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Less Effort, More Living: CASEKOO Launches Ultimate LinKOO Collection

LOS ANGELES, May 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Some things are too romantic to ever fade. After becoming a cult favorite among working professionals, CASEKOO — a global creative powerhouse in phone accessories — proudly unveils the ultimate LinKOO Collection: a striking new range of motion-inspired colors, alongside the legendary ClipSafe™ design that started it all.


For years, CASEKOO built protective accessories. Today, the brand moves beyond protection — into ease, emotion, and everyday romance.

Experience the latest chapter of LinKOO now. Visit CASEKOO’s official channels and discover your piece of romance — today.

The Romantic Origin: Ralph’s Lightbulb Moment

The LinKOO strap wasn’t born in a boardroom. It was born on a walk.

Ralph, founder of CASEKOO and the designer behind LinKOO, has been with his wife for nearly two decades. Their love remains unchanged: they always leave the house holding hands. But there’s one small frustration—his hands are already full with his wife’s hand and her bag. And Ralph’s own pockets? Always stuffed—car keys, lighters, pocket knives, receipts, a stray coin or two. No room for his phone. And whenever he needs something from his pockets, he has to dig through them, over and over again.

One evening, walking together — one hand linked, the other burdened — Ralph thought: What if my phone case had a strap that could hold everything in my pocket?

Not a technical harness. Not a bulky lanyard. Just a simple, soft, secure loop. So he could carry everything and still reach for his wife’s hand. No more digging through pockets. No more embarrassment of having no place for his phone. That single thought became the world’s first ClipSafe™ system. Became LinKOO. A phone case with an open clasp that folds away. A strap. A small, romantic rebellion against “too many things to hold.”

If StandKOO helps people free their hands indoors or in static moments — enabling more focus — then LinKOO helps people free their hands outdoors, enabling more living. One works where you stay. The other moves where you go.

CASEKOO’s Brand Transformation: Less Effort, More Living

With the ultimate LinKOO collection, CASEKOO officially transforms—from a plain accessories brand into a lifestyle-driven powerhouse. The brand’s new direction is simple yet revolutionary: Less effort. More living.

For years, CASEKOO focused on freeing people’s hands through thoughtful innovations like the award-winning MagicStand™. But over time, the brand realized that what people truly need is more than hands-free products. They need products that help life feel lighter, smoother, and easier to move through.

Not more features. Not more complexity. Just products that remove friction from daily life—so users can focus on what actually matters: movement, connection, and the people beside them.

“It is a completely different experience,” said the CASEKOO design team.

“Starting from an idea born out of love, the ClipSafe™ carries something intangible yet unforgettable: the feeling of long walks, endless possibilities, and that unmistakable lightness when we don’t have to carry everything alone.

“For years, we asked ourselves: how can we protect what’s in your hand? Now, we ask: how can we free what’s in your heart? That question led us here. LinKOO is our answer.

“In the beginning, we set out to free people’s hands. Today, we aim to free up more of life—time, attention, and the freedom to focus on what truly matters. That’s the hands-free way. That’s less effort, more living. CASEKOO no longer makes accessories for your device. CASEKOO makes room for your life.”

About CASEKOO
CASEKOO is a design-led lifestyle accessories brand built around a simple idea: freeing your hands in everyday life. Through thoughtful hands-free solutions, we help people move seamlessly between different moments of the day—from active, on-the-go moments to times of focus and connection.

We believe technology should support life, not interrupt it. By designing products that adapt naturally to how people live, work, and move, CASEKOO reduces everyday friction and creates a more effortless experience—making room for freedom, connection, and the moments that truly matter.

Learn more at: casekoo.com

OCI Global Q1 2026 Trading Update

AMSTERDAM, May 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hassan Badrawi, CEO of OCI Global:

“During the first quarter, OCI made continued progress in executing its strategic priorities, including the completion of the sale of OCI Ammonia Holding to AGROFERT, the handover of Beaumont New Ammonia to Woodside, and the monetisation of our entire Methanex stake through a series of transactions during the quarter and thereafter. These steps reflect further progress on key strategic executions.

