Month: September 2026

Company in Full Compliance with All Nasdaq Continued Listing Requirements

FREEHOLD, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Change Agents Corporation (Nasdaq: CHGA) (“Change Agents” or the “Company”), a developer of agentic artificial intelligence (“AI”) software solutions advancing into AI-enabled autonomous air surveillance and air defense counter-unmanned aerial systems (“C-UAS”) technologies, today announced that it had received written notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on September 15, 2026 informing the Company that it has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on Nasdaq.

As previously disclosed, the Company was notified by Nasdaq on April 15, 2026 that its common shares had failed to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. Nasdaq has now determined that the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock was at or above $1.00 per share for 10 consecutive business days from August 31, 2026 to September 14, 2026. Accordingly, the Company has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), and Nasdaq has advised the Company that the matter has been closed.

“We are pleased to have regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement, which represents an important step as we continue executing on the transformation of Change Agents,” said Michael Mathews, Director of Change Agents Corporation. “Over the past several months, we have taken meaningful steps to advance our strategy across both agentic AI software and AI-enabled autonomous defense technologies. With Phase 2 development of our Catch-Up platform now complete and beta testing ongoing, alongside the continued expansion of our autonomous air defense and counter-UAS initiatives, we believe we are building a stronger foundation to pursue multiple high-growth market opportunities and create long-term value for our shareholders.”

About Change Agents Corporation

Change Agents Corporation (Nasdaq: CHGA) is a developer of agentic artificial intelligence software solutions. The Company is expanding its strategy into AI-enabled autonomous air defense and counter-UAS technologies through its wholly owned subsidiary, Autonomous Air Defense LLC. Change Agents is evaluating technologies, strategic partnerships and acquisition opportunities intended to position the Company in markets where artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and advanced defense technologies converge. The Company’s current portfolio includes Beacon, an AI Search Optimization platform, and Catch-Up, an autonomous AI-powered content creation platform. Through its scalable Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business model, Change Agents is focused on delivering innovative AI solutions that create measurable customer value while generating recurring subscription revenue and long-term shareholder returns. The Company is seeking to expand into various high growth sectors that are expected to benefit from artificial intelligence.

Change Agents is also distributing the KetoAir™ breathalyzer device a non-invasive consumer breathalyzer that measures ketosis levels and is sold in North America, which is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a Class I medical device.

For more information about Change Agents Corp, please visit www.changeagentscorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve several risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as “will”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “should”, “may”, and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates; however, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s strategy, the formation and anticipated activities of Autonomous Air Defense LLC, the evaluation of potential acquisitions, strategic investments and partnerships, the size and growth of the counter-UAS market, and future business plans. Market data cited herein is derived from third-party sources that the Company believes to be reliable but has not independently verified. The Company has no operating history in the defense sector, and there can be no assurance that it will complete any transaction, develop or acquire any counter-UAS technology, or generate any revenue from this initiative. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the SEC, accessible through the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC. In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors, including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, and governmental and public policy changes. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release. The contents of any website referenced in this press release are not incorporated by reference herein.

Contact Information:
Change Agents Corp.
ir@changeagentscorp.com 

Investor Relations:
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Tel: (212) 671-1020 Ext. 304
CHGA@crescendo-ir.com 

Initial order establishes second satellite laser communication customer and supports development roadmap targeting production in approximately 6-12 months

LITTLETON, Mass., Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (Nasdaq: POCI) (the “Company”), a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced optical instruments for the medical and defense/aerospace industries, today announced the receipt of an initial $50,000 development order from a U.S. space technology company developing a new satellite constellation. The order supports early engineering work on laser communication subassemblies intended for use in Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs) on the customer’s satellite systems. This engagement represents the Company’s second satellite customer.

Work will begin promptly in support of the customer’s accelerated development schedule. This early phase is expected to be completed in approximately one month with the customer’s stated goal to begin production within six to twelve months.   Precision Optics expects to finalize a comprehensive engineering agreement to develop final designs followed by the transition to production.

“Adding another satellite customer is an important step in expanding an area that has quickly become a major growth driver for Precision Optics,” said Dr. Joe Forkey, CEO of Precision Optics. “We have an opportunity to apply our experience to a new satellite laser communications program and quickly build another long-term production relationship. This initial order allows us to move with urgency as we work toward a broader engineering scope and the customer’s production goal.”

