Pullman Launches Trans-formative Series Celebrating Global Visionaries and Cultural Exchange. Pullman Hotels & Resorts, a trailblazing brand under Accor, has unveiled two bold new initiatives—Pullman Drafts and Pullman Voices—aimed at fostering cultural dialogue, sparking intellectual curiosity, and re-imagining how we experience ideas in a rapidly evolving world. These platforms are a modern continuation of Pullman’s 160-year legacy of innovation and transformation, beginning with George Pullman’s revolutionary approach to hospitality and continuing today with a dynamic focus on cultural collisions and progressive thought.
Pullman Drafts, created in collaboration with the House of Beautiful Business, presents a collection of thought-provoking essays and articles authored by a diverse group of global thought leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs. The series is designed to challenge assumptions, embrace contradictions, and serve as a starting point for meaningful reflection. Writers and contributors include next-gen entrepreneur Akbar Hamid, neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow, and TED curator Bruno Giussani, among others. These narratives delve into topics such as identity, productivity, creativity, and cultural reinvention, reflecting Pullman’s commitment to perspective-shifting storytelling.
In parallel, Pullman Voices brings these ideas into an auditory format through a compelling 12-episode podcast series co-created with Monocle. The podcast features deep conversations with influential voices from across industries—including Carsten Spohr of Lufthansa Group, psychologist Daniel Goleman, and philosopher Djamila Ribeiro—offering insights into innovation, sustainability, and the evolving nature of work and society. With each episode, Pullman expands the conversation, promoting deeper connections and co-creating the cultural narratives that will shape the future.
According to Benoît Racle, Global President of Premium Brands at Accor, “Pullman Drafts and Pullman Voices are not just creative initiatives—they’re expressions of our brand DNA. By embracing bold ideas and visionary voices, we are building spaces where minds collide and culture moves forward.” These platforms exemplify Pullman’s ambition to be more than a hotel brand—acting instead as a global catalyst for conversation, imagination, and shared progress.
Both series are now live, with Pullman Drafts accessible at pullman-happenings.com and Pullman Voices available on Monocle Radio. Through these creative expressions, Pullman is redefining what it means to travel, connect, and think in today’s dynamic world.
The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA), a Hong Kong-based non-profit organization committed to championing journalistic excellence and press freedom, has officially revealed the finalists for the SOPA 2025 Awards for Editorial Excellence. Now in its 27th year, the awards continue to serve as a premier platform to honor outstanding journalism across Asia, with more than 700 entries submitted in English, Chinese, and Bahasa Indonesia by global, regional, and local media outlets. The winners will be announced during a prestigious awards dinner in Hong Kong on Thursday, June 26. The event will feature a keynote speech by Mishal Husain, Editor at Large at Bloomberg Weekend and former BBC anchor, who will address the evolving role of image, voice, and trust in journalism during the era of artificial intelligence.
This year’s awards feature 21 categories, including Excellence in Women’s Issues Reporting, Investigative Reporting, Human Rights Reporting, Business Reporting, and more. The selection process was overseen by a panel of approximately 120 volunteer judges, made up of current and former journalists and media academics from around the world. Notably, there was a significant increase in entries from regional and local publications, with 22 small media outlets and first-time participants from 12 countries receiving subsidies to submit their work.
Among the regional finalists are the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism for Explanatory Reporting, Kontinentalist for Human Rights Reporting, and Mekong Eye for Investigative Reporting. The submitted stories reflected a broad spectrum of critical issues — from China’s economy and regional political upheavals, such as India’s unexpected election outcome and the fall of Bangladesh’s long-serving prime minister, to pressing global topics including human surrogacy, semiconductor industry competition, and the adoption of artificial intelligence in Asian economies.
The Bahasa Indonesia category, judged by veteran journalist and APCAT executive board member Rita Widiadana, honors stories that have made a significant impact on domestic affairs. Since 2011, the Journalism and Media Studies Centre (JMSC) at the University of Hong Kong has administered the SOPA Awards, reinforcing the program’s academic credibility and commitment to media development.
