Gorenje G800: The Oven That Lets You Actually Enjoy Life

Why the Gorenje G800 might be the smartest kitchen investment you make this year

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- There's a particular kind of chaos that belongs exclusively to busy evenings. You know the one, you're planning a quiet dinner for four, and suddenly your neighbour pops over with her husband, your sister-in-law calls from the driveway, and your teenager materialises with three friends who "already ate" but are somehow still ravenous.

This is the beautiful, maddening unpredictability of modern living. And it's precisely where most ovens fail us spectacularly. The Gorenje G800, however, seems designed by someone who's actually lived through these moments, someone who understands that everyday cooking isn't about precision meal planning. It's about flexibility, forgiveness, and getting back to the people you love before the evening slips away.

The G800 boasts a 77-litre interior, and before you gloss over that figure, consider what it actually means in practice. This is the difference between cooking in two frustrating batches and getting everything done at once. We're talking wide trays that don't need to be wrestled into position. Multiple dishes running simultaneously across all shelves. Roasting, baking, and reheating happening in parallel without the dreaded rotation dance every fifteen minutes.

We've all used ovens that claim even heat distribution. Most lie. The G800 delivers genuinely consistent cooking across all levels, a small engineering triumph that translates into enormous real-world convenience when you're trying to feed unexpected guests without appearing frazzled.

The 70+ Reasons to Stop Overthinking Dinner

Here's where things get genuinely interesting. The AutoBake feature includes over 70 pre-tested cooking programs, and the interface is refreshingly straightforward: select your dish, input the weight, press start. That's it. No preheating. No temperature calculations or oven-checking.

The marketing materials suggest you can "press start and get on with your evening," which sounds like a dream since we've been conditioned to hover, to worry, to micromanage. For those of us who've spent years developing hard-won intuition about cooking times and temperatures, it's liberation. Life has too few free evenings to spend them standing in front of a hot box, squinting through glass.

Now, let's address the part of oven ownership that nobody wants to discuss: the aftermath. Those wonderful dinner parties, the lamb roasts, the gratins, the experimental bakes, they leave evidence. After a long evening of hosting, the last thing anyone needs is a cleaning project waiting in the kitchen. The G800's PyroClean self-cleaning function takes a scorched-earth approach (quite literally). A high-heat cycle incinerates splattered grease and accumulated grime, reducing everything to fine ash. Once cooled, a quick wipe and you're done.

The Bigger Picture

What Gorenje seems to understand, , is that kitchen equipment exists to serve life, not complicate it. The G800 isn't positioned as a chef's tool for serious culinary ambition. It's positioned as a companion for everyday living: the spontaneous gatherings, the last-minute menu changes, the family meals that unexpectedly double in size.

There's genuine wisdom in this approach. Meals turn into memories when the kitchen doesn't stand in the way. When you're not stressed about timing. When cleanup doesn't loom ominously. When you can actually be present for the laughter and conversation happening arround you while dinner handles itself.

The Gorenje G800 won't transform you into a better cook. It won't inspire culinary creativity or expand your repertoire. What it will do is remove friction, the small frustrations and unnecessary complications that drain energy from life's best moments.

About Gorenje

Gorenje is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of household appliances, with over 75 years of heritage and a presence in more than 160 countries worldwide. Known for combining advanced technology with distinctive European design, Gorenje creates intuitive, energy-efficient appliances that simplify everyday living.

Headquartered in Slovenia, Gorenje operates production facilities across Europe and has been part of Hisense Group since 2018, one of the world's leading consumer electronics and home appliance corporations. Driven by a vision to be a design-focused innovator, Gorenje continues to deliver life-simplifying solutions tailored to modern homes and evolving lifestyles.

Stay updated with all the latest developments on the website: https://gorenje.com/

SOURCE Gorenje

Share this article

LONDON, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Control Risks, the global strategic intelligence and security firm, today announces the appointment of Chris Holt as Global Head of Advisory and Risk Consulting. In this role, Holt will lead an international team that works with organizations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from critical events that threaten their people, assets, operations, reputation and corporate value.

Holt has spent two decades advising multinational organizations, governments and insurers on crisis management, resilience, security, and organizational risk. Prior to this, his first career saw him serve in specialist roles, including on operations overseas, as a British Army Officer.

"Chris joins us with a unique blend of advisory leadership, commercial acumen, and operational expertise, having led strategic advisory and consulting engagements across six continents," said Jackie Day, Managing Partner, Global Security at Control Risks.

Holt brings a combination of strategic risk consulting and deep experience in the global risk and insurance market. This includes founding and successfully leading a specialist Lloyd's of London insurance broker and advisory firm.

