QIONGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 August 2026 - On the evening of August 16, 2026, the 7th Hainan Sports Games opened at the Qionghai Culture and Sports Center. Feng Fei, Secretary of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, declared the Games open, and Liu Xiaoming, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee and Governor of Hainan Province, delivered the opening address.

This marks the first comprehensive sporting event held in Hainan since the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port of China took effect.

The opening ceremony, themed "This Sea Embraces All," featured a cultural performance structured around the Wanquan River as its narrative thread. Dynamic ground projection technology brought the river "into" the stadium, showcasing Hainan's development trajectory, from its ecological splendor to its ever-expanding openness.

The performance comprised chapters including "Wanquan River in Pictures," "Hainan Flowers Facing the Sun," "Passion in Motion," "Hainan Acceleration," and "Under the Same Expanse of Blue," integrating Hainan's revolutionary heritage, mass participation in sports, the Free Trade Port's "Five-Pronged Development" strategy, and the spirit of openness embodied by Boao. Chief Director Wu Wanting said she hoped the imagery of the Wanquan River would convey a sense of "the sea and sky becoming one, and hearts beating as one."

One of the highlights of this year's Provincial Games is extensive public participation. Fourteen community contingents and more than 10,000 residents voluntarily signed up for the pre-opening ceremony group singing activities. More than 700 performers in the warm-up program came from 21 community groups, ranging in age from 6 to 72, truly embodying the spirit of "performed by the people, watched by the people, and enjoyed by the people."

More than 4,200 athletes from 18 delegations across the province are competing in 18 sports comprising 21 disciplines. As home to the permanent home of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) and the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, Qionghai is using the Provincial Games as a showcase for the vitality and openness of a "New Qionghai Powered by the Free Trade Port." The Games will continue until August 26.

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

Hashtags: #CultureandTourismofGuizhouProvince #Qionghai

Award recognizes Syncron's  measurable gains in support speed, quality, customer satisfaction, and operational performance

STOCKHOLM, Aug. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Syncron today announced it has won a Bronze Stevie Award for Customer Service Department of the Year in The 23rd Annual International Business Awards (IBAs). 

The award recognizes Syncron's 2025 support transformation, which reduced support ticket backlog by 46 percent while improving responsiveness, service quality, and customer satisfaction.

The winning nomination, "Eliminating Backlog While Delivering Faster, Higher-Quality Support," highlighted the actions Syncron implemented throughout 2025 to further enhance an already strong customer experience by improving ticket prioritization, strengthening customer communication, and maintaining quality while increasing support speed.

Judges praised the submission for its clear, results-driven approach. One judge pointed to the reduction in backlog, along with a 95.33 percent ticket satisfaction score, and SLA attainment above 98% as evidence of a support organization that is "not only efficient but consistently reliable." Another judge commended the team for keeping the after-sales journey "simple and effortless," noting that Syncron's success "is a strong reminder that while technology can enable better service, genuine care for customers should always come first."

Syncron's nomination highlighted a set of 2025 support initiatives designed to improve responsiveness without compromising quality. These included more proactive ticket management, increased direct customer interaction, structured quality audits, targeted support training, and new Technical Account Management and Resolution Management teams to strengthen adoption, product health, and ticket prioritization.

"This recognition belongs to our entire support organization," said Osama Solieman, EVP of Customer Excellence at Syncron. "The team, led by our amazing support leaders, set out to solve a real challenge without ever losing sight of what matters most: the customer on the other end of every ticket. This award reflects their genuine commitment to delivering a better after-sales experience."

The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide ? public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. The 2026 IBAs received more than 3,400 entries from organizations in 82 nations and territories.

Stevie? Award nominations were evaluated by more than 200 business professionals worldwide serving as judges on 9 specialized committees. Stevie Award winners were determined based on judges' average scores during the independent judging process in June and July.

"The 2026 International Business Awards winners represent the very best in business achievement from organizations of all sizes and across virtually every industry," said Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller. "This year's winners have demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, resilience, and results in a highly competitive global field. We congratulate every Stevie Award winner and look forward to celebrating their achievements together in Paris on October 28."

Details about The International Business Awards and the lists of Stevie Award winners are available at  http://IBA.Stevieawards.com

About Syncron  

Syncron is the aftermarket growth platform for the world's leading manufacturers and distributors. Trusted by customers across more than 80 countries, Syncron offers connected solutions across parts and service pricing, service supply chain management, and warranty management. Global heavy equipment and automotive brands use Syncron to protect revenue, grow margins, and strengthen customer relationships across the asset lifecycle. For more, visit www.syncron.com.

About the Stevie? Awards 

Founded in 2002, the Stevie Awards are widely recognized as the world's premier business awards programs, honoring outstanding achievements in the workplace worldwide. The name "Stevie" is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crowned." Learn more at www.StevieAwards.com.

Contact: 

KC Crabtree 

Syncron Public Relations 

+1 206.949.2551 

Karen.crabtree@syncron.com

Driving the Thai Economy and Charting New Strategic Pathways for the Future of ASEAN

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 August 2026 - The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB), comprising the Thai Bankers' Association, the Board of Trade of Thailand, and the Federation of Thai Industries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Thailand, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), and the World Bank, has announced its readiness to convene a high-level leadership conference, 'The Bangkok Business Summit 2026,' under the theme 'Reinvent Thailand, Resilient ASEAN.'

To be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), the summit will showcase the vision of public-private sector collaboration aimed at restructuring Thailand's economy. This event serves as a milestone paving the way toward the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026, which Thailand will proudly host in Bangkok in October 2026, as well as Thailand's upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2028.

A key highlight of The Bangkok Business Summit 2026 includes a keynote address entitled 'Thailand's Offer to the World' by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand. The address will declare Thailand's readiness as a global investment hub, shifting the nation from cost-based competition to enhancing capabilities, innovation, and digital infrastructure.

Furthermore, Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, will deliver a policy address on 'Unlocking the Next Growth Engines for Thailand & ASEAN,' revealing policy reform steps designed to unlock private sector investment and drive the country's new economic engines. Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, will address positioning Thailand as a regional investment platform for high-tech industries.

Mr. Payong Srivanich, Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB), stated that this event aims to answer a critical question: How can Thailand transform global shifts and its central location in ASEAN into new opportunities for investment, job creation, and sustainable growth?

"The Bangkok Business Summit 2026 is not merely a platform for exchanging perspectives, but a venue where Thailand presents its concrete strengths, opportunities, and development directions to the global business community-bridging the government's vision, recommendations from international organizations, and the practical expertise of the private sector," Mr. Payong stated."Thailand's challenge today is not just growth, but building competitive growth in a rapidly changing world. We need a platform for collaborative efforts to 'Reinvent Thailand' by creating new economic engines and elevating our competitiveness so Thailand can capture new opportunities and become an integral part of a 'Resilient ASEAN' capable of adapting to global dynamics."

Key Highlights & Session Overview

*Special Keynote: Mr. Vitai Ratanakorn, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, will present on 'Thailand's New Horizons: From Ambition to Delivery.'

*Global Insights Panel: Featuring in-depth discussions with Mr. Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific, Mr. Sarvesh Suri, Regional Vice President for Asia and Pacific, The International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Mr. John W.H. Denton, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) exchanging views on economic trends, investments, and business opportunities.

*Report Launch: Launch of the World Bank's latest report, 'Building Thailand's Future Today: The Investment and Growth Playbook.' The report proposes a roadmap for Thailand to achieve high-income country status through investment and reforms that create jobs, boost productivity, and lay the foundation for long-term growth, highlighting potential industries such as advanced manufacturing, sustainable & wellness tourism, digital services, agriculture & food, and the creative economy.

*Luncheon Discussion: Thai Beverage Public Company Limited will host a special session entitled 'Growth Reaches Communities: Sufficiency Economy Philosophy,' presenting the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as a framework that creates balance, strength, and sustainability from local communities to the business sector and macroeconomy.

Afternoon Tracks

Track 1: Building Resilience (Infrastructure, Energy, and Digital Finance): Led by Mr. Piti Disyatat, Deputy Governor for Monetary Stability, Bank of Thailand, in building competitiveness and the ability to attract future industries to the country. The session will include discussions on the topics of 'Efficient Energy & Low-Carbon Infrastructure' and 'Policy Architecture and Low-Carbon Cities in Action' focusing on investing in key infrastructure that will drive the industrial transition to a low-carbon society, with leaders from various sectors, including the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, PTT Public Company Limited, Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited, Siam Cement Public Company Limited, Thai Airways Public Company Limited, and Google LLC and the topic of 'Building Thailand's Trusted Economy: Digital Public Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth,' focusing on digital public infrastructure in the financial sector for sustainable growth, and safe and inclusive digital finance, with senior executives from Bangkok Bank, Krungsri Bank, TMBThanachart Bank, and Ascend Money.

Track 2: New Horizons (Future Industries, Agri-Food, and Human-Centric Economy): Led by Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, focusing on developing high-potential talent within organizations and positioning Thailand as a regional investment platform for high-tech industries, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and advanced R&D.

Additionally, the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 will feature a panel discussion titled 'The Future of Agrifood Business.' Under the concept of Elevating to a Regional Strategic Asset, leaders from top companies including Sea Value PCL and Olam Agri (Singapore) will share their perspectives on how Thailand's agrifood industry is evolving beyond its traditional role as the 'Kitchen of the World' to become a vital strategic asset for regional food security, and another discussion on 'The Future of the Human-Centric Economy,' integrating health, wellness, tourism, and the creative economy centered around people rather than isolated sectors. Panelists include Minor International, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), and Cerecin.

Closing & Actions

To conclude the summit, leaders from the three JSCCIB member organizations will summarize actionable proposals to transform insights into concrete practices. These encompass enhancing competitiveness, building investment ecosystems, and developing future industries. The event will culminate in the signing of a Letter of Intent for Cooperation on the Digital & AI Compact between Thailand's economic agencies and the World Bank.

Note: Speakers and the event program are subject to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

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

Hashtags: #JSCCIB

Company will highlight medical silicone pump tubing, Para-tubing solutions for ophthalmic applications, and PTA/PTCA precision interventional tubing technologies to support medical device innovation

Wayne, PA, Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TekniPlex Healthcare, a materials science-led partner for medical device manufacturers, will showcase its advanced materials, precision tubing, and component manufacturing capabilities at Medtec China 2026, taking place September 1-3, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). 

At Booth 2A112, Hall N2, visitors can explore how TekniPlex combines global materials and extrusion expertise with localized manufacturing to help OEMs optimize device performance, simplify supply chains, and scale production with confidence. 

As one of China's leading exhibitions for medical device design and manufacturing technologies, Medtec China brings together medical device manufacturers, innovators, and industry suppliers from across the healthcare value chain. At the show, TekniPlex Healthcare will demonstrate how its expertise in materials science, advanced processing technologies, and local manufacturing capabilities helps customers develop safer, more reliable, and higher-performance medical devices. 

