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Moldova Celebrates 25 Years of National Wine Day, Strengthening Its Position as a Rising Global Wine Destination

CHIȘINĂU, Moldova, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Republic of Moldova will mark the 25th anniversary of National Wine Day under the slogan “United by Wine” on 3–4 October 2026 in Chișinău, celebrating a milestone that reflects the country’s transformation into an increasingly recognized player in the global wine industry.

As one of the few countries in the world to dedicate a national holiday to wine, Moldova has turned National Wine Day into a major cultural and tourism event, attracting thousands of visitors annually and showcasing the evolution of its wine sector on the international stage.

This year’s anniversary edition will feature an updated concept, expanded participation from wineries across the country, and curated experiences designed to highlight the diversity, authenticity, and quality of Wine of Moldova.

Over the past 25 years, National Wine Day has grown from a domestic celebration into one of Europe’s notable open-air cultural events, becoming a key platform for wine tourism and international visibility.

“Moldova’s wine sector has evolved significantly by combining deep-rooted traditions with modern innovation,” said Ștefan Iamandi, Director of the National Office of Vine and Wine. “This anniversary reflects both our heritage and our ambition to position Moldova as a competitive global wine producer.”

At the core of this transformation is the national brand “Wine of Moldova. Unexpectedly Great.”, which has strengthened international recognition and supported the expansion of Moldovan wines into global markets.

Today, Moldova exports wine to more than 70 countries worldwide, with around 60% of exports going to Europe. The sector contributes approximately 3% of GDP and accounts for nearly 8% of total exports, underscoring its strategic importance to the national economy.

In 2026, Moldova will further expand its international presence by participating in key industry events, including JFEX Japan, Daejeon Wine Expo in South Korea, Interwine China, and WBWE in the Netherlands, where producers will showcase wines defined by authenticity, terroir, and competitive quality.

Visitors from around the world are invited to experience National Wine Day in Chișinău on 3–4 October 2026, where Moldova’s capital transforms into a vibrant celebration of wine, culture, and hospitality. The event offers international guests the opportunity to discover local wineries, taste award-winning wines, and explore one of Europe’s most distinctive emerging wine destinations.

About Wine of Moldova

Wine of Moldova. Unexpectedly Great. is the national wine brand of the Republic of Moldova, representing a modern, dynamic wine industry rooted in centuries-old tradition. Through consistent quality, authenticity, and innovation, Moldovan wines continue to gain recognition on international markets.

iQIYI’s Absurdist Crime Drama ‘Born with Luck’ Sets New Genre Benchmark

BEIJING, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On May 13, iQIYI, China’s leading online entertainment platform, announced that its crime drama “Born with Luck” surpassed 10,000 on its content popularity index, placing it among the platform’s most-watched titles since its May 4 premiere. Debuting via iQIYI and iQIYI International, the series has sustained strong momentum in both audience engagement and chart performance, reflecting iQIYI’s consistent ability to develop distinctive drama genres.

Adapted from the novel of the same name by acclaimed author Zijin CHEN, “Born with Luck” opens with an anonymous whistleblowing letter that sets off a chain of increasingly absurd criminal cases. As police officers Yi’ang ZHANG and Qian LI investigate the deaths of a former police chief and a criminal investigation captain, they are drawn into a complex web of relationships in Sanjiangkou City, involving related groups, violent criminals, and local troublemakers. The result is a genre-blending narrative that fuses crime, suspense, and sharp absurdist comedy into a distinctive viewing experience.

iQIYI Senior Vice President and the drama’s chief producer Ying DAI said, “From ‘Burning Ice’ to ‘Born with Luck’, this is our fourth collaboration with Zijin CHEN. Filmed in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, the series brings together the distinctive humor of Northeast China and the tone of the story in a way that feels truly organic.” This further underscores iQIYI’s long-term commitment to premium suspense storytelling and genre innovation.

