Author: Sai Krishna

Chandigarh University Electronics & Communication Engineers Develop Solar Powered Robot for Garbage Management

Granted Patent for Developing Touch Free Garbage Collection, Segregation and Disposal System

CHANDIGARH, India, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In a bid to addresses the challenges of labour-intensive garbage collection and segregation, a team of Chandigarh University (CU) researchers has conceived and patented a solar-powered mobile robotic garbage collection system for automatic segregation and disposal of the garbage.

Chandigarh University researchers including Prof (Dr) Nitin Sharma, Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE), Chandigarh University along with Dr Paras Chawla, former professor at CU’s ECE department and three ECE students Hemant Kalia, Jayant Pathak, and Ritesh Sharma have been granted a patent for this invention titled ‘Garbage Collection System and Method Thereof’ by the Patent Office, Government of India in June 2026.

Sharing details of the invention, Prof (Dr) Nitin Sharma said, “India is constantly facing difficulty in managing its municipal solid waste due to its increasing population, urbanization, and lack of land for final disposal of their waste. Solid waste consists of a highly mixed mass of discarded materials. This waste mixed with liquid waste is very difficult for labourers to collect and the manual segregation of waste is time-consuming and also causes health problems for the labourers. So the segregation of waste at source is very important as it reduces the cost of transport and treatment of waste. The process of segregating waste at source decreases the segregation cost but the human efforts are required to collect the waste from the dustbin.”

“The Garbage Collection System and Method conceived by us for automatically locating, collecting and segregating garbage. This solar-powered mobile robotic garbage collection system does not require any human involvement in performing tasks. It picks up waste, separates it into wet and dry categories, compresses the waste to increase storage capacity, monitors the chambers for filling and smoke, and transports the collected waste to a designated dumping site. It not only reduces transport and treatment cost of garbage, this system generates its own power through renewable resources,” he added. 

Prof Sharma further said, “This garbage collection system comprises of a housing mounted on 360-degree wheels, allowing the machine to move or turn in different directions automatically. The system comprises wet and dry chambers attached to the housing for storing collected garbage. A vision sensor is configured to detect objects in front of the system and determine whether an object is garbage or an obstacle. Upon identification of garbage, the system is configured to collect the garbage using a robotic arm. The collected garbage is then analyzed using a capacitive sensor to determine whether it is wet or dry. Based on the detected type, the garbage is directed to the respective wet or dry chamber. Both chambers comprise a compressor unit configured to compress the collected garbage, thereby reducing its volume and creating additional storage space within the chambers. A pressure sensor is provided to monitor the pressure applied during the compression process. Once the chambers reach their designated capacity, the system is configured to locate the nearest dumping site for disposal of the collected garbage. The system further comprises a smoke sensor configured to detect the presence of smoke within the chambers, a GPS module for tracking the location of the system, and an Arduino microcontroller configured to control and coordinate the various operations of the system. The method for garbage collecting system comprising the steps of unlocking the system through fingerprint lock. Solar panels mounted on the machine generate electricity and charge a battery. A light sensor can adjust the position of the panels toward sunlight to improve efficiency.”

Congratulating Chandigarh University researchers for getting the patent for attendance-based health monitoring system, Deepinder Singh Sandhu, Senior Managing Director, Chandigarh University said, “This achievement reflects the strong research and innovation eco-system at Chandigarh University to support research excellence and intellectual property generation for advancement of technology. Chandigarh University’s students and faculty members have filed more than 6,100 patents out of which 5,800 patents have been published and 260 patents have been granted. Chandigarh University is ranked number one as a single institution in India for filing highest number of patents. CU’s 44 faculty members featured in Stanford University–Elsevier list of the world’s top 2% scientists. Making research a core pillar of education, Chandigarh University nurtures next-generation leaders in emerging domains with its research-intensive, innovation-driven and unique experiential learning model. Establishing a strong presence in global academic databases, CU has produced 25,000+ scholarly documents in key areas including engineering, computer science, life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences and management, according to Scopus. Over 1.53 lakh Scopus citations of CU’s diverse research output reflects a robust and growing research ecosystem.”

“The range of research activities at Chandigarh University is wide-ranging and profound. University scholars conduct research in practically every domain, and pursue to develop human knowledge through investigation, invention, and understanding. Chandigarh University is recognized as Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) for promoting and advancing the research. To amplify research, Chandigarh University has dedicated an annual budget of Rs 15 Crore for research and has also 60 Research Centres and 15 Centres of Excellence. CU’s research initiatives are further strengthened by 67 projects funded by the corporate sector and government bodies with Rs 90 Crore,” he added.

About Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.

Website address: https://www.cuchd.in/

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Institutional-Grade Allocation in a Single Account: BiFu’s Wealth Suite Takes Shape, Bringing Managed Funds and RWA Under One Roof

HONG KONG, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BiFu, an all-asset trading platform, has completed the build-out of its Wealth suite, which runs on two product lines: a Wealth product line offering five funds managed by licensed asset management institutions across fixed income, gold, quantitative strategies, Hong Kong IPOs, and foreign exchange; and an RWA (real-world assets) product line that brings tokenized private-market equity on-chain, opening a category once reserved for institutions and high-net-worth investors.

