Three in Four Travelers Get Their ESTA, UK ETA or eTA Right the First Time, Service eVisa Index Finds

Passport details are the most common source of corrections, and travelers from Singapore are the most likely to get every detail right

NEWARK, Del., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Three in four travelers (76%) complete their electronic travel authorization correctly on the first attempt, according to the Service eVisa Travel Readiness Index. Passport details are the most common source of corrections, and travelers from Singapore are the most likely to get every detail right.

The Travel Readiness Index measures the share of applications that needed no correction at caseworker review. It is based on more than 10,000 anonymized applications for the UK ETA, US ESTA, Canada eTA, New Zealand NZeTA and Australia ETA, submitted between January 1 and September 1, 2026.

What are the most common travel authorization mistakes?

Passport details (number, issue or expiry date) accounted for 31% of corrections, followed by name order and middle names (19%), confusion between nationality and passport issuing country (13%), and date-of-birth format (9%).

These details matter because each authorization is linked electronically to a specific passport. On the US ESTA system, an error in passport or biographical information requires a new application and a new fee.

Which nationalities are the most travel-ready?

- Singapore: 89.4%

- Japan: 88.1%

- Switzerland: 86.7%

- Denmark: 85.9%

- Netherlands: 84.2%

"The travelers who do best copy their details straight from the passport they will travel with, character by character," said Fred Jordan, Director of Operations at Service eVisa. "Small details, like the order of your names or the format of a date, are where even experienced travelers slip."

How to get a travel authorization right the first time

- Copy details directly from your passport, not from memory.

- Enter your names exactly as printed, in the same order.

- Apply when you book your trip, not when you pack.

Travelers can check the requirements for each destination at serviceevisa.com.

About Service eVisa

Service eVisa is a private, independent travel authorization assistance platform that helps travelers prepare and submit electronic travel authorizations for destinations including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Applications are supported by registered migration agents and licensed immigration advisers. Service eVisa holds a travel agency license, is accredited by IATA and is a member of ASTA and PATA. Learn more at serviceevisa.com. 

Media contact: [email protected]

Share this article

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MiniTool Software Limited has released a new version of its video converter – MiniTool Video Converter 6.0. This update brings video cutting and merging features, GPU acceleration, a new home page, UI improvements, and bug fixes.

Key Features of MiniTool Video Converter 6.0

- Cut a video into segments.

- Merge multiple videos into one.

- Added GPU acceleration management.

- Optimized user interface.

- Fixed some bugs.

Cut a Video into Segments

MiniTool Video Converter 6.0 introduces a new video-cutting feature that allows you to split videos into segments and remove unwanted parts. It also enables you to trim the start or end of a video. You can export the cut video clips separately or into a combined file.

The video cutting feature supports a wide range of input formats, including AVI, 3GP, VOB, WebM, WMV, MP4, MOV, FLV, MKV, MPG, MPEG, MXF, M4V, TS, F4V, M2TS, ASF, and more.

Merge Multiple Videos into One

The latest version of MiniTool Video Converter supports merging multiple videos into one file. It also provides editing options for individual clips, including cutting, trimming, and adding transitions between clips.

The video merging feature supports various input formats, including AVI, 3GP, VOB, WebM, WMV, MP4, MOV, FLV, MKV, MPG, MXF, M4V, Xvid, OGV, DivX, and more. The merged video can be exported in MP4 format at 1080p.

Added GPU Acceleration Management

MiniTool Video Converter 6.0 uses GPU acceleration to offload video processing tasks to the GPU, improving video conversion, compression, transcription, enhancement, cutting, and merging efficiency. It makes better use of the computer's hardware resources to increase processing speed, especially when processing large or high-resolution videos.

Optimized UI Interface

MiniTool Video Converter 6.0 adds a new Home page for quick access to its main video tools, including Convert Video, Compress Video, Cut Video, Merge Video, Video Enhancer, Intelligent Subtitle, and more.

Fixed Some Bugs

Fixed some issues to enhance the overall user experience:

- Fixed software response delays in some scenarios.

