HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 17 April 2026 - Clifford Kang, Vice President of SERES Group attended the 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Asia-Pacific Summit in Hong Kong from 13 to 14 April, where he shared the company's latest perspectives on how artificial intelligence is redefining intelligent electric mobility and automotive industry, and driving a broader transformation of the daily life.

The summit, hosted by the World Internet Conference and organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, brought together global industry leaders to explore developments in digital and intelligent transformation.

Against this backdrop, Kang noted that artificial intelligence is accelerating a fundamental shift across industries, with mobility among the most significantly transformed sectors. AI is moving from merely functional to truly frictionless, becoming deeply embedded in every part of our lives and emerging as an inclusive force that enhances mobility, living and consumption experiences.

As this transformation accelerates, SERES continues to embed intelligence across its full value chain, from product development to manufacturing and user services, using continuous innovation to enhance user experience and strengthen its long-term competitiveness as a technology-driven new energy vehicle company.

A key milestone of SERES came in 2021, when SERES entered a cross-industry partnership with Huawei to launch the AITO brand, its premium new energy vehicle brand. At the time, the industry was facing a clear disconnect, where intelligent cars were not luxurious, while luxury cars were not intelligent. In response, AITO introduced the brand philosophy of "Intelligence Redefining Luxury", positioning intelligence as the foundation of its premium mobility experience. The brand name itself, derived from "adding intelligence to auto", reflects this core DNA.

Today, that strategy has translated into scale and adoption. AITO has built a user base of more than 880,000 active users of its smart driving assistance system, with total journeys surpassing 6.6 billion kilometres.

Clifford Kang further emphasised that a great product alone is not enough, and that company need to focus on the entire lifecycle user experience. Guided by this principle, SERES has extended intelligent technologies at scale across both manufacturing and customer service to improve every touchpoint.

In manufacturing, the SERES Super Factory, operates with more than 5,000 robots, enabling 100% automation of critical processes. AI vision inspection technology ensures strict quality control of key components, ensuring high quality standards across production.

On the customer service end, SERES has built a 24/7 cloud-based safety service system powered by AI and big data, enabling a shift from reactive support to intelligent predictive service. In 2025 alone, the system delivered approximately 250,000 proactive alerts to customers. One notable example came in July last year, when AITO M9 completed the industry's first satellite-enabled rescue operation in a remote region of China, highlighting both the practical value and human warmth of intelligent connected technologies in real-world scenarios.

Looking ahead, Clifford Kang stated that new energy vehicles are evolving into the mobile intelligent space, requiring further robust investment in research and development. In 2025 alone, SERES invested RMB 12.5 billion in R&D, representing a 77% year-on-year increase. This investment has enabled the company to develop a suite of core technologies, including the SERES MF Platform, Super Range Extender and Intelligent Safety systems. These innovations are continuously applied across SERES' products to enhance performance and deliver better mobility experiences for users.

"Bringing eruptive technology from the laboratory to the road requires more than one company's efforts", Kang said. "Open collaboration is the most efficient path forward. SERES has always embraced openness and partnership. We want to work with industry partners around the world to advance the mobility sector together. Let's build up the future where technology has the vision to lead, the precision to excel, and the warmth to care."

Hashtag: #SERESGroup 

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

SANYA, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 17 April 2026 - As the 6th Asian Beach Games draws near, 4,680 youth volunteers, affectionately known as the "Little Deer" (Xiao Lu Lu), have completed their general training and are now intensively honing their foreign language skills and job-specific practical abilities in final preparation for the event.

Recruited from 12 universities, including Hainan University and Hainan Normal University, as well as other local organizations, the volunteers share the common nickname "Little Deer." The name is derived from Sanya's nickname, "Deer City," and is meant to reflect the volunteers' lively, warm, and friendly spirit.

"See ya in Sanya" is both the slogan of the Asian Beach Games and the guiding principle for its volunteers. Liang Zihan, a student from Hainan Tropical Ocean University, said: "Since the launch of the volunteer recruitment drive, whether it is learning about the Games, mastering multilingual communication, or taking part in scenario-based drills and emergency exercises, I have given it my all. I hope to convey Sanya's warmth, openness, and inclusiveness to every friend who comes from afar."

Alongside local students, the volunteer team also includes many young people from across China brought together by the Games. Wu Yujia, a sophomore at the Hospitality Institute of Sanya, is one of them. "I want to show a warm, caring, and energetic Sanya," she said. When asked about her future plans, she did not hesitate: "I want to stay in Sanya." In her eyes, the city's pleasant climate and beautiful scenery have deepened her affection for it and strengthened her commitment to volunteering.

The 6th Asian Beach Games will be held in Sanya, Hainan, from April 22 to 30, 2026. Delegations from all 45 member countries and regions of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will take part in what is the largest and most influential beach sports event in Asia. As the first major international sporting event to be held in Hainan after the independent customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the Games are not only a celebration of Asian sport but also an important opportunity for Hainan to present an open and welcoming face to the world.

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

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 17 April 2026 - ShopeeFood Day returns on 18 April, offering users more ways to enjoy their favourite meals with added rewards across the platform. The campaign features up to 99% off vouchers drop, exclusive prizes and Shopee Coins on Shopee Live, as well as unlimited free delivery from nearby stalls, all stackable with daily Shopee VIP vouchers.

Score Up to 99% Off and Win Big This ShopeeFood Day

From hearty meals to sweet treats, users can enjoy up to 99% off vouchers with no minimum spend across all ShopeeFood merchants, alongside free delivery from participating nearby stores nationwide,including Mixue, Bask Bear, and Pizza Hut. Voucher drops will take place five times throughout the day at 9AM, 11AM, 3PM, 5PM, and 7PM.

Beyond these deals, users can unlock even more rewards on Shopee Live. Tune in from 12PM?2PM and 6PM?8PM for a chance to win up to 250,000 Shopee Coins, vouchers up to RM10,000, and exciting prizes worth RM7,000 when purchasing ShopeeFood vouchers during the livestream.

Prizes include:

Dreame Vacuum Cleaner (worth RM899)

Philips Airfryer (worth RM580)

Lululemon Gift Card (worth RM500)

Xiaomi Smart Humidifier (worth RM179)

Touch 'n Go eWallet reload pins (worth RM100)

Stack Shopee VIP Perks with ShopeeFood Day Deals for Bigger Rewards

Make the most of ShopeeFood Day by stacking daily Shopee VIP perks with platform-wide deals. New Shopee VIP subscribers can enjoy up to 99% off vouchers with no minimum spend, while existing subscribers can get up to RM20 off on their orders. With unlimited free delivery and 25% off self-pickup, users can enjoy greater flexibility and added savings on every order.

From now until 30 April, Shopee VIP subscribers get exclusive access to 50% off Mixue orders storewide, making it the perfect time to indulge in fan-favourites like Creamy Mango Boba, O-Crispy Sundae, and Super-Triple Milk Tea.

Don't Miss Out on ShopeeFood Day

ShopeeFood Day on 18 April offers up to 99% off, free delivery, and exciting prizes on Shopee Live across a wide range of food and beverage options. For even more value and savings, Shopee VIP subscribers can stack their everyday perks on top of these deals to unlock additional benefits with every meal.

Sign up for a Shopee VIP free 1-month trial today to enhance the ShopeeFood experience. For more details on ShopeeFood Day, visit here.

Hashtag: #ShopeeFood  #Shopee 

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

Source: Gree Electric Appliances, INC. of Zhuhai

GUANGZHOU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 17 April 2026 - On April 15, the 139th China Import and Export Fair (hereinafter referred to as the "Canton Fair") officially opened. As a leading enterprise in the manufacturing sector, Gree Electric made a grand appearance at Pavilion 4.2A under the theme "GREE, Making Better Electric Appliances," presenting over a hundred innovative products in its largest exhibition area in Canton Fair history. Amid the global wave of green and intelligent manufacturing transformation, GREE is leveraging its hard-core independent innovation and full-industry-chain capabilities to show the world the confidence and resolve of China's intelligent manufacturing to navigate industry cycles and lead the transformation.

Zhu Lei, CMO of Gree Electric, stated that Gree has participated in the Canton Fair for 31 consecutive years. This year, GREE brought 130 products to the event. Facing the global market, GREE strives to fully meet the practical needs of consumers from different regions worldwide. Notably, the majority of these products are originally manufactured in and exported from China, reflecting the dedication and ingenuity of GREE's Chinese craftsmen.

It is reported that at this year's Canton Fair, GREE has created a full-industry-chain exhibition space ranging from core components to scenario-based solutions. To date, buyers from over 50 countries and regions have scheduled visits and business negotiations, marking a 21% year-on-year increase.

Currently, the global home appliance industry is undergoing a dual transformation. On one hand, an energy efficiency revolution driven by the "Dual Carbon" goals makes the transition to eco-friendly refrigerants an urgent priority; on the other hand, an experience revolution spurred by consumption upgrades has made quietness, health, and smart features the core demands of users. GREE's SilenzX series ultra-quiet air conditioners, showcased at the event, serve as a precise response to this trend. Equipped with a self-developed rotary four-cylinder compressor, the SilenzX series reduces the minimum sound pressure level of the outdoor unit to a mere 29 decibels-far below the industry average of 42 decibels. Backed by 137 invention patents, the product recently won a Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, signaling that Chinese enterprises have shifted from being "followers" to "leaders" in the realm of comfort technology.

A deeper layer of competitiveness stems from GREE's long-term bet on a green future. Among the products showcased at this Canton Fair, over 80% are equipped with AI, green energy-saving, and other advanced technologies. GREE has comprehensively implemented R290 eco-friendly refrigerant technology across its entire product matrix, including split units, window units, and water heaters. Furthermore, its world-first photovoltaic air conditioning system has achieved a systemic breakthrough of "zero carbon emissions, zero electricity bills, and zero waste." The AI dynamic energy-saving technology also utilizes intelligent algorithm optimization to boost annual energy efficiency by 15.8% and reduce power consumption by 13.6%. Rather than isolated technological features, these represent comprehensive green solutions that cover the entire chain of energy production, transmission, and consumption, providing the industry with a leapfrog path from "low-carbon compliance" to "zero-carbon leadership."

