Category Archives: News

Rockwell Automation Integrates Plex QMS with FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI to Advance AI-Driven Quality, Continues AI Expansion

Integration brings AI-powered visual inspection into QMS workflows to help improve quality, traceability and defect detection

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, on Aug. 11, 2026 announced an API-enabled integration between Plex Quality Management System (QMS) and FactoryTalk^® Analytics™ VisionAI™. The integration, available from Aug. 11, expands AI-driven quality management and reflects Rockwell’s continued investment in artificial intelligence and elastic MES solutions.  

Rockwell continues to advance AI/ML across its offerings, including cloud-based MES platforms, edge AI and digital twins. According to Rockwell’s “Scaling MES Across the Enterprise” report, 42% of manufacturing processes are expected to become AI-supported within the next year. The Plex QMS and FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI integration offers manufacturers opportunities for strategic, automated quality intelligence. 

“AI plays a critical role in Rockwell’s industrial autonomy strategy,” states Devin Burke, group product manager, Rockwell Automation. “With predictive intelligence, manufacturers can shift from scripted automation to adaptable autonomy as systems learn, adjust and collaborate across software, hardware and workers.” 

The integration builds on the API-first architecture of Plex QMS, enabling interoperability. When connected to FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI, Plex QMS delivers AI-driven workflows to new and existing camera systems. These workflows help detect anomalies and reduce defects. Traditional visual inspection is only 80% effective and often fails to store inspection history. The Plex QMS and FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI integration delivers exceptional visual inspection, as results recorded in the Plex system provide traceability, product serialization and an accurate record of inspection history. 

In addition to the new integration, Plex Connected Worker recently introduced AI-powered authoring agent within the Digital Work Instructions suite, which transforms CAD files and technical assets into structured, step-by-step instructions for frontline employees. Similarly, Plex includes an AI agent embedded within its Reporting and Analytics capabilities, delivering out‑of‑the‑box dashboards that turn operational data into real-time, actionable insights. Users can engage these agents in natural language to proactively surface risks, predict issues, and drive faster, smarter decisions—moving from operational foresight to action with a single click.  

“At Rockwell Automation, we’ve built a context-rich industrial data foundation shaped by years of manufacturing expertise,” shares Manu Ravichandran, senior product manager, Rockwell Automation. “This foundation gives manufacturers the structure, context, and scalability needed to operationalize advanced analytics and AI across complex operations.” 

You can learn more about Plex QMS here and FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI here

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2025. To learn more about how we are bringing Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com

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Happy Cultures Adds a Dubai Kunafa Twist to the Protein Category with Its Latest Launch

Aug, 31: Indian health and wellness company Happy Cultures has launched Dubai Kunafa Yeast Protein, bringing the popular Dubai Kunafa flavour profile to the growing protein category. Priced at an MRP of INR 2,199, the new product combines Happy Cultures’ yeast protein with real pistachios, offering a more indulgent take on everyday protein consumption.

Each serving delivers 24g of complete yeast protein with a PDCAAS score of 1, indicating a high-quality protein source with a complete amino acid profile. Made with 100% yeast protein isolate, the formulation contains no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, is naturally sweetened with monk fruit, and is free from lactose, dairy, gluten and soy. The addition of probiotics further supports its positioning as a convenient, gut-friendly protein option for consumers seeking a balance of nutrition, taste and indulgence.

The launch comes as protein consumption in India moves beyond traditional fitness audiences, with consumers increasingly looking for products that combine nutritional value with taste, convenience and variety. According to IMARC group, the protein supplement market in India is anticipated to reach Rs. 13,186 crore (US$ 1.52 billion) by 2033.

The product has also undergone independent testing by Eurofins Analytical Services India, with each batch evaluated across key parameters including nutritional composition, amino acid profile, melamine and heavy metal contaminants. It is available through Happy Cultures’ website, Swiggy, Zepto, Big Basket, Amazon and Flipkart.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Amit Monteiro, CEO, Happy Cultures, said, 

“Protein is becoming a crowded category, and we believe the next phase of innovation will be about making the experience more exciting for consumers. Dubai Kunafa is a flavour people already recognise and enjoy, so bringing it into yeast protein felt like a natural way to make the category more interesting.”

“We want consumers to look at yeast protein differently,” added Monteiro. “Innovation in protein does not have to stop at the usual vanilla, chocolate or coffee flavours. There is an opportunity to build products around flavours that are culturally relevant, familiar and genuinely enjoyable.”

A key differentiator of the product is the inclusion of real pistachios, which Happy Cultures says is intended to bring greater authenticity to the Dubai Kunafa-inspired flavour rather than relying only on flavouring. The product is positioned within the company’s premium protein portfolio, with flavour innovation forming an important part of its approach to product development.

The launch also reflects the growing influence of social media-led food trends on mainstream consumption. Dubai chocolate and Kunafa-inspired flavours have gained significant consumer interest, creating opportunities for food and wellness brands to translate emerging preferences into new product formats.