These are not two separate features. They answer the same question: once a user’s capital crosses a certain threshold, what else can an exchange offer?

The Industry Backdrop: RWA Is Now a $38 Billion Market

According to industry data platform RWA.xyz, as of August 2026, total on-chain RWA value stands at roughly $38 billion, total asset holders have surpassed 2 million, up more than 60% in 30 days, and asset issuers number 281.

Two numbers deserve a closer look. First, holder growth is far outpacing growth in total value: new inflows are dominated by smaller tickets, and RWA is moving from an institutional niche toward retail adoption. Second, 281 issuers against two million holders means supply remains scarce, which helps explain why leading offerings fill their subscription windows quickly.

The asset mix, however, is a reminder that RWA is not shorthand for “low risk.” US Treasuries, at roughly $14.7 billion, are a conservative core holding; but commodities, private credit, equities, private equity, and alternative funds sit closer to the medium-to-high end of the risk spectrum.

BiFu’s read: Treasuries and commodities solve a yield problem, but the real growth frontier lies in private equity and alternative funds, because those solve an access problem. What retail investors lack is not an extra point of yield. It is access to assets they simply cannot buy.

The Wealth Line: Five Funds, Five Distinct Sources of Return

BiFu’s Wealth product line currently hosts five funds, all rated Medium Risk, whose underlying assets do not overlap: a compact allocation shelf rather than a product list.

FX Stable Return Fund: expected annualized rate of return of 8.00% to 10.00%, a 365-day offering cycle, initial investment of 10,000 USDT, and a subscription quota of 5,000,000 USDT. The fund invests in a master fund established by Trivesta Group in the Cayman Islands, managed through foreign exchange (FX) and precious metals (including gold) trading strategies within an established risk management framework focused on controlling volatility and drawdowns.

Gold Spot Enhanced Fund: It adopts a classic strategy of “gold spot base holdings + dynamic option yield enhancement (e.g., covered calls)”, capturing gold’s long-term appreciation Beta through spot positions while earning option premium Alpha during market consolidation. Managed by Duxton Asset Management.

Ark One Quantitative Fund: expected annualized rate of return of 15.00%, a 365-day cycle, initial investment of 20,000 USDT, a quota of 5,000,000 USDT, and recruitment progress of 69.85%. The only fund with digital assets as the underlying, it is an arbitrage yield-enhanced quantitative fund of funds combining “steady arbitrage + flexible timing enhancement” to navigate bull and bear cycles. Primary manager Wellspring Asset Management holds a BVI Approved Manager license, with over 7 years of crypto quantitative experience and historical AUM exceeding USD 140 million; Shenwan Hongyuan Securities (Singapore) acts as co-manager.

Stable Yield Fixed Income Fund: expected annualized rate of return of 7.00%, a 180-day cycle, initial investment of 5,000 USDT, a quota of 5,000,000 USDT, and recruitment progress of 75.39%. The only six-month product, it adopts the MAS-regulated VCC structure and invests in supply chain finance assets with a real trade background, targeting counter-cyclical industries such as packaging, plastics, and deep processing of agricultural products. Duxton Asset Management is primary manager, with Shenwan Hongyuan Securities (Singapore) as co-manager.

HKEX Anchor Investment Flagship Fund: expected annualized rate of return of 15.00%, a 365-day cycle, initial investment of 10,000 USDT, a quota of 5,000,000 USDT, and recruitment progress of 56.92%. Managed by Duxton Asset Management, it directly participates in the offline anchor placement of high-quality unicorn IPOs on the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), capturing initial offering dividends while avoiding long-term secondary market volatility.

The shelf has a clear layered design: fixed income, FX, Hong Kong IPOs, gold, and crypto quant each contribute a distinct return stream, with entry points tiered from 1,000 to 20,000 USDT.

All product information is drawn from BiFu’s public website and does not constitute investment advice or any promise of returns. Expected annualized rates are projections, not guarantees; past performance is not indicative of future results, and investments involve the risk of principal loss.

The Manager Lineup: A Licensed Roster Rarely Seen in Crypto Wealth Products

Duxton Asset Management, founded in 2009, is dually regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS, holding a CMS license) and Australia’s ASIC. Its core team originated from the Asset Management division of Deutsche Bank, with 17 years in cross-border investment and wealth management. Shenwan Hongyuan Securities (Singapore) is a holding subsidiary of a large comprehensive securities firm directly under China Investment Corporation (CIC) and Central Huijin. Wellspring Asset Management holds a BVI Approved Manager license and specializes in digital asset quantitative hedging. Trivesta Group covers the FX and precious metals mandate and issues two equity projects on the RWA line.

Under BiFu’s roadmap, the Wealth suite will operate as an open venue: the platform provides the compliance rails, user base, and settlement infrastructure, and invites additional licensed asset managers to issue products and assets.

