SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital Edge today announced the successful close of a US$665 million green loan. The loan will support the development of the first phase of its 500MW CGK Campus in the GIIC Industrial Estate in Bekasi – a US$4.5 billion multi-phase investment and one of Indonesia’s largest AI-ready hyperscale data center campuses.

Structured under Digital Edge’s Green Financing Framework, this transaction marks the largest green loan ever secured for a data center project in Indonesia and directly supports the company’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, reinforcing its leadership in delivering sustainable, next-generation AI- and hyperscale-centric digital infrastructure in Asia-Pacific.

Purpose-built to support AI and data-intensive workloads with resilient, energy-efficient performance, the CGK campus has been sustainably designed to target a market-leading annualized PUE (power usage effectiveness) of 1.25, achieve LEED certification, incorporate recycled water systems, and integrate renewable energy to reduce overall carbon intensity.

This green loan financing was led by BNP Paribas, Clifford Capital, Crédit Agricole CIB, DBS, Mizuho, OCBC, PT Bank Central Asia Tbk, and SMBC as Mandated Lead Arrangers, with each institution committed to advancing responsible infrastructure investment in line with Indonesia’s broader decarbonization ambitions. Crédit Agricole CIB, DBS, and PT Bank Central Asia Tbk also acted as Green Facility Coordinators.

“From empowering businesses with high performance, AI-ready digital infrastructure to advancing innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact, this financing underscores Digital Edge’s leadership in sustainable digital infrastructure. This has been achieved with the strong support of both existing and new lending partners who share our commitment to responsible growth,” said Jonathan Walbridge, Chief Financial Officer of Digital Edge.

About Digital Edge

Where performance meets sustainability, Digital Edge powers Asia-Pacific’s digital transformation with reliable, secure, and sustainable infrastructure. Headquartered in Singapore and backed by Stonepeak, the company delivers high-performance data center and fiber solutions for hyperscalers and enterprises across nine countries in Asia Pacific. With 1.8GW of secured IT power, Digital Edge empowers businesses to scale rapidly and responsibly in a connected, energy-efficient future.

Visit www.digitaledgedc.com for more information.

Media Contact

Digital Edge
Geraldine Lim
geraldine.lim@digitaledgedc.com

LISMORE, Australia, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Australian researchers from Southern Cross University (SCU) and the Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group (MIOG) will launch a clinical study investigating whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can safely support patients undergoing treatment for high-grade glioma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.

Backed by a $1 million philanthropic gift from an anonymous donor, the collaborative research will examine whether delivering oxygen in a pressurised environment during active cancer treatment can improve treatment effectiveness, patient wellbeing, treatment tolerance and recovery.

The trial is the first of its kind in Australia and is also believed to be the first globally to investigate mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (1.35 ATA, which is a substantially lower pressure than conventional hospital hyperbaric treatment) combined with molecular hydrogen in an oncology setting.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing concentrated oxygen inside a pressurised chamber, allowing oxygen to dissolve more readily into the bloodstream and reach tissues that are typically oxygen-deprived.

Solid tumours, including aggressive brain cancers, are often hypoxic (low oxygen). This low-oxygen environment can make cancer cells more resistant to radiotherapy, impair normal tissue healing, and contribute to more aggressive tumour behaviour.

Because radiotherapy partly relies on oxygen-dependent mechanisms to damage cancer cells, researchers have long hypothesised that improving tissue oxygenation could enhance treatment effectiveness while reducing side effects.

HBOT is already used in Australian hospitals to treat radiation injuries such as osteoradionecrosis (radiation-damaged bone) and soft-tissue radionecrosis – the death of healthy tissue caused by high-dose radiation therapy. However, its use during active cancer treatment remains limited and is not part of routine oncology care.

This study shifts the focus from rehabilitation after treatment to potential supportive use during treatment, addressing a significant evidence gap.

While previous oncology studies have used high-pressure medical HBOT (2–3 ATA), this trial will investigate mild hyperbaric therapy, which operates at lower pressure and may carry a different safety and tolerability profile.

Mild HBOT has previously shown beneficial outcomes in non-oncology settings, including poor circulation, sports tissue injuries, post-concussion syndromes and Parkinson’s disease.

Professor Jon Wardle, Foundation Director of the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) at Southern Cross University, said the study represents a significant step forward for evidence-informed integrative oncology.

“As interest in therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen continues to grow, it is essential that we generate high-quality evidence to inform clinical decision-making,” he said.

“Partnering with MIOG allows us to investigate HBOT in a real-world clinical environment while maintaining strong academic and research standards.”

