Only 17 companies worldwide have earned this recognition for their human resources management practices in 2026. Certification obtained for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region, together with confirmation in Europe, North America, and Latin America. Switzerland, India, China, and Singapore were also certified for the first time
MILAN, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Amplifon, the global leader in hearing care services and solutions, is one of 17 companies worldwide certified as a GlobalTop Employer in 2026, as well as the only company in the hearing care sector to obtain this international recognition for good practices in human resources management and the workplace.
The novelty for 2026, along with global recognition, is the certification in the Asia-Pacific region, which adds to those obtained in previous years in Europe, North America, and Latin America. As for individual countries, this year Amplifon is also a Top Employer in China, India, Singapore, and Switzerland. The company is certified in a total of 20 countries. These include Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, Canada, Panama, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, New Zealand and Australia. This is the sixth consecutive year that Amplifon has obtained Top Employer certification.
“This important recognition – comments Enrico Vita, Amplifon CEO – rewards our company’s continuous commitment to people development, our consistency with our values, and our ability to translate them into our mission every day: improving the quality of life of our customers. The Top Employer certification represents a significant milestone in a long-term journey and, at the same time, an incentive for us to continue striving to do even better”.
“We are extremely proud to be the first Italian company to achieve this important recognition on a global scale – says Giovanni Buonajuto, Chief HR Officer at Amplifon – which makes us a global benchmark in attracting and developing talent. This certification is testament to our ongoing commitment to the development and growth of our employees and to an organizational environment characterized by a strong human dimension that encourages the exchange and generation of ideas.“
The Amplifon group currently employs over 20,000 people in 26 countries and five continents, representing over 100 different nationalities. The average age of the group’s employees and collaborators is under 40, and more than 70% of the company’s workforce is women. Each year, the company provides each of its employees with an average of at least three days of training.
Top Employer is the official recognition of corporate excellence in policies and strategies in HR development and workplace improvement. The program, created by the Top Employers Institute, the global organization that identifies excellence in human resources management, ranked and certified more than 2,400 companies in 125 countries in 2025. Only the companies that meet the highest standards in six macro areas (people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, training, diversity and inclusion, well-being) can access certification.
Amplifon Amplifon, the global leader in the retail hearing care market, makes it possible to rediscover all the emotions of sound. All of Amplifon’s more than 20,000 employees worldwide are committed every day to understanding the unique needs of each customer, offering exclusive, innovative, and highly personalized products and services to ensure the best solution and an extraordinary experience for everyone. The Group, with annual revenues of over €2.4 billion, operates through a network of more than 10,000 specialized centers in 26 countries and 5 continents. For more information about the Group: https://corporate.amplifon.com
Four people remain missing after a sinkhole collapsed in Thongmang Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital, on 2 January. (Photo credit: Ministry of Industry and COmmerce)
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered the immediate evacuation of 38 households from high-risk areas of Thongmang village in Xaythany district, Vientiane, following a deadly sinkhole collapse earlier this month.
The order followed inspection by Vice Minister Chansaweng Bounyong. He visited the affected area after a sinkhole opened on 2 January. Authorities described the evacuation as a precautionary measure to protect residents from further ground subsidence, warning that moderate-risk zones could experience additional collapses.
The 2 January incident marked the fifth sinkhole in the area since May 2025 and the first to result in four people missing. Rescue teams and technical experts have been unable to descend into the sinkhole due to its depth and ongoing safety concerns.
Concerns intensified on 11 January when a sixth sinkhole emerged in the same location as the first collapse from 4 May 2025, followed by incidents on 14 September, 23 October, and 30 October 2025.
Temporary shelters have been arranged for evacuated families who do not have permanent housing elsewhere. Officials noted that most of the affected residents only stay in the area seasonally, as the land is primarily used for agricultural land, while their main homes are located in safer parts of the village.
Officials linked the sinkholes to underground potash salt extraction and tunnel construction by a nearby company. The government ordered the company to halt operations in July 2025, and since May 2025, the firm has implemented ground stabilization measures under official supervision.
