VAC and Torngat Metals Announce Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Rare Earth Supply Chain

August 27, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

HANAU, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 26 August 2025 – VACUUMSCHMELZE (VAC), a global leader in the production of rare earth permanent magnets and Torngat Metals, a Quebec-based rare earths development company, have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue an offtake agreement for Torngat Metals to supply VAC with long-term security of fully traceable and responsibly produced separated rare earth oxides.

The MOU was signed in Berlin today by Yves Leduc, CEO of Torngat Metals, and Erik Eschen, CEO of VAC, in the presence of Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche and Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson. This strategic move underscores Canada and Germany’s bilateral collaboration in the area of critical minerals. Both countries are seeking to address the global heavy rare earths crisis while establishing a permanent magnet supply chain independent from China.

By joining forces with VAC, Torngat Metals is reinforcing its position as a reliable partner within the permanent magnet supply chain. Once in operation, the company’s Strange Lake project will be uniquely positioned to ensure long-term supply security for the full suite of light and heavy rare earth oxides needed for permanent magnets.

“As the sole Western producer of sintered rare earth permanent magnets, VAC is at the forefront of securing a diverse and resilient supply chain for critical raw materials. The company is expanding our global capacities and moving upstream into strip casting and metal making, strengthening every stage of production. Ensuring reliable access to terbium (Tb) and dysprosium (Dy) – elements essential to high-performance magnets is the final step, and one that we are achieving through our strategic partnership with Torngat. This commitment is essential to reinforce VAC’s strategic position and bolster the industrial base. In doing so also, we can enhance the national security of our allied nations by ensuring continuous availability of technology critical to our collective defense.” said Erik Eschen, CEO of VAC.

“This MOU highlights our progress – not only in advancing project development, but also in forging the partnerships needed to build a resilient and diversified supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets,” said Yves Leduc, CEO of Torngat Metals. “These critical minerals are central to advanced clean energy technologies, and we look forward to working with VAC to play a leading role in driving the transition.”

“The partnership between Torngat Metals and VAC marks a significant step forward in Canada’s efforts to build a secure and sustainable supply chain for rare earth elements. By advancing responsible development at Strange Lake and forging international collaboration with a global leader like VAC, Torngat is helping to position Canada as a key contributor to the permanent magnet supply chain, and an energy and critical mineral superpower. This agreement reflects our shared commitment with Germany to reduce reliance on single-source supply chains and strengthen the resilience of critical mineral access worldwide,” said Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Hashtag: #VAC

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

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

NZ-AU: IperionX Receives $12.5M U.S. Government Funding to Accelerate Expansion of U.S. Titanium Production

MIL OSI

August 27, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IperionX Limited (IperionX) (NASDAQ: IPX, ASX: IPX), announces that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has obligated US$12.5 million under IperionX’s previously announced US$47.1 million award to strengthen the U.S. Defense Industrial Base by accelerating the scale-up of a resilient, low-cost, and fully-integrated U.S. mineral-to-metal titanium supply chain.

In response to the strategic need for increased production capacity of domestic primary titanium metal and manufactured titanium metal components, the project scope under the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program has been revised to prioritize accelerated expansion of IperionX’s titanium metal and manufacturing production capacity at IperionX’s Virginia Titanium Manufacturing Campus.

The US$12.5 million will be applied to purchase orders for long-lead, major capital equipment required for the next stage of capacity scale-up to over 1,000 metric tons per year at the Virginia Titanium Manufacturing Campus. Major incremental capacity categories include titanium deoxygenation, sintering and powder metallurgy consolidation systems; near-net-shape component manufacturing and ancillary infrastructure upgrades. IperionX will provide a market update with additional details on the accelerated growth plans for the Virginia Titanium Manufacturing Campus.

The US$12.5 million in funding follows on from the US$5 million previously obligated to advance the titanium, zircon and rare earth critical mineral-rich ‘Titan Critical Minerals Project’ in Tennessee to shovel-ready status, with a definitive feasibility study underway and on-track for completion in the first half of 2026.

Total funding obligations received under the DoD award now stand at US$17.5 million, with the remaining US$29.6 million expected to be obligated by the DoD over the contract term to support additional titanium production capacity at the Virginia Titanium Manufacturing Campus.

Anastasios (Taso) Arima, IperionX CEO said:

“This new U.S. Government obligation allows IperionX to move immediately to secure long-lead capital equipment and lock in manufacturing slots with key suppliers. It accelerates our imminent Virginia expansion beyond 1,000 tpa of high-performance titanium manufactured products, and advances a fully integrated, low-cost and traceable American titanium supply chain for defense and commercial customers.

We are executing a multi-phase modular scale-up in titanium production and manufacturing capacity — and this commitment from the DoD is a strong endorsement of our technology, our team, and our mission to reshore a resilient titanium production supply chain in the United States.”

About IperionX

IperionX is a leading American titanium metal and critical materials company – using patented metal technologies to produce high performance titanium alloys, from titanium minerals or scrap titanium, at lower energy, cost and carbon emissions.

Our Titan critical minerals project is the largest JORC-compliant mineral resource of titanium, rare earth and zircon minerals sands in the United States.

IperionX’s titanium metal and critical minerals are essential for advanced U.S. industries including space, aerospace, defense, consumer electronics, hydrogen, automotive and additive manufacturing.

The full release can be found here.

