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Asian Agri Distributes 30,000 Litres of Premium Cooking Oil Across Three Provinces in Sumatra Ahead of Eid

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 April 2026 – Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, demand for staple goods typically rises. To help communities access essential items at more affordable prices during Ramadan, Asian Agri organised its annual Affordable Premium Cooking Oil Bazaar from 2 to 17 March 2026 in three provinces across North Sumatra, Riau and Jambi provinces. Through this initiative, approximately 30,000 litres of cooking oil were distributed to communities in 100 villages surrounding its operational areas.

In North Sumatra, Asian Agri, through one of its business units PT Supra Matra Abadi (PT SMA), distributed a total of 4,500 litres of premium cooking oil in 16 villages across three regencies: Batu Bara, Labuhan Batu and South Labuhan Batu. These efforts helped eased the burden of rising prices during the festive period. Through the bazaar, residents were able to purchase Camar-brand cooking oil at affordable prices, with a limit of two litres per person.

Asian Agri’s North Sumatra Regional Head, Herman Sembiring, said the cooking oil bazaar is part of the company’s annual Ramadan initiative aimed at delivering direct benefits to surrounding communities.

“Through this initiative, we aim to help communities access essential goods at more affordable prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr. This reflects Asian Agri’s commitment to its 5Cs business philosophy — doing what is Good for the Community, Country, Climate and Customer, and only then will it be Good for the Company — by delivering contributions that can be directly felt by the community,” he said.

This initiative also received support from local governments as part of a collective effort to maintain the affordability of essential goods, particularly ahead of the holiday season.

“The South Labuhanbatu Regency Government is committed to ensuring that communities have access to essential goods at affordable prices, allowing people to observe Eid al-Fitr with greater comfort and peace of mind. This Ramadan low-cost bazaar is one of our collective efforts to support that goal, including through collaboration with PT Supra Matra Abadi,” said Fauzi Hutagalung, Head of the Industry and Trade Office of South Labuhanbatu.

In total, Asian Agri, a member of the RGE group of companies founded by Sukanto Tanoto, distributed approximately 30,000 litres of cooking oil across three provinces this year: 6,000 litres to 20 villages in North Sumatra, 12,500 litres to 41 villages in Riau and 11,300 litres to 39 villages in Jambi.
Hashtag: #RGE #AsianAgri #CSR #Community #Eidal-Fitr #Ramadan #CookingOil #Indonesia

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

About Asian Agri

Founded in 1979, Asian Agri is one of Indonesia’s foremost companies in crude palm oil production, managing over 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and employing over 20,000 people.

As a pioneer of the Indonesian Government’s Smallholder Transmigration Core Plantation Programme (PIR-Trans), Asian Agri has partnered with 30,000 scheme smallholders in Riau and Jambi, who collectively manage 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations. The company also fosters partnerships with independent smallholders to enhance their welfare and drive socio-economic growth.

Committed to sustainable practices, Asian Agri upholds a zero-burning policy and implements plantation best management practices to help smallholders boost productivity, increase crop yields, and improve supply chain traceability while supporting their journey towards certification. Asian Agri’s mills leveraged advanced technology and self-generated green energy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Asian Agri’s plantations, as along with their scheme smallholder plantations, are full Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified, underscoring the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable palm oil production.

Samsung Announces 2026 Home Audio line-up with Timeless Music Studio Wi-Fi Speakers and Advanced Q-Series Soundbars

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New Music Studio speakers merge powerful sound with refined aesthetics, while the latest Q-Series soundbars introduce expanded AI enhancements.

SYDNEY, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Samsung Australia has today unveiled its 2026 home audio range, introducing an expanded portfolio of design-led Wi-Fi speakers and soundbars crafted to deliver more personalised listening experiences for Australians. The line-up includes the all-new Music Studio 7 and Music Studio 5 wireless speakers, the next generation of powerful Q-Series soundbars, and refreshed Sound Tower models, each refined to complement modern lifestyles while enhancing home theatre experiences. This latest range builds on Samsung’s legacy as the world’s number one soundbar brand for 12 consecutive years[1] and continues Samsung’s commitment to offer a sound device to suit every Australian lifestyle.

“Samsung has been at the forefront of how Australians experience sound at home for over a decade. This leadership comes from combining deep audio expertise with a strong understanding of how listening habits have evolved; from immersive TV experiences to streaming music and podcasts. In 2026, we’re building on that foundation with audio that delivers premium performance while adapting seamlessly to everyday life and personal style,” said Simon Howe, Director – Visual Display and Brand Memory, Samsung Australia.

“Our expertly crafted Music Studio series and Q-Series soundbar ranges bring to life this combination of premium performance with timeless designs to meet the needs of various Australian lifestyles. Our latest audio products automatically optimise sound based on what you’re watching or listening to, and your surroundings, delivering a more immersive, personalised experience to every home.”

