The event comes amid renewed momentum for New Zealand\'s Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa, following changes introduced in April 2025 to simplify the program and attract more international capital into the New Zealand economy. As of 5 May 2026, Immigration New Zealand had received 688 applications under the new settings, representing a potential total minimum investment of $4.015 billion.

The growing demand reflects a broader shift in global wealth movement, as high-net-worth individuals increasingly seek jurisdictions that offer political stability, transparent governance, quality of life and long-term optionality for their families and capital. For many investors, New Zealand\'s appeal lies not only in residency access, but also in the opportunity to participate in investments that support business growth, innovation and economic resilience.

Scott Wehl, Founder of RAM Group and Director of RAM New Zealand, said the Hong Kong briefing provided an important forum for partners and investors to better understand the investment and migration opportunities available through the AIP programme.

\"New Zealand continues to attract strong interest from global investors seeking stability, transparency and long-term opportunity,\" said Wehl.

\"Our Hong Kong briefing was designed to help partners and investors better understand the opportunities that the AIP program offers, and how RAM\'s income-focused strategies can support both investor objectives and the broader New Zealand economy.\"

Supporting New Zealand\'s real economy through private credit

A key focus of the briefing was the role private credit can play in supporting New Zealand\'s real economy. Private credit can help broaden the country\'s business funding ecosystem by providing an additional source of secured, non-bank capital for businesses seeking funding for growth, working capital, expansion or other productive business needs.

The RAM New Zealand Credit Fund is an approved managed fund under the AIP Growth category and may also be included as part of a Balanced category investment portfolio. The Fund is designed to provide investors with consistent income and capital stability through exposure to secured, asset-backed credit investments in New Zealand.

Through this strategy, RAM seeks to direct offshore investor capital into productive domestic investment while maintaining a disciplined focus on risk management, downside protection and portfolio diversification.

\"The RAM New Zealand Credit Fund provides an AIP-aligned investment pathway focused on secured, asset-backed New Zealand credit,\" said Wehl.

\"For investors, the Fund is designed to deliver regular income and capital stability, with liquidity aligned to AIP investment timeframes. For New Zealand, the strategy can support the real economy by directing offshore investor capital into domestic private credit and helping provide secured lending to New Zealand businesses.\"

RAM\'s credit approach is centred on disciplined credit selection and robust portfolio construction. The firm\'s New Zealand credit capability is supported by a highly experienced team with more than 200 years of combined credit market experience, guided by leading credit experts and senior leaders with deep knowledge of New Zealand\'s financial markets.

\"Our approach is grounded in strong governance, prudent credit assessment and a clear focus on capital preservation, which is particularly important for investors seeking stable, income-focused outcomes across market cycles,\" said Wehl.

In addition to the RAM New Zealand Credit Fund, RAM also offers the RAM New Zealand Bond Fund, which may be included as part of a Balanced category investment portfolio. The Fund invests in a portfolio of floating-rate, investment-grade bonds issued by established banks and New Zealand entities, and is designed to prioritise capital stability while generating regular income.

With a long-term commitment to New Zealand, RAM will continue to leverage its international presence, investment capability and experience in income-focused strategies to support global investors and contribute to the continued development and diversification of New Zealand\'s capital markets.

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

For more information about RAM New Zealand, please visit https://ramgroup.co.nz/

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

• 5/6/2026 Turkey (Istanbul)
• 5/7/2026 Thailand
• 5/10/2026 Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
• 5/14/2026 Turkey (Ankara)
• 5/12-15/2026 Middle East & Africa (Shenzhen)
• 5/17/2026 Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
• 5/21/2026 Malaysia
• 6/3/2026 Philippines
• 6/5/2026 Vietnam
• 6/9/2026 Europe (Italy)
• 6/11/2026 Indonesia
• 6/24/2026 Hong Kong

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

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

• CEO Panel: AI Transformation for Hong Kong's Legacy Leaders — Moderated by Dr. Toa Charm, Chairman of the Data and AI Literacy Association (DALA), this session explores how C-suites navigate AI strategy and talent governance while balancing technological innovation with business value creation. It also examines how leaders can accelerate the scalable adoption of AI across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and Asia to ensure AI visions translate into tangible organizational impact.
• FinTech 2.0: From Future of Work to Agentic Workflows — Moderated by Mr. Peter Koo, Convenor, FinTech Specialist Group of Hong Kong Computer Society. Partners from the "Big 4" (EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC) will share the stage for a rare joint session to dismantle how Agentic AI automates KYC and risk monitoring, and explores "Data-to-Revenue" pathways. The forum will also address the convergence of AI with Tokenisation, Stablecoins, Digital Assets, and RegTech.

The Summit will also cover MarTech, enterprise productivity, retail, and education, featuring leaders from MTR Lab, HSBC, Maxim's Group, Hong Yip, HKT, PrimeCredit, and Logitech, alongside academic representatives.

Pillar 2: AI+ Expo – The Modern Workplace & Smart Living Revolution

Industry leaders Canon HK, Logitech, Shure, and iFLYTEK will demonstrate how AI-driven hardware eliminates operational friction, allowing teams to focus on core creativity.

Pillar 3: AI+ Skills Lab — Zero-Barrier Mastery for Decision Makers

To address the enterprise talent gap, the AI+ Skills Lab has been launched this year to provide hands-on, practical training. Led by a team of veteran practitioners including Arik Chan from GDG HK (CISSP-certified), Frankie Wu from GDG HK and also Founder of Nexamind AI, and Roland Leung, Director of Datality Lab, the lab is tailor-made for non-technical decision-makers. It emphasizes a "small-class, laptop-ready" approach; featured highlights include OSINT-driven fraud detection using Google Gemini, the deployment of privacy-safe enterprise AI agents, and rapid AI-powered commercial video creation using Seedance 2.0 and KlingAI 3.0. This practical experience empowers participants to "Learn Today, Apply Tomorrow," transforming AI into real-world productivity.

Pillar 4: Embodied AI & Robotics — The First "Smart Living Experience Zone"

Breaking away from pure software solutions, the event debuts the first "Smart Living Experience Zone," presenting the physical manifestation of AI integrated with robotics in environmental management, medical rehabilitation, and gerontech. Highlights include environmental robots capable of automatic waste classification and autonomous cleaning; medical assistant systems for physical therapy and ward delivery; and non-invasive "passive fall detection" care solutions. These innovations are setting new benchmarks for automated operations across the property management, healthcare, and social welfare sectors.

Pillar 5: AI Strategic Advisory Hub & Industry Networking — Unlocking New Business Opprtunities

The event proudly presents the "AI Strategic Advisory Hub," a flagship initiative designed to disrupt the traditional one-way nature of business matching. Technical experts from leading providers will transform into "Consultants", offering decision-makers immediate diagnostics and tailored deployment advice. Navigating a vast array of technical choices can be overwhelming; this "Advisory Hub" is dedicated to helping enterprises pinpoint high-ROI implementation pathways, ensuring that technology investments translate directly into tangible profitability. Furthermore, the two-day event features exclusive industry networking sessions to foster deep dialogue and strategic exchanges between technology pioneers and enterprise leaders.

Pillar 6: AI+ Power Awards 2026 — Recognizing the Future Leaders of Commercial AI

The AI+ Power Awards 2026, a highly anticipated flagship event, returns to honor the region's most innovative, impactful, and commercially viable AI applications. This year has seen an unprecedented level of competition, and the first-round finalists have officially been announced. Shortlisted organizations in key categories such as "AI+ in Business" and "AI+ Project of the Year" include industry pioneers such as Maxim's Group, CITIC Telecom CPC, iFLYTEK, ASTRI, and Lingnan University. The final winners will be grandly unveiled in late May.

Capturing the Momentum of AI Scaling: Building a New Era for Innovation

AI+ Power 2026 responds proactively to the HKSAR Government's "AI+" strategy, embodying the core spirit of "AI+ Power in Action." We are committed to transforming policy vision into commercial reality, helping enterprises successfully transition from AI "observers" to "active practitioners."

Through high-level summit exchanges, immersive exhibition experiences, step-by-step practical training, and prestigious award recognition, we empower every attendee to seize first-mover advantages in the age of AI scaling. Together, we are driving Hong Kong's evolution into the premier Asia-Pacific hub for commercial AI innovation.

