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Media OutReach Newswire PRISM Summit 2026 Champions Trust and Visibility for the Future of PR in the Age of AI

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IPRS will convene senior communications leaders from across Southeast Asia in Singapore on 12 November, where results of the inaugural Singapore State of PR and Communications Survey will be unveiled


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – The Institute of Public Relations of Singapore (IPRS) will hold the Media OutReach Newswire PRISM Summit 2026 at METT Singapore on 12 November, bringing together senior public relations and corporate communications practitioners from across Southeast Asia.

Under the theme “From Message to Mandate“, the Summit will examine how communications leaders can drive truth and transparency to build brand trust in an AI-driven era — and why securing AI visibility and maintaining narrative integrity are now essential to deliver measurable business impact.

Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, said, “As the first and only top-tier global newswire founded in Asia Pacific, we are pleased to deepen our partnership with IPRS as Title Sponsor for the Media OutReach Newswire PRISM Summit 2026, driven by a shared commitment to empowering PR professionals and advancing the industry.

“This is the golden age of PR, as press releases are a trusted source of news for LLMs. Media OutReach Newswire continues to champion the PR industry by redefining press release distribution – connecting brands with journalists and AI to build brand trust, grow AI visibility, and achieve maximum PR impact.”

“Our inaugural Singapore State of PR and Communications Survey, launched jointly with IPRS, aims to provide vital insights into fast-evolving PR dynamics, emerging technologies, and the strategic integration of AI tools into daily workflows. AI is transforming how we communicate with credibility, giving PR practitioners the opportunity to lead by driving both visibility and trust at scale,” she added.

The Summit agenda will consider how the profession can contribute more directly to enterprise value, board-level risk management and institutional credibility. It will cover stakeholder intelligence and advocacy, information integrity, community influence and the changing relationship between organisations, journalists and the audiences they serve.

Findings from the inaugural Singapore State of PR and Communications Survey will be presented at the Summit.

Ross Gan, President of IPRS said, “PRISM Summit 2026 aims to elevate public relations practice across Southeast Asia. Trust and reputation increasingly determine whether an organisation has the legitimacy to act, lead and retain the confidence of its stakeholders. They must therefore be considered at the point where decisions are made, rather than addressed afterwards through messaging. We are also excited to partner Media OutReach Newswire for the inaugural Singapore State of PR and Communications Survey, which is a key highlight of the PRISM Summit this year.”

“We welcome senior colleagues from across the region who share this conviction. PRISM will be a place to challenge established assumptions, learn from one another and define the contribution communications leaders should make at the highest levels of their organisations.”

The Summit will also address the impact of artificial intelligence on communications. Sessions will explore how earned media shapes the information presented by generative AI, the accompanying questions of disclosure and accountability, and whether established measures of communications performance remain fit for purpose.

Notable speakers include Rappler Co-Founder Glenda Gloria, TSC.ai Founder & CEO Terence Lyons, getUGC.io founder Wendy Wang, Emily Poon (CEO, Singapore Institute of Directors), Shaad Hamid (General Manager, Singapore at GrowthOps Asia) and Emma Dale (Co-Founder, Prospect Resourcing).

Cindy Lim, IPRS Council Member and PRISM Summit 2026 Chair, said: “We have shaped the programme around issues already reaching the desks of senior practitioners, from reputation risk and stakeholder intelligence to AI, influence and measurement. We are also making a deliberate effort to look for speakers beyond the regular conference circuit. Compelling contributors with distinctive experience to share are coming on board, and we are excited to introduce them to our delegates.”

PRISM Summit 2026 is supported by Title Sponsor Media OutReach Newswire, Coffee & Silver Sponsor Notified, Silver Sponsors Isentia and Truescope, Official PR Agency Pinpoint and Venue Partner METT Singapore.

Supporting Partners include Edge Digital, the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), World Communication Forum Association (WCFA), Asia Pacific PR Network (APRN), Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) and Singapore Press Club (SPC).

