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The launch ceremony was attended by Mr. Do Quang Thai, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Kingdom of Denmark, together with representatives from leading Danish organizations, including 3F, Dansk Erhverv, DPT and Carnegie Investment Bank, alongside strategic partners and industry stakeholders from the transport, technology, energy, finance and infrastructure sectors.

As one of the world’s leading cities in sustainable urban mobility, Copenhagen was chosen as Green SM’s first European market. Here, the company aims to complement the city’s existing transport network by offering another reliable, fully electric mobility option for residents and visitors alike.

In Denmark, the company operates a fully electric fleet of VinFast VF 6 and VF 8 vehicles, serving a wide range of everyday urban travel needs. Unlike many ride-hailing platforms that primarily connect passengers with independent drivers, Green SM directly owns and manages its fleet and oversees driver operations to help ensure consistent service quality and customer experience. During the initial phase of operations, Green SM will focus on establishing a reliable local operation, ensuring full compliance with Danish regulations, and continuously improving its service based on feedback from customers, drivers, and other stakeholders.

Delivering a safe, professional, and consistent customer experience begins with Green SM’s drivers. Before serving customers, every driver completes comprehensive training in road safety, customer service, operating procedures, and electric vehicle operation. Together with ongoing training and a robust local operations system, this helps ensure every journey reflects the high standards Green SM is committed to delivering.

Customers can book rides through the Green SM app, available on the App Store and Google Play. Fares are displayed before each trip is confirmed, and electronic receipts are issued automatically at the end of every journey. To mark its launch in Copenhagen, Green SM is offering new customers five (5) vouchers worth 25% off each trip, up to a maximum discount of 100 DKK per ride throughout the Grand Launch period from July 30 to September 30, 2026.

Richard Nabil Chahine, CEO of Green SM Europe, said: “Cities shape the future of mobility long before companies do. Copenhagen is one of those cities. That is why beginning our European journey here carries special meaning for Green SM. We come with deep respect for the standards already established here, drawing on what we have learned from serving millions of journeys across Asia. Our ambition is simple: to become a trusted mobility partner by delivering safe, professional and fully electric journeys that people can rely on every day. If we earn that trust, growth will naturally follow.”

Green SM’s expansion into Europe reflects the company’s long-term approach to international growth. Rather than prioritising rapid expansion, Green SM focuses on building well-structured local operations, adapting its services to local market needs, and earning trust through consistently reliable service.

With its fully electric fleet and low-emission operating model, Green SM hopes to contribute to Denmark’s long-standing ambitions for more sustainable mobility while providing another practical transport choice for everyday journeys.

Founded in Vietnam in 2023, Green SM currently operates in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Kazakhstan. Through its fully electric fleet, technology platform and consistent operating standards, the company is steadily expanding internationally while adapting its services to local market needs.

Hashtag: #GreenSM

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

2026 Interim Results – Financial Highlights

(Figures for the corresponding period in 2025 are shown in brackets)

• Consolidated revenue: HK$593 million (HK$ 636 million)

• Consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company: HK$189 million (HK$ 249 million)

• Basic loss per share: 9.28 HK cents (12.23 HK cents)

• No interim dividend (No interim dividend)

Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited (“PCPD”, SEHK: 00432) announced its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2026.

The consolidated revenue of PCPD and its subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) amounted to HK$ 593 million, compared to HK$ 636 million for the corresponding period of 2025.

The Group’s consolidated loss attributable to equity holders of the Company for the first six months of 2026 totalled HK$ 189 million, compared to a net loss of HK$249 million for the corresponding period last year. Basic loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was 9.28 Hong Kong cents, compared to a loss per share of 12.23 Hong Kong cents for the corresponding period of 2025.

The Board of Directors did not declare an interim dividend for the first half of 2026.

For the first half of 2026, the Group delivered encouraging results as we built on our core strengths and benefited from resilient demand across the markets in which we operate. During the period, we also took steps to enhance our portfolio, including the disposals of two investment assets. These initiatives are expected to strengthen the Group’s financial position and reinforce its long-term growth.

