NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / More than 50 shipping industry achievements were unveiled during this year’s edition of the North Bund Forum, setting a new record high.

Thirty shipping industry achievements and several international port and shipping cooperation projects aimed at further promoting the construction of green shipping corridors were unveiled on October 19 at the opening ceremony of the 2025 North Bund Forum, which was held in Shanghai from October 19 to 21.

Domestic Achievements

Pudong International Airport has achieved multimodal transport, including air-to-air, air-to-land, air-to-sea, and air-to-railway, said Tang Yingzhao, executive vice president of Shanghai Airport Group Logistics Development.

Since last year, China Eastern Airlines has opened 23 medium- and long-haul international routes to 21 countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, adding 800 passenger planes’ cargo holds of capacity to the overall shipping capacity between these countries and China, said Gao Fei, general manager of Shanghai-based carrier.

China’s shipping industry has achieved remarkable results in its green transformation, said Wan Min, chairman of China Cosco Shipping Group. The country has promoted full-channel transportation, adding road-to-sea and rail-sea intermodal transport to reduce the carbon intensity of freight transportation, he noted.

Moreover, China has accelerated the development of green ships, with Cosco Shipping’s orders for clean fuel vessels accounting for more than one-third of the total, Wan pointed out.

The country has also built a green energy system, with many ports achieving mainstream refueling of liquefied natural gas and methanol, he noted, adding that the Port of Dalian in Liaoning province has completed the world’s first green ammonia ship refueling.

International Achievements

The Port of Shanghai formed green roll-on-roll-off shipping corridors with the Port of Barcelona in Spain and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium.

The Port of Qingdao in China, the ports of Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven in Germany, and several shipping companies jointly established a green shipping corridor to facilitate cooperation between the two nations on port and shipping.

The Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission and the Port of Melbourne, along with shipping, port, and energy companies, jointly issued an initiative to build a green shipping corridor between the Shanghai and Melbourne ports to explore implementation measures for reducing the impact of shipping activities on the environment.

China’s Cosco Shipping Lines, Denmark’s Maersk, and France’s CMA CGM deployed low-carbon vessels along the Los Angeles/Long Beach-Shanghai Green Shipping Corridor, achieving the first goal of this tiered corridor project.

Singapore has set up green and digital shipping corridors with Shandong province and Tianjin in China for deepening cooperation in areas such as green fuel and digital technologies, said Murali Pillai, senior minister of state for transport of Singapore.

As a key hub along the middle route of the China-Europe freight train corridor, Türkiye is helping achieve the goal of completing 1,000 cargo train runs along the middle route, said Enver İskurt, deputy minister of Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. Türkiye will focus on the development of digital and green infrastructure, he added.

About 200 zero-emission fuel vessels are in operation globally, said Joseph Edward Kramek, president of the World Shipping Council. The number is expected to exceed 1,000 by 2030, when the total industry investment will be over USD150 billion, he predicted.

About Yicai Global

Launched in August 2016, Yicai Global is the English-language news service of Yicai Media Group, the financial news arm of Shanghai Media Group, which is one of China’s largest state-owned media conglomerates. Focused primarily on China’s business world, Yicai Global is dedicated to provide reliable and insightful information and analysis of the economy, finance, tech, startups, and entrepreneurs.

Media Contact

Contact person: Zhu Liming
Email: yicaiglobal@yicaiglobal.com

SOURCE: Yicai Media Group

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / Shanghai’s shipping industry experts gathered at the North Bund Forum in the city to discuss how to respond to global economic and trade changes to ensure smooth supply chain operations and support the transition of the local international shipping center from "essentially completed" to "fully completed."

The shipping industry is facing multiple challenges, Zhang Jieshu, secretary-general of the Shanghai International Shipping Institute, said during the experts’ meeting at NBF Flow Live, a broadcast room jointly set up by the organizing committee of the North Bund Forum and Yicai.

Sluggish global economic growth and inflation are suppressing consumer demand, trade disputes are causing imbalances in shipping capacity, shifting supply chains are promoting regionalization in shipping, geopolitical issues are leading to adjustments in routes, and the green transition is increasing cost pressures, Zhang pointed out.

Rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope due to the Red Sea crisis has significantly increased ton-kilometer levels, posing a big test for the resilience of the shipping sector, Zhang pointed out. Shanghai should strengthen its efforts in enhancing hub capabilities, improving the shipping service ecosystem, and seizing opportunities in digitalization, going green, and intelligence, she said, adding that it’s also important to participate in the formulation of international regulations to gain a voice in the industry.