The PRISM Summit is intended for senior in-house communications and corporate affairs leaders, agency principals, advisers and other professionals responsible for organisational reputation and stakeholder relationships.

Registration and further information are available at the Summit website.

Notes to Editors

PRISM Summit 2026 will take place in Singapore on 12 November 2026.

The speaker programme is still being finalised. Participants and session details will be announced as they are confirmed.Hashtag: #FromMessageToMandate #PRISM2026


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

About the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore

The Institute of Public Relations of Singapore represents public relations and communications practitioners in Singapore and promotes professional standards, continuing development and the advancement of the profession.

China’s investment shifts toward innovation and new growth drivers

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Advertorial Desk
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BEIJING, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report from China SCIO

China’s investment structure continued to improve in the first eight months of 2026, with capital increasingly flowing into technological innovation, advanced industries, and modern infrastructure, despite a 7.2% year-on-year decline in fixed-asset investment.

Wang Guanhua, spokesperson of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and deputy director general of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of the NBS, made the remarks at a Tuesday press conference.

Wang said the decline was due to multiple factors, including heat waves, typhoons, and floods that disrupted construction in some regions, while greater external uncertainty and ongoing transition from traditional to new growth drivers at home prompted businesses to take a more cautious approach to investment decisions.

“As the economy transitions from one stage of development to another, investment performance should not be judged simply by its growth rate,” she noted. She added that more attention should be paid to the role of investment in supporting economic transformation and upgrading, and its contribution to long-term growth momentum.

Despite the year-on-year decline, China’s fixed-asset investment remained substantial at around 29.3 trillion yuan (US$4.33 trillion) in the first eight months. The changing investment mix, Wang added, points to improving investment quality and efficiency and stronger support for high-quality development.

Investment in innovation gains momentum

Investment in intellectual property products rose 9.2% year on year in the first eight months, accelerating by 0.1 percentage point from the first seven months and accounting for 15.2% of total investment, up 2.3 percentage points from a year earlier.

Specifically, investment in computer software and databases grew 10.9%, while research and development investment increased 7.8%. Together, the two areas accounted for more than 95% of investment in intellectual property products.

Such investment helps turn scientific and technological advances into practical applications while supporting industrial upgrading and productivity growth, Wang noted.

Capital flows into new growth engines

High-tech industry investment grew 5.2% year on year in the eight months through August, accelerating for the third consecutive month.

Specifically, investment in specialized electronic materials manufacturing and integrated circuit manufacturing rose 8.5% and 12%, respectively, as demand for artificial intelligence technologies and applications continued to grow.

In addition, investment in lithium-ion battery manufacturing surged 20.6%, fueled by the expansion of the new-energy vehicle industry and strong demand for energy storage. Meanwhile, equipment purchase investment rose 9.3%, accounting for 19.5% of total investment and reflecting the continued impact of China’s large-scale equipment renewal program.

Major infrastructure projects gather pace

Investment in modern infrastructure is also gathering pace as major projects get underway in the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Cross-regional transportation corridors, major energy and water conservancy projects, new infrastructure, and urban renewal projects are advancing in an orderly manner, providing stronger support for high-quality development, Wang said.

Significant progress has been made in developing the “six networks” infrastructure, covering water, power, computing, next-generation communications, urban pipelines and logistics. In the first eight months, investment in internet and related services grew 42% year on year, while investment in air transportation, water transportation, and electricity supply increased 16.7%, 14.7%, and 12.7%, respectively.

As of the end of June, more than 70 major computing-power corridors had been built around national computing hubs, according to official data.

“In all, China’s investment mix is shifting toward new growth drivers and becoming better balanced, with continued improvements in investment quality and returns,” Wang said, adding that with various policies continuing to work in concert, the potential of investment will be further unlocked to support high-quality economic and social development. 

