• Cementing the event’s place at the centre of global energy growth and dealmaking, Gastech 2026 has seen memoranda of understanding, supply agreements and investment commitments with a combined estimated value of $40 billion USD announced or advanced in Bangkok – dmg events
• Major agreements spanning LNG supply, power generation, upstream development, petrochemicals and shipping show how decisions made at Gastech 2026 are translating directly into new supply, infrastructure and industrial capacity.
• The Strategic Conference continued to advance the discussions on policy, capital and infrastructure that are required to sustain this momentum and deliver secure, affordable and reliable energy at the scale global growth demands.

BANGKOK, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Billions of dollars in energy agreements are moving from discussion to delivery at Gastech 2026. By the end of day three, memoranda of understanding, supply agreements and investment commitments with a combined estimated value of $40 billion USD were announced or advanced in Bangkok, cementing Gastech’s essential role as the global meeting place where the energy industry does business.

The agreements announced and progressed during Gastech 2026 demonstrate the event’s unique ability to turn strategic dialogue into commercial action. Producers, buyers, governments, investors, technology leaders and infrastructure providers are using the event to secure long-term supply, expand power-generation capacity, unlock new resources, strengthen shipping capability and build the infrastructure projects required to meet rising global demand.

These agreements are not simply commercial milestones. Together, they will influence how energy moves across markets, where new capacity is built and how quickly economies can respond to rising electricity consumption, industrial growth and the expansion of AI. Key deals announced or advanced during the first three days include:

• China Gas Holdings and Venture Global LNG announced a landmark 20-year sales and purchase agreement for 0.5 million tonnes per annum of US LNG from 2030, strengthening supply security for one of the world’s largest energy markets.
• GE Vernova and B.Grimm Power signed agreements for natural gas-turbine supply and long-term services, supporting new and existing power-generation capacity in Malaysia & Thailand.
• PETRONAS, PTTEP JDA and the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority formalised a 35-year production-sharing contract and natural gas sales agreement in the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area, delivering new natural gas supply to both countries.
• Eni and the Government of Senegal signed a memorandum of understanding to assess the oil potential of five offshore blocks, with the aim of expanding the country’s production of secure and affordable energy.
• Sarawak finalised discussions with Indorama Ventures and Japanese partners on an estimated US$1 billion downstream natural gas and petrochemicals investment in Bintulu, which will strengthen local industrial capacity and create new value from regional resources.
• Samsung Heavy Industries secured a US$1.2 billion order for LNG carriers and crude oil tankers, adding to the fleet capacity required to keep global energy trade moving.
• YPF CEO Horacio Marín announced the company’s plan to sign two or three LNG sales agreements for its proposed Argentina LNG export project.

Alongside this industry-defining commercial activity, Gastech’s Strategic Conference continued to drive high-level conversations on the future of energy security, reliability and affordability. Across the programme, energy ministers, CEOs, policymakers, investors and technology leaders examined the policy, infrastructure and delivery strategies that will allow energy systems to grow with the speed and resilience required to support the world’s expanding population and economies.

The ministerial session titled ‘Africa Takes Power: Control, Sovereignty and Growth’ explored how African nations can convert energy potential into industrial growth, greater energy access and long-term economic value. Speakers considered the partnerships and investment models needed to ensure that resource development strengthens national resilience while opening new supply opportunities for international markets. Hon. Yeukai Simbanegavi, Deputy Minister for Energy & Power Development, Zimbabwe, stated:

“Over the years, we have been relying on imports from other nations, but recently we have discovered oil in the northern part of Zimbabwe. We are working with investors, but we still need more people to come and work with us. We need to upgrade our national grid so that investors can have the correct infrastructure in place to be able to market their investments.”

The need for unprecedented infrastructure investment across the value chain was emphasised by government leaders and energy executives throughout the event’s Strategic Conference. During the session ‘Building Energy Security: The Global Race to Deliver Natural Gas Infrastructure’, which examined the pipelines, processing facilities, LNG terminals and power infrastructure required to turn natural gas into reliable energy for homes, cities and growing economies, Paul Marsden, President, Bechtel Energy, said:

“I think predictability is becoming more important in the development of large capital infrastructure. We need to know where the molecule is going to be produced and when, so we can place bets on that. People who are cooking food and heating their homes rely on fuel arriving at a predictable time and being affordable.”

