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From a Vietnamese barbershop to an international network of more than 130 locations

In the global men’s grooming industry, building an international brand requires barbershop chains to solve a fundamental challenge: How can they standardize services, train staff, maintain a consistent customer experience and scale their model without losing their identity?

This is the formula behind many of the world’s leading names in the hair and grooming industry, including Great Clips, Supercuts, Sport Clips Haircuts, TONI&GUY, QB House and Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty. These brands have transformed a service industry traditionally dependent on individual craftsmanship into scalable business systems.

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) is pursuing a similar path. Founded in Vietnam in 2018, the company has grown into a network of more than 130 locations, with over 1,000 barbers, while gradually expanding into international markets. At this scale, East West operates in a different league from independent barbershops.

The value of a barbershop chain with hundreds of locations lies in its ability to deliver a consistent experience across the entire network. This is also why East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) has been ranked among the Top 10 large-scale grooming brands in the world.

But as it prepares to enter the U.S. market, the key question is whether this model can be successfully transferred and operated in a completely different market.

Beyond the haircut: When a barbershop becomes an experience

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) seeks to differentiate itself by developing an “Experiential Barbershop” concept, combining grooming with relaxation and entertainment.

From the moment customers walk through the door, they are greeted by a space filled with greenery, along with relaxation areas featuring pool tables, chess, a piano, a bar and bookshelves. The chain, which caters exclusively to men and boys, also features car-themed barber chairs and dedicated play areas for its younger customers.

Its services extend well beyond a haircut, including hair washing, ear cleaning, massage, hair restoration treatments, perming, coloring, nail care, shoe cleaning and phone sanitization.

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) aims to change the way customers perceive a barbershop. Rather than simply purchasing a grooming service, customers can take time to relax, look after themselves or bring their children along to a space designed around the overall experience.

As consumers increasingly value the overall experience alongside service quality, this approach reflects the changing dynamics of the men’s grooming market.

The United States: East West Barbershop’s next major test

The United States is no random choice. It represents the next step in East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s international strategy, building on a business model that has already been tested in Vietnam and several overseas markets.

The U.S. is home to many major barbershop and salon brands and is one of the world’s most mature markets for franchising in the service sector.

Great Clips is a prime example. With thousands of salons across the United States and Canada, the brand demonstrates the scale a haircut business can achieve when its model is standardized and successfully replicated.

Supercuts, Sport Clips and many other chains have likewise spent years building strong brand recognition and extensive customer networks.

Against this backdrop, the Vietnamese brand must answer a fundamental question: Why would American consumers choose a brand from Vietnam over names they already know and recognize?

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s answer is not simply to compete on price. Its goal is to “export” a business model that combines customer experience, workforce training, operating standards and franchising.

This requires the company to turn its operational experience into a transferable system while addressing the many differences between Vietnam and the United States.

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) identifies barber training, skills standardization and the ability to adapt to a new environment as key foundations of this process. International expansion also creates opportunities for Vietnamese barbers to gain exposure to international working environments.

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) has also linked its development with social initiatives, including free vocational training for young people, mobile haircut programs offering free services, and contributions to charitable activities. These efforts contribute to a distinctive brand story: a service business seeking to develop its brand, its profession and its community at the same time.

After nearly a decade of establishment and development, East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) is gradually proving that a business model built in Vietnam can be standardized, franchised, and compete on the same playing field as the major players in the global hair industry.

If successful in the U.S., East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s story will go beyond being a Top 10 brand or a network of more than 130 locations. It will be the story of how a Vietnamese service business transformed capabilities built at home into a model capable of reaching the global stage.

Hashtag: #EastWestBarbershop #Dongtaybarbershop

https://dongtaybarbershop.com

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

East West Barbershop Vietnam Joint Stock Company

Gyan Pathak Jharkhand has just witnessed a multi group agitation of students, which ended on August 18 with an agreement reached between student leaders and the state government, and Devendra Nath Mahto ended his 16 days hunger strike. Jharkhand government, as per the agreement reached, notified cancellation of 22 recruitment examinations on August 19 and […]

The article Jharkhand may witness a more complicated students movement appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Nationwide #AreYourKidneysOK+? initiative expands access to subsidised blood screening, public education, and pharmacist support for 12,550 Malaysians.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 – As chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease continue to affect Malaysians, early detection is becoming increasingly important in reducing complications and improving long-term health outcomes.

These conditions are closely interconnected across the Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic spectrum, meaning that a problem affecting one area of health may also increase the risks to other parts of the body. However, many individuals may not recognise these risks until their condition has progressed or complications have developed.

One such complication is hyperkalemia, a condition characterised by elevated potassium levels in the blood. Hyperkalemia is more common among people living with chronic kidney disease because impaired kidneys may have lower ability to remove excess potassium from the body. As the condition may not always present noticeable warning signs, it remains under-recognised by the public and may lead to serious complications affecting the heart’s rhythm if not appropriately identified and managed.

Recognising the need to strengthen early detection and public awareness across the Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) spectrum, Alpro Group, in collaboration with AstraZeneca Malaysia, announced the launch of #AreYourKidneysOK+?, a nationwide awareness campaign dedicated to encourage early detection, promoting kidney health, and raising awareness of hyperkalemia.

This nationwide initiative aims to empower Malaysians to better understand the connection between their heart, kidney and metabolic health, while bringing greater attention to hyperkalemia as an often-overlooked complication associated with chronic kidney disease.

At the heart of the campaign is a subsidised blood screening programme aimed at encouraging more Malaysians to take an earlier and more proactive approach to their health. Eligible individuals will receive subsidy on selected blood test packages, to reduce financial barriers in screening and to support the earlier identification of potential Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic and health risks.

The campaign aims to reach 12,550 individuals across Malaysia, a shared commitment by Alpro Group and AstraZeneca Malaysia to turn public health awareness into meaningful action.

