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Nature's Capital: Why Asia's Governments Are Turning to Nature-Based Solutions

SINGAPORE, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lester Chan, CEO & Chairman, The GrowHub Limited (Nasdaq: TGHL) explains how forests, mangroves, and peatlands are reshaping climate strategy The first wave of carbon markets was about avoidance. The second wave is about removal. The third—gathering momentum now—is about nature itself. Across Asia, governments are recognising a fundamental truth: their most valuable carbon assets are not in industrial parks or power grids, but in mangroves, peatlands, forests, and coastal ecosystems. Nature-based solutions are no longer a niche concern for conservationists. They are becoming central to national climate strategy, economic planning, and international cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The Asia Advantage Asia holds an extraordinary concentration of natural capital. Mangroves across the region store up to several times more carbon per hectare than many terrestrial forests. Tropical peatlands lock away carbon accumulated over thousands of years. Mountain and highland ecosystems provide both carbon sinks and water regulation for entire river basins. Many governments now explicitly frame NbS as core to their climate and development pathways. Sri Lanka's third NDC, submitted in September 2025, explicitly names nature-based solutions as critical for addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. Bhutan, already carbon-negative, is structuring Article 6 partnerships around its forest estate. Yet despite this potential, natural capital remains underleveraged. The forest and land-use finance gap is still measured in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually—the shortfall between current investment and what is needed to meet global climate and biodiversity targets by 2030. In Asia, private capital still accounts for only a small fraction of NbS finance. The problem is not a lack of land or ideas. It is a lack of bankable, high‑integrity projects that governments can endorse and investors can trust. The Integrity Imperative The voluntary carbon market's growing pains have taught a clear lesson: volume without verification is worthless. For nature‑based credits to command premium pricing—and for host governments to be confident in authorising mitigation outcomes under Article 6—projects must meet exacting standards of durability, additionality, and transparency. This is particularly challenging in complex, dynamic ecosystems. Measuring biomass in dense tropical forests, tracking carbon accumulation in mangroves, and monitoring leakage across dispersed landscapes have historically been labour‑intensive, expensive, and prone to error. That is no longer acceptable. The solution lies in digital MRV. Satellite-based remote sensing, AI‑powered biomass and land‑use modelling, and blockchain‑secured data trails are moving from experimental to essential. Countries with large forest and peatland estates are refining emission factors, strengthening greenhouse gas inventories, and tightening land‑use governance. This level of scientific and institutional rigour is what separates projects that deliver real climate impact from those that merely produce paper credits. The Government Partnership Model Nature‑based solutions are inherently public goods. They operate across jurisdictional boundaries, involve local communities, and intersect with land rights, conservation policy, and rural development. Only governments can provide the enabling frameworks that make NbS investable at scale. This is why The GrowHub's approach has always centred on working with governments, not around them. Under Article 6 bilateral cooperation, host countries retain sovereignty over their natural assets and mitigation outcomes. Partner countries bring technology, finance, and demand for high‑integrity credits. The private sector then provides the project development, execution, and technology stack that turns policy into reality. Done well, this is not carbon colonialism; it is carbon partnership. Projects are designed to align with national development priorities—whether that is coastal protection, fire prevention, community forestry, or rural electrification—while meeting stringent requirements for quantification and verification. In practice, this often means sitting with environment ministries, planning agencies, and local authorities to translate national climate commitments into prioritised NbS portfolios, designing safeguards and benefit‑sharing mechanisms that communities can accept, and embedding digital MRV from day one so that every authorised tonne is traceable and defensible. Singapore's Catalytic Role Singapore, despite its limited land area, is positioning itself as a regional hub for high‑quality nature‑based carbon solutions. Policy and industry initiatives are increasingly focused on solving the technical bottlenecks that have held back blue carbon and forest projects—issues such as high sapling mortality, weak baselines, and inadequate monitoring. Multi‑year programmes now pair research institutions with project developers to improve mangrove and coastal restoration outcomes, backed by digital monitoring and standardised methodologies. Pilot efforts are also supporting a pipeline of blue carbon and forest projects across multiple Asian countries, linking them to emerging regional carbon markets. Support for remote‑sensing research, biomass measurement tools, and space‑based monitoring tailored to regional conditions all point in the same direction: if Asia's natural capital is to be mobilised at scale, the methodologies and technologies must be built, tested, and governed here—not simply imported. What Is at Stake for Governments For governments across Asia, the case for investing in nature‑based solutions goes well beyond carbon revenues. NbS deliver co‑benefits that engineered solutions cannot. Mangrove restoration, for instance, can reduce wave height by up to 66 percent and provide storm protection valued at over $65 billion annually—while sequestering carbon up to four times faster than terrestrial forests. Peatland rewetting reduces catastrophic fires and transboundary haze. Forest conservation safeguards biodiversity hotspots and cultural heritage, while supporting nature‑based tourism and ecosystem services. NbS also offer a structured pathway to attract international climate finance on terms that respect national sovereignty. Under Article 6.2, bilateral cooperation allows host countries to authorise the transfer of mitigation outcomes in line with their nationally determined contributions, while retaining control over how projects are designed, approved, and monitored. Finally, the quality premium is real. As corporate buyers become more sophisticated, they are increasingly willing to pay higher prices for credits that offer durability, transparency, and verified co‑benefits, rather than lowest‑cost tonnes with unclear impact. The market is steadily shifting toward integrity. The GrowHub's Role At The GrowHub, we work with governments to translate high‑level climate commitments into concrete NbS project pipelines that attract investment and deliver measurable outcomes. In one Southeast Asian coastal programme, for example, we combine satellite imagery, ground surveys, and sensor data to track mangrove recovery and link verified ecological performance directly to credit issuance. Our role typically spans three dimensions: Policy to pipeline: helping governments move from Article 6 frameworks and national strategies to prioritised portfolios of nature‑based projects aligned with national development plans. Technology to trust: deploying AI, remote sensing, and blockchain so that data across the project lifecycle—from field measurements and community engagement records to registry entries—is robust, traceable, and audit‑ready. Projects to markets: connecting verified credits and outcomes to corporate buyers and financiers who understand that price without integrity is a liability, not a discount. From highland reforestation to mangrove protection and regenerative land‑use, we are seeing the same shift: nature‑based solutions are moving from the margins to the mainstream of climate and development policy. Looking Ahead Asia's natural capital is extraordinary. But potential is not outcome. The next five years will determine whether our mangroves, forests, and peatlands become genuine climate solutions—or remain a missed opportunity. For governments, the path is clear: prioritise quality over volume, invest in the technology and capacity that make integrity possible, and partner with organisations that respect national priorities while bringing global market access and digital MRV capabilities. For the private sector, the mandate is equally clear: back projects with strong governance, credible host‑country alignment, and technology‑enabled transparency. The era of buying cheap, low‑integrity credits and hoping for the best is over. At The GrowHub, our focus remains the same: help governments and corporates turn Asia's natural capital into real, measurable, and trusted climate impact. The potential is here. The technology is ready. What matters now is execution.

