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Open for Registration: The 3rd China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (CAIEC-3) 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 2025 China – ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition is now calling for applications.

Open for Registration: The 3rd China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (CAIEC-3) 2025
Open for Registration: The 3rd China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (CAIEC-3) 2025

Please find more information below.

CAIEC is an innovation platform and mechanism that welcomes innovators and entrepreneurs from China and ASEAN universities, institutes, start-ups and other social organizations. Based on the existing projects, the best projects will be selected and awarded according to the unified scoring criteria. Thus continuous efforts will be made to promote China-ASEAN innovation and entrepreneurship and foster a closer STI China-ASEAN community with a shared future. In collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, TusStar Malaysia and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China will host the 3rd China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

Theme: Innovation Cooperation for a Shared Dream

Enterprises and teams that meet the participating requirements can log on to the official website of the Competition (www.caiec.cattc.org.cn) to download the registration form and commitment letter. The completed registration form, commitment letter, and all relevant registration documents should be sent to the email: caiec2022@vip.163.com

The email subject should be “CAIEC Registration-Project Name-Contact Person”.

The registration should be submitted via email only. No registration fee is charged for the Competition.

Registration Period: December 31st, 2024 to March 1st, 2025.

Deadline for submission: March 1st, 2025

Participating Groups and Requirements

The Competition is open to universities, research institutes, enterprises, and other social organizations from China and ASEAN Member States. The participants are divided into Enterprise Group and Team Group.

  1. Enterprise Group
  • Legally registered in China or ASEAN Member States. The intellectual property rights of participating projects shall be dispute-free.Registered and established after January 1st, 2019 (inclusive).
  • The registered capital does not exceed USD 4.5 million.The operating income of the enterprise in 2023 does not exceed USD 30 million.
  • Non-listed enterprises that comply with local rules and have an excellent social reputation without bad records (enterprises listed on the NEEQ or the Regional Equities Exchange and Quotations are allowed to participate in the Competition).

2. Team Group

  • Teams with technological innovation achievements and entrepreneurial plans that have not been registered as enterprises currently, such as entrepreneurs, excellent start-ups in the field of S&T, start-up groups from universities, etc.
  • The products, technologies, and related intellectual property shall belong to the core members and be free from property rights disputes.

Field

The Competition is registered and competed in the field of green and low-carbon technologies, including but not limited to: energy conservation and environmental protection, new energy, new energy vehicles, new materials, carbon neutrality technologies and circular economy, etc.

Participation Requirements

a. All participating groups will be divided into Enterprise Group and Team Group. Each participating group should consist of at least three core members (including three), no more than 6 members in principle. Joint groups consisting of members from China, ASEAN  Member States and other countries are strongly encouraged. Among the core members, the proportion of Chinese or ASEAN team members should be no less than 50%.

b. Participants must strictly abide by the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China and AMS and follow both sides’ public order and good customs. (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations includes 10 countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam)

c. Projects that have won awards in previous China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competitions are not eligible to participate in this Competition.

Language

The official language of the Competition is English. All registration documents, including the registration form, commitment letter, business plans, and presentation materials (like Pitch Deck) must be submitted in English. The presentation and Q&A of the Final will also be conducted in English.

Competition Sessions

The Competition consists of three sessions: Registration and Eligibility Check, Initial Selection and the Final, with evaluations conducted separately for the Enterprise Group and Team Group.

The more detailed information is available here: www.caiec.cattc.org.cn

 

 

Bitdefender Acquires BitShield Division to Expand Presence in Asia-Pacific

Acquisition strengthens Bitdefender’s position in Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and surrounding countries to deliver advanced cybersecurity solutions for business and government customers


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – Bitdefender, a global leader in cybersecurity, today announced the acquisition of a key division of BitShield, responsible for distributing Bitdefender solutions in Malaysia and Brunei as a trusted Country Partner. The acquisition underscores Bitdefender’s continued investment in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, one of cybersecurity’s fastest-growing markets.

