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Piramal Pharma Limited Completes Acquisition of Controlling Stake in Yapan Bio Private Limited

  • Yapan Bio Private Limited specializes in process development, characterization, and phase I and II GMP manufacturing services for vaccines and biologics.
  • Piramal has held a stake in Yapan Bio since 2021, enabling the Company to provide a broad range of capabilities across biologics development and manufacturing.
  • This acquisition transforms Yapan Bio from Piramal’s associate company to its subsidiary, enhancing the Company’s ability to offer complex, integrated large molecule CDMO services.

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Piramal Pharma Ltd. (NSE: PPLPHARMA) (BSE: 543635) (“PPL) has completed the acquisition of an incremental 40.67% stake in Yapan Bio Private Limited (“Yapan Bio”), a Hyderabad-based CDMO specializing in vaccines and biologics for an aggregate cash consideration of ₹76 crore, or $7.95M USD. As a result of this transaction, PPL now owns 74% of Yapan Bio’s equity, making Yapan Bio a subsidiary of PPL.

Finalized on August 18, 2026, the acquisition marks a major step forward in PPL’s long-range plan to expand its presence in the biologics sector. With the finalization of this deal, PPL will fully embed the subsidiary’s advanced large molecule capabilities into its integrated service offering, enabling the Company to offer customers broader services in the space and expanding its ability to develop and scale complex biologic therapies with greater efficiency. The subsidiary will continue to operate within the structure of Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), the CDMO arm of PPL.

Yapan Bio also directly supports ADCelerate™ — PPS’s fixed-price, integrated platform that streamlines Phase I ADC development from R&D to GMP in as little as 12 months. This acquisition further enhances ADCelerate™ and reinforces PPL’s ability to deliver life-saving ADCs to market with speed and consistency.

Peter DeYoung, CEO, Piramal Global Pharma
Peter DeYoung, CEO, Piramal Global Pharma

“This strategic investment doesn’t just fuel our long-term growth; it also puts Patient Centricity into action,” said Peter DeYoung, CEO, Piramal Global Pharma. “By integrating Yapan Bio’s specialized expertise into our global network, we’re empowering our partners to meet a rising global demand for complex biologics and helping patients worldwide secure continued access to the therapies they need.”

About Piramal Pharma Solutions

Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS) is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions across the drug life cycle. We serve our customers through a globally integrated network of facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. This enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services including drug discovery solutions, process and pharmaceutical development services, clinical trial supplies, commercial supply of APIs, and finished dosage forms. We also offer specialized services such as the development and manufacture of highly potent APIs, antibody-drug conjugations, sterile fill/finish, peptide products and services, and potent solid oral drug products. PPS also offers development and manufacturing services for biologics including vaccines and gene therapies, made possible through Piramal Pharma Limited’s subsidiary, Yapan Bio Private Limited.

For more information visit: Piramal Pharma Solutions | LinkedInFacebook | X

About Piramal Pharma Limited

Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL, NSE: PPLPHARMA I BSE: 543635), offers a portfolio of differentiated products and services through its 17 global development and manufacturing facilities and a global distribution network in over 100 countries. PPL includes Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization; Piramal Critical Care (PCC), a complex hospital generics business; and the Piramal Consumer Healthcare business, selling over-the-counter consumer and wellness products. In addition, one of PPL’s associate companies, Abbvie Therapeutics India Private Limited, a joint venture between Abbvie and PPL, has emerged as one of the market leaders in the ophthalmology therapy area in the Indian pharma market.

For more information, visit: Piramal Pharma | LinkedIn

 

 

/C O R R E C T I O N — Rayence/

In the news release, Rayence Breaks the Boundaries of Point-of-Care Imaging with the Launch of Integrated Portable X-ray Diagnostic Solutions ‘Anywhere-M’ and ‘Anywhere-V’, issued 18-Aug-2026 by Rayence over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the first paragraph has been updated and a special note [(AI-generated image)] should be added into photo caption so it should read: [Rayence expands the boundaries of point-of-care imaging with its new integrated portable X-ray diagnostic solutions, Anywhere-M for human healthcare and Anywhere-V for veterinary and field animal care. (AI-generated image)] as originally issued inadvertently. The complete, corrected release follows:

Rayence Breaks the Boundaries of Point-of-Care Imaging with the Launch of Integrated Portable X-ray Diagnostic Solutions ‘Anywhere-M’ and ‘Anywhere-V’

  • Integrated all-in-one workflow combining a portable X-ray generator, detector, and imaging software
  • Powered by Rayence’s proprietary SHINE denoising algorithm and military grade detector durability for emergency, disaster relief, and field diagnostics
  • Cost effective, high performance solution designed to accelerate the expansion of telemedicine and mobile healthcare worldwide

HWASEONG, South Korea, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rayence, a global leader in digital X-ray detectors and medical imaging solutions, today announced the launch of its next-generation portable X-ray diagnostic solutions, designed to extend diagnostic imaging beyond the traditional hospital environment and bring high quality care directly to the point of need. The new lineup includes ‘Anywhere-M’, a mobile imaging solution for human healthcare, and ‘Anywhere-V’, a portable diagnostic solution optimized for veterinary and field animal care.

