(SeaPRwire) - 英国不付钱就开车离开的事件增加了27%,而美国人则报告他们的油箱被钻孔 据媒体报道和行业监管机构称,一股“加满油就跑”的犯罪浪潮正在席卷英国各地的加油站,而美国司机则发现油箱被钻穿、燃油被抽干,这是因为美国-以色列对伊朗的战争引发了全球石油和天然气价格的飙升。 这场危机主要是由霍尔木兹海峡事实上的关闭引发的,这个关键的咽喉点处理着全球约20%的石油供应。伊朗对海湾能源基础设施的报复性打击加剧了局势——尽管作为美伊试探性停火的一部分,这些袭击目前已暂停。 根据皇家汽车俱乐部的数据,英国的汽油价格已飙升至平均每升超过1.58英镑(2.14美元),高于战前的1.33英镑。据犯罪预防监督机构Forecourt Eye称,价格上涨促使开车逃单盗窃案增加了27%。 该机构基于英格兰、苏格兰和威尔士约500个加油站数据的一项研究发现,三月份每天有超过6,500升燃油被盗,比二月份上升了15.7%。该研究还计算出,如果将此数据推及全国,加油站每周将损失约125万英镑(169万美元)。 “以目前的燃料成本计算,驾车者故意逃避支付燃油费每年给该行业造成超过1亿英镑的损失,”英国石油安全联盟的执行董事克莱尔·尼科尔告诉《太阳报》,并补充说运营商应“在高峰时段格外警惕。” 大西洋彼岸的情况也是如此。截至周一,美国汽车协会将美国全国平均油价定在每加仑超过4美元,加州高达6美元。战前,AAA的平均油价低于3美元。 周日,能源部长克里斯·赖特承认,低于3美元的汽油价格“可能要到明年才会出现。”这番言论引发了美国总统唐纳德·特朗普的严厉斥责,他称该声明“完全错误”,并补充说价格“一旦这场[战争]结束就会下降。” 虽然美国当局尚未发布关于汽油盗窃的综合数据,但《华盛顿邮报》报道了此类事件,指出小偷现在使用电钻在车辆油箱上钻孔并抽走里面的燃油——有时只是抽到像牛奶壶这样并不复杂的容器里。亚利桑那州一位居民向该报抱怨说,他不仅油箱空了,还面临3,000美元的维修账单。 欧洲的油价也出现飙升,媒体报道称自战争开始以来德国的柴油价格涨幅高达40%。在法国,三月份整体能源价格上涨了近9%。这场危机还导致欧洲大陆部分的电动汽车销量增长了51%。 © Fuelprices.eu / Screenshot 在澳大利亚,ACAPMA燃料行业监督机构的首席执行官罗恩·李表示,自二月底以来,全国范围内加油站燃油盗窃案增加了8%至30%。此外,新南威尔士州犯罪统计与研究局的一项研究估计,汽油价格每上涨10分,仅该州每月报告的加油站欺诈事件就会增加多达120起。 与此形成鲜明对比的是,没有结构性燃料短缺的俄罗斯基本上避开了天然气价格的飙升。截至四月下旬,一升中等汽油价格为68卢布(0.91美元),较二月底的67卢布略有上涨。 与此同时,副总理亚历山大·诺瓦克下令立法禁止汽油出口以保护国内供应,理由是他所称的“全球原油市场的动荡。” 本文由第三方内容提供商提供。SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/)对此不作任何保证或陈述。 分类: 头条新闻,日常新闻 SeaPRwire为公司和机构提供全球新闻稿发布,覆盖超过6,500个媒体库、86,000名编辑和记者,以及350万以上终端桌面和手机App。SeaPRwire支持英、日、德、韩、法、俄、印尼、马来、越南、中文等多种语言新闻稿发布。
月度归档: 2026 年 4 月
Massachusetts Officials Wary of Minor Involvement in Prediction Markets
(AsiaGameHub) - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is worried that prediction markets are providing trading instruments to individuals under 21. State gambling officials have long maintained that prediction markets essentially offer sports betting—even to those who are too young to gamble. Prediction Markets Enable Younger Users to Trade Event Contracts Jordan Maynard, chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, voiced shared growing concerns that prediction markets are targeting users under 21—the legal gambling age in Massachusetts. In contrast to the gaming sector, prediction markets permit participation by anyone aged 18 or older. During an appearance on WCVB’s “On the Record” program, Maynard criticized prediction markets as an unregulated form of gambling. This comes amid wider pushback against the industry, despite prediction market operators’ claims that their CFTC-regulated trading products do not qualify as gambling. Adding to these worries, Maynard indicated that the loose ID verification practices of prediction market platforms could potentially allow even younger individuals to take part. Maynard’s concerns weren’t limited to the underage gambling fostered by prediction markets; he also highlighted the lack of responsible gaming tools on event contract platforms. He noted that traders who experience harm from event contracts cannot access the same self-exclusion tools—such as BetBlocker—that are available to traditional gambling enthusiasts. Prediction Markets Remain a Controversial Issue The ambiguous position of prediction markets within the broader regulatory ecosystem has been a point of disagreement for months. While the CFTC has accused state regulators of overstepping their authority in attempts to regulate the sector, gambling regulators, tribal authorities, and some traditional gaming industry stakeholders have all firmly rejected the prediction market model. Concerned experts have warned that CFTC oversight effectively allows prediction markets to operate in all 50 states, creating an uneven playing field—especially since their traditional betting counterparts are regulated on a state-by-state basis. Meanwhile, some have raised worries that this model enables prediction market operators to offer event contracts even in states where sports betting is prohibited, setting a dangerous precedent. These states lack sufficient problem gambling education and are not prepared for the potential addictive consequences of prediction products. 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.
以色列对黎巴嫩的占领扼杀贝鲁特近海天然气开发选项
(SeaPRwire) - 这个犹太国家的行动已延伸至据信蕴藏能源资源的黎巴嫩领海 以色列最新的土地攫取行动,正粉碎黎巴嫩希望通过开发海上天然气来解决其持续能源短缺的希望。海上能源前景曾是2022年两国就争议边界达成协议的核心。 周日,以色列国防军(IDF)发布了一张在黎巴嫩南部划定“前沿防线区”的地图——这实际上是一个占领区,西耶路撒冷的一些官员声称,为了以色列的国家安全,该区域需要清空人口。该声索区域延伸至海上,切断了约9公里宽的黎巴嫩领海带。 2022年,在美国斡旋下,以色列和黎巴嫩结束了关于海上边界的长期争端,这场争端在很大程度上是由争议区域可能存在的海上天然气田所驱动的。与以色列不同,黎巴嫩尚未能开采这些财富。然而,以色列国防军的举动使得一月份宣布的由一家欧洲-卡塔尔联合企业进行的勘探变得极不可能。 黎巴嫩有海上天然气田吗? 以色列过去二十年对海上勘探的投资取得了回报,相继发现了Tamar、Dalit、Leviathan、Dolphin、Tanin、Aphrodite、Karish和Tamar Southwest等气田。天然气蕴藏在一个区域地质构造之下,以色列、埃及和塞浦路斯都在开采这些储量。 Karish气田靠近黎巴嫩边界,且有强烈迹象表明,一个更大的气田位于更远的东北方向。根据2022年的协议,黎巴嫩放弃了对Karish部分区域的主张,但获得了在Qana地区进行勘探的机会,因为该协议解决了潜在发现的合法地位问题。 贝鲁特对找到储量寄予厚望,时任能源部长瓦利德·法耶兹曾将其描述为相当于黎巴嫩20年的电力供应。 黎巴嫩是否从海底财富中受益? 黎巴嫩的海上天然气勘探于2017年启动,由Total领导。这家法国能源巨头不仅拥有技术专长,还可以处理向西耶路撒冷支付特许权使用费的事宜,从而避免了以色列和黎巴嫩之间的直接交易。该公司最初与意大利的Eni和俄罗斯的Novatek合作,不过卡塔尔的Qatar Energy在2022年底取代了后者。 2022年的协议并未给黎巴嫩带来天然气财富的爆发。尽管在协议宣布仅四天后,Karish气田就开始采气,但Qana地区并未发现储量。然而,新的希望在一月份出现,当时Total报告计划在离海岸更远的区域进行勘探。 “尽管在9号区块的Qana井钻探未取得积极成果,我们仍致力于继续在黎巴嫩开展勘探活动,”首席执行官帕特里克·普亚恩表示。“我们现在将把精力集中在8号区块。” 《石油技术杂志》(JPT)在评论该公告时指出,在黎巴嫩的海上区块中,只有9号区块缺乏3D地震数据,这主要是由于边界争端阻碍了相关研究。 黎巴嫩何时能开采天然气? JPT声称英国北海区域和黎巴嫩东地中海的环境以截然不同的方式都很恶劣,这种说法相当轻描淡写。以色列与黎巴嫩断断续续的战争已持续数十年——正式而言自1948年这个犹太国家成立以来——而持续的敌对行动正以更直接的方式造成破坏。 由于以色列袭击人口稠密地区并要求其大片领土上的居民撤离,黎巴嫩已有超过一百万人流离失所并请求救济。自3月2日以来,已报告超过2300人死亡,其中4月8日对超过150个地点的袭击造成300多人死亡。许多评论员称这些袭击是为了破坏美国和伊朗宣布的停火协议,该协议本应同时暂停在黎巴嫩的军事行动。 这些破坏也增加了黎巴嫩自2023年10月以来付出的代价,当时哈马斯对以色列的袭击引发了中东的战火。根据世界银行的估计,仅在冲突的第一年,黎巴嫩就遭受了价值34亿美元的物理破坏和51亿美元的经济损失。 美国-以色列与伊朗的战争必将以某种方式重塑全球能源贸易。显然,西耶路撒冷现在正确保黎巴嫩不会从海上获得任何一线希望。 本文由第三方内容提供商提供。SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/)对此不作任何保证或陈述。 分类: 头条新闻,日常新闻 SeaPRwire为公司和机构提供全球新闻稿发布,覆盖超过6,500个媒体库、86,000名编辑和记者,以及350万以上终端桌面和手机App。SeaPRwire支持英、日、德、韩、法、俄、印尼、马来、越南、中文等多种语言新闻稿发布。
RubyPlay Partners with Caesars Entertainment to Grow Ontario Presence
(AsiaGameHub) - RubyPlay has strengthened its North American presence by launching its diverse collection of online casino titles with a new partner in Ontario, Canada. This collaboration integrates the studio’s gaming content into Caesars Entertainment’s operations within the province, mutually enhancing the market reach of both companies. Caesars Entertainment Welcomes RubyPlay’s Games in Ontario Across Full Brand List Under this agreement, the operator will roll out the RubyPlay portfolio across its entire suite of iGaming platforms, including Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino, and Caesars Palace Online Casino. RubyPlay CCO Dima Reiderman expressed enthusiasm regarding the studio's continued expansion. Players will now have access to popular titles such as JMania Lucky Pyggs, Mad Hit Mr Coin, and Diamond Explosion 7s SE. “By launching with one of the most trusted names in gaming, we’re not only expanding our footprint in Ontario but also demonstrating the value of our multi-studio model,” Reiderman stated. Reiderman further noted that RubyPlay’s objective is to develop engaging games that resonate with players while delivering strong performance for its partners. The company prioritizes high-quality titles, viewing new market entries as a chance to validate and showcase its design philosophy. Caesars Digital VP of Online Gaming, Ricard Cornejo Rivas, shared this positive outlook, emphasizing the company's dedication to collaborating with providers of premium content. “RubyPlay provides exactly that with its steady pipeline of tailored, high‑performance titles, and we’re looking forward to introducing their games to our online casino customers in Ontario and enhancing our content offering in the province,” Rivas added. In recent weeks, RubyPlay has also been actively growing its presence in the United States, particularly in West Virginia, through various strategic operator partnerships. 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.