Looking ahead, our focus remains on disciplined cost and balance sheet management and advancing our current strategic priorities, including a potential transaction for OCI Nitrogen. The Company continues to support the ongoing Enterprise Chamber process and will provide further updates as appropriate in line with its disclosure obligations.”

Statement from the Enterprise Chamber Appointed Directors:

“Over the past months, we have discharged our special mandate in constructive collaboration with the Company. We aim to be in a position to determine by the end of June whether to submit the Orascom transaction for shareholder approval. Any further updates will be provided as and when appropriate, in accordance with applicable disclosure requirements.”

Key Financial Highlights

  • Adjusted EBITDA for OCI’s residual operating business OCI Nitrogen (“OCIN”) on a standalone basis (excluding OCI Ammonia Holding “OCI AH”) was USD 52 million in the quarter. Total own-produced sales volumes were 539 thousand tonnes in the quarter compared to 484 thousand tonnes in Q1 2025. Q1 2026 operating free cash flow for OCIN on a standalone basis (excluding OCI AH) was negative at USD 33 million, reflecting a USD 76 million working capital outflow. This primarily relates to the reversal of late‑2025 payables and receivables optimisation.
  • Within Corporate Entities, the Company’s corporate cost base remains above the previously guided run-rate, reflecting ongoing strategic processes, including the Enterprise Chamber proceedings, the potential sale of OCI Nitrogen and the completion of strategic review activities, as well as related non-recurring items. Corporate costs at Corporate Entities were USD 18.5 million in Q1 2026.
  • The Group’s net cash position stood at USD 695 million as of 31 March 2026 (excluding net proceeds from Methanex shares sold after that date), compared to a net debt position of USD 54 million as of 31 December 2025. The movement reflects net proceeds from the handover of Beaumont New Ammonia (“BNA”), the closing of the OCI Ammonia Holding sale, and the partial monetisation of OCI’s Methanex equity consideration, offset by ongoing HoldCo costs, including one-offs and operational cash flows, as well as the elimination of OCI AH net cash post-divestment. As of the 29 May 2026, the Group had a net cash position of approximately USD 1.08 billion.

Key Strategic and Business Highlights

  • Following the Beaumont New Ammonia divestment and handover to Woodside on 25 March 2026, as part of the divestment, OCI has received the USD 470 million deferred consideration, representing 20% of total proceeds, subject to outstanding construction obligations, certain closing related adjustments, and remaining estimated close-out costs. Significant progress has been made in finalising these close-out costs, with the majority of subcontractor claims now settled, and the residual cost exposure having narrowed meaningfully. OCI continues to estimate a total cost to completion of approximately USD 1.8 billion, inclusive of all close-out costs.
  • On 31 March 2026, OCI announced the successful completion of the sale of 100% of its equity interests in OCI AH to AGROFERT, a.s. (“AGROFERT”), a significant European nitrogen products manufacturer. The transaction was valued at EUR 290 million. Net proceeds, including Q1 2026 cash flows, are expected to be approximately USD 319 million after contractually agreed closing adjustments. 
  • OCI has fully unwound its equity position in Methanex Corporation (9,944,308 shares, representing approximately 12.9% of the issued and outstanding share capital) through a series of block trades during the quarter and subsequently, achieving a net weighted average price of USD 54.56 per share, 21% above OCI’s entry price at the time of the OCI Methanol transaction signing in September 2024. Total net proceeds amounted to approximately USD 543 million, after customary fees and expenses. 
  • OCI continues to evaluate and pursue a strategic transaction for OCI Nitrogen consistent with the strategic review process and will update the market as appropriate.
  • There have been no material developments in respect of the Fertiglobe contingent consideration. Accordingly, the provision remains consistent with the position previously reported in the audited 2025 annual accounts. The Board continues to consider the provision of USD 361.6 million to represent the best estimate of the present exposure.

Key Operational Highlights

Continuing Operations, as presented in this trading update, reflect the performance of the European Nitrogen segment and Corporate Entities.

