Innovation hub showcases partner-enabled IoT use cases with Yamaha Marine, Sony Electronics, Noodoe and LOGISTEED Solutions America in Las Vegas.
PLANO, Texas, Jan. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KDDI Spherience, the IoT Center of Excellence within global telecommunications leader KDDI Corporation, today announced it will exhibit for the first time at CES® 2026 in Las Vegas.
KDDI Spherience
As KDDI’s dedicated IoT innovation hub, Spherience will demonstrate how it enables partners to bring “a multitude of use cases” to life on next-generation global connectivity – spanning devices, vehicles, infrastructure and cloud services.
“At CES 2026 we’re showing how global, high-quality connectivity becomes a real business advantage when combined with the right partners and platforms,” said Björn Qvarsell, Head of Product Portfolio at KDDI Spherience. “Spherience exists to help our partners build, launch and scale IoT services globally – faster, more reliably and with less complexity.”
Partner-Enabled IoT Across a Multitude of Use Cases
At CES 2026, Spherience will highlight real and conceptual use cases built together with four key ecosystem partners: Yamaha Marine, Sony Electronics, Noodoe, and LOGISTEED Solutions America.
Yamaha Marine
Yamaha’s U.S. Marine Business Unit, based in Kennesaw, Ga., is responsible for the sales, marketing, and distribution of Yamaha Marine products in the U.S. including Yamaha Outboards, Yamaha WaveRunners®, Yamaha Boats, G3® Boats and Skeeter® Boats. Supporting 2,400 dealers and boat builders nationwide, Yamaha is the industry leader in reliability, performance, technology and customer service.
Based in Newport, Rhode Island, Siren Marine is an industry leader in smart boat technology – allowing boaters to stay connected to their boats anywhere, anytime. The company’s vision is to transform the modern boating experience and lead the way to a fully-connected marine industry through innovative IoT Connected Boat® technology. Siren Marine provides safety, security and smart boat monitoring so boaters can remotely track their boats’ battery level, bilge activity, temperature, location and more. Siren Marine also puts actionable data at the fingertips of industry stakeholders (OEMs, boat builders, electronics, digital switching manufacturers and other marine businesses) connecting them to customers and their boats like never before. Siren Marine is a subsidiary of Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC), a subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Sony Electronics
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Group Corporation. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs.
Noodoe
Noodoe is an EV charging and energy management company whose integrated platform brings EV charging, energy storage, solar and AI together on a single dashboard. Its cloud-based software delivers predictive automation to reduce energy costs, improve uptime and optimize charging across commercial, fleet, multifamily and public parking sites.
LOGISTEED Solutions America
LOGISTEED Solutions America, Ltd. is a provider offering warehouse management solutions with multimodal freight forwarding, ocean and air freight transport, contract logistics, customs brokerage and smart logistics solutions for complex, global supply chains.
About KDDI Spherience
KDDI Spherience is the IoT Center of Excellence within KDDI Corporation, focused on accelerating partner and enterprise innovation using global IoT connectivity and cloud infrastructure. Spherience brings together connectivity, platforms and ecosystem partners to design, test and scale IoT services across industries and regions.
KDDI Spherience at CES 2026: Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Stand #11063
Media Contact KDDI Spherience – Global Communications
The Freestyle+ combines compact portability, enhanced brightness and AI-powered screen optimization—bringing streaming, gaming and flexible viewing to more places and moments.
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Samsung Electronics today announced the global launch of The Freestyle+, its latest AI-powered portable projector designed to deliver a more flexible and personalized entertainment experience across a wide range of spaces.
The Freestyle+
Unveiled ahead of CES 2026 in Las Vegas, The Freestyle+ builds on the distinctive design of the original Freestyle while introducing smarter AI capabilities, improved brightness and expanded entertainment features—allowing users to enjoy content more freely, with minimal setup or adjustment.