2026-03-17
Le Clarence Awarded Two Michelin Stars Under the Direction of Andrea Capasso

PARIS, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Le Clarence, an essential address of Parisian haute gastronomy, celebrates its two stars in the Michelin Guide at the 2026 ceremony. This distinction honors the work and vision of Andrea Capasso, Executive Chef since September 2025, who achieves, in his very first year at the helm of the kitchen, a major recognition of his rigor and culinary sensitivity. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/domaine-clarence-dillon/9387451-en-le-clarence-awarded-two-michelin-stars-under-direction-andrea-capasso Located just steps from the Grand Palais, in a setting that is both majestic and intimate, Le Clarence was opened in November 2015 at the initiative of the family-owned group Domaine Clarence Dillon, owner of prestigious wine estates including the legendary Château Haut-Brion. This address embodies a refined and timeless French art de vivre, championed by H.R.H. Prince Robert of Luxembourg, representing the fourth generation of the family and serving as President of the company. A distinction honoring Andrea Capasso's cuisine In his early thirties, with fourteen years of experience already behind him, Andrea Capasso brings to Le Clarence an energy that is both serene and vibrant. Having been part of the restaurant for seven years, he now embodies both its continuity and momentum. His cuisine goes beyond technical mastery, it is something to be felt. Conceived as an enveloping and electrifying score unfolding in sequences, his culinary writing explores the essence of carefully selected ingredients, worked with precision and then elevated to reveal multiple expressions, sometimes unexpected, always clear. A guiding thread of enveloping delicacy and fine acidity extends each bite, while the land-and-sea pairings so dear to Le Clarence take on a new dimension. Andrea Capasso cooks to move and restore through emotion, a sincere approach that leaves guests with a lasting desire to return. "Receiving two Michelin stars in my first year as Executive Chef is an immense honor," says Andrea Capasso. "This distinction above all recognizes a collective effort, the daily commitment of those who bring Le Clarence to life, and the trust that has been placed in me. It encourages us to continue cooking from the heart, to seek genuine emotion, and to offer each guest a moment of pleasure that remains in their memory." Born from observing the preferences of his guests, Andrea Capasso has introduced, alongside the tasting menus, a weekday lunch menu that evolves with the seasons. Designed for busy schedules, it offers the chance to experience Le Clarence in just one hour, without compromising on taste or standards. A feat in which the precision of the service rivals the creativity on the plate. An experience elevated by excellence in service At the heart of this experience, Charles Weyland orchestrates an elegant yet relaxed hospitality. Trained at leading establishments, he brings to Le Clarence a vision of service rooted in attentive listening and an intuitive understanding of each guest. Far from any formality, he creates a warm and almost intimate atmosphere, where kitchen and dining room engage in perfect harmony, enhancing every moment spent within the private mansion. Le Clarence also draws on one of the most remarkable wine cellars in Paris, bringing together nearly 2,000 references from the finest French terroirs. Each wine service, orchestrated by the sommelier team, becomes a moment of distinction: personalised guidance, decanting and food-and-wine pairings create a unique dialogue between gastronomy and grands crus, enhancing every dish and every moment spent at the restaurant. With the consecration of its two Michelin stars, Le Clarence affirms the singularity of Andrea Capasso's cuisine and the excellence of a holistic experience, establishing itself, more than ever, among Paris's greatest gastronomic destinations. About Domaine Clarence Dillon Founded in 1935, the family-owned group Domaine Clarence Dillon brings together some of the most prestigious wine estates in the world: Château Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Quintus, Clarendelle and Klara. Since 2015, Domaine Clarence Dillon has also established a Parisian residence, a true ambassador of the French art de vivre cherished by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, President of Domaine Clarence Dillon and representative of the fourth generation of the family. It is home to the double Michelin-starred restaurant Le Clarence and La Cave du Château, an exceptional boutique dedicated to the finest wines and spirits of the French terroir, also present in Bordeaux (https://www.lacaveduchateau.com). Since 2018, Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Domaine Clarence Dillon have been members of Primum Familiae Vini, an international association of 12 families whose châteaux and estates produce some of the world's greatest wines. Domaine Clarence Dillon also continues the philanthropic tradition dear to its founder by supporting the Grand Palais, located opposite its private mansion. Since 2023, the group's wines have been official partners of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and are exclusively served at the Oscars® ceremony. Media Contacts: Klante flore@klante.co Le Clarence Team ©Marie-Astrid Jamois