Ting Shi, Senior Lecturer at HKU and Head of Judges, emphasized the importance of the awards in highlighting the diversity and quality of journalism across Asia, while Bill Ridgers, Asia Digital Editor at The Economist and SOPA’s Editorial Committee co-chair, reaffirmed the value of the awards in a challenging environment for journalists, describing them as Asia’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prizes.
Supported by sponsors such as Factiva and Telum Media, the SOPA Awards continue to recognize journalistic integrity and creativity in a rapidly evolving media landscape. As Asia’s media industry navigates political pressures, digital transformation, and new technologies, the 2025 SOPA Awards stand as a powerful testament to the enduring value of fearless, fact-based reporting.
Sunway Medical Centre and SELCARE Join Forces to Enhance Cardiac Care Accessibility in Selangor. In a landmark public-private healthcare initiative, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) has officially entered into a strategic partnership with SELCARE, the healthcare operator under the Selangor State Government’s Skim Rawatan Jantung Negeri Selangor. The formal signing of this memorandum of understanding (MoU), witnessed by YB Jamaliah Jamaluddin, Selangor State Executive Councillor for Public Health and Environment, marks a major step towards improving early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease across the state, especially for individuals from vulnerable and underserved communities.
This collaboration reinforces SMC’s commitment to corporate social responsibility by combining its medical excellence with SELCARE’s strong grassroots outreach. Sunway Medical Centre, Malaysia’s largest private quaternary hospital, brings to the table its extensive cardiac expertise, advanced diagnostics, and a team of 13 adult and paediatric cardiologists. With comprehensive cardiac subspecialties and cutting-edge technology such as MRI scanners, cardiac CTs, catheterisation laboratories, and coronary care units, SMC aims to make high-quality cardiac care more accessible to those in need. Dr Seow Vei Ken, CEO of Sunway Medical Centre, expressed confidence that this partnership would positively impact the lives of Anak Selangor by offering essential heart services either free of charge or at subsidised rates.
On the other side of the partnership, SELCARE, the operational healthcare arm of Selgate Healthcare and a subsidiary of the Selangor State Government’s Selgate Corporation, continues to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between public health policy and actual healthcare delivery. According to Dato’ Noor Hisham Mohd Ghouth, CEO of SELGATE Group, the partnership underlines SELCARE’s ongoing mission to connect policy with private sector capabilities to ensure inclusive, affordable, and effective healthcare. SELCARE currently manages key state health programmes including Iltizam Selangor Sihat (ISS), Selangor Saring, and Skim Rawatan Jantung Negeri Selangor, which collectively benefit over 600,000 people nationwide. Its network spans more than 2,000 clinics and 200 hospitals across Malaysia, reinforcing its capacity to provide healthcare access to the masses.
This strategic alliance represents a model example of how synergistic public-private partnerships can address critical healthcare challenges. It aligns state-backed welfare schemes with private sector excellence to deliver meaningful impact, especially in life-threatening areas like heart disease. It is a step forward in ensuring no Selangor resident is left behind when it comes to their health and wellbeing.
Sunway Medical Centre continues to build on its reputation as a world-class medical institution, recognised by multiple international healthcare accreditations including Joint Commission International (JCI), the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS), and the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH). Ranked among the top 250 hospitals globally by Newsweek in 2024 and 2025, SMC is also the flagship hospital of Sunway Healthcare Group, which was recently honoured with the 2024 Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Award for Community Care and Sustainability.
Looking ahead, Selgate Healthcare is set to expand its footprint with the launch of the Selgate Group of Hospitals, starting with facilities in Rawang and Sepang in 2025. These hospitals will offer comprehensive specialty services and advanced diagnostics, forming part of a larger vision to build eight new hospitals over the next decade. This ambitious expansion, combined with its digital health innovations and integrated care network, positions SELCARE and SELGATE as transformative forces in reshaping the future of community-centered healthcare in Malaysia.
HONOR Elevates Digital Lifestyle in Malaysia with Launch of New Flagship All-Scenario Devices. HONOR continues its mission to redefine modern living by unveiling an impressive lineup of four new flagship-class devices in Malaysia, each designed to seamlessly integrate into various aspects of users’ digital lives. These all-scenario products were introduced to elevate productivity, connectivity, health, and entertainment for a smarter and more intelligent lifestyle. The new launches include the versatile HONOR Pad 10, the powerful HONOR MagicBook Pro 14, and two stylish wearables – the HONOR Watch 5 Ultra and HONOR Band 10.