Contacts

Anastasios (Taso) Arima, Founder and CEO
Toby Symonds, President
Dominic Allen, Chief Commercial Officer

Investors: investorrelations@iperionx.com
Media: media@iperionx.com

+1 980 237 8900
www.iperionx.com

– Published by The MIL Network

Linklogis Releases 2025 Interim Results, Accelerating Global Digital Asset and Stablecoin Deployment

MIL OSI

August 27, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Neswire – 26 August 2025 – On August 26, 2025, Linklogis Inc. (09959.HK, “Linklogis”) released its interim results. In the first half of 2025, the total transaction volume processed by its technology solutions reached RMB 203.6 billion. The total revenue and income amounted to RMB 374.5 million. The number of anchor enterprise and financial institution customers for its supply chain finance technology solutions increased by 244, bringing the total to 1,352, up 22% compared with 2024. Cumulatively, Linklogis has empowered over 380,000 SMEs to access digital, inclusive fintech services.

In the first half of 2025, the company remained firmly focused on its core business strategy, accelerated transformation and upgrading, and advanced organizational streamlining, which lowered operating expenses. Linklogis continually improved operational efficiency and enhanced cash flow, with cash reserves reaching RMB 5.4 billion, an increase of RMB 300 million from the balance as of December 31, 2024.

Furthermore, Linklogis fully launched its global trade finance digital asset strategy in the first half of 2025. The company introduced its innovative “Stablecoin+” initiative centered on the Digital Trade Token (DTT) and Asset-Backed Token (ABT), laying a forward-looking foundation for global supply chain finance applications and scenarios based on compliant stablecoins.

At the same time, reflecting the Board and management’s confidence in the company’s ability to deliver steady growth around its core strategies of “AI + industrial finance” and digital assets, Linklogis commits to a share repurchase of no less than USD 80 million over the next 12 months.

Multi-tier Transfer Cloud Becomes the Main Growth Engine, Accelerating Business Model Transformation and Upgrade

Amid global macroeconomic fluctuations and ongoing industry adjustments, Linklogis accelerated its business model transformation, continually improving operational efficiency and enhancing cash flow in the first half of 2025, thereby achieving steady and quality-oriented development. During this period, the total transaction volume of supply chain assets processed by its technology solutions reached RMB 203.6 billion.

Linklogis supply chain fintech solutions include Anchor Cloud, which comprises the Multi-tier Transfer Cloud and AMS Cloud, and FI Cloud, which comprises ABS Cloud and eChain Cloud. As the core segment of the company, the Multi-tier Transfer Cloud demonstrated strong performance, processing a total volume of supply chain assets amounting to RMB 133.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 54%.

In the FI Cloud segment, Linklogis innovative receivables financing solutions for anchor enterprises deepened penetration among major infrastructure customers and expanded into emerging sectors like renewable energy in the first half of the year. In the ABS Cloud segment, the total volume of supply chain assets it processed reached RMB 9.6 billion, representing a sharp increase from the prior year. At the same time, the company concentrated on digital intelligence transformation solutions for financial institutions, strategically downscaling its low-margin business. During this period, the total volume of supply chain assets processed by eChain Cloud was RMB 26 billion.

Linklogis continued to acquire a broad and diverse range of business partners and gradually implemented innovative “de-anchored” scenario solutions on a larger scale. The company has assisted Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group, China Railway 25th Bureau Group Corporation Limited, Luzhou Laojiao, Shandong Xingang Group and others in offering financing product solutions without clear debtor’s acknowledgment, which included purchase order financing and receivables e-loan, continuously optimizing its product portfolio. In the first half of 2025, the number of anchor enterprise and financial institution customers for Linklogis supply chain finance technology solutions rose by 244 to reach a total of 1,352, an increase of 22% from 2024. The overall customer retention rate hit 99%, up from 96% in 2024.

“AI + Industrial Finance“ as Dual Growth Drivers, Strategic M&A Expanding Product Matrix

As a leader and pioneer in the supply chain finance technology sector, Linklogis has continued to deploy and make strides in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. The goal is to enhance efficiency and reshape the value system across the entire supply chain through technological innovation, supporting a high-quality inclusive finance system.

In the realm of AI, Linklogis has built a comprehensive full-stack technology matrix centered on supply chain finance. By integrating leading domestic large language models (LLMs) such as DeepSeek and Qwen with its own proprietary knowledge graph and multi-dimensional data, the company has accelerated the upgrade of its vertical model, LDP-GPT, while efficiently integrating and deploying its AI capabilities.

In the first half of 2025, Beelink AI, based on Linklogis LDP-GPT model, has refined several core capabilities, with significant upgrades to two core applications: intelligent trade documents checking and intelligent registration. These enhancements have been deployed as SaaS or on-premises solutions in over 30 anchor enterprises and financial institutions, including Standard Chartered Bank, assisting them in achieving high-quality digital transformation.

In terms of scenario expansion, Linklogis completed the strategic acquisition of Bytter Technology Co., Ltd. (“Bytter Technology”), broadening its product and service matrix and improving operating efficiency to support long-term, steady growth. Bytter’s comprehensive industry-finance treasury matrix provides full-scenario solutions that support the digital transformation of its enterprise customers’ industry-finance platforms. The treasury management solution is built on a layered architecture, underpinned by advanced technologies including cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence, providing enterprises with a solid foundation for treasury management.

Looking ahead, the company will continue to advance more strategic mergers and acquisitions to cultivate diversified growth drivers.

