Disney and Philips bring together beloved storytelling and innovative technology to support kids undergoing MRI exams

May 28, 2026

For the first time, Disney stories and characters will be integrated into Philips Ambient Experience for MRI at medical facilities around the world to help create calmer, more comfortable patient experiences

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Burbank, Calif. - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced that beloved Disney animated characters and stories are being incorporated directly into Philips Ambient Experience for MRI at medical facilities in 87 countries worldwide to support children undergoing imaging procedures. For many children, this type of immersive environment can help shift attention away from the clinical setting, creating a more comforting and engaging experience during scans and helping more children complete their exams successfully.

"By bringing Disney stories into the MRI environment, we are helping create a setting where children can feel more at ease and remain still during scans," said Atul Gupta, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Diagnosis and Treatment at Philips. "Reducing stress can improve the experience for young patients and their families, while helping care teams deliver efficient, high-quality imaging so they can care for more children each day, supporting better care for more people."

"At Disney, we believe stories have the power to bring comfort and emotional connection to children and families," said Lisa Haines, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Walt Disney Company. "We're proud to collaborate with Philips to extend that impact into MRI rooms in a meaningful way ? using our beloved stories and characters to help provide moments of escape, normalcy, and reassurance during what can be an intimidating experience for kids in hospitals."

Evidence supporting improved pediatric MRI experience

MRI scans can be challenging for young children. Entering a large, unfamiliar machine that makes loud noises, combined with the need to lie perfectly still for up to 40 minutes, can be intimidating. In fact, 66% [1] of pediatric patients report feeling anxious during MRI scans. This anxiety or claustrophobia can lead to re-scans, longer procedures and, in some cases, the need for sedation, increasing demands on care teams. These disruptions can limit the number of patients who can be seen each day, leading to potential delays.

Child-friendly, immersive content in pediatric MRI settings can help reduce operational disruptions, such as re-scans, long pauses, or aborted procedures. A multi-center study conducted across six hospitals in Europe [2] highlights the impact of Ambient Experience with Disney themes. For children ages 6?10, post-scan pediatric patient stress levels were reduced by 43% compared to pre-exam. In addition, pauses during scans dropped by 63% compared to procedures without intervention.

"The data showed that a child-friendly audio-visual intervention reduced stress levels in young children and decreased scan disruptions, supporting a smoother MRI workflow," said Emilio J. Inarejos Clemente, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sant Joan de Deu Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. "This can help clinicians maintain efficiency and focus on delivering high-quality diagnostic imaging, helping more patients to be seen without compromising care."

Reimagining the pediatric MRI experience through collaboration

Philips innovates to make MRI exams faster, more comfortable and easier for patients. A key part of this effort is Philips Ambient Experience, which uses calming lighting, sound and visual elements to help patients relax before and during the exam. Within this approach, Disney-themed content is incorporated as part of the Ambient Experience environment to offer comfort with beloved Disney stories and characters to reduce anxiety and stress in children undergoing MRI exams. This builds on Philips' focus on improving care experiences for patients, particularly children undergoing imaging.

Through longstanding collaborations with children's hospitals worldwide, Disney has developed content and environments tailored for clinical settings, helping make healthcare experiences feel more familiar and less intimidating for young patients. This includes a recently fulfilled commitment of $100 million supporting more than 1,700 children's hospitals and pediatric places of care in 45 countries. In addition, thousands of hospital staff have been trained through Disney Institute programs, and millions of items have been distributed to children in care settings. Disney supports kids and families in children's hospitals by bringing comfort and joy when it's needed most. As part of this ongoing charitable commitment, Disney has provided the art and imagery in Philips Ambient Experience at no cost. Children and families can choose characters from across Disney, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Marvel superheroes, favorites from Star Wars, Disney Princesses and many more.

Philips has a rich history of driving pediatric innovation through research, strategic partnerships, and industry-leading pediatric technology, including monitoring, echocardiology, and AI-driven, data-informed solutions. Key initiatives include specialized, child-friendly imaging solutions such as Pediatric Coaching, Scan Buddy and Kitten Scanners, helping to improve clinical workflows and enhance care experiences for children, supporting the broader goal of delivering better care for more people.

Today, Philips Ambient Experience for MRI is the exclusive MRI platform using these Disney themes. Early adopters of the themes include the pilot hospitals across Europe and industry-leading hospitals, Rady Children's Health in Orange County and Calderdale Royal Hospital, which are already seeing positive staff and patient impact.

Read more about Philips Ambient Experience and the newly introduced Disney-themed content at https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/technology/pediatric-mri-disney-and-ambient-experience.

[1] De Amorim e Silva et al., 2006

[2] Herlev Hospital Denmark, H?pital Robert Debr? France; Hospital de Sant Joan de D?u Spain; Instytut Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki Poland; Universit?tsklinikum Bonn Germany; UZ Brussel Belgium.

For further information, please contact:

Jayme Maniatis

Philips Global External Relations

Tel.: +1 508 971 4015

E-mail: jayme.maniatis@philips.com

Tim Perry

The Walt Disney Company Corporate Communications

E-mail: timothy.perry@disney.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips' patient- people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2025 sales of EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 64,300 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About The Walt Disney Company

For more than 100 years, Disney stories have been a source of imagination and hope for children of all ages. Walt Disney himself brought the magic of those stories to children in hospitals, along with Disney animators and characters. Today, this legacy is reflected in Disney's continuing support for children's hospitals around the world, including a recently fulfilled $100 million commitment that supported more than 1,700 children's hospitals and pediatric places of care in 45 countries around the world. This includes more than 400 hospitals that have ongoing access to first-run Disney movies; approximately 30,000 hospital staff and leaders who are trained through the Disney Institute Program; and more than 2 million toys, books, costumes, and other items distributed to children's hospitals through Starlight Children's Foundation.

Learn more about Disney's commitment to delivering comfort and joy when it's needed most at disney.com/childrenshospitals.

Attachments

Philips Ambient Experience for MRI with Disney stories and characters

Disney themes incorporated into Philips Ambient Experience for MRI

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 May 2026 - Hong Kong has overtaken Switzerland as the world's top cross-boundary wealth management centre, according to the latest Global Wealth Report 2026 published by the Boston Consulting Group (May 27).

Hong Kong's cross-boundary wealth rose 10.7% in 2025 to US$2.9 trillion, driven by Chinese Mainland flows and a vigorous stock market that delivered significant IPO (initial public offering) activity and strong gains in benchmark-heavy internet platforms, according to the report. It also projected that, from 2025 to 2030 the cross-boundary wealth managed by Hong Kong will grow by 9% on average annually and maintain first place globally, fully affirming Hong Kong's position as a world-leading cross-boundary wealth management centre.

Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG), highlighted that China's National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong in strengthening its functions as an international asset and wealth management centre, which is also a key component of Hong Kong's 'Finance +' development strategy.

"Over the past few years, the Government has worked closely with the financial sector to continuously improve the financial infrastructure and ecosystem, expand the range of investment products and risk management tools, and deepen the connectivity with capital markets around the world.

"Leveraging the advantages of 'one country, two systems', complemented by free, open, transparent, and predictable economic policies as well as a stable and secure investment environment, and cross-market connectivity, Hong Kong is attracting more and more ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices to establish a presence and invest in the city," Mr Chan said.

Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSARG, noted that the Government had issued the Policy Statement on Developing Family Office Businesses in Hong Kong in March 2023 and has since implemented various measures to encourage family offices to operate in Hong Kong. Such initiatives, he said, include providing profits tax concession to family-owned investment holding vehicles managed by eligible single family offices and introducing the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme.

"The Government will introduce legislative proposals into the Legislative Council next month (June 2026) to further enhance the preferential tax regimes for funds, single family offices and carried interest, so as to further enhance the competitiveness of the tax regimes, and attract more funds and family offices to set up and operate in Hong Kong," Mr Hui said.

According to a study commissioned by Invest Hong Kong and published in February 2026, there were over 3,380 single family offices operating in Hong Kong as of end-2025, representing an increase of more than 25%, over the past two years.

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

Hashtags: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #Global #Wealth #Management #Top

*Certification represents a key milestone in the regulatory approval process for TMC USA's exploration license application

*The Company's 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 and manganese, and several rare earth elements

*NOAA will now begin preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for TMC USA's planned exploration activities in the USA B area

*The certification follows NOAA's recent determination that TMC USA's consolidated application for an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit for the USA A area is in full compliance with the requirements of the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) and its implementing regulations

NEW YORK, May 28, 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 USA B exploration license application submitted by its U.S. subsidiary, The Metals Company USA LLC (TMC USA), had been formally certified by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The USA B application area covers 122,000 km2 of seafloor and hosts an estimated 1.02 billion tonnes of polymetallic nodules based upon 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 later determined to be fully compliant on April 28, 2026.

Gerard Barron, CEO and Chairman of The Metals Company commented: "Today's certification of our USA B exploration license application marks another important milestone in NOAA's transparent, rules-based process and we look forward to the development and publication of an EIS. Exploration is a critical step to unlocking the transformative potential of the untapped nodule resource for the United States."

Certification represents a key step in a steady cadence of expected regulatory milestones:

NOAA is expected to soon publish a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, followed by the development and then publication for public comment of 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, the EIS will be finalized and NOAA will 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 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 37 peer-reviewed studies based upon the Company's dataset. Earlier this year, the Company 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 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. The agency issued comprehensive DSHMRA implementing regulations in 1981 (exploration licenses) and 1989 (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.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- General Fusion Inc. ("General Fusion" or the "Company"), a leader in the global race to commercialize fusion energy, and General Atomics Energy Group ("General Atomics") today announced collaborative work on advanced diagnostic systems that will prepare General Fusion to accurately measure high plasma temperatures up to and exceeding 10 keV, equivalent to 100 million degrees Celsius, during the second phase of the Company's ongoing Lawson Machine 26 ("LM26") program.

