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Wild Elephant Raids Isan Restaurant Multiple Times in Thailand

Wild elephant leaving after raided the Isan restaurant near Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. (Photo by Khaosod)

A wild elephant in Thailand has repeatedly raided a popular Isan restaurant near Khao Yai National Park, with three incidents reported within less than a month.

The elephant, known as Plai Biang Lek, most recently entered PenLaos restaurant in Nakhon Ratchasima on 3 April, searching for food and causing damage. Thai media reported it was the third time the same elephant targeted the location.

The first incident occurred on 11 March, when the elephant entered the restaurant, damaged outdoor furniture, and destroyed a fruit display. Staff said the smell of fresh food likely attracted it.

Two days later, on 13 March, the elephant appeared again at a nearby morning market. It entered a papaya salad stall, broke glass displays, dented counters, and scattered food while trying to eat.

The repeated visits highlight growing concerns in areas close to the forest, where businesses are more exposed to wildlife, especially during the dry season when food in natural habitats becomes scarce.

Conservation groups said more wild elephants are leaving protected areas in search of food and water, increasing risks for both people and the animals. 

They recommend improving food and water sources within forests and reducing attractants in nearby communities.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as similar incidents continue around Khao Yai National Park.

Xinhua Silk Road: Savor a cup of Fenjiu to cheer for reunion

BEIJING, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In China, traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival are days to celebrate reunion.

While Chinese people return home for family gatherings during such holidays, some overseas Chinese and foreigners in China find it captivating to savor a cup of baijiu to experience the oriental essence.

Among their diverse choices, Fenjiu, a light-flavor Chinese baijiu, was one of the optimal choices that conquered the taste buds of many and gained more popularity abroad this February.

In Canada, a spring temple fair for overseas Chinese from north China’s Shanxi Province where Fenjiu Group, the producer of Fenjiu, is situated, was thronged by visitors eager to taste Qinghua Fenjiu, Rose Fenjiu and other Fenjiu products with refreshing aroma, refined flavors and smooth texture.

In Australia, a celebration of the Year of the Horse in Chinatown of Melbourne presented the Fenjiu special Panama edition and 30-year-old Qinghua Fenjiu with upscale black and gold packaging to overseas Chinese there and captured their hearts.

Elsewhere in the Chinese food restaurants in Paris of France and streets of Madrid in Spain, Fenjiu products are always spotted on tables of overseas Chinese during the holidays.

In Greece and the UAE, similar venues or events akin to the above-mentioned ones welcomed more foreigners to experience the traditional Chinese holiday while enjoying a cup of the distinguished Chinese baijiu.

In Chinese cities, an increasing number of foreigners had opted in February for a China travel to feel the warmth and charm of the Spring Festival when celebrating the festival in China is evolving into a new global fashion.

Already collected in Kremlin Museum in Moscow, Qinghua Fenjiu, a premium Fenjiu product, is showing how foreign friends have understood the oriental brewing wisdom and cultural inclusiveness.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/350006.html

 

Xinhua Silk Road: Savor a cup of Fenjiu to cheer for reunion

BEIJING, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In China, traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival are days to celebrate reunion.

While Chinese people return home for family gatherings during such holidays, some overseas Chinese and foreigners in China find it captivating to savor a cup of baijiu to experience the oriental essence.

Among their diverse choices, Fenjiu, a light-flavor Chinese baijiu, was one of the optimal choices that conquered the taste buds of many and gained more popularity abroad this February.

In Canada, a spring temple fair for overseas Chinese from north China’s Shanxi Province where Fenjiu Group, the producer of Fenjiu, is situated, was thronged by visitors eager to taste Qinghua Fenjiu, Rose Fenjiu and other Fenjiu products with refreshing aroma, refined flavors and smooth texture.

In Australia, a celebration of the Year of the Horse in Chinatown of Melbourne presented the Fenjiu special Panama edition and 30-year-old Qinghua Fenjiu with upscale black and gold packaging to overseas Chinese there and captured their hearts.