Intercontinental long-distance transportation volumes have dropped by about 2 percent, while regional shipping demand has increased by 6 percent, highlighting a clear trend toward trade regionalization, said Chen Zheng, vice president of the Shanghai International Freight Forwarders Association. Chinese firms’ investment in building overseas warehouses has surged three times from the pre-2020 levels, accelerating the trade of semi-finished goods and the setup of overseas plants, Chen noted.

In addition, the Belt and Road Initiative has laid a solid foundation for the global expansion of Chinese logistics companies, according to Chen.

The green transition is impacting ship valuation and supply chain costs, becoming a "must-answer" question rather than a "choice," noted Wang Xiang, general manager of Veson Nautical in China. Large shipowners need to promote technological or management upgrades, while small and medium-sized ones should allow space for vessel modifications and strengthen their compliance capabilities or face the risk of being marginalized, Wang pointed out.

Wu Hao, general manager of China Construction Bank’s Shanghai global financial service center, proposed innovative pathways from a financial perspective, including leveraging the internationalization of the Chinese yuan to achieve "instant" cross-border payments, utilizing the free trade account system to provide settlement and hedging services, promoting innovations in cargo document pledge financing, and expanding into green finance.

About Yicai Global

Launched in August 2016, Yicai Global is the English-language news service of Yicai Media Group, the financial news arm of Shanghai Media Group, which is one of China’s largest state-owned media conglomerates. Focused primarily on China’s business world, Yicai Global is dedicated to provide reliable and insightful information and analysis of the economy, finance, tech, startups, and entrepreneurs.

Media Contact

Contact person: Zhu Liming
Email: yicaiglobal@yicaiglobal.com

SOURCE: Yicai Media Group

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

ATHENS, GA / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / More Americans are starting to ask questions about what life could look like somewhere else.

A new survey from moveBuddha finds that nearly 1 in 10 Americans is actively researching a move abroad, with nearly 60% reporting they’ve considered leaving the country at some point. This is a clear sign that international relocation is no longer just a passing daydream, but something people are seriously exploring.

To understand what’s behind this rising interest, moveBuddha surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. residents in September 2025. The results point to a quiet shift in how Americans think about where and how they want to live.

The responses point toward a practical motivation; many are looking for a place where life feels stable, affordable, and easier to manage day to day.

Key Takeaways

• Nearly 60% of Americans have considered moving abroad.

• 1 in 10 respondents is actively researching an international move.

• Cost of living (34%) is the top factor Americans consider when choosing a country to move to, followed by financial security (11%) and political stability (9%).

• Europe (38%) is the top region for moves abroad, while Canada (24%) tops the list of individual countries, except among Gen Z, who favor Japan.

• America’s high living costs (64%), healthcare access (63%), and crime/safety (59%) are the primary reasons respondents might consider moving abroad. Lifestyle or cultural factors matter much less.

More people are taking the idea of moving abroad seriously – and not for adventure, career moves, or retirement.

They’re running the numbers. Reading expat blogs. Comparing countries. Asking if life might be simpler elsewhere. While few are actively relocating, many are exploring international options.

"We’ve helped thousands of people move across the country for all kinds of reasons – to chase a job, start a family, or just get closer to the beach. But, what we’re seeing now is very different," says Ryan Carrigan of moveBuddha. "With rising costs, job uncertainty, and concerns about healthcare and safety, more people are looking for somewhere that just feels livable."

The survey aligns with moveBuddha’s report on Which States Google Moving Abroad Most, examining state-level Google searches about where Americans are most curious about moving abroad, and reveals the motivations and specific countries Americans would choose if they could move abroad right now.

Top Country Destinations:

Country	%Respondents
Canada	24.4%
England	12.2%
Japan	11.2%
Ireland	9.0%
Switzerland	8.2%
France	6.5%
Costa Rica	6.4%
Mexico	6.1%
New Zealand	6.1%
Thailand	4.1%
Germany	3.4%
Portugal	2.4%

Why This Matters Now

From unaffordable rents to healthcare hurdles, Americans are increasingly evaluating their options through a global lens. In some cases, a new passport is starting to feel like a better path to peace of mind than a new zip code.