General Fusion previously announced its plans to go public through a business combination (the transactions contemplated by the business combination, collectively, the "Proposed Business Combination") with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. III (NASDAQ: SVAC) ("SVAC").

General Fusion's LM26 machine compresses plasma with a lithium liner and is designed to achieve key industry-recognized technical milestones to demonstrate the Company's Magnetized Target Fusion ("MTF") technology at a commercially relevant scale. LM26 is targeting plasma heating of 1 keV, equivalent to 10 million degrees Celsius; then 10 keV, equivalent to 100 million degrees Celsius; and ultimately the Lawson criterion.

General Atomics is advising on the diagnostic system required for the 10 keV milestone, including advanced tools to measure ion and electron temperature and density. In parallel, General Atomics is reviewing data from ongoing LM26 plasma compressions as General Fusion advances toward its 1 keV milestone, the next milestone on the path to 10 keV.

"Cutting-edge diagnostics are critical to our program, and we're thrilled to collaborate with General Atomics, a distinguished technology leader with deep expertise across highly specialized defense, aerospace and electromagnetic technologies, and, of course, fusion research through its operation of the U.S. Department of Energy's ("DOE") DIII-D National Fusion Facility," said General Fusion CEO Greg Twinney. "We're proud to work with them as our world-first, large-scale fusion demonstration machine targets major technical milestones using our practical MTF technology."

"Advanced diagnostics are essential to turning fusion experiments into validated engineering approaches that can support commercially relevant fusion systems," said Wayne Solomon, Vice President of Magnetic Fusion Energy for General Atomics. "General Atomics is proud to bring our decades worth of fusion expertise to this collaboration with General Fusion as the Company advances the LM26 program toward important plasma performance milestones. By connecting high-quality plasma measurements to design validation, this work reflects the kind of technical partnership needed to accelerate the path to practical fusion energy."

General Fusion previously collaborated with scientists at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, the largest magnetic fusion research device in the United States, under the DOE Frontiers of Science program.

Quick Facts: 

General Fusion's MTF is designed to solve significant barriers to commercializing fusion energy at a time when electricity demand is surging, and nations around the world are racing to commercialize fusion power.

As a technology, MTF aims to achieve fusion in a practical way, avoiding superconducting magnets and high-powered lasers, while enabling the use of existing materials for durable machines that would produce cost-effective energy.

In early 2025, General Fusion announced that it had designed, built, and begun operating its world-first LM26 fusion demonstration machine in under two years. LM26 is the first MTF demonstration machine to be built at a commercially relevant scale. It mechanically compresses plasma with a lithium liner at 50% commercial-scale diameter.

LM26 aims to achieve key fusion technical milestones: plasma heating to 1 keV (10 million degrees Celsius), then 10 keV (100 million degrees Celsius), and ultimately the Lawson criterion, the combination of fusion parameters that can produce net fusion energy in the plasma.

About General Fusion

General Fusion is pursuing a fast and practical approach to commercial fusion energy and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The Company was established in 2002 and is funded by a global syndicate of leading energy venture capital firms, industry leaders, and technology pioneers. Learn more at www.generalfusion.com. General Fusion announced in January 2026 that it plans to go public through the Proposed Business Combination with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. III (NASDAQ: SVAC).

About Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. III

Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. III is a part of a family of investment vehicles formed for the purpose of acquiring or merging with a business focused on the Power infrastructure and Decarbonization sectors. Over the past 5 years, Spring Valley has raised $920 million in four IPOs. Spring Valley I successfully completed its business combination with NuScale Power, a leading U.S. small modular reactor ("SMR") technology company, and Spring Valley II successfully completed its business combination with Eagle Nuclear Energy Corp., a next-generation nuclear energy company with rights to the largest open pit-constrained measured and indicated uranium deposit in the United States. SVAC maintains a corporate website at https://sv-ac.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

You can contact General Fusion's Investor Relations team by email at: investors@generalfusion.com.

If you are based in North America, you may also leave a toll-free voicemail at +1 (833) 717-1519. Callers outside North America can reach us at +1 (236) 253-6968. 

Media Relations Contact:

media@generalfusion.com 

1-866-904-0995

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

NEW YORK and K?PAVOGUR, Iceland, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlas Air Worldwide ("Atlas") today announced it has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire a 49% minority equity stake in Air Atlanta, a leading global provider of ACMI and aircraft management services headquartered in Iceland with operating platforms in both Iceland and Malta. This transaction establishes a strategic partnership that expands Atlas' global operating platform and enhances access to widebody capacity in key international markets.

Atlas, through its Titan Aviation Holdings subsidiary, is separately acquiring the aircraft owned by the Air Atlanta group of companies and will lease the aircraft back to the Air Atlanta airline companies for continued operation. Air Atlanta operates a fleet of 14 widebody freighters, including Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft, and also operates four passenger 777 aircraft.

"This transaction reflects Atlas' disciplined approach to strategic growth in a structurally constrained widebody freighter aircraft market, and it further advances our One Atlas strategy," said Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. "By combining Atlas' global commercial platform with Air Atlanta's complementary operating model and European-based footprint, we are expanding access to capacity and further strengthening our ability to serve customers worldwide and deliver value to our stakeholders. Air Atlanta has built a strong reputation over decades of operations, and we are excited to partner with their excellent team. Together, we believe this partnership will strengthen both organizations and position us for continued success in the evolving global aviation market."

Air Atlanta will continue to operate under its existing leadership team and operating structure, while both companies collaborate commercially to pursue incremental global growth opportunities. Following completion of the transaction, the continuing Air Atlanta management team will retain a 51% controlling interest in the airline operating companies.

"We are pleased to partner with Atlas in a transaction that strengthens our long-term growth trajectory while accelerating our position as a leading European widebody ACMI operator," said Baldvin M. Hermannsson, Chief Executive Officer, Air Atlanta. "We strongly believe in the future growth potential of Air Atlanta, especially with the strategic partnership we are entering into with Atlas today. We will have wider market reach and be better positioned to deliver flexible, high-performing capacity solutions for our existing and future customers."

"After many years dedicated to building Air Atlanta, I am proud to see the company enter its next chapter," said Hannes Hilmarsson, Executive Chairman of the Air Atlanta Group, who will step down after 20 years in leadership roles with the Company. "I leave the business in excellent hands with the existing management team and with Atlas as the perfect partner for the future. Together, they provide a strong platform for continued growth and expansion."

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

About Atlas Air Worldwide

Atlas Air Worldwide (AAWW) is the world's leader in outsourced aviation logistics. AAWW is the parent company of our principal operating subsidiary, Atlas Air, Inc., and several affiliates related to Titan's dry leasing services, and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. With approximately 5,000 employees, the AAWW companies serve a diversified customer roster across the global supply chain in more than 300 destinations in 90+ countries. Together, they operate the world's largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft and provide customers the broadest array of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and Airbus A350F (coming in 2029) freighters. To learn more, visit www.atlasairworldwide.com. Follow Atlas Air on LinkedIn and @AtlasAirWW on X (Twitter).  

About Air Atlanta

Established in 1986, Air Atlanta is a global ACMI and charter operator specializing in widebody aircraft operations. The Company provides airlines and cargo operators worldwide with flexible capacity solutions supported by deep operational expertise in widebody aircraft operations.

Contact: CorpCommunications@atlasair.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Groups protest growing plastic pollution crisis in Samoa at CCEP's Annual General Meeting

LONDON, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Members of the Samoan and Pacific Islander community and environmental advocates protested outside Coca-Cola Europacific Partners' (CCEP) annual general meeting Thursday, calling on the company to reduce single-use plastic and bring back reusable packaging systems. CCEP is Coca-Cola's largest bottler by revenue.

Headquartered in London, it produces, sells, and distributes the company's products across 31 global markets, including Western Europe, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

At the cultural protest, members from the London School of Hula and 'Ori performed traditional Samoan song and dance, including "Lo ta nu'u," and presented a performance titled "O le vasa, we are the ocean," highlighting the connection between Pacific Island communities and the ocean.

Advocates delivered a symbolic "message in a bottle," which included a letter signed by Sosaiete Faasao o Samoa / Samoa Conservation Society, Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association (SRWMA), Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), the London School of Hula and 'Ori, Break Free From Plastic (BFFP), and Oceana, placed inside a single-use plastic Coca-Cola bottle from Samoa. The letter, addressed to CCEP's CEO Damian Gammell, highlights the company's increased use of single-use plastic bottles, its effects on the oceans and Samoan communities, and how the company can help solve this problem.

In 2021, in Samoa, Coca-Cola stopped bottling its products in reusable glass bottles. Now CCEP imports large quantities of single-use plastic bottles from Fiji and New Zealand. The shift to imported plastic bottles has contributed to rising waste, much of which is littered, burned, or landfilled due to limited recycling capacity. Reportedly, imports of plastic bottles more than doubled between 2020 and 2025, and Coca-Cola products account for about one-third of beverage bottle waste in the country.

"We encourage Coca-Cola to be on the right side of history by moving back to reusable bottles, like glass, in Samoa and becoming a leader in the transition away from plastics. As one of the most recognizable global brands, we believe that Coca-Cola can be a game changer in the fight against plastics, should they choose to prioritize planet over profits, " said James Atherton of the Sosaiete Faasao o Samoa (Samoa Conservation Society).

"Given the limited capacity for plastic recycling in Samoa, most of the waste ends up being littered, illegally dumped, incinerated, or landfilled. For those of us in Samoa, we witness the consequences of your business decisions every day. On our land, across our beaches, and in our waters," the groups wrote in the letter.

