Category Archives: News

PM Modi Engages with Space Startup Leaders, Urges India to Lead Global Space Economy

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the CEOs and founders of 20 Indian space startups at Seva Teerth, highlighting the growing role of private enterprise in strengthening India’s position in the global space industry.

The interaction brought together entrepreneurs working across a wide spectrum of space technologies, including launch vehicles, reusable semi-cryogenic propulsion systems, avionics, satellites, advanced propulsion, space and defence intelligence, space-debris removal, and AI-powered hyperlocal weather and climate intelligence. The startup leaders outlined the rapid advances being made by India’s private space sector and shared their vision for its next phase of growth.

The founders highlighted their efforts to develop critical capabilities and technologies indigenously, noting the strong support provided by the government and increasing collaboration within the industry. They said the opening of the space sector to private participation had created significant opportunities for entrepreneurs and encouraged companies to develop innovative solutions for both domestic and global markets. Several companies are also showing interest in adopting technologies emerging from India’s private space ecosystem.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated the startup leaders for taking the initiative in an emerging and strategically important sector. He said the confidence demonstrated by private space companies has reinforced the vision behind opening the sector to private participation. With several countries either unable or unwilling to make large investments in space, he noted, India has a major opportunity to expand its global footprint and emerge as a leading space power.

The Prime Minister urged companies to look beyond conventional applications and explore ways in which space technologies can directly improve people’s lives. He called for stronger collaboration between space startups and organisations in sectors such as agriculture, environment and education. For instance, space-debris companies could work with environmental organisations to scale their solutions, while companies developing space-based agricultural technologies could collaborate with agricultural universities and government departments to help farmers make better-informed decisions and improve productivity.

Calling for the creation of a world-class space ecosystem, Modi said India should aspire to become the country the world looks to whenever space is discussed. He also underlined the potential of the sector to attract global talent, investment and companies to India.

The Prime Minister further encouraged space startups to establish closer links with Atal Tinkering Labs, saying early exposure to space technology could stimulate curiosity and innovation among schoolchildren and inspire the next generation of space entrepreneurs and scientists.

The meeting was attended by leaders of 20 startups, including Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, Dhruva Space, GalaxEye, PierSight, Bellatrix Aerospace, Digantara, SatSure, Suhora Technologies, Manastu Space, Astrobase, TakeMe2Space, VyomIC, Cosmoserve Space, OrbitAID Aerospace, SkyServe (Hyspace), Serendipity Space, Vassar Labs and mistEO.

The interaction underlined a broader transformation underway in India’s space economy—one in which private innovation, government support and cross-sector collaboration are increasingly coming together to build a globally competitive space ecosystem.

Selective UPI MDR Will Need Reliable Merchant Intelligence, Not Just a Pricing Rule

As India reopens the UPI economics debate, the implementation challenge will be identifying, classifying and treating merchants fairly

BANGALORE, India, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At CARD91, we believe the UPI MDR debate must go beyond pricing. Any selective framework will require accurate merchant verification, consistent classification and ongoing risk visibility to protect legitimate businesses and ensure fair implementation.

The passage of the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has reopened the industry discussion around the Merchant Discount Rate, or MDR, on UPI transactions.

The amendment creates a legal pathway under which the existing zero-MDR structure may be modified for specified digital payment transactions. However, the Government has clarified that no immediate charge has been introduced. Consumers and person-to-person payments will remain free, small merchants will remain protected, and no final MDR framework has been announced.

Beyond the question of whether MDR should return, the industry must consider how any selective framework would work in practice. If future rules differentiate between transactions or merchant segments, banks and acquiring institutions will need accurate and current information about the businesses accepting those payments.

Incorrect merchant identity, outdated business information or inaccurate classification could result in inconsistent policy application and unnecessary disputes.

“The most difficult part of a selective MDR framework may not be setting a rate; it will be applying the policy consistently to the right merchant,” said Ajay Pandey, CEO, CARD91. “Whatever parameters are eventually adopted, banks and acquirers will need verified and explainable information about the businesses accepting payments. The quality of merchant data will directly influence how fairly any differentiated framework operates.”

Four Questions the Ecosystem Must Address

1. Is the merchant identity properly verified?

Merchant verification must go beyond collecting documents. Banks and acquirers need to establish that the business is genuine, operational and consistent with the credentials submitted during onboarding.