Pennsylvania Greenlights Funding for Innovative Responsible Gambling Initiative
(AsiaGameHub) - Pennsylvania has endorsed the launch of a safer gambling platform designed to educate people on responsible play and assist those affected by gambling harm. The decision to support the platform coincides with the ongoing, unprecedented expansion of online gaming within the state. The General Assembly Has Agreed to Back Almond Digital Health The state's General Assembly has greenlit a grant to fund the introduction of Almond Digital Health, a platform that will deliver responsible gambling resources to Pennsylvania players. It will feature educational content, safer gaming tools, and referrals to treatment services. All resources will be offered in multiple languages to guarantee that a sufficient number of players can access the necessary support. State officials have stated that Almond Digital Health will be the nation's first "digital-first gambling support program." The Program Will Expand Access to Safer Gambling Tools Officials explained that the new statewide program aims to broaden the availability of safer gaming education and resources during a period of rapid growth for iGaming and online betting. Given that Pennsylvania is among the largest and most active gaming markets in the United States, supporters of Almond Digital Health consider it essential to equip players with protective tools. The platform will be incorporated into mobile gaming apps, physical casinos, sportsbooks, and university settings. This integration will ensure that players from all backgrounds have immediate access to a platform with the resources needed to manage their gambling habits or seek additional assistance. Importantly, Almond Digital Health will not serve as a replacement for existing safer gaming services and helplines but will instead augment them. Officials confirmed that the platform's rollout is scheduled to begin within the coming weeks. Notable Representatives Backed the Launch Rep. Joe McAndrew, a primary advocate for the platform, stated that as gambling becomes more accessible, support services must also become more readily available. He emphasized that the grant from the General Assembly will furnish Almond Digital Health with the resources required to address the needs of at-risk players. Rep. Jim Prokopiak also expressed approval for the initiative, noting that the grant demonstrates the state's hands-on strategy for promoting safer gambling. He expressed confidence that the launch of Almond Digital Health would have an "instant impact" on individuals battling addiction or those vulnerable to developing a problem. In unrelated Pennsylvania news, authorities recently arrested a mother for leaving her child unsupervised to gamble. 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.
Amusnet Launches Type S27 Slot Cabinets in Ireland
(AsiaGameHub) - The initial cabinets have been installed at two Premier Casinos venues by Elite Gaming Distributions (GRUPO ORENES). Press release.- A new gaming experience has arrived in Ireland. The first Type S27 slot cabinets powered by Amusnet have been successfully installed across two Premier Casinos locations by Elite Gaming Distributions (GRUPO ORENES). The machines were deployed in venues located in Cork and Dublin, marking the first introduction of this platform to players in the country. Elite Gaming Distributions (GRUPO ORENES) facilitated the rollout, partnering with Premier Casinos to bring Amusnet's latest technology to Irish players. This launch signifies a significant move towards increasing access to modern, high-quality gaming solutions throughout the nation. The introduction of the new slot machines offers Irish players a fresh selection of engaging content. Featured titles include 20 Power Hot, Candy Palace, Extra Crown, Bulky Fruits, and Diamond Plus, all designed to provide fast-paced gameplay and vibrant visuals. The installation also incorporates Jackpot Cards Plus, adding an extra element of excitement and anticipation for patrons visiting the venues. Guillermo Ruipérez, business development manager at Amusnet, stated: “Bringing our Type S27 slot cabinets to Ireland for the first time is an important milestone for us. Our partnership with Elite Gaming Distributions Ltd has enabled us to introduce a platform that combines reliable hardware with engaging game content. This launch represents the beginning of what we anticipate will be a strong and expanding presence in the Irish market.” For Elite Gaming Distributions Ltd (GRUPO ORENES), this launch underscores their ongoing dedication to improving the gaming experience. By collaborating closely with operators like Premier Casinos, the company continues to introduce new technologies and high-performing content to the market. Benjamin Fernandez, head of sales for Elite Gaming Distributions, commented: “We are thrilled to introduce the Type S27 slot cabinets with Amusnet to the Irish market. This rollout in Cork and Dublin marks an exciting advancement, bringing new games and features to players. The initial reception has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are eager to expand this platform to more locations.” Amusnet noted: “As players in Cork and Dublin begin to explore the new games and features, the successful launch serves as an excellent commencement for a broader presence across Ireland.” 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.
ReferOn Introduces Integrated Crypto Finance Layer to Streamline Affiliate Payouts
(AsiaGameHub) - The management platform leverages the expanding cryptocurrency market to diversify its payment options. Press release.- ReferOn has unveiled a new integrated crypto finance layer that enables cryptocurrency payments via licensed partners’ payment gateways. This feature is crafted to automate affiliate payouts, enable quicker crypto transactions, and consolidate the payout workflow within the platform. This new layer substitutes disjointed, manual financial procedures with streamlined program funding, clear fund visibility, automated crypto distributions, and a transaction history with exports prepared for audit. Ending the era of “Ops Firefighting” Although crypto payouts are widespread in igaming, they have historically involved high-risk manual handling and persistent reconciliation issues. This leads to a situation where affiliate managers often resemble operational “firefighters,” perpetually correcting errors rather than driving significant strategic choices. ReferOn's new built-in crypto finance layer aims to eliminate this friction by establishing a single, reliable source of information to avoid confusion. Powered by secure, licensed partners, this engine enables teams to increase payout volumes without adding staff. It manages the routine manual tasks to guarantee speedier payout cycles, which enhances interdepartmental coordination and affiliate satisfaction. The new financial command centre This new capability adds a specialised, centralised finance page for every affiliate program, offering immediate insight into: Programme funding: Live visibility into balance changes and fund transfers. Seamless top-ups: Unified management of deposit addresses, including automatic creation for initial transactions where needed. Transaction journal: A complete log of all financial actions featuring filters, pagination, detailed views, and CSV export functionality. Automated payout flow: Complete automation with recorded conversions (rate and amounts), synchronised status updates, and immediate generation of transaction records. Designed for control and accountability Access to a fast, borderless payout system should not come at the expense of security. ReferOn has developed its crypto finance layer with a rigorous “safety-first” philosophy. Each automated payout demands clear confirmations and two-factor authentication (2FA) prior to initiation, minimising the potential for unauthorised activity or mistakes. Furthermore, for Audit and Compliance personnel, the feature delivers complete transparency and traceability. Every transaction and fund movement is documented in a clear, extensively filterable log and is available for export via a single click. The foundation for future automation By eliminating manual obstacles in the payout process and beyond, ReferOn allows affiliate managers to concentrate on influencing the business through key strategic initiatives instead of tedious administrative duties. Vlad Bondarenko, head of product at ReferOn, stated: “Frankly, manual cryptocurrency payments are a recipe for problems. When teams fear inputting an incorrect address, issuing a duplicate payment, or managing increasingly complex spreadsheets, the work culture becomes cautious and reactive. Our new crypto finance layer resolves this by giving managers an all-in-one, centralised hub that automates manual tasks through integrated payment partners. This feature isn’t merely about providing a novel payment option or automation for its own sake; it’s about empowering you to operate a transformed financial process.” ReferOn’s new crypto finance layer is currently available. 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.
