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Guardz Uncovers Sophisticated Campaign Exploiting Legacy Authentication in Microsoft Entra ID

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The Guardz Research Unit uncovered a coordinated cyber campaign using outdated login methods to bypass MFA and infiltrate cloud environments by attempting to exploit basic authentication protocols 

MIAMI, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Guardz, the cybersecurity company empowering Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT professionals to protect small businesses with AI-native unified detection and response, today disclosed its discovery of an advanced attack campaign exploiting legacy authentication protocols in Microsoft Entra ID. Uncovered by the Guardz Research Unit (GRU), the campaign was active between March 18 and April 7, 2025, and shows how outdated authentication methods, particularly BAV2ROPC, continue to be exploited by threat actors to bypass modern identity protection systems, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Conditional Access Policies.

The campaign has since subsided, but Guardz warns that vulnerability continues to exist in many environments, posing a critical risk to organizations that have not yet fully modernized their authentication frameworks. Sectors that were identified as being disproportionately targeted by this vulnerability include financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology services.

“This campaign is a wake-up call—not just about one vulnerability, but about the broader need to retire outdated technologies that no longer serve today’s threat landscape,” said Dor Eisner, CEO and Co-Founder of Guardz. “At Guardz, we’re focused on helping small businesses and the MSPs that serve them stay ahead of evolving attacks by identifying hidden risks before they’re exploited.”

Guardz detected over 9,000 suspicious login attempts from distributed IP addresses, primarily originating in Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, indicating a globally orchestrated effort. Attackers leveraged automation, IP rotation, and advanced tooling to probe security controls and gain unauthorized access to cloud resources, particularly Exchange Online.

The attack unfolded in two major phases:

Initialization (March 18-20): Low-intensity probing with approximately 2,709 attempts per day.Sustained Attack (March 21-April 3): Spiking to over 6,444 attempts per day – a 138% increase – marking a move to aggressive exploitation.

Guardz tracked this progression using new AI-driven research methods and internal systems designed to continuously hunt for anomalous behavior and active threat campaigns on the dark web. The company’s AI agents executed thousands of actions in tandem with human GRU researchers, identifying patterns across IPs, geographies, and attack tools.

The campaign zeroed in on Basic Authentication Version 2 – Resource Owner Password Credential (BAV2ROPC), a behind-the-scenes compatibility mechanism in Entra ID that allows legacy applications to authenticate using usernames and passwords. Unlike modern, interactive login flows that enforce MFA and security checks, BAV2ROPC operates non-interactively and bypasses MFA, Conditional Access Policies, and login alerts and user presence verification.

Guardz urges all organizations to immediately mitigate risks from legacy authentication by auditing and disabling outdated protocols, enforcing modern authentication and MFA across all accounts, implementing conditional access policies to block unsupported flows like ROPC, and closely monitoring for unusual login activity or failed authentication patterns.

Recognizing that small businesses often lack the in-house teams and infrastructure available to larger enterprises, Guardz bridges this gap with its AI-powered cybersecurity platform that delivers identity protection, email security, threat detection, and automated incident response, purpose-built for the needs of small organizations.

To explore Guardz’s findings on the legacy authentication attack campaign and how its platform defends against such threats, read the full research blog here.

About Guardz

Guardz provides MSPs and IT professionals with an AI-powered cybersecurity platform designed to secure and insure SMBs against cyberattacks. The Guardz platform offers automatic detection and response, protecting users, emails, devices, cloud directories, and data. By simplifying cybersecurity management, Guardz enables businesses to focus on growth without being bogged down by security complexities. The company’s scalable and cost-effective pricing model ensures comprehensive protection for all digital assets, facilitating rapid deployment and business expansion.

Media Contact
Allison Grey
allison@headline.media
+1 323 283 8176

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/guardz-uncovers-sophisticated-campaign-exploiting-legacy-authentication-in-microsoft-entra-id-302448704.html

SOURCE Guardz

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A Game-Changer for QSR: Jollibee Enters Gaming with Octopus&Whale

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MANILLA, Philippines, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jollibee has just made its boldest move yet — and it all starts with the menu. With the launch of Gamejoy, the beloved fast-food brand steps into the gaming arena with an eat-to-earn campaign that’s as culturally resonant as it is commercially sharp.

