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FIRST LEGO League INNOFest Launches Setting New Benchmarks in Hong Kong’s STEAM Education

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HONG KONG, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — World Class Tests (“WCT”) announced the launch of the 2024-25 FIRST® LEGO® League INNOFest (“FLL INNOFest”), a major STEAM education initiative in Hong Kong fully supported by Innovation and Technology Commission, officially launched today, injecting new momentum into Hong Kong’s STEAM education! This first-of-its-kind large-scale international STEAM initiative in Hong Kong aims to champion STEAM education principles, cultivate innovative technological talent, and reinforce Hong Kong’s standing as an international education hub through a thoughtfully curated programme of activities.

The launch is particularly timely as the Hong Kong SAR Government advances its robust educational reform and innovation agenda. The Government’s ongoing commitment to promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools includes renewing the junior secondary Science curriculum and implementing AI-assisted teaching pilot schemes. This commitment, along with the formation of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education, facilitates the enhancement of students’ scientific thinking and fosters innovation through the seamless integration of technology and education. Beyond the introduction of primary school science subjects in the 2025/26 academic year, the Education Bureau plans to modernise the junior secondary science curriculum whilst expanding partnerships with local, mainland and international technology institutions and tertiary establishments to deliver professional development for STEAM coordinators and teachers. FLL INNOFest’s comprehensive programme will equip Hong Kong’s education sector with more properly trained teachers whilst fostering international exchange and bolstering global competitiveness.

Scheduled to run from December 2024 through July 2025, FLL INNOFest encompasses competitions, training and hands-on activities, anticipated to draw more than 9,000 students, 700 teachers and industry professionals, alongside 350 competing teams from 20 countries and regions, creating an international STEAM education carnival. Moving beyond traditional competition formats, FLL adopts a carnival-style approach that emphasises both learning and enjoyment. FLL encourages students to apply scientific knowledge and technology to tackle real-world challenges, establishing itself as a vital platform for advancing Hong Kong’s STEAM education whilst kindling students’ enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

The FLL INNOFest training programme establishes a comprehensive STEAM teaching development ecosystem, enhancing current expertise through certification programmes designed to expand the talent pool. The initiative features nearly 100 training sessions and activities, including teacher seminars, STEAM experience activities, public workshops and team-building sessions. These are expected to attract thousands of participants from nursery, primary and secondary schools, including teachers, students and parents, thereby strengthening both the professional community and public engagement. The 2024-25 programme introduces the FLL Train the Trainer certification, with graduates receiving priority consideration for roles as FLL staff, judges, referees and course instructors at future FLL STEAM innovation activities. Through systematic and continuous training, FLL INNOFest aims to foster collective wisdom and innovative thinking, positioning Hong Kong as a centre of innovation and technology.

The FLL Hong Kong Championship will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) in July 2025, with 350 local teams competing in three categories: FLL Discover (ages 4-6), FLL Explore (ages 6-10) and FLL Challenge (ages 9-16), fostering creativity, engineering design, programming, and problem-solving abilities through various challenges, providing them with ongoing STEAM learning and exchange opportunities. The FLL Asia Championship in August has already attracted 3,000 competitors from over 20 countries and regions, with 480 teams competing for the Asian championship title. Hong Kong teams that excel in the FLL Hong Kong Championship and FLL Asia Championship will be invited to participate in the FLL World Championship in the United States the following April, engaging in exchanges with teams from around the world.

About FIRST® LEGO® League
FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) is a robotics-based learning programme formed by the US-based FIRST and the Danish LEGO Group in 1998. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology) is a non-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen. The purpose of the FLL alliance is to excite young people about careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) through LEGO bricks and educational products, in the form of various activities and competitions. The competition has held more than 3,700 competition events in over 110 countries and regions worldwide, attracting nearly 700,000 participants. To learn more at http://www.fll-innofest.com

About World Class Tests
World Class Tests is an international high-order thinking assessment that evaluates students’ high-order thinking skills against internationally recognized benchmarks. Students who achieve excellent results (double distinction) in both the Mathematics and Problem-Solving Analysis subjects of the World Class Tests will have the opportunity to attend the World Class Tests Elite Invitational, where they can compete with students from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Mainland China. Students ranking in the top 10% of the Invitational will be invited to apply for the World Class Tests Scholarship. The World Class Tests Scholarship has funded students to participate in enrichment courses offered by renowned universities and colleges, including Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, Imperial College London, and St Anne’s College, University of Oxford.

For Media Enquiry,

Market Hubs Holdings Limited

Lierence Li

Debbie So

+852 3998-4900

+852 3998-4900

lierence@markethubsgroup.com

debbie@markethubsgroup.com

 

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SOURCE World Class Tests

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CHINAPLAS 2026 Media Day: Highlights from 8 Exhibitors

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SHANGHAI, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 19–20, 2026, the global plastics and rubber industry’s top echelon gathered in Shanghai for the CHINAPLAS Media Day, co-hosted by Adsale Exhibition Services and CommNow China. As the definitive curtain-raiser to the main exhibition, this event brought together senior executives from eight industry titans. More than just a press conference, the session acted as a strategic barometer, revealing the high-tech roadmaps, sustainability breakthroughs, and “China-focused” priorities set to reshape the manufacturing landscape.

