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Meltwater and YouGov Release Global Report on Consumer Perception of Generative AI

SAN FRANCISCO, April 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Meltwater, a global leader in media, social, and consumer intelligence, and YouGov, the international research and data analytics group, today released Trust in the Age of Generative AI, a new report exploring how the rapid rise of AI-generated video, audio, images and text is shaping consumer trust in brands and content. The study analyzed consumer attitudes toward generative AI (GenAI) and the media environments influencing those perceptions, offering insights for brands navigating this emerging landscape.

As GenAI becomes more integrated into marketing and communications, the report’s findings reveal a pivotal moment for brands, not only in how they adopt AI, but in how it redefines their approach to building trust with audiences. Drawing on insights from nearly 10,000 consumers across seven global markets, the research explores what the expectations are around transparency, authenticity, and credibility as AI adoption increases.

Rather than signaling risk alone, the findings also point to a meaningful opportunity: consumers want brands to be transparent, intentional, and audience-first in their use of AI – and those that are could differentiate themselves and build stronger, more trusted relationships with their audiences.

Key findings from the report include:

  • A clear path to trust: 86% of consumers say AI-generated content should be disclosed, signaling a strong opportunity for brands to lead with transparency.
  • Closing the trust gap through intention: While 32% say they would trust brands less if content is AI-generated, 15% would trust them more, highlighting the importance of how AI is used and communicated.
  • Skepticism outweighs excitement: While 39% of consumers are excited about AI, 51% disagree.
  • AI awareness is rising: 58% believe they can identify AI-generated content, while online mentions have risen 53%, with media driving 34% of coverage.
  • Misinformation is a key concern: While 73% are concerned about misinformation, this creates space for brands to stand out as trusted, reliable sources.
  • Context matters: Acceptance of AI is higher in entertainment (53%) and advertising (47%), but very low in news (21%) and influencer content (28%).
  • Driving the conversation: Most high-impact conversations around AI are driven by individual creators on social media (92% of top posts), rather than traditional news media (8%).
  • AI video leads engagement and growth: Posts referencing AI video tripled and engagement surged (557%) from March ’25 to Feb ’26, outperforming other formats in positive sentiment and engagement.

“These insights show that trust is not being lost, it’s being redefined,” said Chris Hackney, Chief Product Officer at Meltwater. “Generative AI gives brands a powerful new way to connect with audiences, but success will depend on how transparently and thoughtfully it’s used. The brands that lead with clarity and accountability have a real opportunity to build deeper trust than ever before.”

“Generative AI has moved from novelty to normality at remarkable speed,” said Andrew Farmer, Global Head of PR and Editorial at YouGov. “PR and brand professionals now operate in a landscape where the line between human and machine-generated content is increasingly blurred. It is important for comms teams and brand insight analysts to understand how Generative AI is shaping how audiences interpret authenticity, credibility and trust. YouGov’s data suggests that ultimately, the brands that succeed in the generative era may not simply be those that adopt AI fastest, but those that earn and maintain the trust of the audiences they serve.”

To download the full report, visit: https://www.meltwater.com/en/resources/you-gov-public-perception-ai-generated-content

For more information, please contact:
Stacy Slayden
Communications Manager
[email protected]

About Meltwater
Meltwater empowers companies with a suite of solutions that spans media, social and consumer intelligence. By analyzing ~1 billion pieces of content each day and transforming them into vital insights, Meltwater unlocks the competitive edge needed to drive results. With 27,000 global customers, 50 offices across six continents, and 2,200 employees, Meltwater is the industry partner of choice for global brands making an impact. Learn more at meltwater.com.

About YouGov

YouGov is a global research data and analytics group. Our mission is to offer unparalleled insight into what the world really thinks and does. With operations in the US, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, India and Asia Pacific, we have one of the world’s largest research networks.

Above all, YouGov is powered by reality. That stems from a unique panel of millions of registered members across 64 markets, encapsulating some 18 million shopping trips and millions of interconnected data points. Our unique approach to recruiting and engaging with our panel, combined with our state-of-the-art technology platforms, enables us to deliver real-world, real-time insights that lead to better decision-making and a competitive advantage for our clients.