Beyond providing financial support for screening, the campaign creates a more accessible pathway for Malaysians to learn about their potential health risks, undergo appropriate screening and speak to their healthcare professionals about the next steps they may need to undertake.

To extend the campaign’s reach beyond physical pharmacy locations, the initiative is supported by a dedicated digital health education platform containing trusted and easy-to-understand information about hyperkalemia, including its causes, risk factors, possible warning signs and relationship with chronic kidney disease.

The platform serves as a public health resource that Malaysians can access at any time, helping individuals and caregivers better understand hyperkalemia and prepare for more informed conversations with pharmacists, doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Through Alpro Group’s community healthcare network, members of the public will also have greater access to pharmacist support and guidance. Alpro pharmacists can help individuals better understand the importance of screening, recognise relevant risk factors and seek appropriate medical assessment or follow-up when necessary.

“Many chronic health risks develop quietly and may only be discovered after complications have occurred. Through this campaign, we want to make preventive healthcare more accessible by connecting public education, affordable screening and professional healthcare support. By targeting 12,550 Malaysians, we hope to encourage more people to take an earlier and more proactive step towards understanding their heart, kidney and metabolic health,” said Dr. Ng Ming Lee, Medical Director of Alpro Clinic.

“As chronic kidney disease remains a significant public health challenge in Malaysia, this collaboration reflects a shared commitment across the healthcare ecosystem to strengthen public awareness of kidney health and bring health education closer to the public. Through Alpro Group’s nationwide network, we aim to help more Malaysians learn about relevant risk factors and have informed conversations with healthcare professionals to support appropriate assessment and follow-up,” said Dr. Svetlana Yanchuk, Country President, AstraZeneca Malaysia.

Through this collaboration, Alpro Group and AstraZeneca Malaysia reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing preventive healthcare by combining greater public awareness, accessible screening and professional healthcare support.

The campaign also demonstrates the important role that community pharmacies can play in supporting wider public health efforts by providing Malaysians with convenient access to health education, early screening opportunities and trusted professional guidance within their communities.

Members of the public are encouraged to learn more about hyperkalemia by visiting www.alpropharmacy.com/pages/hyperkalemia or by speaking to an Alpro pharmacist.

References
1. KDIGO Controversies Conference. Potassium Homeostasis and Management of Dyskalemia in Kidney Diseases. Kidney International (2020). [kdigo.org]

2. National Kidney Foundation. High Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment (updated 2025).
Hashtag: #AlproPharmacy #AlproGroup #AreYourKidneysOK+?

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

About Alpro Group

Founded in 2002, Alpro Group’s ecosystem has grown to include Alpro Pharmacy, Apotek Alpro, Alpro スギ (Sugi) Pharmacy, Alpro Physio, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Baby, Alpro OptiSaver, Alpro Audiology, Alpro Health, and Alpro Foundation. Supported by a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, optometrist and many others, Alpro serves over 5 million families in Malaysia and Indonesia through its extensive network of 500 physical outlets.

Alpro Pharmacy is the first and only community pharmacy in the region to offer product liability insurance of MYR 1 million in Malaysia and IDR 3 billion in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of genuine medications and enhancing consumer trust.

With the vision of a healthy and vibrant world, Alpro Group aims to become the No. 1 prescription pharmacy chain in Southeast Asia.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science led biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of innovative medicines that transform patient outcomes. Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, the company operates in more than 100 countries and plays a significant role in advancing modern healthcare through research driven innovation and strategic partnerships worldwide.

Guided by its purpose to push the boundaries of science to deliver life changing medicines, AstraZeneca prioritises long term investment in research and development. The company’s global strategy is built on deep scientific expertise, advanced technology platforms, and precision medicine approaches, including biologics, antibody drug conjugates, and data driven drug discovery. These capabilities enable AstraZeneca to address complex diseases and unmet medical needs with increasing accuracy and effectiveness.

As EV adoption develops across the Middle East, VinFast is working with local partners across distribution, charging and aftersales to strengthen the ownership experience.

DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 August 2026 – The global EV market is entering a stage where selling the vehicle is only part of the challenge. As more electric vehicles reach new markets, automakers with international reach also need to build the infrastructure, service capabilities and customer support systems that can sustain ownership long after the initial sale.

This is particularly relevant in the Middle East, where EV adoption is gaining momentum and international brands are expanding their presence. For newer EV manufacturers, establishing a reliable ownership ecosystem requires more than simply importing vehicles. It also means working with local partners that understand the market, regulations and customer expectations.

Vietnam-based VinFast is among the companies taking this approach. As it enters the Middle East, the company is making substantial commitments to customers, including a 10-year/200,000-km vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited-kilometer battery warranty and five years or 100,000 km of free service for the all-electric mid-size VF 8. Supporting such commitments requires an aftersales infrastructure capable of serving customers throughout the ownership journey, which is why VinFast is taking a partnership-led approach to its expansion in the UAE, combining its EV business with established local expertise across distribution, service and charging.

VinFast signed an exclusive dealership agreement with Al Tayer Motors in 2024 for the distribution of VinFast EVs in the UAE. Established in 1982, Al Tayer Motors is one of the UAE’s leading automotive groups and represents major European and American automotive brands. It has a network of sales, service and parts centers, supported by 2,700 employees and digital platforms including e-commerce and a dedicated app. Al Tayer Motors also planned to establish a network of VinFast facilities across the UAE, extending the brand’s local service infrastructure.

VinFast has continued to strengthen that infrastructure through additional partnerships. In February 2026, VinFast Middle East signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PlusX Electric, a DEWA-approved EV charging and electric mobility solutions provider in the UAE.

The partnership focuses on charging accessibility and customer support, with the two companies exploring Portable EV Charging Pods, on-demand mobile charging and emergency charging as part of EV roadside assistance. They will also explore scalable charging and mobile-support solutions for commercial and fleet customers, as well as digital integration to streamline charging bookings and service updates.

