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Ascentium Acquires Links International, Expanding HR and Payroll Services across Asia Pacific

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Strategic Acquisition Adds Award-Winning HR Technology and Four New Markets to Ascentium’s Portfolio

SINGAPORE, Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, today announced its acquisition of Links International (Links), Asia’s leading HR Outsourcing Technology Partner. The strategic acquisition immediately expands Ascentium’s operational presence into key markets including Japan, Macau SAR, South Korea, and Thailand.

Ascentium group aim’s to be the leading corporate services platform for our clients and business partners operating in the Asia Pacific region. This acquisition provides the platform with an expanded range of HR solutions in ‎Employer of Record (EOR), recruitment and unified platforms for clients operating an enterprise HR platform in 20 locations.  Links International will operate as part of the Ascentium group, and Scott Thomson will be appointed to lead Links and the HR solutions business for Ascentium globally. The acquisition creates an enhanced service platform that will serve more than 30,000 active clients across diverse industries, supported by a workforce of over 1,800 professionals operating from 37 cities across 14 markets.

Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO of Ascentium, stated, “Scott is a well-regarded leader in the HR solutions space in Asia Pacific.  We are delighted to welcome Scott and Links International to the Ascentium group. The addition of Links International to the Ascentium group marks a pivotal moment in our expansion strategy. Their technological capabilities and regional expertise perfectly complement our vision to deliver comprehensive business solutions throughout Asia Pacific. This acquisition significantly enhances our ability to serve clients across multiple jurisdictions.”

Ascentium’s strategic decision to acquire Links International underscores the commitment to expanding its platform across Asia Pacific and providing a comprehensive range of corporate services, accounting and payroll solutions. This acquisition is a crucial element of Ascentium’s HR and payroll services strategy, enabling better service for clients and business partners in the region. With Links’ presence in 15 markets supporting over 20 locations in the APAC region, this acquisition represents a significant step in completing the diversification of Ascentium’s overall business strategy. By integrating Links into the Ascentium group, there is a clear path to enhance HR services and deliver value-added solutions to businesses operating in Asia Pacific.

Scott Thomson, Managing Director of Links International, shared, “Links and Ascentium is a perfect strategic fit which enables Ascentium to leverage our award-winning HR tech and services and Links to offer a one stop corporate services solution to our clients through Ascentium’s best in class corporate service offering. Becoming part of Ascentium creates immediate opportunities to introduce our services to emerging markets like India and UAE. The team and I are very excited to add Ascentium ‘rocket fuel’ to rapidly grow both Links’ market reach and our team’s careers in the Year of the Snake.”

The integration will proceed in phases, prioritising service continuity for existing clients while gradually introducing enhanced offerings. Ascentium has committed substantial resources to support Links International’s technology roadmap and market expansion.

The acquisition strengthens Ascentium’s position in the HR and payroll services sector. Links International’s award-winning payroll technology and in-country service delivery model will be enhanced through Ascentium’s resources and extensive regional network. Under Ascentium’s ownership, Links International will continue to invest in innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of businesses operating across Asia Pacific.

About Ascentium

Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore, we empower extraordinary growth through specialised expertise across secretarial, finance, payroll, HR administration, family office, fund administration, GRC, and cross-border & FDI specialist services. Our team of 1,600 professionals spans 10 markets in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East, serving over 30,000 active clients across diverse industries. Through innovative, technology-enabled solutions and collaborative approach, Ascentium drives transformative growth, helping clients navigate complex global environments.

For more information, visit: ascentium.com

About Links International

Links International is Asia’s leading HR Outsourcing Technology Partner, providing 100% in-country service delivery, highly integrative solutions, and user-friendly Payroll tech. Voted Asia’s Best Payroll Outsourcing Partner for consecutive years, their team of 200+ Asia HR Experts provide in-country support from 15 offices to 20+ locations across APAC, delivering local market expert HR advice including best industry practices and final mile services.

For more information, visit:

Links International Website: www.linksinternational.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/links-recruitment-limitedFacebook: www.facebook.com/hongkonglinks/X: www.twitter.com/Links_AsiaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@linksinternational41

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SOURCE Ascentium

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In HelloNation, Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle Explains a Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design

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The article explains why smart geometry, not thicker walls, creates stronger, more efficient aluminum components.

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What early design choice causes many custom aluminum projects to become heavier, costlier, or harder to manufacture? That question is addressed in a HelloNation article featuring insights from Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle of American Custom Metals, Inc. in Rochester, New York, that outlines how misunderstanding aluminum behavior leads designers to rely on thick walls instead of stronger geometry.

The article begins by explaining that many people assume thicker walls automatically make aluminum parts stronger. It notes that aluminum does not respond to wall thickness the way steel does. Instead, its performance is shaped by how the metal flows through the extrusion die. The article states that custom aluminum design is more effective when profiles use ribs, chambers, and flanges to create stiffness without adding unnecessary weight. This guidance helps readers understand why adding material often increases cost without improving strength.

