Source: Samsung Electronics New Zealand

Following a period of global attention around one of technology’s most recognisable names, another Tim Cook has made a significant change.

Auckland, New Zealand – 14 September 2026 – Samsung New Zealand has enlisted Tim Cook to put the new Galaxy Z Fold8 through its paces, marking a new chapter for Cook, as he chooses Samsung’s latest foldable as his phone of choice.

There is one important distinction: this Tim Cook is from Palmerston North, New Zealand. He is a real estate professional – not the technology-industry leader with the same name, who recently stepped down from a prominent CEO role within a fruit-named company.

In Samsung’s new campaign, “Tim Cook has an announcement. And for once, it’s about Galaxy,” Cook takes centre stage to introduce the Galaxy Z Fold8 and its large, foldable display. The campaign playfully follows Tim as he makes the switch from his old phone to a new foldable experience, building on a category Samsung introduced with the original Galaxy Fold in 2019.

“The Galaxy Z Fold8 opens up new possibilities,” says Tim Cook. “You have a phone when you need one, and a larger screen when you want to work, watch, create or do more.”

The campaign arrives as interest in foldable smartphones has hit fever pitch, as new brands are now entering the category. Samsung has spent seven generations evolving the foldable experience, which brings a premium smartphone, immersive large screen and powerful productivity tools in one device.

“While this campaign is tongue-in-cheek, the consumer trend behind it is real,” said Shannon Watts, Marketing Director at Samsung New Zealand. “We’re seeing more Kiwis switch to Samsung, with many looking for a phone that gives them more flexibility and a truly different experience. It’s great to see even Tim Cook making the switch – the Palmerston North one, of course.”

The Galaxy Z Fold8 has an expansive main display, slim design and flexible form factor, which makes it perfect for those wanting to get more from their phone. whether managing a busy day, working across multiple apps, watching content or staying connected on the move.

The new Galaxy Z8 series gives Kiwis more choice than ever, with bespoke experiences engineered to fit different needs. Galaxy Z Fold8 combines an expansive main display, slim design and flexible form factor for people wanting to get more from their phone. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, for maximum productivity and content creation in a larger workspace and the Galaxy Z Flip8, the sleekest one which is built for expression.

The new Tim Cook campaign has gone viral globally, making headlines in Brazil, South Korea, Russia and across Europe. A huge feat for Samsung New Zealand to be punching above its weight and creating headlines around the globe.

The Palmerston North local’s videos have already generated 8.3 million organic views and helped gain over 14,000 new followers across Samsung New Zealand’s social channels. News of Tim’s switch has also been covered in more than 100 international media articles, in addition to a live radio interview on More FM.

The video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zP5VQUEm6og

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at https://news.samsung.com/.

XIAMEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – On September 8, the 26^th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) opened at the Xiamen International Expo Center. Held under the theme of “Further expanding bilateral investment, jointly facilitating global development”, this year’s CIFIT has attracted the participation of delegations from 123 countries and regions. As the official payment partner of the event, UnionPay showcased its key business achievements in international expansion and technological innovation. Highlights included its global network, UnionPay cross‑border B2B payment solutions, Nihao China App—a one‑stop service platform for inbound visitors to China—and the National Pilot Base for AI Application (Financial Sector). Dong Junfeng, Chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, attended the event.

Strengthening the Global Acceptance Network

In a continuous effort to strengthening its global payment networks, UnionPay is now accepted in 183 countries and regions, covering more than 100 million merchants outside China’s mainland. UnionPay cards have been issued in 84 countries and regions outside China’s mainland, with its mobile payment services available in over 100 markets. UnionPay is also advancing QR payment connectivity with local payment networks in multiple geographies worldwide. Outside China’s mainland, UnionPay QR payments are accepted at over 46 million merchants, and over 200 UnionPay‑standard wallets have been launched in 37 countries and regions.

The “Global Network” section of UnionPay’s exhibition at the CIFIT displayed its three‑pronged business structure centered on the acceptance, card issuance, and cross-border QR payment linkages. Leveraging its advanced global switching and clearing infrastructure and payment technologies, UnionPay has launched digital payment solutions that are tailored to emerging subsectors within trade, such as cross‑border e‑commerce, as well as flight and hotel services. For Chinese enterprises going global, online travel agencies, and cross‑border e‑commerce clients, UnionPay has introduced the Virtual Commercial Card (VCC), a digital corporate card product. Featuring over-the-air provisioning and global acceptance, the solution delivers digital payment services that are efficient, secure, and controlled. Embracing open cooperation, UnionPay empowers partners in a collective effort to foster a new ecosystem for connected cross‑border payments.

Advancing AI‑Payment Integration to Build an Intelligent Payment Ecosystem

Responding to the deepening integration of artificial intelligence into the payment industry, UnionPay is using its Agentic Payment Open Protocol (APOP) as a key enabler to evolve AI‑powered finance from isolated projects toward industry-wide adoption. Providing a unified set of underlying technical standards for agentic payment use cases, the APOP is now available on the UnionPay Open Platform. The initial 19 partners consist of domestic and international commercial banks, AI agent providers, tech firms, merchants, and acquirers. Together with dozens of ecosystem partners, UnionPay has completed pilot transactions in real-word settings for overseas hotel reservations, in‑vehicle agent-assisted purchases, AI‑enabled flight booking, utility payments in the UnionPay App, and smart in-store ordering services.

In the exhibition area, UnionPay showcased a range of agentic payment achievements—the result of pulling industry resources to facilitate the integration and collaboration of computing power, data, and AI models, with a view to building a financial AI ecosystem that is open, controlled, secure, and reliable. Guided by the vision of “Trusted Ties, Shared Success”, UnionPay pursues sharing, joint governance and win‑win outcomes in its engagement with partners, delivering standard technical paradigms for the industry that is viable and replicable.

The Nihao China App, an All-in-One Solution that Makes Payment Easier for Visitors to China

In another exhibition zone themed “Nihao China”, UnionPay showcased the Nihao China App, a one‑stop digital service platform created specifically for inbound visitors to China. Integrating solutions for payment, transport, lifestyle, and cultural experience-driven tourism, and featuring an AI assistant, the app enables travelers to get around China hassle-free with their mobile phones.

The Nihao China App allows users to link their international cards for payments; mainstream Chinese QR code payments—both the Merchant Presented Mode and the Customer Presented Mode—are also supported. Over 300 mobile apps can seamlessly invoke the Nihao China App for payments. When it comes to transit, the app can be used to hail a taxi, purchase train and plane tickets, and ride the subway in 43 major Chinese cities and the bus in 1,760 cities at the county level and above nationwide. The app also supports 27 languages, including Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean and Russian. The app’s built-in AI assistant can read and respond to text prompts provided in 119 languages, while its speech recognition feature enables voice-based Q&A in 35 languages. Through multi‑modal interactions based on speech, texts and images, the app can provide assistance across various use cases, such as payment, navigation, translation, and content sharing. Other tourist‑friendly features include e‑SIM data plans, currency conversion, English‑language maps, tax refund, and city-specific travel guides. As of July 2026, the Nihao China App has surpassed 800,000 downloads in over 160 countries and regions globally.

