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By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers WASHINGTON: The final week of America’s 2026 midterm election campaign has become a high-stakes confrontation between President Donald Trump and a Democratic opposition seeking to turn voter dissatisfaction over the economy into control of Congress. Neither Trump nor former president Barack Obama is on the ballot. Yet both are criss-crossing the […]

The article Barack Obama Imparts Big Momentum To Democratic Campaign In Last Phase appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nantoo Banerjee The long-drawn Ukraine-Russia war seems to be turning out to become the world’s largest and most expensive proxy war in the modern era, in which the European Union and the United Kingdom have so far spent nearly $300 billion on Ukraine to tame Russia. The Syrian civil war since 2011 may be […]

The article The UK, EU Spent Billions On Ukraine To Proxy-Fight Russia appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Nine exchange-traded funds widely associated with the country’s so-called national team recorded combined net inflows of 128.7 billion yuan ($19 billion) during the week ending 23 October. The total was the highest since nearly 140 billion yuan entered the same closely watched group during the tariff-driven market turmoil 18 months earlier.

The surge followed a punishing decline in mainland shares that pushed the CSI 300 benchmark into bear-market territory, conventionally defined as a fall of at least 20% from a previous peak. Investors have been monitoring large purchases of index-tracking funds for indications that state-backed institutions are seeking to contain further losses.

The figures measure money entering funds favoured by official investors rather than confirmed purchases by government-controlled entities. No public announcement has established how much of last week’s inflows came directly from the state, making the scale of official intervention difficult to determine precisely.

Central Huijin Investment, a unit of sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation, is among the principal institutions associated with market stabilisation. Its investment activity has become an important signal for traders attempting to assess Beijing’s willingness to support share prices during periods of intense volatility.

The latest inflows were concentrated in exchange-traded products offering exposure to broad mainland equity benchmarks. Such vehicles enable institutions to acquire diversified holdings quickly, directing demand towards major listed companies without having to purchase individual shares separately.

Thursday’s trading illustrated the pressure facing authorities. The CSI 300 fell into a bear market as persistent selling overwhelmed earlier signs of institutional support. Funds favoured by state investors attracted approximately 46 billion yuan that day, highlighting the contrast between substantial new subscriptions and continuing weakness in underlying shares.

Friday brought a partial reversal. The CSI 300 finished 1.7% higher at 4,105.33 after falling by as much as 2% during the session. The recovery coincided with unusually active trading in several large index funds, although trading patterns alone cannot identify the buyers responsible.

One CSI 300 exchange-traded fund managed by E Fund Management registered turnover of about 19.5 billion yuan on Friday, its busiest session since October 2024. Heavy turnover can reflect purchases and sales by multiple participants and does not, by itself, establish the size of net state investment.

The rebound provided relief after a prolonged retreat that had already tested confidence in official market-support measures. The benchmark had endured a record sequence of weekly declines, leaving investors focused on whether additional institutional demand could interrupt the selling pressure.

Analysts at China Securities, including Yao Ziwei, had previously identified large subscriptions to leading broad-market funds and heavier activity towards the close of trading as characteristics consistent with institutional buying against the prevailing market trend. Their observations did not amount to confirmation of individual investors’ identities.

The scale of potential support has also attracted attention. Analysts including Rebecca Sin estimated that Central Huijin raised approximately $231 billion through exchange-traded fund sales during the first half of 2026 and redeployed about $43 billion after purchases resumed in July. Their calculations suggested considerable remaining capacity, although available resources do not guarantee further buying.

Those estimates underscore the distinction between market intervention and a sustained recovery. Purchases can provide immediate demand for shares, but their effect depends partly on whether other investors become willing to hold equities without continued institutional assistance.

The comparison with April 2025 is significant because that episode followed sweeping American tariff announcements that triggered sharp market losses. Authorities subsequently introduced measures intended to stabilise trading and confidence. Last week’s inflows approached the scale seen during that earlier emergency, despite the different circumstances surrounding the latest decline.

The nine-fund basket represents only part of China’s exchange-traded fund market. Subscription figures can vary depending on the funds selected, the valuation method and the period measured, while changes in units outstanding cannot establish the identity of the ultimate purchaser.

