HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Nordic owned sourdough brand BARTELS has officially marked the opening of its new flagship branch at the Sonatus Building, District 1, celebrating the occasion alongside the Nordic KickOff 2026: New Year Networking event organised by NordCham Vietnam on January 22, 2026.

Amid growing Nordic foreign direct investment in Vietnam, with Denmark among the most active contributors across sectors including food & beverage, renewable energy, logistics and sustainable manufacturing, the expansion of BARTELS reflects a broader trend of Nordic businesses pursuing long-term, value-driven growth in Vietnam.

Founded on a simple yet uncompromising philosophy, “100% real. No cheating,” BARTELS has built a strong reputation in Bangkok, Phuket and Ho Chi Minh City for its naturally fermented bread, artisanal sandwiches and Nordic-inspired café experience. Rooted in Scandinavian baking traditions, the brand is committed to honest ingredients, slow fermentation and craftsmanship.

The new location at Sonatus Building represents BARTELS’s continued expansion in Vietnam, guided by the ambition to bring healthy, high-quality and responsibly made food closer to urban communities. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s business district, the space is designed as a warm, minimalist setting that supports everyday dining and meaningful professional connections.

To celebrate the opening and welcome the new year, NordCham Vietnam hosted its Nordic KickOff New Year Networking on January 22, 2026, in collaboration with BARTELS at its newly opened Sonatus location, bringing together members and friends of the Nordic community while reinforcing shared values of collaboration, sustainability and trust.

Speaking at the Networking evening, the Ambassador of Denmark to Vietnam, H.E. Nicolai Prytz shared:

Nordic companies bring qualities that are highly valued in Vietnam today: A long-term approach, strong governance and responsible business practices, practical, high-quality solutions in sustainability and innovation. This evening also gives us a special moment to celebrate Nordic entrepreneurship in Vietnam. 

Representing BARTELS, Nicolai Bartels remarked:

The success of Bartels comes from sweating the details. From our bread to our coffee to the ambience in our cafés.

We believe that quality and consistency beats hype, and that is what has allowed Bartels to grow and become a genuine community hangout across Thailand and now Vietnam.

The evening marked not only the opening of a new BARTELS location, but also a confident start to another year of strong Nordic engagement and cooperation in Vietnam.

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HYOGO, Japan, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Located in the central-western part of Hyogo Prefecture and approximately 90 minutes by car from Kyoto and Osaka, Shiso City (Hyogo Prefecture, Japan) is gaining attention as a new destination for nature-based tourism. Built around its extensive forests, deep-rooted fermentation culture, and a heritage forest railway revived by local residents, the city is emerging as a compelling place for sustainable travel. Tourism Media Service spoke with Shiso City Tourism Association about the new tourism resources originating from Shiso City.

Due in part to the difficulty of reading its name, Shiso City remains relatively little known even within Japan. However, this very sense of being “undiscovered” is increasingly attractive to domestic and international travelers seeking meaningful and sustainable tourism experiences. This release introduces the new tourism resources originating from Shiso City.

A “Forest Kingdom” Where Forests Cover 90% of the Town

Approximately 90 percent of Shiso City’s total land area is covered by forests. For generations, forestry has supported the local economy and daily life. From the Taisho era through the late Showa period (up to the 1960s), forest railways once ran through mountain valleys, playing a vital role in transporting timber.

Today, these forest resources are no longer viewed merely as scenic landscapes but have been reimagined as experiential tourism assets.

A Forest Railway Experience Revived by the Community

In the summer of 2023, a community-based organization restored a tourist forest railway at Forest Station Haga, using a diesel locomotive that had previously been employed in erosion control and forestry-related projects. The railway features approximately 678 meters of track and a station building, and it operates regularly on weekends.

This experience allows visitors to physically engage with the history of Shiso City’s forestry industry—to truly “ride through” the city’s past. The facility also includes hot spring baths and accommodation, while a nearby roadside station offers opportunities to purchase local specialty products.

Forest Therapy in the “Western Oirase Gorge”

Shiso City is also one of the first areas in Hyogo Prefecture to be certified as a Forest Therapy Base. Among its highlights is Akasai Gorge, which is often referred to as the “Western Oirase Gorge” due to its resemblance to the famous Oirase Stream in Aomori Prefecture.

Paths that once served as forest railway routes along the gorge have now been developed into therapy trails. Surrounded by waterfalls, clear streams, and towering trees, the area offers a tranquil and restorative environment. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal scenery throughout the city, including Fukuchi Gorge, praised by renowned Japanese author Seiko Tanabe, and the Onzui area, where remnants of former forest railways remain.

