Home Blog Page 93

Thai YouTuber Hlun Solo’s Body to Return Home as Family Awaits Autopsy Results

By
Phoudasack Vongsay
-
A picture of Hlun Solo before his pass away. (Photo by Hlun Solo's Instagram)

The body of Thai travel YouTuber Hlun Solo is expected to return to Thailand on 6 August, according to his family, as authorities continue to await the results of an autopsy and toxicology tests following his death in Georgia.

His brother, Somsak Butsri, who posts on Facebook under the name Klose Mos, said the body of Bowornthat Pengsuk, known online as Hlun Solo, would leave Georgia on 5 August and arrive in Thailand the following day after diplomatic and forensic procedures were completed.

In a statement issued on 4 August, the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara said embassy officials, Thai volunteers in Georgia, and representatives from the transport company had inspected the preparation of the body ahead of its return.

The embassy said it had informed the family of the transport schedule and would continue liaising with Georgian authorities regarding the official autopsy, toxicology findings, and the return of Bowornthat’s personal belongings.

In a separate Facebook post, Bowornthat’s brother said Thai authorities had asked Georgian officials to expedite the release of the autopsy and toxicology results. 

He added that the body would undergo a further forensic examination after arriving in Thailand before funeral rites begin, a process expected to take one to two days.

The 27-year-old disappeared while travelling alone in Georgia earlier in July. Thai authorities confirmed his death on 29 July after Georgian officials identified his body.

Hlun Solo had more than 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube, where he documented his solo travels around the world. His disappearance prompted concern among followers before his death was confirmed.

Georgian authorities have not publicly announced a cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Vientiane Court Hands Down 15-Year Sentence in Methamphetamine Ring

By
Thongsavanh Souvannasane
-
The Vientiane Provincial People's Court sentenced eight people to prison terms of up to 15 years over methamphetamine trafficking cases. (Photo: Vientiane Provincial Police)

The Vientiane Provincial People’s Court has sentenced eight people to prison terms of up to 15 years. The rulings, handed down on 31 July, followed convictions on charges of trafficking methamphetamine pills.

According to Vientiane Police, the defendants were arrested in separate operations across Vientiane Province and Vientiane Capital between 2023 and 2025. Quantities of methamphetamine seized ranged from small hauls to several thousand pills in the most serious case.

The court’s toughest sentence went to Bounnam, 25, a farmer from Kasi district who received 15 years of prison term and fined LAK 150 million (about USD 6,600). Police had caught him trafficking 3,240 methamphetamine pills, the largest quantity among the eight cases.

Khok, 42, a laborer from Phonhong district, received seven years in prison and a fine of LAK 46 million (USD 2,000). He had been detained with 612 pills. Faeng, 46, also from Phonhong, was sentenced to six years in prison and fined over a similar quantity. She was the only woman among the defendants.

The remaining five defendants each received five-year prison terms and fines. Most were farmers and laborers from Phonhong, Hinheup and Sangthong district in Vientiane Capital, convicted of trafficking smaller quantities of methamphetamine.

Growing List

The sentencing follows a series of tough rulings handed down by the same court in April.

In one case, a 32-year-old Lao man was sentenced to death over methamphetamine trafficking. On the same day, two Vietnamese nationals were sentenced to five and seven years in prison respectively, also over methamphetamine pill trafficking.

The case also adds to a growing list of drug prosecutions in Laos, where authorities have intensified enforcement in recent years.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone told the National Assembly in July that Laos arrested 4,025 suspects in connection with 1,786 drug cases during the first six months of 2026.

Recent months have also seen a string of major seizures, including more than 10 million methamphetamine pills confiscated in Vientiane in June, one of the city’s largest drug busts in recent years, and 1.3 million methamphetamine tablets seized in Bolikhamxay Province in July.

Beyond enforcement, the government said it had admitted 7,046 people to drug rehabilitation centres nationwide in the first half of the year, of whom 2,769 completed treatment.

Officials have described tackling drug trafficking and addiction as one of the country’s national priorities

Agoda and GSTC Expand Sustainable Tourism Academy to South Korea with Korean Language Support

By
Advertorial Desk
-

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) jointly announce the expansion of the Sustainable Tourism Academy into South Korea with full Korean language support.