Our operations in Japan performed well despite some moderation in tourism demand, shaped by changes in the composition of international visitors and fluctuations in travel demand. Park Hyatt Niseko, Hanazono, our hospitality business in Niseko, Hokkaido, delivered a stable performance with healthy occupancy and room rates, while our ski operations remained a key contributor to the Group’s results. Earnings from our recreational facilities, ski lifts, equipment rentals, “Hanazono EDGE” (a restaurant and entertainment centre) and Niseko International Snowsports Schoolcontinued togrow year-on-year. We will stay focused on establishing Niseko Hanazono Resort as a world-class, all-season luxury destination and remain optimistic about its long-term development.

On March 16, 2026, the Group announced the sale of its entire interest in Pacific Century Place, Jakarta (“PCP Jakarta”) in Indonesia. The transaction, at a total consideration of US$400 million, was completed on June 8, 2026. Notwithstanding the disposal, the Group will continue to provide property management services in respect of PCP Jakarta.

On February 13, 2026, the Group announced the sale of its entire interest in Midtown Niseko. The transaction, at a total consideration of US$80 million, was completed on May 31, 2026.

The Group formed a strategic alliance with Hotel Properties Limited in Singapore to bring a Four Seasons Resort and Branded Residences to Aquella, a large-scale integrated resort development in Phang Nga. The move represents a significant milestone in PCPD‘s long-term vision of transforming Aquella into an integrated resort destination that effortlessly blends luxury living, recreation and exceptional service.

Central Residence by the Park in Hong Kong was launched for sale in January 2026. As at the end of June, 90.9% of the total available units of the luxury residential project had already been sold. The project will be completed in the latter half of 2026.

Mr. Benjamin Lam, PCPD’s Deputy Chairman and Group Managing Director, said: “The first half of 2026 presented a challenging global environment, characterised by geopolitical tensions including the conflict in the Middle East, inflation, trade uncertainties and concerns over monetary policies. Despite the headwinds, global growth was relatively resilient, while international tourism in many parts of Asia continued to perform steadily. The Group’s core markets in Asia generally remained solid during the period. Tourism demand continued to support Japan and Thailand despite a slightly more measured pace of growth. Improving sentiment in Hong Kong’s property market also provided a more favourable backdrop for our luxury residential development.

In the second half of the year, we will continue to enhance the value of our existing assets while positioning the Group to capitalise on opportunities that support our long-term strategy and create value for our stakeholders.”

Hashtag: #PacificCenturyPremiumDevelopments

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

About PCPD

Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited (“PCPD” or the “Group”, SEHK: 00432) is principally engaged in the development and management of premium-grade property and infrastructure projects as well as premium-grade property investments. PCCW Limited (“PCCW”, SEHK: 00008) is the single largest shareholder of the Group.

Highlights

• Underlying profit from continuing businesses¹ grew 44% to US$117 million
• Reported profit was US$118 million, compared to a US$38 million loss in the prior year period
• Like-for-like (LFL) subsidiary sales growth from continuing businesses² improved to 3%
• Health & Beauty sustained strong LFL sales; Convenience and Home Furnishings returned to growth
• E-commerce and DFIQ Media contributed to approximately 35% of sales growth
• Return on capital employed improved to 12%, up from 9% as of December 2025
• Interim dividend of US¢6.20 per share, up 77% year-on-year. Maintain full-year dividend payout of 70%
• Raised full-year organic revenue³ growth guidance to be between 3.0% and 4.0%, and underlying profit to be between US$285 million and US$305 million
• Announced 100% interest acquisition of Cody Hong Kong (Cody HK), one of the leading outdoor advertising solution providers in Hong Kong

Group Chief Executive

DFI RETAIL GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

HALF-YEAR RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2026

OVERVIEW

The Group delivered strong performance in an evolving macroeconomic climate, underpinned by disciplined execution and a focus on driving higher returns. A portfolio built on everyday essentials, combined with a strong value proposition with convenience, continues to resonate with customers against the backdrop of oil price volatility. For the first half of 2026, subsidiary LFL sales growth from continuing businesses⁴ further improved to 3%. This was driven by sustained strong momentum in the Health & Beauty segment, as well as a return to growth in both the Convenience and Home Furnishings businesses. Price reinvestment, supported by a reset in sourcing strategy, drove Food volume growth with Wellcome’s basket price now trading at a discount relative to the Greater Bay Area⁵, compared to a premium in the prior year.

The Group’s commitment to retail excellence, a lean overhead structure and expanded omnichannel touchpoints enables us to serve our customers with better pricing and better experience. The DFI Omni Platform further strengthens this by seamlessly integrating our extensive store network with digital capabilities, delivering greater convenience and personalisation while unlocking new value pools through rich, cross-format data insights. Developing and scaling high-margin revenue streams, including retail media (DFIQ Media) and insights monetisation (DFIQ Insights), will diversify our profit base and support long-term value creation.

