Asia Insider

Hong Kong SMEs Accelerate Transformation as AI and Northern Metropolis Unlock New Opportunities, Dah Sing Bank Survey

2026-07-15T03:03:02Z

Capability and Resource Gaps Limit Growth Potential As Firms Explore the New Economy

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – Dah Sing Bank, Limited (“Dah Sing Bank”) revealed in its latest SME Survey that Hong Kong SMEs are accelerating digital and business transformation, actively exploring opportunities arising from artificial intelligence (AI) and developments in the Northern Metropolis, and seeking new growth drivers in the evolving economic landscape.

Dah Sing Bank remains committed to staying close to the needs of SMEs and understanding the challenges and directions of their business transformation journey. To gain deeper insights into these trends, the Bank commissioned a survey[1] in May 2026 through a major local media outlet, interviewing over 340 Hong Kong SMEs to understand how businesses are navigating current challenges and evolving strategies, while examining their plans and needs in areas such as AI adoption, Northern Metropolis opportunities and business upgrading.

Transformation Gains Momentum
The Survey shows that around 23% of enterprises have already adopted AI or generative AI (GenAI) in their operations, while a further 32% plan to do so within the next one to two years, indicating a growing transformation momentum. At the same time, nearly 70% of respondents believe that developments in the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao-Hong Kong Science Park are relevant to their future businesses, reflecting strong interest in participating in the evolving new economy.

AI Adoption Still at an Early Stage
In terms of AI applications, SMEs are currently focusing on relatively accessible use cases such as marketing and content creation (56%) and customer service (42%), with some also applying AI in sales support (35%) and data analysis (30%).

In contrast, adoption remains limited in more advanced areas such as process automation or workflow improvement (14%), suggesting that overall AI usage among SMEs is still at an early stage and has yet to be fully integrated into core business operations.

Capability Gaps Limit Transformation
The Survey also highlights significant challenges in advancing AI adoption. Around 45% of SMEs have yet to implement AI technologies, with more than half citing a lack of relevant knowledge or skills (57%) as a key barrier. In addition, 38% pointed to unclear return on investment, while others indicated the absence of suitable use cases (29%) or insufficient time and resources to explore further (24%).

These findings suggest that gaps in capabilities, resource allocation and application planning remain major constraints on SMEs’ ability to scale up transformation initiatives.

Business Models and Talent Needs Evolve
SMEs are also advancing their digitalisation efforts, with widespread adoption of social media marketing (51%), e-commerce platforms (43%) and electronic payment solutions (50%), reflecting a shift towards more flexible, multi-channel business models.

As AI adoption gradually expands, workforce requirements are also evolving. About one-quarter of respondents indicated that AI would shift employees towards higher value-added roles, while around one in five expect increased demand for new skills and talent. This suggests a gradual transition towards more knowledge- and technology-driven operating models.

Northern Metropolis Opens New Opportunities
Regarding developments in the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao-Hong Kong Park, SMEs generally prefer to participate as service providers and supporting partners within the broader ecosystem. This includes offering specialised services or solutions to companies in the area (44%), collaborating with research institutions or technology firms (29%), and participating in pilot projects or proof-of-concept programmes (25%).

In addition, some SMEs plan to provide products and services to future residents, businesses and workers in the district (51%), or take part in construction and infrastructure-related supply chains (36%). These responses indicate that SMEs are actively identifying entry points aligned with their strengths to integrate into emerging industry ecosystems.

Dah Sing Bank Supports SMEs Transformation
To address the challenges of transformation, Dah Sing Bank recognises that SMEs not only need financial support but also practical and clear directional guidance. The Bank adopts a holistic approach, offering flexible financing solutions to meet evolving business needs, while streamlining digital banking processes and enhancing cross-border financial services to improve SMEs’ operational efficiency and agility.

In addition, Dah Sing Bank places strong emphasis on equipping SMEs with relevant market insights and practical knowledge. These initiatives include providing the latest market trends and business tips via the Bank’s online educational platform, the “SME Info Hub”. Additionally, the Bank organises tailored SME seminars through its “328 Business School” educational platform on various topics such as AI technology and digital marketing. Together, these efforts aim to help businesses deepen their understanding of emerging technologies and market developments, enabling them to navigate an increasingly dynamic economic landscape.

Dah Sing Bank Deputy Chief Executive, Senior Executive Director and Head of Group Personal Banking, Ms Phoebe Wong, said: “The Survey shows that Hong Kong SMEs are increasingly exploring AI applications and opportunities in the new economy. However, many businesses continue to face challenges in technology adoption and resource allocation. Dah Sing Bank has long been a trusted partner to SMEs on their transformation journey. Beyond providing flexible financing solutions, we are committed to offering market insights and a range of value-added services that help businesses strengthen their understanding of new technologies and market trends, equipping them with the relevant capabilities. By combining financial services with real-world support, we aim to empower SMEs to capture opportunities arising from AI and the Northern Metropolis, and to achieve sustainable growth.”

