In-Kingdom operating entity to enable compliant digital asset innovation for sovereign and enterprise-scale initiatives under Saudi regulatory frameworksAL KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia, Jan 22, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Open World Ltd. (“Open World”), a blockchain infrastructure company with experience supporting large-scale digital asset initiatives, today announced the establishment of Saudi Arabia’s first RWA (Real-World Asset) Tokenization Center of Excellence. The news follows Open World’s announcement on January 5, 2026, regarding its plans to merge with VerifyMe, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRME) (“VerifyMe”), positioning the combined entity for participation in public markets as a leading infrastructure provider in the digital asset and tokenization sector.The RWA Center of Excellence will operate as a fully licensed and, as regulations are defined, in-Kingdom entity designed to accelerate compliant digital asset innovation for sovereign, enterprise, and institutional clients across Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East. The initiative will directly support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Financial Sector Development Program, which seeks to establish Saudi Arabia as a globally competitive financial and investment hub.As the Saudi regulatory frameworks continue to mature, the Center of Excellence will enable compliant tokenization of real-world assets, including energy infrastructure, tokenized carbon reduction credits, real estate, sovereign bonds and, over time, regulated stablecoins. These initiatives will be launched on Open World’s sovereign and national-scale tokenization infrastructure introduced in December 2025 through its partnership with Abstract. This will provide Saudi enterprises and government entities new pathways to access global capital markets while maintaining full regulatory compliance with Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Capital Market Authority (CMA) requirements.“Saudi Arabia is leading the global conversation on how digital assets can be deployed in service of national economic priorities,” said Matt Shaw, co-founder and CEO of Open World. “By establishing our Center of Excellence in Al Khobar, we are making a long-term commitment to build alongside Saudi partners, under Saudi regulations, with infrastructure that meets the Kingdom’s sovereign data and security requirements. Our goal is to help transform Saudi Arabia’s tremendous real-world asset base into globally accessible, compliant digital instruments that attract international investment while ensuring value creation remains within the Kingdom.”Initial focus areas for the Center of Excellence include certain types of energy asset tokenization, real estate development financing, and the on-chain verification and storage of carbon reduction credits. The Center has been structured to meet sovereign-grade delivery standards, with a strong emphasis on data residency, local security controls, and national economic considerations aligned with the Kingdom’s localization objectives.“Welcoming Open World to Al Khobar represents a significant step in our region’s digital transformation journey,” said Dr. Salman Salem Al Khaldi, member of the Industry and Energy Committee at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The Eastern Province is home to Saudi Aramco, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran Techno Valley and the Kingdom’s largest concentration of energy assets, making it the ideal location to pioneer real-world asset tokenization. This initiative aligns perfectly with Vision 2030’s goal to develop our financial sector and diversify our economy beyond traditional energy exports.”The RWA Center of Excellence is expected to commence full operations in 2026, with initial pilot projects targeted for mid-year launch. Open World has established the necessary legal, licensing, commercial, and technological infrastructure required to operate directly within Saudi Arabia’s regulatory environment.To support growing institutional adoption in Saudi Arabia, Open World said it plans to work with financial institutions, government entities, and regulators to develop frameworks for investor protection, regulatory clarity, and standardized tokenization practices, with strategic partnership announcements expected throughout 2026.About Open World Ltd.Open World has been a major driving force behind many of the most iconic projects in blockchain. Given its expertise, Open World is now expanding its offerings to traditional finance (TradFi). Open World has facilitated the inception and growth of more than 20 companies since 2023 and has helped launch over $65 billion in aggregate network value since (at peak FDV). Open World advises founding teams as they navigate the most complex intersections of financial regulatory, tokenomics, public markets, exchange strategy, and governance structuring. The teams Open World advises are partners with leading venture capital firms, including a16z, Multicoin Capital, Dragonfly, and Founders Fund. The firm’s range of services includes token launch advisory, DATs and TradFi strategies, RWA tokenization, stablecoin issuance, policy advocacy, and strategic advisory work. To learn more, visit https://www.openworld.dev.About VerifyMe, Inc.VerifyMe provides specialized logistics for time and temperature-sensitive products, as well as brand protection and enhancement solutions. To learn more, visit https://www.verifyme.com/.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “become,” “expected,” “plans,” “upon,” “will,” and similar expressions, as they relate to Open World and VerifyMe, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include the uncertainty of whether Open World and VerifyMe will enter into a merger agreement and, if they do enter into a merger agreement, that the merger will close. Additionally, the expected benefits of the merger may not be realized. These risk factors and uncertainties include those more fully described in VerifyMe’s Annual Report and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including under the heading entitled “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.Additional Information About the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find ItThis document includes discussion related to a proposed transaction between Open World and VerifyMe. In connection with the proposed transaction, if the parties enter into a merger agreement, VerifyMe intends to file a proxy statement, and, if required by the definitive merger agreement, a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC relating to the proposed transaction. After concluding the SEC comment process, and, if applicable, the registration statement is declared effective, VerifyMe will mail a definitive proxy statement, and, if applicable, a prospectus, to its stockholders. VerifyMe will also file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC.Investors and securityholders are urged to read the proxy statement and any prospectus, and other relevant documents filed with the SEC carefully when they become available, because they will contain important information about Open World, VerifyMe, and the proposed transaction.Copies of the proxy statement and any prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by VerifyMe will be available free of charge on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov and on VerifyMe’s website at https://vrmeinvestor.com/ or by written request to VerifyMe at VerifyMe, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 801 International Parkway, Fifth Floor, Lake Mary, Florida 32746.Participants in the SolicitationOpen World and VerifyMe and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from VerifyMe’s stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. If the parties enter into a merger agreement, a list of the names of the directors and executive officers of VerifyMe and information regarding their interest in the proposed merger will be contained in the proxy statement and any prospectus when available. Additional information regarding the interests of the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of VerifyMe’s stockholders in connection with the proposed merger, including the names and interests of Open World’s directors and executive officers, will be set forth in the proxy statement and any prospectus for the proposed merger, which is expected to be filed by Open World and VerifyMe with the SEC after the parties enter into a merger agreement.No Offer or SolicitationThis communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under applicable securities laws.Media ContactCompany: Open World Ltd.Email: openworld@wachsman.com Company: VerifyMe, Inc.Email: IR@verifyme.com Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
The 35th Education & Careers Expo opens today
HONG KONG, January 22, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – The 35th Education & Careers Expo, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opens today and will run for four days (22 to 25 January, Thursday to Sunday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Expo gathers over 860 organisations from 23 countries and regions, including government bureaux and departments, tertiary institutions, and education centres, showcasing Hong Kong's advantages as an international hub for pursuing higher education and nurturing international talents.Innovation and technology are among the focal points this year. Over 100 activities will be held during the expo, including sharing by representatives from leading enterprises such as J.P. Morgan and Lenovo on career development opportunities in Hong Kong. Various interactive activities are also available, with free admission to the public throughout the four-day event.Officiating at the Expo’s opening ceremony are Sophia Chong, HKTDC Executive Director and Dr Choi Yuk-lin, JP, Secretary for Education, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. Ms Chong said in her welcoming remarks: “The Education and Careers Expo provides a crucial platform for international and local students to explore Hong Kong's world-class education and career development opportunities. It also helps promote Hong Kong's high-quality educational resources globally, consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international higher education hub.This year's fair continues with the theme ‘Go with Your Passion, Go Beyond Limits,’ and brings together various tertiary institutions, education centres and consulates-general in Hong Kong. A record participation of 31 Hong Kong government bureaux and departments, along with various public and private organisations, reflects the strong demand for diverse talents and underscores Hong Kong as a talent hub.”Focusing on Hong Kong’s future opportunities: cross-sector exchanges inspire new perspectivesThis year's Expo is divided into two main sections – “Education” and “Careers”. It features four themed days focusing on “Civil Servants & Public Services”, “Next Gen Technologies”, “Healthcare & Wellness” and “Greater Bay Area Opportunities”. The 2025 Policy Address announced measures to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an education hub and talent centre while cultivating and attracting innovation and technology professionals. In line with this direction, this year’s Expo hosts a series of themed talks and seminars to encourage students from neighbouring regions to pursue further studies and career opportunities in Hong Kong, further solidifying Hong Kong's position as an international post-secondary education hub.Highlights include the specially curated seminar “A Date with Giants”, exploring career and further studies opportunities in Hong Kong through exchanges with representatives from Lenovo, J.P. Morgan, and Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong and an undergraduate entrepreneur (USIMS Limited) from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Suitable for students, job seekers, and those interested in development opportunities in Hong Kong, this session offers insight into the latest trends of career development in innovation and technology, finance, and further study opportunity while expanding professional networks and horizons. Also, The China Hong Kong Elite Union will invite “Hong Kong Drifters”, Chinese Mainland students who study in Hong Kong, to share their experience from education to employment.The “Education” section is divided into four zones. The “Local Studies” zone brings together numerous universities, vocational and professional education institutions, including the Vocational Training Council (VTC), which is dedicated to nurturing talents in innovation and green technology. Independently developed by the Engineering Discipline of IVE, member institution of VTC and winner of the World Solar Challenge held in Australia last year, the SOPHIE 8x model is displayed at the Expo to showcase how students applied new energy theories learned in the classroom to practical applications, demonstrating the potential of Hong Kong's young generation in the innovation and technology field. The Hong Kong Institute of Construction presents its latest technological and innovative achievements with a series of immersive learning experiences including demonstrations of construction robot dogs and humanoid robot. A "DIY Robotic Dog Workshop" provides the public with hands-on experience in applying innovative technology to education and construction. Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong also introduces programmes such as Artificial Intelligence and Enterprise Management, and Global Logistics Technology to equip students with emerging technological and industry-specific skills for the future workplace.The “Non-Hong Kong Education” zone comprises consulates based in Hong Kong, overseas universities and educational organisations from various countries and regions, and offers study-abroad advisory services covering Europe, the Americas, Asia and countries and regions along the Belt and Road.The “Lifelong Learning” and “Youth Zone” sections provide a wide spectrum of further education and industry information for working professionals, career switchers and young people. The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) introduces skills-based training courses which cover multiple industry categories, technology applications and workplace languages and provide training consultancy services. The Professional Communication Association shares insight on public speaking, debating, and job interview techniques. Organisations such as the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Youth Exchange Promotion United Association provide young people with career planning support, summer job opportunities and internship placement information.Active government participation and upgraded free “CV Clinic”The “Careers” Zone features over 31 government bureaux and departments, including the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Education Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, and the Judiciary. Providing career opportunities and information in disciplinary forces, professional and technical roles, and administrative and management grades. A dedicated Civil Service Bureau seminar zone will host a total of 17 career seminars in collaboration with multiple government departments and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. These include “Administrative Officers Multiverse Explored: Unlocking Limitless Possibilities in Public Administration’’, which introduces the diverse scope of work within the Administrative Officer grade to inspire young people aspiring to public service. Also,the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will showcase the important role of veterinary surgeons in safeguarding public health and share how quarantine detector dogs assist in disease prevention and maintain social wellbeing.The “Recruitment Square” gathers multiple job platforms, recruitment consultancy firms and enterprises to accept job applications on-site, with some providing on-the-spot interviews. Job seekers are encouraged to bring their resumes to apply for positions.The “CV Clinic”, which received an enthusiastic response last year, returns with a comprehensive upgrade. This year, the Clinic features six services including 1:1 CV consultations, professional CV portrait photography, 1:1 Trainee Programme & Career Consultation, “Aptitude Test Ready Station”, Personal Colour Analysis and the latest 2026 edition of the “16 Personality Types Magic Quiz”, leveraging technology to support jobseekers in enhancing their competitiveness. Job seekers may reserve these onsite services in advance via the Education & Careers Expo website. Quotas are limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.Throughout the exhibition, over 100 activities will be held, covering multiple fields including technology, healthcare, and overseas studies. The Expo features a number of experts and industry leaders who will speak on the latest industry developments to help students and job seekers seize future opportunities:Highlighted events at the Education & Careers Expo22 January(Thursday)Themed Day Events: Civil Servants & Public Services- The Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Office of the Development Bureau will introduce the 'Urban Forestry Support Fund' Trainee Programme and career orientation for landscape architects, exploring opportunities in green future development.- The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and World Vision will share career planning insights for entering the local social welfare sector and international non-profit organisations.- International professional image trainer and founder of Spark Image Consultancy Ltd, May Chan, shared the five essential workplace dressing tips that new graduates to the workforce should learn.23 January(Friday) Themed Day Events: Next Gen Technologies- Alice Yip, Partner, Head of Consumer & Retail, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG; Alan Chan, General Manager – Hong Kong & Taiwan, Adobe;Andy Chow, Head of Customer Solutions and Architects, Google Cloud; Terrence Siu, Chief Information Officer, APAC, L'Occitane Group and Mann Yim, Chairman, Hong Kong Society of Artificial Intelligence and Innovation (HKSAII), will provide in-depth analysis of how AI is shaping a new era of teamwork.Other highlight activities:- Tse Chi Yung, Vincent, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Professional Communication Association and Registered Chinese medicine practitioner, shares how communication and persuasion skills help individuals demonstrate their self-value in social competition.24 January(Saturday)Themed Day Events: Healthcare & Wellness- The Hong Kong Association of Private Practice Optometrists (APPO) will explore the importance of children's vision care and offer eye protection tips.- Hong Kong Shue Yan University will introduce the concept of and cultivation methods of psychological resilience, assisting the public in enhancing emotional management skills and promoting mental wellbeing.Other highlight activities:- “A Date with Giants” features representatives from Lenovo, J.P. Morgan, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (USIMS Limited), and The Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong will explore career and further study opportunities in Hong Kong.- Registered expressive arts therapist Aleck Kwong will share his journey from top HKCEE scorer to one of the 2025 Ten Outstanding Young Persons.- Life celebrant and radio host Sara Lee, together with Dr Fan Ning, Chairman of Forget Thee Not, will share their experiences of becoming life celebrants and its impact on life.25 January(Sunday)Themed Day Events: Greater Bay Area Opportunities- Calvin Tse, President of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, will speak on “Guide to GBA Entrepreneurship”.- The China Hong Kong Elite Union will invite “Hong Kong Drifters”, Chinese Mainland students who study in Hong Kong, to share their experience from education to employment.- Hong Kong Chu Hai College will introduce its campus features and programme advantages, inspiring students to explore new options for further education.- The Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation will share Greater Bay Area educational resources and youth development pathways.Other highlight activities:- Yeung Chi Keung, Principal, Hong Kong Chinese Women’s Club College, alongside two alumni, will share skills and tips for overcoming challenges to become top scorers in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE).- Lam Ka-ho, Instructor of the Employees Retraining Board, shared how to explore the use of artificial intelligence to enhance workplace skills.*Seats for activities are limited and pre-registration online is encouraged.The Expo also features a series of workshops and hands-on activities suitable for parents to attend with their children, including a mock courtroom set up by the Judiciary, allowing participants to experience a courtroom environment firsthand and deepen their understanding of judicial procedures and legal professions. There is also a mock TV studio and recording studio set up by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) where participants can experience professional production workflows first-hand.Admission is free for the public over the four-day exhibition period. Visitors can also enjoy the “Instant Career Snapshot” AI photo experience and receive complimentary souvenirs, including a limited-edition mobile phone strap for the 35th Education & Careers Expo, while stocks last.Photo download: https://bit.ly/4sXDLwwIn her welcome remarks, Sophia Chong, Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said the Education & Careers Expo had long been providing the public with an excellent platform, bringing together comprehensive and up-to-date information on further education and employment, solidifying Hong Kong's role as an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talents.Dr Choi Yuk-lin, JP, Secretary for Education, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, delivered the opening remarks at the 35th Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Education & Careers.Sophia Chong, Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (fifth left) and Dr Choi Yuk-lin, JP, Secretary for Education (fifth right) at the opening ceremony.The “Education” section comprises four main zones, with the “Local Studies” zone bringing together multiple universities and tertiary institutions.The “Careers” Zone features a record participation of 31 government bureaux and departments, providing career opportunities and information in disciplinary forces, professional and technical roles, and administrative and management grades.Vocational Training Council (VTC)’s Engineering discipline presents the SOPHIE 8x model, winner of the World Solar Challenge held in Australia, showcasing how students transformed theories to practical innovation and green technology capabilities.The Expo features four themed days, with the opening day focusing on “Civil Servants & Public Services”. Government departments and the Independent Commission Against Corruption hosted various seminars introducing job roles and sharing valuable work experience.The Judiciary has set up a mock courtroom at the Expo, allowing participants to experience the court environment firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of judicial procedures and the legal profession.International professional image trainer May Chan shared five essential workplace dressing tips for new graduates.The Career Zone features a free “CV Clinic”, comprehensively upgraded this year with new services including personal colour analysis.The expo also offers interactive and hands-on activities, including access to RTHK's mock TV and recording studio to experience the real media working environment.Education & Careers Expo Website: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkeducationexpo/enEvents’ information: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkeducationexpo/en/intelligence-hubHKTDC Newsroom: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/enMedia enquiriesHKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:Stanley SoTel: (852) 2584 4049Email: stanley.hp.so@hktdc.orgNavin LawTel: (852) 2584 4525Email: navin.cm.law@hktdc.orgWinnie Kan Tel: (852) 2584 4055Email: winnie.wy.kan@hktdc.orgAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
After 78 Years, Universal Is Reviving a Successful Sci-Fi Monster Movie Formula
Snap/ShutterstockA caper’s always better with two people. Batman and Robin, , Thelma and Louise—why do you think Shaggy and Scooby always stuck together when the gang split up? This rings especially true for comedy, where duos from Laurel and Hardy to Key and Peele have secured their spots in comedy history. Now, a major comedy pair is reviving a classic horror-comedy made by their , right down to reusing the title structure.SNL star Kenan Thompson hosts the sports-focused Amazon Prime Video talk show Good Sports, usually alongside Kevin Hart, but his former All That and Kenan and Kel collaborator Kel Mitchell recently filled in as co-host. During that episode, Thompson announced a new project uniting the Good Burger co-stars: a reboot film called Kenan and Kel Meet Frankenstein.If the title sounds familiar, it’s because it’s an update of the 1948 movie Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein—a horror-comedy hit that capitalized on a recent merger to introduce the popular comedic duo to a fan-favorite monster. The title isn’t the only overlap with its midcentury predecessor; the plot is described as following “two delivery drivers whose routine drop-off takes a terrifying turn when they arrive at a creepy, out-of-place castle and accidentally awaken Frankenstein’s monster—turning an ordinary night into a fight for survival.”That’s nearly identical to the Abbott and Costello film, where the pair play baggage clerks coerced into delivering crates to a wax museum, only to come face-to-face with Frankenstein’s monster, Bela Lugosi’s Dracula, and the Wolf Man.Kenan and Kel were Nickelodeon stars who recently reunited for the 2023 Good Burger sequel. | Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc/Getty ImagesHollywood has been in a Frankenstein era lately—2023 brought Poor Things, 2024 had Lisa Frankenstein, 2025 saw Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, 2026 will deliver The Bride, and Sebastian Stan is set to play a dual role in an upcoming . But while the more dramatic takes may return the story to its Universal Monster roots, this update proves that any popular character will eventually get poked fun at.
