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DapuStor to Showcase AI Storage Innovations with Global Infrastructure Partners at Tech Week Singapore 2026

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DapuStor, an enterprise storage solutions provider, will showcase its latest enterprise SSD technologies alongside four global AI infrastructure partners at Tech Week Singapore 2026, taking place September 29–30 at Marina Bay Sands.

Under the theme “Powering AI Infrastructure Together,” DapuStor will demonstrate how enterprise storage works with data platforms, compute infrastructure, and AI applications to support increasingly data-intensive AI workloads.

The showcase will feature DapuStor’s latest enterprise SSD portfolio, including the 512TB R6060 E2 QLC SSD, J5060 SLC/QLC mixed-mode SSD, R6 liquid-cooled E1.S SSD, and J5 M.2 boot drive SSD. Designed for evolving AI training and inference requirements, the portfolio addresses growing dataset sizes, thermal constraints, storage density, and infrastructure efficiency.

DapuStor will also present a series of joint AI infrastructure showcases with its partners. Together with DDN (DataDirect Networks), DapuStor will demonstrate high-performance enterprise TLC SSDs supporting AI data platforms including DDN Infinia, EXAScaler, and X3M, with a focus on efficient data access and movement at scale.

With Ubitus, DapuStor will showcase an integrated AI infrastructure solution combining scalable GPU computing with enterprise storage for AI training and inference. Together with ExponTech, DapuStor will highlight AI-oriented storage for KV Cache, RAG, training, and inference workloads.

DapuStor will also showcase enterprise NVMe storage alongside platforms from a leading global server technology provider, highlighting scalable compute and storage infrastructure for AI and cloud deployments.

Beyond the exhibition, DapuStor will participate in two conference sessions. On September 29 at 3:35 p.m. SGT, John Li, VP of Marketing and Operations at DapuStor, will join the panel “AI Sovereignty in Asia Pacific – Navigating Strategy, Policy, and Control.”

On September 30 at 12:45 p.m. SGT, DapuStor and DDN will jointly present “Powering AI Infrastructure with High-Performance Storage” at the Cloud & AI Infrastructure Keynote Theatre, sharing perspectives on scalable, production-ready AI infrastructure.

Visitors can meet DapuStor and explore the joint showcases at Booth 5-I45, Level 5, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, September 29–30.

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SOURCE DapuStor

Xinhua Finance: Robotics Contest Highlights Chongqing District’s Push Into Embodied AI

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National competition in Shapingba District draws more than 100 teams developing robotics technologies for real-world deployment

CHONGQING, China, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A national robotics competition held this month in Chongqing offered a look at China’s efforts to move embodied artificial intelligence out of research laboratories and into commercial use.

The finals of the 11th “Maker in China” SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest for Intelligent Biomimetic Robots concluded Sept. 11 in Chongqing’s Shapingba District. The three-day national competition drew more than 100 teams from across China, with projects spanning biomimetic robotics, industrial automation and AI systems designed to perceive and interact with the physical world. 

An Autonomous Clothes-Folding Robot

Alongside the competition, organizers arranged meetings involving companies, universities and research institutions, as well as discussions aimed at technology transfer, financing and local deployment. The event formed part of a national program intended to support innovative SMEs with specialized technologies. Its theme was “Pushing Tech Frontiers, Unleashing Creativity.”

The competition comprised 13 tracks, covering work ranging from foundational research to systems approaching commercial deployment. Teams in the startup category competed in three broad areas: cutting-edge technologies, core enabling technologies and specialized applications. Their projects focused in part on the hardware, software and control systems underpinning the next generation of robots.

Teams in the enterprise category, by contrast, tested systems designed for real-world use in the electric power, healthcare and service sectors. The emphasis was on whether the technologies could perform reliably in operating environments and be scaled for broader deployment.

Many of the entries targeted technical bottlenecks that have limited the wider deployment of robotic systems. Projects included multi-robot coordination and task-scheduling systems for warehouses; assistive exoskeletons for older adults and rehabilitation patients; biomimetic robots for inspecting electric power infrastructure; miniature hummingbird-inspired flapping-wing drones; and robots capable of folding clothing autonomously. Together, the projects illustrated the range of engineering approaches Chinese developers are pursuing as they seek practical applications for embodied AI.