This acquisition aligns with Bitdefender’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the APAC region through both organic growth and strategic partnerships. It builds on the successful acquisition of Singapore-based Horangi Cyber Security, a company specialising in cloud security, consulting, and offensive services. By leveraging its deepened regional presence and broader capabilities, Bitdefender is better positioned to address critical cybersecurity challenges organisations face as they navigate a growing attack surface and complexity of securing multi-cloud environments.

“Our long-standing collaboration with Bitdefender has enabled us to deliver leading-edge cybersecurity solutions to hundreds of partners and thousands of customers across Malaysia and Brunei,” said Susan Lulla, CEO at BitShield. “By combining our deep understanding of the local market around security and data regulation challenges with Bitdefender’s global operations, we are well-positioned to deliver tailored security solutions and exceptional outcomes for organisations as the threat landscape evolves.”

For several years, BitShield has sold and supported Bitdefender solutions in Malaysia and Brunei, including endpoint protection and other offerings, to organisations across several key sectors, including government entities, financial institutions, multinational corporations, and technology companies.

Central to these offerings is the Bitdefender GravityZone Platform, a unified security and risk analytics solution that offers organisations options for advanced endpoint protection, including endpoint detection and response (EDR), extended detection and response (XDR), and cloud security for physical, virtual, and multi-cloud environments. GravityZone delivers deep security context for detections and seamlessly integrates with Bitdefender MDR services.

“We are pleased to announce this strategic acquisition as part of our ongoing commitment to expanding our APAC presence,” said Florin Talpes, co-founder and CEO of Bitdefender. “Building on our initial success in Singapore and Malaysia, this marks another step in our journey to grow our business there by working with more partners, reaching more customers, and expanding our team significantly. This investment also reflects our relentless dedication to being a trusted cybersecurity partner for businesses and government organisations worldwide.”

Transaction Details
The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. The acquired BitShield division will be fully integrated into Bitdefender’s global operations, transitioning to the Bitdefender brand. BitShield will retain its identity and operations outside the Bitdefender portfolio. As of January 1, 2025, Twdor Sdn Bhd, became an official and newest distributor of Bitdefender business security solutions in Malaysia.
Hashtag: #Bitdefender

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

About BitShield

BitShield Data Defense Sdn. Bhd. is a premier provider of cybersecurity technologies and services, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. BitShield is committed to delivering exceptional cybersecurity solutions to protect businesses from a wide array of cyber threats. BitShield’s comprehensive suite of products and services includes Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM), Automated Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) solutions, advanced cybercrime investigation, and IT security audits and assessments. For more information, please visit .

About Bitdefender

Bitdefender is a cybersecurity leader delivering best-in-class threat prevention, detection, and response solutions worldwide. Guardian over millions of consumer, enterprise, and government environments, Bitdefender is one of the industry’s most trusted experts for eliminating threats, protecting privacy, digital identity, and data, and enabling cyber resilience. With deep investments in research and development, Bitdefender Labs discovers hundreds of new threats each minute and validates billions of threat queries daily. The company has pioneered breakthrough innovations in antimalware, IoT security, behavioral analytics, and artificial intelligence, and its technology is licensed by more than 180 of the world’s most recognised technology brands. Founded in 2001, Bitdefender has customers in 170+ countries with offices around the world. For more information, visit .

Citi expects social finance funding in Asia to increase by over 10% in 2025

SINGAPORE, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The increase in 2025 is expected to be across various types of financings including social trade loans, securitizations, co-financing partnerships with development agencies, term loans and revolving working capital facilities, as well as IPOs.

“The pipeline is across markets, products, and different sectors. We are also seeing increasing investor demand for access to invest in social finance, and it is increasingly becoming a key asset class,” said Jorge Rubio Nava, Global Head of Social Finance at Citi.

In 2024, Citi led social finance transactions raised over US$2 billion across Asia. These included areas across microfinance, food security and sustainable agriculture systems, healthcare, education, infrastructure and digital connectivity, and affordable housing for underserved and low-income communities.

