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Stella International Secures ‘AA’ MSCI ESG Rating In Back-to-Back Upgrade

HONG KONG, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stella International Holdings Limited (“Stella” or the “Group”; SEHK: 1836), a leading developer and manufacturer of quality footwear and leather goods, is pleased to announce that it has received an upgraded MSCI ESG Rating of ‘AA’, up from its previous ‘A’ rating – marking its second consecutive annual upgrade.

The MSCI rating upgrade recognises the Group’s progress in environmental performance, particularly in Raw Material Sourcing and Product Carbon Footprint management. Stella’s scores across all six key ESG issues in the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods sector now exceed the industry average, reflecting steady improvements in recent years.

In Raw Material Sourcing, MSCI identified Stella’s ongoing efforts to strengthen supply chain sustainability as a key driver, including the achievement of 100% Leather Working Group (LWG) certification among core leather suppliers in 2024. In Product Carbon Footprint, improvements were supported by enhanced data transparency and management – underpinned by the completion of annual Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon inventories with ISO 14064 certification, public disclosure of emissions data, and initiatives such as supply chain localisation to support longer-term decarbonisation.

Recognising that there is still more work ahead, the Group further strengthened its climate change commitment in 2025 by setting Near-term Science Based Targets (SBT) covering all three scopes of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These targets are currently under review by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and will be publicly disclosed once validated.

Mr. Chi Lo-Jen, Chief Executive Officer of the Group, said, “This upgrade is a testament to our enhanced sustainability disclosures and proactive management of key ESG issues, but we remain mindful that sustainability is a long-term journey. We will continue to focus on improving transparency while working closely with our partners to deliver steady, measurable progress.”

MSCI ESG Research provides MSCI ESG Ratings on global public and a few private companies on a scale of CCC (laggard) to AAA (leader), according t‑o exposure to industry-specific ESG risks and the ability to manage those risks relative to peers.

For further details on the Group’s ESG initiatives please visit our website at https://www.stella.com.hk/esg-reports.html.

About Stella International Holdings Limited

Stella International (SEHK: 1836) is a leading developer and manufacturer of quality footwear and leather goods. A trusted partner to many of the world’s most sought-after brands, it offers a unique proposition of unparalleled craftsmanship, production flexibility, and strong speed-to-market and commercialization capability, supported by a broad, diverse and proven manufacturing base across China and Southeast Asia.

Stella International was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2007. It is a constituent of the Hang Seng Composite Index and the MSCI Hong Kong Small Cap Index, and eligible to be traded on the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect.

For further information, please contact:

Macy Leung
Head of Investor Relations
Email: macy.leung@stella.com.hk

Luang Prabang Attracts Over 2.15 Million Tourists in First 7 Months of 2025

Laos' Luang Prabang Night Market. (Phot credit: iStock)

In the first seven months of 2025, Luang Prabang attracted over 2.15 million visitors, Deputy Governor Bounleua Sinxayvoravong reported at the provincial office on 15 August. 

With 2,155,994 visitors in the first seven months of 2025, Luang Prabang saw an increase of 983,483 tourists, or 83.8 percent, compared to the same period last year. 

The province also generated LAK 1,108 billion (approximately USD 52.76 million) in revenue, reaching 92.2 percent of its annual target.

Key attractions drawing visitors include Xiengthong Temple, Mount Phusi, Kuang Si Falls, the Royal Palace Museum, the Luang Prabang Night Market, etc

To prepare for the upcoming tourist season and the 30th anniversary celebrations of the UNESCO World Heritage Site later this year, the provincial authorities are focusing on urgent repairs and improvements, including resolving traffic bottlenecks within Luang Prabang City.

Meanwhile, Champasack Province welcomed over 426,126 visitors in the same period, generating more than USD 55 million in tourism revenue, an 8 percent increase from 2024. The province exceeded its annual visitor target of 350,958, achieving 121 percent of the planned number in just seven months.

Laos welcomed over 2.3 million tourists in the first half of 2025, up from 2.1 million during the same period last year. The country aims to surpass its 2025 target of 4.5 million visitors, building on more than 4.1 million tourists in 2024.

World Youth Forum Concludes Dual Summits; Global Youth Explore New Global Issues in the AI Era

HONG KONG and MACAU, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The World Youth Forum (WYF) – a global youth platform for challenge-based learning and growth, co-created by top cross-sector partners through multilateral collaboration – wrapped up its 2025 Future Economics Leadership Summit (WYF-FELS) in Hong Kong, China, and Future Liberal Arts Leadership Summit (WYF-FLALS) in Macau, China, between August 5 and 16. The event attracted nearly 1,000 youth representatives and diverse academic forces from 15 countries and regions, including China, India, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States, among others, who joined together to explore global issues in the era of artificial intelligence.