European Nitrogen

  • Performance benefited from a supportive pricing environment and to a modest extent some gas hedges, with nitrogen prices increasing during the period, although margins remained constrained by higher gas input costs. The period also reflected cost pressure and some demand softness across certain segments, driven by elevated nitrogen and energy prices.
  • Additional working capital outflows were driven by pricing effects (natural gas and selling prices), resulting in higher receivables and inventory balances, which more than offset the EBITDA generated in the period. Near‑term cash flow performance is expected to be impacted by planned turnarounds and the normalisation of working capital.
  • The quarter was impacted by a temporary operational disruption affecting one ammonia line, resulting in ammonia imports to cover the shortfall. The affected line has since been restarted, and downstream operations remained consistent throughout.
  • Looking ahead, performance remains subject to external factors, including geopolitical developments and energy market conditions, with pricing continuing to reflect disruption in global trade flows; against this backdrop, fertiliser prices have softened from April peaks, reflecting geopolitical developments. In this context, OCI Nitrogen operates in a structurally volatile, high operating leverage environment, where relatively small changes in natural gas costs, commodity pricing, plant reliability and other macroeconomic factors can have a disproportionate impact on earnings and valuation. The Company continues to actively monitor and respond to these dynamics.

Corporate Entities

  • The Company’s ability to achieve its previously guided HoldCo cost run-rate has been deferred, reflecting continued costs related to managing the close-out of the BNA project claims, the Enterprise Chamber proceedings, the potential transaction for OCI Nitrogen and the completion of ongoing strategic review activities, together with associated non-recurring items, including employee severance and contractual commitments, as well as transaction, banking, legal and advisory fees, and other related expenses. Based on the above and project related committed costs, corporate costs for 2026 are expected to exceed the annualised Q1 figure.

Product sales volumes (‘000 metric tonnes)

‘000 metric tonnes 

Q1 ’26

Q1 ’25

% Δ

Own Product

Ammonia

59.2

72.5

-18 %

CAN

287.3

248.5

16 %

UAN

121.5

97.7

24 %

Total Fertilizer

468.0

418.7

12 %

Melamine

14.4

17.2

-16 %

DEF / AdBlue

57.0

48.5

18 %

Total Own Product Sold

539.4

484.4

11 %

Traded third Party

Ammonia

21.6

53.2

-59 %

UAN

6.4

-100 %

AS

18.8

29.7

-37 %

Total Traded Third Party

40.4

89.3

-55 %

Total Own Product and Traded Third Party

579.8

573.7

1 %

Benchmark prices[1]

 Q1 ’26

 Q1 ’25

 % Δ

Q4 ’25

 % Δ

Ammonia

NW Europe, CFR

$/mt

697

570

22 %

613

14 %

Ammonia

US Gulf Tampa contract

$/mt

612

491

25 %

554

10 %

CAN

Germany, CIF

€/mt

381

360

6 %

332

15 %

UAN

France, FCA

€/mt

382

322

19 %

335

14 %

Natural gas

TTF (Europe)

$/mmBtu

13.6

14.0

-3 %

10.8

26 %

Natural gas

Henry Hub (US)

$/mmBtu

3.5

3.9

-10 %

3.5

0 %

[1] Source: CRU, Bloomberg

Notes

This report contains unaudited first quarter highlights of OCI Global (‘OCI,’ ‘the Group’ or ‘the Company’), a public limited liability company incorporated under Dutch law, with its head office located at Honthorststraat 19, 1071 DC Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

OCI Global is registered in the Dutch commercial register under No. 56821166 dated 2 January 2013. The Group is primarily involved in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers and industrial chemicals.

Auditor

The reported data in this report have not been audited by an external auditor.

Market Abuse Regulation

This press release contains inside information as meant in clause 7(1) of the Market Abuse Regulation.

About OCI Global

Learn more about OCI at www.oci-global.com. You can also follow OCI on LinkedIn.
OCI stock symbols: OCI / OCI.NA / OCI.AS

XCMG Secures Over $1 Billion in Orders at 8th International Customer Festival, Expanding Global Partnerships

XUZHOU, China, May 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XCMG concluded its 8th International Customer Festival, held from May 19 to 23 in Xuzhou, with more than 2,500 customers and business partners from around the world in attendance. During the event, signed orders exceeded US$1 billion, setting a new record for XCMG’s International Customer Festival and reflecting continued global recognition of XCMG’s products, technologies and integrated solutions.

