SINGAPORE, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sennheiser has proudly participated in the 11th Asia-Pacific Spectrum Management Conference as the Official Audio Partner. Held in Bangkok, Thailand from 13 – 14 March 2025, this event brought together global policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to address the most pressing spectrum issues shaping the future of wireless communication and connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region. This event is part of The Global Spectrum Series, the world’s largest collection of regional spectrum policy conferences.

Sennheiser has been an active participant and sponsor of the Asia-Pacific Spectrum Management Conference since 2013, promoting the inclusion of PMSE (Programme Making and Special Events) in spectrum policy dialogues and, more specifically, highlighting the inherent need for allocation of frequency bands to operate wireless microphone systems in the region.

Sennheiser was represented at this year’s conference by Vaughan John, Spectrum Policy and Standards Manager, who contributed to an expert panel discussion, shedding light on the evolving influences of 5G on PMSE. John also shared insights on the “5G Story in Audio PMSE,” highlighting how the new DECT NR+ standard will finally make the promises of 5G towards PMSE come true, and elaborating on the work of the MERCI project.

“As new spectrum policies emerge, it is critical for PMSE to have a voice in the conversation,” said John. “Sennheiser is committed to collaborating with regulators and stakeholders to ensure the needs of the audio industry are included in discussion when developing spectrum policy—especially in regions as diverse and dynamic as Asia-Pacific.”

“DECT NR+ will fulfil the promises that 5G made towards PMSE users,” says Vaughan John, Spectrum Policy and Standards Manager at Sennheiser

Sennheiser’s involvement in the conference highlights its long-standing engagement with spectrum policy and its ongoing mission to protect and promote spectrum access for wireless microphones and audio PMSE users.

The Asia-Pacific Spectrum Management Conference, organized by Forum Global in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), featured sessions focused on spectrum harmonization, mid-band deployment, 6G innovation, and regulatory frameworks for satellite and direct-to-device connectivity.

Sennheiser remains dedicated to supporting the global audio community through thought leadership, industry partnerships, and technology solutions that meet the demands of today’s wireless landscape.

About the Sennheiser brand

We live and breathe audio. We are driven by the passion to create audio solutions that make a difference. Building the future of audio and bringing remarkable sound experiences to our customers – this is what the Sennheiser brand has represented for more than 75 years. While professional audio solutions such as microphones, meeting solutions, streaming technologies and monitoring systems are part of the business of Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG, the business with consumer devices such as headphones, soundbars and speech-enhanced hearables is operated by Sonova Holding AG under the license of Sennheiser.

www.sennheiser.com

www.sennheiser-hearing.com

SINGAPORE, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Look up, Singapore! The iconic Singapore Flyer is about to get a whimsical makeover as Wiggle Wiggle takes to the skies with the world’s first Wiggle Wiggle-themed observation wheel experience. From 23 May to 28 September 2025, five of the Singapore Flyer’s capsules will be transformed into a dazzling ride of retro colours and fun designs —165 metres up in the air.

Wiggle Wiggle capsules are not your regular Flyer ride – it is an exclusive experience. With each purchase, guests enjoy a full 30-minute rotation inside a specially themed capsule – one of the five unique Wiggle Wiggle designs filled with playful surprises and photo worthy moments.

And adding to the whimsy, Merli – short for Merlion – will also be joining in the fun! Merli is a heart-warming and whimsical illustration of Singapore’s mythical national icon. Young at heart and full of energy, Merli embarks on delightful adventures to showcase Singapore’s unique experiences and hidden gems to friends and visitors from around the world. As a friendly local guide with a passion for food, exploration and nature, Merli brings a charming quality to the Wiggle Wiggle experience.

For those who cannot get enough of the sky-high experience, the Double Experience Pass at S$90 lets you enjoy two separate rotations on the Singapore Flyer in two different themed capsules. It is double the delight with even more time up in the sky! Unlike standard tickets, the Wiggle Wiggle Capsule tickets allow you to board via Singapore Flyer’s VIP lounge, making it an adventurous premium experience from start to finish.

On the ground, step into the vibrant and cheeky world of Wiggle Wiggle through two distinct retail experiences at the Singapore Flyer. The Pop-up Store on Level 1, located at the main entrance, is your destination for lifestyle favourites—from cult-classic tumblers to playful everyday accessories. Meanwhile, Singapore Flyer Gifts, Singapore Flyer’s souvenir store located at Level 3, is where collectors and fans can discover Wiggle Wiggle X Singapore Flyer merchandise exclusive to Singapore, available from July 2025 onwards. Explore both and experience the full Wiggle Wiggle universe.

