Indian Equities Slide at Open as Rising Crude and Geopolitical Risks Trigger Sell-Off

Indian Equities Slide at Open as Rising Crude and Geopolitical Risks Trigger Sell-Off

Mumbai, September 2, 2026: Indian benchmark equity indices came under heavy selling pressure in early trade on Wednesday, with investors turning cautious amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and a sharp rise in crude oil prices.

At 9:47 a.m., the Nifty 50 was trading at 23,830.90, down 225.75 points, or 0.94 per cent, from its previous close. The BSE Sensex stood at 76,299.85, lower by 640.04 points, or 0.83 per cent.

The weak opening reflected a broader deterioration in global risk sentiment as escalating geopolitical tensions raised concerns over energy supplies and the possibility of prolonged disruption in the international oil market.

The surge in crude oil prices has emerged as one of the principal concerns for investors. Any sustained increase in energy costs could have wider implications for inflation, corporate margins and India’s external balances, given the country’s dependence on imported crude.

Higher oil prices can increase costs across transportation, aviation, chemicals and other energy-intensive industries. They can also put pressure on the rupee by increasing the country’s import bill.

For equity investors, the concern is not merely the immediate increase in crude prices but whether geopolitical tensions could keep energy prices elevated for an extended period.

The domestic sell-off mirrored weakness across international markets. Investors globally have been reassessing risk exposure as geopolitical developments add uncertainty to the outlook for economic growth, inflation and monetary policy.

The rise in oil prices has also revived concerns that renewed inflationary pressure could complicate the path of interest-rate cuts in major economies. Higher global bond yields and a stronger dollar can further reduce the attractiveness of emerging-market assets.

This combination of geopolitical uncertainty, expensive crude and tighter global financial conditions has encouraged investors to adopt a defensive stance.

The broad market weakness is expected to keep investors focused on sectors with high sensitivity to crude prices and global financial conditions.

Oil-consuming industries could face margin pressure if input costs remain elevated, while companies with strong pricing power and relatively lower exposure to energy costs may prove more resilient.

At the same time, oil and gas companies could attract attention as crude prices move higher, although the overall market direction remains dependent on the duration and intensity of the geopolitical shock.

Currency movements are another important factor for Indian equities. A weaker rupee alongside higher crude prices could increase imported inflationary pressures and complicate the broader macroeconomic outlook.

Foreign institutional flows will also remain on investors’ radar. Persistent overseas selling can amplify market declines during periods of heightened global risk aversion, while continued support from domestic institutional investors could help limit the downside.

With the Nifty now trading below the 24,000 mark, market participants are likely to closely monitor whether the index can stabilise at lower levels or whether selling pressure intensifies during the session.

The immediate focus will remain on developments in global crude oil markets, geopolitical events, movements in the US dollar and bond yields, and foreign investor activity.

For India, the impact of the current market shock will ultimately depend on how long crude prices remain elevated. A short-lived spike could be absorbed by the economy and markets, but a prolonged oil-price surge could create greater pressure on inflation, the rupee, corporate profitability and investor sentiment.

For now, geopolitical uncertainty and the oil-price surge have pushed Indian equities firmly into risk-off territory, with investors expected to remain cautious until greater clarity emerges on the global energy and economic outlook.

CGTN: How the SCO opens up opportunities for regional development as it turns 25

CGTN published an article exploring how the SCO has evolved from a security-focused mechanism into a comprehensive regional cooperation platform covering areas such as economic development and technological innovation and what role China has played in advancing cooperation within the organization.

BEIJING, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Deep in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh Region, a vast solar farm is transforming the landscape of the Gobi Desert. Tens of thousands of photovoltaic panels stretch across the barren land, capturing sunlight to generate clean energy.

In March, Phase I of the power plant project, built and operated by a Chinese company, began commercial operations. Once fully completed, the project is expected to generate 1.1 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, enough to meet the needs of around 400,000 residents.

The solar plant is one of the latest examples of China-SCO cooperation translating into tangible development outcomes. Over the past 25 years, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has expanded from a regional security mechanism into a broad platform for cooperation, with development becoming an increasingly important focus.

Prioritizing development to boost shared prosperity

On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of the organization’s founding.