Evonik opened with a bold vision, “Shaping an Infinite Future,” unveiling material solutions for next-generation industries like NEVs, the low-altitude economy, and green hydrogen.

Chambroad Group showcased a sophisticated portfolio tailored for the rigorous demands of low-altitude economy, NEVs, medical technology, and specialized aviation, emphasizing the power of collaborative innovation in high-growth sectors.

Sustainability was the core theme for BASF, which presented its “Carbon Exploration Journey.” By focusing on the full lifecycle of materials in the footwear and textile industries, BASF proved that performance and environmental stewardship are now twin engines of value-chain growth.

On the machinery front, ENGEL Group addressed production pain points through its dual-brand strategy (ENGEL and WINTEC). Their presentation tackled the primary pain points in modified plastics injection molding, offering integrated, intelligent solutions for sectors ranging from automotive & packaging to medical, LSR and micro-foaming. ENGEL emphasized how smart production can simultaneously drive down costs and carbon footprints.

Kingfa highlighted the intersection of materials and intelligence. Their display covered an expansive range of applications, including consumer electronics, smart home systems, NEVs, low-altitude applications, and the frontier of “embodied intelligence” (robotics). Leveraging its unique “global-local” supply framework, Kingfa continues to set the pace for high-quality growth in the modified plastics sector through deep technical expertise.

Syensqo introduced specialty polymers essential for the “twin transitions”—digital and green—targeting critical nodes in the supply chains of NEVs, green hydrogen, electronics, healthcare, and semiconductors.

ARBURG chose this stage for the Asia debut of its Allrounder Trend electric series, combining high-end German engineering with optimized ownership costs for the competitive electronics and NEV markets.

In a major bio-based breakthrough, CovationBio launched Xatryx®, a non-food-based bio-PTMEG. This “drop-in” replacement for fossil-based alternatives allows manufacturers to slash carbon footprints without any process adjustments, marking a milestone for the circular economy.

Media Contact:
Skyla Feng
skyla.feng@commnow.cn 
+86-13002176919

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/chinaplas-2026-media-day-highlights-from-8-exhibitors-302752674.html

SOURCE Adsale Exhibition Services and CommNow China

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Fintech solutions, gov’t collaboration help cushion impact of oil crisis to consumers, says Mynt CEO

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SINGAPORE, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As consumers in Southeast Asia face a “triple-hit” of rising fuel costs, inflation, and economic volatility, leaders from some of the region’s major financial and technology companies highlight fintech’s and government’s role to enable economic resilience in a region navigating global shocks.

Talking about the situation in the Philippines, Martha Sazon, President and CEO of Mynt, the parent company of the country’s biggest finance app GCash, shared how the platform has strengthened its role as a primary distribution channel for government relief—taking a page from its playbook on how it helped keep the local economy running and aid flowing when mobility was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been helping in the distribution of government aid, especially fuel subsidies to public transport drivers and to encourage more mobility,” Sazon said.

In partnership with transport officials from the government, GCash facilitates the digital disbursement fuel subsidies to thousands of drivers and operators.

This effort is complemented by direct consumer incentives, such as a 50% fare discount for passengers of Metro Manila main rail lines, who can also pay via the GCash app.

These interventions have kept mobility accessible and domestic consumption steady. She also pointed to the role of GCash in supporting overseas Filipino workers (OFW). Until April 30, 2026, the company is waiving inbound and outbound transaction fees for Filipinos in the Middle East.

Moreover, aside from keeping fair loans accessible, the platform is fostering long-term resilience through livelihood opportunities by promoting digital micro-business tools like GCash Pera Outlet, and gig and employment platform GJobs, which provide alternative income streams for both local residents and repatriated workers. GCash has also ramped up financial literacy efforts to give customers practical knowledge on how to save more—while offering affordable and accessible investment and saving options.

Sazon shared these at the recent CNBC CONVERGE LIVE 2026 event at the Jewel in Singapore, joining other regional leaders: Hans Patuwo of GoTo Group and Huynh Thanh Phong of FWD Group. Patuwo noted Indonesia’s resilience but warned that looming subsidy cuts could trigger inflation and strain household consumption. Phong highlighted the importance of trust, stressing that insurers must help customers avoid emotional decisions that could leave them vulnerable during crises.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/fintech-solutions-govt-collaboration-help-cushion-impact-of-oil-crisis-to-consumers-says-mynt-ceo-302752679.html

SOURCE GCash

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The Steadfastness of a 13-Year Veteran Exchange: Understanding the Risk Control Logic Behind HTX Earn

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PANAMA CITY, Fla., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In today’s volatile and unpredictable crypto market, “where to trade” may no longer be the primary concern for investors. Instead, “where assets are truly safe” has become the ultimate deciding factor in capital allocation. According to DefiLlama data, HTX recorded over $54 million in net inflows in a single day at the end of March, ranking first among global exchanges in daily inflows. The market is making its choice with real capital: in a highly uncertain crypto cycle, funds are flowing back to platforms that are “safer, more transparent, and more sustainable.”