The milestone comes as the Academy celebrates its first anniversary and surpasses 3,000 registered users as it continues its mission to support hospitality professionals across the region in building practical knowledge on more sustainable tourism, based on the GSTC Hotel Standard.

Since its launch one year ago, the Sustainable Tourism Academy has become an important resource for hospitality professionals seeking to advance sustainable practices across Asia. With Korean language now available, the Academy further strengthens its ability to serve South Korea’s diverse hospitality sector.

Dr. Mihee Kang, Chief Assurance Officer at GSTC, said: “The Sustainable Tourism Academy’s expansion demonstrates how knowledge-sharing and private sector collaboration can accelerate meaningful transformation. By bringing this training to Korean hospitality professionals, we’re equipping them with the knowledge to lead in more sustainable tourism practices that strengthen South Korea’s market position globally.”

The Academy has collectively reached over 3,500 industry professionals to date through both digital and in-person training programs. Academy users represent a diverse cross-section of the region’s hospitality sector, from professionals at leading global hotel groups like Accor Group, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and ONYX Hospitality Group, to independent operators and hospitality students from institutions such as the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management.

Alex Park, Country Director for Korea at Agoda, said: “South Korea has established itself as a world-class tourism destination, and a focus on sustainability is essential to maintaining that excellence as the industry continues to evolve. By making the Sustainable Tourism Academy accessible in Korean, Agoda is investing in our partners’ success, empowering them to adopt practices that resonate with global travelers and strengthen their business resilience. This reflects our commitment to supporting long-term growth for our partners and the destinations they serve.”

The Academy now supports seven languages: English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean. The most popular courses include GSTC Standards & Performance Indicators, GSTC Certification, and Developing a Sustainable Policy and Strategy, reflecting the sector’s strong interest in both foundational sustainability knowledge and practical implementation.

Prospective learners can enroll in the Sustainable Tourism Academy, with courses now available in Korean, at https://sustainabletourismacademy.org/.

EM Services and SPTel Partner to Advance Smart Estate Management Through Digital Connectivity and IoT Solutions

By
Advertorial Desk
-

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 August 2026 – EM Services and SPTel will formalise a strategic partnership to explore and deploy digital solutions that support smart estate management operations across Singapore, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 6 August 2026.

The MOU signing will take place during the 29th SME Infocomm Commerce Conference (SMEICC), organised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) and held from 5 to 6 August 2026 at Suntec Singapore.

The collaboration brings together EM Services’ expertise in estate management with SPTel’s digital infrastructure capabilities, including resilient connectivity and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

As a first project under the partnership, EM Services and SPTel have deployed a Smart Rodent Monitoring solution at selected estates, with technology support from Cre8tec. The solution uses connected sensors and digital technologies to enable proactive monitoring of rodent activity, resulting in more timely intervention and more hygienic common spaces.

Beyond rodent monitoring, the partnership will explore how connectivity, IoT and emerging technologies can support future estate management applications. Potential areas include utilities monitoring, environmental monitoring and other smart estate solutions designed to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

The collaboration also enables EM Services to work with industry partners, innovators and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to identify and pilot new technologies that can be scaled up to benefit estate operations and residents.

Through this partnership, EM Services and SPTel aim to deliver tangible benefits for both operations and residents, including:
  • Faster detection of estate issues
  • Faster response and resolution times
  • Better use of manpower and resources
  • Better services and living environments for residents

“At EM Services, we are continually exploring ways to enhance estate operations and improve the living environment for residents. Our partnership with SPTel brings together operational expertise and digital connectivity to support more proactive estate management. Starting with smart rodent monitoring, we look forward to exploring how technology and innovation can help us respond faster, deploy resources more effectively and deliver better outcomes for the communities we serve.”
Jen Tan
CEO
EM Services

“We are honoured to be selected by EM Services to power the next generation of smart townships in Singapore. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing digital infrastructure as a foundational pillar for more connected, responsive, and sustainable communities.