The series draws an added dimension through promotional tie-ins with iQIYI’s hit variety show “Super Sketch Show”. Several comedians from the show appear in the drama, while familiar comedic references have been widely picked up by viewers in bullet comments, further amplifying the show’s humor and audience engagement.

As of today, its Weibo rating has climbed to 9.2 out of 10. The series has also delivered strong performance across major platforms, ranking No. 1 on related drama charts on Douyin and Kuaishou, two major short-video platforms in China, while continuing to top major third-party charts including Enlightent, ky.live, and Dengta. These results demonstrate growing market appetite for absurdist crime storytelling.

Contact: iQIYI Press, press@qiyi.com

A Decade of Excellence for Metis CI

Deepening Roots in the Cook Islands, Scripting a New Chapter in Asset Protection

HONG KONG, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Metis Global (Cook Islands) Limited (“Metis CI”), a global leader in asset protection and trust services, hosted a gala dinner on 12 May (local time) in Rarotonga to celebrate its 10th anniversary. This milestone marks a decade of profound expertise in asset protection and wealth succession, while highlighting the firm’s enduring partnership with the Cook Islands government and its strategic collaborators.

The evening was attended by a distinguished gathering of guests, including officials from the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) and the Financial Services Development Authority (FSDA), local government representatives, legal advisors, banking partners, and strategic partners from around the globe. Against a backdrop of warmth and prestige, attendees reflected on Metis CI’s journey in helping clients navigate a volatile global economy through robust asset allocation and wealth succession frameworks.

Dr Cheung, Founder and Chairman of Metis Global Group (front row, center), poses with company representatives and distinguished guests at the Metis CI 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The group photo, featuring government officials, banking partners, and legal advisers, commemorates the company’s ten-year milestone.
Dr Cheung, Founder and Chairman of Metis Global Group (front row, center), poses with company representatives and distinguished guests at the Metis CI 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The group photo, featuring government officials, banking partners, and legal advisers, commemorates the company’s ten-year milestone.

Rooted in Integrity, Built on Professionalism

In his opening remarks, Dr Cheung, Founder and Chairman of Metis Global Group, expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of the Cook Islands government:

“Ten years ago, we chose to take root in the Cook Islands not only for its world-class asset protection legal system but also for its highly professional, efficient, and innovation-friendly regulatory environment. Over the past decade, Metis CI has been honoured to work closely with the FSC and the FSDA. We remain committed to the highest compliance standards and actively support the government’s policies regarding transparency and international anti-money laundering regulations.”

Dr Cheung further emphasized the group’s vision: “Through Metis CI, Metis Global Group has fostered a strong connection with this region. While we are deeply rooted in the local community, our business spans the globe; thus, we are committed to serving as an international ambassador for the Cook Islands’ trust system and its premier asset protection advantages. Moving forward, we will continue to align with government policies to transform the nation’s legal strengths into a secure guarantee for our clients, ensuring that every legacy entrusted to us is realised within a stable political and economic environment under rigorous supervision.”

A Premier Jurisdiction for Global Asset Protection

The Cook Islands pioneered one of the most comprehensive offshore trust asset protection legislations, establishing itself as one of the premier jurisdictions in this field for a long time. Its legal framework is internationally renowned for asset segregation and trust protection, offering comprehensive wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals worldwide.

As a licensed trust company incorporated in the Cook Islands, Metis CI operates under the Trust Companies Act 2014 and is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Commission. Entering its second decade, Metis CI will continue to utilise the Cook Islands as its strategic core. The firm is dedicated to enhancing service quality, deepening international cooperation, and collaborating with regulators and industry peers to promote a more professional, transparent, and resilient future for offshore trust services.

 

“Impressions of China” Short Video Showcase 2025 Wraps Up

NANJING, China, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from InJiangsu.

The “Impressions of China” Short Video Showcase 2025 has officially concluded, drawing 4,173 submissions from creators around the world. The four-month event, which began in mid-August 2025, is designed to bridge cultures through authentic visual storytelling. After final judging, more than 200 works received awards, offering a genuine, diverse snapshot of contemporary China — from everyday street scenes and personal stories of perseverance to urban development, industrial innovation, and natural landscapes.

