The appointments follow J. Mark King's July 2026 appointment as president and CEO and the completion of a platform investment in KMM by RS2 Healthcare Partners. Together, the leadership additions strengthen KMM's operational and financial infrastructure as the company invests in equipment, expands production capacity and grows its workforce.

"We are excited to welcome Amy and Erica to KMM as we build on the strength of our team and invest in the capabilities needed for continued expansion," King said. "Amy's decades of operations and supply chain experience and Erica's perspective, shaped by leading finance through complex manufacturing transitions, align naturally with where KMM is headed."

Goff brings nearly 30 years of medical device and contract manufacturing experience. Most recently, she served as vice president at Canadian Hospital Specialties, where she led the transformation of North American supply chain teams. She previously spent nearly 20 years with Argon Medical, with responsibility spanning seven manufacturing facilities and five distribution centers across seven countries.

"I joined KMM because the company already has an extraordinary combination of technical capability, skilled people and pride in the work," Goff said. "My role is to listen to the people closest to that work and strengthen the processes that will allow the organization to expand."

Blake brings more than 25 years of financial leadership across medical device, life sciences and specialty manufacturing organizations. She most recently served as head of finance for North America at LGC Clinical Diagnostics. Her previous roles include financial controller at Nitto Denko Avecia and corporate controller at Tegra Medical.

The leadership expansion coincides with KMM's broader capital investment and workforce growth plans to increase production capacity.

About KMM Group

KMM Group is a premier contract manufacturer specializing in complex, tight-tolerance components for the medical device industry and other highly demanding markets. KMM solves complex, failure-intolerant engineering challenges through integrated capabilities, technical expertise and scalable production. For more information, visit kmmgrp.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Amy Rodgers

Director of Marketing

[email protected]

(215) 280-1374

SOURCE KMM Group

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LIME FRESH MEXICAN GRILL LAUNCHES LIME LOVER LOYALTY PROGRAM WITH "LIME LOVES YOU BACK"

New Program Thanks Loyal Guests With Points, Perks and More, Kicking Off on National Taco Day, Oct. 6, With a Special Free Offer

MIAMI, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LIME Fresh Mexican Grill, the Florida-born fast-casual favorite known for fresh, made-to-order Mexican cuisine and laid-back South Beach spirit, is showing guests some love with the launch of LIME Lover, a new loyalty program rewarding the community that has supported LIME for more than two decades. Part of the brand's "LIME Loves You Back" campaign, the program debuts Oct. 6 in celebration of National Taco Day.

To celebrate, LIME Lover members who dine at participating locations from Oct. 6–9 will receive a free small guacamole reward in their account following their qualifying visit. Guests who enroll will also receive a free OG Taco reward upon signing up.

Members earn points on eligible purchases and move through four tiers: L, I, M and E, spelling out LIME. Members start at L or Local, earning 10 points per $1 spent. Those spending 849 within 365 days reach I or IYKYK , earning 11 points per $1; 1,749 unlocks M or MVP and 12 points per $1; and $1,750 or more unlocks E or Elite and 13 points per $1.

Points can be redeemed starting at 500 points for rewards including a free soda or tea, side of guacamole or queso, or OG chicken or beef taco, up to free fajitas for 2,000 points. LIME Lover points never expire.

"Our guests have shown LIME a lot of love over the years, and LIME Lover gives us a way to return it," said Patrick Fore, CEO of LIME Fresh Mexican Grill. "It's about recognizing our regulars, welcoming new guests into the community and giving everyone more reasons to keep coming back."

Since opening its first taco spot on Alton Road in South Beach in 2004, LIME has built a devoted following around made-to-order Mexican favorites, made-from-scratch salsas and award-winning margaritas. Today, LIME operates eight locations across Florida.

Members can manage rewards and order through the new LIME Lover app. The program is powered by Olo Loyalty, integrating rewards directly into the ordering process.

For more information and to sign up, visit limefreshmexicangrill.com/rewards.

Media Contact: RockawayMore | [email protected]

SOURCE LIME Fresh Mexican Grill

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Trustpair will continue to operate independently, while the combination brings invoice and payment assurance into one lifecycle

PARIS, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Basware, the global leader in Invoice Lifecycle Management (ILM), today announced the completion of its acquisition of Trustpair, a leading payment fraud prevention platform, following the agreement announced in August.

The acquisition extends Basware's invoice lifecycle management capabilities all the way to the payment itself: an invoice can be authentic, accurate and properly approved, but the supplier bank account associated with it may be fraudulent.

