Author: Sai Krishna

Seatrium and Karpowership to Jointly Develop Floating Power Solutions and Digital Infrastructure, Supporting Singapore and Southeast Asia’s Energy Resilience

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced at Singapore International Energy Week 2026
• Combines Seatrium’s offshore engineering expertise with Karpowership’s proven leadership in floating power to pursue flexible power and digital infrastructure solutions
• To co-develop solutions that strengthen Singapore’s energy security and support regional power demand amid recent disruptions to global energy supplies

SINGAPORE, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Seatrium Limited (“Seatrium” or the “Group“) today announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU“) with global floating power solutions leader Karpowership to pursue a joint venture to develop floating power and infrastructure solutions in Singapore, with the potential to extend cooperation to the wider Southeast Asia market.

Building on their longstanding strategic relationship, the two companies will create an integrated platform combining infrastructure development, financing, engineering, construction and operations. The collaboration brings together Seatrium’s global offshore engineering, procurement and construction and systems integration capabilities with Karpowership’s expertise in developing, financing, owning and operating floating power and digital infrastructure, alongside its experience in delivering behind-the-meter power solutions for super intelligence.

Announced at Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2026 and witnessed by Dr. Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry), the MoU establishes a framework to jointly develop rapidly deployable power and infrastructure solutions in Singapore, which may include Powerships, floating data centres, turbine-based or hybrid vessels and floating nuclear solutions. The partners share a longer-term ambition to bolster Singapore’s position to serve as a resilient regional hub for rapidly deployable energy and digital infrastructure solutions.

Chris Ong, Chief Executive Officer of Seatrium, said, “Energy resilience is fundamental to Singapore’s long-term competitiveness and Southeast Asia’s continued growth. As demand for power and digital infrastructure accelerates, our industry has an opportunity to develop new solutions that combine speed of deployment, flexibility and scale. Building on our longstanding strategic relationship with Karpowership, we aim to strengthen Singapore’s status as a hub for next-generation floating energy and digital infrastructure, using the best-available technologies, including hydrogen-ready power generation. Seatrium’s offshore engineering heritage, systems integration capabilities and advanced facilities in Singapore provide a strong foundation for this ambition, supporting domestic needs and opportunities across Southeast Asia. For Seatrium, this represents a strategic opportunity to extend our role across the energy infrastructure value chain, creating new avenues for growth where we can apply our proven capabilities to shape critical infrastructure that underpin the region’s future competitiveness.”

Orhan Remzi Karadeniz, Chief Executive Officer of Karpowership, said, “Access to reliable power increasingly determines where industries invest, how economies grow and how quickly digital ambitions become reality. Karpowership has pioneered floating power infrastructure worldwide, expanding its capabilities to deliver gigawatt-scale, behind-the-meter power solutions for the most developed markets, floating digital infrastructure and turnkey data centre solutions spanning the entire value chain. Karpowership’s decades-long relationships with OEMs and technology partners, including Seatrium, now extend to a global network of commercial partnerships, including with hyperscalers. These relationships position Karpowership as a go-to provider of integrated infrastructure solutions at pace and scale. This partnership marks a strategic next chapter in that journey. Together with Seatrium, our ambition is to build an integrated platform in Singapore that brings development, financing, engineering and operations together to deliver power where and when it is needed, strengthening energy security and enabling growth across Southeast Asia.”

The companies will combine their unparalleled execution capabilities and commitment to excellence to support Singapore’s ambition to lead the development of next-generation energy and digital infrastructure.

Today, Singapore remains heavily reliant on imported natural gas, which accounts for approximately 95% of its electricity generation, according to the Energy Market Authority. Continued disruptions to global fuel supplies have reinforced the need for diversifying energy sources and strengthening the resilience of Singapore’s electricity system. At the same time, EMA estimates that Singapore’s peak electricity demand is projected to grow between 2.4% and 4.8% annually to reach up to 11.4 gigawatts by 2031, driven in part by transport electrification and the expansion of energy-intensive industries on the island, including semiconductor manufacturing and data centres.

Across Southeast Asia, the similar growth of digital industries has also led to increased infrastructure requirements. According to the 9^th ASEAN Energy Outlook, 20% of ASEAN’s projected electricity demand growth in the next five years will be attributable to data centres. This, compounded with structural drivers of industrialisation and urbanisation, emphasise the need for reliable power to support industrial activity and other energy-intensive facilities.

Against this backdrop, floating power infrastructure could provide additional options to enhance supply security, including through the rapid deployment of generation capacity, contingency power provision and support for critical infrastructure, including data centres. Such solutions, including the potential use of emerging energies such as hydrogen, could also offer flexibility in deployment locations, enable power generation assets to be adapted or redeployed, and chart a longer-term transition pathway as energy requirements continue to evolve.

This MoU represents a new phase in the companies’ relationship, extending their collaboration from the delivery of individual assets to the joint development of infrastructure opportunities. Since 2018, Seatrium has delivered seven FSRU conversions to Karpowership, with the 8^th and 9^th unit awarded this year, supporting the deployment of Karpowership’s LNG-to-power solutions across international markets. Seatrium has most recently secured a contract in October for the development and integration of Karpowership’s hydrogen-ready third-generation Whale Class Powerships to be deployed in countries requiring reliable energy supply.

Today, Karpowership owns and operates the world’s only fleet of Powerships, consisting of 45 vessels, which are floating power plants that can be deployed to provide electricity to markets requiring additional generation capacity.

In the coming months, the parties are committed to progress discussions towards the formation of a joint venture, subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements and the necessary approvals.

Discover more:

Seatrium Limited: Website | LinkedIn

Karpowership: Website | LinkedIn

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/seatrium-and-karpowership-to-jointly-develop-floating-power-solutions-and-digital-infrastructure-supporting-singapore-and-southeast-asias-energy-resilience-302921061.html

BWH® Hotels Unveils Enterprise Transformation, Uniting Global Portfolio Under WorldHotels™

The strategic evolution brings together more than 4,000 hotels across 100 countries and introduces WorldHotels Rewards™, a unified loyalty program launching Jan. 5, 2027

PHOENIX, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Leading global hospitality enterprise BWH Hotels today announced a comprehensive transformation, bringing more than 4,000 hotels and 18 brands under a single loyalty program and global masterbrand, WorldHotels. The move is designed to strengthen portfolio awareness, create greater clarity for travelers and hotel owners and accelerate growth through a unified platform and enhanced digital capabilities, while delivering a guest experience that’s powered by local expertise.

Grounded in rigorous consumer research and guest feedback, this strategic evolution reflects how today’s travelers discover, evaluate and book hotels, while preserving the local character of each independent property.

“We have a hotel for virtually every travel occasion, but many travelers only know a portion of our portfolio,” said Larry Cuculic, President and Chief Executive Officer, WorldHotels. “WorldHotels gives us a clearer way to tell our story. By connecting our brands, loyalty program and digital capabilities under one masterbrand, we’re making it easier for travelers to understand who we are today, while enabling our hoteliers to better compete on a global scale and preserving the independence and individuality of our 4,000 hotels.”

Though the company’s portfolio has expanded across luxury, boutique, upscale, extended-stay and economy segments, research indicates many travelers are aware of only part of its offerings. The move to WorldHotels is intended to create greater clarity and awareness, while preserving the distinct identities of its brands and properties. Unifying under WorldHotels bridges this gap, giving guests a seamless way to navigate its full spectrum of hospitality options.