Music Studio 7 & 5 Wi-Fi Speakers: Inspired by the Origin of Sound Itself

The all-new Samsung Music Studio Series is designed to deliver immersive audio for music, podcasts and TV audio, while perfectly harmonising with Australian living spaces. Both Music Studio 7 and Music Studio 5 share a timeless “Dot Design” by renowned designer Erwan Bouroullec, sculpted in minimalist forms to avoid being linked to a particular era or style.

“Something very contemporary, like consumer electronics, can quickly become outdated if designed in a style that doesn’t endure. When the style is wrong, even the ergonomics can feel compromised, and the object becomes its own limitation,” said Mr. Bourourllec.

“In a very conscious way, I tried to root the design of the Music Studio models in what I consider the ethos of a speaker: a cone with a point in the middle. That’s what I always saw as a child behind the front cover of a speaker and it’s a shape that our brain computes easily. The finishes of the Music Studio speakers do not clearly evoke a specific material and detailing was reduced to a minimum to balance modernity with a more in-temporal approach. What has emerged is two highly technical and powerful wireless speakers that appear as furniture or art that can sit in a teenagers’ bedroom, in a workshop, or on the mantel of a modern or classically styled home.”

Music Studio 7: See the music, listen to the art

Designed to bring sound and art together, the Music Studio 7 delivers powerful 3.1.1 channel audio, creating rich, clear sound that fills spaces with depth and character. Whether its helicopters flying across a TV screen, an orchestra in a concert hall, or an emerging band with deep bass, Australians can feel fully immersed with support for wired or wireless Dolby Atmos 3D audio[2].

Complementing the Music Studio 7, the Music Studio 5 uses a built-in woofer and front-firing tweeters alongside waveguide technology to help direct and spread sound evenly across a room, enabling Australians to enjoy great audio wherever the speaker is placed.

Across the Music Studio Series, Hi-Resolution Audio helps enable Australians to hear each layer of music via enhanced decoding and signal processing with support for up to 24‑bit/96 kHz. Samsung’s new Pattern Control technology further refines the experience by directing sound, reducing distortion, and dispersing audio more evenly throughout a space.

Both speakers also utilise AI processing to enhance bass and tailor sound to both content and environment. Dynamic Bass Control[3] preserves low frequencies and reduces distortion, while SpaceFit Sound Pro[4] customises audio based on room dimensions and layout. Active Voice Amplifier Pro[5] further improves clarity by detecting background noise and enhancing dialogue.

New in 2026, Q-Symphony supports pairing up to five Samsung sound devices[6], helping Australians craft a personalised home theatre setup based on their home set-up and passions. The feature can also automatically adjust sound based on where speakers are in the room,[7] helping to provide optimal performance whatever the setup. Via Q-Symphony, both Music Studio models can also be paired with a compatible Samsung TV and soundbar to work in unison for more immersive audio when watching movies and shows[8].

Music Studio 7 and Music Studio 5 can also wirelessly connect to various devices via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, making it easy to play music and podcasts from popular streaming platforms. This includes a special integration with Spotify Tap, which enables Australians to double tap their phone to the Music Studio speaker to launch a playlist of recommended songs tailored to their taste. Another simple double tap again will conjure a fresh playlist – without needing to open your phone [9].  Further, two Music Studios can Stereo Play as dedicated left and right channels while up to 10 Music Studio models can connect via Group Play to create a spacious, flowing soundstage that flows naturally throughout the home[10].  

The Music Studio 7 and the Music Studio 5 are now available in select retailers nationwide in Black and White models. The Music Studio 7 has an RRP of $749 while the Music Studio 5 has an RRP of $499 with pricing set at dealer discretion. For more information on the Music Studio range, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/au/audio-devices/wireless-speaker

Samsung Q-Series Soundbars: Elevating Home Theatre to New Heights

For the ultimate cinematic experience, Samsung Q-Series soundbars continue to deliver powerful, detailed surround sound across all your content. In 2026, Samsung’s Q-Series soundbar range is helmed by the HW-Q990H and supported by the HW-Q930H 9.1.4ch soundbar and HW-Q800H 5.1.2ch soundbar, and HW-Q600H 3.1.2ch soundbar.

As the flagship, the HW-Q990H is Samsung’s most immersive soundbar yet, with true 11.1.4 channel sound designed to surround Australians from every angle.[11] Wireless Dolby Atmos[12] sound helps crisp sound flow around and above audiences to ensure every beat is heard, just as in a cinema. The HW-Q990H also features a compact dual active subwoofer with AI Dynamic Bass Control[13] which helps ensure powerful bass, while remaining space efficient. 

New across the 2026 Q-Series range[14] is Samsung Sound Elevation[15]. This feature enhances listening comfort by using up-firing speakers to expand the perceived height of audio, helping dialogue feel more naturally aligned with on-screen action rather than the soundbar below.

Auto Volume is also now included, designed to reduce sudden volume changes when switching between channels, content, or streaming services[16]. By analysing incoming audio and normalising levels, it helps ensure a more consistent listening experience without needing to use the remote.