The call for greater capital mobilisation and infrastructure development was echoed during the session ‘Advancing Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure and Fleet Capacity’, as James Sagar, CEO, Hanwha Shipping, explained how the maritime sector can expand the ships, ports and logistics systems needed to support reliable international energy trade, while improving the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of critical natural gas supply chains. He stated:

“Shipping is a long-term investment. It should be grounded in discipline. How do you maintain the value of an asset over 20 or 30 years? You have to finance it and work with both the supply side and the demand side. When it comes to regulation, we need to ensure that the right technology is in place throughout the life of that ship. It all starts with partnerships and collaboration.”

Maintaining the central role of natural gas in an evolving energy mix will depend on how effectively the industry reduces emissions across its value chain. The session ‘Capturing the Lost Opportunity: Driving Global Alignment on Methane Abatement Across Natural Gas Supply Chains’ considered how stronger measurement, shared standards and technology deployment can reduce methane emissions and enhance the long-term competitiveness of natural gas. Adeleye Falade, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria LNG, stated:

“I think the first place to start is to redefine what methane is: every tonne of methane is a lost opportunity, not just from a volume point of view, but also from the value point of view. Once you get to the point of being able to measure it, the business case becomes very clear.”

With one day remaining, Gastech 2026 continues to demonstrate how commercial partnerships and strategic collaboration must advance together to deliver on the world’s fast-growing and increasingly complex energy needs. The agreements concluded in Bangkok will set the stage for how the industry responds to the opportunities and challenges presented by an evolving global economy, ensuring that both emerging and established markets have the secure, reliable and affordable energy they need to keep growing with confidence.  

About Gastech

Gastech is the world’s largest exhibition and conference for natural gas, LNG, low-carbon solutions, hydrogen, shipping, AI for energy and electrification. Gastech 2026 is expected to welcome more than 50,000 attendees from over 150 countries, 800+ exhibiting companies and 800+ speakers.

For further information and registration, visit the official Gastech website. https://www.gastechevent.com 

For media accreditation, visit the Gastech media centre. Register here 

About dmg events

Since 1989, dmg events has created connections that enable growth by bringing together global industries, governments and innovators to drive collaboration, unlock commercial opportunity and advance meaningful progress across the world’s most important markets. Through high-impact events and strategic partnerships, dmg events supports businesses and communities to navigate change, accelerate innovation and build sustainable success.

Operating from 13 offices worldwide, dmg events delivers more than 30 energy and policy events annually. Across four continents, its leading events, including ADIPEC and Gastech, bring together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators to engage on the priorities shaping the future of energy systems and global markets.

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SOURCE dmg events

• Over 250,000-square-meter facility in Hung Yen supports manufacturing and engineering capabilities for high-speed data center customers
• Second site investment in Vietnam extends operations, adding more than 10,000 new jobs in high-tech manufacturing
• Spacious, modern amenities and energy-efficient building design promotes employee well-being and operational efficiency

HUNG YEN, Vietnam, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Molex, a global electronics leader and connectivity innovator, announced today an opening ceremony marking the completion of the initial building phase of its expanded manufacturing plant in Hung Yen, Vietnam. Located in Thang Long Industrial Park II, the new 250,000-square-meter facility offers high-tech manufacturing, engineering and quality assurance capabilities to support high-speed data center customers. As Molex’s second site in Vietnam, the Hung Yen plant currently employs nearly 5,000 people and is expected to grow to 8,000 employees by the end of 2026.

“For nearly 20 years, Vietnam has been an outstanding location for our operations and investment, enabling Molex to better serve our global customers,” said Joe Nelligan, CEO, Molex. “We value the exceptional pool of local talent and look forward to scaling our workforce for long-term growth.”

The expanded Hung Yen site joins Molex’s 28,000-square-meter Hanoi plant, which has been in operation since 2007 and employs 1,000 people. Both sites integrate engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and support functions while fostering local career and skills development in modern, employee-focused workplaces. Designed to optimize operational efficiency and reinforce Molex’s commitment to environmental stewardship, both facilities feature advanced energy-saving systems, including on-site solar power, professional power management (PMS) systems, LED lighting, electronic controls and inverter-based air conditioning, all intelligently controlled through the building management system (BMS).

About Molex
Molex is a global electronics leader committed to making the world a better, more-connected place. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex enables transformative technology innovation in the consumer device, aerospace and defense, data center, cloud, telecommunications, transportation, industrial automation and healthcare industries. Through trusted customer and industry relationships, unrivaled engineering expertise, and product quality and reliability, Molex realizes the infinite potential of Creating Connections for Life. For more information, visit www.molex.com.