[1] The Survey was conducted through online questionnaires from May 19 to 29, 2026, interviewing 343 Hong Kong SMEs.

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Hashtag: #DahSingBank

https://www.dahsing.com/html/en/index.html

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

About Dah Sing Bank

Dah Sing Bank, Limited (the “Bank”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dah Sing Banking Group, Limited (HKG:2356). Founded in Hong Kong over 75 years ago, the Bank has been providing quality banking products and services to its customers with a vision to be “The Local Bank with a Personal Touch”. Over the years, the Bank has been rigorous in delivering on its brand tagline to grow with its customers in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond – “Together We Progress and Prosper”. Building on our experience and solid foundation in the industry, our scope of professional services now spans retail banking, private banking, business and commercial banking. Meanwhile, the Bank is also making significant investments in its digital banking capabilities to stay abreast with smart banking developments in Hong Kong and to support financial inclusion at large.

In addition to its Hong Kong banking operations, the Bank has wholly-owned subsidiaries including Dah Sing Bank (China) Limited, Banco Comercial de Macau, S.A., and OK Finance Limited. It is also a strategic shareholder of Bank of Chongqing with a shareholding of about 13.5%. Dah Sing Bank and its subsidiaries now have 63 operating locations in Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese Mainland.

A SIM Guide to Comparing Graduate Salaries and Employability in Singapore

2026-07-15T03:03:01Z

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – As students and parents in Singapore evaluate higher education pathways, employability, starting salary and return on investment are increasingly important considerations. A degree is often assessed not only by academic interest, but also by how it supports entry into the workforce and future career development.

Graduate salary data provides useful guidance, but it should not be read in isolation. Starting salary is one indicator of return on investment. It should be considered alongside employment rates, full-time permanent employment, industry pathways, career support, programme fit and long-term skills relevance.

For students considering Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE), SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page provides a reference point for understanding graduate outcomes. The page explains how SIM graduates have performed in the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey (PEI GES), where they have worked, and how SIM supports students in building career readiness.

Why the PEI Graduate Employment Survey matters
For students considering private education pathways, the PEI Graduate Employment Survey (GES) is an important reference because it provides employment and salary outcomes for graduates from registered private education institutions.

The 2024/2025 PEI GES focused on economically active fresh graduates who graduated between May 2024 and April 2025 from full-time Bachelor’s level External Degree Programmes. The survey covered about 6,150 full-time graduates across 26 private education institutions, with a response rate of 61.6 per cent, and was conducted from October 2025 to January 2026.

Among 2,600 economically active PEI fresh graduate respondents in the labour force, 78.9 per cent secured employment within six months of graduation. The median gross monthly salary for PEI fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment remained stable at S$3,500.

This makes the PEI GES useful for students and parents who want to compare graduate outcomes within the private education sector. It also allows SIM’s graduate outcome data to be read against a broader PEI sector benchmark.

What SIM graduate outcome data shows
SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page reports that SIM fresh graduate respondents recorded 81.0 per cent secured employment, 77.9 per cent currently employed, 47.0 per cent in full-time permanent employment and a median gross monthly salary of S$3,565. The page attributes these figures to Skills & Workforce Development Agency 2024/2025 PEI GES.

Indicator	SIM	Avg of All PEI (include SIM)
Secured employment	81.0%	78.9%
Full-time permanent employment	47.0%	46.9%
Median gross monthly salary	S$3,565	S$3,500

This comparison places SIM’s graduate outcomes at the top spectrum of the PEI sector. It also shows why employability should be assessed through more than one indicator. Secured employment, full-time permanent employment and median gross monthly salary each provide a different view of graduate outcomes.

Secured employment indicates whether graduates entered work, accepted job offers or were taking steps to start a business venture. Full-time permanent employment provides a view of stable employment. Median gross monthly salary shows the middle salary point among full-time permanently employed graduates.

Where SIM graduates have worked
SIM graduates have entered a range of sectors, including aviation, aerospace and engineering, airline and tourism, banking and financial services, information and communications technology, cybersecurity, insurance, consumer services, public sector and government, consulting and professional services, healthcare, logistics, transportation, retail and manufacturing.

These employer destinations are relevant because students are not only selecting a degree. They are also considering possible pathways into industries, job functions and future career options. A business-related pathway may support roles in banking, consulting, retail, logistics or entrepreneurship. A technology-related pathway may lead to opportunities in information and communications technology, cybersecurity, data, digital services or business technology roles.

How students should compare salary, employability and ROI
A practical approach to comparing degree options is to consider four areas: relevance, return, readiness and resilience.