  • In 2024, Citi led 76 transactions across Asia.
  • US$2.4 billion funds mobilized – over 50% of the bank’s total transactions and more than 40% of total funds making it largest region globally for Citi for social finance financings.
  • 1.56 million underserved and low-income households reached, including 565,000 (36%) women.
  • 9 countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
  • Social Finance segments – Economic and financial inclusion, Healthcare, Food security and sustainable agricultural, Education, Affordable housing and basic infrastructure as well as Digital connectivity.

“We are confident that we can grow this further in 2025, supporting our clients on their journeys towards sustainable growth in their local economies,” added Jorge.

Alexandra Hospital develops world’s novel A.I. algorithm (with international patent) that enhances accuracy and efficiency of robotic total knee replacement

Newspoints:

  • An A.I. algorithm for robotic total knee replacement (rTKR) has secured an international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent[1], that protects this algorithm for robotic total knee replacement for its uniqueness, exclusivity, novelty and proprietary rights. Filed since August 2024 in over 150 member countries to seek patent protection, to-date, there are no other similar concepts or technologies found through rigorous examination and vast data searching by independent patent authorities. Singapore’s patent was obtained earlier in October 2023.
  • More than 200 patients have benefited from this novel approach since 2023.
  • The algorithm has an implant planning accuracy of within ±0.5mm, and has shown an accuracy of 92% for rTKRs, compared to 52% in the manually planned group, in achieving the surgeon-defined target gaps within ±1.5mm. This enhanced precision in surgical planning helps with final implant placement.
  • By replacing manual intraoperative adjustments with AI-driven optimization, the technology reduces surgical duration by approximately 15 minutes, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A team at Alexandra Hospital (AH) Orthopaedic Surgery has obtained an international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization, and that protects this algorithm for robotic total knee replacement for its uniqueness, exclusivity, novelty and proprietary rights. Filed since August 2024 in over 150 member countries to seek patent protection, to-date, there are no other similar concepts or technologies found through rigorous examination and vast data searching by independent patent authorities. Singapore’s patent was filed in October 2023 earlier, and had established that as a computational algorithm designed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of robotic total knee replacements (rTKR), it is one of a kind.

Dr Glen Liau Consultant, Division of Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Alexandra Hospital.  Mr Ryan Loke, final year medical student Dr Matthew Ng, house officer Showcasing a novel AI-based algorithm for robotic TKR which enhances accuracy and efficiency
Dr Glen Liau Consultant, Division of Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Alexandra Hospital. Mr Ryan Loke, final year medical student Dr Matthew Ng, house officer Showcasing a novel AI-based algorithm for robotic TKR which enhances accuracy and efficiency

The algorithm was developed by Dr Glen Liau Zi Qiang, Orthopaedic Surgery Consultant at Alexandra Hospital (AH) and National University Hospital (NUH), in collaboration with Dr Matthew Ng Song Peng, and Mr Ryan Loke Wai Keong, who were both medical students when they embarked on this project with Dr Liau. This AI-powered innovation optimizes personalised implant positioning in rTKR surgeries by integrating patient-specific unique anatomical characteristics with the surgeon’s preferred surgical philosophy.

Since 2023, more than 150 patients have successfully undergone this innovative approach, which addresses the challenges of manual planning during surgery. It has been shown to both significantly improve accuracy in surgical planned positioning of the knee components, and reduce surgical duration, with the potential to improve postoperative outcomes and implant longevity.

Addressing Challenges in rTKR Procedures

Total knee replacement (TKR) surgeries are among the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures, particularly for patients suffering from severe knee pain due to degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. The prevalence of these surgeries has risen by 2.7 times, increasing from 187 per 100,000 individuals aged 65 and above in 1999, to 499 per 100,000 in 2019[2].

Robotic-assisted TKR surgeries have gained popularity over the past five years due to their potential to improve surgical precision and patient outcomes. However, challenges remain: achieving optimal implant positioning that accounts for both the patient’s unique bony and ligamentous anatomy, and the surgeon’s objectives. Accurate positioning of the implants is critical for the post-operative biomechanical function of the knee, patient’s comfort, and success of the operation.

