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RZOLV and Alkemio Bioscience Forge Strategic Collaboration to Advance Rare Earth and Critical Minerals Commercialization

LOI establishes a framework to combine RZOLV’s proprietary hydrometallurgical platform with Alkemio’s molecular-recognition separation and refining technology and pursue commercialization of integrated rare earth and critical minerals recovery solutions

Vancouver, British Columbia – Newsfile Corp. – July 23, 2026 – RZOLV Technologies Inc. (TSXV: RZL) (OTCQB: RZOLF) (FSE: S711) (“RZOLV” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) dated July 15, 2026 with Alkemio Bioscience Corporation (“Alkemio“) to establish a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing the development, validation and potential commercialization of an integrated modular rare earth and critical minerals recovery platform.

Alkemio is an Argentina-based deep tech company developing a modular rare earth separation and refining platform based on selective media and molecular-recognition technology. Its platform is intended to adapt to varied rare earth sources and enable selective capture, purification and upgrading of dissolved rare earth elements into higher-value products. Laboratory results indicate recovery efficiencies above 87% under controlled conditions. The modular configuration is designed to reduce processing stages and physical footprint compared to conventional solvent extraction methods.

The proposed strategic collaboration is intended to combine two complementary technology platforms across the rare earth and critical minerals value chain:

  • RZOLV would provide its proprietary hydrometallurgical platform to unlock and mobilize rare earth elements and associated critical minerals from complex feedstocks, optimize extraction performance, and generate stable, conditioned process solutions; and
  • Alkemio would provide its molecular-recognition platform to selectively separate, purify, refine and upgrade the dissolved metals into higher-value products.

The objective is to integrate, develop, and validate the combined technologies as a complete modular processing pathway capable of unlocking, selectively recovering, separating, and upgrading rare earth elements and associated critical minerals from selected primary and secondary feedstocks, while establishing the technical, operational, and economic basis for pilot-scale demonstration and commercial deployment.

The strategic rationale underlying the LOI is straightforward: RZOLV unlocks and mobilizes the metals. Alkemio separates, upgrades and refines them. Together, the companies intend to evaluate a more complete, modular and potentially source-adjacent commercialization pathway extending from complex feedstocks through to separated rare earth products.

Building a Strategic Critical Minerals Commercialization Platform

Commercializing rare earth and critical-mineral technologies requires more than identifying or mining a resource. Valuable metals must first be unlocked from complex feedstocks and transferred into controlled, stable process solutions. Those solutions must then be selectively separated and upgraded into products that meet downstream market requirements.

Conventional rare earth refining can involve large centralized facilities, multiple solvent-extraction stages, significant reagent inventories and highly feed-specific process designs. These characteristics can make conventional refining difficult to deploy economically at smaller projects, remote mines, recycling operations or industrial-residue sites.

By combining RZOLV’s proprietary hydrometallurgical platform with Alkemio’s downstream separation and refining technology, the companies aim to address both ends of the processing chain and build a project-specific pathway toward pilot validation, licensing and commercial deployment.

Alkemio’s Molecular-Recognition Separation Technology

Alkemio is developing a modular rare earth separation and refining platform based on selective media and molecular-recognition technology.

Because rare earth elements exhibit similar chemical behaviour in solution, selective separation can be technically challenging. Alkemio’s approach is intended to create selective binding environments for targeted ions and enable modular recovery and product upgrading from appropriately conditioned process solutions.

Alkemio’s modular molecular-recognition platform intended to materially reduce the footprint and capital intensity of conventional rare earth separation while enabling resource owners to retain a greater portion of downstream product value. Alkemio publicly reports development targets that include facilities up to 200 times smaller, potential separation-circuit capital reductions of up to 80%, and potential incremental profit improvements for participating miners of up to 50%. These targets are based on Alkemio’s internal estimates and remain subject to confirmation through feed-specific testing, engineering, scale-up and independent economic validation.

Alkemio’s Capabilities and International Recognition

Alkemio has assembled a multidisciplinary team with experience in rare earth separation, hydrometallurgy, molecular science, chemistry, process design, engineering and technology commercialization.

Alkemio reports international recognition through UC Berkeley SkyDeck, Cleantech Group’s LATAM Cleantech 25, Hello Tomorrow’s Deep Tech Pioneer program and other innovation platforms.