Samsung’s Q-Series soundbar range is now available in leading retailers nationwide. Pricing is set at dealer discretion with RRPs:

  • Q-Series HW-Q990H/XY: RRP $1,999
  • Q-Series HW-Q930H/XY: RRP $1,699
  • Q-Series HW-Q800H/XY: RRP $1,099
  • Q-Series HW-Q600H/XY: RRP $899

For more information on Samsung’s soundbar range, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/au/audio-devices/all-audio-devices/?q-series-soundbar

Sound Towers: Combining portable convenience with audio power 

Rounding out the 2026 line-up, Samsung’s refreshed Sound Tower range delivers a portable audio solution designed for both indoor use and casual outdoor entertainment to help Australians release the beat wherever the moment takes them.[17]

Engineered for clear and balanced sound across a variety of environments, the Sound Tower MX-ST50F delivers up to 240W of output, supported by an enhanced acoustic design for wide audio coverage. Alongside the MX-ST40F, the range incorporates dual woofers and advanced waveguide-assisted tweeters to help ensure consistent clarity and dispersion.[18]

Both models also feature an IPX4 rating for its splash-resistance.[19] Designed for portability, the Sound Tower range also offers extended battery life. The ST50F provides up to 18 hours of playtime and includes a telescopic handle and wheels for easy transport, while the ST40F delivers up to 12 hours with a convenient top carry handle.[20]

The Sound Tower’s Party Lights+ system transforms any gathering into an immersive audio-visual experience. With five mood presets and six dynamic lighting patterns, users can create the perfect vibe using the Samsung Sound Tower App[21]. The lighting system reacts in real time, analysing beats and frequencies to activate multiple LED zones in sync with the music. Effects such as Wave, Trail, Spark, Breeze, Flow and Flare help set a wide range of moods from festive, high-energy moments to relaxed, ambient settings, making the Sound Tower a vibrant centrepiece for virtually any occasion.

Samsung’s 2026 Sound Tower models are available on Samsung.com/au and via select retailers only. The Sound Tower MX-ST50F has an RRP of $699 while the Sound Tower MX-ST40F has an RRP of $479 with pricing set at dealer discretion. For more information on the Sound Tower range, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/au/audio-devices/sound-tower/

To find out more about Samsung’s 2026 TV and audio line-up, register your interest and unlock exclusive launch benefits: https://www.samsung.com/au/tvs/handraiser/

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

[1] Samsung is ranked No.1 soundbar brand for 12 years (2014–2025) ® Futuresource Consulting Ltd. Based on overall soundbar market share by manufacturer on an annual unit & value basis.

[2] Source content must be Dolby Atmos® for Dolby Atmos® playback. Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[3] Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[4] Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[5] Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[6] Samsung Q-Symphony is compatible with all 2022-2026 Samsung TVs (excluding The Serif & The Sero) and Wi-Fi Speakers. Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content. AI features are compatible with select TVs: (Y23 Q70C↑, Y24 Q70D↑, Y25 QN70F↑, Y26 M80H↑, Y24-26 The Frame, The Frame Pro). Maximum number of connected compatible sound devices vary according to production year (Y26: 5 devices, Y23-25: 3 devices, Y20-22: 1 device).

[7] Compatible TV and speakers must be connected as Q-Symphony via Wi Fi. Q-Symphony Auto set up compatible with Samsung TVs. (Y25 Q80F ↑↑, 65″↑ LS03FW & Y23/24 Q70 ↑↑, excluding 32″). TV can connect and operate up to 3 compatible sound devices (3 Music Frames or 2 Music Frames and one soundbar). For optimal performance, the direct distance from TV and Music Frame is limited to 5 meters. Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[8] Samsung Q-Symphony is compatible with all 2022-2026 Samsung TVs (excluding The Serif & The Sero) and Wi-Fi Speakers. Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content. AI features are compatible with select TVs: (Y23 Q70C↑, Y24 Q70D↑, Y25 QN70F↑, Y26 M80H↑, Y24 26 The Frame, The Frame Pro). Maximum number of connected compatible sound devices vary according to production year (Y26: 5 devices, Y23-25: 3 devices, Y20-22: 1 device).

[9] Initial set-up through the Spotify mobile app and initial connection to Music Studio Speaker through Spotify Connect Casting is required. Compatible mobile device and speaker must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Requires Instant Music Play to be enabled in the Samsung SmartThings or Samsung Sound App.

[10] Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content. Feature accessible through the SmartThings app. Requires a mobile device running on Android 9.0 or above or iOS 15.0 or above (subject to change on software update) with the SmartThings app installed. SmartThings is compatible with selected devices. Please see samsung.com/au/SmartThings/. Each device must be connected to Wi-Fi or other wireless network. Content services are subject to change without notice.

