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THE NEXT ERA IN MULTIMEDIA: LEXUS INTERFACE SETS A NEW STANDARD

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Enhanced Lexus Interface Multimedia Experience Launches on 2026 Lexus ESIntuitive Home Screen Design Offers Personalized, Dynamic Experience for Every GuestNew Embedded Voice Assistant Functions Enable Faster Responses to “Hey Lexus” PromptsLexus Premiere of Drive Recorder, a Standard Feature That Uses Exterior Cameras to Record Events and Store the Recordings Onboard the VehicleTurn-by-Turn Navigation Incorporated Full Screen on the Multi-Information Display (MID), a First for Lexus InterfaceFirst Integration of AT&T 5G Network Connectivity in the Lexus lineupEnhanced Entertainment with Introduction of SiriusXM® with 360L and Newly Available Integrated Streaming with Spotify®

PLANO, Texas, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lexus is ushering in a new era of in-cabin technology with eye-catching design, innovative features, and unparalleled performance. The enhanced version of the Lexus Interface multimedia system will make its debut in the 2026 ES before rolling out to future models in the Lexus lineup. 

“We are excited for guests to experience something truly special,” said Brian Inouye, chief engineer, Connected Experiences Division. “We’ve made bold updates to Lexus Interface that deliver both function and performance, with every detail meticulously designed to delight, inform and entertain.”

The system marks Lexus’ first integration of AT&T 5G network connectivity into the lineup, which helps bring increased speeds and expanded features with the reliability of AT&T’s extensive network across North America. 

Unparalleled Delights, Ultimate Customization
The user experience on the latest Lexus Interface seamlessly blends crisp graphics with intuitive icons displayed across the ES’ standard 14-inch screen. The touchscreen’s response times are improved thanks to increased on-device computing power.  

Personalization is paramount in the latest-generation Lexus Interface. Notably, the interface now includes a configurable home screen, allowing guests to customize their preferred on-screen combination of individual widgets for navigation, drive mode, audio, connected smart device and weather. The selected widgets can be grouped into combinations of two or three, providing easy-to-view access to what matters most.

A Quick Control Menu has also been added, which is always accessible from the upper right section of the touchscreen. The menu opens to settings for frequently used features, such as connecting to Bluetooth ®, adjusting screen brightness, switching from light to dark mode, shortcuts to easily configure Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features and more. 

With more than 64 different ambient lighting options within the lush interior of the 2026 Lexus ES, guests can enhance the mood on any drive with a simple touch of a button.

To provide guests with even more options to suit their needs, Lexus Interface also offers wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility.

Improved In-Cabin Assistance
Thanks to a new on-device embedded solution, the Lexus Voice Assistant now offers faster responses to help guests make the most of their driving experience.

With a simple “Hey Lexus,” or other conversational prompt like “Hi Lexus” or “Okay Lexus,” the onboard Voice Assistant offers speedy help to adjust the audio volume, channel and music selection; change climate control settings throughout the cabin; get estimated trip range; get the date and time, and more. Voice Assistant can even help with basic arithmetic and accessing menu pages within the head unit. Not sure how to connect to Bluetooth®? Simply say “Hey Lexus, how do I connect my phone?” for quick navigation directly to the phone pairing screen.

As an added layer of personalization, Lexus Interface now offers two Voice Assistant options (male and female), a first for Lexus multimedia.

Next-Level Navigation
For the first time ever, Lexus’ in-cabin multimedia experience is more closely tied to the multi-information display (MID). Native navigation is now full screen in the MID, allowing for maps and turn-by-turn directions to be visible directly behind the steering wheel for added visibility and a more immersive driving experience.

Cloud-based navigation requires an active Drive Connect trial or subscription* that provides access to real-time traffic elements, 24/7 live agents for destination assistance and more – all designed to make your trips easier and more enjoyable than ever before.

Peace of Mind, Standard
The latest generation Lexus Interface debuts Drive Recorder, a standard feature that provides traditional dashcam functionality without noticeable in-cabin camera placement. The built-in system is designed to record and save video clips using the vehicle’s external cameras.