2026-03-17
Luxury Group by Marriott International Unveils "Art of Arrival", Bringing Artistic Perspective to Iconic Hotel Spaces in Greater China

A new residency program invites guests to experience a dialogue between creative vision and immersive hospitality SHANGHAI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of this year's Hong Kong Art Month, Luxury Group by Marriott International unveils "Art of Arrival", a new artist residency program that invites emerging Chinese artist Chen Zuo to present a journey across place and perspective. Through an immersive residency, a commissioned piece, and an international exhibition circuit, "Art of Arrival" transforms arrival into a creative journey – inviting guests and audiences to experience the intersection of place, imagination, and design. “Art of Arrival” Artist Residency Program “Art of Arrival” Artist Residency Program “Art of Arrival” Artist Residency Program "Luxury today is defined by moments of arrival and cultural relevance that leave lasting personal meaning," said Bart Buiring, Managing Director, Luxury, Greater China, Marriott International. "With 'Art of Arrival,' we reaffirm our commitment to offering more than refined stays. We create immersive cultural encounters, where each arrival is more than reaching a destination. It becomes a moment where art and life intersect, inspiring a narrative unique to that place." From Suzhou to the World: An Artistic Journey Across SpacesThe inaugural chapter of "Art of Arrival" unfolded in Suzhou. During his residency at The\ Ritz-Carlton,\ Suzhou, Chen Zuo drew inspiration from the city's classical gardens, waterways, urban architectures, and the sculptural presence of Taihu scholar's stones. These interwoven strands of nature and built environment, which define the destination, grounded his new commissions created during the residency. For Chen Zuo, the residency represented a fundamental recalibration of creative rhythm. "It granted me the rare gift of unhurried focus – time to observe, reflect, and evolve my practice within a complex cultural framework," said Chen Zuo. "When the residency is integrated into the creative process itself, the work develops with heightened clarity and purpose." The resulting artwork will premiere in late March during Hong Kong Art Month, with a private presentation at The\ St\.\ Regis\ Hong\ Kong. This event will bring together collectors, gallerists, and cultural key opinion leaders to witness the next chapter of Chen Zuo's artistic journey. The artwork will then travel to Art Basel in Switzerland, where it will be exhibited in collaboration with Galerie Urs Meile, taking its Chinese narrative to a broader international platform. The program culminates in a Greater China tour across select Luxury Group properties, featuring private salons, collector gatherings, and artist talks that foster the dialogue between contemporary art and hospitality, enriching the narrative's dimensions across multiple destinations. Cinematic Storytelling: Capturing the Movement of InspirationTo fully document the creative journey of this residency, Luxury Group has partnered with Tatler China to produce a short documentary tracing Chen Zuo's path, beginning in his Beijing studio to Suzhou's gardens and canals, and ultimately to Hong Kong's international unveiling. Structured around moments of observation and immersion, the film captures the quiet momentum of creation, embodying 'Art of Arrival's' core tenet: authentic creativity born from careful attention rather than spectacle. The film will premiere in late March across official brand platforms, including Marriott Bonvoy's WeChat channel. The\ St\.\ Regis\ Hong\ Kong; The Infinite Child sculpture on the Infinity Guestroom Floor at JW\ Marriott\ Hotel\ Hong\ Kong; The Being in Non-Being bamboo art installation presented at The\ Ritz-Carlton,\ Hong\ Kong" alt="L-R: Limited-edition art sparkling tea at The\ St\.\ Regis\ Hong\ Kong; The Infinite Child sculpture on the Infinity Guestroom Floor at JW\ Marriott\ Hotel\ Hong\ Kong; The Being in Non-Being bamboo art installation presented at The\ Ritz-Carlton,\ Hong\ Kong" />L-R: Limited-edition art sparkling tea at The\ St\.\ Regis\ Hong\ Kong; The Infinite Child sculpture on the Infinity Guestroom Floor at JW\ Marriott\ Hotel\ Hong\ Kong; The Being in Non-Being bamboo art installation presented at The\ Ritz-Carlton,\ Hong\ Kong Luxury Travel Reimagined Through Artistic EncountersAt the heart of Wan Chai, The\ St\.\ Regis\ Hong\ Kong collaborates with Hong Kong's premium sparkling tea brand Mindful Sparks and local artist Elsa Ngai to create a unique, limited-edition sparkling tea experience for guests. Inspired the signature fragrance "Caroline's Four Hundred," the tea's tasting notes are reflected in a bespoke bottle adorned with Elsa Ngai's artwork – capturing both the vibrancy of Hong Kong's cityscape and the hotel's timeless elegance. This collaboration offers guests a memorable blend of art, flavor, and local creativity. During the Hong Kong Art Month, Luxury Group properties advance this cultural conversation through curated artistic programming. JW\ Marriott\ Hotel\ Hong\ Kong collaborates with internationally recognized sculptor Richard X. Zawitz to reimagine the 34th floor into the "Infinity Guestroom Floor," shaped by his signature aesthetic of "Curvism". Beginning March 18, the hotel presents a two-week solo exhibition that seamlessly integrates sculpture into the guest experience. The\ Ritz-Carlton,\ Hong\ Kong features "Dialogue of Stillness and Resilience," a site-specific art installation by Angus Ting, founder of esteemed local bamboo craft brand "Yiwooo". Displayed in the 103rd floor lobby from March 17 to April 8, the work responds to the rhythm of daily life and ambient light, offering guests a moment of contemplation above the city's hustle. Through "Art of Arrival", Luxury Group by Marriott International introduces a new approach to cultural engagement, moving beyond static exhibitions toward ongoing artistic collaboration. Art becomes not simply something to observe during travel, but something to experience, engage with, and discover along the journey. Each arrival becomes an opportunity for inspiration. As the program evolves, Luxury Group by Marriott International remains committed to exploring the intersections of art, culture, and lifestyle, crafting experiences that deepen the connection between destinations, creativity, and the modern traveler. About Luxury Group by Marriott International With an unrivaled portfolio of eight dynamic luxury brands, Marriott International is creating authentic, rare, and enriching experiences sought by today's global luxurian. Spanning all corners of the world, Marriott International's Luxury Group offers a boundless network of more than 555 landmark hotels and resorts in 74 countries and territories through The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels. From the world's most iconic destinations to the ultimate undiscovered gems, the international hospitality leader's collection of luxury brands is focused on elevating travel with highly contextualized, nuanced brand experiences that signal the future of luxury by allowing guests to indulge their passions while sparking personal growth. For more information, please visit Luxury.Marriott.com. About Marriott Bonvoy® Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. About Galerie Urs MeileFounded in 1992 in Lucerne, Galerie Urs Meile represents artists from both China and Europe across different generations and media - including painting, sculpture, installation, photography, and video. Active in China since 1995, the gallery has played an important role in fostering dialogue between Eastern and Western contemporary art. Today, it operates spaces in Beijing, Zurich and Ardez, staging 14 to 16 exhibitions annually. Galerie Urs Meile is dedicated to nurturing contemporary art in both China and Europe, fostering a productive dialogue between the two. It is committed to long-term relationships with artists and collectors, emphasizing sustained engagement and collaboration. By fostering connections that transcend generational and cultural boundaries, the gallery supports the growth of vibrant art communities, bringing diverse perspectives into the international spotlight. Serving as a counterbalance to art production driven solely by ideology or market forces, Galerie Urs Meile contributes actively to a cultural landscape enriched by diverse narratives and artistic expressions, contributing to a cultural prosperity. With a new generation of collectors emerging in China and Europe, Galerie Urs Meile continues to play a vital role in bridging the gap between leading figures and young enthusiasts in contemporary art. About Chen ZuoBorn in 1990 in Xiangxi, Hunan, Chen Zuo lives and works in Beijing. A graduate of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts and its affiliated fine arts school, where he completed both his undergraduate and master's degrees in oil painting. As a leading young artist in China's contemporary art, Chen Zuo presented his first solo exhibition, Building Houses in the Forest at Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing, in 2023, systematically showcasing his artistic trajectory. His works have featured in major group exhibitions including the National Art Museum of China's Unity and Diversity: New Forms in Contemporary Painting. Chen Zuo's paintings not only embody precise techniques and strict painting disciplines, but they are also full of emotions, containing richness and contingency, and are closely related to the daily experiences and memories of real life. As he notes, "I do not construct landscapes out of abstraction alone; I still require a sense of lived reality." Media Contact  Patrick Faden Director, Luxury Brand PR & Communications, Greater China Marriott International Patrick.E.Faden@marriott.com