Factor	What to consider
Relevance	Does the degree connect to industries that are hiring?
Return	What do employment and salary outcomes show?
Readiness	What career support, internship guidance and employer exposure are available?
Resilience	Can the skills support future career changes?

This approach helps students avoid selecting a degree based only on the highest salary benchmark. While starting salary is an important consideration, long-term value also depends on whether the student can build relevant skills, gain experience and adapt to changes in the labour market.

How SIM supports employability
SIM supports students through career preparation and employer engagement, including résumé writing, interview preparation, job search guidance, career fairs, employer talks, recruitment events, internship search guidance and workshops that build communication, teamwork, problem-solving and professional confidence.

Such support is relevant to return on investment because employability is influenced not only by the qualification awarded, but also by how prepared students are to enter the workforce. Career readiness, employer exposure and workplace skills can support the transition from study to employment.

Conclusion
Graduate starting salary is an important consideration for students and parents assessing higher education options in Singapore. However, it should not be the only measure used to evaluate a degree pathway.

A more balanced assessment considers employment rates, full-time permanent employment, median gross monthly salary, industry pathways, career support and long-term skills relevance. This provides a broader view of how a higher education pathway may support employability and future career development.

When read together with the PEI Graduate Employment Survey, national salary benchmarks and SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page, graduate outcome data can help students and parents make more informed decisions about salary expectations, employability and return on investment.

References

SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/parent-resource-hub/graduate-outcome-employability
SWDA PEI Graduate Employment Survey 2024/2025 – https://www.swda.gov.sg/home/skills-career-resources/private-education-resources/graduate-employment-survey/2024-2025
Employment Outcome for PEI Graduates – https://www.swda.gov.sg/home/newsroom/employment-outcomes-for-private-education-institution-graduates-remain-stable-in-2024-2025
SIM Career Service – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

https://www.sim.edu.sg/

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

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit www.sim.edu.sg

SBI Global Asset Management and DigiFT Launch JX, Bringing a Japanese Asset Manager’s Equity Strategy On-Chain for the First Time

2026-07-15T03:02:59Z

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – DigiFT, a regulated digital asset exchange for institutional-grade real-world assets (“RWAs”), and SBI Global Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“SBI GAM”), a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, Inc., today announced the launch of the SBI Japan High Dividend Equity Strategy Token (“JX token”), a token designed to provide accredited or institutional investors with on-chain access to a Japanese high-dividend equity fund strategy managed by SBI Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“SBI AM”) which is a subsidiary of SBI GAM. The launch marks the first time a Japanese asset manager’s listed-equity strategy is brought on-chain through DigiFT’s regulated tokenization and distribution infrastructure.

The launch comes as investor attention returns to Japanese equities, supported by the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s continued push for listed companies to improve capital efficiency and demonstrate greater awareness of share-price performance.It also reflects a broader evolution in tokenization: the value of tokenized RWAs distributed on public blockchains grew from USD 5.9 billion to USD 21.9 billion globally in 2025, moving the category beyond cash-like instruments and into actively managed public-market strategies. DigiFT was an early mover in this shift, launching a tokenized U.S. equity income fund developed with BNY in January 2026. This shift is now extending directly into Japan’s own institutional market, where SBI Group has been among the country’s most active builders of on-chain financial infrastructure.

DigiFT holds Capital Markets Services and Recognised Market Operator licences from MAS, as well as Type 1 and Type 4 licences from the Hong Kong SFC – a dual regulatory standing that has made it a tokenization and distribution partner for global and regional asset managers, including UBS Asset Management, Invesco, BNY and Franklin Templeton. DigiFT’s roster now extends into Japan, through SBI GAM’s participation, adding a Japanese listed-equity strategy to that lineup for the first time. DigiFT is launching the JX Token on Solana, further expanding the availability of regulated RWAs on-chain, with ecosystem participants including Solana Company, Huma Finance and Plume.

SBI Holdings brings its own substantial on-chain track record to the collaboration. The group reported consolidated revenue of JPY 1.90 trillion for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2026, with its Crypto-asset Business segment generating JPY 89.6 billion in revenue over the same period. SBI Holdings has taken direct stakes across the region’s tokenization infrastructure, including leading a $50 million investment in Startale Group to build a blockchain purpose-built for tokenized securities, and holding a majority stake in Osaka Digital Exchange, operator of a secondary market for security tokens in Japan.

JX is structured around the underlying strategy managed by SBI AM. This authorized, manager-referenced model is critical as regulators are increasingly distinguishing tokenized securities developed with issuer or manager alignment from products that provide only indirect economic exposure. In a joint staff statement issued 28 January 2026, the U.S. SEC staff drew a formal line between issuer-sponsored tokenized securities, which can represent true ownership, and third-party products that typically offer only synthetic exposure or custodial entitlements – signalling an intent to encourage the former while curbing the spread of the latter.