Wiggle Wiggle fans can enjoy interactive moments, including:

• Meet the Iconic Wiggle Bear and Little Play Bunny – Snap selfies with the towering six metre Wiggle Bear and Little Play Bunny Inflatables located at the entrance of Singapore Flyer and Level 3 Sky Deck.
• Complete the Mission, Win a Gift – Take on a fun mission and walk away with a complimentary Wiggle Wiggle item.
• Whimsical Photo Zones – Snap Instagram-worthy shots at our whimsical photo zones in the pop-up store.
• Singapore-exclusive Merchandise – Snag the limited edition, Wiggle Wiggle X Singapore Flyer merch dropping at the Singapore Flyer Gifts, Level 3, starting July 2025.

Tickets are now available at S$50 per person. Each ticket includes:

• One rotation (30 minutes) on the Singapore Flyer in a shared capsule featuring one of five vibrant Wiggle Wiggle themes. Your theme will be a surprise only revealed upon boarding.
• Two S$10 Wiggle Wiggle discount vouchers (each valid with a minimum spend of S$80): one redeemable at the Level 1 Pop-up Store, and the other at the Level 3 Singapore Flyer Gifts store.
• A 50% discount on the 2nd purchase of the photo coupon which can be used within the pop-up.

Details:

Location: Singapore Flyer,  30 Raffles Ave, Level 3, Singapore 039803
Date: 23^rd May – 28^th September 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (last admission at 6:30pm)
Tickets can be purchased at: Singapore Flyer website, WeChat Mini Program, onsite ticketing kiosks and counter

Wiggle Wiggle Pop-up Store at the Singapore Flyer
Location: Singapore Flyer Retail Terminal Building, unit #01-06D
Date: 23^rd May – 28^th September 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

To find out more about Wiggle Wiggle and its upcoming releases, follow us on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wigglewiggle.singapore/
Website: www.wigglewiggle.global  
For more information please find the press release and images https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LHfQLpQi2BrnuHl902Lh6ORNDUQQRh3B?usp=sharing

Founded in 2014 by design company Artshare, Wiggle Wiggle is a trendsetting Korean brand known for its bold, playful aesthetic and unique design philosophy. Having gained a strong foothold in Korea, the brand has successfully collaborated with major corporations and built a devoted following among the MZ generation. With over 100 creative partnerships across diverse global brands, Wiggle Wiggle continues to expand its cultural impact and brand presence both in Korea and internationally.

Wiggle Wiggle’s flagship stores across Korea, China, and Japan have consistently drawn large crowds, with its offline store in Korea attracting 500,000 visitors per month and online sales reached $2 million per day during a key four-day campaign period.  Wiggle Wiggle continues to make waves internationally—its Harajuku store was recently featured on Japanese national TV, while its Shanghai flagship secured a spot in the esteemed “POP SHANGHAI TOP 100” ranking.

For more information about Wiggle Wiggle, visit our website at www.wigglewiggle.global and follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wigglewiggle.singapore/

 #wigglewigglesingapore

ABOUT SINGAPORE FLYER 

Singapore Flyer is one of the most iconic landmarks in Singapore, offering a magnificent view of the idyllic Marina Bay and the Garden City from 165 metres above. Aboard one of the world’s largest observation wheels, guests can enjoy a scenic flight enhanced by the FLYER360 augmented reality app or elevate their experience with a suite of premium offerings – from Premium Champagne and Singapore Sling experiences to private capsule packages and an exquisite dinner at Singapore’s highest revolving dining experience, 165 Sky Dining by Singapore Flyer.

Singapore Flyer was acquired by Straco Corporation Limited in November 2014 through Straco Leisure Pte Ltd, a joint venture between Bay Attractions Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Straco Corporation Limited and WTS Leisure Pte Ltd. Singapore Flyer is Straco Corporation’s flagship project in Singapore. For more information, please visit www.singaporeflyer.com.

Robust attendance at the 2025 Asia Grassroots Forum in Bali on May 22, 2025 reflects growing global interest in impact investing in Asia, and highlights the potential of the grassroots economy.

BALI, Indonesia, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 Asia Grassroots Forum hosted by Amartha in collaboration with Accion, Women’s World Banking and Maj Invest concluded today in Bali. Themed “Scaling Impact, Pioneering an Entrepreneurial Society,” the event brought together over 700 investors, policymakers, changemakers, and innovators from more than 15 countries to spotlight the potential of Asia’s grassroots economy.