During his speech, Xi put forward four proposals for advancing the SCO’s future development. One key proposal he emphasized was to prioritize development and work toward shared prosperity among SCO member states.

He also highlighted the Shanghai Spirit, featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, saying the Shanghai Spirit is the organization’s most valuable spiritual asset.

Over the past 25 years, guided by the Shanghai Spirit, the SCO has seen growing trade, deeper investment ties and stronger regional connectivity, creating new opportunities for economic development across the region.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, for instance, shows how infrastructure cooperation is driving regional development. In December 2024, its construction officially began. Once completed, the route will become a major transport corridor linking China with Central Asia and the wider Eurasian continent, greatly improving trade efficiency and creating broader economic opportunities.

Various cooperation platforms are also facilitating closer economic exchanges among SCO states. Last month, a local economic and trade cooperation conference was held in Bishkek, bringing together more than 100 companies. The event resulted in 193 cooperation agreements and trade deals worth around 1.74 billion yuan ($259 million). Meanwhile, the China-SCO Digital Economy Cooperation Platform, launched in Tianjin one year ago, has already facilitated 29 cross-border cooperation projects covering areas such as computing infrastructure, digital trade and commercial aerospace.

Over the past 25 years, the SCO has evolved into a major regional cooperation platform. Its economic cooperation is shifting from individual projects to stronger institutional frameworks and from bilateral efforts to multilateral coordination, paving the way for more integrated, high-quality and sustainable development across the region.

China: A strong promoter of SCO cooperation

At Tuesday’s summit, Xi said China views the SCO as a priority area for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and for implementing the Global Development Initiative.

He announced that China would continue hosting events such as the SCO Digital Economy Forum and the SCO Agricultural Expo and will develop an international AI application cooperation center with SCO countries, implement 100 technological cooperation projects with other SCO countries in the next three years and nurture more green industry talents through China-SCO cooperation.

As a founding member of the SCO, China has been a key driver of practical cooperation within the organization.

Shortly after the SCO was founded, China proposed advancing trade and investment facilitation among member states. In 2003, the SCO adopted a multilateral economic cooperation program featuring a three-stage roadmap: promoting trade and investment facilitation in the short term, building stable and transparent rules in the medium term and gradually enabling freer flows of goods, capital, services and technology in the long term.

China has also provided financial support for regional cooperation projects. As of July 2025, China’s accumulated investment in other SCO member states had exceeded $84 billion, making it the largest source of investment and financing for Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

At last year’s Tianjin Summit, China proposed establishing cooperation platforms in energy, green industries and the digital economy, along with centers for scientific innovation, higher education and vocational education. All six initiatives have since been launched, generating more than 160 cooperation projects covering clean energy, digital applications and joint talent development.

Egor Prokhin, a researcher at Russia’s Higher School of Economics, said China has played a central role in the SCO’s development.

“The Belt and Road Initiative has helped improve transportation and trade connectivity among Eurasian countries, while the Global Development Initiative has contributed to economic growth and improved livelihoods,” he said, adding these initiatives closely align with the development priorities of SCO members, creating opportunities for businesses and bringing tangible benefits to people across the region.

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CGTN: How the SCO opens up opportunities for regional development as it turns 25

Running meets glamour: Face Glitter becomes the new Race-Day trend

 

Running meets glamour: Face Glitter becomes the new Race-Day trend

 

From Finish Lines to Face Glitter: Women Runners turn Race Day into a celebration of self-expression

Hyderabad, Sept 02: Running a marathon is no longer just about pace, endurance and crossing the finish line. At the 15th edition of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2026 powered by IDFC FIRST Bank, a new race-day culture was clearly visible, particularly among women runners—face glitter, colourful make-up and carefully styled race-day looks. Several women participating in the Half Marathon and Full Marathon were seen adding a touch of glamour to their running gear, turning the race course into a celebration of individuality, confidence and joy.

For many runners, “Run Good, Look Good, Feel Good” is increasingly becoming part of the marathon experience. Chennai-based half marathoners Anantha Sri, Swetha and Anjana, who participated in the Hyderabad race, were among those embracing the trend. Some runners also arrived with photographers, videographers and dedicated reel makers to capture their race-day journey. What was once primarily about fitness and finishing a race is increasingly becoming an opportunity to express oneself, create memories and share a personal running story.

The face-glitter trend may appear to be a small race-day fashion statement, but it reflects a larger evolution in running culture. Runners today are not merely chasing personal bests and timing certificates; they are celebrating milestones, friendships, fitness journeys and individual identities. For many women, dressing up, adding a touch of glamour and confidently expressing themselves while running several kilometres has become a joyful part of the marathon experience. The race course is becoming not just a place to run, but also a place to express, celebrate and be seen.

This spirit of self-expression extends beyond fashion. Several male runners too were seen arriving with the latest running gadgets, action cameras, selfie sticks, smart watches and other devices to record themselves on the move. The rise of the “content runner” is becoming increasingly noticeable, with some runners carrying cameras themselves, while others bring along photographers or videographers to document their race from the starting line to the finish.

The trend points to a wider evolution of India’s running ecosystem. Running shoes and timing watches are now being complemented by action cameras, wireless headphones, smart wearables, hydration accessories, performance apparel, beauty products and content-creation equipment. The marathon route itself has become a backdrop for photographs, reels and personal stories. The medal may still be the ultimate reward, but for many runners, the memories captured along the way are becoming almost as valuable as the finish-line moment.

The phenomenon is particularly visible among younger and socially connected runners, for whom participation is also about identity, community and self-expression. A runner can chase a personal best, look their best, record the journey and share the achievement—all in the same race. The modern marathon is therefore evolving from simply “run to finish” to “run, experience, capture and share.”

The new race-day mantra could well be: Run good. Look good. Feel good. Capture it. Share it.

Airrived Launches Sovereign AI Platform, Putting Enterprises Back in Control of Their AI

DUBAI, UAE — [Sept. 2, 2026] — Airrived, the company behind the enterprise Agentic OS, today announced the launch of its Sovereign AI Platform, giving governments and enterprises a way to run agentic AI entirely inside their own environments — with nothing required to leave the building. Airrived will showcase the platform live at GISEC Global, taking place 16–18 September 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City, Dubai.

As AI adoption accelerates, a harder question is catching up with it: who actually controls the intelligence running your organization?

Sensitive data crosses borders it was never meant to cross. Token costs swing unpredictably from one quarter to the next, turning AI from a fixed cost into an open-ended liability. Mission-critical systems depend on external providers with no guarantee of continuity. And for the world’s most regulated institutions, sending data, prompts or intelligence to an externally hosted AI system isn’t a risk worth taking — it’s simply not an option.

Airrived built its Sovereign AI Platform to remove that trade-off entirely. The launch follows Airrived’s #1 overall ranking in the AWS/CTIB Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator, a global program backed by Amazon Web Services (AWS), CrowdStrike, CyberE71 and the UAE Cyber Security Council — recognition from some of the industry’s most demanding cloud and cybersecurity players that Airrived’s approach to agentic AI holds up under serious scrutiny.

Organizations can deploy Airrived on-premises, on private GPU infrastructure, or inside fully air-gapped environments — running their own models or Airrived’s models entirely within their own infrastructure.

Data stays inside. Models stay inside. Intelligence stays inside.

AI sovereignty isn’t simply about where your data is stored. It’s about who controls the entire intelligence stack,” said Anurag Gurtu, Co-founder and CEO of Airrived. “Enterprises should be able to own their data, choose their models, operate their agents and control their infrastructure — without sacrificing the power of agentic AI. That’s what we’re delivering.”

An Agentic OS Built for Sovereignty

Airrived delivers an end-to-end Agentic OS: organizations can consume pre-built AI applications or build their own agents and agentic applications, all while keeping full control of the infrastructure underneath. The platform unifies agent orchestration, models, enterprise context, reasoning, governance, observability and AI applications into a single sovereign architecture.

With Airrived, organizations can:

  • Go fully sovereign — run AI completely on-premises or air-gapped

  • Break free from token economics — reduce dependency on externally hosted models and unpredictable costs

  • Own the compute — operate private GPU infrastructure on their terms

  • Choose the model — run customer-selected or Airrived-native models locally

  • Protect the perimeter — keep enterprise data and AI interactions within organizational boundaries

  • Build without limits — create and deploy agents and multi-agent applications

  • Govern with confidence — apply enterprise access controls and governance to every AI operation

The model is already proven in the region: through its partnership with Wizdom, Airrived’s Agentic OS powers agentic AI capabilities natively within Wizdom’s own data center infrastructure — sovereignty, not in theory, but in production.

The launch arrives as governments across the Middle East accelerate national AI strategies built on the same principle: sovereign control over data, infrastructure and intelligence. From the UAE’s National AI Strategy to similar initiatives across the GCC, the region has made clear that AI adoption must go hand in hand with data sovereignty and national digital resilience. Airrived’s platform is built to meet that mandate directly, giving governments and regulated enterprises a way to adopt agentic AI without ceding control of their most sensitive data.

The Next Era of Enterprise AI Is Sovereign

For governments, critical infrastructure operators, financial institutions and other highly regulated enterprises, real AI adoption now demands more than powerful models — it demands control.

Airrived believes the next generation of enterprise AI infrastructure will be defined by choice: where intelligence runs, which models power it, who can access it, and where the data ultimately lives.

Cloud democratized infrastructure. Generative AI democratized intelligence. The next step is making that intelligence truly yours,” Gurtu added. “The future of enterprise AI will not just be agentic. It will be sovereign.”

Airrived will showcase its Sovereign AI Platform live at GISEC Global, 16–18 September 2026, at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City, Dubai.

Sceye and SoftBank Corp. Complete Stratospheric Connectivity Demonstration in Japan, Advancing Towards HAPS Commercialization

First mission of Sceye’s Service Test Program travels more than 15,000 km from New Mexico to Japan in the stratosphere, backhauls into SoftBank Corp.’s core network, verifies Direct-to-Device and edge computing capabilities and HAPS-based communications with drones.

TOKYO, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sceye, a U.S. aerospace and material science company specializing in High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) for telecommunications and real-time environmental monitoring, today announced the successful trans-Pacific flight of its Service Test 1 (ST1) mission from New Mexico to Japan. Traveling more than 15,000 km through the stratosphere in 13 days, upon arrival over Japan, ST1 demonstrated mobile broadband connectivity to unmodified devices through SoftBank Corp.’s core network and HAPS-based edge computing and communication with drones to support the development of a 3D communications network.

Sceye's ST1 HAPS launched on August 9, 2026 from New Mexico.

Conducted in partnership with SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO:9434, “SoftBank”), a leading operator of telecommunications and IT businesses in Japan and globally, ST1 marks Sceye’s first flight to Asia and a groundbreaking milestone towards the commercial deployment of HAPS as stratospheric infrastructure.

“This flight marks a defining moment for Sceye and for the commercial potential of HAPS,” said Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, Founder and CEO of Sceye. “Flying from the US to Japan demonstrates the performance required to make the stratosphere a viable layer of infrastructure and realize the future of AI, edge computing, and 6G. Together with SoftBank, we are moving beyond proving the technology to demonstrating how Sceye can complement and extend existing networks and deliver persistent connectivity at scale.”

The stratosphere offers the optimal vantage point: It is close enough to Earth for high-capacity connectivity and observation, yet the altitude is high enough for wide-area reach. Importantly, the stratosphere offers space-like conditions without the cost of being in space and the disadvantages of being in orbit. Sceye’s HAPS maintain altitude and their area of operation in the stratosphere through consecutive day and night cycles, operating like geostationary satellites, only 1,800 times closer to Earth and at a fraction of the cost.

In 2025, SoftBank Corp. invested in Sceye’s HAPS-based stratospheric infrastructure as a scalable solution to complement terrestrial towers and satellite constellations. The strategic partnership advances a shared vision for HAPS and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) as transformative infrastructure that can expand connectivity, support communications during disasters, and enable future applications across AI, IoT, aerial communications, edge computing, and 6G.

ST1 carried SceyeCELL, a first-of-its-kind “cell tower in the sky” designed to deliver wide-area mobile broadband directly to standard devices from the stratosphere. When deployed at full scale, one Sceye HAPS is designed to cover the equivalent area of approximately 500 terrestrial towers. During the ST1 mission, Sceye and SoftBank demonstrated mobile broadband from the stratosphere, including text messaging, voice calls, internet access, and video streaming. Testing also included emergency calls, using an emergency alert messaging system designed for large-scale disasters, and communications with drones.

Sceye’s ST1 mission launched on August 9, 2026 at 7:00 AM MDT from New Mexico. Additional notable mission attributes include:

  • Traveled more than 15,000 km across the Pacific to Japan in 13 days



  • Operated within Japanese managed air space for over 7 days



  • Remained continuously within its area of operation for an extended period, achieving a station-seeking radius as low as 5 km



  • Operated at approximately 16.5 km in altitude while completing telecommunications, drone, and emergency communications



  • Confirmed communications performance equivalent to that of terrestrial networks while reducing radio interference with ground-based base stations



  • Through a server installed on the HAPS, Sceye and SoftBank conducted data processing directly on the platform, demonstrating average round-trip processing response time of 68 milliseconds, reducing communications latency by over 40% compared with internet-based cloud processing. This marks the world’s first successful test in which a mobile core network and a web server for processing were installed on a HAPS, enabling response processing to be performed entirely onboard the HAPS and the results to be relayed back to smartphones.

ST1 remains in flight, returning towards the United States over the Pacific Ocean at the time of this announcement.

“SoftBank aims to build next-generation communications infrastructure that seamlessly connects the ground, the sky, and space. The fact that Sceye’s HAPS reached Japan from the United States and successfully provided Japan’s first trial services from the stratosphere in Japan’s airspace marks an important step toward the commercialization of HAPS, which is at the core of this vision,” said Junichi Miyakawa, President & CEO of SoftBank Corp. “By combining the HAPS flight and operational technologies that Sceye has developed with SoftBank’s communications technologies, we have gained confidence to realize a three-dimensional communications network utilizing HAPS. Going forward, in collaboration with Sceye, we will continue to integrate a wide range of technologies, including communications and AI, to develop HAPS into a new form of social infrastructure.”

This flight builds on Sceye’s Endurance Program, completed earlier this year, when its SE2 HAPS traveled more than 10,000 km in the stratosphere from New Mexico to the coast of Brazil where it stayed over its area of operation for several days to test long-duration performance in preparation for the Service Test Program, the first of which flew to Japan.

About Sceye

Founded in 2014, Sceye (pronounced “sky”) is an aerospace company dedicated to advancing stratospheric technology to connect people and protect the planet. Sceye leads the High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) industry, focusing on universal connectivity, climate monitoring, natural resource management, and disaster prevention.

Contact: press@sceye.com 

Sceye and SoftBank Corp. Complete Stratospheric Connectivity Demonstration in Japan, Advancing Towards HAPS Commercialization

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Sceye and SoftBank Corp. Complete Stratospheric Connectivity Demonstration in Japan, Advancing Towards HAPS Commercialization

Reykjavik Named Europe’s Best City for Sleep Tourism

Reykjavik, Iceland, is the best destination for anyone who wants to get a proper sleep on their next European trip, a September 2026 report on sleep tourism found. With sleep deprivation now affecting nearly 1 in 3 adults across Europe, a new study by the online luggage shop Eminent set out to find the top 10 cities for catching up on rest.
  • Reykjavik is the best European city to sleep in, recording nearly zero noise and light pollution, ideal for getting a quality rest. 
  • Summer nights in Stockholm never cross the 20°C mark, keeping conditions cool enough to easily reach deep sleep.
  • Nordic cities are generally the best for a good night’s sleep, with Gothenburg and Stavanger also making the top 10.
The research examined European cities to find where travelers can get a proper sleep on a staycation. The report tracked three factors that directly affect how well one can rest, including how noisy and bright each city is at night, how often summer temperatures stay too hot to sleep, and how polluted the air is. These figures were combined into a single score out of 100, revealing cities where visitors can actually wake up well-rested.
 
Here’s a look at the top 10 European cities for catching up on sleep:
 
Destination Sleep Staycation Score Perceived Noise and Light Pollution Perceived Air Pollution
Reykjavik 99.21 19.47 14.25
Stockholm 96.11 27.80 15.10
Cork 95.11 28.66 15.62
Kaunas 91.47 25.71 27.56
Gothenburg 90.53 33.33 19.00
Vilnius 89.89 30.58 25.18
Stavanger 88.84 34.30 21.00
Edinburgh 87.21 34.15 24.34
Belfast 86.16 36.54 22.62
The Hague (Den Haag) 86.05 27.69 18.12
 
You can access the complete research findings here.
 

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

  • Sleep Staycation Score: 99.2/100
  • Noise and light pollution: 19.4/100
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 8.9°C
  • Air pollution: 14.2/100
Reykjavik is the best city in Europe for a sleep staycation. The Icelandic capital posts the lowest noise and light pollution reading, scoring just 19 out of 100, which means there is far less background noise that disrupts sleep. Summer nights here also average just 8.9°C at their coldest, making it easier to cool down and rest well. Plus, the air is also among the cleanest on the continent, so it’s almost like going to a wellness resort. 
 

2. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is the second-best city for catching up on sleep. The Swedish capital recorded zero tropical nights across all 92 days of summer, keeping overnight temperatures comfortably low for rest. Noise and light pollution are also low at 27/100, well below the European average for cities of this size. This means that for travelers who want a proper city break without sacrificing sleep, Stockholm offers a nice combination of urban setting and quiet after dark.
 

3. Cork, Ireland

Cork comes next on the list. Ireland’s second city stays below 20°C on every summer night, with average overnight temperatures at just 14°C, perfect for deep sleep. It is also one of the quietest cities in Europe, scoring 29 out of 100 for noise and light pollution. Cork’s air quality reading also puts it among the cleanest cities on the continent, making it a great choice for anyone looking to properly recharge on a wellness break.
 

4. Kaunas, Lithuania

Kaunas ranks fourth and is the kind of city that tends to get overlooked completely on European travel lists. However, it’s actually quieter than Stockholm, with a noise and light reading of just 26 out of 100. Like the cities above it, Kaunas also sees no nights above 20°C in summer, and its air quality is close to the Nordic cities’ levels. So for travelers who seek somewhere restful and less crowded, Kaunas is worth serious consideration.
 

5. Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg’s overnight temperatures never cross 20°C in summer, averaging around 14°C, cool enough for the body to properly wind down. The city also scores 33 out of 100 for noise and light pollution, far below what you’d find in most major European destinations, meaning there are virtually no distractions at night. Air quality is also low at 19 out of 100, which makes it one of the cleanest cities in the EU. 
A travel consultant from Eminent commented on the study: 
 
“Sleep tourism is already a $690 billion industry globally, and it’s forecast to grow by another $400 billion by 2028. Optimizing diets and fitness has been trendy for years, and now it seems sleep is becoming the next frontier. But unlike a gym membership or a meal plan, sleep is heavily influenced by your surroundings: the temperature outside, the noise coming through the window, even the quality of the air. So for anyone who doesn’t want the trip to throw off their sleep routine, choosing a city that already has these conditions working in your favor is a good place to start.”

Manulife Financial Corporation Prices U.S. Public Offering of Subordinated Notes

C$ unless otherwise stated                                              TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC    SEHK:945

TORONTO, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE: MFC) (the “Company”) today announced that it has priced a public offering in the United States of U.S.$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.146% subordinated notes due 2041 (the “Notes”) at a public offering price of 100.000%. The Notes are anticipated to qualify as Tier 2 regulatory capital of the Company.

Manulife logo

The Notes are expected to be issued on September 11, 2026 and will bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.146% for the period from, and including, the issue date to, but excluding, September 11, 2036 (the “Reset Date”), and, during the period from, and including the Reset Date to, but excluding, September 11, 2041, at an annual rate equal to the CMT Rate (as defined in the prospectus supplement) determined on the third business day immediately preceding the Reset Date plus a spread of 1.350%. The Company may, at its option, redeem the Notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, with the prior written approval of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (Canada) (the “Superintendent”), on or after September 11, 2031 and prior to the Reset Date at the applicable make-whole redemption price described in the prospectus supplement. The Company may also redeem the Notes, in each case, in whole, but not in part, with the prior written approval of the Superintendent, (i) on the Reset Date, (ii) at any time within 90 days following a specified regulatory event or (iii) at any time following a specified tax event, in each case, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption. 