Unlike conventional portable systems that simply bundle individual devices together, the ‘Anywhere‘ series is a fully integrated all-in-one diagnostic solution that seamlessly combines a portable X-ray generator, a high resolution digital detector, and Rayence’s dedicated imaging software platforms, ‘Xmaru Pro’ for human healthcare and ‘VetView Pro’ for veterinary applications, into a unified imaging workflow.

Designed for effortless interoperability, the system minimizes setup complexity and eliminates time consuming calibration procedures, enabling healthcare professionals to acquire diagnostic quality images almost instantly. The solution is expected to significantly enhance diagnostic efficiency in emergency departments, trauma centers, disaster relief operations, military medical units, and home healthcare settings, where rapid decision making is critical and access to conventional imaging infrastructure is limited.

Rayence expands the boundaries of point-of-care imaging with its new integrated portable X-ray diagnostic solutions, Anywhere-M for human healthcare and Anywhere-V for veterinary and field animal care. (AI-generated image)
Rayence expands the boundaries of point-of-care imaging with its new integrated portable X-ray diagnostic solutions, Anywhere-M for human healthcare and Anywhere-V for veterinary and field animal care. (AI-generated image)

Anywhere-M: Portable Imaging Solution for Emergency and Home Healthcare

The Anywhere-M solution overcomes one of the most significant limitations of portable X-ray systems, reduced output efficiency, through Rayence’s proprietary ‘SHINE (Smart High-resolution Image Noise Elimination)’ technology.

SHINE is an advanced image processing algorithm that dramatically improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of low dose X-ray images, producing exceptionally clear, high resolution diagnostic images without requiring additional hardware. This enables clinicians to obtain hospital grade image quality in challenging environments while minimizing patient radiation exposure.

The system supports real time, high resolution imaging across a wide range of anatomical regions, including the chest, shoulder, knee, skull, and hand, empowering medical professionals to make confident diagnostic decisions wherever care is delivered.

To maximize reliability in demanding environments, the hardware has been engineered with durability as a top priority. The wireless digital detector has successfully passed a 1.2 meter drop test in accordance with U.S. military standards (MIL-STD-810H). This ensures dependable performance in emergency response and field operations where accidental drops are common.

Additional features include an anti-slip protective bumper, hot swappable batteries that allow uninterrupted operation without powering down the detector, and a patient load capacity of up to 140 kg. These features enable safe imaging from the extremities to the abdomen.

The portable generator is equipped with a high capacity battery capable of delivering up to 493 exposures on a single charge. For improved usability in low-visibility environments, it also features an LED collimator and dual laser positioning system, allowing operators to accurately visualize the exposure field before imaging.

Anywhere-V: Portable Veterinary Imaging for Field and Large-Animal Practice

The newly introduced Anywhere-V package delivers a practical, high performance imaging solution tailored to the unique demands of veterinary medicine, including equine hospitals, livestock farms, wildlife rescue centers, and large animal field practice.

By offering an affordable alternative to expensive fixed imaging systems, Anywhere-V lowers the barrier to adopting advanced diagnostic technology and enables veterinary professionals to establish high quality imaging capabilities at a significantly lower cost.

The package supports multiple portable generator options including X-Lite, PXP-40HF, and VET-20BT, available in both battery powered and AC powered configurations to accommodate diverse clinical environments.

Its wireless detector offers an optional battery capable of operating for up to 16 hours, maximizing mobility during extended field operations.

Like the human healthcare solution, Anywhere-V incorporates Rayence’s proprietary SHINE technology, enabling veterinarians to clearly identify subtle fractures and soft tissue abnormalities even under challenging field conditions.

A Rayence spokesperson commented,

“Anywhere-M and Anywhere-V represent a new generation of truly integrated mobile imaging systems engineered to optimize the performance of the X-ray generator, detector, and imaging software as a single, unified platform. By eliminating the limitations imposed by location and infrastructure, these solutions establish a new benchmark for point-of-care diagnostic imaging. We are confident they will set a new standard for field diagnostics and strengthen Rayence’s leadership in the U.S. medical and veterinary imaging markets.”

About Rayence

Rayence (KOSDAQ: 228850) is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high performance digital X-ray detectors and advanced medical imaging solutions. Built upon proprietary core technologies and a strong commitment to research and development, Rayence continues to deliver innovative imaging technologies that empower healthcare professionals worldwide and strengthen its position as a trusted partner in the global medical imaging industry.