“The Freestyle+ reflects Samsung’s vision to create displays that adapt naturally to how people live and move between spaces,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “By combining true portability with intelligent AI that optimizes both the viewing environment and the content itself, The Freestyle+ makes it easier to enjoy a consistent, high-quality experience wherever you are.”
Smarter AI That Lets You Point and Play Instantly
At the core of The Freestyle+ is AI OptiScreen, Samsung’s AI-powered screen optimization technology that automatically adjusts the picture to different spaces—so users can simply point, place and start watching.
AI OptiScreen includes a set of intelligent features designed to automatically optimize the picture across different surfaces and environments:
3D Auto Keystone automatically corrects distortion even when projecting onto uneven or non-flat surfaces, such as corners, curtains or angled walls
Real-time Focus continuously adjusts focus as the projector moves or rotates, helping maintain clear, stable images without blurring or visual noise
Screen Fit automatically adjusts the image to match the screen area when used with a compatible projector screen accessory
Wall Calibration analyzes the color or pattern of the projection surface and minimizes visual distractions for clearer viewing
This intelligent viewing experience is further supported by Vision AI Companion, Samsung’s personalized AI platform for screens, which integrates enhanced Bixby with AI services from global partners to enable more natural, conversational interaction with on-screen content.
Light to Carry, Designed for Everyday Viewing
Designed with portability in mind, The Freestyle+ features a compact cylindrical form factor that is easy to move between rooms or take on the go. With 430 ISO Lumens, it delivers nearly twice the brightness of the previous generation, helping content appear clear and engaging in everyday living environments.
Designed for everyday viewing, The Freestyle+ lets users move it freely without worrying about whether the space is “right” for projection. Its 180-degree rotating design supports projection at virtually any angle—including walls, floors and ceilings—without additional mounts or accessories, enabling flexible viewing setups that adapt naturally to different rooms and moments throughout the day.
On-the-Go Entertainment with Immersive Sound
Designed for moments beyond the living room, The Freestyle+ brings entertainment with you—without relying on external devices or fixed setups. Built-in access to Samsung TV Plus, certified OTT service partners and Samsung Gaming Hub allows users to stream, play and explore content directly from the projector without the need for external devices.
For audio, The Freestyle+ delivers immersive, room-filling sound through its built-in 360-degree speaker, tuned to produce richer, fuller audio in a compact design. Q-Symphony allows the projector to work in sync with compatible Samsung soundbars, creating a more layered and cohesive sound experience wherever it is used.
Samsung Electronics will showcase The Freestyle+ at CES 2026, taking place January 6–9 in Las Vegas, with a phased global rollout planned for the first half of the year.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
Laos will hold nationwide elections on 22 February to elect members of the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Councils.
The election will be overseen by a 21-member National Election Committee chaired by National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
Lao citizens aged 18 and above will be eligible to vote, except those legally restricted, while authorities are currently compiling candidate lists.
The upcoming vote will select 175 National Assembly members nationwide, an increase from 164 in the current 9th Legislature.
Each parliamentarian represents approximately 50,000 citizens, ensuring proportional representation across the country. These figures are based on the 2021 election, with updated data for 2026 yet to be released.
Transition to the 10th Legislature
The 9th Legislature of the National Assembly will complete its five-year term on 22 March next year, after which the 10th Legislature will assume its duties.
Following the election, the new Assembly will elect state leaders, approve the next government cabinet, and adopt the National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026–2030.
From Party Congress to National Vote
The election schedule follows the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), set to take place from 6–8 January. Held every five years, the Congress will elect new Party leadership and define policy directions for the 2026–2030 period.
Delegates selected from provincial and ministerial-level Party congresses will elect a new Party Central Committee. The group will then convene to choose the Party Secretary General, Politburo members, and other key Party bodies. Once the Congress concludes, attention will shift fully to the national elections.
The most recent national elections were held in February 2021, resulting in the current 9th Legislature and existing state leadership.
At a recent meeting attended by all members of the Party Central Committee, leaders reviewed key documents, organisational arrangements, and measures to ensure a smooth political transition in the coming months.
