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Manulife Partners with Mind HK to Establish New Wellbeing Consultation Hub in Mong Kok

Free one-on-one, in-person mental health consultations to enhance community access to timely psychological support

HONG KONG, April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Manulife Hong Kong (“Manulife”) today announced an expansion of its long‑standing partnership with its strategic charity partner Mind HK, with the establishment of a new in-person Wellbeing Consultation Hub in Mong Kok, providing free one-on-one mental health consultations for adults in response to the community’s growing demand for accessible mental health support.

According to a survey previously conducted by Mind HK and Manulife[1], it is estimated that 36% of Hong Kong residents exhibited symptoms of mild to moderate depression, while 28% showed symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety. Despite this, only 3% of respondents indicated they would prioritize seeking professional psychological support, citing high service costs among the key barriers. The newly established Wellbeing Consultation Hub, fully supported by Manulife and operated by Mind HK, aims to deliver evidence-based and timely mental health support, underscoring Manulife’s continued focus to prioritize health and wellbeing as an integral component of holistic health.

Free one-on-one, in-person Wellbeing Check-in sessions empowering Hongkongers to take the first step in caring for their mental wellbeing

As part of the services available at the Wellbeing Consultation Hub, Mind HK will provide free, one‑on‑one, in‑person mental health consultations through the “Manulife x Mind HK Free In-Person Wellbeing Check-in” initiative. Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes and is conducted by Mind HK’s trained iACT Wellbeing Practitioners for individuals in need. These sessions are designed to help participants better understand their mental health status and emotional needs. Following the consultation, the Wellbeing Practitioner may recommend community resources or, where appropriate, refer participants to low-intensity psychological interventions for further follow-up.

Effective immediately, members of the public may register to access this free service to gain greater awareness of their mental wellbeing. Face-to-face mental health consultations help foster trust and a sense of psychological safety, while enabling Wellbeing Practitioners to conduct more comprehensive assessments and provide more effective support through real-time observation. Participants may also opt for online consultations with Wellbeing Practitioners, with the service delivered through flexible formats to accommodate the busy pace of urban life.

“Caring for emotional wellbeing is an important first step towards holistic health. When we learn to listen to our inner selves and attend to our emotions, we are better equipped to care for our physical health, mental wellbeing and everyday lives,” said Celia Ling, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau. “Through our long-term partnership with Mind HK, we hope to empower more members of the public to take that first step in seeking support when needed, and to work together to build a healthier and more resilient community.”

“Manulife x Mind HK Free In-Person Wellbeing Check-in” Program

  • Target participants: Hong Kong residents aged 18 to 65
  • Service languages: Cantonese/ English/ Mandarin
  • Location: Wellbeing Consultation Hub, Mong Kok (To protect personal privacy, the detailed address will be provided to successful participants upon confirmation)
  • Online Registration: Register here
  • More information and FAQs: Click here

Nearly 90% of past participants reported gaining practical skills, underscoring the value of community-based mental health support

A co-study previously conducted by Mind HK and Manulife revealed that while many members of the public experience varying degrees of emotional distress, only a small proportion proactively seek professional psychological support, highlighting the need to further strengthen community mental health support.

In response to the study, Mind HK organized a Wellbeing Check-in Day for Manulife, during which Wellbeing Practitioners provided eligible employees, as well as their family members or friends, with 45-minute, one-on-one mental health consultations offered in both in-person and online formats. Post-service surveys showed that nearly 90% of participants reported that the practical coping strategies shared during the consultations helped improve their mental health, while over 90% agreed that the sessions enhanced their awareness of their own mental wellbeing — demonstrating the tangible effectiveness of such services.

The newly established Wellbeing Consultation Hub, conveniently located in Mong Kok’s city centre, offers a high level of privacy and a supportive environment for the delivery of professional, one-on-one mental health consultations, addressing the community’s demand for accessible psychological support.

The initiative is aligned to the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy and community investment platform that aims to drive action to help people thrive at every age. The Wellbeing Consultation Hub contributes to this platform by providing sustainable and accessible mental health support to the community.