Led by game and brand experience design agency Octopus&Whale, Gamejoy goes beyond a typical brand collaboration — it’s a first-of-its-kind ecosystem that unites Jollibee with UniPin’s universal e-wallet platform and top game publishers like Garena, NetEase, and OurPalm to reward fans for what they already love doing: eating at Jollibee and playing games.

Launched across all Jollibee stores nationwide, the campaign introduces Gamejoy Credits — virtual currency earned with every Gamejoy Combo purchase, redeemable across UniPin’s catalog of over 10,000 games. The activation flips the traditional “in-game” model, instead creating a real-world entry point into the gaming economy.

“We know gamers hate being interrupted,” said Ferns Yu, Jollibee Philippines President, at Gamejoy Con, the brand’s first gaming convention. “So instead of jumping into their games, we opened our doors and invited them into ours — with free rewards waiting.”

Octopus&Whale’s challenge: Create a campaign that honors Jollibee’s heritage while speaking authentically to the hyper-connected, hyper-discerning gaming community.

“Contrary to the stereotype, gamers aren’t a monolith; they are as diverse as the games they play,” said Dorothy Dee Ching, VP & Head of Marketing at Jollibee. “So we created a reward that works across genres, platforms, and player types — something that brings all types of gamers together and brings the joy of eating and gaming to everyone. That’s what Jollibee is all about.”

“This couldn’t be just a simple brand partnership,” said Joey David-Tiempo, Founder and CEO of Octopus&Whale. “This is Jollibee — a global Filipino icon. The idea had to be culturally grounded, frictionless, and playable by anyone, whether you’re into Call of Duty Mobile, Eggy Party, or MU Origins. If there’s one thing Filipinos agree on, it’s that we all eat at Jollibee. So we asked ourselves: what if eating at Jollibee meant you were already in the game?”

The result is a campaign that sets a new benchmark for QSR-brand participation in gaming:

What makes Gamejoy different?

Playable IRL – Unlike typical gaming activations, Gamejoy starts in the real world with a meal and ends with in-game value. It’s gaming you can taste.Every Meal is Currency – The more you eat, the more you earn. Each Gamejoy Combo comes with a code that unlocks Gamejoy Credits — making every meal a step closer to your next in-game reward.Ecosystem-Led, Not Brand-Intrusive – Gamejoy brings together multiple industry players — including UniPin, Garena, NetEase, and Ourpalm — in a seamless experience never before  seen in regional brand marketing.Locally Relevant, Globally Scalable – Born out of Filipino gaming behavior but designed to expand across markets.

From a brand perspective, Gamejoy drives both foot traffic and cultural capital. From a gamer’s perspective, it legitimizes fast food as part of the gaming lifestyle. And from an industry standpoint, it sets a precedent.

“A campaign like this uplifts the entire ecosystem,” said DC Dominguez, Country Head of UniPin PH. “It brings inclusivity to a fragmented space — something Jollibee is uniquely positioned to do.”

Garena’s Game Publishing Producer Nicolas Ting added, “It’s more than a campaign; it’s a grassroots movement that brings play to people—wherever they are. This is a strong example of how brands can connect with gamers not just through ads or sponsorships, but through experiences that are deeply rooted in local culture.”

Jollibee Gamejoy proves that when creativity is culturally tuned and ecosystem-driven, it can unlock new spaces for brands — not just to show up, but to belong.

Octopus&Whale is an affiliate partner of Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW).

Contact
Joey Tiempo
joey.tiempo@octopusandwhale.com 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EGuUixxx_M 

 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/a-game-changer-for-qsr-jollibee-enters-gaming-with-octopuswhale-302455910.html

SOURCE Stagwell Inc.

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WILDBRAIN REPORTS Q3 2025 RESULTS

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Q3 Operational Highlights

Strong growth in Global Licensing with a 44% year-over-year increase, driven by our premium franchises Peanuts, Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies across multiple categories and territories.Alongside the growth in owned IP, we reported strong growth in animation and live action production, continued momentum in free cash flow generation and a reduction in leverage to 4.4x.Proceeding with the strategic goal of focusing and simplifying business with definitive agreement to sell the Company’s television broadcast business.

Q3 Financial Highlights1

Revenue from continuing operations was $128.4 million, up 42% year over year. Revenue including discontinued operations of $140.1 million, up 40% year over year.Net loss from continuing operations was $10.8 million, compared with net loss of $16.4 million in Q3 2024. Net loss including discontinued operations was $13.8 million, compared with net loss of $14.7 million in Q3 2024.Adjusted EBITDA2 from continuing operations was $15.9 million, up 18% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA including discontinued operations of $26.1 million, up 33% year over year.Cash provided by operating activities was $47.3 million, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $23.3 million in Q3 2024.Free Cash Flow3 was positive $12.7 million, compared to negative $2.9 million in Q3 2024. Year to date, Free Cash Flow was positive $66.8 million, compared to negative $22.9 million in the prior year period.

