Source: New South Wales – News
Police and emergency services are currently at the scene of serious crash where a pedestrian has been struck by a car on Thirteenth Street at Gawler South.
Major Crash investigators and Barossa detectives are making their way to the scene.
Thirteenth Street is closed to all traffic between Fourteenth Street and Sixteenth Street. Please avoid the area.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
FORM 8.3
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
1. KEY INFORMATION
| (a) Full name of discloser: | Man Group PLC |
| (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. |
|
| (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree |
Tritax Big Box REIT plc |
| (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: | |
| (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure |
25/06/2024 |
| (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A” |
YES / NO / N/A OFFEREE: Warehouse REIT plc |
2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
| Class of relevant security: | 1p ordinary | |||
| Interests | Short positions | |||
| Number | % | Number | % | |
| (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: | 24,031,369 | 0.97 | ||
| (2) Cash-settled derivatives: | 14,655,334 | 0.59 | ||
| (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: | ||||
|
TOTAL: |
38,686,703 | 1.56 | ||
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
| Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: | |
| Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages: |
3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a) Purchases and sales
| Class of relevant security | Purchase/sale | Number of securities | Price per unit |
(b) Cash-settled derivative transactions
| Class of relevant security | Product description e.g. CFD |
Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position |
Number of reference securities | Price per unit |
(c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
| Class of relevant security | Product description e.g. call option | Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. | Number of securities to which option relates | Exercise price per unit | Type e.g. American, European etc. |
Expiry date | Option money paid/ received per unit |
(ii) Exercise
| Class of relevant security | Product description e.g. call option |
Exercising/ exercised against | Number of securities | Exercise price per unit |
(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
| Class of relevant security | Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion |
Details | Price per unit (if applicable) |
4. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
| Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none” |
|
None |
(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
| Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none” |
|
None |
(c) Attachments
| Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? | NO |
| Date of disclosure: | 26/06/2024 |
| Contact name: | Matthew Irwin |
| Telephone number: | +442071447255 |
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
New York, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inception Growth Acquisition Limited (the “Company”), a blank check company, today announced that its previously announced special meeting of shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) will be postponed from 10:00 a.m. Hong Kong Time on July 1, 2025 to 10:00 a.m. Hong Kong Time on July 14, 2025 to provide stockholders with additional time to review the supplement (the “Supplement”) to the definitive proxy statement (the “Original Proxy Statement”), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 25, 2025. The Supplement corrects, among other things, the per share redemption price from $13.18 to $12.09, provides updates regarding the Company’s annual meeting held on June 5, 2025, and extends the deadline for stockholders to submit redemption requests.
There is no change to the location, the record date or any of the other proposals to be acted upon at the Special Meeting. The physical location of the Special Meeting remains at the offices of Loeb & Loeb LLP, 2206-19 Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place Central, Hong Kong SAR, and virtually via teleconference using the following dial-in information:
| US Toll Free | +1 866 213 0992 | |||
| Hong Kong Toll | +852 2112 1888 | |||
| Participant Passcode | 2910077# |
The Special Meeting is being held for the purpose of considering and voting on, among other proposals, proposals to approve the Company’s proposed business combination with AgileAlgo Holdings Ltd.
The record date for determining the Company stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting remains the close of business on May 27, 2025 (the “Record Date”). Stockholders as of the Record Date are eligible to vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares. Stockholders who have already submitted their proxies or voted and do not wish to change their vote need not take any further action. All previously cast votes associated with the Special Meeting remain valid for the Special Meeting, unless revoked as described in the Original Proxy Statement or the Supplement. Stockholders who have not yet voted are urged to submit their votes promptly.
As a result of the postponement, the deadline for delivery of redemption requests from the Company’s stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination has been extended from June 27, 2025 (two business days before the originally scheduled Special Meeting) to July 10, 2025 (two business days before the postponed Special Meeting). Stockholders who have already submitted redemption requests may revoke such requests prior to the new deadline in accordance with the procedures described in the Original Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on May 27, 2025, and the Supplement.
If you have questions regarding the certification of your position or delivery of your shares, please contact:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
1 State Street 30th Floor
New York, NY 10004-1561
E-mail: spacredemptions@continentalstock.com
Stockholders are advised to review the Supplement carefully and to consider it together with the Original Proxy Statement, both available on the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov, for complete details regarding the postponement, the corrected redemption price, the updated redemption deadline, and other corrected and updated information.
The Company’s stockholders who have questions regarding the postponement, the Special Meeting, or would like to request documents may contact the Company’s proxy solicitor, Advantage Proxy, Inc., at (877) 870-8565, or banks and brokers can call (206) 870-8565, or by email at ksmith@advantageproxy.com.
About Inception Growth Acquisition Limited
Inception Growth Acquisition Limited is a blank check company incorporated under the laws of Delaware whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the date of the Special Meeting, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
On May 27, 2025, the Company filed the Original Proxy Statement with the SEC in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting. On June 26, 2025, the Company filed the Supplement to provide information about, among other things, the postponement of the Special Meeting, the extension of redemption request deadline, and the corrected per share redemption price. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE SUPPLEMENT, THE ORIGINAL PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and other documents filed with the SEC through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by contacting the Company’s proxy solicitor.
Participants in the Solicitation
The Company and its respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the Special Meeting. Additional information regarding the identity of these potential participants and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the definitive proxy statement. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above.
Contact
Inception Growth Acquisition Limited
Investor Relationship Department
(315) 636-6638
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, June 26, 2025
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged motorists to take extra caution due to the adverse weather conditions in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and the Northern Cape.
Earlier this week, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warned a cold front would make landfall on Wednesday.
“Wet and slippery roads may result in dangerous driving conditions. Motorists should exercise caution and adhere to safety measures. Heavy rainfall with a risk of localised flooding over the western parts of the Western Cape [is expected], especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas on Wednesday into Thursday (25 – 26 June 2025).
“Cold to very cold conditions can be expected, along with possible snowfall over the western mountain ranges of the Western Cape, spreading into the south-western interior of the Northern Cape,” SAWS said earlier this week.
Motorists have been advised to follow these road safety precautions when driving in wet and icy conditions:
Source: South Africa News Agency
South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency is placing climate resilience and the Just Energy Transition (JET) at the heart of its global agenda, highlighting the escalating environmental challenges facing developing nations.
In an interview with the media, South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, empha
sised the critical importance of disaster resilience, using recent national experiences as a stark illustration of global climate vulnerabilities.
“If you look at the flooding that happened in the Eastern Cape a few weeks ago, it exactly shows the relevance of the G20 discussions to our national situation. You can extrapolate it into a country, in the African continent, or the developing south, you do realise that there is no ready capacity or enough resources to deal with disaster resilience,“ he said.
“I mean, if you look at KwaZulu-Natal, for example, it’s almost like we are expecting a natural disaster, climate-related, weather-related disaster to come.”
According to recent reports, the death toll in the Mthatha, Eastern Cape floods, now stands at 101, as rescue operations are continuing.
While specific commitments were not detailed, he said the talks signalled a growing recognition that climate action requires a fundamental reimagining of global economic and environmental policies.
The G20 Sherpa meeting, which kicked off yesterday, underscored a fundamental shift in approach, recognising that climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality, particularly for developing countries.
The third Sherpa meeting of the G20 kicked off on Wednesday at the Sun City Resort, focusing on global collaboration, sustainable development, and addressing new international challenges.
Joyini told journalists that South Africa’s Presidency is pushing for a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond traditional environmental discussions, integrating climate action with economic development.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador stated that critical minerals have emerged as a key focal point, with the delegation advocating for a transformative approach to resource extraction.
“We want to stop the old model of exporting raw materials,” he said.
“Our goal is to ensure African countries can benefit from the minerals crucial to green energy transitions, particularly for electric vehicles and renewable technologies.”
The attendees also highlighted the JET as a priority, reflecting a nuanced approach that balances environmental protection with economic development.
This strategy, he said, aims to create sustainable pathways for countries in the Global South to address climate challenges while maintaining economic growth.
The meeting also addressed the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations, with discussions focusing on how the G20 – representing 85% of global gross domestic product (GDP) – can provide meaningful support to the most vulnerable regions. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency convened its third Sherpa meeting this week, focusing on critical global challenges, including sustainable development and geopolitical tensions.
Speaking to the media, South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, stressed the urgency of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the G20 represents 85% of global GDP and has a crucial role in advancing the 2030 agenda.
“We are now five years away from the date set for achieving the SDGs and this is worrisome,” the diplomat stated.
He said the 20 largest economies in the world, which come from various regions, have a significant role in fostering the development agenda. “The G20 has a responsibility to push hard during these remaining years.”
He told journalists that Wednesday’s Sherpa meeting of the G20 at the Sun City Resort addressed complex geopolitical issues, with participants discussing conflicts ranging from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Gaza and Ukraine.
However, the approach focused on principles of achieving “just peace” rather than diving into specific conflict details.
Joyini said South Africa outlined four key priorities for its Presidency, which include disaster resilience, debt sustainability, critical minerals, and the Just Energy Transition (JET).
The Ambassador, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of transforming Africa’s mineral extraction model. “We do not want raw materials to be just taken from Africa. We want African countries to have space for beneficiation and manufacturing.”
The meeting also noted the absence of the United States, with officials expressing openness to continued engagement and emphasising the continuity of the G20 agenda.
Joyini believed that the gathering signalled South Africa’s commitment to advancing Global South priorities and building on the legacies of previous presidencies from Indonesia, India, and Brazil.
Meanwhile, Joyini explained the continuity of priorities, such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty from Brazil. “Our task force on food security that we are creating is focusing on the regional level and at the global level.” – SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, June 26, 2025
The City of Cape Town has called on motorists to exercise extreme caution and avoid driving through flooded areas and low-water crossings, as heavy rainfall continues to affect multiple parts of the city.
The warning comes amid ongoing downpours that have led to the temporary flooding of low-lying areas.
City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said the sheer volume of ongoing rainfall has caused vleis, rivers and canals to reach capacity.
“This causes water to back up in the stormwater system and onto our roads which then act as water conduits. Low-lying areas, [including] areas below steep mountainous terrain and areas near canals and other water bodies, will experience localised flooding, whilst rainfall remains heavy,” Quintas said.