UnionPay continues to advance Project Excellence to facilitate the payment journey for inbound visitors in China, and accelerate payment connectivity between China’s mainland and the rest of the world. As of this past July, the inbound transactions generated by UnionPay cards issued outside China’s mainland and by overseas partner wallets increased 51% and 53% year on year, respectively. During the CIFIT, UnionPay worked with local banks to launch marketing campaigns at the Xiamen International Expo Center. These activities centered on “ticket‑stub economy”—where tickets to cultural and sports events come with discounts at nearby consumer locations—and payment offers outside China’s mainland, further enhancing user experience for Chinese and international participants alike.

At this year’s CIFIT, UnionPay demonstrated its latest advancements in cross‑border payments, intelligent finance, and payment facilitation for inbound visitors to promote payment connectivity among industrial partners at home and abroad. Moving forward, UnionPay will further leverage its strengths in global networks, products, technologies, and standards to expand international cooperation. Driven by the vision of “Trusted Ties, Shared Success”, it will contribute to the development of an open world economy and a global development community.

Hashtag: #UnionPayInternational

ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – The team of the Pokrovsky Carbon Polygon has announced its readiness to transfer its carbon monitoring and carbon farming technologies to Mongolian partners following its participation in UNCCD COP17, the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on August 17–28, 2026.

Carbon polygons are a pilot initiative of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education. These specialized testing sites are located in non-urbanized areas and are designed to develop and test technologies for measuring, monitoring and verifying greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration.

Located in Russia’s Kaluga Region, the Pokrovsky Carbon Polygon is unique for the diversity of ecosystems within its territory, including forest, meadow and aquatic ecosystems. Its key focus is the development of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems for rangeland, desert and meadow ecosystems.

The polygon’s main areas of work include measuring the carbon-sequestration capacity of soils under plantations of perennial grasses and developing a digital twin of the territory. The system combines a highly accurate, georeferenced terrain model with mathematical models based on satellite, UAV, LiDAR, multispectral and hyperspectral data, as well as ground-based measurements of soil composition, soil carbon accumulation, soil respiration and CO₂ fluxes. These models already enable forecasts of carbon sequestration across different agroecosystems.

The technologies developed at Pokrovsky are particularly relevant to Mongolia, where natural rangelands occupy around 70% of the country’s territory and underpin livestock production, rural employment and food security. At the same time, rangeland degradation is widespread, with poorly managed grazing contributing to declining vegetation, soil stability, forage quality and drought resilience.

However, many Mongolian rangelands retain significant recovery potential. The 2015 national assessment found that more than half of the country’s rangelands could recover or move toward recovery within ten years if grazing management improved. These findings are reflected in the joint study by IIASA, UNCCD and the BRICS Competition Centre, Feasibility Study on the Prospects for Carbon Farming Solutions in Greater Central Asia, presented at COP17 on August 22.

Alexey Ivanov, Director of the BRICS Competition Centre and Head of the Pokrovsky Carbon Polygon project, said:

“The growing relevance of carbon farming stems from the fact that it is one of the few ways to reduce environmental impact without the need to curtail economic activity and, consequently, without creating socio-economic risks. Within the next few years, carbon projects, including those in Mongolia, will be able to trade on Chinese exchanges, and we need to be prepared for this. The technologies being developed at Pokrovsky are already in high demand among our colleagues in Kazakhstan, and we see significant potential for expanding cooperation with countries across the so-called Asian Drylands Belt.”

He added:

“The underutilized, aggravated endowments of Mongolia’s rangelands can be transformed into a valuable asset as a high-capacity carbon sink through functional carbon farming practices.”

The Pokrovsky Carbon Polygon sees the transfer of its technologies to Mongolia as a potential starting point for long-term cooperation in carbon monitoring, rangeland restoration and carbon farming across the Asian Drylands Belt.

Hashtag: #PokrovskyCarbonPolygon

HAIKOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Since the beginning of this year, an international social media promotion campaign themed “China’s Free Trade Port, World-Class Resort Island: Welcome to Cool Hainan” has brought China’s Hainan Free Trade Port into the view of global travelers, attracting more international tourists to visit this tropical island.

A Vibrant Free Trade Port, A Charming Hainan Island.

This international communication project was planned and implemented by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province. Through social media platforms, 56 travel-themed pieces of content were published for global audiences, with total exposures exceeding 16 million. The campaign spanned major inbound tourist source markets for Hainan—including Russian-speaking regions, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America—distributed via multilingual accounts in Russian, Thai, Indonesian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, ultimately reaching an audience of over 52 million followers.

Breaking from traditional promotional models, the campaign released seven themed series of Hainan tourism content featuring practical travel guides and immersive on-site scenarios, showcasing international branding labels such as “Cool Hainan”, “Top Ten Hainan Tourism Icons”, and “Cool Island”. Starting with high-end luxury getaways on the Sunshine Coast in January, themes shifted monthly: February showcased Hainan’s distinct Li and Miao ethnic Spring Festival customs; March focused on trendy surfing experiences and Wenchang aerospace study tours; April highlighted water sports and wellness tourism; May featured archaeological study tours and rainforest adventures; June promoted rainforest self-driving tours and ethnic minority villages; and July rolled out “Ten Signature Marine Tourism Routes”, with a single post achieving over 2.6 million impressions.

This content not only showcases diverse landscapes and experiences such as bays, rainforests, folk customs, health and wellness, and sports, but also highlights practical travel information including visa-free policies for 86 countries, temporary permits for foreign driver’s licenses, shopping, and duty-free/departure tax refund policies for off-island travel, seamlessly integrating the island’s natural scenery, local intangible cultural heritage, and modern tourism consumption business formats.

Global social media users have shown a strong interest in traveling to Hainan. Many have left comments asking about specific details such as visa-free policies, dining, accommodation, sightseeing, and self-driving trips, and several users said they have added Hainan to their future travel bucket lists.

Hainan hopes to leverage this themed social media campaign to build an international image as a “World-Class Resort Island”, enhance its appeal as an inbound tourism destination, and support Hainan’s development into an international tourism and consumption center. According to an official from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, Hainan possesses tropical coastal tourism resources that are unique in China. Capitalizing on the policy dividends and openness advantages of the Free Trade Port, Hainan will continue to optimize its tourism service offerings for international visitors and foster a tourism consumption environment that meets international standards.

Hashtag: #CoolHainan

TONGLU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2026 – Olympic champion diver Quan Hongchan visited the Chuiyun Tongtian River scenic area in Tonglu, China, in early August — not to dive, but to joke with the “Turtle Immortal,” a costumed performer entertaining passengers on boats through the river and its caves.

The exchange spread quickly on Chinese social media. For visitors, the character has become more than a photo opportunity: people stop to trade lines, ask questions and play along. Some have traveled specifically to meet the performer.

The small scene reflects a larger change underway in Tonglu, a county in Zhejiang province in eastern China. Long known for its scenery along the Fuchun River, Tonglu is adding performers, interactive storylines, water activities and even unexpected roadside attractions to encourage visitors to take part rather than simply look on.

A cave tour with characters

The “Turtle Immortal” is played by Zhang Yunbin, a 26-year-old opera performer who studied in Russia and speaks English and Russian. His setting is not a conventional theater but a river route winding through limestone caves.