With nearly 60 years of materials science expertise, global manufacturing capabilities, and strong local presence in China, TekniPlex Healthcare supports customers across medical devices, diagnostics, drug delivery, and healthcare packaging markets. 

At Medtec China 2026, TekniPlex Healthcare will highlight three key healthcare solutions: 

Medical Silicone Pump Tubing Solutions 

TekniPlex Healthcare will showcase high-performance medical silicone pump tubing solutions designed to support dependable pump life and consistent fluid delivery in medical pumping applications. Leveraging advanced silicone formulation development and processing technologies, TekniPlex provides medical silicone tubing with excellent elasticity, fatigue resistance, and long-term performance stability. These solutions meet the demanding requirements of peristaltic pumps, infusion pumps, and other medical fluid management devices for precise delivery and reliable operation. 

Through optimized material formulations and controlled manufacturing processes, TekniPlex helps customers achieve consistent flow control performance and supports the development and performance enhancement of medical devices. 

Para-tubing Solutions for Ophthalmic Surgical Applications 

To address the needs of ophthalmic minimally invasive surgical devices for precision fluid management and multi-row, compact multi-line tubing configurations, TekniPlex Healthcare will showcase its Para-tubing solutions for ophthalmic applications. 

Through advanced material formulation development, precision extrusion technologies, and structural design optimization, Para-tubing enables the precise arrangement and integration of multiple independent tubing lines within limited space. It supports demanding requirements for fluid and gas delivery, design flexibility, and consistent product quality in surgical devices. 

This solution is ideal for medical applications requiring high-precision, structurally diverse, and multifunctional tubing assemblies, including ophthalmic surgical devices. 

PTA/PTCA Precision Interventional Tubing Solutions 

TekniPlex Healthcare will highlight its PTA/PTCA precision interventional tubing solutions developed for minimally invasive medical device applications. Leveraging advanced precision extrusion, multi-layer extrusion, and micro-tubing manufacturing capabilities, TekniPlex China provides customized tubing solutions including single-layer and multi-layer balloon catheter tubing, three-layer inner tubing, and other precision medical tubing solutions. These solutions are designed to achieve low friction, bondability, dimensional control, and trackability requirements, while meeting the stringent requirements of interventional medical device development, including dimensional accuracy, concentricity, material performance, structural design flexibility, and manufacturing consistency. 

In addition to the product showcase, TekniPlex China will participate in the "Frontier Design and Translation Forum for Implantable and Interventional Medical Devices" during Medtec China 2026. On September 2, from 14:30 to 15:00, Phoebe Fan, Business Manager of TekniPlex China, will deliver a presentation titled "Localization of Vascular Interventional Tubing - TekniPlex's Reliable Solution" at Conference Room A, Hall N2. The presentation will share TekniPlex's capabilities and experience in localized manufacturing of precision vascular interventional tubing solutions. 

"Medtec China is an important platform for us to connect with medical device innovators, understand market needs, and showcase our technical capabilities," said Enrique Zhang, Commercial Director, TekniPlex China. "As China's medical device industry continues to move toward higher-value and more sophisticated applications, customers are increasingly looking for reliable partners with advanced materials expertise, precision manufacturing capabilities, and strong supply chain support. TekniPlex Healthcare is committed to working closely with customers to accelerate medical device innovation." 

Through its participation in Medtec China 2026, TekniPlex Healthcare will continue strengthening collaboration with medical device companies in China and providing integrated solutions from material selection and product design support through scalable regional manufacturing. 

###

About TekniPlex Healthcare

TekniPlex Healthcare utilizes advanced materials science expertise and technologies to develop and deliver critical solutions for medical and diagnostic devices, drug delivery systems and sterile barrier healthcare packaging applications.

With a global reach, the division's deep understanding of the greater pharmaceuticals and medical landscape helps it produce exemplary barrier properties for drugs and precision medical devices for interventional and therapeutic procedures.   

  

In the medical device niche, TekniPlex Healthcare embodies a comprehensive CDMO partner capable of servicing every stage of the product life cycle, from design and development through component manufacturing and final assembly. Throughout its broad purview, the division's ever-evolving portfolio helps meet demands for high-leverage medicines and mission-critical healthcare products that benefit care providers and patients. For more information visit www.tekni-plex.com/healthcare.   

Contact Info

Natalia Rivera

natalia.rivera@tekni-plex.com

+1 480-395-3130

Attachments

PTA PTCA Tubing Product Solution

TekniPlex MedTech China 2026 Booth

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

*Nominating and Governance Chair Carol Burt to become Lead Director.

*Ron Taylor to retire after more than 21 years of service on Resmed's Board of Directors.

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Resmed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD), the leading health technology company focused on sleep, breathing and care delivered in the home, today announced that Carol Burt will become Lead Director on November 15, 2026. She will succeed Ron Taylor, Resmed's current Lead Director, who is not standing for reelection at the company's 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on November 18, 2026, and will retire after more than 21 years of service to the company.

The Board has appointed Carol Burt to serve as Lead Director, effective November 15, 2026. Burt has served on Resmed's Board since 2013 and currently chairs the Nominating and Governance Committee. She is also a member of the Audit Committee and the Compliance, Privacy and Quality Committee. Burt's extensive board leadership and governance experience position her well to serve as Lead Director as the company continues to execute its long-term strategy.

"Carol is an outstanding leader with deep governance experience, broad healthcare industry knowledge and a strong commitment to Resmed's mission," said Mick Farrell, Resmed's Chairman and CEO. "I look forward to continuing to work closely with Carol and the entire Board as we advance our strategy and create long-term value for our shareholders."

Ron Taylor joined Resmed's Board of Directors in 2005 and has served in numerous leadership roles, including as Lead Director since 2013. During his tenure, Ron helped guide the company's governance, strategy and long-term growth while providing thoughtful leadership and independent oversight during a period of significant growth and transformation.

"Ron has made extraordinary contributions to Resmed over the past two decades," said Farrell. "His integrity, sound judgment and unwavering commitment to our patients, employees and shareholders have helped shape Resmed. On behalf of the Board and all Resmedians, I thank Ron for his outstanding service and wish him and his family all the very best."

About Resmed

Resmed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) creates life-changing health technologies that people love. We're relentlessly committed to pioneering innovative technology to empower millions of people in 140 countries to live happier, healthier lives. Our AI-powered digital health solutions, cloud-connected devices and intelligent software make home healthcare more personalized, accessible and effective. Ultimately, Resmed envisions a world where every person can achieve their full potential through better sleep and breathing, with care delivered in their own home. Learn more at Resmed.com and follow @Resmed.

For Media

Brad Lotterman

Brad.Lotterman@resmed.com

News@resmed.com

For Investors 

Salli Schwartz

Salli.Schwartz@resmed.com

investorrelations@resmed.com  

NOAA Publishes Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for TMC USA's USA-B Exploration License Application

*The publication of a Notice of Intent ("NOI") to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") represents a key milestone in the transparent regulatory approval process for TMC USA's USA-B exploration license application

*The USA-B application area covers -122,000 km2 of seafloor containing an estimated 1.02 billion tonnes of polymetallic nodules with high grades of nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and meaningful quantities of many rare earth elements

*Publication of the NOI in the Federal Register follows NOAA's earlier certification of the USA-B exploration license application on May 26, 2026

NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) ("TMC" or the "Company"), a leading developer of the world's largest resource of critical metals essential to energy, defense, manufacturing and infrastructure, today announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ("NOAA") has published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register for the exploration license application submitted by the Company's subsidiary, The Metals Company USA LLC ("TMC USA"), under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act ("DSHMRA") and its implementing regulations.

The USA-B application area in the Clarion Clipperton Zone ("CCZ") of the Pacific Ocean covers ~122,000 km2 of seafloor and hosts an estimated 1.02 billion tonnes of polymetallic nodules based on TMC's Technical Report Summary for the Initial Assessment published in August 2025. In addition to the USA-B exploration license application, TMC USA is also advancing a consolidated application for an exploration license and commercial recovery permit for the USA-A area, which was submitted to NOAA on January 22, 2026, and determined to be fully compliant on April 28, 2026.

Gerard Barron, CEO and Chairman of The Metals Company, commented: "The publication of this Notice of Intent is another milestone in NOAA's methodical review process. We welcome the opportunity to participate in a rigorous Environmental Impact Statement process that invites public input and builds on more than a decade of our own environmental research and engineering, alongside 50 years of environmental research and a dozen other commercial and academic disturbance tests in the CCZ. As we've said from the beginning, good regulation should be transparent, predictable and grounded in rigorous baseline studies and impact assessment, and today's announcement demonstrates that process is continuing as intended."

The publication of the NOI follows the earlier certification of TMC USA's application for an exploration license over the USA-B area and represents another key step in a steady, transparent cadence of expected regulatory milestones:

NOAA will publish for public comment a draft EIS and draft Terms, Conditions and Restrictions ("TCRs") for TMC USA's proposed exploration activities on the USA-B area

Following the public comment period, NOAA will consider comments and the EIS will be finalized

NOAA will then make a final determination on the issuance of the license and its associated TCRs

The Company and its partners have conducted over a decade of scientific research, environmental baseline and impact data collection, and offshore engineering, building one of the most comprehensive datasets ever assembled on polymetallic nodules and their surrounding ecosystems. To date, independent academics have published 41 peer-reviewed studies based on the Company's dataset collected from Eastern CCZ. Earlier this year, TMC began sharing key findings from its Environmental Impact Assessment publicly as part of two new video series, highlighting how its dataset addresses environmental concerns and how innovation has reduced its environmental footprint. The exploratory activities outlined as part of TMC USA's USA-B exploration license application are expected to generate significant new data in Central and Western CCZ and, with all academics involved free to publish, the Company anticipates that hundreds more papers will be published over the coming months and years.

NOAA has played a central role in advancing scientific understanding of deep seabed mining impacts since the 1970s, including conducting environmental research cruises in the CCZ, monitoring early nodule collection trials, and publishing a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement covering the CCZ in 1981. In the 1980s and 1990s, NOAA conducted further research into benthic plumes through its Benthic Impact Experiments program where the agency used a custom-built machine to simulate and study seafloor disturbance. The agency issued comprehensive DSHMRA implementing regulations in 1981 (for exploration licenses) and 1989 (for commercial recovery permits) and has maintained an active licensing program since that time, with multiple exploration licenses renewed on a five-year basis.

About The Metals Company

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

Contacts

Media | media@metals.co

Investors | investors@metals.co 

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces a breakthrough in RF resection technology for hip with its new FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand.

Designed as an extension of its proprietary FLOW-IQ technology with an adjustable-angle tip, the FLOW FLEXTEND Wand is designed to give surgeons enhanced joint access1* and precise tissue targeting3 for hard-to-reach hip, knee and shoulder anatomies.