The same partnership model extends to VinFast’s wider global aftersales strategy. At its 2026 Global Business Conference, the company signed MOUs with 29 aftersales partners across its international markets, including the Middle East. The partners are expected to establish EV service workshops that meet VinFast’s global standards, while VinFast aims to expand to more than 1,100 service workshops globally in 2026. The network will be supported by standardized technician training and certification, consistent operating procedures and quality controls, while its parts network targets delivery of common spare parts within 24 hours in key markets.

For EV brands entering the Middle East, the strength of the local support network can therefore become a competitive advantage. As VinFast’s UAE strategy shows, bringing an EV to market increasingly means building the capabilities around it that can make ownership dependable over the long term.

Hashtag: #VinFast

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

Approximately 800 Cambodian leaders and Church members gathered Wednesday morning on the temple grounds, located at Russian Confederation Street Phnom Penh 12040 on a 1.3-hectare site.

Represented at the event were top leaders in government, diplomatic corps, religion, business, education, health care and the news media.

They heard speeches from Church leaders and His Excellency Minister Chay Borin of the Ministry of Cult and Religion, who represented His Excellency Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Leading the Church delegation was Elder Gerrit W. Gong, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and senior leader from Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The commemoration will continue with public open house tours:

• Saturdays, 15 & 22 August: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Monday–Friday, 17–21 August: 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, 16 August: No tours available.

Tours are free with no reservation required. More information is available at:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/featured/phnom-penh-cambodia-open-house?lang=khm.

In his speech, Minister Chay Borin said he was “honored and delighted” to represent Prime Minister Hun Manet at the event. He noted the “magnificent architecture and craftsmanship” of the Phnom Penh Temple and said it demonstrates the growth of religious faith in Cambodia. It is also a reflection of the peace, political stability and freedom of religious belief enjoyed by Cambodian citizens.

Elder Gong said, “For us, this temple is a holy and sacred place where heaven and earth come together in serenity and harmony. In the temple, we worship God and receive His blessings. We learn God’s plan of happiness and our divine identity and purpose. We promise and covenant to live good, moral, productive, faith-filled lives.”

Regarding the temple, Minister Borin told the large group of government and community leaders, “I firmly believe that this new holy place will become a place where love and peace are nurtured, a place where people can leave behind wrongdoing and sin, and a place that contributes to cultivating morality, virtue, and good conduct among all those who come here to worship.”

The temple is a “symbol of peace and of building strong and harmonious families for generations to come, consistent with one of the Church’s core teachings, which emphasizes strong and enduring families as an important foundation of society.”

Elder Gong said he and his wife love visiting Cambodia and have met with Church members and friends all across the country. Cambodia, he said, “is a miracle of modern development” while also preserving Khmer history and culture. “We are grateful for the privilege to worship freely in this beautiful country in meetinghouses and places of worship,” he said.

Elder Gong said Church members “believe we are all children of God, which makes us brothers and sisters. As such, we are grateful to work with the government of Cambodia to provide hundreds of humanitarian, education, and medical projects to benefit our Cambodian brothers and sisters regardless of religion.”

Elder Gong noted that Cambodia is a country that treasures temples. “Temples are also special to us,” he said. “We are grateful for the permitting and support we have received to build this temple in Phnom Penh.”

Sacred temple ceremonies bless God’s children, said Elder Gong, both those who are living and those who have passed on to the next life. “Temple ceremonies encourage our members – from the young to the elderly – to love and honor deceased family members. Parents, grandparents, and ancestors can be united with their families, happy and forever. Temple ceremonies bless families and individuals with peace, healing, forgiveness, and unity.”

Cambodian Church member Vichit Ith, who was instrumental in obtaining official government recognition of the Church in 1994 so it could begin operating, also spoke at the event.

“Today, our Church family in Cambodia has grown to over 20,000 members,” he said, “worshipping in chapels across the nation—each one a testament to the faith, devotion, and resilience of our Cambodian brothers and sisters.”

Brother Ith said the temple is “a monument to the enduring friendship and mutual respect between our Church and the Kingdom of Cambodia.”

In the temple, said Brother Ith, “members commit to follow God and, in turn, become more upright and reliable citizens. It is a place of eternal families – where marriages are sealed not ‘until death do us part,’ but for eternity, strengthening the social fabric of Cambodia one family at a time. It is also a place of divine knowledge – where members learn about God’s plan for humanity, giving them hope, purpose, and a desire to serve others.”

Following the public open house, the temple will be formally dedicated on Sunday, 30 August 2026. After the dedication, the temple grounds will remain open to visitors, but entry into the temple itself will be reserved for faithful members of the Church.

Hashtag: #PhnomPenhTemple #CambodiaTemple #TempleOpenHouse #ComeAndSee #StrongerFamilies #PeaceAndHarmony #Cambodia #PhnomPenh

https://news-kh.churchofjesuschrist.org/
https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofJesusChrist.kh

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

China Foreign Trade Industry Annual Mega-Event “XTransfer Summit 26” Concludes Successfully

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 August 2026 – XTransfer, the World’s Leading B2B Cross-border Trade Payment Platform, successfully hosted China’s premier annual foreign trade event, XTransfer Summit 26, in Shenzhen. The summit gathered over 4,500 foreign trade enterprises, more than 50 top-tier banks and financial institutions, and numerous industry experts for in-depth discussions on global trade opportunities, business growth strategies, and digital intelligence in cross-border finance.

The summit explored how SME foreign traders can navigate global uncertainties. According to an XTransfer client survey, SME export performance remains optimistic this year. Despite geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions, SMEs are reporting healthier payment collections and stronger bargaining power in international markets.

Serving Over 1 Million Enterprise Clients: Protecting Every Foreign Trader’s Global Dream with Fintech

Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, said, “SMEs are stabilisers of globalisation. Facing de-globalisation, geopolitical risks, and logistics volatility, they continue to show remarkable resilience. SMEs are more agile in adjusting market strategies while steadily improving pricing power and operational quality.”