Authorities have extended condolences to the families of the missing individuals and provided financial assistance for funeral arrangements. Experts and local officials continue monitoring the site and investigating the causes.
BEIJING, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The documentary “Through Ice and Snow“ (1 episode x 30 minutes), co-produced by China Review Studio and Yingda Media Investment Group Company, Ltd., will begin rolling out globally across multiple platforms starting on January 15, 2026.
documentary “Through Ice and Snow”
“Through Ice and Snow” tells the story of grassroots power grid workers in the Daliang Mountains who brave the cold and snow to safeguard the energy artery of the China’s west-to-east power transmission program. It showcases their wisdom, resilience, and dedication in the face of risks.
The film focuses on a power grid maintenance team deep in the Daliang Mountains. Together with their new ice-clearing partner, a robot named “Bluey”, they venture into the mountains to carry out de-icing operations. Thick fog, freezing temperatures, and strong winds in the mountains repeatedly challenge them, but Wei Kailin and his team grow stronger with each setback. Ultimately, they complete the task of ensuring the safety of the transmission lines, and “Bluey” becomes increasingly capable through their collaboration. However, in the unique geographical and climatic conditions of Daliang Mountains, some areas remain beyond the reach of technology. Fortunately, Wei Kailin and his team are long accustomed to traversing mountains and crossing ridges time and again, ensuring the power grid safely endures the winter.
At a time when climate issues command global attention, this documentary offers a frontline perspective on energy security. It reveals the evolving synergy between technology and human effort in China’s drive to overcome geographical barriers for green energy, while also painting a vivid portrait of the spirit and determination of contemporary grassroots workers in China.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 January 2026 – HKU Business School unveiled the “Hong Kong Economic Policy Green Paper 2026” (“Green Paper”). This comprehensive document delves into various facets of Hong Kong’s economic domain, covering everything from trade finance and Hong Kong’s role in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) startup ecosystem to green finance, the IP economy, social and shareholder value for Hong Kong-listed companies, and pressing social issues such as housing affordability and overcrowding in emergency departments. Moreover, with the emergence of AI, the Green Paper examines the impact of AI on the labour market, cybersecurity, and the development of a Web 3.0 ecosystem.
This is the fifth edition of the Hong Kong Economic Policy Green Paper, released by HKU Business School, with the aim of providing recommendations on how Hong Kong can effectively tackle these challenges.
HKU Business School today unveils the Hong Kong Economic Policy Green Paper 2026. From left: Prof. Huiyin Ouyang, Associate Professor in Innovation and Information Management of HKU Business School, Prof. Dragon Tang, Professor in Finance in HKU Business School, Professor Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School, Prof. Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong and Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy, Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President of The University of Hong Kong and Associate Dean of HKU Business School, and Dr. Tingting Fan, Principal Lecturer in Marketing of HKU Business School.
Prof. Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong and Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy said, “This Green Paper was released after months of rigorous research by the scholars from HKU Business School. Grounded in an academic perspective and guided by a pragmatic, problem-solving approach, we have conducted objective analyses and in-depth investigations into core issues and real-world challenges currently facing Hong Kong’s development in political and economic operations, people’s livelihood, and industrial upgrading. Our aim is to provide the Government and relevant authorities with valuable insights and actionable policy recommendations.”
Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School, said, “As a ‘super-connector’ bridging China and the world, Hong Kong’s unique role remains indispensable. Looking ahead, Hong Kong must deeply integrate into China’s national development plans, and also take a more prominent role on the international stage, with an in-depth understanding of the global market and active engagement with its international collaborators.
With campuses in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, and an expanding presence in Vietnam and Europe, HKU Business School embodies our unique proposition: deeply rooted in Hong Kong, fully engaged with the Chinese Mainland, and truly international. This year’s Green Paper reflects our dedication to inspiring solutions based on rigorous research. As a world-class institute of higher education, we are committed to enabling Hong Kong to further unleash its core values and usher in a new era of high-quality development.”
Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President of The University of Hong Kong and Associate Dean of HKU Business School, added, “This Green Paper features research papers from ten teams of scholars with diverse backgrounds and varied expertise. Based on profound insights into Hong Kong’s development, they offer unique and targeted policy recommendations, building a rich and multifaceted framework of issues for the Green Paper. At the same time, behind these research achievements lies the scholars’ deep affection for and sense of responsibility toward Hong Kong.”
Regarding how digital technology can boost Hong Kong’s trade finance, he emphasised: “Both data and industry feedback clearly demonstrate the core value of trade finance. However, we need more synergy in the trade finance ecosystem and to catch up in digitisation. To address this, we must strengthen the governance and standard promotion of digital trade platforms and tools, deepen the cross-border interoperability of trade data, expand the functions of the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation, focus on high-value-added trade enterprises, extend the coverage of Free Trade and Double Taxation Avoidance agreements, and promote responsible stablecoin adoption and Renminbi internationalisation.”
Prof. Dragon Tang, Professor in Finance at HKU Business School, stated, “Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to lead in the integration of blockchain technology within green finance, exemplified by our pioneering issuance of the world’s first tokenised green bonds, totalling HKD 6 billion in February 2024. With green finance representing a critical avenue for sustainable development, the global market is projected to grow significantly, emphasising the importance of transparency and trust. To capitalise on this opportunity, we must enhance our blockchain infrastructure, establish clear regulatory standards, and promote cross-border integration with initiatives like Core Climate. By leveraging blockchain’s capabilities, we can significantly reduce costs, improve transparency, and engage a broader investor base, ultimately driving our transition to a sustainable finance future.”
Prof. Huiyin Ouyang, Associate Professor in Innovation and Information Management, HKU Business School, commented on her study, saying, “Two weeks post-implementation of the hospital fee reform, the media reported no significant change in emergency department crowding, which aligns with what our analysis predicted. Overcrowding isn’t simply about patient behaviour – it’s a structural issue. Demographics are shifting, capacity is constrained, and alternative treatment options remain limited. What we now need is a careful, systematic evaluation of the fee changes. Where are vulnerable patients going for care? Are some patients delaying treatment? What unintended effects are emerging? Effective reform requires pairing fee adjustments with expanded primary care access. We can’t solve a capacity problem with pricing alone.”
Dr. Tingting Fan, Principal Lecturer in Marketing at HKU Business School, presented as well, spoke on her study and asked, “Why did Pop Mart go public in Hong Kong but register IP in Singapore? Or why was Molly ‘born’ in Hong Kong but did not go viral from Hong Kong? Why have local companies not managed to turn these homegrown IPs into major business triumphs? Learning from the past and looking forward, Hong Kong can leverage its financial market, legal system, as well as talents to build a comprehensive IP industry infrastructure and become an IP hub.”
The Green Paper includes ten articles; the key points are as follows:
Empowering Merchandise Trade Finance with Digital Technology in Hong Kong Author: Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President (Global), The University of Hong Kong; Associate Dean (External Relations), HKU Business School; Associate Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy; Victor and William Fung Professor in Economics
Trade is an essential lifeline for Hong Kong; its total merchandise trade was three times the city’s HKD3.2 trillion GDP in 2024. Trade finance is thus equally important, yet research shows that the total loans extended for trade finance have been declining.
As geopolitical and technological shifts reshape trade, Hong Kong must upgrade its trade finance services. With consumer-goods trade shifting to smaller, more frequent orders and shorter cycles, financial institutions need to streamline approvals and develop flexible products for e-commerce and logistics-driven cash cycles. Banks also need to digitise core processes in fund settlement. The article cautions that platforms directly connecting mainland manufacturers with overseas buyers disintermediate Hong Kong’s traditional hub-and-spoke role.
To address this, the article suggests the government leverage digital technologies to elevate the adoption of Hong Kong’s digital trade platforms through unifying core digital trade functions. Moreover, speeding up interoperability of trade data platforms with the Chinese Mainland and other economies will enable seamless data exchange.
