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Hotel & Shop Plus 2025 Preview: Exploring Symbiotic Innovation in the Hotel Industry

SHANGHAI, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hotel & Shop Plus, organized by IM Sinoexpo, gathers leading suppliers from construction and operation sector under one roof to present their latest products, services and innovative developments for hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and all commercial facilities. It will be held at SNIEC in Shanghai from March 31 to April 3, 2025. Our exhibit categories include hotel building, hotel supplies, smart hotel, commercial cleaning.

In 2025, the hotel industry is shifting focus towards enhancing customer experience, operational efficiency, and space design. Creating symbiotic experiences through design has become a key issue for the industry to address. In this context, Hotel & Shop Plus will organize various exciting events with the theme of “Ecology • Symbiosis,” such as the China International Building & Interior Design Forum and the China International Lighting Design Forum. These events will bring together experts to explore the future of the hotel industry.

2025 Speaker Lineup Released:

  • Chris Godfrey, Co-CEO of HBA
  • Mark Eacott, Global Design Vice President of Ennismore Hotel Group
  • Eirc W. Tsay, Founder of Studio STAY
  • Shanshan Qi, Principal, STUDIO QI ARCHITECTS
  • Mai Chongchaiyo, Chief Creative Director of Steve Leung Hospitality Limited
  • Martin Klaasen, Managing Partner of Nulty Group
  • Emmanuel Clair, CEO & Chief Lighting Designer of Light Cibles
  • Wan Jun Bai, General Manager & Creative Director of Bamboo Lighting Design

At Hotel & Shop Plus, top exhibitors will showcase innovative products and solutions. For example, ARROW will provide high – quality intelligent sanitary solutions for hotel clients. Its new products, such as the X7 smart toilet and the YURI urinal, demonstrate the perfect blend of technology and quality, heralding a new era of smart bathroom solutions. Exhibitors in the building materials category, including Jomoo, Simon, Johnson, Longsheng, FUSA, Lanshen, SANGO, Saintly, Kinda Signage, and Nason, have all confirmed their attendance at the event.

High-quality linens and supplies enhance guest comfort, positive reviews, and repeat visits. Many exhibitors of hotel supplies and textiles have also brought high-quality products, including Groupe GM, LE LABO, ADA, La Bottega, LANVIN, CANASIN SIDEFU, AMERICA STANDARD, GOLDENSAIL, etc., bringing a broader vision to the exhibition and more development opportunities for hoteliers. 

Registration and Participation

Click here to register free for Hotel & Shop Plus 2025. Discover trends, network, & seize opportunities at this event. https://reg.hdeexpo.com/?utm_source=media&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=PRNEWSWIRE3

For queries, email: jade.liao@imsinoexpo.com.

Visit: Hotel & Shop Plus

BLUETTI Unveils Game-Changing Energy Solutions at PV EXPO 2025

TOKYO, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BLUETTI, a global leader in lithium energy storage solutions, made a significant impact at PV EXPO 2025. Takumasa Kawamura, COO of BLUETTI Japan, delivered a keynote speech titled “The Portable Power Business in a New Era” emphasizing the growing importance of portable power solutions for disaster resilience and everyday life. He introduced BLUETTI’s latest innovations and underscored the company’s commitment to expanding services and collaborations in the Japanese market.

Takumasa Kawamura, COO of BLUETTI Japan, delivered a keynote speech at PV EXPO 2025
Takumasa Kawamura, COO of BLUETTI Japan, delivered a keynote speech at PV EXPO 2025

Premium Series: Unlocking Boundless Energy Potential

BLUETTI introduced its Premium Series, designed for users seeking exceptional performance and reliability. These products feature ultra-fast charging, compact yet powerful designs, an innovative Power Lifting Mode, and extended battery lifespan. The company prioritizes offline distribution to enhance customer experience and provide efficient after-sales support. The series includes:

  • AC60P: A highly portable 504Wh power station with a 600W output, IP65 water-resistant rating, and fast charging capabilities, making it ideal for outdoor use, is now available at BICCAMERA and Kojima.
  • AC180P: A versatile 1440Wh power station with a 1800W continuous output and 2700W Power Lifting Mode, perfect for home backup and mobile applications.