Quintas warned that roads may be closed at short notice in the interest of public safety and security. He said downpours are expected to continue throughout the day and assessments on the ground are ongoing, as reports come in.
“Most residents would have noticed that flooding of roads usually subsides within less than an hour after the rain has stopped and our stormwater infrastructure has had the opportunity to deal with the large volumes of water that entered the system,” the MMC said.
The City’s Transport Information Centre (TIC) is currently handling a high volume of calls, with residents reporting flooded roads and mudslides due to adverse weather conditions.
The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate continues to monitor the situation and will carry out further assessments once the rainfall subsides.
Residents and road users are urged to report persistent flooding, especially where water remains on roadways with no signs of drainage, by contacting the city on 0800656463, email transport.info@capetown.gov.za, or SMS 31373 (no more than 160 characters). – SAnews.gov.za
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Both Campylobacter and Salmonella cases show a 17.1% increase from 2023 to 2024.
The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) annual data shows a significant rise in Campylobacter and Salmonella infections in England compared to the previous year. UKHSA is reminding people to take precautionary measures against catching these bacteria, which are common causes of food poisoning. Young children, elderly adults and those with weakened immune systems should take extra care as they are at higher risk of developing severe illness.
Campylobacter cases have increased by 17.1% from 60,055 in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024, reaching 121.9 reports per 100,000 population. This represents the highest number of cases recorded in the past decade. Adults aged 50 to 79 years account for 44% of all reports. Similarly, Salmonella infections reached a decade high, with a 17.1% increase from 2023, rising from 8,872 cases in 2023 to 10,388 cases in 2024. Children under 10 years old were particularly affected, accounting for 21.5% of cases.
Campylobacter and Salmonella infections are usually caught by eating contaminated food, including poultry, meat, eggs, raw fruit or vegetables, and unpasteurised milk products. Infection may also occur through close contact with people with the infection – particularly in household settings – and by cross-contamination in the kitchen, for example when utensils are used for both cooked and uncooked foods.
UKHSA and Food Standard Agency (FSA) experts are investigating further with partner agencies to understand the reasons behind this increase in Salmonella and Campylobacter cases.
Cases of the parasite Cryptosporidium decreased by 16.4% compared to 2023, with 5,708 cases reported in 2024, although this was the second highest number of cases reported in the past decade. The number of infections in April 2024 were unusually high, associated with large outbreaks linked to lambing events and petting farm venues, and an outbreak in South Devon associated with mains water.
The 2023 data for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) shows a slight decrease of 2.2% compared to 2022 overall. The higher rate in 2022 was likely explained by a large STEC O157 outbreak. In 2023, even if the overall number of STEC cases decreased slightly, the number of STEC non-O157 cases increased by 14% (from 1,988 cases in 2022 to 2,260 cases in 2023). This was likely attributable to an increase in the number of diagnostic laboratories using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in recent years, which lead to a significant increase in the detection of non-O157 STEC in England.
Both Cryptosporidium and STEC can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with animals or their environments, contact with faeces (such as, during nappy changing), consumption or handling of contaminated food or water, and person-to-person contact.
All these gastrointestinal infections can cause similar symptoms, including diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), stomach pains and cramps, vomiting and mild fever. Whilst most people recover within one to two weeks of infection, young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems face higher risks of developing serious illness or complications. In severe cases, STEC can cause haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a serious and potentially life-threatening condition primarily affecting the kidneys.
Dr Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director, Gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA said:
Our extensive surveillance is showing high levels of gastrointestinal infections in England. We continue to work closely with partners to detect, investigate and halt the spread of infections.
These infections spread in many ways, including through contaminated food or water, contact with an infected person as well as contact with an infected animal or their environment. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet or handling raw meat, before meals and after contact with animals or farms can prevent infections. Additionally, anyone experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting should avoid handling or preparing food for others. Do not return to work, and children should not attend school or nursery, until at least 48 hours after symptoms have subsided.
Dr James Cooper, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the FSA, said:
Public safety is our highest priority. The FSA works closely with UKHSA and other partners to monitor and assess the latest foodborne disease data. We are working together to understand the reasons behind the rise in Campylobacter and Salmonella cases, as well as trends in other pathogens. This analysis will help us take the necessary action to protect public health.
We’ve launched a new campaign to help people stay safe – find out more on food.gov.uk. We’re also working with industry and local authorities to support businesses to meet their legal responsibility to make sure food is safe. Consumers can further protect themselves by checking Food Hygiene Ratings on food.gov.uk.
When preparing food at home, people can reduce their risk of food poisoning by following good hygiene practices and by following advice on the 4Cs of food hygiene: chilling, cleaning, cooking, and avoiding cross-contamination.
Following good food hygiene and the 4Cs when preparing food can help protect you and others from food poisoning:
cook food correctly by following the guidance on time and temperature on product labels
chill your food below 5 degrees, this will stop or significantly slow the growth of bacteria
clean food equipment and surfaces thoroughly, this helps to stop harmful bacteria and viruses from spreading onto food
avoid cross-contamination which might lead to bacteria passing from raw foods to ready-to-eat foods via things like re-usable shopping bags, knives and chopping boards, cloths and work surfaces
use food and drink by the ‘use by’ date on the label, even if it looks and smells fine – eating food after this date could put your health at risk as you can not smell or taste bacteria which make you ill
good personal hygiene is essential when you’re preparing food, this will help ensure that bacteria you may have come into contact with isn’t passed to your friends, family and neighbours in their food
For more details, please visit: Food Standards Agency: Food safety and hygiene at home .
Source: Scottish Government
£4.1 million to help restore capacity.
Funding of over £4 million to establish new secure care houses has been announced by the Scottish Government.
The funding will allow for restored capacity and enable a different approach to be developed to ensure children with the greatest need are able to access intensive support. Additionally, this investment will support the creation of three four-bed secure houses, as well as a further four-bed contingency resource.
There are currently 82 contracted secure places provided by four independent charitable organisations in Scotland – Rossie, Good Shepherd Centre, Kibble and St. Mary’s Kenmure.
Children’s Minister Natalie Don-Innes said:
“It is imperative that we continuously improve how we care for those children who have the greatest need of support. We also need to address the challenges currently facing the secure care system, and this funding will ensure that both these aims can be met.
“Scotland is rightly proud of our unique, welfare based and focused approach to care and justice for children and young people. We want to build on that tradition and the current strengths of the system, while embracing a future vision for change as set out in the ‘Reimagining Secure Care’ report. And with that change, it is important that we maintain a resolute focus in ensuring that children and young people’s needs and rights remain at the heart of this process.”
Background
This follows the publication of the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice’s (CYCJ) report on ‘Reimagining Secure Care’ which outlines a transformative vision for the future of secure care, and broader children’s care, in Scotland. The Scottish Government has responded to this report.
More than 18% of the contracted beds are not available from the independent charities offering them. This is due to various factors, including reduced capacity at St Mary’s Kenmure, the complexity of individual children’s needs which requires additional staffing and an increase in the average length of stay for those children sentence and remanded to secure care.
The Scottish Government has increased the number of available beds in secure care by four since April 2025 to support restoring capacity. This funding will further strengthen capacity for the future.
Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent
Published: Thursday, 26th June 2025
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has approved a new plan to help more adults gain the skills they need to find and stay in work.
The new Adult Skills and Employment Framework was considered by the council’s cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday 24 June.
The plan aims to raise skill levels across the city and support more residents into better jobs by working closely with partners in education, training and employment.
It will help make sure more people can take advantage of local job opportunities and contribute to a growing city economy. It also supports the council’s wider aim to improve residents’ health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Alongside consulting a broad range of organisations, the council has worked with partners including the Chamber of Commerce, Staffordshire Providers Group and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to shape the framework. This joint approach ensures the plan reflects local needs and builds on what is already in place.
A new Local Skills and Employment Partnership will also be set up to lead the work, helping partners to stay joined-up and focused on long-term improvements.
Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for children’s services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “There is so much untapped potential in our city and by creating more opportunities for residents to enhance and improve their skills, we will help more people thrive in the workplace and social life.
“Supporting people to gain the knowledge and experience they need to secure good jobs will not only improve their quality of life, but also help them build a more secure future. Working with partners across different sectors and types of institutions is crucial to this, as it will mean everyone can make the most of the opportunities available to them in Stoke-on-Trent.
“Together, we will ensure the building of a bigger and better economy, as well as improving the overall wellbeing of the population.”
For more information on the city council’s post-16 employment and learning hub go to www.stoke.gov.uk/adultlearning
Source: University of Aberdeen
Over the course of seven weeks, Kyle put himself in the shoes of a trainee in order to understand the diverse range of information they might need.
Hundreds of Aberdeen sail trainees embarking on the adventure of a lifetime as part in the Tall Ships Races 2025 don’t know it but they are successfully navigating the event thanks to a helping hand from University student Kyle Buchan.
The third year Business Management and Geography student was tasked with collating the official Sail Trainee Handbook when he took on the job of Tall Ships Project Intern with Aberdeen City Council earlier this year.
Over the course of seven weeks, Kyle put himself in the shoes of a trainee in order to understand the diverse range of information they might need.
“It has been a great project to work on,” said the 20-year-old. “The opportunity to be a sail trainee was open to people of all backgrounds aged between 15 and 25 living in the AB postcode.
“That meant across the 230-strong group of trainees there was a really wide range of experience, confidence and, for some, the need to also provide information and reassurance for parents too.”
The resulting 3,500-word handbook being issued to the trainees contains a list of frequently asked questions, travel arrangements for those arriving from France or taking part in the Norwegian leg, information on the ships they will be sailing on, the itinerary for the days at sea, what to expect when they dock in each port, events in each host city – and much, much more.
This is such a big event for the city and I wanted to play a part in it. I’m really proud to have been involved in producing the handbook and hope the trainees find it as useful as we designed it to be.” Kyle Buchan, third year Business Management and Geography student
“We wanted to make sure we’d answered all the questions people might have so they could focus on enjoying the experience,” said Kyle.