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SOURCE Molex Incorporated

New White Paper examines the long-term transformation of artificial intelligence, intelligent manufacturing, mass consumption, healthcare and semiconductors

SHANGHAI, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan, in partnership with LeadLeo, has released the fifth edition of its White Paper on China’s Industrial Development Trends for the Next 50 Years, providing a long-term outlook on the technologies, industries and structural shifts expected to shape China’s next phase of economic growth.

Set against the new industrial cycle of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, the White Paper examines five strategically important industries – Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Manufacturing, Mass Consumption, Healthcare and Semiconductors – assessing their evolving competitive landscapes, technology trajectories and future growth opportunities.

The research finds that China’s industrial development is entering a new phase, moving beyond scale-driven expansion towards higher-value innovation, greater technological self-reliance and increasingly interconnected industrial ecosystems.

Five Industries Driving Long-Term Transformation

Artificial Intelligence: China’s AI ecosystem is evolving rapidly from content generation towards agentic AI, autonomous task execution and interaction with the physical world. Agentic AI, Physical AI and AI for Science (AI4S) are identified as important long-term opportunity areas, with AI increasingly becoming an enabling technology across industries.

Intelligent Manufacturing: AI, digital twins, robotics and flexible manufacturing are accelerating China’s transition towards higher-value, increasingly autonomous production. Industrial and humanoid robotics, alongside the emerging low-altitude economy, are among the areas expected to create new growth opportunities.

Mass Consumption: China’s consumer economy is shifting from volume-led expansion towards more personalised, service-oriented and digitally enabled consumption. The White Paper highlights the Self-Indulgence Economy, Longevity Economy and Low-Carbon Consumption as structural opportunities with significant long-term potential.

Healthcare: China is moving from generic-drug-led expansion towards original innovation and greater participation in global healthcare markets. Synthetic biology, innovative drug globalisation and AI-enabled medical devices are expected to play increasingly important roles in the development of a more integrated, life-cycle approach to healthcare.

Semiconductors: Growing AI computing requirements and changing semiconductor architectures are driving a shift from individual chip substitution towards system-level ecosystem competition. AI chips, AI/HPC packaging, 3D metrology equipment and emerging memory technologies are identified as key areas for future development.

The White Paper also examines 10 Chinese business cases spanning AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, consumer supply-chain innovation, healthcare technologies and semiconductor development, illustrating how Chinese companies are translating technological advances into new business models and commercial opportunities.

Dr. Neil Wang, Global Senior VP, Co-Chairman of Asia Pacific, and Chairman of Frost & Sullivan China, said: “China’s next phase of industrial development will be defined not simply by scale, but by its ability to translate technology, innovation and ecosystem capabilities into sustainable growth. This White Paper provides businesses and investors with a long-term view of where that transformation is taking place and the opportunities it is likely to create.”

To access the White Paper on China’s Industrial Development Trends for the Next 50 Years (5th Edition), click here.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Pipeline Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation, and leadership. The company’s Growth Pipeline as a Service provides the CEO’s Growth Team with transformational strategies and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth opportunities. For over 60 years, Frost & Sullivan has partnered with investors, corporate leaders, and governments to identify, prioritize, and execute transformational growth strategies.

Your Transformational Growth Journey Starts Here: Schedule Your Growth Pipeline Dialog™ with the Frost & Sullivan team.

Media Contact

Rachel Zhang
Frost & Sullivan China
E: [email protected]
T: +86 021-3209-6800

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, at ALL IN, Canada and Germany announced funding of up to CAD $300 million for LawZero to develop a fundamentally new form of advanced, safe and capable AI.

The rapid acceleration of AI brings important risks, as evidenced by recent incidents of systems crossing safety boundaries. The world urgently needs alternatives to ensure that AI systems are developed in ways that are trustworthy enough to be adopted, uphold sovereign values and protect human joy and endeavour. This joint investment from Canada and Germany signals strong confidence in LawZero’s technical approach and in the critical role it can play to answer the urgent need for sovereign leadership in next-generation AI systems.

The funding will power the next phase of LawZero’s technical roadmap, growing its international scientific research team and securing world-class computing infrastructure. These investments will allow LawZero to expand its operations into Europe with the establishment of an office in Berlin, Germany, which will contribute to its rich innovation ecosystem.