Local Expertise at Global Scale

Unlike many large hospitality companies built around standardized experiences, WorldHotels is building its platform around local expertise. The transformation is designed to scale the knowledge of thousands of independent hoteliers throughout the global network—surfacing neighborhood insights from on-the-ground hotel teams and making those local experiences easier for travelers to discover across the portfolio.

While individual property identities, signage and iconic flags will remain unchanged, the WorldHotels platform will expand cross-portfolio discovery, strengthen direct relationships with guests and increase visibility for hotel owners worldwide.

By combining local expertise with the scale of a global hospitality company, WorldHotels will offer travelers both the confidence of a trusted network and the authenticity of destination-driven experiences.

WorldHotels Rewards: A Unified Loyalty Program for 70 Million Members

Central to the transformation is WorldHotels Rewards, a new, unified loyalty program that consolidates Best Western Rewards® and WorldHotels Rewards with 70 million existing members combined. Simple, transparent and rewarding, the new program introduces three streamlined membership tiers, while protecting all current benefits such as status matching, member rates and points that never expire. Members will retain their existing points value and enjoy additional opportunities to earn points, while gaining access to a more connected global portfolio and simplified rewards experience.

Additional details about the new loyalty program will be announced on Nov. 16, 2026. 

“WorldHotels Rewards was designed with our guests at the heart of every decision. Through extensive consumer research and member feedback, we learned travelers want a loyalty program that feels intuitive and transparent, that recognizes them wherever they travel,” said Joelle Park, Chief Marketing Officer, WorldHotels. “By bringing our loyalty program together under WorldHotels Rewards, we’re making it easier for guests to discover the full breadth of our portfolio, find the right hotel for every journey and feel welcomed wherever they stay.”

Enhanced Digital Platform Designed to Scale Local Hospitality

To power this new rewards program and modernize guest engagement, WorldHotels has invested heavily in its digital infrastructure, launching a new website and redesigned mobile app. At the core of the experience is a proprietary discovery platform built from more than 10,000 hours of insights gathered from hotel teams around the world.

These insights will help travelers discover hotels, neighborhoods and experiences across the portfolio, alongside a user experience that makes it easy to manage booking and loyalty activity. By connecting local expertise, loyalty and digital discovery on a single platform, WorldHotels is helping travelers explore more of its portfolio while increasing visibility and direct-booking opportunities for hotel owners.

WorldHotels Collection™: Independent, Character-Rich Hotels

As part of this transformation, the portfolio’s upscale and luxury hotels will now be unified under WorldHotels Collection, a global platform for independent properties that preserves the individuality that increasingly drives traveler choice. WorldHotels Collection comprises six categories: WorldHotels Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive, WorldHotels Crafted, WorldHotels Backdrop™ and WorldHotels Residences™.

“The future of luxury hospitality isn’t about standardization. It’s about helping exceptional independent properties compete and grow on a global stage, while remaining true to their identity,” said Ron Pohl, President,  WorldHotels Collection. “WorldHotels Collection sits at the intersection of independence and scale, giving owners access to the commercial power, technology and demand drivers of a major hospitality network while maintaining the tailored, local experiences today’s travelers are seeking.”

WorldHotels Collection is expanding in some of the hospitality industry’s fastest-growing categories: WorldHotels Residences combines private homeownership with luxury hospitality services and brand affiliation, while WorldHotels Backdrop connects travelers with distinctive destinations where immersive natural settings and elevated accommodations converge. Together, these platforms broaden growth opportunities for developers, owners and independent operators seeking access to global distribution and brand recognition.

For more information, please visit WorldHotels.com. New WorldHotels logos, high-resolution images and b-roll are available here.

About WorldHotels™

WorldHotels™ is a global hospitality portfolio with more than 4,000 hotels and resorts across 18 brands in over 100 countries. From luxury and boutique stays to value-driven travel, WorldHotels pairs global scale with local expertise, serving the needs of leisure and business travelers as well as hoteliers worldwide. Guided by a commitment to make travel more welcoming, WorldHotels connects guests to the neighborhoods and experiences that make each destination unique.

Through WorldHotels Rewards™, 70 million members can enjoy simplified benefits across the portfolio with points that never expire, exclusive member rates and flexible redemption opportunities. For more information, visit WorldHotels.com and follow WorldHotels on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About WorldHotels Rewards™

WorldHotels Rewards is the global loyalty program of the WorldHotels™ portfolio, connecting 70 million members to rewarding travel experiences across more than 4,000 hotels worldwide. Designed around simplicity, the program features points that never expire, exclusive member rates and flexible redemption opportunities. Members can manage bookings, track rewards and redeem points through the WorldHotels Rewards app and online.

WorldHotels Rewards members can earn and redeem rewards across a portfolio of brands, including:

• Luxury & Lifestyle: WorldHotels Collection™, WorldHotels Backdrop™, Aiden®
• Upscale: Best Western Premier®, BW Premier Collection®
• Everyday Travel: BW Signature Collection®, Best Western Plus®, GLō®, Best Western®
• Value: SureStay® Hotels, SureStay Collection®
• Longer Stays: Executive Residency®, @HOME by Best Western®, SureStay Studio®

Learn more or enroll for free at WorldHotels.com/RewardsOverview.

MEDIA CONTACT

Praytell

worldhotels@praytellagency.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bwh-hotels-unveils-enterprise-transformation-uniting-global-portfolio-under-worldhotels-302919455.html

Fios Genomics bioinformatics team and services move to Excelra

Edinburgh-based team joins Excelra’s scientific consulting group, strengthening its omics analytics expertise and presence in the UK and Europe

EDINBURGH, Scotland and HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Excelra, a global scientific informatics company, today announced that the bioinformatics services of Fios Genomics Ltd, and the team behind them, have moved to Excelra with effect from 20 October 2026.

Fios Genomics, based in Edinburgh, has spent nearly two decades turning complex omics data into impactful insights for pharma, biotech, and other life science researchers, with particular depth in multi-omics study analysis. The team joins Excelra’s wider scientific consulting group and will continue to serve Fios clients with the same scientists and the same platform.

“This is about continuity and making a larger impact for our clients,” said Sarah Lynagh, CEO of Fios Genomics. “Fios has always been defined by the quality of its science and the care we take with each study. Excelra shares those values and brings the wider data science and scientific informatics capability to do more for the researchers we work with.”

“Fios is known for rigorous, study-level analysis delivered quickly and explained clearly, exactly what researchers need when a dataset lands,” said Jannick Bendtsen, Vice President – Bioinformatics, Excelra. “That way of working fits naturally with our focus on integrative multi-omics, translational insight, and scientific AI. The team now has Excelra’s data assets, AI engineering, and a far larger pool of domain specialists behind it.”

“Fios has built a team of bioinformaticians that clients trust with their hardest questions, and we are delighted to welcome them to Excelra,” said Anandbir Singh Brar, CEO of Excelra. “Omics data keeps growing, but the questions don’t change: which target? which indication? which patients? Pairing Fios’ scientific depth with our own bioinformatics, data, and AI-native engineering means we can answer those questions even faster and with more confidence.”

