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Hyundai Mobis Embeds 5G Wireless Telematics Technology for Autonomous and SDV Vehicles

– Hyundai Mobis has developed a telematics solution (MTCU) capable of 5G wireless communication, securing leadership in the global connectivity market

– The current 4G-based telematics market is evolving with 5G technology, enabling high-precision map services and remote control

– 5G solutions are also essential for SDV transformation, and the company aims to complete product development in the first half of this year

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On the 21st, Hyundai Mobis announced that it is developing a 5G wireless communication-based antenna-integrated telematics solution (MTCU) to strengthen its automotive electronics business in the mobility sector. MTCU (Multi-function Telematics Control Unit) is a telematics solution based on 5G communication. Telematics is a driver convenience technology that integrates information and communication technology into vehicles to provide functions such as driving route guidance, accident and theft detection, and remote control.

As the mobile communication generation transitions from 4G to 5G, market competition in the mobility sector is intensifying, particularly around the development of high-specification, multi-functional telematics products. Currently, most vehicle telematics functions worldwide operate on 4G mobile communication. Hyundai Mobis is also currently mass-producing and supplying 4G-based telematics products.

“To achieve rapid market entry in the next-generation connected car service sector, we will complete product development by the first half of this year and secure market leadership in the global market,” said Jung Soo-Kyung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Automotive Electronics Business Unit at Hyundai Mobis.

The 5G-based next-generation telematics technology being developed by Hyundai Mobis is an advanced technology that global automakers are preparing for mass production applications to enhance connected car services. 5G-based telematics technology enables new services such as high-precision map services, remote control for autonomous driving, and ultra-high-definition streaming.

Currently, 4G-based communication only allows services like over-the-air (OTA) updates, car-to-home services (connecting vehicles to smart homes), and infotainment content streaming. This 5G-based control solution is also recognized as an essential technological capability required to respond to the shift towards Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs).

In particular, the solution being developed by Hyundai Mobis eliminates the need for externally protruding antennas, integrating antenna functionality into the built-in controller. This design offers the advantage of a sleeker vehicle appearance. Hyundai Mobis plans to enhance its competitiveness in securing orders in the global market by combining its existing capabilities in developing vehicle telematics systems and mass production experience with communication technology.

To secure this market-leading technology early, Hyundai Mobis is collaborating with various mobile communication modem (data transmission/reception and signal conversion devices) specialists, including Korea’s AM.

Hyundai Mobis showcased the newly developed product at CES 2026 held in the US this month, promoting it to global customers to further expand orders.

About Hyundai Mobis
Hyundai Mobis is the global no. 6 automotive supplier, headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Hyundai Mobis has outstanding expertise in sensors, sensor fusion in ECUs and software development for safety control. The company’s products also include various components for electrification, brakes, chassis and suspension, steering, airbags, lighting, and automotive electronics. Hyundai Mobis operates its R&D headquarters in Korea, with four technology centers in the United States, Germany, China, and India. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.mobis.com.

Media Contact 
Choon Kee Hwang: ckhwang@mobis.com
Jihyun Han: jihyun.han@mobis.com

FutureMain Advances AI-Based On-Device Diagnostics for High-Failure-Rate Equipment Through Government-Led R&D Program, Validating Global Industrial Applicability

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FutureMain, a South Korea–based industrial AI and asset transformation (AX) company specializing in predictive maintenance, announced that it is actively conducting phased field validation research on AI-powered self-diagnostic technologies for high-failure-rate industrial equipment as part of a government-funded national R&D program led by the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT).

The project, titled “Development and Demonstration of Federated Learning–Based On-Device AI Self-Diagnostics for High-Failure-Rate Equipment,” aims to reduce reliance on centralized servers by enabling real-time, on-site AI diagnostics directly at industrial facilities. The long-term program runs from 2024 through 2027 and focuses on deploying scalable, privacy-preserving AI technologies suitable for real-world manufacturing environments.

Through this initiative, FutureMain is validating AI-based diagnostic technologies across more than 30 major industrial assets, prioritizing equipment with high failure frequencies and complex maintenance requirements. The core objective is to verify a system architecture capable of analyzing equipment conditions and detecting early-stage anomalies using operational data in live industrial settings.

A key differentiator of the project is its on-device AI diagnostic framework, which processes data locally at the equipment level rather than relying on continuous cloud connectivity. This approach enables reliable deployment even in industrial environments with limited or unstable communication infrastructure, expanding applicability across diverse global manufacturing sites.

