Lao authorities seized over 10 kilograms of rhino horn concealed inside souvenir statues at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. 15 May 2026. (Photo: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment).
Authorities at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane intercepted four pieces of suspected rhino horn, weighing a total of 10.1 kilograms, on the afternoon of 15 May during passenger screening.
The cargo originated in Angola, Africa, on 12 May and passed through two transit countries before arriving in Vientiane, a complex routing designed to obscure the shipment’s origin.
Physical inspection confirmed the items resembled rhino horn.
The authorities identified a Vietnamese male suspect, approximately 35 years old. A formal investigation is currently underway.
The Wattay seizure comes amid wider regional enforcement efforts targeting wildlife trafficking.
On 16 May, Thai authorities discovered more than 159 kilograms of contraband along the Mekong riverside in Nong Khai, including 130.9 kilograms of cut ivory and 29 kilograms of animal skeletal remains.
The same day, a Lao woman was found carrying a live monitor lizard and chopped wildlife meat, highlighting the continued challenges of cross-border wildlife smuggling in the region.
BENGALURU, India, May 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GameChange Solar, a leading global supplier of solar tracker and fixed-tilt racking technology, today announced a strategic partnership with First Solar, Inc. to support the deployment of domestically manufactured thin-film solar modules in India.
GameChange Partners with First Solar
The announcement builds on the successful execution of two utility-scale projects in India where First Solar’s modules have been deployed on GameChange Solar’s Genius Tracker™ systems. These projects have been operational for over a year, delivering uptime levels of approximately 99.8% and providing on-the-ground validation of the compatibility between First Solar’s modules and GameChange Solar’s tracker platform.
As India moves towards increased adoption of domestically manufactured solar modules under evolving regulatory frameworks such as the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) and Approved List of Cell Manufacturers (ALCM), the availability of compliant suppliers becomes a critical factor for project execution. With a limited pool of manufacturers able to meet these requirements, First Solar’s established manufacturing presence in India provides a clear advantage, helping reduce compliance-related uncertainty and mitigate supply chain risk for developers.
Over the past year, GameChange Solar has invested in R&D and engineering to ensure compatibility between its tracker systems and First Solar’s modules manufactured in India, including the Series 7 platform. This work goes beyond standard integration, with design optimization carried out specifically for GameChange Solar’s tracker architecture.
In addition, both companies are working together to further enhance system performance. The combination of First Solar’s modules with GameChange Solar’s tracking systems supports improved generation profiles, and ongoing efforts are focused on optimizing the generation curve for end customers.
“What we are seeing now is a shift in how projects are being designed. It is no longer just about module or tracker selection in isolation, but how the two work together to deliver consistent generation over the day. Our work with First Solar is focused on that integration, and the results we are seeing on operating projects reinforce the impact this can have on overall performance,” said Vikram Kenjale, Vice President – India, GameChange Solar.
“India has been an important market for First Solar for over a decade, and we continue to invest in building our manufacturing and supply capabilities here. As demand for domestically manufactured modules grows, collaborations like this help ensure that projects can be executed with greater certainty, backed by reliable supply and strong on-ground performance,” said Sujoy Ghosh, Vice President – Business Development, First Solar.
With both companies continuing to invest in the Indian market, this partnership is expected to play a key role in enabling the next phase of utility-scale solar deployment in the country.
About GameChange Solar
GameChange Solar is one of the top three global providers of solar tracker solutions used in utility-scale and ground-mounted distributed generation solar projects around the world. We have delivered over 63 GW of solar tracker and fixed tilt systems that combine fast installation, bankable quality, and unbeatable value through superior engineering, innovative design, and high-volume manufacturing. Our products enable solar panels at power plants to follow the sun’s movement across the sky and optimize plant performance while protecting the array from damaging weather conditions.
In India, GameChange Solar has been recognised as the leading solar tracker company in 2025, according to Mercom India’s Solar Market Leaderboard 2025.
