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FROM SMARTPHONE TO PODIUM: CANDY CRUSH ALL STARS CROWNS ITS 2026 CHAMPION FOLLOWING MONTHS OF COMPETITION

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Candy Crush All Stars crowned its 2026 Champion. Luana from Brazil emerged victorious, amongst millions of players worldwide who competed for a coveted spot in the Live FinalOne of the biggest All Stars Live Final yet brought together finalists from the United States, Brazil, Germany, Spain, and beyond, in London to compete on stage for a share of the $1 million prize pool and a custom Icebox championship ringA brand-new bonus round added an extra layer of excitement to the Live Final, with one player winning an additional $10,000 in the tournament’s fastest-paced challenge yet

LONDON, June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What started on a phone screen ended on a live stage in London. Candy Crush All Stars has crowned its 2026 Champion. Luana from Bahia, Brazil claimed the title in the Live Final, after competing against millions of players from across the globe, emerging victorious at the tournament’s biggest-ever Live Final in London.

She takes home a share of $1 million and a custom Candy Crush-inspired championship ring from Icebox, a multicoloured showpiece set with sapphires, rubies, emeralds and pink sapphires crafted into the game’s most iconic shapes, from Colorbombs and clusters to red Candies brought to life in stone. At its centre, a spinning blue Wrapped Candy dome that’s as playful as the game itself, with the Candy Crush Saga name etched in gold along the band. Luana barely waited for the moment to sink in before she had the ring on her finger, a one-of-a-kind piece designed just for this moment and for the player who earned it.

The Live Final marked a major evolution for the competition, transforming what began as everyday mobile play into a full-scale live spectacle. Finalists from the United States, Brazil, Germany, Spain, and beyond, competed on stage in front of fans, family, and media. For the first time, the Live Final introduced a bonus round – a fast-paced, high-intensity challenge that pushed players to their limits in a way the competition has never seen before – with the winner of that bonus round walking away with an additional $10,000.

The Live Final brought together an extraordinary group of competitors, reflecting the scale and diversity of the Candy Crush community. Players travelled from across the globe to compete in London, including Ingrid and German, a husband and wife duo from California’s Bay Area, who both advanced to the final stage of the tournament independently, turns out two of the world’s best Candy Crush players have been sharing a household all along.

After weeks of competition spanning 25 countries and millions of other Candy Crush players to secure a spot at the Live Final, Luana, an art student from Bahia, Brazil, ultimately claimed the championship title in the Live Final, becoming the Candy Crush All Stars 2026 Champion.

“I started playing Candy Crush a while back, it was just something I loved to do, a game that always made small moments fun. I never imagined it would one day take me to a live stage in London to compete against the best players in the world. To come home as the Candy Crush All Stars 2026 Champion is something I will carry with me. I am so incredibly proud,” said Luana, Candy Crush All Stars 2026 Champion.

“At King, we’ve always believed that casual games can create moments of real skill, connection and joy at a huge scale. All Stars brings that to life in a way that only Candy Crush can. Seeing the finalists bring their passion and talent to a live stage in London to compete at such a high level is a powerful reminder of what makes our community so special. This tournament was built for our players, and they continue to surprise and inspire us,” said Todd Green, President at King.

With millions of players competing worldwide for a spot in the All Stars Live Final, and the Live Final returning to London at its most ambitious scale yet, Candy Crush continues to demonstrate the enduring appeal of shared play on a global scale. More than a decade after launch, the game remains one of the world’s most-loved mobile entertainment experiences, bringing joy to millions of players every day.

Candy Crush Saga® is free to download on iOS and Android. For more information, visit candycrushsaga.com.

*Candy Crush All Stars Tournament was held in London in 2021 on an intimate scale.

About Candy Crush Saga
Candy Crush Saga® is one of the world’s most popular mobile games. Millions of players around the globe match colorful candies in combinations of three or more to win points, defeat obstacles, and progress through more than 20,000 levels. In November 2022, Candy Crush Saga celebrated its 10-year anniversary. Candy Crush Saga is available to download for free from the Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon App Store, Windows App Store and Facebook.

About King
With a mission of Making the World Playful, King is a leading interactive entertainment company for the mobile world with more than 20 years of history of delivering some of the world’s most iconic games in the mobile gaming industry, including the world-famous Candy Crush franchise, as well as other mobile titles such as Farm Heroes Saga. King games are played by more than 200 million monthly active users. King, part of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), has Kingsters in Stockholm, Malmö, London, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Malta. More information can be found at King.com or by following us on LinkedIn, @lifeatking on Instagram.

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SOURCE Candy Crush Saga

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Cybersecurity Market to Reach USD 663.2 Billion by 2033 Amid Escalating Threat Landscape and Accelerating Digital Transformation

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Organizations worldwide increase investments in cloud security, AI-powered threat detection, and advanced cyber defense technologies as cyber risks continue to evolve.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global cybersecurity industry is entering a new phase of accelerated expansion as enterprises, governments, and critical infrastructure operators strengthen defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. According to recent market intelligence published by Grand View Research, the global cybersecurity market is expected to reach USD 663.2 billion by 2033, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% during the forecast period. The growth reflects rising demand for advanced security technologies capable of addressing ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns, malware intrusions, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and emerging AI-enabled cyber threats.