To enhance operational efficiency and improve productivity of team members, the Group introduced GenAI-powered tools in the first half of 2026, with plans to scale deployment across operating markets in the coming months. In parallel, AI capabilities are increasingly embedded across core retail functions, including assortment optimisation, promotion planning and demand forecasting, to drive better, more data-driven decisions.

The Group undertook a thorough review of the cost structure with the aim of driving sustainable savings and improving long-term cost efficiency. This has led to a reallocation of resources and costs toward format-level operations, driving greater agility and responsiveness to evolving market conditions, while continuing to reduce central selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs through overhead optimisation. Combined with improving digital economics, underlying operating profit from continuing businesses⁶ grew 14% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. Improved operating performance and lower financing costs contributed to an 11% increase in underlying profit attributable to shareholders, or 44% from continuing businesses⁷ only.

The Group maintained a healthy balance sheet with a net debt position of US$22 million as of 30 June 2026. Return on capital employed further improved to 12%, up from 9% as of December 2025.

The Group declared an interim dividend of US¢6.20 per share, representing a significant increase of 77% compared to the same period last year. This enhanced interim dividend distribution underscored the Board’s confidence in the Group’s underlying business momentum and strong cash flow generation, while ensuring sufficient capital for future growth in line with our 70% payout policy.

OPERATING PERFORMANCE

Overall
For the first half of 2026, underlying subsidiary revenue from continuing businesses⁶ was US$4.1 billion, up 4% year-on-year and 3% on a LFL basis. The growth was driven by strong performance in the Health & Beauty division, as well as a return to growth in the Convenience and Home Furnishings segments. Total revenue, including Maxim’s, was US$5.6 billion. Excluding divestments⁷, total revenue increased by approximately 4%.

Overall underlying profit attributable to shareholders from continuing businesses⁷ grew 44% year-on-year to US$117 million, primarily driven by improved operating profit and lower financing costs.

Underlying subsidiary profit from continuing businesses⁶ was US$101 million, reflecting a 49% year-on-year increase, primarily driven by earnings recovery in the Home Furnishings and Food segment with lower SG&A expenses as a result of overhead reduction.

Underlying profit from associates was US$16 million, down from US$30 million in the prior comparable period, which included share of profits from Robinsons Retail ahead of its disposal. Excluding this, profit contribution from associates was up 22% year-on-year due to robust sales growth and effective cost optimisation at Maxim’s.

The Group reported operating cash flow after lease payments of US$178 million, 16% higher than the prior year period, driven by underlying operating profit growth. Free cash flow for the period was a net inflow of US$85 million, down 5% year-on-year, due to increased capex investment in priorities that will further strengthen the Group’s competitive position while driving long-term value for shareholders.

Digital
Capturing a significant share of daily essential customer missions in Hong Kong, the DFI Omni Platform – powered by yuu – enables deeper customer engagement across offline and online touchpoints, maximises data capture and unlocks incremental margin opportunities beyond core retail through DFIQ Media and DFIQ Insights. Overall digital turned profitable, with e-commerce and DFIQ Media contributing to approximately 35% of total revenue growth in the first half of 2026. This was supported by improved underlying e-commerce economics, a rising online sales penetration⁸ to 6.9% and 3 times in DFIQ Media revenue compared to first half of 2025. As of June 2026, more than 10,000 digital media-ready screens were available across DFI outlets.

Subsidiaries
Sales for the Health & Beauty division were US$1.4 billion, up 8% year-on-year from continuing businesses⁹, 7% in constant currency, or 6% on a LFL basis, with continued market share gains across key operating markets. Mannings and Guardian deepened their leadership as the trusted advisors for wellness through an enhanced, wellness-focused assortment and continued roll-out of skin and scalp assessment services across a wider store network. The recently announced exclusive distribution partnership with Holland & Barrett, a leading UK health and wellness retailer, will further expand customer access to trusted wellness solutions in Hong Kong and Singapore, followed by a broader rollout across selected Asia markets in the coming years. In Hong Kong and Macau, Mannings delivered 5% LFL sales growth, driven by increased basket size and robust tourist store sales amid higher visitor arrivals. In Southeast Asia, Guardian achieved strong LFL sales growth of 9%, supported by higher basket sizes and improved promotional efficiency, with Indonesia and Vietnam delivering close to 20% LFL growth. Excluding the impact of cost reallocation and closure of Mannings China offline stores, divisional profit increased moderately by 2% to US$109 million. Margin declined primarily due to increased strategic promotions to drive stronger sales and market share in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia where health & beauty retailers did not benefit from the SARA Cash Aid Programme.

