Category Archives: News

Morphy Richards Showcases 90 Years of Smart Ideas at IFA Berlin 2026

BERLIN, Aug. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Morphy Richards, the British premium small appliance brand celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2026, will showcase its latest innovations at IFA Berlin 2026 from September 4-8. At Hall 6.1-102 of Messe Berlin, the brand will present a portfolio of new products spanning kitchen solutions, home living and air treatment, highlighting how nine decades of design heritage continue to inspire innovation for modern lifestyles.

Forged by Time. Inspired by Tomorrow

Founded in 1936 by Donal Morphy and Charles Richards, Morphy Richards envisioned a world where everyone could enjoy high-quality, well-designed electrical appliances. Over the following decades, the brand evolved alongside changing lifestyles and consumer needs, building a reputation for combining practical functionality with thoughtful design.

As Morphy Richards marks its 90th anniversary in 2026, that legacy is reflected in the milestone theme, “Forged by Time. Inspired by Tomorrow.” The theme captures both the experience accumulated over nine decades and the brand’s forward-looking approach to product innovation.

“Ninety years represents both a significant milestone and a responsibility to continue evolving,” said Martin Guo, Global Director at Morphy Richards. “The philosophy that inspired Morphy Richards in 1936 remains relevant today: creating products that address real household needs and make daily life easier. As lifestyles continue to change, we remain focused on developing practical and meaningful solutions for modern living.”

90 Years of Smart Ideas

At IFA Berlin 2026, Morphy Richards will bring its 90th-anniversary story to life under the exhibition theme “90 Years of Smart Ideas,” celebrating the brand’s enduring philosophy, “Smart Ideas for Your Life.” The showcase highlights how 90 years of design heritage continue to inspire innovations that address the evolving needs of modern living.

A key highlight is the S1 Pro Ductless Portable Air Conditioner, a next-generation cooling solution designed for flexible, installation-free comfort. Its hose-free design, airflow of up to 8 m/s, and four-way oscillation deliver fast, targeted cooling, while integrated air conditioning, fan, and dehumidification functions provide year-round versatility. Smart control options, including app, remote, and touch-panel operation, enhance convenience and are complemented by environmentally conscious refrigerants tailored to regional markets. The S1 Lite will also be on display as a more compact option, featuring the same hose-free, plug-and-play approach to cooling.

In the kitchen category, Morphy Richards will showcase the Fusion Kettle and Fusion Toaster, combining retro-inspired aesthetics with contemporary functionality. Together with the newly launched UK product ranges, the Clay and Cassini collections, they reflect a growing focus on appliances that seamlessly blend performance with home décor. The Fusion collection was recognized at IFA 2025 as one of Gadget Flow’s “Best of IFA” selections, underscoring its appeal to both design-conscious and practical consumers.

Additional highlights include the InfuseChill Flavored Ice Maker, which lets users create flavoured ice from coffee, juice, soft drinks and other beverages for more creative frozen drinks, and the Fully Automatic Coffee Machine, bringing café-style convenience home. These innovations demonstrate Morphy Richards’ ongoing commitment to developing practical solutions for evolving lifestyles.

“This year’s portfolio reflects how everyday needs are evolving,” said Calvin, Product Director at Morphy Richards. “Whether it’s creating comfort in warmer environments, simplifying food preparation, or bringing greater convenience into the home, every product on display has been developed around real-life use cases. The collections demonstrate how smart ideas can continue to improve everyday experiences in meaningful ways.”

As Morphy Richards marks 90 years of innovation, IFA Berlin 2026 offers an opportunity to celebrate its heritage while exploring the future of everyday living. Discover 90 Years of Smart Ideas at Hall 6.1-102 or learn more at https://morphyrichards.com/pages/ifa2026.

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TestMu Conference 2026: TestMu AI’s Flagship Event Marks a New Milestone in the World of Agentic Engineering and Quality

Over 75,000 Registrations, 145 Speakers, and Unprecedented Insights into the Future of Agentic Software Development and Autonomous Quality

SAN FRANCISCO and NOIDA, India, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TestMu AI (formerly LambdaTest), the world’s first Agentic AI-powered Quality Engineering platform, concluded the fifth edition of the Testµ (‘TestMu’) Conference 2026, a 3-day virtual summit to discuss the future of agentic engineering and quality, and establish a clear, actionable vision for the industry’s shift to autonomous software development.

The conference had a massive global convergence of talent and ideas, attracting over 75,000 registrations from testers, developers, engineering leaders, AI/ML engineers, and community members from the software testing and development community across 120+ countries. The event saw outstanding engagement, with 10,000+ attendees, underscoring the critical importance of the topics and the conference’s role as an essential forum for the world’s top engineering talent.

The agenda was driven by a historic gathering of industry titans and enterprise leaders from the world’s most innovative companies, including Microsoft, Meta, Replit, Databricks, Glean, Hinge Health, Salesforce, Piramal Finance, and others. The speaker roster featured Luis Héctor Chávez, Chief Technology Officer, Replit; Francesca Lazzeri, Principal Group Director, Microsoft; Thomas Dohmke, Co-Founder and CEO, Entire; Dona Sarkar, Chief Troublemaker – Microsoft Enterprise AI Advocacy, Microsoft; Rushabh Mehta, Software Engineer, Meta; Nilesh Dalvi, Engineering Leader, Glean; Rashi Agrawal, Head of AI, Hinge Health; Viktoria Semaan, Principal Technical Evangelist, Databricks; and many others.