Fios clients can reach the team at team.fiosgenomics@excelra.com

About Excelra

Excelra engineers trust into AI-driven R&D, combining AI-ready data and platforms, including GOSTAR, connected lab informatics, and multi-omics expertise to turn R&D complexity into decisions you can defend. Science led. Data driven. Outcomes focused.

About Fios Genomics

Founded in 2008 as a University of Edinburgh spin-out, Fios Genomics has delivered bioinformatics analysis and biological interpretation across genomics, transcriptomics and multi-omics studies to pharma, biotech, and life science researchers worldwide.

Contact

Prashant Sharma

contact@excelra.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fios-genomics-bioinformatics-team-and-services-move-to-excelra-302918016.html

HABANOS, S.A. UNVEILED A WORLD PREMIERE: THE QUAI D’ORSAY CONCORDIA EDICIÓN LIMITADA 2026

The Belle Époque comes to Las Ventas: Quai D’Orsay celebrates La Nuit D’Orsay

More than 400 guests gathered at Las Ventas to celebrate La Nuit D’Orsay, an evening that marked the international unveiling of the brand’s second Limited Edition.

The second Limited Edition in the brand’s history introduces a new vitola, combining a distinctive format with a balanced flavour profile. Crafted using the brand’s mild-strength blend and benefiting from the additional ageing that characterises the Limited Editions, it offers a refined and unique expression of the brand’s craftsmanship.

HAVANA, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Habanos, S.A. unveiled the Quai D’Orsay Concordia Edición Limitada 2026, marking the second Limited Edition in the history of Quai D’Orsay, a brand established in 1974 and synonymous with French culture and elegance.

Concordia introduces a vitola with dimensions never before seen in the Quai D’Orsay portfolio. In keeping with the Habanos Limited Editions tradition, its wrapper, binder and filler leaves undergo an additional ageing process of at least two years. The wrapper also benefits from an extended fermentation process, deepening its colour and imparting an oily texture. The result is a distinctive appearance that sets Concordia apart from the lighter tones traditionally associated with Quai D’Orsay.

Quai D’Orsay Concordia Edición Limitada 2026: A new and refined expression of the brand

Named in honour of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, Concordia pays tribute to Quai D’Orsay’s longstanding connection with France. Established at the initiative of Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, then France’s Minister of Finance, the brand was conceived as a refined diplomatic gift, created to complement the country’s portfolio of luxury products.

Concordia is presented in the Preciosos factory name, measuring 145 mm in length with a 50 ring gauge. Introduced to the Quai D’Orsay portfolio for the first time, this distinctive format offers a fresh expression of the brand’s signature elegance.

In keeping with Habanos’ Limited Edition tradition, the wrapper, binder and filler leaves undergo an additional ageing process of at least two years. The wrapper also benefits from extended fermentation, resulting in a deeper, darker colour and a distinctive oily texture. This richer appearance contrasts with the lighter shades traditionally associated with Quai D’Orsay and reflects a defining characteristic of Habanos’ Limited Edition releases.

“Totally Handmade with Long Filler”, (Totalmente a Mano) using leaves from the Vuelta Abajo* region of Pinar del Río*, Cuba*, Concordia preserves the medium strength and balanced flavour profile that define the Quai D’Orsay brand. It marks the second Limited Edition in the brand’s history, following the Quai D’Orsay Senadores Limited Edition 2019.

Concordia is presented in a specially designed box containing 20 cigars. Each cigar features the brand’s primary band, complemented by an exclusive 2026 Limited Edition band and an additional foot band, underscoring the distinctive character of this release.

The Presentation of Quai D’Orsay Concordia in Madrid

The world premiere took place on 24 October in Madrid, during La Nuit D’Orsay, held at the iconic Las Ventas bullring. Organised by Club Pasión Habanos, the event welcomed more than 400 guests, transforming the historic venue into an immersive setting inspired by the Parisian Belle Époque. A celebration of elegance and refinement, the evening brought together gastronomy, music and Habanos, paying tribute to Quai D’Orsay’s enduring connection with French culture and heritage.

The evening began with an aperitif served beneath the interior arches and portals of the bullring, featuring a curated selection of premium drinks and delicacies. Highlights included EPC Champagne paired with Antonius caviar, a French-inspired cocktail crafted with Marcillac Armagnac, jamón ibérico from Casa 959, premium beers from Mahou, wines from Ximénez-Spínola, Marinero vermouth and Harvey’s Bristol Cream. Dinner was served beneath a specially decorated marquee in the bullring arena, with a menu featuring tributes to classic French cuisine. The experience continued with pairings of Habanos and premium spirits, including The Dalmore, Havana Club Unión and Ximénez-Spínola, complemented by speciality coffees from Dromedario.

Music accompanied every stage of the evening. Jazz performed by Pianobar, from the iconic Madrid venue Toni 2, set the tone for dinner before the stage welcomed singer Soraya Arnelas. Opening with “La Vie en Rose” before moving into “Fumando Eepero”, her performance continued with a repertoire of hits spanning the decades, from 1974, the year Quai D’Orsay was founded, through the defining anthems of the 1980s and 1990s. The performance brought the evening to a lively crescendo, transforming the bullring arena into a dance floor.

Juan Girón, Communications Director at Tabacalera, said: “Today, we have the privilege of attending the global launch of the Limited Edition Concordia. With a ring gauge of 50 and a length of 145 mm, it is a cigar of incredible proportions. It is visually stunning, which is why its vitola de galera is, quite fittingly, called ‘Preciosos’.”

“The filler, wrapper and binder have all been aged for at least two years, allowing the blend to reach its full potential. It is a smooth cigar, but not overly so, presented in boxes of 20, featuring subtle notes reminiscent of cedar and toasted hazelnut. As for the rest… discover it for yourselves!”

Product details:

• Brand: Quai D’Orsay
• Commercial name: Quai D’Orsay Concordia Edición Limitada 2026
• Factory name: Preciosos
• Dimensions: 50 x 145 mm in length
• Strength: Light
• Format: Parejo (straight-sided)
• Presentation: Special packaging of 20 units

Tasting notes:

Before lighting, the Quai d’Orsay Concordia Edición Limitada offers notes reminiscent of cedar and toasted hazelnut. Once lit, subtle notes of cocoa emerge, accompanied by a delicate floral nuance.

The first third delivers a creamy, dense smoke with a gentle sweetness and hints of nuts. In the second third, woody notes and a subtle touch of citrus complement the mild strength of this Habano. The final third develops notes of leather and dark chocolate, accompanied by a compact, light-coloured ash. Its extended aging adds depth, resulting in an elegant and sophisticated tasting experience.

Duration: 45-50 minutes

*P.A.O. (Protected Appellations of Origin)

Recommended retail price:

• €914 (box of 20)

About Habanos, S.A.

Corporación Habanos, S.A. is the world leader in the commercialization of premium cigars, both in Cuba and across the globe. It operates through an exclusive distribution network spanning five continents and more than 130 territories. For more information, please visit www.habanos.com

Habanos, S.A. markets 27 premium brands – all crafted “Totally by Hand” (*Totalmente a Mano*) – including notable names such as Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás, Hoyo de Monterrey, H. Upmann, and Trinidad. These brands are protected under the Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) * HABANOS.

Habanos cigars have been crafted “Totally by Hand” for over 500 years, serving as a global benchmark ever since.

