Exclusive Co-Development: The partnership covers the exclusive supply and co-engineering of the IVECO URANIA and IVECO TUTELA ranges - the only fluids officially recommended by IVECO

Network Support: PLI will strengthen support for IVECO's European dealer network, driving customer value, reliability, and total cost-of-ownership (TCO) optimisation

TURIN, ITALY - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 July 2026 - IVECO, one of Europe's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, and PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) have officially renewed their long-standing strategic partnership for an additional five years. The agreement extends the partnership through 2032, reinforcing a collaboration that has driven innovation, performance, and sustainability in the commercial transport sector for more than 50 years.

The renewal ensures the continued supply and joint engineering of a comprehensive range of lubricants designed for commercial vehicles. From advanced engine oils to transmission fluids, brake fluids and coolants, PLI and IVECO will continue to formulate solutions specifically engineered to meet the demanding operational requirements of IVECO's commercial vehicle portfolio across Europe.

A Legacy of Technical Excellence

This milestone reflects the sustained success of the co-branded IVECO URANIA engine oils and IVECO TUTELA technical fluids, developed through decades of joint R&D and a shared commitment to delivering high-performance, energy-efficient solutions that maximise vehicle uptime and extend component life. The ranges are also the only fluids recommended by IVECO.

The partnership's rapid pace of innovation was recently highlighted by the launch of Urania Next 0W-16. This breakthrough ?the first SAE 0W-16 engine oil developed specifically for heavy-duty applications - delivers exceptional fuel efficiency, reduced CO₂ emissions, and extended oil drain intervals. Furthermore, the formulation is Euro 7 ready, supporting improved efficiency and emissions performance for IVECO's latest generation of engines.

Domenico Nucera, Chief Quality & Operations Officer, Iveco Group, commented, "The renewal of the agreement with PETRONAS Lubricants International confirms the strength of a long-standing collaboration built on shared technical expertise and a common ambition to continuously improve performance, efficiency, and sustainability across our vehicle and powertrain portfolio. Through the co-engineering of our IVECO URANIA and IVECO TUTELA ranges, we are able to deliver solutions that maximise vehicle uptime, optimise total cost of ownership, and support our customers and dealer network with the highest standards of quality and reliability."

Driving Dealer and Customer Value

The renewed agreement also places a strategic focus on the IVECO dealer network. Beyond providing cutting-edge products, PLI will implement targeted initiatives aimed at strengthening dealer engagement and reinforcing customer awareness of IVECO's officially approved lubricants. These initiatives are expected to support dealer business growth across European markets, while helping customers benefit from enhanced vehicle reliability and optimised total cost-of-ownership.

Domenico Ciaglia, Group Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer of PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI), said: "This partnership renewal demonstrates what can be achieved through a long-term forward-thinking collaboration, with consistency, and a shared commitment to excellence. Through continuous product innovation, we have been able to co-develop market-leading solutions such as the Urania Next 0W-16 engine oil formulation, seamlessly integrated into IVECO's ecosystem. This collaboration enables us to deliver greater value to the industry by combining our expertise and driving innovation together.

Looking ahead, PETRONAS Lubricants International remains fully committed to supporting the IVECO Group with forward integrated reliable, high-performance products and solutions that create lasting value for its network and customers.

This renewed collaboration further reinforces the foundation of PLI's broader strategic roadmap, demonstrating how technical excellence and trusted partnerships can drive sustainable, long-term value internationally."

PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI)

PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) is the global lubricants manufacturing and marketing arm of PETRONAS, Malaysia's dynamic global energy group. Established in 2008, PLI manufactures and markets a full range of high-quality automotive and industrial lubricant products in over 100 markets internationally. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, PLI also has offices around the world including Turin, Belo Horizonte, Beijing, and Chicago. PLI is the technical resource behind PETRONAS' partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, responsible for the design, development and delivery of the Fluid Technology Solutions?, which includes customised lubricants, fuels and transmission fluids to power the Silver Arrows.

We are a progressive energy and solutions partner, enriching lives for a sustainable future. Our commitment remains to conduct and grow our business in ways that contribute positively to society and the environment.

PLI is driving an aggressive business growth agenda as one of the leading global lubricants companies at the forefront of the industry, providing custom-made solutions for every need. For more information, please visit www.pli-petronas.com.

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

Hashtags: #PETRONASLubricantsInternational #PLI #IVECO #industrial #lubricants #technology

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 July 2026 - AIA Group Limited ("AIA" or the "Group") is proud to unveil the winners of the fourth annual AIA Healthiest Schools Competition, a flagship initiative of the AIA Healthiest Schools programme ("AHS") which empowers students aged five to 16 to turn healthy living into everyday action.

Since its launch in 2022, AHS has continued to scale its impact across the region, expanding to 10 Asia-Pacific markets. The programme supports schools and communities in embedding health and wellbeing into the lives of young people, across four pillars: Healthy Eating, Active Lifestyles, Mental Wellbeing and Health & Sustainability.

The 2025/26 competition attracted a record number of entries, reflecting the growing momentum of the programme and the increasing commitment of educators and young people to drive wellbeing initiatives in their communities.

Entries demonstrated how schools are generating breakthrough ideas and turning healthy habits into daily routines that influence behaviour across classrooms, families and communities, with many showing sustained impact over time.

Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer and Head of the AHS Competition Judging Panel, said, "The AIA Healthiest Schools Competition is one of the leading programmes of its kind in Asia and is helping young people take ownership of their health by turning knowledge into action.

Across the region, we are seeing rising levels of inactivity, poorer nutrition, and increasing mental health pressures among young people and the evidence shows that early intervention can make a lasting difference. Through this programme, students are developing healthier habits and essential life skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

This programme goes far beyond awareness - it is driving lasting behaviour change and is a powerful manifestation of our Purpose of helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.

Congratulations to our Regional Winner, SMP IL Kapten Fatubaa from Indonesia and the pillar winners. Your shining examples will inspire countless others across the region, shaping a healthier future for young people all over Asia."

The winners were honoured at a regional awards ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, where a total prize pool of US$100,000 was awarded to support schools' ongoing health and wellbeing initiatives.

Regional Winner - SMP IL Kapten Fatubaa, Indonesia

In a remote border village where students cross rivers and rugged terrain to reach school, SMP IL Kapten Fatubaa transformed a local waste challenge into a powerful learning opportunity. Through its "Huka Upcycling Project," students convert banana peel waste into ice cream, compost, and liquid fertiliser - combining science education with entrepreneurship and community impact. The initiative has benefited over 1,000 people, strengthening environmental literacy, supporting local farmers, and fostering cross-border collaboration.

Category Winners

Health & Sustainability Award - Angchum Secondary School, Cambodia

Student-led campaigns and community partnerships promoted plastic reduction, hygiene, and environmental care. The initiative strengthened sustainable habits and improved health practices across both the school and surrounding community.

Mental Wellbeing Award - Chongqing Nan'an District Shanhu Puhui Experimental Primary School, China

The "Emotion Eco-Park" helps students develop emotional awareness and resolve conflicts through structured activities and dedicated learning areas. The initiative has reduced conflicts and created a more positive school environment.

Active Lifestyles Award - Sekolah Kebangsaan Manir, Malaysia

The "Sihat Aktif Manirian" programme uses digital tracking and goal-setting to encourage healthier daily habits. It has improved hydration, fitness awareness, and student ownership of wellbeing.

Healthy Eating Award - Chu Van An Primary School, Vietnam

The "Happy Meal" project promotes healthy eating through nutrition education, organic gardening, and hands-on cooking. It significantly improved student diets and increased the proportion of students at a healthy weight, while rebuilding trust in school meals.

Looking Ahead

The 2026/27 AHS will continue to build on this strong momentum, expanding its reach to include Myanmar and New Zealand, alongside its existing markets of Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong SAR(1), Indonesia, Mainland China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

By broadening its footprint, AIA aims to extend the programme's positive impact to even more students and communities across Asia-Pacific, further advancing its Purpose of helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.

To learn more about the programme, visit ahs.aia.com.

Notes:

(1) Hong Kong SAR refers to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

(2) Macau SAR refers to the Macau Special Administrative Region.

About AIA

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively "AIA" or the "Group") comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets - wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR(2), and a 49 per cent joint venture in India. In addition, AIA has a 24.99 per cent shareholding in China Post Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$345 billion as of 31 December 2025.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 44 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock codes "1299" for HKD counter and "81299" for RMB counter with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol "AAGIY".

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

Hashtags: #AIA

New standalone offering extends Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist beyond Zoom Phone, bringing AI-powered call handling capabilities to any existing phone system

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zoom Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) today announced a standalone offering for Zoom Virtual Agent (ZVA) Receptionist, enabling organizations to add an AI-powered front desk to their existing phone system without requiring Zoom Phone, helping organizations improve customer responsiveness, extend business availability, and capture more opportunities.

For many businesses, inbound calls are opportunities to win a customer, book an appointment, or strengthen an existing relationship. Yet according to research, 71% of consumers find calling a business more stressful than the issue they're trying to resolve, and 50% say they would switch to a competitor after a single bad experience.

With Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist, organizations can provide fast, always-available customer assistance through natural, conversational AI that answers calls, assists customers, and routes inquiries around the clock. With support for more than 10 languages, built-in live transcription, appointment scheduling, and intelligent call routing, Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist helps businesses deliver responsive customer experiences while enabling employees to focus on the conversations that matter most.

"Businesses shouldn't have to replace their phone system to benefit from AI," said Chris Moss, general manager of Zoom Phone. "Every inbound call is an opportunity to serve a customer or nurture a prospect. With the standalone Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist offering, organizations can quickly add an AI-powered front desk to their existing systems, helping them answer more calls, respond faster, and stay available around the clock."

Extending AI Receptionist capabilities beyond Zoom Phone

Originally introduced as part of Zoom Phone, Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist is now available across existing business phone systems, making it easier for organizations to adopt AI without changing their communications infrastructure.

Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist helps organizations:

Answer and greet every caller with natural, conversational AI in multiple languages.

Resolve common customer needs by answering business questions, scheduling appointments, and providing after-hours support.

Connect customers to the right person with intelligent call routing and seamless handoff when human assistance is needed.

Organizations can now add an AI-powered front desk without changing their existing phone system, making it easier to improve customer responsiveness while preserving existing technology investments and avoiding major migrations.