Deng emphasised, “SMEs are the most capable force in global trade, and every foreign trader’s global dream deserves to be protected.” He added, “Through years of dedicated focus on SME cross-border payment pain points, XTransfer delivers secure, compliant, and efficient solutions to help more businesses go global. Since our founding, we have served over 1 million enterprise clients and continue to expand our local collection and settlement capabilities globally, optimising collection experiences and working capital efficiency.”

XTransfer’s pioneering Local Account service now covers nearly 60 countries and regions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand, enabling buyers to pay sellers in local currencies and significantly boosting capital turnover.

AI and Global Risk Control Enhance Compliance Efficiency: TradePilot Drives Audit Automation

To address SMEs’ core needs for security, compliance, efficiency, and cost optimisation, XTransfer has ramped up fintech investments, scaling AI applications in risk control and business processes.

XTransfer has also built a unified global B2B cross-border trade settlement and risk management system to safeguard SME transactions. According to CIC, TradePilot is the world’s first and most advanced AI model for B2B cross-border trade payments. With 72 AI agents embedded in TradePilot’s review workflow, covering KYC onboarding, transaction authenticity verification, and ongoing AML monitoring, TradePilot delivers industry-leading performance in risk control accuracy and user experience.

Hashtag: #XTransfer #XTransferSummit #Crossborder #Payment #SMEs

https://www.xtransfer.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtransfer.cn
https://www.instagram.com/xtransfer.global

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

XTransfer

XTransfer is the world’s largest B2B cross-border trade payment platform with over US$60 billion TPV in 2025, according to CIC. Founded in 2017 as one of the first payment platforms worldwide dedicated to B2B cross-border trade, we serve the largest customer base of over 1,000,000 registered SMEs globally.

We connect top-tier financial institutions directly to SMEs, the backbone of global trade, giving businesses of every size access to the same secure, compliant and seamless payment infrastructure once reserved for multinationals. As of March 31, 2026, we provide payment services across more than 200 countries and regions through partnerships with financial institutions, including some of the most established international banks around the world.

XTransfer has obtained required licenses in major hubs, including the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada.

For more information, please visit: https://www.xtransfer.com

As a leading overseas payment service provider (PSP), PayerMax has integrated Rakuten Pay to enable international merchants to adopt this payment method in Japan. This integration marks a significant milestone in the technical collaboration, successfully supporting merchants in leveraging Rakuten Pay for their local operations.

The milestone not only enhances the localized payment experience for Last War players in Japan, but also demonstrates how international game publishers can leverage trusted local payment partnerships to accelerate market entry, strengthen localization and better engage Japanese consumers.

Connecting with Japanese Players Starts with Local Payments

As more global game publishers expand into Japan, localized payment experiences have become an increasingly important part of player acquisition, monetization and long-term growth.

As one of the flagship payment services within the Rakuten Ecosystem, Rakuten Pay plays a central role in Japan’s digital commerce landscape. The Rakuten Ecosystem connects more than 100 million registered members across e-commerce, financial services, travel, mobile and offline retail, and Rakuten Pay has become one of Japan’s most widely adopted local payment methods.

For international game publishers, integrating Rakuten Pay is about more than offering another payment option. It provides access to one of Japan’s most established consumer ecosystems, allowing games to deliver payment experiences aligned with local player preferences while building stronger engagement in one of the world’s most competitive gaming markets.

Supporting Last War Highlights PayerMax’s Local Payment Expertise in Japan

As one of the fastest-growing strategy games worldwide, Last War continues to expand its global footprint, with Japan representing one of its key strategic markets. As expectations for localized payment experiences continue to rise, enabling familiar and trusted local payment methods has become an important part of enhancing player experience and supporting sustainable growth.

With support from PayerMax, Last War successfully integrated Rakuten Pay, becoming a leading overseas game to support the payment method and offering Japanese players a more localized and seamless payment experience.

Designed to support international businesses entering Japan, PayerMax provides a unified payment solution that bridges the gap between global merchants and the local ecosystem. By leveraging PayerMax’s integration with Rakuten Pay, PayerMax serves as a gateway for international businesses to establish a strong presence in the Japanese market.

Faster Market Entry

Through PayerMax’s system integration with Rakuten Payment, eligible merchants benefit from a standardized integration pathway that shortens implementation timelines and accelerates go-to-market execution in Japan.

Reliable Compliance and Fund Management Enablement

Leveraging the established business relationships between PayerMax and Rakuten Pay, merchants are empowered to integrate Rakuten Pay through a streamlined, standardized pathway which is aligned with Japan’s local regulatory and operational requirements, thereby delivering a payment experience that resonates with the everyday spending habits of Japanese players. Furthermore, within this collaborative framework, PayerMax and Rakuten Pay facilitate the unified orchestration of critical processes including KYC, anti‑money laundering (AML) and fund management, effectively alleviating the operational complexities and associated costs of local payment execution. This enables merchants to refocus their resources on sustainable business growth and enriched player engagement.

Access to Japan’s Consumer Ecosystem

Through PayerMax, businesses can better engage local consumers, strengthen brand presence and build sustainable long-term growth in Japan.

The successful integration for Last War not only demonstrates the commercial value of the partnership between PayerMax and Rakuten Payment, but also provides a proven reference for more global game publishers and digital content companies expanding into Japan.

Executive Quotes

Hiroki Sogawa, Executive Officer, Rakuten Payment, said:

“We are pleased to partner with PayerMax and to see Last War, a leading title, successfully integrate Rakuten Pay as a payment option. Through this collaboration, we look forward to supporting more international businesses and digital content providers in delivering trusted, localized payment experiences for Japanese consumers.”

Will, APAC General Manager of PayerMax, said:

“Integrating with Rakuten Pay marks an important milestone in PayerMax’s expansion of local payment capabilities in Japan. The successful launch of Last War reflects the strength of our partnership and demonstrates our ability to help global game publishers and international businesses localize faster through trusted local payment infrastructure. Looking ahead, we will continue working with leading local payment partners worldwide to deliver secure, compliant and scalable payment solutions for global merchants.”