Elsewhere in the Chinese food restaurants in Paris of France and streets of Madrid in Spain, Fenjiu products are always spotted on tables of overseas Chinese during the holidays.

In Greece and the UAE, similar venues or events akin to the above-mentioned ones welcomed more foreigners to experience the traditional Chinese holiday while enjoying a cup of the distinguished Chinese baijiu.

In Chinese cities, an increasing number of foreigners had opted in February for a China travel to feel the warmth and charm of the Spring Festival when celebrating the festival in China is evolving into a new global fashion.

Already collected in Kremlin Museum in Moscow, Qinghua Fenjiu, a premium Fenjiu product, is showing how foreign friends have understood the oriental brewing wisdom and cultural inclusiveness.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/350006.html

 

Xinhua Silk Road: A splendid taste bud journey in Fenjiu Museum

BEIJING, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In 1915 when a jar of Fenjiu produced by the then Yiquanyong Distillery, a Shanxi-located distillery, was opened at a booth of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, its refreshing aroma spread over the exhibition venue and brought the light-flavor Chinese baijiu to the world.

The fine liquor made from sorghum, also the predecessor of today’s Fenjiu, embodied the profound oriental brewing wisdom of baijiu, helping Fenjiu win the grand prize of the expo held in San Francisco of the United States over a century ago.

Around 110 years later, Fenjiu Museum, a site housing all the honors and historical items relative to Fenjiu’s brewing, welcomed an American friend Ian, who exclaimed that the Chinese liquor boasts a mellow taste.

After savoring the original pulp Fenjiu with an alcohol content of 69 percent and Baiyu Fenjiu, Ian fell in love with the Chinese liquor now embracing the world with its unique aroma, taste and openness.

Currently, Fenjiu products, a cultural bond between Chinese baijiu lovers at home and abroad, have been exported to more than 70 countries and regions around the world.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/350005.html

Xinhua Silk Road: A splendid taste bud journey in Fenjiu Museum

BEIJING, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In 1915 when a jar of Fenjiu produced by the then Yiquanyong Distillery, a Shanxi-located distillery, was opened at a booth of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, its refreshing aroma spread over the exhibition venue and brought the light-flavor Chinese baijiu to the world.

The fine liquor made from sorghum, also the predecessor of today’s Fenjiu, embodied the profound oriental brewing wisdom of baijiu, helping Fenjiu win the grand prize of the expo held in San Francisco of the United States over a century ago.

Around 110 years later, Fenjiu Museum, a site housing all the honors and historical items relative to Fenjiu’s brewing, welcomed an American friend Ian, who exclaimed that the Chinese liquor boasts a mellow taste.

After savoring the original pulp Fenjiu with an alcohol content of 69 percent and Baiyu Fenjiu, Ian fell in love with the Chinese liquor now embracing the world with its unique aroma, taste and openness.

Currently, Fenjiu products, a cultural bond between Chinese baijiu lovers at home and abroad, have been exported to more than 70 countries and regions around the world.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/350005.html

LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. Holds Signing Ceremony to Mark Appointment as an Official Partner of the Japan Sport Association (JSPO)

TOKYO, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: LFS) (the “Company” or “Leifras”), a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement, today announces that it held a signing ceremony on April 3, 2026 at the headquarters of the Japan Sport Association (JSPO) to commemorate the previously announced partnership agreement with JSPO and Leifras’ appointment as an official partner of JSPO’s Sports Active Partner Program, effective April 2026. JSPO is a public interest incorporated foundation that plays a central role in Japan’s sports ecosystem. Through the partnership, the Company expects to be well-positioned to further expand its business footprint and enhance its social credibility, which it believes will provide a foundation for business growth.

Signing Ceremony to Mark the Appointment as an Official Partner

The signing ceremony for the partnership agreement was held in a conference room of JSPO, which is located at JAPAN SPORT OLYMPIC SQUARE. Mr. Yusaku Morioka, Executive Director of JSPO, attended the ceremony and exchanged the agreement with Leifras’ Representative Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kiyotaka Ito. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to building a strong partnership to jointly shape and transform the future of sports in Japan.