Secure Your Advantage: Register Now

Online pre-registration for AI+ Power 2026 is now officially open. Trade visitors and industry professionals are invited to register for free admission and pre-book seats for keynote summits and hands-on Skills Lab workshops. Please note that workshop seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register Now: https://bit.ly/3R9W3fC

Event Details:

• Date: 4-5 June 2026 (Thursday–Friday)
• Venue: Hall 5FG, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)
• Admission: Free for trade visitors (Pre-registration required; group registration available)
• Official Website: www.aipluspower.com

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

Official website: www.baobab-tree-event.com

Under the MOU, V-GREEN and the Provincial Government of Bataan will collaborate on the planning, deployment, and operation of a province-wide EV charging network. This network will cover one city and 11 municipalities, positioning Bataan as a leading model for EV adoption in the Philippines.

Specifically, V-GREEN targets the deployment of 600 charging stations and 1,200 battery swapping stations across Bataan. The company will be responsible for the supply, installation, operation, and maintenance of the charging network, while the Provincial Government of Bataan will facilitate permits, endorse strategic locations, and coordinate with local government units.

In parallel, V-GREEN has also signed an MOU with Clean Fuel to explore the development of EV charging stations at high-traffic fuel stations in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

As one of the leading independent fuel companies in the Philippines, with a network of more than 100 stations across Luzon, Clean Fuel also shares V-GREEN's vision of promoting greener mobility and enhancing the customer experience. The collaboration will focus on identifying suitable locations and the potential integration of EV infrastructure into Clean Fuel's existing retail network, making charging more convenient by allowing users to charge at familiar stops along their journeys.

The new agreements lay important groundwork for VinFast's upcoming launch of electric scooters in the Philippines, ensuring battery swapping infrastructure availability from day one. At the same time, the expanded charging network will continue enhancing convenience for existing VinFast electric car users, contributing to a more comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem in the country.

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

• A first-of-its-kind fund flow intelligence dashboard mapping public, private and philanthropic capital flows across China, India, and Southeast Asia (SEA) and impact opportunities
• The Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Asia Case Study Library featuring 50 real-world examples of companies, financial institutions and philanthropies advancing CA&R in respective ways.
• A sectoral deep dive, Building a Climate-Adapted and Resilient Agri-Food System in Southeast Asia, focused on agri-food resilience in SEA – a top priority across the region\'s National Adaptation Plans

• Catalysing action
  • Embedding climate adaptation as both a value and growth driver
  • Strategic capital mobilisation across the spectrum
• Improving decision-making
  • Better climate-risk pricing and valuation of resilience
  • Impact-linked decision pathways
  • Shared data and knowledge infrastructure
• Laying the foundations
  • Climate-aligned financial system
  • Cross-sector collaboration and delivery for scale

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

These issues commonly arise in cases involving inspection conclusions, audit conclusions or court judgments relating to investor selection, land allocation, land lease, conversion of land use purpose or land price determination. In many cases, projects had already commenced, involved third-party transactions or raised capital before the violations were identified, making the legal handling of such projects more complicated.

To address these issues, the National Assembly and the government approved Resolution No.170/2024/QH15, Resolution No.29/2026/QH16 and Decree No.147/2026/ND-CP to establish special mechanisms for addressing legal issues and removing obstacles for pending and prolonged projects involving land law violations arising before the 2024 Land Law took effect from August 1, 2024.

Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, partner of Nishimura & Asahi (Vietnam)

On November 30, 2024, the National Assembly of Vietnam approved Resolution No. 170/2024/QH15 on special mechanisms to address problems relating to projects and land matters identified in inspection conclusions, audit conclusions, and court judgments in certain localities.

Notably, Resolution 170 establishes handling mechanisms for 13 projects in Danang and 11 projects in Khanh Hoa. Under the Resolution, investors may continue implementing projects provided they satisfy prescribed conditions, including consistency with applicable planning, compliance with national defence and security requirements, fulfilment of investor capability requirements, and full discharge of financial obligations in accordance with law, including obligations arising from the redetermination of land prices and recalculation of related financial liabilities.

Resolution 170 reflects a shift towards permitting the continued implementation of stalled projects in certain circumstances, particularly where projects have already progressed or involved investment, financial, or third-party transactions. Rather than automatically terminating projects or recovering land, the Resolution signals an approach focused on remedying legal and financial consequences to facilitate continued implementation.

Following the mechanism established under Resolution 170, the National Assembly approved Resolution No.29/2026/QH16 dated April 24, 2026 to expand the mechanisms for handling land law violations arising before the 2024 Land Law took effect on August 1, 2024 and to facilitate the resolution of pending projects.

Several notable mechanisms under Resolution 29 include the handling of projects granted Land Use Right Certificates in violation of law, projects involving violations relating to investor selection, land allocation, land lease or land recovery, and projects involving violations relating to land use purposes.

Handling of projects granted land use right certificates in violation of law

One notable aspect of Resolution 29 is its mechanism for handling projects granted Land Use Right Certificates in violation of the law. These include certificates identifying the land use purpose as “residential land (without formation of residential units),” “residential land (for construction and real estate or tourism business purposes),” or residential land containing information inconsistent with land law regulations.

Under the Resolution, provincial People’s Committees are responsible for reviewing the planning status of such projects based on independence, objectivity, and transparency. For projects consistent with applicable planning and having land use functions for residential development, the land use purpose may be adjusted to residential land, provided the investor fulfils its financial obligations and satisfies the conditions for continued implementation.

Other cases may be adjusted to commercial and service land in accordance with the Resolution.

In practice, the concepts of “residential land (without formation of residential units)” and “residential land (for construction and real estate or tourism business purposes)” had previously been applied in many resort and condotel projects before unified legal guidance was introduced. The mechanism allowing review and adjustment of land use purposes reflects an approach focusing on remediation of legal consequences and financial obligations as a basis for continued implementation.

Handling projects involving land and investor selection violations

For projects involving violations relating to investor selection, land allocation, land lease or conversion of land use purpose identified in inspection conclusions, audit conclusions or court judgments, provincial people’s committees may consider applying mechanisms similar to those applied to projects in Danang and Khanh Hoa under Resolution 170.

In certain cases, projects are not required to re-conduct land use rights auction procedures or investor selection tender procedures. Certain projects may also carry out investment policy approval procedures simultaneously with investor approval procedures to continue implementation.

Where the investor does not satisfy the capability requirements for continued implementation, the competent state authority may select another investor in accordance with law and reimburse compensation, support and resettlement costs advanced by the investor, together with construction costs incurred on the project land, if any.

These mechanisms may have significant implications for projects currently facing legal issues relating to land use rights auctions, investor selection tenders or land allocation and land lease procedures.

Handling of projects involving violations relating to land recovery

For certain projects where the state recovered land in circumstances not permitted under law, but the investor had already incurred costs for recovery of the entire project land area, the investor may continue implementing the project if the conditions prescribed under the Resolution are satisfied.

Several key conditions apply, including that the investor satisfies the capability and eligibility requirements for project implementation, is currently managing, using, and carrying out construction investment on the land, and that the land recovery involved partial fault of the state. In addition, the venture must be free from disputes, or any disputes must have been fully resolved, and the project must be consistent with applicable planning in accordance with the law.

Where the project does not satisfy the conditions for continued implementation, the state will terminate the project and reimburse relevant costs in accordance with law.

In many cases, investors had already advanced compensation, support and resettlement costs or carried out construction investment over a long period before inspection conclusions or disputes relating to land recovery arose.

Resolution 29’s mechanism permitting continued implementation in certain cases reflects an approach that considers the actual implementation status of projects and matters identified in inspection conclusions, audit conclusions or court judgments.

Handling of projects involving violations relating to land use purposes

For certain projects involving violations relating to land use purposes that have already obtained investment policy decisions or approvals, investment approvals, investor approvals and are consistent with relevant planning, provincial people’s committees may review and adjust project objectives, amend land allocation or land lease decisions, or permit conversions of land use purpose to continue implementation.

However, investors are still required to fully fulfill their financial obligations, return any unlawful profits arising from the violations, and remain subject to administrative penalties in accordance with the law.