Strengthening Local Payment Infrastructure for Global Growth

The partnership with Rakuten Payment represents another important milestone in PayerMax’s strategy to strengthen local payment infrastructure across key global markets and further expand its local payment capabilities in Japan.

Today, PayerMax supports businesses across more than 150 markets and offers access to over 600 payment methods worldwide, backed by an extensive network of local payment partners spanning Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and other high-growth regions.

Rather than simply aggregating payment methods, PayerMax focuses on connecting businesses with the local payment ecosystems that shape consumer behavior in each market. By combining enterprise-grade payment technology with trusted local partnerships, PayerMax enables international businesses to localize faster, operate more efficiently and achieve sustainable global growth.

Hashtag: #PayerMax #RakutenPay

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

2Q26 Business and Financial Highlights

• Bora delivered historically record-high quarterly revenues of NT$5,889 million in 2Q26, up 47.2% quarter-over-quarter driven by broad-based operational momentum, with basic EPS of NT$4.36.
• CDMO revenue growth and increased site utilization rates, along with strong growth in the rare disease business and a return to growth for generics business of the Pharma Sales operations lifted group profitability, with gross margin expanding to 41.3% from 36.0% and operating margin reaching 16.8% from 10.2% in 1Q26. Excluding one-time costs related to the Weider Global Nutrition transaction, operating margin was approximately 18%.
• CDMO’s strong backlog of US$317 million as of end of 2Q26, another historical high following a strong quarter, signals that Bora’s core business continued to perform with higher demand.
• Pharma Sales’ rare disease franchise continues to show double digit sequential growth and the increased demand from government channels during the quarter with stabilized pricing in DLS has lifted the generics business back to normal.
• Reflecting Bora’s recent increase in investment in Sunway Biotech, from 35.97% to 42.27% and subsequent acquisitions of Weider Global Nutrition’s, the Company has introduced “Consumer Healthcare (CHC)” as a new segment in its revenue mix disclosure beginning this quarter. In 2Q26, revenues from CHC were NT$824.76 million in 2Q26, a 354.4% increase QoQ and 234.3% YoY, and contributed to 14% of the Bora Groups consolidated revenues, an all-time high.
• Cash-on-hand reached an all-time high of NT$8,431 million as the Company was preparing for MacroGenics Inc.’s Rockville facility acquisition.
• The Company has kicked off a group-wide AI in Manufacturing, BORA AIM, program aimed at improving process efficiency across sites, spanning engineering, quality and production. Bora has also signed a partnership with Insilico Medicine for AI drug discovery. The first 6 months will focus on beta version testing of the Bora AIM agents and AI champions to drive process consolidation.
• Share capital increased 0.3% during the quarter from employee stock option exercise.

Mr. Bobby Sheng, Chairman of Bora Group, stated, “We are pleased to announce Bora Group’s return to strong operating profits and double to triple-digit growth on all key margins sequentially, as well as demonstrate that our soft 1Q26 performance was anomalous rather than structural. Our impressive sequential improvement was driven entirely by strong demand from both our CDMO and Pharma Sales businesses, with 2Q26 manufactured batches reaching 0.38 billion doses, led by increased commercial production in Maple Grove and Zhunan sites and a full quarter of operations in the Maryland injectable facility, while our flagship products DLS and VIGAFYDE® in Pharma Sales continues to secure leading market share.

Our focus right now is execution. CAPEX investments in our mature sites, including facilities in Taiwan and in Canada, continue to deliver operational leverage driven by gross margin expansion, and our recently acquired oral solid dose facility in Maple Grove continues to show stellar and impactful demand as we sign more projects. Our 12-month rolling backlog is at historic high in almost all our sites, despite projected manufacturing delays at our Maryland injectable facility as we diligently respond to FDA audit observations from a recent audit. Bora Group’s commitment to the fast-growing Biologics manufacturing industry took another big step as we look to integrate 12,000 liters of capacity, and 3 commercial products from our Rockville facility, as well as see revenue recognition from this acquisition starting Q3. As Bora’s CDMO footprint expands in the US, we continue to capture durable, high-value demand as customers increasingly prioritize supply security and onshore capacity.

In addition, we are seeing sustained growth and improved gross margins in the Vigabatrin franchise, our most important, rare disease franchise, thanks to renegotiations with our partner vendors. Accelerated state and government orders for generics products increased 2Q26 revenues and 6 new generics launches have also supported a more diversified generics portfolio. Together, the advancement in rare disease franchise and generics business has positioned Bora’s Pharma Sales business, operating under the name Upsher-Smith, in a far stronger state than it was just a quarter ago.

As announced in July, we are excited to be developing a group-wide AI in Manufacturing program, BORA AIM, aimed at improving process efficiency across sites, spanning engineering, quality and production. We also announced a partnership with Insilico Medicine to enhance our understanding of AI drug discovery and create more customized AI manufacturing platforms for AIDD small molecules. In the next 12 months, Bora Group will be ready to showcase some exciting AI-enabled CDMO platforms that will truly add value to our partners and sharpen the overall competitive advantages of Bora Group.

As our momentum carries Bora into the second half of the year, we expect margins of our flagship products in Pharma Sales and CHC businesses to hold steady on continuous revenue growth, and improved efficiencies in the CDMO business in addition to consolidation of new revenues from the Rockville facility.”

2Q26 Operational Achievements & 2026 Outlook

Global CDMO Operations

Revenues increased 30.3% year-over-year and 29.0% quarter-over-quarter including internal orders, and 33.0% and 40.2% external orders only, or NT$2,116.4 million. The growth was primarily driven by a strong rebound in injectables following the semi-annual maintenance in 1Q26 and same period last year, and demand acceleration overall as we continue to meet the increasing backlog.