2. Is the merchant classified correctly?

A merchant’s declared activity, actual business model and assigned Merchant Category Code should remain aligned. Institutions also need reviewable processes for identifying and correcting classification errors.

3. Has the merchant’s profile changed?

Verification should not end after onboarding. Business activities, ownership details, digital footprints and transaction behaviour can change over time. Material changes may require additional review, but controls should remain proportionate and should not create unnecessary friction for genuine merchants.

4. What happens when the system gets it wrong?

Merchants need a clear process for correcting identity, classification or policy application errors. Explainable decisions and transparent redress will be essential if financial policies are applied differently across merchant segments.

Why Merchant Intelligence Matters Now

UPI processed 23.66 billion transactions worth approximately ₹29.88 lakh crore in July 2026. At this scale, inaccurate merchant records can create operational complexity for financial institutions and businesses.

The issue extends beyond MDR. Reliable merchant information also supports appropriate transaction limits, effective fraud controls, regulatory compliance and accurate payment categorisation.

In July 2025, before the current MDR discussion, CARD91 introduced an AI-led merchant verification and classification capability to help regulated institutions strengthen business verification and classification. The current debate highlights why accurate and current merchant information matters beyond onboarding.

A risk score or automated system should not independently decide whether a merchant is subject to MDR. Any future structure must follow the regulations and operating rules established by the Government, RBI and NPCI. Technology should support institutional judgement and consistent implementation, not replace them.

“The goal should not be to add more friction to merchant acceptance,” said A.G. Ramakrishna, Chief Product Officer, CARD91. “It should be to ensure that legitimate businesses are treated consistently while financial institutions have the information required to manage risk and implement policy responsibly.”

India built UPI’s reach by making digital payment acceptance simple and accessible. If a selective MDR model is introduced, preserving that accessibility will depend not only on the pricing decision but also on the quality, transparency and fairness of its implementation.

About CARD91

CARD91 is a payments and onboarding risk infrastructure provider, enabling regulated entities to launch and scale customer programs with ease. The platform supports seamless onboarding journeys, fraud detection, credit decisioning, card issuance across credit, prepaid, and forex, and UPI stack capabilities across issuance and acquiring.

Through its NPCI-certified capabilities and technology stack, CARD91 helps institutions design bespoke customer payment programs and  market them with speed, security, and a seamless digital experience. Built by a team of bankers and technologists and proudly made in India, CARD91 operates across key financial hubs, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Chennai.

For more information, visit https://card91.io/ or contact sales@card91.io.

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Eastern India Gets Major Rail Boost: Centre Approves INR 9,450-Crore Project for 410 km of New Lines

New Delhi, Aug. 21: The Centre has approved a major railway infrastructure project worth ₹9,450 crore aimed at adding around 410 km of new rail capacity across West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

 Representational Image

The expansion is expected to ease congestion on some of eastern India’s busiest railway corridors, improve passenger connectivity and accelerate the movement of freight between ports, industrial centres and inland markets.

The project is expected to benefit nearly 60 lakh people across 6,448 villages, while strengthening rail infrastructure in regions with significant industrial, mining and port activity.

Four key railway corridors to get additional capacity

The approved works cover four important sections:

Kharagpur–Bhadrak: 173 km fourth line
Bhadrak–Haridaspur: 75 km fourth line
Gummidipundi–Gudur: 90 km third and fourth lines
Cuttack–Paradeep: 72 km third and fourth lines

Together, the projects will add approximately 410 km of additional railway capacity to the network.

Odisha to gain significantly

Several important railway hubs in Odisha and neighbouring states are expected to benefit from the expansion, including Bhadrak, Cuttack, Paradeep, Haridaspur and Kharagpur, along with the Gudur corridor in Andhra Pradesh.

The Cuttack–Paradeep and Kharagpur–Bhadrak sections are particularly important for Odisha’s freight network, given their links with major industrial zones and ports. Increased rail capacity is expected to facilitate smoother movement of cargo to and from ports such as Paradeep and Dhamra.

Freight movement likely to become faster

One of the biggest advantages of the project will be increased capacity for freight trains carrying coal, iron ore, steel, cement, foodgrains, containers and automobiles.

With additional lines, freight trains will have greater operational flexibility, potentially reducing waiting time and congestion while improving the movement of raw materials to industries and finished goods to domestic and export markets.