[11] Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[12] Source content must be Dolby Atmos® or DTS:X enabled for Dolby ATMOS® or DTS:X playback. Samsung define “True Dolby Atmos” as featuring an upwards-firing directional speaker for three dimensional sound. Wireless Dolby Atmos transmission via Wi-Fi works with 2022-2026 Samsung TVs (excluding The Frame 32″).
#Mains power connection required. Sound quality will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[13] Sound quality and performance will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content

[14] Available on HW-Q990H, HW-Q930H, HW-Q800H, and HW-Q600H

[15] Sound quality and performance will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[16] Sound quality and performance will vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[17] Sound Tower should be placed on flat surfaces and kept away from exposure of sand and dirt to ensure proper functionality. Not advised for beach or pool use.

[18] Sound performance may vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling) and source content.

[19] The ST40F and ST50F is rated as IPX4 under IEC standard 60529 based on lab test conditions and is capable of withstanding splashes of water.  Not advised for beach or pool use. Please refer to your device’s user manual for further care instructions and limitations.

[20] Battery life based on Samsung internal lab conditions with pre-release version of given model connected via Bluetooth with LED lighting and bass switched off. Replaceable battery can be purchased through a Samsung Authorised Service Centre. Replaceable battery can be purchased through a Samsung Authorised Service Centre. Based on Samsung internal lab conditions with pre-release version of given model connected via Bluetooth with LED lighting and bass switched off. Estimated against battery power consumption during audio playback (mp3 file) at volume level 34. Actual battery life varies by features used, input signal size, file format, volume and many other factors.

[21] The Samsung Sound Tower app is compatible with Android mobile phone devices running Android OS 8.0 or later and with Apple mobile phone devices running iOS 13.0 or later.

 

Sino Jet and Hainan Airports Partner to Establish a Low-Altitude Company, Creating a New Paradigm for Three-dimensional Transportation in the Hainan Free Trade Port

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HONG KONG, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On the first day of the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo and the 2nd Global Investment Promotion Conference for Industries in the Hainan Free Trade Port, Sino Jet Group and Hainan Linghang Low-Altitude Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hainan Airports, officially signed a joint venture agreement to jointly establish Hainan Low-Altitude Mobility Co., Ltd.

This marks a key milestone in Sino Jet’s nationwide low-altitude economic strategy following its completion of the first scheduled routes in East China in March this year. With Hainan as the strategic focal point, the company will deeply integrate into the national low-altitude economic development agenda, and work to build a new model for three-dimensional transportation in the Pilot Free Trade Port.

Strong Collaboration to Unblock the “Capillaries” of the Free Trade Port’s Three-dimensional Transportation Network

Low-altitude economy has been elevated to a national strategic emerging industry. With its unique geographic location, abundant island resources, and wide-ranging cross-sea application scenarios—and with the advantage of policy stacking following the full-island “closed-loop” operation of the Pilot Free Trade Port in 2026—Hainan has become a natural testbed for the development of the low-altitude economy.

As one of the largest and highest-rated business aviation operators in the Asia-Pacific region, Sino Jet holds IS-BAO Level III certification, the highest global standard for safe operations, along with a worldwide service network. This joint venture with Hainan Airports is another key implementation by Sino Jet to systematically empower the low-altitude mobility sector—leveraging its 15 years of experience in high-end business aviation operations.

The newly established Hainan Low-Altitude Mobility Company will fully leverage Hainan Airports’ airport network across the entire island, its mature ground support and assurance systems, and its aviation-adjacent industry resources. Focusing on Hainan’s main island and in coordination with the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, the company will develop diversified low-altitude scenarios, including urban feeder transportation, aerial sightseeing, business shuttles, and cross-sea flights—helping unblock the “capillaries” of the Pilot Free Trade Port’s 3D transportation network in Hainan.

From “First Route Launch in East China” to “Operational Entry in Hainan”—Replicating and Upgrading High-End Mobility Products

One month ago, Zhejiang Low-Altitude Mobility Company under Sino Jet successfully completed its inaugural scheduled service in East China, demonstrating a business closed-loop model of “defining products through premium use cases.” The new joint venture in Hainan will replicate this proven approach and further upgrade it. Leveraging Hainan Free Trade Port’s international customer base and high-end tourism consumption scenarios, it will create a three-dimensional mobility sample that seamlessly integrates “high-altitude + low-altitude” travel.

This means that in the future, after arriving in Hainan by high-altitude aircraft, passengers can directly transfer to low-altitude aircraft to travel to destinations such as Sanya, Boao, and Danzhou, achieving “door-to-door” connectivity with near-minute level convenience.

Leading with a 50-Aircraft eVTOL Order, Advancing Commercialization of Green and Smart Low-Altitude Operations in Hainan

In terms of capacity reserves, Sino Jet signed in 2025 a firm procurement order for 50 AE200 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft with AEROFUGIA—one of the largest eVTOL commercial procurement cases in China to date. With the establishment of the Hainan low-altitude mobility company, this advanced fleet representing the future direction of urban air mobility is expected to be deployed for commercial operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port, helping Hainan transition from “traditional general aviation” to “green and smart low-altitude operations,” and enabling a leap in industrial development.

