February 2026 – Page 4 – PR in the Philippines

February 26, 2026 by: jenn

Thirty Years Ago, Star Wars Launched a Deeply Underrated Action Series

Bantam SpectraWhat’s the most awesome aspect of the classic Star Wars trilogy? For some, the obvious answer is everything about lightsabers—but the starfighters from the first three films are just as incredible. In fact, one of Star Wars’ key innovations was introducing agile space dogfights to cinema. Before Star Wars, space battles were slower, showing bigger ships fighting like naval battleships. But George Lucas’ creativity and the early team’s technical magic essentially created how we visualize fictional space combat today.It’s easy to think that in the 1990s—when Star Wars was kept alive by video games, comics, and novels—the franchise was just paying homage to its 1970s and ’80s origins. But the reality was more complex. Before The Phantom Menace and the minor reimagining of the Force, the Expanded Universe (later renamed “Legends”)—through landmark works like Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire—pushed Star Wars further into sci-fi subgenres instead of sticking to space fantasy. One standout series, much like Rogue One later would, blended sci-fi espionage with Top Gun-style action: that series is Rogue Squadron.By February 1996, die-hard Star Wars fans around the world had likely read Michael A. Stackpole’s X-Wing #1 Rogue Squadron. This book turned the video game thrill of piloting an X-Wing into a convincing sci-fi narrative.Wedge (Denis Lawson) in Star Wars: A New Hope. | LucasfilmSet two years post-Battle of Endor, Rogue Squadron centers on Wedge Antilles as he rebuilds the elite squadron Luke Skywalker first formed after destroying the original Death Star. Modern, sarcastic Star Wars fans might joke that Rogue Squadron is the ultimate “Glup Shitto” gathering—whether you love that Wedge is the most recognizable original trilogy character here is up to you. But back in 1996, fans couldn’t get enough.The opening pages of Rogue Squadron nailed the starfighter mechanics fans knew from flight sims like Star Wars: X-Wing and Rebel Assault. While the X-Wing was designed in the 1970s by an artist, and John Dykstra and ILM brought it to life on screen, the Expanded Universe made its inner workings understandable. Stackpole’s focus on the technical details of Star Wars canon is remarkable, especially since he didn’t have the large team of Star Wars writers that exist today. Similar to Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy, it feels like Star Wars shares more with Star Trek here—at least when it comes to sci-fi explanations for its technology.But Rogue Squadron became a fan favorite because it’s half Top Gun in space and half the start of a layered spy tale. Stackpole hints at the end of the book that one squad member isn’t loyal to the Rebels—they’re aligned with the Empire instead. This twist isn’t random; from the start, there’s widespread distrust in the Alliance (which sometimes goes by the New Republic, but not always, since things are still fresh). Even Admiral Ackbar is concerned about spies and saboteurs, and though the war is over, the capital planet Coruscant hasn’t been retaken yet. (Again, this is pre-Phantom Menace, so Coruscant only exists in books and comics.) Interestingly, while the novel was new, Dark Horse Comics had been releasing X-Wing: Rogue Squadron comics since July 1995, following Wedge and a different crew in the months right after Endor. In February 1996, the comic arc “The Phantom Affair” hit newsstands alongside the first Rogue Squadron novel. This story had Wedge and his team facing conspiracy theorists who claimed the Battle of Endor never occurred. (It bears repeating: This was 1996—how ahead of its time!)The cover of the first issue of “The Phantom Affair,” a Rogue Squadron storyline, released in February 1996. | Lucasfilm/Dark Horse/MarvelDid fans get confused that the Rogue Squadron comics and first novel were set in slightly different timeframes with different squad members? Sort of. Stackpole’s most iconic addition to Rogue Squadron was Corran Horn, a former Corellian Security Force detective (ex-cop) who’s now an Alliance starpilot. But in the comics, Corran hasn’t joined the squad yet, and apart from Wedge and Tycho Celchu (a character later retconned as an A-Wing pilot in Return of the Jedi), the comic and novel pilots are from different eras.But this complexity was a strength, not a flaw, of the Rogue Squadron craze. The first novel and ongoing comics created a small, dedicated sub-fandom within the Star Wars Expanded Universe community. The Rogue Squadron book series grew to 10 novels, including some by the late Aaron Allston. The comic series ran until November 1998, totaling 35 issues.Has modern Star Wars ever truly leveraged this rich, mostly untapped canon? The short answer is no. Patty Jenkins was set to direct a Rogue Squadron movie in 2020, and as recently as February 2026, screenwriter Matthew Robinson But, the film is planned to take place in the sequel era, not right after the original trilogy. So if Wedge Antilles or Corran Horn appear in that possible movie, they’ll be older, respected figures.Lucasfilm might never recapture the magic of the Rogue Squadron era. But that’s fine—all the books and comics are available for new fans to find. Once you dive in, you’ll wonder how you ever missed them. Star Wars is known for thrilling space battles and speedy starfighters, but that potential was perhaps never realized better than in the pages of Rogue Squadron.Michael A. Stackpole’s first Rogue Squadron book is available for purchase at bookstores worldwide. It’s also a great audiobook, narrated by Marc Thompson. You can find various omnibuses of the X-Wing comics as e-books from Barnes & Noble and other retailers.

February 26, 2026 by: nicole

Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Playing Games with Trump to Delay Peace Talks

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of attempting "to play with the president of the United States" as a tactic to stall American-mediated efforts to conclude the war.During an interview in Kyiv, Zelenskyy refuted assertions from President Donald Trump that Ukraine is the party obstructing peace."We have always been in favor of peace," Zelenskyy stated. "When you are in your home, on your land, in your city, naturally you want the conflict to end." He contended that Russia is instead seeking to prolong talks to evade making concessions. "They try to play with the president of the United States," he said.When asked if he believes Russia is playing a game, Zelenskyy responded: "Yeah, I think so. Yeah. He needs to delay any form of negotiations."Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine's readiness to freeze the conflict at the current front lines, suggesting a ceasefire that would lead to talks. However, he firmly rejected a Russian demand for Ukraine to cede territory that its army has failed to seize after four years of combat.The interview with Zelenskyy took place at his offices in Kyiv, a heavily fortified compound with dimmed lighting and sandbags lining the corridors. Amidst the imposing marble staircases and high ceilings, the walls are adorned with massive portraits of soldiers, each approximately 12 feet tall.Speaking on the day after the war entered its fifth year, Zelenskyy acknowledged that war-weariness exists among some Ukrainians. But he argued that the peace proposals offered to date are disproportionately favorable to Russia."Everybody wants peace, and many people are tired," Zelenskyy said. "But believe me, not everyone is prepared... to accept what Putin has prepared for us."The Ukrainian leader extended an invitation for President Trump to visit, stating: "He will witness the aftermath of the attacks. And he will see how the nation truly lives. Not merely surviving."Despite significant losses, Zelenskyy praised Ukraine's resistance. "Russia was unable and remains unable to occupy us. They did not win, and for us, that is a victory. We defended our independence and freedom."They did not change our country. They did not change our flag."I am certain that Russia has recognized — truly recognizes now — that it was a grave mistake."

February 25, 2026 by: nicole

Iran’s supreme leader operates a ‘state within a state’ via a secret 4,000-person network, report says

FIRST ON FOX: A new report exploring the inner operations of Ayatollah’s office claims the Islamic Republic’s true command structure does not lie within Iran’s visible government, but rather in a shadow system designed to uphold regime control even if the supreme leader himself fades from public view.Titled "Unmasking the Bayt: Inside the Supreme Leader’s Office," the report—published by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and authored by Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi—depicts the Bayt, the Supreme Leader’s Office, as a vast institutional network embedded across Iran’s military, economy, religious institutions, and state bureaucracy."It is the hidden nerve center of the… it operates as a state within a state," Aarabi stated in an interview with Digital.According to Aarabi, this system enables Khamenei to oversee and shape decision-making at every level of the Islamic Republic, including nuclear policy, war planning, and internal security."This is what grants Khamenei absolute control. It is not the visible state—this is the invisible state," he said.The report estimates approximately 4,000 individuals operate within the Bayt’s core structure, with tens of thousands more working through affiliated institutions across the country."There are about 4,000 close employees… think of them as commissars… the actual policymakers," Aarabi noted. "Beyond that, the Bayt’s umbrella includes 40,000 individuals working for it… entrenched in every layer of policy, every state entity."The report maps a tightly managed inner circle at the top of the Bayt, including Khamenei’s sons, particularly Mojtaba Khamenei, who is described as functioning like a "mini-supreme leader" within his father’s office.It details how the structure extends directly into Iran’s military command chain, with senior promotions requiring approval from the Supreme Leader’s office and parallel counterintelligence bodies monitoring loyalty across the armed forces. The Bayt, the report adds, also plays a pivotal role in nuclear negotiations and wartime decision-making, ensuring ultimate authority remains centered on the supreme leader.The network, Aarabi said, effectively replicates state ministries within Khamenei’s office, allowing direct oversight and ideological enforcement across government agencies, universities, and cultural institutions.The report further outlines how the Bayt sustains regime stability through control of the economy, religious institutions, and the education system. Networks of foundations and conglomerates linked to the supreme leader manage major sectors of Iran’s economy, while clerical institutions, universities, and cultural organizations are monitored by embedded representatives tasked with enforcing ideological compliance and quashing dissent."Think of the Bayt as the nucleus of the regime’s core power," Aarabi stated.The findings emerge amid renewed speculation about Khamenei’s health and reduced public appearances, as well as rising regional tensions and the potential for involving Iran.Aarabi dismissed suggestions that Khamenei’s absence from public events signals weakening authority or internal division."We witnessed this during the… even if he is hidden in a bunker, he remains in full control. The Bayt has been strengthening Khamenei’s grip on power," he said.The structure, he argued, was intentionally built to function even without the supreme leader physically present."Even if he is removed, the Bayt as an institution allows the supreme leader to continue functioning," Aarabi said. "View the supreme leader as an institution rather than just a single individual."The report places at the top of Iran’s power hierarchy, above the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the formal government."The Bayt is the core apparatus… the strategic policymaking body driving the ballistic missile program, , and regional destabilization," Aarabi said.The implications, he added, are significant for policymakers in Washington and the region, especially as the U.S. considers options for addressing Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities."Eliminating Khamenei alone is insufficient… you must dismantle this extensive apparatus he has created," Aarabi stated.Instead, any effort to weaken the regime would require targeting the broader institutional structure surrounding the supreme leader, not just the individual at its center."It demands a comprehensive strategy… cyber operations, sanctions, and a military component," he said. "For meaningful change in Iran… you must target the core nucleus of power within the Islamic regime, which is the Bayt."Commenting on reports of Khamenei being a target, he said, "The elimination of Khamenei alone is not enough… dismantling the Bayt’s extensive apparatus is essential," he added.