SA Gaming Introduces Lucky Seven Side Bet in Baccarat
(AsiaGameHub) - SA Gaming has introduced the Lucky Seven side bet to its baccarat tables, marking its debut as one of the initial live providers to bring this well-liked land-based feature to the online realm. Press release.- SA Gaming has now made the Lucky Seven side bet available on its online baccarat tables, offering players a digital version of a highly favored option from physical casinos. The Lucky Seven side bet encompasses several variations: Lucky Seven: This bet pays out at odds of up to 15 to 1 when a player achieves a winning score of 7. 2 Cards / 3 Cards Lucky Seven: Players also have the option to wager on the exact number of cards required for a player's hand to reach a score of 7. The 2 Cards Lucky Seven bet offers a 15 to 1 payout, while the 3 Cards Lucky Seven bet pays 30 to 1. Super Lucky Seven: This bet is triggered when a player wins with a score of 7, and the banker's score is precisely 6. The payout varies based on the total number of cards held by both hands, with the Super Lucky Seven offering a maximum payout of 100 to 1! The company stated: “SA Gaming is among the first live game providers to feature Lucky Seven! Experience this popular feature online with a premier gaming experience.” 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.
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and Eisai Provide Update on Phase 3 LITESPARK-012 Trial Evaluating First-Line Combination Treatments for Certain Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
TOKYO and RAHWAY, N.J., Apr 21, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada), and Eisai (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito) today announced results from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-012 trial evaluating combination treatments for the firstline treatment of patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The trial evaluated the triplet therapy of KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib), the orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discovered by Eisai, plus WELIREG® (belzutifan), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s first-in-class hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor. The study also evaluated MK-1308A, the coformulation of KEYTRUDA and quavonlimab, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s investigational anti-CTLA-4 antibody, plus LENVIMA. Both combination regimens were compared to KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA for these patients.At a pre-specified interim analysis, the combination regimens did not meet the dual primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the first-line treatment of patients with RCC compared to KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA. The safety profiles of the combination regimens were consistent with those observed in previously reported studies evaluating the individual medicines and the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination. A full evaluation of the data from this study is ongoing, and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and Eisai will work with investigators to share the results with the scientific community.“With the LITESPARK-012 trial, we explored whether combining therapies with established activity could improve upon well-established standards set by KEYTRUDA-based regimens, reflecting our commitment to continuously explore ways to improve outcomes for the kidney cancer community,” said Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza, Vice President, Global Clinical Development, MSD Research Laboratories. “While these regimens did not demonstrate the results we hoped, the data deepen our understanding of advanced renal cell carcinoma and will help shape the next generation of treatment approaches.”“While we are disappointed that LITESPARK-012 did not meet its primary endpoints, the findings reinforce the central role of KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma,” said Dr. Corina Dutcus, Senior Vice President, Oncology Global Clinical Development Lead at Eisai Inc. “Findings from trials such as this play an important role in shaping health care providers’ perspectives as the treatment paradigm for advanced renal cell carcinoma continues to evolve. We are committed to advancing the care of people living with this disease and we are grateful to the patients, caregivers and investigators whose participation and dedication made this research possible.”Results from the LITESPARK-012 trial do not affect other ongoing trials from the LITESPARK clinical program, including those conducted jointly with Eisai. As previously announced, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted two supplemental New Drug Applications (sNDA) for review based on Phase 3 LITESPARK-011 trial evaluating WELIREG in combination with LENVIMA for certain previously treated patients with advanced RCC and has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of Oct 4, 2026.KEYTRUDA is currently approved as adjuvant monotherapy and in combination regimens for appropriate patients with RCC in the U.S., European Union (EU), Japan and other countries around the world.KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA is approved in the U.S., the EU, Japan and other countries for the firstline treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC. Lenvatinib is approved as KISPLYX for advanced RCC in the EU.LENVIMA in combination with everolimus is approved in the U.S., EU and other regions for the treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy.WELIREG is approved in the U.S., EU, Japan and other countries for the treatment of adult patients with advanced clear cell RCC following a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and 1-2 VEGF-TKIs based on results from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-005 trial.About LITESPARK-012LITESPARK-012 is a randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04736706) evaluating either the triplet therapy of KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA plus WELIREG or MK-1308A plus LENVIMA compared to KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced clear cell RCC. The primary endpoints are PFS, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1) modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ, and OS. Secondary endpoints are objective response rate and duration of response as assessed by BICR according to RECIST v1.1, as well as safety. The study enrolled 1,688 patients who were randomized to receive:KEYTRUDA (400 mg intravenously [IV] every six weeks [Q6W]) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally once daily [QD]) plus WELIREG (120 mg orally QD);MK-1308A (coformulation of pembrolizumab [400 mg] and quavonlimab [25 mg] IV Q6W) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally QD);KEYTRUDA (400 mg IV Q6W) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally QD).All study drugs were continued until protocol-specified discontinuation criteria. KEYTRUDA and MK-1308A were administered for up to two years (approximately 18 cycles). WELIREG and LENVIMA may have been administered in combination or as a single agent until progressive disease or discontinuation.About renal cell carcinomaRenal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, with about nine out of 10 kidney cancer diagnoses being RCC. In 2022, there were about 435,000 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed and approximately 156,000 deaths from the disease worldwide. Renal cell carcinoma is about twice as common in men as in women. Most cases of RCC are discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other abdominal diseases, and about 70% are a form called clear cell RCC, which tends to be more aggressive and faster spreading. Approximately 30% of patients with kidney cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage. About Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s research in genitourinary cancersMerck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA is advancing research aimed at helping transform the treatment landscape and broaden options for people with genitourinary (GU) cancers, including bladder, kidney and prostate cancers. Globally, GU cancers account for an estimated 2.6 million new cancer diagnoses each year, equaling over 1 in 8 of all cancer incidences. Through a robust clinical development program with more than 50 ongoing clinical trials evaluating more than 22,000 patients around the world, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA is investigating the potential of several portfolio medicines and pipeline assets, leveraging multiple novel combination strategies, across various stages of disease, to help address unmet needs in GU cancers.About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection for intravenous use, 100 mgKEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 2,800 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.About LENVIMA® (lenvatinib); available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsulesLENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is an orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, the platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), KIT, and RET. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, LENVIMA decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity in combination with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody compared to either treatment alone. LENVIMA has been approved for the indications below.Thyroid cancer– Indication as monotherapy(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe, China and Asia)Japan: Unresectable thyroid cancerThe United States: The treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)Europe: The treatment of adult patients with progressive, locally advanced or metastatic, differentiated (papillary/follicular/Hürthle cell) thyroid carcinoma (DTC), refractory to radioactive iodine (RAI)Hepatocellular carcinoma- Indication as monotherapy (Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe, China and Asia)Japan: Unresectable hepatocellular carcinomaThe United States: The first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)Europe: The treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have received no prior systemic therapy- Indication in combination with KEYTRUDA (generic name: pembrolizumab) and transarterial chemoembolization (Approved in China)Thymic carcinoma- Indication as monotherapy (Approved in Japan)Japan: Unresectable thymic carcinomaRenal cell carcinoma (In Europe other than the United Kingdom, the agent was launched under the brand name Kisplyx®)- Indication in combination with everolimus(Approved mainly in the United States, Europe and Asia)The United States: The treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior antiangiogenic therapyEurope: The treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma following one prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeted therapy- Indication in combination with KEYTRUDA(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia)Japan: Radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinomaThe United States: The first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinomaEurope: The first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinomaEndometrial carcinoma- Indication in combination with KEYTRUDA(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia)Japan: Unresectable, advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma that progressed after cancer chemotherapyThe United States: The treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is pMMR or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiationEurope: The treatment of adult patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma (EC) who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgeryAbout WELIREG® (belzutifan); available as 40 mg tablets, for oral useWELIREG, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s first-in-class hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, is an orally administered small-molecule designed to reduce transcription and expression of HIF-2α target genes associated with cellular proliferation, angiogenesis and tumor growth. By inhibiting HIF-2α signaling, WELIREG aims to disrupt key pathways certain tumors may use to adapt to low-oxygen conditions, including those that help promote abnormal blood vessel formation and support tumor survival.WELIREG has demonstrated antitumor activity in certain von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-associated tumors, renal cell carcinoma and in pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. As part of a broader clinical program, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA continues to research WELIREG monotherapy and combination approaches for people with genitourinary, breast and gynecologic cancers across a range of treatment settings to further define where HIF-2α inhibition may provide clinical benefit and to better understand which patients are most likely to respond.About the Eisai and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA Strategic CollaborationIn March 2018, Eisai and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and cocommercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, and HIF-2α inhibitor, WELIREG.Eisai’s focus on cancerEisai positions Oncology as one of its key strategic areas, and aims to contribute to the cure of cancers through the discovery of innovative new drugs with new targets and mechanisms of action under the Deep Human Biology Learning (DHBL) drug discovery and development organization. By utilizing biomarker data obtained from our products to elucidate the mechanisms of the incidence and root causes of cancer, as well as drug resistance, and using Eisai Group's precision chemistry technology to turn undruggable intracellular therapeutic targets into druggable ones, we will create new backbone therapeutic drugs.About EisaiEisai’s Corporate Concept is “to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides.” Under this Concept [also known as our human health care (hhc) Concept], we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.In addition, our continued commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is demonstrated by our work on various activities together with global partners.For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), us.eisai.com (for U.S. headquarters: Eisai Inc.) or www.eisai.eu (for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand headquarters: Eisai Europe Ltd.), and connect with us on X (U.S. and global), LinkedIn (for U.S. and EMEA) and Facebook (global).Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s Focus on CancerEvery day, we follow the science as we work to discover innovations that can help patients, no matter what stage of cancer they have. As a leading oncology company, we are pursuing research where scientific opportunity and medical need converge, underpinned by our diverse pipeline of more than 20 novel mechanisms. With one of the largest clinical development programs across more than 30 tumor types, we strive to advance breakthrough science that will shape the future of oncology. By addressing barriers to clinical trial participation, screening and treatment, we work with urgency to reduce disparities and help ensure patients have access to high-quality cancer care. Our unwavering commitment is what will bring us closer to our goal of bringing life to more patients with cancer. For more information, visit https://www.merck.com/research/oncology.About Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USAAt Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USAThis news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov). Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