“That meant not just working with people across the Council, I had to liaise with teams in Kristiansand and Dunkirk to find out what would be happening when the Ships arrived in their ports, the arrangements in place for the trainees and activities they can take part in while there.
“This is such a big event for the city and I wanted to play a part in it. I’m really proud to have been involved in producing the handbook and hope the trainees find it as useful as we designed it to be.”
Since completing his internship Kyle also volunteered his time at several of the supporting events taking place in the run up to the Tall Ships arrival.
“There’s a real buzz around the city and I’m looking forward to seeing the ships arrive and enjoying all the activities at the quayside knowing I’ve played a small part in making it happen.”
Source: University of Aberdeen
On top of her day job with NHS Grampian and undertaking a PhD at the University looking at stress and recovery in doctors, Leia (right) works with Enhanced Care Services, a leading provider of event medical services at events across the UK
Locum Emergency Medicine consultant Dr Leia Kane will be part of a crack team of medics on stand-by to deal with any mishaps involving the 400,000 plus visitors attending this summer’s Tall Ships Races Aberdeen.
On top of her day job with NHS Grampian and undertaking a PhD at the University looking at stress and recovery in doctors, Leia works with Enhanced Care Services, a leading provider of event medical services which provides medical and first aid staff at a wide range of events across the UK.
She will be part of the team manning a quayside field hospital during the Tall Ships, offering on-site medical assistance for everything from cuts and blisters through to resuscitation and critical care.
“We’ve provided support at all sorts of events, from Wimbledon to the Hackney Half Marathon,” explained Leia. “The team includes senior doctors, emergency medicine nurses, paramedics and many other health care professionals from all over the country – people who offer the skills they have in their day jobs to help at big public events.
“We only work together like this for maybe half a dozen days across the year but everyone is a specialist in what they do and, once we’re on an event site together, the professional bonds kick in and we’re absolutely ready for anything.”
We only work together like this for maybe half a dozen days across the year but everyone is a specialist in what they do and, once we’re on an event site together, the professional bonds kick in and we’re absolutely ready for anything.” Locum emergency medicine consultant Dr Leia Kane
With more than 400,000 visitors expected to attend the events across its duration, organisers are expecting an additional requirement for medical care across the local population and are prepped to deal with all eventualities.
“Different events come with different requirements but we are equipped to deal with almost anything,” added Leia. “The Half Marathon saw us dealing with a lot of people who were struggling with the warm weather, they were over-heating and collapsing.
“Ironman Wales in comparison was totally different, with lots of people in the water or experiencing bike crashes. From a professional perspective, it’s an opportunity to test out different skills while remaining on alert to deal with the unexpected.
“Should we need to, we also have dedicated pathways to get people to the right place within the NHS Grampian system without delay.”
While technically on duty, Leia and her teammates still hope to be able to enjoy being part of the once in a generation event for the city: “The Tall Ships is an incredible event and I can’t wait to be part of it. The buzz of all these people coming to Aberdeen just to have a really good time is fantastic. There’ll be so much going on and we’ll be there for the full four days so I’m looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere.”
Source: University of Aberdeen
It is believed that the project might mark the first ever carbon footprint report for a Tall Ships event, and the output by the team could even set the benchmark for future events.
A student intern is making waves in the maritime sustainability sector by helping calculate the carbon footprint of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen.
MSc Sustainability Transitions student Rodney Ekow Keelson is part of a team tasked with figuring out the impact of the Tall Ships Races when the event sails into Aberdeen in July.
Working with the Tall Ships team, the 23-year-old is currently assessing different methods of gathering data to determine which will deliver the greatest depth of results.
“The challenge lies in determining the most effective way to gather a large volume of data during the event setup, throughout the four days of the Tall Ships event, and during the post-event breakdown.
“We need to take a range of factors into account, including energy consumption, ship emissions, and the impact of quayside concerts. The most complex and potentially most significant area is understanding how people will travel to the event. We will also need to carefully assess which data we can feasibly collect within the limited time available.
“Visitors will be making their way to Aberdeen from neighbouring towns, cities and further afield in cars, buses, trains, planes – and ships.
“A lot of work will go into evaluating the best channels for us to get the information we need.”
I’ve never been involved in anything like the Tall Ships or an event of this scale but carbon accounting is a really interesting field and this is great experience.” MSc Sustainability Transitions student Rodney Ekow Keelson
Rodney is currently on the MSc Sustainability Transitions programme, designed to train the future generation of innovators and thinkers who have the passion and ambition to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and become true sustainability leaders which the world needs.
It is believed that the project might mark the first ever carbon footprint report for a Tall Ships event, and the output by the team could even set the benchmark for future events.
“Aberdeen has lots of pioneering green projects and the city’s port wants to become the UK’s first net zero port by 2040. This project really demonstrates the city’s commitment to sustainability and I’m excited to be part of it,” added Rodney, who studied Economics as an undergraduate.
“I’ve never been involved in anything like the Tall Ships or an event of this scale but carbon accounting is a really interesting field and this is great experience.”
Dr Piotr Niewiadomski, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography and MSc Sustainability Transitions Programme Director, said: “I’m truly delighted that one of our MSc Sustainability Transitions students has a chance to work with the Tall Ships team and make an important contribution to such a challenging task. Not only does it reflect Rodney’s individual ambitions and capabilities, but it also demonstrates the value of our MSc degree which trains future sustainability experts who will be in a position to lead the sustainability and net zero agenda in many different sectors.”
The project will run until September 2025.
Source: University of Aberdeen
Six years ago Morven journeyed from Aalborg, Denmark to Fredrikstad in Norway on the Lord Nelson
Postgraduate psychological studies student Morven Reddy is no stranger to the Tall Ships Races. This summer she’ll be setting sail as a sail trainee, racing from Dunkirk in France to her home city of Aberdeen.
But it’s not the first time at sea for Morven, who first took part in the Tall Ships Races in 2019 at just 17 years old.
Six years ago she journeyed from Aalborg, Denmark to Fredrikstad in Norway on the Lord Nelson.
Morven explains: “I loved doing Tall Ships in 2019. It was an experience like no other with people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds coming together to race a variety of unique vessels.
“I originally found out about the Tall Ships Races when I was seeking sailing experience as it was a childhood dream of mine to join the Royal Navy. I knew from the moment I disembarked the Lord Nelson that it was something I would love to do again if I ever had the chance.
“In 2021, when I was finishing my sixth year exams I was diagnosed with a blood cancer, which prevents me from joining the Royal Navy, but I promised myself that when I finished chemotherapy I would find other ways to get out onto the ocean and hopefully do the Tall Ships Race again.
“When I first saw the Aberdeenshire Council adverts for applying to become a sail trainee this year, I applied without a second thought and I am so grateful I was one of the 200 odd that were chosen to participate.”
This summer Morven will be onboard the 54 metre A Class Gulden Leeuw in a race expected to take six days, a prospect about which she says she is “beyond excited”.
She continues: “I am looking forward to sailing on the Gulden Leeuw as she is one of the world’s largest three-mast-topsail schooners and was used as training ship for a Danish nautical college which means she will be a great vessel for racing on.
“I am very excited and proud to be sailing into my hometown of Aberdeen. I am looking forward to being able to wave at my family and friends in the crowd as we sail in.
The opportunity to participate in the Tall Ships Race 2025 is so unique that I know will help develop skills that I can use in every aspect of my life.” Postgraduate psychological studies student Morven Reddy
“The training has gone well so far. I am lucky, having previously experienced a Tall Ships Race and have previous sailing experience, that I know what to expect which has been good to reassure some of my crewmates as many have never sailed before.
“When we dock in Aberdeen I am looking forward to participating in the crew parade and competitions as they are always really fun and a great way to end such a special adventure. There will also be the prize giving ceremony as this event is a race to see who can go from Dunkirk to Aberdeen the fastest within each size category.”
Having competed in the races before, Morven has a bit of a head start and knows what to expect. And while there was time to take in the unique setting on her last journey, Morven says it certainly wasn’t a pleasure cruise.
“We do four-hour watches, so you’re on for four hours and then off for four hours which takes some getting used to. The worst one was midnight to 4am. You are assigned to a group and you have a Watch Master who oversees you.
“Some watches you could be prepping food and setting tables for mealtimes, or you could be up on deck tidying ropes and putting stuff away. There might be things happening with the sails – it really depended what watches you’re on.
“You might be on deck with whoever is at the helm, steering the boat and you’re basically watching all angles to make sure there aren’t any hazards around about you – such as other vessels or fishing lines. The weirdest story I heard was when someone came across a sofa floating in the middle of the ocean that they had to avoid!
“At one point we were alongside submarines. They weren’t on the radar and we didn’t even know what country they belonged to!”
With the countdown on, Morven is raring to go and make her second Tall Ships race another unforgettable experience.
“The opportunity to participate in the Tall Ships Race 2025 is so unique that I know will help develop skills that I can use in every aspect of my life. Sailing in a race on any vessel, but even more so on a big ship like the Gulden Leeuw, requires discipline, teamwork, open and effective communication, constant problem-solving skills, comradery and organisation.
“As I discovered in 2019, this is truly a life changing experience which will allow people to see their true potential whilst building some amazing friendships. I met some amazing people in 2019 from all sorts of different backgrounds and I am still in touch with some of them today. It’s so unique it’s hard to put into words, but I am incredibly excited and grateful that I get the opportunity to do it again.”
Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is proud to announce it has been awarded funding from PEACEPLUS to help deliver ‘Walking for All’, a participation-based walking programme which will engage over 14,000 people in walking in rural areas in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
The funding announcement of €7,536,957 from PEACEPLUS is a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Walking for All aims to create healthier rural communities by encouraging participation in walking through organised, volunteer-led walks. These short walks, guided by trained volunteers, will be held in local community spaces and will also aim to bring diverse communities together, fostering acceptance and respect for differences.
Key outcomes of this cross-border cross-community project include the appointment of dedicated Walking for All Officers, who will oversee the recruitment and training of Volunteer Walk Leaders. These leaders will support the creation of nearly 600 walking groups across rural communities, with the aim of engaging thousands of individuals in regular, social walks.