Total Convenience sales were US$1.2 billion, up 4% year-on-year or 2% on a LFL basis, as continued growth in higher-margin categories, including ready-to-eat (RTE) and exclusive collectibles, more than offset the decline in lower-margin cigarette volumes. Hong Kong LFL sales returned to growth in the second quarter following ten consecutive quarters of decline, supported by RTE and an expanded non-food assortment, including limited-edition collectibles and K-pop merchandise. Excluding cigarettes, LFL sales were up 3% for the period. In Singapore, effective promotional campaigns and collectible product launches drove strong LFL sales growth of 8%. In South China, continued store network expansion through a capex-light franchise model – including a net addition of 112 stores since June 2025 to nearly 1,980 locations – contributed to 12% sales growth year-on-year or 6% on constant currency basis. LFL sales were 1% higher compared to the prior year period, driven by the successful launch of Own Brand in key categories of frozen products and packaged drinks. The team remains focused on driving footfall and sales through further expansion of the RTE offering across both offline and online channels. This includes a broader rollout of the Food Bar to 453 stores as of June 2026, up from 325 at year-end 2025, and strong overall online sales growth of more than 35%. Excluding cost reallocation impact, profit for the division increased by 2% to reach US$37 million.

Reported sales for the Food division from continuing businesses¹⁰ were US$1.1 billion, up 1% year-on-year. LFL sales returned to positive growth of 0.5% in the second quarter of 2026. In Hong Kong, investment in reduced pricing on core basket items, a stronger fresh proposition, and Own Brand offering drove 2% increase in total volume and 0.5% LFL sales growth in the first half of 2026. As of June 2026, Wellcome’s “Everyday Value” range has expanded to nearly 500 items, offering savings of up to 40%, bringing its basket price down from a premium to a discount relative to the Greater Bay Area. The team also accelerated omnichannel growth with more than 35% growth in online order volume. In Cambodia, Lucky reported strong double-digit sales growth, with profit more than doubling year-on-year. The plan to open 50 new stores over the next few years remains on track. Macau Food sales remained challenging as a result of cross-border grocery shopping. Excluding the impact of cost reallocation and the divestment of Singapore Food, overall divisional profit increased by 27% year-on-year to US$17 million.

The Home Furnishings division delivered strong recovery in performance during the first half of 2026, with LFL sales growth of 4%, compared to a decline of 6% in the prior year period. Price reinvestment in core value SKUs, a stronger focus on locally relevant ranges and IKEA Food innovation drove increased footfall and items per baskets, resulting in a 3% LFL sales growth in Hong Kong and 5% in Taiwan. IKEA Food remains a critical traffic and revenue driver, accounting for 15% of total sales. In Indonesia, while offline sales momentum remained soft, LFL sales trend improved on a strengthening IKEA’s omnichannel proposition with online sales penetration reaching 24%. Sales recovery and effective cost optimisation measures contributed to 85% growth in overall divisional profit, excluding cost reallocation impact.

Associates
The Group’s share of Maxim’s underlying profits was US$16 million for the first half of 2026, up 15% year-on-year, underpinned by continued cost optimisation and operational efficiency measures. Sales for the period increased by 4%, driven by strong restaurant performance in Southeast Asia and a return to growth in the Chinese mainland, partially offset by weaker sales in Hong Kong.

RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

On 30 June 2026, the Group announced the acquisition of 100% interest in Cody Hong Kong (Cody HK), one of the leading outdoor advertising solution providers in Hong Kong, for a cash consideration of HK$30.2 million (approximately US$3.8 million) from ARN Media Network Limited (ASX: A1N), subject to customary adjustments.

The acquisition advances DFI’s strategy to build a full-funnel advertising solution in Hong Kong through DFIQ Media. By integrating Cody HK’s strategic assets – including multi-year exclusive advertising rights with Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) and Hong Kong Tramways (HKT) – with DFI’s extensive store network, growing online user base, and closed-loop measurement capabilities, DFIQ Media strengthens its ability to deliver high-impact advertising solutions to a broader advertiser base across online, in-store, and outdoor channels.