As various platforms compete for liquidity, how has HTX emerged as a “safe haven” for global investors? The answer may lie in its underlying security framework, which has been in operation for 13 years, and its unwavering pursuit of “zero risk incidents” for user assets.

From Yield to Trust: Reconstructing the Underlying Logic of Earn Products

From a user perspective, “Earn” is often understood as a low-risk financial management tool: deposit assets and obtain returns. However, from the platform’s perspective, this is essentially a complex exercise of capital management and risk control. The core of HTX Earn products is not a single revenue model, but a comprehensive, layered risk management system:

Simple Earn: Offers flexible and fixed products, supporting subscription and redemption at any time or over fixed terms. These products offer an APY of up to 300%, making them a popular choice for beginners and conservative investors. Among them, flagship stablecoin products offer Flexible Earn options for popular assets such as USDT, USDC, USDD, USDE, USD1, and U, with APYs of up to 15%, outpacing  those of industry peers. VIP Flexible products are tailored for HTX SVIP users at Prime Level 5 and above, offering APYs of up to 9%, reflecting the platform’s commitment to diverse user needs.Structured Products (Dual Investment/Shark Fin): These are yield enhancement tools specifically designed for advanced traders seeking to capitalize on market volatility. They are suitable for capturing gains during market fluctuations, with APYs reaching up to 380%.On-chain Earn: Staking and ETH 2.0 products are designed specifically for on-chain participants, covering a variety of mainstream digital assets with seamless operations and APYs of up to 15%.

The vision of HTX Earn is to “fuel the steady growth of every digital asset.”At present, HTX Earn covers 300+ assets and 390+ products, serving nearly 600,000 users. Its extensive product matrix meets the needs of users with different risk preferences, and the adoption rate  continues to grow. But the truly critical factor is not the scale, but rather—how this capital is managed safely.

Merkle Tree Proof of Reserves (PoR): Making Transparency the First Line of Defense for User Asset Security

A sense of security does not come from empty promises, but from the clear verifiability of every asset. HTX publishes regular public disclosures of its Merkle Tree–based Proof of Reserves (PoR), which have continued uninterrupted for 42 months to date.

The latest April Proof of Reserves report shows that HTX has maintained asset reserve ratios at or above 100% across all assets. Among them, the BTC reserve ratio is 101%, the ETH reserve ratio is 100%, and the TRX reserve ratio reaches 108%. This means every user asset deposited on the platform is backed by more than 100% in real reserves, eliminating any possibility of fund misappropriation.

Notably, a key highlight of this disclosure is the upgrade to the USDs display, offering a more “user-friendly” approach to asset presentation. By displaying all USD-pegged stablecoins (including USDT and USDC) in a unified view of USDs, HTX has further enhanced the clarity and readability of the asset structure. This persistent commitment to transparency is a core driver behind HTX attracting over $54 million in net inflows within 24 hours.

13 Years of Stable Operations: A Three-Layer Risk Control Framework

If the Merkle Tree Proof of Reserves (PoR) serves as the externally visible “ledger”, the risk control system embedded within HTX Earn functions as an “armored shield” safeguarding asset security.

Professional Risk Control and Asset Segregation: HTX Earn adopts an institutional-grade security architecture. Through asset segregation and an intelligent tiered risk control system, user assets are strictly segregated from platform operational funds.Ongoing Enhanced Security Infrastructure: Since November 2023, HTX has further strengthened its compliance and security standards, maintaining over 30 consecutive months of zero security incidents. Such long-term, high-intensity stable operations are regarded as an industry benchmark.Dual Drivers of Technology and Compliance: Relying on the platform’s advantage of 13 years of stable operation, HTX has built a comprehensive service system featuring a professional investment research team, 24/7 customer support, zero trading fees, and hourly interest calculation, delivering comprehensive protection for user asset security.

Conclusion: Security is Not a Cost, but a Growth Engine

The flow of capital is the most intuitive vote of market confidence. HTX’s top position in DefiLlama net inflows is driven not only by its diverse product offerings and competitive yields, but also by market recognition of its 13year track record in security.

At the current stage, competition among crypto platforms is returning to fundamentals: those that can manage risk more stably will be better positioned to attract long-term capital. With 13 years of operational experience, HTX has set out a clear path forward:

Making trust verifiable with Merkle Tree Proof of Reserves (PoR)Using product matrices to structure returns and risksTransforming security into brand equity via long-term track records

When “Earn” evolves from a product into an entry point for asset management, the risk control logic behind it truly becomes the platform’s deepest moat. In the marathon of crypto finance, running fast is certainly important, but running steadily is the only way to survive. HTX Earn will continue to strengthen its risk control framework through transparency, making security the strongest foundation for every investor.

About HTX

Founded in 2013, HTX (formerly Huobi) has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

To learn more about HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square , and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.

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SOURCE HTX DAO

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