As the lead organization of the consortium, FutureMain is responsible for the collection, integration, and convergence analysis of equipment and process data, as well as the development of automated fault diagnosis, asset condition assessment technologies, and federated learning–based data privacy and security frameworks.

Consortium partners include the Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology (AICT), which leads the development of federated learning–based remaining useful life (RUL) prediction algorithms; Sibery Solutions, which is developing the SmartMRO-Hub platform to optimize maintenance operations based on diagnostic outcomes; and MathAI, which is responsible for multilingual equipment voice recognition and sLLM-based conversational HMI technologies.

Rather than pursuing short-term outcomes, the project is designed to progressively advance AI-driven equipment diagnostics toward practical, industrial-grade deployment. FutureMain plans to continuously evaluate both technical maturity and field applicability throughout the project lifecycle, building a foundation to establish new benchmarks in intelligent asset management.

“In an environment where opportunities for domestic AI companies and research institutions to collaborate on high-level industrial R&D are limited, this project is particularly meaningful,” said Shinhye Lee, Director at FutureMain. “It demonstrates that advanced equipment and process optimization can be achieved using homegrown technologies, while also driving the development of a differentiated, integrated AX solution that combines MRO and LLM technologies.”

She added, “Our ultimate goal is to enable optimal management of high-failure-rate equipment and move toward the realization of zero-downtime factories.”

The developed technologies were showcased at CES 2026, where FutureMain exhibited at Eureka Park and introduced its AI-based equipment diagnostics to global industry stakeholders. During the event, the company engaged in technical exchanges with international partners and discussed potential applications across global industrial sites.

As part of its global expansion efforts, FutureMain signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Belgium-based Soundnodes and Türkiye-based airgemba to support entry into the European market, along with two additional cooperation agreements, bringing the total to four new MOUs. Approximately USD 4 million in export consultations were conducted during the exhibition, further validating the company’s global business potential.

Building on the technical validation and research experience accumulated through this project, FutureMain also exhibited in ADIPEC 2025, expanding collaboration discussions across the Middle East and other global industrial markets. The company expects that the technological credibility and real-world validation secured through this long-term initiative will serve as a critical foundation for future global expansion.

FutureMain Advances AI-Based On-Device Diagnostics for High-Failure-Rate Equipment Through Government-Led R&D Program, Validating Global Industrial Applicability
FutureMain Advances AI-Based On-Device Diagnostics for High-Failure-Rate Equipment Through Government-Led R&D Program, Validating Global Industrial Applicability

Financial Recovery Technologies Selected by State Street to Enhance Global Class Actions Service

MEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Financial Recovery Technologies (FRT), the leading global provider of securities class action recovery services, today announced a strategic relationship with State Street to support and expand the custody bank’s class actions program across global markets. Through this collaboration, State Street will leverage FRT’s technology, expertise, and operational scale to deliver enhanced class action filing and recovery solutions for its clients.

“This relationship builds on our shared vision to provide clients with innovative, value-added solutions that improve transparency, operational efficiency, and governance outcomes,” said Michael Cotter, President at FRT. “FRT’s market leading platform and litigation intelligence enable us to offer State Street’s clients a more comprehensive solution and expanded coverage that adapts to the growing complexity of global class actions.”

“Financial Recovery Technologies’ solution will strengthen our class actions service offering by adding scale, transparency, and advanced analytics,” said Chris Rowland, Head of Custody, Digital and Fund Services Product at State Street. “These enhancements will expand coverage, leveraging advanced technology and actionable market intelligence that aim to maximize recovery opportunities for clients.”

FRT’s class action portal supports transparency throughout the lifecycle of each case, from settlement to remittance, and includes features such as an Executive Dashboard, custom filtering, and real-time case alerts.

“Partnering with State Street allows us to bring our advanced capabilities to a broader client base,” said Malav Mehta, SVP of Product at FRT. “From pre-filing analytics and data reconciliation to recognized loss calculations and payment validation, our platform is designed to maximize recovery outcomes while reducing administrative burden.”

Headquartered outside of Boston, MA, with offices in London, Sydney, and New York, FRT provides securities class action recovery services and compliance solutions to more than 2,500 institutional clients worldwide. Its reputation for industry expertise, unbiased legal insight, and dedicated service teams makes it the trusted partner for global class action recovery.