At Chuiyun Tongtian River, Zhang is one of a rotating cast inspired by Journey to the West, the classic Chinese novel. Visitors may encounter Zhu Bajie, also known as Pigsy, as well as the Bull Demon King and Taishang Laojun, a Taoist deity.

More than 120 performers take part in the program. Rather than delivering a fixed show from a stage, they improvise with visitors, pose for photos and pull travelers into short scenes along the route.

The approach is part of what tourism marketers call immersive travel, though the experience is fairly straightforward: visitors are invited to respond, joke back and become part of the moment.

Similar experiments are appearing elsewhere in the county. At Yaolin Wonderland and Yan Ziling Fishing Platform in Tonglu, performers appear among caves, riverbanks and mountain paths as characters drawn from folklore, history and local life. A visit might include a brief role-playing exchange, a story about the site or an encounter that changes the pace of an otherwise standard tour.

The goal is to give visitors a reason to linger.

An aquarium at a highway rest stop

Tonglu’s most unusual tourism experiment may not be in a scenic area at all.

During China’s May Day holiday this year, travelers stopping at the Tonglu service area on the G25 Changchun–Shenzhen Expressway found more than fuel, snacks and restrooms. The rest area featured a large aquarium, mermaid performances and crowds pausing to take photos.

The attraction turned a routine highway break into a destination in its own right. According to figures released by local authorities, the service area received more than 80,000 visitors a day during the holiday.

The idea is to capture some of the spending that would otherwise pass through the county without stopping. A traveler who pulls over for coffee may stay for a show, buy a meal or decide to explore nearby attractions.

County data show that Tonglu received 1.61 million visits during the May Day holiday, up 13.2% from a year earlier.

Tourism revenue reached 958 million yuan, or roughly $132 million, a 12.4% increase, according to authorities.

Those numbers do not prove that a single aquarium or character program drove the growth. But they point to the value Tonglu sees in making travel stops more memorable — and in turning short visits into longer ones.

Scenic Tonglu County. Photo by Huang Qiang

More ways to spend a summer day

In late July, Tonglu launched a summer tourism campaign “Water Play Kingdom: Tonglu Is Wild.” The branding is aimed at visitors looking for a mix of rafting, family activities, village stays and outdoor recreation.

The county’s tourism offerings now range from river rafting and mountain-stream activities to the family resort, rural walks and evening events. The strategy is less about promoting a single landmark than about creating enough options for visitors to spend a full weekend — or return in another season.

That broader approach matters in a destination with no shortage of natural scenery. Tonglu’s rivers, caves and hills remain the foundation of its appeal. But local planners are increasingly treating those landscapes as settings for activities, stories and encounters rather than as backdrops for a quick stop and a photo.

Making travel easier for overseas visitors

Tonglu is also preparing for more international travelers.

The multilingual “Turtle Immortal” has become a lighthearted symbol of that effort. When the performer chats with overseas visitors in English, Chinese social-media users joke that “the Heavenly Palace has opened an international branch.”

Behind the joke is a more practical effort to improve the visitor experience. Yaolin township in Tonglu has been selected as a provincial pilot area for inbound-tourism innovation, with work underway on multilingual signs, international payment options and other services for overseas guests.

For international visitors, those details can matter as much as the attractions themselves. A cave performance or rafting trip may be memorable, but clear directions, workable payment systems and accessible information determine whether a trip feels easy or frustrating.

The county’s tourism push is still rooted in the things that first drew people there: water, mountains and caves. What is changing is the role of the visitor.

In Tonglu, tourists may still come for the view. But they may also find themselves joking with a cave character, watching mermaids at a highway rest stop or joining an activity that asks them to do more than pose for a photo.

Hashtag: #Tonglu

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 July 2026 – Vietfood & Beverage – Propack Vietnam 2026 is an annual international exhibition integrating two major sectors: Food & Beverage and Processing Equipment & Technology, Packaging – held continuously in Vietnam since 1996. The exhibition will take place over three days, from August 6-8, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), organised by VINEXAD in cooperation with the Ho Chi Minh City Food & Foodstuff Association (FFA) and the Vietnam Beer – Alcohol – Beverage Association (VBA), continuing to affirm its role as one of the leading and most trusted trade promotion events for Vietnam’s Food and Beverage (F&B) industry.

Beyond bringing together advanced products, technologies and solutions, Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam 2026 continues to serve as an important trade promotion platform, helping connect businesses, expand supply chains and drive sustainable growth for Vietnam’s food and beverage industry during this period of deep international integration.

F&B industry undergoing a strong transformation amid new trends

The food and beverage industry is entering a new phase of development as consumer demand moves beyond product quality alone toward more comprehensive values such as nutrition, health, sustainability and brand experience.

Alongside the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, e-commerce and ESG standards, F&B businesses are ramping up investment in modern production technology, automated production lines, eco-friendly packaging, traceability and supply chain optimisation to strengthen their competitiveness in the international market.

In addition, new-generation free trade agreements continue to open up export opportunities for Vietnam’s food industry, while also attracting international brands seeking to expand into a market of nearly 100 million people with growing purchasing power.

Against this backdrop, the need for trade connections, technology updates and strategic partnerships is becoming increasingly urgent, making specialised exhibitions one of the most effective trade promotion channels for businesses.

Vietfood & Beverage – Propack Vietnam 2026: a comprehensive networking platform for the F&B industry

Building on the success of previous editions, Vietfood & Beverage – Propack Vietnam 2026 continues to affirm its position as one of Vietnam’s largest international exhibitions for the Food & Beverage, Food Processing Technology and Packaging industries, and is also the first exhibition in this industry in Vietnam to be certified under the standards of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) – a guarantee of the event’s quality, scale and international standing.

Notably, 2026 marks the 30th edition of the exhibition held in Ho Chi Minh City, affirming its journey of sustainable development and its pioneering role over three decades of connecting the domestic and international F&B business community. This year’s exhibition reaches an impressive scale with more than 1,400 booths from over 1,000 companies across 20+ countries and territories, and is expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors, further confirming the event’s outstanding appeal and influence within the industry.

Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam 2026 brings together every link in the food and beverage value chain, from raw materials, production and processing to packaging, logistics, and distribution and retail systems. Within the exhibition space, thousands of products, technologies, and advanced solutions will be showcased, covering the entire F&B ecosystem – from processed foods, premium foods, beverages, coffee and tea, confectionery, seafood and meat products, to food ingredients and additives, as well as processing machinery and equipment, packaging technology and modern technology solutions. This is an opportunity for businesses to find partners, keep up with market trends, access new technology and expand their domestic and international business networks.

More than a venue for launching new products, Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam also serves as a forum for businesses to grasp consumer trends, find partners, expand distribution systems and access solutions that enhance competitiveness in an ever-changing market.

For international businesses, the exhibition is an effective gateway into the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian markets. Meanwhile, domestic businesses have the opportunity to access new technology, find suppliers, expand exports, and participate more deeply in the global value chain.

Adding value – bringing together thousands of domestic and international businesses

Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam 2026 brings together thousands of domestic and international brands from more than 20 countries and territories, including China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand and Vietnam.

