TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Nation Network expands Daily Faceoff across Canada ahead of 2026/27 NHL season
Month: September 2026
Hong Kong, Sept. 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Magic Empire Global Limited (NASDAQ: MEGL) (the “Company”) today announced the closing of a registered direct offering (the “Offering”) of 2,678,572 units (each a “Unit”) at an offering price of US$1.12 per Unit.
Each Unit consists of one Class A ordinary share of the Company, no par value (each, a “Class A Ordinary Share”) and one warrant to purchase one Class A Ordinary Share (or up to nine Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the alternative cashless exercise (zero exercise price option) (each, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant has an exercise price of US$1.12 per Class A Ordinary Share and is exercisable beginning on the issuance date and ending on the one-year anniversary of the issuance date.
Gross proceeds to the Company were approximately US$3 million, before deducting placement agent commissions and other estimated expenses payable by the Company, excluding the exercise of any Warrant offered. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Chaince Securities, LLC acted as the Sole Placement Agent for the Offering.
The securities described above were offered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-298796), as amended, previously filed and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Offering was made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. The final prospectus related to the offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the final prospectus may be obtained from Chaince Securities, LLC at info@chaincesecurities.com.
About Magic Empire Global Limited
Established in 2016, Magic Empire Global Limited is a financial services provider in Hong Kong which principally engages in the provision of corporate finance advisory services. Its service offerings mainly comprise (i) IPO sponsorship services; (ii) financial advisory and independent financial advisory services; (iii) compliance advisory services; and (iv) corporate services. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at https://www.meglmagic.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions in this announcement. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.
For more information, please contact:
Chaince Securities, LLC
1251 Avenue of the Americas, 41st Floor
New York, NY 10020
www.chaincesecurities.com
info@chaincesecurities.com
Magic Empire Global Limited
Suite 5A, 15/F, Sino Plaza
255-257 Gloucester Road
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Main Phone: + 852 2889 8778
www.meglmagic.com
Wangmei@megltech.com
–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bitwarden: What: Bitwarden is launching a beta of its redesigned Password Manager interface for the Chrome browser extension and desktop apps. The redesign helps users find and organize vault items and better understand how to share them. Key changes include: Clearer navigation and ownership: A revised navigation hierarchy helps users understand where items belong and how to move between personal and shared vault content if needed. Unified search and persistent filters: A sin
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Funds Date TIDM ISIN Code Shares in Issue Currency Net Asset Value NAV/per Share First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX UCITS ETF 29.09.2026 FEUD IE00BF2FL590 333,641.00 EUR 18,588,420.39 55.714
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Sapien Software, LLC, to provide global HR and deal intelligence software and solutions for mid-market companies involved in divestitures, mergers and acquisitions.
The partnership between WTW and Sapien provides HR Management System, Human Capital Management System, payroll administration, international benefits administration and managed services as part of the WTW’s Human Capital Divestitures in a Box (DIAB) solution. The DIAB solution is a one-stop, pre-packaged HR solution that’s globally scalable and designed to support both buyers and sellers. It combines WTW’s M&A consulting expertise in due diligence, deal planning, workforce integration and employee communication, with Sapien’s market leading human capital management software solutions.
Perry Papantonis, Senior Managing Director and Global M&A Leader at WTW said, “WTW’s Divestitures in a Box solution enables companies to accelerate day one readiness across all HR plans, programs, and systems, reduce companies’ reliance on Transition Services Agreements (TSAs), and enhance both corporate and employee experiences during transactions. Sapien’s platform will help organizations to aggregate and model data to support the M&A sell-side process and buyer requests and serve as a full global Human Resources Information System HRIS following transaction close.”
Ryan Tweedie, Managing Partner of Sapien, said: “With people at the center of every corporate transition, our platform compliments WTW’s solution to fulfill on the promise of a one-stop, pre-packaged, cost-effective solution that is globally scalable and enables both buyers and sellers to move with speed, precision and confidence.”
Infused with AI for easy decision support queries, and with built-in managed services that are already a part of every implementation, Sapien’s technology will complement WTW’s solution to help deliver a new level of speed, cost-effectiveness, and insights necessary to ensure success before, during and after divestiture or M&A activity.
About WTW
At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.
Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.
Learn more at wtwco.com.