Morten Tonnesen of Bragg Gaming Group: “In our industry, compliance is not an option, it is foundational”
(AsiaGameHub) - Morten Tonnesen, Chief Operating Officer of Bragg Gaming Group, discusses the firm's adoption of Salesforce as its core customer relationship management (CRM) system to improve worldwide operations and the experience for its partners. Exclusive interview.- With competition heating up in regulated igaming markets, scalability now hinges on operational accuracy as much as on expansion. For providers overseeing numerous partners in various regions, disconnected systems can rapidly turn into a growth barrier, hindering visibility, speed, and overall performance. In this context, Bragg Gaming Group has made a substantial move in its digital evolution by adopting Salesforce across its global business. After this news, Focus Gaming News interviewed Morten Tonnesen, the chief operating officer, to understand the strategic thinking driving this decision. In this exclusive discussion, Tonnesen outlines how consolidating CRM systems will improve partner management, simplify onboarding and compliance procedures, and deliver the real-time data insights required for more informed decisions and sustained expansion. This initiative is described as a key milestone in Bragg's operational development. What was the primary shortcoming in your old system that required this change at this time? As we expanded, the issue wasn't growth itself, but a lack of clear oversight. We possessed robust capabilities, but they were dispersed among different systems and teams, which hindered precise operations. Our business is about designing player experiences, and to do that effectively, you require a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute understanding of your partners, your data, and your prospects. Transitioning to Salesforce provides that clarity. It enables us to function as a single, integrated unit instead of a group of separate components. CRM integrations are frequently talked about in technical language, but from a commercial standpoint, what tangible changes will your partners see because of this shift? Partners will notice an improvement in the speed and intelligence of our operations. They will benefit from: accelerated onboarding more efficient communication speedier responses to commercial and operational inquiries Internally, we will gain a clearer view of each partner's requirements and results, enabling us to be more anticipatory instead of just responsive. In the end, this lets us concentrate on the core objective: assisting our partners in providing superior player experiences and more robust commercial returns. You refer to quicker lead conversion and onboarding. How does a consolidated platform like Salesforce actually create speed improvements throughout your commercial activities? The most significant benefit stems from synchronization and automation. When all personnel operate within the same unified environment, many delays caused by manual tasks or separate systems are eliminated. Data moves more fluidly between departments, processes are better organized, and approvals are obtained more rapidly. This allows us to progress from first contact to onboarding and going live far more effectively than previously. In a tightly regulated sector, compliance is paramount. How does unifying your CRM framework bolster your capacity to function in numerous jurisdictions? In our field, compliance is not a choice; it is a fundamental requirement. By unifying our CRM framework, we can standardize procedures and guarantee uniformity in how we handle documentation and partner communications. It also provides our compliance departments with improved insight into partner actions and the regulatory demands of each region. This is essential when operating in over 30 regulated markets and needing to swiftly adjust to local regulations. With more unified data and insight, how will this affect Bragg's approach to spotting opportunities and aiding partner success? Data only holds power if it can be acted upon. By consolidating all information into a single system, we can progress past simple reporting and into immediate decision-making. We can identify what fuels player interaction, which partners are generating the greatest value, and where the next expansion opportunity lies. This enables us to direct our efforts where they will be most effective: on creating enhanced player pathways and improved revenue results. Overseeing more than 250 partners across over 30 regulated markets is intricate. How does this integration enhance cooperation among your commercial, compliance, and operational units? We have essentially broken down the walls between teams. Commercial, compliance, and operational units now: access the same data adhere to synchronized workflows possess complete visibility into partner status and activities This diminishes isolated operations and misalignment. It also means problems can be addressed more quickly since all teams have the same information and background. How does this Salesforce integration align with Bragg's wider digital transformation plan, and what possibilities does it create for the next stage of your international growth? At Bragg Gaming Group, we have a very clear direction. We are constructing a player-focused, games-led enterprise driven by intelligent, scalable technology. Deploying Salesforce is a cornerstone of that path. It reinforces the foundational structure supporting all our activities, from partner support to the optimization of player experiences. This is not the final destination; it is the springboard. It provides us with the base to expand more rapidly, operate more intelligently, and keep developing the types of gaming experiences that foster genuine engagement and lasting value. 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.
Sportradar’s Marketing Services Renew Google Premier Partner and EDAA Trust Seal Accreditations
(AsiaGameHub) - Sportradar has renewed its status as a Google Premier Partner for 2026 and its EDAA Trust Seal, highlighting the firm's dedication to digital advertising that is data-led, responsible, and clear. Press release.- Sportradar announced today (April 21) that its Marketing Services division has obtained independent certifications from two preeminent bodies in the advertising sector. The extension of its European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA) Trust Seal and its designation as a Google Premier Partner for 2026 reinforce Sportradar's focus on ethical advertising and confirm its proficiency in running customer campaigns that are driven by data, scalable, and economical. These endorsements represent the most recent acknowledgement of Sportradar's skill in merging its proprietary, sector-focused marketing tech with robust partnerships throughout the advertising landscape to enhance client value. The Premier Partner standing confirms Sportradar's mastery in leveraging Google's platform to refine campaign management and advertising investment, generating tangible marketing outcomes and steady client expansion. Having held the EDAA Trust Seal for seven years running, its renewal certifies Sportradar's reliability in offering advertising that prioritises privacy, transparency, and the user. Eligibility requires a company to possess its own in-house marketing technology, independent of third-party suppliers. After an independent review by an EDAA‑authorised certifier, this accreditation confirms Sportradar's complete adherence to the European Online Behavioural Advertising Self‑Regulatory Programme, guaranteeing that internet users can readily comprehend and manage their advertising experience. Nikolaus Beier, SVP Marketing Services at Sportradar, stated: "These certifications from Google and the EDAA provide external validation of our Marketing Services' ability to produce highly effective advertising for clients, all while maintaining the utmost levels of regulatory compliance and openness. "By integrating data, specialist knowledge, and cutting-edge technology that covers the entire customer journey across all key digital platforms, Sportradar is exceptionally skilled at refining campaigns designed to attract and keep sports enthusiasts and bettors." Sportradar Marketing Services utilises the company's sports, betting, and customer transaction data to produce and distribute tailored advertisements to appropriate sports and betting audiences through a full range of digital channels. These include programmatic display, video, audio, radio, digital-out-of-home (DOOH), paid social, paid search, retention marketing, and affiliate tools. 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.
Great Tech Boosts Crypto Options with Cryptopay Collaboration
(AsiaGameHub) - GR8 Tech has incorporated Cryptopay’s infrastructure into its Platform for Champions. This collaboration offers operators dependable cryptocurrency processing and improved payment options in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Press release.- GR8 Tech has teamed up with Cryptopay, embedding the provider’s cryptocurrency payment framework into its Platform for Champions. This alliance provides operators with crypto acceptance and processing capabilities backed by 11 years of experience in B2C and B2B payment sectors. Olga Karablina, GR8 Tech’s chief payment gateway officer, commented: “The payment process is a critical point for player retention. Cryptopay has spent more than ten years ensuring crypto transactions are reliable at scale, making them an ideal partner for integration. Our clients now have access to a verified crypto payment route, while players enjoy a seamless method for depositing and gaming.” Arthur Ribakovs, head of partnerships at Cryptopay, stated: “We are thrilled to collaborate with GR8 Tech, a top-tier B2B iGaming platform provider recognized for its high-performance and scalable solutions. Our goal is to broaden payment options for operators and deliver a more versatile and streamlined payment process.” The Cryptopay payment feature will be accessible through GR8 Tech’s various solutions, such as Hyper Turnkey and Crypto Turnkey. For those using Hyper Turnkey, the integration introduces a crypto payment option within a primarily fiat-based system. For Crypto Turnkey users, it provides an additional processing tier to a solution that already boasts 1.6x better deposit conversion, transaction costs up to 3x lower than fiat, and 2.5x quicker withdrawal times. This partnership coincides with several significant platform upgrades ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, covering various aspects of the Platform for Champions, including VIP and crypto features. For more information on these developments, visit gr8.tech or follow the company on LinkedIn. 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.
EvenBet Gaming Hosting Exclusive Poker Tournament at SBC Summit Malta
(AsiaGameHub) - The upcoming event underscores the company’s dedication to the poker community while facilitating important connections among industry leaders in a professional environment. Press release.- EvenBet Gaming is preparing to host a private poker tournament in collaboration with SBC at this year’s Malta Summit, transforming a classic casino experience into an exclusive networking opportunity. Scheduled for April 30, the final day of the conference, the No Limit Hold’em tournament will gather delegates for a premium, fast-paced poker experience, professionally managed at Casino Malta, InterContinental Hotel. Exclusively for SBC Summit attendees, the tournament is designed to foster a unique setting for valuable networking, enabling industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and build relationships in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere. With prizes including an iPad Air, Apple Watch 11, and AirPods Pro 3, the event will not only provide high-quality entertainment but also emphasize EvenBet’s ongoing commitment to supporting and enhancing the broader poker ecosystem by bringing together industry leaders. Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming, stated: “This tournament is set to be one of the highlights of SBC Summit Malta, combining the excitement of competition with the social and strategic elements that make poker such a powerful connector. “Taking place at Casino Malta, the event is exclusively for conference attendees, and we are eager to welcome them to the table to forge new connections while enjoying one of the industry’s most iconic card games.” 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.