February 25, 2026 by: nicole

Mexican president weighs legal action against Elon Musk over drug cartel accusation

Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday that her government is considering legal action against Elon Musk, following the billionaire’s baseless accusation that she has links to drug cartels, which came after the death of a top cartel leader.Musk leveled the claim in a post on X, reacting to a resurfaced 2025 video where Sheinbaum addressed cartel violence and opposed reverting to a militarized crackdown. "Reverting to the is not an option. First, because it falls outside the legal framework," she said in the clip.The video was shared by an X user who queried, "She’s a cartel plant right?""She’s simply repeating what her cartel superiors instruct her to say," . "Let’s just note that their penalty for non-compliance is somewhat harsher than ‘a performance improvement plan.’"Sheinbaum addressed the remarks during her daily morning press conference, indicating that her government was assessing its available courses of action."We are deliberating on whether to pursue legal measures," she stated, noting that government legal advisors were examining the case.Musk’s post followed an operation by Mexican security forces , known as "El Mencho," the long-standing leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which led to roadblocks and arson attacks in certain regions of the country.A 2006 military campaign against cartels initiated by former President Felipe Calderón resulted in violent territorial disputes as gangs fragmented, intensifying a cycle of violence that analysts attribute to Mexico’s consistently high murder rates.When asked if the operation against Oseguera indicated a move toward a more aggressive security approach, Sheinbaum dismissed the idea."Apprehending a suspected criminal with an arrest warrant can lead to such situations, but we are ," she said.Ruling Morena party President Luisa Alcalde also criticized Musk’s comments, urging him to utilize his platform to address , misinformation, and the glorification of narco culture."Wealth does not confer moral authority," she stated. "The lives lost in this struggle—often driven by demand in other nations—are infinitely more valuable than any wealth accumulated in Silicon Valley."Over 130,000 individuals are listed as missing in Mexico, where a significant portion of the violence is tied to drug cartels that traffic narcotics to the U.S. and acquire weapons from across the border.Reuters contributed to this report.

February 25, 2026 by: jenn

Hulu Has Just Quietly Added the Most Unfairly Criticized Video Game Adaptation

It’s easy to understand why, almost as soon as the first game launched, the Resident Evil series was bound for the silver screen — its suffocating atmosphere and eerie mystery-driven story not only transformed the survival horror genre but also felt intensely cinematic back then. Fans didn’t have to wait long to see its impact: not only was it a key influence on [missing text] and the revival of zombie movies in the early 2000s, but just six years after the first game’s debut, Resident Evil received its own film adaptation, helmed by Paul W.S. Anderson. Though Anderson’s Resident Evil film series was a massive box office hit for Sony Pictures, the initial installment arrived at a time when adaptations (particularly video game ones) often seemed embarrassed by their source material, leading to six films that veered into their own tangled, complicated continuity.After Anderson’s franchise wrapped up in 2016, game fans have been pleading for an adaptation that sticks to the existing story and canon, but this year’s upcoming reboot has already made it obvious [missing text]. Yet in 2021, those hopes were fulfilled by a forgotten reboot that slipped under most people’s radar—even though it’s likely the most faithful adaptation to date.Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City definitely isn’t among the top zombie films of all time; it’s overly derivative with shallow writing and lacks the stylistic panache that defined earlier franchise adaptations. But where it falls short of the post-Matrix energy of Anderson’s films, it more than compensates with its dedication to the game’s storyline. Merging the events of the first two games, WTRC tells two stories at once: Raccoon City’s elite police unit (S.T.A.R.S.) stumbles into a horror at the Spencer Mansion, while rookie officer Leon S. Kennedy (Avan Jogia) and Claire Redfield (Kaya Scodelario) fight to survive a city-wide infection.Exact scene-for-scene remakes aren’t a guaranteed way to create a meaningful adaptation, but after six films that strayed far from the source, it’s satisfying to see some of the game’s most iconic moments come alive on screen. It’s clear director Johannes Roberts is a die-hard fan of the series, and his unwavering loyalty brings an infectious appeal—who can resist smiling when the first zombie attacks a Bravo Team member as the heroes enter the Spencer Mansion, or when the opening sequence of Resident Evil 2 is recreated almost frame by frame?One of many moments nearly identical to how it plays out in the video game. | Sony PicturesWhen it comes to visual style and faithfulness, the film also makes a strong effort to bring the game’s iconic characters to life. Chris (Robbie Amell) and Claire Redfield look like they were pulled straight from the remakes of the games where they first appeared— a stark contrast to the drastic changes in Anderson’s films. The rest of the cast is hit-or-miss, lacking the sharp character development that would make them likable: Avan Jogia adds boyish charm and laid-back charisma to his portrayal of the early-career Leon Kennedy, but the writing pushes him to the sidelines and strips him of the heroism and resourcefulness he’s famous for in the games. Meanwhile, Tom Hopper’s Albert Wesker is nothing like the cunning, power-hungry villain from the original material.More than any prior film adaptation, Welcome to Raccoon City delves deep into the game’s official lore—reimagining some parts and directly borrowing others. From the inclusion of Lisa Trevor (the tragic Patient Zero introduced in the 2002 Resident Evil remake) to an Easter egg hinting at the menacing Ashford Twins (almost certainly a setup for a sequel that never happened), it’s clear the film’s crew did their research and wanted to reward long-time fans with a world that feels familiar and authentic. This fan-focused approach also applies to the zombies and monsters: while Roberts seems to have saved the massive Tyrants for a follow-up, viewers still get to see familiar enemies like the infected dogs that plagued players in the first game and the terrifying Lickers from Resident Evil 2.The costuming department clearly did their research. | Sony Pictures EntertainmentEven though the film aims to be a tribute to the franchise, it’s held back by weak screenwriting and the inherent challenges of adapting video games. The original Resident Evil was revolutionary because its oppressive atmosphere and tension came from player interaction and choices—every mistake could scare you. As a film, Welcome to Raccoon City can’t replicate that feeling; instead of building tension through the game’s constraints (like limited ammo or isolation), it leans into an action-horror tone similar to the third-person shooter style of Resident Evil 4 or James Cameron’s Aliens. The story also suffers from combining the first two Resident Evil games: instead of letting each story develop characters and plot points properly, they’re awkwardly merged, making the movie feel overcrowded.Despite its flaws, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is a fun, mostly exciting journey through one of the most iconic settings in gaming and pop culture. For the first time since the franchise hit Hollywood, WtRC tries to create an experience that feels familiar to long-time fans—even if it’s confusing or overwhelming for newcomers. It’s not as innovative for the genre as the original game was when it came out, but anyone willing to look past its deviations from the source material will find much to enjoy: its John Carpenter-style pulpiness and the obvious love for the games that shines through every scene.Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is streaming on Hulu.

February 25, 2026 by: nicole

Four Killed in Gunfire Exchange Between Cuban Coast Guard and US-Registered Boat

Four individuals were killed and six others sustained injuries aboard a U.S.-registered speedboat during an exchange of gunfire off the island’s coast, the Interior Ministry reported on Wednesday.The ministry stated that a Cuban patrol vessel approached the Florida-registered boat to identify its occupants when shots were fired from the boat, injuring the captain of the Cuban craft.According to Havana’s statement, the boat, identified by the number FL7726SH, was detected within Cuban territorial waters on Wednesday morning on the northeast side of the El Pino channel near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province.Cuban forces moved in to inspect the vessel, but the "crew of the violating speedboat opened fire," leading to return fire from Cuban forces."As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured," the ministry announced, adding that the injured individuals were evacuated and are receiving medical attention."In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region."The ministry also indicated that an investigation would be conducted to fully clarify the events.Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also announced on X that he had directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to initiate an investigation.In his statement, Uthmeier expressed distrust in the Cuban government and pledged that his office would "do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable."The incident occurred while Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Caribbean for a summit of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, in Saint Kitts and Nevis.Senator Marco Rubio is meeting with regional leaders for closed-door discussions on security, economic cooperation, and shared concerns regarding U.S. policies in the hemisphere.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

February 25, 2026 by: emer

Executive Agility & DealMaker Launch Strategic Collaboration to Power Digital Capital Raising for IPO Readiness

Reno, Nevada--(ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com - February 25, 2026) - Executive Agility, a boutique consultancy specializing in IPO readiness, governance and multi-stakeholder project management for effective capital markets execution, today announced a strategic collaboration with DealMaker, a leading online capital-raising platform that powers online capital (ie: Regulation A) for emerging companies right through to IPO. The collaboration gives global growth and pre-IPO companies targeting listings on U.S. and Canadian stock exchanges - such as TSX, TSXV, CSE, U.S. national exchanges, SEC-registered offerings, and OTC markets - access to a self-directed, tech-enabled capital-raising channel that complements traditional investment banking and underwriting.A Digital, Self-Directed Capital-Raising Path that Complements Investment BanksThrough this collaboration, Executive Agility will integrate DealMaker's digital capital-raising infrastructure into its IPO readiness and governance services, enabling issuers to run online Regulation A, Regulation CF, and Regulation D campaigns while also working with investment banks and underwriters on traditional offerings. These exempt offerings can be sequenced before or alongside underwritten IPOs, uplists, or other SEC-registered transactions, allowing issuers to validate investor demand, build investor communities, and strengthen their capital structure ahead of a listing."IPO-bound and dual-listing companies want more control over their capital-raising journey while still leveraging the strengths of investment banks and underwriters," said Deb Banning, CEO and Founder of Executive Agility. "By combining Executive Agility's IPO readiness, governance benchmarking, and capital markets execution expertise with DealMaker's digital capital-raising platform, we provide issuers with a coordinated, complementary set of tools to raise capital, de-risk execution and move faster toward listing on U.S. and Canadian exchanges.""Our mission is to give founders and executives a digital, compliant way to raise capital on their own terms, from early growth through IPO," said Rebecca Kacaba, co-founder and CEO of DealMaker. "Working alongside Executive Agility's IPO readiness and governance advisory services - and within a broader ecosystem of global exchanges - we help issuers utilize flexible, compliant offerings in a way that perfectly complements traditional investment banking, rather than competing with it."Executive Agility Facilitates Cross-Border Capital Markets TransactionsExecutive Agility's IPO and listing readiness services routinely assist issuers pursuing listings, uplistings, or dual / cross-listings on the CSE, NSX and other North American and international exchanges, within integrated U.S.-Canada-Australia capital markets strategies.Executive Agility enables issuers to:Engage key capital markets participants to secure growth and pre-IPO funding for upcoming IPOs, RTOs, uplistings, and exchange transitions in the U.S. and Canada.Pursue dual listings, cross-listings, and uplistings on CSE, TSX / TSXV, U.S. exchanges, OTCQX / OTCQB, and NSXAAlign governance, disclosure, and execution with SEC, Canadian, and other regulatory standardsCoordinate governance benchmarking, disclosure readiness, and execution oversight to satisfy public-market requirements during capital raisingEnd-to-End IPO Readiness, Governance and Capital Markets ExecutionExecutive Agility operates as the execution and coordination layer between issuers, boards, underwriters, legal counsel, auditors, regulators, and other advisors, ensuring companies are not only technically eligible to list, but genuinely ready to operate as public companies. The firm's services include IPO and listing readiness assessments, governance benchmarking, disclosure and continuous reporting frameworks, multi-party stakeholder coordination, and leadership deployment to stabilize organizations during change and transactions.By adding DealMaker as a preferred digital raising platform within its curated Professional Network, Executive Agility now offers IPO readiness and capital-raising clients:A flexible, tech-driven capital-raising channel (Reg A, Reg CF, Reg D) that can be used pre-IPO, between rounds, and post-listing alongside underwritten offerings.Faster, more predictable IPO and listing timelines through structured project management, governance remediation, and integrated capital markets execution across U.S., Canadian, and cross-border markets.A coordinated, white-glove approach that reduces transaction and execution risk and improves the quality of filings and investor communications across the IPO and listing lifecycle.About Executive AgilityExecutive Agility serves as the strategic quarterback for the IPO and listing process, providing global growth companies with a rapid, coordinated and cost-effective path to market success. The firm specializes in IPO readiness, governance transformation and executive deployment for issuers targeting the TSX, TSXV, CSE, U.S. national exchanges and OTC markets.As the essential execution layer between issuers, boards, underwriters, legal counsel and regulators, Executive Agility ensures organizations are not only technically eligible to list but genuinely prepared to operate as sophisticated public companies. By integrating a turnkey professional network with modern digital capital-raising tools, we reduce transaction risk, accelerate timelines and reduce costs. Executive Agility empowers growth-stage companies to navigate the complexities of U.S., Canadian and cross-border capital markets with speed, institutional-grade discipline and confidence.About DealMakerHeadquartered in New York City, DealMaker is the future of capital raising. With more than $2.4 billion raised, DealMaker's platform enables companies to own their end-to-end capital raising lifecycle—from investor acquisition and conversion to compliance, payments, and engagement. Its white-label approach allows companies to retain ownership of their data and investor relationships while building lasting investor communities around their brands. For more information, visit dealmaker.tech.Media Contact - Executive AgilityDeb BanningChief Executive Officerinfo@executive-agility.comMedia Contact - DealMakerChris DeLucapress@dealmaker.techTo view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285279 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

