ATLANTA, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company today announced a regular quarterly dividend of 76 cents per share on the company's common stock, payable December 7, 2026, to shareholders of record as of November 16, 2026.

Every quarter for 79 consecutive years, Southern Company has paid a dividend to its shareholders that is equal to or greater than the previous quarter.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services.  Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success, driven by nearly 30,000 employees dedicated to delivering exceptional service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE Southern Company

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The Standard That Built Oil and Gas Finance Has Now Been Adapted to Support Geothermal Development at Scale

The GRMS system of standardization and classification for geothermal resources, led by a coalition of stakeholders in collaboration with Project InnerSpace and the Society of Petroleum Engineers, will publish in November

HOUSTON, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Project InnerSpace, a non-profit focused research organization committed to the exponential global growth of geothermal energy, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the world's largest non-profit member organization for oil and gas professionals, today announced that the Geothermal Resources Management System (GRMS), a standardized framework for classifying, reporting, and communicating geothermal resources and reserves first announced in March 2026, has completed its technical drafting and industry working-group consensus process and has been approved by the SPE Board of Directors for publication.

Modeled on the petroleum industry's foundational Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS) and the CO2 Storage Resources Management System (SRMS) standards that have enabled trillions of dollars in oil and gas investment over the past century, GRMS gives geothermal projects a resource and reserves classification system that financial institutions, insurers, and regulators already know how to use. With Board approval secured, GRMS is expected to publish online in November 2026.

"For 40 years, PRMS has been the language that flowed trillions into oil and gas development. We are excited to have built a structure through the GRMS coalition that will do the same for geothermal today," said Jamie Beard, Founder and Executive Director of Project InnerSpace.

"Standards play a critical role in enabling investment, transparency, and industry growth. The SPE Board's approval of GRMS signals confidence in both the technical integrity of the framework and the broad industry consensus behind it. We believe GRMS will become an essential tool for bringing greater consistency and clarity to the assessment and reporting of geothermal resources around the world," said Simon Seaton, Chief Executive Officer of SPE.

Over the past six months, Project InnerSpace and SPE led a cross-industry effort, which convened a multi-disciplinary coalition of volunteers and authors spanning reserves evaluators, oil and gas operators, insurers and underwriters, private equity, and geothermal developers to develop the GRMS framework. GRMS will be published on the SPE OnePetro site with no membership or paywall required to access it. Open access was made possible by Project InnerSpace's financial support of the publication process to remove cost as a barrier to adoption, allowing any reserves evaluator, lender, insurer, regulator, or operator anywhere in the world to access and apply the standard out of the gate.

With the framework approved by the SPE Board, Project InnerSpace and SPE are turning to the work of naturalizing GRMS into everyday geothermal financing practice, training reserves evaluators, lenders, insurers, regulators, and geothermal and oil and gas operators to apply the system consistently across deals, filings, and underwriting. Phase II of the collaboration, which will take place in early 2027, will develop practitioner application guidelines, including case studies across a variety of geothermal technology types, and continue socialization of the standard with financial institutions through convenings and workshops.

About Project InnerSpace

Project InnerSpace is the leading independent non-profit organization dedicated to the global development of geothermal energy. We are a focused research organization, on a mission to remove the major barriers standing in the way of the exponential growth and development of geothermal energy worldwide by 2030. To learn more about Project InnerSpace, please visit www.projectinnerspace.org.

About the Society of Petroleum Engineers

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is a not-for-profit professional association with more than 129,900 members in 148 countries engaged in the exploration and production of oil and gas and related energy resources. SPE delivers solutions and empowers people to drive the energy industry forward. Members gain access to premier programs, content, and events designed to accelerate professional growth and career development, while fostering a strong network and sense of community. SPE maintains offices in Calgary, Dallas, Dubai, Houston, and Kuala Lumpur.

SOURCE Project InnerSpace

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FranklinWH Energy Storage Inc. Joins the Alliant Energy® Smart Hours Program to Reward Customers in Wisconsin for Supporting the Grid

Wisconsin-based Alliant Energy customers with batteries can earn up to $1,500 in enrollment incentives, plus ongoing payments, by helping strengthen the electric grid

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FranklinWH Energy Storage Inc. today announced that Alliant Energy customers in Wisconsin with FranklinWH Systems, are able to participate in Alliant Energy® Smart Hours, a residential battery program that rewards homeowners for supporting grid reliability while earning financial incentives.

