Category Archives: News

MP-14 ORIGIN BY JEFF KOONS – KOONS × HUBLOT: TWO UNIVERSES BUILT ON TRANSFORMATION

NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hublot and Jeff Koons unveil a multi-faceted collaboration, simultaneously launching two exceptional timepieces: the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog and the MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons. This partnership between Hublot and Koons, both renowned for transforming the ordinary into the iconic, delivers a fusion of high end watchmaking and contemporary art. The MP-14 Origin, featuring a sapphire, titanium and gem-set white gold architecture, fuses high jewellery and high watchmaking to express the creation of the cosmos on a micro scale – as if capturing the very origin of everything at the moment it begins to expand. This visionary piece marks a significant technical milestone for Hublot: the introduction of its first automatic central tourbillon. This limited edition of 30 pieces is more than a watch that represents the universe; it stages its very beginning.

MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons joins Hublot’s Exceptional Timepieces collection, the brand’s experimental laboratory of high horology, dedicated to radical mechanical concepts, advanced materials and unconventional time architectures. Each Exceptional Timepiece pushes watchmaking beyond its known limits, turning technical innovation into a field of pure exploration. The designation MP-14 alludes to the number 14, a significant reference in Jeff Koons’s career. In 1980, his first solo exhibition was held at the New Museum in New York, then located at 65 Fifth Avenue at 14th Street, linking the number to a defining early milestone in his artistic journey.

“The MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons is a horological interpretation of creation itself: the moment where energy becomes form and form becomes time. It is more than measuring time, it’s about returning to its source. Motion is generative. A central tourbillon becomes the first pulse and everything else unfolds around it like a controlled expansion. It’s the idea of a Big Bang translated through engineered motion, material tension, and the physics of light,” said Jeff Koons on the collaboration.

Julien Tornare, Hublot CEO, added “The MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons sits at the intersection of two parallel visions: one artist deconstructing perception, one manufacture deconstructing matter, both since 1980. Jeff Koons has been transforming familiar forms into amplified symbols, where light, scale and reflection turn perception into participation. Hublot builds the Art of Fusion, where materials, techniques and disciplines collide. This piece is a true masterpiece: a testament to our mastery, elevated by Koons’ vision of transformation and amplified perception.”

A MECHANICAL UNIVERSE IN MOTION

The MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons is a hypnotic fusion of high horology and visionary art. It embodies the very essence of Hublot as an experimental laboratory of watchmaking, driven by radical mechanical concepts, advanced materials and unconventional approaches to time. The MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons reflects the manufacture’s constant drive to transform constraints into achievements, from its mastery of sapphire to the development of its first automatic central tourbillon capable of sustaining this multi-layered kinetic architecture and is supported by a peripheral oscillating mass system ensuring stability and energy efficiency.

At first glance, the MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons looks futuristic. It features a 44 mm octagonal sapphire and titanium case where transparency and depth define the case as much as structure defines the movement. The case is an octagonal transparent sapphire box. It requires about 534 hours of machining. It is assembled with a titanium case back, screws and Hublot’s signature “ears” at 3 and 9 o’clock. Inside, the watch unfolds as a gravitational system. Concentric rings in white gold, set with baguette-cut diamonds and blue sapphires, form orbital layers. These layers converge toward a central core. Beneath a transparent sapphire dome inspired by Koons’ Gazing Ball works, hand-coated in translucent blue varnish by a micropainter, the concealed central tourbillon becomes the system’s origin. It’s the mechanical “first pulse” from which the entire structure appears to expand. 

Two suspended rotating rings display hours and minutes, each carrying a floating indicator cube – red polished stainless steel painted with a translucent red varnish for hours, grey polished stainless steel for minutes – appearing to orbit within the structure. Above concentric rings set with baguette-cut diamonds, these elements float in suspension, evoking celestial orbits in a hypnotic dance. The two additional rings are fixed and non-rotating: the minute ring is set with blue sapphires marking the quarters, while the hour ring is set with blue sapphires indicating the hours. Together, the four rings are set with a total of 202 stones, representing approximately 2.6 carats.

At the core, the HUB9014 manufacture movement drives the system: a central automatic tourbillon with peripheral oscillating weight, beating at 3 Hz (21,600 vph) and delivering a 60-hour power reserve, composed of 594 components. The peripheral mass replaces traditional central winding architecture, allowing the system to remain fully open, balanced and visually suspended. The tourbillon cage is positioned as a floating anti-gravity element beneath the sapphire dome, transforming mechanical regulation into visible cosmic motion. The case extends this system into full continuity: the bracelet is fully integrated in sapphire with titanium screws, creating a seamless transition from case to wrist. Two hidden functions (concealed crown systems) are integrated into the architecture, allowing winding and time-setting without disrupting the purity of the design. The winding system appears where “ENERGY PULSE” is engraved and time-setting is indicated by the mention: “COSMIC ALIGN”.

The watch does not display a universe, it behaves like one. It is a space in motion, built to contain time at the moment of its origin. The presentation case is conceived as an infinite mirror installation, using LED illumination and one-way mirror technique to create a sense of boundless depth and suspended perception. Inspired by the octagonal geometry of the watch, it is crowned with a transparent dome, extending the architectural language of the timepiece into an immersive spatial experience.

From its sapphire construction to its HUB9014 manufacture movement, the MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons is a powerful expression of the innovation, mastery and boldness that define Hublot. It conveys the quality and reliability of every watch it creates. This confidence is demonstrated through Hublot’s 5+5 warranty program, extending coverage to up to ten years; a commitment rooted in the brand’s conviction in every manufacture-made watch and the expertise of the teams behind it.