The Peninsula Hotels Celebrates Multiple Honours on The 50 Best Hotels 2026 List

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Advertorial Desk
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The legendary brand’s properties in Hong Kong, Istanbul, and Shanghai all earn inclusion on this year’s prestigious list of top international hotels

HONG KONG, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Peninsula Hotels is proud to announce that two of the twelve properties in its portfolio have been named to The 50 Best Hotels 2026: The Peninsula Istanbul (No.31) and The Peninsula Hong Kong (No.46). The Peninsula Shanghai (No.99) additionally made its debut among The 50 Best Hotels 51-100 extended list. Announced on the evening of 15 September at the awards ceremony at Les Salles du Carrousel in Paris, the distinctions mark the first inclusions for Peninsula hotels on the illustrious annual list’s top 50.

The Peninsula Hotels
The Peninsula Hotels

The recognition reflects the breadth of The Peninsula’s portfolio across three distinctive destinations, as well as the dedication of the teams behind each property. From Hong Kong, where the brand’s story began in 1928, to Shanghai and Istanbul, the honoured hotels share the brand’s global commitment to gracious service, timeless elegance, and celebration of the distinctive character and heritage of their destination cities.

“We are deeply honoured to be recognised by The 50 Best Hotels Academy and to stand alongside other distinguished hotels,” said Benjamin Vuchot, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Peninsula’s parent company, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. “This achievement reflects the extraordinary commitment of our colleagues across our recognised properties, whose passion, expertise, and dedication to creating unforgettable guest experiences continue to define The Peninsula standard of hospitality around the world. We are immensely proud of our teams and grateful for this acknowledgment of their continued pursuit of excellence.”

Hong Kong: A Centenary Approaches

As the flagship property in the brand’s portfolio and the foundation upon which the brand’s legacy was built, The Peninsula Hong Kong has been an icon of stylish glamour and gracious hospitality for almost a century. Since first opening in 1928, the “Grande Dame of the Far East” has drawn both elite international travellers and local residents, who prize the property’s Michelin-starred dining, refined gathering spaces, and sumptuous accommodations overlooking Victoria Harbour. Its recognition among The 50 Best Hotels 2026 is a first for the hotel, following its ranking of No.54 on last year’s list. Approaching its centenary in 2028, the hotel continues to define luxury hospitality on the world stage.

Istanbul: A New Icon on the Bosphorus

Just three years after its 2023 debut, The Peninsula Istanbul has earned its first inclusion among The 50 Best Hotels – and stands as the only Türkiye property on this year’s list. Set along the Bosphorus in historic Karaköy, the hotel unites three meticulously restored early-1900s landmark buildings with an elegant, newly built fourth, surrounded by landscaped waterfront gardens. Featuring expansive accommodations, a private boat dock and luxury yacht, and a collection of chic semi-alfresco restaurants and bars – all with spectacular water views – the hotel has quickly established itself as one of the city’s most sought-after destinations. For one of the newest additions to The Peninsula’s portfolio, recognition among The 50 Best Hotels confirms how quickly the hotel has become a modern Istanbul landmark – one that honours both the character of its destination and the heritage of the brand.

Shanghai: Art Deco Address 

Also recognised among The 50 Best Hotels for the first time this year is The Peninsula Shanghai, which since 2009 has epitomised the dynamic and captivating spirit of its home city. Situated on the Bund, a vibrant protected heritage district fronting the Huangpu River, the property also looks directly over the futuristic modern skyscrapers of Pudong. This commingling of old and new is further echoed by the guest experience at the hotel, which offers both luxurious modern comforts and numerous opportunities to dive into the city’s distinctive art, illustrious history, and delectable culinary traditions.

Now in its fourth edition, The 50 Best Hotels has become one of the hospitality industry’s most anticipated annual awards, recognising leading hotels for their innovation, creativity, and excellence. The 2026 honourees were revealed at the awards ceremony held in Paris on 15 September, bringing together industry leaders from around the globe to celebrate the properties setting the benchmark for luxury travel. The annual list is curated by The 50 Best Hotels Academy, an independent panel of more than 800 anonymous experts recognised for their extensive knowledge and experience, and insight into the international hospitality sector.