(P.D.O.) * Protected Designations of Origin

For more information about Habanos, S.A.:

www.habanos.com 

https://www.instagram.com/habanos_oficial/ 

https://twitter.com/Habanos_Oficial 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCstGLy96wdZG7eCM4855_DA 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/habanos-sa/ 

https://open.spotify.com/user/habanosmusic 

Notes for editors

• High-resolution product images: HERE
• High-resolution photographs of the launch event: HERE

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/habanos-sa-unveiled-a-world-premiere-the-quai-dorsay-concordia-edicion-limitada-2026-302920909.html

XPPen Brings Magic Pro 13 to Market: A Professional All-Scenario Drawing Pad Connecting Mobile Inspiration with Professional Creation

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XPPen, a global leader in digital art innovation, today officially launches the Magic Pro 13, a Professional All-Scenario Drawing Pad that also functions as a desktop-grade drawing display through its industry-first hardware-level Drawing Display Mode. It combines the X4 Smart Chip Stylus, a 3K 120Hz paper-like display, and deep hardware-software integration for versatile digital drawing experiences.

Following its debut at IFA 2026, the Magic Pro 13 received four “Best of IFA 2026” honors from Gadgety Awards, TechRadar, Yanko Design, and Android Headlines, recognizing its innovation and approach to combining portable drawing with professional desktop workflows.

“Artists need creative tools that can adapt to the way they work, wherever they create,” said Brian Huang, Marketing Director at XPPen. “The Magic Pro 13 is an industry-first 2-in-1 device that works as both a standalone drawing pad and a professional drawing display, giving creators greater flexibility in developing their ideas. We believe creative tools should continue to evolve alongside artists, opening up new possibilities for how they bring their ideas to life.”

Industry-First Hardware-Level Drawing Display Mode

A key feature of the Magic Pro 13 is its industry-first hardware-level Drawing Display Mode in the digital drawing pad category. With a single full-featured USB-C cable, it connects to a compatible PC as a professional drawing display. Its dedicated hardware architecture supports up to 3K resolution at 120Hz with native color reproduction, alongside ultra-low-latency pen input. The stylus retains its full functionality, including 16K pressure levels, tilt detection, hover preview, and customizable barrel buttons, enabling a seamless transition from on-the-go sketching to desktop refinement.

Portable Design and Integrated Creative Tools

Featuring an 8MP front camera and a 13MP rear camera, the Magic Pro 13 offers added flexibility for capturing visual references and creative ideas. At just 6.65 mm thick and 655 g, it combines portability with a 10,200 mAh battery and 45W PD fast charging to support extended creative sessions. Both USB-C ports support 45W PD charging, while the upper port on the right side enables Drawing Display Mode for direct PC connection, allowing users to continue creating while charging.

Running on Android 16, the Magic Pro 13 also offers a versatile creative software ecosystem. The XPPen-developed Shelf app helps users organize visual references with image tagging, annotations, and smart search, while the Canvas app provides a dedicated space for sketching and capturing inspiration. Additional features such as Quick Draw with Screen Off, Freeform Windowing, and Screenshot Doodle make creative tasks more convenient across a wider range of scenarios.

X4 Smart Chip Stylus and 3K 120Hz Paper-like Display

The Magic Pro 13 comes with the X4 Smart Chip Stylus, which combines a power-efficient chip, an optimized sensor, and a bullet-shaped nib for fast, stable, and precise strokes. With 16K pressure levels, 2g initial activation force, and 60° tilt support, it captures subtle pressure variations for detailed drawing and natural shading.

The display offers 3K resolution and an adjustable refresh rate of 60, 90, or 120Hz. AG+AF nano-etched glass provides a paper-like feel, while 650-nit peak brightness and TÜV SÜD Low Blue Light certification enhance the viewing experience. With 100% sRGB and 96% DCI-P3 coverage, it also supports system-level color gamut switching between sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 to meet different professional color requirements.

Price and Availability

The Magic Pro 13 is available as of October 27, 2026, with an early bird price of $899 (pricing and availability may vary by region). For more product information, visit: https://www.xp-pen.com/product/magic-pro-13.html

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xppen-brings-magic-pro-13-to-market-a-professional-all-scenario-drawing-pad-connecting-mobile-inspiration-with-professional-creation-302914955.html

How to Care for Caregivers? NCCN Debuts Essential Guide for Supporting Loved Ones with Cancer

New, free book offers simple but empowering information on how to care for people with cancer while also caring for yourself.

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®)—an alliance of leading cancer centers in the United States responsible for guidelines that patients and providers rely on worldwide to improve outcomes—published its first-ever NCCN Guidelines for Patients^® focused specifically on how to support loved ones with cancer. The new NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Caregiving for People with Cancer provides an easy-to-understand guide for what to do in difficult situations and offers some much-needed lifelines.

The new book is a how-to for anyone in a position of providing support for a loved one. That includes about a quarter of all Americans, and even higher numbers around the world. The guide provides concrete tips for handling things like:

• Emotional Support
• Finances
• Household Tasks
• Legal Concerns
• Medical Management (including help with decision-making as well as providing medication or other nursing duties)

The NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Caregiving for People with Cancer is available for free at NCCN.org/patients or via the NCCN Patient Guides for Cancer App, thanks to funding from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Foundation (NCCNF). Visit NCCNFoundation.org to make a difference in how people experience cancer care.

“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my background as a clinician and researcher led me to look for credible, evidence-based information. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients gave me a way to understand the evidence, ask better questions, and participate meaningfully in decisions about my own care,” said Heather Kopecky, PhD, MBA, PCC, Member of the NCCN Foundation Board of Directors. “I have experienced cancer as a nurse, a patient, and alongside people I love. In each of those roles, I have seen how powerful it is when people have access to clear, trustworthy information. Knowledge didn’t take away the fear, but it gave me the ability to understand my choices and have a voice in my care.”

The new patient guideline points out that at least 70% of caregivers are also balancing jobs and other responsibilities; and 60% live in a separate home from the person they are caring for. It includes “Caregiver’s Corner” features throughout, highlighting important tips for self-care, as well as a specific chapter dedicated entirely to the caregiver’s own wellbeing.

“When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, naturally, most people want to show up for them however they can. But pretty quickly, many realize it’s not just about cancer. They’re also juggling everything else in their lives,” explained Anthea A. Gray, PsyD, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. “In moments when things feel scary or uncertain—or when everything starts to feel too much—having trusted, easy-to-find information matters a lot. That is why resources like the NCCN Guidelines for Patients are so helpful. They offer reputable information together in one place, so caregivers can better understand what to expect, make more informed decisions, and support their loved ones with more confidence.”

The NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Caregiving for People with Cancer includes comprehensive information on what cancer is and what to expect during treatment. It features explanations for complicated medical terms and concepts and suggests questions to ask the doctor. The online version includes links to helpful websites, organizations, or mobile apps.

“The creation of this resource recognizes that care partners should have evidence-based information to guide their own journey,” noted Patrick Delaney, Executive Director, NCCNF. “It expands on our history of funding books based on the NCCN Guidelines intended for clinicians. As more people are diagnosed with cancer every day, more loved ones are stepping into support roles, often for the first time. We wanted to meet this growing need by providing access to a free, dedicated resource specifically for caregivers.”

This book is the newest of more than 75 different patient guidelines covering nearly every type of cancer, as well as prevention, screening, and supportive care. Each one is updated at least annually to keep up with the fast pace of progress. They are all available in English and many have also been translated into Spanish, with some books translated into additional languages.

