(AsiaGameHub) - In a statement provided to SBC News, the Irish Bookmakers Association (IBA) has stood up for the betting sector in response to assertions from the National Lottery. Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI)—the entity running Ireland’s National Lottery—claims it loses hundreds of millions of euros annually in sales income and tens of millions in funds directed to charitable initiatives. In a report evaluating the National Lottery’s economic effects, PLI contended that the longstanding practice of both physical and online bookmakers accepting wagers on National Lottery draws is hurting lottery sales. The FDJ United-owned company has demanded that the ‘regulatory gap’ separating the National Lottery and Ireland’s large licensed betting industry be eliminated. Two additional groups—representing charities and retailers—have aligned themselves with this call. In reply, Sharon Byrne, Chairperson of the IBA, stated: “We completely reject the National Lottery’s position. Our patrons have been placing bets on lotteries through their local bookmakers for more than three decades now. “Wagering on lottery results is no different from betting on the outcome of any other event, and it’s a well-established offering for many shops—shops that are already dealing with new rules and regulations under the soon-to-be-implemented licensing system.” Is Ireland’s evolving betting scene facing too many changes? The regulatory shifts Byrne mentioned were brought about by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. This legislation was presented to the Oireachtas in 2022 by the Irish government, with the goal of updating Ireland’s outdated gambling rules. One major update from the act was the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), a new sector-specific regulator that will assume full control of licensing processes this year. The Act also created a Social Impact Fund, into which operators are required to contribute annually. The funds are used to back gambling harm prevention and treatment schemes, along with other projects. Like most laws, however, this one has left some parties unsatisfied—whether it’s those pushing for tighter rules on gambling advertising in Ireland, or the National Lottery operator and its objections to bookmakers taking lottery bets. For the IBA and the bookmakers it represents, removing a revenue source for betting companies could be an excessive move at a time when firms are adjusting to regulatory changes and some are re-evaluating their presence on Ireland’s high streets. “Our members are supportive of the new Gambling Regulation Act, but it’s crucial that there’s a level playing field,” Byrne noted. Putting aside any regulatory hurdles or disputes, Ireland continues to be a key target market for numerous betting operators—both large and small. Just last week, Eurasia Sport‘s 3et became the newest entrant to the market, following Fitzwilliam Sports and DragonBet. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Record surge in antisemitic incidents in Canada fuels criticism of Carney government’s response
(SeaPRwire) - Prime Minister Mark Carney's Canadian government is facing renewed criticism for its perceived inaction against antisemitism, as a new report reveals a record number of hate crimes targeting the nation's Jewish population.On Monday, B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights released a report indicating that 6,800 antisemitic incidents occurred in Canada in 2025, marking a 9.4% increase from 2024. This averages to 18.6 incidents daily and represents the highest volume recorded by the organization since it began tracking such events.Just last week, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights in Canada published a report on the rise of antisemitism following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. The committee put forth 22 recommendations for the Canadian government to combat the surge in anti-Jewish hate.These recommendations cover a broad spectrum, including enhancing research on hate crime data, increasing security funding, addressing the display of hate symbols, expanding digital and social media literacy, and bolstering educational resources for both teachers and students.One specific recommendation directly addressed the Prime Minister, urging him to reinstate the position of Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism. Prime Minister Carney had eliminated this role in February, merging it with the combating Islamophobia position into a different office. His office has not yet responded to an inquiry regarding his intention to implement this recommendation.While the report was welcomed by some, several Jewish Canadians expressed concerns about whether it accurately identified the root causes of antisemitism.The report does not mention Islamic extremism and only occasionally references anti-Zionist sentiment, often quoting other institutions and respondents. "It is deeply troubling and bewildering that the Senate report doesn’t even reference religious radicalism as a problem," Rabbi Elchanan Poupko, host of The Jewish World podcast, told Digital. "The reluctance to identify the radicals is itself evidence of ignorance and bias," he stated. "By their silence, politicians are implying that they think the broad Muslim community is supportive of the radicals and therefore fear alienating that community by denouncing the radicals. Truth be told, it is often that moderate Muslims are the first who suffer at the hands of radical elements."Poupko further noted that while it is "notoriously difficult to quantify with any degree of certainty what percentage of Canadian Muslims support the radicals," it is "certainly far from a majority."The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council also voiced concerns regarding the Senate's recommendations. While reaffirming that "combating antisemitism is essential to protecting all communities in Canada," the group stated on X that "certain recommendations… raise serious concerns about potential impacts on Charter-protected freedoms, including protest and expression." They suggested that "efforts to address hate" should "not inadvertently limit civil rights, restrict lawful advocacy or disproportionately marginalize communities."Aviva Klompas, CEO and co-founder of Boundless Israel, expressed her approval of the report's recommendations for "creating safety zones around religious institutions and community spaces, strengthening hate crime enforcement and education." However, she believes the report "does not fully account for the multiple dimensions driving this immediate surge, including Islamic extremism and the ways anti-Zionism is used as a cover to target Jews."Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the Senate's recommendations in addressing the current climate of anti-Jewish hate. Poupko commented that "Antisemitism is too generic a term to describe what is now the problem," and that "‘old’ solutions, like education, police training and Holocaust awareness are clearly insufficient to meet the challenge."Klompas stated that she "appreciate[s] that a plan is being put into place" but is concerned "that it doesn’t meet the urgency of the moment. Jewish schools have been shot at, synagogues repeatedly targeted and Jewish-owned businesses vandalized."She questioned whether anyone would "gamble on a new task force or education training programs to keep your family and friends safe at a moment when they are actively under attack?"Ian McLeod, senior media relations advisor at the Canadian Department of Justice, informed Digital, "The Government of Canada is taking concrete action to counter hate in all its forms, including antisemitism, and reinforce that our society will not tolerate anyone being made to feel afraid because of who they are, how they worship or where they gather." The spokesperson added that many of the Senate’s recommendations "reflect these actions."Among the initiatives McLeod highlighted as already in progress is Canada’s Action Plan on Combating Hate (CAPCH), launched in September 2024. This plan "brings new and existing initiatives together to foster greater coordination and collaboration among federal organizations to prevent and address hate."During the same year, McLeod noted, the Canadian government "announced over $273 million to support community safety, improve responses to hate crimes, help victims, and counter radicalization." This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Court imposes 7-year prison sentence on former world leader for resisting arrest, other charges
(SeaPRwire) - SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — On Wednesday, a South Korean appeals court handed down a seven-year prison sentence to deposed President Yoon Suk Yeol. The charges include resisting arrest and skirting a valid Cabinet meeting prior to his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024.This conviction—for obstructing justice and other offenses—adds to the life sentence he already received for rebellion charges linked to his perplexing authoritarian drive, which sparked the gravest crisis for the nation’s democracy in decades.Seoul High Court Judge Yoon Sung-sik stated that the conservative ex-president evaded a legally required full Cabinet meeting before announcing martial law, forged documents to hide this oversight, and deployed security personnel "like a private army" to push back against law enforcement attempts to arrest him in the weeks following his impeachment. The former president stood quietly as the verdict was delivered and made no comment.Yoo Jeong-hwa, a member of Yoon’s legal team, described the verdict as "extremely disappointing" and noted that the lawyers plan to appeal to the Supreme Court. Yoon has also filed an appeal against his life sentence.In January, a lower court sentenced Yoon to five years in prison but partially exonerated him of abuse-of-power charges tied to the Cabinet meeting ahead of the martial law declaration, ruling he was not responsible for the absence of two invited members.The Seoul High Court overturned that acquittal, convicting him on all counts and determining he violated the rights of those two members plus seven others who were not notified—by convening only a select group to mimic a formal meeting.Even though brief, Yoon’s Dec. 3, 2024, martial law decree plunged the country into a severe political crisis, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy while rattling financial markets. The turmoil eased only after his liberal rival, Lee Jae Myung, won an early presidential election in June.Yoon was suspended from office on Dec. 14, 2024, following impeachment by the liberal-led legislature, and was formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025.After his suspension, Yoon refused to comply with a Seoul court’s warrant to detain him for questioning, setting off a standoff where dozens of investigators arrived at the presidential residence in early January 2025 but were blocked by presidential security forces and vehicle barricades. He was detained later that month, released by another court in March, and then re-arrested in July.He remained in custody afterward as a series of ongoing criminal trials began.Wednesday’s ruling came a day after the same court increased Yoon’s wife Kim Keon Hee’s sentence to four years. Her charges include accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church—which sought political favors from Yoon’s government—and involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme.Prosecutors in a separate trial last week also requested a 30-year prison term for Yoon over allegations that he deliberately tried to escalate tensions with North Korea in 2024 by ordering drone flights over Pyongyang, as he sought to create justifiable conditions for martial law at home. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Adyton Resources Commences Trading on the OTCQB and Engages Market Maker
Brisbane, Australia--(ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com - April 29, 2026) - Adyton Resources Corporation (TSXV: ADY) ("Adyton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its common shares began trading on the OTCQB Venture Market (the "OTCQB") in the United States under the symbol 'ADYRF'. The Company's common shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") under the symbol 'ADY'.The OTCQB is one of the world's largest and most liquid trading markets, providing access to a wide base of investors across the U.S. The listing marks an important step in expanding the Company's visibility and strengthening its presence in the U.S. market.Mr. Tim Crossley, CEO and Managing Director of Adyton, commented, "We are pleased to commence trading on the OTCQB, marking an important milestone in the Company's growth and visibility in the U.S. capital markets. This listing enhances our accessibility to a broader base of investors and reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency and shareholder value. As we continue to advance our strategic objectives, we believe this step will support increased liquidity and strengthen our position as we execute on our development plans."Information relating to Adyton, including real-time price quotes, is available at www.otcmarkets.com. The OTCQB, operated by OTC Markets Group Inc., is a leading marketplace for entrepreneurial and development-stage companies committed to delivering a high-quality trading and information experience for U.S. investors. To qualify, companies must remain current with their financial reporting and complete an annual company verification and management certification process. The OTCQB's standards establish a strong foundation of transparency, supported by robust technology and regulatory oversight to enhance the overall investor experience.Adyton Resources Engages Independent Trading Group ("ITG") as a Market MakerIn accordance with TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") policies, the Company announces that, subject to regulatory approval, it has engaged the services of ITG to provide market-making services. ITG will trade shares of the Company on the TSXV and all other trading venues with the objective of maintaining a reasonable market and improving the liquidity of the Company's common shares.Under the agreement, ITG will receive compensation of CAD$5,500 per month (plus applicable taxes), payable monthly in advance. The agreement is for an initial term of one month commencing on April 28, 2026 and will renew for additional one-month terms unless terminated. The agreement may be terminated by either party with 30 days' notice. There are no performance factors contained in the agreement and ITG will not receive shares or options as compensation. ITG and the Company are unrelated and unaffiliated entities and at the time of the agreement, neither ITG nor its principals have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company.About Independent Trading GroupIndependent Trading Group (ITG) Inc. is a Toronto based CIRO dealer-member that specializes in market making, liquidity provision, agency execution, ultra-low latency connectivity, and bespoke algorithmic trading solutions. Established in 1992, with a focus on market structure, execution and trading, ITG has leveraged its own proprietary technology to deliver high quality liquidity provision and execution services to a broad array of public issuers and institutional investors.For further information, please contact:Tim Crossley, Chief Executive Officer E‐mail: ir@adytonresources.comPhone: +61 7 3854 2389Phone: +1 778 549 6768Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.ABOUT ADYTON RESOURCES CORPORATIONAdyton Resources Corporation is focused on advancing gold and copper projects in world-class mineral jurisdictions. The Company holds a portfolio of highly prospective assets in Papua New Guinea where it is actively working to expand its existing gold Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources and build on recent high-grade gold and copper drill results at its 100% owned Feni Island project.Adyton's projects are located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, on accessible island settings that host several globally significant deposits including the Lihir gold mine and Panguna copper-gold mine on Bougainville Island, both in close proximity to Feni, highlighting the district-scale potential of the Company's land package.Feni Island Au-Cu projectThe Feni Island Project currently has a mineral resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 dated October 14, 2021, which has outlined an initial inferred mineral resource of 60.4 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.75 g/t Au, for contained gold of 1,460,000 ounces, assuming a cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t Au. See the NI 43-101 technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Feni