Singapore and Taipei, Mar 23, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - AEM Holdings Ltd. (“AEM” or “the Group”), a global leader in test innovation, announced a strategic partnership with ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 3711, NYSE: ASX) (“ASE”), the leading provider of semiconductor assembly, testing and materials (“ATM”) services and the provider of electronic manufacturing (“EMS”) services. The collaboration brings together AEM’s proprietary test technologies with ASE’s world-class manufacturing scale to deliver disruptive test solutions tailored for the rapidly expanding Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and High-Performance Computing (“HPC”) markets.Aligned with the strategic partnership, AEM will raise approximately S$12 million in gross proceeds through a private placement of 3,350,000 million ordinary shares to a wholly owned subsidiary of ASE, representing 1.06% of AEM’s issued share capital as at 21 March 2026, at an issue price of S$3.591 per share. ASE, through said subsidiary, will also receive a total of 28,111,856 million free detachable warrants, divided equally into two exercisable tranches, with each tranche subject to certain ASE-attributable revenue-related conditions. Each warrant is exercisable into one ordinary share, with the Tranche 1 exercise price set at 103% of the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of AEM’s shares for the full market day on which the subscription agreement is signed, and the Tranche 2 exercise price set at 105% ofsuch VWAP. If fully exercised, the warrants would result in an additional 8.935% of the current issued share capital. The transaction remains subject to certain conditions, including the approval of the Singapore Exchange for the listing and quotation of the new shares.Proceeds from the private placement will support AEM’s continued expansion in Taiwan and the joint integration of AEM’s test technologies, including highly parallel test architectures and advanced thermal management capabilities, into ASE’s manufacturing and test environments. The funds will also be used to advance AEM’s product roadmap, enhance its system offerings, and accelerate joint go to market initiatives aimed at supporting next generation AI and HPC applications.The strategic partnership also supports ISE Labs, a wholly owned subsidiary of ASE, as it expands AI and HPC processor development capabilities to address early-stage testing, validation, and characterization requirements. These efforts focus on heterogeneous integration architectures, including multi-chiplet and advanced system-in-package designs as well as optical interconnect technologies critical to next-generation compute platforms. ASE’s ATM portfolio further strengthens these initiatives with high-volume advanced packaging and test capabilities, enabling production-scale deployment as global demand continues to accelerate.Ken Hsiang, Chief Executive Officer of ISE Labs, stated: “As compute architectures grow more complex and time-to-production continues to compress, test has become a critical enabler of performance, reliability, and manufacturability for next-generation AI and HPC systems. By combining ISE’s advanced characterization and production-readiness capabilities with AEM’s scalable, high-parallel test technologies and system-level engineering strengths, this strategic partnership enables rapid transition from validation to ASE’s high-volume deployment while addressing the increasing complexity of advanced compute testing.”Samer Kabbani, Chief Executive Officer of AEM, commented, “This partnership represents an important step in AEM’s strategy to work closely with industry leaders to advance the state of AI and HPC testing. ASE’s forward-looking approach and global scale make them an ideal partner as test requirements continue to intensify across advanced compute platforms. By combining our respective strengths, we aim to develop and deploy next-generation test solutions that help customers improve performance, scalability, and time-to-market.”About ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd.ASEH is the leading provider of semiconductor manufacturing services in assembly and test. The Company develops and offers complete turnkey solutions covering front-end engineering test, wafer probing and final test, as well as packaging, materials and electronic manufacturing services through USI with superior technologies, breakthrough innovations, and advanced development programs. With advanced technological capabilities and a global presence spanning Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, and Tunisia as well as the United States and Europe, ASEH has established a reputation for reliable, high quality products and services. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.aseglobal.com.About AEMAEM is a global leader in test innovation. We provide the most comprehensive semiconductor and electronics test solutions based on the best-in-class technologies, processes, and customer support. AEM has a global presence across Asia, Europe, and the United States. AEM's R&D centres are situated in Singapore, Malaysia, Finland, France, and the US. With manufacturing plants located in Singapore, Malaysia (Penang), Indonesia (Batam), Vietnam, Finland (Lieto), South Korea, and the United States and a global network of engineering support, sales offices, associates, and distributors, we offer our customers a robust and resilient ecosystem of test innovation and support.AEM Holdings Ltd. is listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange (Reuters: AEM. SI; Bloomberg: AEM SP). AEM’s head office is in Singapore.For more information please contact:Kamal SAMUEL / Rishika TIWARI / LIM En Tong Financial PR Pte LtdTel: 6438 2990 / Fax: 6438 0064E-mail: kamal@financialpr.com.sg / rishika@financialpr.com.sg / entong@financialpr.com.sgPatricia MacLeod ASE, Inc.Tel: +1 408 314 9740E-mail: patricia.macleod@aseus.com Safe Harbor Notice (ASE)This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although these forward-looking statements, which may include statements regarding our future results of operations, financial condition or business prospects, are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify these forward-looking statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and our actual results of operations, financial condition or business prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements for reasons including, among others, risks associated with cyclicality and market conditions in the semiconductor or electronic industry; changes in our regulatory environment, including our ability to comply with new or stricter environmental regulations and to resolve environmental liabilities; demand for the outsourced semiconductor packaging, testing and electronic manufacturing services we offer and for such outsourced services generally; the highly competitive semiconductor or manufacturing industry we are involved in; our ability to introduce new technologies in order to remain competitive; international business activities; our business strategy; our future expansion plans and capital expenditures; the strained relationship between the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China; general economic and political conditions; the recent shift in United States trade policies; possible disruptions in commercial activities caused by natural or human-induced disasters; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and other factors. The announced results of the full year of 2025 are preliminary and subject to audit adjustments. For a discussion of these risks and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2024 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on March 27, 2025.Disclaimer (AEM)This is a press release of general information relating to the current activities of AEM Holdings Ltd. (“AEM”). It is given in summary form and does not purport to be complete. This press release may contain forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual future performance, outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Representative examples of these factors include (without limitation) general industry and economic conditions, interest rate trends, cost of capital and capital availability, competition from other companies, shifts in customer demands, customers and partners, changes in operating expenses, governmental and public policy changes, and the continued availability of financing. Accordingly, such statements are not and should not be construed as a representation as to the future of AEM, and are not intended to be profit forecasts, estimations or projections of future performance and should not be regarded as such. No reliance should therefore be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are based on the current views of the management of AEM. The press release is also not to be relied upon as advice to investors or potential investors and does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular investor. AEM accepts no responsibility whatsoever with respect to the use of this document or any part thereof. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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Authorities Share Update on Circumstances of Missing College Student Jimmy Gracey’s Death
(SeaPRwire) - A preliminary autopsy report from local police on the body of a 20-year-old University of Alabama student who went missing last week during spring break in Barcelona indicates his death was likely an accidental drowning.James "Jimmy" Gracey’s body—his late-night disappearance last Tuesday prompted an urgent search by Catalan police—was discovered floating in the Mediterranean Sea several days later. The report police submitted to a local judge showed no signs of foul play, though final results are expected Thursday, Spanish newspaper El Periódico reported.The Elmhurst, Illinois, native had been out with friends at a renowned nightclub in Barcelona’s Port Olímpic district, which borders a seaside promenade. A police spokesperson told that Gracey’s phone was found on an individual with a prior criminal history known to local authorities. The person was ultimately cleared of any contact with Gracey and instead charged with "illegal possession of another person’s property."Gracey’s wallet was found floating in the water on Thursday. Police retrieved his body from the water near the nightclub he’d visited on Friday afternoon.Per the newspaper, security camera footage captures Gracey walking alone onto a dock near the Shoko club and falling into the water. The preliminary autopsy lists drowning as the cause of death, with multiple body injuries consistent with repeated impact against breakwater rocks—likely during a wave swell.The police spokesperson told the investigation is ongoing, with accidental death as the primary focus. He noted Gracey’s wallet was found intact, containing money, credit cards and documents—reducing the likelihood of foul play. They also confirmed the preliminary autopsy report showed Jimmy had no injuries before drowning. is still seeking confirmation of Spanish media claims and whether Gracey’s body was found with his gold chain and rhinestone cross. A Hungarian tourist reported being robbed of her gold necklace in the same area where Jimmy was last seen alive the night before the American student went missing. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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UK nuclear submarine deployed to Arabian Sea ahead of Iran targeting key US-UK base: reports
(SeaPRwire) - Reports indicate that a British nuclear-powered submarine has been sent to the Arabian Sea as regional tensions mount, with the deployment occurring prior to Iran's unsuccessful ballistic missile attack on Diego Garcia, a strategic U.S.-U.K. military installation in the Indian Ocean.The vessel, HMS Anson — an Astute-class submarine of the Royal Navy equipped with Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes — journeyed approximately 5,500 miles from HMAS Stirling near Perth, Australia, to the area earlier this month.The submarine is said to be operating in the northern Arabian Sea, which enables Britain to react swiftly should the conflict intensify.According to GB News, HMS Anson routinely comes to the surface to sustain communications with the United Kingdom's Permanent Joint Headquarters in London.The same outlet noted that Anson is normally stationed at Faslane in Scotland, where authorities have charged an Iranian national with trying to gain unauthorized access.Sources suggest the deployment followed shortly after the British government permitted the United States to utilize UK military installations for defensive actions aimed at Iranian missile systems that have endangered vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.Downing Street issued a statement indicating that these operations intended to "degrade the missile sites and capabilities" employed in assaults on maritime traffic, while stressing that Britain wishes to avoid being pulled into a broader regional war.Multiple sources report that tensions escalated on Sunday when Iran fired two ballistic missiles in the direction of Diego Garcia. Neither projectile struck its intended target; one apparently malfunctioned mid-flight, while the other was destroyed before impact.The unsuccessful attack has sparked concerns regarding Iran's missile capabilities, given that Diego Garcia lies approximately 2,485 miles from Iranian territory.Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi had previously cautioned the United Kingdom against backing American or Israeli military operations, warning that such support could worsen the conflict.The BBC reported that, according to Araghchi's version of the conversation, he informed British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper that Iran considers Britain's decision to permit American forces to use its bases as "participation in aggression."He further condemned what he characterized as the United Kingdom's "negative and biased" stance and insisted that it halt its collaboration with the United States.Initially, the United Kingdom refused to authorize the use of its bases for American offensive strikes against Iran, but subsequently approved their use for defensive missions in reaction to Iranian missile threats.Downing Street stated: "We didn't take part in the initial strikes, and we won't be pulled into the broader conflict."Tehran has declared that it would invoke what it terms its right to self-defense if it faces threats.Additionally, the British Ministry of Defence announced on Sunday that Royal Air Force resources, including Typhoon fighter jets, continue to be involved in defensive missions in the area.The ministry further noted that British troops have assisted in neutralizing Iranian drone dangers while maintaining close coordination with partner nations. Digital has contacted the British Ministry of Defence seeking a statement. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Carlos Fernández de Cossío: Cuba ‘preparing’ for ‘possible military aggression’