Henry Zhang, Founder and Group CEO, DigiFT: “Our mission at DigiFT has always been to bring real, institutional-grade assets on-chain through infrastructure that investors and asset managers can actually trust. JX extends that mission to Japan for the first time, opening regulated, on-chain access to Japanese equities. We’re proud to build this with SBI Group, one of Japan’s most forward-looking financial institutions, and excited about what this partnership signals for the future of tokenization across the region.”

Hashtag: #DigiFT

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

CancerVax Develops Novel Smart mRNA to Harness Pre-Existing Immunity in 99% of World Population

2026-07-15T01:31:36Z

Company completes design and in-vitro validation of a single Smart mRNA that disguises cancer as multiple viral infections simultaneously to activate pre-existing T-cell immunity

Lehi, Utah, July 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lehi, Utah, July 14, 2026 – CancerVax, Inc., the developer of a breakthrough universal cancer treatment platform that “tricks” the body’s immune system into fighting cancer, today announced that it has successfully developed a single Polyepitope Smart mRNA that can disguise cancer cells as multiple viral infections.

The CancerVax platform is designed to harness the body’s existing immunity to detect, mark, and kill cancer cells with precision. At the core of the platform is a Smart mRNA that activates selectively in cancer cells. When activated, this Smart mRNA instructs cancer cells to produce proteins associated with viruses that are highly prevalent in the human population. This effectively disguises cancer cells as familiar viral infections and “tricks” the immune system into recognizing and killing them.

“Our earlier work focused on individual viral epitopes, such as measles,” explained Dr. George Katibah, Chief Scientific Officer. “With our Polyepitope Smart mRNA design, we have expanded that concept by encoding multiple viral epitopes with broad population immunity, including measles, influenza, CMV and others, into a single mRNA construct. This approach is designed to increase the probability that a patient’s existing T-cell immunity will recognize at least one of these viral signals and direct an immune response against the cancer cell. Our recent in vitro results provide encouraging validation of this strategy and represent an important step toward a broadly applicable cancer immunotherapy platform.”

Dr. Adam Grant, Principal Scientist, added, “Using large-scale immune epitope datasets and AI-assisted analysis, we identified and combined the most viable viral epitopes for our design to maximize the broadest population coverage. With every epitope we add, we increase the likelihood of activating existing T-cells. However, given the physical size constraints of practical mRNA design, we had to be selective. Using computational analysis, we designed a Version 1 Polyepitope Smart mRNA that provided a global population coverage of 96.26%. Since then, we’ve expanded our dataset and generated Version 2, which has a population coverage of 99.50%! This is truly a one of a kind mRNA design and we believe this broad and universal approach will be the winner we take to the clinic.”

The Immune Epitope Database (“IEDB”) population coverage algorithm was used to generate the following analysis of V1 and V2 Polyepitope Smart mRNA designs. IEDB, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is the gold standard repository for experimentally validated immune epitope data.

To learn more about the CancerVax platform, please watch the Short Explainer Video at https://cancervax.com/explainer

About CancerVax

CancerVax is a pre-clinical biotech company developing a novel Universal Cancer Treatment platform that will be customizable, as an injection, to treat many types of cancer. Our innovative approach DETECTS, MARKS, and KILLS only cancer cells. By making cancer cells look like well-immunized common diseases, such as measles or chickenpox, we intend to use the body’s natural immune system to easily kill the cancer cells. We look forward to the day when treating cancer will be as simple as getting a shot — a better way to fight cancer. To learn more, please visit www.CancerVax.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

Press Contact:
CancerVax, Inc.
Tel: (805) 356-1810
communications@CancerVax.com

Smilegate LORDNINE Launches Pre-Registration for New Growth-Accelerated Server ‘Helena’ in Celebration of 1st Anniversary… 32,000 USDt Reward Event Underway

2026-07-15T03:03:00Z

Pre-registration for new server Helena opens July 14… Official launch on July 29
Sweeping new server growth-support systems, including 50% additional EXP via Mastery Buff
Rich rewards including a 32,000 USDt reward event, limited edition skins, and 1,111 summon tickets

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – EQS Newswire – 15 July 2026 – Smilegate announced on Tuesday, July 14 that pre-registration has begun for ‘Helena’, a new growth-accelerated server for the MMORPG 《LORDNINE: Infinite Class》 (developed by NX3 Games), in celebration of the game’s 1st anniversary.

Pre-registration for the new Helena server is available through the official LORDNINE page (https://l9asia.onstove.com/en), with the official launch scheduled for July 29 at 7:00 PM.

Helena is a growth-accelerated server designed to allow players to level up characters faster than on existing servers. Key features include a Mastery Buff that provides an additional 50% EXP gain and more than 40,000 ‘Fragments of Ancient Relics’ to support character progression, helping players settle in smoothly during the early stages.