Wellbeing practitioner and participant engaging in a Wellbeing Check-in session  (photo for illustrative purposes)
Wellbeing practitioner and participant engaging in a Wellbeing Check-in session (photo for illustrative purposes)

 

[1] Co-study conducted by Mind HK and Manulife in 2025 involving 1,000 Hong Kong residents aged 18 and above.

About Manulife Hong Kong and Macau
Manulife Hong Kong has been a trusted name for more than 125 years, while we have served the Macau market for nearly three decades. Since our operations began in Asia in 1897, we have grown into one of the top-tier providers of financial services, offering a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to over 2.6 million customers in Hong Kong and Macau. We are committed to helping make decisions easier and lives better for our customers.

Manulife Hong Kong and Macau, through Manulife International Holdings Limited, owns Manulife (International) Limited, Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited, and Manulife Provident Funds Trust Company Limited. These entities are all subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation.

About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

About Mind HK
Mind HK, officially known as Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited, is a registered charity under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (91/16471), established in 2017. Our mission is to ensure that no one faces a mental health problem alone. Through our work, we hope to improve awareness of mental health and mental health conditions, remove the associated stigma, and provide free psychological support to achieve the best mental health for all in Hong Kong. Together with the existing collaboration and research efforts, we are here to support Hong Kong in becoming a global leader and regional model for public mental health.

For more information about our work, vision, and mission, please visit our website: https://www.mind.org.hk/.

About iACT Wellbeing Practitioners 
Mind HK’s iACT Wellbeing Practitioners are trained professionals who provide “low-intensity psychological support” for people experiencing mild to moderate emotional distress. All practitioners hold a bachelor’s degree, with most specializing in psychology or counselling. Each practitioner completes around 140 hours of intensive training and at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months. To ensure service quality, all practitioners receive regular supervision from recognised psychologists, providing safe and effective support for those in emotional distress.

Australian Team Unveils AI Inference Breakthrough

SYDNEY, April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Australian web infrastructure company Sitecove has developed a new AI inference optimisation architecture, the Sitecove HyperCache Inference Protocol (SHIP), designed to significantly improve how large language models are served in production.

Originally built during internal performance work, SHIP takes a system-level approach to inference — optimising memory handling, cache behaviour, scheduling, and token generation as a unified system rather than isolated components.

In early real-world tests, SHIP achieved up to a 91% reduction in GPU usage and speed improvements of up to 12×, alongside gains in memory efficiency and cost per token.

Rethinking the Inference Stack

Most AI inference optimisation focuses on individual layers such as model compression or cache tuning. SHIP instead reworks the entire inference lifecycle, introducing a multi-layered architecture that compounds efficiency gains across memory, compute, and throughput — key constraints in large-scale AI deployment.

Built Outside the AI Establishment

SHIP was developed by a team known for web infrastructure rather than AI research.

“This came out of solving real constraints in our own systems,” said founder Adam Kerr.

“We weren’t trying to reinvent AI — just make it faster and more efficient. The results exceeded expectations, including reducing cost per million tokens from $49 to $4.”

Why It Matters

As AI scales, infrastructure — not models — is becoming the primary bottleneck. Improvements in memory utilisation, throughput, and cost per inference directly impact operating costs, with even small gains delivering significant savings at scale.

What‘s Next

Efficiency is emerging as a defining challenge in AI as GPU demand continues to outpace supply. SHIP reflects a broader trend of impactful innovation coming from smaller, systems-focused teams.

About Sitecove

Sitecove is an Australian web infrastructure company focused on hosting and performance optimisation for small to medium businesses. Founded in 2022 by Adam Kerr.

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2952884/Sitecove_SHIP_White_Paper_Redacted.pdf

MiniTool Released MovieMaker 8.6 with Japanese & German Support

VANCOUVER, BC, April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MiniTool Software Limited has announced the launch of MiniTool MovieMaker 8.6, a significant update to its video editing software. The latest version focuses on localized experience, creative creation, and a faster editing workflow.