Regional Election Year Ahead
Laos’ 2026 elections will take place amid a broader wave of political transitions across Southeast Asia, with several countries in the region also heading into major electoral or leadership milestones.
Thailand is expected to remain in political focus following recent electoral cycles and ongoing debates over governance reforms, while Indonesia will continue navigating the post-election transition after its 2024 polls, with policy implementation and coalition dynamics carrying into 2026.
Malaysia is likewise entering a critical period as its unity government faces economic pressures and prepares for potential electoral tests at the state or national level.
Myanmar Begins Voting Period
Meanwhile, Myanmar’s military authorities began the first phase of a nationwide election on 28 December 2025, marking the start of a three-stage voting process scheduled to continue on 11 January and 25 January.
The vote comes nearly four years after the military seized power in February 2021. Authorities have described the election as a step toward restoring civilian governance, while opposition groups and independent observers continue to raise concerns over security conditions, restrictions on political participation, and the exclusion of key parties.
Voting is taking place in selected areas, with large parts of the country affected by ongoing conflict and emergency rule, limiting the scope of polling in several regions.
In this context, Laos’ national elections and leadership transition form part of a wider regional pattern of political renewal and policy realignment.
Officials in Laos have stressed that a smooth and orderly election process will remain a priority as the country moves forward with its development agenda during a period of heightened political activity across the region.
Vientiane Capital officially designated Xangmixay as its first sub-district (Ta Saeng) on 31 December 2025, under a pilot administrative reform in Xaythany district. (Photo credit: Xaythany News)
On 31 December 2025, Vientiane Capital officially designated Xangmixay as its first sub-district (Ta Saeng) in Xaythany district, as part of a country’s administrative restructuring aimed at strengthening local governance and public service delivery.
The establishment of Ta Saeng Xangmixay was first introduced in May as a pilot project approved by the Vientiane People’s Council. The new sub-district will include 24 of Xaythany district’s 104 villages and is the first of five planned sub-districts in the area. The remaining four, Sivilay, Hua Xieng, Dong Bung, and Tha Ngon, are part of a broader plan to create 36 Ta Saengs across Vientiane Capital.
According to authorities, the reform brings governance closer to communities through improved administrative efficiency. Each sub-district will establish committees overseeing governance and administration, economic development, cultural and social affairs, and public security.
This initiative stems from a nationwide restructuring program announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs in January 2025, which reintroduced sub-districts across the country. In November, Prime Minister Sonesay Siphandone approved 640 Ta Saengs nationwide, with Savannakhet Province, the country’s largest, receiving 67 sub-districts.
Under the framework, each sub-district will oversee between one and 24 villages based on population, geography, and administrative requirements. Administrative committees will include a chairman, up to two vice-chairmen, and support staff selected from existing personnel and qualified local candidates.
The sub-district system was first introduced during French colonial rule in 1920 but was later abolished in 1990.
TAIPEI, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ARTERY Technology (Cayman) Corporation (Stock Code: 6907; hereinafter referred to as “ARTERY-KY”), a leading designer of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs), is scheduled to be listed on the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) under the Semiconductor Industry category in January 2026. The Company held its first pre-IPO investor conference on December 30 (Tuesday) at the Grand Hyatt Taipei, where it presented its competitive strengths and future business outlook to investors.
ARTERY Technology Pre-IPO Earnings Conference
As a subsidiary of Faraday Technology, ARTERY-KY focuses on the development of high-end 32-bit MCUs. Leveraging ARM® Cortex®-M4 cores with an industry-leading maximum clock speed of up to 288 MHz, the Company delivers exceptional performance. In addition to successfully entering the supply chains of leading global brands, ARTERY-KY has established itself as a key contributor in the China market through localized technical advantages, serving as an important partner in regional supply chain transformation.
ARTERY-KY possesses comprehensive technical capabilities spanning core architecture design to application integration. Its end-market applications cover a wide range of fields, including industrial and motor control, consumer electronics, commercial applications, and vertical industries such as medical, IoT, communications, and automotive electronics. With strengths in high performance, low power consumption, superior integration, and high cost-effectiveness, the Company continues to expand into emerging applications such as drones, robotics, and edge AI, demonstrating strong market competitiveness and growth momentum.
