3, Sep 2026
Stackoo Makes Mumbai Debut with Premium Stationery and Lifestyle Retail Experience
Mumbai, Sep 03: From thoughtfully chosen writing instruments to art supplies, contemporary gifting and workspace essentials, Stackoo is bringing a more immersive approach to everyday retail to Mumbai. The premium lifestyle concept by Linc Limited has opened its second store in India at Sky City
Inaugurated by Mr. Aloke Jalan, Whole-time Director, Linc Limited, the new destination brings together 2000+ SKUs spanning premium and everyday writing instruments, stationery, notebooks and paper products, art and colour supplies, office essentials, lifestyle accessories, school supplies and gifting. Created for a discerning mix of students, young professionals, artists, creators, corporate executives and gifting consumers, the store brings together utility and aesthetics within a contemporary retail setting.
Speaking on the Mumbai opening, Mr. Aloke Jalan, Whole-time Director, Linc Limited, said,
“Stackoo was created with a simple yet powerful thought, that the things we use every day can inspire us, reflect our personality and elevate ordinary moments. Mumbai is an exciting market for a concept rooted in creativity, quality and self-expression. Following our Kolkata debut, this store represents our intent to take Stackoo to more consumers while building a distinctive retail experience around discovery, design and premium products.”
At Stackoo Mumbai, the experience extends beyond browsing shelves. The store has been designed as an engaging environment where visitors can discover, interact with and experience products before making them their own. A standout feature is the POSCA Experience Wall, an interactive space where customers can experiment with POSCA markers across a variety of surfaces. Complementing this is a dedicated workshop and live demonstration area, creating opportunities for creative engagement and product discovery.
The assortment brings together an extensive selection across writing, art, paper, workspace, lifestyle, education and gifting. The premium portfolio features internationally recognised brands such as LAMY and Cross, alongside leading in-house Indian and International brands including Linc, Pentonic, Uniball, Morris, Swype and Deli. For occasions that call for something more personal, gift-wrapping and personalisation services add a bespoke touch to Stackoo’s gifting experience.
With the Mumbai store, Stackoo is taking a broader view of what a stationery and lifestyle destination can be, bringing together innovation, productivity, design and self-expression under one roof. The proposition reflects Linc Limited’s larger ambition to build Stackoo into a distinctive premium retail brand that resonates with consumers seeking products that are not only functional, but also considered, well-designed and inspiring.
Mr. Deepak Jalan, Managing Director, Linc Limited, said, “Stackoo represents our evolving understanding of the modern consumer, someone who values quality, design and experience as much as functionality. Mumbai gives us an opportunity to introduce this proposition to a new and diverse audience. The opening of our second store is a meaningful milestone for the brand, and we see significant potential to build Stackoo into a premium lifestyle destination with a strong retail identity of its own.”
With its blend of curated merchandise, globally recognised brands and interactive experiences, Stackoo Mumbai aims to create a destination that appeals to the everyday shopper as well as the discerning collector, creative professional and thoughtful gift buyer.
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- By Neel Achary
3, Sep 2026
Thai Airways selects CHAMP’s cargo management suite Cargospot neo to enhance their service levels and customer experience
Bangkok, Sep 03: Thai Airways International, Thailand’s flag carrier and an air cargo provider in the region, has selected CHAMP Cargosystems to support its ambitious cargo transformation with the deployment of theCargospot neo suite of applications, built on CHAMP’s next-generation neo Platform.
This strategic investment reinforces THAI’s commitment to elevating customer experience, driving operational excellence, and accelerating sustainable growth, forming a key pillar of its broader post-rehabilitation transformation strategy.
As competition intensifies and customer expectations continue to rise, THAI is modernizing its cargo operations to deliver faster, more reliable, and fully digital services.Through the implementation of Cargospot neo, THAI gains a modern, automation-driven cargo management system that enhances end-to-end visibility, agility, and service consistency. Customers and partners will benefit from faster booking processes, real-time shipment tracking, and greater transparency across the entire cargo journey.At the heart of this transformation is the CHAMP neo Platform, featuring an API-native architecture with native AI at its core, enabling THAI to move from fragmented processes to a fully connected, real-time operating model across commercial, operational, and financial functions.