Determining the root cause of a patient's hip pain can be very challenging and repairs are procedurally complex. Current wand offerings - such as knee wands that have simply been made longer - fall short of surgeons' needs for an improved option to better access all targeted tissues. The FLOW FLEXTEND Wand solves this unmet need with a wand designed by hip surgeons specifically for hip procedures with features including:

Proprietary, high performing FLOW-IQ Technology: Clinically and commercially validated since 2016, FLOW-|Q Technology automatically balances saline outflow with COBLATION energy, delivering exceptional precision or speed2,4**based on clinical need.

Precision electrode design with adjustable-angle tip: Designed to improve and expand access1* to targeted tissues while facilitating insertion and removal by straightening the shaft.

Set and forget angle adjustment mechanism: Once a desired angle is set, the surgeon may release their hand from the mechanism without touching it again unless required for further adjustments.5

Feedback from the surgeon community using the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand for the first time has been encouraging:

Dr. Joshua D. Harris, Orthopedic Surgeon at Houston Methodist specializing in sports medicine and hip preservation commented, "The articulation gives the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand a significant advantage, and a lot more versatility in the central compartment without capsular disruption than any of the other instruments I have used before."

Dr. Jovan Laskovski, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center added, "The FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand's tip geometry - and the fact that it's flexible - allows for a precise capsule-to-labrum recess and preservation of the capsule."

The FLOW FLEXTEND Wand utilizes Smith+Nephew's proprietary COBLATION Technology - clinically proven to improve patient outcomes compared to mechanical debridement.6-8? Continuing to evolve over three decades of research and innovation, including refined wand designs, improved delivery systems and expanded indications, COBLATION Technology continues to set the gold standard for resection.

For more information about Smith+Nephew's FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand and FLOW~IQ Technology, please visit the webpage here.

- ends -

Media Enquiries

Dave Snyder                +1 (978) 749-1440

Smith+Nephew        david.snyder@smith-nephew.com

BENGKALIS, - Usai memimpin Upacara Peringatan Hari Pramuka Ke-65 Tahun 2026, Bupati Bengkalis Hj. Kasmarni menyerahkan penghargaan Lencana Pancawarsa kepada 19 anggota Gerakan Pramuka, di Lapangan Tugu Bengkalis, Senin (17/8/2026).

Penyerahan Lencana Pancawarsa tersebut menjadi bentuk penghargaan atas kesetiaan, ketekunan, dan pengabdian para anggota Pramuka dalam menjalankan tugas serta berkontribusi terhadap pembinaan generasi muda di Kabupaten Bengkalis.

Bupati Bengkalis Hj. Kasmarni menyampaikan apresiasi kepada para penerima penghargaan dan berharap capaian tersebut dapat menjadi motivasi untuk terus memberikan pengabdian terbaik bagi Gerakan Pramuka.

Menurutnya, penghargaan yang diberikan bukan sekadar bentuk apresiasi, tetapi juga menjadi pengingat bahwa setiap pengabdian yang dilakukan dengan penuh keikhlasan memiliki nilai penting dalam membangun generasi muda yang berkarakter, terampil, mandiri, dan bertanggung jawab.

"Selamat kepada penerima Lencana Pancawarsa. Jadikan penghargaan ini sebagai motivasi untuk terus berkarya dan memberikan pengabdian terbaik bagi Gerakan Pramuka," ujar Hj. Kasmarni.

Adapun penerima penghargaan diberikan kepada Dino Wahyudi selaku Andalan Cabang penerima Pancawarsa I, Halimatusadiah selaku Andalan Cabang penerima Pancawarsa I, Zainal selaku Pembina penerima Pancawarsa I, Yudi Maparon selaku Andalan Ranting penerima Pancawarsa I, Riki Rihardi selaku Ketua Majelis Pembimbing Ranting penerima Pancawarsa I, Arafik selaku Ketua Kwartir Ranting penerima Pancawarsa I, Eldy Syafuan selaku Andalan Cabang penerima Pancawarsa I Zalehawati selaku Andalan Kwartir Cabang penerima Pancawarsa I.

Kemudian Fitra Rana selaku Ketua Kwartir Ranting penerima Pancawarsa I, Wiyasa selaku Andalan Ranting penerima Pancawarsa I, Rafli Kurniawan selaku Ketua Majelis Pembimbing Ranting penerima Pancawarsa I, Gunawan selaku Wakil Ketua Kwartir Ranting penerima Pancawarsa I, Rahmatul Husna selaku Pembina penerima Pancawarsa I, Susanto selaku Sekretaris Kwartir Ranting penerima Pancawarsa I, Murni selaku Andalan Ranting penerima Pancawarsa I, Suarni selaku Pembina penerima Pancawarsa I, Supa'at selaku Ketua Majelis Pembimbing Gugus Depan penerima Pancawarsa I, Ainul Fitri selaku Pembina penerima Pancawarsa I, serta Jasmarni selaku Andalan Cabang penerima Pancawarsa II.

BENGKALIS, - Pemerintah Kabupaten Bengkalis melalui Dinas Kebudayaan, Pariwisata, Pemuda dan Olahraga (Disbudparpora) Kabupaten Bengkalis bekerjasama dengan Bengkalis Creative Network (BCN) menggelar Ekraforia 2026. 

Ekraforia 2026 yang dilaksanakan Gedung Jill Belanda atau Huis Van Bewering, jalan Pahlawan Kota Bengkalis, dirancang sebagai wadah untuk mempertemukan pelaku ekonomi kreatif, UMKM, komunitas, akademisi, lembaga keuangan hingga hiburan bagi masyarakat.

Bangunan bersejarah peninggalan kolonial Belanda itu disulap menjadi ruang kreativitas dan pergerakan ekonomi masyarakat.

Dibuka secara resmi oleh Wakil Bupati Bengkalis, Jumat 14 Agustus 2026 yang juga menjadi bagian dari rangkaian menyambut Hari Ulang Tahun (HUT) ke-81 Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia merupakan hasil kolaborasi berbagai pemangku kepentingan ekonomi kreatif, komunitas, pemerintah daerah, serta jejaring ekonomi kreatif yang ada di Kabupaten Bengkalis.

Pemerintah Kabupaten Bengkalis terus mendorong penguatan ekosistem ekonomi kreatif sebagai salah satu kekuatan baru dalam meningkatkan nilai tambah dan kesejahteraan masyarakat Kabupaten Bengkalis.

Dalam sambutan tertulis Bupati Bengkalis yang dibacakan Wakil Bupati Bengkalis H. Bagus Santoso mengucapkan selamat datang dan berkreasi kepada seluruh tamu dan peserta Ekraforia 2026.

"Kegiatan ini diharapkan tidak hanya menjadi ajang menghadirkan kemeriahan, tetapi juga menjadi ruang untuk berbagi gagasan, menampilkan karya, membangun jejaring, memperkuat kolaborasi, serta membuka peluang baru bagi tumbuhnya ekonomi kreatif di Kabupaten Bengkalis,"ungkap Bagus.

Selain itu, ia juga memberikan apresiasi kepada seluruh pihak yang telah menggagas, mempersiapkan dan menyukseskan kegiatan tersebut, khususnya pengurus BCN dan ICCN Bengkalis atas komitmen, kreativitas dan semangat kolaborasi yang telah dibangun.

Menurutnya, Ekraforia diharapkan tidak berhenti sebagai sebuah kegiatan atau event semata, tetapi dapat berkembang menjadi gerakan bersama dalam membangun ekosistem ekonomi kreatif Kabupaten Bengkalis yang lebih kuat, produktif, mandiri dan berkelanjutan. 

Lebih lanjut, bagus menambahkan, Pemerintah Kabupaten Bengkalis akan terus mendorong hadirnya ruang-ruang kreatif yang produktif dan inklusif serta memberikan manfaat nyata bagi masyarakat.

"Ekraforia 2026 diharapkan menjadi titik awal gerakan bersama untuk membangun ekonomi kreatif Bengkalis yang lebih kuat, mandiri, berdaya saing dan berkelanjutan. Kreativitas juga diharapkan mampu memperkenalkan Bengkalis kepada dunia sebagai daerah yang kaya budaya, kaya talenta dan kaya gagasan,"tutup Bagus.

Pelaksana Tugas (Plt) Kepala Disbudparpora Kabupaten Bengkalis, Ardiansyah mengatakan, kegiatan tersebut merupakan bagian dari upaya Pemerintah Kabupaten Bengkalis dalam membuka ruang yang lebih luas bagi pertumbuhan ekonomi kreatif dan UMKM.

"Ekraforia ini merupakan bagian dari agenda Kabupaten Bengkalis dalam memperingati 17 Agustus 2026. Kegiatan ini diinisiasi dan diinginkan oleh Bupati Bengkalis Kasmarni bagaimana kita menciptakan ekonomi kreatif dan meningkatkan upaya UMKM-UMKM yang ada di Kabupaten Bengkalis."

Menurutnya, pengembangan ekonomi kreatif tidak bisa dilakukan sendiri oleh pemerintah. Karena itu, Disbudparpora menggandeng berbagai komunitas, termasuk Bengkalis Creative Network (BCN), dalam pelaksanaan Ekraforia tahun ini.

Ia berharap kegiatan tersebut tidak berhenti sebagai agenda tahunan, tetapi mampu melahirkan ruang-ruang baru bagi pelaku kreatif dan UMKM untuk tumbuh.

"Kita berharap ke depannya kegiatan ini bisa menjadi tempat berkembangnya ekonomi kreatif dan muncul spot-spot baru untuk UMKM," ujar Ardiansyah.

Penyelenggaraan Ekraforia tahun 2026 ini, berlangsung tiga hari mulai tanggal 14-16 Agustus 2026, berlokasi di Jail Huis Van Bewaring atau akrab disebut Penjara Belanda di Jalan Pahlawan Kelurahan Bengkalis Kota.

Berbagai kreasi yang ditampilkan pada Ekraforia tahun 2026 diantaranya, creative gallery, maker space, creative stage, local market, creative connet dan Ekrafo Run.

Turut hadir dalam pembukaan tersebut, Wakil ketua ll DPRD Bengkalis Hendrik Firnanda Pangaribuan, Anggota DPRD Bengkalis, Irmi Syakip Arsalan, Sekretaris Deputi Bidang Pengembangan Talenta dan Daya Saing Koperasi, Wisnu Gunadi, Dandim 0303/Bengkalis diwakili Danramil 01/Bengkalis Kapten Arm Yogi Sudarso, Kapolres Bengkalis diwakili Kabag SDM Polres Bengkalis, AKP M. Sahudi, Kepala Disparbudpora Bengkalis Ardiansyah, Kepala Dinas Perikanan Bengkalis, Mohammad Azmir, Ketua BCN Bengkalis, Riza Zuhelmy, Ketua Umum DPH LAMR Bengkalis diwakili Darmansyah dan para tamu undangan lainnya. inf/**

BENGKALIS, - Fun Run 5K menjadi penutup serangkaian kegiatan Ekraforia 2026 Simfoni Simetria Kabupaten Bengkalis pada Ahad 16 Agustus 2026 di Huis Van Bewaring jalan Pahlawan Bengkalis. 