New Report Reveals Widespread Misunderstanding of Consumer Messaging App Security Across Government and Critical Infrastructure
WATERLOO, ONTARIO, Apr 21, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - BlackBerry Secure Communications, a division of BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB)(TSX:BB), today released The State of Secure Communications 2026, a survey of 700 security decision-makers across government and critical infrastructure in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore. The findings reveal a widening gap between confidence in communications security and the reality of risk exposure - with significant national security implications. Among the most striking findings: 83% of security leaders report that WhatsApp is being used for sensitive discussions inside their organizations.The Sovereignty ParadoxOwnership and control of the infrastructure behind sensitive communications is emerging as a critical blind spot, exposing gaps in data sovereignty. While 55% prioritize sovereign control, virtually all (98%) rely on foreign-hosted platforms not built for confidential communications or high-security environments. Meanwhile, 52% are concerned telecom networks could be monitored or disrupted - a tangible risk already demonstrated by espionage campaigns targeting network operators, such as Salt Typhoon and more recently, UNC3886 in Singapore."Consumer messaging apps were never designed to handle sensitive communications, protect confidentiality, or meet the demands of high-security environments," said Christine Gadsby, Chief Security Advisor, BlackBerry Secure Communications. "They rely on phone numbers, not verified identities - and encryption protects the channel, not who is on it. That gap is already being exploited, as recent intelligence warnings show, and governments and critical infrastructure organizations are responding by moving toward communications infrastructure they own and trust."Confidence Built on MisunderstandingThese findings come as intelligence agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe issue fresh advisories about state-backed espionage attacks targeting Signal and WhatsApp accounts of public officials and journalists. This highlights how the threat surface is shifting from networks to consumer messaging platforms now embedded in daily critical operations.Yet 88% of security leaders surveyed expressed confidence in their current messaging app security. That confidence is built on a fundamental misread of what these platforms actually protect, significantly increasing risk exposure. The report reveals critical gaps in encryption literacy among the very leaders responsible for safeguarding communications:52% mistakenly believe encryption protects metadata - including location data, IP addresses, and communication patterns47% believe it prevents impersonation, deepfake, or spoofing attacks41% assume communications remain secure, even after a device has been compromisedThis gap between perception and reality is now playing out in real-world incidents, with governments increasing restrictions and warnings about the use of consumer apps for sensitive communications, recognizing that encryption alone does not address the full risk.The Risks of Improvised Crisis ResponseThese gaps become most visible when organizations are under pressure. While 90% say they are confident in managing major incidents, fewer than half (49%) have a unified platform to coordinate response.In practice, the survey shows many rely on a patchwork of everyday tools - from group chats (54%) and email threads (51%) to shared spreadsheets (29%) and phone trees (19%). Familiar as they are, these tools were never designed for crisis coordination, and cannot deliver the real-time visibility, command and control or secure cross-agency communication that major incidents demand.Limits of "Good Enough" SecurityOverall, the findings point to a consistent pattern: security leaders across government and critical infrastructure are relying on communications platforms not designed for the security, sovereignty or crisis demands they now face. The issue is not encryption alone, but architecture. Many consumer platforms generate and retain metadata, operate under foreign data-access laws, and lack the controls required for high-value or classified communications.As threats evolve, from account compromise to large-scale surveillance, what may appear "secure enough" can quickly become a costly attack surface. The question is no longer whether these platforms are being exploited. It is whether the organizations relying on them recognize the risk.To learn how BlackBerry Secure Communications is protecting governments and critical infrastructure worldwide with interception-resistant, government-grade secure voice and messaging, visit BlackBerry.com/SecureCommunications.Survey MethodologyThe State of Secure Communications 2026 was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of BlackBerry. The survey included 700 security decision-makers across government and critical infrastructure organizations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore. About BlackBerryBlackBerry (NYSE:BB)(TSX:BB) provides enterprises and governments the software and services that power the world around us. Headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, its high-performance foundational software enables automakers and industrial leaders to unlock new applications and business models without compromising safety, security, or reliability. With a deep heritage in Secure Communications, BlackBerry delivers a highly secure, extensively certified portfolio for mobile fortification, mission-critical communications, and critical events management.For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry.Media Contacts:BlackBerry Media Relations+1 (519) 597-7273mediarelations@BlackBerry.comSOURCE: BlackBerry Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
Seven HKTDC Lifestyle and Licensing mega events to open next week
HONG KONG, Apr 21, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Seven annual lifestyle and licensing mega events organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) are set to open next week. These include the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle and Fashion InStyle on 27-30 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, HKCEC; and the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong co-organised by the HKTDC and CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Limited, held concurrently at AsiaWorld-Expo on 27-30 April; and the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference on 27-29 April at the HKCEC.Global exhibitors will showcase offerings spanning gifts and premiums, stylish houseware, trendy fashion, innovative materials for garment and homeware, gerontechnology, cultural and creative design products, sustainable products, green printing and packaging and intellectual property. The events fully leverage Hong Kong's unique connectivity between Chinese Mainland and international markets, reinforcing the city's position as a regional creative hub and international business centre, and actively aligning with the national 15th Five-Year Plan and dual circulation development strategy.HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Jenny Koo said: "The HKTDC has long facilitated trade exchanges across industries through organising a wide range of conferences and exhibitions, fulfilling Hong Kong's roles as a super connector and super value-adder while showcasing its strengths in new quality productive forces, product quality and creativity. This year, the seven mega lifestyle and licensing exhibitions and conference are being held concurrently during the final week of April. Buyers can enjoy a one-stop sourcing experience across all fairs, fostering cross-industry and cross-sectoral exchanges, generating greater synergies, and helping expand customer bases and business opportunities."The seven mega exhibitions and conference are expected to attract some 5,600 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. First-time exhibitors this year include participants from Finland, Germany, Iceland, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.Home InStyle welcomes new pavilions from Xinjiang and Wuhan; The Gifts & Premium Fair features new pavilions from Shanxi, Jilin, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Zhejiang, with the Zhejiang pavilion, organised for the first time by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce, bringing together 50 local enterprises. The Printing & Packaging Fair includes a new Fujian Quanzhou pavilion and Fashion InStyle features new pavilions from Jiangsu Sheyang, India and Indonesia, offering buyers an even more diverse range of sourcing options.The HKTDC continues to encourage the industry to embrace sustainable development and promote the use of innovative materials. This year, the seven fairs will collectively bring together over 820 green exhibitors. In addition, approximately 80 exhibitors will showcase innovative material products spanning houseware, home textiles, fashion, printing and packaging, and other sectors.Reimagine themed floor converges gifts and homeware creative inspirationIn keeping with market developments, HKCEC Hall 5 has transformed into aReimagine themed floor this year. The Reimagine floor presents a new vision of future lifestyles by seamlessly connecting the innovative, design and cultural creative elements of both the Gifts & Premium Fair and Home InStyle. This enables buyers to gain a one-stop overview of the latest global lifestyle homeware and gifting trends, while inspiring industry players to reimagine the boundless possibilities of future products and creative inspiration. The floor has several highlighted zones, including the Gifts & Premium Fair's new Selection of ASEAN and The Bespoke Hub and the Hong Kong Smart Design Global Awards, Home InStyle's Cultural and Creative Avenue and Gerontech and Innovative Material Pavilion.The Hong Kong Smart Design Global Awards, organised by the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), is renamed this year in recognition of Hong Kong's original design talent. The grand finale will be held during the Gifts & Premium Fair, with all finalist entries displayed on-site, giving exhibitors direct access to international buyers to enhance brand visibility and expand collaboration opportunities.The Cultural and Creative Avenue brings together over 110 exhibitors from over 10 countries and regions, presenting distinctive brands and designs that celebrate diverse cultural heritages. The zone once again partners with Pantone, using the PANTONE 2026 Colour of the Year "Cloud Dancer" as its theme to curate home décor settings, helping buyers understand how colour coordination can be harnessed to create stylish living spaces.Innovative materials debut at Home InStyleGlobal ageing is driving sustained growth in silver market demand, with the industry actively developing gerontechnology living products and solutions incorporating smart technologies to support home fitness, rehabilitation and daily living needs. Meanwhile, the development and application of innovative materials have also become a focal point in the homeware market. In response to these trends, Home InStyle will showcase innovative materials applied to the homeware and home textiles market for the first time this year. Building on the success of last year's gerontech living product showcase, both elements have been brought together in the Gerontech and Innovative Material Pavilion, funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission, with over 20 local exhibitors joining to inject fresh innovation into the homeware market.A series of events will also be held during the fairs, covering the silver economy, market trends, culture and innovation, and sustainability, helping the industry stay abreast of the latest market developments. Among them, the HKTDC, will co-organise a thematic seminar with the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) and the Hong Kong Q-Mark Council, inviting representatives from the FHKI, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and technology experts, to explore how to respond to the silver market through the introduction of the "Silver Q Mark" and certified gerontech living products. On sustainability, the Business Environment Council and representatives from eco-conscious enterprises will also analyse trends and breakthroughs in sustainable home and gift design.Fashion InStyle reveals how diverse materials collide to drive fashion innovationFashion InStyle features multiple exhibition zones, including Designer Spotlight, Materials Bazaar, Fashion Accessories, Women in Style, Bridal & Evening Wear, and Athleisure, etc. Among them, NEXT@Fashion InStyle (NEXT), the highlighted zone organised by HKTDC and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Hong Kong SAR Government, returns in full force this year, demonstrating how materials innovation in fashion can drive industry