By leveraging SPTel’s IoT-as-a-Service platform, LoRaWAN-enabled sensor network, edge cloud capabilities, and resilient connectivity, we are enabling the rapid deployment and scalable growth of smart township solutions. Together, we will turn data into actionable insights that deliver tangible outcomes and improve the quality of life for residents across Singapore”
Ernest Lee
Chief Executive Officer
SPTel

Hashtag: #EMServices #SPTel

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

About EM Services

EM Services is a leading integrated estate and facilities management company in Singapore, trusted by Town Councils and clients to manage complex estates and facilities. With nearly four decades of experience, the company combines deep operational experience with a broad range of technical and professional expertise, supported by established systems, technology and extensive on-the-ground operations. Through strong partnerships and operational excellence, EM Services supports reliable service delivery and safer, cleaner and greener environments for the communities its clients serve.

For more information, please visit .

About SPTel

SPTel uses unique fibre pathways laid alongside the power network cables to deliver resilient, business class digital services. As a leading provider of next-generation telecommunications and digital solutions SPTel places a strong focus on innovation and reliability. This enables SPTel to deliver secure and scalable connectivity, edge cloud, IoT-as-a-Service, Quantum-Safe Networking and managed security solutions to businesses, government agencies, and service providers. SPTel is committed to driving digital transformation by providing cutting-edge technologies and exceptional customer experiences.

For more information, please visit .

Agoda and GSTC Expand Sustainable Tourism Academy to Japan with Japanese Language Support

By
Advertorial Desk
-

TOKYO, Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) jointly announce the expansion of the Sustainable Tourism Academy into the Japanese market with full Japanese language support.

The milestone comes as the Academy celebrates its first anniversary and surpasses 3,000 registered users as it continues its mission to support hospitality professionals across the region in building practical knowledge on more sustainable tourism, based on the GSTC Hotel Standard.

Since its launch one year ago, the Sustainable Tourism Academy has become an important resource for hospitality professionals seeking to advance sustainable practices across Asia. With Japanese language now available, the Academy further strengthens its ability to serve Japan’s diverse hospitality sector.

Dr. Soohyun Kwon, GSTC Senior Research Specialist and Japan Director, said: “Education is the cornerstone of sustainable transformation. This partnership between Agoda and GSTC exemplifies how the private sector can drive meaningful change across Asia. By making world-class sustainable tourism training accessible in Japanese, hospitality professionals now have the resources to lead in more sustainable practices. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with Agoda and all learners who are part of this journey.”

The Academy has collectively reached over 3,500 industry professionals to date through both digital and in-person training programs. Academy users represent a diverse cross-section of the region’s hospitality sector, from professionals at leading global hotel groups like Accor Group, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and ONYX Hospitality Group, to independent operators and hospitality students from institutions such as the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management.

Tadashi Ikai, Senior Country Director, Agoda International Japan, said: “Japan’s tourism industry is a vital pillar of the nation’s economy, and upskilling more sustainable practices is key to its future growth. By making the Sustainable Tourism Academy accessible in Japanese, Agoda is committed to supporting our partners—from major brands to family-run businesses—in building more sustainable practices that will strengthen Japan’s global reputation as a responsible travel destination. This initiative reflects our responsibility to the communities and environments that make Japan beautiful.”

The Academy now supports seven languages: English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean. The most popular courses include GSTC Standards & Performance Indicators, GSTC Certification, and Developing a Sustainable Policy and Strategy, reflecting the sector’s strong interest in both foundational sustainability knowledge and practical implementation.

Prospective learners can enroll in the Sustainable Tourism Academy, with courses now available in Japanese, at https://sustainabletourismacademy.org/.

UNISOC Lyric Audio: Redefining the Listening Experience

By
Advertorial Desk
-

SHANGHAI, Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From voice calls to intelligent interaction, from music enjoyment to vlog creation, audio is no longer mere signal processing — it has become the invisible infrastructure of the digital era. As user expectations for sound that is “clear, authentic, and immersive” continue to rise, audio technology is moving from behind the scenes to center stage.

As a leading force in mobile chipsets, UNISOC is leveraging UNISOC Lyric Audio technology to deepen its capabilities across four major scenarios — calling, interaction, playback, and recording — making sound a digital bond that connects, heals, and empowers creation.