Duane Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of RZOLV Technologies, commented: “This LOI is an important step in forging a strategic relationship with Alkemio and advancing RZOLV’s commercialization strategy in rare earths and critical minerals. RZOLV’s proprietary hydrometallurgical platform is designed to unlock and mobilize metals from complex feedstocks, optimize extraction performance, and generate stable process solutions for downstream recovery.

“Alkemio’s complementary molecular-recognition technology could extend that capability through selective separation, refining and product upgrading. Together, we intend to evaluate a more complete modular platform and, if supported by the results, advance toward project-specific pilots, licensing and commercial deployment.”

Angel Centeno, Chief Executive Officer of Alkemio, commented: “RZOLV’s ability to unlock rare earths and associated critical minerals from complex feedstocks and produce stable, conditioned process solutions addresses a key requirement for effective downstream separation.

“Combining RZOLV’s extraction platform with Alkemio’s molecular-recognition technology creates an opportunity to evaluate integrated solutions for selected feedstocks and build a disciplined pathway toward joint development and commercialization.”

Potential Commercialization Pathway

If the collaboration produces positive results, RZOLV and Alkemio may consider negotiating one or more subsequent arrangements, including:

  • A Joint Development Agreement;
  • A project-specific pilot agreement;
  • A project-specific special-purpose vehicle;
  • A commercial joint venture;
  • Technology licensing, supply or customer-specific deployment agreements.

Any future development, funding or commercialization arrangements will remain subject to definitive written agreements.

About Alkemio

Alkemio is an Argentina-based deep tech company developing a modular rare earth separation and refining platform based on selective media and molecular-recognition technology. Its platform is intended to adapt to varied rare earth sources and enable selective capture, purification and upgrading of dissolved rare earth elements into higher-value products. Laboratory results indicate recovery efficiencies above 87% under controlled conditions. The modular configuration is designed to reduce processing stages and physical footprint compared to conventional solvent extraction methods.

Alkemio’s multidisciplinary team combines experience in rare earth separation, hydrometallurgy, molecular science, chemistry, engineering, process scale-up and technology commercialization. The company has received international recognition through cleantech, deep-tech, academic and corporate innovation programs.

About RZOLV Technologies Inc.

RZOLV Technologies Inc. is developing and commercializing a proprietary non-cyanide aqueous regenerative hydrometallurgical platform for the recovery of precious metals, base metals and selected critical minerals from ores, concentrates, tailings, spent process materials and secondary resources.

RZOLV’s platform is designed around controlled dissolution, complexation, pH and ORP management, downstream metal recovery and closed-loop solution management. The Company is advancing strategic relationships and project-specific validation programs intended to support commercialization across precious metals, base metals, critical minerals, and rare earth elements (REEs) where conventional processing may be constrained by metallurgy, environmental requirements, capital intensity or permitting considerations.

For further information, please contact:
Duane Nelson
President & CEO
RZOLV Technologies Inc.
Tel: +1-604-332-2662
Email: duane@rzolv.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements concerning the proposed strategic collaboration between RZOLV and Alkemio; the selection and availability of candidate feedstocks; the ability of RZOLV to dissolve or mobilize rare earth elements and associated critical minerals and generate stable or suitable process solutions; the ability of Alkemio to selectively capture, separate, purify, concentrate or upgrade rare earth elements from RZOLV-generated solutions; the potential development of an integrated modular rare earth and critical minerals recovery flowsheet; the potential negotiation of a Joint Development Agreement, pilot agreement, joint venture, special-purpose vehicle, licensing, supply or customer-specific deployment arrangement or other commercial structure; and the potential technical, economic, environmental, strategic or commercial benefits of the proposed collaboration.

Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks include, among others, the possibility that suitable feedstocks will not be identified or made available; that testwork will not demonstrate acceptable dissolution, selectivity, solution stability, impurity management, media compatibility, product quality or reagent performance; that laboratory results will not be replicated at pilot or commercial scale; that additional conditioning or processing stages will be required; that process economics will not support commercialization; that environmental, safety, radionuclide, residue-management, water-treatment or permitting requirements will be more extensive than anticipated; that the parties will not agree upon future budgets, intellectual-property rights, cost sharing, exclusivity or commercial terms; or that the LOI will be terminated without further agreement.