With cost pressures, climate events, and political anxieties continuing to impact Americans’ sense of safety and opportunity, international relocation may start to look less like an escape and more like a rational next step.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

The Gala Raised Over $12 Million and was Co-Chaired by Jon M. Chu, Common, Viola Davis & Julius Tennon, Robert Downey Jr. & Susan Downey, Jennifer Hudson and Alejandro Ramírez Magaña

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / Special Projects, a subsidiary of Dolphin (NASDAQ:DLPN), oversaw the talent relations for The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala for the fourth year in a row. The Gala raised over $12 million to support the museum’s exhibitions, education initiatives, and public programming, including screenings, K-12 programs, and access initiatives in service of the general public and the local community of Los Angeles. The Special Projects team curated Oscar®-winning actress Penélope Cruz, Director Walter Salles,Oscar-winning musician and Shore Fire Media client Bruce Springsteen and actor and comedian Bowen Yang as the honorees.

Row 1 L to R: Walter Salles, Penélope Cruz, Bruce Springsteen
Row 2 L to R: Lynette Howell Taylor, Amy Homma, Bill Kramer, Kim Taylor Coleman, Bruce Springsteen, Martin Scorsese, Bowen Yang
Photos by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

The celebratory evening, commemorating the acclaimed museum’s four-year anniversary, was a star-studded affair that honored four Hollywood icons for their contributions to film both past and present. Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey kicked off the programming for the evening, introducing Director and President of the Academy Museum, Amy Homma, who welcomed guests to the special fundraiser event before introducing Academy Museum board chair Olivier de Givenchy who toasted the honorees of the evening. The first presenter of the night was Wim Wenders who presented director Walter Salles with the Luminary Award. The Vantage Award was presented by Jon M. Chu to actor and comedian Bowen Yang. After the dinner service, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon made their way to the stage to welcome the next presenter Zoe Saldaña, who presented the Icon Award to Academy Award®-winning actress Penélope Cruz. The final award, the inaugural Legacy Award, was presented by Martin Scorsese to Academy Award®-winning singer, songwriter, and musician Bruce Springsteen. Before the night was over, George Clooney introduced a special musical performance by Bruce Springsteen, where he closed out the evening singing "Streets of Philadelphia," "Atlantic City," and "Land of Hope and Dreams."

The event was attended by some of Hollywood’s most prolific and notable actors, filmmakers, and industry executives as well as members of the event’s host committee who came together to support the museum. Guests included: Adam & Jackie Sandler, Addison Rae, Alana Haim, Alex Israel, Amanda Seyfried, Amelia Dimoldenberg, America Ferrera, Anna Kendrick, Annabelle Wallis, Archie Madekwe, Ari Emanuel, Ava DuVernay & Donovan Burns, Ayo Edebiri, Barry Jenkins, Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin, Benny Safdie, Bong Joon Ho, Cara Delevigne, Carolyn Murphy, Channing Tatum, Charli XCX, Charlie Hunnam, Chase Infiniti, Craig Brewer, Cristin Milioti, Dakota Fanning, Damson Idris, Danielle Haim, Diane Lane, Diego Boneta, Draymond &, Hazel Green, Dwayne Johnson, EJAE, Ed Sheeran, Édgar Ramírez, Edward Berger, Elizabeth Debicki, Ella Stiller, Elle Fanning, Emilie Livingston, Emily Ratajkowski, Emma Chamberlain, Este Haim, Eva Longoria & Pepe Baston, Eva Victor, Francesca Scorsese, Gabrielle Union & Dwyane Wade, Gael García Bernal, George Clooney, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Grace Van Patten, Hailey Bieber, Hilary Duff, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Isla Fisher, Jackson White, Jaden Smith, Jared Harris, Jason Clarke, Jason Reitman & Lorraine Nicholson, Jennifer Hudson, Jeremy Allen White, Joel Edgerton, Joey King, Jon Hamm & Anna Osceola, Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Brad Hall, Kaia Gerber, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Bigelow, Kendall Jenner, Kerry Condon, Kerry Washington, Kim Kardashian, Kodi Smit McPhee, Kristen Wiig, LaKeith Stanfield, Laura Harrier, Law Roach, Lee Byung-hun, Lee Pace, Leslie Bibb, Lindsay Vonn, Logan Lerman, Lucy Liu, Lulu Wang, Macaulay Culkin & Brenda Song, Marlon Wayans, Martin Scorsese, Maude Apatow, Michelle Monaghan, Mikey Madison, Milly Alcock, Monica Barbaro, Naomi Watts & Billy Crudup, Nicholas Duvernay, Nicole Richie, Odessa Young, Olivia Rodrigo, Olivia Wilde, Orlando Bloom, Park Chan-wook, Patti Scialfa, Paul Tazewell, Quinta Brunson, Rachel Sennott, Rebeca Hall, Regina Hall, Regé-Jean Page, Renate Reinsve, Riley Keough, Rita Wilson, Role Model, Rose Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Ryan Coogler, Sam Worthington, Sarah Staudinger, Scott Cooper, Sebastian Stan, Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, Simu Liu, Sydney Sweeney, Ted Sarandos & Nicole Avant, Tom Blyth, Tyriq Withers, Will Arnett, Zoey Deutch.