Iran Alleged to Have Committed Sexual Assaults on Teenage Detainees, Families Forced to Pay for Bodies of Loved Ones
Eyewitness reports in Iran have surfaced, alleging sexual assaults on teenage detainees and authorities compelling families of slain protesters to pay up to ten billion rials to retrieve their loved ones' remains.The National Council of Resistance of Iran - United States (NCRI-US) also informed Digital on Wednesday that "barbarism persists" throughout the country, with prison inmates purportedly being killed and their bodies incinerated.These reports emerged as claimed it had effectively quelled weeks of unrest that had engulfed the nation.Commencing on December 28, the protests erupted out of profound public resentment toward political suppression, economic distress, and state violence, subsequently spreading rapidly across the country.Iran's Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi stated, as per the judiciary's Mizan News Agency, "The rebellion is now over."He further stated, as per , "And, as always, we must be thankful to the people who promptly put an end to this rebellion by being on the ground."The regime's claims came to light on the twenty-fifth day of the protests, with confirmed fatalities amounting to four thousand nine hundred and two, and unconfirmed deaths totaling nine thousand three hundred and eighty-seven.HRANA reported that the total number of arrests has climbed to twenty-six thousand five hundred and forty-one.The France-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) also stated it had received information showing that some families were compelled to pay amounts of up to ten billion rials to retrieve their relatives' bodies.In numerous instances, funerals were conducted under tight security in the hometowns of the deceased.Some families were reportedly made to take responsibility for the killings onto protesters.KHRN additionally stated that two protesters, including a sixteen-year-old, claimed they were sexually assaulted by Iranian security forces who detained them in Kermanshah, as per .Meanwhile, Ali Safavi of NCRI stated that eyewitnesses reported "several young men and women were forced to undress so that the military could check if they had pellet wounds."He added, "There has been barbarism towards those in detention. When they were killed, their bodies were burned."Safavi also mentioned that clashes persisted in multiple cities on Tuesday night, including "Kermanshah where protesters and IRGC armed units clashed in parts of the city.""The same occurred in Rasht and Mashhad where the people and the regime will not revert to the previous state even if the uprisings have slowed down. This is due to the blood of thousands of martyrs on their hands.""The regime remains in power and will not step down, so there is no prospect of a velvet revolution in Iran."Safavi added, "The shoes and sneakers left along the sidewalks remind us of the 30,0oo MEK members and Iranian prisoners who were hanged in the [1988] massacre issued by a fatwa from Khomeini."
Fujitsu and Mizuho Bank partner to develop new order and payment processing service for SMEs
Kawasaki and Tokyo, Japan, Jan 22, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Fujitsu Limited and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. today announced a collaboration to develop a new order and payment processing service aimed at creating new value and supporting the sustainable growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This collaboration is driven by a shared goal to co-create next-generation data-driven services.Prior to the service development, both companies successfully established a technology to automatically convert and link disparate order data formats used by ordering/purchasing companies and receiving/delivering companies in the distribution industry. This achievement has enabled a reduction of up to 70% in order processing and reconciliation tasks (operations to clear outstanding balances related to accounts receivable and payable), which were previously performed manually.Through this initiative, both companies aim to jointly create next-generation corporate services that leverage data to support the creation of new value and sustainable growth for mid-sized and small and medium-sized enterprises.The two companies have successfully demonstrated a technology that automatically absorbs and converts differences in data structures and formats between Ryutsu Business Message Standard (Ryutsu BMS,) a standard EDI in the distribution industry used by purchasing companies, and Common EDI for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises used by receiving/delivering companies. This was achieved by utilizing Fujitsu Japan Limited's distribution EDI service TradeFront/6G.Through this demonstration, conducted with the cooperation of purchasing companies using Ryutsu BMS and delivering companies using Common EDI for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, it was confirmed that approximately 70% of order processing tasks were streamlined by eliminating manual input and conversion work.Based on this technology, Fujitsu and Mizuho Bank will promote the creation of next-generation services that fundamentally digitalize manual operations by integrating and linking disparate order data across different industries, beyond the distribution sector, on a single service platform. This will seamlessly connect order processing and payment operations that were previously fragmented between large enterprises and mid-sized and small and medium-sized enterprises. Furthermore, by addressing diverse funding needs through financing methods that utilize order data, the companies will respond to various customer requirements.Figure: Overview of next-generation corporate services BackgroundImproving the efficiency of corporate order processing and reconciliation tasks is a key management challenge for many companies, from the perspective of enhancing productivity and strengthening competitiveness. Some surveys indicate that approximately 70% of companies face challenges with payment reconciliation operations, with an average of about 2,500 transactions processed and approximately 170 hours spent per month.Currently, approximately 30% of inter-company transactions utilize Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) for order processing. However, except for standardized EDI in some industries, a large portion of transactions still involve different systems and formats even between EDIs. This leads to manual order processing and reconciliation tasks due to the inability to integrate data management and link with payment data.About FujitsuFujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers around the globe, our 113,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: AI, Computing, Networks, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$23 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: global.fujitsuPress ContactsFujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiries Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
After 9 Years, Amazon Is Finally Turning a Beloved Fantasy Comic into a TV Show
Del Rey BooksThe finest myths are ancient yet evergreen. Though these stories stretch back thousands of years, mythic heroes can find new life in Marvel films, on Broadway stages, or at the heart of . Their lasting narratives can be altered or reimagined into countless forms: consider one such example. Percy Jackson has been a success in print and on television, and now another contemporary, inventive retelling of a myth has received the go-ahead at Amazon Prime. If things proceed smoothly, it could also become a hit. In 2017, New Zealand artist Rachel Smythe began posting the webcomic Lore Olympus on her Tumblr page. It was a rich, watercolor retelling of the Hades and Persephone story, set in a world where Hades is a tender yet reserved romantic lead in business attire, and Persephone is a vibrant pink-haired young woman whose tresses reflect her feelings. The bright colors of Lore Olympus will be reflected in an animated series. | WebtoonThe series quickly relocated to , a well-known webcomic platform. In 2019, announced plans to adapt the comic into an animated series, but little more was heard for seven years. Now, though, confirms the series is finally moving forward at Amazon Prime Video, with Willow’s Julia Cooperman as showrunner. Smythe continued releasing chapters of the original comic until 2024, concluding the story after 280 episodes. The 10th and final graphic novel compilation is scheduled for release in June, meaning there’s ample content to adapt should the series gain traction.Lore Olympus already has a significant fanbase. | Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesPrime Video, for its part, has established itself as a dependable platform for animated franchises with existing fan bases. Critical Role, the web series where actors play Dungeons & Dragons, broke crowdfunding records with Vox Machina, an adaptation of their first campaign, while Hazbin Hotel was derived from a popular YouTube video. Lore Olympus aims to join these ranks, and it possesses the source material to do so.Lore Olympus can be read on .
