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Trip.com Kicks Off Winter Travel Season with EOFY Mega Sale and Massive Flight Perks

SYDNEY, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trip.com, the global travel service provider, has officially launched its End of Financial Year (EOFY) Mega Sale, kicking off the winter travel season in style. From the week commencing 9 June 2026, Aussie travellers can access weekly rolling discounts, flash sales, and coupon drops designed to turn dream holidays into an affordable reality.


The EOFY Mega Sale is a chance to save big across flights, hotels, and travel essentials—with four big weekly drops starting from 9 June.

EOFY Mega Sale Calendar:

  • Week 1 (9 June) — Travel Essentials Launch: Up to 50% off coupons for attractions and eSIMs, a free eSIM coupon (valued up to $2), 30% off car hire coupon, plus Buy 1 Get 1 Free offers on selected attractions
  • Week 2 (16 June) — Hotel Mega Deals: Up to 70% off hotel coupons in addition to flash sales on accommodation from $9 per night
  • Week 3 (23 June) — Flight Frenzy:
    • $29 domestic flights between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide
    • $109 flights from Perth to Bali
    • $149 flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Bali and Ho Chi Minh City
    • Up to 50% off flight coupons
  • Week 4 (30 June) — Last Chance Deals: Final opportunity to secure the month’s best travel bargains before the financial year closes.

Even Bigger Savings – Partner Airlines & Airports

Alongside the EOFY Mega Sale, Trip.com has teamed up with leading airlines and airports to deliver significant direct savings for Australians travelling overseas.


  • This Is China: From today to 27 July, snag up to $100 off on flights from Sydney to China, valid across premium carriers including China Southern, China Eastern, Air China, and more. Flash sales are also available for flights from Sydney to Shanghai at $189 on 9 June and 7 July, and the same price also applies for flights from Sydney to Beijing on 23 June and 21 July.
  • Brisbane Airport – Take Off To Asia: Queenslanders can score $50 off flights heading into Asia’s popular hubs from today until 14 June.
  • Fly with Batik Air: Discover Southeast Asia with up to $100 off flights from Sydney to destinations across Indonesia and Malaysia.
  • Premium Global Airline Savings:Enjoy an instant $100 off for bookings with Malaysia Airlines with more airline partner discounts to be announced in due course.

Don’t Miss Out – Get Ready Now

Download the Trip.com app now to grab these limited-time offers.

Terms and Conditions apply. All promotional offers are available on a first-come, first-served basis within the specified period and while stocks last. Please note that all deals are in AEST time.

For more information, please visit https://au.trip.com/.

About Trip.com

Trip.com is an international one-stop travel service provider, available in 27 languages across 48 countries and regions in 44 local currencies. Offering an extensive hotel and flight network of more than 1.7 million hotels and flights from over 680 airlines, along with over 350,000 in-destination activities, Trip.com covers 3,500 airports in 220 countries and regions. Trip.com‘s world-class 24/7 multilingual customer service helps to ‘create the best travel experience’ for its millions of customers worldwide. To book your next trip, visit Trip.com.

Mabwell’s 9MW5211 Receives IND Clearance from NMPA for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

SHANGHAI, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mabwell (688062.SH, 02493.HK), an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company with a fully integrated industry chain, announced that its independently developed innovative antibody drug 9MW5211 has received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct clinical trials for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 9MW5211 is the first candidate drug for its target to enter clinical stage globally.

9MW5211 is a highly specific, depleting, and innovative antibody independently developed by Mabwell, designed to precisely intervene in the key pathological mechanisms mediated by abnormal immune cells in autoimmune diseases. The abnormal activation and tissue infiltration of immune cells act as the core driving factors in the occurrence and development of various autoimmune diseases. The target molecule of 9MW5211 is specifically expressed on the surface of pathogenic immune cells and serves as a vital biological marker of their abnormal activation. By selectively recognizing and depleting this population of pathogenic cells, 9MW5211 can effectively block the immune cascade, thereby delaying disease progression and ameliorating clinical symptoms.

Through multiple rounds of molecular engineering optimization, 9MW5211 has demonstrated excellent target selectivity. While achieving efficient blockade, it significantly mitigates the risk of non-specific binding, ensuring deep depletion of pathogenic cells highly expressing the target protein. Such a unique mechanism of action is expected to not only bring deeper disease remission but also potentially support an extended dosing interval, thereby enhancing patient compliance and quality of life.