Enhancing Global Supply Chain Finance Deployment, Driving Sustainable Value Creation

In the first half of 2025, Linklogis advanced its international expansion, continuing its dual-engine strategy of “Go Early” and “Go Deep”. Cross-border Cloud and international businesses delivered solid performance, with Cross-border Cloud achieving double-digit growth in both asset volume and revenue.

“Go Early” focuses on building a platform-based ecosystem around four key scenarios: cross-border trade, cross-border e-commerce, overseas business travel, and cross-border logistics. By aggregating resources from 12 high-quality platforms, including Infor, Amazon and Shopee, Linklogis has successfully assisted more than 1,100 SMEs in accessing one-stop digital financing services. “Go Deep” emphasizes in-depth, scenario-based services, aiming to create a comprehensive smart supply chain financing system for Chinese outbound enterprises. The system covers the entire chain from cross-border procurement and production to logistics and sales, facilitating efficient global supply chain expansion and accelerating globalization of these enterprises. Meanwhile, by establishing regional operational centers in the United Kingdom and United States of America, Linklogis has created an end-to-end service network for a multi-regional trade corridor that spans Greater China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.

Linklogis upholds its ESG mission of “technology empowering the development of sustainable supply chain finance,” focusing on the innovative integration of digital technology and industry scenarios. Linklogis is committed to driving sustainable industrial upgrades and inclusive finance model innovation through technology, creating sustainable value for the high-quality collaboration between the real economy and digital finance. In the first half of 2025, the assets related to sustainable supply chains (including renewable energy, rural revitalization, environmental protection, and public health) processed by Linklogis surpassed RMB 29 billion, up 97% compared to the same period last year.

Linklogis has assisted over 380,000 SMEs in accessing efficient, convenient, and low-cost digital inclusive finance services. In the first half of 2025, SMEs using the SaaS platform, “Linklogis Supply Chain Multi-tier AR Transfer Platform,” secured financing at an average cost of only 2.86%. In addition to these achievements, Linklogis ESG performance has continued to lead the industry. The company received its first ESG rating from Sino-Securities Index Information Service (Shanghai) and SynTao Green Finance, as well as an “A” rating from Wind, placing it in the top 10% of the software industry. These accomplishments were further recognized with awards such as “Most Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) China 2025” and “2025 ESG Model Enterprise.”

Building a Stablecoin Ecosystem, Advancing Global Trade Finance Digitalization

In the first half of 2025, leveraging its extensive technology expertise in digital assets, Linklogis accelerated the market introduction and penetration of innovative products and fully launched its global trade finance digital asset strategy. Building on its extensive blockchain technology implementation and practical experience, the company has built core capabilities in digital asset infrastructure, covering enterprise-grade custody, integrated cross-border payment and settlement, RWA tokenized financing, as well as compliance, risk management, and on-chain supervision.

Since fully advancing its globalization process in 2019, Linklogis has continuously empowered the transformation of cross-border and global trade finance through Web 3.0 technology. In 2020, Linklogis obtained a digital banking license in Singapore and established Green Link Digital Bank with its business partner, enhancing its capabilities in cross-border financial digital services. In 2023, under the guidance of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the company collaborated with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), Standard Chartered Bank, and other institutions to develop the Project Dynamo prototype platform. This initiative introduced the pioneering DTT, a programmable digital trade token that integrates smart contracts with standard token protocols to automate payment terms in trade finance, providing an innovative model for global cross-border trade payments and financing. In August of the same year, Linklogis joined forces with Standard Chartered Bank to participate in Project Guardian, led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), leveraging asset tokenization technology to create the ABT platform. This platform transforms trade receivables and other real economy assets into tradable and divisible digital assets, successfully launching the industry’s first tokenized product based on trade assets on the Singapore Exchange, thereby validating the feasibility of this technology in the trade finance sector.

As stablecoin regulatory frameworks mature in Hong Kong and worldwide, Linklogis will further integrate its existing overseas and cross-border business layouts to accelerate the innovation and application of digital asset services. In Singapore, the company will work with licensed institutions to advance the compliant issuance of DTT, implementing compliant stablecoin solutions across all scenarios in supply chain finance. In Hong Kong, Linklogis will actively pursue collaborations with stablecoin license applicants to develop the “Stablecoin+” initiative based on compliant stablecoins. Additionally, the company will actively explore innovative applications in supply chain finance scenarios together with global compliant stablecoin issuers, expanding the use of digital assets in real-world asset tokenization, cross-border digital payments, and inclusive finance, thereby empowering the digital and intelligent transformation and upgrading of the global supply chain finance ecosystem.

Charles Song, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Linklogis, said, “Looking ahead, as the global financial system undergoes significant transformation, the integration of AI with compliant stablecoins will not only redefine how cross-border capital flows operate but also provide innovative solutions for enhancing the resilience of the financial system amidst growing global economic uncertainty. Amid historic transformation opportunities, Linklogis, moving forward without burden, will fully concentrate on three core strategies, which are AI + industrial finance, strategic mergers and acquisitions, and digital assets, to build diversified engines of development and achieve sustainable, high-quality growth. Confident in our future prospects, we commit to a share repurchase of no less than USD 80 million over the next 12 months. We will also work to foster a win-win ecosystem with customers and strengthen the foundation for shareholder value.”