As innovators and pioneers of online market research, we have a strong reputation as a trusted source of accurate data and insights. Testament to this, YouGov data is regularly referenced by the global press, and we are consistently one of the most quoted market research sources in the world.

For further information, visit yougov.com 


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9693734)

African Union Commission and KAICIID Sign Agreement and Host High-Level Roundtable on Dialogue-Driven Peacebuilding in Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The African Union Commission and the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on 20/04/2026, marking a decade of official cooperation and setting the terms for the next phase of joint work on interreligious and intercultural dialogue across the continent.

Marking the occasion, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, underscored the importance of partnership and dialogue for building a peaceful and united Africa.

“The African Union Commission values this partnership as it reinforces our collective efforts to promote mutual understanding, prevent conflict, and strengthen resilience within our societies, in line with Agenda 2063. Dialogue remains central to building a peaceful and united Africa, and this collaboration strengthens our ability to translate that vision into action on the ground,” said H.E. Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

On his part, the Acting Secretary General at the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID, Ambassador António de Almeida-Ribeiro, highlighted the need for inclusive dialogue to address peace and security challenges in Africa.  

“Africa's peace and security challenges are not going to be resolved through political frameworks alone. Communities hold trust, religious leaders hold influence. When those actors are equipped and supported, something real changes”, stated Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro. “This partnership with the African Union Commission is built on these tangible outcomes, moving from dialogue as an abstract concept, into real change, taking place on a community level,” added KAICIID's Acting Secretary General.

The roundtable discussion framed on “Fostering a Culture of Transformative Dialogue in the Africa Region,” brought together senior representatives of the AU Commission, as well as representatives from the Member States that integrate KAICIID's Board of Directors and host country, namely Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Spain, the Republic of Portugal, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Nuncio Archbishop Brian Ngozi Udaigwe, representing the Holy See, a founding observer of the International Dialogue Centre, was also present.

Since the first Memorandum of Understanding signing back in 2013, both organisations have revitalized the AU Interfaith Dialogue Forum, which has since convened Nigeria (2016), Chad (2018), Rwanda (2023) and Namibia (2025), creating a structured continental space where religious leaders, policymakers and civil society engage directly on peace and security challenges. 

The formal work between the AU and KAICIID began in 2016, with KAICIID's Africa Programme still operating in the Central African Republic, supporting Local Peace and Reconciliation Committees and interreligious dialogue structures in communities affected by prolonged conflict, in Nigeria, where it worked to reignite the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace on community early warning systems and is supporting interfaith engagement ahead of the 2027 elections and in the North of Mozambique, where it has supported intra-community dialogue in the province of Cabo Delgado.

The renewed MoU stipulates an official framework for KAICIID to work with the AU in direct alignment with Agenda 2063, in particular its aspiration for a peaceful and secure Africa. The roundtable drew in representatives from the Cabinet of the Deputy Chairperson (CDCP), Civil Society and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO), Women, Youth and Gender Department (WYGP), Political Affairs Peace and Security (PAPS), Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHSD), as well as Partnerships Management and Resource Mobilization (PRMP), among other key local actors. 

The Addis roundtable comes at a moment when many African societies face overlapping and compounding pressures, from intercommunal tensions, displacement driven by climate stress and conflict, to rising hate speech and the erosion of social trust. The AU-KAICIID commitment reflects not only on the past decade but to set out concrete priority areas where dialogue-based approaches can be more systematically embedded in continental peace and security responses.

-Ends-

About KAICIID
The International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID is an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, founded in 2012 by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Austria and the Kingdom of Spain, with the Holy See as Founding Observer. KAICIID works to prevent the instrumentalisation of religion to justify violence and to advance interreligious and intercultural dialogue as a practical tool for peace, inclusion and social cohesion. It operates regional programmes across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Arab Region and has trained more than 550 dialogue practitioners through its International Fellows Programme since 2015.

About the African Union Commission
The African Union Commission (AUC) serves as the secretariat of the African Union and is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Union. Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Commission supports the implementation of AU decisions and advances continental priorities across peace and security, integration, governance, and sustainable development in line with Agenda 2063.

