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Natura Resources’ Molten Salt Reactor at ACU Receives Historic NRC Construction Permit

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ABILENE, Texas, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a construction permit (CP) for the deployment of the Natura Resources’ MSR-1 system at Abilene Christian University (ACU). This marks the first construction permit for a liquid-fueled advanced reactor and only the second for any advanced reactor issued by the NRC.

“Natura recognized early on that the NRC is the gold standard of licensing of nuclear reactors. We made a conscious decision to work with the NRC to license our technology for deployment here in the States rather than taking our technology outside their jurisdiction or attempting to avoid the licensing process entirely. The NRC’s issuance of the Construction Permit for the Natura MSR-1 deployment at ACU shows that our technology can be licensed and de-risks the licensure of Natura’s 100MWe systems,” said Douglass Robison, Founder and President.

Natura Resources has taken an iterative, milestone-based approach to advanced reactor development and deployment, focused on efficiency and performance. This started in 2020 when Natura brought together ACU’s NEXT Lab with Texas A&M University, the University of Texas, and the Georgia Institute of Technology to form the Natura Resources Research Alliance. In only four years, Natura and its partners have developed a system that the NRC has successfully licensed. The successful deployment of the Natura MSR-1 system at ACU as the molten salt research reactor (MSRR) is going to provide valuable operational data to support Natura’s 100MWe systems and will also serve as a world-class research tool to train advanced reactor operators and educate students.

“We appreciate the thorough reviews by the NRC staff. The environmental review was completed in March and found that the MSRR would have no significant impact on the environment. The safety review that was just completed found that the Natura MSR-1 design and analysis meets the federal regulations and is safe to construct. This construction permit is the first step in the NRC’s two-step licensing process. It allows Natura and ACU to build and operate the MSRR without uranium. The next step is the operating license, which will authorize Natura and ACU to fuel the reactor and demonstrate the elegance of molten salt technology,” said Ben Beasley, Director of Licensing.

While this is a significant milestone, there is still work to be done. The advanced reactor deployment site that will house the reactor, the Science and Engineering Research Center at ACU, was completed in August 2023, and the issuance of the construction permit allows the team to begin fabrication of the reactor.  Zachry Nuclear Engineering will complete the Detailed Engineering and Design of the Natura MSR-1 in the first part of 2025, which will be followed quickly by the submission of the Operating License application to the NRC. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides fuel for the current operating fleet of university research reactors, and its commitment in 2019 to provide fuel and salt for the MSRR was the impetus for Natura Resources to develop and deploy the Natura MSR-1 with ACU. The fuel and salt needs for the MSRR are unique, and Natura Resources and ACU are committed to working with the DOE to finalize details related to the provision of fuel and salt.

“We are proud to have been working with Natura over the past year on the detailed design engineering for their first molten salt reactor system, a truly groundbreaking project in clean energy. This partnership highlights the innovative leadership both of our Texas-based companies bring to the industry as we work together to drive progress and shape the future of energy. Our shared commitment to advancing technology and economic growth makes this collaboration especially meaningful,” said John B. Zachry, President and CEO of Zachry Group.

“ACU is thrilled to have Natura as a partner as we work together to answer the world’s increased demand for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water through the deployment of liquid-fueled molten salt reactors. With the NRC’s issuance of the construction permit, we are one step closer to making that a reality. The performance-driven approach of Natura Resources to advanced reactor deployment has quickly moved them from a relative unknown to a leader in the upstart advanced reactor industry,” said Dr. Phil Schubert, ACU President.

“If we’re going to meet the growing energy needs, not only in the State of Texas but in our country and the world at large, we must begin deploying advanced nuclear reactors,” said Douglass Robison.

About Natura Resources
Natura Resources LLC is a leading advanced reactor developer committed to answering the world’s increased demand for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water by developing commercially deployable molten salt reactors. Natura’s small modular reactors are liquid-fueled and molten salt-cooled, which increases efficiency and reduces waste. The Natura MSR-1 being deployed at Abilene Christian University is the first liquid-fueled reactor design to receive a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In less than five years, Natura has established itself as a leading force in the advanced nuclear industry, fueled by a commitment to performance. Natura’s leadership team has a proven track record of revolutionizing the energy industry with innovative technology and tangible results. Natura is privately owned and has secured over $78 million in funding through its first three investment rounds.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natura-resources-molten-salt-reactor-at-acu-receives-historic-nrc-construction-permit-302249575.html

SOURCE Natura Resources

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STARTRADER Launches ‘STAR Trading League,’ an NBA-Inspired Global Trading Tournament

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NBA-inspired tournament challenges traders worldwide through three competitive stages: Toss, Knockout, and Buzzer-Beater.

DUBAI, UAE , May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STARTRADER, an official partner of the NBA, has announced the STAR Trading League, a global team-based tournament uniting traders in a structured, performance-driven environment. Registration runs from 11–28 May, participants select one of 30 teams via the client portal ahead of the 1 June start. The competition runs through 31 July across three stages, concluding with a single winning team, while the top two traders on the team will win tickets to an NBA game along with additional rewards.