- Fixed missing audio after video conversion on certain devices.

- Optimized Instagram downloads to retrieve only video content and exclude non-video items.

About MiniTool Video Converter

MiniTool Video Converter is a Windows-based multimedia tool from MiniTool Software Ltd. that brings multiple functions together in one application. It supports video and audio conversion, video compression, audio-to-text conversion, video enhancement, video cutting, and video merging features.

MiniTool Video Converter also offers AI-powered features, including Intelligent Subtitle for transcribing video or audio into text and exporting SRT or TXT files, as well as Video Enhancer for upscaling videos and reducing video grain.

About MiniTool® Software Ltd.

MiniTool® Software Ltd. is a software development company that provides customers with complete business software solutions for screen recording, audio and video format conversion, video compression, video editing, and data management.

SOURCE MiniTool® Software Limited

Share this article

The event brings together customers, partners, and industry leaders to advance endpoint security, resilience, and secure workspace delivery.

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IGEL®, a global software company delivering the IGEL Adaptive Secure Endpoint Platform™, today announced it is bringing the IGEL Now & Next® Workspace & Endpoint Security Summit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for a showcase on October 21, 2026, at Dubai Knowledge Park. The one-day program will bring together IT and security leaders to examine the endpoint security, resilience, and workspace delivery priorities shaping enterprise strategy across the region.

The Dubai event extends IGEL's flagship Now & Next® series following its five-city European roadshow earlier this year, as well as events in Australia and the United States. It arrives as organizations across the Middle East increase investment in artificial intelligence, cloud services and digital experiences, expanding the technology environments they must manage and secure.

According to the UAE Government Cybersecurity Council, the country faces more than 90,000 to 200,000 breach attempts every day, underscoring the security pressures accompanying the region's rapid digital transformation. As these environments become more distributed and interconnected, organizations are placing greater emphasis on strengthening cyber resilience and maintaining operational continuity while continuing to innovate.

"What we are hearing from customers is consistent: organizations want stronger control at the endpoint, greater resilience when disruption occurs, and a practical path to support both current and emerging workspace models," said Klaus Oestermann, CEO of IGEL. "The Now & Next® summit roadshow is designed to bring those conversations closer to home, together with the customers and ecosystem partners, helping define the next phase of endpoint strategy."

The summit will bring together IGEL leaders, customers, and ecosystem partners to share perspectives on secure endpoint strategy, resilience, and the future of digital work. Complementing the IGEL-led sessions, customers and ecosystem partners will bring real-world perspectives and expertise to the program, including event sponsors Microsoft, Omnissa, and Lenovo.

"Dubai is an important meeting point for technology leaders across the Middle East, and the Now & Next® summit gives us an opportunity to bring the region's customers, partners and experts together around the challenges they are addressing today," said Carsten Thomsen, VP of Sales for Emerging Markets at IGEL. "The goal is to turn those conversations into practical ideas organizations can take back to their own environments."

The summit runs from morning sessions through the afternoon executive panel and networking lunch at Dubai Knowledge Park - Conference Centre Block 1. Attendance is open to enterprise IT and security leaders across the UAE and broader Middle East region.

To learn more about the security, resilience and workspace modernization topics that will be explored at Now & Next® Dubai, read the latest IGEL blog.

To review the full agenda, explore speakers, and register, visit the event page.

About IGEL

IGEL® is a global software company delivering the IGEL Adaptive Secure Endpoint Platform™, a trusted and governed endpoint platform for secure access to cloud, VDI, DaaS, SaaS, Secure Browsers, enterprise applications, as well as OT endpoints. At its foundation is IGEL OS, an immutable operating system that helps reduce endpoint attack surface, preserve a known-good endpoint state, and support secure access across distributed work environments. Through the IGEL Preventative Security Model®, the platform adds attested workload delivery, centralized governance, and contextual enforcement, aligning endpoint security with Zero Trust and SSE/SASE architectures from key IGEL Ready partners.