For Happy Cultures, yeast protein is a growing part of its broader protein innovation strategy. The company sees an opportunity to move the category beyond conventional flavours and create products that appeal to consumers through a combination of nutrition, taste, ingredients and experience.

The Dubai Kunafa Yeast Protein joins Happy Cultures’ broader portfolio spanning proteins, nutritional supplements and Gut First Solutions, as the company continues to develop products around emerging consumer preferences and evolving wellness needs.

KuCoin Launches KuLeague With 400,000 USDT Reward Pool and Dynamic Team Rematching

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a global crypto platform built on trust, today launched KuLeague, its new flagship futures trading competition series. The inaugural season is now live with KuCoin Futures’ reward pool of 400,000 USDT, a new Dynamic Team Matching mechanism designed to keep more participants competitive, and a 35% direct referral commission integrated into the team experience.

At the core of KuLeague is an adaptive team structure for a smooth trading competition experience. Eligible participants form squads of five or more and compete based on their combined eligible futures trading volume for a share of the 100,000 USDT team prize pool. Through Dynamic Team Matching*, participants whose teams do not meet the minimum member threshold may be reassigned on September 14, 2026, to teams that satisfy the relevant requirements. This allows eligible participants to continue competing for team rewards as part of their new team.

Beyond the team competition, KuLeague now provides multiple ways for eligible participants to compete for rewards*, including:

• 240,000 USDT allocated to daily draw rewards
• 50,000 USDT allocated to solo P&L race
• 35% direct referral commission on qualifying referral activity
• Multi-tier rewards supporting broader participation

This multi-path structure accommodates different experience levels and trading styles. Integrating referral incentives directly into the competition also connects team collaboration with community growth.

Together, these refinements create a more inclusive and resilient format — one that limits the impact of inactive squads, recognizes different forms of participation and keeps more traders in contention. Fall Season 2026 marks the beginning of a recurring KuLeague series that will evolve across future seasonal cycles.

The campaign runs from August 31 to September 21, 2026. Visit the KuLeague campaign page for full details*.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform built on trust and security, serving over 45 million users across 200+ countries and regions. Known for its reliability and user-first approach, the platform combines advanced technology, deep liquidity, and strong security safeguards to deliver a seamless trading experience. KuCoin provides access to 1,500+ digital assets through a broad product suite and remains committed to building transparent, compliant, and user-centric digital asset infrastructure for the future of finance, backed by SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 27701:2019, ISO 22301:2019 and ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certifications. In recent years, we have built a strong global compliance foundation, marked by key milestones including AUSTRAC registration in Australia, a MiCA license in Europe, and regulatory progress in other markets.

Learn more at www.kucoin.com.

Disclaimer

*Terms and Conditions apply. Participation, certain products, services, campaign features and rewards may not be available in all jurisdictions.

The information is for corporate PR purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or investment advice.

Futures trading involves substantial risk and may result in significant financial losses. Read our Risk Disclosure.

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Aon to acquire USI to establish the premier U.S. middle-market platform

• Builds on the successful acquisition of NFP to advance leading platform in the large and growing U.S. middle market
• Extends Aon’s differentiated capabilities to provide better choice, superior solutions and greater value for clients
• Expands Aon’s access to the Excess & Surplus (E&S) segment, among the fastest-growing areas in U.S. commercial insurance
• Enhances Aon’s industry-leading data platform, deepening its context advantage
• Following the close of the transaction, USI Chairman and CEO Mike Sicard will serve as President of Aon plc and global CEO of Middle Market for the firm
• Purchase price of $17.0 billion; transaction expected to deliver $395 million in annual run-rate net adjusted EBITDA impact from revenue and cost synergies across the combined middle-market platform and to be accretive to adjusted EPS in 2028
• Aon to host conference call to discuss transaction on August 31, 2026, at 8:00 AM ET

DUBLIN, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire USI from KKR and other shareholders for a total purchase price of $17.0 billion. The transaction establishes the premier platform in the large and growing U.S. middle-market segment, building on the success of Aon’s acquisition of NFP in 2024.

USI, a leading provider of property & casualty, employee benefit, personal risk and retirement solutions for the middle market, is the tenth largest U.S. insurance broker with approximately $3 billion in annual revenue and more than 10,500 team members across nearly 200 U.S. offices. Powered by its proprietary USI ONE® platform for analytics, networked resources and strategic planning to inform and advise clients, USI is highly complementary with Aon’s one-firm, Aon United strategy and global Aon Business Services operating and technology engine.

“In a time of rising complexity and volatility, creating better outcomes for clients across their risk and people challenges requires a combination of capabilities and expertise supported by proprietary data, analytics and technology,” said Greg Case, President and CEO of Aon. “Through the successful execution of our 3×3 Plan to accelerate our Aon United strategy, we have significantly strengthened our firm to build the industry’s most differentiated model: what we call our context advantage.”