Trustpair will continue to operate independently, maintaining its existing platform, specialist focus, customer relationships, contracts, and support. The company will continue to support and expand integrations across ERP, treasury, procure-to-pay and payment platforms. Customers will continue to be able to deploy Trustpair across their existing finance environments, whether or not they use Basware. This open ecosystem strategy remains unchanged and central to Trustpair's approach.

The First End-to-End Lifecycle Assurance from Invoice to Payment

The acquisition brings together complementary capabilities that connect invoice and payment assurance. Basware establishes the validity of the invoice by helping finance teams determine whether an obligation is authentic, accurate, compliant, and approved. Trustpair extends that to payment assurance by validating whether the supplier is genuine, the bank account belongs to that supplier, and the payment is going to the intended destination.

Together, these capabilities deliver financial integrity: a connected view of the financial decision behind every payment, linking the invoice and payment in one governed lifecycle.

As payment fraud increasingly targets supplier identities and bank details rather than the invoice itself, finance teams must establish trust when supplier data first enters the business, maintain it as information changes, and validate it again before funds are released. The combination of Trustpair and Basware makes this possible.

Jason Kurtz, CEO at Basware, commented on the completed acquisition:

"Trustpair has built a distinct capability around one of the most important control challenges facing finance teams today. An invoice can be authentic and accurate, but the financial outcome is still wrong if the payment goes to the wrong account. By bringing Basware's invoice lifecycle management capabilities together with Trustpair's payment assurance, we can help customers make that complete financial decision with greater confidence. Since we announced the agreement, customers have told us this is the missing piece they have been waiting for, and that excitement has only grown as we get closer to bringing our capabilities together."

Baptiste Collot, Co-founder and CEO at Trustpair, added on the acquisition:

"Since announcing our intent to join forces, the market signal has been overwhelmingly clear: finance leaders recognize you can no longer dissociate the invoice from payment assurance without exposing your business to severe fraud. As payment threats become more sophisticated with AI, fraud prevention must be an active, connected layer across the entire invoice and payment lifecycle. While maintaining our independent, system-agnostic approach, we will tap into Basware's scale, resources, and deep data foundation to innovate faster and continue building on our nine-year legacy of specialist payment assurance."

For Basware's 6,500+ customers, the acquisition provides broader assurance across the invoice-to-payment lifecycle. Longer term, the companies see an opportunity to combine Basware's invoice and supplier context, spanning 2.5 billion invoices and 20 million suppliers, with Trustpair's fraud-specific intelligence to identify risk earlier, automate validation and give finance teams a more complete view of what a company owes, why it owes it, who should receive the payment, and where the money should go.

Learn More

For more information, a webinar recording on the Basware and Trustpair acquisition is available here: https://www.basware.com/en/resources/from-trusted-suppliers-to-trusted-payments

About Basware

Basware is the market leader in Invoice Lifecycle Management. One platform, four outcomes CFOs can rely on: Governed Autonomy, Continuous Compliance, Financial Integrity, Enterprise Control. Our platform governs your entire AP process end-to-end, across every country, every ERP, every supplier. Built on 40+ years of industry firsts and trusted by 6,500+ customers worldwide, including DHL, Heineken, and NBC Universal Media. With Basware, Now it all just happens.™

About Trustpair

Trustpair is the global standard for enterprise payment fraud prevention, securing payments for over 600 world-leading organizations, including leading Fortune 500 companies. By embedding AI-driven risk intelligence directly into existing finance ecosystems, Trustpair automates manual account validation to become a centralized, strategic layer of payment security. With a global presence in New York City, Paris, and London, Trustpair empowers finance teams to outsmart sophisticated fraudsters at scale. The platform is SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certified.

SOURCE BASWARE HOLDINGS LIMITED

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BagelUp Growth Lab Returns as Business Incubator for Emerging Bagel Entrepreneurs, Launching a Year-Round Partner Program

Second annual BagelUp Growth Lab expands with vetted industry partners and an educational webinar series designed to help rising bagel makers open and grow their first shops

NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Great bagels may start with flour, water, yeast and skill, but building a successful bagel business takes much more. On Saturday, November 14th, 2026, BagelUp (which produces New York BagelFest) will present the second annual BagelUp Growth Lab, a business incubator designed to help promising bagel entrepreneurs gain the knowledge, connections and industry resources needed to turn their bagel concepts into sustainable businesses. Taking place at Loft 39 the day before New York BagelFest at Citi Field, this year's expanded Growth Lab will feature business education, access-to-capital discussions, live pitches, product sampling and direct connections with experienced operators, suppliers and other industry professionals.