Built around the campaign theme ‘Hit the Markets Buzzer Beater,’ the tournament draws inspiration from the decisive final shot in basketball, highlighting how success in both sports and trading often depends on precision and timing at the right moment.

The journey begins with the Toss, the entry stage of the regular season where participants begin competing. Similar to a basketball tip-off, this phase allows traders to position themselves for an early advantage, with performance determining which teams advance and setting the tone for the competition ahead.

The second stage, Knockout, introduces performance-based elimination, requiring teams to demonstrate consistency and strong trading strategies to remain in the tournament. As pressure rises, only teams maintaining strong results advance. This stage begins with the playoff rounds, followed by the quarterfinals.

The final stage, Buzzer-Beater, brings together the top-performing teams for the decisive rounds, beginning with the semifinals, where four teams compete for a place in the next phase. The tournament then advances to the MVP Finals, where the remaining two teams face off for the title. Victory belongs to those who perform with precision and composure in decisive moments.

Participants will compete for rewards throughout each stage of the tournament, with top-performing teams recognized along the way. The winning team of 10 traders may be eligible for tiered rewards, with prizes awarded to qualifying participants. The top two winners will receive premium rewards, including an NBA game ticket, a STARTRADER exclusive basketball, an NBA Store voucher, and a $10,000 cash prize.

“Our partnership with the NBA opened the door to bringing the excitement of sport into trading. With the STAR Trading League, we wanted to build an experience that engages our global community and encourages traders to test their skills in a dynamic, competitive environment.” — Peter Karsten, Chief Executive Officer, STARTRADER

Through the STAR Trading League, launched in collaboration with the NBA, STARTRADER brings its global trading community into a competitive environment where discipline, strategy, and decisive action drive success, reflecting its ambition to deliver innovative trading experiences within a trusted and reliable ecosystem.

About STARTRADER

STARTRADER is a global multi-asset broker empowering retail and institutional partners to access global markets through a range of platforms, including MetaTrader, STAR-APP, and STAR-COPY.

Regulated across five jurisdictions (CMA, ASIC, FSCA, FSA, and FSC), STARTRADER combines strong governance with a client-first approach, serving both retail clients and partners with a commitment to transparency, reliability, and long-term growth.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/startrader-launches-star-trading-league-an-nba-inspired-global-trading-tournament-302767957.html

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Longbridge Names Gavin Chia as Singapore and Regional CEO, Southeast Asia, Marking a New Chapter for the AI-powered digital Brokerage

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SINGAPORE, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Longbridge, the AI-powered digital brokerage, has appointed Gavin Chia as Singapore and Regional CEO, Southeast Asia, effective 5 May 2026. Chia brings more than 18 years of experience in financial services and was instrumental in building moomoo Singapore from a startup into one of the country’s leading retail brokerages.

The hire is the most senior local appointment Longbridge has made since and comes as the firm consolidates a series of strategic moves, including obtaining a Capital Markets Services licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and announcing its first physical location — into a coherent push for market leadership in the region.

An Executive Move with Industry Significance

Singapore is one of Asia’s most fiercely competitive digital brokerage markets, with several leading platforms, such as Longbridge, moomoo, Tiger Brokers and Webull. Industry observers are largely in agreement that in the next few years, the landscape will be shaped by AI and technological capability, and the ability to localize and adapt to each country’s local environment.

With Gavin joining Longbridge, this clearly demarcates Longbridge’s dedication towards improving on both fronts.

A Proven Builder for a New Growth Phase

Gavin Chia is one of Singapore’s most experienced digital brokerage executives. As moomoo’s CEO in Singapore, he led the business from inception to become one of the leading digital brokerages in the market. He subsequently served as CEO of IG Singapore & Emerging Markets, deepening his track record of driving growth, product expansion, and market leadership across the region.

His deep familiarity with the MAS regulatory landscape, local retail investor behaviour, and the operational realities of scaling a brokerage in Southeast Asia makes him a highly strategic appointment for Longbridge at this stage of its growth.

At Longbridge, Gavin will have full ownership of operations, regulatory affairs, product localization, and team-building across Singapore and Southeast Asia.

“What attracted me to Longbridge is its strong technology foundation and clear ambition to redefine the brokerage experience through AI. I see a strong alignment between Longbridge’s vision and my own belief that the future of investing lies at the intersection of technology, product innovation, and user experience. The opportunity to build and scale this in the region, together with a forward-looking team, was particularly compelling.”

— Gavin Chia, Singapore and Regional CEO, Southeast Asia, Longbridge

What “AI-First” Means in Practice

For Gavin, an AI-first brokerage goes beyond a product feature, it is a foundational philosophy about how the entire client experience is designed and delivered.

“To me, an AI-first brokerage is one where AI is not just a feature, but embedded across the entire client journey, from onboarding and education, to idea generation, execution, and risk management. AI is fundamentally reshaping how people invest. It lowers the barrier to entry by simplifying complex information, enables more personalised insights at scale, and helps investors make more informed decisions in real time. Over time, we hope to see investing become more intuitive, data-driven, and accessible, where technology augments, rather than replaces, human judgement.”