Kat Florence Hotel Enters Its Next Chapter, Introducing The Kat Florence Reserve, Imperial Jade Manor and Every-Night Star Chef Dinners Included

The acclaimed Elora haven evolves with 100-acre private nature conservation, a historic Canadian manor for private escapes, a museum-worthy collection of 7 figure gemstones in the hotel walls, and an elevated culinary programme of rotating star Chef dinners including newly arrived Royal Chefs.

ELORA, ON, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kat Florence Hotel, the intimate luxury retreat built by seven-time world record-breaking rare gemstone artist Kat Florence, unveils its most significant evolution since opening. On September 1, the hotel will introduce The Kat Florence Reserve, a private 100-acre wilderness sanctuary; the Imperial Jade Manor, an exclusive, 1870’s Canadian heritage residence featuring jaw-dropping restorations like a 6-figure custom stone hot bath beneath the stars and Canada’s first Top Chef Winner as guests’ Private On-Site Chef; an evolving collection of some of the world’s most extraordinary, multi-million-dollar Kat Florence gemstones imbedded in the hotel’s very walls; and a series of stay-inclusive, nightly culinary experiences led by internationally acclaimed celebrity and Royal Chefs.

Coco Rocha returns home to Kat Florence Hotels.
Coco Rocha returns home to Kat Florence Hotels.

Together, the additions represent a natural evolution for the celebrated boutique hotel, further establishing it as one of Canada’s most high end, private, ultra-rarity-seekers’ travel destinations where fine artistry, royal hospitality, and nature’s beauty exist in remarkable harmony.

“Everything I make, I make because it exists only once,” says Kat Florence. “That’s true of the stones I set, and it’s true of this hotel. I do not build for more guests. I build so the guests I do have receive something that can’t be repeated anywhere else. Every layer I’ve added is something I’d want for someone I love staying under my own roof.”

At the heart of the experience is the Kat Florence Reserve, an exclusive 100-acre private nature sanctuary that extends the guest experience beyond the hotel’s historic limestone.

Accessible only to selected hotel guests and by invite-only, the Reserve estate includes Kat’s personal residence, and encompasses protected forest and wildlife, 2500 linier feet of secluded riverbanks and 100 acres of a private natural reserve of the famous Elora Gorge. Invited guests will experience the grounds with Kat’s Private Reserve Guide, exclusively one couple or suite at a time (to protect the land), to enjoy restorative forest walks, local wildlife spotting, and luxury picnics at the Gorge river. The conservation is not and will never be intended for the masses; Kat Florence passionately purchased this land in her hometown to ensure it never gets corporation-developed on, and that this sanctuary of her childhood remains lovingly cared for but vastly untouched for the plant and wildlife within.

Imperial Jade Manor

Complementing the introduction of the Reserve is Imperial Jade Manor, a meticulously Kat-restored heritage residence (formerly Rosemount Cottage, est. 1870’s, and later Saint Margaret’s All Girls School) the artist personally lived in and hosted numerous VIP gem clients and celebrities in over the years. The acre estate was raised in the Italianate Revival style from limestone quarried close to home – the same stone that has given Elora its character since the mid-nineteenth century.

In addition to expected grandiose elements like in-residence spa facilities, 6-figure custom stone hot bath beneath the stars, 60 foot swimming pool and much more, the Imperial Jade Manor houses its own, celebrity Private Chef to cater to those staying in residence: Chef Dale Mackay, Canada’s first Top Chef winner, the formerly youngest ever recipient of the Relais & Chateaux Grand Chef designation, former Head Chef for Gordon Ramsey in New York and Japan, former Executive Chef of Daniel Boulud’s Dinex Group and many more.

Nightly, Star Chef Dinners Included For All Hotel Guests (And The New, Royal Chef)

Every stay at The Kat Florence Hotel is accompanied by a multi-course tasting dinner each and every night, prepared and led by a team of her rotating Master Chefs. Renowned names of her Chef fleet including Anthony Bish (as seen on Master Chef, Iron Chef, cooking for royal families and more) and Chef Marc Collyer (formerly of twice Michelin starred The Manor House UK), and newly arrived to the fleet is Private Chef to the stars and royals around the globe as well as international television personality Neill Anthony. Chef Neill comes from decades of Michelin fine dining abroad (with Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing and Alyn Williams), and has cooked for an endless list of the world’s most private and wealthy include Britain’s King Charles, Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, Elton John, Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, been on tour with Middle Eastern Royal families as their private on-call Chef, and much more.For those fortunate to get an invite, royalty-regular Chef Neill will be cooking at Don & Kat’s Private Dining escape on the river, a tranquil riverside space, with private terrace overlooking the Grand River.

The new Library on the River offers an additional peaceful setting for hotel guests to read, work, relax and take in the surrounding landscape. Complimentary Sundowners happen once or multiple times during your stay inspired by luxury safari lodges of Southern Africa, where guests gather and mingle for outdoor drinks before supper.

