World’s largest tower company builds momentum behind the GSMA Tower Forum

SHANGHAI, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At MWC Shanghai, GSMA announced that China Tower has joined GSMA as a new member, bringing world’s largest telecommunications tower company into GSMA’s global ecosystem. Last year, China Tower completed a national upgrade across China, converting its 5.6 million base stations and 2.1 million tower sites into intelligent edge-computing hubs to meet the needs of the AI era.

Tower companies are key to resilient, energy-to support next-generation connectivity. China Tower’s membership builds momentum behind GSMA Tower Forum, a new initiative that convenes mobile network operators and tower companies to collaborate on energy efficiency, policy and permitting and technology evolution with a focus on practical outcomes that improve deployment, performance and resilience.

The GSMA Tower Forum is structured around four areas: Knowledge Sharing, Industry Outreach, Advocacy, and Technology & Innovation, covering research, benchmarking, and engagement on sustainability, energy, and policy. It also focuses on permitting, power access, technology roadmaps, and digitisation.

As demand for AI-enabled services and AI-natives grows, infrastructure providers are evolving beyond traditional “grass and steel” assets into intelligent platforms supporting compute-adjacent capabilities and resilient power. China Tower is advancing this shift at scale with 5G, AI and big data-powered digital towers and AI-driven operational use cases.

“This year, the GSMA has newly established the Tower Forum, creating a platform for tower operators worldwide to collaborate and exchange ideas. This initiative carries great significance for advancing global digital and intelligent new infrastructure. Through this Forum, China Tower stands ready to deepen cooperation with global partners in technological innovation, standard-setting, security governance, and the integration of digital and real economies. We will jointly strengthen digital and intelligent new infrastructure and march hand in hand toward an intelligent new era,” said Zhang Zhiyong, Chairman, China Tower.

“We are delighted to welcome China Tower to the GSMA. As AI-era demand intensifies, infrastructure is becoming a strategic differentiator, not only for coverage and capacity, but for power, resilience and the ability to support new compute-adjacent requirements. China Tower’s experience and scale will bring valuable perspective to operators and the broader GSMA community, and we look forward to working together through the GSMA Tower Forum to build more productive infrastructure partnerships across the ecosystem,” said Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA.

Join GSMA and participate in the GSMA Tower Forum.

SHANGHAI, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The benchmark event for the coil, electric motor, and transformer manufacturing sector in the Asia-Pacific region – CWIEME Shanghai 2026 – officially opened today at the SWEECC. Running through June 26, the exhibition brings together over 330 leading global exhibitors. On its opening day, CWIEME reached a peak in visitor turnout, with on-site attendance surpassing 20,000 and professional buyers from more than 60 countries participating, reaffirming CWIEME as the focal point of global electrical manufacturing.

Industry Giants Assemble, Showcasing Unprecedented International Caliber
This year’s edition hosts a world-class exhibitor roster, covering the entire value chain – from raw materials and components to advanced technologies and intelligent solutions. Applications span NEVs, humanoid robotics, eVTOL, power transmission, consumer electronics, and aerospace. The show serves as Asia-Pacific’s premier vertical platform for global technology launches, cross-border direct sourcing, and multi-standard compliance.

Rooted in East China and globally connected, CWIEME Shanghai draws overseas visitors from Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Brazil, the US, Norway, and beyond – making it a true global technology and trade hub.

Global Buyers Gather, Building Cross-Border Trade Bridges
Dedicated “International Business Matching Zone – CWIEME Date” hosts vetted buyer delegations from over 20 countries, including Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, the US, Poland, Mexico, Brazil, and Korea. Closed-door one-on-one meetings accelerate negotiations on product specs, technical requirements, and partnership terms, helping exhibitors expand into global markets.

Over the next two days, specialized matchmaking sessions will focus on transformers, humanoid robotics, and low-altitude vehicles – bridging traditional power equipment with future industries.

High-Level Forum – Launchpad for High-Tech, High-Value Content
Concurrent forums feature 40+ experts, academicians, and industry leaders across eight thematic sessions, covering eVTOL, electric drives, motor innovation, green transformers, standards, and cutting-edge research. Packed venues and lively Q&A exchanges make this an unmissable annual event for global electrical professionals. This forward-looking and practically oriented “super classroom” has become an unmissable annual course for electrical professionals worldwide. Here, trends are foreseen, questions are answered, and partnerships are ignited.

More to Explore!
Day one delivered a dynamic mix of technology, networking, and interactive activities. From advanced materials to smart production lines, every booth offered both technical depth and visual appeal.