At the event, the Diamond Sponsor – Masan Group Corporation (‘Masan Group, HOSE: MSN’) – will showcase its portfolio of leading brands, including CHIN-SU, Omachi, Vinacafé, Nam Ngư and WinEco, reaffirming its leadership in Vietnam’s branded food and beverage industry as well as high-tech agriculture. Guided by a consumer-centric strategy, Masan is committed to creating products that enrich the everyday lives of Vietnamese consumers while advancing the company’s vision to ‘Make Vietnamese Foods Global Foods’. At this year’s event, Vinacafé will introduce its premium Fine Robusta collection, crafted from specialty Robusta beans cultivated at altitudes above 1,000 metres. Naturally fermented and slow-dried for up to 720 hours, Fine Robusta delivers a refined coffee experience with rich, multi-layered flavour profiles and versatile brewing options.

The Beverage Pavilion continues to bring together leading brands in the industry, showcasing a diverse range of beverage products and emerging consumer trends. Supporting this dedicated exhibition area are Saigon Beer as the Gold Sponsor of the Beverage Pavilion, Hanoi Beer as the Silver Advertising Sponsor of the Beverage Pavilion, and Carlsberg Vietnam as the Bronze Sponsor of the Beverage Pavilion. Their participation contributes to promoting outstanding beverage brands while creating valuable networking opportunities between exhibitors, buyers, distributors and business partners.

The exhibition also continues to welcome the participation of many reputable domestic and international brands in the food and beverage industry, including Golden Farm, Tan Nhat Huong, Fancy Foods, Dan On, Vedan, Bibica, Huu Nghi, TH true FOOD, Khanh Hoa Bird’s Nest, Vietcoco, Rita, Miocen, Wonderful and Nam Viet, alongside international companies such as Allanasons, Al-Nasir, APK TRADING, Agroeco, Amos Food, Al-ammar Frozen Foods, Rustam Foods, Wellstand, Want Want, Learth, Kingmao and Cobi.

In the field of processing technology and packaging, the exhibition brings together companies offering advanced solutions such as Eulsung Auto Pack, Eastern Dragon, EIP, Han Viet Star, MMP Corporation, Shininghwa, QCM, Mutto Vietnam, Hao Tuan, Song Hiep Loi, Tan Phuong Vinh and Hoa Binh, showcasing modern technologies in automation, smart packaging, and production optimisation.

In addition to featuring leading domestic and international brands, Vietfood & Beverage – Propack Vietnam 2026 also reflects diverse participation from businesses across key markets around the world, including Australia, Bangladesh, China, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States and Vietnam. The presence of these countries not only reflects the exhibition’s increasing level of internationalisation but also presents a comprehensive overview of the global F&B supply chain – from raw materials and processed products to manufacturing technologies and modern packaging solutions.

Further affirming its international appeal, the exhibition welcomes national and territorial pavilions with participation from businesses in China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand and Vietnam. These pavilions are organized on a large, cohesive scale, showcasing each country’s signature products, export strengths, and advanced technology solutions, thereby creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to directly access quality supply sources, expand trade cooperation, and strengthen connections across the global Food & Beverage value chain.

One of the standout highlights of Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam 2026 is the continued participation of international trade promotion programs, affirming the exhibition’s appeal and credibility among foreign organizations and businesses. A prime example is The Taste Europe!, a program promoting high-quality European food products. This marks the fifth consecutive year the project has chosen the exhibition as its destination for brand promotion and trade connections in the Vietnamese market, introducing visitors to pork, beef, and processed products made from these two meats, as well as promoting apples and apple-based products.

In addition, The Drop of Excellence continues its participation in the exhibition for the second year of a promotional program spanning at least three years in the Asian market. The program focuses on introducing high-quality European dairy products, including many products from Poland, helping to expand trade cooperation opportunities and bring European agricultural products closer to Vietnamese consumers and businesses.

Notably, a delegation of Polish businesses continues to attend Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam with support from Poland’s National Support Centre for Agriculture, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Poland. The consistent presence of Polish business delegations over the years reflects the growing interest of European businesses in the Vietnamese market and further affirms the exhibition’s role as an effective trade promotion bridge between Vietnamese businesses and international partners.

For many consecutive years, the Russian Trade Promotion Centre in Vietnam has supported Russian businesses in participating in Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam, viewing the exhibition as one of the most effective trade promotion channels for showcasing products, finding partners, and expanding into the Vietnamese market. This continues to affirm the exhibition’s credibility and standing as an important destination for international trade promotion programs in the food and beverage sector.

A series of specialised activities: connecting businesses – driving innovation – expanding cooperation

Beyond serving as an exhibition and trade space, Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam 2026 continues to affirm its role as a forum connecting the F&B community through a series of seminars, workshops, business-matching programs and engaging experiential activities.

The activity series opens with the international seminar ‘Building Premium Value in F&B: From Brand Identity to Distribution Channels and Packaging’ (on August 6, 2026), co-organised by VINEXAD, Italian Atelier, and CJC Marketing Agency. The seminar focuses on brand-building strategy, distribution channel development, and packaging design for F&B businesses to enhance product value and competitiveness.

Next, the specialized seminar “Green Transformation, Digital Technology, and Sustainable Nutrition” (on August 7, 2026), co-organized by VINEXAD and the Vietnam Association of Food Science and Technology (VAFOST), will provide updates on key trends in digital transformation, AI applications, sustainable product development, and supply chain optimization.

Also in the afternoon of August 7, 2026, the seminar ‘Food Packaging Compliance Management in the New Context’ organised by VINEXAD and the Vietnam Packaging Association (VINPAS), will provide new information on regulations, packaging standards, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and solutions to help businesses meet domestic and international market requirements.

At the same time, the Young Chefs Challenge: Culinary Arena, a cooking competition for young talent now in its second edition, organized in cooperation with the A Au Vocational Training Academy and the Ho Chi Minh City College of Economics and Tourism (CET), will give young chefs a platform to showcase their skills and creativity in food preparation while connecting with businesses and experts in the food and culinary service industry.

In addition, the F&B Spotlight – Business Presentations segment will allow companies to introduce their own products, technologies, and new solutions, helping them promote their brands and connect directly with customers and partners.

Notably, the VIP Buyer Program remains a key highlight, featuring scheduled B2B trade-matching activities that help improve trade promotion efficiency between businesses and domestic and international buyers, as well as major corporations (Big Corps) in the industry, opening up numerous opportunities for cooperation and business growth.

Alongside this, a check-in gift and lucky draw program, together with various interactive activities at the exhibition, will offer an engaging experience and help create a lively atmosphere throughout the three-day event.

Affirming its position as Vietnam’s leading F&B exhibition

The convergence of numerous domestic and international brands together with a high-quality series of specialised activities has established Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam 2026 as one of the most important trade promotion events in the F&B industry, helping to drive supply-demand connections, innovation, and expanded cooperation opportunities across the region.

Beyond bringing together advanced products, technologies, and solutions, the exhibition also serves as a bridge between businesses, buyers, associations, and domestic and international organizations, helping to drive innovation, technology transfer, market expansion and the enhanced competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses within the global value chain.