Fun Run 5K dilepas langsung oleh Bupati Bengkalis, Kasmarni bersama Wakil Bupati Bengkalis, Bagus Santoso dan unsur Forum Koordinasi Pimpinan Daerah (Forkopimda). Kehadiran para pimpinan daerah tersebut menambah semarak kegiatan sekaligus menunjukkan dukungan terhadap berbagai aktivitas kreatif, olahraga, dan kebersamaan masyarakat.

Antusiasme peserta terlihat sejak garis awal hingga mencapai garis finis. Dalam kesempatan tersebut, Bupati Kasmarni turut menyerahkan hadiah kepada tiga pelari wanita dan tiga pelari pria yang berhasil menjadi peserta pertama yang mencapai garis finis. Selain hadiah bagi para pelari tercepat, panitia juga menyediakan berbagai doorprize yang semakin menambah kemeriahan Ekraforum 5K.

Setelah rangkaian Fun Run 5K, kegiatan dilanjutkan dengan senam bersama dan penutupan Ekraforia 2026 Simfoni Simetria. Dalam sambutannya, Bupati Kasmarni mengajak generasi muda, pelaku ekonomi kreatif, komunitas, seniman, budayawan, serta seluruh elemen masyarakat untuk terus berkarya, berinovasi dan memperkuat kolaborasi demi mendorong kemajuan daerah.

Kasmarni menegaskan, berakhirnya rangkaian Ekraforia tidak berarti berakhir pula semangat kreativitas yang telah tumbuh selama kegiatan berlangsung.

"Teruslah berkarya, teruslah berkolaborasi, teruslah berinovasi dan teruslah bergerak untuk Kabupaten Bengkalis yang lebih kreatif, produktif dan berdaya saing," pesan Kasmarni.

Menurutnya, Ekraforia bukan sekadar festival maupun panggung pertunjukan, melainkan ruang yang mempertemukan gagasan, kreativitas, budaya, inovasi dan kolaborasi. Berbagai rangkaian kegiatan yang dilaksanakan juga menunjukkan bahwa Kabupaten Bengkalis memiliki potensi kreatif yang besar dan beragam.

Karena itu, Kasmarni meminta seluruh peserta dan pelaku ekonomi kreatif tidak berhenti setelah kegiatan ditutup. Setiap gagasan yang lahir melalui Ekraforia diharapkan dapat dikembangkan menjadi karya yang bernilai, membangun kolaborasi yang lebih kuat, serta memberikan dampak nyata bagi masyarakat dan daerah."Kami percaya, masa depan Kabupaten Bengkalis ini tidak hanya dibangun dengan sumber daya alam, tetapi juga dengan sumber daya manusia yang kreatif, inovatif dan berdaya saing," ujarnya.

Kasmarni juga mengajak masyarakat menjadikan kreativitas sebagai kekuatan ekonomi, budaya sebagai identitas, dan kolaborasi sebagai cara untuk bergerak bersama.

"Dari Kabupaten Bengkalis ini kita ciptakan karya, dari karya kita lahirkan nilai, dari nilai kita bangun ekonomi, dan dari kolaborasi kita wujudkan Kabupaten Bengkalis yang bermasa," ungkapnya.

Kasmarni berharap semangat Ekraforia terus hidup di komunitas, ruang-ruang kreatif, sekolah, kampus, dunia usaha hingga di tengah masyarakat. Generasi muda juga diminta tidak takut bermimpi, mencoba dan berbeda, karena kreativitas lahir dari keberanian menciptakan sesuatu yang belum ada serta mengubah potensi menjadi kesempatan.

Atas nama Pemerintah Kabupaten Bengkalis, Kasmarni turut menyampaikan apresiasi kepada seluruh pihak yang telah berkontribusi menyukseskan Ekraforia 2026, mulai dari panitia, BCN, ICCN, komunitas kreatif, seniman, pelaku usaha, sponsor hingga relawan. Ia berharap kolaborasi tersebut terus berlanjut dan melahirkan gagasan-gagasan kreatif baru bagi daerah.

Turut hadir dalam acara tersebut Wakil Bupati Bengkalis H. Bagus Santoso, Dandim 0303/Bengkalis Letkol Inf Haris Nur Priatno, Kapolres Bengkalis AKBP Fahrian Saleh Siregar, Sekretaris Daerah Kabupaten Bengkalis dr. Ersan Saputra TH, Asisten Pemerintahan dan Kesejahteraan Rakyat Setda Kabupaten Bengkalis Ed Efendi, Staf Ahli Bupati Bidang Kemasyarakatan dan Sumber Daya Manusia Johansyah Syafri, Kasat Satpol PP Kabupaten Bengkalis Alfakhrurrazy, Kepala Badan Kesatuan Bangsa dan Politik Kabupaten Bengkalis Suwarto, Sekretaris Dinas Pariwisata, Kebudayaan, Kepemudaan dan Olahraga Kabupaten Bengkalis Reza Noverindra, Ketua BCN Bengkalis Riza Zuhelmy, serta para kepala Organisasi Perangkat Daerah di lingkungan Pemerintah Kabupaten Bengkalis. inf/**

Opini

Oleh: Ir. Muhammad Hakiem Sedo Putra, S.T., M.T.

Musim kering bukan sesuatu yang baru bagi Riau. Namun perubahan kondisi iklim dan tekanan terhadap lingkungan membuat musim kering perlu dihadapi dengan cara yang lebih serius.

Ketika hujan berkurang, dampaknya tidak hanya dirasakan melalui cuaca yang panas. Ketersediaan air masyarakat dapat menurun, lahan menjadi lebih kering, kebutuhan air perkebunan meningkat dan risiko kebakaran hutan serta lahan ikut bertambah.

Bagi Riau, persoalan tersebut menjadi semakin penting karena sebagian wilayahnya merupakan kawasan gambut.

Gambut memiliki hubungan yang sangat erat dengan air. Ketika gambut tetap basah, fungsi hidrologisnya dapat dipertahankan. Sebaliknya, ketika terlalu kering, risiko kebakaran meningkat.

Karena itu, menghadapi musim kering seharusnya tidak hanya berbicara mengenai bagaimana memadamkan api.

Kita juga perlu membicarakan bagaimana menjaga air agar api tidak mudah muncul dan berkembang.

Menjaga Gambut Berarti Menjaga Air

Gambut bukan sekadar lahan.

Ia merupakan bagian dari sistem penyimpanan air alami.

Ketika hujan turun, gambut dapat menyimpan air. Ketika musim kering datang, kondisi tersebut membantu menjaga kelembapan kawasan.

Namun apabila air terlalu cepat keluar melalui sistem drainase atau kanal, gambut dapat mengalami pengeringan.

Dalam kondisi tersebut, risiko kebakaran menjadi lebih besar.

Karena itu, pengelolaan tata air gambut harus menjadi bagian dari strategi pencegahan karhutla.

Pemantauan tinggi muka air, kondisi kanal dan kelembapan lahan perlu dilakukan secara konsisten, terutama ketika curah hujan mulai menurun.

Jangan Menunggu Titik Api

Kebakaran sering kali baru menjadi perhatian ketika titik api sudah terlihat.

Padahal proses menuju kebakaran telah berlangsung sebelumnya.

Hujan berkurang.

Hari tanpa hujan bertambah.

Vegetasi mengering.

Kelembapan gambut menurun.

Jika kondisi tersebut bertemu dengan sumber api, kebakaran dapat berkembang dengan cepat.

Karena itu, sistem peringatan dini harus mampu membaca kondisi sebelum kebakaran terjadi.

Data curah hujan, hari tanpa hujan, kelembapan lahan, tinggi muka air dan titik panas perlu digunakan secara bersama.

Tujuannya sederhana: bertindak sebelum kondisi menjadi darurat.

Air Hujan Perlu Disimpan

Ada persoalan lain yang tidak kalah penting.

Ketika hujan turun deras, kita sering berusaha mengalirkan air secepat mungkin.

Ketika kemarau datang, kita kembali mencari air.

Cara berpikir seperti ini perlu diperbaiki.

Sebagian air hujan dapat disimpan untuk digunakan ketika kondisi mulai kering.

Embung dapat dikembangkan pada kawasan yang sesuai.

Air hujan dapat ditampung di rumah, sekolah, kantor dan fasilitas umum.

Kota dapat memperkuat kolam retensi.

Kawasan resapan juga harus dipertahankan.

Air yang datang ketika hujan jangan seluruhnya dianggap sebagai masalah.

Sebagian justru merupakan cadangan untuk menghadapi kemarau.

Kota Harus Memberikan Ruang bagi Air

Pertumbuhan Pekanbaru dan kawasan perkotaan lainnya merupakan bagian dari perkembangan Riau.

Namun pembangunan juga mengubah siklus air.

Jalan, bangunan dan permukaan perkerasan membuat semakin sedikit air yang dapat masuk ke dalam tanah.

Ketika hujan deras, limpasan meningkat.

Ketika kemarau, cadangan air dari infiltrasi menjadi semakin penting.

Karena itu, pembangunan kota harus mempertimbangkan fungsi hidrologis ruang.

Taman, ruang terbuka hijau, kolam retensi dan kawasan resapan tidak seharusnya dipandang hanya sebagai pelengkap.

Semuanya adalah bagian dari sistem pengelolaan air kota.

Kota membutuhkan ruang bagi manusia.

Tetapi kota juga membutuhkan ruang bagi air.

Perkebunan Perlu Memperhatikan Kondisi Air

Perkebunan merupakan sektor penting bagi perekonomian Riau.

Karena itu, persoalan tata air juga berkaitan dengan keberlanjutan ekonomi.

Pada musim hujan, kelebihan air perlu dikelola.

Pada musim kering, kelembapan lahan perlu dipertahankan.

Khususnya di kawasan gambut, sistem kanal dan drainase perlu dikelola secara hati-hati.

Air yang terlalu cepat keluar dapat membuat lahan lebih kering.

Lahan yang semakin kering bukan hanya meningkatkan risiko kebakaran, tetapi juga dapat mengganggu keberlanjutan produksi. Dengan demikian, menjaga air bukan semata-mata persoalan lingkungan.

Ia juga merupakan kepentingan ekonomi masyarakat.

Data Cuaca Harus Menjadi Dasar Keputusan

Informasi cuaca semakin mudah diperoleh.

Namun informasi tidak cukup jika hanya dibaca.