Drive Recorder saves up to 90 one-minute clips of continuous looping footage, which notes the speed of the vehicle and its location. Guests also have the option to manually record and save up to four clips and up to five incident recordings. Incident recordings are clips that start recording when the G-Sensor is triggered by certain conditions, such as an impact, hard braking or airbag deployment. The sensitivity of triggering conditions can be adjusted based on preference. Playback of Drive Recorder clips is available in the head unit, and clips can also be downloaded to a USB flash drive.

Simplified Charging
The latest generation Lexus Interface also introduces new EV Charge Management features for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) like the 2026 ES 350e and 500e. Guests can easily monitor and manage charging on the go, directly within the vehicle’s head unit.

With a simple touch of a button, guests can use the EV Charge Management to set charging schedules and charge limits, enable an external power supply, and more.

The next-gen Lexus Interface also introduces EV Routing, a planning feature built into native navigation that provides charger Points of Interest (POI) details including the station name, address, hours of operation, charger type (level 1, 2 or 3), charger availability (where available), total number of chargers, and maximum output. Guests can access this information along their route or add a charger before they depart. In addition, the EV Range Map calculates the best route based on the destination and the vehicle’s battery level, suggests charging stations along the way, and estimates the battery percentage at each stop and final destination. Both EV Routing and EV Range Map require an active Drive Connect trial or subscription.*

With an active Remote Connect trial or subscription,* EV Charge Management features are also available in the Lexus app, helping drivers stay in control of their charging needs from the palm of their hand.

Upgraded Remote Features
The latest generation Lexus Interface integrates seamlessly with the Lexus app, offering faster performance. With an active Remote Connect trial or subscription,* guests can take advantage of their advanced Remote Connect commands to control headlights, hazard lights, trunk access, climate settings and schedule start times through the Lexus app.

The new Lexus Interface also includes enhanced Digital Key functionality, available through an active Remote Connect trial or subscription.* Guests can now manage functionality within their compatible smart device’s native digital wallet app, including locking, unlocking, starting and operating their supported Lexus vehicle.

Guests can also share and manage Digital Key sharing permissions with up to five additional drivers directly through their digital wallet. Once Digital Key is enabled in the wallet, it will continue to provide access to the vehicle, thanks to near-field communication (NFC) technology, for a period of time even if the device has no battery life.

Entertainment Like Never Before
The latest generation Lexus Interface comes packed with all-new entertainment options to fit every playlist preference: 

Available SiriusXM ®  with 360L
SiriusXM with 360L combines satellite and streaming content into a seamless experience, providing drivers and passengers with unparalleled choice, content discovery, and personalized listening. SiriusXM with 360L offers hundreds of expertly curated ad-free music channels across all genres and decades, the must-hear moments in sports, comedy, news and entertainment, plus an extensive library of on-demand content. With a SiriusXM with 360L trial or subscription, listeners can discover something new based on personalized “For You” recommendations, and access related content to explore more of the programming they love. SiriusXM satellite services are available throughout the continental United States and Canada.

Available Integrated Streaming Now Includes Spotify®
With an active Music Lovers or Wi-Fi Connect trial or subscription,* owners/lessees of the 2026 ES with a Spotify user account can link their account to stream their favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks through Lexus’ available Integrated Streaming, the onboard audio source feature. This subscription-based feature allows users with existing audio streaming service accounts to stream entertainment using the vehicle’s built-in Wi-Fi connection, eliminating the need to use a phone data plan.

A New Chapter in Development
Lexus Interface was first introduced on the 2022 Lexus NX. Since then, designers, developers and software engineers have been laser-focused on gathering guest and dealer feedback and applying real-world experiences in their quest to evolve and elevate the in-cabin experience.

The result is a global collaborative effort among Toyota Motor North America’s Connected Experiences Division and Toyota Connected North America. The Lexus Interface platform architecture uses Automotive Grade Linux, open-source software, and Woven by Toyota, Inc.’s Arene software development platform, the foundation for Lexus’ most advanced safety, security and connectivity technologies.

*5G network dependent

About Lexus
Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With nine models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers seven F SPORT models. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.

About Toyota Connected, Inc.
Based in Plano, Texas, Toyota Connected North America (TCNA) was established in 2016 to contribute toward Toyota’s global vision for an intelligent mobile society. TCNA is an independent Toyota company that serves as a software and innovation hub, leveraging big data from vehicles to humanize the driving experience and provide customers secure, seamless and contextual services. Comprised primarily of software engineers and data scientists, TCNA serves as a center of excellence for connected services that elevate the customer experience as well as benefitting dealers, distributors and partners. At the heart of TCNA is Toyota’s belief in human-centered mobility and a fundamental commitment to personal privacy. Learn more at www.toyotaconnected.com. 