transformation and advance sustainability.This year, the Philippines is NEXT's featured partner, powered by The Philippine Trade and Investment Centre – Hong Kong (PTIC-HK) and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), more than 25 Philippine exhibitors showcasing the unique strengths of their local fashion materials. NEXT has also brought together over 60 global exhibitors from an ever-wider geographical reach, spanning not only Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and the Philippines, but also other Asian markets such as Indonesia and Thailand. This year, several Nordic countries join the showcase, including Iceland, Finland and Sweden, further elevating NEXT's international profile and cementing its role as a global exchange platform for leading future fashion trends.NEXT has once again invited Han Chong, founder and creative director of contemporary fashion brand Self-Portrait, to serve as the project ambassador. Chong will lead six local designer brands in selecting forward-looking materials from eight suppliers to develop five cross-disciplinary design projects. This year marks the first time that materials sourced from outside Hong Kong are incorporated into the designs. The collections explore three overarching themes namely cultural & heritage, sustainability, and technology and functionality. All completed designs will be unveiled at the NEXT Fashion Parade on the second evening of the Fair (28 April).Two PrintPack Fairs present latest trends of smart technology and green packagingThis year's Printing & Packaging Fair introduces new products and solutions in smart packaging and innovative materials, with a spotlight on advanced RFID and anti-counterfeiting packaging technologies. Some exhibitors will also present packaging products made from plant-based or bio-based materials. The popular Green Printing & Packaging Solutions Zone returns once again, facilitating buyers identify packaging options that are more eco-friendly, efficient and practical.DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong focuses on premium printing and packaging solutions for high-end goods including jewellery, watches, cosmetics and fine wine. Many exhibitors will showcase distinctive packaging designs for six-star hotels and luxury brands, highlighting exceptional craftsmanship and refined brand aesthetics. The two fairs will also feature a series of seminars covering AI, sustainability and creative design. Representatives from FUJIFILM and BW Design Centre will share insights into the application of AI in printing and design. On the sustainability front, seminars will explore on new materials, smart technologies and innovative design in packaging, examining how the industry can enhance sustainability through the adoption of advanced materials. On creative design, renowned designers will discuss how design excellence, strong brand imagery and innovative elements can elevate product appeal and reinforce brand distinction.Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference connect global opportunities Now in its 23rd edition, the Hong Kong International Licensing Show, Asia's flagship licensing event, brings together over 600 brands and intellectual properties (IPs) from multiple countries and regions, including Bandai Namco, Doraemon and LINE FRIENDS, spanning licensing categories such as arts and culture, animation and characters, brand extension, entertainment, lifestyle and sports. The event serves as a cross-regional and cross-sectoral business expansion platform for global licensors, brands and IP owners worldwide.The Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme, organised by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association (IEA) and sponsored by the CCIDA of the HKSAR Government, will once again participate in the Licensing Show. The dedicated DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion will showcase close to 40 local IPs and brands. Some IPs, including Animomo and Emo Neko Club, tap into the increasingly popular "emotional economy" concept, forging deeper emotional connections with consumers through emotional value, nostalgic elements and heartwarming stories. The Hong Kong Licensing Force Showcase also returns, collaborating with Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Design Institute and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to showcase innovative licensing concepts and design prowess of the next generation of creative talent.As e-commerce economy continues to flourish and IP market sales models continue to evolve, the show introduces for the first time a dedicated "IP and e-Commerce Support Services" Zone. Aligned with the HKSAR Government’s policy direction to actively enhance Hong Kong companies’ competitiveness on cross-border e-commerce platforms, it brings together e-commerce platforms, KOLs, marketing and PR firms to help brands and IPs expand into e-commerce markets and capitalise on online business opportunities.The concurrent Asian Licensing Conference, under the theme "Connecting Creativity, Unlocking Licensing Power", brings together industry leaders to explore the latest developments and opportunities in the global licensing market. Key topics this year include "Global Licensing Trends to Watch in 2026", "Perfectly Imperfect: The Rise of Fugglers in the Emotional Economy", Winning Off the Field: The Business Strategy behind Successful Sports Licensing", "The LBE Revolution: Engaging Audiences Beyond the Screen" and "VTubers: Redefining Entertainment in the Digital Age", offering the industry forward-looking insights and analysis.EXHIBITION+ Integrates online and offline experiences; AI boosts sourcing efficiencyThe seven exhibitions and conference continue to adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid format. In addition to the physical fairs, the “Click2Match” will leverage AI to provide business matching for exhibitors and buyers. Buyers can also use “Scan2Match” to scan exhibitors' QR codes, bookmark exhibitors and continue discussions online during or after the fairs. The fairs will also introduce an AI-driven SmartBot service on-site for the first time, enabling buyers to search more swiftly for products and exhibitors and instantly generate personalized visit routes.Photo Download: http://bit.ly/3OSQRvFIntroducing highlights of the seven lifestyle and creative events at today’s press conference were (from left to right) Katherine Fang, Chairman of the HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee; Jeffrey Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC Home InStyle and Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair Organising Committee; Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC; Helena Chiu, Chairman of the Hong Kong Exporters' Association; and Zacharias Cheng, President of the Innovative Entrepreneur Association (IEA)Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair exhibitor Wei Yit Vacuum Flask Manufactory Ltd unveils its new Series 116 vacuum flask blind box, designed by Hong Kong illustrator Pen So and Hong Kong contemporary artist Jerry Cho. Each piece features intricately illustrated Hong Kong streetscapes, making it highly collectibleHome InStyle exhibitor features a smart fitness training system at the Gerontech and Innovative Material Pavilion. Powered by AI and data-driven training, the system collects and analyses user data to formulate personalised exercise plans, enabling seniors to build strength at homeNEXT@Fashion InStyle features designs that offer contemporary reinterpretations of cultural heritage. Design studio Tigerstrolling fuses Song Brocade, a national-level intangible cultural heritage, with denim, while weaving in Hong Kong cultural elements to breathe fresh street energy into the intangible cultural heritage traditionHong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair exhibitor introduces eco-friendly wet-pressed pulp moulded packaging boxes made primarily from wood pulp and sugarcane pulp. Biodegradable and fully recyclable, the boxes also offer moisture-proof, waterproof, oil-resistant and dust-resistant propertiesDeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong exhibitor showcases packaging boxes made of carbon fibre. Previously used in automotive and sports equipment, the material is now being applied to lifestyle products for its lightweight and impact-resistant propertiesHong Kong International Licensing Show exhibitor presents their pixel-art IP character Potatoz and a series of products inspired by the IPEvents Details:EventsEvent DateOpening HoursVenueHong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair 27–29 Apr(Mon–Wed)30 Apr(Thu) 9:30am – 6:30pm9:30am – 5:00pm HKCECHome InStyleFashion InStyleHong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair27 Apr(Mon)28–29 Apr(Tue–Wed)30 Apr(Thu)10:30am –5:30pm 9:30am – 5:30pm9:30am – 3:30pm AsiaWorld-ExpoDeLuxe PrintPack Hong KongHong Kong International Licensing Show27–28 Apr(Mon–Tue) 29 Apr(Wed) 9:30am – 6:30pm 9:30am – 5:00pm HKCECAsian Licensing ConferenceMedia enquiriesFor enquiries, please contact:Home InStyle, Fashion InStyle, HK Gifts & Premium Fair, HK International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong KongPandagon:Fraser LiTel: 6083 5623Email: pandagon.limited@gmail.comHKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:Clayton LauwTel: 2584 4472Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org HK International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing ConferenceRaconteur: Molisa LauTel: 6187 7786Email: molisalau@raconteur.hkBetsy TseTel: 9742 7338Email: betsytse@raconteur.hk HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:Winnie KanTel: 2584 4055Email: winnie.wy.kan@hktdc.orgHKTDC Newsroom: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/enAbout 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. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
SOFTSWISS and Rubens Barrichello Begin Third Year of Collaboration – Positioned for Another Successful Lap
(AsiaGameHub) - SOFTSWISS is celebrating two years of collaboration with Rubens Barrichello, who serves as a non-executive director in Latin America. The partners have aligned their strategy for a third year, with SOFTSWISS leveraging Barrichello’s expertise to enhance speed and productivity across its business operations. Press release.- SOFTSWISS marks two years of partnership with Rubens Barrichello, its non-executive director for Latin America. The collaborators have set their strategy for a third year, with SOFTSWISS utilizing Barrichello’s experience to boost speed and productivity across various business functions. During the past two years of working with Rubens Barrichello, SOFTSWISS has significantly expanded its presence in Brazil. In the first quarter of 2026, compared to the first quarter of 2025, the B2B tech provider saw a 65 percent increase in total bets and a 64 percent rise in GGR. The company has also grown its local team from a single representative to a dedicated group focused on business development, account management, and marketing. This expansion aims to improve client service, ensuring prompt support and project completion throughout the region. As one of Brazil’s most prominent racing personalities, Barrichello plays a crucial role in connecting the company with the local market. He supports educational initiatives, engages with partners, and contributes to business development efforts. Additionally, he has represented SOFTSWISS at significant industry events, including Futurecom 2025 and SiGMA South America 2026. Rubens Barrichello stated: “I am pleased with our productive partnership. In our third year, our focus remains on building upon our initial achievements. I look forward to assisting the team in engaging partners through racing experiences, which offers a way to share something personal while forging genuine connections.” Following several strategic discussions with C-level management, the company has established key business objectives for 2026. A primary goal, inspired by Rubens Barrichello’s diverse experience, is to deliver solutions more rapidly to accelerate product development and enhance productivity across business functions. Ivan Montik, founder of SOFTSWISS, commented: “As a lifelong racing enthusiast, I understand that in business, much like on the track, milliseconds can determine success. Speed and precision are even more critical over extended periods. This is precisely the mindset Rubens instills in our daily work. It is this approach that has helped shape our industry standing and will continue to propel us forward.” This emphasis on accelerating product delivery is already yielding positive outcomes. In just two months, the SOFTSWISS team successfully launched a new B2B product, the Prediction Markets Platform. This platform allows igaming operators to offer event-based wagering on real-world occurrences using a fixed-odds model, catering to evolving audience demands while remaining within their established business framework. 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.