(SeaPRwire) - Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío stated Sunday that Cuba is preparing for potential U.S. aggression, even as Trump administration officials have recently indicated they are not planning an invasion."Our military is always ready, and in fact, it’s preparing these days for the possibility of military aggression," Fernández de Cossío told NBC News’ "Meet the Press" during an interview that aired Sunday."We’d be naive not to do that when looking at what’s happening around the world.""But we truly hope it doesn’t happen. We don’t see why it would have to occur, and we find no justification whatsoever — why would the U.S. government force its country to take military action against a neighboring nation like Cuba?"The Cuban official’s remarks come just days after President Donald Trump said it would be "a big honor" to be the president with the "honor of taking Cuba.""Taking Cuba in some form, yeah, taking Cuba — I mean, whether I free it or take it: honestly, I think I can do anything I want with it," Trump said, despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressing diplomacy with the failing regime over any invasion talk that Trump’s statement might suggest."They’re in a lot of trouble, and the people in charge don’t know how to fix it," Rubio said this week. "So they need new people in charge."But Fernández de Cossío said Cuba is "absolutely" opposed to regime change, signaling defiance of Trump and Rubio’s public statements and laying the groundwork for potential future military action."Our country has historically been ready to mobilize as a whole nation for military aggression," he told NBC’s Kristen Welker. "We always see it as something far from us. We don’t believe it’s probable. But we’d be naive not to prepare. That’s what I can tell you."Asked if Cuba was bracing for the U.S. "to take it in some form," Fernández de Cossío replied: "Truly, we don’t know what they’re talking about.""But I can tell you this: Cuba is a sovereign country with the right to remain sovereign and to self-determine," he added. "Cuba would not accept becoming a vassal state or a dependent state of any other country or superpower."Fernández de Cossío said Cuba was prepared to negotiate with Rubio despite the secretary of state’s long-standing criticism of the Cuban government."We’re ready to negotiate with whoever the U.S. government, as a sovereign nation, designates as their spokesperson and lead negotiator — we’re ready to negotiate with anyone the U.S. government chooses," he said. "They’re a sovereign nation. We don’t interfere with that."Throughout the interview, the Cuban diplomat cast Havana’s position as defensive, saying Cuba "has no quarrel with the United States" and wants "a respectful relationship," while blaming the island’s worsening energy and economic crisis on U.S. pressure — including efforts to choke off fuel supplies. Recent reporting has documented Cuba’s deepening blackout crisis and the Trump administration’s increased efforts to isolate the government economically."What does ‘on its own’ mean when the U.S. is forcing it?" Fernández de Cossío said when asked about Trump’s claim that Cuba could collapse on its own. "It’s a very bizarre statement."His closing message to Trump was conciliatory, even as he warned Cuba was preparing for the worst."Cuba has no quarrel with the United States," Fernández de Cossío said. "We do have the need and the right to protect ourselves. "But we’re willing to sit down, we’re open for discussions, and we’re all open to having a respectful relationship that I’m sure most Americans would support — and I’m sure the U.S. president would too, if we could sit down and talk meaningfully about it." This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Iran reportedly charges $2M tanker toll, choking Strait of Hormuz and threatening global oil supply
(SeaPRwire) - Per reports, the Iranian government is imposing a $2 million fee on certain tankers for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to strengthen its grip on this critical global shipping bottleneck.Iran International stated that on Sunday, Iranian legislator Alaeddin Boroujerdi informed state-run broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) that this substantial fee signals the launch of a new strategy to manage the waterway.“Levying $2 million in transit charges on certain ships traversing the strait demonstrates Iran’s power,” Boroujerdi remarked in a TV program referenced by Iranian media outlets.The outlet added that the parliament’s national security committee member also noted the measure is already in effect and represents what he terms a new “sovereign system” in the strait after many decades.“Given that war comes with costs, it’s only natural for us to take this step and collect transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” he stated.Boroujerdi’s remarks came shortly after former President Donald Trump issued a warning on Saturday that the U.S. might target Iran’s power facilities if the strait isn’t fully reopened without threats within 48 hours.“If Iran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz without threats within the next 48 hours from now, the United States will strike and destroy their various power plants—starting with the largest one first!” Trump posted on Truth Social.On Sunday, Ali Mousavi, Tehran’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization, told Mehr News Agency that the strait is “open to all” except Iran’s enemies. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian outlined Iran’s policy on X.“The Strait of Hormuz is accessible to everyone except those who infringe upon our territory,” he stated.Lloyds List reports that Iran has established an unofficial “safe” shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz, offering passage to vetted tankers in return for approval—and in at least one instance, a reported $2 million payment.The outlet added that several governments—including China, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Iraq—are negotiating with Tehran regarding ship transit, as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard implements a new system to register “approved” vessels for safe passage.Maritime intelligence company Windward AI stated on Sunday that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is “near collapse,” with just 16 AIS-detectable crossings logged over the previous week.The firm also noted that transit is being controlled more strictly, with ships diverting through Iran’s territorial waters. Gulf energy exports are continuing to drop, with crude and LPG flows reaching recent low levels.“Iranian exports are still active, backed by alternative routes and consistent on-water volumes,” Windward noted.Typically, the strait handles around 20 million barrels of oil daily and approximately 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade. The current disruption has increased shipping and insurance costs, boosted oil prices, and sparked global economic worries.Windward added that Russian crude volumes are still high, underscoring the ongoing dependence on maritime energy transportation. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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80 Years Ago, a Neglected Monster Movie Failure Marked the Conclusion of an Iconic Horror Era
Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock(SeaPRwire) - After putting their "big four" movie monsters through every imaginable scenario, Universal spent much of 1946 frantically searching for a new villain to launch a fresh franchise. They tried pitching the public a possessed cat (The Cat Creeps), a Victorian werewolf woman (She-Wolf of London), and — cruelly exploiting leading actor Rondo Hatton’s growth disorder — a disfigured killer (The Brute Man, House of Horrors). Yet the first to debut was a blood-collecting, fake-blind plant fanatic in The Spider Woman Strikes Back. Unluckily, this film, later disowned by both its director and lead star, set the tone for the low-budget B-movies that followed.It’s scarcely surprising that this muddled thriller, which marks its 80th anniversary today, fell flat. Reluctant filmmaker Arthur Lubin, who later found a peculiar niche in anthropomorphic horse comedies (Mister Ed, Francis the Talking Mule), was threatened with suspension if he declined the project. Under contract with the same studio, its star Gale Sondergaard — who that year delivered an Oscar-nominated performance in Anna and the King of Siam — also had little choice in the matter.Lubin clearly displays little passion for the genre; the self-declared flop, crammed into a short 59 minutes, suggests he wanted moviegoers to forget his role as quickly as possible. Sondergaard, however, is the film’s bright spot, fully committing to a scheming, Machiavellian character that, in other hands, might have been as complex as her sacrificial spiders. This isn’t a Sandra Bullock case of simultaneous Oscar and Razzie recognition.Confusingly, the Spider Woman here has no connection to the character Sondergaard played in the Sherlock Holmes film The Spider Woman three years prior. Instead of Adrea Spedding, a "female Moriarty" who drives men to suicide, the villain here is Zenobia Dollard, a fabulously named wealthy rancher with an unusually high rate of personal assistant turnover.The intricate schemer is all smiles initially when welcoming her latest employee/victim Jean (Brenda Joyce, taking a break from playing Jane in Tarzan films), an out-of-towner whose naivety is highlighted by her immediate admission, "Nobody even knows I’m here." There’s even a hint — extremely subtle, fitting for the Hays Code era — of a romantic tension between them.However, Zenobia’s nightly habit of serving Jean warm milk to aid sleep isn’t as kind as it seems. The drink is laced with a sedative, allowing her and mute servant Mario (the aforementioned Hatton) to draw blood from Jean, feed it to spiders consumed by her carnivorous plants, and create a botanical serum meant to kill cattle on land she desires, leaving farmers with no option but to sell. This is far from an ordinary takeover plan.Gale Sondergaard as the titular villainess. | UniversalIt’s a nightmarish, if somewhat Scooby-Doo-like, scenario, yet the film seems oddly hesitant to explore it. The Spider Woman Strikes Back leaves most of the "striking back" to the viewer’s imagination. There are glimpses of Zenobia’s true malice — like the menacing way she coos "you beautiful creatures" to her beloved plants. And there’s an unsettling chill in shadowy scenes where she and Mario loom over an unconscious Jean.Still, as a film meant to introduce a worthy successor to Dracula and The Mummy, it’s a strangely dull, unthreatening affair. Only the climactic scene, where Jean’s ex-boyfriend Hal (Kirby Grant) acts as a hero by rescuing her from a burning basement, is likely to excite. Insensitive producers, publicizing that Hatton — who tragically died before the premiere — needed no makeup, appeared to think his appearance alone would shock audiences (another reason Sondergaard reportedly resented the project).Who knows if some horror was cut from the film? The movie was clearly butchered in editing, with several of the dozen credited actors never appearing and plot points referenced — like a last-minute fight between Jean and Hal — without prior context. Still, even with fixes, it would have needed significant work. The fact that one Louisiana theater felt compelled to issue a warning ("We cannot accept responsibility for teeth broken from chattering, curls lost when hair stands on end, chilled spines, jitters, nightmares, or any other conditions") is nearly as baffling as the script.The basement of botanical horrors. | UniversalIn case it wasn’t clear, Zenobia’s blindness was a ruse; she can see perfectly, using the act to avoid detection by law enforcement. Sondergaard is just as captivating as the exposed murderous fraud as she is as the sweet, helpless "Lady" with a capital L. "You're dying Jean, just like the others... but you’ll live on in these beautiful plants," she tells her weakened employee shortly before inquisitive Hal pulls a "just one more thing" à la Columbo, and her plans literally go up in flames.It’s a top-tier performance in a low-quality film, one that deserved sequels with a more enthusiastic director and far less ableism. Yet like all the subpar Universal monster movies that followed, The Spider Woman Strikes Back flopped, and Zenobia was never seen again (Sondergaard, shunned after her husband Herbert Biberman was convicted as part of the pro-Communist Hollywood Ten, also faded from view). It may not have been the final end to the studio’s horror era, but it was perhaps the most impactful.The Spider Woman Strikes BackAmazon - This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Commentators claim Churchill, Shakespeare, and the Union Flag face attacks in contemporary Britain