One notable aspect is that the resolution permits certain works consistent with planning not to be subject to mandatory demolition, rather than applying demolition measures in all violation cases. This reflects an approach focusing on remediation of financial obligations and legal consequences in order to minimise impacts on investment and business activities and the use of assets.

On May 7, 2026, the government approved Decree No.147/2026/ND-CP guiding implementation of Resolution 29 regarding mechanisms for handling certain land law violations and removing obstacles for pending and prolonged projects.

Decree 147 provides guidance on several key mechanisms under Resolution 29, including handling projects granted Land Use Right Certificates in violation of law;continuing land allocation or land lease for projects involving violations relating to investor selection, land allocation or land lease; and handling projects involving violations relating to land recovery.

For projects granted land use right certificates in violation of law, the decree provides guidance on procedures for reviewing planning, adjusting land use purposes and land use terms, redetermining land prices, land use fees and land rental payments, and handling issued certificates.

For projects involving violations relating to investor selection, land allocation or land lease, the decree provides guidance on reviewing conditions for continued implementation, land allocation and land lease procedures, determination of financial obligations and treatment of costs advanced by investors.

For projects involving violations relating to land recovery, the decree provides guidance on reviewing conditions for continued implementation, procedures for land allocation, land lease or conversion of land use purpose, and reimbursement of investor costs where projects are not permitted to continue.

Decree 147 provides detailed guidance on procedures, implementation authorities and methods for determining additional financial obligations.

This may facilitate implementation of the special mechanisms under Resolution 29, particularly given that the handling of pending projects previously faced difficulties due to the lack of detailed guidance among relevant state authorities.

The mechanisms under Resolution 170, Resolution 29 and Decree 147 demonstrate a notable shift in the approach towards handling projects involving land law violations arising before the 2024 Land Law took effect.

In certain cases, the new mechanisms permit continued implementation after review of legal conditions, planning, financial obligations and investor capability.

This approach reflects a broader policy direction towards remediation of legal consequences and financial obligations rather than automatic project termination or land recovery.

The mechanisms may reduce the risk of complete cancellation and create opportunities for continued implementation, restructuring or revival of delayed projects, particularly where projects have already commenced construction or involve third-party relationships.

However, these mechanisms will still depend significantly on the review process conducted by state authorities, particularly in relation to planning, scope of violations, financial obligations and investor capability.

Accordingly, investors, project owners, lenders and relevant parties should review the legal status, planning, land dossiers, financial obligations and relevant inspection conclusions, audit conclusions or court judgments relating to projects to assess the possibility of applying these mechanisms.

Early preparation of legal documentation and appropriate handling plans may significantly affect the ability to continue implementing projects.

Navigating beneficial enterprise ownership disclosure in Vietnam Vietnam's new guidance on beneficial ownership tightens disclosure obligations for enterprises, but raises complex legal and practical questions about compliance, stakeholder cooperation, and the interpretation of control under the Law on Enterprises 2025.

Unprecedented opportunities in commercial residential segment Vietnam’s commercial residential housing sector is on the verge of transformative change thanks to a pilot that addresses longstanding challenges in land use policies and introduces greater flexibility for real estate businesses. Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, a partner at Nishimura & Asahi, shared with VIR’s Thanh Van his insights on the implications of the move and its potential to reshape the real estate sector.

Hanoi to crackdown on delayed projects The Hanoi People’s Council has urged authorities of the two districts of Ba Vi and Hoai Duc in coordination with the city’s related agencies to intensify the inspection of long-delayed construction projects and revoke the credentials of those which are violating the Land Law.

• Philanthropy as risk capital in Asia is often patient and conviction-driven; funders are prepared to commit long-term capital to enable solutions to scale. The largest and longest commitments came from individual philanthropists and families driven by personal conviction and direct experience of the challenges they seek to address. For example, The Tahija Foundation in Indonesia provided more than US$17 million over ten years to test a novel approach to dengue control using Wolbachia bacteria. A randomised controlled trial demonstrated a 77% reduction in dengue transmission, and the method has since been adopted into Indonesia's national health plan, with an estimated 14 million people now protected. Institutional funders complement this with more targeted, milestone-linked discipline and deep trust in founders.

• Funders are experimenting beyond traditional grants to explore a range of instruments across different growth stages. From concessional debt to equity, funders are exploring instruments across the spectrum, with some sequencing different forms of capital as trust and results develop over time. However, knowledge gaps and regulatory constraints in some markets continue to limit broader adoption.

• Funders are leveraging relationships, community trust and government access to manage risk and extend reach. They bring networks, credibility, and access to government stakeholders alongside capital, reducing implementation risk and laying the groundwork for long-term partnerships. The funder's proximity to the communities they serve, and alignment with domestic policy priorities, can prove as consequential as the funding itself.

• Funders are supporting alignment with public sector priorities from the outset, as early integration with public systems matters when government adoption is the pathway to scale. The projects that achieved the greatest reach did so through early engagement with government, with funders helping to align solutions with national or local priorities from the outset. For example, the Vanke Foundation made community waste management a thematic priority in support of China's zero-waste city ambitions, and backed INSPRO, a social enterprise using insect-based bioconversion to recycle organic waste. Beyond funding, the foundation facilitated access to district government stakeholders, enabling INSPRO to establish operations in Yantian and scale its technology for agricultural use. Similarly, Tata Trusts aligned its digital initiatives with the Government of India's Digital India programme, providing early-stage funding and ecosystem support to Haqdarshak, a platform improving access to government welfare schemes.

"For these Asian philanthropists deploying capital to support early-stage innovation, we observe how trust in the capabilities of the people behind the ideas is critical to managing these risks," says Dr. Ruth Shapiro, Co-Founder and CEO of CAPS. "And we see the importance of aligning with government as key to legitimacy and scale. The same strategies to manage risk are being leveraged to maximise impact for the community."

"The report highlights what makes early philanthropic capital unique," said Shaun Seow, CEO of PAA. "Taking an early position absorbs the risk of an untested solution and builds the evidence and regulatory confidence that later investment requires. PAA's role is to help connect funders across the region so those early commitments compound rather than sit in isolation."

Research methodology

The findings are based on a region-wide scan of social enterprises, programmes, and initiatives centred on novel or unproven solutions. Ten cases were selected through a targeted assessment identifying high-potential pathways for philanthropic risk capital across climate, health, and inclusive development. The research was conducted between October 2025 and January 2026, through 37 in-depth interviews and a review of academic and non-academic literature.

The cases examined include Agros, BillionBricks, Equatic, Haqdarshak, Inspro, Seven Clean Seas, Urban Spring, Wadhwani AI, Wateroam, and the World Mosquito Programme in Yogyakarta.

Download the full report: https://p-aa.org/PhilanthropyAsRiskCapitalReport (Live on 18 May)

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

For more information, visit http://philanthropyasiaalliance.org and www.caps.org

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

Bringing Together Education and Cultural Leaders to Build a Cross-Disciplinary Creative Network

The opening ceremony was officiated by Ms Winnie Yip, Head of Charities (Culture & Sports Cluster; Community Engagement), The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

In her opening speech, Ms Winnie Yip, Head of Charities (Culture & Sports Cluster; Community Engagement), The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: "The Club has been supporting the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project since 2021. The results have been truly encouraging. The programme has strengthened participating students' understanding of and care for others, while deepening their interest in arts and interdisciplinary learning. With the second phase now underway, we look forward to further supporting the growth and transformation of students and teachers."

The opening ceremony also featured Prelude in Light, Sound & Video, a multimedia work created by students of the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), setting the stage for the forum and showcasing the creative potential of the younger generation.

Ms Lynn Yau, Chief Executive Officer of AFTEC and Project Director of the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project, said: "In an era dominated by artificial intelligence, we need to redefine the unique value of humanity more than ever. AFTEC has always been committed to training teachers and creative practitioners, nurturing the '5Cs' core competencies—Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Contribution—through systematic teaching strategies. By integrating creative learning into school curricula, we nurture a new generation equipped with resilience and problem-solving skills, while actively building a cross-disciplinary learning network. We are deeply grateful for the vision and support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the participation of our partners from various sectors, allowing us to collaboratively shape human achievement through Artistic Intelligence and mould the future with creativity."