Trump denounces UK’s island transfer deal that may endanger a critical U.S. military base
On Tuesday, the President made a dramatic U-turn on the United Kingdom’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, warning that this move could jeopardize U.S. access to the Diego Garcia military base.Trump’s about-face underscores what a defense expert termed a "new Trump Doctrine," then links the president’s opposition to the Chagos deal with his push for Greenland and cites fears that Mauritius might later back out.In a Tuesday post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called the U.K.’s Chagos decision "an act of great stupidity.""Shockingly, our ‘brilliant’ NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia—the site of a —to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER," Trump wrote. "There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness.""Trump has done a complete reversal, partly because of the U.K.’s support for and partly because of a new strategy outlined by the White House," John Hemmings, director of the National Security Center at the , told Digital."These moves are interconnected and part of a ‘new Trump Doctrine’ laid out in November’s National Security Strategy," he explained."Diego Garcia poses a potential threat to Beijing’s strategy of controlling vital shipping lanes between the oil-rich Middle East and China’s industrial heartland," he added, noting that "nearly 23.7 million barrels of oil transit the Indian Ocean every day, with the base being critical in any U.S.-China conflict over Taiwan."In a separate post, Trump explicitly tied the Chagos dispute to his Greenland push."The U.K. giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a long line of national security reasons why Greenland must be acquired," Trump wrote.The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius during Britain’s decolonization process—a move the ruled unlawful in 2019. The U.K. later agreed to transfer sovereignty while leasing Diego Garcia back for at least 99 years at an annual cost of no less than $160 million.Diego Garcia serves as a hub for long-range bombers, logistics, and power projection across the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and Africa. Around 2,500 personnel, , are stationed there."If Mauritius were to after taking de jure control, it would place immense pressure on the U.S. in the eyes of international public opinion," Hemmings explained."After all, once Mauritius has , it can renegotiate the lease terms or even renege on the treaty at any time it wishes."It might also grant access to the exclusive economic zone—with all its rich fishing grounds—to , adding another layer of risk to U.S. Air Force operations around the island," Hemmings said."At present, the U.S. base at Diego Garcia is considered secure, with Mauritius promising the U.K. (and by proxy, the U.S.) a 99-year lease that is not supposed to interfere with the operations of the at all. But the devil is in the details."Digital has reached out to the White House to request comment.
Apple’s Biggest Sci-Fi Epic Gives A Glimpse Of The Next Generation With Season 5 Trailer And Release Date
Apple TVAfter an extended wait, fans of can finally breathe easy—Season 5 is on its way, and it’s arriving very soon. Apple TV has just announced the release date, new cast members, and dropped a short teaser trailer for the alternate history sci-fi epic. Now that the timeline has reached 2012 (or possibly a bit later), this may be the last season of For All Mankind featuring cast members from Season 1, which clearly signals it’s time for the next generation to take center stage.Ahead of For All Mankind Season 5, here’s everything we know so far: the trailer, release date, new and returning cast, fresh photos, and plot details. No spoilers ahead for Season 5. Mild spoilers ahead for Seasons 1-4.For All Mankind Season 5 Release Date Dev Ayesa (Edi Gathegi) and Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman) on Mars in Season 5. | Apple TVFollowing the Season 4 finale in January 2024, For All Mankind returns for Season 5 on March 27, 2026. Like previous seasons, there will be 10 episodes total, with the Season 5 finale airing on May 29.For All Mankind Season 5 Timeline and PlotFather and daughter: Kelly Baldwin (Cynthy Wu) and Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman) in Season 5. Ed is probably in his 80s or 90s this season. | Apple TVSeason 4 took place mostly in 2003, which in the FaMK timeline meant Mars had a well-established base—this became the season’s central plotline, ending with Mars residents seizing the massive, valuable Goldilocks asteroid for themselves. As is the show’s tradition, [missing text] shows an even larger Mars base plus Kuznetsov Station, a refinery on the asteroid now in permanent orbit around Mars.So, as Season 5 enters the 2010s, the plot will expand on tensions between Earth and Mars, and may even venture further into the solar system. Here’s the official plot synopsis from Apple:Season five of For All Mankind picks up in the years since the Goldilocks asteroid heist. Happy Valley has grown into a thriving colony with thousands of residents and a base for new missions that will take us even further into the solar system. But with the nations of Earth now demanding law and order on the Red Planet, friction continues to build between the people who live on Mars and their former home.For All Mankind Season 5 Cast Mireille Enos as a new characeter in For All Mankind Season5. | Apple Because For All Mankind began in an alternate 1969, it’s always been a multi-generational show—like One Hundred Years of Solitude, but with an alternate space race. This means cast members have come and gone, sometimes due to tragedy, but more often because time passes and people age. That said, Season5 will feature at least two cast members from Season1: as Ed Baldwin and as Margo Madison. Ed will likely be in his 80s or 90s now, while Margo will be in her70s.Apple’s initial cast announcement didn’t mention as Danielle Poole, who survived Season4 and would be in her late60s or early70s this season. But like , Danielle’s story is arguably well-concluded at the end of Season4. Could she still appear in a big cameo? Anything is possible right now.The biggest development, though, besides returning cast from Seasons2,3, and4, is a bunch of new faces. This makes sense—slowly, the show has been shifting from one generation to the next. Case in point: was a literal child in Season1, and by Season4, she’s NASA’s flight director. Ditto Ed and Karen’s daughter Kelly Baldwin (Cynthy Wu), who had the first pregnancy on Mars in Season3 and by Season4 brings her young son to work there. Is he all grown up in Season5? It looks like it! Here’s the confirmed cast for For All Mankind Season5.Joel Kinnaman as Ed BaldwinWrenn Schmidt as Margo MadisonToby Kebbell as Miles Dale Edi Gathegi as Dev AyesaCynthy Wu as Kelly BaldiwnCoral Peña as Aleida Rosales And new cast members:Mireille EnosCosta RoninInes Asserson Ruby Cruz Sean KaufmanThese new cast members' characters’ names haven’t been confirmed, but the Season5 teaser strongly suggests Kaufman plays adult Alex, the son of Kelly and late cosmonaut Alexei Poletov.For All Mankind Season5 Trailer With a voiceover from Ed, the brief For All Mankind Season5 teaser shows an astronaut riding an awesome dirtbike on Mars. Ed’s narration says, “You’re gonna do things people can’t even fathom,” then we see Kaufman in a space helmet. This is almost certainly Alex, Ed’s grandson.For All Mankind could go well beyond Season5, as creator Ronald D. Moore has often hinted at a seven-season plan. If that’s true, Alex might be the new face of the next generation—starting a group that takes mankind beyond the Moon and Mars to places no one has gone before.For All Mankind streams on Apple TV.
