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ACORD Appoints Tim Ellis as Managing Director of London Market and International Operations

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Clarissa Montecillo to launch expanded advisory services at ACORD Solutions Group as Global Head of Consulting & Advisory

LONDON, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ACORD, the standards development organization for the global insurance industry, today announced that Tim Ellis has been named Managing Director – UK. In this role, Ellis will be responsible for driving the development and adoption of ACORD Data Standards and digital transformation throughout London and global (re)insurance and specialty markets.

Ellis is a London Market veteran known for transforming bold ideas and emerging technologies into reality. He has over 25 years of experience supporting standardized data exchange in the London Market, collaborating closely with Lloyd’s, Velonetic, and leading brokers, insurers, reinsurers, and solution providers. Throughout his career he has guided organizations through complex change, helping them to improve their operations and foster innovation.

“I’ve always thrived at the intersection of vision and execution, and I’m passionate about future-ready tech ecosystems,” said Ellis. “I’ve been working with ACORD Data Standards for decades, and I believe that now, more than ever, they are the key to building a digital future for our industry.”

Prior to joining ACORD, Ellis served as Operations Director of Web Connectivity Limited (WCL), overseeing a diverse portfolio of responsibilities including business change, stakeholder management, software delivery, and information security. He has also served within the information systems advisory practice at EY.

“Tim has both a long history with ACORD Data Standards, and deep expertise in the ongoing modernization of the market,” said Tanya Krochta, ACORD EVP, COO, and acting CEO. “This pedigree, and his operational focus, make him the ideal leader for this role.”

The appointment coincides with Clarissa Montecillo’s move to ACORD Solutions Group as Global Head of Consulting & Advisory. Building on her tenure leading ACORD’s UK business, Montecillo will launch an expanded consulting and advisory services practice with a clear mandate: to accelerate digitalization across the insurance industry.

“This expanded consulting arm will join together the full strength of ACORD Data Standards, ASG digital assets, and our deep expertise in processes and data to drive efficiency, interoperability, and real business impact for the insurance community,” said Montecillo.

ACORD Solutions Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of ACORD, was founded in 2016 at the request of the ACORD member community in order to address critical challenges and accelerate digitalization of insurance data exchange. The expanded consulting arm will also leverage the experience of ASG’s Licensed Integrator Partners (LIPs), which includes leading industry experts in digital transformation.

“Clarissa has played a key role in driving the benefits of ACORD Standards-enabled data exchange across global markets, and we’re delighted she’ll be applying that expertise and dedication to building the consulting practice at ASG,” said Chris Newman, President & CEO, ACORD Solutions Group. “This is an important evolution in the way ASG supports the industry. We’re creating a more integrated model that brings together standards, technology, and industry insights to accelerate real change.”

In recognition of its 25th anniversary in the London Market, ACORD will be hosting the official attendee lounge of London Risk Week, May 13-14, at The Moniker. Ellis and Montecillo will be joined by senior industry leaders at the ACORD Lounge, which will offer complimentary refreshments and thought leadership sessions, as well as special gift bags distributed by LIMOSS (London Insurance Market Operations & Strategic Sourcing).

Members of the insurance community are invited to attend a special breakfast session in the lounge, “The Next-Generation Digital Operating Model,” Thursday May 14 at 9am. Complete information on London Risk Week programming is available on the London Insurance Market website.

About ACORD

ACORD (Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development) is the global standards-setting body for the insurance and related financial services industries. ACORD facilitates fast, accurate data exchange and efficient workflows through the development of electronic standards, standardized forms, and tools to support their use. ACORD engages thousands of insurance and reinsurance companies, agents and brokers, software providers, financial services organizations and industry associations in more than 100 countries. ACORD maintains offices in New York and London. Learn more at www.acord.org.

About ACORD Solutions Group

ACORD Solutions Group was created to solve critical industry challenges by delivering next-generation digital solutions and services. Our enterprise-class solutions optimize the speed, cost, and accuracy of data exchange, connecting stakeholders regardless of geography, role, and legacy constraints. ACORD Solutions Group is an extension of ACORD, the standards-setting body for the global insurance industry. Learn more at www.acordsolutions.com.

PRESS CONTACT:

Beth Jarecki, Omnia Paratus

beth@omniaparatus.com

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CHiQ at IFA 2026: From Global Expansion to Deeper Local Engagement

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BERLIN, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At IFA Berlin on September 4, CHiQ unveiled its new AI-powered home appliance range, covering TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washer-dryer combos. Rather than emphasizing technical specifications in isolation, the brand demonstrated how AI integrates into real-life household routines, marking a shift from technological innovation to everyday experiences and reflecting parent company Changhong’s continued focus on localization across global markets.

To address diverse household needs, CHiQ is embedding AI into a growing number of everyday scenarios. Its RGB MiniLED AI TV lineup integrates an integrated AI Sports Platform, transforming the TV from a traditional display into an interactive hub for home fitness and shared activities. The air conditioner features AI Human Presence Radar, which detects users’ locations and habits to adjust airflow dynamically. Meanwhile, the AI-powered refrigerator and laundry care system employ intelligent sensing and monitoring to help users take a more proactive approach to managing food freshness and garment cleanliness.

On IFA’s opening day, Grundig, CHiQ’s strategic partner and a premium European home appliance brand, presented a new product lineup across TVs, refrigerators, washer-dryers, and air conditioners. This showcase represents a further extension of Grundig’s brand development and product strategy and points to a new direction for Grundig in European and global markets.

In recent years, CHiQ’s focus has centered on simplifying everyday household chores through smart innovation. The brand has introduced a virtual giant panda as an AI interactive assistant, adding warmth and personality to its smart TVs and other AI-enabled appliances while naturally incorporating distinctive elements of Chinese culture into the user experience.

