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Project Tapestry Gains Momentum for Sovereign AI During UN General Assembly Week

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First Technical Milestones Achieved Alongside Expanded Collaborations with Vietnam and India

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The AI Alliance today announced significant progress for Project Tapestry, combining completion of its first technical milestone with expanded sovereign AI collaborations with Vietnam and India during United Nations General Assembly Week in New York.

Project Tapestry is building an open, global consortium to develop advanced AI, enabling nations and institutions to collaborate on increasingly capable foundation models while retaining control of their data, sovereign models, and deployments.

First Technical Milestone Demonstrates New “Consortium Training” Approach

Project Tapestry recently completed its first major technical milestone, demonstrating key building blocks that let organizations across different countries, infrastructure, and jurisdictions collaboratively train and adapt AI models.

Two proofs of concept coordinated model training across four geographically distributed sites, while keeping the underlying training data local to participating sites. Teams also demonstrated cultural alignment – modifying a large language model to better understand the unique social and linguistic aspects of Indian and Vietnamese cultures.

The milestone provides an initial demonstration of one of Project Tapestry’s central premises: organizations do not need to centralize their compute or data under a single institution in order to collaboratively build increasingly capable AI models.

Vietnam Advances Sovereign AI Collaboration

During UN General Assembly Week, AI Alliance and Project Tapestry leaders met in New York with Vietnam’s General Secretary and senior government ministers to advance collaboration on the development of sovereign AI capabilities for Vietnam.

The discussions affirmed an intention to collaborate on a sovereign AI model aligned with Vietnam’s national AI strategy and priorities, including Vietnamese language, culture, knowledge, and national use cases.

Vietnam has participated in Project Tapestry since its early stages, and the expanded collaboration represents an important step toward translating the consortium model into national-scale sovereign AI development.

“Project Tapestry gives Viet Nam an opportunity to turn international collaboration into lasting national capability—developing AI that understands our language, culture, knowledge, and priorities, while building the engineers and institutions to operate, adapt, and advance the technology,” said Ambassador Hoang Anh Tuan, Consul General of Viet Nam in San Francisco.

“Our meeting with General Secretary and President Tô Lâm, and his strong support for this direction, underscores the broader vision for Tapestry,” said Christopher Nguyen, Chief Architect of Project Tapestry. “Across Viet Nam, India, Japan, Bhutan, and beyond, we are building a model for nations to shape the frontier together while preserving sovereignty over their data and technological future.”

India Expands Its Role in Project Tapestry

During UN General Assembly Week, Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan hosted Project Tapestry leaders at the Consulate General of India in New York. Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan of BharatGen, Prof. Ritwik Banerjee of Stony Brook University in the United States, and Kaushik Bhatta, Partner, Director, AI Alliance, briefed the Consul General on consortium-driven AI development, Tapestry’s approach, and Stony Brook’s recent addition to the consortium.

“India is a microcosm of the world. AI built for its languages and cultures preserves agency,” said Pradhan.

India has been an early contributor to the project. BharatGen, India’s government-backed, open-source foundation model stack, ran one of the two proofs of concept under the guidance of Dr Maneesh Singh, VP Machine Learning, in Tapestry’s first technical milestone, training jointly with Monash University across India and Australia while each institution’s data remained in its home country.

The same week, the Gates Foundation named Prof. Ramakrishnan a 2026 Goalkeepers Champion, recognizing him at Goalkeepers New York for his leadership of BharatGen.

The meeting comes ahead of a Project Tapestry workshop in Mumbai on October 15, hosted by BharatGen, which will bring together technical and institutional leaders to plan the next phases of India’s participation.

From Technical Proof to Global Collaboration

With momentum from its first technical accomplishments and national-scale collaborations, Project Tapestry is moving into its next phase, expanding work in consortium training, cultural alignment, and data governance, with growing participation from countries and institutions worldwide.