As part of the transformation, THAI has also selected Cargospot neo Revenue Management, CHAMP’s new and advanced yield optimization solution. By combining capacity and demand forecasting with dynamic pricing in a unified machine learning–powered workflow, the solution will enableTHAI to optimize revenue performance while maintaining the right balance between competitiveness and profitability.The comprehensive Cargospot neo suitesolution contracted by THAI creates a seamless, fully integrated cargo ecosystem, streamlining the airline’s end-to-end operations across sales, reservations, handling, warehouse management, load planning, revenue management, and data analytics.This end-to-end digital foundation replaces siloed workflows with a single source of truth, improving efficiency, reducing manual intervention, and enhancing service reliability.
Mr. Surapon Pisutpattana, Managing Director of THAI Cargo Terminal Service at Thai Airways, says:
“Selecting CHAMP and Cargospot neo as our Cargo Management System (CMS) was a natural choice as we continue to accelerate our digital transformation. Our longstanding partnership through Traxon cargoHUB has consistently demonstrated CHAMP’s reliability and commitment to service excellence. We have also seen first-hand how Cargospot enhances operational efficiency, with leading cargo operators in Thailand achieving new levels of performance through the platform. By adopting the CHAMP neo Platform, we are taking another significant step forward—connecting our operations in real time, strengthening our ability to manage capacity and demand more dynamically, and delivering a more responsive, customer-centric cargo experience.”
A key factor in THAI’s decision was CHAMP’s neo Platform, which underpins the majority of its end-to-end portfolio. Built on an API-native architecture and enhanced with embedded generative AI and automation capabilities, the platform delivers a modern, scalable, and highly resilient digital foundation.
Manuel Galindo, CEOat CHAMP, adds:
“With the Cargospot neo suite and the addition of Cargospot neo Revenue Management, THAI are investing in a scalable, future-ready platform that will strengthen their competitiveness, support their growth ambitions, and enable them to deliver exceptional value to their customers in an increasingly digital and demanding air cargo market.”
Together, CHAMP and Thai Airways are setting a new benchmark for digital air cargo operations, combining AI-driven intelligence, real-time visibility and end-to-end integration to meet the evolving needs of the global logistics ecosystem. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in delivering a smarter, more connected, and customer-centric cargo experience.
3, Sep 2026
JK Cement inaugurates its construction chemicals manufacturing unit in Ras Al Khaimah
(L-R) RAKEZ CXO Ian Hunt, JK DryChem CEO & Director – UAE & Africa Business Amit Kothari and JK Cement Group MD Dr. Raghavpat Singhania.
Ras Al Khaimah, Sept 03: JK DryChem Industries LLC, a subsidiary of India’s leading cement manufacturing giant JK Cement, has officially launched its manufacturing facility in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), marking the next phase of the company’s expansion in the UAE and wider region.
Spanning 5,000 m², the new plant will manufacture advanced construction chemicals and additives, strengthening JK Cement’s production capabilities in the region and bringing its products closer to customers across key markets.
The facility’s inauguration ceremony was attended by JK Cement Group MD Dr. Raghavpat Singhania and RAKEZ Chief Customer Experience Officer Ian Hunt, along with senior executives from JK Cement and RAKEZ.
The plant will produce a range of high-performance construction solutions, including liquid admixtures, prepared additives, dry-mix materials and coatings designed to support greater efficiency and sustainability across construction applications.
RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “Seeing JK Cement’s facility move from plans on paper to an operational manufacturing plant in short time is an important milestone. Investments like this add depth to Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial base by bringing new production capabilities and stronger regional supply chains into the emirate. We are pleased to have supported JK Cement through this journey and look forward to seeing its operations grow from the emirate into markets across the region and beyond.”