February 25, 2026 by: nicole

As the war enters its fifth year, Ukraine will meet with Trump’s envoys ahead of high-stakes Geneva talks with Russia

Ahead of crucial trilateral discussions in Geneva that will involve Russian representatives, Ukrainian and U.S. officials are reportedly scheduled to convene. This news emerges shortly after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine entered its fifth year.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed journalists about the planned U.S.-Ukraine meeting for Thursday, as reported by The Associated Press. According to the AP, Zelenskyy indicated that the discussions would center on the potential for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and preparations for the forthcoming trilateral meeting with Russia.The meeting is expected to include Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as cited by Zelenskyy, according to the AP. Diana Davytian, Umerov's press secretary, also confirmed to the AP that the meeting would take place in Geneva. The report noted that the same Swiss city is slated to host U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations on the same day as the trilateral talks.Zelenskyy stated that he had assigned Umerov the task of discussing a potential prisoner exchange, the AP reported. He also expressed Ukraine's desire for the talks with Russia to occur next week.The Trump administration's efforts to broker an end to the protracted war have previously brought Russian and Ukrainian envoys together in Abu Dhabi and Geneva, though these meetings have not yet yielded a peace agreement.Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that he had met with Zelenskyy and discussed "Ukraine's security and deepening defense and economic partnerships.""President Trump wants a solution that ends the bloodshed once and for all," Rubio wrote.Furthermore, last week, Zelenskyy mentioned speaking with Witkoff and Kushner in anticipation of the trilateral meetings in Geneva, which he stated the Ukrainian government anticipates will be "truly productive.""We also discussed some developments following the meetings in Abu Dhabi. Not everything can be shared over the phone, and our negotiating team will present Ukraine’s position next week. I also spoke about our meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. We greatly appreciate that America consistently maintains a constructive approach and is ready to assist in protecting lives," Zelenskyy wrote on X. "I thank President Trump, his team, and the people of the United States for their support."On Tuesday, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's resilience, stating that Putin had not defeated Ukraine nor broken the country's spirit. This declaration coincided with Ukrainian forces achieving their most significant gains since 2024, according to the AP, which cited the Institute for the Study of War. The institute observed that Ukrainian forces have repelled Russia's army at various points along the front line in the eastern regions of the country.The State Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

February 25, 2026 by: nicole

Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland hospitalized during Epstein investigation

Thorbjørn Jagland, the former Prime Minister of Norway, has been admitted to the hospital. This hospitalization comes a mere two weeks after he faced charges of aggravated corruption, which stemmed from revelations in documents connected to His attorney, Anders Brosveet of Elden Law Firm, informed Bloomberg in a Monday statement that the 75-year-old Jagland's hospitalization was "due to the strain arising in the wake of this case."Jagland, who previously held positions as secretary general of the Council of Europe and chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, is presently a central figure in the prominent Epstein investigation.Information from the Epstein file disclosures indicates that Jagland might have resided at Epstein's residences in Paris, New York, and Palm Beach during his leadership of the Council of Europe. Jagland, however, has refuted any criminal misconduct and asserts that he never set foot on Epstein's private island.At its own request, the Council of Europe recently removed Jagland's immunity, which covered his decade-long service at the organization, thereby opening up the .Searches of Jagland's private homes have already been carried out by Norway's economic crime authority. Bloomberg also reports that Norwegian diplomats Terje Rød-Larsen and his spouse, Mona Juul, are currently under police investigation.Jagland is among several notable international individuals mentioned in the . While his legal representatives affirm his cooperation with authorities, they contend that there are no legitimate grounds for prosecution.In a statement issued on February 11, Brosveet stated that Jagland "takes this matter very seriously, but wishes to emphasize that he believes there are no circumstances that constitute criminal liability."Jagland played a pivotal role in the decision to grant the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to then-President , a Democrat. As the newly appointed chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee at that time, the selection proved to be controversial.Jagland was the main within the five-member committee. Despite initial skepticism from some members — considering Obama had been in office for under nine months and the nomination deadline was only 12 days post-inauguration — Jagland reportedly leveraged his influence to achieve a unanimous vote.His argument was that the prize ought not merely to acknowledge past accomplishments but should serve to "strengthen" a leader's continuous endeavors in global diplomacy.Last fall, President criticized Obama's 2009 Nobel Peace Prize while advocating for his own nomination for the award.On October 9, Trump informed reporters in the Oval Office, "He got it for doing nothing." He added, "Obama got a prize — he didn't even know what [for] — he got elected, and they gave it to Obama for doing absolutely nothing but destroying our country."

February 25, 2026 by: nicole

Trump delivers strong warning to Iran, prompting angry response from Tehran as global reaction remains subdued

Iran issued a sharp rebuke after the President placed its government on alert during his State of the Union speech, issuing a strong caution regarding Tehran's goals as international leaders mostly refrained from comment following the address.Delivering his remarks against the backdrop of the biggest U.S. military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq War, Trump stated his desire to ease friction with Iran via diplomatic channels while charging Tehran with enhancing its missile programs."They’ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas," he said. "And they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America.""My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy," Trump added. "They want to make a deal. But we haven’t heard those secret words: we will never have a .""But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror… to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen."Trump contended that prior American actions, such as the June "Operation Midnight Hammer" strike, had significantly weakened but cautioned that the danger remained."We wiped it out and they want to start all over again and are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions," he said.Tehran strongly denied Trump's allegations concerning its missile and nuclear initiatives. According to , Iranian authorities dismissed U.S. comments as propaganda, though they did not rule out diplomatic engagement before the Geneva discussions.The Times of India reported that Iranian officials cautioned that any American military action, even a "limited" strike, would be considered an act of aggression and prompt a firm retaliation.The verbal clash highlighted the growing divide between public statements and continuing diplomatic work as Washington and Tehran geared up for a further session of .Trump also connected his foreign policy goals to wider regional security initiatives, citing recent activities in the Western Hemisphere and the U.S. offensive against ."We’re also restoring American security and dominance in the Western Hemisphere, acting to secure our national interests and defend our country from violence, drugs, terrorism, and foreign interference," he said. "Large swaths of territory in our region, including large parts of Mexico… have been controlled by murderous drug cartels. That’s why I designated these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations… We’ve also taken down one of the most sinister cartel kingpins of all. You saw that yesterday," he said, referring to the operation that killed Mexican drug lord El Mencho.European media described the speech as bold and adversarial, with experts paying close attention to potential consequences for , Ukraine policy, and trade ties. Coverage stressed Trump's connection of diplomacy to military preparedness, along with the administration's wider stance on alliances and deterrence."NATO countries… have just agreed, at my very strong request, to pay 5% of GDP for military defense rather than the 2%," Trump said during the address, framing the decision as proof of changing cost-sharing inside the alliance.In international media reports, one point became evident: the speech seemed mainly aimed at a domestic political audience while also sending signals abroad.Trump consistently connected U.S. military might to deterrence, informing legislators that America would "never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must," and highlighting a wider "peace through strength" doctrine, as per Reuters' account of the speech.Foreign policy experts quoted in global news outlets said the address bolstered a deal-making stance on world security, where diplomacy is offered as conditional and supported by military power.For Tehran, the meaning was clear. Trump presented the nuclear matter as having a non-negotiable end goal, with the next set of talks scheduled to begin in Geneva on Thursday.The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

February 25, 2026 by: grit

Everest Medicines Shareholders Pass Resolutions Including Commercialization Service Agreement at EGM

HONG KONG, Feb 25, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Everest Medicines shareholders passed all proposed resolutions at an extraordinary general meeting (the “EGM”) held virtually on February 24, 2026, the company said in a filing.Per the voting results, shareholders formally approved, confirmed and ratified the Commercialization Service Agreement entered into with Hasten on 11 December 2025, along with the transactions contemplated thereunder. Resolutions regarding the grant of awards to the company’s management and the adoption of the 2026 Share Scheme—including the associated mandate limits—were also passed at the meeting.The unified shareholder support signals strong investor confidence in the company's strategic direction and corporate governance. Following the approval, Everest Medicines is expected to improve utilization and productivity of its existing commercial platform, while strengthening its commercial capabilities and life-cycle management in support of its long-term development strategy. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

February 25, 2026 by: emer

Doubleview Gold Corp. Reports Updated Mineral Resource Estimate as of February 25, 2026 Including a Copper Equivalent Mineral Resource: 609 (Mt) of Measured and Indicated Resources at 0.43% CuEq containing CuEq 5.82 Billion lbs. 503 (Mt) of Inferred Resources at 0.41% CuEq containing CuEq 4.57 Billion lbs