Media Contact
Kimberly Agnello  
kimberly.agnello@lexus.com 

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SOURCE Lexus

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Barrel Energy Inc. Announces Full SEC Reporting Status, Strengthening Marketability and Positioning Company for Expansion in Renewable and Nutritional Energy Markets

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May 11, 2026

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Barrel Energy Inc. (OTC: BRLL) A fully reporting company. Accelerates Growth Across Energy, Hospitality, and Sustainable Ventures, Driving Scalable Opportunities Worldwide.

LAS VEGAS, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Barrel Energy Inc. (OTC: BRLL), an emerging diversified energy company focused on renewable energy and nutritional energy initiatives, today announced that the Company is now a fully reporting company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), marking a major turning point in the Company’s long term growth strategy and public market development.

Barrel Energy Inc. Announces Full SEC Reporting Status, Strengthening Marketability and positioning for Expansion.

“Our transition to becoming a fully reporting SEC company represents a significant milestone for Barrel Energy and an important step toward increasing the overall marketability and visibility of our stock,” said Jarmin Kaltsas. “We believe today’s market increasingly rewards transparency and compliance, and becoming fully reporting positions us to engage a wider audience of investors, strategic partners, and acquisition opportunities as we continue executing our long term growth strategy under the BRLL trading symbol.”

Management further stated that the Company plans to aggressively pursue growth initiatives intended to expand revenues, strengthen market presence, and enhance shareholder value through strategic business combinations, operational expansion, and scalable energy focused ventures.

About Barrel Energy Inc.

Barrel Energy Inc. (OTC: BRLL) is a diversified energy company focused on opportunities in renewable energy, and nutritional energy initiatives. The Company seeks to leverage strategic acquisitions, public market growth, and innovative energy solutions to create long term shareholder value.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future development activities and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business and finances in general, including the ability to continue and manage its growth, competition, global economic conditions and other factors discussed in detail in the Company’s periodic filings with the Security and Exchange Commission.

Barrel Energy – 3859 S. Valley View Blvd, STE 2 #107, Las Vegas, NV, 89103 Tel- 888- 397-9114 Email- info@BRLLenergy.com Social Media-@BRLLenergy all platforms.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/barrel-energy-inc-announces-full-sec-reporting-status-strengthening-marketability-and-positioning-company-for-expansion-in-renewable-and-nutritional-energy-markets-302768505.html

SOURCE Barrel Energy, Inc.

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Legacy Launches $1M Study Advancing At-Home Semen Collection for Assisted Reproduction Technology

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May 11, 2026

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NEW YORK, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Legacy, the leading male fertility clinic and at-home sperm testing and cryopreservation platform, today announced the Sperm Study, a clinical research initiative backed by an R&D investment of over $1 million and designed to evaluate and optimize the use of at-home semen collection for assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including IVF and IUI.

Prospectively enrolling up to 250 participants across two phases, this study represents one of the most comprehensive investigations to date into how specimen shipment, handling, and cryopreservation impact sperm quality and is expected to set a new benchmark for scientific rigor in the rapidly growing field of at-home fertility testing. This study is being conducted in collaboration with IVF Academy USA.

Raising the bar for clinical evidence in at-home fertility care

To date, validation work in at-home semen collection has been limited in important ways. Studies have largely enrolled normozoospermic men only, relied on courier-transported rather than real-world-shipped specimens, and focused on short-term motility and concentration as primary endpoints.

Critical questions remain unanswered, particularly around how samples with varying quality perform under genuine end-to-end shipping conditions, and how those samples hold up in the contexts that matter most clinically: IVF and IUI. The Sperm Study is designed to close those gaps.

This multi-phase study will evaluate key sperm quality parameters including motility, DNA fragmentation, and post-thaw viability, while also validating the use of computer-aided semen analysis (CASA) as an alternative to basic manual semen analysis in the setting of mail-in semen analysis.