"Plastic pollution and the climate crisis share the same fossil fuel origin, and Pacific Island communities bear a disproportionate share of both. The science is sobering: microplastics have been documented in 97% of fish species sampled across our ocean region - nearly 50% above the global average - yet CCEP's PET use in the Asia-Pacific outpaces its own global share. Reinstating refillable systems in Samoa is not a favour to the Pacific; it is the evidence-based, climate-consistent decision a company of CCEP's scale is well-positioned to make," said Rufino Varea, Director, Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN).

CCEP continues to sell single-use plastic in Samoa despite growing global concern over the plastic pollution crisis in the ocean and its likely impacts on human health. This trend is not unique to Samoa - according to an analysis by Oceana of CCEP's reported data, between 2020 and 2025, the company's global use of PET plastic packaging increased by over two-thirds from 198 to 335 thousand metric tons.

On the occasion of CCEP's annual general meeting, the groups are calling on Coca-Cola and CCEP to transition back to reusable packaging, reduce single-use plastic, and invest in waste management solutions in affected communities.

"Performed in Sāmoa and London by members from across Pacific communities, this Sāmoan hymn and Sāsā reflects the pride we hold in our cultures and ways of life, our gratitude for the Earth and Oceans that sustain us, and the unity that binds us in protecting these things for generations to come," said Krysten Resnick, Founder and Director of the London School of Hula and 'Ori.

"Coca-Cola and CCEP have an opportunity in Samoa to right a wrong by bringing back reusable glass bottles and eliminating their plastic bottle waste. Reuse is the right choice for supporting healthy communities and protecting our oceans," said Dr. Dana Miller, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives for Oceana.

"Coca-Cola has been the world's worst plastic polluter six years running, accounting for at least 11% of all branded plastic waste found in the environment. And yet, rather than scaling up the reusable glass bottle systems that reduce single-use plastic, the company is phasing them out in places like Samoa. This company has the solution and all the know-how to make it work. Instead, it is actively choosing a path that generates more pollution - to the detriment of the communities and ecosystems left to deal with its waste. Coca-Cola must bring back reusable glass, urgently and at scale," said Emma Priestland, Global Corporate Campaigns Coordinator for #BreakFreeFromPlastic

To read the full letter to CCEP, click here.

Photos are available here.

Additional Background: 

The protest and letter come amid growing global scrutiny of Coca-Cola's sustainability practices. A peer-reviewed study in the journal Science found that Coca-Cola was the number one polluter of branded plastic found in the environment.

Despite its rapidly growing plastic footprint, the company abandoned its goal to increase reusable packaging in December 2024.

In 2025, Oceana released a report that projects The Coca-Cola Company's plastic use will exceed 9.1 billion pounds (4.1 million metric tons) per year by 2030 if the company does not change its practices. This would be nearly a 40% increase over the company's reported plastic use in 2018 and a 20% increase over the company's most recently reported plastic use in 2023, which was already enough plastic to circle the Earth more than 100 times.

The report also estimates that up to 1.3 billion pounds (602,000 metric tons) of the plastic packaging that Coca-Cola uses annually by 2030 would enter the world's waterways and oceans if the company continues on its current course. This amount of plastic could fill the stomachs of over 18 million blue whales.

The Oceana report also found that Coca-Cola could reduce its annual plastic use below current levels if it were to reach 26.4% reusable packaging by 2030.

In December 2021, the Samoa Conservation Society delivered a petition to Coca-Cola South Pacific asking the company to resume glass bottling in the country.

About the Sosaiete Faasao o Samoa:

Sosaiete Faasao O Samoa / The Samoa Conservation Society is a Samoan non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting the conservation of Samoa's natural heritage and helping the public reduce their environmental impacts and develop greener lifestyles. We work collaboratively with communities, the Government and NGO partners to raise awareness on the state of, and threats to, Samoa's environment and biodiversity. We also teach the public and youth groups about our natural heritage and the practical actions we can take to promote species and ecosystem conservation and to reduce our environmental footprint.

About PICAN:

The Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) is a regional alliance of civil society organisations working on climate change in the Pacific region. Since 2013, it has brought together civil society actors across the Pacific Island countries, advocating for climate justice and environmental integrity. PICAN aims to unite civil society under a common voice to increase the influence and impact of their advocacy demands on Pacific Island governments, leading non-Pacific governments to respond with more powerful and ambitious climate change policies and action at the national and regional level.

About LSHO:

The London School of Hula and 'Ori (LSHO) is a cultural arts organisation dedicated to preserving and advancing Pacific heritage through lineage-based cultural practice, education, performance, and community engagement. LSHO provides a vital space where Pacific diaspora communities in London/UK, as well as anyone interested in Pacific cultural arts, can gather, learn, and participate, helping to create a more visible presence where Pacific arts, knowledge, and communities are valued, connected, and sustained.

About Oceana:

Oceana is the largest international organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world's wild fish catch. With more than 350 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana's campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.

About BFFP:

#BreakFreeFromPlastic (BFFP) is a global movement envisioning a future free from plastic pollution. Since its launch in 2016, more than 3500 member organizations and 11,000 individual supporters in 186 countries have joined the movement to demand massive reductions in single-use plastics and push for lasting solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. BFFP member organizations and individuals share the values of environmental protection and social justice and work together through a holistic approach to bring about systemic change. This means tackling plastic pollution across the whole plastics value chain?from extraction to disposal?focusing on prevention rather than cure and providing effective solutions.

Media Contacts:

Oceana: Gillian Spolarich / gspolarich@oceana.org

Sosaiete Faasao o Samoa (Samoa Conservation Society): James Atherton / jatherton67@gmail.com

Pacific Islands Climate Action Network: Dylan Kava / dylan.kava@pican.org

BFFP: Caro Gonz?lez / caro@breakfreefromplastic.org 

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following the successful completion of the spin-off of Octave Intelligence plc (Nasdaq: OCTV) ("Octave") from parent-company Hexagon AB on May 22, Octave's Swedish depository receipts commenced trading on Nasdaq Stockholm on May 25 and Octave's Class B ordinary shares will commence trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in New York ("Nasdaq New York") today.

Building on thirty years of expertise and partnership with the world's biggest and most complex organizations, including more than 60% of the Global Fortune 500, Octave delivers connected, contextual intelligence solutions for the organizations who can't afford to fail.

"Organizations responsible for the world's most critical assets are generating data that creates intelligence everywhere but is connected nowhere," said Mattias Stenberg, chief executive officer of Octave. "Octave unlocks results by connecting that data and intelligence with context and AI-driven insight across every asset, facility and organization. Today marks a new day for our customers, employees and partners."

Every day, the world's most complex organizations - power grids, rail networks, manufacturing plants, public safety systems, entire cities ? keep critical infrastructure running through Octave's solutions by connecting expertise, real-world conditions, and enterprise-scale insight to improve performance, resilience, and incident response where it matters most.

By linking data, decisions, and outcomes across the design, build, operate and protect phases, Octave creates shared knowledge where every new data source strengthens the system, yielding compounding insight over time.

"This new chapter marks a new focus - as an organization deeply committed to solving our customers' toughest challenges in a rapidly changing world," continued Stenberg. "The future of technology is won by the companies who can deliver meaningful outcomes at scale. Octave is positioned to meet this through our unmatched depth of connected, contextual intelligence."

Shareholder Information

On April 24, 2026, the Annual General Meeting of Hexagon AB ("Hexagon") resolved to distribute all shares in its wholly-owned subsidiary Octave Intelligence plc to Hexagon's shareholders. Shareholders of Hexagon as per the record date of May 22, 2026, have received one class A ordinary share in Octave for every ten Series A shares held in Hexagon, and one class B ordinary share in Octave for every ten Series B shares held in Hexagon.

On May 22, the distribution of Octave from Hexagon completed and non-affiliate holders of Series B shares in Hexagon received Octave's class B ordinary shares by way of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) ("SEB") issuing Swedish depository receipts ("SDRs"). Each SDR represents one underlying class B ordinary share in Octave and was deposited into shareholders' Euroclear Sweden accounts.

Today, Octave's class B ordinary shares will commence trading on Nasdaq New York under the ticker symbol "OCTV" with the ISIN code IE0003YHD8K8 and the CUSIP G22845 104. On May 25, Octave SDRs commenced traded on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker symbol "OCTV SDB" with the ISIN code SE0028329433.

Holders of SDRs may cancel their SDRs to receive the underlying class B ordinary shares. Conversion is effected through the SDR program and the Euroclear Sweden and Depository Trust Company settlement systems and must be initiated by the bank, broker or other nominee through which the applicable SDRs are held. The holder's bank, broker or other nominee will be responsible for transmitting the relevant instructions to SEB, the SDR depositary. Following receipt of a valid conversion instruction, the relevant SDRs will be cancelled, and the corresponding class B ordinary shares will be delivered to the holder's designated account. Such conversion will be free of charge during the initial six months from and including the first day of trading in Octave SDRs on Nasdaq Stockholm, and thereafter requires payment of a conversion fee by the holder or its nominee or broker. Holders should contact their bank, broker or other nominee for detailed instructions and timing applicable to their account.

Advisors

Morgan Stanley, Rothschild & Co and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) are lead financial advisors to Hexagon and Octave in relation to the distribution and listings of Octave. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Mannheimer Swartling Advokatbyr? AB and Arthur Cox LLP are legal counsel to Hexagon and Octave as to U.S., Swedish and Irish law, respectively, in relation to the distribution and listings of Octave.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this communication, words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan" and "project" are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to the recently completed separation from Hexagon, Octave's operation as an independent public company, the commencement and continued trading of Octave securities, market conditions, technological advances, product demand and market acceptance, the effect of economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, foreign currency exchange rates and other risks and uncertainties described in Octave's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements reflect management's views as of the date they are made and are based on current expectations and assumptions, which are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results and developments in the markets and industries in which Octave operates may differ materially from those described in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Octave disclaims any intention or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:   

Investors: Elizabeth Chwalk, VP, Investor Relations, Octave +1 401-749-0278, elizabeth.chwalk@octave.com 

Media: media@octave.com 

About Octave:

Octave provides mission-critical software that empowers organizations to make informed decisions across every stage of the asset lifecycle - Design, Build, Operate and Protect - where performance, safety, and reliability are non-negotiable and failure is not an option. 