About Financial Recovery Technologies

Financial Recovery Technologies (FRT) is a global technology and services firm helping institutional investors unlock operational alpha amid increasingly complex financial and regulatory environments.

FRT’s industry-leading class action platform maximizes recoveries across securities litigation and antitrust settlements worldwide through advanced eligibility analysis, claims management, and fund recovery. With the 2024 acquisition of Skematic—a purpose-built compliance management system—FRT now enables compliance teams to replace manual workflows and fragmented tools with a centralized, automated, and audit-ready framework.

Together, FRT’s solutions streamline middle- and back-office operations, helping clients meet fiduciary and regulatory obligations with greater efficiency, transparency, and control. Financial Recovery Technologies is a Cross Country Group company. Learn more at  www.frtservices.com.

About State Street Corporation

State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT) is one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors including investment servicing, investment management and investment research and trading. With $53.8 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and $5.7 trillion* in assets under management as of December 31, 2025, State Street operates globally in more than 100 geographic markets and employs approximately 52,000 worldwide. For more information, visit State Street’s website at  www.statestreet.com.

* Assets under management as of December 31, 2025includes approximately $173 billion of assets with respect to SPDR® products for which State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (SSGA FD) acts solely as the marketing agent. SSGA FD and State Street Investment Management are affiliated.

Media Contact: Jennifer Rothenberg, jrothenberg@frtservices.com

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Daiichi Sankyo Unveils New Toronto Headquarters to Accelerate Investment and Innovation in Oncology

  • Investment in Canadian headquarters fuels expansion of Canadian operations, advancing access to innovative cancer medicines

TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568) has further established its presence in Canada with the official opening of its permanent headquarters in Toronto, including additional operational and research and development investment, underscoring the strategic importance of Canada in the growth of Daiichi Sankyo as a global leader in oncology.

Daiichi Sankyo executives and guests participate in a traditional Kagami Biraki (sake barrel breaking) ceremony, symbolizing new beginnings, harmony and prosperity. (From left to right: Fatih Yedikardes, Magnus Gisel, Sunao Manabe, Miho Matsui, Hiroyuki Okuzawa, Tyler Allsopp).
Daiichi Sankyo executives and guests participate in a traditional Kagami Biraki (sake barrel breaking) ceremony, symbolizing new beginnings, harmony and prosperity. (From left to right: Fatih Yedikardes, Magnus Gisel, Sunao Manabe, Miho Matsui, Hiroyuki Okuzawa, Tyler Allsopp).

“Establishing a permanent headquarters in Toronto represents a significant milestone in our global expansion and reflects the strong commitment of Daiichi Sankyo to patients and partners in Canada,” said Masahiro Kato, Managing Director, Europe and Canada, Daiichi Sankyo. “Canada is home to a vibrant healthcare and life sciences ecosystem where we see immense potential for continued growth through scientific innovation and collaboration, solidifying Canada’s role as a global contributor to improve standards of care.”

“Our government is protecting Ontario by cutting taxes and red tape, saving businesses $12 billion a year so that we can drive economic growth and welcome investments just like this one. Daiichi Sankyo’s investment will help create good-paying jobs, strengthen our economy and reinforce Ontario’s position as a world-class hub for innovation and health research. I want to thank Daiichi Sankyo for their confidence in Ontario’s incredible workers,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

“This opening marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Daiichi Sankyo in Canada where we are further establishing our presence in Toronto as we continue to expand access to our oncology portfolio,” added Fatih Yedikardeş, Country Manager, Canada, Daiichi Sankyo. “This expansion means improving access to our medicines and strengthening our partnerships with healthcare professionals and the broader life sciences community in Canada.”

“As the largest life sciences jurisdiction in Canada, Ontario is a prime location for domestic and international pharmaceutical companies to establish their headquarters and advance their research from lab to market. We congratulate Daiichi Sankyo on the opening of their new Canadian headquarters here in Toronto and look forward to seeing the next chapter of their biomedical innovation that will leverage Ontario’s highly skilled workforce and R&D capabilities,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Over the past two years, Daiichi Sankyo has supported 18 oncology clinical trials across 43 sites in Canada, working with top cancer centres such as Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, CHUM, BC Cancer, McGill University Health Centre and The Ottawa Hospital.