Preclinical study results have demonstrated that 9MW5211 exhibits significant therapeutic potential in various mouse models of autoimmune diseases, suggesting its future clinical application may cover multiple major indications. Safety evaluations conducted in cynomolgus monkey models have shown a favorable safety profile.

Previously, 9MW5211 has received clearance from FDA to conduct clinical trials for IBD in the US. Its clinical trial applications for multiple indications, including multiple sclerosis (MS), have been accepted by the NMPA. Clinical trial applications for more indications are also being actively advanced.

About Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic, relapsing, immune-mediated disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, which primarily includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The number of IBD cases globally has been steadily increasing. Epidemiological studies indicate that the number of newly diagnosed IBD patients worldwide rose from 5.90 million in 2019 to 7.00 million in 2023, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The number of newly diagnosed IBD patients globally is projected to reach 11.50 million by 2032, with a CAGR of 5.6% from 2023 to 2032

About Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory damage to the protective myelin sheaths surrounding the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. The number of MS patients globally increased from 2.80 million cases in 2020 to 3.00 million cases in 2024, and is projected to reach approximately 3.50 million cases by 2035. In China, the number of MS patients increased from 32,800 cases in 2020 to 33,900 cases in 2024, and is expected to reach 35,500 cases by 2035.

About Mabwell

Mabwell (688062.SH, 02493.HK) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company with capabilities spanning the entire pharmaceutical value chain. The company is committed to providing more effective and accessible therapies to meet global medical needs, with a focus on oncology and aging-related diseases. Mabwell’s mission is “Explore Life, Benefit Health” and its vision is “Innovation, from Ideas to Reality.” For more information, please visit www.mabwell.com/en.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the potential safety, efficacy, regulatory review or approval and commercial success of our product candidates and those relating to the Company’s product development, clinical studies, clinical and regulatory milestones and timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statements that are predictive in nature. “Forward-looking statements” are statements that are not historical facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms.

Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, including, but not limited to: environment; politic; economy; society; legislation; our dependence on our product candidates, most of which are still in preclinical or various stages of clinical development; our reliance on third-party vendors, such as contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing; our ability to complete required clinical trials for our product candidates and obtain approval from regulatory authorities for our product candidates; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel. In case one or more of these risks or uncertainties deteriorate, or any assumptions are incorrect, the actual results may be seriously inconsistent with the stated results.

The Company cautions all the persons not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any obligation, except as specifically required by law and the rules of the applicable Stock authority to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking descriptions, figures and assumptions in this press release are applicable to this statement.

SEMI Reports Global Semiconductor Equipment Billings Increased 14% Year-Over-Year in Q1 2026

Record Quarterly Equipment Billings Reflect Continued AI-Driven Investment

MILPITAS, Calif., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SEMI, the industry association serving the global semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, today announced in its Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) report that global semiconductor equipment billings increased 14% year-over-year to US$36.55 billion in the first quarter of 2026. First quarter 2026 billings registered a 1% quarter-over-quarter growth.

Record quarterly billings were driven by continued AI-related investment, including capacity expansion and technology upgrades supporting leading-edge logic, DRAM, and advanced packaging.

“The strong start to 2026 reflects continued industry investment in the capacity and infrastructure needed to support AI-driven semiconductor growth,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI President and CEO. “Record first-quarter billings highlight ongoing momentum in leading-edge manufacturing and advanced packaging.”

Compiled from data submitted by members of SEMI and the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), the WWSEMS report is a summary of the monthly billings figures for the global semiconductor equipment industry. 

The following are quarterly billings data in billions of U.S. dollars, with quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year changes by region:

About SEMI Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS)

The Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) from SEMI provides comprehensive market data for the global semiconductor equipment market. A subscription includes three reports:

  • Monthly SEMI North American Billings Report, an early perspective of equipment market trends
  • Monthly Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics(WWSEMS), a detailed report of semiconductor equipment billings for seven regions and more than 22 market segments
  • Bi-annual Total Semiconductor Equipment Forecast – OEM Perspective, an outlook for the semiconductor equipment market

Download a sample EMDS report.