19 Years On, Stephen King’s Most Underrated Horror Movie Has Just Gotten a Major Upgrade
Metro-Goldwyn-MayerChecking into a hotel brings a cozy sense of familiarity—consistently familiar layouts, plush pillows, and the ease of room service. Yet, for those with vivid imaginations, settling into unfamiliar new spaces can feel disquieting. How many others have slept in this bed? Are any mirrors two-way? Did you search every nook for hidden cameras?Two explored the more unsettling sides of a long hotel stay. Jack Torrance became the winter caretaker of the remote Overlook Hotel in The Shining, only to descend into madness in a cold retelling of King’s novel that has solidified its place . With visionary Stanley Kubrick directing—drawing unease from the Overlook’s maze-like layout and grim ghosts—and a cultural legacy of viewers fixated on its ambiguity, it’s clear why King’s other haunted hotel adaptation was overshadowed.With a now out, though, there’s no better moment to dive into 1408. The 2007 film, adapted from King’s 1999 short story, follows Mike Enslin (John Cusack)—a skeptic of the supernatural—who reserves the eponymous room at New York’s Dolphin Hotel. He’s informed no one has stayed inside for more than an hour, and 56 guests have died there over the years. He’s undeterred by its grim reputation, but during one endless hour, Mike encounters its evil first-hand.How Was 1408 Received Upon Release?This psychological horror film earned a solid $132 million against a $25 million budget, securing a second-place debut at the U.S. box office. Calling it the year’s — high praise, given that 2007 also gave us Paranormal Activity, The Orphanage, and REC — critic James Berardinelli named it “among the best King-inspired motion pictures to-date.” It was also warmly received by Mick LaSalle, who called it “a more than most horror films” and “one of the good Stephen King adaptations.”Inevitable (and unfavourable) comparisons to The Shining, however, spawned less enthusiastic takes. Admitting he was “”, Wesley Morris said it lacked “the lunging horror and dramatic architecture to be remotely comparable.” Rob Salem got right to the point: “1408 is . Not even the TV-movie version.” Still, most reviews were positive, even if the movie isn’t as well-remembered as other King adaptations.Fair warning: things get heavy. | Metro-Goldwyn-MayerWhy Is 1408 Important to See Now?It’s simple to see why 1408 might instantly remind people of Kubrick’s masterwork — aside from the setting, both center prickly fathers with fraying family units who seek out a stay at a haunted hotel and are forewarned by managers citing an on-site history of violent murders. Both persist anyway, anticipating the experience to be conducive to their writing careers. Both are oblivious to the horrors awaiting them.Similar to the Overlook Hotel’s unnavigable layout, room 1408’s design shifts, expands, and loops back on itself, increasing the feeling of disorientation. Instead of inducing claustrophobia, the space feels endless, and the initially sarcastic and unimpressed Mike now appears small, alone, and vulnerable. A moving camera captures his POV as his eyes dart around anxiously. Painful memories intrude, blurring the line between present reality and past regrets. 1408 builds its unsettling atmosphere gradually, with dread and confusion heightened through its sound design — the whistling wind is a constant presence, Mike suffers a sudden onset of tinnitus, and he eventually experiences auditory hallucinations.The room is even calculated in its menace, turning on the sprinklers and shorting out the author’s laptop as he attempts to summon help. Unlike Jack’s rapid mental unravelling in The Shining — which King complained robbed audiences of “” — watching the rational Mike break and finally acknowledge the existence of a supernatural evil is what makes 1408 so harrowing.If nothing else, you’ll probably never look at an old Ramada the same way. | Metro-Goldwyn-MayerThe film is also terribly sad. Mike is revealed to be a talented writer who’s taken to churning out hack work after a shattering personal tragedy, and it becomes clear that he spends so much time seeking out ghosts so he doesn’t have to examine his own. While the room tries to goad Mike into taking his own life, it also doubles as a portal into what his life could be like if he makes amends. In showing him all his lowest points, it makes him see how he could’ve acted differently. Four endings were shot for 1408, but the theatrical version got the “happy” conclusion, supplying a welcome catharsis absent from The Shining’s enduring, inescapable horror.What New Features Does The 1408 Blu-ray Have? includes the theatrical and director’s cuts, each on its own 4K UHD disc, and a Blu-ray containing both versions. Other features include:A featurette titled Don’t Enter 1408Audio commentary from director Mikael Håfström and writers Scott Alexander and Larry KaraszewskiThe film’s three alternate endingsDeleted scenes with optional audio commentaryThe Secrets of 1408: A behind-the-scenes featuretteAn interview with John CusackInside Room 1408: A making-of featurette focused on the room and special effectsThe original theatrical trailer for 1408
Ron Perlman? ‘Fallout’s Shocking Cameo Just Revealed a Massive Mutant Easter Egg
Amazon Prime VideoFallout, the TV series, has always distinguished itself from the game through original characters. These new characters are so beloved that now they’re even getting . But Season 2, in particular, has tied the show more closely to the games. Season 1 wrapped with Barb Howard telling those in authority, “War. War never changes”—the line that became the Fallout game franchise’s defining catchphrase. Now, Season 2 has introduced the voice behind that original line—and he’s playing a critically important creature. Warning: Spoilers for Fallout Season 2 Episode 6 ahead! Cooper Howard’s impalement sets up a shocking character reveal. | Amazon Prime VideoThe last time we saw The Ghoul (a.k.a. Cooper Howard), Lucy MacLean had thrown him out a window, leaving him impaled on a spike in the heart of New Vegas. He struggles fruitlessly to free himself before finally giving up—until a monstrous figure arrives to rescue him. After bringing him to a hideout and healing him with a glowing green substance, the Ghoul’s savior shares a bit of context: “They call us abominations, but they created our kind,” he says. The Ghoul disputes this, but his rescuer clarifies: “Ghouls, mutants—we’re family. We should unite against our shared enemy.” So who is this mutant, and what does his arrival mean for Fallout? Super mutants have appeared in every Fallout game, but they’re fundamentally different from ghouls. Ghouls emerged naturally from post-nuclear radiation, while mutants were intentionally created by the Enclave (the odd scientific group we saw in Season 1) using the Regardless, both are shunned by humans and other survivors. Fallout voiceover icon Ron Perlman actually appears on screen (albeit under mutant makeup) in Fallout Season 2. | Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty ImagesBut this isn’t just any mutant: this still-unnamed character is played by Ron Perlman—the voice actor behind perhaps the most iconic element of Fallout altogether: the haunting opening narration of each game, which always concluded with “War. War never changes.” (He also voices the closing narrations, delivering an epilogue based on the player’s choices.) His voice is slightly altered—mutants have distinct vocal inflections—but a brief glimpse of the mutant’s face confirms Perlman isn’t just voicing the character; he’s physically portraying him. Given super mutants’ central role in Fallout lore, it was only a matter of time before they joined the series. Now, the question is how their story will intersect with the rest of the cast’s. Fallout is now streaming on Prime Video.
The US starts transferring ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq during the security transition
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Wednesday that it has started moving ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria as part of a broader endeavor to prevent the terror group's resurgence and maintain long-term security in the region.CENTCOM said that U.S. forces transported 150 ISIS fighters who were being held at a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure location in Iraq, and up to 7,000 detainees are potentially scheduled for transfer."We are closely coordinating with regional partners, including the Iraqi government, and we truly appreciate their role in ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS," said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. "Facilitating the orderly and secure transfer of ISIS detainees is crucial to preventing a breakout that would pose a direct threat to the United States and regional security."The announcement came one day after Tom Barrack, U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, said to assume security responsibilities, including control of ISIS detention facilities and camps.The State Department said in a to Congress that approximately 8,400 ISIS-affiliated detainees from more than 70 countries are being held in detention facilities run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the largest of which is the al-Hol camp.Barrack helped broker a fragile four-day ceasefire agreement on Tuesday between the new interim Syrian government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the Kurdish-led SDF, after escalating clashes threatened to worsen further.The U.S. official said the does not seek a long-term military presence in Syria, emphasizing the need instead for a continued focus on defeating remaining ISIS elements."The deal integrates SDF fighters into the national military (as individuals, which remains among the most contentious issues), hand over key infrastructure (oil fields, dams, border crossings), and cede control of ISIS prisons and camps to Damascus," Barrack wrote on X."This creates a unique opportunity for the Kurds: integration into the new offers full citizenship rights (including for those previously stateless), recognition as an integral part of Syria, constitutional protections for Kurdish language and culture (e.g., teaching in Kurdish, celebrating Nawruz as a national holiday), and participation in governance—far beyond the semi-autonomy the SDF held amid civil war chaos," he added.Syria’s Ministry of Interior said on Monday that security forces had recaptured 81 of the 120 from the al-Shaddadi prison in the Hasakah countryside and were continuing efforts to track down the remaining escapees.The interim government and the SDF have since exchanged blame over responsibility for the escape, which occurred amid heightened tensions over security arrangements in the region.