“Hainan Free Trade Port is the final important piece of the national low-altitude strategy for Sino Jet, and also the one with the greatest room for imagination,” said Li Yuanfeng, President of Sino Jet Group. “Our joint venture with Hainan Airports is not merely a simple stacking of resources, but a systematic validation of a new model of ‘business aviation + low-altitude mobility.’ We will make safety our bottom line, efficiency our benchmark, and experience our guiding principle—so that three-dimensional transportation can truly become a new calling card for high-end mobility and the tourism economy in Hainan.”

For queries please contact:

Sino Jet Marketing Department
Telephone: (+852) 2588 7007 / (+86 10) 8416 2637
Email: marketing@sinojet.org / marketing@sinojet.org.cn
Website: http://www.sinojet.org/

Gupshup Launches Superagent: the Autonomous AI Agent for Customer Conversations at Scale

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Also launches the Superclaw — self-hosted for SMEs and privacy-first organizations

SAN FRANCISCO and MUMBAI, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Gupshup, the world’s leading conversational AI platform, today announced the launch of Gupshup Superagent, an autonomous AI agent that drives customer conversations at scale across every major messaging and voice channel.

Superagent goes beyond traditional AI assistants by acting as a full-stack orchestrator for customer experiences. From a single conversational interface, it can design and launch campaigns, orchestrate customer journeys, provision messaging and voice infrastructure, process transactions, monitor performance, and continuously optimize outcomes — enabling businesses to move seamlessly from intent to revenue. It works across popular messaging channels including WhatsApp, RCS, SMS, Truecaller, Telegram, Instagram, PSTN voice, and WhatsApp voice — in most languages globally. You tell it what you need; it takes care of all the details – it takes you from prompt to profits.

What differentiates Superagent is its deep domain expertise rooted in Gupshup’s cPaaS and CX leadership. Superagent inherits Gupshup’s strong messaging and voice infrastructure built over 15 years, handling 10 billion messages per month for 50,000 businesses across 100+ countries, with regional and regulatory nuances across countries. It also leverages proven engagement levers across industry verticals and geography, channel-specific best practices, and a vast set of performance optimization metrics. This embedded intelligence enables Superagent to not just automate workflows, but to make autonomous, context-aware decisions that directly improve customer experience and deliver business outcomes — something generic AI tools cannot replicate. This enables business to go from conversations to conversions.

With a few simple prompts, Superagent can set up the infrastructure, create accounts, build journeys, develop AI agents, run campaigns, review analytics and autonomously self-optimize. It also understands context and makes custom recommendations for, say, a fintech company in Brazil, an e-commerce firm in the US, a real-estate broker in the middle east, or a bank in India – it customizes the campaigns and journeys for each. Beta users have seen up to 90% reduction in time, effort and cost, and over 25% higher conversions.

“Managing customer conversations has been too hard for too long. Superagent is not just laying the rails for AI-powered customer engagement; it can also run the trains. It autonomously attracts, serves, and converts customers — across every channel, in every language — without waiting to be told what to do. We believe this will transform customer engagement and are thrilled to put it in our customers’ hands.” said Beerud Sheth, CEO of Gupshup.

Gupshup is simultaneously launching Superclaw — a self-hosted, on-device version of the Superagent built on the OpenClaw platform, with stronger security, memory- and token- efficiency. Superclaw runs on a local computer, keeps all usage and customer data private and on-device, and links to either personal or business messaging channels on the user’s own accounts. It is designed for small and medium-sized businesses that want to run a powerful AI marketing agent with no external infrastructure costs — and for large enterprises in regulated industries where data sovereignty is non-negotiable.

Apart from using it on the web, users can also activate Superagent through WhatsApp, voice, or RCS, or embed it into their existing AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, etc. Superagent is live today in beta.

About Gupshup

Gupshup is the world’s leading conversational AI platform, enabling businesses to build and deploy AI-powered customer interactions across 30+ messaging channels. Trusted by 50,000+ businesses in 100+ countries, with a partner network of 3,000+ globally, Gupshup processes tens of billions of messages annually. Learn more at gupshup.ai.

WuXi Biologics Achieves ISO 13485 Certification, Signifying Strong Capabilities in Drug-Device Combination Product Development and Manufacturing

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  • Company is among the first in China’s drug-device combination products sector to obtain this certification, delivering superior solutions to global clients
  • Zero non-conformities demonstrates company’s robust quality management system

SHANGHAI, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WuXi Biologics (2269.HK), a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), announced that it has successfully achieved ISO 13485:2016 Medical Device Quality Management System certification with zero non-conformities, becoming among the first in China’s drug-device combination products sector to obtain this certification. The achievement highlights the company’s robust quality system and strong compliance capabilities, reflecting a solid foundation for delivering safe, stable and reliable end-to-end services to clients worldwide.