Fermentation Culture as the Birthplace of Japanese Sake

Shiso City also positions itself as a birthplace of Japanese sake. The Harima Fudoki, the oldest surviving regional chronicle in Japan, records that sake was brewed at Niwata Shrine, indicating that fermentation culture has been rooted in the area since ancient times.

In the Yamazaki district, a historic sake brewery street remains active today, with two breweries continuing production. Visitors can experience Japanese sake culture through brewery tours and tastings. One long-established brewery, founded in 1768, also operates a dining venue focused on fermented foods, presenting local cuisine and culture as an integrated experience.

A New Regional Tourism Model Created Through Forests, Fermentation, and Experience

Shiso City has developed model itineraries that combine forest therapy, gorge walks, heritage forest railway rides, and Japanese sake and fermentation-based cuisine. These itineraries offer flexible options ranging from day trips to overnight stays.

In 2025, Shiso City marks the 20th anniversary of its municipal establishment. As it does so, the city is strengthening its outreach to domestic and international travelers as a sustainable tourism destination centered on nature and culture.

Rather than mass tourism, Shiso City offers travel focused on meaning and experience. Quietly yet convincingly, it presents the essential appeal of Japan’s regional landscapes and traditions.

About Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Shiso City is located in the central-western part of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 90 percent of its land area is covered by forests. Historically, the city has developed in close connection with forestry and fermentation culture, and today it promotes sustainable tourism centered on forest therapy, heritage forest railway experiences, and local food culture.

Message from the Mayor

Shozo Fukumoto, Mayor of Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture

“Shiso City is a ‘Forest Kingdom,’ with forests covering nearly 90 percent of our land area.
We are sharing a form of tourism that connects this rich natural environment with the history of daily life shaped by forestry and fermentation culture, passing these values on to future generations.

Forest therapy, our heritage forest railway, and Japanese sake and fermented cuisine all originate from the unique climate and traditions of Shiso City.”

Model Itineraries

■ 2-Day / 1-Night Model Course

An Immersive Journey Through Forests, Fermentation, and Railway Heritage

Day 1

• Departure from various locations → Yamazaki Interchange
• Walk through Yamazaki Sake Brewery Street
• Brewery tours and tastings
• Lunch featuring fermented cuisine at a long-established sake brewery
• Visit Niwata Shrine, associated with the origins of Japanese sake
• Nature walk to Harafudo Waterfall and Harakanko Apple Orchard
• Transfer to Forest Station Haga
• Hot spring bathing
• Overnight stay

Day 2

• Ride the heritage forest railway at Forest Station Haga
• Forest therapy experience in Akasai Gorge
• Lunch and shopping at Minami-Haga Roadside Station
• Return via Yamazaki Interchange

■ Day Trip Model Course

• Arrival → Yamazaki Interchange
• Walk through the sake brewery street and fermented cuisine lunch
• Forest Station Haga
• Heritage forest railway experience
• Shopping at Minami-Haga Roadside Station
• Return via Yamazaki Interchange

■ Contact
Shiso City Tourism Association
(Shiso Forest Kingdom Tourism Association)
Address: 374 Kamihiji, Yamasaki-cho, Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
TEL: +81-790-64-0923
FAX: +81-790-64-5011
Website: https://shiso.or.jp

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SINGAPORE, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Edufrienz 99 is a Singapore-based digital education platform and Asia’s first platform dedicated to character education and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). The platform supports schools, educators, and families in strengthening children’s holistic development beyond academic achievement.

Across Asia, children are facing increasing emotional pressures, digital distractions, and complex social environments. In response, governments and educators are placing greater emphasis on character education and SEL. Despite this shift, many schools and families continue to lack accessible and practical resources.

Edufrienz 99 addresses this gap through a comprehensive digital library of structured SEL curricula and character education resources. The platform includes teacher guides, character-based stories, videos, interactive activities, and 87 learning topics, heightening the importance of good character traits and 21st-century skills. Resources are made available through an annual subscription model starting at USD 2.49 per month. This approach makes quality character education accessible and affordable for schools and families.

Edufrienz 99 is designed for schools, educators, and parents. The platform combines digital games, printable worksheets, and activities. This approach supports learning through screens and encourages hands-on engagement in classrooms and at home through printed materials. It also supports more purposeful screen use.