Whether supporting a retail store, healthcare practice, law office, or growing small business, Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist helps ensure every caller receives timely, professional assistance while enabling employees to remain focused on serving customers.

Helping organizations capture every opportunity.

Since every inbound call has the potential to generate new business, appointments, or revenue, responsiveness is key to maintaining a competitive edge. During busy periods, after hours, or when employees are focused on helping customers in person, businesses often struggle to respond as quickly as customers expect.

By bringing AI receptionist capabilities to existing phone systems, Zoom is helping organizations improve responsiveness, extend business availability, and create better first impressions without disrupting the technology they already trust.

Available now

Standalone Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist is available for purchase online beginning today, starting at $29.99 USD per month/100 minutes, or $24.99 USD per month/100 minutes with annual billing. To learn more, visit Zoom.com.

Organizations can also explore Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist through a free trial program available to both new and existing customers.

About Zoom

Zoom (NASDAQ:ZM) is a system of action for modern work, turning live collaboration into completed results. From entrepreneurs to global enterprises, customers choose Zoom to seamlessly collaborate, communicate, and drive outcomes across meetings, phone, contact center, and more - all with the built-in assistance of Zoom AI. Founded in 2011, Zoom is headquartered in San Jose, CA. For more information, visit zoom.com.

Zoom Public Relations

Travis Isaman

press@zoom.us

LONDON, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC Systems today announced a strategic partnership with Luware that expands access to Luware Recording, a cloud-based compliance recording platform for financial institutions. The collaboration adds a new layer of capture, retention, and supervisory support across all voice and collaboration environments, helping firms modernize communications without compromising regulatory oversight.

The partnership advances IPC's strategy centered on compliance, connectivity, and community by broadening its ecosystem of regulation-ready communications solutions for trading, enterprise voice, and collaboration platforms.

As financial firms shift toward hybrid and cloud-based communications, maintaining consistent compliance oversight across fragmented channels has become more complex. At the same time, regulatory frameworks including MiFID II, Dodd-Frank, and FCA continue to raise expectations for capture, retention, and supervisory access.

Luware Recording enables secure, end-to-end capture across multiple enterprise platforms and deployment models, including multi-tenant or private-tenant models, with storage capacity that can be customer-managed or Luware-hosted, compliance-grade. The platform also delivers advanced AI functionality such as automatic conduct risk detection and persona-based summaries. All of this is designed to support compliance with global regulatory standards.

"At IPC, our strategy is built around Compliance, Connectivity, and Community," said Vimal Vel, Chief Product Officer, IPC. "This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver scalable, regulation-ready recording across modern communications environments. As firms adopt new technologies, they must maintain consistent oversight, and we are enabling that with confidence and resilience."

Integrated within IPC's global Connectivity infrastructure, Luware Recording enables seamless recording across interconnected trading and enterprise environments, helping firms unify compliance without compromising performance or user experience.

"Luware Recording is designed for highly regulated industries. By combining IPC's global connectivity with our cloud-based capture and analytics, clients gain a single compliance layer across all trader voice and collaboration platforms," said Alex Grafetsberger, Chief Business Officer, Luware Recording.

The partnership also reinforces IPC's commitment to supporting the broader financial markets community, delivering trusted and secure infrastructure that promotes transparency, accountability, and operational integrity across market participants.

The joint solution is available immediately to IPC clients worldwide.

About IPC Systems

A specialist technology and service leader powering global financial markets for over 50 years, IPC Systems stands at the forefront of innovation in trading communications, market data connectivity, and financial technology infrastructure. IPC's customer-first philosophy is backed by an expansive financial ecosystem that spans all asset classes and connects market participants anywhere in the world - enabling enhanced communication, collaboration, and compliance at scale.

Global services include trading communications, electronic trading, data and analytics, and infrastructure-as-a-service solutions. IPC is ideally positioned to anticipate change and remain aligned with rapidly transforming markets, and to empower customers to adapt to change - now and into the future.

To learn more, visit www.ipc.com, explore our Insights page, and follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact

ipc@capvstrategies.com

About Luware

Luware is a global leader in customer experience and regulatory compliance solutions, trusted by more than 1,500 organizations and headquartered in Zurich. Since 2010, the company has built an industry-defining portfolio anchored by Luware Recording: a next-generation compliance recording platform built for today's most demanding communication environments.

Luware Recording empowers regulated organizations to capture, archive, and analyze voice, video, screenshare, and instant messaging across leading communication systems, helping ensure seamless compliance with frameworks such as MiFID II, Dodd-Frank, and DORA. Backed by their SOC 2 Type II accreditation and Microsoft 365 certification, and over a decade of experience powering global deployments across front, middle, and back-office telephony, it delivers a future-proof compliance platform that reduces complexity, strengthens oversight, and accelerates digital transformation.

Learn more or request a demo at luware.com.

Teva secures exclusive global rights to commercialize Polpharma Biologics' biosimilar candidate to Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), including both intravenous and subcutaneous formulations.

Agreement advances Teva's Pivot to Growth strategy by expanding its biosimilars pipeline through strategic collaborations.

Agreement reflects both companies' commitment to broadening access to biologic medicines.

TEL AVIV, Israel and ZUG, Switzerland, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teva Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE: and TASE: TEVA) and Polpharma Biologics International AG today announced a global licensing agreement granting Teva exclusive rights to commercialize both formulations of Polpharma Biologics' proposed biosimilar to Ocrevus1 (ocrelizumab), upon regulatory approval.

This strategic agreement is expected to combine Polpharma Biologics' proven biosimilar development expertise with Teva's commercial footprint and capabilities.

"This agreement reflects our focus on pushing high-quality biologics to the finish line efficiently and at scale," said Anjan Selz, Chief Executive Officer of Polpharma Biologics International AG. "Teva brings reach, discipline and real commercial strength to our strategic collaboration. Combining its global footprint with our technical and development capabilities creates a clear path to getting this medicine to patients who need more treatment options."

Under the terms of the agreement, Polpharma Biologics retains full responsibility for the development and manufacturing of the biosimilar candidate. Teva will be responsible for regulatory submissions and, upon approval, commercialization of the intravenous and subcutaneous formulations in the United States, Europe, Brazil, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Turkey.

"This agreement is aligned with Teva's Pivot to Growth strategy and our focus on expanding our biosimilars pipeline. With our global commercial footprint and deep expertise in complex medicines, we are well positioned to help bring this biosimilar candidate to patients," said Yolanda Tibbe, Vice President, Global Head of Biosimilars at Teva.

This strategic agreement reinforces both organizations' commitment to broadening access to biologic medicines while promoting the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems.

About ocrelizumab

Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to target CD20-positive B cells, which are believed to play a role in the autoimmune activity associated with multiple sclerosis. Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis and primary progressive multiple sclerosis. In the U.S., the intravenous formulation is marketed as Ocrevus, while the subcutaneous formulation is marketed separately as Ocrevus Zunovo (ocrelizumab and hyaluronidase-ocsq). In the EU, both formulations carry the single brand name Ocrevus.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable and progressive disease of the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the loss of myelin, the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers, disrupts the transmission of electrical signals to and from the brain, leading to a wide range of symptoms.

MS affects people differently. Symptoms can fluctuate, with periods of worsening (relapses) followed by partial or full recovery (remission). Over time, some patients may also experience a gradual progression of disability.

Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, numbness or tingling, walking difficulties, spasticity, dizziness, and vision problems, among others.

About Teva

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) is transforming into a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company, enabled by a world-class generics business. For over 120 years, Teva's commitment to bettering health has never wavered. From innovating in the fields of neuroscience and immunology to providing complex generic medicines, biosimilars and pharmacy brands worldwide, Teva is dedicated to addressing patients' needs, now and in the future. At Teva, We Are All In For Better Health. To learn more about how, visit www.tevapharm.com.

About Polpharma Biologics

Polpharma Biologics International AG is a biopharmaceutical company focused on development and manufacturing of biosimilars for supply to global markets. We manage the entire value chain: from product selection and investment allocation, through program execution to asset monetization, ensuring fast progress from idea to launch in strong collaboration with our global partners.

Our international team of senior experts has proven experience in program leadership, regulatory strategy, CMC integration, device development, clinical oversight, and quality assurance. Working with trusted CDMOs and CROs, we deliver end-to-end biosimilars, from cell line to finished product, across a range of major therapeutic areas. Our commercial partners ensure access for patients to these medicines worldwide.

Our mission is to accelerate access to biologics. To fulfill that mission, we maintain a robust, expanding pipeline of biosimilars in development. www.polpharmabiologics.com

Media Contact - Polpharma Biologics

Stephanie Deitzer

Lead Transformation & Communications

Polpharma Biologics International AG

stephanie.deitzer@polpharmabiologics.ch

+41 78 600 53 59

Teva Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "target," "may," "project," "guidance," "intend," "plan," "believe" and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to: our ability to successfully execute our collaboration agreement with Polpharma Biologics for the commercialization of its biosimilar candidate to ocrelizumab, upon regulatory approval; our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace, including our ability to develop and commercialize additional pharmaceutical products; our ability to successfully execute on our Pivot to Growth strategy, including to expand our innovative and biosimilar medicines pipeline and profitably commercialize the innovative medicines and biosimilar portfolio, whether organically or through business development; our significant indebtedness; our business and operations in general; compliance, regulatory and litigation matters; other financial and economic risks; and other factors discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2026 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including in the sections captioned "Risk Factors" and "Forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Teva Media

Inquiries TevaCommunicationsNorthAmerica@tevapharm.com

Teva Investor

Relations

Inquiries TevaIR@Tevapharm.com

1 Ocrevus and Ocrevus Zunovo are registered trademarks of Genentech, Inc. and/or F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

HAIKOU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 July 2026 - The IWUF 4th Taolu World Cup successfully wrapped up in Haikou, Hainan, China, on July 8, 2026. The competition featured 11 men's and 11 women's events, covering four major categories, including fist routines, long weapons, short weapons, and duilian. Over two days, a total of 22 gold medals were contested.

The Taolu World Cup is one of the six flagship official events of the IWUF (International Wushu Federation) and stands as the highest-level and most influential elite professional competition in the global taolu discipline. This November, wushu will make its historic debut as an official medal sport at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, marking the first time this traditional Chinese martial art has been incorporated into the Olympic sports program.