Behind this systemic innovation capability lies a full-industry-chain competitive moat forged through 35 years of independent R&D. At this Canton Fair, Gree introduced three major compressors-G-Boost, G-Storm, and G-Hyper-which have successfully overcome industry challenges such as ultra-high-temperature cooling and ultra-low-temperature heating. Its star product, the GMV 9 series, is capable of operating in an ultra-wide temperature range from -35?C to 60?C, marking GREE's achievement of full-stack technological autonomy from core components to system integration.

This strategic resolve is yielding substantial returns in GREE's global layout. As one of the first Chinese home appliance companies to venture overseas, GREE has built a network covering more than 190 countries and regions. Independent brands now account for 70% of its total export volume, and this figure exceeds 85% in Belt and Road countries. This marks a highly successful, high-quality transformation from a traditional OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) model to an independent brand-led enterprise.

From core technological breakthroughs to a green and low-carbon transition, GREE remains rooted in technology and centered on quality. Its presence at the Canton Fair serves as a vivid microcosm of the transformation and upgrading of China's manufacturing sector, demonstrating the powerful potential and dynamic momentum of "Made in China."

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

Hashtags: #GREE

*As part of their regulatory obligations, TMC subsidiaries NORI and TOML have submitted extensive datasets to the International Seabed Authority's DeepData, covering a decade of exploration in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean

*The dataset includes 777 equipment deployments and over 4,800 distinct environmental samples, generating 76,000 biological records and 69,185 geochemical data points - across the entire water column

*This data builds on two previous submissions (March 2023 and May 2024) comprising hundreds of thousands of biological records, record sampling of pelagic communities below 4,000 meters, and more than 12,000 seafloor images - part of one of the most comprehensive deep-ocean environmental monitoring programs ever undertaken

*Key findings are showcased in a new video series demonstrating how the data addresses environmental concerns and how innovation has reduced the impact footprint of TMC's collection system versus legacy technology

*Data from NORI and TOML's $250 million environmental program - already underpinning 37 peer-reviewed publications - reflects the most comprehensive environmental dataset ever assembled for deep-sea minerals development

NEW YORK, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) ("TMC" or the "Company"), a leading developer of the world's largest resource of critical metals essential to energy, defense, manufacturing and infrastructure, today announced that its subsidiaries, Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI) and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. (TOML), have submitted comprehensive data from almost a decade of deep-sea exploration to DeepData, an open database of contractor data managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

The submission - spanning 2013-2022 and comprising an unparalleled collection of biological and geochemical samples from across the eastern Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) - builds on a decade of research by NORI and TOML to characterize the polymetallic nodule resource and surrounding marine environment, from the ocean surface through the water column to abyssal sediments more than 4,000 meters deep. The data will be made publicly available through open repositories including DeepData and UNESCO's Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) as part of the Company's commitment to advancing scientific understanding of the deep ocean. With this submission, TMC's subsidiaries have contributed roughly one-third of all CCZ data in DeepData. The data will also be published to the OBIS-ISA node, where TMC subsidiary data already account for 54% of all biological records - a share expected to increase significantly following publication of this batch. TMC's dataset is generating significant interest among researchers, with the full OBIS dataset downloaded almost ten thousand times to date and individual taxa downloads totaling more than half a billion.

TMC Environmental Manager, Dr. Michael Clarke, commented: "After more than a decade of research, 27 expeditions, rigorously monitored pilot mining tests, tens of thousands of biological records, and hundreds of thousands of seafloor images, we've built one of the most comprehensive deep-sea environmental datasets ever assembled. Backed by over $250 million in investment, our findings don't stand in isolation - they corroborate decades of prior research, including NOAA's DOMES program," he said, referring to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Deep Ocean Mining Environmental Study program conducted in the 1970s.

With the extensive Environmental Impact Assessment now complete, the Company has begun sharing key takeaways from this comprehensive body of work through a series of videos documenting how its data addresses environmental concerns and how innovation has reduced the impact footprint of its collection system compared to legacy technology.

Environmental Concerns - What Does The Data Tell Us?

Benthic plumes

Midwater plumes

Biodiversity

Carbon sequestration

Noise and light

Innovation At Depth

Make it float

Collect nodules, not mud: The Coanda effect

Smarter separation at the source

Midwater release: Less up, less down

Calming the current

Go with the flow: Mine planning to reduce impact

Data from NORI and TOML's offshore campaigns have supported 37 peer-reviewed publications by independent scientists from leading marine research institutions, all of whom retain full freedom to publish. Recent papers include those demonstrating that both biodiversity and sediment plume impacts are confined to the directly mined area. With more than a petabyte of data collected, the Company expects this body of work to expand significantly in the coming years. To date, nearly 200,000 scientific papers have been published on polymetallic nodules globally, including more than 50,000 focused on the eastern CCZ.

Dr. Clarke added: "Activists often repeat the refrain that 'we don't know enough' - but that narrative doesn't hold up against the evidence. The Environmental Impact Assessments produced for the CCZ are, in aggregate, the most extensive ever conducted for any mining project anywhere in the world. That record demands recognition - and it demands that the bar for 'enough' be set not by the absence of all uncertainty, but by the presence of sufficient knowledge to manage risk responsibly, with adaptive mechanisms firmly in place. As with any resource project, the science is not perfect, and we will continue to learn and adapt after production begins. But it is, by any reasonable measure, more than sufficient to begin monitored commercial operations. The conclusion has been consistent for more than 50 years: with the right safeguards and monitoring, the environmental impacts of nodule collection can be effectively managed."

In January, TMC announced that it had submitted the first ever consolidated application under NOAA's modernized regulatory framework, a permitting pathway that is anticipated to reduce permitting timelines and is available to applicants with sufficient environmental and technical knowledge. NOAA later confirmed substantial compliance of this application on March 9, and the Company expects the final granting of the commercial recovery permit within the next 12 months.

About The Metals Company

The Metals Company is a developer of lower-impact critical metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, on a dual mission: (1) supply metals for energy, defense, manufacturing and infrastructure with net positive impacts compared to conventional production routes and (2) trace, recover and recycle the metals we supply to help create a metal commons that can be used in perpetuity. The Company has conducted more than a decade of research into the environmental and social impacts of offshore nodule collection and onshore processing. More information is available at www.metals.co.

Contacts

Media | media@metals.co

Investors | investors@metals.co

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

ALL ACCOR ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE

"DREAM TOURNAMENT"

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE A DAY

IN THE SHOES OF A PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN PLAYER

ALL Accor, Accor's booking platform and loyalty programme, announces the return of the Dream Tournament, an exclusive experience taking place on May 18th at the Parc des Princes, the home of Paris Saint-Germain.

On this occasion, ALL Accor members from all around the world, along with a few lucky contests winners, will have the unique opportunity to play alongside a selection of iconic Paris Saint-Germain Legends, including Blaise Matuidi, Javier Pastore, Mamadou Sakho, Guillaume Hoarau, and Pedro Miguel Pauleta.

Relentless midfielders, creative playmakers, prolific strikers and emblematic defenders, these standout figures in the club's recent history have left a lasting mark on the hearts of supporters.

Designed as a fully immersive experience, this event will allow ALL Accor loyalty programme members and a select group of lucky contest winners to enjoy an extraordinary day, getting closer than ever to their idols - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity only ALL Accor can offer.

WHEN LOYALTY UNLOCKS THE UNREACHABLE

​​​With ALL Accor, loyalty becomes a passport to unique experiences that are otherwise out of reach, perfectly embodying the promise of "money-can't-buy experiences" reserved for its members.

The Dream Tournament is a concrete illustration of this promise. For one day, ALL Accor loyalty programme members will have the opportunity to:

*Enter the Parc des Princes through the players' tunnel, just like the greats

*Be welcomed by iconic Paris Saint-Germain Legends

*Go behind the scenes and get ready in the locker room, like a Paris Saint-Germain player

*Step onto the legendary pitch of the Parc des Princes and play football on its turf

*Enjoy full immersion in the world and rituals of professional football

Extend the experience through curated gastronomic and lifestyle moments, inspired by the richness of ALL Accor's brand portfolio

"With ALL Accor, we're reshaping loyalty into something far more immersive - an experience-driven platform shaped by our members' passions. The Dream Tournament is a perfect example of this vision : going beyond the traditional hotel stay to unlock once-in-a-lifetime moments at the heart of football, in a legendary venue like the Parc des Princes. This is what defines ALL Accor today : creating exclusive, meaningful experiences that connect with our members on a deeper, more emotional level."

Mehdi Hemici, Chief Loyalty & Ecommerce Officer

A COLLECTIVE, IMMERSIVE AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

The Dream Tournament will bring together members from around the world for a unique shared moment, forming teams created for the occasion and guided by Paris Saint-Germain Legends.

Designed as a fully immersive experience, participants will be plunged into the club's universe, drawing on ALL Accor's expertise in hospitality and curated experiences, to live football from the inside - from the locker room to the pitch - just like real players.

By bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, ALL Accor reaffirms the international reach of its loyalty programme and its ability to connect members across the globe through singular, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

SHOWCASING THE DIVERSITY OF BRANDS AVAILABLE ON ALL.COM

Beyond the tournament itself, the event will showcase the breadth of brands within the ALL Accor portfolio. Brought to life through a series of immersive activations, these spaces will offer guests the opportunity to discover experiences inspired by each brand's distinctive expertise - spanning wellbeing, gastronomy, lifestyle and entertainment. A tangible way to express the richness of an ecosystem spanning more than 110 countries.

