Tag: Asean

Winners built tools that make Move development easier, delivering polished front-ends and deep protocol-level innovations in just four weeks

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Move Industries, the core contributor of the Movement Network, today announced winners of its M1 Hackathon, the first major hackathon on Movement’s newly launched Layer 1 blockchain. Participants built DeFi applications, games, consumer products, and developer tools that make it easier for builders to build on the Move programming language, with winning submissions demonstrating production-ready quality that would typically require months of specialized development.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

The four-week hackathon attracted 100+ teams building across multiple categories. What distinguished these winners was not just what they built, but how: every participant used AI coding assistants to accelerate development.

“We actively encouraged developers to build infrastructure tools that benefit the entire ecosystem. In fact, the dev tooling submissions were so strong we added a second winner,” said Rahat Chowdhury, Head of Developer Relations at Move Industries. “Trace and Movehat bring about the Hardhat and Tenderly-level developer experience that developers have been asking for in the Move Ecosystem. AI tools enabled teams to deliver polished front-ends while going deep on protocol-level work. Teams like Trace were able to go much deeper into Protocol level work and deliver developer tooling that can 10x the developer experience. I’ve been using these tools myself for work immediately after I finished judging.”

Movement’s partnership with Replit provided developers with one-month access to cloud-based development environments, removing hardware barriers. Multiple winners leveraged Replit to build out polished front-ends while focusing their expertise on core technical challenges.

The hackathon awarded $30,000 across six categories, with winners selected based on utility, technical execution, and potential impact on the Move ecosystem:

M1 Hackathon Winners:

• Best Gaming App: The Fallen Court – Narrative ASCII dungeon crawler with blockchain-integrated choices and on-chain permadeath
• Best New Devex Tool: Trace – Developer tool suite featuring VirtualNet for safely testing transactions on virtual network forks
• Best New Devex Tool: Movehat – Complete development toolkit bringing Hardhat-level workflow maturity to Movement
• Best Consumer App: SportsMove – Decentralized sports betting platform abstracting blockchain complexity for mainstream users
• Best x402 App: AlgoArena – Competitive auto-battler where AI trading agents battle on live crypto price feeds
• Best DeFi App: Predictly – Social-first prediction market platform for small, trusted communities

Five teams will also continue to a separate People’s Choice competition later this month, where the Movement community will vote for their favorite application for additional prizes.

Winners receive ongoing support from Movement’s developer relations team and ecosystem partners to ship to mainnet. A Twitter livestream will be held February 9, 2025, featuring demos and technical discussions with the Hackathon teams.

For more information about Movement’s M1 Mainnet, visit MovementNetwork.xyz and follow @Movement_xyz on Twitter.

ABOUT MOVE INDUSTRIES
Move Industries is building a community-first Move-based blockchain ecosystem. Led by a team of industry veterans, Move Industries maintains a dual focus on technology and community. The organization intends to return to crypto’s radical roots: giving financial power and opportunity back to the people.

Media Contact: [email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9649453

The 2026 Spring Festival travel rush begins on February 2 and will run for 40 days, ending on March 13. Ahead of this annual migration, CGTN published a feature article exploring how the event has transcended its role as a transport phenomenon, becoming a unique lens through which to view China’s social transformation.

BEIJING, Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Under the glow of floodlights at a maintenance base in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, rows of silver bullet trains stand in perfect formation. From above, the assembly resembles a fleet of land-based aircraft carriers ready for service.

This is one of the launchpads across China for the world’s largest human migration: chunyun. The 40-day annual Spring Festival travel rush officially begins at the stroke of midnight on February 2, ahead of the country’s most important holiday.

This year, chunyun is set to shatter all previous records. Official estimates predict a staggering 9.5 billion inter-regional passenger trips over the 40-day period, which runs through March 13.

Driven by a nine-day holiday, the longest in recent memory, the 2026 rush is more than a logistical feat; it is a vivid window into China’s social transformation.

Resilience of Chinese logistics
As with every year, the 2026 chunyun stands as a spectacle of logistics. Officials project that self-driving will remain the dominant mode of transport, accounting for roughly 80 percent of all trips. Meanwhile, rail and civil aviation are expected to reach historic peaks, with passenger volumes hitting 540 million and 95 million, respectively.