Turning complex operational data into actionable intelligence, Octave connects expertise, real-world conditions and enterprise-scale insight to improve performance, resilience and incident response where it matters most. 

Octave has approximately 7,200 employees in 45 countries. Learn more at octave.com and follow us on LinkedIn. 

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

As the world celebrates UN World Bicycle Day on 3 June, VisitDenmark invites international travellers to discover Denmark through Danish Wheelness - a way of experiencing the country through cycling, wellbeing and everyday local life.

Copenhagen, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In Denmark, cycling is much more than a means of transport. It is deeply embedded in the culture and plays an essential role in daily life, wellbeing and social connection. With approximately 2.2 million bike trips every day and more than 16,000 kilometres of signposted cycling routes nationwide, Denmark offers visitors an easy and enjoyable way to experience the country at a slower pace.

From urban cycling in Copenhagen and scenic coastal routes to island adventures and countryside escapes, travelling by bike offers visitors the chance to experience Danish nature, culture and local life up close.

The concept of Danish Wheelness? combines "wheel" and "wellness" and reflects a distinctly Danish approach to active living, where movement is naturally integrated into everyday routines. Here, cycling is not viewed as exercise or performance, but simply as part of living well.

Cycling and wellbeing go hand in hand

The United Nations established World Bicycle Day to celebrate cycling as a sustainable, accessible and inclusive form of mobility - values that have long been part of Danish society.

Beyond transportation, cycling also contributes significantly to physical and mental wellbeing.

"Cycling works like a natural antidepressant," explains Danish Professor of Integrative Medicine Bente Klarlund Pedersen. "When you cycle, your muscles convert stress-related substances into a harmless form that cannot affect the brain."

In Copenhagen alone, around 45% of residents commute by bike, demonstrating how cycling naturally fits into everyday life in Denmark.

Experience Danish Wheelness

Through Danish Wheelness, VisitDenmark invites travellers to experience Denmark like a local, combining active travel with nature, culture and everyday wellbeing. Whether exploring Copenhagen by bike, cycling along dramatic coastlines or discovering smaller towns and landscapes, visitors can experience a way of travelling that is both active and relaxing.

Explore Denmark on two wheels

Across the country, cycling routes range from relaxed scenic rides to longer adventures and more challenging terrain. Highlights include:

The architectural BIG bike tour, Copenhagen (22 km): A cycling route through Copenhagen's evolving neighbourhoods, showcasing iconic architecture by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), with stops for food, drinks, and cultural highlights along the way.

?rnbjergruten, Mols Bjerge National Park (34 km): Rolling Ice Age landscapes, lakes and historic landmarks in one of Denmark's most scenic natural areas.

The Castle Route 48 (75 km): Connecting Kronborg Castle and Frederiksborg Castle through the UNESCO-listed landscape of North Zealand.

The Fjord Route (275 km): A long-distance route through fjords, Viking heritage sites, coastal scenery and small villages.

L?s? Island Route (54 km): Peaceful roads and flat terrain ideal for relaxed cycling holidays.

The Panoramic Route 421, M?n: A scenic ride through UNESCO Biosphere landscapes leading to the iconic white cliffs of M?n.

 Cycling events throughout the year also celebrate Denmark's strong bike culture. One example is the World Tour cycling race Copenhagen Sprint on 13?14 June, which will bring elite riders and cycling festivities to the Danish capital.

"Denmark offers a wide range of cycling routes and events to discover. Copenhagen Sprint is a great example of how cycling brings people together, supported by strong infrastructure and a long-standing cycling culture," says Line N?hr Kobzili, CMO at VisitDenmark.

Assets and further information

VisitDenmark has developed a concept film showcasing the Danish cycling lifestyle, available for editorial use and offering a visual introduction to Danish Wheelness

Download the Danish Wheelness concept film and PR images here: https://we.tl/t-J8PuWBF5H0

Additional images: https://platform.crowdriff.com/m/visitdenmark

Learn more:

www.visitdenmark.com/press/danish-wheelness

www.visitdenmark.com/danishwheelness

Facts and figures

Danish Wheelness is a registered trademark

Denmark offers more than 16,000 km of cycling routes

Around 45% of Copenhagen residents commute by bike

Copenhagen Sprint takes place 13-14 June 2026

For further comments, interviews and press trips

VisitDenmark organises exclusive press trips across Denmark, offering firsthand insights into how Danish Wheelness is experienced throughout the country. For comments or interviews, please contact:

Kathrine Lind Gustavussen

Senior International Press Manager

klg@visitdenmark.com

+45 20 65 33 58

About VisitDenmark

VisitDenmark is Denmark's official tourism organisation, dedicated to promoting Denmark as a sustainable, inspiring and meaningful travel destination worldwide.

Attachment

Copenhagen - Queen Louises Bridge ?Abdellah Ihadian

Kathrine Lind Gustavussen

VisitDenmark

+45 20 65 33 58

klg@visitdenmark.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

The convergence of progressive policies and large-scale infrastructure developed by Vingroup is positioning Vietnam as a rising hub for the global events and experience economy.

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 May 2026 - Across the Asia-Pacific region, the experience economy is undergoing a major shift. In many established destinations, rising venue and accommodation costs are forcing 73% of event organizers to tighten budgets, according to Mordor Intelligence.

At the same time, political uncertainties in several markets are prompting international investors to take a more cautious approach toward long-term commitments.

Against this backdrop, Vietnam is increasingly drawing attention as a new destination for global exhibitions, live entertainment, and large-scale experiential events. Political stability, sustained economic growth, a young population with rising spending power, and coordinated efforts from both the government and the private sector are contributing to the country's growing appeal.

This is "a golden opportunity" for Vietnam's cultural industries, said Dr. Can Van Luc, Chief Economist at BIDV, during the 2026 Exhibition, Event and Advertising Summit held at the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) on May 8.

According to Dr. Lực, Vietnam has maintained an average annual growth rate of 6.4% over four decades of the Doi Moi economic reform without experiencing a major economic crisis. Per capita income has now surpassed USD 5,000 and is projected to reach USD 8,500 by 2030, fueling demand for entertainment, sports, and live events.

Vietnam's growing profile is also reflected in its position among the world's Top 20 trading economies, Top 15 destinations for foreign direct investment, and its 29-place rise in the Index of Economic Freedom. These macroeconomic advantages are increasingly translating into tangible momentum for the country's event industry.

Vietnam's MICE sector is currently valued at approximately USD 6 billion, while the advertising market has reached USD 3.5 billion. The live entertainment industry alone has generated more than USD 50 million in revenue, supported by over 700 large-scale events annually and more than USD 1 billion in economic spillover from international visitors, according to data presented at the summit.

Much of this momentum is being driven by parallel advances in policy reform and infrastructure development.

Policy Reforms Open New Opportunities

As Vietnam enters a new phase of development, culture is increasingly being positioned as a strategic growth driver.

"Culture is not only the spiritual foundation of society, but is increasingly becoming an intrinsic resource, a development driver, and a source of national soft power," Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism L?m Thị Phương Thanh said at the summit.

Earlier this year, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 80 on the development of Vietnamese culture, setting targets for cultural industries to contribute 7% of GDP by 2030 and 9% by 2045. The National Assembly also passed Resolution No. 28/2026/QH16, widely viewed as a significant step toward easing restrictions in the cultural, exhibition, and performance sectors by reducing barriers related to taxation, land access, and administrative procedures.

Key measures include a commitment to allocate at least 2% of the annual state budget to culture, establish a cultural venture investment fund, reduce VAT to 5%, and introduce tax incentives for exhibitions, performances, and sports-related activities. Policies encouraging the development of creative complexes with dedicated land and infrastructure incentives are also expected to accelerate industry growth.

If policy reforms are laying the groundwork, infrastructure is becoming the decisive factor in Vietnam's ability to compete for international mega-events.

"You cannot attract ministers, government representatives, or the world's 5,000 largest corporations by chance. They come because of deliberate planning and infrastructure development," said Geoff Dickinson, CEO of dmg events, one of the world's leading energy event organizers.

Infrastructure Scales Up

The rapid development of Vietnam's event industry is increasingly being shaped by major private-sector investments.

Among the most prominent projects is the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Hanoi, developed by Vingroup. Covering 900,000 square meters, VEC has been positioned as one of Southeast Asia's largest all-in-one exposition and event complexes.

Vingroup's world-class organization and operational excellence have already been proven through legendary mega-events, most notably bringing G-Dragon's "?bermensch" World Tour to Vietnam under the 8Wonder brand. Leveraging this proven expertise, VEC is designed to seamlessly execute the next generation of large-scale activations. Looking ahead, this operational blueprint will further expand across the Vingroup ecosystem, notably with the upcoming VEC Can Gio project in Ho Chi Minh City, the Blue Wave Theater-a 60,000-capacity venue set to become the largest in Southeast Asia.

Jason Yan, Partner at M Square Capital, the investment fund behind the Ultra Worldwide EDM festival franchise, said VEC's physical infrastructure and operational model meet the requirements for hosting global-scale productions.

"We are no longer only looking at festival organization. Success in this industry also depends on artist management and venue operations. Vingroup has clearly invested in building those capabilities," he said.