Dolphin (NASDAQ:DLPN) is where cultural creation meets marketing execution. Founded in 1996 by Bill O’Dowd, Dolphin operates as both a venture studio-developing and investing in breakthrough content, products, and experiences-and a marketing consortium, featuring leading agencies across every communications discipline.

At its core, the venture studio creates, produces, finances, markets, and promotes new businesses and cultural ideas-ranging from acclaimed film, television, and digital content to consumer goods, live events, and partnerships that define entertainment and lifestyle. Surrounding this entrepreneurial engine, Dolphin’s marketing prowess brings together best-in-class firms including 42West, The Door, Shore Fire Media, Elle Communications, Special Projects, The Digital Dept., and Always Alpha.

Together, this collective delivers unmatched cross-marketing expertise and relationships across every vertical of pop culture-from film, television, music, influencers, sports, hospitality, and fashion to consumer brands and purpose-driven initiatives. Dolphin’s marketing division has been the recipient of numerous industry accolades, including #1 Agency of the Year on the Observer PR Power List in 2025, The PR Net 100, and the PRNEWS Agency Elite 120.

Follow us on Instagram here.

CONTACT:
James Carbonara
HAYDEN IR
(646)-755-7412
james@haydenir.com

SOURCE: Dolphin Entertainment

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Campaign Includes Long-Form Interviews, TV Commercials, Earned Media, and Outdoor Billboards Across NYC

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / New to The Street, the nationally broadcast business television brand airing weekly as sponsored programming on Fox Business and Bloomberg Television, today announced it has signed Peer To Peer Network (OTC:PTOPD) for a comprehensive 12-part nationwide media series.

The campaign will include long-form CEO interviews, television commercials, earned-media placement, and outdoor billboard exposure throughout New York City’s Times Square and Financial District. The initiative will spotlight Peer To Peer Network’s flagship platform, MOBICARD™, the digital business-card technology enabling professionals to instantly share and track contact information through a mobile-first, data-driven experience.

"Partnering with New to The Street gives Peer To Peer Network the ability to showcase how our MOBICARD™ digital business-card platform is redefining professional connectivity," said Josh Sodaitis, CEO & Chairman of the Board at Peer To Peer Network (OTC: PTOPD). "This 12-part media campaign allows us to tell our story to millions of professionals and investors while demonstrating how digital business cards are becoming the new standard for global networking. Visibility is everything – and this campaign is going to give PTOPD & MOBICARD the exposure they truly deserve. When I told shareholders there was so much more coming, this platform is a part of exactly what I meant – it will allow us to share the rapid developments we are making with a much wider audience. Great things are coming; I am also excited to be able to interview on the floor of the NYSE and I look forward to making some BIG announcements there soon."

"We’re thrilled to tell the Peer To Peer Network story across our national platforms," said Vince Caruso, Co-Founder & CEO of New to The Street. "Their leadership in secure, digital identity exchange represents the type of innovation that captures the attention of our global investor and business audience."

Filming for the Peer To Peer Network series will take place at the Nasdaq MarketSite and New York Stock Exchange studios, where New to The Street produces its signature Opportunities to Consider™ segments. Broadcast air dates and distribution schedules will be announced in the coming weeks across Fox Business, Bloomberg Television, and New to The Street’s expanding digital platforms.

Each episode will receive nationwide TV exposure, digital distribution to more than 3.6 million YouTube subscribers, and social amplification through New to The Street’s 500,000-plus combined followers on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.

Outdoor creative and placement will be managed by Accel Media International (AMI), the exclusive billboard partner for New to The Street, providing high-impact visibility on the Nasdaq Tower and Reuters boards in Times Square and on digital billboards throughout Manhattan’s Financial District.

About Peer To Peer Network (OTC: PTOPD)

Peer To Peer Network, Inc. is the technology company behind MOBICARD™, the first publicly traded digital business-card platform. MOBICARD™ allows users to instantly share customized contact information, websites, videos, and social media links while capturing analytics on every interaction. The company’s mission is to revolutionize professional networking through a contact-free, data-empowered approach.