As part of this next phase of growth, LawZero will establish a dedicated, sovereign compute infrastructure in Canada, in partnership with Canadian partners Hypertec and 5C. The collaboration will provide LawZero with the advanced computing capacity required to pursue its research at scale, while anchoring critical AI infrastructure, expertise and capabilities in Canada.

LawZero’s flagship approach, called Scientist AI, treats reliability as a core capability, centering on developing a fundamentally new form of AI designed to be trustworthy and safe from inception. Unlike current frontier AI systems designed to act autonomously and pursue their own goals, Scientist AI is being developed to reason transparently and provide reliable, evidence-based outputs unbiased by goals of its own. As LawZero builds towards safe advanced AI, Scientist AI is expected to provide guardrails for today’s frontier models, accelerate scientific breakthroughs, and advance understanding of the risks posed by AI and how to avoid them.

Quotes

“Canada’s future in artificial intelligence depends on developing advanced systems that reflect our values and protect our interests. By investing in homegrown innovation like Scientist AI, we are strengthening Canada’s sovereign AI capacity and ensuring that the next generation of AI is built safely, responsibly, and on Canadian terms.”

– The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Canada’s economy grows when we support the kind of innovation that helps our industries compete and succeed. By investing in LawZero, a Canadian organization advancing safe, high-impact AI, we are building domestic capacity, supporting good jobs, and helping to ensure that advanced technologies are developed responsibly and in ways that benefit Canadians.”

– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

“With ‘Scientist AI’, we are deepening the proven partnership between Canada and Germany. This project pursues a novel, mathematically grounded approach: to develop an inherently safe artificial intelligence. The safe-by-design model offers an alternative to potentially uncontrollable autonomous AI agents. It works purely on the basis of facts – like an objective scientist – and does not pursue its own goals. By building advanced AI research capabilities in Canada and Europe, we are strengthening our technological sovereignty.”

– Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digitalization and Government Modernization of Germany

“As AI risks multiply and accelerate, our priority must be building solutions to make this technology safe, and providing alternative models people can genuinely trust. Recent events demonstrate that safety is itself a core capability: scientific innovation and public safety can and must advance together. LawZero’s mission is to address this critical scientific challenge by developing reliable, safe-by-design AI. This backing from Canada and Germany is a defining moment, moving us into the next phase of developing safe AI on a global scale while improving both nations’ technological sovereignty.”

– Yoshua Bengio, Founder and Scientific Director, LawZero

“AI is advancing at a pace the world has never seen and has the potential to transform the world for the better. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure we can enable AI safely, and I believe Canada has a role to play in making it happen. Hypertec is proud to build, along with our partner 5C, the sovereign, world-class compute infrastructure that enables Law Zero to pursue safe-by-design AI on Canadian soil. This is exactly the kind of partnership between government, capital and Canadian industry required to achieve the potential AI promises.”

– Simon Ahdoot, CEO Hypertec Group

“Breakthrough AI research needs infrastructure that can perform at the same level. 5C is proud to provide Law Zero with the dedicated compute capacity required to advance its work at scale, here in Canada.”

– Jonathan Ahdoot, CEO 5C

About LawZero

Headquartered in Montréal, LawZero is a not-for-profit startup developing technical solutions for highly-capable, safe-by-design AI systems. Founded by Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio, LawZero bridges fundamental AI safety research with technical solutions development. The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors and Global Advisory Council made up of international leaders, including Nike Foundation and Girl Effect founder Maria Eitel (Board Chair), former Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Stefan Löfven, author Yuval Noah Harari, former Rolls-Royce CEO Sir John Rose and Mila CEO Valerie Pisano. Initially incubated at Mila, LawZero’s work is backed by catalytic funding from philanthropy, including the Gates Foundation, Coefficient Giving, Schmidt Sciences, the Future of Life Institute, NVIDIA, and Jaan Tallinn via the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and from the governments of Canada and Germany.

To learn more about LawZero’s research, visit https://lawzero.org/en/research

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE LawZero

NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hublot and Jeff Koons unveil a multi-faceted collaboration, simultaneously launching two exceptional timepieces: the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog and the MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons. This partnership between Hublot and Koons, both renowned for transforming the ordinary into the iconic, delivers a fusion of high end watchmaking and contemporary art. The MP-14 Origin, featuring a sapphire, titanium and gem-set white gold architecture, fuses high jewellery and high watchmaking to express the creation of the cosmos on a micro scale – as if capturing the very origin of everything at the moment it begins to expand. This visionary piece marks a significant technical milestone for Hublot: the introduction of its first automatic central tourbillon. This limited edition of 30 pieces is more than a watch that represents the universe; it stages its very beginning.

MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons joins Hublot’s Exceptional Timepieces collection, the brand’s experimental laboratory of high horology, dedicated to radical mechanical concepts, advanced materials and unconventional time architectures. Each Exceptional Timepiece pushes watchmaking beyond its known limits, turning technical innovation into a field of pure exploration. The designation MP-14 alludes to the number 14, a significant reference in Jeff Koons’s career. In 1980, his first solo exhibition was held at the New Museum in New York, then located at 65 Fifth Avenue at 14th Street, linking the number to a defining early milestone in his artistic journey.

“The MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons is a horological interpretation of creation itself: the moment where energy becomes form and form becomes time. It is more than measuring time, it’s about returning to its source. Motion is generative. A central tourbillon becomes the first pulse and everything else unfolds around it like a controlled expansion. It’s the idea of a Big Bang translated through engineered motion, material tension, and the physics of light,” said Jeff Koons on the collaboration.

Julien Tornare, Hublot CEO, added “The MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons sits at the intersection of two parallel visions: one artist deconstructing perception, one manufacture deconstructing matter, both since 1980. Jeff Koons has been transforming familiar forms into amplified symbols, where light, scale and reflection turn perception into participation. Hublot builds the Art of Fusion, where materials, techniques and disciplines collide. This piece is a true masterpiece: a testament to our mastery, elevated by Koons’ vision of transformation and amplified perception.”

A MECHANICAL UNIVERSE IN MOTION

The MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons is a hypnotic fusion of high horology and visionary art. It embodies the very essence of Hublot as an experimental laboratory of watchmaking, driven by radical mechanical concepts, advanced materials and unconventional approaches to time. The MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons reflects the manufacture’s constant drive to transform constraints into achievements, from its mastery of sapphire to the development of its first automatic central tourbillon capable of sustaining this multi-layered kinetic architecture and is supported by a peripheral oscillating mass system ensuring stability and energy efficiency.

At first glance, the MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons looks futuristic. It features a 44 mm octagonal sapphire and titanium case where transparency and depth define the case as much as structure defines the movement. The case is an octagonal transparent sapphire box. It requires about 534 hours of machining. It is assembled with a titanium case back, screws and Hublot’s signature “ears” at 3 and 9 o’clock. Inside, the watch unfolds as a gravitational system. Concentric rings in white gold, set with baguette-cut diamonds and blue sapphires, form orbital layers. These layers converge toward a central core. Beneath a transparent sapphire dome inspired by Koons’ Gazing Ball works, hand-coated in translucent blue varnish by a micropainter, the concealed central tourbillon becomes the system’s origin. It’s the mechanical “first pulse” from which the entire structure appears to expand. 

Two suspended rotating rings display hours and minutes, each carrying a floating indicator cube – red polished stainless steel painted with a translucent red varnish for hours, grey polished stainless steel for minutes – appearing to orbit within the structure. Above concentric rings set with baguette-cut diamonds, these elements float in suspension, evoking celestial orbits in a hypnotic dance. The two additional rings are fixed and non-rotating: the minute ring is set with blue sapphires marking the quarters, while the hour ring is set with blue sapphires indicating the hours. Together, the four rings are set with a total of 202 stones, representing approximately 2.6 carats.

At the core, the HUB9014 manufacture movement drives the system: a central automatic tourbillon with peripheral oscillating weight, beating at 3 Hz (21,600 vph) and delivering a 60-hour power reserve, composed of 594 components. The peripheral mass replaces traditional central winding architecture, allowing the system to remain fully open, balanced and visually suspended. The tourbillon cage is positioned as a floating anti-gravity element beneath the sapphire dome, transforming mechanical regulation into visible cosmic motion. The case extends this system into full continuity: the bracelet is fully integrated in sapphire with titanium screws, creating a seamless transition from case to wrist. Two hidden functions (concealed crown systems) are integrated into the architecture, allowing winding and time-setting without disrupting the purity of the design. The winding system appears where “ENERGY PULSE” is engraved and time-setting is indicated by the mention: “COSMIC ALIGN”.

