PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for June 27, 2026 – Full Text

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2026 – Co-organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), with support of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), and in partnership with the Trade and Industry Department (TID), the inaugural “E-commerce Innovation Expo 2026” (Expo) officially opened yesterday at the HKPC Building. The two-day Expo brings together tech innovation, brand and IP licensing, global platform support, and market expansion strategies, assisting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in mastering the keys to expanding overseas through e-commerce. The opening ceremony was officiated by Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; Mr Aaron LIU Kong Cheung, JP, Director-General of Trade and Industry; Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP Deputy Chairman of HKPC; and Mr Mohamed Din BUTT, MH, Executive Director of HKPC. As its first edition, the Expo has registered with nearly 7,000 pax, reflecting the industry’s keen demand for e-commerce technology information and services.

With Hang Seng Bank as the Diamond Partner and strong support from over 250 supporting organisations, the Expo brings together over 90 exhibitors across five thematic exhibition zones, including Cross-border E-commerce Experience, New Retail Tech Application, Brand x IP Value-added, Smart Operations, and E-commerce Go-Global Support. Gathering e-commerce platforms, technology and business service providers, IP licensors, and Government funding booths, the Expo targets the four keys to going global, namely platform selection, brand building, smart operations, and global expansion. It provides a one-stop platform that assists SMEs from strategic planning to practical deployment, empowering brands to achieve borderless market expansion through e-commerce.

Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, remarked in his opening address that as a staunch supporter of SMEs, HKPC has always provided comprehensive, tailored support to address SMEs’ challenges, bridging policy resources with practical business needs to guide SMEs step by step from strategic formulation to execution. We hope this Expo will enhance the resilience and competitiveness of SMEs, speeding up local brands’ integration into the global digital economy. HKPC and its ‘SME ReachOut’ team will continue to provide timely and practical support for all SMEs.

Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, stated in his address that the Government has always attached great importance to the development potential of e-commerce and actively encourages local enterprises to seize digital economy opportunities and utilise e-commerce to explore diversified markets, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s external trade and injecting new impetus into economic growth. As an international trade centre and business hub, Hong Kong plays a vital bridging role in connecting Chinese Mainland with the foreign countries. The Government encourages SMEs to proactively capture these emerging opportunities, leveraging Hong Kong’s global advantages to expand overseas and elevate the international competitiveness of local brands and products.

Mr Yau also thanked HKPC “SME ReachOut” for its efforts, and noted that since 2020 and up to the end of May 2026, SME ReachOut had handled nearly 40,000 SME enquiries, organised or participated in 16 exhibitions and 75 seminars and workshops, and conducted more than 350 outreach activities, visiting various chambers of commerce, industrial and commercial buildings, and co-working spaces under the support of the Government.

Gathering Major E-commerce and AI Technology Service Providers to Support SMEs Going Global Digitally

The Expo features a multitude of e-commerce and AI technology service exhibitors, offering all-round support to SMEs spanning e-commerce, AI technology, brand development, and going global. Alongside Hang Seng Bank, which provides professional cross-border payment solutions to address the collection and payment challenges faced by SMEs going global, the Expo’s exhibitor lineup brought together a wide range of representative organisations from across the industry. Highlights included Innocorn and Auki Labs, technology companies specialising in AI solutions and scenario-based applications for cross-border e-commerce; Lazada, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia; the Shenzhen Cross-Border E-Commerce Association, which connects domestic and international e-commerce resources; as well as the Hong Kong Brand Toy Association (HKBTA) and SHIBAINC, both of which have successfully expanded globally through strong IP-driven strategies.

Exhibitors widely expressed that the Expo effectively integrated resources across the industry chain, creating an efficient platform for networking and business matchmaking. This enabled SMEs to leverage cross-border e-commerce and emerging AI technologies to overcome development bottlenecks and explore new overseas markets. Please refer to Appendix I for detailed exhibitor information.

Over 10 thematic seminars covering core e-commerce topics, including cross-border e-commerce, new retail technology, brand x IP value-adding, smart operations, and go-global strategies are hosted during the Expo. Over 10 workshops and live showcases are also available, offering expert insights, success stories, practical examples, innovative solutions, instant consultations, and business matching opportunities to help SMEs develop effective plans for going global. In addition, a dedicated Government Funding Zone is set up to guide SME on Government funding to accelerate their upgrade and expansion, reduce costs, enhance competitiveness, and expand into new markets.

The event was also honoured to receive generous support from different organisations, including Alibaba.com Hong Kong Limited, United Technologies (Int’l) Limited, Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited, Achiever Technology Limited, and Nextguard Technology Limited. HKPC cordially invites all SMEs to register and participate in this free Expo, leveraging the rich cross-border e-commerce information, Government funding information, one on one expert consultations, and practical case study sharing to enhance business resilience and competitiveness through e-commerce. SME representatives are welcome to visit in person to experience the related latest technology applications and Government funding solutions of cross-border e-commerce to capture opportunities for brand and market expansion.

-The End-

Attachment I:

Exhibitor Information (Partial):

Hashtag: #HKPC

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Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2026 – More than 380 representatives of global enterprises joined a welcome reception yesterday (June 25) for 413 newly arrived or expanded overseas and Chinese Mainland companies in Hong Kong.