Attendees included notable figures such as: Mr. Zhao Gang, Director General of the Global Innovation Center; Dr. Un Shil Choi, Chairperson of the UNESCO Expert Advisory Committee for Learning Cities; Mr. Christopher Caltabiano, Interim CEO and Chief Program Officer of the Council for Economic Education (CEE); Mr. Keith Wenner, President of the Board of the United States Academic Decathlon Association (USAD); and Dr. James Song, President of Midwest University. Experts from institutions including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Amazon.com, Inc., Newcastle University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and other institutions participated as mentors and judges, providing professional guidance and in-depth evaluations to youth representatives.

WYF: Scenes from the Dual Summits in Hong Kong and Macau
WYF: Scenes from the Dual Summits in Hong Kong and Macau

Engaging in Global Issue Challenges: World Youth Launch Interdisciplinary and Cross-Cultural Dialogues

Centered on the AI era, the two WYF summits have built a bridge for global youth to learn, grow, and engage in cross-cultural exchanges. Among them, WYF-FELS, held in Hong Kong, introduced top global academic challenges programs-the National Economics Challenge (NEC) and Business Professionals of America (BPA). Its multi-dimensional challenge system, encompassing knowledge assessments, case studies, and business simulations, enables youth from different countries to compete and collaborate on economics and business knowledge on a shared platform, demonstrating their professional accumulation and understanding of global economic issues.

Subsequently, WYF-FLALS, hosted in Macau, leveraged core challenge activities such as the International Academic Decathlon (IAD) and the Global Youth Creative Expo (Hi World) as platforms to guide participants in exploring issues including “Technology & Social Equity”, “Green Technology & Sustainable Cities”, and “AI & Human Culture” from interdisciplinary perspectives, including mathematics, science, social sciences, and the arts. This approach encouraged youth to uncover new connotations of contemporary humanistic spirit through rigorous academic inquiry.

As a centerpiece of both WYF summits, “U20 Youth Voices” broke down geographical barriers and facilitated cross-national team formation, resulting in cross-cultural teams like U.S.-South Korea, SingaporeThailand, and ChinaIndia. These teams conducted in-depth discussions on global issues such as sustainable development and technology and social equity. Insights from multiple teams were highly praised by experts as “groundbreaking youth perspectives,” underscoring the unique value of cross-national collaboration in researching global issues.

Vishva Rao, a youth representative from the United States, shared, “The convergence of different cultures here has shown me how diverse perspectives blend and shape economic thinking. It’s delightful to strengthen friendships with each other while discussing issues like economics.”

Multilateral Co-Creation: Creating a Global Playground for Youth Learning and Growth

In the “Educators’ Symposium” segment, educators from China, India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, the United States, Vietnam and other countries engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as financial literacy development for middle school students and AI-driven educational transformation, facilitating exchanges and collaboration across the global education sector. During the event, outstanding former participants of WYF and NEC, currently studying at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, shared insights into how their research and study experiences have informed their university studies and future career development, illustrating the long-term value and enduring impact of these initiatives.

“As one of the Co-Creators of WYF, CEE is a U.S.-based nonprofit educational organization with a 76-year history. We are delighted to see WYF leveraging its global youth network to empower youth to play, shine, lead, and shape the future. This aligns closely with our philosophy. When considering how to expand the National Economics Challenge (NEC), initiated by CEE, to more countries, WYF has always been an excellent partner,” noted Mr. Christopher Caltabiano, Interim CEO and Chief Program Officer of the CEE.

Mr. Keith Wenner, President of the Board of the USAD, commented, “The youth have demonstrated excellent cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills, and their ideas are extremely inspiring. USAD and WYF share a strong spirit of alignment – both remain committed to young people’s learning, growth, and progress, empowering them to become whoever they want to be without limitations. This shared commitment to youth development makes our collaboration with WYF profoundly meaningful.”

Houston Hou, Executive Convener of the WYF, stated: “Since its founding, WYF has always firmly believed that young people are the shapers of the future. The significance of WYF lies precisely in providing a truly global stage that belongs to young people around the world. Going forward, WYF will gradually expand into multiple literacy fields such as Science and Engineering, and Life and Health. By 2030, we aim to reach 100 countries and become the world’s most aspirational platform for youth challenge and growth.”

