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Arup honoured with multiple awards at HKIE 50th Anniversary for its achievements in decades of shaping Hong Kong


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 April 2025 – Arup, a global built environment consultant, has been recognised with eight awards at The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) 50th Anniversary Legacy Award, including five Grand Awards and three Merit Awards, honouring its continuous contributions to engineering, industry and society in Hong Kong and beyond.

Arup honoured with multiple awards at HKIE 50th Anniversary for its achievements in decades of shaping Hong Kong

“Since establishing our Hong Kong office in 1976, Arup has transformed the cityscape through our multidisciplinary expertise, from strategic planning and iconic buildings to critical infrastructure and cultural hubs. These accolades reaffirm our decades of commitment to advancing the city’s progress and contributing to its sustainable development.”

– Theresa Yeung, Managing Principal, East Asia

Fire Engineering Approach for Large Spaces
Grand Award in Innovation category

In the early 2000s, Arup pioneered a revolutionary fire safety solution for large atria by combining long-throw sprinklers with infra-red flame detectors. First implemented at Langham Place and International Commerce Centre, this innovative approach transformed how architects and engineers address fire safety in expansive areas. The system’s success has enabled the creation of iconic spaces in Hong Kong, from shopping malls to airport terminals, while maintaining both aesthetics and functional integrity. It has also set a new standard for fire safety engineering in Hong Kong.

HSBC Data Centre
Grand Award in Industrial category

The HSBC Data Centre in Tseung Kwan O marked a milestone in Hong Kong’s digital infrastructure development. As Asia’s largest data centre when completed in 2008, it pioneered new standards in security, reliability, and sustainability. The facility processes transactions for HSBC operations across 30 countries, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global financial hub. Its groundbreaking Tier III+ design, with capability for Tier IV upgrade, set new benchmarks for data centre development. The project’s innovative features, from advanced security systems to sustainable design elements, continue to influence data centre construction worldwide.

Stonecutters Bridge
Grand Award in Infrastructure category

With the world’s tallest freestanding monopole towers and 1,018m cable-stayed span, Stonecutters Bridge stands as an icon of Hong Kong’s engineering excellence. Commissioned in 2009, it features unprecedented innovations including the most extensive use of structural stainless-steel skin globally in the upper portion of the bridge towers. The bridge serves as a vital link in Route 8, connecting the bustling Kwai Chung Container Terminals to Hong Kong’s transport network. Its elegant design and technical innovations have earned numerous international awards, while its dramatic presence has become an exemplar showcase of Hong Kong’s world-class infrastructure.

Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport
Grand Award in Infrastructure category

Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1 has revolutionised airport design with its iconic barrel-vaulted roof structure, creating one of the world’s most efficient and passenger-friendly airports. The innovative design features 129 parallel vaults spanning 36m each, creating vast column-free spaces flooded with natural light. Since its 1998 opening, the terminal has grown from handling 35 million to over 50 million passengers annually, showcasing its remarkable adaptability. The terminal’s enduring success and consistent ranking among the world’s best airports demonstrate how innovative engineering can create sustainable, efficient, and beautiful transportation hubs.

West Rail
Grand Award in Infrastructure category

The West Rail Line has enhanced connectivity in Hong Kong’s New Territories, with the Yuen Long Section standing as its most impressive achievement. This 7.6km section features Hong Kong’s most extensive elevated rail viaduct and three major stations. Its groundbreaking noise control system achieved unprecedented 24dBA reduction, setting new global standards for urban railways. The project’s sophisticated integration of infrastructure with community needs, particularly at the 480m-long Tin Shui Wai Station, demonstrates how innovative engineering can enhance urban development while protecting community well-being.

Two other influential projects where Arup played a key role – Kai Tak Sports Park and the Hong Kong Section of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link – also received Grand Awards.

Other winning projects include:

  • Admiralty Station extension – Merit Award in Infrastructure category
  • Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel – Merit Award in Infrastructure category
  • Shenzhen Bay Bridge – Merit Award in Infrastructure category

In addition, Ir Dr Andrew Chan, former Chair of Arup Group’s Trustee Board, was bestowed with the HKIE Honorary Fellow title for his remarkable contribution to the HKIE, engineering industry and society.