For more information about GameChange Solar and its solar tracking solutions, visit www.gamechangesolar.com
Research outlines five shifts for funders and intermediaries to strengthen nonprofit impact.
SINGAPORE, May 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Seven in 10 nonprofit leaders surveyed across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore cite the lack of long-term, flexible funding as a critical challenge, leaving many organisations unable to invest in capacity or scale their impact, according to new research from The Bridgespan Group.
These findings come at a pivotal moment. While Southeast Asia has seen rapid growth in private wealth and philanthropic ambition, this has not translated into a stronger nonprofit sector equipped for sustained, scalable impact. At the same time, demand for nonprofit services is rising due to demographic shifts, climate pressures, and gaps in public systems.
Against this backdrop, Bridgespan’s research highlights the challenges nonprofits face on the ground as well as solutions.
“Nonprofits in Southeast Asia are a critical part of the region’s social fabric, serving as key partners in delivering essential services, informing policy, and catalysing social and climate innovation,” said Keeran Sivarajah, Bridgespan partner and co-author of the report. “Yet our research finds that many nonprofits operate with just enough resources to sustain day-to-day activities, but not enough to invest in innovation or develop the organisational strength needed to expand their impact.”
The report draws on a survey of more than 160 nonprofit leaders across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, alongside in-country workshops and interviews with sector stakeholders. It identifies systemic constraints that limit nonprofit effectiveness.
More than 40 percent reported having fewer than six months of operating reserves. Smaller nonprofits headquartered outside Java in Indonesia and Peninsular Malaysia are three to five times more likely to have fewer than three months of reserves.
“Nonprofits across Southeast Asia are not short on ambition – they are constrained by how funding flows and how the system supports them,” said Keeran. “Many have enough to keep going, but not enough to grow.”
The report outlines five shifts for funders, nonprofits, and intermediaries to unlock greater impact across the region, combining a clear diagnosis with practical, actionable steps:
Change the nature of funding to be long-term and flexible, enabling organisations to plan ahead and invest in core capabilities
Target investments to develop nonprofit leaders, staff, and boards, strengthening governance, management, and organisational effectiveness
Support smaller organisations and those based outside major cities, helping address geographic and structural inequities in funding and delivery
Establish shared data and support services, improving coordination, learning, and operational efficiency across the sector
Strengthen pathways for nonprofits and government to work together, enabling alignment on shared priorities and scaling impact
“These shifts are practical and achievable,” said Ying Yap, manager at Bridgespan and co-author of the report. “They reflect what nonprofit leaders themselves are asking for – investments not only in programmes, but in the strength of nonprofit organisations and the ecosystems that support them.”
The report calls on funders to adopt more flexible, trust-based approaches; on nonprofits to continue strengthening organisational practices and transparency; and on intermediaries to expand access to shared services, talent development, and data infrastructure.
“The window of opportunity is now,” said Pritha Venkatachalam, co-author and co-head, Asia and Africa, for Bridgespan. “Strengthening nonprofits is critical to effectively channel the region’s growing philanthropic capital to the most vulnerable communities. Our research points to a high return on investment in these shifts.”
The Bridgespan Group (bridgespan.org) is a global nonprofit that collaborates with social change organisations, philanthropists, and impact investors to make the world more equitable and just. Bridgespan’s services include strategy consulting and advising, sourcing and diligence, and leadership team support. We take what we learn from this work and build on it with original research, identifying best practices and innovative ideas to share with the social sector. We work from locations in Boston, Delhi, Johannesburg, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, and Washington, DC.
Research outlines five shifts for funders and intermediaries to strengthen nonprofit impact.
SINGAPORE, May 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Seven in 10 nonprofit leaders surveyed across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore cite the lack of long-term, flexible funding as a critical challenge, leaving many organisations unable to invest in capacity or scale their impact, according to new research from The Bridgespan Group.
These findings come at a pivotal moment. While Southeast Asia has seen rapid growth in private wealth and philanthropic ambition, this has not translated into a stronger nonprofit sector equipped for sustained, scalable impact. At the same time, demand for nonprofit services is rising due to demographic shifts, climate pressures, and gaps in public systems.