Commenting on his appointment, Holt said, "I am delighted to be joining Control Risks. I've worked alongside the firm for nearly two decades and during that time have seen it set the agenda across our sector. I look forward to leading the Advisory and Risk Consulting practice at a time when the threats and risks faced by our clients are increasingly complex."

Control Risks' Advisory and Risk Consulting practice is a single point of contact for security consulting, crisis advisory and business resilience programs. From security and risk governance to operational responses for converging threats, the practice supports clients in shaping pragmatic responses to an increasingly volatile and challenging risk environment.

About Control Risks

Control Risks is a global strategic intelligence and security firm that is a trusted partner to 80% of the Fortune 500 and 60% of the Fortune Global 500. Our global team brings decisive clarity across strategy and operations, from advice to delivery, drawing on more than 50 years' experience in 178 countries. We help clients anticipate risk, protect people, assets and reputation, and pursue opportunity—from the boardroom to the most complex and high-risk environments. When the outlook is uncertain and the stakes are high, we respond with insight and action.

SOURCE Control Risks

Share this article

Best Design Software for Apparel and Sign Makers (2026): CorelDRAW September Update's New AI Vector Tools Highlighted by Better Business Advice

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2026/PRNewswire/ -- Better Business Advice has recognized CorelDRAW Graphics Suite for its latest tools supporting apparel, signage and other production-focused design workflows. The recognition highlights the September 2026 Update, which introduces new Text-to-vector capabilities, enhanced bitmap-to-vector tracing and workflow improvements designed to help designers move from initial concepts to editable production artwork.

Best Design Software for Apparel and Sign Makers:

- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite - professional graphic design software for vector illustration, multi-page layout, photo editing, typography, color management, and production workflows, with the September 2026 Update adding Text-to-vector AI, enhanced PowerTRACE, and new CorelDRAW Web capabilities for subscribers.

The September 2026 Update expands CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2026 while maintaining a focus on professional design and production requirements. The update combines AI-assisted vector generation with established tools for vector editing, color management, prepress and large-format work.

For designers searching for the best design software for apparel and sign makers, the update puts particular emphasis on a practical part of the design process: turning ideas, existing artwork and imperfect source files into usable vector graphics.

Text-to-Vector Adds a New Route From Idea to Artwork

The headline feature in the September 2026 Update is Text-to-vector AI. The feature is available through the AI Generate docker or inspector and creates editable, scalable vector graphics from text prompts or existing artwork.

The workflow is designed to support early concept development without locking the resulting artwork into a flattened image. Generated graphics can be refined within CorelDRAW and incorporated into larger projects.

Several visual styles are available, including Line art, Comic book and Icon. Results also respect the document's color mode, which can be important when artwork is being prepared for specific production requirements.

For apparel design, the workflow can help develop motifs, decorative graphics and initial concepts before manual refinement. A designer can generate a starting point, adjust nodes and shapes, then prepare the artwork for production.

Sign makers can apply a similar workflow when exploring graphic elements for banners, displays, posters and other large-format applications. The role of AI remains focused on accelerating the design process rather than replacing manual decisions. Corel's Artist Intelligence approach places creative control with the designer.

The September Update also supports generating vectors from existing artwork. That capability can help create variations during client revision rounds without rebuilding every concept from the beginning.

PowerTRACE Targets a Common Production Problem

The update also brings significant changes to PowerTRACE, CorelDRAW's bitmap-to-vector tracing tool.

Low-resolution logos, JPEG files, screenshots and other unsuitable source artwork can create time-consuming problems for production teams. Vector artwork is often required when graphics need to be scaled, edited or prepared for different output methods.

The enhanced PowerTRACE workflow includes an updated interface, improved object structure, better color handling and performance of up to four times faster. AI-powered background removal is also included.

The resulting shapes remain editable, allowing designers to continue refining the artwork instead of treating the traced result as a finished image.

For apparel businesses, this can be useful when customer artwork arrives in a format that was not originally prepared for print. A traced logo or graphic can be cleaned up and adjusted before moving into a production workflow.

The same process applies to signage. Artwork intended for a small digital image may need to be converted into scalable graphics before being used on a larger sign, banner or display.

Production Features Remain Central to the Workflow

AI tools are only one part of the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite workflow. The September 2026 Update sits within a broader application designed around professional production needs.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite includes color management capabilities, integrated Pantone Color Libraries, prepress tools and color separations with soft proofing. The production workflow also supports designing at 1:1 scale and handling large-format projects.

Color separation and soft proofing can be particularly relevant to apparel production. These capabilities apply across screen printing, embroidery and direct-to-garment workflows.