Redefining AI — Nurturing Irreplaceable "first-class humans"

The highlight of the forum's first day was the first cross-city dialogue, a keynote entitled Creative Cities, Creative Mindsets: Bath, Hong Kong, New Delhi. Ms Kate Cross MBE, Director of The Egg at Theatre Royal Bath, United Kingdom; Ms Jigyasa Labroo, CEO and Co-founder of Slam Out Loud, New Delhi, India; Professor Anna CY Chan, Director of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; and Ms Lynn Yau, Chief Executive Officer of AFTEC, delivered the keynote together. The four creative visionaries highlighted that Artistic Intelligence is an indispensable competency for humanity in the age of AI, and shared how global frameworks can be adapted to local practice across the three cities' distinctive educational and cultural ecosystems to cultivate young people's imagination, empathy and meaning-making — core competencies for navigating an ever-changing future.

Ms Kate Cross introduced the School Without Walls programme, a groundbreaking initiative that immerses students in cultural venues for seven weeks, significantly enhancing their writing, emotional expression, and self-directed learning abilities. Ms Jigyasa Labroo shared Slam Out Loud's work, which, through over 100 hours of arts-based social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, has successfully boosted the confidence, curiosity, and emotional regulation of 700,000 children across two Indian states. Professor Anna CY Chan, from the macro perspective of higher education and talent cultivation, emphasised the bridging role of Artistic Intelligence between professional arts training and primary/secondary creative education. Ms Lynn Yau showcased how the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project transforms artists into "Teaching Artists," shifting schools' vision from "Arts Provisioned" towards being "Arts Empowered," enabling Hong Kong students to demonstrate stronger vitality in cross-disciplinary learning.

The session also featured internationally acclaimed arts educator Professor Anne Bamford OBE, FCGI, Director of the International Research Agency; Professor Anne Mette Hjort, Director of The Research Centre for Creative Arts and Public Value, The Education University of Hong Kong; Victor Kwok, Deputy Research Director of Our Hong Kong Foundation and Committee Member of the All-China Youth Federation; and Ms Heidi Lee, Executive Director of Hong Kong Ballet, as respondents. They offered diverse perspectives from policy research, cultural promotion and professional development, exploring how the arts and creativity can nurture outstanding talent of the future through structured and sustainable educational approaches in Hong Kong.

Collaborative Workshops—From Theory to Practice

The forum also featured collaborative workshops, where participants experienced first-hand how educational visions can be translated into practical teaching plans in an interactive setting.

In today's (15 May) sessions, Creative Classroom LIVE!, led by teaching teams from Tin Shui Wai Methodist Primary School and Tuen Mun Government Primary School, brought authentic teaching plans to life in the theatre, allowing participants to experience the transformative power of creativity in local schools' setting. Professor Anne Bamford OBE, FCGI, Director of the International Research Agency, facilitated the session The How Factor Lab: Designing Arts-rich Learning that Lasts?, discussing how the arts can be incorporated into education through sustainable policy and teaching strategies to establish a long-term and stable creative ecosystem in schools and communities.

Day Two Highlights — The Many Dimensions of Artistic Intelligence

On the second day of the forum (16 May), discussions will build upon the first day's highlights and continue to delve deeper into the theme of Artistic Intelligence. In the keynote The Real AI: Artistic Intelligence and the Future of Human Potential, Professor Anne Bamford OBE, FCGI, Director of the International Research Agency, will discuss how the integrated development of personal cognitive, creative, social and digital capabilities can unlock human potential and shape a new generation equipped with innovation and adaptability, calling on education systems, cultural institutions and communities to collaborate in ensuring that young people maintain their unique edge in the age of AI.

Two collaborative workshops will also take place. School Without Walls: Changing Sites of Learning, led by Ms Kate Cross MBE, Director of The Egg at Theatre Royal Bath, United Kingdom, will demonstrate how learning spaces can be extended beyond school campuses to curate meaningful and personalised arts education experiences through the School Without Walls programme. What if We All Had a Voice? The Possibilities of the Arts in Social-Emotional Learning, led by Ms Jigyasa Labroo, CEO and Co-founder of Slam Out Loud, New Delhi, India, will share how locally rooted curriculum resources that address social issues can be developed to empower children to use creativity to tackle life and societal challenges and to weave their dreams.

Mutual Growth—Frontline Teachers and Artists Share Their Journeys and Learning

The forum also invited schools and creative practitioners from the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project to share their practical experiences. In the panel discussion From Traditional to Creative Teaching, Vice Principal Kiley Tse of Ho Lap Primary School (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), Ms Katherine Ip of Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church Primary School, and Ms Jourdan Wong of Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Primary School will share insights and explore the far-reaching impact of creative teaching and learning on teachers' personal growth, students, the learning environment, and the overall creative learning culture of schools.

Another panel discussion, From Introspective Artists to Communicative Teaching Artists, features creative practitioners Ms Grace Cheng; Reds Cheung of Laichankee; Ms Cally Yip of Passoverdance; and Ms Priscilla Lai, Lead Creative Practitioner of the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project. Their sharing proves that the Project's collaborative model not only benefits schools—teachers' and creative practitioners' artistic practices are also nourished through the teaching process, fostering mutual growth and grooming the community of practice of teaching artists in Hong Kong.

Creative Learning Arts Awards — Celebrating Local Education Transformation

To showcase the Project's impact over the years, the forum will host the Creative Learning Arts Awards ceremony, recognising outstanding schools, teachers and creative practitioners, and celebrating the remarkable progress of the local education community in advancing creative thinking and whole-person development.

For more information, please visit:

AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project: https://creativefutures.aftec.hk/home-en/

Knowledge Exchange 2026—Artistic Intelligence: Shaping Human Achievement: https://creativefutures.aftec.hk/knowledge-exchange/ke2026/

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

A Global Network Bringing Together More Than 17,000 Outstanding Minds

This year's VinFuture nominations span a wide range of critical fields, including medicine and healthcare (38.4%), environmental and earth sciences (17%), energy, transportation, and construction (15%), food and agriculture (10.6%), as well as other scientific and technological disciplines (19%).

At the same time, the official nominator network of the VinFuture Prize has continued to expand substantially, reaching 17,154 nominators from 117 countries and territories across all five continents. This represents an increase of approximately 16% compared with the 2025 season and a more than fourteenfold expansion compared with the inaugural season in 2021. Moreover, the number of countries and territories represented within the nominator network has nearly doubled over the past six years.

Notably, 1,415 nominators for the 2026 VinFuture Prize are ranked among the world's top 2% most-cited researchers. Nearly 8,000 experts are affiliated with leading universities, research institutes, and scientific organizations worldwide, including Australian Academy of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (United States), Stanford University (United States), Harvard University (United States), University of California, Berkeley (United States), University of Oxford (United Kingdom), National University of Singapore (Singapore), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), and Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel), among others.

Participating on a voluntary basis, these nominators play a vital role in identifying and recommending outstanding scientific innovations capable of generating meaningful and lasting improvements to the lives of billions of people worldwide. They also contribute significantly to extending the global reach of the VinFuture Prize within the international scientific community and promoting cross-border academic connections. Several distinguished nominators have traveled to Vietnam during the 2024 and 2025 VinFuture Sci-Tech Weeks to connect and exchange knowledge directly with the Vietnamese scientific community.

"The continued growth in both the number of nominations and our network of more than 17,000 nominators reflects the increasing confidence that leading scientists and prestigious institutions around the world place in VinFuture Prize and its mission to identify and honor scientific and technological innovations with meaningful impact on humanity. This momentum also reinforces our commitment to upholding rigorous and transparent evaluation standards, while advancing a long-term vision of connecting global intellect in pursuit of a better future for all," said Dr. Thai-Ha Le, Managing Director of the VinFuture Foundation.

Following the conclusion of the nomination period, the Pre-Screening Committee will begin the process of evaluating and selecting the most outstanding scientific works for consideration by the VinFuture Prize Council in the final judging round, which is expected to continue through early September 2026. All nominations will undergo a rigorous multi-layer evaluation process based on stringent international standards to ensure the highest levels of scientific integrity, fairness, and transparency.