Three core industry imperatives emerged from the summit’s 96 sessions, panels, and workshops. First, trust must be engineered, not assumed, as AI agents take on a growing share of the engineering workload, rigorous evals, verification layers, and continuous validation are the only way to make autonomous systems trustworthy at scale. Second, agentic workflows must graduate from pilots to production, enterprises need production-grade quality gates, observability, and governance to move AI-driven engineering beyond experimentation and into mission-critical delivery. Finally, the human quality layer will define the winners of the agentic era, engineering leaders must build the culture, skills, and operating models that allow teams to adopt, supervise, and genuinely trust AI coworkers.

“This year, Testµ (TestMu) Conference marked the moment the industry moved from talking about agentic AI to engineering it responsibly,” said Asad Khan, CEO and Co-Founder of TestMu AI. “Across three days, we saw the world’s best engineering minds converge on a shared conviction: autonomous systems demand autonomous quality. The conversations and innovations unveiled here will define how software is built, tested, and shipped for the next decade. Our commitment is to continue empowering this community with the platform and vision needed to lead the agentic era.”

The conference was supported by a rich ecosystem of partners, including Accenture, Capgemini, LTIMindtree, Microsoft, Persistent, Wipro, and many others.

Building on this monumental success, TestMu AI has announced that the sixth annual Testµ Conference will return from August 24-26, 2027, promising to once again gather the world’s brightest minds to push the boundaries of technology.

To learn more, visit: https://www.testmuai.com/testmuconf-2026/

Register for TestMu Conference 2027 here: https://www.testmuai.com/testmuconf-2027/ 

About TestMu AI

TestMu AI (Formerly LambdaTest) is a Full-Stack Agentic AI Quality Engineering platform that empowers teams to test intelligently and ship faster. Engineered for scale, it offers end-to-end AI agents to plan, author, execute, and analyze software quality. AI-native by design, the platform enables testing of web, mobile, and enterprise applications at any scale across real devices, real browsers, and custom real-world environments.

For more information, visit www.testmuai.com

Media Contact

Nikhil Saxena

Corporate Communication Manager

TestMu AI

nikhils@testmuai.com

+919870981968

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Huawei to Unveil Flagship Wearables at Munich “Chase the Wild” Campaign Event on Sept. 2

MUNICH, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei is gearing up for a major product launch on September 2 in Munich, Germany, where it will showcase a new wave of devices as part of its global “Chase the Wild” campaign.

At the event, the company will roll out a full range of products spanning smartwatches, tablets, smartphones, and audio devices, all designed to weave technology into sports, health, creativity, and exploration. The goal: to help users chase their passions and embrace a lifestyle defined by freedom and purpose.

Headlining the event is the HUAWEI WATCH GT 7 Series, the company’s new flagship sports watch. It delivers a more premium wearable experience across four key areas: bold design, enhanced outdoor performance, comprehensive health management, and ultra-long battery life that keeps up with active lifestyles.

The HUAWEI WATCH 6 Series, another flagship smartwatch, is back in the European market after a year-long hiatus. It features a refined new look, smarter features, more holistic health management, and AI-driven analysis across multiple sports.

In the field of health technology, Huawei will introduce the next-generation HUAWEI WATCH D3, a blood-pressure monitoring watch that recently earned CE-MDR certification in Europe. With medical-grade tracking, it marks a real step forward in digital blood pressure management.

Beyond smartwatches, Huawei is also refreshing its broader product lineup. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12-inch is a new flagship tablet built for creativity and productivity, letting users work and create freely from anywhere. The HUAWEI FreeBuds Neo audio series makes its global debut, offering stylish, high-performance noise-canceling earbuds that blend personal style with immersive sound. And the HUAWEI nova 16s series arrives on the global stage with upgraded features and enhanced portrait photography for a smoother, more enjoyable mobile experience.

Huawei has always focused on using innovation to improve daily life. Technology, the company believes, is not just a tool for connecting people; it is also a vital companion that supports growth, exploration, and self-expression. The “Chase the Wild” Innovative Product Launch reflects that vision, with products that are smarter, more intuitive, and more integrated into daily routines.

Whether users are chasing fitness goals, creative breakthroughs, or simply a deeper connection with the world around them, Huawei puts technology at their side, not in their way, so they can embrace the wild in their everyday lives.

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MSI XpertStation WS300 Based on NVIDIA DGX Station Now Available

TAIPEI, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MSI announced that the XpertStation WS300 based on NVIDIA DGX Station architecture is now shipping. Powered by NVIDIA GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip, the deskside AI supercomputer is now available through ASI, D&H, and Newegg, bringing data-center-class AI capabilities closer to enterprise AI development and deployment.

“Enterprises don’t just need powerful AI systems; they need a straightforward way to bring them into production,” said Danny Hsu, General Manager of MSI’s Enterprise Platform Solutions. “XpertStation WS300 is designed around that reality, a system that’s ready to run demanding AI workloads the moment it arrives, not one that requires months of additional integration.”

“AI is moving from experimentation to always-on, agentic workloads that demand powerful computing close to where developers and enterprise data reside,” said Allen Bourgoyne, director of Enterprise Products at NVIDIA. “With XpertStation WS300 based on NVIDIA DGX Station architecture, MSI is bringing NVIDIA Grace Blackwell Ultra computing to the deskside, giving enterprises the performance and scale to develop, customize and run advanced AI models and agents locally.”

