Paramount/CBSPaul Giamatti holds a bomb and isn’t hesitant to use it. In Episode 9 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, “300th Night,” we find out that the item the Venari Ral stole from a secret Federation lab in Episode 6 wasn’t just random experimental space debris. Instead, these highly organized space pirates have acquired Omega particles—specifically a variant called “Omega 47.” For 1990s Trek fans, this should sound familiar: Starfleet Academy has brought back this deadly substance 28 years after its first canon introduction, and within the series timeline, over 800 years after Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) dealt with it in the Delta Quadrant.Here’s how “300th Night” acts as a sort of sequel to the Voyager episode “The Omega Directive,” and why Star Trek hasn’t used this particular doomsday weapon in a long time.In 1998, “The Omega Directive” Served as a RetconJaneway (Kate Mulgrew) and Seven (Jeri Ryan) in Voyager’s “The Omega Directive.” | Paramount/CBSWhile Voyager is now part of classic, old-school Trek canon, back in 1998 during its fourth season, the show was reinventing itself. This was the first full season with Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), so “The Omega Directive” focuses less on the frightening particle itself and more on Seven learning to adopt a less Borg-like perspective, plus exploring the conflict between faith and science. At the episode’s start, the ship’s computer locks everyone out of their duties because a top-secret order called “the Omega Directive” takes over. Since Voyager is far from Starfleet, Janeway eventually has to reveal this ultra-secret rule: any Starfleet captain who spots an Omega particle must drop whatever they’re doing and destroy it.Of course, we’d never heard of this rule or Omega before this Voyager episode, but the episode retroactively establishes that these highly destructive particles were created by a Federation scientist named Ketteract. This character never appeared on screen, but based on Janeway’s words, we can assume his disastrous experiments happened in the mid-23rd century. Later, a 2001 Star Trek novel titled Cloak retconned Omega’s origin into The Original Series timeline, revealing that Captain Kirk and the classic Enterprise crew dealt with Ketteract and the origins of the destructive Omega force.Starfleet Academy Carries On Seven’s Goal From VoyagerThe crew of the USS Athena grapples with a centuries-old problem. | Paramount+In “The Omega Directive,” Seven wanted to harness Omega’s power as renewable energy. She was also interested in it because she saw it as “perfect”—a Borg-like philosophical pursuit. Fast-forward eight centuries, and Starfleet is pursuing Omega technology for the same reason: to get renewable energy. However, just as we learned in Voyager that Omega can destroy subspace, Nus Braka (Paul Giamatti) is threatening to use Omega 47 to stop large parts of the galaxy from ever being able to travel at warp speed again.In short, Omega threatens to take away the “Trek” from Star Trek. While this 1998 Voyager episode was just one of many great stories from that era, its legacy now creates an existential threat for the entire galaxy. The stakes in Starfleet Academy aren’t exactly about galactic destruction—instead, they’re about whether people can move around the galaxy at all.Starfleet Academy and Voyager are available to stream on Paramount+.Phasers on Stun!: How the Creation and Reimagining of Star Trek Transformed the WorldAmazon -
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Pixar Is Bringing Back Its Most Daring Fantasy Franchise After 25 Years
PixarNo franchise appears immune to the legacy sequel trend. Despite the passing of one of the original Ghostbusters, the series continues to make frequent returns to the cinema. Decades had passed since Beetlejuice appeared in theaters, yet the opportunity to unite Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Tim Burton’s latest muse, Jenna Ortega, as three generations of Deetzes was simply too tempting to pass up.Animated films are particularly susceptible to this phenomenon, as characters can be illustrated as if they haven't aged a day. Currently, a popular Pixar property is returning for a third chapter that will finally provide a direct continuation of the initial narrative. Pete Docter, who directed Monsters, Inc. in 2001, is now managing the development of the sequel. | Bob Larson/Contra Costa Times/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockA Wall Street Journal feature on Pixar CEO Pete Docter highlighted numerous future projects, including Incredibles 3, Coco 2, and the studio's inaugural musical from Turning Red director Domee Shi. However, the most thrilling revelation may be that Monsters, Inc. 3 is currently in the early stages of production, marking the first direct sequel in the franchise's 25-year timeline. The 2013 release Monsters University served as a prequel, showcasing the college days of Mike Wazowski and James “Sulley” Sullivan as they attempted to lead a fraternity of outcasts to success. While we have seen these characters once since their debut, we have not yet seen the aftermath of their decision to switch from collecting screams to harvesting laughs for energy.This is not the first instance where a follow-up has been in the works. During the mid-2000s, a sequel tentatively named Monsters, Inc. 2: Lost in Scaradise was in development, following Mike and Sulley as they entered the human world to celebrate an older Boo's birthday. That project was shelved following Disney's purchase of Pixar, though some of those ideas might be incorporated into this new film. Boo is now of age to potentially have credit card debt, so perhaps that will be the source of the movie's horror. | PixarSince the film is in such nascent stages of development, there are no details regarding the plot, but the release schedule allows for some speculation. The original Monsters, Inc. catered to children coming of age at the start of the millennium. Monsters University revisited those characters a dozen years later, coinciding with that same audience embarking on their own college journeys. Now, that generation is aging and possibly having children of their own. Might the plot explore Boo as a mother introducing her offspring to her former monster friends? This creates the ideal formula for a legacy sequel: introducing a new child to perpetuate the series. The film could even expand further by featuring the offspring of Mike and Sulley, potentially leading to a fresh set of adventures involving these kids; everything depends on the passage of time in the monster universe (and at Pixar's headquarters).
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Iranian Kurdish fighters state they’re prepared to strike Tehran, awaiting an opening
EXCLUSIVE: Iranian Kurdish opposition groups state they are ready to challenge Tehran but are currently holding back as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic continues to unfold.Khalid Azizi, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI), told Digital in an exclusive interview that Kurdish forces are closely monitoring developments but have no plans to launch a ground offensive at this point.Recent reports have suggested that President Donald Trump spoke with Mustafa Hijri, the leader of the KDPI, as Washington explores potential Kurdish involvement in pressuring Iran. Azizi declined to confirm or deny the occurrence of such a conversation.Azizi himself has direct experience with Iran’s military retaliation. In 2018, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired ballistic missiles at the KDPI headquarters in Koy Sanjaq, located in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, during a leadership meeting, resulting in at least 18 deaths and dozens of injuries."We have been targeted by the Islamic Republic," Azizi said. "The first Iranian missile was directed at my headquarters, and I was personally wounded in that attack."Despite these risks, Azizi noted that Kurdish resistance remains robust after decades of confrontation with Iran. "The Iranian Kurdish resistance movement is actually quite strong because we have maintained a presence on the ground since the Iranian revolution," he stated.Azizi spoke from Washington, D.C., where he mentioned Kurdish representatives were meeting with policymakers and institutions to discuss the situation in Iran and the potential role Kurdish groups could play if the conflict escalates.For now, however, Kurdish groups say they are waiting to observe how the broader war progresses."We are prepared, and our party is well-organized," Azizi said. "But at present, we have no intention of entering Iranian Kurdistan because ground forces have not been a focus of this war.""It is easy to start a war," he added. "But ending it will be far more complex."The KDPI is one of the oldest Kurdish opposition movements opposing Iran’s Islamic Republic. The group, a member of the Socialist International, primarily operates from bases in Iraq’s Kurdistan region and has engaged in armed and political opposition to Tehran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.Azizi noted that Kurdish political movements have recently taken a significant step by forming a joint alliance aimed at coordinating their political strategies."We have succeeded in uniting Kurdish political parties," he said. "This has been welcomed by the Iranian Kurdish people and various Iranian political parties."The alliance, known as the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan, unites several historically divided Kurdish factions that oppose the Islamic Republic.Azizi stated that Iran’s future will ultimately hinge on whether Iranians themselves rise up against the regime."If we examine the goals of the United States and Israel in this war, they have targeted Iran’s military, security, and political institutions. In this regard, Iran has been weakened," he said."But the regime remains in power because the people are not in the streets, and there is no viable alternative to replace it at this time."Azizi urged Western governments to focus not only on the military campaign but also on assisting Iranian opposition movements in coordinating politically.Iran, he noted, is a multi-ethnic country whose future stability will depend on establishing a democratic system that includes all its communities."The path and roadmap for rebuilding Iran must be based on the participation of all ethnic groups," Azizi said. "Iran is a multi-ethnic society."For now, he added, Kurdish fighters remain in a state of readiness but are holding back."We possess the ability and capacity," Azizi said. "But making a decision to enter Iranian Kurdistan is not straightforward at this moment."