Further ahead, the group is investing in mega-projects designed to elevate Vietnam's position in the global event infrastructure landscape. These include the planned H?ng Vương Stadium, expected to open in 2028 with a capacity of 135,000 seats and designed to meet FIFA and international entertainment standards.

Another project, the 60,000-seat PVF Stadium, will feature a PTFE retractable roof capable of opening and closing within 12 to 20 minutes, addressing weather-related challenges for outdoor concerts and sporting events.

Beyond venue development, Vingroup has also assembled a broader ecosystem supporting the event industry.

Green SM operates more than 186,000 electric taxis and motorbikes across 34 provinces and four countries, helping support transportation and logistics for large-scale events and international delegations.

Vinpearl provides more than 16,100 hotel rooms and villas across major tourism and economic centers, alongside golf courses and VinWonders entertainment complexes, contributing integrated hospitality capacity for large events.

The ecosystem is further complemented by V-Spirit, an international event organizer; V-Culture Talent, a talent development organization; and VinPalace, a network of convention and culinary centers.

Together, policy reforms, private capital, and large-scale infrastructure investments are creating conditions that could significantly reshape Vietnam's role in the global events industry.

"We believe this is Vietnam's moment," Dickinson said. "The combination of national ambition and world-class infrastructure has the potential to transform the country into a major destination for global events."

About the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC)

The Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) is Southeast Asia's largest exhibition complex, covering more than 90 hectares. As a destination for major national and international events, VEC pursues the mission of "Bring Vietnam to the world and bring the world to Vietnam," serving as a gateway where global excellence converges and Vietnamese identity reaches audiences worldwide, while contributing to the growth of key economic sectors and strengthening Vietnam's position on the global stage.

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

Hashtags: #VEC

LUXEMBOURG, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stoneshield Capital, a leading European investment firm focused on building and scaling platforms across real assets, announced today the final close of Stoneshield Opportunity Fund IV at its hard cap of EUR1.5 billion in total capital commitments, excluding co-investments, surpassing its original EUR1.0 billion target.

The Fund closed within six months at twice the size of its predecessor fund, underscoring the strength of Stoneshield's differentiated investment strategy, institutional platform and track record of execution. The pace of the fundraise was particularly notable in the current environment, where, according to Preqin, real estate funds globally have averaged 17 months to close.

The Fund was significantly oversubscribed, with aggregate interest surpassing EUR2.0 billion. The fundraise was anchored by strong support from Stoneshield's existing global limited partners, with a 100% re-up rate, and was expanded through commitments from a select group of new global investors, including leading sovereign wealth funds, global consultants, pensions, insurance companies, endowments, family offices, and foundations across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Fund IV will pursue control-oriented investments across European real assets and related corporate platforms, using ownership of the underlying asset base as the foundation to build and scale operating businesses. The Fund will focus on sectors supported by structural tailwinds, supply constraints and operational complexity, including energy infrastructure, living, student housing, hospitality, and critical infrastructure. To date, Fund IV has completed its initial investments, these include a ?150 million joint venture with Neinor Homes to develop the largest premium residential project launched in Marbella in recent years; a 9.5% stake in Meli? Hotels International, making Stoneshield the company's second-largest shareholder and giving the firm board representation at one of Europe's leading hospitality platforms; and a 15% stake acquisition in Exolum, one of Europe's leading energy logistics and critical biofuels infrastructure platforms.

image2.png

Stoneshield's Managing Partners, Felipe Moren?s Bot?n and Juan Pepa, said, "We are grateful for the strong support from our existing and new investors, whose conviction reflects confidence in Stoneshield's differentiated approach to European real assets. Our strategy is to bring a US private equity playbook to Europe, investing where hard asset ownership, operating capability and corporate complexity converge, and where disciplined underwriting and hands-on execution can unlock outsized value. Fund IV gives us the scale to continue executing that strategy: sourcing proprietary opportunities, scaling platforms around high-quality asset bases, and actively partnering with management teams to unlock growth through operational improvement and strategic repositioning. Europe remains a highly attractive market for investors who can pair local access with institutional execution and a control-oriented ownership mindset."

PJT Park Hill and UBS Investment Bank served as financial advisors and placement agents to Stoneshield.

About Stoneshield Capital

Stoneshield Capital is a leading European investment firm with over EUR8 billion in AUM. Based in Luxembourg, it has a dedicated team of 30+ investment professionals working across European cities including Madrid, Lisbon and Dublin and over 30,000 professionals across portfolio companies.

Stoneshield was founded in 2018 by Juan Pepa and Felipe Moren?s Bot?n (the "Managing Partners") to capitalize on long-term real assets and private equity opportunities in Europe through a platform-led investment approach. Stoneshield was recently ranked among PERE's Top 100 global fundraising franchises.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f14ac2ad-4cee-4472-8d2d-ac58fdef4c2e

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e94dacde-674b-4a0f-b68e-436f8167bd92

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

The alcohol-free spirits pioneer strengthens its offering with a plant-based whisky alternative created for consumers seeking taste, ritual, and sophistication without alcohol

MIAMI, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARKAY Beverages, a pioneer in alcohol-free spirits founded in 2011, today announced the expansion of its zero-proof beverage portfolio with the introduction of BEYOND SPIRITS, including BEYOND WHISKY Plant-Based, a new alcohol-free whisky alternative designed for modern consumers who want the experience of spirits without alcohol.

The launch of BEYOND SPIRITS reflects ARKAY's continued mission to redefine celebration by offering premium, alcohol-free alternatives that support responsibility, wellness, inclusion, and safer social experiences. With BEYOND WHISKY Plant-Based, ARKAY is expanding its portfolio to serve consumers who want the flavor profile, ritual, and sophistication of whisky while avoiding alcohol, intoxication, hangovers, and loss of control.

"ARKAY was created to give people a better way to celebrate," said Reynald Vito Grattagliano, Founder of ARKAY Beverages. "With BEYOND SPIRITS and BEYOND WHISKY Plant-Based, we are taking another important step in offering consumers more choice, more freedom, and a premium alcohol-free experience that fits today's lifestyle."

The alcohol-free beverage category continues to grow as consumers increasingly look for alternatives that align with health-conscious living, sober curiosity, religious or cultural choices, recovery, professional responsibility, driving safety, and personal wellness. ARKAY believes that consumers should not have to choose between participating in social moments and staying alcohol-free.

BEYOND WHISKY Plant-Based was developed for people who enjoy the character and ritual of whisky but prefer a beverage without alcohol. It can be enjoyed neat, over ice, or as part of alcohol-free cocktails, giving consumers and hospitality operators a flexible option for bars, restaurants, hotels, events, retail, e-commerce, and at-home consumption.

For ARKAY, the launch is more than a product announcement. It is part of a broader movement to make alcohol-free drinking more accessible, more sophisticated, and more socially accepted around the world.

"Consumers are changing," added Grattagliano. "They want options. They want balance. They want products that allow them to enjoy the moment without compromising their health, safety, or values. BEYOND WHISKY Plant-Based gives them another way to enjoy the taste and ritual of whisky without alcohol."

The BEYOND SPIRITS portfolio is designed to support a wide range of customers, including sober-curious consumers, people in recovery, designated drivers, wellness-focused individuals, professionals, athletes, religious communities, and anyone seeking a premium alcohol-free alternative.

ARKAY also sees strong potential for BEYOND SPIRITS in the hospitality and retail sectors. Restaurants, hotels, bars, lounges, resorts, event venues, supermarkets, specialty retailers, and distributors are increasingly looking for premium alcohol-free options that can satisfy changing consumer demand. BEYOND WHISKY Plant-Based gives these businesses another tool to serve guests who want a sophisticated drinking experience without alcohol.

The launch also supports ARKAY's international growth strategy as the company continues to expand its presence in the United States, Europe, and other global markets. As alcohol-free beverages become a larger part of the beverage industry, ARKAY aims to remain at the forefront of innovation by offering products that combine taste, lifestyle, and responsibility.

ARKAY invites distributors, retailers, restaurants, hotels, hospitality partners, e-commerce sellers, influencers, brand ambassadors, and affiliates to explore opportunities with the BEYOND SPIRITS portfolio.

The company is also preparing an affiliate and brand ambassador program to help expand awareness of ARKAY and BEYOND SPIRITS among consumers, creators, and communities interested in alcohol-free living.

No alcohol. No hangovers. No drunk driving. No loss of control. Just the experience, the flavor, and the moment.

About ARKAY Beverages

ARKAY Beverages is a premium alcohol-free spirits and beverage brand founded in 2011 by Reynald Vito Grattagliano. ARKAY was created to deliver the taste, ritual, and sophistication of spirits without alcohol. The brand is dedicated to responsible celebration, wellness, safer communities, family values, and inclusion in social environments worldwide.

ARKAY offers alcohol-free alternatives for modern consumers who want to enjoy social moments without intoxication, hangovers, drunk driving, or loss of control. Its portfolio includes zero-proof alternatives inspired by classic spirits and cocktails, created for consumers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, hotels, bars, events, and e-commerce platforms.

For more information, visit https://arkaybeverages.com.

Media Contact

ARKAY Beverages

Reynald Vito Grattagliano

Email: Reynald@arkaybeverages.com

Website: https://arkaybeverages.com/beyond-spirits/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd613b25-caf2-49a6-a980-f77567e91c1d

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 May 2026 - CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, the operator of ASEAN's leading wholesaler - retailer Makro and Lotus's, will strengthen mall development and asset management at Makro in Thailand under a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed with Ayala Corporation, one of the Philippines' largest conglomerates. Through its consumer retail and mall arms, ACx Holdings Corporation ("ACx") and AyalaLand Malls, Inc ("ALMI"), the partnership will also unlock greater shared value from CP AXTRA's mall assets nationwide.