“By establishing their Canadian headquarters in Toronto, Daiichi Sankyo is affirming Ontario’s place as a hub of health innovation. This investment in Ontario will advance access to innovative cancer medicines for Ontario families, building on our government’s actions to date to connect patients to cutting-edge, life-saving cancer drugs faster,” added Sylvia Jones, Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

To mark the occasion, Daiichi Sankyo hosted an office opening celebration featuring a traditional Kagami Biraki (sake barrel breaking) ceremony, symbolizing new beginnings, harmony and prosperity, followed by a Japanese taiko drumming performance honouring the company’s cultural heritage. The event brought together company leadership, government representatives and partners to commemorate the milestone.

The official opening of the Daiichi Sankyo headquarters in Canada cements its position as a dedicated partner in the Canadian healthcare system. Driven by strategic investment and a rapidly expanding team, Daiichi Sankyo is focused on accelerating access to its oncology pipeline and building a healthier future for Canadians.

About Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo is an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society that discovers, develops and delivers new standards of care to enrich the quality of life around the world. With more than 120 years of experience, Daiichi Sankyo leverages its world-class science and technology to create new modalities and innovative medicines for people with cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases with high unmet medical need. For more information, please visit www.daiichisankyo.com.

Media Contact: Sarah Douglas, Media_ca@daiichisankyo.com  

Daiichi Sanyko executives attended the Canadian headquarters grand opening. (From left to right: Masahiro Kato, Magnus Gisel, Sunao Manabe, Hiroyuki Okuzawa, Takashi Matsumoto, Fatih Yedikardes).
Daiichi Sanyko executives attended the Canadian headquarters grand opening. (From left to right: Masahiro Kato, Magnus Gisel, Sunao Manabe, Hiroyuki Okuzawa, Takashi Matsumoto, Fatih Yedikardes).

 

 

UnionPay at Davos: Transforming Cross-Border Payments with Connectivity and AI

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As political and business leaders gather at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” a practical question looms large: amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and pressure on global trade and investment, how can the movement of people, commerce, and capital remain efficient and resilient?

According to the International Monetary Fund, global economic growth is expected to moderate in 2026. With advanced economies facing structural headwinds and emerging markets grappling with higher financing costs and friction in cross-border transactions, the foundational capabilities that enable international economic activity—particularly payments—are becoming critical.

Against this backdrop of global economic realignment, UnionPay, one of the world’s largest card payment organizations, is focusing on cross-border network connectivity as a practical entry point. Rather than positioning itself as a global payment service provider, UnionPay is innovating to foster an open and inclusive international payments ecosystem—built on multilateral collaboration, interoperability, and shared value. At the same time, it is exploring the responsible application of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence in payments, seeking solutions that offer efficiency, security and financial inclusion.

To date, UnionPay cards are issued in 84 countries and regions globally. Its acceptance network spans 183 countries and regions. Through partnerships with over 2,600 financial institutions and payment stakeholders worldwide, UnionPay has introduced digital payment products and services adapted to local markets, supporting commerce and consumption across contexts.

Dong Junfeng, Chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, delivered a speech at a World Economic Forum roundtable discussion. UnionPay’s more than two decades of development reflect China’s broader trajectory of economic resilience and continued opening-up. Even amid a more complex global environment, UnionPay has remained committed to its international strategy—promoting high-quality development in the payments sector and advancing cooperation frameworks based on equality, mutual benefit, and shared growth.


Connectivity in Practice: Advancing the New Four-Party Model in Emerging Markets

Scaling cross-border payments requires more than technical integration, depending on cooperation models that are sustainable and replicable. In recent years, UnionPay has developed a “New Four-Party Model” for digital payments era through network-to-network (N2N) and government-to-government (G2G) cooperation.

Building on the traditional four-party payments framework, this model expands participation on both sides of the ecosystem. On the account side, it brings in digital wallets and mobile device manufacturers; on the acceptance side, it incorporates payment service providers, payment aggregators, and SaaS platforms. Through bilateral and multilateral collaboration, the model aims to integrate high-quality resources, reduce the cost of cross-border cooperation, and accelerate network expansion.

In practice, UnionPay has applied this approach in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America—key emerging markets—where it is helping to advance interoperability among cross-border QR code payment networks. Importantly, this model is not designed to replace local payment systems. Instead, it operates within existing regulatory frameworks, promoting mutual recognition of standards and coordinated network development, while supporting local efforts to enhance payment infrastructure.

As a result, tens of millions of micro, small, and medium-sized merchants worldwide are connected to UnionPay’s inclusive global network, gaining better access to international consumers and cross-border commercial opportunities.