Case added: “Combining with USI will establish the premier U.S. middle-market platform, deepen our context advantage and position Aon to accelerate organic growth. Building on the success of our acquisition of NFP, USI will substantially enhance our middle-market footprint and expand access for our firm in the E&S segment to deliver content, capabilities and expertise to a broader client base, while enabling client leaders to expand relationships and win new business. Our combined data platform will generate richer insight, advance the development of innovative, AI-driven solutions and expand the universe of insurable risk, while further reinforcing the context advantage that differentiates Aon. For nearly two decades, Mike Sicard has built and led a high-performing and integrated team, and I am excited about the opportunities we will create together for our clients, colleagues and shareholders.”

Following the close of the transaction, USI Chairman and CEO Mike Sicard will serve as President of Aon plc and global CEO of Middle Market, reporting to Case, and join the Aon Executive Committee.

“Joining Aon represents a truly energizing next chapter for our firm and an opportunity to accelerate our momentum as part of the Aon United platform,” said Sicard. “Our firms share strong, one-firm cultures with a deep commitment to working together to bring the best of our capabilities to clients. I look forward to leading Aon’s middle-market platform and uniting the strengths of USI, NFP and Aon to deliver a new standard of content, capabilities and service to our clients.”

Compelling Strategic and Financial Rationale

• Establishes the leading platform in the large and growing U.S. middle-market segment. The addition of USI substantially enhances Aon’s presence in the more than $40 billion U.S. middle-market segment. The middle-market segment represents more than one third of U.S. commercial P&C direct written premium. The acquisition will also extend Aon’s capabilities across health, talent and Human Capital advisory offerings to provide better choice, superior solutions and greater value for clients.
• Expands Aon’s direct access to the E&S segment, distributed through Managing General Agents, Managing General Underwriters and Wholesalers. USI’s emerging wholesale capabilities will strengthen Aon’s ability to meet a wider range of client needs and meaningfully participate in the E&S segment, among the fastest-growing areas in U.S. commercial insurance, representing 26% of U.S. commercial P&C premiums.
• Enhances Aon’s industry-leading data platform, deepening its context advantage. The transaction will expand Aon’s data ecosystem and augment the firm’s proprietary data flow, fidelity and analytics to generate richer insights and deliver differentiated, AI-enabled solutions and drive better client outcomes.
• Unites organizations with shared one-firm mindsets and proven leadership teams, facilitating a faster, more seamless integration and greater value capture. Powered by its proprietary USI ONE® platform for analytics, USI is highly complementary with Aon’s one-firm, Aon United strategy and global Aon Business Services operating and technology engine. With experienced leadership across USI, NFP and Aon, the combined firm will be well positioned to capture the unique value of its middle-market platform.
• Creates compelling long-term shareholder value with significant synergies, enhanced growth opportunities and larger addressable markets. The combination is expected to accelerate organic growth across Aon’s middle-market platform by enhancing client access to value-added capabilities. Building on the firm’s demonstrated success in integrating NFP, Aon has a clear path to deliver approximately $395 million in annual run-rate net adjusted EBITDA impact from identified revenue and cost synergies across the combined middle-market platform. Aon expects the acquisition to be accretive to adjusted EPS in 2028 and thereafter.

Transaction Details

The purchase price for USI is $17.0 billion, or $16.7 billion on a net basis, which reflects approximately $278 million of certain tax attributes. The net purchase price represents approximately 14.5x on a synergized trailing twelve-month adjusted EBITDA basis.

Aon expects to fund the transaction, as well as related transaction expenses and other costs, with new debt raised across a range of maturities, subject to market conditions.

The firm expects to maintain its current rating of Baa2 with Moody’s and A- with S&P. Aon will continue to execute its disciplined capital allocation strategy, prioritizing de-leveraging, funding a stable and growing dividend and balancing investments for growth with return of excess capital. Consistent with this strategy, the firm does not expect to repurchase shares in the near-term as it prioritizes debt repayment.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Aon and the Board of Directors of USI. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2026. Aon and USI will continue to operate independently until the closing date.

Conference Call, Presentation Slides and Webcast Details

The firm will host a conference call on August 31, 2026, from 8:00-8:45 AM ET. Interested parties can listen to the conference call via a live audio webcast and view the presentation slides at ir.aon.com.

Advisors

BofA Securities and Citi served as financial advisors to Aon on the transaction. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP acted as legal counsel to Aon, McDermott Will & Schulte LLP acted as legal advisor to Aon with respect to regulatory matters and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is acting as financing counsel to Aon.

About USI Insurance Services

USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the United States, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to its clients nationwide. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects more than 10,500 industry-leading professionals from nearly 200 offices to serve clients’ needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom-line impact. For more information about USI, please visit www.usi.com.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.

Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon’s newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.