Subject to satisfaction of third-party consents, the transaction is expected to complete in the second half of 2026.

PEOPLE

On 6 July 2026, the Group announced four senior leadership appointments effective from 1 August 2026. These moves reflect the Group’s continued focus on strengthening its leadership pipeline and driving the next phase of growth with experienced, proven leaders.

Andrew Wong will be appointed Chief Executive Officer, DFI IKEA. Formerly CEO of Health & Beauty, Andrew brings extensive experience in driving customer-led growth, operational discipline and in-store digitalisation across multiple markets. His earlier leadership of franchise operations at Jardine Restaurant Group positions him well to lead the IKEA business into its next phase of development.

Curtis Liu, having most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Food, will be appointed Chief Executive Officer, Health & Beauty. His proven leadership in driving customer value repositioning in Hong Kong, combined with deep operational retail knowledge and digital experience at JD.com, positions him well to drive continued momentum and omnichannel growth in Health & Beauty.

Tom van der Lee will be appointed Chief Executive Officer, Food. Tom has played an instrumental role as Group Chief Financial Officer, driving financial discipline and supporting key strategic decisions across the Group. His prior experience at FrieslandCampina, a global food company, and his broad financial leadership across DFI banners in Southeast Asia supported his strong commercial grounding to lead the Food business.

Kaizhi Wu will succeed Tom as Group Chief Financial Officer. Kaizhi currently serves as Group Finance Director, Planning & Reporting, based in Hong Kong. Prior to joining DFI, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Yonghui Superstores Co., and earlier held senior roles at Jardine Matheson, Fosun Group and PwC in London. Kaizhi will join the Group’s Management Committee upon assuming his new role.

OUTLOOK

The Group remains confident in our ability to navigate the evolving trading environment, supported by sharpened business priorities, a strong balance sheet and low-cost operating model. Financial outlook outlined at the Investor Day in December 2025 remains intact as DFI continues to execute our multi-year strategic initiatives that are critical to driving sustainable revenue and earnings growth. These initiatives include strengthening our value proposition, strategically expanding store network, enhancing omnichannel capabilities and accelerating digital asset monetisation through data-driven insights. In particular, the growing DFI Omni Platform will deepen our customer engagement, further reinforce our core retail strength and enhance overall earnings resilience in the long term.

Despite an elevated oil price outlook for the remainder of the year, the Group expects to deliver stronger profitability supported by enhanced operational efficiency. As a result, the Group revises up its full-year organic revenue growth¹¹ outlook to be between 3.0% and 4.0% (up from previously 2.0% to 3.0%), and underlying profit attributable to shareholders to be between US$285 million and US$305 million (up from previously US$270 million and US$300 million).

Scott Price
Group Chief Executive

—————–
¹ Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business, closure of Mannings China and disposal of minority stake of Robinsons Retail
² Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business and closure of Mannings China
³ Excluding Singapore Food and Mannings China
⁴ Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business and closure of Mannings China
⁵ Based on a third-party assured price comparison of a 200-item comparable basket between DFI and Shenzhen
⁶ Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business and closure of Mannings China
⁷ Excluding impacts of divestment of Singapore Food business, closure of Mannings China and disposal of minority stake of Robinsons Retail
⁸ Excluding cigarettes under Convenience and IKEA Food
⁹ Excluding Mannings China
¹⁰ Excluding Singapore Food business
¹¹ Excluding Singapore Food and Mannings China
Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup #Mannings #Guardian #7-Eleven #Wellcome #MarketPlace #IKEA #yuu #Maxim’s

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

DFI Retail Group

DFI Retail Group (the Group) is a leading Asian retailer, driven by its purpose to ‘Sustainably Serve Asia for Generations with Everyday Moments’.

At 30 June 2026, the Group and its associates operated 7,659 outlets across 12 markets, of which 5,593 stores were operated by subsidiaries. The Group, together with its associates, employed over 81,000 people, with more than 43,000 people employed by subsidiaries. The Group had reported revenue of US$8.9 billion in 2025.

The Group is committed to delivering quality, value and service to consumers across the region through trusted brands, strong local market positions, and a broad retail ecosystem supported by extensive store networks, digital capabilities and efficient supply chains.