Mainland exchange-traded funds are listed securities whose prices fluctuate throughout the trading day. Their creation and redemption mechanisms allow authorised institutions to adjust the number of units outstanding as investor demand changes. These mechanisms can produce substantial changes in reported fund flows even when trading activity involves different categories of institutional and individual market participants.

Louis Vuitton unveils in October 2026 a spectacular hoarding inspired by one of the House’s most emblematic themes: the Art of Travel. Throughout the refurbishment, the façade is transformed into a grand train station, evoking the romance and golden age of travel. In celebration of the 130^rh anniversary of the Monogram, this reimagined station will also be decorated with the House’s distinctive Monogram motif. Conceived as a tribute to the House’s enduring fascination with travel, and as a nod to Hong Kong’s comprehensive transportation history, the installation brings together heritage, imagination and architectural presence. In keeping with Louis Vuitton’s commitment to more mindful creation, all materials used in the construction of the façade will later be reused or recycled. Designed to capture the city’s vibrant energy, this striking installation will be established as a new monument for all.

Hashtag: #LouisVuitton

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

About Louis Vuitton

Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has brought unique designs to the world, combining innovation with style, always aiming the finest quality. Today, the House remains faithful to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented a genuine “Art of Travel” through luggage, bags and accessories which were as creative as they were elegant and practical. Since then, audacity has shaped the story of Louis Vuitton. Faithful to its heritage, Louis Vuitton has opened its doors to architects, artists and designers across the years, all the while developing disciplines such as ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches, jewellery, beauty, and fragrance. These carefully created products are testament to Louis Vuitton’s commitment to fine craftsmanship.

For further information: www.louisvuitton.com

The Orchard Road clinic outlines a goal-based alternative to off-the-shelf test packages*

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 October 2026 – Hisential Clinics Singapore, a doctor-led health screening and men’s health clinic at Mandarin Gallery, Orchard Road, has outlined its goal-based approach to men’s preventive health ahead of Movember 2026. As consumer platforms market standardised blood test panels directly to the public, the clinic is highlighting the role of doctor-led risk stratification, physical examination and long-term follow-up in effective health screening. Group Medical Director Dr Julian Ng is available for interviews during November to discuss the approach.

Each November, Movember campaigns encourage men to see a doctor. Health outcomes for men, however, have been slow to improve, according to the clinic. The clinic attributes this gap partly to preventive health having followed a consumerist route. Digital wellness platforms now sell blood tests the way meal-kit apps sell dinners: a panel is selected, purchased and delivered. Screening is packaged like phone plans, tiered and compared by item counts. The underlying assumption is that a health check is a product.

“The first question we ask is not which package are you here for. It is what is the goal,” Dr Ng said. “A thirty-five-year-old with a family history of heart disease and a fit fifty-year-old with none do not need the same tests. They need the same conversation. Everything that follows, what we test, what we watch, when we see you again, is built backwards from that answer.”

The clinical case against off-the-shelf testing is straightforward: medicine is not just blood tests. A number on a report means different things in different bodies. The same cholesterol reading can be reassuring for one man and a warning for another, depending on his age, family history, blood pressure, and what a doctor finds on examination.

This is risk stratification, and it is why the physical examination still matters in an age of app-ordered panels. A murmur heard through a stethoscope, a detail no mail-order test captures, can change how a doctor interprets a cholesterol reading and what target is appropriate for that patient. Without the examination and the history, screening becomes numbers without medical context.

“Men come to us carrying printouts from testing platforms, sometimes anxious over a value that means very little for them, sometimes reassured by one that should have prompted more questions,” Dr Ng said. “A blood test is a tool, not a diagnosis. It only becomes medicine when somebody takes the time to place it in the context of the person standing in front of them.”

The men who avoid screening appointments are often disciplined in other areas of life, the clinic has observed. What they avoid is being processed: selecting a package from a menu and leaving with numbers nobody explained.

Hisential’s answer is a different kind of appointment. At the Mandarin Gallery clinic, a consultation is built around two things: the goal, and the time to reach it. Time with the practitioner matters twice over. The first question a man asks is usually the safe one he rehearsed, often about cholesterol. The question that actually brought him in surfaces once he trusts the doctor and sees there is time for the answer. Most health systems never hear the second question.