Device-Edge AI Intelligent Voice: A More Natural Voice Interaction Experience

The device-edge AI intelligent voice capability of UNISOC Lyric Audio builds a complete on-device pipeline spanning wake-up, recognition, and understanding. Built on this technology framework, voice capabilities are deployed deeply on the device itself — from voice wake-up and voiceprint recognition to speech recognition and semantic understanding, all completed locally. This reduces reliance on the cloud and delivers an always-responsive, stable, and reliable interaction experience.

Specifically, the full-pipeline low-power voice wake-up technology adopts a software-hardware co-design to achieve ultra-low-power standby wake-up, keeping the device “always ready.”

Voiceprint recognition precisely matches the user’s voiceprint features against the enrolled voiceprint, providing localized protection for identity authentication and effectively reducing the risk of privacy leakage.

The command word recognition engine responds rapidly to basic voice commands, with recognition accuracy at an industry-leading level.

On-device automatic speech recognition (ASR) completes recognition processing without uploading voice data to the cloud, significantly reducing dependence on the network.

Lightweight natural language understanding (NLP) intelligently classifies user voice intents and accurately extracts key information from complex commands. It currently supports 400 common expressions across six core control scenarios, including music, brightness, and volume, helping terminal devices upgrade to a safer, more natural, and lower-latency voice interaction experience.

AI All-Scenario Noise Reduction: Clearer Voice, Purer Communication

AI all-scenario noise reduction covers all service scenarios, including cellular calls, VoIP, and recording. It innovatively offers multi-tier solutions — lightweight AI voice enhancement, flagship AI vocal prominence, and AI voiceprint noise reduction — flexibly matching terminal requirements from mainstream to flagship.

Among them, the lightweight AIECNR 1.0/2.0 solution is deployed on a dedicated audio ADSP chip, tackling everyday environmental noise with extremely low power consumption and latency. Combining AI noise reduction with echo suppression, it effectively overcomes the echo cancellation challenge in double-talk scenarios and has been validated in mass production in multiple leading customer projects.

For more demanding requirements, the flagship AI vocal prominence solution supports both cellular calls and VoIP scenarios with echo and noise reduction capabilities. It delivers stronger suppression of complex noises such as road noise and tapping sounds, significantly improving voice restoration quality in noisy environments such as subways and shopping malls — making voices stand out and communication clearer.

AI voiceprint noise reduction leverages enrolled voiceprint information and neural network capabilities to precisely separate and enhance the target speaker’s voice from mixed audio, effectively filtering out ambient noise and other people’s voices.

Built on UNISOC’s software-hardware co-designed platform capabilities, AI all-scenario noise reduction ensures that users always enjoy clear voice and pure communication across every scenario.

AI Voice Communication Enhancement: Smooth Communication Even in Weak-Network Scenarios

For extreme weak-network scenarios such as satellite communication, off-grid communication, and emergency rescue, UNISOC integrates two core capabilities — AI Codec (AI-powered codec) and AI PLC (AI packet loss concealment) — to ensure smooth and clear calls even in the most challenging environments.

AI Codec intelligent voice coding/decoding technology introduces AI generative reconstruction, breaking through the bandwidth limits of traditional voice codecs and achieving equivalent voice quality at only 30% of the bitrate of conventional solutions. In satellite communication scenarios, it effectively compensates for severe signal attenuation caused by mountain obstruction, cloud cover, and building blockage. In terrestrial off-grid communication scenarios, AI Codec significantly extends communication range at equivalent voice quality compared with traditional codec solutions, and greatly improves connection rates and call quality in extreme long-range conditions.

Meanwhile, AI PLC intelligent packet loss concealment targets all kinds of weak-network scenarios — whether fluctuating satellite links, the edge of off-grid communication range, or weak cellular signals. When network instability causes voice data loss, it predicts and reconstructs the missing voice segments in real time, keeping speech natural and continuous, without stuttering or interruption.