Hitachi to establish a new company with Nojima under a strategic partnership to accelerate growth of its home appliance business
TOKYO, Japan, Apr 21, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, “Hitachi”) and its subsidiary, Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc. (“Hitachi GLS”) have decided to establish a strategic partnership with Nojima Corporation (“Nojima”) to achieve sustainable growth and enhance the value of the Hitachi-branded home appliances business.In the home appliance market, customer needs are diversifying, and the pace of change is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Through this partnership, Nojima will capture the “voice of the customer” through its sales and service frontlines, while Hitachi will leverage advanced, highly reliable manufacturing technologies to bring higher-quality products to market more quickly, thereby contributing to the further strengthening of “Japanese reliable monozukuri”. In addition, by providing high-touch services rooted in Japanese standards of quality, we will further enrich customers’ lives. To further advance these efforts, we will strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders across the home appliance supply chain—from suppliers to a wide range of sales channels—more than ever before.An overview of the new company to be established, the strategic partnership between Hitachi GLS and Nojima, and the related capital restructuring aimed at taking the home appliance business to the next stage is provided below.Overview of capital restructuring to establish the partnershipOn April 21, Hitachi GLS entered into a share purchase agreement under which it will establish a new company for its home appliance business and transfer 80.1% of the shares of the new company to a special purpose company (“SPC”) managed by Nojima, to enhance the competitiveness of the business and achieve sustainable growth.In addition, with respect to Arçelik Hitachi Home Appliances B.V. (“AHHA* 1”), which was jointly established by Hitachi GLS and Arçelik A.S. (“Arçelik”) and operates the Hitachi-brand home appliance business in overseas markets, Hitachi GLS and Arçelik have entered into a share purchase agreement concerning the 60% stake in AHHA held by Arçelik. The rights and obligations (contractual position) under this share purchase agreement will be succeeded by the new company through the company split.Upon completion of these agreements, the new company will become a consolidated company of Nojima. Hitachi GLS will retain 19.9% shares in the new company.*1 Arçelik Hitachi Home Appliances B.V. ('AHHA') was established on July 1, 2021, as a joint venture between Arçelik and Hitachi GLS to handle the Hitachi-branded home appliance business in overseas markets. The ownership ratio of AHHA is 60% for Arçelik and 40% for Hitachi GLS. https://www.hitachi.com/en/press/articles/2021/07/0701/Through this series of share transfers, management resources for the home appliance business in Japan and overseas will be integrated under the new company. The new company will continue to provide customers with Hitachi-branded home appliances, from manufacturing through after-sales service. Through the strategic partnership between the two companies, we will strengthen the customer-driven business model cultivated in the Japanese market and expand it globally, thereby ushering the Hitachi-branded home appliance business into a new stage of growth.The series of share transfers is expected to be completed during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027 (FY2026), following the receipt of necessary clearances and approvals under competition laws and other relevant regulations. The transfer price for 80.1% shares of the new company to be transferred from Hitachi GLS to Nojima is approximately 110 billion yen, and the final transfer price will be determined following adjustments. The impact of the share transfer on Hitachi’s consolidated financial statement is not material. Hitachi will accelerate its growth to maximize corporate value of Hitachi group and toward achieving the goals of the management plan, “Inspire 2027”, by utilizing the proceeds from these transfers in accordance with its capital allocation policy.Following the establishment of the new company, Hitachi GLS will continue to drive the air conditioning business as a core business within Hitachi’s Urban Solutions & Services Business Unit (“USBU”). In collaboration with Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd. and Hitachi Power Solutions Co., Ltd., both of which belong to USBU, Hitachi will further strengthen its integrated service offerings for building and facility management, energy management, and cooling through “HMAX for Buildings.” As One Hitachi, we will work to address social challenges by providing comfortable spaces, optimizing maintenance costs, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing the efficiency of data centers, a market expected to see continued growth.Noriharu Amiya, Senior Vice President and Executive Officer, HitachiTo ensure sustainable growth of the home appliance business, we have decided to establish a new company under Nojima. Through Nojima, we will be able to understand market trends and customers’ latent needs more quickly, and by closely integrating these insights with Hitachi’s long-cultivated “Japanese monozukuri”, we are confident that the strengths of both companies will come together to further enhance the value of Hitachi-branded home appliance products.Following the completion of the capital reorganization, Hitachi GLS will aim to maximize value by centering on its air-conditioning business and digital solutions, while also strengthening collaboration with the building systems business and the energy business.Hitachi’s Connective Industries Sector, which includes USBU under its umbrella, will continue to pursue business portfolio reforms to further enhance corporate value. At the same time, it will expand the deployment of “HMAX by Hitachi,” a suite of next-generation solutions that brings the power of AI to social infrastructure, and will strive for sustainable growth through the resolution of social challenges.Hideki Osumi, President and Representative Director, Hitachi GLSWe are very pleased that this strategic partnership with Nojima will enable us to establish a new company that can further pursue the sustainable growth of the home appliance business on a global basis.The new company will develop, and manufacture products based on the genuine needs that Nojima identifies through its day-to-day interactions with customers and deliver them to a broader range of customers. It will also create a virtuous cycle in which customer feedback and insights from after-sales service are reflected in the next stage of product development. Through these efforts, the new company will deepen collaboration with the many stakeholders that have supported the home appliance business to date. These include municipalities with production sites and supply chains, as well as a wide range of sales channels such as major electronics retailers nationwide and regional appliance stores. Through such collaboration, the new company will open up a new stage of growth. Each employee involved in the home appliance business will maximize the strengths they have cultivated over the years, delivering happiness to customers around the world through Hitachibranded home appliances.Following completion of the capital reorganization, Hitachi GLS will drive its air conditioning business as part of integrated operations within USBU. We will respond to growing cooling and heating needs across a wide range of fields, including buildings and data centers, through strong products and digital capabilities.Hiroshi Nojima, Representative Executive President, NojimaWe are truly honored to have been given the opportunity to work together in advancing the Hitachi brand, which has long been cherished for its outstanding technological capabilities and high-quality products. This partnership represents a new challenge in combining our strength in customer touchpoints with Hitachi’s advanced technologies. By directly incorporating the “voice of the customer” gathered through Nojima’s stores into product development, we aim to establish a framework that creates a continuous cycle from manufacturing through after-sales service, and to deliver products built on a strong commitment to quality to an even greater number of customers. Through this business model, we are committed to preserving and passing on to future generations the strengths of Japanese manufacturing—namely, high-quality monozukuri—and the reliability of the Hitachi brand.About HitachiCompany name: Hitachi, Ltd.Established: February 1, 1920 (Founded in 1910)Head Office: 1-6-6 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JapanRepresentative: Toshiaki Tokunaga Director, Representative Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Consolidated Revenues: JPY 9,783.3 billion (Fiscal year ended March 31, 2025) Business Description Development, production, sales, and provision of services for products related to Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, Connective Industries, and other businessesNumber of Consolidated: Employees 282,743 (as of March 31, 2025)URL: https://www.hitachi.com/en/About Hitachi GLSCompany name: Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc.Established: April 1, 2019Head Office: Hitachi Atago Annex 2-15-12 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, JapanRepresentative: Hideki Osumi President and Representative DirectorConsolidated Revenues: JPY 367.6 billion (Fiscal year ended March 31, 2025)Business Description: Sales of home appliances, air conditioning systems, and equipment products; provision of engineering and maintenance services; and delivery of products and solutions utilizing digital technologiesNumber of Consolidated Employees: Approximately 5,100 (as of March 31, 2025)URL: https://corp.hitachi-gls.co.jp/enAbout Hitachi, Ltd.Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT(Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.About Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc.Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. And Hitachi GLS is responsible for sale of (and provision of engineering and maintenance services for) home appliances, air conditioning equipment and other equipment and devices; and provision of products and solutions utilizing digital technologies. Based on the idea of "More smiles to life for one and all. A more comfortable tomorrow for people and society. With innovations that deliver happiness to the world, we open new doors to the future. ", we seek to gain a closer understanding of customer lifestyles. By resolving individual customer lifestyle issues, through well-designed and sophisticated products and services utilizing of the Hitachi Group's value chain and digital technologies, we aspire to be a company that contributes to improving the quality of life for customers around the world. www.hitachi-gls.com Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
1spin4win Introduces Lucky Dragon 1024, Exclusive Slot for Dragon Money
(AsiaGameHub) - 1spin4win has introduced Lucky Dragon 1024, a special branded slot game created in partnership with Dragon Money. This high-volatility game boasts a 97.2 per cent RTP and enhances partner recognition through its distinctive gameplay. Press release.- 1spin4win, a well-known provider of classic slot games, is proud to present Lucky Dragon 1024, a branded game developed in collaboration with Dragon Money. This game is now exclusively available on the casino’s platform. This new release highlights 1spin4win’s skill in showcasing unique partner branding through engaging and distinctive slot experiences. Lucky Dragon 1024 blends the studio’s signature balanced gameplay with Dragon Money’s recognizable visual style. The game prominently features the casino’s mascot, a golden dragon with horns, as the highest-paying symbol. This symbol enhances the slot’s overall oriental theme, which is further emphasized by elements like hanging lanterns, cash coins, gold sycees, and ornate letters. The visually rich design is complemented by straightforward mechanics, high volatility, and an attractive 97.2 per cent RTP. Built on a classic base game structure, Lucky Dragon 1024 offers a dynamic and easy-to-understand experience suitable for players of all skill levels. Olga Hlukhovskaya, business development director at 1spin4win, stated, “Branded games are a crucial component of our marketing services for operators, designed to help them differentiate themselves and build stronger connections with players. For Lucky Dragon 1024, we collaborated closely with the Dragon Money team to integrate their visual identity into a slot that feels authentic to their brand, while maintaining the classic gameplay that players appreciate. This strategy helps our partners increase their visibility and foster lasting player loyalty.” 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.
