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Alpro Launches Subsidised RM1 Ferritin Checks to Help Women Understand, Prepare and Live Well Through the Transition to Menopause

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17 hours ago

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Before Menopause, Many Women Are Already Struggling in Silence

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – Perimenopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, yet many women enter this transition without fully understanding what is happening to their bodies or knowing where to seek support.

Group photo with representatives, guests and attendees at the Me. NO PAUSE Official Launching Ceremony.

While menopause is becoming more widely discussed, the years leading up to it often receive far less attention. During perimenopause, women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, energy levels, concentration, sleep, mood and overall well-being. These changes may begin several years before menopause and can gradually affect a woman’s daily life, work and family responsibilities.

Recognising the need for earlier awareness and support, Alpro Pharmacy has launched Me. NO PAUSE, a women’s health initiative designed to help women better understand, prepare for and live well through the transition to menopause.
As part of the initiative, Alpro is offering eligible women a subsidised ferritin check for only RM1, compared with the normal price of RM35. Alpro is subsidising RM34 of the screening cost to make iron-store assessment more affordable and accessible within the community.
Women aged 35 and above, particularly those experiencing persistent tiredness, brain fog, hair loss, or brittle nails, are encouraged to undergo a ferritin check and speak with a healthcare professional about their results.

The fatigue women are expected to live with

Women in their late thirties, forties, and early fifties often carry multiple responsibilities at home, at work, and within their communities. Persistent exhaustion or difficulty concentrating may therefore be dismissed as stress, lack of sleep, ageing or simply part of having a busy life.

However, these symptoms deserve attention rather than automatic acceptance.
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. A ferritin check helps assess a person’s iron stores and may identify low iron levels before the condition progresses to iron-deficiency anaemia.
Symptoms such as tiredness and brain fog are non-specific and may have many possible causes. Nevertheless, checking ferritin levels provides women with an opportunity to explore a frequently overlooked possibility and receive appropriate professional guidance.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has reported that approximately one in three Malaysian women of reproductive age, between 15 and 49 years old, experiences anaemia. Despite the scale of the issue, ferritin testing is not commonly discussed as part of routine health screening among women.
Through Me. NO PAUSE, Alpro aims to change that conversation.

“Women are often expected to keep functioning even when they feel persistently exhausted, mentally foggy or simply unlike themselves. These experiences are easily dismissed as stress, age or the result of having too many responsibilities,” said Ph. Ng Yi Ling, Professional Care & Development and Project Lead of Me. No Pause from Alpro Pharmacy.
“We want to move the conversation earlier, before women reach menopause and before exhaustion becomes something they believe they simply have to tolerate. The RM1 price is not merely a promotion; it represents Alpro’s commitment to removing cost as the first barrier to screening.”
“A ferritin check can help a woman understand whether low iron stores may be part of the picture, speak to a pharmacist and take the next appropriate step. Her tiredness deserves to be heard, her concerns deserve to be taken seriously, and her health should never come last.”
Emerging research has also drawn attention to the possible relationship between iron status and cognitive performance during the menopausal transition.
A study published in the scientific journal Nutrients in 2025 examined non-anaemic women going through the menopausal transition. The researchers observed that better iron status was associated with stronger cognitive performance, including greater accuracy, better discrimination and faster response times.
The researchers emphasised that the findings were preliminary and that larger, longer-term studies are required. Nevertheless, the research highlights the importance of better understanding iron status in women who may experience brain fog during perimenopause, even when they have not been diagnosed with anaemia.
Supporting this mission, Powerlife, a leading health supplement provider in Malaysia, has stepped forward as the main partner of Me. No Pause to improve access to ferritin screening for women nationwide, with 300 Ferritin analysers from Global Science using handheld fluorescence technology to provide results within minutes, available at all Alpro Pharmacy.
The launch of Me. NO PAUSE was also attended by representatives from the Malaysian Pharmacists Society Special Interest Group on Women and Child Health and from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), bringing together community pharmacy practice and academic research to support women’s health.
“Community pharmacists play an important role in making women’s health screening more accessible, approachable and connected to timely action,” said Ms Harpreet Kaur, representing the Malaysian Pharmacists Society Special Interest Group on Women and Child Health.
“Through this initiative, we hope to empower pharmacists to identify women who may be at risk of iron deficiency, provide timely counselling and connect them to appropriate care when further medical assessment is required.”