The ability to examine separations before production can help designers identify issues earlier in the process. For businesses producing multiple garments or color variations, production preparation can represent a significant part of the overall design workflow.

Sign and large-format work creates a different set of requirements. Artwork may need to be prepared at true production scale while maintaining control over colors, curves and individual design elements. CorelDRAW's production tools are intended to support those requirements within the same design environment.

The application also includes tools for curve and node editing, giving designers direct control over vector shapes. That control remains important when AI-generated or traced artwork needs to be adjusted for a specific output method.

CorelDRAW Web Extends the Workflow

The September 2026 Update also expands CorelDRAW Web with features intended to support design work outside the desktop application.

Subscribers can upload system, brand and custom fonts for use in the browser. CorelDRAW Web can open and edit CDR files without replacing intended fonts, helping preserve typography and design fidelity between desktop and web workflows.

DWG and DXF export is also available in CorelDRAW Web. The formats can support workflows involving plotters, fabrication and other production processes.

Automatic cloud saving is another update to the web experience. The September release also brings the same AI tools to CorelDRAW Web that are available on the desktop application.

For apparel and signage businesses, these additions can matter when artwork needs to move between design, review and production environments. The ability to maintain design files and intended typography can reduce some of the friction involved in working across locations.

A Production-Oriented Approach to AI-Assisted Design

The September 2026 Update reflects a broader approach to AI in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite. Text-to-vector provides a faster route from an idea to an editable vector, while PowerTRACE addresses the conversion of existing bitmap artwork.

The practical value comes from how those tools fit into the wider production workflow.

A designer can generate an initial vector concept, refine individual nodes and shapes, check colors and separations, and prepare the finished artwork for its intended output. A low-resolution customer logo can follow a similar path through tracing, cleanup and production preparation.

The update also includes stability and performance improvements intended to provide smoother handling of complex files and more consistent responsiveness during everyday tasks.

Better Business Advice's recognition draws attention to CorelDRAW Graphics Suite at a time when AI-assisted design is becoming part of the broader production process. For apparel designers, sign makers and other professionals working with client artwork, the September 2026 Update combines new vector-generation capabilities with tools built around editing, preparation and output.

The result is an approach that treats AI as part of the production workflow rather than the entire design process. Creative decisions, vector refinement and final production preparation remain in the hands of the designer.

A 15-day free trial with 200 AI credits is available with no credit card required. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite can be purchased with the coupon code COREL10 for 10% off until October 31, 2026.

The full article can be found in the Better Business Advice website.

About Corel

Corel is a global software company headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with more than 100 million users in over 75 countries. Founded in 1985, Corel has built a strong reputation for innovation and usability in graphics, digital‑media, and productivity software. Its product portfolio includes vector illustration (CorelDRAW Graphics Suite), natural‑media painting (Corel Painter), photo editing (Corel PaintShop Pro), video production (Corel VideoStudio), and productivity tools (WordPerfect Office and WinZip). Corel's software is designed for both professionals and creative consumers and provides powerful features in an accessible, easy‑to-learn format. With a global footprint that includes major offices in the US, UK, Germany, China, Taiwan and Japan, Corel continues to expand its reach while maintaining a close connection with its user community.

About Better Business Advice: Better Business Advice covers the news and strategies driving modern business success. The information provided by Better Business Advice does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are for general informational purposes only. As an affiliate, Better Business Advice may earn commissions from services mentioned in the links provided.

SOURCE BetterBusinessAdvice.com

Share this article

For the first time, VistaJet Members join Charles Leclerc on the pickleball court before three days inside the Ferrari Paddock Club at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- VistaJet, the world's first and only truly global private aviation company, will open Formula 1 United States Grand Prix Race Week in Austin, Texas, by bringing Members together around their shared passion for sport. For the first time, Members will join VistaJet Brand Ambassador Charles Leclerc on the pickleball court before three days inside the Ferrari Paddock Club — creating rare access to the people, team and moments that define sport.

Race Week in Austin

Race Week will begin before Members arrive at the circuit. Traveling from around the world onboard VistaJet's iconic silver-and-red fleet, Members will come together in Austin, where the pickleball session offers a rare chance to spend time with the Ferrari driver away from the track.

Across three days in the Ferrari Paddock Club, from Friday's practice sessions and Saturday's qualifying through Sunday's Grand Prix, Members will see the race weekend from the inside. Behind-the-scenes Pit Lane Walks and curated moments with team personnel will offer an insider's perspective on the workings of the team, alongside appearances from Ferrari ambassadors, drivers and the Team Principal.

Charles Leclerc, said: "VistaJet is my home away from home during the season. Austin always has a special atmosphere, and having some fun on the pickleball court with people who love sport as much as I do is the perfect way to start the week, before the focus turns fully to the race."

Where sport and business meet

Members increasingly expect access to go beyond the event itself — they want proximity, participation and connection to the people behind the sport they care about. Sport is at the center of this shift, with the world's most significant sporting events becoming meeting points for business, culture and lifestyle, bringing together globally minded individuals around a shared passion.

Sports tourism is projected to reach $1.41 trillion by 2035, according to Global Market Insights[1], as travelers cross borders to attend events that command global attention.

VistaJet is uniquely positioned to support this. With a truly global fleet and guaranteed availability throughout the largest service area in the industry and with as little as 24 hours' notice, VistaJet Members can move between continents for the moments that matter, while its relationships across global sport create opportunities to spend time with the athletes, teams and communities at the heart of their passions.

Leona Qi, President, U.S. at VistaJet, said: "Sport brings together so many of the things our Members value — excellence, competition, relationships and shared experiences. Major sporting events are places where business gets done, clients are hosted and relationships are built, and for many of our Members, the event is one part of a much larger, multi-city journey. They want to be close to the action, spend quality time with the people they admire and make the most of every opportunity around it. We are moving the people who are moving the world, and our role is to give them the flexibility to bring all of those pieces together and make the entire journey as seamless as possible."

The next generation of wealth moves differently

The profile of private aviation is evolving alongside the way global wealth lives, works and travels. Nearly half of VistaJet's first-time private flyers are now under 45, according to data featured in Knight Frank's 2026 Wealth Report[2]. This generation is increasingly global and multi-location, moving between business centers and lifestyle destinations with greater frequency, as Members combine business, personal interests and time with family and friends across continents.

Private aviation is less about the flight itself than what that freedom makes possible — the ability to move seamlessly between the places, people and experiences that matter to them. As these pursuits become an increasingly important expression of how they choose to spend their time, VistaJet enables Members to pursue those interests wherever they take them. Sport is increasingly where those passions, and the people who share them, come together.

Trusted by the world's best

VistaJet's partnership with Scuderia Ferrari, flying the team and its drivers across five continents throughout the season, reflects the company's ability to operate at the highest level of global sport, where precision, timing and seamless execution are essential.

The same expertise supports Members traveling to the world's most in-demand events, bringing together specialists across flight operations, client services, maintenance and ground operations to plan journeys months in advance, with safety and operational excellence at the core of every trip.

From Formula 1 to golf, tennis and beyond, VistaJet continues to bring Members closer to the world's most significant sporting moments — and the people who make them matter.

About VistaJet

VistaJet is the first and only global business aviation company. On the unrivaled Vista Members' fleet, VistaJet has flown corporations, governments and private clients to over 200 countries and territories, covering 96% of the world.

Founded over 20 years ago, the company pioneered an innovative business model where customers are granted access to an entire fleet while paying only for the hours they fly, free of the responsibilities and asset risks linked to aircraft ownership and fractional ownership.

VistaJet's signature Program membership offers customers a bespoke subscription of flight hours on its fleet of mid and long-range jets, to fly them with as little as 24 hours' notice.

VistaJet is part of Vista Global Holding (Vista) — the world's leading private aviation group, headquartered at the DIFC in Dubai, integrating a unique portfolio of companies offering asset free solutions to cover all key aspects of business aviation.

More VistaJet information and news at www.vistajet.com

"Vista" is a trade name for Vista Global Holding Limited. Vista does not operate any aircraft. All flights are performed by properly licensed operators, which may include VistaJet Limited or VistaJet GmbH as well as FAA-licensed and DOT registered US direct air carriers Western Air Charter, Inc. and Jet Select, LLC (each DBA Vista America).

[1] https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/sports-tourism-market

[2]https://www.knightfrank.com/research/article/2026/4/superyachts-private-jets-upward-mobility-wealthy

SOURCE VistaJet

Share this article

Available by prescription through telemedicine partner Mavrox.com/Roxus.

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LTR Pharma Limited (ASX: LTP), the Australian pharmaceutical company, today announced that Roxus® is now available to men across the U.S. Roxus is a prescription nasal spray for erectile dysfunction (ED) that delivers vardenafil, the same type of ED medicine as Viagra®, used in tablets for more than 20 years, through LTR's proprietary intranasal spray technology.

Roxus uses the same intranasal vardenafil formulation as SPONTAN®, LTR Pharma's nasal spray prescribed in Australia for the past two years. In clinical studies, including a peer-reviewed Phase 1 study, the spray reached peak blood levels in a median of about 10 minutes, compared with 45 to 60 minutes for vardenafil tablets.¹ Men 65 and older reached peak levels just as quickly, and the spray did it with a quarter of the tablet dose. Because it's absorbed through the nose rather than the stomach, it's designed to avoid the delays a heavy meal can cause with pills.

"For twenty years, ED treatment has meant taking a pill, waiting an hour, and hoping dinner doesn't get in the way. Roxus delivers vardenafil through the nose instead of the stomach, and in our clinical studies, our nasal spray reached peak blood levels in about ten minutes instead of an hour. That changes the experience for men and their partners, as it's effective within 5-10 minutes," said Lee Rodne, Executive Chairman, LTR Pharma.

"In sexual medicine, convenience is clinical. Roxus gives us an opportunity to rethink delivery of a familiar PDE5 mechanism around the patient experience: speed, discretion and spontaneity," said Dr. Amy Pearlman, urologist and member of LTR Pharma's Scientific Advisory Board.

How to get Roxus

LTR Pharma has partnered with Shed, whose men's health telemedicine platform Mavrox brings Roxus to men nationwide.

To obtain a prescription, men complete a short online health assessment at Mavrox.com/Roxus. A licensed U.S. provider reviews it, and if Roxus is appropriate, Strive Pharmacy fills the prescription and ships it discreetly to their door. Men who prefer an in-person visit can ask their healthcare provider about Roxus. To learn more, visit Roxus.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not use Roxus if you take nitrates for chest pain, recreational "poppers," or riociguat, or if you are allergic to vardenafil. Tell your provider about any heart, liver, or kidney problems, and all medicines you take. Seek emergency care for an erection lasting more than 4 hours or sudden vision or hearing loss. Common side effects include headache, flushing, runny or stuffy nose, indigestion, and temporary nasal discomfort.

Roxus is a compounded medication prepared for identified individual patient needs based on a valid prescription from a prescribing healthcare practitioner and, as such, is not reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or efficacy. Compounded drugs are intended for patients whose prescriber has determined their medical needs are not met by an available FDA-approved drug. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Results may vary. Available by prescription only, when a licensed provider determines it is appropriate.

About LTR Pharma: LTR Pharma Limited (ASX: LTP) is an Australian commercial-stage pharmaceutical company that develops fast-acting intranasal medicines using its proprietary nasal spray technology. Its lead products, SPONTAN® (Australia) and Roxus® (U.S.), are nasal sprays for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. SPONTAN is progressing through the U.S. FDA 505(b)(2) pathway toward a planned Phase III study. ltrpharma.com

About Mavrox: Mavrox, operated by Shed, is a U.S. men's health telemedicine platform connecting men with licensed providers and personalized treatment. Mavrox.com

Reference

¹ Based on pharmacokinetic studies of SPONTAN®, LTR Pharma's intranasal vardenafil formulation, and published prescribing information for oral PDE5 inhibitors. No head-to-head study has compared Roxus with other ED treatments.

Viagra is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc.

Media Contact: Fergus Linskey, Levo Health, [email protected]

SOURCE LTR Pharma

Share this article

TAL Education Group to Announce Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Results on October 29, 2026

BEIJING, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TAL Education Group ("TAL" or the "Company") (NYSE: TAL), a smart learning solutions provider in China, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2027 ended August 31, 2026, before the market opens on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

The Company will host a corresponding conference call and live webcast at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing Time) on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Please note that you will need to pre-register for conference call participation at

https://dpregister.com/sreg/10212718/1051b87d48e.

Upon registration, you will receive an email containing participant dial-in numbers, passcode, and a unique access PIN. This information will allow you to gain immediate access to the call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.

A replay of the conference call will be available by phone at the numbers listed below, starting one hour after the live call concludes and remaining accessible through November 5, 2026:

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of TAL's website at https://ir.tal.com/.

About TAL Education Group

TAL Education Group is a smart learning solutions provider in China. The acronym "TAL" stands for "Tomorrow Advancing Life", which reflects our vision to promote top learning opportunities for students through both high-quality teaching and content, as well as leading edge application of technology in the education experience. TAL Education Group offers comprehensive learning solutions to students from all ages through diversified class formats. Our learning solutions mainly cover enrichment learnings programs and some academic subjects in and out of China. Our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TAL".

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Jackson Ding

Investor Relations

TAL Education Group

Tel: +86 10 5292 6669-8809

Email: [email protected]

Christensen Advisory

Tel: +86 10 5900 1548

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE TAL Education Group

Share this article

National Grid submits further transmission investment proposals to Ofgem to support Britain’s energy future

National Grid has submitted a further package of proposals to Ofgem under the RIIO-T3 load re-opener process, seeking approval for investment across its electricity transmission network to support growing demand, unlock connections and enable economic growth across England and Wales.

