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“Relaxing Jiaxing” Creative Naming Journey Launches, A Hong Kong Influencer Lead the Way in Cultural Tourism


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 May 2025 – Recently, a well-known travel influencer from Hong Kong was invited by Jiaxing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and Putike International Travel Service (changzhou) Co., Ltd. to embark on a 3-day, 2-night journey themed “Relaxing Jiaxing”. Prior to this, the Bureau held a creative naming event titled “#RelaxingJiaxing” inviting global travel enthusiasts to bestow creative and international names on Jiaxing’s natural landscapes, cultural landmarks, ancient towns, urban benchmarks, and humanistic features.

Hong Kong Influencer Lands in Jiaxing, Kicks Off "Relaxing Jiaxing" Creative Naming Journey

The Hong Kong influencer, who gained popularity by sharing Jiaxing on overseas social media platforms and creatively naming a local scenic spot “Changhong Bridge” as “A Rainbow Lies on the Waves” was invited to tour Jiaxing for free. This exclusive opportunity allows the influencer to experience up close the picturesque scenery and relaxed ambiance of this Jiangnan water town, helping to promote Jiaxing as a destination for inbound tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.

Small bridges and flowing water, ancient towns and old streets, the old canal paths, everywhere you can see residents leisurely drinking tea, reading, and fishing. The Hong Kong influencer also strolled and boated in Xitang and Pu Yuan, listened to storytelling, learned a few authentic Jiaxing phrases from the locals, or went to the three-arched stone bridge spanning the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal – Changhong Bridge, feeling the unique architectural style and profound historical heritage. After a 3-day, 2-night relaxing tour, the Hong Kong influencer exclaimed: “Having lived in Hong Kong for a long time, I’m used to the reinforced concrete buildings and the hustle and bustle of traffic, with immense pressure. Jiaxing, this treasure city, with its ancient towns, streets, and canals, is super relaxing. Walking among them, it feels as if time has slowed down. I heard there will be more folk activities soon, it’s really a place you don’t want to leave once you’ve come.”

The charm of “Relaxing Jiaxing” goes far beyond what you’ve heard. It’s reported that the Pu Yuan Fashion Week will make a dazzling debut from May 9th to 13th, 2025. With the theme “Crossover, Diversity, Shared Edge,” this year’s fashion week aims to break traditional fashion boundaries and integrate various fashion elements and styles. Numerous fashion brands will unveil their latest designs, and fashion forums along with designer exchange events will be held to inject new vitality and inspiration into the fashion industry. During the Dragon Boat Festival, Jiaxing will host several folk activities to celebrate, featuring a Dragon Boat Festival market and a zongzi wrapping contest where participants create zongzi in various shapes. Dragon boat racing will also take place, immersing visitors in the festive atmosphere of the Dragon Boat Festival’s folk culture.

In mid-October, the Wuzhen Theatre Festival will kick off. The water town charm of Wuzhen will perfectly blend with theatrical art as many renowned troupes and theatre artists gather here to present a variety of exciting performances. This allows visitors to appreciate the beauty of the water town while experiencing the profoundness of theatrical culture, offering a feast for the senses to theatre enthusiasts.

It is understood that Jiaxing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism has launched the “Relaxing Jiaxing” creative naming event. The aim is to name Jiaxing’s cultural and tourism resources from the perspective of global travelers in the most relaxing way, allowing more visitors to approach and enter Jiaxing to experience its relaxed and leisurely urban characteristics. This initiative seeks to spread the rich beauty and friendly culture of the Jiangnan water town to the world, attracting global visitors to “Get Relaxing from Jiaxing.”

