SHENZHEN, CHINA – EQS Newswire – 10 September 2026 – At the “The Future is Now: 2026 DTC Brands Global Growth Strategy Summit” held today in Shenzhen, Gooval officially launched its global flagship product, the “Gooval Shipping Secure Service” package.
Gooval is a specialized privilege service plugin designed for E-commerce sellers. The product architecture is built upon three distinct tiers:
Base Service: Covers loss, damage, and delays. Compensation is based on the actual order amount, capped at USD 2500 per single package, alongside fixed-amount compensations for logistics timeouts.
Extended Benefits: A growing lineup of everyday perks that will be rolled out gradually, featuring popular items like video/music streaming subscriptions, free AI tool credits, and options to support tips.
Seller-Customized Perks: Features like worry-free exchanges, VIP customer service and repurchase vouchers—all fully configurable and price-adjustable by the seller.
Leading financial innovation in the AI era, Gooval heavily leverages AI module to simplify the entire user experience. The platform automatically tracks packages in real time and to approve simple case requests in just seconds. To ensure security, Gooval’s AI risk-control system instantly detects and blocks fraudulent claims.
A highlight of the summit was the official signing ceremony, where representatives from Gooval and Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance Company of China, Ltd. (Ping An P&C) formalized a comprehensive strategic partnership. Under this agreement, Gooval has secured an insurance policy from Ping An P&C to firmly guarantee and safeguard Gooval’s benefit fulfillment capabilities.
As one of Chinese largest property and casualty underwriter, Ping An P&C commands a dominant market presence, backed by comprehensive risk-mitigation capabilities across comprehensive property, casualty, and engineering lines. Internationally, the insurer maintains a premier credit profile, underscored by an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating (FSR) and an “a+” Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) from AM Best, both carries a stable outlook. Leveraging Ping An Group’s core “Finance + Technology” synergy, the company’s capital adequacy, robust balance sheet, and pioneer digital innovation continue to receive strong validation across global capital markets.
This strategic alliance marks a critical milestone in Gooval’s global expansion, establishing solid foundation of trust for its Shipping Secure Service among international consumers.
Hashtag: #Gooval
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
As YMYL industries become the hardest hit by AI search, GeniusHub points to whether content can be independently cited by AI as the deciding factor — and opens 10 free GEO visibility health checks.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Generative AI search is reshaping how consumers find services. As users stop clicking through results one by one and instead ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews “which company should I choose,” a gap is emerging: brands that rank at the top for keywords may not appear in AI-generated answers at all. GeniusHub, a digital marketing firm specializing in SEO and GEO, analyzed the latest market data and notes that the impact is especially pronounced in industries such as healthcare, finance, and professional services—arguing that the deciding factor is not brand size, but whether content can be independently cited by AI.
According to Similarweb 2026 data, roughly 68% of Google searches no longer result in a click. An Ahrefs study of 300,000 keywords in December 2025 further found that when an AI Overview appears, the average click-through rate for the top-ranking result falls by 58%. In other words, even businesses that have worked their way onto the first page of search may lose that traffic the moment a user finishes reading the AI summary.
Sorla, Marketing Director at GeniusHub , observes that this impact is especially pronounced in high-consideration industries. “A frustration we hear again and again from business owners is: my site ranks right at the top, yet I have no idea why AI simply won’t cite me.” She notes that when testing across industries, the brands AI recommends first tend to be globally known names—or even newcomers—while some companies with years of experience and solid SEO fail to make the recommendation list.
The problem lies not in brand size, but in content format. Sorla explains that most of these websites remain stuck in an older SEO style—single articles that try to cover everything, with paragraphs that cannot be extracted on their own. “The smallest unit generative AI cites is the paragraph, not the whole article. When a passage can’t answer a question independently, AI has a hard time pulling it out as a source.” This is precisely the dividing line between Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and SEO: SEO gets a website found by search engines, while GEO gets its content cited by AI.
GeniusHub identifies five industries with the most urgent need to invest in GEO: professional services, education and training, healthcare, finance and insurance, and B2B technology software. The reason is that customers in these sectors research and compare extensively through AI before making a decision, and their queries are largely informational. Ahrefs research shows that 99.2% of keywords triggering an AI Overview are informational in intent—closely mirroring how customers in these industries behave.
Crucially, the GEO approach for these industries differs fundamentally from that of typical e-commerce. “E-commerce GEO leans on situational product recommendations, prompting AI to suggest the right product in a given scenario,” Sorla emphasizes. “But healthcare, finance, and professional services depend on content mapped along the marketing funnel with both depth and breadth—every stage, from the customer’s first question through evaluation to the final decision, needs professional content that AI can cite.” She believes many companies invest in content marketing yet still struggle to earn AI’s recognition, precisely because they apply an e-commerce playbook rather than a structure that matches their own decision journey.
Faced with this shift, Sorla points to the most common misconception among business owners: “I thought ranking first on Google was enough.” Ranking, she reminds, is the entry ticket; whether your content gets cited by AI is the real competitive arena—and the two must be pursued in parallel.
[Campaign] To help businesses understand their brand’s true visibility in AI search, GeniusHub is launching the “2026 GEO Visibility Free Health Check,” with a limited number of free slots for 10 companies. The health check reviews a company’s current brand-citation status across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews and other platforms, and provides priority directions for improvement.
Slots: Limited to 10 companies
Eligibility: Businesses with an official website that want to understand their AI-search visibility
Application deadline: December 31, 2026
How to apply: Visit the GeniusHub website at geniushub.cc
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About GeniusHub
GeniusHub specializes in SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), serving the Hong Kong and Taiwan markets, and provides integrated Google Ads marketing. In response to the behavioral shift driven by AI search, GeniusHub helps businesses build content assets that AI can cite, strengthening brand visibility and citation rates in generative search.