Connectivity and economic activity

The railway expansion is also expected to generate wider economic benefits by improving access to markets, supporting industrial growth and creating opportunities for local businesses and employment.

For passengers, additional track capacity could help improve train operations and reduce delays on heavily utilised routes where passenger and freight services currently compete for limited track space.

Projects targeted for completion by 2030-31

Following the Centre’s approval, the projects will move towards implementation, including construction and tendering activities. The government has set a target of completing the works by 2030-31.

The ₹9,450-crore investment is expected to significantly strengthen eastern India’s rail network and improve the region’s role as a key corridor for passenger travel, industrial development and national freight movement.

Global Artist Hajime Sorayama Establishes Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd. and Announces New Management Structure

Best known for his iconic Sexy Robot series and the original design of Sony’s “aibo,”

Sorayama enters a new chapter of global creative activity

TOKYO, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 

Establishment of Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd.

Hajime Sorayama has officially ended his management agreement with Nanzuka Gallery and has established Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd.

Effective immediately, Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd. will serve as the exclusive point of contact for all matters relating to Hajime Sorayama, including licensing, brand collaborations, artwork management, exhibitions, media inquiries, and all other business affairs.

Official Instagram Account

At present, neither Hajime Sorayama nor Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd. has access to or holds administrative control over the Instagram account that had previously been used as his official account (@hajimesorayamaofficial).

Accordingly, information published through that account may not represent communications from Mr. Sorayama or Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd.

We are currently taking the necessary steps to regain administrative access to the account.

To avoid confusion, we kindly ask collectors, fans, business partners, members of the media, and all interested parties to refer only to the official website for accurate information regarding Hajime Sorayama and his activities.

Official Website: www.sorayamahajime.com

Intellectual Property and Artwork Deliveries

Following the end of the management agreement, we are currently organizing the transfer of the intellectual property and managed assets belonging to Hajime Sorayama.

At this time, there remain certain matters relating to the transfer of trademarks, artworks, and other managed assets that have not yet been completed. We will continue to work with all relevant parties to reach an appropriate resolution.

During this transitional period, delivery of certain artworks previously purchased by collectors may take longer than originally anticipated.

We sincerely apologize for any concern or inconvenience this may cause.

If you have any questions regarding an existing order or the delivery status of an artwork, please contact us using the information below. We are committed to responding promptly and in good faith.

Autographed Trading Cards Sold by “KAKAWOW”

Currently, within the product “2026 KAKAWOW Phantom Hajime Sorayama Trading Cards,” there are certain cards that are advertised to bear Sorayama’s hand-signed autographs. We have confirmed that these autographs were not signed by Sorayama himself.

Hajime Sorayama is consulting with the relevant authorities regarding suspected forgery and unauthorized use of his personal signature.

Hajime Sorayama and our company consider it our highest priority to protect his fans and customers from any further confusion and harm. We kindly ask all fans, business partners, and other concerned parties to exercise caution regarding this matter.

Notice to Collectors, Partners, and the Media

As we continue through this transitional period, we are aware that some inquiries are still being directed at former points of contact or based on outdated information.

For all inquiries regarding Hajime Sorayama, including artwork licensing, brand collaborations, exhibitions, media requests, and other business matters, please contact Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd.

Our mission is to protect and manage Hajime Sorayama’s artistic legacy and intellectual property while continuing to develop new projects with partners around the world.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding, patience, and continued support during this transition.

Statement from Hajime Sorayama

To my fans, collectors, business partners, and everyone who has supported me throughout the years, I would like to express my sincere apologies for any concern or inconvenience caused during this transition.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported my artistic journey. Going forward, Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd. will serve as the official source of accurate information regarding my work and activities.

I remain fully dedicated to creating new work every day. Throughout my career, I have always pursued the challenge of creating what no one has ever seen before—work that is unlike anything anyone else has created. This philosophy continues to guide my practice, and I look forward to sharing new works with audiences around the world.

I will continue to approach every new creation with sincerity and dedication, striving to inspire curiosity and excitement through my art. I am currently working on many exciting projects that I’m sure will surprise everyone, so please stay tuned.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Hajime Sorayama

About Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd.

Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd. was established to manage and protect the artworks, intellectual property, licensing activities, and brand collaborations of internationally acclaimed artist Hajime Sorayama.

