Al Zorah Announces Partnership with Four Seasons to Open a Luxury Beachfront Resort in Al Zorah, Ajman in 2026

 

From left: George Saad, CEO of Al Zorah Development Company, and Adrian Messerli, Area President, Hotel Operations, EMEA at Four Seasons, during the signing of the agreement. (Photo: AETOSWire)

AJMAN, United Arab Emirates, April 29 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Al Zorah Development Company, a partnership between the Government of Ajman and Solidere International, together with Four Seasons, have announced plans to open Four Seasons Resort Ajman at Al Zorah in 2026. The beachfront luxurious resort will undergo extensive upgrades to the existing property, including upgrades to accommodation and public facilities. 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250428436866/en/ 

The resort will feature 23 villas, 74 rooms, and suites, all equipped with private terraces offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. Located just 25 minutes from Dubai International Airport, the resort offers a unique blend of comfort and natural tranquility.

George Saad, CEO of Al Zorah Development Company, expressed that the project represents an opportunity to elevate the current property into a premier luxury destination, combining local culture with Four Seasons’ global standards. He looks forward to attracting international attention and enhancing the region's appeal.

Bart Carnahan, President of Global Business Development, Portfolio Management, and Residential at Four Seasons, shared his enthusiasm about expanding the brand’s presence in the UAE. He added that the collaboration with Al Zorah Development aims to offer a world-class luxury experience that highlights the renowned hospitality for which Four Seasons is known.

The resort is designed to blend modern architecture with lush gardens, offering a variety of facilities that cater to guests of all ages. It will include a state-of-the-art fitness center, luxurious spa facilities, a private beach, and a 280-foot (85-meter) infinity pool, divided into separate areas for adults and children.

Additionally, guests will enjoy a carefully curated selection of activities, such as children’s programs, diving excursions, and guided tours to explore the mangrove forests and natural creek. Golf enthusiasts will have access to the Al Zorah Golf and Yacht Club, which features an 18-hole championship course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

The resort will also offer fine dining experiences, including a restaurant serving global cuisine with panoramic sea views, a beach bar and restaurant to enjoy the local atmosphere, and an Italian restaurant blending local and international flavours, all set against breathtaking views. Four Seasons Resort in Al Zorah, Ajman, will focus on luxury and exceptional service to provide an unparalleled hospitality experience in the UAE.

Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250428436866/en/ 

Contact

Mahmoud Kabakibi – Account Manager
m.kabakibi@saharapr.com
00971552505214   

Source : Al Zorah

--BERNAMA 

BUNS, BEATS & BEYOND: HONG KONG SPRINGS TO LIFE WITH FESTIVAL FEVER

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Bernama) -- The annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival, one of Hong Kong’s most iconic cultural celebrations, is set to return on May 5 to 6, marking the beginning of a packed spring of traditional festivals, arts showcases, and international sporting events across the city.

Held on the island of Cheung Chau, the festival is steeped in history and folklore, honouring Pak Tai, a sea deity believed to have saved the island from a plague in the 18th century.

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board in a statement, since 2011, it has been recognised on China’s national list of intangible cultural heritage.

Among the highlights of this year’s programme are the Climbing Carnival on April 27, featuring games and performances; the vibrant Piu Sik Parade on May 5, where children dressed as deities and public figures appear to float above the crowd; and the adrenaline-pumping Bun-Scrambling Competition, which takes place at midnight on May 5 to 6, where climbers race up a 14-metre tower to collect the most lucky buns.

In conjunction with Labour Day Golden Week (May 1 to 5), the city will also host a 12-minute drone light show set to music along the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade on May 1, offering a dazzling display framed by Hong Kong’s iconic skyline.

The festival forms part of Cultural Beat, a citywide initiative celebrating Hong Kong’s unique cultural heritage. Other major events include the Buddha Bathing Ceremony at Po Lin Monastery (April 29 to May 5), the Tam Kung Festival in Eastern District (April 29 to May 7), and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (June 7 to 8).

Art and culture enthusiasts can also look forward to the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong (May 22 to 25), the French May Arts Festival (ongoing until July 13), and the Chinese Culture Festival (June to September).

New highlights this year include Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA (from May 21) and the Picasso for Asia—A Conversation exhibition at M+, featuring over 60 works by the legendary artist.

Sports fans will not be left out, with the Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2025 taking place from June 18 to 22, bringing together six top international teams in a high-energy tournament.

With a diverse lineup of celebrations throughout the season, Hong Kong invites residents and visitors alike to experience its rich blend of tradition and modernity.

