Laos is ranked 4th among ASEAN countries in the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), which evaluates peace levels in 163 countries and territories worldwide.
Laos Drops Slightly in 2025 Global Peace Index, Remains Among Most Peaceful in Southeast Asia
PolyU launches advanced education programme, offering short courses to keep learners abreast of sci-tech developments
HONG KONG, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting interdisciplinary research to provide solutions to pressing societal problems. In 2022, the University established the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) with an aim to facilitate interdisciplinary research, transfer technologies to stakeholders, inspire innovation across disciplines, and collaborate with top institutions in the world.
To raise the community’s understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration and its importance in driving positive transformations within societies, the Academy launches the PAIR Advanced Education Programme, to disseminate foundational and advanced knowledge in science and technology on topics that are closely related to daily living.
The first course, focusing on “Healthy Life and Smart Living”, will start this fall. This thirteen-week course, designed by PolyU experts in related disciplines, covers six applied science disciplines including: food and nutrition, sports, smart ageing, mental health, sharp vision, and Chinese medicine. Through the course, learners will understand the overall landscape of some of the pressing problems currently facing the world, as well as PolyU-led innovations that aim to tackle these issues, and technology challenges in related fields.
The course does not require learners to have relevant knowledge background and is particularly suitable to individuals who wish to broaden their understanding of interdisciplinary science and know about recent developments in science and technology. The course is offered in dual mode, that is, students can choose to attend classes in-person or online, providing flexible learning options to interested learners coming from Hong Kong and abroad. Learners fulfilling attendance requirement are eligible to apply for a certificate of completion.
To encourage the community’s active participation in sci-tech learning, the first course is offered free of charge to eligible members of the public. The course has received enthusiastic response since its launch. Quota for physical class attendance is now full, while quota for online attendance is available on a first come, first served basis. Course enrolment will close on 31 July. For enrolment or details, please visit the programme website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/education/.
An Invitation to Hainan Prefecture for a Harmonious Symphony of Humans and Nature
BEIJING, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nestled south of Qinghai Lake, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province is revered as the “gateway to Qinghai and Xizang regions”. Amidst modernization, how can this ecologically vulnerable and culturally distinctive plateau nurture a symbiotic relationship between traditions and contemporary development? In pursuit of this question, the China Center for International Communication Development and the Publicity Department of the CPC Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Committee jointly present Here is Hainan (2025). Through six grassroots stories, the program unveils the new landscape of Hainan Prefecture and invites us to join an inspiring journey, exploring the secrets of harmonious coexistence. Russian content creator Huanhuan brings a fresh perspective, deciphering how, at 3,000 meters, local people commit to preserving nature, inheriting traditions, and rebuilding homeland.
An Invitation to Hainan Prefecture for a Harmonious Symphony of Humans and Nature
At Quanwan Protection Station, the patrol routes of Cuomu, a young guardian born in the 1990s, connect the mysteries of the wetlands’ rich biodiversity. Along the Heima River, the life-changing journey of Zhuoma’s family as they return to their hometown witnesses how cultural and tourism inject fresh vitality into the grassland communities. On the Qieji Prairie, a 22-year relay in safeguarding the Przewalski’s gazelle renews the enduring partnership between humanity and nature. By the glow of the herbal stoves at Xinghai Tibetan Hospital, traditional medicinal knowledge finds resonance with modern science. At the archaeological site of the Zongri Ruins in Tongde County, each piece of pottery tells a part of the story, coming together to reveal the spiritual heritage of the ancient communities along the upper Yellow River. And in Hongliutan Village, the joint efforts of post-2000 “village keepers” and elderly residents write an unconventional chapter in rural revitalization. More than just depictions of picturesque landscapes, these stories tap into the essence of ecological preservation, cultural heritage, and civilization tracing, giving the plateau narrative both grounding substance and intellectual sparkle.
Huanhuan’s journey is anything but a routine exercise in observation and recording. Her joyful study of the Wetland Bird Handbook by Qinghai Lake breaks the barriers that often separate experts from laypeople in ecological patrols. Her clumsy yet heartfelt attempts at street vending by the Heima River breathe life into rural revitalization. Her breathless attention while piecing together pottery shards at the Zongri Ruins lends a real-time pulse to the quest for civilization’s origins. The pauses in communication and the slips in comprehension are the key to empathy, because real understanding isn’t about flawless performance, but about earnest, sometimes imperfect moments of shared discovery.