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30 Years Later, The Coen Brothers’ First Noir Masterpiece Still Chills
Gramercy Pictures Ethan Coen’s latest solo film, , could be generously called “slight,” or less generously, “bad.” While he dabbles in capers so light they risk floating away, his brother Joel’s only solo work to date is 2021’s The Tragedy of Macbeth—a well-regarded film, yet so self-serious that you might think Shakespeare himself would suggest dialing it back a notch. Naturally, these solo efforts have raised questions about the sensibilities each brother brought to their many collaborative projects, including the career-making Fargo, which hit theaters 30 years ago today.Fargo was the Coens’ sixth film and easily their most successful yet, winning two Academy Awards and doubling the box office returns of Raising Arizona—their only other notable financial hit by 1996. Having since spawned [content omitted], and remaining one of their better-known and more accessible movies, rewatching Fargo feels like getting a peek at how the final pieces were added to their creative “secret sauce.”The gruff National Review argued that Fargo “could have been a nice little film noir if they hadn't mixed it with black comedy, absurdism, and folksy farce”—but those elements were precisely the point. Fargo feels like Blood Simple, the Coens’ neo-noir debut, was run through a genre woodchipper, resulting in a pitch-black comedy about the emptiness of greed. It plays with you from the moment it opens with a blatant lie about being a “true story”—Joel Coen noted, “If an audience believes something’s based on a real event, it gives you permission to do things they might otherwise reject.”That semi-believability starts with William H. Macy’s Jerry Lundegaard, a meek car salesman with a harebrained scheme to pay off his debts by kidnapping his own wife and sending the ransom to his wealthy father-in-law. Lundegaard holds a (figurative) place among Hollywood’s greatest wimps—a sniveling pushover constantly shocked by the bloody chaos his plotting accidentally unleashes.His status as a pitifully small-scale character makes him perfect for this stripped-down film, where understated shots of snowy highways and barren forests stand in stark contrast to the bombastic flop that was the Coens’ previous movie, The Hudsucker Proxy. It takes quite a while for Frances McDormand’s hero cop, Marge Gunderson, to even appear, and her low-key, footwork-focused investigation is punctuated by moments of domestic calm. This isn’t the typical noir setup of a drunken divorcee detective vs. a cold-blooded career criminal.As petty criminals, Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare make for a dark odd couple. | Gramercy PicturesThe body count, though, is what you’d expect—if not higher. Gunderson’s calm, polite handling of so much bloodshed feels like a prototype for Tommy Lee Jones’ sheriff navigating the wake of Anton Chigurh’s rampage in No Country For Old Men, though she keeps a sense of optimism that Jones’ character never manages. Gunderson meets a range of odd characters (a hallmark of Coen films), but she only passes judgment once—when arresting Peter Stormare’s laconic thug—scolding him for killing over mere money, and on such a beautiful day, no less.This makes Fargo both relentlessly bleak and strangely upbeat, with Gunderson’s tranquil home life serving as both literal and figurative shelter from the storm. Innocent bystanders face tough odds in movies like this, but it’s still possible to live without being dragged down by others’ cruel nonsense. Not to dwell on one flop too much, but maybe this is why Fargo works while Honey Don’t felt like Ethan Coen left a perfectly good neo-noir premise out to melt in the California sun. No matter how much wackiness you add—and Fargo has plenty—it helps if your movie is about something.Don’t watch if you’re already feeling chilly. | Gramercy PicturesPerhaps fittingly, a film that opens with a phony claim of realism spawned a false legend about a Japanese woman dying of exposure while searching for the money Steve Buscemi hides before meeting a grisly fate. In reality, the lovelorn and depressed Takako Konishi traveled to America to commit suicide—but the fake story inspired 2014’s Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, about a solitary Japanese office worker who becomes obsessed with Fargo and sets out to find Buscemi’s treasure. A sad, dreamy tale where Kumiko knows Fargo is fictional yet is completely convinced the treasure will appear for her, its mimicry of Fargo’s “true story” disclaimer makes it a strange coda about how movies worm their way into our cultures and lives.Fargo has certainly done that—whether it’s the film’s darker moments sticking in viewers’ memories or the mere mention of its title evoking exaggerated Minnesotan accents and lines like, “You’re darn tootin!” As for the Coens, they followed Fargo with a long string of mostly hits that balanced their memorable character work with their more cartoonish instincts. Not to say the two need to be joined at the hip forever, but three decades later, Fargo remains the purest example of their individual approaches bouncing off each other in all the right ways.Fargo is streaming .
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Experts warn of hardline era as Iran’s new supreme leader is described as ‘his father on steroids’
"Think of Mojtaba Khamenei as his father, but more extreme."This is how Kasra Aarabi, director of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps research at the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, characterized Iran’s new supreme leader in statements to Digital, following reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son has been tapped to lead the Islamic Republic."Mojtaba has effectively been functioning as a 'deputy supreme leader' within the Bayt-e Rahbari—the office of his father and the central hub of the regime’s power," Aarabi noted."His father established the Bayt’s vast infrastructure as a clandestine power base to guarantee regime stability in the event of his own removal—and with Mojtaba’s selection, that is precisely the outcome we are seeing," Aarabi added.President Donald Trump also addressed Mojtaba Khamenei’s ascension. In a conversation with the New York Post, Trump expressed his disapproval of the younger Khamenei succeeding his father, though he refrained from detailing potential U.S. countermeasures. "I’m not going to tell you," Trump replied when questioned about his strategy regarding the new leader. "I’m not going to tell you. I’m not happy with him."An Iranian insider familiar with the leadership transition informed Digital that earlier theories suggesting Mojtaba might pursue reformist policies now appear highly improbable given the circumstances of his rise."There were previously rumors that if Mojtaba took power, he might initiate reforms to liberalize domestic politics and adopt a more conciliatory stance toward foreign policy," the source explained."However, that prospect now seems very unlikely."According to the source, Mojtaba was selected "amidst internal disputes, controversy, and pressure from the IRGC," implying that he "owes his position to their backing and therefore cannot act in opposition to their interests."The 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei has spent decades cultivating influence within the power apparatus surrounding the Iranian supreme leader.Born in Mashhad in 1969, he pursued religious studies in Tehran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution that elevated his father. Over time, however, observers note that his authority was built less on traditional clerical standing and more through his ties to Iran’s security apparatus.In 2019, the U.S. sanctioned Mojtaba under Executive Order 13867. The Treasury Department stated he had been "acting on behalf of the supreme leader in an official capacity, despite never having been elected or appointed to a government post beyond his work in his father’s office."Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that Mojtaba’s background signals a significant shift within the Islamic Republic."Even though he wears a turban, Mojtaba is a product of the regime’s national security deep state," Ben Taleblu told Digital. "Expect him to leverage the IRGC to maintain his grip on power."Aarabi observed that Mojtaba has spent years quietly consolidating his influence."His history shows a tendency to micromanage every facet of governance to satisfy his ambition," Aarabi said, noting that Mojtaba allegedly moved IRGC command centers to his own office during periods of unrest, manipulated election results, and placed loyalists in key state positions.Since 2019, Aarabi added, Mojtaba has been executing his father’s strategy to "purify" the regime by installing ideological hardliners throughout the political structure."Mojtaba is a staunchly antisemitic, anti-American, and anti-Western ideologue," Aarabi stated. "He has been personally involved in domestic crackdowns and international terror operations."Analysts suggest that Mojtaba’s leadership may further empower Iran’s security institutions."The rise of the younger Khamenei accelerates trends that have been evident in Iranian politics and national security for years," Ben Taleblu said. "Moving from one Khamenei to the next, one can expect the situation in Iran to deteriorate further if the regime remains in power.""And, much like his father, corruption is a family trait," he added.Ben Taleblu warned that the regime might also escalate external tensions as a means of survival."The regime recognizes its own fragility, but believes it can leverage crises and demand concessions to stay in power," he said.For opposition factions within Iran, the transition represents a continuation of the status quo rather than a shift toward reform."He is Khamenei’s son; they share the same ideology, the same strategy, and they intend to maintain the same policies," said Khalid Azizi, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran."It is very difficult to predict what he will do, but I do not expect a change in policy."The Iranian source who spoke with Digital noted that while future engagement with the U.S. and the West remains theoretically possible, the likelihood is minimal."As I stated," the source said, "that possibility is very slim.""In short," Aarabi concluded, "Mojtaba is his father on steroids. He is certainly no MBS."
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Hegseth warns ‘more casualties’ anticipated in Operation Epic Fury against Iran
The Secretary of War cautioned that additional casualties are anticipated in the ongoing Operation Epic Fury in Iran, as seven U.S. soldiers have been killed thus far in the conflict.Hegseth shared this during a CBS “60 Minutes” interview broadcast on Sunday.“The president was correct to state ,” Hegseth noted. “Operations like this don’t occur without losses.”“There will be further casualties,” he added. “And no one — particularly our generation — knows what it’s like to see Americans returned in caskets, but that doesn’t weaken us at all. It strengthens our resolve and determination to see this fight through to the end.”Six U.S. service members lost their lives in a March 1 Iranian drone strike at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, while supporting . The U.S. military reported a seventh service member died from injuries sustained in an Iranian attack on troops in Saudi Arabia the same day.Last week, the U.S. and Israel against Iran. Iran has struck back, carrying out attacks on Israel and nearby Gulf Arab nations, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia.On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi told that if the U.S. sends ground troops into Iran, “we have extremely brave soldiers ready to confront, fight, and eliminate any enemy that invades our territory.”“We will never give up or surrender; we will resist for as long as necessary,” he stated. “We are defending ourselves, our land, our people, and our dignity—and our dignity is not something we will trade.”When reporters questioned President Donald Trump on Air Force One Saturday about used in the Iran operation, Trump said there would “need to be an excellent reason.”“And I can say that if we ever took that step, [Iran] would be so devastated they couldn’t fight on the ground,” Trump told reporters.