The core evaluation criteria include the degree of scientific and technological advancement, the potential for meaningful impact on human life, as well as the scale and long-term sustainability of the proposed innovations.

Vietnam's Growing Imprint on the Global Innovation Map

After six seasons, the VinFuture Prize has firmly established its reputation and standing within the global science and technology landscape. Several VinFuture Laureates have subsequently been honored by some of the world's most prestigious scientific awards, including the Nobel Prize, the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, and the Breakthrough Prize, demonstrating VinFuture's ability to recognize, at an early stage, innovations with foundational significance for the future of humanity.

Notable examples include Prof. Omar Yaghi (2021 VinFuture Special Prize; 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Dr. Katalin Karikó and Prof. Drew Weissman (2021 VinFuture Grand Prize; 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine); Drs. Demis Hassabis and John Jumper (2022 VinFuture Special Prize; 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Prof. Geoffrey Hinton (2024 VinFuture Grand Prize; 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics); as well as Prof. Yoshua Bengio, Prof. Yann LeCun, Prof. Geoffrey Hinton, Jensen Huang, and Prof. Fei-Fei Li (2024 VinFuture Grand Prize; 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering). Additional examples include Prof. Daniel Drucker, Prof. Joel Habener, Prof. Jens Juul Holst, and Assoc. Prof. Svetlana Mojsov (2023 VinFuture Special Prize), who later received the 2025 Breakthrough Prize.

Beyond recognizing transformative scientific achievements, VinFuture has become a point of convergence for knowledge, collaboration, and the aspiration to serve humanity. Over the course of six seasons, VinFuture has contributed to shaping a more open, connected, and inspiring scientific ecosystem, while positioning Vietnam as an increasingly important destination on the global innovation map.

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

• The Hundred Acre Glide, inspired by the Hundred Acre Wood – the first zipline in Singapore themed after Disney's Winnie the Pooh. Featuring a treehouse-style installation, children can glide 16 metres across the festival grounds against the backdrop of the Supertrees.
• The Sweetest Drops, inspired by Winnie the Pooh –this honeycomb-themed ball pit is inspired by Pooh's search for his favourite snack, honey, which often turns into an adventure.
• The Brave Logs, inspired by Piglet – balance across planks and "tree stumps" in this quick-footed adventure that encourages children to summon their courage and take things one step at a time.
• The Enchanted Meadows, inspired by Eeyore – slow down and enjoy gentle see-saws in this play area themed after a breezy field of flowers.
• The Joyful Puddles, inspired by Tigger – drawing from Tigger's energetic personality, these "puddle" trampolines are perfect for a day of bouncing fun in the sun.

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

Thanaporn Tantiyanon, Managing Director and Shopping Center Business Head of Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery for Siam Piwat Group, stated that this campaign harnesses diversity to drive Thailand\'s economy and Soft Power. Each shopping center features unique highlights:

Siam Paragon honored by Naruemit Pride who host the \"Bangkok Pride Awards\" on May 28, 2026, at NEX HALL (5th Floor). The \"Bangkok Pride Forum 2026\" will also take place from May 29 to June 1, 2026, at SCBX Next Tech (4th Floor) and NEXTOPIA (5th Floor), featuring an international platform with over 16 sessions focused on LGBTQ+ and women\'s rights. Siam Paragon will join the Bangkok Pride Parade on May 31, 2026, under the theme \"Road to Bangkok World Pride\". Furthermore, Siam Paragon is driving the Y-Economy (Boys\' Love industry) through the \"TIA51 x Siam Paragon\" project, featuring the launch of the series \"Love x3\" and the \"Love Galaxy\" project.

Siam Center, known as The Ideaopolis, promotes inclusivity through the \"The Colors of Thai Beauty\" campaign, inviting everyone to express their beauty without limits and elevating T-Beauty standards from June 4 – 30, 2026. Siam Center also features vibrant performances from Drag Bangkok, T-POP shows, and mini-concerts throughout the festival, held on the G Floor from May 28 to June 3, 2026. In a massive display of Co-creation, Siam Center has collaborated with over 40 renowned brands—including Adidas, Jaspal Group, Victoria\'s Secret, and Absolute Siam Store—to launch exclusive Pride collections and lifestyle products designed by talented Thai designers.

Siam Discovery The Exploratorium opens a space for limitless self-expression with the \"Road to Bangkok World Pride\" exhibition under the concept \"WHERE EVERY IDENTITY TELLS A STORY,\" tracing the journey of the LGBTQIA+ community. A major highlight is the Thailand\'s Drag Star 2026 Showcase, featuring 13 spectacular costumes from the competition finalists. Additionally, LFC Retail Thailand will join the celebration by unveiling a special Pride edition of the iconic Liverbird logo and an exclusive LFC Pride collection at Discovery Plaza, alongside fragrance exhibitions and exclusive promotions from brands like LOFT and Carlyn.

ICONSIAM reinforces its status as \"The Global Stage\" under the leadership of Ms. Suma Wongphan, Deputy Managing Director of ICONSIAM Co., Ltd., with the \"UNITY OF PRIDE: DIVERSE SERIES, ONE COMMUNITY\" campaign. The highlight is the \"Rainbow Fireworks,\" Thailand\'s first-ever rainbow-themed firework display over the majestic curve of the Chao Phraya River. ICONSIAM also drives the Y-Economy ecosystem and provides the POSITIVE PRIDE space for Rainbow Culture activities and an art exhibition by Queen Art Thailand and LGBTQ+ artists.

The \"The Celebration: Right to Love\" event by Siam Piwat Group has received tremendous support from esteemed partner organizations. This collaboration underscores Siam Piwat\'s commitment to elevating Bangkok Pride into a Global Festival, demonstrating the nation\'s readiness to host Bangkok World Pride 2030. Ann (Waaddao) Chumaporn, President of the Bangkok Pride, stated that 2026 is a vital milestone for the \"Road to WorldPride 2030\" strategy. Through the Pride City Network (PCN), a ceremony will bring the official flag into the arena, declaring Bangkok\'s readiness to host the global event. With an expected turnout of over 350,000 participants, this collaboration solidifies Bangkok\'s status as a landmark that drives economic momentum and international image.

https://www.siampiwat.com/en/home

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

This week in New York, Govee, a global leader in smart lighting, explored that idea through Sanctuary, a design showcase created with renowned interior designer Fawn Galli. The event looked at how floor lamps, colour and atmosphere can help everyday spaces feel warmer, calmer and more adaptable to modern life.

Hosted at Chelsea White Space, Sanctuary brought Govee's latest Floor Lamp Series into styled home settings, showing how lighting can support different moments throughout the day, from practical daytime use to softer evening atmosphere. Across the space, the lamps were integrated into styled home moments, showing how smart lighting can complement different interiors, routines and moods.

Designed with Fawn Galli

The creative direction for Sanctuary was shaped in collaboration with New York-based interior designer Fawn Galli, whose work is known for its layered use of color, texture and personality.

Govee worked with Galli to bring an interior design perspective to the showcase, informing the room settings, spatial flow, material palette and styling approach across the event. Her guidance helped show how the Govee Floor Lamp Series can be thoughtfully integrated into contemporary home environments, supporting both the visual character and everyday function of each space.

"Lighting and colour have such a strong influence over how people experience a space emotionally," said Fawn Galli. "With Sanctuary, we wanted to show how the right light can bring colour, texture and materials to life, while helping a home feel more flexible and adaptable throughout the day. The spaces needed to feel warm, personal and beautifully designed, but also relevant to the way people really live."

A home that changes with the day

Across the evening, guests moved through styled room moments showing how one space can shift between different needs and moods, from focus and relaxation to entertaining and downtime.

The showcase explored how floor lamps can help rooms adapt throughout the day, moving between functional white light and more expressive atmosphere. It also looked at how colour can change the way materials, paint and fabrics appear, how AI is making personalised lighting more intuitive, and how circadian-aware lighting is shaping expectations for home lighting that feels more natural, adaptive and supportive.

Introducing Govee's latest Floor Lamp Series

Sanctuary also marked a US showcase for Govee's newest floor lamps, including the Govee Floor Lamp 3, Govee Lantern Floor Lamp, Govee Floor Lamp 3 Lite, Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp (New Nebula Effect) and Govee Tree Floor Lamp.