A broadcast-ready media kit, including high-resolution imagery and b-roll of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, is available here: https://we.tl/t-EWFFmcwvIM  

• TripGenie’s third anniversary milestone: AI-assisted bookings surge 400% year-on-year
• Use of real-time AI tools such as menu assistant and live translation increase by around 300% year-on-year
• Regional insights: Asia favours last-minute AI guidance; Europe and North America plan early

SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As AI becomes an everyday part of travel planning, one thing is increasingly clear: while the technology may be global, how travellers use it is anything but uniform. New data from TripGenie, Trip.com’s AI travel assistant, reveals that three years of real-world usage have surfaced new patterns in how travellers plan, decide and navigate their journeys.

What began as a functional tool has evolved into a trusted end-to-end travel companion, and in doing so, has revealed how culture, geography and travel habits shape the role AI plays across the travel journey.

Cultural Differences in AI Use

AI usage shows that planning rhythms vary significantly by market, reflecting unique travel behaviours. For instance, travellers from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Italy and France use AI the most during their travel experience.

Data shows that travellers in highly connected, short-haul travel markets tend to interact with TripGenie more often per trip, relying on it as a real-time decision-making partner. This includes pre-hotel bookings, attraction guides, and in-destination inspiration, reflecting the fast-paced travel styles seen in markets like Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

In contrast, travellers in parts of Europe and North America typically engage AI earlier in the planning cycle. In markets such as Germany and the United Kingdom, planning windows are longer and more deliberate, with travellers consulting TripGenie weeks in advance. Most of these inquiries are for flight and hotel products, helping to reduce risk and provide reassurance before booking. 

Decision speed also varies sharply. For example, travellers in South Korea and Taiwan often finalise hotel bookings just days before departure, with AI supporting decisions surrounding location and nearby amenities. While a general trend across Asia, Japan is an exception, with travellers typically booking accommodation weeks in advance, reflecting a preference for certainty and early confirmation.

Southern European markets such as Italy, France and Spain sit between these two ends of the spectrum, displaying moderately spontaneous booking behaviours.

Using AI across the Travel Journey

Travellers increasingly use AI across multiple stages of their journey, with TripGenie data showing that users are moving from broad exploratory questions to focused booking and itinerary-related decisions, signalling that AI is becoming an integral part of travel planning.

TripGenie AI-assisted order volume on Trip.com increased by around 400% year-on-year, indicating a deeper reliance on AI for inspiration and bookings.

Use of core TripGenie tools, such as hotel comparison, menu assistance, and live translation, increased by around 300% year-on-year, signalling that travellers now use AI as a reliable tool across a trip, rather than a one-off search feature.

Moreover, pre- and post-sales service inquiries now account for around a quarter of all interactions. Travellers are increasingly comfortable relying on TripGenie to handle nuanced, real-world scenarios, from itinerary changes to in-destination questions.

AI: A Trusty Guide for Smart Decisions

As travel decisions become more complex, AI helps travellers reduce uncertainty at every step, from exploring options and asking questions to choosing with confidence.

Nearly 60% of TripGenie interactions are now booking-related, spanning hotels, flights and attractions. Travellers frequently ask practical questions to seek reassurance: Does this hotel meet their needs? Is the location safe? Does this travel policy apply?

Moreover, beyond conversational interaction, users also progress to compare travel options, such as TripGenie’s hotel comparison feature, which streamlines the process and reduces the number of clicks needed by 80%, and fosters higher engagement with a 45% increase in 7-day AI revisit rates.

How Travellers Use AI Across Key Travel Products

When it comes to travel, three basic things are needed: a flight, somewhere to stay and something to see. But how AI is used across these products differs greatly.

Flights: AI has become a useful tool to clarify concerns. Over half of travellers frequently consult AI to confirm lounge eligibility, baggage rules and premium services before booking. This is because such information is often scattered across airline websites, credit card terms and fine print, making it time-consuming to interpret without AI assistance.

Accommodation: AI reduces risk by verifying facilities, distances and suitability across a wide range of accommodation types. Among users who used TripGenie’s hotel comparison tools, over half selected a hotel that directly matched the AI’s recommendation. By allowing travellers to quickly confirm policies and property details that would otherwise require cross-checking multiple sources or contacting hotels directly, AI helps reduce booking uncertainty.