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Entertainment Expo Hong Kong shines on the centre stage, Eight signature events unite global film and entertainment forces
HONG KONG, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 will take place from 15 March to 19 April. Over the years, the Expo has served as a vital platform connecting innovators and industry leaders across the global film and entertainment industries, fostering exchanges among local, Asian and international practitioners, and presenting a wide spectrum of outstanding works. This year, it continues to span four major fields—film, television, music and digital entertainment—bringing together eight flagship events. International stars, renowned directors and leading industry figures will gather at the Expo, further strengthening cross-regional exchange in film and entertainment culture. The Expo has invited Leon Lai as Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador to help promote Hong Kong as a leading hub for film and entertainment in Asia.Entertainment Expo Hong Kong is spearheaded by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), with sponsorship from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Film Development Fund, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This year’s Expo features eight major events: the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART); Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF); Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA); Asian Film Awards; Digital Entertainment Summit; EntertainmentPulse; Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF); and the Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music). The Expo’s kick-off ceremony will be held on 17 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The occasion will also mark the 30th edition of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market and the 50th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, reinforcing the significance of this milestone year.Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART)Organised by the HKTDC, the 30th edition of FILMART will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 17 to 20 March. This year’s event brings together more than 790 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions, further enhancing its global appeal. More than 30 regional pavilions will represent Chinese Mainland and international markets, including mature film markets such as France, Italy, Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, and ASEAN members such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. FILMART also welcomes first-time exhibitors from various emerging markets. This diverse participation demonstrates FILMART’s role as Asia’s leading entertainment content marketplace and also as a vital catalyst for global cultural exchange and collaboration in the screen industry.This year’s FILMART events will feature comprehensive upgrades. The second edition of Producers Connect, jointly organised by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, CCIDA, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and HKTDC, will showcase an impressive lineup. In collaboration with 10 international film institutions, the event will gather over 100 global and Hong Kong producers to introduce regional film production and funding initiatives, fostering cross-regional collaborations and co-productions. Highlights include a keynote forum featuring renowned local director Peter Chan and Golden Globe-winning producer Janet Yang, who will share cutting-edge insights on international co-production strategies.Furthermore, the AI Hub, organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals, will expand its scale, bringing together leading artificial intelligence and technology companies—including Alibaba Cloud, Kling AI, MiniMax, Vidu, and more, alongside local academic institutions such as the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Lingnan University. Additionally, the newly launched AI Academy, funded by CCIDA and the Film Development Fund, will host over 15 thematic workshops. Expert instructors will demonstrate how to leverage AI tools to efficiently produce high quality film and animation content, streamline production workflows, and empower the industry to capitalise on AI-driven opportunities.Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF)Entering its 50th edition, HKIFF will take place from 1 to 12 April, reaffirming its status as one of Asia's most enduring and respected film festivals. This milestone year adopts the theme "50 and Beyond: Framing the Future", celebrating both the festival's rich heritage and its commitment to innovation. To commemorate the anniversary, HKIFF has commissioned local illustrator, comic artist, and lyricist Siu Hak to develop the annual thematic design. His vibrant artwork captures the festival's imaginative spirit and its forward-looking vision. Actors Angela Yuen and Tony Wu will serve as this year's ambassadors, symbolising the bridge between HKIFF's legacy and the creative energy of a new generation. In addition, acclaimed actress Gingle Wang, winner of the Best Lead Actress award at the 22nd Taipei Film Festival, and Thailand's Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, recipient of the Asian Film Awards Academy's Asian Rising Star Award in 2025, have been appointed Asian Visionary Ambassadors. Both will make special appearances during the festival, fostering artistic and cross-cultural exchange. A special exhibition, "50 and Beyond: The Hong Kong International Film Festival Golden Jubilee Exhibition", will be held at Hong Kong City Hall, showcasing HKIFF's half-century contribution to film art and cultural dialogue. To further mark the occasion, HKIFF will collaborate with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra to present the Asian premiere of "In the Mood for Love in Concert", a unique programme that rekindles the iconic film's nostalgic charm through a live orchestral reinterpretation.Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA)The 44th Hong Kong Film Awards will be held on 19 April at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The Awards has invited Michelle Wai, recipient of the Best Actress at last year’s HKFA, together with Edan Lui, who was previously nominated for Best New Performer at the HKFA, to serve as special guests and announce the nominations across 18 award categories. This year’s entries demonstrate the diverse creative strength of Hong Kong cinema. Sons of the Neon Night leads with 12 nominations, followed closely by Back to the Past with 11 nominations.Asian Film AwardsThe 19th Asian Film Awards proudly presents three masterclasses, Hong Kong premieres of selected Asian titles, and creator-to-creator “In Conversation” sessions—showcasing the boundless possibilities of Asian cinema. Esteemed guests include acclaimed actress Zhang Ziyi, internationally celebrated director Jia Zhangke, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, Oscar-shortlisted director Tsou Shih-Ching, Korean actor Jung Kyung-ho, Jo Woo-jin, and Ky Nam Inn director Leon Le with actress 9m88, among others. Gathering in Hong Kong, they will explore the creative depth and cultural vitality of Asian filmmaking.Digital Entertainment SummitOrganised by the HKTDC with co-organisation from the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association and MarketingPulse & eTailingPulse, the 15th Entertainment Summit will take place on 19 March as a FILMART flagship event. Under the theme “Animation Without Borders: Creating, Financing and Expanding Animation IP Worldwide”, the Summit will feature two panel discussions, and take a deep dive into how the animation industry can expand its global footprint through intellectual property (IP) innovation, strategic investment, and cross-border collaboration.Featured speakers include Sai Abishek, Head of Factual Entertainment, Lifestyle & Kids, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Aurélien Dirler, Head of the International Cooperation and Partnerships Department at France’s Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC), who will share insights into IP development strategies and monetisation pathways. The Summit will also present a case study of the local animated film “Another World”, inviting Polly Yeung, Producer & Scriptwriter; Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, CCIDA; and members of the overseas production partners to discuss how cross-regional investment and production collaboration can deliver internationally recognised animation projects.EntertainmentPulseOrganised by the HKTDC, EntertainmentPulse will be held concurrently with FILMART, gathering global film and television industry leaders to provide insights into trending topics including artificial intelligence, video streaming, financing and investment, micro-short dramas, co-productions, and animation, providing attendees the latest market insights. For the financing session, experts such as Bennett Pozil, Head of Corporate Banking at East West Bank, Justin Deimen, Managing Partner of Goldfinch International, and Catherine Ying, President of CMC Pictures and Pearl Studio (China), will analyse banking considerations, private financing strategies, and film project capitalisation approaches from multiple perspectives. Additionally, industry leaders including James Gibbons, President of APAC at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Omar Giri Valliappan, COO of Vision+, will unveil development roadmaps for leading international streaming platforms. Addressing the recent surge in micro-short dramas, Chinese Mainland companies including DataEye, Xiaowu Bros, and Mansen (Shenzhen) Culture Media will share insights on globalisation opportunities and collaborative prospects within the Greater Bay Area's Micro-Short Drama industry ecosystem.Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)The 24th Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum will take place from 17 to 19 March. This year’s lineup features 42 shortlisted projects from 22 countries and regions, spanning different stages of development. Notably, 13 projects are animation and genre entries, reflecting a rich spectrum of storytelling, from family-driven narratives and comedies to thrillers, fantasy, action and science fiction, highlighting the dynamism and diversity of Asian filmmaking. All shortlisted projects will be presented alongside FILMART during HAF, enabling project teams to engage directly with industry professionals, exchange views on creative direction and share their latest progress, with a view to advancing both regional and international partnerships. This year’s key visual is created by artist and director Qiu Jiongjiong. Staying true to the distinctive visual language of his paintings and films, the artwork is set against the backdrop of Wan Chai and reimagines Hong Kong’s iconic project landscape, encapsulating the imagery of “Cinema is everywhere.”Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music)The 13th Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music) will hold its Awards Ceremony cum Selected Works Screening on March 20 at Theatre 2, HKCEC. The Scheme aims to nurture local advertising and film production talents, providing HK$130,000 to HK$240,000 in production funding for 21 projects under the Tier "Advertising Production Start-ups" and 10 projects in the Tier "Small Advertising Production Enterprises." Supported by professional mentorship, training, and promotional resources, the Scheme assists creative teams in producing original microfilms. This edition also features collaborations with local musicians who will participate in performances, fostering dynamic interplay between music and visual storytelling. The ceremony will announce the award winners and screen their works, highlighting the creativity and talent of Hong Kong's creative community.Entertainment Expo website: https://eexpohk.hktdc.com/en/Photo Download: https://bit.ly/4bfhgesThe Expo has invited Leon Lai as the Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador to promote Hong Kong as a leading hub for film and entertainment in Asia The AI Hub at the 30th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) makes its grand return, gathering leading artificial intelligence and technology innovators. This year's edition debuts the AI Academy, hosting over 15 specialised workshops led by industry experts to empower professionals in capitalising on AI-driven opportunitiesMedia Enquiries:The 30th HKTDC Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/17 – 20 MarchRaconteur PR:Betsy TseTel: (852) 9742 7338Email: betsytse@raconteur.hkHKTDC’s Communication & Public Affairs Department:Serena CheungTel:(852) 2584 4272Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.orgThe 5th EntertainmentPulsehttps://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/conference/hkfilmart/en/programme?category=EntertainmentPulse17 – 20 MarchRaconteur PR:Betsy TseTel: (852) 9742 7338Email: betsytse@raconteur.hkHKTDC’s Communication & Public Affairs Department:Serena CheungTel:(852) 2584 4272Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.orgThe 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF50)http://www.hkiff.org.hk1 – 12 AprilTel: (852) 2970 3300Email: pr@hkiff.org.hkThe 44th The Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) https://www.hkfaa.com19 AprilTel: (852) 2367 7892Email: hkfaa@hkfaa.comThe 19th Asian Film Awardshttps://www.afa-academy.com/15 MarchTel: (852) 3195 0607Email: info@afa-academy.comThe 15th Digital Entertainment Summit https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/19 MarchTel: (852) 1830 668Email:filmart@hktdc.orgThe 24th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)https://industry.hkiff.org.hk/17 – 19 MarchTel: (852) 2970 3300Email: haf@hkiff.org.hkThe 13th Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music) https://www.hkmfa.hk/microfilm/20 MarchTel: (852) 3594 6723Email: maychin@nhms.com.hkHKTDC Newsroom: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/enAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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by: emer