Representing the Faculty of Pharmacy, UiTM, Associate Professor Dr Mahmathi Karuppannan said:

“Research helps us better understand the burden, level of awareness and health impact of iron deficiency among women in Malaysia. Through this collaboration, UiTM hopes to generate meaningful local insights that can guide public education, early risk detection and the development of future women’s health interventions.”
By connecting accessible screening with pharmacist counselling and appropriate referral pathways, Alpro aims to translate awareness into meaningful, responsible health action.
Women aged 35 and above who experience persistent tiredness, brain fog, hair loss or brittle nails are encouraged to visit their nearest Alpro Pharmacy to learn more about ferritin checks and speak with an Alpro pharmacist.
Through Me. NO PAUSE, Alpro hopes to help more women feel heard, informed and supported before, during and beyond the transition to menopause.

Hashtag: #Alpro

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

About Alpro Group

Founded in 2002, Alpro Group’s ecosystem has grown to include Alpro Pharmacy, Apotek Alpro, Alpro スギ (Sugi) Pharmacy, Alpro Physio, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Baby, Alpro OptiSaver, Alpro Audiology, Alpro Health, and Alpro Foundation. Supported by a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, optometrist and many others, Alpro serves over 5 million families in Malaysia and Indonesia through its extensive network of 500 physical outlets.

Alpro Pharmacy is the first and only community pharmacy in the region to offer product liability insurance of MYR 1 million in Malaysia and IDR 3 billion in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of genuine medications and enhancing consumer trust.

With the vision of a healthy and vibrant world, Alpro Group aims to become the No. 1 prescription pharmacy chain in Southeast Asia.

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VinFast partners with TÜV Rheinland to advance vehicle testing capabilities for Vietnam’s automotive industry

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17/07/2026

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HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – VinFast today announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TÜV Rheinland, a global leader in automotive testing, inspection and certification, to strengthen vehicle testing capabilities in Vietnam. The partnership includes the development of the VinFast Testing Center in accordance with international standards and the provision of testing and technical advisory services to automotive manufacturers across the region from Vietnam, laying the foundation for deeper integration into the global automotive value chain.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Quan (right), Deputy CEO of Quality Control Division, VinFast, and Mr. Nguyen The Anh, General Director of TÜV Rheinland Vietnam, at the signing ceremony.

Under the MOU, VinFast and TÜV Rheinland will work closely across a broad range of areas, including technical advisory services, testing, certification and specialized training. TÜV Rheinland will prioritize the VinFast Testing Center as its preferred provider of testing and technical advisory services for relevant projects in Vietnam and the ASEAN region. The two parties will also jointly promote the capabilities of the VinFast Testing Center to international automotive manufacturers, develop new business opportunities, and organize specialized training programs and industry seminars to further strengthen technical capabilities.

Previously, VinFast and TÜV Rheinland have collaborated on numerous testing and technical assessment activities covering electric vehicle systems, components and complete vehicles, supporting the development of products that meet the technical requirements of both domestic and international markets. The new strategic MOU elevates the relationship beyond individual projects and establishes a long-term partnership aimed at helping Vietnamese businesses integrate more deeply into the global automotive value chain.

Headquartered in Germany and backed by more than 150 years of experience, TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in testing, inspection and certification. The company provides technical services to automotive manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, helping them comply with regulatory requirements and international standards related to safety, performance, electromagnetic compatibility, cybersecurity and other specialized technical fields.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Quan, Deputy CEO of Quality Control Division, VinFast, said: “Our partnership with TÜV Rheinland is a key step in VinFast’s long-term strategy to strengthen our research, testing and product development capabilities in line with international standards. Beyond enhancing product quality, this collaboration also creates opportunities for VinFast to gradually become part of the regional and global automotive technical services network, contributing to the continued development of Vietnam’s automotive industry ecosystem.”