Limited to 30 pieces, the MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons is available at selected Hublot points of sale.

HUBLOT: www.hublot.com Email: press@hublot.com, Presslounge platform: presslounge.hublot.com/connection/

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Navi Mumbai Cardiologist Dr. Amit Singh, Founder of Heartwise Cardiology Named ‘Cardiologist of the Year’ at ET Healthcare Awards

First Indian cardiologist with Triple ESC Certification honored for pioneering complex angioplasty, expanding 24/7 cardiac emergency access, and leading the massive “Healthy Heart” community initiative

MUMBAI, India, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Amit Singh, Lead Cardiology Consultant at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Koperkhairane, and founder of Heartwise Cardiology Clinic in Vashi, has been named “Cardiologist of the Year” at the ET Healthcare Annual Awards. Presented by ETHealthworld at a ceremony in New Delhi, the honor recognizes his transformative role in localizing advanced structural heart interventions and expanding critical 24/7 cardiac emergency care across Navi Mumbai and the Thane district.

This marks Dr. Singh’s second national recognition, following the “Emerging Interventional Cardiologist of the Year” award he received at the National Cardiovascular Summit in New Delhi in 2025.

Why was Dr. Amit Singh awarded Cardiologist of the Year?

Dr. Singh was recognized for unprecedented global credentialing and his leadership in delivering complex coronary interventions and advanced heart failure care.

Key Academic & Clinical Milestones:

Foundational Training: Holds an MD in Medicine and a DM in Cardiology from the prestigious K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, alongside past service as Assistant Professor at K.E.M. Hospital.

Global Credentialing: Recognized among the youngest in India and the one of first interventional cardiologist from Navi Mumbai to be designated a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC).

Triple Certification: The first cardiologist in India to hold triple European Society of Cardiology certification simultaneously: in general cardiology (EECC), interventional cardiology (EAPCI), and heart failure (ESC-HFA, lifetime).

How is Dr. Amit Singh expanding cardiac care in Navi Mumbai and Beyond?

Dr. Singh provides critical 24/7 cardiac emergency access to historically underserved industrial and residential belts, saving lives through rapid catheterisation lab access.

Leading the cardiology program at KDAH in Koperkhairane, he serves as the primary cardiovascular lifeline for major sub-nodes including Vashi, Koparkhairne, Ghansoli, Airoli, the 2,000-unit Turbhe MIDC industrial belt, and prominent corporate IT parks. To ensure equitable access outside the city center, Dr. Singh also expanded services through the Kokilaben Hospital Medical Centre at Palava, serving as the singular cardiac emergency hub for tens of thousands of families across Palava, Dombivli, Ambernath, and Badlapur.

Who performs complex angioplasty in the Navi Mumbai and Thane district?

Dr. Singh frequently treats high-risk patients from the Navi Mumbai and Thane district who have been advised coronary bypass surgery but are medically unfit or unwilling, utilizing advanced calcium-modification techniques.

He was among the first interventional cardiologists in Navi Mumbai to adopt Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) and Orbital Atherectomy. Utilizing these technologies, he achieves a success rate of over 99% in complex coronary angioplasties. Furthermore, he is widely regarded as a regional pioneer in advanced structural heart interventions, routinely performing TAVR/TAVI, MitraClip procedures, ASD device closures, and LAA closures.

What is the “Healthy Heart” subsidized screening initiative?

Dr. Singh runs the highly subsidized “Healthy Heart” package as a social initiative to ensure early detection of critical cardiac disease for vulnerable communities.

Running at the hospital for the past two years and priced at just ₹1,500 – a fraction of the standard ₹10,000 cost – the initiative has screened over 5,000 individuals. This program has successfully detected approximately 100 critical cardiac conditions, averting numerous fatal cardiac events. He also leads a dedicated heart disease prevention programme at his flagship clinic in Vashi.

In His Own Words

“This recognition reflects years of work trying to close a real gap in access to cardiac care,” said Dr. Amit Singh. “For years, a large part of Navi Mumbai’s industrial belt, and the families around Palava and Dombivli, had nowhere to turn for emergency cardiac care in the middle of the night. Building that access, one patient at a time, has always mattered to me more than any individual recognition, but I’m genuinely grateful to The Economic Times’ ETHealthworld for this honour, and to every patient and referring doctor who has trusted me along the way.”

Fact Sheet & Media Contact

About Dr. Amit Singh’s Heartwise Cardiology initiative

Dr. Amit Singh , Founder of Heartwise Cardiology is a Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Advanced Heart Failure Specialist based in Navi Mumbai. He holds the FACC designation and triple ESC certification. He also serves as the Lead Cardiology Consultant at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Koperkhairane. https://heartwise.in/about/dr-amit-singh

Official Announcement & Clinical Inquiries:

https://heartwise.in/news/et-healthcare-cardiologist-of-the-year

Media Contact:

Heartwise Cardiology Clinic

Shop No. 25, Nirman Premises Co-Op Society Limited, Plot no. 10, Sector 17, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400705

Phone: +91 97695 17636

Email: info@heartwise.in

Website: https://heartwise.in

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LawZero receives a commitment of up to $300M in joint funding from Canada and Germany

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, at ALL IN, Canada and Germany announced funding of up to CAD $300 million for LawZero to develop a fundamentally new form of advanced, safe and capable AI.

The rapid acceleration of AI brings important risks, as evidenced by recent incidents of systems crossing safety boundaries. The world urgently needs alternatives to ensure that AI systems are developed in ways that are trustworthy enough to be adopted, uphold sovereign values and protect human joy and endeavour. This joint investment from Canada and Germany signals strong confidence in LawZero’s technical approach and in the critical role it can play to answer the urgent need for sovereign leadership in next-generation AI systems.

The funding will power the next phase of LawZero’s technical roadmap, growing its international scientific research team and securing world-class computing infrastructure. These investments will allow LawZero to expand its operations into Europe with the establishment of an office in Berlin, Germany, which will contribute to its rich innovation ecosystem.

As part of this next phase of growth, LawZero will establish a dedicated, sovereign compute infrastructure in Canada, in partnership with Canadian partners Hypertec and 5C. The collaboration will provide LawZero with the advanced computing capacity required to pursue its research at scale, while anchoring critical AI infrastructure, expertise and capabilities in Canada.

LawZero’s flagship approach, called Scientist AI, treats reliability as a core capability, centering on developing a fundamentally new form of AI designed to be trustworthy and safe from inception. Unlike current frontier AI systems designed to act autonomously and pursue their own goals, Scientist AI is being developed to reason transparently and provide reliable, evidence-based outputs unbiased by goals of its own. As LawZero builds towards safe advanced AI, Scientist AI is expected to provide guardrails for today’s frontier models, accelerate scientific breakthroughs, and advance understanding of the risks posed by AI and how to avoid them.

Quotes

“Canada’s future in artificial intelligence depends on developing advanced systems that reflect our values and protect our interests. By investing in homegrown innovation like Scientist AI, we are strengthening Canada’s sovereign AI capacity and ensuring that the next generation of AI is built safely, responsibly, and on Canadian terms.”

– The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Canada’s economy grows when we support the kind of innovation that helps our industries compete and succeed. By investing in LawZero, a Canadian organization advancing safe, high-impact AI, we are building domestic capacity, supporting good jobs, and helping to ensure that advanced technologies are developed responsibly and in ways that benefit Canadians.”

– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

“With ‘Scientist AI’, we are deepening the proven partnership between Canada and Germany. This project pursues a novel, mathematically grounded approach: to develop an inherently safe artificial intelligence. The safe-by-design model offers an alternative to potentially uncontrollable autonomous AI agents. It works purely on the basis of facts – like an objective scientist – and does not pursue its own goals. By building advanced AI research capabilities in Canada and Europe, we are strengthening our technological sovereignty.”

– Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digitalization and Government Modernization of Germany

“As AI risks multiply and accelerate, our priority must be building solutions to make this technology safe, and providing alternative models people can genuinely trust. Recent events demonstrate that safety is itself a core capability: scientific innovation and public safety can and must advance together. LawZero’s mission is to address this critical scientific challenge by developing reliable, safe-by-design AI. This backing from Canada and Germany is a defining moment, moving us into the next phase of developing safe AI on a global scale while improving both nations’ technological sovereignty.”

– Yoshua Bengio, Founder and Scientific Director, LawZero

“AI is advancing at a pace the world has never seen and has the potential to transform the world for the better. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure we can enable AI safely, and I believe Canada has a role to play in making it happen. Hypertec is proud to build, along with our partner 5C, the sovereign, world-class compute infrastructure that enables Law Zero to pursue safe-by-design AI on Canadian soil. This is exactly the kind of partnership between government, capital and Canadian industry required to achieve the potential AI promises.”

– Simon Ahdoot, CEO Hypertec Group

“Breakthrough AI research needs infrastructure that can perform at the same level. 5C is proud to provide Law Zero with the dedicated compute capacity required to advance its work at scale, here in Canada.”

– Jonathan Ahdoot, CEO 5C

About LawZero

Headquartered in Montréal, LawZero is a not-for-profit startup developing technical solutions for highly-capable, safe-by-design AI systems. Founded by Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio, LawZero bridges fundamental AI safety research with technical solutions development. The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors and Global Advisory Council made up of international leaders, including Nike Foundation and Girl Effect founder Maria Eitel (Board Chair), former Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Stefan Löfven, author Yuval Noah Harari, former Rolls-Royce CEO Sir John Rose and Mila CEO Valerie Pisano. Initially incubated at Mila, LawZero’s work is backed by catalytic funding from philanthropy, including the Gates Foundation, Coefficient Giving, Schmidt Sciences, the Future of Life Institute, NVIDIA, and Jaan Tallinn via the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and from the governments of Canada and Germany.

To learn more about LawZero’s research, visit https://lawzero.org/en/research

Contact: media@lawzero.org

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Bybit Derivatives Volume Climbed to $321B in August as Market Share Expands in Crypto Summer

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit saw its derivatives trading volume rise 14.9% to $321 billion in August, according to data cited in the latest CoinDesk Research report on centralized exchange (CEX) activity, as the exchange retained its position among the top three crypto trading venues industry-wide.

In spot trading, Bybit held a 5.26% market share for August, second among major exchanges by trading volume.

The growth came amid a period of broader recovery across CEXs in August 2026, which saw combined trading volumes climb 12.7% to $4.29 trillion, rebounding from multi-year lows recorded in July. Spot markets led the rebound, up by 18.7%, while derivatives volumes rose 11.3% across CEXs overall.