Fosun International: One-Off Non-Cash Impairment Provisions for Certain Non-Core Businesses, Core Industries Maintain Sound Development Momentum
HONG KONG, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – On 6 March, Fosun International (00656.HK) issued a profit warning announcement stating that, based on the information available to the Company and the latest unaudited consolidated management accounts, the loss attributable to owners of the parent of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2025 is expected to be approximately RMB21.5 billion to RMB23.5 billion. The substantial loss is primarily attributable to one-off non-cash impairment provisions and value revaluations on certain real estate projects and goodwill of certain non-core business segments.In the announcement, Fosun International set out the primary reasons for the substantial book loss for the year. First, during the 2025 Financial Year, the real estate industry continued in a downward cycle with overall weak market demand, exerting pressure on the Group’s real estate business segment. Second, due to changes in market conditions, the Company has made impairment provisions on goodwill and intangible assets of certain non-core business segments to objectively reflect their value. The Company emphasised that the above-mentioned substantial non-cash impairments and provisions will not affect the overall operations and cash flows of the Company. The Company’s fundamentals remain stable.Market analysts noted that the impairment recognised by Fosun represents a prudent financial measure aimed at “removing historical burdens.” It does not affect the Company’s operating cash flows, nor does it undermine its long-term investment value, with its asset base remaining solid. From another perspective, following the recognition of these substantial impairment provisions, the Company’s net assets — still at a scale of nearly RMB100 billion level — remain robust, and its net asset value (NAV) may even record growth, meriting close attention from investors.According to Fosun International’s 2024 annual report, as at 31 December 2024, net assets attributable to owners of the parent amounted to RMB118.103 billion. Based on the mid-point of the expected loss disclosed in the profit warning (RMB22.5 billion), and assuming the impairment is fully reflected, net assets attributable to owners of the parent would be approximately RMB95.603 billion after deduction, still maintaining a scale close to RMB100 billion. Even if calculated based on the upper end of RMB23.5 billion, net assets would remain at approximately RMB94.603 billion. Overall, the Group’s asset structure remains sound and resilient.It is worth noting that the impairment provisions are primarily concentrated in the real estate segment and the goodwill of certain non-core businesses. These adjustments not only reflect prudent measures taken in response to the continued downturn cycle in the real estate industry, but also represent the continued implementation of Fosun’s strategy of “streamlining and strengthening” and “focusing on its core businesses.” In fact, since 2025, the appreciation and value realisation of Fosun’s core assets have not only been capable of offsetting the impact of these impairments, but may also contribute incremental growth to net assets.According to publicly available information, in 2025 Fosun’s core business segments, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare as well as insurance and finance, delivered strong performance and have maintained robust momentum entering 2026.In the innovative drug segment, Fosun’s innovative drug commercialisation in 2025 opened up significant global market opportunities. The global exclusive licensing agreement signed with Pfizer carries a potential total value of over US$2 billion, while the strategic cooperation agreement entered into with biotechnology company Clavis Bio may entitle the Company to receive payments of up to US$7.25 billion.At the beginning of 2026, Fosun further entered into an agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd. in relation to HANSIZHUANG, positioning itself in Japan, the world’s fourth-largest pharmaceutical market, with a potential total value of over US$300 million.In the insurance segment, Fidelidade recorded net profit of €170 million for the first three quarters of 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.7%. Peak Reinsurance reported net profit of US$88.8 million for the first half of 2025.Recently, two of Fosun’s domestic insurance companies successively announced substantial growth in premium income and net profit for 2025. Fosun United Health Insurance recorded business income of RMB7.84 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 50%, ranking among the fastest-growing specialised health insurers, and achieved net profit of RMB130 million for the year. Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance recorded annual insurance business income of RMB12.598 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 36.17%, and achieved net profit of RMB647 million, representing a significant year-on-year increase of over 450%, marking a new level in both the scale and quality of profitability.In addition, in the tourism and culture segment, several of Fosun’s business lines achieved a strong start to the new year. During the core six-day Spring Festival holiday period, the average occupancy rate of Club Med’s five premium all-inclusive resorts in China reached 90%. Atlantis Sanya recorded total revenue of over RMB124 million during the nine-day Spring Festival holiday period, representing a year-on-year increase of 20% and achieving its best performance on record.“The decision by Fosun to recognise a substantial one-off non-cash book loss in the current annual financial statements represents a proactive step to clear risks and to further advance its strategy of ‘streamlining and strengthening’ and ‘focusing on its core businesses’,” the above-mentioned analysts stated. Following the removal of these historical burdens, Fosun’s future growth trajectory will become clearer. In particular, its core businesses, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare, insurance and finance, and tourism, will receive greater resource allocation and serve as key value anchors.Fosun has also recently conveyed confidence to the market by increasing its share repurchase efforts. On 2 March, Fosun International announced that, based on its assessment of the Company’s long-term development prospects, it plans to repurchase shares on the open market in the period from the publication of the 2025 annual results announcement up to the date of the 2026 annual general meeting, with a total repurchase amount not exceeding HK$1 billion. Prior to this, on 27 February, Fosun International had already repurchased 13.027 million shares on the open market at an aggregate consideration of HK$48.2354 million. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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by: eqs
Leading AI Data Company Xunce (3317.HK) Surges Over 70%, Hits a Record High
EQS via SeaPRwire.com / 09/03/2026 / 15:02 UTC+8 On the morning of March 9, in the Hong Kong market, Leading AI Data company Xunce Technology (03317.HK) surged strongly intraday, with gains once exceeding 70%, touching an intraday high of HKD 130.3, hitting a record high since its listing; as of press time, the company’s stock price contiued to fluctuate at high levels, and trading volume also expanded significantly, market trading activity substantially increased. Behind this stock price abnormal movement, are the dual strong positive resonance of company's 2025 results exceeding expectations with explosive growth and its formal inclusion in Stock Connect. Superimposed with blue ocean dividend of AI real-time data track, this leading enterprise dubbed "China's version of Palantir" by the market, is entering a key window period of dual growth in performance and valuation. Results Exceeded Expectations Explosive Growth Second Half Revenue Surged by 448% Xunce Technology’s disclosed 2025 annual unaudited performance forecast shows that benefiting from the massive data processing demand catalyzed by the accelerated adoption of AI large models, the company recorded full-year 2025 revenue of 1.283 billion yuan, a substantial year-on-year increase of 102.95%, successfully surpassing the 1 billion yuan revenue threshold; after deducting one-time non-recurring items, the adjusted net loss narrowed to 55 million yuan, achieving a substantial year-on-year reduction in loss, with core operating indicators continuing to improve. The company’s results showed an extremely strong explosive growth trend, with its commercialization ability fully verified: in the first half 2025, the company achieved revenue 198 million yuan, and in the second half, revenue soared to 1.085 billion yuan, a substantial increase of 448%, highlighting the strong growth momentum of AI real-time data track, as well as the company's ability to adapt its products to core downstream demand. Formally Included in Stock Connect Triple Incremental Value Superimposed After March 6, the Stock Connect constituent stock adjustment list was officially released, and Xunce Technology was successfully selected, with related adjustments becoming effective from March 9, which also became the direct catalyst for today's stock price surge. This inclusion in Stock Connect marks company’s formal opening of a two-way investment channel between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong markets, fully entering the investment horizon of mainland institutional and individual investors. As a benchmark enterprise that has deeply cultivated the real-time data field for ten years, Xunce Technology has built a core technical barrier with millisecond-level data processing capability. Its core product, a unified real-time data platform, can achieve real-time collection, cleaning, governance and analysis of heterogeneous data, adapting to the core demand of AI large model training and enterprise digital transformation. Currently, the company has 11.6% market share in the asset management industry with the highest data complexity, firmly ranking first in industry; simultaneously, its business covers diversified fields, including financial services, city management, telecommunications. Its clients include the top ten domestic asset managers and three major state-owned telecom operators, establishing a solid business foundation. This inclusion in Stock Connect will bring triple core incremental value to the company: Liquidity will be significantly improved: the continuous inflow of incremental capital from the mainland, will optimize company’s equity structure and alleviate previous valuation pricing deviations; Brand influence will continuously expand: this helps the company acquire more benchmark clients in diversified industry expansion and accelerate breakthrough growth of non-asset management business; The valuation system is expected to be reshaped: the current company valuation compared to international peers like Palantir is still at a relatively low level, indicating significant room for a re-rating, with expectation to align with similar international enterprises. It is reported that the company has also been included in the Hang Seng Composite Index and other multiple core index constituent stocks. Industry Penetration Rate Still Below 4%, Blue Ocean Track is Exploding The China real-time data processing market is currently in blue ocean explosive period, providing broad space for Xunce Technology's long-term growth. With China's data asset on-balance sheet policy fully landing, enterprise data infrastructure investment demand continues to surge. According to Frost & Sullivan data, the 2024 mainland China real-time data infrastructure market size reached 18.7 billion yuan, and the industry compound growth rate from 2024-2029 is expected to reach 22%; while the current overall industry penetration rate is only 3.6%, among which asset management sub-track penetration rate is as low as 2.8%, growth space extremely broad. Superimposed with the massive data processing gap catalyzed by a 300x growth in daily AI application Token consumption, real-time data infrastructure as the core foundation for AI implementation, continues to highlight rigid demand. Xunce Technology, as a leading enterprise in industry track, will fully enjoy the industry’s growth dividend, and cross-industry expansion is expected to continue to achieve breakthroughs, further consolidating its market-leading position. 