This latest submission comprises 19 projects across England and Wales, representing around £4.5 billion of proposed investment*. Subject to approval, it forms part of National Grid’s plans to invest around £31 billion in the electricity transmission network in England and Wales between 2026 and 2031.

The proposed investment comprises £2.3 billion across six projects already submitted through National Grid’s May re-opener and progressing through Ofgem’s assessment process, as well as a further £2.2 billion of investment proposed through the October submission.

The investments would help increase network capacity, maintain system resilience, and ensure the electricity network is ready to accommodate increasing levels of clean power generation and demand, including from new industries and technologies.

Together with the first phase of re-opener submissions to Ofgem in May, the proposals reflect the scale and pace of investment needed to keep Britain’s electricity network fit for the future.

The projects have been developed through detailed planning and engineering assessment work to identify the most appropriate solutions to meet network needs, helping to deliver value for money and keep long term costs down for consumers.

Under the RIIO-T3 framework, re-openers provide a route for transmission owners to seek regulatory approval and funding for investments that were not sufficiently developed for Ofgem to assess when the price control was agreed. Ofgem will now assess the submissions before deciding whether each should be approved.

Rob Salter-Church, regulation director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said:

“As Britain’s electricity needs evolve, it’s vital that the network develops ahead of that demand. Our proposals set out investment needed to increase capacity, maintain resilience and support future growth across England and Wales. Together with the submissions we made earlier this year, they form an important part of our plan to invest around £31 billion in the transmission network by 2031.

“We will continue to work closely with Ofgem throughout the assessment process to help ensure the right investments are approved and delivered efficiently, providing long term benefits for consumers, communities and the wider economy.”

Alongside progressing these new submissions, National Grid continues to engage constructively with Ofgem on the May re-opener applications through its draft determinations consultation.

Find out more about National Grid’s RIIO-T3 re-openers

*Figures for re-openers are in 2023/24 prices, in line with Ofgem’s guidance for RIIO-T3 price control submissions

The €150 million transaction is executed through a new blockchain-based platform developed by ioBuilders together with the two banks and represents a major technological step forward in the digitalisation of the syndicated loan market.

Madrid, 15 October 2026.

Iberdrola, BBVA and Santander arranged a €150 million corporate syndicated financing facility, managed entirely using distributed ledger technology (DLT), commonly known as blockchain. The transaction marks a milestone for the financial market as the first live syndicated loan whose entire lifecycle, from execution and disbursement through to the management of interest, waivers, repayments, assignments and maturity, is administered using this technology. The transaction aligns with Iberdrola’s digital transformation strategy, which places innovation, data and emerging technologies at the heart of its efforts to drive efficiency and streamline financial and treasury processes. Gómez-Acebo & Pombo acted as legal advisers on the transaction.

The digital infrastructure enables participating institutions to share and maintain a single, synchronised and immutable record of information, replacing reconciliation processes between separate databases with a single shared source of information. This technology improves transaction traceability, reduces the risk of operational errors and facilitates more efficient management of syndicated financing, enabling the various participants to interact in an orderly manner under the operational control of the agent bank appointed for the financing.

Throughout the life of the loan, the platform manages the main contractual events in a coordinated manner, including the calculation and notification of interest, payments of principal and fees, early repayments, monitoring compliance with agreed financial covenants and information undertakings, the processing of certain contractual consents, and transfers of participations between lending institutions. All these events are recorded on the DLT infrastructure and are visible in real time to authorised participants.

The application of distributed ledger technology to the syndicated loan market makes it possible to simplify the management of financing lifecycles, reduce operating costs, improve coordination between institutions and increase the efficiency of one of the most important segments of corporate financing. It may also help increase market liquidity and facilitate access to this type of financing for mid-sized companies by simplifying processes that have traditionally limited their participation in these transactions.

The transaction was managed through the platform developed by ioBuilders with the support of BBVA and Santander to digitalise the management of syndicated financing. Following this first transaction, the institutions will work on progressively onboarding new participants and expanding the platform’s functionalities, with the aim of moving towards a shared infrastructure for the syndicated loan market. The goal is to harness the potential of distributed ledger technology to modernise one of the most important markets in corporate finance, traditionally characterised by a high administrative burden and intensive coordination among multiple participants, including the agent bank, lending banks and the client.

Rob Kay, Global Head of Investment Grade and Emerging Markets Debt at Santander CIB, said: “Innovation is part of Santander’s DNA. This transaction represents an important step forward in the evolution of syndicated financing, demonstrating how DLT-based technologies can bring greater efficiency, transparency and traceability to complex financial processes. It also highlights how digital assets are already generating tangible value for the business and contributing to the transformation of financial markets. At the same time, it lays the foundations for an industry collaboration model with the potential to redefine different aspects of corporate financing.”