Skiing has also become another bridge connecting CHiQ with European lifestyles. Over the same period, the brand has strengthened its European presence as an official data partner of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. These efforts have deepened CHiQ’s connections with consumers in Europe and around the world. At the same time, the brand incorporates the speed of skiing and the pristine character of winter sports into its products, bringing technology closer to users’ lifestyles.

Behind these initiatives lies a broader shift: CHiQ is advancing its localization efforts. From product experiences and brand messaging to sports, culture and other aspects of local life, the company is establishing more diverse touchpoints as it expands its presence in Europe. Moving beyond simply entering overseas markets toward becoming part of them, CHiQ is bringing its global expansion into closer alignment with the local markets it serves.

About CHiQ

CHiQ, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and household appliances, is redefining industry standards with innovative products, intelligent technologies, and a growing commitment to corporate social responsibility. Its influence continues to grow across global markets, especially in Europe.

SOURCE CHiQ

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New Poll: Parents Overwhelmingly Support the Agreement Between the States & Meta To Keep Young People Safe Online

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More Than Four-in-Five Parents Want Other Platforms Such As TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat to Adopt Safeguards

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Coalition to Empower our Future (CEF) today released new research finding overwhelming support among parents nationwide for the recent agreement between states across the country and Meta to strengthen protections for young people online and give parents additional tools to support their children. The findings show that parents not only support the agreement, but also want other social media platforms to follow Meta’s lead and implement similar protections so young people have consistent safeguards across platforms.

“Parents want practical tools that help them keep their kids safe online, and they want those tools no matter what platform their kids are on,” said Glen Weiner, executive director of the Coalition to Empower our Future. “This agreement is an important step forward that will help protect young people using Instagram and Facebook, but kids don’t spend all their time on one platform. To continue making progress, other social media platforms need to join these efforts and adopt the same policies. There’s no single solution to the challenges young people are facing, but giving parents more tools and helping young people build healthier habits with technology are important pieces of a broader, comprehensive approach.”

According to the survey, more than four-in-five parents across the country support the agreement between the states and Meta, including 82 percent of Democratic parents and 84 percent of Republican parents. Other key findings include:

Parents believe the new safety measures will have a positive impact on youth mental health, including expanded parental controls (82 percent), daily screen-time limits (80 percent), and muting notifications during school hours (77 percent) and overnight (76 percent).Overwhelming majorities of parents on both sides of the aisle want other platforms to adopt the same policies. More than four-in-five say other platforms should implement the same online safety measures, including 85 percent of Democratic parents and 86 percent of Republican parents.

Support is similarly strong when parents are asked about individual platforms, including:TikTok (85 percent);YouTube (84 percent); andSnapchat (82 percent).Parents want policymakers to take action. Four-in-five parents (80 percent) would support their state legislature putting these online safety measures into law, and more than two-thirds of parents (67 percent) would be more likely to vote for an elected official who advances these measures.

The new findings build on previous research from CEF showing that parents and voters want a comprehensive approach to youth mental health that gives families practical tools and teaches young people how to navigate technology safely and responsibly.

The full research findings can be found HERE.

The research, conducted between August 28 and August 31, 2026, in partnership with Mercury Analytics, included an online survey of 1,000 parents nationwide.

About the Coalition to Empower our Future

Coalition to Empower our Future is an organization bringing together a range of voices to fully inform solutions that empower youth, parents, communities, and society. The Coalition to Empower our Future supports solutions that are inclusive of the full spectrum of factors impacting youth mental health. Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo, and Dr. Caroline Carney, a board-certified psychiatrist and internist, serve on the board of directors of the Coalition to Empower our Future.

To learn more, visit empowerourfuturecoalition.com or follow Coalition to Empower our Future on Facebook, X and YouTube.

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SOURCE Coalition to Empower our Future

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Bybit On-Chain Earn Raises BTC Staking Yield by 50% to 1.2% APR

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DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 4, 2026 /CNW/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is pleased to announce Bybit On-Chain Earn has partnered with Function (FBTC) to upgrade its BTC staking Vault product, raising the guaranteed annualized return from 0.8% to as much as 1.2%, a 50% increase of the evergreen offering.  With Bybit, BTC holders no longer need to sit on their idle asset as they navigate a range-bound BTC.

In early September 2026, BTC has been consolidating around the $80,000 level after rebounding from roughly $62,600 in August and briefly climbing above $81,000 in late August. The cryptocurrency continues to hold above its key moving averages, encouraging many long-term holders to maintain their position.

Bybit On-Chain Earn‘s new BTC staking solution comes with a guaranteed minimum return, distinguishing it from variable-rate products where yield fluctuates with market conditions. Eligible users may subscribe to a fixed 45-day term with no option for early redemption. A subscription cap of 200 BTC applies. Upon maturity, participants can opt into automatic renewal, allowing both principal and accrued returns to roll seamlessly into the next staking cycle without requiring manual reinvestment. This structure is designed to give BTC holders a straightforward way to generate yield on idle holdings while maintaining predictable, fixed-term commitments.

The partnership with Function, the protocol behind FBTC, extends Bybit’s collaboration with the DeFi and TradFi convergence space, diversifying user access to potential yield opportunities across the digital asset landscape.

The upgraded exclusive BTC vault is now live on Bybit. Terms and conditions apply. Users may visit Bybit On-Chain Earn for details on eligibility requirements and potential restrictions.

#Bybit  / #NewFinancialPlatform

About Bybit

Bybit is The New Financial Platform.

We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.

Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.

Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.

Learn more at Bybit.com

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

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SOURCE Bybit

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