Resource estimate highlights:Measured Mineral Resources of 272 million tonnes (Mt), Indicated Mineral Resources of 337 Mt, and Inferred Mineral Resources of 503 Mt at a 0.2% copper equivalent (CuEq) cut-off grade, or272 Mt of Measured Mineral Resources, expressed in contained metal, total 2.61 billion pounds (Blb) of copper equivalent (CuEq) at 0.44% CuEq, including 1.11 Blb of copper, 35.6 million pounds (Mlb) of cobalt, 1.41 million ounces (Moz) of gold, and 2.17 Moz of silver. (Table 1)337 Mt of Indicated Mineral Resources, expressed in contained metal, total 3.21 Blb of 0.43% CuEq, including 1.31 Blb of copper, 44.5 Mlb of cobalt, 1.81 Moz of gold, and 2.88 Moz of silver. (Table 1)509 Mt of Inferred Mineral Resources, expressed in contained metal, total 4.57 Blb of 0.41% CuEq, including 1.72 Blb of copper, 66.2 Mlb of cobalt, 2.77 Moz of gold, and 4.19 Moz of silver. (Table 1)Scandium Resource: The deposit hosts 609 Mt in the Measured and Indicated categories (containing approximately 17,510 tonnes of scandium) and 504 Mt in the Inferred category (containing approximately 14,465 tonnes of scandium). Scandium has been incorporated into the Mineral Resource Estimate and under current processing constraints, is limited to 12.5% of tailings using internally generated acid. The scandium resource is estimated at 76 Mt Measured and Indicated at 28.8 g/t Sc (containing 2,189 tonnes of scandium) and 63 Mt Inferred at 28.7 g/t Sc (containing 1,808 tonnes of scandium).Vancouver, British Columbia--(ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com - February 25, 2026) - Doubleview Gold Corp (TSXV: DBG) (OTCQB: DBLVF) (FSE: 1D4) ("Doubleview" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the update of the Mineral Resource estimate (MRE) of its 100%-owned polymetallic Hat porphyry project (Hat), in northwestern British Columbia. With major content of copper, gold, cobalt and silver, as well as scandium, Hat becomes an important source of critical minerals.Farshad Shirvani, president and CEO of Doubleview Gold Corp commented, "Year by year, the size of the deposit was increased by very targeted drilling, bringing it to a footprint of about 1.6 km by 1.6 km. I appreciate my technical and management team in this endeavour. We've discovered numerous additional elements within the Hat deposit that will soon be unveiled, each further showcasing the deposit's uniqueness and enhancing the resource."Summary of MRE for Hat Deposit:Table 1: Hat MRE at a 0.2% CuEq Cut-Off Effective February 4, 2026,(Base-Case Scenario to be Presented in the Technical Report)Mineral Resource ClassificationTonnage(Mt)Average GradeMetal ContentCuEq(%)Cu(%)Au(g/t)Co(%)Ag(g/t)CuEq(Blb)Cu(Blb)Au(Moz)Co(Mlb)Ag(Moz)Measured2720.440.220.180.0080.372.611.111.4135.62.17Indicated3370.430.210.190.0080.393.211.311.8144.52.88Total M+I6090.430.210.180.0080.385.822.423.2280.15.05Inferred5030.410.180.190.0080.384.571.722.7766.24.19 Table 2: Hat MRE at a 0.2% CuEq Cut-Off as of February 4, 2026, Scandium Oxide ResourcesMineral Resource ClassificationTonnage(Mt)Sc Tonnage1(Mt)Average GradeSc (g/t)Metal ContentSc2O3 2 (t)Measured2723428.791,081Indicated3374228.761,334Total M+I6097628.772,415Inferred5036328.691,996 Notes: 1 Scandium tonnages represent 12.5% of the mineralized material by category, reflecting the proportion of tailings expected to be processed through a dedicated scandium leach circuit under current metallurgical design constraints.2 Scandium oxide metal content have been calculated using the metallurgical recovery of 72% and conversion factor from Sc to Sc2O3 of 1.534. Mineit's Qualified Person, Tomasz Wawruch, FAusIMM, completed the MRE, and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure related to the MRE contained in this news release. Mr. Wawruch is a senior geology and mineral resource consultant independent of Doubleview. Mr. Gilles Arseneau, PhD., P.Geo., of ARSENEAU Consulting Services Inc., provided an independent review of this MRE.Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. The Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (2014), and CIM MRMR Best Practice Guidelines (2019).The effective date of the MRE is February 4, 2026.Metal contents have been calculated using the following metallurgical recovery factors: Cu = 85%, Au = 89%, Co = 78%, and Ag = 68%.Economic assumptions used include US$4.80/lb Cu, US$20.00/lb Co, US$3,200/oz Au, US$46/oz Ag, and a 2% NSR royalty.Mineral Resources are reported within optimized open pit constraints and 0.2% CuEq cut-off grade, based on a C$7.93/t milled processing cost and C$2.90/t milled general and administrative cost, with a mining cost of C$3.01/t plus incremental mining cost increasing by C$0.015/t for every bench below the reference level of 1,125 mRL.CuEq calculations do not include scandium. The formula used to calculate CuEq is: CuEq = [(((Ag × 46.0 × 0.68)/31.1035) + ((Au × 3200 × 0.89)/31.1035) + 0.0001 × (Co × 20.0 × 0.78 × 22.0462) + 0.0001 × (Cu × 4.8 × 22.0462 × 0.85))/(4.8 × 22.0462 × 0.85)], where all input variables are expressed in (ppm) and CuEq is expressed in percent (%).Rounding may result in minor variations between individual values and totals; such differences are not considered material to the MRE.Mineral Resource classification reflects the level of geological confidence and satisfies the uncertainty criteria appropriate for exploration and resource development. Additional drilling will be required to reduce uncertainty to the level expected for production planning. The MRE reflects the geological interpretation, drill-hole spacing, and estimation parameters available at the time of modelling. Any additional drilling is expected to influence the current outcome by improving confidence in the estimates and refining the geometry of the mineralized domains.The Mineral Resource results are presented in situ within the optimized pit. Mineralized material outside the pit has not been considered as a part of the current MRE tabulation. Calculations used metric units (metres, tonnes, g/t).A total of 97 diamond drill holes, comprising 49,548 m of core, were incorporated into the Mineral Resource Estimate. All drilling data used in the MRE were subject to standard QA/QC validation prior to inclusion.The block model is defined relative to a model origin at UTM Zone 9N 346,750 E / 6,453,000 N / 0 (NAD 83). Parent blocks measure 15 × 15 × 15 m, totalling 136 × 150 × 75 blocks across extents of 2,040 m (X), 2,250 m (Y), and 1,125 m (Z). All volumes and estimates are constrained by these discretization parameters. Figure 1: Plan View at 715 m ASL of the Block Model Showing the Distribution of Equivalent Copper Grade Within the Optimized 120 Kilotonne per Day (kt/d) Pit Shell Outline (UTM Zone 9N [NAD 83])To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/285247_b57c38042424daa0_001full.jpgFigure 2: Cross-Section of East 348000 Looking West of the Block Model Showing the Distribution of Equivalent Copper Grade Within the Optimized 120 kt/d Pit Shell Outline (UTM Zone 9N [NAD 83])To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/285247_b57c38042424daa0_002full.jpgFigure 3: Plan View at 715 m ASL of the Block Model Showing the Distribution of Equivalent Copper Classification Within the 120 kt/d Optimized Pit Shell Outline (UTM Zone 9N [NAD 83])To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/285247_b57c38042424daa0_003full.jpgFigure 4: Cross-Section of East 348000 Looking West of the Block Model Showing the Distribution of Equivalent Copper Classification Within the 120 kt/d Optimized Pit Shell Outline (UTM Zone 9N [NAD 83])To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/285247_b57c38042424daa0_004full.jpgThe Hat DepositThe Hat Claims property consists of 16 mineral tenures covering 13,823.09 hectares north of the Golden Bear mine road in northwest B.C. For additional information please visit www.doubleview.ca.Mineit Consulting Inc (Mineit) prepared the MRE in accordance with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves on Mineral Resources and Reserves. A Technical Report in support of the MRE will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) within 45 days.Tomasz Wawruch, FAusIMM, of Mineit, is the Qualified Person for the MRE, and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure related to the MRE contained in this news release. Mr. Wawruch is a geology and mineral resource consultant independent of Doubleview. Gilles Arseneau, PhD., P.Geo of ARSENEAU Consulting Services Inc. provided an independent peer review of the MRE and did not identify any fatal flaws with the resource model prepared by Tomasz Wawruch.With respect to the Hat Project metallurgical studies, EUR ING Andrew Carter, B.Sc., CEng., MIMMM QMR, MSAIMM SME, of Magister Metallurgy, is Doubleview's Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects; he has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release. Mr. Carter is independent of Doubleview.About Doubleview Gold Corp.Doubleview Gold Corp., a mineral resource exploration and development company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is publicly traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange (TSXV: DBG), the OTCQB (OTCQB: DBLVF), the Berlin Stock Exchange [GER: A1W038], and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange [1D4]. Doubleview identifies, acquires, and finances precious and base metal exploration projects in North America, particularly in British Columbia. The Company increases shareholder value through the acquisition and exploration of quality gold, copper, cobalt, scandium, and silver properties—collectively critical minerals—and through the application of advanced, state-of-the-art exploration methods. Doubleview's portfolio of strategic properties provides diversification and mitigates investment risk.On behalf of the Board of Directors,Farshad Shirvani, President & Chief Executive OfficerFor further information please contact:Doubleview Gold CorpVancouver, BCFarshad ShirvaniPresident & CEOInstitutional Line: (604) 607-5470T: (604) 678-9587E: corporate@doubleview.caNEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the Mineral Resource Estimate and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285247 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

February 25, 2026 by: grit

Toyota Launches New bZ4X Touring BEV Focused on Driving Performance and Spaciousness in Japan