2026-03-17
For Texas Ranchers Fighting Invasive Brush, XAG Drones Are Changing the Odds

GONZALES, Texas, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the U.S. cattle herd falls to a 75-year low and beef prices climb to record highs, Texas ranchers are under growing pressure to protect every acre of usable pasture. Yet invasive brush continues to spread, and conventional control methods often prove too costly, too imprecise or too limited by terrain. Agricultural drones are changing that equation, offering a more practical way to deliver herbicide treatments in dense brush and hard-to-reach areas without damaging the soil or grass underneath. The XAG P150 agricultural drone delivers a precision herbicide application to target invasive brush while preserving surrounding pasture. When the Brush Takes Over That challenge is creating growing demand for brush control specialists like Curtis Schramm, owner of Texas Agridrone Services. He operates in Gonzales County, a Texas cattle region where livestock accounts for 93 percent of agricultural sales and crop rows make up just 10 percent of farmland. There, brush encroachment is visible and relentless. According to Texas A&M research, a single adult mesquite tree can consume up to 20 gallons of water per day during peak growing season, while prickly pear density can increase 25 to 30 percent each year during prolonged drought. In a region that depends almost entirely on rainfall, that kind of pressure steadily shrinks the amount of usable pasture available to ranchers. The traditional answers work only when the economics align. In Schramm's experience, a 29-acre brushy pasture is too small for a half-million-dollar ground rig to bother with. A helicopter can cover hundreds of acres an hour but won't spray precisely over a dense thicket. And shredding with a tractor makes things worse: it stresses the plants, accelerates regrowth, and leaves fields full of stumps that prevent other equipment from entering afterward. "A lot of my work is a fix to poor management practices from decades, even lifetimes of ranchers and landowners mismanaging property," says Schramm, "Letting native brush and other invasive species come in and take over." A Different Kind of Precision Brush work comes with a different set of demands than open-field spraying. Schramm's jobs involve dense, irregularly shaped thickets, damaged terrain, and pastures laced with electrical lines. Although agricultural spray drones are built to handle a range of priorities, he knows that penetration and precision matter most for his work. "What good would a wide swath do me if it didn't have the force to push the chemical all the way down through the canopy?" he says. He chose the XAG P150, starting operations in August 2025. The quad-rotor design generates a strong, concentrated downdraft, and paired with the RevoSpray System, it reaches a maximum flow rate of 7.9 gallons per minute (30 liters per minute), pushing herbicide uniformly through canopy layers to the understory below. When Schramm hovers over a dense mesquite stand, landowners expect the spray to drift down gently, like rain under a tree. What they see instead surprises them every time. "When the drone goes over, the plants swirl, the ground's blowing up in the dust, and the chemical reaches every bit of the plant, not just the soil. They're always impressed." The drone's 4D imaging radar detects obstacles between 5 and 328 feet along the flight path (1.5 to 100 meters), enabling safe operation across the uneven, obstacle-heavy terrain Schramm navigates daily. Real-time 3D terrain mapping enables autonomous flight without a preloaded map, adjusting continuously to each new field's contours. "The way it quickly adjusts... it makes me laugh every time," he says. "That's incredible to me, because I'm thinking about all that math that has to compute to know what the speed, height, and all those variables to make a decision in a millisecond." The P150's foldable design also lets Schramm load, launch, and manage a full day's operation alone. For a small-business owner in his first years of operation, working solo means lower overhead and more profit. It's also a practical necessity: his jobs are often on properties where larger equipment simply can't reach. The results have been clear. His first job, a shredder-damaged pasture of mixed mesquite, prickly pear, and huisache, looked one month later like a war zone. "It killed everything but the grass," Schramm says, recalling the landowner calling him out to come see it. In his first season, August through December 2025, he completed 682 acres of brushwork without losing a single client. For each of those ranchers, recovered pasture means more grass, more cattle weight, and more income — a chain of returns that begins with getting the brush out. Land, Cattle, and Family Schramm didn't arrive here through a straight line. He spent decades connected to the land, first through his family's poultry operation for Tyson Foods from 1977 to 2015, and before that through his grandfather, a county conservation resource manager for 31 years who taught young Curtis to identify grasses, understand invasive plants, and know when and how to treat them. "All those techniques I grew up learning turned out to be something I needed when I was in my late 40s and early 50s," he laughs. "Here I am doing this." For Schramm, the work has always been about more than brush. "If you're in a drought, you need to feed your cattle as cheaply as possible," he says. "The quicker you can put weight on, the more money you can make." He's brought his refill cycle down to under 32 seconds: batteries swapped, tank refilled, drone back in the air in under a minute, because every minute on the ground is a minute not serving that chain. "The idea is to feed your land to feed your cattle to feed your family." "It's my life now," he says. "When I wake up at 4 in the morning to go somewhere and do something with the drone, I'm super excited. It's been something that's filled my life, and for my family, very well." Curtis Schramm prepares his XAG P150 agricultural drone for a brush-control job. (Photo: Brandon Thomas)

