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<title>800,000 More Daily Journeys: Copenhagen&#039;s Next Mobility Challenge</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/800-000-More-Daily-Journeys--Copenhagen--039-s-Next-Mobility-Challenge</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/613_800-000-More-Daily-Journeys--Copenhagen--039-s-Next-Mobility-Challenge.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 July 2026 - There is something remarkable about Copenhagen.Stand in the city centre during rush hour and you will still hear bicycle bells, conversations spilling out from caf?s and children walking to school. It is not because the city has fewer people or less traffic. On the contrary, Copenhagen is one of Northern Europe&#039;s most dynamic capitals. What makes it different is that its mobility system is organised so well that it almost disappears into everyday life.</div><div><br></div><div>Green SM can help make thousands of daily journeys more convenient, safer and more reliable</div><div><br></div><div>That success has never been built around a single mode of transport. Copenhagen is not simply a cycling city, nor is it defined by its metro or buses. It is an integrated mobility ecosystem where every mode serves a distinct purpose. Bicycles are ideal for short trips. Public transport moves large numbers of people efficiently across the city. Walking remains part of daily life. Taxis fill the journeys that other options do not always serve well, whether it is an early morning airport transfer, an elderly passenger travelling home, a family carrying luggage or visitors arriving in the city for the first time. Rather than competing with one another, each mode strengthens the overall system.</div><div><br></div><div>Yet even one of the world&#039;s most successful mobility systems now faces a new challenge.</div><div><br></div><div>According to a joint mobility analysis by the Capital Region of Denmark and the City of Copenhagen, the Greater Copenhagen area is expected to generate around 800,000 additional journeys every day by 2035. That growth will be shared across every mode of transport, including approximately 290,000 additional walking trips, 110,000 cycling trips, 80,000 public transport journeys and 310,000 car trips each day.</div><div><br></div><div>These figures reveal an important reality. Copenhagen is not expecting people to abandon bicycles for cars, nor is it attempting to replace one mode of transport with another. As the population grows, tourism expands and economic activity increases, demand will rise across the entire mobility system.</div><div><br></div><div>The real challenge is therefore not deciding which mode of transport should dominate. It is finding ways to accommodate hundreds of thousands of additional journeys while preserving the quiet streets, public spaces and quality of life that have made Copenhagen one of the world&#039;s most liveable cities.</div><div><br></div><div>This philosophy is increasingly reflected in the city&#039;s approach to mobility. Walking, cycling, public transport, cars and taxis are no longer viewed as competing alternatives, but as complementary parts of the same transport ecosystem, each serving different travel needs.</div><div><br></div><div>The challenge is not unique to Copenhagen.</div><div><br></div><div>According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), road traffic remains Europe&#039;s largest source of environmental noise, affecting around 92 million people. The report concludes that electrification alone will not solve the problem. Cleaner vehicles are essential, but so are better urban planning and a more balanced transport system.</div><div><br></div><div>In other words, the future of urban mobility will not be determined by how many electric vehicles a city puts on its streets. It will depend on whether every journey is served by the right mode, at the right time and in the right place.</div><div><br></div><div>Even the best transport systems leave certain journeys uncovered.</div><div><br></div><div>Not everyone can cycle to the airport before sunrise. Elderly passengers may struggle with luggage on public transport. Visitors arriving in Copenhagen for the first time may not feel confident combining several transport options simply to reach their hotel. These journeys represent only a small proportion of daily travel, but they will always exist. This is where ride-hailing finds its place within the mobility ecosystem. It complements public transport and cycling rather than competing with them.</div><div><br></div><div>The quality of that service, however, depends on far more than the vehicle itself.</div><div><br></div><div>Ultimately, every journey is shaped by the person behind the wheel. A safe drive, professional conduct, punctuality, a warm greeting or a helping hand with a suitcase all contribute to the passenger&#039;s experience. In a city like Copenhagen, these small moments help shape the city&#039;s reputation just as much as its infrastructure.</div><div><br></div><div>This is the context in which Green SM enters Copenhagen.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the past three years, Green SM has accumulated experience from millions of journeys every day and billions of kilometres travelled in fully electric vehicles across Asia. Yet in Copenhagen, scale alone means very little. The more important question is whether a mobility service can integrate seamlessly into an already successful transport system and make it work even better.</div><div><br></div><div>For that reason, Green SM invests not only in an all-electric fleet, but also in rigorous driver recruitment and training covering safety, customer service, operational excellence and local cultural understanding. The objective is not simply to move passengers from one destination to another, but to deliver journeys that reflect the standards Copenhagen has spent decades building.</div><div><br></div><div>Perhaps that is why Copenhagen became Green SM&#039;s first destination in Europe.</div><div><br></div><div>The ambition is not to introduce a new model of urban mobility. It is to become a trusted addition to one that already works exceptionally well.</div><div><br></div><div>Ultimately, success in Copenhagen will never be measured by the number of vehicles on the road. The city does not need more cars simply to fill its streets. It needs mobility services that are available when people need them, complement the existing transport network and quietly step back once their role is complete, leaving the city every bit as liveable as before.</div><div><br></div><div>If Green SM can help make thousands of daily journeys more convenient, safer and more reliable, while preserving the rhythm of life that makes Copenhagen unique, that may be success enough.</div><div><br></div><div>Hashtag: #GreenSM&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:05:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>DFI Retail Group Holdings Limited 2026 Half-Year Results For The Six Months Ended 30 June 2026</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/DFI-Retail-Group-Holdings-Limited-2026-Half-Year-Results-For-The-Six-Months-Ended-30-June-2026</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/7130_DFI-Retail-Group-Holdings-Limited-2026-Half-Year-Results-For-The-Six-Months-Ended-30-June-2026.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 /><div><br></div><div>The following announcement was issued today to a Regulatory Information Service approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.</div><div><br></div><div>DFI RETAIL GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED</div><div>HALF-YEAR RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2026</div><div><br></div><div>Highlights</div><div>Underlying profit from continuing businesses1 grew 44% to US$117 million</div><div>Reported profit was US$118 million, compared to a US$38 million loss in the prior year period</div><div>Like-for-like (LFL) subsidiary sales growth from continuing businesses2 improved to 3%</div><div>Health & Beauty sustained strong LFL sales; Convenience and Home Furnishings returned to growth</div><div>E-commerce and DFIQ Media contributed to approximately 35% of sales growth</div><div>Return on capital employed improved to 12%, up from 9% as of December 2025</div><div>Interim dividend of US?6.20 per share, up 77% year-on-year. Maintain full-year dividend payout of 70%</div><div>Raised full-year organic revenue3 growth guidance to be between 3.0% and 4.0%, and underlying profit to be between US$285 million and US$305 million</div><div>Announced 100% interest acquisition of Cody Hong Kong (Cody HK), one of the leading outdoor advertising solution providers in Hong Kong</div><div><br></div><div>HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 July 2026 - "Our first-half performance, with underlying profit1 growth of 44% and a consistently improving LFL subsidiary sales trend, reflects the strength of our strategy in action ? a sharper value for customers, a strong focus on returns and execution with discipline. </div><div><br></div><div>This was supported by sustained momentum in Health & Beauty, as well as strong recovery in Convenience and Home Furnishings segments. Our acquisition of Cody HK&#039;s extensive outdoor media portfolio, together with its experienced leadership team, strengthens our capability to deliver full-funnel, omnichannel advertising solutions while accelerating the growth of DFIQ Media. As we continue to deepen customer engagement and build new profit pools through the DFI Omni Platform, we are well-positioned to deliver sustainable long-term value with greater earnings resilience."</div><div><br></div><div>Scott Price</div><div>Group Chief Executive</div><div><br></div><div>DFI HY2026 Table</div><div><br></div><div>DFI RETAIL GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED</div><div>HALF-YEAR RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2026</div><div><br></div><div>OVERVIEW</div><div><br></div><div>The Group delivered strong performance in an evolving macroeconomic climate, underpinned by disciplined execution and a focus on driving higher returns. A portfolio built on everyday essentials, combined with a strong value proposition with convenience, continues to resonate with customers against the backdrop of oil price volatility. For the first half of 2026, subsidiary LFL sales growth from continuing businesses4 further improved to 3%. This was driven by sustained strong momentum in the Health & Beauty segment, as well as a return to growth in both the Convenience and Home Furnishings businesses. Price reinvestment, supported by a reset in sourcing strategy, drove Food volume growth with Wellcome&#039;s basket price now trading at a discount relative to the Greater Bay Area5, compared to a premium in the prior year.</div><div><br></div><div>The Group&#039;s commitment to retail excellence, a lean overhead structure and expanded omnichannel touchpoints enables us to serve our customers with better pricing and better experience. The DFI Omni Platform further strengthens this by seamlessly integrating our extensive store network with digital capabilities, delivering greater convenience and personalisation while unlocking new value pools through rich, cross-format data insights. Developing and scaling high-margin revenue streams, including retail media (DFIQ Media) and insights monetisation (DFIQ Insights), will diversify our profit base and support long-term value creation.</div><div><br></div><div>To enhance operational efficiency and improve productivity of team members, the Group introduced GenAI-powered tools in the first half of 2026, with plans to scale deployment across operating markets in the coming months. In parallel, AI capabilities are increasingly embedded across core retail functions, including assortment optimisation, promotion planning and demand forecasting, to drive better, more data-driven decisions.</div><div><br></div><div>The Group undertook a thorough review of the cost structure with the aim of driving sustainable savings and improving long-term cost efficiency. This has led to a reallocation of resources and costs toward format-level operations, driving greater agility and responsiveness to evolving market conditions, while continuing to reduce central selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs through overhead optimisation. Combined with improving digital economics, underlying operating profit from continuing businesses6 grew 14% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. Improved operating performance and lower financing costs contributed to an 11% increase in underlying profit attributable to shareholders, or 44% from continuing businesses7 only.</div><div><br></div><div>The Group maintained a healthy balance sheet with a net debt position of US$22 million as of 30 June 2026. Return on capital employed further improved to 12%, up from 9% as of December 2025.</div><div><br></div><div>The Group declared an interim dividend of US?6.20 per share, representing a significant increase of 77% compared to the same period last year. This enhanced interim dividend distribution underscored the Board&#039;s confidence in the Group&#039;s underlying business momentum and strong cash flow generation, while ensuring sufficient capital for future growth in line with our 70% payout policy.</div><div><br></div><div>OPERATING PERFORMANCE</div><div><br></div><div>Overall</div><div>For the first half of 2026, underlying subsidiary revenue from continuing businesses6 was US$4.1 billion, up 4% year-on-year and 3% on a LFL basis. The growth was driven by strong performance in the Health & Beauty division, as well as a return to growth in the Convenience and Home Furnishings segments. Total revenue, including Maxim&#039;s, was US$5.6 billion. Excluding divestments7, total revenue increased by approximately 4%.</div><div><br></div><div>Overall underlying profit attributable to shareholders from continuing businesses7 grew 44% year-on-year to US$117 million, primarily driven by improved operating profit and lower financing costs.</div><div><br></div><div>Underlying subsidiary profit from continuing businesses6 was US$101 million, reflecting a 49% year-on-year increase, primarily driven by earnings recovery in the Home Furnishings and Food segment with lower SG&A expenses as a result of overhead reduction.</div><div><br></div><div>Underlying profit from associates was US$16 million, down from US$30 million in the prior comparable period, which included share of profits from Robinsons Retail ahead of its disposal. Excluding this, profit contribution from associates was up 22% year-on-year due to robust sales growth and effective cost optimisation at Maxim&#039;s.</div><div><br></div><div>The Group reported operating cash flow after lease payments of US$178 million, 16% higher than the prior year period, driven by underlying operating profit growth. Free cash flow for the period was a net inflow of US$85 million, down 5% year-on-year, due to increased capex investment in priorities that will further strengthen the Group&#039;s competitive position while driving long-term value for shareholders.</div><div><br></div><div>Digital</div><div>Capturing a significant share of daily essential customer missions in Hong Kong, the DFI Omni Platform ? powered by yuu ? enables deeper customer engagement across offline and online touchpoints, maximises data capture and unlocks incremental margin opportunities beyond core retail through DFIQ Media and DFIQ Insights. Overall digital turned profitable, with e-commerce and DFIQ Media contributing to approximately 35% of total revenue growth in the first half of 2026. This was supported by improved underlying e-commerce economics, a rising online sales penetration8 to 6.9% and 3 times in DFIQ Media revenue compared to first half of 2025. As of June 2026, more than 10,000 digital media-ready screens were available across DFI outlets.