The HKIE 50th Anniversary Legacy Award is designed to celebrate outstanding engineering projects, groundbreaking technologies, and transformative initiatives that have made a lasting impact on the engineering landscape, industry and society of Hong Kong and across the globe over the past five decades.
Hashtag: #Arup

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

About Arup

Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of 18,000 designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to strive for humanity and excellence in everything that we do, we collaborate with our clients and partners, using imagination, technology, and rigour to shape a better world.

Global Times: Rooting Chinese drama in ancient philosophy

BEIJING, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Chinese drama standing out in the world of drama depends on whether we can find the roots of our national culture and the light of our philosophical thought, as well as well as whether we can apply artistic wisdom to localize Western theories in a Chinese context and adapt creative methods to align with national depth and breadth. Chinese philosophy nourishes our souls and fosters our thinking and aesthetic awareness. To construct a Chinese theatrical system, we need to unearth aesthetic ideas and philosophical foundations from our own theatrical traditions. Otherwise, the Chinese theatrical system will remain at the level of mere “technique” with refined “skills” but unclear Dao (the fundamental principle of the universe).

This article traces the origins of Laozi and Zhuangzi’s philosophy, suggesting that drama practitioners should consciously strive for the ideal of “art for the sake of life.” It seeks inspiration from the expressive techniques of Laozi and Zhuangzi, including their use of abstraction, xieyi (freehand expression), the construction of artistic yijing (mood and conception) and the interplay of reality and illusion, while exploring the relationship between Laozi and Zhuangzi’s philosophy and the development of a Chinese theatrical system in the new era.

Devt of Chinese drama needs to incorporate a philosophical perspective

As society progresses and technology advances, diverse forms of drama – such as digital drama, machine drama, and cyber performances – are emerging. What will the future of drama look like? We are faced with new questions. Theatrical art is a dynamic art form, and its creative concepts and methods must evolve alongside the times. However, amidst this overwhelming array of options, drama practitioners need to reflect carefully on more than just technique: What are the cultural characteristics of our nation? What is the theoretical foundation that shapes our aesthetic needs and tastes? Where do the philosophical roots that ground Chinese people’s understanding of life come from? And what is the essence of the Chinese theatrical approach that is closely tied to these questions?

Thought is the soul of drama. Drama is not just about aesthetic expression, it can also be a reflection of philosophy. Dramatists need to draw from philosophy, sociology, psychology, and other fields to drive artistic creation forward through the power of thought.

Ouyang Yuqian, a renowned Chinese dramatist, actor, playwright, and educator, once said that we should “create the latest and most beautiful theatrical art on the foundation of tradition,” which points us in the right direction for exploration. Chinese philosophy nourishes our souls and fosters our ways of thinking and aesthetic awareness. To build a Chinese theatrical system, we must first unearth aesthetic ideas and philosophical foundations within our own cultural heritage.

Influence of Zhuangzi’s thought on Chinese drama

Although the philosophical work Zhuangzi is not an aesthetic treatise, it has profoundly influenced the discourse of Chinese artistic creation and criticism, shaping Chinese theatrical concepts and aesthetic tastes. 

The beauty depicted in the Zhuangzi is unrelated to practicality, material satisfaction, or the pursuit of accomplishments. Zhuangzi advocates for a life that is “artistic,” one that strives for an artistic existence. Artists must come to understand the vital importance of art in the lives of ordinary people, seeing their creative duty as “making art for life.” Only in this way can they truly embody the spirit of Chinese art, which embraces the pursuit of ideals and the joy of artistic expression.

Contemporary drama practitioners should strive to hone their craft with the same unwavering dedication as the artisans in the Zhuangzi, elevating their spiritual cultivation and embodying the unique spiritual qualities and humanistic sentiments of the Chinese people. They should avoid shallowly indulging in form and technique and not be constrained by external practical goals. Instead, they should draw inspiration from Chinese aesthetics and artistic spirit to foster a conscious engagement with theory and creation, working to produce theatrical works that reflect national characteristics, embody cultural identity, and resonate with the features of our times and the human sentiment.

Zhuangzi excels at using exaggerated language to describe his subjects. The situations and character portrayals he presents, with just a few words, can reach the essence of the spirit, thereby creating a profound artistic conception. His expressive techniques and the way he generates artistic meaning have had a great impact on various artistic forms in China, including fine arts, sculpture, poetry, music, and drama.