To celebrate the launch of the Helena server, Smilegate has prepared a variety of events, including a 32,000 USDt reward event. Helena server users can participate in in-game attendance and mission events to obtain three Hero-grade avatars and three artifacts, as well as up to 1,111 summon tickets.

A pre-registration event will also be held. Users who sign up for pre-registration will receive a limited edition skin, and among users who refer 20 friends through the pre-registration page, a drawing will be held with winners receiving an iPhone 17 Pro.

In addition, a skin design contest will be held to celebrate the 1st anniversary. Participants can freely submit skin designs they would like to see released in LORDNINE. In-game rewards worth up to 80 million KRW are up for grabs, and notably, the grand prize-winning design will actually be released in-game.

For more information about the game, please visit the official page (https://l9asia.onstove.com/en).

Contact Point	Office	Mobile Phone	Email
Sangjik Oh, Team Leader	031-630-3142	010-5236-0571	sjikoh@smilegate.com
Hyeran In, Deputy General Manager	031-630-3143	010-3291-6710	hranin@smilegate.com
Jiwon Hong, Deputy General Manager	031-630-3144	010-4135-0298	jwhong@smilegate.com
Taehyun Park, Assistant Manager	031-630-3179	010-6805-1177	thpark@smilegate.com

Hashtag: #Smilegate

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

NCB introduces Seamless Cross-Border QR Payments for international travellers in Vietnam

2026-07-15T03:02:57Z

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – Open visa policies, a wealth of cultural and natural attractions, acclaimed cuisine, warm local hospitality, and increasingly convenient payment options are fast positioning Vietnam as one of the most compelling destinations in Southeast Asia and beyond.

NCB introduces VietQR Global, a cross-border payment solution enabling international visitors to make seamless QR transactions while exploring Vietnam.

Visitors to Vietnam can now look beyond conventional payment methods to enjoy a seamless transaction experience. With a home-country banking app or e-wallet, users need only scan a QR code to complete payments through VietQR Global, the cross-border payment solution provided by National Citizen Commercial Joint Stock Bank (NCB), Vietnam. The solution enables international travellers to make transactions instantly and securely.

The solution currently supports visitors from key inbound tourism markets, including China (Alipay and UnionPay), South Korea (GLN, Hana Financial Group and Naver Pay), Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, with further expansion planned for Japan, Singapore, India, Malaysia and other markets.

The service is now available across a network of premier partners, spanning Sun World’s entertainment destinations nationwide as well as Sun Group’s prestigious hotels and resorts. These include Capella Hanoi (Hanoi), Oakwood Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Serena Resort (Hoa Binh), InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Novotel Danang Premier Han River, Ba Na Hills Golf Club (Da Nang), JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, La Festa Phu Quoc, and Eschuri Vung Bau Golf (Phu Quoc). The network additionally encompasses Sun PhuQuoc Airways, Vietnam’s first resort airline, alongside many other participating merchants.

How to use VietQR Global

Simply open the preferred banking or e-wallet app, scan the NCB VietQR code displayed at participating merchants, confirm the payment amount, and authenticate the transaction as usual. The payment is processed instantly within the same app, making every purchase fast, secure and convenient throughout the journey in Vietnam.

Through this innovative solution, NCB aims to optimize the travel itinerary for international visitors, ensuring a highly convenient and enriching exploration of Vietnam.

Hashtag: #NCB

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

About National Citizen Commercial Joint Stock Bank (NCB)

National Citizen Commercial Joint Stock Bank (NCB) operates as a modern commercial bank, ranking among Vietnam’s fastest-growing banks by charter capital during the 2021–2026 period. Committed to pioneering technology-driven financial solutions, NCB continuously expands its digital payment ecosystem and strengthens connections with global payment networks. The bank delivers secure, seamless and convenient payment experiences for all customers, particularly international visitors, whether travelling, working or doing business in Vietnam.

For more information about NCB, please visit: https://www.ncb-bank.vn/en

Hotline: 1800 6166 (Vietnam only) / +84 28 3821 6216 (International)

SEO For Contractor Achieves Semrush Certification in AI Search

2026-07-15T01:31:38Z

The contractor-only agency adds Semrush’s AI Search Operating System certification and HubSpot’s AEO Fundamentals to credentials that include the UC Davis SEO Specialization and training from Backlinko founder Brian Dean.

Houston, TEXAS, July 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The SEO Contractor is a digital marketing agency that serves contractors and home-service businesses exclusively. The agency announced today that it has earned its fifth active SEO credential. Semrush Academy issued two certifications directly to The SEO Contractor: the AI Search Operating System certification and the Semrush SEO Crash Course with Brian Dean. Both certificates carry the agency’s name, are publicly verifiable on semrush.com, and remain valid through July 2027. The agency’s full list of credentials, including verification links, is published at https://seoforcontractors.agency/certifications/.