Enterprise AI Built for Local Development

The XpertStation WS300 is powered by NVIDIA GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip and combines up to 748GB of coherent memory with dual 400GbE networking via NVIDIA ConnectX-8 SuperNIC for clustering two XpertStation WS300 systems for AI workload scaling. Designed for large-scale AI development, fine-tuning, multimodal AI, and high-performance local inference, the platform keeps larger foundation models resident in coherent memory, reducing CPU-GPU data movement and improving inference efficiency.

As AI workloads evolve from chatbot-style interactions to large language models (LLMs) and autonomous AI agents, enterprises are facing higher inference demand, larger model footprints, and continuous AI execution. These changes are accelerating the shift toward on-premises AI infrastructure, enabling organizations to reduce recurring cloud inference costs, retain control of proprietary models and data, and continuously customize AI models for enterprise use.

Extending beyond AI model development, the XpertStation WS300 also supports NVIDIA NemoClaw with the NVIDIA OpenShell runtime, enabling policy-controlled autonomous AI agents to operate securely within enterprise environments and helping organizations move from AI-assisted workflows to agentic AI deployment.

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JULIEN’S AUCTIONS ANNOUNCES “KAIJU KING: THE SOMPOTE SANDS LEGACY COLLECTION”

VISIONARY SCI-FI FILMMAKER SOMPOTE SANDS’ PERSONAL COLLECTION OF ULTRAMAN HISTORY HEADS TO AUCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME COMMEMORATING THE PIONEERING FRANCHISE’S 60^TH ANNIVERSARY

Rare Ultraman Promotional Flying Miniatures, Design Statues, Masks, Production Suits, Figurines, 3-D Paintings of Ultraman, Pigmon & Alien Baltan by Famed Designer Tohl Narita, Hand-Painted Original Poster Artwork & Beyond from Iconic Films Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders, Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen, Jumborg Ace & Giant and More

Plus, Archival Treasures from the Golden Age & Shōwa Era of Japanese Cinema Such as Sands’ Script & Petri 7 35mm Camera Used on the Set of the 1962 Film Classic King Kong vs. Godzilla , 1970s Era Vintage Kaiju Figures & Collectibles Including Bullmark, Bandai, Popy and More, Theatrical Posters Collection including Hand-Painted 1962/63 Japanese Films Poster with the Signatures of Akira Kurosawa, Ishiro Honda, Eiji Tsuburaya and Other Legendary Directors

EXCLUSIVE LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION EVENT

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Julien’s Auctions, the leading international entertainment auction house, announced today the Sci-Fi auction event of the season “KAIJU KING: THE SOMPOTE SANDS LEGACY COLLECTION” an exclusive live auction taking place Wednesday, September 23, 2026 in Los Angeles and online at juliensauctions.com

A remarkable archive of over 300 original film artifacts and memorabilia direct from the estate of the legendary filmmaker and tokusatsu (special effects) visionary Sompote Sands, will be offered at auction for the first time in history, spotlighting his work in the Ultraman universe (photo right: Ultraman Jack statue) and providing fans and collectors a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of the global pop culture phenomenon. The collection, amassed over five decades by the founder of Chaiyo Productions and displayed at his personally curated museum ‘Sompote House’ in Thailand, includes production used suits, monster miniatures, props, scripts, vintage hero figures, toys, original artwork and behind-the-scenes treasures. Artifacts from his early career and film apprenticeship in Japan including 1962’s King Kong vs. Godzilla from production scripts (photo left seen in hands of Sompote Sands), photographs, film equipment to posters and more will also be highlighted.

Sompote Sands was Thailand’s pioneering special-effects director and producer in the 1970s-1980s, revered for bringing giant heroes and mythological creatures to the screen in Southeast Asia. He helmed the iconic films Hanuman vs. 7 Ultraman, Hanuman and the 5 Kamen Riders, the superhero/kaiju film Jumborg Ace & Giant (photo right: Jumborg Ace & Giant original poster) and more, delivering his brilliant craft of practical effects and miniatures to audiences in his homeland of Thailand.

The forthcoming sale marks the first time Sompote Sands’ personal production archive from his company Chaiyo Productions, representing his work and the culturally significant era of his time, will be available to the public. This auction joins all the excitement and events taking place around the world in celebration of the 60^th anniversary of Ultraman. Since the premiere of Ultraman in 1966 (photo left: Ultraman Ace vending machine statue from Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen premiere), this cornerstone of Japanese pop culture has become an international phenomenon, generating a billion-dollar merchandising industry and spawning numerous sequels, spin-offs, and tributes worldwide and influencing anime, manga and the modern era of sci-fi filmmaking with blockbusters Power Rangers, Pacific Rim, and Ready Player One among others. (photo right: photo of young Sompote Sands on-set of 1962’s King Kong and Godzilla, as part of a group of behind-the-scenes photos of the film being offered at auction)

“Sompote Sands was Southeast Asia’s Steven Spielberg, a pioneer in science fiction filmmaking whose films blending Thai folklore storytelling and practical special effects wizardry filled audiences with cinematic wonder,” said Catherine Williamson, Managing Director of Entertainment, Julien’s Auctions. “This exceptional auction of artifacts from his film career and notably his cinematic contributions to the Ultraman franchise will not only excite fans and collectors of the worldwide cultural icon but also the booming global toy collectibles market with Sands’ collection of rare film props, action figures and movie memorabilia from the cross-cultural Golden Age of Southeast Asian sci-fi film productions coming to auction for the first time.”