The project involves 19 partners. Outscape, a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation, will co-ordinate and lead the project. Delivery on the ground across Northern Ireland will be undertaken by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, 7 other Northern Ireland Local Authorities and Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust. There will be 6 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in Republic of Ireland who will also be responsible for project delivery including Louth, Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan, Donegal and Sligo. Sport Ireland, Mountaineering Ireland and the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland are support partners and were instrumental in the development of the programme.
Lord Mayor Alderman Stephen Moutray said: “We are delighted to be one of the delivery partners for Walking for All and receive this funding from the Special EU Programmes Body to implement Walking for All. Being part of this programme under the mentorship of Outscape, we can take significant steps towards improving the health and wellbeing of rural communities in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon.
“We look forward to being part of this collaborative approach which will use walking to address issues associated with people’s health, social exclusion and isolation.”
Gina McIntyre, CEO Special EU Programmes Body commented: “Significant developments have been made in the provision of collaborative cross-border services in recent years, providing equality of access for citizens in rural areas. The EU INTERREG programme enabled much of this work and PEACEPLUS funding now builds – and further expands – these collaborative initiatives into areas of increasing wellbeing and reducing social isolation in rural areas.”
Speaking on the project’s potential impact, Caro-Lynne Ferris, Executive Director at Outscape commented: “This is the most ambitious project Outscape has undertaken to date, and it marks a major milestone for both Northern Ireland and the border counties. We are excited to work with communities across NI and ROI, helping them embrace walking as a means to better health and strengthen social connections. This project will be a powerful catalyst for increased social cohesion and community wellbeing, with impacts that extend far beyond its duration.”
Spanning the next three years, the project represents a significant step towards Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council achieving its vision of ‘A happy, healthy and connected community, a vibrant and sustainable economy and appealing places for living, working and learning’ by delivering on one of its strategic goals of providing opportunities which improve quality of life and wellbeing for our communities in outdoor activities. Walking For All also aligns with key government priorities, including the draft Obesity Strategy ‘Healthy Futures’ in Northern Ireland.
Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh
The shores of Lough Neagh have proven to be the perfect location for local school pupils determined to make a positive impact on their environment and wildlife, with the help of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council.
Butterflies, wildflowers and a Great Crested Grebe were just some of the wonderful flora and fauna spotted and recorded by the pupils of St Mary’s Primary School in Maghery.
As part of their project to promote and protect biodiversity, the children have been helping to manage a wild meadow at Maghery Country Park.
The school adopted an area of wet grassland in Maghery Country Park which frequently flooded and was difficult for the Council’s Ground Maintenance team to manage. Under the supervision of the Biodiversity Team at Oxford Island the project was agreed.
The council agreed not to cut the grass area until the end of September allowing native wildflowers to grow and set seed. To assess the impact of their project, the school joined council officers last week, to carry out a survey of the range of native wildflowers growing in the uncut wet grassland, and a butterfly walk to count and identify species.
The pupils who enjoyed a boat trip, also carried out a successful bird survey, when they spotted a range of species including Grey Heron, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Swallow, Mallard and Tufted duck.
Council officers have praised the work of the pupils who had also participated in a Himalayan Balsam Bash to remove the non-native Himalayan Balsam invasive species which competes with the local wildflowers vital for pollinators.
To find out more about environmental education programmes at Oxford Island, including an exciting summer programme of environmental activities for children, please visit – www.getactiveabc.com/facility/oxfordisland/
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — The “China’s Xinjiang – Central Asia” media salon was held Wednesday at the scenic Hoshanhong Distillery tourist area in Turpan, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Twenty-three media representatives from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkey watched the documentary “Turpan – A Place I Dreamed About.”
The event was attended by the film’s creator Muhammad Obidov, who is also the chairman of the Union of Journalists of the Fergana Region and the editor-in-chief of the Fergana Pravda newspaper. This film was shot under his supervision in Turfan in August 2024.
As M. Obidov said, he came to Turpan in 2023, taking advantage of the opportunity to record an interview as a journalist. After spending just one day there, he was deeply impressed by the local culture, traditions and natural landscapes, and an idea to make a documentary about this place began to emerge in his head. In 2024, during a second visit to the city, he managed to realize his dream.
According to M. Obidov, the documentary is currently available for viewing in Uzbek, Russian and Chinese. In Uzbekistan, the film was broadcast on several leading media structures and received a favorable response from the audience.
“This is a touching documentary that faithfully tells the story of the development of Turpan’s grape industry, the rapidly renewing appearance of the city and the happy life of local residents, which contributes to the humanitarian exchanges between China and Uzbekistan,” said Song Tao, deputy head of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Committee of Turpan City.
Turpan, located in the eastern Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, is a mountain basin. Despite the dry climate and sparse rainfall, thanks to the wisdom of local residents, it has become a green oasis and a famous wine-growing region in the country.
According to statistics, by the end of 2024, the area of vineyards in Turpan exceeded 630 thousand mu /42 thousand hectares/, where more than 550 varieties of grapes are grown. It accounts for about 40 percent of the total grape production in Xinjiang. -0-
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
QINGDAO, June 26 (Xinhua) — A meeting of defense ministers of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun noted that in the context of chaotic changes and intertwining in the international situation, the SCO needs to play the role of a stabilizing anchor.
He said China is willing to work with other member states of the organization to uphold the original purpose of the SCO and carry forward the “Shanghai Spirit”, firmly safeguard international fairness and justice, jointly respond to security challenges, and promote the stable and long-term development of defense cooperation, so as to provide more resolute support for the building of a common home of solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness, fairness and justice.
At the meeting, the two sides unanimously agreed that they should continue to strengthen strategic coordination, develop pragmatic cooperation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability. -0-
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SAN DIEGO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for the electrification of transportation and energy security, today announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with the Platinum Group LLC, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Chaired by His Royal Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nahyan, the Platinum Group UAE is recognized for its well-established and trusted relationships across government and industry.
Beam Global and the Platinum Group will form a new entity, Beam Middle East LLC, which will sell and manufacture Beam Global’s patented sustainable infrastructure solutions for transportation electrification, energy storage, energy security, and smart city development across the Middle East and African regions. This joint venture supports Beam Global’s strategy of geographic diversification by opening new markets and creating opportunities for revenue growth outside the United States. Beam Global, Beam Europe, and now Beam Middle East will each sell and manufacture the company’s full portfolio of patented sustainable technology solutions.
“The Platinum Group is an organization of the highest reputation, influence and relationships in Abu Dhabi and the surrounding region. They are a perfect partner to accelerate Beam Global’s growth in the Middle East and Africa,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “With planned spending on sustainable infrastructure in the region projected to reach $75.6 billion by 2030, we believe that Beam Global’s patented technology combined with Platinum’s unrivalled position should create a platform for growth which we are uniquely able to leverage. Platinum’s relationships with the best companies in the region and their government contacts, including at the highest level in the UAE and with entities like Masdar City, will allow Beam Middle East to secure direct audiences with top decision makers. Our technology is ideal for the region’s current and future plans, but this is a region where relationships matter just as much as products and solutions. That is why our joint venture with Platinum is so ideal – Beam’s tried and tested clean-technology solutions and Platinum’s influence and relationships form a combination that ticks all the boxes and is without rivals.”
“The Platinum Group seeks out the highest quality, most timely and relevant companies in each of the industries we target. Beam Global’s unique and patented products are ideally suited to provide value to governments and businesses, as the Gulf region and beyond transitions to clean and sustainable technologies,” said Dr Ali Nasser Sultan Al Yahbouni Al Daheri, CEO of Platinum Group. “We are looking forward to ensuring that our new joint venture with Beam Global, forming Beam Middle East, is a highly successful enterprise with wins in the Middle East and increasingly in Africa. With abundant sunshine and fast-growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), renewables, and energy storage, the region is perfect for Beam Global’s solutions. Energy security and Smart Cities solutions like those offered by Beam Middle East are at the forefront of government planning. Our timing is right, and our partnership is formed on mutual benefit from growth and success. We are delighted to have Beam Global as part of our growing family of businesses.”
Middle East Market Overview Across Five Key Markets: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan
Middle East Market Overview: Abu Dhabi Case Study
The above scenarios are estimates only, based upon market data taken from internet resources. Beam Global believes these case studies can be replicated in other markets across the Middle East and Africa.
Key Terms of the Agreement
Beam Middle East LLC will be a 50/50 joint venture between Beam Global and Platinum Group UAE, incorporated in Abu Dhabi. Beam Global will license its proprietary technologies to the joint venture and support it with incoming opportunities, training, marketing materials, and procurement assistance. Platinum Group will leverage its existing relationships at the highest levels, coordinate local sales, provide experienced and influential business development professionals, and establish manufacturing capabilities efficiently and inexpensively. Both parties will collaborate on the development of a regional manufacturing facility for the products. Beam Middle East will be headquartered in Masdar City, a pioneering sustainable urban community and world-class business and technology hub, where Platinum Group has recently signed an agreement. Masdar City is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, strategically positioned at the center of the country’s drive toward a net-zero future by 2050.
About Platinum Group UAE
Platinum Group UAE is a diversified, multi-billion-dollar conglomerate operating in energy, real estate, finance and investing, healthcare, information technology, sports and entertainment, food services and legal services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Chaired by His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nahyan, son of the former ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Group is recognized for its well-established and trusted relationships across government and industry. Platinum Group UAE is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, with offices in Dubai and Sharjah. For more information visit, PlatinumGroupUAE.com.
About Beam Global
Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Beam Global is headquartered in San Diego, CA with facilities in Broadview, IL and Belgrade and Kraljevo, Serbia. Beam Global is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol BEEM. For more information visit, BeamForAll.com, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “may,” or similar expressions. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected benefits, market potential, and future operations of Beam Middle East LLC; anticipated revenue opportunities in the Middle East and African regions; projections regarding electric vehicle and infrastructure market growth; and strategic goals and international expansion plans of Beam Global.
These forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, among others, risks associated with entering new markets and joint ventures, including regulatory and operational challenges; risks relating to the adoption of EV technologies and infrastructure in foreign jurisdictions; the ability to develop and scale manufacturing capabilities in the region; the effectiveness of partnerships; and general economic, political, and business conditions in the Middle East and Africa. Additional risks and uncertainties are detailed in Beam Global’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Beam Global disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Media Contact
Andy Lovsted
+1 858-327-9123
Press@BeamForAll.com
Investor Relations
Luke Higgins
+1 858-261-7646
IR@BeamForAll.com
Appendix 1 – Sources for Middle East Market Overview Sections
Table 1 – Projected Growth of EV Adoption in the Middle East
| Number of EVs in 2024 | Number of EVs in 2030 | |
| Countries: | ||
| UAE | 28,000 | 42,000 |
| Saudi Arabia | 23,170 | 1,300,000 |
| Qatar | 5,624 | 75,167 |
| Oman | 2,200 | 13,500 |
| Jordan | 10,000 | 45,000 |
| Total Number of EVs: | 68,994 | 1,475,667 |
Table 2 – Projected Growth of eBike Adoption in the Middle East Assuming 5% EV Market Share
| Number of eBikes in 2024 | Number of eBikes in 2030 | |
| Countries: | ||
| UAE | 1,400 | 2,100 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1,159 | 50,000 |
| Qatar | 281 | 3,758 |
| Oman | 110 | 675 |
| Jordan | 500 | 2,250 |
| Total Number of eBikes: | 3,450 | 58,783 |
Table 3 – Estimated Number of Streetlights in Abu Dhabi Based on New York City’s Streetlight-to-Population Ratio
| Population of NYC | 8,258,000 |
| Number of Street Lights | 400,000 |
| Number of Street Lights per Person | 21 |
| Population of Abu Dhabi | 3,800,000 |
| Number of Street Lights approx. | 180,952 |
Table 4 – Estimated Size of Abu Dhabi Police Motorcycle Fleet Based on a Comparable U.S. Ratio
| Population of NYC | 8,258,000 |
| Number of Police Motorcycles | 115 |
| Number of People per Motorcycle | 71,809 |
| Population of Abu Dhabi | 3,800,000 |
| No. of Police Motorcycles approx. | 53 |
Table 5 – Estimated eScooter Demand in Abu Dhabi Based on Annual Number of Hotel Guests
| No. Hotel Guests in Abu Dhabi Annually: | 5,811,000 |
| Scenario: | |
| Number of Tourists Renting Annually (10%) | 581,100 |
| Rentals per day | 1,592 |
| Average Rentals per Scooter per Day | 4 |
| eScooters Required | 398 |
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SAN DIEGO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for the electrification of transportation and energy security, today announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with the Platinum Group LLC, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Chaired by His Royal Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nahyan, the Platinum Group UAE is recognized for its well-established and trusted relationships across government and industry.
Beam Global and the Platinum Group will form a new entity, Beam Middle East LLC, which will sell and manufacture Beam Global’s patented sustainable infrastructure solutions for transportation electrification, energy storage, energy security, and smart city development across the Middle East and African regions. This joint venture supports Beam Global’s strategy of geographic diversification by opening new markets and creating opportunities for revenue growth outside the United States. Beam Global, Beam Europe, and now Beam Middle East will each sell and manufacture the company’s full portfolio of patented sustainable technology solutions.
“The Platinum Group is an organization of the highest reputation, influence and relationships in Abu Dhabi and the surrounding region. They are a perfect partner to accelerate Beam Global’s growth in the Middle East and Africa,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “With planned spending on sustainable infrastructure in the region projected to reach $75.6 billion by 2030, we believe that Beam Global’s patented technology combined with Platinum’s unrivalled position should create a platform for growth which we are uniquely able to leverage. Platinum’s relationships with the best companies in the region and their government contacts, including at the highest level in the UAE and with entities like Masdar City, will allow Beam Middle East to secure direct audiences with top decision makers. Our technology is ideal for the region’s current and future plans, but this is a region where relationships matter just as much as products and solutions. That is why our joint venture with Platinum is so ideal – Beam’s tried and tested clean-technology solutions and Platinum’s influence and relationships form a combination that ticks all the boxes and is without rivals.”
“The Platinum Group seeks out the highest quality, most timely and relevant companies in each of the industries we target. Beam Global’s unique and patented products are ideally suited to provide value to governments and businesses, as the Gulf region and beyond transitions to clean and sustainable technologies,” said Dr Ali Nasser Sultan Al Yahbouni Al Daheri, CEO of Platinum Group. “We are looking forward to ensuring that our new joint venture with Beam Global, forming Beam Middle East, is a highly successful enterprise with wins in the Middle East and increasingly in Africa. With abundant sunshine and fast-growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), renewables, and energy storage, the region is perfect for Beam Global’s solutions. Energy security and Smart Cities solutions like those offered by Beam Middle East are at the forefront of government planning. Our timing is right, and our partnership is formed on mutual benefit from growth and success. We are delighted to have Beam Global as part of our growing family of businesses.”
Middle East Market Overview Across Five Key Markets: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan
Middle East Market Overview: Abu Dhabi Case Study
The above scenarios are estimates only, based upon market data taken from internet resources. Beam Global believes these case studies can be replicated in other markets across the Middle East and Africa.
Key Terms of the Agreement
Beam Middle East LLC will be a 50/50 joint venture between Beam Global and Platinum Group UAE, incorporated in Abu Dhabi. Beam Global will license its proprietary technologies to the joint venture and support it with incoming opportunities, training, marketing materials, and procurement assistance. Platinum Group will leverage its existing relationships at the highest levels, coordinate local sales, provide experienced and influential business development professionals, and establish manufacturing capabilities efficiently and inexpensively. Both parties will collaborate on the development of a regional manufacturing facility for the products. Beam Middle East will be headquartered in Masdar City, a pioneering sustainable urban community and world-class business and technology hub, where Platinum Group has recently signed an agreement. Masdar City is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, strategically positioned at the center of the country’s drive toward a net-zero future by 2050.
About Platinum Group UAE
Platinum Group UAE is a diversified, multi-billion-dollar conglomerate operating in energy, real estate, finance and investing, healthcare, information technology, sports and entertainment, food services and legal services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Chaired by His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nahyan, son of the former ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Group is recognized for its well-established and trusted relationships across government and industry. Platinum Group UAE is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, with offices in Dubai and Sharjah. For more information visit, PlatinumGroupUAE.com.
About Beam Global
Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Beam Global is headquartered in San Diego, CA with facilities in Broadview, IL and Belgrade and Kraljevo, Serbia. Beam Global is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol BEEM. For more information visit, BeamForAll.com, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “may,” or similar expressions. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected benefits, market potential, and future operations of Beam Middle East LLC; anticipated revenue opportunities in the Middle East and African regions; projections regarding electric vehicle and infrastructure market growth; and strategic goals and international expansion plans of Beam Global.
These forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, among others, risks associated with entering new markets and joint ventures, including regulatory and operational challenges; risks relating to the adoption of EV technologies and infrastructure in foreign jurisdictions; the ability to develop and scale manufacturing capabilities in the region; the effectiveness of partnerships; and general economic, political, and business conditions in the Middle East and Africa. Additional risks and uncertainties are detailed in Beam Global’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Beam Global disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Media Contact
Andy Lovsted
+1 858-327-9123
Press@BeamForAll.com
Investor Relations
Luke Higgins
+1 858-261-7646
IR@BeamForAll.com
Appendix 1 – Sources for Middle East Market Overview Sections
Table 1 – Projected Growth of EV Adoption in the Middle East
| Number of EVs in 2024 | Number of EVs in 2030 | |
| Countries: | ||
| UAE | 28,000 | 42,000 |
| Saudi Arabia | 23,170 | 1,300,000 |
| Qatar | 5,624 | 75,167 |
| Oman | 2,200 | 13,500 |
| Jordan | 10,000 | 45,000 |
| Total Number of EVs: | 68,994 | 1,475,667 |
Table 2 – Projected Growth of eBike Adoption in the Middle East Assuming 5% EV Market Share
| Number of eBikes in 2024 | Number of eBikes in 2030 | |
| Countries: | ||
| UAE | 1,400 | 2,100 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1,159 | 50,000 |
| Qatar | 281 | 3,758 |
| Oman | 110 | 675 |
| Jordan | 500 | 2,250 |
| Total Number of eBikes: | 3,450 | 58,783 |
Table 3 – Estimated Number of Streetlights in Abu Dhabi Based on New York City’s Streetlight-to-Population Ratio
| Population of NYC | 8,258,000 |
| Number of Street Lights | 400,000 |
| Number of Street Lights per Person | 21 |
| Population of Abu Dhabi | 3,800,000 |
| Number of Street Lights approx. | 180,952 |
Table 4 – Estimated Size of Abu Dhabi Police Motorcycle Fleet Based on a Comparable U.S. Ratio
| Population of NYC | 8,258,000 |
| Number of Police Motorcycles | 115 |
| Number of People per Motorcycle | 71,809 |
| Population of Abu Dhabi | 3,800,000 |
| No. of Police Motorcycles approx. | 53 |
Table 5 – Estimated eScooter Demand in Abu Dhabi Based on Annual Number of Hotel Guests
| No. Hotel Guests in Abu Dhabi Annually: | 5,811,000 |
| Scenario: | |
| Number of Tourists Renting Annually (10%) | 581,100 |
| Rentals per day | 1,592 |
| Average Rentals per Scooter per Day | 4 |
| eScooters Required | 398 |
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
CUPERTINO, Calif., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ambow Education Holding Ltd. (NYSE American: AMBO), a global leader in EdTech and AI-driven phygital innovation, today announced a new partnership with University of the West (“UWest”) to expand access to U.S.-based higher education for international students through HybriU Education, Ambow’s comprehensive phygital (physical + digital) learning solution.
Through this partnership, UWest will utilize Ambow’s all-in-one HybriU technology platform to deliver real-time courses directly from its U.S. campus. The platform enables seamless interaction and collaboration between faculty, on-site classroom learners, and remote students around the world. The partnership enhances UWest’s ability to serve a broad global student base and continue to enroll international students who may be unable to travel to the U.S. due to travel or visa-related challenges, while maintaining academic continuity and student support standards.