When you stay at the house of Kat Florence, you never know which of her Master Chefs will be entertaining you that evening, or what inspired ingredients and flavours you’ll be experiencing. You just know you’ll be sitting down to the rarest of elite Chef dining experiences on Earth, every night you’re staying in her haven – her gift to all her guests.

A Living Gemstone Gallery

Art has always been at the heart of Kat Florence’s vision, and beginning this season, guests will discover an evolving collection of museum-worthy, 7 figure value gemstones displayed throughout the hotel’s original 1848 limestone walls, transforming the historic building’s Living Room into a living gallery unlike any other in North America.

Carefully curated from the Kat Florence Atelier, the rotating collection includes the largest, flawless 424.8 carat Royal Velvet Blue Tanzanite ever offered at auction, the largest matching pair of Flawless Unheated Paraiba earrings to ever go to auction and the world’s largest flawless 52.48 carat Jeremejevite set in D flawless diamonds. Rather than sitting behind traditional museum displays, these extraordinary works instead provide inviting moments of unexpected discovery as guests move through the property.

Since opening, Kat Florence Hotel has earned international recognition for its intimate, highly personalized approach to ultra-rare travel experiences and royal hospitality. This expansion builds on that vision while further establishing both the hotel and Elora as one of Canada’s most compelling, exclusive tourism destinations.

Press here for full photo gallery of Coco Rocha and Kat Florence
For interviews, media visit requests or additional high res images contact: service@strategyhouseagency.com 

About Kat Florence Hotel (www.katflorencehotels.com / @katflorencehotels)
Nestled along the banks of the Grand River in the heart of Elora, Ontario, Kat Florence Hotel is an intimate prestige retreat founded by world-renowned jewellery designer and seven-time world record-breaking rare gemstone artist Kat Florence. Housed within a meticulously restored 1848 limestone building, the hotel seamlessly blends heritage architecture with contemporary luxury through thoughtfully designed accommodations, exceptional dining and deeply personalized service. 

All guest stays at Kat Florence Hotel famously include:
*Chef’s Tasting Dinner by one of Kat’s world-renowned star Chefs every night you stay
*Breakfast baskets, freshly baked & delivered to your room each morning, just-made by Chef Marc Collyer (formerly of Michelin “The Manor House” in The Cotswolds)
*Chilled welcome bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, love Kat x
*60 Minute, La Mer-infused massage in your suite by Kat’s personal, Master Masseuses
*Outdoor Nordic spa hot & cold therapy pools, sauna and fireplace
*Limitless, day to night access to edible art at the hotel’s ‘Infinity Patisserie’ by Chef Marc
*Rolls Royce & Bentley chauffer and valet service
*Personal concierge service for your every errand or need

Kat Florence and Chef Neill Anthony at The Library. Photo credit: David Pike
Kat Florence and Chef Neill Anthony at The Library. Photo credit: David Pike

Coco Rocha at The Imperial Jade Manor
Coco Rocha at The Imperial Jade Manor

The Kat Florence Reserve feat Kat Florence and her Private Reserve Guide. Photo credit: David Pike
The Kat Florence Reserve feat Kat Florence and her Private Reserve Guide. Photo credit: David Pike

The Kat Florence Reserve. Photo credit: David Pike
The Kat Florence Reserve. Photo credit: David Pike

Hi3D V3.0, the First Commercially Available AI 3D Model with 2048³ Voxel Resolution, Launches with 48 Hours of Free Access for Everyone

BEIJING, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hi3D, the all-in-one AI 3D creation platform, announces the launch of Hi3D V3.0, the first commercially available AI 3D model with 2048³ voxel resolution. Dramatically reducing the manual mesh repair needed before a model enters the production pipeline, Hi3D V3.0 closes the gap between raw AI output and implementation in gaming, film, 3D printing, industrial design, and more. Beyond increasing resolution from the 1536³ standard to 2048³ — for 2.37x the total voxel count — it boosts textures to 8K while upgrading cross-view structural reasoning and Hi3D’s proprietary UV completion algorithm.

To let everyone experience Hi3D V3.0’s high-fidelity AI 3D capabilities, Hi3D is offering free access to V3.0 for 48 hours, running from August 19, 2026 (00:00 UTC) through August 20, 2026 (24:00 UTC) at Hi3D. During the same window, annual plans are available at an additional 70% off.

A Three-Pronged Enhancement to 3D Model Delivery

Preserving detail between a digital file and a finished asset relies on extreme precision. Hi3D V3.0 introduces three levels of advancement targeting the areas most vulnerable to information loss.

High-Fidelity 2048³ Voxel-Level Resolution

By implementing a new voxel resolution standard of 2048³, Hi3D V3.0 preserves intricate structures even at extreme zoom levels, for sharp details without the merging and smoothing found at lower resolutions. It’s an unmistakable upgrade over existing AI 3D modeling: layered feathers and scales, lettering and logo edges, and mechanical junctions all resolve clearly with minimal intervention.