Snow Suen, 6 Wing, Tracy Chu and Karen Cheng join forces to support students
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – As the new school year begins, children are meeting new teachers, making new friends and taking on new challenges. They may feel excited about what lies ahead, but they may also experience nervousness and uncertainty. Save the Children Hong Kong has launched Every Moment Matters, a public awareness campaign on children’s mental health. The campaign brings together Children’s Mental Wellness Ambassador Snow Suen, celebrities 6 Wing, Tracy Chu, Karen Cheng and a group of child stars in a series of back-to-school cheer-up videos. The celebrity parents also share their parenting experiences to encourage the community to pay closer attention to children’s emotional needs during times of change, adjustment and growth.
Every Moment Matters brings together Children’s Mental Wellness Ambassador Snow Suen, celebrities 6 Wing, Tracy Chu, and Karen Cheng to support students and share tips for navigating the return to school
Every Moment Matters reminds the public that emotional distress does not have a single, fixed appearance, and children may not always express their struggles in words. A quiet response, avoiding eye contact, or a closed door may point to pressure and distress that a child does not yet know how to communicate. With the campaign line “Before the moment is gone, start with a knock”, the campaign calls on parents, caregivers and the wider community to pay closer attention to children’s emotional needs. A simple knock represents respect, companionship and a readiness to listen. It can also create a moment in which a child feels safe enough to express themselves.
Celebrities join to help children navigate a new school year
Every Moment Matters brings together Snow Suen, 6 Wing, Tracy Chu, Karen Cheng and a group of child stars in the Starting the School Year Together video series. In addition to offering encouragement to students, the celebrity parents share practical ways to support children as they return to school.
Preparing for school begins with building a sense of security
A new school year may bring new teachers, classmates, school environments and more challenging schoolwork. Children may feel excited about these changes, but nervousness and uncertainty may also arise. Instead of repeatedly reminding children about the challenges ahead, parents can help them understand what to expect, give them time to adjust and offer positive yet practical support.
Children’s Mental Wellness Ambassador Snow Suen shared that when her younger child started kindergarten, she explained in advance that there would be teachers and classmates at school. She also reassured her child that she would be there to pick him up at the end of each school day, helping him develop a greater sense of security.
Actress Tracy Chu’s son also began pre-nursery at a new school. Before the term started, she took him to the area surrounding the school so that he could become familiar with the new environment and feel less unfamiliar or afraid on his first day.
Singer 6 Wing believes that ordering textbooks and completing summer homework are important back-to-school preparations, but helping children approach new challenges with a positive mindset matters even more. He said, “For a child, returning to school may mean entering a completely new environment. Parents can first give children time to experience the new environment and adjust at their own pace. Rather than focusing only on how difficult the new school year will be or how hard they must work, we can let them take things one step at a time.”
Begin with what matters to the child
When children return home from school, parents may be eager to ask what they have learnt or whether they are keeping up with their work. However, the celebrity parents featured in the videos believe that conversations can begin with the school experiences and feelings that matter most to the child.
Snow Suen shared that she usually begins by asking her children: “How was your day?”, “Did you have fun?” or “Did anything new or interesting happen today?” She noted that adults also want someone to care about how they feel after a day at work, and children need the same kind of attention. She also encourages parents to share their own experiences and feelings from the day, making communication a two-way exchange rather than a series of questions directed at the child. When daily sharing becomes a habit, children may become more willing to talk not only about interesting things that happen at school, but also about experiences that have made them unhappy. Snow Suen said, “Young children may not yet have enough experience to manage their emotions, so they need parents to talk with them and show that they care. Most importantly, children should know that, whatever happens, someone will support them and their parents will be there for them.”
6 Wing shared that when his children return home after the first day of school, he asks whether they were happy, whether school was fun and whether they made any new friends. He believes parents can first ask how children are adapting to the new school environment and social relationships, instead of immediately asking whether they are keeping up with the curriculum. Radio presenter Karen Cheng likewise believes that parents can begin with the matters children care about most. These might include who their class teacher is, which classmate sits beside them, and what they did with their friends during recess. Specific questions can help children recall and share their experiences, making it easier for the conversation to continue.
Karen Cheng believes parents can approach conversations from their child’s perspective by asking first about the people and experiences that matter most to them.
Adults may not be able to solve every problem a child encounters immediately, but they can pause, understand and respond to the child’s emotional needs in that moment. Continued presence and attentive listening can help children feel that they are not facing challenges alone and support them in developing a stronger sense of security.
Expert insights and thematic videos help caregivers respond to children’s mental health needs
Save the Children Hong Kong is rolling out a series of public education content and support resources on the campaign website. These include celebrity sharing, expert insights, public education videos and the thematic short film No Regrets. Together, these resources help parents, caregivers, and the public better understand the emotional distress children may experience, as well as how adults can respond.
Every Moment Matters is launching a series of public education content and support resources through the campaign website.
The thematic short film No Regrets, starring child actor Ariel So from Warriors of Future, calls on parents and caregivers to make the most of every opportunity to care for children’s emotional needs.
Kalina Tsang, CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong, said, “Every child deserves to be heard, and every adult has an important role to play. Adults may not be able to solve every problem a child faces immediately, but every seemingly ordinary moment can become an opportunity to make a difference.” She added, “Parents and caregivers can begin with everyday observation, patient presence and attentive listening. When a child is not yet ready to express themselves, adults can first offer respect and space. By noticing more and missing fewer moments, we have a greater chance of responding to children’s needs early.”
Save the Children Hong Kong calls on parents, caregivers, schools, child-facing organisations and the wider community to begin from this moment and continue paying attention to children’s emotional needs. Every Moment Matters will raise public awareness of children’s mental health in phases. The first phase focuses on recognising the signs, reminding adults that a child’s struggles may not always be visible. The campaign will then introduce a series of activities encouraging adults to create safe opportunities and spaces for children to express themselves, and to make respect and listening part of everyday family and community life: smallest knock, biggest talk.