Whether it’s the flying birds above the Qinghai Lake, the prancing gazelles on the Qieji Grassland, the fireside warmth of the Tibetan hospital, the intricate pottery patterns at the Zongri Ruins, the cheerful chatter by the Heima River, or the painted walls in the Hongliutan Village—Here is Hainan (2025) captures the interplay of these vivid scenes. Through unadorned storytelling, it paints for the world a picture of harmonious coexistence in Hainan Prefecture. Here, Hainan Prefecture is not a distant land, but a shared home where nature and humanity, tradition and modernity, live and thrive together.
OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA’s First China Market Partnership Conference Successfully Held: Pioneering the Future of Automotive + Humanoid Robots
BEIJING, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On July 9, 2025, OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA’s first China Investment Promotion Conference was successfully held in Beijing Capital International Exhibition Center of China. As the first national recruitment event focused on sales partnerships for humanoid robots, the conference attracted over 3,000 automotive dealers from across China, marking a major step forward for the commercial expansion of OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA’s innovative business model.
Automotive + Humanoid Robots: Defining a New Industry Trend
Nowadays, leading global automakers, including Tesla, are actively developing humanoid robot programs or searching partnerships. OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA’s parent company began its technology and scenario R&D for humanoid robots as early as 2022, positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation.
On April 26, OMODA&JAECOO, as a mainstream Chinese automaker that took the lead in commercial deployment, completed the first global delivery of 220 AiMOGA humanoid robots — a landmark moment that broke the industry bottleneck of limited pilot testing and demonstration models, setting a new commercial standard for the global humanoid robot industry.
Empowering 4S Dealerships: “Mornine,” OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA’s First Production Robot, Enhances Customer Experience and Sales Efficiency
OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA’s first production robot, “Mornine,” is now deployed in 4S dealerships, injecting intelligent momentum into traditional store sales and customer reception. With its perception and interaction capabilities, OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA Robot can support customer reception, product explanation, and guided showroom tours. Its fluid motions, conversational language, and product knowledge offer customers a fresh and efficient experience while reducing the workload on frontline sales teams.
In real-world deployment, the participation of OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA Robot has significantly improved the conversion rate of store customer leads and the store footfall, and has achieved a two-way improvement in sales efficiency and customer satisfaction. Following OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA’s successful launch of “Mornine” as a sales advisor in a Malaysian 4S dealership in February and in Hong Kong’s OMODA&JAECOO Experience Center in June, the robot’s performance marks that the new model of innovative marketing in the automotive sales industry has taken an important step forward.
Over 3,000 Dealers in Attendance: Business Model Gains Widespread Attention
More than 3,000 dealers from across China gathered for this event, underscoring the automotive industry’s strong interest in the “Robot + Sales” model. OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA Team showcased the application results of humanoid robots in the field of automotive retail, including how humanoid robots can elevate customer engagement, track and analyze sales leads, and integrate seamlessly with OMODA&JAECOO’s sales ecosystem. Many attendees, after gaining an in-depth understanding of the functions and value of OMODA& JAECOO AiMOGA Robot at the conference, expressed recognition of its demonstrated commercial potential.
Core Technology Reuse + Algorithm Iteration: Enabling Multi-Scenario Expansion
In terms of technical strategy, OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA follows a development strategy rooted in “core technology reuse + scene-specific algorithm iteration,” laying a a foundation for future cross-domain applications. This means that OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA Team leverages the existing technology stack in motion control, perception, and AI modeling while quickly optimizes algorithms and functional modules for different application scenarios, and in the way of scenario-defined technology, ensures that products have high practical value in commercial implementation. Relying on the Group’s strong accumulation of automotive engineering technology, OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA Robot has achieved a leap from conceptual R&D to practical application in 4S stores in a short period of time.
From Vision to Deployment: Transforming the Automotive Retail Landscape
What once seemed like science fiction has now become a reality. With OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA’s humanoid robots deployed in retail environments, the value goes far beyond the eye-catching sense of technology in the exhibition hall, but also a brand-new upgrade of sales processes and user experience. From greeting customers to introducing vehicle features and capturing buyer insights, the robot is now embedded in the sales process, reshaping user experience and enabling a more intelligent retail workflow.
As OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA Robot expands into more markets and sectors, its commercial value will be further verified and unleashed. The successful hosting of this conference signals a major step of OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA Robot in building a robust partner ecosystem. Furthermore, the journey of OMODA&JAECOO AiMOGA Robot from vision to implementation also demonstrates its technical strength and commercial practice capabilities in the field of the integration of AI and robotics — establishing a model for the future of “Automotive + Humanoid Robots.”