For more information about WYF, please visit the official website: http://www.wyforum.org

Lens Technology accelerates Liquid Cooling Innovations for AI Systems

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 August 2025 – The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has significantly increased GPU power demands, leading to a substantial rise in power consumption across data centers, from individual GPU chips to entire server racks. This surge in power usage has resulted in heightened heat generation. Liquid cooling technology, utilizing direct or indirect liquid contact with heat-generating components, delivers superior thermal dissipation efficiency. This capability effectively addresses the rigorous thermal management needs of server racks and data centers, positioning liquid cooling as the essential solution for next-generation high-performance computing servers.

Advanced liquid cooling systems are increasingly being integrated into the next-generation architectures of major North American clients, with multiple domestic companies actively providing samples. Additionally, liquid cooling solutions are gaining significant adoption in the humanoid robotics sector, with leading clients in both North America and China increasingly implementing these technologies.

In server applications, advanced liquid cooling systems combine piezoelectric fans with heat pipes and 3D vapor chambers (3DVC) to create highly efficient thermal modules. This integration enhances airflow over heat sink surfaces, significantly improving heat exchange efficiency and making it well-suited for high-density server chassis. The synergy between piezoelectric fans and liquid cooling maximizes the strengths of both technologies: liquid cooling effectively manages high-power heat dissipation, while piezoelectric fans address localized hotspots. By strategically placing piezoelectric fans near heat sources such as CPUs and GPUs, liquid cooling pipelines transfer heat to the heat sink, where the high-frequency vibrations of piezoelectric fans accelerate airflow. This enhances convective heat transfer, overcoming the limitations of liquid cooling in managing localized hotspots, thereby improving overall server thermal efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Lens Technology has successfully mass-produced advanced thermal solutions incorporating piezoelectric fans for Taiwanese clients. These solutions provide superior cooling performance, occupy less space, and deliver significantly higher value compared to conventional thermal modules.

Hashtag: #LensTechnology #藍思科技

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

Lens Technology Co., Ltd

Lens Technology is a leading global provider of comprehensive precision manufacturing solutions for the entire smart terminal industry chain, and is a key player in the consumer electronics and automotive electronics sectors. The company operates across a diverse array of advanced fields, including smartphones, smart wearables, smart vehicles, and humanoid robots.

Global book-loving community crowns winners in largest-ever 1000 Libraries Awards 2025 competition

SYDNEY, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 1000 Libraries has announced the winners of its 2025 competition following a two-month voting period that recorded over 200,000 votes from book lovers worldwide.

Most beautiful library, Trinity College Dublin, in Ireland
Most beautiful library, Trinity College Dublin, in Ireland

 

Most beautiful bookstore, Boekhandel Dominicanen, in Maastricht, Netherlands
Most beautiful bookstore, Boekhandel Dominicanen, in Maastricht, Netherlands

 

Most beautiful book café, Minoa Pera, in Istanbul, Turkey
Most beautiful book café, Minoa Pera, in Istanbul, Turkey

Trinity College Dublin’s Library claimed first place in the Most Beautiful Libraries category, while Boekhandel Dominicanen in the Netherlands won Most Beautiful Bookstore, and Minoa Pera in Istanbul, Turkey, took the top spot for Most Beautiful Book Café.

Voting ran from May 15 to July 15, 2025, with participation from librarians, students, tourists, and literary enthusiasts across six continents. The competition nominated 19 libraries, 19 bookstores, and 16 book cafés from exceptional venues worldwide.

Why Ireland won

Trinity College Dublin’s victory highlights the appeal of historic libraries that combine architectural grandeur with literary significance. The library’s Long Room, often compared to the Hogwarts library from Harry Potter, features dark polished shelves and a stately aesthetic that creates what the awards described as “an aged and dignified atmosphere.”

The library serves as Ireland’s largest library and houses the famous Book of Kells alongside thousands of other rare manuscripts. Its 65-meter length and busts of famous literary figures contributed to its appeal among voters seeking spaces that “capture the beauty of libraries old and new.”

Other category winners

Most Beautiful Bookstore: Boekhandel Dominicanen in Maastricht, Netherlands, won first place. The bookstore operates in a restored 13th-century Gothic church featuring vaulted ceilings, original frescoes, and a steel bookcase installation.

Most Beautiful Book Café: Minoa Pera in Istanbul, Turkey, claimed the top position. Part of the Minoa Books chain, it features modern design with stone flooring and sells over 45,000 Turkish and English books across multiple floors.

