OSAKA, Japan, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On the evening of October 12, local time, the Awards Ceremony for Expo 2025 Osaka took place at the Expo site. The China Pavilion was honored with the Gold Award for Exhibition Design in the Self-Built Pavilions category, presented by the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE). This marks the first time China has received a gold award at a comprehensive overseas World Expo.

The Expo welcomed participation from 158 countries and regions, along with seven international organizations. The recipients of the awards were decided by an international jury composed of nine experts in the fields of exposition, architecture, exhibition, and art. Attributed in line with the diversity of pavilions according to their size and type, the awards recognize various aspects of pavilions: exhibition design, architecture and landscape, and theme development. Among them, the award for large self-built pavilions has always been the most fiercely contested, most closely watched, and most prestigious in all previous World Expos. The China Pavilion stood out among many large self-built pavilions and won the Gold Award for Exhibition Design. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion and the Italy Pavilion received gold in the architecture and landscape and theme development categories, respectively.

Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and Li Qingshuang, Vice Chairperson of the CCPIT and Chief Government Representative of the China Pavilion, attended the award ceremony. The CCPIT organized China’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka on behalf of the Chinese government. Spanning approximately 3,500 square meters, the China Pavilion was one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the Expo. Under the theme “Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature—Future Society of Green Development,” the pavilion unfolded its narrative through three thematic chapters: “Harmony between Humanity and Nature,” “Green Mountains and Clear Waters,” and “Endless Vitality.”

The exhibition highlighted over 5,000 years of ecological wisdom rooted in Chinese civilization, showcased China’s philosophy of and achievements in green development in the new era, and presented a shared vision for global cooperation in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Throughout the Expo, the China Pavilion welcomed more than 1.9 million visitors, averaging over 10,000 per day. Among them were more than 280 dignitaries and prominent figures from over 90 countries and regions, as well as nearly 100 Japanese political leaders and former officials who attended events hosted at the pavilion. It consistently ranked as one of the most visited and popular national pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka.

– A card battle game set on a chessboard, featuring the excitement of deck-building strategy and real-time PvP matchmaking

– Now available for download and play on Google Play and the Apple App Store in most global regions, excluding certain territories

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global game company Gravity officially launched the strategic card battle game ‘Chess Rumble’ worldwide on September 23.

Chess Rumble is a new in-house IP title developed by Gravity. The game unfolds on a chessboard where players position characters and utilize chess-inspired tactics such as movement and pushing to battle opponents. With over 60 collectible cards, players can build decks, create combos, and enjoy the depth of strategic combat. The game also offers a variety of modes, ranging from diverse PvE content to AI battle modes, allowing players to choose their preferred style of play. In PvP, Chess Rumble features skill-based real-time matchmaking to ensure a fair competitive environment. A seasonal league system lets players compete for rankings and earn rewards based on their performance.

Chess Rumble is now available for download and play on Google Play and the Apple App Store in most global regions, excluding certain territories. During its Closed Beta Test (CBT) in December last year, the game received positive feedback from players worldwide. Participants praised the game, saying, “It’s fun to create strategies with various deck combinations. I lost track of time while playing,” “The art style is attractive and the game mechanics are excellent,” and “Even as a test version, the game felt polished and engaging. I’m looking forward to the ranking system in the official launch.”

To celebrate the global launch of Chess Rumble, Gravity has prepared a variety of events. A Giant Pack will be awarded for 7 cumulative logins, and a Premium Hero Master Origin will be awarded for 15 cumulative logins. In addition, a seasonal ranking competition will be held for about a month after launch, with rewards offered to the top 30 players. Users can also take part in the large-scale weekly “Gold Rush” event for even more competitive fun.

Jinung Ju, PD of Chess Rumble at Gravity, said, “As a card battle game, Chess Rumble is easy and enjoyable for anyone who enjoys strategy and card gameplay. In particular, players will be able to experience the thrill of head-to-head card battles through real-time matchmaking.” He added, “To celebrate the launch, we are also holding a Hero Origin giveaway event, so we hope many players will take part. We look forward to your continued interest in Chess Rumble.”