The competition also served as a venue for financing and business-development discussions, and several participating projects announced plans to establish operations in Shapingba. At the closing ceremony, the Shapingba District government signed letters of intent with SIASUN Robot & Automation Co., Ltd. and Chentu Technology, among other companies. ZTE also signed letters of intent with teams from Zhejiang University and Xi’an Jiaotong University.

Shapingba is seeking to establish itself as a center for embodied AI within Chongqing’s broader robotics supply chain. The value of the district’s robotics output rose 233% from a year earlier during the first seven months of 2026, according to local government data.

 

 

 

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SOURCE Xinhua Finance

The Sanya EDITION Presents an Island Celebration Experience for Mid-Autumn Festival and China National Day Golden Week

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The Sanya EDITION in Haitang Bay, Sanya, presents Li ethnic culture, contemporary performances and festive evening experiences

September 25 to October 4, 2026 | Haitang Bay, Sanya, Hainan

SANYA, China, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the Mid-Autumn Festival and China National Day holidays arrive in autumn 2026, Hainan’s luxury resort market enters a new chapter of elevated holiday experiences. Located in the heart of Haitang Bay’s coastal resort area in Sanya, The Sanya EDITION, a luxury hotel brand under Marriott International, will present a series of festive celebrations from September 25 to October 4, 2026.

Bringing together local cultural experiences and immersive festive programming, the hotel introduces a new approach to holiday hospitality that combines cultural immersion with innovative event experiences.

Set against panoramic views of the South China Sea and the hotel’s signature 20,000-square-meter Private Ocean, The Sanya EDITION combines contemporary luxury with the cultural heritage of Hainan. The festive program brings together Li ethnic intangible cultural heritage, traditional Chinese festive rituals and contemporary light and performance art.

The program includes Li ethnic music and dance, traditional Chinese iron flower performances, floating lanterns and spectacular drone light shows. These experiences are complemented by coastal dining, ocean activities, sports and family programming, as well as a full-moon art installation at the bamboo-lined pool in the hotel’s lobby.

Through a combination of cultural programming, nighttime experiences, coastal leisure and family activities, The Sanya EDITION offers guests a different way to experience the China National Holiday in Hainan, while contributing to the continued development of premium tourism experiences on Hainan International Tourism Island.

The signature evening celebrations will take place on September 25, September 30, October 1 and October 4 from 8:00 PM to 8:45 PM. Traditional festive culture will meet contemporary light and performance art, bringing together the natural character of the island, local cultural heritage and the relaxed atmosphere of a luxury resort.

Mid-Autumn Festival Special Program

Li Ethnic Band Performance | September 25, 8:00 PM–8:15 PM

The Mid-Autumn Festival evening begins with local Hainan culture. A Li ethnic band will perform live at the hotel, bringing the distinctive sounds and cultural character of Hainan to the festive evening.

For international and Hong Kong and Macau travelers visiting Hainan, Li ethnic music offers a direct connection to the island’s local culture and heritage within a contemporary resort setting.

Light Arc Dance Performance | September 25, 8:15 PM–8:25 PM

Following the Li ethnic music performance, the Light Arc dance performance combines choreography and lighting to create a contemporary nighttime spectacle. Traditional festive atmosphere transitions naturally into a modern performance setting against the nightscape of Haitang Bay.

Iron Flower Performance | September 25, 8:25 PM–8:30 PM

The traditional iron flower performance is one of the highlights of the Mid-Autumn Festival evening. Featuring sparks and fire as its central visual elements, the performance creates a distinctive festive scene in the night sky and introduces guests to a traditional Chinese folk art form.

Floating Lanterns | September 25, 8:30 PM–8:45 PM

The Mid-Autumn Festival program concludes with floating lanterns. Guests can take part in this festive ritual surrounded by the nightscape of Haitang Bay and the hotel’s Private Ocean, creating a memorable moment to close the evening.

China National Holiday

During China National Holiday, The Sanya EDITION will continue its evening festive program.

September 30, October 1 and October 4 | 8:00 PM–8:45 PM

Li Ethnic Band Performance | 8:00 PM–8:15 PM

Light Arc Dance Performance | 8:15 PM–8:25 PM

Iron Flower Performance | 8:25 PM–8:30 PM

Spectacular Drone Show | October 1 and October 4, 8:30 PM–8:45 PM

Festive Dining in Sanya

Beyond the evening celebrations, The Sanya EDITION offers a diverse collection of dining and lifestyle spaces, including Market at EDITION, Best of Hainan, Xian Hai by the Sea, The Jade Egret, Beach Barbacoa, Beach Club and Sky Bar.

During the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival and China National Day Golden Week, the hotel will introduce a series of limited-time dining experiences featuring Hainanese flavors, international guest chef menus, immersive culinary experiences and seasonal afternoon tea.

The program offers guests visiting Haitang Bay a range of dining experiences throughout the festive period.

September 25 to 26 | Sky Bar

Sky Bar welcomes Tonic Liu, drinks writer and head of Maltail, for an exclusive guest bartending experience. Ranked No.68 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026, Maltail brings together classic techniques and contemporary creativity through a distinctive exploration of Asian cocktail culture.

October 1 to 6 | “Hainan Flavors” Buffet at Market at EDITION

Market at EDITION will showcase Hainanese ingredients and regional flavors through a selection of local specialties, including Black Mountain goat, Wujiao pig, local Hainan yellow cattle and fresh seafood.

The menu brings together distinctive ingredients from across Hainan, offering guests an introduction to the island’s culinary traditions and local food culture.

October 2 to 3 | Speakeasy & TING by Frédéric Jaros

Speakeasy at Sky Bar will collaborate with TING by Frédéric Jaros to present a limited-time immersive culinary theater experience. The program combines cuisine, desserts, flavors and art to create a distinctive dining experience during the China National Day holiday.

October 2 to 3 | Beach Club

Beach Club welcomes Sven Liu, Gin Brand Ambassador at Pernod Ricard China, for a special guest shift featuring a selection of inspired cocktails. From the cherry notes of the Black Forest to the fresh yuzu aromas of Japan’s coast, and finally a sweet, fruit-and-tea martini inspired by London, each cocktail captures the spirit of an island summer.

October 2 to 4 | The Jade Egret & Thomas Bühner

The Jade Egret will welcome acclaimed chef Thomas Bühner for a limited-time menu.

Formerly at the helm of La Vie, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Germany, Thomas Bühner will bring his European culinary expertise and contemporary approach to flavors to this special dining experience at The Sanya EDITION.

Ocean, Sports and Family Resort Experiences

For families and international travelers planning a trip to Hainan during China National Day Golden Week, the festive program at The Sanya EDITION extends beyond the evening celebrations.

Located in Haitang Bay, Sanya, the resort features its signature Private Ocean, Beach Club and a range of sports facilities. During the day, guests can enjoy ocean and water activities, tennis, Padel and pickleball before joining the evening festive program.

This approach offers an alternative to the traditional sightseeing-focused Sanya holiday. Guests do not need to choose between staying at the resort and experiencing the destination. Ocean activities, sports, dining, local culture and nighttime entertainment can all be experienced within one resort destination.

An Island Holiday for Mid-Autumn Festival and China National Day

For travelers from Hong Kong, Macau and international markets, Sanya is one of China’s most distinctive island resort destinations. The Mid-Autumn Festival and China National Day Golden Week also provide an important holiday period for family trips to Hainan.

At The Sanya EDITION, the 2026 festive season brings together local culture, contemporary performance, dining, ocean experiences, sports and family activities, offering travelers a contemporary island holiday experience in Haitang Bay, Sanya.

For more information, please visit official website:
The Sanya EDITION | Luxury Boutique Hotel in Haitang Bay with Pool
Instagram: @editionsanya

ABOUT EDITION HOTELS 

EDITION Hotels is an unexpected and refreshing collection of individualized, customized, one-of-a-kind hotels that redefines the codes of traditional luxury. Displaying the best of dining and entertainment, services, and amenities “all under one roof,” each EDITION property is unique, reflecting the best cultural and social milieu of its location and time. Each hotel, with its individuality, authenticity, originality, and unique ethos, reflects the current spirit and zeitgeist of its location. Although all the hotels look completely different, the brand’s unifying aesthetic is in its approach and attitude to the modern lifestyle rather than its appearance. EDITION is about a mindset and how it makes you feel rather than the way it looks. Sophisticated public spaces, finishes, design, and details serve the experience rather than drive it. For an underserved market of affluent, culturally savvy, and service-savvy guests, the EDITION experience and lifestyle explores the unprecedented intersection and the perfect balance between taste-making design and innovation and consistent, excellent service globally. EDITION currently operates 23 hotels in New York and Times Square, Miami Beach, West Hollywood, Tampa, Barcelona, Bodrum, London, Reykjavik, Madrid, Rome, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sanya China, Shanghai, Tokyo Toranomon, Singapore, Riviera Maya at Kanai, Mexico, a second in Tokyo Ginza, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Lake Como.

The Sanya EDITION Presents an Island Celebration Experience for Mid-Autumn Festival and China National Day Golden Week

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SOURCE The Sanya EDITION

Latham Expands Market-Leading Antitrust & Competition Practice with Paris Partner Victor Levy

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Arrival further strengthens the firm’s premier Antitrust & Competition Practice in Europe and enhances its unrivalled global platform.

PARIS, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Latham & Watkins is pleased to announce that Victor Levy has joined the firm’s Paris office as partner in its Antitrust & Competition Practice. Levy advises on competition law matters, with particular experience in merger control filings before the European Commission, the French Competition Authority, and other competition authorities globally, as well as complex antitrust investigations and follow-on damages claims before competition authorities and Courts.

Victor Levy, Latham & Watkins

Levy has extensive experience across sectors including aerospace and defense, consumer goods, and industrials.

“We are thrilled to welcome Victor to the firm,” said Thomas Margenet-Baudry, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins in Paris. “Our Paris office is a powerhouse in the French market, with exceptional strength across our transactional and regulatory practices. Antitrust and competition is central to that success, an essential component of our market-leading transactional and litigation platforms and a formidable go-to practice. Victor brings deep experience in complex domestic and cross-border antitrust matters for French and international clients that complements our existing strengths and further enhances the sophisticated, integrated advice we provide to clients in France, across Europe, and globally. His arrival reflects our ambition to continue investing in the very best talents and to remain at the forefront of the market for years to come.”

Latham’s Antitrust & Competition Practice is widely recognized as one of the world’s premier antitrust platforms, delivering sophisticated, coordinated advice across the United States, Europe, and Asia. The firm advises and represents clients on many of their most significant and complex global transactions, cartel investigations, and disputes, combining deep antitrust experience with market-leading litigation and trial capabilities. The Paris competition practice, like that of the Brussels office, is ranked Band 1 / Tier 1 in the legal directories. The addition of Levy further strengthens the firm’s European and Paris bench and enhances its ability to guide clients through an increasingly complex and interconnected global competition and regulatory landscape.

“The addition of Victor underscores the continued strength and momentum of our global practice,” said Lawrence Buterman, Global Chair of Latham’s Antitrust & Competition Practice. “Our platform brings together leading antitrust lawyers across the United States, Europe, and Asia who are increasingly called upon by our clients to lead and coordinate representations on complex transactions and litigation matters spanning multiple jurisdictions. Victor brings outstanding credentials and deep experience that will further strengthen our ability to deliver integrated and global solutions at the highest level.”

“We have known Victor for many years and have long held him in the highest regard,” said Jacques-Philippe Gunther, Antitrust & Competition partner in Paris. “He is definitely one of the best of his generation, and his unique combination of economic and legal expertise makes him a real additional strength to our talented team.”

Paris Antitrust & Competition partner, Adrien Giraud also commented: “Victor brings extensive experience across merger control, foreign investment screening, antitrust investigations, litigation, and State aid. At a time when antitrust and regulatory considerations are playing a critical role in shaping strategic business decisions, his arrival further enhances the breadth and depth of our offering in Paris.”

“I am delighted to join Latham & Watkins in Paris, especially at this critical time when competition authorities are becoming increasingly active and coordinated across jurisdictions. The firm’s global platform and market-leading capabilities provide an exceptional opportunity to help clients navigate their most complex matters,” said Levy. “I look forward to working closely with the teams across practices and geographies to further develop Latham’s antitrust and competition offering.”

Levy joins Latham & Watkins from Hogan Lovells Cadwalader. He holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, a Master’s degree in European Business Law from Paris Panthéon-Assas University, and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Paris and New York.

About Latham & Watkins (lw.com)

Latham & Watkins is a leading global law firm that brings together exceptional legal talent in financial centers around the world to advise on complex transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters. The firm’s deep market and product knowledge, industry experience, vast scale, and commitment to innovation and excellence help clients navigate their most critical challenges and achieve their goals.

SOURCE Latham & Watkins

The Newspaper That Helped Shape the Course of the Long March

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LANZHOU, China, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — During the Gansu leg of the “Together on the Long March” CICG International Communication Project, Liang Xiaoyuan, son of founding lieutenant general Liang Xingchu, visited the historic Long March sites in Hadapu and recalled a remarkable episode involving his father.

In Hadapu, Liang Xingchu was assigned by Mao Zedong to search for “spiritual nourishment”—newspapers and other sources of information. A copy of Ta Kung Pao obtained during the mission contained reports about the situation in northern Shaanxi, providing the Central Red Army with important information as it determined where to advance next.

That newspaper helped turn Hadapu, a small town in northwest China, into a key historical landmark on the road toward the Long March’s eventual destination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-TbhjEJa3g

 

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SOURCE CICG

ARTPRICE NEWS: A WORLD-BOOK BECOMES A MIRROR FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

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OpenAI/Astra, Perplexity, DeepSeek, Google Gemini and xAI/Grok are confronted with the same work: a meta-reading experiment turns literary criticism into a comparative laboratory for artificial intelligence.

PARIS, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What if, in order to understand artificial intelligences, we gave them exactly the same book to read?

"Dialogue Between a Thinker and AI" by thierry Ehrmann

That is the experiment now accompanying “Dialogue Between a Thinker and AI”.

A world-book written by Thierry Ehrmann becomes a mirror for artificial intelligence.

After hundreds of hours of dialogue, human thought, archives, questions, and contradictions gave rise to a book whose pen was entrusted to artificial intelligence.

https://www.dialoguebetweenathinkerandai.com/en/

Today, the book also exists materially: its French and English editions are in print. But the experiment does not end with the book. It now turns back toward the artificial intelligences themselves.

We didn’t ask AI to judge the book. We asked AIs to read it — and then to read each other.

The complete corpus is submitted to several major systems:

OpenAI / Astra, Perplexity, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, and xAI / Grok.

They all receive the same object. But do they produce the same reading?

https://www.dialoguebetweenathinkerandai.com/en/meta-reading/

FIVE AIs. ONE BOOK. FIVE MAPS?

The objective is not to organize a competition between models.

It is precisely the opposite.

The purpose is to observe their convergences, divergences, and blind spots.

Which concepts do they spontaneously identify? Which theses do they consider central? Which passages do they connect? Where do their interpretations diverge?

And above all: what happens when each is subsequently given access to the analyses produced by the others? At that moment, a meta-reading emerges.

AI no longer merely reads the book.

It reads another AI reading the book.

A third system can then analyze that confrontation. Commentary becomes corpus. The corpus becomes new material for analysis.

CRITICISM CHANGES DIRECTION

For centuries, we have used critics to better understand books.

This experiment also proposes the reverse movement:

using a book to better understand those who read it.

The same work thus becomes a kind of cognitive mirror placed before several artificial-intelligence architectures. This mirror does not ask: “Which AI is right?”

What Gemini thought of the analysis produced by Grok.

DeepSeek’s response to the critique by OpenAI Astra.

It asks: “Why don’t they see exactly the same thing?”

The distinction is essential. Because their divergences themselves become information.

THE HUMAN RETAINS THE FINAL SAY

This experiment does not delegate human judgment.

It demands more of it. The human remains the one who compares, doubts, contextualizes, and decides.

The machine produces readings. The human also observes the gaps between those readings.

Dialogue Between a Thinker and AI thus becomes simultaneously a book, a corpus, and an open experiment into the plurality of artificial intelligences.

The book was meant to be read by humans.

It now also becomes an object through which humans can watch AIs read.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The meta-reading experiment makes it possible to examine, among other things:

  • what Google Gemini observes in the analysis produced by xAI/Grok;
  • DeepSeek’s response to the critique produced by OpenAI/Astra;
  • the convergences, divergences and blind spots revealed by confronting the different readings.

We didn’t ask AI to judge the book. We asked AIs to read it — and then to read one another.

https://www.dialoguebetweenathinkerandai.com/en/meta-reading/
https://www.dialoguebetweenathinkerandai.com/en/

Media Contact : Thierry Ehrmann, [email protected] 

Artmarket logo

SOURCE Artmarket.com

Tomoyoshi Kimura Reflects on a Turning Point in the Long March at Lazikou

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LANZHOU, China, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — During the Gansu leg of the “Together on the Long March” CICG International Communication Project, veteran Japanese journalist and former NHK anchor Tomoyoshi Kimura visited Lazikou, a site that marked a crucial turning point in the Long March.

Seeing the place he had previously known only through books brought history vividly to life and left a powerful impression on him. Reflecting on the extraordinary hardships and sacrifices of those who fought here, Kimura gained a deeper understanding of the spirit that drove China’s revolution and the historical journey that has shaped the country today.

https://youtube.com/shorts/SN6FYj98h84?feature=share

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SOURCE CICG

Avant Files Application to Establish Avant Bank, N.A.

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Proposed national bank charter would let Avant serve customers directly, expanding access to affordable, transparent credit and financial tools for underserved Americans

CHICAGO, Sept. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avant, LLC (“Avant” or “the Company”), a data-driven financial platform, today announced the filing of an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to establish an insured national bank, Avant Bank, N.A.

Subject to regulatory approval, Avant Bank, N.A. would enable Avant to expand access to affordable, transparent credit and offer banking products and financial health tools in one integrated, user-friendly digital banking platform.

“Since we founded Avant in 2012, our mission has been the same: move financial lives forward for the more than 100 million everyday Americans who are overlooked by the legacy system,” said Al Goldstein, Co-Founder and CEO of Avant. “We’ve spent more than thirteen years developing a data-driven approach to credit that serves this population at scale. A national bank charter would further our mission, help reduce our cost of funds, and enable us to offer products under one regulatory framework.”

If approved, a bank charter would allow Avant to take more direct control of the customer experience and expand access to high-quality, reasonably priced credit using Avant CreditOS™, its proprietary decisioning engine. “For more than a decade, we’ve worked to give middle-income Americans a fairer shot at credit than their credit score alone would suggest,” said Charles Whittaker, Avant’s Chief Business Officer and proposed CEO of Avant Bank, N.A. “A national bank charter would let us build and service our products end-to-end with the goal of creating more meaningful value for our customers.”

Avant has operated across a range of market cycles and funding environments over the course of its history. The Company’s diversified and mature funding strategy results in a hybrid of on- and off-balance-sheet assets, and funding model diversification has included various forms of long-term debt and whole loan sales. “A bank charter would enable further diversification, added resilience, and access to a lower cost of funds through the introduction of deposits as a funding source,” said Kevin Friedrich, Avant’s Chief Financial Officer and proposed CFO of Avant Bank, N.A.

Delivering on the Company’s vision depends on the infrastructure behind it. “We recognize that submitting the application is only the first step of our journey – operating a de novo national bank requires sustained discipline,” said Margaret Hermes, Avant’s Chief Operating Officer, and proposed President and COO of Avant Bank, N.A. “We’ve spent years building the compliance and operating infrastructure to support our business, and we believe that foundation positions us well to meet regulatory standards for a national bank. We look forward to working with the OCC and FDIC on this next phase.”

Avant worked closely with advisors Klaros Group and Covington & Burling LLP in preparing the application.

About Avant
Avant is a data-driven platform at the intersection of technology and credit, built to meet the financial needs of millions of middle-income Americans. The company leverages data and machine learning to deliver access to a suite of financial products and services anchored by credit cards, personal loans, and a personal financial management tool. Since its founding in 2012, Avant has served approximately 4.8 million unique customers, connecting them to over $17.6 billion in credit through personal loans and credit cards. For more information, visit www.avant.com. Avant-branded credit products are issued by WebBank.

Media Contact

Lucy Peng
[email protected]

Lenovo Receives Frost & Sullivan’s 2026 Global Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition for AI-Powered Sports Event Technology

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Lenovo named best-in-class for redefining global sports technology through AI innovation, real-time operations, and intelligent tournament infrastructure.

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As artificial intelligence transforms the way the world’s largest sporting events are planned, operated, and experienced, Lenovo is helping redefine what is possible through an integrated AI-powered technology ecosystem built for global scale. In recognition, Frost & Sullivan has named Lenovo as a 2026 Global Technology Innovation Leader in the AI-powered sports event technology industry. The Best Practices honor reflects Lenovo’s exceptional achievements in technological innovation, strategic execution, and customer impact, as well as its ability to deliver intelligent, mission-critical solutions that support every facet of modern sports event operations—from competition analytics and venue management to broadcasting and fan engagement.

Frost & Sullivan evaluates companies through a rigorous benchmarking process across two core dimensions: strategy effectiveness and strategy execution. Lenovo excelled in both, demonstrating its ability to align long-term innovation with evolving market requirements while delivering scalable, enterprise-grade solutions across the global sports ecosystem. “FIFA AI Pro, the game-changing AI-driven analytics platform developed by Lenovo and FIFA, was accessible to all 48 teams competing at FIFA World Cup 2026™. By providing unprecedented access for teams to interrogate petabytes of competition data in plain language and receive insights in seconds, the competitive logic of an entire sport begins to change,” said Alaa Saayed, VP, Digital Content Services, Frost & Sullivan.