Media Contacts

Aon

mediainquiries@aon.com

Toll-free (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico): +1 833 751 8114

International: +1 312 381 3024

USI

Nate Forsberg

USI Insurance Services

610-619-5669

Nate.Forsberg@usi.com

Investor Relations Contact

investor.relations@aon.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This communication contains certain statements related to future results, or states Aon’s intentions, beliefs and expectations or predictions for the future, all of which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from either historical or anticipated results depending on a variety of factors. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of Aon’s operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that Aon expects or anticipates may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements about Aon’s outlook, expected market and industry conditions, including competitive and pricing trends, the development and performance of Aon’s services and products, the expected timing and closing requirements for completing the proposed acquisition, the expected benefits of the proposed acquisition, including advances in the middle-market segment and access to the Excess & Surplus segment, business generation, revenue and cost synergies, increased profitability, the timing of value capture and costs and other anticipated financial impacts of the proposed acquisition, including with respect to credit ratings, expected governance and stakeholder value impacts as a result of the proposed acquisition, Aon’s expected cost structure and the outcome of cost-saving or restructuring initiatives, including the impacts of the Accelerating Aon United Program and the integration of USI, Aon’s, USI’s and the combined firm’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, actual or anticipated legal settlement expenses, future capital expenditures, growth in commissions and fees, changes to the composition or level of our revenues, cash flow and liquidity, expected tax rates, expected foreign currency translation impacts, business strategies, competitive strengths, goals, the benefits of new initiatives, growth of Aon’s business and operations, plans and references to future successes are forward-looking statements. Also, when Aon uses words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “confidence”, “conviction”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “looking forward”, “may”, “might”, “plan”, “potential”, “opportunity”, “commit”, “probably”, “project”, “positioned”, “should”, “will”, “would” or similar expressions, it is making forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements: the possibility that the proposed acquisition will not be consummated, uncertainties relating to the timing of consummation of the proposed acquisition, failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the proposed acquisition, adverse effects on the market price of Aon’s securities and on Aon’s operating results for any reason, including, without limitation, because of the failure to consummate the proposed acquisition, the failure to realize the expected benefits of the proposed acquisition (including anticipated revenue and cost synergies), the failure to effectively integrate the combined companies following consummation of the proposed acquisition, the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues, negative effects of an announcement of the proposed acquisition, changes in global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax laws, regulations, rates and policies, future business acquisitions or disposals, or any announcement relating to the consummation of or failure to consummate the proposed acquisition on the market price of Aon’s securities, significant transaction and integration costs or difficulties in connection with the proposed acquisition and/or unknown or inestimable liabilities, potential litigation associated with the proposed acquisition, the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the proposed acquisition on relationships, including with suppliers, customers, employees and regulators, and general economic, business and political conditions (including any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak) that affect the combined companies following the consummation of the proposed acquisition.

Any or all of Aon’s forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate, and there are no guarantees about Aon’s performance. The factors identified above are not exhaustive. Aon and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business environment in which new risks may emerge frequently. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.

In addition, results for prior periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future period. Further information concerning Aon and its businesses, including factors that could materially affect Aon’s financial results, is contained in Aon’s filings with the SEC. See Aon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to Aon and its businesses. These factors may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Aon is not under, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statement that it may make from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements thereof.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Measures

This communication includes supplemental information not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), including Aon’s organic revenue growth, USI’s EBITDA, USI’s adjusted EBITDA, synergized adjusted EBITDA, Aon’s adjusted diluted net income per share (“adjusted EPS”) and certain other noteworthy items that affected results for the comparable periods. Organic revenue growth includes the impact of intercompany activity and excludes foreign exchange rate changes, acquisitions (provided that organic revenue growth includes organic growth of an acquired business as calculated assuming that the acquired business was part of the combined company for the same proportion of the relevant prior year period), divestitures (including held for sale disposal groups, which are adjusted from organic revenue growth upon classification as held for sale, if any), transfers between revenue lines, fiduciary investment income and gains or losses on derivatives accounted for as hedges. Reconciliations to the closest U.S. GAAP measure for each non-GAAP measure presented in this communication are provided in the attached appendices. Supplemental organic revenue growth information and additional measures that exclude the effects of certain items noted above do not affect net income or any other U.S. GAAP reported amounts. EBITDA is net income minus the impact of interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA minus the impact of earnout adjustments and accretion of discount, certain acquisition related tax obligations, certain restructuring costs and management fees. Synergized adjusted EBITDA, presented including the full benefit of estimated run-rate cost and net revenue synergies expected to be substantially realized in the period between the anticipated closing date and 2029, is based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections and has not been prepared in conformance with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X relating to pro forma financial information, and the required pro forma adjustments have not been applied and are not reflected therein. This information should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the historical financial statements of USI. This information does not reflect what USI’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the proposed transaction occurred on or prior to the dates indicated.  Various factors could cause actual future results to differ materially from those currently estimated by management, including, but not limited to, the risks described above and in Aon’s filings with the SEC. Management believes that these measures are important to make meaningful period-to-period comparisons and that this supplemental information is helpful to investors. Management also uses these measures to assess operating performance and performance for compensation. Non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, not in lieu of, Aon’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Industry peers provide similar supplemental information regarding their performance, although they may not make identical adjustments. Aon does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP measures, such as EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and synergized adjusted EBITDA, where Aon believes such a reconciliation would imply a degree of precision and certainty that could be misleading and is unable to reasonably predict certain items contained in the corresponding GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing or amount of various items that have not yet occurred and are out of Aon’s control or cannot be reasonably predicted. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors and could have a material impact on U.S. GAAP reported results. For these reasons, Aon is also unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