Under the agreement, ACx and ALMI will share methodologies and best practices in mall asset operations, leasing strategy and project development to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experience and maximize the long-term value of CP AXTRA's land and assets, initially focusing on seven key stores of Makro. The parties will also explore future investment opportunities related to mall and asset development in Thailand, alongside collaborative initiatives for the development of new sites and the redevelopment of existing CP AXTRA sites across the country. This is the third agreement signed between CP AXTRA and Ayala, underscoring the strong partnership and continued collaboration between the two groups, following their previous agreements to operate Makro in the Philippines and expand regional business opportunities.

"This agreement with Ayala allows us to combine CP AXTRA's deep understanding of the Thai retail market with Ayala's decades of experience in developing and leasing shopping mall spaces. By applying proven methodologies to our Makro mall, we aim to elevate the standards of the retail environment we offer, not only improving the experience for our shoppers and tenants, but also fostering sustainable growth and creating long-term value for our asset and the surrounding community," said Tanit Chearavanont, Group Chief Wholesale Business Officer, CP AXTRA Public Company Limited."

"This is another milestone in our growing relationship and collaboration with the CP Group. Through this partnership, we intend to leverage the complementary strengths of two leading conglomerates to create world-class retail and real estate developments across markets. This also marks Ayala's entry into the Thailand market, giving us a strong opportunity not only to share our expertise, but also to gain valuable insights from one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic and developed retail markets. More broadly, this partnership aligns with Ayala's strategy of bringing the best of the world to the Philippines while showcasing the best of the Philippines to the world," said Mark Uy, Managing Director and Group Head of Strategy and Business Development, Ayala Corporation.

"Makro's nationwide footprint gives it a meaningful role in the everyday lives of Thai consumers. Our opportunity is to help turn that everyday relevance into places people choose to stay, explore, and return to. By combining CP AXTRA's market knowledge with Ayala Malls' experience in curating retail partners, improving customer journeys, and building community-oriented retail destinations, we believe these sites can become stronger platforms for shoppers, merchant partners, and long-term asset growth," said Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Managing Director and Group Head of Leasing and Hospitality of Ayala Land.

The collaboration brings two complementary strengths together. CP AXTRA is one of ASEAN's leading wholesale and retail operators, with more than 2,700 Makro and Lotus's stores. The company is a regional leader in multi-format, omnichannel retail platforms across Southeast Asia and is advancing toward retail-tech company. ALMI, is one of the Philippines' leading mall operators, managing 34 shopping centers recognized for their strong retail planning, curated tenant mix, and enhanced customer experience across Southeast Asia. With extensive expertise in leasing, mall operations, facility management, and mixed-use development, ALMI is well positioned to support CP AXTRA in maximizing the value and potential of its Makro mall assets in Thailand. Ayala Corporation also brings a broader consumer and enterprise ecosystem that can complement CP AXTRA's regional retail expansion, while ACx, its consumer retail unit, adds perspective on evolving customer behavior, format innovation, and retail partnerships.

The MoC builds on the two groups' existing strategic partnership, which began in 2025 with the formation of CP AXTRA AC CORPORATION to operate Makro stores in the Philippines and was expanded to include a wider range of collaborative opportunities. This new agreement deepens that partnership further, marking the first time Ayala will bring its mall development and leasing expertise directly to CP AXTRA's operations in Thailand.

About CP AXTRA

CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, is an operator of Asia's leading wholesaler and retailer, Makro and Lotus's. The Company is based in Thailand, with operation across 10 countries. CP AXTRA is committed to fulfilling people's lives with good health, love, joy, and well-being, by providing solutions and meeting customers' daily needs with technology, innovation, and operational excellence. With over 30 years of retail experience, CP AXTRA is a trusted partner for both B2B and B2C customers, offering a comprehensive range of products and services. Today, it manages over 2,700 offline stores in Thailand and Asia, with strong online presence.

About Ayala Corporation

For more than 190 years, Ayala Corporation has been building businesses that enable people to thrive.

Ayala, currently one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines, has meaningful presence in real estate, banking, digital services and telecommunications, and renewable energy. It likewise has a growing presence in healthcare, mobility, and logistics as well as investments in industrial technologies, education, and other ventures. Ayala manages its corporate social responsibility initiatives through Ayala Foundation.

About Ayala Malls

Ayala Malls is the premier lifestyle mall network in the Philippines, known for creating vibrant, well-curated destinations that bring together shopping, dining, culture, and community experiences. With 34 malls nationwide, Ayala Malls continues to lead in elevating the Filipino retail experience by offering a diverse mix of global and local brands, innovative spaces, and enriching events that celebrate local creativity and inclusivity. As part of Ayala Land, the country's leading real estate developer, Ayala Malls is committed to building dynamic, sustainable spaces where people can connect, thrive, and enjoy life's everyday moments.

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

Hashtags: #CPAXTRA

MarsLab outlines a system-first approach to AI inference infrastructure for enterprise and edge deployment scenarios.

Pitch Notes:

*This announcement introduces MarsLab's Singapore-based AI inference infrastructure roadmap, with a focus on system-level validation, enterprise and edge AI workloads, and practical deployment considerations. Please distribute to Southeast Asia only and exclude Mainland China.

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 May 2026 - MarsLab Pte Ltd today introduced its Singapore-based AI inference infrastructure roadmap, focused on deployment-oriented systems for enterprise and edge AI workloads.

MarsLab takes a system-first approach to AI infrastructure, bringing together hardware systems, software stack integration, workload validation, and deployment economics. The company is focused on practical scenarios where AI inference needs to operate reliably across real-world environments, including enterprise applications, edge deployment, and industry-specific systems.

MarsLab's near-term M100 platform is designed for commercial and system-level validation. The platform is intended to help the company evaluate real workloads, software behavior, integration requirements, operational constraints, and customer deployment needs. These learnings will support MarsLab's longer-term M200 roadmap, which is planned as a future self-designed silicon direction informed by practical deployment data.

"We believe future AI infrastructure should be developed with a system-first mindset," said Zhongwei Liao, CEO of MarsLab. "Before moving toward deeper technology roadmaps, it is important to understand real workloads, system integration requirements, and deployment economics in practical environments."

MarsLab is building its presence in Singapore and engaging with partners across Southeast Asia's semiconductor and AI infrastructure ecosystem. The company aims to support enterprises and technology partners seeking practical, efficient, and deployable AI inference infrastructure.

About MarsLab Pte Ltd

MarsLab Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based AI inference infrastructure company focused on enterprise and edge AI deployment scenarios. The company works across hardware systems, software stack integration, workload validation, and deployment economics, with a system-first approach to practical AI infrastructure.

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

Hashtags: #AIInfrastructure #AIInference #EdgeAI #EnterpriseAI #Singapore

https://www.marslabai.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/marslab-ai/

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 May 2026 - The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) today (27 May) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Informa Markets, a leading global trade exhibition organiser, to establish a strategic partnership that will jointly bring a portfolio of premium international exhibition IPs to Hong Kong.

Through the global exhibition platform, The Festival of Connoisseurs (TFOC), the partnership will introduce a diverse range of globally influential premium MICE events under Asia's first-ever "city-as-your-showroom" concept, further reinforcing Hong Kong's standing as "the World's Meeting Place" and attracting more high-value visitors to the city.

Dr. Peter Lam, HKTB Chairman, said, "This partnership is of great significance. It not only elevates Hong Kong's position as a premier global destination for high-end MICE tourism, but also affirms the city's vital role as a 'super-connector' and a 'super value-adder' between the Chinese Mainland and the world. At the same time, the collaboration drives the development of Hong Kong's high-end tourism market and helps attract more international brands and high-value visitors to the city. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tourism Commission, our trade partners and stakeholders for their unwavering support as we work hand in hand to advance Hong Kong's journey as the World's Meeting Place."

Ms. Margaret Ma Connolly, President & CEO, Informa Markets Asia, said, "Hong Kong has been at the heart of Informa's story in Asia for over three decades. In that time, we have grown alongside this city - through its transformations, its resilience, and its continued reinvention as one of most influential business destinations in the world. The decision to launch The Festival of Connoisseurs here is not simply a commercial one. It is a profound statement of conviction. We believe Hong Kong stands as the sovereign gateway between the world's second largest economy and the global stage, where the Eastern prosperity meets the Western artistry. By bringing together the resources, know-how and expertise of Informa's global luxury portfolio - from the world's most prestigious boat shows to the finest Jewellery fairs, from the exclusive private aviation platforms in Dubai to the spectacular supercar showcases in Monaco - and anchoring them here in Hong Kong, we are establishing Asia's definitive luxury show platform for the long term."

Under the three-year MoU, the HKTB and Informa Markets will work together to position Hong Kong as the host city of TFOC from 2026 to 2028, and will develop the event into an annual flagship MICE event while progressively expanding its scale and international reach. Departing from traditional exhibition formats, TFOC will adopt the "city-as-your-showroom" concept, a first in Asia, extending beyond a single venue to span multiple landmarks and signature locations across Hong Kong, showcasing the city's distinctive charm and diversity. TFOC will cover prestige sectors including supercars, yachts, haute jewellery and horology, premium travel, masterpieces of art, iconic luxury properties, private aviation, fine dining and rare spirits, as well as wellness services and products. In addition to serving professional buyers across various sectors, the "city-as-your-showroom" approach also engages high-yield tourism segments and the general public (B2B2C), offering a fresh and elevated travel experience.

Furthermore, the HKTB plans to participate in five of Informa Markets' major international high-end exhibitions in collaboration with TFOC: the globally renowned Monaco Yacht Show; the Palm Beach International Boat Show; the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show; Jewellery Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council region's leading haute jewellery and horology show; as well as Top Marques Monaco, which will be staged in Asia for the first time by extending to Hong Kong. Collectively, they will further promote Hong Kong's strengths in MICE tourism to global audiences.