During the reception, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the government’s investment promotion agency, announced impressive results for the first half of 2026, revealing that these enterprises are expected to bring in over HK$53 billion (US$6.8 billion) in foreign direct investment and create over 8,600 new jobs for Hong Kong.

<figure data-width="100%" data-caption="Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive, John Lee (second left); the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Algernon Yau (second right); the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Carol Yip (first left); and the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Alpha Lau (first right), toast the success of enterprises expanding in Hong Kong at Invest Hong Kong’s annual welcome reception.
” data-caption-display=”block” data-image-width=”0″ data-image-height=”0″ class=”c6″ readability=”5″>

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2026 – HONMA Golf Limited (“HONMA”; together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; HKEX stock code: 6858), one of the world’s most prestigious golf brands, announces its consolidated annual results for the year ended 31 March 2026 (the “Period”).

Financial Highlights

• Despite continued global economic and geopolitical challenges which negatively impacted consumer sentiments, the Group reported a year-on-year revenue growth of 2.7% to JPY22,259.7 million (equivalent to USD147.7 million).
• Korea rebounded robustly with a year-on-year sales growth of 55.2%, resulting from continued investment in HONMA’s brand and product awareness in the country and success with both retail and wholesale channels in the country.
• Revenue from golf clubs, accounting for 70.7% of total revenue, reported a solid year-on-year growth of 4.5%. Golf ball sales grew by 12.2%, on the back of solid recovery in Japan, Korea and China (including Hong Kong and Macau), which markets grew by 5.1%, 4.8% and 87.3% respectively.
• Full year net profit increased to JPY1,119.8 million (equivalent to USD7.4 million), up from a loss of JPY264.2 million for the year ended 31 March 2025.
• Net operating cash flow remained positive at JPY1,109.3 million (equivalent to USD7.4 million) and net gearing reduced to 21.4%, down from 23.5% as at March 31, 2025.
• Continuously delivering working capital efficiency with inventory turnover days improved significantly from 315 to 251.

Major Achievements

During the twelve months period ended 31 March 2026, the golf industry was faced with intensified competition amidst economic slowdown and regional geopolitical instabilities in some parts of the world. Despite these challenges, HONMA firmly executed its growth strategy while continuously investing in product innovation, optimising its distribution network, and strengthening brand marketing efforts.

Korea Market Outperformed All Other Markets with Exponential Growth in Both Retail and Wholesale Channels

While overall market conditions and consumer sentiment remained subdued, Korea outperformed all other markets and delivered a year-on-year growth of 56.7% from its wholesales channel and 34.3% from its retail channel, thanks to continued investment in HONMA’s brand awareness among Korean golfers, its direct-to-consumer businesses in the country and the renewal of its distributor arrangements. During the Period, gross profit margin in Korea improved by 10 percentage points resulting from continued improvement in the Group’s price management, product offering and consumer journey in this dynamic and evolving golf market.

Newly Launched Products Received Positive Consumer Acceptance

HONMA launched a number of products in the twelve months’ period ended March 31, 2026. These products symbolized the highest level of Japanese craftsmanship and HONMA’s signature aesthetics and performance features and have in turn received positive feedback and acceptance from its customers and end consumers. In addition, the Company incorporated several proprietary, cutting-edge technologies into the design and development of its latest BERES and TOUR WORLD series, targeting affluent and avid golfers. As a result, revenue from BERES golf clubs rose by 3.9% and from country specific golf clubs surged by 41.5%, reconfirming HONMA’s strong brand equity and its resilience amid economic headwinds.

Optimised Distribution Network

During the Period, the Group continued to optimise its distribution network in Asia, gradually shifting towards a more balanced channel mix and customers who are capable of delivering sustainable and profitable sales growth in their respective markets. While revenue from self-operated stores decreased by 6.2% due to strong headwinds in Japan, sales from third-party channels increased by 12.3% year on year, benefiting from ongoing channel optimisation in its key markets.

Re-defining the HONMA Brand

HONMA implemented a series of marketing initiatives to strengthen its global brand positioning, brand awareness, to expand reach and to deepen engagement with its target consumers. To reposition the brand as a dynamic, relevant, and premium golf lifestyle offering for digitally savvy younger golfers, the Group has continued to enhance its global website and social media presence through the delivery of regular, high-quality visual content, supporting increased brand awareness and product appeal.

Supported by a full-channel strategy and increased investment in digital marketing, the Group recorded consistent enhancements in organic traffic and conversion rates during the Period, with certain markets achieving double-digit monthly growth. HONMA’s e-commerce sales recorded a year-on-year growth of 13.1% and 18.1% in Chinese Mainland and North America market.

Business Outlook

Looking ahead, HONMA will continue to advance its long-term growth strategy, with the ambition of establishing itself as a leading global golf lifestyle brand. This strategic direction builds on the Group’s strong heritage, expanding distribution footprint, advanced technologies, and renowned Japanese craftsmanship. Key priorities include enhancing and revitalizing brand value to deepen customer loyalty, reinforcing leadership in the super-premium segment, and accelerating growth in the fast-expanding premium-performance category. HONMA also aims to drive sustainable expansion in North America and Europe through a more refined product offering and optimized distribution strategy, while broadening its portfolio of complementary non-club products to deliver a more holistic golf lifestyle experience. At the same time, the Group will continue to prioritize innovation and product development to remain aligned with evolving market dynamics and shifting consumer preferences.