In terms of financial performance, ARTERY-KY recorded revenue of NT$1.635 billion in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of over 60%, with earnings per share (EPS) of NT$1.67. Revenue for the first three quarters of 2025 reached NT$1.234 billion, maintaining a high level and setting a new historical high for the same period, indicating that the Company has emerged from the inventory adjustment cycle. With continued optimization of its product mix, gross margin rebounded significantly to 33.84%. Net profit after tax for the first three quarters totaled NT$70.52 million, with basic EPS of NT$1.38, marking a 56% year-on-year increase and reflecting solid profitability. As multiple new application projects enter mass production and major customer orders continue to grow steadily, the market expects further optimization of the product portfolio in 2026, driving simultaneous growth in revenue and earnings.
Looking ahead, ARTERY-KY has outlined three major growth strategies. First, it will establish a comprehensive MCU foundation spanning M0 to M85 to build a highly compatible ecosystem. Second, it will expand its ASIC-based customized MCU services to help customers rapidly develop application-specific chips. Finally, the Company will aggressively pursue edge AI opportunities by collaborating with UMC and Faraday Technology, utilizing the most advanced 28-nanometer embedded Flash process to develop an intelligent inference platform. Through a strategy focused on breadth, depth, and forward-looking innovation, ARTERY-KY aims to fully activate its semiconductor growth engine.
LUXEMBOURG and FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — INCERGO S.A. (ICG) today announced continued progress in its merger with Visual Semiconductor Inc. (VSI), including the issuance of shares in support of the transaction and the ongoing expansion of Visual Semiconductor’s GF3D™ platform. From black–and–white to color. From flat 2D to GF3D™. The next visual revolution is here.
INCERGO and Visual Semiconductor will present live demonstrations at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, January 6–9, at LVCC, Central Hall, Booth 21123, where the companies will showcase GF3D™ Glasses–Free 3D displays to media, partners, and investors through scheduled and private demonstrations.
The CES showcase highlights Visual Semiconductor’s GF3D™ technology, which enables immersive Glasses–Free 3D experiences without glasses, goggles, or privacy–invading eye–tracking technologies. GF3D™ operates at the display level, converting standard 2D content into immersive 3D in real time.
The GF3D™ 65–inch 8K home display is designed for large–screen viewing environments and supports Glasses–Free 3D presentation for movies, sports, concerts, streaming content, and games at typical living–room viewing distances.
The GF3D™ 6.58–inch smartphone display applies the same GF3D™ technology to mobile devices, enabling Glasses–Free 3D presentation for streaming video, games, social content, maps, user interfaces, photos, and camera previews, without the use of wearable devices.
Together, these demonstrations illustrate the scalability of GF3D™ technology across different screen sizes and use cases, extending Glasses–Free 3D beyond head–mounted AR and VR systems to everyday consumer displays.
The company believes the era of flat 2D displays has ended, and that GF3D™ represents a transition as significant as the industry’s shift from black–and–white to color.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 January 2026 – This season of giving, A Diamond is Forever joins hands with Asia’s premier luxury retailer, Lane Crawford, in paying tribute to the beauty and authenticity of natural diamonds. Together, they bring forward a shared commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, and responsible sourcing.
Renowned actress Charmaine Sheh (left) and fashion trendsetter Hilary Tsui (right) are invited to the event. Charmaine and Hilary discover natural diamonds and experience how diamond detection instruments can distinguish between natural and synthetic diamonds.
“The Forever Gifts: A Natural Diamond Series” the ultimate destination for bespoke natural diamond master creations in Hong Kong, launched with a line-up of activities at Lane Crawford’s flagship retail space in IFC mall. Renowned actress Charmaine Sheh, fashion trendsetter Hilary Tsui, VIPs, media members and influencers from Hong Kong and China were invited to explore exquisite natural diamond collections, thoughtfully curated by Lane Crawford.