Hashtag: #Linklogis

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

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

ZJLD Group Announces Interim Results for FY2025

MIL OSI

August 26, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

Forging Resilience Amid Industry Headwinds, Driving High-Quality Transformation Through Innovation and Cultural Stewardship

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Neswire – 26 August 2025 – ZJLD Group Inc. (“ZJLD” or the “Company”, together with the Company’s subsidiaries, collectively the “Group”) (SEHK stock code: 06979. HK), an outstanding representative in the Chinese baijiu industry and the first baijiu company listed in Hong Kong Stock Exchange, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2025 (“FY 2025 1H” or the “Period”). Despite persistent macroeconomic pressures and weak consumer demand across the baijiu sector, the Group remained steadfast in its commitment to high-quality development. Through strategic channel innovation and accelerated digital transformation, ZJLD Group has reinforced its operational resilience and laid the foundation for sustainable long-term growth.

The key financial and business highlights are as follows:

	FY 2025 1H (for the six months ended June 30, 2025) *(RMB’000)*	FY 2024 1H (for the six months ended June 30, 2024) (RMB’000)	Changed by
Revenue	2,497,106	4,133,191	-39.6%
Gross profit	1,474,284	2,428,682	-39.3%
Gross profit margin	59.0%	58.8%	+0.2 percentage points
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities	(322,274)	574,886	-156.1%
Adjusted net profit (non-IFRS measure)	613,202	1,018,123	-39.8%
Adjusted net profit margin (non-IFRS measure)	24.6%	24.6%	—

During the Period, the Group recorded revenue of RMB 2,497.1 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 39.6%. Gross profit decreased by 39.3% to RMB 1,474.3 million. Notably, gross margin edged up to 59.0%. Adjusted net profit amounted to RMB 613.2 million, down 39.8% year-on-year, in line with the revenue trajectory.
The baijiu industry continues to grapple with structural challenges, including deteriorating channel pricing systems, compressed distributor margins, mounting financial pressure across the value chain, and sluggish terminal sales. Since Q2 2024, consumer demand has softened significantly, with notable declines in business banquets, gifting occasions, and other offline consumption scenarios. All four of the Group’s core brands experienced various degrees of revenue contraction. Flagship brand Zhenjiu, the Group’s primary growth engine, saw revenue fall 44.8% to RMB 1,491.7 million (FY 2024 1H: RMB 2,702.2 million), as the Group proactively managed channel inventory and strictly controlled sales pacing to safeguard long-term sustainability.
The Board of Directors does not recommend the declaration of an interim dividend for the six months ended 30 June 2025 (FY 2024 1H: nil).

Strategic Response: Anchored by the “Premier Retailers Alliance” Model, Driving Channel Innovation and Digital Transformation

Against the backdrop of profound market recalibration and rapidly evolving consumer behavior, the Group has positioned the “Premier Retailers Alliance” model as its central strategic framework—driving simultaneous advancement in channel innovation and digital transformation. This dual-pronged approach reshapes brand accessibility and operational efficiency, while fortifying a more resilient market response system. Far more than a vehicle for channel integration, the “Premier Retailers Alliance” model serves as a strategic nexus for deep collaboration, co-creation, and shared value between the Group and its nationwide distributor network. The Group has dismantled traditional tiered distribution structures through this alliance mechanism, enabling streamlined resource allocation, transparent information exchange, and synchronized interest alignment. These enhancements have significantly accelerated channel responsiveness and strengthened control at the terminal level. Alliance members are no longer mere conduits of product delivery; they are empowered co-architects of brand equity and frontline executors of market strategy. Together, they form a multidimensional, interconnected channel ecosystem characterized by vertical synergy and horizontal coordination.

Building on this foundation, the Group is advancing its digital transformation to achieve full-chain data integration—from production and distribution to end-consumer engagement. Through intelligent base liquor management, precision allocation and delivery, real-time sales monitoring, and consumer behavior analytics, the Group has significantly enhanced supply chain efficiency while equipping brand strategy with timely insights and data-driven decision support. Upgrades to the CRM system and membership operations framework have enabled more granular audience segmentation and personalized communication, strengthened user engagement and driven higher repurchase rates.

Importantly, the Premier Retailers Alliance also serves as a strategic launchpad for key brand initiatives, including the cultural flagship “Da Zhen” (also known as Zhen * 2020 Real Vintage Baijiu), the innovative “News Craft Beer”, and the Group’s heritage ambassador program. Whether deepening the cultural narrative of premium baijiu or expanding the experiential reach of emerging categories, the Group leverages the Alliance mechanism to enable rapid market deployment and targeted promotion—achieving a synergistic fusion of cultural storytelling, channel innovation, and technological empowerment.

Overall, the “Premier Retailers Alliance” model is the starting point of the Group’s channel reform and a central pillar supporting brand elevation and organizational resilience. Looking ahead, the Group will continue to position the Alliance at the heart of its strategy—deepening collaborative mechanisms, expanding digital capabilities, and shaping a more penetrative and sustainable competitive landscape.

Product and Brand Strategy: Dual Growth Engines of “Da Zhen” and “News Craft Beer”, Enriched by Cultural Ambassadorship

Amid structural shifts in the baijiu landscape, the Group has identified “Da Zhen” and “News Craft Beer” as dual strategic anchors to upgrade the product matrix and extend brand reach. This forward-looking approach reflects the Group’s dynamic market positioning and revitalized brand energy.

As the flagship of the Group’s premiumization journey, “Da Zhen” embodies cultural heritage and uncompromising quality standards. Featuring a minimalist clear-bottle design, the packaging is adorned with the handwritten character “珍” (Pronunciation: Zhen) by Ming Dynasty master Shen Zhou, wrapped in heritage Xuan paper. This harmonious blend of classical artistry and modern aesthetics not only enhances perceived brand value but also reinforces the Group’s competitive edge in the high-end baijiu segment. The “Da Zhen” launch marks a deeper strategic push into the sub-premium baijiu category, infusing the brand image with gravitas and prestige.