JK Cement Group MD Dr. Raghavpat Singhania said, “The launch of this facility is an important step in strengthening our presence in the UAE and expanding our construction chemicals business across international markets. Establishing local manufacturing gives us greater proximity to our customers, strengthens our supply capabilities and creates a strong platform for future growth. We appreciate the support provided by RAKEZ throughout the development of the facility, and we look forward to building on this investment.”
With operations now underway, the facility will initially serve customers across the UAE and GCC region, with plans to expand exports to Africa and rest of the world. Its location in RAKEZ’s Al Ghail Industrial Zone also provides access to Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial and logistics infrastructure for the movement of raw materials and finished products.
As major construction, real estate and infrastructure developments across Ras Al Khaimah continue to gather momentum, demand for advanced building materials and construction solutions is set to grow alongside them. This creates a timely opportunity for manufacturers such as JK DryChem to establish local production, serve an expanding regional market and participate in the emirate’s next phase of development.
3, Sep 2026
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Takes Charge as Ram Temple Trust CEO
Ayodhya, Sep 3: Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra arrived in Ayodhya on Thursday to begin his new role as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the management and operations of the Ram temple.
Mishra, who previously headed the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command, said he felt deeply grateful for the opportunity and considered his appointment a matter of great fortune. He said his first priority would be to understand the organisation and its existing systems before deciding on future plans.
The 62-year-old former Air Force officer was appointed to the post on Wednesday following a selection process that received 5,585 applications. He was chosen from a final shortlist of three candidates.
Mishra retired as head of the Western Air Command on April 30, 2026. During his military career, he also played a leadership role during Operation Sindoor.
After reaching Ayodhya, Mishra said his familiarity with Uttar Pradesh and regular visits to places such as Deoria, Gorakhpur and Varanasi would help him understand the region and its development. He said Ayodhya was also moving forward as part of the wider development taking place across Uttar Pradesh and the country.
His appointment comes as the temple trust strengthens its administrative structure and focuses on improving the management of the temple and services for devotees.
The new CEO is expected to play a key role in streamlining the trust’s administrative operations and coordinating its expanding responsibilities as visitor numbers and activities around the Ram temple continue to grow.
3, Sep 2026
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Renews Call for Respect Toward Race Stewards Ahead of F1 Italian Grand Prix
Founder of UAOA campaign says Monza shows all that is best about Formula One and vast majority of fans have only good things to say about the sport, and those making it happen
Dubai, UAE, 3rd September, 2026: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has made a renewed appeal for an end to online abuse of race stewards ahead of this weekend’s FIA Formula One Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
This follows the targeting of FIA stewards after they applied sporting penalties in line with FIA regulations during the recent Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Ben Sulayem, who will be in attendance at Monza, founded the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign in 2023 as a global initiative dedicated to combatting online abuse in sport through research, policy advocacy, and collaborative action.
The UAOA is now endorsed by more than 75 governments, sports, academic institutions and technology organisations, and is supported by the FIA Foundation and co-funded by the European Union.
“Over the last three years, we have been greatly encouraged by the overall response to the UAOA, which condemns all forms of abuse and harassment,” said the FIA President.
“Disagreement with decisions is part of sport, but it must never justify threats or personal attacks, such as those experienced by our race stewards at the Dutch Grand Prix.
“As one of the oldest motor racing venues in the world, Monza is steeped in tradition and characterises all that is best in F1, and motor racing in general.
“I’m looking forward to another fantastic race weekend in Italy, as are all the passionate Italian F1 fans, and race lovers around the world. The vast majority of fans have only good things to say about the sport, and all those who make it happen.”
Ben Sulayem says he is particularly looking forward to sampling the special atmosphere at Monza, where the excitement will be heightened Italy’s Kimi Antonelli leading the F1 drivers’ standings, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are both in the hunt for race and final championship podium places.
The FIA President arrives in Monza following a busy week in South America which began when he met senior leaders of the Republic of Chile in Santiago, and specifically held discussions with the President of the Republic of Chile, H.E. José Antonio Kast, who became the latest world leader to sign the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse charter.
From Chile, Ben Sulayem moved on to Paraguay for discussions with President Santiago Peña on global motor sport and mobility issues as the country staged the latest round of the FIA World Rally Championship.
Next stop for the FIA President was Buenos Aires for the FIA’s American Congress where he joined representatives from 32 Member Clubs across North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, for three days of collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.
3, Sep 2026
Professional Investors Convinced AI ‘Breakthrough’ Is Close
Almost all believe increased computational power will drive breakthrough on AI capabilities this year
AI productivity gains should drive around 22% of global growth this year, Robocap research finds
Sept 03: Professional investors are convinced increased computational power will lead to a breakthrough in AI capabilities this year, new global research1 with institutional investors and wealth managers managing assets of $513 billion from leading fund manager Robocap shows.
The study with senior executives at insurance asset managers, pension funds, family offices and wealth managers found almost all (96%) believe that the expected 10 times increase in computational power being applied by the big five US model developers to current AI models will deliver a breakthrough in what AI can achieve.
That will translate into increased global growth this year, the research from Robocap, the leading investor in robotics, automation and AI, found. On average professional investors surveyed believe productivity gains from AI this year will account for 22% of global growth.
In three years’ time the percentage of productivity gains and global growth attributable to AI will increase to an average 30%, the study found. Around one in five questioned believe the increase could be 40% or more.
The impact of increased AI capabilities will be felt first by marketing and sales, the survey found, with 31% predicting the sector will be the first in line for disruption followed by services such as law, finance, accounting and tax which was ranked first by 29%.
The research with firms based in the UK, US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany and Switzerland found around one in five (20%) highlighted IT as first in line while 9% pointed to transportation and 7% to healthcare and 6% to industrials and consumer goods.
Real estate and utilities are seen as the sectors likely to be disrupted last by AI and robotics. Around 28% said real estate would be among the last to be disrupted followed by 20% choosing utilities and 11% selecting materials.
Jonathan Cohen, Founder and CIO at Robocap, said: “The advance in AI capabilities over the past few years has been phenomenal as major model firms have increased the computational power used to train their models year on year.
“This year it is estimated that the computational power being applied by the big five American model developers to train their next model will actually be up to 30 times more relative to the compute power current model and investors are convinced that the world is on the verge of a breakthrough in terms of AI capabilities considering weekly progresses.
“That is translating into real world effects with the productivity gains from AI making major contributions to global growth which are expected to increase over the coming years.”
The Robocap UCITS Fund, which is a thematic equity fund focusing on pure-play robotics, automation and AI listed stocks globally, was launched in January 2016 and is managed by a London based specialist team. It has delivered compound annualised net returns (CAGR) of 15.38% and a net return of 359.95% since its inception.
3, Sep 2026
Building Wealth Beyond Real Estate: Sri Lotus Developers Announces 30 percentage Interim Dividend
Mumbai, Sep 03: Sri Lotus Developers and Realty Limited, a young and rapidly emerging name in Mumbai’s premium real estate landscape, has expressed strong confidence by recommending a 30% interim dividend for FY 2026-27. The record date has been fixed as September 11, 2026.
The move marks a significant step in the company’s approach to creating long-term value for its shareholders, even as it continues to build its presence in the premium and luxury real estate segment.
Sri Lotus Developers has also fixed September 25, 2026, as the record date for the final dividend for FY 2025-26 at 50%, subject to shareholder approval at the forthcoming AGM.
Mr. Anand Pandit, Chairman and Managing Director, Sri Lotus Developers, said:
“For us, growth is meaningful when it creates value for everyone who believes in our journey. Our developments represent one part of that vision; creating enduring value for our shareholders is equally important. This dividend reflects our confidence in the road ahead.”
The move reinforces Sri Lotus Developers’ positioning as a new-generation developer focused not only on creating landmark developments, but also on delivering sustainable value to its stakeholders.
3, Sep 2026
WhatsApp Brings Everyday Bill Payments Under One Roof in India
New Delhi, Sep 3: WhatsApp has expanded its digital payment services in India with a new Bill Payments feature that allows users to manage and pay household and utility bills directly through the messaging platform.