Envision Energy Partners with FERA Australia to Advance 1GW Wind and 1.5GWh Energy Storage in Australia
MELBOURNE, Australia, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Envision Energy, a global leader in smart renewable energy solutions, and FERA Australia, a dedicated Australian renewable energy developer, today announced an agreement to collaborate on the delivery of large-scale hybrid renewable energy projects across Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).
Envision Energy Partners with FERA to Advance 1GW Wind and 1.5GWh Energy Storage in Australia
The agreement, signed during the Australia Energy Wind Conference in Melbourne, marks the first initiative of its kind in Australia, establishing a framework to develop projects with the potential to deliver up to 1 GW of wind generation capacity and 1.5 GWh of battery energy storage. This milestone reflects growing confidence in Envision’s integrated technology platform, which combines advanced wind turbines, next-generation containerized battery systems, grid-forming power conversion systems (PCS), and the company’s proprietary Hybrid Power Plant Controller (HPPC).
“This collaboration represents a major step forward in demonstrating how hybrid wind and storage solutions can unlock new possibilities for Australia’s energy future,” said Kane Xu, SVP and President of International Product Line of Envision Energy. “We are honored by the trust FERA Australia has placed in our technical capabilities across wind, storage, and grid integration, and we look forward to delivering projects that set new benchmarks for clean, flexible power.”
“Partnering with Envision Energy marks an exciting milestone in our pursuit of large-scale renewable projects in Australia. Integrating wind power and energy storage in a hybrid project, will constitute an excellent model for future initiatives.” said Sebastiano Falesi, Head of FERA Australia and Member of the Board of Directors of the FERA Group. “The rapid advancement of renewable energy projects is crucial for supporting Australia’s transition to zero-carbon energy. Envision’s cutting-edge technology and deep global expertise assure us that we have a reliable partner capable of helping us achieve new standards in performance and reliability.”
The partnership will launch with a pilot project in Victoria, featuring Envision’s full converter wind turbine, grid-forming battery storage, and advanced HPPC technology in a grid-connected hybrid plant. This project will serve as a showcase for how hybrid systems can enhance grid reliability and unlock new value streams, while demonstrating Envision’s strong commitment to the Australian market and a shared aspiration to set new benchmarks in renewable energy innovation.
By combining FERA’s local development expertise with Envision’s proven global track record, the two companies aim to accelerate Australia’s transition to a sustainable energy system.
povo Goes Global: KDDI Digital Life and Circles Expand Partnership to Scale Japan’s Digital Telco Success Worldwide
The long-term strategic partnership combines povo’s digital telco leadership in Japan with Circles’ global SaaS expertise to redefine mobile experiences worldwide
TOKYO and SINGAPORE, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KDDI Digital Life Corporation, a 100% subsidiary of KDDI Corporation, Japan’s leading telecommunications company, and Circles, a global telco technology company, announced the expansion of their strategic partnership to bring the success of povo, Japan’s leading digital telco, to international markets. Established for the brand management and operations of povo, KDDI Digital Life plays a key role in enabling KDDI Corporation’s global growth plans.
Tatsuya Hamada (left), CEO of KDDI Digital Life, and Deepak Gulati (right), President of Corporate and Industry Alliances at Circles, signed an agreement to expand the KDDI-Circles partnership and scale Japan’s digital telco success worldwide, witnessed by Rameez Ansar (center), Co-Founder and CEO of Circles.
Built on Circles’ full-stack, cloud-native SaaS platform, povo has successfully created a third brand for KDDI—a brand of the future that leads Japan in customer experience and digital innovation. Since its launch in 2021, povo has delivered exceptional results, including NPS scores over 50 points above industry averages, top customer satisfaction rankings, and over 1 million subscribers in its first year—70% from outside the KDDI base. As telcos around the world continue to struggle with winning digitally, the challenge is universal—but so is the opportunity. With the right combination of technology and digital know-how, KDDI Digital Life and Circles are enabling a repeatable model for digital telco success.
Through this extended partnership, Circles will power povo’s international rollout by combining its full-stack SaaS platform and global launch expertise with povo’s agile, customer-first model. A key focus is scaling the partnerships that made povo successful in Japan, including those in convenience retail, digital content and financial services. These proven innovations, along with AI-powered features like Xplore/Innovation Engine, an in-app innovation playground driving ARPU, and Xtend, a SDK-powered digital distribution model enabling enhanced connectivity and integration with ecosystem partners, will be localized to launch AI-native digital telcos with fresh customer experiences and agile product experimentations.