The new program involves subassemblies analogous to those supplied for the Company’s existing satellite program but also represents an opportunity to move further up the value chain within OCT systems. Precision Optics’ vertically integrated, U.S.-based capabilities enable it to work with customers from early design and prototyping through production, helping translate complex optical requirements into assemblies designed for efficient high volume manufacturing.

About Precision Optics Corporation
Founded in 1982, Precision Optics is a vertically integrated optics company primarily focused on leveraging its proprietary micro-optics, 3D imaging and digital imaging technologies to the healthcare and defense/aerospace industries by providing services ranging from new product concept through mass manufacture. Utilizing its leading-edge in-house design, prototype, regulatory and fabrication capabilities as well as its Ross Optical division’s high volume world-wide sourcing, inspecting and production resources, the Company is able to design and manufacture next-generation product solutions to the most challenging customer requirements. Within healthcare, Precision Optics enables next generation medical device companies around the world to meet the increasing demands of the surgical community who require more enhanced and smaller imaging systems for minimally invasive surgery as well as 3D endoscopy systems to support the rapid proliferation of surgical robotic systems. In addition to these next generation applications, Precision Optics has supplied top tier medical device companies a wide variety of optical products for decades, including complex endocouplers and specialized endoscopes. The Company is also leveraging its technical proficiency in micro-optics to enable leading edge defense/aerospace applications which require the highest quality standards and the optimization of size, weight and power. For more information, please visit www.poci.com.

About Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the management of the Company in light of their respective experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments and their potential effects on the Company as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the parties), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including the demand for the Company’s products, global supply chains and economic activity in general and other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions being made prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Company Contact:                                         
PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION
550 King Street, Building A, Suite 100
Littleton, MA 01460
Telephone: 978-630-1800

Investor Contact:
LYTHAM PARTNERS, LLC
Robert Blum
Telephone: 602-889-9700
poci@lythampartners.com

MONTREAL, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ghislain Houle, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI), will address the 25^th Annual CIBC Eastern Institutional Investor Conference on September 24, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).

CN will provide a live webcast via the Investors section of its website at www.cn.ca/investors. A replay of the webcast will be available following the event.

About CN
CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the U.S. Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.

Contacts:

Media	Investment Community
Ashley Michnowski	Jamie Lockwood
Senior Manager	Vice-President
Media Relations	Investor Relations & Special Projects
(438) 596-4329	(514) 399-0052
media@cn.ca	investor.relations@cn.ca

New subsidiary will pursue transformer and power infrastructure opportunities across data centers, industrial facilities, energy storage and other high-load applications

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wetour Robotics Limited (Nasdaq: WETO) (“Wetour Robotics” or the “Company”) today announced the launch of Vantrapower LLC, a newly formed subsidiary based in Austin, Texas, focused on transformer supply and power infrastructure opportunities serving data centers, industrial facilities, energy storage projects and other high-load applications. The initiative expands the Company’s energy infrastructure capabilities and supports its positioning as an AI infrastructure and automation integrator serving computing, industrial and energy markets.

Vantrapower plans to focus initially on Texas and the broader North American market. The Company believes Texas offers significant potential demand for transformers and related power equipment across data centers, industrial facilities, energy storage projects and other high-load developments. The initiative is also intended to complement Wetour Robotics’ work in AI-enabled robotics and industrial applications.

“Growth across AI, industrial and energy markets is creating new requirements for reliable power equipment,” said Nan Zheng, Chief Executive Officer of Wetour Robotics. “Vantrapower gives us a focused entry point through transformer supply. We plan to develop this business in a disciplined, milestone-based manner.”

Wetour Robotics plans to provide further updates as material commercial and partnership milestones are achieved.

About Wetour Robotics Limited

Wetour Robotics Limited (NASDAQ: WETO) is a Physical AI infrastructure and wearable robotics company headquartered in Austin, Texas. The Company is developing Orchestra, a Physical AI platform that connects intelligent agents to the physical world through wearable sensors, visual intelligence, edge AI computing and connected machines. Conductor is the Company’s wrist-worn neuromuscular interface, and VisionLink is its visual intelligence module.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding Vantrapower’s strategy, market opportunities, product development, commercialization and future growth. These statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the Company’s ability to execute its strategy, develop and certify products, establish supplier and customer relationships, obtain financing and respond to market conditions. Customer inquiries and quotations are preliminary and non-binding and do not represent purchase orders, contracted backlog, commitments or guaranteed revenue. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law. Additional risks are described in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor Relations Contact

Annabelle Li
Head of Investor Relations
Wetour Robotics Limited
ir@wetourrobotics.com

Expansion into regulated financial services highlights accelerating demand for AI-driven narrative intelligence, official channel protection, and anti-impersonation fraud defense

New York, NY, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cyabra, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYAB) (“Cyabra” or the “Company”), an artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered platform that helps governments and enterprises detect coordinated manipulation and protect digital trust, today announced a six-figure annual enterprise agreement with one of the largest banking institutions in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

The contract marks a key milestone in Cyabra’s expansion into regulated financial services, equipping executive leadership and security teams with decision-grade intelligence to distinguish genuine customer sentiment from synthetic, orchestrated manipulation.

As financial institutions face sophisticated threats spanning both brand reputation and financial crime, Cyabra’s platform delivers continuous threat detection across major digital and social channels to safeguard the bank’s brand, official channels, and customer trust. Under the terms of the agreement, Cyabra will deploy its platform across four key operational areas:

• Sentiment Integrity and Narrative Protection: Monitoring social platforms to identify coordinated networks of fake accounts amplifying reputation-damaging narratives, providing leadership with a clear, defensible read on authentic customer discourse versus manipulated campaigns.
   
• Official Channel Safeguards: Detecting and flagging inauthentic accounts that engage directly with the bank’s official social channels, preventing malicious actors from manufacturing the appearance of organic customer backlash.
   
• Anti-Impersonation and Fraud Prevention: Identifying brand impersonation schemes and scam operations targeting consumers on social platforms, adding a critical financial-crime defense layer to the bank’s digital risk framework.
   
• Evidence-Led Operational Action: Delivering structured, evidence-based reporting that enables internal communications, risk, and security teams to execute proactive, targeted mitigation rather than reacting after damage has occurred.

“Financial institutions operate on trust, making them prime targets for both coordinated narrative attacks and impersonation-driven fraud,” said Dan Brahmy, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cyabra. “We believe that securing a six-figure agreement with one of APAC’s premier banking institutions underscores our momentum in regulated enterprise markets. By uniting reputational protection with financial-crime defense, Cyabra provides the actionable evidence needed for financial leaders to defend their operational integrity with confidence.”

This agreement reflects an accelerating trend among Tier-1 financial institutions to treat online narrative threats and brand impersonation as core operational risks. By providing scalable Software as a Service solutions that meet strict regulatory and compliance standards, Cyabra continues to deepen its commercial footprint across global banking, national defense, and enterprise sectors.

This agreement also builds on Cyabra’s recent recognition as a Market Shaper in the inaugural June 2026 Gartner® Emerging Market Quadrant for Narrative Intelligence – Startup Vendors, in which Gartner, Inc. formally defined and assessed the narrative intelligence market for the first time¹.

About Cyabra

Cyabra is an AI-powered narrative intelligence company that helps national security and defense organizations, government agencies, brands, communications agencies, and global enterprises restore trust and authenticity online by analyzing manipulated content, coordinated behaviors, and inauthentic actors. The platform helps teams understand who is operating, how activity is amplified, and where coordinated activity is shaping perception, translating evidence into clear mitigation steps. By reducing ambiguity and misdirected response, Cyabra enables proportionate, evidence-led action when clarity matters most.

For more information, visit www.cyabra.com.

Contact

Investors: ir@cyabra.com
Media: pr@cyabra.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and statements regarding Cyabra’s intent, belief, or expectations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Cyabra’s future results of operations and financial position, planned products and services, business strategy and plans, market size and growth opportunities, competitive position and market trends. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “targets,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” “forecast” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses the potential value of the contract,  the benefits, advantages and capabilities of Cyabra’s technology, the accelerating trend among Tier-1 financial institutions to treat online narrative threats and brand impersonation as core operational risks and Cyabra’s deepening commercial footprint across global banking, national defense, and enterprise sectors . These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include those set forth in Cyabra’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Cyabra undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

_______________________

1 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

“The Renaissance of Instant Play on the Web” finds nearly half of consumers ages 13 to 55 play web games monthly, an audience most brand media plans still miss

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Super League (Nasdaq: SLE), an audience intelligence and media activation company trusted by global brands to reach and influence people who play video games across the digital landscape, today released a new white paper, “The Renaissance of Instant Play on the Web,” examining the resurgence of browser-based gaming as one of culture’s largest and most overlooked play-first audiences.

The white paper finds that 46% of online consumers ages 13 to 55 play web games monthly (according to the Google x Newzoo Whitepaper, “How to win with H5 gamers”). Much of that scale sits with Poki, the largest web gaming platform, which topped 100 million monthly active players in 2026, a tenfold increase since 2020. Poki is one of several platforms, alongside CrazyGames, Coolmath Games and Friv, that have reached significant independent scale, yet the category remains largely absent from traditional brand media planning.

“Brands want to be where active, engaged audiences spend their time, and web-based games are one of the biggest, most overlooked examples of that today,” said Rhiannon Apple, EVP Commercial Operations at Super League. “Through our partnership with leading web gaming platforms like Poki, we’re bringing brands custom integrations and measurable media units within curated, brand-safe environments, backed by the appeal of hugely popular titles like Subway Surfers. Everything we’ve proven in UGC gaming – what drives engagement, what earns trust, what performs – we’re now bringing to one of the largest under-monetized audiences in the space.”

The white paper also points to depth, not just reach. 86% of web gamers play weekly or more often, and 37% play multiple times a day. Sessions run long: more than a quarter last over 30 minutes, and only 4% wrap up in under five. Unlike platforms where ads interrupt gameplay, web gamers treat them as the price of admission: 94% recall seeing ads, and many actively prefer rewarded formats over other ad types.

One recent campaign shows what that opportunity looks like in practice: L’Oréal’s CeraVe built a custom CeraVe Pharmacy inside Poki’s Sprint League, where players use CeraVe products to clear oil and bacteria. Players spent an average of five minutes engaging with the brand, 231 times longer than a typical piece of social content.

It’s the kind of engagement most media plans aren’t built to capture, and exactly the audience this report argues brands can no longer afford to ignore.

The full white paper, including audience data by platform and age group, and a three-step framework for brands entering web gaming, is available at https://www.superleague.com/instantplayreport2026.

About Super League
Super League (Nasdaq: SLE) connects brands with the 3.5 billion-person global gaming population through advertising and branded content programs across gaming and digital media platforms. The Company generates revenue by delivering these programs through proprietary interactive formats, creator content, immersive experiences, data-driven insights, and strategic campaign services designed to improve marketing performance. By translating player behavior into actionable intelligence, Super League serves as a trusted partner helping brands reach and influence consumers who play video games. With a deep understanding of this highly engaged yet under-monetized audience, Super League is positioned to capture an increasing share of brand advertising spend as the market continues to expand.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “continue,” “could,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “potential,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar references to future periods, or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern Super League’s expectations, strategy, plans, or intentions. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, these are based only on Super League’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of its business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, these are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of Super League’s control. These and other forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statements. Neither Super League nor any other person assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Please review other risks and uncertainties described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Super League’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports filed by Super League with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor Relations Contact:

Allan Rosenthal
Intelligent IR ATX
abrosey@intelligentiratx.com

DALIAN, China, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CBAK Energy Technology Limited (NASDAQ: CBAT) (“CBAK Energy” or the “Company”), a leading China-based lithium-ion battery manufacturer and energy solutions provider, today reported internal test results for its 32140 NH-7Ah full-tab sodium-ion cell and outlined a long-term plan for 12 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of annual sodium-ion battery production capacity. The planned production lines would be designed for compatibility with lithium-ion cell production, with deployment subject to customer qualification, commercial demand and implementation requirements. The sodium-ion program targets energy storage, light electric mobility and selected backup power applications. Internal tests at −40°C and 70°C, a 110°C span, highlight the cell’s potential for applications in varied climates and demanding operating environments. The cell uses sodium iron phosphate pyrophosphate (“NFPP”), an iron-based polyanion cathode material.

The sodium-ion program is intended to expand CBAK Energy’s battery portfolio and diversify its raw-material options. Sodium’s relative abundance may support more diversified sourcing and lessen sensitivity to lithium price volatility. The extent of any sourcing, cost stability or total cost of ownership benefits will depend on customer qualification, production scale, prevailing raw-material prices and performance at the system level.

Across these applications, the program evaluates charging performance, high-rate discharge, operation across a wide temperature range, cycle life, safety and cost against each application’s requirements. “Customers do not evaluate these attributes in isolation,” said Dr. Senlin Wang, Head of Sodium-Ion Battery R&D at CBAK Energy. “What matters is whether the cell’s overall performance matches the system design, duty cycle and operating environment of a specific application.”

Dr. Senlin Wang, Head of Sodium-Ion Battery R&D at CBAK Energy

Fast Charging and Wide-Temperature Performance
The 32140 NH-7Ah cell combines an NFPP cathode with CBAK Energy’s full-tab design, which is intended to support high-current operation and heat dissipation. The cylindrical format provides flexibility for different pack configurations.

In internal laboratory testing under specified conditions, the cell reached a 90% state of charge within 15 minutes. During continuous discharge at 15C, capacity retention remained above 95%. The cell also demonstrated pulse discharge at 28C under the applicable internal protocol. Based on internal cycle-life testing and trend analysis, the cell is projected to deliver at least 10,000 cycles under the specified protocols.

In low-temperature discharge testing, the cell retained 87.68% of its discharge capacity at −40°C relative to its 25°C baseline. At the other end of the temperature range, internal testing at 70°C under a 1C/1C cycling protocol, combined with trend analysis, supports a projected cycle life of approximately 3,500 cycles to 80% capacity retention. Samples evaluated in the Company’s internal nail-penetration testing showed a high pass rate. Additional testing under specified protocols supported storage and transportation at a 0% state of charge. Together, these findings provide a cell-level performance profile relevant to applications involving frequent cycling, limited charging windows, high-power demand and demanding temperature conditions.

CBAK Energy’s 32140NH-7Ah sodium-ion cell undergoing internal nail-penetration testing.

Customer Sample Testing Across Multiple Applications
Customer testing of cell samples is underway in residential and portable energy storage systems and electric two- and three-wheelers. Additional evaluations cover specialty vehicles, start-stop systems and backup power applications. These programs examine how the cell performs within different pack designs, duty cycles and operating environments.

Feedback from this testing is guiding further work on charging performance, high-rate discharge and control of temperature rise. Because qualification requirements differ by customer and application, additional system-level testing may be required before commercial adoption.

12 GWh Capacity Plan with Lithium-Ion Production Compatibility
The Company’s long-term plan contemplates 12 GWh of annual sodium-ion battery production capacity. The planned production lines would be designed for compatibility with lithium-ion cell production. This design is intended to provide flexibility to respond to customer demand for either battery chemistry. The 12 GWh figure is a conditional planning objective and does not represent currently installed capacity. Customer qualification, commercial demand and implementation requirements will determine the timing and scale of deployment. The plan builds on CBAK Energy’s experience in full-tab cylindrical cell manufacturing, automated processes and established quality controls. Existing lithium-ion supplier relationships and a sodium-ion material supply chain provide an operational foundation for potential scale-up.

Future development plans also cover larger cylindrical formats, including 46- and 60-series cells, for higher-capacity applications, as well as specialized high-rate cells for emerging AI data center backup power applications. Technical validation and application requirements will determine the priorities and timing of these programs.

“We view sodium-ion as a complement to lithium-ion, with the strongest potential in applications where power, cycle life, performance across a wide temperature range and supply-chain flexibility must be balanced at the system level,” Dr. Wang said. “Our development plan links technical testing and customer qualification directly to decisions on performance priorities, cell formats and capacity deployment. This approach is intended to give customers a broader set of battery options while allowing CBAK Energy to scale in line with verified demand.”

The performance data and projections presented in this release are based on internal laboratory testing conducted by CBAK Energy under specified conditions and, where indicated, trend analysis. Actual performance, service life, cost competitiveness, total cost of ownership and other system-level results may vary depending on raw-material prices, manufacturing scale, system design, operating conditions and other factors.

About CBAK Energy
CBAK Energy Technology Limited (NASDAQ: CBAT) is a leading China-based high-tech company engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of high-power lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, as well as materials used in the manufacture of high-power lithium-ion batteries. The Company’s battery cell production, research and development, and sales operations are located in Nanjing, Dalian and Shangqiu. The Company also operates battery cell research and development centers in both Nanjing and Dalian. Its raw materials operations, including production, research and development, and sales, are headquartered in Shaoxing. The Company’s products and solutions serve electric vehicles, light electric vehicles, energy storage systems and other high-power applications. In January 2006, CBAK Energy became the first Chinese lithium battery manufacturer to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding projected cycle life and other expected performance characteristics of the Company’s sodium-ion cells; continued development, customer testing and qualification, and potential commercial adoption; potential sourcing, cost stability and total cost of ownership benefits; the conditional long-term plan for 12 GWh of annual sodium-ion battery production capacity, the timing and scale of its deployment, plans to design the production lines for compatibility with lithium-ion cell production, and the intended flexibility to respond to demand for either battery chemistry; the ability of the Company’s manufacturing platform, supplier relationships and supply chain to support commercial scale-up; the development of larger cylindrical cell formats and specialized high-rate cells for AI data center backup power applications; and the potential role of sodium-ion batteries as a complement to the Company’s lithium-ion product portfolio. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should” and similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such risks include differences between internal laboratory results, projected performance and actual performance in customer systems or commercial operating conditions; technical challenges in improving cell performance and safety and developing new formats; the timing and outcome of customer testing and qualification and whether they lead to commercial orders; changes in application requirements, customer demand, market acceptance and competing battery technologies; changes in raw-material prices and whether expected sourcing, cost stability or total cost of ownership benefits are realized; the Company’s ability to implement the planned compatibility with lithium-ion cell production, respond to demand for either battery chemistry and scale manufacturing while maintaining product quality, manufacturing yield, cost efficiency and operational reliability; the availability and cost of capital, raw materials, components, production equipment and qualified suppliers; the availability of facilities, required approvals and other resources for capacity expansion; the stability and development of the sodium-ion battery supply chain; changes in safety, transportation, environmental and other applicable laws, regulations or industry standards; macroeconomic and market conditions; and other risks described in the Company’s reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information, please visit: https://en.cbak.com.cn/
Email: marketing@cbak.com.cn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbakenergy
X: https://x.com/CBAKEnergy
Stocktwits: https://stocktwits.com/CBAK_Energy
Investor Relations
Email: ir@cbak.com.cn
Website: https://ir.cbak.com.cn/

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d5d66616-da8a-44e0-8bfd-e8e811e232bd
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1021c9ff-517d-4688-b801-289284d44fdc

ATHENS, Greece, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Icon Energy Corp. (“Icon” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ICON), an international shipping company providing worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes via its fleet of oceangoing vessels, provides a commercial update.

Fleet

Icon generates revenue by chartering its vessels to regional and international dry bulk operators, commodity traders and end users, primarily on time charters (“TC”) (either index-linked or fixed rate) or voyage charters, depending on market conditions, available opportunities, and other strategic and tactical considerations. As of the date hereof, Icon’s fleet comprised of the following dry bulk vessels:

						Charter expiration
Vessel name		Vessel type		Charter type		Earliest		Latest
Alfa		Panamax		Fixed rate TC(1)		December 2026		Evergreen(2)
Bravo		Kamsarmax		Index-linked TC		Evergreen(2)		Evergreen(2)
Charlie		Ultramax		Index-linked TC(3)		August 2027		December 2027

Icon’s vessels currently employed on index-linked time charters, earn hire at floating rates linked to the Baltic Panamax Index and the Baltic Supramax Index. This strategy enables Icon to maintain high fleet utilization while preserving exposure to market upside.

Icon also has the option to convert each floating hire rate to a fixed rate, at a time and for a period of its choosing, thereby locking in forward earnings. As of the date hereof, Icon has exercised this option for the M/V Alfa, whose floating, index-linked, hire rate was converted to a fixed rate of $18,000 per day for the seven-month period from June to December 2026. The M/V Bravo and the M/V Charlie continue to earn hire at index-linked rates, resulting in a charter portfolio that blends fixed and floating rate exposure to provide cash flow visibility and upside potential.

Under all contracts, fuel costs are borne by the charterers, keeping Icon insulated from the direct impact of oil price volatility on its cost base, which is particularly relevant in light of recent swings in oil markets.

As of the date hereof, the Minimum Contracted Revenue expected to be recognized by Icon from these contracts is estimated at approximately $11 million.

___________________________
⁽¹⁾ Index-linked daily hire rate converted to a fixed rate of $18,000 from June to December 2026
⁽²⁾ The charter continues indefinitely, subject to 3 months’ termination notice by either party
⁽³⁾ In addition to the daily hire rate, Icon is also entitled to receive part of the fuel cost savings to be realized by the charterer through the use of the vessel’s scrubber

Co-Investment Strategy

Icon complements its core dry bulk business through selective co-investments in adjacent maritime opportunities alongside experienced industry partners. As of the date hereof, Icon has made the following co-investments under this strategy:

Sector		Vessel description		Charter type		Charter expiration		Investment type
Containership		2,000 TEU geared container feeder with high reefer capacity, built in 2008		Fixed rate TC to an investment-grade liner operator at a fixed hire rate of $26,500 per day		June 2028 at the earliest		4.6% equity interest

Icon expects future co-investments under this framework, if any, to be pursued opportunistically and with disciplined sizing as passive, non-controlling positions, seeking to enhance returns while preserving Icon’s operational focus. In addition, this strategy is expected to expand market intelligence, broaden Icon’s network, and provide access to the expertise, insights and perspectives of other skilled investors and operators. It is also expected to deepen Icon’s understanding of adjacent maritime sectors and reveal potential areas for future strategic expansion.

Earnings update

The gross hire rate across Icon’s fleet in the third quarter of 2026 is expected to average approximately $19,000 per vessel per day, a 23% increase from approximately $15,500 in the same quarter last year.

Additionally, the fleet has achieved 100% Vessel Utilization during the quarter so far. With all vessel drydockings completed between December 2025 and June 2026, no further scheduled downtime or related capital expenditures are anticipated until the second quarter of 2029. This positions the fleet to capitalize on the prevailing strength in the dry bulk market and to generate revenue on an uninterrupted basis for the remainder of the year and beyond.

Market Commentary

While global attention remains largely focused on the conflict between the United States and Iran, the developments in the Strait of Hormuz, and their impact on the oil tanker markets, the dry bulk market has continued to gain momentum and has remained firm through the current point in the third quarter of 2026, led by broad-based gains in the larger vessel segments and extending into the smaller sizes.

The Baltic Dry Index climbed to its highest level since December 2023, propelled by resilient commodity flows and strong demand across key trade routes. Robust iron ore shipments from Brazil to China and surging bauxite exports from West Africa underpinned the momentum, and near record corn exports from Argentina helped offset disrupted Ukrainian supplies.

Looking ahead, volatility is expected to remain elevated amid persistent global geopolitical uncertainty. Nevertheless, the near-term outlook is supported by the fourth quarter’s historically strong seasonal market performance, and the medium-to-long-term fundamentals remain constructive as industry research points to a secular tightening of supply-demand dynamics, driven by evolving trade flows and stable commodity demand that are expected to outpace fleet growth.

Key Performance Indicators used in this Press Release

Minimum Contracted Revenue. Minimum Contracted Revenue is estimated by reference to the contracted period and hire rate, net of charterers’ commissions but before brokerage and commercial management commissions and assuming no unforeseen off-hire days. For index-linked contracts, minimum contracted revenue is estimated by reference to the average of the relevant index during the 15 days preceding the calculation date.

Ownership Days. Ownership Days are the total days we owned our vessels (or right-of-use asset under finance lease) during the relevant period. We use this to measure the size of our fleet over a period. Vessels in which the Company holds non-controlling interests are not included in this calculation.

Available Days. Available Days are the Ownership Days, less any days during which our vessels were unable to be used for their intended purpose as a result of scheduled maintenance, upgrades, modifications, drydockings, special or intermediate surveys, or changes in ownership logistics, including positioning for and repositioning from such events. We use this to measure the number of days in a period during which our vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

Operating Days. Operating Days are the Available Days, less any days during which our vessels were unable to be used for their intended purpose as a result of unforeseen events and circumstances. We use this to measure the number of days in a period during which our vessels actually generated revenues.

Vessel Utilization. Vessel Utilization is the ratio of Operating Days to Available Days, measuring the days during which our vessels actually generated revenues as a percentage of the days during which our vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

About Icon Energy Corp.

Icon is an international shipping company that provides worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes via its fleet of oceangoing vessels. Icon maintains its principal executive office in Athens, Greece, and its common shares trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ICON.”