Gold-Copper Property, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea prepared for Adyton Resources by Mark Berry (MAIG), Simon Tear (MIGI PGeo), Matthew White (MAIG) and Andy Thomas (MAIG), each an independent mining consultant and "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101, available under Adyton's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability.Fergusson Island Au projectThe Fergusson Island Project currently has a mineral resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, which outlined an indicated mineral resource of 5.0 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.28 g/t Au for contained gold of 206,000 ounces and an inferred mineral resource of 23.2 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.99 g/t Au for contained gold of 733,000 ounces, both inferred and indicated resources used a 0.5g/t Au cut-off grade.See the technical report dated October 14, 2021, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Fergusson Gold Property, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea" prepared for Adyton Resources by Mark Berry (MAIG), Simon Tear (MIGI PGeo), Matthew White (MAIG) and Andy Thomas (MAIG), each an independent mining consultant and "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101, available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability.See the technical report dated January 7, 2026, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on Wapolu Gold Project" prepared for Adyton Resources by Louis Cohalan (MAIG), an independent mining consultant and "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101, available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability.For more information about Adyton and its projects, visit www.adytonresources.comTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7416/294863_ade.jpgForward-looking statementsThis press release includes "forward‐looking statements", including forecasts, estimates, expectations, and objectives for future operations that are subject to several assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Adyton. Forward‐ looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward‐looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. Forward looking statements in this news release include plans pertaining to the drill program, the intention to prepare additional technical studies, the timing of the drill program, uses of the recent drone survey data, the timing of updating key findings, the preparation of resource estimates, and the deeper exploration of high-grade gold and copper feeder systems. The forward‐looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.Forward‐looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses, and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of the projects in a timely manner; the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development; construction and continued operation of the Fergusson Island Project and the Feni Island Project; the ability to effectively complete the drilling program; and Adyton's ability to comply with all applicable regulations and laws, including environmental, health and safety laws.Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect Adyton's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of managements considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Adyton believes that the expectations reflected in such forward- looking statements are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and under reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by Adyton. Among the key risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward- looking statements are the following: impacts arising from the global disruption, changes in general macroeconomic conditions; reliance on key personnel; reliance on Zenex Drilling; changes in securities markets; changes in the price of gold or certain other commodities; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave‐ins and flooding); discrepancies between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of and changes in the costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward‐looking statements. Such forward‐looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward‐looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements or information. Adyton Resources Corporation undertakes no obligation to update forward‐looking information except as required by applicable law.To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294863 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
UN data contradicts viral Gaza famine claims as child malnutrition rates decline
(SeaPRwire) - EXCLUSIVE: While social media and international news outlets are increasingly reporting claims of a famine in Gaza, new data reviewed by Digital from the United Nations, the Board of Peace, and the Israeli military presents a significantly different picture.These figures were presented at a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), an organization that coordinates international aid to Palestinians, by the Board of Peace, which stated they were based on UN reporting.According to the data, the number of children aged 6 to 59 months admitted for acute malnutrition treatment saw a substantial increase from 2,807 cases in January 2025 to a peak of 17,384 in August 2025. However, this number has since declined steadily to 3,043 in March 2026, representing an approximately 83% reduction.These figures contradict the rapidly spreading narrative of widespread famine in Gaza, a claim that is gaining traction in global media and influencing international pressure on Israel.The dataset also indicates that the majority of the remaining malnutrition cases are now categorized as "moderate" or are associated with chronic medical and genetic conditions that require ongoing support.In parallel, separate figures shared at the same meeting, compiled by the Board of Peace, show a significant rise in humanitarian aid delivery following the establishment of the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in October 2025. This U.S.-led, multinational hub, situated in Israel, is tasked with managing post-war stabilization in Gaza.The Civil-Military Coordination Center is responsible for overseeing aid distribution, monitoring a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, and coordinating efforts with 60 countries and organizations.The data reveals that weekly truck deliveries into Gaza increased from approximately 1,300 to 4,200, while the percentage of trucks diverted en route decreased from roughly 90% to just 1% after the CMCC's establishment.The number of individuals receiving food assistance rose from about 400,000 before the CMCC was operational to approximately 2.1 million afterward.Despite these developments, April has witnessed a surge in messaging alleging "engineered starvation" in Gaza, according to HonestReporting, a U.S.-based pro-Israel media watchdog. This narrative has rapidly spread from Hamas-linked channels to mainstream platforms."On April 13, our team began noticing posts about soda and Nutella entering Gaza concurrently with Doctors Without Borders accusing Israel of attempting to ‘destroy the conditions of life,’" stated Jacki Alexander, CEO of HonestReporting. "We utilized our proprietary AI tool to determine if this was part of a larger pattern, and that analysis formed the basis of our memo.""Since then, we have observed the continued use of famine-related language across social media and ideologically aligned publications," Alexander added. "Content claiming mass starvation has garnered millions of views, and the narrative has expanded to include accusations about blocked medical supplies."The HonestReporting report indicated that the messaging escalated quickly, with viral posts alleging bakery closures, critically low food supplies, and irreversible harm to an "entire generation" of children. The report claims this narrative was further amplified by coverage from outlets including Drop Site News, Middle East Eye, Mondoweiss, and Al Jazeera English."Hamas understands that its most effective leverage lies in the information war," Alexander commented."That is why we developed these tools — to document narrative warfare and create a blueprint to dismantle it," Alexander told Digital.In an interview with Digital, Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies nonprofit, stated, "What we are witnessing is a recurring pattern in this conflict where the humanitarian narrative is being weaponized."Goldberg argued that the timing of the famine claims is linked to increasing pressure on Hamas to disarm and to broader diplomatic efforts involving the United States, Arab states, and international partners."One of those weapons is the attempt to revive a famine narrative," he said.According to Goldberg, Hamas is aiming to "undermine" a coalition involved in shaping Gaza's post-war future and to prevent consensus on subsequent steps."Hamas is the isolated party, and they are unwilling to disarm," he asserted.Goldberg noted that, unlike earlier phases of the war, the current environment makes it more challenging for such claims to gain traction."We have now had months of ceasefire, and the UN and other partners have been directly involved in the humanitarian effort," he explained."They all possess the data… and they are all in a position where Hamas will encounter a brick wall for its disinformation tactics," he added."What was effective against just Israel a year ago cannot be as effective against an entire coalition," Goldberg concluded.A senior Israeli military official informed Digital that during the ceasefire, humanitarian throughput into Gaza averaged approximately 600 trucks per day, significantly exceeding what the official stated UN planning models estimated was necessary to meet baseline food requirements."According to the UN, it's somewhere between 115 to 130 trucks a day," the official said, while emphasizing that recent aid levels have substantially surpassed this threshold.The official stated that despite temporary disruptions during the Iran conflict, crossings were quickly reopened, and aid volumes returned to high levels, asserting that current famine allegations are "completely false.""It is impossible with the amount of aid that is entering," the official stated. "There is no shortage of food in the Gaza Strip for an extended period."Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) similarly told Digital that Israel's defense establishment believes Hamas is attempting to capitalize on global attention shifting towards Iran and Lebanon by promoting renewed narratives of humanitarian collapse in Gaza.According to COGAT, Hamas has repeatedly sought throughout the war to present "a deliberately false narrative of the collapse of the humanitarian system" in Gaza to increase international pressure on Israel and influence negotiations.A security official indicated that Hamas intensifies such campaigns whenever diplomatic pressure escalates."Hamas is attempting to stall for time and is employing all means to maintain its grip on power," the official said. "Whenever negotiations over an agreement take place, Hamas intensifies false campaigns about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip to secure international support through fabricated crises."Digital has reached out to the United Nations and the World Food Programme for comment. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference conclude successfully
HONG KONG, Apr 29, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Asia’s annual flagship licensing events, the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and the Asian Licensing Conference, concluded successfully today. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the three-day extravaganza for the licensing trade ran from 27 to 29 April, attracting more than 330 exhibitors and showcasing over 600 brands and licensing projects. The Asian Licensing Conference brought together some 20 international licensing experts to explore key industry topics, including global licensing trends and the industry outlook, intellectual property (IP) licensing strategies for overseas expansion, sports licensing, location-based entertainment, food and beverage licensing, and creative marketing strategies. The two events served as cross-regional and cross-sectoral business expansion platforms across multiple categories, creating global business opportunities for participants and promoting regional IP trade development.Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “Under the support of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong continues to deepen its role as a regional IP trading hub. As one of Asia’s most mature licensing markets, the city boasts a well-established industry ecosystem, with the licensing sector serving as a core engine for IP trade. We are pleased to see licensing applications expanding from traditional character merchandising to cover location-based entertainment, food and beverage, e-commerce and a host of other fields, forming a complete licensing industry chain that helps to create more business opportunities for the industry globally.”In response to the rapid development and growing popularity of e-commerce, this year’s Licensing Show introduced the new IP and e-Commerce Support Services Zone. In collaboration with the E-commerce Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong eCommerce Supply Chain Association and the Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce, the zone hosted multiple workshops on building online shops, digital marketing and livestream commerce, helping small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) capitalise on e-commerce to sell their IP products globally.Among the participants was Digitify Online Growth, an e-commerce platform specialising in digital marketing and e-commerce operation solutions. Kay Leung from the company said: “The greatest value of this new dedicated zone lies in ‘promotion’ and ‘education’. In the current economic climate, industries across different sectors are actively seeking new avenues to expand their business. This zone serves as an essential foundation for SMEs, raising awareness of how to effectively leverage e-commerce as a springboard to promote their brands and sell their IP products to the global market.” Prof. Charles Ng from another exhibitor, StarLite IPC Limited, said: “This year's Licensing Show has truly played the role of an ‘all-rounded accelerator’ in driving industry growth. During this critical period of economic recovery in the Asian market, the show has successfully brought together leading licensors, licensing agents and brand owners from around the world, providing an efficient business matchmaking platform for IP licensing-focused enterprises like ours."Commenting on the impact of the new IP and e-Commerce Support Services Zone, Jenny Koo said: “This aligns well with the direction of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s policy to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong SMEs in relation to cross-border e-commerce. The HKTDC will continue to provide an ideal platform for the global licensing industry to showcase more diversified brand licensing projects, strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international licensing hub.”The Licensing Show continued to feature the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion, bringing together nearly 40 exhibitors to showcase multiple Hong Kong original brands and IPs. Among them, local designer Kirsten Lie presented her original IPs and secured collaboration opportunities with overseas shopping malls. She said: “The current negotiations are highly encouraging, with enthusiastic responses all around. We are now in serious discussions with two overseas shopping malls and will meet with their senior management next week to move the partnership forward.” Another participating designer, James Ho, said “This year's Licensing Show provides an excellent brand promotion platform for local designers, enabling us to reach and engage with potential partners from diverse sectors on a broad scale.” In addition, this year’s Hong Kong Licensing Force Showcase featured The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with the newly participating Hong Kong Design Institute joining to showcase creative designs by emerging local talents.Key topics at this year’s Asian Licensing Conference included how non-traditional toy IPs resonate with young consumers in the emotional economy along with new development models for food and beverage licensing. George Wood, Managing Director of The Luna Entertainment Group, shared on location-based entertainment during the session, saying: “We learned that one of the non-negotiables has to do is with the depth of affection, which is often related to the number of hours the audience