Auction highlights include:

Original Production Suits, Masks, Props & Miniatures and Statues

• An Ultraseven production mask from Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen, built of fiberglass with internal wiring for illuminated eyes and jewel. In the film, Ultraseven is one of the six Ultras that the Mother of Ultra sends from M78 to Earth to team up with Hanuman in order to defeat an army of kaiju that has emerged from the planet’s interior. (estimate: $5,000–$7,000)
• An original Ultraman promotional flying miniature used to promote Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen, later hand-painted for director Sompote Sands’ personal museum. Miniatures in this same style can be seen in the film as the Ultra Brothers fly to Earth to arrive for battle, and after they are victorious and returning to their home planet. (estimate: $1,000–$2,000)
• The original Jumborg Ace production suit torso, worn in Jumborg Ace & Giant, comprising a custom neoprene wetsuit and fiberglass/resin helmet. (estimate: $2,000–$3,000) In the film, Jumborg Ace (performed by Naoki Tachibana) is deployed to fight against the kaiju minions of Demon Go-Ne, who descend upon Earth in order to steal power for Demon Go-Ne’s solar lens on the moon.
• A Jumborg Ace plaster mask, possibly created as a prototype for the graveyard scene where Demon Go-Ne vows revenge against Jumborg Ace for killing her kaiju colleagues in Jumborg Ace & Giant. (estimate: $300–$500)
• A massive Ultraman Jack vending machine statue from the 1974 premiere of Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen at Bangkok’s Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. (estimate: $2,000–$3,000)
• A “Fighting Star” fighter jet miniature from the production of Jumborg Ace & Giant seen throughout the film during kaiju battles. The jet is flown by members of the PAT (Protective Attacking Team) as they assist the giant heroes Jumborg Ace, the Giant, and Yak Wat Pho as they battle the various villains threatening the Earth. (estimate: $2,000–$3,000)
• The original sword prop made of carved resin/fiberglass composite with hand-painted detailing used by the villainous kaiju Jum Killer, Jr. in Jumborg Ace & Giant (estimate: $700–$900)
• A crocodile SFX Eye with static crocodile eye prop used for close-up shots related to the production of Sompote Sands’ many crocodile related films—Crocodile (1980), Chalawan (1972), Krai Thong (1980), Crocodile Therakwad (1982), and Krai Thong 2 (1985). The SFX eye comprised of a metal mount opens and closes its eyelid via built-in hydraulics. (estimate: $500–$700)

Original Artwork by legendary Ultraman character designer Tohl Narita

• An original three-dimensional painting of Ultraman signed by Narita and acquired directly from the artist. (estimate: $10,000–$20,000)
• An original three-dimensional painting of Pigmon, signed by Narita and dated May 1990, featuring a handwritten note. (estimate: $5,000–$7,000)
• An original late period three-dimensional painting of Alien Baltan featuring the kaiju floating in space above the planet Earth. (estimate: $5,000–$7,000)
• An Ultraseven prototype design statue in solid resin, created by Narita as an early concept for the 1967 television series. (estimate: $5,000–$7,000)

Original Poster Artwork

• The hand-painted original poster artwork for Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders, used for the Thai one-sheet poster. (estimate: $800–$1,000)
• The hand-painted original poster artwork for Jumborg Ace & Giant, signed by the artist in Thai. (estimate: $800–$1,000)

Scripts & Behind‑the‑Scenes Treasures

• Sompote Sands’ personal Japanese production script for 1962’s King Kong vs. Godzilla, where he worked on as a production assistant, annotated in his hand and accompanied by a framed on-set photo. (estimate: $2,000–$3,000) (
• A one-of-a-kind hand-painted and signed poster listing 1962/63 Japanese films, with the signatures of Akira Kurosawa, Ishiro Honda, Eiji Tsuburaya and other legendary directors. (estimate: $2,000–$3,000)
• Sompote Sands’ personal Petri 7 “Green-O-Matic” 35mm camera, photo-matched to his time on the set of King Kong vs. Godzilla. (estimate: $300–$500)

Vintage Kaiju Figures & Collectibles

• 100 lots of rare and vintage sofubi figures of kaiju and heroes from franchises such as Ultraman, Godzilla including Banpresto and Bandai releases from 1983–2000, and more (each lot estimate range: $400–$600)

Film Posters Archive

• A comprehensive archive of theatrical posters from Sompote Sands’ career, including Tah Tien (signed by Sands), Jumborg Ace & Giant, Crocodile (uncensored version), Magic Lizard, and more (total 16 posters). (estimate: $300–$500)

LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION

“KAIJU KING: THE SOMPOTE SANDS LEGACY COLLECTION”

Wednesday, September 23

Julien’s Studios 13007 S. Western Avenue, Gardena, CA 90249

10:00 a.m. Pacific Time

Placing Bids

There are four ways to bid in Live Auctions:

Bid with Julien’s Auctions online.

Bid over the telephone through an auction house representative.

Bid in person in the room at our auction events.

Bid in advance by absentee bid. Absentee bid forms are available by calling 310-836-1818

Julien’s Auctions accepts payments with cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, DAI, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin and USD Coin.

Julien’s Auctions

For the moments that matter.

You know that moment when the lights dim, right before your favorite band starts playing? Or that feeling right before the credits roll on a movie that changed your whole world in an instant? The air is charged with anticipation and words are never going to do it justice because you just really had to be there.