</div><div><br></div><div>Subsidiaries</div><div>Sales for the Health & Beauty division were US$1.4 billion, up 8% year-on-year from continuing businesses9, 7% in constant currency, or 6% on a LFL basis, with continued market share gains across key operating markets. Mannings and Guardian deepened their leadership as the trusted advisors for wellness through an enhanced, wellness-focused assortment and continued roll-out of skin and scalp assessment services across a wider store network. </div><div><br></div><div>The recently announced exclusive distribution partnership with Holland & Barrett, a leading UK health and wellness retailer, will further expand customer access to trusted wellness solutions in Hong Kong and Singapore, followed by a broader rollout across selected Asia markets in the coming years. In Hong Kong and Macau, Mannings delivered 5% LFL sales growth, driven by increased basket size and robust tourist store sales amid higher visitor arrivals. In Southeast Asia, Guardian achieved strong LFL sales growth of 9%, supported by higher basket sizes and improved promotional efficiency, with Indonesia and Vietnam delivering close to 20% LFL growth. Excluding the impact of cost reallocation and closure of Mannings China offline stores, divisional profit increased moderately by 2% to US$109 million. Margin declined primarily due to increased strategic promotions to drive stronger sales and market share in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia where health & beauty retailers did not benefit from the SARA Cash Aid Programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Total Convenience sales were US$1.2 billion, up 4% year-on-year or 2% on a LFL basis, as continued growth in higher-margin categories, including ready-to-eat (RTE) and exclusive collectibles, more than offset the decline in lower-margin cigarette volumes. Hong Kong LFL sales returned to growth in the second quarter following ten consecutive quarters of decline, supported by RTE and an expanded non-food assortment, including limited-edition collectibles and K-pop merchandise. </div><div><br></div><div>Excluding cigarettes, LFL sales were up 3% for the period. In Singapore, effective promotional campaigns and collectible product launches drove strong LFL sales growth of 8%. In South China, continued store network expansion through a capex-light franchise model - including a net addition of 112 stores since June 2025 to nearly 1,980 locations - contributed to 12% sales growth year-on-year or 6% on constant currency basis.</div><div><br></div><div> LFL sales were 1% higher compared to the prior year period, driven by the successful launch of Own Brand in key categories of frozen products and packaged drinks. The team remains focused on driving footfall and sales through further expansion of the RTE offering across both offline and online channels. This includes a broader rollout of the Food Bar to 453 stores as of June 2026, up from 325 at year-end 2025, and strong overall online sales growth of more than 35%. Excluding cost reallocation impact, profit for the division increased by 2% to reach US$37 million.</div><div><br></div><div>Reported sales for the Food division from continuing businesses10 were US$1.1 billion, up 1% year-on-year. LFL sales returned to positive growth of 0.5% in the second quarter of 2026. In Hong Kong, investment in reduced pricing on core basket items, a stronger fresh proposition, and Own Brand offering drove 2% increase in total volume and 0.5% LFL sales growth in the first half of 2026. As of June 2026, Wellcome&#039;s "Everyday Value" range has expanded to nearly 500 items, offering savings of up to 40%, bringing its basket price down from a premium to a discount relative to the Greater Bay Area. </div><div><br></div><div>The team also accelerated omnichannel growth with more than 35% growth in online order volume. In Cambodia, Lucky reported strong double-digit sales growth, with profit more than doubling year-on-year. The plan to open 50 new stores over the next few years remains on track. Macau Food sales remained challenging as a result of cross-border grocery shopping. Excluding the impact of cost reallocation and the divestment of Singapore Food, overall divisional profit increased by 27% year-on-year to US$17 million.</div><div><br></div><div>The Home Furnishings division delivered strong recovery in performance during the first half of 2026, with LFL sales growth of 4%, compared to a decline of 6% in the prior year period. Price reinvestment in core value SKUs, a stronger focus on locally relevant ranges and IKEA Food innovation drove increased footfall and items per baskets, resulting in a 3% LFL sales growth in Hong Kong and 5% in Taiwan. IKEA Food remains a critical traffic and revenue driver, accounting for 15% of total sales. In Indonesia, while offline sales momentum remained soft, LFL sales trend improved on a strengthening IKEA&#039;s omnichannel proposition with online sales penetration reaching 24%. Sales recovery and effective cost optimisation measures contributed to 85% growth in overall divisional profit, excluding cost reallocation impact.</div><div><br></div><div>Associates</div><div>The Group&#039;s share of Maxim&#039;s underlying profits was US$16 million for the first half of 2026, up 15% year-on-year, underpinned by continued cost optimisation and operational efficiency measures. Sales for the period increased by 4%, driven by strong restaurant performance in Southeast Asia and a return to growth in the Chinese mainland, partially offset by weaker sales in Hong Kong.</div><div><br></div><div>RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS</div><div><br></div><div>On 30 June 2026, the Group announced the acquisition of 100% interest in Cody Hong Kong (Cody HK), one of the leading outdoor advertising solution providers in Hong Kong, for a cash consideration of HK$30.2 million (approximately US$3.8 million) from ARN Media Network Limited (ASX: A1N), subject to customary adjustments.</div><div><br></div><div>The acquisition advances DFI&#039;s strategy to build a full-funnel advertising solution in Hong Kong through DFIQ Media. By integrating Cody HK&#039;s strategic assets - including multi-year exclusive advertising rights with Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) and Hong Kong Tramways (HKT) - with DFI&#039;s extensive store network, growing online user base, and closed-loop measurement capabilities, DFIQ Media strengthens its ability to deliver high-impact advertising solutions to a broader advertiser base across online, in-store, and outdoor channels.</div><div><br></div><div>Subject to satisfaction of third-party consents, the transaction is expected to complete in the second half of 2026.</div><div><br></div><div>PEOPLE</div><div><br></div><div>On 6 July 2026, the Group announced four senior leadership appointments effective from 1 August 2026. These moves reflect the Group&#039;s continued focus on strengthening its leadership pipeline and driving the next phase of growth with experienced, proven leaders.</div><div><br></div><div>Andrew Wong will be appointed Chief Executive Officer, DFI IKEA. Formerly CEO of Health & Beauty, Andrew brings extensive experience in driving customer-led growth, operational discipline and in-store digitalisation across multiple markets. His earlier leadership of franchise operations at Jardine Restaurant Group positions him well to lead the IKEA business into its next phase of development.</div><div><br></div><div>Curtis Liu, having most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Food, will be appointed Chief Executive Officer, Health & Beauty. His proven leadership in driving customer value repositioning in Hong Kong, combined with deep operational retail knowledge and digital experience at JD.com, positions him well to drive continued momentum and omnichannel growth in Health & Beauty.</div><div><br></div><div>Tom van der Lee will be appointed Chief Executive Officer, Food. Tom has played an instrumental role as Group Chief Financial Officer, driving financial discipline and supporting key strategic decisions across the Group. His prior experience at FrieslandCampina, a global food company, and his broad financial leadership across DFI banners in Southeast Asia supported his strong commercial grounding to lead the Food business.</div><div><br></div><div>Kaizhi Wu will succeed Tom as Group Chief Financial Officer. Kaizhi currently serves as Group Finance Director, Planning & Reporting, based in Hong Kong. Prior to joining DFI, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Yonghui Superstores Co., and earlier held senior roles at Jardine Matheson, Fosun Group and PwC in London. Kaizhi will join the Group&#039;s Management Committee upon assuming his new role.</div><div><br></div><div>OUTLOOK</div><div><br></div><div>The Group remains confident in our ability to navigate the evolving trading environment, supported by sharpened business priorities, a strong balance sheet and low-cost operating model. Financial outlook outlined at the Investor Day in December 2025 remains intact as DFI continues to execute our multi-year strategic initiatives that are critical to driving sustainable revenue and earnings growth. These initiatives include strengthening our value proposition, strategically expanding store network, enhancing omnichannel capabilities and accelerating digital asset monetisation through data-driven insights. In particular, the growing DFI Omni Platform will deepen our customer engagement, further reinforce our core retail strength and enhance overall earnings resilience in the long term.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite an elevated oil price outlook for the remainder of the year, the Group expects to deliver stronger profitability supported by enhanced operational efficiency. As a result, the Group revises up its full-year organic revenue growth11 outlook to be between 3.0% and 4.0% (up from previously 2.0% to 3.0%), and underlying profit attributable to shareholders to be between US$285 million and US$305 million (up from previously US$270 million and US$300 million).</div><div><br></div><div>Scott Price</div><div>Group Chief Executive</div><div><br></div><div>-----------------</div><div>1 Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business, closure of Mannings China and disposal of minority stake of Robinsons Retail</div><div>2 Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business and closure of Mannings China</div><div>3 Excluding Singapore Food and Mannings China</div><div>4 Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business and closure of Mannings China</div><div>5 Based on a third-party assured price comparison of a 200-item comparable basket between DFI and Shenzhen</div><div>6 Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business and closure of Mannings China</div><div>7 Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business, closure of Mannings China and disposal of minority stake of Robinsons Retail</div><div>8 Excluding cigarettes under Convenience and IKEA Food</div><div>9 Excluding Mannings China</div><div>10 Excluding Singapore Food business</div><div>11 Excluding Singapore Food and Mannings China</div><div><br></div><div>Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup&nbsp; #Mannings&nbsp; #Guardian&nbsp; #7-Eleven&nbsp; #Wellcome&nbsp; #MarketPlace&nbsp; #IKEA&nbsp; #yuu&nbsp; #Maxim&#039;s&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.</div>   ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>HKT unveils self-developed AI platform HKT.AI One-stop hub for global AI resources, advancing &quot;AI for All&quot; in Hong Kong</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/HKT-unveils-self-developed-AI-platform-HKT-AI-One-stop-hub-for-global-AI-resources--advancing--quot-AI-for-All-quot--in-Hong-Kong</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/4238_HKT-unveils-self-developed-AI-platform-HKT-AI-One-stop-hub-for-global-AI-resources--advancing--quot-AI-for-All-quot--in-Hong-Kong.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 July 2026 - HKT announces the launch of HKT.AI, a one-stop, integrated AI platform that enables businesses and individual customers to access a broad suite of prominent global AI resources through a single and intuitive interface. The platform aims to accelerate the mass adoption of AI in Hong Kong, especially in empowering SMEs in their digital transformation, and advance the vision of "AI for All."</div><div><br></div><div>HKT.AI aggregates a wide range of Chinese Mainland-based and global AI resources, enabling businesses and individuals to seamlessly access and switch across specialised applications and tools on a single platform to meet diverse work and everyday needs. At initial launch, HKT.AI offers four key features, including Image Studio, Writing Studio, Social Content Studio, and an AI Arena that help users select the suitable model. The platform also provides secure dedicated storage that automatically preserves chat histories, eliminating the need for users to search across different apps and facilitating future reference and reuse. This is reinforced by enterprise-grade security that safeguards customers&#039; uploaded data.</div><div><br></div><div>HKT.AI initially comes with around 20 preconfigured AI agents to facilitate an easy start. Addressing the needs of SMEs, HKT.AI offers a collection of Hong Kong-focused business AI agents that take on routine tasks, such as company filing and documents generation for assisting tax-related matters, to drive greater efficiency and competitiveness among SMEs. Designed for supporting a variety of business scenarios, the AI agents are categorised by job function to help users locate the appropriate tools, including auto roster planner and complaint response assistant, at ease.</div><div><br></div><div>For consumers, the platform features engaging and educational AI agents such as a personal fitness trainer, a star&#8209;chef cooking coach, and a creative naming tool. New features will be added on gradually, including PowerPoint and video generating tools.</div><div><br></div><div>HKT will offer businesses and individual users with a dedicated, round&#8209;the&#8209;clock hotline dedicated for AI support, along with a range of training sessions and workshops, ensuring users can master the applications and receive assistance in a timely manner. Designated specialists will also be provided to assist businesses with platform setup as needed.</div><div><br></div><div>Starting today, HKT will invite selected businesses and 1O1O customers to trial HKT.AI for free, with plans to gradually enrich the range of AI resources and agents and make it available to more customers.</div><div><br></div><div>Susanna Hui, HKT Group Managing Director, said, "HKT has been proactively capitalising the opportunities arising from the rapid advancement of AI, while accelerating its transformation from a traditional telecommunications service provider into an integrated data and intelligent technology enabler serving both enterprise and individual customers. We are committed to leveraging our network infrastructure, cross-industry ecosystem, diverse partner network, and extensive customer base to build an end-to-end innovation value chain spanning connectivity, data and intelligence, leading customers in embracing new technologies, empowering every step of their journey, as well as accelerating the broad adoption of AI. To advance this commitment, we are introducing HKT.AI, our self-developed, purpose-driven platform that transforms cutting-edge AI capabilities into intuitive, secure and reliable tools, all accessible through a single gateway designed to serve and empower businesses and consumers. Our goal is to support Hong Kong&#039;s "AI for All" vision and proactively align with the nation&#039;s "AI+" initiative, fostering the growth of the digital economy and a smart society."</div><div><br></div><div>Recently, HKT has introduced other AI-driven services, including the AI CMO marketing solution, which can rapidly generate marketing videos incorporating local language and scenarios based on social listening insights together with data analytics from The Club ecosystem for merchants&#039; use on The Club and their platforms. Tap & Go has also launched Hong Kong&#039;s first Single Use Card for consumers, enabling users to manage the risks associated with Agentic AI in transactional workflows and merchant data breaches.</div><div><br></div><div>Hashtag: #HKT&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.