ABOUT ALL ACCOR

ALL Accor is a booking platform and loyalty programme embodying the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay. Through the ALL.com website and app, customers can access an unrivalled choice of stays from more than 45 Accor brands in 110 countries, always at the best price. The ALL Accor loyalty programme gives members access to a wide range of rewards, services and experiences, along with over 100 renowned partners. ALL Accor supports its members daily, enabling them to live their passions with over 7,000 events worldwide each year: local activities, chef masterclasses, major sports tournaments and the most eagerly awaited concerts. ALL Accor is the loyalty programme preferred by travellers.

ABOUT PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Founded in 1970 and winner of the UEFA Champions League in 2025, Paris Saint-Germain is the most successful club in France and a leading force in European football. Since 2011, under the leadership of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the Club has established itself as a premier multi-sport institution (men's and women's football, handball, judo, esports), driven by values of excellence, teamwork and surpassing limits. As part of this momentum, the Club reached a major milestone in its sporting development in 2024 with the inauguration of the Paris Saint-Germain Campus, an ultra-modern complex located in Poissy.

Deeply rooted in Paris, Paris Saint-Germain draws on the creative energy of the capital and contributes to its global influence, with a presence in nearly 100 countries and a community of 500 million fans. Both a committed institution serving its local communities and a dynamic global brand, the Club has developed a unique model at the intersection of sport, culture and lifestyle, making it the Club of the New Generation.

Attachment

CP-ALL Accor x PSG - Dream Tournament

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BitMEX, one of the safest crypto exchanges, announced today the launch of the TradFi Trade and Earn Campaign for users who trade its TradFi derivatives contracts, available for trading 24/7. The campaign allows traders to win their share of a 50,000 USDT prize pool by completing a series of trading missions.

BitMEX currently offers a range of TradFi products, including perpetual swaps on global stocks, indices, commodities, and forex. Unlike other platforms, its TradFi derivatives are available 24/7, allowing users to access markets outside of traditional hours. The campaign will run from 16 April 2026 at 12:00 PM (UTC) to 16 May 2026 at 11:59 PM (UTC). Users can participate at any time during the campaign period.

Rewards will be distributed across 3 categories:

The Beginner's Boost: New traders can claim $5 in trading credits by trading TradFi Perps on BitMEX.

Get Paid to Trade: By achieving trading volume tiers, all participants can claim up to $500 in trading credits.

Get Paid to Post: Any participant that trades TradFi Perps over the weekend and shares proof of their trades to their X accounts can claim $5 in trading credits.

To participate in the TradFi Trade and Earn campaign, traders must be fully verified on BitMEX. Competition details and registration can be found here. For more details on BitMEX TradFi Perps, visit this page.

About BitMEX

BitMEX is the OG crypto derivatives exchange, providing professional crypto traders with a platform that caters to their needs through low latency, deep crypto native liquidity and unmatched reliability.

Since its founding, no cryptocurrency has been lost through intrusion or hacking, allowing BitMEX users to trade safely in the knowledge that their funds are secure. So too that they have access to the products and tools they require to be profitable.

BitMEX was also one of the first exchanges to publish their on-chain Proof of Reserves and Proof of Liabilities data. The exchange continues to publish this data twice a week - proving assurance that they safely store and segregate the funds they are entrusted with.

For more information on BitMEX, please visit the BitMEX Blog or www.bitmex.com, and follow Telegram, Twitter, Discord, and its online communities. For further inquiries, please contact press@bitmex.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9bb1f37e-f749-43a2-a86d-f4b5638468f5 

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

First-ever demonstration of an end-to-end quantum-classical workflow for simulating complex therapeutics, unlocking a credible path to near-term quantum advantage in health

SAN DIEGO, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wellcome Leap (Leap), a U.S. nonprofit founded by the Wellcome Trust to accelerate breakthroughs in human health, today announced the outcome of its Quantum for Bio (Q4Bio) Supported Challenge Program. The $50 million initiative was designed to support the development of new algorithms (with $40 million in research funding) and test them through a rigorous, competitive challenge to determine whether quantum computing could deliver provable advantage for critical, classically intractable challenges in biology and healthcare. Up to $10 million in potential prizes was available.

Launched in 2023, Q4Bio set out to answer a fundamental question: What if we could develop new algorithms that deliver quantum advantage for health? At the time, the field was marked by significant promise, but limited evidence of practical application. Over the course of 30 months, the program brought together experts across quantum software, hardware, and biology as collaborative teams to identify high-impact biological use cases and co-develop the quantum solutions required to solve them. Finalist teams were led by Infleqtion, University of Nottingham, Harvard University, Stanford University, Algorithmiq, and the University of Oxford.

Two prize categories were defined: A $5 million grand prize for demonstrating quantum advantage over best-in-class classical baselines and a $2 million prize for each team that successfully demonstrated an experimental realization of their application on a quantum computer with more than 50 qubits, a program depth of O(10??10⁴), and a clear trajectory to scale toward quantum advantage.

Today, Wellcome Leap has announced that Algorithmiq has successfully met the criteria for the $2 million prize.

The multidisciplinary team led by quantum software company Algorithmiq, with quantum hardware support from IBM, and biological expertise from Cleveland Clinic, successfully demonstrated an experimental realization of their solution ? identifying a scalable path to future quantum advantage. The team developed an end-to-end quantum-classical workflow to calculate excited-state properties of a photosensitizer drug relevant for photodynamic cancer therapy.

Importantly, the true impact of Q4Bio extends beyond the prize itself. Through rigorous testing of current capabilities, teams across the program delivered critical scientific contributions that establish a clear, evidence-based understanding of how quantum computing can be applied in human health.

"When we started the Wellcome Leap program, it wasn't clear exactly how or where quantum computing could meaningfully impact biology," said Shihan Sajeed, Program Director for Q4Bio. "Q4Bio was designed to create new solutions that would answer that question within real biological and hardware constraints. What we now have is a much clearer understanding of where quantum can create value, where it cannot, and what needs to happen next."

What Q4Bio established

Rather than focusing on theoretical exploration, Q4Bio tested quantum approaches against real-world biological problems within the physical limits of current hardware.

Across the program, teams validated biological use cases where quantum hardware may offer advantage, advanced the performance of classical approaches, and developed end-to-end hybrid quantum-classical pipelines connecting biological questions to computational solutions.

Together, this work provides a rigorous assessment of what is computationally feasible today - and what depends on future hardware advances. It represents one of the most coordinated efforts to date to apply quantum computing to address critical health challenges.

Looking ahead

While today's quantum systems remain limited for most applications, Q4Bio provides a roadmap for how quantum capabilities can evolve alongside hardware improvements. The pipelines and workflows developed through the program are expected to adapt as more advanced, fault-tolerant quantum systems emerge, enabling increasingly complex biological applications over time.

Building on the progress of Q4Bio, Wellcome Leap expects to launch a follow-on initiative to further advance quantum-enabled approaches to biology and health applications. The team is currently evaluating next steps and welcomes discussions with partners interested in supporting future programs.

About Wellcome Leap

Wellcome Leap is a billion-dollar breakthrough engine for human health - at global scale. Founded by the Wellcome Trust in 2020 as a U.S. nonprofit, Wellcome Leap builds and executes bold, unconventional programs with the urgency required to deliver breakthroughs in years, not decades. Operating at the intersection of life sciences and engineering, Leap programs require best-in-class, multi-disciplinary, global teams assembled from universities, companies, and nonprofits working together to solve problems that they cannot solve alone. For more information, read how Wellcome Leap is Changing the Business of Breakthroughs and visit www.wellcomeleap.org. To learn more about the Q4Bio program, visit www.wellcomeleap.org/q4bio or the program's LinkedIn page.

Contact:

press@wellcomeleap.org

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

This press release is not intended for US or UK media.

Ingelheim, Germany and Ridgefield, Conn.

Boehringer Ingelheim today announced that The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published results from the Phase 1b Beamion LUNG-1 trial of HERNEXEOS (zongertinib tablets) in treatment-na?ve patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have HER2 activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain (TKD). The data in the manuscript, titled "First-Line Zongertinib in Advanced HER2-Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer," demonstrated durable efficacy in this patient population (N=74). As of August 21, 2025:

*The confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 76%, with 11% of patients achieving a complete response and 65% of patients achieving a partial response.

*The median duration of response (mDoR) was 15.2 months, and the median progression free survival (mPFS) was 14.4 months.

*Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were predominantly low-grade. AEs led to dose reductions in 12 patients (16%) and dose discontinuations in 7 patients (9%).

Additionally, the NEJM manuscript reported findings from 30 patients with HER2-mutant advanced NSCLC with active brain metastases, of which, 47% experienced a confirmed intracranial objective response (iORR) by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (RANO-BM).

The data builds on results presented at the ESMO Annual Meeting in October 2025 and was presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC 2026) that took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, March 25-28, 2026. 

"This data shows zongertinib demonstrated durable efficacy as first-line therapy in treatment-na?ve patients with HER2-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer, a setting where there are currently limited options with durable responses," said coordinating investigator for the Beamion LUNG-1 trial, Dr. John Heymach, MD, PhD, chair of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "These findings, now published in The New England Journal of Medicine, may help healthcare providers make informed decisions on HER2 targeted treatment choices."

Zongertinib was recently granted accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have HER2 (ERRB2) tyrosine kinase domain activating mutations, as detected by an FDA-authorized test. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication is contingent upon verification in a confirmatory trial.

Accelerated approval follows Breakthrough Therapy Designation and selection for the FDA Commissioner's National Priority Voucher pilot program, in recognition of the medicine's ability to address critical unmet need for this rare and aggressive cancer. This builds upon the FDA accelerated approval for use in previously treated patients in August 2025.

Why it matters

NSCLC with HER2 activating mutations is a highly heterogeneous and aggressive disease which in the past has made it hard to find a targeted treatment offering significant clinical benefit.

HER2 mutations are found in approximately 2-4% of NSCLC cases and are linked to poor prognosis.1

There remains a high unmet need for patients as they may respond poorly to chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy (the current standard of care). 