The NCCN Guidelines for Patients win numerous awards every year, including several recent National Health Information Awards, an Annual Communicator Award of Distinction, a ClearMark Award from the Center for Plain Language, and many more—honoring them as high-quality, easy-to-understand, patient-centered and trustworthy, according to independent medical experts.

The organization also provides free webinars for patients and caregivers on a variety of topics. Visit NCCN.org/patients to learn more.

Coming Soon: On December 3, 2026, NCCN is hosting a Patient Advocacy Summit on Advancing Family-Centered Cancer Care in the United States. Speakers will address topics like caregiver education and training, government support and assistance, and other efforts to support patients and their loved ones. Learn more and register at NCCN.org/summits.

Coming Next Year: The NCCN Global Policy team will be hosting a webinar on efforts to strengthen the support system for cancer caregivers, worldwide, in November 2027. Visit NCCN.org/global-policy to learn more about that and other efforts to improve cancer care around the world.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to defining and advancing quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care and prevention so all people can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines^®) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients^® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Foundation (NCCNF). NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Foundation (NCCNF)

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Foundation helps people across the globe to access free, translated, and easy-to-follow guidelines that help them understand their cancer diagnosis and treatment, talk confidently with their care teams, and make informed decisions. NCCNF also supports the next generation of researchers driving the way forward. Donations to NCCNF don’t just fund the future of cancer care, they change how people experience care today. Learn more and help make the mission possible at nccnfoundation.org.

Media Contact:

Rachel Darwin

267-622-6624

darwin@nccn.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/how-to-care-for-caregivers-nccn-debuts-essential-guide-for-supporting-loved-ones-with-cancer-302914763.html

The Distillery Winter Village Announces 2026 Lineup of New Attractions, Special Performances and Quince as new title sponsor

Toronto’s world-famous Christmas market opens November 12 for seven weeks of holiday magic.

TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, The Distillery Winter Village presented by Quince announced its 2026 programming lineup including performances by some of Toronto’s leading performing arts organizations, a new Immersive Nutcracker experience, a Christmas department store-themed Santa’s Village, and over 50 food vendors and outdoor bars including Chef’s Lane featuring dishes from four acclaimed chefs. Strings of lights will glow overhead along the cobblestone streets, historic brick buildings will be decked in wreaths, garland and holiday window displays, and visitors will feel like they’ve stepped into a Christmas card come to life. This year also marks Quince‘s debut as title sponsor, bringing its signature mix of quality cashmere, gifting and a few holiday surprises to the heart of the Village.

In its 17th year, Toronto’s world-famous Christmas market, which welcomes a million visitors a year, transforms the pedestrian-only streets of The Distillery Historic District into a holiday wonderland from November 12, 2026 through January 3, 2027, and tickets are now on sale.

Tree Lighting Ceremony: Thursday, November 12, 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Opening night festivities begin November 12 at 4:00 p.m. with holiday sets by singer and guitarist Mo Guzman, leading up to the main stage event at 6:00 p.m., when Santa flips the switch to illuminate the centrepiece 16.8-metre (55-foot) silver fir Christmas tree for the first time this season. Following the tree lighting, JUNO Award-winning Canadian singer Holly Cole will perform the first song of Christmas and more from her Christmas album, Baby It’s Cold Outside and I Have the Christmas Blues. All profits from opening night ticket sales will support The Distillery Winter Village’s local charity partners: The Anishnawbe Health Foundation, Soulpepper Theatre, and the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.  Those unable to attend in person can watch the ceremony live on: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. ET.

“The Distillery Winter Village continues to evolve each year, and we’re especially proud of the calibre of performers, new attractions and creative partnerships coming together for 2026,” said Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp. and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. “We’re thrilled to have Quince on board as our new title sponsor and look forward to bringing their creative vision to life at this year’s event. At the heart of it all, this is a place where people come together to celebrate the season, spend time with the people they love and make memories that last long after the holidays are over.”

“I’ve visited The Distillery Winter Village for years, so I know how special this tradition is to Toronto,” said Kelly Olsen, Head of Canada at Quince. “That makes it especially meaningful for Quince to become part of it. We’re excited to add to the magic people already love here and bring our brand to life for Canadians in a way that feels distinctly Toronto.”

Quince Brings Cashmere and Gingerbread to The Distillery Winter Village

This year, The Distillery Winter Village welcomes Quince as its new title sponsor, bringing two holiday classics, cashmere and gingerbread, to Toronto’s world-famous Christmas market. Known for its premium-quality essentials at accessible prices, Quince is creating a gingerbread-inspired Cashmere Cabin where visitors can shop select Mongolian cashmere, holiday gifts and accessories, and capture a festive photo moment along the way.

The #GiftWithQuince contest invites Canadians to nominate someone special by sharing their Distillery Winter Village experience in an Instagram post or Reel, tagging their nominee and explaining why they’d love to give them a gift, using @onequince and #GiftWithQuince. Seven winners and their nominees will each receive a $70 Quince.ca gift card to shop on the app, while one grand prize winner and their nominee will each receive a $1,000 Quince.ca gift card to shop on the app. Entries close December 10. Terms and conditions apply.

And there’s more to come: Quince has a special reveal planned for the Winter Village’s iconic Christmas tree, to be unveiled at the November 12 tree lighting ceremony.

The Distillery Winter Village 2026 Highlights

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES & HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT

Some of Toronto’s leading performing arts organizations will take the stage at The Distillery Winter Village this season, bringing opera, musical theatre, and choral performances to the cobblestone streets. All performances are included with admission.

Performance Highlights:

• Toronto Mendelssohn Choir – November 22, at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. One of Canada’s most celebrated choirs brings its renowned voices to The Distillery Winter Village.
• NEW: Opera Atelier – November 29, at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Opera Atelier lights up the holidays with Baroque brilliance! Enjoy soaring voices, classic melodies, and dazzling theatricality in this timeless celebration of the holiday season. Featuring exceptional soloists and a festive nod to our Season of Heroes, this performance is sure to spread love, hope, and joy to all ages.
• NEW: Canadian Opera Company – December 4, 6:00 p.m. Canada’s largest opera company brings an evening of breathtaking music centered around exploring winter traditions around the world – through dance and song. This performance will feature COC Teaching Artists Isabella Fassler, Annemarie Cabri in collaboration with special guests William Salinas-Crosby, Mariana Iguavita and collaborative pianist, Suzy Smith.
• Mirvish Productions – December 13, 7:00 p.m. A Very Merry Mirvish Concert returns for a third consecutive year at The Distillery Winter Village, featuring cast members of Toronto’s biggest musicals performing songs from their shows.
• Myriad Ensemble – December 17, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Fresh off winning two gold medals at the World Choir Games, Myriad Ensemble brings its award-winning voices to The Distillery Winter Village.
• NEW: Kente Claus – December 24, 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Celebrate Christmas Eve with Kente Claus, The Claus Corporation’s Chief Joy Distribution Officer for Africa and the Caribbean. Enjoy live holiday music by Steelpan with Suzette, plus the 2nd annual Jr. Claus Academy Awards and Graduation.
• The McGregor Carollers – Daily, through to Christmas Eve. Toronto’s beloved Victorian quartet will fill the pedestrian-only streets with traditional Christmas carols.