For more information on The Peninsula Hotels, please visit: www.peninsula.com.

About The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (Stock Code: 45)

Incorporated in 1866 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited is the holding company of a group which is engaged in the ownership, development, and management of prestigious hotels and commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, Europe and the United States, as well as the provision of tourism and leisure, retail and other services. The Peninsula Hotels portfolio comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula London, The Peninsula Paris, The Peninsula Istanbul, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Bangkok and The Peninsula Manila. The property portfolio of the group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower and St. John’s Building in Hong Kong, and 21 avenue Kléber in Paris, France. The Peak Tram, Retail and Others portfolio of the group includes The Peak Tram in Hong Kong; The Quail in Carmel, California; Peninsula Clubs and Consultancy Services, Peninsula Merchandising, and Tai Pan Laundry in Hong Kong.

Learn more at www.peninsula.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About The 50 Best Hotels

Following the success of The 50 Best Restaurants and The 50 Best Bars, The 50 launched The 50 Best Hotels in 2023, marking the brand’s first global launch since 2009. The list is created by The 50 Best Hotels Academy, an influential group of more than 800 independent leaders, each selected for their expert opinion of the international hotel scene. The 50 Best Hotels event programme – including the awards ceremony and unveiling of the list – provides a unique opportunity to unite hoteliers, restaurateurs, bar owners, media, business and luxury travellers at a captivating celebration of hospitality, passion and talent. The first edition of the awards was held in London, UK, in September 2023.

PXPay Plus Goes Live on Trip.com, Expanding Benefits for Japan and Korea Flight and Hotel Bookings

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Advertorial Desk
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Scan to pay for onboard fares on Taiwan Railway, earn a 5% voucher when riding Keelung city buses, and book MICHELIN Guide restaurants through EZTABLE with one tap from the App home screen

TAIPEI, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PXPay Plus has added another international travel partner. International travel platform Trip.com now accepts PXPay Plus on both its Taiwan website and its App, allowing users who book Japan and Korea flights and hotels on Tuesdays to enjoy instant discounts of up to NT$1,300 per transaction. Beyond international travel, PXPay Plus continues to deepen its presence in public transport and everyday scenarios: in line with Taiwan Railway’s new onboard payment policy, passengers can now settle onboard fares with PXPay Plus, while the Transit QR Code has expanded beyond Taipei and New Taipei to Keelung city buses, rewarding riders with a Commuter Rewards Voucher that earns a 5% PXPay Plus Points reward on purchases. For dining, users can tap “Restaurant Reservations” on the App home screen to enter the EZTABLE zone and book MICHELIN Guide restaurants and hotel buffets — connecting travel, transport and dining in one app.

PXPay Plus Goes Live on Trip.com — Save Up to NT$1,300 on Japan and Korea Flights and Hotels Booked on Tuesdays
PXPay Plus Goes Live on Trip.com — Save Up to NT$1,300 on Japan and Korea Flights and Hotels Booked on Tuesdays

Expanding into international travel booking: up to NT$1,300 off Japan and Korea itineraries on Trip.com

The Trip.com Taiwan site and App now officially support PXPay Plus at checkout, and a limited-time launch promotion is already underway. A limited-quantity discount code campaign runs every Tuesday from today through October 11, 2026. Users who claim a code on the dedicated Trip.com campaign page and select PXPay Plus at checkout will receive NT$1,300 off bookings of NT$12,000 or more, or NT$600 off bookings of NT$6,000 or more, on flights departing Taiwan for Japan or Korea and on hotels in those markets. Codes are issued in limited quantities while supplies last. With autumn and winter flights to Japan and Korea now on sale, travelers can start saving right from the booking stage.