In parallel, “News Craft Beer” represents the Group’s bold foray into emerging categories through active exploration and innovative breakthroughs. Based on craft brewing techniques, the series integrates youthful design sensibilities and social appeal, successfully entering the craft beer market and expanding consumption scenarios, including gatherings, leisure, and festive occasions. Beyond reducing regulatory sensitivity associated with the category, “News Craft Beer” carries an uplifting brand ethos that resonates with the Group’s broader cultural narrative, serving as a key vehicle for brand rejuvenation and diversification.

The Group appointed renowned young actress Ms. Annabel Yao (姚安娜) as its Heritage Application Ambassador in the first half of 2025 to further elevate cultural resonance. By humanizing the brand and crafting a compelling cultural narrative, the Group deepens the intangible heritage value of traditional Chinese baijiu craftsmanship. The appointment of a “Heritage Application Ambassador” serves as a symbol of cultural continuity and a vital conduit for brand storytelling, seamlessly bridging historical artistry with contemporary relevance. This initiative enhances consumer resonance, fostering a deeper emotional and cultural connection to the brand. This initiative complements the cultural gravitas of “Da Zhen”, while standing in deliberate contrast to the inventive language of “News Craft Beer”. Together, they shape a multidimensional narrative framework to enrich the brand’s storytelling ecosystem.

Mr. Wu Xiangdong, Founder and Chairman of ZJLD Group, remarked, “The first half of 2025 presented unprecedented challenges for the baijiu industry. Shrinking consumption scenarios and intensifying channel pressures have ushered in a period of profound recalibration. This is not merely a cyclical downturn but a test of strategic conviction and cultural integrity. True resilience is not measured by speed in fair weather, but by clarity and endurance in headwinds. We remain committed to high-quality development, recalibrating our sales rhythm, optimizing channel structures, and reshaping industry norms through the Premier Retailers Alliance.

At the same time, we actively embrace artificial intelligence and digital transformation, continuously expanding consumption scenarios and product boundaries to breathe new life into traditional baijiu culture amid emerging technologies and new generations. We believe that culture is the soul of a brand, and innovation is the pulse of an enterprise. In this era of industry reinvention, ZJLD is committed to longevity and living with purpose and influence. Looking ahead, we will continue to uphold the principle of “history as the soul (以史為魂)”, seeking renewal through integrity, and opportunity amid change—as we stride steadily toward our vision of becoming a world-class distilling enterprise.”

Hashtag: #ZJLD

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

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

Shopee House Welcomes Affiliates from All Channels for the First Time Ahead of 9.9 Super Shopping Day

MIL OSI

August 26, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

Strengthening its ecosystem, Shopee connects affiliates and brands to help shoppers enjoy Lagi Murah and Lagi Cepat deals.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2025 – For the first time Shopee’s flagship event, Shopee House, welcomed affiliates from every channel, including Shopee Live, Shopee Video, and YouTube Shopping, at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur last weekend. The two-day activation brought together 500 top-performing affiliates who were matched with over 70 local favourite brands to connect, collaborate, and create content, empowering Malaysians to shop Lagi Murah and Lagi Cepat ahead of Merdeka and the 9.9 Sale.

Affiliates wave the Malaysian national flag at Shopee House.

Demonstrating the impact of these collaborations, livestream affiliates are set to host over 1,050 livestreams featuring participating brands leading up to 9.9. These sessions will include product demos, interactive Q&As, and real-time promotions to drive awareness and excitement for brands like Ozel and BigPlus.

Marking their third participation in Shopee House, Ozel, a jewellery brand from Kelantan with an established presence across Southeast Asia, shared their positive experience. “Through Shopee House, we were able to connect with a loyal customer-turned-affiliate who not only knew our products very well, but believed in them too. In fact, one of our affiliates achieved RM30,000 in sales just last month. This shows that when customers truly connect with a brand, they don’t just buy from it; they grow with it, building trust and creating long-term success together.” commented Ozel.

Meanwhile, BigPlus, a Malaysian brand specialising in cleaning products and solutions, made its Shopee House debut. The brand cited, “Our experience at Shopee House was truly amazing, it gave us the chance to connect with a diverse group of affiliates, share product knowledge, and exchange valuable perspectives. We’re especially grateful to have engaged with over 400 affiliates who registered with us during the event, and look forward to continuing this collaboration.”

Shopee also organised roundtable sessions with key affiliates during the event, in line with the brand’s commitment towards inclusivity and supporting local content creators.

Nur Afifah binti Rosli shared her experience as an affiliate during the roundtable. “Shopee has given me the space, tools, and support to grow from a part-time affiliate into a full-time content creator. Along the way, I’ve learned how to create content that resonates better with my audience, build stronger connections in the community, and at the same time, support local brands by bringing their products closer to Malaysians.”

YouTube affiliate Lex said during the roundtable, “It means a lot to have a platform like Shopee that listens to our feedback. Being part of this dialogue makes me feel valued, and I’m grateful to contribute towards shaping a better space that will empower future affiliates to grow with even more opportunities.”