-- BERNAMA

CGTN: CALL GROWS FOR REPATRIATION OF ANCIENT CHINESE MANUSCRIPTS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Bernama) -- Renewed calls for the repatriation of the Chu Silk Manuscripts, an over 2,000-year-old Chinese cultural artefact currently held in the United States (US), have drawn international attention following new evidence presented by Chinese and American scholars.

The manuscripts, believed to be the only known silk texts from China’s Warring States period (475 to 221 BC), were reportedly looted from an ancient tomb in Changsha, Hunan Province, in 1942. The artefact was later smuggled to the US in 1946 by American collector John Hadley Cox, following its acquisition under contentious circumstances in Shanghai.

In a report published by China Global Television Network (CGTN), researchers traced the full journey of the manuscripts—from their discovery at a site known as Zidanku to their current location at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

Chinese scholar Professor Li Ling of Peking University, who has spent over four decades researching the manuscripts, presented a detailed chain of evidence confirming their origin and ownership, according to a statement.

His findings were supported by Professor Donald Harper of the University of Chicago, who in 2024 submitted a crucial artefact—an original storage box lid used by Cox—which helped corroborate the timeline.

"The Zidanku Silk Manuscripts clearly belong to China and should be returned," said Prof Harper during the International Conference on the Protection and Return of Cultural Objects Removed from Colonial Contexts, held in Qingdao last year.

The manuscripts, which date back approximately 2,300 years, are considered a unique record of ancient Chinese cosmology and ritual practices, predating the Dead Sea Scrolls by over a century.

Attempts to return the manuscript were previously made by American physician and art collector Dr Arthur M. Sackler, who acquired the artefact in 1966. Although he made multiple efforts to repatriate it to China, they were ultimately unfulfilled due to logistical and personal circumstances.

Currently housed in the Sackler Gallery, the manuscript is listed on the museum's website as an "anonymous gift" with “provenance research underway”.

The CGTN report underscores growing international consensus on the rightful return of cultural artefacts to their countries of origin. It further highlights the importance of cross-border academic collaboration and ethical museum practices, particularly in the context of heritage removed during colonial or conflict periods.

The case reflects broader global discussions on the protection and restitution of cultural property—issues that resonate across Asia and beyond.

-- BERNAMA

Global surge in energy innovation as TERA-Award draws record-breaking 785 entries

 

HONG KONG, April 25 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a testament to the accelerating global push for climate tech solutions, this year’s TERA-Award has drawn innovators from around the world, shattering previous participation records. The smart energy competition closed applications in early April with 785 submissions from 76 countries and regions—the highest in its four-year history.

Behind the impressive statistics lies a tapestry of innovation across six categories, with Renewable Energy leading the pack. Competitors have submitted ideas across green fuels, hydrogen technology, smart energy systems, and sustainable infrastructure—all aimed at addressing the world’s most pressing energy challenges.

“What we’re seeing is a remarkable global convergence around energy innovation,” says Alan Chan, Executive Chairman of the TERA-Award Organising Committee. “This surge in participation confirms that the TERA-Award has become a global platform for identifying and nurturing tomorrow’s energy solutions.”

The competition’s international reach has expanded significantly. The US contributed 12.5% of entries, whilst the UK and India followed with 6.2% and 8.7% respectively. Applications from the Chinese mainland (18.1%) and Hong Kong (5.5%) remained strong, but the growing participation from Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas signals the global nature of the energy innovation ecosystem.

Beyond its US$1 million grand prize, the TERA-Award has a proven track record of transforming ideas into commercial reality. Previous participant i2Cool recently closed its Series A funding with support from competition organiser Towngas. Its electricity-free cooling coatings are now deployed internationally, demonstrating the TERA-Award’s impact beyond mere recognition.

Similarly, Luquos Energy used Towngas's backing after participating in the competition to scale up its sulphur-based flow battery system, with a demonstration project now running in Shenzhen. These examples illustrate how the TERA-Award accelerates their solutions from lab to market.

Attention now shifts to the judging phase led by Professor Cui Yi, a world-renowned materials scientist from Stanford University. The expert panel will evaluate the submissions on technological innovation, commercial viability, scalability, and potential global impact.

Winners will be announced in July 2025, but for many participants, the real prize extends beyond the monetary award. The TERA-Award, empowered by Full Vision Capital, offers top teams access to industry leaders, potential investors, and strategic partners—resources often more valuable than the funding alone.