The upgraded reconstruction lets Hi3D V3.0 build small, adjacent components separately without fusing, capture shallow engraving and surface relief, and build difficult structures like thin walls and unsupported overhangs with remarkable realism and functionality.

Comprehensive Structural Integration

Hi3D V3.0’s advanced spatial reasoning results in precise geometry and structural precision from every angle. Its next-generation refinement renders sharp improvements in occluded areas and intersecting objects, achieving stable, supported structures even when rear and side views are obscured.

An 8K-Resolution Texture Ceiling

Texture output increases to a maximum 8K resolution alongside Hi3D’s self-developed UV completion algorithm. That means cleaner pattern edges, smoother color transitions, and finer ornamentation, even under extreme magnification, for more headroom to work when precision is paramount.

In addition to the highlights mentioned above, Hi3D also offers:

  • 3D Model Maker: A high-precision, all-in-one AI 3D creation platform that brings image-to-3D generation, AI texturing, model splitting and multi-format export together in one seamless workspace.
  • Image to 3D Model: Turn a 2D reference image into a clean, detailed, and structured 3D model for games, design, art, or 3D printing.
  • AI Texturing: Automatically generate detailed, production-ready textures that bring untextured 3D models to life.
  • Split for 3D Printing: Automatically split complete models into printable parts and add connectors for easier printing and assembly.
  • Multicolor 3D Printing: Convert textured models into clearly separated color regions and prepare them for compatible multicolor printing workflows.

From Raw Generation to Production Delivery

Hi3D V1.0 broke ground as the first commercial image-to-3D solution with a 1536³ voxel resolution. V2.0 pushed standards further with unified geometry and texture generation, intelligent occluded structure mapping, and refined texture de-lighting for an end-to-end upgrade.

Now, Hi3D V3.0 delivers powerful workflow-supporting enhancements built around sharper geometry, better complex structure handling, and increased texture quality fundamentally improving output.

Alongside the increased performance, it features versatile tools including Split for 3D Printing, Multicolor 3D Printing, and Auto-Plating to deliver a complete, production-ready 3D model in a few simple steps. Together, Hi3D V3.0’s vastly reduced manual repair demands, stronger deliverability across disciplines, and refined production pipeline combine the full AI 3D modeling workflow into a single, streamlined platform.

A Comprehensive Upgrade to Cross-Industry Standards

Countless fields utilize high-resolution 3D assets — 3D printing, games and film, digital art, jewelry and fashion, industrial design, tourism and education, and more — and no two uses are exactly the same. But the requirements for 3D model output remain consistent: complete geometry representation with plausible structures, clean textures, and files that support an ongoing editing process.

Hi3D is solving more than a single step in one industry. By advancing modeling capability from multiple angles, it’s lowering the barrier to high-quality 3D content across the board, bridging the gap between AI generation and final production. It’s giving professional and casual users with a wide range of goals and experience levels access to editable, presentable assets that are ready to build on creatively and efficiently, without requiring any prior 3D modeling experience.

48-Hour Launch Window: Free Access and Annual Plan Offer

  • When: August 19, 2026 (00:00 UTC) – August 20, 2026 (24:00 UTC)
  • Where: Hi3D
  • Terms: Full Hi3D V3.0 access for 48 hours
  • Annual plan offer: Hi3D continues to consistently prioritize cost efficiency and low per-generation credit consumption in addition to multifaceted performance enhancement. To mark the V3.0, annual plans are available at 70% off throughout the 48-hour free trial window.

About Hi3D

Hi3D is an all-in-one AI 3D creation platform developed by Math Magic. Hi3D V3.0 is the highest-precision AI 3D model today, reaching 2048³ voxel resolution. It turns ideas and images into high-fidelity, production-ready 3D assets. The platform serves customers across 3D printing, gaming, film and animation, e-commerce, and architectural design, among others.

Hi3D’s mission is to make creation as universal as expression. The platform covers the full workflow from generation to print, so AI-generated models can be printed and assembled without additional modeling work.

Contact
Yasmin Zhang
zhangyejinjin@mathmagical.com

/C O R R E C T I O N — ETS/

In the news release, ETS and Passage Announce Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Global Talent Pathways, issued 18-Aug-2026 by ETS over PR Newswire, the original version contained incorrect information introduced by PR Newswire during transmission. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

ETS and Passage Announce Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Global Talent Pathways

PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 

ETS, a global education and talent solutions organization, and Passage, the AI infrastructure for human potential, today announced a strategic partnership designed to connect millions of students with life-changing opportunities and give institutions the intelligence to find them.