“As 9.9 Super Shopping Day draws near, Shopee House highlights our dedication to enhancing the online shopping journey for Malaysians,” said Tan Ming Kit, Head of Marketing at Shopee Malaysia. “By successfully matching 500 affiliates to more than 70 brands, we continue to bring non-stop deals directly to buyers. This ensures Malaysians can continue to enjoy Lagi Murah deals and Lagi Cepat delivery with the products they love, all while shopping with greater trust, satisfaction, and convenience.”

Starting from 26 August 2025, join Jojo Ghazali and other content creators as they celebrate 9.9 Super Shopping Day where Malaysians can enjoy exciting offers, such as 50% Off Daily Lagi Murah deals, Free Shipping with no minimum spend, and Shopee Lagi Cepat Guaranteed Next-Day Delivery.

Hashtag: #Shopee #ShopeeRaiLokal

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

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

Asian Agri Signs Agreement to Supply Renewable Energy to PLN in North Sumatra

MIL OSI

August 26, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2025 – Asian Agri, through its business unit PT Indo Sepadan Jaya (PT ISJ), has signed a Commercial Operation Date (COD) agreement with PT PLN (Persero) North Sumatra Distribution Unit (PT PLN North Sumatra) to begin supplying electricity from its biogas power plant (PLTBg) to PLN’s distribution network in North Sumatra.

The signing took place at Asian Agri’s headquarters in Uniland, Medan, North Sumatra. The agreement was signed by PT ISJ Authorised Representative Sulaiman Halim and PT PLN North Sumatra General Manager Ahmad Syauki, and was witnessed by senior management from both companies.

In his remarks, Asian Agri Managing Director Sumith Fernando said the collaboration between Asian Agri, a member of the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) group of companies founded by Sukanto Tanoto, and PT PLN North Sumatra is testament that partnerships between the private sector and public service providers can not only deliver clean-energy solutions but also create a broad impact on communities. “Through this facility, we are not only converting waste into electricity, but are also supporting energy resilience and local decarbonisation efforts,” he said.

The PLTBg facility at PT ISJ has a surplus of methane gas that had not been fully utilised. After technical and feasibility studies, Asian Agri allocated the excess gas to a gas‐fuelled generator to produce an additional one megawatt of electricity. That power will be supplied to PT PLN Sumatra Utara under a three-year power purchase agreement.

The clean electricity generated from this facility will be supplied to PT PLN North Sumatra’s grid in the Rantau Prapat area, strengthening the distribution system and improving the reliability of power supply for surrounding communities.

General Manager of PT PLN North Sumatra, Ahmad Syauki, welcomed the initiative. He explained that the power plant is favoured by PLN, as its presence will increase the percentage of power generated from clean energy sources.

“The biogas power plant will contribute to the mix of environmentally friendly energy in North Sumatra,” Syauki said. “PLN also favours this type of plant because it can be controlled to enter the system according to demand.”

Syauki said he hopes that, after signing of the agreement, more power plants with clean-energy mixes will come online, in line with the master plan outlined in the 2025-2034 RUPTL.

This partnership underscores Asian Agri’s commitment to sustainability through its AA2030 vision, particularly the Climate Positive pillar. The company aims to optimise methane-capture technology across all palm-oil mills to curb greenhouse-gas emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Through the use of appropriate technology and cross-sector collaboration, Asian Agri continues to strengthen its commitment to driving the transformation of the palm oil industry toward a more responsible, low-carbon future.

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Hashtag: #RGE #AsianAgri #Indonesia #sustainability #RenewableEnergy #Decarbonisation

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

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

KPMG China launches its ‘Our Impact Plan’ ESG report, marking five years of in-depth implementation

MIL OSI

August 26, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2025 – As climate change accelerates, humanity is facing a greater number of extreme weather events and environmental challenges. In this context, strengthening behavioural management related to climate change has become a central issue of our time. From countries advancing ‘dual carbon’ goals to international carbon trading markets, more organisations are turning their attention to their environmental performance. Green transformation has become a fundamental requirement for high-quality development, with ESG (environmental, social and governance) serving as a crucial guide for this transition.

How can enterprises anchor ESG values to drive sustainable economic and social transformation? On 23 August, this question was explored at the launch of KPMG China’s ‘Our Impact Plan’ report, which was held outdoors for the first time on a lawn in the Futian District, Shenzhen. The event featured keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, and presentations of results, reflecting on KPMG China’s achievements in the ESG field over the past five years. It also brought together government, social organisations, enterprises, and partners to focus on ESG trends and discuss new paths for sustainable development.

KPMG China continues to deepen its commitment to sustainable development

Honson To, Chairman of KPMG Asia Pacific and China, said, “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the ‘lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets’ concept and the fifth anniversary of the ‘Our Impact Plan’. Hosting this event in the embrace of nature is highly significant. Looking back at our ESG reports over the past five years, we can see a clear reflection of how our environmental, social, and governance efforts have aligned with the country’s development. This publication not only summarises our steadfast commitments and investments in ESG but also reflects our determination to deepen ESG practices and empower clients and society in order to propel sustainable development.”

Climate change is one of the core drivers of future economic development. Jacky Zou, Chairman-elect of KPMG China, said, “At the national level, the ‘dual carbon goals’ are driving new economic momentum and reshaping the country’s economic development landscape and ecosystems. For enterprises, a high-standard ESG management system is essential for achieving sustainable development and seizing economic transformation opportunities. KPMG China has released the ‘Our Impact Plan’ report for five consecutive years, aiming to set an example and accumulate more cases of ESG information disclosure that align with corporate needs, with a view to promoting the widespread implementation of ESG principles.”