Global travel enthusiasts can participate in the event by posting photos or videos of the named Jiaxing tourist attractions with “#RelaxingJiaxing” on their overseas social media accounts. The creative naming event will last throughout 2025. Jiaxing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism will select the most creative global travelers from the participants, covering their major transportation and accommodation expenses, and invite them for a free 3-day themed tour in Jiaxing. At that time, Jiaxing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism will invite global travel enthusiasts to explore four themed routes: Citywalk, Intangible Cultural Heritage Trail, Ancient Town Discovery, and Jiaxing Cuisine Exploration. This will allow global visitors to experience the historical depth and vibrant reality of this ancient city from multiple perspectives, fully decoding the enduring charm and relaxed warmth of the Jiangnan water town.
Hashtag: #RelaxingJiaxing

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

Colt DCS appoints Xavier Matagne as Chief Real Estate Officer – Matagne to drive further growth of Colt DCS towards 1GW of data centre capacity

LONDON, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS), global provider of hyperscale and large enterprise data centre facilities, today announced the appointment of Xavier Matagne to the role of Chief Real Estate Officer. Matagne will be responsible for leading Colt DCS’ Development, Engineering and Construction teams.

Xavier Matagne
Xavier Matagne

Xavier Matagne joins us with a wealth of expertise. He has worked in the data centre industry for over 17 years, holding global leadership roles with a strong track record in strategic development and large-scale infrastructure delivery across Europe and Africa. Matagne, most recently served as Chief Development Officer at Africa Data Centres, where he led the expansion strategy across multiple markets. Having worked in over 15 countries, including France, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Poland, and South Africa, Matagne, is known for his ability to simplify complex projects, bringing innovative thinking to fast-growing environments.

Niclas Sanfridsson, CEO of Colt DCS, said: “The Executive Leadership Team and I are delighted to welcome Xavier to Colt DCS at such a pivotal moment in our growth. He will be instrumental to the success of our ambitious expansion plans and further enhancing the outstanding calibre of our teams”.

Xavier Matagne, Chief Real Estate Officer of Colt DCS, said: “I am thrilled to be joining Colt DCS at such an exciting time. Colt DCS has a world-class team of Development, Engineering and Construction professionals. They are also in a fantastic position of having secured powered land enabling capacity expansion up to 1GW. I am very much looking forward to helping continue Colt DCS’ tremendous growth, to 1GW and beyond”.

About Colt DCS
We design, build and operate data centres for global hyperscalers and large enterprises. 

Our global portfolio includes 13 operational data centres, with an additional 9 in development across 11 cities in the UK, Europe, and the APAC region.
We enable our customers to effectively plan for the growth of their business while also providing them with peace of mind. We provide secure, resilient, well-connected infrastructure with planned future capacity growth potential. We have over 25 years of experience in the data centre industry, delivering on our vision of being the most trusted and customer-centric data centre operator in the market.

We put the environment at the heart of everything we do by recognising this as a fundamental responsibility towards our planet. That’s why we’re taking ownership to reduce our environmental impact globally and make sustainability a key strategic driver. As part of our sustainability planning, Colt DCS has set comprehensive near-and long-term Science Based Targets to cut our emissions in line with the SBTi’s latest Net Zero Standard.

https://www.coltdatacentres.net

Colt DCS appoints Xavier Matagne as Chief Real Estate Officer – Matagne to drive further growth of Colt DCS towards 1GW of data centre capacity

LONDON, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS), global provider of hyperscale and large enterprise data centre facilities, today announced the appointment of Xavier Matagne to the role of Chief Real Estate Officer. Matagne will be responsible for leading Colt DCS’ Development, Engineering and Construction teams.

Xavier Matagne
Xavier Matagne

Xavier Matagne joins us with a wealth of expertise. He has worked in the data centre industry for over 17 years, holding global leadership roles with a strong track record in strategic development and large-scale infrastructure delivery across Europe and Africa. Matagne, most recently served as Chief Development Officer at Africa Data Centres, where he led the expansion strategy across multiple markets. Having worked in over 15 countries, including France, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Poland, and South Africa, Matagne, is known for his ability to simplify complex projects, bringing innovative thinking to fast-growing environments.

Niclas Sanfridsson, CEO of Colt DCS, said: “The Executive Leadership Team and I are delighted to welcome Xavier to Colt DCS at such a pivotal moment in our growth. He will be instrumental to the success of our ambitious expansion plans and further enhancing the outstanding calibre of our teams”.