Deeper coverage in transport: cashless onboard fares on Taiwan Railway, plus a 5% Commuter Rewards Voucher on Keelung buses

In response to the new onboard ticketing policy introduced by Taiwan Railway, PXPay Plus QR code payment is now supported for onboard fares across all train lines, eliminating the need for passengers to worry about carrying enough cash. Following Taipei Metro (excluding the light rail lines) and city buses in Taipei and New Taipei, the PXPay Plus Transit QR Code has also opened across all Keelung city bus routes, giving commuters and visitors in Taipei, New Taipei and Keelung a single way to pay for public transport. Riders simply open the Transit QR Code in the PXPay Plus App to complete payment — no coins, no cards. Once the fare is deducted, they receive a Commuter Rewards Voucher, which earns a 5% PXPay Plus Points reward on purchases at PX Mart, MEGA PX MART and PXPay Plus partner merchants, capped at 15 PXPay Plus Points per transaction, adding a little extra value to your daily commute.

EZTABLE reservation zone: no extra sign-up, no app switching — from MICHELIN Guide restaurants to hotel buffets in one place

For dining, PXPay Plus has partnered with EZTABLE to launch a “Restaurant Reservations” zone directly on the App home screen. A single tap takes users straight into the zone, bypassing repeat registration and form-filling, to book MICHELIN Guide restaurants, hotel buffets and fine dining from around the world. The MICHELIN Guide section features top names including Bencotto, Danny’s Steakhouse, Kiccho Kappo Sushi and Molino de Urdániz. After setting a date, party size and city to search available time slots, users confirm the booking and complete payment with their existing PXPay Plus account for a seamless end-to-end experience. Selected partner restaurants offer limited-time discounts, and the reservation fee can be applied toward the bill on the day of dining. EZTABLE is also a participating brand in the PXPay Plus “Top 100 Brands” campaign: after registering for the campaign, reservation fees of NT$1,500 or more earn an additional 5% PXPay Plus Points reward (capped at 150 PXPay Plus Points per account per month), rising to a 7% reward when paying with designated bank cards. From overseas travel to daily commutes to dinner reservations, PXPay Plus links a wide range of everyday scenarios under one account, making every routine transaction more convenient and more rewarding for members.

About PXPay Plus

PXPay Plus, an e-wallet brand founded and 100% fully owned by the PX Mart Group. In June of 2021, PXPay Plus obtained licenses and approval for operating electronic payment related business from the FSC (Financial Supervisory Commission) in Taiwan. Continuing the company culture of the PX Mart group, building a delightful company environment for everyone. With the launch of PXPay Plus, users can now enjoy enhanced wallet features, providing a seamless and secure payment experience.

GHIT Fund Launches “NTDpedia” to Help Turn Apathy Into Action Against Neglected Tropical Diseases

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Advertorial Desk
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The interactive educational website makes NTDs understandable
to a general audience, the first step toward public support that drives R&D
for the 1.5 billion people affected by these diseases

TOKYO, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund announced the launch of “NTDpedia: Your Guide to Neglected Tropical Diseases.” Designed as an accessible, visually intuitive digital encyclopedia, NTDpedia aims to address a root cause of neglect: Most people have never heard of these diseases. Awareness is the first step; people cannot advocate for, fund, or research a disease they do not know exists.
Website URL: https://www.ghitfund.org/ntdpedia/en

Overcoming Indifference: Why NTDpedia Matters Today
While Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) sets a clear mandate to end epidemics of NTDs by 2030 under the banner “Leaving No One Behind,” NTDs remain severely underfunded and overlooked. Affected populations are trapped in a vicious cycle: Poverty breeds disease and disease deepens poverty. Lack of clean water and sanitation elevates infection risks, while inadequate healthcare infrastructure leads to severe complications, economic loss, social stigma, and further marginalization.

“The greatest barrier to ending NTDs is not just the lack of medical tools but also lack of awareness and societal apathy,” said Osamu Kunii, CEO of the GHIT Fund. “NTDpedia was built to transform a distant problem into something people can understand and then care about, which is the first step toward meaningful global action.”

Key Features of NTDpedia: Connecting Global Challenges to Daily Life
Supervised by world-renowned tropical medicine and global health expert Prof. Kenji Hirayama from Nagasaki University, NTDpedia covers the 21 disease groups recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), including viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections, as well as snakebite envenoming and noma.