Strategic ESG actions, especially after the mandatory disclosure of future ESG reports, will deeply impact the business layout of companies. From the perspective of sustainable growth, enterprises need to develop a more comprehensive ESG action roadmap that focuses on the present while looking ahead to future milestones and promoting continuous action. Tracy Yang, Head of Corporate Affairs, KPMG China, emphasised, “As an organisation committed to sustainable development, KPMG China continuously explores feasible ESG solutions. We believe that true progress comes from aligning corporate responsibility and national vision through ESG strategies, creating lasting and profound impacts. Companies should not only focus on healthy growth but also leverage the development opportunities presented by national long-term goals to enhance leadership in sustainable business ecosystems.”

The ‘Our Impact Plan’ report released by KPMG China marks a first for the firm by moving the launch event outdoors to a lawn in the Futian District of Shenzhen in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, conveying our strong commitment to sustainable development and showcasing the beautiful vision of coexistence and shared prosperity between humanity and nature. It also highlights the significant progress and outstanding achievements KPMG China has made across four pillars: Governance, People, Planet, and Prosperity. Wilson Pang, Head of Our Impact Plan, KPMG China, stated, “These four pillars complement each other and form the backbone of KPMG China’s ESG ethos. Through its governance principles, KPMG China has established a comprehensive ESG governance framework; and the firm’s people-centred approach highlights its core values. Meanwhile, our efforts to care for the planet reflect our deep commitment to environmental sustainability; and achieving prosperity is at the heart of KPMG China’s ESG mission, pushing us to deliver impactful outcomes.”

Meeting quantified targets and co-constructing ecosystems

During the launch of the ‘Our Impact Plan’ report, KPMG China provided a professional overview, showcasing the highlights and flagship projects of the programme, along with a retrospective of the firm’s five-year journey and future outlook. Wilson Pang emphasised that this year marks a significant milestone for KPMG China in promoting the programme, marking the firm’s evolution from a mere participant to a leader and initiator, and from academic practice to emphasising sustainable development, technological innovation, and the development of new quality productive forces.

KPMG China has been recognised in the ‘2025 Typical Case in the Business Community to Conserve Biodiversity’ and the ‘2025 Corporate Green Transformation and ESG Practice Cases’, reflecting recognition of the firm’s efforts in biodiversity protection.

KPMG China continues to collaborate with the Mangrove Conservation Foundation (MCF) to initiate the ‘Green Bay Area Pioneer Action – Habitat Enhancement of Futian Mangrove Ecological Park’ project, which was launched in September 2024. We also partnered with multiple organisations to jointly launch the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ESG Biodiversity Corporate Recognition Award, with the goal of encouraging corporate participation in ecological protection. At the release of this year’s ‘Our Impact Plan’, KPMG China officially launched the China Biodiversity Recognition Award to promote the integration of environmental and ecological protection with technological innovation at both the national and regional levels.

KPMG China has purchased 100% renewable electricity for four consecutive years, and KAMPUS (KPMG China’s Hongqiao office) has received LEED Platinum certification. Additionally, 90% of our office floor area is located in buildings with green and/or wellness-related certifications.

We rolled out the new ‘Protect the Future – Action for the Planet’ (‘Protect the Future’) volunteer programme to encourage more employees to engage in volunteer service.

Upholding one of KPMG’s values, ‘For Better – We do what matters,’ we continuously invest in our communities. During the year, over 1,500 KPMG volunteers have participated in various corporate social responsibility activities organised by the firm, contributing over 15,800 total volunteer hours and reaching over 98,000 beneficiaries directly.

KPMG China is also leveraging AI applications to provide comprehensive deployment and application solutions to enterprises.

This year’s event also marks the first time we are launching the report outdoors, demonstrating KPMG China’s commitment to promoting sustainable business structures and protecting natural ecosystems.

From the perspective of ecological co-construction, guests engaged in deep discussions during the roundtable forum on the day of the launch discussing the theme ‘Harnessing the Power of Society to Build a New Paradigm for Biodiversity Protection’. The event also focused on the collaborative achievements of the ‘Our Impact Plan’, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ESG Biodiversity Corporate Recognition Award.

Wilson Pang said, “As the global economy becomes increasingly interconnected and the impact of climate change deepens, China is actively advancing the green transformation in areas such as green energy, carbon emissions management, and the green transition of traditional enterprises, achieving significant results in various areas. As a professional services firm, KPMG China closely follows national strategic plans and continuously strengthens collaboration with various stakeholders. Over the past five years, the firm has evolved from initially exploring carbon accounting and supply chain reviews to our current stage, in which we are establishing a comprehensive ESG service system covering all business areas, transitioning from a ‘reporter’ and ‘participant’ role to a ‘promoter’ and now to a ‘leader’.”

The true value of ESG lies in harnessing professional skills to transform sustainable concepts into daily practices for enterprises. The ‘Our Impact Plan’ report is not only KPMG China’s annual ESG report but also a commitment to forward-looking action. In light of the firm’s journey towards net-zero by 2030, KPMG China is actively exploring management methods for carbon reduction and low-carbon practices, and we are striving to provide better insights and practical results for more market participants.

Hashtag: #KPMG #KPMGChina

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

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

Indonesia: Caning of gay men an act of cruelty – Amnesty International

LiveNews Publisher

August 26, 2025

Source: Amnesty International

Responding to today’s caning of two men in the city of Banda Aceh for having consensual same-sex sexual relations, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said:

“This public flogging of two young men under Aceh’s Islamic Criminal Code for consensual sex is a disturbing act of state-sanctioned discrimination and cruelty. This punishment is a horrifying reminder of the institutionalized stigma and abuse faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Aceh.