The RWA Line: Turning Private-Market Tickets into Stablecoin-Sized Shares

BiFu’s RWA Project List currently features three investable projects, all structured as funds and rated Medium Risk:

StepFun Equity Project: initial investment of $15,000, issued by Trivesta Group, scale upper limit of $5,000,000, recruitment progress 56.91%. It invests in the Pre-IPO equity of StepFun, a leading unicorn in China’s Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) sector, standing in the domestic first tier for multi-modal large model technology.

Sunrise Equity Project: initial investment of $20,000, also issued by Trivesta Group, scale upper limit of $5,000,000, recruitment progress 41.65%. It invests in Sunrise, a scarce target in China’s AI computing infrastructure sector focused on the independent R&D of dedicated GPUs for large model inference.

Musk Unicorn Opportunities Fund: initial investment of $50,000, managed by Duxton Asset Management, scale upper limit of $10,000,000, now marked Fundraising Closed. A Pre-IPO unicorn opportunities fund holds scarce equity of pre-listing tech giants through a compliant fund structure.

All three are private-market equity that ordinary investors can barely reach through traditional channels. This is where RWA delivers its most tangible value: allocations that once started at a million dollars compress to $15,000 to $50,000, subscribable in stablecoins. It converts what people could not buy into products they can hold by the share. Private-market equity remains medium-to-high risk, and expected annualization figures do not constitute any guarantee of returns.

For Asset Issuers: BiFu’s Next Phase

RWA is a two-sided market. BiFu has laid out the path it will offer asset issuers going forward, in three steps: asset tokenization, market trading, and investment allocation. Projects move from application through compliance structuring to token issuance; tokens then list, connect to liquidity, and open to global investors, who allocate in stablecoins and can exit through the secondary market. 

BiFu’s support spans compliance architecture, smart contracts, and full-cycle issuance services, underpinned by partner law firms, auditors, and custodians. For asset owners, fundraising and liquidity get solved together: a tokenized issuance creates a continuously tradable market the moment the raise completes.

The Second Half for Exchanges Is a Contest of Asset Supply

As the industry settles into a battle for existing users, pure trading-efficiency gains yield less and less. BiFu’s Wealth suite points to a different path: the core competency of an exchange is shifting from matching trades to organizing assets. Whoever can source assets others cannot, and package institutional-grade structures into retail-accessible shares, will keep the users with the largest balances.

Users still need only one account. What that account can hold is expanding from crypto to gold, foreign exchange, supply chain finance, Hong Kong IPOs, and private-market equity.

About BiFu

BiFu is a next-generation all-asset trading platform connecting trading, assets, and future markets. Through a unified account system, BiFu offers crypto derivatives, FX CFDs, tokenized stocks and RWA, prediction markets, Earn, and copy trading.

One Account, Trade the World.

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NagaWorld Earns Great Place To Work® Certification™ in 2026 with an Outstanding 97% Trust Index™ Score

HONG KONG, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NagaCorp Ltd. (“NagaCorp” or the “Company”, SEHK Stock Code: 3918), together with its subsidiary NagaWorld, a leading Integrated Resort in the Mekong Region, is pleased to announce the continuation of the Great Place To Work^® Certification^™ for another consecutive year. NagaWorld achieved an exceptional Trust Index^™ score of 97%, up from 95% last year and well above the industry standard of 65%. The stronger results reflect a workplace built on trust, respect, and genuine employee engagement — qualities that are especially significant in the hospitality sector, where employee experience translates directly into guest experience and business performance. This recognition is earned through the voices of employees themselves, and is guided by the Company’s CARES values of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Sustainability, which continue to underpin an inclusive workplace culture where diversity of background and perspective is valued, and equal opportunity is upheld as a fundamental principle.

The Company remains committed to investing in its people through learning, career development, and leadership opportunities. Employee feedback is not only measured but acted upon, reinforcing the Group’s position as an employer of choice for individuals seeking to build meaningful careers. While this certification marks a proud milestone, the Company regards it as part of a continuous journey towards an even better workplace — one that belongs to every employee whose passion, collaboration, and commitment make the organisation exceptional.

“NagaWorld’s growth in workplace culture and excellence has been best demonstrated by our own Naga family members who show up each day with an earnestness for personal growth and have an inherent sincerity in practising local hospitality and culture in our service offerings,” said Mr. Chen Yiy Fon, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of NagaCorp. “I am proud of each one of our members and congratulate you on achieving the Great Place To Work^® Certification^™ for a second year. Ours is a workplace culture that each of you has helped build, centred around trust and respect, not just performance targets. We also thank the Great Place To Work^® organisation for recognising and featuring the growth taking place in Cambodia. As NagaWorld continues to grow and evolve our determination to improve with our people will not change. We will continue to invest in human resource best practices, continue to listen to feedback, and keep building a workplace of excellence and mutual respect that will fundamentally help us make a difference in the communities we operate in and contribute to in this fast-emerging economy.”