BagelUp is also taking the incubator beyond a single day. In an effort to support participating bagel makers as they work toward opening their first shops and scaling their businesses, it has created a year-round Growth Lab Partner Program, connecting entrepreneurs with vetted vendors across the essential areas involved in building a modern bagel business. Throughout the following year, participating partners will separately present a series of educational webinars sharing practical guidance with the Growth Lab entrepreneurs, covering everything from selecting equipment and designing a physical shop to choosing packaging, processing payments and understanding the operational infrastructure needed to open the doors. The goal is to give founders an ongoing network of specialists they can turn to as their businesses develop.

"The Growth Lab helps rising stars of the bagel industry survive the leap to their first brick-and-mortar. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, roughly 40-50% of new accommodation and food service establishments close within five years. That's why we connect these founders with industry veterans who've already been through it—and back again—so they get the candid feedback and mentorship that can make the difference in those critical early years," says Sam Silverman, President of BagelUp.

BagelFest introduced Growth Lab in 2025 as both an incubator and tasting experience for early-stage bagel makers from across the United States and Canada. The inaugural program brought rising entrepreneurs together with the public, media and industry professionals while creating opportunities to discuss the realities of starting and scaling a modern bagel business. It positioned the Growth Lab and its accompanying Industry Mixer as a new professional pillar of the New York BagelFest weekend, intended not only to showcase up-and-coming makers but also to support the next generation of entrepreneurs while strengthening connections across the larger bagel ecosystem.

The program returns in 2026 with an expanded curriculum and a more deliberate emphasis on business incubation, and under the BagelUp umbrella. Rather than ending when participants leave New York, the second annual Growth Lab creates a pathway for continued education, professional guidance and access to trusted industry resources throughout the year.

The new partner initiative addresses a simple reality…a founder preparing to open a bagel shop suddenly has to become an expert in far more than dough. Entrepreneurs need to understand architectural plans, ovens and production equipment, point-of-sale and payment systems, packaging, workflow, financing, staffing and dozens of other decisions that can determine whether a new food business succeeds. BagelUp has assembled a network of vetted vendors and specialists who can provide information and guidance within their respective areas of expertise, with participating businesses gaining opportunities to learn directly from these partners through a webinar series over the next year.

"There's nothing like seeing a baker's dream take shape. Great bagels are where it starts, but building a bagel shop that lasts also takes solid business fundamentals, a well-planned space with the right equipment, and access to the right capital. The Bread Bakers Guild of America is thrilled to be part of the Growth Lab, sharing what we've learned so early-stage owners and operators can build resilient businesses that thrive for years to come," says Karen Bornarth, Executive Director of the Bread Bakers Guild of America.

Initial partners span the key ingredients, services and infrastructure needed to build a bagel business, including King Arthur Baking Company for flour, All Bake Technologies for bakery equipment and services, Philadelphia Cream Cheese for cream cheese, Malt Products Corporation for malt and sweeteners, Bettani for plant-based alternatives, Manischewitz for kosher foods, Echelon Payments for merchant services, noissue for packaging, and thinkDESIGN Architecture for architecture and design.

King Arthur Baking Company brings a longstanding commitment to quality baking products, education and community, reflecting its belief that baking can connect people and should be accessible to everyone. All Bake Technologies Inc. supplies bakery equipment, parts and services to professional bakers, from small retailers and wholesale bakeries to commercial chains and industrial operations. Philadelphia Cream Cheese, made with fresh milk and real cream, emphasizes quality dairy ingredients without artificial flavors, preservatives or dyes. Malt Products Corporation, a family-owned company founded in 1957, supplies barley malt syrups and powders, a key bagel ingredient. Its custom-blending capabilities and available non-GMO and organic-certified products offer insight into ingredient sourcing and production needs as businesses grow. Bettani Farms develops protein-rich, dairy-free cream cheese using plant-based technology, offering an alternative free from dairy, soy and nuts for shops considering inclusive menu options. The Manischewitz Company, a name associated with traditional Jewish foods since 1888, brings a longstanding kosher-food heritage to the partner network. From pioneering machine-made matzo in 1888 to its matzo ball soup and other traditional offerings, the company represents a connection between Jewish culinary traditions and the food businesses carrying them forward.