“The grassroots economy holds immense untapped possibilities in ASEAN and the Global South,” said Amartha Founder and CEO Andi Taufan Garuda Putra. “We know this from our experience at Amartha, empowering over 3.3 million rural borrowers in Indonesia over the past 15 years. Together with our partners and the delegates here today, it is inspiring to see that so many stakeholders, including global players, are increasingly aware and willing to take action.”

According to the 2024 Impact Investing in Asia Report, global investors are increasing their focus to Southeast Asia, with 49 percent planning to expand their allocations throughout 2025. The report also reported that 89 percent of Asia-focused impact investors surveyed reported that their financial returns were outperforming or performing in line with expectation.^[1]  

Over a full day of dynamic discussions among thought leaders, policymakers, investors, startups, NGOs, innovators and academics, participants explored how to catalyze bottom-up growth, along with its opportunities and challenges.

Speakers at the 2025 Asia Grassroots Investments included impact investing representatives from Accion, Women World’s Banking, Maj Invest, BEENEXT, LeapFrog, Abler Nordic, UOB Venture Management and Teja Ventures, as well as global banks such as Standard Chartered and Deutsche Bank. Also in attendance were policymakers, venture capital firms, BNI Ventures, Mandiri Capital Indonesia, microfinance, fintechs, academics, changemakers and innovators, and more.

Njord Andrewes, Managing Partner, Accion Digital Transformation, said, “Companies like Amartha are unlocking the potential of the grassroots economy in a sustainable way, showing that serving this segment can deliver social impact and financial returns. With small businesses vital for the continued growth of emerging markets, there is now global interest in the potential of the grassroots economy. We are partnering with Amartha to provide both strategic support and growth capital, as they connect businesses across Indonesia to responsible financial services for the first time using digital technologies.”

Within the ASEAN grassroots economy, MSMEs make up 97% of the private sector, contributing to 85% of the labor force, 45% of regional GDP, and 10–30% of exports.^[2] However, many MSMEs In emerging economies and developing countries still face significant barriers, the more so for women. For example, women-owned businesses in these areas face an $1.9 trillion financing gap, highlighting the significant barriers women entrepreneurs face in accessing financing.^[3]

Sanjay Sehgal, Managing Director & CIO of Women’s World Banking noted, “We believe gender-lens investment is essential to promoting inclusive growth. Partnering with organizations like Amartha, which shares our commitment to reaching women in underserved rural areas, allows us to design and scale solutions that are truly inclusive. By embedding gender-intentional strategies into financial services, we can close the gender gap and build more resilient, equitable economies for all”.

Addressing this gap, Amartha’s success in using tech to serve rural female micro-entrepreneurs at scale has attracted the support of global institutional investors including IFC, Women’s World Banking, Accion, Community Investment Management, and many more.

“The aim of the 2025 Asia Grassroots Forum is to build interest and cross-sector partnership from investors and other stakeholders, including policymakers and innovators, to harness technology and capital towards inclusive growth for all,” finished Taufan.

About Amartha

PT Amartha Mikro Fintek (Amartha) has a mission to improve the welfare of the grassroots segment, through digital financial services for the grassroots segment. Founded in 2010, Amartha is now growing to build a microfinance ecosystem through capital loan, risk segmentation and payment services. Amartha advances the bottom of the pyramid by increasing the competitiveness of MSMEs. Thus, we empower more women’s MSMEs, create jobs and build more inclusive economic growth.

As of September 30, 2024, Amartha, which is licensed and supervised by the Financial Services Authority (OJK), has disbursed working capital loans of more than 35 trillion rupiah to 3.3 million MSMEs, of which more than 90 percent are led by women, spread across more than 50,000 villages throughout Indonesia.

About The 2025 Asia Grassroots Forum

The 2025 Asia Grassroots Forum, hosted by Amartha, is a critical meeting place for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and innovators across Asia to address the most pressing challenges in emerging markets. The forum will be held on 21 – 23 May 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua Bali, with the aim of accommodating concrete ideas from stakeholders to generate innovations that drive the progress of the grassroots economy in Asia.

Visit https://www.asiagrassrootsforum.com/ 

Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur Reaches 50 POEM Cases, Leading the Way in Minimally Invasive, Incisionless Treatment

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) proudly celebrates a major milestone in its endoscopic journey, having successfully performed 50 Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) procedures since the service was introduced in 2020. This achievement highlights the hospital’s growing leadership in advanced, minimally invasive gastrointestinal treatments.