Xavier Matagne, Chief Real Estate Officer of Colt DCS, said: “I am thrilled to be joining Colt DCS at such an exciting time. Colt DCS has a world-class team of Development, Engineering and Construction professionals. They are also in a fantastic position of having secured powered land enabling capacity expansion up to 1GW. I am very much looking forward to helping continue Colt DCS’ tremendous growth, to 1GW and beyond”.

About Colt DCS
We design, build and operate data centres for global hyperscalers and large enterprises. 

Our global portfolio includes 13 operational data centres, with an additional 9 in development across 11 cities in the UK, Europe, and the APAC region.
We enable our customers to effectively plan for the growth of their business while also providing them with peace of mind. We provide secure, resilient, well-connected infrastructure with planned future capacity growth potential. We have over 25 years of experience in the data centre industry, delivering on our vision of being the most trusted and customer-centric data centre operator in the market.

We put the environment at the heart of everything we do by recognising this as a fundamental responsibility towards our planet. That’s why we’re taking ownership to reduce our environmental impact globally and make sustainability a key strategic driver. As part of our sustainability planning, Colt DCS has set comprehensive near-and long-term Science Based Targets to cut our emissions in line with the SBTi’s latest Net Zero Standard.

https://www.coltdatacentres.net

Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/xavier_matagne-2.jpg
Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/colt_dcs_logo-2.jpg

Dozens Killed as India, Pakistan Clash in Worst Violence in Decades

Dozens Killed as India, Pakistan Clash in Worst Violence in Decades
A bulldozer carries a damaged part of an aircraft in Wuyan, near Srinagar on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP)

Hong Leong Bank Redefines Branch Banking with Meet @ HLB Eco Majestic, Semenyih


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 May 2025 – Following its first Iconic branch in Penang, Hong Leong Bank (“HLB” or “the Bank”) has launched its innovative Meet @ HLB branch concept in Eco Majestic, Semenyih. This community-centric branch is central to HLB’s bank-wide transformation plan, which includes upgrading existing branches and strategically tailoring service offerings.

Lee Ee Hui, HLB’s Head of Business Channels, together with a representative from EcoWorld at the launch of Meet @ HLB in Eco Majestic, Semenyih
Lee Ee Hui, HLB’s Head of Business Channels, together with a representative from EcoWorld at the launch of Meet @ HLB in Eco Majestic, Semenyih

Designed for the Eco Majestic community, Meet @ HLB provides convenient access to ATMs, retail banking, and cash deposit machines. The branch’s daily operations from 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm, including weekends, have been a welcome surprise for residents who greatly appreciate this convenience, allowing for easy integration of banking needs around their busy schedules.

Kevin Lam, Group Managing Director and CEO of HLB, emphasised, “Meet @ HLB perfectly encapsulates our vision of being a “Digital Bank Plus Much More” – creating a powerful synergy of cutting-edge digital convenience and genuine human connection. This initiative is a vital part of our broader branch transformation strategy, where we are strategically evolving our physical network to better serve our diverse customer base through upgrades, service enhancements, and the introduction of innovative branch formats like Meet @ HLB.”

“Our collaboration with EcoWorld has been invaluable in bringing this vision to life. By understanding the unique characteristics of the Eco Majestic community, we have been able to create a banking space that truly resonates with its residents. This underscores our belief in the enduring value of physical presence within communities, transforming branches into vibrant hubs where we can truly understand and serve our customers’ evolving needs. It also helps us serve new and developing communities, where we can become the first bank for its residents and businesses, and work to meet their unique yet diversified banking needs.

Evon Yap, Divisional General Manager of Eco World commented, “We are truly grateful to HLB for recognising the importance of a physical banking presence in a growing, dynamic township like Eco Majestic. While digital banking offers convenience, there are still essential services that benefit from personal, face-to-face interaction. The Meet @ HLB branch is a thoughtful addition that brings everyday banking closer to our residents—accessible, reliable and seamlessly integrated into the fabric of our community. We deeply appreciate HLB’s effort in understanding the needs of Eco Majestic and designing a space that naturally complements Eco-township’s character.”