This event marked the first high-level international wushu single-discipline competition hosted by Hainan since the inception of the Hainan Free Trade Port. It attracted 206 athletes, team leaders, and coaches from 29 countries and regions worldwide, including 117 elite competitors. Ultimately, athletes from 18 countries and regions secured medals with their outstanding competitive performances.

Leveraging the unique geographical and policy advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, combined with visa-free access for citizens of 86 countries and the 240-hour transit visa-exemption policy, overseas participants, technical officials, and media personnel have enjoyed fast-track customs clearance. Meanwhile, specialized competition equipment has benefited from zero-tariff treatment and simplified cross-border customs clearance procedures.

Hainan boasts a rich and distinctive wushu culture. Through centuries of inheritance and development, it has integrated the essence of various martial arts schools and blended them with local island folklore and regional characteristics to form a unique "Qiong-style" wushu system. Two counties and one city in Hainan, namely Tunchang, Qiongzhong, and Wanning, have been designated as "National Wushu Hometowns," reflecting a deep-rooted local tradition of martial arts appreciation. Indigenous fighting styles such as the Li ethnic group's Li Family Fist, Tunchang Pochen Five-Form Stakes, and Wanning Mazai Kung Fu have been passed down through generations, standing as treasured gems of Hainan's folk culture.

During the event, Hainan concurrently hosted the inaugural Hainan International Wushu Culture Month event, featuring multiple "wushu + tourism" travel routes. These activities allowed domestic and international guests to enjoy Hainan's island scenery and duty-free shopping benefits while taking in high-level wushu competitions.

Looking ahead, Hainan will continue to deeply integrate wushu elements into its sports-tourism product system, developing a range of wushu-themed tourist destinations, study and research bases, and signature events. This will make "spectator travel" a new model for Hainan's cultural tourism. At the same time, Hainan will continue to promote the hosting of various international wushu competitions, training camps, professional development programs, and cultural exchange activities, attracting wushu enthusiasts and professional teams from around the world to compete, train, and study in Hainan, with the goal of establishing the island as a global hub for wushu development and cultural exchange.

Separately, the 43rd Executive Committee Meeting of the IWUF has decided that Haikou City in Hainan Province will host the 12th Sanda World Cup.

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

Hashtags: #IWUF

At Shenzhen Port Global Supply Chain High-Quality Development Conference 2026

Partnering on Green, Low-Carbon and Digital Transformations to Explore Sustainable Shipping, Logistics, and Global Supply Chains

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 July 2026 - At the Shenzhen Port Global Supply Chain High-Quality Development Conference 2026, TCL Industries, a global leader in consumer electronics, and Hutchison Ports Holdings Limited (Hutchison Ports), the world's leading port investor, developer, and operator, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Guided by the shared vision of "Benefitting from New APEC Opportunities, Forging a New Future for Port and Shipping Cooperation", the two parties will establish a closer strategic partnership. Focusing on carbon reduction and digital transformation, TCL Industries and Hutchison Ports will leverage their respective strengths in smart technology, new energy, and global port networks to jointly drive green and sustainable development across the global shipping and logistics sectors.

At a time when global supply chains face the dual demands of environmental challenges and efficiency upgrades, this cross-sector collaboration serves as a significant benchmark for the industry. Under the MoU, the parties plan to engage in deep exchange, cooperation, and knowledge-sharing across three core areas:

Exploring Emission Reduction Opportunities: Jointly researching carbon reduction solutions across the logistics supply chain to collaboratively address the challenges of global climate change.

Planning and Developing Green Port Infrastructure: Integrating cutting-edge clean energy and energy-saving technologies to co-develop next-generation green ports, thereby reducing the overall environmental footprint of port operations.

Accelerating Comprehensive Digital Transformation: Leveraging big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimise the synergistic efficiency of the port and logistics ecosystem, empowering green initiatives through digital technology.

Weiguo Shi, Vice President of TCL Industries, said "This powerful partnership with Hutchison Ports represents a major milestone in our mission to empower the global shipping and logistics ecosystem through intelligent technology and new energy solutions. We will fully leverage our deep expertise in digital transformation and clean energy to work alongside Hutchison Ports, driving the entire industry towards a higher-quality, more sustainable new era."

Eric Ip, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Ports, said "We are delighted to enter into this forward-looking strategic partnership with TCL Industries. Hutchison Ports is committed to leading the green transition of the port industry. By joining forces with TCL Industries, we look forward to accelerating the integration of green infrastructure and digital technologies, ultimately providing more sustainable and intelligent solutions for our customers and global supply chains."

The signing of this MoU marks a solid step forward for TCL Industries and Hutchison Ports in addressing the sustainability challenges of global supply chains. Moving forward, both parties will establish regular communication mechanisms to steadily advance and implement their shared objectives, contributing to the development of a zero-carbon, smart global logistics ecosystem.

About TCL

Founded in 1981, TCL is committed to "Building a Sustainable and Connected Future with Advanced Technology," dedicated to empowering a smart, healthy lifestyle by enabling next-generation intelligent experiences. TCL Industries encompasses a wide range of smart consumer electronic products and services, including smart displays, smart home appliances, innovative businesses, and home internet solutions. Additionally, the Company is actively developing other ventures such as ecotechnology, industrial park management, smart manufacturing, and industrial financing.

In the future, TCL Industries will continue to forge close partnerships with global allies to play a substantial role in globalization and offer a smarter experience to users worldwide through its smart-connected ecosystem. The Company will further enhance its investment in R&D, serving as a driving force behind technological innovations. TCL Industries will concentrate on penetrating the mid-high-end market and capitalizing on emerging business prospects. Additionally, as a responsible corporate citizen, the Company will actively promote green and sustainable development.

About Hutchison Ports

Hutchison Ports is the ports and related services division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited. Hutchison Ports is the world's leading port investor, developer and operator with a network of port operations in 53 ports spanning 24 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Over the years, Hutchison Ports has expanded into other logistics and transportation-related businesses, including cruise ship terminals, distribution centres, rail services and ship repair facilities.

In 2025, Hutchison Ports handled a combined throughput of 90.1 million TEU.

Photos: Serena Chen, Deputy General Manager, Global Logistics Center, TCL Industries (first from left) and Ken Chou, Group Commercial Director of Hutchison Ports (first from right), signed the MoU under the witness of Weiguo Shi, Vice President of TCL Industries (second from left) and Eric Ip, Group Managing Director (second from right).

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

Hashtags: #TCL #HutchisonPorts

At Shenzhen Port Global Supply Chain High-Quality Development Conference 2026

Unlocking Global Network Synergies to Build a Stable and Efficient Supply Chain

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 July 2026 - At the Shenzhen Port Global Supply Chain High-Quality Development Conference 2026, Midea Group (Midea), the global smart home and technology giant, and Hutchison Port Holdings Limited (Hutchison Ports), the world's leading port investor, developer, and operator, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Guided by the shared vision of "Benefitting from New APEC Opportunities, Forging a New Future for Port and Shipping Cooperation", the two parties will deepen their global strategic partnership over the next two years, combining their respective strengths and resources to co-create a highly resilient, efficient, and mutually beneficial global supply chain ecosystem.

In response to the evolving global trade landscape, these two industry leaders are actively collaborating to bring together their strategic assets and global networks. Midea's expanding manufacturing footprint overseas seamlessly aligns with Hutchison Ports' extensive network of global port resources, establishing a perfect synergy particularly in key markets such as Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt, Vietnam and Mexico. As Midea accelerates its international expansion, its global logistics requirements are experiencing robust growth. This partnership will secure global maritime logistics corridors for Midea, ensuring stable and efficient delivery. Concurrently, Midea's continuously growing cargo volumes will significantly boost throughput across Hutchison Ports' terminals, in turn attracting more international shipping routes to call at its facilities.

Lewis Fu, President of Midea International, said "Under our globalisation strategy, securing reliable logistics services is fundamental to Midea's sustained business growth. We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with Hutchison Ports. Through practical initiatives, such as data integration and priority lanes during peak seasons, we can further enhance supply chain synergy and operational efficiency. This gives us full confidence in steadily achieving our global shipping target of 1.5 million TEUs by 2027."

Eric Ip, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Ports, said "As a world-leading technology enterprise, Midea Group is an incredibly valued strategic partner for Hutchison Ports. Midea's massive and rapidly growing export volumes will inject strong momentum into our terminals. By leveraging our high-efficiency operational standards, advanced digital capabilities, and tailored service frameworks, we will provide reliable logistical support for Midea's global expansion, establishing a new benchmark for industry collaboration."

Under the MoU, this deepened collaboration will initially be launched using Hutchison Ports' Yantian International Container Terminals (YANTIAN) as a key strategic anchor point, focusing on the following areas:

Green Logistics and Digitalization Construction: Both parties will actively explore sustainable transport solutions that comply with local regulations and authorities. By integrating Midea's business system with YANTIAN's terminal operating system, they will achieve real-time information sharing and seamless workflow connectivity, significantly enhancing cargo handling and transport efficiency.

Port Operation Support: Addressing industry choke points such as peak-season logistical delays and capacity constraints, Hutchison Ports will open priority lanes for Midea during peak seasons. This will expedite the pick-up, return, and reloading of Midea's cargo, ensuring highly efficient dispatch operations and reinforcing the stability of Midea's supply chain.

Port Extension Services and Multimodal Transportation: The partners will jointly develop rail freight solutions connecting inland Chinese ports to YANTIAN, alongside comprehensive terminal logistics support including container yards, warehousing, and other value-added services.

Looking ahead, Midea and Hutchison Ports aim to progressively scale up the successful collaboration model established at YANTIAN across Hutchison Ports' vast global network. Both parties will continue to strengthen their strategic alignment on a global level, jointly exploring innovative green and digital logistics solutions to set a new benchmark for smarter, greener, and more resilient global supply chains.

About Midea Group

Midea Group is a global technology group integrating seven business segments: Smart Home, Industrial Technologies, Building Technologies, KUKA, New Energy, Midea Healthcare, and ANNTO Logistics, fostering the parallel development of ToC and ToB businesses. Every year, it delivers satisfactory products and services to more than 500 million users worldwide, as well as key customers and strategic partners across various sectors. Currently, Midea operates more than 600 subsidiaries, 43 R&D centers and 65 major manufacturing bases worldwide, with business covering more than 200 countries and regions, and strives to become a global leader in smart homes and an enabler of smart manufacturing.