The Group and its associates operate a portfolio of well-known brands across five key divisions. The principal brands are:

Health and Beauty

• Mannings in Hong Kong and Macau S.A.R.; Guardian in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

Convenience

• 7-Eleven in Hong Kong and Macau S.A.R., Singapore and Southern China.

Food

• Wellcome and Market Place in Hong Kong S.A.R.; San Miu in Macau S.A.R.; Lucky in Cambodia.

Home Furnishings

• IKEA in Hong Kong and Macau S.A.R., Indonesia and Taiwan.

Restaurants

• Hong Kong Maxim’s group on the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau S.A.R., Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Group’s parent company, DFI Retail Group Holdings Limited, is incorporated in Bermuda and has a primary listing in the equity shares (transition) category of the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. The Group’s businesses are managed from Hong Kong. DFI Retail Group is a member of the Jardine Matheson group.

We.R.Wira Season 4 Equips Youth with Industry Ready Skills Aligned with UN SDGs

SELANGOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 July 2026 – Centriq PR, independent Malaysian public relations consultancy, marked another milestone in its commitment to purposeful communication as Season 4 of its social impact initiative, We.R.Wira, culminated in the Golden Wira Awards Ceremony at Tan Yew Sing Auditorium, INTI International College Subang.

At its core, We.R.Wira reflects Centriq PR’s belief that heroism lives in ordinary individuals—the everyday heroes (“Wira” ) who choose to act with passion and purpose for causes they believe in. By empowering youth to uncover and tell these stories, Centriq PR aims to nurture purposeful storytellers and future changemakers.

Equipping Youth with Industry‑Ready Skills
As the communication industry evolves, Centriq PR recognises that practitioners need more than creativity. They must develop a deeper understanding of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), communicate their relevance to different audiences and connect with collaborators across sectors. We.R.Wira equips students with these industry‑relevant skills by combining real‑world storytelling, SDG alignment and academia‑industry partnerships.

In her opening remarks, Managing Director of Centriq PR, Jacqueline Arnold, shared, “At Centriq PR, we believe storytelling has the power to educate, inspire and bring people together. Storytelling is more than creative expression; it is practice for life. Beyond learning to craft authentic narratives, students gain the ability to identify stakeholders with shared values, build meaningful collaborations and amplify stories across multiple platforms to inspire real impact. This is what PR is all about. Through We.R.Wira, we encourage young communicators to listen with empathy and give voice to everyday heroes who create positive change in their communities.”

Season 4 recorded its strongest participation to date, receiving 41 submissions from four institutions: UOW Malaysia Glenmarie, UTAR Kampar, UiTM Shah Alam, and newcomer INTI International College Subang, which proudly hosted the ceremony. Collectively, participants explored 12 of the 17 UN SDGs, with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) most represented.

Building Skills Through Workshops and Resources
Centriq PR also led a workshop at INTI International College Subang, supported by a video series and workshop deck, to introduce strategic communications, SDG alignment and ESG‑focused narratives. These resources gave students practical skills to connect their stories to sustainability goals and prepare to collaborate with stakeholders as future communicators.

Celebrating Storytelling as a Catalyst for Change
Entries were evaluated by a panel comprising Loke Pak‑Yen (United Nations Association Malaysia), Frank Chan (MDEC), Norhizam Abdul Kadir (EVD Berhad), and Arnold.

The event brought together students, educators and industry leaders to celebrate storytelling as a catalyst for positive change, demonstrating how strategic communications can help advance the UN SDGs.

Academic Dean of INTI International College Subang, Mr. Eric Lee, noted, “This semester, INTI International College Subang aligned its Mass Communication module assessments with the We.R.Wira campaign, encouraging students to submit their coursework to the national competition.”

Honouring Champions and Outstanding Stories
For its compelling storytelling and lasting community impact, the submission titled Anak Pulau: Below the Surface by UiTM Shah Alam emerged champion. Another submission by UiTM Shah Alam, Where Heart Meets: The Story of Tender Hearts Cafe secured the first runner‑up spot, while Beyond the Sirens by UOW Glenmarie took second runner‑up position.

For demonstrating exceptional merit and strong performance, four Honourable Mentions were presented to Colouring Lives (UOW Glenmarie) and Keep Wildlife Wild: Animal Neighbours Project, Sixteen Pillars, One Heritage, and Invisible Citizens: The Fight For A Name, all submitted by UiTM Shah Alam.