Guided by a long-term growth strategy centered on hybrid AI innovation, strategic partnerships, and purpose-built industry solutions, Lenovo has established itself as a trusted technology partner for many of the world’s premier sporting organizations. As FIFA’s unified technology partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the company developed an end-to-end AI ecosystem spanning edge computing, infrastructure, cloud, and intelligent services that enabled seamless tournament operations across multiple countries, venues, and stakeholders. This strategic approach positions Lenovo to extend its sports technology capabilities well beyond a single global event into a broad portfolio of leagues, venues, and governing bodies.

Innovation remains central to Lenovo’s approach. Built on the company’s Hybrid AI Advantage™ architecture, its portfolio includes FIFA AI Pro, the Intelligent Command Center, 3D Digital Avatar technology, AI-powered Referee View Stabilizer, and low-latency IPTV solutions. Together, these technologies democratized access to advanced football analytics, enhanced officiating accuracy, synchronized live broadcast operations, and provided organizers with a unified operational view across complex tournament environments. Lenovo’s ability to integrate AI from the edge to the cloud delivers the speed, scalability, and reliability required for mission-critical sporting events.

Lenovo’s vision of Smarter Technology for All was on full display throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026. Powering the largest sporting event in human history was a technological feat that Lenovo was uniquely capable of delivering at such massive scale,” said Art Hu, Chief Information Officer, Lenovo and Chief Technology & Delivery Officer, Solutions and Services Group. “By supporting FIFA with everything from infrastructure and devices to AI-powered solutions and services, the world witnessed what smarter technology could achieve to enhance the tournament experience for teams, officials, broadcasters, support crews, and ultimately the billions of fans who enjoyed a new standard for live sports.”

Lenovo’s unwavering commitment to customer experience further strengthens its position in the market. By consolidating traditionally siloed venue technologies into a single operational platform, enabling AI-driven decision-making, and supporting more than 600 FIFA operators through an intelligent command environment, the company helps improve operational efficiency, accelerate incident response, and create safer, more connected experiences for organizers, broadcasters, athletes, and billions of fans worldwide. Its proven ability to commercialize tournament-tested innovations further reinforces Lenovo’s long-term leadership in the rapidly evolving AI-powered sports event technology market.

Frost & Sullivan commends Lenovo for setting a high standard in competitive strategy, execution, and market responsiveness. The company’s vision, innovation pipeline, and customer-first approach are shaping the future of AI-powered sports event technology and demonstrating how intelligent infrastructure can transform the world’s largest live events.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition to a company that demonstrates outstanding strategy development and implementation, resulting in measurable improvements in market share, customer satisfaction, and competitive positioning. The recognition honors forward-thinking organizations that are reshaping their industries through innovation and growth excellence.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition

Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.

Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:
Ashley Shreve
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About Lenovo

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

Taiyuan in North China takes on a new look

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BEIJING, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from People’s Daily: 

Taiyuan, the capital of north China’s Shanxi province, is a nationally designated historical and cultural city and the birthplace of Jin culture and the spirit of Shanxi merchants. Nestled against mountains to the east, west, and north, and bisected from north to south by the Fenhe River, the city has long been celebrated as a “city of splendid beauty.”

Today, Taiyuan stands as a modern city with a thriving ecosystem, vibrant energy, and a seamless blend of ancient heritage and contemporary progress. It embodies the qualities of a livable, business-friendly, and tourist-welcoming destination.

The clear waters of the Fenhe River reflect a remarkable ecological transformation

A healthy natural environment has become one of Taiyuan’s defining hallmarks. For Andy Edgren, an American who has maintained a deep connection with the city for more than four decades, the transformation of the Fenhe River is especially striking.

Once plagued by water shortages, shrinking ecological space, and pollution, the river now flows with clear water, lined by lush green banks. Its revival reflects not only improvements in Taiyuan’s environment but also signals a fundamental shift in the development philosophy and way of life of this historically industrial city.

“The city has changed so much. When my father and younger brother saw what the Fenhe River looks like today, they could hardly believe it!” Andy said.