09/03/2026 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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by: emer
Raya Blooms in the Heart of Nature at Spritzer EcoPark
Escape the hustle and bustle of city-life to enjoy nature at its best amidst the Hari Raya décor and festivitiesPhoto 1: A vibrant nature-inspired Raya backdrop at Spritzer EcoPark welcomes Malaysians to slow down, reconnect and make meaningful festive memories.TAIPING, Malaysia, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - This Hari Raya Aidilfitri, amidst the hustle, bustle and heat of life-in-the-city, Spritzer EcoPark invites all Malaysians to slow-down, cool-down and refresh and recharge in the lush, natural surroundings of Malaysia’s rainiest town. Once again, celebration of the Raya season has been brought to life among nature. Nestled within Taiping’s verdant greenery, the EcoPark is once again transformed into a vibrant Raya destination that instantly evokes the joy of balik kampung in a space where tradition meets the tranquillity of the outdoors.In anticipation of the joyous month of Syawal approaches, visitors can immerse themselves in the timeless charm of traditional Malaysian Raya décor beginning 10 March 2026, such as ketupat, glowing pelita oil lamps, crescent moon motifs, decorative arches, and vibrant wau installations. These hallmark festive elements beautifully transform the Spritzer EcoPark, embodying the spirit of togetherness and reunion that make Hari Raya a meaningful time for all.Set against the EcoPark’s natural surroundings, the festive displays offer visitors a refreshing alternative to celebrate the spirit of Raya beyond the bustling city, inviting visitors to enjoy leisurely walks, picturesque moments, and quality time with family and friends. Admission to Spritzer EcoPark remains free for all visitors. Photo 2 and 3: Familiar Raya motifs like the ketupat, glowing pelita lamps, and colourful waus brighten the paths of Spritzer EcoPark, evoking the joy of balik kampung at every corner.“Raya is a time when many people travel back to their hometowns or visit family and friends to celebrate with meaningful moments together. With the increasing urbanisation or distance, not everyone has the option to balik kampung all the time. With the Spritzer EcoPark, we hope to provide an alternative destination by re-creating that feeling of belonging and connection in a space where visitors can slow down, reconnect with loved ones, and enjoy the holiday period in a refreshing natural setting,” said Winnie Chin, Head of Public Relations at Spritzer.From 19 March to 29 March 2026, visitors can also look forward to a range of special activities taking place as Spritzer EcoPark into a hub of light-hearted fun for all ages. They roll up their sleeves at Raya-themed DIY and crafting workshops, where families experience the shared joy of making something by hand and creating festive keepsakes.Nearby, the Paddle Cart rides wind through scenic routes, turning the park’s natural beauty into a mini adventure for families to explore the park grounds. The EcoPark’s popular 18-hole Mini Golf Course, which welcomes visitors all year-round, also provides guests the added highlight of playing the game with a limited-edition LED Golf Ball as a glowing keepsake to light up the Raya season.Before heading home to prepare for their Raya open houses, visitors can stop by the Water Shop to stock up on Spritzer products to ensure guests stay refreshed and hydrated throughout the celebrations. The Souvenir Shop also offers exclusive merchandise and keepsakes that make perfect gifts or mementos of a memorable visit to the park.Beneath the glowing lights and beautiful decorations, Spritzer EcoPark continues its commitment to creating meaningful, nature-inspired experiences that bring communities together while encouraging creativity, sustainability, and appreciation for the environment.Spritzer EcoPark warmly wishes everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin. May this Syawal bring continued blessings and a year illuminated with peace and gratitude for all. Come and celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri at Spritzer EcoPark, bring your loved ones, your camera and your festive spirit for a joyful celebration with us!Follow Spritzer EcoPark on social media for the latest updates:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SpritzerEcoparkInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/spritzerecoparkThreads – https://www.threads.com/@spritzerecoparkTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@spritzer.ecoparkFor more high-resolution photos, please download them here. About SpritzerEstablished in 1989, Spritzer is a leading Malaysian bottled water brand, sourcing natural mineral water from a protected 430-acre rainforest in Taiping. Naturally filtered through underground rock layers for over 15 years, our water is enriched with essential minerals like Silica, known to support skin, bones, hair, and nails.Combining smart manufacturing with sustainable practices, Spritzer ensures every bottle meets the highest quality and safety standards. Our packaging is 100% recyclable and made from recycled materials, reflecting our commitment to environmental stewardship and a circular economy.Tested annually by SIRIM to be free from microplastics, Spritzer offers consumers trusted, natural hydration. Our diverse product range includes Natural Mineral Water, Original and Flavoured Sparkling Water, Distilled Water, and Fruit-Flavoured Beverages—crafted to suit every lifestyle and occasion.With a clear vision to become a fully circular brand by 2030, Spritzer leads the industry in innovation, quality, and sustainability.Spritzer — where nature, innovation, and sustainability come together in every bottle.For more information, visit www.spritzer.com.myFor media inquiries please contact:Imelia KyraAssociate Consultant, Narro CommunicationsE: imelia@narrocomms.comWinnie ChinHead of Public Relations, Spritzer BhdE: winniecgl@spritzer.com.my Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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by: grit
Raya Blooms in the Heart of Nature at Spritzer EcoPark
Escape the hustle and bustle of city-life to enjoy nature at its best amidst the Hari Raya décor and festivitiesPhoto 1: A vibrant nature-inspired Raya backdrop at Spritzer EcoPark welcomes Malaysians to slow down, reconnect and make meaningful festive memories.TAIPING, Malaysia, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - This Hari Raya Aidilfitri, amidst the hustle, bustle and heat of life-in-the-city, Spritzer EcoPark invites all Malaysians to slow-down, cool-down and refresh and recharge in the lush, natural surroundings of Malaysia’s rainiest town. Once again, celebration of the Raya season has been brought to life among nature. Nestled within Taiping’s verdant greenery, the EcoPark is once again transformed into a vibrant Raya destination that instantly evokes the joy of balik kampung in a space where tradition meets the tranquillity of the outdoors.In anticipation of the joyous month of Syawal approaches, visitors can immerse themselves in the timeless charm of traditional Malaysian Raya décor beginning 10 March 2026, such as ketupat, glowing pelita oil lamps, crescent moon motifs, decorative arches, and vibrant wau installations. These hallmark festive elements beautifully transform the Spritzer EcoPark, embodying the spirit of togetherness and reunion that make Hari Raya a meaningful time for all.Set against the EcoPark’s natural surroundings, the festive displays offer visitors a refreshing alternative to celebrate the spirit of Raya beyond the bustling city, inviting visitors to enjoy leisurely walks, picturesque moments, and quality time with family and friends. Admission to Spritzer EcoPark remains free for all visitors. Photo 2 and 3: Familiar Raya motifs like the ketupat, glowing pelita lamps, and colourful waus brighten the paths of Spritzer EcoPark, evoking the joy of balik kampung at every corner.“Raya is a time when many people travel back to their hometowns or visit family and friends to celebrate with meaningful moments together. With the increasing urbanisation or distance, not everyone has the option to balik kampung all the time. With the Spritzer EcoPark, we hope to provide an alternative destination by re-creating that feeling of belonging and connection in a space where visitors can slow down, reconnect with loved ones, and enjoy the holiday period in a refreshing natural setting,” said Winnie Chin, Head of Public Relations at Spritzer.From 19 March to 29 March 2026, visitors can also look forward to a range of special activities taking place as Spritzer EcoPark into a hub of light-hearted fun for all ages. They roll up their sleeves at Raya-themed DIY and crafting workshops, where families experience the shared joy of making something by hand and creating festive keepsakes.Nearby, the Paddle Cart rides wind through scenic routes, turning the park’s natural beauty into a mini adventure for families to explore the park grounds. The EcoPark’s popular 18-hole Mini Golf Course, which welcomes visitors all year-round, also provides guests the added highlight of playing the game with a limited-edition LED Golf Ball as a glowing keepsake to light up the Raya season.Before heading home to prepare for their Raya open houses, visitors can stop by the Water Shop to stock up on Spritzer products to ensure guests stay refreshed and hydrated throughout the celebrations. The Souvenir Shop also offers exclusive merchandise and keepsakes that make perfect gifts or mementos of a memorable visit to the park.Beneath the glowing lights and beautiful decorations, Spritzer EcoPark continues its commitment to creating meaningful, nature-inspired experiences that bring communities together while encouraging creativity, sustainability, and appreciation for the environment.Spritzer EcoPark warmly wishes everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin. May this Syawal bring continued blessings and a year illuminated with peace and gratitude for all. Come and celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri at Spritzer EcoPark, bring your loved ones, your camera and your festive spirit for a joyful celebration with us!Follow Spritzer EcoPark on social media for the latest updates:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SpritzerEcoparkInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/spritzerecoparkThreads – https://www.threads.com/@spritzerecoparkTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@spritzer.ecoparkFor more high-resolution photos, please download them here. About SpritzerEstablished in 1989, Spritzer is a leading Malaysian bottled water brand, sourcing natural mineral water from a protected 430-acre rainforest in Taiping. Naturally filtered through underground rock layers for over 15 years, our water is enriched with essential minerals like Silica, known to support skin, bones, hair, and nails.Combining smart manufacturing with sustainable practices, Spritzer ensures every bottle meets the highest quality and safety standards. Our packaging is 100% recyclable and made from recycled materials, reflecting our commitment to environmental stewardship and a circular economy.Tested annually by SIRIM to be free from microplastics, Spritzer offers consumers trusted, natural hydration. Our diverse product range includes Natural Mineral Water, Original and Flavoured Sparkling Water, Distilled Water, and Fruit-Flavoured Beverages—crafted to suit every lifestyle and occasion.With a clear vision to become a fully circular brand by 2030, Spritzer leads the industry in innovation, quality, and sustainability.Spritzer — where nature, innovation, and sustainability come together in every bottle.For more information, visit www.spritzer.com.myFor media inquiries please contact:Imelia KyraAssociate Consultant, Narro CommunicationsE: imelia@narrocomms.comWinnie ChinHead of Public Relations, Spritzer BhdE: winniecgl@spritzer.com.my Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