Mr. LIU Jianguo, Chairman of the Board, President, and Executive Director of HONMA Golf Limited, said: “Despite ongoing operating challenges and business uncertainties, HONMA delivered resilient results, underpinned by solid margin performance and continued progress in its direct-to-consumer strategy. Through a disciplined focus on premium positioning, enhanced digital engagement, and an optimized distribution footprint, we have established a robust platform for sustainable long-term growth and remain committed to delivering value for our stakeholders.”

Hashtag: #HONMA

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Source: Media Outreach

– 26 June 2026 – On June 25, 2026, the China Telecom Global Partner Conference convened in Shanghai. Centered on the theme of “OneGrowth 2026: Shared AI Token Era Ahead,” the event brought together leading global telcos, key ecosystem partners, and prominent clients from both domestic and international markets. During the event, the upgraded “OneGrowth Global Cooperation Initiative” was officially launched, and the AI Token Global Service Ecosystem Alliance was inaugurated.

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Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Premium Clean Service Credit Giveaway at CleanNZ Expo 2026

Premium Clean will exhibit at CleanNZ Expo 2026 on 15–16 July, showcasing its commercial cleaning and facilities management services. Visitors to Stand G7 can meet the team, discuss facility requirements, and enter a business card draw to win service credits valued at up to $1,000.

The post Premium Clean Service Credit Giveaway at CleanNZ Expo 2026 first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/26/premium-clean-service-credit-giveaway-at-cleannz-expo-2026/

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2026 – IX Asia Indexes today announced the 1^st Half 2026 Review of the IX Digital Asset Industry Classification System (“DAICS^®“), aiming to provide professionals worldwide with a transparent and standardized classification scheme to determine sector and exposure of particular digital assets. DAICS^® classifies digital assets into 2 main categories: a) Cryptocurrencies and b) Asset Backed Tokens (ABTs) in a 3-tier system for each category. For Cryptocurrencies: Tier 1-Industry/ Tier 2-Sector/ Tier 3-Sub-sector; and for ABTs: Tier 1-Asset Type/ Tier 2-Branch/ Tier 3-Sub-branch. The results are as follows:

• DAICS^® coin coverage: As of 31^st May, the top 50 coins by average market capitalization across the past 90 days
• DAICS^®market capitalization coverage: 97.45%*
• The % coverage of market capitalization of the 50th ranked coin: 0.06%**
• Member changes within the Top 50 Coins in DAICS^®: seven coins added and six coins deleted
• Additions: Canton (CC), Tether Gold (XAUT), Pax Gold (PAXG), Global Dollar (USDG), Aster (ASTER), Ripple USD (RLUSD), USDD (USDD)
• Deletions: Ethena (ENA), Aptos (APT), Worldcoin (WLD), Polygon (POL), Story (IP), Arbitrum (ARB)
• 7 Green Coins labelled: Internet Computer (ICP), Binance (BNB), Hedera (HBAR), Solana (SOL), Sui (SUI), XRP (XRP), Canton (CC)

*Special currency treatment of DAICS^® applies, where any wrapped or second-level cryptocurrency is not considered in the calculation for the market capitalization of DAICS^®
**Based on 31^st May 2026
G: Green Coin

The rankings of additions and deletions for the DAICS^® top 50 cryptocurrencies are listed in Appendix 1. All classification changes, including the ixCrypto Infrastructure Index and ixCrypto Stablecoin index, will take effect on 24^th July 2026, with market capitalization, rankings, and weightings available at www.ix-index.com.

1. Cryptocurrencies
1.1 Structure and Definitions

Tier 1: Industry Changes
The industry groups remain unchanged, with 5 industries and the respective weightings as follows:

Tier 2: Sector Changes
The number of sectors remains unchanged at 18.

1.2 Reclassification Changes
This review doesn’t have any reclassification of the existing coins. The DAICS® 1H 2026 cryptocurrencies classification is available in Appendix 2.

1.3 Green Coin Label
This review identifies 7 Green Coins, classified based on their energy-per-unit-transaction, which is defined as the amount of energy consumed for a successful single unit transaction of the coin in the blockchain network. The coins selected rank in the top 15 percentile of the least energy-consuming cryptocurrencies out of the 50 DAICS^® constituents. The table below lists these low-energy coins.

Note: G as ‘Green Coin‘ labelling for cryptocurrencies that adhere to the principles of sustainability

2. Asset Backed Tokens (ABT)
2.1 Structure and Definitions

Tier 1: Asset Type Changes
The asset types remain unchanged at 6 as follows:
1) Culture (205),
2) Real Estate (215),
3) Financials (235),
4) Entertainment (255),
5) Natural Resources (265), and
6) Green Economy (275)

Tier 2: Branch Changes
The number of branches remains unchanged at 32.