About Sapien Software, LLC
Sapien is the most progressive and innovative provider of HR software and data intelligence for the global mid-market with unparalleled expertise in divestitures. Purpose-built to be a single source of truth for divestiture planning and to evolve from data ingestion to Day One stand-alone readiness, Sapien is intuitive, rapidly customizable and proven to deliver the functionality, versatility, and affordability that mid-market globals need while guiding organizations through the divestiture process with workforce insights for decision-making. Led by industry veterans and designed to be right for now and tomorrow, Sapien is multi-lingual, multi-currency, and payroll/benefits agnostic. Our proprietary Human Resources Augmentation (HRA) and built-in AI functionality accessed via Natural Language Processing offers an unparalleled layer of support and is available globally. For more information: www.sapiensoftware.com
Media Contacts:
Jamie Kilduff: +44 0 20 7170 3746
Jamie.kilduff@wtwco.com
Ileana Feoli: +1 212 309 5504
Ileana.feoli@wtwco.com
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Funds Date TIDM ISIN Code Shares in Issue Currency Net Asset Value NAV/per Share First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX UCITS ETF 29.09.2026 FEUZ IE00B8X9NY41 1,682,584.00 EUR 108,048,595.41 64.216
Press release
Paris, September 30, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Half-Year Results
HOPSCOTCH GROUPE
2026 Half-Year Results
A weaker first half of 2026, but solid operational and financial fundamentals
Long-term growth and profitability targets reaffirmed
| € thousand | H1 2026 | H1 2025 |
| Revenue | 116 706 | 118 532 |
| Gross Profit | 42 999 | 45 895 |
| Personnel expenses Operating expenses Lease expenses (IFRS 16) |
-33 195 -10 627 -1 962 |
-33 595 -8 676 -1 930 |
| Operating income | -2 786 | 1 694 |
| Share in net income of associates Financial result Income tax |
-75 -807 -25 |
-21 -1 264 -186 |
| Net income | -3 694 | 223 |
| Net income – Group share | -3 736 | -109 |
HOPSCOTCH (Euronext Growth FR0000065278), a communications consulting group and a leading player in digital, public relations and events, today reports its 2026 half-year results.
A weaker first half of 2026, but solid fundamentals
In the first half of 2026, the Group generated revenue of €116.7 million, broadly in line with the previous year. Half-year gross profit amounted to €43.0 million, down 6.3% compared with the first half of 2025.
This decline reflects an unfavorable global economic environment, primarily affecting international activities: the discontinuation of operations in the Gulf countries, international trade with countries such as the United States and China, as well as a high comparison base resulting from strong activity in Japan last year related to the Osaka World Expo. These factors explain the temporary slowdown in activity during the first half of the year.
In France, the Group recorded stable performance across its core businesses.
The Group continues to benefit from the unique complementarity of its businesses – Events, Digital, PR and Influence – its proprietary international network, and its positioning, which fosters innovation.
Consolidated H1 2026 results
Consolidated current operating income amounted to a loss of €2.787 million, down €3.522 million compared with the first half of 2025. Half of this decline is attributable to the lower level of activity, partially offset by savings in direct operating costs. The other half reflects purely accounting items that had an unfavorable impact compared with the previous year, such as provisions and the decrease in other operating income.
- Personnel expenses amounted to €33.195 million, representing an apparent decrease of 1.2%, or 3% excluding the technical accounting cost related to the free share award granted during the half-year;
- Operating expenses amounted to €9.826 million, stable compared with the previous year;
- Lease expenses (IFRS 16) remained unchanged at €1.962 million.
EBITDA/AL (i.e. after neutralizing the accounting impact of IFRS 16 relating to the capitalization of lease expenses) therefore amounted to a loss of €1.984 million, compared with €1.465 million in the first half of 2025.
Net depreciation and provision expense amounted to €2.558 million, including €1.962 million of depreciation on leases under IFRS 16, compared with €1.726 million in the previous year.
Consolidated current operating income for the first half of 2026 amounted to a loss of €2.787 million, compared with €735 thousand in the first half of 2025. The latter period also benefited from €960 thousand in net other operating income relating to various historical items that had become time-barred, which did not recur in 2026.
After a financial result of negative €882 thousand and corporate income tax of €25 thousand, net income for the period amounted to a loss of €3.694 million.