Echelon Payments provides customized payment solutions combining payment technology with customer support and an emphasis on trust and transparency, helping entrepreneurs better understand the merchant-services infrastructure necessary to operate a growing retail business. noissue works with brands and businesses of varying sizes to create custom, sustainable packaging, emphasizing accessible customization and low minimum-order quantities, considerations valuable to emerging businesses developing a cohesive customer-facing brand experience. thinkDESIGN Architecture, a full-service boutique architectural firm specializing in residential and commercial renovations and developments, introduces the planning and design considerations involved in turning a business concept into a functioning physical space, and have designed dozens of bagel shops in New York, including iconic brands like Utopia Bagels, La Bagel Delight, Terrace Bagels, Highway Bagels, and The Bagel Store. Additional partners and webinar topics may be announced as the program develops.

Together, the partners are intended to form a practical resource network around the entrepreneurs, helping founders understand who they need, what questions they should be asking and what decisions they will face before opening and operating a shop. The program is designed to make it easier for early-stage business owners to identify experienced resources before they reach critical points in the process of opening, financing or expanding their businesses.

The in-person Growth Lab curriculum begins at 10:30 a.m. with "The Business of Bagels," presented by Karen Bornarth, examining the operational and entrepreneurial side of building a successful bagel company. At 11:30 a.m., participants will have an opportunity to schmooze and refresh before the program turns to one of the greatest challenges facing growing food businesses: financing. At 12:00 p.m., "Access to Capital" will explore funding pathways available to entrepreneurs seeking to launch or expand their businesses, featuring Guild Board President Kobla Asamoah and Adam Pollack, Partner at Echelon Payments. The session will address how entrepreneurs can prepare for capital conversations, what financial partners may look for in a developing business and what founders should understand as they consider funding their next stage of growth.

Following lunch, Growth Lab Pitches begin at 2:00 p.m., giving participating entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their concepts, share their stories and articulate their plans for growth. At 3:00 p.m., the focus shifts from business plans to the bagels themselves with a sampling session featuring the participating makers. The educational portion of the day concludes at 4:00 p.m. with "Outfitting a Bagel Shop," a practical discussion about transforming a bagel concept into a physical operation. The session will feature Peter Sonenstein, VP of Sales & Marketing at All Bake Tech, Dominick Ciccarelli, Partner at thinkDESIGN, and Dianna Daohuang, co-Founder and Executive Chef at Black Seed, with topics spanning equipment, architecture and shop design, production workflow, scalability and considerations founders should address when planning their first brick-and-mortar location.

Riyadh to Host Sixth Edition of Future Minerals Forum in January 2027

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has announced that the sixth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) will be held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from 12–14 January 2027 in Riyadh, with the theme "Global Collaboration for Resilient Mineral Supply."

The fifth edition, held in January 2026, welcomed government representatives from 91 countries and more than 64 governmental and non-governmental organizations, alongside 21,500 participants from 175 countries. It saw the signing of 132 agreements and MoUs worth more than USD26.7 billion (SAR100 billion), bringing the total across five editions to 398 agreements and MoUs valued at over USD75.2 billion (SAR282 billion).

FMF 2027 will focus on mobilizing finance, accelerating project development and shortening time to production, to increase mineral supply and develop value chains in the Kingdom and emerging supplier regions, including the Super Region spanning Africa, West and Central Asia, and Latin America.

The Forum will be headlined by its government-led Ministerial Roundtable, convening governments, industry leaders, multilateral organizations, and financial and academic institutions. Expanded 'Gateway to Funding' activities will connect investors with scalable projects, while 'State of the Sector' sessions, an extension of the Future Minerals Barometer, will offer commodity outlooks and market insights. Leadership Roundtables and Knowledge Exchange meetings will develop solutions to strengthen supply chains.

FMF has helped move discussions on the future of minerals from ambition to partnerships, investment and projects, while connecting Saudi Arabia's mining and industrial opportunities with international capital, technology and expertise.

The Forum has grown alongside the Kingdom's mining sector. Saudi Arabia's exploration expenditure rose from USD 54.7 million (SAR 205 million) in 2020 to USD 362.7 million (SAR 1.36 billion) in 2025 and active exploration companies grew from six to 191.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, also recently announced that studies at the Jabal Sayid Rare Earth Elements Project in the Madinah Region had revealed estimated resources of 114 million tons of ore with high concentrations of rare earth elements, particularly heavy rare earth elements.

FMF advances the objectives of the Comprehensive Mining and Mineral Industries Strategy. FMF2027 will issue a global call to diversify mineral supply, develop mining capabilities and build a more resilient minerals ecosystem.