Currently, rTKR surgeons manually plan and adjust the positioning of femur and tibia implants intraoperatively. This can be a complex process, as it requires 3-dimensional space consideration of the two implants in at least 8 axes of movement / degrees of freedom. As each degree of freedom influences the others, it can be challenging to achieve the most ideal position of implants for each patient. This may require a surgeon to take into consideration thousands of possibilities, with a possibility of needing to redo bone saw cuts and soft tissue releases multiple times, or to utilise planning simplifications that could impact surgical precision. The decision-making process is further complicated by time constraints in the operating room, often limiting the number of possible solutions a surgeon can explore. As a result, manual planning can be time-consuming and may introduce variability in surgical outcomes.

Features of the new AI-algorithm Solution

The novel developed AI algorithm addresses these challenges by streamlining and automating implant positioning within the rTKR workflow. By considering at least eight degrees of freedom and their interdependencies, the algorithm computes thousands of permutations to determine the optimal implant placement.

Key features of the algorithm include:

  • Enhanced Accuracy: Achieves an implant planned positioning accuracy of ±0.5mm that is personalised for both the patient’s unique anatomy, and individual surgeon’s philosophy.
  • Computational Efficiency: Within 0.1 seconds, the algorithm solves for a hyperplane of thousands of solutions and ranks optimal solutions effectively.
  • Reduced Surgical Duration: Minimizes time spent on intraoperative planning, reducing overall surgical duration.

Clinical Benefits and Future Prospects

This algorithm has been shown to significantly increase the accuracy of planning for TKR implants and saves valuable time during surgery, which potentially translates into reduced blood loss and shorter anaesthesia duration. Further long-term studies are being conducted to investigate the degree that this innovation may improve patient outcomes and safety by decreasing rates of suboptimal implant positions, unnecessary operative time, blood loss, infection rate. By improving planning accuracy, this may also lower the risk of postoperative complications such as loosening, wear, and instability, reducing the number of revision surgeries needed, and contributing to better long-term implant function and longevity, and lead to cost savings over time.

A prospective study involving 67 rTKR patients between 2021 and 2023 demonstrated the algorithm’s effectiveness:

  • Accuracy: 92% of rTKRs using the algorithm achieved the surgeon-defined target gaps within ±1.5mm, compared to 52% in the manual planning group.
  • Time Efficiency: The AI-assisted group achieved optimal gap balancing in under 0.1 seconds, compared to 15 minutes in the manual planning group, which included redo bone saw cuts and soft tissue releases.
  • Consistency: The algorithm’s performance was unaffected by variables such as patient age, gender, height, or severity of knee degeneration.
  • Surgical Productivity: Procedures utilizing the algorithm were completed approximately 48% faster than those relying on manual planning[3].

The research underpinning this innovation has been recognized at major scientific forums, including the 2024 Singapore Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Meeting, where it received the P  Balasubramaniam Award as the best research paper. It has also been selected for presentation at the 2024 International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty (ISTA) Scientific Congress in the USA and the 2025 International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) Congress in Germany.

Looking Ahead

“I am passionate about incorporating innovative solutions to enhance my patient outcomes.” said Dr Glen Liau who practices and operates at both AH and NUH. “It brings me great joy and satisfaction to see my patients enjoy a significantly improved quality of life following surgery,” he added. With ongoing studies to validate its long-term impact, this AI-driven approach has the potential to set new standards in robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery, ultimately benefiting both patients and surgeons worldwide.

Click to see AH’s video on this new approach

[1] This PCT application itself does not automatically confer this novel solution as the “world’s first”. 
[2] Managing Healthcare Cost Increases (https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/managing-healthcare-cost-increases)
[3] From an average duration of an hour plus to under 40 minutes.