To enhance creative quality and cross-cultural appeal, organizers arranged on-location filming tours for nearly 50 international students from four Nanjing-based universities — Nanjing University, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Nanjing University of Science and Technology. They were joined by overseas video bloggers from France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the Netherlands. The group visited regions including Qidong (Nantong), Liangxi (Wuxi), Yixing (Wuxi), Binhai (Yancheng), and Taicang (Suzhou), capturing Jiangsu’s rich cultural heritage and modern urban energy through their lenses.

The showcase gained wide exposure through Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation’s cross-media platforms, the overseas partners of Jiangsu International Communication Center, and major global channels.

On February 3, 2026, an awards ceremony in Nanjing also marked the launch of the 2026 edition. The event featured four thematic chapters, during which outstanding creators and video subjects shared their behind-the-scenes stories. Winners were announced in eight categories: 80 Best Works, 120 Excellence Works, and 220 Merit Works. The special “Dreams Set Sail from the East” honor went to the piece In the Name of River and Sea.

“Impressions of China” continues to encourage global creators to document the country through honest, everyday lenses. Future editions will refine themes, expand distribution, and further energize cross-cultural dialogue through short videos.

Voicecomm Technology (02495.HK) Forms Strategic Partnership with IT Park from Tajikistan

Jointly Building an AI Ecosystem Embedded with “Computing Power + Talent + Scenario” in Central Asia


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – Voicecomm Technology Co., Ltd. (“Voicecomm Technology” or the “Company”, Stock Code: 2495.HK), a core technology provider and ecosystem operator of trustworthy conversational AI in China, is pleased to announce that the Group has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dushanbe Software Products and Information Technology Park (“Dushanbe IT Park“), at the recent “Tajikistan-China Digital Business Connect” IT Forum held in Beijing. The two parties will jointly establish a “Digital Talent Innovation Center” and collaborate in areas including artificial intelligence, big data, industrial internet, and embodied AI.

The “Tajikistan-China Digital Business Connect” IT Forum was grandly held in Beijing on May 11, 2026, during the state visit to China by Emomali Rahmon, President and National Leader of the Republic of Tajikistan. Organized by the Innovation and Digital Technologies Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the forum brought together core players from the digital industries of both countries, marking a new chapter in Tajikistan-China digital cooperation.

The forum was attended by representatives from 70 ICT companies from Tajikistan and over 120 leading technology companies from China, including Chinese tech giants such as Alibaba, ByteDance, BYD, Huawei, DeepSeek, Kuaishou, Lenovo, and Voicecomm Technology.

Five Pillars: Building a Trustworthy Conversational AI System in Central Asia

Dushanbe IT Park is a national digital technology innovation and industry cluster platform prioritized by the Government of Tajikistan, recognized as an emerging digital economy engine in Central Asia. Voicecomm Technology’s cooperation with the IT Park revolves around five pillars:

  • Joint Computing Power Center Construction: Co-build a public computing platform tailored for trustworthy conversational AI R&D, providing foundational support including computing resource scheduling, model training, and data processing.
  • Enabling Real-World Scenario: Integrate practical application scenarios from government affairs, urban services, industry, and manufacturing in both China and Tajikistan to provide industrial support for technology R&D and talent training.
  • Joint Training of Engineers: Establish training bases for universities in Tajikistan and across Central Asia, offering customized training programs, instructor development, and joint curriculum design.
  • International Authority Certification Implementation: Introduce international technical certification systems, offer accredited courses for AI engineers, big data analysts, robotics applications, and issue globally recognized certificates.
  • Technology Innovation Transfer & Talent Exchange: Build a collaborative “government-industry-university-research” mechanism to facilitate the implementation of joint R&D results in Tajikistan and establish a platform for two-way digital talent exchange between China and Tajikistan.