Attachments


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9693425)

LyondellBasell publishes 2025 Sustainability Report, Vision to Value: Maintaining Our Focus

HOUSTON, April 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB), a global leader in the chemical industry, has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, Vision to Value: Maintaining Our Focus. The report outlines how LYB maintained strong operational performance, achieved industry‑leading safety performance, and advanced circular and low‑carbon solutions during 2025.

“In 2025, despite a challenging environment, we demonstrated what focus, discipline and a clear vision can deliver,” said Peter Vanacker, LYB chief executive officer. “We deepened partnerships across the value chain, strengthened transparency about the enablers that influence the pace of progress, and continued to make focused investments in sustainability that position us to deliver long-term value for our customers and LYB. Looking ahead, I’m confident that the actions we are taking, grounded in innovation, collaboration and strong operational performance, will help to accelerate progress and unlock opportunity in the years to come.”

2025 sustainability highlights include:

  • Industry‑leading safety performance: LYB achieved a total recordable incident rate of 0.120, the lowest in company history, reflecting continued focus on safety, reliability and disciplined execution across operations.
  • Lower emissions through disciplined portfolio and operational actions: LYB reduced scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 3.2 million metric tons and achieved an estimated 29% reduction in annual scope 3 emissions (versus a 2020 baseline), largely due to discontinuing crude oil refining at the Houston Refinery site.
  • Advancing circular and low‑carbon solutions: LYB produced and marketed approximately 206,000 metric tons of recycled and renewable‑based polymers through mechanical recycling, chemical recycling and biocircular feedstocks, supporting growing customer demand for circular and lower‑carbon materials.
  • Building future capacity with capital discipline: Construction continued on MoReTec‑1, the company’s first commercial‑scale catalytic chemical recycling facility in Wesseling (Cologne), Germany, targeted to start up in 2027, while maintaining disciplined pacing of investments in line with market conditions.
  • Supporting customer needs for product sustainability information: Our life cycle assessment and product carbon footprint methodologies were independently certified, supporting more robust and transparent product carbon footprint information for customers.

The report is structured around the company’s refreshed sustainability approach, designed to align with the business strategy, and clearly demonstrate how sustainability supports performance, competitiveness and long‑term value creation. The approach centers on three interconnected elements: building on strong foundations of operational excellence and governance; unlocking change through people, partnerships and investment; and pioneering circular and low‑carbon solutions.

Visit LYB Sustainability to access the full 2025 Sustainability Report and explore additional disclosures and data tables.

About LyondellBasell

We are LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) – a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors and society. As one of the world's largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.

CONTACT:
Nick Facchin
LyondellBasell
713-623-3643
[email protected]


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9689188)

BitMEX Report Finds 500%+ Increase in Tokenised Commodities and Equity Perpetuals

VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMEX has released its Q1 2026 derivatives report, highlighting a sharp rise in trading activity for traditional finance perpetual swaps (TradFi Perps), driven by increased demand for tokenised commodities and equities.

According to the report, TradFi perpetual swaps grew from 0.03% of total crypto derivatives volume in December 2025 to 1.72% by the end of Q1 2026, reaching $30.7 billion in weekly trading volume. This expansion was supported by new product launches across prominent exchanges and macroeconomic events, including increased volatility in commodities markets.

“Q1 marked a clear inflection point for TradFi perpetuals, with volume growth driven by real market demand for 24/7 access to commodities and equities,” said Stephan Lutz, CEO at BitMEX. “What we’re seeing is the early formation of a structurally different market, one that removes the constraints of traditional trading hours and introduces new forms of price discovery and liquidity.”

BitMEX has introduced a range of TradFi perpetual products as part of this shift, expanding its derivatives offering to provide continuous access to commodities and equity markets.

The report identifies commodities as the primary growth driver, with trading volume increasing more than 65,000% during the quarter. Precious metals such as silver and gold led early momentum, while crude oil trading accelerated in March amid geopolitical tensions, reaching $6.9 billion in weekly volume.

Equity perpetuals also saw significant growth, rising more than 900% to $4.9 billion in weekly volume. Activity was concentrated in crypto-adjacent equities and major technology stocks, reflecting continued convergence between digital asset markets and traditional finance instruments.

The report further notes structural differences between perpetual swaps and traditional Contracts for Difference (CFD), particularly in areas such as transparent price discovery, peer-to-peer execution, and continuous market access.

