Author: Sai Krishna

Renowned AI researcher Paul Christiano announced as 2026 lecturer for The Hinton Lectures

The Hinton Lectures return for a third year as artificial intelligence research and advancements accelerate globally.

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hinton Lectures™, co-founded by Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, return to Toronto on November 9-11, 2026. The Hinton Lectures are a transformative lecture series charting the future of Artificial Intelligence, by demystifying AI for the public and providing a platform for open, accessible discussion on its future.

This year’s distinguished lecturer, Paul Christiano, was an early researcher at OpenAI, where he developed reinforcement learning from human feedback.

Christiano is the founder and executive director of the Alignment Research Center, a non-profit developing methods to better understand how decisions are happening inside machine learning systems. Christiano is also Senior Technical Advisor at NIST’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation, Board Member of the OpenAI Foundation and Member of the OpenAI Safety and Security Committee.

The distinguished Nominating Committee for the lecture series is comprised of Prof. Hinton; Beth Barnes, Founder & CEO of METR; Roger Grosse, Schwartz Reisman Chair in Technology and Society; and, Shane Legg, co-founder and Chief AGI Scientist at Google DeepMind. 

Hinton, Christiano, Barnes and Legg have all been recognized at least once on TIME100’s most influential in AI.

The three-night lecture series hosted at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, John W. H. Bassett Theatre and broadcast online, kicks off the inaugural AI Safety Week.

The Hinton Lectures is proudly supported by Presenting Partner Manulife and by Founding Partner Global Risk Institute (GRI), whose combined support underscores the growing importance of industry leadership in the safe and ethical development of AI. TELUS rounds out this year’s roster, as an evening sponsor.

“Canada helped build the foundations of modern AI,” says Ankesh Chandaria, CEO of AISF.  “The pressing question now isn’t what these systems can do, but what they should do and who gets to decide. Canada is a natural place to convene this vital global conversation, and we’re honoured to host Paul Christiano and leading AI safety researchers to explore how increasingly capable AI can be developed and governed safely.”

“Our support for The Hinton Lectures reflects Manulife’s commitment to advancing the responsible use of AI,” says Jodie Wallis, Global Chief AI Officer at Manulife. “As AI continues to evolve, fostering informed dialogue around its opportunities, risks and societal impact is more important than ever. The Hinton Lectures bring together leading voices from academia, industry and public policy to explore these issues thoughtfully, and we’re proud to support those conversations as this year’s presenting partner.”

“AI is advancing rapidly, with significant implications for financial services and the safeguards needed to manage its risks. GRI recognized early the need for broader discussion of these issues,” says Sonia Baxendale, President and CEO, GRI. “Through our founding partnership in the Hinton Lectures, we are helping bring leading perspectives, including Paul Christiano’s, to that conversation.”

“Open discussion about AI’s rewards and risks is essential to building technology that is trustworthy and benefits everyone,” says Pam Snively, Chief Data & Trust Officer at TELUS. “TELUS is proud to support The Hinton Lectures – a world-leading forum bringing researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and the public together to ensure AI is developed and deployed responsibly, and with accountability, grounded in a human-first approach.”

The 2024 lecturer was Jacob Steinhardt, Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley & Founder of Transluce and the 2025 lecturer was Owain Evans, Director of Truthful AI (TIME100 in AI 2026).  

The 2026 lectures will be moderated by Canadian futurist, writer and podcaster Sínead Bovell.  Bovell is also the founder of WAYE, a tech education initiative that prepares the next generation of leaders for a future shaped by advanced technologies.

The lectures are open to the public, with access available both in-person and via livestream. Tickets are available now at hintonlectures.com.

For media inquiries or media accreditation contact Diane Begin at diane.begin@aisfoundation.ai.

The Hinton Lectures | Media Assets

About AI Safety Foundation

The AI Safety Foundation (AISF) increases awareness and scientific understanding of the catastrophic risks of AI, by advancing education and research, to ensure a safer future for humanity.  AISF is proud to present an annual lecture series, the Hinton Lectures™, delivered by world-leading AI safety experts. aisfoundation.ai

About Global Risk Institute

The Global Risk Institute in Financial Services (GRI) is Canada’s premier organization for risk management thought leadership and actionable insights. Bringing together leaders from industry, government and academia, GRI transforms global risk intelligence into practical strategies that strengthens the resilience of Canada’s financial sector. globalriskinstitute.org

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. manulife.com

Manulife’s official newswire announcement, as Presenting Partner, will be live later today.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a leading Canadian communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 17 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. telus.com

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ASK Investment Managers to Acquire SageOne; Samit Vartak to be CIO (Equities) of the combined platform

The combined platform, backed by Blackstone, brings together ASK’s institutional scale and broad client reach, and SageOne’s research-driven, time-tested investment approach.