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by: emer
Huatai Securities Convenes 2026 Spring Investment Summit in Shanghai
Shanghai, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – In early March 2026, Huatai Securities held its 2026 Spring Investment Summit in Shanghai. Convened under the banner of seizing opportunity, embracing innovation and planning for the long term, the summit brought together investors, corporates and policy experts to examine market dynamics amid a period of profound structural change and to identify forward-looking investment opportunities.The two-day event featured a flagship plenary session alongside 11 sector-focused forums, addressing a broad range of market-defining topics, including the outlook for US politics, defense technology, policy interpretation following China’s “Two Sessions”, and the macroeconomic and market outlook for 2026.In her opening remarks, Dr. LIANG Hong, Chair of the Institutional Business Committee at Huatai Securities, observed that China is at a critical revival moment and delivering a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan will be the policy priority in 2026. A convergence of structural forces is reshaping upstream pricing dynamics and industry fundamentals: with PPI turning positive; building a unified national market; deepening supply-side rationalization reforms; the approaching 2030 carbon-peak milestone; elevated resource-security priorities; and a new direction for AI-capex. She noted that the upward re-rating of Chinese assets began in 2025 will broaden and deepen this year, with continued conviction in investment themes spanning technology, power, chemicals and rare metals amid the interplay of geopolitical realignment and the AI supercycle.Huatai Research’s macro team led in-depth discussions on the current economic backdrop, asset-allocation themes and market strategy.Focusing on key macro variables, Eva YI, Chief Economist at Huatai Securities, elaborated on what she described as a “more commodity-intensive global capex cycle” — one driven by the infrastructure build-out of AI-related capital expenditure, a renewed upcycle in global defense spending, a trough in China’s real estate construction costs, and a recovery in the global manufacturing cycle. A sustained rebound in PPI, in her view, will serve as the leading indicator of this round of asset re-rating in China.Against this backdrop, Huatai’s economics research team has recently revised up its forecasts for China’s PPI and the RMB exchange rate. Eva noted that pro-cyclical appreciation of the RMB reflects improving returns on investment and declining risk premia, potentially enabling USD-denominated earnings growth of Chinese corporates to outpace that of major developed markets for the first time since 2021 — which could structurally change global asset allocation landscape.On the core asset-allocation themes for the year, ZHANG Jiqiang, Head of Huatai Research and Chief Analyst for Fixed Income, highlighted the search for “pricing power” as a defining market narrative. The evolution of the geopolitical order and the AI revolution remain key perspectives in identifying structural opportunities. While global liquidity conditions may soften this year, RMB appreciation and the safe characteristics of Chinese markets are expected to attract capital inflows, with maturing domestic deposits providing additional liquidity support. While near-term uncertainty surrounding Iran remains a key risk, investors are shifting from pure risk-off trading sentiment to pricing in stagflation concerns, as the duration of the conflict remains the critical factor to consider.Across asset classes, ZHANG expects equities and commodities to outperform bonds. Structurally, upstream resource sectors are favored over downstream consumption, hardware over software, and export-oriented industries are likely to retain competitive momentum.Turning to China’s A-share market, HE Kang, Chief Strategist and Co-Chief for Quantitative Research at Huatai Research, pointed to two pivotal shifts — changes in the AI narrative and expectations for a return to positive PPI — that may validate the annual style call of “rebalancing between the old and new economies”. From late March into April, as macro data and corporate earnings are released, markets are likely to refocus on fundamentals. High-growth segments could cluster in cyclical sectors, manufacturing and TMT, within a backdrop of a structurally differentiated, modest recovery. Overseas expansion will remain a critical variable for earnings improvement. Should first-quarter macro data surprise to the upside, large-cap value stocks that are more sensitive to fundamental recovery could see scope for style rotation.He also highlighted that quantitative models suggest equities and commodities tend to benefit in an environment of ample liquidity and moderately rising inflation. In particular, commodities may see the resonance of short- and medium-term cycles in the second half of the year, offering stronger potential gains — a view consistent with Huatai economics research team’s broader thesis of a global commodity-intensive supercycle.On Hong Kong equities, LI Yujie, Strategist at Huatai Research, argued that the market’s primary driver in 2026 has shifted from valuation and liquidity to earnings. Expectations for profit recovery center on three themes: sectors linked to a marginal stabilization in property, such as building materials; pricing opportunities arising from tight supply-demand balances, including lithium mining, livestock and dairy, and transportation; and technological bottlenecks, with a focus on domestically developed semiconductors in the Hong Kong market.LI underscored that technology remains a clear overarching theme, with debate focused on which segments will ultimately capture value in this wave of innovation. For China’s AI ecosystem, she advised against concentrating exposure solely on upstream chips or downstream applications, advocating instead a bottom-up approach to identifying high-quality companies with competitive potential across the value chain.The plenary session also welcomed a distinguished lineup of external voices. GUO Kai, Executive President of CF40 Institute, offered his assessment of the macroeconomic outlook. ZHAO Hai, Director of the Department of International Politics at the National Institute for Global Strategy under CASS, addressed the shifting global order. XIE Suming, Member of the Strategic Advisory Committee and Chief Analyst at Yuanwang Think Tank, shared perspectives on defense technology innovation. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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by: nicole
Private Security Company Assists in Evacuating Americans from Middle East During Iran Conflict
With Americans currently stranded in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict, both governmental and private entities are operating continuously to facilitate evacuations.Alongside the U.S. Department of State's task force dedicated to the 24/7 evacuation of U.S. citizens, the private security company Global Guardian is also laboring non-stop to achieve the same objective.According to CEO and President Dale Robert Buckner, Global Guardian has successfully evacuated over 4,000 individuals from the region as of Friday.Although the operations and logistics teams are based in a northern Virginia office, the company maintains staff in over 140 nations, granting Global Guardian the ability to reach almost any part of the globe for emergency responses or extractions."We offer medical evacuation services, as well as negotiation and payment for kidnappings, ransoms, and extortion if someone is taken or targeted," Buckner stated. "We are currently handling approximately 300 executive protection travel missions each month across roughly 84 countries."Additionally, the private security firm performs camera surveillance on both residential and commercial properties and employs cyber analysts to keep an eye on mobile devices.Following the joint strike by the U.S. and Israel on Iran last weekend, the company has been organizing numerous emergency evacuations; however, this is not the first instance where it has aided Americans in escaping a crisis area."This involved extracting people from Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco, Mexico, just a week ago. It also meant rescuing individuals from Asheville, North Carolina, after it was devastated by a hurricane," Buckner remarked.From a logistical standpoint, extracting tourists from a war zone and returning them to safety is a complex process, yet the firm acts swiftly, managing to complete their initial border crossing within the first six hours of the conflict.Deputy Vice President of Operations Colin O'Brien reported that the firm immediately received a call from two students studying abroad who were attempting to depart Dubai."Within roughly four and a half hours of that phone call, we had mobilized our teams to retrieve these individuals, who were two college-aged women," O'Brien stated."After placing them in the car, we moved toward the Omani border and arrived within eight hours. We navigated the border checkpoint to reach a hotel in Muscat, where we could pause to give them a brief rest while we organized their transport back home," he explained.The company stated that it stays active throughout the year to guarantee that evacuation strategies are established prior to disasters occurring."The plan outlines the pickup location and the key crossing site," Buckner noted. "It details the legal paperwork requirements. From there, we either place you in a hotel or directly onto a commercial flight. Given the current state of the war, however, we will most likely put you on a private charter."Buckner indicated that the majority of these missions in the region involve ground transportation managed by local personnel. He noted that across the 140 countries where the firm operates, they maintain ground teams that work and train consistently throughout the year."We are communicating, coordinating, and executing. We utilize executive protection agents, armed agents, armored vehicles, and large-scale event support staffed by medical and security personnel," he said, outlining the company's standard operational capabilities."We coordinate driver requirements as needed. This includes routes from Dubai to Oman, Israel to Oman, Jordan, or Egypt, and from Bahrain into Saudi Arabia," Buckner added.Although the firm is collaborating with the State Department, it noted that it has not yet carried out a flight mission specifically for the department.Global Guardian provides these services via a "Duty of Care Membership," which Buckner stated is priced at $15,000 annually for a family of five."You sign a contract—whether you are a family, a family office, or typically a large corporation. We then become available at your beck and call," Buckner described, referring to the emergency response services covered by the agreement.Regarding Americans currently trapped in the Middle East, Buckner mentioned that evacuation costs utilizing ground and air assets fluctuate based on the specific circumstances and location.