About Hutchison Ports

Hutchison Ports is the ports and related services division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited. Hutchison Ports is the world's leading port investor, developer and operator with a network of port operations in 53 ports spanning 24 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Over the years, Hutchison Ports has expanded into other logistics and transportation-related businesses, including cruise ship terminals, distribution centres, rail services and ship repair facilities.

In 2025, Hutchison Ports handled a combined throughput of 90.1 million TEU.

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

EDC-08 launched aboard SpaceX Transporter-17 as EarthDaily releases first imagery from EDC-02 through EDC-07; commercial operations expected later this year.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EarthDaily today announced successful initial contact with EDC-08 following its launch aboard SpaceX's Transporter-17 mission on July 7, marking Launch III for the EarthDaily Constellation and bringing the system to the satellite count required for commercial operations.

Like each spacecraft in the EarthDaily Constellation, EDC-08 carries 16 imagers collecting data across 22 spectral bands, giving the system the spectral depth and imaging capacity needed to support consistent, comparable measurements across regions, seasons, and time.

The announcement builds on the May deployment of EDC-02 through EDC-07, which are now progressing through commissioning and returning initial imagery. Released alongside today's announcement, these images provide an early view of performance across multiple satellites.

"EDC-08 reaching orbit and establishing initial contact is another important step in the disciplined deployment of the EarthDaily Constellation," said Don Osborne, CEO of EarthDaily. "With eight satellites now in orbit, seven progressing through commissioning, and initial imagery returning from the May launch, the system is performing as expected."

The newly released images offer a look at the consistency and detail the EarthDaily Constellation is designed to deliver. While calibration and validation work continues, they show multiple satellites contributing to a common measurement system built for reliable broad-area monitoring and repeatable analysis at scale using AI and Machine Learning.

"The EarthDaily Constellation is engineered for data consistency," added Osborne. "Variability in atmospheric conditions, viewing geometry, and sensor calibration can introduce noise that compounds across time-series analysis and makes data harder to trust in AI workflows. EarthDaily addresses this at the system level through tightly controlled geometric and radiometric calibration, high signal-to-noise ratios, and spectral alignment with Sentinel and Landsat archives, helping to ensure the resulting data is ready for any AI application for Earth monitoring and that detected change reflects real-world events."

Purpose-built for broad-area change detection, the EarthDaily Constellation is designed to deliver globally consistent, calibrated daily measurement of the planet. EDC imagery, optimized for time-series analysis and direct integration into AI workflows, is designed to work with EarthDaily's automated change detection analytics to identify meaningful change across wide areas, from aircraft and ships in harbors to roads and infrastructure, and help customers decide where to focus attention next.

This approach moves Earth observation beyond static imagery and toward decision-centric intelligence. As EDC-08 reaches orbit and additional satellites prepare for launch, each step advances the constellation toward daily global land coverage as a continuous measurement layer for monitoring change at scale across defense and security, agriculture, natural resources, climate resilience, and infrastructure.

About EarthDaily

EarthDaily is a global Earth observation company focused on delivering science-grade data and analytics designed for broad-area change detection and decision-centric intelligence. With the EarthDaily Constellation, the company is building a foundation for daily, globally consistent Earth intelligence to support governments and enterprises operating in complex, high-impact environments.

To learn more, visit earthdaily.com and follow EarthDaily on LinkedIn (@EarthDaily) and X (@EarthDailyA).

Contacts

Tanya Cross

Vice President, Global Marketing and Communications

EarthDaily

tanya.cross@earthdaily.com

Alliance Advisors IR

EarthDailyPR@allianceadvisors.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/398a6f1b-e207-4a66-9190-efa3173c9c6e

The former Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India - who oversaw the Indian Premier League (IPL T20) and led the sale of BCCI media rights for more than USD 3 billion - brings nearly 35 years of global cricket and media leadership to FLZH's board as the Company seeks its cricket-focused sports and media platform

NEW YORK and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flash Sports & Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLZH) ("Flash" or the "Company") today announced the appointment of Rahul Johri - the former Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) - to its Board of Directors. Mr. Johri is one of the most accomplished executives in global media and sport, and his appointment marks a significant step in the Company's strategy to build a leading, cricket-focused sports and media platform.

During his tenure as the BCCI's first CEO, Mr. Johri oversaw the full spectrum of the sport - all international and domestic cricket operations, the Indian Premier League (IPL T20), and the National Cricket Academy. He led the sale of BCCI media rights for more than USD 3 billion, one of the largest rights transactions in Indian sports history, and pioneered the introduction of the e-auction to cricket, setting a new standard of transparency and competitive value in how the game's commercial rights are sold.

The Company believes Mr. Johri's rights-monetization expertise, deep relationships across the global cricket ecosystem, and track record of building and scaling media businesses will directly support FLZH's growth priorities - including pursuing media rights, sponsorship, franchise development, and the expansion of its league portfolio across key cricket markets.

"Rahul is a highly respected leaders in the business of cricket with deep experience across media rights, broadcasters and cricket properties," Few executives in the world have his combination of commercial vision, credibility with rights holders and broadcasters, and hands-on experience building the properties that define the modern game," said Bradley Natrass, Chairman / Chief Executive Officer, Flash Sports & Media Holdings , Inc. "His appointment to our board sends a clear signal about the scale of our ambition. We are building FLZH into a serious, global cricket-media company, and Rahul's guidance will be invaluable as we execute that plan."

"Cricket is entering its most exciting commercial era, with new leagues, new markets and new audiences reshaping the global game," said Rahul Johri. "Flash Sports & Media has assembled a compelling platform at exactly the right moment, and I am delighted to join the board. I look forward to helping the Company build world-class cricket properties and unlock their full commercial potential."

Beyond his cricket administration career, Mr. Johri brings nearly 35 years of leadership across the media and sports industry. He most recently served as President ? Business at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., where he drove revenue across Zee's 60-plus television channels and its digital platform Zee5, and spearheaded the launch of the U.A.E.-based T20 league, ILT20. Earlier, as Head of Discovery Networks South & Southeast Asia, he launched 11 channels and introduced regional Indian languages to international programming. Mr. Johri was part of the founding launch team of Outlook magazine. He currently heads Citadel Advisory, a media and sports business advisory firm operating across India and the U.A.E.

About Rahul Johri

Rahul Johri is a media and sports executive with nearly 35 years of experience and the first-ever Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, where he oversaw the IPL T20 (www.iplt20.com) , all international and domestic cricket operations, and the National Cricket Academy, led the sale of BCCI media rights for over USD 3 billion, and introduced the e-auction to world cricket. He has held senior leadership roles at Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Discovery Networks South & South East Asia and now runs Citadel Advisory across India and the U.A.E.

About Flash Sports & Media Holdings, Inc.

Flash Sports & Media Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLZH) is a cricket-focused sports and media company seeking to develop and commercialize cricket media, league-management, sponsorship, and related sports-entertainment opportunities. Through its relationship with Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC, Flash is focused on professional cricket properties, media and broadcast opportunities, sponsorships, league operations, and related commercial initiatives. The Company's business plans remain subject to execution risks, market conditions, definitive agreements, third-party approvals, and the Company's ability to finance, develop, and commercialize its sports and media initiatives. https://flashsportsandmedia.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated contributions of Mr. Rahul Johri to Flash Sports & Media, Inc. and its Board of Directors; the Company's expectations, beliefs, plans and strategies relating to the development, commercialization and monetization of its cricket-focused sports and media platform; the Company's relationship with Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC and other current or potential strategic partners; current and future cricket, sports, media, league-management, sponsorship, media rights, franchise-development, broadcast and related commercial opportunities; the development, operation or commercialization of the Lanka Premier League or any other cricket league, tournament, event, property or related rights; potential sponsorships, media rights arrangements, franchise sales, broadcast relationships, league operations, player participation, venue arrangements, commercial partnerships and other business opportunities; the Company's ability to generate revenues, achieve growth, obtain financing, enter into definitive agreements, obtain required approvals, maintain relationships with third parties and execute its business plan; and the Company's ability to maintain compliance with the applicable listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "seek," "should," "will," "would," and similar words or expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, performance, events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of Mr. Johri's appointment may not be realized; the Company's early-stage sports and media strategy and limited operating history in its current business focus; the Company's ability to develop, finance, operate, commercialize, monetize and scale cricket, sports, media, league-management, sponsorship, broadcast and related business lines; the seasonal nature of cricket leagues and events and the many conditions to successful league and event operations; the Company's dependence on third-party relationships, including relationships with Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC, cricket governing bodies, league operators, venues, broadcasters, sponsors, franchise owners, players, vendors, commercial counterparties and other strategic partners; the possibility that definitive agreements with any such parties may not be entered into on acceptable terms, or at all; the possibility that existing or contemplated relationships, arrangements, rights or opportunities may be terminated, delayed, modified, disputed or fail to produce expected results; the Company's ability to obtain and maintain required governmental, regulatory, league, venue, governing-body, shareholder, exchange or other approvals, consents or authorizations; uncertainties regarding the availability, participation or continued involvement of franchises, franchise owners, players, teams, ambassadors, broadcasters, sponsors, venues, vendors, governing bodies and other counterparties; the possibility that anticipated franchise sales, sponsorships, media rights arrangements, broadcast relationships, advertising revenue, ticketing revenue, licensing revenue or other commercial opportunities may not materialize, may be delayed, or may be less favorable than expected; competitive dynamics in the sports, media, entertainment, streaming, broadcast, sponsorship and league-management industries; changes in consumer demand, audience engagement, advertiser demand, media consumption habits and market conditions affecting cricket, sports and media properties; the Company's ability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all, and the potential dilutive effect of any financing transactions; risks associated with international business activities, including geopolitical, regulatory, tax, foreign exchange, sanctions, anti-corruption, labor, immigration, travel, venue, safety, security and operational risks; general economic, market, industry and capital markets conditions; volatility in the trading price and liquidity of the Company's securities; the Company's ability to maintain compliance with applicable Nasdaq listing standards; and the Company's ability to comply with applicable SEC reporting, disclosure and internal control requirements.

Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings made with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, revise or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Relations Contact 

Investors@flashsm.com 

Company Websites 

https://flashsportsandmedia.com 

Source: Flash Sports & Media Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLZH) 

54 teams from 21 nations on the starting blocks for 13th edition

MONACO, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hundreds of young engineers have taken over Quai Louis II in the YCM Marina to showcase their prototypes at the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW, SBM Offshore, Monaco City Hall, NatPower H, and ESA NanoTech.

The programme has already kicked off with the Job Forum dedicated to exchanges between students, recent graduates and major maritime industry players to encourage meetings, work opportunities and sharing knowledge.

Now a major international event focused on sustainable maritime technologies, the Challenge brings together emerging engineering talent and key industry players, such as Safe Harbor, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut | Benetti Group, and L?rssen, through to 11 July.

The first event begins tomorrow with the E-Boat Rally, a warm-up before the official opening ceremony. Over the next four days, the programme includes conferences, Tech Talks, demonstrations and on-water contests that will bring students, researchers and professionals into direct contact with each other.

Located on the Jacques Boissy Esplanade and Lucciana Jetty and open to the public free of charge from Thursday to Saturday, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge Village will also offer visitors the chance to discover the prototypes, interact with teams from around the world, and follow the races up close. "The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is unique on many levels, both ashore and at sea. With every edition we're able to measure the progress made and open up new horizons for yachting's future. Competitors, professionals and the public mingle in a spirit that promotes dialogue and knowledge sharing," says Yacht Club de Monaco Director and General Secretary Bernard d'Alessandri.

A real-world laboratory

Divided into the Energy Class, AI Class, SeaLab Class, and Open Sea Xperience, the teams are ready for action. They will be competing in contests ranging from speed, endurance, slalom and manoeuvrability trials to autonomous navigation and the E-Boat Rally. All technologies are put to the test under identical conditions turning the event into a genuine open-air laboratory where performance is assessed on both energy efficiency and reliability of the systems developed.

"As a shipyard, we have a duty to lead the way. The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge plays a crucial role in driving the transition to sustainable energy, reducing the environmental impact of maritime activities, and inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators. Our commitment to promoting renewable energy solutions and environmental protection aligns perfectly with the objectives of this innovative event organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco," says Peter L?rssen, CEO of L?rssen.

Methanol enters the contest

Having fuelled discussions at last year's conferences, methanol is set to compete at the 13th edition which confirms the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge's openness to an ever-expanding range of decarbonisation solutions in the wake of electricity and hydrogen technologies. The SURGE Methanol Foiling Team Twente project (University of Twente) exemplifies this evolution with a methanol-electric hydrofoil boat featuring a 5 kW reformed-methanol fuel cell, optimized foil control and a lightweight design.

Two international conferences to progress

As well as on-water demonstrations at sea, the first of two international events, focusing on major transformations taking place in the maritime sector, is on Thursday 9 July. The Advanced Yachting Technology Conference explores emerging technologies applied to yachting, followed Friday 10 July by the 7th Alternative Fuels Conference. Organised by YCM and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, it focuses on a variety of decarbonisation pathways and brings together experts, industry representatives, and researchers to discuss the energy solutions of the future. Meanwhile, Tech Talks are an opportunity for teams to present their projects to an International Jury, industry players and researchers.

Awards reward innovation in all its forms

As well as the on-water results, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge recognises the most advanced projects with awards decided by the Race Committee and an International Jury. These include the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award, worth ?25,000, as well as a Jury Prize, Communication Prize and Tech Talks Prizes rewarding innovation, design, and eco-design, and a Rookie Prize for the best debut.

Supported by MarineShift360, the Eco Design prize honours teams that have incorporated a comprehensive life-cycle approach from the very start of the project. Using a life-cycle analysis tool, specifically developed for the maritime industry, participants can assess the environmental impact of their technical choices from materials to propulsion systems.

"The innovations on display at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge are shaping the future of sustainable marine design. Empowering teams to measure and understand the environmental footprint of their vessels from the outset is not just valuable - it's essential. Lifecycle thinking helps us go beyond assumptions, ensuring progress is grounded in data and every design choice moves us closer to truly low-impact marine solutions," explains Lizzy Howard, Project Manager Marine Futures.

The public are invited

Open to the public free of charge from Thursday to Saturday, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge Village offers visitors a chance to watch the races live, get up close to the prototypes in the paddocks, discover the latest technological innovations, and interact with teams from around the world. Located on the Jacques Boissy Esplanade and Lucciana Jetty, the Village is also where the daily prize-giving ceremonies and a wide range of activities are taking place throughout the event.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 July 2026 - Ten years after the South China Sea arbitration, CGTN has published an article exploring the story of the Genglubu - a handwritten navigation manual that guided generations of Hainan fishermen long before GPS, shedding light on a chapter of South China Sea history unfamiliar to many outside the region.

Before GPS. Before weather forecasts. Before satellite navigation.

How did generations of Chinese sailors find their way across the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest and most challenging waterways?

A new CGTN documentary, Genglubu: Charting the South China Sea, explores the answer through a little-known ancient navigation manual passed down for generations of fishermen in Tanmen, Hainan Province. The Genglubu recorded routes, compass bearings and sailing distances, helping fishermen navigate reefs, islands and open seas. The documentary follows the fishermen who crossed the sea, the families who preserved their knowledge and a maritime tradition that connected China with Southeast Asia and beyond.

The People Who Brought the Genglubu to Life

To outsiders, the Genglubu looks like a secret code. A single line of just fourteen Chinese characters can contain an entire sea route: the departure point, direction, destination, distance and estimated sailing time.

"Generation after generation, Hainan fishermen rode the waves - not to rule the sea, but to make their living from it."

Xin Lixue, Curator, China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea

The documentary follows veteran fishing boat captains whose lives were inseparable from the sea. Wang Shitao first went to sea at the age of nine. At twelve, his fishing boat was caught in a typhoon. Everyone else on board died. Clinging to a piece of floating timber, he drifted alone for three days. Four years later, another violent storm struck. Once again, he was the only survivor. Yet each time, he returned to the sea. Late in life, reflecting on decades spent sailing the South China Sea, he summed up his feelings:

"I love the South China Sea. I hate it. I miss it."

Wang Shitao, fishing boat captain

The sea demanded sacrifice even as it provided a livelihood. A storm or mishap could wipe out an entire crew.

"Children and brothers should never sail on the same boat."

Wang Shubao, fishing boat captain

A Maritime Tradition Connecting Asia

The documentary challenges the common assumption that the Genglubu was only about the South China Sea. Research on the Liang Family Genglubu reveals routes extending to Singapore, Malacca and Indonesia, showing that Hainan fishermen also played a role in regional maritime trade.

"Hainan fishermen also took part in overseas trade."

Zhao Jueqi, China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea

Not every route was written in words. Some Genglubu manuscripts contain mountain-and-water charts. They combine sketches of coastlines with compass bearings, water depth and sea conditions. These drawings helped sailors identify islands, reefs and coastlines and determine their position at sea.

"The Americans and the British produced their own navigational records, which identify the Chinese as being engaged very heavily in fishing on these islands and other forms of economic activity."

Anthony Carty, International Law Sholar

Today, satellites, weather stations and lighthouses have transformed navigation across the South China Sea. But the purpose remains the same: helping sailors travel safely and return home. Genglubu: Charting the South China Sea traces a maritime tradition shaped by generations of ordinary people. It is a story of navigation, memory and resilience, one that forms part of the shared maritime heritage of Asia.

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

Accelerating declines in global fertility rates present a material risk to long-term energy demand projections

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wood Mackenzie has published analysis warning that accelerating declines in global fertility rates present a material risk to long-term energy demand projections, with a UN low-birth-rate scenario placing peak global population at 8.9 billion in 2053, followed by a contraction to 7.0 billion by 2100.

The global fertility rate fell to 2.2 births per woman in 2025, perilously close to the 2.1 replacement ratio needed to keep the population stable, according to new analysis from Wood Mackenzie that identifies demographic decline as a structural risk for long-term energy demand.

The research finds that plummeting fertility rates could materially reshape energy and commodity demand to 2060 and beyond. The trend joins the war in Iran as a risk factor that strategic planners must now weigh.

Since 2007, when the rate stood at 2.6 births per woman, the decline has been swift. The United Nations currently projects global population will rise from 8.2 billion in 2025 to 10.0 billion in 2060. Observed fertility trends suggest that figure may prove too high.

A new UN World Population Prospects report is expected in July 2026. Wood Mackenzie does not anticipate a revision as extreme as the low-birth-rate scenario but notes that any downward adjustment will carry economic consequences. Ageing populations and shrinking working-age cohorts will exert downward pressure on global GDP forecasts.

China provides the clearest illustration of the trend. Its birth rate fell to 5.6 births per 1,000 people in 2025, the lowest ever recorded, sitting between the UN's expected 6.2 and its low-case scenario of 4.7. China's population contracted by 3.4 million people last year and now stands at 1.40 billion, some 9.6 million below the UN's 2024 projection.

"Demographics dictate destiny," said Peter Martin, Head of Economics at Wood Mackenzie. "The fertility rate has fallen from 2.6 births per woman in 2007 to 2.2 today, and China's population is already 9.6 million below the UN's 2024 forecast. Shrinking workforces mean slower GDP growth, with direct consequences for energy demand. This is not a tail risk. It belongs in the core scenario of every long-range model the industry relies on."

Wood Mackenzie forecasts global primary energy consumption will increase by 8% from current levels, peaking at 717 exajoules (EJ) in 2035 before declining to 672 EJ by 2060. Electricity consumption is projected to double to 71 petawatt-hours over the same period.

Even under a pessimistic demographic scenario, global population would still increase by around 700 million people by 2060. Vast unmet energy needs across Asia and Africa, combined with rising incomes and the rapid scale-up of electrification, renewables and AI adoption, mean most drivers of energy demand remain robust. Those forces also reinforce the decoupling of economic growth from hydrocarbons.

A lower population trajectory would, however, exacerbate existing pressures. Shrinking workforces increase the incentive to invest in AI-driven automation, embedding upside for electricity and critical minerals while creating a structural headwind for molecules. There is also a distributional risk: automation could concentrate wealth among capital owners at the expense of labour, limiting consumer demand.