About HERNEXEOS (zongertinib tablets)

HERNEXEOS (zongertinib tablets) is an irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that selectively inhibits HER2 while sparing wild-type EGFR, thereby minimizing associated toxicities. It has been approved in several countries:

HERNEXEOS is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first orally administered, targeted therapy for adult patients with HER2-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

The therapy has been conditionally approved by China's NMPA as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have activating HER2 mutations and who have received at least one line of prior systemic therapy. China's CDE also granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for zongertinib for use in a first-line setting.

Zongertinib, a first-in-class orally administered targeted therapy for HER2-mutant NSCLC, received approval for manufacturing and marketing in Japan. This approval makes zongertinib the first orally administered molecularly targeted therapy available in Japan for previously treated, unresectable, advanced, or recurrent HER2-mutant NSCLC.

This orally administered targeted therapy is not approved in other markets and is being evaluated in ongoing trials, across a range of earlier stages and advanced solid tumors with HER2 alterations.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Report finds a consistent pattern across AI, cybersecurity, digital identities and sustainability: sharing and coordinating operational data across systems and partners is a key focus for the industry

GENEVA, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SITA's 2025 Air Transport IT Insights report finds that, while the air transport industry invested a record $50.8 billion in technology in 2025, a common obstacle keeps emerging: where data does not flow freely between systems and partners, that investment cannot fully deliver what it was designed to unlock.

The cost of this data coordination gap is higher than ever now that the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt the industry at a global scale. Operators investing in closing that gap are building foundations that will outlast the current disruption.

"We are publishing this research at a moment when the industry is under significant pressure. Across every area we measured, the same constraint emerges: where data does not flow freely across systems and partners, investment cannot fully deliver what it was designed to unlock. That constraint carries a higher cost today, but also a clear opportunity to emerge stronger," said David Lavorel, CEO of SITA.

Airlines and airports are increasing their investment in IT. In 2025, airlines committed $36 billion, or 3.6% of revenue, while airports raised their spend to $14.8 billion, representing 7.3% of revenue, up from 6.4% the previous year. The reason is consistent across both: eighty-three percent of airlines and 89% of airports say data-driven decision-making is a strategic priority, a clear signal that the industry is actively building the operational foundations it believes resilience depends on.

Operational reliability has become a direct driver of financial performance

When operations run close to capacity, disruption carries a direct financial cost. Flight delays alone account for $30 billion of total industry revenue, according to IATA. Improving the predictions and response to disruption is key, which is why data integration is starting to be actively addressed: 46 percent of airlines are upgrading their flight operations systems to make information consistent and accessible across flight, crew, aircraft and passenger systems in real time. The goal is to give operational teams the shared picture they need to intervene earlier, before a single delay becomes a network problem. Yet 49% of airlines identify data integration and consistency as the primary barrier to achieving this. When information is fragmented across systems, the window for early intervention closes before it can be used.

AI stands to deliver the most value when it coordinates decisions across multiple systems at once

Early AI deployments in aviation focused on individual systems: predictive alerts, route optimization, maintenance forecasting. The shift now underway is more significant. Sixty-three percent of airlines use AI in operations control to manage disruption, aircraft assignment and crew availability simultaneously, evaluating recovery options across multiple constraints at once before recommending actions. Seventy-nine percent name generative AI and large language models as their top investment priority for the next 12 months, a signal that ambition is running well ahead of current deployment.

AI is used most confidently when using it within a single system. It is used least where decisions require consistent data from multiple partners: only 17% of airlines use AI to monitor turnaround activity in real time. Airports are moving to close that gap, with 53% now applying AI to aircraft turnaround, up from 36% in 2024. But the ceiling on AI's impact is not capability. It is data alignment.

"Aviation is deploying AI with real ambition. But the survey is clear: the primary barrier to maximizing that investment is the lack of data integration across the operation. The technology is there. The data infrastructure to connect it often is not," added Lavorel.

Cybersecurity now protects shared operational data, not just individual platforms

As airlines and airports connect more systems across operations, passengers and partners, the exposure from a cyber incident has changed. A breach would no longer affect a single platform. It risks affecting the accuracy and availability of the shared data that operations depend on: gate changes, turnaround status, passenger information. Seventy-one percent of airports now rank cybersecurity as their top overall IT focus area, and 68% name it as the primary driver of infrastructure upgrades. The industry is responding: 64% of airports are already applying AI in cybersecurity to detect anomalies earlier and reduce response times, up from 51% in 2024.

Digital identity solutions are scaling fast, but coordination remains the primary constraint

The move toward airline and airport-issued digital identity credentials is accelerating sharply. Sixty-four percent of airlines plan to use their own issued credentials, up from 32% in 2024, and biometric border control, already live at 54% of airports, is expected to reach 83% by 2028. The technology is ready and the investment is committed. The key to delivering value is coordination: 57% of airlines cite airport cooperation as the primary requirement for scaling digital identities, up from 40% the previous year. An identity program only works when every touchpoint in the passenger journey recognizes the same record consistently. Without that alignment, the infrastructure exists, but the benefit does not.

Sustainability investment is most advanced where operators control the data directly

The sustainability data in this year's report tells the same story. The focus is strongest where a single operator owns the data and the decision: 83% of airlines are implementing fleet renewal programs, 67% are sourcing Sustainable Aviation Fuel in selected locations and 75% of airports use building management systems to monitor terminal energy. However, adoption of total emissions tracking and airside carbon measurement ? capabilities that require consistent data sharing across airlines, ground handlers and infrastructure ? remains below 20%.

The pattern is not a coincidence. Across AI, cybersecurity, digital identities and sustainability, the report finds the same ceiling: progress is most advanced where data is coordinated across systems and partners.

"Across AI, cybersecurity, digital identities and sustainability, operators name the same constraint: data that does not flow freely across systems and partners. It is consistent across every area we measured. Data coordination is not a future priority. It is what is limiting outcomes today," concluded Lavorel.

The report can be found by clicking on this link.

About SITA 

SITA is the air transport industry's tech engine, making travel safer, easier, and more sustainable for everyone. From the earliest days of commercial aviation to today's digital frontiers, SITA has been there, connecting the industry and helping it evolve through every leap forward.

With around 2,500 customers, SITA technology supports over 1,000 airports and more than 19,600 aircraft worldwide. It also helps over 70 governments strike the balance between secure borders and seamless journeys. Behind the scenes, SITA bridges 45?50% of the industry's data exchange, enabling a highly complex global network to operate smoothly and reliably, every step of the way.

SITA is transforming fast. From advanced self-service and operations control to airport design and digital borders, it is shaping the next generation of travel through key acquisitions like Materna IPS, ASISTIM, and CCM. It is also expanding beyond aviation with initiatives such as SmartSea, bringing its trusted technologies to cruise, rail, and urban air mobility.

This transformation is about more than new products. SITA is investing in the right skills, tools, and partnerships to help the industry move with greater intelligence and agility, bringing together smart systems, seamless data, and sustainable innovation. Because as global travel surges, flow is everything.

As part of our bold climate strategy, SITA is cutting emissions by 4.2% each year and targeting net zero by 2050. SITA's science-based targets are validated by the SBTi, and its growing portfolio is helping customers reduce their own carbon footprints too.

Owned by the industry and driven by its needs, SITA operates in more than 200 countries and territories.

Find out more at www.sita.aero

Contact: media.relations@sita.aero

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INSIGHT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wood Mackenzie | www.woodmac.com

Middle East conflict has elevated strategic energy security priorities as countries seek supply diversification, international shale exploration can play a key role in meeting those goals, according to new research from Wood Mackenzie, titled "A hydrocarbon copy: the upstream industry's return to international shale exploration".

Six countries are advancing unconventional resource development to help address energy security objectives. Algeria leads for European supply diversification, while the UAE, Mexico, Australia, T?rkiye, and Indonesia pursue domestic energy strategies through international partnerships and technology deployment.

Algeria's proximity to European market

Algeria hosts vast reserves, and the Lower Silurian shale offers piped export potential. ExxonMobil and Chevron have exploration partnerships, though oilfield service bottlenecks require resolution.

Five additional countries target energy independence:

*UAE - Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is moving toward final investment decisions for unconventional gas supporting a 2030 self-sufficiency target. Drilling could exceed 300 wells per year.

*Mexico - Pemex set 2030 shale gas and tight oil targets amid US trade tensions.

*Australia -The Northern Territory Beetaloo gas project targets LNG backfill and east-coast market supply.

*Turkiye - Continental is working in the Diyarbakır and Thrace basins and advancing exploration at an accelerated pace compared to other companies' earlier efforts.

*Indonesia - Regulators seek US participation in Sumatra basin tight oil. Targets include lacustrine sediments, once thought too challenging but proven viable by the Uinta basin in the US.

From Permian concentration to global re-engagement

A mix of subsurface and regulatory challenges slowed international shale progress in the 2010s, but the evolving Permian opportunity proved decisive. Companies ended global shale exploration and pivoted to West Texas for lower-risk, lower-cost growth.

Eight companies that once led global shale exploration-ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, ConocoPhillips, Marathon, EOG, and APA-spent $230 billion acquiring and developing Permian positions between 2012 and 2025. Breakevens were driven down by more efficient operations and dramatically improved well recoveries, positioning the Permian lower on the global cost curve

US Lower 48 growth is slowing now though, and companies are looking elsewhere to leverage their unconventional skillsets.

A high-graded global search

Global shale exploration last decade also suffered from a lack of focus. Companies are now evaluating approximately 20 high-graded plays, compared with over 100 assessed last decade.

"Explorers know the countries to avoid," said Robert Clarke, Vice President, Upstream Research at Wood Mackenzie. "Bans on hydraulic fracturing or unworkable fiscal terms will make certain projects impossible. Companies also have a better understanding of supply-chain risks, such as red tape that restricts the import of critical drilling and completion equipment."

Two US shale specialists have made concrete moves. Continental Resources entered Argentina's Vaca Muerta through multiple deals and formed an unconventional joint venture with T?rkiye's state oil company. EOG Resources made unconventional entries into Bahrain and the UAE. Some plays being studied are assets EOG evaluated during the first wave of global shale exploration. Majors, international oil companies and national oil companies are all participating.