ISO 13485:2016 is widely recognized as the global gold standard for quality management in the medical device industry. It provides a structured framework to ensure safety, effectiveness and regulatory compliance across the full product lifecycle. The standard spans core elements — such as design and development, risk management, manufacturing process control, traceability, and supplier management — and emphasizes alignment with applicable regulatory requirements. Given the cross-disciplinary nature of drug-device combination products, their development and manufacturing must meet both the stability requirements for active pharmaceutical ingredients and the performance requirements for medical devices. Building on its existing cGMP framework, WuXi Biologics established a combination-product system that is aligned with both pharmaceutical and medical device regulatory expectations.

During the nearly five-day on-site audit, WuXi Biologics demonstrated a strong systems foundation and a comprehensive quality management approach for drug-device combination products, successfully obtaining certification and proving the robustness of its platform for commercial manufacturing.

Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, commented, “Successfully achieving ISO 13485 certification reflects our technical depth and disciplined quality management for drug–device combination products. We will continue to uphold rigorous quality standards and reliable operations to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality solutions for global clients, empowering the development of breakthrough therapies through a trusted CRDMO platform.”

WuXi Biologics has continuously strengthened its sustainability and compliance management systems, building an integrated framework that encompasses information security, business continuity, quality management, environmental and occupational safety, energy management, and sustainable procurement. The company has obtained multiple internationally recognized certifications — including ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 14064 and ISO 20400 — that verify the strength of WuXi Biologics’ foundation for high-quality and sustainable growth.

About WuXi Biologics

WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK) is a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) offering end-to-end solutions that enable partners to discover, develop and manufacture biologics – from concept to commercialization – for the benefit of patients worldwide.

With over 13,000 employees in China, the United States, Ireland, Germany, and Singapore, including experts and scientists in biologics R&D and manufacturing, technology innovation, and operational excellence, WuXi Biologics leverages its technologies and expertise to deliver efficient, cost-effective, and scalable biologics solutions tailored to meet clients’ needs. By embedding digital capability and infrastructure across the full biopharmaceutical value chain, the company turns data, computation, and prediction into transparent client experience, faster development, intelligent operations, and more efficient manufacturing. As of December 31, 2025, WuXi Biologics is supporting 945 integrated client projects, including 74 in Phase III and 25 in commercial manufacturing, while complex modalities represent more than half of the entire project portfolio.

WuXi Biologics regards sustainability as the cornerstone of long-term business growth. The company continuously drives technology innovations to offer advanced end-to-end Green CRDMO solutions for its global partners while demonstrating exemplary Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. Committed to creating shared value, it collaborates with all stakeholders to foster positive social and environmental impacts and promote responsible practices that empower the entire value chain.

For more information about WuXi Biologics, please visit: www.wuxibiologics.com

L’Occitane en Provence Announces the Return of Its Iconic Amande Sublime Collection, Redefining Daily Shower as a Conscious Ritual

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Rooted in Provençal Almond Heritage, Crafted for Modern Better‑Being

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 April 2026 – In a world that rarely slows down, a shower remains one of the few uninterrupted pauses in the day, a moment that belongs entirely to the self. With the return of its iconic Amande Sublime collection, L’Occitane en Provence reimagines this everyday routine as a mindful ritual, where sensorial pleasure meets responsible beauty.

Amande Sublime Collection: Softening Shower Oil, Supple Skin Oil, and Smoothing Milk Concentrate
Amande Sublime Collection: Softening Shower Oil, Supple Skin Oil, and Smoothing Milk Concentrate

At the heart of the collection is Almond, a precious ingredient deeply tied to Provence and to L’Occitane’s longstanding commitment to biodiversity, responsible sourcing, and circular beauty.
From Provence to the Shower: The Almond Story of Renewal
Once abundant across Provence, Almond trees nearly disappeared from the landscape in the mid‑20th century due to changing agricultural priorities and climate challenges. Since 2000, L’Occitane has worked closely with local farmers to help revive this fragile crop, supporting the replanting of more than 500,000 Almond trees in southern France and contributing to the regeneration of local ecosystems.

Sourced from Provence, L’Occitane’s Almonds are cultivated using agroecological practices that prioritise soil health, biodiversity and long‑term resilience. By working directly with producers, including multi‑generation Almond growers at the Valensole plateau – Jean-Pierre Jaubert, the Maison ensures both the quality of its ingredients and the preservation of Provençal heritage.
A Circular Approach to Ingredients — Nothing Wasted
L’Occitane’s philosophy extends beyond sourcing to using every part of the Almond:
  • Almond Oil gently cleanses and nourishes the skin
  • Almond Milk helps hydrate and improve skin suppleness
  • Finely Crushed Almond Shells are repurposed for gentle exfoliation
This holistic use of the ingredient reflects a circular mindset – maximising benefits while minimising waste and reinforces L’Occitane’s commitment to responsible production.
The Icon Reimagined: Amande Sublime Softening Shower Oil
A global bestseller, the Amande Sublime Softening Shower Oil transforms from a silky oil into a delicate milky lather on contact with water, cleansing gently while enveloping the skin in the comforting scent of fresh Almonds.