The branch recently hosted a Raya Open House, inviting Eco Majestic residents to connect with HLB staff, explore the branch’s offerings, and enjoy a vibrant festive atmosphere with food and family activities like colouring and jawi calligraphy. This event highlighted the Bank’s commitment to designing community-centric branches and offered a glimpse into the future of branch banking with HLB.

Customers can visit the Meet @ HLB branch in Eco Majestic at:
Block 1, Jalan Eco Majestic 10/1, Eco Majestic, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor
Banking Services: Monday – Sunday, 12.30pm – 7pm (closed on public holidays)
Express Banking: Monday – Sunday, 6am – 12am

Hashtag: #HongLeongBankBerhad #HLB



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

Students Hospitalized After Collagen Drug Mix Causes Convulsions

The rescue teams were sending a sutdent to an emergency room (Photo: Vientiane Capital Rescue)

Three primary school students in Vientiane were hospitalized on 5 May after consuming a drug mixed with collagen, prompting renewed attention to student drug use.

ST Engineering iDirect Leads the European Protected Waveform Consortium into Phase 2

Setting the EU standard for secure, adaptable and interoperable satellite communications to support military operations and the IRIS² constellation

SINT-NIKLAAS, Belgium, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ST Engineering iDirect’s EU Satcom Centre of Excellence, ST Engineering iDirect Europe, based in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, today announced the advancement of the European Protected Waveform (EPW) project to its second phase. Under the leadership of Belgium’s Ministry of Defence and with ST Engineering iDirect Europe as the consortium lead, this milestone marks significant progress in enhancing secure and autonomous satellite communications for Europe.

The project brings together a consortium of 22 organisations from 12 EU Member States, encompassing experts from industry, government and academia.
The project brings together a consortium of 22 organisations from 12 EU Member States, encompassing experts from industry, government and academia.

The project brings together a consortium of 22 organisations from 12 EU Member States, encompassing experts from industry, government and academia. This collaborative effort aims to develop a comprehensive, end-to-end waveform solution designed to ensure resilient and secure communications for military operations and critical government needs in increasingly complex operational environments.

With the foundation established during Phase 1 that laid the framework for the waveform’s initial development, Phase 2 focuses on the prototyping and integration of the EPW system. The goal is to provide secure, interoperable systems that align with Europe’s strategic initiatives, including the future IRIS² satellite constellation and the EU GovSatCom programme.

“Together with ST Engineering iDirect Europe, we are investing in the backbone of modern military operations: secure and reliable communication,” said Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defence. “With support from the European Defence Fund, we are advancing technological innovation, strengthening strategic autonomy, and enhancing the safety of our troops. In today’s uncertain world, European cooperation in research and development is not a luxury — it’s an absolute necessity. This project aligns perfectly with our broader mission to modernise Defence and deepen European collaboration in R&D.”

“The advancement to EPW Phase 2 underscores the strategic importance of this initiative to bolster European autonomy in secure satellite communications,” said Koen Willems, Vice President, EU Programmes, at ST Engineering iDirect Europe. “This recognition by the European Defence Fund demonstrates the urgent necessity to address emerging threats and foster resilience for critical operations across Europe.”

The total investment in the EPW project now stands at €65 million, with €35 million dedicated to Phase 2 following the €30 million allocation in Phase 1. This investment highlights Europe’s commitment to advancing protected satellite communications and strengthening collaborative defence capabilities among its Member States.

The European Protected Waveform (Phase 2)  is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of ST Engineering iDirect Europe only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

About ST Engineering iDirect Europe

ST Engineering iDirect Europe, located in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, is ST Engineering iDirect’s EU Satcom Center of Excellence specialising in the development of ground segment technology and solutions specifically for the EU. As a legal Belgian entity, ST Engineering iDirect Europe has its own board of directors to comply to the guidelines and conditions as put forward by the EU Commission and the Belgian Government. With over 35 years of experience, the ST Engineering iDirect portfolio of high-value product lines and services in addition to a dedicated team of domain specialists, and a ISO9001 certified manufacturing center the team has a portfolio of capabilities to cater to the specific needs of European funded satcoms programs. 