For more information, visit www.ptopnetwork.com.

About New to The Street

New to The Street is one of America’s longest-running business television brands, airing sponsored programming on Fox Business and Bloomberg Television. Since 2009, the platform has featured hundreds of public and private company CEOs, industry leaders, and innovators. Its programming reaches over 220 million U.S. homes weekly and an expanding global digital audience exceeding 3.6 million YouTube subscribers.

Learn more at www.NewToTheStreet.com.

Media Contacts
Monica Brennan
Director of Communications – New to The Street
Monica@NewToTheStreet.com

Investor Relations – Peer To Peer Network
info@ptopnetwork.com

SOURCE: New To The Street

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Reform Metrics and Global Outlook Underpin London Gathering

LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Finance in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held the Oman Investment Forum 2025 in London to deepen financial, investment, and economic cooperation between the two nations. The event underscored the strategic weight of the Oman-UK partnership and the role of the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG), established in 2018 as the institutional mechanism through which the two countries coordinate investment, fiscal reform, and economic-diversification strategy.

Oman enters this year’s forum with one of the strongest fiscal positions in the region. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) reached USD 78.8 billion by the end of the second quarter of 2025, a 12.8 percent increase compared to 2024. Inflows during the first half of 2025 totalled USD 8.8 billion, reflecting rising international confidence.

Omani officials opened the forum by highlighting progress in stabilizing public finances and diversifying the economy. The government’s fiscal discipline has sharply reduced public debt from 68 percent of GDP in 2020 to 34 percent in 2024, cutting debt-service costs by over 12 percent from peak levels. Nasser Al Jashmi, Chairman of the Tax Authority and Head of the Omani Delegation to the Strategic Advisory Group, presented "Pathways to Oman’s Financial Stability," outlining key reforms in public finance and debt management that have strengthened the country’s fiscal resilience and global credit standing. He said, "The historical Omani-UK relations stand as a pillar of friendship and shared prosperity. This forum is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between our two countries within the framework of the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG). The UK is currently the largest foreign investor in the Sultanate’s economy, accounting for 51.2% of total FDI, which emphasizes the importance of this forum in enhancing the growth of investments between the two countries and global investment collaboration."

H.E. Mahmood Al Aweini, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Finance and Supervisor of the National Program for Fiscal Sustainability and Financial Sector Development (Estidamah), said: "This forum showcases the renewed international confidence in Oman’s economy and financial strength, with the presence of leading financial institutions and investment funds. This event comes after a bold journey of achievements in the public finance reform, which led to milestones in developing its financial system and managed to turn financial challenges into successes. The UK has been and continues to be a key strategic partner in achieving our mutual investment and economic interests. As we are heading into a diversified, competitive, and sustainable future, we look forward to continuing to strengthen this partnership towards the prosperity of both nations."

He stated that "the public debt-to-GDP ratio fell from 68% in 2020 to 34% in 2024, which reduced debt service costs by more than 12% from their peak levels since 2020."

In the first panel discussion, H.E. Ahmed Al Musalmi, Governor of the Central Bank of Oman, and H.E. Mahmood Al Aweini discussed "Financing Growth: Reforming Oman’s Financial Sector," highlighting initiatives to strengthen the financial and banking sector and the role of debt instruments in financing growth.

H.E. Al Musalmi said: "This forum represents a pivotal moment – transforming over two centuries of Omani-British partnership into a structured platform for resilient, diversified growth. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, Oman offers seamless access to over 2.5 billion consumers – powered by world-class ports, free zones, and integrated supply chains. Our shared ambition is clear: scale investable opportunities, strengthen climate and supply-chain resilience, and generate high-quality jobs – positioning Oman as a competitive regional hub and delivering enduring value for both nations."

Mulham Al Jarf, Deputy President for Investment at the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), participated in a panel on "Advancing Oman’s Capital Markets in a Global Context." He noted that the OIA has implemented multiple initiatives to expand the Muscat Stock Exchange since assuming ownership in 2021, achieving record growth and trading figures. He added that OIA’s participation in the forum underscores its strategic partnerships, contribution to attracting foreign investment, and its position as a partner of choice for global investors.