A lower population does not diminish the draw on critical minerals," said Prakash Sharma, Head of Energy Transition at Wood Mackenzie. "Electrification, renewables and AI adoption create unprecedented demand for those resources while accelerating the structural shift away from hydrocarbons. The capital exists now. The question is whether governments move decisively enough to deploy it before the window narrows after 2060."

Pressures on public finances and living costs are likely to intensify progressively. Governments need to act decisively to secure private and public capital, ensuring energy systems adapt before the demographic profile shifts dramatically after 2060. AI-driven productivity gains could offset the drag on economic growth, and public finances could prove more resilient post-2060 if investment in smart, clean energy infrastructure is made while capital is available.

An earlier and lower global population peak is now viable. Whether it proves a headwind or a catalyst for the next commodity super-cycle will depend on how the world manages the relationship between demographics, economic growth and technology.

-ENDS-

Background:

Population growth has long underpinned energy demand projections. Complex socio-economic factors are cited in existing research as drivers of the trend, among them rising educational attainment, female workforce participation, housing costs and the proliferation of smartphones. The release of the UN World Population Prospects report, expected in July 2026, is likely to prompt a reassessment of long-range demand projections across the energy industry. Wood Mackenzie's forecast horizon runs to 2060, by which point the demographic profile is expected to have shifted materially.

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

Chris Boba

+44 7408 841129

Chris.Boba@woodmac.com 

Mark Thomton

+1 630 881 6885

Mark.thomton@woodmac.com

Hla Myat Mon

+65 8533 8860  

hla.myatmon@woodmac.com 

Angelica Juarez

angelica.juarez@woodmac.com

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About Wood Mackenzie:

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

For more information, visit www.woodmac.com

Chris Boba

Wood Mackenzie

+44 (0) 7408 841129 

chris.boba@woodmac.com

MONACO, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge gets underway from 8-11 July 2026, bringing together 54 teams from 21 countries at the Yacht Club de Monaco Marina to showcase the latest advances in sustainable marine technology.

Organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco with the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW, SBM Offshore, Monaco City Hall, NatPower H and ESA NanoTech, the event has become a leading international platform for innovation in clean propulsion.

The program opened with the Job Forum, connecting students and recent graduates with major maritime industry players, including Safe Harbor, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut | Benetti Group and L?rssen. Competition begins with the E-Boat Rally, followed by four days of conferences, Tech Talks, demonstrations and on-water contests.

Teams will compete in the Energy Class, AI Class, SeaLab Class and Open Sea Xperience, taking part in speed, endurance, slalom, maneuverability, autonomous navigation and rally events. All technologies are tested under identical conditions, making the Challenge a real-world laboratory where energy efficiency and system reliability are evaluated side by side.

"The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is unique on many levels, both ashore and at sea. With every edition we're able to measure the progress made and open up new horizons for yachting's future. Competitors, professionals and the public mingle in a spirit that promotes dialogue and knowledge sharing", said Yacht Club de Monaco Director and General Secretary Bernard d'Alessandri.

A major development this year is the introduction of methanol into the competition. Following last year's discussions, the fuel joins electricity and hydrogen among the decarbonization technologies represented. The SURGE Methanol Foiling Team Twente from the University of Twente will compete with a methanol-electric hydrofoil powered by a 5-kW reformed-methanol fuel cell.

The event also hosts two international conferences: the Advanced Yachting Technology Conference on 9 July, dedicated to emerging yachting technologies, and the 7th Alternative Fuels Conference on 10 July, where experts, researchers and industry leaders will discuss future energy solutions for the maritime sector. Tech Talks will provide teams with an opportunity to present their projects to an international jury.

Alongside the racing, the Challenge rewards innovation through several prizes, including the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award (?25,000), the Jury Prize, Communication Prize, Tech Talks Prizes, Rookie Prize and Eco Design Prize.

Open to the public free of charge from Thursday to Saturday, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge Village on Jacques Boissy Esplanade and Lucciana Jetty will offer visitors the chance to watch the races, discover the prototypes and meet teams from around the world.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7f8073d-4778-426c-9d33-76f9eebf86c2

MONACO, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge about to begin, 54 teams are making their final preparations on the quay of the Yacht Club de Monaco before the competition gets underway. From 8-11 July, students, researchers, engineers, manufacturers and shipyards from around the world gather in the Principality to test, share and compare solutions for next-generation propulsion systems.

Based in the Challenge Village, open to the public, participants will showcase their projects through a packed program of on-water competitions, conferences, demonstrations and activities. The event also fosters dialogue between the next generation of engineers and leading maritime companies. The program has already begun with the Job Forum, bringing together students, recent graduates and industry representatives to encourage networking, career opportunities and knowledge sharing.

Among the companies taking part are Dutch custom yacht builder Oceanco and Italian shipbuilding group Azimut Benetti Group. "This event is very important to us. We have a long-standing partnership with the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, and it's essential for us to be where the talent is. Every student here brings something different. They learn time management, project planning and teamwork, developing skills that are fundamental for working in a company. They leave with not only an impressive CV, but also something even more valuable: the soft skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team," said Annalisa Gianoglio, Head of Development, Training & Engagement at Azimut Benetti Group.

"I participated in the Job Forum because, as an interior yacht designer, I was interested in the Azimut Benetti Group," said Milena Idolo, Design Unit Coordinator for the Politecnico di Milano team. "I wanted a general introduction to the company and to learn about the positions available, as I'm approaching the end of my studies. It's an important opportunity for students to speak directly with companies and discuss their future. I would recommend taking part because it's a great way to discover future career opportunities."

The event is also supported by ESA NanoTech, a company specializing in the development and production of sustainable graphene, a nanomaterial known for its mechanical properties. "ESA NanoTech has scaled the production process to bring industrial products to market, such as heating panels. We also use graphene as an additive to reinforce materials and make them structurally stronger," explained Christian Salvatori, Chief Commercial Officer. "This is our first year sponsoring the event, and we see great synergy with the Challenge. It is the ideal laboratory, bringing together talented young engineers developing prototypes and driving innovation in the marine industry, which perfectly matches our mission."

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge also reflects the Yacht Club de Monaco's long-term commitment to supporting the next generation of professionals in the yachting industry. That commitment will continue with the YCM Yachting Student Fair, scheduled for Saturday, 13 March 2027, an initiative designed to connect students, training institutions and leading companies while promoting careers and education across the sector. Earlier this year, the Yacht Club de Monaco hosted the inaugural edition, which attracted nearly 800 students and their families.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2061aeb4-b72f-4774-8bf2-6dd886b2d3ee

MANILA, Philippines, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A die-hard basketball fan since the days of the Chicago Bulls dynasty during the 1990s, the 39-year-old basketball enthusiast emerged as one of the winners in ArenaPlus' NBA Playoffs MVP: Battle for the Most Valuable Predictor campaign and took home a life-changing ₱5,000,000 prize from the ₱50 Million Shared Prize Pool.

The free-to-play prediction contest, introduced by ArenaPlus in March, challenged fans to put their basketball knowledge and instincts to the test by predicting the outcomes of the NBA Playoffs. Each participant received two entries, giving them two chances to map out the 2026 NBA Playoffs and the projected series winners from the first round through the NBA Finals.

At the core of the challenge was a format familiar to seasoned basketball fans: the bracket. Participants had to predict the winning team across all 15 NBA Playoffs matchups, with only fully KYC-verified entries considered valid.

One participant emerged with the highest number of correct predictions to claim the guaranteed ₱100 Million MVP Bracket prize, with ties determined by the earliest valid submission.

Participants with the next highest number of correct picks split the ₱50 Million Shared Prize Pool, awarded to the highest-performing group below the grand prize winner. One of them was the Banawe-based salesman, who took home ₱5,000,000 after years of following the NBA.

He was formally recognized on All in sa Arena, ArenaPlus' original show on Facebook and YouTube, following the New York Knicks' 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Sunday, June 14. More winners are expected to be announced after careful validation and in-person verification.

For this salesman, the win was decades in the making.

His love for the league started during the Bulls era in the 90s before eventually shifting to the Boston Celtics when Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce formed Boston's famed Big Three. This season, however, he found himself rooting for the Knicks.

Drawing from years of watching the game, he carefully studied Playoffs matchups before making his selections. One of his entries projected a Finals showdown between the Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Yung una kasi binase ko talaga sa chances nila manalo. Kasi diba, ang lakas ng Cleveland Cavaliers. Sila lang tanging nakapanalo sa Detroit Pistons. Sila naglalaban sa 1st at 2nd seeding sa regular season standings at one point," he said.

"Tiningnan ko yung Playoff experience tsaka match up nila dahil may James Harden at Donovan Mitchell na may experience na sa Playoffs. Tapos kumpleto pa, walang injury yung lineup."

His second entry ultimately proved more valuable where he predicted the Knicks would defeat the Spurs in the NBA Finals.

"Sa Knicks kasi, binase ko kay Jalen Brunson. Iba yung nilaro ni Brunson," he said. "Kaya sabi ko, baka lumusot 'tong Knicks dahil iba nilalaro ni Brunson. Nadagdag lang naman sa kanila si Jordan Clarkson na may Playoff experience din. Kumpleto sila, tapos walang injury. Sabi ko pag naglaban sila ng Cleveland, baka makalusot."

Among the other winners was 38-year-old Matt Rivera, who received ₱10,000 worth of ArenaPlus betting credits. He predicted a Spurs-Knicks Finals matchup, but picked the Spurs to win.

Erick Su, Head of ArenaPlus, congratulated all the winners, noting that their success reflected the Filipinos' passion and knowledge of the game.

"This contest proved something we've known for a long time - Filipinos don't just love basketball, they understand the game at a very high level," said Su.

"The winners were able to make the right calls because they followed the season closely, studied the matchups, and trusted their instincts. That's what the NBA Playoffs MVP: Battle for the Most Valuable Predictor campaign was all about."

About ArenaPlus

ArenaPlus is the #1 PAGCOR licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines, providing a secure and engaging sports betting and streaming experience. Launched in 2023, ArenaPlus features a wide range of local and international sports.

Press Contact Information: Fraulein Olavario Communications Manager, ArenaPlus fraulein.olavario@digiplus.com.ph

Corporate eSIMs for Business Travel Holafly

A modern professional stays securely connected on the go. According to Holafly for Business, 81.3% of travellers report a positive impact on productivity when using a corporate eSIM. Today, business travel is about carrying your entire working environment with you.

