Category: Technology

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What’s with the AI caricatures taking over social media feeds?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Has your social media feed been populated by amusing caricatures of your friends and whānau this week? As fun as these images may seem, their creation has raised questions around privacy and what is being done with personal information shared with AI software.

What is this trend?

People upload an image of themselves to the OpenAI platform and give it prompts to generate an animated image based off everything it knows about them.

The resulting image is a caricature of the person surrounded by their hobbies, job or any other interests that ChatGPT knows they might have. 

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/whats-with-the-ai-caricatures-taking-over-social-media-feeds/

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‘Golden visa’ update announced by Immigration Minister

Source: Radio New Zealand

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has given an update on the government’s so-called ‘golden visa’, which aims to attract investors with at least $5 million to spend.

Changes to the Active Investor Plus visa took effect in April last year, bringing in two categories – riskier ‘growth’ investments of $5m-plus over three years and lower-risk ‘balanced’ investments of $10m-plus over five years – and reducing other barriers, including time spent in New Zealand and an English language test.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The minimum investment amount had previously been $15m.

Stanford said 573 applications had been received to date, totalling about $3.39 billion invested – with $1.05b of that already committed.

She said it compared to 116 applications and $70m of investment over the two-and-a-half years under the previous settings.

“I am delighted that our new visa settings are helping to open up possibility and opportunity for investment,” Stanford said.

“These investors bring not just capital, but global experience, expertise, and networks. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of these investors over the last year and I have seen firsthand their love for, and commitment to, New Zealand.”

She made the announcement at Hectre, an AI startup focused on orchard management and fruit quality.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/golden-visa-update-announced-by-immigration-minister/

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Honda LCR Partners with GOD55 Sports for Successful Fan Zone Experience at MotoGP 2026 KL Launch

Source: Media Outreach

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 February 2026 –

Standout MotoGP Booth Experience for Fans in Malaysia

MotoGP fans were treated to a unique motorsports experience at the MotoGP Launch in Kuala Lumpur, held from 2 – 7 February, 2026. Organised by Honda LCR and supported by GOD55 Sports, the free-entry Fan Zone attracted over 10,000 motorsports enthusiasts throughout the week. Visitors enjoyed up-close access to official 2026 racing leathers and helmets worn by Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira, alongside video features showcasing the latest riders’ featured video and the growing partnership between Honda LCR and GOD55 Sports.

Honda LCR x GOD55 Sports logo at the MotoGP Launch booth

Premium Fan Zone Design & Interactive Experience

The MotoGP Fan Zone stood out with its striking red-and-gold design, combining Honda LCR’s iconic red with GOD55 Sports’ signature gold to create a premium and visually captivating showcase. The thoughtfully planned layout encouraged fans to explore every corner of the booth, follow Honda LCR on Instagram, and take part in a wide range of interactive activities.

Merchandises from Honda LCR x GOD55 Sports booth

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the booth distributed limited-edition stickers and angpao packs in celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year. These thoughtful touches, along with consistently long queues and strong visitor engagement, highlighted the success of Honda LCR’s collaboration with GOD55 Sports. The partnership played a key role in elevating the overall fan experience and reflected a shared commitment to delivering meaningful and memorable interactions.

Merchandise Giveaway & Interactive Games

MotoGP Time Attack Challenge

One of the main attractions was the MotoGP Time Attack Challenge, which quickly became a crowd favourite. Fans eagerly lined up to test their skills by attempting to hit the exact 5.5-second mark, with winners receiving exclusive limited-edition motorsport polo shirts and other special prizes.

Gashapon Machine & Social Engagement

The popular gashapon machine added another layer of excitement to the Fan Zone. Visitors who followed Honda LCR and GOD55 Sports on social media were rewarded with chances to win random limited-edition merchandise, including lanyards, caps, T-shirts, polo shirts, and keychains. This initiative creatively combined entertainment with digital engagement, strengthening the connection between fans and the teams.

The booth also welcomed several key opinion leaders between February 6 and 7, further boosting online visibility and on-site buzz. With its vibrant atmosphere, interactive features, and exclusive offerings, the Fan Zone became a central hub of motorsport excitement, giving visitors an immersive preview of the energy and anticipation surrounding the 2026 MotoGP season.

Rider Meet-and-Greet with Free Autographed Posters

One of the event’s biggest highlights was the exclusive opportunity for fans to meet Honda LCR riders Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira up close. Despite heavy rain during the pre-scheduled meet-and-greet session, crowds continued to gather at the booth, undeterred by the weather.

Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira autograph session

The riders and Honda LCR team arrived at approximately 4:15 PM, prompting an overwhelming response of cheers and excitement from fans. Upon arrival, Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira were first welcomed by the CEO of GOD55 Sports, alongside invited key influencers, before proceeding to a brief VIP meet-and-greet at the booth.

Honda LCR Team Principal, Lucio Cecchinello, wearing the partners’ polo shirt

Shortly after, Honda LCR Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello arrived wearing the limited-edition Honda LCR × GOD55 Sports Motorsport Polo Shirt, symbolising the team’s strong support and commitment to its new premier partner. Following the VIP session, Lucio joined the riders in preparing the limited-edition rider posters and autograph cards, which were met with enthusiastic reactions from onlookers.

The Fan Zone emcee then officially announced the start of the autograph session, as Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira signed posters using gold and silver marker pens respectively, sending the crowd into a frenzy of cheers. Fans were rewarded with on-the-spot free autographed posters, creating unforgettable moments and meaningful interactions with their MotoGP heroes.

The lively atmosphere was further enhanced by the presence of several well-known influencers and content creators, who interacted closely with visitors and helped sustain the crowd’s energy throughout the event. By sharing real-time updates and behind-the-scenes moments across social media platforms, they extended the reach of the Fan Zone beyond the venue, allowing online audiences to experience the excitement and support for the Honda LCR MotoGP Team.

A Landmark Event for Malaysia

As Malaysia’s first-ever MotoGP 2026 Launch, the Honda LCR booth generated significant excitement among motorsports fans. Interactive displays, rider meet-ups, and unique activities confirmed the country’s strong appetite for world-class MotoGP experiences.

Looking ahead, the partnership between GOD55 Sports and Honda LCR over the next three years promises more exclusive content, fan-focused initiatives, and regional engagement, bringing Southeast Asian fans closer to the thrilling world of MotoGP.

https://www.god55sports.com/
https://www.facebook.com/god55sports
https://www.instagram.com/god55sports/

Hashtag: #HondaLCR #LCRTeam #God55Sports #MotoGP #MotoGP2026 #MotoGP2026Launch #JohannZarco #DiogoMoreira #Malaysia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/honda-lcr-partners-with-god55-sports-for-successful-fan-zone-experience-at-motogp-2026-kl-launch/

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Chocolate recipes to show yourself some love

Source: Radio New Zealand

Our chocolately recipe recommendations include a simple dairy-free cake by kitchen queen Alison Holst, a bananana-fied caramel slice and a chocolate-chip shortbread recipe nicknamed ‘Why Would I Make Another Chocolate Chip Cookie Ever Again?’.

Sweet-tart summer berries and dark chocolate equals instant love connection.

Rich baked banana-infused caramel packed into a malty biscuit base.

After eating cookies that were either too sweet, too soft or too chocolate, Alison Roman invented an instant classic.

Sure-to-be-moist brownies with a bit of extra nutrition.

Ascend to creamy, chocolate-y, nutty, spicy heaven when you’re low on time and energy.

The iconic Kiwi chef added a little spice to a simple dairy-free chocolate cake from her 1991 classic The Best of Alison Holst.

A cookie-pie loaded with dark, dark chocolate and sugar-pillows of marshmallow.

Studded with chunks of dark chocolate and topped with crunchy sesame seeds, these cookies are the perfect combination of flavours and textures.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/chocolate-recipes-to-show-yourself-some-love/

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Business Canterbury – Our moment is now: Private sector leads development of ambition for Canterbury

Source: Business Canterbury

Business Canterbury formally launched the Canterbury Ambition last night at its annual Back to Business event, a sold-out gathering held at the region’s brand-new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.

Business Canterbury’s Chief Executive Leeann Watson says, “Canterbury is ready to lead, and we’re not waiting for government to tell us what our future should look like. The Ambition is a shared vision – led by the private sector and supported by local government – which seeks to lock in the confidence and momentum we’re seeing across our region right now.”

“Through conversations with both local government and business leaders, we quickly reached a consensus that the connection between our environment, innovative spirit, and affordable housing and lifestyle is what sets us apart and should underpin our growth story moving forward.”

“Announcing this piece of work in a room full of bold thinkers and doers felt incredibly fitting. The energy in the room spoke to the ambition and optimism building across Canterbury. We are delighted to have this work now live, and we’re looking forward to progressing it alongside the businesses and leaders who helped shape it.”

Where we are today is just the starting point for significant work ahead — creating a tangible roadmap and shared work across both the public and private sectors.