For more details on the global launch of Chess Rumble, please visit the official website: https://chessrumble.gnjoy.com/ 

[Gravity Official Website] http://www.gravity.co.kr 

[Chess Rumble Official Website] https://chessrumble.gnjoy.com/ 

[Chess Rumble Google Play Download Page]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gravity.tfa&pcampaignid

[Chess Rumble Apple App Store Download Page]

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chess-rumble/id6535669795?l 

[Chess Rumble Official Facebook]

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569981570641 

[Chess Rumble Official Discord] https://discord.gg/YfEnDYrMCg 

LONDON, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) today launches Energy Productivity: Increasing efficiency in an expanded, electrified energy system, which highlights a major opportunity for the world to more than double global GDP by 2050, while reducing final energy demand by 24%.

As global prosperity grows, so will demand for energy services, such as mobility, heating, cooling and industrial production. But the ETC’s report shows that energy productivity improvements can deliver greatly expanded energy services with less energy input and dramatically reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

• Energy productivity is the measure of economic output (GDP) generated per unit of energy.
• Electrification of road transport, building heating and cooking, together with more efficient appliances and smarter material use, makes possible greatly improved energy productivity.
• This makes it possible to deliver more energy services while cutting costs and reducing the need for land, water, and other natural resources.
• Governments, businesses and consumers must seize the chance to massively improve energy productivity by replacing inefficient fossil systems with far more efficient electric ones. Squandering this opportunity would increase the energy requirements and costs required to live comfortably, travel, and produce goods.

Growing prosperity with less energy input

Energy-based services are central to rising prosperity. By 2050, kilometres travelled by car could rise 70%; air travel by 150%; cooled floor area could grow by 150%; heated floor area by 25%; and demand for aluminium, petrochemicals, cement, and steel will all expand. Artificial Intelligence (AI) could improve efficiency in some areas, but the rapid growth of AI and data centres could add massive and highly uncertain new energy demand over the next 25 years.

But there are huge opportunities to increase energy productivity over the next 25 years, meeting this demand for increased energy services while using 24% less final energy (the energy used by appliances/vehicles) and 36% less primary energy (the raw energy resource, such as coal, oil, and gas, or wind or sunlight) than today.

“There is a major opportunity to expand energy services and deliver prosperity while using less energy overall, through widespread electrification, appliance efficiency, and smarter material use. These solutions unlock energy productivity, i.e. greater economic value from each unit of energy. If governments act now to introduce supportive policy, global prosperity can double by mid-century while using less energy overall.” said Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission.

Key opportunities for energy productivity improvement:

• Electrification over fossil fuels:
  • Electric vehicles (EVs) are up to three times more efficient than petrol cars, which convert only 25% of the energy input into energy in the wheels, with the rest wasted as heat. And EV sales are on track to exceed 20 million in 2025 – one in every four new cars worldwide.
  • Heat pumps deliver 3-4 times more heat per unit of energy than gas boilers, because they extract heat from the air. In 2024, global sales reached six million units, out-selling gas boilers in some key markets (e.g., by as much as 30% in the United States).
  • Electric cooking is 4-5 times more efficient than traditional use of biomass and offers major health benefits.
• Efficient appliances: Replacing old technology with more efficient appliances that deliver the same benefits while using less energy (e.g., air conditioners, vehicles, lightbulbs, industrial motors) could cut global energy demand by around 10% by 2050. This would avoid the need for nearly 30,000 TWh of extra electricity generation (about the total global electricity consumed in 2024).
• Smarter material use and recycling: Material efficiency and recycling could cut energy needs by 44% in chemicals and plastics, 33% in cement, and 27% in steel, even as total demand for outputs grows. Potential gains are significant, for example, producing aluminium from recycled scrap uses about 90% less energy than new metal.

A one-time opportunity to double the pace of energy efficiency improvement

At COP28 in 2023, countries committed to double the pace of energy productivity improvement from 2% per annum to 4% by 2030. The ETC details how countries can feasibly deliver that pledge, maintaining the higher rate for around 2 decades.

Beyond 2050, as electrification of the economy approaches the highest achievable levels, the pace of improvement may fall back to around 2%, and final energy demand will grow to support further growth of energy services and GDP. In addition, electricity demand may grow faster than our projections because of rapidly growing demand for AI and “rebound effects” (the tendency for energy demand to grow when prices fall).