The POEM procedures are led by Dr. Lau Peng Choong, Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgeon at PHKL. POEM is a cutting-edge, incisionless procedure used to treat achalasia, a rare disorder that affects the ability of the oesophagus to move food into the stomach.

“We’re proud to reach this milestone of 50 POEM cases,” said Dr. Lau. “This treatment has significantly improved the quality of life for patients with achalasia—a condition that’s often misdiagnosed as acid reflux or anxiety. With POEM, we can now offer an effective, minimally invasive solution with quicker recovery and less discomfort.”

Unlike traditional or even laparoscopic surgeries, POEM is performed entirely using an endoscope passed through the mouth. The technique involves cutting the muscles at the lower end of the oesophagus to allow smoother passage of food, offering faster recovery times, less pain, and lower complication risks.

Expanding the Scope of Endoscopic Expertise

In addition to POEM, Dr. Lau Peng Choong, Consultant Upper GI Surgeon, and Dr. Gew Lai Teck, Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, have successfully performed Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) for close to 20 patients with Stage 1 gastrointestinal cancers, eliminating the need for minimally invasive or open surgery. ESD is a highly precise procedure that allows for the removal of complex growths—such as early cancers or large polyps—from the gastrointestinal tract without external incisions.

Both specialists are extensively trained in advanced endoscopic interventions, and their expertise is supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team, ensuring that patients receive seamless, collaborative, and comprehensive care.

“With the recent introduction of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), we’re further broadening our scope of minimally invasive treatment options,” shared Dr. Lau. “From cancer treatment to obesity management and digestive disorders, we’re committed to helping patients heal faster, feel better, and return to daily life sooner.”

PHKL is now offering ESG procedures at an introductory rate of RM25,000, making it an accessible solution for patients considering effective weight management treatments. The procedure is performed by Dr Lau Peng Choong, Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, and Dr Gew Lai Teck, Consultant Gastroenterologist—both trained and experienced in advanced endoscopic techniques.

For further information on the technologies used in these procedures:

• Learn more about Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD): Olympus Medical Solutions – ESD Overview
• Learn more about Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG): Boston Scientific – ESG Overview

These advanced instruments are provided by PHKL’s official vendors—Olympus Medical Solutions and Boston Scientific.

For more information on Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, visit www.pantai.com.my/kuala-lumpur.

About Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
For five decades, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur has been the heartbeat of Kuala Lumpur, steadfastly delivering exceptional care to patients from all walks of life. Since its inception in 1974 with just 68 beds and 20 medical specialists, the hospital has grown into a healthcare icon today with 507 beds, over 200 consultants and counting. Our pursuit of quality healthcare, clinical excellence, and cutting-edge technology is underscored by our service quality and dedication towards clinical research.

This has earned us accreditations from the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI). Additionally, we hold certification as a Baby-Friendly Hospital and is a preferred hospital in Malaysia by the World Health Organization (WHO). As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur looks to the future, unwaveringly committed to continuing its legacy of excellence with world-class healthcare services and innovative treatments for generations to come. Learn more at www.pantai.com.my/kuala-lumpur.

HONG KONG, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OceanBase hosted a technical symposium during the annual IEEE International Conference on Data Engineering (ICDE 2025), a leading global conference in data and information engineering held in Hong Kong this week. The symposium brought together database researchers and professionals from academia and industry to delve into the transformative intersection of database and AI technologies.

In the symposium, Charlie Yang, Chief Technology Officer of OceanBase, presented OceanBase’s vision for an AI-ready data infrastructure, emphasizing its commitment to empowering intelligent, scalable, and resilient data ecosystems. Notable professors, researchers and experts from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Northeastern University, and OneConnect Financial Technology (Hong Kong), shared their research findings and industry insights around data x AI innovations and applications.

Meanwhile, six papers authored or contributed to by the OceanBase team were accepted at ICDE 2025. Among them, “OceanBase Unionization: Building the Next Generation of Online Map Applications,” co-authored with Alibaba and Cornell University researchers, was recognized as the Best Industry and Application Paper Runner Up. This paper proposes the architectural design of OceanBase’s distributed database system, which “unitizes” services and operations into individual machines, bringing stronger disaster tolerance and achieving better performance in real-world testing with AMap, an online map application platform supporting large-scale distributed services.

Serving over 2,000 customers globally, including Alipay, Pop Mart, Trip.com, GCash and DANA, OceanBase remains dedicated to advancing database technologies in today’s AI-driven era. Since 2024, more than ten of its research papers have been accepted at top database conferences worldwide, including ICDE, SIGMOD, and VLDB. These papers cover a wide range of topics in distributed database technology, such as innovative algorithm for solving the fair clustering problem, Paxos-backed Append-only Log File (PALF) system, and functionality-aware database tuning.