Tapestry contributors also presented “Sovereignty Through Interdependence: Epistemic Agency, Intelligent Action, and Federated AI” at the First Workshop on Sovereign AI for Collaborative and Pluralistic AI Ecosystems, co-located with ACM HCOMP 2026 in Washington, D.C., and organized by researchers at Taiwan’s Academia Sinica. The paper, by Dr. Maneesh Singh, Ritwik Banerjee, Lav R. Varshney, and Kaushik Bhatta, examines how federated approaches like Tapestry’s can support AI sovereignty through collaboration.

“Our first milestone and growing global collaborations demonstrate that Tapestry is moving from architecture to working technology,” said Anthony Annunziata, co-founder and chair of the board of the AI Alliance. “Organizations operating across countries and infrastructure have now trained models together while maintaining control of their own data. It is an important first step toward building advanced AI collaboratively, openly, and sovereign by design.”

About Project Tapestry

Project Tapestry is an AI Alliance initiative developing an open consortium approach to building advanced foundation models and sovereign AI systems. Its architecture enables distributed organizations to contribute data, compute, expertise, and model improvements while maintaining control over their underlying data.

About the AI Alliance

The AI Alliance is a global nonprofit research and technology organization dedicated to advancing open, safe, and responsible AI through innovation, collaboration, and advocacy. The Alliance brings together more than 200 organizations across 29 countries spanning industry, academia, startups, research, and government.

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SOURCE AI Alliance

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VERIZON FIOS CUSTOMERS MAY LOSE STARZ

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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STARZ issued the following statement regarding the status of its negotiations with Verizon and the potential loss of all STARZ channels, STARZ On Demand and the STARZ app through Verizon Fios.

“STARZ has been negotiating in good faith with Verizon on a distribution agreement that would ensure our shared customers continue to have uninterrupted access to STARZ’s premium programming,” said Alison Hoffman, President of STARZ Networks. “As an independent programmer dedicated to women and underrepresented audiences, STARZ is vital to a competitive media marketplace, providing diverse programming alternatives to content from larger conglomerates. Limiting access to STARZ would reduce competition and consumer choice. Unless an agreement is reached imminently, our viewers should be prepared for Verizon to remove STARZ.”

If this happens, it would impact Verizon Fios’ customers’ ability to watch STARZ’s programming, including the full “Power” Universe and the upcoming “Power: Origins,” every episode of the timeless romantic drama “Outlander” and its critically acclaimed prequel, “Outlander: Blood of my Blood,” the upcoming season of the award-winning “P-Valley,” the current season of the crime drama “S.W.A.T. Exiles,” and the upcoming premiere of critically acclaimed drama, “Tip Toe,” which are available exclusively on STARZ. Fans would also lose access to STARZ’s extensive film library, including the global phenomenon Michael.

About STARZ
STARZ (NASDAQ: STRZ) is the leading premium entertainment destination for women and underrepresented audiences, and home to some of the most popular franchises and series on television. STARZ offers a robust programming mix for discerning adult audiences, including boundary-breaking originals and an expansive lineup of blockbuster movies, and is embodied by its brand positioning “We’re All Adults Here.” Complementary to any platform or service, STARZ is available across a wide range of digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors and is a bundling partner of choice. STARZ is powered by an industry-leading advanced technology, data analytics and digital infrastructure and the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app.

# # #

Press Inquiries – Contact:
Jennifer Minezaki
jennifer.minezaki@starz.com 

Erin Moody
erin.moody@starz.com

Stephanie Lambert
stephanie.lambert@starz.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verizon-fios-customers-may-lose-starz-302895108.html

SOURCE Starz Entertainment LLC

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Vyrao is acquired by a newly established Healthcare & Beauty Platform, Tresalis, Naming Yasmin Sewell Chief Brand Officer

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The new owner-operator platform, anchored by ATHOS and Dr. Fernando Tamez, becomes majority shareholder and operating partner; founder Yasmin Sewell continues to lead as Chief Brand Officer and shareholder.