Rebuilding Hong Kong as the Catalyst to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Startup Ecosystem Prof. Alberto Moel, Professor of Practice in Finance, HKU Business School Prof. Joseph Chan, Associate Professor of Practice in Management and Strategy, HKU Business School; Associate Director, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Offering a quantitative analysis of the evolution of Hong Kong’s startup landscape, the article found that post-2019 activity has slowed, mirroring global venture capital trends, with most failing to grow beyond 50 employees due to scarce late-stage capital despite early-stage availability. While fintech and logistics dominate and AI/blockchain grow quickly, deep tech lags—authors view this as temporary and highlight Hong Kong’s alignment in financial innovation, regtech, and GBA supply chains to attract investment and support corporate transformation.
To strengthen Hong Kong as the GBA’s premier startup hub and international financial centre, the article recommends nine policies—including fixing funding gaps, closing academia-market divides through industry-focused research for tech transfer, attracting/retaining talent, integrating Northern Metropolis with GBA supply chains, pivoting to high-value services, and drawing large tech platforms to incubate local startups.
The Applications of Blockchain in Green Finance: Hong Kong’s Experience and Opportunities Author: Prof. Dragon Tang, Professor in Finance, HKU Business School; Associate Director, Centre for Financial Innovation and Development
The green finance market has entered an important new phase. Hong Kong became the world’s first issuer of sovereign tokenised green bond when it priced an HKD800 million one-year note in February 2023. Despite this, Hong Kong faces several challenges in the practical implementation of using blockchain to advance green finance. This is due to the limited interoperability between blockchain platforms and existing financial infrastructure, which hinders cross-market transactions. Real-time settlement for tokenised assets is also difficult because of scalability constraints.
The article argues that the future success of blockchain development in green finance will depend on progress in three areas: standardisation, scalability, and security. Clear regulatory frameworks and common technical protocols are needed to provide legal certainty and interoperability across platforms. While collaboration among regulators, technology providers, and energy-market participants can align rules for tokenisation. Blockchain can also connect Hong Kong’s Core Climate platform with overseas counterparts, as cross-border integration is crucial to the inherently international nature of climate finance.
Can Hong Kong be an IP hub for Future Labubu? An Overview of Hong Kong’s IP Industry Dr. Tingting Fan, Principal Lecturer in Marketing, HKU Business School Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President (Global), The University of Hong Kong; Associate Dean (External Relations), HKU Business School; Associate Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy; Victor and William Fung Professor in Economics
As Labubu’s success turns the spotlight on the growing importance of the IP industry, the authors propose that this can inspire more creators and businesses to invest in branding, licensing, and cross-border collaborations. This can also attract policymakers’ attention to the emerging IP sector as a key driver of innovation and economic growth.
To position Hong Kong as a leading regional IP trading centre, the authors recommend that stakeholders—including IP developers, entrepreneurs, and government agencies—coordinate efforts across key areas. These include building a robust IP financing ecosystem, such as through government-issued IP bonds replicating the green finance model; enhancing infrastructure and platforms to support IP development; developing specialised talent and professional services in the IP sector; promoting IP initiatives throughout the Greater Bay Area; and strengthening IP protection alongside a solid legal framework.
Thematic Research: Maximisation of Social Value and Shareholder Value – Insights from Hong Kong-listed Companies Across Sectors Author: Prof. Sean Chang, Associate Professor of Practice in Finance, HKU Business School
Through a triangulation research approach, the article examines how social policies, international frameworks, and corporate social responsibility influence a company’s valuation and capital budgeting decisions. Using insights from major Hong Kong-listed companies across nine sectors—spanning transport, utilities, financials, banking, conglomerates, technology, real estate, consumer, and hotel servicing—the research highlights CSR’s role in enhancing long-term firm performance.
Key findings show that corporate risk assessment, company valuation, and stock performance are significantly influenced by CSR-linked socially responsible investing (SRI) factors. Hong Kong-specific social values, such as equality and sustainability, shape investor preferences, guiding finance managers to tailor solutions and adapt regulatory standards. While conventional metrics remain dominant, incorporating social value boosts long-term firm value by building shareholder trust and mitigating risks; companies can pursue CSR projects financed via SRI bonds to create dual economic and societal benefits.