The consultation also builds structure for what follows. Doctor and patient agree on what is being monitored, the patient’s baseline, and what happens at the next check. Patients who leave with that structure keep the habit, the clinic finds. Prevention, in this model, is a series of future decisions set up in advance.

The approach speaks to a wider conversation in Singapore about healthspan, healthy years rather than simply years. Healthspan is not bought in a single transaction, according to the clinic. It is built through understanding one’s health numbers, what they mean in context, and catching quiet changes early, when the response can still be small. That requires a practitioner who knows a patient’s goals and history, not a panel that knows neither.

“The men who do best in preventive health are not the ones who bought the biggest test package on day one,” Dr Ng said. “They are the ones who left with their questions answered, a goal defined, and a reason to return. Everything after that is easy.”

The clinic’s view is that men’s health services more broadly would benefit from the same shift: fewer standardised packages, more appointments and relationships worth keeping.

Hisential Clinics Singapore provides doctor-led health screening and men’s health services at Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road. Interviews with Dr Julian Ng, Group Medical Director, can be arranged on request.
Hashtag: #MensHealth #HealthScreening #Movember

https://hisential.sg
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hisential

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Hisential Clinics Singapore

Hisential Clinics Singapore offers doctor-led health screening and men’s health services at Mandarin Gallery, Orchard Road. More information: https://hisential.sg/health-screening

In Singapore, global leaders in ocean science, exploration and conservation examine how evidence, storytelling and education can help shape the ocean’s future

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 October 2026 – What does it take to turn ocean discovery into lasting change? That question connected three days of conversations at the OceanX Summit 2026, where leaders from ocean science, government, exploration, education and conservation considered how evidence can inform protection, how immersive learning can engage the next generation, and how local leadership can shape solutions.

The Summit brought together oceanographer Sylvia Earle; filmmaker and deep-sea explorer James Cameron; Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society; Takashi Kudo of international art collective teamLab; Benoît Dageville, Co-Founder and President of Products at Snowflake; Rizza Sacra-Dejucos, Asia Regional Coordinator of the High Seas Alliance; Professor Peter Ng of NUS; and conservation leaders Titouan Bernicot of Coral Gardeners and Rili Joani-Mohamed of the Coral Triangle Centre. Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Trade) Gan Kim Yong opened the Summit, with Minister for Education Desmond Lee later addressing the role of ocean exploration in student learning.

A clear message emerged: ocean knowledge has its greatest value when it can be shared, understood and used. Discussions on artificial intelligence highlighted both its potential to connect fragmented datasets and its dependence on high-quality information from regions that remain underrepresented. Sessions on finance and marine protected areas explored how public policy, private-sector expertise and philanthropic support can work together, with the needs of coastal communities in view.

“The Summit brought the ocean into the room in a way people could experience. Immersive education can turn curiosity into a personal connection, and help students see how their skills can contribute to ocean science and its future. We need to open those experiences and career pathways to more young people,” said Mark Dalio.

The programme connected scientific discovery with the international effort to conserve marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. The Into the Deep: Monsoon Rise expedition, jointly led by OceanX and NUS, mapped more than 8,300 square kilometres of seafloor in the eastern Indian Ocean. Scientists from Southeast Asia and the Pacific worked alongside Singapore researchers, with approximately 2,000 specimens now contributing to continuing biodiversity research.

The Summit also explored the wider challenge of making ocean data useful across disciplines and regions, as countries implement the BBNJ Agreement. OceanX has committed a significant share of its 2027 expedition time to high seas research.

“The Summit made clear that there is a need to collect much more ocean data which is necessary to make informed decisions around ocean stewardship. We need to connect information across disciplines, close gaps in what is known, and make evidence accessible to people working on decision making. Science must work in collaboration with all stakeholders to move together if knowledge is to support lasting ocean protection,” said Vincent Pieribone.

Singapore’s partnership with OceanX through the Ministry of Education and Science Centre Board has enabled more than 570 students and educators to visit OceanXplorer since 2024, while hundreds more have joined ship-to-shore expedition livestreams. At the Summit, Desmond Lee spoke about how experiences like these help students connect classroom learning to real research and see how skills in engineering, data science and communications contribute to scientific discovery.

The Summit also featured more than 20 immersive installations developed by OceanX Education and its Changemaker community. These experiences put audiences inside ocean stories and research, demonstrating how art, media and technology can build understanding and invite people into the work.