Lion TCR’s Liocyx-M004 Receives FDA Clearance to Launch Global Multicenter Phase 2 Clinical Trial in HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

SINGAPORE, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On 12 Feb 2025, Lion TCR announced that its mRNA-encoded T-cell receptor (TCR)-T cell therapy product Liocyx-M004 has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate an international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial. This significant progress further solidifies Lion TCR’s leading position in the mRNA-based TCR-T field and brings new hope to patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Hepatitis B and liver cancer are significant global public health challenges. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading risk factor for liver cancer, particularly HCC. Globally, an estimated 296 million people live with chronic HBV infection. Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. In 2020 alone, there were approximately 905,000 new cases and 830,000 deaths from liver cancer globally. Liocyx-M004 is the world’s first mRNA-encoded TCR-T cell therapy targeting HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. The FDA-approved international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy of Liocyx-M004 as a monotherapy and in combination with lenvatinib. Lenvatinib, a well-established first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, demonstrates the ability to reprogram the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment into an immune-supportive state, thereby enhancing tumour-killing efficacy. When combined with Liocyx-M004, this therapy is anticipated to create synergistic effects, further amplifying its anti-tumour potential and improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Tina Wang, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Lion TCR, explained: “In patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma, HBV-specific T cells are often functionally exhausted, leading to a significant impairment in their ability to eliminate liver cancer cells and HBV-infected liver cells with HBV-DNA integration. Our research has shown that HBV-specific TCR-T cells can effectively target and destroy these cancerous cells. This makes the adoptive transfer and supplementation of autologous HBV-specific TCR-T cells a promising therapeutic strategy, with the potential to restore the HBV-specific T cell pool in patients. This approach enables targeted killing of liver cancer cells and infected liver cells expressing HBV antigens, providing a novel treatment option for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. While systemic therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma have made significant strides in recent years, including the development of targeted combination immunotherapies, precision treatments for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma remain limited. By investigating the combination of Liocyx-M004 with lenvatinib, we aim to further improve response rates and survival outcomes for these patients. The FDA’s approval of this international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial is a major milestone that strengthens our confidence and commitment to advancing mRNA-encoded TCR-T therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. Moving forward, we will accelerate the trial’s progress and gather clinical data to bring this innovative treatment to patients as soon as possible.”

Dr. Xiaoming Peng, CEO of Lion TCR, remarked: “Liocyx-M004 is the first TCR-T therapy targeting HBV viral antigens to receive IND approval from the U.S. FDA and the first of its kind to be granted Fast Track designation. This approval for Liocyx-M004 to proceed with international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trials underscores its significance as an innovative therapy for liver cancer and represents a major milestone for Lion TCR. It also signifies a critical step in Lion TCR’s transition from the clinical stage to commercialization. While advancing our lead product through these critical trials, we are simultaneously accelerating the development of an ‘off-the-shelf’ (or ‘universal’) in vivo TCR-T product platform, leveraging mRNA-LNP delivery technology to significantly reduce production costs. In parallel, we are enhancing our AI-powered TCR discovery platform to expand our pipeline into treatments for various solid tumors with high unmet needs, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers.”

Liocyx-M004 has already demonstrated promising outcomes in earlier clinical trials, achieving a median overall survival of 33.1 months in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

About Lion TCR

Lion TCR is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, originally spun off from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and a pioneer in mRNA-encoded TCR-T cell therapies for the treatment of solid tumors and infectious diseases. Its flagship product, Liocyx-M004, is the world’s first FDA-approved TCR-T cell therapy targeting HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to enter international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trials. The therapy has also been granted FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations. In November 2024, Lion TCR achieved another milestone with IND approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), marking significant progress in advancing TCR-T cell therapy.

By leveraging cutting-edge mRNA technology and an AI-driven TCR discovery platform, Lion TCR is expanding its pipeline to target various solid tumors and infectious diseases, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. The company is also developing both autologous cell therapies and ‘off-the-shelf’ therapies using mRNA-LNP delivery technology to significantly reduce production costs while ensuring scalability in manufacturing.