Proof of scale and requirements for success

Argentina's Vaca Muerta and Saudi Arabia's Jafurah demonstrate achievable scale in plays outside North America. Combined, the projects will produce more than 2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in the next decade and absorb $250 billion in future capital expenditure. Jafurah and Vaca Muerta prove that public companies, private investors and national oil companies can all participate.

"Countries seeking to commercialize projects must customize fiscal arrangements, terms for work programs and licensing," said Josh Dixon, Senior Research Analyst at Wood Mackenzie. "Where there is alignment with national interest and the will to make these projects succeed, incentives for investment will follow."

"The greatest advantage for global shale 2.0 is that there is no new US play on the scale of the Permian Basin to compete for future short cycle capital," said Robert Clarke. "US shale drove growth over two decades nearly equivalent to the next ten countries combined?that's the scale energy-thirsty economies abroad want to replicate. Technology has pushed costs down across all US shale basins. Where host governments align unconventional development with national energy security and provide fast regulatory timelines, investment and expertise will follow."

Notes to Editors:

International shale exploration has been attempted before, but last decade it was mostly unsuccessful. This time conditions are different, presenting fewer barriers to global expansion. Growing momentum through technological advancements, geopolitical uncertainty and drive for energy security position this new round of "Global Shale 2.0" more advantageously. By 2030, Wood Mackenzie expects to see clarity on successful explorers and high-graded projects.

For further information please contact Wood Mackenzie's media relations team:

Chris Boba

+44 7408 841129

Chris.Boba@woodmac.com 

Mark Thomton

+1 630 881 6885

Mark.thomton@woodmac.com

Hla Myat Mon

+65 8533 8860  

hla.myatmon@woodmac.com 

Angelica Juarez

angelica.juarez@woodmac.com

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About Wood Mackenzie:

Wood Mackenzie is the global leader in analytics, insights and proprietary data across the entire energy and natural resources landscape. For over 50 years our work has guided the decisions of the world's most influential energy producers, utilities companies, financial institutions and governments. Now, with the world's energy system more complex and interconnected than ever before, sector-specific views are no longer enough. That's why we've redefined what's possible with Intelligence Connected: the fusion of our unparalleled proprietary data with the sharpest analytical minds, all supercharged by Synoptic AI, to deliver a clear, interconnected view of the entire value chain. Our trusted team of 2,700 experts across 30 countries breaks siloes and connects industries, markets and regions across the globe to empower our customers to identify risk sooner, spot opportunity faster and make every decision with complete confidence.

For more information, visit www.woodmac.com

Mark Thomton

Wood Mackenzie

6308816885

mark.thomton@woodmac.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

*BRIDGE Summit, yang berfokus pada masa depan media global, akan diselenggarakan selama lima hari, mulai tanggal 28 November-2 Desember 2026, di Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

*Pemindahan lokasi acara ke Yas Island memastikan ketersediaan ruang untuk pameran dan program yang lebih ambisius

*Menandai evolusi BRIDGE menjadi platform institusional jangka panjang yang mendorong transformasi industri media global

ABU DHABI, Uni Emirat Arab, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BRIDGE Alliance akan menambah durasi pelaksanaan BRIDGE Summit andalannya menjadi lima hari pada edisi keduanya. Acara yang akan berlangsung dari tanggal 28 November?2 Desember 2026 ini juga akan berpindah ke lokasi yang lebih besar, yaitu Yas Island di Abu Dhabi, melalui kemitraan dengan Miral, pengembang terkemuka destinasi dan pengalaman imersif di Emirat tersebut.

Penambahan durasi ini mencerminkan pergeseran strategis yang lebih luas untuk memosisikan BRIDGE sebagai platform global sepanjang tahun yang membentuk masa depan media, ekonomi kreatif, dan kolaborasi lintas batas.

Pengumuman ini disampaikan dalam rapat Dewan Direksi ketiga yang dipimpin oleh Yang Mulia Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed. Dalam kesempatan itu, para anggota menguraikan rencana untuk mengembangkan BRIDGE dari sebuah pertemuan berdampak tinggi menjadi platform institusional yang lebih permanen, yang bertujuan mendorong transformasi industri jangka panjang.

BRIDGE Summit 2026 akan mempertemukan para pemimpin di bidang media, teknologi, investasi, dan pembuatan konten, dengan fokus memperdalam keterlibatan profesional untuk memfasilitasi model bisnis baru, produksi bersama, serta akses ke pasar regional dan global.

"BRIDGE merupakan proyek institusional jangka panjang yang mendefinisikan ulang peran media dalam keterkaitannya dengan pembangunan, ekonomi, dan pengetahuan," ujar YangMulia Sheikh Abdulla Al Hamed.

Program akan terus mencakup tujuh sektor utama-media, ekonomi kreator, teknologi dan kecerdasan buatan, pemasaran, game, musik, dan pembuatan film-yang mencerminkan berbagai kekuatan yang membentuk ulang lanskap konten. Format yang lebih panjang dan lokasi acara yang lebih luas ini menunjukkan meningkatnya permintaan internasional terhadap platform yang tidak hanya sekadar dialog, tetapi berupaya menciptakan hasil yang terukur.

Yang Mulia Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi, Wakil Ketua BRIDGE Alliance menambahkan: "BRIDGE Summit mencerminkan transisi UEA dari mendukung ekonomi media menjadi membangun platform operasionalnya."

BRIDGE Summit perdana, yang diselenggarakan pada bulan Desember 2025 di ADNEC, telah dihadiri lebih dari 40.000 peserta dari 182 negara. Acara ini memfasilitasi 1.276 pertemuan bisnis serta menghasilkan 48 kesepakatan dan kemitraan, yang membentuk fondasi kuat bagi ekspansi ke depannya.

Tentang BRIDGE Alliance

BRIDGE Alliance adalah organisasi global independen yang berkantor pusat di Abu Dhabi, dengan fokus peningkatan kolaborasi, kepercayaan, dan inovasi di seluruh lanskap media internasional.

Kontak: Kholood Albuainain, Executive.Office@bridge-summit.com

Foto yang menyertai pengumuman ini tersedia di https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/30815fbe-abb3-4df1-a38d-c5fc572115cc

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Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

CGTN explores Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's visit to China, emphasizing the role of sustained high-level exchanges as a key driver in strengthening China-Spain relations amid global uncertainty. The piece further examines expanding economic cooperation and shared commitments to multilateralism, stable global supply chains, and open cooperation, positioning the relationship as a stabilizing force in an increasingly fragmented international environment.

BEIJING, April 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the headquarters of China's tech giant Xiaomi, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sampled cutting-edge consumer gadgets, test-drove electric vehicles and repeatedly described the experience as "Muy bien" (very good). Later, he addressed students at Tsinghua University, urging greater mutual understanding between Europe and China.

The moments formed part of his April 11-15 visit to China - his fourth in four years - setting the tone for a trip that blended symbolism with policy signals and underscoring a relationship that has gained momentum through sustained high-level exchanges.

During talks in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Spain should strengthen cooperation in fields including trade, new energy and intelligent economy, and to encourage exchanges in culture, education, scientific research and sports.

He noted that despite a shifting and turbulent international landscape, China and Spain have maintained a steady relationship, forging ties with strategic determination, and that an important lesson learned is the significance of making correct decisions based on common interests.

Sanchez, for his part, said his four visits reflected the high importance both countries attach to the relationship, calling for deeper engagement and mutual understanding. Spain highly values China's status as a major country, he said.

The meeting reflects a broader push by both countries to maintain consistent high-level exchanges. Such regular interactions have provided continuity in bilateral ties, even as geopolitical uncertainties have increased.

On top of high-level political dialogue, economic cooperation also remains a central pillar of the relationship. China has for years been Spain's largest trading partner outside the European Union, with bilateral trade continuing to expand. Recent data point to growing exchanges in goods and services, alongside new areas of collaboration in green energy, electric vehicles and digital industries. In 2025, bilateral trade in goods between China and Spain exceeded $55 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 9.8%.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies have stepped up investment in Spain in sectors such as power batteries, renewable energy and infrastructure, contributing to local employment and industrial development. Spanish agricultural and food products - including olive oil, wine and pork - have gained wider access to the Chinese market, reflecting a complementary trade structure.

Sanchez's visit reinforced this trend, with both sides exploring ways to further balance trade and expand market access. Cooperation documents in areas such as economy and trade, education, science and technology, and agriculture and food were signed as part of a broader effort to sustain economic ties amid global supply chain adjustments.

Beyond bilateral gains, the visit also carried wider international implications. Xi called on China and Spain to work closely together to reject any backslide into the law of the jungle, and jointly uphold true multilateralism, highlighting shared support for a rules-based international order.

Sanchez similarly emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation and a balanced globalized economy that delivers shared prosperity. His remarks align with Spain's positioning as a proponent of dialogue and cooperation within the European Union, particularly as debates over trade, security and global governance intensify.

The two sides also signaled common ground on maintaining stable global industrial and supply chains, at a time when protectionist pressures and calls for economic decoupling have grown in some parts of the world. This cooperation serves as an example of how major economies can pursue openness while addressing differences through dialogue.

The broader context of Sanchez's visit reflects a period of heightened global uncertainty, with conflicts and economic fragmentation shaping policy debates. Against this backdrop, both China and Spain have stressed the value of predictability in bilateral relations, positioning their partnership as a source of stability.

As Sanchez concluded his visit, the emphasis on continuity - in leadership exchanges, economic cooperation and shared positions on global issues - pointed to a relationship that both sides see as resilient. In a fluid international environment, China-Spain ties are being framed not only as mutually beneficial, but also as part of a wider effort to sustain cooperation in an increasingly complex world.