Expand Global Ecosystem Footprints and Focus on Long-Term Value Creation

With its core technical framework of “multi-modal perception + multi-model thinking,” Voicecomm Technology has achieved commercial deployment across various verticals, including smart city management, automotive and transportation, telecommunications, finance, healthcare, and energy. By establishing localized computing infrastructure, talent cultivation systems, and technical certification standards in Tajikistan – a key hub in Central Asia – Voicecomm Technology’s globalization strategy is evolving from product export to a comprehensive competitive advantage encompassing talent, standards, and ecosystems.

Christopher Chen, General Manager of Voicecomm Technology for the Middle East and Central Asia region, attended the conference and stated: “I am honored to represent Voicecomm Technology in reaching this strategic cooperation with Dushanbe IT Park at the Tajikistan-China Digital Business Connect Forum. This is not only a crucial milestone in Voicecomm Technology’s globalization but also an export of our ecosystem model. We are committed to deeply integrating trustworthy conversational AI and embodied AI technologies into the local market – empowering local talent, co-creating industry scenarios, and participating in standard setting. This deep-seated localized ecosystem co-creation model will unlock vast long-term growth opportunities for us in markets along the Belt and Road.”

Hashtag: #VoicecommTechnology #聲通科技

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

Voicecomm Technology Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Wuhan, Voicecomm Technology is one of the leading core technology providers and ecosystem operators of trustworthy conversational AI listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and obtained the qualification as National-level SRDI, Technology Little Giant and High-Tech Enterprise. Leveraging its proprietary trustworthy Agent,the Company overcomes pain points in the commercialization of large language models, such as hallucinations and compliance issues, ensuring AI is usable, manageable, and controllable in enterprise environments. For enterprise-level customers, the Company provides AI services covering the entire process of “communication –decision – execution”. Its trustworthy Agent solutions have been widely deployed across multiple scenarios, including City management and administration, Automotive and transportation, Telecommunications, Finance, Healthcare, and Energy management, and it is dedicated to empowering the intelligent transformation of diverse industries.

Laos Hydropower Firm EDL-Gen Rebounds to Profit in 2025

Nam Ngum 1 hydropower plant reservoir. (Photo: EDL Generation Public Company)

Electricité du Laos (EDL) Generation Public Company,  known as EDL-Gen, reported a financial comeback, recording a net profit of LAK 1.8 billion (USD 82.9 million) in 2025 after two consecutive years of deepening losses.

The result is a reversal for a company that had been profitable as recently as 2022 before sliding into the red in 2023 and again, more severely, in 2024, according to official data.

EDL-Generation Public Company is a Lao hydropower producer majority-owned by EDL, generating and exporting electricity mainly to Thailand, and operating ten hydropower dams across Laos. The company can export its energy through independent power producers.

Power Plants Lead the Charge

EDL-Gen’s plants generated 8,038 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in 2025, enough to power millions of homes, up from 6,970 GWh the previous year and nearly 19 percent above the company’s own target. 

Hydropower facilities under EDL-Gen’s full ownership alone produced 18.20 percent above their individual plan.

Additional income from partner power projects also surged, after the Theun-Hinboun plant in Bolikhamxay and Khammouane Provinces fully repaid its debts and began paying out much higher dividends to EDL-Gen.

EDL-Gen also took decisive steps to strengthen its finances. 

The company sold and transferred its stakes in several hydropower projects back to EDL and other investors, reducing its debt load and freeing up cash. Revenue more than doubled from LAK 3,003 billion (USD 136.5 million) in 2024 to LAK 6,842 billion (USD 311 million) in 2025, while the company’s debt burden relative to its assets fell by more than half.

Road Ahead

Despite the strong result, EDL-Gen is tempering expectations for 2026. 

The company projects a much smaller profit of LAK 128 billion (USD 5.8 million) next year. Management is also bracing for a cash shortfall and plans to sell additional projects and seek government financial support to bridge the gap.