Complete winner lists

TOP 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL LIBRARIES:

  1. Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
  2. State Library of South Australia, Australia
  3. Abbey Library of St Gall, Switzerland
  4. Duke Humfrey’s Library (University of Oxford), United Kingdom
  5. Admont Abbey Library, Austria
  6. Cuypers Library (Rijksmuseum), Netherlands
  7. State Library Victoria, Australia
  8. The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, Brazil
  9. Wiblingen Abbey Library, Germany
  10. Sainte-Geneviève Library, France

TOP 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKSTORES:

  1. Boekhandel Dominicanen, Netherlands
  2. Shakespeare and Company, France
  3. El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Argentina
  4. The Gently Mad Bookshop, United Kingdom
  5. Word on the Water, United Kingdom
  6. Dujiangyan Zhongshuge, China
  7. Eterna Cadencia, Argentina
  8. Daunt Books, United Kingdom
  9. Albertine Books, United States
  10. The Last Bookstore, United States

TOP 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK CAFÉS:

  1. Minoa Pera, Turkey
  2. The Used Book Café at Merci, France
  3. Halle Saint-Pierre, France
  4. Péniche L’Eau et les Rêves, France
  5. Cafebrería El Péndulo Polanco, Mexico
  6. Ampersand Café & Bookstore, Australia
  7. Ler Devagar, Portugal
  8. Maison Assouline, United Kingdom
  9. Bibliotheque NYC, United States
  10. Livraria Funambule, Brazil

Global reach reveals diverse winners

The competition’s international scope produced winners spanning multiple continents, from Europe’s historic monastery libraries to South America’s converted theaters and Asia’s modern architectural marvels.

Vincent Phan, Founder of 1000 Libraries, said: “These places represent the enduring power of the written word in our digital age. Visitors now want destinations that offer visual beauty, local storytelling, and intellectual engagement. Each winner offers something unique: breathtaking historical architecture, innovative modern design, and that intangible quality that makes you want to lose yourself among the stacks, while serving as crucial ‘third places’ where bookish communities flourish.”

Notable geographic diversity included Switzerland’s 612-year-old Abbey Library of St Gall, Argentina’s El Ateneo Grand Splendid housed in a 1919 theater, and China’s Dujiangyan Zhongshuge with its mirrored ceiling creating infinite reflections of bookshelves.

# # #

Please contact Haikel Fahim for any interview requests: +65 9852 2024

1000 Libraries is the world’s largest online community of book-lovers (1.5M+) dedicated to the art of literary travel, celebrating the world’s most beautiful libraries, bookstores, book cafés, book towns, and book‑inspired destinations.

At the heart of our platform is the 1000 Libraries Magazine – an ad‑free, reader‑friendly publication delivering weekly stories on literary culture, the bookish lifestyle, and the joy of reading. Every piece is freely accessible and written to inspire an enduring appeal for physical books in the age of digital technology.

Founded and led by Editor-in-Chief Vincent Phan, 1000 Libraries is on a mission to inspire a global resurgence in book culture through content created for book-lovers, by book-lovers.

AirAsia X Flight Diverted to Gimpo Amid Weather, Fuel Concerns

AirAsia X Flight Diverted to Gimpo Amid Weather, Fuel Concerns
Passengers on AirAsia X Flight D7 506 from Kuala Lumpur to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport experienced a delay of over two hours after the aircraft was diverted to Gimpo International Airport due to adverse weather and air traffic congestion. (photo credit: Yonhap pic)

An AirAsia X flight bound for Seoul’s Incheon International Airport was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Gimpo International Airport on the evening of 13 August, delaying its arrival by more than two hours and leaving passengers uncertain about the situation on board.

Bakery ASEAN Talk 2025 Jakarta to Open on September 9

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Under the guidance of the China Association of Bakery and Confectionery Industry and organized by Bakery China Exhibition Co., Ltd., Bakery ASEAN Talk 2025 Jakarta will take place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts Indonesia in Jakarta.

This program represents a key international extension of Bakery China, the world’s largest professional trade platform for the bakery and confectionery sector. Each year, Bakery China draws more than 400,000 industry professionals from over 130 countries and regions, driving sustained knowledge exchange and collaboration across bakery market worldwide. In recent years, Southeast Asia—particularly Indonesia—has experienced rapid growth, with China–Indonesia partnerships in bakery and confectionery deepening through expanded industrial connectivity and technology sharing, creating strong new business opportunities.