In the new Outstanding SDG Alignment category, the submissions titled Invisible Citizens: The Fight For a Name (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities) and The Lost Food Project: More Than Leftovers (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 2: Zero Hunger), UiTM Shah Alam emerged as winners for their powerful alignment with selected SDGs and ability to inspire awareness and action.

Looking Ahead to Season 5
Through We.R.Wira, Centriq PR is cultivating the next generation of communicators by equipping students with practical experience in strategic storytelling, SDG alignment, stakeholder engagement, and industry collaboration—skills essential in today’s PR profession.

Season 4 leaves a resounding message: Change begins when those who care enough, dare to act. Looking ahead, We.R.Wira will return for Season 5, reaffirming Centriq PR’s long‑term commitment to nurturing future communicators through meaningful storytelling, collaboration and social impact initiatives.

Hashtag: #WeRWira #WeRWiraS4 #SocialImpact #SDG #BeTheChange #SustainableDevelopmentGoals

https://www.centriqpr.com/
https://www.instagram.com/centriqpr?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
https://www.youtube.com/@We_R_Wira
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQHUSnemnJA&list=PLrPqvkffvYoVxouljKG9a_ifIuslwaBFY
https://www.youtube.com/live/h0xdngQjaJw?si=gCd6E2RFxrmW1GCp

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

About Centriq PR

Centriq PR is a Malaysian independent public relations consultancy, recognised for its expertise in strategic content development, corporate communications, media relations, reputation management, ESG communications, and crisis response.

The consultancy focuses on human intelligence, ethical guidance, and trust-building to provide strategic communications counsel, partnering with organisations across industries to build trust, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and deliver measurable outcomes.

Beyond client work, Centriq PR champions communications as a force for social impact. Its flagship youth initiative, We.R.Wira, equips students with practical storytelling skills and amplifies inspiring stories aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), showing how communication can drive lasting positive change.

By Asad Mirza Washington and Riyadh have signed a civilian nuclear cooperation pact that could let Saudi Arabia enrich uranium on its own soil. Announced this week and now headed to Congress, the deal marks a historic shift in US nonproliferation policy, alarms Israel and threatens to reshape the regional balance of power just as […]

The article The US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Redrawing The Middle East’s Atomic Map appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By K Raveendran The spectacle in central Delhi this week carried a significance far beyond the barricades, detentions and blows captured on mobile-phone cameras. The first confrontation unfolded during the Cockroach Janta Party’s march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, while Tuesday brought another coercive police response when Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress […]

The article By Brutalising A Youth Protest, BJP May Have Handed Congress Its Anna Moment appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Dr. Gyan Pathak Both Houses – Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha – of the Parliament of India adjourned for the second day of the Monsoon Session on July 21 amid protests by the opposition seeking discussion on the police “brutality unleashed” on students during their “March to Parliament” on July 20. The March was […]

The article Parliament Adjourned For The Second Day On Police Brutality Unleashed On Students appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Release of Phased Achievements of the National Pilot Base for AI Application (Financial Sector) Held Alongside the Conference

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 July 2026 – On 17 July, the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) officially opened in Shanghai. UnionPay unveiled three proprietary AI technologies developed for the financial sector at the Shanghai exhibition area: financial transaction time-series foundation model, the Agentic Payment Open Protocol (APOP) framework, and a privacy-preserving large language model inference solution. As the AI era unfolds, the showcase highlights UnionPay’s continued commitment to accelerating the adoption of digital and intelligent technologies.

On 18 July, UnionPay hosted the Release of Phased Achievements of the National Pilot Base for AI Application (Financial Sector) at the UnionPay Center alongside WAIC 2026. The event brought together more than 100 representatives from commercial banks, Chinese and international partners, leading technology companies, academia, and research institutions. During the event, UnionPay released its “1+6+N” AI achievements framework, announced a series of industry partnerships, and launched a joint initiative calling for greater collaboration on the development and governance of the financial industry. These achievements demonstrate the progress of the National AI Application Pilot Base in building an open innovation platform that accelerates AI adoption across the industry.