For more information about the report or to subscribe, please contact the SEMI Market Intelligence Team at mktstats@semi.org. More details are also available on the SEMI Market Data webpage.

Follow SEMI Market Intelligence

Follow SEMI 

About SEMI

SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 4,000 companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.

Association Contacts
Sherrie Gutierrez/SEMI
Phone: 1-831-889-3800
Email: sgutierrez@semi.org

Stephanie Quinn/Bodewell Group (Media Inquiries)
Phone: 1-480-316-8370
Email: squinn@bodewellgroup.com

Semiconductor Equipment Billings By Region
Semiconductor Equipment Billings By Region

Semiconductor Equipment Market Revenue by Region
Semiconductor Equipment Market Revenue by Region

Optellum Celebrates Accelerating Impact in Lung Cancer Care; Now at Over 250 Sites and Growing

OXFORD, United Kingdom and HOUSTON, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Optellum, a leader in AI-enabled lung cancer diagnostics, today announced that it has surpassed 250 clinical sites and analyzed more than 3 million cases to date. This milestone underscores Optellum’s commitment to empowering health systems and clinical care teams with the tools needed to identify, prioritize, and manage high-risk lung nodules more effectively. This commercial momentum is supported by first-of-their-kind partnerships across major markets, including with Bristol Myers Squibb in the US, and with the NHS and Intuitive Surgical to support end-to-end AI & robot lung cancer pathways in the UK. It is also reflected in established and new customer deployments at leading health systems, including the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Oxford University Hospitals.

Optellum's impact in numbers
Optellum’s impact in numbers

The scale of Optellum’s impact is accelerating rapidly, and the company is now helping one patient every 14 seconds. Optellum pioneered the world’s first FDA-cleared, CE-marked, and Medicare-reimbursed AI solution for image-based lung cancer risk stratification – Lung Cancer Prediction (LCP) AI, under the CPT codes 0721T and 0722T. LCP AI is helping to reduce the uncertainty associated with indeterminate lung nodules, ensuring that no nodule patient is left behind. Further, the wraparound Virtual Nodule Clinic (VNC) solution supports guideline-aligned decisions and has been shown to improve clinicians’ efficiency while reducing time to recommended treatment.[1]

This growth reflects a broader shift toward the adoption of evidence-based innovation in thoracic care. Optellum continues to expand LungOS, its end-to-end AI-powered lung health platform, powered by the world’s first Thorax CT Foundation Model built for real-world precision lung care. This foundation model is the only model in the world to leverage DART, the world’s largest lung cancer CT dataset. LungOSbrings VNC together with modules for triage and detection,[2] diagnostic support,[3] and therapy guidance.[4] Looking ahead, Optellum is poised to expand its clinical suite with the upcoming European launch of LungDetect, an exciting addition designed to simplify and accelerate nodule identification and characterization.

“Optellum is incredibly proud to be helping more health systems and clinicians provide timely, life-saving care to a growing number of patients,” said Dr. Johnathan Watkins, Optellum’s CEO. “Reaching 250 sites and analyzing millions of cases each year is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our clinical partners. However, we are just getting started; we continue to build LungOS into the must-have “operating system” for lung cancer and thoracic care more broadly. We invite the global healthcare community to join us on our mission to help solve lung cancer by ensuring early diagnosis and early intervention become the standard for everyone everywhere.”

Results from Optellum’s continued growth and real-world clinical use will continue to be shared with clinicians, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to reach the broader goal of improving outcomes for every thoracic care team, in every hospital, for every patient.

About Optellum

Optellum is a commercial-stage AI healthcare company dedicated to revolutionizing early diagnosis and treatment of lung disease, starting with one of the deadliest, lung cancer.

Optellum is building LungOS, the end-to-end AI-powered platform for thoracic care. Its flagship product, Virtual Nodule Clinic (VNC) with Lung Cancer Prediction AI (LCP), is the world’s first FDA-cleared and reimbursed software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD) solution for AI-powered lung cancer prioritization and diagnostic support. Clinicians trust the Optellum solution to aid them in making the most appropriate life-saving treatment decisions for their patients. Backed by real-world clinical evidence, Optellum’s solution accelerates the diagnostic care pathway by enabling early patient identification, enhancing prioritization, and improving clinicians’ efficiency, reducing time to guideline-recommended treatment. Optellum VNC is FDA cleared, CE-MDR marked, UKCA marked, and TGA-approved.