(SeaPRwire) - More than a century ago, Britain was regarded as the premier place to be. It led the way in science—including medicine—built industries like railroads and major bridges, and cultivated a strong middle class. Even with some differing opinions, it was the only major empire to abolish slavery and, at its own significant expense, patrolled the oceans to stop other countries from enslaving people. It also had the world’s largest navy. Today, many say that era feels like a distant memory.The latest dispute involves images or statues of some of the UK’s most revered figures. The Bank of England is removing Winston Churchill—the British prime minister during World War II—from the five-pound note. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the decision "absolutely crackers," noting the plan was to replace Churchill and others with a picture of a beaver.Churchill’s statue in Westminster was vandalized in 2020 and again last month. He led Britain’s defense during WWII, when it was the only European country that didn’t fall to occupation."Decades of woke education policies have taught people to reject and condemn this country’s history as oppressive, racist, and unfair," Alan Mendoza, founder and executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, told Digital. He says hard-left-controlled teaching unions have forced their agenda on generations of students. "It’s no surprise, then, that at least some of those influenced have absorbed this ideology and are acting on it."Statues of Britons from centuries past have been targeted for removal and destruction. Some attempts have succeeded, others haven’t. According to Sky News, activists aimed to destroy statues of William Gladstone (a reformist prime minister), Robert Peel (founder of the police force), James Cook (naval explorer), and Francis Drake (privateer). Luckily, their statues remain mostly intact.Now William Shakespeare is facing criticism. Some argue being white is a negative, and claim the Bard was actually a Black woman. Activists say Shakespeare could be used to promote white nationalism.Matt Goodwin, a GB News presenter, wrote on X that these efforts to erase high-achieving Britons from history might seem trivial. "It matters far more than many realize," he added. "Across the Western world, a mix of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [DEI] bureaucrats, radical activists, and increasingly compliant public institutions are working on a cultural project to delegitimize our national."It’s not just statues and images under fire—flying your own country’s flag can get you into trouble. British left-wingers, like Labour Party supporters, often view flying the UK’s Union Flag or England’s George Cross as racist or anti-immigrant."The voices of DEI and immigrants have grown so loud that any sign of UK pride gets denounced," Ben Habib, founder of the Advance UK political party, told Digital. "DEI can’t tolerate strong nations—it wants them set aside so minorities feel at ‘home.’"Habib also notes an extra complication with the Union Flag and St. George’s Cross: both represent Christian saints. "That offends the growing number of people in the UK who practice non-Christian religions," he told Digital.Much of this flag criticism began after Hamas—an Iran-backed terrorist group—invaded Israel. The UK then saw a surge in Palestinian flags on public buildings. This upset many British patriots, who responded by displaying UK flags. "We need to come together around national stories and symbols, and the flag is the most visual way to do that," British culture commentator Colin Brazier previously told Digital.Local UK councils—usually the planning authorities—don’t require permission to fly either the Union Flag or George Cross. Other flags are considered advertisements. However, spray-painting a George Cross on a building that’s not yours is not allowed.Even though the George Cross is seen as anti-immigrant in the UK, the historical St. George—who died roughly 1,700 years ago—is mentioned in the Koran as a friend of Moses. Some religious scholars also suggest he is a servant of God.At the same time, Britain’s economy has nearly stalled under the current center-left Starmer government. Trading Economics data shows unemployment rose to 5.4% in December, up from 3.6% in August 2022. The country’s GDP growth has been stuck at 1% or less since the first quarter of 2022.The rush to fly flags may partly stem from Britain’s disastrous economy. One notable, poorly planned government policy from the Labour Party—mandating higher National Insurance contributions (the U.S. equivalent to FICA) for corporations—undermined any chance of boosting employment, as the cost increase effectively acted as a tax on hiring. Digital's Michael Saunders contributed to this report. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Sinopec Announced 2025 Annual Results Annual Payout Ratio Reached 81% The Board Considered and Approved the Proposal to Grant to a Mandate for New Round of Share Repurchase
EQS via SeaPRwire.com / 22/03/2026 / 19:29 UTC+8 Press release (For immediate release) Sinopec Announced 2025 Annual Results Annual Payout Ratio Reached 81% The Board Considered and Approved the Proposal to Grant to a Mandate for New Round of Share Repurchase (22 March 2026, Beijing, China) China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation ("Sinopec Corp." or the "Company") (HKEX: 386; SSE: 600028) today announced its annual results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2025. Financial Highlights In accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, the Company’s revenue reached RMB 2.78 trillion; Operating profit was RMB 48.608 billion; Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company was RMB 32.476 billion. Basic earnings per share were RMB 0.268. In accordance with CASs, net profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company was RMB 31.809 billion. Basic earnings per share were RMB 0.262. Net cash generated from operating activities of the Company was RMB 162.5 billion, representing an increase of RMB13.1 billion year-on-year. The Company’s financial position remained stable. The Company’s oil and gas equivalent output and the profitability of the natural gas industrial chain hit record highs. Production of oil and gas in 2025 was 525.28 million barrels of oil equivalent, up by 1.9% year-on-year, natural gas production reached 1,456.6 billion cubic feet, up by 4.0% year-on-year. Refining segment processed 250 million tonnes of crude oil and produced 149 million tonnes of refined oil products, with jet fuel production up by 7.3% year-on-year. Total sales volume of refined oil products for the year was 229 million tonnes. Total chemical sales volume reached 87.12 million tonnes, up by 3.6%. Taking into account profitability, shareholders’ return and sustainable development needs, the Board proposed a final cash dividend of RMB 0.112 per share (tax-inclusive). The total annual cash dividend amounted to RMB 0.2 per share (tax-inclusive). Aggregating the share repurchase amount during the year, annual payout ratio reached 79% in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, and reached 81% in accordance with CASs. The Board considered and approved the proposal to grant to a mandate for new round of share repurchase. Business Review In 2025, China’s economy maintained stable growth, registering a GDP growth of 5.0% year-on-year. International crude oil prices fluctuated with a downward trend. The domestic demand for natural gas and chemical products continued to increase, while the demand for refined oil products declined. Exploration and Production Segment In 2025, the Company strengthened high-quality exploration and profitable development, and achieved new progress in reserve and production growth with oil and gas equivalent output reaching a record high. In terms of exploration, we spared no effort to expand mining rights and increase reserves. Significant breakthroughs were made in the exploration of shale oil in the Bohai Bay Basin, new area in the Sichuan Basin and offshore natural gas etc. The construction of the Shengli Jiyang Shale Oil National Demonstration Zone was completed with high quality. In terms of oil development, we accelerated the construction of key projects such as Tahe, West Junggar, and offshore fields, implemented differentiated reservoir management, and shale oil production reached a million-tonne scale. In natural gas development, we pushed ahead the build-up of key projects such as marine facies gas in West Sichuan, offshore blocks, and Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin. At the same time, we further boosted the synergy of production, supply, storage and sales, with the profit for the natural gas business chain hitting a record high. The Company’s production of oil and gas in 2025 was 525.28 million barrels of oil equivalent, up by 1.9% year-on-year, among which, the domestic crude oil production totaled 255.75 million barrels, and the natural gas production reached 1,456.6 billion cubic feet, up by 4.0% year-on-year. In 2025, the segment made efforts to increase reserves, boost production and cut costs, strived to improve the profitability of the whole natural gas industrial chain, but impacted by decrease in crude oil prices, the segment realised an operating profit of RMB45.5 billion. Summary of Operations for the Exploration and Production Segment Twelve-month periods ended 31 December Changes 2025 2024 (%) Oil and gas production (mmboe) 525.28 515.35 1.9 Crude oil production (mmbbls) 282.40 281.85 0.2 China 255.75 254.00 0.7 Overseas 26.65 27.84 (4.3) Natural gas production (bcf) 1,456.63 1,400.39 4.0 Refining Segment In 2025, the Company actively addressed the challenges brought by fluctuation with downward trend in crude oil prices and decline in demand for gasoline and diesel through optimisation and integration of production and marketing, maximized profitable processing volume and maintained a relatively high utilization rate. We optimised the pace for crude oil procurement to lower cost and freight. We optimised utilization rate and product mix and produced more market-favored products such as jet fuel, lubricant and grease close to market need. Efforts were made to carry forward low-cost “refined oil products to chemical feedstocks” and high-value “refined oil products to refining specialties” strategy in an orderly manner. We consolidated our leading position nationwide in high-end carbon materials. In 2025, the Company processed 250 million tonnes of crude and produced 44.22 million tonnes of light chemical feedstock, up by 8.4% year-on-year. Refined oil products output was 149 million tonnes, with jet fuel production up by 7.3% year-on-year. In 2025, the segment coordinated the procurement pace of crude oil by closely following the international crude oil prices, continued to intensify efforts to improve synergy, flexibly adjusted utilization rate, and optimized products slate. The segment realised an operating profit of RMB9.4 billion. Summary of Operations for the Refining Segment For the twelve months ended 31 December Changes 2025 2024 (%) Refinery throughput (million tonnes) 250.33 252.30 (0.8) Gasoline, diesel and kerosene production (million tonnes) 148.95 153.49 (3.0) Gasoline (million tonnes) 62.61 64.15 (2.4) Diesel (million tonnes) 52.64 57.91 (9.1) Jet fuel (million tonnes) 33.71 31.43 7.3 Light chemical feedstock production (million tonnes) 44.22 40.78 8.4 Note: Includes 100% of the production from domestic joint ventures. Marketing and Distribution Segment In 2025, amid the challenges by intense competition in gasoline and diesel markets and rapid penetration of new energy vehicles, the Company fully leveraged its integration and network advantages, coordinated the expansion of sales and transition development, strived to develop itself as an integrated energy service provider of petro, gas, hydrogen, power and service. We carried forward targeted marketing tactics, expanded strategic clients and boosted the sales volume of high-grade gasoline. We stepped up efforts in expanding network for gas refueling, EV charging and battery swapping, proactively promoted hydrogen mobility, and achieved significant volume growth in automotive LNG refueling, EV charging and hydrogen refueling, with maintaining top position in domestic LNG and hydrogen refueling businesses. The “vehicle ecosystem” network and “home lifestyle” model were further developed to improve Easy Joy service quality. We accelerated development of international layout, with the Company remaining the world’s largest supplier of low-sulfur bunker fuel. Annual total sales volume of refined oil products reached 229 million tonnes. In 2025, the segment adhered to integrated and synergistic profit creation, made great effort to expand market and increase sales volume, proactively developed EV charging and battery swapping, automotive natural gas and other businesses, strengthened cost and expense control, but impacted by fast development of alternative energy and the inventory loss caused by the decreased crude oil prices, the segment realised an operating profit of RMB10.0 billion. Summary of Operations for the Marketing and Distribution Segment For twelve monthsended 31 December Changes 2025 2024 (%) Total sales volume ofoil products (million tonnes) 229.02 239.33 (4.3) Total domestic sales volume of oil products (million tonnes) 177.56 182.82 (2.9) Retail sales (million tonnes) 110.16 113.45 (2.9) Direct sales and distribution(million tonnes) 67.40 69.38 (2.9) As of 31 December 2025 As of 31 December 2024 Changes from the end of previousyear(%) Total number of service stations under the Sinopec brand 31,195 30,987 0.7 Number of company-operated stations 31,195 30,987 0.7 Note: The total sales volume of refined oil products includes the amount of refined oil marketing and trading sales volume. Chemicals Segment In 2025, facing the severe condition of the rapid expansion in domestic chemicals capacity and narrowing chemical margin, the Company closely followed market demand to optimize production and operation, leveraged refining-chemical integration, and gave