A quick look at what’s new in MiniTool MovieMaker 8.6

  • Support Japanese and German, delivering a localized and user-friendly experience.
  • Customized text color with a brand-new palette for more beautiful and creative video titles/captions.
  • Smoother first-time setup with an optimized walkthrough guide.
  • Quickly access software log files for efficient error fixing.
  • Enhanced export speeds for videos utilizing GPU-based effects or filters.

Support Japanese and German

The language support for Japanese and German is the major update in MiniTool MovieMaker 8.6. This improvement enables users in these regions to browse the software in their native languages and understand all settings and tools better, thus ensuring a more intuitive and convenient video creation process.

MiniTool MovieMaker is dedicated to providing a smooth editing experience. Based on this, version 8.6 adds support for Japanese and German to remove language barriers for creators in these regions and focus entirely on their projects.

New Color Palette for Creative Text Customization

To add more beautiful and creative text to the video projects, MiniTool MovieMaker 8.6 also includes a brand-new color palette that can customize the color for titles, captions, and credits. This makes it easier to perfectly match the text style with the video’s theme and atmosphere.

Optimized Walkthrough Guide & Improved Troubleshooting

MiniTool MovieMaker is favoured by users, particularly beginners, due to its intuitive and user-friendly design. Version 8.6 takes this a step further with an optimized walkthrough guide, aiming to help first-time creators familiarize themselves with the software. The walkthrough demonstrates how to import media, add footage to the timeline, apply filters, and export a project.

Additionally, MiniTool MovieMaker 8.6 provides another practical feature: quick access to software log files. When encountering errors or unexpected situations, users can directly locate the log data from the Help menu and send it to the support team for assistance. Compared to previous versions, which required a manual search for log files, 8.6 simplifies the error-fixing process, ensuring all problems can be resolved quickly.

Unlocking a Faster Editing Workflow

In addition to a smooth editing workflow and extensive editing features, a good video editor should also offer fast export speeds. After all, time is valuable. This time, MiniTool MovieMaker optimized export speed for videos with GPU-based effects or filters. In other words, this improvement can render these kinds of videos faster than ever before, accelerating the final step of the editing process and improving overall efficiency.

About MiniTool MovieMaker

MiniTool MovieMaker is an easy-to-use and feature-rich video editor designed for everyone, especially beginners, to create high-quality videos in minutes.

Essential Editing Tools & Trendy Effects

MiniTool MovieMaker is capable of trimming, cropping, splitting, rotating, flipping, and scaling videos, changing playback speed, adjusting the clip’s color, and converting the aspect ratio. Besides, it offers a large library of text templates, filters, transitions, effects, elements, and motions to enrich content.

A Multi-Track Timeline

Featuring a multi-track timeline, MiniTool MovieMaker is able to create picture-in-picture (PiP) effects, create split-screen videos, make video collages, and layer multiple clips/effects/text/stickers to decorate videos.

4K Video Export & Custom Output Settings

A highlight of MiniTool MovieMaker is that it supports exporting videos up to 4K resolution for free, without watermarks, ensuring clear and clean results. Furthermore, it can customize output format, resolution, frame rate, and bitrate.

About MiniTool® Software Ltd.

MiniTool® Software Ltd. is a professional software development company specializing in video editing, screen recording, video/audio conversion, disk management, data recovery, data backup, system optimization, etc. For decades, the company has earned the trust of users worldwide. In the future, the company will continue striving to provide better products and services.

Kenanga Investors Awarded at LSEG Lipper Fund Awards 2026


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2026 – Kenanga Investors Berhad (“Kenanga Investors“) has swept four accolades at the LSEG Lipper Fund Awards 2026 (“the Awards“).

Xav Feng, Asia Pacific Research director, LSEG Lipper, Christopher Kok, Head of Equities, Kenanga Investors Berhad, Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer, Mohd Faiz Hamsidi, Fixed Income Fund Manager, and Kuek Ser Kwang Zhe, Wealth editor, The Edge Malaysia.
Xav Feng, Asia Pacific Research director, LSEG Lipper, Christopher Kok, Head of Equities, Kenanga Investors Berhad, Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer, Mohd Faiz Hamsidi, Fixed Income Fund Manager, and Kuek Ser Kwang Zhe, Wealth editor, The Edge Malaysia.