DUBLIN, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The modern business trip looks very different from the one most companies designed their travel policies around. Airports have become workspaces, hotel lobbies double as meeting rooms, and international travel no longer offers a pause from the working day. Today, work travels with business travellers.

New research from Holafly for Business suggests this shift is fundamentally changing what professionals need when they are on the road. While internet access remains essential, business travellers increasingly prioritise secure, reliable access to the digital tools they use every day instead of relying on unsecured public Wi‑Fi networks. Security now stands as the defining priority when staying online abroad, overtaking both speed and coverage. More than four in ten business travellers identify secure internet access as their top priority, reflecting the growing importance of accessing enterprise systems, cloud platforms and sensitive corporate data while travelling internationally.

According to Holafly's Summer Travel & eSIM Report 2026, business travellers now represent almost one in five international travellers. Yet the profile of this group is changing rapidly. More than half are under the age of 35, while the proportion aged over 45 has fallen by 7.4 percentage points compared with the previous year. The findings suggest that a new generation of professionals is changing expectations around flexibility, technology and how work is done while travelling.

The report also reveals that connectivity challenges are no longer merely an inconvenience. An overwhelming 86.5% of business travellers report having experienced stress caused by connectivity issues while travelling. For younger professionals, digital-first solutions such as eSIMs have become the preferred option, while older travellers continue to rely more heavily on traditional roaming services.

The impact extends beyond convenience, directly affecting performance. Among travellers whose companies provide a corporate eSIM, 81.3% report a positive impact on productivity, compared with 61.2% of those using traditional corporate roaming solutions and 52.4% of employees who arrange connectivity themselves. The ability to access work securely and seamlessly from the moment a traveller arrives may play a larger role in productivity than many organisations currently recognise.

"Business travel used to be about getting from one place to another. Today, it is about carrying your entire working environment with you," said Alex Bryzowski, VP of Holafly for Business. "Professionals are expected to respond and make decisions wherever they are in the world. What our research shows is that they need the confidence to work securely and effectively from anywhere."

As work becomes increasingly distributed and international travel more integrated into everyday business operations, organisations may need to rethink how they support employees on the move. The modern business trip is defined not by the destination, but by the ability to work securely, productively and without interruption from anywhere in the world.

Media contact: press@holafly.com

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At RoboCup 2026, the world's premier robotics competition, teams competing on Booster Robotics' humanoid robots swept all championship titles across the Small, Middle and Large divisions.

This year, a total of 59 teams from around the world participated in RoboCup 2026, 38 of which competed on Booster robots, including but not limited to Badger Bots (USA), Bahia Robotics Team (Brazil), Berlin United (Germany), B-Human (Germany), HTWK Robots (Germany), HULKs (Germany), Inha-United (South Korea), KURA (UAE), NUbots (Australia), Pumas (Mexico), RedbackBots (Australia), RFC-Tsudanuma (Japan), Rhoban (France), RoboEireann (Ireland), Robo-Erectus (Singapore), Ruhrbot Devils (Germany), rUNSWift (Australia), SPQR Team (Italy), Tech United (Netherlands), UT AustinVilla (USA), whIRLwind Amsterdam (Netherlands), and others.

Large Division: Champion, Tsinghua Hephaestus; Runner-up, CAU Mountain&Sea; Third place, BISTU Water. All competed on Booster T1.

Middle Division: Champion, B-Human; Runner-up, HTWK Robots; Third place, Rhoban. All competed on Booster K1.

Small Division: Champion, Invic; Runner-up, Hamburg Bit-Bots; Third place, GeoHBots. Invic and GeoHBots competed on Booster K1 Air.

Middle Division: Champion, B-Human; Runner-up, HTWK Robots

Booster's robots at RoboCup 2026

RoboCup 2026

The Champion Behind Champions

This widespread adoption signals a fundamental shift in what robotics competitions measure, from "who can build the robot" to "who can make the robot smarter." In past years, teams spent much of their R&D resources building the robot itself from scratch, with significant effort going into mechanical design, hardware development, and basic locomotion control. This year marked a clear inflection point: leading teams focused almost entirely on pushing the boundaries of perception, real-time decision-making, and multi-agent coordination, while Booster Robotics served as the underlying platform, continuing to advance the robots' core leg and foot locomotion capabilities, improving reliability in high-speed running, sudden stops and turns, fall recovery, and sustained motion. This separation of hardware and software lets complex code perform reliably in the real world.

RoboCup 2026

Booster Robotics Builds a Global Embodied Intelligence Ecosystem

Booster Robotics recently launched Booster Studio, the world's first integrated development environment (IDE) built for embodied intelligence, giving engineers, researchers, and developers worldwide a unified platform to program, simulate, and deploy humanoid robot behaviors more efficiently. At the same time, the company officially launched the Booster Champion 3v3 Soccer Tournament (champion.booster.tech/?lang=en), inviting developers and embodied intelligence enthusiasts around the world to compete, collaborate, and help build the future of embodied intelligence together. The competition will expand into more real-world scenarios going forward.

One of the youngest teams at RoboCup 2026 was from Pui Ching Middle School (Macau). Using Booster Studio, these young developers were able to develop, train, and validate their algorithms in a highly realistic digital environment before seamlessly deploying them onto real robots. From top research universities and leading labs to everyday developers and student teams, an open, shared ecosystem for embodied intelligence development is taking shape.

Booster Robotics IDE

About Booster Robotics

Booster Robotics is a humanoid robotics company dedicated to bringing embodied intelligence into real-world deployment. At RoboCup 2026, teams competing on Booster robots swept every championship title across the Small, Middle, and Large divisions, extending Booster's technical leadership in humanoid robotics. For more information, visit booster.tech. To learn more about Booster Studio, go to studio.booster.tech.

SOURCE Booster Robotics

Note: High-resolution images and video assets available upon request. Contact pr@booster.tech

Media Contact: Booster Robotics | pr@booster.tech

SINGAPORE, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valeura Energy Inc. (TSX:VLE, OTCQX:VLERF) ("Valeura" or the "Company") provides an operations and financial update for Q2 2026.

Highlights

Oil production averaged 22.3 mbbls/d(1);

Sales of 2.454 million bbls;

Price realisations averaged US$105.8/bbl, resulting in revenue of US$259.8 million;

Drilled the longest horizontal lateral ever recorded in the Gulf of Thailand and also the first ever complex multi-lateral development well in Thailand, both on the Company's Nong Yao field(2);

Secured a formal reduction of the Manora field's decommissioning liability, resulting in a partial release of bank guarantees, and therefore a 31% reduction in restricted cash;

Cash position of US$316.5 million at 30 June 2026(3) and a receivable of US$42.7 million in respect of oil sold just prior to end of the quarter. No debt; and

Based on preliminary unaudited estimates, anticipated record quarterly free cash flow of approximately US$100 million(4).

(1) Working interest share production, before royalties.

(2) Block G11/48, 90% operated working interest.

(3) Includes restricted cash of US$15.8 million.

(4) Adjusted free cash flow is a non-IFRS financial measure that does not have a standardised meaning under IFRS ? see "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis dated 14 May 2026.

   

Dr. Sean Guest, President and CEO commented: 

"During Q2 2026, we once again delivered production in line with our plan and executed an ambitious development and appraisal drilling programme on our Nong Yao field which met or exceeded all pre-drill expectations. We are focused always on driving deeper efficiency into our business to enhance cash flow margins, and this quarter our efforts have delivered two new Gulf of Thailand records ? the longest horizontal interval ever drilled and the first ever complex multi-lateral development well.

In a single quarter, we generated record high revenue of US$259.8 million, driven by quarterly oil sales of 2.454 million bbls and high realised oil prices of US$105.8/bbl. This has strengthened our balance sheet to a 30 June 2026 cash position of US$316.5 million (including US$15.8 million recorded as restricted cash), and no debt. This increase is after having paid the 2025 taxes during the quarter of US$19.2 million, and will be boosted further by the fact that we recorded a receivable of US$42.7 million in respect of oil that was sold just prior to the end of the quarter. Based on preliminary estimates for Q2 2026, we anticipate that our free cash flow generation in the quarter will be in the order of US$100 million, a record for the Company(1).

With an increasingly strong financial position, we believe we are well positioned to pursue our growth-oriented strategy. Our asset portfolio continues to yield what we consider to be attractive organic investment opportunities, and we continue to monitor potential inorganic growth prospects which are currently on market or which we anticipate may become available in the near term."

(1) Adjusted free cash flow is a non-IFRS financial measure that does not have a standardised meaning under IFRS ? see "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis dated 14 May 2026.

   

Q2 2026 Update

Valeura's working interest share production before royalties was on plan for Q2 2026, averaging 22.3 mbbls/d. The Company sold a total of 2.454 million bbls of oil during the quarter. Realised prices averaged US$105.8/bbl and revenue was US$259.8 million in Q2 2026, both new quarterly records for the Company.

Oil sold during Q2 2026 included a substantial contribution from volumes held as inventory at the end of Q1, totalling 1.225 million bbls. As a result, the Company's inventory of crude oil held in its floating storage vessels has since reduced to more typical levels, being 0.793 million bbls at 30 June 2026.

On the back of sales volumes in excess of quarterly production and high realised prices, the Company anticipates Q2 2026 free cash flow of approximately US$100 million(1), the Company's highest quarterly result to date.

During the quarter the Company paid taxes of US$19.2 million, related mostly to the 2025 financial year Special Remuneratory Benefit ("SRB").

At 30 June 2026, Valeura had US$316.5 million in cash and no debt. This quarter-end cash position does not fully reflect Q2 sales, as US$42.7 million in proceeds from two parcels of oil sold just prior to the end of the quarter, is expected to be received in early Q3 2026.

(1) Adjusted free cash flow is a non-IFRS financial measure that does not have a standardised meaning under IFRS ? see "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis dated 14 May 2026.

   

Manora Decommissioning Reduction

During Q2 2026, Valeura and Thailand's upstream regulator agreed to a reduction in the anticipated future decommissioning cost of its Manora field. As a result, the amount of security required to be lodged with the Government of Thailand to support this future spending was reduced, thereby reducing the Company's restricted cash by 31% while increasing its (unrestricted) cash. At 30 June 2026, Valeura's restricted cash totalled US$15.8 million.