Army reports rescue of 62 hostages, death of 2 militants in Nigeria
The Nigerian army announced on Wednesday that its forces rescued 62 hostages and killed two militants during two separate counter-insurgency operations, according to a report.This military action follows the abduction of more than 160 worshippers from two churches by armed gangs this past Sunday. It is not yet known whether any of those churchgoers were among the 62 individuals freed.Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba stated that troops, acting on intelligence, stormed a site in northwestern Zamfara state where hostages were believed to be held.Citing the army, Reuters reported that the rescued hostages are now secure and authorities are working to return them to their families.In another mission, Osoba added, soldiers ambushed militants in a border region between Kebbi and Sokoto states.The Sunday kidnappings, which the BBC reported targeted both Christians and Muslims, represent the most recent in a persistent series of mass abductions driven by religious conflict in Nigeria.The nation has seen a significant surge in violence from armed gangs, especially Islamist militants. These groups often base themselves in forest hideouts and raid villages, schools, and houses of worship.Muslim Fulani militants regularly perpetrate violence in northern and central Nigeria, aiming to devastate local economies while also collecting ransom payments.According to Reuters, Kaduna state police reported that gunmen carrying "sophisticated weapons" assaulted two churches in Kurmin Wali village, Afogo ward, around 11:25 a.m. on Sunday.While Kaduna police provided cautious initial figures on Monday, stating dozens were captive as inquiries continued, a senior church official said over 160 worshippers were taken by the gunmen during the weekend incident. Digital’s Bonny Chu and
AmplifiX Releases Comprehensive Sector Report on the Rapid Acceleration of Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND, Jan 21, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - AmplifiX today announced the public release of its newest sector intelligence report, Tokenization of Real-World Assets (RWA): Sector Analysis Deep Dive, a detailed examination of the technological, regulatory, and market forces driving what many now call the next major evolution in global finance. The full report is now available at no cost to readers.As highlighted in the research, tokenization is rapidly shifting from experimentation to early commercialization, with “cash and collateral” instruments—particularly tokenized U.S. Treasuries and money-market products—emerging as the dominant early use case. This new programmable settlement layer is beginning to power workflows across payments, trading, collateralization, financing, and asset servicing, forming the foundation for a more efficient and interoperable financial system.The report outlines the market’s accelerating momentum, including institutional clarity around stablecoin legislation, maturing compliance infrastructure, and the growing presence of qualified custody and lifecycle administration platforms. It also underscores that near-term sector leadership will be defined not by L1 blockchain throughput, but by who delivers regulatory-grade issuance, institutional custody controls, credible distribution channels, and cross-chain interoperability frameworks.In addition to macro framing, the report provides a comprehensive landscape review across the entire tokenization value chain—issuance, custody, wallet governance, distribution, and data layers. It features comparative valuation benchmarks across leading private companies, public-market analogs, and crypto-native RWA protocols. The analysis also expands the private-company universe to include OpenWorld, a full-stack tokenization and public-market structuring platform, along with updated operating metrics from Securitize, Fireblocks, Taurus, Anchorage Digital, and others.Citing recent forecasts from BCG, Standard Chartered, and global regulators, AmplifiX notes that credible estimates place the tokenization opportunity between $16 trillion and $30 trillion over the next decade. Yet the report also emphasizes the importance of diligence, highlighting legal enforceability, custody/segregation requirements, operational resilience, and cross-border regulatory alignment as central pillars for sustainable global adoption.“With regulatory clarity increasing and institutional infrastructure finally reaching maturity, tokenization is entering a transformational phase,” an AmplifiX spokesperson said. “Our goal is to provide the market with unbiased intelligence that helps investors, institutions, and policymakers navigate this rapidly evolving domain with confidence.”The full report is available for free and across 35 languages at: https://www.amplifix.net/intel/rwa-tokenization-articleDisclaimerThis report and press release are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult licensed professionals before making any financial decisions.Contact:Bryan Feinberg, CEOZephyr@Platodata.io Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
AmplifiX Releases Comprehensive Sector Report on the Rapid Acceleration of Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND, Jan 21, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - AmplifiX today announced the public release of its newest sector intelligence report, Tokenization of Real-World Assets (RWA): Sector Analysis Deep Dive, a detailed examination of the technological, regulatory, and market forces driving what many now call the next major evolution in global finance. The full report is now available at no cost to readers.As highlighted in the research, tokenization is rapidly shifting from experimentation to early commercialization, with “cash and collateral” instruments—particularly tokenized U.S. Treasuries and money-market products—emerging as the dominant early use case. This new programmable settlement layer is beginning to power workflows across payments, trading, collateralization, financing, and asset servicing, forming the foundation for a more efficient and interoperable financial system.The report outlines the market’s accelerating momentum, including institutional clarity around stablecoin legislation, maturing compliance infrastructure, and the growing presence of qualified custody and lifecycle administration platforms. It also underscores that near-term sector leadership will be defined not by L1 blockchain throughput, but by who delivers regulatory-grade issuance, institutional custody controls, credible distribution channels, and cross-chain interoperability frameworks.In addition to macro framing, the report provides a comprehensive landscape review across the entire tokenization value chain—issuance, custody, wallet governance, distribution, and data layers. It features comparative valuation benchmarks across leading private companies, public-market analogs, and crypto-native RWA protocols. The analysis also expands the private-company universe to include OpenWorld, a full-stack tokenization and public-market structuring platform, along with updated operating metrics from Securitize, Fireblocks, Taurus, Anchorage Digital, and others.Citing recent forecasts from BCG, Standard Chartered, and global regulators, AmplifiX notes that credible estimates place the tokenization opportunity between $16 trillion and $30 trillion over the next decade. Yet the report also emphasizes the importance of diligence, highlighting legal enforceability, custody/segregation requirements, operational resilience, and cross-border regulatory alignment as central pillars for sustainable global adoption.“With regulatory clarity increasing and institutional infrastructure finally reaching maturity, tokenization is entering a transformational phase,” an AmplifiX spokesperson said. “Our goal is to provide the market with unbiased intelligence that helps investors, institutions, and policymakers navigate this rapidly evolving domain with confidence.”The full report is available for free and across 35 languages at: https://www.amplifix.net/intel/rwa-tokenization-articleDisclaimerThis report and press release are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult licensed professionals before making any financial decisions.Contact:Bryan Feinberg, CEOZephyr@Platodata.io Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES to Exhibit Advanced Precious Metal Materials for Medical Device Components at MD&M West 2026
TOKYO, Jan 21, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES Co., Ltd., a leading global manufacturer of precious metal materials, will exhibit its Visi Fine® Series, a lineup of highly radiopaque precious metal materials and other precious metal-based materials for medical device components, at MD&M West 2026, to be held February 3–5, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.First unveiled at the 2025 event, the Visi Fine® portfolio harnesses TANAKA’s deep expertise in materials development and advanced processing technologies—including diverse melting methods, ultra-fine wire manufacturing, and laser processing—to transform precious metals into highly reliable materials for medical device components. The Visi Fine® brand name is a coined term combining “Visi” (visibility) and “Fine” (ultra-fine, refined materials). It embodies the concept of delivering materials with excellent radiopacity, engineered through advanced processing technologies for use in highly reliable medical device components. By leveraging the high density, superior radiopacity, and strong resistance to oxidation and corrosion of precious metals such as gold and platinum, Visi Fine® materials are particularly well suited for high-precision, minimally invasive medical devices.“Minimally invasive surgeries and treatments have become a cornerstone of modern clinical practice,” said Yasutaka IHARA, Director & Corporate Officer, TANAKA. “Smaller devices such as catheters, implantable products, and diagnostic and therapeutic systems require meticulous precision while remaining clearly visible under X-ray imaging to ensure effective care. Already utilized globally, the Visi Fine® series delivers exceptional reliability, customization, biocompatibility, radiopacity, and corrosion resistance, supporting the development of next-generation, high-precision medical devices.”To achieve these high standards, medical device manufacturers rely on premium materials from trusted suppliers. As the largest precious metals manufacturer in Asia, TANAKA combines regional leadership with a robust global presence, ensuring rapid support both domestically and internationally. With a 140-year history, TANAKA offers a comprehensive, end-to-end service model encompassing bullion procurement, materials processing and manufacturing, product sales, and recycling. This integrated approach enables medical device manufacturers to streamline supply chains, ensure material quality and traceability, and support sustainability initiatives through precious metal recovery and reuse.Through its participation in MD&M West 2026, TANAKA reaffirms its commitment to supporting innovation in the medical and healthcare industries by supplying advanced precious metal materials backed by technical expertise, manufacturing excellence, and a resilient global supply network.Main Exhibited ProductsThe main products on display at MD&M West will include precious metal materials and precision-processed components used in a wide range of medical device applications, particularly catheter-based and implantable devices that require high reliability, biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and radiopacity.Precious Metal Fine Wire- Precious Metal Fine WireTANAKA offers the Visi Fine® series, a lineup of highly reliable platinum-based fine wire materials that deliver excellent radiopacity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical stability, making them well suited for medical device components such as marker bands, electrodes, and implantable