The article also highlights that thicker walls change how aluminum moves during extrusion. When heavy areas fill more slowly, the metal cools unevenly and can develop stress that only appears later. The HelloNation piece explains that well-balanced geometry keeps extrusion smooth and predictable. This consistency makes it easier to maintain dimensional accuracy across long production runs. By focusing on geometry, custom aluminum design avoids the problems that come with slow extrusion speeds and uneven cooling.

Another insight in the article centers on how ribs and internal supports influence stability. It describes how a thin wall supported by a properly placed rib often performs better than a thick wall with no reinforcement. This happens because the rib helps distribute load, improve stiffness, and guide the aluminum as it cools. The article explains that this structural approach makes custom aluminum design more efficient and gives designers more control over how the final part behaves under pressure.

The article also shows why early collaboration between designer and fabricator prevents costly changes. It states that a fabricator familiar with extrusion can catch potential issues before a die is built. Small adjustments to corners or transitions can remove weak points or improve metal flow. The article notes that this teamwork keeps the design aligned with real-world production. By working together early, both sides reduce the risk of redesigning the die after the first test run.

Machining is another area where the article explains how wall thickness affects performance. Features such as deep pockets or sharp internal angles may require slow feed rates or special tooling. When walls are thicker than needed, those areas can become difficult to machine cleanly. The article states that thoughtful custom aluminum design makes machining more predictable. Small changes, such as adding radiused edges or sizing features to match standard tools, help shorten cycle times and prevent tool wear.

Thermal behavior receives detailed attention as well. The article explains that aluminum retains heat differently depending on the mass of each section. Thicker walls hold heat longer, which increases the chance of distortion during extrusion, machining, or finishing. When a design uses geometry to create strength, the material cools more evenly. This reduces warping and helps long profiles stay aligned. The article notes that stable cooling is important for components that require a precise fit and consistent shape throughout an entire production run.

Cost is also a key topic in the article. It states that heavier profiles increase material use, extrusion time, and tooling needs. A custom aluminum design that relies on geometry instead of mass lowers material consumption and keeps the fabrication process efficient. The article explains that lighter parts are easier to handle, ship, and assemble. This saves money across multiple stages of production and supports long-term manufacturing efficiency.

The article also notes that smart custom aluminum design creates profiles that behave predictably during extrusion and machining. Smooth transitions, balanced wall dimensions, and structural features help reduce the chance of distortion or dimensional drift. These elements also lower scrap rates and support reliable performance. By using geometry instead of excess material, designers build parts that maintain strength without compromising manufacturability.

As the article concludes, it emphasizes that avoiding thick walls is one of the best ways to improve performance and lower cost. It states that the most dependable custom aluminum components come from designs that use structural features to strengthen the profile. When designers understand how aluminum behaves at each stage of extrusion and machining, they create parts that are strong, efficient, and consistent from batch to batch. This approach turns custom aluminum design into a predictable process rather than a series of uncertain adjustments.

A Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design features insights from Mark Coyle, Custom Fabrication Expert of Rochester, NY, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

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World Young Scientist Summit 2026 Opens in Wenzhou, Zhejiang

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WENZHOU, China, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report by China Daily:

On October 24, the World Young Scientist Summit 2026 opened in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. The event is hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, and the World Association of Young Scientists. Nearly 800 representatives, including scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries and regions, are attending the summit.

He Junke, Vice President of CAST in charge of daily work and First Secretary of its Secretariat; Lian Yimin, Chairman and Party Group Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences; and Zhang Zhenfeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Wenzhou Municipal Committee, attended the summit and delivered remarks. Yao Gaoyuan, Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, presided over the first segment of the plenary session.

With the theme “Gathering Talents Worldwide to Create a Better Future,” the summit’s annual agenda is “Global Youth Action in the AI Era: Building a Sustainable Future.” It aims to draw on the insights of young people around the world, deepen international sci-tech cooperation, and jointly address questions about young people, science, the world and the future.

Efim Zelmanov, Fields Medalist and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chen Yunji, Deputy Director of the Institute of Computing Technology, CAS, and Director of the National Key Laboratory of Processor Chips; Mary Garson, President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; and Lu Chaoyang, Member of the Standing Committee of CAST, Executive Dean of the Shanghai Institute of Advanced Study, University of Science and Technology of China, and Chairman of the Council of the World Association of Young Scientists, delivered keynote speeches respectively on education reform in the AI era, AI and processor chips, young women scientists’ participation in science, and quantum computing. They explored new opportunities for scientific research, talent cultivation, and international cooperation in the AI era.

This year’s summit placed greater emphasis on the growth needs of young scientists, with young talents under the age of 45 accounting for 88 percent of participants. It aimed to build a cluster of international journals, bring together young scientific talent, facilitate a batch of international collaborative projects and advance the application and commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. The summit released the Report on the Distribution and Mobility of Young Scientists in the Field of Embodied Intelligence, launched the World Young Scientist Summit Partner Journal Program and the 2026 World Young Scientist Innovation and Entrepreneurship Growth Support Program. It also published the “Young Scientist Pioneers 2035” list and announced the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award. The awards were presented to four Chinese and foreign scientists.