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Manipal Hospitals Joins Hands with Sarla Aviation and Aeromed to Transform Emergency Medical Transport in India

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In a significant step towards transforming emergency medical transportation in India, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sarla Aviation and Aeromed International Rescue Services to explore the development of next-generation air ambulance services using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The partnership brings together Sarla Aviation’s eVTOL technology, Manipal Hospitals’ network of hospitals and clinical expertise, and Aeromed’s experience in air ambulance and medical evacuation services. The aim is to develop a seamless system that can transport patients directly between their location and the appropriate hospital, helping reduce delays caused by road traffic and long-distance travel.

The MoU, signed on August 7, 2026, will focus on developing the aircraft’s medical cabin, establishing patient transfer procedures and identifying medical routes where faster transportation could make a critical difference. The partners will also work on emergency transfers for trauma, heart attacks, strokes, newborns requiring specialised care and organ transplantation.

As part of the collaboration, the teams will jointly work on designing the medical bay and integrating essential equipment into Sarla Aviation’s Shunya eVTOL aircraft, while keeping patient safety and comfort at the centre. They will also develop standard procedures for transferring patients between ground ambulances, the aircraft and hospitals, including protocols for situations where patients require urgent escalation of care. Training programmes, insurance and safety frameworks, as well as research into patient outcomes, will also form part of the collaboration.

Speaking about the potential of such technologies, Shri. Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation of India, said, “What we have to now provide is seamless connectivity from the airport to the doorstep. That is where this will be very, very instrumental. With the kind of urbanisation and increase in population that we are seeing, we have to bring in new technologies to cater to that.”

For patients and families, the potential impact is significant. In medical emergencies, every minute can matter. A dedicated air ambulance service that can avoid congested roads and connect patients more quickly to specialised medical care could help make emergency and inter-hospital transfers faster and more efficient.

Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Hospitals, said, “Healthcare is constantly evolving, and our responsibility is to embrace innovations that can make care more accessible, timely and effective. The integration of advanced aviation technology with our healthcare expertise has the potential to significantly transform emergency and inter-hospital patient transfers. Through this collaboration, we hope to help shape a safe, clinically robust and scalable model for next-generation air ambulance services in India, with the patient firmly at the centre.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.manipalhospitals.com/

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The Girl Who Wants to Make Clean Air a Right on Every Construction Site

New Delhi, Aug 31: When Aarna Gupta was growing up in South Delhi, pollution was something she could see, hear about and occasionally struggle to escape. But it became something far more personal when her grandfather developed lung scarring.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, as her family made repeated trips to the hospital, Aarna began to see environmental inequality differently. She realised that the burden of polluted air is not shared equally—and that for millions of people, exposure to harmful air is not something they can simply choose to avoid.

That realisation eventually took her beyond her own neighbourhood.

Aarna began spending time observing construction sites and speaking with workers and children who live around them. What stayed with her was the everyday exposure: workers spending long hours surrounded by dust and debris, often without masks or adequate protection, while children living around construction sites were breathing the same air.

She also noticed another consequence that rarely makes it into conversations about construction pollution: children missing school because of health problems.

“For me, it became about understanding how environmental inequality impacts people who are out there every day,” Aarna says.

At just 17, that question has led her to Aeroshield, a prototype designed to turn one of the most familiar features of a construction site—the scaffold net—into an active layer of protection against airborne pollutants.

The idea has also taken Aarna into the Top 40 of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung’s flagship CSR programme that gives young innovators a platform to develop solutions to real-world problems through mentorship, resources and access to an innovation ecosystem. For Aarna, the programme is an opportunity to take Aeroshield beyond an idea and work towards making it viable at scale.

A scaffold net that does more than contain debris

Construction activity contributes nearly 30% of urban emissions and generates large quantities of airborne particulate matter. Conventional dust-control measures can be temporary, resource-intensive and difficult to maintain under the harsh conditions of active construction sites.

Aeroshield takes a different approach.

Instead of simply containing debris, the proposed low-cost net is designed to capture and degrade pollutants. A starch-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP), synthesised through graft copolymerisation, is designed to trap airborne particles through capillary absorption and electrostatic forces.

The captured pollutants are then targeted for degradation using photocatalytic materials engineered with oxygen deficiencies. When exposed to sunlight, these materials generate reactive oxygen species , creating a pathway to break down trapped pollutants and potentially contribute to the degradation of certain greenhouse gases.

The result is intended to be a construction net that does not merely stand between a construction site and the surrounding environment—but actively works to reduce the pollutants passing through it.

Importantly, Aarna says the ambition is not to create another complicated system that construction sites would struggle to adopt.