Alberto Falco, Head of Portfolio Monitoring and Innovation at BBVA CIB, said: “This transaction reflects BBVA’s commitment to the digitalisation of financial markets. Blockchain technology enables a particularly significant transformational leap in syndicated loans, a product that has traditionally seen limited digitalisation and has been accessible to very few clients. By combining the advantages of DLT as an immutable record with the programmability of smart contracts to automate operational processes, our ambition is for this platform to become a meeting point that other institutions can join to help drive the syndicated loan market.”

“The adoption of blockchain technology in financial environments is increasingly becoming a reality thanks to the benefits it provides. With this transaction, we demonstrate that these advantages can also be extended to a live syndicated loan and its end-to-end management, with full legal validity and based on a single source of information shared by all parties. It is also worth highlighting that the technology underpinning this platform opens the door to more efficient management of financial institutions’ balance sheets, enabling new strategies for loan mobilisation in the secondary market,” said Carlos Matilla, CEO of ioBuilders.

While platforms like Spotify Kids, YouTube Kids, and the iHeartRadio Family app offer kid-focused audio experiences, TickTalk Radio takes a different approach, putting parents in greater control of what their children can access. TickTalk Radio is designed around curated, parent-approved station access, giving families more control over the listening experience. The result is age-appropriate entertainment that gives kids the freedom to enjoy music and audio content while keeping parents firmly in control of the experience.

"Caught in the parenting paradox, we built TickTalk Radio™ to solve a common parenting struggle: how to give kids access to music without opening the door to unrestricted streaming platforms," said Ying Gong, CEO of TickTalk Tech. "This gives children a fun, safe, and age-curated audio experience tailored to their growing independence, while giving parents total peace of mind through complete content controls, zero ads, and no open internet browsing."

Reimagining Kids' Audio: Curated by Age. Filtered by You. Made for Kids.

Unlike unrestricted, general-audience streaming services adapted for younger listeners, TickTalk Radio™ was built from the ground up for kids' devices in partnership with Feed.fm. Feed.fm provides the B2B music infrastructure that powers the end-to-end TickTalk Radio experience by combining pre-cleared, fully licensed major-label and science-backed wellness tracks, expert human curation, age-appropriate filtering, and turnkey streaming technology.

"Kids deserve the joy and discovery that comes with music, without requiring parents to open the door to a full consumer streaming experience," said Lauren Pufpaf, President and COO of Feed.fm. "TickTalk Radio shows what's possible when music is thoughtfully designed for a specific audience, combining licensed music, age-aware curation and parental controls in an experience built specifically for kids."

Key Features of TickTalk Radio™:

- Built Specifically for Kids & Families: Purpose-built for young listeners rather than retrofitting general consumer streaming apps.

- Tiered Age Curation & Higher Safety Standards: Developed in partnership with Feed.fm, the parent-approved stations are structured across three distinct developmental tiers: Junior (ages 3–5), Explorer (ages 6–9), and Tween (ages 9–12). Content moderation goes beyond standard clean/explicit labels by filtering for both language appropriateness and thematic maturity. Fresh content added regularly.

- True Parental Control: Through the redesigned TickTalk Parent App, parents can manage or oversee preferences, preview any station, enable or disable individual channels, set daily listening duration limits, and adjust access as their child grows.

- Entertainment + Daily Utility: Features popular, fully licensed major-label music alongside science-backed wellness tracks designed to help children cultivate healthy daily routines around calm, focus, sleep, and mindfulness.

- Focus Mode Guardrails: Parents can activate Focus Mode during homework hours or bedtime, limiting audio access strictly to Wellness Stations so music supports routine without becoming a distraction.

- Bounded & Ad-Free Experience: Operating in a completely closed system with zero ads, zero algorithmic social feeds, and no open search functionality, ensuring a safe and contained experience.

- Music Distribution Innovation: Represents a groundbreaking distribution opportunity for the music industry, bringing fully licensed, major-label music to kids' connected wearables in a purpose-built environment, without exposing them to open streaming services.

- Global Connectivity & Cloud Migration: Built-in eSIM activation and optional global travel connectivity ensure uninterrupted access to wellness streaming content anywhere families go.

- Complete Family Ecosystem: TickTalk Radio™ operates seamlessly alongside the expanded hardware and software suite of the all-new TickTalk 6, integrating FaceTalk™ video calling, Real SMS, TickTalkie™ walkie-talkie communication, AI SmartPin™ location tracking, global eSIM connectivity, and free T-Cloud™ data migration for a secure, unified experience.