full play to the potential of profitable facilities. We optimised facilities and product mix and achieved a record high in PX production. We reinforced cost control and adjusted chemical feedstock to reduce costs of raw materials and processing. With further coordination of production, sales, R&D and application, we sped up the development of new materials such as POE. Annual ethylene production was 15.28 million tonnes. We strived to expand emerging and niche markets, seek strategic partnerships and explore overseas market. Total chemical sales volume for the year reached 87.12 million tonnes, up by 3.6% year-on-year, with export volume up by 29.8% year-on-year. In 2025, the segment spared no effort to reduce feedstock cost, closely followed the market changes, optimised the structure of products and operation of facilities, promoted the utilization rate of profitable facilities, implemented precision marketing, but impacted by the quick release of new capacities, decreased profits of chemical products and impairment loss of certain facilities, the segment realized an operating loss of RMB14.6 billion. Summary of Operations for the Chemicals Segment For twelve months ended 31 December Changes 2025 2024 (%) Ethylene (thousand tonnes) 15,279 13,467 13.5 Synthetic resin (thousand tonnes) 22,037 20,087 9.7 Synthetic rubber (thousand tonnes) 1,578 1,429 10.4 Synthetic fiber monomer and polymer (thousand tonnes) 11,967 10,033 19.3 Synthetic fiber (thousand tonnes) 1,229 1,248 (1.5) Note: Includes 100% of the production of domestic joint ventures. Innovation in R&D and Digital Intelligence In 2025, the Company intensified efforts in innovation with breakthroughs achieved in R&D and digital intelligence. In terms of R&D, the differential cube development technology for shale oil in continental rift basins supported the cost-effective development of shale oil. Heterogeneous composite flooding technology was applied to various reservoirs with high salinity and high calcium-magnesium content. Breakthroughs were achieved in high-end polypropylene cable insulation materials. We also achieved industrial production of 60K large tow carbon fiber. Our independently developed seawater electrolysis hydrogen production unit became China’s first demonstration facility with long-term stable operation, while 100 KW-scale iron-chromium flow battery system was successfully deployed for “solar-storage-charging” integration at photovoltaic power stations. In terms of digital intelligence, we made steady moves to implement “AI+”. The Great Wall series of large AI models became operational while the intelligent operation centers were further promoted for application. We accelerated the construction of smart factories, with 3 subsidiaries recognized as National Excellence-level Smart Factories, and 1 subsidiary included in the first National Pilot-level Smart Factory Cultivation List. In 2025, the Company filed 9,953 patent applications at home and abroad with 5,768 granted. We won 1 Gold Award, 1 Silver Award, and 3 Excellence Awards in the China Patent Awards. HSE In 2025, the Company continued to improve its HSE management system, enhancing the HSE awareness of responsibility and capabilities of all employees. We carried forward the 2025 Action for Fundamental Improvement in Safety Production. Measures were taken to advance the control of major risks, conduct comprehensive inspections and rectifications of safety hazards, implement specialized campaign for the entire hazardous chemicals supply chain and achieve overall safe and stable production. We strengthened employee health management, further improved working conditions, actively promoted the “Healthy Enterprise” initiative, and safeguarded the occupational, physical, and mental health of employees both domestically and internationally. 43 cases were selected as outstanding examples in the national “Healthy Enterprise” program. Capital Expenditures In 2025, the Company continued to optimise investment in projects, with a capital expenditure of RMB147.2 billion for the whole year. The capital expenditure of the E&P segment was RMB70.9 billion, mainly for the crude capacity building in Jiyang and Tahe, natural gas capacity building in Dingshan-Dongxi as well as the oil and gas storage and transmission facilities. The capital expenditure of the refining segment was RMB22 billion, mainly for Guangzhou Petrochemical revamping and Maoming Refining upgrading projects, etc. The capital expenditure of the marketing and distribution segment was RMB13.8 billion, mainly for the development of the petro, gas, hydrogen, power and service integrated energy station network. The capital expenditure of the chemical segment was RMB35.9 billion, mainly for the ethylene projects in Maoming and aromatics project in Jiujiang, etc. The capital expenditure of corporate and others was RMB4.6 billion, mainly for R&D and digital intelligent projects, etc. Business Outlook Looking forward to 2026, as China’s economy continues to recover and improve, domestic demand for natural gas and chemical products is expected to maintain growth, and that for refined oil products will remain influenced by alternative energy. Taking into account the impact of changes in global supply and demand, geopolitics and inventory levels, the uncertainty surrounding the trend of international crude oil prices has increased. In 2026, the Company shall vigorously advance high-quality development in all fronts, focusing on safety and environmental protection, energy security, marketing, profitability enhancement and efficiency improvement, integration of R&D innovation with industry and finance, and reform-driven empowerment. We shall pursue the following key initiatives: E&P: The Company will advance efforts to increase reserves, stabilize oil production, boost gas output and reduce costs, accelerate the profitable development of new energy business, and strengthen the integrated oil and gas exploration, production, supply, storage, sales and trading system. In exploration, we will actively expand high-quality mining rights, intensify high-quality exploration activities, strive to secure substantial, high-quality reserves, and lower finding costs. In development, efforts will be made to accelerate crude capacity expansion in Tahe, offshore areas, and western Junggar, alongside natural gas capacity growth for offshore, the marine facies in western Sichuan, and the Xujiahe reservoir in Sichuan. We will drive large-scale, profitable production in new areas while proceeding with the fine development in mature oil and gas fields. For natural gas sales, the Company will optimise resource portfolio and reduce costs, accelerate targeted development of high-end, high-value-added markets, so as to improve the scale and profitability of natural gas business. The annual plan is to produce 280.91 million barrels crude oil, including 25.31 million barrels from overseas operations, and 1,471.7 billion cubic feet natural gas. Refining: The Company will focus on stabilising processing volumes and enhancing efficiency, strengthening synergies with marketing and chemical business, and improving intensive and efficient operations. We will insist the coordination across trading, storage, transmission and production, optimisie resource procurement and reduce procurement costs. We shall thoroughly assess the marginal benefits of resources, maximise profitable processing volumes, and flexibly adjust product mix. We will persistently advance the strategy of reducing refined oil products output while increasing chemical feedstock and refining specialties output, enhance the market competitiveness of refining by-products such as liquefied petroleum gas, petroleum coke, and asphalt, and accelerate to develop growth drivers including refining specialties and high-end carbon materials. We will expedite the construction of key projects to concentrate our advantageous capacity. The annual plan is to process 250 million tonnes of crude oil and produce 148 million tonnes of refined oil products. Marketing and Distribution: The Company shall remain market-oriented and customer-focus and fully leverage strengths of its integrated business to enhance overall competitiveness. We shall promote coordination between procurement and sales activities, volume and price and develop a differentiated and more precise marketing system. We will increase the portion of premium gasoline sales, expand the jet fuel market, and steadfastly consolidate sales volume of refined oil products. We will continuously optimise network layout, advance the integrated development of all business models, expand the scale of automotive LNG refueling, and grow the quality and profitability of EV charging and battery swapping and hydrogen energy services. The Company will accelerate the profitable development of the “vehicle ecosystem” and “home lifestyle” model, expand the comprehensive service scenarios of Easy Joy, and build proprietary brands. We will consolidate and enhance the integrated advantages in bunker fuel and actively expand the scale of domestic and international operations. The annual plan for domestic refined oil product sales volume is 170 million tonnes. Chemicals: The Company shall adhere to the strategy of “basic + high-end, chemicals + materials”, strive to reduce costs, expand markets and minimize losses and increase profits. We will promote projects in an orderly manner, scientifically arrange schedule of new capacity deployment and phase out of outdated capacity. We will leverage the advantages of the entire industrial chain and implement multiple measures to reduce raw material costs. Close to market changes, we will conduct dynamic valuation of the marginal benefits of different grades, facilities and product chains to precisely drive product structure optimisation and efficient resource allocation. We will intensify the development of new and high value-added products to improve profit. In chemical sales, we will establish an efficient product-service interaction system to meet differentiated and personalised customer needs, enhance product innovation, increase sales to strategic clients, and strengthen international market expansion. The annual ethylene production is planned at 15.8 million tonnes. Innovation and Digital Intelligence: The Company shall pursue the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, focusing on breakthroughs in key technologies to develop new quality productive forces. Collaborative research will advance projects including natural gas reserve expansion and production enhancement, profitable development of continental facies shale oil, and the CCUS/CCS industrial chain. Accelerated development and industrial demonstration of low-cost, cutting-edge refining technologies will be pursued, alongside intensified efforts to maximise the value of intermediate and by-products. We shall expedite the development and application of high-performance metallocene polyolefin technology and establish a comprehensive collaborative system spanning production, sales, research, and application. We will advance integrated research in strategic emerging fields including SAF and key materials and applications for solid-state batteries. We will coordinate digital and intelligent transformation, deepen the “AI+” initiative, enhance overall smart manufacturing maturity, cultivate flagship and exemplary smart factories with significant industry influence, create more high-value application scenarios, and empower digital and intelligent upgrading across all business segments. Capex: In 2026, the Company plans to invest RMB131.6 to RMB148.6 billion. Capex for E&P will be RMB72.3 billion, primarily for the crude capacity building in Jiyang and Tahe, natural gas capacity building in West and South Sichuan, and oil and gas storage and transmission facilities. Capex for refining will be RMB17.3 billion, mainly for Guangzhou Petrochemical revamping and Maoming Refining upgrading projects, etc. Capex for marketing and distribution will be RMB9 billion, primarily for developing the integrated energy station network. Capex for chemical will be RMB28.2 billion, mainly for projects including Maoming and Qilu ethylene, and Jiujiang aromatics. Capex for corporate and others will be RMB4.8 billion, primarily for R&D and digital intelligence initiatives. The Company will also flexibly arrange Capex of RMB17 billion in light of market conditions. Appendix: Key financial data and indicators FINANCIAL DATA AND INDICATORS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CASS Principal accounting data Items For twelve months ended 31 December Changes over the same period of the preceding year (%) 2025 (RMB million) 2024 (RMB million) Operating income 2,783,583 3,074,562 (9.5) Net profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company 31,809 50,313 (36.8) Net profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company excluding extraordinary gains and losses 29,529 48,057 (38.6) Net cash flows from operating activities 162,496 149,360 8.8 At 31 December 2025 (RMB million) At 31 December 2024 (RMB million) Change from the end of last year (%) Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company 830,324 819,922 1.3 Total assets 2,155,617 2,084,771 3.4 Principal financial indicators Items For twelve months ended 31 December Changes over the same period of the preceding year (%) 2025 (RMB) 2024 (RMB) Basic earnings per share 0.262 0.415 (36.9) Diluted earnings per share 0.262 0.415 (36.9) Basic earnings per share (excluding extraordinary gains and losses) 0.244 0.397 (38.5) Weighted average return on net assets (%) 3.86 6.19 (2.33) percentage points Weighted average return (excluding extraordinary gains and losses) on net assets (%) 3.58 5.91 (2.33) percentage points Net cash flow generated from operating activities per share 1.341 1.233 8.8 FINANCIAL DATA AND INDICATORS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH IFRS ACCOUNTING STANDARDS Principal accounting data Items For twelve months ended 31 December Changes over the same period of the preceding year (%) 2025 (RMB million) 