Responsible AI in Payments: Turning Innovation into Practice

Artificial intelligence has been a focal point of Davos discussions, given its potential to reshape economic structures and growth models. Yet in payments—a sector with high security and compliance requirements—the challenge lies in harnessing innovation while effectively managing risk.

UnionPay positions itself as a leading application-driven AI practitioner in the financial sector, treating AI as a new productivity driver to support the intelligent upgrading of payments. Rather than pursuing isolated use cases, it has adopted a collaborative approach, working with technology companies, research institutions, and universities to build a shared AI application ecosystem that supports high-quality and sustainable deployment in financial scenarios.

For payment security, UnionPay has built an intelligent risk-control system that significantly improves the timeliness and effectiveness of transaction protection. AI-generated expert risk rules now achieve an accuracy rate of 85%.

In regard of agentic-based payment solutions, UnionPay is one of the first movers in the industry. Its MCP Agent Payment Service enables users to complete the entire journey from request to payment through conversational interaction.

As China continues to expand visa-free travel policies, UnionPay has also introduced AI-enabled services for inbound visitors. Through its one-stop digital platform—the “Nihao China” app, launched in December 2025—AI is applied to payment guidance, multilingual translation, itinerary planning, and daily life recommendations, offering international travelers a more seamless experience.

From Dialogue to Cooperation: Realizing Long-Term Value in Cross-Border Payments

At its core, UnionPay’s practice reflects the spirit of dialogue championed by Davos. By working with local payment systems across markets, UnionPay does not seek to impose a single model or standard, but to find common ground amid diversity—creatively building a more open and inclusive global payments ecosystem.

By improving cross-border payment efficiency and lowering transaction costs, UnionPay supports regional economic circulation and enables broader participation by small and medium-sized players, particularly in emerging markets. This cooperation-first, win-win approach aligns closely with the values repeatedly emphasized by the World Economic Forum in an era of uncertainty.

Looking ahead, UnionPay will continue to use connectivity as a lever to deepen multilateral cooperation and contribute to a more open, inclusive, and sustainable international payments ecosystem—true to its vision of “Trusted Ties, Shared Success.”

Jollibee Group Opens First Multi-Brand State-of-the-Art Commissary in Cebu, Gearing for Accelerated VisMin and PH Growth


MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2026 – The Jollibee Group has formally inaugurated its newest – and its largest commissary in Visayas and Mindanao province – in Danao City, on January 8, 2026, a state-of-the-art facility designed to power the company’s expanding manufacturing and logistics footprint across the rapidly growing VisMin region and the wider Philippines.

Jollibee Group officially inaugurates its largest, state-of-the-art commissary in Cebu, Philippines, strengthening its Visayas and Mindanao operations, supporting multiple brands, creating jobs, and advancing sustainable growth across the country.
Jollibee Group officially inaugurates its largest, state-of-the-art commissary in Cebu, Philippines, strengthening its Visayas and Mindanao operations, supporting multiple brands, creating jobs, and advancing sustainable growth across the country.

The inauguration was attended by national and local government leaders, including Cristina Roque, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; Pamela Baricuatro, Governor of Cebu Province; Ace Durano, Cebu Provincial Administrator; Nito Durano, Mayor of Danao City; and Carmen Durano, Vice Mayor of Danao City.

Milestone Facility for a High-Growth Region

The Danao facility is the fourth—and largest—Jollibee Group commissary in Cebu and its first multi-brand, state-of-the-art commissary in the Philippines. It comes at a time of accelerating economic momentum in VisMin, driven by a strong tourism rebound, the rise of BPO hubs, expanding agribusiness exports, and growing manufacturing clusters—factors that continue to drive employment, consumer spending, and demand across the region.

Outfitted with advanced automation and integrated systems, the commissary is designed to support increasing demand across multiple Jollibee Group brands while generating efficiencies by consolidating equipment and production capabilities. This allows the Group to scale responsibly while upholding its standards for food quality, consistency, and operational excellence.

Supporting Brand Expansion and Same-Store Growth

The Danao Commissary supplies key ingredients and products for the Group’s major brands, including Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, and Burger King. These brands continue to expand their store networks in VisMin while sustaining same-store sales growth.

The facility strengthens the Group’s supply chain by supporting distribution centers serving Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, as well as select areas in Luzon—ensuring reliability and scalability as the company accelerates its nationwide expansion.

Economic Impact

Speaking during the program, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque highlighted the broader economic impact of the investment.