has spent with the IP”. He also expressed his belief that transforming entertainment brands into experiences is one of the revenue engines offering long-term value. In another session, Mark Kingston, CEO and Co-founder of Libertas Brands Ltd, mentioned the rising popularity of non-traditional toys such as Fugglers, whose deliberately designed “ugly-cute” appearance echoes the rise of the emotion economy. “We want to ensure that every Fuggler engages different individuals, and that every individual can find a Fuggler that suits their personality or particular mood. That is key to the storytelling nature of Fugglers,” Mr Kingston said.Mainland institutions exhibit with distinctive cultural and creative brandsThe Chinese Mainland Pavilion brought together more than 150 institutions from regions including Beijing, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Sichuan and more. Popular IPs such as Nailoong, Suchao, Tang Fugui, the Sun and Immortal Birds made their debut at the event, demonstrating the innovative vitality of the mainland’s cultural tourism IPs. Among the exhibitors in the pavilion were more than 20 cultural and museum institutions including Guangdong Museum, Nanjing Museum and the Xu Beihong Memorial Museum, showcasing the richness of the nation’s historical and cultural resources. This year, the distinctive Beijing Museums brand from the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau made its first overseas appearance. World cultural heritage sites such as the Great Wall and the Summer Palace collectively presented the unique character of Beijing’s heritage.Multiple MoUs signed to deepen collaboration and exchange in the licensing industrySeveral memoranda of understanding were signed during the two major licensing events, including one between the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and the HKTDC. Building on their longstanding cooperation, both parties now aim to continue deepening cultural and economic exchange and collaboration under the broader framework of Beijing-Hong Kong cooperation. The MoU encourages both parties to actively build a cultural and museum cooperation platform, facilitating Beijing institutions to make use of the HKTDC’s platforms to explore aligning Beijing’s cultural and museum IPs and museum collections with Hong Kong’s professional strengths in the areas of creative design, IP transformation and licensing services, promoting the commercialisation, internationalisation and digital development of cultural and museum resources, and providing an effective way of telling China's stories.Another MoU was signed between the Innovative Entrepreneur Association (IEA) and the Shantou Cultural and Creative Tourism Industry Association, aiming to strengthen cultural and creative industry collaboration between Hong Kong and Shantou and promote the deep integration and coordinated development of the two cities’ cultural, creative and tourism industries. This collaboration was facilitated by the HKTDC following a study mission by a Hong Kong licensing industry delegation to the Greater Bay Area and South China market in January this year to explore development opportunities and business prospects. The signing of the MoU represents a further deepening of exchange and cooperation between industry players in both cities.Photo download: https://bit.ly/3QDbhJJHKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong attended the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference on Monday (27 April) and delivered the welcome remarks.(From left) Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries of CCIDA, Drew Lai; Director, Asia Tourism Exchange Centre, Zhang Dong; HKTDC Executive Director, Sophia Chong; Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, HKSAR Government, Sum Fong Kwang, Vivian; Plan and Policy Analyst Expert Level, Ministry of Culture, Thailand, Narathorn Parndee; and President and CEO of Licensing International, Maura Regan, officiated the opening ceremony.The Hong Kong International Licensing Show introduced the IP and e-Commerce Support Services Zone for the first time this year, supporting brands and IP projects in capturing new opportunities brought by e-commerce development.The Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme brought together nearly 40 exhibitors, showcasing multiple Hong Kong original brands and IPs.Multiple tertiary institutions participated in the Hong Kong Licensing Force Showcase, showcasing creative designs by emerging local talents.Mainland cultural and museum institutions exhibited at the Licensing Show, bringing a variety of distinctive cultural and creative brands.The Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and the HKTDC signed a memorandum of understanding during the two major events aimed at deepening cultural and economic exchange and collaboration between the two cities.The Asian Licensing Conference invited industry leaders to explore multiple market-focused topics.WebsitesHong Kong International Licensing Show: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/enAsian Licensing Conference: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en/programme'category=all&date=allHKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/enMedia enquiriesFor more information, please contact Raconteur:Molisa LauTel: 6187 7786Email: molisalau@raconteur.hkBetsy TseTel: 9742 7338Email: betsytse@raconteur.hkHKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:Winnie KanTel: 2584 4055Email: winnie.wy.kan@hktdc.orgAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
Codere reports an EBITDA increase while continuing to explore a potential sale
(AsiaGameHub) - Codere Group has released its full-year 2025 financial results, recording growth across both its retail and online business lines as the company evaluates a possible $2 billion (£1.73 billion) sale. Group gross win – defined as the total sum the company has won (and its customers have lost) over a set period – hit €1.36 billion, marking a 3.2% year-over-year increase (13% when adjusted for constant currency). At the same time, adjusted EBITDA climbed 26% to €225.1 million, underscoring improved profitability following its recent balance sheet restructuring. Its strong performance was powered by core retail markets, most notably Spain and Argentina. In Spain, operational efficiency gains and “optimisation of its machine fleet” lifted margins, while Argentina delivered robust growth despite currency headwinds, backed by ongoing investment in gaming floors and equipment. Codere’s online division, which is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market in New York, also cemented its position as a key growth pillar, posting higher profitability and supporting the group’s wider omnichannel strategy across Spanish-speaking markets. The company invested €121.2 million in 2025, with most funds allocated to maintaining and upgrading existing operations, and ended the year with €118.6 million in cash following three consecutive quarters of positive cash generation. After net debt fell sharply following a late 2024 debt-for-equity restructuring, the group’s current leverage ratio stands at around 1.1x EBITDA – giving it a more stable financial foundation as it drafts its new 2026-2030 strategic plan. The Madrid-headquartered firm cut its total debt from roughly €1.4 billion to under €200 million as a result of the restructuring. However, market attention is increasingly shifting to the company’s ownership structure. Codere is reportedly weighing a sale valued at around $2 billion, a move that would come just one year after the aforementioned restructuring handed control to a broad group of bondholders and institutional creditors. Uncertainties continue to surround Codere Speaking on the iGaming Daily podcast, SBC’s Editor at Large, Ted Menmuir, said of the potential sale: “It seems clear that the narrative being pushed here is that whoever buys this company will acquire the second largest gambling brand in Spain with both a retail and online presence. They will also gain a foothold in the markets of Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina and Colombia. “However, I believe you have to take Codere’s past track record into account. This is a company that was saddled with €2 billion of debt over the last ten years. It only just recently concluded its capital renegotiation with bondholders, which cut that debt load by 95%, so there is still no clear consensus on what Codere has actually proven it can deliver long term. “If you look at this from a high level, it is obvious that some form of private equity fund would be the most likely buyer. On the European front, Lottomatica is a company that has talked of leading global expansion, but I don’t think they will have the appetite to take on a company that carries so many existing liabilities.” Questions also remain over the business’s long-term sustainability. The firm only recently emerged from an extended period of heavy debt, and potential buyers may weigh that troubled history against its improved current financial profile. As noted earlier, Codere Online recently reported revenue growth – a 6% annual increase to €224 million in 2025, fueled by rising player numbers. However, its future outlook is clouded by rising tax rates in key markets such as Mexico and Colombia, which could squeeze margins going forward. A 19% VAT penalty has been imposed on online gambling gross gaming revenue (GGR) in Colombia. Meanwhile, the Mexican Senate approved a 2026 fiscal package that raises the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) on online gambling and land-based casinos from 30% to 50% of GGR. Taxation in Spain has also been a major point of discussion, and it remains to be seen going forward whether Codere can find a buyer willing to pay $2 billion for the firm and potentially compete with Cirsa, the industry’s largest player in Spain. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Kambi enters Q2 with major Canadian multi-province deal following €43.5m Q1
(AsiaGameHub) - Kambi is relying on new alliances in France and Canada, together with a range of product upgrades centered on the FIFA World Cup, to maintain its first-quarter momentum throughout the year. The Swedish betting technology firm generated €43.5m (£40m) in Q1 2025, a year-on-year increase of 4.9% from €41.5m. Its adjusted EBITDA saw a significant 63.5% rise, moving from a loss of €3.5m to a positive €5.7m. This positive EBITDA trend was mirrored in operating profit, which grew 80% year-on-year from €800,000 to €4.2m. This improvement was likely supported by a 2.1% reduction in operating expenses to €31.9m (Q1 2025: €32.6m) and a 0.4% dip in total expenses to €39.2m (€39.3m). Kambi responds to ‘external challenges’ Based on its Q1 results, Kambi anticipates concluding 2026 with a full-year adjusted EBITDA in the range of €20m to €25m. The group is also preparing for adjustments in response to multiple tax increases affecting the iGaming sector globally, from Europe to Latin America. Werner Becher, Chief Executive Officer, explained that the company has incorporated the new sports betting tax in Colombia into its 2026 projections. While this is expected to reduce revenue by approximately €4m, Becher stated that “we remain confident in our ability to deliver adjusted EBITA within our stated guidance range”. “While external challenges remain, we have started the year on the front foot,” he commented. “Kambi continues to offer market‑leading turnkey and odds feed products, we are progressing on efficiency and productivity initiatives, and we are entering the busiest period of the global sports calendar with confidence. “Against this backdrop, I believe the broader outlook for the business remains bright and I am encouraged by the opportunities ahead.” Lottery partnerships provide significant boost Key to Kambi's 2026 revenue and EBITDA forecasts are two newly signed partnerships in the Canadian lottery sector. Alongside its Q1 earnings, the company today announced agreements with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). The group has obtained a sportsbook technology and services contract with both lottery corporations, effectively operating a multi-provincial sportsbook solution that covers half the nation. These two Crown Corporations serve seven of Canada's ten provinces; BCLC manages sports betting in Saskatchewan and Manitoba in addition to its home province of British Columbia. Kambi won the contract after a Request for Proposal (RFP) process led by ALC, which aimed to find a single supplier for a national sports betting platform for multiple lottery operators. Under the agreement, Kambi will supply its complete turnkey sportsbook product. Becher said: “Being chosen to operate this multi-province sportsbook solution is a powerful validation of Kambi’s reliable technology, regulatory knowledge, and demonstrated capacity to perform at scale. “ALC and BCLC have established a clear plan for a unified, consistent sportsbook, and we are honoured to support its next stage with our high‑performance, compliant, and proven turnkey sportsbook. “Kambi has extensive experience collaborating with lottery and state‑owned operators globally, and we anticipate providing a premier sports betting experience for players in numerous Canadian provinces.” These alliances further broaden Kambi's client portfolio, now significantly featuring Canadian lotteries. The moves by BCLC and ALC come after a Q1 agreement with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Beyond Canada, Kambi also anticipates its partnership with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), France's horse racing pool betting operator, to yield benefits in 2026. Becher commended its new partner as “one of France’s most established and recognisable betting brands”. “This launch marks Kambi’s introduction into the regulated French sports betting market, and I am hopeful about aiding PMU’s goal to increase its market share in one of Europe’s largest betting markets,” he added. “The PMU deal, combined with our Canadian expansion, demonstrates Kambi’s rising importance to major national and institutional operators.” Lastly, Kambi's leadership provided an update on its preparations ahead of the World Cup. Becher noted the firm is 'working closely with partners' and has scheduled a series of product improvements for its frontend, rewards, and trading systems. “These enhancements are intended not just for the tournament, but to provide enduring value long after it concludes,” he stated. “Simultaneously, we are further developing our AI‑driven trading capabilities. “After initial deployments in tennis and basketball, over 60% of Q1 bets were priced and traded by AI, a figure expected to grow further following the recent extension into ATP tennis.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Xiao Noodles Posts Maiden Annual Results: Revenue and Net Profit Jump in 2025 as ESG Efforts Drive Long-Term Value