As the food and beverage industry moves toward a greener, smarter, and more sustainable future, Vietfood & Beverage – ProPack Vietnam 2026 is expected to continue driving cooperation, investment, and development, accompanying businesses on their journey to elevate Vietnamese brands and conquer new markets.

Contact Information:
VINEXAD – No. 09 Dinh Le Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Ms. Dao Thu Ha – Project Director
Mobile: (+84) 912 000 406 – Email: daoha@vinexad.com.vn

Hashtag: #Vinexad

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

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2026 – Shell Hong Kong Limited (Shell) and St. Paul’s Hospital on Tuesday held the “Shell x St. Paul’s Hospital – Integrated Decarbonisation Solutions Kick-off Ceremony”, reinforcing their shared commitment to sustainable development. As one of the world’s largest suppliers of biofuels, Shell has been promoting renewable diesel as a practical, lower-carbon energy solution. St. Paul’s Hospital is the first hospital in Hong Kong to adopt Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R33¹ for its boiler system. The switch required no modification to its existing equipment and offers up to 30%² less CO₂e emissions on a life cycle basis³ compared to EN 590 B0 diesel⁴. In addition, St. Paul’s Hospital installed Shell Recharge electric vehicle charging facilities in its parking lot and joined Shell’s CO₂ Compensation Programme as part of its low-carbon initiatives.

First hospital in Hong Kong: adopting renewable diesel for boiler systems

Shell is committed to “Power Progress Together” by working together with their customers and partners, to provide the energy products that people need to power their lives and businesses today, while helping to build the low-carbon energy system of the future. With Shell’s support, St. Paul’s Hospital has pioneered a healthcare first in Hong Kong to implement Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R33¹ to power its boiler system.

Renewable diesel: enabling value chain decarbonisation for businesses

In response to St. Paul’s Hospital’s need for a stable low-carbon energy solution, Shell introduced Renewable Diesel Blend R33¹, which offers up to 30%² less CO₂e emissions on a life cycle basis³ compared to EN 590 B0 diesel⁴, helping the hospital reduce value chain emissions and meet its Scope 1 and Scope 2 targets.

Compatible with conventional diesel equipment

The launch of Shell Renewable Diesel marks a significant milestone in Shell’s support in the energy transition journey in Hong Kong. Mr. Dick Chan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels – Hong Kong and Macau of Shell Hong Kong Limited, said: “We are honoured to witness St. Paul’s Hospital becoming a low-carbon promoter in Hong Kong’s healthcare sector, as the first to adopt Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R33¹. This represents the shared commitment of both the energy sector and the healthcare sector to work together for a sustainable future.”

Businesses selecting sustainable low-carbon energy solutions often face challenges such as capital investment, equipment compatibility, and operational impact. Shell Renewable Diesel is fully compatible with conventional diesel boilers or engines and can serve as a direct replacement fuel without any modifications or adding new equipment⁵, helping businesses lower costs and emissions. It also reduces regulated air pollutants⁶, making it suitable for use across various industries including construction, transport and logistics, industrial operations, and healthcare.

Comprehensive technical support for a smooth transition

A hospital’s boiler system is essential to daily operations. It supplies hot water and steam for the central heating system, wards, operating theatres, laundry services, and sterilisation equipment. Any disruption to boiler operations would have a significant impact on the hospital functioning. For this reason, St. Paul’s Hospital places great importance on the stability of its fuel supply. Switching to Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R33¹ required no modification to the hospital’s existing boiler system. To ensure a smooth transition, Shell provided professional technical support and conducted comprehensive inspections of the boiler system before the switch to ensure continued safe and reliable operation.

Mr. Gilbert Lee, General Manager of St. Paul’s Hospital, welcomed the collaboration. He said: “It is an undeniable fact that renewable energy has become a key direction of future energy transition, aligning with the global trend towards low carbon and environmental sustainability. Looking ahead, St. Paul’s Hospital will continue to collaborate with different sectors to promote more practical and effective low-carbon measures, contributing to a greener and healthier future for both the hospital and the wider community.”

Advancing low-carbon operations towards a sustainable future
In addition, St. Paul’s Hospital continues to advance low-carbon operations through its collaboration with Shell, taking a multi-pronged approach to building a low-carbon energy ecosystem. This includes the installation of two 50kW Shell Recharge fast-charging facilities in the hospital’s parking lot, providing visitors and staff with a more environmentally friendly and convenient energy option. At the same time, the hospital has adopted low-carbon fuel solutions and actively participated in Shell’s CO₂ Compensation Programme, supporting independently verified environmental, technology, and waste management projects. Through a simple and cost-efficient approach, these initiatives help compensate unavoidable carbon emissions from daily operations while promoting sustainable development in the communities where the projects are located.

Together, these initiatives not only enhance the hospital’s overall sustainability performance but also encourage the healthcare sector to explore low-carbon operational models, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Shell will continue to work with St. Paul’s Hospital and other partners to promote practical low-carbon solutions, which fully support Hong Kong’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and create a sustainable environment for future generations.

Notes:

1. Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R33 contains up to 33% ISCC-certified renewable components.
2. Between 27% and 30% less CO₂e. CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) includes CO₂, CH₄, N₂O emissions.
3. The life-cycle assessment of a product’s CO₂e emissions includes emissions associated with feedstock production, feedstock transport, fuel production, fuel transportation and distribution, and combustion.
4. Calculated by comparing to a GHG baseline intensity of 92g CO₂e/MJ on a Well-to-Wheel basis, representative of an EN590 B0 diesel and calculated by Shell with emission factors from JEC Well-to-Tank report v5 (Link: https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/959137) and internal Shell studies.
5. When switching from diesel. Based on Shell’s operability studies and market experience to date. Vehicle handbook and/or label at the fuel tank socket must be checked for OEM approval. Not applicable for passenger cars.
6. Actual effects and benefits may vary according to vehicle type, vehicle condition and driving style. Compared to EN590 B0 diesel. Not applicable for passenger cars. The tailpipe out emission benefit can be limited for vehicles with advanced exhaust aftertreatment systems.
7. Between 80% and 90% less CO₂e. CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) includes CO₂, CH₄, N₂O emissions.

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Forward-Looking statements

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Shell’s net carbon intensity

Also, in this contentwe may refer to Shell’s “net carbon intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “net carbon intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.

Shell’s net-zero emissions target

Shell’s operating plan and outlook are forecasted for a three-year period and ten-year period, respectively, and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next three and ten years. Accordingly, the outlook reflects our combined Scope 1 and 2 target, NCI target and our oil products ambition over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plan and outlook cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is outside our planning period. Such future operating plans and outlooks could include changes to our portfolio, efficiency improvements and the use of carbon capture and storage and carbon credits. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans and outlooks to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.

Forward-Looking non-GAAP measures

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We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this content that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

Hashtag: #Shell #StPaulsHospital #ESG #LowCarbon

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(Guangzhou), presents the SURREALITY Mixed Reality (MR) × Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition. As part of HKUST’s 35th-anniversary celebrations, an exclusive media preview of the world’s first large-scale, cross-regional MR × AI digital art exhibition was held at the University’s Clear Water Bay campus.