“Intimate relationships between consenting adults should never be criminalized. Punishments such as flogging are cruel, inhuman and degrading and may amount to torture under international law.

“We call on the Acehnese and Indonesian central government authorities to immediately halt these degrading practices and repeal all discriminatory bylaws that permit such violations. Aceh’s regional autonomy must not come at the expense of human rights.

“Indonesia, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council and a state party to the Convention Against Torture, must align its laws – including in Aceh – with its constitutional commitments to equality and non-discrimination. The criminalization of same-sex conduct and corporal punishment has no place in a just and humane society.”

Background

On 26 August, two men, aged 20 and 21, were publicly flogged 76 times each in the city of Banda Aceh for having consensual same-sex relations.

The panel of judges at the Banda Aceh Sharia Court earlier found them guilty of violating the Islamic Criminal Code, which forbids consensual same-sex acts.

They were arrested after allegedly engaging in sexual activity in a public restroom at the Taman Sari Park on 16 June.

The defendants, identified as QH and RA, remained in custody during the judicial proceedings, which were held behind closed doors.

Citizen’s arrests are common in Aceh due to the implementation of Sharia law, which allows residents to turn people over to the Sharia police for investigation. Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that criminalizes consensual same-sex acts due to the special autonomy status that has allowed it to apply the Islamic Criminal Code since 2015.

Sharia bylaws have been in force in Aceh since the enactment of the province’s Special Autonomy Law in 2001 and are enforced by Islamic courts.

These laws in some cases provide for up to 200 lashes as punishment for offences including consensual intimacy or sexual activity for unmarried couples, consensual sex outside marriage, same-sex sexual relations, the consumption and sale of alcohol and gambling.

In February, two university students were flogged for having consensual same-sex relations in Banda Aceh.

Under international human rights law all forms of corporal punishment are prohibited as they constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and can amount to torture. The UN Human Rights Committee and other expert human rights bodies have raised concerns about laws criminalising ‘adultery’ or other consensual sexual relations outside marriage because they violate the right to privacy.

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Man arrested in Levin

LiveNews Publisher

August 26, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Inspector Ash Gurney, Acting Manawatu Area Commander:

A man has been arrested in Levin this evening, hours after an incident reportedly involving a firearm.

Police received reports of a firearm being discharged around 3:10pm today, in the vicinity of Mabel Street, Levin.

Officers were on scene within minutes. There was no obvious damage located, or injuries to any person.

Police follow-up enquiries in the area led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man following a traffic stop in Levin around 5:45pm, invoked under the Gang Conflict Warrant.

A sawn-off .22 rifle, and ammunition, was also located. Enquiries are ongoing as to whether the man is linked to the report of a firearm discharge.

He is remanded in custody and will be appearing in Levin District Court tomorrow, on a charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm.

Reassurance patrols remain in Levin as part of Operation Bath, while a Gang Conflict Warrant is still in place.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Education Events – Keynote speakers announced for 30th ICDE World Conference 2025 in Wellington this November

LiveNews Publisher

August 26, 2025

Source: Open Polytechnic

An exciting lineup of distinguished keynote speakers will share their insights and expertise at the upcoming International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) conference, including leaders of the world’s largest universities, a renowned Māori academic, an international AI expert, and a programme specialist leading transformative education.

Te Kuratini Tuwhera o Aotearoa Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa Massey University will co-host the conference in Wellington at the Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, from 10 to 13 November, at which hundreds of international and domestic delegates are expected.

Open Polytechnic Executive Director of Learning Design and Development, and current ICDE President Dr Mark Nichols, says each keynote will bring a unique perspective to the conference and exciting conference program. They include:

– Dr Paul J. LeBlanc, Leader of Matter and Space, an AI and Education startup and previous President of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), an online mega-university. Dr LeBlanc is recognised as one of USA’s most innovative educators. Under his 20-year leadership as former President of SNHU, the university grew from 2,800 to over 250,000 students to become the largest non-profit online higher education provider in the USA.

– Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA). Professor LenkaBula has won multiple international and national teaching awards and now leads South Africa’s largest university by enrolment (370,000 students per year).

– Professor Danny Liu, Professor of Educational Technologies in the DVC Education Portfolio at the University of Sydney. Professor Liu is known internationally for his work on Generative Artificial Intelligence in higher education, and is the developer of Cogniti, an AI application widely used by students.

– Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou, Tūhourangi), is a Professor at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, and CEO of Ngā Āhuatanga O Te Kai Ltd, The Kai Research Institute. Professor Smith is an internationally renowned and highly awarded researcher, scholar and writer known for her work on Decolonising Methodologies, Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine and Māori Education.

– Dr Faryal Khan, Programme Specialist leading Transformative Education at the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and the Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok). Dr Khan brings an international perspective on education reform.

Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist provider of online and distance learning is a long-standing institutional member of ICDE. The last time an ICDE conference was held in New Zealand was in 1950.

Dr Nichols, says, “ICDE’s roots go back to 1938, and it has been generously hosted by the Norwegian government since 1988. It has members from over 90 countries, including the world’s largest open and distance learning institutions – some with millions of enrolments each year.”

“ICDE is committed to advancing inclusive, scalable, and sustainable education and it is a pleasure to be able to bring members from this global movement to Wellington in November.”

“Our focus t

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