Global Turbine Asia Advances Aerospace Growth, Capabilities and Talent Development Through Strategic Partnerships
KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 21, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. (“GTA” or the “Company”), a Malaysian-based engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) and support service provider serving military and civil operators in Malaysia, and a Certified Maintenance Centre (“CMC”) for Safran Helicopter Engines, today exchanged two Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with Airbus Defence and Space (“Airbus DS”)and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (“UPNM”), as well as a Note of Understanding (“NoU”) with Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera (“PERHEBAT”). The signings were witnessed by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, Minister of Defence, Malaysia.MoU exchange between Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. & Airbus Defence & Space, witnessed by YB Dato' Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, Minister of Defence, MINDEF, Malaysia.Note of Understanding between Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd & Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera, witnessed by YB Dato' Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, Minister of Defence, MINDEF, Malaysia accompanied by YBhg. Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali, Secretary General, MINDEF, Malaysia.MoU exchange between Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. & Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, witnessed by YB Dato' Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, Minister of Defence, MINDEF, Malaysia.The MoUs reflect GTA’s strategic focus on strengthening the aerospace and defence ecosystem through cross-border commercial cooperation, talent development, research partnerships and long-term capability building, aligned with evolving regional industry needs.GTA’s MoU with Airbus DS will evaluate opportunities to develop Malaysia’s military aircraft MRO capabilities and assess GTA as a potential Industrial Collaboration Programme (“ICP”) beneficiary, which will advance local aerospace self-reliance, facilitateknowledge and capability transfer, and supply chain integration, pending approvals.Through its MoU with UPNM, GTA aims to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in research, innovation, talent development, and technical services. Areas of cooperation may include joint R&D, training and postgraduate pathways, technical advisory services, workshops and centres of expertise, as well as potential industry-on-campus initiatives, subject to approvals and separate agreements where required.GTA’s NoU with PERHEBAT supports the career transition of retiring Malaysian Armed Forces personnel and veterans by providing industrial training, workplace exposure, and potential employment opportunities. The collaboration includes job-skills alignment, programme monitoring, and joint initiatives aimed at enhancing the employability and well-being of Veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (“ATM”).Dato’ Nonee Ashirin Dato Mohd Radzi, Executive Chairman of Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd., said, “These MoUs mark an important step in strengthening GTA’s role within the aerospace and defence ecosystem, not only as an engine support and MRO provider, but also as a long-term partner in capability development, talent cultivation and strategic collaboration.”She added, “Together, these partnerships reflect our commitment to building a stronger, more resilient and future-ready platform for the industry.About Global Turbine Asia Sdn BhdGlobal Turbine Asia Sdn Bhd (“GTA”) is an independent engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) and support service provider for military and civil engines in Malaysia. A Malaysian-based and a Certified Maintenance Centre (“CMC”) for Safran Helicopter Engines, GTA was established in 2010 and provides a range of engine support solutions including Support By The Hour, AOG and helpline support, technical assistance, spare parts and tooling, global support package, standard exchange, repair and overhaul, and training. Based at the Helicopter Centre, Malaysia International Aerospace Centre, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, GTA also highlights certifications and approvals including DGTA Approved Maintenance Organization, CAAM Maintenance Organization Approval and EASA Part 145 Maintenance Organization Approval.For more information, visit https://globalturbineasia.com/.Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd.Distributed By: MNAIR PR Consultancy Sdn Bhd on behalf of Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd.For more information, please contact:Asyraf HakimiTel: +60 11-2377 4173Email: a.hakimi@swanconsultancy.bizFor media enquiries and interview opportunities, please contact:Ameera HaniTel: +60 14-224 3296Email: ameera@mnairpr.com Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
GMG’s Graphene Engine Oil Additive G(R) LUBRICANT: Patent Granted in USA; Allowed in China
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Apr 20, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd (TSXV: GMG) (OTCQX: GMGMF) ("GMG" or the "Company") is pleased to advise that GMG's patent for GMG's Graphene Engine Oil Additive, G® LUBRICANT, has now been granted for 20 years in the USA and allowed in China. This is in addition to the previously announced G® LUBRICANT patent accepted for the European region. There are various other countries around the world where this patent application is progressing as well, which are shown in Figure 1.Figure 1: World Map of G® LUBRICANT Patent ProgressTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8082/293352_gmg_figure1.jpgAbout G® LUBRICANT: G® LUBRICANT is what management believes to be a transformative graphene liquid concentrate additive designed to enhance the performance of diesel and gasoline (petrol) engines. This product has the potential to reshape the future of the global liquid fuels industry and offers an innovative solution that optimizes efficiency and power for stationary or mobile engines. G® LUBRICANT, a graphene liquid concentrate that can be added to any mineral or synthetic oil used in an internal combustion engine in a 1:100 dosage, has been verified by the University of Queensland to increase fuel efficiency by up to 8.4% in a diesel engine as announced in February 2025. [1]The amount of graphene in the final engine oil once G® LUBRICANT is mixed in is only ~ 1:10,000. As a result, G® LUBRICANT can be used safely in any internal combustion engine. Over the past four years, GMG has conducted environmentally controlled testing of G® LUBRICANT in internal combustion engines monitored and verified by The University of Queensland. GMG's test results have been corroborated by similar savings realized by customers over a number of years of field testing.US$ 1.4 Trillion Global Diesel IndustryWhilst G® LUBRICANT can be used to reduce fuel consumption in both diesel and gasoline/petrol engines GMG intends to focus on the diesel market initially, which is largely B2B focused, and therefore, more targeted as far as fuel cost savings and performance. GMG calculates, prior to the recent increase in diesel prices, that global diesel fuel sales totaled US$1.4 Trillion per annum[2] including taxes and duties on approximately 28 million barrels of diesel per day as detailed by the US Energy Information Administration2. Figure 3 shows the top 34 countries in the world with diesel fuel sales greater than US$10 Billion per annum.Figure 2: Total Diesel Fuel Sales in 2025 US$ BillionTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8082/293352_gmg_figure2.jpgEstimated US$ 1.2 Billion Per Annum Global Diesel Market For G® LUBRICANT Assuming an average fuel savings of 8.4%, GMG believes that a conservative estimate of the potential market for G® LUBRICANT is 10% of the fuel savings realized by users annually. Assuming G® LUBRICANT pricing equal to 10% of the savings realized, GMG estimates that the potential global revenue for G® LUBRICANT is US$ 1.2 Billion sales per annum based on 2025 actual sales. Figure 3 shows GMG's estimates of potential annual sales of G® LUBRICANT by country.Figure 3: Total G® LUBRICANT Sales Opportunity based off 2025 Total Diesel Fuel SalesTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8082/293352_gmg_figure3.jpgCraig Nicol, CEO & Managing Director of the Company, commented "This is great progress to secure the valuable graphene lubricant patent for engine oil use in the major markets of Europe, China and the USA."Jack Perkowski, Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the Company, commented: "Congratulations to the team on progressing further with building their competitive position in securing patents in the most valuable markets for G® LUBRICANT".About GMG:GMG is an Australian based clean-technology company which develops, makes and sells energy saving and energy storage solutions, enabled by graphene manufactured via in house production process. GMG uses its own proprietary production process to decompose natural gas (i.e. methane) into its natural elements, carbon (as graphene), hydrogen and some residual hydrocarbon gases. This process produces high quality, low cost, scalable, 'tuneable' and low/no contaminant graphene suitable for use in clean-technology and other applications.The Company's present focus is to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, and secure market applications. In the energy savings segment, GMG has initially focused on graphene enhanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC-R") coating (or energy-saving coating) which is now being marketed into other applications including electronic heat sinks, industrial process plants and data centres. Another product GMG has developed is the graphene lubricant additive focused on saving liquid fuels initially for diesel engines.In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are working collaboratively with financial support from the Australian Government to progress R&D and commercialization of graphene aluminium-ion batteries ("G+AI Batteries"). GMG has also developed a graphene additive slurry that is aimed at improving the performance of lithium-ion batteries.GMG's 4 critical business objectives are:Produce Graphene and improve/scale cell production processesBuild Revenue from Energy Savings ProductsDevelop Next-Generation BatteryDevelop Supply Chain, Partners & Project Execution CapabilityFor further information please contact:Craig Nicol, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of the Company at craig.nicol@graphenemg.com, +61 415 445 223Leo Karabelas at Focus Communications Investor Relations, leo@fcir.ca, +1 647 689 6041Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "believes" "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward‐looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, GMG and any allowed, accepted or granted patents or patent applications, the transformative nature of G® LUBRICANT, the potential for G® LUBRICANT for the global liquid fuels industry and its ability to optimize efficiency and power for engines, G® LUBRICANT's ability to increase fuel efficiency and the amount thereof, the safety of G® LUBRICANT in internal combustion engines, the fuel efficiency savings experienced by customers, GMG's intention to focus on the diesel market and expectations for the market size of diesel or G® LUBRICANT and commercialisation activities for G® LUBRICANT.Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including the patent and potential market size of G® LUBRICANT. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of GMG to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation that GMG does not receive or receive on a timely basis the fully signed consent notice from the and the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated November 4, 2025 available for review on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.[1] https://graphenemg.com/gmg-unveils-g-lubricant-engine-performance-testing-results-a-transformative-graphene-energy-saving-solution-for-the-multi-trillion-dollar-global-liquid-fuel-industry/[2] Using EIA diesel volumes for 2023 and www.globalpetrolprices.com diesel prices per country as of January 15th 2025To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293352 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com



