2.2 Classification Changes
This review doesn’t have any reclassification of the existing assets.

2.3 Coverage of DAICS^®
IX Asia Indexes has classified 2 ABTs in 1H 2026, which are Tether Gold (XAUT) and PAX Gold (PAXG). As of May 31, 2026, ABTs comprised 2.05% of the total market capitalization of digital assets, a rise from 0.91% in the 2025 2H review, which shows that ABT’s presence in the market has become more significant.

With accelerating growth and dominance of stable coins in the past two half yearly reviews, the IX Asia Tokenisation Advisory Committee has decided to expand the coverage to “50 coins + stablecoins within top 50” starting from the next review.

A classification summary and definition table of both cryptocurrencies and ABTs are available in Appendices 3 and 4. For further information regarding the methodology of the DAICS^®, please refer to the “IX Digital Asset Industry Classification System”- principle and guiding methodology on the company website https://ix-index.com/daics.html.

Additions and Deletions in DAICS^® Top 50 Cryptocurrencies

Additions

Deletions

G: Green Coin

Classification of the Top 50 Coins by Industry and Sector

Note: NEW for newly added branch

² United Nations 17 sustainable development goals covering 1) No Poverty 2) Zero Hunger 3) Good Health and Well-Being 4) Quality Education 5) Gender Equality 6) Clean Water and Sanitation 7) Affordable And Clean Energy 8) Decent Work and Economic Growth 9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 10) Reduced inequalities 11) Sustainable Cities and Communities 12) Responsible Consumption and Production 13) Climate Action 14) Life Below Water 15) Life on Land 16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17) Partnerships for the Goals https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Note:
G as ‘Green Coin‘ for cryptocurrencies that adhere to the principles of sustainability
NEW for newly added sector

DAICS^® Industry and Sector Definition

Note: NEW for newly added sector

DAICS^® Asset Type and Branch Definition

Note: NEW for newly added branch

² United Nations 17 sustainable development goals covering 1) No Poverty 2) Zero Hunger 3) Good Health and Well-Being 4) Quality Education 5) Gender Equality 6) Clean Water and Sanitation 7) Affordable And Clean Energy 8) Decent Work and Economic Growth 9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 10) Reduced inequalities 11) Sustainable Cities and Communities 12) Responsible Consumption and Production 13) Climate Action 14) Life Below Water 15) Life on Land 16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17) Partnerships for the Goals https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Hashtag: #IX #DAICS

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Source: Media Outreach

Partnership supports Singapore SMEs early access to new networking products, preferential support, and bundled connectivity solutions

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 June 2026 – Speaking at the Global Summit of the Consumer Goods Forum, Dr Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, shared a clear message to industry leaders: AI transformation is not an IT programme – it is a CEO mandate.

Presenting on the subject “CEO AI Playbook” for retailers and manufacturers, Malina shared that while many organisations have identified AI use cases, few have addressed the real barrier to scale: culture and system design.

“AI does not transform companies. Leaders do,” said Malina. “Culture moves when everyone moves. If AI sits in IT, it fails. If every function moves together, it scales.”

From Pilots to Enterprise Synchronisation

Malina challenged the traditional cascade model – CEO to IT to training to business units – calling it too slow for today’s environment.

Instead, she outlined a CEO-led synchronised approach in which all businesses and functions adopt AI simultaneously, supported by IT and HR. AI is horizontal, not vertical. Everyone moves in parallel, embedding AI directly into workflows, decisions, and performance management.

“This is not about experimentation at the edges,” Malina said. “It is about enterprise-wide execution.”

Redefining ROI: From Static Returns to Compounding Value

“Traditionally, we start with a defined investment. We build a business case, implement the solution, and drive initial adoption. Once deployed, we measure productivity gains and calculate ROI. The focus is on achieving a fixed financial return within a set timeframe. Value is captured once – not compounded.”

“In AS Watson, we begin with Value Creation – identifying high‑impact AI use cases aligned to strategy in each function. Once value is proven, we drive Adoption across workflows to embed it operationally.”

“As adoption deepens, we achieve Value Scaling – expanding across functions, geographies, and additional use cases . That leads to measurable Value Realisation which funds and accelerates the next wave of value creation. This is how ROI becomes compounding value.”

The Agility Equation

A central moment of the keynote was the introduction of a simple formula:

Agility = Acceleration – Friction

Acceleration comes from technology investment and ambition. Friction comes from complexity, silos, slow decision rights, and misaligned incentives.

“Agility is not a talent issue. It is not a capability issue, not a software issue,” Malina said. “It is a leadership choice and a system design issue.”

She opined that most companies overinvest in acceleration while underinvesting in friction removal – leaving AI initiatives stalled in pilots rather than scaled across the enterprise.

“The question is not how to add more speed,” she said. “It is what friction leaders are willing to remove.”

A CEO Agenda

Closing the session, Malina positioned AI as a defining leadership test for the industry.

“AI will not transform the company because you bought it. It will transform your company because you led it.”

“The return on AI doesn’t come from the tool. It comes from the courage to change how the company works.”

“GenAI will not just change how retailers and manufacturers work — it will change how we work together.”

“Retail will become more human, not less. Technology will be invisible. Customers will remember how we made them feel, not how advanced our systems were.”