This achievement further underscores the success of the Company’s Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (SCSR) initiatives, ensuring that employees are not only empowered and rewarded, but also active participants in creating a positive impact on the wider community. Reinforcing its continued progress in sustainability leadership, NagaCorp’s inaugural inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series marks a significant milestone in its ESG journey, reflecting enhanced ESG practices, strengthened sustainability governance, and the embedding of responsible business considerations across its operations. Together, these accomplishments highlight NagaCorp’s dedication to advancing its SCSR goals and delivering tangible, sustained value for employees, communities, and the environment.

Key SCSR achievements driving this year’s higher certification score and demonstrating continued progress include:

• Turning Awareness into Action for a Cleaner, Greener Cambodia — Advancing environmental sustainability and community education through the “An Ocean of Plastic” exhibition, the Clean and Green School Programme, and the Green Cambodia: Tree Planting Programme, engaging 79 schools, delivering 40 environmental workshops, collecting 5 tonnes of plastic for recycling, and raising school cleanliness standards from 55% to 96%. Since 2014, more than 32,000 saplings have been planted, while 62,500 tree seedlings were distributed in 2026 alone.
  
  
  
  
• Empowering Employees, Creating Community Impact — The Impact Initiator Programme inspires employees to lead community initiatives spanning education, student welfare, school infrastructure, and sustainability, from digital literacy and enrichment programmes to school materials, improved learning environments, and community vegetable gardens, turning employee-led ideas into tangible impact while building leadership capabilities.
  
  
  
  
• Holistic Employee Well-being and Engagement — Employee welfare is supported through fitness, wellness, and community events, including growing participation in the Women Run 10K and Phnom Penh International Half Marathon, as well as the Company-hosted NagaRun and Earth Hour 5K Fun Run. The expansion of NagaMart, alongside live cooking demonstrations promoting healthy eating, further supports employees’ everyday well-being.
  
  
  
  
• Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — The Company is committed to a vibrant, inclusive workplace underpinned by equal opportunity and fair treatment, actively nurturing local talent and advancing women’s leadership. Women represent 49.9% of the total workforce and 33% of managerial positions, reflecting continued progress towards a balanced and inclusive organisation.

NagaCorp remains committed to integrating sustainability and responsible business practices into its long-term strategy, recognising that sustainable performance is driven by strong governance, engaged employees, and meaningful community impact. Collectively, these achievements reinforce the Company’s commitment to “Shaping Tomorrow, Together” and to delivering sustainable, long-term value for all stakeholders.

ABOUT NAGACORP LTD. 

NagaCorp Ltd. has been listed on The Hong Kong Stock Exchange since October 2006 (SEHK stock code: 3918). Established in 1995, NagaCorp’s wholly owned subsidiary NagaWorld Ltd. owns, manages and operates the only world-class integrated entertainment and leisure complex in Phnom Penh, the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. It owns a casino licence valid for 70 years, and exclusive gaming rights for a period of 51 years (1995-2045). NagaCorp was selected for inclusion in the Hang Seng Foreign Companies Composite Index launched on 5 September 2011. On 10 September 2018, the Group was included as a constituent of the Hang Seng Composite Large Cap & Mid Cap Index.  On 13 March 2023, the Group was listed as one of the eligible securities for Southbound Trading under Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect.

Learn more at nagacorp.com and follow NagaCorp on LinkedIn.

ABOUT NAGAWORLD LIMITED

Since our opening in 1995, NagaWorld has been at the forefront in the development of Cambodia’s dynamic tourism industry, working closely with various governmental stakeholders. As one of the nation’s largest private employers in the hospitality sector, we have over the years trained numerous employees in world-class service standards who have since moved on to further contribute to the vibrant hospitality sector in Cambodia. At NagaWorld, we believe that building a great workplace is not only about business performance but also about shaping a sustainable future for our employees, our guests, and the communities we serve.

Learn more at nagaworld.com and follow NagaWorld on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About Great Place To Work^® Certification^™

Great Place To Work^® Certification^™ is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place To Work Certification is recognised worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognising outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.

ABOUT GREAT PLACE TO WORK^®

As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work^® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified™ or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List.

Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work^® on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

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Royal Caribbean Group announces completion of offering of $1.25 billion senior unsecured notes due 2034

MIAMI, Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) (the “Company”) today announced that it has completed its registered public offering of $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.550% senior unsecured notes due 2034 (the “Notes”). The Notes will mature on January 20, 2034, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its floating rate term loan facilities and any remaining net proceeds to repay or refinance other existing indebtedness.

BNP Paribas Securities Corp., BofA Securities, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as lead book-running managers for the offering.