Still, after years of turmoil, EDL-Gen enters 2026 on far firmer ground, operating 1,657 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity, enough to supply electricity to a small country,or  enough to power roughly one to 1.5 million homes.

Baozun Schedules Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

SHANGHAI, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Baozun Inc. (NASDAQ: BZUN and HKEX: 9991) (“Baozun” or the “Company”), a leading brand e-commerce solution provider and digital commerce enabler in China, announced today that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders (“AGM”) on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., Hong Kong time (or 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, New York time). The meeting will be held at 9F, The Rays, 71 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Copies of the notice of AGM, which sets forth the resolutions to be submitted to shareholder approval at the meeting, along with the circular of AGM, the notice of AGM, the form of proxy and the form of voting card for American Depositary Shares (the “ADSs”) are available on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.baozun.com.

Holders of record of the Company’s ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), as of the close of business on Friday, May 15, 2026, Hong Kong time, will be eligible to attend and vote at the AGM. Holders of record of the Company’s ADSs as of the close of business on Friday, May 15, 2026, New York time, who wish to exercise their voting rights for the underlying Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share, must give voting instructions to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the depositary of the ADSs.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident,” “potential,” “continues,” “ongoing,” “targets,” “guidance,” “going forward,” “looking forward,” “outlook” or other similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Baozun’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to Baozun’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and its announcements, notices or other documents published on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof and is based on assumptions that Baozun believes to be reasonable as of this date, and Baozun undertakes no obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

About Baozun Inc.

Founded in 2007, Baozun Inc. is a leader in brand e-commerce service, brand management, and digital commerce service. Baozun Inc. comprises three major business lines – Baozun e-Commerce (BEC), Baozun Brand Management (BBM) and Baozun International (BZI) and is committed to accelerating high-quality and sustainable growth. Driven by the principle that “Technology Empowers the Future Success”, Baozun’s business lines are devoted to empowering their clients’ business and navigating their new phase of development.

For more information, please visit http://ir.baozun.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Baozun Inc.
Ms. Wendy Sun
Email: ir@baozun.com

Thai, British Scientists Identify Southeast Asia’s Largest Dinosaur in Thailand

A picture of Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis skeleton that was displayed at the Thainosaur Museum, Asiatique the Riverfront in Bangkok, Thailand. (Thainosaur Museum)

British and Thai scientists have identified a new species of giant dinosaur from fossil remains discovered in Thailand, with researchers calling it the largest dinosaur ever found in Southeast Asia.

Researchers from University College London worked alongside Thai scientists to identify the dinosaur, named Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, from fossils unearthed in Chaiyaphum province in northeastern Thailand. Global news publication Reuters first reported the discovery.

The name combines “Naga,” the mythical serpent from Southeast Asian folklore, and “Titan,” the giant gods of Greek mythology. The species name refers to Chaiyaphum province, where the fossils were originally discovered.

The dinosaur belonged to the sauropod family, a group of massive plant-eating dinosaurs known for their long necks and enormous size. Scientists said the species shares similarities with several sauropods previously discovered in Southeast Asia, including Tangvayosaurus from Laos, highlighting ancient dinosaur links across the region.

Researchers believe the dinosaur lived during the Early Cretaceous period around 100 to 120 million years ago.

Fossil analysis showed the dinosaur likely reached around 27 meters in length, placing it among the largest dinosaurs ever identified in the region.

A local resident first spotted part of the dinosaur’s hip bone protruding from the ground in 2016. Researchers from University College London later excavated additional fossil remains, including a 178-centimeter upper arm bone, vertebrae, ribs, and pelvic bones.

Scientists said several unique skeletal features confirmed the dinosaur as a completely new genus. The discovery also gives researchers new insight into the diversity of giant dinosaurs that once lived across Southeast Asia.

Researchers published the findings in the journal Scientific Reports and described Nagatitan as potentially the “last titan” discovered in Thailand because of the age of the surrounding rock formations.