Photo: Major guests also posed for a group photograph after the signing ceremony, including: (back row, from left) Mr. Dan Ye, Vice President of Informa Markets, Ms. Marilyn Tham, HKTB General Manager of Mega Events, MICE & Cruise, Ms Joanne Chu, Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Dr. Peter Lam, HKTB Chairman, Mr. Stephen Carter, Group CEO, Informa Group, Ms. Enid Low, Chief Strategy Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, Ms. Suzanne Wang, Chief Financial Officer of Informa Markets Asia, Mr. Michael Duck, EVP Commercial Development of Informa Markets Asia; and Mr. Anthony Lau, HKTB Executive Director (front left), and Ms. Margaret Ma Connolly, President & CEO of Informa Markets Asia (front right).

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

[Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia - May 2026 ] TSplus marks a major milestone in Southeast Asia with the successful deployment of its Remote Access solution at the Kangar Municipal Council (MP Kangar), the capital municipal authority of Perlis State, Malaysia.

Delivered in partnership with Malaysian technology distributor Aswant Group, the project supports Kangar's ambitious roadmap to achieve Level 1 certification under the Malaysia Smart City Framework by 2026.

This deployment represents the first public TSplus reference in Malaysia and establishes a scalable model to support digital transformation across the country's 114 municipal councils.

TSplus Enables Secure Remote Access for Malaysia's Smart City Vision

As part of its Smart City modernization strategy, MP Kangar sought a secure, cost-effective, and highly manageable infrastructure capable of supporting both remote government employees and Smart City operators managing critical municipal systems.

The council required a solution that could provide:

Secure remote access for hybrid government operations

High cybersecurity resilience

Fast disaster recovery and business continuity

Compatibility with existing municipal applications and peripherals

Simplified administration for IT teams

Lower infrastructure costs compared to traditional PC environments

After evaluating available technologies, MP Kangar selected TSplus Remote Access as the foundation for its new digital workspace environment.

TSplus to Power Secure Hybrid Government Operations with Fast Deployment and Centralized Administration

The solution, designed and implemented by Aswant, combines:

TSplus Remote Access

Centerm Enterprise thin clients

KasperskyOS cyber immunity technology integrated at device level

TSplus Universal Printing

A dedicated RDP-generated connection client for simplified user access

The unified platform allows local and remote users to securely access municipal applications through a single interface while maintaining a streamlined user experience.

Implementation was completed in less than one week.

Today, MP Kangar's IT department can centrally manage the entire infrastructure while ensuring exceptional operational resilience. In the event of device failure, users can replace endpoints within two minutes without affecting municipal data or services.

The project also delivers significant return on investment through reduced hardware costs and simplified maintenance.

A Repeatable Smart City Model for Municipal Councils Across Malaysia

The success of the deployment positions the Kangar Municipal Council project as a reference model for local governments seeking practical Smart City infrastructure solutions that balance innovation, cybersecurity, and budget efficiency.

With additional opportunities already emerging in other Malaysian municipalities, including Kulim in 2026, the partnership demonstrates the growing demand for lightweight, secure, and scalable remote access technologies across Southeast Asia.

Mohd Norfaizal Aizal Bin Abd Razak, CIO of Kangar Municipal Council

"Smart City is a strategic goal for our team, from the Mayor to every engineer involved in the project. It is not only about technology: It is about long-term trust and high-quality support on a daily basis. With our ongoing cooperation with Aswant and Centerm, we are pleased to welcome TSplus as part of Kangar's digital platform."

Adrian Foo, Regional Director for Southeast Asia, TSplus

"We observe how Malaysian organizations successfully combine innovation, cost optimization, and strong cyber resilience. We are proud to open a new chapter of sustainable growth in Malaysia alongside MP Kangar and Aswant. This project demonstrates how local governments can modernize rapidly without compromising security or operational simplicity."

Wan Norhamsa Saad, Director, Aswant Group Sdn Bhd

"I have a personal reason to be proud of this project, as Kangar is my hometown. It is a privilege to introduce world-class technologies that can directly contribute to the development and resilience of our local communities."

Organizations, government agencies, system integrators, and IT service providers interested in delivering secure remote access and Smart City infrastructure solutions can connect with TSplus directly.

Southeast Asia

Contact Adrian Foo - TSplus SEA

Worldwide Partner Program

Join the TSplus Partner Program

About TSplus

TSplus develops secure and cost-effective remote access, application delivery, remote support, and server monitoring solutions for organizations worldwide. Serving over 500,000 businesses across more than 140 countries, TSplus helps companies and public institutions simplify IT infrastructure, support hybrid workforces, and reduce remote access costs compared to traditional virtualization solutions.

Through its growing presence in Southeast Asia, TSplus supports organizations looking to accelerate digital transformation with secure, scalable, and easy-to-deploy technologies.

About Aswant Group

Aswant Group is a Malaysian IT solutions provider and official TSplus distributor specializing in cybersecurity, remote access infrastructure, and digital workspace technologies. The company helps public sector organizations and enterprises implement secure, modern, and cost-efficient IT environments tailored to local operational requirements.

With strong regional expertise and strategic partnerships, Aswant supports Malaysia's ongoing Smart City and digital transformation initiatives.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

MANILA, Philippines, May 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medium Rare: Kaleidoscope Edition returns May 9 - where every bite drops like a beat and music lingers like a perfect aftertaste.

Powered by ArenaPlus, the No. 1 PAGCOR-licensed sportsbook in the Philippines, the Kaleidoscope night is a full-bodied sensory experience where sound and gastronomy converge at the Salon De Ning of Peninsula Manila.

DJs Chele Gonzalez and Samantha Nicole, people behind the 7pm-4am event, blur the lines between kitchen and booth, plating dishes that move in rhythm and spinning sets that feel almost edible.

On top of good food and live music, a ₱50,000 cash prize from ArenaPlus awaits one lucky winner.

"ArenaPlus is proud to bring the energy to Medium Rare: Kaleidoscope Edition-where fun, passion, and entertainment collide like a championship moment," said Erick Su, head of ArenaPlus.

"Just like in sports, it's about intensity, excitement, and unforgettable plays, and we're here to elevate that same thrill throughout the night."

But the fun will hit fever pitch when Seven Villas' Pablo Olivar of Spain takes the stage with his patented hypnotic, deep techno set.

Joining Olivar, whose performance is backed by the Embassy of Spain, on the night of curated sonic experience are Italian composers Lorenzo Travaglini and Davide Semmarchi of Bosco Studio. This event marks their debut appearance in Asia with neoclassical performance.

Slots are limited for the intimate event. They can pick from two ticket tiers-early bird pricing starts at P2,200 and goes up to P2,500 for regular access. Later entry is available at P1,200, with door tickets priced at P1,500.

About ArenaPlus

ArenaPlus is the #1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines, providing a secure and engaging sports betting and streaming experience. Launched in 2023, ArenaPlus features a wide range of local and international sports and continues to expand its presence through key partnerships across major leagues, including the NBA, PBA, and PVL.

Fraulein Olavario

Communications Manager, ArenaPlus

fraulein.olavario@digiplus.com.ph

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

The Way of Saint Francis and the Way of Saint Benedict tell the story of two great traditions of European spirituality and find their fullest expression in Lazio. Among the five itineraries promoted by the "Antichi Cammini d'Italia" project.

Two routes, two great figures of European spirituality, one region that preserves some of their most extensive traces: the Way of Saint Francis and the Way of Saint Benedict find their narrative heaart in Lazio. They are two of the five itineraries at the center of "Antichi Cammini d'Italia", created to enhance the country's major historic and religious walking routes and to position Italy among the world's leading walking destinations.

The two routes express complementary traditions within Italian and European spirituality: the Franciscan tradition, founded on the relationship with nature, communities and the most vulnerable; and the Benedictine tradition, founded on the Rule, stability and the silent work of monastic communities. Both routes offer contemporary travellers an experience that extends beyond devotion alone, speaking to a broad audience of pilgrims, cultural travellers, walkers, nature lovers and wellness-oriented visitors.

Way of Saint Francis

The Way of Saint Francis connects the most significant places in the life of Francis of Assisi (1182?1226). It is structured around two main routes that converge on Assisi: the Northern Way, approximately 190 kilometers from the Sanctuary of La Verna, where Francis received the stigmata in 1224; and the Southern Way, around 300 kilometers in 13 stages from Rome to Assisi, which crosses Lazio in its entirety.

It is in the Holy Valley of Rieti, in Lazio, that the route reaches its heart. Within a small area stand the four Franciscan sanctuaries that preserve the memory of some of the most important moments in the saint's life: Greccio, where in 1223 Francis created the first nativity scene in history; Fonte Colombo, where he dictated the Rule of the Order; La Foresta, where the miracle of the grapes is said to have taken place; and Poggio Bustone, where he received the revelation of the forgiveness of sins.

At the end of the route, at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, pilgrims receive the Testimonium.

Way of Saint Benedict

The Way of Saint Benedict links the three fundamental places in the life of Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547), founder of Western monasticism and Patron of Europe since 1964, when Pope Paul VI proclaimed him as such in the apostolic letter Pacis nuntius. The route extends for approximately 300 kilometers in 16 stages between Umbria and Lazio.

Its longest and most narratively dense section unfolds in Lazio, through the Aniene Valley and the central Apennine valleys, as far as Montecassino.

In Subiaco, in the upper Aniene Valley, the Sacro Speco preserves the cave where Benedict lived as a hermit for more than thirty years. Nearby, the Abbey of Santa Scolastica is regarded as the cradle of Italian printing, having hosted the first printing press active in Italy in 1465, operated by the German printers Konrad Sweynheym and Arnold Pannartz.