Chen Tianrun, Founder of Hangzhou Moxin Technology Co., Ltd.; Yuan Yang, Assistant to the Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences at Tsinghua University; and two of the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award winners, César de la Fuente and Nicola Segata, among other Chinese and foreign young scientist representatives, spoke at the flash-talk session to share their research practices and reflections.

In addition, the conference focused on fields such as future manufacturing, quantum information, embodied intelligence, brain-computer intelligence, environmental science, deep-sea resources, and life and health, and held 12 parallel forums. It also included the “Gravitation π” Future Technology and Concept Products Exhibition and Exchange, local thematic side events, and sci-tech and humanities study visits, further building an interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector platform for youth sci-tech exchange and cooperation.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-young-scientist-summit-2026-opens-in-wenzhou-zhejiang-302918664.html

SOURCE China Daily

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The Ultimate Send-off to Summer: CSTS Debuts Global Entertainment IP PremierX at New York’s Pier 17, Ushering in a New Era of Live Entertainment

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NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CSTS Enterprises (‘CSTS’), a New York-based sports, entertainment, integrated media and travel technology group, today announced the official launch of PremierXTM, its flagship live entertainment brand, with a landmark Halloween Weekend event “AFTER DARK” at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York on October 30, 2026.

Capping off Seaport’s 2026 Summer Season in unforgettable fashion, the grand finale brings a powerhouse lineup of stars to the PremierXTM stage at Pier 17, featuring Lil Xan, Armani White, DJ Soda, Nate Wyatt, and surprise A-list guest headliners. Set against the iconic Manhattan skyline, the landmark eventing unites chart-topping hip-hop and high-octane electronic music for a festival-grade experience as The Rooftop at Pier 17 transforms into the city’s premier live music destination.

Building on the momentum of the PremierXTM After Party for the 2026 World Cup Final that took place in New York on July 19th, “AFTER DARK” signals the official debut of PremierXTM, a proprietary, New York – born global entertainment IP created by CSTS to deliver defining cultural experiences at the intersection of music, sport, art and lifestyle. Centred on the power of cultural crossover, PremierXTM serves as an international bridge connecting East and West, modern innovation and timeless classical, while uniting world-class artists, creators, performers and audiences through the universal language of entertainment and premium live experiences.

The launch also marks the beginning of a promising relationship with Pier 17, providing a world-class stage for PremierXTM to accelerate its growth in the U.S. and engage international audiences over the long term. By combining PremierXTM’s global entertainment vision with Pier 17’s iconic waterfront setting, the partnership aims to create a premier destination for live experiences, empowering both platforms to expand their global reach, deepen audience engagement, and drive sustainable growth.

As a key pillar of CSTS’ integrated ecosystem spanning entertainment, sports, travel, integrated media and marketing solutions, PremierXTM further strengthens the Group’s ability to create high-impact experiences that connect audiences, destinations and brand partners. With the global live entertainment market projected to grow from approximately US$203 billion in 2025 to US$270 billion by 2030[1], PremierXTM is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for premium, experience-led entertainment while creating long-term value to the Group through recurring audience engagement, tourism and brand partnerships.

“PremierX TM represents a significant milestone in CSTS’ evolution from a leading operator of global sports and hospitality platforms into a creator of world-class entertainment experiences,” said Abel Zhao, Group CEO and Executive Director at CSTS Enterprises. “The season finale at Pier17 marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for CSTS as we expand our entertainment footprint and introduce a platform designed to deliver iconic live experiences and bring together artists and audiences from across the globe.”

“PremierXTM was built from the ground up as a bespoke platform to champion multicultural talent and visionary creative performers.” said Jason Liu, Regional Director of CSTS USA. “Starting from New York, we are building a scalable global brand that brings iconic live experiences to audiences worldwide while expanding our presence across key entertainment hubs in North America, Asia and Europe.”

Following its New York launch, PremierXTM plans to expand through a broader international rollout across North America, Asia and Europe, with future editions planned as part of a growing network of recurring live entertainment properties and flagship cultural events.

For ticket information on PremierXTM: “AFTER DARK”, visit
https://www.axs.com/events/1644912/after-dark-tickets

About CSTS Enterprises

CSTS Enterprises is an integrated media, entertainment, sports, and travel technology group. Headquartered in New York City, the company develops and partners with intellectual properties and brands to deliver compelling experiences that connect with audiences across the world. In addition to its own initiatives, including Generation CTM and PremierXTM, it collaborates with international IPs including FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, and Formula 1.

CSTS integrates experiential marketing, travel, data, and technology to deliver seamless end-to-end audience experiences. The company engages consumers across physical events and digital channels, executing at scale worldwide, turning complex activations into co-ordinated, measurable outcomes.

[1] Source: Industry research by Markets and Markets, Live Entertainment Market Size, Share, Latest Trends & Growth Analysis, 2025-2030, Live Entertainment Market Size, Share, Latest Trends & Growth Analysis, 2025-2030.

 

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SOURCE CSTS Enterprises

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