Notes to Editors
Public education and support resources, including:
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Save the Children Hong Kong
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Hong Kong and around the world, we do whatever it takes – every day and in times of crisis – so children can fulfil their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. With over 100 years of expertise, we are the world’s first and leading independent children’s organisation – transforming lives and future.
Established in 2009, Save the Children Hong Kong is part of the global movement which operates in around 100 countries. We work with children, families, schools, communities and our supporters to deliver lasting change for children in Hong Kong and around the world.
Findings uncover a hidden sleep crisis driving daytime exhaustion and productivity loss despite a full night’s rest
Almost the entire office workforce (97%) experiences performance drops following a bad night’s sleep, with 58% losing over 20% of their daily output.
Most workers fail to recognise sleep apnea signs, misinterpreting chronic gasping, snoring, and daytime exhaustion as standard work stress.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – A comprehensive sleep health survey titled, “Sleeping Enough, Waking Up Tired: The Hidden Cost of Sleep Apnea Risk in Singapore’s Workforce“, reveals that unaddressed sleep disorders are quietly eroding productivity across the nation’s workforce.
The survey is jointly commissioned by Easmed and The Air Station, Singapore-headquartered medical technology companies specialising in innovative medical devices and sleep health solutions. The survey of 1,000 office-based working adults in Singapore aged 30 to 60, conducted in June 2026, reveals a concerning gap between sleep debt, clinical risk and public awareness.
Sleep Apnea is a prevalent medical condition where the upper airway repeatedly relaxes and collapses during sleep, temporarily cutting off oxygen flow. This forces the brain to repeatedly wake the body up to restart breathing, disrupting core sleep cycles and causing loud snoring, gasping, and severe daytime exhaustion.
Key Survey Highlights
Workplace productivity drain: 97% of respondents experience a productivity drop after a poor night’s sleep, with 58% estimating their performance drops by more than 20%.
Hidden clinical risk: 1 in 4 (24%) office workers screen at intermediate-to-high risk for Sleep Apnea.
Widespread awareness gap: 60% of employees have never heard of Sleep Apnea or only know the name. Additionally, 56% have never evaluated their sleep quality via a doctor, app, or diagnostic test.
Nightly sleep deficit: Singapore workers average 6.3 hours of sleep per night compared to the 7.4 hours they need to feel refreshed, leaving a daily 1.1-hour shortfall.
Normalised misconceptions: 50% view daytime fatigue as a normal part of busy working life, 25% believe brief breathing pauses during sleep are harmless, and 24% mistake loud snoring for deep sleep.
Key hurdles to care: Cost of diagnosis/treatment (51%) and lack of knowledge on where to seek help (36%) are the primary reasons workers avoid getting evaluated for Sleep Apnea.
While 72% of employees cite flexible hours as their top ask for sleep support, health experts emphasise that extra time in bed cannot fix underlying physiological conditions like Sleep Apnea.
Corporate access to subsidised screening (37%) and targeted sleep education (21%) remain the most direct solutions.
Commenting on the survey findings, Dr Phua Chu Qin, Senior Consultant Otolaryngology (ENT) and Director of Sleep Surgery at Sengkang General Hospital, said: “The productivity findings for this local survey reinforce that sleep is not simply a lifestyle issue. This is timely, because Singaporeans need to move away from normalising poor sleep and persistent daytime fatigue and start to recognise when poor sleep warrants assessment.”
“Snoring and witnessing breathing pauses during sleep should not automatically be dismissed as harmless. Recognising these warning signs early and getting assessed can be an important step towards better health, alertness and productivity,” she added.
The sleep paradox: Time in bed versus restorative sleep The study highlighted a striking disconnect between time spent in bed and actual sleep quality. On average, Singapore office workers accumulate a nightly “sleep debt” of 1.1 hours, getting 6.3 hours of sleep against a reported need of 7.4 hours.
However, individuals screening at the highest risk for Sleep Apnea actually reported longer average bedtimes (6.68 hours) than low-risk workers (6.30 hours). Because Sleep Apnea causes repeated airway collapses and micro-awakenings throughout the night, time spent in bed fails to translate into restorative sleep.
The desensitisation runs deeper: high-risk workers were more than twice as likely as low-risk workers to say a poor night’s sleep had “no impact” on their productivity (8% vs. 2.5%), and significantly more likely to say poor sleep hadn’t affected their concentration at all. Thus, the group carrying the greatest health risk is also the group least able to recognise it in themselves, underscoring why self-assessment alone cannot catch Sleep Apnea, and why objective clinical screening is essential.
Dangerous myths keep Singaporeans in the dark The report uncovered prevalent misconceptions regarding sleep hygiene and clinical signs, that may be delaying diagnosis:
50% of respondents view daytime sleepiness as “just a normal part of a busy working life.”
25% believe brief pauses in breathing during sleep are harmless.
24% believe loud, regular snoring is a sign of deep, healthy sleep.
Over 80% of the workforce recognises that sleep sacrifice isn’t a virtue, yet nearly 1 in 5 still feel needing little sleep signals a strong work ethic. Among individuals already sitting in the high-risk Sleep Apnea bracket, these myths run even deeper: 52% believe loud snoring is healthy and 54% view breathing interruptions as harmless, suggesting many high-risk individuals are unknowingly reassuring themselves out of seeking help.
A call for workplace sleep wellness While 72% of employees indicated a desire for flexible working hours to manage sleep, health experts emphasise that schedule adjustments alone cannot solve clinical sleep disorders like Sleep Apnea. Instead, actionable support requires early detection and clinical intervention.