Through the program, Alliant Energy customers receive an enrollment incentive of $100 per kilowatt-hour of battery capacity, up to $1,500 for a FranklinWH System. Participants also earn annual performance payments of $100 for every average kilowatt their system discharges when called upon to support the grid.

Once enrolled, the FranklinWH System automatically sends stored battery energy to the grid during periods of peak electricity demand. Homeowners don't need to take any action during an event and can set how much stored energy they make available, so they keep an appropriate level of backup power for their home.

FranklinWH has partnered with energy technology company Derapi to streamline enrollment, helping FranklinWH systems connect to Smart Hours.

"Wisconsin homeowners already rely on their FranklinWH System to keep the lights on during outages," said FranklinWH chief commercial officer, Vincent Ambrose. "Now they can put that same battery to work supporting the electric grid while earning financial incentives. Programs such as Smart Hours show how families can play an active role in building a more reliable grid."

Alliant Energy's planned and operational battery projects in Wisconsin total 275 megawatts. By enrolling in Smart Hours, residential battery systems further expand this capacity, offering the utility greater flexibility to meet rising energy demand.

The Smart Hours program adds another utility partnership to FranklinWH's growing presence across the country. FranklinWH now participates in more than 30 VPPs.

About FranklinWH

FranklinWH Energy Storage Inc. is a global leader in whole-home energy management and battery storage, with systems that integrate solar, generator and grid power. Its systems are engineered and manufactured in Santa Clara, California, home to the company's U.S. Innovation Center, which leads product design, grid controls, testing and certification. FranklinWH systems participate in more than 30 utility-led virtual power plant (VPP) programs across the U.S., allowing homeowners to support the grid at peak times, receive program payments and retain backup power.

For more information, visit www.franklinwh.com.

About Derapi

Derapi is an energy enablement company helping unlock the full potential of distributed energy resources. Through one secure, manufacturer-sanctioned integration layer, Derapi makes it easier for OEMs, VPP operators, DERMS providers, and energy platforms to connect devices, authorize customers, access data, and control distributed resources across utility incentives, grid programs, financing platforms, and partner ecosystems. By combining purpose-built APIs with hands-on program support, Derapi helps energy innovators reduce integration complexity, scale participation, and bring distributed energy programs to market faster.

Media Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE FranklinWH Energy Storage Inc.

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Shadeform estimates that offsetting idle time with Spot revenue cuts total contract value by 29% on average, as providers resell idle GPU capacity on Shadeform's marketplace.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hardware and rental prices keep climbing, minimum contract terms have tripled, and near-term GPU capacity is increasingly hard to find. Today Shadeform, The GPU Cloud Marketplace, announced the launch of Spot, a new way for GPU providers to monetize idle capacity by reselling it at a discount whenever it isn't in use. Spot launches during Shadeform Launch Week, a week of product news running October 19 to 23.

GPU costs keep rising, and even well-run clusters sit idle between reservations and workloads. Spot lets providers recoup some of that cost: once a node is enrolled, it can be resold at a discount on Shadeform's marketplace whenever it would otherwise sit unused, and handed back to the provider when it's needed. Enrollment takes a single script and builds on Shadeform's Flex VMs, which turn bare-metal GPU nodes into single-tenant virtual machines. Shadeform estimates that offsetting idle time with Spot revenue reduces total contract value (TCV) of owned infrastructure by 29% on average.

For buyers, Spot offers dedicated GPU instances at a discount to on-demand rates, with the trade-off that they can be pre-empted. It is built for interruption-tolerant work: checkpointed training runs, batch inference, rendering, and large-scale experimentation. Teams choose Spot in the Shadeform console or through the API and CLI, and receive advance notice before an instance is reclaimed.

Spot pricing is set per instance type and provider, offering a meaningful discount to Shadeform's standard on-demand rates.

Spot capacity will grow as more providers enroll nodes.