From here the route continues to Trevi nel Lazio, the Abbey of Casamari - a remarkable example of Cistercian architecture - Arpino, birthplace of Cicero, Roccasecca, associated with Thomas Aquinas, and the Melfa Gorges, before culminating at Montecassino, where Benedict founded, around 529, the abbey that remains the heart of the Benedictine Order.

Two traditions, one territory

The Way of Saint Francis and the Way of Saint Benedict cross an inland Lazio of abbeys, hermitages, villages and Apennine landscapes, where Christian spirituality took forms that shaped European history. It is a territory of places less frequented by major tourism flows, which the "Antichi Cammini d'Italia" project helps make more recognizable and accessible, enhancing a widespread heritage and promoting a slow, sustainable and immersive way of experiencing it.

Project funded by the European Union ? Next Generation EU "Antichi Cammini di Italia", PNRR - Mission M1C3, Investment 4.3, Measure 274 - the Italian Ministry of Tourism is the subject operator, ENIT S.p.A. is the subject agent.

press@pomilio.com

Attachment

Lago di Turano

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

TAMPERE, Finland, May 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Framery today unveils Gradus, a new line of smart office pods purpose-built for the U.S. and Canada. The line will officially launch at NeoCon on June 8th. Featuring three new models, the Gradus line will be sold in the U.S. and Canada and assembled in the USA.

Positioned as the definitive market-fit for the region, the Gradus line is set to capture growing demand as office utilization rates climb. Gradus offers clients an integrated, "built-in" design language, prioritizing architectural harmony and expanding choice alongside Framery's aesthetically bold signature line.

"Gradus is purpose-built to meet the high volume and unique demands of the American and Canadian workplace," says Samu H?llfors, CEO of Framery.

Products in the Gradus line will be assembled at Framery's new factory in the United States. The new manufacturing facility is a key part of the company's growth strategy and its goal to meet regional demand locally.

The Gradus line is defined by a "plug-and-play" interior designed for instant user integration. The portfolio consists of three new models designed to maximize interior volume within a minimal footprint:

Gradus Focus: A smart, soundproof phone booth for one person, designed for calls and focus work.

Gradus Work: A smart and soundproof workstation for one person, featuring a full-size adjustable desk and a spacious interior designed for uninterrupted flow.

Gradus Huddle?: A smart and soundproof meeting pod for 1- 4 people, optimally sized for spontaneous collaboration and confidential discussions.

The pods feature a modular build with replaceable components, allowing units to be repaired, refurbished, and updated over time. This design also features a snap-on system for exterior wall panels, including wood veneers, fabrics, or custom acoustic panels, allowing the pods to either blend into the surrounding architecture or stand out as a focal point.

"Designers and customers in the U.S. and Canada want spaces that feel like their own, and this flexibility makes Gradus a perfect fit for any office," says H?llfors.

Gradus offers a lower cost per square foot than fixed construction and meets local standards like IBC, IFC, and UL 962 for seamless regional adoption. The line also includes third-party verified EPDs to support corporate carbon accounting.

The product line features automated ventilation, automated lighting, and Class A soundproofing. Equipped with occupancy sensors, Gradus collects anonymized usage data. This allows the pods to integrate with Framery's smart office solutions to optimize floor plans and help organizations eliminate the real estate waste of underutilized space.

"Gradus combines data-driven workspace optimization with a smooth user experience. It is a strategic tool for right-sizing office space needs," says H?llfors.

The Tampere factory remains the hub for specialized expertise, providing the smart technology and sub-assemblies for the new line, and its existing products will remain in the U.S. and Canadian offering.

FRAMERY IN BRIEF

Framery enables people to focus on what truly matters and to get things done. With its soundproof smart pods and smart office solution, Framery turns ordinary offices into places people love. This is why Framery is an essential part of a successful workday for millions of workers in over a hundred countries and within many of the world's leading companies.

For further information and interview requests please contact: aron.jahn@framery.com, media@framery.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f6747901-e812-41d4-a5b7-64ae55eaf953

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

MONACO, May 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Changing client expectations, sustainability and the growing role of catamarans: these were the key themes addressed during the annual Spring Pop-Up organized at the Yacht Club de Monaco by the Cluster Yachting Monaco, the association representing the Principality's yachting industry.

Over a hundred professionals, including brokers, owners and yachting companies, attended the event focusing on market trends, with 22 yachts presented in the YCM Marina. "This type of gathering is particularly important for our industry today. These discussions give us a chance to step back and share points of view to better understand the changes taking place," said Bernard d'Alessandri, President of the Cluster Yachting Monaco and General Secretary and Director of the YCM.

Chaired by Arthur Bohr, Monaco Site Director & Key Account Director at Monaco Marine and Vice-President of the Cluster, there were several discussions throughout the day. The first panel, entitled 'Yachting in transition: Growth strategies in a changing market', addressed transformations already underway, notably the changing expectations of owners, the rise in personalized services and need for companies to offer more comprehensive support. As Paris Baloumis, Group Marketing Director at Oceanco was keen to stress: "Clients today want to be more involved in the process. They are not only looking to acquire a yacht but to be part of the experience".

Participants also discussed the industry's transition towards more sustainable models, including greater attention to energy efficiency, renewable technologies and changing lifestyles at sea. New generations of clients are showing stronger interest in flexible and experience-driven forms of yacht ownership, according to the discussions.

A significant part of the event was dedicated to the rise of catamarans and their impact on the sector. Speakers underlined how demand is growing for wider yachts offering larger outdoor spaces, improved comfort and greater autonomy. "Today, owners spend more time outside than inside their yachts," said Espen ?ino, Naval Architect & Yacht Designer at Espen ?ino International, highlighting the growing importance of airy spaces open to the sea. The development of more sustainable solutions such as solar panels and energy independence offered by new catamaran models by companies like Sunreef Yachts, was also touched on.

The event also marked the continuation of activities linked to World Boating Day, with further initiatives scheduled in Monaco involving industry presentations, educational activities and public water sports events.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/62e05570-0e3d-479d-adfd-306ce579ccda

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Global automotive technology supplier consolidates 20 fragmented systems into a unified enterprise platform to sharpen safety, strengthen compliance, and expand enterprise-wide visibility

TORONTO, May 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cority today announced new customer results from Aptiv (NYSE: APTV), a global automotive technology supplier operating across 48 countries and 150 facilities. The company fundamentally transformed its approach to safety, compliance, and sustainability data management through a global EHS+ technology consolidation initiative. Following the implementation of CorityOne, Aptiv achieved its lowest lost-workday case rate in 15 years in 2025, demonstrably reporting fewer than half as many incidents as the previous year.

For Aptiv, whose technologies support industries such as aerospace and defense, automotive, and medical, operational safety has always carried exceptionally high stakes. But with more than 200,000 employees worldwide and 20 separate internally developed EHS and sustainability systems operating across regions, the company faced growing challenges with fragmented data, inconsistent reporting, and limited enterprise-wide visibility.

"It was very challenging to maintain the multiple systems supporting us in different regions," said Ana Ferreira, the company's Environment, Health and Safety, and Sustainability Director for Systems and Governance. "Those systems were outdated, ineffective, and far from having a centralized and standard system."

As regulatory scrutiny increased and investor expectations around environmental, health, safety, and sustainability performance intensified, Aptiv's leadership recognized the need for a more unified and scalable approach to EHS+ data management. The company launched an 18-month evaluation process to identify a platform capable of supporting a global transformation.

Ultimately, Aptiv selected CorityOne for its ability to unify safety, environmental, sustainability, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, and occupational health data within a single enterprise platform while enabling global standardization and local operational flexibility.

"Implementing an EHSQ solution globally requires a clear vision, which Aptiv shared with us from the beginning to create the foundation of trust and true partnership," said Benoit Marsa, Principal Solutions Consultant at Cority, who led the Aptiv engagement. "The team's commitment to robust change management and their deep understanding of the complexity involved were instrumental in our shared success."

"Having all the information available live allows us to be quicker, more effective, and ensures working conditions are safer for every single employee," Ferreira continued.

Before consolidation, Aptiv's EHS and sustainability teams spent significant time manually validating data across disconnected systems. Sustainability reporting alone required at least two months of data verification and auditing before reports could be finalized. Today, the organization has established a more connected and transparent foundation for enterprise-wide EHS+ management ? one that reinforces workplace safety outcomes and deepens employee engagement across facilities worldwide.

In addition to improved safety performance, Aptiv has also received recognition for its transformation, including being named a finalist for the Verdantix Transformation Award. But the company's biggest sign of progress is what they now see directly on facility floors across Aptiv's global operations: teams actively sharing safety improvements, collaborating across regions, and taking ownership of building a stronger safety culture together.

That culture shift is directly translating into measurable impact. In 2025, Aptiv achieved its lowest lost-workday case rate in 15 years. Significantly fewer employees experienced workplace injuries serious enough to require time away from work, with fewer than half as many incidents reported compared to the previous year.

"People are our best asset," Ferreira added. "Having this rate means fewer people are injured or affected by some workplace conditions. Therefore, we are accomplishing our mission of protecting the employees."

About Aptiv

Aptiv is a global industrial technology company focused on enabling a more automated, electrified and digitalized future. Visit aptiv.com.

About Cority

Cority helps customers see and prevent risks across their operations, in real time. Our EHS+ platform converges people, data, and AI agents to create a clear view of information people can trust, automate workflows that make people more impactful, and deliver personalized insights and expertise to improve decisions. While most solutions respond to risks one at a time, Cority helps prevent them across environmental management, employee health, safety, quality, and sustainability. For 40 years, Cority has been the market leader in EHS+, recognized by top analysts and trusted by more than 1,500 of the most complex organizations worldwide. Learn more at our homepage.

Media Contact:

Natalie Rizk

natalier@theriotmind.agency

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.