CDMO business also signed a record high US$378.2 million in total external wins. Highlighted by a 10+2-year, multi product commercial contract in our Maple Grove facility with a new top-20 pharma company, and 14 new molecules from pre-commercial programs from multiple new customers. Bora is confident in its mid- to long-term growth trajectory as pharma and biotech companies continue to look for US based CDMOs as a part of their efforts to onshore US production and improve supply chain resilience.

During the quarter, 0.38 billion doses, or 109 molecules, were developed and manufactured. Contribution from the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies stood at roughly 30% and should increase drastically in the next 8 quarters.

Looking at 3Q26, the Company is highly optimistic, with our backlog having climbed to an unprecedented level even after a strong quarter of manufacturing output. We do anticipate some timing shifts in revenue recognition related to scheduled semi-annual maintenance at our Maryland injectable site, alongside targeted quality-enhancement activities in connection with observations on passive RABS (Restricted Access Barrier System) line received from an FDA audit that took place 2Q26. However, there has been no reduction in total commercial batch productions in 2026 as we speak and several existing clients have initiated transfers to the FlexPro isolator filling lines. RFP activity has risen, with the first GMP PPQ campaign starting in August. On the newest, isolator-based AST lines, factory acceptance testing (FAT) is planned for Q326, with qualification to follow in 2027, expanding our ability to onboard small-scale isolator programs, including tech transfers.

On biologics, Rockville facility revenue recognition started in the first month of 3Q26 and the site has confirmed that it is on track to deliver batch production volumes ahead of last year’s run rate of around 13 batches for the remainder of 2026. We anticipate one-time transaction costs from this acquisition of approximately 3% of the purchase price including legal and FA fee and transition related expenses as stated in the Transition Service Agreement. The Rockville acquisition expands biologics capacity and brings integrated drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) capabilities under one roof, strengthening our end-to-end service offering and attracting more inbound opportunities and higher value conversion with cross selling opportunities for our injectable business.

For our strategic investment in Tanvex Biopharma, the main Bora Biologics platform company, although the business still operates at a loss, Tanvex has built a strong presence in international conferences, especially Bio International in the US in June. We have seen a positive uptick in pipeline from leading biotechs and heavy weight biopharmas, and stable demand for early-stage PD programs in Zhubei. The Rockville acquisition is expected to orchestrate and accelerate opportunities for Tanvex in the coming quarters.

Pharma Sales Operations

Revenues decreased 2.7% year-over-year and increased 30.4% quarter-over-quarter, arriving at NT$2,934.04 million in 2Q26. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a product rationalization program in 2025 that lead to the withdrawal of a basket of legacy generics products.

During the quarter, specialty and brand came in strongly, up 58.8% for the quarter QoQ and displayed almost 50% growth against 2025 run rate. The rare-disease Vigabatrin franchise demand is robust, and our continuous investment in the segment has resulted in much broader patient access compared to when we acquired Upsher-Smith 28 months ago. On coverage, we are on track to achieve year-end formulary goal of >50%, supported by more regional plans and strong physician adoption as they gain experience with VIGAFYDE®. The Company has also renegotiated contracts with suppliers, leading to improved gross margins for the franchise during the quarter and expects full economic contribution starting 3Q26. Simultaneously, the Company out-licensed its non-core assets, Stiripentol generics and 505(b)(2), during the quarter, fully capturing the economic value of these drug assets to enable fueled and renewed focus on core specialty and brand business.

The generics business returned to stability as Upsher-Smith successfully defended flagship product DLS. High value generics advanced 20.6% sequentially from downstream restocking, narrowing the year-to-date YoY decline against 2025 run rate to high teens.

Having executed our way through specialty and brand business growth and generics portfolio optimization, we have returned to the 2023–2024 peaks of Pharma Sales performance but with healthier and more resilient operating profits. As of now, Upsher-Smith sees 6 ANDA pending approval.

CHC Operations

Bora Group has increased holdings of Sunway Biotech to 42.27% through a private placement at $NT 596 million. Subsequently, Sunway completed the acquisition of Weider Global Nutrition (WGN), a global nutritional supplements company with offices in the US, Spain, and Germany and products sold in over 60 countries. Benefitting from the consolidation of WGN that started in May, Consumer Health business totaled NT$824.76 million in 2Q26, a 354.4% increase QoQ and 234.3% YoY. Focusing on longevity and sports nutrition, WGN’s distribution strength is expected to meaningfully contribute to the CHC business in 2026 and beyond and shall deliver vertical-integration synergies to Sunway’s existing ingredients’ manufacturing operations. Together, the WGN acquisition is expected to catapult Sunway Biotech into a leading global nutritional supplements company and substantially accelerate top and bottom-line improvements in the future.

Recent Investor Conference

Bora will host English online earnings call at 8:00 a.m. Taiwan time on Aug. 14^th, 2026. The event will cover the Company’s 2Q26 financial and business results and 2H26 outlook.

English Online Earnings Presentation Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/225504163505748?p=UyyncWl1CnOzjBCNKD

Bora will participate in Goldman Sachs 2026 CDMO day in Singapore in Sept. For 1:1 meetings with management, please contact your GS representative.

Bora 2026 Earnings Schedule

Q3 2026: Expected in the 2^nd week of Nov 2026
Q4 2026: Expected in the 2^nd week of Mar 2027

Hashtag: #BoraGroup

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

About Bora

Founded in 2007, Bora Pharmaceuticals (“Bora” or “the Company”, 6472.TW and BORAY.OTCQX) is a leading pharmaceutical services company with a vision and goal of “Contributing to Better Health All Over the World”. Operating under a “Dual Engine” model that integrates CDMO and commercial expertise, we empower pharmaceutical and biotech partners to optimize product development, accelerate launches, and scale supply to meet global patient needs. At the same time, we actively broaden R&D and sales infrastructure, focusing on niche and rare disease markets to improve patients’ quality of life.

By investing in talent, infrastructure, and biologics expansion, Bora continues to transform operations and achieve sustainable growth. Committed to making success “certain,” Bora sets new standards in the pharmaceutical and CDMO industries.