Aeroshield is being designed around existing construction infrastructure, with roller-line manufacturing envisioned to make the solution scalable while reducing water use and keeping production costs low.

The prototype is now ready.

A teenager thinking beyond the prototype

For Aarna, however, the technology is only one part of the ambition.

Her larger goal is to see protection for construction workers become part of a broader regulatory shift.

She wants basic protection from construction-related air pollution to become something workers can expect—not something they have to ask for.

“If a labourer feels safe, productivity improves,” she says.

That belief has shaped the way she thinks about Aeroshield. The objective is not innovation for innovation’s sake, but commercial viability: a solution that can be affordable, manufactured at scale and integrated into the way construction already works.

Her journey has also been shaped by the people closest to her.

When Aarna found herself unable to spend as much time outdoors because of pollution, her parents encouraged her to channel her curiosity into science. Her mother, who ran an education centre for children with special needs, also gave her an early understanding of how differently people experience the same environment—and how important it is to design solutions around those who are most vulnerable.

That combination of personal experience, scientific curiosity and social observation has become the foundation of her work.

Aeroshield began with a question about pollution.

It has evolved into a much bigger question about who gets protected from it.

From one girl’s observation to a larger vision for India

Aarna’s journey reflects a larger shift in how India’s young innovators are approaching environmental challenges: not simply asking how to make technology more sophisticated, but how to make it useful, accessible and capable of changing systems.

For Aarna, the answer lies somewhere between the laboratory and the construction site.

The cloth she first imagined has evolved into a technology designed to harness sunlight and accelerate the breakdown of pollutants. The problem she first saw through her grandfather’s illness has expanded into a concern for workers and children exposed to polluted air every day. And the prototype she has built is only the beginning of what she hopes will eventually become a commercially viable product and, ultimately, part of a change in construction-site safety standards.

At 17, Aarna is not claiming that one invention can solve India’s air-pollution crisis.

Her ambition is more focused.

She wants to make sure that the people who build India’s cities do not have to sacrifice their health to build them.

Because sometimes, a solution to a massive environmental problem begins not in a boardroom or a research institute, but with one young person noticing something everyone else has learned to live with—and refusing to accept it as normal.

KuCoin Partners with FinChain to Integrate FUSD into Its RWA Collateral Mirroring Solution

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange built on trust, today announced a partnership with FinChain to integrate FUSD into KuCoin’s RWA Collateral Mirroring Solution (RCMS). Through RCMS, yield-bearing FUSD can be connected through custody and mapped as collateral value, adding it to the list of assets supported as RCMS collateral.

Through this partnership, FUSD does not need to be sold beforehand or transferred directly to KuCoin. Its eligible collateral value, assessed within the designated custody framework, can be mapped to relevant KuCoin trading accounts in accordance with platform rules. Eligible institutional users can therefore keep their existing custody and yield arrangements, while using KuCoin’s liquidity, trade execution, risk controls and position management capabilities to deploy capital more efficiently.

KuCoin Bridges RWA Assets and Trading Liquidity via RCMS

RCMS is KuCoin’s off-exchange collateral infrastructure for institutional clients, designed to connect eligible RWA assets held in custody with trading accounts. Through RCMS, KuCoin incorporates mapped collateral value into the platform’s collateral management, risk control, and position management processes, enabling custodied assets to support live trading activity in accordance with applicable rules.

RCMS is therefore more than a technical mechanism for mapping collateral value. It connects asset custody, collateral management, platform liquidity and trade execution within an integrated framework. Institutions can access trading and liquidity more flexibly, without frequently transferring or selling assets.

FUSD is backed by real-world assets such as money market funds and highly rated government bonds. Subject to platform rules, it can serve as both a yield-bearing asset and trading collateral, helping institutions reduce the trade-off between earning yield and accessing trading liquidity.

For KuCoin, the partnership expands the yield-bearing RWA assets supported by RCMS and further strengthens its role as both a trading platform and a provider of institutional market infrastructure. FinChain provides FUSD and its underlying asset backing. KuCoin, through RCMS, platform liquidity, trade execution, and risk management, makes eligible collateral value available for use in trading accounts. Together, the two sides create a complete process from RWA holding and custody to collateralization and trading.

Tika Lum, Head of Global Business Development – VIP & Institutional Business at KuCoin, said:

“For tokenized assets to become an integral component of market infrastructure, issuance and holding alone are insufficient; they must be used safely within prudent risk management frameworks. By adding FUSD to its range of RCMS-eligible collateral assets, KuCoin further connects RWA custodianship, collateral management, liquidity and trade execution, empowering institutions to deploy capital more efficiently while preserving their asset-holding arrangements. Grounded in trust, security and compliance, we will continue collaborating with partners to build institutional-grade infrastructure bridging traditional financial assets and digital asset markets.”