HONG KONG, Apr 29, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - In 2025, China's catering industry surpassed RMB5.7 trillion in total market size, maintaining steady and healthy growth momentum. The sector has shifted its focus from scale expansion to efficiency improvement and structural optimization, entering a new stage of high-quality development. The industry’s chain store ratio climbed for six consecutive years to 25%, with food delivery penetration exceeding 30%. AI and supply chain technologies are further reshaping operational models across the sector. Amid this structural adjustment, Xiao Noodles, a leading and rapidly growing Chinese noodle restaurants operator in China, has secured a solid foothold amid industry reshuffling by focusing on operational efficiency, product quality and long-term value creation.Rising Profitability with Robust Growth in Scale and Performance As the “First-listed Chinese Noodle Restaurant”, Xiao Noodles (2408.HK) unveiled its inaugural financial results since its listing. During the Reporting Period, the Company posted total revenue of RMB1,622.4 million, a year-on-year increase of 40.5%. Its net profit reached RMB106.1 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 74.8%. Adjusted net profit stood at RMB135.4 million, up 111.9% year on year, reflecting a sustained improvement in profitability. By the end of 2025, the brand’s total restaurant network had expanded to 503 outlets.Driven by the expansion of self-operated restaurants, revenue from self-operated restaurants rose by 44.9% year on year from RMB1.00 billion in 2024 to RMB1.45 billion in 2025. Its revenue contribution increased from 86.7% in 2024 to 89.4% in 2025, demonstrating strong resilience of the self-operated model. Meanwhile, the proportion of food delivery revenue in total revenue jumped from 15.6% in 2024 to 23.3% in 2025, emerging as a new key driver of overall revenue growth.In terms of operational efficiency, the average daily orders per restaurant for its self-operated restaurants and franchised restaurants increased from 386 and 390 in 2024 to 406 and 412 in 2025, respectively. As of the end of 2025, Xiao Noodles had 395 self-operated restaurants and 92 franchised restaurants in 24 cities in the Chinese Mainland, 15 restaurants in Hong Kong SAR and one restaurant in Singapore, steadily advancing its national and international expansion.While achieving steady operational growth, the Company has maintained a strong commitment to shareholder returns. The Board proposed a final dividend of RMB0.03 per H share for fiscal 2025, representing a payout ratio of over 50%. This proposal not only delivers tangible returns to shareholders for their long-term support, but also underscores the Company’s financial health, characterized by genuine profitability and robust cash flows. It further enhances investor confidence and trust in the Company’s corporate governance and brand value.Deepening ESG Practices: Public Welfare and Talent Co-create Long-term ValueAs ESG becomes a core measure of long-term corporate value for measuring a company’s long-term value, Xiao Noodles has embedded social responsibility into its business model, emergency response, and talent investment. In 2025, its public welfare donations reached RMB1.4 million.Since 2023, the Company has launched the “Baobao Meal Charity Program”, donating RMB0.1 for every baby meal sold for public welfare purposes. As of the end of 2025, approximately 2.18 million baby meals had been sold cumulatively, generating public welfare funds of approximately RMB218,000. This has created a virtuous cycle: rising sales - a larger pool of charitable funds - stronger brand reputation. In September 2025, the Company, together with the Shanghai United Foundation, donated RMB100,000 to launch the “An Egg Donation Activity,” providing rural children with a daily egg and nutrition education courses. Through tangible actions, the initiative focuses on supporting the health and education of underprivileged children. In terms of talent and innovation investment, the Company partnered with South China University of Technology to establish the “Campus Culture Construction Fund” and the “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Public Welfare Fund.” In 2024, the Company donated RMB600,000, with a planned cumulative donation of RMB3 million over five years. An additional RMB300,000 was contributed in 2025, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting education and cultivating innovative talent.In response to emergencies, the Company has demonstrated a well-established emergency response capability. Following the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, in November 2025, the Company activated its emergency charitable response mechanism on the same day and donated HKD1 million to support the resettlement of affected residents, reflecting a robust ESG governance structure and effective authorization mechanisms.In addition, the Company places strong emphasis on internal talent development, adhering to the philosophy that “Talent Drives Development,” and provides employees with continuous learning and career advancement opportunities. During the reporting period, the employee training coverage rate reached 100%, with a total of 40,756 training hours and an average of 19.8 hours per employee, ranking at a relatively high level within the industry. The Company has established an online training system based on digital infrastructure, offering standardized training programs and comprehensive on-boarding training for new employees to ensure consistency in professional standards and service experience. While reducing talent development costs during store expansion, this system also shortens the ramp-up period for new stores, thereby securing a stable talent supply chain to support rapid expansion.From product-driven micro-philanthropy to targeted engagement with specific social issues, and further to long-term investment in education, rapid crisis response, and internal talent development, Xiao Noodles has established a clear path that balances “the integration of business and social welfare, as well as short-term and long-term priorities.” In doing so, the Company has also built strategic assets that enhance brand premium, reduce employee turnover, and strengthen investor confidence.Forward-Looking Industry Positioning with Promising Growth PotentialFrom an industry perspective, the Chinese fast-casual dining sector is accelerating its transformation toward standardization, digitalization, and branding. Firstly, consumer demand for healthy, convenient, and cost-effective dining options continues to rise, benefiting leading players with strong supply chain capabilities and economies of scale as market concentration increases. Secondly, AI and automation technologies are reshaping cost structures, with applications such as intelligent workforce scheduling, precise inventory management, and autonomous delivery gradually being implemented, further unlocking technological dividends. In addition, ESG performance has become a key metric for assessing the long-term value of restaurant enterprises, as non-financial factors such as green stores, low-carbon operations, and community responsibility increasingly influence both capital allocation and consumer choice. Leveraging its strengths in product innovation, operational efficiency, and early-mover advantage in ESG practices, Xiao Noodles is well positioned to further expand its market share within its niche segment.Overall, in 2025, Xiao Noodles delivered an exceptional dining experience through flavorful dishes, high-quality service, and a distinctive dining atmosphere. The Company achieved notable results in profitability, financial optimization, shareholder returns, and green practices, successfully transitioning from scale-driven expansion to quality-driven growth. Looking ahead, as industry consolidation accelerates and digitalization and ESG initiatives gain traction, the Company's competitiveness is expected to strengthen further, driving its results of operations to a new height and injecting strong momentum into the high-quality development and green transformation of the industry. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
The ‘Invincible’ Game Unveils a Terrifying Timeline Twist
Skybound Games(SeaPRwire) - At a time when the MCU's cultural supremacy appears to be waning and DC Comics still struggles to launch a cohesive shared universe, our enduring passion for superhero stories is sustained by narratives outside the Big Two. Amazon's adaptation of The Boys was a major hit for five seasons. While it and its young adult college spinoff Gen V are concluding, the forthcoming prequel Vought Rising ensures its portrayal of superheroes as mascots for military propaganda and corporate advertising will persist. Amazon also holds the other significant current superhero obsession not owned by Marvel or DC: Invincible, an adaptation of Robert Kirkman's sprawling, nearly two-decade-long superhero satire/parody/saga.The original comic's success hinged greatly on Kirkman's skill in both highlighting and participating in enduring superhero tropes: inconsequential battles between living weapons of mass destruction, a glut of alternate realities, the triviality of death, and company-wide reboots. The Amazon series remains fresh and compelling partly because it can now react to a broader superhero media landscape still recycling these clichés, while also modernizing story elements for a new format and viewership. Now, Mark Grayson and his supporting characters aim to replicate that success in yet another medium, aided by a clever narrative device.The new story teaser for Invincible VS, the upcoming video game from developer Quarter Up and publisher Skybound Games, provided the first substantial glimpse at the game's core concept. Kirkman-founded Skybound Entertainment collaborated on the story with the game's writers, crafting a tale that seeks to alter Mark's fate as Invincible by exploring a scenario where Nolan never reformed, instead returning to Earth leading key Viltrumite foes. The game draws mainly from the Amazon series, featuring some returning voice actors (Gillian Jacobs as Atom Eve and J.K. Simmons as Omni-Man) alongside several recast roles (including Aleks Le as Invincible and Gavin Hammond taking over for Walton Goggins as Cecil).Setting Invincible VS in an alternate universe fits seamlessly with the broader franchise; the comics established this concept early with the 2009 "Invincible War" arc, which the show adapted in its third season. Given how faithfully the series follows its source material, especially later in the story, this likely won't be Mark's final brush with an alternate life. It's thrilling to learn of another significant timeline divergence full of unrevealed twists (Conquest's appearance in the game confirms it will go beyond the show's initial storyline), and the potential for the show's Invincible and the game's Invincible to eventually meet is an exciting prospect.Somehow, Quarter Up and Skybound went above and beyond in creating a version of Nolan who’s even more irredeemable. | Skybound GamesThis concept also meshes effectively with the inherently confrontational nature of video games. Kirkman has noted a fighting game is an ideal match for Invincible, as it showcases the vast roster of characters and lets players immerse themselves in the sheer ferocity of the battles. However, it also represents a nuanced, considered exploration of the comic and show's themes; much of the story evolves unpredictably because Mark can influence his father, and without that change, even more world-shattering conflicts would erupt.Many fighting games relegate their story modes to a secondary concern behind multiplayer, and while the genre is primarily suited for competitive play, its worlds and characters are often rich enough to deserve a strong narrative. Even if the primary goal is delivering satisfying superhero brawls, it's reassuring that Invincible VS is pairing them with a truly engaging story.Invincible VS launches for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC on April 30, 2026. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
HBO Max Has Been Quietly Unveiling The Most Surprising Dystopian Saga
(SeaPRwire) - Hollywood has a well-known affinity for self-referential projects. Whether it's Singin’ in the Rain, The Artist, or Jay Kelly, content focusing on the entertainment business usually resonates well with industry professionals. This trend has recently expanded to television, with The Studio joining this niche genre. However, The Comeback pioneered this concept 19 years ago. Created by Michael Patrick King in 2007, the series featured Lisa Kudrow playing Valerie Cherish, a former sitcom star attempting a career comeback through a new show and an accompanying reality series. The show was revived in 2014 during the height of the "Peak TV" era for a second season, tracking Valerie's journey as she landed a role on a prestigious HBO drama and earned an Emmy. The Comeback has returned for its third and final season, tackling another major television trend: artificial intelligence. Unlike previous installments, this season portrays a grim, yet-to-occur reality where AI completely replaces human writers on a network sitcom, transforming the show into a dystopian warning. Warning: The following contains spoilers for The Comeback Season 3.The third season of The Comeback depicts a hazardous near-future involving AI technology. | HBOThe third season begins with Valerie Cherish joining the picket lines during the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes, ensuring she snaps a photo with SAG president Fran Drescher for her social media accounts. While her stance seems clear, her commitment is questionable. Valerie accepts the lead role in a new sitcom called How’s That? despite the network head admitting it is scripted by AI with minimal human input. "Everyone seems to be stressing about AI, right? Personally, I'm eager to let go and see what the fuss is about," Valerie remarks, repeatedly disregarding her GPS directions. As Valerie is filmed by her long-time documentarian Jane (played by Laura Silverman), she discovers the unsettling reality. Although humans are part of the process, they serve merely as babysitters for the AI, which eventually malfunctions and even generates hallucinations of Nathan Drake from the Uncharted video game series within the wholesome B-and-B sitcom setting. Valerie is left adrift, desperately seeking actual human writers to salvage the show and revive her career. In Season 3 of The Comeback, artificial intelligence takes over as the primary writer for a new sitcom. | HBOIn a recent episode, Jane discloses that she never signed the non-disclosure agreement regarding the AI usage on How’s That, leading the entire industry to uncover the show's hidden secret. "The public deserves to know that AI is threatening their livelihoods. It's not just happening in offices or factories; it's happening right here on this ridiculous sitcom," Jane states. "I need to prove that this isn't a distant future problem. It is happening now." This might not reflect the current state of the industry—or at least not publicly—but it could foreshadow future developments. When The Comeback first premiered in 2007, reality television was still considered a gamble, largely limited to competition shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race. We can hope that Season 3 is not equally prophetic, but regardless, it serves as a warning about the consequences of removing the human element from creativity. While AI might be able to generate fifty jokes in minutes with minimal resources, it cannot replicate the human touch, even within a fictional context. You can stream The Comeback now on HBO Max. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
After 21 Years, The Original Masked Hero Returns To The Big Screen — With a Twist
Silver Screen Collection/Archive Photos/Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - It has been 21 years since the legendary masked hero Zorro, also known as Don Diego de la Vega, last appeared in theaters in the "swashbuckler" film The Legend of Zorro. In today's climate of extreme wealth disparity, a protagonist who champions the oppressed against the greedy would likely be embraced by the public. Fortunately, the character is making a return.Sony Pictures has tapped Brian Helgeland—the Oscar-nominated screenwriter behind L.A. Confidential and Mystic River—to pen Django/Zorro. Helgeland’s recent work includes the 2024 remake of The Killer.This new project is an adaptation of a comic book crossover co-written by Quentin Tarantino and Matt Wagner. It features the bounty hunter Django from the 2012 film Django Unchained alongside the classic hero first introduced in the 1919 novel The Curse of Capistrano.Django/Zorro stands as the first official cinematic sequel to any of Tarantino's works. The partnership is a natural fit, as both characters are stylish defenders of social justice. In the original comic series, Django acts as Zorro's bodyguard during a mission to liberate enslaved Indigenous people, creating a rapport similar to the one between Django and Dr. King Schultz. While the film version will reportedly feature a new narrative, the core theme of rogue-style justice will remain.The screenplay has had a long development history, including a draft by Jerrod Carmichael, who previously described the script as "incredible" while acknowledging the difficulties of getting it made. These obstacles involve complex copyright disputes regarding Zorro that have persisted for decades. Despite the character's original stories being in the public domain, Zorro Productions Inc. has historically maintained strict control over the rights. Sony may have resolved these issues through legal means or licensing fees.Either way, the era of swashbuckling adventures is returning. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
52 Years Ago, A Single Writer Created Marvel’s Most Controversial Character of All Time