Optellum is headquartered in Oxford, UK, and has an office in Houston, Texas, US.

[1] Hill NR et al. Employment of artificial intelligence for early lung cancer diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open Respiratory Research. 2025;12: e003225. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2025-003225

[2] Both text-based detection with Patient Discovery and Patient Safety Net as well as image-based detection. Product availability depends on your region, please contact Optellum for more information.

[3] Commercially available in the US, EU/UK, and Australia.

[4] Pending; for research use only

Media Contact

marketing@optellum.com

Kiwi-Born Legal AI Company Ivo Partners with New Zealand Football as Global Expansion Accelerates

The partnership unites two organizations with New Zealand roots and growing global profiles at a moment when both are expanding their presence on the international stage

SAN FRANCISCO and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ivo, the leading platform for AI contract intelligence, today announced a partnership with New Zealand Football to become the Official Legal AI Partner of the All Whites, New Zealand’s men’s national team.

The collaboration reflects Ivo’s continued connection to its New Zealand origins as the company expands its global footprint. Founded in Auckland and now headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps global enterprises, including Meta, Uber, IBM, Shopify, and Mitsubishi Electric, accelerate contract workflows and surface critical business intelligence locked inside their contract portfolios.

As part of the partnership, Ivo branding will appear on the front of the All Whites’ training and press kit as the team prepares to compete on the sport’s biggest international stage, as well as across select New Zealand Football initiatives. New Zealand Football will exclusively use Ivo’s contract intelligence platform to draft, review, and analyze all their teams’ agreements.

The announcement arrives alongside a wave of global momentum for Ivo, which has grown ARR sixfold in the last 12 months and has recently opened offices in London and New York.

“As a New Zealand-founded company, we know what it takes to build something and take it to the world stage,” said Min-Kyu Jung, CEO and co-founder of Ivo. “Standing with the All Whites as they prepare for one of the most significant moments in the program’s history is something we’re really proud of.”

Andrew Pragnell, Chief Executive of New Zealand Football, said: “Ivo is a real Kiwi success story of a company taking on the world, and that’s exactly what we strive to do every time our national teams step onto the field. It’s exciting to partner with a New Zealand-founded company experiencing strong global growth while remaining connected to its roots. We look forward to working together and supporting each other’s continued success.”

About Ivo
Ivo is an enterprise-grade AI-powered contract intelligence platform that enables legal and business teams to move faster, reduce risk, and unlock revenue by turning contracts into actionable business intelligence. Founded in New Zealand and headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps organizations surface risk instantly, accelerate negotiation cycles, and remove bottlenecks across the contract lifecycle. Customers include leading global enterprises and high-growth companies across multiple industries.

About New Zealand Football
New Zealand Football oversees the beautiful game in Aotearoa New Zealand. From a player’s first experience of football at a young age through the development pathway to national competitions, refereeing, coaching, administration, and ultimately representing New Zealand on the international stage, New Zealand Football supports every level of the game.

Football is the largest team participation sport in the country, with more than 180,000 registered players in 2025.

New Zealand Football manages national men’s and women’s football, futsal, and eFootball leagues and cup competitions.

As the highest-ranked member association in the Oceania Football Confederation, New Zealand Football runs 10 national team programmes, including the men’s national team, the All Whites, and the women’s national team, the Ford Football Ferns.

Members of the All Whites wearing training kit featuring Ivo branding following the announcement of a new partnership between Ivo and New Zealand Football.
Members of the All Whites wearing training kit featuring Ivo branding following the announcement of a new partnership between Ivo and New Zealand Football.

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ivo_logo_full_ivy_2x_logo.jpg
Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tim_payne_nzf_3a.jpg

AIP Capital Announces Matt Stevens as Managing Director, Americas

STAMFORD, Conn. and SINGAPORE and DUBLIN and NEW YORK, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AIP Capital, an alternative investment manager focused on opportunities in asset-based finance today announced that it has expanded its team appointing Matt Stevens as Managing Director to lead AIP’s commercial efforts in the Americas.