A summary document, a launch video and further information on the Canterbury Ambition is available at: https://www.businesscanterbury.co.nz/canterbury-ambition

Business Canterbury, formerly Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, is the second largest Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand and the largest business support organisation in the South Island. It advocates on behalf of its members for an environment more favourable to innovation, productivity and sustainable growth.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/business-canterbury-our-moment-is-now-private-sector-leads-development-of-ambition-for-canterbury/

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NZ-AU: U.S. Department of Commerce Increases Duties on Chinese Battery-Grade Graphite to 160%+ in Final Determinations

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NOVONIX Limited (NASDAQ: NVX, ASX: NVX) (“NOVONIX” or the “Company”), today acknowledged the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (“Commerce”) final determinations in the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations covering anode active materials (“AAM”) imported into the U.S. from China. The total amount of the tariffs applicable to AAM imported from China will be at least 160%, subject to a final affirmative determination by the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) that the U.S. AAM industry has been materially impeded because of Chinese AAM imports. The ITC’s final determination is expected in March 2026.

Highlights
Subject to the ITC’s final determination on material impediment:

  • An antidumping duty of 93.5% will be imposed on AAM imports from China from specified companies and a duty of 102.72% will be imposed China-wide on all other exporters
  • A countervailing duty of 66.82% to 66.86% will be imposed on all AAM imports from China producers
  • These duties will remain in effect unless revoked and will be reviewed every five years

“These determinations represent a meaningful step toward restoring fair competition in the U.S. anode materials market,” said Mike O’Kronley, CEO of NOVONIX. “By addressing longstanding trade distortions, these measures strengthen the foundation for domestic production of critical battery materials, accelerate investment in U.S. manufacturing, and support the creation of high-quality advanced manufacturing jobs. We believe this materially enhances NOVONIX’s competitive position as we continue scaling synthetic graphite production in North America.”

The duties apply broadly to anode-graphite materials, as defined by Commerce, including synthetic and natural graphite products, whether coated or uncoated, and blended materials used in lithium-ion battery applications.

The previously imposed 25% tariff under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and 20% tariff under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) on AAM imports from China remain in effect. The legal validity of the IEEPA tariffs is currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

NOVONIX supports the transparent and rules-based enforcement of U.S. trade laws and believes these determinations represent an important step in promoting fair competition, strengthening domestic battery supply chains, and encouraging long-term capital investment in advanced manufacturing in the United States.

With the most advanced synthetic graphite production capability in North America, NOVONIX is strategically positioned to support customers seeking secure, domestically produced anode materials. The Company continues to execute on its strategy to expand high-performance synthetic graphite production in the United States, reinforcing supply chain resilience, U.S. energy security, and long-term manufacturing competitiveness.

Additional information regarding the determinations is available through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Enforcement and Compliance records.

This announcement has been authorized for release by NOVONIX Chairman,
Mr. Ron Edmonds.

About NOVONIX
NOVONIX strives to reduce supply chain risk, support U.S. energy independence, and establish a resilient battery materials supply chain. The company is building a North American platform for critical battery materials—anchored by its Chattanooga, Tennessee headquarters and anode materials operations, expanding through its patented all-dry, precursor-free cathode synthesis technology, and supported by industry-leading battery cell testing and R&D services.
Together, these capabilities position NOVONIX as an integrated supplier of advanced battery materials and technologies powering the energy storage and electrification economy.

To learn more, visit us at www.novonixgroup.com or on LinkedIn and X.

For NOVONIX Limited
Investors: ir@novonixgroup.com
Media: media@novonixgroup.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements about the Company and the industry in which it operates. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would,” or other similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements in this communication include, among others, statements made regarding the creation and development of new technology, anticipated production capacity at its facilities, anticipated customer demand, the impacts of economic uncertainty, tariffs, and other legislation on our timely achievement of targets and customer milestones, our ability to obtain or maintain and benefit from additional government funding and other support, our expectations of the benefit of the antidumping and countervailing duty determinations, tariffs imposed on China and other countries, improving and growing battery testing equipment and research and development services business, continued investment in and efforts to commercialize the cathode synthesis technology, and efforts to help localize the battery supply chain for critical materials and play a leading role in the transition to cleaner energy solutions.

The Company has based such statements on current expectations and projections about future events and trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Such forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the timely deployment and scaling of its furnace technology, ability to meet the technical specifications and demand of existing and future customers, the accuracy of estimates regarding market size, expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, needs and access for additional financing, the availability and impact and compliance with the applicable terms of government funding and other support, ability to obtain patent rights effective to protect its technologies and processes and successfully defend any challenges to such rights and prevent others from commercializing such technologies and processes, and regulatory and economic developments in the United States, Australia, and other jurisdictions. These and other factors that could affect its business and results are included in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting the Company’s Investor Relations website at www.novonixgroup.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes, and actual performance and outcomes may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement in this communication is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

– Published by The MIL Network

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/nz-au-u-s-department-of-commerce-increases-duties-on-chinese-battery-grade-graphite-to-160-in-final-determinations/

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Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, new Standard for Coastal Urban Governance

Source: Media Outreach

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – The 21st century is no longer measuring cities by height or GDP growth, but by their capacity to anticipate, absorb, and regenerate. “Resilience” has shifted from a policy buzzword into a survival metric. Governance is no longer a background function, it is the nervous system of urban life.

Vinhomes Green Paradise in Can Gio exemplifies this strategic shift. At its core, the project places the governance (G) factor at the center of the ESG++ model, aiming to build a city capable of regeneration and proactive long-term adaptation. The project is positioning itself not as a late entrant but as a re-architect of coastal urban logic.

When Governance Defines Quality of Life

For decades, Asian urban development prioritized growth speed and capital attraction. However, climate-related pressures, urban flooding, rising operational costs have exposed the limits of those indicators. International research, including “Happiness in urban environments,” now links quality of life not only to amenities but also to safety and environmental resilience. Even technical standards such as ISO 37120 increasingly emphasize public service delivery and transparency over purely economic metrics.

This rebalancing is most visible in coastal cities, where high economic potential coexists with direct exposure to sea-level rise. Jakarta’s subsidence crisis and the challenges faced by Bangkok and Manila illustrate the long-term costs of prioritizing speed over adaptive capacity. In this context, urban governance must extend beyond routine administration to function as an integrated system of risk management, forecasting, and proactive response.

Can Gio as a Strategic Test of Adaptive Capacity

As Ho Chi Minh City expands southward, Can Gio presents a concentrated version of the challenges facing Southeast Asian coastal urbanism. The peninsula contains a dual ecological structure: a large marine interface and a UNESCO-recognized mangrove biosphere reserve. This configuration imposes high sensitivity on any development decision. The economic use of marine resources must align with conservation requirements and regional ecological safety.

From an international perspective, Can Gio serves not only as a green buffer but also as a governance test case, where development can proceed without repeating the costly lessons observed elsewhere.

Vinhomes Green Paradise responds to this challenge by expanding the conventional ESG framework into an ESG++ model structured around two additional pillars: regeneration and resilience.

Marc Townsend, Senior Advisor at Arcadia Consulting Vietnam, observed that prioritizing environmental protection over short-term profit targets represents a strategic choice that positions the project as a distinctive model worthy of regional discussion. The defining feature is the placement of governance (G) as the central layer, enabling consistent execution of environmental (E) and social (S) objectives through international benchmarks such as BREEAM and ISO 37122.

Data Infrastructure and the Urban Operating System

At the core of the governance model is the ESG Hub, an AI-integrated platform designed for continuous monitoring of environmental indicators, energy consumption, and emissions. The system generates automatic alerts when risk thresholds are breached and transmits data directly to public display screens and residents’ mobile devices.

In the long term, the ESG Hub also plays the role of a data platform for synthesizing ESG reports, managing emission reductions and tracking the carbon footprint throughout the super project’s lifecycle, a key factor for sustainable commitments to be verified by actual operational data.

Alongside data-driven governance, the ESG++ urban area incorporates infrastructure solutions tailored to coastal conditions. These include sea reclamation techniques, active flood warning and drainage regulation systems, and materials resistant to saltwater corrosion. Such features reflect a risk-prevention approach embedded from the design stage.

This smart city model, with the application of IoT, artificial intelligence and big data application, is integrated into core operational layers such as security, traffic, fire prevention and energy management. The residential experience is supported by an automated ecosystem comprising self-driving vehicles, delivery robots, and service robots. Within individual apartments, a centralized smart management interface allows residents to control lighting, temperature, and security systems.

The operating model does not rely solely on technology. A professionally trained management team and 24/7 resident services form a “soft governance layer” that reinforces system stability and consistency.

Broader Implications

From an investment perspective, urban governance capacity is consistently linked to the ability to accumulate long-term asset value. Once infrastructure linkages between Can Gio, central Ho Chi Minh City, and the international seaport system are completed, the area will transform from an ecological space to a marine tourism and logistics hub.