A spectacular first day is merely the prologue. On June 25–26, even more highlights await – global smart manufacturing, come see it for yourself!

Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, elected as CIMA President and Co-Chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

LONDON, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, has been elected as the 93^rd President of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting on 24 June 2026. He will also serve as the 11^th Co-Chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), the global alliance formed by CIMA and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, CIMA President and Co-Chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

During his presidential year, Alfred will focus on shaping the future of finance and accounting, elevating trust as the profession’s most valuable currency, building an AI-enabled profession, and championing opportunity for the next generation of talent. He will work alongside Association Chair Jan Lewis, CPA, CGMA, to lead the profession worldwide through a period of rapid change and redefine its role in business and society.

Dr Matthew Hansard, FCMA, CGMA, was elected CIMA Deputy President at the same meeting.

On taking up the role, Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, CIMA President and Co-Chair of the Association, said: “The choices we make today – how we earn trust, embrace technology, lead through uncertainty and complexity, and invest in the next generation – will shape the future of finance and accounting. If we get those choices right, we will not simply keep pace with change; we will define it.”

“I take on this role with humility and a strong sense of responsibility,” he continued. “I am committed to serving our members, students, and the wider profession, and working with them to create a future grounded in trust, innovation, and opportunity.”

Alfred is a business leader with over three decades of experience across South Africa’s financial and professional services sector. He began his career at Nedbank Limited in 1995, where he held senior and executive roles over a 15-year period. In 2008, Alfred was appointed Managing Executive of Nedbank Private Bank, before moving to ABSA Bank in 2010 and African Bank in 2012. In 2017, he became CEO of Bayport Financial Services – South Africa, part of a leading financial services company specialising in responsible consumer lending and financial wellness programmes in developing markets.

A long-standing CIMA volunteer, Alfred joined the CIMA Gauteng Branch as Secretary in 1998 and was appointed President of the South Africa Area Committee in 1999. He played a key role in establishing the Southern Africa Regional Board in 2000 and served as its inaugural Chairman from 2002 to 2009.

In 2009, Alfred was co-opted onto CIMA Council and served on the Global Markets, Marketing, and Professional Standards Committees until he stepped down in 2011. In recognition of his leadership and contributions to the Institute, Alfred was awarded the CIMA Silver Medal in 2013.

He rejoined CIMA Council in 2023 and joined the Board of Directors of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. For the past year, Alfred served as CIMA Deputy President and is currently a member of CIMA’s Appointments Committee and the CGMA Exam Board.

Alfred lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with his wife, and has three adult children. He enjoys reading, cycling, and running.

Rapid addition of the largest IPO in market history underscores the broker’s commitment to meeting trader demand in real time

DUBAI, UAE, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STARTRADER has added SPCX CFD (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) to its trading platform, available on MT5 from 15 June 2026 and on the STARTRADER App from 18 June 2026. The listing comes just three days after SpaceX’s Nasdaq debut on 12 June.

STARTRADER Lists SpaceX (SPCX) CFD Days After Historic Nasdaq Debut

SpaceX’s IPO was the largest in U.S. market history, raising $85 billion through the sale of more than 555 million shares at $135 per share. The stock closed its first session at $160.95, up 19%, with trading volume exceeding 500 million shares.

For STARTRADER, listing SPCX CFD within days of its public debut reflects a core principle: when traders want access, the platform delivers.

Listing a newly public stock at this scale requires coordination across compliance, platform integration, and risk management. Available with 5x leverage and extended trading hours (Monday to Friday, 16:30-23:00), subject to applicable entity conditions, the rapid launch demonstrates STARTRADER’s operational readiness.

“When history’s largest IPO enters the public market, demand for timely access can be significant. Listing SPCX CFD within days of its Nasdaq debut reflects our focus on providing timely access to newly available instruments.” – Peter Karsten, Chief Executive Officer, STARTRADER

SPCX CFD joins STARTRADER’s growing asset list, reflecting strong client demand. The infrastructure used for this launch is built to support upcoming high-profile tech listings as they hit the market.

About STARTRADER

STARTRADER is a global multi-asset broker empowering retail and institutional partners to access global markets through a range of platforms, including MetaTrader, STAR-APP, and STAR-COPY. Regulated and licensed through entities across five jurisdictions (CMA, ASIC, FSCA, FSA, and FSC), STARTRADER operates in accordance with the permissions granted to each respective entity and combines strong governance with a client-first approach, serving both retail clients and partners with a commitment to transparency, reliability, and long-term growth.

Disclaimer: The content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, an offer, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments. Services may not be available in all jurisdictions and are subject to local regulatory restrictions. Trading in financial instruments, including CFDs, involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. You may lose more than your initial investment.