Marvel Comics(SeaPRwire) - When people think about Marvel Comics’ success—especially how Marvel portrayed its heroes in the 1960s compared to DC Comics—Stan Lee’s name comes to mind immediately. Jack Kirby is also a key figure, since Marvel as we know it wouldn’t exist without The Fantastic Four. However, numerous comic book writers have shaped Marvel’s 20th-century legacy, and one of the most impactful among them, Gerry Conway, has recently passed away at the age of 73. Conway was known for several notable works: he wrote the infamous Spider-Man storyline that led to Gwen Stacy’s death, and co-created DC’s Jason Todd. But his most enduring creation is undoubtedly Marvel’s toughest assassin, Frank Castle, better known as the Punisher.Conway introduced the Punisher 52 years ago in the pages of The Amazing Spider-Man #129, and since then, the character has become the quintessential comic book anti-hero. But did Conway intend for the Punisher to represent a form of lawless extremism? The short answer is no.Jon Bernthal as The Punisher. | Netflix/Marvel/Disney+The Punisher was first introduced to the Spider-Man universe as a bounty hunter being manipulated by another villain called the Jackal. In a sense, the Punisher was Marvel’s Boba Fett—long before Boba Fett (or Star Wars) even existed. Speaking to Eric Francisco for Inverse back in 2017, Conway made it clear he initially didn’t think the character would last very long. “I thought this would be a one-shot throwaway character, but in development as we got through the character and the name, it became clear this was a character with more potential.”As one of Marvel’s most ruthless anti-heroes, the Punisher has been interpreted in various ways over the years. Some critics have pointed out that he represents a type of firearms absolutist and a stand-in for real-world lawless fascists. Though much of this ignores the social context in which the character was created. “The time was a time of a lot of social anxiety in New York City... Some of the response to that was vigilantism,” Conway said in 2017. He also noted that the Punisher wasn’t meant to be a moral character; instead, his actions were “morally flexible at best.”Conway further clarified that the character was never intended to be a symbol for any political movement—especially groups that support racism. “The fact that white nationalists and Nazis embrace [the Punisher] is a tragic misunderstanding,” Conway told Inverse. “It’s a misappropriation of the character and a blatant disregarding of reality.”Today, Conway’s most famous creation lives on. Jon Bernthal will play the Punisher twice this year: in a one-off Disney+ special on May 12, 2026, and in a full-circle moment, Bernthal’s Punisher will appear alongside Marvel’s iconic web-slinger in Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31, 2026. Conway may no longer be with us, but his boldest creation’s legacy is firmly secured.You can stream The Punisher series on Disney+ now. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Netflix’s Promising New ‘Stranger Things’ Spinoff Has Been Renewed for Season 2
Netflix(SeaPRwire) - Although the narrative of Stranger Things appears to have concluded—the Upside Down is vanquished and Eleven is seemingly gone—the Stranger Things franchise is far from finished. In addition to the Broadway production Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which examines the backstory of young Henry Creel, there is a new animated spinoff titled Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85. Taking place between the second and third seasons of the popular series, Tales from ‘85 depicted the winter exploits of the Hawkins crew and their new pal Nikki Baxter, the punk offspring of their substitute science teacher. It looks like audiences will receive more of these interim adventures, though the upcoming ones will look back to the very origins of Hawkins. The new arrival in Hawkins for Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, Nikki Baxter, is set to return for another season. | NetflixDuring a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Tales from ‘85 showrunner Eric Robles disclosed that the series is coming back for a second season on Netflix. The show itself hinted at this development, depicting Nikki and Mrs. Baxter moving into a home with the intention of settling down in Hawkins for the long haul. While we know they must eventually depart—since neither appears in Stranger Things Season 3—we can at least look forward to another season of adventures set in the spring. When it debuted, Tales from ‘85 drew numerous parallels to Star Wars: The Clone Wars, another animated spinoff set between main installments that introduced a spirited new character. Robles welcomes this comparison in the interview. “What I aim for mirrors the trajectory of [Dave Filoni’s Star Wars:] The Clone Wars. At first, everyone questioned, ‘The Clone Wars?’ But then, people began watching and thought, ‘Hold on.’ They gave it an opportunity, engaged with the Star Wars elements, and understood that these offered unique, independent adventures.”Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 will transition from malevolent plants to the deep history of Hawkins. | NetflixIn the second season, these distinct escapades will transport the Hawkins Investigators Club to a time period further back than ever explored. “For Season 2, we are going to uncover more about the history of Hawkins and its significance to these kids,” Robles explains. “We delve deeper into the lore surrounding the founding of Hawkins, much of which ties into how all the elements connect with that final flower you see bloom.”Although Stranger Things has featured numerous flashbacks, none have reached this far into the past. This development promises to address one of the series' most significant enigmas: why did all these events begin in a small Indiana town? While hints were dropped in Stranger Things Season 5 and The First Shadow, this upcoming season has the potential to permanently alter our perception of the show. Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 is currently available for streaming on Netflix. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
The Fifth International Healthcare Week set for next month, to highlight Hong Kong’s position as medical technology and investment hub
HONG KONG, Apr 29, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The fifth edition of the International Healthcare Week, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held in Hong Kong from 11 to 31 May. The two flagship events – the sixth Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH), jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the HKTDC, and the 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair), organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Hong Kong MedTech Association – serve as a comprehensive business platform covering the entire medical and healthcare industry chain, including technology R&D, investment matching, medical equipment manufacturing, medical products and services. The events will be held concurrently to maximise synergy at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai next month. The ASGH will take place on 11 and 12 May, while the Medical Fair will run from 11 to 13 May.Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The medical and healthcare landscape is undergoing a profound and rapid transformation. Hong Kong, by leveraging its preeminence as an international financial centre, its world-class research ecosystem and its unique positioning bridging the Chinese Mainland and the world, serves as an ideal platform for scientific excellence, strategic investment and financing, and international trade for medical and healthcare innovation.The National 15th Five-Year Plan prioritises health development. The HKTDC will actively align with the Plan through the two flagship events of the International Healthcare Week – the ASGH and the Medical Fair. The events will focus on high-growth areas such as biopharmaceuticals, AI-empowered healthcare, the silver economy and modernisation of traditional Chinese medicine, and will help to accelerate commercialisation of research outcome, facilitate high-impact business matching, and boost cross-border investment. Collectively, the twin events reinforce the ‘Healthy China’ initiative, solidify Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading biotech and investment hub, and demonstrate Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector and super value-adder.”Speaker line-up features Nobel Prize LaureateThe sixth ASGH, themed “Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs”, will convene a prestigious assembly of international health officials, scientific, medical and industry experts, start-ups and investors. Through various sessions, they will exchange valuable insights and navigate the latest frontiers in public health, medtech, international trade and investment, while unlocking the future prospects and untapped business opportunities of the industry.The opening session will feature welcome remarks by Prof Frederick S Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, and opening remarks by John Lee, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, followed by special remarks of Prof Zeng Yixin, Vice Minister of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China.On the morning of the first day, two plenary sessions will be held. Plenary Session I: Strengthening Pandemic Preparedness through Global Collaboration will begin with a keynote speech by Prof Lo Chung-mau, Secretary of Health of the HKSAR government. The session will be moderated by Prof Leo Poon, Daniel CK Yu Professor in Virology at the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong and Co-Director of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute. Speakers include Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, Vice-Provost (Health) and Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London; Dr Leung Yiu-hong, Head of Emergency Response and Programme Management Branch, Department of Health; Dr Kumanan Rasanathan, Executive Director of the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research; Prof Wang Yu, Chairman, Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control, also Former Director-General, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and Dr In-Kyu Yoon, Acting Deputy Director General for Integrated Development and Pandemic Preparedness at the International Vaccine Institute. They will delve into critical strategies such as pathogen surveillance, data sharing, multinational collaboration and equitable access to medical resources to bolster the resilience of global health infrastructure and institutionalise perpetual preparedness for potential future pandemics.Plenary Session II: Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs will examine how cross-sector collaboration catalyses the commercialisation of research outcomes, propels biopharmaceutical advancement, and unlocks investment and market potential in the sector. The session will feature a special address by Leng Weiqing, Chairman of Shanghai Industrial Investment (Holdings), the Strategic Partner of the Summit. It will be moderated by Victor Chu, Chairman and CEO of First Eastern Investment Group, with speakers including Jonathan Symonds, Chairman of the Board of GSK; Prof Song Ruilin, Eminent President and Chief Expert of the China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association; Dr Mehmood Khan, CEO of The Hevolution Foundation; Clara Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited; David Lau, Vice Chair of Investment Banking for Asia Pacific and Head of Healthcare Investment Banking for Asia Pacific at JP Morgan Securities; and Theresa Tse, Chairwoman of the Board, Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited.On the afternoon of the first day, the Dialogue with Global Pioneer in Health session will feature 2013 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry, Prof Michael Levitt, Robert W and Vivian K Cahill Professor in Cancer Research at Stanford University. Prof Levitt will share his distinguished journey in scientific discovery and envision the transformative impact of technology on future healthcare and scientific research. A pioneer in computational biology, he was among the first to simulate molecular dynamics of DNA and proteins. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for developing multiscale models of complex chemical systems.With rapid advances in AI drug discovery, oncology, and precision medicine, the summit introduces a dedicated CSO Insights: Catalysing Scientific Breakthroughs and Investments for Future Health session on the morning of the second day. Chief Scientific Officers and R&D leaders from leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies, including Fosun Pharma, Omico, Zhaoke Ophthalmology, and more, will share how they set scientific strategy, build high-velocity, high-quality R&D engines, and forge partnerships that accelerate time-to-impact.Thematic sessions address market trends and the National 15th Five-Year PlanThe pervasive adoption of AI is driving a paradigm shift across industries, including healthcare. This year’s summit will feature two thematic sessions, including Intelligence at Scale: How AI is Powering Real-World Healthcare Revolution, co-organised with Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, and Transforming Healthcare through Digital Health & AI Innovations. Speakers will examine pragmatic integration and pioneering breakthroughs of AI within the healthcare system.The silver economy represents a high-growth frontier. This year’s Summit will once again feature a dedicated Silver Health Chapter to address the complexities of an ageing demographic and unlock the sector’s burgeoning market potential. In the session Unlocking Growth in Silver Health: From Precision Medicine to Smart Ageing Innovations, distinguished speakers will discuss breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of age-related diseases.In response to the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and to catalyse the Healthy China initiative and regional collaboration, the Summit will include a session titled The Next Frontier in China's Healthcare Industry which will review the latest trends in medical innovation and investment in China.The session Driving Chinese Medicine Development Through Standardisation and Innovation will address the National 15th Five-Year Plan’s emphasis on the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine. Speakers will share insight on traditional Chinese medicine innovation, cross-sector collaboration and regulatory matters.Over the two days, the Summit will cover a wide range of topical issues in the medical and healthcare sector, including sustainable healthcare systems, gene and cell therapy, rare disease treatments, medical robotics and devices, and IP financing strategies for pharmaceuticals and medtech.Supporting the expansion needs of medical/healthcare enterprisesIn addition to the plenary and thematic sessions, the Summit will feature the ASGH Business Hub and InnoHealth Showcase, which presents innovative technologies from some 180 medical and healthcare companies across 11 countries and regions. These include exhibitor delegations from Australia, Finland, the UK, Xiamen and Jiangsu, as well as start-ups and projects from the Innovation and Technology Commission, Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, and five local universities. Many of the exhibitors have received prestigious awards. The Project Pitching session will provide start-ups with the opportunity to present their innovations to potential investors, while the ASGH Deal-making facilitates one-to-one meetings, both online and offline, to channel capital to healthcare projects and promote collaboration.Medical and healthcare enterprises can also access the “GoGlobal Connect” Zone and Business of Healthcare Advisory Zone to consult with service providers and institutions on overseas expansion, fundraising, R&D collaboration and other areas. Their professional advice will help companies formulate more effective business and “go global” strategies. The Summit will also host a workshop titled Hong Kong as a SuperConnector to Empower Global Expansion of Pharmaceutical Enterprises, where medical and business leaders will share how pharmaceutical companies can leverage Hong Kong’s platform and international professional services to seize overseas business opportunities.The Medical Fair’s three key categories: MedTech, GeronTech & Preventive HealthcareThe 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair will be held from 11 to 13 May. Themed Innovations Boosting Smart Health Experience. The Fair will provide an ideal platform for research and development institutions, manufacturers, public healthcare organisations, hospitals, clinics, distributors, and healthcare professionals from around the world to establish global business connections and understand the latest trends in the medical industry. This year has seen a doubling in the number of exhibitors offering smart ageing products and green solutions, reflecting strong market demand for related products. Furthermore, several exhibitors will showcase innovative products and solutions integrating AI and robotic technology, offering buyers top-tier medical and healthcare solutions.The Medical Fair will gather some 300 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, Korea, as well as new participants from