Practice from cities developed according to ESG standards like Hammarby Sjöstad or Sentosa shows that real estate value is always more stable and durable against fluctuation cycles.

At a broader level, Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio illustrates a shift in Vietnam’s approach to coastal urban development. The integration of governance with data systems and technology sends a signal to international observers: the future value of a city will be determined not by its physical mass but by its governance capacity and adaptive flexibility against market fluctuations.

Hashtag: #Vinhomes

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/vinhomes-green-paradise-can-gio-new-standard-for-coastal-urban-governance/

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Trendy Toys Gather at Trendy Temple Fair: Come and Enjoy the Chinese New Year in Chaoyang

Source: Media Outreach

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – When you think of the Chinese New Year, lively lion dances and vibrant red lanterns surely come to mind. But this time, in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, you might brush past an adorable panda mascot, run into trendy IP characters on street corners, and discover themed artistic lanterns and festive markets. All these are available at the “Trendy Chaoyang, Trendy Temple Fair” event unfolding at the Chaoyangmen Outer Street area.

“Trendy Chaoyang, Trendy Temple Fair”

From February 10 (Little New Year in northern China on the Chinese lunar calendar) to March 8, the UIC block in the Chaoyangmen Outer Street area transforms into an open-air New Year playground. The most eye-catching are the nearly 100 “pandas” scattered throughout the block—not real giant pandas, but art installations, lanterns, pop-up IPs, and interactive photo spots inspired by various trendy characters. Top panda celebrities like Beijing Zoo’s Meng Lan, Chengdu’s He Hua, Hu Hu from the movie Panda Plan, Bing Dwen Dwen (a mascot of Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games), Pang Anda (a mascot of Air China), and 52TOYS’ Panda Roll, among others, have all gathered here. Additionally, over ten renowned domestic and international IPs, such as MOLLY from Pop Mart and WAKUKU from HERE, have also “traveled” here, creating a warm, healing, fun-filled, adorable universe.

Apart from trendy toy IPs, the event offers diverse Spring Festival experiences: Yingge Dance from the Chaoshan area of Guangdong Province makes its debut in Beijing, beating majestic New Year drums; folk song and dance performances from Guangxi and other ethnic areas showcase the diverse flavors of Chinese New Year. Visitors can enjoy specially crafted drinks from AI-powered unmanned beverage stations while appreciating intangible cultural heritage crafts and designer brands at the market. At THE BOX shopping mall, you can try VR tennis, visit a pet market, and interact with roaming non-player characters (NPCs) to receive red envelopes. After nightfall, lights, woven tree covers, and themed lighting effects turn the entire street into a dreamy open-air “art gallery.”

At historic sites such as Dongyue Temple and Ritan Park, Chaoyang District leverages local cultural heritage to create all-ages-friendly fairs combining exhibitions, fun activities, markets, and performances. This is not just a revival and celebration of Chinese New Year but also a cultural exchange that bridges tradition and modernity, folk customs and fashion, the local and the global.

Chaoyang’s “Trendy Temple Fair” welcomes everyone, no matter where you are from, with open arms, creative and heart-warming celebrations, inviting all to experience a Chinese New Year that is tangible, interactive, and full of surprises and happy memories.

Hashtag: #TrendyTempleFair

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/trendy-toys-gather-at-trendy-temple-fair-come-and-enjoy-the-chinese-new-year-in-chaoyang/

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Lever Style Reports Full Year 2025 Financial Results

Source: Media Outreach

Full Year 2025 Financial Results Summary

  • US Tariffs wreaked havoc on industry in 2025;
  • 2025 Revenues: $200.2 million down 10.2% while proactively managing down business from 2 largest clients in 2024; 2025 revenue on balance of business would have grown 2.7% when excluding these 2 clients;
  • Record-high 7.9% net profit margin despite 10.2% reduction in revenue;
  • Debt free with record-high US$41.5 million cash balance;
  • Acquisition of activewear maker AAG’s business positions us for growth in 2026;
  • Early success of digitalization and platformization helping competitiveness and profitability going forward;
  • Final dividend to remain at HK$7.0 cents despite the 7.4 % reduction in net profit.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – Lever Style Corporation (HKEX: 1346, “Lever Style”), the world’s premier apparel production platform, today reported financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2025.

For the full year 2025, Lever Style reported revenues of US$200.2 million (a decrease of 10.2% from the prior year) and a net profit of US$ 15.9 million (down 7.4% from 2024). The group also reported a record-high 7.9% net profit margin and maintained gross profit margin of 28.5%. Further, the group was debt-free once again and had a record net cash position of US$41.5 million at the end of the full year 2025.

“In a year when Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs wreaked havoc on the industry, we managed down our business to safeguard our current and future financial health. Revenues retreated 10.2% from the prior year to US$200.2 million for the 2025 reporting period, which was a result of applying stringent credit risk control on our former top two clients from 2024 rather than an across-the-board weakening of demand.” said Stanley Szeto, Executive Chairman of Lever Style.

“Against the tariff backdrop, we did well to have achieved record-high net profit margin and registered growth for the rest of our customer portfolio outside of the former two top clients from 2024. This is a testament to the strength of our versatile, asset-light business model” Mr. Szeto added.

Commenting on Lever Style’s inorganic growth strategy in 2025, Szeto said, “We put more focus on pursuing inorganic growth through acquisitions. In December 2025, we announced our largest acquisition to date, the acquisition of certain assets and businesses of Active Apparel Group (“AAG“), an Australia-based supplier of activewear such as golf shirts, running shorts and yoga leggings. This acquisition is our seventh since our 2019 IPO and will continue to strengthen our activewear capability in a segment important to our growth. As is customary from our past 6 acquisitions, we acquired AAG’s business but not its factory to safeguard our asset-light business model … By concluding the AAG acquisition in late 2025, we put ourselves back on the growth path for 2026 in spite of the challenging economic environment.

Future Prospects

On future prospects, Szeto commented “Even though US tariffs on most garment-producing countries have come down to the 20% range, the US economy remains on edge … There is a growing trend of retail bankruptcies, which have knock-on effects on brands and the supply chain.”

“Despite such headwinds, we feel confident that we’ll once again out-perform the industry due to the sustainable competitive advantage provided by our asset-light business model…We are continuing to explore other strategic merger and acquisition opportunities to further strengthen our product category portfolio, expand our production base, and gain scale that creates synergies and operating leverage…With little relief in sight from a US-tariff impacted world, we expect there will be more merger and acquisition opportunities at reasonable valuations.”

Digitalization and Platformization

Executive Chairman Stanley Szeto said Lever Style has “embarked on a new phase of digitalization,” using automation and AI for “fully automated factory invoice handling” and “reading purchase orders and translating tech packs,” “saving processing time on some mundane tasks by up to 90%.”

On platformization, he said, “Transforming into a digital two-way marketplace platform which automatically computes costing and digitally matches the optimal factory for each order is a long journey.” and noted “We are enjoying early success with more than 35 factories having joined this platform …”

For more details, please visit: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2026/0212/2026021200299.pdf

https://www.leverstyle.com/en/home/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lever-style-inc./
https://www.facebook.com/leverstyleofficial
https://www.instagram.com/leverstyle/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2xFoI4FpTh5SOU6O63nNUQ

Hashtag: #LeverStyle

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/lever-style-reports-full-year-2025-financial-results/

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FutureOne MENA (FOM) and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Real World Asset (RWA) Tokenization and Establish a Wealth Corridor Linking the Middle East and Hong Kong

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – As real‑world asset (RWA) tokenization shifts from niche pilots to core infrastructure for institutional wealth management, it is redefining how capital flows across borders, asset classes, and generations. On February 9, 2026, FutureOne MENA (“FOM”), a pioneering enterprise focused on connecting family offices with future technology, with a particular emphasis on tokenization and RWAs, enabling them to access, structure, and invest in next-generation finance, and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (“DMCC”), a Government of Dubai authority and the region’s leading global business hub, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during an exclusive family office dinner themed “The Future of Tokenizing Wealth” at Rosewood Hong Kong.

The partnership will create a strategic wealth corridor between Dubai and Hong Kong, enabling institutional‑grade RWA tokenization that connects Middle Eastern capital with Asia‑Pacific opportunities. By combining FOM’s AI‑driven investment intelligence and family‑office expertise with DMCC’s regulated, commodity‑rich ecosystem, the collaboration aims to unlock fractional, cross‑border ownership of high‑value assets, enhance liquidity for traditionally illiquid holdings, and accelerate the adoption of compliant, on‑chain wealth solutions for ultra‑high‑net‑worth investors and family offices.

The event, hosted by FOM with the support of InvestHK, convened over 100 high‑profile representatives from global family offices and institutional investors, including notable participants from Sunwah Group, CT Bright (CP Group), Keyestone Group, Lee Kum Kee Group, MindWorks Capital, Park Capital Group, E Fund Asset Management Hong Kong, K. Wah, and many others.