XCMG Secures Over $1 Billion in Orders at 8th International Customer Festival, Expanding Global Partnerships
XCMG Secures Over $1 Billion in Orders at 8th International Customer Festival, Expanding Global Partnerships

“XCMG’s development has been built on the long-term trust of customers and partners worldwide,” said Yang Dongsheng, chairman of XCMG Group and XCMG Machinery. “Looking ahead, XCMG will continue to focus on technological innovation, green development and intelligent transformation, working with global partners to advance the high-quality development of the construction machinery industry and deliver greater value across different markets and application scenarios.”

The record orders covered a wide range of core product categories, including lifting machinery, earthmoving machinery, mining machinery, road machinery and aerial work platforms, demonstrating XCMG’s diversified product portfolio and global customer base.

Green energy and smart mining products delivered particularly strong performance, with orders for XCMG’s “Qingshan Green” lineup — XCMG’s green and low-carbon products — accounting for a significantly higher share. The results reflect growing global demand for new energy, intelligent and low-carbon construction equipment, while highlighting XCMG’s competitiveness in green and intelligent transformation.

As an important platform connecting XCMG with global customers and partners, the Festival offered participants from different regional markets an opportunity to better understand XCMG’s product portfolio, technological capabilities and service support.

This year’s Festival also highlighted XCMG’s integrated solutions for different construction scenarios. Across eight application scenarios, including smart earthmoving, green energy, emergency rescue and smart agriculture, XCMG showcased complete solutions designed to cover multiple working conditions and the full equipment lifecycle, giving customers a closer look through onsite experiences.

Customer feedback reflected the trust built through long-term cooperation, as well as recognition of XCMG’s product reliability, technological upgrades and localized service support.

“XCMG’s products have become even more intelligent since my last visit,” said a returning customer.

“Working with XCMG feels like being part of a family,” said a customer from Africa.

A customer from Saudi Arabia also expressed hopes of visiting China every three months in the future.

With growing participation from global customers and record signing results, XCMG’s global partnership network continues to deepen and expand.

BLUETTI FridgePower Hits $2M Milestone and Global Award Ahead of Retail Launch

The world’s first dedicated refrigerator failsafe receives global honors as its $2M Kickstarter campaign enters the final countdown.

LOS ANGELES, May 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Clean energy pioneer BLUETTI has earned Frost & Sullivan recognition for FridgePower, the world’s first ultra-slim backup power system purpose-built for refrigerators*. Surpassing $2 million in funding, the Kickstarter campaign concludes May 31—marking the final window for early-bird pricing before global shipping and the official retail launch begin in June.

Ahead of its June retail launch, BLUETTI FridgePower surpassed $2M on Kickstarter, setting a new standard for dedicated, automatic refrigerator backup power during outages.
Ahead of its June retail launch, BLUETTI FridgePower surpassed $2M on Kickstarter, setting a new standard for dedicated, automatic refrigerator backup power during outages.

The FridgePower addresses the inherent vulnerability of modern kitchens to unpredictable outages. This ultra-slim, automatic backup provides seamless 24/7 protection—preventing food spoilage during overnight failures or when the home is unattended. Industry experts have recognized this dedicated utility, highlighting its plug-and-play simplicity and a refrigeration-specific UPS protocol that offers enhanced reliability compared to general-purpose portable power stations.
 

FridgePower Stories from the Field

  • The $4,100 Beef Defense: Protecting High-Stakes Assets

    In a high-stakes test of grid independence, 20-year IBEW electrician Kyle partnered with Jordan, a professional chiropractor, to protect a critical asset: 456 lbs of premium beef valued at $4,100. By quickly deploying the FridgePower and a BlueCell 200 expansion battery, they simulated a grid failure test. The system’s 10ms UPS transition was so instantaneous that Jordan noted “not even a flicker” from the appliances. This professional-grade redundancy transformed a potential $4,100 loss into total household peace of mind.
     