Financial strength confirmed by continued deleveraging
As of June 30, 2026, HOPSCOTCH Groupe had a solid financial structure, with shareholders’ equity of €28.2 million, after recognizing a €1.8 million dividend in respect of 2025.
Net financial cash stood at €9.3 million, with closing cash of €31.5 million. During the half-year, the Group continued its deleveraging strategy, bringing financial debt excluding IFRS 16 lease liabilities to €22.2 million, of which €9.2 million is due within one year.
Long-term growth and profitability targets reaffirmed
The second half of the year will be supported by the Paris Motor Show in early October. It should be noted that fiscal year 2025 showed a seasonal pattern weighted towards the second half, with almost 55% of annual activity generated during this period.
The Group’s strength lies in the diversity of its activities, its extensive geographic footprint and its broad and diversified client base. This multidimensional diversification enables the Group to navigate an unfavorable cycle through alternative growth drivers.
Its positioning in the live experience business (Events), together with its expertise in Influence, Digital and social media, combined with a sound financial structure, enables the Group to sustainably strengthen its position in the communications market.
The current economic environment does not alter the Group’s long-term ambitions.
Upcoming publication dates :
- 2026 full-year revenue : Thursday, February 4, 2027
- 2026 full-year results : Wednesday, March 31, 2027
_______
Shareholder contact
Pierre-Franck MOLEY – Chief Executive Officer – Tél. 01 41 34 20 56 – pfmoley@hopscotch.one
Press contact
Jodie KNOEPFLER CONSCIENCE – Executive Board Assistant – Tél. 01 41 34 20 51 – jodiekc@hopscotch.one
________
About HOPSCOTCH
HOPSCOTCH is an international communications group founded in France, driven by an entrepreneurial vision and the complementary nature of its talents and expertise.
HOPSCOTCH is a unique combination of expertise, driven by the belief that the value of a company or organization lies in the quality of its relational capital.
With more than 1,200 employees, half of whom are based internationally (40 offices across 5 continents), HOPSCOTCH covers all areas of communication: influence, events, public relations, activations, digital, internal communication, public affairs, and marketing services.
HOPSCOTCH organizes its agencies around its areas of expertise:
Event: Hopscotch Event, Hopscotch Congrès, Hopscotch Moments, Sagarmatha.
Public Relations: Hopscotch PR, Le Public Système PR, Human to Human, Hopscotch Décideurs.
Digital and Marketing: heaven, AD Crew, Hopscotch Digital Studio, Sublime.
Media : Hopscotch Media
Sectorial expertise: Hopscotch Cinéma, Hopscotch Luxe, Hopscotch Season, Hopscotch Sport, Hopscotch Tourism.
HOPSCOTCH has been committed to ambitious ecological and societal initiatives for over 15 years, validated by internationally recognized CSR certifications, including RSE Agences Actives, ISO 20121, and the EcoVadis Gold medal.
In 2026, HOPSCOTCH was named “Global Agency of the Year” by PRovoke Media.
Listed on Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN code: ALHOP FR 00000 6527 8), the group represents a turnover of €270,8 million and a gross margin of €98,8 million in 2025.
Follow us: www.hopscotch.one and on LinkedIn / X / Instagram / Bluesky @HOPSCOTCHgroupe
Attachment
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Funds Date TIDM ISIN Code Shares in Issue Currency Net Asset Value NAV/per Share First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF 29.09.2026 FEM IE00B8X9NX34 300,002.00 USD 15,099,855.23 50.333
Originally published on Aflac Newsroom
ST. LOUIS, September 30, 2026 /3BL/ — Brian Jordan, former Major League Baseball, NFL football star and Chairman and CEO of the Brian Jordan Foundation, joined Aflac Incorporated and Aflac U.S. President Virgil Miller, at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis recently to help provide joy and inspiration for patients and families. Jordan, who spent seven baseball seasons in the Gateway City, retired from both baseball and football, trading in his cleats for a pen, authoring six inspirational children’s books. He read his first book, “I Told You I Can Play” to kids and families at the hospital.
Brian Jordan, former Major League Baseball, NFL football star and Chairman and CEO of the Brian Jordan Foundation, reads a children’s book he wrote to patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glenn Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, where he played for 7 years during his baseball career.