Introducing the AORA Series: Tailored for Japan’s Energy Needs

In response to Japan’s growing demand for efficient home energy storage solutions, BLUETTI unveiled the AORA Series, designed specifically for the Japanese market. Inspired by “青空” (meaning “blue sky”), the series symbolizes clean energy and a brighter future. The first models include:

  • AORA 80: 768Wh battery capacity, 1000W output, 80% charge in 45 minutes, and a 10-year lifespan with advanced BMS protection.
  • AORA 100: 1152Wh capacity, 1800W output (3600W peak), ultra-quiet operation (40dB), and fire-resistant housing for extreme conditions.

Enhanced Local Services for Japanese Customers

BLUETTI is strengthening its commitment to the Japanese market by establishing a dedicated service center in Japan. This facility will provide technical support, after-sales services, and consultation for energy storage solutions, ensuring a seamless experience for local users.

Future Commitment: Expanding BLUETTI’s Presence in Japan

“We are fully committed to delivering innovative energy solutions tailored to local needs,” said Takumasa Kawamura, COO of BLUETTI Japan. “Our mission is to empower individuals and businesses with reliable, eco-friendly power options, reinforcing our dedication to sustainability and energy independence.”

Building on this vision, BLUETTI plans to introduce more localized energy storage products over the next 3–5 years. The company aims to expand its service network, enhance offline distribution channels, and collaborate with renewable energy organizations to drive wider adoption of sustainable energy solutions across Japan.

With continuous innovation and customer-centric strategies, BLUETTI is poised to lead the next era of portable and home energy solutions in Japan.

If you are interested in BLUETTI’s products or wish to collaborate with us, please contact Anna Zhang, Japan Business Director, at anna@poweroak.net.

CellPoint Digital Partners with Air Europa to Provide Payment Orchestration Solutions

The partnership will enable Air Europa to optimize its payment processes and expand the range of Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) offered to travelers

DALLAS, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CellPoint Digital, the leading provider of payment solutions to the airline industry and a global pioneer of Payment Orchestration, today announced a new partnership with Air Europa, a member of the SkyTeam Alliance. Leveraging CellPoint Digital’s newly launched, transformative Payment Orchestration Platform, this collaboration will deliver comprehensive solutions to help Air Europa optimize its payments across the global regions it serves and enable the carrier to process a broader range of alternative payment methods (APMs) to better meet its passengers’ needs.

Air Europa is a fast-growing, dynamic airline with a substantial geographic presence offering short, medium and long-haul flights across three continents. With a strategic vision to expand connectivity between Europe and the Americas, as evidenced by its fleet expansion plans and increased service frequency to Latin America and the Caribbean from its Madrid hub, Air Europa needed a forward-looking approach to payments that prioritized optimized transaction routing, seamless cross-border payments, while offering a wide variety of payment options to international and domestic passengers.

“As Air Europa enters its next growth chapter, it is crucial for the carrier to have a robust payments infrastructure that will support and nurture this expansion,” said Kristian Gjerding, CEO at CellPoint Digital. “Our new Payment Orchestration Platform, with Air Europa as one of its first clients, will help Air Europa optimize its payment strategy, increase the number of APMs it supports, and expand its range of acquirers, giving the airline additional control and visibility of its financial health. As the leading provider of payment orchestration to the airline sector, we are very well-positioned to offer a hands-off, tailored solution and connect Air Europa to the acquirers and APMs needed to expand and improve the passenger experience.”

Air Europa’s Path Towards Sustainable Growth

CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration Platform, which will complement Air Europa’s internal orchestration system, routes transactions intelligently to boost acceptance, simplifies and centralizes back-end reconciliation, integrates over 160 global APMs, and easily accommodates multiple PSPs and acquirers. The platform also considers the pricing, processing and acceptance currency and geographical location of each processor, increasing the success rate of transactions and reducing per-transaction costs for Air Europa.