Contact: CGTN Digital jiang.simin@cgtn.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

TOKYO, April 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anaqua, a leading provider of innovation and intellectual property (IP) management technology solutions and services, today announced that Yazaki Corporation, a global leader in automotive wire harnesses and electrical components, has selected Anaqua's AI-powered AQX IP management platform to streamline, unify, and elevate the management of its worldwide IP portfolio.

Yazaki, a Japan-based manufacturer recognized for its expertise in wire harnesses, meters, and next-generation automotive technologies, will deploy the AQX platform to unify their global IP operations, enhance decision-making with advanced analytics, and ensure secure, centralized portfolio management. As an enterprise managing a large and diverse set of IP assets across multiple regions, Yazaki sought a modern, scalable solution to support its long-term innovation strategy while simplifying day-to-day operations.

The AQX platform stood out for its flexibility, powerful analytics, and ability to standardize workflows across global teams, ensuring consistency, transparency, and efficiency throughout the organization. The strong collaboration with the Anaqua team throughout the evaluation process further reinforced Yazaki's confidence in building a long-term strategic partnership.

Anaqua's AQX platform will provide Yazaki with:

Integrated IP data management with patent office connectivity for accuracy and compliance

Advanced dashboards and analytics for strategic decision-making

Scalable global implementation to support Yazaki's expanding operations

Yazaki will also leverage Anaqua's integrated Annuity Services (AQS) to unify IP financial tracking and gain full visibility into the lifecycle cost of its patent families. With tools like HyperView dashboards and the Annuities Decision Report (ADR), Yazaki's IP team will be empowered with actionable insights, and a centralized workspace to make faster, data-driven decisions.

"We are honored to welcome Yazaki to the Anaqua community," said Justin Crotty, CEO of Anaqua. "Their selection of Anaqua's industry-leading AQX platform underscores our commitment to delivering flexible, secure, and insight-driven IP management solutions that meet the evolving needs of global innovators."

"Yazaki Corporation is one of the world's largest and most respected automotive suppliers, known for its leadership in wire harnesses, power distribution systems, and advanced connectivity solutions. Their commitment to innovation spans not only the automotive sector but also energy and environmental technologies, including solar-powered and air-conditioning systems," said Kazuyasu Adachi, president and general manager, Japan & APAC, Anaqua. "We are proud to partner with Yazaki to support their global IP operations. By leveraging Anaqua's AQX platform, Yazaki will be able to transform how they manage and protect their valuable IP assets, driving greater efficiency, strategic insight, and long-term innovation success."

About Yazaki Corporation

https://www.yazaki-group.com/en/

Media Inquiries:

media@anaqua.com

+1-617-375-5808

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

The Landmark 48th Session of the Prize Comes as the King Faisal Foundation Marks 50 Years of Impact

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the evening of April 15, HRH Prince Turki Alfaisal, Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees of King Faisal Foundation, and King Faisal Prize Secretary General Dr. Abdulaziz Alsebail took the stage to honor the laureates of the King Faisal Prize's 48th session - a celebration of minds whose work echoed far beyond the walls of their laboratories and lecture halls. The ceremony this year is coinciding with a landmark milestone: the 50th anniversary of the King Faisal Foundation, established in 1976 and launching its Prize in 1979.

Key scientists in medicine and mathematics were celebrated this year - one whose quiet biochemical discovery ignited a revolution in the field of obesity treatments, and another who reached into the depths of pure mathematics and pulled out clarity where there was once only chaos.

Professor Svetlana Mojsov - a biochemist whose early, groundbreaking research on the hormone GLP-1 laid the biological foundation for what would eventually become Ozempic and other obesity therapeutics - was awarded the Medicine Prize. Her work is now at the center of one of the most significant public health revolutions of our time, touching the lives of hundreds of millions of people worldwide who struggle with obesity.

Professor Carlos Kenig claimed the Science Prize in Mathematics for his transformative work on nonlinear partial differential equations - the stubborn, beautiful mathematics that govern everything from the crash of ocean waves to the clarity of a medical scan. Where others saw complexity, Kenig found structure, reshaping the very landscape of modern mathematical analysis.

King Faisal Prize in Medicine Honors the Woman whose Discovery Sparked a Revolution in Treating Obesity and Diabetes

Professor Svetlana Mojsov of Rockefeller University is the biochemist whose foundational research on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) - a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite - laid the scientific groundwork for an entirely new class of medications. By discovering GLP-1's biologically active form and identifying its receptors in the pancreas, heart, and brain, she demonstrated its remarkable ability to stimulate insulin secretion, slow digestion, and curb hunger. Her work was so foundational that she is listed as co-inventor on the patents licensed to Novo Nordisk, directly enabling the development of Victoza, Ozempic, and Rybelsus - drugs that have since become household names in the fight against diabetes and obesity.

The ripple effects of her research are staggering in scale. In 2022 alone, obesity affected 890 million adults and 160 million children worldwide - and today, the therapies her discoveries made possible are transforming lives across the globe. In her acceptance speech, she said, "Twenty-five years after we published our findings Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Company developed long lasting injectable GLP-1 analogs for diabetes and obesity. I am humbled that my work that started 40 years ago with a hypothesis has benefited the health and lives of millions of people worldwide." Her journey from basic scientific inquiry to a public health revolution stands as a testament to the power of foundational research.

Her groundbreaking contributions have earned numerous prestigious honors, including the Lasker Award, Tang Prize, Breakthrough Prize, VinFuture Prize, and Princess of Asturias Prize, among others. Time magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2024.

King Faisal Prize in Science Awards the Mathematician Whose Equations Help Explain Ocean Waves and Fiber Optics

Professor Carlos Kenig, Louis Block Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, earned this year's King Faisal Prize in Mathematics. He has had a career making the incomprehensibly complex not only solvable, but useful. His work centers on nonlinear partial differential equations, the mathematical language that describes how things change, move, and evolve in the physical world. By bringing harmonic analysis techniques to bear on these notoriously difficult equations, he has cracked open new frontiers in fluid mechanics, optical fibers, and medical imaging. His research on free boundary problems - think the precise line where ice surrenders to water, or how fluid navigates through soil - has become a cornerstone of modern mathematical analysis.

Perhaps his most far-reaching contribution lies in his decades-long investigation of how complex waves behave over time: whether they dissipate gently or build toward catastrophe. This question sits at the heart of everything from ocean dynamics to light pulses in fiber optics to energy transfer in quantum systems. His insights into when mathematical solutions remain stable - and when they collapse into singularities - have resolved problems that had stumped mathematicians for generations.

Professor Carlos Kenig's interest in mathematics began at age 12 during a high school lesson on Euclidean geometry, which introduced him to the discipline's logical rigor and sparked a lasting curiosity. He later credited his academic path to his studies at the University of Chicago and postdoctoral work at Princeton, where he learned from leading mathematicians and further developed his expertise, as he mentioned in his acceptance speech, "I became interested in mathematics at the age of 12, when in my first year of high school in my native country Argentina, our math teacher taught us Euclidean geometry, and how to prove rigorously theorems about triangles. I was hooked from that time on! I then had the very good fortune to study at the University of Chicago, and to be a postdoc at Princeton University, under some of the most outstanding mathematicians of the 20th century. These experiences influenced the direction of my research, which turned to topics in mathematical analysis, and eventually mostly to the study of the partial differential equations that govern our physical world."

His brilliance has been recognized with the Salem Prize, the B?cher Prize, the Solomon Lefschetz Medal, and the ICMAM Latin America Prize, among others, and he has addressed the International Congress of Mathematicians three times ? a distinction reserved for the field's most towering figures.

As the King Faisal Foundation Marks its Golden Jubilee, its Prize's 48th Session Celebrates Extraordinary Minds in Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies, and Service to Islam

In addition to honoring advancements in medicine and science, King Faisal Prize also recognized exemplary contributions in Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic Studies, and Service to Islam.

Professor Pierre Larcher, Emeritus Professor of Arabic Linguistics at Aix-Marseille University and Emeritus Researcher at the Institute for Studies and Research on the Arab and Muslim Worlds, won this year's King Faisal Prize for Arabic Language & Literature on the topic of "Arabic Literature in French". His novel presentation of Arabic literature to French readers has earned widespread acclaim from critics and specialists, while his rigorous scholarly approach to classical Arabic literature has made it accessible and appropriate for French culture. His critical translation project of al-Mu'allaqat and rigorous study of pre-Islamic poetry demonstrate exceptional scholarly depth.

For this year's Islamic Studies Prize on "Islamic Trade Routes", Professor Abdelhamid Hussein Mahmoud Hammouda, Professor of Islamic History and Civilization at the Fayoum University, and Professor Mohamed Waheeb Hussein, Professor of Archaeology and History of Art at the Hashemite University, were announced as co-laureates.

Professor Abdelhamid Hussein Mahmoud Hammouda's comprehensive work encompasses trade routes across the Islamic world ? the Mashreq, Iraq and Persia, Arabian Peninsula, Greater Syria, Egypt, Sahara, Maghreb, and al-Andalus. This expansive scope delivers a coherent understanding of Islamic trade trajectories across history, serving as an authoritative reference for both specialized research and broader scholarship.

Professor Mohamed Waheeb Hussein's groundbreaking work uses archaeological surveys, GPS documentation, and analytical mapping to systematically correlate Qur'anic texts with geographical data. His research offers definitive scholarly interpretation of the Route of al-Īlāf, significantly advancing documentation of early Arabian Peninsula trade routes.

As for the Service to Islam Prize, this year Sheikh Abdullatif bin Ahmed Alfozan and Professor Dr. Mohamed Mohamed Hassanin Aboumousa were announced as co-laureates.

The King Faisal Prize 2026 ceremony is a historical milestone. The King Faisal Foundation turned 50, marking half a century of championing human excellence. Established by the Foundation in 1977 and first awarded in 1979, the King Faisal Prize has since honored 308 laureates from 45 countries in recognition of their outstanding contributions across various fields of science and humanitarian causes. Each laureate from the prize's 5 categories is endowed with USD 200 thousand; a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams; and a Certificate inscribed with the Laureate's name and a summary of their work which qualified them for the prize.