Chen Zhao, CEO of FinChain, said: “We focus not merely on whether FUSD can be held, but whether it can be utilized within real-world trading infrastructure. Acting as collateral within RCMS enables FUSD to convert its underlying asset backing into usable collateral value while preserving yield-bearing performance. This facilitates more agile capital management for institutions across asset allocation, liquidity and strategy execution. Our collaboration with KuCoin marks a pivotal step for FUSD moving from asset issuance toward scenario-based application.”

Compared with RWA products intended primarily for subscription and holding, FUSD, following its integration into RCMS, can also serve as eligible collateral within KuCoin’s trading infrastructure. This arrangement links underlying asset backing, tokenization, custody connectivity, collateral management, risk control, platform liquidity and trade execution, further expanding FUSD’s use in offshore digital asset markets. Going forward, the two parties will continue to work together on collateral eligibility assessment, custody connectivity, risk parameters, and offshore market expansion.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform with more than 45 million users across 200+ countries and regions. The platform offers trading in 1,500+ digital assets, along with spot, futures, institutional wealth management and Web3 wallet services, and has been recognized by authorities including Forbes and Hurun. KuCoin has obtained SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 27701:2019, ISO 22301:2019 and ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certifications, continuing to strengthen its security and privacy capabilities. Supported by its AUSTRAC registration in Australia and MiCA license in Austria, and under the leadership of CEO BC Wong, KuCoin continues to advance global compliance and innovation.

Learn more at www.kucoin.com.

About FinChain

FinChain is a Web3 brand incubated by Fosun Wealth Holdings. It positions itself as a global physical-financial blockchain network and financial-infrastructure platform supporting real-world-asset on-chain circulation. Centering on on-chain identity, RWA technology, asset issuance and on-chain-liquidity management, FinChain connects traditional-financial assets with digital-asset-use cases and keeps expanding institutional adoption and ecosystem partnerships for FUSD.

For more information: www.finchain.global

Disclaimer

This article is for corporate PR purposes only. It does not constitute an offer, invitation, solicitation, recommendation or promotion of any virtual asset products or services in Hong Kong, nor does it constitute investment advice.

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Shriram Life’s FY26 Maharashtra Growth: Retail Policies up 31%, Retail Premium up 17%, ahead of private industry

HYDERABAD, India, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Shriram Life Insurance Company (SLIC) reported strong business performance in Maharashtra during fiscal year 2026, with growth in both retail policies and retail premiums exceeding private industry trends in the state.

During the period, SLIC’s retail policy in Maharashtra grew 31%, higher than the private industry’s growth of 12%. Retail premium growth stood at 17%, compared to 9% growth reported by the private industry during the same period.

“Maharashtra is a key focus market for Shriram Life’s growth, and we are happy to see our efforts bearing fruit. We remain committed to investing in the region and fully expect this growth momentum to continue. Strong policy and premium growth, driven by our expanding footprint, reflects the trust of our customers and distribution partners across the region,” said Casparus J.H. Kromhout, MD and CEO, Shriram Life Insurance.

SLIC remains focused on expanding access to life insurance, strengthening customer engagement, and supporting the long-term financial well-being of individuals and families across Maharashtra.

The company has strengthened its agency and bancassurance network, improved digital onboarding, and upgraded customer service. It continues to grow insurance penetration through protection and savings products, positioning it for steady growth in retail policies and premiums over the medium term.

Overall, SLIC’s new business premium (individual) grew 21% in FY26, up from Rs 1,372 crore to Rs 1,666 crore in FY26. Retail annualised premium equivalent was up 14% in FY26, up from Rs 1,289 crore in FY25 to Rs 1,475 crore in FY26.

About Shriram Life Insurance Company

Shriram Life Insurance is committed to serving every Indian household with protection solutions that matter. With a network of 729 branches across the country, the company provides affordable, reliable, and user-friendly insurance —term plans, endowment, ULIPs, and annuities—helping families secure their tomorrow, today. Over 15.3 lakh in-force policyholders trust us with their financial safety. As of March 2026, our Assets Under Management has grown to ₹15,216 crore. Our easy-to-use apps make purchasing, premium payments, and claim settlements simple and convenient for everyone.

About Shriram Group

Shriram Group is one of India’s leading financial conglomerates, with a strong presence in retail financing, asset reconstruction, wealth management, life insurance, general insurance, chit funds, stock broking, financial product distribution, and asset management services. The Group’s focus is on serving underserved communities, driven by its financial inclusion agenda to bring finance to low-income families and small businesses. Shriram Group serves over 2.98 crore customers, has a marketing force of more than 1.85 lakh, employs over 1.15 lakh people, and operates through more than 4,700 branches. It manages an AUM of ₹3.69 lakh crore as of March 2026.

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AXISCADES Technologies to Acquire Cloud Wave Technologies, Accelerating Entry into Aerospace Manufacturing

Acquisition accelerates AXISCADES’ aerospace manufacturing strategy, combining immediate capability with planned capacity expansion at Devanahalli.