At Julien’s, we exist to bring those moments back into your life through iconic artifacts and one-of-a-kind collections. Whether collaborating directly with artists, partnering with legendary estates, or working closely with discerning collectors, our auctions make culture pop with the promise of discovery and reconnection. From Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Ringo Starr to Lady Gaga, Banksy, and Kurt Cobain-from LA to the world, we are where originals find their kind.

PRESS CONTACTS

Julien’s Auctions

Mozell Miley-Bailey

(646) 653-3105

mozell@homagepr.com

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Flexsys Narrows 6PPD Replacement to Two Final Molecules and Enters Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with U.S. Geological Survey for Independent Toxicity Testing

These two steps bring a 6PPD replacement closer to market, as federal scientists will conduct extensive aquatic toxicity testing – a critical step toward final molecule selection and commercialization.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Flexsys, a global leader in material science and advanced tire additives solutions, today announces two milestones in the effort to develop a 6PPD replacement for use in tires.

Following the November 2025 announcement that Flexsys has developed the world’s first viable alternative to 6PPD, the Company has now completed screening efforts and is focusing on two final candidate molecules for expanded testing and ultimately final selection as a replacement for 6PPD in tires. Both candidates sit outside the “PPD” chemical family, do not form a quinone transformation product during use and have met the Company’s ambitious safety, performance and environmental benchmarks in testing conducted in Flexsys labs, as well as with external industry partners.

Flexsys has also entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to independently and thoroughly evaluate the two molecules’ potential effects on aquatic life. Building on Flexsys’ 2023 CRADA with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), the testing performed under this USGS agreement is a critical step in determining the complete aquatic toxicity profile of these molecules, using novel test methodologies that extend well beyond what is typical for a new chemical registration. Under the agreement, USGS scientists will deploy existing and novel test methodologies while strictly adhering to USGS policies regarding scientific integrity.

“The tire industry has been waiting for two things: a molecule that actually works and independent proof that it is safe,” says Carl Brech, Chief Executive Officer of Flexsys. “As of today, both are in hand or in motion. With tire and environmental safety testing underway, the focus has shifted from finding a potential replacement to thorough validation, regulatory approval, scale-up and industry adoption.”

Any 6PPD replacement requires comprehensive safety and environmental testing beyond the standard requirements for new chemicals to provide tire manufacturers, tribes, regulators and all stakeholders with confidence in the selected alternative. As part of that effort, the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC), with support from the USGS California Water Science Center and their Columbia Environmental Research Center, will evaluate molecules and their transformation products for effects on Pacific salmon and other aquatic species. The research conducted via this CRADA will pioneer novel test methods for assessing aquatic toxicity using cell-line research, creating new alternatives for aquatic toxicity testing that can be used to assess any chemical, not only 6PPD replacement molecules. Scientists at WFRC have already begun testing 6PPD alternatives from Flexsys; the CRADA expands and formalizes that work.

“This marks a significant milestone for our team, and we’re pleased to announce we’ve narrowed our efforts to two final molecules that continue to meet our strict targets for in-rubber performance, scalability, toxicity profile and environmental sustainability,” said Neil Smith, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer. “The selected alternative must be reliable and safe, not only today but for decades to come. USGS expertise provides independent evaluation with a level of rigor we could not execute on our own. We are proud to help pioneer novel toxicity-testing methods and eager to see the results.”

Flexsys would also like to recognize external support for this work from the Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs Program, where Flexsys is a member of the Akron Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub, led by the Akron Chamber on behalf of the Polymer Industry Cluster, with associated support from Jobs Ohio.

“USGS has spent the past five years studying the effects of 6PPD on aquatic species and developing innovative methods to screen the safety of potential alternatives,” said Michael Schmidt, Center Director, U.S. Geological Survey Western Fisheries Research Center. “For nearly a century, the Western Fisheries Research Center has provided objective science to support management of aquatic species across the Western United States.”

Moving Toward Commercialization

Flexsys continues to optimize the process chemistry of both candidate molecules to allow for efficient world-scale production and continues its work with regulatory agencies globally to have the new chemistry approved for commercial use. Both candidates use substantially the same intermediate chemistry used to produce 6PPD today, allowing the industry to continue using existing chemical manufacturing assets: a factor that supports faster adoption and lower total investment cost.

ABOUT FLEXSYS

Flexsys is a global leader in advanced material-science solutions for the rubber and tire industry. Building on decades of chemistry and innovation expertise, the company develops and manufactures high-performance vulcanization, stabilization and protection systems that enhance the durability, safety and environmental performance of rubber products. Its portfolio includes Crystex™ vulcanizing agents, Santoflex™ antidegradants and Duralink™ HTS post-vulcanization stabilizers.

Operating across four continents with seven manufacturing facilities, a technology center in Akron, Ohio, Flexsys continues to pioneer next-generation solutions that drive performance and sustainability across the global tire industry.

For more information, please visit www.flexsys.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the development of Flexsys’ candidate 6PPD replacement molecules. These statements reflect current expectations and assumptions as of the date of publication and are not guarantees of future performance. Factors that could affect actual results include the outcome of ongoing research and testing, regulatory reviews and approvals, manufacturing and scale-up considerations, market acceptance, and other factors beyond Flexsys’ control. Flexsys undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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TraceLink’s No-Code, Governed OPUS Agents Can Now Perform Work on All Supply Chain Business Transactions and Processes

OPUS Agents perform specialized work on any supply chain event in collaboration with humans on Agentic Business Processes

BOSTON, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TraceLink, the world’s largest Agentic Business Network for the life sciences and healthcare supply chain, today announced major advancements to OPUS Agents that enable organizations to rapidly create specialized digital teammates to perform work across the end-to-end supply chain.