“UWest shares our vision of inclusive, borderless education,” said Dr. Jin Huang, CEO of Ambow Education. “Together, we’re empowering students worldwide to begin their academic journey without delays caused by visa restrictions—offering the same rigorous curriculum and fully accredited outcomes as their peers on campus.”
HybriU goes beyond traditional video classrooms by combining lecture capture, connectivity, AI, 3D immersive technology, and teaching evaluation into one plug-and-play platform. This allows instructors to focus on teaching, while AI manages the technology in the background.
With HybriU, physical classrooms are transformed into connected spaces that seamlessly integrate on-site and remote learners. The platform replaces outdated e-learning tools and smart classrooms, offering remote students an experience that closely mirrors being physically present. Features such as real-time multilingual interaction, AI-powered adaptive instruction, and learning analytics enhance engagement and make education more flexible, personalized, and scalable.
University of the West, located in Rosemead, California, is a private, nonprofit university recognized for its values-driven approach to whole-person education. With a commitment to intercultural understanding and global engagement, UWest prepares students for success in today’s dynamic and interconnected world.
International students make up a significant part of UWest’s student population. By integrating the HybriU platform into its instructional model, the university can better support remote learners and expand its global reach.
About Ambow
Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a U.S.-based, AI-driven technology company offering phygital (physical + digital) innovation for education, corporate conferencing and live events. Through its flagship platform, HybriU, Ambow is shaping the future of learning, collaboration and communication—delivering immersive, intelligent, real-time experiences across industries. For more information, visit Ambow’s corporate website at https://www.ambow.com/.
Follow us on X: @Ambow_Education
Follow us on LinkedIn: Ambow-education-group
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Ambow and the industry. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and Ambow undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Ambow believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.
For more information, please contact:
Ambow Education Holding Ltd.
E-mail: ir@ambow.com
or
Piacente Financial Communications
Tel: +1 212 481 2050
E-mail: ambow@tpg-ir.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
CUPERTINO, Calif., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ambow Education Holding Ltd. (NYSE American: AMBO), a global leader in EdTech and AI-driven phygital innovation, today announced a new partnership with University of the West (“UWest”) to expand access to U.S.-based higher education for international students through HybriU Education, Ambow’s comprehensive phygital (physical + digital) learning solution.
Through this partnership, UWest will utilize Ambow’s all-in-one HybriU technology platform to deliver real-time courses directly from its U.S. campus. The platform enables seamless interaction and collaboration between faculty, on-site classroom learners, and remote students around the world. The partnership enhances UWest’s ability to serve a broad global student base and continue to enroll international students who may be unable to travel to the U.S. due to travel or visa-related challenges, while maintaining academic continuity and student support standards.
“UWest shares our vision of inclusive, borderless education,” said Dr. Jin Huang, CEO of Ambow Education. “Together, we’re empowering students worldwide to begin their academic journey without delays caused by visa restrictions—offering the same rigorous curriculum and fully accredited outcomes as their peers on campus.”
HybriU goes beyond traditional video classrooms by combining lecture capture, connectivity, AI, 3D immersive technology, and teaching evaluation into one plug-and-play platform. This allows instructors to focus on teaching, while AI manages the technology in the background.
With HybriU, physical classrooms are transformed into connected spaces that seamlessly integrate on-site and remote learners. The platform replaces outdated e-learning tools and smart classrooms, offering remote students an experience that closely mirrors being physically present. Features such as real-time multilingual interaction, AI-powered adaptive instruction, and learning analytics enhance engagement and make education more flexible, personalized, and scalable.
University of the West, located in Rosemead, California, is a private, nonprofit university recognized for its values-driven approach to whole-person education. With a commitment to intercultural understanding and global engagement, UWest prepares students for success in today’s dynamic and interconnected world.
International students make up a significant part of UWest’s student population. By integrating the HybriU platform into its instructional model, the university can better support remote learners and expand its global reach.
About Ambow
Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a U.S.-based, AI-driven technology company offering phygital (physical + digital) innovation for education, corporate conferencing and live events. Through its flagship platform, HybriU, Ambow is shaping the future of learning, collaboration and communication—delivering immersive, intelligent, real-time experiences across industries. For more information, visit Ambow’s corporate website at https://www.ambow.com/.
Follow us on X: @Ambow_Education
Follow us on LinkedIn: Ambow-education-group
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Ambow and the industry. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and Ambow undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Ambow believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.
For more information, please contact:
Ambow Education Holding Ltd.
E-mail: ir@ambow.com
or
Piacente Financial Communications
Tel: +1 212 481 2050
E-mail: ambow@tpg-ir.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, RBC iShares expands its iShares Core exchange traded fund (ETF) lineup with the launch of the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (the ‘iShares Fund’).
The iShares Fund will provide investors with broad-based exposure to the total U.S. equity market, covering large-, mid-, small-, and micro-capitalized companies. The iShares Fund is a Canadian dollar-hedged offering and complements the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF, XTOT, which was launched on June 2, 2025.
The iShares Fund is expected to begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) today; the iShares Fund is managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc (“BlackRock”).
| Fund Name | Ticker | Annual Management Fee1 |
| iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XTOH | 0.07%2 |
RBC iShares aims to help clients achieve their investment objectives by empowering them to build efficient portfolios and take control of their financial futures. RBC iShares is committed to delivering a truly differentiated ETF experience and positive outcomes for clients.
For more information about RBC iShares, please visit https://www.rbcishares.com.
About BlackRock
BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.
About iShares
iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.
iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.
We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.
About RBC Global Asset Management
RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. RBC Funds, BlueBay Funds, PH&N Funds and RBC ETFs are offered by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.) and distributed through authorized dealers in Canada. The RBC GAM group of companies, which includes RBC GAM Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) manage approximately $693 billion in assets and have approximately 1,600 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.
RBC iShares ETFs are comprised of RBC ETFs managed by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. and iShares ETFs managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.
® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. iSHARES is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used under license. © 2025 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited and RBC Global Asset Management Inc. All rights reserved.
Contact for Media:
Sydney Punchard
Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com
_______________________
1 As an annualized percentage of the iShares Fund’s daily net asset value.
2 If applicable, BlackRock Canada or an affiliate is entitled to receive a fee for acting as manager of each iShares ETF in which this iShares Fund may invest (an “underlying product fee” and together with the management fee payable to BlackRock Canada, the “total annual fee”). As the underlying product fees are embedded in the market value of the iShares ETFs in which this iShares Fund may invest, any underlying product fees are borne indirectly by this iShares Fund. BlackRock Canada will adjust the management fee payable to it by this iShares Fund to ensure that the total annual fees paid directly or indirectly to BlackRock Canada and its affiliates by this iShares Fund will not exceed the percentage of the NAV set out above. The total annual fee is exclusive of HST. Any underlying product fees borne indirectly by this iShares Fund are calculated and accrued daily and are paid not less than annually.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, RBC iShares expands its iShares Core exchange traded fund (ETF) lineup with the launch of the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (the ‘iShares Fund’).
The iShares Fund will provide investors with broad-based exposure to the total U.S. equity market, covering large-, mid-, small-, and micro-capitalized companies. The iShares Fund is a Canadian dollar-hedged offering and complements the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF, XTOT, which was launched on June 2, 2025.
The iShares Fund is expected to begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) today; the iShares Fund is managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc (“BlackRock”).
| Fund Name | Ticker | Annual Management Fee1 |
| iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XTOH | 0.07%2 |
RBC iShares aims to help clients achieve their investment objectives by empowering them to build efficient portfolios and take control of their financial futures. RBC iShares is committed to delivering a truly differentiated ETF experience and positive outcomes for clients.
For more information about RBC iShares, please visit https://www.rbcishares.com.
About BlackRock
BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.
About iShares
iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.
iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.
We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.
About RBC Global Asset Management
RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. RBC Funds, BlueBay Funds, PH&N Funds and RBC ETFs are offered by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.) and distributed through authorized dealers in Canada. The RBC GAM group of companies, which includes RBC GAM Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) manage approximately $693 billion in assets and have approximately 1,600 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.
RBC iShares ETFs are comprised of RBC ETFs managed by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. and iShares ETFs managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.
® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. iSHARES is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used under license. © 2025 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited and RBC Global Asset Management Inc. All rights reserved.
Contact for Media:
Sydney Punchard
Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com
_______________________
1 As an annualized percentage of the iShares Fund’s daily net asset value.
2 If applicable, BlackRock Canada or an affiliate is entitled to receive a fee for acting as manager of each iShares ETF in which this iShares Fund may invest (an “underlying product fee” and together with the management fee payable to BlackRock Canada, the “total annual fee”). As the underlying product fees are embedded in the market value of the iShares ETFs in which this iShares Fund may invest, any underlying product fees are borne indirectly by this iShares Fund. BlackRock Canada will adjust the management fee payable to it by this iShares Fund to ensure that the total annual fees paid directly or indirectly to BlackRock Canada and its affiliates by this iShares Fund will not exceed the percentage of the NAV set out above. The total annual fee is exclusive of HST. Any underlying product fees borne indirectly by this iShares Fund are calculated and accrued daily and are paid not less than annually.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
BRUSSELS, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jakarta EE, a working group hosted by the Eclipse Foundation, one of the world’s largest open source software foundations, today announced the general availability of the Jakarta EE 11 Platform, the latest version of its enterprise Java platform. This milestone release builds on previous Core Profile (December 2024) and Web Profile (March 2025) versions and represents a significant advancement in simplifying enterprise Java for cloud native development.
Jakarta EE 11 focuses on enhancing developer productivity, streamlining testing processes, and aligning with the latest Java LTS release, Java 21. Highlights include modernised Test Compatibility Kits (TCKs), introduction of the Jakarta Data specification, along with major updates to the existing specifications, all designed to support the evolving needs of developers and organisations building mission-critical applications.
“The renaissance of enterprise Java continues,” said Mike Milinkovich, executive director for the Eclipse Foundation. “Jakarta EE 11 introduces meaningful improvements in performance, testing, and productivity. The combination of innovation along with API stability and compatibility is what enterprise developers are looking for. There were many parties involved in this release, but I would like to recognize the efforts of Microsoft for leading the release and Red Hat for their efforts in modernizing the compatibility testing frameworks.”