“There is a growing awareness that children need more than academic success to thrive in an increasingly complex world,” said Boon, General Manager of Edufrienz 99. “SEL has often been delivered through programs and in-person training, even in Western markets. EduFrienz introduces an easy-to-use SEL-centric digital library to support schools and families.”

Beyond its core platform, Edufrienz 99 is developing original children’s learning characters, including Spark Frienz and Lumi Frienz. These characters are learning companions to reinforce positive values through stories and guided activities. The company also works with partners on curriculum development and education-focused innovation.

Current initiatives include a co-creation with Dr Siti Mariam of Tink It on an executive functioning curriculum and an ongoing AR/VR project with a local polytechnic.

“Executive functioning skills help children manage their learning, emotions, and decisions,” said Dr Siti, Education Specialist and Co-developer of the curriculum. “Our collaboration with Edufrienz 99 focuses on translating research into practical learning experiences for children,” she added.

Edufrienz 99 is open to collaboration with education groups, distributors, NGOs, and organisations across Asia. Partnership opportunities include distribution tie-ups, content co-creation, and licensing initiatives to expand availability to practical and accessible character education globally.

Partnership & Media Enquiries

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DONGGUAN, China, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the audio landscape continues to be enriched by a wave of standout innovations, QCY, a leading brand driven by continuous audio innovation, proudly unveils its Hybrid Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — MeloBuds N20. Combining exceptional sound performance, powerful hybrid noise cancellation, and up to 40 hours of immersive listening, the MeloBuds N20 is designed to surprise and delight, elevating commutes and everyday moments into experiences that are smarter, more comfortable, and blissfully quiet.

Tailored Sound, Elevated Listening
At the heart of the sound experience is a 13mm dynamic driver, precisely engineered to deliver rich, full-bodied audio with remarkable depth and clarity. From resonant lows to finely detailed mids and highs, every note is reproduced with balance and power, bringing music to life with natural warmth and immersive presence. Whether you are listening to music, podcasts, or calls, the expansive driver ensures a more expressive and engaging soundstage, transforming everyday listening into a truly refined audio experience.

Immersive ANC Delivers Pure Focus
Engineered for clarity in every environment, the advanced ANC intelligently adapts to your surroundings. With up to 55 dB of ANC, multiple precision-tuned modes, and adjustable levels of control, it delivers immersive silence where you need it most, whether you’re indoors, on your daily commute, moving through a crowded space, or facing strong wind. Every detail is designed to reduce distraction, so your sound remains pure, balanced, and effortlessly present.

Power That Lasts All Day
Built for all-day listening, it offers up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge and up to 40 hours with the charging case (ANC off). Stay immersed from morning to night without interruption. With wireless charging support, powering up is effortless, bringing a cleaner, more seamless everyday experience.

Always Connected, Always in Sync
Engineered for a fluid listening experience, the earbuds support dual-device connectivity, allowing seamless switching between two devices without interruption. From music to calls, from work to entertainment, your sound stays perfectly in sync with your rhythm.

For gaming and video, the 0.068-second low-latency mode delivers precise audio synchronization, ensuring every detail arrives on time. Clear, fluid and immersive, the sound keeps you fully engaged in every moment.

Build for Everyday Durability
With an IPX4 water-resistance rating, the earbuds are built to handle sweat, light rain, and everyday wear, making them suitable for workouts and on-the-go use.

Availability and Prices
QCY officially announced MeloBuds N20 in January. Available in White, and Black, the MeloBuds N20 is priced at $29.99. For more details, please visit the QCY website.

About QCY
QCY is a premier audio brand, established in 2009. As a global leader in wireless audio technology, QCY boasts over 200 technology research and development engineers and operates a comprehensive ecosystem integrating production, research and development, sales, and an audio testing laboratory. The brand’s distribution channels span across the globe. For more information about QCY and its brands and products, please visit qcy.com.

PR Contact
Violet, Public Relations Manager, QCY
pr@qcyearphone.com
Rice, Marketing Director, QCY
Rice@qcyearphone.com

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• Adesanya joins Tradeify as Global Brand Ambassador
• Announcement comes ahead of the UFC icon’s return to the octagon against Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle on March 28
• Partnership marks the second chapter of Tradeify’s Champion Mindset campaign

MIAMI, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tradeify, the global trader evaluation platform, today announces a long-term partnership with UFC legend and two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who joins the brand as its new Global Brand Ambassador.

The partnership represents the second chapter of Tradeify’s Champion Mindset campaign, which celebrates the attributes required to succeed at the highest level — both in elite sport and in the financial markets.