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ASK Investment Managers (‘ASK IM’) today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire SageOne Investment Managers (‘SageOne’), an established asset manager operating across portfolio management services (PMS) and alternative investment funds (AIF). Samit Vartak, SageOne Founder and Chief Investment Officer will reinvest into ASK and continue in an expanded role as the Chief Investment Officer (Equities) of the combined asset management business.

The acquisition strengthens ASK IM’s equity investment capabilities and provides SageOne access to ASK’s global distribution footprint. Blackstone will remain the majority shareholder of the platform.

SageOne has established a differentiated performance track record through its disciplined, high-conviction investment approach. The SageOne Core Portfolio (SCP) is among the best performing domestic funds and has delivered annualized returns of 25.3% from April 1, 2012 to August 31, 2026, compared with 13.8% for the BSE 500 TRI during the same period. Over the last 3 years, the fund has delivered annualized returns of 19.4% compared with 12.1% for the BSE 500 TRI. The SageOne team led by Samit will continue to drive their investment function with the same consistent approach that has underpinned SageOne’s performance.

Samit is a veteran investor and comes with 25 years of investment experience across market cycles. Since founding SageOne in 2012, Samit has built the firm into a respected, high-performing investment franchise anchored in disciplined research.

ASK and SageOne will bring together more than INR 850 billion in assets under management, a deep pool of investment talent, and deep pan-India distribution and global institutional network. The platform will innovate strong investment products and drive scalability.

Mr. Sameer Koticha, Founder and Chairman of ASK Group said, “This is a strong strategic fit for ASK. SageOne has built an impressive investment business based on rigorous research, conviction and disciplined execution. Just as importantly, Samit is an exceptional investor and entrepreneur whose experience and perspective will be valuable across our platform. His appointment as our CIO (equities) will strengthen our investment leadership and help us serve clients with a broader set of high-quality investment solutions. We are very pleased to welcome Samit and the SageOne team to ASK.”

Mr. Samit Vartak, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of SageOne Investment Managers said, “This partnership is the right next step for SageOne. ASK gives us the scale and institutional support, without changing the philosophy and discipline that define how we invest. We also see significant value in being part of the broader Blackstone ecosystem, with access to its global perspectives, institutional capabilities and the ability to attract and nurture exceptional investment talent. Our ambition is to build one of the strongest investment teams improving our ability to deliver alpha for the clients. ASK and SageOne share a long-term approach and a strong belief in independent research. I look forward to working with ASK’s investment teams and contributing to the next phase of growth across the platform.”

Mr. Ganesh Mani, Senior Managing Director at Blackstone said, “We are bullish on the long-term compounding value of Indian asset and wealth management businesses and continue to invest in ASK’s growth. We believe that SageOne is the right addition to the ASK platform and solidifies ASK’s equities asset management business. We welcome Samit, whose expertise will strengthen the ASK leadership team and continue to deliver long-term value for our clients.”

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory and investor approvals and the completion of applicable regulatory processes.

The Rainmaker Group acted as the exclusive financial advisor to this transaction.

About ASK Group

ASK Group is a leading provider of asset and wealth management services, specializing in high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. The Group’s diversified offerings include portfolio management, alternative investment funds, real estate private equity, wealth management, hedge solutions, non-banking financial services, private credit, and international investments. It has 20+ offices and branches across India, Dubai and Singapore, and caters to multiple asset classes and investors (such as HNI, institutional, family office, pension funds, funds of funds and sovereign wealth funds) across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group manages assets over INR 770 billion as of March 31, 2026. ASK is majority owned by Blackstone Inc, a leading global investment firm with over $1.3 trillion of assets under management.

About SageOne Investment Managers:

Founded in 2012, SageOne Investment Managers is a SEBI & IFSCA registered investment management firm with offices in Pune, Mumbai and Gift City. The firm manages equity investments through Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and Category III Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) structures, with strategies oriented towards mid & small-cap space, including domestic and GIFT City offerings. As of Aug 31, 2026, SageOne manages nearly INR 90 billion of equity assets across its PMS and AIF structures for HNI and UHNI investors.

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to invest. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors. Investments in alternative investment funds involve risks, including loss of capital. No assurance is given that any investment objectives will be achieved.

