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VinFast expands Indonesian service network through local automotive partnerships

VinFast — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:31:28 +0700

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 August 2026 - VinFast continues to strengthen its aftersales network in Indonesia by expanding its Authorized Service Outlet network through partnerships with reputable automotive service providers across the country. The expansion marks another milestone in VinFast's strategy to develop a comprehensive EV ecosystem in Indonesia, making genuine aftersales services more accessible and convenient for customers while supporting the country's transition to sustainable mobility.

Representatives of VinFast Indonesia and its partners at the signing ceremony.

VinFast has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 10 reputable partners across Indonesia, including PT Lampung Auto Mandiri, PT Karoto Seiko Indonesia, CV Agus Lio Ban, CV Family Auto Motor, PT Motoreko Mobilindo, PT Green Mobilitas Indonesia, PT Global Mobil Indonesia, PT Layanan Prima Sejahtera, CV Karya Indah Motor, and PT Prayoga Tangguh Perkasa.

Under the agreements, the partners will join VinFast's Authorized Service Outlet network to provide vehicle maintenance, general repair, and body repair services in accordance with VinFast's global standards. They will also distribute genuine VinFast parts and accessories throughout Indonesia.

Pursuant to the agreements, the Authorized Service Outlets will meet VinFast's stringent requirements for technical capability, facilities, and service quality, while committing to uphold the Company's core values and brand standards.

The continued expansion of VinFast's Authorized Service Outlet network enables customers across Indonesia to access genuine aftersales services more conveniently, wherever they are. Supported by VinFast-certified technicians and a reliable supply of genuine parts and accessories, customers can be confident that their vehicles will receive consistent, high-quality care, ensuring safety, reliability, and optimal performance throughout the ownership experience.

To date, VinFast has established a network of more than 100 Authorized Service Outlets across Indonesia. The network extends beyond Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) to major cities nationwide, meeting the growing aftersales needs of both individual customers and commercial fleet operators.

Antonio Zara, Chief Executive Officer of VinFast Southeast Asia, said: "For electric vehicles, a reliable aftersales network is essential to giving customers confidence throughout their ownership journey. The continued expansion of our Authorized Service Outlet network demonstrates VinFast's long-term commitment to customers in Indonesia. By partnering with experienced and trusted automotive service providers, we aim to deliver international-standard aftersales services that are convenient, efficient, and dependable, giving consumers greater confidence in choosing VinFast electric vehicles."

The expansion of the Authorized Service Outlet network is a key pillar of VinFast's strategy to build a comprehensive EV ecosystem in Indonesia. Together with an increasingly diverse product portfolio, a rapidly expanding charging infrastructure, and the continued development of a broader green mobility ecosystem, the nationwide aftersales network will further strengthen VinFast's ability to provide Indonesian consumers with a convenient, reliable, and sustainable EV ownership experience.

VinFast has also introduced a range of customer-focused initiatives to make EV ownership more accessible and convenient, including its battery subscription program, guaranteed buyback program, and free charging at V-GREEN charging stations through March 31, 2029. Together with its partners across vehicle distribution, financing, charging infrastructure, and aftersales services, VinFast continues to strengthen its integrated EV ecosystem, reaffirming its long-term commitment to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in Indonesia.

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

KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse introduces 90 minutes daily outdoor play in Singapore

KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:25:17 +0700

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2026 – KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse is the first preschool in Singapore to aim for 90 minutes of outdoor play every school day, far exceeding the 30 minutes of daily outdoor time required under national regulations. The 90-minute figure is grounded in research linking sustained outdoor time to stronger executive function, steadier emotional regulation and sharper attention in young children, benefits that compound most powerfully in the preschool years.

What Our Children Have Lost

Almost one in five Singaporean parents say their preschooler spends less than an hour outdoors on a typical weekend day. The picture is no better elsewhere: a 2025 UK study found more than a third of children do not play outdoors on school days. For a brain forming roughly a million new neural connections a second in these earliest years, that shrinking outdoor time is a developmental loss exactly when the architecture of attention, memory and self-regulation is still being built.

Research links repeated outdoor free play to gains in executive function: the inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility that later show up as a child's ability to regulate their emotions, follow instructions and solve problems. A growing body of research also establishes a direct relationship between outdoor play and healthy childhood development, from stronger working memory and emotional regulation to improved mental health. In the largest study of its kind, tracking more than 4,000 children, those who played outdoors more often as preschoolers were significantly more likely to stay on a healthy mental-health path years later, exhibiting fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression and behavioural difficulty than the children who played outside less.

Aiming for 90 Minutes of Outdoor Playtime

In January 2026, KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse introduced extended outdoor play of up to 90 minutes for every child, every day. It is the first preschool in Singapore to make this commitment across its high-quality early education programmes.

National regulations require full-day preschools to provide 30 minutes of outdoor time daily; KiddiWinkie aims for up to three times that floor. Currently, preschools in Singapore usually promise "outdoor learning" or "time in nature", or institute "no-screens" and "no-device" rules, which are more open to interpretation.

The daily outdoor allocation of 90 minutes for preschoolers and 30 minutes for infant care services derives from the third pillar of Sustainable Education™, Nature-Based Learning. Sustainable Education™ is the pedagogical framework of Babilou Family, KiddiWinkie's parent group, under which its centres commit to outdoor play as part of the daycare experience. This commitment aligns with KiddiWinkie's Natural Rhythm® pedagogy, which aims to honour each child's unique developmental journey through sensory play, child-led exploration and an ethos of care.

As childhood in Singapore moves steadily indoors, the question now is: Who is willing to ensure that children enjoy crucial outdoor play? KiddiWinkie's 90-minute answer is based on the science that the early years are when children most stand to gain from such exposure. This is scientific knowledge made into everyday practice: that a generation given back its outdoor hours grows up steadier, sharper and better prepared for the world waiting beyond the school gate.

For more information on KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse and its Natural Rhythm® pedagogy, please email info@kiddiwinkie.edu.sg or visit a KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse centre. Full list of centre locations here.

https://kiddiwinkie.edu.sg/

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

UstarPay launches payment application and virtual card supporting USDT deposits

UstarPay — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:21:15 +0700

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 August 2026 - UstarPay, a PayFi infrastructure platform connecting crypto to real-world payments, announced that the UstarPay App and Virtual Card officially launched on July 30, 2026. The initial launch is available to eligible users, enabling them to deposit and spend USDT through a secure and practical digital payment experience.

This launch marks an important milestone for UstarPay's mission of "Real Crypto, Real Life." It turns the company's vision into action by allowing users to move beyond simply holding digital assets and begin using them in real-world spending scenarios. UstarPay will continue improving the product experience in future versions, including usability, supported features, payment scenarios, regional coverage, and infrastructure capabilities.

Digital assets have changed how people store and exchange value, but using crypto in daily life has often remained difficult. UstarPay was created to solve this gap. With the launch of its App and Virtual Card, UstarPay is taking its first step toward making crypto more accessible, spendable, and useful for everyday life.

A UstarPay spokesperson said: "The UstarPay App and Virtual Card officially launched on July 30, and this is only the beginning. This first version allows users to deposit and spend USDT through the UstarPay App and Virtual Card, but our vision goes far beyond that. We will continue to improve the product in upcoming versions, listen closely to users, and build a smoother, broader, and more powerful payment experience."

What This Launch Means for UstarPay

The first launch of the UstarPay App and Virtual Card creates a major impact for the UstarPay ecosystem. It moves UstarPay from infrastructure vision to real user experience, giving people a direct way to interact with the platform and use digital assets in practical payment situations.

For UstarPay, this launch:

Validates the "Real Crypto, Real Life" mission by turning USDT into a usable payment balance.
Introduces UstarPay to real users in the market, allowing the company to quickly gather market feedback and continuously optimize the product experience.
Creates the foundation for future product expansion, including more features, broader use cases, and improved payment access.
Strengthens UstarPay's role in PayFi infrastructure by connecting digital assets with real-world financial activity.
Builds trust through practical utility, showing users that crypto can be more than an investment or trading asset.

This launch is not the final destination. It is the foundation for UstarPay's next stage of growth.

What UstarPay Changes
UstarPay changes the way people interact with crypto by making digital assets easier to use in everyday life. Instead of keeping crypto inside exchanges, wallets, or trading platforms, UstarPay helps users turn USDT into real spending power.

This launch changes the user experience in several key ways:

From holding to spending: Users can move from simply holding USDT to using it for everyday payments.
From complex to simple: The UstarPay App provides users with a clearer and more convenient way to manage and use digital assets.
From digital-only to real life: The Virtual Card helps connect crypto balances with real-world payment scenarios.
From delayed access to faster usability: Users can deposit USDT and access spending functions through a single platform.
From fragmented tools to one ecosystem: UstarPay brings wallet and card functions together within one unified payment experience.

For freelancers, remote workers, travelers, Web3 users, and digital entrepreneurs, this means crypto can become more practical, flexible, and closely connected to everyday needs.

Key Features of the First Version
The first version of the UstarPay App and Virtual Card includes:

USDT Deposits: Users can deposit USDT into the UstarPay App.
Virtual Card Access: Users can use the virtual card in supported payment scenarios.
Everyday Digital Spending: Designed for online shopping, travel bookings, subscriptions, and other digital payment needs.
Simple Account Experience: Manage digital assets and payment functions within one app.
Availability for Eligible Users: Open to eligible users.
Secure Payment Infrastructure: Built with a focus on compliance, transparency, and asset protection.

As the first version, UstarPay will continue to develop and improve the platform based on user needs, market feedback, and technical upgrades.

The UstarPay App and Virtual Card officially launched on July 30, 2026.

Regulated Area Check:
Before downloading or using UstarPay services, users should confirm whether their country or region is within UstarPay's supported and compliant service areas. Please refer to the latest regulated area list.

Download UstarPay & Regulated Area List:
https://linktr.ee/UstarPay

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

Company net profit increases 30 percent under revised operational strategy

China Tower Corporation Limited — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:17:19 +0700

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 August 2026 – The world's largest telecommunications infrastructure service provider China Tower Corporation Limited ("China Tower", or the "Company") (Stock Code: 0788.HK) is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026.

Performance Highlights

RMB Million	1H 2026	1H 2025	Change
Operating revenue	48,693	49,601	-1.8%
EBITDA[1]	30,252	34,227	-11.6%
Profit attributable to owners of the Company	7,489	5,757	30.1%
Basic earnings per share (RMB yuan)	0.4284	0.3293	30.1%
Dividend per share (RMB yuan)	0.19122	0.13250	44.3%
Key operating data
Number of tower sites (thousand)	2,172	2,119	2.5%
Number of tower tenants (thousand)	3,871	3,844	0.7%
Tenancy ratio (tenants / tower site)	1.78	1.81	-1.7%

In the first half of 2026, the Company's operating revenue reached RMB 48,693 million, a decrease of 1.8% year-on-year. EBITDA amounted to RMB 30,252 million, a decrease of 11.6% year-on-year, with an EBITDA margin[2] of 62.1%. Profit attributable to the owners of the Company reached RMB 7,489 million, an increase of 30.1% year-on-year, with a net profit margin of 15.4%.

Net cash generated from operating activities amounted to RMB 7,135 million. Capital expenditure stood at RMB 11,650 million. As at 30 June 2026, our total assets amounted to RMB 351,237 million, with interest-bearing liabilities of RMB 101,392 million and a gearing ratio[3] of 31.5%, representing an increase of 3.8 percentage points from the end of 2025.

The Company attaches great importance to shareholder returns. After considering our profitability, cash flow and capital requirements for future development, the board of directors of the Company has resolved to distribute an interim dividend of RMB 0.19122 per share (pre-tax).[4] We will work towards realizing steady growth in annual dividend payment per share and continue creating greater value for shareholders.

Enhanced resource sharing consolidated the TSP business foundation

The Company further deployed the Dual-Gigabit network joint-entry implementation and made significant progress in implementing special projects such as upgrading signal strength and extending broadband coverage to all border areas, forests and grasslands. We focused on enhancing resource sharing and coordination of network resources in order to fully satisfy our customers' diverse, high-quality network construction needs, and support the expansion of 5G network penetration and coverage. In the first half of 2026, our TSP business recorded revenue of RMB 40,357 million, a decrease of 5.0% year-on-year.