Prakiraan musim kering harus diterjemahkan menjadi tindakan.

Ketika risiko kekeringan meningkat, pemantauan sumber air perlu diperkuat.

Ketika risiko karhutla meningkat, patroli harus ditingkatkan.

Ketika kondisi gambut mulai mengering, pengelolaan tata air harus dievaluasi.

Ketika masyarakat mulai mengalami keterbatasan air, sumber alternatif perlu disiapkan.

Dengan kata lain, data harus menjadi keputusan.

Masyarakat Memiliki Peran Penting

Pemerintah tidak mungkin mengawasi seluruh wilayah Riau seorang diri.

Masyarakat yang tinggal di sekitar hutan, gambut dan perkebunan justru sering menjadi pihak pertama yang mengetahui perubahan kondisi lingkungan.

Mereka dapat melihat kanal mulai kering.

Mereka dapat mengetahui ketika sumber air menurun.

Mereka dapat melaporkan asap atau api lebih awal.

Karena itu, masyarakat perlu ditempatkan sebagai bagian dari sistem peringatan dini.

Teknologi memberikan informasi dari atas.

Petugas melakukan verifikasi di lapangan.

Masyarakat memberikan informasi langsung dari wilayahnya.

Jika ketiganya bekerja bersama, pencegahan akan menjadi jauh lebih efektif.

Ketahanan Air Tidak Dibangun Saat Krisis

Kita sering baru memikirkan air ketika air mulai sulit diperoleh.

Padahal ketahanan air harus dibangun sebelum krisis.

Sumber air perlu dipetakan.

Kawasan resapan perlu dilindungi.

Air hujan perlu dimanfaatkan.

Gambut perlu dijaga kelembapannya.

Tata air perkebunan perlu diperbaiki.

Dan masyarakat perlu mendapatkan informasi yang cukup.

Langkah-langkah tersebut mungkin tidak selalu terlihat seperti pembangunan besar.

Namun dampaknya sangat penting dalam jangka panjang.

Riau Perlu Mengubah Cara Memandang Air

Riau memiliki sungai, rawa, gambut dan sumber daya air yang besar.

Tetapi banyaknya sumber air tidak otomatis menjamin ketahanan air.

Air dapat melimpah ketika hujan dan menjadi sulit diperoleh ketika musim kering.

Karena itu, persoalan utamanya bukan hanya berapa banyak air yang tersedia.

Persoalannya adalah bagaimana air tersebut disimpan, dilindungi dan dikelola.

Kita tidak dapat mengendalikan hujan.

Kita tidak dapat menghentikan fenomena iklim.

Tetapi kita dapat menentukan apa yang dilakukan ketika hujan masih turun.

Kita dapat menyimpan sebagian air.

Kita dapat menjaga gambut tetap basah.

Kita dapat melindungi kawasan resapan.

Kita dapat membangun kota yang lebih ramah terhadap siklus air.

Dan kita dapat melibatkan masyarakat.

Kemarau seharusnya bukan sekadar musim yang kita tunggu untuk berlalu. Ia adalah ujian apakah Riau sudah benar-benar mampu mengelola airnya.

Tentang Penulis

Muhammad Hakiem Sedo Putra, S.T., M.T., adalah dosen pada Program Studi Rekayasa Tata Kelola Air Terpadu, Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA). Memiliki bidang keahlian pada hidrologi dan sumber daya air serta aktif dalam penelitian mengenai pengelolaan sumber daya air, konservasi lingkungan, dan risiko bencana hidrometeorologi.

HOUSTON, Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR) ("Intuitive Machines," and together with its subsidiaries, the "Company"), a leading space technology, infrastructure, and services company, announced it has received an authorization to proceed from an undisclosed customer to begin work on a multi-satellite communications infrastructure program with an anticipated value of more than $600 million.

Under the agreement, Intuitive Machines will leverage its satellite communications expertise and industry-leading IM 1300TM satellite platform to design, manufacture, integrate, and support multiple spacecraft for a critical communications infrastructure mission. Additional program details remain confidential at the customer's request.

"This program reflects the trust customers place in partners who can execute complex space missions with precision, reliability, and schedule discipline," said Chris Johnson, President of Intuitive Machines Space Systems. "Our team is committed to delivering high-performance spacecraft while working closely with our customer throughout every phase of the program - from design and manufacturing through mission delivery. We are proud to support a mission that advances critical communications infrastructure and delivers long-term value for our customer."

"Winning this multi-satellite procurement is an important milestone for Intuitive Machines and reflects the confidence our customers place in our ability to deliver high-performance spacecraft for a broad range of mission needs," said Steve Altemus, Chief Executive Officer of Intuitive Machines. "Today, Intuitive Machines is executing programs across commercial, civil, and national security space markets, and awards like this reinforce both the strength of our diversified business and the growing demand for our space infrastructure capabilities. Our strategy is to build, connect, and operate the critical infrastructure that enables the next generation of space operations. With decades of experience in spacecraft design, manufacturing, communications, and mission operations, we are delivering capabilities our customers need today while creating the foundation for the future space economy."

This award further demonstrates Intuitive Machines' ability to deliver complex spacecraft and infrastructure solutions for customers across commercial, civil, and national security space markets through its integrated build, connect, and operate strategy.

The Company builds mission-critical spacecraft, systems, and infrastructure; connects those assets through resilient communications and navigation networks; and operates them as long-duration services that create enduring value for customers. Increasingly, these are not separate businesses, but successive layers of a single infrastructure strategy-designing and manufacturing space systems, connecting them into resilient networks, and operating them as long-term services.

Each new mission strengthens this integrated approach, expanding Intuitive Machines' ability to support customers throughout the mission lifecycle while reinforcing its position as a trusted provider of commercial, civil, and national security space infrastructure. As demand for resilient space capabilities continues to grow, the Company remains focused on building the enduring infrastructure that will power the next generation of space exploration and the space economy.

About Intuitive Machines

Intuitive Machines is a leading space infrastructure company that builds spacecraft, connects networks, and operates infrastructure-as-a-service for commercial, civil, and national security customers. With a proven track record across the space domain, the Company, through organic growth and portfolio expansion, has built over 300 spacecraft, delivered over 260 kilograms of payload to the lunar surface, and provided precision navigation expertise that has guided spacecraft across our solar system.

These capabilities form an integrated Built-Connect-Operate infrastructure service company, enabling customers to achieve mission and campaign outcomes through a single prime solution. Intuitive Machines' technology has been demonstrated across the space domain and is engineered to support the next century of opportunity in space.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward looking. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "strive," "would," "strategy," "outlook," the negative of these words or other similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements regarding: our expectations and plans relating to our missions and satellites, including the expected timing of building our satellites, launch and our progress in preparation thereof; our expectations with respect to, among other things, demand for our product portfolio, our submission of bids for contracts; our expectations regarding revenue for ATP awards and  contracts awarded to us; our operations, including our performance on future missions, our financial performance and our industry; our business strategy, business plan, and plans to drive long-term sustainable shareholder value; information regarding our expectations on revenue generation and cash. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's predictions, projections, or expectations based upon currently available information and data.

Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements in this press release: our factors detailed under the section titled Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the section titled Part I, Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the section titled Part II. Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in our subsequent filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Contacts

For investor inquiries: investors@intuitivemachines.com

For media inquiries: press@intuitivemachines.com

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Global Logistics Forum will hold its second edition in Riyadh from 29 November to 1 December 2026, at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

The Forum will be held in conjunction with the UN Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum 2026, co-located at the same venue during the same week.

Together the two forums will form one of the region's largest gatherings of transport, supply chain and trade leaders, drawing policymakers, industry executives and investors from around the world.

The early date announcement follows the reception of the inaugural forum in 2024, when more than 13,000 participants from over 30 countries attended, alongside 140 speakers and 80 exhibitors. That edition produced 67 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding worth more than SAR16 billion ($4.3 billion), a benchmark the 2026 edition is designed to build on.

The Forum is positioned to reinforce Saudi Arabia's role as a global logistics hub linking continents, in step with the goals of Vision 2030. Its agenda will focus on innovation in logistics services, integrated global connectivity and supply chain sustainability.

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services said the Forum, co-located with the UN Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum 2026, will serve as a platform for launching strategic initiatives and forging international partnerships. Partners and industry professionals are invited to save the date for both events.

For more information visit: https://www.glforum.org/en

For media enquiries, please contact:

Rana Hossam

E: media@GLForum.org

About Global Logistics Forum:

Under the royal patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, the Global Logistics Forum 2026 takes place from 29 November to 1 December in Riyadh, held in conjunction with the UNCTAD Global Supply Chain Forum. Building on a first edition that delivered more than 60 partnerships worth over SAR16 billion, the Forum returns to convene global industry leaders, policymakers and investors around the trade flows, technology and financing decisions shaping the sector's next decade.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 17 August 2026 - VinFast and Gowa Motor Group, an established Indonesian automotive group with experience across multiple automotive brands, today announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a joint venture that will develop VinFast's electric vehicle dealership network in Indonesia.

The partnership marks an important milestone in VinFast's strategy to expand its presence in one of Southeast Asia's most promising EV markets, bringing VinFast's products, services, and EV ownership experience closer to consumers across the Indonesian archipelago.

Under the MOU, VinFast and Gowa Motor Group will establish a joint venture to develop VinFast's dealership network across Indonesia, with a target of opening at least 30 showrooms and service centers.

The partnership reflects the two companies' shared commitment to building a long-term strategic relationship in Indonesia's growing electric vehicle market. By partnering with VinFast, Gowa Motor Group demonstrates its confidence in VinFast's vision, capabilities, and the long-term potential of its electric mobility ecosystem.

The new network will serve as a key pillar of VinFast's long-term growth strategy in Indonesia, offering VinFast's electric vehicles alongside aftersales services, maintenance, and customer care that meet the company's global standards. The partnership will contribute to VinFast's broader plan to expand its dealership network in Indonesia. The company currently operates more than 40 showrooms nationwide and aims to add over 150 new showrooms in the coming years.

The agreement with Gowa Motor Group reinforces VinFast's strategy of partnering with leading local companies to expand its distribution network, improve customer access to high-quality products and services, and support Indonesia's transition toward greener transportation.

Gowa Motor Group is an established automotive group in Indonesia with extensive experience across multiple automotive brands and vehicle segments. Its operation spans automotive distribution, dealership operations, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles, supported by a broad network and strong understanding of the local market. With its automotive expertise, operational capabilities, and market knowledge, Gowa Motor Group is expected to become a strategic partner for VinFast in expanding its distribution network, enhancing the customer ownership experience, and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in Indonesia.