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AXISCADES Technologies Limited (NSE: AXISCADES) (BSE: 532395) (“AXISCADES”), listed on the BSE and NSE, on the 28^th of August, 2026 announced that its Board of Directors has approved the acquisition of a majority stake in Cloud Wave Technologies Private Limited (“Cloud Wave”), a Bengaluru-based precision engineering and manufacturing company at an enterprise valuation of approximately INR 260 crores (subject to the finalization of accounts and adjustments as set out under the definitive agreements). The transaction marks a significant step in AXISCADES’ strategy to accelerate the scale-up of its Aerospace Manufacturing platform and add immediately operational precision-manufacturing capabilities alongside its established, product-based Aerospace, Defence and Electronics businesses.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Bengaluru, Cloud Wave is an AS9100D-certified manufacturer operating seven manufacturing units, providing precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, tooling, plastic injection moulding, 3D printing & surface treatment capabilities. Its customer base spans the Aerospace & Defence and Semiconductor sectors across both domestic and export markets. The company has been consistently growing over the years and is expected to generate 180cr revenue at 22% EBITDA in FY27.

The acquisition is a key inorganic step under AXISCADES’ Power 930 growth plan, which targets continued expansion into aerospace manufacturing. AXISCADES is also separately developing a new Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) — a 240,000 sq ft, world-class facility on a 20-acre campus at its Devanahalli Aerospace Park — designed to consolidate and scale manufacturing operations, backed by the right talent, to a standard capable of serving global OEMs. AXISCADES will continue to evaluate selective inorganic opportunities that deepen manufacturing capabilities, expand technology access, and strengthen proximity to global customers in the US & EU.

“This is a defining step for AXISCADES. We are leveraging two decades of our engineering and manufacturing legacy to become a significant player in the aerospace manufacturing supply chain ecosystem — addressing a real capability & capacity gap in India, collaborating with existing Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and serving our global customers. This platform will continue to expand & grow its existing customers and in parallel meet our own internal metallic manufacturing needs across Defence and Electronics, and positions us to bid for domestic programmes with ADA, HAL, DRDO and others.”

— K.P. Mohanakrishnan, Deputy CEO & President – Aerospace, AXISCADES Technologies Limited

“Joining the AXISCADES Group marks an important milestone in Cloud Wave’s growth journey. It provides us with greater scale, access to a broader customer base and the long-term capital required to accelerate our ambitions. Over the past decade, our team has built strong precision-manufacturing capabilities trusted by leading global aerospace and semiconductor customers. We are excited to take these capabilities to the next level as part of a listed, well-capitalised aerospace and defence platform.”

— Satishkumar P., Founder & CEO, Cloud Wave Technologies Private Limited

About AXISCADES Technologies Limited

AXISCADES Technologies Limited is a publicly listed technology Company headquartered in Bengaluru, India, with operations across Europe, the Americas and the APAC region. The company delivers product-based Aerospace and Defence solutions, and advanced Electronics, Semiconductor and AI products, working with long-term strategic partners across global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

www.axiscades.com

About Cloud Wave Technologies Private Limited

Cloud Wave Technologies Private Limited is a Bengaluru-based, AS9100D-certified precision manufacturing Company founded in 2014. Operating seven manufacturing units, Cloud Wave provides precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, tooling, plastic injection moulding, 3D printing, and surface treatment capabilities across the Aerospace & Defence and Semiconductor sectors, serving both domestic and export markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding future acquisitions, facility development, and growth targets, which are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. AXISCADES undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by applicable law or listing regulations.

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UST to Host GenCyS 2026 Conference Exploring the Intersection of AI and Security

Second annual AI and cybersecurity conference unites technology leaders, researchers and students to explore the future of secure innovation 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —  UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, will host the GenCyS 2026 global AI and cybersecurity conference at its Thiruvananthapuram campus from September 5 – 6, 2026. Building on the success of the inaugural event in 2025, the conference will bring together technology leaders, AI practitioners, security experts, researchers, developers, and students to explore the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and security. 

The free hybrid conference will feature lectures, technical sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops centred around the convergence of advanced artificial intelligence and robust security practices. Attendees will learn directly from industry experts, exchange ideas, and explore how AI is transforming cybersecurity. 

GenCyS 2026 aims to empower participants to innovate safely in an evolving digital landscape, offering insights into emerging AI technologies, evolving security challenges, and the future of secure innovation. The event will also host the GenCyS CTF Finals, bringing together finalists from UST’s capture-the-flag cybersecurity competition that attracted more than 1,500 participants from around the world. 

With online participation available for those unable to attend in Thiruvananthapuram and free registration for all, GenCyS 2026 welcomes students, professionals, and technology enthusiasts from around the world to experience two days of dynamic learning, meaningful interaction, and exciting discovery.

Register here: https://events.ust.com/gencys2026  

About UST:   

Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world’s best companies to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering, R&D, products, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive business outcomes. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse expertise, innovation, and agility into our clients’ organizations — delivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact — touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com.  

Media Contacts, UST India:  

Neha Misri   

+44-7733907820  

SomSekhar CV   

+91-9037888244  

Roshni Das K   

+91-7736795557   

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