</div><div><br></div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:57:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>Centriq PR Champions Purposeful Communication Through Social Impact Initiative</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/Centriq-PR-Champions-Purposeful-Communication-Through-Social-Impact-Initiative</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/7245_Centriq-PR-Champions-Purposeful-Communication-Through-Social-Impact-Initiative.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>We.R.Wira Season 4 Equips Youth with Industry Ready Skills Aligned with UN SDGs</div><div><br></div><div>SELANGOR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 July 2026 - Centriq PR, independent Malaysian public relations consultancy, marked another milestone in its commitment to purposeful communication as Season 4 of its social impact initiative, We.R.Wira, culminated in the Golden Wira Awards Ceremony at Tan Yew Sing Auditorium, INTI International College Subang.</div><div><br></div><div>At its core, We.R.Wira reflects Centriq PR&#039;s belief that heroism lives in ordinary individuals-the everyday heroes ("Wira" ) who choose to act with passion and purpose for causes they believe in. By empowering youth to uncover and tell these stories, Centriq PR aims to nurture purposeful storytellers and future changemakers.</div><div><br></div><div>Equipping Youth with Industry&#8209;Ready Skills</div><div>As the communication industry evolves, Centriq PR recognises that practitioners need more than creativity. They must develop a deeper understanding of the United Nations&#039; 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), communicate their relevance to different audiences and connect with collaborators across sectors. We.R.Wira equips students with these industry&#8209;relevant skills by combining real&#8209;world storytelling, SDG alignment and academia&#8209;industry partnerships.</div><div><br></div><div>In her opening remarks, Managing Director of Centriq PR, Jacqueline Arnold, shared, "At Centriq PR, we believe storytelling has the power to educate, inspire and bring people together. Storytelling is more than creative expression; it is practice for life. Beyond learning to craft authentic narratives, students gain the ability to identify stakeholders with shared values, build meaningful collaborations and amplify stories across multiple platforms to inspire real impact. This is what PR is all about. Through We.R.Wira, we encourage young communicators to listen with empathy and give voice to everyday heroes who create positive change in their communities."</div><div><br></div><div>Season 4 recorded its strongest participation to date, receiving 41 submissions from four institutions: UOW Malaysia Glenmarie, UTAR Kampar, UiTM Shah Alam, and newcomer INTI International College Subang, which proudly hosted the ceremony. Collectively, participants explored 12 of the 17 UN SDGs, with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) most represented.</div><div><br></div><div>Building Skills Through Workshops and Resources</div><div>Centriq PR also led a workshop at INTI International College Subang, supported by a video series and workshop deck, to introduce strategic communications, SDG alignment and ESG&#8209;focused narratives. These resources gave students practical skills to connect their stories to sustainability goals and prepare to collaborate with stakeholders as future communicators.</div><div><br></div><div>Celebrating Storytelling as a Catalyst for Change</div><div>Entries were evaluated by a panel comprising Loke Pak&#8209;Yen (United Nations Association Malaysia), Frank Chan (MDEC), Norhizam Abdul Kadir (EVD Berhad), and Arnold.</div><div><br></div><div>The event brought together students, educators and industry leaders to celebrate storytelling as a catalyst for positive change, demonstrating how strategic communications can help advance the UN SDGs.</div><div><br></div><div>Academic Dean of INTI International College Subang, Mr. Eric Lee, noted, "This semester, INTI International College Subang aligned its Mass Communication module assessments with the We.R.Wira campaign, encouraging students to submit their coursework to the national competition."</div><div><br></div><div>Honouring Champions and Outstanding Stories</div><div>For its compelling storytelling and lasting community impact, the submission titled Anak Pulau: Below the Surface by UiTM Shah Alam emerged champion. Another submission by UiTM Shah Alam, Where Heart Meets: The Story of Tender Hearts Cafe secured the first runner&#8209;up spot, while Beyond the Sirens by UOW Glenmarie took second runner&#8209;up position.</div><div><br></div><div>For demonstrating exceptional merit and strong performance, four Honourable Mentions were presented to Colouring Lives (UOW Glenmarie) and Keep Wildlife Wild: Animal Neighbours Project, Sixteen Pillars, One Heritage, and Invisible Citizens: The Fight For A Name, all submitted by UiTM Shah Alam.</div><div><br></div><div>In the new Outstanding SDG Alignment category, the submissions titled Invisible Citizens: The Fight For a Name (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities) and The Lost Food Project: More Than Leftovers (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 2: Zero Hunger), UiTM Shah Alam emerged as winners for their powerful alignment with selected SDGs and ability to inspire awareness and action.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking Ahead to Season 5</div><div>Through We.R.Wira, Centriq PR is cultivating the next generation of communicators by equipping students with practical experience in strategic storytelling, SDG alignment, stakeholder engagement, and industry collaboration-skills essential in today&#039;s PR profession.</div><div><br></div><div>Season 4 leaves a resounding message: Change begins when those who care enough, dare to act. Looking ahead, We.R.Wira will return for Season 5, reaffirming Centriq PR&#039;s long&#8209;term commitment to nurturing future communicators through meaningful storytelling, collaboration and social impact initiatives.</div><div><br></div><div>The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:53:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>CSL Marks the Completion of the First Vessel in World-Leading Transhipment Fleet for Simandou Project</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/CSL-Marks-the-Completion-of-the-First-Vessel-in-World-Leading-Transhipment-Fleet-for-Simandou-Project</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/738_CSL-Marks-the-Completion-of-the-First-Vessel-in-World-Leading-Transhipment-Fleet-for-Simandou-Project.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>MONTREAL, July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The CSL Group ("CSL"), a global leader in responsible marine transportation services, announces the delivery of MV Wontanara, the first of five state-of-the-art transhipment shuttle vessels (TSVs) commissioned to service the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, one of the world&#039;s largest mining and infrastructure developments.</div><div><br></div><div>Designed by CSL and built at CSSC Chengxi Shipyard, this groundbreaking fleet of TSVs combines a 41,800-tonne deadweight capacity with a dual-boom self-unloading system that can transfer up to 12,000 tonnes of iron ore per hour, making it the fastest and most efficient TSV fleet in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>Purpose-built to move large volumes of iron ore efficiently between river terminals and offshore bulk carriers, the TSV design features a shallow-draft hull optimized for river navigation, five azimuth thrusters that deliver exceptional manoeuvrability and precision, and bi-directional navigation capability that enhances both safety and operational efficiency.</div><div><br></div><div>"The advanced design and cargo-handling capabilities of this fleet reflect CSL&#039;s expertise in transforming complex logistics challenges into practical, high-performance maritime solutions," said Louis Martel, CSL President and CEO. "Working closely with our customer, we designed an integrated transhipment system that enables safe, efficient and continuous high-volume exports in shallow-water environments."</div><div><br></div><div>CSL led the development of this transhipment solution from concept design through to engineering, construction and delivery. Leveraging its strong track record in self-unloading vessel design and transhipment operations, CSL established the fleet&#039;s technical requirements, led the engineering and design phases, and provided oversight throughout construction.</div><div><br></div><div>MV Wontanara is the first of five TSVs that will enter service in support of the Simandou project, with the balance of the fleet scheduled for delivery over the coming months.</div><div><br></div><div>The CSL Group is a world class provider of complex marine solutions and the largest owner and operator of self-unloading ships in the world. Headquartered in Montreal with operations throughout the Americas, Australia, Europe and Africa, CSL delivers millions of tonnes of cargo annually for customers in the construction, steel, energy and agri-food sectors.</div><div><br></div><div>MEDIA CONTACT</div><div>Brigitte H?bert, Director, Communications</div><div>514-653-8854 &#9474;brigitte.hebert@cslships.com</div><div><br></div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:46:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>2026 Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture &amp; Tourism Festival Takes Place in Daofu County</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/2026-Sichuan-Ganzi-Mountain-Culture--amp--Tourism-Festival-Takes-Place-in-Daofu-County</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/6827_2026-Sichuan-Ganzi-Mountain-Culture--amp--Tourism-Festival-Takes-Place-in-Daofu-County.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>DAOFU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 July 2026 - On July 24, the 2026 Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival opened at Yuke Grassland in Daofu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China.</div><div><br></div><div>Featuring a diverse range of activities, including nomadic culture performances, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and folk customs experiences, this year&#039;s festival showcases the region&#039;s unique nomadic culture with modern cultural tourism development. The event has attracted numerous visitors eager to experience the charm of grassland culture.</div><div><br></div><div>The opening ceremony transformed Yuke Grassland into a natural stage. Local herders drove cattle across the vast grasslands, carrying black yak-hair tents traditionally used by Kham pastoralists and holding urdah-traditional stone-throwing ropes used by Tibetan herders for livestock management. The scenes vividly recreated the millennia-old nomadic lifestyle of Kham communities, who have long followed seasonal migration routes in search of water and pasture.</div><div><br></div><div>Behind them came a grand procession of heavy cavalry and the legendary Gesar riders. Riders in traditional attire galloped across the grassland, valiant and heroic in bearing. A vibrant parade of ethnic costumes then took the stage, showcasing pulu-a traditional Tibetan handwoven wool textile-alongside modern tailoring designs, highlighting the blending of ancient culture and modern fashion.</div><div><br></div><div>"As the scenes of nomadic migration gradually unfolded before my eyes, a long-lost yearning for a simpler pastoral life suddenly welled up within me," said Mr. Zhang, a visitor who traveled from Beijing especially for the event. "My whole family loves the grassland lifestyle in Daofu. It is something you cannot experience in the city."</div><div><br></div><div>The Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival has been successfully held for seven editions to date. Running through July 26, this year&#039;s festival features eight major events, including the opening ceremony, the Ganzi 1,000-person ICH livestream showcase, and the fashion-inspired Guozhuang gala. Moreover, a range of grassland market activities-including ICH workshops, local produce exhibitions, local food tasting, and music-themed leisure gatherings-are being held in parallel, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience.</div><div><br></div><div>Daofu County, where this event took place, is situated in northwestern Sichuan Province, with an average summer temperature of around 24?C. The county boasts a remarkable blend of natural landscapes-including Yala Snow Mountain, Stone Forest Park, Yuke Grassland, alpine meadows, and Tianlong Lake-and cultural heritage, such as Kham traditions and the Highland Silk Road. From July 2021 to June 2026, Daofu County received a cumulative total of 10.4123 million tourists, generating nearly 11.454 billion yuan in tourism revenue.</div><div><br></div><div>The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.</div><div><br></div><div>Hashtags: #SichuanGanziMountainCultureTourismFestival #DaofuCounty #NomadicCulture</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:43:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>McVitie&#039;s owner sets 2030 target to double sales of products with a better nutritional balance</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/McVitie--039-s-owner-sets-2030-target-to-double-sales-of-products-with-a-better-nutritional-balance</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/3032_McVitie--039-s-owner-sets-2030-target-to-double-sales-of-products-with-a-better-nutritional-balance.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>LONDON, July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The company behind McVitie&#039;s, GODIVA and ?lker has pledged to double the volume of products it sells with lower levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat, and higher levels of nutrients such as fibre and protein, by 2030.</div><div><br></div><div>Snacking giant, pladis, said it would achieve the target by improving existing recipes without compromising taste, launching new products and expanding successful ranges into more markets.</div><div><br></div><div>The move comes as consumers increasingly seek snacks that fit their lifestyle and wellbeing goals without sacrificing taste and enjoyment. pladis believes the move will provide greater choice across its portfolio in response to those changing expectations.</div><div><br></div><div>Dr Jennifer Moss, Chief R&D Officer at pladis, said:</div><div><br></div><div>"People don&#039;t buy biscuits and chocolate because they&#039;re looking for a lecture on nutrition ? they buy them because they enjoy them. Great taste will always come first.</div><div><br></div><div>"What is changing is that consumers increasingly want more choice. They want products that fit their lifestyles and wellbeing goals, but they still expect the same great taste.</div><div><br></div><div>"We believe the brands that succeed in the future will be the ones that can deliver both. That&#039;s why we&#039;re committed to giving consumers more options while continuing to provide the enjoyment that has always been at the heart of our brands."</div><div><br></div><div>To support the target, pladis has developed a new global nutrition framework that will guide how products are developed, reformulated and marketed across its portfolio.</div><div><br></div><div>Built by the company&#039;s scientists, the framework draws on internationally recognised nutrition systems, including France&#039;s Nutri-Score, Australia&#039;s Health Star Rating and the UK&#039;s Nutrient Profile Model (HFSS).</div><div><br></div><div>The framework is applied across all pladis products and takes a balanced view of nutrition. It assesses both nutrients consumers are encouraged to have more of, such as fibre and protein, and nutrients many are looking to reduce, including salt, sugar and saturated fat.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, products identified by the framework as offering a better nutritional balance account for around 10 per cent of pladis&#039; sales volume. The company has set an ambition to double that volume by 2030.