“Sleep health can no longer be viewed purely as a personal lifestyle choice; it is a critical workplace health issue that directly impacts safety, decision-making, and long-term cardiovascular health,” said Yvonne Loo, Group Director at Easmed.
“Our goal in commissioning this survey is to lower the friction for screening. Structural barriers like clinical diagnostic costs (51%) and confusion on where to seek help (36%) can be easily solved through accessible home sleep testing and corporate wellness partnerships.”
Explore more survey results here: www.easmed.com/sgsleepsurvey2026 About the survey The “Sleeping Enough, Waking Up Tired: The Hidden Cost of Sleep Apnea Risk in Singapore’s Workforce” survey was jointly commissioned by Easmed and The Air Station, bringing together two complementary perspectives in sleep health — medical innovation and clinical care on one hand, and consumer sleep wellness, screening and treatment support on the other. Read more about sleep health survey here: www.easmed.com/sgsleepsurvey2026
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Easmed
Easmed is a Singapore-headquartered medical technology company with a longstanding focus on advancing sleep medicine in Southeast Asia. Working closely with healthcare professionals and institutions, Easmed provides medical and surgical technologies across Sleep Medicine, ENT, Neuro and Urology.
In sleep medicine, Easmed focuses on advanced treatment solutions for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Its portfolio includes Inspire®️ hypoglossal nerve stimulation, an implantable treatment option for appropriately selected OSA patients, reflecting the company’s involvement across both established and emerging approaches to sleep apnea care.
Beyond medical technology, Easmed actively supports clinical research, education and public awareness of sleep health, working with sleep specialists and healthcare professionals to improve understanding of OSA, its health implications and the importance of earlier recognition and intervention.
The commissioning of the Singapore Sleep Health Report is an extension of this work — using local data to better understand how sleep and undiagnosed sleep disorders may be affecting Singapore’s workforce and to encourage a broader conversation about sleep as an important pillar of health.
The Air Station is a Singapore consumer-facing sleep health company providing an end-to-end pathway from better sleep and early screening to diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support.
Its services span across sleep wellness solutions, sleep health screening, home sleep studies and a range of treatment options for sleep apnea, including dental sleep appliances and CPAP therapy, the established first-line treatment for many patients with OSA.
The Air Station also works to take sleep health beyond the clinic. Through corporate sleep health talks, community education, screening initiatives and sleep wellness programmes, it aims to make sleep health easier for the public to understand and act upon.
Its approach recognises that poor sleep exists on a spectrum: for some, better sleep habits and wellness interventions may help; for others, persistent snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness or disrupted breathing may warrant screening and medical assessment.
Together, Easmed and The Air Station connect the clinical and consumer sides of sleep health — from medical innovation and healthcare professional education to public awareness, screening and practical pathways to care.
Their jointly commissioned study of 1,000 working adults in Singapore found that approximately 1 in 4 screened at intermediate-to-high risk of OSA, while 60% had either never heard of OSA or knew it only by name. The findings also highlighted the relationship between poor sleep and workplace performance, with 97% of respondents reporting some productivity decline following a bad night’s sleep.
The organisations hope the findings will encourage employers, healthcare professionals and communities to look beyond simply asking “Are we sleeping enough?” and start asking “Are we sleeping well — and could an underlyin disorder be going unnoticed?”
18,500 km of highways and roads covered by Kapsch system
System ensures traffic safety across New Zealand
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – EQS Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Kapsch TrafficCom has successfully completed a major upgrade of its traffic management system for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), further strengthening traffic operations across the country.
Auckland Light Path Bicycle Lane Highway Traffic New Zealand (KTC7784)
The Dynac V17 system went live at the Auckland Traffic Operations Centre on June 10, 2026, marking a key milestone in a long-standing partnership.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the outstanding contribution, commitment, and collaboration of multiple teams across regions,” said Daniel Vazquez, EVP APAC at Kapsch TrafficCom. “It reflects the strength of our global collaboration and our ability to deliver complex systems at national scale.”
The system forms the backbone of traffic management across New Zealand, supporting operations on a nationwide level. It integrates a broad range of infrastructure including 18,500 km of roads and highways, seven tunnels, and Auckland Harbour Bridge with a moveable barrier machine, and connects 150,000 field devices such as cameras, variable message signs, traffic sensors, and other roadside equipment. In addition, dozens of subsystems are integrated into a single platform.
“The Dynac upgrade has been successfully completed and ATOC is now operating on the upgraded platform,” said Lucretia McDonald, Sr. Project Manager from NZTA. “The close cooperation between all parties have been key to ensuring a smooth transition and reliable ongoing operations.”
This comprehensive setup provides NZTA operators with a real-time overview of the entire network and enables them to respond quickly to changing conditions, including congestion, incidents, and other disruptions. The result is improved situational awareness and stable, reliable traffic operations across the country.
A key innovation of the new version is the ability to perform online imports, allowing updates to be implemented without taking the entire system offline. This enables more frequent and efficient updates, supporting continuous system improvement and minimizing operational disruption.
The deployment is part of a broader rollout across multiple Traffic Operations Centres in New Zealand, with Traffic Operations Centres in Wellington and for Lyttleton Tunnel near Christchurch scheduled to follow. Once the upgrades are completed across all centres, the system will enable coordinated operations between centres and provide additional redundancy across the national network.
The on-going cooperation builds on a long-term partnership between Kapsch TrafficCom and NZTA. As part of the current agreement, Kapsch TrafficCom is responsible for maintaining and securing the system, while NZTA manages day-to-day operations through its own traffic operators.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Kapsch TrafficCom AG
Kapsch TrafficCom is a globally renowned provider of transportation solutions for sustainable mobility with successful projects in more than 50 countries. Innovative solutions in the areas of tolling and traffic management contribute to a healthier world without congestion.
With one-stop-shop solutions, the company covers the entire customer value chain, from components and design to the implementation and operation of systems.