The firm was recognised across various categories, a testament to its continued outperformance:

  1. Kenanga Growth Fund (“KGF“) – Best Equity Malaysia – Malaysia Provident Funds over 5 Years
  2. Kenanga Growth Fund Series 2 MYR Class (“KGFS2“) – Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Provident Funds over 3 Years
  3. Kenanga Malaysian Inc Fund (“KMIF“) – Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Provident Funds over 10 Years
  4. Kenanga Managed Growth Fund (“KMGF“) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced Malaysia – Malaysia Provident Funds over 10 Years

Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director said, “We are honoured to be recognised by LSEG Lipper for our consistent performance in 2025 against a backdrop of volatility, underpinned by heightened trade wars. During the year, geopolitical risks and trade tensions caused sudden swings in sentiment, which affected small- and mid-cap stocks. We steered clear of headlines and focused on sustainable earnings. This allowed us to selectively position ourselves for when valuations turned compelling while reducing exposure when risks escalated which proved effective and underscores our expertise in Malaysian equities”.

Since the launch of KGF in 2000 and KGFS2 in 2018, both funds have demonstrated consistent performance. As of December 2025, each has surpassed RM1 billion in assets under management1, underscoring Kenanga Investors’ disciplined investment approach and commitment to long term value creation. This year’s Awards also mark KGF’s sixth Lipper title while KGFS2 celebrates its inaugural win.

Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer, elaborated on the firm’s approach, “We maintained a disciplined bottom‑up stock‑picking strategy anchored in company fundamentals, giving us the conviction to stay invested in high quality businesses with strong balance sheets and structural growth drivers. This was supported by a strict risk management framework focused on sector diversification, prudent buffers, and incremental rebalancing. In 2026, we will emphasise themes such as artificial intelligence and data centre expansion, infrastructure, utilities, and selective REITs, while remaining true to our investment philosophy”.

Over the five‑year period ended 31 December 2025, KGF delivered a total return of 48.82%, significantly outperforming its benchmark2 of 3.25%. Similarly, KGFS2 achieved a robust 49.92% return compared to its benchmark’s3 46.93%. KMIF also recorded solid results with a 32.67% return against a benchmark4 of 5.26%, while KMGF posted a commendable 25.88% return, exceeding its benchmark’s5 11.32%.

The firm also recently introduced the Kenanga Growth Fund Series 3 (“KGFS3“), the third fund within its flagship conventional fund series. The KGFS3 utilises the firm’s proven investment philosophy and is managed with an active investment strategy depending on the market conditions and outlook, combining a top-down asset and sector allocation process with a bottom-up stock selection methodology.

The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months. This year’s achievements will serve to strengthen Kenanga Investors’ market leadership and drive its focus on creating enduring value for its investors.

For more information about Kenanga Investors, please visit kenangainvestors.com.my.

1 Source: Lipper, 31 December 2025

2 Benchmark: FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI CR

3 Benchmark: 8% p.a.

4 Benchmark: FTSE Bursa Malaysia Top 100 CR

5 Benchmark: FTSE Bursa Malaysia Top 100 Index (50%) & All MGS Index by RAM Quant Shop (50%)

Hashtag: #Kenanga

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

Kenanga Investors Berhad 199501024358 (353563-P)

We provide investment solutions ranging from collective investment schemes, portfolio management services, alternative investments, as well as wills and trusts for retail, corporate, institutional, and high net worth clients via a multi-distribution network.

The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards 2026 recognised four funds under the Malaysia Provident Funds category; Kenanga Growth Fund was named Equity Malaysia (5 Years), Kenanga Growth Fund Series 2 was awarded Equity Malaysia Diversified (3 Years), Kenanga Malaysian Inc Fund was awarded Equity Malaysia Diversified (10 Years) while Kenanga Managed Growth Fund was recognised with the title Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia (10 Years).