A discussion between Mark Dalio and Anderson Tanoto of Tanoto Foundation highlighted education pathways across Southeast Asia. Nine Tanoto Foundation scholars have participated in OceanX’s Young Explorers programme, while the partnership continues to develop opportunities through fellowships, hackathons and other immersive learning experiences.

Speakers from across the conservation community showed how ocean protection is already being advanced by local leaders. Coral Gardeners founder Titouan Bernicot described an island-led movement that has grown to 97 full-time employees and planted more than 250,000 corals across French Polynesia, Fiji and Thailand. Other changemakers presented projects using AI for reef monitoring and immersive media to connect audiences with marine ecosystems.

These examples brought the Summit’s discussions back to people and places: local knowledge must shape conservation, and communities need a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their ocean. The Summit convened more than 750+ participants, including 223 students and educators, around the relationships and ideas that can carry this work forward.

Watch OceanX Summit 2026 highlights.
Hashtag: #OceanX

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

About OceanX

To watch the video: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202610/16/WS6ad1f5d7e4b06d4aa05633a1.html

Social Media Account: https://x.com/ChinaDaily

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

Launching October 22 on Nintendo Switch 2!

KYOTO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 October 2026 – Q-Games has announced that it will publish Beyond the Dark: Nightwatch, the upcoming horror game from French developer Atlantis Studio, across Asia, and has released a new trailer. It is a two-player asymmetric co-op horror game built around tension, communication, observation and trust.

Latest Trailer
Nintendo Store *Available starting October 22

Players must combine information from their individual perspectives as they work together to escape a haunted house far from civilization. Communication is essential for survival. By sharing information and coordinating their actions, players must overcome the horrors that await them and find a way out. The game also features Troy Baker, the renowned voice actor known for his roles in The Last of Us and Death Stranding. The Nintendo Store page for Asia is scheduled to go live on Thursday, October 22, with the game launching on Nintendo Switch 2 the same day.

ABOUT THE GAME
Beyond the Dark: Nightwatch is a two-player horror experience. One player, the Explorer, enters the House in first person, searching for clues, solving mysteries and trying to escape before Gloam finds them. The other, the Overseer, stays behind the cameras, using surveillance systems, documents, and tactical tools to track what is happening and guide their partner.

The game supports couch co-op, GameShare, Local Network, and Online Play. Using GameShare, two players can play together even if the other console is either a Nintendo Switch 2 or a Nintendo Switch.

GAME FEATURES

• A Two-Player Horror Experience: Built exclusively for two players, communication is essential for survival.
• Asymmetric Exploration: Combine different perspectives to uncover the House’s secrets and stay alive.
• An Oppressive Environment: Explore a claustrophobic house filled with hidden threats.
• Communication Drives Escape: Share clear instructions, warn your partner of danger and coordinate actions to escape.
• GameShare and Co-op: Play together via local co-op, GameShare, Local Network or online play.

BASIC INFORMATION
Title: Beyond the Dark: Nightwatch
Developer: Atlantis Studio
Publisher: Q-Games
Genre: Horror / Asymmetric Co-op
Mode: 2 Player (Local Co-op, Couch Co-op, GameShare, Local Network, Online Play)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Price: HKD 138 / TWD 490 / JPY 2,480 / KRW 24,000 / MYR 59 / SGD 21.99 / THB 450 / PHP 799
Discord
PressKit

Hashtag: #QGames #BeyondTheDarkNightwatch #NintendoSwitch2

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

The regulator on Tuesday imposed restrictions covering approximately HK$4.7 billion ($599 million) in assets held through 31 brokerages, while suspending trading in Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial Co over concerns that its share offering may have been rigged.

The enforcement action targets two suspected syndicates linked to three listings. Investigators are examining arrangements allegedly designed to create misleading impressions of investor demand and potentially divert proceeds from companies entering the stock market.

The SFC simultaneously issued detailed guidance identifying warning signs, including substantial loans to investors, undisclosed agreements, unusual last-minute subscriptions and concentrated share allocations involving parties connected to listing applicants.

Julia Leung, the commission’s chief executive officer, warned that financial intermediaries must challenge suspicious transactions rather than accept explanations that fail to withstand scrutiny.