The combined RZOLV-Alkemio process has not been commercially demonstrated. Technical performance, recovery, selectivity, capital and operating costs, environmental benefits, product quality and commercial viability will be feed-specific and must be established through representative testwork, engineering, pilot-scale validation and independent review. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. RZOLV undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Hashtag: #RZOLV

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

Huawei Hosts 1st APAC Intelligent Internet Forum & Executive Night

SHANGHAI, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — During WAIC 2026, Huawei successfully hosted the 1st Huawei APAC Intelligent Internet Forum & Executive Night in Shanghai, bringing together more than 100 executive delegates and ecosystem partners from across the Asia-Pacific region. Under the theme “Shaping AI-Native Next Gen Internet across APAC,” the forum highlighted China’s advanced AI-native practices to foster regional collaboration and accelerate the co-creation of a next-generation internet for the Token economy.

Liu Xin, Vice President of Computing Product Line, Huawei delivered a speech titled “Building the Infrastructure for the Agentic AI Era.” During his address he emphasized that “The opportunity is huge. And innovation never stops. In this golden era of AI, Huawei will keep building the best infrastructure for Agentic AI. Through open source and open collaboration, we will work with the entire internet industry to accelerate the intelligent future for everyone.”

Liu Xin, Vice President of Computing Product Line, Huawei
Liu Xin, Vice President of Computing Product Line, Huawei

Following this, Frank Lu, COO of ISP Computing and Network Infrastructure BU, Huawei presented “New Engine. New Intelligence. New Growth.” He stated that “The next chapter won’t be written by any one company alone. It will be built through innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”

Frank Lu, COO of ISP Computing and Network Infrastructure BU, Huawei
Frank Lu, COO of ISP Computing and Network Infrastructure BU, Huawei

At the forum, leading internet pioneers from China also shared innovative best practices on transforming AI into real-world productivity. The forum provided a comprehensive showcase of full-stack AI innovation, from computing and network infrastructure for the Agentic AI era to multi-modal agent applications, enterprise AGI value realization, and closed-loop model evolution.

During the executive night, Dr. Peter Zhou, Member of the Board of Directors at Huawei and CEO of Huawei Cloud highlighted “Huawei Cloud has been named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud AI Infrastructure. We will continue to innovate in Agentic infrastructure, model services, enterprise-grade AI agent platforms, security, and industry AI dream factories to build a fertile ‘silicon soil’ for enterprise AI innovation. We are cultivating this fertile ‘silicon soil’ for enterprise AI, shaping the Agentic AI era alongside global customers, partners, and developers.”

Dr. Peter Zhou, Member of the Board of Directors at Huawei and CEO of Huawei Cloud
Dr. Peter Zhou, Member of the Board of Directors at Huawei and CEO of Huawei Cloud

Spawn Fan, President of Huawei Asia Pacific Enterprise Business, emphasized: “As the agentic era fundamentally reshapes the paradigm of internet industry, Huawei is bridging China’s vibrant landscape of AI applications and open-source models with regional growth. Huawei provides APAC internet pioneers with a resilient compute foundation. We are excited to collaborate with regional internet leaders to supercharge their AI transformation and win together in this intelligent age.”

Spawn Fan, President of Huawei Asia Pacific Enterprise Business
Spawn Fan, President of Huawei Asia Pacific Enterprise Business

As the Agentic AI era reshapes the global internet landscape, Huawei will continue to work closely with regional customers, partners, and developers to unlock scenario-based AI value, accelerate real-world deployment, and jointly shape a thriving, AI-native digital future for APAC.

Sharon AI Appoints Melissa Anastasiou as Chief Legal Officer

NEW YORK, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sharon AI Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SHAZ) and its subsidiaries (“Sharon AI” or “the Company”), a leading Australian Neocloud, today announced the appointment of Melissa Anastasiou as Chief Legal Officer (CLO).

This appointment further strengthens Sharon AI’s executive leadership team as it continues to scale its AI Cloud platform and sovereign AI infrastructure.

Melissa brings more than two decades of experience across legal, finance and governance. Her appointment bolsters the leadership, risk oversight and enterprise readiness required to support disciplined execution of the Company’s long-term growth strategy.

Melissa joins Sharon AI following more than 16 years at Spark New Zealand, where she served as Executive Group General Counsel and Commercial Director. During her tenure, she advised the Board and Executive Leadership Team on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory, privacy and cyber matters together with digital transformation. She also chaired Spark’s AI & Data Ethics Committee, leading the development of enterprise AI governance and responsible data frameworks.

As Chief Legal Officer, Melissa will lead Sharon AI’s legal, governance and compliance functions, with a focus on regulatory discipline, responsible AI practices and risk management as the business scales.