August saw a surge across crypto prices, with BTC recovering  from roughly $63,000 at the start of the month to a three-month high above $80,000 by August 25, sparked by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s shock announcement to dampen Treasury yields. Spot prices however eased lower in the final days of the month following hawkish remarks from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at the Jackson Hole symposium, though BTC still closed August with a 25.4% monthly gain – its biggest advance since November 2024.

The month also marked a record for real-world asset (RWA) perpetuals, a category that has expanded steadily through 2026, the report said. CEX-wide RWA perpetuals volume reached $602 billion in August, an all-time high, as trading activity in tokenized real-world assets continued to gain traction among derivatives traders. Launched earlier this year, Bybit TradFi Perpetuals now support over 250 trading pairs across traditional financial assets covering equities, commodities, and global ETFs.

Bybit continues to position itself around its broader New Financial Platform strategy, expanding beyond spot and derivatives trading into tokenized assets, stablecoins and institutional-grade products as the lines between centralized and decentralized finance continue to converge.

#Bybit  / #NewFinancialPlatform 

//ENDS

About Bybit

Bybit is The New Financial Platform.

We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.

Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.

Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.

Learn more at Bybit.com

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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Piramal Pharma Solutions Advances Sustainability Efforts with Solar Power Plant Addition at Morpeth, UK Site

• Piramal Pharma Solutions is installing a ground-mounted solar power plant (4.3 MWp) at its integrated drug substance and drug product site in Morpeth, UK.
• The new plant will provide renewable energy directly to the site through a behind-the-meter setup, supporting Piramal’s commitment to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by FY2030.

MUMBAI, India, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Piramal Pharma Solutions (“PPS”), a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and part of Piramal Pharma Ltd. (“PPL”) (NSE: PPLPHARMA) (BSE: 543635), is strengthening its decarbonization efforts with the addition of a 4.3 MWp ground-mounted solar power plant at its integrated drug substance and drug product facility in Morpeth, UK. Once operational, the plant will supply the site with approximately 3,950 MWh of renewable electricity each year, meeting around 22% of its annual electricity demand. Featuring around 6,200 solar panels across 16 acres of land, the installation will produce enough clean energy to power approximately 1,460 UK homes per year. The project is being delivered under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Alight UK BTM1 Limited (“Alight”), a leading solar developer and independent power producer.

This initiative will enable Morpeth to avoid an estimated 20,000 tCO₂e over 25 years, marking a significant step forward in PPL’s sustainability journey and long-term decarbonization strategy. By implementing a sustainable, cost-effective solution for onsite electricity generation, PPL is enhancing the resilience of its energy supply while demonstrating its commitment to a lower-carbon future.

“At Piramal Pharma Solutions, we integrate sustainability principles into every operation and decision across our global network,” said Frank Bugg, Senior Vice President, UK & Europe Operations and Managing Director, Piramal Pharma Solutions. “We are excited to advance our commitment to decarbonization and renewable energy with our partner Alight, bringing new value to our customers and shareholders worldwide.”

“Businesses across the UK are looking for practical ways to lower emissions, strengthen energy resilience, and manage long-term energy costs. This project with Piramal Pharma shows how onsite solar can deliver all three,” says Rob Stait, Managing Director, Behind the Meter at Alight.

Project operations are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027.

About Piramal Pharma Solutions

Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS) is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions across the drug life cycle. We serve our customers through a globally integrated network of facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. This enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services including drug discovery solutions, process and pharmaceutical development services, clinical trial supplies, commercial supply of APIs, and finished dosage forms. We also offer specialized services such as the development and manufacture of highly potent APIs, antibody-drug conjugations, sterile fill/finish, peptide products and services, and potent solid oral drug products. PPS also offers development and manufacturing services for biologics including vaccines and gene therapies, made possible through Piramal Pharma Limited’s subsidiary, Yapan Bio Private Limited.

For more information visit: Piramal Pharma Solutions | LinkedIn| Facebook | X

About Piramal Pharma Limited

Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL) (NSE: PPLPHARMA) (BSE: 543635), offers a portfolio of differentiated products and services through its 17 global development and manufacturing facilities and a global distribution network in over 100 countries. PPL includes Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization; Piramal Critical Care (PCC), a complex hospital generics business; and the Piramal Consumer Healthcare business, selling over-the-counter consumer and wellness products. In addition, one of PPL’s associate companies, Abbvie Therapeutics India Private Limited, a joint venture between Abbvie and PPL, has emerged as one of the market leaders in the ophthalmology therapy area in the Indian pharma market.

For more information, visit: Piramal Pharma | LinkedIn

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Calvin Klein launches third chapter of Fall 2026 ‘Feel The Fit’ denim campaign with Jung Kook of BTS

New multi-chapter campaign captures the feeling of pulling on the perfect pair of jeans

NEW YORK and BENGALURU, India, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Calvin Klein today unveils the third chapter of its Fall 2026 ‘Feel the Fit’ denim campaign starring global brand ambassador Jung Kook of pop royalty BTS. Celebrating the confidence that comes when the fit feels right, Jung Kook brings his signature energy and style to iconic Calvin Klein denim.

“After working with Calvin Klein for so many years, I’ve come to appreciate how I feel every time I put on the brand’s jeans,” said Jung Kook. “There’s something about the fit and attitude that really resonates with me. Bringing that feeling to life through music and movement made this campaign especially fun.”

Directed by Renell Medrano, the campaign captures the moment that Jung Kook pulls on his Calvin Klein jeans, sparking a shift in energy. The sound of the zipper cues the beat, and his instinctive movement and powerful choreography bring to life how the right pair of jeans can change everything. Set to the rhythms of ‘My Prerogative’ and ‘Cut the Cake,’ the campaign channels Jung Kook’s effortless attitude in every frame.