“Every new commissary that the Jollibee Group opens represents more jobs, more security, and more growth for our local industries,” Roque said. “As we open more commissaries, we are also encouraging more investments in our country while strengthening our supply chain.”

Speaking at the inauguration, Joseph Tanbuntiong, Chief Executive Officer of Jollibee Group Philippines and Global Head of Jollibee Brand, underscored the strategic importance of the new facility to both the company’s domestic and global growth.

“The opening of the Danao Commissary is both a reflection of our journey and a new beginning,” Tanbuntiong said. “Accelerating our growth by building on the strong momentum in Visayas and Mindanao is critical to our Philippine business.”

The investment also highlights the Jollibee Group’s confidence in Cebu as a strategic hub for manufacturing and logistics.

“This commissary underscores our confidence in Cebu—its people, its capability, and its role in our growth today and in the long term,” he added.

Community Impact and Sustainability

Beyond strengthening operational capacity, the Danao Commissary is expected to deliver shared value for local communities, generating close to 500 jobs, with over 60% of the workforce coming from Danao City. At full capacity, the commissary will create 800 jobs.

Sustainability features were integrated into the facility’s design and operations in line with the Jollibee Group’s Joy for Tomorrow agenda. From Day 1 of commercial operation, the Danao Commissary operates on 99% renewable electricity from geothermal sources. It is also equipped with roof-mounted solar panels, rainwater-harvesting systems, energy-efficient equipment, and wastewater treatment systems—supporting responsible, future-ready growth.

Tanbuntiong said the inauguration marks the beginning of a shared journey among stakeholders involved in the project.

“The success of the Danao Commissary is a shared success—for Danao, for Cebu, and for the nation. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable future.”

Hashtag: #Jollibee

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

About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (PSE: JFC) (the “Company”) is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, driven by its purpose of spreading joy through superior taste. It manages and operates a portfolio that includes 19 brands (the “Jollibee Group”) with over 10,000 stores and cafés across 33 countries.

The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine (9) wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five (5) franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S. and in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.

The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The Company has been recognized as the Philippines’ Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a four-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit

Newborn Town Inc. Expects 2025 Revenue of RMB 6.76-7.00 Billion, Up Over 32% Year on Year

HONG KONG, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Newborn Town Inc. (Newborn Town or the company, stock code: 09911.HK), a leading global social entertainment company, released its unaudited operating data for 2025.

For the year ended 31 December 2025, the company’s total revenue is estimated to reach approximately RMB 6,760 million to RMB 7,000 million, reflecting a year-on-year increase of approximately 32.8 % to 37.5 %.

Among the total revenue, social networking business contributed approximately RMB 6,030 million to RMB 6,230 million, up approximately 30.4% to 34.8% year-on-year. The innovative business saw a year-on-year growth of about 55.7% to 64.2% to approximately RMB 730 million to RMB 770 million, continuing its robust growth momentum.

In 2025, the company further deepened the integration of AI technologies into its business operations, enhancing user experience and product commercialization efficiency across business segments and driving high-quality growth.


Social Networking Business Maintains Strong Momentum with Reinforced Market Leadership

According to the announcement, the company achieved significant year-on-year revenue growth in its social networking business in 2025, primarily driven by the continued expansion of diversified social products supported by AI technology.

During the year, the company’s social networking business achieved structural growth across global markets, with synergies among its “bush-like” portfolio of social apps. Products such as TopTop, a game-oriented social networking platform, maintained explosive growth, acting as key engines of expansion. Meanwhile, other core social apps continued to deliver stable revenue and cash flow contributions.

Particularly in the MENA region, Newborn Town has built significant competitive advantages and a robust product ecosystem. In Q4 2025, TopTop, supported by localized operations and a growing UGC ecosystem, further strengthened its market position and emerged as a nationally popular app in high-value markets such as Saudi Arabia.

The company’s diverse-audience social networking business also sustained solid development in overseas markets. Through deepening community engagement, iterating social features, and launching brand campaigns, HeeSay has further solidified its leading position in Southeast Asia, boosting its brand influence.  

As the social business continued to accelerate, Newborn Town’s overall market competitiveness also strengthened. In December 2025, the company ranked 4th on Diandian’s “Top Chinese non-gaming publishers by overseas revenue”list, up one place from the previous ranking, reflecting solid growth momentum.