This expanded partnership also introduces flexible commercial models, enabling Circles and KDDI Digital Life to work with operators of different sizes and stages. Key focus markets include the Americas and Southeast Asian countries. Beyond business growth, this move reflects KDDI’s broader strategic ambition—to be part of the forward group of telcos shaping the future of the industry through digital transformation.
Beyond platform integration and product rollout, the partnership will emphasize long-term knowledge exchange and innovation. Both companies will collaborate on best practices in telco-to-techco digital transformation, customer experience enhancement, AI adoption and telco ecosystem development.
By combining KDDI Digital Life’s market leadership in Japan with Circles’ global insights, the partnership sets the foundation for continuous evolution and innovation as povo enters new markets.
Tatsuya Hamada, CEO, KDDI Digital Life, said, “This is an exciting step in our vision to take povo to a wider global audience. As one of Japan’s most well-loved digital telcos, povo has delivered outstanding customer experiences and proven the strength of our Data-driven model. With a clear vision for povo anchored in AI-nization and Hyper-personalization, our expanded partnership with Circles not only helps us scale globally—but also enhances our ability to deliver even more intelligent, personalized, and customer-first digital experiences.”
Deepak Gulati, President of Corporate and Industry Alliances, Circles, said, “We are proud to support KDDI and KDDI Digital Life in taking povo to the world. povo is one of the most compelling examples of Japanology in action—a digital telco born in Japan, shaped by deep collaboration between KDDI and Circles, and now ready to scale globally. It is Data-driven, customer-first, and built for agility. Together with KDDI and KDDI Digital Life, we have shown what’s possible when the right technology and digital expertise come together—and now, we are excited to scale this blueprint for the future of telco to new markets.”
About Circles
Founded in 2014, Circles is a global technology company reimagining the telco industry with its innovative SaaS platform, empowering telco operators worldwide to effortlessly launch innovative digital brands or refresh existing ones, accelerating their transformation into techcos.
Today, Circles partners with leading telco operators across 14 countries and 6 continents, including KDDI Corporation, Etisalat Group (e&), AT&T, and Telkomsel, creating blueprints for future telco and digital experiences enjoyed by millions of consumers globally.
Circles is backed by renowned global investors, including Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia), Warburg Pincus, Founders Fund, and EDBI (the investment arm of the Singapore Economic Development Board), with a track record of backing industry challengers.
For more information, visit www.circles.co.
About KDDI Corporation
KDDI Corporation is a premier telecommunications company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1984, KDDI is recognized for its commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of digital connectivity. The company provides a comprehensive range of services, including mobile communications, fixed-line services, and internet solutions, catering to both individual consumers and businesses. KDDI’s mission is to leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance communication and connectivity, contributing to a more connected and convenient world.
About KDDI Digital Life
KDDI Digital Life represents KDDI’s strategic initiative to expand beyond traditional telecommunications and embrace a broader digital ecosystem. Launched as part of KDDI’s vision to innovate and enrich user experiences, KDDI Digital Life focuses on integrating advanced digital solutions and services that enhance everyday life. This initiative includes leveraging next-generation technologies, fostering partnerships, and creating new digital offerings that align with modern lifestyles. KDDI Digital Life aims to drive transformative changes in how users interact with technology, making digital experiences more seamless, engaging, and impactful.
Forrester Announces Full Conference Agenda For CX Summit APAC 2025
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The event will help CX, B2C marketing, and digital leaders align brand and customer experiences to drive retention and foster long-term loyalty.
SYDNEY, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) today announced the full conference agenda for CX Summit APAC 2025, which will take place in Sydney and digitally on August 18, 2025. Today’s customers continue to demand seamless, consistent, and personalized experiences across every touchpoint. To meet these rising expectations and deliver exceptional experiences, leaders must drive meaningful engagement throughout the entire customer lifecycle.
With this year’s event theme, “The Total Experience: Your Brand, Their Journey,” CX Summit APAC 2025 will offer the insights and actionable tools that CX, B2C marketing, and digital leaders need to build a comprehensive strategy that enhances customer experience and loyalty while boosting revenue and brand reputation.