The forum, convened at the invitation of Sohar International Bank and HSBC, brought together senior representatives of global investment funds, financial institutions, and private-sector leaders to explore cross-border opportunities and bilateral collaboration. Parallel sessions addressed fiscal innovation, capital-market reform, and public-private investment mechanisms aligned with Oman Vision 2040. The meetings precede the thirteenth session of the Oman-UK Strategic Advisory Group, scheduled from 23 to 24 October in Cardiff, further cementing the long-standing financial and economic partnership between the two countries.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Reform Metrics and Global Outlook Underpin London Gathering

LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Finance in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held the Oman Investment Forum 2025 in London to deepen financial, investment, and economic cooperation between the two nations. The event underscored the strategic weight of the Oman-UK partnership and the role of the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG), established in 2018 as the institutional mechanism through which the two countries coordinate investment, fiscal reform, and economic-diversification strategy.

Oman enters this year’s forum with one of the strongest fiscal positions in the region. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) reached USD 78.8 billion by the end of the second quarter of 2025, a 12.8 percent increase compared to 2024. Inflows during the first half of 2025 totalled USD 8.8 billion, reflecting rising international confidence.

Omani officials opened the forum by highlighting progress in stabilizing public finances and diversifying the economy. The government’s fiscal discipline has sharply reduced public debt from 68 percent of GDP in 2020 to 34 percent in 2024, cutting debt-service costs by over 12 percent from peak levels. Nasser Al Jashmi, Chairman of the Tax Authority and Head of the Omani Delegation to the Strategic Advisory Group, presented "Pathways to Oman’s Financial Stability," outlining key reforms in public finance and debt management that have strengthened the country’s fiscal resilience and global credit standing. He said, "The historical Omani-UK relations stand as a pillar of friendship and shared prosperity. This forum is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between our two countries within the framework of the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG). The UK is currently the largest foreign investor in the Sultanate’s economy, accounting for 51.2% of total FDI, which emphasizes the importance of this forum in enhancing the growth of investments between the two countries and global investment collaboration."

H.E. Mahmood Al Aweini, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Finance and Supervisor of the National Program for Fiscal Sustainability and Financial Sector Development (Estidamah), said: "This forum showcases the renewed international confidence in Oman’s economy and financial strength, with the presence of leading financial institutions and investment funds. This event comes after a bold journey of achievements in the public finance reform, which led to milestones in developing its financial system and managed to turn financial challenges into successes. The UK has been and continues to be a key strategic partner in achieving our mutual investment and economic interests. As we are heading into a diversified, competitive, and sustainable future, we look forward to continuing to strengthen this partnership towards the prosperity of both nations."

He stated that "the public debt-to-GDP ratio fell from 68% in 2020 to 34% in 2024, which reduced debt service costs by more than 12% from their peak levels since 2020."

In the first panel discussion, H.E. Ahmed Al Musalmi, Governor of the Central Bank of Oman, and H.E. Mahmood Al Aweini discussed "Financing Growth: Reforming Oman’s Financial Sector," highlighting initiatives to strengthen the financial and banking sector and the role of debt instruments in financing growth.

H.E. Al Musalmi said: "This forum represents a pivotal moment – transforming over two centuries of Omani-British partnership into a structured platform for resilient, diversified growth. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, Oman offers seamless access to over 2.5 billion consumers – powered by world-class ports, free zones, and integrated supply chains. Our shared ambition is clear: scale investable opportunities, strengthen climate and supply-chain resilience, and generate high-quality jobs – positioning Oman as a competitive regional hub and delivering enduring value for both nations."

Mulham Al Jarf, Deputy President for Investment at the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), participated in a panel on "Advancing Oman’s Capital Markets in a Global Context." He noted that the OIA has implemented multiple initiatives to expand the Muscat Stock Exchange since assuming ownership in 2021, achieving record growth and trading figures. He added that OIA’s participation in the forum underscores its strategic partnerships, contribution to attracting foreign investment, and its position as a partner of choice for global investors.

The forum, convened at the invitation of Sohar International Bank and HSBC, brought together senior representatives of global investment funds, financial institutions, and private-sector leaders to explore cross-border opportunities and bilateral collaboration. Parallel sessions addressed fiscal innovation, capital-market reform, and public-private investment mechanisms aligned with Oman Vision 2040. The meetings precede the thirteenth session of the Oman-UK Strategic Advisory Group, scheduled from 23 to 24 October in Cardiff, further cementing the long-standing financial and economic partnership between the two countries.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA / ACCESS Newswire / October 21, 2025 / World Literature Today, the University of Oklahoma’s award-winning magazine of international literature and culture, today announced Ibrahim Nasrallah as the 29th laureate of the prestigious Neustadt International Prize for Literature.

Awarded in alternating years with the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Neustadt Prize recognizes outstanding literary merit in literature worldwide.