</div><div><br></div><div>This move comes on the back of long-standing work by pladis to evolve its portfolio. The company has already removed 676 tonnes of sugar from recipes in the UK - the equivalent of around 169 million teaspoons. In the Netherlands, it has revamped its Sultana fruit biscuits by reducing sugar and salt and increasing fibre. Reformulation efforts over the past decade have also seen ?lker remove 549 tonnes of fat from its products alongside reducing sugar and salt.</div><div><br></div><div>This pledge forms part of Happy People, Happy Planet, pladis&#039; newly launched global sustainability strategy.</div><div><br></div><div>pladis employs around 16,000 people and sells products in more than 110 countries.</div><div><br></div><div>For any press queries, please contact the pladis press office on 44 151 230 4899 / press.office@pladisglobal.com</div><div><br></div><div>Notes to editors:</div><div><br></div><div>All targets based on a 2023 data baseline.</div><div>Teaspoons of sugar calculation based on 4g in each teaspoon.</div><div><br></div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:39:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>Univar Solutions Acquires Interpur Chemicals, Expanding Access to Polyurethanes and Powder Coatings in EMEA</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/Univar-Solutions-Acquires-Interpur-Chemicals--Expanding-Access-to-Polyurethanes-and-Powder-Coatings-in-EMEA</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/4894_Univar-Solutions-Acquires-Interpur-Chemicals--Expanding-Access-to-Polyurethanes-and-Powder-Coatings-in-EMEA.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Univar Solutions LLC ("Univar Solutions" or "the Company"), today announced it has acquired Interpur Chemicals, a leading distributor of polyurethanes and powder coatings in Europe. The addition strengthens the Performance Materials business within Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions, expanding technical capabilities and regional coverage across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).</div><div><br></div><div>By combining Interpur Chemicals local market expertise with Univar Solutions&#039; supplier relationships and distribution network, customers will benefit from improved access to materials, stronger supply continuity, and greater support in addressing formulation and performance requirements.</div><div><br></div><div>"We&#039;re excited to welcome Interpur Chemicals to Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions, bringing together complementary portfolios, technical expertise, and strong customer relationships," said Nick Powell, CEO of Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions. "Interpur Chemicals&#039; position in one of Europe&#039;s fastest-growing CASE markets aligns with where we&#039;re focused. This step allows us to broaden what we offer customers while continuing to invest in capabilities that support long-term growth in key applications and end markets."</div><div><br></div><div>"This acquisition marks an important milestone for our performance materials business as we respond to growing customer demand for the essential products that enable modern, high-performance applications," said Matthew Oliver, senior vice president of Performance Materials for Univar Solutions. "By expanding our solutions and reach into high-demand markets and applications, we&#039;re enhancing our ability to support customers where it matters most - at the formulation and application level."</div><div><br></div><div>"We&#039;re excited for this new chapter of our business with Univar Solutions, a company that shares similar values and a long-term, relationship-driven approach to the market," said ?scar Garc?a, CEO of Interpur Chemicals. "This acquisition represents a meaningful next step for the CASE industry, combining technical credibility, strong supplier relationships, and trusted customer engagement to create an ideal platform for accelerating specialty product capabilities."</div><div><br></div><div>Univar Solutions brings more than a century of experience in chemical and ingredient distribution. Interpur Chemicals offers over 20 years of experience supplying chemical raw materials and technical consultancy for the polyurethane, resins, and powder coating industries. The companies have a shared commitment to transparency, service excellence, and social responsibility. 18 employees will join Univar Solutions through the transaction, supporting continuity for customers, suppliers, and other business partners.</div><div><br></div><div>About Univar Solutions</div><div>Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world&#039;s leading producers. With one of the industry&#039;s largest private transportation fleets and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.</div><div><br></div><div>Forward-Looking Statements</div><div>This communication contains "forward-looking statements" under applicable law regarding financial and operating items relating to the Company&#039;s business. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seeks," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or other comparable terms. All forward-looking statements made in this communication are qualified by this cautionary language.</div><div><br></div><div>Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company&#039;s control, that could result in expectations not being realized or could otherwise materially and adversely affect the Company&#039;s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Although the forward-looking statements are based on what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, we caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this communication is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this communication.</div><div><br></div><div>For additional information regarding factors that could affect the Company, please see the Company&#039;s most recent annual report and other financial reports, including the information set forth under the caption "Risk Factors." Any forward-looking statements represent the Company&#039;s views only as of the date of this communication and should not be relied upon as representing the Company&#039;s views as of any subsequent date, and the Company undertakes no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update any forward-looking statement.</div><div><br></div><div>FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Media Relations</div><div>Dwayne Roark</div><div>+1 331-777-6031</div><div>mediarelations@univarsolutions.com</div><div><br></div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:35:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>Bitget Supports UNICEF Game Changers Coalition Expansion Into Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Bolivia</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/Bitget-Supports-UNICEF-Game-Changers-Coalition-Expansion-Into-Bangladesh--Indonesia--and-Bolivia</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/3330_Bitget-Supports-UNICEF-Game-Changers-Coalition-Expansion-Into-Bangladesh--Indonesia--and-Bolivia.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The UNICEF Game Changers Coalition (GCC) now expands into Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Bolivia. The program, which delivers future-ready skills including digital education, AI and financial literacy to young people through video game development, is supported by Bitget, the world&#039;s largest Universal Exchange (UEX) as part of a three-year partnership launched in 2025.</div><div><br></div><div>The expansion brings the initiative&#039;s footprint to 11 countries globally, continuing its broader effort to improve access to digital education across emerging markets. GCC has so far been implemented across Armenia, Brazil, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, South Africa, and the newly added Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Bolivia.</div><div><br></div><div>Bitget joined the coalition in 2025 as part of a three-year collaboration with UNICEF to support financial literacy, including blockchain, and digital skills for young people, especially girls, in emerging economies. Through the partnership, Bitget contributes educational resources including blockchain-focused learning content and access to mentors from the Web3 ecosystem to support GCC programming.</div><div><br></div><div>The coalition has expanded rapidly over the past year, reaching more than 642,000 young people, parents, and teachers globally, with girls accounting for 52% of participants. More than 20,000 video games have been created by young people through the GCC curriculum.</div><div><br></div><div>Bitget&#039;s team witnessed the program&#039;s real impact during Cambodia&#039;s National Game Jam in December 2025, where over 1,000 young participants took part in a 48-hour challenge to create socially impactful video games. Cambodian teams had won four of seven categories in the previous global UNICEF Game Jam, a 40-day initiative through which young creators in emerging economies built original video games with mentorship sessions and a self-paced online course. "In Cambodia, UNICEF gave us a glimpse into the youth&#039;s aptitude. From coding garbage segregation to healthy eating, they built a range of real-world creative games," said Simran Alphonso, Head of Public Relations at Bitget. "With strong teaching skills of teachers, we&#039;re positive about our upcoming course and future endeavors which will support these leaders of tomorrow," she added.</div><div><br></div><div>"One of the reasons this partnership means so much to me is because I&#039;ve seen firsthand how quickly young people thrive when they&#039;re given the right opportunities," said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. "I still teach part-time at HKUST because it keeps me connected to what the next generation needs. Seeing UNICEF&#039;s Game Changers Coalition expand into three new markets means many more young people, especially girls, will have the chance to build those skills early. That&#039;s incredibly meaningful to me."</div><div><br></div><div>"Expanding the Game Changers Coalition into Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Bolivia is a milestone in our mission to equip young people, especially girls, with 21st century STEAM and financial skills to shape the future. With partners like Bitget, we&#039;re not just scaling education; we&#039;re fostering inclusivity, building a pipeline of women leaders, and unlocking economic empowerment across emerging markets," said Sandra Visscher, Executive Director of UNICEF Luxembourg.</div><div><br></div><div>GCC addresses the $15B annual economic loss from girls&#039; digital skills gaps in low/middle-income countries. To learn more, visit: www.unicef.org/innovation/gender-equality/game-changers-coalition.</div><div><br></div><div>About Bitget</div><div><br></div><div>Founded in 2018, Bitget is the world&#039;s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 120 million users with access to crypto, tokenized assets, and AI-powered trading tools across major blockchains. Its ecosystem includes Bitget Wallet, an everyday finance app used by over 80 million people. Bitget advances global crypto adoption through partnerships with MotoGP, and UNICEF.</div><div><br></div><div>For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com</div><div><br></div><div>About UNICEF</div><div><br></div><div>UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to reach the most disadvantaged children and build a better world for every child.</div><div><br></div><div>UNICEF Luxembourg supports this global mission by mobilizing private sector partnerships and voluntary contributions. It also advocates nationally to uphold children&#039;s rights-focusing on reducing inequalities, promoting gender equality, tackling child poverty, supporting mental well-being, and improving access to justice for every child.</div><div><br></div><div>Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:31:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>Menargetkan Wisatawan dari Taiwan, Jepang, dan Asia Tenggara! Busan Tourism Organization Meluncurkan &#039;Promosi Revisit Busan Pass 2026&#039;</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/Menargetkan-Wisatawan-dari-Taiwan--Jepang--dan-Asia-Tenggara--Busan-Tourism-Organization-Meluncurkan---039-Promosi-Revisit-Busan-Pass-2026--039-</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/1050_Menargetkan-Wisatawan-dari-Taiwan--Jepang--dan-Asia-Tenggara--Busan-Tourism-Organization-Meluncurkan---039-Promosi-Revisit-Busan-Pass-2026--039-.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>Promosi Revisit Busan Pass (Indonesia)</div><div><br></div><div>Promosi Revisit Busan Pass</div><div>- Meluncurkan program promosi yang saling menguntungkan dengan memberikan hadiah Busan Pay kepada wisatawan internasional yang kembali berkunjung ke Busan</div><div><br></div><div>- Proses pengajuan yang mudah hanya dengan bukti pembelian Visit Busan Pass dan bukti kunjungan sebelumnya ke Busan.</div><div><br></div><div>- "Mengharapkan meningkatnya minat wisatawan dari Taiwan, Jepang, dan Asia Tenggara yang mencintai Busan untuk kembali berkunjung."</div><div><br></div><div>Promosi Revisit Busan Pass</div><div><br></div><div>BUSAN, Korea Selatan, July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Busan Tourism Organization (BTO) mengumumkan peluncuran &#039Promosi Revisit Busan Pass 2026&#039;, sebuah hadiah sambutan khusus bagi wisatawan internasional mandiri (Free Independent Travelers/FIT) yang kembali berkunjung ke Busan.</div><div><br></div><div>Sejalan dengan meningkatnya penerbangan maskapai berbiaya rendah (LCC) regional dari Taiwan, Jepang, dan Asia Tenggara menuju Busan, kampanye ini akan menawarkan manfaat praktis bagi wisatawan cerdas yang ingin kembali jatuh cinta pada pesona Busan.</div><div><br></div><div>Promosi ini terbuka bagi wisatawan internasional yang pernah mengunjungi Busan dan kembali membeli Visit Busan Pass, yaitu tiket wisata khusus bagi pengunjung internasional, untuk perjalanan mereka berikutnya. Setelah memenuhi persyaratan, peserta akan menerima kredit Busan Pay senilai hingga KRW 20.000 sebagai hadiah. Mata uang lokal berbasis seluler ini dapat langsung digunakan layaknya uang tunai di berbagai usaha kecil yang berpartisipasi di seluruh Busan. Jumlah hadiah berbeda berdasarkan jenis pass yang dibeli, yaitu KRW 10.000 bagi pembeli 24-Hour Pass dan BIG3 Pass, serta KRW 20.000 bagi pembeli 48-Hour Pass dan BIG5 Pass.</div><div><br></div><div>Proses pengajuannya sangat mudah. Wisatawan hanya perlu mengunjungi microsite promosi khusus yang tersedia dalam berbagai bahasa dan menyelesaikan tiga langkah sederhana berikut:</div><div><br></div><div>* Memasukkan informasi pembelian Visit Busan Pass, * Mengunggah bukti kunjungan sebelumnya ke Busan (seperti e-ticket Bandara Internasional Gimhae, kuitansi atau voucher hotel di Busan dari kunjungan sebelumnya, dan sebagainya), serta * Melakukan verifikasi akun Busan Pay untuk menerima hadiah.</div><div><br></div><div>Pejabat Busan Tourism Organization menyatakan, "Melalui kampanye Revisit yang kami selenggarakan sebagai bentuk apresiasi, kami berharap semakin banyak wisatawan dari seluruh dunia dapat merasakan keramahan Busan serta berbagai manfaat eksklusif yang kami tawarkan."</div><div><br></div><div>Promosi ini berlaku berdasarkan prinsip siapa cepat dia dapat selama anggaran yang telah dialokasikan masih tersedia, dan dapat berakhir lebih awal apabila anggaran telah habis. Informasi lengkap mengenai cara pengajuan dan hal-hal yang perlu diperhatikan dapat dilihat melalui pop-up multibahasa di situs web resmi dan aplikasi seluler Visit Busan Pass.</div><div><br></div><div>Visit Busan Pass Official, Tel: +82 1660-1122, visitbusanpass@tourpass.kr</div><div><br></div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:27:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>Psalion Backs Beezie in $4 Million Round to Reinvent How People Buy and Collect</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/Psalion-Backs-Beezie-in--4-Million-Round-to-Reinvent-How-People-Buy-and-Collect</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/5285_Psalion-Backs-Beezie-in--4-Million-Round-to-Reinvent-How-People-Buy-and-Collect.