The regulator said most market participants complied with applicable rules but stressed that misconduct by a minority could undermine confidence in Hong Kong’s capital markets.

The largest restriction concerns assets worth approximately HK$4.4 billion held through six brokerages and linked to suspected activities surrounding the listings of Baicha and Cloudbreak Pharma.

A separate restriction covers approximately HK$285 million associated with the listing of Tianju Dihe (Suzhou) Technology, involving accounts maintained through 29 brokerages.

Some brokerages received notices covering more than one investigation. The commission emphasised that the brokers themselves were not investigation targets and that restrictions did not affect their other clients.

Michael Duignan, the SFC’s executive director of enforcement, said the measures had significantly disrupted two suspected syndicates potentially involved in IPO manipulation.

The commission has not established criminal wrongdoing in the cases, and investigations remain under way.

Among the practices attracting scrutiny are substantial payments, loans or investments made by newly listed companies to investors or related parties shortly after prospectuses are finalised.

Such transactions can raise questions about whether investors genuinely committed their own capital or received financial support linked to their participation.

The regulator expects sponsoring banks to ensure that prospectuses disclose material financial developments and provide investors with complete, accurate information.

Another warning concerns investors whose subscription commitments appear connected to business cooperation, investment agreements or continuing commercial relationships with company executives.

Bankers have been instructed to investigate unusual orders and determine whether apparent independent investors have undisclosed relationships with issuers.

The commission also identified excessive involvement by listing applicants in selecting investors or directing share allocations as potentially suspicious.

Particular attention should be paid when allocations depart from agreed marketing strategies or favour investors who opened brokerage accounts shortly before an offering.

Large subscription orders submitted immediately before bookbuilding closes represent another warning, especially when their size appears inconsistent with an investor’s financial resources.

The watchdog highlighted arrangements involving derivatives or guaranteed returns that conceal the identities of investors ultimately benefiting from allocated shares.

Multiple accounts controlled by a single party can similarly disguise concentrated ownership and create an exaggerated impression of broad market participation.

Undisclosed commitments negotiated before an IPO are another concern, particularly where companies maintain offering sizes and timetables despite insufficient genuine investor demand.

The commission warned that questionable arrangements could extend beyond flotation dates into trading activities intended to support share prices, maintain market capitalisation or generate artificial turnover.

Such practices could involve concentrated holdings among designated investors and undisclosed understandings governing subsequent transactions.

The intervention comes during a strong year for Hong Kong fundraising, supported by listings from mainland Chinese technology companies, including businesses associated with artificial intelligence.

Regulatory concerns have also extended to the quality of listing applications. The SFC disclosed that 65 applications had been suspended during the first nine months of 2026 because of deficiencies in sponsors’ work.

Hong Kong authorities have been tightening scrutiny of disclosure standards and the resources investment banks devote to preparing flotation documents.

The shorter interval between IPO pricing and trading has added pressure on banks to verify investor identities and investigate questionable orders before allocations are completed.

The SFC nevertheless expects intermediaries to undertake reasonable verification procedures and reject subscriptions that fail regulatory requirements.

The commission has separately proposed stronger enforcement mechanisms targeting corporate misconduct, including additional measures addressing problematic listing transactions.

Baicha, whose trading was suspended on October 13, raised approximately $330 million through its April 2024 flotation. Its shares fell 27 per cent on their trading debut.

Following a dramatic confinement trial with Joe Wicks MBE, psychiatrist warns that trying to forcibly suppress stress may fuel physical burnout

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 October 2026 – For millions of busy Hong Kong professionals, daily stress and anxiety are often internalised as personal weaknesses or frustrating obstacles to career performance. Following World Mental Health Day, Bupa Group’s new global health experiment video series, Health or Hype, challenges this perspective by exploring a counter-intuitive question: What if anxiety is not our enemy, but a biological signal meant to protect us?

The video series features British fitness coach and best-selling author Joe Wicks MBE taking part in a confinement challenge designed to trigger feelings of stress and anxiety. To demonstrate some of the ways acute anxiety can affect human physiology in real-time, Wicks took part in a monitored challenge inside a purpose-built, pitch-black wooden box. As the door was fastened shut, Wick experienced an immediate physical respond—his heart rate surged, his breathing turned rapid and shallow, and he described a knot and cramping sensation in his stomach.