"Every hour a GPU sits idle is revenue left on the table, and with costs climbing, providers can't afford to leave it there. Spot puts that capacity back to work, and gives builders a new way to run workloads that can handle an interruption," said Jeff Jewett, COO of Shadeform.

About Shadeform

Shadeform is The GPU Cloud Marketplace, giving teams a single platform to provision and manage GPU instances across 30+ cloud providers, and matching customer demand to reserved capacity from 100+ providers. Teams deploy on-demand and reserved capacity with centralized billing and support, saving up to 90% compared to major hyperscale clouds. Shadeform is used by teams including Fal, Moises, Parasail, Tinfoil, and research groups at Stanford and Berkeley. Learn more at shadeform.com.

Media Contact

Jeffrey Jewett, [email protected]

SOURCE Shadeform

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VIENNA, Va., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Knexus today announced that the company is a launch partner for Gemini for government services, leveraging Google Cloud's technology to automate complex enterprise workflows across public sector agencies.

As a Google Cloud Premier Partner and two-time Google Cloud Partner of the Year for Business Applications in Government, Knexus combines over two decades of advanced artificial intelligence expertise with deep Google Cloud Platform credentials. By leveraging Gemini for government services, Knexus deploys secure, agentic AI solutions, tailored data fabrics, and decision-support capabilities that transform siloed enterprise data into actionable mission intelligence at scale.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Google Cloud for the launch of Gemini for government services," said Adam Lurie, CEO of Knexus. "By integrating Knexus' operational AI capabilities directly into Google Cloud's secure, industry-tailored foundation, we are empowering government leaders to automate complex, end-to-end workflows while maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance."

"Public sector leaders need agentic systems that can solve real operational challenges within complex, regulated environments," said Satish Thomas, Vice President, Google Cloud. "Knexus brings decades of proven execution to Gemini for government services, helping agencies turn fragmented data into auditable, mission-critical action."

To learn more about how Knexus and Google Cloud are transforming public sector outcomes through agentic AI, visit www.knexus.ai.

About Knexus

For two decades, Knexus has worked with dozens of agencies across the US Government as a trusted partner to deliver tailored AI solutions to mission-critical problems. With three patents and over 100 peer reviewed scientific papers, the scientists and engineers of Knexus are routinely advancing the frontier between human and machine intelligence. As a Google Cloud Premier Partner and 2x Google Cloud Partner of the Year for Business Applications in Government, Knexus offers its customers expertise in working with Google Cloud's AI products to deliver AI solutions to the public sector.

SOURCE Knexus

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Large enterprises report spending more than a quarter of their software budgets on changes they would not have chosen

- New research from Origina, published in a report with Thinkers50, examines the economics of the "Software Tax": a recurring burden embedded in the enterprise software model that consumes capacity, diverts talent, wastes working assets and adds cost and risk that organisations have little practical ability to refuse.

- 95% of IT leaders surveyed say their organization has paid for a vendor-driven upgrade, migration or licensing change in the past three years that it believed would reduce performance

- The most recent vendor-driven change cost large enterprises an average of $12.87 million, and 80%1 of IT leaders surveyed say moving away from a major software vendor would cause significant business disruption

- Asked about the last time an AI or data program was slowed, paused or canceled, 34% of respondents said vendor-driven costs had a major contribution to that decision; 56% said it had a moderate one.

DUBLIN, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Large enterprises say they spend an average of 28% of their software budgets on upgrades, migrations and licensing changes they would not have actively chosen, according to new research from Origina, an independent software maintenance partner supporting business-critical enterprise systems, published in a report with Thinkers50. The research also found that 95% of IT leaders say their organization has paid for a vendor-driven upgrade in the past three years that it believed would reduce performance, reliability or business value, and more than half (53%) have done so more than once.

The Software Tax, What does it cost, and who benefits?, the report built on the survey, links this pattern to how little practical ability these leaders have to refuse upgrades and changes once a system is embedded in the business.

The most recent of these vendor-driven changes cost respondents' organizations an average of $12.87 million, and the impact reaches well beyond the IT budget. Innovation was the budget respondents most often said was hit, with hiring and security close behind. When asked about the last time an AI or data program was slowed, paused or canceled, 34% of respondents said vendor-driven costs had a major contribution to that decision; 56% said it had a moderate one.

The survey of 2,018 senior IT decision-makers in the US and UK, conducted by Censuswide, shows how little room buyers have:

- 78%1 agree that their primary vendor, rather than their own organization, sets the timing and terms of change.

- 76%1 say they have very little real leverage in negotiations with major vendors.

- 80%1 say moving away from a major software vendor would cause significant business disruption.

Tomás O'Leary, CEO and Founder of Origina and co-author of The Software Tax, said, "When the alternative to an unwanted upgrade is losing support on systems the business runs on, saying yes is often a rational response. That's exactly the problem. The market has left some of the most experienced technology leaders in the world with little room to refuse, and that cost shows up in budgets, in engineering time and in innovation that never gets funded. We want to make that cost visible so customers can start to take back control of it."

People and hardware are affected too, according to respondents. Some 84% say senior engineering talent "always" or "often" spends time on vendor-driven upgrades rather than building future capability. Ninety-one percent report they have scrapped functional hardware in the past three years purely to meet a software vendor's support deadline, losing an average of 1.65 years of useful hardware life.

IT leaders surveyed also back changes to the rules. More than nine in ten (91%2) would support legislation giving enterprise software customers protections comparable with those in long-term residential rental relationships. And 82%1 support software-support requirements similar to those placed on hardware manufacturers under EU rules on hardware repairability.

Marshall Van Alstyne, Professor at Boston University and co-author of The Software Tax said, "Economists have studied this problem for decades: once a customer makes relationship-specific investments, the vendor gains leverage that no contract can fully anticipate. For CIOs, the lesson is simple: negotiate the exit before the entry. You don't have to leave a vendor to benefit from being able to."

The full report, The Software Tax, sets out practical steps IT leaders can take to negotiate their way out of lock-in, from more modular software architecture to contracts that address foreseeable decisions before the customer is committed. Read it here.

About Origina

Origina has been recognized by Gartner every year since 2019 as an independent software maintenance partner serving over 200 of the world's largest enterprises across IBM, HCL, VMware, and SAP platforms. Origina was founded to challenge the traditional software model and shift control back to the customer. origina.com

About Thinkers50

Founded in 2001 by business journalists Des Dearlove and Stuart Crainer, Thinkers50 began as the first global Ranking of Management Thinkers. Over the past quarter century, it has grown into a worldwide platform and a vibrant Community. Today, Thinkers50 encompasses the Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement Awards alongside the Hall of Fame, Radar, Coaching Legends, Leaders50, Coaches50, and curated Booklists. The Thinkers50 London Summit & Awards Gala has been described by the Financial Times as the "Oscars of management thinking."

Methodology

The research was commissioned by Origina and conducted by Censuswide. It surveyed 2,018 CIOs and senior IT decision-makers at director level or above, with ownership or direct influence over enterprise software budgets and renewal decisions, at organizations with annual revenues of $1 billion or more or with 10,000 or more employees globally. All respondents currently run at least one of IBM, HCL, VMware/Broadcom or SAP at meaningful scale. The sample was split across the United States (1,011 respondents) and the United Kingdom (1,007), spanning five sectors: financial services, insurance, telecommunications, public sector and retail. Fieldwork was conducted between 11 and 19 May 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.

1 Combines 'strongly agree' and 'somewhat agree'

2 Combines 'strongly support' and 'somewhat support'

SOURCE Origina

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2026 – The Board of Directors of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 97 cents per share on the company’s common stock, an increase of 2 cents per share.

The dividend is payable Dec. 10, 2026, to shareholders of record as of Nov. 10, 2026.

About AEP

American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We plan to invest $78 billion from 2026 through 2030 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 18,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 252,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of diverse owned and contracted generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Ohio Power Company, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit aep.com.

Website Disclosure

AEP may use its website as a distribution channel for material company information. Financial and other important information regarding AEP is routinely posted on and accessible through AEP’s website at https://www.aep.com/investors/. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about AEP when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Email Alerts” section at https://www.aep.com/investors/.

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SEABOURN INTRODUCES A CULINARY PHILOSOPHY BRINGING DESTINATIONS TO LIFE THROUGH FOOD, FLAVOR AND DISCOVERY

Earth & Ocean, a culinary philosophy by Seabourn, combines local inspiration, global gourmet ingredients and culinary exploration at sea and ashore

Key Highlights

- Earth & Ocean philosophy pairs locally inspired menus with exceptional gourmet ingredients selected from around the world.

- Guests will encounter regional flavors through onboard dining and other programming at sea and ashore.

- Earth & Ocean continues Seabourn's commitment to craftsmanship, personalized service and excellence from preparation to plating.

- Earth & Ocean expands a Seabourn restaurant concept introduced in 2018 into a culinary philosophy across the fleet.

SEATTLE, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Seabourn today announced the launch of Earth & Ocean, a culinary philosophy that combines global gourmet ingredients with the line's longstanding commitment to destination-inspired dining. The philosophy will shape menus, programming and experiences across each ship, bringing together local flavors, exceptional gourmet ingredients and personalized service through culinary exploration at sea and ashore.

Earth & Ocean is centered on the idea of connecting guests to a destination through what is sourced, served and shared. It builds on Seabourn's longstanding commitment to destination-inspired dining, expanding the ways guests can experience a destination through food and beverage.

The philosophy takes its name from Seabourn's Earth & Ocean restaurant, introduced in 2018 with rotating menus based on fresh and locally available ingredients. The concept has since evolved beyond the restaurant to influence dining, culinary programming and experiences throughout the fleet and ashore.

"Our Earth & Ocean philosophy was shaped by guest feedback about the experiences they value most: exceptional food, personalized service, locally inspired cuisine and meaningful connections to the destinations they visit," said Michael Stendebach, Seabourn's Senior Vice President, Guest Experience & Product Development. "We saw how strongly our guests embraced our Earth & Ocean restaurant and built on that feedback by expanding the concept into a fleetwide culinary philosophy that brings together local flavors, global gourmet ingredients, destination-inspired experiences and the art of dining with Seabourn."

Pairing Local Flavors with Global Gourmet Ingredients

Earth & Ocean balances two complementary priorities: reflecting the destinations Seabourn visits and seeking excellence wherever it is found.

Menus will feature regional specialties, seasonal produce and culinary traditions alongside gourmet ingredients sourced from around the world for their quality, flavor and craftsmanship. In The Restaurant, menus will feature "Chef's Market Finds," highlighting local ingredients from the regions in which each ship is sailing. Examples of regional dishes include Fresh Lingcod with Buttered Spinach, Arugula & Green Apple in Alaska, Pink Snapper with Truffled Spaghetti Squash in Australia and New Zealand, and Fresh Arctic Char with Fingerling Potatoes & Lemon-Butter Caper Sauce in Northern Europe. Together, these create dining experiences that reflect both the character of a destination and Seabourn's culinary standards.

The philosophy takes a broader approach to gourmet dining, looking beyond traditional luxury ingredients to fresh ingredients, thoughtful presentation, skilled preparation and attention to detail. Seabourn's guest research identified these elements as central measures of food and service, while destination-inspired cuisine appealed broadly across guest groups.

Exploring the Terroir of the Land and the Merroir of the Sea

Earth & Ocean explores two important principles that help explain the connection between place and flavor: terroir and merroir, representing the unique characteristics of food from land and sea.

In Alaska, mineral-rich glacial waters help shape the character of wild salmon and king crab. Across the Mediterranean, olive groves, coastlines and generations of culinary tradition influence everything from seafood preparations to regional oils and wines. These connections between place and flavor help tell the story of each destination through food.

Culinary Exploration at Sea and Ashore

Earth & Ocean will extend beyond restaurant menus over the course of the next year through chef-led experiences, market visits and the introduction of other programming designed to connect guests with local food cultures. Guests will also encounter destination-inspired dining experiences being introduced across the fleet, including regional scenic cruising brunches, regional seafood boils, refreshed Patio menus, fresh pasta and an enhanced caviar program. These experiences will allow guests to explore the flavors, traditions and people that help define each destination.

The Art of Dining with Seabourn

Earth & Ocean also incorporates the elements that define dining with Seabourn. Menus are carefully curated, dishes are prepared with a commitment to excellence from preparation to plating, and each experience is supported by personalized service and attention to detail.

"Our guests consistently tell us that culinary is a critical part of the travel experience and that personalized service is at the heart of the Seabourn experience," said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer of Seabourn. "Our new Earth & Ocean philosophy brings those priorities together through thoughtfully crafted menus, exceptional ingredients, destination-inspired flavors and the warmth that Seabourn is known for."

Looking Ahead

Earth & Ocean establishes the foundation for Seabourn's continued culinary evolution. Additional menus, programming and destination-focused experiences will be introduced across the fleet and ashore, with further details to be announced.

More information about Seabourn's Earth & Ocean philosophy is available HERE.

For more details about Seabourn, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn cruising options, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391, visit www.seabourn.com, or contact a professional travel advisor.

About Seabourn:

Seabourn represents the pinnacle of luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a fleet of five modern ships. The all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two luxury purpose-built expedition ships, including Seabourn Venture that launched in 2022 and Seabourn Pursuit in 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers.

Seabourn is part of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company with a portfolio of cruise lines operating in over 800 ports & destinations worldwide. (NYSE: CCL).

Find Seabourn on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

Its stylish, distinctive cruising vacations are renowned for:

- The original small-ship experience designed to feel like a private yacht

- All ocean-front suites, most with a private veranda

- Anticipatory and personalized service that is warm but not stuffy

- A culinary experience inspired by the journey, with locally sourced ingredients, globally inspired menus, and expertly curated wines

- Gratuities included, so everything feels seamless from the start

- Complimentary Signature Events, from Caviar in the Surf®, Caviar on the Ice to Shopping with the Chef

- Seabourn Conversations®, our flagship enrichment program bringing leading thinkers and cultural voices onboard for intimate, thought-provoking dialogue

- Curated itineraries that take you beyond the expected—accessing hidden harbors, picturesque ports and off-the-beaten path discoveries

SOURCE Seabourn

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At approximately 1,129 feet long and 170,000 gross tons, Norwegian Bella will accommodate 3,921 guests at double occupancy and will join Norwegian Aura as the largest ships in the NCL fleet. Her inaugural season of voyages will include an unparalleled way for guests to experience Europe's most captivating destinations, including Rome, Florence and Salerno, Italy; Marseille, France; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

On board, Norwegian Bella will offer similar experiences to Norwegian Aura, the Company's latest vessel due for delivery in May 2027. With Norwegian Bella sailing in Europe and Norwegian Aura in the Caribbean, NCL will bring its newest guest experiences to two of the world's top cruise destinations. Both vessels are currently being built by renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with interior designs created by world-class architects AD Associates, Piero Lissoni, Rockwell Group, SMC Design, and Studio Dado.

"Norwegian Bella marks a milestone moment in our fleet as the culmination of our award-winning Prima Class," said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. "Drawing on the innovations and guest feedback that have shaped the class from the very beginning, Norwegian Bella brings together our most sought-after experiences in one extraordinary ship. From enhanced outdoor spaces and family-friendly attractions to elevated venues for relaxation and connection, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to give guests the freedom and flexibility to vacation exactly how they want to, without anyone having to compromise. We look forward to welcoming guests to discover the Mediterranean with us aboard Norwegian Bella."

Norwegian Bella showcases a collection of elevated experiences, including:

OCEAN HEIGHTS: OPEN-AIR ACTIVITIES FROM DAY TO NIGHT Spanning decks 18 through 21, Ocean Heights™ is the multi-level, open-air complex that transforms throughout the day, serving as a sun-soaked playground by afternoon that evolves into a vibrant social hub under the stars with immersive lighting and LED projections at night.

From friendly competition to heart-pounding thrills, Norwegian Bella delivers unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages. Adventure seekers can race side-by-side on Eclipse Racers, take the plunge on the Bella Free Fall waterslide or experience The Wave, a pendulum-style raft slide accommodating up to four riders. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, travelers can brave The Drop, the signature Prima Class dry slide that sends guests speeding down 10 decks in a matter of seconds. The excitement continues with the Bella Ropes Course; the Bella Midway, which brings classic carnival-inspired fun to sea and on deck 20, guests can perfect their putt on the nine-hole mini golf course or discover Moon Climber, a vibrant, multi-level harness-free adventure course.