Together, AI Codec and AI PLC form an end-to-end voice communication enhancement technology with dual weak-network resilience — “ultra-low-bitrate transmission plus intelligent packet loss concealment.” It can widely serve critical scenarios such as field exploration, ocean operations, mountain rescue, and extreme-weather emergency response, enabling users in remote or critical environments to enjoy a reliable, clear, and uninterrupted voice communication experience.

AI Ultrasonic Fused Proximity Sensing: Accidental-Touch Prevention During Calls, Redefining Value with Chips

AI ultrasonic fused proximity sensing reuses the phone’s earpiece and microphone to transmit and receive customized high-frequency ultrasound, and fuses real-time sensor data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and more. During calls and VoIP scenarios, it accurately determines the relative position between the phone and the user’s face, intelligently turning the screen on and off. This solution not only delivers an experience upgrade featuring a hole-free design, strong interference resistance, and high precision, but also further optimizes terminal costs:

  • Hole-free integrated design: supports hole-free full-screen solutions, increases the screen-to-body ratio, and gives the device a cleaner, purer appearance;
  • Superior environmental interference resistance: operates reliably even under complex conditions such as strong ambient light or a smudged screen;
  • Precise and responsive, free from false triggers: ultrasound combined with motion and posture recognition effectively reduces the probability of false screen on/off judgments;
  • Ultimate cost optimization: hardware reuse reduces dependence on additional components, allows more flexible screen selection, and strengthens the terminal’s cost advantage.

This feature is about to enter mass production on the T7300 platform. Leveraging the platform’s powerful software-hardware co-design capabilities, the solution offers end-to-end advantages of high integration, low power consumption, and easy deployment.

UNISOC AI Ultrasonic Fused Proximity Sensing
UNISOC AI Ultrasonic Fused Proximity Sensing

Diverse Audio Scenarios: A Complete All-Scenario Solution

Beyond the core technologies above, UNISOC Lyric Audio also delivers leading capabilities across diverse scenarios, including wireless audio, audio recording, audio playback, and gaming audio.

  • For wireless audio, the solution is capable of Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification and supports wireless audio transmission, spatial audio characteristic tuning, and Bluetooth LE Audio;
  • For audio recording, in addition to noise reduction, it provides an integrated audio-visual solution that includes HDR recording, Audio Zoom, and Audio Focus;
  • For audio playback, it supports end-to-end playback algorithms covering high-volume output, speaker control, and other technologies;
  • For gaming audio, it supports customer customization needs, offering a complete solution that includes in-game AI voice enhancement, gaming sound effects, a low-latency gaming audio path, and intelligent gaming power management.

Built on UNISOC’s integrated software-hardware audio platform, UNISOC Lyric Audio has established four core technologies — AI all-scenario noise reduction, device-edge AI intelligent voice, AI voice communication enhancement, and AI ultrasonic fused proximity sensing — together with a complete all-scenario solution covering recording, playback, and gaming audio.

Going forward, UNISOC Lyric Audio will continue to advance its AI audio capabilities, evolving the audio experience from “clear and pleasant” toward “intelligent perception, natural interaction, and all-scenario adaptation,” bringing users a smarter and more immersive next-generation audio experience.

Note: The data in this article comes from UNISOC laboratories.

Vinhomes Green Paradise receives Smart City Certification based on the Global Iso 37122 Standard

By
Advertorial Desk
-

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 August 2026 – The World Council on City Data (WCCD) has officially awarded Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio the InterimCustom ISO 37122Smart CityCertification. This milestone marks another significant step in Vinhomes Green Paradise’s journey toward becoming the first mega urban development in Vietnam to achieve an internationally recognized smart city certification, setting new benchmarks for sustainable urban development on a global scale.

Vinhomes Green Paradise receives Smart City Certification based on the Global Iso 37122 Standard

The certification recognizes the substantial progress Vinhomes Green Paradise has made in advancing its smart city development in alignment with international standards. WCCD acknowledged that the project has achieved remarkable progress in its design, planning, and development strategy. This WCCD Certification serves as an important foundation for the project as it advances toward Full Certification upon commencement of operations.

The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification follows a comprehensive assessment conducted by the WCCD and based upon the customized indicators framework WCCD specifically developed for greenfield development projects. The framework incorporates the core principles of ISO 37122, one of the world’s most respected international standards for measuring and evaluating smart city performance.