“We are excited to formally announce Matt joining to bolster AIP’s commercial efforts and AIP’s ability to serve regional and global industry clients across the firm’s client base” said Jared Ailstock, Managing Partner at AIP Capital. “Matt brings deep experience and a track record in aircraft financing, sales, leasing and partnering with airline customers over more than 15 years.”

Matt Stevens commented, “I’m honored to join AIP Capital and look forward to serving our valued airline customers across the Americas, strengthening our partnerships, and delivering bespoke fleet and financing solutions that support their long-term success.”

Prior to joining AIP Capital, Matt served as Vice President, Marketing for Air Lease Corporation where he was responsible for leading origination with airlines across the Americas and Spain. Matt received a Bachelor of Arts from The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a Master of Business Administration from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and is a FAA licensed pilot.

About AIP Capital

AIP Capital (AIP) is a global alternative investment manager focused on opportunities in asset-based finance including aviation and equipment finance. AIP, together with its affiliates, manages approximately $7.5 billion of assets on behalf of a diversified global investor base. The AIP team is comprised of over 70 experienced professionals across AIP’s offices in Stamford, New York City, Dublin, Singapore, Seoul & Tokyo.

For more information about AIP Capital or to speak with company executives, please contact investor.relations@aipcapital.com.

Media Contacts
AIP Capital
Geoffrey Bayers
investor.relations@aipcapital.com

Stanford University Libraries Welcome Two New Assistant University Librarians

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stanford University Libraries are excited to announce two new members to its leadership team effective June 1. Sarah Sussman will join as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in the Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences, and Alma Parada will serve as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in Sciences and Engineering.

“Both Sarah and Alma will be wonderful additions to the Libraries’ leadership team known as the Library Executive Group,” says Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian. “As AULs for Collections and Public Services, they will oversee one of the largest areas in the Libraries covering collections management and public services across twenty libraries and centers. Their incredible talents, skills, and contributions to the Libraries over the years are attestments to the leadership they will bring to their new roles. I am thrilled to welcome such remarkable leaders to our Library Executive Group.”

Sarah Sussman: Leading Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences

Sussman started at the Libraries in 2002 as Curator of the French and Italian Collections soon after finishing her PhD in History at Stanford. During her tenure, she developed both the general and special collections in French and Italian focusing on women in France and Italy, history of science and exploration, 18th century French literature and history, and the French empire. Notably, in 2020, she led the acquisition of the Roxane Debuisson Collection on Paris History, a unique and extensive collection documenting the history of Paris through its infrastructure and commerce. The Debuisson Collection is widely used by Stanford faculty today.

James P. Daughton, Professor of History, praises Sussman’s role in bringing the collection to Stanford, “Without her determination and leadership, Stanford would not have been able to acquire what is one of the finest private collections in the history of France. In addition to [being] a formidable researcher, she has curated a collection of primary sources that has made Stanford an internationally recognized center for its collections related to French history, culture, and society.”

Adds Keith Baker, the J. E. Wallace Sterling Professor of the Humanities, “Sarah Sussman is a superb librarian – knowledgeable, curious, resourceful, generous in support of student and faculty research, and deeply committed to strengthening the collections under her care.”

In 2011, Sussman became the head of the International and Area Studies Resource Group, later reconfigured as the Humanities and Area Studies Resource Group (HASRG) in 2017. Leading the HASRG has provided Sussman a natural step forward to her AUL role. “I am excited to build on my curatorial and management experience in a more strategic role as AUL for Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences Collections and Services,” shares Sussman. “Guiding my vision is the belief that research and teaching in the global humanities and social sciences are more critical than ever in today’s complicated world. I look forward to working with colleagues across the libraries to address the challenges that new technologies and research methodologies offer Stanford’s amazing subject librarians and collections in these fields.”

Sussman’s colleagues are equally excited for her new role. Benjamin Stone, Curator for American and British History, remarks, “Sarah has excelled at building, maintaining, and exposing unique collections at SUL, including rare books and manuscripts, while at the same time staying abreast of technological developments and innovation. At a national and international level, Sarah’s long engagement and leadership in the European Studies Section of ACRL exemplifies her commitment to building collaborative relationships with libraries far and wide. The Libraries and the broader Stanford community are highly fortunate to have Sarah’s leadership as incoming AUL for Humanities and Social Sciences.”