Kapsch TrafficCom, headquartered in Vienna, has subsidiaries and branches in more than 25 countries and is listed in the Prime Market segment of the Vienna Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: KTCG). In its 2025/26 financial year, about 2,700 employees generated revenues of EUR 431 million.
West Vancouver, British Columbia – Newsfile Corp. – September 9, 2026 – Surge Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: NILI) (OTCQX: NILIF) (FSE: DJ5) (the “Company” or “Surge“) is pleased to announce that Nevada North Lithium, LLC (“NNL“), the joint venture formed by Surge and Evolution Mining Limited has executed an arm’s length definitive Access and Mitigation Agreement, dated September 8th, 2026, (the “Agreement“) with the Salmon River Cattlemens Association, Incorporated (“SRCA“) securing surface and water access for the Nevada North Lithium Project (the “Project“).
SRCA is a Nevada ranching corporation that owns approximately 880 acres of private land lying within NNL’s mining claims, and that holds Bureau of Land Management (“BLM“) grazing permits and water rights in the Project area. Under the Agreement, SRCA grants NNL a non-exclusive right of access over those lands to explore, develop, mine, process, and to construct and operate roads, utilities, water infrastructure and related facilities. The grant runs for a single continuous term covering exploration and permitting, construction, production, closure and reclamation.
The Agreement also resolves the parties’ outstanding differences before the Nevada Division of Water Resources. SRCA has agreed to withdraw the protests it filed against NNL’s applications to appropriate water in support of the Project.
In exchange, NNL has committed to a monitoring, mitigation and management framework designed to protect SRCA’s existing water rights and maintain stockwater availability for its cattle operations. The framework includes an independent pre-mining baseline study of water quantity and quality, forage condition and grazing capacity; a joint coordination committee with equal representation from each party; a monitoring protocol with defined mitigation triggers; and an obligation on NNL to replace or restore any water supply that Project activities are determined to have materially impaired, at quantity and quality at least equal to baseline conditions. NNL will also post a performance bond securing its mitigation and infrastructure obligations, in addition to any bonding required by regulators.
Mr. Greg Reimer, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company, commented, “Long-term surface access and a clear path through water permitting are foundational to any project, and this agreement delivers both. I would like to thank the SRCA Board of Directors for all their time and effort in coming to this agreement. We have committed to measure conditions before we develop the Project, to monitor them together, and to fix what we affect. That is the standard we intend to hold ourselves to for the life of this Project.”
Surge is advancing the Project toward a prefeasibility study targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, supported by the 2026 drill program that NNL submitted to the BLM in August 2026. The development plan for the Project currently contemplates an open-pit lithium operation with an estimated mine life of approximately 42 years.
A copy of the Agreement will be filed under the Company’s profile on Sedar+ at www.sedarplus.ca This news release is qualified entirely by the full text of the Agreement.
The company is also granting a total of 2 million stock options, exercisable for a period of five years, at an exercise price of $1.02 cents a share to certain directors, officers and consultants.
Qualified Person: Alan J. Morris, MSc, CPG of Spring Creek, Nevada, Geological Advisor to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.
About Surge Battery Metals Inc. Surge Battery Metals Inc., a Canadian-based mineral exploration company, is at the forefront of securing the supply of domestic lithium through its active engagement in the Nevada North Lithium Project. The Project focuses on development of high-grade lithium energy metals in Nevada, USA, a crucial element for powering battery electric storage and electric vehicles. With a primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and a listing on the OTCQX Market in the USA, Surge Battery Metals Inc. is strategically positioned as a key player in advancing lithium exploration. About Evolution Mining Limited Evolution Mining is a leading, globally relevant gold miner. Evolution operates six mines, comprising five wholly-owned mines – Cowal in New South Wales, Ernest Henry and Mt Rawdon in Queensland, Mungari in Western Australia, and Red Lake in Ontario, Canada, and an 80% share in Northparkes in New South Wales.
About Nevada North Lithium, LLC Nevada North Lithium, LLC, jointly owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc (67.5%) and Evolution Mining Limited (32.5%), owns the Nevada North Lithium Project southeast of Jackpot, Nevada about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County. The first four rounds of drilling at the Project identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike length of more than 4,700 meters and a known width of greater than 2,000 meters. The Project’s updated Mineral Resource Estimate, filed June 30, 2026, reports a pit-constrained Measured & Indicated Resource containing an estimated 10.51 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) grading 3,007 ppm Li at a 1,250-ppm cutoff. As disclosed in the Company’s Preliminary Economic Assessment dated May 19, 2025 (PEA), which is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Resources considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, the Nevada North Lithium Project reported an after-tax NPV8% US $9.17 Billion and after-tax IRR of 22.8% at $24,000/t LCE and an OPEX of US $5,243/t LCE (see the Company’s news release dated July 24, 2025 for further information regarding the PEA).
On behalf of the Board of Directors “Greg Reimer” Greg Reimer, President & CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This document may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target”, “plan” or “planned”, “possible”, “potential”, “forecast”, “intend”, “may”, “schedule” and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements include statements related to the posting of a performance bond, advancing the Project toward a prefeasibility study (and the timing thereof), mine life and the filing of the Agreement. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, environmental (including endangered species, habitat preservation and water-related risks) and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Expanding satellite and hybrid IoT connectivity services across the Belt and Road Regions
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 September 2026 – HKT (SEHK: 6823) – PCCW Global, the international telecommunications service provider under HKT, and Druid Technology Co., Ltd. (Druid Technology), a Chinese mainland provider of intelligent IoT solutions, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong. Under the MoU, the two companies plan to jointly deliver one-stop IoT solutions that combine satellite and hybrid connectivity in the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Belt and Road regions.