2026-03-17
Singapore-based WhyQ Evolves to AI-Powered Corporate Dining Partner for Singapore Enterprises

SINGAPORE, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Homegrown food-tech company WhyQ, founded in 2016 with the mission of bringing Singapore's hawker heritage into the digital age, has evolved into a leading Business to Business (B2B) corporate dining operator focused on enterprise-scale food programmes. Today, the company combines restaurant and curated hawker partnerships with in-house logistics and data-driven tools to support workforce productivity and employee wellbeing at scale. Today, WhyQ manages high-volume meal deployments across Singapore's Central Business District and key business hubs with limited dining access, including Pasir Panjang, Science Park and Paya Lebar Quarter. WhyQ works with over 500 partner merchants and delivers more than 2,500 meals daily, specialising in consolidated corporate meal programmes for 50 to 1,000 employees per drop. With budgets ranging from S$8 to S$25 per meal, the platform combines hawker favourites with curated restaurant brands to provide nutritionally balanced, custom-designed menus. Building on its operational scale, WhyQ is set to transition from pilot to full-scale rollout of "WhyQ Intelligence" in Q3 2026. The AI-driven platform is designed to reposition corporate catering from a transactional expense into a measurable workplace strategy. For employees, WhyQ Intelligence offers personalised nutrition tracking, AI-powered meal recommendations and gamified wellness scoring. For HR leaders, the platform provides a strategic dashboard that links meal participation with attendance trends and employee engagement, alongside automated diversity and inclusion audits to ensure dietary requirements—including Halal, vegan and allergen-specific needs—are consistently met. "We realized that for our enterprise clients, a meal isn't just a perk; it's a tool for culture and productivity. WhyQ Intelligence bridges the gap between cafeteria logistics and data-backed employee wellness. Rather than operating as a traditional food aggregator, we work closely with clients to design customised menus that balance taste, nutrition, and operational efficiency. Local comfort classics remain popular among Singapore's workforce, particularly Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian dishes. At the same time, we have observed rising demand for premium salads and grain bowls as employers prioritise employee wellness." said Varun Saraf, Co-Founder & CEO, WhyQ. Food safety remains central to WhyQ's operating model. The company maintains an internal food safety audit team that conducts rigorous onboarding and quarterly on-site kitchen inspections. Merchants must achieve a minimum 80% audit score to qualify. All meals adhere to a strict four-hour protocol—from cooking to consumption—in line with Singapore Food Agency (SFA) guidelines. WhyQ has built a proprietary safety infrastructure that starts long before a meal is even ordered. WhyQ also operates a fully in-house logistics fleet to maintain temperature integrity throughout the delivery process. This operational discipline has enabled the company to retain major enterprise accounts, that includes leading tech firms with over 1000 workforce. "At enterprise scale, food is not a commodity—it is an operational liability," says Rishabh Singhvi, Co-Founder & COO. "Corporate catering requires accountability, not just aggregation. Without our institutionalized safeguards—like daily sample retention and strict temperature monitoring—the system is fragile. We've built a 'safety-first' logistics engine that ensures the health of an entire workforce is never a gamble." Approximately 20% of WhyQ's corporate volume continues to come from hawker partners, preserving its founding mission. The remaining 80% is driven by curated restaurant brands including SaladStop!, Guzman y Gomez, Haidilao, KFC, Pizza Hut and others. "Corporate dining has evolved significantly in recent years. Employers are looking for healthier, customisable options that support employee wellbeing without compromising on taste," said Frantz Braha, Chief Growth Officer at SaladStop Group. "Through our partnership with WhyQ, we're able to deliver nutritionally balanced meals at scale to corporate teams across Singapore, while maintaining the quality and freshness that our brand is known for. The platform's operational discipline and focus on food safety give us confidence in serving large enterprise clients." About WhyQ Founded in Singapore in 2016, WhyQ is a corporate-focused food technology platform that delivers large-scale office dining solutions to leading enterprises in Singapore. Originally launched to digitalise access to Singapore's hawker heritage, the company has since evolved into a full-stack Business to Business (B2B) catering partner serving major clients islandwide. WhyQ works with over 500 partner merchants and delivers more than 2,500 meals daily, specialising in consolidated corporate meal programmes for 50 to 1,000 employees per drop. With budgets ranging from S$8 to S$25 per meal, the platform combines hawker favourites with curated restaurant brands to provide nutritionally balanced, custom-designed menus. Food safety is a core operational pillar. All merchants undergo strict onboarding and quarterly kitchen audits, meals adhere to a four-hour safety window, and deliveries are managed through a fully in-house logistics team. The company maintains a 98.7% on-time delivery rate and resolves 99.5% of issues within 24 hours. Through its AI-powered platform, WhyQ Intelligence—currently in pilot phase—the company aims to transform corporate catering into a measurable workplace strategy by linking meal programmes with employee wellness, engagement and productivity insights. WhyQ is founded by Varun Saraf and Rishabh Singhvi, both graduates of Singapore Management University (SMU). For more information, please visit https://www.whyq.sg/