To help users intuitively navigate and relate to these complex conditions, the platform introduces two distinct visual discovery frameworks:

  1. Four Curated Key Phrases to Personalize the Cause:
    • Climate change: Highlighting diseases that expand into new geographies, including high-income nations, as a warming climate combines with global travel and trade
    • Poor sanitation and poverty: Showing how unsafe water, poor sanitation, and crowded housing keep these diseases circulating and how illness in turn deepens poverty.
    • Children at high risk: Highlighting diseases that fall hardest on children, affecting growth, schooling, and lifelong health.
    • Once common in Japan: Revealing that several of these diseases were once present in Japan and no longer remain in living memory.
  2. Categorized Visual Transmission: Diseases are categorized by how they spread and what causes them: parasites, bacteria, viruses, insects, other animals, water/soil, and other routes.

Catalyzing R&D and Global Action
The GHIT Fund envisions NTDpedia becoming a resource for anyone curious about these diseases, from students and teachers to companies and advocates. Apathy often reflects unfamiliarity rather than indifference. By making these diseases visible and understandable, the GHIT Fund aims to build public support that drives investment in research and development of drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for NTDs.

*Please note that this website was created for general readers who may not have background expertise in the field. Estimates and figures regarding NTDs can differ across various sources; therefore, the content herein has been compiled from multiple references. We kindly ask users to verify the latest data and primary sources prior to referencing this information.

The GHIT Fund is a Japan-based international public-private partnership (PPP) fund that was formed between the Government of Japan, multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GHIT Fund invests in and manages an R&D portfolio of development partnerships aimed at addressing neglected diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases, which afflict the world’s vulnerable and underserved populations. In collaboration with global partners, the GHIT Fund mobilizes Japanese industry, academia, and research institutes to create new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases. https://www.ghitfund.org/

For more information, contact:
Katy Lenard at +1-202-494-2584 or klenard@burness.com
Eriko Mugitani at +81-36441-2032 or eriko.mugitani@ghitfund.org

Korea Town by Boutiqaat Welcomes AXIS-Y, Accelerating the Future of K-Beauty Across the GCC and the Middle East

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Advertorial Desk
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  • A strategic partnership strengthening the region’s leading destination for Korean beauty
  • ⁠Bringing globally loved Korean skincare closer through a seamless customer experience
  • ⁠A long-term vision to shape the next chapter of K-Beauty in the Middle East

HAWALLY, Kuwait, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Korea Town by Boutiqaat proudly announces the official launch of AXIS-Y, one of Korea’s most recognized skincare brands, marking another milestone in its mission to bring the latest innovations in Korean beauty closer to customers across the GCC and the Middle East. Renowned for its ingredient-focused philosophy and climate-inspired formulations, AXIS-Y further reinforces Korea Town’s position as the region’s premier K-beauty destination.

AXIS-Y Launch Event at Korea Town
AXIS-Y Launch Event at Korea Town

Korea Town’s expansion strategy continues to gain momentum with nine stores in Kuwait, the recent opening of its flagship in The Avenues, Bahrain, and the upcoming launch of a new store in Qatar. As part of this regional growth, AXIS-Y will be introduced across additional Korea Town locations, ensuring greater accessibility for skincare enthusiasts throughout the Gulf.

Looking ahead, Korea Town by Boutiqaat aims to expand its regional presence by the end of 2027 through new store openings, strategic K-beauty partnerships, and stronger offline-to-online customer experiences, building the GCC’s most connected and inspiring K-beauty ecosystem.

Souha Hasan, General Manager of Korea Town by Boutiqaat, said: “Our partnership with AXIS-Y represents more than a brand launch—it reflects Korea Town’s long-term vision of making authentic Korean beauty more accessible across the GCC and the Middle East. As we continue expanding our retail footprint, we remain committed to delivering an integrated omnichannel experience that connects customers with the very best of K-Beauty.”