Dr. Anina Ho, Founder & CEO, FOM, stated “Today we formalize our collaboration on cross-border digital asset and RWA initiatives between Dubai and Hong Kong. This partnership bridges two of Asia’s leading financial hubs, creating institutional-grade solutions for family offices navigating digital wealth transformation.”

Belal Jassoma, Senior Director of Tech Ecosystems, DMCC, added, “This partnership reflects the next phase of digital asset adoption – moving beyond experimentation to institutional‑grade infrastructure. By connecting Dubai and Hong Kong as twin hubs for regulated real‑world asset tokenization, we are strengthening the framework through which family offices and institutional players can operate with confidence. Through DMCC’s Crypto Centre, Wealth Hub and other ecosystems and Dubai’s regulatory frameworks, combined with FOM’s strong family offices network, this collaboration establishes a practical wealth corridor that enhances cross‑border collaboration, transparency, and long‑term business expansion across two of the world’s most dynamic trade centers.”

Key value propositions

1. Establishing a powerful UAE-HK wealth corridor

Under the MOU, FOM and DMCC will collaborate to integrate the Middle East and Hong Kong financial ecosystems, leveraging DMCC’s specialized licensing, corporate structuring capabilities, and free‑trade zone advantages alongside FOM’s cutting‑edge digital asset solutions and connectivity to Hong Kong. This strategic alliance is poised to help family offices and high‑net‑worth individuals (HNWIs) in Dubai and Hong Kong capture the surging demand for compliant, institutional‑grade digital asset and alternative investment solutions, while maintaining strong governance and operational efficiency.

The initiative positions Dubai and Hong Kong as twin hubs for regulated RWA tokenization, connecting Middle Eastern capital with Asia‑Pacific opportunities through secure, transparent, and institutionally robust digital asset infrastructure. For family offices, this means greater diversification, improved risk‑adjusted returns, and streamlined access to global opportunities without compromising regulatory compliance.

2. Enhancing digital asset ecosystem

Through the strategic partnership, FOM and DMCC will develop robust frameworks for tokenizing RWAs including real estate, commodities, and other institutional-grade assets, thereby establishing standards for asset custody, settlement, compliance, and cross-border tokenization operations. This UAE-Hong Kong wealth corridor will not only facilitate capital flows but also provide a transparent and compliant environment for digital asset issuance, trading, and reporting, empowering family offices and institutional investors with confidence and clarity in private‑market deal‑making and public‑market participation.

Shaping the future of RWA tokenization

Following the MOU signing, the event featured insightful panel discussions titled “Turning Real‑World Assets into Digital Wealth” and “Everyday Digital Wealth: Stablecoins, Payments and Tokenized Income,” along with a fireside chat on “The Future of Digital Asset Platforms.” These discussions examined how Dubai and Hong Kong can collaboratively advance regulated structures, stable‑wealth solutions, and real‑world applications for institutional and family capital.

Distinguished panelists and speakers included Dr. Anina Ho, Founder & CEO, FOM; Mr. Belal Jassoma, Senior Director of Tech Ecosystems, DMCC; Mr. Ben Zhou, Co-Founder & CEO, Bybit; Mr. Bernard Charnwut Chan, GBM, GBS, JP; Ms. Denise Zhou, Chief Strategy Officer, FOM; Mr. Henri Arslanian, Co‑Founder, Nine Blocks Capital; Mr. Jesse Guild, Vice President, Product Management, Crypto & Digital Assets, Mastercard; Mr. Lennix Lai, Chief Commercial Officer, OKX; Ms. Lingling Jiang, Partner, DWF Labs; and Mr. Yat Siu, Co‑Founder & Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands. Together, these leaders exchanged insights on how emerging technologies, including blockchain, AI, and quantum computing are reshaping asset management and cross‑border investment frameworks. The event showcased the powerful synergy between Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem and Dubai’s regulatory excellence, creating the foundation for global RWA leadership.

The strategic partnership between FOM and DMCC unites cutting-edge technology with world-class regulatory framework to establish a UAE-Hong Kong wealth corridor, connecting cross-border capital flows, enabling compliant digital transformation, and powering institutional-grade RWA opportunities for family offices and institutional investors.

Photos and photo captions:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FfQLNGYvDLKEoHWqKNxKyIK64tGU0aAC?usp=sharing

  1. Belal Jassoma (left), Senior Director of Tech Ecosystems, DMCC and Dr. Anina Ho (right), Founder & CEO, FOM sign a MOU during an exclusive family office dinner themed “The Future of Tokenizing Wealth” on February 9, 2026.
  2. Belal Jassoma (left), Senior Director of Tech Ecosystems, DMCC and Dr. Anina Ho (right), Founder & CEO, FOM shake hands after the MOU signing.
  3. Dr. Anina Ho, Founder & CEO, FOM delivers welcome remarks and introduces the event theme “From Theory to Real Use Cases in Tokenizing Wealth Between Dubai and Hong Kong.”
  4. Belal Jassoma, Senior Director of Tech Ecosystems, DMCC shares insights on “Bridging Physical Commodities & Digital Assets as a Global Trade Hub.”
  5. During the panel discussion titled “Turning Real World Assets into Digital Wealth,” moderated by Ms. Denise Zhou (left), Chief Strategy Officer, FOM, Mr. Lennix Lai (center), Chief Commercial Officer, OKX, and Mr. Belal Jassoma (right), Senior Director of Tech Ecosystems, DMCC share their insights on how tokenization is transforming traditional asset ownership and access.
  6. During the panel discussion titled “Everyday Digital Wealth: Stablecoins, Payments and Tokenized Income,” moderated by Mr. Henri Arslanian (first from the left), Co‑Founder, Nine Blocks Capital, Mr. Jesse Guild (second from the left), Vice President, Product Management, Crypto & Digital Assets, Mastercard, Ms. Lingling Jiang (second from the right), Partner, DWF Labs, and Mr. Yat Siu (first from the right), Co‑Founder & Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands explore how digital assets and tokenized products are taking shape in everyday finance.
  7. During the fireside chat moderated by Ms. Denise Zhou (left), Chief Strategy Officer, FOM, Mr. Ben Zhou (right), Co-Founder & CEO, Bybit shares insights on the future of digital asset platforms.

General Disclaimer
The press release is distributed solely as a corporate announcement of a strategic partnership and event recap, and not as an offer or solicitation to acquire any specific investment product, token, fund, or securities.

The information herein is based on sources believed reliable but not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness. Recipients should conduct their own due diligence and consult qualified advisors before investing. No liability is accepted for decisions based on this material.

Hashtag: #FOM

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/futureone-mena-fom-and-dubai-multi-commodities-centre-dmcc-forge-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-real-world-asset-rwa-tokenization-and-establish-a-wealth-corridor-linking-the-middle-east-and/

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Bangkok Design Week 2026 Sets the Stage as Asia’s Creative Hub

Source: Media Outreach

Uniting Networks from Over 17 Countries to Drive Cross-Border Collaboration and Sustainable Regional Growth

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – As design increasingly proves its power to transform creativity into a strategic force of macroeconomic competitiveness, Bangkok Design Week 2026 (BKKDW2026), organized by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, together with its partners, enters its ninth edition with a bold ambition — evolving from a national design festival into a leading creative platform for Asia. By uniting networks of designers and international partners from more than 17 countries across Asia and Europe, the festival plays a pivotal role in positioning Bangkok as Asia‘s Creative Festival Hub (Creative Hub of Asia).

Under the theme “DESIGN S/O/S,” Bangkok Design Week 2026 highlights design and creativity as practical tools to help societies act, adapt, and survive amid global challenges. The festival significantly expands its international partnerships, opening new spaces for designers, artists, and creative entrepreneurs to exchange knowledge, technology, and business models. These collaborations aim to foster a new creative business ecosystem as one that leads to investment opportunities, business matching, and the development of Thai creative products capable of competing in global markets.

Explore perspectives from international partners, who shed light on the role of design as a universal language — a borderless bridge between cultures that generates tangible opportunities for Thailand’s creative economy in the global arena.

FROM LEGACY TO THE FUTURE. RESTORATION AS A DESIGN PROJECT
Sustainable Cultural Asset Management for Future Generations
by Embassy of Italy in Bangkok

The first international highlight comes from Italy, through the project Italia Reloaded, presented by the Italian Cultural Institute and the Embassy of Italy in Thailand. The initiative introduces the concept of “Restoration as Sustainability.”

Maria Sica, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, explains “Restoration is not about the past, it lies at the heart of sustainability. It focuses on reusing existing resources rather than producing new ones, guided by the principle of ‘Not Fake’- repairing without imitation. By integrating innovation, restoration preserves the authenticity and living value of cultural heritage. The project also draws on the historical relationship between Florence and Bangkok, inspired by the legacy of Silpa Bhirasri, serving as a foundation for knowledge transfer and hands-on workshops. These activities aim to elevate Thai craftsmanship to international standards while supporting high-quality cultural tourism. Together, these efforts frame restoration as a strategic pillar of urban cultural asset management — revitalizing historic districts, generating economic vitality, and strengthening a creative business ecosystem that grows sustainably from the city’s existing foundations.