LONDON, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new owner-operator platform, Tresalis, built to acquire and grow science-and efficacy-led consumer health, beauty and wellness brands, today announced the acquisition of Vyrao, the London-founded wellbeing fragrance house. The transaction brings Vyrao under the majority ownership and operating partnership of the new platform. Yasmin Sewell and existing investors will retain minority equity interests in the business.

The new platform is acquiring and building differentiated brands, combining long-term capital with hands-on operating capabilities across brand growth, commercialization, international expansion and shared infrastructure. Focused on science-led brands, the platform brings together an experienced founding team, anchored by ATHOS, a Munich-based family office, and Dr. Fernando Tamez, a serial entrepreneur in health and beauty. Vyrao is its first acquisition and will retain its distinct brand identity and leadership while benefiting from the group’s clinical expertise, operating resources and global network.

Yasmin Sewell, who founded Vyrao in 2021, will continue to lead the brand’s creative and strategic direction as Founder, Chief Brand Officer and shareholder.

Existing investors including but not limited to Elevate Beauty and Manzanita Capital remain equity partners in Vyrao following the transaction. Victoria Kisseleva and Alex Lewis from FRP Corporate Finance advised on the transaction.

“I created Vyrao with the sole purpose of elevating our mood and energy – the brand was always about our well-being with fragrance as the first medium. To be on this new journey now with such brilliant partners, and to be the first on a new platform that’s in complete synergy with the vision and intention of Vyrao is so exciting. It also feels very kismet.” — Yasmin Sewell, Founder, Chief Brand Officer and Shareholder, Vyrao

“We are incredibly excited about the acquisition of Vyrao, a rare brand that sits at the intersection of luxury fragrance, emotional wellbeing, and credible science with a truly distinctive identity and enormous potential to scale globally. The acquisition marks our first investment from Tresalis, the broader platform we have created in partnership with ATHOS, focused on identifying exceptional brands with strong authenticity, differentiated intellectual property and significant international potential.” — Dr. Fernando Tamez

“Vyrao has always stood apart as a pioneer in the beauty category. This partnership is exactly the right next step for the brand to further expand and achieve its full potential. We see tremendous opportunity ahead and are confident in the platform ATHOS and Dr. Tamez are building. Combined with Yasmin’s creative leadership and Vyrao’s distinctive identity, it is a powerful foundation for growth. Elevate Beauty is genuinely excited to remain part of the journey in the brand’s next chapter.”— Cori Aleardi, Founding Partner, Elevate Beauty

About Vyrao

Built on the belief that energy is everything, Vyrao is the pioneer of a new genre of fragrance – reimagining scent as a catalyst for wellbeing by blending master perfumery with the principles of neuroscience. The name derives from the Latin verb “vireo”, meaning “I am verdant, I am vigorous, I sprout fresh green growth” – underscoring the brand’s energy-amplifying purpose.

Vyrao was founded by Yasmin Sewell, renowned fashion and creative director behind luxury retailers Browns and Liberty, and a certified expert in reiki, with extensive training in Ayurveda, flower essences, and other holistic practices. Sewell set out to build a brand around the belief that joy and wellness are the new luxury, bringing a revolutionary, multi-dimensional approach to mood-boosting fragrance.

Each neuroscent is developed using clean ingredients and informed by neuroscience research into their emotional benefits, in partnership with International Flavors & Fragrances’ Science of Wellness program. Since launching The Sixth, Vyrao has gone on to release Sun Rae, Mamajuju, Ludeaux, Ludatrix and, most recently, Ever 11, each built around ingredients selected for their mood effects. As part of its continued evolution, in 2025, Vyrao worked with IFF’s Science of Wellness program to reformulate four of its original fragrances – Witchy Woo, Free 00,Georgette, and I am Verdant – ensuring that all ingredients are not only vegan and cruelty-free but also non-toxic and phthalate-free.

The range has since expanded beyond fragrance into candles, incense, and cream scents. In 2026, Vyrao entered body care with its multi-award-winning cream scents for hands and neck – a new, multifunctional fragrance format.