Against this backdrop, Bridgespan’s research highlights the challenges nonprofits face on the ground as well as solutions.
“Nonprofits in Southeast Asia are a critical part of the region’s social fabric, serving as key partners in delivering essential services, informing policy, and catalysing social and climate innovation,” said Keeran Sivarajah, Bridgespan partner and co-author of the report. “Yet our research finds that many nonprofits operate with just enough resources to sustain day-to-day activities, but not enough to invest in innovation or develop the organisational strength needed to expand their impact.”
The report draws on a survey of more than 160 nonprofit leaders across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, alongside in-country workshops and interviews with sector stakeholders. It identifies systemic constraints that limit nonprofit effectiveness.
More than 40 percent reported having fewer than six months of operating reserves. Smaller nonprofits headquartered outside Java in Indonesia and Peninsular Malaysia are three to five times more likely to have fewer than three months of reserves.
“Nonprofits across Southeast Asia are not short on ambition – they are constrained by how funding flows and how the system supports them,” said Keeran. “Many have enough to keep going, but not enough to grow.”
The report outlines five shifts for funders, nonprofits, and intermediaries to unlock greater impact across the region, combining a clear diagnosis with practical, actionable steps:
Change the nature of funding to be long-term and flexible, enabling organisations to plan ahead and invest in core capabilities
Target investments to develop nonprofit leaders, staff, and boards, strengthening governance, management, and organisational effectiveness
Support smaller organisations and those based outside major cities, helping address geographic and structural inequities in funding and delivery
Establish shared data and support services, improving coordination, learning, and operational efficiency across the sector
Strengthen pathways for nonprofits and government to work together, enabling alignment on shared priorities and scaling impact
“These shifts are practical and achievable,” said Ying Yap, manager at Bridgespan and co-author of the report. “They reflect what nonprofit leaders themselves are asking for – investments not only in programmes, but in the strength of nonprofit organisations and the ecosystems that support them.”
The report calls on funders to adopt more flexible, trust-based approaches; on nonprofits to continue strengthening organisational practices and transparency; and on intermediaries to expand access to shared services, talent development, and data infrastructure.
“The window of opportunity is now,” said Pritha Venkatachalam, co-author and co-head, Asia and Africa, for Bridgespan. “Strengthening nonprofits is critical to effectively channel the region’s growing philanthropic capital to the most vulnerable communities. Our research points to a high return on investment in these shifts.”
The Bridgespan Group (bridgespan.org) is a global nonprofit that collaborates with social change organisations, philanthropists, and impact investors to make the world more equitable and just. Bridgespan’s services include strategy consulting and advising, sourcing and diligence, and leadership team support. We take what we learn from this work and build on it with original research, identifying best practices and innovative ideas to share with the social sector. We work from locations in Boston, Delhi, Johannesburg, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, and Washington, DC.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2026 – The ECOVACS WINBOT is the world’s #1 bestselling robotic window cleaner, according to data from global market intelligence firm IDC. ECOVACS Robotics, a global leader in service robotics, pioneered this category in 2011 with the WINBOT 5 Series – the world’s first robotic window cleaner. ECOVACS’ “Created for Ease” philosophy led it to create the WINBOT to bring consumers a smarter, safer, and easier way to tackle window cleaning.
Keeping the large windows and expansive views in today’s modern homes crystal-clear can be risky, inconvenient, and labor-intensive. Windows are constantly exposed to dust, pollution, and severe weather. For those in high-rise buildings, cleaning exterior windows can be dangerous and requires expensive professional help. Manual cleaning often leaves streaks. Scrubbing large glass surfaces can be tiring. These challenges lead many to avoid cleaning their windows altogether.
Robotic window cleaners like the ECOVACS WINBOT help solve these pain points so users can enjoy clear views from edge to edge with ease. Consumer demand for them is surging, according to IDC, which found that the ECOVACS WINBOT was the world’s #1 selling robotic window cleaner in 2025.1 It has also been #1 in China for three consecutive years according to data from All View Cloud (AVC).