Attachments

Professor Carlos Kenig claimed King Faisal Science Prize in Mathematics for the year 2026

Professor Svetlana Mojsov, King Faisal Prize 2026 Medicine Laureate

Maysa Shawwa

King Faisal Prize

Maysa.Shawwa@kff.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

*Professor Joan Bray Rose recognised for pioneering Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) as a global approach for assessing pathogen risks in water

*QMRA adopted into global drinking water standards and enabled safe water reuse, benefitting millions worldwide

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 April 2026 - Professor Joan Bray Rose has been awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2026 for her work as a key pioneer in the development and global adoption of Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA), a science-based approach to safeguard the quality of drinking water, as well as water reuse systems.

Her work has transformed the science of microbial risk management and guided policies that protect public health and ensure safe water for communities worldwide. Her expertise in the domain of water quality and health has also played a key role in strengthening Singapore's used water management, and the introduction of NEWater, Singapore's third National Tap.

2. Commenting on her accolade, Professor Rose, 11th recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize said, "I am deeply honoured to receive this esteemed award. This recognition reflects our collective progress in advancing microbial risk science and its role in protecting public health today. Safe water is one of the world's most fundamental yet unevenly distributed resource critical to sustaining human life. As microbial risks continue to evolve, strengthening the robustness of our water systems remains an ongoing endeavour to ensure they remain dependable and resilient; safeguarding both water quality and people's lives." She is currently the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research, Director of the Water Alliance at Michigan State University.

Uncovering invisible risks to revolutionise water safety

3. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Professor Rose led a team to investigate a series of waterborne disease outbreaks across the United States. Among the most severe was the 1993 Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where an estimated 403,000 residents fell ill and at least 69 deaths were recorded[1]. She was the first to demonstrate the widespread occurrence of Cryptosporidium as a zoonotic pathogen[2] in the United States, and its transmission to humans through inadequately filtered and disinfected drinking water supplies. By establishing Cryptosporidium as the causative agent of these outbreaks, she highlighted the vulnerability of drinking water systems to microbial contamination - a challenge with global public health implications. Her findings also revealed a critical gap: pathogens could evade conventional water treatment, existing monitoring systems detected microbes without quantifying risk, and public health responses were largely reactive rather than predictive.

4. Professor Rose then pioneered QMRA in the 1990s and early 2000s to address these critical gaps undermining water safety and public health. QMRA introduced a systematic, science-based approach to assess and manage microbial risks in drinking and other forms of water, including reuse water. By enabling scientists to quantify infection risks and illness probabilities based on pathogen concentrations, exposure pathways and consumption patterns, QMRA shifted water management from reactive "detect and correct" approaches to proactive "predict and prevent" strategies. This revolutionised water safety, boosting the quality of water systems to reliably meet health standards.

Global impact on water microbiology and water quality

5. QMRA is now widely adopted in drinking water regulations worldwide including the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Standards and the World Health Organisation's Third Edition of the Drinking Water Quality Guidelines in 2004. Her work has enabled water utilities and regulators to define treatment requirements based on tolerable health risks for any given water source.

6. Professor Rose extended the application of QMRA beyond drinking water to assess microbial risks in treated wastewater and water reuse systems. This development greatly strengthened global confidence in leveraging recycled water as a viable and sustainable supply source, and Professor Rose has since strongly advocated for the adoption of water reuse to address global water scarcity. She also advised the Orange County Water District's Independent Advisory Panel and the California State Water Resources Control Board's Expert Panel on water reuse. Her guidance contributed to California's Indirect and Direct Potable Reuse regulations, now models for water reuse standards worldwide, including in Australia, Spain, and the United States.

7. For over two decades, Professor Rose worked closely with PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency, to strengthen water quality and safety. She was instrumental in the advancement of NEWater which was introduced in 2003, serving on the NEWater Expert Panel from 1998 to 2002. In her role, Professor Rose shared her expertise, provided guidance on best practices for water quality monitoring, and reviewed findings from health studies which demonstrated the long-term safety of NEWater. From 2003 to 2019, she also chaired PUB's External Audit Panel, supporting the safe and robust implementation of water reuse in Singapore. In recognition of her significant contributions, she was conferred the Honorary Citizen Award by the Government of Singapore in 2015. Tapping on the QMRA approach, PUB has since strengthened the capabilities to use water quality surveillance data to guide treatment processes and ensure compliance with local and international drinking water standards and guidelines. (Refer to Annex on how QMRA is applied in Singapore.)

8. Beyond research, she has advanced global knowledge and capacity in microbial risk assessment through training and collaborative initiatives such as launching the QMRA Summer Institute[3] and QMRAwiki[4]. She has also strengthened preparedness for waterborne disease outbreaks worldwide by spearheading major international initiatives such as the Global Water Pathogen Project[5] and Wastewater Sphere[6].

Recognising a steadfast champion of global public health

9. Professor Rose, who recently turned 72, has dedicated her professional life to improving water quality and safeguarding public health outcomes. She is widely regarded as one of the world's leading authorities in water microbiology and received the 2024 International Water Association Global Water Award for her contributions. Today, she continues to lead research on emerging microbial health risks, driven by a deep and enduring commitment to improving lives worldwide. Her work remains critical as cities strengthen their water resilience against evolving public health and climate challenges.

10. Professor Rose will receive the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize - an award certificate, a gold medallion, and S$300,000, presented in partnership with Temasek Foundation - at an award ceremony on 16 June 2026, held during the official opening of the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2026. She will also deliver a keynote lecture the same day. SIWW2026 is expected to gather 2,500 leaders, experts and practitioners from governments, cities, utilities, and industry, and over 25,000 trade visitors.

[1] https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/9/4/02-0417_article

[2] Zoonotic pathogens cause infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/zoonoses

[3] Launched in 2006, The QMRA Summer Institute has trained over 400 professionals worldwide in pathogen risk assessment across water, food, and environmental contexts, with extended collaborations in Singapore, Japan, India, China, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and parts of Europe.

[4] QMRAwiki is the first comprehensive database of microbial dose-response relationships, which has been instrumental in advancing disease transmission modelling and risk characterisation.

[5] The Global Water Pathogen Project (GWPP) is funded by Dow, Dow-Corning and GATES Foundations, in partnership with UNESCO. GWPP creates a comprehensive knowledge hub on water pathogens, aiming to improve global water safety and sanitation.

[6] A sub-portal of GWPP to advance environmental surveillance of sewage for SARS-CoV-2 and support public health measures. W-Sphere aggregated data from over 2,600 cities, counties and regional systems globally.

Annex

Application of QMRA in Singapore's context

Leveraging on the concepts embedded in QMRA, PUB has established robust treatment processes and a comprehensive water quality surveillance programme to ensure that Singapore's drinking water consistently meets both local drinking water regulations, as well as international drinking water standards and guidelines. Today, the approach has evolved from a reactive "end-of-pipe testing" to a "process monitoring" approach, one that is more proactive in identifying potential risks within the treatment process.

QMRA also enables PUB to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of different treatment technologies in managing microbial risks. This allows for informed, evidence-based decisions when selecting suitable technology for Singapore's water sources, further strengthening the safety and reliability of our water supply. For instance, Singapore has adopted new and advanced technologies for water treatment, such as:

(i) reverse osmosis for removal of dissolved ions and particles, including viruses, which are too small to be removed through normal filtration; and

(ii) ultraviolet disinfection and ozonation for disinfection of a broader range of waterborne pathogens.

About the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize

Launched in 2008 to honour outstanding contributions by individuals or organisations towards solving the world's water problems by developing or applying innovative technologies, or implementing policies and programmes which benefit humanity, the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is one of the key highlights of the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW).

Named after Singapore's first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize laureate receives a certificate, a gold medallion and S$300,000 presented in partnership with Temasek Foundation, at the award ceremony held during SIWW.

About the Singapore International Water Week

As one of the premier global platforms, the biennial Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) gathers thought leaders, experts and practitioners from governments, cities, utilities, and industry to share knowledge and best practices on innovative water, coastal and flood solutions, and foster partnerships to tackle urban water and associated climate challenges.

Organised by Singapore International Water Week Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency, the 11th edition of SIWW will be held from 15 to 18 June 2026 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.

For more information, visit www.siww.com.sg

About Temasek Foundation (www.temasekfoundation.org.sg)

Temasek Foundation supports a diverse range of programmes that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and Asia. Temasek Foundation's programmes are made possible through philanthropic endowments gifted by Temasek, as well as gifts and other contributions from other donors. These programmes strive to deliver positive outcomes for individuals and communities now, and for generations to come. Collectively, Temasek Foundation's programmes strengthen social resilience; foster international exchange and catalyse regional capabilities; advance science; and protect the planet.

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

Hashtags: #SingaporeInternationalWaterWeek

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 April 2026 - The Asian Sports and Leisure Online Exhibition 2026 (ASLE 2026) will officially open on April 16, 2026, offering global buyers a one-stop sourcing platform to connect with verified Asian suppliers across the sports, fitness, and leisure industries. Running until August 31, 2026, the exhibition adopts a hybrid online and offline integration model, providing nearly five months of continuous sourcing opportunities and business engagement.

The exhibition focuses on connecting Asian suppliers with global importers and exporters, streamlining cross-border procurement processes, enhancing supply-demand matching efficiency, and enabling businesses to expand into international markets more effectively.

Since its debut in 2022, ASLE, co-organized by AsianNet and TradeAsia (www.e-tradeasia.com), has consistently attracted high-quality international buyers. With strong performance in precise matchmaking, inquiry conversion, and actual order generation, it has become one of Asia's most representative online B2B trade exhibitions.

Global Exhibition Synergy and Expanded Scale

The 2026 edition will feature a significant scale upgrade and run concurrently with several leading international exhibitions, including the FIBO Germany International Fitness and Wellness Expo, Techtextil Frankfurt, the Outdoor Retailer and Outdoor Design and Innovation Expo in the USA, ISPO USA, and the India International Sports Goods Expo.