Chinese art seeks to capture a sense of nuance, which emerges from the interplay between presence and absence, as well as the tangible and the intangible. Techniques like the use of blank space in traditional Chinese painting, the balance of density and sparsity in calligraphy, the intricate hollowing in shadow puppetry, and the chengshi (sets of technical rules and regulations) in Chinese opera all exemplify artistic methods that explore the relationship between what is present and what is absent, as well as between the real and the illusory.

Traditional Chinese drama is a stage of “presence and absence,” appearing seemingly vacant, yet through the actors’ performances, it can bring forth the myriad elements of Heaven and Earth. A “void” is created by the actors, transforming in the audience’s imagination into “something,” thereby forming a complete theatrical representation.

The inspiration of Laozi and Zhuangzi philosophy in constructing China’s theatrical system

Most existing theories of literary and artistic creation are experiential summaries, distilled from analyzing and generalizing classic works. In contrast, the philosophy of Laozi and Zhuangzi begins at the very source of things, contemplating how a truly great work comes into being. In fact, masterpieces are not the result of force or meticulous planning. Many great works of art have been created unintentionally – born out of genuine interest, free from utilitarian motives. Only when artists are deeply moved by profound experiences can they create enduring classics.

Drama is an important medium through which ­humanity engages in self-understanding and ­self-exploration. From Zhuangzi’s perspective, drama is a dream that reflects reality, while life is reality within a dream. 

Both drama and philosophy seek to answer fundamental questions about human existence – such as “What is the meaning of life?” and “Who am I?” In this sense, drama is not only an art form but also a kind of philosophy. Drama gains depth through historical reflection, and reaches new heights through philosophical inquiry. The unbroken continuity of Chinese civilization over more than five millennia means that the Chinese people must seek their spiritual grounding within their own cultural heritage. The development of a Chinese theatrical system should be rooted in the finest traditions of Chinese culture, using drama as a vessel to support the growth of the Chinese people – from the physical to the spiritual.

Security Bank Partners with Entrust to Elevate Digital Onboarding Experience

One of the Philippines’ leading universal banks strengthens its digital-first strategy with a seamless and secure customer onboarding experience.

MANILA, Philippines, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Entrust, a global leader in identity-centric security solutions, has announced a partnership with Security Bank, a leading financial institution in the Philippines, to enhance the bank’s electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) process. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Security Bank’s digital transformation journey, reinforcing its commitment to providing a secure, seamless, and customer-centric banking experience.

The Philippines’ digital banking market is poised for rapid expansion, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 31% through 2029, reaching a market volume of US$2.16 billion. Amid this surge in digital banking adoption, Security Bank is modernizing its eKYC process through its new Security Bank app to streamline the digital onboarding journey for its customers.

Security Bank selected Entrust for its proven expertise in secure digital identity verification and demonstrated success in the financial sector. The bank will leverage the Entrust Onfido Studio platform, which combines robust security features with advanced fraud detection capabilities, including deepfake detection and prevention. The platform’s flexible orchestration capabilities enable Security Bank to create customized onboarding workflows while maintaining regulatory compliance.

“Security Bank is transforming digital banking in the Philippines, and we’re proud to support their vision with advanced identity verification that makes onboarding both more secure and convenient,” said Harvinder Singh, Regional Vice President of Sales, APAC at Entrust. “Our solution helps Security Bank deliver the experience their customers expect, while maintaining the highest standards of security and fraud prevention.”

The partnership is delivering measurable results for Security Bank, including a significant increase in customer onboarding completions and reduced onboarding times. The bank is also leveraging Entrust dedicated technical specialists, who provide ongoing improvements and best practices to optimize the user experience.

“Our partnership with Entrust is a testament to our BetterBanking commitment to our customers,” said Juan Mestas, SVP and Strategy, Innovation Architecture, and Platform Division Head at Security Bank. “By leveraging Entrust’s advanced identity verification technology, we’re not only enhancing the security and accessibility of our banking services but also ensuring that every customer interaction—digital or in-person—is convenient and reliable. Looking ahead, we plan to expand these capabilities across other services to give customers the best experience possible.”

While initially focused on retail banking onboarding, Security Bank plans to extend Entrust identity verification solutions across its broader portfolio of services. The technology will be leveraged to enhance the customer experience across additional digital services, ensuring consistent security and convenience across all banking touchpoints.