The company serves as the exclusive representative for Mr. Sorayama’s business affairs and is committed to protecting his artistic legacy while fostering new collaborations and projects worldwide.

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Sprite and IRCTC Flag Off India’s First Branded Train as the Sprite Tejas Express

The Sprite Tejas Express will operate on the Lucknow–New Delhi–Lucknow route, bringing Sprite’s signature refreshment and experiences to Indian travellers.

NEW DELHI, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rail travel has long been an integral part of India’s mobility and social fabric, connecting cities, communities, and millions of passengers across the country. In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Sprite and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) today flagged off the Sprite Tejas Express, in the presence of senior leadership from Indian Railways, IRCTC and Coca-Cola India. Bringing together Sprite’s signature refreshment with India’s diverse travel culture, the partnership creates a new experience for passengers travelling between the two cities, where varied tastes, preferences and shared moments come together along the journey.

The Delhi–Lucknow corridor offers Sprite an opportunity to connect with consumers across one of its key markets, while reaching travellers across business, leisure, and family journeys. The Sprite Tejas Express will operate on the Lucknow–New Delhi–Lucknow route for six months starting August 2026, with five coaches featuring Sprite branding across the exterior. The train will also be announced as the Sprite Tejas Express at originating and en route stations on both legs of the journey.

The experience extends onboard, with Sprite featuring as part of the passenger food bundle. The inauguration will also see passengers receive Sprite samples and merchandise, with the association set to bring further Sprite-led experiences onboard.

Abhishek Gupta, Vice President, Customer Development, Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia, said, “We congratulate IRCTC on this innovative partnership and an important milestone for travel experiences in India. At Coca-Cola, we continue to explore collaborations that can unlock new avenues for growth and create shared value. Our association with IRCTC reflects our commitment to building long-term customer relationships and expanding our presence across the travel ecosystem. With the Sprite Tejas Express, we are bringing Sprite’s refreshment and creating a more engaging experience for travellers.”

The Sprite Tejas Express directly integrates sustainability into the passenger journey by incorporating practical, recycled material applications on ground. At the station, benches made from recycled plastic, with each bench repurposing approximately 45 kg of post-consumer packaging waste. Extending this approach to its ceremonial launch, the train’s flag-off featured an official flag made from repurposed PET bottles, demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into functional and meaningful elements. 

Ajit Kumar Sinha, Chief Regional Manager, Lucknow Division, IRCTC, said, “At IRCTC, we continuously look at opportunities to enhance the passenger experience across our premium train services through relevant partnerships and initiatives. Our association with Sprite on the Tejas Express brings an established consumer brand into the travel environment through an integrated onboard experience. We look forward to making the journey more engaging for passengers travelling on the Lucknow–New Delhi route.”

Further building on Sprite’s connection with food culture, the brand has also collaborated with Wow! Momo as part of the Sprite Tejas Express experience.

The Sprite Tejas Express marks a new association for Sprite, bringing the brand into the travel occasion and creating new opportunities to connect with consumers through the moments, preferences and experiences that shape their journeys.

About Coca-Cola:

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’ offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Thums Up XForce, Charged, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Kinley Soda, Rimzim, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and Honest Tea. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca GlucoCharge, Smartwater, Kinley, Kinley Copper, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water. Premium products constitute Schweppes’ range and Smartwater. In addition, it offers a Costa Coffee range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of over six million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities, and the planet through water and packaging initiatives, sustainable agriculture and emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Celebrating India’s Entrepreneurial Spirit and the Next Wave of Innovation: Ms. Suranjana Ghosh

By:- Suranjana Ghosh, Head – Marico Innovation Foundation

“Entrepreneurship is, at its heart, an act of pure and continued courage—and today, that courage is driving a monumental shift in India’s growth story. Entrepreneurship has rapidly become the central engine of our economy and a preferred career of choice for many of our brightest minds. Across every corner of the country, a new generation of ambitious builders is stepping up to show that India is not just adopting technology—we are creating ground breaking solutions for the world.

On World Entrepreneur Day, we celebrate this booming startup energy. Today’s entrepreneurs are redefining success. They aren’t just chasing quick valuations; they are choosing to solve hard, structural problems—building scalable businesses that generate employment, drive economic resilience, and improve real lives. This entrepreneurial surge is the next big wave shaping our national identity, proving that sustainable, impact-driven business is the true currency of the future.

However, momentum alone isn’t enough. Transforming a bold vision into an enduring enterprise is a complex, long-term journey. As the startup landscape expands, the challenges of scaling from early traction to sustainable market leadership become steeper. Founders don’t just need capital; they need patient guidance, strategic market access, and a supportive ecosystem that backs their long game when navigating uncharted growth phases.

At Marico Innovation Foundation, our role is to fuel this rising tide. Through zero-equity support, customized mentorship, and ecosystem access, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with remarkable founders to help them accelerate their reach without compromising their mission. To every entrepreneur turning uncertainty into opportunity and driving India’s rise as a global innovation powerhouse: your vision is building tomorrow. Today, we celebrate your grit and pledge to back your ambition every step of the way.”

STARTRADER Launches XAUUSD247, Extending Gold CFD Access Across the Full Week

The new instrument provides XAUUSD247 quotes during weekends and overnight hours, subject to scheduled maintenance windows. 

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STARTRADER today announced the launch of XAUUSD247, a gold CFD that provides quotes across the full week, including weekends and overnight hours when the traditional gold market is closed. The instrument goes live on MetaTrader 5 on 21 August 2026, with Web and app availability to follow in early September. Availability depends on account type, client classification and jurisdiction; the instrument is not available to clients in all countries.

The launch responds to the fact that developments affecting gold can occur outside traditional market hours. Gold responds to geopolitical developments, central bank decisions, and shifts in risk sentiment that do not follow a five-day trading week.

Now, XAUUSD247 sits alongside the existing XAUUSD, which remains available on unchanged terms. Clients can access XAUUSD247 alongside the existing XAUUSD, subject to applicable account and jurisdictional availability.

The launch is consistent with STARTRADER’s broader 24/7 product direction, reflecting an effort to extend access beyond standard market hours where the product structure allows. XAUUSD247 extends that approach to commodities.

“Gold is one of the most event-sensitive instruments on the market. Developments that move it do not wait for Monday. XAUUSD247 provides quoted pricing during these periods, including when the traditional market is closed.”

– Peter Karsten, Chief Executive Officer, STARTRADER

STARTRADER expects to explore continuous access across other asset classes where client activity and market-moving developments are least aligned with standard trading hours.

CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Entity-specific disclosures apply by jurisdiction.

About STARTRADER

STARTRADER is a global multi-asset broker empowering retail and institutional partners to access global markets through a range of platforms, including MetaTrader, STARTRADER APP, and STAR Copy. STARTRADER operates through entities licensed and regulated by authorities including CMA, ASIC, FSCA, FSA and FSC, combining strong governance with a client-first approach, serving both retail clients and partners with a commitment to transparency, reliability, and long-term growth.

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Colgate-Palmolive elevates Prabha Narasimhan to EVP – Marketing, Asia-Pacific and announces Manish Anandani as new MD & CEO for India

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Colgate-Palmolive India Limited today announced a key leadership transition. Prabha Narasimhan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, has been elevated to the role of Executive Vice President – Marketing, Asia-Pacific Division, Colgate-Palmolive, effective close of business hours on 27 September, 2026.

To lead the company into its next growth phase, the Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Manish Anandani as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 28 September, 2026.

During Prabha Narasimhan’s four-year tenure at the helm of Colgate-Palmolive India, she steered the company through a transformative growth journey, reinforcing its position as the market leader in oral care. Under her leadership, the company doubled down on strategic premiumisation, accelerating premium portfolio growth to five times the pace of the broader market, while delivering volume-led growth, industry-leading profitability, and consistent top-line momentum.

Her tenure was marked by a sharp pivot toward digital transformation, quick-commerce expansion, and consumer-centric innovation, alongside a renewed push for category expansion by driving oral hygiene habits across urban and rural India. She also strengthened the brand’s purpose-driven impact through flagship initiatives like Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and the Oral Health Movement.

Prabha brings extensive experience across markets, categories and geographies, with a proven track record of building brands and driving category growth. Before joining Colgate-Palmolive India, she held senior leadership roles at Hindustan Unilever, including as Executive Director for Home Care, where she led businesses across diverse consumer categories. Her experience spanning India and international markets, combined with her expertise in brand building and category development, positions her strongly for her new Asia-Pacific mandate.