IGEL Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery™ (BC&DR) helps organizations restore secure access on Windows endpoints affected by ransomware, other cyberattacks, or outages. Founded in 2001, IGEL is headquartered in Germany with U.S. offices in San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale, working with an ecosystem of 130 leading technology brands. Learn more at www.igel.com.

Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft group of companies.

Share this article

- Accelerates commercialization of robotics AI chip through end-to-end "Spec Hand-off" development

- Integrates next-generation memory and interface technologies, including LPDDR6, PCIe Gen6 and UCIe-S

- Expands applications beyond data center, HPC and edge AI into Physical AI, diversifying business portfolio

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SEMIFIVE, a leading global provider of custom AI semiconductor (ASIC) solutions, announced today that it has signed a turnkey development contract with Mobilint, a South Korean AI semiconductor company, to develop an AI chip for robotics applications.

The project is part of the "K-On-Device AI Semiconductor Technology Development" program led by Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR). The government-funded program supports collaboration between domestic AI semiconductor companies and end-user companies to develop and validate chips tailored to industry-specific products, with the core objective of carrying them through to commercialization.

Through this collaboration, the two companies aim to deliver a robotics chip capable of performing high-performance AI computation on its own, even in outdoor environments where connectivity to external servers is limited. The custom chip will be deployed in applications such as agricultural robots, processing vision and sensor data in real time across diverse operating conditions.

Notably, the project will be carried out under SEMIFIVE's "Spec Hand-off" model, the earliest-stage engagement within its turnkey business. Unlike conventional approaches in which customers complete a substantial portion of the design before handing off downstream processes, Spec Hand-off allows customers to simply define their key performance targets and specifications, while SEMIFIVE delivers integrated services across the entire process, from detailed design to packaging, testing and mass production.

The chip will integrate a wide range of next-generation technologies, including LPDDR6, the latest low-power DRAM standard; PCIe Gen6, a high-speed interface; and UCIe-S (Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express – Standard Package), which connects multiple function-specific chiplets at high speed within a single package so they operate as a single monolithic die. These technologies will enable the chip to achieve both high power efficiency and operational stability without data bottlenecks, even in outdoor settings such as areas with limited network coverage.

The two companies expect the collaboration to contribute to building a homegrown AI semiconductor ecosystem in Korea, while securing an early lead in next-generation robotics platforms and creating new markets.

"This contract marks a pivotal moment for SEMIFIVE as we extend our proven, end-to-end ASIC capabilities from data center and edge AI into the realm of robotics AI," said Brandon Cho, CEO and co-founder of SEMIFIVE. "As a leader in custom semiconductors, we will continue to expand our technological footprint and influence across advanced industries."

SOURCE SEMIFIVE

Share this article

Fresenius completes acquisition of mAbxience, creating a stronger platform for future portfolio expansion

- The transaction builds on the successful partnership between Fresenius and mAbxience established in 2022.

- Full ownership creates a stronger platform to enhance quality and supply resilience, while supporting future innovation and broader patient access to high-quality biosimilars.

- mAbxience will continue supporting its existing customers and remains fully committed to maintaining quality and reliable supply of its biosimilars.

MADRID, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- mAbxience today announced that Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA has acquired the remaining 45% of mAbxience from Insud Pharma, building on the successful partnership established between the two companies in 2022 and marking the beginning of a new phase of growth for the company.

Fresenius acquired a 55% majority stake in mAbxience in August 2022 and has consolidated the business since then. Full ownership completes that structure: mAbxience biosimilars platform is now wholly owned within Fresenius Kabi's Biopharma business, which covers the full value chain from development and manufacturing through to commercialization.

The acquisition builds on a successful partnership that has already delivered important development, manufacturing, technology-transfer and regulatory milestones. This collaboration has contributed to the expansion of manufacturing capabilities, the advancement of technology transfer programs and the strengthening of mAbxience's position as a global biopharmaceutical company. Bringing the organizations together under full ownership creates a stronger platform to enhance quality and supply resilience, while supporting future innovation and broader patient access to high-quality biosimilars at a time when a large wave of biologics is losing exclusivity.