Using no-code natural language descriptions, organizations can define the events, actions, intent, objectives, tasks, decisions, and rules required for OPUS Agents to perform work triggered by business transactions and process transitions. OPUS Agents are governed as users with roles, permissions, and guardrails that provide the highest level of security and transparency with audit and progress logs for all the work they perform.

TraceLink’s Agentic Supply Chain Operating System supports an unlimited number of enterprise-specific Agent Profiles and active Agents that collaborate with human managers across the end-to-end supply chain. This product design and AI architecture give organizations an affordable, scalable foundation for transformation to the Agentic Supply Chain Operating Model.

“TraceLink is the only company that provides the complete product which was purpose-built for agentic transformation of the end-to-end supply chain,” said Shabbir Dahod, President and CEO of TraceLink. “By designing OPUS Agents as enterprise users operating in a secure and auditable environment, the agents work in a rich supply chain context. With no-code natural language agent definitions and the ability to create a large-scale specialized agent workforce, organizations can create business value quickly and efficiently.”

Build Specialized Digital Teammates Across Supply Chain Operations

OPUS Agents can perform specialized supply chain work ranging from monitoring a single service-level agreement, exception queue, or transaction status to reasoning across multienterprise transactions in Multienterprise Information Network Tower (MINT), collaborative processes in Process Orchestration for Empowered Teams (POET), trading partner interactions, and enterprise processes.

Organizations can create agents to:

• Validate orders, invoices, and financial transactions to detect pricing, quantity, billing, remittance, and chargeback discrepancies before they create financial leakage or operational delays.
• Monitor external manufacturing and batch readiness to identify production delays, material issues, quality-document gaps, unresolved incidents, and risks to batch release or reliable supply.
• Improve logistics, fulfillment, and inventory visibility by monitoring warehouse fulfillment, shipment activity, CMO and 3PL inventory, discrepancies, and expiry risk.
• Prioritize compliance exceptions by identifying DSCSA exceptions that are overdue, approaching due dates, awaiting action, or missing ownership.
• Track transaction service levels by flagging missing or late acknowledgments, responses, remittance records, shipping advice, or other required business actions.
• Assess master data readiness by checking product, company, and partner data against global compliance requirements before gaps disrupt regulated operations.

Build OPUS Agents to Meet Your Work Requirements

With new OPUS Platform advancements, companies can create AI agents that understand their business, work within approved rules, and collaborate with humans and other agents.

Rather than relying on generic prompts, OPUS Agents use company-specific transactions, processes, operating procedures, and historical knowledge to inform their work. For each OPUS Agent, organizations can define:

• Managers: Select the human manager to oversee each agent’s work.
• Memberships: Define an agent’s memberships in applications and solutions.
• Roles: For each membership, define the roles the agent can have.
• Permissions: Limit the permissions for an agent based on roles.
• Intent: Use natural language to describe the business purpose the agent will fulfill.
• Events: Identify the supply chain events the agent will act on.
• Objectives: Establish the concrete objectives an agent will pursue on business objects based on the supply chain events.
• Tasks: Use natural language to describe the step-by-step instructions for processing business objects.
• Decisions: For each task, establish the decisions that need to be made.
• Rules: Declare the rules to follow in making the decisions.
• Guardrails: Provide the boundaries within which the agent should reason while pursuing its objectives.
• Outcomes: For each business event processed by an agent, show the work performed and value created to the human.

OPUS Agents maintain Progress Logs that capture work completed, decisions made, and communications with humans by objective and outcome. This creates an audit trail showing the agent’s actions, decisions, reasoning, and human interactions.

Create an Agentic Workforce Across Agentic Business Processes

Specialized OPUS Agents come together within Agentic Business Processes (ABPs), where they work on MINT business transactions, collaborate with humans and other agents through POET processes, and respond to supply chain events triggered through Melody Scripts.



Within each ABP, organizations can:

• Work on MINT Transactions: Deploy specialized OPUS Agents to evaluate, monitor, reconcile, and act on the multienterprise transactions that move between trading partners.
• Collaborate on POET Processes: Bring agents, humans, and trading partners into collaborative workflows to investigate exceptions, coordinate decisions, and move work toward resolution.
• Respond to Supply Chain Events: Use Melody Scripts to trigger agent activity as business events occur, allowing specialized agents to begin work when their expertise is needed.
• Govern the Agentic Workforce: Apply role-based permissions, policy controls, lifecycle management, and human oversight as agents work across transactions and collaborative processes.

As specialized OPUS Agents become integrated through supply chain events across multiple ABPs, the value extends beyond the productivity gains of any individual agent or process. Each ABP can inform and trigger work in others, creating a confluence of intelligence, decisions, and actions across the supply chain that compounds business value as the agentic workforce expands.

By combining humans, governed OPUS Agents, digitalized transactions, and Agentic Business Processes, organizations can transform to the Agentic Supply Chain Operating Model—with projected improvements of 50–100% in productivity, 30–50% in customer responsiveness, 15–25% in revenue growth, 50–80% in product availability, and 20–40% in elastic operational capacity without proportional workforce growth.

Discover how to build your own portfolio of specialized OPUS Agents at FutureLink Barcelona 2026.

About TraceLink

TraceLink powers the transformation to an Agentic Supply Chain Operating Model for life sciences and healthcare by combining human expertise with agentic work across the end-to-end supply network.