Strategic Impact on Business Growth

JSPO is a non-profit private organization in the Japanese sports community and it oversee the development of youth sports clubs attended by approximately 650,000 registered members. It also co-organizes the Japan Games, one of Japan’s largest sports festivals with approximately 30,000 participating athletes. As an official partner, Leifras expects to provide financial support as a sponsor and may gain access to JSPO’s “Selection Programs” to directly approach participants in JSPO-sponsored projects. Leifras believes that the alignment between Leifras’ corporate philosophy, “Changing and designing sports,” and JSPO’s message, “Toward a desired future with sports,” reflect the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability principles that Leifras promotes, which may contribute to the enhancement of its corporate value.

Future Outlook: Accelerating Social Business and Sports School Business on a National Scale

Through this partnership, Leifras aims to leverage JSPO’s robust network and social credibility to heighten the Company’s brand recognition among local governments and educational institutions nationwide. The Company intends to accelerate the growth of its social business, including school club support services, as well as its sports school business, on a national scale, in order to build a sustainable, inclusive, and enriching sports environment across Japan.

About LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Leifras is a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement. The Company primarily provides services related to the organization and operations of sports schools and sports events for children. As of December 31, 2025, Leifras was recognized as one of Japan’s largest operators of children’s sports schools in terms of both membership and facilities by Tokyo Shoko Research. The Company’s approach to sports education emphasizes the development of non-cognitive skills, following the teaching principle “acknowledge, praise, encourage, and motivate.” The holistic approach that integrates physical and mental development sets Leifras apart in the industry. Building upon deep experience and know-how in sports education, Leifras also operates a robust social business sector, dispatching sports coaches to meet various community needs with the aim to promote physical health, social inclusion, and community well-being across different demographics.

For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://ir.leifras.co.jp/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or other similar expressions in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the registration statement and other filings with the SEC. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

For more information, please contact:

LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.
Investor Relations Department
Email: IR@leifras.co.jp

Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
Phone: +1-646-932-7242
Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

 

LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. Holds Signing Ceremony to Mark Appointment as an Official Partner of the Japan Sport Association (JSPO)

TOKYO, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: LFS) (the “Company” or “Leifras”), a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement, today announces that it held a signing ceremony on April 3, 2026 at the headquarters of the Japan Sport Association (JSPO) to commemorate the previously announced partnership agreement with JSPO and Leifras’ appointment as an official partner of JSPO’s Sports Active Partner Program, effective April 2026. JSPO is a public interest incorporated foundation that plays a central role in Japan’s sports ecosystem. Through the partnership, the Company expects to be well-positioned to further expand its business footprint and enhance its social credibility, which it believes will provide a foundation for business growth.

Signing Ceremony to Mark the Appointment as an Official Partner

The signing ceremony for the partnership agreement was held in a conference room of JSPO, which is located at JAPAN SPORT OLYMPIC SQUARE. Mr. Yusaku Morioka, Executive Director of JSPO, attended the ceremony and exchanged the agreement with Leifras’ Representative Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kiyotaka Ito. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to building a strong partnership to jointly shape and transform the future of sports in Japan.

Strategic Impact on Business Growth

JSPO is a non-profit private organization in the Japanese sports community and it oversee the development of youth sports clubs attended by approximately 650,000 registered members. It also co-organizes the Japan Games, one of Japan’s largest sports festivals with approximately 30,000 participating athletes. As an official partner, Leifras expects to provide financial support as a sponsor and may gain access to JSPO’s “Selection Programs” to directly approach participants in JSPO-sponsored projects. Leifras believes that the alignment between Leifras’ corporate philosophy, “Changing and designing sports,” and JSPO’s message, “Toward a desired future with sports,” reflect the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability principles that Leifras promotes, which may contribute to the enhancement of its corporate value.