The company’s consistently improving localization capabilities remain a key driver of its competitive moat. A research report by CLSA in 2025 highlighted Newborn Town’s distinctive competitive edge, enabled by deeper user insights, refined service experience, and diversified monetization models. With solid localization execution, Newborn Town has also demonstrated strong competitiveness in product innovation, user acquisition, and content operations.

Innovative Business Delivers Strong Growth as Quality Games Enter a Phase of Long-Term Operations

In 2025, Newborn Town’s innovative business emerged as a strong growth engine. The growth was driven by sustained expansion in traffic monetization, social e-commerce business, revenue contributions from the short drama segment and its self-developed quality games.

Since Q4 2024, the quality games segment has entered its profit-harvesting phase. Flagship titles have now transitioned into long-term operations, delivering a meaningful increase in ARPU during the year. Building on the game team’s growing expertise in the merge-game genre and the deeper integration of AI technologies, Newborn Town significantly shortened development cycles in 2025, while new game titles advanced steadily as planned.

Over the past year, Newborn Town’s social e-commerce business delivered steady growth, while Heer Health further consolidated its leading position in the HIV prevention and sexual health services segment.

In 2025, Heer Health partnered with insurance companies and pharmaceutical firms to launch China’s first critical illness insurance product specifically designed for people living with HIV, offering an innovative solution to long-standing challenges in insurance access for this group.

Meanwhile, the company’s short-drama business has also begun to demonstrate early positive results.

AI Integration Accelerates Innovation-Driven Momentum

In 2025, Newborn Town continued to deepen its AI strategy, integrating AI into core business operations while launching a range of “AI + Social Entertainment” product innovations.

In terms of product innovation, the company launched Aippy, an AI-powered creative content community that lowers the barrier to creation for users without coding experience. By integrating advanced AIGC technologies, Aippy enables users to easily create mini-games and other interactive content. Since it launch, the mobile version has received encouraging user feedback, achieving an average rating of 4.9 on both the Apple App Store and major Android app stores.

AI technologies have now been embedded across all key operations, with the company’s self-developed multimodal algorithm model, Boomiix, continuing to undergo iterative upgrades. By further deploying AI in core scenarios – from social recommendations, intelligent operations, advertising, risk management and content safety, and creative asset design, Newborn Town has consistently optimized user experience and operational efficiency.

In 2025, Newborn Town introduced Siyu, an AI-powered intelligent data platform enabling operations teams to efficiently query data, perform analytics and generate reports via natural-language interactions. The platform was subsequently selected as a flagship case by Amazon Web Services.

In September 2025, the company entered a strategic partnership with Tencent Cloud to jointly explore opportunities in “AI + Global Social Entertainment,” leveraging both parties’ technical strengths and market reach.

In June 2025, Newborn Town established its global headquarters in Hong Kong, marking a new milestone in its globalization strategy. Between November and December 2025, Newborn Town executed a series of share repurchases on the open market, with an aggregate amount exceeding HKD 80 million, demonstrating management’s strong confidence in the company’s long-term value and growth prospects. Moving forward, the company will continue to deepen its global business footprint and remain committed to creating positive emotional value for users.

  

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Film Turns 25

Warner Bros. Discovery Unveils Spellbinding Plans for Harry Potter’s 25 Years of Magic Celebration

LONDON, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Warner Bros. Discovery today announces plans to mark 25 Years of Magic since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first enchanted audiences on the big screen. Wizards, Witches and Muggles worldwide can look forward to fan-focused experiences, spectacular screenings, exclusive products, and more.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Film Turns 25!
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Film Turns 25!

When Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the United States, India and the Philippines) premiered on 16 November 2001, it opened a Portkey to the wizarding world for filmgoers, shattering Box Office records to become the highest-grossing film of the year. That single spell launched an eight-film phenomenon that conjured more than $7.7 billion globally, cementing Harry Potter as one of the most beloved entertainment franchises of all time.

Now, 25 years later, the magic is stronger than ever, and Harry Potter remains one of pop culture’s most enduring icons. Ahead of the highly anticipated HBO Original HARRY POTTER television series, currently in production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and set to premier in 2027, Warner Bros. Discovery is inviting fans everywhere to unite for a special celebration of the wizarding world’s enduring legacy.

Wands at the ready, here’s a taste of what’s in store…

Magical Fan Experiences

  • Butterbeer Season (March–May): Touring Butterbeer Trucks will roll into cities worldwide, serving limited-edition drinks and exclusive merchandise, supported by digital content and social activations.
  • Harry Potter’s Birthday (31 July): Special themed products, events and activities at official Harry Potter locations worldwide, and at retail, will bring summer magic to families and younger fans.
  • Back to Hogwarts (August–September): The fan-favourite global celebration returns and promises to be bigger and better than ever, uniting the Harry Potter community around the world.