By aligning with global exhibition schedules and integrating cross-platform resources, ASLE 2026 consolidates international buyer traffic and enables procurement professionals to efficiently complete supplier selection, product comparison, and sourcing decisions. This approach significantly shortens decision-making cycles and improves procurement accuracy.

Centered on high-efficiency matching, targeted traffic, and conversion-driven results, the exhibition establishes a comprehensive B2B business connection ecosystem. It enhances exhibitors' global exposure, improves inquiry quality, and effectively drives order conversion and market expansion.

Showcasing Verified Suppliers and Diverse Product Categories

ASLE 2026 will feature a strong lineup of leading Asian manufacturers, demonstrating the depth and innovation of the region's sports and leisure industry. Participating companies include JIH KAO ENTERPRISE, FLYWELL INTERNATIONAL, YI CHI HSIUNG, and HSIN HAO HEALTH MATERIALS.

These suppliers will showcase a wide range of products, including fitness equipment, sports gear, functional textiles, outdoor and camping products, and health-related solutions, providing buyers with diverse sourcing options across multiple categories.

ASLE 2026 highlights core sports categories such as Sports and Game Equipment, Sport Ball Equipment and Gear, Fitness and Body Building, Skateboarding and Skating Equipment, and Water Sports Equipment and Supply. The exhibition also features sports accessories, sportswear, and technical textiles, as well as lifestyle segments including Outdoor and Camping Recreation, Sporting and Travel Goods, and Indoor Games and Leisure. Health and Wellness and health food products further extend the exhibition's cross-industry integration.

By integrating technological innovation with practical applications, ASLE 2026 provides a high-efficiency B2B sourcing environment that enables global buyers and industry partners to expand markets, accelerate procurement decisions, and establish long-term business relationships.

Digital Features Enhancing Efficient Sourcing

The Asian Sports and Leisure Online Exhibition 2026 introduces a range of advanced digital features, including dedicated exhibitor pages, e-catalogs, and integrated online exhibition interfaces. Fully integrated with the TradeAsia platform, these tools significantly enhance supplier visibility and maximize sourcing efficiency.

In addition, the exhibition incorporates an efficient business matching mechanism, enabling buyers to quickly identify suitable suppliers based on their sourcing needs. International buyers can access the exhibition anytime, explore detailed supplier information, and utilize online inquiry functions to accelerate procurement decision-making.

This hybrid model effectively eliminates time and geographical barriers while delivering a cost-efficient and results-driven global sourcing experience.

Start Sourcing Now

Explore suppliers, discover products, and send inquiries directly through the official exhibition platform:

https://www.e-tradeasia.com/online-show/44/Asian-Sports-and-Leisure-Online-Exhibition-2026.html

About TradeAsia

TradeAsia (www.e-tradeasia.com) is a leading B2B international trade platform dedicated to delivering high-efficiency, conversion-driven business matching services. The platform connects millions of members, over 600,000 suppliers, and extensive up-to-date product listings, forming a highly active global supply-demand network.

In addition, TradeAsia has established strategic partnerships with hundreds of trade organizations and exhibition entities worldwide, integrating both online and offline marketing resources to maximize international exposure. Exhibitors benefit from stable, high-quality buyer traffic and expanded global reach, enhancing brand visibility and increasing conversion opportunities.

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

Hashtags: #TradeAsia

Regulatory milestone paves the way for launch of Aspire Yield, enabling businesses to earn attractive returns on idle cash balances

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 April 2026 - Aspire, the finance stack for global founders, today announced that its subsidiary, AFT HK Treasury Limited, has been granted Type 1 (dealing in securities), Type 4 (advising on securities), and Type 9 (asset management) licences by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong.

The licence marks a significant milestone in the company's expansion of financial services in Hong Kong, paving the way for the upcoming launch of Aspire Yield, an investment product designed to help businesses earn returns on their idle cash. Specifically, businesses in Hong Kong will be able to:

Maximise returns - Earn yield on idle multi-currency balances through investments in highly rated, professional-grade money market funds.

Maintain liquidity - Access funds without the rigid lock-up periods typically associated with traditional fixed deposits.

Zero barriers to entry - With no minimum investment requirements, businesses can start with any amount.

Aspire Yield was first introduced in Singapore in August 2025 and has since added more than US $5 million in AUM each week.

"This licence allows us to tackle long-standing treasury challenges where competitive investment options have often been out of reach for smaller businesses, requiring large minimum balances, manual cash management, and complex banking relationships that typically favour larger corporations," said Andrea Baronchelli, co-founder and CEO of Aspire. "Businesses need their capital to work harder, but they also need immediate access when opportunities or challenges arise ? we want to make every dollar more productive."

Hong Kong has quickly emerged as one of Aspire's fastest-growing markets. Over the past year, the company has recorded 3.3X growth in the city, driven by strong adoption among startups and digitally native businesses operating across multiple markets.

Businesses interested in Aspire Yield can learn more here: https://aspireapp.com/hk/yield.

Hashtag: #Aspire 

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

Singapore leads the region in maturity but faces critical scaling bottlenecks.

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 April 2026 - ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), one of the world's fastest-growing data centre colocation service providers headquartered in Singapore, today announced the findings of a new regional research study, Mind the Gap: Bridging the AI Infrastructure Readiness Divide, examining how organisations across Asia are progressing from AI ambition to execution. Commissioned by STT GDC with research partner Ecosystm, the study surveyed more than 600 enterprise and digital-native leaders across nine Asian markets: India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

High adoption, limited readiness across Asia

The report reveals that AI ambition across Asia is high, with nearly 90% of organisations having embarked on their AI journeys. However, a significant 71% remain in the "Builder" stage of maturity, where initial AI pilots struggle to scale into production environments capable of delivering consistent and measurable return on investment (ROI). In contrast, only 17% of organisations are considered "future ready", having invested in scalable infrastructure, mature data governance and specialised operational expertise, highlighting a widening readiness gap across the region.

Challenges faced by the Builders

Across Asia, the research identifies a reinforcing cycle that keeps many organisations stuck in pilot mode. AI initiatives are often launched on infrastructure that cannot scale to production, limiting their ability to demonstrate measurable ROI and making it harder to justify further investment in purpose-built, high-density environments. This challenge is compounded by gaps in in-house expertise, with many organisations lacking the specialist operational skills required to manage increasingly complex AI infrastructure at scale.

"Across Asia, organisations are moving quickly from experimentation to implementation, but many are discovering that AI success now depends less on training models and more on foundations," said Chris Street, Group Chief Revenue Officer of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres. "Without scalable infrastructure and operational readiness in place, it becomes difficult to convert early AI ambition into consistent business value."

The Sustainability Blind Spot

Despite rising energy and cooling demands driven by AI workloads, sustainability considerations remain secondary for most organisations when evaluating infrastructure options. Although 27% of organisations say ESG goals will actively shape or be central to their future plans, 64% of organisations across Asia continue to prioritise performance or cost, even as power density, thermal efficiency and long‑term total cost of ownership become increasingly critical factors in scaling AI responsibly.

A disconnect between what organisations want and what they need

The study also highlights a persistent disconnect between how organisations evaluate infrastructure partners and the capabilities they actually need to scale AI. Across Asia, organisations continue to prioritise baseline requirements like security and reliability, despite identifying operational expertise, scalability and cost efficiency as their most significant challenges.

Singapore: ahead of the region, but facing a new constraint

These challenges are visible across the region, but they manifest differently in more mature markets. Singapore stands out against the regional baseline with a significantly larger share of organisations having progressed beyond early-stage pilots. While only 17% of organisations across Asia are considered future‑ready, 40% of Singapore organisations have reached the Integrator stage, reflecting stronger early execution and deployment capability.

However, the study also finds that the final step to leadership remains the most difficult. Only 3% of Singapore organisations have reached the "Leader" stage of AI infrastructure maturity, signalling that even in Asia's most mature AI market, the transition from integration to full leadership remains difficult.

Scaling, not adoption, is now the key challenge

In Singapore, where adoption is more advanced, the constraints have shifted. Limited infrastructure headroom, shortages in specialised operational expertise and continued investment discipline are now emerging as the primary barriers to scaling AI workloads and sustaining leadership.

"For Singapore, AI adoption is relatively mature; the defining challenge now is scaling deployments fast enough to support real‑world demand," said Mingcheng Lim, Country Head - Singapore, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres. "Whether the country can maintain its lead in the region will depend on whether infrastructure capacity, specialist expertise and investment approaches can evolve at the same pace as AI workloads."

Sustainability awareness has yet to shape infrastructure choices

In Singapore, regulatory expectations have driven relatively high awareness of sustainability issues. However, sustainability continues to rank among the lowest priorities when organisations evaluate infrastructure providers, highlighting a gap between awareness and action, even as power density, thermal efficiency and long‑term cost efficiency become increasingly important to scaling AI responsibly.

The mismatch between wants and needs persists

As with the wider region, Singapore organisations continue to evaluate infrastructure providers based on familiar baseline criteria, even as their scaling challenges point to a growing need for specialist expertise, speed to scale and sustainable, high‑density infrastructure capability.

These findings suggest that Asia's next phase of AI progress will be defined not by ambition alone, but by execution capability. For Singapore, sustaining regional leadership will depend on infrastructure strategies that support scale, resilience and speed, enabling organisations to convert early AI momentum into enduring competitive advantage.

To download the report, Mind the Gap: Bridging the AI Infrastructure Readiness Divide, please visit: https://www.sttelemediagdc.com/resources/ai-readiness-assessment-report.

About ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) is one of the fastest-growing data centre providers with a global platform serving as a cornerstone of the digital ecosystem that helps the world to connect. Powering a sustainable digital future, STT GDC operates across Singapore, the UK, Germany, India, Italy, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, providing businesses an exceptional foundation that is built for their growth anywhere. For more information, visit https://www.sttelemediagdc.com/.

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

Hashtags: #STTelemedia #STTGDC