For Fall 2026, Calvin Klein introduces new denim fits designed to make finding your perfect pair effortless. The 90s Straight Jean‘s classic silhouette is redefined for fall in washes ranging from deep indigo to warm mid-blue, styled with light fall layers. The Baggy Jean delivers an ultra-loose fit, oversized for easy movement in a classic medium blue wash. Styled throughout the campaign, each fit expresses a different side of Calvin Klein denim.

The campaign launches globally on September 16th across Calvin Klein retail and high-impact out-of-home placements.

Campaign Credits: 

Directed and photographed by Renell Medrano

Editorial Credits: 

Calvin Klein 

Social: @calvinklein

About Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein is one of the world’s leading global fashion lifestyle brands, founded in New York in 1968. Shaped by a way of living that meets culture, the brand’s distinctive, modern aesthetic informs its approach to iconic product design and influential brand storytelling. 

Across underwear, jeans, apparel, accessories, home and fragrance, Calvin Klein creates essential pieces that translate its American fashion roots to an international audience. Global retail sales of Calvin Klein products were approximately $9 billion in 2025.

About Jung Kook of BTS

Jung Kook (Jeon Jung Kook) is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and member of Pop Royalty BTS. Jung Kook has been proving his wide spectrum of musical talent through solo works such as “Euphoria,” “My Time” and “Still With You,” as well as collaborative singles with global artists including Lauv and Charlie Puth. Jung Kook is credited on multiple BTS tracks including the Japanese single “Your eyes tell,” “Stay” from BE, and “Run BTS” from Proof. Jung Kook also participated in singing “Dreamers,” the Official Soundtrack of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, which he performed at the Opening Ceremony. In July 2023, the global popstar released his RIAA platinum-certified (as of November 2023) first solo single “Seven (feat. Latto),” which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 and Spotify’s ‘Top Song Global’ charts, as well as at No. 3 on the UK official singles chart. He released his sophomore single “3D (feat. Jack Harlow)” in September, followed by his first solo album GOLDEN in November 2023. GOLDEN debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, accompanied by its main track “Standing Next to You,” which entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 5.

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HUBLOT – CLASSIC FUSION BALLOON DOG BY JEFF KOONS: TIME, INFLATED INTO ART

NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hublot and Jeff Koons, two visionary forces renowned for transforming the ordinary, unveil a revolutionary collaboration that seamlessly merges watchmaking art with contemporary art; objects, time and symbols – transforming them into cultural icons. Available in three editions – mirror-polished stainless steel, red or blue anodized aluminum – the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons turns form into presence and time into something tangible.

The Classic Fusion Balloon Dog, inspired by Koons’s iconic mirrored balloon sculptures, translates the emotional language of inflatables into a radical object of horology. This unprecedented collaboration, limited to 200 pieces per edition, breathes new life into the iconic forms of Koons’ beloved Balloon Dog, transforming the sculpture into a captivating series of timepieces that redefine the boundaries of wearable art.

Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog (1994-2000), from his Celebration series started in the mid-1990s, takes a universally familiar object, the balloon animal and transforms it into something permanent. What is fragile, temporary and playful becomes monumental, precise and enduring. A fleeting childhood gesture is fixed into industrial perfection. This transformation defines Koons’ practice: elevating the ephemeral into the iconic through absolute control of form, scale and finish.

This logic resonates directly with Hublot’s approach to watchmaking. Since its founding in 1980 and the introduction of the original gold-and-rubber concept, later reinterpreted through the Big Bang in 2005 and the Classic Fusion in 2008, Hublot has consistently worked with time as a material, shaping the momentary into something that lasts beyond it.

“Translating Balloon Dog into the language of the Classic Fusion required far more than fusing an artwork with an existing watch. The challenge was to fundamentally reinterpret the architecture of the Classic Fusion through the visual and sculptural language of inflatable forms. Traditionally defined by its sleek and relatively flat profile, the Classic Fusion was entirely re-engineered to create the illusion of inflated volume and tension, as though each component had been shaped by air pressure,” stated Jeff Koons.

“Working with Jeff Koons on this project was both an artistic and technical adventure. What appears effortless and playful is, in reality, an extraordinary exercise in engineering, craftsmanship and detail. We challenged every construction principle of the Classic Fusion to create the illusion of inflation and volume while preserving the integrity of fine watchmaking. Every component was reimagined, reshaped and refined; milled on 5-axis CNC for a distinctive puffed form, then meticulously finished by hand to perfection. This project perfectly expresses Hublot’s philosophy: using the full mastery of horology in the service of emotion, aesthetics and innovation,” stated Julien Tornare, Hublot CEO.

THE CLASSIC FUSION: AIR-SCULPTED

Every element of the 42mm Classic Fusion Balloon Dog was reengineered through Jeff Koons’ visual language. The traditionally sleek architecture of the Classic Fusion was transformed with inflated geometries, soft domed surfaces and convex lines to create the illusion of a watch shaped by air pressure. The result is playful, irreverent and technically highly sophisticated, where high horology and craftsmanship converge to achieve an aesthetic that feels effortless and self-evident in its execution.