For enquiries, please contact:
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas)

Tel: +852 2963 3493
Email: cad@towngas.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/514007ad-2257-4658-a9e5-c24870dd9fb1 

SOURCE : The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited

HAHM PARTNERS DRIVES PR INNOVATION, GOES GLOBAL WITH K-POP STRATEGY

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 (Bernama) -- Hahm Partners, one of Korea’s leading public relations (PR) and communications firms, is rapidly expanding globally with a focus on government relations (GR), strategic PR, brand-tech innovation, and K-pop intellectual properties (IP) marketing.

Recognised as one of the Top 100 Global PR Agencies by Provoke Media, Hahm Partners is also the winner of the 2024 PR Agency of the Year Award, representing Korea on the global stage as a leading force in integrated communications.

“In today’s environment, communication is more than messaging—it is a strategic connection between policy, public opinion, brands, and technology. We integrate strategy, culture, and tech to help brands grow with meaning,” said Hahm Partners Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Siwon Hahm in a statement.

Renowned for its expertise in policy and regulatory communications, crisis management, and digital strategy, the firm provides strategic counsel to a wide range of clients, including multinational corporations, government institutions, and public agencies, to navigate complex policy landscapes and stakeholder dynamics in Korea.

Hahm Partners core areas of expertise are public affairs & GR, strategic PR & crisis management, brand-tech: digital platform development, K-pop IP collaboration & fandom commerce, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered media monitoring & fandom insights.

With its K-pop IP marketing and fandom commerce model, the firm delivers immersive consumer experiences for global brands through fan-centric engagement strategies as it evolves into a hybrid communications platform company, connecting PR, content, commerce, and policy.

Currently expanding across the United States, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asia, the firm is also actively bridging Korean and global IP with brands, creating unique cultural campaigns that drive emotional resonance and commercial value.

-- BERNAMA

Steak specialty restaurant "STEAK SUDAKU" opens its third store in Telok Ayer as its first franchise in Singapore

 

SINGAPORE, April 21 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- General Omi Beef Trading Co., Ltd., a trading company specializing in Omi beef, exports Omi beef from Shiga Prefecture to Singapore through its own business and will further spread the Omi beef brand through a wholly owned subsidiary.

OMIGYU TRADING SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., a wholly owned subsidiary of General Omi Beef Trading Co., Ltd. (Head office: Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture / CEO: Takaoki Nishino), opened its first franchise store, "STEAK SUDAKU" Telok Ayer store (3 Boon Tat St) on Monday, April 14, 2025.

[STEAK SUDAKU]
"STEAK SUDAKU" is a fast-casual restaurant with Omi beef steaks as its main product, and offers quick delivery and service. The new brand name "Sudaku" has the following meaning, and is a coined word using Chinese simplified characters that is similar in sound and meaning to the Japanese word "Sudaku (gather)".

-Xǐ: joy, enjoy
-Dá: achieve
-Jù: gather

The meaning behind "Sudaku": A place where people can gather and have fun.

[Store details]

Store name: Steak Sudaku Telok Ayer
Address: 3 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069612

Opening hours: 11:00-15:00 (last orders 14:30) 17:00-21:00 (last orders 20:30)
Opening date: Monday, April 14, 2025

Instagram: @steak_sudaku_telok_ayer

[To apply for a franchise]
Application URL: https://forms.gle/2U7hCBbxvhhZUM8Q8

[Company information]
Company name: OMIGYU TRADING SINGAPORE PTE.LTD.
Head office: 20 COLLYER QUAY #12-06 20 COLLYER QUAY SINGAPORE 049-319
Business: Import business, restaurant business, franchise business

RALPH POH
P.RALPH@OMIGYUCORP.CO.JP  


SOURCE : OMIGYU TRADING SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.

APO Launches GPA Council, Unveils GP 2.0 Prototypes In Osaka

 

APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra delivering the closing remarks at the GPA Council Annual Meeting Special Presentation Session at the Blue Ocean Dome, EXPO 2025 Osaka. 

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) -- The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) successfully hosted the first annual meeting of its Green Productivity Advisory (GPA) Council from April 14 to 15 in Osaka, Japan.

Chaired by University of Tokyo Professor Emeritus Ryoichi Yamamoto, the council comprises members from Fiji, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand and advises APO Secretary-General Dr Indra Pradana Singawinata on the development of a solution-based, action-orientated, Asia-centric GP 2.0 Ecosystem.

During the meeting, Dr Indra presented the progress on key components of the GP 2.0 Ecosystem, specifically the GP rating system, guidebooks, and mapping, according to APO in a statement.