The Hong Kong-based Asia Asset Management’s (“AAM“) 2026 Best of the Best Awards awarded Kenanga Investors under the following categories, Malaysia Best Impact Investing Manager, Best Impact Investing Manager in ASEAN, Malaysia Best Equity Manager, Malaysia CEO of the Year (Co-Winner), Malaysia CIO of the Year, Malaysia Best House for Alternatives and Malaysia Best ESG Engagement Initiative.

At the AAM ETF Awards 2026, Kenanga Investors received an accolade under the category Malaysia Leverage and Inverse ETF of the Year for the Kenanga KLCI Daily 1x Inverse ETF. The IFN Investor Awards 2025 awarded the Kenanga Islamic Balanced Fund under the categories of “IFN Investor Best Balanced Mixed Assets Fund in Malaysia — MYR 2025”, “IFN Investor Best Balanced Mixed Assets Fund in Asia Pacific 2025”, and “IFN Investor Best Global Balanced Mixed Assets Fund 2025”.

The FPAM Financial Planning Leadership Award 2025 presented Kenanga Investors with the Platinum Award under the Charter Member Category, highlighting our dedication to shaping the future of financial planning. The FSMOne Recommended Unit Trusts Awards 2025/2026 has awarded the Kenanga Growth Fund Series 2 with the “Sector Equity — Malaysia Focused” award for the fourth consecutive year since 2022. For the ninth consecutive year, we were affirmed an investment manager rating of IMR-2 by Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad, since first rated in 2017. The IMR rating on reflects the fund management company’s well-established investment processes and sound risk management practices.

This Press Release was issued by Kenanga Group’s Marketing, Communications & Sustainability department.

Toyota Group Key Supplier JTEKT Commissions 2,500 MWh Solar Carport in Kagawa Under 20-Year PPA with Peak Energy

Commissioning reflects Japan manufacturers’ shift to site-level renewables under long-term PPAs amid tighter group decarbonisation expectations and unstable energy costs.


TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2026 – JTEKT Corporation, global manufacturer of automotive and industrial components and core member of the Toyota Group, today announced the commissioning of a 2 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar carport at a facility in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, delivered under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Peak Energy. JTEKT expects to save nearly 40% on electricity costs through power generated by the solar systems, compared with grid power.

The 2MW solar carport was installed in Kagawa - JTEKT key producing site
The 2MW solar carport was installed in Kagawa – JTEKT key producing site

Under the long-term PPA, Peak Energy designed, financed and installed the system and will provide full operations and maintenance (O&M) over the contract term. Electricity generated by the solar carport will be consumed on-site, supporting JTEKT’s objectives on energy cost visibility and decarbonisation.

The carport installation, which covers 640 parking spaces was completed in just 5 months. It is expected to generate approximately 2,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually, helping to avoid around 1,090 tons of CO₂ emissions each year, equivalent to removing 230 cars from the road annually.

The commissioning comes as Japan’s export-facing manufacturers increasingly look for renewable energy solutions that can be deployed within tight operational and land constraints.

Carport projects built over existing parking areas allow companies to add on-site generation without additional land take, while also improving day-to-day site usability through shading and weather protection.

Unlike conventional solar installations, carport projects represent a leap in complexity, similar to major infrastructure upgrades than solar add-ons. These projects demand meticulous structural engineering, safety management, and tightly managed installation sequencing around an active industrial site. This project reflects experience built across industrial deployments in the region, build with delivery discipline.

A commissioning ceremony was held on Monday 6th of April, 2026
A commissioning ceremony was held on Monday 6th of April, 2026

“JTEKT set a company-wide target to reduce CO₂ emissions by 60% by fiscal year 2030 compared to fiscal year 2013. As part of this effort, the Kagawa Plant has been promoting a ‘CO₂ Zero Challenge!’ initiative. In this context, we have implemented a wide range of energy-saving measures on the production floor, including introducing inverter controls for hydraulic pumps and compressors to optimize power supply.” Mr. Yoshioka, Plant Manager of JTEKT’s Kagawa Plant, commented.