— Gavin Chia, Regional CEO, Southeast Asia, Longbridge

Longbridge is among a small number of digital brokerages globally to have embedded AI at the product architecture level, across investment research, trading assistance, and customer insights. This commitment to innovation extends beyond AI. Longbridge made history in 2025 by launching the world’s first U.S. stock options pre-market trading, a milestone that underscores its position at the frontier of brokerage technology. A central part of Gavin’s mandate will be to bring these capabilities to investors across Southeast Asia, in a form that is locally relevant and meets the regulatory requirements of each market.

“We are delighted to have Gavin on board. Over the past few months, we have laid a great deal of groundwork for this Singapore chapter, including our MAS licence, platform infrastructure, product suite, and the Longbridge Cafe Singapore physical space. But to weave all of that into a business that is truly rooted locally, we needed a leader who both understands Longbridge’s global vision and is deeply familiar with Singapore’s local landscape.”

— Nowa Zhu, Group CEO, Longbridge

Longbridge’s Growing Footprint in Singapore

Gavin’s appointment is the latest milestone in a series of concrete moves Longbridge has made in Singapore over the past six months:

Licensed operations: Long Bridge Securities Pte. Ltd. holds a Capital Markets Services licence (CMS Licence No. CMS101211) issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and operates as an Exempt Financial Adviser.Physical presence: On 30 April 2026, Longbridge announced the launch of Longbridge Cafe Singapore — located above Guoco Tower / Tanjong Pagar MRT station and expected to open in September 2026. It will be Longbridge’s first physical overseas location.Local leadership: On 5 May 2026, Gavin Chia joined as Regional CEO, Southeast Asia.

Taken together, Longbridge has established what observers are calling a complete “localization loop” in Singapore: a licensed entity, a physical space, and a local leader with the mandate and experience to execute. This combination remains uncommon among digital brokerages operating in the market.

About Longbridge Securities Singapore

Longbridge Securities is an AI-Powered online brokerage headquartered in Singapore. By building global trading infrastructure and a trading network, it delivers best-in-class trading experiences to investors worldwide. Founded in March 2019, Longbridge holds 22 financial regulatory licenses or qualifications across the U.S., Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and other markets, and has secured more than US$150 million in strategic investment from leading financial institutions and investment firms. Long Bridge Securities Pte. Ltd. is a licensed entity regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) (Capital Markets Services Licence No.: CMS101211), holding a Capital Markets Services Licence and operating under an exempt financial adviser status.

Disclaimer

Long Bridge Securities Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 202111825D) provides an execution-only service. All investments carry risk. Please refer to the Risk Disclosure Statement on our website for details. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

This commitment to innovation extends beyond AI — Longbridge made history in 2025 by launching the world’s first U.S. stock options pre-market trading, a milestone that underscores its position at the frontier of brokerage technology.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/longbridge-names-gavin-chia-as-singapore-and-regional-ceo-southeast-asia-marking-a-new-chapter-for-the-ai-powered-digital-brokerage-302767964.html

SOURCE Longbridge

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Mobupps Unveils ECHO AI – A Self-Learning Mechanism

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ASHDOD, Israel , May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mobupps, a leading global adtech company, today announced the launch of ECHO AI, its next-generation self-learning mechanism designed to bring real-time intelligence to every stage of the advertising process. ECHO AI interprets signals, identifies value, and adapts dynamically to deliver more efficient outcomes with minimal manual input.

Leveraging continuous learning from live campaign data, ECHO AI automatically identifies the most effective channels, audiences, and creatives, enabling advertisers to achieve stronger user lifetime value and lower acquisition costs from day one.

ECHO AI delivers a powerful suite of intelligent capabilities designed to transform campaign performance. Using advanced audience segmentation based on proprietary behavioral data, ECHO AI ensures precise targeting and meaningful user engagement.

The system provides automated recommendations for continuous campaign optimization, enabling advertisers to achieve greater efficiency and a smarter use of their budgets. Purpose-built to acquire high-value users and maximize their long-term revenue potential, ECHO AI empowers brands to scale sustainably and effectively.

Fully integrated with MAFO, ECHO AI operates within a unified ecosystem, delivering seamless automation, accuracy, and performance across all marketing channels.

Yaron Tomchin, Chief Executive Officer at Mobupps, commented: “ECHO AI represents a major leap forward in our mission to empower the Mobupps team with true data intelligence. By embedding self-learning capabilities into our ecosystem, we are enabling marketers to make smarter, faster, and more efficient decisions across every campaign touchpoint.”

Rashid Galimov, Chief Technology Officer at Mobupps, added: “Our engineering vision behind ECHO AI was to create an adaptive framework that constantly evolves. Every impression, click, and conversion becomes a learning input — fueling optimization loops that deliver measurable results at scale.”

ECHO AI is the future of automated performance, built for marketers who need speed, precision, and data-driven growth. Connect Mobupps to see how ECHO AI can transform your next campaign here.

Source of the PR: Link 

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mobupps-unveils-echo-ai–a-self-learning-mechanism-302767969.html

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