2024 (RMB million) Operating Profit 48,608 70,686 (31.2) Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company 32,476 48,939 (33.6) Net cash generated from operating activities per share (RMB) 1.341 1.233 8.8 At 31 December 2025 (RMB million) At 31 December 2024 (RMB million) Change from the end of last year (%) Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Company 827,463 815,815 1.4 Principal financial indicators Items For twelve months ended 31 December Changes over the same period of the preceding year (%) 2025 (RMB) 2024 (RMB) Basic earnings per share 0.268 0.404 (33.7) Diluted earnings per share 0.268 0.404 (33.7) Return on capital employed (%) 4.01 5.78 (1.77) percentage points The following table sets forth the operating revenues, operating expenses and operating profit by each segment before elimination of the inter-segment transactions for the periods indicated, and the percentage changes between 2025 and 2024. For twelve months ended 31 December Changes 2025 2024 (RMB million) (%) Exploration and Production Segment Operating revenues 285,992 297,249 (3.8) Operating expenses 240,461 240,864 (0.2) Operating profit 45,531 56,385 (19.2) Refining Segment Operating revenues 1,328,509 1,481,502 (10.3) Operating expenses 1,319,061 1,474,788 (10.6) Operating profit 9,448 6,714 40.7 Marketing and Distribution Segment Operating revenues 1,505,275 1,714,358 (12.2) Operating expenses 1,495,305 1,695,712 (11.8) Operating profit 9,970 18,646 (46.5) Chemicals Segment Operating revenues 464,108 523,862 (11.4) Operating expenses 478,686 533,859 (10.3) Operating loss (14,578) (9,997) - Corporate and Others Operating revenues 1,315,600 1,457,226 (9.7) Operating expenses 1,318,333 1,457,658 (9.6) Operating loss (2,733) (432) - About Sinopec Corp. Sinopec Corp. is one of the largest integrated energy and chemical companies in China. Its principal operations include the exploration and production, pipeline transportation and sale of petroleum and natural gas; the production, sale, storage and transportation of refinery products, petrochemical products, coal chemical products, synthetic fibre, and other chemical products; the import and export, including import and export agency business, of petroleum, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemical and chemical products, and other commodities and technologies; and research, development and application of technologies and information; hydrogen energy business and related services such as hydrogen production, storage, transportation and sales; battery charging and swapping, solar energy, wind energy and other new energy business and related services. Disclaimer This press release includes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical facts that address activities, events or developments that Sinopec Corp. expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including but not limited to projections, targets, reserve volume, other estimates and business plans) are forward-looking statements. Sinopec Corp.'s actual results or developments may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to the price fluctuation, possible changes in actual demand, foreign exchange rate, results of oil exploration, estimates of oil and gas reserves, market shares, competition, environmental risks, possible changes to laws, finance and regulations, conditions of the global economy and financial markets, political risks, possible delay of projects, government approval of projects, cost estimates and other factors beyond Sinopec Corp.'s control. In addition, Sinopec Corp. makes the forward-looking statements referred to herein as of today and undertakes no obligation to update these statements. Investor Inquiries： Media Inquiries： Beijing Hong Kong Tel：(86 10) 5996 0028 Tel：(852) 2522 1838 Fax：(86 10) 5996 0386 Fax：(852) 2521 9955 Email：ir@sinopec.com Email：sinopec@prchina.com.hk 22/03/2026 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Father Loses Parental Rights Over Autistic Son Amid Gender‑Transition Dispute, Receives Elon Musk Support
(SeaPRwire) - A father in Iceland says he is devastated after losing his parental rights for opposing his 11-year-old autistic son's gender transition, a case that has attracted global notice, including from billionaire Elon Musk. He alleges the courts are favoring a progressive ideology over a parent's duty to safeguard their child.Alexandre Rocha, a French citizen residing in Iceland for a quarter-century, had custody awarded to the boy's mother in December. He informed Digital that he is convinced the judge's decision was a result of his inquiries into the long-term effects of puberty blockers and hormone treatments.Rocha labeled the medical procedures as something that "should be a crime." He stated, "You are molesting kids, castrating a boy, like in the case of my kid. This shouldn’t happen. This is an ideology that has no place for kids."He contended that his son, who was ten at the time and whose perspective is influenced by video games such as Minecraft and Roblox, could not grasp the irreversible outcomes of gender reassignment."Naturally, every kid [after a separation and autism diagnosis] will have a mental challenge," Rocha remarked. "The transition is a happy place. They do feel validated, they like the attention… My worry is the long-term. Will they still be happy in four or six years after taking blockers and additional hormones? Is it truly addressing the root cause—the mental challenge or difficulty they are experiencing?"Although his child received an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis only eight months prior, Rocha claimed the court and healthcare experts largely overlooked the diagnosis during the proceedings.He pointed out that autistic children frequently have issues with feeling comfortable in their own bodies or desiring to be something different, mentioning that his own child sometimes likes to pretend to be a cat, even wearing a tail or cat ears.Nevertheless, when he presented these worries in court, Rocha said an Icelandic endocrinologist "completely dismissed" his testimony under oath, asserting that the hormone medications presented "no problem" and declining to assess underlying psychological health issues.Now excluded from decisions about his son's medical care, Rocha expressed anxiety about what treatments his son might be undergoing without his awareness."It is entirely possible that he is receiving hormone treatment and I am completely unaware of it," he stated.Rocha further mentioned that the child's mother is advocating a "stronger ideology than ever," revealing that he needed to use the advanced AI program ChatGPT to comprehend terms like "deadname," meaning a person's pre-transition birth name."I can’t support this kind of speech. This, to me, is diabolical. It’s beyond love," he said. "When you talk about a kid, you can’t talk about death. It just doesn’t make sense to me."Rocha said he learned in February that the mother had legally changed his son's name to a female one, "meaning his ID will now clearly state he is a girl."The father asserted that the court's decision was not focused on his child's best interests, but was instead a planned action to suppress disagreement."It is to control parents. It is to control me," he declared. "It is to silence me. It is to give all power to this ideology."Rocha’s situation has received worldwide coverage and recently attracted the attention of Elon Musk.The Tesla CEO has been vocal on transgender matters since disclosing that his son, Xavier, transitioned to female and is now named Vivian Jenna Wilson.Musk stated he was "essentially tricked" into approving Wilson's use of puberty blockers before he fully comprehended the situation.Commenting on a post about Rocha's story by the popular X account @libsoftiktok, Musk wrote, "The woke mind virus even affects Iceland."Rocha said he was "very surprised and honored" that Musk publicized his story."I think we have a common fight going on," he commented. "Because at the end of the day, we’re all parents, no matter the borders or nationalities."Musk did not promptly reply to Digital's request for a statement.Setting aside the political aspects, Rocha said he longs for the ordinary times with his son, whom he has not seen since January."I miss story time at night and cooking together," he shared, recalling his enjoyment of sharing 1990s Steven Spielberg films like "Jurassic Park" with his son.Rocha has recently petitioned for daily fines to be imposed on the child's mother for interfering with his court-mandated visitation rights.According to court records, the mother denied purposely preventing the visits, asserting that the child declines to go because Rocha does not accept his transgender identity and will not use his new name.Rocha submitted a witness affidavit stating that their most recent visitation proceeded without issue and that the child seemed content and safe with him.He remembered a recent meeting where his son expressed that he "missed it, to be with grandma and my sister.""When you don’t know what’s happening on the other side, as a parent, you get really worried," Rocha said. "We are slowly drifting apart, and that’s a very sad outcome of this."Despite feeling pressured to remain silent, Rocha encouraged other parents to rely on their "instincts," voice their concerns, and look for expert advice."I’m here for my kid and for his future," he affirmed. "That’s the only thing I care about. I am campaigning for him, for his future."Digital was unable to immediately contact the child's mother for comment. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. 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Experts say Trump was proven right about Iran’s long-range missile capability as the regime targeted a US-UK base
(SeaPRwire) - Iran dramatically stepped up its military campaign against the United States by firing two intermediate-range ballistic missiles on Friday at Diego Garcia, a vital U.S.-U.K. military installation in the Indian Ocean.The strike on Diego Garcia, located approximately 2,500 miles from Iranian territory, indicates that Tehran's missile technology has surpassed previously declared boundaries.Prior to Operation Epic Fury on February 28, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, "We deliberately maintained our missile range under 2,000 kilometers, so we lack that capacity. We have no desire to develop it because we bear no enmity toward the American people or all Europeans."On Saturday, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir remarked, "Only yesterday, Iran deployed a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a 4,000-kilometer [2,500-mile] range toward an American objective on Diego Garcia island. These projectiles were not aimed at Israel. Their reach extends to European capitals—Berlin, Paris, and Rome all fall within immediate striking distance."IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani condemned the purported Iranian duplicity on X, writing: "Merely three days before hostilities began, the Iranian regime claimed they possessed no long-range missiles. Today, their falsehoods stand exposed yet again, with projectiles launched 4,000 kilometers from Iran. They sought to deceive their way into becoming a global terror power. We never believed them."Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), informed Digital: "The Trump administration's justification for Operation Epic Fury based on Iran's missile threat was therefore legitimate, given Tehran's persistent refusal to discuss its missile program. This also demonstrates the peril of depending exclusively on Iranian nuclear fatwas and the supreme leader's public statements when shaping U.S. policy. Iran remains a threat as long as it maintains technical capabilities that exceed its public declarations."Brodsky added, "This signals that the IRGC now controls Iran following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's death. During Khamenei's lifetime, he restricted Iran's missile program to a 2,000-kilometer range. In 2018, Khamenei described how he had dismissed proposals from IRGC commanders to extend the range to 5,000 kilometers."He went on, "Now that he has passed, the IRGC factions advocating for greater range are probably setting the agenda. The missile launch likely served as a demonstration of IRGC capabilities to menace U.S. allies outside the Middle East—Europe, for instance."Neither of the two Iranian long-range missiles struck the base, yet the attempted assault represented a major extension of Iran's operational range beyond the Middle East toward a crucial U.S. strategic center. According to officials, one missile apparently malfunctioned mid-flight, while a U.S. naval vessel fired an SM-3 interceptor at the second. The success of the interception remained uncertain at the time. The isolated installation serves as an essential staging area for American bombers, nuclear submarines, and other critical military resources.Ilan Berman, Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, D.C., told Digital: "This launch underscores the president's assertion regarding Iran as an immediate danger. Casual observers may easily overlook it, but the growing sophistication of Iran's multiple strategic programs has been multiplying the threat posed by the Islamic Republic far beyond the Middle East. This is precisely what 'Epic Fury' aims to counter. The administration's conviction—entirely correct, in my opinion—is that such capabilities must not remain under the control of an extremist, expansionist regime."He added, "Notwithstanding its public rejections, evidence has long indicated that the Iranian regime has been actively extending its ballistic missile reach. The Diego Garcia strike confirms tangible advancement toward this objective, with Tehran already capable of threatening targets throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, the regime is evidently pursuing even greater capacities—left unchecked, Iran's ballistic missiles will achieve intercontinental range in the near future."Berman, author of "Iran's Deadly Ambition: The Islamic Republic's Quest for Global Power," noted, "Iran's simultaneous advancement of its space program is noteworthy. The launch vehicle designed to deploy satellites into orbit can be integrated with a medium-range missile to produce intercontinental strike potential. Prior to the conflict, we observed a distinct merging of the regime's strategic initiatives: its ballistic missile development, space technology, and nuclear program."He cautioned about the grave Iranian danger to mainland Europe. "Europe faces undeniable peril, as this latest launch demonstrates. However, I wouldn't attribute the previous failure to acknowledge this to a massive Tehran deception. Rather, it stems from deliberate obliviousness among European elites regarding the magnitude of the Iranian regime's threat, coupled with excessive confidence in diplomatic and arms control measures to restrain it."On Saturday, Britain denounced the assault. "Iran's irresponsible aggression, striking throughout the region and effectively seizing the Strait of Hormuz, endangers British interests and allies," the U.K. Ministry of Defense declared in a statement. "Royal Air Force aircraft and other British military resources continue to protect our citizens and forces in the area.""The current administration has authorized the United States to utilize British installations for particular, restricted defensive missions," the statement continued.Digital's Greg Norman and Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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HBO Max Quietly Adds a Rediscovered Sci‑Fi Masterpiece