Ibrahim Nasrallah (b. 1954) was born in Amman, Jordan, in 1954 to Palestinian parents uprooted in 1948. Raised in the Al-Wehdat refugee camp, he began his career as a teacher in Saudi Arabia. A prolific poet, novelist, painter, and photographer, Nasrallah has published over forty works, including novels that form part of his celebrated Palestinian Comedy series. His writing, deeply rooted in themes of exile, identity, and resistance, has been translated into multiple languages, earning him international acclaim as one of the most important voices in contemporary Arab literature.

Nasrallah was nominated for the prize by Shereen Malherbe, an award-winning author of novels and a children’s book series. With books being translated into multiple languages, she is recognized for her work with various media organizations as an advocate for authentic Palestinian voices.

In her nominating statement, Malherbe said that "Nasrallah’s literary works span universal issues and themes woven into the Palestinian struggle that allow readers to connect deeply with Palestine outside of a colonial framework." She went on to sway that his work "is now more important than ever considering the plight of Palestinians. It is time the world sees the true Palestine, and Nasrallah’s work can offer this perspective."

Robert Con Davis-Undiano, World Literature Today’s executive director, echoed Malherbe’s sense of urgency, noting that "his winning this award will mark a significant moment in the western reapproach to Palestian culture."

Kathy Neustadt, representing the Neustadt family, made the announcement during the annual Neustadt Lit Fest. The next Lit Fest will be held in Nasrallah’s honor in fall 2026.

Highly respected within the literary community for its recognition of excellence, the Neustadt Prize is often referenced as the "American Nobel" for its reputation as a lead-up to the Swedish Academy’s annual selection. Any living author writing from anywhere in the world is eligible for the Neustadt Prize. The jury is composed of acclaimed international authors, and that fact helps shield the award from external pressure by booksellers, publishers, and others who may have interest in influencing the outcome.

The Neustadt Prize is the first international literary award of its scope to originate in the United States and is one of the very few international prizes for which poets, novelists and playwrights are equally eligible. Winners are awarded $50,000, a replica of an eagle feather cast in silver and a certificate. A generous endowment from the Neustadt family of Dallas, Denver and Boston ensures the award in perpetuity.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

MINNEAPOLIS, MN / ACCESS Newswire / October 21, 2025 / MD&M Midwest, the region’s largest annual end-to-end design and manufacturing event taking place on October 21-22 at the Minneapolis Convention Center announces keynote speakers for the event’s 30-year anniversary.

Minneapolis currently serves as the home to leading innovators including 3M, Medtronic, General Mills, Mayo Clinic, Bosch Automotive, Medical Alley Association and Cargill, cementing the city as an engineering powerhouse. Manufacturing is the single-largest private sector component of Minnesota’s GDP totaling $53 billion, or 13.6% of Minnesota’s total GDP.

On October 21, Alex Hill, Senior Engineering Director, Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic, will present "Advancing Electrophysiology: The Science and Evolution of Pulsed Field Ablation." Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) is a new technology in the field of electrophysiology, offering potential for increased safety and efficacy in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. This keynote will explore the journey of PFA systems, beginning with the foundational research that shaped its development. Key advancements in engineering and clinical studies will be highlighted, demonstrating the potential improvements of PFA compared to traditional ablation techniques. In addition, the session will provide a glimpse into the pipeline of future products.

Later that day, Margaret Gulick, Principal, intelliShift LLC, will keynote "Empowering Manufacturing Through Automation & Robotics: Seizing Disruption," revealing how to cut waste, build momentum with quick automation wins and address workforce concerns to position automation as an enabler, not a replacer. Attendees will learn how to scale pilot successes, leverage data for continuous improvement, and unlock competitive advantages by marrying lean principles with cutting-edge technology.

The following day will commence with Rosemary Coates, Founder & Executive Director, Reshoring Institute, with her presentation of "Beyond Reshoring and Tariffs – What Companies Are Doing Now." Journey through the history of offshoring, reshoring and tariffs, while peeking into the future. This talk will consider the current and future strategies of companies, including where in the world to source and manufacture based on product profiles and the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.

Closing the event is a joint presentation by Drew Davis, Additive Manufacturing Engineer, RECOVER Center (Minneapolis VA Medical Center) and Eric Nickel, Research Biomedical Engineer, Veterans Health Administration (Minnesota VA) with "Let’s Break a Leg: Improving 3D-Printed Prosthetics." The rise of 3D printing and scanning technologies has revolutionized healthcare. Medical devices that match patient-specific anatomy, often printed at the point-of-care, are on the rise. Ensuring safety of these devices may require a reimagining of traditional engineering verification and validation testing. This talk will look at how 3D printing technology has intersected with the prosthetics field to create a need for new approaches to testing medical devices with patient-matched geometry, through the example of prosthetic sockets.