The watch does not display a universe, it behaves like one. It is a space in motion, built to contain time at the moment of its origin. The presentation case is conceived as an infinite mirror installation, using LED illumination and one-way mirror technique to create a sense of boundless depth and suspended perception. Inspired by the octagonal geometry of the watch, it is crowned with a transparent dome, extending the architectural language of the timepiece into an immersive spatial experience.

From its sapphire construction to its HUB9014 manufacture movement, the MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons is a powerful expression of the innovation, mastery and boldness that define Hublot. It conveys the quality and reliability of every watch it creates. This confidence is demonstrated through Hublot’s 5+5 warranty program, extending coverage to up to ten years; a commitment rooted in the brand’s conviction in every manufacture-made watch and the expertise of the teams behind it.

Limited to 30 pieces, the MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons is available at selected Hublot points of sale.

HUBLOT: www.hublot.com Email: [email protected], Presslounge platform: presslounge.hublot.com/connection/

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SOURCE Hublot SA

NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hublot and Jeff Koons, two visionary forces renowned for transforming the ordinary, unveil a revolutionary collaboration that seamlessly merges watchmaking art with contemporary art; objects, time and symbols – transforming them into cultural icons. Available in three editions – mirror-polished stainless steel, red or blue anodized aluminum – the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons turns form into presence and time into something tangible.

The Classic Fusion Balloon Dog, inspired by Koons’s iconic mirrored balloon sculptures, translates the emotional language of inflatables into a radical object of horology. This unprecedented collaboration, limited to 200 pieces per edition, breathes new life into the iconic forms of Koons’ beloved Balloon Dog, transforming the sculpture into a captivating series of timepieces that redefine the boundaries of wearable art.

Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog (1994-2000), from his Celebration series started in the mid-1990s, takes a universally familiar object, the balloon animal and transforms it into something permanent. What is fragile, temporary and playful becomes monumental, precise and enduring. A fleeting childhood gesture is fixed into industrial perfection. This transformation defines Koons’ practice: elevating the ephemeral into the iconic through absolute control of form, scale and finish.

This logic resonates directly with Hublot’s approach to watchmaking. Since its founding in 1980 and the introduction of the original gold-and-rubber concept, later reinterpreted through the Big Bang in 2005 and the Classic Fusion in 2008, Hublot has consistently worked with time as a material, shaping the momentary into something that lasts beyond it.

“Translating Balloon Dog into the language of the Classic Fusion required far more than fusing an artwork with an existing watch. The challenge was to fundamentally reinterpret the architecture of the Classic Fusion through the visual and sculptural language of inflatable forms. Traditionally defined by its sleek and relatively flat profile, the Classic Fusion was entirely re-engineered to create the illusion of inflated volume and tension, as though each component had been shaped by air pressure,” stated Jeff Koons.

“Working with Jeff Koons on this project was both an artistic and technical adventure. What appears effortless and playful is, in reality, an extraordinary exercise in engineering, craftsmanship and detail. We challenged every construction principle of the Classic Fusion to create the illusion of inflation and volume while preserving the integrity of fine watchmaking. Every component was reimagined, reshaped and refined; milled on 5-axis CNC for a distinctive puffed form, then meticulously finished by hand to perfection. This project perfectly expresses Hublot’s philosophy: using the full mastery of horology in the service of emotion, aesthetics and innovation,” stated Julien Tornare, Hublot CEO.

THE CLASSIC FUSION: AIR-SCULPTED

Every element of the 42mm Classic Fusion Balloon Dog was reengineered through Jeff Koons’ visual language. The traditionally sleek architecture of the Classic Fusion was transformed with inflated geometries, soft domed surfaces and convex lines to create the illusion of a watch shaped by air pressure. The result is playful, irreverent and technically highly sophisticated, where high horology and craftsmanship converge to achieve an aesthetic that feels effortless and self-evident in its execution.

Inspired by Koons’ iconic reflective Balloon Dog, the watch reinterprets the Classic Fusion through a continuous language of roundness and air-filled volume. To create this sensation of volume and tension, multiple elements have been domed and reshaped, from the sapphire crystal and titanium screw heads to the convex “puffy” dial construction and sculptural case architecture. Every surface is reworked to preserve the illusion of internal pressure, extending through the smooth, padded metallic leather strap and softened attachment points. As a nod to both the dog and the balloon, signature details include a balloon-inspired crown in rubber-molded aluminum, a flexible decorative “balloon tail” at 10:30, a Balloon Dog-shaped seconds hand counterweight and inflated Super-LumiNova indexes and hands.