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES

NEW: The Immersive Nutcracker

Step inside a Christmas classic as The Immersive Nutcracker transforms The Fermenting Cellar at The Distillery District into a spectacular 360-degree holiday experience. Tchaikovsky’s beloved tale comes to life through floor-to-ceiling digital projections, as the Nutcracker marches past, snow falls and visitors journey to the Land of Sweets. Encounter larger-than-life characters, including the Sugar Plum Fairy and Mouse King, along with festive photo ops, story-inspired food and drinks, and interactive games.

Separate admission is required. See here.

NEW: Visit Costa Rica’s Río Celeste Chocolate Waterfall

A taste of the tropics comes to The Distillery Winter Village with Visit Costa Rica‘s Río Celeste Chocolate Waterfall. Inspired by Costa Rica’s lush landscapes, this flowing chocolate waterfall is framed by tropical foliage, rocks, wildlife décor, and festive lights. Enjoy chocolate-drizzled pineapple and banana treats, capture a holiday photo and step through an augmented reality portal to discover Costa Rica’s natural wonders. Experience a little Costa Rican “pura vida” in the heart of Toronto’s holiday season.

SANTA’S VILLAGE AT SOULPEPPER THEATRE

Step into a whimsical holiday world inspired by Soulpepper Theatre’s production of Parfumerie, where vintage European department store charm meets Christmas magic. Located inside the Soulpepper Theatre atrium, Santa’s Village will feature twinkling lights, holiday displays, Santa and his elves, a vintage-inspired letter-writing station, specialty hot chocolates and sweet treats.

New this year, Storytime with the Elves invites little visitors to gather to hear enchanting Christmas stories daily in the atrium.

FESTIVE FOOD & DRINK

The Distillery Winter Village is a holiday destination for food lovers, with dozens of outdoor food cabins serving up Toronto favourites, viral sensations and holiday classics. From indulgent street food and savoury bites to decadent desserts and specialty hot chocolates, there’s plenty to discover alongside The Distillery District’s year-round restaurants and cafés.

Chef’s Lane Returns

Following a successful debut at last year’s Distillery Winter Village, Chef’s Lane returns for 2026 with four new cabins, four acclaimed chefs and four one-of-a-kind, holiday-inspired dishes created exclusively for the event.

Meet the 2026 Chef’s Lane chefs:

• Michael Angeloni – Executive chef and co-owner of several Toronto dining destinations, including Notte Ristorante, Pasta Privato, The Berczy Tavern and Michelin-recommended Restaurant Lucie.
• Afrim Pristine – Canada’s premier Cheese Master and co-owner of Toronto’s iconic Cheese Boutique, a family-run institution serving the city for more than 50 years.
• Taylor Wells – Originally from Newfoundland on Canada’s East Coast, Taylor now leads the kitchen at The Carbon Bar, Toronto’s longstanding barbecue destination.
• Arush Vardhan Singh – Co-founder of Shipra, a South Asian pop-up celebrating Indian and Pakistani cuisine, Arush brings a refined, technique-driven approach to Indian cooking, inspired by his fine-dining background and the traditional flavours of his childhood.

NEW food this year:

• Prince St. Pizza – The cult-favourite pizza brand brings its famous slices to The Distillery Winter Village.
• Carousel Bakery – A St. Lawrence Market institution, known for its peameal bacon sandwiches and apple fritters.
• Sweet Crumble – Layered dessert featuring buttery crumble, rich fruit fillings and warm, silky custard in three flavours: Berry, Apple Cinnamon and Crème Brûlée.
• Potato Bar – Canadian grown baked potatoes loaded with your choice of flavourful toppings.
• Peacock Bakehouse – Over-the-top cookie creations with innovative flavours and a focus on Canadian ingredients.

Returning food favourites:

Back by popular demand are some of the Winter Village’s most talked-about dishes, including Stick Shift Robata’s A5 Wagyu Sando, Cluny’s torched s’mores hot chocolate, Scooped by Demetres’ Monkey Bread, and Spirit of York’s Yorkie Burrito.

Visitors can also dig into Japan Taco, bao buns from WuBaEats, French Canadian poutine, Ukrainian pierogies, Swiss raclette, BBQ from Grinch’s Grill and sweet treats ranging from mini pancakes and freshly made doughnuts to chocolate-covered strawberries, gourmet rice crispie treats, crêpes and waffles.

OUTDOOR HOLIDAY BARS

From a new Canadian-themed tavern to holiday patios decked out in lights, The Distillery Winter Village’s outdoor bars offer plenty of places to gather, warm up and enjoy a seasonal drink.

NEW: The Canuck Tavern – Archeo Patio

A love letter to the Great White North, The Canuck Tavern celebrates all things Canadian with a playful mix of hockey, cottage-country charm and iconic Canadian landscapes.

Settle into Muskoka chairs around the fire, catch a hockey game on the big screen or snap a photo in a canoe against a wilderness backdrop or on a ski chairlift overlooking snowy mountains.

Other highlights include a larger-than-life topiary moose, a hockey penalty box, tributes to famous Canadians including Terry Fox, Roberta Bondar and Michael J. Fox, and a message board where visitors can share what they love about Canada. Raise a glass with Canadian beer and spirits.

Naughty or Nice Bar – Pure Spirits Courtyard

One of the Winter Village’s signature outdoor bars gets a refreshed look for 2026, with 50,000 white-and-blue holiday lights and a long, counter-height communal table offering more room to gather over seasonal drinks.

NEW: Silent Night Disco — Cluny Tunnel

The Cluny Tunnel transforms into a glittering winter wonderland. Mirror balls, starburst lighting, and giant disco ball-covered snow people set the scene for DJ nights on the heated patio. Complete the experience with a decadent Parisian-style mousse au chocolat, available in cherry, espresso or Belgian chocolate.

NEW: Merry Matcha – Trinity Street

A new stop for alcohol-free drinks, Merry Matcha serves various flavours including: regular, coconut, strawberry rose, lavender, ubé, and vanilla. 

SHOPPING & HOLIDAY GIFTS

Discover gifts from local and Canadian makers at The Distillery Winter Village’s seasonal vendor cabins, alongside more than 90 permanent businesses throughout The Distillery District.

From fashion and handmade jewellery to gourmet treats, home décor, self-care products and original art, the pedestrian-only streets are lined with independent shops and specialty retailers offering plenty of inspiration for holiday gift-giving.

New this year, The Cooperage Marketplace brings together seven independent, founder-operated Canadian businesses under one roof. Located in a historic building dating back to the 1860s, it takes its name from the building’s original use for making, storing and repairing whisky barrels.

Also new, Maplee Market offers a curated shopping experience showcasing local brands and independent makers.

Throughout the Winter Village, seasonal vendor cabins offer everything from unique glass and hand-painted Christmas ornaments to handcrafted wooden toys and puzzles, fresh seafood dips, Belgian chocolate creations and more!

HOLIDAY PHOTO OPS & FESTIVE EXPERIENCES

The Distillery Winter Village is one of Toronto’s most photographed holiday destinations. At the heart of it all is the iconic 16.8-metre (55-foot) tall Christmas tree in Trinity Square, surrounded by illuminated displays and holiday installations.