Photo: https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/startrader_spacex.jpg
Logo: https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/startrader_logo.jpg

Mlink chipsets expand the ecosystem for Iridium’s standards-based NB-IoT and D2D connectivity 

MCLEAN, Va., June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today announced that Mlink Technology Inc. (Mlink), a leading fabless semiconductor company specializing in IoT and satellite communication chipsets, has begun live, on-air testing of its MS150-IR IoT-NTN chipset using Iridium NTN Direct℠. MS150-IR is a specialized version of the MS150 chipset family, developed specifically for Iridium NTN Direct as part of Mlink’s global IoT-NTN product portfolio.

The Iridium Network

Mlink joins a growing ecosystem of chipset providers supporting Iridium NTN Direct, Iridium’s 3GPP standards-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) service. By integrating Iridium NTN Direct, Mlink’s chipsets will help device manufacturers, module makers and mobile network operators (MNOs) extend low-power IoT connectivity beyond the reach of terrestrial networks through a single global satellite platform. The companies anticipate certification and product availability before the end of 2026.

“We’re excited by Mlink’s strong progress and the successful transition from lab testing to live on-orbit validation over the Iridium network,” said Tim Last, Executive Vice President, Iridium. “This achievement demonstrates the technical maturity of both teams and the readiness of Iridium NTN Direct. We look forward to certification of the MS150-IR chipset later this year, giving our partners and customers additional high-quality, standards-compliant options for global NB-IoT and D2D connectivity.”

“Having the opportunity to collaborate with Iridium in the emerging NTN field is a tremendous opportunity for Mlink,” said Zhiping An, Co-Founder and Vice President, Mlink. “Our MS150-IR chipset platform has successfully completed Iridium’s laboratory testing and has now progressed into the over-the-air (OTA) testing phase. We also have introduced a comprehensive reference design kit, enabling our customers to accelerate product development and commercialization. We look forward to leveraging Iridium NTN Direct to provide high-quality low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication services to customers around the world, enabling reliable and efficient global connectivity.”

Iridium NTN Direct leverages Iridium’s unique network of 66 cross-linked LEO satellites and 3GPP standards to deliver low-latency, reliable connectivity with excellent signal penetration on a truly global basis. The service is designed for IoT applications including asset tracking, logistics, utilities, agriculture, automotive, industrial monitoring and remote infrastructure, extending connectivity where terrestrial coverage is unavailable, limited or unreliable.

For chipset vendors, module manufacturers, OEMs, and MNOs, Iridium NTN Direct reduces the technical and commercial barriers to integrating satellite connectivity into existing products and networks without requiring additional terrestrial infrastructure. The service enables partners to expand coverage, improve resilience and support new connected-device applications using globally recognized standards.

Mlink’s advancement adds to Iridium’s expanding roster of chipset partners and reinforces growing momentum toward commercial availability of Iridium NTN Direct in 2026. Iridium NTN Direct is designed to deliver truly global, standards-based NB-IoT and D2D connectivity, enabling devices, sensors and assets to remain connected anywhere on Earth.

For more information on Iridium NTN Direct and how to join the ecosystem, visit: www.iridium.com/ntn-direct.

For more information about Iridium, visit: www.iridium.com

About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) operates the world’s only truly global mobile satellite network, delivering reliable voice, data, and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services anywhere on Earth. Iridium supports safety- and mission-critical operations for diverse markets such as aviation, maritime, government, emergency services, critical infrastructure, autonomous systems, and remote monitoring applications, where connectivity is essential.

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium provides its products and services through an ecosystem of 500-plus partner companies around the world. For more information, visit www.iridium.com.

About Mlink Technology Inc.
Mlink Technology Inc, founded in 2013, is a leading innovator in semiconductor solutions for satellite and cellular communications. Mlink has launched SatCom chipsets covering multiple standards such as IoT-NTN, NR-NTN, and GMR, as well as cellular communication chips for 5G RedCap and NB-IoT. Mlink’s MS150 series IoT-NTN chipsets and MS340 series NR-NTN chipsets have successfully completed extensive LEO and GEO satellite testing across multiple countries and regions worldwide. Today, they are recognized as among the industry’s most widely adopted NTN chipset platforms.

Headquartered in Beijing, the company has established research and development centers in Shanghai, Hefei, and Xiamen. For more information about Mlink, visit: www.mlink-tech.cn.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the capabilities, benefits and availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “believes,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “likely,” “will,” “to be” and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding the timing of commercial availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service, the company’s ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 12, 2026, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium’s expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.