Three Key Features of the Program:

  • Strengthening Industry Connections: Insightful discussions on emerging trends and opportunities in the Chinese and Indonesian bakery and confectionery markets, offering a direct platform for high-value, in-person engagement with key industry resources.
  • Showcasing Market Innovation: Twelve supply chain leaders, including Angel Yeast, Namchow Food Group, and Wilmar International, will present the latest ingredient innovations and product applications. The champion mentor team from China’s Wangsen Education Group will conduct live demonstrations and technical sessions on more than 30 bakery and pastry creations, enabling attendees to capture market developments early.
  • Access to Qualified Buyers and Partners: The program will bring together select representatives from manufacturing, chain retail, distribution, food service, hospitality, trade associations, and training institutions to facilitate productive business connections.

Program Schedule Highlights:

  • Opening Remarks: Zhang Jiukui, President, China Association of Bakery and Confectionery Industry
  • Industry Overview: Senior representatives from China and Indonesia’s bakery and confectionery associations share authoritative perspectives on current conditions and future outlook
  • Round table Dialogue: Focused on “China–Indonesia Bakery and Confectionery Industry Development and Exchange,” featuring executives from leading companies and brands
  • Product Trend Showcase: Twelve companies, including Angel Yeast, Namchow Food Group, and Wilmar International, present new product launches and application cases
  • Masterclass: Wangsen Education Group’s champion mentor team delivers live demonstrations, tastings, and in-depth technical analysis

Why You Should Attend:

  • Build Strategic Relationships: Engage directly with industry leaders and leading supply chain partners
  • Expand Your Footprint: Tap into the fast-growing Southeast Asian bakery market
  • Stay Informed: Gain first-hand insight into developments shaping China and Indonesia’s bakery and confectionery industries
  • Develop Skills: Take part in masterclasses to refine technical expertise and inspire product innovation

Participation Details:

  • Audience: Bakery and confectionery manufacturers, chain bakery operators, distributors/wholesalers, restaurants/cafés/hotels, industry associations, and bakery education/training institutions
  • Capacity: Main forum limited to 100 seats; masterclass limited to 50 seats. Participation subject to review and confirmation by the organizer
  • Date & Venue:Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 09:00–17:00, Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts Indonesia (The Flavour Bliss Unit 19/20, Jl. Alam Sutera Boulevard, Pakulonan, Serpong Utara, Kota Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15325, Indonesia)

Pre-registration: 

https://bakerychina.mikecrm.com/YQgf0FT

For more information:
Website: www.bakerychina.com
Social Media: Search BakeryChina on Facebook / LinkedIn / Instagram

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders and help shape the future of Asia’s bakery sector.

Join us on September 9 in Jakarta, Indonesia — we look forward to seeing you there.

NX Global Engineering Conducts Park Cleanup Activity

– Pursuing Environmental Protection and CSR for Sustainable Societies –

TOKYO, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NX Global Engineering Pte. Ltd. (hereinafter “NXGE”), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., conducted a park cleanup activity at West Coast Park in Singapore on Thursday, June 26.

Logo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dqm0cxpYamnvMUra1AGXMuGlX932Z353/view?usp=drive_link 

Group photo of participants: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15X99GQZLEWOjMOSjozfF0qM7Wv3nXToq/view?usp=drive_link 

Cleanup in progress: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17tHI1Ah_Np-2TUsz8iSFw17y5gtfjaqz/view?usp=sharing 

This activity was conducted as part of the company’s efforts to fulfill its corporate social responsibilities (CSR) based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Twenty NXGE employees took part in this endeavor to beautify the park by collecting trash and properly disposing of waste. Their particular focus was picking up plastic trash, plastic bottles, cigarette butts, and other waste materials that negatively impact the natural environment, thereby helping protect the local natural surroundings. Following the cleanup, the participants exchanged opinions on the importance of sustainability and waste reduction, using the opportunity to further raise awareness among all employees about the need for environmental protection. One member of the cleanup crew commented, “I’m proud to have been part of this meaningful cleanup activity, through which we renewed our commitment to creating a cleaner and greener community. We are making a solid difference by working together as one.”

The NX Group will continue to recognize its social and public missions as a logistics company, actively communicate with local communities and engage in community-based social contribution activities to help bring about sustainable societies.

About the NX Group: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mbvBL6C8THZNrR5LREgGeafNkEdaAmV-/view?usp=drive_link 

NX Group official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/ 

NX Group’s official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/