By bringing together trusted TOEFL and GRE assessment insights with Passage’s advanced AI processing, matching, and engagement capabilities, the partnership will help institutions more effectively identify and connect with best-fit students at scale. Students will gain a faster, more transparent path from discovery to enrollment.

ETS selected Passage as its exclusive strategic AI and technology partner to extend the reach and utility of TOEFL and GRE within the education ecosystem. Through the collaboration, TOEFL and GRE will be integrated with Passage’s technology, creating new opportunities to use trusted assessment information within AI-enabled workflows, while maintaining ETS’s existing role in assessment delivery and administration.

This fall, ETS and Passage will introduce the first of these capabilities for both institutions and students.

ETS will retain full ownership and operational control of its assessments, including test development, delivery, scoring, security, psychometric research, and validity standards, reinforcing its role as the research-backed trusted assessment owner of TOEFL and GRE.

“Our partnership with Passage reflects ETS’s commitment to helping students and institutions navigate a rapidly evolving global enrollment landscape,” said Janet Garcia, President of ETS. “Together, we aim to support institutions by using the latest technology to unlock stronger global recruitment pathways while also expanding access to educational opportunities for students around the world.”

“Our mission is to provide access to life-changing opportunities. Fifty years ago, my father took the TOEFL, and it opened the door to his engineering degree. Fifteen years ago, I took the same test, and it opened the door to mine,” said Martin Basiri, CEO of Passage. “For decades, TOEFL and GRE have given students a way to signal their academic readiness to institutions around the world. Passage is building the AI infrastructure that turns that into opportunity at a scale neither of us could have imagined, so millions of students can find the institutions already looking for them.”

To get updates on the official release of Passage solutions for institutions, register at www.passage.com/institutions.

About ETS

ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners to be future ready. Our mission – advancing the science of measurement to power human progress – ensures our focus to enable everyone, everywhere, to demonstrate their skills and chart their path to future readiness for life. We are committed to readying 100M+ people for the next generation of jobs by 2035. We deliver on this commitment through trusted assessments and skills solutions – including TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE, Praxis and Futurenav – and groundbreaking initiatives powered by our Research Institute. With a robust global footprint, including subsidiaries (PSI), offices and operations in more than 200 countries and territories, we help over 50 million individuals each year measure their proficiency and unlock new opportunities. Discover how we expand our worldwide impact: www.ets.org 

About Passage

Passage is on a mission to provide access to life-changing opportunities. Passage is the AI infrastructure for human potential, giving institutions the intelligence to find qualified students they have no way to reach today, and giving those students a direct path to the opportunities that fit. Learn more at www.passage.com.

Correction: The quote from Martin Basiri was inadvertently omitted from the original distribution.

TestMu AI Launches Agent Assurance to Verify AI Agents Before They Ship

The new product verifies both the AI agents that talk to customers and the agents that act on systems, generating test scenarios directly from code, grading every action against real evidence, and reporting an assurance gap for everything it could not verify

SAN FRANCISCO and NOIDA, India, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TestMu AI (formerly LambdaTest), the world’s first Agentic AI-native Quality Engineering platform, announces Agent Assurance, a product built to answer the question every engineering team shipping AI agents now faces: is this agent safe to ship? Agent Assurance covers both kinds of agent in one product: the Conversational Agent category – which evaluates human-facing agents across chat, voice, phone, video, and image; and the new Autonomous Agent category, which verifies agents that act on systems: calling tools, writing files, hitting APIs, and opening pull requests.

Most teams today test autonomous agents by reading the agent’s own account of what it did: a transcript, or a judge’s score over its final message. Agent Assurance grades the effect instead. Pointed at a codebase, it works out what the agent does, generates an end-to-end agent testing suite that spans agent functional testing, non-functional checks, and adversarial scenarios, invokes the agent for real, and judges every criterion against observed evidence: files that changed on disk, artifacts produced, and tool calls verified against the agent’s own declared tool surface.

Alongside pass and fail, Agent Assurance reports a third verdict, unable to verify, excluded from the pass rate and published as a number: the assurance gap. Every result in a report is one that was actually observed, and because the gap reflects how much an agent records about its own actions, teams can shrink it by making their agents more observable.

“Engineering teams are accumulating validation debt at exactly the layer where the stakes are highest. An agent’s account of what it did is the weakest evidence available about what it did – it is the one party with a reason to be wrong,” said Vipul Verma, Group SVP Of Engineering, TestMu AI. “Every tool in this space reports a pass rate. Agent Assurance reports the pass rate and the size of its own blind spot, because that is the only way the number becomes one you can trust to move.”