“In addition, as part of our energy creation efforts, we have installed solar panels on factory rooftops across the site when possible. Building on these initiatives, we are grateful for the collaboration with Peak Energy, which has enabled us to install a state-of-the-art solar carport, utilizing our employee parking area. JTEKT will continue to advance its efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality” he added.

“JTEKT’s confidence in Peak Energy demonstrates that today’s industrial leaders are choosing partners with proven records of delivering results, technical expertise, and unwavering reliability,” said Gavin Adda, CEO of Peak Energy.

“Carport installations are promising projects, requiring rigorous safety standards and precise engineering, with no room for disruption or incidents. JTEKT sought a partner capable of executing high-performance, precision solar projects. This commissioning marks not only the start of a promising collaboration in Japan but also a significant milestone in Peak Energy’s ongoing commitment to the country and its industrial sector.”Hashtag: #PeakEnergy #JTEKT

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

About JTEKT Corporation

JTEKT manufactures and sells bearings, machine tools and systems, and automotive components at locations in Japan and around the world. In addition to enhancing the value of its existing products, the company is pursuing new business initiatives through co-creation with a wide range of stakeholders, aiming to transform into a solutions provider that addresses social challenges by connecting and integrating technologies.

Under the slogan “All for One Earth,” the JTEKT Group positions the reduction of environmental impact—including the achievement of carbon neutrality—as a key priority and is advancing these efforts on a group-wide basis. To realize carbon neutrality through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the Group is working to reduce CO₂ emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3. In particular, it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 for Scope 1 and 2 emissions associated with its own production activities.

About Peak Energy

Headquartered in Singapore, Peak Energy develops, owns, and operates renewable assets across Asia Pacific (APAC). With over 300 MW of operating assets and 1 GW worth of projects in development, our portfolio spans Japan, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. With activities encompassing the full range of renewable energy business models – including utility-scale development, off-site PPAs, onsite PPAs, and energy storage applications – Peak Energy is a one-stop partner for corporates seeking to decarbonize their operations in APAC. We believe in establishing long-term partnerships with our corporate customers, to accompany them in their decarbonization journey, through cleaner, cheaper energy.

An experienced team handles the complete life cycle of our energy assets from origination and development through to operations and decommissioning, employing state-of-the art technology and the industry best practices, respectful of the environment and following world-class HSE standards.

Our business practices, technological and HSE standards are standardized across APAC, but we are implemented and operate locally, with teams in seven countries, and lasting partnerships with local customers, EPCs, vendors, channel partners.

Peak Energy is wholly owned by Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximatively USD 84 billion of assets undermanagement. Our financial and technical strength coupled with our relationships in local markets allows us to optimize our capital deployment in high quality assets.

For more information, please visit https://www.peakenergy.asia.

La Mirabelle Achieves Sales of HK$4.6 Billion in Two Weeks, Records 522 Unit Sales as of 7 April 2026


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2026 – La Mirabelle, the final waterfront phase of the LOHAS Park residential development in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, has generated HK$4.6 billion in sales for the whole project over the first two weeks of its launch, with 522 units sold as of 7 April. Buoyed by strong end-user demand alongside keen interest from overseas buyers, this performance reflects sustained confidence in Hong Kong’s residential property market.

La Mirabelle at LOHAS Park has generated HK$4.6 billion in sales in two weeks.
La Mirabelle at LOHAS Park has generated HK$4.6 billion in sales in two weeks.
La Mirabelle at LOHAS Park has generated HK$4.6 billion in sales in two weeks.

Jointly developed by Sino Land Company Limited (Stock Code: 0083.HK), Kerry Properties, K. Wah International, China Merchants Land, and MTR Corporation, La Mirabelle recorded sales of 522 units as of 7 April. Mr Victor Tin, Executive Director of Sino Land Company Limited, noted that buyers hailed from diverse markets, including the United Kingdom, Korea, India, and the Chinese Mainland. Approximately 80% were end users and 20% investors—evidence of robust ongoing demand.