The Notes were offered and sold pursuant to an automatic shelf registration statement (including a prospectus) that was filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2024, and became effective upon filing.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release relating to, among other things, the offering and sale of the Notes constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited, to: statements regarding terms of the offering of the Notes and the intended use of proceeds. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “committed,” “could,” “driving,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “encouraged,” “project,” “shaping up,” “position,” “allows,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “considering,” and similar expressions are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations, are based on judgments, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the following: the impact of the economic and geopolitical environment on key aspects of the Company’s business, such as the demand for cruises, passenger spending, and operating costs; changes in operating costs; the unavailability or cost of air service; incidents or adverse publicity concerning the Company’s ships, port facilities, land destinations and/or passengers or the cruise vacation industry in general; the effects of weather, climate events and/or natural disasters on the Company’s business; risks related to the Company’s sustainability activities; the impact of issues at shipyards, including ship delivery delays or ship construction cost increases; shipyard unavailability; unavailability of ports of call; vacation industry competition and increase in industry capacity; inability to manage the Company’s cost and capital allocation strategies; the uncertainties of conducting business globally and expanding into new markets and new ventures, including potential acquisitions; issues with travel advisers that sell and market the Company’s cruises; reliance on third-party service providers; potential unavailability of insurance coverage; disease outbreaks and increased concern about the risk of illness on the Company’s ships or when travelling to or from the Company’s ships, which could cause a decrease in demand, guest cancellations, and ship redeployments; the risks and costs related to cyber security attacks, data breaches, protecting the Company’s systems and maintaining data integrity and security; uncertainties of a foreign legal system as the Company is not incorporated in the United States; the Company’s ability to obtain sufficient financing or capital to fund its capital expenditures, operations, debt repayments and other financing needs; the Company’s expectation and ability to pay a cash dividend on its common stock in the future; changes to the Company’s dividend policy; growing anti-tourism sentiments and environmental concerns; changes in U.S. or other countries’ foreign travel policy; impact of new or changing legislation and regulations (including environmental regulations) or governmental orders on the Company’s business; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, fuel prices and interest rates; further impairments of the Company’s goodwill, long-lived assets, equity investments and notes receivable; an inability to source crew or provisions and supplies from certain places; the Company’s ability to recruit, develop and retain high quality personnel; and pending or threatened litigation, investigations and enforcement actions.

Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of actual results. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group is a leading global vacation company spanning cruise, exclusive destinations, and land-based vacation experiences. The company operates 71 ships sailing to more than 1,000 destinations across all seven continents through its three wholly owned brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea – and a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises, which operates the Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd brands.

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Apollo Hospitals launches ‘Always Open, Always Here’, a global first in healthcare from India

NEW DELHI, Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Apollo Hospitals launched ‘Always Open. Always Here.’, a first-of-its-kind initiative that makes routine and planned healthcare services available across all seven days of the week, including Sundays.

Apollo’s emergency, critical care and inpatient services have always been available 24×7. The new initiative extends Sunday access to outpatient consultations, diagnostics, preventive health checks, follow-up consultations and scheduled procedures, helping patients and families seek timely care without waiting for a weekday.

According to Apollo’s Health of the Nation 2026 Report, the rising burden of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and metabolic disorders is increasingly affecting Indians during their most productive years.

Our Zen Health Program —comprehensive and advanced assessments—detects the earliest signs of disease, often before symptoms appear.

Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “For more than four decades, Apollo has believed that healthcare is not only about treating illness, but about protecting health and preventing disease. ‘Always Open. Always Here.’ is a continuation of that promise. We have always been available for emergencies and critical care. We are now extending the same commitment to routine and preventive care across all seven days of the week. This is our seal of service to every Indian.”

He added, “This initiative is also a tribute to every doctor, nurse, technician and healthcare worker at Apollo, and to their families. Healthcare is a profession built on service above self. Their commitment allows us to take this step for patients and families across India. If one timely consultation helps detect disease early or prevent a crisis, we would have changed a life. If we inspire millions to choose care before crisis, we would have changed the future.”

Since 1983, Apollo has played a defining role in Indian healthcare: cardiac surgeries that had never before been performed in India; South Asia’s first Proton Cancer Centre; preventive care pioneered through the Master Health Check, which has touched over 30 million lives; and one of the world’s busiest solid-organ transplant programmes. Apollo Prohealth has been the first AI-powered risk prediction and analysis designed to help individuals identify health risks earlier and take informed action before conditions progress. Patients from over 150 countries now walk through Apollo’s doors.

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Sanjeev Prasad Joins Trianz as Chief Human Resources Officer to Lead People Strategy Across AI-Powered Transformation

HERNDON, Va. and BENGALURU, India, Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trianz, the company behind Concierto – the enterprise agentic transformation platform – announced the appointment of Sanjeev Prasad as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). In this role, Sanjeev will lead people strategy, talent development, organizational design, and culture initiatives across Trianz’s global operations as the company scales to meet explosive demand for AI-driven transformation. He reports directly to Sri Manchala, Chief Executive Officer of Trianz.

Scaling People as Infrastructure for Transformation

Sanjeev brings nearly three decades of experience building and transforming people and organizations across India’s technology industry, with a deep track record of scaling innovation-driven cultures. Most notably, he spent over 12 years leading the People Team at Samsung R&D Institute India – Bangalore (SRI-B), Samsung Electronics’ largest R&D centre outside Korea. There, he orchestrated organizational growth and talent transformation for a world-class engineering operation, managing the complex human dynamics of scaling research, innovation, and technical excellence across thousands of engineers.