In an environment defined by margin pressure, supply chain volatility, and shifting consumer expectations, the message resonated clearly: AI-driven agility is no longer optional – it is structural.

Hashtag: #ASWatson

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Source: Media Outreach

The Fund is beginning to generate tangible international outcomes, including awards, nominations and co-productions across music, film, games and the arts, while expanding opportunities for overseas performances, international events and cross-border collaborations.

To date, projects supported by the Fund have been implemented across 23 countries and regions, generating new forms of international collaboration within the creative industries.

TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 June 2026 – Held on Friday, June 5, 2026, the “Japan Creator Support Fund Progress Report Meeting” served as a platform for organizations selected under the “Support Programs for Creator Development & Cultural Facilities Function Enhancement” and the “Creator Support Program (Program Development and Implementation)” to present the outcomes of their projects from FY2025. The event, took place at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Tokyo, highlighted growing international engagement through overseas performances, participation in major international events, and cross-border collaborations, with supported projects generating tangible results including awards, nominations, co-productions, and institutional partnerships across music, film, games, visual arts, and the performing arts.

Now entering its third year, the Japan Creator Support Fund is a government-backed, multi-year national initiative supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs that aims to nurture emerging creators and artists while strengthening cultural institutions that serve as hubs for creative activity and public engagement. The Fund, delivered through the Japan Arts Council, also promotes international exchange and overseas expansion opportunities, helping Japanese creators and cultural organisations build global networks and reach new audiences.

The progress report meeting opened with remarks from Mr. Shigeki Kobayashi, Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Noting the government’s commitment to strengthening Japan’s creative industries, Vice Minister Kobayashi emphasised that “creators and artists themselves are the source of compelling content,” reaffirming the importance of sustained investment in creative talent and international exchange. At the report meeting, representatives from the Japan Arts Council provided an overview and progress update on the Japan Creator Support Fund, reporting that supported projects have generated international activity across 23 countries and regions, spanning Asia, Europe, North America and beyond. Achievements reported for FY2025 included selections at the Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and Annecy International Animation Film Festival, performances at London’s Royal Opera House, international touring projects, and new collaborations between Japanese and overseas cultural organisations. Further information on program results, case studies and upcoming international activities can be found in the Notes to Editors below.

At the report meeting, four organizations each introduced its project, reporting on progress to date as well as key challenges, future plans and areas for further development.

• Japan Performing Arts Solidarity Network introduced SOIL Fellowship Program (Stage for Originality, Innovation, and Leadership), an initiative designed to cultivate producers and strengthen the international positioning of Japanese performing arts. In FY2025, program participants took part in pitching events in London and Edinburgh, presenting their work to performing arts professionals from around the world. The project aims to enhance the global presence of Japanese theatre, facilitate the international circulation of works, and foster the accumulation and sharing of professional expertise.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre presented TMT Gear – The Creator Support Project, which seeks to strengthen Japan’s international presence in contemporary performing arts through the development of globally active creators and the enhancement of theatre staff expertise. FY2025 activities included on-the-job training during overseas performances, international networking with performing arts professionals, work-in-progress presentations in the fields of performing arts and music, and 8K recording and technical training initiatives undertaken by the theatre’s video media team.
• KINEMA CIRTUS reported on the Global Anime Challenge (GAC), a program designed to provide learning opportunities for emerging talent and foster the next generation of leaders in Japan’s animation industry. In FY2025, participants attended domestic workshops and undertook internships at overseas animation studios, gaining practical knowledge across key areas of the industry, including international collaboration, production and business development. The project also identified future priorities, including strengthening support from participating studios and expanding opportunities for internationally focused animation production.
• Jikei Gakuen School Corporation – Tokyo Communication Arts College introduced Immersive Media Lab++, an immersive content creator development program delivered in collaboration with XR company STYLY. During FY2025, the project focused on establishing the foundations of its curriculum and conducting overseas research visits to inform program development. Participants also reported on experiences gained through hackathons and study visits to the United States. Beginning in FY2026, the program plans to introduce year-round courses for students alongside overseas training opportunities and expanded international partnerships.

For further information, please visit the official Japan Creator Support Fund website, which provides updated information on selected organizations, upcoming exhibitions and performances, event information, creator interview videos, and creator profiles. https://creator.ntj.jac.go.jp

APPENDIX: KEY FY2025 RESULTS, INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND UPCOMING FY2026 ACTIVITIES

Support Program Achievements

Creator & Artist Development Support Program
Activities carried out under the supported projects have included participation in overseas events, performances in Europe, research conducted abroad, and other initiatives. These initiatives have produced results such as awards, nominations, and co-productions across various fields, including music, film, and games. Through the strengthening of domestic and international networks and professional guidance, a solid foundation is being steadily built for full-scale overseas expansion.