Throughout the space, the Floor Lamp Series showed how a single lighting product can move between functional white light and a more expressive atmosphere, helping rooms adapt more naturally throughout the day.

Designed to suit a range of interiors and living spaces, the collection combines ambient lighting, adjustable colour temperature and smart personalisation features within a more design-conscious floor lamp format.

The new range includes LuminBlend+, Govee's upgraded colour management system designed to deliver accurate, stable, and true-to-life lighting across a wide range of colour temperatures and brightness levels. With optimized RGB-to-white blending, the lamps which embed LuminBlend+ support an industry-leading 1000K to 10000K color-temperature range, enabling an ultra-wide spectrum of lighting moods

Available on the Floor Lamp 3 and Lantern Floor Lamp, DaySync further extends that adaptability, using automated all-day scheduling to adjust colour temperature in line with natural circadian rhythms, shifting seamlessly from energising morning light to softer, warmer tones in the evening.

AI Lighting Bot 2.0* brings more intuitive control to the collection, using multi-turn conversational prompts to generate custom lighting scenes that reflect a user's desired mood or moment.

Available on Floor Lamp 3 and Lantern Floor Lamp, DaySync introduces automated all-day scheduling that adjusts colour temperature in line with natural circadian rhythms, moving seamlessly from energising morning light to warmer, more relaxing tones in the evening.

With Matter, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings compatibility*, Govee floor lamps integrate seamlessly into major smart home ecosystems, while abundant preset scene modes and 16 music sync modes bring a dedicated lighting atmosphere to every moment.

Availability

The following products are available:

• Govee Floor Lamp 3 — $169.99, on Amazon or Govee.com
• Govee Lantern Floor Lamp — $129.99 on Amazon or Govee.com
• Govee Floor Lamp 3 Lite — $129.99, on Amazon or Govee.com
• Govee Tree Floor Lamp — $169.99, on Amazon or Govee.com
• Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp (New Nebula Effect) — $169.99, on Amazon or Govee.com

To learn more about Govee, please visit govee.com.

As AI agents become more widely adopted, the very process of issuing commands and reviewing results is emerging as a new bottleneck. Paradoxically, the faster agents work, the more frequently users are pulled in for feedback — creating growing fatigue around "agent management."

To address this problem, Clone Labs is building a User Model: an AI that understands user intent and context without requiring constant intervention, enabling autonomous decision-making on the user's behalf. Rather than asking users to repeatedly explain context and step in manually, the User Model learns from users' behavior and preferences and communicates directly with AI agents.

The model is structured around three layers designed to maximize accuracy: Recording, which captures computer usage patterns; Memory, which accumulates and analyzes context and preferences during decision-making; and Prediction, which predicts and executes next actions based on those inputs. Clone Labs also applies a confidence-based gating system, automatically executing tasks when prediction confidence is high while escalating low-confidence or critical decisions back to the user. The company recently launched its first products, "Clone Desktop" and "Clone Plugin," targeting AI-native builders who actively work with multiple AI agents.

Clone Labs was founded by undergraduate students from Seoul National University and has published seven research papers related to AI agents, including collaborations with Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University. The team has also conducted research in key foundational technologies such as CUA (Computer-Use Agents), long-term memory systems, and privacy-preserving memory architectures — all essential components for building User Models.

Clone Labs was initially discovered through the 2025 NAVER D2SF Campus Startup Competition and received investment just three months after entering NAVER D2SF's incubation program in January 2026. NAVER D2SF highly recognized the team's rapid iteration across problem definition, hypothesis testing, and product validation within a short timeframe.

"As AI technology advances rapidly, entirely new bottlenecks and market opportunities are emerging alongside it," said Sanghwan Yang, Head of NAVER D2SF. "Clone Labs quickly recognized that productivity is increasingly constrained by the bottleneck between humans and AI agents, and the team is tackling this challenge with strong research expertise and exceptional execution." He added, "NAVER D2SF will continue to support founders who identify and experiment on the frontlines of the AI era, while expanding collaboration opportunities with NAVER."

To learn more, visit https://d2sf.naver.com

Industry-Highest 4-Million-Pixel Resolving Power, Powered by an Industry-First Hybrid Glass-Plastic Dual-Camera Lens

The TV Backlight 3 achieves 4-million-pixel resolving power — the highest in the TV backlight category — thanks to a proprietary hybrid glass-plastic (1G+3P) dual-camera lens, an industry first. The advanced lens architecture combines the high light transmittance of glass with the precise refraction of aspherical plastic elements, effectively minimizing chromatic aberration and distortion for sharper edge definition and cleaner detail reproduction. This represents a 100% increase in resolving power over the previous generation, with approximately 30% greater overall image clarity compared to conventional 2MP lenses — fully unlocking the sensor's native imaging potential.

An expanded red-spectrum IR filter enhances warm-tone sensitivity, enabling more accurate detection of reds and ambient warm hues on screen. Paired with a high signal-to-noise 1080p image sensor operating at 30fps, the system captures cleaner shadows with reduced noise and stronger contrast — so when a sunset fades to twilight in a documentary, the light behind your TV follows every nuance in real time.

AI Intelligent Multi-Zone Color Mapping, Creating a Natural Extension of Your Screen

Rather than projecting a single wash of color behind the TV, the TV Backlight 3 divides the screen into up to 24 independent zones, each analyzing and reproducing its corresponding section. The result is a layered, natural ambient glow that feels like the picture is flowing beyond the edges of the display.

Govee AI content filters automatically adapt to what's playing — moody and restrained for thrillers, vibrant and dynamic for animation, soft and warm for documentaries — so the atmosphere always matches the moment.

High-Density RGBWIC Light Strip With Professional Color Algorithms, Expanding Your Screen With Richer Ambient Colors

The TV Backlight 3 features high-density 4-in-1 RGBWIC LEDs with a dedicated white channel, elevating color depth and richness beyond standard RGB setups for more nuanced, natural light reproduction. With 60 LEDs per meter, brightness increases by approximately 20% over the previous generation, creating smoother transitions and more layered illumination from dark areas to highlights with no visible breaks. Combined with professional color algorithms — including Gamma calibration and white-light blending — ambient light maintains accurate colors across varying brightness levels while enhancing low-saturation hues for a more vivid and lifelike screen extension.

Ultra-Slim Design, Effortless Installation in Minutes

Designed to disappear behind the TV, the camera module is smaller than a thumb drive. A custom high-bond adhesive means installation takes roughly in minutes with zero tools, no drilling, and no electrician — just peel, stick, and start watching.

Whole-Room Immersive Lighting and Seamless Smart Home Control

With the Govee Home App, users can unlock hundreds of preset scenes, enjoy DreamView synchronization across up to 10 Govee devices — lamps, strips, bulbs, and more — or let the lights move to the rhythm with Music Mode. The TV Backlight 3 is fully compatible with Matter and integrates seamlessly with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.

Pricing & Availability

The Govee TV Backlight 3 is available starting May 18, 2026 on Amazon and Govee.com.

• TV Backlight 3 for 55"–65" TVs — $109.99
• TV Backlight 3 for 75"–85" TVs — $139.99

To learn more about Govee, please visit govee.com.

"Our plan to increase the amount of share repurchases reflects our strong conviction in the long-term opportunity AI creates and our critical role in it as an AI builder," said Ravi Kumar S, CEO. "We believe a fundamental shift in the IT services is underway, one that strengthens Cognizant's position for future growth. We believe our current share price significantly undervalues those prospects. I am confident that our early investments will position us to emerge as a leader in AI-led enterprise transformation in the years ahead."

"A strong balance sheet and robust free cash flow give us the flexibility to opportunistically accelerate the return of capital to shareholders while we continue to invest for growth, including through strategic M&A," said Jatin Dalal, Chief Financial Officer.

Return of Capital to Shareholders

On May 17, 2026, the Board of Directors approved an increase of $2 billion to the amount authorized under the Company's existing stock repurchase program. With this increase, as of May 17, 2026, there is approximately $3.45 billion remaining under the share repurchase authorization. For 2026, the Company is increasing its share repurchase expectation by $1 billion to $2 billion. In connection with this plan and given the anticipated closing of our previously announced acquisition of Astreya, the Company will draw down $1 billion from its existing revolving credit facility. The Company reiterates its long-term capital allocation framework, including the flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions.