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.” Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future such as vessel employment or charter types or co-investments, amongst other things, and are therefore statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions that are other than statements of historical fact, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, the Company cannot provide assurance that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including as described in the Company’s filings with the SEC. As a result, you are cautioned not to unduly rely on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among other things, the Company’s future operating or financial results; the Company’s liquidity, including its ability to service any indebtedness; changes in shipping industry trends, including charter rates, vessel values and factors affecting vessel supply and demand; future, pending or recent acquisitions and dispositions, business strategy, areas of possible expansion or contraction, and expected capital spending or operating expenses; risks associated with operations; broader market impacts arising from war (or threatened war) or international hostilities; risks associated with pandemics; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC. For more discussion of the risks that could impact forward-looking statements, you are encouraged to review the discussion under the title “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other factors and risks listed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Except to the extent required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Contact Information

Icon Energy Corp.
Dennis Psachos
Chief Financial Officer
+30 211 88 81 300
ir@icon-nrg.com
www.icon-nrg.com

New DV-built conversational AI experience helps advertisers uncover insights and act on recommendations across social, streaming TV and the open web

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DoubleVerify (“DV”) (NYSE: DV), the leading software platform to verify media quality, optimize advertising performance and prove campaign outcomes, today announced Ask Neura, a new conversational AI experience built directly into DV Pinnacle^®, enabling advertisers and agencies to interact with DV data and insights using natural language.

With this release, DV customers can analyze campaign effectiveness at any point in their workflow across fraud/invalid traffic (IVT), brand suitability, viewability, geographic alignment and attention. Advertisers can explore their data beyond predefined reports, follow questions wherever the analysis leads and understand both what is driving unusual trends and why specific recommendations are being made, providing greater transparency into how to improve ad performance.

“Conversational AI shouldn’t just make it easier to find the answers you’re already looking for. It should surface insights you may not have known to look for in the first place,” said Mark Zagorski, CEO of DV. “With DV’s Ask Neura, marketers can uncover what matters faster and take action that drives impact. Ask Neura also helps democratize decision-making across the organization, not just access to data.”

Ask Neura can instantly explain unexpected shifts in campaign data, generate quick summaries and direct users to the most relevant dashboards for deeper analysis and action. It can also identify patterns and opportunities that might otherwise be missed, reducing the time and expertise required to move from insight to action.

“For agency teams managing campaigns across clients and channels, the ability to get to an answer quickly is incredibly valuable,” said Jake Li, Trading Director, Skyrise. “Ask Neura gives our teams a simpler way to understand what changed, why it changed and where we should focus next, so we can spend more time applying those insights for our clients.”

Ask Neura expands DV’s broader conversational AI strategy. In January, DV introduced conversational AI within DV Authentic Streaming TV™, enabling advertisers to use simple prompts to discover streaming content insights. With Ask Neura, DV is extending that conversational experience to additional channels, including social and the open web, giving clients natural-language access to DV data, insights and recommendations.

DV also enables clients to connect third-party conversational AI tools, including Anthropic Claude, through the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to access DV data, insights and recommendations. Together, these capabilities give brands the flexibility to engage with DV intelligence through the experience that best fits their workflow, whether through Ask Neura or their preferred third-party conversational AI tool.

Ask Neura is powered by DV Neura™, the cognitive engine embedded across the DV Media AdVantage Platform (DV MAP™). DV MAP brings together media verification, performance optimization and campaign outcomes measurement to help advertisers improve media performance and return on ad spend.

Today, advertisers can use Ask Neura or their preferred conversational AI tool to connect with the DV Neura Insight Agent, which analyzes DV’s media quality and performance data to surface actionable campaign insights and recommendations. DV is also introducing the DV Neura Activation Agent, designed to autonomously execute approved campaign changes within advertiser-defined guardrails and expected to become available in the months ahead.

For more information about this release, contact Sales@doubleverify.com

About DoubleVerify

DoubleVerify (“DV”) (NYSE: DV) is the industry’s leading media effectiveness platform that leverages AI to drive superior outcomes for global brands. By powering media efficiency and performance, DV strengthens the online advertising ecosystem, preserving the fair value exchange between buyers and sellers of digital media. Learn more at www.doubleverify.com

Chris Harihar 
646-535-9475 
chris@crenshawcomm.com 

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The directors of First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: THFF) have declared a dividend of 56 cents per share payable on October 15, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business October 1, 2026.

First Financial Corporation is the holding company for First Financial Bank N.A. in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia.

For more information contact:
Rodger A. McHargue at (812) 238-6000