The agency’s team also holds the AEO Fundamentals certification from HubSpot Academy, valid through August 2028. AEO stands for answer engine optimization. The HubSpot certification confirms the ability to build search strategies for AI-powered answer engines, structure content to earn AI citations, and measure brand visibility across those platforms.

The team’s university credentials come from the University of California, Davis. The UC Davis Search Engine Optimization Specialization is a five-course program offered through Coursera, and it culminates in a capstone consulting project. The agency’s team completed the full specialization, along with the standalone Advanced Content and Social Tactics to Optimize SEO course.

Semrush’s AI Search Operating System program covers how AI answer engines such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews discover, evaluate, and cite content. The SEO Contractor applies this training to a single question: when a homeowner asks an AI assistant which roofer, plumber, or electrician to hire, which contractor gets named?

“Homeowners are not just typing ‘roofer near me’ into Google anymore. They ask ChatGPT who to hire,” said Eric St-Cyr, Founder and SEO Strategist at The SEO Contractor. “Most contractors are invisible in those answers. We got certified in AI search before our clients’ competitors even knew it existed, because that gap is where the next five years of leads will come from.”

The SEO Contractor provides local SEO, PPC management, web design, content marketing, link building, and SEO audits to the trades. The agency serves roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, remodeling, and general contracting businesses across North America. Its campaigns are built on the agency’s contextual density optimization methodology and are measured against calls, leads, and booked jobs.

About Eric St-Cyr, Founder and SEO Strategist

Eric St-Cyr is the founder and lead SEO strategist behind The SEO Contractor, the contractor-only member of the ProStar SEO family of agencies. He built The SEO Contractor for a single reason: the trades convert search visibility into revenue faster than almost any other sector, and most contractors have no one translating modern search strategy into booked jobs.

Expertise, documented and current.

St-Cyr is the creator of the Contextual Density methodology — the benchmark-driven framework behind every page his agencies build, and the engine behind The SEO Contractor’s campaigns. Rather than guess at “quality,” the method scripts the contextual density of the pages already ranking for a keyword, then engineers new pages to cover the topic more thoroughly, a standard he can validate page by page. His credentials are independently verifiable and kept current: he and his team hold Semrush Academy’s AI Search Operating System certification and the Semrush SEO Crash Course with Brian Dean, HubSpot Academy’s AEO Fundamentals certification, and the University of California, Davis Search Engine Optimization Specialization — five active credentials in total, valid through 2027 and 2028. He is a hands-on practitioner who personally works the most complex, competitive accounts and coaches his team through the rest.

Authority built across the web’s hardest markets.

Under St-Cyr’s direction, ProStarSEO.com has grown into a bilingual group of specialized agencies — ProStar SEO (the multi-industry flagship), Agence SEO Paris, Scalpel SEO, Med SEO, Dentist SEO, CannabisSEO.ai, CasinoSEO.ai, LegalSEO.agency and The SEO Contractor — currently serving more than 100 active clients across North America and Europe, with over 600 businesses helped since the agency’s founding. Their largest client earns over 10 million organic clicks a month. The methodology was forged where competition is unforgiving and paid ads are banned or restricted: cannabis and CBD, online gambling, cosmetic surgery. St-Cyr is also a published author on his own author pages across those brands and a recurring guest on business and marketing podcasts — where he breaks down how SEO is evolving with AI and how answer engines decide which businesses to cite.

Trust, by design.

St-Cyr’s commitment to being checkable is deliberate. Every credential The SEO Contractor claims is listed with a third-party verification link at seoforcontractors.agency/certifications/, and every certificate is issued in the agency’s name. He never promises the number-one position — “anyone who guarantees it is not being straight with you, because no one controls Google’s algorithm” — works without long-term contracts, and insists clients understand every action taken on their site. Campaigns are measured against outcomes contractors actually care about: phone calls, qualified leads, and booked jobs, not vanity rankings. The agency maintains a 4.9 out of 5 client rating. His guiding principle is that SEO should be treated like a science: transparent, measurable, and accountable to results.

Connect with Eric St-Cyr on LinkedIn or learn more at https://seoforcontractors.agency/.

About The SEO Contractor

The SEO Contractor is a contractor-only SEO and digital marketing agency. The agency delivers local SEO, PPC, web design, content marketing, link building, and SEO audits under one roof. The SEO Contractor is Semrush-certified in AI search, its team is trained through the UC Davis SEO Specialization, and it maintains a 4.9/5 client rating.

Learn more at https://seoforcontractors.agency/.