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Macsen Energy’s Sodium-Ion Cell Crosses 1500 cycles in testing, retains 90% capacity at 1000 cycles

UDAIPUR, India, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Macsen Energy Private Limited has reached a milestone in its sodium-ion battery research. A cell made with the company’s proprietary Prussian White cathode material has crossed 1,500 charge-discharge cycles while retaining 90% of its initial capacity at 1,000 cycles in laboratory testing.

The result marks progress in Macsen Energy’s work to develop Prussian White cathode material and sodium-ion cells for applications where long operating life is important. It follows three years of research into the synthesis, refinement and electrochemical testing of the material.

“Crossing 1,500 cycles with sustained capacity and high coulombic efficiency, and retaining 90% of the cell’s initial capacity at 1,000 cycles, is an important result for our team,” said Achal Agrawal, CEO of Macsen Group, who also works as a researcher on the project. “This result comes from cycling an actual sodium-ion cell in our battery research lab. It validates the promise of our cell technology for long-life energy storage and supports the potential of our Prussian White cathode material to deliver sustained performance over repeated cycles.”

Macsen Energy’s research began within Macsen Labs Group, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals and niche pharmaceutical ingredients. While working on Prussian Blue as an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the treatment of radioactive contamination, the team began exploring its reduced and sodiated form, Prussian White, as a cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. The initiative has since been established as a separate company, Macsen Energy Private Limited.

Prussian White offers strong potential for large-scale manufacturing using commercially established raw materials produced in India, Europe, China and other countries. Its production can be scaled to thousands of tonnes using existing chemical manufacturing infrastructure. The upstream raw-material supply chain draws on abundant industrial feedstocks, including natural gas, nitrogen, oxygen and caustic soda.

However, producing it consistently at the quality needed for battery use requires careful control of its composition, sodium content, water content, crystal structure and other material properties. Macsen Energy has developed a proprietary synthesis process designed to produce high-quality, battery-grade Prussian White in high yields, with fewer processing steps, cost-efficient production and reduced environmental impact. The company has also filed a patent application relating to this manufacturing process.

“Prussian White may appear straightforward to synthesize, but producing a material that approaches its theoretical capacity and maintains strong electrochemical performance over repeated charge-discharge cycles is a much more demanding task,” Agrawal said. “We see it as an engineered battery material, and our work spans chemical synthesis, material characterization, cell fabrication and testing.”

Macsen Energy is continuing its work on cathode and anode materials development, coin-cell and pouch-cell testing, complementary battery materials and sodium-ion full cells. The company has also allocated 10,000 square metres of land for a proposed Prussian Blue Analogue cathode-material scale-up facility and sodium-ion cell fabrication pilot line.

About Macsen Energy Private Limited

Macsen Energy Private Limited develops materials and cell technology for sodium-ion batteries. Originating from research within Macsen Labs Group, the company brings together chemical synthesis, battery cell fabrication and electrochemical testing to advance Prussian Blue Analogue materials and sodium-ion technology.

Contact Details:

Apoorv Acharya 

Email: info@macsenenergy.com

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Joyalukkas Completes First Batch of Gold Rings for Tamil Nadu Government’s ‘Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’

CHENNAI, India, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Joyalukkas Group has completed the first batch of 89,955 one-gram, 22K gold rings entrusted to the company under the Tamil Nadu Government’s ‘Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’ by honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu C. Joseph Vijay.

Under the initiative, eligible newborn children delivered at government hospitals across the State will receive a one-gram gold ring. Approximately 4.41 lakh newborn children across Tamil Nadu are expected to benefit from the initiative.

Joyalukkas emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the procurement, quoting just one paisa towards making charges, BIS hallmarking, insurance, transportation and packing, excluding the cost of gold.

The first batch of 89,955 rings will be supplied to 107 designated government hospitals, primarily high-load CEmONC centres. The rings are being manufactured as per the prescribed one-gram weight and 22K purity specifications, with each ring carrying the required BIS hallmark and six-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number for authenticity and traceability.

The rings are packed in exclusive packaging developed specifically for the initiative, ensuring secure handling and transportation to the designated government hospitals. Packing and dispatch of the first batch are currently underway from Joyalukkas’ dedicated hubs in Chennai and Coimbatore.

Dr. Joy Alukkas, Chairman and Managing Director, Joyalukkas Group, said: “We are deeply honoured to be associated with the Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam and grateful to the Government of Tamil Nadu and Hon’ble Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for giving us the opportunity to be part of this meaningful initiative. The birth of a child is a deeply special moment for every family, and gold has always had a unique place in our traditions as a symbol of blessings and auspicious beginnings. Tamil Nadu has given us immense love and support over the years, and this initiative gives Joyalukkas an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the people of the State.”