Unlike CFD-based models offered by some platforms, these products enable direct market participation, with pricing determined by underlying market dynamics rather than broker-led mechanisms. These characteristics have contributed to increased participation from both retail and professional traders.

Market expansion was also shaped by exchange-level developments. BitMEX recorded more than 1,300% growth over the 90-day period while Binance captured a significant share of new volume following its entry into the category.

In addition, funding rate disparities across exchanges created arbitrage opportunities. The report highlights cases where traders could capture yield through cross-exchange positioning, with some spreads exceeding 100% annualised returns under specific conditions.

Looking ahead, BitMEX expects continued growth in TradFi perpetual markets, supported by broader asset listings across Forex, commodities, and more, increasing institutional awareness, and ongoing demand for 24/7 trading access. The report suggests that weekly trading volumes could approach $100 billion as additional asset classes enter the market.

The full report can be found on BitMEX’s blog.

About BitMEX

BitMEX is the OG crypto derivatives exchange, providing professional crypto traders with a platform that caters to their needs with low latency, deep crypto native and especially BTC liquidity and unmatched reliability.

Since its founding, no cryptocurrency has been lost through intrusion or hacking, allowing BitMEX users to trade with confidence that their funds are secure and that they have access to the products and tools required to be profitable.

BitMEX was also among the first exchanges to publish on chain Proof of Reserves and Proof of Liabilities data. The exchange continues to publish this data twice a week, providing assurance that customer funds are safely stored and segregated.

For more information, users can visit the BitMEX Blog or www.bitmex.com and follow Discord, Telegram and Twitter.

Media Contact

BitMEX Press

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/825d894b-df22-4297-8098-e0e35fb09447


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001174911)

La plateforme de stockage d’énergie Kingdom, soutenue par Stonepeak, conclut son premier financement de projet

SINGAPOUR, 07 avr. 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kingdom, une plateforme de systèmes de stockage d’énergie par batteries (« BESS ») créée par Stonepeak, société d’investissement alternative de premier plan spécialisée dans les infrastructures et les actifs réels, a annoncé avoir conclu son premier financement de projet à long terme pour son projet de Mimasaka, une installation de stockage d’énergie par batteries de 29 MW située à Mimasaka, dans la préfecture d’Okayama (région de Chugoku), au Japon. MUFG Bank, Ltd. intervient en tant que prêteur initial et arrangeur principal mandaté. Le projet intègre des batteries fournies par CATL, le plus grand fabricant de batteries au monde.

Kingdom possède et exploite neuf projets BESS au Japon, chacun bénéficiant d’un contrat de capacité sur 20 ans obtenu dans le cadre des deux premières phases de l’enchère japonaise de décarbonation à long terme. Ces neuf projets représentent une capacité brute totale de 479 MW. Le projet de Mimasaka est le premier de ce portefeuille à obtenir un financement de projet. 

« Kingdom est pleinement engagé à soutenir le Japon dans l’atteinte de ses objectifs de transition énergétique », a déclaré Jay Guo, PDG de Kingdom. « Nous sommes ravis d’entamer cette collaboration avec CATL et MUFG, tout en poursuivant le développement rapide du reste de notre portefeuille de projets BESS. »

« Nous sommes très heureux d’avoir réalisé cette transaction majeure, qui renforce la position de Kingdom en tant qu’acteur clé du marché du stockage d’énergie au Japon », a ajouté Ryan Chua, directeur général principal chez Stonepeak. « Nous nous réjouissons de mener davantage de projets jusqu’à leur clôture financière et leur phase de construction afin de soutenir les objectifs de transition énergétique du Japon. »

À propos de Kingdom
Kingdom est une société de développement de projets de stockage d’énergie par batteries (BESS), dont le siège est à Singapour, avec des bureaux à Tokyo et Chengdu. L’entreprise intervient sur l’ensemble du cycle de vie des projets pour concevoir, détenir et exploiter des actifs BESS au Japon et sur d’autres marchés, avec pour objectif de faire progresser la transition énergétique et de renforcer la résilience des réseaux électriques modernes.