  • The Fridge-Focused Solution: TechRadar & pv magazine’s Technical Validation

    Leading voices from TechRadar (4.5/5 score) have hailed the FridgePower for bridging the gap between rugged backup gear and expensive whole-home backup systems. Jack highlighted the appliance-first philosophy, noting that the 75mm ultra-slim profile and off-white colour feels far closer to a modern home appliance than a 2kWh power station. This aesthetic is backed by deep-layer engineering; pv magazine/ESS News’ technical review focused on the bypass-first architecture and idle power draw, which prioritizes direct power flow to the fridge to extend battery life. Tristan concluded that the FridgePower offers a simpler way to secure the most important part of a house, making it an ideal energy solution not just for homeowners, but for those who rent or lease as well.
     

  • A Strategy for Hurricane Readiness: CleanTechnica’s First-Hand Review

    Based in Florida’s hurricane-prone coast, Zachary Shahan of CleanTechnica highlighted the FridgePower’s unique convenience compared to traditional home battery backups. He noted the common struggle of power outages: “It can be a real hassle to pull a refrigerator out every time… then push that big fridge back in place.” By staying permanently connected, FridgePower eliminates this frustration. Beyond the sleek design, Zachary emphasized the practical resilience of the Extreme Weather Alert feature, which monitors local forecasts to automatically top off the battery ahead of predicted storms.

A Mission Driven by BLUETTI Community

“Our community’s feedback highlights a clear gap: while portable power stations can run a fridge, they often require manual intervention during a crisis,” said James Ray, spokesperson for BLUETTI. “We engineered FridgePower to eliminate that friction—providing a specialized, automatic backup that stays ready 24/7 so homeowners don’t have to lift a finger when the lights go out. Combined with the Frost & Sullivan recognition, this reinforces our mission: delivering smarter, mission-critical energy solutions for the modern home.”

Final 72 Hours on Kickstarter

The BLUETTI FridgePower Kickstarter campaign concludes May 31. Global shipping and full availability will commence in June 2026. This marks the final window to secure exclusive Early Bird pricing before retail rates apply:

  • FridgePower Solo: $819 (37% off MSRP)
  • FridgePower + BlueCell 200 Combo: $1,468 (41% off MSRP)

*Certified by Frost & Sullivan (April 2026)

About BLUETTI

Established in 2013, BLUETTI has evolved into a pioneer in the clean energy sector. Driven by robust in-house R&D and sustainable innovation, the brand empowers millions across 120+ countries to stay safe and prepared. Its portfolio of solar generators and home battery backup solutions ensures reliable power for emergency preparedness, RV travel, and  off-grid lifestyles.

Media Contact

Ellen Lee
PR Lead, U.S. Market
ellenlee@bluetti.com

DR.ALTHEA EXPANDS U.S. RETAIL PRESENCE WITH LAUNCH IN OLIVE YOUNG STORES IN LOS ANGELES AREA

The Viral K-Beauty Skincare Brand is Bringing Their Best-Selling Formulas to Consumers In-Person Beginning Late May

LOS ANGELES, May 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dr.Althea, the fast-growing Korean derma skincare brand known for its gentle yet highly effective formulations, is expanding its U.S. retail footprint with its launch into OLIVE YOUNG stores throughout the Los Angeles area beginning this May and June.

Shop Dr.Althea at OLIVE YOUNG
Shop Dr.Althea at OLIVE YOUNG

Built on a derma-focused philosophy centered around skin health and ingredient efficacy, Dr.Althea has gained global recognition for its gentle yet high-performance formulations designed for sensitive, compromised, and fungal acne-prone skin. Combining advanced technology with carefully selected active ingredients, the brand has cultivated a loyal global following for its clinically inspired, barrier-supportive approach to skincare.

The expansion marks a major milestone for the brand as consumers will now be able to shop some of Dr.Althea’s most sought-after skincare products in a brick-and-mortar setting, further strengthening the brand’s growing presence within the U.S. K-beauty market.

The brand will kick off with OLIVE YOUNG’s Pasadena location on May 29. Customers shopping at this location will be able to discover a curated assortment of Dr.Althea’s best-selling skincare products, including:

  • 345 Relief Cream
  • 345 Relief Cream Mist
  • 147 Barrier Cream
  • Aqua Marine Jelly Mist
  • Aqua Marine Deep Serum
  • Aqua Marine Watery Cream
  • PDRN Reju 5000 Cream
  • Vitamin C Boosting Serum
  • Gentle Vitamin C Serum
  • 15% Niacinamide Purity Serum
  • 0.1% Gentle Retinol Serum
  • Retinol Flat Iron Eye Roller
  • Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
  • Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm

“Our expansion into OLIVE YOUNG in the Los Angeles area is an exciting step for Dr.Althea as we continue to grow our presence in the U.S. market,” says Evelyn Lee, Founder of Dr.Althea. “We’re thrilled to give customers the opportunity to experience our products firsthand and connect with the brand in a more tangible way.”