James Manning, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Sharon AI, said:

“Melissa is an exceptional leader with deep experience supporting one of Australasia’s largest and most complex technology organisations. Her appointment reflects our commitment to building a leadership team capable of supporting customers, partners and investors as AI becomes critical national infrastructure.”

“As demand for sovereign AI infrastructure continues to accelerate, organisations expect world-class governance and operational excellence. Melissa significantly strengthens our ability to meet those expectations and position Sharon AI for its next phase of growth.”

Melissa Anastasiou, Chief Legal Officer at Sharon AI, said:

“Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, creating significant opportunities alongside new legal and governance requirements. My focus will be on building the legal and governance foundations that will support responsible execution and long-term growth.”

The appointment is part of Sharon AI’s investment in building one of the region’s leading AI infrastructure teams. As the Company expands its AI cloud platform and sovereign AI capabilities, Sharon AI is attracting experienced executives from some of Australia and New Zealand’s most respected technology organisations, creating high-value local jobs while building deep expertise across finance, legal and AI infrastructure.

This investment in local leadership and technical talent is intended to support Sharon AI’s ability to serve a sophisticated customer base across Australia and internationally, while maintaining the governance and security standards expected of critical AI infrastructure.

About Sharon AI

Sharon AI is a leading Australian Neocloud delivering high-performance computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence workloads. Through its AI Cloud platform and GPU/CPU compute infrastructure, Sharon AI is accelerating the build of AI factories and sovereign AI solutions. For more information, visit www.sharonai.com.

Disclosure Information

Sharon AI primarily uses its Investor Relations page (https://sharonai.com/investors/) to disclose material non-public information and to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. The Company also notes that, at times, it uses other communication mediums including, but not limited to, its X account (sharon__ai) and/or LinkedIn account (sharon-AI) to disseminate information about the Company, and can be additional sources of information outside press releases, regulatory filings with the SEC and any other conference calls, webcasts, investor days, etc. that the company may hold.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are not historical facts, and which are not assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. In some cases you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “project,” “strategy,” “plan,” “expect,” “goal,” “seek,” “future,” “likely” or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions or references to future periods. Forward-looking statements in this release include specific statements regarding the intended use of proceeds. Examples of such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to express or implied statements regarding Sharon AI’s management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future including, without limitation, statements regarding:

  • Service and product offerings;
  • Receipt and use of proceeds;
  • The deployment of assets and expansion of network procurement;
  • Sharon AI’s ability to engage with additional potential customers;
  • Expansion of Sharon AI’s data center footprint and capacity; and
  • The strengthening of Sharon AI’s partner network.

In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others, all of the risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and other reports subsequently filed with the SEC. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.

The forward-looking statements and other information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Sharon AI does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Contacts

Media
media@sharonai.com

Investors
investors@sharonai.com

Trooly Raises Nearly $20M Seed and Launches AI Research Platform for 45-Minute In-Depth Interviews With Global Consumers

Powered by an intelligent follow-up engine, the AI-native platform reaches the depth of a senior research interview and opens its first public beta in North America.

WILMINGTON, Del., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trooly today launched its AI-native user research platform and opened its first public beta in North America, backed by nearly US$20 million in seed funding.

The platform is built to do what most research tools won’t: hold a single, 45-minute in-depth interview with a consumer anywhere in the world and return with the kind of understanding a senior researcher would. It is anchored by an intelligent follow-up engine that decides each next question in real time based on what the person actually said — not a fixed script. The company frames its promise to customers in a single line: Make User’s Voice Matter.

Modern teams face a familiar tradeoff. Surveys are fast and large but thin — capturing what people clicked, rarely why. Traditional interviews go deep but are slow, costly, and hard to run across markets and languages. A wave of AI tools has tried to close the gap by running large volumes of short, survey-like sessions at speed.

Trooly takes the opposite approach. Rather than optimizing for the number of interviews, it optimizes for the depth of each one — the information density a 45-minute conversation can hold when the interviewer keeps asking the right next question. The new funding goes toward exactly that bet: continued R&D on the core product and its multimodal voice-agent technology, building out a global panel of interview participants, and expanding among globally scaling companies and high-stakes, decision-dense industries.

“Speed and volume aren’t the hard part of AI research anymore — depth is,” said Whisper Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of Trooly. “A great interview is not just a fast survey. It’s a real conversation where every answer earns a sharper next question. We built Trooly so any team, anywhere, can have that conversation with their customers — and find out what’s next before their competitors do.”