“With the increased utilization of at-home semen testing and cryopreservation, there is a critical need to ensure these specimens will perform adequately when used for assisted reproduction,” said Legacy’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Scott Lundy. “This study is designed to rigorously evaluate how at-home collection and transport impact sperm quality across a broad patient population and to translate those findings into improved protocols and optimized outcomes for both patients and providers.”

Sperm study design and scientific approach

The Sperm Study is a prospectively accruing cross-sectional study in which paired semen samples are analyzed across multiple timepoints and during the shipment process. Importantly, this study enrolls participants across a range of semen quality profiles — not solely normozoospermic men — and evaluates samples under genuine shipping conditions experienced by real specimens.

Key study components include direct comparison of CASA vs. manual analysis at baseline, evaluation of motility decline over time and in relation to shipment conditions, measurement of DNA fragmentation pre- and post-shipment and cryopreservation, assessment of post-thaw sperm viability and yield, and the development of predictive algorithms for IVF/IUI sample sufficiency.

The study will also examine how factors such as transit time, concentration, and storage conditions impact outcomes, with the goal of generating generalizable insights for clinical practice.

Multi-phase rollout

Phase 1 includes 100 participants and approximately 1,500 total assays, with expected completion in 2026. Phase 2, planned for later in 2026 and into 2027, will expand the study with additional participants, bringing the total to up to 250 to enable broader validation across a more diverse patient population.

Impact on clinical practice

Findings from the Sperm Study are expected to directly inform and improve specimen collection protocols for at-home use, shipping and handling standards for semen samples, cryopreservation practices, and clinical decision-making for IVF and IUI readiness.

By generating high-quality, controlled data across a clinically representative patient population, Legacy aims to provide fertility clinics, researchers, and patients with greater confidence in the use of mail-in semen testing and cryopreservation as part of standard reproductive care.

About Legacy

Legacy is the leading male fertility clinic in the United States, offering at-home semen analysis, sperm cryopreservation, and post-vasectomy testing. With a CLIA-certified, high-complexity andrology lab and one of the largest proprietary datasets in male reproductive health, Legacy is advancing access, data, and innovation in fertility care.

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SOURCE Give Legacy, Inc.

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Elks Award Nearly $5 Million in College Scholarships

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May 11, 2026

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CHICAGO, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Elks National Foundation welcomed 900 students to the Elks family, awarding more than $4.9 million in scholarships to high school seniors. An Elks scholarship is more than financial aid; it’s an invitation to a network of service-minded peers and a promise that an Elks Lodge is always there with open arms.

Out of more than 23,000 applicants for the Most Valuable Student scholarship, the Top 20 scholars received $30,000 scholarships and an invitation to Chicago for the Leadership Weekend.

From April 30-May 3, the Leadership Weekend allowed scholars to get acquainted with their new Elks family through programming facilitated by current and former Elks scholars, team-building activities, and a service opportunity.

“Leadership Weekend is one of my greatest memories,” says Emily Cai, sponsored by Toccoa, Ga., Lodge No. 1820. “I had the privilege of meeting inspirational and disciplined individuals who motivated me to become the best version of myself. I am excited to see my future with the Elks family!”

A total of 480 runners-up received $4,000 Most Valuable Student scholarships.

Service is a tenet of the Elks, which is why it’s a requirement for recipients of the $6,000 Legacy Awards scholarship, which is exclusively for the children or grandchildren of Elks members. The new class of 400 scholars will serve with an Elks Lodge three times during the four years they receive the scholarship.

“This award means a great deal to me and my family,” says Kelly Butler, sponsored by Haverstraw, N.Y., Lodge No. 877. “Knowing that the Elks have invested in my future motivates me to continue working hard and striving toward my goals.”

To see a full list of the scholarship winners and to learn more about the Elks National Foundation’s scholarships, visit elks.org/scholars, follow the ENF on Instagram @ElksScholars, and like the ENF on Facebook @ElksNationalFoundation.

Contact: Elks National Foundation
Abbey Knupp | Manager, Communications
2750 N. Lakeview Ave. | Chicago, IL 60614-2256
773/755-4864 | AbbeyK@elks.org 

Helping Elks Build Stronger Communities

The Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, helps nearly 800,000 Elks and nearly 1,800 Lodges nationwide build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work. To learn more, visit elks.org/enf.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elks-award-nearly-5-million-in-college-scholarships-302768507.html

SOURCE ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC.

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