Michael Sen, Chief Executive Officer of Fresenius, said: "Completing the acquisition of mAbxience marks the next milestone in building a leading, vertically integrated biopharma business at scale. When we first invested in mAbxience four years ago, the market opportunity was promising but still evolving. Our initial majority stake gave us access to a highly competitive platform while managing risk. Since then, the market has developed strongly, mAbxience has delivered, and Fresenius now has the financial strength to take this next step. Full ownership gives us complete control over cost, capacity and launch timing, and full economic benefit, as the next wave of biologics loses exclusivity. For patients, that means dependable access to high-quality biosimilars; for shareholders, it is a disciplined investment in a business we know well."

Jurgen van Broeck, Chief Executive Officer of mAbxience, said: "mAbxience was founded to serve patients, while proving that world-class biologics could be developed and manufactured at a cost the world could afford. Since 2022, our partnership with Fresenius has demonstrated the strength of combining our people, expertise and capabilities. I would also like to recognize and thank Insud Pharma for its support and commitment over the past decade. The success of mAbxience today is built on the vision, dedication and hard work of many people who have contributed to this journey from the very beginning. Full ownership is the natural next step and creates an even stronger platform for innovation, growth and long-term impact for patients, customers, and partners. As we begin this next chapter together, we will continue to build on the entrepreneurial spirit, scientific expertise and commitment to patients that have driven mAbxience's success."

mAbxience will continue to support its existing customers and partners, and the company remains fully committed to maintaining quality, reliable supply and the delivery of its ongoing commitments worldwide.

Jurgen Van Broeck, Chief Executive Officer of mAbxience, will continue to lead the business, reporting to Dr. Sang-Jin Pak, President Biopharma at Fresenius.

SOURCE mAbxience

Share this article

Global survey reveals how 2,000 business and technology leaders are addressing AI-driven demand across IT elements

- Nearly half of organizations are behind schedule despite modernization being a top priority

- 98% of organizations delayed modernization and experienced negative business impacts

- As AI reshapes expectations for how technology can deliver results, more organizations are expanding their use of technology than consolidating them

- Organizations deploying agentic AI are making faster modernization progress and seeing early benefits as AI takes on traditionally challenging tasks

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, today released its first global Modernization Report, which found that as organizations expand investments across legacy and modern platforms, modernization increasingly requires business orchestration, not technology consolidation.

"AI is creating new possibilities and raising expectations for the business outcomes technology should deliver," said Martin Schroeter, Chairman and CEO, Kyndryl. "Modernization is about preparing for what comes next, and the leaders making the most progress are investing across their technology environments—strengthening resilience and putting those investments to work where they deliver the greatest value."

Based on insights from 2,000 business and technology leaders across five continents and 12 industries, the research shows how AI is reshaping investment priorities across infrastructure and applications, while also challenging organizations' operating models.

According to the report's findings, the need to adopt AI now outranks priorities to reduce spending, replace legacy systems, or address a shrinking pool of legacy systems expertise. AI is the top driver of increased mainframe and edge computing use, the second-biggest driver for SaaS and private cloud expansion, and the leading reason organizations are upgrading their networks and application portfolios. Every organization with a mainframe now reports plans to deploy AI to the platform.

Together, these trends are creating more complex technology environments and new operational challenges for technology leaders.

Nearly half of respondents said they are behind schedule on their modernization goals. Agentic AI, which can autonomously plan and execute tasks, is emerging as a way to modernize faster. Ten percent of organizations have deployed agentic AI in production for modernization, applying it to typically time- and skills-intensive tasks of dependency mapping, code conversion, and generating documentation. Early adopters reported stronger outcomes, with 67% saying they are ahead of or on track with modernization goals, compared with 51% of other organizations.

The research also highlights what is slowing organizations down. Just 9% said they fully understand their applications' dependencies, and one-quarter say they have large numbers of undocumented applications.