The study recommends embedding core values like equality and sustainability into corporate strategies, aligning budgeting processes with social objectives to pinpoint investments yielding both returns and positive impacts, and urging Hong Kong-listed firms to sustain capital budgeting aligned with enduring societal values.
Housing Affordability and Homeownership in Hong Kong, 1985-2023 Mr. Allen W. Huang, Student Researcher, Hong Kong Future Economy Institute Mr. Alex Ngau, Research Associate, Hong Kong Future Economy Institute Prof. Michael B. Wong, Assistant Professor in Economics, Management and Strategy, HKU Business School
Hong Kong’s housing market has grown increasingly unaffordable, hindering upward mobility for younger generations. Main findings from the research reveal that since the 2002 suspension of the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS), homeownership has declined sharply, rendering private housing “impossibly unaffordable” for median-income households. A wide public-private rent gap drives young people to accept lower-paying or part-time jobs to qualify for public rental housing (PRH), distorting labour supply, stifling human capital investment, and fuelling a surge in adult co-living with parents; younger cohorts (born 1980-1999) face far lower access to public housing and ownership than prior generations at the same age.
Taking Hong Kong Island as an example, between 2003 and 2024, the rent-to-income ratio for a typical 400-sq-ft private unit jumped from 35% to 60% of median household income, peaking at 65% in 2015 and 2019—far exceeding the UN-Habitat and World Bank’s 30% affordability threshold. Public housing rents stayed dramatically lower at just 7%–11% of median household income from 1985 to 2024. For home purchases, it now takes 18.2 years of median income to buy a 500-sq-ft private unit (up from 7.4 years in 2003), placing it in the “impossibly unaffordable” zone per the Demographia International Housing Affordability report, where ≤3.0 years is considered affordable and 9.0+ years is impossibly unaffordable. After the 2002 Home Ownership Scheme suspension, even subsidised HOS units now require 15.8 years of income on Hong Kong Island (up from 7.4 years in 2007), shifting them from moderately unaffordable to severely or impossibly unaffordable in urban cores.
To reverse these trends, the authors recommend ramping up production of high-quality ownership units, easing resale and leasing restrictions on existing subsidised sale flats to boost residential mobility and enable “trading up” the housing ladder, setting housing price and affordability targets over mere supply goals, and adopting responsive mechanisms to balance demand and supply.
Beyond Crisis Management: Structural Reform for the Overcrowding in Hong Kong’s Emergency Departments Prof. Huiyin Ouyang, Associate Professor in Innovation and Information Management, HKU Business School Ms. Yiran Zhang, PhD student, HKU Business School
Hong Kong’s public emergency departments (EDs) handle over 2.14 million annual attendances. This crisis, exacerbated by an ageing population, results from a structural mismatch: the majority of the attendances are for non-emergency conditions, leading to staff burnout and compromised care.
The article proposes three comprehensive structural reforms. First, improving operational efficiency with accurate wait time information systems is crucial. Second, increasing the ED fee (categories III–V) aims to divert non-critical patients. Success for this hinges on assumptions about patient responses, particularly how varied population segments will react to the price signal. International evidence raises concerns, showing that higher ED fees can reduce overall utilisation, but with the decrease primarily occurring among price-sensitive groups who may risk delays in receiving serious care. Therefore, for this reform to succeed, the public must have genuine access to alternative care pathways that can accommodate acute but non-emergency needs outside regular business hours, with pricing acceptable to price-sensitive populations. Third, AI can augment the workforce and manage demand (e.g., through telemedicine).
Ultimately, sustainable reform demands robust evaluation, political courage, and a commitment to address root causes, not just symptoms.
Initial Efforts to Empirically Measure AI Activity and Its Impacts on Hong Kong’s Labour Market Prof. Alan Kwan, Associate Professor in Finance, HKU Business School Prof. Mingzhu Tai, Associate Professor in Finance, HKU Business School; Associate Director, Institute of Behavioural and Decision Science Mr. Zihan Wang, Master student, HKU Business School
In an effort to empirically measure the impact of AI on Hong Kong’s labour force, the researchers observe that firms with a higher adoption of AI experience lower headcount growth. However, the scale of impact appears small in the city, which could be due to several potential reasons. One of these is the different composition of Hong Kong’s labour force compared with other countries. For instance, Hong Kong has a high proportion of finance or managerial talent, which is harder to displace; the city also features older or more elite workers. On the other hand, much of the impact of AI, particularly generative AI, is on the less elite and younger populations.