For registration and information, visit futuremineralsforum.com

CONTACT: Mustafa Al Refaie, [email protected], +966 55 725 1006

SOURCE Future Minerals Forum

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MediaTek and Airoha Accelerate Global Network Infrastructure Upgrades for the AI Era

Showcasing Wi-Fi, 5G CPE and PON Platforms at Network X 2026—Assisting Global Operators in Upgrading Infrastructure with Higher Bandwidth, Ultra-Low Latency and Enterprise-Grade Reliability

HSINCHU, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The AI era demands more than compute power; it requires a high-bandwidth, low-latency, and highly reliable network infrastructure to deliver AI services to users in real time, reliably and at scale. At Network X 2026, MediaTek and Airoha Technology (known as the MediaTek Group) will showcase next-generation connectivity spanning Wi-Fi, 5G CPE, and PON. Encompassing fiber-optic access, wireless broadband, and home and enterprise connectivity, these industry-leading solutions help global telecom operators accelerate network upgrades, seamlessly extending AI applications and services across home, office, and on-the-go scenarios.

Comprehensive Connectivity Portfolio for an End-to-End Experience in the AI Era

In the AI era, network requirements are shifting from point access technologies toward an end-to-end service experience. From PON bringing high-speed fiber connectivity into homes and enterprises, to 5G FWA providing high-performance wireless broadband, and Wi-Fi extending connectivity to every device, the three technologies together form an essential foundation for telecom operators to deliver next-generation broadband services.

By combining the capabilities of MediaTek and Airoha, MediaTek Group provides connectivity expertise spanning PON, 5G CPE and Wi-Fi, enabling customers to work with a single partner across network access, CPE, and in-home and enterprise networks. Beyond the breadth of its technologies, MediaTek Group continues to strengthen enterprise-grade quality, reliability and multi-vendor interoperability, while supporting major broadband software ecosystems including OpenWrt, RDK-B and prplOS, helping telecom operators reduce system integration complexity and accelerate the deployment of new services.

Moving to Commercialization on a Global Scale

For telecom operators, network connectivity technology is more than a spec sheet. Its real value lies in long-term, reliable deployment across commercial networks on a global scale. MediaTek Group has decades of engineering and product experience spanning product definition, silicon development, software integration, system validation and lifecycle support. Its track records on product quality, reliability and scalable deployment capabilities continue to be validated through mass productions of billions of devices across the globe every year. Strategically positioned at the heart of the world's premier semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, MediaTek Group works hand-in-hand with advanced-process partners. This close collaboration ensures that customers benefit from continuous technology advancements and a highly reliable supply chain.

Building Next-Gen Networks: Driving Innovation across Three Key Areas

At Network X 2026, MediaTek Group is showcasing the parallel migration of three network technologies: from Wi-Fi 7 to Wi-Fi 8, from XGS-PON to 50G-PON, and from 5G to 5G-Advanced. Moving beyond raw speed, these technologies are aligned on a new trajectory: Through AI, advanced connectivity, and system integration, they deliver higher bandwidth, lower latency, and superior energy efficiency, creating a highly reliable network infrastructure designed for intelligent, large-scale deployment.

MediaTek Group noted that the rise of AI applications continues to drive stricter network requirements for bandwidth, reliability, low power consumption and multi-point connectivity. Consequently, the challenge for the telecom industry goes beyond continual upgrades on one single connectivity technology, but enabling fiber access, mobile broadband and Wi-Fi to work together more closely for a high-quality, end-to-end user experience.

From the product planning and definition stages, MediaTek and Airoha have worked closely to integrate PON, 5G CPE, and Wi-Fi technologies and product portfolios. Together with global ecosystem partners, they help telecom customers accelerate next-generation network infrastructure upgrades, extending AI computing power from the cloud and data centers directly into every home, enterprise, and smart device.

Exhibition: MediaTek + Airoha @ Booth K35

Network X 2026: 13-15 October 2026 @ Messe Wien, Vienna, Austria

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Driving Community Health: Bristol Myers Squibb, Emirates Thalassemia Society and Dubai Science Park Host the 6th 'Help Save a Life' Blood Donation Drive

Part of Bristol Myers Squibb's Global Patient Week, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to patient care in the UAE

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For patients living with chronic blood disorders, access to safe and reliable blood supplies is fundamental to their care journey. Marking the sixth edition of an impactful partnership, Bristol Myers Squibb proudly collaborated with the Emirates Thalassemia Society and Dubai Science Park, the region's leading science focused hub and part of TECOM Group PJSC, hosted the 'Help Save a Life' blood donation drive, bringing together community members and healthcare professionals to provide vital support for patients who rely on regular blood transfusions.