LAHI (Heritage): The Philippine Fashion Exhibition
Fashion as Cultural Diplomacy and a New Economic Bridge in ASEAN
by the Philippine Embassy in Thailand

Representing the Philippines, Bangkok Design Week 2026 serves as the launch platform for “LAHI (Heritage): The Philippines Fashion Exhibition,“ presented through a collaboration between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Bangkok, and the Philippine Embassy in Thailand. Using fashion as a tool of both economic development and creative diplomacy, the initiative underscores Thailand’s role as a strategic partner for the Philippines within ASEAN.

A representative from DTI noted “Bangkok Design Week is a key platform for showcasing Philippine design capabilities to regional and global markets. It also serves as a gateway for cross-border business and investment opportunities, particularly through co-creation.The collaboration explores hybrid products that combine Thailand’s strength in international-standard manufacturing with Philippine design and craftsmanship. This approach not only strengthens the ASEAN brand and elevates products into high-value market segments, but also demonstrates how fashion — when rooted in cultural heritage — can become a competitive economic asset on the global stage.”

Ephemeral Sounds of the Gulf
Listening to Impermanence Through Design That Is Meant to Dissolve

The project “Ephemeral Sounds of the Gulf“ by Japanese mixed-media artist and producer Erika Tsuchiya (VCUarts Qatar) examines the tension between permanence and impermanence in contemporary production and consumption. The work experiments with biomaterial records, using physical media as a sonic and conceptual platform.

Erika Tsuchiya explains “The project reflects the continued economic potential of the physical format market even in a digital era — especially in Bangkok, where vinyl culture is experiencing a revival. At the same time, the project functions as research and development for a future green supply chain in the music industry. By recording natural soundscapes from the Arabian Gulf region and distributing them globally through biodegradable records, the work challenges conventional expectations of sonic perfection, while raising awareness of digital pollution and resource-intensive mass reproduction.

“Presently, designers and creators must be conscious of where materials come from and the impact of their choices. Understanding costs and consequences from the very beginning of the supply chain is the foundation of business models that grow not only in profit, but in long-term sustainability.” Tsuchiya concludes.

People Pavilion: Reimagining Streetlights as Urban Landmarks
Shade, Light, and Inclusive Design for the Tropical City

Another tangible example of urban innovation is People Pavilion, or Lan Prakai Muang, a collaboration between Urban Ally and HAS design and research, led by Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee. The project reinterprets “the Streetlight Pole” an existing piece of urban infrastructure transforming it into a functional and inclusive public architecture.

The design is grounded in a shared perspective that “the tropical climate is not a constraint, but an urban resource.” Drawing from everyday life in Bangkok where people seek shade during the day and light at night, the pavilion upgrades existing infrastructure into usable public space. This approach reduces construction waste while adding value to existing urban assets through the concept of infrastructure upcycling.

The core of the project goes beyond creating a new space. People Pavilion functions as an urban prototype for sustainable city-making, offering alternative solutions to public space challenges without relying on large-scale budgets. Through cross-sector collaboration and inclusive design, underutilized or neglected areas are transformed into places of tangible social and economic impact supporting a more resilient, adaptive, and people-centered city. Ultimately, the project demonstrates that meaningful urban transformation can be achieved through strategic design, rather than heavy financial investment.

HONG KONG: Projecting Future Heritage
When Everyday Architecture Becomes Tomorrow‘s Blueprint

The exhibition “HONG KONG: Projecting Future Heritage,“originally presented at the Venice Biennale Architettura in 2025, arrives in Bangkok curated by Hong Kong architects and urbanists Sunnie S.Y. Lau and Fai Au. It offers a perspective on social innovation by re-examining architecture embedded in everyday life. Moving beyond iconic landmarks, it invites critical reflection on ordinary buildings and familiar urban structures.

The two creators explain “Under the concept of Future Heritage, we explore strategic commonalities among historic port cities such as Hong Kong, Venice, and Bangkok. Those highlight the role of urban water systems as foundational infrastructures that have shaped these cities’ transformation from historic settlements into economic centers. We also present local architectures that reflect real everyday life, which may become valuable historical heritage in the next 20 – 30 years.”

From a sustainability perspective, the exhibition proposes an approach to urban development that integrates traditional wisdom with contemporary technology. Rather than viewing existing buildings as obsolete or burdensome, it advocates adaptive reuse — reimagining and repurposing structures without demolition — so they can continue to support living, working, and everyday life in meaningful ways. The exhibition underscores that looking back at what already exists is a crucial key to transforming cultural heritage into economic and intellectual capital capable of sustainable growth in the future.

Elevating Bangkok Design Week as the Creative Hub of Asia

These collaborations represent only a fraction of what unfolds at Bangkok Design Week 2026, taking place from 29 January – 8 February 2026. Through CEA’s strategic direction, the festival is being elevated as an international creative platform connecting designers, cities, businesses, and investors from Thailand and abroad. The goal is clear to transform cultural capital into measurable economic value, while firmly establishing Bangkok as one of Asia’s leading creative festival hubs. Driven by the power of the creative economy and sustained through long-term cross-border collaboration, Bangkok Design Week continues to advance a vision of inclusive, competitive, and sustainable growth for the region and beyond.

Website: www.bangkokdesignweek.com
X: @BKKDesignWeek
Facebook/Instagram: bangkokdesignweek
Line: @bangkokdesignweek

Hashtag: #CEA #BKKDW2026 #BangkokDesignWeek #DesignSOS #PowerOfDesign #PowerOfThaiDesign

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/bangkok-design-week-2026-sets-the-stage-as-asias-creative-hub/

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VinFast VF 8: The ‘Just In Case’ Electric SUV for Modern Families

Source: Media Outreach

Built for growing families and unpredictable schedules, the VinFast VF 8 combines spaciousness, towing capacity, advanced safety features, and long-term warranty coverage in an electric SUV that handles daily routines and unexpected detours alike.

DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – In the Middle East, families rarely plan only for what is certain. A typical week can shift quickly from school runs and office commutes to last minute road trips, extended family visits, or a spontaneous decision to tow something sizeable across town.

The VinFast VF 8 is positioned as a “just in case” SUV, engineered to address these varied and dynamic demands.

Firstly, the VF 8’s 2,950 mm wheelbase provides ample rear legroom, not the kind that appears generous only in images. The cabin accommodates child seats, growing teenagers, or visiting relatives without compromise. When additional cargo space is needed, the 60:40 split folding rear seats allow the space to adapt quickly.

In terms of capability, the VF 8 can tow up to 1,800 kg when properly equipped. For families with boats, trailers, or desert camping equipment, that figure translates into practical reassurance that the man of the house will not have to decide which items stay behind. The vehicle demonstrates that electric powertrains do not inherently limit utility.

On open highways between cities, the VF 8 delivers composed and confident performance. Plus variant, equipped with all-wheel drive, produces up to 402 horsepower and provides smooth, immediate acceleration for overtaking. The Eco version offers up to 493 km of range under NEDC standards, sufficient for most daily routines and many intercity drives without constant planning around charging stops.

Comfort, particularly in the Middle Eastern climate, is essential. The VF 8’s dual zone automatic climate control system, with integrated air quality management, ensures that cooling is evenly distributed and adjustable to different preferences.

For safety, the VF 8 comes equipped with 11 airbags and a comprehensive Level 2 driver assistance suite that includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist. These technologies support the driver during heavy traffic or long highway stretches, reducing fatigue and providing added reassurance for parents.

Ownership confidence is a significant advantage of the VF 8. VinFast addresses reliability concerns with a 10-year/200,000-km vehicle warranty and a 10-year unlimited kilometer battery warranty. The vehicle also includes 5 years or 100,000 km of free service, whichever comes first. For families considering their first electric vehicle, these commitments shift the conversation from hesitation to practicality.

The VinFast VF 8 does not attempt to reinvent family SUV expectations. Instead, it focuses on enhancing daily usability while remaining prepared for unexpected needs. It is a “Just In Case” vehicle, handling routines, road trips, and everything that arrives unannounced.

https://me.vinfast.com/en

Hashtag: #VinFast #V8

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/vinfast-vf-8-the-just-in-case-electric-suv-for-modern-families/

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New deal paying above market price for regenerative sheep farmers’ wool

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Regenerative sheep farmers could muster an above-market pay cheque for their sustainable wool clip, thanks to a new industry deal.

Wools of New Zealand signed a new contract to supply American-owned company Keraplast, based in Ōtautahi, with hundreds of tonnes of strong wool over the next five years.

Keraplast extracted keratin, the main protein in wool, that was then used as an ingredient in haircare, skincare, nutraceuticals and medical products.

Wools of New Zealand chief executive John McWhirter said the contract linked growers to high-value end uses, rather than the traditional textile markets based on commodity prices, to improve returns.