Tower business. We deepened the implementation of our embedded service mechanism, aligning with TSPs' network construction planning and comprehensively addressing their demands for network standards/frequency bands. We strengthened the innovative application of regionalized products and comprehensive solutions to fully meet customers' differentiated needs. Leveraging our extensive site resource data, we proactively conducted coverage analysis to enhance network optimization capabilities, helping TSPs achieve precise planning and precise construction. Focusing on customers' most pressing concerns, we leveraged the Company's resource coordination advantages and carried out special initiatives to tackle difficult sites, enhancing construction and delivery efficiency. We fully implemented the integrated coordination of "resources + demand", actively engaging with network coverage needs in key industries such as culture and tourism, education, and transportation. Adhering to a customer-oriented philosophy, we continued to optimize end-to-end business processes and management standards to serve customers' network coverage construction efficiently. Impacted by customers' optimization and adjustment of network deployment, simplified base station upgrades, and the continued development of the unified 4G network by China Telecom and China Unicom, our Tower business revenue in the first half of 2026 reached RMB 35,263 million, a decrease of 6.7% year-on-year. As of 30 June 2026, the Company managed a total of 2.172 million tower sites, an increase of 23,000 sites compared to the end of 2025. TSP tenants reached 3.565 million, a decrease of 2,000 compared to the end of 2025. Our TSP tenancy ratio was 1.69.

DAS business. We continued to focus on high-value and livelihood-critical scenarios, strengthening resource coordination, joint construction and shared development. In support of the implementation of the Technical Standard for Engineering of Mobile Communication Infrastructure in Buildings, we accelerated engagement with newly constructed building projects and coordinated the synchronized planning and construction of supporting telecommunications facilities, achieving early resource deployment and efficient rollout. We continued to enhance product and service competitiveness, and steadily advanced iterative 5G network upgrades on high-speed railways, upgraded signal strength to tackle coverage in elevators and underground parking lots and deployed shared repeaters at scale in everyday scenarios such as tunnels and residential communities, helping TSPs achieve efficient, intensive and low-cost expansion of indoor and outdoor network coverage. In the first half of 2026, our DAS business revenue reached RMB 5,094 million, an increase of 9.2% year-on-year. As of 30 June 2026, we had covered buildings with a cumulative area of 16.17 billion square meters, while the coverage in railway tunnels and subways reached a cumulative length of 36,111 kilometers.

Consolidated advantages to drive rapid growth of Two Wings business

The Company continued to strengthen product innovation and optimized business planning to improve core competencies and drive the continued rapid growth of our Two Wings business. In the first half of 2026, revenues from our Two Wings business reached RMB 7,923 million, accounting for 16.3% of our overall operating revenue and representing an increase of 2.3 percentage points over the same period last year.

Smart Tower business. Focusing on spatial digital intelligence governance, we continued to deepen our presence in key sectors and key scenarios. More than 260,000 "digital towers" now serve over 10 industries, including land and resources, emergency response, water conservancy, and environmental protection, with our market share steadily improving in key areas such as straw burning prohibition, farmland protection, and disaster alert. We deepened resource sharing on the distributed platform and optimized algorithm iteration for mid-to-high points. We continued to implement the "AI+" special project, deepening the application of large models for spatial digital intelligence governance and promoting the innovative upgrading of industry application scenarios. We actively positioned ourselves in emerging fields such as the low-altitude economy, accelerating the R&D of related products. We continued to uphold a customer-oriented philosophy, improved our high-standard service system and the development of local technical support teams, strengthened full-process support for product iteration and development, project construction and delivery, and operation and maintenance, and continuously enhanced customer satisfaction. In the first half of 2026, our Smart Tower business achieved revenue of RMB 5,332 million, a year-on-year increase of 12.8%. Of which, RMB 3,200 million was generated from Tower Monitoring business, accounting for 60.0% of our Smart Tower business.

Energy business. We focused on developing key business segments including battery exchange and power backup. By leveraging our core strengths in product, service, and platform, we continued to refine the quality of our operations and solidify our competitive advantages in the market. For the battery exchange business, we strengthened our presence in the consumer express delivery and food delivery sectors and strengthened the refined operation of our user base, reinforcing customer retention with high-quality service. As of 30 June 2026, we had approximately 1.493 million battery exchange users, an increase of 16,000 from the end of 2025, further maintaining our leading position in the market. We accelerated the deployment of our community charging infrastructure network for low-speed electric vehicles, enabling service upgrades and continuously expanding our service coverage and user base. For the power backup business, we focused on key industry sectors, analyzed customers' core needs, strengthened platform and service capability development, stepped up the promotion of comprehensive industry solutions, and continued to enhance the influence of the China Tower "energy butler" brand. In the first half of 2026, our Energy business achieved revenue of RMB 2,591 million, a year-on-year increase of 17.3%. Of which, the battery exchange business accounted for RMB 1,595 million, up by 20.6% year-on-year, contributing 61.6% of the Energy business revenue.

Innovation-driven development with steadily enhanced technological capabilities

Focused on the "One Core and Two Wings" strategy, the Company concentrated its resources on solving technological challenges, accelerating the commercialization of research achievements, and fostering the development of new quality productive forces. In the first half of the year, our R&D investment and R&D team size increased by 23% and 22%, respectively, while patent applications and patent authorizations grew by 15% and 132%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. One technological achievement received the second prize of the State Science and Technology Progress Award, and we led the initiation of two additional international standards. A series of innovative products achieved large-scale commercial application, including new 5G leaky cables, the Tower Monitoring platform, video AI algorithms for mid-to-high points, and the integrated energy service platform. The cumulative number of technological achievements and the number of achievements deployed at scale increased by 43% and 57%, respectively, from the end of 2025. The spatial governance data set of our Tower Monitoring network was recognized as an outstanding achievement among the high-quality industry data sets of central state-owned enterprises, while our digital intelligence IoT integrated governance scenario was included among the strategic high-value AI scenarios for central state-owned enterprises. Our technology innovation system continued to improve, with the high-quality development of our six technological innovation centers. We joined the innovation consortia and technology commercialization consortia of central enterprises for fields including the low-altitude economy, robotics, and quantum technology.

Zhang Zhiyong, Chairman of China Tower said, "In the first half of 2026, we actively seized the opportunities brought about by the national strategies of 'Cyberpower', 'Digital China', and 'Dual Carbon' goals. Looking ahead, we will remain anchored in the 'One Core and Two Wings' strategic positioning, focusing on strengthening our core capabilities and competitiveness, further deepening resource sharing, and improving operating efficiency, to create greater value for shareholders, customers, and society."

[1] EBITDA is calculated by operating profit plus depreciation and amortization.

[2] EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by operating revenue, and multiplying the resulting value by 100%.

[3] Gearing ratio is calculated as net debt (Interest-bearing liabilities minus the amount of cash and cash equivalents) divided by the sum of total equity and net debt, then multiplied by 100%.

[4] The Company's share consolidation and capital reduction took effect on 20 February 2025. The Company's total issued share capital was reduced from 176,008,471,024 shares to 17,600,847,102 shares. Taking into account the aforementioned change in total issued share capital, the growth rate is calculated based on the total amount of dividends.

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

DHL Express launches daily Shanghai Bangkok cargo flight on Boeing 767

DHL — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:11:22 +0700

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 August 2026 – DHL Express has added a new direct flight between Shanghai and Bangkok, increasing capacity on a trade lane linking China and the rapidly growing economies of Indochina. The new flight route, Shanghai-Bangkok-Bahrain*-Brussels-Shanghai, significantly enhances connectivity among manufacturing, sourcing, and consumption markets across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

DHL Express boosts Indochina connectivity with new Shanghai-Bangkok flight

Operated by a DHL Boeing 767 freighter with a maximum payload of 50 tons, the new daily service demonstrates DHL Express's ongoing investments in network capacity and infrastructure to strengthen connectivity for customers in high-growth markets. Equally, it also reflects DHL's constant review of evolving trade patterns and swift action to adapt to those changes.

"This route is a direct response to how trade flows in Asia are shifting," said Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express. "We're seeing increasing movement of goods between China and Southeast Asia, alongside continued demand from customers in Europe and the Middle East for products manufactured across the region. This new route boosts our network where customers need it most, providing additional capacity and more direct connections between key production and consumption markets."

Bangkok serves as a strategic gateway to the Indochina region, while Bahrain and Brussels are key DHL Express hubs. The introduction of the Shanghai-Bangkok route enables DHL Express to efficiently consolidate shipments originating from China and Southeast Asia before connecting them to destinations across Europe and the Middle East.

The direct flight comes at a time when manufacturers and traders in markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are sourcing more from China. For many customers, those shipments are part of production chains that stretch across multiple countries. As trade links between China and Southeast Asia deepen, DHL Express is improving speed, flexibility and network resilience for customers moving materials, components and finished products across Asia and onward to global markets. Last month, DHL Express also expanded its Shenzhen gateway, located at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. The facility can handle 900 tons of cargo daily – approximately three times the original throughput – as it supports booming cross-border trade and e-commerce shipments in China.

At the same time, businesses in Europe and the Middle East continue to trade heavily with their peers in China and Southeast Asia for a wide range of products, from electronics and industrial components to consumer goods. As international business activity remains highly dispersed across global markets rather than concentrating within regions, the new route opens more trading opportunities for businesses while strengthening access for both regions.

As both intra-Asia and global trade flows continue to show resilience, DHL remains focused on investing in its dedicated air network. Another recent example includes the introduction of a new transpacific service by DHL Global Forwarding that connects Southeast Asia and the United States. These expansions seek to better connect businesses to global markets as well as build more agile supply chains.

https://group.dhl.com/en.html

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

Merck expands Singapore biosafety testing laboratory to over 1 000 square metres

Merck — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:03:37 +0700

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 August 2026 – Merck, a leading science and technology company, is expanding its Singapore lab to further strengthen analytical and biosafety testing services for customers across the Asia Pacific region. Biosafety testing is a critical step in the drug development and manufacturing process, helping to ensure that biologics are safe, effective, and compliant with regulatory requirements.

The expansion builds on Merck's global testing expertise of more than 75 years and marks a significant milestone in providing an advanced, local contract testing services portfolio for the region's growing biopharma industry.

"Localizing these BioReliance® testing capabilities means our Asia Pacific biopharma customers can accelerate their development timelines, improve operational efficiency, and meet evolving regulatory and sustainability standards" said Paolo Carli, Head of Advanced Solutions for the Life Science business of Merck. "This investment underscores Merck's commitment to empowering medicine makers by providing industry-leading analytical and biosafety testing services and technical expertise."

Merck's Singapore laboratory will become the first BioReliance® facility in Asia-Pacific to offer both Cell Line Characterization services and GMP next-generation sequencing (NGS) capabilities. It will also offer advanced molecular methods including Blazar®, a proprietary platform for rapid virus detection.

The expanded facility aims to support the industry's move towards state-of-the-art quality control testing of biologics and 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of animal use) through advanced molecular methods.

"Merck's expansion of the BioReliance® lab will bring world-class and next-generation testing services to biopharmaceutical companies in Singapore and the region. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Merck to strengthen Singapore's ecosystem, build new capabilities within our local workforce, and enable the delivery of innovative therapies to patients," said Goh Wan Yee, Senior Vice President and Head of Healthcare, Singapore Economic Development Board.

The Singapore BioReliance® lab was opened in 2018, and the expansion will bring the total lab area to over 1,000 square meters. This expansion is also a key step in Merck's broader strategy to support the region's dynamic life science ecosystem and drive scientific progress.

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

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VinSpace signs SpaceX launch contract for satellite missions in 2027

VinSpace — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:47:36 +0700

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 August 2026 - VinSpace Joint Stock Company ("VinSpace") announced the signing of a launch contract with U.S.-basedSpaceX. The agreement marks a significant milestone in VinSpace's roadmap to build comprehensive aerospace capabilities, advancing its mission to foster the development of Vietnam's space industry.

VinSpace's satellites will launch aboard a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027 as part of SpaceX's rideshare program.

Under the agreement, VinSpace's satellites will launch aboard a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027 as part of SpaceX's rideshare program, which enables multiple customers to share a single launch. VinSpace is responsible for the research, development, manufacturing and on-orbit operation of its satellites. The satellites will support the on-orbit demonstration of in-house developed technologies, strengthen VinSpace's satellite engineering capabilities, and pave the way for future commercial space applications.

The agreement provides an important foundation for VinSpace's first satellite missions. In April 2026, the company announced its plan to develop and launch its first satellites into orbit in 2027.