As such, the authors recommend policymakers produce more labour market statistics that track the impact of AI, particularly by occupation. On the rate of AI adoption in Hong Kong through innovation, the authors find that the city is heavily skewed towards research, but not commercialisation. This means that the quality and quantity of academic research is not translating to commercial use. To address this decoupling, the authors propose that the government tweak its existing early-stage startup funding platforms to encourage streamlining and higher utilisation of existing government resources.
The Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Cybersecurity in Hong Kong Author: Prof. Michael Chau, Professor in Innovation and Information Management, HKU Business School
As GenAI can produce human-like text, code, images, and audio, cybersecurity crimes have become easier and faster to perpetrate. Not only have data leaks and hacks into security systems led to significant financial losses in Hong Kong, but they also hurt confidence in the city’s digital infrastructure.
The article recommends using AI to fortify Hong Kong’s cyber defence, such as using biometric verification and deepfake detection technologies, especially in areas involving critical infrastructure and high financial stakes. It is also important to prevent data leakage and other threats in using GenAI.
Hong Kong’s Next Growth: Pioneering the Web 3.0 Ecosystem Prof. Yulin Fang, Professor in Innovation and Information Management, HKU Business School; Director, Institute of Digital Economy and Innovation Mr. Yangchen Mou, PhD student, HKU Business School
Given the inherent risks in Web 3.0 operational models—most notably within Decentralised Finance (DeFi) systems—striking a balance between fostering the development of the Web 3.0 ecosystem and implementing appropriate regulation to maintain financial stability is and should be a key priority for Hong Kong authorities. To support this, the article categorises the industry into three distinct systems—Centralised Finance (CeFi), the integration of Traditional Finance and Centralised Finance (TradFi-CeFi), and Decentralised Finance (DeFi)—and put forward targeted policy recommendations for each.
For the CeFi system, the authors recommend creating a more conducive environment for development by refining specialised auditing frameworks, promoting a local Web 3.0 talent certification system, and introducing global leading CeFi institutions to the local market. For the TradFi-CeFi system, they suggest upgrading audit standards for traditional firms holding digital assets and upskilling traditional finance professionals with Web 3.0 expertise. In contrast, for the DeFi system, which carries higher inherent risks and poses greater regulatory challenges, the authors advise authorities to adopt a prudent stance while keeping monitoring its latest technological developments.
The full version of the Green Paper can be accessed here. Hi-res photos are available here.
Hashtag: #HKUBS
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About HKU Business School
Established in 2001, HKU Business School is one of the youngest and most dynamic members of The University of Hong Kong (HKU). The School strives to nurture first-class business leaders and foster academic and relevant research that serves the needs of Hong Kong, China and the rest of the world in the new Asia-led economy. As a top international business school, the School has established its place as a globally impactful institution that leads the way through timely thought leadership, pioneering research, and educational excellence. Deeply rooted in Hong Kong and fully engaged with China, the School’s world-class faculty equip students with global knowledge and perspectives.
HKU Business School offers business education across a full range of disciplines, while achieving remarkable growth in faculty strength and research capabilities. The School ranks Asia’s No.1 in Financial Times’ Aggregated Research Ranking for two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025, while the University of Hong Kong ranked 11th in the world and No. 1 in Asia according to the QS World University Rankings 2026. The School has strategic partnerships with world-renowned universities and corporate partners, providing market-oriented content, superior learning, and instrumental resources.
To better serve our students and alumni in various cities and regions, and to facilitate collaboration opportunities with business communities around the globe, HKU Business School has established a unique international network that extends to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Ho Chi Minh City.
HKU Business School is fully accredited by the European Quality Improvement Systems (EQUIS) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
MADRID, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Future of Equestrian Sport Alliance (FESA) is pleased to announce a collaboration with Athena Hepburn, an international dressage rider competing at the highest level of the sport.