Dong Junfeng, Chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, attended the event and delivered a keynote speech. He noted that AI is rapidly reshaping the financial industry. Since the National AI Application Pilot Base was launched in 2025, it has delivered a number of meaningful outcomes through close collaboration across the industry. Mr. Dong elaborated on the vision for the development of the base from through three dimensions: sharing, collaborative governance, and mutual benefits. First, by pooling computing resources, data and models on a centralized public platform, the base helps address industry challenges such as the high cost of computing resources and data silos. This lowers barriers to AI adoption across the financial sector. Second, the base has strengthened AI security by building robust safeguards for large language models and applying AI to enhance transaction risk management and cybersecurity. Such efforts are made to support a safer and more resilient financial ecosystem. Third, the base is accelerating the AI adoption across real-world use cases. It has incubated a range of commercial AI solutions spanning agentic payments, credit risk management, consumption promotion and merchant digital transformation, turning technological innovation into tangible business value. Looking ahead, the future of AI + Finance holds enormous potential. UnionPay looks forward to working with partners across industries to build an open, shared, and well-governed financial AI ecosystem that supports the development of new productive forces through technological innovation.

A highlight of the event was the official launch of UnionPay’s “1+6+N” AI achievements framework.

The “1” represents a unified portal—the National AI Application Pilot Base. Built on a “One Portal, Six Centers” structure, it integrates six specialized centers covering models, datasets, applications, talent development, supply-demand matching, and financial services. Together, the platform currently hosts 11 models, 14 datasets, 59 demonstration applications, and 61 service offerings, bringing together 145 core resources in total.

The “6” refers to six independent and controllable capabilities, including computing resources scheduling through a trusted intelligent computing sharing platform, high-quality financial datasets, finance-specific foundation models, AI-powered financial security services, financial AI standards, and a pilot testing sandbox that supports model training and evaluation. Together, these six capabilities form the base’s shared technology foundation, providing ecosystem partners with the core technical infrastructure.

The “N” represents a portfolio of benchmark use cases, standardized AI solutions, and demonstration applications built on this technology foundation. These applications span five key areas—intelligent payments, inclusive finance, consumption growth, risk management and compliance, and operational excellence—building a multi-tier product portfolio serving consumers, merchants, local governments and financial institutions. This accelerates the application of AI capabilities across diverse use cases.

Together, the “1+6+N” framework of the base connects computing power, data, models, and use cases and forms an end-to-end value chain. By addressing common industry challenges—including limited computing resources, data silos and the high cost of AI deployment—it delivers standardized and widely accessible AI capabilities, providing the financial industry with reusable, highly secure and one-stop AI solutions for intelligent transformation. This also reflects UnionPay’s commitment not only to driving its own business growth, but also to enabling the industry through foundational capabilities and reinforcing financial infrastructure for the AI era.

These achievements have already been made available to industry partners and are beginning to create value. For banks, acquirers and other financial institutions, UnionPay’s shared infrastructure enables rapid access to mature financial AI capabilities without the need to build systems from scratch, significantly reducing both technical barriers and implementation costs. For merchants, UnionPay offers AI-powered marketing, digital analytics and intelligent risk management tools to support smarter operations, improve customer engagement and enhance operational efficiency, enabling even small and medium-sized businesses to benefit from AI innovation. For technology companies and other ecosystem partners, the base enables partners to rapidly adapt AI products for financial applications and complete compliance validation, accelerating the commercialization of technological innovations.

The event also featured six rounds of partnership signing ceremonies, covering areas including AI-themed card, cross-border agentic payment ecosystem development, AI-powered operational empowerment for merchants, joint commercialization of pilot base innovations, and broader ecosystem collaboration across the financial industry chain.

Following the signing ceremonies, UnionPay released the Initiative on the Collaborative Development and Governance of AI Applications in Financial Services, with representatives from participating organizations joining the stage to witness its launch. Building on the “1+6+N” framework, the initiative calls on industry stakeholders to collaborate in four areas: First, advancing trusted AI systems that serve the real economy by establishing governance mechanisms for traceable and explainable algorithms while safeguarding data privacy and security; Second, strengthening collaboration among industry, academia, research institutions and users, leveraging the base to jointly advance core technologies and develop independent and secure financial AI infrastructure; Third, promoting openness and inclusiveness by sharing mature AI models, testing services and implementation solutions to reduce the cost of intelligent transformation, particularly for SMEs; Fourth, improving lifecycle governance through tiered risk management, enhanced compliance standards and coordinated risk prevention. The initiative calls on all industry stakeholders to work together by jointly strengthening the foundation, unlocking greater value through shared capabilities, and reinforcing collaborative governance, with the goal of advancing the sound development of AI in the financial sector and driving digital finance through technological innovation.

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