parts. By leveraging advanced wire drawing and processing technologies, TANAKA provides fine wires with tight dimensional control and consistent quality, supporting demanding medical applications.Market Bands and EP Bands- Marker Bands and EP BandsMarker bands are essential components for enhancing visibility under X-ray imaging in catheter-based medical devices, supporting accurate device positioning during medical procedures. TANAKA manufactures marker bands from smooth-surface tubing, produced through the careful selection of high-purity materials and optimized manufacturing processes to ensure excellent uniformity, durability, and radiopacity.Solid marker bands are available in a range of materials, including Pt (99.95%), PtIr10, and other precious metal alloys, designed to meet stringent medical device performance requirements. In addition, split marker bands are offered to provide greater design flexibility, enabling customized configurations tailored to specific device architectures and functional needs. All marker bands are manufactured under an ISO 13485–certified quality management system, ensuring consistent quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance.Micromachining Components: Using Laser Cutting and Precision Micromachining Technology- Micromachining componentsTANAKA offers precious metal micromachined components for medical device applications, including cardiovascular and peripheral vascular treatments. By leveraging advanced processing technologies, such as precision machining, femtosecond laser processing, stamping, and welding, TANAKA produces complex-shaped components with excellent burr control and clean surface finishes. A broad range of precious metal materials—including Pt, Pt-Ir, Pt-Ni, and Pt-W alloys—supports high-precision designs that meet the stringent performance and reliability requirements of medical devices.TANAKA’s Rhodium Sheet for Mammography Filter- Rhodium (Rh) Sheet Rhodium sheets are specifically designed for mammography filter applications. With a controlled thickness of 0.05 mm, these rhodium sheets feature a smooth, crack-free surface and excellent thickness uniformity. By leveraging its expertise in high-purity precious metal refining and advanced materials processing, TANAKA delivers rhodium sheets with the quality and consistency required for reliable performance in mammography imaging systems.MD&M West 2026 Outline- Title: MD&M West 2026- Dates and Times: February 3–5, 2026 (local time, Pacific Standard Time)- Location: Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim, California, USA)- Website: https://www.mdmwest.com- Exhibitor: TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES Co., Ltd.- Booth No.: 2185- TANAKA will exhibit a range of precious metal materials and components for medical device applications, including Platinum (Pt) wire, Gold (Au) wire, Platinum marker bands, Platinum–Iridium (PtIr) marker bands, Split marker bands, Micromachining components, and Rhodium (Rh) sheet (Product images and detailed technical information will be available at the booth.)About TANAKASince its foundation in 1885, TANAKA has built a portfolio of products to support a diversified range of business uses focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volume of precious metals it handles. Over many years, TANAKA has manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry and provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and assets. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies in Japan and worldwide collaborate on manufacturing, sales, and technology development to offer a full range of products and services. With 5,591 employees, the group’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2024 were 846.9 billion yen.TANAKA Industrial Precious Metal Materials Portalhttps://tanaka-preciousmetals.comProduct inquiriesTANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES Co., Ltd.https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-on-industrial-products/Press inquiriesTANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/Press release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20260121.pdf Disclaimer:ANY EXPRESS WRITTEN WARRANTY THAT TANAKA MAY ISSUE, IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY AS TO TANAKA’S MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS, EXTENDS ONLY TO THE INITIAL PURCHASER FROM TANAKA OR ITS AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR, IS NOT TRANSFERABLE OR ASSIGNABLE, AND IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF AND TANAKA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS TO THE EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW ANY OTHER WARRANTY, ORAL OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY ORAL OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE.TANAKA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS, DAMAGE, OR EXPENSE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING FROM THE SALE, INABILITY TO SELL, USE, OR LOSS OF USE OF ANY PRODUCT. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY TANAKA, ITS EMPLOYEES, DISTRIBUTORS, DEALERS, OR AGENTS SHALL INCREASE THE SCOPE OF ANY WARRANTY OR CREATE ANY NEW WARRANTIES.THE LIMITATIONS AS STATED HEREIN SHALL NOT PRECLUDE ANY LIABILITY WHICH UNDER APPLICABLE PRODUCTS LIABILITY LAW CANNOT LEGALLY BE PRECLUDED BY CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
Senior diplomat warns Iran will retaliate ‘with everything we have’ should the US attack
it will retaliate "with everything we have" against any fresh U.S. military attack, charging Washington and its allies with leveraging recent unrest to push the region toward a wider war.In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran’s protests began peacefully before being hijacked by "foreign and domestic terrorist actors," prompting a violent crackdown and near-total internet and communications shutdown.He blamed U.S. rhetoric for escalating the bloodshed, arguing that warnings from President had created incentives for mass violence.While insisting Iran prefers diplomacy, Araghchi cautioned that future attacks would trigger a far more forceful response and risk igniting a prolonged regional conflict."As Iranians grieve their loved ones and rebuild what has been destroyed, another threat looms: the final failure of diplomacy. Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack," he said."Iran’s message to President Trump is clear: The U.S. has tried every conceivable hostile act against Iran, from sanctions and cyber assaults to outright military attack—and, most recently, it clearly fanned a major terrorist operation—all of which failed. It is time to think differently. Try respect, which will allow us to advance farther than one may believe."Trump is weighing military action against Tehran, with U.S. assets moving into the region amid international scrutiny over a of anti-government protesters.The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which tracks human rights violations in Iran, said on Tuesday that into the 24th day.The group's aggregated figures showed 629 recorded protests, the arrest of at least 26,314 people and the confirmed deaths of 4,519 individuals.HRANA said 4,251 of those killed were protesters, including 33 children under the age of 18.The announced it will hold a special session to address the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran on Friday.Iranian journalist Elaheh Mohammadi said on X that for the past day or two, VPN access has worked only sporadically for 30 minutes to an hour at a time, allowing brief internet connections to let people know they are still alive."The city smells of death. In all my life, I had never seen snow fall in Tehran and not a single person even smile," she wrote. "Hard days have passed and everyone is stunned; a whole country is in mourning, a whole country is holding back tears, a whole country has a lump in its throat."
Newborn Town Inc. (09911.HK) Announces 2025 Annual Operating Data: Revenue Expected to Achieve RMB 6,760 to 7,000 million, Up over 32%, with Explosive Growth in Innovative Business
EQS via SeaPRwire.com / 21/01/2026 / 19:03 UTC+8 [Hong Kong – 21 January 2026] Newborn Town Inc. (Newborn Town or the company, stock code: 09911.HK), a leading global social entertainment company, released its unaudited operating data for 2025. For the year ended 31 December 2025, the company’s total revenue is estimated to reach approximately RMB 6,760 million to RMB 7,000 million, reflecting a year-on-year increase of approximately 32.8 % to 37.5 %. Among the total revenue, social networking business contributed approximately RMB 6,030 million to RMB 6,230 million, up approximately 30.4% to 34.8% year-on-year. The innovative business saw a year-on-year growth of about 55.7% to 64.2% to approximately RMB 730 million to RMB 770 million, continuing its robust growth momentum. In 2025, the company further deepened the integration of AI technologies into its business operations, enhancing user experience and product commercialization efficiency across business segments and driving high-quality growth. Social Networking Business Maintains Strong Momentum with Reinforced Market Leadership According to the announcement, the company achieved significant year-on-year revenue growth of social networking business in 2025, primarily driven by the continued expansion of diversified social products supported by AI technology. During the year, the company's social networking business achieved structural growth across global markets, with synergies among its "bush-like" portfolio of social apps. Products such as TopTop, a game-oriented social networking platform, maintained explosive growth, acting as key engines of expansion. Meanwhile, other core social apps continued to deliver stable revenue and cash flow contributions. Particularly in the MENA region, Newborn Town has built significant competitive advantages and a robust product ecosystem. In Q4 2025, TopTop, supported by localized operations and a growing UGC ecosystem, further strengthened its market position and emerged as a nationally popular app in high-value markets such as Saudi Arabia. The company’s diverse-audience social networking business (LGBTQ) also sustained solid development in overseas markets. Through deepening community engagement, iterating social features, and launching brand campaigns, HeeSay has further solidified its leading position in Southeast Asia, boosting its brand influence. As the social business continued to accelerate, Newborn Town’s overall market competitiveness also strengthened. In December 2025, the company ranked 4th on Diandian’s “Top Chinese non-gaming publishers by overseas revenue”list, up one place from the previous ranking, reflecting solid growth momentum. The company’s consistently improving localization capabilities remain a key driver of its competitive moat. A research report by CLSA in 2025 highlighted Newborn Town’s distinctive competitive edge, enabled by deeper user insights, refined service experience, and diversified monetization models. With solid localization execution, Newborn Town has also demonstrated strong competitiveness in product innovation, user acquisition, and content operations. Innovative Business Delivers Strong Growth as Quality Games Enter a Phase of Long-Term Operations In 2025, Newborn Town’s innovative business emerged as a strong growth engine. The growth was driven by sustained expansion in traffic monetization, social e-commerce business, revenue contributions from the short drama segment and its self-developed quality games. Since Q4 2024, the quality games segment has entered its profit-harvesting phase. Flagship titles have now transitioned into long-term operations, delivering a meaningful increase in ARPU during the year. Building on the game team’s growing expertise in the merge-game genre and the deeper integration of AI technologies, Newborn Town significantly shortened development cycles in 2025, while new game titles advanced steadily as planned. Over