This makes it essential to seize all available opportunities to improve energy productivity and avoid locking into fossil fuel systems and long-term costs.

“Electrification and efficiency are the twin engines driving a competitive future. The ETC’s latest report on energy productivity offers quantifiable insights—showing that smarter electric technologies and championing efficiency across every sector can deliver more with less, doubling global prosperity while reducing final energy demand by a quarter. This is a powerful call to action: let’s utilize the technologies available to us today to unlock our full energy potential.” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman of Schneider Electric.

Government, business and consumer action to seize the opportunity

Governments must play an essential role in setting the policy frameworks, standards, and incentives that enable businesses and consumers to achieve productivity gains. This is a global priority, but actions will vary for governments, businesses and consumers by region:

• In all countries, electrifying road transport offers the biggest opportunity to cut fuel imports; vehicle energy efficiency standards are vital, together with scrappage schemes and trade-in programmes to increase the pace of stock turnover.
• In high-latitude regions (e.g., Europe, Canada, Northern China), priorities must include replacing gas boilers with electric heat pumps;
• In developing and tropical nations, fast-rising cooling demand requires efficient air conditioning and buildings designed to keep heat out, and replacing traditional biomass with cleaner cooking fuels or electricity can deliver major health and efficiency gains.

“Doubling the global rate of energy efficiency improvements is entirely achievable. The ETC’s report highlights the key actions: rapid electrification of transport and buildings, major efficiency gains in appliances and equipment, and greater material recycling. With strong government action, the COP28 energy efficiency target can be delivered, cutting emissions while enhancing energy security, affordability and competitiveness all at the same time.” said Brian Motherway, Head of the Energy Efficiency and Inclusive Transitions Office at the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The briefing launches ahead of COP30 in Brazil, where new country pledges will be assessed against the COP28 pledge to double the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. This briefing shows how this target could be achieved for the next 20 years.

Energy Productivity: Increasing efficiency in an expanded, electrified energy system was developed in collaboration with ETC members from across industry, financial institutions, and civil society. The Energy Transitions Commission is a global coalition of leaders from across the energy landscape committed to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century. This report constitutes a collective view of the ETC; however, it should not be taken as members agreeing with every finding or recommendation. ETC members have not been asked to formally endorse this report.

Download the insights briefing: https://www.energy-transitions.org/publications/energy-productivity/

For further information, visit: https://www.energy-transitions.org

Video: https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2795910/Energy_Transitions_Commission.mp4

HONG KONG, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Newborn Town, the global social entertainment company, has been given a target price of HK$17.50 and an “Outperform” rating in a recent report from CLSA.

Compared with the closing price of HK$11.66 on 10 October, CLSA’s target price implies an upside potential of 50%. Previously, several brokers including Soochow Securities and CMB International have covered Newborn Town, issuing positive ratings of “Buy” and “Overweight”.

CLSA’s report highlighted that Newborn Town has been building a deep moat in the global social entertainment business sector through its unique “Happiness Machine” philosophy.

The target price is primarily based on the company’s stable cash flow generation capabilities and outstanding return on equity (ROE). Newborn Town boasts a solid user base and strong market competitiveness in the global social entertainment market, particularly in high-Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) regions such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), demonstrating competitive advantages over peers in the U.S. and China.

Newborn Town’s Strategic Expansion in MENA Unlocks Vast Potential, Outpacing U.S. and China Peers in Localization Capabilities

Newborn Town’s competitiveness in the MENA market continues to strengthen. According to the company’s financial reports, its MENA business scale grew over 60% year-on-year in both 2024 and the first half of 2025, showcasing robust growth momentum.

CLSA noted that the MENA region boasts a population of over 570 million, with a median age of just 26 years and 400 million internet users. On average, users spend more than 210 minutes per day on social apps—1.5 times that of U.S. users, 1.8 times that of China, and 2 times that of Germany. This usage far exceeds the global average of 143 minutes.

“We see ample room for growth for social entertainment services in MENA. We believe Newborn Town is among the most competitive players to capture opportunities and expand its market share.”

CLSA viewed that Newborn Town had constructed a deep competitive moat globally — especially in the MENA region. On one hand, the company adapts proven mature monetization models validated in the Chinese market; on the other hand, it leverages a rich foundation of internet talent to gradually establish differentiated advantages in the global social entertainment field.