Attractions: Attractions-related queries are increasingly centred on cultural moments, unique experiences, and overall tourist value. Many turn to AI for real-time inspiration, asking what to do today, which experiences are worth their time, or how to explore a destination like a local. This reflects AI’s strength in providing contextual and narrative-driven insights, helping travellers understand the cultural meaning and experiential value behind attractions

Beyond Text: The Rise of Multimodal AI Travel

As travel unfolds in real time, travellers are increasingly engaging with TripGenie beyond text alone. Globally, a growing share of users now upload images to support their queries, from menus and street signs to landmarks, hotel rooms and transport information. Revisit rates among these users remain high, with a 7-day revisit rate twice that of the platform as a whole.

This shift reflects how travellers experience the world: visually, intuitively and often in unfamiliar environments. Notably, users who engage with image-based interactions show significantly higher short-term revisit rates than the platform average, signalling strong satisfaction and deeper trust.

Despite different use patterns, one thing remains consistent: across markets, TripGenie supports local travel behaviour rather than reshaping it. Whether supporting long-term planners or last-minute decision-makers, Trip.com’s AI adapts seamlessly across the travel journey, reinforcing its position as a globally available yet locally nuanced travel companion.

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About Trip.com

Trip.com is an international one-stop travel service provider, available in 24 languages across 39 countries and regions in 35 local currencies. Offering an extensive hotel and flight network of more than 1.5 million hotels and flights from over 640 airlines, along with over 300,000 attraction and tour products, Trip.com covers 3,400 airports in 220 countries and regions. Trip.com‘s world-class 24/7 multilingual customer service helps to ‘create the best travel experience’ for its millions of customers worldwide. To book your next trip, visit Trip.com.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) has been named among the Top 250 hospitals globally and top 10 regionally in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026, placing it among a select group of leading hospitals worldwide. The recognition highlights SJMC’s commitment to international standards of clinical care and patient outcomes, further strengthening its position as one of Malaysia’s Top 3 private hospitals for three consecutive years.

Bryan Lin, Chief Executive Officer of SJMC and Regional Chief Executive Officer of Asia OneHealthcare, said the achievement reflects the collective effort of its clinical and operational teams. “Being named among Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals Top 250 is a proud moment for all of us at SJMC. It reflects the trust our patients place in us and the dedication of our doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to deliver world-class expertise every day.”

“This recognition is not about a single milestone. It represents years of building strong clinical foundations, investing in advanced technology, and nurturing a culture where patients remain at the heart of every decision,” he added.

The annual ranking by Newsweek, conducted in collaboration with global data research firm Statista, evaluates more than 2,500 hospitals across 32 countries. The assessment is based on recommendations from medical experts worldwide, patient experience data, hospital quality metrics, and Statista’s Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) assessment.

SJMC’s inclusion in the 2026 Top 250 builds on a series of international accolades in recent years, reflecting consistent performance across specialties and service quality. The hospital has been listed among Newsweek’s Asia’s Top Private Hospitals and ranked Top 1 in Asia for Hip Surgery and Replacement for two consecutive years. It also retained its position as Malaysia’s most listed hospital in Newsweek’s Asia Pacific 2025 rankings.

These global recognitions follow SJMC’s endorsement as one of only four Flagship Medical Tourism Hospitals 2025 by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, highlighting the hospital’s growing role in representing Malaysia in regional and international healthcare. In line with the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026, SJMC continues to contribute to the country’s reputation as a preferred destination for high quality medical treatment and recovery. The hospital receives patients from across Asia Pacific and beyond, supported by its multidisciplinary expertise and comprehensive care.

Complementing these achievements, SJMC continues to uphold rigorous quality and safety standards. It is the first hospital in Asia Pacific to hold four Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) Centre of Excellence certifications in Oncology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology and Paediatric services, in addition to its three Joint Commission International (JCI) and six Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) accreditations.

Bryan Lin added, “As a Malaysian hospital recognised on a global platform, we see this as both an honour and a responsibility. We will continue to strengthen our specialised services, including building a highly experienced, multidisciplinary neurology and neurosurgery team to advance complex brain care and ensure patients receive treatment aligned with global benchmarks.”

With more than four decades of experience, SJMC remains committed to expanding medical excellence and advancing innovation to further elevate person-centred care, while supporting Malaysia’s healthcare goals.

For more information, visit https://subangjayamedicalcentre.com/.

SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Empyrion Digital, a Singapore-headquartered next-generation data centre developer and operator, today announced it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cypress Telecom Limited (“CypressTel”) and its affiliate DataShell, which together deliver secure, low-latency network services and interconnection-ready data centre capacity in major regional hubs to support strategic infrastructure growth across Asia.

Under the terms of the MOU, CypressTel will have data centre capacity optionality with Empyrion Digital’s bid in for its 2nd data centre in Singapore. This reflects a shared commitment to enabling high-performance digital infrastructure and Singapore’s leading position as a connectivity hub.