Joyalukkas has a strong presence across Tamil Nadu, with more than 30 showrooms serving customers across the State. The brand has been popularly known as the ‘Rasi Kadai’ among families in Tamil Nadu

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Government of Maharashtra and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Expand Maha r-PET Abhiyaan in Thane with Dedicated Collection Infrastructure for Used PET Bottles

~Thane PET Collection Centre, retailer participation initiatives and collection support systems aim to improve used PET bottle recovery and recycling~

THANE, India, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Government of Maharashtra, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) have expanded the Maha r-PET Abhiyaan in Thane with the inauguration of the Thane PET Collection Centre and the launch of a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the collection, segregation and recycling of used PET bottles across the city.

The programme included the launch of dedicated used PET Collection Bins, the introduction of the Maha r-PET Abhiyaan Participation Certificate and Green Cool Dukaan Sticker for retailers, the flagging off of three electric vehicles to support collection operations, and the unveiling of benches made from recycled PET plastic collected through the initiative.

The programme was graced by Smt. Pankaja Munde, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra; Sanjay Kelkar – MLA; Mr. Niranjan Davkhare – MLC; Ms. Madhavi Naik – MLC; Shri. Rahul Rekhawar – IAS and member secretary MPCB; Shri. Harishchandra Patil – Additional Collector, Thane Municipal Corporation; Mr. Himanshu Priyadarshi – Chief Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Officer– Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages; and Actors – Prasad Oak, Shivani Surve, Amit Sial and Rapper – Dino James along with community partners, retailers and hotel owners associations and stakeholders from across the PET collection and recycling ecosystem.

The newly inaugurated Thane PET Collection Centre will serve as a dedicated aggregation and collection facility for used PET bottles recovered through the initiative. Supported by a network of collection partners and retailers, the centre is designed to strengthen the recovery and channelisation of used PET bottles into authorised recycling streams.

Dedicated collection bins introduced under the programme will encourage residents to segregate used PET bottles at source, while the Green Cool Dukaan initiative and participation certificates will recognise retailers who actively contribute to the collection effort. The electric vehicles flagged off during the programme will support efficient last-mile collection across Thane.

The programme also showcased benches manufactured using recycled PET plastic collected through the initiative. These installations demonstrate how used PET bottles can be transformed into valuable products through recycling, bringing to life the principles of a circular economy.

Underscoring the importance of community participation, Smt. Pankaja Munde, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, noted, “I am extremely delighted that the environment-friendly project, Maha r-PET Abhiyaan, is being launched in Thane district in collaboration with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages. The days of ‘use and throw’ are behind us; the time has come for ‘use and collect’.  We are beginning this exceptional concept today right here in Thane. Following this, the initiative will be implemented in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, and since I am from Beed myself, it will be carried out there as well.

As Environment Minister, protecting our environment is my responsibility, but it is equally a collective responsibility. I congratulate HCCB for taking this initiative and look forward to seeing it create greater awareness and participation across Maharashtra.”

Avinash Kant Kumar, Head of Integrated Supply Chain, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) said, “Building a robust used PET bottle recycling ecosystem requires strong collaboration across the entire value chain, from collection and segregation to processing and end-use. The Thane Collection Centre is an important step towards creating a more organised and traceable supply chain for recyclable materials, enabling segregation at source and the identification of food-grade PET for high-value recycling applications. This model demonstrates how industries can work alongside public systems to improve resource efficiency, support the availability of quality recycled material, and build resilient, sustainable supply chains for the future. Through our partnership with the Government of Maharashtra under the Maha r-PET Abhiyaan, and in collaboration with the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), we are helping strengthen the systems and infrastructure needed to improve the recovery of used PET bottles.”

Launched by the Government of Maharashtra, Maha r-PET Abhiyaan is a first-of-its-kind statewide movement focused on improving the collection, recovery and recycling of used PET bottles through awareness, source segregation, community participation and collection infrastructure. The initiative seeks to ensure that used PET bottles are collected separately and remain suitable for recycling, helping reduce landfill burden while supporting circular economy objectives. The initiative brings together dedicated collection infrastructure, retailer participation, consumer awareness and collection support systems to improve the recovery of used PET bottles and channel them into the recycling value chain.

About Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB):

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), one of India’s leading FMCG companies, was incorporated on 14th February 1997. Since then, HCCB has come a long way in being able to serve over 20 lakh retailers, ~2,000 distributors, and 5,200+ employees. 2,50,000 farmers grow the agricultural produce that HCCB uses in making its products. The company is headquartered in Bengaluru and its operations are spread in 10 states, and 236 districts in South and West India. With 14 factories across India, the company has a significant footprint in Maharashtra, operating two state-of-the-art manufacturing plants at Pirangut, in Pune district, Wada, in Palghar district, and an upcoming manufacturing plant at Lote Parshuram in Ratnagiri district. HCCB manufactures and sells 37 different products across 8 categories. Its products include some of India’s most loved beverages – Coca-Cola, Thums Up, Sprite, Minute Maid, Maaza, SmartWater, Kinley, Limca, Fanta, and a lot more.

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Riyadh to Host Sixth Edition of Future Minerals Forum in January 2027

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has announced that the sixth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) will be held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from 12–14 January 2027 in Riyadh, with the theme “Global Collaboration for Resilient Mineral Supply.”

The fifth edition, held in January 2026, welcomed government representatives from 91 countries and more than 64 governmental and non-governmental organizations, alongside 21,500 participants from 175 countries. It saw the signing of 132 agreements and MoUs worth more than USD26.7 billion (SAR100 billion), bringing the total across five editions to 398 agreements and MoUs valued at over USD75.2 billion (SAR282 billion).

FMF 2027 will focus on mobilizing finance, accelerating project development and shortening time to production, to increase mineral supply and develop value chains in the Kingdom and emerging supplier regions, including the Super Region spanning Africa, West and Central Asia, and Latin America.

The Forum will be headlined by its government-led Ministerial Roundtable, convening governments, industry leaders, multilateral organizations, and financial and academic institutions. Expanded ‘Gateway to Funding’ activities will connect investors with scalable projects, while ‘State of the Sector’ sessions, an extension of the Future Minerals Barometer, will offer commodity outlooks and market insights. Leadership Roundtables and Knowledge Exchange meetings will develop solutions to strengthen supply chains.

FMF has helped move discussions on the future of minerals from ambition to partnerships, investment and projects, while connecting Saudi Arabia’s mining and industrial opportunities with international capital, technology and expertise.

The Forum has grown alongside the Kingdom’s mining sector. Saudi Arabia’s exploration expenditure rose from USD 54.7 million (SAR 205 million) in 2020 to USD 362.7 million (SAR 1.36 billion) in 2025 and active exploration companies grew from six to 191.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, also recently announced that studies at the Jabal Sayid Rare Earth Elements Project in the Madinah Region had revealed estimated resources of 114 million tons of ore with high concentrations of rare earth elements, particularly heavy rare earth elements.

FMF advances the objectives of the Comprehensive Mining and Mineral Industries Strategy. FMF2027 will issue a global call to diversify mineral supply, develop mining capabilities and build a more resilient minerals ecosystem.

For registration and information, visit futuremineralsforum.com

CONTACT: Mustafa Al Refaie, mustafa.alrefaie@omc.com, +966 55 725 1006

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Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is proud to sponsor Indian football team’s high-profile international fixtures at the Kolkata matches

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Director (Marketing) Mr. Subhankar Sen said the matches of Indian Football team represent more than just exciting sporting encounters offering an opportunity to inspire millions of young Indians to dream bigger and engage with sport.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 company and a Maharatna PSU, is sponsoring the Indian football team’s high-profile international fixtures against former FIFA World Cup champions Uruguay and Brazil, scheduled to be played in Kolkata.

Brazil defeated India 4–0 at Salt Lake Stadium after India put up a strong fight in the opening 27 minutes. The Blue Tigers entered the match with confidence after holding 44th-ranked Panama to a 1–1 draw, but Brazil, ranked fifth in the world, gradually took control of the game. Brazil’s superior quality and attacking strength helped them score four goals and secure a comfortable victory over India.

On the sidelines of the game, Mr. Subhankar Sen emphasised that BPCL believes sport has the power to unite, inspire and create pathways for excellence, adding that the company’s association with these landmark fixtures reflects its continued commitment to supporting Indian sport and its athletes.

Speaking about the association, Mr. Subhankar Sen, Director (Marketing), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), said, “BPCL is proud to support the Indian football team as it takes on two of the most celebrated names in world football, Uruguay and Brazil. These matches represent more than just exciting sporting encounters; they are an opportunity to inspire millions of young Indians to dream bigger and engage with sport. At BPCL, we believe that sport has the power to unite, inspire and create pathways for excellence, and our association with these landmark fixtures reflects our continued commitment to supporting Indian sport and its athletes.”

The two marquee encounters are bringing some of world football’s most celebrated teams to India, offering Indian football fans an opportunity to witness the national team compete against two globally renowned footballing nations. The fixtures are expected to provide a significant platform for Indian football and contribute to the growing popularity of the sport across the country.

BPCL has always been at the forefront of promoting Indian sports and supporting athletes across disciplines. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 company and a Maharatna PSU, is currently backing Team India as its Principal Partner at the 20th Asian Games. The company was also a Principal Sponsor of the Commonwealth Games 2026, further strengthening its association with Indian sport on major international platforms.

In line with its long-term commitment to nurturing sporting talent, BPCL announced the launch of the BPCL Sports Scholarship Initiative last year. The initiative aims to support and nurture emerging sports talent across India by providing financial assistance to promising young athletes, enabling them to focus on their training and competitive aspirations at both national and international levels.

Over the years, BPCL has been proud to be associated with a galaxy of Indian sporting champions who have brought laurels to the nation through their performances on the global stage. The company’s sporting associations have included Saina Nehwal and R.M.V. Guru Sai Dutt in Badminton; Soumyajit Ghosh and Sanil Shetty in Table Tennis; Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari in Archery; Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer and Kuldeep Yadav in Cricket; S.V. Sunil, Harmanpreet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Varun Kumar in Hockey; Jerome Vinith in Volleyball; Rishank Devadiga and Vishal Mane in Kabaddi; Vaibhav Suri and Abhijeet Gupta in Chess; Manan Chandra and Shahbaaz Adil Khan in Snooker; and Manasi Joshi and Manoj Sarkar in Para Badminton.

Through its sustained support for athletes, teams and sporting events, BPCL continues to contribute to the development of India’s sporting ecosystem and provide platforms that inspire the next generation of sporting talent.

The upcoming India-Uruguay and India-Brazil fixtures add another significant chapter to BPCL’s association with Indian sport, bringing together the excitement of international football and the company’s enduring commitment to supporting sporting excellence in the country.

About Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL):

Fortune Global 500 Company, Bharat Petroleum is the second largest Indian Oil Marketing Company and one of the integrated energy companies in India, engaged in refining of crude oil and marketing of petroleum products, with presence in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The company attained the coveted Maharatna status, joining the club of companies having greater operational and financial autonomy.

Bharat Petroleum’s Refineries at Mumbai, Kochi and Bina have a combined refining capacity of around 35.3 MMTPA. Its marketing infrastructure includes a network of installations, depots, fuel stations, aviation service stations and LPG distributors. Its distribution network comprises over 25,300+ Fuel Stations, over 1000+ CNG stations, over 6,250+ LPG distributorships, 440+ Lubes distributorships, 81 POL storage locations, 56 LPG Bottling Plants, 83 Aviation Service Stations, 5 Lube blending plants and 6 cross-country pipelines.

Bharat Petroleum is integrating its strategy, investments, environmental and social ambitions to move towards a sustainable planet. The company has Electric vehicle charging stations at 6800+ Fuel Stations. With a focus on sustainable solutions, the company is developing an ecosystem and a road-map to become a Net Zero Energy Company by 2040, in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Bharat Petroleum has been partnering communities by supporting several initiatives connected primarily in the areas of education, water conservation, skill development, health, community development, capacity building and employee volunteering. With ‘Energising Lives’ as its core purpose, Bharat Petroleum’s vision is to be an admired global energy company leveraging talent, innovation and technology.

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Reap and Collinson International Enter Landmark Partnership to Bring Priority Pass Airport Experiences to the Stablecoin and Crypto Ecosystem

The collaboration connects digital asset customers to premium travel benefits, giving eligible cardholders access to Priority Pass’ global network of over 1,900 airport lounges and travel experiences.

SINGAPORE, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reap, a global financial technology company that enables financial connectivity and access for businesses worldwide through stablecoin-enabled infrastructure, has entered a strategic partnership with Collinson International, the global leader in the provision of airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement solutions, and owner and operator of Priority Pass.

The collaboration enables Reap’s clients in the digital-assets landscape, including leading global crypto exchanges, Web3 neobanks, private banks, and asset managers, to offer premium travel benefits to their customers. This will grant eligible Reap cardholders access to Priority Pass’ global network of over 1,900 airport lounges and travel experiences, including spa, sleep pods, dining, and more.