Among other findings, Kyndryl's study shows that:

Modernization has become a business-wide priority, not just a technical one

The findings underscore the growing demands on CIOs, who must advance several priorities at once: AI adoption, cyber resilience, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and business growth. Respondents named nine distinct stakeholder groups with control over modernization, from CIOs and CTOs to boards of directors and finance and compliance teams. Modernization has outgrown the IT department and become a board-level business decision. Its growing importance also requires organizations to coordinate decision-making across more stakeholders without sacrificing speed.

Global events shape technology decisions alongside cost and performance

Sovereignty considerations are a growing factor in modernization strategies. While 65% of organizations address sovereignty selectively or primarily through a compliance lens, 63% expect sovereign cloud usage to increase and 55% expect sovereignty and regulatory requirements to place greater demands on their network architectures. The findings suggest that the geographic location of where technology runs is increasingly being shaped by governance and geopolitical considerations alongside performance, cost and innovation.

Complexity keeps compounding

The findings challenge the long-held assumption that digital transformation would lead organizations to gradually migrate toward a single preferred technology environment. Instead, their technology environments are becoming more distributed and complex as they prepare for AI. Mission-critical applications are distributed almost evenly across public cloud, private cloud, mainframe and on-premises environments, creating an increasingly hybrid enterprise. As digital transformation extends across the business, it must be underpinned by strategic, governance, and operational coordination—including a more integrated approach to cyber resilience as AI-driven threats accelerate and broaden. 

Read more about Kyndryl's 2026 Modernization Report.

About Kyndryl

Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, offering advisory, implementation and managed services across thousands of customer environments in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages and modernizes the complex information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.

Kyndryl press contact

[email protected] 

SOURCE Kyndryl

Share this article

Enterprises can now benefit from AI-powered software development and modernization without moving sensitive code, data, or workflows outside their controlled infrastructure

ARMONK, N.Y., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced self-hosted deployment for IBM Bob, allowing organizations to bring AI software development to on-premises, private-cloud, sovereign-cloud, and air-gapped environments where they have control. Bob is IBM's agentic software development platform that helps teams move beyond code generation to apply AI to the work of software delivery and modernization.

Enterprises are investing heavily in AI-powered software development, but organizations that manage sensitive source code, regulated data, or mission-critical infrastructure often face strict security and compliance requirements that can limit their ability to use public AI platforms. For many organizations, especially those in regulated industries, AI adoption requires control over where AI runs, what data AI can access, and how AI systems are governed.

According to a report from Futurum Research, hybrid and edge deployments are projected to capture 44% of the AI infrastructure market by 2030 as organizations seek sovereign control alongside ecosystem connectivity, while public cloud share is projected to decline to 46% in that same timeframe.

IBM Bob's self-hosted deployment option brings AI to customer-managed infrastructure and is specifically designed for organizations that require greater control over data residency, security policies, AI governance, and software development workflows. Unlike many AI coding and software development tools that require organizations to move data to external services, the self-hosted version of IBM Bob allows enterprises to deploy AI software development and modernization capabilities in environments where their code, application context, and data already reside.

"The future of enterprise AI will depend on security, governance and sovereignty," said Neel Sundaresan, GM of AI and Automation, IBM. "Organizations need AI that operates inside environments they have control over, especially when working with sensitive code and regulated data. Bob's self-hosted deployment provides a way for enterprises to bring agentic AI directly to those environments so they can benefit from the technology while maintaining security, compliance, and operational control."

Most enterprises operate software environments that contain sensitive data like intellectual property, proprietary source code, and regulated customer information. According to The Calculus of AI Sovereignty, a report published in June 2026 by IBM's Institute for Business Value, 68% of surveyed executives say meeting data residency and sovereignty requirements across geographies is challenging.

Now, IBM Bob's deployment flexibility can help enterprises address those requirements by allowing them to bring AI to the data instead of moving their data for the AI. Enterprises can run supported models on premises, including in air-gapped environments, using supported models they've licensed or connect Bob to supported external model services through hybrid configurations.