Natural diamond workshops are held at Lane Crawford IFC, guiding guests through an immersive journey to explore diamonds from rough to polished
This special series starts with a selection of contemporary fine jewellery brands, each offering a unique design story and a commitment to creativity and excellence. They include State Property, YEPREM, Mio Harutaka, KORLOFF and Claudia Ma Fine Jewellery. “This collaboration marks an important moment for Lane Crawford. Together with De Beers, we’re creating a destination that celebrates the beauty of natural diamonds through exceptional craftsmanship and global creativity. This exclusive space reimagines how clients engage with fine jewellery – bringing artistry, innovation, and the opportunity to design something truly personal.” Emily Wong, Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Lane Crawford.
The exclusive event brought a series of interactive workshops led by experts Jodine Bolden and Samantha Sibley from the De Beers Institute of Diamonds alongside London-based multi-disciplinary artist Annette Fernando.
Left to Right: Fashion stylist Veronica Li, famous influencer Ansheles, international fashion blogger Steph Hui, actor Bruce Tong and actor and singer Chris Tong attend the natural diamond workshop to experience the extraordinary charm of natural diamonds
At the natural diamond workshop, participants gained hands-on experience on rough diamond sorting, polished diamond grading, and differentiation of natural diamonds versus synthetics. Participants also had the unique opportunity of viewing a nearby 297-carat rough diamond and kimberlite carrying a 22-carat rough diamond. Also on display was a gem called “Beating Heart”, a 0.329-carat rough diamond that features a smaller diamond moving freely inside its larger counterpart, a rarity that showcases the extraordinary conditions under which diamonds can form. This exquisite piece, recovered by De Beers Group and analyzed at the facilities of De Beers Institute of Diamonds, is recorded on the Tracr platform, giving insight into its history and heritage. Upon completion of the workshop, each participant received a natural diamond masterclass certificate from the De Beers Institute of Diamonds.
“We are pleased to partner with Lane Crawford for this special series of events to proudly recognize the enduring value of natural diamonds, and to honour the artists who continue to bring life to these creations.” says Loletta Lai, Vice President, Natural Diamonds APAC De Beers Group.
Complementing the technical insight offered by the De Beers Institute of Diamonds, artist Annette Fernando shared her art creations inspired by natural diamonds, named The Multi-Faceted Self. Through a reflective coloring workshop, Annette invited participants to explore the transformative journey of natural diamonds as a metaphor for personal growth and resilience.
The partnership between A Diamond is Forever and Lane Crawford spotlights crafted natural diamond pieces sourced and styled from around the globe, the most treasured gifts ever! These iconic legacy brands and exciting new talent alike, all centered around the timeless beauty of natural diamonds, come together at Lane Crawford, the ultimate destination for discovery, craftsmanship, and contemporary luxury.
Featured Brands
Claudia Ma Fine Jewellery Claudia Ma, driven by a passion for modern high jewelry and an unwavering dedication to quality, founded her eponymous brand, Claudia Ma, in 2000. With a distinctive design sensibility and an eye for artistic aesthetics, she masterfully reinterprets classic themes through innovative modern expressions. Her creations have earned widespread acclaim for their signature style and exceptional craftsmanship. Over the years, Claudia has collaborated with renowned names such as Shanghai Tang, Lane Crawford, and De Beers Group Forevermark, solidifying her brand’s standing in Hong Kong’s fine jewelry landscape.
Her latest work draws inspiration from the barbell as a symbol of balance, focus, and strength. Crafted in 18k gold and accented with natural diamonds, these versatile pieces embody resilience while seamlessly elevating everyday style.
According to Claudia, “Natural diamonds and craftsmanship go hand in hand. Craftsmanship brings out the diamond’s inner brilliance, while my design presents this timeless classic in a modern way for generations to enjoy. Without this artistry, even the finest diamond remains just a hidden treasure.”