The agreement represents another important step in VinSpace's long-term vision to become a full-stack aerospace company, developing capabilities across the entire space value chain - from satellite design and manufacturing to Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT), launch mission management, satellite operations, and downstream space data products and services.

Selecting SpaceX as its launch service provider reflects VinSpace's strategy of working with the world's leading technology companies to realise its first space missions.

Thu Vu, Chief Executive Officer of VinSpace, shared that:"Reliable access to space is fundamental to turning satellite innovation into operational missions. This contract with SpaceX is an important milestone in VinSpace's long-term strategy to help build Vietnam's space ecosystem and strengthen the country's position within the global space economy."

VinSpace's upcoming satellite missions are expected to provide an important platform for in-orbit technology validation, accelerate the development of Vietnam's aerospace talent, deepen international collaboration, and support the commercialisation of space technologies. As satellites, low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations and other space technologies become increasingly important to economic growth, infrastructure resilience and national technological competitiveness, VinSpace is committed to strengthening Vietnam's sovereign space capabilities while delivering commercially sustainable solutions for customers across Vietnam, Southeast Asia and international markets.

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

Ericsson repurchases Class B shares in weekly buyback

PR Newswire — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:16:20 +0700

STOCKHOLM, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- During the period August 3 - August 7, 2026, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) ("Ericsson") (LEI code 549300W9JLPW15XIFM52) repurchased own Class B shares (ISIN: SE0000108656) as follows:

Date	Aggregated daily volume (number of shares)	Weighted average share price per day (SEK)	Total daily transaction value (SEK)
03/08/2026	500,000	95.7186	47,859,300.00
04/08/2026	500,000	97.6833	48,841,650.00
05/08/2026	1,000,000	97.4855	97,485,500.00
06/08/2026	1,000,000	96.6100	96,610,000.00
07/08/2026	1,000,000	96.6658	96,665,800.00
Total	4,000,000	96.8656	387,462,250.00

The share repurchases are a part of the share buyback program of up to SEK 15,000,000,000 which Ericsson announced on April 16, 2026, and which runs between April 23, 2026, and March 31, 2027, at the latest. The Board of Directors intends to propose to the 2027 Annual General Meeting that the repurchased shares, other than those used to fulfil Ericsson's obligations under its share-related incentive programs, are cancelled.

The share buyback program is executed in accordance with the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on market abuse (MAR) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016 supplementing MAR (the Safe Harbour Regulation).

All acquisitions have been carried out on Nasdaq Stockholm by Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE on behalf of Ericsson. A full breakdown of the transactions is attached to this announcement.

Following the repurchases above, Ericsson's holding of treasury stock amounts to 95,169,316 Class B shares. There are in total 3,371,351,735 shares in Ericsson, 261,755,983 shares of Class A and 3,109,595,752 shares of Class B.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/ericsson/r/share-buybacks-in-ericsson-during-the-period-august-3---august-7--2026,c4381365

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/15448/4381365/4212639.pdf	Share buybacks in Ericsson during the period August 3-August 7 2026
https://mb.cision.com/Public/15448/4381365/acae6b8830f84a7d.xlsx	Daily Ericsson Share Buyback Report

Minesto Dragon 4 power plant sets tidal electricity production record

PR Newswire — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:11:16 +0700

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Minesto today announces that the Dragon 4 power plant, upgraded with a new power-take-off (PTO) system that improves energy production throughout the tidal flow cycle, has delivered record breaking electricity generation over the summer in Vestmannasund, Faroe Islands. "We have now demonstrated what we believe to be the most efficient tidal energy power plant in the world in terms of energy conversion performance. This is proven through continuous production over several months," says Dr Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto.

Minesto's microgrid-scale power plant Dragon 4 has generated record breaking electricity production over the summer in Vestmannasund, Faroe Islands.

The tidal flows in Vestmanna have proven to be stronger than historically modelled and anticipated, creating additional potential for energy production. Combined with the enhanced hydrodynamic efficiency of Minesto's second-generation kite technology, the Dragon Class, this meant that the original power-take-off system did not fully capitalize on the inherent potential. In response, Minesto's engineering team developed a more powerful PTO.

This upgraded PTO system has successfully demonstrated improved energy production throughout all tidal flow cycles while simultaneously reducing system costs.

The graph below/attached is a power production graph comparing daily energy production from the Dragon 4 power plant before and after the upgrade.

"The published power production data illustrates stable generation that closely follows the intensity of the tidal currents in Vestmanna at the production site. We can clearly see that the upgraded Dragon 4 captures energy in proportion to the predicted available resource. Both curves are produced by our Dragon 4 "Saga" in Q2 and Q3 this year, the only hardware difference is the PTO" says Bernt Erik Westre, CTO at Minesto.

"With the results from this upgrade, we claim to have demonstrated the most efficient tidal energy power plant in the world in terms of energy conversion performance, proven over several months of production. The production performance is fully in line with our simulation models, further validating our ability to specify power plant configurations that maximize energy extraction at a given site," says Martin Edlund.

"The know-how and technology we have built over the years in integrating a power-take-off system into our unique Dragon systems has been hard-earned. The demanding and dynamic operating conditions created by tidal cycles and ocean environments make this expertise truly unique. With this new proven performance level, the commercial value of our intellectual property related to Dragon hardware and software has multiplied over the summer," Martin Edlund concludes.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/r/dragon-power-unleashed--minesto-s-tidal-energy-power-plant-sets-electricity-production-record-over-s,c4381466

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/14621/4381466/4212924.pdf	PR 260810 Dragon Power unleashed -the Minesto's Tidal Energy Power Plant sets electricity production record
https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/i/power-production-graph-minesto,c3556176	Power Production graph Minesto

Hana Bank unit GLN expands payment network to 1 5 million merchants

PR Newswire — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:04:52 +0700

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GLN International (CEO Lee Suk, "GLN"), a subsidiary of Hana Bank, has expanded its QR payment acceptance network in Korea from approximately 1 million to 1.5 million merchants by integrating with the Seoul Pay network in partnership with Coocon. As a result, visitors to Korea can now use QR payments at even more merchants in Seoul while retaining access to GLN's existing nationwide merchant network across major tourist destinations, including Busan and Jeju.

GLN expands its QR payment network to approximately 1.5 million merchants
nationwide through Seoul Pay integration.

Seoul Pay is a QR-based payment service introduced to reduce payment processing costs for small businesses. As an open payment platform, it enables multiple domestic and international payment services to operate through a single standardized QR code.

Beginning August 3, GLN secured access to approximately 500,000 Merchant Presented Mode (MPM) QR merchants through a partnership with Coocon, the operator of Seoul Pay. Combined with approximately 1 million Customer Presented Mode (CPM) QR merchants built through partnerships with Hana Card and other payment providers, the expanded network enables international visitors to make QR payments using their existing banking or fintech apps from their home countries — without exchanging currency or carrying physical payment cards.

GLN's transaction data shows that QR payment usage by inbound international travelers increased significantly during the first half of 2026 compared with the second half of 2025. Both transaction volume and transaction value through GLN's QR payment network grew by approximately 1,000%.

The company began expanding its nationwide QR payment network in the second half of 2025 by launching Hana Card QR merchants and integrating with payment terminals operated by Toss and Naver Pay, securing approximately 1 million QR payment merchants. With the addition of Seoul Pay's merchant network, the total number of QR payment merchants has increased to approximately 1.5 million, further accelerating QR payment adoption among international visitors to Korea.

Spending patterns among international travelers are expanding beyond the traditional shopping district of Myeong-dong to emerging commercial areas such as Seongsu. QR payment usage has grown significantly at popular retail brands in Seongsu, including Musinsa, Daelim Warehouse, Blue Elephant, NyuNyu, rom&nd and Ready Young Pharmacy.

QR payment usage has also increased across merchants frequently visited by international travelers, including Shinsegae Duty Free, Galleria Department Store, Daiso, as well as convenience stores, fashion retailers, restaurants and cafés, and the Seoul Metropolitan Subway.

In addition, international visitor spending is expanding beyond Seoul to major tourism destinations such as Busan and Jeju. As demand for Korea's beauty and medical tourism continues to grow, QR payment usage has also increased rapidly at dermatology clinics, plastic surgery clinics and pharmacies in these regions.

GLN currently provides QR payment services for visitors from Taiwan (China) and plans to expand the service to travelers from the United States, Canada, Singapore, Vietnam and Mongolia later this year. By 2027, the company aims to extend the service to more than 10 countries while expanding its QR payment merchant network in key tourist destinations such as Busan and Jeju, making it easier for international travelers to pay seamlessly across Korea.

"We will continue expanding our QR payment merchant network to provide inbound international travelers with a simple and convenient payment experience while contributing to the growth of local businesses and Korea's tourism industry," said Lee Suk, CEO of GLN.

GLN also provides outbound Korean travelers with QR payment and QR cash withdrawal services in 15 countries, including Vietnam, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Japan and Indonesia. Supported by a global network of more than 230 million QR merchants, GLN continues to strengthen its position as one of Asia's leading cross-border QR payment platforms.

NAVER D2SF completes follow on investment in NdotLight

PR Newswire — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:57:21 +0700

SEONGNAM, South Korea, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVER D2SF, the corporate venture capital arm of NAVER, has made a follow-on investment in NdotLight (CEO, Jinyoung Park), a data infrastructure company for physical AI. The KRW 15 billion funding round was led by Korea Development Bank. This marks NAVER D2SF's third investment in NdotLight, following its participation in the company's Pre-Series A round in 2021 and Series A round in 2022. NAVER D2SF decided to make this additional investment based on NdotLight's potential to address data, one of the key bottlenecks in physical AI.

NdotLight has developed TRINIX, a "simulation-ready" 3D data generation solution that can be directly applied to physical AI training simulations. As data becomes increasingly critical to physical AI, various approaches such as teleoperation have been explored. However, significant gaps in data quality, slow collection speed, and high costs have remained major bottlenecks when applying such data to simulation environments where real-world AI training takes place.

NdotLight addresses this challenge through an automated pipeline that generates 3D data with detailed physical properties such as mass and friction, as well as joint structures and collision boundary information. In particular, TRINIX integrates with NVIDIA Omniverse, NVIDIA's simulation platform, enabling the company to supply large-scale, high-quality 3D simulation datasets.

NdotLight currently provides AI training data to humanoid robotics and robotics foundation model companies, including Holiday Robotics, AeiRobot, ROBROS, and RLWRLD. The company is also participating as a data supplier in physical AI projects led by major enterprises such as Hyundai Motor Company and LG Electronics, validating its business potential as data infrastructure that can be applied in real-world industrial settings.

The NdotLight team brings strong technical and business expertise across AI and 3D graphics. CEO Jinyoung Park previously worked on 3D launcher development at Samsung Electronics, while CTO Suntae Kim led AI and 3D engine development at NAVER and Samsung Electronics. NdotLight has also been named by CB Insights, a global venture research firm, as one of the world's notable 3D engine companies. With this latest funding, the company is actively hiring top talent across all functions.

NAVER D2SF has built long-term partnerships with frontier startups by providing venture capital at the early stage and continuing to support their growth through follow-on investments. Since its first investment in NdotLight in 2021, NAVER D2SF has worked closely with the company to build a 3D content creation environment, followed by a subsequent investment in 2022. Through this additional investment, NAVER D2SF plans to explore new collaboration opportunities with NdotLight in physical AI.

"NdotLight is a team that has built deep trust with NAVER D2SF not only through our investments, but also through close collaboration as a resident startup at NAVER 1784," said Sanghwan Yang, Head of NAVER D2SF. "The team has consistently identified key opportunities ahead of fast-changing market shifts and moved quickly to execute on them. We expect NdotLight to take its next leap as a leading physical AI data company and achieve even greater growth."

NAVER D2SF is NAVER's in-house corporate venture arm, supporting sustainable growth by collaborating with startups. Founded in 1999, NAVER has maintained its position as Korea's leading search engine for over 20 years and operates across commerce, content, fintech, and cloud services. Under the technological vision of D2SF, NAVER is actively developing new technologies and global partnerships to grow as a leading tech company.

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

GreenCore Solutions appoints former Walmart director Julia Turley

PR Newswire — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:51:19 +0700

VANCOUVER, BC and SYDNEY, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenCore Solutions Corp. ("GSC" or the "Company"), AI Agents that sell Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Beauty & Personal Care (BPC) brands into retail grocery procurement, today announced the appointment of Julia Turley to its Board of Directors.