Conference Participation

Cognizant CEO, Ravi Kumar S, will participate in a fireside chat at the J.P. Morgan 2026 Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference today, May 18, at 3:30 PM EST.

A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available at Cognizant's website: http://investors.cognizant.com

A replay of the webcast will remain available on the company's website for 90 days.

See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

"This is the natural next phase in our long-standing relationship with JD.com," said Michael Miebach, CEO, Mastercard. "Our shared creativity, deep experience and cutting-edge technology will provide people and businesses with the seamless and secure solutions they're looking for, all while making everyday activities easier and more rewarding. Mastercard will continue to be a bridge between China and the world."

"Global commerce is becoming increasingly connected and technology-driven," said Sandy Xu, CEO of JD.com. "Our new partnership with Mastercard will support the development of JD.com's international business and strengthen our ability to serve consumers and businesses worldwide. By combining JD.com's capabilities in digital retail, logistics and supply chain infrastructure with Mastercard's payment expertise, we will jointly explore next-generation AI-powered commerce and payment experiences powered by advanced technologies, helping shape the future of digital commerce."

Constructing global payments infrastructure and enable SMB growth

JD.com and Mastercard will work together to further integrate and enhance global payment connectivity by developing a payment infrastructure to support JD.com's international business development and enable broader use cases in global commerce.

In addition, both parties will jointly explore a cross-border supply chain finance ecosystem designed to support global small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), improving access to financing and enabling more efficient participation in international trade.

Enhancing cross border consumption experience

JD.com and Mastercard will deepen collaboration to expand the payment choices for international travelers in China. This includes supporting the broader acceptance of international cards and delivering an enhanced checkout, shopping, and tax-refund experiences for overseas visitors across JD.com's e-commerce platforms and retail channels.

The two companies will also explore opportunities to support agentic AI-powered purchasing solutions for consumers and businesses through Mastercard Agent Pay, while also expanding co‑branded card initiatives.

Strengthening a resilient and secure commerce ecosystem

JD.com and Mastercard will deepen cooperation in risk management, identity authentication, and intelligent anti-fraud solutions. Through enhanced real-time risk monitoring and fraud prevention capabilities, the partnership aims to elevate transaction security and strengthen the stability and resilience of digital commerce.

Under a newly formed partnership with Israel-based Seetrue Screening Ltd. ("Seetrue"), SU Group will offer its customers a specialized AI-powered X-ray screening solution designed to enhance the detection of dangerous goods and prohibited items. The partnership initially covers the territory of Hong Kong and Macau.

With many years in the X-ray screening business and a well-established customer network, SU Group believes the introduction of Seetrue's technology can unlock a new, value-added secondary market opportunity. By integrating Seetrue's AI engine with existing X-ray screening systems, security screeners can benefit from faster, more accurate threat detection, improving both operational efficiency and overall security outcomes.

SU Group's Chairman and CEO, Dave Chan, commented, "We continue to broaden our portfolio to give customers the enhanced security solutions they need to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving threat landscape. We are particularly excited to partner with Seetrue because its AI-enhanced X-ray screening solutions are compatible with virtually any X-ray manufacturer or machine. We believe this materially expands our addressable market, as we can now introduce these solutions to our installed base of customers while also driving incremental sales with new customers."

For more information visit www.sugroup.com.hk.

IPAX-2 is an international, multicenter, open-label Phase 1 dose finding study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of TLX101-Tx in combination with post-surgical standard-of-care treatment (external beam radiation therapy and temozolomide) in primary glioblastoma. Twelve patients were enrolled into three dose escalating cohorts across four sites in Australia, Austria and the Netherlands to assess the safety and tolerability, and to assess the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for further development. Patients remain on standard-of-care treatment until study completion, after which the MTD primary endpoint will be confirmed.

Dr. David N. Cade, Group Chief Medical Officer, Telix, commented, "We are pleased to have completed enrolment in IPAX-2, an important milestone in the development of TLX101-Tx as a potential treatment for first-line glioblastoma. The tolerability amongst patients, and the absence of dose-limiting toxicities observed on this study strongly support the continued development of this targeted radiopharmaceutical candidate. We thank the principal investigators, their clinical teams, and the patients who have participated in this important research."

TLX101-Tx is currently also under evaluation in the pivotal IPAX BrIGHT^[2] trial to assess the safety and efficacy of TLX101-Tx in combination with chemotherapy (lomustine), compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (last line). IPAX BrIGHT is actively enrolling and dosing patients in Australia and the Netherlands and is also approved in Austria and Belgium with enrollment to begin soon. This marks the first radiopharmaceutical therapy to enter Phase 3 development for glioblastoma.

Telix's PET imaging candidate TLX101-Px (floretyrosine F 18) has been used across the IPAX series of trials to identify participants with overexpressed LAT1 as suitable candidates for TLX101-Tx therapy, and to provide baseline and follow-up information on tumor response and progression.

TLX101-Tx (¹³¹I-iodofalan) is a systemically administered radiopharmaceutical therapy that targets L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), which is typically over-expressed in glioblastoma. TLX101-Tx utilizes a small molecule approach due to the need to cross the blood brain barrier, the normal protective barrier that prevents many potential drug candidates entering the brain. In addition to IPAX-2, TLX101-Tx was also the subject of the IPAX-1 study^[3] in recurrent glioblastoma, which reported a median overall survival (OS) of 13 months from the initiation of treatment with TLX101-Tx, or 23 months from initial diagnosis^[4]. Preliminary results from the IPAX-Linz investigator-initiated trial of TLX101-Tx in the recurrent setting were consistent and confirmatory to IPAX-1, with a median OS of 11.9 months from the relapse prior to trial enrollment and 32.2 months from initial diagnosis^[5]. Beyond the clinical trial setting, an early access program for TLX101-Tx in Europe has dosed 18 patients at first recurrence or later, further establishing the clinical utility of TLX101-Tx.

TLX101-Tx has received orphan drug designation in the U.S. and Europe for the treatment of glioma. TLX101-Tx and TLX101-Px have not received a marketing authorization in any jurisdiction and are for investigational use only.

Glioblastoma (GBM), is a high-grade glioma and the most common and aggressive form of primary brain cancer, with approximately 22,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.^[6]. The mainstay of treatment for GBM comprises surgical resection, followed by combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite such treatment, recurrence occurs in almost all patients^[7], with an expected survival duration of 12-15 months from diagnosis^[8].

[2] ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07100730.

[3] ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03849105.

[4] Pichler et al. Neurooncol Adv. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/noajnl/vdae130

[5] Telix ASX disclosure April 16, 2025. Data presented by Professor Josef Pichler at the Nuclear Medicine and Neurooncology (NMN) Symposium in Vienna (Austria), May 2025.

[6] Ostrom 2022, CBTRUS (Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States) Statistical Report.

[7] Park et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2010.

[8] Ostrom et al. Neuro Oncol. 2018.

The private gathering, taking place this afternoon, will bring together leading voices in neuroscience, artificial intelligence, sleep medicine, and media to mark the brand's debut in both retail and direct-to-consumer channels across the United States.

The launch will feature a roundtable discussion titled "Technology Empowering Healthy Sleep," exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping the future of sleep health and human recovery.

At the core of Stareep's product lineup is its proprietary OneSync System™, which combines artificial intelligence, non-wearable sensing, and adaptive engineering to monitor more than 32 physiological metrics in real time. The system can autonomously intervene to improve sleep and recovery, such as quietly adjusting head posture to help reduce snoring without waking the user.

The technology is supported by an always-on recovery ecosystem that includes smart mattresses, adjustable bases, smart sofas, and wearable devices. Health data is protected using medical-grade AES-256 encryption.

"North America represents a pivotal milestone for Stareep," said Mae Mei, Chief Marketing Officer of Stareep. "We built this technology to fundamentally change how people think about sleep—not as passive rest, but as active recovery—and we are thrilled to bring that vision to U.S. consumers."

Stareep has already established a strong retail presence in China, with distribution across 48 major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Xi'an. Globally, the brand is available in more than 50 retail locations.