Through Agentic Business Processes, Agentic Control Towers, the Integrate-Once™ Agentic Business Network, and governed OPUS Agents, TraceLink enables companies to significantly improve productivity, service, inventory, working capital, cost, compliance, quality, resilience, and revenue performance.

Powered by the OPUS Platform and the world’s largest Agentic Business Network, which links more than 315,000 authenticated business entities and hundreds of billions of annual supply chain transactions, TraceLink enables companies to digitalize business transactions, create trusted operational context, and perform work across multienterprise supply chain processes with greater speed, intelligence, control, and accountability.

Learn more at www.tracelink.com.

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NYSE Texas Opens Headquarters in Dallas: NYSE Content Update

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

NEW YORK, Aug. 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. 

Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on August 27th

• The NYSE announced the opening of its NYSE Texas headquarters in Dallas.
  • The new headquarters provides NYSE Texas-listed companies with a dedicated venue and event space.
  • In a statement, NYSE President Lynn Martin said the headquarters is, “where our commitment to the state becomes concrete as a dedicated home for the innovators who are shaping the future.”
• Texas Governor Greg Abbott will ring the Closing Bell from the new NYSE Texas headquarters.
  • NYSE Texas President Bryan Daniel will join Kristen Scholer on Taking Stock to discuss how the headquarters is helping build community and deepen the NYSE’s presence in the state. 
  • Scholer will also speak with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in an interview that will be distributed across NYSE platforms in the coming weeks.
• Investors digest earnings from Global X NYSE 100 ETF top holding Nvidia.
  • The chip giant reported $96.2 billion in quarterly revenue en route to beating analyst estimates on both the top and bottom lines.
  • Nvidia added that it expects revenue growth of 70% for its fiscal 2028 year.

Opening Bell

Amplify ETFs celebrates the launch of Amplify Top 10™ ETFs 

Closing Bell

The New York Stock Exchange celebrates the grand opening of its NYSE Texas headquarters

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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IMG 2026 Autumn Travel Trends Report: International Travel Demand Continues to Rise

• IMG reviewed the travel itineraries of more than 40,000 members with upcoming travel plans between September 1^st and November 30^th of 2026 to identify notable travel trends this autumn.

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IMG (International Medical Group) has conducted a review of customer travel plans from the beginning of September to the end of November and reveals the top five international destinations for U.S. travelers this autumn to be:

1. Mexico
2. Italy
3. Canada
4. Bahamas
5. United Kingdom

Mexico remains the top destination for IMG travelers for the fourth consecutive year, while the Bahamas moved into IMG’s top five destinations this autumn, replacing Spain from 2025.

IMG data also shows that travelers continue to invest more in their trips. The average insured trip cost for autumn 2026 increased by nearly 6% compared to the same period in 2025. Travel demand remains strong, with IMG seeing a 15% increase in travelers purchasing policies for autumn trips.

“Our autumn travel data reflects continued confidence among international travelers,” said Grant Hayes, Global Head of Travel for IMG. “Travelers are planning more trips and spending more on their travel experiences, while continuing to prioritize destinations that offer a mix of cultural experiences and relaxation.”

The data also points to continued interest in international travel among older adults this autumn. Nearly half of all travelers reviewed in this analysis are age 65 and older, and 15% of travelers are age 75+.

“International travel continues to resonate across generations, particularly among retirees who have both the time and flexibility to explore the world,” said Justin Poehler, IMG Chief Commercial Officer. “As more travelers invest in meaningful travel experiences, having the right protection and support remains an important part of trip planning.”

To learn more about IMG’s award-winning travel insurance and health safety solutions, visit www.imglobal.com.

About IMG^® (International Medical Group^®)

IMG^® (International Medical Group^®), a SiriusPoint company, is an award-winning global insurance benefits and assistance services company that has served millions of members worldwide since its founding in 1990. The preeminent provider of travel and health safety solutions, IMG offers a wide range of insurance programs, including international private medical insurance, travel medical insurance, and travel insurance, as well as enterprise services, including insurance administrative services and 24/7 emergency medical, security, and travel assistance. IMG’s world-class services, combined with an extensive product portfolio, provide Global Peace of Mind^® for travelers, students, missionaries, marine crews, and other individuals or groups traveling, working, or living away from home. For more information, please visit www.imglobal.com.

Media Contact:

Carly Kessler, IMG Communications Manager, carly.kessler@imglobal.com

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Chandigarh University Establishes Collaborations with Leading Companies for Internships & Placements across Legal Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences

University Collaborates with Leading Organisations to Create New-Age Learning and Placement Opportunities, Preparing Students for the Future of Work

CHANDIGARH, India, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As rapid advancements in the world of technology transform the way industries function, their workforce requirements have also changed completely. Today, employers increasingly seek graduates who can apply knowledge in real-world situations, understand industry expectations, possess practical, job-ready skills and start delivering from day one itself.

To meet these changing requirements of the industry, Chandigarh University has nurtured an industry-aligned experiential learning model that bridges academic learning with professional practice equipping students with relevant skills to build a deeper understanding for the contemporary professional environment. And to that effect, CU has recently signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with leading companies to further strengthen its industry-academia engagement in the domains of Legal Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences for, creating avenues for experiential learning through internships and placements, live projects, specialised training and certifications, research engagement and professional exposure.