The partnership introduces AXIS-Y through a seamless customer journey combining immersive retail experiences, brand activations, and digital accessibility. Customers can discover the brand across Korea Town stores while also shopping the full AXIS-Y range online through Boutiqaat, expanding convenient access across the GCC and the Middle East.

Globally recognized for its innovative skincare and hero products such as the Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum, AXIS-Y delivers targeted solutions for dark spots, uneven skin tone, sensitivity, dehydration, and skin barrier health. Its climate-conscious approach makes the brand highly relevant to today’s discerning beauty consumers and a new generation of skincare enthusiasts.

Contact:
kt.distribution@boutiqaat.com 

 

Attapeu Dam Collapse Survivors Set to Receive Final Compensation After Eight Years

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Laotian Times
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xe-namnoy-dam-confirmed-burst-its-banks
Attapeu Dam Collapse Survivors Set To Receive Final Compensation

Eight years after the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower dam in Attapeu collapsed, killing dozens and displacing thousands in southern Laos, affected families are set to receive the final round of compensation this month.

The final compensation package will benefit 968 severely affected households across six villages and one settlement in Attapeu Province.

The government expects to complete the payments by the end of September, with a total of LAK 102.6 billion (USD 4.6 million) to be distributed, according to state media reports published on 15 September.

On 14 September, provincial officials met with affected residents to explain the final compensation package. The provincial governor met residents of Samong Mai Pindong Village to discuss the sixth and final round of payments for the disaster, which occurred on 23 July 2018.

Compensation for affected families was divided into six categories covering loss of life, homes, livelihoods, infrastructure, land and personal belongings. The first five categories were paid earlier, while the final category covering personal belongings took longer to assess and finalize.

The final payments cover personal items of value, including jewelry, vehicles and livestock. Provincial authorities and the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Company (PNPC), the company that operates the hydropower project, have now reached an agreement on the final compensation package.

The 2018 Disaster

At around 8 PM on 23 July 2018, Saddle Dam D at the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower project collapsed following days of heavy rain.

Water rushed into the Xe Pian and Xe Namnoy valleys before flowing downstream toward Sanamxay District. Five villages were destroyed or severely damaged, while 49 people were confirmed dead and 22 remain missing, according to official figures.

More than 6,000 people were displaced by the disaster.

The governor of Attapeu estimated the total damage at more than LAK 1,300 billion, equivalent to around USD 150 million at the 2018 exchange rate.

The disaster also left thousands of people without homes. A project to build 700 new homes for affected families began in June 2020 at a cost of USD 24.5 million. Construction was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and was completed in 2022, leaving some families waiting several years for permanent housing.

The Hydropower Project

The Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower project is located on the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos, with the dam and reservoir infrastructure in Champasak Province and the powerhouse and downstream facilities in Attapeu.

The project diverts water from the Houay Makchanh, Xe Pian and Xe Namnoy river systems to generate electricity.

The 410-megawatt project was developed under a 27-year build-operate-transfer concession and had an estimated construction cost of about USD 1.02 billion.

Financial close was reached in February 2014, and construction began later that year. Following the 2018 disaster, damaged structures and associated works were repaired or replaced, and the project began commercial operations on 6 December 2019.

PNPC is the project company and is jointly owned by companies from Laos, Thailand and South Korea. The project generates around 1,879 gigawatt-hours of electricity a year, with about 90 percent exported to Thailand and the remaining 10 percent supplied to Laos.

VX Logistics Transforms Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Industry through Application of AI and World-first Robot

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Advertorial Desk
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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – VX Logistics Development Group Co., Ltd. (“VX Logistics” or the “Company”), Asia’s leading cold chain logistics network operator, transforms the supply chain operation of fresh fruit and vegetables industry through applying AI technology and sophisticated automation and leveraging the world-first robot for metro delivery self-developed by the Company.