TORONTO, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ – WildBrain Ltd. (“WildBrain” or the “Company”) (TSX: WILD), a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, today reported its third quarter (“Q3 2025”) results for the period ended March 31, 2025.

Josh Scherba, WildBrain President and CEO, said: “In the third quarter, we continued to see strong growth in our Global Licensing business for Peanuts, Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies as well as for our in-house licensing agency. Our global Peanuts partnership with Starbucks was a particularly bright spot, with record-breaking social engagement and merchandise selling out in the first week in the majority of markets, reflecting the broad appeal of the brand around the world. We also returned to growth in our Content Creation business, with production on a new teen live-action series for Netflix, as well as the Peanuts feature film for Apple TV+. This growth is a testament to the strength of our brands and our focused, 360-degree capabilities across Content Creation, Audience Engagement and Global Licensing.

“As announced in the quarter, we continue to advance our TV transaction with IoM, as we renegotiate certain commercial terms of the agreement. The transaction reflects our ongoing commitment to simplifying our business and focusing on key franchises and strong-growth areas with the greatest return for shareholders.”

Nick Gawne, WildBrain CFO, added: “We are pleased to report continued sustained strength in our owned brands this quarter, which reflects the company’s deliberate focus on our key franchises. This is accompanied, as we expected, by improved working capital cycles, which, coupled with better capital allocation decisions, has driven continued free cash flow generation despite the increase in our finance costs. This combination creates a strong platform for WildBrain’s continued success.”

Fiscal Year 2025 Outlook

The Company reaffirms its previously announced outlook for Fiscal Year 2025. We expect:

Revenue growth including discontinued operations of approximately 10 to 15% andAdjusted EBITDA growth including discontinued operations of approximately 5 to 10%.

We note that the close date of the WildBrain Television sale could have a material impact on our outlook. We continue to see strong underlying growth in our continuing operations in Global Licensing, AVOD, FAST and Media Solutions, as well as a return to growth in content production.

Q3 2025 Financial Highlights

EBITDA Reconciliation

(in millions of Cdn$)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2025

2024

2025

2024

2025

2024

Continuing Operations

Discontinued Operations
WildBrain Television

Consolidated Results
Including Discontinued
Operations

Revenue

$128.4

$90.4

$11.8

$9.7

$140.1

$100.1

Cost of Sale

$(76.9)

$(47.2)

$(0.4)

$(2.3)

$(77.3)

$(49.5)

Gross Margin

$51.4

$43.2

$11.4

$7.4

$62.9

$50.5

SG&A

$(26.6)

$(23.8)

$(1.3)

$(1.3)

$(27.9)

$(25.1)

Adjusted EBITDA

$24.8

$19.3

$10.2

$6.1

$35.0

$25.4

Portion of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to NCI

$(8.9)

$(5.8)

$—

$—

$(8.9)

$(5.8)

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to WildBrain

$15.9

$13.5

$10.2

$6.1

$26.1

$19.6

Q3 2025 Financial Highlights from Continuing Operations1

In Q3 2025, revenue increased 42% to $128.4 million, compared to $90.4 million in Q3 2024.

Global Licensing revenue increased 44% to $71.4 million in Q3 2025, compared to $49.6 million in Q3 2024. Revenue in the quarter was driven by strong growth in Peanuts, growth within our global licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, as well as strong growth in WildBrain’s owned brands Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies. Global Licensing growth reflects management’s actions to focus the business on higher growth opportunities, leveraging our platform to drive greater engagement which drives consumer demand and revenue.

Content Creation and Audience Engagement revenue increased 40% to $57.0 million in Q3 2025, compared to $40.8 million in Q3 2024. Revenue in the quarter grew strongly with both the Peanuts feature and live action production ramping up.

Gross margin for Q3 2025 was 40%, compared to gross margin of 48% in Q3 2024. Gross margin for Q3 2025 was $51.4 million, an increase of $8.3 million, compared to $43.2 million for Q3 2024. 