Frederick Chui, CEO, PCCW Global (left) and Li Guozheng, Founder and CEO, Druid Technology (right) signed an MoU at the Belt and Road Summit.
As a provider of intelligent IoT terminals and solutions, Druid Technology will leverage its expertise in device design, multi-network adaptation, data processing and platform integration, together with PCCW Global’s worldwide network services including roaming and cellular IoT to deliver one-stop, ready-to-deploy IoT solutions based on satellite and hybrid (satellite and cellular) connectivity. These solutions will support IoT applications such as remote tracking and monitoring for sectors including transportation, logistics, livestock farming and environmental management in remote locations and areas beyond the reach of conventional terrestrial networks.
Frederick Chui, CEO of PCCW Global, said: “PCCW Global is committed to delivering reliable connectivity and technology solutions through our extensive global network infrastructure. We are delighted to collaborate with Druid Technology and combine its expertise in intelligent IoT solutions with our own capabilities to strengthen our offering of one-stop IoT solutions for enterprise customers in both public and private sectors. Through this collaboration, we look forward to advancing the adoption of satellite and hybrid IoT solutions across Belt and Road markets, helping to meet the growing demand for reliable IoT connectivity and end-to-end solutions in remote and cross-border environments.”
Li Guozheng, Founder and CEO of Druid Technology, said: “We are pleased to become an integrated solutions provider for PCCW Global. By combining Druid Technology’s full-stack capabilities in intelligent IoT terminals, multi-system integration and physical world AI with PCCW Global’s leading global network infrastructure, we will provide customers with more comprehensive one-stop IoT solutions. We believe this collaboration will enable customers to deploy intelligent IoT applications more quickly and reliably, even in remote locations and other challenging environments.”
The solutions will cover terminal devices, network connectivity, data management and technical support. Leveraging its extensive global operational experience, PCCW Global will help accelerate the deployment of the solution across Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, the Belt and Road regions and global markets.
Hashtag: #HKT #PCCWGlobal
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About PCCW Global
PCCW Global is a leading digital infrastructure provider, empowering businesses with agile, scalable and secure connectivity solutions. By combining a best-in-class network with our award-winning on-demand platform Console Connect, we help businesses navigate the network complexities of the digital world with ease. With extensive reach across international markets, we make it simple to connect and move data between clouds, apps, data centres and devices. At the core of our business is a belief that automated, high-performance network infrastructure has the power to elevate business and society. For more information, visit www.pccwglobal.com.
New York, New York – Newsfile Corp. – September 9, 2026 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear micro modular reactor and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, nuclear fuel cycle capabilities and nuclear transportation solutions, today announced that it has appointed Marilyn Diazas its Director of Fuel Facilities Operations.
Ms. Diaz is an experienced industry leader with a robust background in regulatory and policy matters. She joins NANO Nuclear after serving more than seventeen years at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), where she most recently served as Acting Deputy Division Director in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, leading a multidisciplinary team of more than 60 engineers and scientists supporting advanced and operating reactor licensing. Ms. Diaz previously served as Chief of Staff and Technical Assistant to NRC Commissioner Annie Caputo, advising on regulatory and policy matters, including the development of the NRC’s regulatory framework for advanced nuclear reactors and fusion technologies. Throughout her NRC career, she held leadership and technical positions spanning reactor regulation, nuclear fuel facilities, advanced nuclear fuels, and materials licensing.
Ms. Diaz is expected to leverage her significant regulatory knowledge and experience within the NRC to assist NANO Nuclear in its continuing plan to vertically integrate across key aspects of the nuclear supply chain. She joins three other former senior NRC employees at NANO Nuclear to augment the Company’s regulatory and industry expertise.
“I am delighted to join NANO Nuclear as I take my first professional steps outside of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” said Marilyn Diaz, Director of Fuel Facilities Operations of NANO Nuclear Energy. “Throughout my tenure at the NRC, ensuring that public health and safety remained at the forefront of my work was a constant priority, and I am grateful for the opportunity to now apply that experience toward shaping NANO Nuclear’s expansion across the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle.”
Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Appoints Marilyn Diaz as its Director of Fuel Facilities Operations.
Particularly, earlier in her career with the NRC, Marilyn served in multiple supervisory roles, leading technical and licensing activities for uranium conversion, enrichment, and fuel fabrication facilities, as well as nuclear material transportation systems She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and an M.S. in Environmental Health Sciences and Policy from George Washington University.
“As our reactor technology continues to advance, NANO Nuclear remains focused on strengthening our leadership and management teams across key aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, and Marilyn’s appointment as our Director of Fuel Facilities Operations is a major endorsement of NANO Nuclear’s capabilities and future,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “We are pleased to welcome her to the team and believe she will play a key role in positioning our company for long-term achievement of our mission.”
In her role as Director of Fuel Facilities Operations, Ms. Diaz will oversee NANO Nuclear’s strategic expansion across the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle. Drawing on her extensive background in nuclear regulation, policy, and licensing, she will lead NANO Nuclear’s efforts to help strengthen the nation’s nuclear fuel and enrichment capabilities, with a particular focus on reinforcing the domestic fuel supply chain and positioning NANO Nuclear as a key contributor to U.S. energy security.
“We have always believed that access to nuclear fuel, and the logistics of supplying that demand, is one of the key pillars of the entire nuclear energy space and our vertical integration strategy which requires deep technical and regulatory expertise to tie together,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear Energy. “That is why attracting some of the best talent in the world to our leadership team remains a priority, and Marilyn’s appointment underscores our continued commitment to that effort. In her new role, Marilyn will help oversee NANO Nuclear’s growing presence across the nuclear fuel cycle with a specific focus on the fuel conversion and de-conversion segments. We believe her experience will strengthen how we plan for and execute the next phase of growth to support our long-term vision for the nation’s energy security.”
About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc. NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is a North American advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel supply chain, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services.
Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include the proprietary KRONOS MMR™ Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, “ZEUS”, a portable solid core battery reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.
Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, bolstered by the May 2026 acquisition of Secured Transportation Services (STS), is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world and provides nuclear engineering and materials transport services in the U.S. and globally. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy.
HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.
NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.
This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events that may impact our expected future business and financial performance and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “goal,” “explore,” “seek,” “believe,” “potential,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would” or “may” or derivations of these words and other words of similar meaning about the future, although forward-looking statements may be denoted by other terms. In this press release, forward-looking statements relate to the anticipated benefits of Ms. Diaz joining the Company, as well as the Company’s vertical integration and other operational plans and goals. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”), Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (“CNSC”) or related state or other U.S. or non-U.S. nuclear licensing submissions; (ii) risks related to the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complementary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology; (iii) our ability to obtain key vendor, technology and customer contracts and the significant funding necessary to execute on our business plan; (iv) uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology within the timelines we anticipate, if ever; (v) the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including those of the DOE and NRC and those associated with the ADVANCE Act and the May 23, 2025 Executive Orders seeking to streamline nuclear regulation; and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with operating a developing business in a highly regulated, competitive and rapidly evolving industry, including that our plans may change and we may use cash on hand faster or in different ways than anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The transaction follows the landmark property’s March 2026 debut and marks the completion of the joint venture transformation of the Lake Como site into a five-star EDITION hotel
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 September 2026 – Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, and Omnam Group, a Europe-based hospitality real estate developer and investor, recently announced the sale of The Lake Como EDITION to Sansiri Capital, the hospitality trophy asset fund of Sansiri Public Company Limited, a leading Thai real estate developer with more than 40 years of experience. The transaction marks the culmination of the partners’ transformation of the landmark Lake Como property into one of Italy’s most significant new luxury hospitality destinations. The transaction is expected to be completed in the next several weeks. Completion remains subject to customary closing conditions and required third-party approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The Lake Como EDITION
Set on the shores of Cadenabbia, the property occupies a rare waterfront position opposite Bellagio, with access to Milan and Malpensa International Airport in approximately one hour. The landmark 19th-century palazzo was acquired by Bain Capital and Omnam Group in late 2021. An extensive redevelopment began in April 2022, reimagining the historic property as The Lake Como EDITION. The hotel opened in March 2026, just under six months ago, as part of Marriott International’s EDITION Hotels portfolio, introducing a new expression of contemporary luxury to one of Italy’s most iconic destinations.
Penthouse
At acquisition, Bain Capital and Omnam identified an opportunity to create a new luxury hospitality offering in a market characterized by strong international demand, limited five-star supply and significant barriers to new lakeside development. Acquiring the property with vacant possession enabled the partners to undertake a comprehensive repositioning rather than an incremental refurbishment.
The sale reflects growing international investor interest in distinctive, experience-led European hospitality assets and marks Sansiri’s strategic expansion into Europe’s luxury hospitality sector through the Sansiri Capital fund, further strengthening its portfolio of trophy assets. For Bain Capital and Omnam Group, the transaction demonstrates the value created by combining real estate investment, development expertise and leading hospitality partners to reposition a complex asset.
The redevelopment substantially reconfigured the property, reducing the former hotel’s room count from nearly 300 to 148 larger rooms and suites and creating a new spa and wellness building, alongside an extensive food and beverage and leisure offering. The transformation also incorporated the property’s distinctive waterfront amenities, including its floating pool and beach club.
The Pool
Ali Haroon, a Partner and Head of Europe Real Estate for Bain Capital, said:
“Lake Como is a strong example of how we approach real estate investing in Europe. We focus on sectors supported by long-term structural demand and opportunities where our capital, local relationships and hands-on capabilities can fundamentally transform an asset. Together with Omnam, we have taken a highly underinvested property in an irreplaceable location and created a contemporary luxury destination for the international market. This is exactly the type of complex, execution-led opportunity we seek across our Europe Real Estate strategy.”
The Lake Como EDITION
David Zisser, CEO and Founder of Omnam Group, said:
“The Lake Como EDITION has been an ambitious undertaking from the outset. Our vision was to take a remarkable historic property in one of the world’s most iconic destinations and give it new relevance through architecture, design and hospitality, while remaining deeply connected to the character of Lake Como.
Together with Bain Capital and an exceptional group of partners, we have taken that vision from acquisition and development through to the opening of a landmark new hotel. We are immensely proud of what has been created. The completion of this transaction is a significant milestone for Omnam and a testament to the strength of our development approach, while marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for The Lake Como EDITION.”
The sale of The Lake Como EDITION marks the latest chapter in Omnam Group’s expanding presence across Europe, where an ambitious pipeline of projects is currently underway in Florence, Venice, Puglia and Sicily — each reimagining distinctive properties into internationally relevant lifestyle destinations.
The acquisition also marks a significant international investment for Sansiri Public Company Limited, bringing one of Lake Como’s newest luxury hospitality assets into its trophy-asset portfolio through Sansiri Capital, the hospitality trophy-asset investment arm.
Napat Thavisin, President of International Operations, Sansiri Public Company Limited and Managing Director of Sansiri Capital, said:
“The acquisition of The Lake Como EDITION marks a significant milestone in advancing Sansiri’s New S-Curve strategy. It strengthens our financial resilience and diversifies risk across our global hospitality portfolio. We remain focused on ultra-luxury trophy assets in gateway cities and high-demand leisure destinations—markets characterised by robust demand and inherently constrained supply. This disciplined capital-allocation approach is designed to maximise long-term shareholder value.