"The MD&M Midwest umbrella unites a community of multiple special interests who all share a single goal – to advance their knowledge, contacts and progress in the rapidly accelerating world of advanced manufacturing," says Suzanne Deffree, Group Event Director, Informa. "For three decades, MD&M Midwest has stood as the heart of excellence. Minnesota isn’t just a location – it’s a melting pot of innovation and visionary giants."

To register for the event offering unprecedented opportunities to connect with hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest products, technologies and services across multiple industries visit: https://www.mdmmidwest.com/en/home.html

About Informa Markets Engineering

Informa Markets’ Engineering portfolio, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world’s $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world’s leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit informamarkets.com

Media Contact

Informa Markets Engineering
EngineeringPR@informa.com

SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS – ENGINEERING

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

MINNEAPOLIS, MN / ACCESS Newswire / October 21, 2025 / MD&M Midwest, the region’s largest annual end-to-end design and manufacturing event taking place on October 21-22 at the Minneapolis Convention Center announces keynote speakers for the event’s 30-year anniversary.

Minneapolis currently serves as the home to leading innovators including 3M, Medtronic, General Mills, Mayo Clinic, Bosch Automotive, Medical Alley Association and Cargill, cementing the city as an engineering powerhouse. Manufacturing is the single-largest private sector component of Minnesota’s GDP totaling $53 billion, or 13.6% of Minnesota’s total GDP.

On October 21, Alex Hill, Senior Engineering Director, Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic, will present "Advancing Electrophysiology: The Science and Evolution of Pulsed Field Ablation." Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) is a new technology in the field of electrophysiology, offering potential for increased safety and efficacy in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. This keynote will explore the journey of PFA systems, beginning with the foundational research that shaped its development. Key advancements in engineering and clinical studies will be highlighted, demonstrating the potential improvements of PFA compared to traditional ablation techniques. In addition, the session will provide a glimpse into the pipeline of future products.

Later that day, Margaret Gulick, Principal, intelliShift LLC, will keynote "Empowering Manufacturing Through Automation & Robotics: Seizing Disruption," revealing how to cut waste, build momentum with quick automation wins and address workforce concerns to position automation as an enabler, not a replacer. Attendees will learn how to scale pilot successes, leverage data for continuous improvement, and unlock competitive advantages by marrying lean principles with cutting-edge technology.

The following day will commence with Rosemary Coates, Founder & Executive Director, Reshoring Institute, with her presentation of "Beyond Reshoring and Tariffs – What Companies Are Doing Now." Journey through the history of offshoring, reshoring and tariffs, while peeking into the future. This talk will consider the current and future strategies of companies, including where in the world to source and manufacture based on product profiles and the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.

Closing the event is a joint presentation by Drew Davis, Additive Manufacturing Engineer, RECOVER Center (Minneapolis VA Medical Center) and Eric Nickel, Research Biomedical Engineer, Veterans Health Administration (Minnesota VA) with "Let’s Break a Leg: Improving 3D-Printed Prosthetics." The rise of 3D printing and scanning technologies has revolutionized healthcare. Medical devices that match patient-specific anatomy, often printed at the point-of-care, are on the rise. Ensuring safety of these devices may require a reimagining of traditional engineering verification and validation testing. This talk will look at how 3D printing technology has intersected with the prosthetics field to create a need for new approaches to testing medical devices with patient-matched geometry, through the example of prosthetic sockets.

"The MD&M Midwest umbrella unites a community of multiple special interests who all share a single goal – to advance their knowledge, contacts and progress in the rapidly accelerating world of advanced manufacturing," says Suzanne Deffree, Group Event Director, Informa. "For three decades, MD&M Midwest has stood as the heart of excellence. Minnesota isn’t just a location – it’s a melting pot of innovation and visionary giants."

To register for the event offering unprecedented opportunities to connect with hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest products, technologies and services across multiple industries visit: https://www.mdmmidwest.com/en/home.html

About Informa Markets Engineering

Informa Markets’ Engineering portfolio, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world’s $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world’s leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit informamarkets.com

Media Contact

Informa Markets Engineering
EngineeringPR@informa.com

SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS – ENGINEERING

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire