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2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi Unveils 16 Themed Zones and 12 Must-See Highlights

TAIPEI, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news article from Mnews:

Imagine standing beneath a 21-meter tower of glowing light while drones paint the night sky above you, fireworks burst overhead, and the sounds of Irish tap dancers echo through the warm evening air. This is the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival — and it’s happening in Chiayi County from March 3 to 15, 2026. 

Mazu of Peitian Temple
Mazu of Peitian Temple

If you’ve been looking for a reason to visit Taiwan in early spring, this is it.

Taiwan Lantern Festival is one of Asia’s most beloved annual celebrations, the Taiwan Lantern Festival marks the end of the Lunar New Year period with an explosion of light, color, and culture. Each year it rotates to a different city, and 2026 brings it to Chiayi County — a region nestled between the mountains of Alishan and the coastline of the Taiwan Strait, and one of the island’s most underrated destinations.

This year’s theme, “Glow with Taiwan, Light Up Chiayi,” promises far more than pretty lanterns. Spread across 16 themed zones, the festival weaves together Chiayi’s identity as a place of modern agriculture, environmental innovation, youth creativity, and deep cultural roots.

The festival has curated 12 official “must-see” attractions, and several of them are genuinely extraordinary. The centerpiece is “Glow of Alishan,” a towering 21-meter main lantern synchronized to a full sound and light show — the kind of spectacle you’ll be describing to friends back home for years. Each evening, massive drone light shows choreograph hundreds of illuminated aircraft into shifting patterns above the festival grounds, followed by celebratory fireworks displays.

For performing arts lovers, the international lineup is remarkable. Expect performances from France’s Cavalcade of White Horses, high-energy Irish Tap Dancing, the beloved Taiwanese Paper Windmill Theatre, and the iconic Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group. Street carnivals and large-scale parades run throughout the event, meaning there’s always something happening whether you wander in on opening night or the last day.

Technology fans will want to spend time in the Osaka Expo TECH WORLD Pavilion and the whimsical Super Mario Starry Carnival zone — a nod to Taiwan’s embrace of global pop culture and digital innovation.

Chiayi is very accessible by high-speed rail. The Chiayi HSR Station connects you to Taipei in under 90 minutes, and free shuttle buses run directly from both the HSR station and the TRA Chiayi Station into the festival grounds. If you’re driving, seven free parking lots offer over 10,000 spaces — though shuttles are genuinely the easier option given expected crowd sizes in the millions.

The official festival website is available in English, Japanese, and Korean at 2026taiwanlanternfestival.org/En , where you’ll find zone maps, event schedules, and everything you need to plan your visit. A dedicated transportation site provides live updates on parking, shuttle routes, and traffic — handy to bookmark on your phone before you arrive.

Chiayi itself is worth building a longer trip around. The gateway to Alishan National Scenic Area, Taiwan’s famous high-mountain forest railway, and home to exceptional local cuisine — turkey rice being the dish you absolutely must try — the county rewards visitors who linger beyond the festival grounds.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Taiwan or a returning traveler finally venturing beyond Taipei, the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival offers a genuinely unmissable window into the warmth, creativity, and spectacle that makes this island so special. Don’t miss it.

Original link: https://www.mnews.tw/story/20260225sot1300009

Sailing the World
Sailing the World

 

NYSE Content Update: Two MSCI Indexes to Begin Trading on NYSE Arca Options

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

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 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. 

 

Canva announced acquisition of MangoAI and Cavalry.

Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on February 25th

  • Equities are higher Wednesday morning as Nvidia prepares to release its fourth quarter earnings after market close.
  • MSCI Emerging Markets Index Options and MSCI EAFE Index Options are set to begin trading on NYSE Arca Options today under the ticker symbols MXEF and MXEA
  • Dynatrace (NYSE: DT) CEO Rick McConnell will join NYSE Live today to announce the recent milestone of surpassing $1 billion in lifetime AWS Sales.
  • AI-enabled design leader Canva announced the acquisition of MangoAI and Cavalry to expand its professional creative suite and AI capabilities.

Opening Bell
Americares highlights the importance of increasing access to healthcare

Closing Bell
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) marks its annual meeting of top 100 global leaders

For market insights, IPO activity, and today’s opening bell, download the NYSE TV App: TV.NYSE.com

Covista CEO joined Taking Stock on February 24.
Covista CEO joined Taking Stock on February 24.

 

Video – https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2920227/NYSE_Feb_25_Market_Update.mp4

Tether Invests in Whop, World’s Largest Internet Market, to Power Stablecoin Payments for the Next Generation of the Internet Economy

Whop to integrate Tether’s wallet infrastructure, WDK, bringing stablecoin payments to millions of users worldwide

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tether Investments announced today a strategic investment in Whop.com, the world’s largest internet market where people can create, connect, and transact in one place. For Tether, this alignment reflects a continued focus on extending stablecoin infrastructure into real economic activity and empowering people at scale. Connecting with Whop’s global network enables faster, more efficient dollar settlement for millions of creators and users, who will have the option to choose between USD₮ and USA₮ especially in markets where existing payment systems introduce unnecessary friction and cost.

In addition to Tether’s investment in the platform’s growth, Whop will utilize Tether’s Wallet Development Kit (WDK) to offer creators and users faster, more efficient global payments while allowing them to retain direct control over their funds, removing many of the frictions associated with traditional payment infrastructure. The framework enables seamless on-chain settlement and supports Whop’s vision of creating a more flexible, internet-native economy where value moves as easily as digital content. The integration of WDK further positions Whop as a new self-custodial digital wallet for its community, powering features like lending and borrowing through modern DeFi primitives.

“Stablecoins and wallets become most powerful when they are embedded directly into people’s lives, supporting their businesses, activities, families and individual stories,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “Our investment in Whop proudly reflects Tether’s focus on supporting real economic activity by providing efficient digital dollar and wallet infrastructure that can scale to billions of people, across every continent. By integrating Tether’s Wallet Development Kit, WDK, Whop can offer users faster global payments and more reliable financial tools, driving growth, individual, family and community self-sufficiency and financial inclusion. Whop is the future of the Internet Markets.”

The platform currently supports more than 18.4 million users, with participants earning approximately $3 billion annually. Growth continues to accelerate, with gross transaction volume increasing roughly 25% month over month, reflecting strong global demand for efficient payment infrastructure. With Tether’s investment and stablecoin technology, Whop is positioned to further scale this momentum by enabling seamless digital dollar settlement for a rapidly expanding international base of creators and entrepreneurs.

This latest funding round will support aggressive international expansion across LATAM, Europe, and APAC, while helping build new financial infrastructure for an already global user base and introducing advanced AI tools designed to enable agentic income opportunities for the next generation of internet entrepreneurs.

“With Tether’s investment, we’re accelerating our vision to build the world’s largest internet market – where anyone in the world can create, connect, and get paid instantly,” said Steven Schwartz, CEO & Co-Founder of Whop. “The next generation of business on the internet is global from day one, and payments need to move as freely as the internet itself. This partnership strengthens the financial backbone of our platform, aligning our infrastructure with a future where people can operate across the globe and build sustainable income – regardless of where they live or what currency they use.” 

Together, Tether and Whop aim to expand access to stablecoin-powered payments by connecting Whop’s platform with Tether’s broader ecosystem reach, which today stands at more than 530 million users globally and offering unparalleled liquidity with more than 180 billion dollars of issued digital dollars. By leveraging Tether’s technology and global distribution, the collaboration is designed to onboard new users at scale while enabling faster, more efficient payment experiences across a growing international network.

About Tether Investments
Tether Investments is the independent investment arm of Tether, the largest company in the digital assets industry. Based in El Salvador, the firm deploys capital from Tether’s profits and excess reserves across a wide range of sectors where technology, infrastructure, and real-world utility intersect.

Its portfolio includes investments in artificial intelligence, financial services, energy, biotechnology, education, and digital media, as well as strategic stakes in industries such as commodities, remittances, and sports and entertainment. Tether Investments supports ventures with long-term potential to improve access, efficiency, and resilience in both emerging and developed markets. Its work supports Tether Group’s broader mission to strengthen decentralized systems, promote infrastructure resilience, and expand real-world access to open, transparent technologies.

About WDK by Tether
WDK by Tether is an open-source Wallet Development Kit designed to simplify and accelerate the creation of hyper-secure, self-custodial wallets. Built to support Bitcoin, Lightning, USD₮, XAU₮, and USA₮, WDK by Tether offers modular, ecosystem-agnostic infrastructure that can be extended to support any blockchain or digital asset.

With built-in USDt0 technology, DeFi primitives, and cross-chain interoperability, WDK empowers developers, institutions, and even sovereign nations to build independent, white-label wallets without reliance on centralized providers. It provides the foundation for a future where humans, connected devices, and AI agents can securely hold and exchange value across open networks.

WDK by Tether is available for free, with no fees or restrictions, at https://wallet.tether.io

About Whop
Whop is a financial technology company on a mission to provide the world with sustainable income. Our vision is to create the world’s largest internet market, where people can create, connect, and transact all from a single platform. Whop enables individuals and businesses to accept payments, launch ventures, and engage with others across the network. Today, Whop facilitates over $3 billion in annual payouts to people in 144 countries. For more information, visit whop.com.

Media Contact
Email: press@whop.com
Phone: +1 (917) 329 1552

 

Doubleview Gold Corp. Reports Updated Mineral Resource Estimate as of February 25, 2026 Including a Copper Equivalent Mineral Resource: 609 (Mt) of Measured and Indicated Resources at 0.43% CuEq containing CuEq 5.82 Billion lbs. 503 (Mt) of Inferred Resources at 0.41% CuEq containing CuEq 4.57 Billion lbs

Resource estimate highlights:

  • Measured Mineral Resources of 272 million tonnes (Mt), Indicated Mineral Resources of 337 Mt, and Inferred Mineral Resources of 503 Mt at a 0.2% copper equivalent (CuEq) cut-off grade, or
  • 272 Mt of Measured Mineral Resources, expressed in contained metal, total 2.61 billion pounds (Blb) of copper equivalent (CuEq) at 0.44% CuEq, including 1.11 Blb of copper, 35.6 million pounds (Mlb) of cobalt, 1.41 million ounces (Moz) of gold, and 2.17 Moz of silver. (Table 1)
  • 337 Mt of Indicated Mineral Resources, expressed in contained metal, total 3.21 Blb of 0.43% CuEq, including 1.31 Blb of copper, 44.5 Mlb of cobalt, 1.81 Moz of gold, and 2.88 Moz of silver. (Table 1)
  • 509 Mt of Inferred Mineral Resources, expressed in contained metal, total 4.57 Blb of 0.41% CuEq, including 1.72 Blb of copper, 66.2 Mlb of cobalt, 2.77 Moz of gold, and 4.19 Moz of silver. (Table 1)
  • Scandium Resource: The deposit hosts 609 Mt in the Measured and Indicated categories (containing approximately 17,510 tonnes of scandium) and 504 Mt in the Inferred category (containing approximately 14,465 tonnes of scandium). Scandium has been incorporated into the Mineral Resource Estimate and under current processing constraints, is limited to 12.5% of tailings using internally generated acid. The scandium resource is estimated at 76 Mt Measured and Indicated at 28.8 g/t Sc (containing 2,189 tonnes of scandium) and 63 Mt Inferred at 28.7 g/t Sc (containing 1,808 tonnes of scandium).

Vancouver, British Columbia – (Newsfile Corp. – February 25, 2026) – Doubleview Gold Corp (TSXV: DBG) (OTCQB: DBLVF) (FSE: 1D4) (“Doubleview” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the update of the Mineral Resource estimate (MRE) of its 100%-owned polymetallic Hat porphyry project (Hat), in northwestern British Columbia. With major content of copper, gold, cobalt and silver, as well as scandium, Hat becomes an important source of critical minerals.

Farshad Shirvani, president and CEO of Doubleview Gold Corp commented, “Year by year, the size of the deposit was increased by very targeted drilling, bringing it to a footprint of about 1.6 km by 1.6 km. I appreciate my technical and management team in this endeavour. We’ve discovered numerous additional elements within the Hat deposit that will soon be unveiled, each further showcasing the deposit’s uniqueness and enhancing the resource.”

Summary of MRE for Hat Deposit:

Table 1: Hat MRE at a 0.2% CuEq Cut-Off Effective February 4, 2026,
(Base-Case Scenario to be Presented in the Technical Report)

Mineral
Resource
Classification
Tonnage
(Mt)
Average Grade Metal Content
CuEq
(%)
Cu
(%)
Au
(g/t)
Co
(%)
Ag
(g/t)
CuEq
(Blb)
Cu
(Blb)
Au
(Moz)
Co
(Mlb)
Ag
(Moz)
Measured 272 0.44 0.22 0.18 0.008 0.37 2.61 1.11 1.41 35.6 2.17
Indicated 337 0.43 0.21 0.19 0.008 0.39 3.21 1.31 1.81 44.5 2.88
Total M+I 609 0.43 0.21 0.18 0.008 0.38 5.82 2.42 3.22 80.1 5.05
Inferred 503 0.41 0.18 0.19 0.008 0.38 4.57 1.72 2.77 66.2 4.19

Table 2: Hat MRE at a 0.2% CuEq Cut-Off as of February 4, 2026, Scandium Oxide Resources

Mineral
Resource
Classification
Tonnage
(Mt)
Sc Tonnage1
(Mt)
Average Grade
Sc (g/t)
Metal Content
Sc2O3 2 (t)
Measured 272 34 28.79 1,081
Indicated 337 42 28.76 1,334
Total M+I 609 76 28.77 2,415
Inferred 503 63 28.69 1,996

Notes:
1 Scandium tonnages represent 12.5% of the mineralized material by category, reflecting the proportion of tailings expected to be processed through a dedicated scandium leach circuit under current metallurgical design constraints.

2 Scandium oxide metal content have been calculated using the metallurgical recovery of 72% and conversion factor from Sc to Sc2O3 of 1.534.

  • Mineit’s Qualified Person, Tomasz Wawruch, FAusIMM, completed the MRE, and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure related to the MRE contained in this news release. Mr. Wawruch is a senior geology and mineral resource consultant independent of Doubleview. Mr. Gilles Arseneau, PhD., P.Geo., of ARSENEAU Consulting Services Inc., provided an independent review of this MRE.
  • Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
  • The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
  • Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves.
  • The Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (2014), and CIM MRMR Best Practice Guidelines (2019).
  • The effective date of the MRE is February 4, 2026.
  • Metal contents have been calculated using the following metallurgical recovery factors: Cu = 85%, Au = 89%, Co = 78%, and Ag = 68%.
  • Economic assumptions used include US$4.80/lb Cu, US$20.00/lb Co, US$3,200/oz Au, US$46/oz Ag, and a 2% NSR royalty.
  • Mineral Resources are reported within optimized open pit constraints and 0.2% CuEq cut-off grade, based on a C$7.93/t milled processing cost and C$2.90/t milled general and administrative cost, with a mining cost of C$3.01/t plus incremental mining cost increasing by C$0.015/t for every bench below the reference level of 1,125 mRL.
  • CuEq calculations do not include scandium. The formula used to calculate CuEq is:
    CuEq = [(((Ag × 46.0 × 0.68)/31.1035) + ((Au × 3200 × 0.89)/31.1035) + 0.0001 × (Co × 20.0 × 0.78 × 22.0462) + 0.0001 × (Cu × 4.8 × 22.0462 × 0.85))/(4.8 × 22.0462 × 0.85)], where all input variables are expressed in (ppm) and CuEq is expressed in percent (%).
  • Rounding may result in minor variations between individual values and totals; such differences are not considered material to the MRE.
  • Mineral Resource classification reflects the level of geological confidence and satisfies the uncertainty criteria appropriate for exploration and resource development. Additional drilling will be required to reduce uncertainty to the level expected for production planning.
  • The MRE reflects the geological interpretation, drill-hole spacing, and estimation parameters available at the time of modelling. Any additional drilling is expected to influence the current outcome by improving confidence in the estimates and refining the geometry of the mineralized domains.
  • The Mineral Resource results are presented in situ within the optimized pit. Mineralized material outside the pit has not been considered as a part of the current MRE tabulation. Calculations used metric units (metres, tonnes, g/t).
  • A total of 97 diamond drill holes, comprising 49,548 m of core, were incorporated into the Mineral Resource Estimate. All drilling data used in the MRE were subject to standard QA/QC validation prior to inclusion.
  • The block model is defined relative to a model origin at UTM Zone 9N 346,750 E / 6,453,000 N / 0 (NAD 83). Parent blocks measure 15 × 15 × 15 m, totalling 136 × 150 × 75 blocks across extents of 2,040 m (X), 2,250 m (Y), and 1,125 m (Z). All volumes and estimates are constrained by these discretization parameters.

Figure 1: Plan View at 715 m ASL of the Block Model Showing the Distribution of Equivalent Copper Grade Within the Optimized 120 Kilotonne per Day (kt/d) Pit Shell Outline (UTM Zone 9N [NAD 83])

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/285247_b57c38042424daa0_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Cross-Section of East 348000 Looking West of the Block Model Showing the Distribution of Equivalent Copper Grade Within the Optimized 120 kt/d Pit Shell Outline (UTM Zone 9N [NAD 83])

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/285247_b57c38042424daa0_002full.jpg

Figure 3: Plan View at 715 m ASL of the Block Model Showing the Distribution of Equivalent Copper Classification Within the 120 kt/d Optimized Pit Shell Outline (UTM Zone 9N [NAD 83])

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/285247_b57c38042424daa0_003full.jpg

Figure 4: Cross-Section of East 348000 Looking West of the Block Model Showing the Distribution of Equivalent Copper Classification Within the 120 kt/d Optimized Pit Shell Outline (UTM Zone 9N [NAD 83])

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/285247_b57c38042424daa0_004full.jpg

The Hat Deposit

The Hat Claims property consists of 16 mineral tenures covering 13,823.09 hectares north of the Golden Bear mine road in northwest B.C. For additional information please visit www.doubleview.ca.

Mineit Consulting Inc (Mineit) prepared the MRE in accordance with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves on Mineral Resources and Reserves. A Technical Report in support of the MRE will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) within 45 days.

Tomasz Wawruch, FAusIMM, of Mineit, is the Qualified Person for the MRE, and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure related to the MRE contained in this news release. Mr. Wawruch is a geology and mineral resource consultant independent of Doubleview. Gilles Arseneau, PhD., P.Geo of ARSENEAU Consulting Services Inc. provided an independent peer review of the MRE and did not identify any fatal flaws with the resource model prepared by Tomasz Wawruch.

With respect to the Hat Project metallurgical studies, EUR ING Andrew Carter, B.Sc., CEng., MIMMM QMR, MSAIMM SME, of Magister Metallurgy, is Doubleview’s Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects; he has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release. Mr. Carter is independent of Doubleview.

About Doubleview Gold Corp.

Doubleview Gold Corp., a mineral resource exploration and development company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is publicly traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange (TSXV: DBG), the OTCQB (OTCQB: DBLVF), the Berlin Stock Exchange [GER: A1W038], and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange [1D4]. Doubleview identifies, acquires, and finances precious and base metal exploration projects in North America, particularly in British Columbia. The Company increases shareholder value through the acquisition and exploration of quality gold, copper, cobalt, scandium, and silver properties—collectively critical minerals—and through the application of advanced, state-of-the-art exploration methods. Doubleview’s portfolio of strategic properties provides diversification and mitigates investment risk.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Farshad Shirvani, President & Chief Executive Officer

For further information please contact:
Doubleview Gold Corp
Vancouver, BC

Farshad Shirvani
President & CEO

Institutional Line: (604) 607-5470
T: (604) 678-9587
E: corporate@doubleview.ca

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute “forward-looking information.” In particular references to the Mineral Resource Estimate and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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

Aiper Experts Duo Makes Pool Maintenance Truly Carefree with 24/7 Cognitive AI Powered Cleaning

An Intelligent, Solar-Powered Cleaning Ecosystem Designed to Keep Pools Swim-Ready with Minimal Effort

ATLANTA, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aiper, the world’s No.1 smart robotic pool cleaner brand[1] and leader in smart yard innovation, introduces the Aiper Experts Duo, an intelligent two-robot system designed to deliver hands-free, expert-level pool care with minimal effort. Combining the cognitive AI powered Scuba V3 with the solar-driven, pool skimmer EcoSurfer S2, the Aiper Experts Duo provides complete top-to-bottom pool coverage that all day, every day. Together the two robots create a seamless ecosystem that keeps water clear, surfaces debris-free, and maintenance demands low, giving homeowners a 24/7 carefree cleaning experience.

Aiper Experts Duo. AI Elevated. Truly Carefree.
Aiper Experts Duo. AI Elevated. Truly Carefree.

“Pool ownership should feel effortless,” said Richard, Founder and CEO of Aiper. “The Aiper Experts Duo combines two specialized robots, each leveraging its cleaning strengths with cognitive AI and solar technology, to deliver a continuous, intelligent cleaning experience without constant oversight.”

24/7 Carefree Experience with Eco-Conscious Operation

Managing any size pool, the Aiper Experts Duo is designed to deliver 24/7 hands-free care so homeowners can enjoy their pools without constant upkeep. Working together, the Scuba V3 and EcoSurfer S2 create a seamless, around-the-clock cleaning system that keeps water clear with minimal homeowner intervention.

Powered by Cognitive AI Navium™ Mode, Scuba V3 analyzes pool size, shape, cleaning history, and even weather conditions to automatically optimize cleaning paths, frequency, and intensity. Featuring enhanced solar panel technology, the EcoSurfer S2 delivers extended performance while minimizing the need for manual charging. With SolarSeeker™ technology, EcoSurfer S2 follows the sun when its battery levels drop, recharging itself to maintain consistent surface cleaning throughout the day. Together, the Aiper Experts Duo enhances efficiency, conserves energy, and extends the product’s overall lifespan.

Expert-Level Cleaning, From Top to Bottom

Beyond convenience, the Aiper Experts Duo delivers professional-grade performance through true top-to-bottom, 360° coverage. By dividing and conquering the pool, Scuba V3 and EcoSurfer S2 address debris on the floor, walls, waterline, and surface for a comprehensive clean.

The Scuba V3 handles the heavy lifting beneath the surface.  With AI Patrol Cleaning, Scuba V3 identifies and targets debris in real time, adjusting its route for faster, more efficient cleanups. Adaptive VisionPathTM planning applies AI vision to enhances navigation while simplifying deployment, ensuring thorough coverage beneath the surface.

At the same time, EcoSurfer S2 maintains surface care, removing leaves, insects, pollen and floating debris before they sink. Its industry-first DebrisGuard™ leak-proof baffle design helps prevent debris from re-entering the pool, delivering reliable, uninterrupted skimming that complements the deeper cleaning below.

EcoSurfer S2 also features a built-in adjustable chlorine tablet chamber, helping distribute chlorine while it cleans and supporting balanced water quality maintenance with less hands-on effort. Together, the Duo supports a more stable, energy-conscious approach to everyday pool ownership.

By combining intelligent automation with energy-conscious design, the Aiper Experts Duo delivers complete cleaning coverage and a truly carefree ownership experience all season long.

Engineered for Real-World Reliability

The Aiper Experts Duo is built with durable materials designed to withstand long-term outdoor exposure to sun, water, and daily operation. By dividing responsibilities between the two robots, the Aiper Experts Duo minimizes wear on each device and enhances long-term durability, delivering a more intelligent, dependable system that keeps pools pristine and weekends uninterrupted

The Aiper Expert Duo is available starting today for a special launch price of $1,299.99 (MSRP $1,499.98) on Aiper.com and with Amazon availability to follow.

For additional information about Aiper, visit Aiper.com or follow the company on LinkedInFacebookInstagramTikTok, and X.

About Aiper
Aiper is the No.1 smart robotic pool cleaner brand and a leader in reliable, intelligent solutions for the smart yard ecosystem. From crystal-clear pools to balanced water and smarter irrigation, Aiper’s ecosystem simplifies care across your entire yard. Trusted by more than 3 million users worldwide, Aiper is available in over 7,000 stores across 50+ countries and regions. Renowned for excellence, Aiper products have earned prestigious honors including the Red Dot Design Award, the iF Design Award, and editorial awards from USA Today and TWICE, and have been recognized as a CES Innovation Awards Honoree from 2023 through 2026. Driven by smart automation, adaptive AI, and sustainable design, Aiper delivers a truly carefree experience, giving you more time to enjoy life’s best moments.

[1]Euromonitor International Co., Ltd., in terms of 2025 manufacturer sales volume (units) in the world. Smart robotic pool cleaner is defined as: intelligent service robots integrating mechanical, electronic, software algorithm and sensor technologies. They autonomously or with minimal human intervention perform pool cleaning and maintenance tasks, typically featuring smart navigation, path planning, and multiple cleaning modes. Research completed in 2025/12

 

The Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited successfully closes its USD 450 million Syndicated Term Loan Facility

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited (“MCB”) has successfully closed its inaugural GCC and India-focused Syndicated Term Loan Facility, raising USD 450 million. The transaction marks a key milestone in MCB’s funding strategy, further diversifying its international lender base and strengthening relationships across priority markets.