Newborn Town’s social products are supported by deep localization operations, extensive KOL networks, efficient traffic strategies, and profound user insights, effectively building barriers and raising industry entry thresholds.

“We believe Newborn Town stands out among peers for its deep user insights, tailored services and diversified monetisation model, especially when compared with US-based companies; it has outperformed Chinese players in product features innovation, traffic acquisition and content operations capability thanks to its strong local presence, in our view.”

The report also showed that in 2024, Newborn Town officially joined Saudi Arabia’s regional headquarters program to set up a regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first social entertainment company to do so. It is one of a few Chinese companies which have established a strong presence in the market.

Newborn Town Projected to Achieve Strong CAGR Growth in Revenue and Profit across All Business Segments over the Next Three Years

Based on the in-depth research, CLSA provided a forecast for Newborn Town’s growth over the next three years: the company’s revenue CAGR will reach 24%, hitting RMB9.8 billion by the end of 2027, up from RMB5.1 billion in 2024.

Newborn Town’s pan-audience social business was expected to achieve total revenue of RMB7.9 billion by the end of 2027, compared to RMB3.8 billion in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate of 28%.

Currently, SUGO and TopTop maintain strong growth momentum and will remain the primary contributors to revenue growth over the next two years; mature products like MICO and YoHo will focus on refined operations, expected to steadily contribute revenue and cash flow. In addition, new product incubations are progressing smoothly.

According to CLSA estimates, the diverse-audience business will see revenue reaching RMB1.1 billion, up from RMB800 million in 2024, with a CAGR of 7% over three years.

The growth will be driven by the international expansion of HeeSay. The company aims to enhance its leadership position in Southeast Asia and to improve profitability, while exploring opportunities in new markets.

For the innovative business, CLSA expected total revenue of RMB0.9 billion by the end of 2027, up from RMB0.5 billion in 2024. An enriched casual game portfolio and rapidly growing social e-commerce business will drive significant revenue and profit growth.

In terms of profits, CLSA expected Newborn Town’s core earnings before interest and taxes to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 27% to RMB1.5 billion by 2027, more than doubling from 2024, driven by scale expansion and the continuous growth drivers via the content ecosystem.

Notably, there is also room for gross margin improvement. CLSA expected the gross margin to expand from 51% in 2024 to 57% in 2027, driven by a product mix shift towards higher-margin UGC products such as TopTop and game businesses.

As the product portfolio matures, operating margins are expected to improve through optimization of user acquisition costs and adjustments to revenue sharing with content partners.

Target Price of HK$17.50: Strong ROE and Cash Flow to Boost Shareholder Returns

According to CLSA, Newborn Town exhibited excellent capital efficiency and robust financial quality, manifested in its high-return, asset-light, agile business model, and strong cash flow generation.

The company’s ROE was forcasted to stay over 30% over the next three years. Meanwhile, they expected the company’s free cashflow to rise sustainably with operating cash flow growth, and minimal capital expenditure needs.

As of the end of 2024, net cash accounted for 57% of total assets. Its strong cash-generation capabilities and net cash position paved the way for stronger shareholder returns in the future.

Based on a DCF model, CLSA initiated a target price of HK$17.50 with 50% upside (compared with the closing price on 10 October), with an “Outperform” rating.

This target price implies to adjusted P/E ratios of 16.0x/13.4x for FY2026/2027. On the back of a 3-year CAGR for adjusted EPS reaching 31%, with the PEG ratio is below 1x, the current valuation was considered attractive. If the company makes further progress in core product count, regional expansion, or margin improvements, valuation could further rerate towards 15x-20x.

An exhibition of modern and contemporary art from Africa

Musée Rath, Geneva
From October 16th to November 23rd, 2025

GENEVA, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Swiss private banking group CBH Bank, in partnership with the Musée d’art & d’histoire de Genève (MAH), is unveiling, for the first time to the public, a curated selection from its collection of modern and contemporary art from Africa. The exhibition, More than Meets the Eye, runs from 16 October to 23 November 2025 at the Musée Rath and offers a rare look into the richness and diversity of African artistic scenes — a powerful, underrepresented voice in Swiss museum spaces.