Photo highlights include:

• The centrepiece silver fir Christmas Tree with an all-new look for 2026.
• Countdown to Christmas Clock counting down the days until Christmas Day.
• Santa’s Sleigh and Reindeer featuring a vintage sleigh-for-four and whisky barrel reindeer.
• Alley Press‘ vintage-style newspaper photo booth and live print service.
• Naughty or Nice Bar – A massive canopy of 50,000 dazzling blue and white lights.
• Giant Snowpeople.
• LOVE, FAMILY, JOY and PEACE red illuminated marquee letters throughout the site.
• The Heart of Christmas offers the perfect photo backdrop for sharing your love of the holidays.
• The Quince Gingerbread Family interactive photo installation.
• The Canuck Tavern with Canadian-inspired photo ops, including a ski chairlift, wilderness canoe, hockey penalty box and giant topiary moose.

TICKETS & PLANNING YOUR VISIT

The Distillery Winter Village runs daily from Thursday, November 12, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, and is closed Christmas Day.

Tickets are required during peak periods, including:

• Opening Night;
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 p.m.;
• Thursdays in December after 4:00 p.m.; and,
• Daily after 4:00 p.m. from December 14-31.

Admission is free all day Monday to Wednesday through December 13, 2026.

Tickets start at $16, plus HST and service charge, with General Admission, Flex and Express ticket options available. Kids aged nine and under always enter free and do not require a ticket.

For the complete ticket calendar, ticket options and everything visitors need to plan their trip, visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.

ABOUT THE DISTILLERY WINTER VILLAGE

The Distillery Winter Village is Toronto’s original outdoor Christmas market, set within The Distillery Historic District. Recognized among the best Christmas markets in the world, it welcomes more than one million visitors each year from across Canada and around the world. For seven weeks each winter, the pedestrian-only neighbourhood transforms into a festive destination featuring its famous centrepiece Christmas tree, seasonal vendor cabins, holiday performances and themed food and beverage experiences. The event employs more than 700 seasonal workers and raises funds for local charities.

For more information and tickets, visit TheDistilleryWinterVillage.com.

ABOUT QUINCE

Quince is a manufacturer-to-consumer platform offering a curated assortment of the world’s best-made essentials, from cashmere and linen to fine jewelry and furniture, across more than 100 categories. By connecting shoppers directly to the manufacturing partners who make each product, Quince prices its assortment 50 to 70 percent below comparable market prices without compromising on quality, backed by a 365-day return policy and a 4.7 average customer rating across millions of reviews. Founded in January 2019 by three co-founders and headquartered in San Francisco, Quince closed its Series E in March 2026 at a $10.1 billion valuation and is one of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. Explore the full Canadian experience at Quince.ca, or download the Quince app on the App Store and the Google Play Store, with free shipping, free 365-day returns, and all prices in CAD including duties.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-distillery-winter-village-announces-2026-lineup-of-new-attractions-special-performances-and-quince-as-new-title-sponsor-302920448.html

Modal Raises $750 Million in Series D Round: NYSE Content Update

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

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 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. 

Kristen Scholer delivers the pre-market update on October 27th

• Modal boosts valuation to $15.75 billion
  • The company also announced that it crossed $1 billion in annualized run rate.
  • Modal builds AI building blocks allowing developers to create a wide range of applications.
  • CEO Erik Bernhardsson will join NYSE Live to discuss what’s fueling the company’s rapid growth.
• ClioCon 2026 gets underway from Boston
  • Annual event is hosted by legal practice software firm Clio.
  • It’s bringing together lawyers, industry leaders, and technology businesses.
  • Clio CEO Jack Newton will join Taking Stock to deliver his biggest takeaways from the event.
• Earnings season underway while Fed kicks off two-day policy meeting
  • UPS and Coca-Cola delivered their latest quarterly figures this morning.
  • NYSX components Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon will report this week.
  • The FOMC meeting kicks off today, with policymakers due to announce their decision on interest rates Wednesday afternoon.

Opening Bell

Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM) celebrates its 35^th anniversary of listing

Closing Bell

Ducommun (NYSE: DCO) celebrates its 30^th anniversary of listing

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

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/modal-raises-750-million-in-series-d-round-nyse-content-update-302920751.html

Guidewire Delivers the Open, Secure, and Complete Core Platform for Agentic Insurance

Insurers gain speed and precision across the insurance lifecycle to launch products faster, assess and price risk more effectively, and resolve claims sooner

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CONNECTIONS CONFERENCE — Guidewire (NYSE: GWRE) today launched a new platform approach to agentic insurance, giving insurers an open, secure, and complete foundation for putting AI to work across the insurance lifecycle. By bringing together the applications, data, workflows, and controls insurers need, Guidewire sets out a practical model for moving from isolated AI experiments to governed agents that improve the speed and precision of insurance decisions and actions.

“Insurance is a business of decisions and actions made in context,” said Mike Rosenbaum, chief executive officer, Guidewire. “By embedding agentic capabilities where insurers already run their core operations, Guidewire gives agents the context and controls they need to work with speed and precision on a proven durable foundation.”

Guidewire agents run on the same trusted platform as its core applications and work with an insurer’s current data and workflows. For agents to work effectively, they need to know what is true, what has already been done, and what they are allowed to do. The platform’s controls enforce those boundaries with consistent security and a clear audit trail that remains current and secure through ongoing updates.

“We took a platform approach to AI, so agents run on the same platform as the core, with access to an insurer’s context, data, and workflows,” said Diego Devalle, chief product development officer, Guidewire. “The scalability and observability that already support the core now support agents too. That is why insurers can put them to work on live claims and policies, and why developers can build on the same open foundation.”

The examples below represent a sample of Guidewire’s growing portfolio of agents and agentic capabilities across the insurance lifecycle. Guidewire will continue to expand this portfolio, giving insurers more ways to put agents to work within the workflows and controls of the Guidewire platform.

Agentic underwriting

The speed of competition in the market is putting pressure on insurers to increase product and pricing agility. Guidewire shortens the path from product concept to market, giving underwriters clearer risk context and decision support within the work they already do.

• Advanced Product Designer. Product managers can now move products from intent to market-ready in days, with impact analysis, gap detection, and explainable recommendations. Agentic tooling speeds up the work of designing and refining products*.
• PricingCenter. Actuaries can move sophisticated pricing models to live rates in days by validating rules, factors, and adjustments while maintaining the established efficiency of promotion to production. This keeps portfolio impact visible. Native integration with PolicyCenter connects pricing decisions directly to policy workflows.*
• Risk Accumulation App*. Underwriters and portfolio managers can see concentration and exposure by peril on a map, from a single submission to the whole book. They can check how one risk changes portfolio exposure without leaving their normal workflow.
• UnderwritingCenter*. Underwriters gain greater productivity and precision and can quote directly in UnderwritingCenter. It turns raw submissions into clear risk profiles and matches risks to portfolio strategy and appetite. Direct integration moves the quote into PolicyCenter, removing the risk of handoffs.
• ProNavigator. Underwriters use embedded AI and Guidewire-developed agents* for submission summaries, relevant risk insights, and next-best actions.

Agentic claims

Claims teams face similar pressure to act quickly while increasing the precision of each decision. Guidewire puts agentic capabilities in the flow of work, from first notice of loss through adjudication and the broader indemnity supply chain.