Mr. Antonio Zara, Chief Executive Officer of VinFast Southeast Asia, said: "Gowa Motor Group is an established automotive group in Indonesia with extensive experience across multiple automotive brands. We believe the combination of VinFast's product development capabilities, advanced technologies, and comprehensive EV ecosystem with Gowa Motor Group's local market expertise, automotive network, and operational experience will provide a strong foundation for expanding VinFast's presence in Indonesia. More importantly, this partnership will enable us to deliver an increasingly convenient, comprehensive, and high-quality EV ownership experience for Indonesian customers."

Mr. Sadikin Aksa, Commissioner of Gowa Motor, said: "We see tremendous potential in Indonesia's electric vehicle market and strongly believe in VinFast's long-term vision. Our partnership not only creates new business opportunities for both companies but also reflects our shared commitment to accelerating Indonesia's green transition. Leveraging our experience across multiple automotive brands and our established network in Indonesia, Gowa Motor Group looks forward to working alongside VinFast to bring sustainable mobility solutions and high-quality services closer to consumers across the country."

Indonesia is one of the key pillars of VinFast's global growth strategy. Since entering the market, VinFast has rapidly expanded its product portfolio, commenced operations at its manufacturing facility in Subang, and built a comprehensive EV ecosystem through a growing network of strategic partners, including charging infrastructure developer V-Green, all-electric ride-hailing service GSM, financial institutions, banking partners, authorized service workshop partners, and dealerships nationwide. By combining manufacturing capabilities, a comprehensive EV ecosystem, and an expanding partner network, VinFast is steadily advancing toward its goal of becoming one of the leading electric vehicle brands in Indonesia and across Southeast Asia.

About VinFast

VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam's largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast's product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, e-bikes, and electric buses.

In Indonesia, VinFast is expanding its electric mobility ecosystem through a growing dealership and after-sales network, local partnerships, and its manufacturing facility in Subang, West Java, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the market.

Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.id

About Gowa Motor Group

Gowa Motor Group is an established automotive group in Indonesia with extensive experience in the automotive sector. The Group represents and operates across multiple automotive brands and vehicle segments, including passenger and commercial vehicles, supported by dealership, distribution, and customer service capabilities. With a broad network across Indonesia and a strong understanding of the local automotive market, Gowa Motor Group continues to build long-term partnerships and expand access to quality mobility products and services.

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

Hashtags: #VinFast

Veteran leaders elevated to continue driving client-ranked top performance and the next chapter of growth for Alorica Philippines

MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alorica Inc., a global leader in customer experience (CX) and digital transformation services, today announced the appointment of Sarah Machan-De Silva as President of the Philippines and Grace Taeza as Chief of Staff, reinforcing the company's commitment to delivering exceptional client outcomes and employee experience, bolstered by digital innovation, in a key market that is home to more than half of Alorica's global operations.

Machan-De Silva will lead Alorica Philippines, overseeing operations, client relationships, employee engagement and business performance nationwide. Reporting to Machan-De Silva, Taeza will serve as Chief of Staff for the Philippines, helping align strategic priorities and drive execution across the organization. In addition to her new responsibilities, Taeza will continue supporting Alorica's global finance organization, focusing on operational expenditure management and other critical financial initiatives.

"The Philippines has long been a cornerstone of Alorica's success, and Sarah and Grace bring the leadership needed to build on that legacy," said Brian Delaney, Chief Operating Officer at Alorica. "Together, they helped drive the operational excellence that has earned Alorica a #1 or #2 performance ranking from 84% of its clients. To sustain this momentum, they have championed continuous innovation at scale. As an early adopter of advanced technology, Alorica has deployed AI-powered performance tools across its global workforce, enabling real-time insights and customized coaching to optimize productivity and produce outstanding results."

Machan-De Silva brings more than 25 years of CX leadership, including 23 years with Alorica. Most recently, she served as Divisional Vice President of CX overseeing key industry verticals including healthcare, travel, hospitality and entertainment while developing strong relationships with many of Alorica's largest clients. Beginning as a customer service representative, Machan-De Silva progressed through increasingly senior roles across the organization, giving her a unique perspective on the business.

Taeza brings more than 31 years of finance, accounting and business leadership experience across multinational organizations. During her nearly 10 years with Alorica, she has served as Regional Vice President for Finance in APAC, overseeing revenue, gross profit, EBITDA, tax, and accounting performance. She also leads Alorica's global procurement strategy and has played a key role in driving operational efficiency and transformation initiatives enterprise wide.

These appointments reflect Alorica's continued investment in developing talent from within as part of its people-first culture, which remains a key differentiator in the industry. Alorica Philippines has earned Great Place to Work certifications every year since 2022 based on employee feedback, and the company maintains an employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) of 75 globally compared to the industry benchmark of 50. Through its employee-led nonprofit, Making Lives Better with Alorica (MLBA), Aloricans have raised more than $10 million globally in the 10 years since launch to support local communities. In 2025 alone, MLBA Philippines helped reach nearly 26,000 lives through community partnerships, grants and employee-led giving initiatives.

About Alorica

Alorica is a global leader in customer experience and digital transformation services, empowering brands worldwide to create meaningful connections with their customers. As a cornerstone of Alorica's global network of 100,000+ solutionists across 16 countries, Alorica Philippines combines deep industry expertise, advanced technology and a people-first culture to help clients drive growth, strengthen customer loyalty and improve business performance. Alorica Philippines is certified as a Great Place to Work? and reflects the company's focus on creating an environment where employees can thrive. The company further invests in its people through industry-leading employee satisfaction scores and its employee-led nonprofit, Making Lives Better with Alorica (MLBA). For more information, visit alorica.com.

Media Contact:

Sunny Yu

Sunny.Yu@Alorica.com

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan, has issued an Independence Day message reflecting on the meaning of freedom, the resilience of the Pakistani people and the continuing work of building a country that remains, in the words of the message, "not finished, not defeated, still becoming."

On the morning of Independence Day, Islamabad is strangely beautiful.

The streets are quieter than usual. Green and white flags have appeared overnight, tied to trees, balconies, cars and government buildings. For a few hours, the city seems to remember something that the rest of the year makes us too busy to notice: that a country is not only its arguments, its shortages, its victories or its disappointments. It is also the feeling of belonging somewhere.

In its Independence Day message, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting reflected on this quieter dimension of independence: the country that exists not only in ceremonies and declarations, but in the millions of ordinary things people do after the declaration is over.

A file is opened. A school opens its doors. A doctor begins her shift. A father pays a child's school fee. A young woman arrives at work, sits at a table and speaks her mind. A shopkeeper lifts his shutter. Somewhere, a train leaves a station.

And the country continues.

The message noted that perhaps this is what independence means when you are living inside it: not a single moment frozen in history, but the astonishing privilege of having tomorrow.

Pakistan has had its frightening days. The country has known the sudden silence that falls over a nation when its security is tested, and the peculiar intimacy of watching millions of strangers become, for a moment, one people.

In those moments, courage is not an abstract national virtue. It is the ordinary courage of people going to work, opening their shops, holding their children close and refusing to surrender the future to fear.

And when the guns give way to difficult conversations, there is another kind of courage: the courage to speak, to listen, to choose restraint when anger would have been easier.

The Ministry's message reflected that nations, like people, may grow in this way, not by becoming perfect, but by becoming capable of carrying their imperfections without losing hope.

Pakistan is, after all, a country of contradictions.

An old man argues politics over tea while a young woman checks her phone beside him. A village child dreams of becoming a doctor. A crowded market contains, within a few steps, centuries of history and the newest fashion. A woman leaves home in the morning, goes to an office, leads a meeting, returns to her children and complains about the traffic on rhe way home.

There is difficulty here. Of course there is. But there is also possibility.

And perhaps possibility is the most precious inheritance a country can give its people. The Independence Day message emphasised that celebrating Pakistan does not require pretending that it has no wounds. It means recognising instead the strange, stubborn fact that it keeps becoming. Every generation adds something. Every child who learns. Every woman who leads. Every citizen who serves. Every conversation that replaces confrontation. Every morning when people wake up and decide, once again, to carry on.

Independence, then, is not only something that happened. It is something that continues.

It lives in the ordinary morning after the celebrations, when the flags remain on the balconies and the streets begin to fill again; when schools open, offices begin, shops lift their shutters and trains leave their stations. It lives in the simple fact that there is another morning. And another. And another.

The Ministry's Independence Day message concludes with a reflection on the country Pakistan remains: "Not finished. Not defeated. Still becoming. And, after all these years, still full of tomorrow."

Contact

Email: Rishamraqeeb354@gmail.com

Phone Number: +92 339 1291551

SINGAPORE, Aug. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeautyPlus, the AI-powered photo editing platform developed by Pixocial, has introduced AI Influencer, a new AI influencer generator and virtual persona creation tool on BeautyPlus Website. The launch comes as creators and small teams look for faster ways to produce consistent social content without repeated filming or photoshoots.

BeautyPlus AI Influencer shows a consistent virtual male persona generated across multiple fashion and lifestyle photos for social-ready content.

As short-form video and AI-generated content continue to grow across platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, many AI content creation tools still struggle to keep a single character's face and style consistent across multiple outputs. AI Influencer was built as an AI persona creator that addresses that gap, allowing users to generate a consistent AI character across an ongoing stream of content rather than a single one-off image.

The tool functions as a virtual influencer generator and AI avatar generator in one. Users can select from a library of ready-made personas across categories such as fashion, fitness, outdoor, and lifestyle content, or build a custom persona by adjusting age, gender, and style.

"Creators today need to produce content more consistently, but repeated filming, styling, and editing can be time-consuming," said Vincent Lu, Product Lead of BeautyPlus. "With AI Influencer, we want to give users a simpler way to build a recognizable virtual persona and generate social-ready photos and videos around that identity."

At the center of AI Influencer is consistent persona generation. The tool is designed to help maintain a consistent face, hairstyle, and visual identity across generated content, addressing a common limitation in AI generation tools where a character's appearance can shift subtly between outputs.

From there, users can move into photo and video content creation. AI Influencer supports batch generation, allowing users to queue up the next photo or video before the previous one has finished rendering, and download finished videos in batches. Persona creation, content generation, and asset storage are all handled within BeautyPlus, reducing the need to move between separate third-party tools.

Content can also be refined through natural-language editing. Users can describe a change, such as a different expression, a wider camera angle, a new outfit, or a different background, and supported templates can update accordingly without navigating menus or complex prompting.

Rounding out the toolset is trend and template replication, which lets users reference an existing video and apply its pacing and structure to their own generated content. Every persona, photo, video, and template is saved to a personal content library for ongoing reuse.

AI Influencer is now available at https://www.beautyplus.com/ai-influencer.

For creators building virtual personas, supporting visuals often matter as much as the character itself. BeautyPlus Web also offers tools such as AI Clothes Changer, which helps users experiment with different outfit styles, and AI Hairstyle Changer, which allows users to explore new looks for social-ready content.

