Berlin – September 12, 2026 -- Exoskeleton maker Hypershell closed out IFA 2026 with the global debut of its Halo model, a 2.6kg wearable robot priced for pre-order at €2,299 for a limited 200-unit "Origin Edition," with deliveries starting in November.

Halo coordinates four powered joints for full-body support

Hypershell says Halo is the first consumer exoskeleton to link four powered hip and knee joints as a single system. The device produces 1,490W peak output, delivers up to 20km of battery range, and folds down to under 8 litres so it fits in a standard backpack.

The device collected 21 awards during the five-day show

Hypershell received close to 20 media awards from outlets including TechRadar, T3, Tom's Guide, GameStar.de and Netzwelt. The company was also named an Honoree in both the Best in Mobility and Best in Design categories of the 2026 IFA Innovation Awards.

Regenstauf – September 12, 2026 -- German taxpayers can now deduct up to 6,600 euros in political party donations from their taxes, double the previous limit, following a 2025 tax law change that takes effect as state and local elections approach in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Lower Saxony.

Fort Lee, N.J. – September 12, 2026 -- bb.q Chicken is launching its BBoom Chicken flavor at all U.S. locations nationwide on Sept. 9, bringing a four-cheese seasoning blend of gouda, cheddar, parmesan and blue cheese to its crispy Korean fried chicken.

The flavor sold a million units in 100 days after debuting in Korea.

BBoom Chicken launched in Korea last year and quickly became one of bb.q's best-selling menu items in its home country. A bb.q Chicken U.S. spokesperson said the brand is eager to introduce both new and longstanding fans to the flavor as part of its effort to share Korean food and culture through its U.S. locations.

Seoul, South Korea – September 12, 2026 -- The Amorepacific Museum of Art (APMA) has opened "Sol LeWitt: Open Structure," the first large-scale survey in Korea dedicated to the American Conceptual artist Sol LeWitt (1928–2007).

The exhibition, which opened September 1, runs through February 28, 2027, and brings together 45 works spanning wall drawings, structures, paintings, photographs, prints, and archival materials.

Thirteen wall drawings are recreated on-site from LeWitt's original instructions.

A signature feature of LeWitt's practice is that his wall drawings are not physically transported but rebuilt for each new venue based on written instructions left by the artist. For this presentation, 23 art students from universities and graduate schools across Korea, forming a group called "APMA MAKERS," executed the 13 wall drawings under the guidance of trained representatives from The LeWitt Estate.

Tokyo – September 12, 2026 -- Casio Computer Co., Ltd. has announced a new addition to its G-STEEL line of shock-resistant G-SHOCK watches, the GST-W1000, which pairs the brand's signature durability with a refined metal case built from multiple finely finished components.

Four metal pieces replace the single bezel design

Instead of a single bezel covering the case, the GST-W1000 uses four separately finished metal elements on its exterior. The design hides fixing screws along the sides while maintaining shock resistance, giving the watch a seamless look from bezel to band. Four distinct finishes -- linear brushing, circular brushing, mirror finish, and polishing -- are applied across the surfaces to highlight the metal's texture.

Austin, Texas -- September 8, 2026 -- Function members can now securely connect their personal health data to Muse, Meta's newly launched personal AI agent, the company announced.

Muse joins ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity in Function's expanding network of AI connectors, letting members feed their lab results and health insights directly into the AI tools they already use daily.

Muse can turn lab results into actionable health plans

Once connected, Muse draws on a member's Function lab results and clinician-reviewed summaries to inform goals and tasks. Members can ask Muse how a specific lab result compares to their optimal range, have it build or adjust a plan toward a health goal using their own data as context, or let it flag and follow up when it's time to schedule the next Function lab visit.

Scottsdale – September 12, 2026 -- Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale has added the 2026 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC SUV to its showroom inventory, giving Phoenix-area buyers access to the brand's flagship ultra-luxury model.

The V8 engine delivers 550 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque

A twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with EQ Boost powers the SUV, paired with 4MATIC fully variable all-wheel drive for traction across varying road conditions.

E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension adjusts automatically to road surfaces

The system works alongside acoustic glass and near-complete Nappa leather upholstery to isolate the cabin from outside noise. Rear passengers get heated, ventilated seats with active multicontour massage functions built for business-class-style comfort.

New York – September 12, 2026 -- ScholarshipOwl will host its first-ever Winners Bash on September 10, a 45-minute virtual event celebrating more than 3,000 students who won scholarships through the platform this year.

Twenty students will win an extra $500 each during the live event

ScholarshipOwl will award an additional $10,000 in scholarships during the event, with 20 students each receiving $500. Winners will be selected and announced live, and only students who attend the event are eligible to win.

The event runs at 7 p.m. ET on September 10

The virtual gathering is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET and is open to high school and college students, parents and school counselors. Registration is available through a dedicated event link.

Collegedale, Tenn. – September 12, 2026 -- Little Debbie is rolling out a new snack this week: Flapjack Mini Muffins, a maple syrup-flavored take on its popular Mini Muffin line, hitting grocery store shelves nationwide starting September 2026.

The muffins pack pancake flavor into a portable pouch

McKee Foods, the maker of Little Debbie, designed the bite-sized muffins to mimic the taste of a fresh-off-the-griddle flapjack with syrup, minus the cooking. The snacks come pre-packaged in pouches meant for car rides, school lunches, or outdoor trips.

Little Debbie wants to simplify busy mornings

"We wanted to capture the warmth and comfort of a traditional family breakfast and make it accessible for today's fast-paced lifestyle," said Hannah Norman, Little Debbie product manager. She said the new pouches let families share a familiar breakfast flavor even on rushed schedules.

Arlington – September 12, 2026 -- Water Wings Swim School will open its newest location at 6501 South Cooper St, Suite 101-C in Mansfield-Arlington South, with a grand opening celebration set for September 26.

Husband-and-wife team brings swim safety mission from Nigeria to Texas

The location is owned by Ekene and Rosaline Ogbechie, former oil and gas professionals who previously worked as a subsea engineer and accountant. While living in Scotland, the couple learned that drowning is a leading cause of death in Nigeria and used their life savings to open Nigeria's first heated indoor swim academy in 2022. After relocating to the United States, they partnered with Water Wings to bring year-round swim instruction to Mansfield-Arlington South, with plans to open 10 swim schools over the next 10 years, including future locations in Africa.