Press Inquiries

Eric St Cyr
eric [at] prostarseo.com
5814474376
https://seoforcontractors.agency/
1325 S CREEK DR STE 300

Three Little-Known Facts About Vietnam’s Newest World Biosphere Reserve

2026-07-14T19:11:53Z

In early June, UNESCO announced 14 new biosphere reserves across 14 countries. This addition brings the total number of reserves in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves to 797, spanning 145 countries and territories. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Thuong Trach Commune, Quang Tri Province) stands as Vietnam’s sole representative added to this network.

In the first half of the year, the park welcomed 587,401 visitors, a 14% increase compared to the same period last year. This figure includes 469,342 domestic tourists and 118,059 international travelers.

UNESCO emphasizes that the value of Phong Nha-Ke Bang extends far beyond its reputation as a famous tourist destination. The park comprises a limestone mountain system formed approximately 400 million years ago, a massive network of caves and underground rivers, and communities that have lived alongside the forests, rivers, and historical trade routes of the Truong Son range for generations.

1. A Limestone Landscape 400 Million Years in the Making

While famous for its spectacular cave systems, one of the core values that helped Phong Nha-Ke Bang earn UNESCO recognition is its geological history.

This limestone mountain system formed during the Paleozoic era, about 400 million years ago. Geologists consider it one of the oldest and largest limestone massifs in Asia.

Over hundreds of millions of years, rainwater and underground rivers eroded the limestone, carving out a vast network of caves, sinkholes, valleys, and subterranean rivers. To date, Phong Nha-Ke Bang hosts over 447 caves. Phong Nha, Thien Duong, En, and Son Doong are prominent highlights in this vast system. Here, mountains, forests, and water combine to create one of Asia’s most iconic karst landscapes. In recent years, scientists continue to discover many new caves in the area.

Hang Bi Ky, located about 1,200 meters from the cave entrance, is known as the “main sanctuary” of Phong Nha Cave. (Photo: Quynh Danh)

2. A Region with Multiple UNESCO Accolades

Phong Nha-Ke Bang is not only famous for its cave systems; it is also one of the locations in Vietnam with the most UNESCO milestones.

In 2003, UNESCO recognized the park as a World Natural Heritage site based on its geological and geomorphological values. In 2015, the organization expanded the profile to include values related to ecological processes, biology, and habitats essential for biodiversity conservation.

In 2025, the heritage site expanded to include the Hin Nam No National Park (Laos), becoming the first transboundary World Natural Heritage site in Southeast Asia.

By 2026, Phong Nha-Ke Bang earned its title as a World Biosphere Reserve. This new international title emphasizes the goal of balancing nature conservation, scientific research, environmental education, and sustainable development with the active participation of the local community.

Tourists travel by boat along the Chay River on a journey to explore Dark Cave, part of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang system. (Photo: Quynh Danh)

3. Harmonious Coexistence of Nature and Community

Unlike the World Natural Heritage title, which focuses strictly on natural values, the World Biosphere Reserve designation places humans at the heart of conservation. Spanning over 515,830 hectares—including core, buffer, and transition zones—Phong Nha-Ke Bang is home to over 159,000 residents.

Life here remains deeply tied to the forests, the Son and Gianh rivers, mountain-fringe villages, community-based tourism, and cultural values cultivated over centuries. The region features a rich intersection of Vietnamese, Cham, and Bru-Van Kieu cultures.

UNESCO recognizes this new World Biosphere Reserve as a space for sustainable development. It acts as a model where nature conservation moves hand-in-hand with the preservation of culture, indigenous knowledge, and the livelihoods of local communities.

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JOYROOM Brings New 240W PODIX Power Bank to Kickstarter, Reshaping the High-End Fast-Charging Power Bank Segment

2026-07-14T14:31:48Z

JOYROOM PODIX PR70: 240W 4-Port Power Bank with Upgraded Dual TFT Displays and Built-in Dual Cables (Flight-Ready 25K Battery Capacity)

NEW YORK, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JOYROOM, a global consumer electronics brand dedicated to simplifying modern lifestyles, proudly announces a new member of its PODIX flagship fast charging lineup — the PR70. Engineered as a next-generation 240W power bank with dual real-time TFT displays, it redefines multi-device charging by combining laptop-level power, intelligent monitoring, and travel-ready portability in a single device. Officially going live on Kickstarter on July 14, the new JOYROOM PODIX Power Bank (25K, 240W) is now available at an exclusive Super Early Bird price of USD 79, offering up to 47% off MSRP.

Reshape Everyday Charging: The Industry-First Dual TFT Displays
No more guessing things like traditional LED flashing indicators brought, the JOYROOM PODIX Power Bank (25K, 240W) features two innovative TFT smart displays that perfectly adapt to the way you actually charge. The main display keeps status clear in portrait mode, while the side display adds convenience in landscape use. This ensures that, whether placed in portrait or horizontal orientation, you can check charging status at a glance, even when the main screen isn’t facing you. The dual TFT displays also keep the charging information continuously visible, eliminating the hassle of repeatedly waking the screen or pressing buttons.

