Connect with us

Technology

ESA Announces 2026 Recipients of the Interactive Entertainment Impact Awards

Published

on

Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) and iCivics recognized as champions of the U.S. video game industry

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced the 2026 recipients of the Interactive Entertainment Impact Awards: Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) and iCivics.Established in 2024, the awards celebrate champions of the video game industry and their efforts to enable and leverage the positive impact video games have on society.

“Video games are a meaningful part of everyday life for more than 212 million Americans and a significant economic driver for communities across the country,” said ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis. “This year’s Congressional honorees have championed policies that help the U.S. industry thrive, while iCivics uses the power of play to show students how they can engage with democracy to make a difference. All three are champions in the truest sense.”

Driving innovation and growth

Reps. Bice and McGovern consistently demonstrate their knowledge of and appreciation for the U.S. video game industry’s impact as an economic force and creative powerhouse across the United States. They support policies that protect intellectual property, encourage innovation, and broaden opportunities for education, workforce development and community engagement.

“It is an honor to receive this year’s Interactive Entertainment Impact Award from ESA,” said Rep. Stephanie Bice. “While serving as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Video Game and Esports Caucus, I have learned about the positive impact video games have on everyday Americans; whether families playing with their kiddos, distant friends playing with each other online, seniors with cognitive abilities, and even veterans who utilize gaming to adapt to post service life. I will continue to support innovation, creativity and a safe online environment.”

“I’m truly honored to receive ESA’s Interactive Entertainment Impact Award. It has been amazing to watch the video game industry find a home in Massachusetts, where young people in my district have trained at amazing institutions and gone on to become some of the best developers in the world,” said Rep. Jim McGovern. “Video games are about so much more than entertainment. They deepen our curiosity in the world, help us wrestle with fundamental questions and teach lessons that stick with us for life. They can inspire, uplift and help people of all ages think critically, imagine boldly and connect to one another. They also support a thriving creative economy powered by talented developers, artists, writers, musicians and workers across the country. I’m grateful to the Entertainment Software Association for this recognition, and I’m proud to support the people who make this industry such an important creative, cultural and economic force.”

Promoting education and connectivity

As the country celebrates its 250th anniversary, ESA recognizes iCivics for its instrumental role in educating and encouraging the next generation of informed citizens. For 15 years, iCivics has used video games as the vehicle for teaching students about civics and democracy in an engaging and memorable way.

“We’re honored that the Entertainment Software Association is recognizing our work in bringing civic education to young people through games,” iCivics CEO Louise Dubè said. “Games have a unique power to change how young people see their place in the world. When students simulate the negotiation of a bill or weighing a Supreme Court case, democracy stops being an abstract idea and becomes something they actually practice. That’s the promise of play: it builds the confidence and curiosity kids need to become active, engaged citizens. Millions of students have already discovered that through our games, and we’re just getting started on reaching millions more.”

Recognizing the power of play

Today, more than 212.3 million Americans play video games regularly, and players and non-players alike feel overwhelmingly positive about the mental, emotional and social well-being benefits of games. In the U.S. alone, consumer spending on video games and related products has more than doubled in size over the past decade, growing from $30.2 billion in 2015 to $60.8 billion in 2025. The U.S. video game industry also generated and supported more than $95.8 billion in total economic impact and contributed $65 billion to U.S. GDP in 2025.

ESA created the Interactive Entertainment Impact Awards in 2024 as a way to recognize champions of the video game industry. Past recipients include:

Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) (2025)

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) (2025)

Foundation to Eradicate Duchenne (2025)

Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) (2024)

Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) (2024)

AARP (2024)

About the ESA

Founded in 1994, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has served as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry for more than 30 years. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture and the economy to secure a vibrant future for the industry for decades to come. For more information, visit the ESA’s website or follow the ESA on LinkedIn, X @theESA or Instagram @theesaofficial.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/esa-announces-2026-recipients-of-the-interactive-entertainment-impact-awards-302826614.html

SOURCE Entertainment Software Association

Continue Reading

Technology

Invitation to presentation of EQT AB’s Q3 Announcement 2026

Published

on

By

STOCKHOLM, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EQT AB’s Q3 Announcement 2026 will be published on Thursday 15 October 2026 at approximately 07:00 CEST. EQT will host a conference call at 08:30 CEST to present the report, followed by a Q&A session.

The presentation and a video link for the webcast will be available here from the time of the publication of the report.

To participate by phone and ask questions during the Q&A, please register here in advance. Upon registration, you will receive your personal dial-in details.

The webcast can be followed live here and a recording will be available afterwards.