Athena_Hepburn
Athena A. M. Hepburn is a passionate and dedicated dressage rider and trainer with a strong foundation in natural horsemanship, specializing in the Parelli method. With extensive training under renowned professionals Luis Lucio and Juan Matute, she combines behavioral psychology and effective communication techniques to build strong, harmonious relationships with horses.
Athena Hepburn recently distinguished herself on the international stage by winning the kings cup in the Grand Prix U25 and is the 2025 Madrid champion of Grand Prix. Granddaughter of the iconic Audrey Hepburn, she represents a new generation of equestrians combining sporting excellence, cultural awareness and responsible engagement.
This collaboration aligns fully with FESA’s mission as a Geneva-based international alliance dedicated to protecting, modernising and securing the future of equestrian sport in the face of today’s challenges — including animal welfare, sustainable performance, innovation and societal expectations.
A collaboration focused on the future of the sport
Through this partnership, Athena Hepburn will contribute to initiatives led by FESA around high-performance sport and equine welfare, within a framework of collective action, shared responsibility and long-term vision. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and German.
This collaboration aims to foster a constructive approach grounded in field experience, shared expertise and a responsible vision for the future of equestrian sport.
A shared vision
“Athena embodies the spirit of FESA: an athlete who is committed, credible and deeply connected to the realities of the sport,” said FESA. “Her perspective and engagement are valuable assets in shaping the future of equestrian sport.”
Athena added: ” I am delighted to collaborate with FESA at this pivotal moment for our sport. Contributing to a collective action in support of the future of equestrian sport and equine welfare is both a responsibility and a privilege and complements my professional life.”
About FESA
The Future of Equestrian Sport Alliance (FESA) is an international alliance bringing together athletes, federations, scientists, universities and partners committed to ensuring the economic, social and ethical sustainability of equestrian sport — today and for generations to come.
The rebranding signals a sharper focus on the African continent for this exclusive angel investor network
SINGAPORE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XA Africa, the exclusive operator-led investment network founded by global technology veterans, today announced its official launch as A54. The rebrand marks a significant milestone in the network’s evolution, reflecting its deepened commitment to the 54 nations of the African continent and its growing impact as a primary bridge between global expertise and local innovation.
Just over one year since its public launch as XA Africa in Q4 2024, the network has rapidly established itself as a critical player in the ecosystem. To date, A54 has successfully deployed more than a quarter million US$ in capital to support the continent’s most promising startups.
A Proven Model for “Smart Capital”
A54 distinguishes itself by moving beyond traditional venture capital. As a global community of senior leaders from the world’s most prominent technology companies – including many from Google and YouTube – the network provides “smart capital” that combines funding with hands-on operational mentorship.
“Our mission has always been to connect exceptional founders with the guidance they need to scale globally,” said Nitin Gajria, Co-Founder of A54 and former MD of Google Sub-Saharan Africa. “As we rebrand to A54, we are doubling down on our hypothesis that operator-led investment is the most effective way to unlock Africa’s profound opportunities. We aren’t just investors; we are partners who have built and scaled the very products that define the modern tech landscape.”
Progress and Portfolio Highlights
The transition to A54 follows a year of significant momentum. The network has completed 9 core investments in high-growth startups across the continent – strategically concentrated in major African tech hubs, such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
A54’s early portfolio already demonstrates diverse sector backing – with notable companies including:
“Partnering with this network has been a game-changer,” said Michael Ogundare, CEO of Crop2Cash. “Their strategic guidance has opened doors to new opportunities that go far beyond the initial check.”
Looking Ahead: The A54 Vision
The name A54 represents the network’s dedication to the entire African continent. In 2026, the network aims to expand its “Regional Hubs” – inclusive of both investors and VC / technology partners – in key tech centers across Africa to facilitate even more seamless investment into the region.
“Africa is home to 25% of the world’s youth but currently receives only 1% of global venture funding,” said Marek Dawidowicz, Co-Founder of A54 and Marketing Director at YouTube. “A54 is here to change that, by proving that with the right combination of capital and global expertise African startups can lead the next wave of global innovation.”