Across the world's ten largest retailers, only a handful of executives at any time hold a Beauty & Personal Care buying P&L at the director level. Turley held one — at the largest of them all — for years. She spent more than 20 years at Walmart U.S. — Bentonville, Arkansas, inside a retailer with fiscal 2026 global revenues of US$713 billion — in Beauty & Personal Care buying and merchandising leadership, most recently as Director of Merchandising — Beauty, running a US$2 billion P&L. She made the decision GSC's AI Agents are built for: what gets bought.

Only a handful of executives across the world's largest retailers hold Beauty & Personal Care buying expertise at the level Turley brings — more than 20 years at Walmart U.S. (fiscal 2026 revenues US$713 billion), most recently as Director of Merchandising — Beauty, running a US$2 billion P&L. She now pairs that expertise with the fastest-scaling AI Agent procurement platform in CPG — GSC's AI Agents and the CPG Knowledge Graph, carrying brands into retail procurement at 11.5 million+ transactions a month. Her buyer judgment lands on an AI Agent stack already engineered for the buy side — deterministic, procurement-ready, and sustainable by design, resolving answers once instead of burning compute guessing.

"Everyone wins. GSC's makers get AI Agents built against real buyer judgment. Retail buyers get a sell side engineered for their gates — deterministic, procurement-ready, and sustainable by design, resolving answers once instead of burning compute guessing. And the GSC board gains a leader and a mentor — two decades of building winning categories and developing top merchant talent, now guiding the company that sells to the desk she ran. GSC is the first AI Agent company in CPG to appoint a Walmart U.S. merchandising leader to its Board of Directors," said Matthew Keddy, CEO, GreenCore Solutions Corp.

"For more than 20 years at Walmart, I evaluated brands through the lens of the customer, the category and the business—what earns distribution, what creates incremental growth and what ultimately deserves space on the shelf. AI is changing how brands and retailers find, evaluate and transact with one another, but strong retail decisions still require sound merchant judgment. I'm excited to bring that perspective to GSC as it builds technology designed around how retailers actually buy," said Julia Turley.

GSC supplies AI Agents to CPG makers, mounting a maker's SKUs onto GSC AI Agent infrastructure so those products become machine-discoverable, machine-orderable and procurement-ready for retailer, ERP and AI procurement systems. The Company's architecture combines its proprietary CPG Knowledge Graph powered by SPARKS with deterministic classification, sovereign resolution and commerce execution infrastructure — with a human in the loop on every purchase order.

Newland Digital Technology invests in digital payments provider Debia

PR Newswire — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:45:01 +0700

SINGAPORE, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Debia Pte. Ltd. ("Debia"), a Singapore-based financial technology company licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore ("MAS") as a Major Payment Institution, today announced a strategic investment and partnership with Newland Digital Technology Co., Ltd. ("Newland"), a technology and digital commerce group listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE: 000997).

The investment follows the strategic agreement between Debia and Newland signed on June 8 and marks a defining milestone in Debia's growth, establishing a strategic partnership to support its next phase of development across Southeast Asia.

Advancing Digital Payments Across ASEAN

With ambitions extending beyond payment processing, Debia aims to build a reliable and integrated digital payments ecosystem that enables merchants to accept payments seamlessly, reach customers across borders and participate more actively in ASEAN's rapidly growing digital economy.

This partnership marks an important step towards realising that vision.

Newland contributes expertise in payment technology, artificial intelligence, smart payment terminals, digital commerce and merchant services. Combined with Debia's regulated payments platform and regional market expertise, the partnership creates a strong foundation for innovation and sustainable growth.

In the near term, the partnership will focus on strengthening Debia's technology infrastructure, accelerating the development of new merchant solutions, and deepening collaboration with banks, payment partners and the broader payments ecosystem.

Looking further ahead, the partnership is expected to expand Debia's regional presence, enhance its cross-border payment capabilities and advance the development of increasingly intelligent and integrated payment solutions. Potential areas of collaboration include artificial intelligence applications within the payment ecosystem, merchant digitalisation, international card-scheme initiatives, cross-border acquiring and remittance, and new digital commerce solutions.

Commenting on the investment, Derrick Tham, Chief Executive Officer of Debia, said:

"Newland's investment is a powerful endorsement of Debia's regulated platform, merchant ecosystem and the long-term vision for Southeast Asia. The partnership brings together two companies with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to advancing digital payments in the region. We believe this partnership will create new opportunities to enhance merchant solutions, strengthen cross-border payment capabilities and contribute to the continued growth of ASEAN's digital payments ecosystem."

As Debia enters this next phase of growth, it remains committed to maintaining high standards of regulatory compliance and governance, delivering reliable and transparent merchant services, continuing to innovate, and expanding responsibly across the region. Together with Newland, Debia is well positioned to contribute to the continued growth of digital payments across Southeast Asia.

Website: www.debia.co

ADNOC Gas reports 665 million dollar second quarter net income

PR Newswire — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:40:42 +0700

ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ADNOC Gas plc and its subsidiaries (together referred to as "ADNOC Gas" or the "Company") (ADX: ADNOCGAS) (ISIN: AEE01195A234) today announced its results for the second quarter of 2026, delivering net income of $665 million, above the guidance range of $400-600 million, despite exceptional external disruption during the period. The Company achieved a significant milestone in executing its long-term growth strategy by taking Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) and awarding engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for Phases 2 and 3 of its Rich Gas Development (RGD) Project (collectively, the "Contract Awards").

Fatema Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of ADNOC Gas, said: "This is a defining moment for ADNOC Gas. With the final investment decision and contract awards for the Rich Gas Development Project, we are not only accelerating one of the world's largest gas-processing growth programs – we are raising our ambition, targeting 60% EBITDA growth by 2030. These strategic investments will significantly expand our natural gas processing and export capacity, unlock lasting value for our shareholders, and position ADNOC Gas at the heart of the UAE's energy future. Beyond their economic impact, they safeguard the nation's energy security, power its industrial growth, and ensure we are ready to meet rising energy demand – at home and around the world.

At the same time, ADNOC Gas delivered resilient second-quarter net income above our guided range, despite a challenging operating environment, reflecting the strength of our business, the discipline of our execution, and the continued delivery of our long-term strategy."

These investment decisions raise ADNOC Gas' targeted EBITDA growth to 60%^[1] by 2030 versus 2023 – an upgrade from the previously communicated target of more than 40% over 2023-2029. The upgrade reflects the long-term value creation of the Company's project portfolio and its disciplined approach to capital allocation. ADNOC Gas now expects to invest approximately $28 billion between 2026 and 2030 to deliver this growth ambition.

ADNOC Gas has awarded $8.2 billion in EPC contracts for Phases 2 and 3 of the RGD project – $3.9 billion for Phase 2, to Wison Engineering, and $4.3 billion for Phase 3, to Tecnimont. These contracts build on Phase 1, announced in June 2025, which is expanding key processing units to increase throughput and improve operational efficiency, across multiple gas assets.

Phase 2, to be delivered by Wison Engineering, will add a new natural gas processing train at the Habshan facility, expanding ADNOC Gas' natural gas processing capacity, enhancing operational flexibility, and supporting the UAE's expanding downstream and petrochemical sectors. Phase 3, to be delivered by Tecnimont, will add a new natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation train at Ruwais, increasing the recovery of higher-value liquids from rich natural gas for export, strengthening ADNOC Gas' global customer portfolio.

Together with the $5 billion committed to Phase 1, the new awards bring total investment in the RGD project to $13.2 billion. It will benefit from higher associated gas volumes as ADNOC progresses towards its production capacity ambitions.

Delivering one of the industry's largest gas growth programs

ADNOC Gas is executing one of the largest gas growth programs in the industry, spanning four megaprojects – Ruwais LNG, Maximizing Ethane Recovery and Monetization (MERAM), RGD and Estidama – which together are expected to generate $13.4 billion in In-Country Value (ICV), reinforcing the Company's contribution to the UAE's industrial development and economic diversification goals. The program continues to progress, with MERAM expected delivery in 2027 and Ruwais LNG and Estidama both advancing as planned. This growth is further underpinned by ADNOC's continued investment across the gas value chain – including the recently announced Bab Gas Cap and Umm Shaif Gas Cap developments – which will bring more natural gas and associated gas liquids into ADNOC Gas' integrated value chain, supporting additional feedstock, processing volumes, LNG exports and higher revenue streams.

Scaling AI and robotics across operations

ADNOC Gas is also scaling artificial intelligence and robotics – from aerial drones and four-legged inspection robots to tank-climbing crawlers – across its assets, with the potential to cut inspection costs by up to 75%, complete certain inspections up to 15 times faster and remove personnel from hazardous environments as it advances toward increasingly autonomous operations.

Results Overview

ADNOC Gas delivered net income of $665 million in Q2 2026 - above the upper end of the $400-600 million guidance range provided in the first quarter, reflecting strong operational performance in a challenging operating environment. This was supported by resilient margins in the domestic gas business.

Supported by its robust cash flow from operations, the Board has approved a quarterly dividend of $940 million, payable in September 2026, in line with the commitment to deliver annual dividend growth of 5% through 2030. ADNOC Gas remains the largest dividend payer on the ADX.

Habshan Complex Incidents

ADNOC Gas responded swiftly to the security-related incidents at the Habshan site on 3 and 8 April, prioritizing safety and minimizing disruptions to customers. The Company has concluded its technical assessment of the impact from these incidents and recovery has progressed ahead of schedule, with gas supply already restored to 85%, surpassing the year-end target set in May.

Q3 and Full-Year 2026 Outlook

Continued disruption to maritime movements through the Strait of Hormuz affected product liftings during the second quarter. Through proactive inventory, logistics and supply-chain management, ADNOC Gas worked closely with customers and partners to mitigate the impact of these disruptions, manage temporary constraints and fulfil commitments wherever possible.

For the third quarter, ADNOC Gas expects net income in the range of $600 to $800 million, based on the assumption that maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz continue to be disrupted. Looking further ahead, if maritime operations are fully restored by the fourth quarter of 2026 and pricing realizations normalize, the Company expects full-year 2026 net income to range from $3.5 to $4 billion.

Cautionary note:

This announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of ADNOC Gas. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties (including, but not limited to, disruptions to maritime routes (including the Strait of Hormuz), geopolitical developments, fluctuations in commodity prices and product realizations, operational risks including those related to the Habshan complex, and the timing and execution of major capital projects) that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. ADNOC Gas does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or other information. Results could differ materially from those stated, implied, or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Aureka Biotechnologies raises 100 million dollars in Series B funding

PR Newswire — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:33:49 +0700

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. and SHANGHAI, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aureka Biotechnologies announced the close of a US$100 million Series B financing on Aug. 10, 2026. Granite Asia funded the first tranche exclusively, and a prominent strategic investor led a subsequent tranche, with participation from HighLight Capital (HLC) and follow-on investment from existing shareholders including MPCi and NRL Capital. Aureka has now raised nearly US$200 million to date.

The company will direct proceeds primarily toward research and large-scale training of its next generation of biological foundation models, further strengthening performance on core tasks such as de novo molecular design, biological structure modeling and function prediction. Aureka will also upgrade Lab-in-the-Loop, its experiment-centered feedback engine, strengthening the closed-loop between those models and its proprietary single-cell functional screening, high-throughput experimental validation and drug development platforms.

With its closed-loop, AI-native infrastructure already built, Aureka is now strengthening the intelligence core of that system: its foundation models. Aureka combines large-scale pre-training, project-specific post-training, AI agents and experiments that run at scale into AI-for-Science infrastructure for the life sciences. In it, models do not just solve individual drug discovery tasks; they learn the rules of biology, to understand, generate, predict and intervene in complex biological systems.

As foundation models and automated R&D converge, Aureka is shifting from using AI to make drug discovery more efficient to using AI to model living systems, pushing both the technical frontier and the commercial ceiling of AI-driven drug discovery.

Closed-Loop AI-Native Infrastructure Builds a Stronger Intelligence Core

Founded in 2023, Aureka Biotechnologies is an AI-native TechBio company developing a new generation of biological foundation models and closed-loop infrastructure that surrounds them, combining AI models, agents, digital biology and experimental platforms to redesign the drug discovery process end to end.