Available in mirror-polished stainless steel or polished anodized aluminum in striking red and blue, aluminum has been specifically selected for its ability to reproduce the vivid, saturated tones associated with Koons’ work. The complexity continues within the movement itself. Powered by a manufacture automatic caliber, it integrates a custom-designed tungsten oscillating weight with rounded, voluminous forms echoing the visual language of the case.

The Classic Fusion Balloon Dog continues Hublot’s philosophy of fusion through material experimentation and technical innovation. Presented in Balloon Dog-inspired packaging, the piece extends the concept of inflatable softness. The inflated dog is rendered in a chromed finish, colour-matched to each watch variation. Its rubber-effect painted surfaces echo the same tactile, playful codes that define the watch itself.

From its sculptural, air-inflated case architecture to its manufacture automatic movement, the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons is a powerful expression of the innovation, mastery and boldness that define Hublot. Conceived, developed and assembled at the Manufacture in Nyon, it conveys the quality and reliability of every watch it creates. This confidence is demonstrated through Hublot’s 5+5 warranty program, extending coverage to up to ten years; a commitment rooted in the brand’s conviction in every manufacture-made watch and the expertise of the teams behind it.

Limited to 200 pieces per edition, the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog is available at selected Hublot points of sale. It will also be presented in selected galleries, reinforcing the dialogue between contemporary art and watchmaking.

HUBLOT: www.hublot.com – Email: [email protected] – Presslounge platform: presslounge.hublot.com/connection/ 

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SOURCE Hublot SA

LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global Forex and CFD broker FP Markets has been recognised with three prestigious distinctions at the Global Forex Awards 2026, earning: ‘Best Value Broker – Global’, ‘Most Transparent Broker – Asia’, and ‘Most Transparent Broker – Latam’.

The awards ceremony took place on 15 September 2026 at the Amara Hotel in Limassol, Cyprus, bringing together leading companies and industry professionals from across the global trading and fintech industry. Now in their eighth year, the Global Forex Awards recognise brokers and trading providers that deliver exceptional service, innovation, and trusted solutions.

The triple win highlights FP Markets’ global reach, competitive trading conditions, and commitment to delivering a reliable trading experience to traders across markets.

John Lewis, Chief Marketing Officer at FP Markets, said: “In an industry where competition is intense, being voted Best Value Broker globally, alongside Most Transparent Broker in both Asia and Latam, is a reflection of what our clients experience day to day.” He added: “These wins showcase the dedication of our teams across every region we operate in, and our commitment to delivering value for our clients with the transparency they rely on.”

With over two decades of industry experience and more than 80 awards earned to date, FP Markets continues to strengthen its global presence, investing in advanced trading technologies and broadening its product offering. Looking ahead, the company continues to prioritise innovation and the client-focussed approach that has been at the core of its philosophy since inception.

About FP Markets

FP Markets is a global, multi-regulated, award-winning broker established in Sydney, Australia in 2005 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. The broker offers 10,000+ CFD instruments across seven asset classes, available on industry-leading platforms including MetaTrader 4/5, TradingView, and cTrader.

FP Markets’ regulatory presence includes, among others, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) of Kenya.

For more information, visit www.fpmarkets.com

SOURCE FP Markets

Extending the Training Subsidy Scheme and Accelerating Northern Metropolis Development Through Technology and Upskilling

HONG KONG, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Construction Industry Council (CIC) supports the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan) and the 2026 Policy Address, including initiatives to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, advance industrialisation and talent development. These strategies will create significant opportunities for the construction sector, and the CIC will continue to lead the industry in improving efficiency, quality, and safety while unlocking the potential of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Northern Metropolis. The CIC will actively promote the practical application of the Smart Site Safety System Labelling Scheme (4SLS) and artificial intelligence (AI), while strengthening talent training to foster sustainable industry development.

The Northern Metropolis is a key planning direction in both the Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address, and it will generate substantial manpower demand and opportunities for the construction industry. The CIC welcomes the Policy Address proposal to reserve land in the Northern Metropolis for an advanced construction industry park to support MiC and MiMEP production, certification, R&D and training, and will continue to strengthen related training and promotion to help the industry move towards more efficient, safe and sustainable development. In 2025, the CIC launched Master Classes on Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) for project managers, foremen and workers, cumulatively training over 800 participants. We will add MiMEP masterclasses related to repair, maintenance, alteration and addition works, and will enhance the MiC Resources Centre with interactive demonstrations and an updated database.