“I founded Vyrao with the intention of sparking joy and boosting emotional wellbeing through the senses: scent, colour, light, and image,” said Sewell.

In the five years since launch, Vyrao has grown into a global presence, now stocked by leading retailers including Liberty London, Harvey Nichols, Space NK, Mecca, Skins, Revolve, FWRD, Goop, The Webster and Violet Grey.

Along the way, the brand has been recognised by leading titles including Vogue, Allure, BoF, Forbes, The New York Times, HTSI and ELLE, and has received more than 15 industry awards, including Fragrance Foundation UK, InStyle, Marie Claire UK & US, GQ Grooming, Harper’s Bazaar Fragrance & Skincare Awards, and Condé Nast Traveller.

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SOURCE Vyrao

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LG Energy Solution Partners With indiGOtech to Explore 46-Series Cylindrical Battery Supply for U.S. Commercial Electric Vans

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SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LG Energy Solution today announced that it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with U.S.-based commercial electric vehicle (EV) startup indiGOtech to explore battery supply and technological collaboration.

indiGOtech is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, and specializes in electrifying commercial van platforms for the North American market. The company is developing an ecosystem that integrates vehicles, charging infrastructure, and digital services. 

Under the MoU, the partners will work toward a final agreement for LG Energy Solution to supply 46-series NCM cylindrical battery cells from 2027 to 2030 for indiGOtech’s upcoming Flow Ride and Flow Cargo EVs.

The partners will support joint business development through vehicle-battery integration and performance verification efforts. To maximize vehicle performance, both companies intend to review opportunities to extend driving range and reduce charging times.

“Urban ride hail and delivery must electrify and automate at scale, but today’s electric vehicles are not designed for purpose, and are severely limited by the local charging infrastructure – that’s why vast majority of rides and deliveries are still driven by gas vehicles.” said Will Graylin, Chairman and CEO of indiGOtech. “Working toward a long-term relationship with LG Energy Solution brings together advanced battery technology for durable economic advantage for vehicles, drivers and fleet operators.”

“Based on LG Energy Solution’s 46-series NCM cylindrical battery technology that boasts high energy density and rapid charging capabilities, we will closely collaborate with indiGOtech, which is successfully building the Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) ecosystem in the U.S.,” said Sunghwan Oh, Mobility & IT Battery Marketing Group Leader of LG Energy Solution. “Leveraging this partnership, we plan to enter the diverse commercial vehicle market in the U.S., including logistics, last-mile delivery, and ride-hailing.”

LG Energy Solution is also strengthening its competitiveness by securing additional customers for its 46-series cylindrical batteries. The company reported that cylindrical battery shipments increased by 1.5 times year on year as of Q2, supported by stable mass production and expanded deliveries of its 46-series batteries.

About LG Energy Solution

LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems. With more than 30 years of experience in revolutionary battery technology and extensive research and development (R&D), the company is the top battery-related patent holder in the world with over 100,000 patents. Its robust global network, which spans North America, Europe, and Asia, includes battery manufacturing facilities established through joint ventures with major automakers. Committed to building sustainable battery ecosystem, LG Energy Solution aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050, while embodying the value of shared growth and promoting diverse and inclusive corporate culture. To learn more about LG Energy Solution’s ideas and innovations, visit https://news.lgensol.com.

About indiGOtech

indiGOtech is building the intelligent mobility platform for the next era of sustainable local transport and commerce. Headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, the company develops an integrated ecosystem that combines smart electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and mobility services—engineered to reduce cost per mile and maximize fleet performance. Through its connected platform, indiGOtech aims to accelerate the electrification of commercial fleets across logistics, last-mile delivery, and ride-hailing segments in North America.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lg-energy-solution-partners-with-indigotech-to-explore-46-series-cylindrical-battery-supply-for-us-commercial-electric-vans-302894176.html

SOURCE LG Energy Solution

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