À propos de Stonepeak
Stonepeak est une société d’investissement alternative de premier plan spécialisée dans les infrastructures et les actifs réels, avec environ 84 milliards de dollars d’actifs sous gestion. Grâce à ses investissements dans des entreprises défensives et des actifs tangibles à l’échelle mondiale, Stonepeak vise à créer de la valeur pour ses investisseurs et les sociétés de son portefeuille, en mettant l’accent sur la protection contre les baisses et des rendements ajustés au risque élevés. En tant que sponsor de véhicules d’investissement en capital-investissement et en crédit, Stonepeak fournit des capitaux, un soutien opérationnel et un partenariat engagé pour développer ses investissements dans des secteurs cibles tels que le transport et la logistique, les infrastructures numériques, l’énergie et la transition énergétique, ainsi que l’immobilier. Stonepeak a son siège à New York et dispose de bureaux à Houston, Washington D.C., Londres, Hong Kong, Séoul, Singapour, Sydney, Tokyo, Abou Dabi et Riyad. Pour en savoir plus, veuillez consulter le site www.stonepeak.com.

Contacts

Kingdom
Jay Guo / Tian Kai (TK) Ling
[email protected]

Stonepeak
Kate Beers / Maya Brounstein
[email protected]
+1 (212) 907-5100


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9685348)

Plataforma de Armazenamento de Energia da Kingdom Apoiada pela Stonepeak Conquista sua Primeira Linha de Financiamento de Projetos 

SINGAPURA, April 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kingdom, uma plataforma de sistema de armazenamento de energia de bateria (“BESS”) criada pela Stonepeak, uma empresa líder em investimentos alternativos especializada em infraestrutura e ativos reais, anunciou hoje que fechou sua primeira linha de crédito de financiamento de projetos de longo prazo para o seu Projeto Mimasaka — um projeto de armazenamento de energia em baterias de 29 MW localizado em Mimasaka, na Província de Okayama, região de Chugoku, Japão. O MUFG Bank, Ltd. é o credor original e o organizador principal obrigatório. O projeto incorpora baterias da CATL, a maior fabricante de baterias do mundo.

A Kingdom é proprietária e gerencia nove projetos BESS no Japão que garantiram um contrato de mercado de capacidade de receita de 20 anos, fechados nas duas primeiras rodadas do Leilão de Descarbonização de Longo Prazo do Japão. Os nove projetos totalizam 479MW de capacidade bruta. O projeto Mimasaka é o primeiro desses projetos a realizar o financiamento de projetos. 

“A Kingdom está firmemente comprometida em apoiar o Japão no cumprimento das suas metas de transição energética”, disse Jay Guo, Diretor Executivo da Kingdom. “Estamos extremamente entusiasmados com esta cooperação com a CATL e o MUFG, enquanto continuamos a progredir rapidamente no desenvolvimento do restante do nosso portfólio BESS.”

“Estamos muito contentes por fechar esta transação histórica, que consolida a posição da Kingdom como um principal participante do mercado de armazenamento de energia do Japão”, acrescentou Ryan Chua, Diretor Administrativo Sênior da Stonepeak. “Estamos prontos para incluir mais projetos no fechamento financeiro e na fase de construção em apoio às metas de transição energética do Japão.”

Sobre a Kingdom
Kingdom é uma empresa de desenvolvimento de projetos BESS, com sede em Singapura e escritórios em Tóquio e Chengdu. A Kingdom atua ao longo de todo o ciclo de vida do projeto para criar, deter e operar ativos BESS no Japão e em outros mercados, com o objetivo de promover a transição energética e facilitar a resiliência dos sistemas modernos de rede elétrica. 

Sobre a Stonepeak
A Stonepeak é uma empresa líder em investimentos alternativos especializada em infraestrutura e ativos reais, com aproximadamente US$ 84 bilhões em ativos sob gestão. Por meio do seu investimento em empresas de defesa e baseados em ativos em todo o mundo, a Stonepeak visa criar valor para seus investidores e empresas do seu portfólio, com foco na proteção contra perdas e retornos sólidos ajustados ao risco. Na qualidade de patrocinadora de private equity e veículos de investimento de crédito, a Stonepeak fornece capital, apoio operacional e parceria focada no aumento dos investimentos nos seus principais setores, incluindo de transporte e logística, infraestrutura digital, transição energética e imóveis. A Stonepeak está localizada em Nova York, e tem escritórios em Houston, Washington, DC, Londres, Hong Kong, Seul, Singapura, Sydney, Tóquio, Abu Dhabi e Riad. Para mais informações, visite www.stonepeak.com.