At its core, the 'Help Save a Life' concept is built on the profound connection between a donor's generosity and a patient's ongoing treatment. For individuals managing chronic blood disorders like thalassemia, routine transfusions are essential lifelines that allow them to live full and active lives. The initiative was created to transform corporate social responsibility into direct and tangible action, mobilizing the wider community to sustain the local blood supply and offer hope to patients navigating these conditions.

Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Emirates Thalassemia Society, said: "Our long-standing partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb highlights the profound impact of collective social responsibility. Blood donors are quiet heroes in our community, playing an indispensable role in the daily lives of individuals and families managing thalassemia. By showing up consistently year after year, our community proves that we can lighten the burden for patients in need. We are proud to join hands once again for this drive, reinforcing our shared dedication to awareness, education, and steadfast patient support."

"Dubai Science Park brings together a vibrant community of healthcare and life sciences organisations and professionals, creating a platform for partnerships that deliver meaningful impact," said Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Science Park, part of TECOM Group. "Our collaboration with the Emirates Thalassemia Society and Bristol Myers Squibb for the sixth edition of the 'Help Save a Life' blood donation drive reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to health and wellbeing in the UAE."

Commenting on the initiative's success, Mayada Al Ahmad, General Manager of Bristol Myers Squibb, GCC Countries, said: "At Bristol Myers Squibb, patients are at the heart of everything we do, and we are reminded every day of our responsibility to support them. Marking the sixth year of this blood donation drive during Global Patient Week allowed us to put those values into direct action. A consistent, reliable blood supply is essential to supporting patients living with thalassemia and other blood disorders, ensuring they have access to the care they need when it matters most."

She added: "We are deeply grateful to our partners at the Emirates Thalassemia Society and Dubai Science Park, and to the community members whose generosity helps us deliver tangible support and renewed hope to families across the UAE."

The drive serves as a flagship event for Bristol Myers Squibb's annual Global Patient Week. Every year, the company hosts a week of patient-centered activities where individuals share their lived experiences, reminding teams of the human impact behind their daily work.

Taking place on the eve of Blood Cancer Awareness Month in October, the drive also provides a timely reminder of the constant need for community health initiatives that support patients managing various blood conditions.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Transforming Patients' Lives Through Science

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our mission is to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. We pursue bold science to define what's possible for the future of medicine and the patients we serve. For more information, visit BMS.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

About Dubai Science Park

Dubai Science Park is the region's leading science-focused hub and one of TECOM Group PJSC's 10 business districts. For more than two decades, Dubai Science Park has fostered innovation and growth in the life sciences, energy, and environmental sciences with a purpose-built ecosystem featuring LEED-certified labs, Grade-A offices, and storage and logistics spaces as well as industry networking events and platforms, including The DSP Leadership Network. Home to over 6,500 professionals, Dubai Science Park continues to enable science innovation and nurture the region's research and development (R&D) landscape, strengthening the knowledge- and innovation-led economy.

For more information, please visit www.dsp.ae. 

About Emirates Thalassemia Society

The Emirates Thalassemia Society is a non-profit, public benefit organization dedicated to reducing the spread of thalassemia in the UAE. Established on October 10, 1997 by families of patients, the Society provides comprehensive medical, social, and financial support to those affected. It also contributes to prevention efforts through health awareness campaigns and premarital screening advocacy. Since 1997, ETS has been a proud member of the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF).

SOURCE Bristol Myers Squibb

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Temu and Italy's ICQRF Partner to Strengthen Protection of Geographical Indications Online

New Memorandum of Understanding establishes a cooperation framework focused on prevention, seller guidance, information exchange and the protection of Geographical Indications on Temu

ROME, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Temu and Italy's Central Inspectorate for Fraud Repression and Quality Protection of Agri-Food Products (ICQRF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the protection of Geographical Indications (GIs) on Temu's marketplace.

The agreement, signed in conjunction with an event marking ICQRF's 40th anniversary, places a strong emphasis on prevention. Temu and ICQRF will cooperate to provide sellers with appropriate information and guidance and will meet periodically to evaluate and develop joint initiatives aimed at strengthening the protection of GIs and preventing unfair commercial practices.

ICQRF is part of Italy's Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF) and is the competent authority responsible for official controls on agri-food and wine products, with specific responsibilities relating to GIs. It is also part of the European network of competent national and EU authorities involved in GI protection and cooperates with stakeholders on agri-food and wine verification.