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by: grit
Fujitsu and DT-Axis collaborate to advance digital health
Kawasaki and Tokyo, Japan, Mar 9, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Fujitsu Limited and DT-Axis Co., Ltd. today announced the commencement of a collaboration aimed at advancing digital health. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide comprehensive support for the development of Software as Medical Device (SaMD), including regulatory approval and sales, for research and development institutions, as well as medical device and pharmaceutical companies.SaMD, such as therapeutic applications and AI-powered image diagnostics, are expected to contribute significantly to health promotion, preventive medicine, and treatment, with their development and medical device approval progressing globally. However, in Japan, even with promising research results and technologies applicable to SaMD, challenges remain in establishing a system design and development framework capable of ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and enabling cross-functional implementation all the way to commercialization.Leveraging their respective business expertise and achievements, both companies will address these challenges by supporting the relevant companies and organizations in establishing system development frameworks from the initial development stages through post-market operation and maintenance. This collaboration will contribute to improving the quality and speed of SaMD development.Fujitsu leverages its extensive operational expertise and system development know-how in the healthcare field to develop programmable medical devices and peripheral systems, as well as to provide post-sales system operation and maintenance. Furthermore, in response to customer needs, Fujitsu offers the Healthcare Personal Service Platform, a health and medical information management infrastructure enabling secure and reliable management of personal information.DT-Axis has a proven track record of obtaining manufacturing and marketing approval for programmable medical devices developed by outsourcing manufacturing to Fujitsu. In system development for programmable medical devices, DT-Axis collaborates with Fujitsu to support smoother design, development, and operation processes, with a focus on approval applications and sales readiness.Going forward, both companies will continue to explore the establishment of a SaMD distribution platform for the relevant organizations and companies, alongside their SaMD development support. Through this, they aim to build an ecosystem that provides one-stop support from SaMD development to distribution, thereby contributing to the improvement of people's well-being. About FujitsuFujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers around the globe, our 113,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: AI, Computing, Networks, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$23 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: global.fujitsuAbout DT-AxisDT-Axis is a licensed medical device company dedicated to bringing scientific innovation into clinical practice. Founded in 2020 and authorized to manufacture and market medical devices, DT-Axis integrates clinical research, regulatory strategy, and product development to translate research outcomes from academia and industry into real-world healthcare solutions. By bridging academic innovation and medical device commercialization, DT-Axis accelerates the delivery of reliable and innovative healthcare technologies. DT-Axis’s mission is to expand access to the care patients and clinicians need through the power of technology.Press ContactsFujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiriesDT-Axis Co., Ltd.Inquiries Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
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by: amanda
AI Labs Introduces AI-Assisted Crypto Trading Platform Focused on Data Analysis and Automated Execution
SINGAPORE – March 09, 2026 – (SeaPRwire) – AI Labs, an AI-driven crypto trading technology company backed by Academic Labs, announced the launch of an AI-assisted platform designed to help cryptocurrency traders analyze market data and respond more efficiently to changing market conditions. As automated tools and algorithmic strategies become more common in global digital asset markets, the platform integrates visual analysis, narrative data monitoring, and automated trade execution features intended to support more structured and data-driven trading decisions. The fastest traders in today’s crypto markets may not always be humans. As digital asset markets increasingly incorporate automation, many traders now rely on algorithmic systems that can monitor markets continuously and react to signals with minimal delay. A crypto project called AI Labs (ticker: AIX) is building an AI-enabled platform that combines visual reasoning, narrative intelligence, and automated execution to help users interpret market data and respond to signals more efficiently than traditional manual analysis alone. “Markets are entering an era where the use of artificial intelligence is becoming more common in trading strategies,” said Kingston Kwek, owner of AI Labs. “Our goal is to make analytical tools that are often used by institutional trading teams more accessible to a wider group of crypto traders.” At the center of AI Labs’ platform is a visual reasoning engine that analyzes charts not simply as static images, but as evolving market structures. Using computer vision and multimodal AI techniques, the system can identify potential liquidity zones, resistance levels, and broader market patterns within short timeframes. Alongside this, AI Labs has developed a narrative intelligence layer that scans information across the crypto ecosystem. This includes movements associated with large crypto wallets, developer updates, and shifts in online sentiment—signals that traders often monitor when assessing possible market trends. Instead of only placing individual buy or sell orders, traders can define broader trading parameters using the AI system. The platform can then execute trades automatically based on predefined conditions, such as capital inflows, volatility changes, or funding-rate shifts. The objective is to help reduce emotional decision-making and allow traders to stay aligned with their strategies while automated systems monitor market activity continuously. AI Labs’ platform is currently onboarding new users, with reported monthly trading activity exceeding $1 billion across the platform. Media Contact Brand: AI Labs (Backed by Academic Labs) Contact: Media team Email: ryan@academic-labs.org Website: https://academic-labs.org
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by: eqs
Looking Far Ahead with Firm Investments: Leon Inspection Upholds Long-termism, Deeply Cultivates the Global Market, and Focuses on AI
EQS via SeaPRwire.com / 09/03/2026 / 09:40 UTC+8 [Hong Kong – March 6, 2026] China Leon Inspection Holding Limited (“Leon Inspection” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; Stock Code: 1586.HK), a renowned international inspection and testing company, has released its profit forecast for the year ended December 31, 2025. In 2025, the global macroeconomic environment remained complex and volatile, with intertwined factors such as trade policy adjustments, geopolitical developments, and exchange rate fluctuations, bringing stronger price volatility and uncertainty to the bulk commodities market. At the same time, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology is profoundly reshaping the global industrial competitive landscape. Facing the challenges of the external environment and the critical juncture of industry transformation, the Group remained undeterred by short-term fluctuations, adhered to a long-term perspective on development, proactively adjusted its strategic pace, and firmly advanced its in-depth global network layout and AI technology empowerment strategy, increasing forward-looking investments in key areas such as talent reserves and technological upgrades.For the year, the Company is expected to record a year-on-year increase of approximately 4% to 9% in the revenue and a year-on-year decrease of approximately 45% to 55% in the profit attributable to owners of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2025. This performance fluctuation is mainly attributable to the phased impact of strategic investments during the year, which are aimed at laying a solid foundation for the Group’s high-quality development and further strengthening its core competitive advantages in the global market.In-depth Expansion of Global Network, Solidifying the “Global Network + Local Service” Competitive BarrierDuring the year, facing a complex international trade environment, the Group leveraged its profound insights into industry trends to intensify its globalization efforts against the trend. The Group accurately seized development opportunities in emerging markets, relying on its outstanding international service capabilities to preemptively expand into strategic regions such as Africa and the Middle East. Its service network extended from major trade ports and hub cities in the Asia-Pacific region to multiple emerging markets. To support the rapid development of overseas business, the Group continued to expand its international talent team, adding 218 overseas employees during the year. As of now, the Group’s global workforce totals 3,408, with 82 branches and professional laboratories covering 20 countries.The ongoing investments in related talent teams and network infrastructure aim to deepen the “Global Network + Local Service” Glocal model, empowering localized efficient services with international resources and building an interconnected and efficient service ecosystem. By continuously tapping into customer value, the Group is accelerating its transformation from a traditional inspection and testing service provider to the most trusted strategic partner for multinational corporations worldwide, striving to occupy a higher ecological position in the global industrial chain.Reshaping Core Competitiveness with AI, Building an Intelligent-Driven Innovation EcosystemFacing the historic opportunity of AI technology reshaping the global industrial landscape, the Group, with a clear strategic positioning, firmly believes it will become a beneficiary of this technological revolution. In 2025, the Group explicitly designated AI as a strategic focus for new technology applications, making significant strategic investments in AI robotics research and application. By building an industry-university-research collaborative innovation platform, it systematically advanced technological R&D and talent system construction, accelerating the development and application of intelligent equipment and digital technologies to build technological barriers for the Group’s long-term competitiveness.As early as the first quarter of the year, the Group achieved important breakthroughs in AI innovative applications. Through its independently developed “Leon AI System”, the Group took the lead in achieving deep integration of AI large models with its core energy inspection business, marking the official entry of traditional inspection operations into a new stage of “intelligent-driven” operations. In the field of safe production, the Group actively promoted the R&D and establishment of a safe production intelligent agent platform. This platform integrates IoT, big data analysis, and multimodal AI technologies, with AI as the core support, enabling in-depth analysis of enterprise-specific safety risk characteristics and seamless integration with production and operation systems, significantly enhancing enterprise safety management efficiency.Technological Closed Loop Formed, Commercialization in Key Scenarios Achieving ResultsThe Group’s technology-intelligent-driven layout has gradually formed a complete closed loop and made systematic progress in key inspection scenarios. Taking ship draft inspection as an example, this process previously relied on manual visual inspection, which was inefficient and posed safety risks. Since 2023, the Group has continuously invested in AI vision and simulation technology R&D, building a complete technology chain from “perception—simulation—verification—optimization”, and forming multiple authorized and published patents around waterline fluctuation simulation, automatic water gauge reading, intelligent appraisal systems, and performance evaluation, achieving full-process intelligence from algorithms to equipment.In coal inspection scenarios, the Group launched an integrated solution of “AI Processing System + Intelligent Sampling Vehicle”, significantly improving inspection efficiency and data reliability through the deep integration of intelligent hardware and information processing systems. Currently, the related technologies have achieved commercial application, not only validating the correctness of the technological direction but also further enhancing customer loyalty and market competitiveness, strengthening the Group’s determination to continue investing in the intelligent data platform field.The Group regards its three foundational businesses—coal, oil products, and green bulk commodities—as its core foundation, while prospectively targeting emerging tracks such as new energy, industrial products, and green low-carbon transformation. It actively invests in incubating technology-driven innovative businesses and promotes the deep application of AI in vertical scenarios. Through the organic combination of “consolidating foundational businesses” and “forging a new growth curve”, the Group is committed to building a second growth curve that can transcend economic cycles, ensuring sustainable long-term growth.Mr. Li Xiangli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China Leon Inspection Holding Limited, stated: “The aforementioned strategic investments in key areas such as talent reserves, technological innovation upgrades, network construction, and incubation of emerging projects will lay a solid foundation for the Group’s leap from ‘single service’ to ‘value extension’, injecting strong momentum into the long-term sustainable growth of future performance, which aligns with the long-term interests of shareholders. The Group will continue to uphold the ‘customer-centric’ philosophy, focus on its core business, enhance service capabilities, solidify its development foundation, and further consolidate its leadership position in the energy and bulk commodity inspection and testing industry. At the same time, the Group will firmly empower innovation with AI and reshape competitiveness with technology, striving to become a world-leading TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification) service provider and create long-term value for its shareholders.” -End- About China Leon Inspection Holding LimitedChina Leon Inspection Holding Limited (stock code: 1586. HK) was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange in 2016. The Company is China’s first international leading inspection and testing company listed in Hong Kong, focusing on integrated solutions for climate change and green and low-carbon sustainable development. The Company provides global industry leaders with a wide range of one-stop services in testing, and inspection, as well as technical and consulting services around the clock, focusing on four key areas, namely commodity services, clean energy, environmental protection and climate change, empowering global industry leaders to achieve ecofriendly and low-carbon transformation. The Company continues to strengthen its global network layout, expanding its presence from major trading ports and hub cities in the Asia Pacific region to emerging markets in South America and Africa serves, and comprises 82 branches and professional laboratories globally. ESG-oriented development is a key priority for the Company’s “3+X” development strategy. Through the three main implementation dimensions of (1) ESG-Friendly+; (2) ESG+; and (3)ESG+-Focused , we have achieved our ESG development strategies, fulfilled our corporate social responsibility, and contributed to the green and low-carbon transition of the industry. 09/03/2026 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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by: emer