Key Highlights of Jakarta EE 11
Jakarta Data (new specification)
Designed to simplify data access and improve developer productivity:
Streamlined Specifications
Designed to make building applications faster and simpler for developers:
Modernised TCK Framework
Improves compatibility testing and reduces the barriers to adding new tests as the platform evolves:
Jakarta EE 11 supports Java 17 or higher and introduces concurrency enhancements for Java 21, including support for Virtual Threads for improved scalability, reduced overhead, and significant performance gains.
Early Adoption and Certified Implementations
Several Jakarta EE Working Group members have already certified products as compatible with Jakarta EE 11, including:
Following the release, additional implementations and compatible products are anticipated as the community continues to adopt Jakarta EE 11.
Looking ahead, work is already underway on Jakarta EE 12, targeted for release in 2026. The upcoming version is expected to raise the platform’s API source level to Java SE 21 and support Java SE 25 at runtime. The community is actively exploring updates across most specifications, with potential additions such as Jakarta Query and Jakarta MVC, as well as enhancements to Jakarta NoSQL. Continuing its rhythm of steady progress, Jakarta EE aims to maintain a roughly two-year release cadence to support long-term planning and innovation. To connect with the global Jakarta EE community, contribute, or learn more, visit: https://jakarta.ee/connect/
Organisations with a strategic interest in enterprise Java are invited to join the Jakarta EE Working Group to participate in shaping the platform’s future, marketing programs, and community engagement. Learn more about membership benefits here: https://jakarta.ee/membership/.
Perspectives from Jakarta EE Community Members
Fujitsu
“Jakarta EE 11’s alignment with Java SE 21 brings modern programming features, like Records and Pattern Matching, to enterprise Java development, enhancing data-oriented programming,” said Shinya Echigo, Head of Application Management Division, Fujitsu. “Key improvements include the new Jakarta Data specification and updated Jakarta Concurrency support for Virtual Threads, boosting efficiency and relevance for enterprise Java systems. Fujitsu remains committed to contributing to Jakarta EE technologies within the Eclipse Foundation and will soon support Jakarta EE 11 applications on our products, offering customers enhanced performance and modernized development.”
IBM
“The release of Jakarta EE 11 continues its evolution as the platform for cloud native Java innovation. The addition of Jakarta Data, as a new specification that simplifies data access, combined with the adoption of Java Virtual Thread in Jakarta Concurrency, and support for Java 17 and 21, makes this release significant,” said Ian Robinson, CTO, IBM App Runtimes. “The comprehensive rewrite of the TCK is a welcome step that will enable more rapid testing and release cycles going forward. We anticipate full compatibility with Open Liberty and WebSphere Liberty, enabling developers to get started quickly with this important release.”
Microsoft
“Microsoft is proud to have played a pivotal role in the successful release of Jakarta EE 11. This new iteration brings forth the eagerly awaited Jakarta Data specification, updates critical specifications such as Persistence, and prunes legacy specifications to modernize enterprise Java,” said Scott Hunter, Microsoft VP of Product, Azure Developer Experience. “Our collaboration with esteemed partners IBM, Red Hat, and Oracle has been instrumental in supporting Jakarta EE 11 runtimes on Azure, including Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Red Hat OpenShift, and App Service. We eagerly anticipate continuing our joint efforts to foster innovation and support the enterprise Java community.”
Oracle
“Oracle offers its congratulations and appreciation to the entire Jakarta EE community on the release of Jakarta EE 11,” said Tom Snyder, vice president, Oracle Enterprise Cloud Native Java. “Ongoing enhancements in Jakarta EE, combined with advances in Java SE, provide a bright future for users of enterprise Java technologies. Oracle supports Jakarta EE 10 Core Profile and MicroProfile 6.1 with Helidon 4.1 today and intends to leverage Jakarta EE releases across our WebLogic, Coherence, and Helidon releases. We will continue investing in Jakarta EE for our products and our customers.”
OmniFish
“OmniFish proudly celebrates the release of Jakarta EE 11, a testament to the vibrant community driving enterprise Java’s evolution. This milestone, brimming with innovation, is a shared achievement of the whole Java community. GlassFish, as always, leads the way, embodying the collaborative spirit of Jakarta EE,” said Ondro Mihalyi, Director of OmniFish. “Looking ahead, OmniFish remains committed to GlassFish’s continued development as a premier Jakarta EE server, providing exceptional support for its users. We believe in Jakarta EE’s pivotal role in the enterprise Java ecosystem and are dedicated to its future. Therefore, we’re also working on extending Jakarta EE 11 compatibility to Piranha Cloud, making the powerful Jakarta EE APIs accessible to an even broader range of users.”
Payara
“Jakarta EE 11 marks a transformative milestone in enterprise Java development,” said Steve Millidge, CEO of Payara. “The introduction of specifications like Jakarta Data fundamentally enhances the ability of our customers to build modern, cloud-native applications while maintaining complete backward compatibility with legacy Java EE systems. Our custom Jakarta Data implementation demonstrates Payara’s technical leadership and deep commitment to the Jakarta EE ecosystem. Payara Platform Community 7 Alpha already includes comprehensive Jakarta EE 11 support, with our middleware achieving Core Profile certification and full Web Profile and Platform Profile certification planned for upcoming releases. This positions Payara customers at the forefront of enterprise Java innovation, with access to cutting-edge capabilities that directly address today’s most demanding application requirements.”
Primeton
“Congratulations on the launch of Jakarta EE 11, a result of collaborative efforts by all members! As a member of the Jakarta EE Specification Committee, Primeton is proud to have contributed significantly to this milestone,” said Jun Qian, Chief Technology Director of Primeton. “As a leading software platform provider in China, Primeton recognizes the significance of Jakarta EE for the industry. The inclusion of asynchronous microservices and data specification extensions in Jakarta EE 11 is pivotal for agile data application development. We are set to showcase the new features of Jakarta EE 11 to our clients and encourage their use in projects. As the founder of the Jakarta EE Community in China, Primeton is committed to fostering the adoption and application of Jakarta EE 11 specifications throughout the country.”
About the Eclipse Foundation
The Eclipse Foundation provides our global community of individuals and organisations with a business-friendly environment for open source software collaboration and innovation. We host the Eclipse IDE, Adoptium, Software Defined Vehicle, Jakarta EE, and over 420 open source projects, including runtimes, tools, specifications, and frameworks for cloud and embedded applications, IoT, AI, automotive, systems engineering, open processor designs, and many others. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the Eclipse Foundation is an international non-profit association supported by over 385 members. To learn more, follow us on social media @EclipseFdn, LinkedIn, or visit eclipse.org.
Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
Media contacts:
Schwartz Public Relations (Germany)
Julia Rauch/Marita Bäumer
Sendlinger Straße 42A
80331 Munich
EclipseFoundation@schwartzpr.de
+49 (89) 211 871 -70/ -62
514 Media Ltd (France, Italy, Spain)
Benoit Simoneau
benoit@514-media.com
M: +44 (0) 7891 920 370
Nichols Communications (Global Press Contact)
Jay Nichols
jay@nicholscomm.com
+1 408-772-1551
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC today announced the successful conclusion of its groundbreaking $1 million TON partnership campaign, which generated over $6.6 billion in combined trading volume and attracted more than 110,000 participants—making it one of the most successful single-token promotional campaigns in cryptocurrency exchange history.
The 30-day “TON Triumph” campaign reshaped market dynamics for The Open Network (TON) ecosystem while demonstrating the power of zero-fee trading structures and competitive staking rewards to drive mass adoption.
Record-Breaking Results
The campaign generated exceptional engagement across all components:
Market Impact and Platform Performance
MEXC executives reported that results exceeded their most optimistic projections and validated their strategy of removing traditional barriers while offering exceptional value. The campaign’s zero-fee structure and high staking rewards attracted both retail and sophisticated traders, contributing to sustained high-volume activity throughout the 30-day period.
TON Foundation representatives noted that the scale of participation demonstrated remarkable appetite for TON ecosystem engagement, creating a substantial new cohort of active TON holders who will contribute to long-term ecosystem growth.
MEXC’s infrastructure successfully handled the surge in activity, processing zero-fee trades across multiple TON markets while managing complex staking operations. Industry experts highlighted this as a significant technical achievement demonstrating mature infrastructure capabilities.
Value Creation and Future Outlook
The campaign created substantial value for participants across all categories, with early stakers in the 400% APR program achieving returns significantly outpacing traditional crypto opportunities. Zero-fee trading enabled participants to maximize profits from TON market movements, while USDE holders earned over 557,000 USDE in distributed rewards.
MEXC strategy executives indicated these results validated their focus on emerging Layer-1 ecosystems and demonstrated market demand for innovative partnership structures. The company is evaluating similar large-scale campaigns with other blockchain ecosystems based on this success.
The TON Triumph campaign’s unprecedented success sets a new benchmark for cryptocurrency exchange partnerships and demonstrates the potential for innovative incentive structures to drive meaningful blockchain ecosystem adoption. As the crypto industry continues to evolve, this campaign serves as a blueprint for how strategic partnerships can create win-win scenarios that benefit exchanges, blockchain projects, and users alike.
Campaign Final Statistics:
About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
About TON
The Open Network (TON) is a fully decentralized layer-1 blockchain designed for mass adoption. Originally conceived by Telegram and now developed by the open TON Community, the network offers exceptional scalability, accessibility, and ease of use.
Risk Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b6ecb18-f57b-439b-b736-1c2c1e976396
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SHANGHAI, China, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GDS Holdings Limited (“GDS Holdings”, “GDS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GDS; HKEX: 9698), a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centers in China, today announced that the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and Shanghai Stock Exchange have approved the registration and launch of an initial public offering (“IPO”) for its China REIT (“C-REIT”).
The transaction involves the sale by GDS of 100% equity interest in a project company which holds stabilized data center assets to a newly formed C-REIT. The C-REIT will fund the acquisition through an IPO on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. GDS will subscribe for 20% of the units to be issued by the C-REIT, with the remaining 80% to be subscribed by institutional and retail investors. 50% of the units have already been pre-placed with cornerstone institutional investors, with lock-up commitments of between one to three years. The remaining 30% will be offered through an institutional bookbuilding process and a retail public offering.