Psychotherapist Owen O’Kane, who supported Wicks during the challenge, explained that these involuntary physical reactions are primal survival mechanisms. In modern high-pressure environments, however, individuals routinely fall into the trap of trying to suppress, numb, or mentally fight these uncomfortable sensations. O’Kane highlights that attempting to eradicate anxiety may paradoxically reinforce the brain’s perception of threat; instead, learning to acknowledge anxiety without judgment allows the mind to regain emotional equilibrium. In the episode, breathwork specialist Liza Al Sady guides Wicks and international rugby legend Ruby Tui through targeted nasal diaphragmatic breathing, demonstrating how extending exhalations directly stimulates the vagus nerve to calm the nervous system.

To help Hong Kong’s busy professionals find a realistic balance and navigate intense corporate pressure, Dr. Oliver Chan, Specialist in Psychiatry, shares his medical perspective on the brain’s stress response, “Many professionals in Hong Kong view anxiety as a personal failing, trying to force themselves to ‘stop worrying’ through sheer willpower. But from a brain-science perspective, during intense panic or acute anxiety, the brain’s threat-response system can temporarily overpower logical reasoning. Think of anxiety as your body’s internal smoke alarm. When you face enormous stress or overwhelming workloads, this alarm goes off, flooding your body with stress hormones that could impair the functioning of brain regions involved in attention, planning and rational decision-making. Your heart races, your breathing gets shallow, and your body enters survival mode.

The biggest mistake people make is trying to argue with the alarm. If you try to fight, ignore, or feel ashamed of the anxiety, your brain assumes the danger is escalating, making the alarm ring even louder and eventually leading to prolonged psychological distress and fatigue. Instead, we must learn to shut off the alarm physically before we can calm down mentally. Simple breathing techniques, specifically making your out-breath significantly longer than your in-breath, act as a physical brake pedal. It may help shift the body towards a calmer physiological state and reduce the intensity of the stress response. Treating anxiety not as an enemy, but as an internal alert system we can actively manage, is essential for long-term health in a high-pressure city like Hong Kong.”

Your 60-Second Desktop Reset: Calming the Nervous System
Instead of trying to fight or suppress the physical feelings of stress, try this simple, clinically backed reset to soothe your nervous system during your workday:

• Unclench and Ground: Place both feet flat on the floor, drop your shoulders away from your ears, and consciously unclamp your jaw.
• Nasal Diaphragmatic Breath: Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 3, allowing your abdomen to expand rather than your chest.
• Extended Exhale: Slowly exhale through your nose for a count of 5 or 6. Making the exhale visibly longer than the inhale increases parasympathetic activity and may naturally modulate your heart rate

Caring for mental wellbeing is not about eliminating stress entirely. By recognising anxiety as a natural signal and learning simple tools to reset our nervous system, every Hong Kong professional can cultivate sustainable resilience.

Watch the full episode and see Joe Wicks take part in the confinement challenge on YouTube: What if anxiety isn’t the enemy? Joe Wicks finds out – Health or Hype Episode 5: Anxiety – YouTube

Hashtag: #BupaHongKong #HealthorHype #HealthInsurance #HealthTips #StressManagement #WorkplaceHealth #EmployeeWellbeing #BurnoutPrevention

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

Bupa – A health insurance specialist

Established in 1947, Bupa’s purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We are an international healthcare company serving over 68 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers. Bupa has businesses around the world, principally in Australia, the UK, Spain, Poland, Chile, Hong Kong SAR, India, Türkiye, Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Bupa has been a health insurance specialist in Hong Kong since 1976, offering one-stop solutions across domestic and international health insurance, and healthcare services. Our comprehensive medical insurance schemes are tailored to meet individual needs, and we provide health solutions for companies of all sizes. We also have a team of registered nurses, health management professionals, and doctors who provide various expert healthcare support.

Our healthcare provision arm, Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS), became part of Bupa in October 2013. QHMS offers Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diagnostics & Imaging, Physiotherapy, Mental Health and Wellness services via a network of over 1,650 provider service points in Hong Kong.

For more information, visit www.bupa.com.hk/en/.