For more, please visit:
https://www.bora-corp.com
https://www.boracdmo.com

Disclaimer:

This document and the accompanying information may contain forward-looking statements. All statements regarding the company’s future business operations, potential events, and prospects (including but not limited to forecasts, targets, estimates, and operational plans) are considered forward-looking statements unless they refer to factual occurrences. Forward-looking statements are subject to various factors and uncertainties that may cause significant differences from actual results, including but not limited to price fluctuations, actual demand, exchange rate variations, market share, competitive conditions, changes in the legal, financial, and regulatory framework, international economic and financial market conditions, political risks, cost estimates, and other risks and variables beyond the company’s control. These forward-looking statements are based on current predictions and assessments, and the company disclaims any responsibility for future updates.

Experts say a self-contained, service-led residential format built for multigenerational ownership is emerging at the very top of the market — and that demand for it is rising worldwide.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 August 2026 – Experts in premium residential real estate note that a distinct new category is forming at the top of the market, and that demand for it is rising around the world. Property market specialists describe the emerging tier as the presidence: a self-contained community of private residences bound together by shared infrastructure and anchored by a five-star hotel under an international brand — a format designed to be lived in and passed down across generations, rather than simply owned.

The trend reflects a structural shift in global wealth. According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026, the number of individuals worth more than US$30 million climbed from 551,435 to 713,626 between 2021 and 2026 — a gain of more than 160,000, equivalent to 89 people crossing that threshold every day. Forbes, meanwhile, records 3,428 billionaires worth a combined US$20.1 trillion.

This wealth is also increasingly mobile. Henley & Partners projects that 165,000 high-net-worth individuals will relocate internationally in 2026 — a 16 per cent rise on the record 142,000 of 2025 — as affluent families build cross-border portfolios of homes and residence rights rather than tying themselves to a single jurisdiction. The appetite for professionally serviced, brand-anchored homes is visible in the development pipeline: Savills reports that the number of branded residential schemes worldwide grew 19 per cent in 2025, to around 910, and is on course to reach 1,747 by 2032, with the Middle East and North Africa the fastest-growing region over the past five years, at 187 per cent.

As the apex of the wealth pyramid rises, specialists say, demand at the very top is moving away from headline price-per-square-foot toward space, privacy, wellbeing, autonomy and a home that can be held and handed down across generations. The case for treating this as a distinct category was set out in a recent column by real estate adviser Ku Swee Yong, CEO of International Property Advisor Pte Ltd and an adjunct faculty member at Singapore Management University, where he teaches Real Estate Investments & Finance.”Luxury residence has a new crown, and it has a name: presidence,” he writes.

According to the expert, a property of this kind should meet several defining criteria: it should occupy an exceptional location among peer residences, be built to the highest standards of quality, provide space, a healthy natural environment, security and self-sufficiency, and create a place where owners and their families can live out every stage of life — building careers, raising children, enjoying leisure, prioritising health and wellbeing, welcoming family and friends, and ultimately passing the home down through generations. Privacy in this case does not mean isolation: rather than retreating behind their own gates, members of the presidence become part of a carefully formed community of peers, surrounded by people with comparable values, interests and ways of life.

These principles are, in practice, being formalised into a fuller set of criteria that distinguish a presidence from a conventional luxury development. At its most complete, the format is defined by:

• A five-star hotel operated by an international brand present in at least three countries, located within the development;
• A single estate of 200 hectares (around 500 acres) or more;
• Full-spectrum infrastructure within one perimeter — indoor and outdoor sport, a central clubhouse, wellness, dining, parks and natural areas, a medical centre, recreation and security, plus a lifestyle anchor such as a golf, equestrian or yacht club;
• A clear separation of public and private zones, with residences kept behind their own multi-layered security perimeter and isolated from guest-facing spaces such as the hotel, restaurants and spa;
• A 24/7 premium service model featuring a dedicated resident care team, concierge services, standardised service-level agreements (SLAs), and a digital platform for managing every household and lifestyle need;
• A unified architectural code governing the style and coherence of every building on the estate;
• An equal-neighbour principle, under which a community of like-minded owners who can enjoy privacy while remaining part of an engaging social environment is formed.

Fully integrated examples remain rare worldwide, and demand, specialists say, is running ahead of supply as the number of ultra-wealthy households continues to grow.

Hashtag: #property #realestate #residentialproperty #hnwi

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

Prosvet Communication Studio

Prosvet Communication Studio is a full-cycle communication studio working across PR and communications strategy, media relations and influence, personal branding, digital PR, events and production.

Food & Drink is now the fastest-growing category among Airbnb Experiences in Indonesia by search demand, with Bali emerging as the top spot for culinary bookings.

BALI, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2026 – For many travelers, exploring local culinary traditions is the trip itself. New Airbnb data highlights the popularity of culinary Experiences across Indonesia, with both domestic and international travelers seeking out food-led activities for a more authentic taste of the culture.

Since its launch, Food & Drink has become Airbnb Experiences’ third-most-popular category in Indonesia, behind only Nature & Outdoors and History & Culture^[1]. Bali sits at the heart of this culinary interest, with over 90% of all culinary Experience bookings in Indonesia taking place on the island¹.

Guest feedback backs this up. Indonesia’s culinary Experiences carry a 4.94 average rating, with reviewers most often reaching for words like “authentic,” “traditional,” “hands-on,” “local,” and “family”^[2].

The appetite extends beyond Experiences, too: searches for Airbnb homes with kitchen amenities in Indonesia are up over 20% year-on-year^[3], suggesting that more guests are choosing stays where they can cook together and recreate the local flavours they discover during their trip.