Showcasing selected works by renowned international and Chinese Mainland digital artists, as well as faculty and students from both campuses, the exhibition integrates creativity with Virtual Reality (VR), MR, and AI technologies. It transforms the campus into a global hub for arts innovation and technological excellence.

The exhibition will open at HKUST(GZ) tomorrow and run through July 31, 2026, before returning to Hong Kong for public engagement. This exhibition exemplifies HKUST’s visionary commitment to driving cultural mobility and fostering international exchange through innovative technologies.

Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, remarked, “This event signifies a major milestone for HKUST in its pursuit of integrating technology, humanities, and cross-regional innovation. The national 15th Five-Year Plan released this year explicitly supports Hong Kong in deepening its development as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. In 2024, the HKSAR Government also introduced the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, outlining plans to develop diverse arts and culture industries with an international perspective, and to establish international platforms that foster East-meets-West arts and cultural exchanges. Local universities play a pivotal role in advancing these initiatives.”

“HKUST’s Strategic Plan 2031 identifies the integration of innovation and the humanities as a key direction for the University’s future development. In line with this vision, we established Hong Kong’s first Division of Arts and Machine Creativity, which is committed to creating an innovative platform that fosters the fusion of technology and art while nurturing a new generation of creative talent with strong interdisciplinary perspectives. Hosting initiatives such as SURREALITY and the HKUST AI Film Festival exemplifies this direction and is poised to develop into prominent international platforms that fosters arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world,” she added.

Prof. Lionel NI Ming-Shuan, President of HKUST(GZ), stated, “‘SURREALITY’ is not only the world’s first large-scale MR × AI art exhibition, but also a powerful showcase of the strengths of HKUST and HKUST(GZ) in interdisciplinary studies and computational creativity. As a flagship initiative under the ‘One HKUST, Complementary Campuses’ framework, the two campuses have welcomed artists and young creators from 23 countries and regions, redefining the boundaries of knowledge production and artistic expression through the seamless fusion of the virtual and the real. At a time when the nation is strategically advancing future industries and the Greater Bay Area is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, the digital ‘Portal’ connecting Clear Water Bay and Nansha represents far more than a technological breakthrough—it embodies a forward-looking model of educational collaboration, where engineering converges with aesthetics, algorithms with poetry, and global vision with local engagement. At thirty-five years old, HKUST remains youthful and dynamic. Guided by this founding aspiration, HKUST(GZ) will continue to advance in step with HKUST, writing a new chapter of integrated innovation and talent development in the Greater Bay Area.”

SURREALITY showcases the integration of AI-generated artworks with the physical campus environment, creating an immersive experience through spatial computing and real-time rendering technologies. Across the two campuses, nearly 50 works by more than 70 digital artists from the United States, Germany, Russia, Australia, Bolivia, Singapore, Korea, the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong are featured. Presented in innovative and striking forms, these exceptional works from around the world highlight HKUST’s strong commitment to advancing interdisciplinary integration.

Today, 19 selected works premiered at the Clear Water Bay campus, where MR-enhanced creations transform the HKUST campus into an immersive, technology-driven art space. By wearing MR headsets, visitors can freely explore three exhibition areas: Living Currents, Future Fables, and Beyond Mind. Several projects created by HKUST(GZ) faculty and students stand out as highlights, with The Gate—built on a metaverse concept—emerging as the centerpiece of the exhibition. As the armillary sphere slowly turns and the portal comes into view, visitors can step inside and instantly traverse the virtual spaces of both campuses, experiencing a groundbreaking sense of cross‑campus, seamless connectivity that embodies the vision of “One HKUST, Complementary Campuses.” Another featured work, Kunpeng, symbolizes a spirit of boundless freedom. A giant fish leaps from the nearby Port Shelter in Sai Kung and transforms into a soaring roc that ascends powerfully into the sky. Its majestic presence delivers a striking visual spectacle. The piece The Twinworld Tree creates a dynamic living system formed by the World Tree and virtual life, symbolizing the interdependence of all things, like the tides.

The exhibition also features an MR recreation of a classic work—GFP Bunny, created by internationally acclaimed contemporary artist, Prof. Eduardo KAC, who is also Professor of Art and Technology Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since its debut, this piece has sparked global reflection on genetic modification, bioethics, and the boundaries of art. Mr. ZHANG Yishuai, a PhD student in the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts at HKUST(GZ) and a computational artist, presents Echoes of Earth 2.0, offering a forward-looking perspective on AI and interstellar civilizations. This work enriches the exhibition with a visionary reflection on humanity’s aspirations for the future.

Several VR digital art pieces are also on display, including Astra, created by Ms. Eliza MCNITT— Venice Immersive Grand Prize winner and renowned American writer and director—which offers visitors a unique journey of exploration into the universe. Mr. Benedict YU, a VR visual artist from Singapore, presents Mother’s Body Remembers, utilizing LiDAR to capture movements and combining VR with tactile interaction to rekindle visitors’ memories of family connections. The HKUST XRIM Lab‘s work, Unfolding Touch, enables a soft-robot-mediated handshake between the Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou campuses, integrating sensing and tactile replication to create a shared touch experience across distance. Other works include My Flower, which invites viewers to experience the daily challenges faced by people with Alzheimer’s disease. A short animation, The Cat Ghost, which narrates the relationship between ancient Chinese people and cats from the Western world, is also screened.

Prof. Pan HUI, Chair Professor of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas at HKUST, Acting Head and Chair Professor of the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts, and Director of the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(GZ), introduced the core concept of “SURREALITY.” He explained that as technologies such as AI, spatial computing, and MR rapidly evolve, digital worlds are transcending screens into real spaces and becoming deeply integrated into people’s daily life. SURREALITY explores a new form of reality that may emerge in the future—a scenario where the virtual and the physical are no longer distinctly separate but collectively form the environments in which we perceive, interact, and live. Through artistic creation and immersive experiences, the exhibition offers audiences a glimpse into this transformative vision, prompting reflection on how technology is reshaping humanity’s understanding of reality.

The exhibited works come from numerous internationally renowned artists, showcasing the remarkable fusion of creative arts and digital technology. Several prominent participating artists also joined today’s event to introduce their works, fostering cross-regional cultural and arts exchanges. They include Prof. Benjamin SEIDE, media artist, VFX expert, and Associate Professor in the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University; Ms. Katerina SEMENKO, a Russian conceptual phygital artist and International Design Award recipient; and Dr. Adam NASH, an Australian digital virtual artist and Honorary Fellow of RMIT University.

Hashtag: #HKUST #HKUST(GZ)

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – The greatest chess player of all time has touched down in Hong Kong. Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian grandmaster and undisputed World No. 1, today made his first official appearance in the city, headlining a star-studded press conference at Rosewood Hong Kong, Gallery 304, just 24 hours before the opening move of the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 — the first time in history this prestigious global event is being staged in East Asia.

Carlsen took the stage alongside the sport’s most magnetic names — American grandmaster and former World Championship challenger Fabiano Caruana; Uzbek prodigy Javokhir Sindarov, the official Challenger in the upcoming World Championship match; and H.E. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav, the 34th Prime Minister of Mongolia — all teammates on WR Chess, the German-founded super-team competing this week at Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

It is a line-up the chess world has never seen sit shoulder to shoulder on one stage. And it is happening in Hong Kong.