Leading the reveal is the HONOR Pad 10, a productivity-focused tablet built with creators, students, and professionals in mind. Succeeding the popular HONOR Pad 9, this new model boasts a vivid 2.5K display with an 88% screen-to-body ratio and a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, delivering a truly immersive visual experience. HONOR’s eye-protection technology – now featuring five key features – ensures user comfort during long hours of use. Powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and backed by a massive 10,100mAh battery, the Pad 10 remains slim and ultra-light at only 525g. The package includes a Smart Bluetooth Keyboard, HONOR Pencil, and HONOR CHOICE Active Noise Canceling Headphone, transforming the tablet into a mobile workstation ideal for note-taking, editing, sketching, and more. AI capabilities in writing and summarizing enhance workflow, with features like AI Smart Layout and AI Summary built into the HONOR Notes app, making it a true digital assistant.
Complementing the tablet is the HONOR MagicBook Pro 14, a high-performance 14-inch laptop tailored for heavy-duty productivity and cross-platform efficiency. It features a 92Wh battery – the largest in its class – supporting up to 12 hours of use, 100W fast charging, and even reverse charging for other devices. The laptop’s standout feature is its Cross-OS Connectivity, a rare capability outside of China, enabling seamless file transfers between Windows, iOS, and Android devices. Designed for professionals and students alike, it features a vivid 14.6-inch touchscreen display with a 3120×2080 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and advanced eye-care certifications. Under the hood, it runs on the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 processor with 14 cores and 14 threads, making it ideal for tasks ranging from design to video editing. Tools like HONOR Share, HONOR Notes, Global Favorites, and Multi-screen Collaboration round out its ecosystem, ensuring smooth, synchronized work across multiple devices.
On the wearables front, the HONOR Watch 5 Ultra combines premium materials with cutting-edge health monitoring. Built with Grade 5 titanium and sapphire crystal glass, it is both elegant and durable. It supports 40-meter free diving with safety alerts, offers over 100 sports modes, and provides instant health insights via its Quick Health Scan feature. The watch’s dome-octagonal design and 15-day battery life make it a practical and stylish companion for both fitness and business. Meanwhile, the HONOR Band 10 provides a more compact, budget-friendly fitness tracking solution. It features a vibrant 1.57-inch AMOLED screen, 96 workout modes, sleep and heart rate monitoring, and up to 14 days of battery life, making it ideal for health-conscious users on the go.
Availability for these devices varies: the HONOR Pad 10 will be available starting 30 May 2025 for RM1,499, bundled with exclusive accessories worth RM1,097. The HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 will hit the market on 13 June 2025 at RM4,999 and includes a free backpack and Microsoft 365 subscription. The HONOR Watch 5 Ultra and Band 10 are priced at RM1,099 and RM199 respectively and are available exclusively online, with early-bird pre-order promotions currently ongoing.
Through this strategic product release, HONOR solidifies its commitment to building a connected, intelligent lifestyle ecosystem that empowers users to work smarter, live healthier, and stay seamlessly connected across all platforms. For more details, visit HONOR’s official website.
HONOR Unveils the New HONOR 400 Series with Flagship AI Imaging and Smart Productivity Features. Global technology leader HONOR has officially launched its much-anticipated HONOR 400 Series, a lineup that redefines smartphone photography and smart productivity with next-gen AI capabilities. With prices starting from just RM1,899 to RM2,699, the HONOR 400 Series combines powerful hardware, cutting-edge AI imaging technology, and durable design, making high-end features more accessible to everyone. Available for pre-order now, this new series transforms mobile phones into personal photography studios and smart work companions.