Dr. Patricia McCarney, President & CEO of the World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director of Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM), stated: “This WCCD InterimCustom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification recognizes Vinhomes’ long-term vision and commitment to developing a smart, sustainable, and future-ready urban model. The Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio urban development project is now equipped with a powerful baseline of data designed to propel success, providing a strong foundation for year-over-year monitoring of development goals in smart urban governance, infrastructure development, technology adoption and sustainability, ensuring Full ISO 37122 Certification once operations commence. We congratulate Vinhomes on this important certification milestone, a global first, setting a new precedent for greenfield developments in cities worldwide.“

Mr. Chulse Oh, Head of AX Group at Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC), commented: “The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification marks an important milestone in realizing the vision of a world-class smart city in Vietnam. KMAC will continue to support the project in developing smart city solutions and implementation strategies and refining the criteria for a comprehensive smart city model during the operational phase.”

In March 2026, Vinhomes Green Paradise officially launched its Smart City Certification Project in partnership with WCCD, SUM, and KMAC. Under the agreed roadmap, the Interim Custom Certification represents the first major milestone in the process of assessing and refining the criteria for a comprehensive smart city model aligned with international standards.

Vinhomes Green Paradise benefits from a unique geographical setting, overlooking the Can Gio Sea and adjacent to the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, which spans over 75,000 hectares. The development features a total area of 2,870 hectares, and a construction density of only 16%. Vinhomes is pioneering the project under its enhanced ESG++ model, structured around five pillars: Environment, Social, Governance, Regeneration, and Climate Adaptation.

Upon full operation, the entire urban management system will be greened, with the goal of utilizing 100% clean electricity generated from renewable energy sources and achieving 100% net-zero emission transportation. In addition to strict compliance with environmental protection standards, the project places a strong emphasis on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem regeneration, aligned with Ho Chi Minh City’s climate adaptation strategy.

To support these efforts, a Forest Regeneration and Climate Adaptation Fund will be established to finance research, restoration, and long-term resilience initiatives. A key focus of the fund is the regeneration of the Can Gio mangrove ecosystem, helping to create a protective green belt for the entire development.

With its pioneering ESG++ vision, Vinhomes Green Paradise has become the first Official Participant in the “7 Wonders of the Future Cities” campaign initiated by New7Wonders.

The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification further reinforces Vinhomes Green Paradise’s pioneering vision in advancing a smart and sustainable urban model that meets international standards, while progressing toward becoming a benchmark future city for the region and the world.

Hashtag: #Vinhomes

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

About Vinhomes

Vinhomes is Vietnam’s leading real estate investment, development, and management company. It currently operates 32 urban developments while expanding its portfolio of flagship projects across strategically important provinces and cities nationwide. By integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles with modern, highly connected infrastructure, Vinhomes is creating world-class integrated townships and megacities that are redefining Vietnam’s real estate market, driving sustainable development, and elevating the country’s urban landscape to international standards.

About the World Council on City Data (WCCD):

Established in Canada in 2014, the World Council on City Data (WCCD) is committed to helping cities and communities of all sizes globally embrace ISO standardized, independently verified, and globally comparable city data. The organization facilitates data-driven decision-making processes in management, planning, and investment, enabling cities to become more sustainable, safe, resilient, prosperous, inclusive, and smart.

The WCCD team of professionals spearheaded the development and implementation of three international standards on city data, which have been published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Geneva. These standards, referred to as the WCCD ISO 37120 Series on City Data, encompass ISO 37120 (Indicators for Sustainable Cities), ISO 37122 (Indicators for Smart Cities), and ISO 37123 (Indicators for Resilient Cities).

Since its inception, the WCCD has been expanding its global network of cities dedicated to high-caliber data. The WCCD collaborates with more than 125 cities across 40 different countries.

About Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM):

Cities worldwide are taking centre stage in the drive toward sustainable development and the prosperity of nations. Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) is designed to build on the strengths of its rapidly expanding global network of city leaders, senior levels of government officials, private capital market professionals and key international organizations and industry innovators dedicated to securing a better future for cities.