In addition, prototypes of the rating and mapping systems were also unveiled, with council members providing valuable feedback for further refinement.

The council's commitment to integrating the foundational Green Productivity principles, first introduced by Professor Yamamoto in 1994, was spotlighted during a Special Presentation Session at the Blue Ocean Dome (BOD), EXPO 2025 Osaka.

The session featured a mix of speeches, including a video message from Fiji’s Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh, and highlighted sustainability achievements across the member countries. It concluded with a presentation on Indonesia’s Biofarma, showcasing real-world GP implementation.

On the second day, two guest lecturers contributed insights to guide future development of GP 2.0. The Council finalised a set of strategic recommendations to steer the APO Secretariat’s efforts in the coming year. These recommendations will be formally presented at the upcoming 67th APO Governing Body Session in Jakarta in May.

-- BERNAMA

Guangxi Baise City's Beautiful Scenery "Charms" the United Nations

 

^{The nighttime view of Baise selected for the WMO 2025 Meteorological Calendar}


BAISE, China, April 15, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

Recently, at the 2025 Calendar Photography Contest hosted by the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a photograph titled Electric Roasted Sea Bass, taken in Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, stood out among tens of thousands of global entries and was selected for inclusion in the WMO 2025 Meteorological Calendar. This marks the only Chinese photography work chosen this year.

The photo Electric Roasted Sea Bass was captured by photography enthusiast Liang Ke. In this awe-inspiring image, multiple lightning bolts pierce through the clouds, illuminating the night sky. Below, the Youjiang River reflects a dazzling array of neon lights, creating a radiant scene. The photo has been widely shared on WMO's official platforms and global social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, and LinkedIn. This "vibrant and luminous" nighttime view of Baise has attracted significant attention from domestic and international netizens.

The publicity department of Baise city introduces that in recent years, Baise has vigorously advanced the modernization of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. In 2024, Baise was approved as Guangxi's sole national pilot for deepening climate-resilient city construction and was also included in the second batch of national pilot projects for new pollutant management. For multiple consecutive years, 14 national and 11 regional surface water monitoring sections in the city have maintained a 100% water quality compliance rate, ranking Baise 9th nationally in surface water quality. In 2024, the city's air quality excellent rate reached 98.4%.

With the continuous improvement of Baise's ecological environment, rare animals such as leopard cats and Hainan partridges have been frequently spotted in the Chengbi River Nature Reserve. The Chinese merganser, known as the "panda of birds", has overwintered there for over a decade.

Recently, the Oriental white stork, a nationally protected first-class wildlife species, was observed for the first time in Sihuang Town, Youjiang District. Last year, Baise also shared its achievements from the Guangxi Bangliang Gibbon National Nature Reserve and Guangxi Yachang Orchid National Nature Reserve with China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Dr. Wan Rong, an associate researcher at China Agricultural University, noted that Baise possesses unique ecological advantages. Moving forward, the city could focus on industries like health foods and medicinal-edible resources to build a full-chain consumer ecosystem spanning "ecological resources - deep processing - brand marketing", leveraging its "green potential" to drive "economic prosperity".

Source: The Publicity Department of Baise City

Capcom Game Titles To Launch On Nintendo Switch 2 In June

 

Street Fighter 6 is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th! 

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- Capcom Co Ltd has announced that both Street Fighter 6 and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess will be released for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, coinciding with the launch of the new hardware from Nintendo Co Ltd.

Street Fighter 6 represents a new generation of fighting games that can be enjoyed by a wide array of players, with controller input options tailored to both beginners and seasoned players alike and improved audio accessibility settings to supplement the gameplay experience.

According to Capcom in a statement, official e-sports tournament initiatives such as the Capcom Pro Tour and the Street Fighter League have also brought the title significant attention, and the series has surpassed cumulative sales of over 56 million units.

There are dedicated modes and features for the Nintendo Switch 2, such as a new mode that utilises the Joy-Con’s gyro functionality, as well as a local battle mode allowing players to enjoy thrilling matches anytime, anywhere, with anyone.

Meanwhile, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a unique Japanese-inspired, single-player Kagura Action Strategy game that has been nominated for many game awards and received critical acclaim from domestic and international media as well as fans for its originality and high level of craftsmanship.

This version supports mouse controls, allowing players to enjoy more intuitive controls, and adds the additional content Otherworldly Venture, where players can experience the action and strategy from a new perspective.

Founded in 1983 with corporate headquarters in Osaka, Japan, Capcom is a worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, personal computers, handheld and wireless devices.

-- BERNAMA