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Rondo Energy and Rio Tinto Advance Australia’s Largest Thermal Energy Storage Project

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GLADSTONE, Australia, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rondo Energy and Rio Tinto have started front-end engineering and design on the project for a 360 MWh storage / 30 MW discharge Rondo Heat Battery, supported by a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

ARENA’s funding for the project will be provided in stages, with an initial $3.6 million to complete front-end engineering and design work. Following successful completion of that study, ARENA will provide up to $38 million for deployment. ARENA has also approved up to $33.3 million in conditional contingency support, which would only be made available in defined circumstances to manage specific project risks, including cost overruns and electricity costs. 

If progressed, the project would be delivered at Rio Tinto’s Yarwun alumina refinery near Gladstone, Queensland and would be one of the first large-scale demonstrations of thermal energy storage for industrial process heat globally, and a world-first for the alumina industry.

Rondo Heat Batteries use abundant, low-cost midday electricity to charge, storing energy as high-temperature heat in refractory brick, and supplying energy as 24/7 continuous process heat to industry. Typically, the heat is delivered as steam, directly into an industrial facility’s steam network. Australia regularly has 4-6 hours of surplus solar-generated renewable electricity in the middle of the day, but industrial facilities need heat 24 hours a day, not just when the sun is shining. By charging when electricity is cheap and abundant and discharging continuously, Rondo Heat Batteries turn short periods of low-cost electricity into 24/7 delivery of low-cost steam. 

For energy-intensive industries such as alumina refining, Rondo Heat Batteries create a pathway to electrification that addresses both emissions and energy costs. Because the heat battery slots into the existing steam network, the facility’s processes run exactly as before — the only thing that changes is the energy for that heat: no longer from fossil fuels, but sourced from low cost electricity instead. The Yarwun study will assess the technical and economic viability of integrating the technology into refinery operations.

“This project shows how Australia’s abundant energy can become a competitive advantage for industry,” said Dr. Kira Rundel, Rondo’s Head of Australia. “Heat batteries allow manufacturers to use low-cost electricity to produce the reliable, round-the-clock heat their operations need. Australia’s largest heat battery will show how factories can cut emissions without increasing energy costs, helping Australian industry to increase global competitiveness and supporting local manufacturing jobs.”

Rio Tinto Pacific Operations Managing Director Armando Torres said: “Reducing emissions from alumina refining is complex, particularly when it comes to generating the high-pressure steam needed for our operations.

“This study will help us determine whether thermal energy storage can provide a technically and economically viable alternative to fossil fuels for part of Yarwun’s steam requirements.

“The best way to tackle challenges of this scale is through collaboration between industry, government, and technology partners. We welcome ARENA and Rondo’s support as we assess technologies that could help reduce our Scope 1 emissions while maintaining reliable operations at Yarwun.”

About Rondo Energy

Rondo Energy delivers firm heat and power, including combined heat and power (CHP), to heavy industry and provides power solutions and long duration storage to data centers. For industrial heat applications, Rondo Heat Batteries convert 4-6 hours of low-cost electricity into continuous 24-hour, high-temperature heat, delivered as steam or hot air up to 1,000°C. The heat delivered integrates directly with existing industrial equipment and processes, eliminating on-site emissions and running on lower cost energy. Rondo heat storage can integrate with steam turbines to deliver combined heat and power (CHP) for industry, and long duration power-to-power solutions for large energy consumers such as data centers. Built on proven refractory brick as the thermal storage medium, Rondo’s platform is engineered for multi-decade operation in the most demanding industrial environments.

Rondo Heat Batteries have been delivering firm heat and power at scale since 2023, with operational facilities serving customers in fuels and cement (including steam driving turbines for electricity) in the United States and in Asia. The next unit will come online shortly – a 100 MWh Rondo Heat Battery under construction in Europe for a chemical plant. Rondo is a global company based in California, with teams across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. Providing heat and power solutions to the alumina industry is an area of focus for the company due to the strong fit of Rondo’s technology with the heat and power needs of the alumina industry.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rondo-energy-and-rio-tinto-advance-australias-largest-thermal-energy-storage-project-302914664.html

SOURCE Rondo Energy

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MiniTool ShadowMaker 5.0 Introduces Cloud Sync for Google Drive and OneDrive

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October 23, 2026

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VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MiniTool® Software Limited has announced the release of MiniTool ShadowMaker 5.0, the latest version of its Windows backup and file sync software. The update introduces a new Cloud Sync feature for Google Drive and OneDrive, along with enhancements to the registration and purchase experience, interface refinements, and compatibility fixes.

New Features and Improvements in MiniTool ShadowMaker 5.0

1. Cloud Sync to Google Drive and OneDrive

MiniTool ShadowMaker 5.0 introduces Cloud Sync, allowing users to synchronize files and folders from a Windows computer to Google Drive or OneDrive. Users can choose the files and folders they want to sync and select their preferred cloud storage service as the destination.

The new feature supports one-way synchronization from a local Windows PC to cloud storage, providing an additional way to save copies of important files outside of your computer. Together with MiniTool ShadowMaker’s existing local file sync function, Cloud Sync expands the available destinations for file sync.