SUM’s service provision spans services connected to the ISO 37120 Series (ISO 37120 – Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life, ISO 37122 – Indicators for Smart Cities and ISO 37123 – Indicators for Resilient Cities) in partnership with the World Council on City Data (WCCD). The SUM team work with city leaders and private developers to customize these ISO certifications for new greenfield developments – new cities, new business districts and new communities.

SUM houses a new global first – the ISO 37125 International Standard on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Indicators for Cities and Regions. The SUM ISO 37125 certification protocol supports cities to report ESG city level data in conformity with the ISO globally standardized definitions and methodologies. SUM’s third-party verification process ensures the highest calibre data for cities across the globe. This Standard provides city leaders, governments, and the private sector with a robust, data-driven framework to guide ESG initiatives, drive infrastructure investment, attract investment, create and implement strategic planning decisions, propel innovation, and ensure socially inclusive planning and management. SUM is welcoming cities to join an exciting global cohort of World Premiere Cities – the first ISO 37125-certified cities.

SUM establishes a global hub for innovative learning partnerships among leaders of cities and private capital markets. Together, SUM and its partners foster innovation, imagine alternative futures, and create more livable cities. Certification by SUM underscores a collective commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future for cities and regions.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Patricia McCarney
President & CEO, World Council on City Data (WCCD) and
Director, Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM)

About KMAC

Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC) is one of Asia’s leading management consulting firms, delivering end-to-end capabilities from strategy formulation and transformation design to operational implementation and performance improvement. For decades, KMAC has served as a trusted innovation partner to the Korean government, public institutions, and leading private-sector enterprises, helping shape and execute initiatives that strengthen national competitiveness, modernize industries, and advance digital and AI transformation, sustainability, and organizational excellence. By combining deep sector expertise, rigorous strategic insight, and proven execution capabilities with an extensive regional network, KMAC enables clients to convert ambitious visions into actionable roadmaps, measurable operational outcomes, and sustainable growth across Asia and global markets.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Young Hwan Park
Team Lead of Asia Business Center,
Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC)
Davidpark819@kmac.co.kr

GAC Joins Chelsea Football Club as an Official Pre-Season Tour Partner in Hong Kong and Malaysia

By
Advertorial Desk
-

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GAC is proud to be one of Chelsea FC’s Official Pre-Season Tour Partners in Hong Kong and Malaysia. As part of this partnership, GAC will back the Men’s First Team across both tour destinations.


As one of the most successful Premier League clubs of the 21st century, Chelsea FC boasts a passionate global fan base. This pre-season tour marks the club’s return to the Asia-Pacific region, with the Men’s First Team set to play high-profile fixtures across Australia, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia and Malaysia. Chelsea FC will face Italian giants Juventus at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium on 5 August before taking on Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor Bahru on 9 August. The two fixtures provide an exciting platform for GAC and Chelsea FC to engage with football fans across the region.

As a Fortune Global 500 company, GAC has continued to accelerate its global expansion in recent years. Through collaborations with renowned football clubs, including Sydney FC (Australia), Deportivo Toluca (Mexico), Flamengo (Brazil), and Millonarios (Colombia), GAC has further enhanced its international brand influence.

This partnership is underpinned by GAC’s growing presence in Hong Kong (China) and Malaysia. In Hong Kong, GAC ranked No.1 in the private electric vehicle market in April 2026, while its cumulative market share exceeded 10% during the first half of the year, further reinforcing its leadership in the city’s new energy vehicle sector. Meanwhile, the GS3 EMZOOM and EMKOO, locally assembled in Malaysia through CKD production, have continued to gain strong market recognition among local consumers.

GAC stated that the speed, passion and team spirit embodied in football closely align with the brand’s pursuit of driving excellence and its unwavering commitment to exceeding customer expectations. By partnering with a world-class football club like Chelsea FC, GAC aims to enhance its brand presence across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, showcasing its innovation, quality and commitment to smarter mobility. Looking ahead, GAC will continue to strengthen its global footprint through innovation, quality and collaboration, creating greener, smarter and more sustainable mobility solutions for customers worldwide.

1...929394...6,482Page 93 of 6,482