2026-03-17
Video series features CPPCC members' insights on China's next development stage

BEIJING, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A special video series produced by the China Daily Opinion Channel during the annual two sessions brings together perspectives from five national political advisers on priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period. Featuring interviews with five members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference — Huang Qunhui, Jiang Ying, Dai Bin, Feng Li and Xu Jiuping — the series examines how China can advance high-quality growth, strengthen cultural vitality and cultivate future-ready talent. Huang Qunhui, a researcher at the Institute of Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, emphasizes the role of developing "new quality productive forces" in supporting China's modernization. He says China can draw on its institutional strengths, large market, industrial base and talent pool to upgrade traditional industries, expand domestic demand and proactively plan for emerging and future industries. Jiang Ying, chair of Deloitte China, addresses the problem of excessive competition — often described as "involution". She argues that the core issue is not competition itself, but that value is not fully reflected in pricing and market rules. During the next plan period, she calls for competition mechanisms guided by long-term value so that quality products, advanced technology and strong services can command fair prices. She also highlights sectors such as artificial intelligence and the low-altitude economy as key areas for breakthrough. Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, discusses the recovery of inbound tourism and the popularity of "China Travel". While facilitation has helped more visitors enter China, he notes that success depends on improving the experience after arrival. That includes developing new tourism resources, better mobilizing market players such as travel firms, and upgrading public services to encourage longer stays and deeper exploration. Feng Li, president of the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater, reflects on the arts as a source of cultural confidence. She stresses a people-centered approach and the importance of responding to the times. Citing the classic opera The White-Haired Girl, she says enduring works resonate because they tap universal emotions and renew themselves through sustained practice. Xu Jiuping, a distinguished professor at Sichuan University, focuses on education in the AI era. While AI is reshaping industries and learning, he stresses that education must reinforce fundamental disciplines, language ability and critical thinking. Combining technological empowerment with humanistic knowledge, he says, is essential for nurturing innovative talent for the decade ahead. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202603/12/WS69b79715a310d6866eb3e0ce.html

2026-03-17
Agoda and Gangwon State Join Hands to Elevate Gangwon into a Premier Global Travel Destination

SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda and South Korea's Gangwon State have launched a strategic partnership aimed at transforming Gangwon into a leading international travel destination. Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-tae and Agoda CCO Damien Pfirsch (center) celebrate the partnership with representatives of Gangwon and Agoda. The two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) took effect today during a meeting between Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-tae and Agoda Chief Commercial Officer Damien Pfirsch in Wonju. Leveraging Agoda's global tourism insights and marketing expertise, Agoda will support the region's destination marketing initiatives and explore data-driven promotion opportunities to strengthen the local tourism industry. Gangwon State is a year-round destination for nature lovers and culture seekers. In winter, ski resorts and snow festivals draw visitors; in summer, cool mountain retreats and riverside activities provide relief from the heat. With fresh seafood, mountain herbs, artisanal markets and cultural sites that reflect Korea's rural heritage, plus convenient links to Seoul and a growing range of boutique hotels, Gangwon is an accessible and authentic choice for active holidays and relaxed getaways. Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-tae of Gangwon: "By connecting the private sector's global capabilities with Gangwon's tourism assets, I expect this partnership with Agoda to further strengthen Gangwon's tourism competitiveness. We will continue to support public–private cooperation projects to advance the region's tourism industry." Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer, said: "Gangwon State offers tourists from around the globe remarkable variety across all seasons – from world-class ski resorts in Pyeongchang to national parks and beaches - and there is a great deal of potential to unlock. Through our work together, Agoda will showcase Gangwon's year-round appeal to international travelers. The partnership goes beyond a promotional push — we aim to be a knowledge partner that helps boost the region's competitiveness and attractiveness over the long term." South Korea is one of Agoda's key markets and remains important to the company as it continues to invest and innovate to the benefit of travelers and partners in the country. This is evident in deeply localized offerings such as 24/7 Korean-language customer care, an extensive motel selection, integration with Naver Maps, local payment methods like Kakao Pay, and Agoda commercials tailored to Korean travelers. Together with Gangwon, these efforts will showcase the best of Korea to the world while delivering great prices and a seamless booking experience for visitors.

