt alerts based on user-defined parameters and mitigation strategies.

In practice, the LongPort technology team has enabled natural language interaction to facilitate AI-assisted trade execution. For example, when a user inputs an instruction such as “Buy 100 shares of Stock A at $250,” the order is processed through the system, with real-time confirmation provided via the AI interface. This natural language interface unlocks a wide range of new trading scenarios.

The LongPort MCP service offers a key advantage by providing an out-of-the-box MCP service that supports natural language access to core brokerage functions, significantly lowering the technical barrier for investors utilizing LongPort OpenAPI. This paves a new, highly efficient pathway for professional investors without a programming background to build AI-assisted market analysis and trading capabilities.

LLMs Text Lowers Programming Barriers and Supports Strategy Development

In tandem with MCP, the LongPort team also launched “LLMs Text”, a complementary application designed to help quantitative investors build trading strategies using natural language prompts.

In line with its commitment to delivering high-quality trading services, LongPort has completely rewritten its OpenAPI documentation in the LLMs Text format. By integrating this format into AI coding tools such as Cursor, developers can enable AI to treat the documentation as a comprehensive API reference, allowing for seamless access to resources and the ability to resources and the ability to generate strategy code from natural language commands. 

With LLMs Text, quantitative investors can significantly reduce the time spent on manual coding, allowing them to focus on developing and optimizing trading strategies. Investors interested in building AI agents to assist in market analysis and trading using either MCP or LLMs Text can find comprehensive setup instructions on the LLM section of the LongPort OpenAPI website. 

Longbridge remains committed to empowering investors with advanced AI tools, pioneering new applications in financial services, and lowering the barriers to investment and trading. Longbridge continues to push AI-driven finance forward — broadening access to advanced analysis and trading capabilities.

About Longbridge Singapore

Long Bridge Securities Pte. Ltd. (“Longbridge Singapore”) is a licensed entity regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) under Capital Markets Services Licence No. CMS101211. It holds a capital markets services licence for dealing in capital markets products, including securities, units in a collective investment scheme, and exchange-traded derivative contracts, and is also an exempt financial adviser. Longbridge Singapore is dedicated to driving financial technology innovation, enabling individuals to benefit from lower barriers to entry and reduced costs, thereby enhancing the overall global investment experience.

Important Notice

LongPort MCP and LLMs Text are AI tools designed to assist with market analysis and trading execution based on user instructions. They do not constitute investment advice, recommendations, or solicitations. Long Bridge Securities Pte. Ltd. (“Longbridge Singapore”, Co. Reg. No. 202111825D) provides execution-only services. This content is for general information only and does not consider your investment objectives or financial situation. You should exercise independent judgment and consult a financial adviser if in doubt. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Market conditions may affect the execution or performance of trading strategies. No warranty is given on the accuracy or completeness of this information. Please refer to our website for full terms and conditions. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.