Users can monitor battery level, remaining charging time, input and output power, temperature, battery health, and per-port status in real time—offering full transparency of power distribution.

Excellent design is not just about stronger specs, but about making frequent charging more intuitive, seamless, and aligned with real everyday use.

Beyond Innovation: 240W High Power Multi-Device Charging
With up to 240W total output and a Low-Current mode, the 2026 new version of JOYROOM PODIX Power Bank covers everything from drones, laptops and phones to low-power devices with both on the move or in the office. It can fast charge high-demand devices via 140W and 100W USB-C outputs, while also taking care of wearables such as smartwatches and earbuds with stable trickle charging.

The new PODIX Power Bank (25K, 240W) from JOYROOM is equipped with one USB-C port, one USB-A port, and dual built-in USB-C cables to support charging up to four devices at once. Its 70cm retractable cable delivers up to 140W output, while the 32cm carry-strap cable supports up to 100W, allowing you to charge two laptops simultaneously for a more efficient workflow. This truly defines "Power Within Reach" while eliminating the need to carry extra charging cables—making it highly convenient.

This JOYROOM’s PODIX portable power bank contains a massive 25,000 mAh capacity to help keep all of your gadgets up and running throughout the day. That’s enough to bring an iPhone 17 Pro from zero to nearly full up to four times. In terms of recharging itself, the clever JOYROOM PODIX Power Bank supports up to 100W fast input, which means you can rapidly fuel it back up in about 2 hours.

Airline Safe & Travel Friendly, Refined Built to Last
With its <100Wh lithium-ion batteries, the all-in-one JOYROOM PODIX Power Bank (25K, 240W) is approved for airline carry-on use, making it a dependable companion for business trips, travel, and outdoor work. It is also compliant with CCC, FCC, CE, and RoHS certifications, ensuring both electrical safety and environmental responsibility for global use.

Additionally, this new PODIX Power Bank from JOYROOM is engineered for consistent, worry-free fast charging. It combines smart temperature monitoring with battery health protection and multiple safety systems to maintain stable high-power output, even under heavy use. Built with premium materials, the housing and screen cover use UL94 V-0 flame-retardant PC, offering scratch resistance and high-temperature durability for both everyday protection and a refined finish.

Pricing and Availability
The JOYROOM PODIX Power Bank (25K, 240W), also known as JOYROOM PODIX PR70, will launch on Kickstarter on July 14, with a limited-time Super Early Bird price of USD 79 (up to 47% OFF MSRP). Backers will be among the first to experience this next-level intelligent charging system.

About JOYROOM
Founded in 2009, JOYROOM is a global consumer electronics brand loved by young people in over 130 countries and regions. Guided by a belief in innovation, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of perfection, we design products that fit seamlessly into modern life. With every detail centered on your experience, we aim to deliver quality you can trust and a more joyful way to live with technology.

Stay connected with us:
Instagram: @joyroom_global
Website: www.joyroom.com

Press Contact: marketing@joyroom.com

Frontier Airlines to debut in-flight Wi-Fi in 2027 with SpaceX’s Starlink

2026-07-14T17:41:53Z

In this article

ULCC
SPCX

Frontier Airlines

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Frontier Airlines and four other budget carriers with more than 1,000 planes between them will debut in-flight Wi-Fi early next year from SpaceX‘s Starlink, another win for the satellite internet provider.

Frontier’s first Airbus plane equipped with Starlink internet will roll out in early 2027, the airline said Tuesday. CNBC reported in 2022 that Frontier was in talks with Starlink to add its first in-flight Wi-Fi service.

A Frontier spokeswoman declined to say whether flyers could use the service for free. Major airlines that have signed deals with Starlink have been offering Wi-Fi complimentary for loyalty program members.

Frontier was one of the last U.S. holdouts to add Wi-Fi. Former CEO Barry Biffle previously said the airline was hesitant to to add weight to its planes with the equipment it would need for the service.

Starlink, a part of Elon Musk‘s SpaceX, has signed deals with more than 40 carriers around the world, including United Airlines and American Airlines, as airlines ramp up their in-flight services and customers grow to expect at-home-quality internet in the sky. The airlines declined to disclose the terms of the agreements. SpaceX didn’t immediately comment.

The carriers in the latest Starlink deal — Frontier, Mexico’s Volaris, European budget carrier Wizz, Chile’s Jetsmart, and the Philippines’ Cebu Pacific — all share private equity firm Indigo Partners as an investor, which is led by serial airline investor Bill Franke.

Budget carriers have been under pressure to go upmarket as larger rivals post revenue growth from the front of the cabin, upending discounters’ once-profitable model of no-frills seating and amenities. Frontier is planning to debut first-class seats next year.

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