Andy first came to Taiyuan with his father in the 1980s. Both worked as English teachers at Shanxi University and lived in the city for more than three years. Since then, he has returned to Taiyuan about 50 times, staying for several months on each visit.

As the second-largest tributary of the Yellow River and the mother river of Shanxi, the Fenhe River had fallen into dire straits by the end of the 20th century: flooding in the rainy season, near-dry conditions in the dry season, and polluted water at other times. To restore the river’s ecosystem and improve the urban living environment, Taiyuan has carried out comprehensive management of the Fenhe River for more than 20 years.

Today, the Taiyuan section of the Fenhe River features 12 cascade impoundment lakes and 6.67 million square meters of artificial wetlands. The river maintains a stable water surface of 11.5 square kilometers and remains clean year-round, with a storage capacity of 30 million cubic meters that helps reinforce its ecological defenses.

“One of my favorite things to do in Taiyuan is to take an evening walk along the Fenhe River with friends. When the lights on the buildings and bridges along the river come on, they keep changing colors, like a rainbow,” Andy said. “I like Taiyuan. It’s a very livable city.”

The spirit of Shanxi merchants fuels entrepreneurial vitality

Three years ago, Mexican entrepreneur Mauro Arturo Salazar Zavala, known locally as Maodou, settled in Taiyuan with his wife, Yang Miao. It marked the start of his connection with the city. As Taiyuan undergoes industrial transformation, expands cross-border e-commerce, and grows its digital economy, it is emerging as a new hub linking inland China with domestic and international markets.

During his research, Maodou discovered that Taiyuan has assembled suppliers and specialty goods from all over Shanxi. Iconic local offerings including mature Shanxi vinegar, millet and other coarse grains, and intangible cultural heritage handicrafts align closely with consumer tastes in Latin America, boasting unique advantages for export. This inspired him to reframe his entrepreneurial approach and pivot to exporting Shanxi’s distinctive products.

In his search for quality goods, Maodou also found a “key” to understanding Taiyuan and Shanxi — the spirit of Shanxi merchants.

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911), Shanxi merchants set out from Taiyuan and expanded their markets through integrity, cooperation, and mutual support. They sold Shanxi products across China and overseas, building a vast commercial network that connected far-flung markets. Their legacy helped shape Taiyuan’s open, inclusive, and outward-looking character.

Since the beginning of this year, Taiyuan has established a specialized cross-border digital industry park and promoted the integrated development of cross-border e-commerce and local specialty industrial clusters. The city continues to improve its foreign trade ecosystem and attract new talent to the sector.

“I can see Taiyuan’s e-commerce and trade ecosystem is becoming ever more vibrant, with a rising number of practitioners. We exchange experiences, share resources, and support one another, just as the ancient Shanxi merchants did,” Maodou remarked.

Rich cultural heritage connects the city’s past and present

For Andy and Maodou, Taiyuan’s enduring appeal also lies in its rich cultural heritage. They have visited ancient buildings, museums, and historical neighborhoods, recording the city’s transformation through their cameras while showing overseas audiences a more diverse and multifaceted Taiyuan.

At the Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum — China’s first mural museum built at the original site of the murals — Maodou put on a virtual reality headset and immersed himself in the process of archaeological excavation and mural conservation.

“Modern technology allows visitors to gain a more direct and clearer understanding of burial murals,” he said. “Technology has not diminished the weight of history. Instead, it has made this ancient civilization more tangible and accessible.”

The museum is one example of Taiyuan’s broader efforts to protect and make innovative use of its cultural heritage. The city currently has 2,237 above-ground cultural heritage sites and 541 sites under protection at various levels. It is also home to 108 museums.

Strolling along Bell Tower Street, visitors can see historical buildings alongside modern businesses, while traditional lanes have embraced new forms of commerce, including restaurants, live performances, and cultural and creative products.

“Today’s Taiyuan has both an ancient history and a vibrant modern side. I’m particularly drawn to the way the city brings together quiet charm and youthful energy,” Maodou said.

A city renewed

The ecological renewal along the Fenhe River, new opportunities created by cross-border e-commerce, and the fresh vitality brought to ancient buildings and historical streets by cultural development — all these changes are giving Taiyuan a new look.

For more than four decades, Andy has returned to Taiyuan time and again, sharing the city’s story with foreign friends around him on each visit.

“I tell them they really should come to China and see Taiyuan for themselves,” he said.

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SOURCE People’s Daily