Yago Casasnovas, Head of Payments, Fraud Prevention and Distribution, added, “As a disruptor airline targeting rapid international expansion, we need a payments partner with a sophisticated understanding of air travel transactions and payment processes. CellPoint Digital is that partner, and their Payment Orchestration platform enables us to offer travelers a fully digital experience onboard and a simpler booking experience.

In addition, Air Europa will be one of the launch clients on CellPoint Digital’s new Payment Orchestration Platform, showcasing the company’s commitment to innovation and the future of seamless, global payment solutions.

For more information about CellPoint Digital and the Air Europa partnership or to schedule an interview with Kristian Gjerding, please contact Steven Osei at steven.osei@cellpointdigital.com.

About CellPoint Digital

CellPoint Digital is a fintech leader in payment orchestration and optimisation. CellPoint Digital’s main solution is a powerful Payment Orchestration Platform that optimises digital payment transactions from cards or alternative payment methods and accelerates the deployment of new payment options. Merchants can easily scale their own payment ecosystem across the world, unify the customer payment experience across their website, mobile apps and other channels, optimise the routing of each transaction, increase conversion rates and minimise payment costs. CellPoint Digital has offices in Copenhagen, Dallas, Dubai, London, Miami, Pune and Singapore. Visit www.cellpointdigital.com to learn more. 

About Air Europa

Flying since 1986, Air Europa is a Spanish airline and a member of the SkyTeam alliance. The company’s fleet of 52 aircraft is one of the most modern and sustainable in the industry, consisting of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 737 aircrafts that guarantee maximum efficiency and comfort for its passengers. Air Europa flies to more than 55 destinations around the world and has a strategic position in the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport hub, connecting Europe and America. The company stands out for its firm commitment to sustainability and decarbonisation, as well as for its commitment to innovation through the implementation of the most advanced technologies for the digitalisation and optimisation of its processes. In addition, Air Europa offers a high level of excellence to its passengers and is regularly ranked among the most punctual airlines in Europe.

Waterdrop Partners with DeepSeek to Revolutionize Insurance Services with AI-Powered Experts

BEIJING, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Waterdrop Inc. (“Waterdrop” or the “Company”) (NYSE: WDH), a leading technology platform specializing in insurance and healthcare services with a positive social impact, announced its strategic integration of DeepSeek, marking a significant step forward in its AI-driven insurance ecosystem. The collaboration is poised to accelerate the Company’s business growth, enabling innovative breakthroughs in the application of large-scale AI models across specialized insurance scenarios.

By transforming traditional insurance agents into expert consultants, Waterdrop aims to enhance service precision and efficiency. The integration is also expected to lead to the development of intelligent solutions across sales support, quality assurance, risk management, and product innovation, driving a transformative leap in the efficiency of the entire insurance service chain.

“Since its establishment, Waterdrop has been dedicated to leveraging internet technology to promote inclusive insurance and drive the sustainable development of the industry through innovative, productivity-enhancing solutions. The Company is focused on improving the efficiency of the entire insurance service chain,” Shen Peng, founder and CEO of Waterdrop, emphasized the unprecedented opportunities presented by AI industrialization.

“As part of its technology-driven strategy, Waterdrop is actively exploring the deep integration of large-scale AI models into insurance service scenarios, accelerating innovation in product offerings, and continuously refining its solutions to meet the diverse needs of users,” Shen added. “By doing so, Waterdrop aims to empower individuals with access to better healthcare services at more affordable costs, further underscoring its mission to make quality insurance accessible to all.”

Utilizing advanced AI models, Waterdrop’s AI Insurance Expert now supports multi-modal interactions, including voice and text. The system excels in managing complex dialogues and assisting with sales strategies, autonomously handling voice communications and consultations for insurance products, including accident and medical coverage. The AI Insurance Expert, which engages users for up to 50 minutes per session, outperforms entry-level human agents in efficiency, setting a new benchmark for customer service in the insurance industry.