OCEAN BOULEVARD: OCEAN VIEWS, FAMILY SPACES AND INFINITY BEACH Wrapping the entire ship on deck eight, Norwegian Bella's Ocean Boulevard is the signature Prima Class promenade, now enhanced with additional seating compared to Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, featuring hot tubs and an outdoor bar. At the heart of the experience is Infinity Beach, where guests can enjoy stunning infinity pools, upscale daybeds, hot tubs and a full-service outdoor bar.

Dedicated spaces for younger guests include Little Explorers' Cay complete with a playhouse and slides for ages two to six; Adventure Alley offering ages six to 10 an immersive playground filled with crawl spaces, winding tunnels and imaginative ocean-inspired adventures; and teens can claim their own hangout at Surf's Bay, a contemporary retreat with a striking surf wall photo installation for the best selfies at sea.

EXPANDED POOL DECK, FAMILY WATER PLAY AND AN ADULTS-ONLY ESCAPE Over 15% larger than Norwegian Aqua's and Norwegian Luna's pool decks, Norwegian Bella's expansive pool deck features more space and seating, an infinity hot tub and a large LED entertainment screen, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxing days at sea.

The top deck action continues with the Kids' Aqua Park, featuring a reimagined splash pad design and interactive water features for young cruisers. Nearby are two family-fun waterslides – The Party Slide, a wide and shallow slide perfect for families and friends to enjoy together, and Infinity Loop, a figure-eight slide. Guests looking for more sun-soaked fun with beautiful views of the ocean can enjoy ample lounging and outdoor lawn games at Horizon Park on deck 19.

For cruisers seeking a more elevated escape, Vibe Beach Club delivers NCL's signature adults-only experience in a sophisticated atmosphere, complete with infinity hot tubs, a central oceanfront bar, enhanced relaxation areas, sun loungers and luxurious daybeds.

WELL-APPOINTED ACCOMMODATIONS AND UNPARALLELED LUXURY IN THE HAVEN BY NORWEGIAN® Norwegian Bella offers nearly 2,000 staterooms with a variety of thoughtfully designed accommodations, ranging from inside staterooms and studios to spacious balcony staterooms. With the diverse range of staterooms, every type of traveler, including families and multigenerational groups, can feel comfortable at sea while experiencing NCL's uncompromising hospitality and genuine service.

The ship will include 159 suites within The Haven by Norwegian, NCL's exclusive, keycard-access ship-within-a-ship experience. Designed by Piero Lissoni, The Haven will be located aft and offer private elevators, a sundeck with an infinity pool, two hot tubs, an outdoor sauna and cold room, and separate family-friendly and adults-only areas. Haven guests will also have access to a private restaurant and bar with exclusive menu offerings, as well as a lounge. Additional benefits include 24-hour butler and concierge service, as well as priority embarkation, disembarkation and reservations.

DAZZLING, EYE-CATCHING NEW HULL ART Continuing NCL's tradition of partnering with renowned artists to create iconic hull artwork across its fleet, Norwegian Bella will feature a striking original design by acclaimed Australian contemporary artist George Rose. Known for her bold murals and vibrant botanical compositions, Rose creates immersive works that blend fine art and design through vivid color, fluid gradients and graphic natural forms. With a career spanning more than 15 years, Rose has worked across cultural, public and commercial contexts internationally including work with STRAAT Museum Amsterdam, the Australian Embassy in Indonesia, Colab Gallery Germany, and brands such as Instagram, Nike and TikTok.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Rose said, "Designing the hull art for Norwegian Bella was an opportunity to capture the sense of wonder that travel inspires. Through vibrant color, organic forms and a feeling of movement, I wanted to create a piece that reflects the excitement of exploration and discovery. I'm looking forward to seeing my artwork come to life on a ship that will visit some of Europe's most remarkable destinations, and I hope it becomes part of the memories guests create throughout their journey."