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>SINGAPORE, July 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psalion VC Fund III today announced its investment in Beezie, leading a $4 million funding round in the fast-growing innovative commerce platform that combines ownership, anticipation, discovery, and liquidity to turn transactions into experiences.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Beezie is not a marketplace - it is an anticipation engine. Users pull physical assets from a gamified pool, discover what they&#039;ve won, and decide instantly: keep it, or swap it back for 90% of the fair market value. Every physical collectible receives an on-chain digital twin, making it programmable, tradeable, and composable across verticals.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Since launch, Beezie has facilitated more than $170 million in GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) and surpassed $85 million in revenue year-to-date - growing over 50x in nine months. The platform has attracted 30,000+ active users since January 2026.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The round follows strong community interest - Beezie&#039;s late June raise on Echo, targeting $250,000, sold out in 10 minutes and was capped at $1 million within 24 hours.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"Beezie is exactly the kind of company our thesis is built around - a real consumer product, real revenue, and blockchain quietly doing the heavy lifting underneath. This is what web2 meeting web3 actually looks like in practice," said Tim Enneking, Managing Partner of Psalion.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The investment will support Beezie&#039;s continued expansion across collectibles, luxury, and entertainment markets, including inventory acquisition and geographic growth, as the platform scales its consumer base globally.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"At its core, Beezie is about making consumers feel something every time they transact. We&#039;ve built an engine that combines ownership, anticipation, discovery, and liquidity in a way traditional commerce platforms simply can&#039;t. We&#039;re thrilled to partner with Psalion as we continue scaling that vision across collectibles, luxury, entertainment, and beyond," said Andrea Miele, Founder & CEO of Beezie.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>About Beezie&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Beezie is building the next generation of consumer commerce for physical assets, by turning transactions into experiences. Starting with trading cards and expanding into luxury, entertainment, and additional categories, Beezie enables consumers to discover, own, trade, and sell physical assets through a single platform. Beezie&#039;s vision is to become the consumer infrastructure layer for physical assets, connecting brands, resellers, and consumers through engaging commerce experiences.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>About Psalion VC Fund III&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Psalion VC Fund III is an early-stage venture fund and part of Psalion, a global digital asset investment manager with decades of experience across traditional finance, asset management, and blockchain markets. The fund is focused on companies building at the intersection of web2 and web3 - including infrastructure, middleware, trade finance, decentralised finance, and consumer applications - and is managed by Conduit Asset Management Pte. Ltd., a MAS-licensed fund manager based in Singapore.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Contact: invest@psalion.com&nbsp; &nbsp;|&nbsp; &nbsp;www.psalion.com&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Disclaimer&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell securities, an offer to invest, investment advice, tax advice or legal advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prospective investors should consult their own legal, tax and financial advisers before entering into any investment arrangement.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:24:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>Psalion Closes Its Largest Fund Yet to Back the Next Wave of Blockchain Adoption</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/Psalion-Closes-Its-Largest-Fund-Yet-to-Back-the-Next-Wave-of-Blockchain-Adoption</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/2197_Psalion-Closes-Its-Largest-Fund-Yet-to-Back-the-Next-Wave-of-Blockchain-Adoption.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>SINGAPORE, July 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psalion today announced the launch of its third and largest venture fund to date - a USD 50 million vehicle aimed at the next wave of blockchain adoption.</div><div><br></div><div>The fund is structured as a Singapore-domiciled Variable Capital Company (VCC), managed by Conduit Asset Management Pte. Ltd. (CAM), which is licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The new fund aims to potentially back founders bringing blockchain into the real economy across infrastructure, middleware, trade finance, real-world assets (RWA), stablecoins, and decentralised finance (DeFi), focusing on pre-seed and seed stage companies, with an eye on consumer applications where web3 rails are quietly reshaping how people own, trade, and interact with assets.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"Crypto was the thesis. The traditional financial system was the antithesis. What we&#039;re investing in is the synthesis - where web2 businesses run on web3 rails," said Tim Enneking, Managing Partner of Psalion.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Psalion&#039;s previous two funds both launched in down markets - and the firm has no intention of changing that habit.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"Some of the best opportunities arise in down markets. Valuations are more reasonable, founders are more focused, and the builders who show up are in it for the long term," Enneking added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>About Psalion&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Psalion is a global digital asset investment manager focused on early-stage venture capital, yield strategies, and digital asset lending. Led by pioneers of the digital asset industry with decades of experience across traditional finance, asset management, and blockchain markets, Psalion serves institutions, family offices, corporate treasuries, allocators, and sophisticated investors seeking risk-aware access to digital asset opportunities.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Contact : notices@conduit.group&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Disclaimer&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell securities, an offer to invest, investment advice, tax advice or legal advice. The fund is available to accredited and institutional investors (as defined in the Securities and Futures Act 2001, as may be amended from time to time) only, subject to applicable laws and regulations.</div><div><br></div><div>The fund is not authorised or recognised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and is offered only pursuant to the exemptions available under the Securities and Futures Act 2001, as may be amended from time to time. MAS assumes no responsibility for reviewing, verifying and approving the contents of this release along with any other associated documents. Past performance is not indicative of future results.</div><div><br></div><div>Prospective investors should consult their own legal, tax and financial advisers before entering into any investment arrangement. The contents of this release may not be reproduced or referenced, either in part or in full, without the prior written permission of CAM.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:17:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>Philips delivers solid comparable sales growth and margin in Q2; reiterates full year comparable sales growth outlook; Adjusted EBITA and free cash flow outlook increased to reflect US tariff refund</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/Philips-delivers-solid-comparable-sales-growth-and-margin-in-Q2--reiterates-full-year-comparable-sales-growth-outlook--Adjusted-EBITA-and-free-cash-flow-outlook-increased-to-reflect-US-tariff-refund</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/1527_Philips-delivers-solid-comparable-sales-growth-and-margin-in-Q2--reiterates-full-year-comparable-sales-growth-outlook--Adjusted-EBITA-and-free-cash-flow-outlook-increased-to-reflect-US-tariff-refund.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 /><div><br></div><div>July 27, 2026</div><div><br></div><div>Q2 2026 Group performance</div><div><br></div><div>Comparable order intake declined 1%, due to timing of certain large orders</div><div>Group sales of EUR 4.4 billion, reflecting 4% comparable sales growth</div><div>Income from operations of EUR 609 million, including US tariff refund benefit of EUR 186 million</div><div>Adjusted EBITA margin increased to 16.4%, including US tariff refund benefit of effectively 4.2%</div><div>Operating cash flow of EUR 376 million, with free cash flow of EUR 222 million including receipt of US tariff refund</div><div>2026 comparable sales growth outlook reiterated; Adjusted EBITA and free cash flow outlook updated to reflect US tariff refund</div><div>Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips:</div><div>"We delivered another solid quarter with comparable sales growth of 4%, driven by all business segments, and strong disciplined execution within an uncertain macro environment. Customer demand for our innovations remains healthy, with certain large orders in North America shifting into the third quarter, while Europe delivered strong double-digit order growth.</div><div><br></div><div>Our plan continues to gain traction, creating value through focused segment strategies, differentiated platform innovations, commercial excellence and disciplined execution. We launched SmartIQ for our Azurion image-guided therapy platform and received several new regulatory clearances for our AI-powered innovations. Our teams around the world are focused on delivering better care for more people.</div><div><br></div><div>We largely completed the US tariff refund process during the quarter and continue to actively manage the broader macro environment, including inflation. Our productivity program is on track, helping to largely offset these pressures. We are strengthening our supply chain resilience as we continue to put quality at the heart of our operations."</div><div><br></div><div>Group and segment performance</div><div><br></div><div>Comparable order intake declined 1%, with growth in Diagnosis & Treatment offset by the timing of certain large Connected Care orders shifting into the third quarter. Comparable sales increased by 4% in the quarter, driven by growth across all segments.</div><div><br></div><div>Adjusted EBITA margin increased to 16.4%, including a US tariff refund benefit of effectively 4.2%. Excluding the US tariff refund benefit, Adjusted EBITA slightly decreased mainly due to cost inflation and higher tariffs, partly offset by higher sales and productivity measures. Net cash flows from operating activities remained broadly flat, with higher working capital outflows offset by the US tariff refund.</div><div><br></div><div>Diagnosis & Treatment comparable sales increased by 2%. Adjusted EBITA margin increased to 13.9%, including a US tariff refund benefit of approximately 4.6%. Excluding the US tariff refund benefit, Adjusted EBITA decreased mainly due to cost inflation, higher tariffs and unfavorable mix effects, partly offset by productivity measures.</div><div><br></div><div>Connected Care comparable sales increased by 2%. Adjusted EBITA margin increased to 17.8%, including a US tariff refund benefit of approximately 6.1%. Excluding the US tariff refund benefit, Adjusted EBITA increased mainly driven by operational improvements and productivity measures, partly offset by cost inflation and higher tariffs.</div><div><br></div><div>Personal Health comparable sales increased by 8%. Adjusted EBITA margin increased to 23.0%, including a US tariff refund benefit of approximately 5.0%. Excluding the US tariff refund benefit, Adjusted EBITA increased mainly driven by higher sales and productivity measures, partly offset by cost inflation.</div><div><br></div><div>Innovation highlights</div><div><br></div><div>Philips launched SmartIQ for its Azurion image-guided therapy platform, addressing the trade-off between image quality and radiation dose in coronary procedures. The technology enables an ultra-low dose protocol using over 50% less X-ray radiation than current low-dose settings, supported by the first published clinical evidence.</div><div>Philips unveiled the AI-powered Titanion MR, a next-generation ultra-high-gradient 3.0T MRI system, and a first-of-its-kind 4D MR solution for radiation therapy planning, enabling more precise imaging, improved visualization of moving tumors and enhanced clinical decision-making.</div><div>Philips partnered with healthcare providers across Poland to modernize more than 200 hospitals through over 300 healthcare technology projects under the country&#039;s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The large-scale deployment of imaging, image-guided therapy and patient monitoring solutions expands access to high-quality care nationwide.</div><div>Philips was selected through a tender led by Karolinska University Hospital to support Region Stockholm&#039;s hospital-at-home initiative, delivering more care at home, remote patient monitoring and AI-enabled clinical services for up to 15,000 patients annually.</div><div>Philips signed long-term enterprise imaging partnerships with a premier health system customer in the US and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in the UK. The cloud-based imaging collaborations will connect care teams, streamline workflows and improve access to critical patient information.</div><div>Philips strengthened its Personal Health innovation leadership with recognition from the Good Housekeeping 2026 Beauty Awards for the Lumea IPL 9000 and Sonicare 6400, and launched the new Philips S800 Compact Shaver in China.</div><div><br></div><div>Productivity</div><div><br></div><div>Disciplined cost management and productivity initiatives delivered EUR 132 million in savings in the quarter. Philips is on track to deliver EUR 1.5 billion in savings under its 2026-2028 productivity program.</div><div><br></div><div>Outlook</div><div><br></div><div>Philips reiterates its full-year 2026 outlook, updated to reflect the US tariff refund benefit:</div><div><br></div><div>Comparable sales growth: 3%-4.5%</div><div>Adjusted EBITA margin: 13.5%-14.0%, including a US tariff refund benefit of approximately 1%, compared to 12.5%-13.0% previously</div><div>Free cash flow: EUR 1.5-1.7 billion, updated to reflect the US tariff refund, compared to EUR 1.3-1.5 billion previously</div><div><br></div><div>Within the context of an uncertain macro-environment, Philips&#039; 2026 outlook includes currently known tariffs. It excludes ongoing Philips Respironics-related proceedings, including the investigation by the US Department of Justice and the State Attorneys General.</div><div><br></div><div>Capital allocation</div><div><br></div><div>Philips completed its dividend distribution for 2025 in the second quarter of 2026. As approved by the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 8, 2026, a dividend of EUR 0.85 per common share was paid in cash or shares at the election of the shareholder, with 43.8% paid in cash.</div><div><br></div><div>Further information: conference call, video webcast and website</div><div><br></div><div>Roy Jakobs, CEO, and Charlotte Hanneman, CFO, will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 08:00 am CET on July 28, 2026, to discuss the results. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Philips Investor Relations webpage and can be accessed here. A replay and related materials, which include additional information, including forward-looking statements and further information on our outlook, will be available on the Philips Investor Relations webpage.</div><div><br></div><div>Click here to view the release online</div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>For further information, please contact:</div><div><br></div><div>Michael Fuchs</div><div>Philips Global External Relations</div><div>Tel.: +31 6 1486 9261</div><div>E-mail: michael.fuchs@philips.com</div><div><br></div><div>Dorin Danu</div><div>Philips Investor Relations</div><div>Tel.: +31 20 59 77055</div><div>E-mail: dorin.danu@philips.com</div><div><br></div><div>About Royal Philips</div><div>Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people&#039;s health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips&#039; patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home.</div><div><br></div><div>Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in image-guided therapy, diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, monitoring, enterprise informatics and personal health. Philips generated 2025 sales of approximately EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 63,700 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.</div><div><br></div><div>Forward-looking statements and other important information</div><div><br></div><div>Forward-looking statements</div><div><br></div><div>This document and the related oral presentation, including responses to questions following the presentation, contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements made about our strategy, estimates of sales growth, future Adjusted EBITA*, future restructuring and acquisition-related charges and other costs, future developments in Philips&#039; organic business and the completion of acquisitions and divestments. Forward-looking statements can be identified generally as those containing words such as "anticipates", "assumes", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "should", "will", "will likely result", "forecast", "outlook", "projects", "may" or similar expressions. By their nature, these statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements.</div><div><br></div><div>These factors include, but are not limited to, macro-economic and geopolitical changes - including the war in Ukraine and ongoing tensions in the Middle East ? as well as measures such as enacted and proposed tariffs and trade actions introduced in response to rising global tensions; Philips&#039; ability to keep pace with the changing health technology environment; Philips&#039; ability to gain leadership in artificial intelligence and health informatics in response to developments in the health technology industry; integration of acquisitions and their delivery on business plans and value creation expectations; ability to meet expectations with respect to ESG-related matters; securing and maintaining Philips&#039; intellectual property rights, and unauthorized use of third-party intellectual property rights; failure of products and services to meet quality or security standards, adversely affecting patient safety and customer operations; the resilience of our supply chain; challenges in simplifying our organization and our ways of working; attracting and retaining personnel; breach of cybersecurity; challenges in driving operational excellence and speed in bringing innovations to market; treasury and financing risks; tax risks; reliability of internal controls; compliance with regulations and standards involving quality, product safety, (cyber) security and artificial intelligence; and compliance with business conduct rules and regulations including privacy, existing and upcoming ESG disclosure and due diligence requirements. As a result, Philips&#039; actual future results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set forth in such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could cause future results to differ from such forward-looking statements, see also the Further information chapter included in the Annual Report 2025.</div><div><br></div><div>Third-party market share data</div><div><br></div><div>Statements regarding market share contained in this document, including those regarding Philips&#039; competitive position, are based on outside sources such as specialized research institutes, as well as industry and dealer panels, in combination with management estimates. Where information is not yet available to Philips, market share statements may also be based on estimates and projections prepared by management and/or based on outside sources of information. Management&#039;s estimates of rankings are based on order intake or sales, depending on the business.</div><div><br></div><div>Market Abuse Regulation</div><div><br></div><div>This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.</div><div><br></div><div>Use of non-IFRS information</div><div><br></div><div>In presenting and discussing the Philips Group&#039;s financial position, operating results and cash flows, management uses certain non-IFRS financial measures. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be viewed in isolation as alternatives to the equivalent IFRS measure and should be used in conjunction with the most directly comparable IFRS measures. Non-IFRS financial measures do not have standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. A reconciliation of these non-IFRS measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures is contained in this document. Further information on non-IFRS measures can be found in the Annual Report 2025.</div><div><br></div><div>Presentation</div><div><br></div><div>All amounts are in millions of euros unless otherwise stated. Due to rounding, amounts may not add up precisely to totals provided. All reported data is unaudited. Financial reporting is in accordance with the accounting policies as stated in the Annual Report 2025. Certain prior-year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.</div><div><br></div><div>*) Non-IFRS financial measure. Refer to Reconciliation of non-IFRS information.</div><div><br></div>   ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:06:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>FREELANDER Middle East Launch Countdown - British Premium SUV Setting a New Global Benchmark for Intelligent Parking with SIVP</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/FREELANDER-Middle-East-Launch-Countdown---British-Premium-SUV-Setting-a-New-Global-Benchmark-for-Intelligent-Parking-with-SIVP</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/1220_FREELANDER-Middle-East-Launch-Countdown---British-Premium-SUV-Setting-a-New-Global-Benchmark-for-Intelligent-Parking-with-SIVP.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>SHANGHAI, July 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chery Group&#039;s FREELANDER has announced that preparations for its Middle East regional launch in Abu Dhabi are now underway. As FREELANDER&#039;s first strategic nameplate for the international market, FREELANDER 8 embodies the brand&#039;s three core pillars - British Craftsmanship, Smart Confidence, and All-Terrain Freedom - combining authentic British design, intelligent technology, and premium quality to offer global consumers a new intelligent mobility choice.</div><div><br></div><div>As a key highlight of this product, FREELANDER is the first to introduce the SIVP (Super Intelligent Valet Parking) to the Middle East market in the segment, becoming the first and only British premium brand to equip the SIVP system. This redefines the benchmark for intelligent premium in SUVs by delivering a smarter, more convenient, and safer parking experience.</div><div><br></div><div>Built on the brand-led R&D of a full-domain international intelligent driving solution, the Middle East edition integrates 27 high-performance sensors - 3 millimeter-wave radars, 11 high-definition perception cameras, 1 front DTOF and 12 ultrasonic radars - covering space search, parking, exit and summon scenarios, and redefining the intelligent parking experience. The system is engineered to adapt fully to the region&#039;s high-temperature, high-glare and complex road conditions.</div><div><br></div><div>As the brand&#039;s most comprehensive parking system, SIVP represents the ultimate form of the parking function matrix. Built on the foundation of APA (Automated Parking Assist), RPA (Remote Parking Assist) and other multi-tier parking technologies, SIVP delivers four core intelligent experience advantages that speak directly to the everyday parking pain points of users:</div><div><br></div><div>One-Touch Summon, Effortless Pickup and Return - Through the mobile App, users can summon the vehicle to a designated meeting point. In heavy rain or extreme heat, there is no need to walk across a high temperature or heavy raining parking lot to find the car.</div><div>Autonomous Yielding, Courteous Driving - The system intelligently senses the surrounding environment, actively identifies pedestrians and yield to them, with natural, human-like driving behavior.</div><div>Remote Monitoring, Full Visibility and Control - Through the mobile App, users can view real-time video of the vehicle&#039;s surroundings, with the entire parking process visible and safe.</div><div>Smart Negotiation, Intelligent Yielding at Oncoming Traffic - The system intelligently senses oncoming vehicles, automatically determines the best yielding strategy and retreats, improving driving efficiency.</div><div>For the high-frequency Middle East usage scenarios, SIVP delivers full-scenario adaptability: outdoor parking lots, enclosed underground parking, standard marked parking spaces and narrow irregular spaces can all be parked with ease - trouble-free in complex environments such as strong sunlight, heavy rain or extreme heat. From the scramble for a space at peak hours in shopping malls, to the risk of scraping in tight spaces, to the difficulty of finding the car in large parking lots - SIVP addresses them all in one solution. Beyond practicality, the system delivers a distinctive emotional value: users can remotely operate the vehicle to glide smoothly to them, open the boot to present flowers or gifts, turning every arrival into a moment of occasion and surprise.</div><div><br></div><div>About FREELANDER</div><div><br></div><div>FREELANDER is a British Premium Intelligent All-Terrain brand co-developed by Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. JLR leads the design and premium DNA, while Chery brings advanced technology and global top-tier supply chain capabilities. The brand is supported by a strong global foundation, including over 5,000 employees, five strategic hubs, and fully integrated capabilities spanning design, R&D, manufacturing, and global operations.</div><div><br></div><div>Vincent CHEN</div><div><br></div><div>freelander.international@mychery.com</div><div><br></div><div>https://www.cheryinternational.com/</div><div><br></div><div>Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:54:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>UEM Edgenta Reinforces Commitment to Sarawak&#039;s Infrastructure with Batang Lupar Bridge</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/UEM-Edgenta-Reinforces-Commitment-to-Sarawak--039-s-Infrastructure-with-Batang-Lupar-Bridge</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/2980_UEM-Edgenta-Reinforces-Commitment-to-Sarawak--039-s-Infrastructure-with-Batang-Lupar-Bridge.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 July 2026 - UEM Edgenta Berhad ("UEM Edgenta" or "the Company"), a leading Asset Management and Infrastructure Solutions company serving as the appointed Project Management Consultant (PMC), continues to drive Sarawak&#039;s infrastructure development forward.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the successful completion of the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak, the Company has further strengthened its project management capabilities through the monumental Sarawak Coastal Road and the Second Trunk Road (CSTR). A centrepiece of these RM11 billion mega infrastructure projects is the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge, officially launched by the Premier of Sarawak on 9 July. Standing as the longest river crossing bridge in Malaysia, this structure is more than just a marvel of concrete and steel; it serves as a critical artery designed to physically unify the state&#039;s coastal road network.</div><div><br></div><div>Behind the completed structure linking Sebuyau to Triso lies the true story of the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge ? a story of the quiet, relentless engineering determination that brought it to life. Spearheaded by Jabatan Kerja Raya Sarawak (JKR Sarawak) as the project&#039;s principal team lead, delivering a mega-structure across one of the state&#039;s most formidable rivers demanded an extraordinary level of technical governance. Working in close partnership with JKR Sarawak, UEM Edgenta provided the critical project management and technical oversight necessary to execute this ambitious vision safely and efficiently.</div><div><br></div><div>Spanning an immense 4.844 kilometers across the Batang Lupar estuary, this cable-stayed bridge crosses a major geographic barrier that has historically isolated coastal communities. The bridge forms part of the CSTR network, comprising 14 major bridges, including five (5) distinctive cable-stayed structures that have become icons of Sarawak&#039;s infrastructure development. Constructing a structure of this scale requires driving deep foundation piles into complex riverbed soils and managing hundreds of thousands of metric tons of materials. As the PMC, UEM Edgenta was tasked with the immense responsibility of navigating these challenges, which meant aligning multiple contractors, ensuring international quality and safety compliance, and keeping a massive multi-year timeline on track despite unpredictable environmental variables.</div><div><br></div><div>Shaiful Subhan, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UEM Edgenta, commented on the scale of this technical orchestration, "Bridging massive geographical divides requires an arrangement of immense technical capabilities. At UEM Edgenta, our infrastructure solutions are designed to handle precisely this level of complexity, ensuring that the structural integrity and project management of the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge meet the highest international safety and quality standards."</div><div><br></div><div>To execute this, UEM Edgenta brought cutting-edge project management technology to the forefront. A project of this magnitude requires more than traditional oversight; it demands high digital precision to meet stringent specifications. By leveraging real-time construction analytics combined with drone-assisted site reporting, UEM Edgenta and the project teams maintained total visibility over the nearly five (5) kilometer span to conduct stringent quality assurance. This tech-driven governance ensured every component was fabricated and installed to exact specifications before it even reached the water.</div><div><br></div><div>Crucially, the Company&#039;s role on the ground extends beyond immediate project delivery; by actively integrating local Sarawakian engineers and contractors into these advanced BIM and drone methodologies, the project serves as a live incubator for specialised knowledge transfer, elevating the state&#039;s internal capacity to manage future marine mega-structures.</div><div><br></div><div>The challenges of the Batang Lupar project were not solely topographical or structural; they were fiercely environmental. The river is notoriously dynamic, featuring aggressive tidal bores and fast-flowing currents. More pressingly, the Batang Lupar Basin is the natural habitat for one of the densest populations of estuarine saltwater crocodiles in the region, infamously ingrained in local history through the legend of Bujang Senang. For UEM Edgenta, managing site safety meant rewriting the standard operational playbook. Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) governance had to extend beyond typical heavy machinery protocols to include strict maritime safety measures, tidal monitoring, and specialised ecological awareness. Achieving milestone man-hours without major incident in a challenging riverine environment known for strong tidal bores and estuarine crocodile populations is a testament to the rigorous safety culture the Company enforces on the ground.</div><div><br></div><div>Ultimately, the engineering expertise invested in the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge is measured not only by the structure itself, but by the lasting impact it will have on the people and communities it connects. For decades, traveling between the coastal towns separated by this massive river meant relying on ferry services, a bottleneck that stifled local commerce and delayed emergency services. By successfully overseeing the bridging of this gap, UEM Edgenta is supporting the Sarawak State Government in the latter&#039;s effort to close massive socio-economic divides. The bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel times, unlock new investment opportunities along the coastal belt, strengthen agricultural supply chains, and improve rural communities&#039; access to essential healthcare and education hubs.</div><div><br></div><div>With Sarawak Day recently commemorated, the timing of this launch carries profound weight. Raihana Ahmad, Managing Director of Infrastructure Solutions at UEM Edgenta, reflects on the project&#039;s deeper meaning the project embodies. "This bridge is a physical manifestation of unity. For us at UEM Edgenta, overseeing this project was a national duty. In line with Sarawak Day, we are immensely proud to see how our engineering oversight has helped turn a concrete structure into a vital lifeline that will bring shared prosperity to our rural and coastal communities."</div><div><br></div><div>These efforts were recently recognised with the IEM Pinnacle Award 2026 in the Engineering & Construction category, presented by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) at its 67th Annual Dinner & Awards Night. The award acknowledges UEM Edgenta&#039;s role as the PMC, working alongside JKR Sarawak in delivering this flagship project.</div><div><br></div><div>Batang Lupar 1 Bridge stands today not just as the longest river-crossing bridge in the nation, but as a towering symbol of state pride and economic sovereignty. Behind its majestic span is the rigorous technical expertise and governance, technological innovation, and unyielding safety standards of UEM Edgenta quietly driving the realisation of Sarawak&#039;s greatest infrastructural aspirations.</div><div><br></div><div>For further information on UEM Edgenta, log on to https://www.uemedgenta.com.</div><div><br></div><div>Hashtag: #UEMEdgenta&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.</div><div><br></div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:26:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>HiDream.ai Raises RMB 1.5 Billion Series C to Advance Native Omni-modal World Models</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/HiDream-ai-Raises-RMB-1-5-Billion-Series-C-to-Advance-Native-Omni-modal-World-Models</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/8823_HiDream-ai-Raises-RMB-1-5-Billion-Series-C-to-Advance-Native-Omni-modal-World-Models.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>The round brings HiDream.ai&#039;s total financing over the past three months to more than RMB 2.1 billion and marks its entry into unicorn status</div><div><br></div><div>BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 July 2026 - HiDream.ai, a global large-model AI technology company, has announced the completion of a RMB 1.5 billion Series C financing round. The round was co-led by the National Social Security Fund Sichuan Revitalization Sci-Tech Innovation Fund, ICBC Capital, Hongyi Asset Management and Dunhong Capital.</div><div><br></div><div>New investors including Xiamen ITG Capital, Shanghai Film New Vision Fund, Hubei Yangtze River Industry Investment Group, Huace Film & TV, Hangyuan Capital, Chuangyunhai Capital, Huafu Investment, Yuhang Financial Holding, Bank of Communications Capital and Wakamatsu Fund also participated. Existing shareholders including Hefei Industrial Investment, Fortune Capital, Kingpo Investment, Jinhua Capital, Zhongzhe Capital and Caixin Capital continued to back the company.</div><div><br></div><div>The round brings together national-level long-term capital, regional government-backed investment platforms, industry investors and venture capital firms. HiDream.ai said the funding will support its development of native omni-modal world models and the expansion of its product and commercial ecosystem.</div><div><br></div><div>The Series C follows two earlier rounds completed within the past three months, bringing HiDream.ai&#039;s total financing during the period to more than RMB 2.1 billion. With the latest round, the company has entered unicorn status.</div><div><br></div><div>"Forward-looking judgment on AI technology and continued innovation in large-model architecture have always been core to HiDream.ai&#039;s growth," said Mei Tao, founder and CEO of HiDream.ai. "We believe the evolution from multimodal AI to native omni-modal world models is an essential path toward AGI. With this funding, we will continue building the foundation for native omni-modal world models and work with global developers and partners to expand the boundaries of intelligence."</div><div><br></div><div>Long-term Capital Backs HiDream.ai&#039;s AI Roadmap</div><div><br></div><div>The round includes national-level long-term capital, technology-focused financial investors and multiple regional government-backed investment platforms.</div><div><br></div><div>The participation of the National Social Security Fund Sichuan Revitalization Sci-Tech Innovation Fund as a co-lead investor reflects growing institutional support for foundational AI technologies and critical AI infrastructure.</div><div><br></div><div>Regional investment platforms including Hefei Industrial Investment, Xiamen ITG Capital, Yuhang Financial Holding and Hubei Yangtze River Industry Investment Group also participated or increased their exposure, providing support across capital, industrial resources and application scenarios.</div><div><br></div><div>Existing shareholder Hefei Industrial Investment has backed HiDream.ai across three consecutive rounds, underscoring long-term confidence in the company and its alignment with Hefei&#039;s strategy to develop a hard-tech and AI innovation hub.</div><div><br></div><div>HiDream.ai said support from long-term institutional capital and regional government-backed investors will help provide full-cycle backing for model research, product development and industrial deployment.</div><div><br></div><div>Industry Investors Deepen Content and Entertainment Partnerships</div><div><br></div><div>The Series C round also introduced leading film and entertainment industry investors, including Shanghai Film New Vision Fund and Huace Film & TV.</div><div><br></div><div>HiDream.ai said these partnerships will expand its access to film and entertainment resources, production scenarios and high-quality content data, supporting innovation in AI-native content production.</div><div><br></div><div>The company has been working with Shanghai Film Co., Ltd. on next-generation content production, cinema scenario upgrades, AI-powered cross-screen marketing, and AI-enabled large-screen production standards and workflows.</div><div><br></div><div>HiDream.ai also plans to collaborate with Huace Film & TV on AI agent-assisted content creation, corpus co-development, premium content co-production and full-chain IP development.</div><div><br></div><div>Together with earlier cooperation with Hubei Yangtze River Film Group, the addition of Shanghai Film New Vision Fund and Huace Film & TV further expands HiDream.ai&#039;s role in China&#039;s film and entertainment ecosystem and provides richer data and application scenarios for its video models.</div><div><br></div><div>From Native Omni-modal Models to World Models</div><div><br></div><div>HiDream.ai is among China&#039;s earliest companies focused on multimodal generative AI. Built on its self-developed HiDream model family, the company has developed a portfolio of AI products and a global commercial network across content creation, marketing, and film and entertainment production.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this year, HiDream.ai&#039;s native omni-modal HiDream-O1 model series, based on its original UiT, or Unified Transformer, architecture, achieved leading results on the text-to-image leaderboard of Artificial Analysis, a global independent AI model evaluation and analytics platform. The open-source version ranked first globally, while the closed-source version ranked among the global top three, positioning HiDream.ai among the leading players in visual generative AI.</div><div><br></div><div>At the product and commercialization level, HiDream.ai is pursuing a dual-engine strategy combining foundation models and AI agents. Built on the HiDream-O1 model series, its "1+1+3" framework includes one foundation model, one Token Hub platform for standardized model capability output, and three application areas: commercial marketing, film and entertainment production, and content creation.</div><div><br></div><div>At WAIC 2026, HiDream.ai introduced vivago R1, a multimodal creative agent with long-form video generation and editing capabilities. The "R" in R1 stands for long-horizon reasoning, reflecting a shift in AI-assisted creative production from generating isolated assets to planning, orchestrating and executing longer creative workflows.</div><div><br></div><div>HiDream.ai&#039;s products currently serve users in more than 100 countries and regions, including over 50 million professional users and more than 40,000 enterprise customers. The company said these commercial deployments validate the practical application of its native omni-modal architecture and provide a foundation for future scale.</div><div><br></div><div>HiDream.ai said its long-term vision is to move from multimodal AI to omni-modal AI and ultimately world models - systems capable of understanding, reasoning about and constructing dynamic environments. The company will continue advancing both large-model technology and AI agent products, accelerating the shift of AI from a tool to an intelligent partner.</div><div><br></div><div>Hashtag: #HiDreamAI&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.</div><div><br></div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:22:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>Dr. Gunther von Hagens, Inventor of Plastination &amp; Creator of BODY WORLDS, Has Passed Away</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/Dr--Gunther-von-Hagens--Inventor-of-Plastination--amp--Creator-of-BODY-WORLDS--Has-Passed-Away</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/8280_Dr--Gunther-von-Hagens--Inventor-of-Plastination--amp--Creator-of-BODY-WORLDS--Has-Passed-Away.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>HEIDELBERG, GERMANY - Newsaktuell - 27 July 2026 - It is with deep sadness that the family and the Institute for Plastination announce the passing of Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of Plastination and creator of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions. He died on July 24, 2026, at the age of 81.</div><div><br></div><div>Gunther von Hagens fundamentally transformed the field of anatomy. Through Plastination-the preservation techni?que he invented in 1977-he created an entirely new perspective of the human body for medical education, science and the general public. He made the complexity, vulnerability and beauty of the human body-previously reserved for the dissection room and anatomical textbooks -directly accessible to the wider public.</div><div><br></div><div>Together with his wife and curator, Dr. Angelina Whalley, Gunther von Hagens created BODY WORLDS, one of the most successful exhibitions in the world. Since its debut, the exhibition has been visited by more than 58 million people. BODY WORLDS made anatomy publicly accessible, encouraged reflection on health, disease, lifestyle and mortality, and inspired millions of people understand and appreciate their own bodies.</div><div><br></div><div>"Gunther wanted to give people the opportunity to look beneath the skin - not out of sensationalism, but from the deep conviction that knowledge of one&#039;s own body can contribute to a more conscious, healthier responsible life," says Angelina Whalley. "His work was scientific, educational and deeply humanistic. He enabled millions of people to see their own bodies in a new light."</div><div><br></div><div>His son, Rurik von Hagens, also honors his father&#039;s life&#039;s work, "My father never accepted that boundaries were fixed. He brought anatomy out of the closed world of specialists and into society. His courage, his perseverance and his unwavering belief that education serves humanity will continue to guide us."</div><div><br></div><div>Gunther von Hagens was a pioneer, researcher, inventor and creator. His life&#039;s work united scientific precision with exceptional craftsmanship, artistic expression and a strong commitment to education. He was an unconventional and often provocative thinker who sparked heated debates, overcame resistance and understood anatomy as an encoun?ter with life itself.</div><div><br></div><div>Body donation was always a central part of his work. The human specimens displayed in the BODY WORLDS come from individuals who, during their lifetime, decided to donate their bodies after death for Plastination, scientific research and anatomical education. Gunther von Hagens was deeply grateful to these individuals. He regarded their decision as an extraordinary contribution to education, science and public enlightenment.</div><div><br></div><div>It was Gunther von Hagens&#039; own wish that his body, too, be made available for Plastination after his death. His family will respect and carry out this wish.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite serious illness, Gunther von Hagens remained closely connected to his life&#039;s work. The Plastination technique he developed, the Institute for Plastination, the PLASTINARIUM and the BODY WORLDS exhibitions will carry his legacy forward. His scientific and craftsmanship-based legacy lives on in a particularly visible way in Guben. There, at the PLASTINARIUM, anatomical specimens are created for use in the education of physicians and other healthcare professionals at universities, medical schools and educational institutions around the world.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, Plastination itself is used at numerous universities, medical schools and educational institutions worldwide.</div><div><br></div><div>In this way, the mission Gunther von Hagens began nearly five decades ago continues far beyond BODY WORLDS:</div><div><br></div><div>to preserve anatomy permanently, to make it visible, and to make it accessible for science, teaching and public edu?cation.</div><div><br></div><div>The family kindly asks that their privacy be respected during this time of mourning.</div><div><br></div><div>The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:18:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>Shanghai Commercial Bank Unveils New Look of West Point Branch Introducing Automated Safe Deposit Box Service for Enhanced Privacy and Security</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/Shanghai-Commercial-Bank-Unveils-New-Look-of-West-Point-Branch-Introducing-Automated-Safe-Deposit-Box-Service-for-Enhanced-Privacy-and-Security</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/1544_Shanghai-Commercial-Bank-Unveils-New-Look-of-West-Point-Branch-Introducing-Automated-Safe-Deposit-Box-Service-for-Enhanced-Privacy-and-Security.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 July 2026 - Shanghai Commercial Bank ("Shacom Bank") today unveiled the new look of its West Point Branch at Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, following a comprehensive upgrade.