Waterdrop has introduced its Large-scale AI Model Insurance Quality Inspection Solution (“the Solution”) to further regulate and raise insurance service standards. Leveraging contextual semantic understanding and long-text reasoning capabilities, this solution can deeply analyze complex conversations, user intent, and emotional tone while identifying more subtle and intricate quality inspection criteria. The Solution ensures 100% coverage across all channels, including voice interactions and enterprise WeChat chat records, while significantly reducing operational costs. Compared to traditional manual inspections, the AI-driven inspections can lower costs by over 50% compared to traditional manual inspections (excluding initial development costs).

In parallel, Waterdrop is leveraging AI technology and big data analytics to craft personalized insurance solutions designed for specific demographic segments, including the elderly, expectant mothers, and individuals with chronic health conditions. This forward-thinking strategy addresses disparities in healthcare access, empowering historically underserved groups to obtain essential health insurance.

In 2024, Waterdrop introduced 174 tailored insurance products, accounting for more than 92% of its offerings. This transition from generic, one-size-fits-all models to highly targeted and precise product alignment highlights Waterdrop’s dedication to reshaping the insurance industry through innovative, technology-driven approaches.

For more information, please visit: https://www.waterdrop-inc.com/.

KuCoin’s Alicia Kao Leads Insightful Web3 Panel at Hackseason by Metaverse Post

HONG KONG, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a significant gathering at Hackseason, hosted by Metaverse Post (MPost) on February 20th in Hong Kong, Alicia Kao, Managing Director of KuCoin, moderated a compelling panel discussion titled “Where is Web3 Headed in 2025”. The event brought together leading figures from the blockchain and Web3 sectors, including Gracy Chen from Bitget, Jason Lau from OKX, Ryan Kim from Hashed, and Michael Cameron from Vanilla, to explore the trajectory and future implications of Web3 technologies.


The discussion, enriched by the diverse expertise of the panelists, covered a range of critical topics, from the integration of Web3 technologies in traditional industries to the pivotal roles of security, privacy, and consumer adoption in shaping the future of the Web3 ecosystem. Panelists also delved into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Web3, discussing how advancements in blockchain and AI could potentially revolutionize the landscape by 2025.

Alicia Kao facilitated a vibrant exchange of ideas, emphasizing the transformative potential of Web3: “This panel has not only provided a platform to discuss the innovations driving the Web3 space but also highlighted the collaborative approach necessary to navigate its complexities and capitalize on its vast opportunities,” said Alicia.

The event underscored the industry’s dedication to fostering a deeper understanding of Web3 technologies and its commitment to facilitating discussions that propel the industry forward. Hosted by Metaverse Post, renowned for its in-depth coverage of cutting-edge technologies, the panel served as a critical touchpoint for professionals and enthusiasts aiming to stay at the forefront of the digital economy.

About KuCoin 

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is one of the pioneering and most globally recognized technology platforms supporting digital economies, built on a robust foundation of cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure, liquidity solutions, and an exceptional user experience. With a connected user base exceeding 39 million worldwide, KuCoin offers comprehensive digital asset solutions across wallets, trading, wealth management, payments, research, ventures, and AI-powered bots.

KuCoin has garnered accolades such as “Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges” by Forbes and has been recognized among the “Top 50 Global Unicorns” by Hurun in 2024. This recognition reflects its commitment to user-centric principles and core values, which include integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Learn more: https://www.kucoin.com/

DFI Retail Group to Announce 2024 Full Year Financial Results and Host Analyst Presentation Live Webcast


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 February 2025 – DFI Retail Group Holdings Limited will announce its 2024 Full Year Results after market close on 10 March 2025, followed by an analyst presentation live webcast on 11 March 2025.

Date: Tuesday, 11 March 2024

Time: 10:00-11:00 am (Hong Kong Time)

Presented by: Mr. Scott Price, Group Chief Executive and

Mr. Tom van der Lee, Group Chief Financial Officer

Kindly RSVP by completing the form on or before Tuesday, 4 March 2025.

To avoid delays, we encourage participants to log in ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. A replay of the presentation will be available via webcast on DFI Retail Group’s website.

Should you have any queries please email us at DFIComms@DFIretailgroup.com.

Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup #Mannings #Guardian #7-Eleven #Wellcome #MarketPlace #ColdStorage #Giant #IKEA #yuu

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

DFI Retail Group

DFI Retail Group (the ‘Group’) is a leading Asian retailer, driven by its purpose to “Sustainably Serve Asia for Generations with Everyday Moments”. The Group is dedicated to delivering quality, value and exceptional service to Asian consumers through a compelling retail experience, supported by an extensive store network and highly efficient supply chains. The Group, including associates and joint ventures, operates a portfolio of well-known brands across six key divisions: health and beauty, convenience, food, home furnishings, restaurants and other retailing.

Investors
Karen Chan
karen.chan@dfiretailgroup.com
Media
Christine Chung
christine.chung@dfiretailgroup.com

Russia, Laos Clear Over 285 Unexploded Ordnance in Past Three Months

Russia, Laos Clear Over 285 Unexploded Ordnance in Past Three Months
Russia, Laos Clear Over 285 Unexploded Ordnance in Past Three Months

Over the past three months, Lao and Russian military bomb disposal experts removed 285 UXO items from 157,887 square meters of land that have been surveyed and cleared of  Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in Viengxay district, Houaphanh Province.

Out of a planned area of 187,180 square meters, 29,395 square meters still remain to be cleared of UXO. These explosives were removed from an administration office construction site, a school, and farmland in Nakai village, Viengxay district.

These figures were reported at the 3rd monthly meeting on Lao-Russia cooperation in clearing and deactivating UXO held on 15 February in Houaphanh Province.

In addition, 18,367 scrap metals were removed, along with 39 BLU-28 and 1 BLU-24 munitions and 11 weapons.

Unexploded Ordnance in the agricultural land of local people
Unexploded Ordnance in the agricultural land of local people

The goal of UXO clearance is to give the land back to local people for agricultural and construction purposes and to prevent casualties and injuries from unexploded devices, especially among children.

Since 2018, the Laos-Russian army UXO clearance operation has surveyed 170 hectares of land and removed more than 2,300 pieces of ordnance.

Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita, with an estimated 80 million unexploded devices still littered across the country, posing a threat to lives and livelihoods, according to the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector in Laos.These munitions have killed or injured more than 50,000 people since 1964 and continue to claim about 100 victims each year.

The government has set a target to remove all unexploded ordnance by 2030 and has received support from numerous countries and organizations to help fulfill this ambition.

Thunes Expands its Direct Global Network into Taiwan

Thunes’ proprietary Network is now the only real-time alternative to the legacy system for sending payments to bank accounts in Taiwan.

LONDON and SINGAPORE, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, today announced the expansion of its Direct Global Network into Taiwan. This expansion brings Thunes’ Pay-to-Banks payment capabilities to Taiwan, enhancing the company’s cross-border payment services in one of Asia’s most technologically advanced and financially dynamic markets.

With this expansion, Members of Thunes’ Direct Global Network can now provide their customers with real-time payout services into Taiwan in both New Taiwan Dollars (TWD) and United States Dollars (USD). This solution supports all major banks in Taiwan and enables real-time payments to both individual and business bank accounts.

Taiwan is a key hub for international trade and finance, with a strong demand for efficient cross-border payments. According to recent data, in January 2025, Taiwan’s total exports amounted to $38.7 billion, representing a 4.4% increase compared to January 2024. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research’s (TIER) forecast for Taiwan’s 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growth is 3.42%, citing positive factors including increasing investments, solid private consumption and stronger exports. As such, the country’s money influx market continues to grow as Taiwan remains a key trade partner for economies around the world.

Floris de Kort, CEO at Thunes, said: “Expanding Thunes’ proprietary Direct Global Network with our new payments corridor into Taiwan provides our Members with greater speed, control, visibility, protection, and cost efficiencies for real-time cross-border payments in one of Asia’s most vibrant financial markets. This expansion underscores our commitment to global reach and industry-leading Quality of Service through direct connections, enabling our Members to seamlessly process payments worldwide, with the highest transaction success rates.”