Mr Daryl Ng, Chairman of Sino Land Company Limited, commented, ‘We are encouraged by the enthusiastic market response to La Mirabelle at LOHAS Park, a premier residential community in Tseung Kwan O, which has delivered HK$4.6 billion in sales in two weeks. Strong end-user participation, coupled with interest from international buyers, signals continued confidence in Hong Kong’s residential market. We believe this momentum underscores Hong Kong’s enduring appeal as a global city for living, working, and investment, bolstered by its world-class connectivity and established business ecosystem.’

Market observers anticipate sustained capital inflows into Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. Renowned for its robust legal system, deep financial markets, and stable US dollar peg, Hong Kong remains a preferred destination for property investment. La Mirabelle’s strong sales performance signals enduring appeal among both local and international buyers.

As a long-term investor and developer in Hong Kong, Sino Land is committed to sustainable development and responsible business practices as part of its long-term approach to delivering quality homes and communities. The Company maintains strong ESG performance and has been ranked among the Global Top 5% in the Real Estate Management & Development industry in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026. Among more than 9,200 companies assessed worldwide, Sino Land is the only developer from Hong Kong to receive this recognition. This marks the company’s fourth consecutive inclusion in the Yearbook and its first ranking in the Global Top 5%. The Company has also been recognised through CDP Climate Change A List inclusion, GRESB five-star ratings in both the Development and Standing Investment Benchmarks, and an AAA rating from MSCI.

Hashtag: #SinoLand

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

ESR Secures US$850 Million to Accelerate Long-term Growth

  • Additional equity support from existing shareholders underscores confidence in ESR’s strategy and execution momentum
  • Capital to fund growth initiatives across ESR’s logistics real estate and data centres platforms in APAC
  • Builds on US$2 billion of net proceeds from portfolio simplification and capital recycling
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2026 – ESR, an Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) focused real asset owner and manager, today announced that it has secured US$850 million in additional equity capital, further strengthening its balance sheet and accelerating execution of its long-term growth strategy across logistics real estate and data centres.

The new investment was committed by existing shareholders, backed by leading global investors, reinforcing conviction in ESR’s strategy, platform, and growth momentum.

The capital will be deployed to fund growth initiatives across ESR’s logistics real estate and data centres platforms. This builds on the significant progress achieved following ESR’s privatisation in July 2025, as the Group advances its strategic transformation into a more focused business positioned for long-term growth.

In line with this strategy, since January 2025, ESR has realised more than US$2 billion in net proceeds through the divestment of non-core holdings and recapitalisation of balance sheet assets, simplifying the portfolio and recycling capital into core growth sectors.

Together, these developments have strengthened ESR’s ability to scale its fund management and development platforms, while capitalising on long‑term structural tailwinds including e-commerce growth, supply chain reconfiguration, and accelerating digitalisation.

Phil Pearce, President of ESR, said, “ESR has entered its next phase of growth with a stronger capital base and a more focused platform. As global capital continues to shift toward APAC, investors are increasingly seeking managers with local depth, strategic clarity, and a proven ability to execute in an evolving market environment.

We are pleased to be deepening our partnership with leading global investors, who are not only shareholders, but also long-term capital partners across our platform. With a sharpened focus on logistics real estate and data centres, we are accelerating development and fundraising while driving sustained growth in leasing and capital deployment. Looking ahead, we remain focused on scaling our core business with discipline and delivering long-term value for our capital partners and customers.”

ESR’s growth strategy is centred on priority markets in Australia, Japan, and South Korea, while expanding opportunities across Greater China, India, and Southeast Asia. Reflecting the strength of its institutional relationships, ESR partners with 12 of the world’s top 20 real estate Limited Partners and has raised an average of US$3.8 billion annually across its key sector mandates over the past five years.

In logistics real estate, demand continues to concentrate on modern, large‑scale, and well‑located logistics assets near consumption hubs and major population centres. Serving over 1,500 customers, ESR is advancing an approximately US$9 billion development pipeline to meet evolving customer needs while creating investment opportunities for capital partners.