About BeautyPlus

BeautyPlus is a creative AI platform developed by Pixocial Technology (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., offering photo editing, video editing, and AI content creation tools across mobile and web. From portrait enhancement and style exploration to virtual content generation, BeautyPlus helps users create personalized visual content for social media, self-expression, and everyday creativity.

Contact

Daisy Chen

xiaoqing.chen@pixocial.com

BENGKALIS,Hari libur tidak menyurutkan semangat 30 siswa kelas VII dan VIII SMP IT Ibu Harapan Bengkalis untuk mengikuti kegiatan pengenalan kecerdasan buatan atau Artificial Intelligence (AI) dan Augmented Reality (AR), Sabtu (15/8/2026).

Kegiatan bertajuk "Penguatan Kompetensi Guru dan Siswa melalui Pendampingan Pemanfaatan Media Pembelajaran Berbasis Kecerdasan Buatan dan Augmented Reality" tersebut diselenggarakan oleh tim dosen Politeknik Negeri Bengkalis (Polbeng).

Berbeda dari pembelajaran konvensional, para siswa tidak hanya menerima materi secara teori, tetapi juga berkesempatan berinteraksi langsung dengan media pembelajaran berbasis teknologi. Salah satunya melalui teknologi AR yang dimanfaatkan untuk mendukung pembelajaran Biologi.

Dengan AR, objek yang biasanya hanya ditampilkan dalam bentuk gambar dua dimensi di buku pelajaran dapat divisualisasikan menjadi objek tiga dimensi. Hal ini membuat materi pembelajaran menjadi lebih nyata, menarik, dan mudah diamati oleh siswa.

Antusiasme peserta terlihat sejak awal kegiatan. Para siswa aktif menjawab pertanyaan, mengikuti kuis, berdiskusi, hingga mencoba media AR secara bergantian. Suasana pembelajaran pun berlangsung interaktif dan menyenangkan.

Ketua tim pelaksana, Ir. Elvi Rahmi, S.T., M.Kom., mengatakan kegiatan tersebut bertujuan memperkenalkan pemanfaatan teknologi secara positif kepada siswa sejak dini.

"AI dan Augmented Reality bukan hanya teknologi untuk hiburan. Keduanya juga dapat dimanfaatkan untuk menciptakan pembelajaran yang lebih interaktif. Melalui kegiatan ini, kami ingin menumbuhkan rasa ingin tahu siswa sekaligus menunjukkan bahwa belajar Biologi dapat menjadi lebih menarik ketika dipadukan dengan teknologi," ujar Elvi.

Kepala SMP IT Ibu Harapan Bengkalis, Heriani, S.Si., S.Pd., menyambut baik kegiatan yang dilaksanakan tim Polbeng tersebut. Menurutnya, pengenalan AI dan AR memberikan pengalaman baru bagi siswa sekaligus menunjukkan bahwa teknologi dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai sarana belajar.

"Kami menyambut baik kegiatan yang dilaksanakan oleh tim Politeknik Negeri Bengkalis. Pengenalan AI dan Augmented Reality memberikan pengalaman belajar baru bagi siswa karena mereka dapat melihat secara langsung bagaimana teknologi digunakan untuk membantu memahami materi pelajaran," kata Heriani.

Ia menambahkan, pembelajaran berbasis teknologi tidak hanya menarik perhatian siswa, tetapi juga mendorong mereka untuk lebih aktif, kreatif, dan memiliki rasa ingin tahu terhadap perkembangan teknologi.

Pihak sekolah berharap kolaborasi dengan Polbeng dapat terus berlanjut melalui kegiatan pendampingan dengan materi yang semakin beragam. Sinergi antara sekolah dan perguruan tinggi dinilai penting untuk membantu guru dan siswa mengikuti perkembangan teknologi dalam dunia pendidikan.

Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini dilaksanakan oleh tim yang diketuai Elvi Rahmi, dengan anggota Armita Novriana Rambe, S.Pd., M.Hum., dan Rizqa Arimurti, S.E., M.Acc. Pelaksanaan kegiatan turut melibatkan mahasiswa Polbeng, Bayu Dani Kurniawan.

Melalui kegiatan tersebut, Polbeng menegaskan komitmennya untuk mendekatkan inovasi perguruan tinggi kepada masyarakat serta mendorong pemanfaatan teknologi secara kreatif, produktif, dan bertanggung jawab dalam proses pembelajaran.

News provided by Equity-Insider.com on behalf of Western Star Resources Inc.

A past-producing New Mexico tungsten skarn that once attracted U.S. Government funding for underground drilling -- funding that was never deployed -- is finally getting the systematic modern exploration it was promised in the 1950s. Dahrouge Geological Consulting is on the ground. The field program targets completion by August 31.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Equity-Insider.com News Commentary - In critical minerals exploration, the most overlooked assets are often not the ones that have never been found, but the ones that were found, partially explored, and then abandoned when commodity prices made further work economically marginal. Eagle Point is that kind of asset.

The tungsten skarn in Hidalgo County, New Mexico produced approximately 1,800 tons of scheelite-bearing material grading approximately 0.52% WO3 during 1943 and 1944. Subsequent U.S. Government geological work outlined what historical examiners estimated as a mineralized system on the order of approximately 170,000 tons. That work was compelling enough that the U.S. 

Government entered into a Defense Minerals Exploration Administration agreement to fund 75% of a proposed shaft-sinking and diamond-drilling program. That program was never executed. 

The drilling was never done. The system has sat largely untested by modern exploration methods for more than seventy years while the economics of domestic tungsten supply were irrelevant. They are no longer irrelevant. On August 11, 2026, Western Star Resources announced the commencement of Eagle Point's maiden field exploration program, with Dahrouge Geological Consulting on site to deliver the systematic geological validation that every drill program needs before a single hole is turned.

Companies mentioned: Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2), MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP), Perpetua Resources Corp. (NASDAQ: PPTA) (TSX: PPTA), NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ: NB) (TSX: NB), Comstock Inc. (NYSE American: LODE)

Key Takeaways

Maiden field program commenced at Eagle Point, Hidalgo County, New Mexico. Dahrouge Geological Consulting is on site executing detailed geological and structural mapping, channel and grab sampling, drill-collar ground truthing, and field evaluation of areas surrounding proposed drilling targets.

Program targeting completion by August 31, 2026, with a field summary and assessment report from Dahrouge to follow. Results will be integrated with the Eagle Point geological database to refine drill targets for the planned maiden drilling program.

Eight skarn bodies exposed at surface across a mineralized corridor extending approximately 1,500 to 2,000 feet along the prospective limestone-granitic intrusive contact. Historical drilling was limited to shallow holes concentrated around the main open-cut area -- the system remains largely untested at depth and along strike.

USGS/NMBGMR sampling previously returned a selective composite skarn outcrop sample grading 27.6% WO3 and 0.98% molybdenum. These results are selective in nature and not representative of average mineralization across the property.

The U.S. Government's 1950s DMEA agreement to fund 75% of underground development and drilling at Eagle Point was never executed. Western Star's maiden field program is the first systematic modern exploration ever completed at the property.

What Dahrouge Is Actually Doing

The field program Dahrouge is executing at Eagle Point is not glamorous. It does not involve drilling, grade announcements, or resource estimates. What it involves is the unglamorous but essential foundation work without which drilling is guesswork: understanding where the geology actually is, how the structures actually trend, and whether the proposed drill-hole collar locations are actually positioned to test the targets they are supposed to test.

The program scope includes detailed geological and structural mapping, with strike-and-dip measurements and digital field mapping across the eight exposed skarn bodies and the broader prospective contact zone. Systematic channel and grab sampling, with samples documented, photographed, uniquely identified and submitted to ALS Tucson for analysis. Validation of existing historical project data -- critical work when dealing with records from the 1940s and 1950s that may be incomplete, inconsistently described, or referenced to survey datums that no longer match modern GPS coordinates. Ground-truthing of proposed drill-hole collar locations to confirm they are physically accessible and geologically positioned where the geological model predicts they should be. And field evaluation of areas surrounding the proposed drilling targets specifically to identify opportunities to expand the exploration target areas -- looking for additional skarn bodies, structural intersections, or alteration zones that historical work may have missed or not fully followed up.

The integration step matters as much as the field collection. All of the new mapping, sampling, and structural measurements will be integrated with the existing Eagle Point geological database to produce a refined drill-targeting model. That model is what Dahrouge's post-program field summary and assessment report will describe, and it is the document that will guide where the drill bit goes when the maiden drilling program commences.

"This is the program we have been eager to commence since acquiring Eagle Point. We are moving from historical records and exceptional surface indications to boots on the ground, systematic modern exploration and the identification and validation of drill locations," said Blake Morgan, President and CEO of Western Star Resources. "What excites us most, however, is what has not been done. The U.S. Government previously agreed to support a drilling program at Eagle Point, yet that program was never completed, and the system has never been comprehensively tested using modern exploration techniques."

The Geological Architecture: A Skarn System Built for Discovery

Eagle Point's geology is the kind that experienced tungsten explorers find compelling. The mineralization occurs within a contact-metamorphic skarn system developed along the limestone-granitic intrusive contact -- the geological setting that hosts the majority of the world's significant tungsten skarn deposits. Scheelite, the calcium tungstate mineral that is the principal ore mineral at Eagle Point, preferentially precipitates at the limestone-intrusive contact as hydrothermal fluids interact with the carbonate host rock. The lateral and vertical extent of that contact defines the theoretical maximum footprint of the mineralized system.

Historical mapping identified individual tactite bodies extending up to approximately 140 feet in length and approximately 30 feet in width, within a mineralized geological setting extending approximately 1,500 to 2,000 feet along the prospective contact. Eight separate skarn and tactite bodies were exposed through an open cut, trenches, and bulldozer cuts. That surface exposure is extensive. But the historical drilling was limited to shallow holes concentrated around the main open-cut area. Everything below the historical workings, everything along strike from the known bodies, and everything in the areas between the eight mapped skarn bodies remains untested by modern analytical methods.

The 27.6% WO3 result from USGS/NMBGMR sampling -- a selective composite skarn outcrop sample that is not representative of average grades across the property -- is nonetheless a meaningful geological indicator. Scheelite occurring at those concentrations at surface indicates the presence of a productive tungsten-mineralizing system. It does not tell you how large that system is or how continuous the mineralization is at depth. That is precisely what the field program and subsequent drilling are designed to determine.

The Three-Asset Nevada-New Mexico Platform

Eagle Point sits alongside two Nevada tungsten projects in Western Star's U.S. portfolio: the Rowland Tungsten Property, expanded by approximately 170% since acquisition with more than 17 historical workings identified, and the White Star Tungsten Project, which forms an adjoining district-scale exploration position creating an approximately six-kilometre prospective exploration corridor across the Nevada position. Each of the three projects is a past-producing tungsten system in an established U.S. mining jurisdiction. Each has received modern systematic exploration since Western Star's acquisition. And each remains largely untested at depth and along strike by modern methods.