The new service is powered by the Bharat Connect network and provides access to 22,722 billers across 30 categories. Users can pay a range of regular expenses, including electricity, water, gas, FASTag, insurance premiums, credit card bills and loan repayments.
The feature is designed to make routine payments simpler by reducing the need to move between different apps. Users can select a bill category, choose their service provider, enter the required account details and complete the payment through the available options.
WhatsApp is also offering tools to help users manage recurring payments. They can keep multiple accounts under the same biller, view previous transactions and access frequently used billers more easily.
The Bill Payments service is being rolled out gradually across India and will become available to Android and iOS users over the coming weeks.
The launch strengthens WhatsApp’s growing role in India’s digital payments ecosystem, following the introduction of services such as UPI payments and mobile recharges. The move also reflects the broader shift towards bringing everyday financial services into platforms that consumers already use regularly.
3, Sep 2026
Nepal Flood Disaster Deepens as Death Toll Crosses 1,200
Kathmandu, Sep 3: Nepal is continuing to grapple with the aftermath of devastating flash floods, with the death toll rising to 1,243 as rescue teams battle heavy rain, mud and debris to locate people still missing.
Rescue operations remain focused on areas along the Bhotekoshi River, where authorities fear some people could be trapped inside tunnels and underground power facilities. Difficult weather and debris have made access to several locations challenging.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has urged the international community to take a closer look at the possible role of climate change in the disaster. He said the issue needs greater global attention as Nepal works to recover from the widespread destruction.
The tragedy has left families facing uncertainty, with some holding symbolic funeral ceremonies for relatives who remain missing.
India has stepped up its relief assistance to Nepal, sending more than five tonnes of essential medicines along with an 11-member specialised rescue team. The team has also brought more than six tonnes of rescue equipment to assist local authorities in ongoing search and relief operations.
Authorities and rescue workers are continuing their efforts to reach isolated communities, search for missing people and provide essential assistance to those affected by the floods.
The disaster has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Himalayan communities to extreme weather events and the need for stronger preparedness and rapid emergency response systems.
3, Sep 2026
Rising Ganga Water Triggers Alert in Varanasi, PM Modi Reviews Relief Efforts
Varanasi, Sep 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the worsening flood situation in Varanasi and asked the local administration to ensure that relief and rescue efforts reach affected people quickly as the Ganga continues to rise.
PM Modi spoke with Varanasi Mayor Ashok Tiwari and District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar to understand the situation on the ground and take an update on the steps being taken by the administration.
Officials briefed the Prime Minister on the areas affected by rising water levels, ongoing rescue operations and arrangements being made for people who may need to move to safer locations. He stressed the need for prompt action and directed officials to ensure that residents face minimum inconvenience during the situation.
The Prime Minister also reviewed arrangements at relief camps and asked the administration to ensure that people staying there receive essential facilities without delay. Officials have also been instructed to remain prepared to arrange additional food, medicines and other relief material if required.
The administration has been asked to keep a close watch on the river and respond immediately to any further rise in the water level. The emphasis is on ensuring public safety while maintaining uninterrupted relief operations.
The Ganga crossed its warning level in Varanasi on Wednesday. According to the Central Water Commission, the river was flowing at 70.29 metres, above the warning mark of 70.26 metres.
The increase in water levels has raised concerns in low-lying parts of the city and areas close to the ghats. The danger level for the Ganga at Varanasi is 71.26 metres, while the highest flood level is recorded at 73.90 metres.
As a precaution, the district administration has temporarily stopped boat operations on the Ganga. Residents, devotees and visitors have also been advised to stay away from the ghats and avoid areas where strong currents or rising water could create a safety risk.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the river closely and assess the situation across vulnerable areas. Relief teams and local officials remain on alert so that assistance can be provided quickly if conditions deteriorate.
The administration’s immediate priority is to protect residents, maintain essential services and ensure that people affected by the rising water receive timely support.