Inspired by Koons’ iconic reflective Balloon Dog, the watch reinterprets the Classic Fusion through a continuous language of roundness and air-filled volume. To create this sensation of volume and tension, multiple elements have been domed and reshaped, from the sapphire crystal and titanium screw heads to the convex “puffy” dial construction and sculptural case architecture. Every surface is reworked to preserve the illusion of internal pressure, extending through the smooth, padded metallic leather strap and softened attachment points. As a nod to both the dog and the balloon, signature details include a balloon-inspired crown in rubber-molded aluminum, a flexible decorative “balloon tail” at 10:30, a Balloon Dog-shaped seconds hand counterweight and inflated Super-LumiNova indexes and hands.

Available in mirror-polished stainless steel or polished anodized aluminum in striking red and blue, aluminum has been specifically selected for its ability to reproduce the vivid, saturated tones associated with Koons’ work. The complexity continues within the movement itself. Powered by a manufacture automatic caliber, it integrates a custom-designed tungsten oscillating weight with rounded, voluminous forms echoing the visual language of the case.

The Classic Fusion Balloon Dog continues Hublot’s philosophy of fusion through material experimentation and technical innovation. Presented in Balloon Dog-inspired packaging, the piece extends the concept of inflatable softness. The inflated dog is rendered in a chromed finish, colour-matched to each watch variation. Its rubber-effect painted surfaces echo the same tactile, playful codes that define the watch itself.

From its sculptural, air-inflated case architecture to its manufacture automatic movement, the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons is a powerful expression of the innovation, mastery and boldness that define Hublot. Conceived, developed and assembled at the Manufacture in Nyon, it conveys the quality and reliability of every watch it creates. This confidence is demonstrated through Hublot’s 5+5 warranty program, extending coverage to up to ten years; a commitment rooted in the brand’s conviction in every manufacture-made watch and the expertise of the teams behind it.

Limited to 200 pieces per edition, the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog is available at selected Hublot points of sale. It will also be presented in selected galleries, reinforcing the dialogue between contemporary art and watchmaking.

HUBLOT: www.hublot.com – Email: press@hublot.com – Presslounge platform: presslounge.hublot.com/connection/ 

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Literacy Research Association Convenes Global Scholars in Honolulu to Shape the Future of Education

Annual conference will explore how AI, multilingualism, Indigenous knowledge, Hip Hop, migration, trauma and emerging technologies are reshaping what literacy means.

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the Literacy Research Association prepares to gather in Honolulu, we extend our care to communities across Hawaiʻi affected by the recent storms. We also mourn the passing of LRA Past President P. David Pearson and honor his extraordinary legacy of scholarship, mentorship, and leadership in literacy research.

This December, more than 1,000 literacy scholars, educators, and advocates will convene, as they have for over seven decades, for the 76th Annual Conference of the Literacy Research Association. A singular question will serve as the primary focus for this assembly: How does literacy create new possibilities when it travels across people, communities, languages, technologies, cultures, and histories?

Registration is now open for researchers, educators, community leaders, and literacy advocates who want to help shape how literacy research responds to AI, migration, multilingualism, cultural change, and emerging forms of learning. 

Join literacy experts from around the world from December 2–5, 2026 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, 2005 Kālia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815. 

Hotel accommodations are available through the LRA conference room block. Detailed session schedules and program information are available through the LRA 2026 online conference program via All Academic. Connect with LRA on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook and get quick, real-time updates from the conference.

Explore a Transformative Theme: Redefine the Future of Literacy Research

The LRA 2026 theme is “Manifesting Quantum Imaginaries: Re-searching Literacies as a Transcontextual Enterprise.” The theme uses quantum imaginaries as a metaphor for exploring how literacy moves, connects, and changes across contexts—not as a claim that quantum science itself is a theory of literacy.

The conference program features Reading Hall of Fame inaugural addresses, and includes keynote speeches, presidential sessions, and workshops for practitioners. These events span contexts such as primary and secondary education (encompassing kindergarten through high school), post-secondary instruction (college-level studies and beyond), informal community learning, emerging technologies, and the swiftly evolving domain of artificial intelligence. 

“Literacies are never confined to a single place,” said Patriann Smith, LRA 2026 President-Elect and Conference Chair. “They travel across communities, languages, technologies, and generations. This conference asks what new possibilities emerge when we view literacy through that lens.” 

Attend a Featured Keynote: Trauma, Language, Literacy and the Global South

A major conference highlight will be the featured keynote address by Suresh Canagarajah. Canagarajah is the Evan Pugh University Professor at Penn State University and internationally renowned scholar of language, literacy, multilingualism, and translingual practice. 

His keynote, “Disturbances that Entangle Anomalous Texts: Trauma Literacy in the Global South,” will examine how language and literacy shape the ways individuals and communities understand, negotiate, and transform experiences of trauma. Through the conference’s theme, he will explore how literacy can enable healing, resilience, and social transformation across diverse global contexts. He will connect questions of language, identity, colonialism, conflict, and community to the ongoing pursuit of more just and humane futures. 

The LRA 2026 program will also feature a keynote speech by esteemed professor at Teachers College – Columbia University, Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz. 

View a Film: Hip Hop, Literacy and the “Hour of Chaos”

A special conference session, Presidential Session 8, will bring Hip Hop artists, scholars, and activists together for a screening and discussion of a new film. The film, “In the Hour of Chaos: Hip Hop Art & Activism with Public Enemy’s Chuck D,” features Public Enemy’s Chuck D and a corresponding 2026 book.

H. Samy Alim, Samuel Lamontagne, and Tabia Shawel directed the film, which reflects artists, activists, and scholars sharing their thoughts on 50 years of Hip Hop culture. They discuss its ongoing importance in society, culture, and politics. 