While many AI development tools have been designed primarily for cloud-native environments, enterprise modernization often involves applications and data distributed across on-premises systems, private clouds and other controlled environments. IBM Bob's deployment flexibility allows organizations to use AI for software development and modernization across infrastructure environments and models, helping them achieve true AI adoption.

For additional information about self-hosted options for IBM Bob, visit: https://www.ibm.com/new/announcements/ibm-bob-expands-to-self-hosted-environments-for-sensitive-and-mission-critical-enterprise-software

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media contact:

Rebecca Neufeld

IBM

[email protected]

Sources:

- "Sovereign AI: What Nations Want (And What They'll Actually Get)" Futurum Research, 2026

- "The Calculus of AI Sovereignty" IBM Institute for Business Value, 2026

SOURCE IBM

Share this article

Ad Council Launches New Maternal Mental Health Campaign As 3 In 4 Conditions Go Untreated

The Secret to Motherhood encourages new and expecting moms to prioritize their mental health as an essential part of caring for themselves and their child.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Secret to Motherhood, a maternal mental health effort from the Ad Council's "Love, Your Mind" campaign, supported by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, launched to encourage new and expecting moms to prioritize their mental health, so they can better cope with the challenges of motherhood, as an essential part of caring for themselves and their little ones.

The effort debuted with "What's Her Secret?" a new suite of public service announcements that reflect a simple truth: postpartum struggles are more common than many people realize. One in five moms are impacted by maternal mental health conditions, which, per the CDC, are the #1 leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Yet, in large part due to stigma, three in four conditions go untreated. To help break through that stigma, for moms and the infants who depend on them, The Secret to Motherhood encourages moms to recognize that many of the tough emotions and challenges they experience are common, while connecting them with tools and resources to help care for their mental well-being.

The campaign is designed to reach moms in the earliest, most vulnerable stages of motherhood. Developed through months of research with moms and input from experts, the effort is available in English and Spanish with new broadcast and digital creative, strategic partnerships and talent activations with trusted messengers. All campaign elements direct to a robust, expert-vetted resource hub for moms, available at LoveYourMind.com/moms (ConAmorTuMente.com/mama).

"The real secret to motherhood isn't having all the answers. It's knowing you don't have to go through it alone," said Heidi Arthur, chief campaign & program officer at the Ad Council. "With this creative platform, we're shining a light on the emotional realities of early motherhood and reinforcing that for moms, seeking support is a strength, not a weakness."

Created pro bono by Mischief USA, the campaign challenges the pressure that moms often feel to be perfect, which can get in the way of talking openly with others or seeking support when needed. The new creative reveals the emotional realities that many new moms experience but rarely discuss: pregnancy and early motherhood can be joyful and meaningful, but difficult emotions, self-doubt and mental health challenges are also common. Through relatable storytelling, the creative encourages moms to recognize when their mind may need additional care, seek support when needed and connect with resources designed to benefit them and their child. And through it all, the work reinforces the message that mothers' self-care is also a critical part of caring for their children.

Bianca Guimaraes, founding partner & executive creative director at Mischief, said: "I experienced postpartum depression after both of my pregnancies. After my first, I remember pushing the stroller through the park for hours every day. I didn't really know what else to do. Honestly, my daily objective was just to pass the time. During those walks, I'd look at people without children, and all I could think about was how lucky they were to have that kind of freedom and independence. Those were thoughts I didn't feel like I could say out loud. That's what this work is about: the thoughts we hide because they don't sound like what a new mother is supposed to feel. I loved my children deeply. I was also struggling deeply. Both things can be true."

This effort is supported by the Arthur M Blank Family Foundation, Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, Merck for Mothers, Perigee Fund, and others.

"Too many moms feel pressure to navigate pregnancy and early motherhood on their own," said Beth Brown, managing director, effective philanthropy and learning, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. "When moms are equipped with the resources and support to prioritize their mental health, the benefits extend beyond the individual, helping both mothers and infants thrive."