• Concierge. Claimants connect with autonomous agents by voice or chat. The agents capture full loss details and deliver decision-ready claims to ClaimCenter.
• ProNavigator. Adjusters move from context to decision faster with answers, suggestions, and next-best actions from an embedded AI assistant and Guidewire-developed agents.
• Workers’ Compensation Solution. Claims teams can help injured workers recover sooner with a connected solution that links claims work with digital tools and AI.

“A claim goes faster when adjusters have the facts from the start,” said Amy Mollin, vice president, product management, Guidewire. “We built agents into ClaimCenter, where the work already happens, to capture the loss, summarize the file, and flag risk. That gives adjusters time back for the decisions and conversations that matter most to claimants and injured parties.”

“Insurers are moving beyond AI experimentation and looking for ways to put agentic AI to work across the insurance lifecycle,” said Karlyn Carnahan, executive partner, Celent. “The next challenge is making these capabilities work within the systems and workflows that run the business. That is where the platform matters. By connecting agents to core data and processes, Guidewire gives insurers a practical path to deploy them in production with the controls they need.”

Agentic platform and data

Guidewire gives technical teams the infrastructure and current insurance data to put agents into production and govern how they operate.

• Agentic Framework. Insurers can use Guidewire-developed agents or build their own, select the model for each task, enforce guardrails, evaluate behavior, and monitor costs.
• Developer Assistants. Guidewire-aware assistants help technical teams update code, workflows, and rules faster.
• DevSpace*. Developers start sooner in preconfigured cloud environments with built-in Guidewire tooling.
• Guidewire Data Platform. Policy, claims, and billing data come together in one place, so agents and predictive models draw on the same data.
• Data Studio and Explore. Curated P&C datasets are ready to use on day one. Insurers can also draw business insight from their own data.
• Kaleidoscope*. Predictive models tuned to an insurer’s own book can also draw on industry and third-party data to fill gaps. Federated learning trains the models where each party’s data resides, so records don’t move and privacy is preserved.*

“Innovation is about reimagining how work gets done and giving our people the capabilities to make that possible,” said Tatjana Lalkovic, Chief Technology Officer, Definity. “Guidewire Developer Assistants bring relevant context directly into the development process, helping our teams move from idea to implementation faster while keeping human judgment and our standards at the center. It’s a great example of how we’re using AI to increase the pace of innovation and deliver value to our business, brokers, and customers sooner.”

Guidewire is also using AI to transform how it delivers programs with customers. Across professional services, Guidewire has embedded AI into its implementation methodology, materially reducing migration and implementation timelines. This enables insurers to put new capabilities in the hands of claims and underwriting teams sooner.

Guidewire is demonstrating these advancements this week at Guidewire Connections in Las Vegas, where over 3,000 insurers and partners from 36 countries have gathered for the company’s annual customer conference.

Certain release features may not be available in all regions.

*Indicates product feature is available for Early Access customers only or Guidewire Roadmap Features.

Connections keynote sessions will be livestreamed and available on-demand. To view the livestream and learn more about Guidewire’s new platform approach to agentic insurance, visit the Guidewire website.

About Guidewire

Guidewire is the platform P&C insurers trust to engage, innovate, and grow efficiently. More than 570 insurers in 44 countries, from new ventures to the largest and most complex in the world, rely on Guidewire products. With core systems leveraging data and analytics, digital, and artificial intelligence, Guidewire defines cloud platform excellence for P&C insurers.

We are proud of our unparalleled implementation record, with 1,700+ successful projects supported by the industry’s largest R&D team and consulting partner ecosystem. Our marketplace represents the largest partner community in P&C, where customers can access hundreds of applications to accelerate integration, localization, and innovation.

For more information, please visit www.guidewire.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Melissa Cobb

Director, Public Relations

Guidewire Software, Inc.

+1.650.464.1177

mcobb@guidewire.com

NOTE: For information about Guidewire trademarks, visit www.guidewire.com/legal-notices.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding the general availability of features, programs, services, and tools mentioned in this press release (including, without limitation, Advanced Product Designer, PricingCenter, Risk Accumulation App, UnderwritingCenter, ProNavigator, DevSpace, and Kaleidoscope). These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as expect, anticipate, should, believe, hope, target, project, goals, estimate, potential, predict, may, will, might, could, intend, variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Guidewire’s control. Guidewire’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, risks detailed in Guidewire’s most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as other documents that may be filed by Guidewire from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, the following factors, among others, could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results; our reliance on sales to, and renewals from, a relatively small number of large customers and the related substantial negotiating leverage of these customers; the length and complexity of our sales, product development, and implementation cycles; our competitive environment and changes thereto; our ability to effectively manage international expansion; issues in the development, adoption, deployment, workforce use and maintenance of artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning technologies combined with an uncertain and evolving regulatory environment; long-term pricing commitments made in our customer contracts based on available information; our ability to expand adoption of our cloud-based products and services, and the risk that any of our established products may fail to satisfy customer demands or maintain market acceptance; the impact of seasonal and other variations related to our customer agreements and revenue recognition on our results of operations, ARR, and cash flows; our ability to develop, introduce, and market new and enhanced versions of our products and services; our ability to retain existing and hire new personnel, including managing a hybrid and geographically distributed workforce; errors or failures in our products or services, as well as service interruptions or failure of the third-party service providers we rely on; our dependence on the quality of our professional services and third-party global system integrator partners to sell our products and services; the impact of changes in our revenue mix, and the realization of lower gross margins from our services, subscription, and support revenues compared to our license revenue; the impact of global events (including, without limitation, macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, ongoing global conflicts, inflation, high interest rates, and general economic volatility); data security breaches of our cloud-based services and products or unauthorized access to our employees’ or our customers’ data; the impact of evolving regulations and laws (including, without limitation, security, privacy, AI and machine learning, tax regulations and laws, and accounting standards); assertions by third parties that we violate their intellectual property rights; stock price volatility regardless of our operating performance; and other risks and uncertainties. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Guidewire’s views as of the date of this press release. Guidewire anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. Guidewire undertakes no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Guidewire’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/guidewire-delivers-the-open-secure-and-complete-core-platform-for-agentic-insurance-302920441.html

Bybit Partners with XAUE Protocol to Offer 2.83% Fixed APR on XAUT Savings

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the New Financial Platform trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, is pleased to launch a new fixed-term XAUT Savings offering in partnership with XAUE Protocol. On Bybit Easy Earn, eligible holders of Tether Gold (XAUT) will receive a 2.83% fixed APR over a 90-day term.

XAUE on Bybit Easy Earn is designed to provide tokenized gold holders with a straightforward yield opportunity within the Bybit ecosystem, allowing XAUT to generate returns while maintaining exposure to the underlying gold-backed asset. The offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis from a total pool of 2,000 XAUT.

XAUE (XAU-Earn) is an institutional-grade, yield-generating gold protocol built on Ethereum. It functions as a treasury and productive layer for Tether Gold (XAU₮). The protocol preserves full exposure to the underlying asset while generating returns measured in gold. The collaboration brings this yield-generation framework to Bybit Earn, extending access to a broader user base through a simple savings subscription model.

The offering goes live on Oct. 26, 2026 at 12:00 UTC with a limited-time rewards pool and first-come, first-served allocation.

Terms and conditions apply. For full details and eligibility, users may visit: Bybit Easy Earn

#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

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybit-partners-with-xaue-protocol-to-offer-2-83-fixed-apr-on-xaut-savings-302920647.html