Since its inception in 2010, OceanBase has actively collaborated with esteemed universities and research institutes such as East China Normal University, Renmin University of China, Wuhan University, and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, to explore the forefront of database technologies. These collaborations involve establishing joint laboratories, pursuing research projects, and co-hosting database competitions.

Moreover, OceanBase has partnered with institutions like Ant Research and the China Computer Federation to establish funds to conduct in-depth research on major technical challenges for modern databases, including “stand-alone and distributed integrated architecture,” “transaction processing and analytical processing (TP and AP) integration,” “storage-computing separation,” and “database performance optimization”, and bring scientific research into real-world applications.

About OceanBase

OceanBase is a distributed database launched in 2010. It provides strong data consistency, high availability, high performance, cost efficiency, elastic scalability, and compatibility with mainstream relational databases. It handles transactional, analytical, and AI workloads through a unified data engine, enabling mission-critical applications and real-time analytics.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.oceanbase.com/

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As Vietnam commemorates the 50th anniversary of national reunification, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism proudly launches “Find Your Vibes” campaign – a fresh and forward-looking campaign that celebrates the city’s dynamic transformation and youthful spirit. Positioned as Southeast Asia’s rising star, Ho Chi Minh City invites global travelers to discover a destination where heritage meets innovation, and tradition pulses alongside creativity.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/ho-chi-minh-city-tourism/9337251-en-find-your-vibes-hochiminh-city

With the campaign tagline “Find Your Vibes,” this initiative invites the world to reconnect with Ho Chi Minh City — not just as a place on the map, but as a living experience full of energy, flavor, and cultural depth..

Discover Ho Chi Minh City Anew Through the Cinematic Journey of “50 Flashes”

At the heart of the campaign is “50 Flashes“, a cinematic short film capturing 50 unforgettable moments from across the city. More than a visual montage, the film is an emotional journey — weaving together iconic architecture, sacred temples, vibrant markets, and spontaneous street scenes into one fluid story of life in motion.

Blending heritage with modern cinematography, “50 Flashes” bridges past and present, offering travelers a soulful preview of the people, places, and passions that make Ho Chi Minh City so magnetic.

Photo Collection Showcases the Rich Heritage of Ho Chi Minh City

Renowned photographer Cao Ky Nhan lends his eye to the campaign through an exclusive photo series that captures 50 signature destinations and flavors of the city. Curated into four thematic pillars — Tourism, Historical Sites, Spiritual Culture, and Culinary Arts — the collection paints an authentic portrait of a city in constant renewal.

From incense-filled pagodas and French-era buildings to rooftop bars and steamy street food corners, each image is a chapter in the city’s unfolding narrative. The full collection is now live for global audiences to explore:

View the Gallery: https://online.fliphtml5.com/hpwwt/nawt/ 

Your invitation to visit #VibrantHoChiMinhCity

Through this initiative, Ho Chi Minh City Tourism reaffirms its commitment to preserving the city’s living heritage while inspiring travelers to experience its vibrant layers and enduring spirit.

In addition to the campaign, Ho Chi Minh City Tourism proudly unveils a vibrant 50th Anniversary logo to mark this historic milestone. The design centers on a stylized heart, energized with bold blue and orange hues that symbolize peace, vitality, and creativity. It intricately weaves in 50 iconic landmarks, capturing the spirit of resilience, growth, and innovation that have defined the city over the past five decades.

Through the “Find Your Vibes’ campaign, Ho Chi Minh City extends a sincere invitation to travelers worldwide: experience a city where tradition and innovation coexist seamlessly, where every street reflects a rich cultural heritage, and where the energy of progress drives a vibrant and forward-looking future.

For media-related inquiries, please contact Ho Chi Minh City Tourism‘s Press Office via info@visithcmc.vn. 

About Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism is the official government body responsible for the promotion and development of tourism in the city. Through strategic roadshows, trade fairs, exhibitions, and global marketing initiatives, the department positions Ho Chi Minh City as a premier travel destination for both leisure and business tourism.

• Website: www.visithcmc.vn
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visit.hochiminhcity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visitvibranthochiminhcity
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@visithcmc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vibrantHoChiMinhcity 

Media Contact:

Ms. Linh Pham
Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center
ptplinh.sdl@tphcm.gov.vn 

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