2026-03-17
FinVolution Group Announces Strategic Entry into Australia

SYDNEY, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech company, announced its entry into the Australian market, following the acquisition of local lending platform Fundo. This move marks the Company's significant strategic expansion into a high-value developed market. Tiezheng Li, CEO of FinVolution Group, commented, "Our entry into Australia marks an important step in FinVolution's international expansion. We look forward to bringing our responsible, technology-driven financial services to users in Australia." Australia presents a compelling growth opportunity characterized by a mature regulatory framework and a significant demand for digital lending. The Fundo acquisition allows FinVolution to leverage its expertise in data-driven risk pricing and operational efficiency to enhance financial accessibility in Australia, further advancing the Group's commitment to global financial inclusion. This expansion builds on FinVolution's track record of executing deep localization strategies across diverse markets. By adapting its product offerings to meet local needs while upholding rigorous compliance standards, the Company ensures its Australian operations align with the regulatory discipline required in a developed economy. Guided by its "Local Excellence, Global Outlook" strategy, FinVolution's international business has become an increasingly important growth driver. As reported in its 2025 financial results, international transaction volume increased by 38.6% year-over-year to RMB 14.0 billion(US$ 2.0 billion), while international operations contributed 31.4% of total revenue in the fourth quarter. Today, FinVolution operates leading fintech platforms across China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Pakistan, alongside its newest market, Australia. As of December 31, 2025, the Company has served a cumulative total of 40.7 million users worldwide and facilitated approximately RMB 1.2 trillion (US$ 171.6 billion) in cumulative transaction volume, solidifying its position as a leading credit-tech company.

2026-03-17
K-Royal Cultural Festival Celebrates Korean Culture at Palaces, Ticket reservation for international programs available from March 16

K-content including performances, guided tours, culinary experiences / Royal court arts of Korea at palaces SEOUL, South Korea, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- K-Royal Cultural Festival for spring 2026 which are hosted by the Korea Heritage Service's Palace Heritage Headquarters (Director: Ahn Ho) and organized by the Korea Heritage Agency (President: Lee Gwi-young) will begin booking programs for foreigners. K-Royal Cultural Festival for spring 2026 is set to run from April 24 to May 3, offering chances for participants to experience Korea's royal court culture hands-on. Prior ticket reservation for international programs is available on Korea's travel platform Creatrip (www.creatrip.com) from 2PM of March 16. Opening Ceremony of K-Royal Culture Festival 2025 K-Royal Cultural Festival is Korea's biggest cultural heritage festival themed on Korea's history. It takes place in Korea's five palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Gyeonghuigung Palaces) and Jongmyo Shrine. Every spring and fall since 2014, the Festival has showcased various enactments, performances, exhibitions, experiences, and other programs to introduce Korea's traditional royal culture. Celebrating its 12th anniversary this year, the Royal Culture Festival has continued to grow steadily by presenting distinctive programs. It attracts tremendous interest from domestic visitors in Korea, with many programs selling out shortly upon opening each year. In particular, during last year's spring and fall festival periods, approximately 1.37 million people visited the palaces, marking the highest attendance in the festival's history. This year's spring festival, under the theme "Palaces, Awakening the Arts," will offer a variety of royal court culture programs throughout the palaces with experiences that are not easily available during regular palace visits. The festival's programs are designed to provide hands-on experience on Korea's royal culture, with performances bringing together K-POP and traditional Korean music, nighttime tours, and culinary experience programs. The opening will be celebrated with an opening ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace Heungnyemun Gate Square (April 24). Directed by Yang Jung-woong, who served as the artistic director of the 2025 APEC Summit, the event will open under the theme "Palaces, Awakening the Arts – Hyper Palace." This large-scale performance will blend multiple genres including royal court dance (jeongjaemu), media façade, a hanbok fashion show, and a gugak (traditional Korean music) EDM performance, presenting a stage that reinterprets traditional culture in a contemporary way. 300 prior reservation tickets are available for international visitors, free of charge. At Around Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a new nighttime program titled "The Dance of Crown Prince Hyomyeong and the Moon" will be presented (April 28-30). This immersive nighttime performance tour allows visitors to move through different areas of the palace while following the story of Crown Prince Hyomyeong, who played a key role in advancing the arts of the Joseon Dynasty royal court. The program will be conducted in English and will operate through paid advance reservations, with 40 participants per day. The popular program "Awakening the Morning Palace" will also offer sessions exclusively for international visitors (April 28-May 3). The program invites participants to stroll through the halls and the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace while listening to stories about the palace's architecture and taking in the serene morning scenery. It will be operated through paid advance reservations for 40 participants per day. As part of the festival's special performance lineup, the royal court music concert "Palace Concert: A Performance by 100 Artists" will also take place (May 1-3). This large-scale traditional arts performance, featuring 100 gugak musicians, offers audiences a chance to experience the essence of Korean traditional music. Korean and English commentary will be provided to help audiences better understand the performance. The program will be operated through paid advance reservations for 100 participants per day. At Deoksugung Palace Jungmyeongjeon Hall, the culinary program "The Emperor's Dining Table" will allow visitors to experience the banquet culture of the Korean Empire imperial court (May 1-3). Participants can try dishes inspired by imperial banquet cuisine while learning about the history and diplomatic culture of the era through a gastronomic talk program. Each session will accommodate 20 participants through paid advance reservations. At Jongmyo Shrine Main Hall, a new program titled "Royal Ancestral Ritual Music Nighttime Performance" will be presented, introducing the cultural value of Jongmyo Jeryeak, which is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list (April 28-30). Set against the solemn and majestic atmosphere of the shrine, this traditional music performance offers audiences an opportunity to experience the profound depth of Korean royal ritual music. The program will be operated through advance reservations, free of charge. In addition to the programs requiring advance reservations, the festival will also feature a variety of on-site programs open to visitors without prior booking. These include the "K-Heritage Market" at Gyeongbokgung Palace, where visitors can explore K-heritage goods and traditional crafts, and "Gyeongbokgung Time Travel – Royal Palace Daily Life," which recreates scenes of everyday life in the Joseon Dynasty royal court. Visitors without advance reservations can also enjoy the festive atmosphere through the many events taking place throughout the palaces. Details about prior reservation for international programs can be found on Creatrip (www.creatrip.com). Appendix: K-Royal Culture Festival international program reservation details (foreigner-exclusive). Reservation overview Programs: 6 foreigner-exclusive programs Reservation starting date: 2PM of Mar 16 2026 (Mon), at Creatrip (www.creatrip.com) Inquiries: Creatrip (help@creatrip.com) Program schedule Number Category Program Venue Date and time Capacity(participants per session) Price (KRW) 1 K-Royal Cultural Festival 2026 K-Royal Culture Festival Opening Ceremony Gyeongbokgung Palace Heungnyemun Gate Square April 24 (Fri) 300 Free 2 The Dance of Crown Prince Hyomyeong and the Moon Around Changdeokgung Palace April 28( Tue) - April 30 (Thu) 40 10,000 3 Awakening the Morning Palace Around Changdeokgung Palace April 28(Tue) - May 3 (Sun) 40 10,000 4 The Emperor's Dining Table Deoksugung Palace Jungmyeongjeon Hall May 1 (Fri) - May 3 (Sun) 20 15,000 5 Royal Ancestral Ritual Music Nighttime Performance Jongmyo Shrine Main Hall April 28( Tue) - April 30 (Thu) 40 Free 6 Special program Palace Concert: A Performance by 100 Artists Changdeokgung Palace Injeongjeon Hall May 1 (Fri) - May 3 (Sun) 100 20,000