Emma Wu (Wu Beiwen) Chairperson, VX Logistics Emma Wu currently serves as the chairperson of VX Logistics. As an active practitioner of China's supply chain globalisation, she focuses on cold chain, fresh produce supply chain, logistics infrastructure, and industrial synergy. Under her leadership, VX Logistics has become an industry-leading integrated multi-temperature logistics service provider, with its cold chain capacity firmly leading in Asia and among the top tier globally.
Emma Wu (Wu Beiwen) Chairperson, VX Logistics Emma Wu currently serves as the chairperson of VX Logistics. As an active practitioner of China’s supply chain globalisation, she focuses on cold chain, fresh produce supply chain, logistics infrastructure, and industrial synergy. Under her leadership, VX Logistics has become an industry-leading integrated multi-temperature logistics service provider, with its cold chain capacity firmly leading in Asia and among the top tier globally.

The world-first robot designed for deliveries to metro-station retailers is self-developed by VX Logistics. The robot functions as an actual “on-duty” employee in VX Logistics’ day-to-day operations. It has been rolled out at 61 Shenzhen metro stations, handling replenishment and delivery tasks for on-site retailers.
Within VX Logistics’ business operations, these intelligent devices are working in tandem with the Company’s proprietary OTWB end-to-end management system and digital platforms such as IoT-based cold-chain temperature control. VX Logistics’ smart operation offers an efficient solution to every link of the supply chain.
“Each of these technologies is powerful on its own, but their true value emerges when they work together — data flows from the point of origin to end customer, and quality becomes predictable and controllable,” said Emma Wu (Wu Beiwen), chairperson of VX Logistics, adding that this is not merely an enhancement at any single stage of logistics services, but it represents a transformation in the very way the industry functions.

The value of technology goes beyond efficiency. Emma Wu noticed that a large number of overseas fresh fruit brands are stepping up their presence in China, while many domestic brands are showing a strong desire to go global. Emma Wu remarked: “A growing number of international brands are now registering Chinese brand names, setting up dedicated consumer brand teams, and increasing their investment at the retail end. The essence of branding lies in brand owners extending their quality commitment to the end consumer. This, in turn, requires them to maintain effective control of product condition at every link of the domestic supply chain. The same applies to Chinese brands going global.”

In the past, once imported fruit arrived at port, quality essentially entered a “black box” — brand owners had no visibility over key metrics like arrival temperature, handling status, or outbound records across the supply chain.

Emma Wu added that AI is transforming the fresh fruit and vegetables industry from one that “runs on experience” to one that “makes decisions with data.” In sorting and quality inspection, AI vision technology can assess coloration, size, and defects within a second — with greater accuracy and consistency than the human eye. In warehousing, automated equipment is taking over repetitive tasks such as material handling and palletizing. In transportation, IoT sensors track the temperature and location of every load in real time, and could raise the alarm before any issue arises.

Built around the unique characteristics of berry products, VX Logistics has customized a comprehensive end-to-end solution encompassing precision temperature and humidity management as well as rapid in-warehouse throughput — supporting the annual market launch of close to 200 million boxes of berries for Driscoll’s.

Zespri has been a partner of VX Logistics for over a decade. VX Logistics has built a full end-to-end system for Zespri in China – covering warehousing, quality inspection, ripening, automated sorting, and packaging.

“Cold-chain logistics is not a cost center — it is a value center.” She further pointed out that cold-chain logistics today is no longer merely a cost item for warehousing and transportation. It is a provider of supply chain solutions for brand clients. Both expanding overseas and deepening presence in China demand stable temperature and humidity control and quality assurance. The technological nature and professional reliability of cold-chain operations make cold-chain logistics an “added value” that safeguards product quality and reduces loss.

After 13 years of dedicated development, VX Logistics’ cold-chain scale now ranks first in Asia and stands firmly among the global top tier. As the supply chain service provider behind renowned fruit brands such as Zespri, Driscoll’s, Envy Apples, and Rockit, VX Logistics’ core competitive edge lies in its technology-driven supply chain services.
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