“Our vision is to deliver truly integrated, omnichannel banking for our customers,” said Malcolm Yow, SVP and Retail CTO at Security Bank. “With Entrust identity verification, customers will have a seamless experience whether they’re using our new Security Bank app, visiting a branch, or accessing phone banking services. This integrated approach strengthens our position as a digital banking leader in the Philippines and reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, customer-centric solutions.”

About Entrust
Entrust is an innovative leader in identity-centric security solutions, providing an integrated platform of scalable, AI-enabled security offerings. We enable organizations to safeguard their operations, evolve without compromise, and protect their interactions in an interconnected world – so they can transform their businesses with confidence. Entrust supports customers in 150+ countries and works with a global partner network. We are trusted by the world’s most trusted organizations. Learn more at www.entrust.com

About Security Bank
Established in 1951, Security Bank is one of the Philippines’ leading universal banks and is publicly listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE:SECB) in 1995. The Bank’s major businesses cover retail, corporate, commercial, and business (MSME) banking, offering a wide range of services including lending, leasing, foreign exchange, stock brokerage, investment banking, and asset management. The Bank has been recognized by international and local organizations for its continuous product innovation, market leadership, and best-in-class management practices. More information is available at www.securitybank.com.

BELLUSTAR TOKYO Awarded Best New Hotel (International) in the TTG China Travel Awards 2025

—Recognized by the prestigious annual event of Greater China

For more details, visit: https://www.bellustartokyo.jp/en/topics/ttgchinatravelawards2025/

TOKYO, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel (Shinjuku, Tokyo; General Manager Katsushi Nishikawa) was awarded Best New Hotel (International) by the TTG China Travel Awards 2025, which recognizes the best of Greater China’s travel industry.

TTG China Logo 2025
TTG China Logo 2025

An event by TTG Travel Trade Publishing, TTG China Travel Awards began in 2008 as an awards event that honors the best Asia-Pacific travel and tourism organizations, and is regarded as the one of the most coveted and influential awards of the travel industry in Greater China.

Industry professionals who are readers of TTG China, TTG-BTmice China, TTG Asia, TTG India, TTGmice, TTGassociations, and TTG Asia Luxury are called upon to cast their votes on the most outstanding travel suppliers within the categories of Airlines, Hotels, Resort Hotels, Serviced Residents, and Travel Services. (Official Website: https://awards.ttgchina.com/en)

BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel was awarded Best New Hotel (International) within the China Outbound Market Awards. A category that evaluates hotels across the globe as a travel destination outbound from Greater China, this award recognizes BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel with the prestigious honor of having the highest standard of service among new hotels around the world.

General Manager Katsushi Nishikawa has released the following comment in response to the award:

“I feel truly honored to receive this prestigious award of TTG China Travel Awards’ Best New Hotel. This is the result of the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who devote their all for guests each and every day. I am sincerely grateful that our service and facilities were recognized by professionals within the travel industry.

Our hotel strives to provide guests with an excellent experience at all times. This award drives us to further pursue our commitment, so that we may continue to be beloved by our guests.”

Award Ceremony - Bellustar Tokyo, photo taken at the TTG China Travel Awards 2025 Reception
Award Ceremony – Bellustar Tokyo, photo taken at the TTG China Travel Awards 2025 Reception

BELLUSTAR TOKYO opened its doors in 2023, and is approaching its two-year anniversary on 19 May 2025. Since its opening, it has received numerous prestigious awards and continues to heighten its presence within the industry.

  • Past Awards of BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel
    • Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024
      • Top 10 City Hotel
    • World Luxury Awards 2024
      • Best Luxury New Hotel in East Asia
      • Best Architectural Design in East Asia
    • MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection
      • One MICHELIN Key
  • Past Awards of SPA sunya
    • World Luxury Awards 2024
      • Best Relaxation Lounge in East Asia
      • Best Unique Experience Spa in East Asia
      • Best Luxury City Hotel Spa in East Asia
  • About BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel

BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel is a luxury hotel where guests can enjoy special spaces far from the madding crowd down below. Located on the 39th floor and above, the spacious guest rooms have Japanese culture woven into its interiors and offer a panoramic view of Tokyo. The topmost floors feature a restaurant with uniquely creative gourmet meals in a one-of-a-kind space, a spa for guests to experience the bounty of Japan’s soil, and the Sky Private Villa, which houses five penthouse suites, providing guests a relaxing time to return to oneself surrounded by a stunning view on all sides.