With Agent Assurance, teams can:

  • Test without writing tests — agent automation testing where the suite is derived from the codebase; the only input is how to invoke the agent, whether a command, an HTTP endpoint, an MCP server, or a workflow built on platforms like n8n.
  • Cover the adversarial surface by default — prompt injection, tool misuse, and instruction-override scenarios are generated as a first-class family, not an add-on.
  • Gate releases in CI — continuous agent testing in every pipeline, from agent smoke testing on each commit to full pre-release runs, with headless commands and exit codes that distinguish “the agent did something wrong” from “the harness could not test it.”
  • Track change with confidence — agent regression testing with run-over-run diffs that separate newly failing, newly fixed, and flaky results, since flakiness and regression call for opposite responses.

The Conversational Agent category is also expanding to the newest surface where software meets people: agents that appear on camera. With the platform’s new Video Agent Testing (Link) capability, a simulated human with a realistic face and voice joins a live video agent’s session, holds a genuine conversation, and grades the agent against team-defined success criteria, with every verdict traced to the exact moment in the recording that earned it. Anything unverifiable from the recording is deliberately counted as not met, a strict standard for a category where the recording is the evidence: a video agent never earns credit for a moment the evaluator could not observe.

The Conversational Agent category is generally available on the TestMu AI platform today. The Autonomous Agent category is available in early access and runs from the terminal as rook, with models executing in the TestMu AI controller so no provider API keys are needed locally. To get started, visit Link.

About TestMu AI

TestMu AI is the world’s first Agentic AI-native Quality Engineering platform, designed to enable organizations to automate and scale testing with intelligence at its core. By combining autonomous capabilities with seamless integration across modern development workflows, TestMu AI empowers teams to deliver faster, more reliable, and secure software in an AI-first world.

For more information, visit TestMu AI

 

Building a Global EV Footprint: How VinFast and Local Partners Power Middle East Expansion

As EV adoption develops across the Middle East, VinFast is working with local partners across distribution, charging and aftersales to strengthen the ownership experience.


DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 August 2026 – The global EV market is entering a stage where selling the vehicle is only part of the challenge. As more electric vehicles reach new markets, automakers with international reach also need to build the infrastructure, service capabilities and customer support systems that can sustain ownership long after the initial sale.

Building a Global EV Footprint: How VinFast and Local Partners Power Middle East Expansion

This is particularly relevant in the Middle East, where EV adoption is gaining momentum and international brands are expanding their presence. For newer EV manufacturers, establishing a reliable ownership ecosystem requires more than simply importing vehicles. It also means working with local partners that understand the market, regulations and customer expectations.

Vietnam-based VinFast is among the companies taking this approach. As it enters the Middle East, the company is making substantial commitments to customers, including a 10-year/200,000-km vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited-kilometer battery warranty and five years or 100,000 km of free service for the all-electric mid-size VF 8. Supporting such commitments requires an aftersales infrastructure capable of serving customers throughout the ownership journey, which is why VinFast is taking a partnership-led approach to its expansion in the UAE, combining its EV business with established local expertise across distribution, service and charging.

VinFast signed an exclusive dealership agreement with Al Tayer Motors in 2024 for the distribution of VinFast EVs in the UAE. Established in 1982, Al Tayer Motors is one of the UAE’s leading automotive groups and represents major European and American automotive brands. It has a network of sales, service and parts centers, supported by 2,700 employees and digital platforms including e-commerce and a dedicated app. Al Tayer Motors also planned to establish a network of VinFast facilities across the UAE, extending the brand’s local service infrastructure.

VinFast has continued to strengthen that infrastructure through additional partnerships. In February 2026, VinFast Middle East signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PlusX Electric, a DEWA-approved EV charging and electric mobility solutions provider in the UAE.

The partnership focuses on charging accessibility and customer support, with the two companies exploring Portable EV Charging Pods, on-demand mobile charging and emergency charging as part of EV roadside assistance. They will also explore scalable charging and mobile-support solutions for commercial and fleet customers, as well as digital integration to streamline charging bookings and service updates.

The same partnership model extends to VinFast’s wider global aftersales strategy. At its 2026 Global Business Conference, the company signed MOUs with 29 aftersales partners across its international markets, including the Middle East. The partners are expected to establish EV service workshops that meet VinFast’s global standards, while VinFast aims to expand to more than 1,100 service workshops globally in 2026. The network will be supported by standardized technician training and certification, consistent operating procedures and quality controls, while its parts network targets delivery of common spare parts within 24 hours in key markets.

For EV brands entering the Middle East, the strength of the local support network can therefore become a competitive advantage. As VinFast’s UAE strategy shows, bringing an EV to market increasingly means building the capabilities around it that can make ownership dependable over the long term.

Hashtag: #VinFast

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

NSM Capital SARL Signs Framework Cooperation Agreement with Multinational Construction and Engineering SOE for the TitanBeach Mining Project

Agreement follows TitanBeach Mining License and establishes a full, non-dilutive 32% carried interest for NSM Capital in the project’s development

Muskoka, Ontario – Newsfile Corp. – August 18, 2026 – Steadright Critical Minerals Inc. (CSE: SCM) (“Steadright” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide shareholders with an update on the TitanBeach Titanium Project in the Kingdom of Morocco, following last week’s announcement of the TitanBeach Mining License. NSM Capital SARL (“NSM Capital”), the Moroccan entity in which Steadright holds a 76.5% interest, has secured a full 32% carried interest in the TitanBeach Project, and approval of the environmental permit has passed the public process stage and is waiting to be signed any day now.