What Parents Are Saying:

"It's so helpful (and reassuring) as a parent to still have total control 'behind the scenes' while letting her explore her independence at a pace I feel comfortable with." — Shanna Wandmacher, Parent Tester

"The music selection is fun, diverse, and all three of my boys found stations they loved. The parental controls also give parents peace of mind and confidence that their children are listening to safe, age-appropriate content." — Samantha Archer, Parent Tester

Pricing and Availability

- At $169.99, TickTalk 6 is in stock at myticktalk.com and Walmart, now rolling out on Amazon, with Best Buy coming soon.

- TickTalk Radio™ Subscription: Included as part of the TickTalk Wireless Premium plan, or available as an add-on service for $4.99/month (music availability subject to licensing and territory).

- Exclusive Press Access & Media Preview Streaming: Members of the press can request access to stream TickTalk Radio™ via dedicated, password-protected web landing pages featuring embedded music players. This enables journalists and reviewers to experience the distinct Junior, Explorer, and Tween age tiers alongside dedicated wellness programming, thus getting the music experience without the need to test the device. 

About TickTalk

TickTalk is a leading kids' smartwatch and family communication platform designed to help children gain independence while helping families stay connected without giving kids a smartphone. 

Built around its mission, Communication First. Safety Always., TickTalk brings together safe calling and messaging, FaceTalk™ video calling, location and safety tools, parental controls, wireless connectivity, age-appropriate content, cloud services, protection, and family support through one connected ecosystem.

TickTalk products are designed specifically for children ages 3 to 12, with no social media, no open internet, and no unnecessary digital distractions. For more information, visit myticktalk.com or follow @myticktalk on Instagram.

About Feed.fm

Feed.fm is a music technology platform that makes it easy for apps and connected devices to offer licensed, curated music. We handle the complexity behind the scenes, including music rights, curation, content delivery, and compliance. Our proprietary five-tier music rating system (Safe, Mild, Teen, Adult, Extreme) evaluates tracks for thematic maturity as well as language. That goes beyond standard clean and explicit labels, so brands can build age-appropriate, family-friendly listening experiences. Feed.fm's Branded Music Service powers white-label, in-app music for companies across kids and family, health, wellness, fitness, and other digital experiences. Learn more at www.feed.fm.

SOURCE TickTalk

Share this article

VIENNA, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fibocom is showcasing its latest FWA and smart connectivity portfolio at Network X 2026, bringing together customer deployments and new technologies designed for the next generation of broadband and intelligent devices.

Fibocom's established FWA footprint was highlighted through customer devices showcased at the event, together with a portfolio spanning 5G and 5G-Advanced modules, CPE, ODU and MiFi solutions.

Building on this foundation, Fibocom is introducing new capabilities for higher-performance wireless broadband. Its flagship FG390 5G-Advanced FWA module now extends support to the Upper 6 GHz spectrum. The new FG390-MEA-30, powered by the MediaTek T930 platform, supports NR n104 through a new hardware design and enables coordination between Upper 6 GHz and Sub-6 GHz.

FG390 has also been shortlisted for the Network X Awards 2026 Best Indoor Connectivity Solution, with its PC1 high-power capability highlighted as a key technical feature.

Fibocom is also demonstrating an X85-based 5G FWA solution paired with Wi-Fi 7. With the FG200 now ready for engineering samples, the demo reflects Fibocom's ongoing evolution toward 3GPP Release 18 and higher-performance broadband platforms.

Beyond broadband connectivity, the SC153 5G smart module brings together 5G, computing and multimedia capabilities for payment terminals, industrial handhelds, office devices and other intelligent endpoints. It is built on the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ Q-4390 platform.

Fibocom is also expanding 5G into lighter device categories. The 5G RedCap MiFi PCBA, now in small-scale commercial deployment, provides a compact option for portable broadband devices with more balanced requirements for performance, power consumption and integration.

"Europe is entering a new phase of network evolution, and Fibocom is working closely with partners across the region to help customers prepare for what comes next. By combining advanced connectivity with edge computing capabilities, we enable customers to accelerate deployment, support network upgrades, and bring greater intelligence to connected devices," said Shining Xu, Senior Vice President of Fibocom.

About Fibocom

Founded in 1999, Fibocom is China's first wireless communication module company listed on both the A-share and H-share markets. Leveraging wireless communication and AI as its core technologies, Fibocom provides integrated hardware and software solutions spanning cellular, AI, automotive and GNSS modules, AI toolchains, AI Agent, global connectivity and cloud services, supporting industries including robotics, consumer electronics, intelligent transportation, smart retail and smart energy.

SOURCE Fibocom

Share this article