Hilary Balu; Illusion identitaire 1, 2021; Acrylic, oil, and scraping on canvas, 188 x 188 cm; © All rights reserved

A journey through African artistic expression

The exhibition More than Meets the Eye unveils a part of the CBH collection of modern and contemporary art from Africa, spanning nearly a century of creativity, from 1929 to 2024. Featuring works by over 80 artists from 21 African countries, the exhibition includes early innovators such as Albert and Antoinette Lubaki and Djilatendo; internationally acclaimed artists such as Amoako Boafo, El Anatsui, Yinka Shonibare, Abdoulaye Konaté, JP Mika, and Omar Ba; as well as a vibrant new generation of dynamic women artists including Thandiwe Muriu, Cassi Namoda, Maku Azu, and Ayanfe Olarinde. Together they embody a bold, forward-looking vision of the continent’s cultural expression.

Rooted in the 1920s along the banks of the Congo River, African art rapidly spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, giving rise to a constellation of distinct schools. From Lubumbashi to Abidjan, Dakar to Bamako, each reveals a modernity that is inventive, intricate, multifaceted, and vivid — singular stars within a dazzling artistic galaxy. Deeply grounded in their local environments, these movements assert their uniqueness within a global art narrative long shaped by other voices. Even today, they continue to strive for their rightful place on the world stage.

The exhibition unfolds across seven thematic chapters: emergence, spirituality, between two worlds, everyday life, intimacy, the timeless, and affirmation — inviting visitors on an evolving journey through aesthetic, cultural, and temporal questions.

An exhibition curated with an international lens 

More than Meets the Eye is co-curated by Jean-Yves Marin, former Director of the MAH and Artistic Adviser to CBH, and Ousseynou Wade, former Secretary General of the Dakar Biennale and a leading voice in African art. Together, they have shaped an exhibition that breaks free from colonial-era geographical constraints, spotlighting the continent’s artistic exchanges across borders:

“African artists have long moved, influenced, and inspired one another across nations — far beyond administrative frontiers, arbitrary lines devoid of cultural meaning,” explain the curators. “This show highlights the power of those transnational dialogues, weaving together history, memory, and creation.”

A contemporary setting serving the artworks

The exhibition’s scenography was entrusted to acclaimed architect and designer Pierre Yovanovitch, whose deep understanding of contemporary art environments helped shape a bold yet respectful setting for the works on view.

“The challenge — and the thrill — was to create a space that steps back just enough to let the art speak for itself,” he says. “The result is an immersive, refined layout, where curves, color, and calm allow the artworks to resonate fully with their surroundings.”

“With More than Meets the Eye the Musée Rath welcomes, for the first time, a broad panorama of African artistic creation. Curated and hosted by CBH, the exhibition unveils a private collection curated with dedication and conviction. This project perfectly reflects the mission of the MAH to broaden the conversation and showcase artistic voices still too rarely heard in institutional spaces,” says Marc-Olivier Wahler, Director of the MAH.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a rich public program, including talks, panel discussions, and encounters with artists, curators, and gallerists — exploring the shifting landscape of contemporary art from Africa on a global scale.

A richly illustrated exhibition catalogue will also be available for purchase at the Musée Rath.

A broad cultural commitment

For over 15 years, CBH has pursued a committed cultural program, notably in partnership with the Musée d’art et d’histoire de Genève, emphasizing a long-term commitment to societal impact. Three main pillars shape this artistic commitment: a selection of modern Swiss artists; digital and algorithmic art; and finally, modern and contemporary art from Africa.

“This exhibition is both the culmination of a passionate endeavor spanning several years, and an invitation to discover the plurality of African artistic narratives, representing a century of creativity that remains too seldom seen in Switzerland,” says Simon Benhamou, CEO of CBH. “What moves me in this art is its richness, its diversity — and above all, its spontaneity, which jolts us. It reveals a vibrant Africa, freed from clichés and resolutely forward-looking.”

Planets in My Head, Flute Boy, 2019; Fiberglass mannequin, Dutch wax print cotton fabric, globe, leather, steel base, and flute; © All rights reserved

Vumani II, Boston, 2019; Hahnemuhle PhotoRag Baryta print 6/8, 80 x 80 cm; © Zanele Muholi – Courtesy of Galerie Carole Kvavnevski & Zanele Muholi