Lion TCR has successfully raised over 300 million yuan in funding, led by Guangzhou Industrial Investment Fund, alongside Guangzhou Guoju Investment Fund (a private equity subsidiary of Guangzhou Hi-Tech Investment Group Co., Ltd.) and CSPC NARD Capital Fund. The company has established its China headquarters in Guangzhou Sino-Singapore Knowledge City and is constructing a GMP-compliant innovative drug facility. This facility complements its GMP base in Singapore, creating a comprehensive global platform that integrates research, clinical operations, and production. Through its ChinaSingapore collaboration, Lion TCR aims to establish itself as a global leader in mRNA-encoded TCR-T cell therapies.

JustMarkets Celebrates Triple Victory at AllForexBonus Awards 2024


HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – Globally recognized multi-asset broker JustMarkets received three awards from AllForexBonus, a leading Financial Portal that covers all types of Forex, CFD & Options’ Promotion released by brokers worldwide. The company has earned the prestigious titles of the Best Forex Broker Middle East 2024, Best Educational Broker 2024, and Best Mobile Application 2024, solidifying its high position in the trading industry.

JustMarkets Celebrates Triple Victory at AllForexBonus Awards 2024

These awards once again prove JustMarkets dedication to constant improvements and customer satisfaction. The broker has always prioritized the latest technologies, competitive conditions, and friendly support, and the team continues to move forward.

Expanding Opportunities for Traders in MENA

Recognition as Best Forex Broker Middle East 2024 highlights JustMarkets growing presence in the MENA region. The company keeps strengthening in this key market by providing tailored services and access to a broad range of financial instruments.

The broker also ensures that traders from MENA have access to Arabic-language support, region-specific payment solutions, and educational initiatives to give them more growth opportunities.

Empowering Traders Through Knowledge

As Best Educational Broker 2024, JustMarkets has been acknowledged for its commitment to trader education. The company offers extensive learning materials, market insights, and analytical tools designed to help traders at all experience levels.

Understanding that knowledge is a key driver of success, JustMarkets has developed a comprehensive educational ecosystem, featuring in-depth guides, case studies, daily analytics, Help Center section, and 24/7 support for any questions.

Setting a New Standard for Mobile Trading

The Best Mobile Application 2024 award follows a significant upgrade to JustMarkets Trading App in June 2024. This update introduced In-App Trading, allowing traders to execute trades directly from their mobile devices.

Previously, the app was only used for managing orders, but with the new functionality, traders can seize market opportunities anytime and anywhere. The JustMarkets app is highly popular among users, being available for download on both Google Play and the App Store.

Focusing on Innovation and Client Success

Since its founding in 2012, JustMarkets has built a strong reputation in the trading industry, serving clients in more than 180 countries. The company operates under multiple regulatory licenses, including the Financial Services Authority in Seychelles, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa, and the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius. Its dedication to transparency, security, and trader success has earned JustMarkets more than 50 industry awards.

We are deeply honored to be recognized by the trading community,” a JustMarkets spokesperson said. “This recognition inspires us to continue improving our services, expanding our offerings, and delivering the best possible trading experience to our clients from every part of the world.”Hashtag: #JustMarkets





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

JustMarkets

JustMarkets is a globally recognized multi-asset broker providing reliable and transparent trading services since 2012. The company has earned over 60 industry awards, highlighting its excellence in the financial sector. JustMarkets offers a diverse array of trading instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, metals, energies, and cryptocurrencies, serving clients in over 160 countries.

JA Worldwide Launches Institute to Drive Research and Innovation

BOSTON, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JA Worldwide, one of the world’s largest and most impactful youth-serving NGOs, today announced the launch of The JA Institute. As the new research, insights, and thought leadership arm of JA, The JA Institute will drive global conversations on youth education and empowerment, while producing innovative research and scalable solutions that advance economic opportunity for millions of young people.

JA Worldwide launches The JA Institute
JA Worldwide launches The JA Institute

For more than a century, JA Worldwide has been at the forefront of youth education, operating in over 100 countries and delivering more than 19 million learning experiences annually. Through immersive programs in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial health, JA equips students with the skillset and mindset to create businesses, secure meaningful employment, and build thriving communities. The organization has also been recognized with Nobel Peace Prize nominations since 2022 for its role in fostering social stability, economic empowerment, and peace.