NSM Capital’s Moroccan management team has finalized a binding 32% carried interest in the TitanBeach Titanium Project with Homme Construction, a Moroccan company. The interest carries no dilution risk to NSM Capital and requires no further contribution toward exploration or production costs.

The 192 sq. km TitanBeach claim package includes a 16 sq. km area that has now been converted to a permitted mining concession, representing the first mining license granted for coastal-waters heavy mineral sands (HMS) recovery in the Atlantic Ocean.

Formation of the Shan Tang Mining SPV / SOE

NSM Capital and Homme Construction have formed a Moroccan special purpose vehicle, Shan Tang Mining, into which the TitanBeach claims have been transferred. NSM Capital holds a full 32% carried interest in Shan Tang Mining, and NSM Capital General Manager L. Jouak will serve as one of two General Managers of the new entity.

Shan Tang Mining has signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement with a State-Owned Enterprise engineering and construction Group (the “SOE Partner”). The agreement covers planning, design, permanent works, and operations and maintenance. The SOE Partner brings full-process capability and established mining technology, equipment, and project-operation systems to the HMS development.

Under the Framework Agreement, the SOE Partner’s initial scope comprises a Pilot Plant operation at TitanBeach, alongside development of a long-term mining strategy, which is subject to pilot plant results. The agreement contemplates installation of additional beneficiation processing equipment, which was signed on July 10th, 2026.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9924/310203_steadrightimg1.1.jpg

Ownership and Attributable Interest

Steadright’s economic exposure to the TitanBeach Project is held indirectly, through its 76.5% equity interest in NSM Capital and NSM Capital’s 32% full carried interest in the Shan Tang Mining SPV. The table below summarizes the ownership structure as currently disclosed.

Interest Holder Percentage
Steadright equity interest in NSM Capital Steadright Critical Minerals Inc. 76.5%
NSM Capital carried interest in Shan Tang Mining / TitanBeach NSM Capital SARL 32.0% (full carry – no further cost obligation)
Steadright’s attributable share of NSM’s carried interest Steadright Critical Minerals Inc. (indirect) ≈24.5% effective

*Under a Shareholders Agreement with Critical Foundation Metals Inc, Steadright can obtain an additional 3.5% which will bring Steadright to 80% of NSM Capital Sarl.

Management Commentary

NSM Capital management stated: “Work continues toward substantial progress for the TitanBeach Titanium and Iron Project, alongside the Copper Valley Mining Concession. The new 32% carried interest is expected to provide meaningful value to our shareholder, Steadright Critical Minerals Inc., alongside a multinational partner with the scale required to operate an HMS project of this potential size. The Shan Tang Mining SPV allows NSM Capital to participate in project design and operations while benefiting from our partners’ expertise and financial capacity. NSM Capital looks forward to providing continued updates to Steadright. We also extend particular thanks to Mr. Rachid Manar, Regional Director of the Department of Energy Transition in Guelmim, and his team, for their professionalism and support throughout this process.”

Steadright CEO Matt Lewis commented: “We are proud of what the NSM Capital team and L. Jouak have achieved. Securing this license and forging agreements of this caliber represents significant progress. We look forward to advancing the TitanBeach Project and to the continued development of these partnerships.”

About Steadright Critical Minerals Inc.

Steadright Critical Minerals Inc. is a mineral exploration company established in 2019, focused on advancing exploration and historical mining projects toward production within Morocco’s critical minerals sector. Steadright holds its interest through NSM Capital SARL, which controls the 192 sq. km TitanBeach Titanium Project and the Copper Valley Project. Steadright also holds a binding memorandum of understanding for the historic Goundafa Mine in Morocco, which holds a permitted mining license.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Simon Chapelle, Director & Secretary
Steadright Critical Minerals Inc.
Email: enquiries@steadright.ca
Tel: 1-905-410-0587
www.steadright.ca

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the TitanBeach Project, the Framework Cooperation Agreement, planned pilot and large-scale production phases, and any potential production or revenue outcomes referenced herein. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions and is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to: uncertainty as to whether ongoing programs will result in successful exploration or development; uncertainty as to actual exploration, development, or operational results; availability and terms of future financing; timely receipt of permits and governmental approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political, and social conditions; capital markets and commodity price volatility; changes in project parameters as plans are refined; risks inherent to mining, including accidents and lack of insurance; delay or failure to obtain board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental and tax legislation; the results of future economic evaluations; and the availability of qualified personnel.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities referenced have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.