Mr. Nguyen The Anh, General Director of TÜV Rheinland Vietnam, said: “We highly value VinFast’s continued investment in research, testing and product development. Leveraging our global expertise in testing, inspection and certification, TÜV Rheinland looks forward to working alongside VinFast to strengthen technical capabilities, drive technological innovation, and develop services that meet the growing demands of the market.“

As Vietnam’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer with a diverse ecosystem spanning electric cars, electric motorcycles and smart mobility solutions, VinFast continues to invest in research, development and testing infrastructure to meet the world’s most demanding international standards. The expanded partnership with TÜV Rheinland further reinforces VinFast’s strategy of building a network of world-leading technical partners, strengthening its research, testing and product development capabilities while contributing to technological innovation and the development of the automotive industry ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.

Hashtag: #VinFast #TÜVRheinland #AutomotiveTesting

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

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HKT to launch ultra-low latency 3.2Tbps AI Data Centre Inter-connect Superhighway to support Hong Kong’s AI development

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18 hours ago

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17/07/2026

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – HKT (SEHK: 6823) today announces plan to roll out its ultra-low latency 3.2Tbps AI Data Centre Inter-connect (DCI) Superhighway service, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, enabling AI infrastructure providers and institutions to have ultra-fast and seamless access to computing resources across multiple data centres to meet next-generation AI workloads.

As AI workloads continue to grow and may surpass the capacity of individual facilities, institutions increasingly require access to distributed resources across multiple data centres. The ultra-low latency 3.2Tbps AI DCI Superhighway enables AI infrastructure providers to efficiently scale training and inference operations, while empowering institutions such as universities and research labs to run complex scientific simulations by seamlessly pooling computing capacity across Hong Kong.

Upgrading from our 800Gbps AI Superhighway, the 3.2Tbps AI DCI Superhighway supports advanced industry standards including Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA), RDMA Over Converged Ethernet (RoCEv2), Multipath Reliable Connection (MRC) and Ultra-Ethernet Transport. It will run on the advanced hollow core fibre, which is planned between Lok Ma Chau Loop and Tseung Kwan O, achieving about 30% lower latency than traditional fibre. The combination of high bandwidth and ultra-low latency keeps thousands of GPUs across data centres working in sync, reducing the time and cost of compute by minimising delays in data transmission, while simultaneously lowering power-per-bit to improve energy efficiency.

Steve Ng, Managing Director of Commercial Group, HKT, said, “At HKT, we see connectivity as the critical foundation of Hong Kong’s AI future. This next-generation fibre network delivers ultra-low latency, high-speed, and secure data exchange to unlock the full potential of AI development across the city. By seamlessly connecting and maximising Hong Kong’s computing resources, we enable faster model training, real-time data processing, and cross-sector AI innovation—strengthening the city’s position as a leading I&T hub. It also lays vital groundwork for the Northern Metropolis, linking the Hetao area with existing data centres today while paving the way for seamless access to new computing resources as they come online across the region.”

Ricky Kwong, Head of Fixed Network Engineering, HKT and CEO, Fiber Link Global, said, “HKT is firmly committed to supporting innovation in Hong Kong, with the ambition of positioning our city as one of the most advanced I&T hubs in the world. To realise this vision, we are upgrading the AI Superhighway across Hong Kong’s major data centre clusters. The first phase, connecting Lok Ma Chau to Tseung Kwan O, is targeted for completion by the end of 2026 and will support the upcoming megawatt-scale Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster. Through initiatives such as these, HKT is building the connectivity foundations that will power Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem for years to come.”

HKT’s AI Superhighway interconnects Hong Kong’s leading data centre clusters and HKT’s new AI Exchange in the Lok Ma Chau Loop. The Group is also prepared to extend coverage to the upcoming Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, supporting its evolution into an advanced data facility cluster.