With a rapidly growing global community, Dr.Althea has become especially recognized for its viral barrier-care products and science-backed formulations that help soothe irritation and strengthen the skin barrier. The brand’s bestselling 345 Relief Cream alone has surpassed 26 million units sold worldwide, equivalent to approximately one cream sold every three seconds, helping drive record Q1 sales of KRW 192 billion. Fueled by continued international growth, annual revenue is projected to reach KRW 700 billion by the end of 2026.

To shop Dr.Althea at OLIVE YOUNG and for store location and hours, please visit us.oliveyoung.com and for more information on Dr.Althea please visit doctoraltheaglobal.com.

About Dr.Althea:

Founded in 2014, Dr.Althea is a Korean derma skincare brand that has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing names in global beauty. Rooted in dermatological expertise, the brand is known for its clean, skin-soothing formulations specifically developed for sensitive and compromised skin, combining gentle ingredients with clinically minded skincare innovation.

Dr.Althea has gained international recognition through its bestselling 345 Relief Cream, which has surpassed 26 million units sold worldwide and achieved cult-favorite status among skincare enthusiasts globally. The brand’s rapid growth has solidified its position as a leading K-derma brand, recognized for delivering effective skincare solutions powered by dermatologically tested ingredients and barrier-focused formulations.

The brand has also received international recognition from prestigious beauty awards, including the Marie Claire US Skin Awards and the Who What Wear UK Next in Beauty Awards.

With continued global expansion and growing consumer demand, Dr.Althea is redefining modern K-beauty and setting new standards for clean and effective skincare worldwide. To learn more, visit Dr.Althea Global website or follow @dr.altheaglobal on Instagram and @dr.althea_official on TikTok.

Yozma Announces Landmark Football Partnership for 1st Anniversary

Partnership with the Belgian Red Devils marks a major step in Yozma’s global brand evolution.

DENVER, May 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To mark its first anniversary, Yozma has announced a landmark partnership as the North America regional dirt-bike partner of the Belgian Red Devils. The partnership marks a major milestone in Yozma’s evolution from an electric dirt bike brand into a broader outdoor lifestyle brand focused on exploration and boundary-breaking experiences.

Yozma 1st Anniversary Campaign
Yozma 1st Anniversary Campaign

This partnership is more than a celebration of our first year; it is a declaration of our future,” said Zach, Head of Brand and Marketing at Yozma. “By connecting with the passion of sport, we aim to strengthen Yozma’s identity as a symbol of exploration and outdoor lifestyle culture.

The campaign will include a content series focused on breaking limits and kinds of community-driven events throughout the Yozmasports social media. These activations are designed to bring Yozma’s “dare to explore” spirit closer to both football fans and outdoor adventure riders.

As part of the anniversary campaign, Yozma will also launch a limited flash sale, allowing more riders to experience its electric dirt bike lineup, including the Yozma IN 10 and Yozma IN 10 Pro, for both teens and adult riders, offering a cleaner alternative without sacrificing the thrill of traditional off-road riding.

As Yozma launches its 1st anniversary campaign alongside its landmark partnership with the Belgian Red Devils, Yozma enters a new chapter of global growth, cultural relevance, and outdoor lifestyle expansion.

Celebrate With Yozma

Yozma’s 1st anniversary campaign is now live, featuring exclusive promotions, community events, and special anniversary rewards.

Official Website: https://yozmasport.com/pages/anniversary-sale

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Yozma/page/B1462508-B3A6-4684-9BCA-1CA7F35CC1E4

About Yozma:

Yozma is an electric dirt bike brand focused on developing high-performance, eco-friendly off-road vehicles for modern riders. Combining innovative electric technology with premium design and rider-focused engineering, Yozma creates electric dirt bikes for teens and adults seeking a smarter and more exciting riding experience.