Key FY2025 Results:

• Number of creators supported: 544
• Number of advisors involved: 301
• Domestic performances/exhibitions: 163
• Overseas performances/exhibitions: 165
• Total attendance across domestic and international events: 873,761
• Countries and regions involved (23 total): Ireland, United States, Italy, India, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, China, Germany, France, Vietnam, Malta, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Spain, Argentina, and Portugal

Support Program for Cultural Facilities Function Enhancement
Through initiatives funded by the Japan Creator Support Fund, international collaboration has advanced through various hubs including museums, theaters, concert halls, and other institutions. Talent development has also been strengthened through the invitation of overseas curators, co-commissions, mentoring by leading figures in Japan and abroad, and critical writing by development candidates. Progress is also being made in forming foundations for international expansion and network-building, including the establishment of new organizations, overseas performances, professional development, and exchange.

Key FY2025 Results:

• Number of creators supported: 133
• Number of advisors involved: 88
• Overseas performances/exhibitions: 5
• Domestic performances/exhibitions: 92
• Total attendance across domestic and international events: 1,900,597
• Countries and regions involved (8 total): South Korea, China, Germany, France, Taiwan, Indonesia, Slovakia, and Mexico

Creator Support Program (Program Development & Implementation)
Individual projects are undertaking specific measures to develop and implement training programs. In particular, selected educational organizations are making progress in their preparations to establish new departments and courses. As part of these measures, many overseas study visits have been conducted in order to understand needs for Japanese content around the world and survey the state of education for developing global talent. Destinations included approximately 15 countries worldwide, including countries in Africa.

The selection of training candidates is moving forward, and some projects have already launched practical programs. In addition to seminars and workshops held in Japan, overseas dispatches have also taken place. Initiatives included participation in the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany by Tokyo Docs, Atmovie Inc., and Tokyo University of the Arts; an observation visit to MIT Reality Hack in the United States by Jikei Gakuen; and training at higher education institutions, such as the dispatch by VIPO to the Griffith Film School in Australia.

Building on Recent International Successes: Looking Ahead to FY2026

Various organizations are expected to launch full-scale overseas exhibitions, performances and collaborative initiatives in FY2026, further expanding the global reach of Japanese creators and cultural institutions. These upcoming activities build on a growing number of international achievements already generated through projects supported by the Japan Creator Support Fund.

Upcoming FY2026 Activities

As part of ROHM Theatre Kyoto‘s “Repertory Premiere: ‘Hopes’” program, Kichijitsu Saikai, a work created by one of the program’s supported artists, is scheduled to be presented at the Beitou Art Festival in Taiwan from 7–9 August 2026.

In September 2026, WITH LiMBO, created by participants of Aichi Prefectural Art Theater’s “Constellation ~ Connecting Worlds with Aichi Prefectural Art Theater Dance Project ~” is scheduled to be performed in Slovakia.

In the visual arts sector, Syuto Kanazawa is presenting the exhibition Ethnography of the Body and Material — Slowness and Depth in an Accelerated Society as part of “Kogei Artists Promotion Project”in Venice, Italy, from 9 May to 22 November 2026.

Recent International Successes

Under the New National Theatre, Tokyo‘s “Project for Training World-class Dancers Through International Performances”, Giselle was staged at London’s Royal Opera House from 24–27 July 2025. The performances attracted significant attention and played to near-capacity audiences throughout the run. Building on this success, the National Ballet of Japan was named Outstanding Company at the UK’s National Dance Awards 2025 by the Critics’ Circle Dance Section, becoming the first Japanese ballet company to receive the prestigious honour. The award recognised the company’s achievements in the UK, including its Royal Opera House performances under the artistic direction of Miyako Yoshida.

As part of Shochiku‘s “Creator Development Aimed at Expanding Kabuki Overseas”, joint lectures and performances with Korean pansori artists were held in South Korea, laying the groundwork for the European tour of How an Onnagata Is Made. In April 2026, the production undertook its first European tour in eight years, presenting six performances across Paris, Rome and Cologne.

Under “Film Frontier”, a feature animation creator support program administered by UNIJAPAN, Hanarokushō ga Akeru Hi ni was selected for the Competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, competing for the Golden Bear. Directed by Japanese painter Yoshitoshi Shinomiya, the film marks his feature directorial debut and received support through the program for its international development. The selection represents a significant milestone for Japanese animation, following Spirited Away and Suzume, which were previously selected for the festival’s Competition section.

Also supported through “Film Frontier”, Housenka was selected for the Feature Film Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025. The original animated feature was created by director Baku Kinoshita and writer Kazuya Konomoto, the creative team behind the acclaimed television series Odd Taxi. The program supported the film’s international development and overseas promotion.

Under “New Way, New World: Program for Connecting Japanese Animators to the World”, administered by Computer Graphic Arts Society (CG-ARTS), Eri, directed by first-cohort selected artist Honami Yano, was selected for Directors’ Fortnight at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

As part of Mori Art Museum‘s “Global Art Professional Development Project”, the exhibition The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest attracted 236,705 visitors, achieving 160% of its attendance target, and received positive reviews across more than 50 media outlets. Following its successful presentation in Tokyo, the exhibition is scheduled to tour Asia in 2026.

Under Aichi Prefectural Art Theater‘s “Constellation: Aichi Prefectural Art Theater Dance Project Connecting the World”, Giselle: A Summary, featuring program participant Hana Sakai, was invited to the Lessingtage theatre festival in Hamburg, Germany, in February 2026 and to the SPRING Performing Arts Festival in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in May 2026. The performances received positive critical attention, with local reviewers highlighting Sakai’s exceptional technical skill and artistry.