Gkids(SeaPRwire) - Up until 2025, Mamoru Oshii was most famous outside Japan for directing Ghost in the Shell. Though that film— which introduced Major Motoko Kusanagi to the world— is a genre-defining cyberpunk classic and a highly influential sci-fi work, it’s not the one closest to the co-creator’s heart. That honor goes to Angel’s Egg, a hand-drawn passion project Oshii once called the “poor daughter” who never left home.As an original OVA (direct-to-video) animation, Angel’s Egg represented a key shift in the future anime legend’s artistic style. Oshii’s first two films were adaptations of Rumiko Takahashi’s manga Urusei Yatsura (the artist behind Inuyasha and Ranma ½), and he wrote some episodes of the associated anime series. But Angel’s Egg emerged fully formed, as if from Oshii’s subconscious. Blending elements from his unfulfilled dream project— a Lupin III film adaptation— with his lifelong interest in Christianity and its imagery, the result is a movie rich in meaning, even if that meaning is often hard to pin down.If you’ve watched the film, it might come as a surprise that Angel’s Egg was initially intended to be a comedy, infused with the broad philosophical themes Oshii brought to Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer. It didn’t take its final, subtly menacing shape until Oshii saw concept art by Yoshitaka Amano. Amano’s designs pull from fantasy archetypes— fitting, since he later helped craft the visual style of the Final Fantasy series— and their impact on the story was so great that he’s listed as a co-creator of the film.Amano’s characters inhabit a world of deserted cities and ruined cathedrals— places where gravity operates oddly and the air shimmers like water. The story centers on two figures: an unnamed girl who carries a huge egg under her dress (making her look pregnant) and guards it closely, and a boy with a cross-shaped weapon who follows her as she takes her delicate burden to an unknown place. Also present is a massive floating mechanical eye (possibly the eye of God) and a group of stone angels that observe the events with cold indifference.Even though it’s known for being mysterious, Angel’s Egg isn’t all that hard to grasp— you just need to set aside the small details and focus on the overall message. (Of course, you can dive into the details too; a quick YouTube search for Angel’s Egg explainers will show you how.) Many view it as an allegory for losing faith, an interpretation Oshii doesn’t dispute. (That’s as specific as he gets about the movie’s actual “meaning.”) It was a stark departure from Oshii’s previous work and a total outlier in mid-1980s anime, emphasizing stillness and subtlety instead of bright colors and childish humor. That might explain why it barely earned any money.In a 2015 Toronto International Film Festival interview looking back on his career, Oshii said Angel’s Egg didn’t just fail—it nearly ended his career. “After that, no one offered me work for three years,” he recalled. He compared the film to a child who never succeeds, staying home while their siblings get jobs and start families. For a time, that comparison held true. Angel’s Egg came out on Blu-ray in Japan in 2013, but it wasn’t available outside the country until 2024, when GKIDS acquired the North American rights to Oshii’s forgotten gem.A new 4K restoration of the film debuted at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, then screened at festivals worldwide before hitting theaters last November. When it first came out, foreign journalists said they didn’t get it. But 40 years later, upon revisiting it, they praised it as a masterpiece.What changed over those decades? The film itself hasn’t, but Western ideas about what anime is (and, more crucially, what it can be) have evolved since the mid-1980s. Anime is no longer a niche hobby; it’s now recognized as a medium capable of telling diverse stories in various styles. Forty-one years after its initial release, Angel’s Egg is finally finding viewers who get it.Angel’s Egg is now streaming on HBO Max. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Iranian man, Romanian woman face charges over alleged attempt to enter UK nuclear missile base, officials say
(SeaPRwire) - An Iranian man and a Romanian woman have been charged following an alleged unsuccessful attempt to enter a nuclear missile base in Scotland earlier this week, Police Scotland announced on Saturday.The police force stated that at approximately 5 p.m. on Thursday, "we were made aware of two people attempting to enter HM Naval Base Clyde.""A 34-year-old Iranian man and a 31-year-old Romanian woman have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. They are scheduled to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday, March 23," Police Scotland reported. "Enquiries are ongoing."Digital has contacted Police Scotland for additional comment.Citing The Times, The Telegraph newspaper reported that the individuals were denied entry to the base due to a lack of proper passes and were subsequently apprehended nearby for allegedly "acting suspiciously in the vicinity."HM Naval Base Clyde, often referred to as Faslane, is recognized as the primary facility for the United Kingdom's missile fleet.The Royal Navy states that the base houses "the core of the Submarine Service, including the nation's nuclear deterrent, and the new generation of hunter-killer submarines."According to the U.K. Parliament, the Royal Navy currently operates a fleet of nine submarines, all of which are based at HM Naval Base Clyde."Five of these are conventionally-armed nuclear-powered attack submarines of the Astute class. An additional four are ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) of the Vanguard class, which constitute the UK’s submarine-based nuclear deterrent," the Parliament added.A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed in a statement to Digital on Friday, "Police Scotland have arrested two people who unsuccessfully attempted to enter HM Naval Base Clyde on Thursday 19 March. As the matter is subject to an ongoing investigation, we will not comment further." This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Huace Group Showcases Swords into Plowshares at FILMART to Drive Global Expansion
On March 18, Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) – Asia’s largest film and television trade market-was teeming with activity. Amidst the bustling halls, Huace Group booth drew a diverse international crowd, captivated by the “Oriental scroll” unfolding on screen: the historical Chinese drama Swords into Plowshares, which is currently sweeping the globe. During the market, Huace Group presented a slate of key series including Swords into Plowshares, The Heir, and War and People. The creative team behind Swords into Plowshares also made intensive appearances at several high-profile events. Since its January debut, the series has reached 73 countries and regions in over 11 languages, and becoming a phenomenal start for Chinese content exports in 2026. A Single Series Sparks Tourism in Multiple Cities CEO of Huace Group Invites Viewers: “Travel China with Swords into Plowshares” “I warmly invite global audiences to visit Zhejiang, to recognize the beauty of China appears in Swords into Plowshares, walking the landscapes and feeling China through the series’ poetic imagery and moving stories,” CEO of Huace Group, Fu Binxing said in a keynote address at the “Forum on International Comminication Cooperation and Innovation for a New Vision” on March 17, extending a heartfelt invitation to the show’s global viewers. Set in the same era when Otto I was campaigning in Italy to establish the Holy Roman Empire in the West, China in the East was also mired in the turmoil of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. Swords into Plowshares follows three young heroes who meet amid the chaos—Qian Hongshu, Zhao Kuangyin, and Guo Rong—each enduring war and separation, steadfastly fulfilling their duties, presenting a panoramic portrait of war and peace of ancient China. This invitation from the CEO of Huace Group stems from the unprecedented cultural tourism trend sparked by the show. As the drama gained popularity, it triggered a “one show, multiple cities” phenomenon across Zhejiang and the rest of China. Cities featured in the plot, such as Hangzhou, Taizhou, Taiyuan, and Kaifeng, have seen a massive influx of tourists, allowing audiences to step off the screen and into the scenery to experience a thousand-year-old vision of peace. “When Hearts Connect, Stories Resonate” Decoding the Global Success of Swords into Plowshares Since its January premiere, Swords into Plowshares has debuted on over 12 major international platforms, covering 73 countries and regions. On YouTube, it has surpassed 10 million views with total exposure exceeding 100 million, successfully breaking through cultural barriers. The series has also received high industry praise at international festivals in Cannes, Tokyo, and Singapore, marking a successful transition from merely “going abroad” to “going deep” into local markets. Wang Yan, the Producer of Swords into Plowshares, provided an in-depth look at how the series achieved such global resonance. She noted that from the project’s inception, the focus was on international positioning: creating a high-quality, international historical epic. The production utilized 8K standards and ultra-high-definition technology, with a professional cast of over 200 actors meticulously matched to their roles. “Everything was done for one purpose: to allow everyone to have an immersive experience,” she said. “Only when we believe in it and enter that world ourselves can the audience be drawn into the story”. Wang Yan believes that while technology is the shell, the core remains key. The title Swords into Plowshares captures the “soul” of the show, expressing a desire for peace over conflict. This compassion for life and longing for peace are universal human emotions. “Ultimately, international expression isn’t about simplifying history; it’s about excavating the essential, shared emotions of humanity,” Wang Yan said. One overseas viewer commented, “To understand the past is to see the future clearly”. By tapping into these deep layers, cultural barriers are dismantled: “When hearts connect, stories resonate”. Huace Group Releases 2026 Line-up Bringing More Chinese Stories Across the Seas The global journey of Swords into Plowshares is far from over. During this FILMART, Huace Group booth hosted over a hundred meetings with overseas buyers from North America, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. Several international platforms reached new cooperations on-site, further strengthening the global distribution network of Huace Group. The global influence of Swords into Plowshares is part of a broader trend. Huace Group has long pursued a “China Wave” strategy, having distributed nearly 180,000 hours of content to over 200 countries and regions. Its self-operated Huace multi-channel network covers 20 languages with over 58 million overseas subscribers. Other recent global successes include Meet Yourself, which brought the “healing breeze” of Dali to the world; Flourished Peony, which captivated audiences with its exquisite Oriental aesthetics; and contemporary dramas like Go Ahead, which showcase the lives of modern Chinese youth. On the evening of March 18, Huace Group held its “Unound Stories, New Experiences” networking event in Hong Kong, attended by nearly 200 representatives from global media and film institutions. The event featured a heavyweight release of key drama projects, including Swords into Plowshares, The Heir, Sentencing, You are My Fateful Love, Blossom, I Live in Your Time, Now or Never, The Garden of Missing Paths, War and People, and A Simply Jane. Additionally, Huace Group plans to launch over ten mid-to-short-form series such as Zizhi Tongjian and Journey to the West, while actively applying AIGC to explore new paradigms of human-machine collaborative creation. From historical epics to modern realism, and from premium long-form series to innovative content formats, Huace Group is driven by “premium content” and “technological empowerment”. This dual engine is building a new pattern of international communication—moving from “going global” to “going in” and finally “integrating in”. As Fu Binxing stated at the forum: “Huace Group is willing to work with the utmost sincerity to invite global creators, tech companies, platforms, and investors to build a ‘Smart Cultural & Creative Community.’ Let more Chinese stories carrying shared human emotions fly to every corner of the world on the wings of innovative technology”
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Live Possum Found Hiding Among Stuffed Animals in Australian Airport Retail Store
(SeaPRwire) - It was a case of playing dead — or being a stuffed animal. Among plush kangaroos, dingoes and Tasmanian devils ready to be bought by parents of restless children, a live brushtail possum waited in a gift shop at an Australian airport this week. The wild animal was first noticed by a shopper in the store on Wednesday, said Liam Bloomfield, retail manager of Hobart Airport in Tasmania. "A passenger reported it to …. one of the staff members on shift who couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing," Bloomfield told The Associated Press. "She then called the (airport) management and said we’ve got a possum in the store." Staff at the airport were able to remove the animal without harming it. "I’m imaging it saw some of the plush animals that were for sale on the shelf and it decided to make its home with those," Bloomfield joked about why the possum was hiding with the stuffed toys. "It wanted to blend in." "Can you spot the imposter?" the airport wrote Thursday in a Facebook post that showed the possum curled up in a cubby with its stuffed counterparts. "This cheeky lost possum found a clever hiding place among the Aussie plushies in our retail store," the airport continued. "Luckily it was safely relocated out of the terminal area and the space was cleaned." Bloomfield said the possum not only found a way into the airport but also their hearts. "We’ll have a little shrine to the possum," he revealed, according to The Independent. "There will be a nice little photo; once it gets a name, we will put a nice little post in front of the store to make sure it’s remembered." This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Chuck Norris’s Definitive Western Series Still Sets the Bar After 33 Years
CBS Photo Archive/CBS/Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - Action cinema enthusiasts are mourning today following the news that legendary martial artist and actor Chuck Norris has died at the age of 86. He passed away in Hawaii after being hospitalized yesterday. Norris was celebrated for his roles in films such as The Way of the Dragon and The Delta Force, as well as his appearances in Dodgeball, The Goldbergs, and his own animated Saturday morning series.His impact on popular culture is often viewed through a generational lens. Younger audiences recognize him primarily through the "Chuck Norris Facts" internet memes, which humorously depicted him as an all-powerful figure—claiming he "can" believe it’s not butter or that evolution is simply a list of creatures he permits to exist.Chuck Norris performs a trademark kick during a 1998 episode of Walker, Texas Ranger. | CBS Photo Archive/CBS/Getty ImagesHowever, for a different generation, he is synonymous with Cordell Walker from Walker, Texas Ranger. Norris portrayed the stoic hero for over 200 episodes between 1993 and 2001. The show was a quintessential neo-western, offering a successful blend of formulaic yet engaging plots and a rotating cast of notable guest stars, including RuPaul, Selena Gomez, Danny Trejo, and Hulk Hogan.The influence of the series remains significant, even though Norris himself is irreplaceable. Its portrayal of a Western-style lawman can be seen in later shows like Dark Winds and Justified, and its narrative style paved the way for the Yellowstone television franchise that eventually arrived on CBS.Walker, Texas Ranger saw several revivals, starting with a 2005 television movie and followed by the 2021 CW series Walker, featuring Jared Padalecki. That reboot lasted for four seasons and produced a prequel, Walker: Independence, which explored the journey of Cordell’s ancestor, Abby Walker, in 19th-century Texas.Jared Padalecki took the lead in the Walker, Texas Ranger reboot, Walker. | The CWThe show's cultural footprint also extended to late-night television. Following NBC's purchase of Universal in 2011, Conan O’Brien introduced the "Walker, Texas Ranger Lever," a recurring bit where he would pull a switch to play unintentionally hilarious, out-of-context clips from the series.Those segments worked because of the show's absolute sincerity in its action sequences and dramatic reveals. While it might be categorized as campy or dated today, the series maintained a clear identity and a sense of conviction that is increasingly rare in modern media.While Chuck Norris became a staple of internet humor, Walker, Texas Ranger remains his definitive work: a long-running action powerhouse that mastered its genre.Walker, Texas Ranger is currently available to stream for free on Pluto TV. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Amazon’s Overlooked Fantasy Epic Finds an Unexpected Revival
Prime Video(SeaPRwire) - Amazon Prime Video has put in significant effort to find its own Game of Thrones or Stranger Things. Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ranks among the most expensive TV shows ever made, and the streamer has picked up countless other book series for adaptation—including Mike Flanagan’s highly anticipated take on the Dark Tower novels. But even as it continues searching for the next big hit, not every unsuccessful idea is doomed. The Wheel of Time—one of the most ambitious fantasy series in recent memory—was canceled after Season 3, yet its story will continue through an animated series and more spinoff projects. Per Variety, several new projects based on Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time book series are in the works, including an animated series, films, and video games. This announcement comes from a partnership between iwot Studios and League of Legends’ Thomas Vu. The world of The Wheel of Time may expand every which way, including an animated series, multiple movies, and video games. | Amazon Prime VideoThese projects, which have no distributor attached, are reportedly completely separate from the animated film, live-action film, and high-profile AAA video game currently being developed via a partnership with VFX company Framestorer—to create “an AI-enabled platform that offers brands asset management tools to ease collaboration on projects across multiple platforms.” So while Amazon may not be involved in the Wheel of Time IP, the universe will independently expand further than ever before, spanning multiple movies, video games, and other spinoffs. The animated series is especially intriguing, as animated spinoffs of canceled shows could become a new trend in streaming now that Netflix is following Stranger Things’ final season with Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85. It’s possible Amazon Prime Video could do the same and pick up some of these spinoffs, regardless of their canon links to the canceled series. Rosamund Pike led the cast of The Wheel of Time series, which ran for three seasons on Amazon Prime Video. | Amazon Prime VideoSo while The Wheel of Time series may have ended, it only boosted interest in its fantasy world beyond the existing book fandom. Striking while the iron is hot to release more projects is certainly smart—but with multiple movies, video games, and an animated series in development, could this idea be stretched too thin? Maybe this fantasy world is large enough for everything in development right now, but it’ll still be interesting to see if all these projects make it to completion—especially since some controversially incorporate AI. The Wheel of Time Seasons 1-3 are streaming on Prime Video. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Australian Prime Minister heckled at mosque, labeled ‘putrid dog’ by demonstrators
(SeaPRwire) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was escorted out of the nation’s largest mosque on Friday as attending Muslims expressed anger over his position on Israel’s war with Hamas. The Telegraph reported that Albanese was labeled with several insults, such as "putrid dog" and "genocide supporter," in connection to Palestinian deaths in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Video footage captured the prime minister standing with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke at Sydney’s Lakemba Mosque during the community’s Eid celebrations, which mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan."Why is he here? Get him out!" some people yelled. Albanese and his Left Labor government have faced criticism for their backing of a Gaza ceasefire and Israel’s right to self-defense. Amid the disturbance, Gamel Kheir, the mosque’s secretary, begged for calm. "Respect this space," he stated. "We need to engage in honest, open dialogue with our political leaders instead of avoiding them and being isolationist.""You called him honorable—he’s responsible for the deaths of a million people, a million of our brothers and sisters," one individual reportedly yelled. Security escorted Albanese to an office inside the mosque before moving him out of the building and into his motorcade. As he departed, chants of "shame on you" and the slur "Alba-tizi"—a derogatory Arabic twist on his last name that refers to buttocks—were yelled. "He wants to come here after shaking hands with Israel’s president, who has blood on his hands," said a person who confronted the prime minister. "To show up here and act like nothing’s wrong is a disgrace."Albanese shared photos on X of himself smiling and shaking hands with attendees."By and large, the reception was extremely positive," he told reporters about his visit. "I walked through the crowd to the mosque, and no one heckled me. There were a few hecklers inside—they were handled.""Contrary to what’s been claimed, no one was hurried out," he added. "We just stayed there. … The community itself handled it because most people didn’t want that to happen." This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Five Years On, A Brutally Gory Thriller Receives A Lackluster Remake
IFC(SeaPRwire) - Dan (Jason Segel) is exhibiting unusually strong conviction regarding his weekend plans with his wife, Lisa (Samara Weaving). He loudly informs his colleagues that they will be spending the weekend at their secluded cabin in the woods. Meanwhile, she insists on embarking on a solo mountain hike, despite impending snow and her complete lack of hiking experience.It turns out, Dan has reached his breaking point. A former TV commercial director with a single hit movie from years past, he has endured an unhappy marriage for years and has resolved to take the most extreme measure possible: murdering his wife to collect her life insurance. His scheme appears flawless... until she incapacitates him with a taser just as he's about to execute it.Because Lisa, too, has had enough. A struggling actress who sacrificed her full-time job to support her husband, burdened by debt, Lisa is at her wit's end. She has been conspicuously discussing with her friend her husband's insistence on a hunting trip during their cabin getaway this weekend. She dislikes hunting and has no desire to handle a rifle. What if she were to stumble, and the rifle were to accidentally discharge?However, this is merely the beginning of the intensely violent dark comedy Over Your Dead Body, Jorma Taccone’s reimagining of Tommy Wirkola’s 2021 Norwegian film, The Trip. Similar to The Trip, Over Your Dead Body starts with the premise of a married couple attempting to kill each other, before events take an unforeseen turn when three escaped criminals (in Over Your Dead Body's case, Timothy Olyphant and Keith Jardine's two criminals, plus Juliette Lewis' prison guard who aided their escape) take them hostage. Yet, unlike The Trip, a brutal action-horror film with a cruel edge, Over Your Dead Body struggles to reconcile Taccone’s more lighthearted comedic style with the story’s dark, brutal developments. The outcome is a movie with an inconsistent and mismatched tone that never quite justifies its violence.It's evident that Taccone, widely recognized as a member of The Lonely Island comedy group and director of the excellent music satire Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, is more at ease with the film's more energetic first half. This section cleverly uses a flashback device to fill in backstory whenever a new twist emerges. It's an ingenious technique from screenwriters Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney: each new revelation — Lisa’s murderous intent, the arrival of the three criminals — becomes a sharp punchline, imbuing the film with a meta-humor that Taccone clearly excels at. But when Olyphant, Jardine, and Lewis enter the scene, the narrative shifts to a shockingly grim and disappointingly straightforward direction.Dan and Lisa get taken hostage by three criminals hiding in their cabin. | IFCThe moment the trio seizes Dan and Lisa as hostages, Over Your Dead Body transitions from a sharp, elevated meta-comedy into a more conventional home-invasion thriller. And when Taccone does attempt to inject humor into these sequences, it feels profoundly out of place. The issue is that Taccone’s humor, while possessing a dark undertone, lacks the necessary cruel streak to maintain the tone throughout the film's brutal second half. His comedic approach leans towards the goofier side, with some moments so absurd they could easily be mistaken for a Lonely Island sketch. This tone is ill-suited for Over Your Dead Body, especially when it incorporates some of the Norwegian original’s darker, more violating elements.The cast also doesn't particularly benefit Over Your Dead Body. Jason Segel, who adopts a vacant stare in an effort to embody the film’s more brutal aspects, seems miscast, especially for Dan’s transformation reminiscent of Straw Dogs. Samara Weaving largely operates in a "final-girl" capacity, subtly resisting Lisa’s less appealing traits. Olyphant and Lewis are the ones who best align with the story’s dark frequency, conveying a wonderfully sinister delight in holding their new captives. However, even their performances cannot rescue the film from feeling like a misguided Hollywood adaptation of a distinctive style of Norwegian black humor.Over Your Dead Body was initially slated to be directed by The Trip’s director Tommy Wirkola, before he departed the project in 2024. It's apparent that Taccone inherited a project initiated by a director with darker, more aggressive sensibilities than his own — evident in the tonal jarring between the two distinct parts and the halfhearted attempts to lighten a brutal script. Even as the film descends into a comically gory bloodbath, it appears to be of two minds; torn between fully embracing horror-comedy or committing to the brutality. This leaves one wishing Taccone had the resolve to lean into the latter, rather than retreating to the comfort of a goofy, Lonely Island-esque meta-joke.Over Your Dead Body premiered at SXSW on March 14. It will be released in theaters on April 24. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Zack Snyder’s Epic Superhero Film Turns Back Time 5 Years Ago