Special Screenings

  • Theatrical Re-Release: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone / Sorcerer’s Stone will make a return to the silver screen, with a special treat for fans – 10 minutes of behind-the-scenes content never before seen in theatres.
  • The film will show on screens across North America, EMEA, LATAM and APAC between 27thAugust and 3rd September (timings vary by location). 
  • During this window, fans will also have the chance to enjoy experiential magical touches guaranteed to bring the magic to life and watch all eight films from the Harry Potter series in theatres – check local listings for details. 
  • Shared Reality Experience: This spring, Harry Potter fans will be able to experience the magic of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Shared Reality at Cosm.
  • Cosm venues are currently open in Los Angeles and Dallas, with locations in Atlanta and Detroit set to open later this year.
  • Tickets to experience Harry Potter in Shared Reality at Cosm go on sale March 4, 2026. Visit https://cosm.com/events/harry-potter-in-shared-reality for more details.

Limited-Edition Products

  • A stunning 25th Anniversary logo, inspired by the silvery glow of the iconic Patronus, will feature across new and existing product lines.
  • Fans worldwide can look forward to special collections and commemorative ranges from a host of best-loved brands, including Spin Master, LUG, MGA, Jazzwares, Alex and Ani, Hallmark, Reyn Spooner, Pyramid, Loungefly, Timex, Crocs, Vera Bradley, and more.
  • MinaLima will be celebrating the Anniversary with multiple brand-new product collections including the 25 Years of: Hogwarts Acceptance Letter, and 25 Years of: Hogwarts Express.
  • Celebrating 25 years of LEGO Harry Potter, The LEGO Group has launched brand new Harry Potter themed sets thoughtfully designed to honour some of the most iconic film moments, locations and characters.
  • The special 25th Anniversary Philosopher’s Stone Collector’s Edition is a spectacular set that will inspire memories of the spellbinding tale, including a poseable Hedwig, Moving Wizards Chess and Harry’s Trunk.
  • Four additional Harry Potter 25th Anniversary sets include Hogwarts Castle Sorting Ceremony, Hogwarts Castle Hospital Wing, Secret Potions Classroom, and, for the first time in LEGO Bricks, Luna Lovegood’s House!
  • These four sets come complete with a special 25th Anniversary collectable Patronus.

Fans will also be able to purchase limited edition items from the exclusive 25th Anniversary range at select Harry Potter Shops in London, America, Tokyo and online, the range includes a gorgeous Celebration Bear, Philosopher’s Stone Keychain and Collectable Pin Set.

Global Experiences

Harry Potter destinations around the world will also offer fans surprise and delight moments throughout the year…

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – the Making of Harry Potter will unveil their new summer feature – celebrating Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone!

From 7th  May –  7th September, fans can discover the wizarding artefacts they were introduced to in the first film, from the mystifying Philosopher’s Stone, to the iconic Golden Snitch. This special feature will reveal how each magical prop was carefully crafted for filming, as well as showcase the instantly recognisable sets, reveal behind-the-scenes facts and clever secrets that made the film so iconic.

This year, Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo – the Making of Harry Potter will also enable fans to go back to where it all began… more information will be shared on what fans can look forward to soon. 

Universal Destinations & Experiences will celebrate Harry Potter with special, limited-time offerings in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Osaka and Beijing throughout the year – including Butterbeer Season and Back to Hogwarts, as well as at Warner Bros. Discovery Global Touring Experiences including The Harry Potter Film Concert Series, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic and Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience.

International Celebrations

A host of real‑world and digital fan focused activities will be taking place – from iconic film moments brought to life in touring installations around China starting later this month, to a special Harry Potter 25th Anniversary themed takeover of Chadstone, the largest retail and lifestyle destination in the southern hemisphere in Melbourne, which will kick off in April.

Further updates on everything in store for fans to honour this special Anniversary will be shared soon, Gryffindors, Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs are encouraged to follow @HarryPotter on social to stay up to date with the latest news and updates!

To ready themselves for festivities, fans can visit https://www.harrypotter.com/news/celebrate-25-years-of-harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone-film-magic where they can check out the special 25th Anniversary Brand Spot, get Sorted into their Hogwarts House and join the Official Harry Potter Fan Club.