"Geographical Indications are an important part of Italy's renowned agri-food heritage, and protecting them in the digital environment requires close cooperation across the ecosystem," said a Temu spokesperson. "This agreement with ICQRF allows us to combine prevention, information and guidance for sellers, and ongoing information exchange with effective mechanisms for addressing potential infringements. By working together, we can promote best practices across our marketplace and strengthen the protection of Geographical Indications online."

The agreement also establishes an ongoing framework for cooperation and information exchange between Temu and ICQRF, with dedicated points of contact to facilitate regulatory clarification, address practical issues and coordinate the monitoring and development of activities under the MoU.

"The agreement with Temu represents another key milestone in ICQRF's strategy to protect Geographical Indications in international digital markets. Structured cooperation with leading online marketplaces is essential to combat online infringements and make the protection of our quality products increasingly effective," said Dr. Felice Assenza, Head of Department at ICQRF.

"In Temu, we have found a partner that is attentive and responsive to the need for effective protection and that, from the outset, has demonstrated a genuine willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation. We are confident that this agreement will further strengthen the protection of the authenticity and reputation of Italian excellence," Dr. Assenza said.

Temu has introduced a dedicated GI category within its global Brand Registry, strengthening the tools available to GI rights holders worldwide. Rights holders and authorised agents can register their GI rights by submitting the relevant registration details and supporting documentation for Temu's review. Once approved, they can report potentially infringing listings directly through Temu's Brand Protection Center, providing a clearer and more streamlined route for GI-related complaints.

For Temu, the agreement builds on its ongoing work to advance intellectual property protection and promote best practices across its marketplace. Intellectual property protection is a core pillar of Temu's platform governance, supported by comprehensive policies and measures designed to protect rights holders.

About Temu

Temu is a global e-commerce platform connecting consumers with millions of manufacturers, brands and business partners. Operating in more than 90 markets worldwide, Temu is committed to providing affordable, high-quality products that enable customers to live better lives.

About ICQRF

The Central Inspectorate for Fraud Repression and Quality Protection of Agri-Food Products (ICQRF) is part of Italy's Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF). ICQRF is the Italian competent authority responsible for official controls on agri-food and wine products, with specific responsibilities relating to Geographical Indications. It also designates and supervises public and private entities responsible for controls and certification activities relating to Geographical Indications.

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Reap and Collinson International Enter Landmark Partnership to Bring Priority Pass Airport Experiences to the Stablecoin and Crypto Ecosystem

The collaboration connects digital asset customers to premium travel benefits, giving eligible cardholders access to Priority Pass' global network of over 1,900 airport lounges and travel experiences.

SINGAPORE, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Reap, a global financial technology company that enables financial connectivity and access for businesses worldwide through stablecoin-enabled infrastructure, has entered a strategic partnership with Collinson International, the global leader in the provision of airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement solutions, and owner and operator of Priority Pass.

The collaboration enables Reap's clients in the digital-assets landscape, including leading global crypto exchanges, Web3 neobanks, private banks, and asset managers, to offer premium travel benefits to their customers. This will grant eligible Reap cardholders access to Priority Pass' global network of over 1,900 airport lounges and travel experiences, including spa, sleep pods, dining, and more.

The partnership comes as meaningful travel benefits take on an increasingly central role in enhancing customer value and engagement. According to Collinson International's research report, access to airport lounges is ranked as the most desirable travel benefit, while 92% of respondents in Asia Pacific agree that travel rewards and benefits encourage card use for everyday and travel expenses. The findings highlight how travel benefits, including access to airport lounges through Priority Pass, can help drive card use, customer engagement and loyalty.

"As the payments landscape continues to evolve, the ability to provide experiential value is becoming an increasingly important differentiator among financial products," said Rom Remy, SVP Commercial, APAC at Collinson International. "Travel experiences, in particular, offer payment providers a powerful way to deepen customer engagement, build loyalty and lifetime value. We are delighted to partner with Reap as it expands across high-growth markets. Through access to Priority Pass' global network of airport lounges and travel experiences, Reap can help its clients to broaden their offerings and deliver more seamless, premium journeys to travellers worldwide."

The partnership extends Reap's card issuing offering into lifestyle and travel benefits. By connecting onchain spending to real-world experiences, Reap enables its clients to reward everyday card usage and strengthen their customer retention, bringing the experiential value that has long driven engagement in traditional card programmes to stablecoin-linked cards.