As Thailand’s No.1 most trusted luxury real estate developer, with 40 year of experience, Sansiri brings a proven record in global markets from The Manner SoHo, New York to the growth of Standard International prior to its acquisition by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Leveraging this expertise, we look forward to stewarding this exceptional investment in The Lake Como EDITION under Sansiri Capital’s ownership, in collaboration with Marriott International, which will continue to operate the hotel, while further diversifying our revenue streams across major global currencies. Looking ahead, Sansiri will actively pursue trophy-asset investments in premier leisure and gateway destinations worldwide, reinforcing our position as a fully integrated global real estate and lifestyle investment platform.”
Hashtag: #Sansiri
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
LOS ANGELES, US – Newsaktuell – 9 September 2026 – Although Europe’s place among the world’s democracies remains at the top of the heap, the latest research from governance experts warns that the continent is slipping from its lofty perch as the runaway global leader.
Three worlds of governance in Europe: The new report, based on the Berggruen Governance Index (BGI) 2026, divides the European countries analysed into three groups. These are “Consolidated European Democracies”, “EU Convergence States” and “Peripheral European States”. (Infographic: Factstory for DNA)
According to the report – based on the European Berggruen Governance Index (EBGI), which analyses states’ governance performance according to the quality of democracy, government, and lives of citizens – European states’ years-long dominance is stagnating. Over time, this could undermine democratic accountability and raise questions about the region’s long-term stability.
The findings of the report, titled “Sustaining and Expanding Europe’s High Governance Performance“, show that complacency, what researchers refer to as the “silent killer of governance”, is a cause for concern that must be addressed by a renewed focus on bolstering democracy and engaging citizens.
The report was produced by researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), the Los Angeles-based Berggruen Institute, and Berlin’s Hertie School.
Europe still leads the way
At first glance, Europe remains the envy of democracies around the world. Overall, Europe dominates the global index’s category of “Consolidated Democratic States” with 15 European countries ranked among the top 20. When it comes to the quality of government, the European average is a whopping 56 percent higher than the non-European average, while quality of democracy enjoys a 40 percent lead.
With such high scores, Europe appears well placed for the future. In fact, the 39 European countries surveyed scored almost 78 per cent in the overall assessment of governance, whilst the non-European countries lagged behind at 54 per cent. Though a closer look at Europe from 2000 to 2023 tells a more nuanced story, one that researchers say needs greater attention.
A tale of three factors
Around the world, quality of life has improved almost everywhere, with the provision of public goods increasing in all 39 European states. However, those gains were not matched by Europe’s institutions, which have seen state capacity stall and democratic accountability decline since 2010, according to the report.
Although the report shows that this trend of better lives and worsening democratic structures is a global issue, in Europe the problem is more pronounced.
The report found that democratic accountability, or quality of democracy, has come to a global standstill, with many countries, including those in Europe, on the decline. At the same time, even as the quality of government has held steady throughout the world, the fortunes of citizens have improved. In Europe, the increased quality of life mirrors that of non-European countries, but the quality of governance has stalled.
Europe’s shifting landscape
To gain a better understanding of Europe’s governance fortunes, the report sorted countries into three clusters, or “worlds”. The first cluster identified those with strong institutions and high governance performance. The second cluster groups post-communist EU members, along with aspiring and candidate states. The third cluster is composed of Europe’s weakest performers of democratic accountability.
Through examining the “worlds” between 2000 and 2023, researchers found what they refer to as a “convergence from below”, an upward shift that saw 12 countries move into a higher governance cluster, a discernible improvement. These countries are Albania, Armenia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Italy, Malta, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia. But the move was largely the result of better public services, not a stronger democracy, which the report says does not bode well for the future.
The clusters were ranked according to economic, social, technological, and climate factors. Research shows that the top cluster is best placed to deal with future challenges in the decades to come. While the findings show that quality of life alone cannot ensure the democratic accountability and state capacity provided by robust institutions, the report details how the allure of EU membership does result in reforms among accession countries that help fuel governance progress.
Estonia as an example of a success story
Among the success stories, the report highlights Estonia, which was able to combine EU accession, fiscal discipline, low corruption, and extensive digital government, all key governance indicators, to move into the top cluster of countries.
By comparison, Greece was an example of what the report called a “distinctly European pathway of decline”, whose weakened state capacity and democratic accountability have been undermined by economic crisis and external conditionality brought on by loans, austerity measures, and forced reforms.
The report also outlines how the increase in the provision of public goods is not always domestically driven. Countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans have partially relied on funding from Brussels, while other parts of Europe have amassed debt to improve quality of life, which can lead to limited growth among poorer countries.
Strengthening the weakest links
The authors make it clear that while Europe has succeeded at boosting the quality of life through better provision of public goods, it has struggled to maintain democratic accountability and sustain a high level of state capacity needed to navigate the decades ahead.
To begin addressing the governance gap that exists between Europe’s core and peripheral countries, in addition to administrative reform and democratic renewal, the report recommends that building a stronger democracy depends on social accountability, an area largely beyond EU influence.
Specifically, researchers point to attacks on freedom of the press and a shrinking civil society as greater threats to democratic accountability than “rigged elections or captured courts”. In their view, media pluralism and civic space need to be treated as “governance infrastructure” to not only help “reinvigorate democracy and make citizens feel that they are represented”, but also to prevent the “silent killer” of complacency from taking hold.
This text and the accompanying material (photos and graphics) are an offer from the Democracy News Alliance, a close co-operation between Agence France-Presse (AFP, France), Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA, Italy), The Canadian Press (CP, Canada), Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa, Germany) and PA Media (PA, UK). All recipients can use this material without the need for a separate subscription agreement with one or more of the participating agencies. This includes the recipient’s right to publish the material in own products.
The DNA content is an independent journalistic service that operates separately from the other services of the participating agencies. It is produced by editorial units that are not involved in the production of the agencies’ main news services. Nevertheless, the editorial standards of the agencies and their assurance of completely independent, impartial and unbiased reporting also apply here.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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