Toyota City, Japan, Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) launched the new bZ4X Touring BEV on February 25, 2026, following the bZ4X.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD) (Model with options shown)The bZ4X Touring is a new battery electric vehicle (BEV) that combines the original bZ4X's defining qualities―the joy of driving, including strong acceleration and off-road capability, and the everyday convenience of ample cruising range―and is suited for a wide range of situations, including outdoor activities, offering a spacious luggage compartment.Throughout vehicle development, Toyota revisited customer feedback to make BEVs a more accessible choice. This revealed a significant global demand for enhanced utility in BEVs to support family leisure activities like outdoor adventures.The bZ4X Touring features approximately 1.4 times more luggage space*1 than the bZ4X. It also incorporates outdoor-inspired equipment throughout, making it a model designed for enjoyable long-distance touring with family and friends.It also achieves a class-leading*2 cruising range of 734 km*3 and enables rapid charging in as little as approximately 28 minutes*4 under cold conditions. Furthermore, the 4WD model, achieving 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.6 seconds*5, comes equipped with X-MODE as standard, further enhancing the joy of driving in outdoor situations.Toyota will continue developing powertrains aimed at achieving carbon neutrality and expand a diverse range of mobility solutions under its multi-pathway approach, which provides electrified vehicle options tailored to the diverse needs of customers in every country and region. Going forward, Toyota will offer these diverse choices to customers around the world under its new brand spirit of "to you"―carmaking for a specific someone.*1an fit up to four 9.5-inch golf bags (depending on shape).*2Compared to mid-size BEV class. As of February 2026 according to Toyota Motor Corporation research.*3Z grade (FWD). Driving range per charge in WLTC mode.*4Approximate time required to charge from approximately 10% to 80% of full capacity using a 150kW (350A) rapid charger in an environment with an outside temperature of -10°C.*5Internal measurement value for Z (4WD).Manufacturer's Suggested Retail PricesZ5FWDAC synchronous motor (2XM)Lithium-ion battery5,750,0004WDAC synchronous motor (2XM + 2XM)◎6,400,000◎Models as shown in the photos (excluding options)*Includes consumption tax. Different pricing applies for Okinawa. Does not include recycling fees.Vehicle Outline1. An easy-to-use package for every situationThe bZ4X Touring is the ideal size for traveling with family and friends, measuring 4,830 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,675 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. It features elegant styling while providing ample rear head clearance of 113 mm*1 and front/rear couple distance of 1,000 mm*2, creating a spacious and comfortable interior.It offers a cargo length of 1,092 mm*3 and cargo height of 850 mm*4 even with the 6:4 split-folding rear seats in use, creating a large 619L*5 luggage space that supports a wide range of activities for customers with active lifestyles.In addition to luggage hooks (4*6) for securing items and shopping hooks (4*6) for hanging reusable bags, levers (2*6) near the rear hatch allow the rear seat to be folded from the cargo area. It has been designed for ease of use, accommodating various luggage shapes and sizes.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD) (interior color: Black)*1Internal measurement value.*2Distance between hip points between the front and rear seats. In this case, between the first and second rows.*3Internal measurement value. 1,850 mm when rear seats are folded (internal measurement value).*4Internal measurement value. 918 mm when the deck board is in the low position (internal measurement value).*5Internal measurement value using the VDA method. 1,240L when rear seats are folded (internal measurement value using the VDA method).*6Two hooks and one remote control lever on each side of the deck board.2. The joy of driving unique to the bZ4X TouringAs a BEV developed by a carmaker, the bZ4X Touring pursues the joy of seamless acceleration and excellent ride comfort. It delivers outstanding off-road performance and comfort in outdoor situations, expanding the potential of BEVs as active gear that customers can operate with confidence.The 4WD model features high-output eAxles front and rear that deliver a maximum system output*8 of 280kW, paired with a lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of 74.69kWh*7. This enables 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.6 seconds*9, delivering an exhilarating driving experience with responsive acceleration even at high speeds.A new 4WD control system optimally distributes front and rear driving force according to the condition of each tire. It continuously monitors steering input along with front/rear and left/right wheel speeds to suppress vehicle instability caused by irregular road surfaces, enabling stable cornering even on snowy roads and off-road terrain.X-MODE*10 has been added to the drive mode select. Three modes can be selected based on driving conditions, optimizing the coordinated control of driving force and brakes to ensure driving stability and handling on rough terrain.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD)*7Calculated in accordance with IEC standard 62660-1.*8Output achievable by the system. Internal measurement value.*9Internal measurement value for Z (4WD).*10X-MODESubaru Corporation's AWD technology that supports smooth escape from rough terrain simply by selecting a mode according to road conditions.3. Ample cruising range and anytime charging for peace of mindIn addition to improving cruising range and charging performance, Toyota has been developing a charging infrastructure that allows customers to use BEVs with confidence from home to their destination to make them a more accessible option. The standard Toyota 6kW Charger (200V), available as a dealer option, features an integrated charging cable for a comfortable and smooth charging experience, further enhancing the convenience of BEVs.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD)In addition to adopting a large-capacity battery, efficiency improvements in the eAxle through the use of SiC power semiconductors and optimized aerodynamic performance have enabled a driving range of 734 km*11 on a single charge. This allows for confident and exhilarating driving, from daily trips to long-distance touring.Aerodynamic performance has been enhanced through a streamlined vehicle exterior, including the addition of a large roof spoiler and rear side spoiler as well as optimization of the shape of the lower rear bumper.Battery preconditioning*12 has been employed to optimize the temperature of the lithium-ion battery before rapid charging. This enables rapid charging to approximately 80% of full capacity in approximately 28 minutes, even in environments with an outside temperature of -10°C.Pre-setting charging stations in the navigation system activates battery preconditioning*13 based on estimated arrival time, optimizing battery temperature upon arrival.Establishing a home charging environment with the standard Toyota 6kW Charger (200V) enables charging during periods when the vehicle is not in use, significantly improving the ease of use for BEVs.When used with the demand controller*14, the controller automatically manages the electricity used for charging, allowing for charging while using home appliances without worrying about tripping circuit breakers.*11Z grade (FWD) in WLTC mode.*12A function that adjusts the battery temperature before rapid charging.*13May not work at some charging stations.*14Dealer option (sold separately).4. Comprehensive safety and driver assistance featuresThe bZ4X Touring is a model intended for frequent use in its owners' everyday lives, such as trips with family and friends, and Toyota believes the vehicle should offer comprehensive safety and driver assistance features. It supports the driver in a wide range of situations, including while driving and parking.The advanced active safety package Toyota Safety Sense comes equipped as standard.It integrates Proactive Driving Assist, which provides deceleration and steering support for preceding vehicles and curves, in addition to features like pre-collision braking.It also comes equipped with Advanced Drive (support during traffic congestion) and Advanced Park (with remote function), functions of Toyota Teammate's advanced driving support technologies. These functions reduce driver burden under certain traffic congestion conditions*15 on highways and assist with safe and secure parking.*15Including that the driver is facing forward, and Radar Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist are both operating5. Styling with a strong presence that reveals different expressions in different settingsThe bZ4X Touring features an exterior and interior design that combines sleek body lines with practicality for enjoying leisure time as an active gear vehicle.The powerful black LED rear combination lamp (tail, stop, back, turn) extends horizontally from the center of the rear hatch door to both sides, creating a single line of light from the tail and stop lights that further emphasizes the bZ4X Touring's presence.Black 20-inch aluminum wheels*16, large bridge-type roof rails, and front and rear skid plates accentuate its rugged feel as an active gear vehicle.A total of five body colors are available, including three monotone colors such as Crystal White Pearl and Magnetite Gray Metallic, and two two-toned color combinations including the newly developed Brilliant Bronze Metallic with a Crystal Black Silica roof.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD)*16Manufacturer optionA low-profile horizontal instrument panel has been adopted. The space between the slim upper section of the instrument panel and the center pad features thin, wide-spanning registers extending on both sides, creating an open feel while ensuring excellent visibility.The 14-inch center display is now a stand-alone unit, with functions consolidated into a tray-shaped center console. The center display integrates navigation, air conditioning, audio, and other functions, enhancing convenience and operability. The console also features wireless charging and functions for linking smartphones and multimedia, providing a new digital experience for customers.Black wood grain-patterned trim adorns the upper portion of the instrument panel.This wood grain pattern, featured on the area most visible to the driver, emphasizes an outdoor aesthetic.Two interior color options express the worldview of the bZ4X Touring: Black, the standard color that creates a premium cabin space, and Khaki, which adds an outdoor touch to the modern interior.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD) (interior color: Khaki)Sales Outline1.Base sales volume920 units2.TEEMO charging service available for peace of mind when away from homeToyota's TEEMO charging service provides rapid charging to support a more comfortable BEV / PHEV lifestyle.Offers rapid chargers (CHAdeMo standard), primarily in the 150kW classIn addition to TEEMO chargers (installed at Toyota and some Lexus dealerships), eMP chargers*1 are also availableThere is no monthly base fee, and chargers can be searched for, reserved, and paid for using a smartphone app*2.Click here for details: https://toyota.jp/info/e-toyota/teemo/*1Approximately 27,000 connectors installed nationwide by e-Mobility Power Co., Inc. (as of January 31, 2026).eMP chargers are available only to TEEMO members.*2Reservation function is only available to TEEMO members.3.Dealer options that expand the joy of customizationThe bZ4X Touring offers dealer options to accommodate diverse lifestyle situations, such as camping and skiing with family or friends. Flex Belt*3 Cross Bars*3 Floor mats for snow / leisure use Rear hatch door opening guard(passenger seat, raised edge type)Click here for details: https://toyota.jp/info/bz4xtouring/customstyle/*3Props used in photography are not available at dealers.4.KINTO availabilityThe new bZ4X Touring is scheduled to be available through the KINTO*4 car subscription service starting around April. The Z grade (FWD) will be available starting at 77,440 yen per month (including tax)*5.*4A service that packages optional insurance payments, vehicle tax, maintenance, and other vehicle-related expenses into a monthly fee.*5When selecting the lowest-priced Z grade (FWD) package with no additional options and using the seven-year lease plan with no initial payment and two bonus payments of 165,000 yen (including tax) per year. The total price paid over the seven-year subscription period is 8,814,960 yen (including tax).Information regarding other grades and fees offered by KINTO will be announced on the KINTO website when they become available starting from April.Production PlantYajima Plant, Subaru Corporation"Achieving zero, and adding new value beyond it"As part of efforts to pass our beautiful "Home Planet" to the next generation, Toyota has identified and is helping to solve issues faced by individuals and overall society, which Toyota calls "Achieving Zero," hoping to help reduce the negative impacts caused by these issues to people and the environment to zero. Additionally, Toyota is also looking "Beyond Zero" to create and provide greater value by continuing to diligently seek ways to improve lives and society for the future.About Beyond Zero: https://global.toyota/en/mobility/beyond-zero/Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.SDGs Initiatives: https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/sdgs/ Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

February 25, 2026 by: nicole

Americans tell of the chaos as the unrest in Mexico eases after the death of the cartel boss

MEXICO CITY: First - hand accounts are emerging from Americans who were trapped by this week's events in Mexico after the death of cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."As the news of the murder of the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG) boss spread, reports described armed clashes between rival criminal organizations and Mexican security forces, along with coordinated vehicle burnings and temporary highway blockades. Mexican authorities state that such operations are often related to internal cartel disputes or targeted law - enforcement actions.With the situation getting better, Americans in the tourist area of Puerto Vallarta and other places shared their experiences of the violent scenes they got caught up in."My group consisted of seven people. We were on our way to the main port in Puerto Vallarta with a local shuttle driver when we saw a bus stopped horizontally across the road in front of us. At first, we thought it was an accident, but then we saw people running at full speed away from the bus," Colorado resident Scott Posilkin told Digital."While we were trying to understand what was happening, we saw a man with a gun come around the far side of the bus. He waved the gun at us and gave us a hand signal to turn around, which we did right away. We tried to go in the opposite direction, but we came across another burning car, which left us basically trapped between the two."He went on, "We went down to the only beach we could reach. One of the locals advised us that the safest place for us would be out on the water. We took a tender boat out to the snorkeling boat we were supposed to be on and stayed there for a few hours. From the water, we could see what seemed like a large part of the town on fire."Posilkin said, "It took a long time to get a boat back to shore. At one point, we even considered swimming because there was no one on the beach to pick us up. The captain said he had never seen the beach so empty in his life, and he grew up there. We eventually flagged down a passing tender that brought us to shore. There were cartel members on a motorcycle who yelled ‘Viva Mexico’ at us, but we didn't feel that they were threatening us at all. Both our shuttle driver and the locals assured us that the cartel wasn't interested in harming Americans and that it was still the safest way for us to get home."Posilkin gave credit to the locals for their help and support. "I want to stress how much the locals went out of their way to help us during an extremely stressful situation. Everyone we interacted with — from our boat captain to our shuttle driver — had grown up here, and none of them had ever seen anything like this before… More than anything, I feel sorry for the locals. Tourism is their livelihood, and I'm worried about the impact this will have on them. This experience hasn't changed my love for travel or for Mexico, even though it was a tough ordeal."Rodolfo Flores, an American citizen and an executive in the energy sector, talked to Digital: "Although it wasn't one of the worst - affected areas, on Sunday I saw a [object] that had been burned down with a Molotov bomb."He said, "On the way to Mexico City, we saw cars and trucks that had been set on fire. This is just one example of how vulnerable we are, and it's amazing how these criminal organizations can terrorize the population. The authorities are to blame for allowing them to grow and expand with highly effective criminal cells."Security analysts note that cartel violence often intensifies after high - profile arrests, internal leadership disputes, or changes in territorial control. Public displays of force — such as coordinated blockades or attacks on infrastructure — can serve as demonstrations of operational capacity.Another American, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, told Digital, "I left Coalcoman Michoacan on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. when the chaos started. As I left town, I saw them burning cars and trucks, pulling people out of their vehicles, and setting them on fire. Luckily, I managed to escape and cross the mountains; it's a mountainous region. All along the way, I kept seeing burning cars and armed people. I was lucky that they didn't stop me," he said."I made it all the way to Colima and then to Guadalajara. Later, things got worse in my town. I heard they started burning gas stations and set fire to a supermarket. They closed off the town so people couldn't get in or out."On Tuesday afternoon, the [entity] posted an update stating that "U.S. citizens are no longer urged to shelter in place."