"At Reap, our stablecoin-native infrastructure is built to create real-world value for the businesses we support and the customers they serve," said Pablo Che Leon, Head of Customer Growth, Reap. "Stablecoins are becoming everyday money for millions of people, and the cards they spend with should carry the same benefits as any premium card. By bringing Priority Pass to Reap-issued cards, a cardholder in Hong Kong or Tokyo can now enjoy the same airport lounge experience as a premium cardholder in London or New York. For our clients, it's a new way to differentiate their card offerings, reward everyday spending and keep customers engaged."

For more information, please visit https://reap.global/products/reap-rewards.

About Priority Pass

Priority Pass is the world's original and market-leading airport experiences programme. We provide travellers with access to over 1,900 lounges and travel experiences in 865 airports in 143 countries. Members can access an ever-growing range of premium experiences – from spas to sleeping pods to dining – that help elevate every journey into something special. By building partnerships with other leading brands, we help to bring a better travel experience to the world.

Priority Pass is owned and operated by Collinson International, part of The Collinson Group, a family-owned business. Formed over 35 years ago, it now has five distinct operating companies that generate a combined annual revenue of £2.1bn, employing more than 2,500 people across 14 countries.

About Reap

Reap is a global financial technology company that enables financial connectivity and access for businesses worldwide through stablecoin-native infrastructure. We transform the financial landscape through more efficient money movement by merging traditional finance with digital assets, bridging disparate economies and connecting key financial markets.

Reap was an early leader in Asia to incorporate stablecoins into our solutions. In 2025, Reap processed billions in stablecoin-funded transaction flows. From stablecoin-enabled corporate cards to cross-border payments, we streamline financial operations and empower companies to scale with our integrated business accounts and embedded finance solutions.

Founded and headquartered in Hong Kong, Reap employs 300 people worldwide.

More information about Reap can be found at reap.global.

SOURCE Reap

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ToyTrends at Spielwarenmesse 2027: Therapeutic play and diverse licensed hits

- Beyond Limits: Toys with therapeutic added value

- License to Play: For fans of the classics and viral newcomers

NUREMBERG, Germany, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What will be played in children's rooms in the future is showcased annually at Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg. From 2 to 6 February 2027, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy an early glimpse of upcoming trends. The international TrendCommittee of Spielwarenmesse has analysed current developments and impulses, and identified two defining ToyTrends for 2027. With "Beyond Limits", a special aspect of play comes to the fore: the therapeutic potential of toys. The second trend, "License to Play", delves into the diverse world of licensed toys. The ToyTrends will be experienced live at their corresponding Special area, centrally located at the Entrance Mitte. Numerous product examples provide retailers with valuable inspiration for shaping their product range. The offering is rounded off by talks covering these trends in the Toy Business Forum.

Play as therapy

Toys do far more than just entertain. When used correctly, they become a valuable therapeutic tool for people of all ages – for people with disabilities, conditions such as ADHD, dementia and Parkinson's, in rehabilitation and at home. The "Beyond Limits" trend makes this potential visible. It showcases products that help people maintain or develop their motor and cognitive skills. Toys that are adapted to special needs due to their size and tactile properties are included here. Also featured are products that create shared experiences or counteract feelings of loneliness.

Licensed worlds capture fans' hearts

Licensed toys are true revenue drivers. According to market research institute Circana, they accounted for 37% of global toy sales last year. Sources of inspiration for new licensed worlds are no longer limited to characters from films, series and games, but increasingly include memes, GIFs or short clips that go viral on social media. The "License to Play" trend makes this clear. The transition from viral hit to diverse product world only takes a few months. Licensed classics such as Pokémon, Star Wars and One Piece reach children across platforms through streaming, gaming or social media. This creates purchasing opportunities for fans throughout the year. Additionally, the trend showcases Asian brands from the anime and K-pop sectors that enjoy worldwide popularity.

The website www.spielwarenmesse.de/en/toytrends provides further insights into both ToyTrends.

Spielwarenmesse®

The world's leading event for the sector – that's the Spielwarenmesse®. At this B2B event, key players as well as startups present their innovations and trends to retailers from all over the globe, live in Nuremberg. Alongside the extensive range of products, participants also gain a wealth of inspiration for day-to-day business together with valuable knowledge and useful guidance on the market, at what is for them the most significant industry gathering. The event is complemented by year-round coverage of themes, analyses and insights from the multifunctional platform Spielwarenmesse Digital and the e-journal 'Spirit of Play'. Since 2013, the term Spielwarenmesse® has been a protected word mark in Germany.

Fair date: Spielwarenmesse®, Tuesday to Saturday, 2 – 6 Feb 2027

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