Nurturing Future-Ready Legal Professionals through Experiential Learning

Legal education requires students to understand not only law concepts and legal theory but also how these principles are applied in professional practice. In order to bridge this gap, the University Institute of Legal Studies at Chandigarh University has entered into collaborations with SB Tech Associates, Magnus Legal Services LLP and Khurana and Khurana Advocates and IP Attorneys recently.

Through the MoU with SB Tech Associates, CU will collaborate on the co-development and review of the curriculum for the identified programmes to ensure proper alignment with current industry standards and professional best practices in legal education and training. Students will gain exposure through trainings, seminars, hackathons, competitions, workshops, courses and guest and expert lectures, while the partnership provides internship and placement opportunities ranging from one to 12 months. This collaboration also opens avenues for joint research, sponsored projects, consultancy assignments, publications and knowledge exchange, enabling students to engage with both professional and research-oriented aspects of the legal domain.

The partnership with Magnus Legal Services LLP similarly provides a platform for industry-informed curriculum development and review. Students will benefit from trainings, seminars, hackathons, competitions, workshops, courses and expert lectures, along with internship and placement opportunities of one to 12 months. Joint research initiatives, sponsored projects, consultancy assignments, publications and knowledge exchange will further expose students to contemporary professional practices and research opportunities.

For the students of B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), B.Com. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.B. and LL.M., the MoU with Khurana and Khurana Advocates and IP Attorneys provides an additional industry interface. Apart from the curriculum development and review, the collaboration provides opportunities for internships of one to three months. The MoU also provides for placement opportunities, as well as scope for joint research, sponsored projects, consultancy assignments, publications and knowledge exchange, enabling students to complement academic learning with practical exposure to the legal profession.

Building Industry-Ready Skills for Liberal Arts Students

For Liberal Arts students, employability increasingly depends on the ability to combine communication, creativity and critical thinking with practical industry skills. Chandigarh University is addressing this requirement through collaborations with Level UP PR, Mantrin, and Orient International School and Sports Academy, providing direct exposure to professional media and education environments.

The MoU with Level UP PR brings the Print Media and Newspaper industry into CU’s academic environment. Industry collaboration in curriculum development and review will help align learning with contemporary professional practices, while students will gain practical exposure through trainings, workshops, guest and expert lectures, industry talks and live industry projects.

The partnership also provides opportunities for students to do internships and secure placements with internship engagements ranging from one to 12 months alongside opportunities for joint research, surveys, sponsored projects, consultancy assignments, publications and knowledge exchange.

Through its collaboration with Mantrin, CU is strengthening industry engagement in the Print Media and Newspaper sector. The partnership enables students to participate in trainings, workshops, guest and expert lectures, industry talks and live industry projects, while also providing opportunities for internships and placements that offer valuable professional exposure. Internship engagements may range from one to 12 months. The collaboration further broadens the scope of experiential learning through joint research, surveys, sponsored projects, consultancy assignments, publications and knowledge exchange.

In teacher education, the collaboration with Orient International School and Sports Academy provides students of B.A. B.Ed. and B.Sc. B.Ed. programmes with opportunities to connect academic learning with practical requirements in education. Subject-matter experts from the organisation will participate in CU’s curriculum review process, while students will have access to internship and placement opportunities of one to 12 months. The partnership also envisages industrial visits, seminars, workshops, expert talks, hackathons and other collaborative activities. Additionally, CU staff may pursue PhD programmes in accordance with University regulations, while CU students may choose a co-supervisor from another organisation, subject to approval by the relevant authorities with at least one supervisor continuing to be from Chandigarh University.

Equipping Students with Future-Ready Skills in Digital Forensics

Emerging fields such as Digital Forensics require specialised infrastructure, industry-standard tools and exposure to real-world investigative applications. Recognising this need, Chandigarh University’s University Institute of Sciences has collaborated with Foundation Futuristic Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (FFT) to establish a Research Centre for Digital Forensic Intelligence.

The proposed centre will combine CU’s physical infrastructure and computing hardware with FFT’s proprietary software licences, specialised tools and industry-standard curriculum modules. Students will develop specialised capabilities in Digital Forensics, Crime Investigation, Intelligence Technologies and Solutions through curriculum development, training, seminars, hackathons, competitions, workshops, courses and expert lectures.

The MoU provides internship opportunities ranging from one to 12 months, along with placement opportunities with FFT, creating a talent-acquisition pipeline for students specialising in the centre’s curriculum. It also provides for Train-the-Trainer certification for nominated CU faculty, joint research, sponsored projects, consultancy assignments, publications and knowledge exchange, as well as professional co-branded certification programmes in mutually agreed domains, subject to CU’s academic policies and approvals. CU departments will also facilitate academic white papers, independent studies and validation reports on the efficacy and applications of Make-in-India product suites, including those developed by FFT.

The Research Centre may further serve as a demonstration, research and training hub for law-enforcement agencies and other authorized institutions, supporting practical training, research and knowledge exchange in digital forensics and intelligence technologies.

In pharmaceutical sciences, the collaboration between CU and Choksi Laboratories Ltd addresses the need for practical exposure to pharmaceutical analytical techniques. The partnership covers curriculum development and review, along with trainings, seminars, hackathons, competitions, workshops, courses, guest/expert lectures and industrial visits.

Students will also have opportunities for joint research, sponsored projects, consultancy assignments, publications and knowledge exchange, as well as professional certification programmes in mutually agreed domains, with co-branded certificates subject to CU’s academic policies and approvals. The MoU provides internship and placement opportunities.

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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