Results Timing

Valeura intends to release its full unaudited financial and operating results for Q2 2026 on 06 August 2026 and will discuss the results in more detail through a management webcast.

For further information, please contact:

Valeura Energy Inc. (General Corporate Enquiries) +65 6373 6940

Sean Guest, President and CEO

Yacine Ben-Meriem, CFO

Contact@valeuraenergy.com

   

Valeura Energy Inc. (Investor and Media Enquiries) +1 403 975 6752

Robin James Martin, SVP, Communications and Investor Relations

IR@valeuraenergy.com

   

Contact details for the Company's advisors, covering research analysts and joint brokers, including Auctus Advisors LLP, Beacon Securities Limited, Canaccord Genuity Ltd (UK), Cormark Securities Inc., Research Capital Corporation, Roth Canada Inc., and Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited, are listed on the Company's website at www.valeuraenergy.com/investor-information/analysts/.

About the Company

Valeura Energy Inc. is a Canadian public company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Thailand and T?rkiye. The Company is executing a growth-oriented strategy, reinvesting into its producing asset portfolio while deploying capital toward further organic and inorganic growth across Southeast Asia. Valeura is committed to delivering value-accretive growth for all stakeholders, underpinned by high standards of environmental, social and governance responsibility.

Additional information relating to Valeura is also available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Unaudited Financial Information

Certain anticipated financial and operating results for Q2 2026 in this news release, including free cash flow, are preliminary estimates based on unaudited financial information. These preliminary figures have not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditor and remain subject to change, which changes could be material, upon completion of the Company's unaudited interim financial statements for the three and six months ended 30 June 2026 and management's final review.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Ratios

This news release includes references to financial measures commonly used in the oil and gas industry including free cash flow, which is not a generally accepted accounting measure under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS Accounting Standards") issued by International Accounting Standards Board and does not have any standardised meaning prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards and, therefore, may not be comparable with similar definitions that may be used by other public companies. Management believes that free cash flow from operations is a useful supplemental measure that may assist shareholders and investors in assessing the financial performance and position of the Company. Non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards.

Free cash flow: is a non-IFRS financial measure which does not have a standardised meaning prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards. This non-IFRS finance measure is included because management uses the information to analyst cash generation and financial performance of the Company. To calculate free cash flow, Valeura starts with adjusted cashflow from operations, subtracts adjusted capex and exploration expenses, adds other income, deducting any impact from foreign exchange gains or losses.

Adjusted cashflow from operations: is a non-IFRS financial measure which does not have a standardised meaning prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards. This non-IFRS finance measure is included because management uses the information to analyse cash generation and financial performance of the Company. Adjusted cashflow from operations is calculated using two methods which generate the same figures: a) by subtracting from oil revenues, adjusted opex, royalties, general and administrative costs which are adjusted for non-recurring charges (generating the adjusted pre-tax cashflow), and accrued Petroleum Income Tax Act ("PITA") taxes and special remuneratory benefit ("SRB") expenses, and b) to enhance and facilitate to the reader a reconciliation of this non-IFRS measure, the Company also presents the adjusted cash flow from operations by calculating from cash generated from (used in) operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows, adjusting with non-cash items, adjusted opex, general and administrative costs which are adjusted for non-recurring charges (generating the adjusted pre-tax cashflow), and accrued PITA tax and SRB expenses.

Adjusted capex: is a non-IFRS measure which does not have a standardised meaning prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards. Adjusted capex is defined as the addition in capital expenditure for capital work in progress, drilling, brownfield, and other PP&E. Management uses this non-IFRS measure to analyse the capital spending of the Company and assess investments in its assets.

Advisory and Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information included in this news release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking information is for the purpose of explaining management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to: timing for receipt of cash proceeds for oil sold just prior to the end of Q2 2026; anticipated free cash flow generation in Q2 2026; the Company's increasingly strong financial position; the Company's asset portfolio continuing to yield attractive organic investment opportunities; and timing for potential inorganic growth prospects coming to market.

Forward-looking information is based on management's current expectations and assumptions regarding, among other things: political stability of the areas in which the Company is operating; continued safety of operations and ability to proceed in a timely manner; continued operations of and approvals forthcoming from governments and regulators in a manner consistent with past conduct; future drilling activity on the required/expected timelines; the prospectivity of the Company's lands; the continued favourable pricing and operating netbacks across its business; future production rates and associated operating netbacks and cash flow; decline rates; future sources of funding; future economic conditions; the impact of inflation of future costs; future currency exchange rates; interest rates; the ability to meet drilling deadlines and fulfil commitments under licences and leases; future commodity prices; the impact of the ongoing conflicts between the U.S.-Israel and Iran, and between Russia and Ukraine; royalty rates and taxes; future capital and other expenditures; the success obtained in drilling new wells and working over existing wellbores; the performance of wells and facilities; the availability of the required capital to funds its exploration, development and other operations, and the ability of the Company to meet its commitments and financial obligations; the ability of the Company to secure adequate processing, transportation, fractionation and storage capacity on acceptable terms; the capacity and reliability of facilities; the application of regulatory requirements respecting abandonment and reclamation; the recoverability of the Company's reserves and contingent resources; future growth; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the impact of increasing competition; the ability to efficiently integrate assets and employees acquired through acquisitions; global energy policies going forward; future debt levels; and the Company's continued ability to obtain and retain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost efficient manner. In addition, the Company's work programmes and budgets are in part based upon expected agreement among joint venture partners and associated exploration, development and marketing plans and anticipated costs and sales prices, which are subject to change based on, among other things, the actual results of drilling and related activity, availability of drilling, offshore storage and offloading facilities and other specialised oilfield equipment and service providers, changes in partners' plans and unexpected delays and changes in market conditions. Although the Company believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect.

Forward-looking information involves significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Exploration, appraisal, and development of oil and natural gas reserves and resources are speculative activities and involve a degree of risk. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company including, but not limited to: the ability of management to execute its business plan or realise anticipated benefits from acquisitions; the risk of disruptions from public health emergencies and/or pandemics; competition for specialised equipment and human resources; the Company's ability to manage growth; the Company's ability to manage the costs related to inflation; disruption in supply chains; the risk of currency fluctuations; changes in interest rates, oil and gas prices and netbacks; potential changes in joint venture partner strategies and participation in work programmes; uncertainty regarding the contemplated timelines and costs for work programme execution; the risks of disruption to operations and access to worksites; potential changes in laws and regulations, the uncertainty regarding government and other approvals; counterparty risk; the risk that financing may not be available; risks associated with weather delays and natural disasters; and the risk associated with international activity. See the Company's most recent annual information form and the MD&A for a detailed discussion of the risk factors.

Certain forward-looking information in this news release may also constitute "financial outlook" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Financial outlook involves statements about Valeura's prospective financial performance or position and is based on and subject to the assumptions and risk factors described above in respect of forward-looking information generally as well as any other specific assumptions and risk factors in relation to such financial outlook noted in this news release. Such assumptions are based on management's assessment of the relevant information currently available, and any financial outlook included in this news release is made as of the date hereof and provided for the purpose of helping readers understand Valeura's current expectations and plans for the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on any financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes or in other circumstances and that the risk factors described above or other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from any financial outlook.

The forward-looking information contained in this new release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained in this new release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction, including where such offer would be unlawful. This news release is not for distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Ireland, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which its publication or distribution would be unlawful.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 July 2026 - The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) approved on 8 July a USD 688 million (23 billion baht) investment by Nestl? (Thai) Co., Ltd. to construct a smart factory and distribution center. The greenfield project will deploy artificial intelligence and advanced automation, positioning Thailand as the multinational's strategic production and logistics hub for Southeast Asia.

The approval highlights Thailand's accelerating momentum in attracting high-tech, high-value food and beverage manufacturing as global corporations seek resilient, technology-driven supply chains in Southeast Asia.

"This greenfield investment will support growing domestic and regional market demand while linking directly with our domestic supply chain," said Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment. "By using local raw materials, helping our farmers and entrepreneurs, and sharing knowledge, this project will boost the potential of the Thai coffee industry and strengthen Thailand's position as a key food and beverage hub in the region."

The new automated facility, located in the Araya Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan province, is scheduled to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2028 with an annual capacity of 170,000 metric tons of NESCAFE soluble coffee, coffee mixes, and ready-to-drink beverages. The project is expected to create over 520 jobs for Thai engineers and technical specialists.

By integrating AI-driven systems and robotic automation, the facility aims to maximize operational efficiency and minimize its environmental footprint. This directly supports Thailand's Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic agenda.

Nestl?, the world's largest food and beverage company, counts Thailand among its longest-serving markets. Its NESCAFE brand has led the Thai coffee market for more than 50 years, with more than half the market share.

"Thailand has been an important market for Nestl? for more than 130 years," said Mr. Nikhil Chand, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nestl? Indochina. "This investment reflects our confidence in the country and our commitment to contributing positively to Thai society, the economy, local communities, and the environment. The new facility will use a wide range of locally sourced ingredients including coffee beans, sugar, and fresh milk, further supporting local agriculture and economic development."

A key factor in the BOI's approval is the project's deep integration into the domestic economy. Nestl? will source USD 130 million (4.3 billion baht) worth of local agricultural inputs and raw materials each year.

In tandem with the manufacturing expansion, Nestl? will drive upstream agricultural development by researching climate-resilient coffee varieties, distributing high-quality saplings, and training local farmers in sustainable, high-yield cultivation practices.

"Nestl?'s choice to invest in coffee production here reflects the confidence global investors place in Thailand. It advances our strategy to become a world-leading food and beverage production base," Mr. Narit said. "This investment strengthens the entire coffee value chain, from farming and processing to logistics and export. And it builds a stronger, more resource-efficient foundation for Thailand's food and beverage industry."

Note: Currency conversions are based on the Bank of Thailand's average selling rate of approximately 1 USD = 33.3 THB.

About Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)

Established in 1966, the Office of the Board of Investment (BOI) has continuously played an essential role for over 60 years in promoting value-adding investment for the country, from both foreign and Thai investors, to enhance national competitiveness and drive towards a new era of sustainable and balanced growth.

Investment Services Center - PR Section, The Office of the Board of Investment (BOI)

555 Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, Chatuchak Bangkok 10900 Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111, Fax: +66 (0) 2553 8222

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