A Trusted Choice for Effortless Cleaning
ECOVACS is a pioneer in service robotics. Knowing that consumers want effortless smart home cleaning solutions beyond floor cleaning, it began developing robotic window cleaners 15 years ago. Since the first WINBOT, the line has undergone seven generations of core upgrades. Leveraging its R&D strengths, ECOVACS continually sets new industry benchmarks with innovative technologies that make window cleaning safer, faster and more convenient for users.
ECOVACS WINBOT’s innovations for enhanced cleaning performance are designed to effectively remove dust, rain stains, and pollution buildup. For example, ECOVACS’ TruEdge Technology is designed to clean edges and hard-to-reach corners — ensuring spotless, crystal-clear views — and its Three-nozzle Wide-angle Spray Technology enables a deeper clean.
Other innovations enhance convenience. The all-in-one OMNI Station is a control panel, charger, stabilizer, and portable storage space for the WINBOT and its accessories. It is also equipped with a safety rope with a tensile strength of up to 100KG. Other WINBOT safety features include optimized suction power, anti-drop protection, edge detection, smart navigation for obstacle avoidance, and insurance protection.
The ECOVACS WINBOT’s sales performance is also impressive. In 2025, its sales volume exceeded 1 million units, with cumulative global sales surpassing 2.6 million units.
From entry-level to premium models, ECOVACS offers a diverse WINBOT product portfolio across different markets to meet users’ needs for taking care of various glass surfaces, including glass panels, balcony glass, and shower screens. The ECOVACS WINBOT family revolutionizes window cleaning with cutting-edge technologies that bring users a high-performance, convenient and hassle-free experience that ensures crystal-clear views with absolute peace-of-mind.
Revenue expanded 9.4% YoY, EPS more than tripled, dividend yield increased substantially
TAIPEI, May 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — World Gym Corporation (TWSE: 2762) (“World Gym” or the “Company”), the owner of the iconic World Gym brand with more than 280 locations worldwide, highlights its financial results for the first quarter of 2026 and invites investors to attend its upcoming online results conference hosted by Fubon Securities.
Q1 2026 Financial Highlights
Net Profit: NT$219 million (US$6.93 million), up 31.3% QoQ and 344.7% YoY
Gross Margin: 21.78%, up 1 ppt QoQ and 6.2 ppts YoY
Operating Margin: 10.69%, up 2.1 ppts QoQ and 7 ppts YoY
Earnings Per Share: NT$2.01
Cash Dividend Approved: NT$3.64 per share
Total revenue increased 9.38% YoY to NT$2.81 billion (US$88.88 million), while net income rose 3.45x YoY, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of significant EPS growth and a new single-quarter record since the Company’s TWSE listing.
The Board approved a Q1 dividend consisting of NT$1.81 per share from earnings and NT$1.83 per share from capital reserve.
Chairman John Caraccio commented:
“World Gym delivered an exceptional start to 2026 with record EPS, significant margin expansion, and a strong shareholder return profile. Following the successful completion of our strategic transition last year, we remain highly confident in our growth momentum and are entering the summer season with strong demand and expanding profitability.”
Note: Based on a USD/TWD exchange rate of 31.63
2026 Q1 Financial Results Report (Unit: NT$ K)
Item
2026 Q1
2025 Q4
QoQ%
2025Q1
YoY%
Operating Revenues
2,811,384
2,878,482
(2.33)
2,570,357
9.38
Gross Profit
612,346
598,142
2.37
399,678
53.21
Income before tax
268,722
214,776
25.12
62,116
332.61
Net Income
219,155
166,896
31.31
49,281
344.70
Growth Outlook
World Gym expects continued momentum driven by:
• Plans to open 12–15 new locations in 2026 targeting high-return markets • Nationwide rollout of one-on-one and small-group Pilates programs • Launch of an AI-driven health management platform in Q3 2026
Investor Conference Details
Fubon Securities will host World Gym’s management on an online investor conference to discuss Q1 results and outlook.