Hashtag: #HKT

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

About HKT

HKT is a technology, media, and telecommunication leader with more than 150 years of history in Hong Kong. As the city’s true 5G provider, HKT connects businesses and people locally and globally. Our end-to-end enterprise solutions make us a market-leading digital transformation partner of choice for businesses, whereas our comprehensive connectivity and smart living offerings enrich people’s lives and cater for their diverse needs for work, entertainment, education, well-being, and even a sustainable low-carbon lifestyle. Together with our digital ventures which support digital economy development and help connect Hong Kong to the world as an international financial centre, HKT endeavours to contribute to smart city development and help our community tech forward.

For more information, please visit .
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Issued by HKT Limited.
HKT Limited is a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability.

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Discover Singapore’s Creative & Culinary Heritage in Chinatown Singapore with Family-Friendly Weekend Workshops

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18 hours ago

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17/07/2026

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – Visitors looking to experience Singapore beyond its iconic attractions can now immerse themselves in two hands-on heritage workshops in the heart of Chinatown. Organised by Chinatown Business Association (CBA), these interactive experiences invite International tourists, families and local Singaporeans to create memorable souvenirs while discovering Singapore’s multicultural traditions.

On 18 July 2026, families can try their hands to create a bag at the DIY Canvas Bag Workshop. Participants will get to design and personalise their own reusable canvas bags using colourful paints. Suitable for all ages and requiring no prior artistic experience, the 90-minute workshop offers a fun way to bond while taking home a unique handcrafted keepsake. Tickets are priced at S$6 per participant, making it an affordable family activity during the school holidays.
The heritage journey continues on 25 July 2026 with the Traditional Nyonya Kueh Workshop, where participants will learn to prepare two beloved Peranakan delicacies – Kueh Koswee, soft pandan rice cakes coated with freshly grated coconut and Apom Berkuah, fluffy traditional rice pancakes served with rich coconut sauce. Guided by an experienced instructor, the workshop introduces beginners to authentic recipes and the rich culinary traditions of Singapore’s Peranakan community through hands-on experience.
Both workshops will be held at the Chinatown Singapore along historic Smith Street. Conveniently located near Chinatown and Maxwell MRT stations, the venue allows visitors to complement their workshop experience with a stroll through heritage streets, traditional shops, temples and local Singaporean eateries.
“Chinatown Singapore is a living cultural district where visitors can experience Singapore’s traditions through meaningful and interactive activities,” said Lim Yick Suan, Executive Director of Chinatown Business Association. “These workshops offer international tourists and local Singaporeans an opportunity to create lasting memories while connecting with our local Singaporean heritage in a fun and engaging way.”
The workshops are available to both international visitors and local participants. As places are limited, advance booking is recommended. For tickets and more information, visit the ticketing page at https://peatix.com/event/5079145 and https://peatix.com/event/5080182.
Event Details
DIY Canvas Bag Workshop: 18 July 2026 (Saturday)
Traditional Nyonya Kueh Workshop: 25 July 2026 (Saturday)
Venue: Chinatown Business Association, 9A Smith Street, Singapore 058923
Sessions: 11.00am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–3.00pm (2 sessions)

Chinatown Singapore is a vibrant destination offering a year-round calendar of cultural events, festivals and heritage experiences that celebrate the precinct’s rich traditions and vibrant community. To discover upcoming programmes and the latest updates, visit https://chinatown.sg/ or follow Chinatown Singapore on Instagram and https://www.facebook.com/ChinatownSGcsm

Hashtag: #ChinatownBusinessAssociation

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

About Chinatown Business Association

Chinatown Business Association (CBA) was set up by a group of passionate Chinatown stakeholders drawn from a cross-section of business leaders, grassroots leaders, Chinese clan associations, hoteliers, hawkers, retailers, and more. CBA is a non-profit organisation serving and promoting the business and community interest of stakeholders in Chinatown. For more information, visit chinatown.sg.

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