Clay Enos/HBO Max(SeaPRwire) - Gore Verbinski’s BioShock. Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man. Colin Trevorrow’s Star Wars: Episode 9. Ever since film studios recognized the massive revenue potential of blockbuster adaptations of popular intellectual property, a steadily growing graveyard of discarded directorial visions has emerged, cast aside in favor of content designed to appeal to the broadest possible mainstream audience. It is not a new phenomenon for filmmakers to walk away from projects or be removed from them, but the internet has given curious fans unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes details of these scrapped works — storyboards, screenplays, and even raw early footage offer a peek into an alternate reality where these creative projects were fully realized and released.It is extremely rare for these abandoned projects to finally come to fruition long after production wraps, as catering to fan demands or the wishes of disaffected directors would force studios to defend their past decision-making. But five years ago, one filmmaker pushed back against the studio system and effectively turned back the clock (supported by an extremely loyal fanbase), releasing a film whose existence was so surrounded by unconfirmed reports and mystery that it had already become pop culture legend: Zack Snyder’s Justice League.The off-screen drama tied to Justice League has become a near-mythic reflection of the challenges of big-budget film production: after wrapping principal photography in late 2016, Snyder made the decision to step away from the project following the death of his daughter Autumn, leading Warner Bros. to bring on Joss Whedon, the creative mind behind 2012’s hit The Avengers, to complete the film during post-production. Still reeling from the polarizing audience response to Batman v. Superman, the studio used this shakeup as an opportunity to move away from Snyder’s planned dark, sprawling epic in favor of a project that matched the playful, campy Saturday morning cartoon energy that defined many MCU entries.This choice backfired spectacularly: the theatrical cut of the film was a massive box office flop that failed to recoup its production costs, and the poorly received finished product sparked a fan campaign that spent the next four years pushing for the release of Snyder’s original cut assembled from all the footage he had captured. When the long-rumored Snyder Cut finally debuted in 2021, it served as a perfect case study of how two different filmmakers can take the exact same source material, even the same raw footage, and produce wildly different end results.While Whedon’s Justice League was a jarring tonal shift from prior DC films, defined by its overly bright saturated color scheme, awkward failed jokes, and disjointed, mismatched reshot scenes, Snyder’s cut was a four-hour epic carrying the world-altering stakes of DC’s iconic Crisis storylines. It is not quite as dark and gritty as his earlier DC works, but it is unmistakeably his unique creation. Traces of studio pressure to address complaints about his previous film remain visible: Snyder’s version does include more tonally appropriate humor, and Batman’s new faith in the goodness of humanity feels slightly out of step with his characterization in earlier entries, but the film’s clear directorial vision is impossible to ignore.This is a pure Zack Snyder production through and through. | Warner Bros. PicturesAs is typical of Snyder’s DC films, ZSJL is not without its flaws. Not every scene in its four-hour runtime feels justified, Henry Cavill’s Superman still comes off as little more than a polished plot mechanism rather than a fully realized character, and villain Steppenwolf lacks the distinct personality and engagement factor of Michael Shannon’s General Zod or even Jesse Eisenberg’s take on Lex Luthor. Even so, the film gets a lot right, enough that many consider it the strongest entry in Snyder’s DC trilogy.Snyder’s well-documented talent for striking visual set pieces is at its finest in this cut, pairing stunning shot framing with his trademark speed-ramping effect to make the action look like panels lifted straight from a comic book, with the heroes seemingly leaping off the page. The film also strikes a strong balance between lighthearted team camaraderie and respectful, mythic treatment of its central superhero group. The early moments of the characters building bonds with each other feel genuine, yet the film never loses sight of the immense power and iconic status of these larger-than-life figures; one minute, Batman and Wonder Woman are teasing each other like work colleagues, and the next they are battling Parademons with the gravitas of legendary folk heroes. It is a rewarding tightrope walk for the film, and it leaves viewers with a bittersweet sense of what could have been, offering a peek at a timeline where Snyder’s planned DC franchise grew stronger and more polished with each new release.Given its rocky road to release, it is striking how much Zack Snyder’s Justice League feels like a meta commentary on its own creation and its director, particularly through the arcs of its two core characters: Cyborg and The Flash. Ray Fisher’s portrayal of Cyborg serves as the emotional core of the film, making his sidelined treatment in the theatrical cut all the more disappointing. His story centers on learning to adapt and find a way forward in life after experiencing devastating loss, and it is easy to see how personal that narrative thread would have been for Snyder as he edited the film in the wake of his own family tragedy. The beauty and emotional heft of Cyborg’s declaration that he’s “not broken” and “not alone” hits even harder when you consider the huge fan community that came together to support Snyder’s vision following his unthinkable loss.Bringing back Cyborg’s full character arc is one of the most critical improvements the Snyder Cut makes to the flawed theatrical release. | Warner Bros. PicturesThe Flash, by contrast, feels like a stand-in for the enormous, unprecedented effort that went into getting the Snyder Cut released to the public. His story is built around a false premise — that his father killed his mother — and throughout the film, he battles against time itself to rewrite his family’s story and prove himself to the world. This plot line mirrors the real-life journey of the film itself: four years of campaigning to pull off the impossible and reverse the course of the 2017 release, pushing back against the negative reception of the theatrical cut that was credited to Snyder, and fighting the studio’s long-held claim that his original version of the film was “unreleasable.”“Make your own future. Make your own past.” The line Barry Allen delivers as he races to alter fate in the film’s climax also speaks to the lasting impact the Snyder Cut has had on Hollywood and the broader film industry. It delighted millions of fans, but it also triggered a shift in the dynamic between creators and audiences, the ripple effects of which are still being felt today. Zack Snyder’s Justice League, for all its imperfections and soaring, dramatic high points, offers a look at a version of Hollywood where big-budget studio blockbusters are, for better or worse, exactly what they are meant to be: unfiltered, unique creative visions from a filmmaker sharing a story that only they could make.Zack Snyder’s Justice League is available to stream now on HBO Max. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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March Madness: Betting Lines, Predictions & Picks for All 8 Games on Saturday, March 21
(AsiaGameHub) - The action of March Madness continues as the NCAA Tournament's round of 32 begins Saturday at noon Eastern Time. Our coverage includes the odds, predictions, and picks for all eight matchups, with odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook. Saturday’s NCAA Tournament Game Odds at DraftKings Prepare for a full day of college basketball and potential bracket upsets by reviewing the odds for every contest at DraftKings. Our predictions and selections are detailed below. No. 1 Michigan (-12.5, 161.5) vs. No. 9 St. Louis CBS: 12:10 p.m. ET All signs point to an OVER in this matchup. Although Michigan surrendered 80 points to Howard in the first round, they still secured a decisive 101-80 victory. St. Louis also had a high-scoring start, erupting for 102 points in its opening win against Georgia. The Wolverines would benefit from the defensive skills of LJ Cason in this game, but his season concluded with a torn ACL in late February. Pick: OVER 161.5 No. 3 Michigan State (-4.5, 151.5) vs. No. 6 Louisville CBS: 2:45 p.m. ET Louisville will once again be without the output of freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. (18.2 ppg), who continues to sit with a back injury. The Cardinals will depend on leading scorer Ryan Conwell (18.7 ppg) to face an assertive Michigan State defense led by 6’10” senior Jaxon Kohler. Kohler is a dominant rebounder, averaging 9.1 per game. The center can also hit from beyond the arc and contributes 12.6 points per game. Point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who leads the country with 9.2 assists per game, runs the Spartans' offense, but his scoring output (15.4 ppg) is expected to be the deciding factor. Pick: MSU -4.5 No. 1 Duke (-11.5, 139.5) vs. No. 9 TCU CBS: 5:15 p.m. ET Duke came into the tournament as the top overall seed but was given a significant challenge by No. 16 seed Siena in the first round. That close call should act as a warning for the Blue Devils, who anticipate the return of center Patrick Ngongba (foot) for this contest. Duke's size inside will be crucial, especially against a TCU team that has difficulties defending the paint (ranking 200th nationally in two-point field goal percentage). Look for another strong performance from Carlos Boozer, who leads our NCAA Tournament MVP betting list. Pick: OVER 139.5 No. 2 Houston (-10.5, 142.5) vs. No. 10 Texas A&M TNT: 6:10 p.m. ET This contest presents a clash of playing styles: Texas A&M's fast-paced offense against Houston's more methodical, slower approach. The key question is whether the Aggies can force Houston to play at a quicker speed. Texas A&M generated 18 turnovers in its opening victory against St. Mary’s. If the Aggies can produce a similar defensive performance against Houston and control the game's pace, we favor Texas A&M to cover the point spread. Pick: Texas A&M +10.5 More Madness: Biggest Upsets in NCAA Tournament History | Best Bets on Upset, Final Four & Buzzer-Beater Prop No. 3 Gonzaga (-6.5, 146.5) vs. No. 11 Texas TBS: 7:10 p.m. ET Gonzaga senior forward Graham Ike primarily scores in the post, which is a hallmark of the Bulldogs' entire offensive scheme. Texas's weakness in defending the interior could be a major issue in this game. Defensively, Gonzaga is ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation for both two-point and three-point percentage defense. We also give the coaching edge to Mark Few over Sean Miller. Pick: Gonzaga -6.5 No. 3 Illinois (-11.5, 151.5) vs. No. 11 VCU CBS: 7:50 p.m. ET This is another matchup where the OVER seems to be the best bet. Illinois scored 105 points in its first-round win against Penn. The KenPom rankings place the Illini as the nation's best team in adjusted offensive efficiency. VCU also possesses a potent offense, demonstrated by its remarkable comeback victory over UNC on Thursday. In that game, the Rams shot 42.3% from three-point range, connecting on 11 three-pointers to secure an 82-78 overtime win. Pick: OVER: 151.5 No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 5 Vanderbilt (-2.5, 146.5) TNT: 8:45 p.m. ET Nebraska celebrated its first NCAA Tournament victory ever by defeating Troy 76-47 on Thursday. Vanderbilt represents a considerably tougher challenge for the Huskers. Vanderbilt features one of the elite guard duos in the country. Tyler Tanner (19.3 ppg) and Duke Miles (16.4 ppg) are both high-volume scorers. Strong guard play is often essential for postseason advancement, and we believe the Commodores will win and cover the spread as a result. Pick: Vanderbilt -2.5 No. 4 Arkansas (-11.5, 168.5) vs. No. 12 High Point TBS: 9:45 p.m. ET This game features a very high point total, the largest on Saturday's schedule. High Point demonstrated its offensive capability by beating Wisconsin 83-82 on Thursday, with Rob Martin contributing 23 points. The Panthers average 90 points per game, which ranks third in the country. Which team ranks fourth? Arkansas, with 89.9 points per game. The Razorbacks had scored 82 or more points in their last five games before the tournament and then put up 97 points in Thursday's win over Hawaii. Freshman standout Darius Acuff Jr. paced the team with 24 points, and all five starters finished the game in double figures. Pick: OVER 168.5 This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.