Contatos

Kingdom
Jay Guo / Tian Kai (TK) Ling
[email protected]

Stonepeak
Kate Beers / Maya Brounstein
[email protected]
+1 (212) 907-5100


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9685348)

Die von Stonepeak unterstützte Kingdom Energy Storage Platform schließt ihre erste Projektfinanzierung ab

SINGAPUR, April 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kingdom, eine von Stonepeak – einem führenden alternativen Investmentunternehmen, das sich auf Infrastruktur und Sachwerte spezialisiert hat – gegründete Plattform für Batterie-Energiespeichersysteme („BESS“), gab heute bekannt, dass sie ihre erste langfristige Projektfinanzierungsfazilität für ihr Mimasaka-Projekt abgeschlossen hat, ein 29-MW-Batterie-Energiespeicherprojekt in Mimasaka, Präfektur Okayama, Chugoku, Japan. Die MUFG Bank, Ltd. ist der ursprüngliche Kreditgeber und der beauftragte Hauptarrangeur. Bei diesem Projekt kommen Batterien von CATL zum Einsatz, dem weltweit größten Batteriehersteller.

Kingdom besitzt und betreibt in Japan neun BESS-Projekte, für die jeweils ein 20-jähriger Vertrag über die Erlösgarantie im Kapazitätsmarkt abgeschlossen wurde; diese Verträge wurden in den ersten beiden Runden der japanischen Langfristauktion zur Dekarbonisierung gewonnen. Die neun Projekte haben eine Gesamtbruttoleistung von 479 MW. Das Mimasaka-Projekt ist das erste dieser Projekte, bei dem eine Projektfinanzierung durchgeführt wird. 

„Kingdom setzt sich entschlossen dafür ein, Japan bei der Erreichung seiner Ziele im Bereich der Energiewende zu unterstützen“, so Jay Guo, Chief Executive Officer bei Kingdom. „Wir freuen uns sehr über diese Zusammenarbeit mit CATL und MUFG und werden gleichzeitig die Entwicklung der übrigen Teile unseres BESS-Portfolios zügig vorantreiben.“

„Erfreulich ist auch der Abschluss dieser wegweisenden Transaktion, die die Position von Kingdom als wichtiger Akteur auf dem japanischen Energiespeichermarkt festigt“, fügte Ryan Chua, Senior Managing Director bei Stonepeak, hinzu. „Wir freuen uns darauf, weitere unserer Projekte finanziell abzuschließen und in die Bauphase zu überführen, um Japans Ziele im Bereich der Energiewende zu unterstützen.“

Über Kingdom
Kingdom ist ein Projektentwicklungsunternehmen von BESS mit Hauptsitz in Singapur und Niederlassungen in Tokio und Chengdu. Kingdom ist über den gesamten Projektlebenszyklus hinweg tätig, um BESS-Anlagen in Japan und anderen Märkten zu errichten, zu halten und zu betreiben, mit dem Ziel, die Energiewende voranzutreiben und die Widerstandsfähigkeit moderner Stromnetze zu stärken.

Über Stonepeak
Stonepeak ist ein führendes Unternehmen für alternative Anlagen, das sich auf Infrastruktur und Sachwerte spezialisiert hat und ein verwaltetes Vermögen von rund 84 Milliarden US-Dollar aufweist. Durch Investitionen in defensive, realwirtschaftlich orientierte Unternehmen weltweit strebt Stonepeak danach, Wert für seine Investoren und Portfoliounternehmen zu schaffen, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf Absicherung gegen Kursverluste und starken risikobereinigten Renditen liegt. Als Sponsor von Private-Equity- und Kreditinvestitionsvehikeln stellt Stonepeak Kapital, operative Unterstützung und eine engagierte Partnerschaft bereit, um Investitionen in seinen Zielbranchen zu fördern. Zu diesen zählen Transport und Logistik, digitale Infrastruktur, Energie und Energiewende sowie Immobilien. Stonepeak hat seinen Hauptsitz in New York und verfügt über Niederlassungen in Houston, Washington, D.C., London, Hongkong, Seoul, Singapur, Sydney, Tokio, Abu Dhabi und Riad. Weitere Informationen finden Sie unter www.stonepeak.com.