“This agreement demonstrates how strong wool can move beyond traditional textile markets into advanced, high-value applications.

“It shows strong wool has a future when we combine quality farming and innovative global manufacturing.”

Regenerative farmers focussed on enhancing the health of their soil, waterways and their animals, practices which were auditted for certified farmers.

The new super-premium wool contract was paying 40 percent or $2 a kilogram above market pricing for 2025, at $6.88 per kilo clean – and prices will increase $0.50 a kilo each year.

Keraplast chief executive, Howard Moore said the deal was about shoring up the supply of low-carbon New Zealand strong wool.

John McWhirter of Wools of New Zealand and Howard Moore of Keraplast. SUPPLIED

“We really do want to encourage the supply of regeneratively-farmed wool, but we also do feel it as an obligation from the company for us to to share in the value that we are adding to wool, sharing that with our farmer suppliers.”

Moore said the wool-only company was committed to net positive, a business strategy about creating more positive impacts than negative on the environment, society and the economy.

He said its industrial American customers were very focussed on sustainability.

Read more

“We sell to industrial customers and these industrial customers are concerned about their carbon footprint,” he said.

“And so we are able to demonstrate to these industrial customers of ours that we are doing our bit to source wool that’s got a reduced carbon footprint.

“That commitment to sustainability through using regeneratively farmed wool does help us with with our customers.”

Overseas competitors making products from keratin instead sourced the protein from chicken feathers, he said.

Moore said its 40 employees were working towards processing up to 100 tonnes of wool each year at its new factory near Hornby.

Since around August, wool prices in the North and South Islands had increased, exceeding levels in 2023 and 2024.

However, the national sheep flock was continuing to decline and major broker PGG Wrightson announced last month it was going to end its historic North Island from May.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/new-deal-paying-above-market-price-for-regenerative-sheep-farmers-wool/

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Exploring AI to support breast screening services

Source: New Zealand Government

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being explored as a way to support breast screening services and improve early detection for women across New Zealand, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“AI is providing new opportunities to strengthen our healthcare system and deliver smarter, more responsive care for New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says.

“As part of this, Health New Zealand is inviting organisations with experience in AI image reading to outline how the technology could be safely and effectively used within BreastScreen Aotearoa.

“This exploratory step is about understanding how best to ensure New Zealand women continue to have access to quality, future focused breast screening services.”

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women in New Zealand. Around 3400 women are diagnosed each year, and approximately 270,000 women aged 45 to 69 are screened annually through BreastScreen Aotearoa. 

“As demand grows, we need to look at smarter ways to support our workforce and deliver faster, more reliable screening.”

This is the first step in a validation process to understand how AI tools could support radiologists, reduce workload pressures, and improve patient outcomes, while maintaining strong clinical oversight and safety standards.

“This work is focused on future-proofing breast screening so services remain accessible, patient-centred, and responsive to the needs of women.

“AI is already being used internationally to assist with medical imaging. Exploring how it could complement the work of radiologists in New Zealand is an important step toward strengthening early detection and ensuring the long-term sustainability of screening services.”

Health New Zealand will draw on advice from the health technology sector, engage with the breast screening workforce, and assess international examples of AI use in medical imaging.

The work builds on recent improvements to BreastScreen Aotearoa, including extending the screening age range to 74 and transitioning to a population based digital register.

“At the heart of this work is one simple goal: enabling more women to access timely screening and giving them the best possible chance of early detection,” Mr Brown says.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/exploring-ai-to-support-breast-screening-services/

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Cyber and Supply Chain Risks Reshaping Japan’s Business Landscape, Aon Survey

Source: Media Outreach

  • “Geopolitical Volatility” is a top five current and future risk, highlighting the growing instability across the region
  • 83 Percent of Firms Report Rising Insurable Risk Costs

TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, has released the Japan findings of its 2025 Global Risk Management Survey. The survey reveals that Japanese businesses are navigating a complex landscape marked by persistent cyber threats, supply chain disruptions and weather/natural disasters. The survey, which gathered insights from nearly 3,000 risk managers, C-suite leaders and executives across 63 countries, highlights the unique risks Japan businesses are facing amid global disruption.

Japan’s Top Risks:

“Cyber Attacks/Data Breach” remains the top risk for Japanese businesses, consistent with global trends. “Supply chain or distribution failure” ranks second, as extreme weather events and mounting geopolitical volatility including shifting trade policies force companies to reassess their supply chains. In addition, “Product Liability/Recall” and “Exchange Rate Fluctuation” pose significant risks, reflecting the country’s manufacturing strength and exposure to global market volatility. Notably, 63.6 percent of Japanese respondents reported losses due to product liability or recall issues and 47.6 percent cited losses from exchange rate fluctuations.

Tatsuya Yamamoto, CEO of Japan at Aon, said, “Japanese organisations are operating in an environment of unprecedented complexity. Cyber, weather and geopolitical risks continue to be acute challenges for Japan businesses, underscoring the need for robust risk management frameworks and agile strategies. As market trends shift and competition intensifies, vigilance and adaptability will be key. The interconnectedness of risks – where a cyber attack can disrupt supply chains or geopolitical volatility can trigger regulatory changes – demands a holistic, proactive approach to resilience.”

2025 Top 10 Business Risks in Japan

  1. Cyber Attacks/Data Breach
  2. Supply Chain or Distribution Failure
  3. Weather/Natural Disasters
  4. Geopolitical Volatility
  5. Business Interruption
  6. Economic Slowdown/Slow Recovery
  7. Exchange Rate Fluctuation
  8. Commodity Price Risk/Scarcity of Materials
  9. Product Liability/Recall
  10. Failure to Attract or Retain Top Talent

Risk Management: Formalisation and Focus on Insurable Risks

Japanese organisations demonstrate a strong commitment to risk management, with 74.7 percent having a formal risk management and insurance department, compared to 68.4 percent globally. Additionally, 75.3 percent measure the total cost of insurable risk and 83.3 percent report that these costs are increasing. While risk awareness is rising, most organisations have yet to quantify their exposures or leverage advanced analytics.

Japanese Businesses Risk Management Assessments for Top Three Risks

For “Cyber Attacks/Data Breaches”:

  1. 27.2 percent have assessed the risk
  2. 12.6 percent have developed continuity plans
  3. 22.3 Percent have risk management plans

For “Supply Chain or Distribution Failure”:

  1. 25 percent have assessed the risk
  2. 20 percent have developed continuity plans
  3. 26.7 Percent have risk management plans

For “Weather/Natural Disasters”:

  1. 24.1 percent have assessed the risk
  2. 22.4 percent have developed continuity plans
  3. 13.8 percent have risk management plans

Future Risks: Rapidly Changing Market Trends and Geopolitical Volatility

Looking ahead, Japanese organisations expect “Weather/Natural Disasters” and “Geopolitical Volatility” to remain critical risks, alongside “Rapidly Changing Market Trends,” which is more prominent in Japan than globally. This highlights the country’s exposure to climate events and evolving consumer preferences.

Japan’s Top Five Future Business Risks by 2028:

  1. Cyber Attacks/Data Breach
  2. Weather/Natural Disasters
  3. Geopolitical Volatility
  4. Rapidly Changing Market Trends
  5. Increasing Competition

Shinichi Kandatsu, head of Commercial Risk Solutions for Japan at Aon, said, “Cyber and weather-related risks continue to lead the rankings as top concerns for Japanese businesses today and in the future, with geopolitical volatility also ranking among the top five risks across both periods. This trend reflects the growing instability across the region, with implications for supply chains, regulatory environments and financial performance. In today’s fast-moving market, leveraging advanced data analytics is essential for businesses to anticipate emerging risks, optimise risk capital and build resilience. The findings from Aon’s Global Risk Management Survey provide Japanese businesses with actionable information to benchmark their risk strategies and identify areas for improvement.”

To access the full report and explore how Aon is helping clients navigate today’s disruption dynamic, visit Global Risk Management Survey Japan

Hashtag: #Aon

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/cyber-and-supply-chain-risks-reshaping-japans-business-landscape-aon-survey/

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ATPI Strengthens Taiwan Presence with Award-Winning Travel Management Solution

Source: Media Outreach

2025 Global Travel Management Company of the Year recognition affirms ATPI’s leadership in localised, enterprise-ready travel management

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – ATPI Taiwan continues to strengthen its position as a trusted global travel management partner for organisations operating in Taiwan, following the recognition of ATPI’s Hong Kong and Singapore operations as Global Travel Management Company of the Year at the Travel Daily Media Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025.

Photo caption: (Left to Right) Kelly Jones, Managing Director of ATPI Taiwan; Gary Marshall, CEO of Travel Daily Media; and Ali Hussain, Managing Director of ATPI Asia, at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 – Asia

The Travel Daily Media Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Asia recognises organisations demonstrating excellence in operational delivery, technology integration and service innovation. ATPI was recognised for its ability to deliver globally integrated travel programmes supported by personalised service, secure platforms and disciplined governance across complex, multi-market environments.