Biology does not yield to computation alone; it depends on feedback from the physical world. Sustained improvement in large biological models requires more than advances in compute, algorithms and model architecture. It also takes high-quality experimental data that faithfully reflects molecular function, and an experimental system able to continuously test model hypotheses, correcting model bias and feeding results into the next iteration.

Aureka therefore treats Lab-in-the-Loop as core infrastructure for model development, integrating AI agents, high-throughput digital biology, proprietary single-cell functional screening and its in-house experimental platform. The resulting loop runs from molecular generation through experimental design, functional validation and model post-training to candidate development.

In this system, the laboratory is no longer a validation step that follows model output; it is a core part of how the model learns and improves. Models propose experimentally testable molecular designs and scientific hypotheses; the experimental platform generates high-quality functional data; and that data flows back into both the foundation model and project-specific models, driving continuous iteration into the next round of design and validation.

This Lab-in-the-Loop mechanism lets Aureka generate its own large-scale, information-dense functional experimental data for use in foundation model pre-training, reinforcement learning and project-specific post-training. Compared with development paths that rely mainly on public, static datasets, Aureka's models receive experimental feedback from live drug discovery programs and evolve through a continuous design–validation–learning cycle — a flywheel in which data, models, experiments and drug assets reinforce one another.

Foundation Model Capability Confirmed by Third-Party Evaluation

That infrastructure produced AuraIDE, Aureka's own biological foundation model. Trained at scale on proprietary protein co-evolution data, it learns how protein sequence, structure, evolution and function relate to one another. On biomolecular structure prediction and de novo molecular design, it now ranks among the leaders.

Rather than a single-purpose algorithm, AuraIDE is built to transfer across multiple drug discovery programs through task adaptation and project-specific post-training. Its capabilities extend from protein structure modeling and molecular generation into biomolecular interaction modeling, function prediction and multi-objective optimization under complex design constraints.

OpenDDE, the open-source version of AuraIDE, ranks among the world's leading open-source biomolecular models in independent third-party evaluations.

Together, the third-party evaluations and the wet-lab results indicate that Aureka's models lead on protein structure prediction and de novo design, and can translate that capability into measurable molecular function. Through continuous Lab-in-the-Loop feedback, they are moving from predicting biological structure toward generating biomolecules with intended function.

Third-party evaluation of OpenDDE on FoldBench v1, a public antibody–antigen structure prediction benchmark.
Source: Tamarind Bio, Open Models Beat AlphaFold3, FoldBench v1 benchmark.

Diversified Commercialization Turns Model Capability into High-Value Drug Assets

Building on its biological foundation models, proprietary single-cell functional screening platform and project-specific post-training, Aureka has produced high-value, differentiated antibodies at scale for problems that conventional approaches struggle with — from difficult target classes such as GPCRs to dual-target antibodies that require a single molecule to engage two targets.

Within a given program, Aureka post-trains its foundation model around target mechanism, functional phenotype and developability objectives, converting general biological intelligence into a dedicated model for a specific drug discovery problem. AI agents then work together across target understanding, molecular generation, computational assessment, experimental design and results analysis, with the resulting experimental data feeding back into that program's model.

The company's end-to-end, agentic R&D infrastructure connects molecular generation, developability assessment, experimental validation, results feedback and candidate development, allowing scientific hypotheses, model capability and experimental capacity to be converted rapidly into developable drug assets that support both internal pipeline programs and external collaborations.

Aureka has established strategic partnerships with multiple leading global pharmaceutical companies to advance the development of differentiated antibody therapeutics, and has generated tens of millions in revenue over the past two years — evidence of the platform's delivery capability, scalability and commercial potential in live drug discovery programs.

From Step-Level Efficiency to Simulating Biological Systems: Toward a Biological World Model

"When leading biological foundation models are genuinely combined with R&D infrastructure that can run at scale, we are no longer simply making one step of drug discovery more efficient — we are building the next-generation drug discovery engine, one that can understand, generate and predict biological systems," said Dr. Weian Zhao, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aureka Biotechnologies. "This is a critical step in Aureka's progress toward a biological world model."

On Aureka's long-term roadmap, a biological world model does more than predict static molecular structures. It will simulate interactions between molecules, reason about the likely outcomes of molecular design and engineering, and support AI agents that plan, execute and iterate on drug design tasks autonomously.

With this financing, Aureka will further advance the co-evolution of its biological foundation models and closed-loop AI-native infrastructure, accelerate the validation and translation of model capability in live drug discovery programs, and continue to expand what generative AI can do in antibody drug development.

Investor Perspectives

Granite Asia, Yinghui Kuang:

"AI-driven drug discovery is moving beyond competition on isolated model capability and into a new phase defined by the co-evolution of data, models and experiments in a closed loop. Aureka has built complete AI-native R&D infrastructure with leading biological foundation models as its intelligence core, giving it the systemic ability to generate high-quality data continuously, iterate its models and convert them into drug assets. We are optimistic about the company's long-term technical ceiling in generative antibody design and its potential to grow globally."

HighLight Capital (HLC):

"We are delighted to have completed our investment in Aureka. The company is working to deeply integrate generative AI algorithms with high-throughput wet-lab platforms, with the potential to reshape the paradigm for biologics R&D. We think highly of the team's deep technical foundation in AI-enabled drug development and the efficiency of its closed loop. Going forward, we will continue to commit resources to help the company accelerate pipeline progress and technology iteration, and to bring AI to drug innovation worldwide."

MPCi, Yuye Wang:

"Aureka is a team we backed early and have continued to believe in. OpenDDE, the open-source all-atom model it released, demonstrates this young team's foresight in AI drug discovery and the strength of its technical foundations. Together with the differentiated pipeline the company has now built, we believe a team that combines innovative edge with strategic discipline will keep breaking through bottlenecks in drug development and bring genuine paradigm change to the industry."

NRL Capital:

"Aureka is defining the infrastructure standard for AI drug discovery. The open-source release of OpenDDE marks a key transition from innovation to systematic platform building, closing the loop between computational models and ultra-high-throughput automated wet-lab work and establishing Aureka's global voice in native infrastructure for broadly accessible drug discovery. We recognize the strategic vision of Dr. Weian Zhao and his team in driving industry change through an open-source ecosystem, and we are firm believers in the exponential gains that a dry-lab/wet-lab closed loop delivers in antibody design efficiency. NRL Capital has completed a follow-on investment in this round and will continue to support the company's global expansion and the realization of the global value of its AI infrastructure."

LIVE4WELL completes Causeway Bay health screening pilot programme

LIVE4WELL — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:22:50 +0700

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 August 2026 – Faced with the dual challenges of a steady rise in chronic disease rates and the immense pressure borne by public health resources in Hong Kong, putting preventive healthcare into practice has become a matter of urgency. To actively respond to the Government's direction of strengthening primary healthcare and district-based service delivery, innovative health management platform LIVE4WELL has picked Causeway Bay as its first community pilot site, demonstrating its vision and practice in contributing to public health. Working with district organizations, the initiative enabled nearly 1,000 members of the public to experience non-invasive, painless and rapid screening. By combining artificial intelligence (AI) with big data, the platform encourages the public to take ownership of their own Bio-wealth Assessment Data, to identify and address potential health risks early.

Innovative health management platform LIVE4WELL has picked Causeway Bay as its first community pilot site, demonstrating its vision and practice in contributing to public health. Working with district organizations, the initiative enabled nearly 1,000 members of the public to experience non-invasive, painless and rapid screening.

As a community force, LIVE4WELL has also submitted policy recommendations to the HKSAR Government, spanning the smarter use of AI in health assessment, the rollout of non-invasive community outreach screening, the inclusion of inflammatory markers in community-level screening, and extending Chinese and Western medicine collaboration into the aspect of wearable devices, thereby supporting the HKSAR Government in aligning with the National 15^th Five-Year Plan and the policy direction for the year ahead.

Business and District Leaders Aim to Fill the Gap in Advancing Chronic Disease Prevention and Control

LIVE4WELL's six-day "Purple Wellness Day", a public health screening experience event held in Causeway Bay from August 5 to 10, came to a successful close today. The event transformed a shopping mall space into an innovative health exploration hub, bringing together a wide range of top-tier health screening devices from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, and overseas, more than 20 healthy-living partner merchants and various star speakers, enriching the public's journey of health exploration.

Miranda WONG, Co-founder, LIVE4WELL, said, "The management of chronic diseases should never begin only after the onset of illness. As a digital health partner, LIVE4WELL builds on the Government's primary healthcare policy framework to provide the public with more proactive and accessible preventive healthcare support. By integrating AI and big data technologies into retail and community settings, we are making non-invasive screening part of everyday life, rather than medical procedures that feel out of reach. At its core, this is our long-term commitment to health management and social care — whether it is identifying chronic disease risks early in elderly family members, or helping younger generations catch issues like pre-diabetes in time. We hope technology can make 'early detection, early management' a part of everyone's daily life, rather than something people come to regret only after their condition has worsened."

LEE Man-lung, Joey, MH, Chairman of Centre Stage Squarer and Wan Chai District Council Member, who attended the opening event and arranged for district residents to take part, said, "Screening that is non-invasive, painless, and delivers results instantly is a major breakthrough in AI technology — one that goes beyond technological progress but more importantly, gives businesses the capacity to create health assessment tools that are more beneficial and relatable to people's lives. Health assessment is no longer a tedious questionnaire or cold clinical equipment, it is a new experience of conversing with one's own body. The event is an excellent demonstration of how community organizations can harness technology to expand district health support services, building a low-cost and easily accessible health platform for the elderly and grassroots families. It is an approach well worth other organizations emulating."

Non-invasive Screening Helps the General Public in Early Identification of Multiple Potential Health Risks

To encourage citizens to take the first step toward self-health management, approximately 300 free screening slots were reserved during the event, allowing people in need to experience a range of non-invasive, rapid and precise AI health screening, and to receive personalized health reports and expert interpretation on the spot. Visitors took part in non-invasive thematic areas across seven exploration zones, covering liver and kidney metabolism, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and retinal condition, blood glucose and metabolic risks, cell vitality and inflammation, musculoskeletal and postural health assessments, stress and mental balance, as well as hearing and blood pressure. After completing the journey, LIVE4WELL shared with participants a comprehensive body report that clearly presented their individual health indicators and risk assessments.

The event also featured more than 20 free expert health talks, attended by a cumulative total of nearly 500 participants, covering topics such as chronic disease prevention, nutrition, sleep, emotional well-being and mind-body health, reflecting the public's increasingly keen demand for proactive self-health management.

From the Causeway Bay Pilot to a Health Vision for All 18 Districts

Held at the SOGO Causeway Bay store, "Purple Wellness Day" was LIVE4WELL's first pilot scheme in bringing health technology into the community. Demonstrating at one of the city's busiest commercial landmarks, the event exemplified how professional health management services can be seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Looking ahead, LIVE4WELL hopes to extend this successful model to all 18 districts of Hong Kong, deepening collaboration with community organizations such as District Councils, Care Teams, residents' associations and district service groups to widen the reach of preventive healthcare. LIVE4WELL is actively connecting with more enterprises and brands that share its vision, so that through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and in its positioning as a digital health partner, it can contribute to Hong Kong's primary healthcare development and realize the vision of "boosting health for all 18 districts".

Aligning with Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan to Jointly Build a Forward-Looking Healthy City

In recent years, the Hong Kong Government has continued to strengthen primary healthcare services, promote preventive healthcare, and enhance community-based support for the elderly and of chronic diseases in its Policy Addresses and long-term healthcare planning. As Hong Kong formulates its First Five-Year Plan and proactively aligns with the National 15^th Five-Year Plan, LIVE4WELL, as a community force, is also committed to contributing its strengths through concrete action. LIVE4WELL believes that AI- and data-driven preventive healthcare technology, coupled with the strengths of the private sector and the community, can complement the public healthcare system. When the public achieves "early detection, early management", the pressure on the public healthcare system can be gradually alleviated, enabling a sustainable health ecosystem for Hong Kong.

To build a healthier city in the long run, LIVE4WELL recommends progressively introducing inflammatory markers as a new dimension of health monitoring, building on existing health screening. Chronic inflammation is often closely associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Continuous tracking of inflammatory markers allows high-risk individuals to be identified early and followed up in a timely manner, easing the long-term healthcare pressure on Hong Kong.