The session in Honolulu will gather directors Alim, Lamontagne, Shawel, along with Joan Morgan, Jeff Chang, Casey Philip Wong, and Emile YX? from Black Noise. They will have a film screening, discuss the book, and join a panel. They will talk about Black radical movements, Hip Hop feminisms, how culture spreads worldwide, technology, education, and the future of Hip Hop and literacy studies.

Examine Presidential Sessions: Research, Practice, and Community 

The LRA 2026 Presidential Sessions will feature leading scholars, educators, artists, and community leaders, addressing some of the most consequential questions facing literacy education today. Across four major areas of inquiry, the LRA 2026 Presidential Sessions will examine how literacy research is responding to a rapidly changing social and technological landscape: 

• Transnationalism, immigration, race, and belonging through discussions of transnational, immigration, and Black literacies.
• Community, relationality, and Indigenous knowledge systems, with a focus on multilingual solidarities, Hawaiian literacies, and intergenerational connections.
• Technology, Hip Hop, and educational innovation, examining digital literacies, cultural activism, and adolescent achievement.
• Critical literacy, artificial intelligence, and identity, addressing responsible AI, research-policy-practice partnerships, and community-based approaches to literacy and learning.

“The future of literacy research and of education cannot be shaped by any one discipline, institution, or perspective,” Smith said. “It takes researchers, educators, artists, community leaders, and learners coming together to ask different questions and connect ideas across contexts. LRA 2026 is an invitation to do exactly that—and to leave Honolulu with new questions, new partnerships, and new possibilities for flourishing and for the field.”

About the Literacy Research Association

The Literacy Research Association (LRA) is a community of scholars, educators, and literacy professionals dedicated to advancing research and disseminating knowledge about literacy, language, communication, and learning. For more than seven decades, LRA has supported research and dialogue that informs literacy scholarship, education, policy, and practice.

Patriann Smith

Email: psmith@literacyresearchassociation.org

Website: https://literacyresearchassociation.org/

Literacy Research Association

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UJET Receives Frost & Sullivan’s 2026 North American Competitive Strategy Leadership Recognition for Customer Experience Platforms

UJET’s mobile-native architecture, AI-first strategy, and orchestration model – turns strategic vision into measurable customer outcomes.

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan today recognizes UJET with the 2026 North American Competitive Strategy Leadership Recognition in the Customer Experience Platforms industry for translating its AI in CX strategy into sustained market momentum and tangible customer value. As AI, cloud technology, and evolving customer expectations reshape the customer experience landscape, UJET is taking a differentiated approach to CX through mobile-native innovation, intelligent orchestration, and a strong focus on measurable customer outcomes. The recognition reflects UJET’s evolution from a traditional CCaaS provider into an AI-first CX platform company.

Frost & Sullivan evaluates companies through a rigorous benchmarking process across two core dimensions: strategy effectiveness and strategy execution. UJET demonstrated strength across both, aligning its strategic initiatives with market needs while executing with agility and a clear focus on customer outcomes.

“UJET’s mobile-native architecture and biometric authentication capabilities establish a new standard for frictionless customer engagement—by eliminating redundant authentication cycles and enabling pre-session context sharing, the platform delivers measurable handle time reductions and a materially better customer experience from the very first second of contact,” said Sebastian Menutti, Industry Director, CX, Frost & Sullivan.

A central element of UJET’s strategy is its AI-first transformation, anchored by the acquisition of Spiral, an AI-powered conversational analytics company, and UJET’s Agentic Experience Orchestration (AXO) platform, a persistent AI layer that bridges the gap between customer data and interaction management. Rather than automating people out of the interaction, AXO is built to orchestrate humans and AI together across the end-to-end customer journey. UJET also recently introduced CX Accelerators, including virtual agents, agent assist, conversational analytics, and screen sharing, giving enterprises flexible ways to adopt AI without replacing their existing CCaaS infrastructure. Customers are already reporting 20-30% reductions in average handle time.

“UJET’s acquisition of Spiral and the development of the AXO platform signal a substantive strategic evolution: rather than positioning AI as a headcount replacement tool, UJET has built a closed-loop optimization engine that helps enterprises scale revenues and operations with existing staff – delivering the kind of durable, measurable ROI that the market has been chasing,” said Menutti.

“Frost & Sullivan’s research confirms exactly what we’re hearing from our own customers – AI spend is climbing, headcount isn’t falling, and most people still want a real person when the moment matters,” said Matthew Clare, VP of Product Marketing & Solution Consulting at UJET. “That paradox is precisely why we built AXO to orchestrate the agent experience instead of trying to replace it: keep the humans, cut the software. Earning this recognition tells us our strategy and Frost & Sullivan’s view of where this market is headed are pointed in the same direction.”

Customer results demonstrate the impact of this strategy. At Capital on Tap, UJET helped improve SLA delivery from 88% to 92%, reduce average hold time by 12%, and increase CSAT from 4.4 to 4.6. Capital On Tap found in UJET the agile, integrated CX partner they’d been searching for. With faster answers, higher satisfaction, and simplified workflows, the company is now delivering world-class customer service at scale.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Competitive Strategy Leadership Recognition to a company that demonstrates outstanding strategy development and implementation, resulting in measurable improvements in market share, customer satisfaction, and competitive positioning. The recognition highlights forward-thinking organizations that are reshaping their industries through innovation and growth excellence.

To download the full report to learn about UJET’s AI strategy and its success, click here.