State Property An award-winning contemporary fine jewellery label from Singapore, State Property fuses modern design with traditional craftsmanship. Founded in 2015 by a jeweller and an industrial designer, the brand draws inspiration from culture, literature, and history—bringing to life structured silhouettes in precious metals that embrace the softness of the human form.
“There’s an emotional gravity with natural diamonds that’s hard to replicate, State Property shares. “Their rarity, beauty, and resilience make them extraordinary. Each one a fragment of the earth’s story, time in a crystallised form. We’re drawn to materials that carry meaning, and diamonds embody permanence, memory, and the quiet luxury of time. At State Property, we strive to have those same qualities reflected in our own work — creating jewellery with intention, designed to endure and be cherished across generations.”
YEPREM Known for its avant-garde creations, House of YEPREM is a family-run brand that continues to push the boundaries of contemporary diamond jewellery. With a legacy rooted in timeless craftsmanship and visionary design, YEPREM’s striking pieces are now celebrated across America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
“Natural diamonds are the ultimate expression of authenticity and endurance, virtues that mirror YEPREM’s journey and craftsmanship. Born from time, pressure, and perseverance, each diamond holds the essence of transformation and strength. Their inherent brilliance and purity transcend trends, embodying emotion and individuality. In YEPREM’s world, a natural diamond is not merely a material, it is the foundation upon which stories of resilience and radiance are told.”
Mio Harutaka Crafted in Japan by local artisans, MIO HARUTAKA channels the beauty of Mother Nature into every design. The brand, founded in 2011, is committed to achieving diamond traceability and sustainability while maintaining exceptional artisanal craftsmanship. Harutaka shares: “Craftsmanship is essential—it accounts for almost everything. All of these details depend entirely on the skills of the craftsmen. Craftsmanship is what allows me to welcome close, hands-on appreciation, knowing that each piece will meet that level of scrutiny with confidence and beauty.”
KORLOFF Since 1978, KORLOFF has been a symbol of true femininity—magnetic, adventurous, and bold. Renowned for crafting exquisite bespoke jewelry, each piece reflects daring designs and the unmatched artistry of French craftsmanship, showcasing the Maison’s boundless creativity and passion. “Our story began with a diamond, the Black Korloff, the largest brilliant-cut natural black diamond in the world. Its uniqueness, shaped over millions of years, continues to inspire us every day as a symbol of mystery, transformation, and the magic of nature. Natural diamonds possess an authenticity and depth that no other material can replicate. They remind us that beauty is born from time, pressure, and light, forces that mirror the creative journey behind each Korloff jewel.”
Meet the De Beers Institute of Diamonds Experts:
Jodine Bolden, Director of Education De Beers Institute of Diamonds Jodine has previously developed her career as an operations line manager within large FMCG companies, and European HR Management roles within the luxury Health & Beauty industry where she first developed her passion for creating exceptional consumer experiences. After moving to De Beers, she worked as HR Manager for 5 years and discovered her fascination for diamonds as she supported various global functions across the De Beers estate, she then involved creating the Institute of Diamonds Education Service and developing each course that they now offer to their clients.
Since 2018 the De Beers Institute of Diamonds Education Service has provided education on a range of diamond subjects including, Rough Diamond Sorting, Polished Diamond Grading and Laboratory-Grown Detection.
Samantha Sibley, Technical Liaison Manager De Beers Group, UK With over 30 years’ experience in De Beers’ research, development and commercial teams, Samantha brings a wealth of knowledge regarding the characteristics of both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds. She has been involved in the development of De Beers Group’s current and previous suites of verification instruments and currently also facilitates training and educational courses around the world on the use of these instruments for accurate screening results. Other projects involve research into irradiation and HPHT colour treatments and the utilisation of this information to develop screening processes within the De Beers grading laboratories.
Sam has a BTEC Higher National Certificate in Physics, is a diamond fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (DGA) and holds a team leader qualification from Leadership Management UK and the Chartered Management Institute. She has presented on diamond topics globally and has had first-hand experience of the diamond industry over many years through visits to mines, cutting centres, polishing factories, gemmological laboratories and tradeshows.