A Historic First for East Asia

From 17–21 June at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 bring together over 300 elite players from more than 50 countries, all chasing a share of a €500,000 prize fund — and the title of the strongest team on the planet across the sport’s two most thrilling formats.

It is the first time the championship has ever been held in East Asia, an inflection point that places Hong Kong squarely at the centre of the global chess calendar and underscores the city’s standing as Asia’s premier host of world-class sporting and intellectual spectacle.

A Founder Who Plays His Own Game
The afternoon’s quietly extraordinary character was Wadim Rosenstein, the 35-year-old German entrepreneur behind WR Chess and Chairman of WR Group Holding, one of the fastest-rising private holding groups in the world. Having committed millions of euros of his personal wealth to elevating chess globally, Rosenstein is doing something almost unheard of at this level: he is playing himself, taking the U2000 board for WR Chess this week alongside Carlsen, Caruana, Sindarov, and H.E. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav.

It is the kind of move that captures the spirit of WR Chess in a single gesture — world champions and a dedicated enthusiast, all in the same uniform, all under the same banner.

Headlines from the Press Conference

• A historic first — Hong Kong becomes the first East Asian city ever to host the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships
• A first visit — Magnus Carlsen makes his official Hong Kong debut
• A homecoming — Ella Carlsen returns to the city of her birth
• Four giants, one stage — Carlsen, Caruana, Sindarov, and H.E. Mr Zandanshatar address the world’s media side by side
• A head of state at the board — Mongolia’s 34th Prime Minister, H.E. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav, competes alongside the world’s elite
• A founder who plays — Wadim Rosenstein takes the U2000 seat for his own team

The WR Chess Roster — Ten Names, One Banner

WR Chess arrives in Hong Kong with a line-up few teams in the history of the sport could rival — current and former World Champions, World Championship challengers, a serving statesman, and the founder himself at the amateur board.

Magnus Carlsen (Norway) — World No. 1 and the most dominant chess player in modern history. Five-time World Champion, multi-time World Rapid and World Blitz Champion, and the highest-rated player to ever sit at a board.

Fabiano Caruana (USA) — The man who pushed Carlsen to twelve straight draws in the 2018 World Championship final and remains a permanent fixture at the very top of the world rankings. The strongest American grandmaster of his generation.

Wesley So (USA) — Fischer Random World Champion and three-time U.S. Champion, celebrated for a positional clarity few in the world can match. One of the most respected technical players on tour.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) — Former World Blitz Champion and one of the most feared attacking minds in elite chess. France’s standard-bearer at the top board for more than a decade.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland) — Chess World Cup winner and the player who famously ended Magnus Carlsen’s record-breaking 125-game unbeaten streak in classical chess. Poland’s first true superstar of the modern era.

Alexandra Kosteniuk (Switzerland) — Former Women’s World Champion and one of the most recognisable ambassadors the game has ever produced. A grandmaster whose career has spanned three decades at the top.

Alexandra Goryachkina (Russia) — Women’s World Championship challenger and one of the most consistent forces in elite women’s chess. A grandmaster known for an iron will and ferocious end-game technique.

H.E. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav (Mongolia) — The 34th Prime Minister of Mongolia and a passionate competitive player, bringing the gravitas of statecraft to the board and underscoring chess’s reach into the highest corridors of public life.

Wadim Rosenstein (Germany) — Team founder, Chairman of WR Group Holding, and one of the most committed private patrons in modern chess. This week, he occupies the U2000 board himself — the rarest sight in elite team chess.

Jan Gustafsson (Germany) — Team Captain. Grandmaster, longtime second to Magnus Carlsen in multiple World Championship matches, and one of the most respected strategic minds and broadcasters in the game.

What’s Next

Play begins tomorrow, 17 June, at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Wan Chai, with the world’s strongest clubs and federations clashing across rapid and blitz formats through 21 June. WR Chess will field its full line-up from Round 1.

Hashtag: #WRChess

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• Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance & Music returns for its 28th edition with an extraordinary line-up of 12 world-class performances from 9 countries, bringing together opera, ballet and contemporary dance in one exceptional programme.
• This year’s festival presents a distinguished line-up of world-class performances across a diverse range of artistic genres, from timeless classical ballet to innovative contemporary productions that have captivated audiences worldwide. Seamlessly blending the worlds of art, fashion, music and pop culture, the programme features acclaimed productions including Cinderella and Romeo & Juliet by the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus, the contemporary ballet Coco Chanel by National Theatre Brno, concerts by renowned vocalists from the New York City Opera, internationally celebrated performances by Sadeck Berrabah, and many more.
• Tickets are now available from today until 17 October 2026 at the Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 June 2026 – Bangkok’s 28th International Festival of Dance & Music, one of Asia’s leading international performing arts festivals, is set to once again captivate Thai audiences with an extraordinary line-up of 12 world-class productions from 9 countries. Spanning opera, classical ballet and contemporary dance, the festival brings together internationally acclaimed performances and spectacular stage productions, offering audiences in Thailand a rare opportunity to experience world-class live performances up close, all in one place, from 5 September – 17 October 2026 at the Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre.

Experience the Timeless Magic of Masterpieces on Stage

Reaffirming its grand return, this year’s festival brings together a distinguished selection of masterpiece productions by some of the world’s leading performing arts companies. Making its Thailand debut, the New York City Opera from the United States will present Opera Goes to Hollywood, a memorable musical journey through beloved opera classics and legendary film scores.

Audiences can also look forward to the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus presenting the timeless romantic ballets Romeo & Juliet and Cinderella, celebrated for their exceptional choreography, technical excellence and lavish stage production. Meanwhile, Russia’s Helikon Opera will present powerful new interpretations of the operatic masterpieces La Traviata and Madama Butterfly, brought to life by internationally acclaimed opera singers accompanied by a full live orchestra.

A Celebration of Contemporary Creativity and Global Viral Phenomena

This year’s contemporary programme brings together internationally acclaimed productions and visually spectacular performances that have captivated audiences around the world. Highlights include Murmuration Level 2 by renowned French choreographer Sadeck Berrabah, celebrated globally for his striking Large scale geometric choreography and movement design; RITE by Brazil’s Deborah Colker Dance Company, a powerful reinterpretation of Stravinsky’s classical masterpiece The Rite of Spring through bold and expressive contemporary movement; and Alice in Wonderland, a fantasy production that seamlessly blends acrobatics, circus arts and contemporary dance to create a magical theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.

Jazz Age Glamour Meets Fashion Iconography

Another major highlight is The Great Gatsby, a dazzling production that transports audiences back to the glamour of the Jazz Age and the world of the American Dream through captivating choreography, powerful vocals and emotionally charged live music, drawing audiences into a world of fantasy, romance and ambition.

The festival will also present Coco Chanel, a contemporary ballet by the National Theatre Brno from the Czech Republic, portraying the life and spirit of one of the world’s most iconic fashion figures through elegant and expressive movement.

Powerful Ballet from Russia

A dazzling ballet comedy by Eifman Ballet brings a fresh and imaginative reimagining of The Pygmalion myth to the stage, following the journey of an ordinary young woman transformed into a radiant star of the ballroom world.