His earlier career spans significant leadership tenure at Nokia, where he served as Head of HR for the Devices division during a critical period of industry transformation. Earlier in his career, at Trilogy, he held the role of Director of Human Resources, leading the HR function for Trilogy India. At HCL Technologies, he served as Senior Manager of Human Resources Development during the formative years of India’s IT services industry growth. He is a postgraduate of XLRI Jamshedpur in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations, bringing both strategic rigor and deep grounding in people-centered organizational design.

Keeping Human Intelligence at the Centre of AI Transformation

As Trianz accelerates its ‘Transformation Services as a Software’ model and scales Concierto globally across new markets, the company faces a critical challenge: how to build and sustain world-class teams that thrive in an AI-enabled environment while keeping human intelligence, judgment, and potential at the centre of every transformation.

Sanjeev’s appointment reflects Trianz’s conviction that scaling a transformation company is fundamentally about building world-class people and culture. The platform is only as powerful as the teams deploying it, the leadership it attracts, and the culture that sustains excellence at scale. Sanjeev’s experience in building high-performing teams and people-first cultures across global tech companies positions him to lead this critical function.

“At a moment when Trianz is crossing into a new phase of global scale and AI-driven transformation leadership, we needed a CHRO who understood both the technical soul of transformation and the human dynamics required to sustain it. Sanjeev brings decades of experience proving he can build world-class engineering cultures at scale across multiple geographies and organizational contexts. He understands what it takes to recruit, develop, and retain the calibre of talent required to lead enterprise transformation. As we expand Concierto across new markets and deepen our advisory capabilities, having Sanjeev lead our people strategy is a statement about where we are headed — a company where human intelligence and organizational excellence are core competitive advantages.”

— Sri Manchala, Chief Executive Officer, Trianz

“Over the past nearly three decades, I have witnessed and helped shape how technology and organizations have evolved together across global companies. Now, joining Trianz at this moment, I see perhaps the most consequential transformation yet: AI-led digital transformation of enterprise operations. Our opportunity is twofold – to help organizations harness AI for meaningful business and societal impact, while keeping human intelligence, judgment, and potential at the centre. I look forward to creating an organization where great people choose to do their best work.”

— Sanjeev Prasad, Chief Human Resources Officer, Trianz

About Trianz

Trianz is a technology company that accelerates enterprise business transformation through a ‘Transformation Services as a Software’ model, combining deep consulting expertise with its proprietary Concierto platform. Founded over 25 years ago, Trianz serves Fortune 5000 enterprises, government agencies, and education institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The company partners with all top hyperscalers in premium tiers and has built a growing ecosystem of global systems integrators, managed service providers, and distributors that use Concierto to deliver transformation outcomes to their own clients. For more information, visit trianz.com.

About Concierto

Concierto by Trianz is a unified transformation platform that enables enterprises to discover, migrate, modernize, manage, and optimize their entire technology estate across multiple clouds from a single interface. With five integrated solutions — Migrate, Modernize, Manage, Maximize, and Intelligence — Concierto replaces fragmented point tools with a connected, AI-powered platform built for enterprise-grade security, governance, and scale. The platform is designed to deliver measurable transformation outcomes: faster time to value, reduced operational complexity, and a consistent operating model across cloud environments. For more information, visit concierto.cloud.

Media Contact

Prashant Bhavaraju

media.contact@trianz.com 

+1-703-793-0101

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Bybit Launches AI Future City Campaign Connecting AI Market Themes With TradFi Perpetuals

DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has launched “Build Your AI Future City,” a gamified experience for global traders bullish on the AI revolution. From now until September 20, 2026, eligible Bybit users can collect and swap AI-themed digital landmarks symbolizing six companies at the center of the AI supply chain, with a combined prize pool of up to $300,000, including rewards of up to $2,500 per user.

The six “AI Future City” landmarks map to SanDisk, NVIDIA, Marvell, Dell, Oracle and Adobe, all recognized as top players in the AI and semiconductor industry, and with scheduled earnings reports throughout August and September. Prizes for landmark collection and leaderboard rankings are paid out as position airdrops on the six companies’ TradFi Perpetual Contracts on Bybit.

Once enrolled, eligible users can trade, refer, and win rewards in three segments:

• “Build Your City”: Users can complete simple tasks, such as registering for the campaign, sharing on social media and inviting new users, to collect fragments representing six AI landmarks. Collecting all six unlocks a $1,000 Genesis Grand Prize, available to the first 500 qualifying users on a first-come, first-served basis.
• “Grow Your City”: Users compete on a live leaderboard based on the number of qualified referrals, or “AI City Citizens,” they bring in. The top 200 ranked users share a prize pool of up to $20,000, with individual rewards of up to $1,400.
• “Citizen Bonus”: Referrers and their invitees can additionally earn up to $32 in evergreen referral rewards. In-scope activities include deposit, fiat channel usage and trading volume milestones, independent of the AI Future City mechanics.