The partnership comes as meaningful travel benefits take on an increasingly central role in enhancing customer value and engagement. According to Collinson International’s research report, access to airport lounges is ranked as the most desirable travel benefit, while 92% of respondents in Asia Pacific agree that travel rewards and benefits encourage card use for everyday and travel expenses. The findings highlight how travel benefits, including access to airport lounges through Priority Pass, can help drive card use, customer engagement and loyalty.

“As the payments landscape continues to evolve, the ability to provide experiential value is becoming an increasingly important differentiator among financial products,” said Rom Remy, SVP Commercial, APAC at Collinson International. “Travel experiences, in particular, offer payment providers a powerful way to deepen customer engagement, build loyalty and lifetime value. We are delighted to partner with Reap as it expands across high-growth markets. Through access to Priority Pass’ global network of airport lounges and travel experiences, Reap can help its clients to broaden their offerings and deliver more seamless, premium journeys to travellers worldwide.”

The partnership extends Reap’s card issuing offering into lifestyle and travel benefits. By connecting onchain spending to real-world experiences, Reap enables its clients to reward everyday card usage and strengthen their customer retention, bringing the experiential value that has long driven engagement in traditional card programmes to stablecoin-linked cards.

“At Reap, our stablecoin-native infrastructure is built to create real-world value for the businesses we support and the customers they serve,” said Pablo Che Leon, Head of Customer Growth, Reap. “Stablecoins are becoming everyday money for millions of people, and the cards they spend with should carry the same benefits as any premium card. By bringing Priority Pass to Reap-issued cards, a cardholder in Hong Kong or Tokyo can now enjoy the same airport lounge experience as a premium cardholder in London or New York. For our clients, it’s a new way to differentiate their card offerings, reward everyday spending and keep customers engaged.”

For more information, please visit https://reap.global/products/reap-rewards.

About Priority Pass

Priority Pass is the world’s original and market-leading airport experiences programme. We provide travellers with access to over 1,900 lounges and travel experiences in 865 airports in 143 countries. Members can access an ever-growing range of premium experiences – from spas to sleeping pods to dining – that help elevate every journey into something special. By building partnerships with other leading brands, we help to bring a better travel experience to the world.

Priority Pass is owned and operated by Collinson International, part of The Collinson Group, a family-owned business. Formed over 35 years ago, it now has five distinct operating companies that generate a combined annual revenue of £2.1bn, employing more than 2,500 people across 14 countries.

About Reap

Reap is a global financial technology company that enables financial connectivity and access for businesses worldwide through stablecoin-native infrastructure. We transform the financial landscape through more efficient money movement by merging traditional finance with digital assets, bridging disparate economies and connecting key financial markets.

Reap was an early leader in Asia to incorporate stablecoins into our solutions. In 2025, Reap processed billions in stablecoin-funded transaction flows. From stablecoin-enabled corporate cards to cross-border payments, we streamline financial operations and empower companies to scale with our integrated business accounts and embedded finance solutions.

Founded and headquartered in Hong Kong, Reap employs 300 people worldwide.

More information about Reap can be found at reap.global.

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EVIDENT Completes Acquisition of CrestOptics S.p.A.

NEEDHAM, Mass., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Evident announced today that it has completed the acquisition of CrestOptics S.p.A., a Rome-based developer and manufacturer of advanced optical imaging systems for spinning disk confocal and super-resolution microscopy. The acquisition broadens Evident’s life science imaging portfolio and deepens its capability in high-speed, high-content 3D imaging for research, pharma, and biotech applications.

Founded in 2011, CrestOptics designs and manufactures confocal spinning disk and structured illumination microscopy (SIM) modules that integrate with microscope platforms from leading manufacturers worldwide. Its portfolio includes the X-Light family of spinning disk confocal systems, featuring precise optical sectioning and uniform illumination across a class-leading field of view; the compact CICERO widefield and spinning disk solution, which brings highly capable entry-level confocal within reach of any lab; and DeepSIM, a Lattice SIM super-resolution module that delivers sub-diffraction imaging with the accessibility of a widefield system. Used in laboratories around the world, CrestOptics products are built to be universally accessible tools that advance discovery without barriers.

“Researchers are asking harder questions of increasingly complex biological models, and that demands faster, gentler, higher-resolution imaging,” said Wes Pringle, Evident CEO. “Our customers push the limits of science, and our role is to advance the optical technologies that make new discoveries faster and easier than ever. Evident and CrestOptics operate under a shared vision. After partnering with them, it was clear that their mission, their engineering capability, and most importantly their people, complement our own and together we can deliver more complete solutions to the scientists who depend on us.”