Rich in theatricality, humour, and emotional depth, the production delicately explores themes of identity, aspiration, and the fragile boundary between devotion and control.

Also featured is Russian Hamlet, a compelling production that explores political conflict, power struggles and tragedy within the Russian royal court through the signature choreographic style of Boris Eifman, widely recognised as one of the world’s most influential contemporary choreographers.

Exclusive Privileges for Bangkok Bank Cardholders

Bangkok Bank cardholders will enjoy exclusive privileges during the Early Bird period. Customers purchasing tickets between 25 May – 24 June 2026 will receive up to 20% discount. From 25 June – 17 October 2026, eligible cardholders including Pinnacle, Infinite, Platinum Leader and Bangkok Bank M LEGEND / M LUXE cardholders will receive a 15% discount, while other Bangkok Bank credit cards and Be1st cardholders will receive a 10% discount.

For those interested, ticket bookings are now open through 17 October 2026. Discover the full line-up and performance detail, please visit Bangkok Festivals Official Website

https://bangkokfestivals.com/

Hashtag: #BangkokFestivals

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

• Group sales US$3,650 million – up 0.1% compared to the prior year; a decrease of 2% on a constant currency basis
• Gross profit US$840 million or 23.0% of sales (compared to US$843 million or 23.1% of sales in the prior year)
• Adjusted EBITA US$287 million or 7.9% of sales (compared to US$344 million or 9.4% of sales in the prior year)
• Net profit attributable to shareholders totalled US$202 million – a decrease of 23% compared to the prior year
• Net profit, excluding non-cash unrealized currency movements, restructuring costs, impairment of certain intangible assets, and adverse fair value movements in investments, declined by 13% to US$234 million
• Free cash flow from operations totalled US$217 million compared to US$286 million in the prior year
• A recommended final dividend of 44 HK cents per share (5.64 US cents)
• As of 31 March 2026, cash reserves amounted to US$902 million (compared to US$791 million at the prior year end); and the ratio of total debt to capital was 10%

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2026 – Political risks and violence has climbed to #7 in the annual Allianz Risk Barometer 2026, its highest position ever, highlighting the fact that such perils have joined mainstream business risks in a world of tumult. According to the new Political violence and civil unrest trends 2026 report from Allianz Commercial, war has overtaken civil unrest as the political violence exposure companies fear most (53% of all respondents globally), as conflicts in Europe and the Middle East disrupt global trade flows, strain political alliances, embolden adversarial powers and heighten risks to business assets. Around 60% of respondents from Europe and Asia-Pacific see war as the top risk. Civil unrest ranks at #2 globally (49%), terrorism/sabotage is at #3 (46%).

The US / Iran conflict is currently dominating news cycles, having disrupted the global economy significantly. Businesses impacted by armed conflict face significant challenges, including supply chain disruptions, loss of market access, as well as the risk of cyber-attacks and sabotage, the report notes. Even before the Iran war, it is estimated that business assets had experienced a 20%+ increase in exposure to conflict in the last five years. For the insurance industry, and especially the Political Violence & Terrorism (PVT) business, the war in the Middle East may lead to significant losses in some areas and new risk assessments for selected key industries and regions. Based on current estimates, the financial loss quantum has the potential to result in a costlier event than PVT claims resulting from the war in Ukraine.

“Wars, the threat of future conflicts and other political violence activities are likely to undermine geopolitical and economic stability in 2026 and for years to come. For many companies, there is a visibility gap when it comes to vulnerabilities in their physical and digital supply chains due to such geopolitical risks. Being able to identify these complex exposures is crucial. Risk managers must be relentlessly forward-looking with their resilience strategies, constantly refining them to keep pace with emerging threats as they arise from multiple sources, now and in the future,” says Thomas Lillelund, CEO of Allianz Commercial.

Civil unrest and sabotage remain significant concerns for companies
Allianz Research has tracked around 250 reported strikes, riots, and civil commotion (SRCC) events over the last five years with active participation exceeding 1,000 people and lasting for more than one day. Pakistan experienced the most SRCC events with 11, followed by Indonesia. Other countries that experienced a high number of events include the US, Greece, Tunisia, Hungary, Iran, and India. Economic pressures, including cost-of-living issues, are fueling protests and strikes worldwide, with citizens demanding better governance and economic reforms. Most public protests around the world are peaceful, but significant insured losses occurred as a result of major unrest events in 2025. The Indonesian riots in August incurred over $50mn in insured losses, while Nepal’s September protests could see insured losses higher than those caused by the catastrophic earthquake of 2015, which were more than $200mn. Depending on the duration of the conflict in the Middle East, a heightened risk of SRCC activity is also to be expected, particularly in countries heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil and gas or fertilizers.

“The political violence landscape across Asia remains volatile, with civil unrest in countries such as Indonesia and Nepal, as well as domestic regional tensions including those between Pakistan and India, and Cambodia and Thailand. While some of these events have resulted in considerable losses, they generally have a limited impact on the overall political violence insurance market in the region due to their localized nature and minimal economic consequences. The real risk lies in the potential for these conflicts to escalate into full-scale wars between the respective nations,” says Robert James, Senior Political Violence & Terrorism Underwriter, Allianz Commercial Asia.

At the same time, acts of sabotage, including state-sponsored ones, have increased sharply in the last 18 months. On the global stage, the last four years have seen a surge in targeted and malicious attacks on critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables by Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actors. These are usually sponsored by organizations or rogue states including Russia, which is very active in this gray area. Such attacks don’t necessarily cause widespread damage, but they can disrupt daily life and business activities, resulting in the allocation of valuable resources to policing and monitoring critical infrastructure.

Adaptation and resilience more important than ever
With geopolitical upheaval, economic pressures, and social media all amplifying the threat of political violence, the potential fallout can lead to substantial economic and insured losses, challenging businesses and their insurers. The pattern of protests and violence in recent years has clearly shown that some industries and occupancies are much more vulnerable to the full spectrum of political violence perils, but any organization can be impacted. One of the most severe PVT risks is the threat of business interruption (BI), which could lead to substantial economic and insured losses, challenging businesses, and their insurers. Adaptation and building resilience are therefore crucial for businesses of all sizes.

The US / Iran conflict is likely to have a significant impact on risk mitigation moving forward. According to the Allianz Risk Barometer, prior to the conflict just over a third (35%) of companies were already exploring nearshoring and evaluating domestic manufacturing options, 32% were looking to improve inventory management, including storing inventory in Free Trade zones, and almost half (49%) were looking at renegotiating and diversifying supply chains, as strategies to adapt to shifting geopolitical risks. Such trends will likely be accelerated by the conflict.

“As we navigate this era of heightened uncertainty, understanding the implications of these risks and mitigating them in our interconnected business ecosystems has never been more critical. Insurance has a key role to play in this regard, and demand for political violence insurance continues to grow. We see an elevated level of interest and more buyers than ever in this space. Clients are broadening their coverage to better fit their risk footprint. This is a marked change from before the war in Ukraine, and which is now amplified by subsequent events,” says Srdjan Todorovic, Global Head of Political Violence and Hostile Environment Solutions at Allianz Commercial.