Alma Parada: Leading Sciences and Engineering

Parada’s journey to the Libraries echoes that of Sussman’s, coming to Stanford in 2016 as a postdoctoral scholar in Marine Biology after receiving her PhD in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from the University of Southern California in 2015. She started as the Earth and Environmental Sciences Librarian in 2021, a role she retained when she became Head Librarian for the Branner Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections in 2024.

In her dual roles, Parada managed one of the most comprehensive libraries in the Earth Sciences with its vast holdings in geophysics, energy, climate, and geology, along with its renowned map collections and the GeoSpatial Map Center housed in Branner Library. In 2022, she skillfully navigated Branner Library during the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences’ transformation to the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, continuing Branner Library’s support of faculty and students in these new departments.

Faculty and colleagues from across the Doerr School have praised Parada’s role in leading Branner Library and welcome her appointment as AUL. Stephan Graham, the Welton Joseph and Maude L’Anphere Crook Professor in Applied Earth Sciences, states, “Dr. Parada has fully met my expectations as Branner Head Librarian. Her background as a Ph.D. holder in Biological Sciences has given her a fundamental understanding of what a nationally recognized Earth library needs to maintain and advance its quality.”

Simon Klemperer, Professor of Geophysics, notes Parada’s enthusiastic work with students in particular. “Every year,” he recounts, “I teach our capstone Senior Seminar to Geophysics and EPS (formerly Geology) students [and have…] found great value in bringing Alma into my classroom to teach the undergraduates how to take advantage of our library system, how to find and properly utilize resources in their own research.” 

While both acknowledge the loss Parada’s departure will be for Branner Library and the Doerr School, they are pleased that she will not be too far away in her AUL role. “The silver lining to Alma’s promotion is that she will still be responsible for Branner, and that, as a faculty member, I can be reassured that she will mentor her successor and keep a watchful eye over her former branch library,” adds Klemperer.

Parada will bring her extensive research background into this next chapter with the Libraries, “I am delighted to continue my journey at Stanford in this new leadership role and look forward to working with my colleagues to continue evolving our support of science and engineering research and scholarship in partnership with the entire team across the Libraries,” says Parada.

Amanda Whitmire, Head Librarian for Hopkins Marine Library, concurs, “Alma has shown consistent growth and development as Head of Branner Library, and I am confident in her leadership. I look forward to collaborating with her in this new role.”

As AUL in their respective areas, both Sussman and Parada will oversee collections development and public services including reference, instruction, and research consultations across multiple libraries and centers. They will also retain some aspects of their current roles. Sussman will continue to develop the Libraries’ holdings of French rarities and unicae for the Department of Special Collections while Parada will consider and oversee the addition of digital items, collections, and licensing for Stanford’s researchers in the sciences, engineering, and sustainability.

Together, they will lead teams of subject specialist librarians and staff who serve faculty and students across Stanford’s schools and departments. In their AUL roles, they will shape strategic priorities for building world-class collections in both digital and analog formats, developing innovative services, and fostering partnerships with academic departments to advance Stanford’s teaching and research missions.

These appointments reflect Stanford University Libraries’ commitment to supporting research across all disciplines while responding to the evolving needs of scholarship in the 21st century. With combined expertise spanning humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields, Sussman and Parada are well-positioned to lead Stanford University Libraries in these areas to support the research and teaching needs at Stanford.

About Stanford University Libraries
The Stanford University Libraries are a dynamic network of libraries, librarians, information technology specialists, and a vast collection of academic resources that are dedicated to supporting research, teaching, and learning at Stanford.  The Libraries hold over fifteen million items in various genres and formats, including e-resources, fifty subject specialists, twenty campus libraries and centers, and a broad spectrum of services. The Libraries’ archival collections span 96,000 linear feet of materials, 329,781 rare books and manuscripts, and 300 terabytes from hundreds of local and distant collections. The holdings include a large and growing collection of artistic photographs as well as photographs and documents about the history of civil rights in the Mexican American, African American, and Asian American communities, such as the documentary photographic collections of Bob Fitch and David Bacon. There are also political papers of both local and state politicians, such as the recently acquired papers of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein; historical maps featured in the David Rumsey Map Collection; and the incredibly diverse history covered in the Silicon Valley Archives. These archival collections and more are available at the Libraries in the Department of Special Collections and in the Stanford Digital Repository.  Finding aids to the Libraries’ archival collections are accessible in the Online Archive of California. The Libraries’ physical and digital spaces are designed to promote freedom and discovery, making knowledge-seeking more meaningful, more personal, and more connected than ever.  The opportunities for contributing to and transforming the commonwealth of knowledge are wide and deep at Stanford University Libraries.