Annette Fernando, Commissioned Artist, “The Multi-Faceted Self” at The Forever Gifts: A Natural Diamond Series Annette Fernando (b. 1991, London) is a multi-disciplinary artist and curator. She holds a BA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins and is currently pursuing an MA in Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, where she was awarded the prestigious Cultural Leaders Scholarship.
Fernando’s artistic repertoire spans drawing, printmaking, painting, and film. Fernando’s current work is driven to immortalise natures scenes, capturing the beauty of moments often overlooked through various mediums. Fernando’s work has garnered significant recognition, including winning the Jerwood Drawing Prize in 2014 and selections for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2021 and 2023. Her pieces are held in public and private collections across the USA, France, Hong Kong, and the UK.
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About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal
opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American PLC group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
About Lane Crawford
Founded in 1850, Lane Crawford is an iconic luxury department store, with a mission to search the world for the most exciting talent and product, to create the ultimate luxury edit of fashion and lifestyle for its customers across Greater China. Featuring the largest own-bought designer portfolio across Womenswear, Menswear, Beauty & Wellbeing,
Home and Lifestyle, and Fine Jewellery in the region, Lane Crawford constantly evolves its product, experience, and services offer to embrace the most innovative and relevant designers and exceptional craftsmanship of the season, and to reflect the dynamic pace of its market and customers.
With four stores in Hong Kong; and three stores across Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, supported by a global digital flagship, and a purpose-built ecommerce site for China and WeChat store, Lane Crawford is Greater China’s first and only omni-channel luxury fashion retailer. Each store is personalised to its location and designed to provide sensory experience, fusing fashion, design, art and music, while offering exceptional service.
Lane Crawford is a part of The Lane Crawford Joyce Group, Asia’s premier fashion retail, brand management and distribution group, which also includes cutting-edge fashion boutique Joyce; and fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brand management and distribution business ImagineX Group.
SINGAPORE, Jan. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Three Partners from Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair Pte. Ltd. — Suresh Nair, Jennifer Chih, and Bryan Tan, have announced their decision to leave the firm to establish a new independent law practice in Singapore. The new firm, Nair, Jen & Tan LLC will focus on Litigation, Restructuring & Insolvency, Corporate and Employment matters, areas in which the partners are widely recognised.
Partners Suresh Nair, Jennifer Chih and Bryan Tan set up independent Singapore law practice following departure from Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair.
The breakaway marks a strategic move by the trio to create a specialist platform dedicated to contentious, advisory, and crisis-driven mandates, particularly in the context of heightened restructuring activity, more nuanced employment and immigration issues, and complex commercial disputes including arbitration in Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Collectively, the three partners bring decades of experience advising multinational corporations, financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, boards, and senior executives. Their practices span high-value commercial disputes, cross-border restructuring and insolvency proceedings, employment litigation, and compliance-related advisory work.
Suresh Nair has been widely recognised for his leadership in corporate and commercial litigation, insolvency and restructuring, and employment disputes. He has a distinguished record of representing clients in landmark cases and is known for pragmatic, results-oriented advocacy.
Jennifer Chih has almost three decades of experience advising on complex corporate, immigration and employment matters, compliance frameworks, and regulatory strategy. Her work spans M&A transactions, corporate governance, and immigration and labour-related compliance services.
Bryan Tan specialises in corporate and commercial litigation, arbitration, restructuring and insolvency, and employment-related disputes. His practice also encompasses disputes involving technology, digital assets and financial issues, reflecting the evolving needs of commercial clients.
In a joint statement, the three partners said: “We are establishing an independent practice that allows us to deepen our work in core areas where clients increasingly require specialised, senior-level advice. This move enables us to offer a more agile and conflict-free platform while continuing to deliver the depth and quality our clients expect.”
Nair, Jen & Tan is headquartered in Singapore and will operate from their office at SGX Centre 1.
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