Macao, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Vietnam, and the United States. The exhibition will feature seven major zones, including the Startup Zone, Hospital Equipment and Digital Health, Biotechnology and Lab Diagnostics, Laboratory Technologies and Healthcare Services, Medical Supplies and Disposables, Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, and the World of Health and Wellness, showcasing the latest medical technologies and innovative solutions across the sector.The Fair will focus on three key areas: MedTech, GeronTech and Preventive Healthcare, presenting breakthrough technologies and products. Among the highlights, an exhibitor will introduce a smart health wearable watch that integrates concepts from both Chinese and Western medicine. By combining modern biosensing technology with traditional Chinese medicine theories and analysing indicators such as heart rate variability (HRV) to assess the functions of the five major internal organs, the device translates complex physiological data into a clear and easy-to-understand daily health score and personalised recommendations, helping users identify potential health risks at an early stage.Another exhibitor will demonstrate an augmented reality (AR) surgical platform designed for orthopaedic surgeons. The technology has already been applied in local hospitals and provides real-time 3D navigation during surgical procedures. By accurately overlaying medical imaging onto the surgical field, the platform enhances surgical precision and improves clinical decision-making efficiency. The technology was recognised with an award at the 2025 EQT Impact Challenge, where the project emerged as a winner after multiple rounds of selection and evaluation by a professional judging panel. The international startup competition aims to identify and support innovative solutions with positive social impact, underscoring the platform’s technological innovation and medical application value.In addition, an exhibitor will present a world-first smart knee brace that integrates artificial intelligence, wearable technology and rehabilitation applications. Designed for use in healthcare institutions such as wellness centres, hospitals and rehabilitation clinics, the product supports post-knee surgery recovery and sports injury rehabilitation. Through adjustable straps and a mobile application, the non-invasive device enables real-time monitoring of joint angles, thigh circumference and swelling changes during daily activities, rehabilitation therapy and training. It provides healthcare professionals with both real-time and historical data insights, enhancing the accuracy of rehabilitation monitoring, while also aiding injury prevention and extending athletes’ professional careers.The Medical Fair actively promotes collaborative innovation across government, industry, academia, research, and investment. A number of leading research and academic institutions will participate, including nine local universities, over 30 innovation and technology enterprises led by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, as well as some 20 medical enterprises brought by the Hong Kong MedTech Association (HKMTA). A startup will showcase innovative voice assistive technology products featuring a one touch speech reconstruction function. The solutions provide personalised support for individuals with speech and communication difficulties, helping them regain clear communication abilities and improve their quality of life. This innovation highlights the application excellence of local startups in both medical technology and social care, demonstrating how technology can address real societal needs with meaningful impact.More than 50 themed forums and seminars will be held during the fair, providing industry players with insights into the latest market trends. Highlights include “Accelerating Mental Health Innovation through AI Research and Adoption”, in association with Tung Wah College; “Decoding the Demand for Gerontechnology”, in association with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service; and the “HKMTA Medical Fair Forum 2026: The Medtech Solutions - Greater Bay Area & Overseas”, which will discuss the latest developments in the field.The exhibition will continue to adopt the “EXHIBITION+” hybrid model. The physical fair will take place from 11 to 13 May at the HKCEC. Global exhibitors, industry professionals, and buyers can engage in discussions via the “Click2Match” smart business matching platform from 4 May until 20.As the two flagship events of International Healthcare Week, the Asia Summit on Global Health and the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair will gather global healthcare forces to create a cross-sector exchange platform. International Healthcare Week will be held in Hong Kong from 11 to 31 May, covering 17 healthcare-related conferences, seminars, roundtables, and networking activities. It aims to promote innovation and investment exchange in the Asian healthcare industry, further creating industry synergies and driving Hong Kong's development as a regional medical innovation hub.The Asia Summit on Global HealthDate11-12 May 2026 (Monday to Tuesday)9:00am to 6:00pmThe Opening Session will begin at 10:00 am on 11 MayVenueHong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) Hall 3FGHong Kong International Medical and Healthcare FairDate11-12 May 2026 (Monday to Tuesday)10:00am to 6:00pm13 May 2026 (Wednesday)10:00am to 5:00pmVenueHong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) Hall 3DEPhoto download: https://bit.ly/48tQH4B Last year's Asia Summit on Global Health.The Asia Summit on Global Health has invited Prof Michael Levitt, 2013 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, and the Robert W. and Vivian K. Cahill Professor in Cancer Research at the Stanford University School of Medicine, to attend and share his insights.The Asia Summit on Global Health features deal-making sessions, facilitating one-on-one meetings both online and offline to connect global capital with projects in the healthcare sector.The 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair will be held from 11 to 13 May. Themed “Innovations Boosting Smart Health Experience” the fair focuses on three key categories: MedTech, GeronTech, and Preventive Healthcare, bringing together some 300 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions. The photo shows last year's Medical Fair.The Medical Fair has actively promoted collaborative innovation across government, industry, academia, research and investment, with a number of leading research and academic institutions set to participate.Many exhibitors will showcase products leveraging the latest artificial intelligence and robotics technologies, offering buyers cutting-edge medical and healthcare solutions. The photo shows last year's Medical Fair.WebsitesThe Asia Summit on Global Health: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-conferenceProgramme: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en/programme'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-conferenceSpeakers: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en/speaker'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-conferenceHong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkmedicalfair/en'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-tradeshowList of Products: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkmedicalfair/en/product'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-tradeshowActivity Schedule: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkmedicalfair/en/programme'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-tradeshowInternational Healthcare Week: https://internationalhealthcareweek.hktdc.com/enMembers of the media interested in interviewing ASGH speakers, please send requests to lsong@yuantung.com.hk or tleung@yuantung.com.hk on or before 4 May 2026.Media enquiriesYuan Tung Financial Relations:Jasmine Zhang Tel: (852) 3428 3278 Email: jzhang@yuantung.com.hkLouise Song Tel: (852) 3428 5691 Email: lsong@yuantung.com.hkTiffany Leung Tel: (852) 3428 2361 Email: tleung@yuantung.com.hkHKTDC Communications & Public Affairs Department:Noah Qiu Tel: (852) 2584 4575 Email: noah.yl.qiu@hktdc.orgNavin Law Tel: (852) 2584 4525 Email: navin.cm.law@hktdc.orgJane Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4137 Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.orgAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
The Fifth International Healthcare Week set for next month
HONG KONG, Apr 29, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The fifth edition of the International Healthcare Week, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held in Hong Kong from 11 to 31 May. The two flagship events – the sixth Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH), jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the HKTDC, and the 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair), organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Hong Kong MedTech Association – serve as a comprehensive business platform covering the entire medical and healthcare industry chain, including technology R&D, investment matching, medical equipment manufacturing, medical products and services. The events will be held concurrently to maximise synergy at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai next month. The ASGH will take place on 11 and 12 May, while the Medical Fair will run from 11 to 13 May.Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The medical and healthcare landscape is undergoing a profound and rapid transformation. Hong Kong, by leveraging its preeminence as an international financial centre, its world-class research ecosystem and its unique positioning bridging the Chinese Mainland and the world, serves as an ideal platform for scientific excellence, strategic investment and financing, and international trade for medical and healthcare innovation.The National 15th Five-Year Plan prioritises health development. The HKTDC will actively align with the Plan through the two flagship events of the International Healthcare Week – the ASGH and the Medical Fair. The events will focus on high-growth areas such as biopharmaceuticals, AI-empowered healthcare, the silver economy and modernisation of traditional Chinese medicine, and will help to accelerate commercialisation of research outcome, facilitate high-impact business matching, and boost cross-border investment. Collectively, the twin events reinforce the ‘Healthy China’ initiative, solidify Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading biotech and investment hub, and demonstrate Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector and super value-adder.”Speaker line-up features Nobel Prize LaureateThe sixth ASGH, themed “Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs”, will convene a prestigious assembly of international health officials, scientific, medical and industry experts, start-ups and investors. Through various sessions, they will exchange valuable insights and navigate the latest frontiers in public health, medtech, international trade and investment, while unlocking the future prospects and untapped business opportunities of the industry.The opening session will feature welcome remarks by Prof Frederick S Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, and opening remarks by John Lee, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, followed by special remarks of Prof Zeng Yixin, Vice Minister of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China.On the morning of the first day, two plenary sessions will be held. Plenary Session I: Strengthening Pandemic Preparedness through Global Collaboration will begin with a keynote speech by Prof Lo Chung-mau, Secretary of Health of the HKSAR government. The session will be moderated by Prof Leo Poon, Daniel CK Yu Professor in Virology at the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong and Co-Director of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute. Speakers include Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, Vice-Provost (Health) and Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London; Dr Leung Yiu-hong, Head of Emergency Response and Programme Management Branch, Department of Health; Dr Kumanan Rasanathan, Executive Director of the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research; Prof Wang Yu, Chairman, Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control, also Former Director-General, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and Dr In-Kyu Yoon, Acting Deputy Director General for Integrated Development and Pandemic Preparedness at the International Vaccine Institute. They will delve into critical strategies such as pathogen surveillance, data sharing, multinational collaboration and equitable access to medical resources to bolster the resilience of global health infrastructure and institutionalise perpetual preparedness for potential future pandemics.Plenary Session II: Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs will examine how cross-sector collaboration catalyses the commercialisation of research outcomes, propels biopharmaceutical advancement, and unlocks investment and market potential in the sector. The session will feature a special address by Leng Weiqing, Chairman of Shanghai Industrial Investment (Holdings), the Strategic Partner of the Summit. It will be moderated by Victor Chu, Chairman and CEO of First Eastern Investment Group, with speakers including Jonathan Symonds, Chairman of the Board of GSK; Prof Song Ruilin, Eminent President and Chief Expert of the China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association; Dr Mehmood Khan, CEO of The Hevolution Foundation; Clara Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited; David Lau, Vice Chair of Investment Banking for Asia Pacific and Head of Healthcare Investment Banking for Asia Pacific at JP Morgan Securities; and Theresa Tse, Chairwoman of the Board, Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited.On the afternoon of the first day, the Dialogue with Global Pioneer in Health session will feature 2013 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry, Prof Michael Levitt, Robert W and Vivian K Cahill Professor in Cancer Research at Stanford University. Prof Levitt will share his distinguished journey in scientific discovery and envision the transformative impact of technology on future healthcare and scientific research. A pioneer in computational biology, he was among the first to simulate molecular dynamics of DNA and proteins. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for developing multiscale models of complex chemical systems.With rapid advances in AI drug discovery, oncology, and precision medicine, the summit introduces a dedicated CSO Insights: Catalysing Scientific Breakthroughs and Investments for Future Health session on the morning of the second day. Chief Scientific Officers and R&D leaders from leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies, including Fosun Pharma, Omico, Zhaoke Ophthalmology, and more, will share how they set scientific strategy, build high-velocity, high-quality R&D engines, and forge partnerships that accelerate time-to-impact.Thematic sessions address market trends and the National 15th Five-Year PlanThe pervasive adoption of AI is driving a paradigm shift across industries, including healthcare. This year’s summit will feature two thematic sessions, including Intelligence at Scale: How AI is Powering Real-World Healthcare Revolution, co-organised with Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, and Transforming Healthcare through Digital Health & AI Innovations. Speakers will examine pragmatic integration and pioneering breakthroughs of AI within the healthcare system.The silver economy represents a high-growth frontier. This year’s Summit will once again feature a dedicated Silver Health Chapter to address the complexities of an ageing demographic and unlock the sector’s burgeoning market potential. In the session Unlocking Growth in Silver Health: From Precision Medicine to Smart Ageing Innovations, distinguished speakers will discuss breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of age-related diseases.In response to the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and to catalyse the Healthy China initiative and regional collaboration, the Summit will include a session titled The Next Frontier in China's Healthcare Industry which will review the latest trends in medical innovation and investment in China.The session Driving Chinese Medicine Development Through Standardisation and Innovation will address the National 15th Five-Year Plan’s emphasis on the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine. Speakers will share insight on traditional Chinese medicine innovation, cross-sector collaboration and regulatory matters.Over the two days, the Summit will cover a wide range of topical issues in the medical and healthcare sector, including sustainable healthcare systems, gene and cell therapy, rare disease treatments, medical robotics and devices, and IP financing strategies for pharmaceuticals and medtech.Supporting the expansion needs of medical/healthcare enterprisesIn addition to the plenary and thematic sessions, the Summit will feature the ASGH Business Hub and InnoHealth Showcase, which presents innovative technologies from some 180 medical and healthcare companies across 11 countries and regions. These include exhibitor delegations from Australia, Finland, the UK, Xiamen and Jiangsu, as well as start-ups and projects from the Innovation and Technology Commission, Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, and five local universities. Many of the exhibitors have received prestigious awards. The Project Pitching session will provide start-ups with the opportunity to present their innovations to potential investors, while the ASGH Deal-making facilitates one-to-one meetings, both online and offline, to channel capital to healthcare projects and promote collaboration.Medical and healthcare enterprises can also access the “GoGlobal Connect” Zone and Business of Healthcare Advisory Zone to consult with service providers and institutions on overseas expansion, fundraising, R&D collaboration and other areas. Their professional advice will help companies formulate more effective business and “go global” strategies. The Summit will also host a workshop titled Hong Kong as a SuperConnector to Empower Global Expansion of Pharmaceutical Enterprises, where medical and business leaders will share how pharmaceutical companies can leverage Hong Kong’s platform and international professional services to seize overseas business opportunities.The Medical Fair’s three key categories: MedTech, GeronTech & Preventive HealthcareThe 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair will be held from 11 to 13 May. Themed Innovations Boosting Smart Health Experience. The Fair will provide an ideal platform for research and development institutions, manufacturers, public healthcare organisations, hospitals, clinics, distributors, and healthcare professionals from around the world to establish global business connections and understand the latest trends in the medical industry. This year has seen a doubling in the number of exhibitors offering smart ageing products and green solutions, reflecting strong market demand for related products. Furthermore, several exhibitors will showcase innovative products and solutions integrating AI and robotic technology, offering buyers top-tier medical and healthcare solutions.The Medical Fair will gather some 300 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, Korea, as well as new participants from Macao, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Vietnam, and the United States. The exhibition will feature seven major zones, including the Startup Zone, Hospital Equipment and Digital Health, Biotechnology and Lab Diagnostics, Laboratory Technologies and Healthcare Services, Medical Supplies and Disposables, Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, and the World of Health and Wellness, showcasing the latest medical technologies and innovative solutions across the sector.The Fair will focus on three key areas: MedTech, GeronTech and Preventive Healthcare, presenting breakthrough technologies and products. Among the highlights, an exhibitor will introduce a smart health wearable watch that integrates concepts from both Chinese and Western medicine. By combining modern biosensing technology with traditional Chinese medicine theories and analysing indicators such as heart rate variability (HRV) to assess the functions of the five major internal organs, the device translates complex physiological data into a clear and easy-to-understand daily health score and personalised recommendations, helping users identify potential health risks at an early stage.Another exhibitor will demonstrate an augmented reality (AR) surgical platform designed for orthopaedic surgeons. The technology has already been applied in local hospitals and provides real-time 3D navigation during surgical procedures. By accurately overlaying medical imaging onto the surgical field, the platform enhances surgical precision and improves clinical decision-making efficiency. The technology was recognised with an award at the 2025 EQT Impact Challenge, where the project emerged as a winner after multiple rounds of selection and evaluation by a professional judging panel. The international startup competition aims to identify and support innovative solutions with positive social impact, underscoring the platform’s technological innovation and medical application value.In addition, an exhibitor will present a world-first smart knee brace that integrates artificial intelligence, wearable technology and rehabilitation applications. Designed for use in healthcare institutions such as wellness centres, hospitals and rehabilitation clinics, the product supports post-knee surgery recovery and sports injury rehabilitation. Through adjustable straps and a mobile application, the non-invasive device enables real-time monitoring of joint angles, thigh circumference and swelling changes during daily activities, rehabilitation therapy and training. It provides healthcare professionals with both real-time and historical data insights, enhancing the accuracy of rehabilitation monitoring, while also aiding injury prevention and extending athletes’ professional careers.The Medical Fair actively promotes collaborative innovation across government, industry, academia, research, and investment. A number of leading research and academic institutions will participate, including nine local universities, over 30 innovation and technology enterprises led by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, as well as some 20 medical enterprises brought by the Hong Kong MedTech Association (HKMTA). A startup will showcase innovative voice assistive technology products featuring a one touch speech reconstruction function. The solutions provide personalised support for individuals with speech and communication difficulties, helping them regain clear communication abilities and improve their quality of life. This innovation highlights the application excellence of local startups in both medical technology and social care, demonstrating how technology can address real societal needs with meaningful impact.More than 50 themed forums and seminars will be held during the fair, providing industry players with insights into the latest market trends. Highlights include “Accelerating Mental Health Innovation through AI Research and Adoption”, in association with Tung Wah College; “Decoding the Demand for Gerontechnology”, in association with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service; and the “HKMTA Medical Fair Forum 2026: The Medtech Solutions - Greater Bay Area & Overseas”, which will discuss the latest developments in the field.The exhibition will continue to adopt the “EXHIBITION+” hybrid model. The physical fair will take place from 11 to 13 May at the HKCEC. Global exhibitors, industry professionals, and buyers can engage in discussions via the “Click2Match” smart business matching platform from 4 May until 20.As the two flagship events of International Healthcare Week, the Asia Summit on Global Health and the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair will gather global healthcare forces to create a cross-sector exchange platform. International Healthcare Week will be held in Hong Kong from 11 to 31 May, covering 17 healthcare-related conferences, seminars, roundtables, and networking activities. It aims to promote innovation and investment exchange in the Asian healthcare industry, further creating industry synergies and driving Hong Kong's development as a regional medical innovation hub.The Asia Summit on Global HealthDate11-12 May 2026 (Monday to Tuesday)9:00am to 6:00pmThe Opening Session will begin at 10:00 am on 11 MayVenueHong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) Hall 3FGHong Kong International Medical and Healthcare FairDate11-12 May 2026 (Monday to Tuesday)10:00am to 6:00pm13 May 2026 (Wednesday)10:00am to 5:00pmVenueHong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) Hall 3DEPhoto download: https://bit.ly/48tQH4B Last year's Asia Summit on Global Health.The Asia Summit on Global Health has invited Prof Michael Levitt, 2013 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, and the Robert W. and Vivian K. Cahill Professor in Cancer Research at the Stanford University School of Medicine, to attend and share his insights.The Asia Summit on Global Health features deal-making sessions, facilitating one-on-one meetings both online and offline to connect global capital with projects in the healthcare sector.The 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair will be held from 11 to 13 May. Themed “Innovations Boosting Smart Health Experience” the fair focuses on three key categories: MedTech, GeronTech, and Preventive Healthcare, bringing together some 300 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions. The photo shows last year's Medical Fair.The Medical Fair has actively promoted collaborative innovation across government, industry, academia, research and investment, with a number of leading research and academic institutions set to participate.Many exhibitors will showcase products leveraging the latest artificial intelligence and robotics technologies, offering buyers cutting-edge medical and healthcare solutions. The photo shows last year's Medical Fair.WebsitesThe Asia Summit on Global Health: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-conferenceProgramme: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en/programme'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-conferenceSpeakers: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en/speaker'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-conferenceHong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkmedicalfair/en'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-tradeshowList of Product: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkmedicalfair/en/product'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-tradeshowActivity schedule: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkmedicalfair/en/programme'ref_source=GrayMenu&ref_medium=vep-tradeshowInternational Healthcare Week: https://internationalhealthcareweek.hktdc.com/enMembers of the media interested in interviewing ASGH speakers, please send requests to lsong@yuantung.com.hk or tleung@yuantung.com.hk on or before 4 May 2026.Media enquiriesYuan Tung Financial Relations:Jasmine Zhang Tel: (852) 3428 3278 Email: jzhang@yuantung.com.hkLouise Song Tel: (852) 3428 5691 Email: lsong@yuantung.com.hkTiffany Leung Tel: (852) 3428 2361 Email: tleung@yuantung.com.hkHKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:Noah Qiu Tel (852) 2584 4575 Email: noah.yl.qiu@hktdc.orgNavin Law Tel: (852) 2584 4525 Email: navin.cm.law@hktdc.orgJane Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4137 Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.orgAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
All the Details on the Upcoming ‘Resident Evil’ Reboot
Monica Schipper/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - While an adaptation does not inherently validate or improve a piece of art, the enduring cultural impact of the Resident Evil series is perhaps best demonstrated by Hollywood's three previous, unsuccessful attempts to adapt it for live-action. Directors Paul W.S. Anderson, Andrew Dabb, and Johannes Roberts each put their own spin on the iconic zombie franchise, only to face criticism and fan rejection for numerous reasons. Some of this stems from a decision to avoid a direct retelling of the games' plots—a choice with its own advantages and drawbacks—but it also results from none of those versions capturing the slow-building horror and fight for survival that defined the early games' terrifying atmosphere.This may finally be about to change. The next cinematic return of Resident Evil will be helmed by a fresh, buzzworthy horror director. With only two films, Zach Cregger has already established himself as a modern master of the genre, achieving this with movies that differ wildly in tone and style. His horror debut, Barbarian, was a callback to gritty, socially-aware 1970s exploitation films reminiscent of Tobe Hooper, while his follow-up, Weapons, was a more atmospheric and ambiguous witch-themed story. If any filmmaker can recapture the suffocating fear of the original Resident Evil trilogy, it could be him. Fortunately, audiences will not have to wait long to witness his take on Raccoon City.When Is The Resident Evil Release Date?Arriving just as the spooky season begins, Resident Evil is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026.Hopefully, Cregger can replicate the isolation, chaos, and sheer terror of the Raccoon City outbreak. | CapcomWhat Is The Plot Of Resident Evil?Despite eleven core game installments and seven live-action movie adaptations (six of which forge their own narratives), the central story of Resident Evil is widely recognized: the Umbrella Corporation, a global pharmaceutical giant, secretly operates as a developer of bio-organic weapons. Their most infamous creation, the T-virus, mutates living creatures into horrific monsters that spread uncontrollably. Players control various survivors throughout the series—from Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine of the doomed STARS police unit to rookie officer turned special agent Leon S. Kennedy—each striving to undermine Umbrella and halt its latest catastrophic experiment, provided they can stay alive.Although Cregger has stated his film will be inspired by and set during the events of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, it will not be a direct adaptation. While specifics of Cregger's original storyline are scarce, it is known that the plot will center on a medical courier named Bryan, who becomes stranded in Raccoon City "as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos." It is reasonable to infer that this single night with Bryan will depict the devastating outbreak that leads to the city's quarantine in Resident Evil 2, offering fans a new viewpoint on the pivotal event that shaped the franchise's future.As terrifying as Resident Evil 2 is, imagine how much worse it would be for an unarmed nobody. | CapcomIs There a Trailer for Resident Evil?A trailer is not yet available, but this page will be updated with a link and further story information when one is released.Who Is In The Cast Of Resident Evil?Cregger's Resident Evil does not seem to feature a large ensemble cast akin to the films of Paul W.S. Anderson or Johannes Roberts. Instead, the focus appears to be on plunging the audience into Bryan's personal ordeal, experiencing the Raccoon City disaster through the grounded, singular viewpoint of an ordinary person caught in an extraordinary nightmare. The confirmed cast for Resident Evil includes:Austin Abrams as BryanPaul Walter Hauser as CarlZach Cherry as DaveKali Reis as PaulineJohno Wilson as MaxThe significance of these characters' roles in Bryan's story remains unclear, but if the film authentically channels the merciless, shocking nature of the games, several may not survive for long. Zach Cregger has excelled at crafting unpredictable, anxiety-inducing films meant to be viewed from behind one's fingers, and early accounts suggest this project matches the terror of his prior work, featuring relentless, breakneck pacing. It is difficult to predict if it will please the franchise's dedicated fanbase, but there is newfound hope that this Resident Evil will finally be as scary as the games that inspired it.Resident Evil arrives in theaters on September 18. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
12 Years On, Star Wars Turns Its Most Underrated Villains into Fresh Sources of Fear