AI is reshaping global markets at a pace few sectors have matched, and that window is brief and crucial for global traders. Build Your AI Future City gives global Bybit users a low-friction way to engage with this moment now, turning referral activity into direct exposure to the companies building AI’s infrastructure ahead of the curve.

Build Your AI Future City embodies Bybit’s broader TradFi and RWA (Real-World Asset) strategy. On top of over 400 assets via Bybit TradFi, its established CFD trading platform, and expanding utilities of tokenized RWA assets on the platform as collateral or yield-bearing instruments, Bybit also introduced TradFi Perpetual Contracts in April 2026. Bybit TradFi Perpetuals have since listed over 200 trading pairs spanning global equities, ETFs, precious metals and crude oil, with coverage across the US and Asia, including unique pre-IPO asset perpetuals.

Trading carries risk, and terms and conditions apply. The event is available to eligible Bybit users globally, subject to regional or account restrictions. For full mechanics, eligibility terms and reward schedules, users may visit: Build Your AI Future City: Invite friends and earn up to $2,500

#Bybit  / #NewFinancialPlatform 

About Bybit

Bybit is The New Financial Platform.

We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.

Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.

Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.

Learn more at Bybit.com

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

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Defense Tech Firm Lyntris Celebrates Recent IPO: NYSE Content Update

NYSE issues a pre-market daily advisory direct from the trading floor.

NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today’s NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins. 

Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on August 20th

• NYSE Live will provide extensive coverage of Lyntris (NYSE: LYNX) celebration.
  • Programming will include coverage of the firm’s remarks and an interview with CEO Brian Morrison.
  • Arkaea Media Group CEO Mo Islam will join to dive deeper into Lyntris’ mission and the trends impacting the defense tech industry.
• AI-startup Etched announces $700 million in a new funding round.
  • The deal gives Etched a $21 billion valuation, doubling in one month.
  • Joshua Rahn, an investor and co-founder of VC firm Oceans, will join to explain why he is confident about Etched’s future.
• President Trump met with cryptocurrency executives on Wednesday.
  • The price of bitcoin topped $70,000 for the first time since early June.
  • Shares of Global X NYSE 100 components Circle (NYSE: CRCL), Strategy, and BitMine each popped by more than 9% on Wednesday.

Opening Bell

Lyntris (NYSE: LYNX) celebrates its IPO

Closing Bell

M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) celebrates their Residential Mortgage Servicing Team

For market insights, IPO activity, and today’s opening bell, download the NYSE TV App and check out the NYSE YouTube: TV.NYSE.com and YouTube.com/@NYSEofficial

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First-Generation Immigrant Brings Bus Manufacturing Back to Michigan After Five Years

Pareto Mobility opens a 50,000-square-foot Plymouth facility to manufacture Step-Free™ low-floor commercial buses

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pareto Mobility LLC announced the opening of its 50,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly facility at the Burroughs campus in Plymouth, Michigan. Led by first-generation immigrant and inventor AJ Kumar, the facility brings commercial bus manufacturing back to Michigan five years after Champion Bus ceased operations in the state in 2021.

The facility will manufacture Pareto Mobility’s Step-Free™, America’s first fully flat, low-floor commercial bus, designed to make accessible transportation safer, more convenient, and more affordable for transit agencies, senior-living communities, healthcare providers, and shuttle operators.

“Bringing bus manufacturing back to Michigan will strengthen the state’s manufacturing sector and create jobs,” said AJ, founder and CEO of Pareto Mobility. “We will sell Step-Free vehicles through dealers nationwide and deliver across the United States and Canada. Michigan gave me the opportunity to develop new technologies, create businesses, generate jobs, and manufacture innovative vehicles.”

AJ has invented seven technologies that have been granted U.S. patents, with four additional U.S. patent applications pending. His intellectual-property portfolio covers modular vehicle architecture, wheelchair-accessible transportation systems, vehicle-flooring technologies, and automotive engineering innovations.

The Step-Free™ bus is a unique platform and North America’s first commercial bus designed with a fully flat passenger floor without interior steps or disruptive floor transitions. Its design simplifies boarding for passengers using wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices.

Flexible configurations accommodate seated passengers and up to four wheelchair users. Its low entrance and ramp-based boarding system eliminate the complexity of traditional wheelchair lifts.

“Our goal is to disrupt the commercial bus market by making low-floor accessibility a mainstream feature—not a costly specialty option,” AJ said. “Step-Free gives operators accessibility and flexibility without compromising passenger capacity, convenience, or affordability.”

The Plymouth facility will support engineering, assembly, and production. Pareto Mobility will combine Michigan-based engineering and assembly with American suppliers, creating skilled employment opportunities as production grows.

“Bringing bus manufacturing back to Michigan while introducing technologies such as digital twins and digital manufacturing to the bus industry is my way of contributing to the promise of the American Dream,” AJ said.