Follow us on Social Media:

Tiktok: @yozma_sport
Instagram: @Yozmasport
Facebook: YozmaSport

Rescuers Pull First Survivor Alive From Flooded Cave in Laos

First Villager Pulled Out Alive From Flooded Xaysomboun Cave. (screenshot from a video of the rescue posted by Thai rescue teams on Facebook on 29 May, 2026)

One of the villagers trapped for more than a week inside a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province was brought out alive on Thursday evening, May 29, a video shared by Thai rescue teams on social media showed.

This is the first extraction after more than a week of rescue operations.

The Thai rescue team confirmed at 8:37 PM local time that one survivor had safely exited the cave.

The group became trapped on 20 May after flash flooding sealed the entrance of a cave in Long Chaeng district, Xaysomboun province.

Five villagers were found alive on 27 May after rescue divers reached deep sections of the flooded cave system following days of difficult operations through narrow and submerged passages.

They were hungry and exhausted but alive.

Rescue teams from Laos and Thailand, including divers involved in Thailand’s 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue, have spent days pumping water out of the cave while bringing food, medicine and supplies to the trapped group.

Operations have repeatedly been slowed by heavy rain, unstable rock formations and rising water levels inside the cave.

Earlier, on 29 May, rescuers were still assessing the health of the five survivors before beginning extraction attempts.

In video footage shared by rescue teams, one of the trapped villagers told rescuers he had lots of chest pain, stomach ache and heavy coughing.

Additional cave diving experts from France, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia were travelling to Laos on Friday to support the operation.

Authorities are continuing efforts to locate two and rescue the five remaining villagers still inside the cave.

Vinpearl Partners With Leading Southeast Asian Travel Platforms To Expand Its International Reach


BANGKOK/SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire 29 May 2026 – Vinpearl Joint Stock Company announced a series of strategic partnerships and agreements with Agoda, AirAsia MOVE, BeMyGuest, and GlobalTix, leading regional players in online travel, aviation, and experience distribution. These collaborations are aimed at expanding access to international travelers, strengthening the global presence of the Vinpearl, VinWonders, Vinpearl Golf, and VinPalace ecosystem, and bringing Vinpearl’s hospitality, leisure, and entertainment offerings to a broader audience across international markets.

Photo1.jpg

The agreements were signed at the Vietnam-Thailand Business Forum and the Vietnam-Singapore Technology Connectivity Forum, held as part of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s official visits to the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Singapore, and the Republic of the Philippines from May 28 to June 1, 2026.

In Thailand, Vinpearl announced the expansion of its strategic partnerships with Agoda and AirAsia MOVE to strengthen the international presence of its integrated tourism, hospitality, and entertainment ecosystem.

Through Agoda, one of the world’s largest online travel platforms, Vinpearl aims to optimize business performance across its tourism, hospitality, and entertainment portfolio while expanding its reach in key markets including Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, Australia, and long-haul international traveler segments. The partnership also marks a new milestone for VinWonders, with its integrated leisure and hospitality products now being offered directly through Agoda’s global platform.

The partnership with AirAsia MOVE is designed to broaden international access to Vinpearl and VinWonders hospitality, leisure, and entertainment offerings in Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Nang-Hoi An through one of the region’s leading digital travel platforms. Via AirAsia MOVE, travelers can conveniently book flights, accommodations, and attractions within a single itinerary, making it easier to choose integrated Vinpearl and VinWonders experiences when visiting Vietnam.

With access to a network of more than 700 airlines and over one million hotels worldwide, AirAsia MOVE is expected to further strengthen the visibility of the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem among international travelers, while also enhancing Vietnam’s appeal as a destination for visitors from ASEAN and other key global markets.

Photo2.jpg

In Singapore, Vinpearl also signed partnership agreements with BeMyGuest and GlobalTix, two of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading technology and distribution platforms for travel experiences.

Supported by extensive partner networks and some of the region’s most diverse travel product portfolios, these collaborations are expected to strengthen the presence of the VinWonders brand across Southeast Asia, China, and India, while expanding international access to unique experience offerings in Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang.