Additionally, Empyrion Digital and CypressTel have agreed on a term sheet for Empyrion to provide data centre capacity to CypressTel at one of Empyrion’s upcoming North Asia projects.

“Demand for scalable, secure and interconnected infrastructure continues to rise across Asia,” said Mark Fong, CEO of Empyrion Digital. “This strategic MOU with CypressTel and its affiliate DataShell, a leading carrier-neutral global network service provider, strengthens our collective ability to support long-term digital capacity needs across Asia.”

Connee Zhang, CEO of CypressTel, added, “We are excited to formalise this strategic collaboration with Empyrion Digital. With 140+ PoPs and experience supporting deployments across more than 10,000 customers globally, CypressTel brings proven execution at scale to help enterprise and partners deploy faster and scale with confidence across Asia.”

Empyrion Digital continues to advance its development pipeline in Asia, focusing on core markets that offer robust connectivity, diversified ecosystem access and scalable energy availability.

About Empyrion Digital

Empyrion Digital is a next-generation digital infrastructure platform committed to sustainable practices and operational excellence. Green-by-design, we develop and operate scalable, carrier-neutral data centres for hyperscale and enterprise customers across Asia, including Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand.

Headquartered in Singapore, Empyrion Digital is a portfolio company of Seraya Partners, a leading Asia infrastructure fund with USD 2.5 billion of assets under management.

For more information, visit www.empyriondigital.com

About Cypress Telecom Limited (“CypressTel”)

CypressTel is a carrier-neutral global network service provider that empowers enterprises and service operators with secure, intelligent, and high-performance connectivity.

Our portfolio spans SD-WAN, SASE, Internet Access, private networks, cloud connectivity, AIDC, and WAN Optimization, enabling seamless digital transformation across Asia and beyond.

Built on a global backbone, CypressTel integrates network, cloud, and security into one intelligent orchestration platform — ensuring agility, visibility, and reliability for every connection.

For more information, visit www.cypresstel.com

SHANGHAI, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global electrical engineering community is setting its sights on Shanghai. CWIEME Shanghai, the Asia-Pacific region’s leading exhibition for coil, motor, and transformer manufacturing, has officially announced its 2026 edition, set to take place from June 24 to 26 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. Professional visitor pre-registration is now open (CLICK HERE TO REGISTER).

For over a decade, CWIEME Shanghai has served as more than just a trade platform—it has been a driving force in advancing Asia-Pacific electrical manufacturing up the global value chain. This year, the event takes a major leap forward, doubling down on the industries of tomorrow.

New Frontiers: Low-Altitude Economy & Humanoid Robotics
In a strategic expansion, CWIEME Shanghai will introduce dedicated zones and matchmaking initiatives connecting upstream component suppliers with pioneers in two hot fields: low-altitude aviation and humanoid robotics. Exhibitors—from materials innovators to winding technology leaders—will gain direct access to aerospace OEMs and top-tier robotics developers, offering a rare gateway into billion-dollar emerging markets.

Introducing the C-Suite Club
For the first time, CWIEME Shanghai will host an exclusive C-Suite Club, designed for high-level dialogue on M&A, global strategy, and technology roadmaps. This closed-door forum will gather global founders, CTOs, and investors from around the world, creating a curated space for meaningful collaboration and decision-making at the highest level.

Knowledge That Powers the Future
The accompanying conferences will feature over 40 expert speakers delivering sharp, forward-looking insights on topics shaping the industry: next-gen motors and transformers, EV powertrains, and technological demands of humanoid robots and electric aircraft. This is where cutting-edge technical expertise meets tangible commercial opportunity.

Anticipated highlights for CWIEME Shanghai 2026 include:

• Exhibition Scale: 25,000 square meters, hosting 300+ global industry leaders and emerging brands showcasing a comprehensive range of products including insulating/magnetic materials, winding machines, iron cores/laminations, laser processing equipment, adhesives, and machinery & components for motor and transformer manufacturing.
• Global Visitors & Buyers: 13,000+ attendees from key application sectors including power electronics/transformers, EV motors, industrial automation, etc.
• Hot-Topic Conference Tracks: 40+ forums and presentations focused on the low-altitude economy, humanoid robotics, new energy vehicle motors, electrical equipment, electronic components, and university-industry collaboration.

With professional visitor registration now open (CLICK HERE TO REGISTER), CWIEME Shanghai 2026 invites the global industry to step into the future—where electrical engineering meets the next wave of innovation.