Information on EQT AB’s financial reporting

The EQT AB Group has a long-term business model founded on a promise to its fund investors to invest capital, drive value creation and create consistent attractive returns over a 5 to 10-year horizon. The Group’s financial model is primarily affected by the size of its fee-generating assets under management, the performance of the EQT funds and its ability to recruit and retain top talent.

The Group operates in a market driven by long-term trends and thus believes quarterly financial statements are less relevant for investors. However, in order to provide the market with relevant and suitable information about the Group’s development, EQT publishes quarterly announcements with key operating numbers that are relevant for the business performance (taking Nasdaq’s guidance note for preparing interim management statements into consideration). In addition, a half-year report and a year-end report including financial statements and further information relevant for investors is published. Finally, EQT also publishes an annual report including sustainability reporting.

Contact

Olof Svensson, Head of Shareholder Relations, +46 72 989 09 15
EQT Shareholder Relations, shareholderrelations@eqtpartners.com

Rickard Buch, Head of Corporate Affairs, +46 72 989 09 11
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/invitation-to-presentation-of-eqt-ab-s-q3-announcement-2026,c4402994

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/87/4402994/4296216.pdf

Invitation to presentation of EQT AB™s Q3 Announcement 2026

https://news.cision.com/eqt/i/eqt-group,c3569148

EQT Group

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/invitation-to-presentation-of-eqt-abs-q3-announcement-2026-302895437.html

Continue Reading

Technology

Cambridge Linguaskill Business helps employers make more confident hiring and workforce decisions

Published

on

By

AI-powered English assessment gives organisations a consistent way to measure the communication skills employees need in today’s workplace

SINGAPORE, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As businesses operate across increasingly international teams, markets and customers, employers need more than a candidate’s stated level of English. They need reliable evidence that employees have the communication skills required for their roles.

Linguaskill Business from Cambridge provides employers with an online, on-demand and internationally recognised way to assess workplace English proficiency, supporting more informed decisions in recruitment, employee development and career progression.

Developed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge, Linguaskill Business combines Cambridge’s expertise in language assessment with artificial intelligence and computer-adaptive technology to deliver accurate and reliable results.

From hiring decisions to workforce development

English proficiency can affect how effectively employees participate in meetings, deliver presentations, communicate with customers, write reports and collaborate across international teams.

Linguaskill Business assesses English proficiency from B1 to C2 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), providing employers with an internationally recognised benchmark of an individual’s ability.

The exam assesses four workplace communication skills: speaking, writing, reading and listening. Its modular format allows organisations to select the skills relevant to specific roles.

This means employers can move from subjective assessments of whether someone has “good English” to defined proficiency requirements supported by measurable results.

A practical tool for HR and business leaders

Organisations can use Linguaskill Business across the employee journey, including:

• Recruitment and candidate selection
• Graduate and management programmes
• Employee skills benchmarking
• Learning and development needs analysis
• Internal mobility and promotion
• Measurement of language training outcomes

Employers can also establish different English proficiency requirements for different roles. A customer-facing employee, for example, may require a different combination of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills from an employee whose role focuses primarily on written communication.

Designed for modern organisations

Linguaskill Business is delivered online and on demand, allowing organisations to administer assessment when and where required.

AI and computer-adaptive technology tailor the assessment to the candidate’s ability, while results are reported against CEFR levels. Candidates receive a certificate and detailed results, while organisations can access group reporting to review results across cohorts.

CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is an international framework used to describe a person’s language ability. Instead of saying someone has “good English” or “intermediate English,” CEFR provides defined proficiency levels.

For employers managing teams across different functions, locations or markets, this provides a consistent framework for understanding English proficiency across the organisation.

Turning English proficiency into measurable workforce capability

Rather than relying solely on interviews, self-declared proficiency or different assessment approaches across departments, organisations can establish defined English standards for roles and measure employees and candidates against a common international framework.

This gives HR and business leaders stronger evidence to support recruitment, development and workforce planning decisions.

For organisations where English communication matters to employee performance, Linguaskill Business provides a scalable way to identify existing capability, uncover skills gaps and support targeted development.

To learn more about how Linguaskill Business can support recruitment and workforce development, visit Cambridge English https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/ 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cambridge-linguaskill-business-helps-employers-make-more-confident-hiring-and-workforce-decisions-302895469.html

SOURCE Cambridge English

Continue Reading

Technology

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

Published

on

By

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: contact@serviceevisa.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/three-in-four-travelers-get-their-esta-uk-eta-or-eta-right-the-first-time-service-evisa-index-finds-302891796.html

SOURCE Service eVisa

Continue Reading

Trending