Featuring top Forrester analysts and industry leaders from Services Australia, Google, CIMB Group, and Aware Super, noteworthy keynote sessions on the agenda include:
- Power Growth With Your Total Experience. This keynote will unveil Forrester’s Total Experience Score, a new measurement framework that evaluates both brand and customer experience. Attendees will learn how an integrated strategy can increase revenue up to 3.5x.
- Build Customer Trust In AI. In this keynote, explore how organizations can close the trust gap in AI to embrace trustworthy AI practices and build trust with their customers.
- Design For The Future Of Experiences. This keynote will provide insights into how AI and other emerging technologies are shaping more humanlike and intuitive experiences that empower customers.
- How To Evolve Digital Experience Measurement. This keynote will focus on practical steps to align technical, operational, and customer metrics for a holistic digital experience strategy.
- Unlocking AI’s Potential In CX: Orchestrating Cross-Functional Success. This keynote, a moderated panel discussion featuring leaders from Aware Super and CIMB Group, will unpack critical success factors to improve customer experience through AI.
“Aligning brand and customer experience is crucial for businesses to create a seamless, cohesive experience for their customers, which in turn fosters stronger loyalty, higher customer lifetime value, and increased revenue over time,” said Dane Anderson, SVP of international research and product at Forrester. “CX Summit APAC 2025 will equip attendees with the capabilities, tools, and frameworks they need to deliver unified experiences that drive customer engagement and retention.”
In-person attendees will also get access to special programs that provide more tailored opportunities to network and share experiences, including the Executive Leadership Exchange, an invitation-only program for senior leaders; the Forrester Women’s Leadership Program, focused on empowering women in leadership roles; and an interactive, hands-on workshop on how to drive customer-obsessed decisions.
In addition, CX Summit APAC will honor the recipient of Forrester’s 2025 Customer-Obsessed Enterprise Award, which recognizes companies that drive business success by putting customers at the center of their leadership strategy and operations.
Resources:
- Register to attend Forrester’s CX Summit APAC.
- View the full agenda and speakers for CX Summit APAC.
- Members of the press interested in attending, please contact press@forrester.com.
- Check out the Forrester Decisions services for Customer Experience, B2C Marketing Executives, and Digital Business & Strategy.
About Forrester
Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We empower leaders in technology, customer experience, digital, marketing, sales, and product functions to be bold at work and accelerate growth through customer obsession. Our unique research and continuous guidance model helps executives and their teams achieve their initiatives and outcomes faster and with confidence. To learn more, visit Forrester.com.
Mouser Brings Innovation and Insights to EMAX Asia 2025
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SHANGHAI, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mouser Electronics, Inc., the industry’s leading New Product Introduction (NPI) distributor with the widest selection of semiconductors and electronic components™, is pleased to announce its participation at the Electronics Manufacturing Expo Asia (EMAX) 2025, to be held from July 23 to 25, 2025, at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, Penang, Malaysia. Visitors can find Mouser at Booth A110–A111 and A115–A116, where we will showcase a broad array of products and resources alongside our valued partners Bel Group and Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI).
“Malaysia plays a pivotal role in both the semiconductor industry and the global electronics and electrical (E&E) supply chain,” said Daphne Tien, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Mouser APAC. “Hosting operations of several leading global chipmakers, Penang is at the heart of this ecosystem and EMAX Asia 2025 is the ideal platform for us to showcase the latest semiconductor technologies and electronic components, engage with key industry professionals, and deepen Mouser’s presence across the dynamic East Asia market.”
The spotlight at EMAX Asia 2025 will be on cutting-edge developments and future-facing trends shaping the electronics sector. Leading the innovative frontier, Mouser will provide attendees with the scope to explore the newest electronic components, advanced design tools, and engineering resources from over 1,200 top-tier manufacturers at its booths. Attendees will also have the chance to win exclusive giveaways in collaboration with Mouser’s manufacturer partners.
To learn more and register now to be part of EMAX Asia 2025, visit https://www.mouser.com/emaxasia/.
For more Mouser news and our latest new product introductions, visit https://www.mouser.com/newsroom/.
About Mouser Electronics
Mouser Electronics is an authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor focused on New Product Introductions from its leading manufacturer partners. Serving the global electronic design engineer and buyer community, the global distributor’s website, mouser.com, is available in multiple languages and currencies and features more than 6.8 million products from over 1,200 manufacturer brands. Mouser offers 28 support locations worldwide to provide best-in-class customer service in local language, currency and time zone. The distributor ships to over 650,000 customers in 223 countries/territories from its 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution facilities in the Dallas, Texas, metro area. For more information, visit https://www.mouser.com/.