Building on these globally recognised capabilities, ATPI Taiwan operates as a professional travel management organisation purpose-built for multinational and technology-driven enterprises. Its local operating model addresses key structural gaps in Taiwan’s corporate travel landscape, where many providers remain leisure-focused and reliant on manual processes that limit transparency, control and scalability.

A defining differentiator is financial transparency. Unlike traditional agencies that issue a single “all-in” receipt, ATPI Taiwan provides two separate documents:

  • a Travel Agency Receipt detailing the net ticket fare; and
  • a Government Uniform Invoice (GUI / 發票) clearly itemising the agreed service fee.

ATPI is currently the only travel management company in Taiwan offering this structure. The model enables procurement and finance teams to perform audit-level cost analysis, eliminates hidden mark-ups and supports compliance requirements for publicly listed, multinational and technology-led organisations.

ATPI Taiwan’s cloud-based global travel management platform integrates directly with ATPI’s worldwide traveller profile and governance framework. This enables organisations to enforce consistent travel policies, approval workflows and duty-of-care standards across Taiwan and international markets. Centralised dashboards provide real-time visibility of both Taiwan and global travel spend, supporting procurement oversight, financial control and data-driven decision-making for high-volume international travel programmes.

Data security is another critical differentiator. While traveller information in Taiwan is often collected via unsecured consumer messaging platforms, ATPI Taiwan operates in line with ATPI Global Standards and international data protection protocols. Traveller data is managed through the ATPI e-Profile platform, supported by PCI-compliant secure links for document submission and mandatory quarterly data-security training. To date, ATPI Taiwan has maintained a zero data-misconduct and zero data-leakage record.

ATPI also provides professional 24/7 global emergency support through its World Support Centres (WSC), ensuring continuity across time zones with full system access and defined escalation protocols — capabilities essential for mission-critical and time-sensitive travel.

“Our focus is on delivering enterprise-grade travel management that combines global consistency with local precision,” said Kelly Jones, Managing Director – Southeast Asia, China, Hong Kong & Taiwan, ATPI. “Clients choose ATPI not only for our global reach, but for the governance, transparency and personalised service that allow their travel programmes to operate with confidence and control.”

“These capabilities translate directly into measurable outcomes for our clients,” added Asa Yang, General Manager, ATPI Taiwan. “In one recent case, our team conducted a strategic fare analysis for a complex five-destination itinerary and identified a more cost-effective routing. Instead of retaining the price differential, we returned 100% of the savings to the client, delivering a direct saving of TWD 160,000. This reflects our commitment to financial transparency, integrity and proactive programme management.”

The dual awards further reinforce ATPI’s long-standing leadership in corporate and specialist travel management. Following ATPI’s acquisition by Direct Travel in September 2025, the combined organisation operates as a global travel management group, bringing together international scale and personalised service across corporate and complex travel sectors, including marine, energy, mining, sports and group travel. Together, Direct Travel and ATPI manage more than USD 6 billion in annual travel volume, with operations spanning over 100 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

https://www.atpi.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/atpi

Hashtag: #atpi #corporatetravelmanagement

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/atpi-strengthens-taiwan-presence-with-award-winning-travel-management-solution/

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Transmission Gully accelerating to 110km/h

Source: New Zealand Government

Transmission Gully has received the green light for a new 110 km/h speed limit for drivers travelling between Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop.

The new speed limit will take effect from 12:01am on Monday, 16 February 2026.

“This change is part of a wider effort to fix the basics of our transport network and set it up for the future. We’re committed to providing state highways that help people get where they need to go quickly and safely,” says Mr Bishop.

“Transmission Gully is a critical transport link for Wellington and Kāpiti, carrying around 22,000 vehicles a day and providing a safe, modern, and resilient route between the regions.

“The road, as one of the previous National Government’s first Roads of National
Significance, was designed and built to support higher-speed travel, subject to meeting strict safety standards. Since opening in 2022, Transmission Gully has recorded low crash rates, with no deaths despite more than 150 barrier strikes. Safety features including two lanes in each direction and a flexible median barrier between opposing lanes help reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a crash.

“The new higher speed limit applies to the 27‑kilometre section of State Highway 1 between the Linden and Paekākāriki interchanges, which is currently posted at 100 km/h. Heavy vehicles and vehicles towing trailers will continue to have a 90 km/h limit.

“Public consultation on the proposed change took place in mid‑2025. Of the 2,061 submissions received, 92% supported raising the Transmission Gully limit to 110 km/h.

“I want to thank drivers for their patience over summer while essential maintenance and resurfacing work was completed. That work has helped bring the road to the point where a higher speed limit can be safely applied.

“Police will apply the same enforcement to 110km/h roads as any other part of the road network. Drivers can expect to see police patrols on New Zealand roads anywhere, at any time. Drivers should continue to drive to the conditions, free from impairment and distraction, and make sure everyone’s wearing their seatbelt.

“Although Raumati Straights was consulted on at the same time, due to constraints on this section of the corridor, including the rail line and proximity to Queen Elizabeth Park, the Raumati Straights were not built to the same design and safety standards as other sections of the Kāpiti Expressway. Technical assessments determined that this section did not meet the minimum safety and design requirements for a 110km/h speed limit.

“Increasing the speed limit on this section would require significant investment in safety improvements. This remains a possibility in the future, but it would depend on further scope development and funding decisions.”

Notes to editor:

 

  • NZTA will continue to monitor Raumati Straights and consider future improvements as part of wider planning for the State Highway 1 corridor.
  • NZTA will work closely with New Zealand Police on speed enforcement. Police will apply the same enforcement approach on Transmission Gully as they do on other 110 km/h roads, focusing on areas with the highest safety risks.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/transmission-gully-accelerating-to-110km-h/

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NZ-AU: Brazilian Rare Earths Achieves Very High 97% Rare Earth Recovery at 150°C

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

SYDNEY, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brazilian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: BRE / OTCQX: BRELY) (‘BRE’) is pleased to report the results of a metallurgical optimisation program conducted at CDTN, a Brazilian federal research institute with specialist capabilities in metallurgical process development.

The program independently validated low-temperature sulfuric acid curing at 150°C using standard equipment. Importantly, a 15 kg blended composite scale-up test replicated the very high extractions achieved at laboratory-scale, providing increased confidence in scalability.

Key Highlights

  • Very High Extraction Rates: 97% for Total Rare Earth Oxides, 97% for Neodymium + Praseodymium, 83% for Dysprosium, 87% for Terbium and 97% for Uranium
  • Low-Temperature Flowsheet: Peak extraction achieved at 150°C using a low-temperature, acid-cure process – removing the need for high temperature (>250°C) rotary kilns
  • Low-Cost Processing: The low-temperature acid-cure process delivers high recoveries at materially lower energy intensity – supports potential for lower opex and capex flowsheet using conventional paddle mixers
  • Exceptional End-to-End System Yields: When combined with recently announced ore sorting recovery of +95%, estimated total ‘mineral-to-product’ recovery of ~91% TREO and ~89% for Uranium
  • Further Optimisation Upsides: Opportunities to shorten wash durations, optimise process acids and intensity, while maintaining or improving high extraction performance
Table 1: Blended composite extraction results (15 kg) & end-to-end system yields
Oxide Head Grade
(ppm)		   Extraction
(%)		   End-to-End Yield
(%)		   Recovered
Grade (ppm)		  
TREO (Total Rare Earth Oxides) 196,083   97   91   179,279  
NdPr (Neodymium + Praseodymium) 31,050   97   92   28,543  
Tb (Terbium) 246   87   82   203  
Dy (Dysprosium) 1,383   83   78   1,081  
Y (Yttrium) 6,361   84   79   5,019  
U (Uranium) 2,627   97   89   2,347  
Note: End-to-end yield is calculated as the product of extraction rates achieved in the 15 kg blended composite metallurgical test, an ore-sorting recovery of 95%, and recoveries from additional downstream metallurgical steps previously evaluated by ANSTO to produce a Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate. Recovered grade is calculated as the product of head grade and end-to-end yield.  


BRE Managing Director and CEO, Bernardo da Veiga, commented:

“Our metallurgy program validated a low-temperature, acid-cure process which delivers industry-leading recoveries for both rare earth and uranium products.

Importantly, the results support the potential for leading total system yields – from mineral to product – a key driver for efficiency and cost performance. When combined with Monte Alto’s ore sorting yield of +95%, the total system product recovery is 92% for NdPr, up to 82% for the heavy rare earths DyTb and Y, and 89% for uranium.

These results are key to unlocking value from the high-grade mineralisation across our Rocha da Rocha province. This acid-cure process eliminates the need for energy-intensive thermal cracking and supports the engineering simplicity required for scalable deployment at our centralised Camaçari rare earth processing hub.

We are now focused on applying this proven flowsheet to our broader resource base that will allow us to integrate multiple high-grade feedstocks into a flexible ‘hub-and-spoke’ production platform.”