As a two-time UFC middleweight champion, Adesanya is a natural fit for The Champion Mindset campaign. Nicknamed “Stylebender”, he is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted and intelligent competitors in the sport’s history. His ability to think quickly, adapt strategy in real time and make split-second decisions under intense pressure mirrors the mindset required of successful traders around the world.

With a global fanbase spanning key markets including North America, the partnership enables Tradeify to connect with new audiences worldwide. As part of Tradeify’s mission to make trading more accessible, the brand will activate a series of MMA-themed initiatives, including an exclusive giveaway ahead of Israel’s comeback fight versus Joe Pyfer on March 28.

The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment in Adesanya’s career, as he prepares to return to the octagon and build on his legacy as one of mixed martial arts’ all-time greats. It also serves to strengthen Tradeify’s association with dominant global sports stars, following the announcement of its partnership with 2026 PDC World Darts Champion Luke Littler late last year.

Brett Simberkoff, Founder and CEO, Tradeify: “We are so excited to partner with Israel Adesanya. We’ve followed his career over the years and we’re now proud to support him as an official partner. There are few athletes who embody The Champion Mindset campaign as well as he does. Intelligence, adaptability, and strategic thinking have defined his career at the very top of the sport, and we’re proud to join him as he begins his journey back to where he belongs – the top of the middleweight division.”

Israel Adesanya, Tradeify Global Brand Ambassador: “I’m always looking for partners who match my ambition and understand what it takes to achieve sustained success at the highest level. Tradeify shares that mindset and I’m excited to join The Champion Mindset campaign and have them in my corner as I return to the octagon in Seattle.”

About Tradeify

Tradeify is a global trader evaluation platform that enables retail traders to demonstrate their abilities in simulated market environments and qualify for performance-based rewards. By removing high upfront costs, Tradeify makes trading more accessible for individuals looking to prove their skills and scale responsibly. The platform offers fast, transparent payouts and has paid out more than $120 million to traders worldwide.

Through a combination of proprietary technology, trader education, and an active global community, Tradeify supports independent traders in building disciplined, professional trading careers.

Learn more at tradeify.co/thechampionmindset

Israel Adesanya becomes the Global Brand Ambassador for Tradeify

Video – https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2867513/Tradeify_Champion_Mindset.mp4

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SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — May Li, Board Secretary of Mindray Medical (300760.SZ), delivered a keynote speech at the 44th J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (JPM Conference) on January 15, 2026, outlining the company’s strategic vision for the next decade centered on three core pillars: Globalization, Recurring Business Expansion, and Intelli-Digitalization. The speech also showcased significant progress in Mindray’s Large Language Model (LLM) product family and innovative solutions that are redefining clinical excellence worldwide.

Globalization: Deepening Localization to Expand International Footprint

With a 25-year foundation in global business, Mindray has built a robust international infrastructure spanning over 40 countries, including 64 subsidiaries, 5 R&D centers, and 14 manufacturing facilities. Its international workforce has grown to over 3,000 employees, 90% of whom are locally recruited, supporting a 15% compound annual growth rate in international business over the past decade. Currently, international revenue accounts for 50% of the company’s total, and Mindray aims to increase this proportion to over 60% through further investment in localization.

Beyond traditional sales and marketing localization, Mindray is committed to building local healthcare capacity, particularly in emerging markets. In the Middle East and Africa, for example, the company has established over 20 ultrasound training institutes, certifying thousands of local clinicians to deliver quality diagnostic services. By expanding local manufacturing, supply chain sourcing, and R&D operations, Mindray is positioning itself as a trusted strategic partner for healthcare stakeholders globally, rather than just a medical device supplier.

Recurring Business Expansion: Tapping High-Growth Segments with Technological Innovation

Recurring business, including IVD reagents, high-value consumables, IT solutions, and customer services, already contributed 40% of Mindray’s total revenue in the first half of 2025. The company targets lifting this contribution to over 50%, leveraging significant growth potential in underpenetrated markets. In 2024, Mindray held less than 15% market share in China’s addressable IVD market and around 4% globally, while its share in the global minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and minimally invasive intervention (MII) markets was only 0.8%.

To accelerate growth, Mindray is establishing localized supply chains and manufacturing facilities for recurring business outside China, enabling faster response to customer needs and deeper penetration into high-end segments. The company’s product roadmap includes expanding into a comprehensive “pan-interventional therapy” ecosystem covering percutaneous, transnatural orifice, and transrespiratory tract approaches, following its entry into cardiovascular intervention via the acquisition of APT Medical. In MIS, Mindray plans to extend beyond thoracic and general surgery to gynecology and urology, with a focus on developing specialized surgical robots.