Through these agreements, the partners will leverage their respective strengths in technology, distribution, and customer ecosystems to progressively expand the international footprint of Vinpearl and VinWonders while enhancing the global appeal of Vietnamese tourism.

Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, Chief Executive Officer, Vinpearl, said: “These partnerships not only expand Vinpearl’s network of strategic partners but also create a strong foundation for the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem to connect more deeply with global traveler segments through some of the region’s leading travel, aviation, and distribution platforms. This represents an important step in our strategy to strengthen international competitiveness and position Vinpearl destinations among the top choices for travelers across Asia.”

Mr. Krishna Rathi, Associate Vice President, Supply, Agoda, said: “With its extensive scale of operations, diverse portfolio, and ability to develop integrated destinations, Vinpearl is one of the most outstanding partners in Vietnam’s tourism industry today. We believe this partnership will help the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem engage more deeply with rapidly growing international traveler segments across Asia and global markets.”

Ms. Nadia Omer, Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia MOVE, said: “We highly value the opportunity to partner with Vinpearl in unlocking strategic collaboration potential within one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and fast-growing tourism markets. As an OTA platform with a comprehensive travel ecosystem and extensive regional connectivity, AirAsia MOVE is committed to further enhancing travel connectivity and intra-regional tourism flows. Vietnam is emerging as one of the region’s brightest tourism destinations, and we believe the combination of Vinpearl’s leading hospitality and entertainment ecosystem with AirAsia MOVE’s distribution and connectivity capabilities will create significant growth opportunities for the tourism sector in the years ahead.”

The partnerships with Agoda, AirAsia MOVE, BeMyGuest, and GlobalTix mark another milestone in Vinpearl’s strategy to internationalize its tourism, hospitality, and entertainment ecosystem while expanding the presence of Vinpearl and VinWonders accommodation, leisure, and experience offerings across global travel platforms.

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About Agoda

Agoda is a global online travel platform offering more than six million accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, apartments, and vacation villas, as well as flight bookings, travel activities, and related travel services. Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG). The platform operates in 39 languages, provides 24/7 customer support, and employs more than 7,500 people worldwide.

About AirAsia MOVE
AirAsia MOVE (MOVE) is the digital travel platform of Capital A Group and has been recognized by the World Travel Tech Awards as Asia’s Best Travel Booking App for three consecutive years since 2023. Focused on building a comprehensive travel ecosystem, MOVE delivers affordable, seamless, and personalized travel experiences across Southeast Asia and international markets.

The platform currently connects travelers to more than 700 airlines and over one million hotels worldwide while offering a wide range of services including attraction tickets, airport transfers, travel insurance, and integrated travel products. AirAsia MOVE also enhances user experience through its loyalty program and AskBo, an AI-powered travel chatbot.

About BeMyGuest
BeMyGuest is a Singapore-based travel technology company founded in 2012, specializing in booking and distribution solutions for attractions, tours, and travel experiences across the Asia-Pacific region. Its ecosystem includes the Distribution Network and Xplore Booking System, which support sales management, multi-channel distribution, and digital operations for thousands of partners in the experience tourism industry. BeMyGuest is connected to numerous online travel platforms and international distribution partners while providing multilingual solutions and flexible pricing models for integrated systems.

About GlobalTix
GlobalTix is a global technology and distribution platform for attractions, tours, and travel experiences, headquartered in Singapore with operations across multiple Asia-Pacific markets. Founded in 2013, GlobalTix enables attractions and experience operators to connect with travel agencies, online travel platforms, and international distribution partners through a unified platform. Its partners include major brands such as Mount Faber Leisure Group, Taman Safari Indonesia, Mandai Wildlife Group, National Gallery Singapore, and Singapore Airlines.

About Vinpearl

Vinpearl is Vietnam’s leading hospitality, tourism, and entertainment brand, currently operating 60 properties across 20 provinces and cities nationwide. Its ecosystem includes a network of five-star hotels and resorts with more than 17,500 rooms; 15 VinWonders theme parks featuring attractions for visitors of all ages; six world-class golf courses; and three VinPalace convention and performing arts centers. The portfolio also includes two semi-wildlife conservation and care parks, an equestrian academy, and million-dollar live-action performance shows in destinations such as Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, attracting millions of visitors each year.