The growing digitalization of business operations, combined with widespread cloud adoption and remote workforce models, has significantly expanded the attack surface for organizations across industries. As enterprises increasingly rely on interconnected digital ecosystems, cybersecurity has become a strategic business priority rather than a purely IT-driven function.

Industry analysts note that modern enterprises are facing unprecedented pressure to secure sensitive data, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure business continuity. This shift is driving investments across multiple cybersecurity domains, including network security, endpoint protection, identity and access management, cloud security, threat intelligence, security analytics, and managed security services.

“The cybersecurity market is experiencing strong momentum as organizations respond to the increasing complexity of cyber risks,” said a market analyst at Grand View Research. “Digital transformation initiatives are creating new opportunities for innovation while simultaneously introducing new vulnerabilities that require advanced protection frameworks.”

Cloud Security Emerging as a High-Growth Segment

One of the most significant trends shaping the market is the rapid adoption of cloud-based security solutions. As organizations migrate critical workloads and applications to public, private, and hybrid cloud environments, cloud security has become a cornerstone of enterprise risk management strategies.

Grand View Research projects that the cloud segment accounted for the largest share of 67.7% in the global cybersecurity market in 2025, outpacing several traditional cybersecurity categories. The growth is fueled by the need for continuous monitoring, automated threat detection, secure access controls, and compliance management across distributed digital environments.

Cloud-native security architectures are enabling organizations to improve operational flexibility while reducing infrastructure costs. In addition, artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities are increasingly being integrated into cloud security platforms to support predictive threat detection and faster incident response.

Get free Sample of this research report for more insights

Artificial Intelligence Reshaping Cyber Defense Strategies

Artificial intelligence is becoming a transformative force within the cybersecurity ecosystem. Security teams are leveraging AI-driven solutions to identify anomalies, automate routine investigations, and respond to threats in real time.

Advanced analytics platforms can process vast amounts of security data, helping organizations detect suspicious behavior before it escalates into a significant incident. AI-powered threat intelligence solutions are also enabling enterprises to proactively identify vulnerabilities and reduce response times.

The convergence of AI, machine learning, behavioral analytics, and automation is expected to create new growth opportunities for cybersecurity vendors while helping enterprises address the global shortage of skilled security professionals.

Browse more latest Cybersecurity Industry Research Reports from Grand View Research

SMEs Increasingly Prioritizing Cybersecurity Investments

Historically, large enterprises represented the primary customer base for cybersecurity solutions. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are rapidly becoming an important growth segment.

The increasing affordability of cloud-based security platforms, coupled with rising awareness of cyber risks, is encouraging SMEs to adopt enterprise-grade security capabilities. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting smaller organizations due to perceived security gaps, making cybersecurity investments a critical business requirement regardless of company size.

As a result, managed security services, endpoint security solutions, and cloud-delivered security offerings are witnessing increased adoption among SMEs across multiple industry verticals.

Healthcare Sector Driving Demand for Advanced Protection

Healthcare organizations continue to emerge as high-priority targets for cybercriminals due to the value of patient records and sensitive medical data. Digital transformation initiatives, electronic health records, connected medical devices, and telehealth platforms have expanded cybersecurity requirements across the healthcare ecosystem.

Growing concerns related to ransomware attacks, data breaches, and regulatory compliance are encouraging healthcare providers to implement stronger cybersecurity frameworks. Industry observers expect healthcare to remain among the fastest-growing end-use segments within the cybersecurity market over the coming years.

Asia Pacific Positioned for Rapid Expansion

Regional analysis indicates that Asia Pacific is expected to record the fastest growth throughout the forecast period. Increasing digital adoption, expanding cloud infrastructure, rapid deployment of connected devices, and rising cybersecurity awareness are contributing to market expansion across key economies in the region.

Governments and enterprises throughout Asia Pacific are introducing cybersecurity initiatives aimed at protecting critical infrastructure, strengthening national cyber resilience, and supporting digital economic growth. These developments are expected to create substantial opportunities for technology providers operating within the region.

Industry Outlook

Looking ahead, cybersecurity will remain a fundamental pillar of digital business strategy. Organizations are expected to increase investments in zero-trust architectures, AI-powered threat detection, cloud security, identity management, and security operations automation.

As cyber threats continue to evolve in scale and sophistication, the demand for integrated, intelligent, and proactive security solutions is expected to drive sustained market expansion. Vendors capable of delivering scalable and adaptive cybersecurity platforms are likely to benefit from growing enterprise demand across both developed and emerging markets.