Technological innovation is driving progress in recurring business lines. In IVD, Mindray’s next-generation Estradiol detection reagent based on SEMS (Single Epitope Meta-Sandwich) technology offers exceptional drug interference resistance and nearly 100% linearity with mass spectrometry results, addressing critical unmet needs in breast cancer endocrine therapy. Its high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay reduces misdiagnosis risk by 50-fold, enhances anti-interference performance by 20-fold, and cuts patient observation time by 50%, with outcomes published in 16 top-tier medical papers. In MIS consumables, the intelligent stapler with Tissue Real-time Sense algorithm and ultrasonic scalpels featuring Smart Tissue Sensing and Enhanced Vessel Sealing technologies deliver precise, safe clinical outcomes.

Intelli-Digitalization: Breaking the Healthcare “Impossible Trinity” with Integrated Ecosystem 

Mindray’s Intelli-Digitalization pillar aims to build an integrated “Device + IT + AI” ecosystem, addressing the universal healthcare trilemma of balancing Quality, Access, and Cost—long considered an “Impossible Trinity.” By automating mundane administrative tasks, the company’s solutions free up healthcare staff to focus on direct patient care, restoring “time for healing.”

The Intelli-Digital solution comprises five interconnected layers:

1. Foundational Layer: Industry-leading medical devices (patient monitors, ultrasound systems, anesthesia machines, etc.) generating high-quality clinical data.

2. Device Convergence Layer: Integration of traditionally isolated devices (e.g., combined intravenous-inhalation anesthesia, endoscope-ultrasound image fusion) to streamline workflows and reduce errors.

3. IT System Layer: Unified platforms including miCare (patient monitoring), miImaging (ultrasound), miInnolab (IVD), as well as CIS, LIS, and PACS, organizing fragmented data across devices.

4. AI Layer: The Qi Yuan LLM family, launched in late 2024, now expanded from critical care to perioperative care, breast health, OBGYN, and laboratory settings. Deployed on-premises to protect patient privacy, Qi Yuan creates digital patient twins, enables 24/7 real-time monitoring, and automates clinical documentation, acting as a virtual clinical partner in high-stakes scenarios. 

5. Future Development Layer: Ongoing innovations to be unveiled in coming phases.

Real-world case studies demonstrate the impact of these solutions:

• At Akershus University Hospital in Norway, miCare integrated with mWear wearable devices reduced ICU overcrowding, cut Rapid Response Team interventions by enabling early acute illness detection, and simplified data transmission to EMR systems—while extending monitoring to post-discharge patients at home.
• In Saudi Arabia, miImaging powers Seha Virtual Hospital (SVH), the world’s largest online virtual hospital handling 400,000+ annual cases, enabling remote ultrasound consultations and bridging gaps between primary care clinics and specialist expertise.
• China’s Jiangyou Regional Clinical Laboratory Center, using miInnolab, implemented a “2+6+X” model connecting 31 laboratories, achieving seamless data interoperability and unified diagnostic standards—recognized as a national model for regional healthcare collaboration.
• At Shanghai Renji Hospital’s East Campus, Qi Yuan LLM reduced liver transplant surgery time by ~50% while enhancing safety and diagnostic efficiency, serving as a blueprint for expanding intelligent hospital models to 20 major overseas countries.

Vision: Better Healthcare for All Through Intelligent Innovation

Mindray’s three core pillars are aligned with its mission to “Better healthcare for all.” Globalization expands access to innovative solutions, recurring business ensures long-term profitability for sustained R&D, and Intelli-Digitalization addresses the industry’s most pressing challenges. Looking ahead, the company plans to develop fully automated “lights-out factories” for laboratories and deploy intelligent anesthesia and ultrasound robots, further advancing embodied intelligence in healthcare.

“Our integrated ecosystem redefines the relationship between Device, IT, and AI—treating them as a seamless whole to turn data into actionable clinical insights,” said May Li. “By breaking the ‘Impossible Trinity,’ we are making healthcare more precise, accessible, and efficient globally, solidifying our position as a leader in medical technology.”

Mindray (300760.SZ) remains committed to driving healthcare innovation through its three strategic pillars, unlocking untapped potential in core and emerging business segments to deliver better care for patients worldwide.

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