Lucasfilm(SeaPRwire) - The series Maul — Shadow Lord offers a fresh perspective on the antihero previously known as Darth Maul. Having shed his "Darth" title, he now operates as a modest crime lord, endeavoring to establish an empire and potentially draw a young apprentice, Devon Izara, into the Dark Side. This raises the question: if Maul isn't the primary antagonist of the series, then who is?The antagonist, as frequently observed, is the Galactic Empire. While Brander Lawson attempts to pursue Maul independently, avoiding Imperial intervention, the authorities have nonetheless dispatched the Inquisitors to locate Maul and two Jedi concealed on Janix. Although this tactic is typical for the Empire, its execution in this instance presents a notable shift. These seemingly lesser villains now project a significantly more menacing presence than previously.Marrok and the Eleventh Brother are ent to Janix by the Empire. | LucasfilmWithin the established Star Wars canon, following Order 66, the Inquisitors are tasked with hunting down Jedi who have gone into hiding. These Inquisitors manifest in various forms but typically adopt codenames, frequently incorporating "brother" or "sister." Their initial appearance was in Star Wars: Rebels, where they served primarily to provide the protagonists with a formidable adversary that could be defeated without altering the broader Star Wars narrative.Historically, in the Legends canon, Darth Vader appeared to be solely responsible for eradicating the Jedi survivors of Order 66. However, in the current canon, he assumes a more managerial position as the leader of the Inquisitors. A prime illustration is the video game Jedi: Fallen Order, where the main character, Cal Kestis, a Jedi in hiding years post-Order 66, must overcome several Inquisitors before confronting Darth Vader directly.Given this established hierarchy, the Inquisitors are often perceived as a subordinate threat. While they possess intimidating masks and distinctive lightsabers, their presence typically signifies that Vader deems the target unworthy of his personal attention.The Eleventh Brother was nicknamed “The Crow” internally. | LucasfilmNevertheless, Maul: Shadow Lord significantly redefines the Inquisitors' portrayal. Following extensive anticipation in earlier episodes, the eventual appearance of Marrok and the Eleventh Brother creates the impression of entirely new antagonists, despite their prior appearances in Ahsoka and Tales of the Jedi, respectively.This refreshed image is further enhanced by a horror-inspired treatment of these characters. The Star Wars website notes, "They exhibit minimal movement, but when they do, these Inquisitors demonstrate superhuman speed." Furthermore, Supervising Director Brad Rau highlights, "Listen closely when the Eleventh Brother turns his head. 'David W. Collins consistently incorporates unusual elements in the sound design,' Rau explains. 'When you detect a slight turn of Crow's head, Collins inserted this creaking, peculiar sound. It's excellent. We refer to it as bone leather.'"Historically, Inquisitors have largely functioned as a precursor or a less critical substitute for a Darth Vader appearance. While a Vader cameo in the finale, scheduled for May the Fourth, remains a tempting possibility for this series, the substantial build-up and novel portrayal of these characters demonstrate their capacity to stand as formidable threats independently.Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord is currently available for streaming on Disney+. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
CTF Life Title Sponsors ‘Fencing Plus’ Training Programme 2026 Organised by Kai Tak Sports Initiative
(Second from left) Man Kit Ip, Executive Director and CEO of CTF Life; (second from right) Andrew Kam, Chief Executive Officer of Kai Tak Sports Park Limited; (first from left) NG Hoi-shan, Aaron, MH, President of the Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China; and (first from right) Antonio Lam, Head Coach of the “Fencing Plus” Training Programme, officiated the Kick-off Ceremony of the “Fencing Plus” Training Programme, marking the official start of the event.HONG KONG, Apr 29, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The “Fencing Plus” Training Programme, organised by Kai Tak Sports Initiative (KTSI), title-sponsored by CTF Life and supported by Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), is Hong Kong’s largest fencing selection and training initiative aimed at nurturing a new generation of fencing athletes in Hong Kong. Since its debut at KTSP last year, the programme has identified numerous promising young fencers, providing them with 1.5 years of elite training and injecting fresh energy into the local fencing scene. With CTF Life once again serving as the Title Sponsor this year, the programme’s selection quota has expanded to 1,000 participants, offering more students the opportunity to receive professional training. Former Olympic Games representative of the Hong Kong Fencing Team and Asian Games Double Bronze Medallist, Antonio Lam returns as Head Coach, leading a professional coaching team to ensure high-quality and consistent training.The Selection Day and Kick-off Ceremony of the “Fencing Plus” Training Programme 2026 were successfully held on 26 April at Kai Tak Arena. Building on the enthusiastic response received last year, the 1,000 available slots include dedicated quotas for CTF Life-CIRCLE members, while full sponsorship will continue to be offered to underprivileged students. Primary school students aged 8 to 11 from Kowloon City, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin and Yau Tsim Mong districts were invited to take part, giving more children the opportunity to be introduced to the sport. The two-year training programme is structured into five stages, using a selection-based training and competition model to identify potential young fencers. Top performers will advance to elite training with opportunities to progress into professional athlete development and participate in competitions. The selection trials featured 10 fencing test zones, allowing participants to challenge themselves through physical fitness assessments and discover their potential. CTF Life also introduced a series of interactive experience zones, including the “Strike & Score Fencing Game”, the “Fencing Collection Card Photo Booth,” and the “AR 360-degree Fencing Champion Stage”, encouraging parents and children to take part in sports together and experience the unique charm of fencing.Honourable guests – Man Kit Ip, Executive Director and CEO of CTF Life; Andrew Kam, Chief Executive Officer of Kai Tak Sports Park Limited; NG Hoi-shan, Aaron, MH, President of the Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China; and Antonio Lam, Head Coach of the “Fencing Plus” Training Programme – also attended the event and officiated the Kick-off Ceremony.Man Kit Ip, Executive Director and CEO of CTF Life, said: “As the exclusive Founding Insurance Partner of KTSP, and in celebration of CTF Life’s 40th anniversary, we are delighted to once again serve as the Title Sponsor of KTSI’s ‘Fencing Plus’ Training Programme. Through this sponsorship, we are supporting the HKSAR Government to promote local sports development and nurture a new generation of elite fencing athletes. At the same time, by reserving dedicated places for CTF Life-CIRCLE members, we are delivering premium experiences to our customers and reaffirming our brand promise to create value beyond insurance.”Andrew Kam, Chief Executive Officer of Kai Tak Sports Park Limited, said: “The ‘Fencing Plus’ Training Programme is the most extensive fencing training initiative in Hong Kong. We are sincerely grateful to CTF Life for sponsoring the programme for the second consecutive year. Looking ahead, Kai Tak Sports Park will continue to collaborate with diverse partners through Kai Tak Sports Initiative, leveraging our world-class facilities to drive impactful sports projects and cultivate the next generation of Hong Kong sporting talent.”The ceremony concluded with a symbolic sabre presentation, attended by the 20 “Fencing Plus” participants who advanced to the final stage of last year’s programme. Together with Antonio Lam, Head Coach of the “Fencing Plus” Training Programme, Low Ho Tin, Bronze Medallist in Men’s Sabre at the 2018 Asian Games, and Yip Shing Chi, Bronze Medallist in the Cadet Men’s Sabre Individual event at the Asian Cadet Fencing Championships 2026, presented sabres to last year’s finalists, symbolising the passing on of the torch and encouraging the new cohort to pursue their fencing journey with determination as Hong Kong’s future fencing talent.Man Kit Ip, Executive Director and CEO of CTF Life, said: “As the exclusive Founding Insurance Partner of KTSP, and in celebration of CTF Life’s 40th anniversary, we are delighted to once again serve as the Title Sponsor of KTSI’s ‘Fencing Plus’ Training Programme, underscoring our brand promise to create value beyond insurance.”Andrew Kam, Chief Executive Officer of Kai Tak Sports Park Limited, said: “Kai Tak Sports Park will continue to collaborate with diverse partners through Kai Tak Sports Initiative, to drive impactful sports projects and cultivate the next generation of Hong Kong sporting talent.”The Selection Day of the Kai Tak Sports Initiative “Fencing Plus” Training Programme 2026 was held on 26 April. The event invited over 1,000 children to take part in a series of dynamic fitness assessments designed to identify potential young fencers!CTF Life introduced a series of interactive experience zones, encouraging parents and children to take part in sports together and experience the unique charm of fencing.Click here to download high-resolution photos.About CTF LifeChow Tai Fook Life Insurance Company Limited (“CTF Life”) is proud of its rich, 40-year legacy in Hong Kong. CTF Life is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CTF Services Limited (“CTFS”) (Hong Kong Stock Code: 659) and is one of the most well-established life insurance companies in Hong Kong. As a member of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited, CTF Life consistently strengthens its collaboration with the Chow Tai Fook Group ecosystem to support customers and their loved ones in navigating life’s journey with personalised planning solutions, lifelong protection and diverse lifestyle experiences. By leveraging the Group’s robust financial strength and strategic investments across the globe, CTF Life aspires to become a leading insurance company in Asia while continuously creating value beyond insurance.About Kai Tak Sports ParkKai Tak Sports Park is the largest integrated sports, leisure, and entertainment landmark in Hong Kong. The 28-hectare Sports Park is part of the redevelopment of the former Hong Kong International Airport site in Kai Tak. The precinct features the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, which has a retractable roof; the Kai Tak Arena, an indoor sports center with the flexibility to host community sports and events for up to 10,000 seats; and the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, an outdoor track and field facility with a capacity of 5,000 seats. These venues are complemented with extensive open spaces for events and leisure, together with dedicated retail and harbourfront dining spaces.About Kai Tak Sports InitiativeAs a community project of Kai Tak Sports Park and a locally recognized charitable organisation, Flyover Kai Tak has been committed to organising various sports activities in the community to encourage public participation and promote sports for all. Since its establishment in 2018, Fly Over Kai Tak has launched 180 projects with more than 100 partners, attracting about 125,000 participants. With the official opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park in March 2025, Flyover Kai Tak will launch more exciting activities in the park, allowing the public to continue to participate in different ways to enhance their physical and mental health. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
Maiyue Technology (2501.HK) Deepens Presence in ASEAN Markets, Initiating Value Revaluation in the Dawn of the AI Agent Era
EQS via SeaPRwire.com / 29/04/2026 / 09:27 UTC+8 The year of 2025 is widely recognized as the pivotal turning point for Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it moves from conceptualization to large-scale application. Maiyue Technology Limited (“Maiyue Technology”, the “Company” , stock code: 2501.HK), a leading AI application enterprise listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, released its 2025 annual results in March. The financial report reveals leapfrog growth in the AI sector: Total Revenue: Approximately RMB 403 million, a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 46.6%. Annual Profit: Approximately RMB 5.443 million, representing a massive surge of about 5,300% compared to the previous year. This stellar performance reflects Maiyue Technology’s strong execution within the "AI+" initiative and signals its competitive leadership position in the upcoming "Year of the AI Agent".Earnings Breakthrough: Synergizing Software and Hardware for New Profit FrontiersNational and local policies in China have provided a clear strategic direction for AI development. Initiatives such as the State Council’s guidelines on deepening the implementation of the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plus” and Guangxi's “Three-Year Action Plan for Deeply Implementing the AI+ Initiative (2026-2028)” emphasize a development path of "R&D in North/Shanghai/Guangdong + Integration in Guangxi + Application in ASEAN," which serves as a roadmap for the Company’s strategic layout.The robust growth of the financial result of the Company is primarily attributed to the surging demand for integrated IT solution services. In FY2025, this segment contributed approximately RMB 298 million in revenue, a 59% YoY increase.The Company has demonstrated outstanding technological capabilities in enhancing the application of AI:For technical innovation, the Company has deeply adapted to domestic large models like DeepSeek and Qwen, while maintaining compatibility with international models such as GPT, Gemini, and Claude Opus. By integrating cutting-edge technologies like OpenClaw, the Company has independently developed an AI Agent platform, breaking through key bottlenecks in multi-modal interaction, computing power scheduling, and data security.For product innovation, offerings have expanded from software to integrated hardware, including AI computing all-in-one machines, AR glasses, and translation hardware, achieving the integration of software, hardware, and application scenarios. In terms of scenario innovation, Maiyue Technology insists on applying AI to real-world scenarios to solve actual problems. The AI Data Assistant lowers the barrier to data analysis, the AI Writing Assistant enhances office efficiency, and AI Digital Humans are deployed in government, education, and customer service, ensuring that innovation creates tangible value.The Company is actively exploring immersive service scenarios for smart agriculture, industrial inspection, smart tourism, and mental health companionship by combining AI Agent technology with interactive hardware like AR glasses and holographic projection booths. This deep integration of "intelligent agents + scenarios" is continuously providing opportunities for profit growth for the company.Strategic Layout: Rooted in Guangxi, Radiating Across the "Digital Silk Road"While domestic and international AI applications are exploding, significant gaps remain in sectors like smart education, digital government, and industrial manufacturing. Notably, the AI market in ASEAN countries is still in its infancy, offering vast opportunities.As one of the Top 10 Internet Enterprises in Comprehensive Strength in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Maiyue Technology leverages its unique position to radiate technological power into ASEAN.On April 17, 2026, To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam, led a high-level delegation to visit the ASEAN AI Innovation and Cooperation Center in Nanning, China. The center serves as a vital gateway for Chinese enterprises to deeply tap into the potential of the ASEAN market. The first phase of the related projects covers an area of approximately 7.78 square kilometers, with the center itself boasting a construction area of 19,000 square meters.During the visit, President To Lam personally tested and experienced the AI translation glasses developed by Maiyue Technology. This high-level endorsement underscores Maiyue Technology’s regional leadership in language analysis and wearable devices, signaling immense growth potential for Chinese AI products in Vietnam and the broader ASEAN market. On April 17, To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam, tries on Maiyue Technology’s AI translation and teleprompter glasses at the China-ASEAN AI Application Cooperation Center. On the far right is Mr. Li Changqing, Chairman of Maiyue TechnologyAbout Maiyue Technology Limited (2501.HK)Maiyue Technology is a leading integrated IT solution service provider dedicated to deeply integrating AI, big data, and cloud computing into industry applications. With a focus on smart education, digital government, and intelligent wearable devices, the Company aims to build a new AI industrial highland that is "based in Guangxi, radiating nationwide, and facing ASEAN". 29/04/2026 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

