With cyber resilience becoming a boardroom-level priority, the cybersecurity industry is poised for long-term growth as organizations seek to safeguard digital assets, maintain customer trust, and support secure innovation in an increasingly connected world.

To learn more about growth opportunities in the Cybersecurity market, access the full report from Grand View Research

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Explore Grand View Brainshare – Delivering value and creating impact for our clients through actionable business insights

Contact:

Michelle Thoras
Corporate Sales Specialist, USA
Grand View Research, Inc.
Phone: 1-415-349-0058
Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519
Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com
Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com
Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Blog – https://globalindustryherald.com/

 

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.

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Bloomberg Tax Report Examines Growing Debate Over State Data Center Tax Incentives

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ARLINGTON, Va., June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bloomberg Tax today released a special report examining the growing scrutiny surrounding state tax incentives for data centers, as lawmakers weigh the economic benefits of attracting large-scale technology investment against mounting concerns over energy demand and state budget pressures.

The report explores how states are reevaluating incentives designed to attract data center development, including sales tax exemptions for equipment and servers. This year, 28 of the 38 states offering some form of data center tax incentive considered legislation to scale back or eliminate those benefits. Despite increased scrutiny, the report finds the incentives are likely to remain a key economic development tool as states compete for investment tied to artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure expansion.

Designed for corporate tax departments, tax advisers, law firms, and government affairs professionals, the report provides analysis and practical guidance to help organizations navigate the rapidly evolving policy landscape surrounding data center investment.

The report includes:

An analysis examining the political and fiscal debate over state data center tax incentives and the likelihood of renewed legislative battles in 2027An expert Insight detailing the scale of capital investment underway in data centers and outlining strategies for optimizing federal and state tax benefitsAn infographic and state-by-state map highlighting about two dozen of the 38 states currently offering data center tax incentives, with data from BloombergNEF researchAccess points to Bloomberg Tax’s Data Centers Watch resource hub, including chart builders covering sales and use taxes, property taxes, and credits and incentives

To download the report, visit https://aboutbtax.com/bl1k.

About Bloomberg Tax & Accounting

Bloomberg Tax delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to help tax and accounting professionals navigate a complex global landscape. By combining practitioner-driven insights with intelligent, AI-powered tools, we provide the expertise you need to ensure compliance, streamline workflows, and drive strategic decision-making. Our integrated solutions simplify intricate calculations and adapt to changing regulations in real time, empowering your organization to mitigate risk, optimize tax strategies, and achieve measurable results with confidence and precision. 

Bloomberg Tax is part of Bloomberg Industry Group, an affiliate of Bloomberg L.P., a global leader in business and financial information, data, news, and insights.

For more information, visit bloombergtax.com.

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SOURCE Bloomberg Tax

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Topaz Labs releases Mac-focused update, 2X faster results for upscaling & enhancing images

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DALLAS, June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AI image and video enhancement leader Topaz Labs today announced its “Mac is Faster” release powered by its proprietary acceleration technology, Topaz NeuroStream 2. The update gives a speed boost to Mac users upscaling and enhancing images on local hardware—1.7x to 2x faster than existing technology.

This speed boost applies to Topaz Labs’ large diffusion-based image models available in both Topaz Photo and Topaz Gigapixel desktop applications:

Wonder 2 – Image upscaling, denoising, and sharpening, all in one click.Denoise Max – Powerful noise and grain removal. (Topaz Photo only)Super Focus 3 – Detail restoration in images with soft focus. (Topaz Photo only)Face Recovery 3 – Identity preservation in photos with low resolution and degraded quality.

“Supercharging workflows just got easier,” says Xiaoyu (Kevin) Wang, Partner and Head of AI at Topaz Labs. “We’ve doubled the speed of our industry-leading Mac image upscaler, allowing Studio users to process massive 200MP images in half the time. We remain deeply committed to providing Mac users with unmatched quality and performance.”

Detailed Speed Information:

Model

Chip

Enhancement

Previous Speed
(seconds/megapixel)

New Speed
(seconds/megapixel)

Speedup Total

Wonder 3

M4

4X Upscale

9.76

5.62

1.74x

Denoise Max

M4

Denoising (s=1.0)

10.40

5.54

1.88x

Super Focus 3

M1

Sharpening

20.37

10.72

1.90x

Users interested in purchasing Topaz Photo can visit https://www.topazlabs.com/topaz-photo, while Topaz Gigapixel is available at https://www.topazlabs.com/topaz-gigapixel.

Minimum hardware requirements can be found at https://docs.topazlabs.com/topaz-photo/system-requirements, which includes an automated Mac Compatibility Check option.

About Topaz Labs
Founded in 2005, Topaz Labs is a leader in AI-powered image and video enhancement. Its technology is used by millions of customers, including 20 of the world’s 50 largest companies. Known for industry-leading products like Topaz Photo, Topaz Video, Topaz Gigapixel, Astra and Bloom, the company invests heavily in research and development, advancing the future of image and video quality.

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SOURCE Topaz Labs

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