JA Worldwide CEO, Asheesh Advani, sees great promise in the institute. “The JA Institute marks a bold new era for JA,” he said. “In this era of accelerated transformation, we’re at our most impactful when we’re investing in research; supporting innovation labs at our local, regional, and global JA locations; and creating opportunities for young people to lead and participate in global conversations.”

“JA’s extensive global operations already generate invaluable insights, but a more systematic investment in capturing and sharing these lessons will greatly benefit the sector,” added Dr. Rebecca Winthrop, Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution, co-author of The Disengaged Teen, JA Worldwide Board Member, and the inaugural member of the Research Advisory Council for The JA Institute. 

Look for the institute’s first publication, the JA Global Impact and Insights Report 2025, in Q1 of 2025. After its release, The JA Institute will publish research on GenAI’s impact on entrepreneurship education among underserved communities in ten countries, pilot JA’s own large language model for young entrepreneurs and their teachers and mentors, and expand our thought leadership around youth issues.

The JA Institute is committed to incubating bold ideas and scaling effective solutions. By leveraging data-informed insights, developing in-house technologies, and fostering partnerships, the institute aims to expand JA’s reach and deepen its impact. Through its initiatives, The JA Institute will ensure that young people worldwide are prepared to thrive in an ever-evolving global economy.

About JA Worldwide
Delivering more than 19 million student learning experiences each year in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial health through 700,000+ teachers and business volunteers, JA Worldwide is one of few organizations with the scale, experience, and passion to build a brighter future for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

Contact
Tere Stouffer
Chief Marketing Officer
JA Worldwide
+1-212-641-0747
 tere.stouffer@jaworldwide.org

Agoda Unveils the Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Destinations for Couples in South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has revealed the top five most romantic domestic destinations for South Korean couples to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Seoul has been named the most popular city, followed by Jeju, Busan, Incheon, and Gangneung. This ranking showcases preferences for a variety of romantic getaways, from city staycations to beach resorts.

With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday, couples in South Korea have the perfect opportunity to celebrate with romantic staycations and local trips. According to Agoda data, there has been a 54% increase in accommodation searches for domestic destinations.

Agoda recommends these five destinations where couples can celebrate their love:

Seoul

A city where modern charm meets traditional beauty, Seoul offers couples the perfect rendezvous with romantic walks along the Han River and night views from Namsan Tower. The city is filled with vibrant spots for intimate get-togethers. Couples can enjoy a bike date along the Han River or visit various eateries and cafes together.

Jeju

Boasting pristine nature with blue seas and majestic mountains, Jeju is the perfect romantic retreat for couples. The beautiful scenery of Hallasan and sunsets on the beach make tender moments even more special. Walking along the beach or climbing an oreum together will create unforgettable memories.

Busan

Haeundae Beach and the night view of Gwangandaegyo Bridge make Busan a romantic travel destination. A relaxing walk with the sea as a backdrop or a romantic dinner offers couples magical moments.

Incheon

Incheon’s Chinatown and Songdo Central Park are places to enjoy a unique romance. Various activities await where tender moments can be shared amidst the city’s unique charm. A leisurely walk in Songdo Central Park and a beach drive in Wolmido provide the perfect date activities for couples.

Gangneung

The beautiful beaches of Gangneung and the attractions of Coffee Street offer couples a perfect romantic trip. Couples can enjoy the sunrise on the beach or savor the charm of Gangneung with a cup of coffee in this place where nature and culture blend.

Lee Joonhwan, Country Director, South Korea at Agoda said, “Agoda offers the perfect mix of accommodations and activities in various romantic destinations, from the city of love, Seoul, to the natural beauty of Jeju, to make this Valentine’s Day even more special for couples.”

Agoda provides over 5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, offering the convenience of booking everything at once to help couples create even more special moments for Valentine’s Day. More information can be found on Agoda.com, and the best deals are available on Agoda’s mobile app.