How It Works

Trooly runs as a four-step workflow that carries a single research question all the way to an executable insight — at roughly 20x the speed and one-tenth the cost of traditional research.

01 • Frame the Question — ~5 min — Work with the customer to define the research goal, turning a fuzzy business problem into a proposition that can actually be answered.

02 • Recruit With Precision — 2–4 days — Draw on a global participant pool of 180 million respondents across 6 continents and 30+ countries, screening across three dimensions: profile, behavior, and purchase context.

03 • Run the Interview — 45 min each — An AI interviewer, sharpened by a two-layer fast-and-slow reasoning model, asks deep follow-ups that  illuminate the hidden purchase drivers and emotional triggers behind a customer’s final choice.

04 • Deliver the Report — always on — Straight from conversation to report, with interactive output that product, brand, and growth teams can act on directly.

Who It’s For

Because interviews run natively across markets and languages, Trooly serves companies expanding into new regions and global brands researching audiences across borders — without flying in a research team or rebuilding a study market by market. Teams use it wherever a multiple-choice answer isn’t enough:

  • Product teams — pressure-test a concept, diagnose why a feature stalls, or understand a workaround before committing a roadmap.
  • User research teams — run deep qualitative studies at a fraction of the usual timeline, and reach participants in markets they couldn’t previously staff.
  • Growth and marketing teams — learn why a message lands or misses, and hear positioning in customers’ own words.
  • Founders and strategy teams — enter a new market or category with the depth of a senior researcher’s read, not a survey’s surface.

What Customers Say

Trooly is already trusted by some of the most innovative companies in the world.

More than 400 teams across gaming, consumer goods, manufacturing, and lifestyle apps use the platform to sharpen their product, brand, and growth decisions.

“User research used to be our slowest input — 60+ days from brief to insight. With Trooly, the same depth arrives in 2–3 days, and the emotional texture of what customers say still comes through intact. For a consumer brand that lives or dies by listening, that’s a structural advantage — the closest thing we have to hearing our customers in real time.” — Glen, CEO & Executive Director, Beetles

“We first heard about Trooly through a press article. As a user research team, we were skeptical at first, so we ran a side-by-side test against human-led research. It quickly became our go-to for qualitative work — and the more we used it, the more it surprised us. It breaks the efficiency ceiling of traditional research without losing the personal touch of real conversation. I’m especially fond of ‘talk to transcripts,’ which makes unstructured data remarkably easy to work with. Trooly is a young, sharp team, and it’s gratifying to see our product suggestions shipped one by one.” — Tao, Head of Strategy, Halara

Trooly’s public beta is open to research, product, and growth teams in North America today, with global availability rolling out from [trooly.ai].

About Trooly

Trooly is an AI-native user research platform that conducts 45-minute in-depth interviews with consumers around the world, powered by an intelligent follow-up engine that adapts to each conversation in real time. Trooly helps product, research, and growth teams reach the depth of a senior research interview at a fraction of the time and cost — so they can Ask, Find what’s next. Learn more at [trooly.ai].

“Across the Table” – Iconic Chefs Come Together for Luxury Dining Series at The Naka Island, Phuket

Four nights of refined coastal gastronomy and creative collaborations will be staged from August 12-15, 2026, featuring highly acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs from Bo.lan, Andō, Maison Dunand and more.


PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 – Some of the deepest conversations happen over food – the kind that pull you in close and ensure you stay a little longer than planned. This August, these conversations will become even more meaningful at the “Luxury Dining Series, Across the Table” – a collection of immersive epicurean experiences unfolding across six extraordinary destinations in Asia.

LDS 2026.jpg

One of these six destinations will be hosted from August 12-15, 2026, at The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, the five-star sanctuary nestled on an idyllic island in the Andaman Sea, where some of the region’s leading Michelin-starred chefs will join hands for four nights of culinary celebrations and collaborations.

A Gathering of Gastronomic Visionaries

The Luxury Dining Series brings together visionary guest chefs Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava and Dylan Jones from Bangkok’s iconic Bo.lan, Agustin Ferrando Balbi, chef-founder of Andō in Hong Kong, and Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, chef-founder of Maison Dunand in Bangkok, alongside mixology maestros Sudarat “Taln” Rojanavanich of Bar Us and Jane Kaew-Yod, co-founder of Lay Heritage Cocktails Space.