About UJET

UJET leads the way in AI-powered CX transformation, delivering a future-proof, cloud platform that redefines the customer experience with advanced agentic AI, multimodality, and a mobile-first approach. We infuse agentic AI across every aspect of the customer journey – from build and deployment to end-customer, agent, and supervisor experiences – to drive automation and efficiency. UJET’s AI solutions empower agents, optimize customer journeys, and elevate customer interactions with actionable analytics. Built on a cloud-native architecture, UJET ensures unmatched security, scalability, and prioritized data analytics. Designed for effortless use, UJET partners with businesses to deliver exceptional interactions, smarter decision-making, and accelerated growth in the AI-driven world.

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RelativityOne Is Now Relativity aiR: The AI Platform for Legal Data Intelligence

News Summary

• RelativityOne is now Relativity aiR, a name that reflects AI’s central role in how legal teams perform their most complex, high-stakes work.
• Relativity aiR has delivered more than 620 million high-value legal results in 2026 alone.
• Relativity is evolving its platform name as it deepens its embedded AI-native capabilities, expands to serve a broader group of users and solve more legal data intelligence use cases, and meets legal professionals where and how they work. 

CHICAGO, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Relativity, a legal data intelligence company, today announced that RelativityOne is now Relativity aiR. This unifies the platform and its AI capabilities under one name, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to making AI foundational to the platform where legal teams already do their most consequential work. Relativity aiR was previously the name for the company’s suite of agentic AI capabilities integrated into its extensible cloud platform, RelativityOne.

“In our 25 years, Relativity has led this community through every major shift in the industry, from paper to digital evidence, from on-premises to the cloud, and now to AI. That’s our history—it’s our DNA,” said Phil Saunders, CEO of Relativity. “We’ve been adapting and building AI into our platform for over a decade. This name confirms what our community already knows: AI is as transformative a shift as the cloud was years ago, and Relativity has the trusted platform and the experience to lead through it responsibly.” 

AI built on trust, proven in practice

Relativity aiR is a new name for the same platform the world’s largest law firms and corporations, government agencies, and a robust network of channel partners rely on today. AI now handles more of the high-volume legal work that used to consume thousands of hours, empowering legal teams to uncover insights faster and make smarter, more strategic decisions.

Relativity aiR has delivered more than 620 million high-value legal results—professional work that a qualified human confirmed and used on real matters—across customer matters in 2026, as of Sept. 9. Questions beyond the abilities of a keyword or metadata search to answer, requiring an agent to read across the record and reason about what it says, have grown 44 percent month over month. More than 40 published customer and partner stories document what Relativity aiR delivers in practice: multimillion-dollar litigations completed with a fraction of the review hours, data subject access and regulatory productions completed in as little as 48 hours with precision rates as high as 99.8 percent, and internal investigations that once took a full team months have been resolved by a single reviewer in under an hour.

“Today we’re celebrating what customers are achieving with Relativity aiR, the platform we’ve built and the future it empowers: the system of record for the industry’s most sensitive data and the system of action that reads it, reasons over it and turns it into work product with transparency, defensibility and governance,” said Chris Brown, President of Relativity. “That combination of trust and verified results is what we have been building on as we bring aiR to lawyers, into Word and other surfaces where legal work happens.”

Relativity aiR’s AI capabilities are included in the platform’s current pricing, so customers can have access to every agentic tool as part of their platform, with the value flowing through the work itself rather than a separate line item. The shift from RelativityOne to Relativity aiR reinforces where Relativity is focused: AI embedded natively throughout the platform, AI agents supporting the work already performed and opening up new kinds of work, simpler experiences built around AI agents, and extensibility that empowers Relativity’s community of partners and practitioners to solve new and unique legal challenges.

Expanding who the platform serves and what it solves

Relativity has expanded who the platform serves and how. In recent months, the company has advanced Relativity aiR to support a broader group of users, including lawyers and the legal data and technology teams working alongside them. Currently in Advanced Access, Relativity claiR gives lawyers conversational command of their legal data. Relativity aiR has also been tackling more legal data intelligence use cases, from litigation and internal investigations to data breach responses and Freedom of Information Act requests. Fifty-seven percent of new workspaces created in Relativity aiR this year serve matters beyond litigation. And, the platform’s intelligence begins the moment data arrives, giving legal teams early case intelligence, including document insights and matter scoping.

Relativity has been working to meet legal professionals where they work. It acquired Gavel to bring Relativity aiR directly into Microsoft Word, so the intelligence that lives in the platform can follow lawyers into the documents they are drafting. And through Model Context Protocol integrations, external enterprise AI agents can now orchestrate matters and workflows within Relativity aiR.

Read Relativity’s blog for more from Brown on the platform’s next chapter. Attend RelFest Chicago, Sept. 29–Oct. 1, to connect with thousands from the legal intelligence community.

About Relativity

Relativity is a leading legal data intelligence company that builds technology to help users organize data, discover the truth, and act on it. Its AI platform, Relativity aiR, transforms complex data into actionable insights at massive scale for litigation, investigations, regulatory inquiries, data breach responses, and other legal use cases. The world’s largest law firms and corporations, government agencies, and a robust network of channel partners rely on Relativity’s legal AI to securely surface and manage the most relevant and impactful information in their matters. The company also expands access to technology by providing its platform at no cost to academic institutions through its Relativity Academic program and to organizations supporting pro bono legal work through its Justice for Change initiative. 

CONTACT: PR@relativity.com

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