Cash provided by operating activities in Q3 2025 was $47.3 million, compared to $23.3 million cash provided by operating activities in Q3 2024. Free Cash Flow was positive $12.7 million in Q3 2025, compared with Free Cash Flow of negative $2.9 million in Q3 2024. Year to date, Free Cash Flow was positive $66.8 million, compared to negative $22.9 million in the prior-year period.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 18% to $15.9 million in Q3 2025, compared with $13.5 million in Q3 2024.

Q3 2025 net loss was $10.8 million, compared to net loss of $16.4 million in Q3 2024.

Leverage in Q3 2025 was 4.4x, a reduction from 5.3x in Q2 2025.

1.

The Company has classified the Canadian Television Broadcast business unit (“WildBrain Television”) as held for sale in the quarter, and accordingly, has presented the historical results of the business unit as discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5: Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

2.

Free Cash Flow, Gross Margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA attributable to WildBrain are non-GAAP financial measures – see below for further details.

3.

Free Cash Flow includes discontinued operations.

Q3 2025 Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call on May 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results.

To immediately join the call by phone on that date without operator assistance, please use the following URL to receive a toll-free automated instant call back connecting you into the conference:

https://emportal.ink/3YA5g1n

Alternatively, you may dial direct to be entered into the call by an operator, referencing conference ID 42922 at +1 (888) 699-1199 in North America or +1 (416) 945-7677 internationally.

If dialing in, please allow 10 minutes to be connected to the conference call.

Replay will be available after the call on +1 (888) 660-6345 or +1 (289) 819-1450, under passcode 42922#, until May 22, 2025.

The audio and transcript will also be archived on our website approximately three business days following the event.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Relations: Kathleen Persaud – VP, Investor Relations, WildBrain
kathleen.persaud@wildbrain.com
+1 212-405-6089

Media: Shaun Smith – Sr. Director, Global Communications & Public Relations, WildBrain
shaun.smith@wildbrain.com
+1 416-977-7230

About WildBrain

At WildBrain we inspire imaginations through the wonder of storytelling. As a leader in 360° franchise management, we are experts in content creation, audience engagement and global licensing, cultivating and growing love for our own and partner brands around the world. With approximately 14,000 half-hours of kids’ and family content in our library—one of the world’s most extensive—we are home to such treasured franchises as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Inspector Gadget and Degrassi. WildBrain’s mission is to create exceptional entertainment experiences that captivate and delight fans both young and young at heart.

Our studios produce such award-winning series as The Snoopy Show; Snoopy in Space; Camp Snoopy; Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City; Sonic Prime; Chip and Potato; Teletubbies Let’s Go! and many more. Enjoyed on platforms worldwide, our content is everywhere kids and families view entertainment, including YouTube, where our network has garnered over 1.5 trillion minutes of watch time. Our television group owns and operates some of Canada’s most-loved family entertainment channels. WildBrain CPLG, our leading consumer-products and location-based entertainment agency, represents our owned and partner properties in every major territory worldwide. 

WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit us at wildbrain.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects WildBrain’s current assumptions and expectations regarding future events as at the time they are made. The words “will”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “intends” and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond WildBrain’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: changes in general economic, business and political conditions. WildBrain undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Non-IFRS Measures

In addition to the results reported in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, the Company uses various non-GAAP financial measures, which are not recognized under IFRS, as supplemental indicators of our operating performance and financial position. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the user’s understanding of our historical and current financial performance and our prospects for the future. Management believes that these measures provide useful information in that they exclude amounts that are not indicative of our core operating results and ongoing operations and provide a consistent basis for comparison between periods. The following discussion explains the Company’s use of certain non-GAAP financial measures, which are Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the Shareholders of the Company, Gross Margin and Free Cash Flow.

Investors are cautioned that these non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an alternative measure to net income or loss, or other measures as determined in accordance with GAAP, or as an indicator of the Company’s financial performance or a measure of liquidity and cash flows.

“Adjusted EBITDA” means earnings (loss) before net finance costs, income taxes, amortization of property & equipment and right-of-use and intangible assets, amortization of acquired and library content, equity-settled share-based compensation expense, changes in fair value of embedded derivatives, gain/loss on foreign exchange, reorganization, development and other expenses, impairment of certain investments in film and television programs/acquired and library content/P&E/intangible assets/goodwill, and also includes adjustments for other identified charges, as specified in the accompanying tables. Adjusted EBITDA is not an earnings measure recognized by GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes that certain lenders, investors and analysts use Adjusted EBITDA to measure a company’s ability to service debt and meet other payment obligations, and as a common valuation measurement in the media and entertainment industry. Further, certain of our debt covenants use Adjusted EBITDA in the calculation. The most comparable GAAP measure is earnings before income taxes.

“Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the Shareholders of the Company” means Adjusted EBITDA excluding the portion of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to non-controlling interests.

“Gross Margin” means revenue less direct production costs and expense of film and television produced. Gross Margin is not an earnings measure recognized by GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; accordingly, Gross Margin may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes Gross Margin is a useful measure of profitability before considering operating and other expenses and can be used to assess the Company’s ability to generate positive net earnings and cash flows. The most comparable GAAP measure is gross profit.

“Free Cash Flow” means operating cash flow less distributions to non-controlling interests, changes in interim production financing, cash interest paid on our long-term debt, bank indebtedness, and lease liabilities, and principal repayments on our lease liabilities. Free Cash Flow does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; accordingly, Free Cash Flow may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes Free Cash Flow is a useful measure of the Company’s ability to repay debt, finance strategic business acquisitions and investments, pay dividends, and repurchase shares. The most comparable GAAP measure is cash from operating activities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wildbrain-reports-q3-2025-results-302455894.html

SOURCE WildBrain Ltd.

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EVA Air to Launch Exciting Upgrade for Inflight Wi-Fi Service this July

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TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EVA Air is set to launch a significant upgrade to its in-flight Wi-Fi service this July, offering complimentary access to “Infinity MileageLands” members across all cabin classes. Passengers can enjoy seamless connectivity when the aircraft reaches 10,000 feet cruising altitude. To promote this upgrade, EVA Air plans to roll out a limited-time summer promotion, from July 1 to September 30, 2025, allowing all passengers—members and non-members alike—onboard Wi-Fi equipped aircraft (Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787, and Airbus A330-300) to enjoy free unlimited web browsing Wi-Fi service.

Following the promotional period, complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi access will be available exclusively for Business Class passengers and “Infinity MileageLands” members, allowing them to stay connected to unlimited web browsing or text messaging. Whether it’s replying to work emails, chatting with friends and family, monitoring the stock market, or sharing travel photos on social media, staying connected in the sky has never been easier.

When booking a flight with EVA Air, members need to input their “Infinity MileageLands” membership number for the system to determine their eligible inflight Wi-Fi service. The plan description is as follows:

Diamond / Gold Card

Silver Card

Green Card

Non EVA FF member

Royal Laurel / Premium Laurel / Business

Unlimited Web Browsing (Note 1)

Unlimited Web Browsing

Unlimited Web Browsing

Unlimited Web Browsing

Premium Economy

Unlimited Web Browsing

Unlimited Web  Browsing

Unlimited Web Browsing

None

Economy

Unlimited Web Browsing

Unlimited Text (Note 2)

Unlimited Text

None

**Effective October 1, 2025, this plan applies to all EVA Air and UNI Air international flights.

Note 1: Unlimited web browsing does not support video streaming, voice calls, VPN connections, and video conferencing.

Note 2: Text messaging is supported via apps such as LINE and WhatsApp (excluding photo sharing).

Passengers who are not yet members of “Infinity MileageLands” are highly encouraged to sign up via the EVA Air website. New members can receive 1,000 bonus miles and gain access to complimentary Wi-Fi benefits.

For passengers flying on Airbus A321-200 aircraft, EVA Air has introduced a newly developed wireless in-flight entertainment system. Passengers can enjoy a wide selection of high-quality entertainment services by connecting their mobile devices or tablets to the onboard network and using personal earphones. The upgraded system is already being rolled out and is expected to be fully available across the fleet by early 2026.

Through advanced technology, EVA Air continues to innovate and enhance the digital in-flight experience. For more information about Wi-Fi and wireless inflight entertainment services, please visit https://www.evaair.com/en-global/fly-prepare/flying-with-eva/inflight-entertainment-service/.

About EVA Air:

A Star Alliance member, EVA Air was founded in 1989 as Taiwan’s first privately owned international airline. It is an affiliated company of global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. It flies a fleet of more than 80 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to around 60 international destinations throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Travelers can learn more about EVA and schedules, book, and buy tickets at www.evaair.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eva-air-to-launch-exciting-upgrade-for-inflight-wi-fi-service-this-july-302455932.html

SOURCE EVA Airways Corporation

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