Contact
Stanford University Libraries, Assistant University Librarian for External Relations Anh Ly anhly@stanford.edu

Sarah Sussman, the new AUL for Collections and Public Services in the Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences
Sarah Sussman, the new AUL for Collections and Public Services in the Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences

 

Alma Parada, the new AUL for Collections and Public Services in Sciences and Engineering
Alma Parada, the new AUL for Collections and Public Services in Sciences and Engineering

 

FROM DUPLANTIS TO PALTRINIERI, FAIR PLAY MENARINI KICKS OFF ITS 30TH EDITION

ROME, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — There are those who have conquered the world with an unforgettable feat, and those who have made their entire careers a model of loyalty and respect. These are the stars of the 30th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award, whose winners were announced today in the Hall of Honour of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

Press conference presenting the 30th Fair Play Menarini International Award
Press conference presenting the 30th Fair Play Menarini International Award

From football to swimming, fencing and Paralympic skiing, as well as athletics, basketball, speed skating and volleyball: the 2026 edition of the Award brings together champions who have thrilled fans and sports enthusiasts around the world and who also continue to leave their mark outside the field of competition.

“We are delighted to be gathered here in the CONI Hall of Honour, a place steeped in the history of Italian sport and its values, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Fair Play Menarini Award. Thirty years is a significant milestone; it is history: a path built on solid foundations that has honoured many champions – says Luciano Buonfiglio, President of CONI – I’m particularly pleased today because three very young people are being honoured – a message that is more than just about medals. They demonstrate ethics, respect and integrity – important values to be upheld and promoted. These three young people are a fine example of this.”

Among the standout names of the 30th edition is Armand Duplantis, world record holder and pole vaulting legend. Representing the world of football will be Gianfranco Zola, one of the most beloved talents in the history of Italian sport. Joining them are Gregorio Paltrinieri, a leading figure in the world of swimming, Achille Polonara, the face of Italian basketball, Antonella Palmisano, queen of race walking, Chiara Mazzel, star of Paralympic skiing, and Daniele Garozzo, Olympic champion and ambassador for Italian fencing.

Also taking the stage at the Fair Play Menarini event will be Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti, key figures in Italy’s speed skating successes, together with Simone Anzani, one of the most recognisable faces in Italian volleyball.

On July 2, Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence will host the awards ceremony of the 30th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award. An evening to celebrate some of the best-known figures in international sport, this year broadcast once again in collaboration with Sky TG24. The event will be presented by Rachele Sangiuliano, Michele Cagiano and Omar Schillaci, alongside legendary sports commentators such as Federico Buffa.

Fair play knows no age limits, as demonstrated by Matteo Pasqualetti, Gloria Tinaburri and Alberto Belluzzi, winners of the “Young Athletes” Fair Play Menarini Award. Three young people who remind us all that fair play is a choice we make every day, both in competition and in life.

For thirty years, the Fair Play Menarini International Award has been celebrating those champions who have left their mark not only through their victories, but also through the way that they approach sport – say Luca Lastrucci, Valeria Speroni Cardi and Filippo Paganelli, Board Members of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation – The stories of this year’s award winners remind us that respect, loyalty and fairness remain values with the power to unite different generations and resonate with those who love sport, both on and off the pitch.”

Ahead of the grand finale, the run-up to the 30th edition will come to Florence on 15 June with the Special Fiamme Gialle “Study and Sport” Award, dedicated to young talents who succeed in balancing their studies with competitive sport.

Press conference presenting the 30th Fair Play Menarini International Award
Press conference presenting the 30th Fair Play Menarini International Award