Location: 1-29-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 1600021, Japan
                Tokyo Kabukicho Tower 18F, 39-47F
Tel: 81 3 6233 8800 (Representative)
Official Website: https://www.bellustartokyo.jp/en/

For press-related inquiries concerning this release, please contact
BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel
Contact person: Chika Ayabe (Public Relations/Marketing Department)
E-mail: pr.ppbtk@panpacific.com / Tel: 81 3 6233 7693

Tonik Named to 2025 Endeavor Outliers List – Joining the Global Top 10% of High-Growth Scale-Ups

MANILA, Philippines, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tonik, the first digital bank in the Philippines, has been named a 2025 Endeavor Outlier — placing the company among the top 10% of global high-growth scale-ups in Endeavor’s 2,500+ company portfolio across 42 markets.

The recognition affirms Tonik’s position as the #1 digital bank in the Philippines for lending monetization, and places it in the company of global neobank unicorns like Nubank, Ualá and Cora — all trailblazers in reimagining financial access in emerging markets.

“This recognition underscores the power of building a lending-first neobank model in a $40B underserved market,” said Greg Krasnov, Founder and CEO of Tonik. “We’re not just scaling fast — we’re scaling with profitability, resilience, and purpose.”

Tonik’s recognition follows its achievement of outstanding performance milestones:

  • Annualized Revenue Run Rate (ARR) reached $30M, with 83% of revenue from lending
  • Lending Risk-Adjusted Gross Margin (RAROC) at world-class 23%
  • Loan portfolio scaled 6x in 24 months, now reaching $50M

“Tonik’s selection is a milestone not just for Endeavor, but for Philippine fintech,” said Manny Ayala, Managing Director of Endeavor Philippines. “They’re building one of the most profitable and scalable neobanks in the region — with global relevance.”

Tonik’s banking license and proprietary AI-powered risk and ops engines give it a massive edge in a 4x underpenetrated consumer lending market.  Tonik’s lending-first model drives 5–10x ARPU compared to payments-led competitors and delivers 16x LTV/CAC.

With a capital-efficient path to profitability, a defensible B2B2C moat, and a massive TAM, Tonik is primed for the next phase of breakout growth — and poised to reshape the future of credit in the Philippines.

About Tonik

Tonik is the first digital-only neobank in the Philippines, operating under a full banking license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Tonik offers loans, deposits, and embedded finance via a mobile-first experience. The company is backed by leading global investors including Mizuho Bank, Insignia Ventures, Peak XV (formerly Sequoia India), and Point72 Ventures.

About Endeavor

Founded in 1997, Endeavor is a global network supporting high-impact entrepreneurs in 40+ markets. Its portfolio companies have generated over $50B in revenues and created more than 4M jobs. The Endeavor Outliers program recognizes the top 10% of this network — companies defining the future of industry and innovation.

Anime Entertainment Startup INCUBASE Studio Partners with K11 Concepts Management Limited for Global ACGN Cultural Experiences

HONG KONG, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Entertainment experience curator INCUBASE Studio announced a strategic partnership with K11 Concepts Management Limited to jointly promote global anime culture. K11 Experience serving as K11 Concepts Management Limited’s IP incubation platform for anime, culture and imagination, aims to develop anime-driven cultural and entertainment experiences; and customise journeys of imagination  for customers. Through this collaboration, INCUBASE Studio will leverage K11 Experience’s extensive customer base, ticketing platform, CRM system and supporting ecosystem to introduce INCUBASE Studio’s exhibition projects, creating immersive ACGN cultural experiences for next-generation consumers, local and worldwide.  

INCUBASE Studio announced today a strategic partnership with K11 Concepts Management Limited to jointly promote global anime culture.
INCUBASE Studio announced today a strategic partnership with K11 Concepts Management Limited to jointly promote global anime culture.

Since its establishment in Hong Kong in 2021, INCUBASE Studio has been dedicated to promoting anime culture and unprecedented entertainment experiences across the world as a curator and producer of experiential entertainment. The startup takes pride in its portfolio of renowned IP-based experiences in Hong Kong and across Asia, which can be categorised into two types of exhibitions. The first type consists of brand-new experiences designed and curated by INCUBASE Studio, including the immersive ‘One Piece The Great Era of Piracy Exhibition Asia Tour’, ‘The Conjuring Universe Tour’ inspired by the blockbuster horror franchise, and ‘The Peppa Pig Treasure Hunt Family Interactive Exhibition’ debuted in summer 2024.