Behind these numbers lies a sophisticated, multi-tiered infrastructure. To support the surge in electric vehicles, the Ministry of Transport has expanded the highway charging network to 71,500 charging points. Travelers can use a special mini-program to monitor real-time charger availability, while mobile emergency charging units have been deployed during peak hours.

Complementing the highways, China’s railway system – now bolstered by a high-speed network exceeding 50,000 kilometers – utilizes advanced ticketing and extensive infrastructure to ensure a seamless, high-capacity journey.

Safety remains the ultimate priority. As cold fronts threaten northern and central regions with snow and ice, the China Meteorological Administration and emergency departments have pre-positioned de-icing equipment and specialized rescue teams. High-tech tools, including drones and helicopters, stand ready for rapid response. Officials say chunyun coordination is a massive operation involving more than 20 government departments.

Heartwarming service
In a deeper commitment to passenger comfort, this year’s travel rush features more “heartwarming services” catering to the diverse needs of millions, transforming a massive migration into a personalized experience.

A key highlight is the expansion of “quiet carriages.” Now available on over 8,000 high-speed trains, these carriages offer a haven for passengers seeking a peaceful journey. Broadcast volumes are capped at 40 percent, and crew members provide “silent” service, replacing loud announcements with gentle assistance. Staff also offer free disposable earplugs and fun packs, including picture books, to keep young children entertained and calm.

At major airports and rail stations, efforts are underway to close the digital divide. Central to this are “Silver Hair” services, allowing seniors to travel with dignity and ease. At Shijiazhuang Airport in north China, for instance, travelers aged 80 and above enjoy priority check-in and boarding.

Travel is also becoming more inclusive for families, including their four-legged members. In central China’s Henan Province, “Pet Rail” services have expanded from one station to four, allowing travelers to book specialized transport crates via the 12306 app.

The Chinese New Year
The vast movement of people during chunyun is a collective journey home, culminating in the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, which falls on February 17 this year. Rooted in Chinese culture with celebrations of various forms, the festival marks the first day of the lunar calendar and symbolizes renewal and family unity. It carries a universal resonance of hope and aspirations for a better life.

Core customs – family reunions, red decorations symbolizing prosperity, wishes for good fortune, festive family feasts, and creating traditional crafts such as lanterns – captivate cultural enthusiasts worldwide with their unique approach to welcoming the new year.

Each year, the “Spring Festival Gala,” an annual TV program broadcast live by China Media Group and watched by billions worldwide, epitomizes China’s cultural appeal. With three rehearsals completed, the 2026 gala will continue to take shape in a festive and uplifting atmosphere, vividly reflecting China’s dynamism in a new era.

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, CGTN also presented its flagship live special, “Super Night.” The program offered companion-style commentary on the CMG Spring Festival Gala in five languages – English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian – alongside a range of original features. These segments vividly showcased aspects of Chinese culture that captivate overseas audiences, including Spring Festival customs, intangible cultural heritage and traditional opera, helping global viewers better grasp the essence of Chinese culture and connect with it emotionally.

For more information, please click here:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-01/More-than-a-journey-How-chunyun-travel-rush-reflects-a-changing-China-1KptvLAeFPi/p.html

Contact: [email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9647583

Paris, Jan. 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NORTH ATLANTIC ENERGIES

Details on the timetable of the simplified tender offer on North Atlantic Energies shares

Paris, FRANCE – January 30, 2026 – North Atlantic France SAS (“North Atlantic France”) refers to its acquisition from ExxonMobil France Holding SAS (“ExxonMobil”) of ExxonMobil’s entire stake in North Atlantic Energies (formerly, Esso Société Anonyme Française SA) (“North Atlantic Energies”), representing 82.89% of North Atlantic Energies’ share capital and voting rights.

In accordance with French securities law, North Atlantic France announced on November 28, 2025 that it would file a simplified tender offer (the “Offer”) for the remaining North Atlantic Energies shares not already held by North Atlantic France, at a price of €28.93 per share, as well as its intention to implement a squeeze-out procedure if the conditions required are met.

It is reminded that the board of directors of North Atlantic Energies has appointed Ledouble SAS, represented by Ms. Agnès Piniot and Mr. Romain Delafont, as an independent expert to issue a fairness opinion on the financial terms of the Offer.