"Early motherhood can come with many challenges, including difficult emotions and, for some, significant mental health conditions," said Dr. Rana Jawish, Huntsman Mental Health Institute. "Maternal mental health challenges are common and highly treatable, yet stigma, lack of awareness and other barriers keep too many women from getting the care they need. By encouraging early recognition and open conversations, we can improve outcomes for mothers, babies and families.

"When we care for a mother's mental health, the benefits reach beyond one person. We know that babies develop through their earliest relationships, and that responsive, nurturing interactions help shape their developing brains and emotional well-being. Supporting a mother's well-being can strengthen those critical early connections and create a healthier foundation for both parent and child to thrive," said Lisa Mennet, PhD, Perigee Fund founder, and infant and childhood mental health clinician.

Per the Ad Council's model, the PSAs will run nationwide in time and space donated by media outlets across broadcast TV, online video, out-of-home, radio and digital media platforms, with pro-bono support from audience data provider Datonics, media strategy and planning from WPP Media, with additional support from Amazon Ads, Fuse Media, iHeartMedia, Kargo, Pinterest, Reddit and more. Moms can access expert-vetted mental health resources, practical tools and support designed to help them navigate pregnancy and early parenthood at LoveYourMind.com/moms. They can also follow the campaign on Instagram, Facebook, X, Pinterest and TikTok for additional content.

ABOUT "LOVE, YOUR MIND"

"Love, Your Mind" is a national campaign that offers inspiration, community and educational resources to encourage people across the U.S. to be more open and proactive when it comes to their mental health. The campaign was created by the Ad Council, with lead partner Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, to resonate with people across the U.S. who experience mental health challenges – while also holding attitudes and beliefs that may discourage them from seeking help. Additional funding for "Love, Your Mind" is provided by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, among others. The campaign includes partnerships with leading creative agencies and media platforms to reach a variety of different audiences and convenes experts, community leaders and influential voices to reduce the stigma around seeking help.

For more information about the "Love, Your Mind" campaign and to access mental health tools and resources, visit LoveYourMind.com or follow the campaign on Instagram, Facebook, X, Pinterest and TikTok.

ABOUT THE AD COUNCIL

The Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate, unite and uplift audiences by opening hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change. For more than 80 years, the nonprofit organization and its partners in advertising, media, marketing and tech have been behind some of the country's most iconic social impact campaigns – Smokey Bear, Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk, Tear the Paper Ceiling and many more. 

In November 2022, the Ad Council announced a Mental Health Initiative, uniting brands, marketers, media companies and nonprofits to address the mental health crisis throughout the U.S. at scale. With a founding donation from Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the multi-year initiative aims to change social norms and create a society that is more open, accepting and proactive when it comes to mental health.

To learn more or get involved, visit AdCouncil.org, join the Ad Council's communities on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and view campaign creative on YouTube.

SOURCE The Ad Council

Share this article

2026 World Manufacturing Convention Secures 790 Agreements Worth RMB 363.4 Billion

HEFEI, China, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2026 World Manufacturing Convention concluded with 790 project agreements representing RMB 363.4 billion (approximately US$54.2 billion), organizers announced at a Sept. 29 Anhui briefing.

Held Sept. 20–23 under the theme "Intelligent Manufacturing for a Better Future," it featured keynote addresses, business matchmaking, research and data releases, and exhibitions.

Guests and exhibitors from a record 54 countries and regions attended. The United Kingdom served as guest country of honor, Côte d'Ivoire's president sent a congratulatory letter, and 11 international programs were held.

Among 217 exhibits—18% more than last year—were a 180-qubit superconducting quantum processor and BEST, the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak. Of 790 projects, 708 advanced manufacturing projects represented RMB 331.7 billion. Agreements included an advanced semiconductor R&D and manufacturing line.

Attendees included 84 representatives of national ministries, commissions, organizers and supporting institutions, plus 63 national academy members and experts.

The 522 international delegates—over half of guests—included 88 diplomats and partner-government representatives; 205 international-organization and business-association representatives; 221 representatives of foreign-based Fortune Global 500 companies and multinationals; and eight prominent international researchers and subject-matter experts.