Evident and CrestOptics have collaborated as partners for several years, with CrestOptics spinning disk technology already integrated into Evident microscope configurations. The acquisition formalizes and expands that relationship.

“Joining Evident is a natural next step for CrestOptics,” said Renato Giacobbo Scavo, Chief Executive Officer, CrestOptics. “We share a commitment to advancing what microscopy can reveal. With Evident’s global reach, manufacturing strength, and applications expertise, we can accelerate our innovation roadmap and bring our technologies to many more laboratories worldwide. We are grateful to our previous investors, Apposite Capital and Primo Capital, as well as our Chairman, David Martyr, and the board of directors, for their support throughout this journey.”

CrestOptics will continue to operate from its Rome headquarters and R&D and manufacturing facility and maintain its existing partner and distribution relationships, continuing to be a technology provider for the entire microscopy industry.

Learn more about Evident’s confocal and super-resolution solutions. 

About EVIDENT

For over 100 years, Olympus set the industry standard for optical precision in microscopy. Today, Evident carries that legacy forward, helping scientists, physicians, and engineers illuminate the unseen with advanced imaging solutions that combine renowned optics with digital innovation.

Evident’s life science portfolio spans brightfield and darkfield microscopy through advanced fluorescence, 4D analysis, and digital pathology. In industrial microscopy, the company delivers laser scanning, digital, and semiconductor systems for inspection, quality control, and manufacturing analysis.

Evident is headquartered in Tokyo, with R&D and manufacturing centers in Japan, the United States, Germany, and China, and sales and service operations worldwide. For more information, visit EvidentScientific.com.



About CrestOptics

Founded in 2011 in Rome, Italy, CrestOptics develops and manufactures advanced optical imaging systems for life science research. Its spinning disk confocal and super-resolution SIM technologies deliver high-speed, high-contrast imaging with low phototoxicity — enabling work with live cells, 3D models, and thick tissue that conventional techniques cannot resolve.

The portfolio includes the X-Light confocal spinning disk family, the CICERO integrated confocal solution, and the DeepSIM super-resolution module, each designed for broad compatibility with leading microscope platforms. CrestOptics also develops custom optical solutions for OEMs serving research, pharma, biotech, and industrial markets.

CrestOptics operates an ISO 9001-certified R&D and manufacturing facility in Rome and collaborates with research institutions including the Italian Institute of Technology.

For more information, visit CrestOptics.com.

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A LEGACY OF GIVING BACK: CARLSBERG CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF THE CARLSBERG FOUNDATION

• Carlsberg marks the 150th anniversary of the Carlsberg Foundation, the world’s first enterprise foundation
• The milestone honours its legacy of curiosity, generosity, and long-term societal connection
• Almost 30% of Carlsberg’s yearly dividends go back to science, the arts, and youth communities through the Carlsberg Foundations

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Carlsberg Foundation is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Giving back has been central since its founding, established on the principle that commercial business should support local communities and invest in society.

Founded in 1876 by brewer J.C. Jacobsen, the Carlsberg Foundation is the world’s first enterprise foundation. Its primary purpose is to ensure long-term ownership of Carlsberg A/S and distribute funds for philanthropic endeavours, specifically supporting Danish basic research.

To mark the anniversary, Carlsberg is introducing a customised glass featuring a 30% mark. The glassware highlights the company’s ownership structure: through the Carlsberg Foundation, New Carlsberg Foundation, and Tuborg Foundation, almost 30% of annual dividends fund science, the arts, and youth initiatives.

As Carlsberg’s majority shareholder, the Foundation prioritises long-term value creation over short-term financial gains. Over 150 years, foundation-funded research has backed projects ranging from yeast chemistry and astronomy to archaeology, including several Nobel Prize-winning research.

Though Carlsberg operates across 150 global markets with 37,000 employees, its economic footprint remains deeply local. The Carlsberg Group indirectly supports approximately 1.1 million jobs worldwide, fostering sustainable social development where its products are brewed.

“In 2026, we proudly celebrate 150 years of the Carlsberg Foundation – a milestone that honours our legacy of curiosity, generosity, and societal connection,” said Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Carlsberg Group CEO.

“Our financial success translates directly into societal impact, and this new glass is a powerful reminder that our heritage is not just history, it’s a living force that continues to shape everything we do today.”

About the Carlsberg Foundation:

Founded in 1876 by brewer J.C. Jacobsen, the Carlsberg Foundation is the world’s first enterprise foundation. It was established to ensure the long-term, committed ownership of Carlsberg and to distribute funds for philanthropic purposes, with an enduring commitment to advancing independent basic research and creating long-term value for society.

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