Future Outlook: Accelerating Social Business and Sports School Business on a National Scale

Through this partnership, Leifras aims to leverage JSPO’s robust network and social credibility to heighten the Company’s brand recognition among local governments and educational institutions nationwide. The Company intends to accelerate the growth of its social business, including school club support services, as well as its sports school business, on a national scale, in order to build a sustainable, inclusive, and enriching sports environment across Japan.

About LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Leifras is a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement. The Company primarily provides services related to the organization and operations of sports schools and sports events for children. As of December 31, 2025, Leifras was recognized as one of Japan’s largest operators of children’s sports schools in terms of both membership and facilities by Tokyo Shoko Research. The Company’s approach to sports education emphasizes the development of non-cognitive skills, following the teaching principle “acknowledge, praise, encourage, and motivate.” The holistic approach that integrates physical and mental development sets Leifras apart in the industry. Building upon deep experience and know-how in sports education, Leifras also operates a robust social business sector, dispatching sports coaches to meet various community needs with the aim to promote physical health, social inclusion, and community well-being across different demographics.

For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://ir.leifras.co.jp/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or other similar expressions in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the registration statement and other filings with the SEC. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

For more information, please contact:

LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.
Investor Relations Department
Email: IR@leifras.co.jp

Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
Phone: +1-646-932-7242
Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

 

MEXC Integrates USD1 into Full-Spectrum Infrastructure for Global Users

VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, the world’s fastest-growing digital asset exchange and a pioneer in zero-fee trading, has announced a series of initiatives to integrate and expand the use of USD1, a US dollar stablecoin, across its ecosystem. By incorporating USD1 into its trading infrastructure and product suite, MEXC aims to broaden its use cases across the platform, including trading support, product integration, and wider ecosystem participation, while providing global users with more diverse and resilient stablecoin options.

MEXC Integrates USD1 into Full-Spectrum Infrastructure for Global Users
MEXC Integrates USD1 into Full-Spectrum Infrastructure for Global Users

USD1 is a stablecoin redeemable on a 1:1 basis for U.S. dollars. Each USD1 is 100% backed by a reserve consisting of short-term U.S. government Treasuries, U.S. dollar deposits, and other cash equivalents. These reserve assets are held or maintained by BitGo Trust Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. USD1 is issued by BitGo, while World Liberty Financial provides branding and certain operational support.

MEXC remains committed to offering a broad range of high-quality assets. Through this integration, MEXC will leverage its established product suite to expand the utility of USD1 across its ecosystem:

  • Deep Product Integration: MEXC plans to gradually integrate USD1 across its product offerings, including Launchpool, Savings, and Futures collateral, subject to platform availability. Through these integrations, USD1 may be used as payment and settlement asset within the ecosystem, broadening its utility across the platform.
  • Liquidity and Zero-Fee Support: MEXC will introduce additional USD1 trading pairs and launch associated zero-fee promotions. Leveraging the platform’s deep liquidity and industry-leading low-fee structure, MEXC provides global users with a more convenient and cost-effective channel for USD1 interaction.
  • Ecosystem Activity Empowerment: To enhance user awareness and experience with the stability of USD1, MEXC will launch a series of ecosystem incentive programs. Through various interactive mechanisms, these initiatives aim to lower the barrier to entry and accelerate the adoption of USD1 in real-world trading scenarios.

Vugar, Chief Operating Officer of MEXC, stated: “USD1 strengthens our mission to make high-quality assets more accessible, efficient, and usable at scale. Stablecoins are only as powerful as their distribution. By integrating USD1 into the MEXC ecosystem, we are expanding compliant stablecoin choice while enhancing trading and capital allocation tools. With over 40 million users and a strong zero-fee conviction, MEXC delivers immediate scale, deep liquidity, and real utility for USD1, accelerating its adoption across global markets.”

As USD1 trading pairs and related features go live, MEXC will continue to explore practical use cases that bring added value to users across the platform. More details on upcoming initiatives will be shared in the coming weeks.

About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

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