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

PERTH, Australia, June 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX:PDN, TSX:PDN, OTCQX:PALAF) (“Paladin” or the “Company”) announces it has successfully completed its 2026 winter drilling program at the Patterson Lake South (PLS) high-grade uranium project, located in the Athabasca Basin region of Saskatchewan, Canada, with the discovery of a new body of high-grade uranium mineralisation, the Atlas discovery. 

Highlights

• High-grade uranium mineralisation has been intersected 3.5km south of Paladin’s Triple R deposit and 4.5km southwest of Saloon East.
• Eight (8) exploration drillholes were collared, with seven intersecting significant uranium mineralisation at the new Atlas discovery, totalling 2,408m.
• Key winter 2026 intercepts at Atlas include:
  • PLS26-708B (discovery drillhole): 17.5m of total composite uranium mineralisation across three intervals, the largest being 8.0m averaging 1.75% U₃O₈, including 3.0m averaging 4.25% U₃O₈ from 190.0m to 193.0m
  • PLS26-718: 21.5m of total composite uranium mineralisation across two intervals, the largest being 14.5m averaging 1.70% U₃O₈, including 5.5m averaging 2.86% U₃O₈ from 194.5m to 200.0m
  • PLS26-722: 30.0m of total composite uranium mineralisation across seven intervals, the largest being 11.0m averaging 1.79% U₃O₈, including 5.0m averaging 2.94% U₃O₈ from 189.0m to 200.0m
• The Atlas discovery remains open along strike and at depth.

After a large-scale ground geophysical survey at the PLS project from February to June 2025, a highly prospective anomaly was identified within the broader Saloon Trend, 4.5km southwest of anomalous uranium concentrations identified at Saloon East. Drill testing of this geophysical anomaly intersected new high-grade basement-hosted uranium mineralisation commencing approximately 160m downhole in what was subsequently named the Atlas discovery. A total of 2,408m of drilling has been completed at Atlas, and the discovery remains open along strike and at depth.

The 2026 winter drilling program also targeted resource conversion and extension drilling at the Triple R deposit and further drilling on the Saloon Trend, along with regional exploration.  Following a short seasonal break, drills and field crews were re-mobilised to the PLS project in May to continue work at Atlas as well as other priority target areas. All currently identified trend targets (including Atlas) are land-based, allowing drilling activities to continue uninterrupted throughout the summer months.

Paladin CEO Paul Hemburrow said: “The Atlas discovery is a significant and very positive result for Paladin’s exploration strategy and builds on our success in 2025 with the Saloon East discovery. The initial Atlas results reinforce the potential of the PLS project across multiple prospective mineral corridors and demonstrates the effectiveness of the Company’s systematic targeting approach that is now focused on the land-based trends surrounding Patterson Lake. We also continue drilling the Triple R deposit to upgrade confidence in that resource, focusing on resource to reserve conversion to add value to the life of the mine.”

Overview of Atlas Drill Program
The Saloon Trend is a linear, multi-kilometre long, southwest-northeast trending structural zone up to 1km in width, that is parallel to and located 3.5km south of the shear zones that host the Triple R deposit within the Patterson Lake corridor (Figure 1).

Since 2024, the Saloon Trend has represented a principal exploration focus for the Company, with anomalous uranium geochemistry and associated structural disruption defined over an approximately 8km strike extent. Drill targeting for the 2026 campaign was further refined following completion of a large-scale ground geophysical survey from February to June 2025, which identified high priority geophysical anomalies along the trend.

Although the second drillhole of the 2026 program, PLS26-708, was discontinued at a depth of 152.0m due to challenging ground conditions, a follow-up drillhole, PLS26-708A, successfully intersected three zones of uranium mineralisation before also being discontinued at a depth of 206.0m due to similar ground conditions. The final re-collar, PLS26-708B, was completed as planned and intersected 17.5m of composite uranium mineralisation across three discrete intervals, including 8.0m grading 1.75% U₃O₈ from 188.0m to 196.0m.  This result underpinned the Atlas discovery.

Prior to a seasonal break of drilling activities in May, five additional drillholes were completed at Atlas, bringing the total to 2,408m drilled (Figure 2 and Table 1). Uranium mineralisation was intersected in seven of eight Atlas drillholes, hosted within steeply southeast-dipping stacked shear zones, currently defined over approximately 60m of strike length and at vertical depths ranging from 120m to 260m below surface (Figure 3). The Atlas discovery remains open along strike and at depth, representing one of the main targets for the summer drill program.

In addition to Atlas, eight drillholes were completed at Saloon East, 3.5km southeast of Triple R, totalling 2,759m. Samples for uranium assay from the Saloon East drillholes are currently being processed at the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratory.

Table 1: 2026 Atlas Drillhole Summary

*Drillhole terminated due to challenging ground conditions

Figure 1: Location of the Atlas discovery

Figure 2: Inset map of Atlas drilling

Figure 3: Longitudinal section looking northwest at Atlas showing
total uranium grade (%U₃O₈) x thickness (m) per drillhole

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of Paladin Energy Ltd.