Guest province Sichuan joined delegations from 28 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, Hong Kong and Macao. Attending were 160 representatives of 38 centrally administered state-owned enterprises and 628 executives of Chinese companies.

Across 80,000 square meters, organizer-led and commercial exhibitions and an integrated unmanned systems showcase drew 1,230 exhibitors with over 15,000 products and technologies. Attendance reached 74,000 in person and 4.54 million online; 5,900-plus on-site transactions exceeded RMB 600 million.

More than 160 technologies, products, reports and case studies were released. Ten industry-leading technologies and products from China and abroad were presented, including a quantum-diamond chip testing instrument and humanoid robots.

Twenty-seven matchmaking sessions and programs produced 87 agreements or memoranda. Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang partners joined 453 projects representing RMB 154.72 billion; northern Anhui's six cities signed 194 totaling RMB 64.77 billion.

The "Central SOEs Visit Anhui" program generated 16 agreements representing RMB 39 billion, including a Wuhu Economic Development Zone big data center valued above RMB 10 billion.

Organizers addressed exhibition innovations, the convention's international role, diplomatic and Hong Kong-Macao resources, Central SOE results, and report, technology and product releases. They said it showcased Anhui and China's manufacturing strength and global outlook while advancing investment and cross-border industrial cooperation.

SOURCE World Manufacturing Convention

Share this article

—Promoting Japan as a Destination Where Every Visit Brings a New Discovery—

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2026/PRNewswire/ -- At 5:30 p.m. local time on September 22, the Japan Tourism Agency hosted the "Japan-U.S. Tourism and Culinary Night" at Gotham Hall in New York City to showcase the appeal of tourism and cuisine in Japan.

The event, held as part of the "Japan-USA Tourism Campaign 2026," featured tourism booths highlighting destinations and attractions from across Japan, including the "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara," which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July this year. Attendees had the opportunity to experience Japan's diverse cultural attractions, cuisine, sake, and other distinctive offerings. An overview of the event is provided below.

[Event Highlights]

On September 22 (local time), a Japan-U.S. tourism event was held in New York City, where global attention is focused during the United Nations General Assembly. Organized by the Japan Tourism Agency co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF), the event was attended by approximately 220 people, including representatives from tourism-related businesses, the media, and political and business circles.

A video message from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was also shown at the event. In her message, she expressed her hope that exchanges between Japan and the United States would develop even further in this milestone year marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. She also expressed her hope that interest in Japan and the desire to visit the country would continue to grow through the appeal of its tourist attractions, food, and food culture. Prime Minister Takaichi also encouraged people to attend the upcoming International Horticultural Expo 2027, Yokohama, Japan (GREEN×EXPO 2027), and welcomed United Airlines' launch of new direct flights from San Francisco to regional destinations in Japan, including Hokkaido and Okinawa. (https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/105/discourse/20260923message.html)

From the United States, Deputy Assistant Secretary O'Leary of the U.S. Department of Commerce attended the event and delivered remarks. He expressed his hope that the Japan-U.S. Tourism Campaign 2026 would further strengthen the friendly relationship between the two countries, and highlighted Japan's appeal as a destination for American travelers.

MAFF prepared a variety of special dishes made with non-gluten rice flour, as well as scallops from Aomori Prefecture, yellowtail and sea bream from Ehime Prefecture, Wagyu beef from Iwate Prefecture, and Crown Melon from Shizuoka Prefecture. A selection of Japanese alcoholic beverages was also served.

Tourism booths at the venue highlighted Japan's diverse charms, including its history and traditional culture, unique travel experiences available throughout the country, and GREEN×EXPO 2027. Featured attractions included the "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara," which were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in July this year.

Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro was also invited as a special guest to open the event with a spectacular performance of the celebratory dance "Sanbaso." During the talk show that followed, Mr. Ichikawa introduced the history of Kabuki and the attractions of various regions of Japan, generating great enthusiasm among attendees.

Share this article