the past year, Newborn Town’s social e-commerce business delivered steady growth, while Heer Health further consolidated its leading position in the HIV prevention and sexual health services segment. In 2025, Heer Health partnered with insurance companies and pharmaceutical firms to launch China’s first critical illness insurance product specifically designed for people living with HIV, offering an innovative solution to long-standing challenges in insurance access for this group. Meanwhile, the company’s short-drama business has also begun to demonstrate early positive results. AI Integration Accelerates Innovation-Driven Momentum In 2025, Newborn Town continued to deepen its AI strategy, integrating AI into core business operations while launching a range of “AI + Social Entertainment” product innovations. In terms of product innovation, the company launched Aippy, an AI-powered creative content community that lowers the barrier to creation for users without coding experience. By integrating advanced AIGC technologies, Aippy enables users to easily create mini-games and other interactive content. Since it launch, the mobile version has received encouraging user feedback, achieving an average rating of 4.9 on both the Apple App Store and major Android app stores. AI technologies have now been embedded across all key operations, with the company’s self-developed multimodal algorithm model, Boomiix, continuing to undergo iterative upgrades. By further deploying AI in core scenarios - from social recommendations, intelligent operations, advertising, risk management and content safety, and creative asset design, Newborn Town has consistently optimized user experience and operational efficiency. In 2025, Newborn Town introduced Siyu, an AI-powered intelligent data platform enabling operations teams to efficiently query data, perform analytics and generate reports via natural-language interactions. The platform was subsequently selected as a flagship case by Amazon Web Services. In September 2025, the company entered a strategic partnership with Tencent Cloud to jointly explore opportunities in “AI + Global Social Entertainment,” leveraging both parties’ technical strengths and market reach. In June 2025, Newborn Town established its global headquarters in Hong Kong, marking a new milestone in its globalization strategy. Between November and December 2025, Newborn Town executed a series of share repurchases on the open market, with an aggregate amount exceeding HKD 80 million, demonstrating management’s strong confidence in the company’s long-term value and growth prospects. Moving forward, the company will continue to deepen its global business footprint and remain committed to creating positive emotional value for users. About Newborn Town Newborn Town has grown into a leading technology company which was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) in 2019 under the stock code 9911. Committed to creating positive emotional values worldwide, Newborn Town has developed a diverse portfolio of applications in the social networking and entertainment sectors. These applications have achieved widespread acclaim, reaching over one billion users in over one hundred countries and regions.Newborn Town considers the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region a key market and has also extended its influence in Southeast Asia, Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea. The company aims to become the world's largest social entertainment company. For enquiries, please contact DLK Advisory pr@dlkadvisory.com 21/01/2026 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
Netanyahu agrees to join Trump’s Gaza Peace Board following initial resistance
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that he will participate in President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, following earlier criticism of the composition of its executive committee.Netanyahu affirmed his involvement in the recently established Board of Peace, which the Trump administration says will oversee the next phase of the Gaza peace plan.The Israeli prime minister’s announcement comes after he initially resisted Trump’s proposal, which followed the appointment of Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi to a separate "Gaza Executive Board."Netanyahu’s office noted that this action was not coordinated with Israel and "runs contrary to its policy."The announcement aligns with Trump’s trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he is expected to share more details about the board. A White House official confirmed the president plans to convene a session of the Board of Peace during his visit.On Tuesday, when asked if the board should replace the United Nations, Trump replied, "It might."Trump said the global body "hasn’t been very helpful" and "never lived up to its potential," but added the U.N. should continue to exist "because the potential is so great."On Jan. 16, the White House stated the Board of Peace will play an "essential role" in implementing all 20 points of the president’s peace plan, including providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.Dozens of countries received invitations over the weekend, according to officials, including Belarus, China, Ukraine, India, Canada, Argentina, Jordan, Egypt, Hungary, and Vietnam, among others.Other entities, including the European Union’s executive arm, confirmed they have received invitations but have not yet responded.On Monday, Trump confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin was invited to join the new board.The Kremlin said Putin received the invitation and is "studying the details," adding it will seek clarity on "all the nuances" in communications with the U.S. government.France also received an invitation but does not plan to join "at this stage," per a French official close to President Emmanuel Macron.The White House said Trump will chair the Board of Peace, joined by senior political, diplomatic, and business figures including Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and billionaire Marc Rowan.Digital’s Landon Mion, Ashley Carnahan, Gillian Turner, and additional contributors
Honda to Discontinue Production of Fuel Cell Systems at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC in the U.S.
TOKYO, Japan, Jan 21, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) today announced that it has decided to discontinue production, before the end of 2026, of the current model of fuel cell system now produced at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC (FCSM), a joint venture between Honda and General Motors (GM). After the discontinuation, Honda will utilize the next-generation fuel-cell system being developed independently by Honda.FCSM was established in January 2017 in Brownstown, Michigan, U.S., as the first ever joint venture in the automotive industry that would produce advanced fuel cell system. The two companies combined their respective expertise in areas of development, production and procurement and realized various synergies, including the development of high-quality fuel cell system with excellent durability and low-temperature resistance, the introduction of cutting-edge production technologies, and cost reduction through commonizing parts suppliers.As this collaboration yielded some positive results, the two companies held extensive discussions regarding the continuation of FCSM business and reached an agreement to discontinue production of fuel cell systems at FCSM. Moving forward, Honda will continue to leverage next-generation fuel cell system technologies developed independently by Honda and strive to further expand business opportunities in order to grow its hydrogen business as one of the new core businesses of Honda.In addition to striving to realize carbon neutrality for all of its products and corporate activities by 2050, Honda is working toward achieving “zero environmental impact” of not only its products, but the entire product lifecycle including its corporate activities, with initiatives in three key areas— carbon neutrality, clean energy and resource circulation.While positioning hydrogen, along with electricity, as high-potential energy carriers, Honda has been conducting research and development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for more than 30 years. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
Notice regarding the dissolution of the joint venture in the home elevator business
TOKYO, Jan 21, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, “Hitachi”) and Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd. (“Hitachi Building Systems”, part of Hitachi’s Connective Industries Sector (“CI Sector”)) today announced that they have decided to transfer all of the shares it holds in Mitsubishi Hitachi Home Elevator Corporation. (“Mitsubishi Hitachi Home Elevator”), a joint venture with Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corporation (“Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions”), to Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions. Hitachi has concluded a share transfer agreement with the company, and the transfer is scheduled to be completed during the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2027.Under its new management plan, “Inspire 2027,” Hitachi is working to increase cash flow, optimize capital allocation, and accelerate portfolio transformation, while pursuing the realization of “True One Hitachi” across the entire Group to further enhance corporate value. Through this share transfer, Hitachi will focus its management resources within the elevator business on products that can serve as digitalized assets, such as standard models and customized models. In addition to ensuring smooth movement within buildings, Hitachi will enhance added value by leveraging the Hitachi Group’s AI and digital technologies. Specifically, by utilizing operational data generated from elevators along with domain knowledge accumulated through inspection records over the past 30 years, and integrating them with advanced AI, Hitachi will drive improvements in maintenance quality and operational efficiency through its next-generation solution suite, “HMAX for Buildings: BuilMirai.” The impact of this share transfer on Hitachi’s consolidated financial results is expected to be minimal.For home elevators delivered by Hitachi and Hitachi Building Systems and currently under maintenance contracts, Hitachi Building Systems will continue to provide support and services until the expiration of each contract.Hitachi’s CI Sector, to which Hitachi Building Systems belongs, focuses on “Integrated Industry Automation,” which aims to expand the next-generation industrial solution suite “HMAX Industry” into growth industries horizontally. HMAX Industry provides next-generation solutions for industry field that combine data from an abundant installed base of products (digitalized assets), domain knowledge, and advanced AI. As part of the CI Sector, Hitachi Building Systems aims to drive innovation for frontline engineers and contribute to improving people's wellbeing through the delivery of HMAX for Buildings: BuilMirai.Overview of Mitsubishi Hitachi Home Elevator CorporationCompany Name: Mitsubishi Hitachi Home Elevator Corporation (The company name is expected to be changed following the transfer of shares held by Hitachi.)Head Office: Kaededai 38, Mino-city, Gifu, JapanRepresentative: Hiroshi Araki, PresidentBusiness Description: Development, design, manufacturing, sales, and installation of home elevators, elevators for small-scale buildings, and elevators for small multi-family residential buildingsCapital: 1 billion yen (50% owned by Hitachi, Ltd. and 50% owned by Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corporation)Number of Employees: Approximately 230 (as of the end of March 2025)Trademark Notice: All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.About Hitachi, Ltd.Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

