Leveraging the scale and depth of its APAC platform, ESR’s data centres business is differentiated by its ability to secure land and power early in the development cycle, supporting a pipeline of over 3 GW of capacity for phased development in key growth markets.Hashtag: #ESR

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

ESR

ESR is a leading Asia-Pacific real asset owner and manager focused on logistics real estate, data centres, and energy infrastructure that power the digital economy and supply chain for investors, customers, and communities. Through our fully integrated real asset fund management and development platform, we strive to create value and growth opportunities for our global portfolio of investors. We offer our customers modern space solutions to realise their ambitions across Australia and New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Greater China, Southeast Asia, and India, including a presence in Europe. Our purpose, Space and Investment Solutions for a Sustainable Future, drives us to manage sustainably and impactfully for the communities we serve to thrive for generations to come. Visit for more information.

Iran-US- Israel Ceasefire Offers Laos Fuel Relief After Six Weeks of Crisis

Ceasefire Brings Hope but Laos Fuel Pain Persists. Diesel prices up 163 percent as Middle East truce offers first signs of relief

On 7 March, The United States, Israel, and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East, temporarily halting hostilities and reopening strategic oil routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

For Laos, this truce offers the first small relief from a six-week fuel crisis that pushed diesel prices up more than 160 percent, emptied patrol stations, and emergency measures across the country.

The conflict began on 28 February, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. 

Tehran promptly closed the Strait of Hormuz,  the waterway carrying roughly one-fifth of the world’s daily oil supply, and launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases across the Middle East. 

The global energy shock that followed landed hard in Laos. 

Thailand, which supplies over 97 percent of Laos’ refined fuel, suspended all refined oil exports on 1 March. 

Although Laos and Myanmar were the only two countries exempted from the ban, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed on 21 March that daily volumes to Laos had still fallen by 25 percent, to 5.29 million liters per day, with Anutin pointing to close energy ties between the two countries to justify the continued supply.

Prices surge, stations run dry

Diesel prices in Laos climbed from LAK 19,970 (USD 0.9) per liter before the crisis to LAK 52,650 (USD 2.40) as of 7 April, a rise of 163 percent in five weeks. This data makes Laos the country with the largest diesel price increase in the world since 23 February, according to Global Petrol Prices.

Regular petrol increased more than 80 percent over the same period, with prices adjusted 10 times in March alone. 

At the crisis peak in mid-March, more than half of Laos’ 2,538 registered petrol stations closed nationwide, as panic buyers emptied Vientiane stations within hours of each restock. Queues stretched for hours across the capital. Diesel proved the hardest fuel to find, a critical blow to freight transport, agriculture, and rural electricity generation.

Emergency Response, Regional Help

The government declared a fuel emergency, cutting diesel excise tax to zero and reducing gasoline tax from 25 to 15 percent. 

Vientiane launched mobile fuel distribution. Champasak province introduced free bus services. Universities cut their teaching week to three days, and civil servants were told to work from home.

To ease the shortfall, Laos turned to its neighbors. 

Industry and Commerce Minister Malaithong Kommasith flew to Hanoi on 20 March and secured 50 million liters of fuel from Vietnam. A separate deal with Thailand locked in a further 14 million liters of emergency diesel, due by 9 April.

The acute shortage has since eased. 

Most stations have reopened and the queues have thinned. But price pain endures. Inflation hit 9.7 percent in March and pump prices remain well above pre-crisis levels with no relief in sight.

A Fragile Truce

Tuesday’s ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, requires Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US and Israel halting strikes for two weeks and peace talks are scheduled to begin in Islamabad, capital city of Pakistan on 10 April, with US Vice President JD Vance expected to lead the American delegation.

Iran entered talks declaring “complete distrust of the American side.” Missiles flew toward Israel hours after the truce took effect. The ceasefire excluded Lebanon,  and Israel struck Beirut the very next day. 

Iran threatened to pull out if the attacks continued. Tehran continues to call for a full US military withdrawal, permanent control of the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of all sanctions.