During the 2025 red-leaf season, weekly tourism revenue exceeded 1.5 million yuan, thanks to initiatives such as mushroom picking and Guozhuang dance lessons, and the sale of local specialties such as yak meat. Party Secretary Asheng says he will keep exploring new ways of making life better for the villagers.
Hashtag: #CGTN

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

Building on its basketball partnerships announced in March, Sprite unites three-time MVP and NBA Champion Nikola Jokić with Olympic Gold Medalist and NBA superstar Anthony Edwards to lead a global movement celebrating the continuous evolution of basketball culture.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 October 2026 – Today, Sprite officially unveils its new global platform, “Never Stop Refreshing the Game,” with the addition of three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić to its global basketball athlete roster alongside superstar Anthony Edwards.

Sprite is doubling down on its basketball legacy on a global stage. Earlier this year, Sprite announced its return as the NBA’s Official Global Soft Drink.

For decades, Sprite has sat at the intersection of sport, fashion, music, and culture. Since first partnering with the NBA in 1986, Sprite has remained a constant presence in basketball culture, connecting with generations of players and fans through iconic campaigns, unforgettable moments, and partnerships that reflect the sport’s evolution. From neighborhood courts to the game’s biggest stages, Sprite has continued to show up wherever basketball culture moves next.

“Sprite has a history of championing the athletes, creators and communities that shape basketball culture,” said Oana Vlad, Global Brand Vice President of Sprite. “‘Never Stop Refreshing the Game’ is about finding new ways to refresh the game for fans, from the unmistakable refreshment Sprite brings on and off the court to the experiences, stories and moments that make basketball culture so powerful. By spotlighting original voices and game changers, delivering fresh entertainment, and giving fans access to experiences they might not otherwise have, we’re committed to helping move the game forward. Nikola and Ant represent that spirit perfectly.”

Two Icons with the Drive to Keep Refreshing the Game

To ignite its next era in basketball, Sprite is bringing together two of the game’s most dynamic forces. While Nikola Jokić and Anthony Edwards represent distinct paths to greatness, they share a singular instinct: a refusal to settle and a relentless drive to evolve the sport.

• Nikola Jokić, freshly named the #1 player for the 2026–27 NBA season in ESPN’s NBA Rank for the third consecutive year*, brings masterclass precision, an unselfish high-IQ playstyle, and massive international reach that bridges fans from North America to Europe and beyond.
• Anthony Edwards, Olympic gold medalist and four-time NBA All Star, brings explosive athleticism, clutch shot-making, and an electric charisma that has made him the undeniable face of basketball’s next generation.

“Basketball brings people around the world together,” said three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić. “Sprite has been part of the story for decades and I’m excited to partner with them to continue bringing the game to the next generation.”

Anthony Edwardsadds: “From Anta Claus to Obey Your Thirst, Sprite’s been cooking up some of the best campaigns that will live on forever. ‘Never Stop Refreshing the Game’ is no different, reminding every player out there to give it their all and stay true to who they are every time they step on the court.”

These game-changers will star in Sprite’s global campaign. The campaign will roll out worldwide starting now and into 2027. Across the ASEAN & South Pacific region, the platform will reach fans across passionate basketball hubs including the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand– nations where basketball culture is deeply rooted in everyday life. Over the coming months, fans can expect upcoming global spots starring both Jokić and Edwards.

Bringing Fans Closer to the Game

Off the screen, fans can grab limited-edition NBA and signature Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokić cans with scannable QR codes that unlock prizes like VIP courtside tickets, official Wilson game balls, and exclusive gear through interactive digital games. In communities worldwide, Sprite is leveling up local hoop culture by restoring neighborhood courts with vibrant “Hoops of Refreshment” murals and bringing live experiences to major events. Plus, fans can bring the energy home with NBA 2K in-game power-ups and special game-day food delivery deals.

Growing Wherever the Game Goes

By expanding its footprint across the NBA Global Games, Sprite is meeting fans where the sport is being redefined. Through immersive experiences and exclusive promotions, the brand will bring fans closer to the game, including at the NBA Mexico City Game 2026, when Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets face the Indiana Pacers, as well as the NBA Manchester and Paris Games in early 2027.

The game is changing, and Sprite is leading the play.

Watch the first campaign film here Jokes Aside. For more information, follow @Sprite on social media.

Hashtag: #Sprite

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

About The Coca Cola Company

The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and Santa Clara. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.