2026-03-17
Global Aesthetic Trends Evolve Toward 'Anti-Sagging': The Expansion of the Structural Skin Laxity Improvement and Liquid Type PCL Collagen Stimulator Market

SEOUL, South Korea, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The global medical aesthetics market is rapidly shifting toward an "Anti-Sagging" paradigm, focusing on improving the fundamental causes of skin laxity. While traditional aesthetic approaches primarily addressed external signs of aging—such as wrinkle reduction and volume correction—the Anti-Sagging trend focuses on the structural causes of aging: the decrease of collagen within the dermal layer and the weakening of the skin's support structure. [3] As a result, the market's center of gravity is moving away from short-term procedures centered on Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers and toxins toward solutions based on Biostimulators that induce neocollagenesis (new collagen synthesis). In particular, the biodegradable polymer PCL (Polycaprolactone) is gaining significant attention for its structural approach to rebuilding the skin's foundation, aligning perfectly with the Anti-Sagging movement. Amidst these shifts, DEXLEVO's liquid type PCL collagen stimulator, 'GOURI,' is emerging as a focal point of the industry. GOURI is a fully liquid PCL product developed based on the proprietary CESABP (Collagenesis-Enabled Solubilized Active and Biodegradable Polymer) technology, which is entirely free of microparticles. The superior spreadability enabled by this technology is GOURI's key differentiator. Upon injection, it naturally disperses throughout the entire dermal layer, inducing uniform collagen regeneration and elasticity improvement across the full face. Unlike conventional particle-based fillers that act locally at the injection site, GOURI enables a comprehensive approach to improving overall skin quality. At the IMCAS World Congress 2026 held in Paris last January, Dr. Seung-min Oh participated as a speaker for the GOURI Symposium. He captured the attention of global medical professionals by presenting clinical data demonstrating a "triple effect": redness reduction, skin texture improvement, and volume formation, alongside precision injection strategies based on facial anatomy.[1] "Thanks to the unique spreadability of the fully liquid type PCL, GOURI can induce natural collagen regeneration across the entire face," said Dr. Seung-min Oh, Chief Director of O& Clinic (and Academic Chair of the Korean Association of Laser, Dermatology, and Trichology). "By precisely leveraging this spreadability with a deep understanding of anatomical structures, we can provide patients with the most natural and healthy results. It is time for 'Precision Aesthetics,' rooted in clinical data, to become the universal standard."[2] About DEXLEVO DEXLEVO is an innovative leader in the medical aesthetic device industry and the developer of GOURI, the world's first fully liquid type PCL-based collagen stimulator. Through its proprietary CESABP technology platform, DEXLEVO continues to establish the clinical and academic foundations for Anti-Sagging solutions in the global aesthetic market. Website: www.dexlevo.com References [1] IMCAS World Congress 2026. GOURI Symposium. Presented at: IMCAS World Congress 2026; January 31, 2026; Paris, France. [2] Medisobija News. Dr. Seung-min Oh proves precision medical value of liquid PCL GOURI at IMCAS Paris 2026. Published February 5, 2026. Accessed March 13, 2026.https://www.medisobizanews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=134310 [3] U.S. National Library of Medicine (PMC) Case Report — DEXLEVO GOURI

2026-03-17