Date: June 11, 2026 Time: 14:30 Taiwan Time (02:30 AM ET) Host: Fubon Securities Format: Online webcast
Registration details will be announced by Fubon Securities and materials and replay will be made available on World Gym’s investor relations website.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding future growth, expansion plans, new product launches, expected performance, dividend policy, and management’s outlook. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may affect future results include economic conditions, market competition, regulatory developments, consumer demand, and the Company’s ability to execute its growth strategy. World Gym Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
About World Gym Corporation
World Gym Corporation is Taiwan’s largest fitness chain, operating 145 locations. In 2024, it acquired World Gym International, securing the iconic World Gym brand and global operating rights, establishing itself as a global fitness leader. With a franchise network spanning 10 countries and 286 locations, it serves 900,000 members. The company continues to empower individuals worldwide to achieve their fitness goals and live healthier lives through state-of-the-art facilities, innovative programs, and technology-driven solutions.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2026 – In the rapidly evolving logistics landscape of 2026, precision and speed define the ultimate prerequisites for high-value essentials. Leveraging Hong Kong’s unparalleled “geographical superpower”, the ability to reach half the world’s population within a five-hour flight, Cathay Cargo is reinforcing the aviation gateway for the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the global market through its specialized Cold Chain Logistics by integrating Cathay Fresh and Cathay Pharma solutions.
Cathay Fresh: Seamless Intermodal Connectivity
The Airport Authority Hong Kong’s Air-Land Fresh Lane (ALFL) initiative has enabled Cathay Cargo to create a seamless intermodal cold chain link for premium perishables, such as live seafood and seasonal fruits, into the Greater Bay Area. Under a single air waybill, these shipments travel seamlessly from overseas via HKIA directly to the GBA within a unified cold chain ecosystem.
The ALFL’s strategic brilliance lies in its simplified import process: by utilizing a specialized transshipment certificate, shipments bypass complex re-registration on the Chinese Mainland and access refrigerated Customs facilities in Zhuhai directly. This ecosystem ensures end-to-end integrity: products are protected by “Cool Dollies” on the tarmac before being transferred to GPS-tracked, temperature-controlled trucks. This streamlined process significantly accelerates delivery, ensuring nutrient density and food security for consumers.
Cathay Pharma: Technical Excellence in Life Sciences
As pharmaceutical products demand absolute thermal stability, Cathay Pharma offers a technical vanguard and sets the industry benchmark for life sciences. Operating the largest dedicated Pharma Handling Centre at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), Cathay Pharma supports four distinct temperature ranges (FRO, COL, CRT, ERT) and offers Asia’s most extensive selection of cool containers through six strategic partners.
The key to this reliability is Ultra Track, a near-real-time data-logging system that empowers shippers with full visibility into cargo status and enables proactive interventions. With over 70 qualified pharma handling stations globally, Cathay Pharma ensures that life-saving vaccines and biologics maintain their efficacy throughout the journey.
An Integrated Total Cold Chain Vision
Cathay Cargo offers a Total Cold Chain Solution tailored to distinct temperature-sensitive sectors. By applying IATA CEIV Fresh-assured protocols to perishables and utilizing world-class pharmaceutical facilities that meet IATA CEIV Pharma requirements for life sciences. Cathay Cargo ensures that every temperature-sensitive shipment, whether premium seafood or critical medicine, meets the highest global standards for safety and integrity.