Given that many citizens have a certain degree of resistance to, or psychological burden associated with, invasive tests such as blood draws, LIVE4WELL believes that the authorities should make good use of AI health assessment tools and roll out non-invasive community outreach screening to raise public participation. Combining existing screening with comprehensive health data analysis would help forecast healthcare demand. LIVE4WELL further recommends that the authorities continue to promote collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine to strengthen Hong Kong's preventive healthcare system.

LIVE4WELL encourages the public to make good use of wearable devices to continuously track their personal health data, in step with the Government's promotion for collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine — putting into practice the preventive care approach of "Chinese medicine for prevention, Western medicine for treatment" where TCM-based recuperation works hand-in-hand with Western medical diagnosis and treatment.

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

Overseas media delegation inspects Hainan Free Trade Port

Hainan Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, TV, and Sports — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:16:07 +0700

HAIKOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 August 2026 – A delegation of journalists from nine major overseas media outlets, including the United States, France, Türkiye, Spain, and the Republic of Korea, recently visited China's Hainan Province for an in-depth tour across multiple cities including Haikou, Wanning, Lingshui, and Sanya. The mission was to investigate the region's marine cultural tourism, ecological conservation efforts, and innovative consumer models, and to witness firsthand the renewed dynamism of Hainan's "ocean economy."

Global Media Explore Hainan Free Trade Port, Unlocking the New Vitality of the "Ocean Economy"

As the first full year following the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), 2026 has been designated the "Marine Tourism Year," with a strategic focus on ocean-themed cultural travel. Leveraging policy dividends such as visa-free access for citizens of 86 countries, expanded traffic rights, and offshore duty-free shopping, Hainan has consistently enhanced its openness to the world, fueling a surge in cultural tourism demand. In the first half of this year alone, the island recorded over 1 million inbound visits, a year-on-year increase of 48.8%, underscoring the robust growth momentum of the FTP's tourism sector.

In Wanning's Riyue Bay, the international media group experienced firsthand the rapid expansion of Hainan's coastal sports industry. Renowned as a world-class surfing destination, the bay receives more than 500,000 visits annually, drawing travelers from as far as Australia and Southeast Asia. A major highlight was the nation's first Olympic-standard artificial surf pool, which employs advanced wave-making technology to simulate 23 different wave types, enabling year-round, all-weather surfing regardless of natural conditions. Guney Isik Ganimgil, a contributor to Turkey's Aydınlık newspaper, remarked that Hainan's cultural tourism development has far exceeded expectations and holds tremendous investment potential.

Eco-empowered tourism and the protection of blue bays are the defining hallmarks of Hainan's development. The Hainan Ocean Paradise Resort adheres strictly to a policy against capturing wild marine life; its rescue center has successfully rehabilitated and released over 200 rare marine creatures, including sea turtles and hawksbills, back into the wild. Meanwhile, Wuzhizhou Island has pioneered an innovative model of eco-tourism, partnering with universities to develop a tropical marine ranch. Through the strategic deployment of artificial reefs and the transplantation of tens of thousands of coral colonies, the island now offers visitors the opportunity to participate in coral transplantation—a hands-on experience that fosters a virtuous cycle between ecological conservation and tourism engagement, earning high praise from the attending media.

Deepening the integration of culture and tourism has also revitalized Hainan's traditional maritime heritage. The Danjia fishing rafts continue to enrich their authentic marine-ethnic cultural offerings, continuously diversifying their "product portfolio". Tianya Town, built around a century-old fishing village, has evolved into a coastal leisure landmark, now home to nearly a hundred boutique homestays and specialty cafés. The Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, housing over 1,000 international brands, has introduced cutting-edge "duty-free + technology" consumption scenarios. And the Sanya Yacht Tourism Center, with a complete industrial chain, recorded over 220,000 yacht outings in 2025, cementing its status as a premier destination for high-end coastal tourism.

After four days of in-depth exploration, the media delegation witnessed a Hainan that is open, green, and vibrantly dynamic. Today's Hainan FTP has transcended the traditional model of seaside tourism, with policy as its backbone, ecology as its canvas, and culture as its soul. By continually energizing the blue economy, Hainan is presenting a compelling new vision of high-quality development to the world.

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

Ming Ji Hsieh artwork chosen for National Art Exhibition

Orbitel International Corp. — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:10:20 +0700

TAICHUNG CITY, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 August 2026 – In today's increasingly interconnected world, the boundaries between design, branding, and art continue to evolve. Organized by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA) under the guidance of Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, the 2026 National Art Exhibition brings together 114 selected and award-winning works that showcase the diversity and creative energy of contemporary Taiwanese art across multiple disciplines.

The exhibition is held at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (No. 2, Section 1, Wuquan West Road, West District, TAICHUNG CITY, TAIWAN). Admission is free and open to the public. Image courtesy of Ming-Ji Hsieh, Creative Director of Orbitel International Corp.

Among this year's selected works is One Suitcase, created by Ming-Ji Hsieh, Creative Director of Orbitel International Corp. Inspired by BOBAMAN, the signature character of the O's Bubble brand, the artwork extends the language of branding into the realm of contemporary art. By transforming brand storytelling into a universal visual narrative, One Suitcase stands out as one of the exhibition's few interdisciplinary works built upon a brand's cultural identity.

One Suitcase: A Universal Story of Movement and Belonging

At the heart of One Suitcase is a simple yet powerful symbol—a single suitcase. It reflects the shared experience of today's globally mobile generation: people traveling across cities, cultures, and languages with only what they can carry, pursuing new opportunities while searching for a place to belong.

Rooted in Taiwan's island culture yet speaking to a global audience, the artwork suggests that embarking on a journey is not about possessing more, but about moving forward with purpose, conviction, and hope despite uncertainty. This idea of being "light in possessions, yet steadfast in spirit" forms the emotional core of the work.

According to Ming-Ji Hsieh, BOBAMAN is more than a brand mascot. It represents a cultural symbol—an emotional language born in Taiwan that can resonate with people around the world. Its simple, rounded form and warm smile embody kindness, optimism, and a human connection that transcends cultural boundaries.

Extending the O's Bubble Brand Philosophy Through Art

The O's Bubble brand philosophy, "YOU × ME," represents more than interaction between people—it reflects the possibility of understanding across cultures.

One Suitcase carries this philosophy into the world of contemporary art by presenting the smile as a universal language. Rather than being merely a facial expression, a smile becomes a shared emotional experience that connects people from different backgrounds, cultures, and life journeys.

As BOBAMAN enters the artistic landscape, the character evolves beyond brand identity to symbolize trust, empathy, and the enduring possibility of human connection.

The artwork also expresses the message, "Because we believe in ourselves," transforming a brand belief into a universal value that can be interpreted and appreciated by audiences regardless of cultural background.

From Taiwan to the Global Stage

Now in its 16th edition, the National Art Exhibition is one of Taiwan's most prestigious art events. This year's exhibition received more than 1,000 submissions across 11 artistic categories, including ink painting, oil painting, sculpture, photography, new media, and mixed media. Following a rigorous review process, only 114 works were selected or awarded, highlighting the richness and diversity of Taiwan's contemporary artistic landscape.

Within this context, the selection of One Suitcase represents more than artistic recognition. It demonstrates how a brand can move beyond commercial communication to become part of a broader cultural conversation. By transforming design into storytelling, the work bridges branding, public art, and international cultural exchange.

The Future of Interdisciplinary Creation: Where Brand, Art, and Culture Converge

As the global creative industry continues to embrace cross-disciplinary collaboration, brands are evolving beyond commercial identities to become powerful platforms for cultural expression and storytelling.

The selection of One Suitcase marks another milestone for Orbitel International Corp. and O's Bubble, demonstrating how a brand can expand beyond marketing and enter the broader cultural landscape. By transforming visual design into artistic expression, the work illustrates how branding can foster meaningful dialogue across cultures and connect with audiences in new ways.

Through the evolution of BOBAMAN, the artwork creates an emotionally resonant symbol that can be understood across cultural boundaries. It invites audiences from around the world to engage with creativity born in Taiwan, encouraging new interpretations while highlighting the universal themes of identity, movement, and human connection.

Ultimately, One Suitcase demonstrates how creativity originating in Taiwan can transcend geographic and cultural boundaries. It reimagines branding not merely as a commercial tool, but as a bridge between people, cultures, and ideas—opening new possibilities for dialogue through art.

Exhibition Information
Exhibition: 2026 National Art Exhibition
Dates: July 18 – October 11, 2026
Venue: National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
Location: No. 2, Section 1, Wuquan West Road, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan

Opening Hours:

Tuesday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed on Mondays

Admission is free.

Visitors from Taiwan and around the world are invited to experience the vibrant creativity of contemporary Taiwanese art and discover, through One Suitcase, a new perspective on the intersection of branding, art, and culture—one that reimagines the meaning of departure, connection, and shared humanity in an increasingly interconnected world.

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

Vinhomes expands sustainable urban real estate development platform

Vinhomes — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:06:05 +0700

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 August 2026 - As global institutional capital increasingly redefines value creation in real estate, Vinhomes, Vietnam's largest listed real estate developer by market capitalization, is emerging as a credible long-term urban development platform.

An aerial perspective of Vinhomes Green Paradise in Can Gio, illustrating the integration of modern urban infrastructure with active ecological restoration to foster long-term environmental resilience.

With a land bank exceeding 295 million square meters, nearly 650,000 residents across its integrated townships, and record equivalent revenue of VND183.1 trillion (US$6.94 billion) in 2025, the company has demonstrated its capacity to plan, finance, deliver and operate large-scale cities with remarkable consistency.

For more than two millennia, humanity has celebrated its greatest achievements through the idea of "wonders," from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to the New7Wonders of Nature, which in 2011 recognized sites such as the Amazon Rainforest and Vietnam's own Ha Long Bay for their untouched natural beauty.

Today, a fourth wave is emerging: one defined not by human creations set apart from nature, nor by landscapes left untouched, but by developments where urbanization actively enhances natural ecosystems. This philosophy, combined with Vinhomes' operational scale, has positioned the company at the forefront of that shift, offering global institutional investors a proven model that is gaining recognition across Asia.

Nature-Positive Development Defines Vinhomes' Urban Philosophy

At the core of Vinhomes' approach is a fundamental departure from traditional real estate development; the company approaches urban development as an integrated process of environmental enhancement, infrastructure creation and community building.

This philosophy is evident across several landmark projects. At Vinhomes Green Paradise in Can Gio, built on reclaimed coastal land, modern infrastructure coexists with active ecological restoration, creating new living environments while supporting long-term environmental resilience.

At Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long, the urban masterplan has been designed specifically to complement the UNESCO-recognized Ha Long Bay, one of the world's most celebrated natural wonders, creating a space where urban life and natural heritage mutually enrich one another.

For institutional investors, this nature-positive orientation reflects a broader strategic shift. Long-term capital is increasingly flowing toward developers capable of creating urban ecosystems that generate value over decades, not merely delivering projects on a transactional basis. Vinhomes' ability to embed sustainability, ecological regeneration and climate resilience into its masterplans aligns with the evolving expectations of global asset owners seeking both financial returns and environmental impact.

Proven Execution And Operational Scale Build Investor Confidence

In real estate, vision carries little weight without the ability to execute. This is where Vinhomes has established one of its strongest competitive advantages. While many developers concentrate their portfolios within a limited number of cities or regions, Vinhomes has successfully replicated its large-scale urban development model across Vietnam, delivering integrated townships from north to south while maintaining consistent quality, execution speed and operational standards.

The company's 2025 performance underscores this capability. By year-end, Vinhomes had delivered more than 34,000 apartments, villas and shophouses, achieving record equivalent revenue of VND183.1 trillion (US$6.94 billion), a 29% year-on-year increase that exceeded its annual target. Net profit reached VND43.3 trillion (US$1.6 billion), up 24%, while sales bookings nearly doubled to VND205.3 trillion (US$7.9 billion). Unrecognized contracted sales of VND186.4 trillion (US$7.1 billion) provide exceptional revenue visibility for the years ahead.

Beyond financial metrics, Vinhomes' operational scale is evidenced by nearly 650,000 residents now living across its developments nationwide, forming one of Southeast Asia's largest integrated residential communities. This scale demonstrates not only the company's ability to build projects but also its capacity to create functioning urban ecosystems capable of sustaining long-term economic and social activity.