The second type involves INCUBASE Studio bringing exhibitions from Japan to Hong Kong SAR and other regions, adding region-specific elements to enhance connections and interactions with local fans. Notable exhibitions include the ‘Fullmetal Alchemist Exhibition’, ‘DETECTIVE CONAN THE MOVIE Exhibition – A Silver Screen Retrospective’, ‘Kamen Rider 50th Anniversary Exhibition’ and ‘Chainsaw Man Animation Exhibition’, all of which have received widespread acclaim and created a buzz in the local community.

INCUBASE Studio owns the online ticketing platform INCUTix and opened its first anime cultural experience hub INCUBASE Arena in Hong Kong in 2024, along with the brick-and-mortar INCUShop. These offerings provide a holistic and diverse range of anime-based cultural and entertainment experiences encompassing exhibitions, events, F&B and merchandise. INCUBASE Arena expanded with a branch in Malaysia in January 2025 and is set to further extend its presence into other Southeast Asian countries, Mainland China, Taiwan region, as well as the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, as part of its effort to carve a vibrant community out of the anime fandom worldwide and promote anime culture and experiences.

Dr. Adrian Cheng, founder of K11, has been actively promoting the development of cultural industry. Richard Cheung, Group CEO at K11 Concepts Management Limited, describes the strategic collaboration with INCUBASE Studio as a significant step to create fertile ground for the development of anime culture sector. ‘We have been committed to the business model that combines culture and commerce to create value. In face of the massive opportunities in anime and ACGN culture sector, we have decided to invest in INCUBASE Studio to support the development of local creative industry and promote anime culture. INCUBASE Studio has strong capabilities in IP acquisition and integration, especially Japanese IP. Through this strategic partnership, we will pave the way for anime, culture and entertainment industry to grow, with a view to curating richer and more diverse cultural environs while achieving economic benefits.’

Sion Yip, Founder and CEO of INCUBASE Studio, expresses hope that the partnership will open audience’s eyes to innovations in anime culture. ‘We are honoured to partner with K11 Concepts Management Limited, bringing significant development opportunities for anime entertainment experiences across the world. The collaboration adds momentum to the future endeavours set out in our development blueprint. Looking ahead, we will introduce more world-class IPs on their IP incubation platform K11 Experience, and explore deeper forms of collaboration, providing innovative entertainment experiences to fans worldwide and establish Hong Kong as a hub for the anime industry in Asia.’

Sion revealed that INCUBASE Studio has ambitious plans to host major exhibitions designed and curated by the team featuring iconic IPs like ‘Crayon Shin-chan’, ‘Dragon Ball’ and ‘Monster Hunter’ this year across Asia. They are also working to bring a variety of highly anticipated exhibitions and themed pop-up stores, including ‘Cardcaptor Sakura’, ‘DAN DA DAN’, ‘The Idolmaster’ and ‘Oshi no Ko’, to regions beyond Japan.

Coffex Coffee Malaysia to Host “Coffee, Planet and Us 2025” to Champion Sustainable Living


SELANGOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 April 2025 – Coffex Coffee Malaysia and MONO Origine are proud to announce its signature event, Coffee, Planet and Us 2025, themed “The Cost of Sustainability vs The Value of Humanity”, to be held on Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at UOW Malaysia, Glenmarie from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Official Poster

This one-day event is part of Coffex Coffee and MONO Origine’s ongoing mission to advocate for environmental responsibility, ethical practices, and conscious consumption. The platform brings together thought leaders from agriculture, packaging, wellness, and design to explore the role of sustainability across industries.

Kelvin Ngow, Executive Director of Coffex Coffee Malaysia, will deliver the keynote address, setting the tone for a day of meaningful discussion, awareness, and collaboration.