To support continuous talent development, the CIC and the Development Bureau will jointly allocate HK$600 million to extend the “Professional Degree Graduates On-the-Job Training Subsidy Scheme” (the Scheme) in 2027 and 2028, providing a total of 10,000 training subsidy quotas. Meanwhile, the CIC’s Hong Kong Institute of Construction will continue to offer no fewer than 12,000 training places annually for skilled workers and about 4,000 training places for technicians and professionals in construction technology during the 2026-27 to 2027-28 academic years.

The CIC will also continue to promote the “multi-skilled” training approach and upskilling by introducing more flexible courses to accommodate people with different family responsibilities and part-time workers. We will continue to work closely with relevant institutions and the industry to strengthen training for local construction technicians and professionals. To advance GBA standards and the “one examination, multiple certification” initiative, the CIC is participating in cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to help formulate regional skills standards, thereby raising training quality across the GBA and enhancing the professional level and recognition of Hong Kong’s construction technicians. In promoting “one examination, multiple certification” initiative, the CIC has also proactively coordinated with relevant stakeholders alongside the Development Bureau, with an aim of announcing this year the GBA skills-level standards for two skilled worker trades and one technical position. This effort seeks to enhance the quality of construction industry training across the entire GBA, nurture talents, and advance the development of the region’s construction sector.

Innovation and technology are key drivers of construction sector development and a major focus of Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan. The CIC has designated 2026 as the “Year of AI” and is pursuing a multi-pronged “AI+” strategy for the industry. The Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) expanded its AI and robotics funding scope in May 2026, raising the per-company cap from HK$7.5 million to HK$10 million to accelerate digital transformation.

To foster exchange among Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, and international partners, the CIC will hold the Construction Innovation Expo (CIExpo) from 23 to 25 November 2026, bringing together international experts and exhibitors to showcase leading construction technologies and solutions. We will also continue to organise Master Classes and AI Salons to enhance industry knowledge and exchange on AI and smart construction, and in June 2026 integrated the CIC AI Assistant (Construction Safety) into the CIC APP to allow workers to instantly access and understand site safety information.

Through these efforts, the CIC aims to help the industry seize opportunities arising from the Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan, the Northern Metropolis and the GBA, drive upgrading and transformation, and better integrate into national development. The CIC will continue to work closely with the government and the industry to leverage policies in the 2026 Policy Address that support construction sector development, help the industry make full use of CITF to accelerate smart site implementation, and strengthen talent training to propel Hong Kong’s construction industry towards a safer, more efficient and more competitive future.

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SOURCE Construction Industry Council

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit saw its derivatives trading volume rise 14.9% to $321 billion in August, according to data cited in the latest CoinDesk Research report on centralized exchange (CEX) activity, as the exchange retained its position among the top three crypto trading venues industry-wide.

In spot trading, Bybit held a 5.26% market share for August, second among major exchanges by trading volume.

The growth came amid a period of broader recovery across CEXs in August 2026, which saw combined trading volumes climb 12.7% to $4.29 trillion, rebounding from multi-year lows recorded in July. Spot markets led the rebound, up by 18.7%, while derivatives volumes rose 11.3% across CEXs overall.

August saw a surge across crypto prices, with BTC recovering from roughly $63,000 at the start of the month to a three-month high above $80,000 by August 25, sparked by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s shock announcement to dampen Treasury yields. Spot prices however eased lower in the final days of the month following hawkish remarks from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at the Jackson Hole symposium, though BTC still closed August with a 25.4% monthly gain – its biggest advance since November 2024.

The month also marked a record for real-world asset (RWA) perpetuals, a category that has expanded steadily through 2026, the report said. CEX-wide RWA perpetuals volume reached $602 billion in August, an all-time high, as trading activity in tokenized real-world assets continued to gain traction among derivatives traders. Launched earlier this year, Bybit TradFi Perpetuals now support over 250 trading pairs across traditional financial assets covering equities, commodities, and global ETFs.

Bybit continues to position itself around its broader New Financial Platform strategy, expanding beyond spot and derivatives trading into tokenized assets, stablecoins and institutional-grade products as the lines between centralized and decentralized finance continue to converge.

#Bybit  / #NewFinancialPlatform 

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SOURCE Bybit