Upcoming African Startup Demo Day:
The A54 team will be hosting their next public [A54 Network] Startup & Investor Demo Day webinar on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 1PM (GMT+1). This quarterly event offers an exclusive opportunity for Africa-focused investors to meet the founders of our most recent portfolio companies and learn more about the A54 investment model. Any investor or African startup ecosystem evangelist can register for the event via the A54 website or LinkedIn page.
About A54: A54 is a global, operator-led investment community supporting Africa’s most promising founders. Founded by veterans from the world’s leading tech companies, A54 provides curated access to early-stage and growth-stage deals, combining capital with hands-on expertise to help startups scale with confidence.
For more information and media queries, please visit: www.a54.network
STOCKHOLM, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On 30th of January, 2026, Electrolux Group will publish the results for the fourth quarter of 2025, at approx. 07.00 CET.
Media, investors and analysts are invited to a simultaneous video webcast and telephone conference on the same day following the release of the results, starting at 09.00 CET where Yannick Fierling, President and CEO, together with Therese Friberg, CFO, will present the report.
Information on how to join the video webcast and telephone conference is available HERE.
Slides used in the presentation and report will be available at the Group’s website, www.electroluxgroup.com/ir.
For more information:
Ann-Sofi Jönsson, Head of Investor Relations & Sustainability Reporting, +46 73 035 1005 Maria Åkerhielm, Investor Relations Manager, +46 70 796 3856 Henry Sjölin, Investor Relations Manager, +46 76 863 51 85 Electrolux Group Press Hotline, +46 8 657 65 07
CHANGSHA, China, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zoomlion”; 1157.HK) is driving a new wave of intelligent transformation by integrating AI with construction machinery, the industrial internet, big data, and cloud computing. Its full-chain AI system spans smart products, manufacturing, management, and embodied-intelligence robotics, reshaping the company into a fully digital and intelligent enterprise. Zoomlion is also scaling humanoid robotics as its “third growth curve,” backed by proprietary hardware-software integration capabilities.
Zoomlion’s humanoid robot performs sorting tasks on the factory floor
Zoomlion’s full-chain AI application system covers four major pillars, namely, AI plus construction machinery, AI plus intelligent manufacturing, AI plus intelligent management, and AI plus embodied-intelligence robots. At Zoomlion Smart City, 12 smart factories and over 300 smart production lines, including 20 lights-out lines, operate as an end-to-end intelligent manufacturing system. In the AI plus intelligent manufacturing domain, processes such as cutting, welding, machining, painting, and assembly are fully connected to the industrial internet platform. This allows unified management of over 100,000 material types and intelligent manufacturing of over 400 products.
AI-driven scheduling and optimization enable the park to produce an excavator every six minutes, a scissor lift every 7.5 minutes, a concrete pump truck every 27 minutes, and a truck crane every 18 minutes, marking a breakthrough in large-scale, multi-variety, small-batch agile manufacturing. Zoomlion also applies AI across R&D, production, sales, service, and supply chain management. For customer service, the Company has launched a voice-based AI expert diagnostic system with over 95 percent accuracy, enabling remote fault identification, rapid troubleshooting, and 24-hour technical support.
Since 2024, Zoomlion has expanded into embodied-intelligence humanoid robotics, leveraging its full-stack self-development capabilities. Dozens of humanoid robots are now deployed in factory logistics, loading and unloading, pre-assembly, and quality inspection, forming early productivity use cases. Supported by a self-built training ground with over 100 workstations and large-scale industrial datasets, Zoomlion enables rapid iteration of human-robot collaboration. All humanoid and industrial robots are connected to the Zhongke Yungu Embodied Intelligence Platform, which integrates data, training, simulation, and OTA deployment into a closed loop, powered by a national supercomputing center with 59P GPU computing capacity and tens of thousands of distributed nodes.
Beyond humanoid robotics, Zoomlion is developing a wider range of specialized robots for firefighting, mowing, construction, and agriculture. With deep integration across hardware, AI models, and real-world scenarios, the company is positioning embodied intelligence as its next major growth engine.
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