The HONOR 400 Series includes two main models—the HONOR 400 and the HONOR 400 Pro—both designed with photographers, content creators, and power users in mind. The devices boast a 200MP Super Sensing Main Camera, supported by a large 1/1.4-inch sensor, f/1.9 aperture, and OIS + EIS dual stabilization, ensuring crisp, high-detail shots even in challenging lighting conditions. The HONOR 400 Pro steps up with a 50MP AI Telephoto Camera using the Sony IMX856 sensor, offering up to 50X super zoom for incredible detail at a distance. Both models also feature a 50MP Portrait Selfie Camera, powered by HONOR’s advanced portrait algorithms for vivid, lifelike selfies.
Underpinning these imaging features is the AI HONOR IMAGE ENGINE, which brings a suite of intelligent tools including AI Super Zoom, AI Portrait Snap, and Harcourt Portrait 2.0, with refined bokeh and studio-style effects. For the first time in a smartphone, the standard HONOR 400 enables 30X telephoto shooting with its main camera. Users can also enjoy AI Enhanced Portrait on the Pro model, delivering ultra-HD portraits with authentic color reproduction.
One of the most innovative features is HONOR’s AI Image to Video, developed in partnership with Google Cloud. It turns static photos into five-second animated videos, perfect for social media. Other AI-powered editing tools include AI Eraser 2.0, AI Remove Reflection, AI Outpainting, and Moving Photo Collage, a unique feature that stitches up to nine moving photos into one dynamic story.
Beyond photography, the HONOR 400 Series brings serious performance and efficiency to users. The HONOR 400 Pro is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, while the standard model uses the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, paired with HONOR’s CPU Turbo X Game Engine for enhanced gaming and app performance. Both phones pack a massive 6,000mAh Silicon-carbon Battery, capable of enduring extreme temperatures as low as -20°C, and supporting fast charging speeds—100W wired and 50W wireless on the Pro, and 80W wired on the standard model.
Durability is also a standout. The HONOR 400 Pro comes with IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance, while the standard HONOR 400 offers IP65 protection, making them ideal for outdoor and rugged use. Visually, both phones feature a 1.5K AMOLED display, with 120Hz refresh rate, 5,000 nits peak HDR brightness, and a host of eye comfort features such as 3840Hz PWM Dimming, Circadian Night Mode, and the new Motion Sickness Relief mode for smoother screen transitions during travel.
Running on MagicOS 9.0, the HONOR 400 Series is also a powerful productivity tool. It offers smart features like AI Summary, AI Minutes, AI Format, and AI Correction for more efficient work tasks. AI Translation supports up to 14 languages, while Live Translation provides real-time language interpretation during phone calls. The series also introduces Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, which users can activate by pressing and holding the power button for on-the-go help with writing, planning, and learning.
Security is another area where HONOR leads the way, with on-device AI Deepfake Detection technology to safeguard users from digital threats. Meanwhile, Magic Portal 2.0 enables fast and intuitive multitasking by letting users circle content on-screen to instantly access relevant apps like Grab, TikTok, Google Maps, and more.
For customers looking to purchase the HONOR 400 Series, pre-orders are now open across multiple channels including the HONOR official website, HONOR Experience Stores, Shopee, Lazada, and retail partners such as Harvey Norman, Senheng, SenQ, and Urban Republic. As part of the exclusive pre-order promotion running until 29 May 2025, customers who pre-order the HONOR 400 Pro will receive a FREE Instax Mini LiPlay camera and a 1-Year Extended Warranty worth RM1,097, while those ordering the HONOR 400 will receive HONOR CHOICE Active Noise Cancelling Headphones and an extended warranty worth RM898. Additionally, those purchasing the 256GB variant of the HONOR 400 will enjoy a FREE upgrade to 512GB—a limited-time offer valued at RM1,899.
The HONOR 400 Series is also available through Maxis postpaid plans, offering the HONOR 400 Pro from RM30/month and the 512GB HONOR 400 at RM25/month. The full lineup hits stores nationwide on 30 May 2025 in a variety of color options: Lunar Grey, Tidal Blue, and Midnight Black for the Pro; Desert Gold, Tidal Blue, and Midnight Black for the standard version.
With its impressive blend of AI-powered photography, long-lasting battery, robust performance, and intelligent features, the HONOR 400 Series marks a significant leap in smartphone innovation, tailored for both creative expression and daily productivity.