A link to the full release can be found here.

Contacts

Bernardo Da Veiga, Managing Director and CEO

investors@brazilianrareearths.com
www.brazilianrareearths.com

– Published by The MIL Network

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/nz-au-brazilian-rare-earths-achieves-very-high-97-rare-earth-recovery-at-150c/

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NZ-AU: Innovation Beverage Group Provides Update on Merger with BlockFuel Energy and Production Restart to Advance Dual Revenue Model Spanning Energy and Digital Asset Mining

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

SYDNEY, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Innovation Beverage Group Ltd (“IBG” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: IBG), an innovative developer, manufacturer, and marketer of a growing beverage portfolio of 60 formulations across 13 alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands, today provided an update regarding its proposed merger with BlockFuel Energy Inc., a Texas corporation (“BFE”), including operational, financial, and strategic milestones that position the combined transaction parties as a capital-efficient energy producer with a differentiated digital infrastructure growth strategy.

The companies remain on track to complete the merger in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions. Integration planning continues, with a clear focus on building a vertically integrated platform that monetizes hydrocarbons through both conventional sales channels and potential digital energy applications.

Ten wells are currently back in production, with an additional seven wells expected to be returned to production by month-end, materially increasing active production and available gas volumes across the portfolio.

BFE expects to complete its first oil and gas sales in February 2026, with initial revenues anticipated before the end of the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. These initial oil and gas revenues are expected to provide near-term cash-flow visibility following completion of the merger.

Digital Energy and Mining Strategy

In parallel with production restarts, planning is advancing for the potential deployment of digital mining infrastructure powered directly by natural gas produced onsite. Initial planning takes into consideration modular, wellhead-adjacent generation and mining deployments, allowing capacity to scale in-line with gas availability and capital deployment.

Based on preliminary engineering and comparable field deployments, BFE management believes onsite gas-to-power costs may be meaningfully below grid-based power pricing, while avoiding transportation, processing, and third-party power costs. Even modest allocations of produced gas to digital infrastructure may support incremental margins per unit of gas, while preserving flexibility to sell gas into traditional markets.

Daniel Lanskey, Chief Executive Officer of BlockFuel Energy, commented, “We view Bitcoin mining not as speculation, but as energy infrastructure. At its core, our strategy is about converting underutilized natural gas at the site into productive, revenue-generating capacity. By collocating modular power and mining directly at the wellhead, we believe the combined company can deploy capital efficiently, operate at a low effective energy cost, and scale output in-line with production. This approach has the potential to improve overall project economics while giving shareholders disciplined exposure to digital asset upside.”

The integrated energy-and-mining model is expected to enhance resilience across commodity cycles and provide a flexible demand sink for gas, while creating incremental cash flow per well without compromising conventional production strategy.

Portfolio Expansion and Scale

Further strengthening the asset base, BFE has executed a Letter of Intent with a previous vendor to acquire additional nearby producing oil fields, adding approximately 4,000 contiguous acres to its portfolio. The proposed acquisition is expected to both expand scale and improve operating efficiencies, increasing gas volumes available for both traditional sales and digital energy initiatives.

Management of the companies believe these milestones demonstrate disciplined execution across production, capital formation, and infrastructure planning, while reinforcing the strategic rationale for the IBG-BFE merger.

Upon completion, the combined group is expected to emerge as a small-cap, integrated energy company with near-term production, diversified revenue streams, and a scalable gas-to-digital infrastructure platform positioned to deliver long-term shareholder value.

Further updates will be provided as the merger, financing, production restart, digital mining deployment, and acquisition initiatives continue to progress toward completion.

About Innovation Beverage Group Ltd

Innovation Beverage Group is a developer, manufacturer, marketer, exporter, and retailer of a growing beverage portfolio of 60 formulations across 13 alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands for which it owns exclusive manufacturing rights. Focused on premium and super premium brands and market categories where it can disrupt age old brands, IBG’s brands include Australian Bitters, BITTERTALES, Drummerboy Spirits, Twisted Shaker, and more. IBG’s most successful brand to date is Australian Bitters, which is a well-established and favored bitters brand in Australia. Established in 2018, IBG’s headquarters, manufacturing and flavor innovation center are located in Sydney, Australia with a U.S. sales office located in California. For more information visit: https://www.innovationbev.com/.

About BlockFuel Energy

BlockFuel Energy is involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of proven oil fields onshore in North America. By turning natural gas at the source, including stranded and flared gas, into a potent resource for the digital era, BlockFuel Energy intends to redefine the energy industry. BlockFuel Energy combines state-of-the-art power generation with oil and gas exploration to power bitcoin mining operations and high-performance data centers. Our vertically integrated concept allows us to use co-location and modular power generation techniques to optimize efficiency and investment returns. Our cutting-edge solutions for energy optimization and extraction will enable us to transform underdeveloped resources into high-margin, scalable, and sustainable revenue streams. For more information visit: https://blockfuelenergy.com/.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed merger between IBG and BlockFuel Energy, anticipated operational milestones, expected production levels, anticipated oil and gas sales, planned financing activities, potential deployment of digital infrastructure, expected economic benefits of such activities, and the proposed acquisition of additional oil field assets.

Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “projects,” “intends,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” or similar expressions. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, among others, the ability of the parties to execute definitive transaction documents, satisfy closing conditions, obtain regulatory and stockholder approvals, commodity price volatility, operational risks, financing risks, regulatory developments relating to digital assets, and other risks described in IBG’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Neither IBG nor BFE undertakes any obligation to update such statements except as required by law.

Contact:

Innovation Beverage Group Limited
Sahil Beri
CEO
sahil@innovationbev.com
www.innovationbev.com

BlockFuel Energy Inc.
Daniel Lanskey
President and CEO
dan.lanskey@blockfuelenergy.com
www.blockfuelenergy.com

Investor Relations:
KCSA Strategic Communications
Phil Carlson, Managing Director
BlockFuel@KCSA.com

– Published by The MIL Network

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/nz-au-innovation-beverage-group-provides-update-on-merger-with-blockfuel-energy-and-production-restart-to-advance-dual-revenue-model-spanning-energy-and-digital-asset-mining/

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HGC Announces Appointment of Cliff Tam as Chief Commercial Officer of International Business

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 February 2026 – HGC Global Communications(“HGC” or “the Group”) a fully-fledged network operator with extensive global coverage and ICT solution provider, has appointed Cliff Tam as Chief Commercial Officer – International Business, effective immediately. This strategic appointment reinforces HGC’s commitment to accelerating the growth of its international business (“IB”), deepening global network solutions, and advancing the Group’s position as a trusted enabler of international connectivity and digital infrastructure worldwide.

Cliff Tam is appointed as Chief Commercial Officer – International business of HGC

In his new role, Cliff will spearhead the Group’s international commercial strategy, leading the IB organisation to sharpen its global focus, deepen niche market penetration. He will champion the shared network philosophy in Southeast Asia (“SEA”) region to drive next-generation ready digital infrastructure development and capture new opportunities arising from AI adoption and global digital transformation. Leveraging HGC’s regional network cluster, Cliff will support companies in achieving seamless cross-border integration from Hong Kong as a key telecommunications hub across Chinese Mainland, and other international markets. Meanwhile, Ravindran Mahalingam, Senior Vice President – International Business & Digital Infrastructure, will support Cliff in identifying in-country projects across SEA and driving scalable and sustainable businesses for the Group.

With over 30 years of industry experience, Cliff brings a strategic global perspective that align with evolving needs of today’s interconnected digital economy and rapidly changing global environment. He has been repeatedly recognised by Capacity Power 100 as one of the most influential leaders in the telecommunications industry, underscoring his impact on shaping international carrier and digital ecosystem trends.

Andrew Kwok, Chief Executive Officer of HGC, said “Cliff’s appointment marks a significant step forward in HGC’s global development. As we establish a next-generation regional telecommunications network, encompassing international connectivity, local networks, and strategic network hubs, also incorporating AI development to future-proof our infrastructure. By leveraging HGC’s global network cluster, we will strengthen an interconnected telecom ecosystem that further reinforce Hong Kong’s status as one of the leading international telecommunications hub and support the continued evolution of the global digital economy.”

Cliff Tam, Chief Commercial Officer – International Business of HGC, said, “I am honoured to assume this role and remain focused on driving long‑term value for HGC’s international business. By deepening collaboration with our regional and global partners, we will advance the shared network philosophy to support companies respond to fast changing market dynamics driven by AI and emerging technologies. With HGC’s extensive international connectivity and embracement to AI adoption, we will empower OTTs, hyerscalers and enterprises to expand across borders, evolve in global markets, and accelerate their digital transformation. I look forward to leading our team in shaping new possibilities and strengthening HGC’s position as a trusted international partner in the rapidly evolving global digital landscape.”

Hashtag: #HGC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/hgc-announces-appointment-of-cliff-tam-as-chief-commercial-officer-of-international-business/