The company's land bank, exceeding 295 million square meters as of December 31, 2025, represents Vietnam's largest and is strategically positioned across major metropolitan areas and regions benefiting from accelerating urbanization, industrial development and tourism growth. This extensive reserve provides a substantial pipeline for future development while supporting sustainable long-term growth.

Vinhomes' operational excellence is further validated by internationally recognized certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and SA8000, reflecting global standards in quality management, environmental performance, occupational health and safety, and social responsibility. The company's market position, Vietnam's largest listed real estate company by market capitalization at approximately US$19.4 billion, and the country's second-largest listed enterprise overall, reinforces its institutional credibility. Its brand, valued at an estimated US$1.6 billion by Brand Finance, ranks among Vietnam's Top 10 Most Valuable Brands.

For international investors, these indicators point to something larger than financial success alone. They reflect a company that has evolved beyond traditional real estate development into a trusted urban development platform, one capable of planning, financing, delivering and operating large-scale cities with remarkable consistency.

If the first three waves of human wonders celebrated extraordinary achievements of engineering or nature, the emerging fourth wave may well be defined by developments that elevate nature itself, creating places where environmental restoration, economic growth and human prosperity reinforce one another.

That vision demands proven execution, long-term thinking and institutional credibility. These qualities explain why an increasing number of global investors are viewing Vinhomes as one of Asia's most compelling long-term urban development platforms.

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

Andrew Lam named vice chairman of CIID Hong Kong

am PLUS DESIGNS — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:00:38 +0700

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 August 2026 – As spatial aesthetics and lifestyle philosophies continue to converge across the Greater Bay Area, academic discourse and talent exchange within the interior design sectors of Hong Kong and Mainland China have reached a pivotal milestone. On the evening of July 3, the CIID Hong Kong Inaugural Gala Dinner, themed "AI x ESG," took place at Lake House in Tai Po. During the event, the CIID Interior Architecture Design Exchange Center, one of the most authoritative academic bodies in China's interior design industry, officially licensed the designation to "CIID Hong Kong," marking the formal recognition of its official preparatory branch in Hong Kong by the headquarters.

Andrew Lam, Founder of am PLUS DESIGNS, was officially appointed Vice Chairman of the CIID Hong Kong Center

At this grand gathering of industry luminaries, Andrew Lam, Founder of am PLUS DESIGNS, a premier Hong Kong interior design firm, was officially appointed Vice Chairman of the CIID Hong Kong Centre. This prestigious industry title serves as a resounding endorsement of Andrew's years of deep cultivation in spatial design and his exceptional international vision. Moving forward, he will work side by side with industry titans—including Joey Ho, Chairman of the CIID Hong Kong, and Steve Leung, Honorary Advisor—to co-author a new chapter of integration and synergy for design forces in the Greater Bay Area.

Prestigious Lineage and Artisan Foundation: Refining Eastern Aesthetics Through Structural Space

The calibre of an outstanding designer is often defined at the inception of their career. Andrew began his journey from an exceptional vantage point, studying under Kenneth Ko, widely venerated as the "Father of Modern Chinese Interior Design." Imbued with Ko's design philosophy, Andrew developed a profound understanding of spatial essence: infusing physical architecture with human warmth while allowing functional utility and cultural depth to complement one another. His subsequent encounters with master designer Steve Leung on the professional CIID platform further bolstered his industry standing and provided enduring inspiration.

To explore the broader possibilities of serene Eastern aesthetics within a contemporary context, Andrew pursued advanced studies in Japan earlier in his career, training under prominent local practitioners. He continuously contemplated how to harmonize the grand inclusivity of traditional Chinese culture with the understated restraint of Japanese mono no aware and yugen. Within Hong Kong's densely populated urban landscape, he set out to construct poetic sanctuaries where human warmth and architectural soul harmoniously coexist.

"Contemporary design is no longer about the ostentatious stacking of lavish materials; it is about providing a sanctuary for the mind, body, and soul within a space," Andrew explains. In his practice, the spiritual essence of traditional Eastern architecture is distilled into serene, restrained structural space and quiet aesthetics. Unbound by the constraints of any single regional style, he returns to the philosophical core of "exquisite simplicity without excess." Through capturing natural light and shadow, highlighting the raw authenticity of wood and stone, and utilizing minimalist lines, he sculpts an understated beauty rich in Eastern philosophy.

Andrew's meticulous craftsmanship and pursuit of this design philosophy have earned him top-tier global acclaim. Designed by the am PLUS team, the "St Michel" residential project stood out among nearly 11,000 entries from 72 countries to win the prestigious German iF Design Award 2024 in the Residential Interior Design category. Known as the "Oscar of Design," the iF Design Award is judged by a panel of 132 independent global design experts. Receiving this honor signifies that am PLUS's design prowess, blending international aesthetic refinement with exceptional functional utility, has gained unanimous recognition from world-class peers. Furthermore, Andrew was named one of the "40 UNDER 40 Outstanding Contemporary Young Designers." He has also garnered an array of esteemed accolades worldwide, including the U.S. MUSE Design Awards as Gold Winner and the Taiwan Good Design Award, solidifying his industry renown through proven expertise.

Spatial Algorithms and Spiritual Resonance: Expanding from Luxury Residences to B2B Commercial Spaces

Both Hong Kong and top-tier cities in Mainland China face the rigorous challenge of high-density urban land scarcity. Market research and industry insights indicate that the spatial demands of urban high-net-worth individuals have evolved from conventional sensory decoration to a dual pursuit of optimized functionality and spiritual sanctuary. Addressing this trend, Andrew translates Eastern wisdom into a sophisticated "spatial algorithm." Regardless of space constraints, he adeptly dissolves physical boundaries using dynamic partitions and adaptable raised platforms.

In expansive luxury residences, this algorithm translates into fluid circulation layouts and magnificent spatial proportions. Recently, am PLUS successfully executed a four-story villa project exceeding 3,000 square feet on Mount Austin Road, Hong Kong. Andrew skillfully employed Eastern quiet luxury aesthetics, utilizing pure, serene materials and natural light play within a dynamic three-dimensional space to effortlessly express understated luxury. Visual short films documenting the project's execution received widespread acclaim upon release. "Expansive spaces provide designers with a broader canvas for creation," Andrew notes. He observes that many high-net-worth clients with refined taste resonate deeply with the quiet luxury of modern Eastern design, and he looks forward to leading his team in crafting more expansive living spaces that embody aesthetic depth and spiritual resonance.

Andrew's design ambitions extend beyond luxury residential projects. Currently, am PLUS maintains a portfolio ratio of approximately 30% commercial and 70% residential. With the official launch of the CIID Hong Kong Center, Andrew plans to guide the firm through a strategic transformation, gradually shifting toward a balanced 50/50 ratio between commercial and residential domains.

"We aim to translate the meticulous planning and human-centric experiences accumulated from years in luxury residential design into B2B commercial spaces, including corporate offices, retail flagships, and boutique dining," Andrew affirms. He firmly believes that experiential commercial design not only helps businesses reduce costs and boost efficiency but also transforms rigid commercial environments into inspiring hubs for personal creativity and emotional connection.

Compassion Fueling Creativity: Enriching Design through Human Warmth

In their daily routine, interior designers work with hard architectural materials such as steel, timber, stone, and paint. Beyond his demanding design and managerial duties, Andrew has long dedicated himself to social welfare, actively volunteering with charitable organizations such as "Social Seed (社企苗)." Serving as a compassionate guest instructor, he teaches engaging introductory science courses to primary school students. This warm, cross-disciplinary engagement, seemingly unrelated to high-end design, actually serves as a primary source of Andrew's creative inspiration.

Andrew reflects thoughtfully: "Design should not be confined to cold blueprints. Only by possessing empathy, loving life, and observing the subtle nuances around us can we truly understand the implicit, unspoken spatial aspirations of our clients. Every time I feel the authentic pulse of society and exchange genuine glances with children, it refines my 'sixth sense'—my intuition and inspiration. I want every design I create to carry warmth, serving as a meaningful contribution to life and living."

With the establishment of the CIID Hong Kong Center, Andrew will assume his new role to lead am PLUS DESIGNS forward, continuously exploring and advancing the dual dimensions of contemporary Eastern quiet aesthetics and high-end humanistic spatial design.

https://www.amplusdesigns.com/

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

Banks face growing bad debt risks amid rising funding costs

Lien Thuy — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:57:07 +0700

According to data compiled by WiGroup from banks’ second-quarter 2026 financial statements, as of the end of June, only a handful of banks had a non-performing loan (NPL) coverage ratio above 100 per cent.

State major Vietcombank continued to lead the entire banking system with a coverage ratio of 279 per cent, followed by Agribank at 150 per cent. Banks with NPL coverage ratios above 100 per cent also encompassed VietinBank (134 per cent), Techcombank (125.5 per cent), and ACB (105 per cent).

Some banks that had NPL coverage ratios above 100 per cent at the end of 2025 have had to accept a thinner provisioning buffer as NPL growth outpaced the growth in their risk provisioning.

Photo: baodautu.vn

Specifically, BIDV’s NPL coverage ratio stood at 109 per cent at the end of 2025 but had fallen to just 76 per cent as of June 30.

ABBank’s NPL coverage ratio also declined to 87 per cent from 120 per cent at the end of last year. This was because BIDV’s NPLs increased by 31 per cent, while its risk provisions rose by only 6 per cent. Similarly, ABBank’s NPLs surged by 62 per cent, while its risk provisions increased by just 17 per cent.

Apart from the banks mentioned above, the average NPL coverage ratio was only around 50-60 per cent. Except for Vietcombank, which recorded a sharp increase in its NPL coverage ratio, most banks either saw the ratio decline or remain broadly flat.

According to the Q2/2026 business performance update by Rong Viet Securities Corporation, on-balance-sheet NPLs at listed banks, excluding Agribank, reached approximately $12.4 billion at the end of Q2. The NPL ratio edged up from 1.99 per cent at the end of Q1 to 2.01 per cent.

Net NPL formation alone reached nearly $2 billion in Q2, while credit risk provisioning expenses at banks amounted to just over $1.72 billion.

The total volume of newly formed NPLs exceeded new credit risk provisioning expenses, meaning that the system-wide NPL coverage ratio would continue to decline in Q2 from more than 80 per cent at the end of Q1.

Of particular concern, the NPL ratio is at risk of rising sharply in the second half of the year, meaning that NPL coverage ratios will continue to be eroded unless banks step up risk provisioning accordingly.

As of the end of Q2/2026, outstanding special-mention loans, or Group 2 loans, had risen to more than $8.48 billion. Net formation of Group 2 loans alone reached nearly $3.24 billion during the quarter, the highest level since Q1/2023.

This pressure has emerged as recoveries from loans previously written off as risk losses have begun to slow, amid signs of cooling liquidity in the real estate market – one of the key channels for the disposal of collateral – as interest rates remain high.

Therefore, although an increase in Group 2 loans does not necessarily mean that NPLs will rise, the risk is very high given current market conditions.

If NPLs continue to rise in the second half of the year, banks will face significant pressure to increase risk provisioning.

In particular, banks with low NPL coverage ratios will have to grapple with balancing their profit targets against the need to strengthen their provisioning buffers.

According to analysts, the sharp increase in NPLs and special-mention loans in Q2/2026 resulted from a rapid rise in lending rates, which in turn affected customers’ debt payment capacity, particularly in the retail segment.

Nevertheless, cutting lending rates is not easy when credit growth is running ahead of deposit growth and banks’ funding costs are becoming increasingly expensive.

VPBank’s separate Q1/2026 financial statements show that the bank’s credit growth reached nearly 25 per cent in the first half of this year, while deposits increased by only 15.8 per cent.

Its current account savings account (CASA) ratio – the proportion of non-term deposits in total customer deposits – fell to just 12.5 per cent from 14.6 per cent at the end of last year.

Similarly, at LPBank, credit had grown by 9.8 per cent as of the end of June 2026, while customer deposits increased by only 4.7 per cent. Its CASA ratio also declined from 8.45 per cent at the end of last year to 6.3 per cent as of June 30.

At ABBank, loan balances increased by more than 15 per cent in Q2/2026 alone compared with Q1, while deposits actually fell by 3 per cent, leaving the bank heavily dependent on the interbank market for funding.

Looking beyond VPBank, LPBank and ABBank, the financial statements of 28 commercial banks show that nearly all banks recorded slower deposit growth and a sharp decline in CASA ratios.