They will join The Naka Island, Phuket’s own highly acclaimed Chef Joseph William Talbot, Chef Ratchanee “Kob” Nu-On, and Mixologist Adi Sukasta, along with culinary artists and mixologists from across the Marriott portfolio—including Pastry Chef Sylvain Constans from The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, Chef Laongdao “Aong” Tohkhot of Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, and Mixologist Fransiska Siregar from The St. Regis Jakarta—for a series of mesmerizing, multi-hand dining and cocktail experiences spanning four engaging, interactive evenings.

Four Idyllic Evenings, Four Enchanting Chapters

  • August 12 – “The Art of Culinary Discovery & Craft Brew Experience” will be hosted by chefs Agustin Ferrando Balbi and Joseph William Talbot at the resort’s Multi-Purpose Sala, with handcrafted pass-around bites and live stations inspired by island life, paired with Phuket’s finest craft beers.
  • August 13 – “The Grand Banquet: Eight-Hand Dinner” will be staged on the Beach Lawn, as chefs Agustin Ferrando Balbi, Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, Joseph William Talbot, and Sylvain Constans come together for an exceptional, wine-paired menu that showcases the essence of Phuket beneath the Andaman sky.
  • August 14 – “Chefs at the Table: Six-Hand Dinner” will see chefs Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, Joseph William Talbot, and Sylvain Constans present an elegant wine-paired menu at Veranda, balancing Alpine precision, Mediterranean warmth, and French artistry.
  • August 15 – “Chefs at the Table: Eight-Hand Culinary Journey” will be a celebration of refined Thai cuisine at Aiyara, as chefs Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava, Dylan Jones, Laongdao “Aong” Tohkhot, and Ratchanee “Kob” Nu-On honor the kingdom’s gastronomic heritage, with cocktail pairings by Jane Kaew-Yod.

Beyond the Table: Uncover Phuket’s Culture and Crafts

Alongside these four epicurean evenings, guests are invited to a series of experiences that will connect them with the authentic essence of the island. A Gin Distillery Tour and hands-on Gin Making Workshop, a Dye Textile Workshop rooted in local artisan techniques, and a sunset catamaran excursion along the Andaman coast will highlight the natural, cultural and culinary wonders of Phuket. Every celebration extends into the evening with a curated line-up of cocktail experiences, including a bar takeover by Bar Us and a special cocktail collaboration with The St. Regis Jakarta, bringing fresh energy and creative pairings to The Naka Island, Phuket.

The Ultimate “Experience Dining Package”

Finally, guests staying from August 12-15, 2026, can reserve the “Experience Dining Package”, which includes daily breakfast and a set dinner for two people, with each evening thoughtfully elevated to reflect the spirit of “Across The Table”.

To reserve your place at the “Luxury Dining Series“, please visit luxurydiningseries.com/phuket, and to book the “Experience Dining Package”, please click here.

For more information about The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, please connect with us via these channels:

Email: naka.reservations@luxurycollection.com
Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pyxlc-the-naka-island-a-luxury-collection-resort-and-spa-phuket/overview
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thenakaisland

Line Official: lin.ee/6wOs1Rw

Hashtag: #TheLuxuryCollection #NakaIsland #Phuket

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

About Marriott Bonvoy®

Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit .

About The Luxury Collection® Hotels & Resorts

The Luxury Collection® is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort are a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of over 130 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in 42 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit or follow and . The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit .

Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Cluster Developed by Rönesans Attracts Over US$3 Billion in Investment

  • Total investment across the Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Cluster (DAPEK) now exceeds US$3 billion, anchored by the US$2 billion Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal
  • New port, energy and logistics investments position DAPEK as one of the Eastern Mediterranean’s most comprehensive integrated industrial hubs
  • Partnership with Surbana Jurong Group is driving international investor interest in DAPEK, drawing on models such as Rotterdam and Singapore’s Jurong Island

ISTANBUL, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Cluster (DAPEK), developed by Rönesans Holding in Ceyhan, Adana, has entered a new phase of growth with recent additions including polypropylene production facility, liquid bulk terminal, port investments. DAPEK has attracted increasing interest from international investors with total investment across the cluster now surpassing US$ 3 billion.

Ceyhan Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal
Ceyhan Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal

DAPEK is recognised as one of the Eastern Mediterranean’s most comprehensive industrial, energy and logistics projects. Spanning approximately 1,300 hectares it brings together petrochemical production, port operations, energy infrastructure and logistics services under a single platform. A strategic investment that will contribute to Türkiye’s industrial transformation. At the heart of the project is the US$1.8 billion Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal, developed jointly by Rönesans Holding and international partners. Combined with ongoing container port and infrastructure investments, total investment in the cluster has surpassed US$3 billion.