Originally launched at USD 300 million, the facility attracted strong demand, securing commitments from 25 banks, including five new lenders alongside existing relationship banks. Oversubscribed by approximately 2.1 times, the transaction was upsized to USD 450 million, reflecting sustained confidence in MCB’s credit fundamentals.

Structured as a two-year term loan with a one-year extension option at the borrower’s discretion (2+1), the facility enhances funding flexibility and optimises MCB’s maturity profile. Strong market support also enabled improved pricing, reducing the overall cost of funding.

Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, supporting MCB’s continued growth in Mauritius and across the African region.

Anbar Jowaheer, Group Head of Strategic Funding, MCB: “The successful completion of this syndication, with the participation of new lenders, reinforces the momentum of MCB’s funding programme and underscores the bank’s continued attractiveness to international lenders. This transaction is consistent with our strong pipeline and further strengthens funding flexibility through a well-structured tenor profile, supporting disciplined balance sheet management.”

Thierry Hebraud, Chief Executive Officer of MCB Ltd, commented: “The strong oversubscription of this facility by GCC and Indian banks clearly reflects the sustained confidence investors place in MCB’s strategy and long-term growth ambitions. Building on our solid credit rating, we have achieved meaningful progress in further broadening and diversifying our funding base.”

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, Emirates NBD Capital Ltd, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, Mashreqbank PSC, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., SMBC Bank International PLC, Standard Chartered and State Bank of India, London Branch acted as Coordinators and Bookrunners.

About MCB

Established over 187 years ago, MCB is the leading bank in Mauritius and the main entity of MCB Group, offering retail, corporate and investment banking, wealth management and global business solutions. The Group operates in Mauritius and internationally through subsidiaries, associates and representative offices across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.     

Contact:
Nicolas Teisserenc 
International Press Relations 
nicolas@poinciana.co 

Discovery linking gut bacteria to cancer treatment wins the Bial Award in Biomedicine and earns €350,000 prize

A study published in Science reveals that a healthy gut microbiota can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy used to treat cancer, while antibiotics may impair its effect by reducing intestinal microbiota diversity.

PORTO, Portugal, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — An international consortium of 48 researchers from institutions in France, Sweden, and the United States has won the 2025 edition of the Bial Award in Biomedicine, a €350,000 prize promoted by the Bial Foundation to recognise a published work of exceptional quality and scientific relevance in the field of biomedicine.

Lead researchers of the winning team of the Bial Award in Biomedicine 2025 promoted by the Bial Foundation.
Lead researchers of the winning team of the Bial Award in Biomedicine 2025 promoted by the Bial Foundation.

The winning study, Gut microbiome influences efficacy of PD‑1–based immunotherapy against epithelial tumors, is led by research duo Laurence Zitvogel (Gustave Roussy and Paris-Saclay University) and Guido Kroemer (Gustave Roussy and Paris Cité University), internationally renowned French academics.

The awarded research documents one of the most significant recent advances in the treatment of several types of cancer, as it establishes that the gut microbiome – the collection of bacteria residing in the human intestine – plays a decisive role in the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy has revolutionised oncology by enabling the immune system to recognise tumour cells once again and attack them, saving many patients who previously had no effective therapeutic alternatives. However, over half of patients develop resistance to these therapies, leading to disease recurrence for reasons that are until now poorly understood. The distinguished study demonstrates that the gut microbiome plays a central role in this resistance and that its modulation can significantly improve treatment response and patient survival.

The authors show that the use of antibiotics can negatively impact the effectiveness of immunotherapy by reducing gut microbiota diversity. Analysis of cancer patients revealed that greater bacterial diversity is associated with better clinical outcomes. The study also identified specific gut bacterial species consistently associated with more favourable treatment responses.

The study was published in Science in 2018 and has already more than 5,800 scientific citations.

The 2025 edition of the Award received 58 nominations from 18 countries, covering areas such as cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Previous editions distinguished research, later receiving prestigious international scientific prizes. Notably, two of the scientists who received the Bial Award in 2021, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, were awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries that enabled the development of effective mRNA-based vaccines to prevent COVID ‑ 19.

 

Echoes of a promise

BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China Daily:


Echoes of a promise

Five years after President Xi Jinping declared China’s complete victory in its fight against absolute poverty, three Chinese villagers reflect on how the ideas and measures Xi proposed decades ago reshaped their lives and continue to resonate as China advances from poverty alleviation to rural vitalization and toward common prosperity.