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for Southeast Asia & India, said, “Today’s travelers are increasingly looking for experiences that help them connect more deeply with the places they visit, and food has become one of the most meaningful ways to do that. Whether it’s shopping at a neighbourhood market, learning a family recipe, or cooking together in an Airbnb, these moments create lasting memories while supporting local communities. Through Airbnb Experiences, we’re proud to help travelers discover Indonesia in a way that feels more personal, immersive, and connected to local culture.“

To spotlight this growing appetite for culinary travel, Airbnb recently hosted a one-off Culture & Culinary Trail luncheon in Bali with renowned chefs Arnold and Reynold Poernomo — a chef-curated dining moment celebrating Bali’s culinary heritage through local ingredients and stories. The luncheon offered a preview of what travelers can already find on Airbnb Experiences: intimate sessions on local food culture, interactive dining sessions, and meals hosted by local chefs in Bali and beyond.

Arnold Poernomo said, “As chefs, we’ve always believed that some of the most memorable travel memories happen around the dining table. Food has a unique way of bringing people together and telling the story of a place through its ingredients, traditions, and the people behind them. By hosting this luncheon with Airbnb, we wanted to celebrate Bali’s rich culinary heritage and inspire travelers to look beyond the plate, to discover the culture, communities, and local stories.“

For Reynold Poernomo, the most memorable travel experiences often begin with discovering the people behind the food.

“For the more adventurous, go to the markets, and you’ll discover some unique produce that you’ll most likely not find in any other part of the world. That’s part of why we love what Airbnb Experiences does – it connects you directly with local hosts who can take you to those markets and show you ingredients you’d never find wandering on your own.”

The Poernomo brothers recommend three Airbnb Experiences worth booking on a Bali trip:

• A guided 15-course tasting menu at Room4Dessert – Join Chef Will Goldfarb, winner of the 2021 World’s Best Pastry Chef award, on a five-stop journey from his kitchen and garden to a fireside dessert finale.
• Organic Balinese farm cooking in Ubud – Explore organic farming practices, pick fresh ingredients and prepare Balinese dishes.
• Track fireflies in Bali with a conservationist – Harvest herbs, cook a Balinese feast, and watch Indonesia’s only firefly breeding lab light up the night with conservationist Wayan Wardika.

As travelers continue seeking slower, more meaningful ways to explore destinations, Airbnb Experiences inspire visitors to discover a different side of Bali — through the people, ingredients, and stories shared around the table.

Disclaimer: All Experiences referenced are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific listings on the Airbnb platform.

Hashtag: #Airbnb #AirbnbExperiences #Travel #TravelTrends

https://www.airbnb.com/
https://www.instagram.com/airbnb/

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

Airbnb

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5.5 million hosts who have welcomed 2.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way. https://news.airbnb.com

For more information, please contact:

Nicolette Koh, Airbnb – nicolette.koh@ext.airbnb.com

Maverick Indonesia – [email protected]

Installation of SOKOYO‘s split solar street lights for the project being built by Samsung C&T Corp. was completed in July. The arrangement of solar panels was customized at the customer’s request for ease of maintenance.

“SOKOYO provided us with a specially customized solution for our power station,” said Ms. Kathy, senior procurement manager for Samsung. “The entire solar street lighting system consistently met our expectations for brightness, battery life and overall reliability.”

SOKOYO, founded in 2008, has manufactured more than 1 million lighting units installed in a wide range of settings across SoutheastAsia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

The company manufactures its own LED modules, solar panels, batteries, light housings and light poles. They have third-party certification for European Union and other safety and reliability standards, which qualifies them for export to global markets.

SOKOYO is regularly appointed to bodies that establish national and industry standards.

SOKOYO‘s product line includes all-in-one solar street lights, all-in-two solar street lights and split-type solar street lights. They can be controlled remotely with IoT technology to improve safety and efficiency. Using solar power makes them immune to disruptions in supplies of oil and gas.

As the industry evolves to focus on “system-level R&D,” SOKOYO is reducing customer costs by enhancing reliability and resistance to heat and cold. To improve efficiency, it is developing smart lighting and IoT applications. It is promoting modular production, intelligent manufacturing and standardized process management.

The research team has seven engineers, some with more than two decades of industry experience. They develop technology for a wide range of environments and customer needs.

SOKOYO has experience in markets including Thailand, thePhilippines, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. It has developed technology to cope with heat, humidity, sandstorms and low light during extended rains, a challenge in central Africa and other areas.

In Uganda, SOKOYO supplied 1,000 light sets to help improve safety on a busy expressway between the capital, Kampala, and the eastern industrial center of Jinja. They provide the first nighttime lighting on a 22-kilometer section of road crowded with trucks, buses and motorcycles.

In Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, SOKOYO lights use LED modules developed to cope with heat, sun and sand.

The company supplied more than 2,000 light units to Saudi Arabia‘s planned high-tech city of NEOM as part of the Saudi 2030 Vision plan.

Customers can use SOKOYO‘s test facilities to try out different light configurations. Lights can be tested on roads of up to four lanes in an1,100-square-meter darkroom. Designers and urban planners can ensure light is distributed effectively, eliminating dark areas on the road and improving safety.

Batteries are tested to confirm they resist crushing, heat and cold, vibration, overcharging or being dropped. LED modules are drenched in salt spray for up to 72 hours to make sure they resist corrosion.

SOKOYO has been chosen for bodies that formulated eight national and industry standards including the “General Technical Specification for Solar Photovoltaic Lighting Devices” in 2025 with definitions and standards for split-type and integrated solar devices.

SOKOYO products have third-party certification that they meet standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and other bodies.Its batteries meet the requirements of the CB scheme under the IEC, recognized in more than 50 countries. Tests confirm they withstand overcharging, high temperature, vibration, impact and short circuit.

The company‘s solar panels received IEC certification that they meet standards for electric shock protection, temperature changes, damp, heat, humidity, hail impact and other factors.

SOKOYO participates in efforts to improve the industry‘s reputation by promoting “zero false labeling” and reliable products that refuse to cut corners.

SOKOYO pays attention to the environment. Its products are designed to minimize light pollution and limit disruption for wildlife, stargazers and the public.

Hashtag: #SOKOYO

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