AI Labs Introduces AI-Assisted Crypto Trading Platform Focused on Data Analysis and Automated Execution
SINGAPORE, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - AI Labs, an AI-driven crypto trading technology company backed by Academic Labs, announced the launch of an AI-assisted platform designed to help cryptocurrency traders analyze market data and respond more efficiently to changing market conditions. As automated tools and algorithmic strategies become more common in global digital asset markets, the platform integrates visual analysis, narrative data monitoring, and automated trade execution features intended to support more structured and data-driven trading decisions.The fastest traders in today's crypto markets may not always be humans. As digital asset markets increasingly incorporate automation, many traders now rely on algorithmic systems that can monitor markets continuously and react to signals with minimal delay.A crypto project called AI Labs (ticker: AIX) is building an AI-enabled platform that combines visual reasoning, narrative intelligence, and automated execution to help users interpret market data and respond to signals more efficiently than traditional manual analysis alone."Markets are entering an era where the use of artificial intelligence is becoming more common in trading strategies," said Kingston Kwek, owner of AI Labs. "Our goal is to make analytical tools that are often used by institutional trading teams more accessible to a wider group of crypto traders."At the center of AI Labs' platform is a visual reasoning engine that analyzes charts not simply as static images, but as evolving market structures.Using computer vision and multimodal AI techniques, the system can identify potential liquidity zones, resistance levels, and broader market patterns within short timeframes.Alongside this, AI Labs has developed a narrative intelligence layer that scans information across the crypto ecosystem. This includes movements associated with large crypto wallets, developer updates, and shifts in online sentiment—signals that traders often monitor when assessing possible market trends.Instead of only placing individual buy or sell orders, traders can define broader trading parameters using the AI system. The platform can then execute trades automatically based on predefined conditions, such as capital inflows, volatility changes, or funding-rate shifts.The objective is to help reduce emotional decision-making and allow traders to stay aligned with their strategies while automated systems monitor market activity continuously.AI Labs' platform is currently onboarding new users, with reported monthly trading activity exceeding $1 billion across the platform.Media ContactBrand: AI Labs (Backed by Academic Labs)Contact: Media teamWebsite: https://academic-labs.org Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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by: nicole
US-sanctioned Mojtaba Khamenei selected as Iran’s next supreme leader following father’s death: reports
According to Iranian state television, Iran's Assembly of Experts has elected , the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country's new supreme leader.Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, is the second-eldest son of Ali Khamenei, born in Mashhad in 1969.His early childhood overlapped with his father's rise as a revolutionary figurehead opposing Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's monarchy.Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ali Khamenei transitioned from a dissident cleric to a senior government official, holding key positions in the regime, including deputy defense minister.The family relocated from Mashhad to Tehran, where Mojtaba attended Alavi High School, an institution known for educating members of .There, he received a general and religious education, graduating in 1987. In 1989, following Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's death, Ali Khamenei was appointed supreme leader.That same year, Mojtaba began his formal clerical studies in Tehran, studying under his father and Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, who later became Iran's chief justice.Over the years, Mojtaba was constantly seen with his father and was regarded as an influential behind-the-scenes figure.In an last week, when asked about reports suggesting Mojtaba Khamenei was the new supreme leader, President Donald Trump said, "Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran." Trump also stated, "They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela."In 2019, the under Executive Order 13867. The U.S. Treasury Department stated that he had been "representing the supreme leader in an official capacity despite never being elected or appointed to a government position aside from work in the office of his father."The Treasury also said the supreme leader had delegated part of his leadership responsibilities to Mojtaba.It said he of the IRGC's Quds Force and the Basij Resistance Force, positioning him as a key player in both domestic and international security affairs. of former Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel.Among Ali Khamenei's sons, he is considered according to
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by: emer
OMRON Healthcare releases new Women’s Heart Health Factbook
TOKYO, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - As International Women's Day prompts renewed focus on women's health, OMRON Healthcare has released a new Women's Heart Health Factbook spotlighting an often-overlooked issue: the intersection between menopause, hypertension, and long-term cardiovascular risk.An estimated 32% of women aged 30-79 worldwide are living with hypertension. Yet only 59% are diagnosed, and just 23% achieve effective blood pressure control. That equates to less than a quarter of hypertensive women managing to stabilise their blood pressure.Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women globally, with ischemic heart disease and stroke accounting for the majority of cases. Risk often accelerates during and after menopause, as declining estrogen levels affect vascular health and blood pressure regulation.Women also face additional life-stage factors that may influence cardiovascular outcomes, including pregnancy-related hypertension and hormonal contraceptive use, underscoring the importance of consistent monitoring across the lifespan.Expert perspective"Despite being the leading cause of death for women globally, cardiovascular disease is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in women due to longstanding biases in research, clinical guidelines and symptom recognition," said Prof. Alta Schutte, Principal Theme Lead of Cardiac, Vascular and Metabolic Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at UNSW Sydney, Australia."Menopause is not only a major life transition - it is also a cardiovascular turning point," added Karel Herberigs, Managing Director, OMRON Healthcare EMEA. "Greater awareness and routine monitoring can help close a persistent care gap and support earlier intervention."Archanna Mohangoo, Medical Marketing Manager (EMEA), said: "Too often, symptoms such as fatigue, disrupted sleep, or heart palpitations are attributed solely to menopause, when they may in some cases signal underlying conditions such as hypertension or atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can significantly increase stroke and heart disease risk if left undetected. This Factbook aims to encourage women and healthcare providers alike to look more closely at cardiovascular health during this stage of life."Potential coverage angles- The global hypertension care gap in women - Menopause as a cardiovascular risk inflection point - Why blood pressure monitoring should remain a priority beyond reproductive years - The under-recognised burden of heart disease in women - Prevention and early detection strategies across the lifespanThe full Women's Heart Health Factbook is available to download from: https://brandportal.healthcare.omron.com/share/365D593E-78F0-4F35-9C8A589508CB5951/For interviews, expert commentary, or additional data, please contact:omronhealthcare-pr@kyodo-pr.co.jp Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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by: jenn
After 30 Years, One Overlooked Horror Sequel Is Better Than You Recall
MiramaxA single director's pseudonym is a reliable indicator that a film is destined to be a disaster. From 1968 to the early 2000s, "Alan Smithee" was the official alias adopted by Hollywood directors who wished to disown their projects. This could occur for several reasons, such as studio interference or a compromised production. While horror has gained more respectability in recent decades, the genre's formerly disreputable status made the Smithee name appealing to filmmakers embarrassed by their association with it. One film, however, saw all these elements converge in a particularly spectacular way: the notorious Hellraiser: Bloodline.The fourth installment in the franchise was actually directed by Kevin Yagher, a veteran special-effects artist responsible for Freddy Krueger's makeup and the original Cryptkeeper puppet for Tales from the Crypt. Yagher took over after Stuart Gordon of Re-Animator fame left due to "creative differences," an initial bad sign that worsened when filming started in the summer of 1994. Entire departments were dismissed and replaced, the script was reduced for budget constraints, and Miramax executives disliked Yagher's initial edit, leading them to rewrite key scenes and bring in another director to film them. By its theatrical release, Hellraiser: Bloodline had been trimmed from 110 minutes to 85, which caused Yagher to remove his name from the project.The film received negative reviews and performed poorly at the box office, effectively condemning the remainder of the series to a direct-to-video fate as retribution for Bloodline's failures. It is accurate that the theatrical version of Hellraiser: Bloodline is often incoherent. The plot unfolds across three different time periods: the 18th century, where Phillip LeMarchand, known as the "Toymaker," crafts the original demon-summoning puzzle box for a decadent aristocrat; 1990s Manhattan, where his descendant John Merchant constructs a skyscraper based on his ancestor's design; and the year 2127, where Pinhead and his followers wander a spaceship that also serves as a gateway to Hell.In the final cut, these narratives are fragmented and rearranged non-linearly, a confusion compounded by actor Bruce Ramsay portraying LeMarchand and his heirs in all three eras. Yet, even within this chaotic framework, there are flashes of intriguing themes and compelling world-building. Consider the rivalry between the biblical demon Angelique (Valentina Vargas), who enjoys toying with her victims, and the stern, methodical Pinhead (Doug Bradley), who administers the torture of damned souls with bureaucratic efficiency rather than artistic flair. Their animosity hints at an infernal power struggle where the ancient Angelique was supplanted by the more contemporary Pinhead, reflecting Earth's own shift from feudal monarchies to capitalist democracies.This idea is delved into more thoroughly in Peter Atkins' original Hellraiser: Bloodline screenplay. Atkins' script also offers a more elaborate history for the puzzle box (the Lament Configuration) and the LeMarchand lineage, as well as — prepare to be excited — a troupe of clown Cenobites led by the seductive Angelique. The most significant change from script to screen, however, is that the story was initially told chronologically, which would have resolved much of the confusion. While it wouldn't have fixed all the film's problems, adhering to the original script would certainly have been an improvement.The crucial point is that Yagher did film the script as written. It simply wasn't the version that made it to cinemas. Several workprints were created between Yagher's original cut and the theatrical release; one was made available in 2023 as a bonus feature on the Hellraiser: Bloodline disc in Arrow Video's "Quartet of Torment" box set. This specific cut includes more gore and character development, and all the alternate versions contain numerous minor differences that are a treat for Hellraiser fans who love hunting for Easter eggs. However, all this conjecture about what could have been overlooks one reality: in its own, occasionally campy manner, even the theatrical version of Hellraiser: Bloodline is fantastic.Despite its shortcomings, the film embraces the franchise's erotic undertones, infusing its 18th-century plot with a romantic decadence that perfectly captures the '90s crushed-velvet goth aesthetic. (Hellraiser: Bloodline also marked Adam Scott's film debut, and it's amusing to see the future sitcom star sporting a cheap wig and a French accent.) The movie's large-scale ambition is also praiseworthy, introducing excellent new villains like the twin Cenobites in the 2127 storyline and re-envisioning the series' famous puzzle box on a monumental scale. Hellraiser: Bloodline is simultaneously grand, gothic, silly, bloody, and profoundly serious. It takes everything enthusiasts adore about the franchise and amplifies it to outrageous extremes. And let's not forget: Pinhead goes to space! What horror aficionado wouldn't want to see that?The theatrical version of Hellraiser: Bloodline can be streamed for free on Pluto TV, and the workprint is included in Arrow Video's “Quintent of Torment” set.