Contacts

About Paladin
Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX:PDN TSX: PDN OTCQX:PALAF) is a globally significant independent uranium producer with a 75% ownership in Namibia of the world-class long-life Langer Heinrich Mine. In Canada, Paladin is progressing development of the Tier-1, high grade and shallow Patterson Lake South (PLS) Project in northern Saskatchewan and has an extensive portfolio of exploration assets within the province’s highly prospective Athabasca Basin and also at the Michelin project in Newfoundland and Labrador. In Australia, Paladin owns uranium exploration assets in Queensland and Western Australia. Paladin is committed to a sustainability framework that ensures responsible, accountable and transparent management of uranium resources – now and in the future. The Langer Heinrich Mine is delivering reliable uranium supplies to major nuclear utilities around the world, positioning Paladin as a meaningful contributor to baseload energy provision in multiple countries and global decarbonisation, whilst unlocking the PLS Project to support future global nuclear energy expansion.

Competent Person’s Statement / Qualified Person and Technical Information
The drilling and exploration results contained in this document have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).  The information in this document as it relates to drilling and exploration results is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documents prepared by Kanan Sarioglu, a Competent Person and “qualified person” under NI 43-101, who is a registered Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo) with the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC), the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatachewan (APEGS). Kanan Sarioglu is the VP Exploration for Paladin Canada Inc. and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr. Sarioglu consents to the inclusion in this document of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears.

The drilling and exploration results including verification of the data disclosed, have been completed by Kanan Sarioglu following NI 43-101. Mr. Sarioglu has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

The design of the drilling programs and interpretation of results is under the control of Paladin Canada’s geological staff, including qualified persons employing strict protocols consistent with NI 43-101 and industry best practices. Drill core samples are analysed at the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which includes U₃O₈ (wt %) and fire assay for gold.

All intersections are down-hole depths.  All depths reported of core interval measurements including radioactivity and mineralisation intervals widths are not always representative of true thickness.

Forward-looking statements
This document contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Australian securities laws and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively referred to in this document as forward-looking statements). All statements in this document, other than statements of historical or present facts, are forward-looking statements and generally may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate”, “expect”, “likely”, “propose”, “will”, “intend”, “should”, “could”, “may”, “believe”, “forecast”, “estimate”, “target”, “outlook”, “guidance” and other similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve subjective judgment and analysis and are subject to significant uncertainties, risks and contingencies including those risk factors associated with the mining industry, many of which are outside the control of, change without notice, and may be unknown to Paladin. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to liabilities inherent in mine development and production, geological, mining and processing technical problems, the inability to obtain any additional mine licences, permits and other regulatory approvals required in connection with mining and third party processing operations, competition for amongst other things, capital, acquisition of reserves, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel, incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions, changes in commodity prices and exchange rates, currency and interest fluctuations, various events which could disrupt operations and/or the transportation of mineral products, including labour stoppages and severe weather conditions, rising energy costs, inflationary pressures, the demand for and availability of transportation services, the ability to secure adequate financing and management’s ability to anticipate and manage the foregoing factors and risks.

Although at the date of this announcement Paladin believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements due to a range of factors including (without limitation) fluctuations in commodity prices and exchange rates, exploitation and exploration successes, environmental, permitting and development issues, geopolitical events and political risks (including armed conflict or escalation of hostilities in the Middle East), and the impact of such events on global security conditions, economic activity, trade flows, energy markets, sanctions regimes, and uranium supply and demand, First Nation engagement, climate risk, operating hazards, natural disasters, severe storms and other adverse weather conditions, shortages of skilled labour and construction materials, equipment and supplies, energy costs, inflation, regulatory concerns, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions and risk factors associated with the uranium industry generally, and other factors. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate.

Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and should rely on their own independent enquiries, investigations and advice regarding information contained in this document. Any reliance by a reader on the information contained in this document is wholly at the reader’s own risk. Recipients are cautioned against placing undue reliance on such projections without conducting their own due diligence with appropriate professional support. The forward-looking statements in this document relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made. Paladin does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No representation, warranty, guarantee or assurance (express or implied) is made, or will be made, that any forward-looking statements will be achieved or will prove to be correct. Except for statutory liability which cannot be excluded, Paladin, its officers, employees and advisers expressly disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the material contained in this document and exclude all liability whatsoever (including negligence) for any loss or damage which may be suffered by any person as a consequence of any information in this document or any error or omission therefrom. Except as required by law or regulation, Paladin accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in this document or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information. Nothing in this document will, under any circumstances, create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Paladin since the date of this document. To the extent any forward-looking statement in this document constitutes “future-oriented financial information” or “financial outlooks” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, such information is provided to demonstrate Paladin’s internal projections and to help readers understand Paladin’s expected financial results. Readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and readers should not place undue reliance on such information. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with forward-looking statements generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions, and subject to the risks and uncertainties, described above.

JORC Code, 2012 Edition – Table 1

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Figures accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5b4ab0d-9e68-40e9-8512-d2de9247ca98

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9779c77f-c9b8-4514-a276-770c49d483e7

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa339109-8ffa-4180-9461-941ed8ef750e

– Published by The MIL Network