Erman Ilıcak, President Emeritus of Rönesans Holding, stated that DAPEK is far more than an industrial investment:

“With our investment programme, which has now reached US$3 billion, we are creating a next-generation industrial ecosystem, not simply construction facilities. Our goal is to establish Türkiye’s most competitive industrial hub by co-locating production and logistics to energy and port infrastructure – everything investors need within a single location. We view DAPEK as a foundational to Türkiye’s industrial infrastructure for the next 50 years.”

Coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye, DAPEK aims to become one of the country’s globally competitive industrial centres through its integrated structure.

“The Polypropylene Production Facility will be one of the cornerstone investments of this ecosystem. Alongside the liquid bulk terminal, container port, dry bulk terminal, energy infrastructure, railway connections and shared-use facilities, these investments represent a comprehensive ecosystem that extends well beyond the production facility itself.”

Ceyhan’s Strategic Importance Continues to Strengthen

Addressing recent geopolitical developments and energy security discussions, Ilıcak highlighted the growing significance of alternative energy and trade corridors:

“As energy and trade routes reshape globally, Ceyhan’s strategic importance increases daily. Companies are recalibrating their production, supply chain and investment strategies. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of the European, Middle Eastern and North African markets, DAPEK offers port, energy, logistics and industrial infrastructure within a single integrated ecosystem – an increasingly rare and attractive proposition.”

Surbana Jurong Partnership Places DAPEK on the Radar of International Investors

“Companies now evaluate beyond location; they also assess logistics capabilities, energy infrastructure and access to markets.”

“Inspired by successful industrial clustering models like Rotterdam and Singapore’s Jurong Island, we’ve partnered with Surbana Jurong Group, one of the world’s leading industrial zone developers. Since 2026, we’ve collaborated on investor development, international marketing, sustainability and long-term growth strategies. This partnership has significantly raised DAPEK’s profile among global investors”.

DAPEK Preparing for New Investors

As infrastructure works progress and key construction milestones are reached, efforts to attract new investors to DAPEK are gaining momentum. 

DAPEK is targeting medium- and high-technology industrial investments in the years ahead, with active discussions already underway with companies across a range of sectors, including petrochemicals, chemicals, energy equipment, composite materials, biofuels and other value-added manufacturing industries.

Offering large-scale development plots and a multimodal logistics infrastructure that seamlessly connects road, rail and sea, DAPEK presents itself as a truly distinctive industrial platform. Its industrial zone framework provides investors with a long-term land-use model that delivers meaningful advantages in terms of both cost and financing.

The overarching vision is to build DAPEK into something greater than a collection of standalone investments – to create, instead, a thriving industrial ecosystem in which production, energy and logistics reinforce and feed into one another.

With road, rail and maritime links converging at a single location, alongside vast development land and best-in-class infrastructure, DAPEK is establishing itself as a strategic platform in support of Türkiye’s ambition to become a leading centre for production and trade in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Supporting the Reduction of Türkiye’s Petrochemical Import Dependence

At a time when Türkiye remains significantly dependent on imported petrochemical products, the project is well-positioned to bolster domestic industrial output and make a tangible contribution to the country’s trade balance.

Ilıcak concluded:

“Once completed, the Polypropylene Production Facility at the heart of DAPEK will have an annual production capacity of 472,500 tonnes and will meet approximately 17 per cent of Türkiye’s annual polypropylene demand. This is expected to contribute around US$300 million annually to Türkiye’s current account balance while reducing the country’s dependence on imported petrochemical products.”

Beyond strengthening industrial and logistics infrastructure, ongoing investment at DAPEK is also generating significant local employment. The project currently supports 4,000 jobs on site, 70 per cent of which are held by workers from the surrounding region. As development continues, that number is expected to surpass 4,500 by the end of the year.

Press Contact:
Bensu Celik, bensu.celik@ronesans.com 

Erman Ilicak, President Emeritus of Rönesans Holding
Erman Ilicak, President Emeritus of Rönesans Holding

OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia Hits Impressive Sales Milestones, Pushes Electrification Forward and Innovates Smart Living Together with AiMOGA

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest-growing automotive brands, delivering over 8,100 vehicles year-to-date as of July 2026 to claim the fifth spot among Malaysia’s best-selling automotive brands. This robust performance underscores rising customer trust in its expanding SUV lineup, solidifying Malaysia’s status as a key overseas market for the brand.