The offering was made pursuant to a preliminary prospectus supplement, dated September 1, 2026, to the Company’s registration statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 29, 2025.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for general corporate purposes, which may include future refinancing requirements.

BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. A prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus related to the offering have been filed with the SEC and are available on its website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, when available, may be obtained by contacting BofA Securities, Inc., 201 North Tryon Street, NC1-022-02-25, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001; Attention: Prospectus Department; Email: dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; Telephone: 1-800-294-1322; Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717; Email: prospectus@citi.com; Telephone: 1-800-831-9146; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, Attention: Prospectus Department, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717; Email: JPMorganPostSale@broadridge.com; Telephone: 1-212-834-4533; or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, Attention: Prospectus Department; Email: prospectus@morganstanley.com; Telephone: 1-866-718-1649.

The securities will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Canada or to any resident of Canada.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Media Relations:

Fiona McLean

Manulife

437-441-7491

fiona_mclean@manulife.com

Investor Relations:

Derek Theobalds

Manulife

416-254-1774

derek_theobalds@manulife.com

Manulife Financial Corporation Prices U.S. Public Offering of Subordinated Notes

Royal Caribbean Group Declares Dividend

MIAMI, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Board of Directors of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) today declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per common share payable on October 8, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 17, 2026. 

RCG logo blue

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group is a leading global vacation company spanning cruise, one-of-a-kind destinations, and land-based vacation experiences. The company operates 71 ships sailing to more than 1,000 destinations across all seven continents through its three wholly owned brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea – and a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises, which operates the Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd brands.

The Group is expanding its portfolio of private destinations through its Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club collections, and the company will enter river cruising in 2027 with Celebrity River Cruises. Powered by innovative brands, advanced technology, and an industry-leading loyalty program, the company has built a connected vacation ecosystem, turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.

Named to the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies 2026 list and to Forbes’ 2026 Best American Companies lists, Royal Caribbean Group is guided by its mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly. For more information, visit royalcaribbeangroup.com

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Royal Caribbean Group Declares Dividend

Shell to more than double US company-owned convenience retail sites with acquisition of Tri Star Energy

HOUSTON, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Equilon Enterprises LLC, doing business as Shell Oil Products US (Shell), has signed an agreement to increase its equity from 33% to 100% in Tri Star Energy, LLC, a convenience store operator and fuel distributor operating across the southeastern United States and anchored in the Nashville market. The acquisition makes Shell the full owner of an additional 320 fuel and convenience retail sites in Tennessee and surrounding states, as well as supply agreements with 552 more dealer-owned locations.

Shell Oil Company Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Shell Oil Company)

“Tri Star has built a strong business with high-quality assets, a dedicated team and a loyal customer base. The transaction is fully aligned with our growth strategy to focus capital on businesses in which we have distinctive advantages and can create long-term shareholder value,” said Machteld de Haan, President of Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions, Shell plc.

Shell already has the largest branded fuel network in the US, with approximately 12,000 primarily wholesaler- and dealer-owned fuel and convenience retail sites across 49 states serving more than 7 million customers daily. This acquisition significantly strengthens its company-owned presence in the US.

The investment is in line with Shell’s strategy to reallocate capital from lower-return areas to businesses and markets where the company has proven it can deliver strong performance and has clear competitive advantages, as announced at its Capital Markets Day in 2025. Shell stated that 80% of its growth cash capex in the Mobility & Convenience business will be spent in 10 key markets, such as the US, where it generates the majority of its cash flow.

The deal is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory clearance and the satisfaction of closing conditions.

Notes to editors 

  • Shell is acquiring the remaining interest in Tri Star Energy from The Parman Corporation, Kimbro Oil Company, and their subsidiaries.
  • Once the acquisition is complete, Tri Star Energy will be operated by Texas Petroleum Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell Mobility & Convenience US LLC (SMC). SMC’s portfolio will consist of nearly 550 company-owned convenience retail sites and supply agreements with approximately 650 dealer-owned sites across the southern US.
  • The acquisition is projected to generate an internal rate of return above the hurdle rate set for Shell’s marketing business.
  • With a long history in the US, Shell is delivering secure energy supplies and meeting the evolving needs of customers today and into the future.
  • Globally, Shell and its affiliates serve around 29 million customers per day at Shell-branded mobility sites, who visit for quality fuels, electric vehicle charging, and convenience and non-fuel products and services.