The speaker lineup includes:
  • Felipe Croce (FAF Coffees Brasil) – Regenerative farming as a model for climate resilience
  • Paul Vaughan (Parkside Flexibles Asia) – Reducing packaging waste through sustainable innovation
  • Jaclynnd Wong (Zero Waste Earth Store) – Mindful and intentional waste management
  • Irene Lim (KIAN Furniture) – From Sea to Seat : Transforming waste into sustainable furniture and materials
  • Dr Janira Kumari (Regen Nutracell Wellness) – Toxin-free living and regenerative wellness
  • Dr Leroy Rebello (Biotex Life Inc.) – Insights on integrating biotechnology with wellness and sustainability practices for improved quality of life.

“Coffee, Planet and Us 2025 is more than a gathering—it’s a call to act responsibly for our future, our health, and our planet,” says Kelvin.

Participants will enjoy engaging keynote and speaker sessions, networking opportunities during coffee breaks, and a lunch session designed to spark collaboration among attendees.

Event Details:
Date: 30 April 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: UOW Malaysia, Glenmarie
RSVP Contact: Masrini Elias | masrini.elias@coffexcoffee.com | +60 16-328 2697
Hashtag: #MONOOrigine #CoffexCoffee #Ethicalsourcing #sustainability #ESG




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

Coffex Coffee Malaysia

Coffex Coffee Malaysia is a leading provider of premium coffee beans and machines, dedicated to quality, innovation, and sustainable practices in the coffee industry. Through events like C.P.U., Coffex Coffee continues its mission to inspire a better, greener tomorrow.

Toshiba Launches New SCiB™ Module with Double the Heat Dissipation Performance for EV Buses, Electric Ships, and Stationary Applications

– Achieving constant high power input and output while maintaining battery life –

TOKYO, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Toshiba Corporation has launched a new SCiB™ module, a lithium-ion battery designed for use in EV buses, electric ships, and stationary applications. The new product features an aluminum baseplate that dissipates approximately twice the heat of current modules. It will be available from mid-April 2025, in Japan and internationally.

Toshiba's New SCiB™ Module with Double the Heat Dissipation Performance
Toshiba’s New SCiB™ Module with Double the Heat Dissipation Performance

Use of lithium-ion batteries is increasing and diversifying, and there is growing demand for batteries that can support constant rapid charging and discharging in applications as diverse as electric buses and power load leveling in stationary applications. However, constant input and output at high power levels in a short time generates lifeshortening heat in the batteries. The challenge for battery developers is to manage heat dissipation and maintain battery life while realizing high power input and output in a short time.

Toshiba’s SCiB™ rechargeable batteries have a lithium titanate negative electrode that realizes safe operation, a long life, low temperature performance, fast charging, high input and output, and a wide effective state of charge (SOC*1). They are widely used in hybrid vehicles and industrial applications, including electric buses, cranes, trains, and automated guided vehicles in logistics centers. In addition to battery packs and cells, Toshiba also offers battery modules that can be connected in series or in parallel connnections to meet required voltages and capacities.

Users of module products want a balance between constant high input and output in a short time and battery life. Toshiba has met this increasing demand with a new module that is the first to feature an aluminum baseplate. Aluminum is an excellent conductor, and the new module dissipates heat at approximately twice the rate of current battery modules.

Aluminum has a lower the thermal resistance than the resin materials usually used in baseplates. However, as it is a conductor, the baseplate must be insulated from the battery cells. Toshiba has developed a novel structure that achieves the required voltage resistance, allowing commercialization. When used with the same cooling system normally applied by customers, and under typical operating conditions, heat dissipation performance is approximately double that of current modules, significantly extending battery life.

Current module vs. New products
Current module vs. New products

Adding new products to its module lineup allows Toshiba to respond flexibly to customer demands and application requirements. Toshiba will continue to offer products that leverage the unique features of its SCiBTM lithium-ion battery, while fully considering customer lifecycle costs, from installation to maintenance and disposal.

Product Specifications of Toshiba's New SCiB™ Module
Product Specifications of Toshiba’s New SCiB™ Module

Product information: https://www.global.toshiba/ww/products-solutions/battery/scib/product/module/2p12s.html

Product specification and Instruction manual can be downloaded from the following link. Please note that user registration is required to access the documents.
Data Download | SCiB™ Rechargeable battery | Toshiba

Note 1: SOC range refers to the range of states of charge over which a battery can actually be used, with 100% SOC indicating a fully charged state and 0% SOC indicating a fully discharged state.

Note 2: Function to equalize the voltage differences among cells connected in series.