Hashtag: #CathayCargo #ColdChainLogistics
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
New research commissioned by Bupa highlights how creative activities like art can help people process and share health experiences, with 85% agreeing creativity can support mental and physical health
The research coincides with Bupa’s Express Your Health campaign featuring health stories from creators and storytellers worldwide, including Hong Kong artist Sophia Hotung
Bupa is encouraging people to take 30 minutes to get creative and express a health story. People in Hong Kong can also submit their creations to join a growing global collection on Express Your Health
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2026 – New research commissioned by Bupa (a survey of 4,000 adults in the UK, Spain and Australia) found that while 85% recognised that hobbies like drawing, doodling, painting or crafts can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing, 55% of those who don’t make time for creative activities said they can’t remember the last time they did any (and among those who could remember, 35% said it was more than a year ago). The survey points to a broader challenge many people face in making time for creativity as part of overall wellbeing. Almost half (47%) of people don’t spend any time on creative activities, with around a quarter quoting lack of time (24%), lack of inspiration (26%) and tiredness after work (28%) as some of the biggest barriers.
As part of Bupa’s Express Your Health campaign, the hand-painted mural on London’s Southbank brings together powerful health stories expressed through art by more than 20 creators from around the world.
The findings spotlight a strong yet often overlooked connection between creativity and health and coincide with the launch of Express Your Health – Bupa’s new campaign celebrating creativity as a powerful way to share health experiences and encouraging people to open up so they can feel less alone and empowered to seek care.
Contributors include Hong Kong-based digital artist Sophia Hotung, who shares her story of autoimmune relapse and how art gave her a way to express and make sense of her experiences with illness. Other creators include Olympic diver Tom Daley, Paralympian Richard Whitehead and Australian Football League player Cody Weightman. The mural represents stories spanning fertility, sickle cell, diabetes, anxiety, ageing, grief, and more, showing how art can express the physical, mental and emotional sides of health.
Sophia Hotung, who created a piece of artwork for the campaign, said,“For me, art is a way to express and understand my life experiences, which include moments of disability, limitation, and illness. After autoimmune relapses left me bedbound, I taught myself digital art, transforming what was isolation and hopelessness into a creative practice on my own terms. Digital art enables and empowers me to create, even when my body is limited. Entering that flow state of creation allows me both to escape and ground myself through stretches of joy and difficulty. I love that this campaign facilitates authentic creative expression about and through illness and I’m proud to work with Bupa to show others the powerful and positive impact of art on wellness.”
Global studies are increasingly showing that even short bursts of creativity can benefit health. 30–45 minutes of activities like art, regardless of skill, has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, with measurable drops in physiological markers of stress including the hormone cortisol.[1] Other research shows art can support mental wellbeing[2] and help people process life experiences and emotions[3].
Fiona Bosman, Group Brand Director, said, “This work highlights something we see globally: when people are given the space to share their health experiences, it can be transformative. Through this campaign, we’re encouraging people to express themselves creatively, because when words are hard to find, creativity can help us process, communicate and connect, and ultimately take greater control of our health.”
Bupa is inviting people around the world to share their health story through creativity and be part of a growing global collection on the campaign site Express Your Health. People in Hong Kong can also take part by submitting their own creative expression to the online collection. Tips and prompts are available to help people get started with a simple 30-minute creative activity.
***
The research was carried out by Opinium. 4,000 people were surveyed online in the UK, Spain and Australia. Quotas were set to ensure respondents were nationally representative of age (18+), gender and region for each country. Fieldwork took place between 13-20 April 2026.
Notes to editors
Partner and contributor background information, supporting research sources and the full list of campaign contributors are available on request.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Bupa – An international health insurance specialist
Established in 1947, Bupa’s purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We are an international healthcare company serving over 68 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers. Bupa has businesses around the world, principally in Australia, the UK, Spain, Poland, Chile, Hong Kong SAR, India, Türkiye, Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia.
Bupa has been a health insurance specialist in Hong Kong since 1976, offering one-stop solutions across domestic and international health insurance, and healthcare services. Our comprehensive medical insurance schemes are tailored to meet individual needs, and we provide health solutions for companies of all sizes. We also have a team of registered nurses, health management professionals, and doctors who provide various expert healthcare support.
Our healthcare provision arm, Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS), became part of Bupa in October 2013. QHMS offers Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diagnostics & Imaging, Physiotherapy, Mental Health and Wellness services via a network of over 1,650 provider service points in Hong Kong.
www.bupa.com.hk/en/