The company enters the North American market with significant industry recognition, including the 2026 TWICE Picks Award, the BIG Innovation Award at CES, and a Gold Award and Best of Category honor in the 2026 Globee® Awards for Artificial Intelligence.

Stareep plans to open preorders through its website and retail partners in August 2026. Product prices will range from $999 to $15,000.

Website:
https://stareep.net/

According to SWF Global, OIA ranked third globally among sovereign wealth funds for return on investment and first globally for public market returns in 2025. The performance gives Oman a stronger position in the global sovereign investment landscape, where Gulf funds are playing an increasingly influential role across private equity, infrastructure, energy transition, logistics, technology and strategic industries.

OIA's assets reached approximately USD 60 bn by the end of 2025. On a cumulative basis, every dollar equivalent held by the Authority in 2020 had grown by approximately 73 percent by the end of 2025, reflecting value creation across its portfolio.

While the world's largest sovereign wealth funds are often judged by scale, OIA's 2025 results place it in a different category: a sovereign investor gaining attention for performance, governance and public market returns.

The Authority also exceeded its approved annual performance indicators by 105 percent, supported by disciplined asset management, stronger public market returns and the restructuring of state-owned assets into more commercially focused enterprises.

OIA's 2025 performance comes as Oman seeks to sharpen its economic position beyond hydrocarbons and deepen its role in international capital flows. The fund attracted approximately USD 4.1bn in foreign direct investment during the year, reinforcing its role as a gateway for global capital into Oman's priority sectors.

A key part of the 2025 story is portfolio transformation. Since assuming ownership of a number of state-owned companies in 2020, OIA has worked to strengthen operational and financial performance across its portfolio, improve profitability and raise efficiency. These restructuring initiatives helped several portfolio companies return to profitability, improved asset quality and supported the Authority's divestment programme. OIA also settled approximately USD 2.4bn in debt across its subsidiaries, further strengthening balance sheets and supporting the shift toward more commercially driven models. Launched in 2022 to recycle capital and maximise returns, the divestment programme had completed 24 divestments by the end of 2025, generating more than USD 7.3bn for reinvestment into new opportunities.

Today, OIA's portfolio now spans more than 52 countries, reflecting a strategy designed to balance domestic exposure with global diversification. Nearly two-thirds of its investments are held in Oman, while the remaining portfolio is allocated across major international markets, including 19 percent in North America, 9 percent in Europe, 4 percent in Asia-Pacific and 7 percent in other global markets.

OIA's 2025 performance also reflects a broader strengthening of governance and transparency around Oman's state-owned assets. Global institutions, including the World Bank, have recognised Oman's progress in improving the management and oversight of state-owned enterprises, while OIA ranked third among sovereign wealth funds. For international investors, this strengthens the fund's credibility as Oman seeks to attract long-term capital and deepen its role in global investment flows.

With record profits, leading performance in public markets and stronger governance credentials, the authority's 2025 results point to a broader shift in Oman's economic model: the use of sovereign capital to generate returns, attract foreign investment, restructure state assets and build a more internationally connected investment platform.

Website: www.oia.gov.om

The newly unveiled Robotaxi, built on the XPENG GX platform, is China's first production-ready, pre-assembled Robotaxi model developed entirely with in-house technologies and engineered to L4 autonomous driving standards. Powered by four self-developed Turing AI chips, it delivers an industry-leading effective on-board computing power of 3,000 TOPS.

In January of this year, XPENG Robotaxi secured a road testing permit for intelligent connected vehicles in Guangzhou, formally entering the phase of routine L4 public road testing. In March, the company established its Robotaxi business unit to oversee product definition, R&D testing, and operations, thereby accelerating the commercialization roadmap.

XPENG's Robotaxi operates without LiDAR or high-definition maps. Instead, it adopts a pure vision solution, with decision-making driven by the VLA 2.0 end-to-end large model. The model eliminates the language-translation step inherent in traditional "Vision-Language-Action" three-stage architectures, compressing system response latency to under 80 milliseconds. It also offers enhanced urban generalization capabilities, supporting cross-city and even cross-border deployment.

Designed to deliver premium, safe, luxurious and intelligent travel experience, the mass-produced Robotaxi is equipped with practical intelligent cabin configurations including privacy glass, comfort gravity seats and rear in-car entertainment screens. Passengers can enjoy multimedia entertainment and adjust in-car settings via built-in voice assistant during rides.

XPENG plans to initiate pilot Robotaxi operations in the second half of this year to validate technical viability, user acceptance, and the complete business model. The company aims to achieve fully autonomous operations without on-site safety officer by early 2027. On the ecosystem front, XPENG will open its Robotaxi SDK, with Amap becoming its first global ecosystem partner.

The Robotaxi sector is currently at a critical inflection point, transitioning from technical validation to large-scale commercialization. As a full-stack automaker with in-house capabilities spanning software, chips, and complete vehicles, XPENG is positioned to move directly to scaled delivery upon completion of technical validation, thereby shortening the cycle from R&D to commercial operations.

As one of the flagship products of XPENG's physical AI ecosystem, this mass-produced Robotaxi shares the same VLA 2.0 large model foundation as the humanoid robot IRON and the flying car. The rollout today represents a pivotal step forward in XPENG's journey from physical AI research and development to large-scale deployment.

For more information, please visit https://www.xpeng.com/.

Aramco Executive Vice President of Technology and Innovation, Ahmad O. Al Khowaiter and Pasqal CEO, Wasiq Bokhari, at the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first Quantum Computer and the Middle East’s first commercial Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) platform

Aramco and Pasqal also unveiled the first commercial Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) platform in the Middle East, opening a new chapter in building regional expertise and accelerating the development of quantum applications across the energy, materials and industrial sectors.

Marking a major milestone in the region's technological advancement, QCaaS enables remote cloud access for potential clients around the globe. Located at Aramco's data center in Dhahran, the computer provides customers with immediate, low-latency access to quantum hardware through a secure cloud platform to address complex industrial challenges.

Ahmad O. Al Khowaiter, Aramco Executive Vice President of Technology & Innovation, said: "This quantum milestone belongs to our Saudi researchers, engineers and scientists. By investing in joint training and research, we are building world–class quantum expertise right here in the Kingdom—an expertise that will power the next generation of energy solutions, accelerate lower–carbon fuel development, and enhance reservoir and supply–chain optimization. Let this achievement be the catalyst for an innovation–driven economy, creating high–impact, future–ready jobs for our youth and advancing Saudi Vision 2030."

Wasiq Bokhari, Pasqal CEO, said: "Aramco is not just waiting for quantum computing, it is helping to shape it as a global leader. This inauguration is evidence that the most demanding industrial challenges in the world are now being tackled with Pasqal's quantum processors, software and specific solutions. For Pasqal, deploying our system for use in Aramco's business-critical operations, while also being available to the region's enterprises and research community, is a part of our core mission: to enable practical and secure quantum computing at scale today."

Pasqal has been designing and building high-performance hardware and cloud-ready software since 2019, to address complex challenges in optimization, simulation, and artificial intelligence. Following its initial deployment in November 2025, the Pasqal Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) is powered by neutral-atom technology and controls 200 programmable qubits. Today's inauguration formalizes its entry into active operation across a growing portfolio of industrial use cases and enables enterprises to explore and develop quantum-enhanced solutions for real-world industrial challenges.

Under the terms of the partnership, Aramco will progress a roadmap of use cases on a production-ready QPU as a foundational customer, accelerating development of quantum-hybrid solutions for its programs across energy, materials and industrial operations. Other external organizations, including research institutions, universities, and enterprises, can use Pasqal's cloud platform to access one of the few quantum computers in the world.

Aramco's domestic venture capital arm, Wa'ed Ventures, initially invested in Pasqal in January 2023, reinforcing efforts to localize advanced quantum technologies and accelerate the development of the regional quantum ecosystem. Since then, Aramco and Pasqal have built a structured quantum program targeting high-value operational challenges across multiple workstreams, where quantum-hybrid approaches unlock capabilities beyond classical computing. These Aramco workstreams include port logistics optimization, CO₂ storage optimization, well placement, rig scheduling, building the Kingdom's quantum workforce, and making quantum computing available throughout the region. @aramco

https://www.aramco.com