Kontakte

Kingdom
Jay Guo / Tian Kai (TK) Ling
[email protected]

Stonepeak
Kate Beers / Maya Brounstein
[email protected]
+1 (212) 907-5100


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9685348)

Kingdom Energy Storage Platform Backed by Stonepeak Executes First Project Financing Facility 

SINGAPORE, April 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kingdom, a battery energy storage system (“BESS”) platform established by Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets, today announced that it has executed its first long-term project finance loan facility for its Mimasaka project, a 29MW battery energy storage project in Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, Chugoku, Japan. MUFG Bank, Ltd. is the original lender and mandated lead arranger. The project incorporates batteries from CATL, the world's largest battery manufacturer.

Kingdom owns and manages nine BESS projects in Japan that have each secured a 20-year revenue capacity market contract, which were won in the first two rounds of Japan’s Long-term Decarbonization Auction. The nine projects total 479MW of gross capacity. The Mimasaka project is the first of these projects to execute project financing. 

“Kingdom is firmly committed to supporting Japan in meeting its energy transition goals,” said Jay Guo, Chief Executive Officer at Kingdom. “We are extremely excited to embark on this cooperation with CATL and MUFG, whilst continuing to swiftly progress the development of the remainder of our BESS portfolio.”

“We are delighted to have reached this landmark transaction, which anchors Kingdom’s position as a key player in Japan's energy storage market,” added Ryan Chua, Senior Managing Director at Stonepeak. “We look forward to bringing more of our projects to financial close and into construction in support of Japan’s energy transition targets.”

About Kingdom
Kingdom is a BESS project development company, headquartered in Singapore with offices in Tokyo and Chengdu. Kingdom works across the full project life cycle to build, hold, and operate BESS assets in Japan and other markets, with the aim of advancing energy transition, and facilitating modern power grid system resiliency​. 

About Stonepeak
Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $84 billion of assets under management. Through its investment in defensive, hard-asset businesses globally, Stonepeak aims to create value for its investors and portfolio companies, with a focus on downside protection and strong risk-adjusted returns. Stonepeak, as sponsor of private equity and credit investment vehicles, provides capital, operational support, and committed partnership to grow investments in its target sectors, which include transport and logistics, digital infrastructure, energy and energy transition, and real estate. Stonepeak is headquartered in New York with offices in Houston, Washington, D.C., London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. For more information, please visit www.stonepeak.com.

Contacts

Kingdom
Jay Guo / Tian Kai (TK) Ling
[email protected]

Stonepeak
Kate Beers / Maya Brounstein
[email protected]
+1 (212) 907-5100


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9684589)

11th Annual USC Survey Finds “Quiet Shift” in Public Relations as Polarization Reshapes Corporate Speech

LOS ANGELES, March 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Political and social polarization is changing when, where and how companies speak out on societal issues, according to the 2026 Global Communication Report from the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations.

This year’s survey of public relations professionals reveals increased defensiveness in corporate communications. Support for companies taking positions on social issues unrelated to their main business has dropped by 38 percent since the killing of George Floyd, with only 55% of respondents agreeing that companies have a responsibility to advocate for or support social issues.

The USC Center for Public Relations study also finds that polarization is damaging mental health and employee morale, while raising the strategic importance of communication within organizations. Ninety-one percent of PR professionals say polarization has increased the importance of public relations within their companies.

Overall, the report identifies a “quiet shift” in corporate communication, as companies move away from broad, purpose-driven messaging toward a more situational approach to public engagement. This increased caution does not signal a retreat from communication. As companies reassess where and when to engage, some conversations have receded while others have accelerated.