Formulated with 40% natural-origin oils, including Almond and grapeseed oils, the shower oil leaves skin feeling soft and supple after every use. The formula contains 99% biodegradable ingredients and is available in a refill format that helps reduce packaging weight by up to 81% compared to standard bottles, offering a more conscious way to enjoy everyday indulgence.
Beyond the Shower: A Complete Almond Body Ritual Reimagined
The ritual continues with targeted body care products designed to support skin comfort and elasticity:
  • Amande Sublime Supple Skin Oil, formulated with 50% Almond oil, helps improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of stretch marks by up to 44%, leaving skin firmer and more refined after regular use
  • Amande Sublime Smoothing Milk Concentrate delivers lasting hydration, helping to nourish and soften the skin while improving overall texture and comfort
Both products are also available in refill formats, encouraging long‑term use with reduced environmental impact.
Design Inspired by Nature
Accompanying the collection is a refreshed packaging design inspired by the delicate curve of an inverted Almond, reflecting softness, fluidity and sensoriality. The signature black cap pays homage to L’Occitane’s iconic apothecary heritage and is engraved with the Maison’s monogram, a subtle link between tradition and modern refinement.
A Certified Commitment to Conscious Beauty
As part of the L’Occitane Group, a certified B Corporation™ since 2023, the Amande Sublime collection embodies the Maison’s commitment to balancing pleasure with purpose from responsible ingredient sourcing to waste‑reducing packaging and long‑term biodiversity programmes.

Held in Kuala Lumpur, the Everyday Ritual Redefined with L’Occitane Amande Sublime event reimagined a familiar bathroom moment as an immersive sensorial journey, engaging the senses of sight, scent, texture, touch and taste through the comforting world of Almond. Guests were guided through a ritual of cleansing, pausing and nourishing the skin, reflecting on how everyday routines can be transformed into moments of intention.
“Today, self‑care is not about adding more steps, but about finding meaning in moments we already have,” said Ms Elida Wong, General Manager of L’Occitane Southeast Asia & India. “The shower is one of the few daily rituals that allows us to pause. With the Amande Sublime collection, we hope to transform this moment into an experience that feels both sensorial and intentional.”

Hashtag: #RedefineYourShowerMoment #LOccitaneMY #LOccitaneEnProvence


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

L’Occitane en Provence

A Beauty Maison revealing the living force of flora, since 1976. Born from a simple gesture – the distillation of rosemary – L’Occitane en Provence draws its inspiration from the vibrant nature and cultures of Haute-Provence. The Maison designs skincare, fragrances and home collections formulated in France with botanicals inspired by Haute-Provence and enhanced by advanced science and an environmentally conscious approach. Celebrating the ties that bind people and nature, L’Occitane en Provence brings to life an art de vivre inspired by the beauty of simple moments. Today, the Maison shares this philosophy with its guests through over 3,000 boutiques worldwide, 100 spas, 2,500 partner hotels, and its own hotel, Le Couvent des Minimes, un HĂ´tel et Spa L’Occitane en Provence.

The L’OCCITANE Group is now B Corp™ certified

The L’Occitane Group, a pioneer in premium sustainable beauty and wellness, is proud to announce that it is now a certified B Corporation™. This is an exciting milestone that builds on the Group’s ongoing commitment to creating positive change by empowering the communities it invests in, protecting biodiversity, reducing waste and mitigating climate change. With certification, the Group joins a global community of like-minded businesses that share a collective vision of creating an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy to be a force for good in the world.

China-US: Old Friends, New Stories | NYU Shanghai Vice-Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman: I played against a Chinese table tennis player in 1972

By
Advertorial Desk
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Editor’s note: This year marks the 55th anniversary of the China-US Ping-Pong Diplomacy, a historic episode that paved the way for the normalization of bilateral relations.

To revisit the journey of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, this series features interviews with representative figures from the fields of sports, culture, economy, current affairs, and education — all of whom have contributed to China-US exchanges over the past 55 years.

SHANGHAI, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from english.shanghai.gov.cn

Jeffrey Lehman.
Jeffrey Lehman.

Jeffrey Lehman has served as vice-chancellor of NYU Shanghai since the university’s founding in 2012. During his years in Shanghai, he has received the city’s highest honors for expats, such as the Magnolia Gold Award, Magnolia Silver Award, and Honorary Citizen of Shanghai.

In 1972, when Lehman was a high school junior in the United States, he knew almost nothing about China, yet he loved playing ping pong.

Growing up in Maryland, his family kept a ping-pong table in the basement, where he often played with his father and friends.

In April 1972, his father told him that he had tickets to see the visiting Chinese table tennis team play an exhibition match at the University of Maryland.