The proportion of short-term deposits, with maturities of one to six months, also fell sharply, while long-term deposits increased. The shift of funds from short to longer maturities in pursuit of higher interest rates is leaving banks increasingly short of low-cost funding.

Alongside higher deposit rates, the shift in the maturity structure of deposits is also pushing up lending rates, negatively affecting NPLs. Therefore, reducing lending rates is currently the most urgent solution to ease pressure from bad debts.

At the conclusion of the government’s regular July meeting on August 3, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to focus on measures to stabilise interest rates, ensure liquidity, strive to lower lending rates, reduce costs for the economy, and stabilise the monetary and foreign exchange markets.

The PM also instructed the SBV to strictly deal with unhealthy interest rate competition; manage credit growth in line with macroeconomic developments and the economy’s absorption capacity; facilitate access to capital for key national projects; tighten credit controls over potentially risky sectors; step up the resolution of bad debts; and accelerate the restructuring of credit institutions.

Banks see NPL relief as credit rebounds and Resolution 42 takes effect

The banking sector is seeing signs of relief in non-performing loans (NPLs), with expectations of further improvement by year-end thanks to stronger credit growth and the formal legalisation of Resolution 42 to aid debt recovery.

Banks boost provisions as bad debt eases towards year-end

The banking system is reinforcing risk buffers as bad debt trends downwards and credit accelerates, signalling a more stable phase marked by stronger asset quality and improving profitability.

Banks step up debt recovery to support earnings

Banks are accelerating debt recovery and collateral liquidation efforts, helping stabilise non-performing loans and support profit growth amid narrowing net interest margins and improving credit conditions.

Banks strengthen provisions as bad debt risks re-emerge

Vietnamese banks are strengthening risk management and provisioning buffers as rising bad debt signals prompt the sector to focus more closely on asset quality and long-term financial resilience.

Uzbekistani student charts academic path at Hong Kong university

The Chinese University of Hong Kong — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:49:02 +0700

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 August 2026 - As global higher education evolves rapidly, Central Asian students are increasingly looking beyond traditional Western destinations. For Dulatkhan, a freshman from Uzbekistan, this search for academic rigour led him to The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to pursue Information Engineering. Although unconventional for Uzbekistani students, Dulatkhan's journey highlights how CUHK's international reputation is reaching new global markets.

Uzbekistani Student Dulatkhan Charts His Future at CUHK

Hong Kong: A Launchpad for Engineering Ambitions

Choosing a university extends far beyond rankings. Hong Kong's safety, welcoming environment, blend of cultures and natural landscapes first attracted Dulatkhan. However, it was CUHK's holistic approach that solidified his choice: combining research excellence with the greenest campus in Hong Kong and a supportive community fostered by its unique collegiate system.

Building Skills Through Hands-On Learning

The Faculty of Engineering at CUHK has developed programmes designed to address the complexities of a technology-driven world. Its "explore first, specialise later" curriculum allowed Dulatkhan to build a strong foundation before focusing on a specific pathway. He has already developed a rock-paper-scissors robot, worked with Linux systems and mastered various programming languages. This practical training is supported by CUHK's resources for self-driven learning, including comprehensive library facilities and accessible faculty advisors.

Thriving in the CUHK Community

Dulatkhan has immersed himself in campus life, participating in inter-college volleyball and Judo while exploring Hong Kong's natural beauty through hikes. His passion for community leadership has evolved through his roles as an active member of the International Student Association and External Vice-President for the Central Asian Association. He regularly participates in career workshops, recruitment talks and the International Connection Programme, facilitating his integration into Hong Kong culture.

From CUHK to Hong Kong's Tech Industry

Looking ahead, Dulatkhan plans to discover his specific research passions and target internships through CUHK's career portal. His goal is to launch his career within Hong Kong's technology sector, contributing to leading tech companies in this regional hub.

Programme Details: CUHK's Information Engineering (IERG) Programme

Established in 1989 as the first of its kind in Hong Kong, CUHK's IERG programme integrates Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Key highlights include:

Multi-Disciplinary Curriculum: Five Streams of Specialisation — Big Data, Telecommunications, Cyber Security, Networked Systems and Information Science.

Global Recognition: Ranked 37th globally in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (QS World Rankings by Subject).

Practical Training: Foundational training in Mathematics, Signals, Data Structures and Computer Networks before advancing to specialised subjects.

Strong Career Outcomes: Approximately 90% of the programme's 100 annual graduates secure positions at renowned companies including Deloitte, PwC, HSBC, JP Morgan Chase, Huawei, IBM and Lenovo.

For more information about CUHK's Information Engineering programme, visit: https://www.ie.cuhk.edu.hk/ier

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

Beijing Sports Games opens at National Indoor Stadium

Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:31:26 +0700

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 August 2026 – On August 8, China's 18th National Fitness Day, the opening ceremony of the 17th Beijing Sports Games was held at the National Indoor Stadium, with many champion athletes on hand to lend support.

A performance at the opening ceremony of the 17th Beijing Sports Games

The city is the arena, and its citizens are the athletes. This edition of the Games balances competitive and mass participation events, featuring both traditional disciplines like athletics and swimming, and emerging sports such as pickleball and breakdancing. Some events have already concluded or are currently underway, with all competitions running through October this year. This city‑wide sports extravaganza is expected to attract around 35,000 participants, including teenagers, college students, and the general public, setting new records in both the number of participants and events.

In recent years, Beijing has continuously integrated sports development into the fabric of the city. According to data from the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau, the city has 3.27 square metres of sports venue space per capita, and 53.1% of its population regularly participates in physical exercise. Sports and fitness have become a new way of life in Beijing, the "Dual Olympic City." Yin Shen, a 20‑year‑old football enthusiast, told reporters after watching the ceremony that he found the mass participation content more relatable than purely competitive events. "It's great to see so many sports that ordinary people usually play. Sports are actually all around us," Yin said.

At the opening ceremony, 14 champion athletes trained in Beijing—Ma Long, Zhang Yining, Ding Ning, Wang Chuqin, Xiao Ruoteng, Teng Haibin, Li Na, Cao Yuan, Zhang Jiaqi, Chang Hao, Yang Ling, Liu Xiaotong, Zhang Zesen, and Zhang Ruiyang—were present to inspire more people to take up sports. Zhang Yining said, "I am especially grateful to Beijing, where I realised my dreams. I also hope that more children who love sports will hold on to their dreams. Beijing is a place where dreams come true."

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

VinSpace partners with SpaceX

Thanh Van — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:24:04 +0700

VinSpace’s satellites will launch aboard a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027 as part of SpaceX’s rideshare programme. Photo: VinSpace

Under the agreement, VinSpace’s satellites will launch aboard a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027 as part of SpaceX’s rideshare programme, which enables multiple customers to share a single launch.

VinSpace is responsible for the research, development, manufacturing and on-orbit operation of its satellites. The satellites will support the on-orbit demonstration of in-house developed technologies, strengthen VinSpace’s satellite engineering capabilities, and pave the way for future commercial space applications.

The agreement provides an important foundation for VinSpace’s first satellite missions. In April 2026, the company announced its plan to develop and launch its first satellites into orbit in 2027.

The agreement represents another important step in VinSpace’s long-term vision to become a full-stack aerospace company, developing capabilities across the entire space value chain – from satellite design and manufacturing to Assembly, Integration and Testing, launch mission management, satellite operations, and downstream space data products and services.

Selecting SpaceX as its launch service provider reflects VinSpace’s strategy of working with the world’s leading technology companies to realise its first space missions.

Thu Vu, CEO of VinSpace said, “Reliable access to space is fundamental to turning satellite innovation into operational missions. This contract with SpaceX is an important milestone in VinSpace’s long-term strategy to help build Vietnam’s space ecosystem and strengthen the country’s position within the global space economy.”

VinSpace’s upcoming satellite missions are expected to provide an important platform for in-orbit technology validation, accelerate the development of Vietnam’s aerospace talent, deepen international collaboration, and support the commercialisation of space technologies.

As satellites, low Earth orbit constellations and other space technologies become increasingly important to economic growth, infrastructure resilience and national technological competitiveness, VinSpace is committed to strengthening Vietnam’s sovereign space capabilities while delivering commercially solutions for customers across Vietnam, Southeast Asia and international markets.

VinSpace plans first nano-satellite launch in 2027

VinSpace, part of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, plans to launch its first nano-satellites into orbit in 2027.

SpaceX to launch 100 per cent foreign-invested business in Vietnam

SpaceX is completing procedures to establish a 100 per cent foreign-invested business in Vietnam.

SpaceX appoints Vietnamese CEO to lead Starlink Vietnam operations

SpaceX's Starlink has appointed Do Ba Thich as CEO of its Vietnam entity, placing a young Vietnamese executive at the helm of its local operations for the first time.

Sunlight REIT reports interim revenue of 382 million dollars

Sunlight Real Estate Investment Trust — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:21:55 +0700

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 August 2026 - Henderson Sunlight Asset Management Limited (the "Manager") announces the interim results of Sunlight REIT for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (the "Reporting Period").

For the Reporting Period, Sunlight REIT recorded revenue of HK$382.4 million, a year-on-year decline of 2.2%. After deducting property operating expenses of HK$82.7 million, net property income came in at HK$299.7 million. Aided by a 7.9% saving in cash interest expense to HK$84.3 million, distributable income for the Reporting Period was HK$164.0 million, a 2.7% drop from the corresponding period in the previous year.

The Board has resolved to declare an interim distribution per unit of HK 8.8 cents, representing a payout ratio of 94.3% and an annualized distribution yield of 8.1% based on the closing unit price of HK$2.16 on the last trading day of the Reporting Period.

The appraised value of Sunlight REIT's portfolio was HK$17,118.1 million at 30 June 2026. Gross assets and net assets of Sunlight REIT were HK$17,728.3 million and HK$12,168.2 million respectively, and the net asset value per unit was HK$6.92.

Operating Highlights

At 30 June 2026, the overall occupancy rate of Sunlight REIT's portfolio stood at 90.8%. Occupancy rates of the office and retail portfolios came in at 92.0% and 88.4% respectively, while their corresponding passing rents were HK$30.6 per sq. ft. and HK$62.2 per sq. ft., down 1.3% and 2.7% from six months ago.
Dah Sing Financial Centre, the flagship office property of Sunlight REIT, recorded an occupancy of 91.8%, while its passing rent stayed largely unchanged at HK$35.2 per sq. ft. Regarding the retail portfolio, the occupancy of Sheung Shui Centre Shopping Arcade came in at 86.9%, mainly attributable to the prolonged vacancy pending the replacement of a kindergarten tenant. Passing rent of this property was HK$98.2 per sq. ft. Meanwhile, Metro City Phase I Property reported an occupancy rate of 88.0%, while its passing rent was HK$52.0 per sq. ft.

Au Siu Kee, Alexander, Chairman of the Manager, said, "The sound financial position of Sunlight REIT provides a degree of assurance, as demonstrated by the favourable refinancing of over HK$3,600 million in debt facilities over the past 12 months. Meanwhile, we will prioritize strengthening operational resilience through disciplined cost management, prudent capital allocation and selective asset enhancement initiatives that support long-term value creation. In approaching its 20th listing anniversary, Sunlight REIT will endeavour to create sustainable value for the benefit of unitholders, while harnessing innovation and technology to bolster portfolio robustness and support future-ready asset management."

Remarks: Attached financial highlights of 2026 interim results of Sunlight REIT.

Financial Highlights of 2026 Interim Results
(in HK$' million, unless otherwise specified)

Six months ended 30 June 2026	Six months ended 30 June 2025	Change (%)
Revenue	382.4	391.2	(2.2)
Net property income	299.7	307.4	(2.5)
Cost-to-income ratio (%)	21.6	21.4	N/A
Loss after taxation	(124.1)	(172.2)	N/A
Distributable income	164.0	168.6	(2.7)
Distribution per unit (HK cents)	8.8	9.1	(3.3)
Payout ratio (%)	94.3	93.8	N/A
At 30 June 2026	At 31 December 2025	Change (%)
Portfolio valuation	17,118.1	17,403.0	(1.6)
Net asset value	12,168.2	12,402.6	(1.9)
Net asset value per unit (HK$)	6.92	7.09	(2.4)
Gearing ratio (%)	28.3	27.8	N/A

Disclaimer: The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer or invitation to sell or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for units in Sunlight REIT in Hong Kong or any other jurisdiction.

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