February 25, 2026 by: grit

DOCOMO and Keio University Demonstrate World’s First Stable, High-Fidelity Robot Teleoperation via Commercial 5G Using Low-Latency Slicing

TOKYO, Japan, Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. and Keio University Haptics Research Center announced today that they have successfully conducted a demonstration of high-precision remote robot operation over commercial 5G. By combining Configured Grant,*1 a low-latency network slicing technology,*2 with Keio's Real Haptics® technology,*3 delicate force feedback and tactile sensations were transmitted stably. This marks the world's first demonstration*4 of Configured Grant enabling practical robot teleoperation over commercial 5G.In the experiment, Configured Grant was applied to the radio link between the terminal and base station to minimize latency and jitter. Results confirmed that latency requirements for practical teleoperation of Real Haptics robots were met, while force reproducibility and operability were improved.To convey precise force feedback when a remote robot interacts with objects controlled by an operator at a distant location, mobile data communication must maintain low latency and minimal jitter. High or fluctuating latency can disrupt synchronization between the operator and remote robot. This compromises the precise force reproduction of Real Haptics, hindering delicate robot operation.DOCOMO and Keio University have previously collaborated on the development and testing of Real Haptics for robot teleoperation over mobile networks.*5 By reducing the impact of latency in the wireless segment, highly precise and delicate remote robot control can now be performed stably even under network congestion.Going forward, the two organizations will continue developing and testing technologies to accelerate the practical use of advanced robot teleoperation.This demonstration will be exhibited at the NTT Group's booth during MWC Barcelona 2026, organized by GSMA and held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to March 5, 2026.*1 A scheduling method in which the base station pre-allocates communication resources to specific devices.*2 A network slicing technology that provides virtualized network segments optimized for low latency.*3 A technology invented by Professor Kohei Onishi (Keio University Haptics Research Center) that transmits tactile and contact information bidirectionally and reproduces human force on robots.*4 As of February 25, 2026, according to DOCOMO's research.*5 NTT DOCOMO, “Evolution of robotics with Force & Tactile Tele-Transmission“ (Japanese only)Real Haptics® is a registered trademark of MotionLib Inc.About NTT DOCOMONTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 91 million subscribers, is one of the global leaders in 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies.Under the slogan “Bridging Worlds for Wonder & Happiness,“ DOCOMO is actively collaborating with global partners to expand its business scope from mobile services to comprehensive solutions, aiming to deliver unsurpassed value and drive innovation in technology and communications, ultimately to support positive change and advancement in global society. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/About Keio University Global Research Institute Haptics Research CenterThe Haptics Research Center is aiming to make RealHaptics technology widely and universally available to consumers and companies worldwide and operates a council for RealHaptics technology in which private companies also participate. As a research institution for RealHaptics technology, Keio University holds a core set of related patents. Furthermore, the Haptics Research Center works closely with companies to carry out joint research to explore new applications for the technology. https://haptics-c.keio.ac.jp/AppendixOverview of the Demonstration1. BackgroundReal Haptics® is a technology that reproduces the force sensation of touching objects on a robot. Using Real Haptics, a remote operator can perform delicate tasks by controlling a robot with precise force. By synchronizing the position, force, and speed between the operator robot (the “leader“) and the remote robot (the “follower“) in real time, the system conveys the sensation of touch to the operator and transfers subtle force to the target object.Applying advanced robots like Real Haptics over mobile data networks enables outdoor operation and expands potential use cases. However, latency and jitters in mobile networks make stable robot teleoperation challenging. In Real Haptics, network delays can hinder force feedback, cause jerky movements, and reduce operational precision.DOCOMO and Keio University have been exploring various approaches, developing and verifying technologies to reduce the impact of latency and jitters on wireless robot teleoperation. Previously, the two organizations demonstrated the effectiveness of combining network functions that stabilize latency with robot functions that mitigate its negative effects. For this demonstration, it focused on the wireless segment, which has a strong influence on mobile network latency, and introduced Configured Grant, a new approach that directly reduces latency and jitters.2. Overview of Configured GrantConfigured Grant, a low-latency network slicing technique, assigns dedicated communication resources in advance to specific devices under a base station. This helps minimize latency and jitters in the wireless segment, regardless of network congestion.Normally, mobile devices communicate with a base station using the Dynamic Grant method (see Figure 1, left). When a device has data to transmit, it first requests communication resources from the base station. The base station then allocates resources based on the status of other devices and notifies the requesting device. The devices then use these resources to transmit the data. The time between the resource request and actual data transmission is known as scheduling delay. This delay always occurs under Dynamic Grant and can fluctuate depending on network conditions, posing a major challenge for stable remote operation of advanced robots, especially in congested networks.On the other hand, with Configured Grant (see Figure 1, right), the base station pre-allocates exclusive communication resources to a device (or a line) for a specific period. The device can transmit data without requesting resources, effectively eliminating scheduling delay. As a result, both latency and jitters are reduced, enabling more stable wireless remote operation.Figure 1: Overview of Data Communication Between Device and Base StationConfigured Grant provides a stable mobile network with consistently low latency, ideal for precise teleoperation of advanced robots, regardless of network conditions.3. Network Configuration and Experimental MethodThe demonstration used DOCOMO's commercial 5G SA network, connecting the operator robot (Leader) and remote robot (Follower) via a virtual server on docomo MEC®*1 running the Bilateral Edge Platform™,*2 a proprietary platform currently under development for robot control (Figure 2). Control data packets sent from one robot travel through the uplink via DOCOMO's commercial network and docomo MEC private network to the server. The server then forwards these packets to the other robot over the downlink. Real-time bidirectional packet exchange enables force feedback of Real Haptics control. Furthermore, to simulate realistic teleoperation conditions where video transmission traffic would be present, 20 Mbps of background traffic was added alongside the control traffic.Configured Grant was implemented at both the base stations and 5G devices. When communication occurs over a line assigned Configured Grant settings, the mechanism becomes active, enabling low-latency transmission.Figure 2: Experimental ConfigurationFor the experiment, a hand-type follower and its leader were used to perform a standardized task: grasping a hard wooden block, quickly moving the hand while varying applied force, and transporting it within a set time. The task was performed twice, once using 5G SA with Configured Grant and once using standard 5G SA without it, to compare performance (Figure 3).Figure 3: Robot Operation4. ResultsUsing 5G SA with Configured Grant, both the average communication latency and jitters (standard deviation) were lower compared to standard 5G SA without Configured Grant, meeting the latency requirements for practical teleoperation of Real Haptics robots. Furthermore, as latency characteristics improved, performance metrics for robot operation were also enhanced. The force-feedback reproduction rate*3 increased by 40% (24 points) with Configured Grant, providing more precise force feedback (Figure 4). The smoothness of robot operation, measured by Dimensionless Jerk Cost,*4 decreased by 59%, enabling smoother, more stable control (Figure 5).Figure 4: Force Feedback Reproduction ResultsFigure 5: Robot Motion Smoothness Results*1 A cloud service providing Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) features for the 5G era, including low latency and high security.*2 A platform service that combines ultra-low-latency mobile data communication with remote control and AI operation of force- and touch-sensitive robots.*3 A measurement of how accurately one robot replicates the force applied to the other robot. Values closer to 100% indicate higher fidelity.*4 An indicator of motion smoothness based on acceleration changes. Lower values indicate smoother robot movements.docomo MEC is a registered trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC.docomo MEC is provided by NTT DOCOMO, INC. and related services are consigned to and sold by NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, INC. as the agent.Bilateral Edge Platform is a trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

February 25, 2026 by: emer

analytica Hanoi 2026 Makes Its Debut, Bringing the Global Science and Laboratory Platform to Northern Vietnam

- Exhibition space fully secured prior to the show, reflecting strong exhibitor confidence in Northern Vietnam’s laboratory and scientific markets- Over 150 international and local exhibitors & brands confirmed from USA, Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Switzerland, France, India, Vietnam and China & more- Expanded Live Lab, following its debut in Ho Chi Minh 2025, now making its first appearance in HanoiHANOI, Vietnam, Feb 25, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - analytica Hanoi 2026, the regional edition of the globally recognised analytica brand, will take place from 22–24 April 2026 at the International Centre of Exhibition (I.C.E), Hanoi. Tailored to the needs of Northern Vietnam's science and laboratory community, the exhibition space is fully secured ahead of opening, reflecting strong market demand and the growing importance of Vietnam as a laboratory and innovation hub."Northern Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a hub for laboratory innovation. With analytica Hanoi 2026, we are bringing the Live Lab to Hanoi for the first time, following its successful debut in Ho Chi Minh 2025. This demonstrates our commitment to connecting international solution providers with the region’s growing scientific and industrial community," said Michael Wilton, CEO and Managing Director, Messe Muenchen International Asia Pte, Ltd.Broad International Participation Reflects Market Relevanceanalytica Hanoi 2026 will feature over 150 exhibitors and brands from key laboratory and technology markets including USA, Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Switzerland, France, India, Vietnam, Latvia, China etc. highlighting its strong global reach. This edition builds on the success of previous analytica Vietnam shows, offering a dedicated platform for technology exchange, business networking and market access tailored to Northern Vietnam.The exhibition will showcase laboratory instruments, analytical systems, biotechnology and diagnostics solutions, quality assurance technologies, and sustainable laboratory operations, meeting the evolving needs of the region’s laboratory and research sectors.Live Lab Makes Its Northern DebutFollowing its successful debut at analytica Vietnam Ho Chi Minh 2025, the Live Lab is coming to Hanoi for the first time in 2026. This interactive zone allows exhibitors to present hands-on demonstrations of laboratory technologies and real-world applications, enabling visitors to directly experience workflows, assess performance, and explore practical solutions.By bringing this pioneering format to Northern Vietnam, analytica Hanoi 2026 provides a first-of-its-kind experiential platform in Hanoi, offering laboratory professionals, researchers, and industrial users a unique opportunity to engage with both international and local technology providers in a practical, applied setting.Northern Vietnam Strengthens Its Role as a Growth MarketNorthern Vietnam is a key driver of Vietnam’s science and technology-led industrial upgrading, with strong investment across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, electronics, food safety, environmental monitoring, and advanced manufacturing. These sectors underpin national priorities on innovation, quality infrastructure, and sustainable growth, increasing demand for advanced laboratory technologies and digitalised operations.Building on this momentum, analytica Hanoi 2026 supports national science & technology objectives as a platform for knowledge exchange, standards alignment, and technology adoption.The event features a two-stage programme. The Academic Conference, jointly organised by Messe München, the Vietnam Analytical Sciences Society (VASS), VNU University of Science (HUS) – Vietnam National University, and VNEES, contributes to knowledge advancement and talent development in priority fields including green and environmental chemistry, food safety and quality control, semiconductor manufacturing, and molecular biology applications in biopharma and pharmacogenomics. The Technical Forum reinforces quality infrastructure and regulatory readiness, addressing ISO/IEC 17025, GLP, the laboratory outlook for 2026–2030, and applied seminars, complemented by exhibitor technology sessions.A Trusted Platform for Business and KnowledgeThe full occupancy of exhibition space underscores analytica Hanoi’s role as a reliable platform linking global technology providers with Northern Vietnam’s laboratory and research community. Confirmed exhibitors include WESTINGAREA, WIGGENS, GL SCIENCES, BCE, CHC LAB, DAIHAN SCIENTIFIC, ANTON PAAR, KIMTECO, LECO VIETNAM, GLASS TAO, FOSS VIETNAM, HTI SCIENTIFIC, MERCK VIETNAM, UNITEK and many more.Supporting programmes such as live demonstrations, hosted buyer engagements, and structured business matching further enhance opportunities for business development and collaboration.REGISTRATION NOW OPENanalytica Hanoi 2026 is expected to attract laboratory professionals, researchers, manufacturers, distributors, and institutional representatives from across Vietnam and the region.Visitor registration is now open:https://registration.analyticavietnam.com.vn/en/reg/analytica-vietnamFor more information, please visit www.analyticavietnam.comor contact analytica Vietnam via email analyticavietnam@mmiasia.com.sgAbout analytica Hanoi 2026analytica Hanoi is the official regional spinoff of analytica Vietnam, strategically developed to meet the rising demand for laboratory and analytical solutions in northern Vietnam. As the region experiences accelerated growth in research, healthcare, and industrial sectors, analytica Hanoi 2026 offers a focused platform for companies aiming to tap into this dynamic and fast-emerging market. The upcoming exhibition is set to take place from April 22 to 24, 2026 at the International Centre of Exhibition (I.C.E), 91 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi, Vietnam.About analytica Vietnam 2027analytica Vietnam is the premier trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, and biotechnology in Southeast Asia. Organized by Messe München, the event brings together industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers to showcase the latest technologies, exchange knowledge, and foster business collaborations. analytica Vietnam features an exhibition, conference, pre-event laboratory tours, buyer-seller programs, and networking opportunities, providing a comprehensive platform for the laboratory and biotechnology industries in the region. The upcoming edition is set to take place from March 31 to April 2, 2027 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. More details can be found here.About analytica worldwideFor over five decades, analytica has been the leading international trade fair series for laboratory technology, analysis, and biotechnology. Organized by Messe München, the series includes analytica in Munich, analytica China, analytica Anacon India, analytica USA, analytica Vietnam, and now, analytica Hanoi. Additional information about these exhibitions and their programs of events is available at www.analytica.de.About MMI Asia Pte LtdEstablished in 1992, MMI Asia is the wholly owned subsidiary and the regional headquarters of Messe München GMBH (MMG) and is one of the world largest and leading exhibition organizers. MMI Asia’s portfolio of events include editions of world-leading trade fairs from Munich – transport logistic & air cargo, analytica, ceramitec; as well as industry-specific events such as Glasstech and Fenestration Asia, Asia Climate Forum, and Singapore International Water Week. MMI Asia also provides consultancy in professional trade fair and conference management to government bodies, international trade and promotion organizations, and trade associations. For more information, please visit www.mmiasia.com.About Messe MünchenAs one of the world’s leading trade fair organizers, Messe München presents the world of tomorrow at its about 90 trade fairs worldwide. These include twe lve of the world’s leading trade fairs such as bauma, BAU, IFAT, electronica, and ISPO. Messe München’s portfolio comprises trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, as well as for new technologies. Together with its subsidiaries, it organizes trade fairs in China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the U.S. With a network of more than 15 affiliated companies and almost 70 representations worldwide, Messe München is active in more than 130 countries. The more than 150 events held annually attract around 50,000 exhibitors and around three million visitors in Germany and abroad.Exhibition Contact:MMI Asia Pte. Ltd.Siegli L. BacudioProject Managersiegli@mmiasia.com.sgPress Contact:MMI Asia Pte. Ltd.Shae NguyenMarketing Executiveshae@analyticavietnam-exhibitions.com Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

February 25, 2026 by: grit

DOCOMO Successfully Demonstrates AI Application Operation Using Virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) Infrastructure

TOKYO, Japan, Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it successfully demonstrated the operation of AI applications directly on the general-purpose CPU resources of virtualized radio access network (vRAN), deployed in its commercial network. This demonstration confirmed the potential of a network architecture design to address rapid traffic growth driven by the expansion of AI services while optimizing network operational costs.With the growing adoption of AI-powered services such as generative AI and robot control, network traffic is expected to increase dramatically, and data traffic is expected to grow explosively in the coming years. DOCOMO has been exploring a next-generation network architecture design of “In-Network Computing,“*1 *2 in which AI processing is executed within the network itself. For telecommunications operators entering the AI era, continuously analyzing various types of data available within the network using AI by creating new value, while simultaneously achieving energy efficiency and sustainable network operations, has become a critical challenge.DOCOMO has been studying next-generation network architectures aimed at improving user experience, optimizing network traffic, and enabling optimal placement and effective utilization of computing resources, including various types of xPUs, by fully leveraging their respective characteristics. Specifically, DOCOMO seeks to enhance performance and efficiency for customers from both networking and AI perspectives by appropriately deploying high-performance GPUs - one of the key elements for advanced AI workloads - and CPUs, which are well suited for wide-area deployment and low-power, efficient operation, at suitable network nodes.DOCOMO integrated a platform that enables vRAN functions and AI service applications to run simultaneously by utilizing CPU resources on general-purpose servers. The results confirmed that even when using CPUs, a certain level of AI processing can be executed in parallel with communication network processing. This achievement demonstrates that flexible operation combining network and AI applications is possible without relying on dedicated high-performance accelerators, thereby expanding viable options for efficient network deployment.Going forward, DOCOMO will continue to study and promote the optimal placement of computing resources, including CPUs and GPUs, while taking actual traffic characteristics and requirements of various AI applications into account.Operational Concept(a) Conventional network architecture(b) Network Architecture in this demonstrationThis demonstration utilized a vRAN configuration composed of the following commercially deployed products:vRAN base station software, provided by NEC CorporationVirtualization infrastructure hosting the vRAN and AI applications, provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS)Accelerator cards for accelerating specific computational processing, provided by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Servers equipped with the above products, provided by HPELooking ahead, DOCOMO will continue to advance integration and verification of platforms for both network infrastructure and AI services toward the realization of “In-Network Computing,“ while pursuing further studies aimed at commercialization. In addition, DOCOMO will work in collaboration with business partners to realize optimal network architecture design for 6G and AI era.This initiative will be showcased at the NTT Group's booth during Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026, organized by GSMA and held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to March 5, 2026.*1 Press Release:“Successful demonstration of computing and mobile networks convergence to provide diverse services in the 6G era“*2 Press Release:“NTT and DOCOMO Successfully Demonstrates On-Demand Unified Control of Computing Services Through Network and Service Integration“About NTT DOCOMONTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 91 million subscribers, is one of the global leaders in 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Under the slogan “Bridging Worlds for Wonder & Happiness,” DOCOMO is actively collaborating with global partners to expand its business scope from mobile services to comprehensive solutions, aiming to deliver unsurpassed value and drive innovation in technology and communications, ultimately to support positive change and advancement in global society. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/ Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

February 25, 2026 by: grit

DOCOMO Begins Commercial Deployment of Agentic AI System for Network Maintenance Using One of the World’s Largest Datasets

TOKYO, Japan Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today the start of commercial use of an agentic AI system in mobile network operations. The platform went live across the company's mobile network services on February 4, 2026.Mobile networks are critical social infrastructure, supporting not only daily life and business activities but also public services and communications during disasters. Today's networks have become increasingly complex due to services across 4G and 5G, as well as multi-domain and multi-vendor environments. As a result, faster response times and swift service restoration have become increasingly important for maintenance operations in the event of network failures.Previously, failures with established procedures were handled through automated, preconfigured processes. However, complex failures without predefined solutions have required multiple engineers to manually collect and analyze large volumes of data to identify root causes, often resulting in longer service restoration times. To address this challenge, DOCOMO developed an agentic AI platform built with AWS's managed services, enabling AI to perform network behavior analysis, troubleshooting and remediation recommendations.DOCOMO's agentic AI platform is built on Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, which enables the secure governance and deployment of agentic AI at scale, along with high-performance databases for time-series, tabular, and graph data optimized for agentic AI workloads. Orchestrating multiple AI agents and leveraging graph-modeled network topology, the platform analyzes traffic and alarm data in real time from more than one million network devices, including base stations and core network equipment. It detects anomalies, identifies suspected failure points, and presents recommended actions to maintenance engineers.Using one of the world's largest datasets of its kind, the platform isolates failures, reduces response time for complex network failures that previously required manual analysis by more than 50%, significantly shortening service disruption time and contributing to greater network reliability.Takahiro Makiyama, General Manager, Network Service Management Department, Network Division, NTT DOCOMO, INC., commented: “This initiative represents a major step toward realizing the Autonomous Network operations that DOCOMO aims to achieve.By adopting agentic AI in maintenance operations, DOCOMO is advancing the automation of network fault response and striving to further reduce service impact for our customers.By building agentic AI based on data from more than one million network devices on an unprecedented scale, we were able to accelerate development and implementation by utilizing AWS's agentic AI platform and managed database services.As we move ahead, DOCOMO will continue to advance the use of AI to deliver more comfortable and higher-quality communication services to our customers.““DOCOMO's commercialization of the agentic AI system for network operation is a pioneering initiative that underpins stable mobile communication services,“ said Mikihiko Tsunematsu, Director, Telecom, Media, Entertainment, Game & Sports, Strategic Business Unit at Amazon Web Services Japan. “By combining the advanced agent capabilities of Amazon Bedrock AgentCore with the world's largest-scale telecommunications data, the company has successfully built the agentic AI system that can significantly reduce response time to complex network failures. This achievement demonstrates how collaboration between DOCOMO and AWS is making autonomous and intelligent network operations a reality-essential capabilities for 6G and beyond. We are delighted to support DOCOMO as they establish new standards in network reliability and operational efficiency.“The agentic AI system will be exhibited at the NTT Group's booth during MWC Barcelona 2026, organized by GSMA and held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to March 5, 2026.Going forward, DOCOMO will continue to pursue advanced AI-driven operations and strive to further enhance service quality for its customers.About NTT DOCOMONTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 91 million subscribers, is one of the global leaders in 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Under the slogan “Bridging Worlds for Wonder & Happiness,” DOCOMO is actively collaborating with global partners to expand its business scope from mobile services to comprehensive solutions, aiming to deliver unsurpassed value and drive innovation in technology and communications, ultimately to support positive change and advancement in global society. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/ Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

February 25, 2026 by: emer

Champion REIT Delivers Resilient Performance, Proactive Tenant Mix Optimisation Drives Sustainable Development

HONG KONG, Feb 25, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Champion Real Estate Investment Trust (Stock Code: 2778), which owns Three Garden Road and Langham Place properties, announced its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2025.HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2025 ANNUAL RESULTS- Improved macro environment with gradual recovery in property market confidence: Benefiting from the recovery in capital markets, tourism rebound and interest rate drop, market sentiment improved in 2025, laying the foundation for commercial property recovery.- Portfolio resilience maintained: Despite the challenging operating environment with abundant office supply and shifting consumer behaviour, the Trust maintained stable occupancy rates for both office and retail properties, with Langham Place Mall maintaining a high occupancy rate of 99.3%.- Capital market recovery drives an upturn in Central office leasing activity: Leasing momentum at Three Garden Road warmed up in the second half of 2025 with site inspections increasing by 61% year-on-year. Over 75% of leases expiring in 2026 have been renewed ahead of maturity.- Proactive tenant-mix management and IP-led strategy reinforce trendsetting positioning: In 2025, Langham Place Mall strengthened its trendsetting credentials by introducing a range of trendy and lifestyle brands. Newly introduced tenants achieved sales 80% higher than previous operators, while pop-up stores tied to major marketing campaigns delivered triple-digit sales growth.- Langham Place Office Tower continues to elevate its market competitiveness: The property deepened its premier wellness hub positioning through the "6D Wellness" channel, achieving 4.6 million cumulative social media views, and pioneered Hong Kong's inaugural "Quality Service Charter" with support from over 90% of wellness tenants, further strengthening its position as an industry-leading wellness centre.- Prudent financial management: All debt facilities maturing in 2025 were successfully refinanced, and HK$1.5 billion of banking facilities have been secured for early refinancing debt due in 2026. And lower average Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate (“HIBOR”) in 2025 resulted in meaningful interest savings.Ms. Christina Hau, Chief Executive Officer of Champion REIT, said, “2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Champion REIT, signifying an important milestone in the Trust's evolution from a single Central Grade A office asset to a diversified portfolio of landmark properties. In a challenging market environment, the Trust continues to demonstrate business resilience through prudent asset management and flexible strategic direction. Our consistent management focus is clear and targeted: while maintaining occupancy rates and enhancing income quality, we ensure financial stability. Over the past year, the Trust has made substantial progress in all these areas. Through proactive and orderly financial management, we ensure the Trust operates steadily through the current cycle."She added, "As new Central Grade A office supply is gradually absorbed by the market, supply-demand conditions are expected to stabilise from 2027 onwards. Champion REIT has established favourable conditions to capture future market recovery opportunities. Looking ahead, we will continue to play the role of ‘Super Connector’ and ‘Super Value-Adder’, fostering collaboration among tenants, partners and the community, combining innovative thinking with rigorous execution to create sustainable long-term value for stakeholders across different market environments.”Summary of financial results FY 2025FY 2024ChangeTotal Rental Income (HK$ million)1,9882,185- 9.0%Net Property Income (HK$ million)1,6131,820- 11.4%Distributable Income (HK$ million)859958- 10.4%Distribution per Unit (HK$)0.12630.1422- 11.2% 31 Dec 202531 Dec 2024ChangeGross Value of Portfolio (HK$ million)56,17960,104- 6.5%Net Asset Value per Unit (HK$)6.457.16- 9.9%Gearing Ratio25.4%23.7%+ 1.7 pp OPERATING REVIEWMarket OverviewDespite ongoing global macroeconomic volatility arising from trade uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, market sentiment in Hong Kong rebounded solidly in 2025. The recovery was supported by a strengthening stock market, steady growth in inbound tourism and an increasing number of mega-events. These improvements were further underpinned by a considerable decline in the Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate ("HIBOR"), which boosted homeowner disposable income and lowered corporate borrowing costs.However, the operating environment for the Trust remained challenging. Abundant office supply in the market continued to weigh on market rents, while the retail market is undergoing structural adjustment due to evolving consumer behaviour and a sustained increase in outbound travel by local residents. Against this backdrop, asset quality becomes even more critical, underscoring the importance of proactively optimising the tenant mix to navigate cyclical volatility.Three Garden RoadThe leasing momentum of Central Grade A office strengthened starting the third quarter of 2025 with increasing net absorption. Demand was supported by the upswing in initial public offerings ("IPOs") and solid equity market performance with higher daily turnover. Expansion and pre-leasing commitment of sizable areas by financial institutions signalled confidence in the market outlook. The active capital market activities also created spillover effect for other sectors with notable leasing transactions of relocation and expansion from the legal sector in particular.Leasing activity at Three Garden Road strengthened in 2025. Site inspections in second half of 2025 increased by 61% year-on-year, resulting in several new tenants from the asset management and family office sectors. Occupancy remained stable at 81.6% (31 December 2024: 82.6%), with space vacated by departing occupants largely backfilled by new leases and expansions from existing tenants. Our proactive retention strategy continued to deliver results, securing renewals for over 75% of 2026 expiring leases, thereby enhancing stability and forward visibility.Langham Place Office TowerLangham Place Office continued to deepen its differentiated positioning as a premier hub for wellness and lifestyle offerings. By expanding the “6D Wellness” ecosystem, the property enhanced tenant engagement and broadened its digital reach, with the wellness channel surpassing 4.6 million cumulative views across major social media platforms. With the launch of the Social Wellness Hall, and in collaboration with the Hong Kong Retail Management Association to introduce Hong Kong’s first “Quality Service Charter” for wellness practitioners, which received support from over 90% of wellness tenants, the property further strengthened its market profile as a premium hub for wellness services.Amid a challenging office market, Langham Place Office Tower adopted a prudent yet proactive leasing strategy, continuing to attract healthcare, medical and beauty operators while fostering industry clustering and complementarities. These efforts enhanced the diversity and resilience of the tenant mix, further reinforcing the property’s positioning as a leading destination for premium wellness and healthcare services. It remains a premier choice for location-sensitive businesses, maintaining a stable occupancy rate of 86.9% (31 December 2024: 87.2%).Langham Place MallHong Kong’s retail market began to recover and gain momentum following the Golden Week in May in 2025. Supported by the influx of visitors and a vibrant calendar of mega-events, total retail sales resumed growth after more than a year of contraction. For the full year, overall retail sales in Hong Kong increased by 1.0% year-on-year, driven primarily by a 12.8% rise in online sales. Against the backdrop of evolving consumer patterns, overall sales at Langham Place Mall saw a mild adjustment. Nevertheless, proactive tenant-mix optimisation delivered strong results, with the lifestyle category recording double-digit sales growth.Marking the 20th anniversary of its opening, Langham Place Mall strengthened both leasing and marketing efforts during the year. More than 30 new brands were introduced, including the first overseas branch of Chiikawa Ramen Buta, which generated significant attention and successfully boosted footfall. Upholding the spirit of “WOW! WE PLAY”, the mall continued to advance its “Stay Local, Trend Global” strategy, leveraging year-round promotional campaigns and anniversary celebrations to reinforce its leadership position as a trendsetting retail destination. Occupancy remained high at 99.3%.New tenants surpassed previous operators by an average of 80% in sales, while pop-up stores tied to major marketing campaigns achieved triple-digit sales growth, reflecting the strong synergy between brand partnerships and content-driven activations. In addition, the introduction of themed experiences and designer events on Levels 9 to 12 successfully revitalised historically lower-traffic floors, stimulating cross-floor spending, enhancing spatial efficiency, and generating incremental non-traditional revenue. These initiatives have enabled the mall to demonstrate sustained resilience and competitiveness amid a rapidly evolving retail landscape.SustainabilityThe Trust continued to embed sustainability deeply into its asset management strategy, with a strong focus on environmental stewardship, health and well-being, and community engagement. We achieved the highest five-star rating in the GRESB Real Estate Assessment for the third consecutive year and attained an “AA+” rating in the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index, reaffirming our leadership in sustainable practices.At Three Garden Road, the successful implementation of an AI-optimised chiller plant system delivered an annual energy savings of 6.1%. In parallel, we worked closely with tenants to advance the EcoChampion Pledge, fostering collective action in energy efficiency, waste reduction and green procurement.In addition, guided by our “6D Wellness” framework, we rolled out a range of community collaboration programmes to support the physical, mental and social well-being of tenants and visitors. These initiatives underpin our commitment to creating long-term value for all stakeholders.OutlookLooking ahead, while uncertainties in the global macroeconomic environment remain, market sentiment in Hong Kong is expected to improve gradually, supported by the resilience of capital markets and the recovery of inbound tourism, which will in turn provide support for office demand and local consumption. We remain cautiously optimistic about the operating environment in Hong Kong. While there are still market challenges, Champion REIT is well positioned to capture emerging opportunities. We will continue to adhere proactive asset management strategy to deliver long-term value for our stakeholders. About Champion REIT (stock code: 2778)Champion Real Estate Investment Trust is a trust formed to own and invest in income producing office and retail properties. The Trust focuses on Grade A commercial properties in prime locations. It currently offers investors direct exposure to nearly 3 million sq. ft. of prime office and retail floor area. These include two Hong Kong landmark properties, Three Garden Road and Langham Place, as well as a joint venture stake in 66 Shoe Lane in Central London. The Trust has been awarded the top five-star rating by GRESB for three consecutive years since 2023.Website: www.championreit.comFor press enquiries:Jervois FinanceKenneth TangTel: 9827 2880Email: kenneth.tang@jervoisfinance.comAda LauTel: 9506 6017Email: ada.lau@jervoisfinance.com Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

February 25, 2026 by: nicole

Reports: Kim Jong Un designates teenage daughter as ‘missile general’ for North Korea’s nuclear program

South Korean media reported on Monday that the North Korean leader has assigned his teenage daughter a leadership position within the regime’s powerful "Missile Administration," which is the body responsible for overseeing Pyongyang’s nuclear forces.The reports stated that the girl, Ju Ae, who is thought to be 13 or 14 years old, was assessed by South Korean intelligence received on Sunday to be serving as a "missile general director" while authorities observe the progress of the ongoing Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party.Media, citing high-level government sources informed about the matter, stated that intelligence agencies had obtained reports that Kim's daughter has been promoted to that position.Although Jang Chang-ha is officially listed as the director of the administration, intelligence indicated that Kim's is getting briefings from generals and issuing instructions.South Korea’s National Intelligence Service recently informed lawmakers that her public profile indicates she is also in the " as a successor," and added that situations have been observed where she offers policy opinions, according to The Associated Press.The teenager has appeared alongside her father at high-profile military events, such as intercontinental ballistic missile launches and weapon inspections.North Korean state media first confirmed her existence in November 2022, and only described her as a "" when she accompanied Kim during the launch of the Hwasong-17 ICBM.Her name has never been officially revealed by Pyongyang.Her reported role occurs as Kim continues to display advancements in the country’s weapons programs.On February 18, Kim was photographed driving a nuclear-capable 600mm in Pyongyang, promoting it as one of the most powerful of its type.State media displayed rows of launch vehicles and stated that the rockets, which Kim claimed rival short-range ballistic missiles and use artificial intelligence in their guidance systems, have "completely transformed" modern artillery warfare, according to Reuters.As previously reported by Digital, secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on February 22, a decision announced by state-run media after the party’s Ninth Congress.North Korea has suspended all significant diplomacy with the United States and South Korea since the breakdown of a 2019 summit between Kim and President .This occurred due to disagreements about in return for measures to scale back Kim’s nuclear and missile program.

BetMGM anticipates full year EBITDA to be at the ‘lower end’ of expectations despite a Q1 revenue increase

PR in the Philippines

BetMGM anticipates full year EBITDA to be at the ‘lower end’ of expectations despite a Q1 revenue increase

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Reports: Kim Jong Un designates teenage daughter as ‘missile general’ for North Korea’s nuclear program