“We got to see this incredible exhibition of talent, people like Liang Geliang and Zheng Minzhi, playing a quality of ping pong that I’d never seen before,” he said.

The next day at school, he told his friends what he had witnessed. About an hour later, one of them came running into his classroom and said, “You are not going to believe this. A player from the Chinese team is next door at the shopping mall. They’ve set up a table, and she’s happy to play against anybody. You should go play.”

He ran out of the high school, went next door, and played against her.

“I don’t remember who it was, but she hit the ball harder than I’d ever encountered before. It was thrilling, and that, I guess, was the beginning of my connection to China,” he said.

By 1998, Lehman was dean of the University of Michigan Law School. That year, the US and Chinese governments agreed to bring four deans of American law schools to China to meet with their Chinese counterparts and discuss the rule of law. Lehman was invited to join the delegation.

“That was my first trip to China, and it was astonishing for me. It was life-changing. I came over for one year, and one year became two years, and three years, and four years,” he said.

In 2012, New York University, East China Normal University, and the governments of Shanghai and the Pudong New Area invited him to relocate to Shanghai to help launch NYU Shanghai.

Today, NYU Shanghai has students from about 80 countries. The university has a rule that every freshman must have at least one roommate who holds a passport from a different country.

Lehman believes this approach encourages genuine cross-cultural communication among students.

“We will continue to do our best to ensure that our students become deeply educated about the world so that, as they take on positions of leadership in their countries, they will be able to share their actual experiences and knowledge of the rest of the world with fellow leaders back home,” he noted.

“Follow your curiosity wherever it leads. It’s a big world out there, and don’t pull back. Always pursue new opportunities to learn wherever they are,” he added.

Ping-pong diplomacy

Ping pong diplomacy began in early April 1971 at the World Table Tennis Championships in Nagoya, Japan, when US player Glenn Cowan accidentally boarded a bus carrying the Chinese team, leading to an unexpected encounter with Chinese player Zhuang Zedong.

In the days that followed, the Chinese government invited the US table tennis team to visit China. On April 10, 1971, the team arrived in Beijing, becoming the first US delegation to enter the country since 1949.

The visit became a powerful symbol of goodwill, signaling a willingness on both sides to improve relations.

A year later, in April 1972, the Chinese table tennis team paid a return visit to the US, further strengthening emerging cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

To learn more about the historic episode and the broader story of China-US exchanges, please visit:

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-PingPongDiplomacy55/index.html

Cainiao Debuts ZeeBot Climbing Robot, Doubling Storage & Retrieval Productivity in Live Operations

By
Advertorial Desk
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ATLANTA, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cainiao, a global provider of e-commerce logistics and logistics technology, today announced the launch of ZeeBot, its first self-developed rack-climbing warehouse robot. The first warehouse project powered by ZeeBot has been delivered and is now operating in Guangdong, China. Field results show the solution increases storage and retrieval productivity by 100%, with ZeeBot able to climb to the height of a five-level rack in as little as 10 seconds.

The debut marks a milestone in Cainiao’s in-house development of core logistics technology and highlights the industry’s shift from software-enabled, point automation toward AI-driven, end-to-end intelligent operations.

Purpose-built for warehouse environments, ZeeBot is designed to solve a common limitation in automated facilities: horizontal movement and vertical storage are often handled by separate systems, and the handoffs between them can restrict throughput. ZeeBot combines both functions in a single robot. It travels quickly through ultra-narrow aisles on the warehouse floor, then climbs racking to retrieve and put away totes. Coordinated through fleet-level scheduling, the system increases storage density and improves overall flow.

“Logistics workflows are long and complex. Traditional automation can deliver efficiency at individual steps, but the end-to-end process is often fragmented, leaving gaps in the automated flow,” said Bi Jianghua, Vice President of Cainiao and General Manager of Logistics Technology. “As a key product designed to connect multiple operational links, ZeeBot will help warehouses move to a new phase of AI-scheduled, end-to-end multi-robot collaboration.”

Compared with other automated warehouses, ZeeBot-enabled sites deliver clear advantages: robots can travel at speeds of up to 4 meters per second on the floor and climb to racking up to five stories high in as little as 10 seconds. The solution also increases storage density, improving space utilization by 40%. With a modular design that speeds up deployment, it gives warehouses greater flexibility to scale capacity as volumes grow or demand changes.

ZeeBot is now commercially available. Over 100 units are already operating in a cross-border logistics warehouse in Dongguan, Guangdong, supporting a leading global cross-border e-commerce platform.

As one of the world’s largest e-commerce logistics providers, Cainiao operates a global network that provides large-scale, real-world scenarios to test and validate new logistics technologies—speeding up iteration and strengthening reliability in production environments. Building on deployments already underway in China, ZeeBot will next be rolled out to Cainiao’s warehouses in Europe and North America, bringing this proven solution to more customers worldwide.

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