North Atlantic France indicates that it will file the Offer with the Autorité des marchés financiers (the “AMF”) once the independent expert’s work has been finalised, after the publication of the 2025 annual results. North Atlantic Energies indicates that this publication is scheduled for March 26, 2026. The filing is therefore expected to take place during the second quarter of 2026. The offer documentation will be submitted to the AMF for review, and the Offer will only open once the AMF has issued its compliance decision.

MEDIA CONTACTS

France: Brunswick Group – [email protected]
Hugues Boëton: +33 6 79 99 27 15
Paul Priam: +33 6 84 39 09 89

Canada: Mark Duggan – [email protected]
+1-709-687-3136

ABOUT NORTH ATLANTIC

For nearly four decades, North Atlantic has been a market leader in the retail gas and convenience sector, as well as the residential, commercial, and wholesale fuel industries in Newfoundland and Labrador. Recently, through a joint venture with Suncor Energy, North Atlantic expanded its retail division into Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, through North Sun Energy. As managing partner, North Atlantic operates 110 fuel retail sites across all three provinces. North Atlantic has ambitious plans for future growth and development in strategic locations across the region.

Known for its expertise in acquiring and delivering exceptional products, North Atlantic caters to both domestic and industrial sectors while also serving global clients through their marine bunkering distribution channels.

North Atlantic is committed to strategic growth to deliver innovative and green energy solutions aligned with evolving global needs. By driving industry progress, North Atlantic is supporting new skills and new jobs for this dynamic landscape. North Atlantic remains committed to providing exceptional energy, fuel and convenience retail initiatives that enhance customer experience while fostering economic growth in the communities they serve in Canada and beyond.

ABOUT NORTH ATLANTIC ENERGIES

North Atlantic Energies is a key player in France’s energy landscape, supporting the country’s security of supply while contributing to the ongoing transformation of the sector.

Representing 20% of France’s refining capacity, the company plays a vital role in the economy and in its regions.

North Atlantic Energies supplies the products essential to modern life and places its customers at the center of its priorities.

MEDIA CONTACTS

France: Brunswick Group – [email protected]
Hugues Boëton: +33 6 79 99 27 15
Paul Priam: +33 6 84 39 09 89

Canada: Mark Duggan – [email protected]
+1-709-687-3136

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9646262

CGTN published an article on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to China, highlighting that amid rising global uncertainty, Beijing and London are placing greater emphasis on long-term stability, pragmatic cooperation and shared interests in global governance and economic growth.

BEIJING, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Beijing on Thursday, marking the first visit by a UK prime minister to China in eight years. Both leaders emphasized the need to build a long-term consistent comprehensive strategic partnership.

Emphasizing the need to see history from a broader perspective, Xi called on the two countries to transcend differences and maintain mutual respect, so that the promising potential of cooperation could be translated into remarkable accomplishments, benefiting both peoples and the world.

Starmer opened the meeting by acknowledging the long gap in high-level exchanges. It had been “too long” since a British prime minister last visited China, he said. Upon arriving in Beijing, he framed the trip in pragmatic terms. “It is in our national interest to engage with China,” Starmer told reporters. “There are huge opportunities to be had.”

As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global economies, China and the UK share vital interests in promoting economic growth, supporting social development and contributing to global stability.

Seeking cooperation in an uncertain world

Analysts say Starmer’s visit reflects a broader European trend, where countries are increasingly seeking pragmatic engagement with China amid rising global uncertainty.

Recent months have seen high-level visits to China by leaders from France, Ireland and Finland. A CGTN poll showed that 85.2 percent of respondents believe such frequent visits reflect a broad consensus on achieving equal and orderly multipolarity, as well as inclusive and beneficial globalization.

Wang Zhanpeng, director of the UK Studies Center at Beijing Foreign Studies University, noted that the unpredictable policies, unilateralism and assertive actions of the Trump administration had posed challenges for Europe. He said European leaders’ visits reflect a recognition that China’s development is neither a challenge nor a threat to Europe. “Starmer’s visit could further encourage others to move beyond the dilemma of choosing sides and support a more balanced, multipolar global order,” he added.