2. Streamlined License & Plan Management

The latest update introduces an enhanced register interface that remains easily accessible even after activation. Registered users can now effortlessly review their current plan, explore upgrade options, or update their license key anytime for a smoother user experience.

These refinements are intended to improve usability when users manage their software registration and licensing.

3. Interface Refinements and Compatibility Fixes

MiniTool ShadowMaker 5.0 includes interface improvements and fixes for certain display issues. One notable fix addresses a blurry display issue that could occur on some systems equipped with AMD GPUs.

These changes focus on resolving specific issues and improving the user experience on affected systems.

4. Additional Improvements

Beyond Cloud Sync and the changes outlined above, MiniTool ShadowMaker 5.0 includes additional interface and functionality refinements. Together, these updates further improve the software’s usability while expanding its file synchronization options.

With support for Google Drive and OneDrive, MiniTool ShadowMaker 5.0 provides Windows users with another approach to manage file copies across local and cloud storage. Users who want to synchronize files to cloud storage can download the Free Edition and explore the new capabilities.

About MiniTool ShadowMaker

MiniTool ShadowMaker is a Windows backup and file sync solution designed to help users protect their operating systems and important data. It supports backing up Windows systems, disks, partitions, files, and folders to local drives, external hard drives, shared folders, and other supported locations. Users can select specific items to back up according to their needs.

For users who need to migrate data to another drive, MiniTool ShadowMaker offers a disk cloning feature. The software also supports restoring backed-up data and creating bootable media for system recovery.

By combining backup, file synchronization, disk cloning, and restore capabilities, MiniTool ShadowMaker offers Windows users a set of tools for data protection and system recovery.

About MiniTool® Software Limited

MiniTool Software Limited is a professional software company that develops computer applications. It provides software for partition management, data recovery, data backup and sync, video editing, multimedia conversion, and screen recording for home and business users. The company is committed to developing innovative, reliable, and easy-to-use software that simplifies everyday digital tasks.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/minitool-shadowmaker-5-0-introduces-cloud-sync-for-google-drive-and-onedrive-302916663.html

SOURCE MiniTool® Software Limited

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Rocket Companies to Announce Third Quarter 2026 Results on October 29, 2026

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October 22, 2026

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DETROIT, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE: RKT) (“Rocket Companies” or “the Company”), the Detroit-based homeownership platform, today announced that the Company will issue its third quarter 2026 earnings on October 29, 2026. Leadership will host a conference call to discuss results at 4:30 p.m. ET on that date. A press release detailing the Company’s results will be issued prior to the call.

A live webcast of the event will be available on the “Events & Presentations” section of the Company’s Investor Relations website at ir.rocketcompanies.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Investor Relations website following the event.

About Rocket Companies

Founded in 1985, Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT) is a Detroit-based homeownership platform including mortgage, real estate and personal finance businesses: Rocket Mortgage, Redfin, Rocket Close, Rocket Money and Rocket Loans.

With insights from more than 160 million calls with clients each year, more than 30 petabytes of data and a mission to Help Everyone Home, Rocket Companies is well positioned to be the destination for AI-fueled homeownership.

For more information, please visit the Company’s Corporate website or Investor Relations website.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rocket-companies-to-announce-third-quarter-2026-results-on-october-29-2026-302917496.html

SOURCE Rocket Companies, Inc.

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Lunai Bioworks Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Determination and Intention to Voluntarily Delist and Deregister

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October 22, 2026

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SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lunai Bioworks Inc. (Nasdaq: LNAI) (the “Company”) announced that on October 21, 2026, it received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) stating that the Company no longer complies with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires minimum stockholders’ equity of $2,500,000. The Company reported a stockholders’ deficit of $(9,024,946) in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, and does not meet the alternative market value of listed securities or net income standards. Because the Company is subject to a mandatory Hearings Panel Monitor under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5815(d)(4)(B), Nasdaq staff determined to delist the Company’s securities. Trading in the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq is expected to be suspended at the opening of business on October 30, 2026.

The Company will not request a hearing. Rather than contest the staff determination, the Company’s Board of Directors approved on October 22, 2026 the voluntary withdrawal of the Company’s common stock from listing on Nasdaq under Rule 12d2-2(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Board took this action because of the staff determination and the Company’s financial condition, and concluded that the cost of continued listing and SEC reporting is not justified.

The Company notified Nasdaq of its intention on October 22, 2026. The Company intends to file a Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on or about November 2, 2026, and expects the delisting to become effective on or about November 12, 2026. The Company then intends to file a Form 15 to suspend its SEC reporting obligations, to the extent it is eligible to do so. The Company’s SEC reporting obligations will continue unless and until they are terminated or suspended in accordance with the SEC’s rules.

The Company does not intend to arrange for quotation of its common stock on any over-the-counter market and cannot assure that any trading market for its common stock will exist after trading on Nasdaq is suspended.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected suspension of trading, the expected timing of the Form 25 and Form 15 filings, and the expected timing of delisting and deregistration. Actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties, including Nasdaq and SEC procedures and the Company’s financial condition. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements, except as required by law.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lunai-bioworks-announces-receipt-of-nasdaq-determination-and-intention-to-voluntarily-delist-and-deregister-302917510.html

SOURCE Lunai Bioworks Inc.

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