Western Star's strategy across all three assets follows the same three-stage logic: acquire assets with historical production and geological validation in place; apply modern geophysics, geochemistry, mapping, and geological modelling to define and prioritize drill targets; and drill the highest-priority targets systematically to test for resource definition and expansion potential. Eagle Point's maiden field program is the second stage of that process at the New Mexico asset, with drilling as the third stage pending permitting, technical review, and financing. At Rowland in Nevada, drill permitting is underway and a one-kilometre tungsten-skarn geochemical corridor with a peak soil result of approximately 1,425 ppm WO3 has already been defined. The three assets are at different points in the same pipeline, providing the company with multiple upcoming catalysts across two states.

The U.S. Critical Minerals Names Investors Are Watching

MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP)

MP Materials is the operating anchor of the U.S. domestic critical minerals supply chain and the most important benchmark for understanding what it looks like when the market fully prices a company that supplies strategic materials from U.S. soil. The company operates the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility in California -- the only rare earth mining and processing operation of scale in the Western Hemisphere -- and is advancing an integrated magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, designed to produce neodymium-iron-boron magnets for electric vehicles, defense applications, and other critical end uses entirely from U.S. materials. In Q2 2026, MP Materials reported revenue of approximately $78 million, with REO production of 13,225 metric tonnes and NdPr production of 1,622 metric tonnes. The U.S. Department of Defense has provided direct financial support to MP Materials through strategic contracts that reflect the government's recognition that a functioning domestic rare earth supply chain is a national security priority. The parallel between MP Materials' positioning in rare earths and Western Star's ambition in tungsten is direct: both are pursuing the establishment of domestic U.S. supply for a critical mineral where dependence on Chinese production creates unacceptable strategic risk. MP's market capitalization and institutional support illustrate the scale of value the market assigns to that thesis when execution is credible.

Perpetua Resources Corp. (NASDAQ: PPTA) (TSX: PPTA)

Perpetua Resources is the most directly analogous U.S. domestic critical minerals development story to Western Star's tungsten thesis. Its Stibnite Gold Project in central Idaho is the only gold-antimony development project in the Western world to have received the level of sovereign-backed financing that reflects the full weight of the critical minerals supply security problem: in May 2026, the U.S. Export-Import Bank approved a US$2.9 billion senior secured loan under the Make More in America Initiative to fully fund the project's development. Stibnite hosts a 15-year mine plan with 4.22 million ounces of gold and 106 million pounds of antimony -- the latter being, like tungsten, a strategic mineral formally classified as critical by the U.S. government and subject to Chinese export controls that have dramatically tightened Western supply. The scale of the U.S. government's financial commitment to a domestic antimony source is the most direct available evidence of how seriously the federal government is treating critical mineral supply security. Western Star's submission of an application in response to a U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium solicitation for reliable supplies of strategic critical minerals is a smaller step along the same pathway that Perpetua has been walking toward EXIM Bank approval, and Perpetua's outcome illustrates the destination that credible domestic critical mineral developers can reach.

NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ: NB) (TSX: NB)

NioCorp Developments is a U.S.-focused critical minerals developer advancing the Elk Creek Project in Nebraska, which would produce niobium, scandium, and titanium -- all formally designated as critical minerals by the United States -- from an underground carbonatite-hosted deposit. The company has been pursuing U.S. government financing for project development through multiple channels, including engagement with the Export-Import Bank and the Department of Defense, and has structured its corporate strategy around the explicit thesis that domestic production of defense-critical materials qualifies for the kind of sovereign-backed support that commodity economics alone cannot justify. NioCorp's engagement with government stakeholders, its project development approach, and its dual NASDAQ and TSX listing are structural parallels to the positioning Western Star is establishing with its own DIBC application and U.S.-focused portfolio. The company illustrates both the pathway that U.S. critical minerals juniors can follow toward government validation and the capital markets access that dual-listed critical minerals stories can achieve when the strategic thesis is credibly articulated.

Comstock Inc. (NYSE American: LODE)

Comstock Inc. is a Nevada-based company whose evolution from a historic silver and gold district operator into a critical minerals and advanced materials platform provides the most instructive regional precedent for the kind of strategic repositioning that domestic critical minerals supply security is enabling in the American West. The company's assets and technology development programs are centered in Nevada's Comstock Mining District, one of the most historically significant mineral districts in the United States, and span mercury remediation and reclamation, sustainable fuels, and critical minerals recovery from legacy and primary sources. Comstock's trajectory -- applying modern technology and strategic positioning to historically productive U.S. mineral systems in an era when domestic supply chains are receiving unprecedented government and investor attention -- is the broad archetype of the development model that Western Star is applying to its past-producing tungsten assets in Nevada and New Mexico. These companies are referenced to illustrate the sector only and do not imply any partnership, endorsement, affiliation, or comparable financial performance.

What to Watch

The immediate catalyst is the completion of the Eagle Point field program by August 31, 2026, and Dahrouge's subsequent field summary and assessment report. That report will contain the geological and structural data that defines the drill-targeting model for the planned maiden drilling program. The key outputs to watch for in the report are the structural orientation of the skarn bodies and their interpreted continuity along strike and at depth, the results of systematic channel and grab sampling across the eight exposed skarn bodies and the broader contact zone, and the identification of any additional target areas that field evaluation has revealed beyond the historically defined zones.

Following the report, the critical path moves to drilling: specifically, the permitting, final program design, contractor selection, and financing required to execute the maiden drill program. Western Star has been explicit that the 2026 objective is to commence drilling at Eagle Point, and Dahrouge's field program is the last systematic preparation step before the drill-permitting process can be finalized. Any announcement of drilling commencement at Eagle Point would represent the most significant geological milestone in the company's history and the first direct test of a system that the U.S. Government once committed to fund and then never drilled.

Investors tracking Western Star's Nevada position should also watch for updates on Rowland, where drill permitting is underway following the definition of the one-kilometre geochemical corridor, and for any news on the outcome of the DIBC application that could provide government-level validation of the company's domestic tungsten supply thesis.

CONTINUED... Learn more about Western Star Resources Inc. at: https://www.westernstarresources.com

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Article Sources

[1] Western Star Resources Inc. -- "Western Star Resources Commences Maiden Field Program at Eagle Point to Advance Past-Producing U.S. Tungsten Project Toward Drilling" (August 11, 2026; maiden field program commencement, Dahrouge Geological Consulting scope, geological and structural mapping, channel and grab sampling, drill-collar ground truthing, August 31 target completion, CEO Blake Morgan quote, historical production 1,800 tons at 0.52% WO3, historical government estimates 170,000 tons, DMEA agreement, USGS 27.6% WO3 surface sample, eight skarn bodies, 1,500-2,000 ft prospective contact; CSE: WSR, OTC: WSRIF, FRA: 4K2).

[2] Western Star Resources Inc. -- "Western Star Resources Accelerates U.S. Tungsten Strategy with Three Past-Producing Assets, 2026 Drilling Plans and Pathway Toward Maiden Mineral Resource at Eagle Point" (August 3, 2026; Rowland 1 km geochemical corridor 1,425 ppm WO3, White Star acquisition 6 km Nevada corridor, C$3.69M oversubscribed placement, DIBC application, Dahrouge engagement, drill permitting underway at Rowland).

[3] MP Materials Corp. -- Q2 2026 results (approximately $78M revenue, 13,225 mt REO production, 1,622 mt NdPr production); Mountain Pass Mine and Processing Facility, California; Fort Worth magnet manufacturing facility; U.S. DOD strategic contracts; only rare earth mining and processing at scale in the Western Hemisphere; NYSE: MP.

[4] Perpetua Resources Corp. -- US$2.9B EXIM Bank loan approved May 2026 (Make More in America Initiative); Stibnite Gold Project, Idaho; 15-year mine plan: 4.22 Moz gold and 106M lbs antimony; Hatch appointed as EPCM; production targeted late 2029; NASDAQ: PPTA, TSX: PPTA.

[5] NioCorp Developments Ltd. -- Elk Creek Project, Nebraska; niobium, scandium, titanium (all U.S. critical minerals designations); U.S. government financing engagement (EXIM Bank, DOD); NASDAQ: NB, TSX: NB.

[6] Comstock Inc. -- Comstock Mining District, Nevada; critical minerals recovery, advanced materials, sustainable fuels, legacy site remediation; historic U.S. mineral district repositioning model; NYSE American: LODE.

DISCLAIMER

Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. This article is being distributed for Market Equities Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Ireland ("MEL"), which wholly owns and operates American News Group. MEL has been paid a fee directly by Western Star Resources Inc. for Western Star Resources Inc. advertising and digital media services. MEL also expects to receive further compensation as part of an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company. No further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, has been approved by Western Star Resources Inc. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision.

Market Equities and its owners, operators, directors, and affiliates do not currently own any shares of Western Star Resources Inc., but reserve the right to buy, sell, or hold shares of Western Star Resources Inc. at any time without further notice, commencing immediately and ongoing, in the open market, through private placements, and/or through other investment vehicles. There may also be third parties who hold shares of Western Star Resources Inc. and may liquidate their shares, which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock.

While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in this publication is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may lose some or all of your investment

Historical Estimates

The historical estimates referenced in this news release are historical in nature and were prepared prior to the implementation of National Instrument 43-101 ? Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). A Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The estimates rest on surface trenching, ultraviolet-lamp observation and sparse grab and chip sampling, without drill support or documented quality control, and separate estimates diverge by a factor of three to four; the Company therefore regards their reliability as low and their relevance as limited to context on historical exploration. Verification as current mineral resources would require detailed mapping, systematic channel sampling under a documented QA/QC protocol, and drilling of sufficient density to establish grade and geometric continuity, followed by independent data verification and estimation by a Qualified Person. The historical estimates are presented solely to provide context regarding the historical exploration of the Eagle Point Property and should not be relied upon as current mineral resources or reserves.

Qualified Person

Jasper Mowatt, MIMMM (No. 0486653) and MAusIMM (No. 3178851), a consultant to the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr Mowatt is not independent of the Company. The historical and third-party information disclosed above is drawn from the sources listed above; the Qualified Person has reviewed those sources but has not verified the underlying sampling, assaying or survey data, which are not available, and has visited the Property in June 2026.

About Western Star Resources Inc.

Western Star Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of critical-mineral assets in North America, with an increasing strategic focus on tungsten in the United States.

The Company's U.S. tungsten portfolio includes the Eagle Point Tungsten Project in New Mexico and the Rowland and White Star tungsten projects in Nevada. Western Star's strategy is focused on applying modern exploration methods to historically productive and underexplored mineral systems with the objective of identifying and advancing significant new critical-mineral opportunities.

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