Vince Cable, former UK secretary of State for Business and Trade, offered a similar perspective. “The erratic behavior of the Trump administration is causing many Western countries, not just the UK, to balance their relationships in a different way,” he told CGTN.

Xi also pointed out that the international order has for some time been severely impacted. He emphasized that international law can only be truly effective when all countries, especially major powers, abide by it. “China and the UK, as supporters of multilateralism and free trade, should jointly advocate and practice genuine multilateralism, fostering a fairer and more equitable global governance system, building an orderly multipolar world and promoting inclusive globalization.”

Starmer added that China plays a key role in international affairs and said the UK is willing to cooperate on challenges such as climate change to help maintain global stability.

Turning stability into economic benefits

During the meeting, Xi described the essence of China-UK economic and trade cooperation as mutually beneficial and win-win.

He said both sides should expand collaboration in education, healthcare, finance and services, as well as joint research and industrial applications in artificial intelligence (AI), biosciences, renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. He also called on the UK to provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.

Economic ties remain a central pillar of the bilateral relationship as China has long been one of the UK’s top five trading partners, with annual trade consistently at the hundred-billion-dollar level. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, goods trade reached $103.7 billion in 2025, while services trade is expected to surpass $30 billion, and two-way investment stock stands at nearly $68 billion. UK government figures also show that China is now the UK’s third-largest trading partner, supporting around 370,000 jobs. The CGTN poll also showed that 85.8 percent of respondents believe China’s vast market represents a significant opportunity for British businesses.

Starmer led a delegation of more than 60 representatives from the UK’s business and cultural sectors, highlighting the practical economic stakes. Speaking during the meeting, he said the UK is ready to maintain high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in trade, investment, finance and environmental protection, aiming to support growth and deliver tangible benefits to people in both countries.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-29/Why-British-PM-Keir-Starmer-calls-China-trip-huge-opportunity–1KkIvhLU6pa/p.html

Contact: CGTN Digital [email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9645905

JINAN, China, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bodor Laser, a global manufacturer of laser cutting solutions, has announced the launch of its SK Series High-Speed Tube Laser Cutting Machine, alongside the introduction of its new “Extreme Speed” concept for tube processing. The concept focuses on improving overall manufacturing efficiency by combining high-speed performance, structural stability, and intelligent automation across the production process.

The Bodor Laser SK Series High-Speed Tube Laser Cutting Machine

The SK Series is designed to operate reliably under high-speed conditions, delivering a maximum acceleration of 2.7G and a maximum rotational speed of 260 r/min. The rear chuck reaches position in 2.5 seconds, supporting rapid tube positioning and continuous cutting. According to internal testing, the system achieves up to 1.8 times higher processing efficiency at 2.7G compared with operation at 1G.

Precision is maintained through a laser head Z-axis speed of up to 60 m/min, supported by an upgraded adaptive following algorithm that enables fast and accurate height adjustment during cutting. The system also supports simultaneous loading and cutting, reducing tube loading time to approximately 8 seconds and increasing overall processing efficiency by more than 20%.

To ensure stability at high speeds, the SK Series features Bodor Laser’s proprietary arch-bridge structure. The three-dimensional triangular transmission design optimizes force distribution during rapid motion, improving mechanical balance and long-term stability.

The chuck system is manufactured from high-strength alloy materials and treated with advanced heat processing. Compared with the previous generation, positioning accuracy has improved by over 20%. In addition, front-chuck over-travel technology enables dual-chuck clamping for long tubes, ensuring consistent accuracy throughout the entire cutting process.

Addressing the industry’s shift toward small-batch, high-mix production, the SK Series integrates an AI-based intelligent nesting system that automatically optimizes cutting paths. Compared with conventional nesting methods, the system increases cutting efficiency by up to 30% and improves material utilization, resulting in annual savings of more than 1,000 tubes under comprehensive production conditions.

Optional configurations—including zero-tail cutting, bevel cutting, and loading and unloading following support—allow the SK Series to be adapted to a wide range of advanced manufacturing requirements. With the Extreme Speed concept, Bodor Laser aims to set new benchmarks for efficiency and reliability in tube laser cutting.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d9239c7d-69b3-4ac8-b2f1-4e628137ff79

Contacts
Bodor Laser
www.bodor.com
Jack Thompson
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9645834