About Pareto Mobility LLC

Pareto Mobility LLC is a Michigan-based commercial-vehicle engineering and manufacturing company developing innovative, accessible, and cost-effective transportation solutions.

Media Contact

Dan Daniels

Pareto Mobility LLC

13150 N Haggerty Rd, B3-100, Plymouth, MI 48170

www.paretomobility.com

info@paretoas.com

810-295-1599

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583842637737

https://www.instagram.com/step__free/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/paretomobility

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Wizzmoni Partners with Oman Air to Launch AI-Powered Co-Branded ‘Wizz Voyager’ Multi-Currency Travel Card

KOCHI, India, Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Wizzmoni Financial Services Ltd and Oman Air have partnered to launch the co-branded Wizz Voyager Multi-Currency Card, an AI-powered travel card supporting multiple global currencies. Bringing together Wizzmoni’s fintech capabilities with Oman Air’s international network, the partnership delivers a more seamless travel experience by integrating payments, rewards, and travel benefits into a single platform.

Designed for frequent travelers, students, and professionals, the card supports multiple global currencies while delivering a seamless digital forex experience with real-time tracking and smart financial controls. The partnership supports Oman Air’s broader strategy of extending the customer experience beyond the flight through integrated travel services and value-added retail solutions.

Surya Kuchibotla, Vice President – Retailing, Ancillary & Commerce, Oman Air, explains, “As customer expectations continue to evolve, partnerships such as this allow us to extend the Oman Air experience beyond the airport, creating greater value throughout the entire travel journey. Our partnership with Wizzmoni reflects that vision by combining travel and payments into one seamless experience, giving guests greater flexibility while unlocking meaningful rewards every time they travel. The Wizz Voyager Card complements our wider retail and ancillary strategy, making international travel simpler, more connected, and more rewarding.”

The card transforms everyday spending into travel opportunities, offering customers access to Oman Air flight vouchers, upgrades, and exclusive travel benefits through milestone-based rewards. Customers can also explore Oman Air holidays and ancillary services directly through Wizz Voyager’s digital platforms, creating a unified journey from planning to payments.

“Wizz Voyager Card is built for the new-age global traveller where every swipe unlocks value, and every journey becomes more rewarding. This is a bold step towards creating a truly connected travel and payment ecosystem,” said Amir Nagammy, Founder & Group CEO, Wizz Financial.

“At Wizzmoni, we are committed to elevating every aspect of the customer travel journey. This partnership brings together innovation and experience to deliver greater value, convenience, and memorable moments for international travelers worldwide,” said CA Krishnan R, Director & CEO, Wizzmoni India.

The card will be available across Oman Air counters, Wizzmoni branches, and authorized partners, ensuring easy access and a seamless onboarding experience in a digital onboarding process delivering frictionless experience to customers.

About Oman Air

Oman Air (WY), a member of the oneworld Alliance, began operations in 1993. Initially founded to serve important domestic routes, it has since undergone rapid growth and is today recognised as a major international carrier connecting cities around the world to Oman’s stunning nature, rich heritage and welcoming culture.

The award-winning airline has been instrumental in transforming Muscat into one of the Middle East’s most desirable travel destinations, while supporting adjacent commercial, industrial and tourism activities. With a young and modern fleet including, among others, fuel-efficient Boeing 737 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which feature luxuriously appointed interiors, Oman Air is renowned for its exceptional products and services, both in the air and on the ground, and for the signature Omani hospitality it offers to every guest throughout their journey.

About Wizzmoni:

Wizzmoni (formerly Unimoni) is an NBFC and AD-II licensed financial services provider with more than 350 branches across India, offering digital wallet solutions, multi-currency travel cards, foreign exchange, send money abroad services, Gold loan,  digital payments, and insurance. Wizzmoni is a flagship brand of Wizz Financial.

About Wizz Voyager Card:

Wizz Voyager is an AI-powered multi-currency prepaid travel card designed for global travelers, including students, professionals, and tourists. Supporting more than 35 currencies, it delivers a seamless digital forex experience through a feature-rich mobile app with real-time tracking and smart financial controls.

Built on Wizz Financial’s proprietary end-to-end issuing and processing platform, Wizz Voyager is among the few fintech offerings globally with complete control over card issuance and management. Issued in partnership with VISA, it combines global acceptance with next-generation agility, while supporting a wide range of currencies, including several that are rarely available in the Indian market.

About Wizz Financial:

Wizz Financial, a regional fintech platform transforming cross-border money movement and digital lending across strategic economic corridors spanning India, the GCC, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Headquartered in the UAE and India, Wizz Financial operates a hybrid neo-banking model that combines a unified digital wallet ecosystem with physical infrastructure to serve customers in both their home and resident jurisdictions through a single platform.

Committed to delivering convenient and reliable financial solutions, Wizzmoni continues to empower customers with seamless financial services. www.wizzvoyager.com | www.wizzfinancial.com | www.wizzmoni.com | 1800 102 0555 | customercare@wizzmoni.com 

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