Some key insights from this year’s report include:

  • 81% of PR professionals say the level of polarization in the United States is high or extremely high, compared with 69% of the general public. By age group, Gen X and Baby Boomer PR professionals are more likely to view current levels as severe, while Gen Z and Millennial communicators more closely mirror the views of the general public.
  • PR professionals are divided on strategy in a polarized environment: Agency communicators tend to favor a proactive approach (53% support “playing offense”), while in-house professionals are more likely to favor a defensive posture (44%).
  • 41% of PR professionals say silence can sometimes be the most effective communication strategy in a polarized environment. Among in-house communicators, that number rises to 52%.
  • More than 60% of PR professionals say elected officials and government agency stakeholders have increased in priority over the past year.
  • PR professionals expect increased investment in artificial intelligence, crisis communication and government relations over the next five years, while investments in DEI, sustainability and purpose-driven initiatives are expected to decline.
  • More than two-thirds of in-house communicators believe their organizations are likely to restructure the PR function in the near future.

Despite growing challenges, 72% of PR professionals remain optimistic about the profession's future growth.

“Polarization has magnified the value of PR, even though many companies are communicating less,” said Fred Cook, director of the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations. “But the shift from playing offense to defense requires a different skill set and mindset. The decisions we make today will have an outsized impact on the future of the profession.”

“Today’s environment demands more from communicators than ever before. As brands navigate complex, polarized issues, communications must deliver clarity, context, and confidence in how organizations show up,” said John Box, CEO at Meltwater. “Data has become central to that role, providing real-time insight into public sentiment, risk, and where brands should engage. The most effective communicators use those insights to help their companies listen closely, engage thoughtfully, and make decisions grounded in evidence and purpose – protecting reputation and building long-term trust.”

The 2026 Global Communication Report was produced by the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations with support from Meltwater and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). The full report is available at annenberg.usc.edu/gcr.

About the USC Center for Public Relations

Based at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, the USC Center for Public Relations (CPR) connects corporations, agencies, academics and students to define the future of our industry and to develop those who will shape it. Under the direction of longtime Golin agency leader and current USC Annenberg professor Fred Cook, CPR conducts and publishes research reports that forecast the future of communication, as well as forward-looking, thought-provoking content authored by our board of advisers, staff, and USC colleagues. Signature initiatives include the Global Communication Report, USC Annenberg’s Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium, the USC Relevance Report, and the Lead On! leadership forum for women in communication. Follow the Center for PR on social media (@USCCenterforPR, #PRFUTURE).

About Meltwater

Meltwater empowers companies with a suite of solutions that spans media, social and consumer intelligence. By analyzing ~1 billion pieces of content each day and transforming them into vital insights, Meltwater unlocks the competitive edge needed to drive results. With 27,000 global customers, 50 offices across six continents, and 2,200 employees, Meltwater is the industry partner of choice for global brands making an impact. Learn more at meltwater.com

About IABC

IABC is the leading global association connecting communication professionals with the people and insights necessary to drive results. Bringing together the profession’s collective disciplines, IABC delivers on the Global Standard in communication through local chapters and regions; educational offerings; certification; awards; a proprietary resource library; diverse and global voices; and worldwide conferences, including IABC World Conference, one of the premier annual conferences for the communication profession. Learn more about IABC at https://www.iabc.com.

Contact Information:
Ron Antonette
[email protected]


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9679230)

Daniel Craig launches new range for DENZA ahead of global expansion

PARIS, March 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BYD is proud to announce that British actor Daniel Craig is launching a new campaign for DENZA, its premium technology-oriented automotive brand, to coincide with its global expansion in 2026.

The world's first premium brand devoted solely to new-energy vehicles for sustainable mobility, DENZA is ready to find new customers drawn by a unique blend of cutting-edge innovations and European-influenced design elegance. As the perfect partner for this process, Daniel Craig will lend his image to several key vehicles being launched this year, including in marketing materials and television commercials.

The partnership with one of the world's most recognisable actors represents significant worldwide recognition for DENZA, which is building up to its first European model launch, for its flagship Z9GT shooting brake, to be held on 8 April at the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris.

BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li commented: “Daniel Craig represents a powerful combination of strength, sophistication and authenticity. Those qualities resonate deeply with what DENZA stands for. As we bring the brand to the world — across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa — we are proud to welcome an actor whose presence and character reflect the spirit of DENZA. Together, we want to show how technology, design and emotion can come together to create a new vision of premium mobility.”

For more information:
Press Office LaPresse – [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b9d4096-36c6-4e4d-9f1e-ca7c94f69363


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9678358)