For images and b-roll of Norwegian Bella, visit the press kit here.

For more information about the Company's award-winning fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

About Norwegian Cruise Line As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line® has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 59 years. Its tagline, "It's Different Out Here®" reflects the emotional connection guests experience aboard and pays tribute to the company's history of pioneering the cruise experience. Most notably, NCL revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, the company continues to deliver on that freedom, choice and uncompromising hospitality, so no one has to settle on their ideal vacation. With award-winning entertainment, globally inspired dining and thoughtfully designed accommodations, including solo staterooms, Club Balcony Suites and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company's exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept, NCL ensures every guest enjoys a seamless and personalized journey that allows them to enjoy the moment and connect with those who matter most. To further deliver guests with more value, the company's signature Free at Sea™ package provides added benefits and inclusions such as unlimited open bar; specialty dining credits; high-speed Wi-Fi; and shore excursion credits; and on select sailings third and fourth guests sail free (terms and conditions apply). NCL guests sailing to the Caribbean can also enjoy exclusive experiences at Harvest Caye, the company's resort destination in Belize, along with new and enhanced experiences at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's expanded private island in the Bahamas. NCL sails to nearly 350 of the world's most desirable destinations with its fleet of 20 contemporary ships.

For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the NCL Newsroom and follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter @CruiseNorwegian.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

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Stardock to Publish Colonus, a Medieval City Builder

Badhenke Studios' upcoming city builder combines deep production chains, exploration and villagers' lives.

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Colonus is a cozy city-building game with a strong emphasis on exploration, production chains, and the lives of individual villagers. Blending relaxing gameplay with meaningful challenges, it offers a different kind of city builder, focused on discovering new lands and establishing thriving colonies across a world of diverse islands and environments.

The game begins after a group of villagers becomes stranded on an unfamiliar island when their carrack is destroyed. As their leader, players must help them rebuild by gathering resources, constructing buildings, developing professions, and exploring beyond the shores of their new home.

As the colony grows, players can discover new islands, overcome environmental challenges, establish additional settlements, and build the production chains needed to support them. Rather than requiring constant micromanagement, Colonus allows players to guide one or several colonies through broader policies and long-term decisions.

At the heart of Colonus are its villagers. Each villager has individual needs that must be fulfilled, making their happiness and quality of life central to the success of the colony. Exploration, a fresh approach to farming, policy-driven management, and a distinctive visual style further separate Colonus from traditional city builders.

"Colonus has all the hallmarks of an addictive, laid back, city-building experience," said Brian Clair, Director of Publishing at Stardock Entertainment. "I've been a huge city-building fanatic over the years. When you lose hours in a game without noticing, you have something truly special. After talking with Badhenke, we knew that we wanted to work together on Colonus."

"With Colonus, we want to create a city builder that feels relaxing without becoming passive. Players will explore an inviting world, establish colonies across its islands, and build settlements around the needs and happiness of the villagers who call them home," said Henrik Eriksson, founder of Badhenke Studios. "Stardock has a deep understanding of strategy games, both as a developer and a publisher, which made them a natural fit for Colonus. From our earliest conversations, they understood the kind of experience we want to create and shared our excitement for the game. Their experience and support will help us reach the full potential of Colonus."

Colonus is now available to wishlist on Steam and is set to launch in early 2027.

For the latest information on updates, community initiatives, and future content, visit the official Steam page.

About Stardock

Stardock is a pioneer in the strategy gaming genre headquartered in Plymouth, Mich. that has been developing and publishing strategy and simulation games since 1993, starting with the original release of Galactic Civilizations. Stardock's recent hits include Sins of a Solar Empire, Ashes of the Singularity, Elemental: Fallen Enchantress, and Offworld Trading Company. Learn more at www.stardock.com.

About Badhenke Studios

Badhenke Studios is an independent game studio based in Sweden, founded in 2025 by Henrik Eriksson. After a decade in tech, including working at Spotify and running his own startups, Henrik decided to pursue his childhood dream of making games professionally. The two-person team is now developing Colonus, its first commercial game.

Media Contact:

Colin Regan

Zebra Partners

SOURCE Stardock Entertainment

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