“I Told You I Can Play” tells the story of a 6-year-old boy overcoming adversity. Inspired by his own childhood experiences, the boy, also named Brian, loves football but must overcome being told he’s too small and too young to play with the older kids. Each child at the event was given a copy of “I Told You I Can Play.”
“The children at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and those across the nation go through so much more than any child should have to deal with,” Jordan said. “And as St. Louis has always been a second home to me, having given me my chance to be a big-league baseball player, coming back here and spending time with the kids and families is something I cherish. And I am thrilled to be here with Aflac to deliver their special duck as they are a company that truly cares about families and giving back.”
In addition to the book-reading session, children with cancer and sickle cell disease were provided with a My Special Aflac Duck, a robotic companion specially designed to help children with cancer and sickle cell cope with their diagnosis and treatments. Since 2018, Aflac has distributed nearly 50,000 of these robotic companions, complimentary, to children aged 3 and older diagnosed with pediatric cancer and sickle cell disease across the U.S., Japan and Northern Ireland. My Special Aflac Duck can offer a sense of comfort, joy and control to children through medical play, soundscapes and RFID emoji cards that help kids express their emotions through their duck. A three-year clinical study conducted with 160 patients at 8 hospitals across the U.S. and released in 2024, showed that My Special Aflac Duck helps reduce the stress and anxiety felt by patients and caregivers related to their treatments.1
“Visiting the children, families and staff at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital today was inspiring on so many levels, not the least of which was seeing how they care for each other during challenging times,” said Virgil Miller. “Brian and My Special Aflac Duck not only brought smiles and laughter to kids who could use some additional attention today, but we know through research that the ducks will help each child and their caregivers now, tomorrow and long into the future, providing comfort and relief when they need it most.”
The My Special Aflac Duck delivery event builds on Aflac’s 31-year and more than $200 million commitment to further pediatric cancer and blood disorders research and treatment. The work is also a natural extension of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s commitment to continually improving upon the three elements of exceptional care: high-quality outcomes, excellent patient experience and a safe environment.
“We see every day what is possible when people choose to give back and rally around children and families who need them,” said Sandy Koller, President of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. “Aflac and Brian Jordan are wonderful examples of using their resources, their platform and their generosity to make a meaningful difference. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to our patients and for bringing not only joy today, but comfort that will stay with these children throughout their care.”
My Special Aflac Duck was named one of Time Magazine’s 50 Best Inventions and named Best in Show at CES and South by Southwest in 2018.
Health care providers, support organizations and families can order a My Special Aflac Duck free of charge for children 3 years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease at Aflacchildhoodcancer.org.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Aflac collaborating with Brian Jordan for this event?
Brian Jordan’s message of perseverance and overcoming adversity aligns with Aflac’s commitment to supporting children facing serious health challenges. Through a reading of his children’s book “I Told You I Can Play” and the delivery of My Special Aflac Duck companions, Jordan and Aflac aimed to provide encouragement, comfort and inspiration to patients and families at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
How can families receive a My Special Aflac Duck?
Eligible children ages 3 and older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease can receive a My Special Aflac Duck free of charge. Families, healthcare providers and support organizations can request a duck by visiting AflacChildhoodCancer.org.
What is My Special Aflac Duck?
My Special Aflac Duck is a robotic companion designed to help children ages 3 and older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease cope. Through medical play, soundscapes and interchangeable emoji cards, the My Special Aflac Duck can help children express emotions, reduce stress and feel a greater sense of comfort and control during their healthcare journey.
ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than seven decades to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.2 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force3. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 20 consecutive years (2026) and Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 25 years (2026). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/español.
Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”
1 CHOA.org. “Reduction in Anxiety in Cancer Patients Using the My Special Aflac Duck.” Published April 8, 2024. https://www.choa.org/about-us/newsroom/reduction-in-anxiety-in-cancer-patients-using-the-my-special-aflac-duck, accessed on September 18, 2026.
2 LIMRA 2025 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report
3 As of March 31, 2025, Aflac estimates based on company data
Media contact: Jon A. Sullivan, 706-573-7610 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com
Aflac | Aflac New York | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
SOURCE Aflac
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Funds Date TIDM ISIN Code Shares in Issue Currency Net Asset Value NAV/per Share First Trust US Large Cap Core AlphaDEX UCITS ETF 29.09.2026 FEXD.LN IE00BWTNMB87 447,144.00 USD 43,869,367.34 98.110