Cautionary Note

The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this press release “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience to reference Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ”Subsidiaries”, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this press release refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties.  The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

Forward-Looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; ”anticipate”; “aspire”, “aspiration”, ”believe”; “commit”; “commitment”; ”could”; “desire”; ”estimate”; ”expect”; ”goals”; ”intend”; ”may”; “milestones”; ”objectives”; ”outlook”; ”plan”; ”probably”; ”project”; ”risks”; “schedule”; ”seek”; ”should”; ”target”; “vision”; ”will”; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks, including climate change; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including tariffs and regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East, and a significant cyber security, data privacy or IT incident; (n) the pace of the energy transition; and (o) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2025 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this press release and should be considered by the reader.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, September 1, 2026. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Shell’s net carbon intensity

Also, in this press release we may refer to Shell’s “net carbon intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “net carbon intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.

Shell’s net-zero emissions target

Shell’s operating plan and outlook are forecasted for a three-year period and ten-year period, respectively, and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next three and ten years. Accordingly, the outlook reflects our combined Scope 1 and 2 target, NCI target and our oil products ambition over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plan and outlook cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is outside our planning period. Such future operating plans and outlooks could include changes to our portfolio, efficiency improvements and the use of carbon capture and storage and carbon credits. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans and outlooks to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.

Forward-Looking non-GAAP measures

This press release may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as free cash flow and underlying operating expenses. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.

The contents of websites referred to in this press release do not form part of this press release.

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this press release that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC.  Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

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Shell to more than double US company-owned convenience retail sites with acquisition of Tri Star Energy

Matrix Unveils Its New Brand Identity

Vadodara,| 1 Sept 2026 — Matrix today unveiled its new brand identity, marking a defining milestone in the company’s evolution and the beginning of its next phase of global growth.

The evolved identity is a sharper expression of the company Matrix has become—an enterprise technology organization built on purposeful innovation, engineering excellence and uncompromising substance. It reflects the scale and maturity of the business today while establishing a stronger platform for new markets, partnerships and opportunities worldwide.

For decades, Matrix has built its capabilities through extensive in-house research and development, precision manufacturing and ownership of the complete technology stack. Its integrated portfolio across video surveillance, access control, time-attendance, visitor management and analytics enables enterprises to reduce fragmentation, simplify operations and scale with confidence.

Matrix Unveils Its New Brand Identity

 

The new identity brings greater clarity, consistency and distinction to this proposition. Modern, precise and purposeful, it reflects Matrix’s commitment to creating enterprise-grade technology that delivers measurable value and enduring performance.

 

“Our new identity is a clear expression of who we are today and the organization we aspire to become. Matrix has always believed that meaningful innovation must be backed by engineering depth, operational discipline and complete accountability. This transition builds on that foundation and strengthens our readiness to pursue new markets, forge deeper partnerships and create greater impact worldwide.”

— Ganesh Jivani, CEO & MD, Matrix

The transition represents more than a change in how Matrix presents itself. It signals the company’s readiness to compete with greater relevance and distinction on the global stage—bringing its integrated capabilities, engineering-led approach and long-term commitment to a broader spectrum of enterprises and markets.

While the identity is evolving, the foundations of Matrix remain unchanged: its commitment to customers and partners, its focus on engineering excellence and its accountability for the performance of every solution it delivers.

The new identity will be introduced progressively across Matrix products, packaging, digital platforms, communications, offices, signage and partner touchpoints beginning 15th August 2026.

During this transition, products, documents, certifications, warranties and official communications carrying the previous Matrix logo will continue to remain valid and authoritative, provided they were issued or authorized by Matrix. The introduction of the new identity will have no effect on the authenticity or validity of any existing commitment, agreement, assurance or communication originating from Matrix.

This transition is not the culmination of a branding exercise. It is the opening of a more ambitious global chapter—one grounded in Matrix’s established strengths and focused firmly on the opportunities ahead.

Integrated Excellence. Enterprise Confidence.