A major driver of this success is the JAECOO J5, a premium SUV launched in March 2026 that has surpassed 2,500 deliveries in just four months. Renowned for its premium craftsmanship, intelligent technology and everyday practicality, the J5 has struck a chord with Malaysian consumers.

Building on this momentum, OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia has opened bookings for the all-new JAECOO J5 EV, its first fully electric model in the country with an estimated starting price of RM125,000. This marks a significant milestone in the brand’s electrification journey, following a stellar first half of 2026 where new energy vehicle (NEV) deliveries surged 843% year-on-year to 2,300 units, up from 244 units in H1 2025.

The J5 EV expands OMODA & JAECOO’s NEV portfolio, complementing its plug-in hybrid offerings and giving Malaysian consumers more choices across internal combustion, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains. As it enters a new growth phase, the brand remains committed to delivering intelligent mobility solutions, innovative technologies and exceptional ownership experiences to shape Malaysia’s mobility future.


OMODA & JAECOO, a youthful global brand with a vision to “Co-create a Beautiful Life with Young People,” has seen global sales hit one million in three years, expanding into 77 markets worldwide. It leads in hybrid technology with its SHS super hybrid system and is accelerating BEV deployment, while focusing on intelligent driving and cockpit features. In collaboration with embodied intelligent robotics company AiMOGA, the brand has developed robots that extend smart technology into diverse interactive scenarios, enriching the smart living landscape.

Laos Enhances Climate Resilience Through Its First Climate Adaptation Forum

A picture of Participants from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, GGGI, and UN-Habitat attend Laos’ first Climate Adaptation Forum in Vientiane Capital. (Photo supplied)

The Lao Climate Adaptation Forum was successfully convened to strengthen collaboration among relevant stakeholders in accelerating climate adaptation developments across the country in Vientiane Capital, on 22 July. The forum gathered representatives from line ministries, development partners, private sectors, civil society organizations, academic institutions, youth initiatives, and local communities to communicate strategic priorities and identify actionable pathways for building a climate-resilient future of Laos.

This forum highlighted Laos’ key policy frameworks in climate change adaptation, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), the three Sectoral Adaptation Strategies and Action Plans (SAPs), the development progress of the Sub-national Adaptation Roadmap and other relevant initiatives. 

Served as a national platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and stakeholders’ engagement, the Forum featured introduction of key policy instruments, interactive panel discussions, and exhibition booths showcasing climate adaptation initiatives, and innovative practices from across sectors. Through this forum, participants were perceived to highlight climate adaptation policies of Laos, explored opportunities to strengthen partnership, and identified pathways to scale up effective adaptation measures to mobilize greater investments and support for enhancing climate resilience.

In addition, the Forum offered a remarkable stage to demonstrate that climate adaptation finances and private sector roles can drive policies into actionable and impactful investments. Importantly, voices from subnational representatives were heard which will inform strategic investment in areas that are most vulnerable, and people are at risk of climate change impacts.

With the joint efforts of the Department of Environment within the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and UN-Habitat, the Lao PDR Climate Adaptation Forum built a strong partnership in advancing Laos climate adaptation developments. The Lao PDR Climate Adaptation Forum marked a vital step toward translating policies into coordinated action to enhance the resilience of our livelihoods, ecosystems, and economy.

Keynote from Chairs:

Quote from Chanthakhone Boualaphanh, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment

“To translate our strategies and plans into concrete action, this forum serves as an important platform for all relevant stakeholders to exchange knowledge, identify opportunities, and foster the multi-sector partnerships needed to implement climate adaptation efforts across Lao PDR.”

Quote from Dagmar Zwebe, GGGI Country Representative, Laos

“Climate change is a complex challenge that no single entity can solve alone and real progress on happens when plans become action. Through strong partnerships and targeted investments, we can deliver practical solutions that strengthen resilience across Lao PDR.” 

Quote from Avi Sarkar, Regional Advisor for South-East Asia and Head of Office, UN-Habitat Laos 

“Every year, climate impacts become more visible, more frequent and more costly. Climate adaptation is not a conversation we can have once and move on from. The challenge before us is no longer simply identifying climate risks; it is deciding together how we translate those priorities into action, investment and lasting impact.”