</div><div><br></div><div>Established in 1962, the branch has served the Western District for over six decades and remains an integral part of the community. The revitalization not only breathes new life into a longstanding neighbourhood landmark but also delivers a new banking experience that reflects Shacom Bank&#039;s commitment to technological innovation, sustainability and community values.</div><div><br></div><div>New Automated Safe Deposit Box Service Championing Privacy and Security</div><div><br></div><div>A key highlight of the upgrade is the launch of a brand new automated safe deposit box service. Shacom Bank is the first bank in Hong Kong to introduce robotic arm delivery technology, enabling safe deposit boxes to be automatically retrieved and delivered directly to a private room for customers. With more than 1,600 safe deposit boxes in various sizes, the branch caters to strong customer demand for secure safe deposit box service.</div><div><br></div><div>After completing identity verification at the safe deposit box service counter, customers receive a one-time QR code to access a private room. The robotic arm system then delivers the designated safe deposit box directly to the customer, who can open it with their personal key without entering the vault to access the box, significantly enhancing privacy. The technology also eliminates the need for customers to carry the boxes manually - particularly those located at higher levels - thereby removing the risk of injury during retrieval.</div><div><br></div><div>To celebrate the grand opening of West Point Branch, customers who open or upgrade to Shacom Bank "SMART Banking"1 service can enjoy a 20% discount on the first-year rent for safe deposit box service.</div><div><br></div><div>Sustainable Design and Modern Green Branch</div><div><br></div><div>With a usable floor area of more than 7,000 square feet, the branch features an optimized spatial design and presents a stylish, contemporary look. The new branch, designed by a leading hospitality design team, features an overall layout and design that are both centered on delivering an exceptional customer experience. Its spacious layout and premium materials perfectly embody Shacom Bank&#039;s motto, "For Personalized Service."</div><div><br></div><div>Departing from the traditional counter model, the Wealth Management Centre on the first floor offers private meeting rooms and dedicated relationship managers, creating a more premium yet welcoming setting for wealth management services. A warm, wood-based design palette is adopted throughout the branch. The lobby counter has been reconfigured with the overhead frame removed and curved edges, reducing visual barriers and enhancing the sense of openness.</div><div><br></div><div>Championing green building principles, the branch incorporates low-carbon, recycled and internationally certified sustainable materials. In the back-office areas, eco-friendly carpet and flooring have been installed, equivalent to recycling up to 168,050 discarded PET plastic bottles. Other construction materials also meet various international environmental standards and certifications, including the GreenGuard Gold-certified flooring and Global GreenTag-certified wood veneers used extensively in panelling and millwork. Intelligent temperature control and energy-saving LED lighting systems are also expected to significantly reduce annual electricity consumption, creating a modern, comfortable and environmentally responsible banking environment.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr. Varden Choi, Managing Director, Chief of Branch Banking at Shanghai Commercial Bank, said, "Our newly renovated West Point Branch embodies our motto "For Personalized Service" and delivers an enhanced banking experience. Recognizing the growing demand for convenient and secure safe deposit box services, we are pleased to introduce an automated solution that combines financial technology with the strengths of traditional banking."</div><div><br></div><div>He added, "For over 60 years, our West Point Branch has grown alongside the community, earning the trust and fond memories of generations of customers. By introducing the new automated safe deposit box service and incorporating sustainable building design elements at the new branch, we aim to deliver more forward-looking and caring services, ushering in a new era of banking together with the Western District community and customers across Hong Kong."</div><div><br></div><div>1 Maintain a Total Asset Balance of HK$1,000,000 or more to be our SMART Banking customer.</div><div><br></div><div>Hashtag: #ShanghaiCommercialBank&nbsp; #ShacomBank&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:13:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>LEPAS Accelerates Global Expansion with Strong NEV Product Offensive</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/LEPAS-Accelerates-Global-Expansion-with-Strong-NEV-Product-Offensive</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/8723_LEPAS-Accelerates-Global-Expansion-with-Strong-NEV-Product-Offensive.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>WUHU, China, July 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chery Auto announced that its cumulative global sales had surpassed 20 million units, marking another major milestone in the company&#039;s global development. The achievement came as Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Chery Auto", stock code: 9973.HK) made its first appearance in the 2026 Fortune China 500 as a publicly listed company, ranking No. 87th.</div><div><br></div><div>The company also ranked No.1 among automakers in return on equity (ROE), underscoring its strong global operations and profitability under its "From China to the World" approach. Meanwhile, Chery Auto was named to the Kantar BrandZ Top 50 Chinese Global Brand Builders for the ninth consecutive year and ranked No. 1 in the automotive category in 2026, further demonstrating its growing global brand influence and the trust it has earned from consumers worldwide.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Building on this momentum, LEPAS, Chery Auto&#039;s mid-to-premium NEV brand, is accelerating its global expansion with a strong NEV product offensive. On July 24, the LEPAS L6 EV, an all-electric SUV designed for intelligent urban living, was officially launched in Thailand. On July 26, the LEPAS L8 PHEV officially went on sale in Indonesia. Looking ahead, LEPAS will continue to expand its global footprint throughout the third quarter of 2026, with the LEPAS L8 PHEV, LEPAS L6 EV, LEPAS L6 PHEV and LEPAS L4 EV set to enter markets across Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.</div><div><br></div><div>The coordinated rollout of LEPAS&#039; three NEV models across global markets marks another significant milestone in the brand&#039;s international expansion. This accelerated product deployment not only demonstrates LEPAS&#039; strong operational capabilities, but also reflects its long-term commitment to building a sustainable global presence.</div><div><br></div><div>As its NEV product portfolio continues to expand worldwide, LEPAS will leverage Chery Group&#039;s global ecosystem spanning vehicle manufacturing, core components, embodied AI robotics, modern services and intelligent technologies to further localize its R&D, manufacturing, sales network and after-sales services. By combining elegant design, intelligent innovation and dependable quality, LEPAS is committed to delivering an elevated mobility experience tailored to the needs of customers around the world, while contributing to the global transition toward sustainable mobility.</div><div><br></div><div>The milestone of 20 million sales represents a significant achievement for Chery Group and a new a chapter in LEPAS&#039;s global journey. Committed to becoming the Preferred Brand for Elegant Mobility Life, LEPAS will embrace Chery Group&#039;s global development philosophy of "In somewhere, For somewhere, Be somewhere", strengthening its presence in global markets through localized operations and bringing elegant mobility into the daily lives of more customers.</div><div><br></div><div>About LEPAS</div><div><br></div><div>LEPAS is Chery Auto&#039;s mid-to-premium NEV brand, dedicated to creating elegant mobility experiences for users worldwide. Committed to becoming the Preferred Brand for Elegant Mobility Life, LEPAS brings together Leopard Aesthetics, LEPAS Elegant Technology, and Exquisite Space - transforming elegance into a driving experience you can see, feel, and trust. Supported by a growing global dealer network of more than 500 sales and service outlets, LEPAS is expanding its international footprint through localized operations, delivering products and experiences tailored to users across global markets.</div><div><br></div><div>About Chery Auto</div><div><br></div><div>Founded in 1997, Chery Auto is a global automotive manufacturer specializing in vehicle development, intelligent technologies, and new energy solutions. The company operates in more than 130 countries and regions, supported by a strong international network of research, production, and strategic partnerships. Chery Auto has remained China&#039;s No. 1 passenger vehicle exporter among Chinese brands for 23 consecutive years. Guided by its global philosophy of "In somewhere, For somewhere, Be somewhere," Chery Auto is committed to advancing sustainable mobility through continuous innovation and global collaboration.</div><div><br></div><div>Media Contact</div><div>Company Name: LEPAS International</div><div>Contact Person: Vincy wang</div><div>E-mail: wangxi23@mychery.com</div><div>Company Official Website: https://lepasinternational.com/</div><div><br></div><div>Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:07:00 +0700</pubDate>
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<title>CGTN: Why China has become a hot summer destination</title>
<link>https://antaranusa.com/antaranusa-business/CGTN--Why-China-has-become-a-hot-summer-destination</link>
<description><![CDATA[<img src=https://antaranusa.com/photo/berita/dir072026/129_CGTN--Why-China-has-become-a-hot-summer-destination.jpg border=0 hspace=5 align=left width=350 />  <div><br></div><div><div>BEIJING, July 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CGTN published an article exploring the China Travel boom. As a growing number of global travelers head to China in search of cooler destinations, the article explores the country&#039;s boom in inbound tourism this summer, and highlights how China&#039;s expanding visa facilitation policies and foreigner-friendly services are driving this travel trend.</div><div><br></div><div>As extreme heat grips much of Europe, a new travel trend is taking shape. Increasingly, travelers are looking beyond their own borders in search of cooler summer destinations, and China is emerging as one of their top choices.</div><div><br></div><div>With its cool climate and picturesque landscape of green hills and clear waters, Liupanshui City, known as China&#039;s "cool city" in southwest China&#039;s Guizhou Province, has emerged as a favored destination for foreign travelers escaping the heat. During this summer vacation, more than 20 themed events, including music festivals and rural garden fairs, are taking place across the city, drawing visitors from around the world.</div><div><br></div><div>Touring the city this summer, Max Slonim, an American tourist, was impressed by the cool and comfortable weather. "Whenever you go to scenic and beautiful places, you can really experience nature and the peaceful atmosphere without huge crowds and long queues," he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The broader momentum behind "China Travel" continues to build. During the first half of 2026, China recorded more than 22.91 million inbound visits, up 20.4% year on year. Traditional summer destinations such as Yunnan, Guizhou and Hunan provinces have topped international travelers&#039; summer wishlists.</div><div><br></div><div>Booming China Travel</div><div><br></div><div>In Zhangjiajie, a tourist city in central China&#039;s Hunan Province known worldwide for its dreamlike landscape, the peak season for inbound visitors has arrived. Tourists from Europe, Southeast Asia and beyond venture into its UNESCO-listed sandstone mountains, where cool breezes and lush forests offer a natural retreat.</div><div><br></div><div>Benefiting from China&#039;s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, the city has opened over 10 passenger air routes linking eight countries and regions. Fast-track immigration procedures and entry to major attractions with just a passport have made traveling in the city more seamless than ever for international visitors.</div><div><br></div><div>Since the beginning of July, family summer trips to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Scenic Area have surged, with daily visits approaching 10,000 and inbound tourists accounting for over 50% of the total.</div><div><br></div><div>China&#039;s cooler coastal destinations are also seeing rising popularity. Qinhuangdao, a seaside city in north China&#039;s Hebei Province, has introduced a diverse lineup of summer activities, including sailing, speedboat rides, intangible cultural heritage performances and immersive VR experiences at the Great Wall Museum.</div><div><br></div><div>The city received 43,000 inbound visits during the first half of this year, up 50% year on year, while the average stay of overseas tourists doubled from seven days to fifteen.</div><div><br></div><div>The trend is especially noticeable among European travelers. European countries account for nearly 30% of China&#039;s top 20 inbound source markets for this summer. Travel bookings have surged 275% year on year, while attraction ticket orders have increased by 20 times. Visitors from Britain, France and Germany alone account for nearly 42% of all European arrivals.</div><div><br></div><div>Why China?</div><div><br></div><div>Behind the tourism boom is China&#039;s steadily expanding visa facilitation policy. China currently offers unilateral visa-free entry to nationals of 50 countries and has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries. Meanwhile, nationals from 55 countries can now utilize the 240-hour visa-free transit program to enter China via 65 designated ports.</div><div><br></div><div>International accessibility has also improved significantly. Direct flights now connect overseas destinations with 160 Chinese cities, while more than three-quarters of inbound travelers now enter the country visa-free.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, travel services have become increasingly foreigner-friendly. Multilingual ticketing machines, AI-powered translation devices and customer support in English, French, Spanish and other languages are now widely available at tourist attractions and on major travel platforms.</div><div><br></div><div>Yet one detail repeatedly highlighted by foreign visitors is surprisingly simple: air conditioning. From airports and subway stations to shopping malls, hotels and tourist attractions, reliable cooling has become an essential part of China&#039;s summer travel experience, supported by one of the world&#039;s largest and most reliable power systems.</div><div><br></div><div>Across social media, videos of foreign travelers sharing their summer adventures in China have become windows through which global audiences are rediscovering the country. Increasingly, visitors are venturing beyond Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to explore ancient towns, mountain villages and lesser-known cities. What they are finding is more than just a cool place to escape the summer heat - they are discovering a China that is increasingly accessible, welcoming and vibrant.</div><div><br></div><div>https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-07-26/What-makes-China-such-an-appealing-summer-gateway-for-global-tourists--1P5OL710a4M/p.html&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>CGTN Digital&nbsp;</div><div>cgtn@cgtn.com</div><div>Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.</div></div> ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:02:00 +0700</pubDate>
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