The appraised valuation of the underlying data center assets to be acquired by the C-REIT, as per the valuation report contained in the offering memorandum, is approximately RMB 1,933 million. The final offering price for the C-REIT units will be determined following completion of the institutional bookbuilding, which is expected in approximately one week’s time.
The transaction is expected to close within the next few weeks and is subject to certain closing conditions.
About GDS Holdings Limited
GDS Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: GDS; HKEX: 9698) is a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centers in China. The Company’s facilities are strategically located in and around primary economic hubs where demand for high-performance data center services is concentrated. The Company’s data centers have large net floor area, high power capacity, density and efficiency, and multiple redundancies across all critical systems. GDS is carrier and cloud-neutral, which enables its customers to access the major telecommunications networks, as well as the largest PRC and global public clouds, which are hosted in many of its facilities. The Company offers co-location and a suite of value-added services, including managed hybrid cloud services through direct private connection to leading public clouds, managed network services, and, where required, the resale of public cloud services. The Company has a 24-year track record of service delivery, successfully fulfilling the requirements of some of the largest and most demanding customers for outsourced data center services in China. The Company’s customer base consists predominantly of hyperscale cloud service providers, large internet companies, financial institutions, telecommunications carriers, IT service providers, and large domestic private sector and multinational corporations. The Company also holds a non-controlling 35.6% equity interest in DayOne Data Centers Limited which develops and operates data centers in International markets.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
GDS Holdings Limited
Laura Chen
Phone: +86 (21) 2029-2203
Email: ir@gds-services.com
Piacente Financial Communications
Ross Warner
Phone: +86 (10) 6508-0677
Email: GDS@tpg-ir.com
Brandi Piacente
Phone: +1 (212) 481-2050
Email: GDS@tpg-ir.com
GDS Holdings Limited
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SHANGHAI, China, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GDS Holdings Limited (“GDS Holdings”, “GDS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GDS; HKEX: 9698), a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centers in China, today announced that the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and Shanghai Stock Exchange have approved the registration and launch of an initial public offering (“IPO”) for its China REIT (“C-REIT”).
The transaction involves the sale by GDS of 100% equity interest in a project company which holds stabilized data center assets to a newly formed C-REIT. The C-REIT will fund the acquisition through an IPO on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. GDS will subscribe for 20% of the units to be issued by the C-REIT, with the remaining 80% to be subscribed by institutional and retail investors. 50% of the units have already been pre-placed with cornerstone institutional investors, with lock-up commitments of between one to three years. The remaining 30% will be offered through an institutional bookbuilding process and a retail public offering.
The appraised valuation of the underlying data center assets to be acquired by the C-REIT, as per the valuation report contained in the offering memorandum, is approximately RMB 1,933 million. The final offering price for the C-REIT units will be determined following completion of the institutional bookbuilding, which is expected in approximately one week’s time.
The transaction is expected to close within the next few weeks and is subject to certain closing conditions.
About GDS Holdings Limited
GDS Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: GDS; HKEX: 9698) is a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centers in China. The Company’s facilities are strategically located in and around primary economic hubs where demand for high-performance data center services is concentrated. The Company’s data centers have large net floor area, high power capacity, density and efficiency, and multiple redundancies across all critical systems. GDS is carrier and cloud-neutral, which enables its customers to access the major telecommunications networks, as well as the largest PRC and global public clouds, which are hosted in many of its facilities. The Company offers co-location and a suite of value-added services, including managed hybrid cloud services through direct private connection to leading public clouds, managed network services, and, where required, the resale of public cloud services. The Company has a 24-year track record of service delivery, successfully fulfilling the requirements of some of the largest and most demanding customers for outsourced data center services in China. The Company’s customer base consists predominantly of hyperscale cloud service providers, large internet companies, financial institutions, telecommunications carriers, IT service providers, and large domestic private sector and multinational corporations. The Company also holds a non-controlling 35.6% equity interest in DayOne Data Centers Limited which develops and operates data centers in International markets.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
GDS Holdings Limited
Laura Chen
Phone: +86 (21) 2029-2203
Email: ir@gds-services.com
Piacente Financial Communications
Ross Warner
Phone: +86 (10) 6508-0677
Email: GDS@tpg-ir.com
Brandi Piacente
Phone: +1 (212) 481-2050
Email: GDS@tpg-ir.com
GDS Holdings Limited
Source: African Development Bank Group
What? 2025 Country Focus Reports for Southern African countries
Who? The African Development Bank Group
When? Starting 27 June, with Eswatini
Where? State capitals across 13 countries
The African Development Bank Group will launch the Country Focus Reports (CFRs) across 13 Southern African countries from June 27, 2025. These annual reports reflect the theme and analysis of the Bank’s flagship African Economic Outlook (AEO) at the country level, delivering critical economic analysis and policy options tailored to each of Africa’s 54 nations. The Theme of the AEO 2025 is: Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.
The CFRs provide insights that contextualize continental economic trends within national frameworks, integrating country-specific priorities, challenges, and policy perspectives. In the context of 2025, marked by geopolitical tensions, post-crisis resilience, and climate urgency, these launches mark a strategic step to strengthen the Bank’s role in supporting Africa’s economic growth and dialogue with decision-makers.
The Southern Africa launch series aims to maximize access to and the impact of these knowledge products by engaging directly with government officials, business leaders, and development stakeholders at the national level. Each launch will stimulate strategic discussions on leveraging report findings to inform critical policy decisions.
Country Launch schedule
The launch series featuring panel discussions on “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development” with a country-specific focus, will kick off on June 27, in Eswatini.
|
S/N |
Country |
Date |
Time |
Venue |
|
1. |
Sao Tome and Principe |
20 June |
10am GMT |
University of Sao Tome and Principe |
|
2. |
Mozambique |
24 June |
10am (GMT +1) |
Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento Zoom link: https://afdb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UZW43w-hQFGpLBvcYxiBvg |
|
3. |
Zambia |
25 June |
10 am (GMT +2) |
African Development Bank Group Zoom link: https://afdb.zoom.us/j/98084860790?pwd=n56ub8L1bZoINa4GdOroqFZnMeiSPX.1 |
|
4 |
Angola |
27 June |
9am (GMT+1 |
University of Agostinho Neto, Faculty of Economics Auditorium |
|
5. |
Eswatini |
27 June |
9am |
The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel |
|
6. |
South Africa |
2 July |
10am (GMT+2) |
The Centurion Hotel- Trent Bridge Conference Room |
|
7. |
Zimbabwe |
2 July |
08am (GMT+2) |
African Development Bank Block 5, Ground Floor, Arundel Office Park,Harare |
|
8. |
Malawi |
2 July |
10am (GMT+2) |
African Development Bank Group |
|
9. |
Mauritius |
9 July |
10am (GMT+2) |
United Docks Conference Room, The Docks 1, United Docks Business Park, |
|
10. |
Botswana |
11 July |
TBC |
|
|
11. |
Lesotho |
14 July |
TBC |
|
|
12 |
Namibia |
18 July |
9:30(GMT+2) |
|
|
13. |
Madagascar |
TBC |
TBC |
Launch ceremonies will feature speeches by the African Development Bank’s Chief Economist and Vice President, Prof. Kevin Urama, as well as other senior Bank officials and ministers from the respective countries.
Source: African Development Bank Group
What? 2025 Country Focus Reports for Southern African countries
Who? The African Development Bank Group
When? Starting 27 June, with Eswatini
Where? State capitals across 13 countries
The African Development Bank Group will launch the Country Focus Reports (CFRs) across 13 Southern African countries from June 27, 2025. These annual reports reflect the theme and analysis of the Bank’s flagship African Economic Outlook (AEO) at the country level, delivering critical economic analysis and policy options tailored to each of Africa’s 54 nations. The Theme of the AEO 2025 is: Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.
The CFRs provide insights that contextualize continental economic trends within national frameworks, integrating country-specific priorities, challenges, and policy perspectives. In the context of 2025, marked by geopolitical tensions, post-crisis resilience, and climate urgency, these launches mark a strategic step to strengthen the Bank’s role in supporting Africa’s economic growth and dialogue with decision-makers.
The Southern Africa launch series aims to maximize access to and the impact of these knowledge products by engaging directly with government officials, business leaders, and development stakeholders at the national level. Each launch will stimulate strategic discussions on leveraging report findings to inform critical policy decisions.
Country Launch schedule
The launch series featuring panel discussions on “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development” with a country-specific focus, will kick off on June 27, in Eswatini.
|
S/N |
Country |
Date |
Time |
Venue |
|
1. |
Sao Tome and Principe |
20 June |
10am GMT |
University of Sao Tome and Principe |
|
2. |
Mozambique |
24 June |
10am (GMT +1) |
Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento Zoom link: https://afdb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UZW43w-hQFGpLBvcYxiBvg |
|
3. |
Zambia |
25 June |
10 am (GMT +2) |
African Development Bank Group Zoom link: https://afdb.zoom.us/j/98084860790?pwd=n56ub8L1bZoINa4GdOroqFZnMeiSPX.1 |
|
4 |
Angola |
27 June |
9am (GMT+1 |
University of Agostinho Neto, Faculty of Economics Auditorium |
|
5. |
Eswatini |
27 June |
9am |
The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel |
|
6. |
South Africa |
2 July |
10am (GMT+2) |
The Centurion Hotel- Trent Bridge Conference Room |
|
7. |
Zimbabwe |
2 July |
08am (GMT+2) |
African Development Bank Block 5, Ground Floor, Arundel Office Park,Harare |
|
8. |
Malawi |
2 July |
10am (GMT+2) |
African Development Bank Group |
|
9. |
Mauritius |
9 July |
10am (GMT+2) |
United Docks Conference Room, The Docks 1, United Docks Business Park, |
|
10. |
Botswana |
11 July |
TBC |
|
|
11. |
Lesotho |
14 July |
TBC |
|
|
12 |
Namibia |
18 July |
9:30(GMT+2) |
|
|
13. |
Madagascar |
TBC |
TBC |
Launch ceremonies will feature speeches by the African Development Bank’s Chief Economist and Vice President, Prof. Kevin Urama, as well as other senior Bank officials and ministers from the respective countries.