For more information visit https://www.idirect.net/st-engineering-idirect-europe/

 

ProLogium Collaborates with Kyushu Electric on Next-Gen Batteries for Heavy Machinery

TAIPEI, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ProLogium Technology, the global leader in LCB-based next-generation battery innovation, today announced a strategic partnership with Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power. Together, the two companies will co-develop a 24V LCB (Lithium Ceramic Battery) module tailored for construction machinery applications, with plans to jointly unveil the technology at CES 2026.

This collaboration marks another significant milestone in ProLogium’s global new energy strategy, showcasing its technological prowess and growing market influence. Looking ahead, the two parties will continue deepening their cooperation—expanding the deployment of clean energy solutions not only in construction but also across broader energy sectors, paving the way for a more sustainable industrial future.

Synergy-Driven Innovation for Heavy Machinery

This partnership combines ProLogium’s cutting-edge battery technology with Kyushu Electric Power’s expertise in module design and end-user integration. The result: a high-performance, durable, and versatile energy solution tailored to the demanding operational needs of construction machinery. ProLogium will supply its industry-leading lithium ceramic batteries, while Kyushu Electric Power will take the lead in developing the 24V modules and integrating them into heavy equipment for end users.

Compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, ProLogium’s LCB modules offer several compelling advantages:

  • Enhanced Safety: ProLogium’s next-generation battery utilizes a fully inorganic electrolyte and highly stable cathode and anode materials, effectively minimizing risks of thermal runaway and fire. It is equipped with an Active Safety Mechanism (ASM) that automatically activates under high-temperature conditions, significantly improving safety performance in demanding operational environments.
  • High Energy Density: Without compromising safety, ProLogium employs high-activity materials such as a 100% silicon composite anode to substantially boost energy density. This allows for a more compact and lightweight battery pack while delivering outstanding range and power performance—ideal for heavy machinery where both performance and space efficiency are critical.
  • Outstanding Low-Temperature Performance: Engineered to operate reliably in extreme cold, the battery ensures stable operation and sustained power output, supporting heavy machinery in prolonged, high-intensity tasks under low-temperature conditions.
  • Fast Charging × Durability for Optimized Operational Efficiency: With outstanding fast-charging capability, ProLogium batteries significantly reduce charging time, lowering equipment downtime and replacement frequency. This not only eases the burden of procuring backup vehicles but also enhances operational continuity. Coupled with long service life and high performance, the solution offers greater stability, reduced maintenance costs, and improved overall operational efficiency.

The collaboration will make its first public appearance at CES 2026, where the companies will jointly showcase their technical achievements and engage with potential partners.

Advancing Low-Carbon Transformation in the Heavy Industry Sector

Beyond improving operational efficiency, the partnership aims to promote greener, more resource-efficient industrial practices. By cutting carbon emissions, reducing pollution, and increasing energy utilization, ProLogium and Kyushu Electric Power aspire to offer sustainable battery solutions for the future. ProLogium’s next-gen LCBs maintain stable performance under harsh environmental conditions—maximizing energy efficiency.

The collaboration aligns with global trends toward carbon neutrality and green technology, leading the construction machinery industry toward a cleaner, low-carbon future. With its high safety standards, energy density, fast-charging capability, and excellent low-temperature discharge performance, ProLogium’s lithium ceramic battery is not only ideal for electric vehicles but also well-suited for heavy-duty applications and beyond.

Vincent Yang, founder and chairman of ProLogium stated:

“As the world accelerates its shift toward sustainability, electrification in construction and heavy industries is both urgent and inevitable. We are honored to partner with Kyushu Electric Power to bring our next-generation LCB technology into the heavy machinery sector, elevating energy efficiency, safety, and endurance.

Together, we are committed to advancing green energy transformation and building a low-carbon, sustainable future. This partnership enables us to deliver longer-range energy solutions for heavy-duty operations, enhance productivity with fast-charging capabilities, and ensure stable battery performance in extreme cold—all contributing to the electrification of heavy industry and a cleaner future for global infrastructure.”