Colgate-Palmolive India is stepping up its premiumisation strategy as it looks to build on strong business momentum and create higher-value growth in the country’s oral care market. The company’s focus on premium products, category development and operational efficiencies comes as it marks 90 years of operations in India and seeks to strengthen its growth trajectory in the market.

The company is also stepping up investments behind its brands and growth opportunities. Winning on the digital screen has been a central engine in the recent past for Colgate-Palmolive’s growth. Driven by good execution and performance across e-Commerce and quick commerce, these channels have served as major growth catalysts, being growth, margin, premiumisation, and share accretive. The e-Commerce channel has been delivering high double-digit topline expansion with more than 50% of sales coming from premium products and gross margins at an impressive 400 basis points higher than overall company averages. As Indian consumers increasingly embrace rapid delivery, our strong execution ensures we are uniquely positioned to capture value across these evolving platforms.

Manish Anandani brings 30 years of rich and varied experience across sales, marketing, general management and senior leadership roles. He joins Colgate-Palmolive India from Kenvue (erstwhile Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health) where he was the Managing Director for India and South Asia. An expert in enterprise strategy, digital and eCommerce transformation, and market expansion, his appointment marks a homecoming to Colgate-Palmolive. He previously spent 13 years with the company (2005–2018), rising through critical leadership roles across India, Indochina, and the Corporate office, culminating as Worldwide Director in Global Customer Development.

About Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited

Colgate-Palmolive is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, and the planet. Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited is the market leader in Oral Care in the country, committed to delivering sustainable, profitable growth for its shareholders, while fostering an inclusive workplace for its people. With a primary focus on science-led innovations in Oral Care & Personal Care in the Indian market, the company is recognized for its leadership and innovative efforts in advancing sustainability and community well-being. Among its recent accomplishments, the company has made significant strides in reducing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, conserving water and energy at its manufacturing facilities, empowering women with financial and digital literacy and enhancing children’s oral health through its flagship, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how it is building a future to smile about, visit: www.colgatepalmolive.co.in

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Binance Donates INR 3.3 Crore to Goonj’s Rahat Initiative for Assam Flood Relief

 Contribution funds emergency food, clean water, hygiene kits and shelter for families across 349 flood-hit villages in seven districts

GUWAHATI, India, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Binance Charity, the philanthropic arm of Binance, today announced a donation of INR 3.3 Crore (USD 350,000) to Goonj’s Rahat Initiative to deliver urgent humanitarian relief in the state of Assam, as the Indian state faces its worst floods in over 60 years.

The scale of destruction caused by the floods has been unprecedented, displacing thousands of families and leaving many in urgent need of support. The death toll has risen to 105, while more than 12 lakh people across 25 districts and 2,734 villages have been affected by flooding at various stages this year, according to the latest reports. A total of 349 villages in Golaghat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Bajali, Dhemaji, Sonitpur, and Jorhat were reported affected earlier in August.

The contribution will fund urgent relief and recovery needs, including access to essential relief materials, including household items, hygiene items, tarpaulins, and other supplies, based on the needs and priorities of affected communities.

The contribution is expected to reach 27500 families across the affected districts and is intended to help communities meet immediate needs while beginning the longer process of recovery and rebuilding.

Commenting on the situation, SB Seker, Head of APAC, Binance, said, “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating floods. In times like these, it is crucial that communities and organizations come together to support those most in need. By working with Goonj’s ‘Rahat Initiative’, we hope our contribution will provide urgent relief on the ground and help families begin the long journey of rebuilding and recovering.”

Anshu Gupta, Founder of Goonj, said, “The scale of loss across Assam this monsoon has been staggering, and further nonstop rains have forced people to be in makeshift arrangement. Months of stored grain and livelihoods gone overnight. Support like this lets us move faster; getting relief material into the hardest-to-reach districts now, and staying on the ground through the recovery phase, not just the emergency. A long term intervention is needed apart from the immediate support and that is what we are aiming for.”

Timely support is crucial in helping affected families recover. Goonj also has an open fundraiser for anyone wishing to support the affected communities directly through their official campaign page.

About Binance Charity

Binance Charity is a leading philanthropic organization that leverages blockchain technology to provide transparent, efficient, and timely assistance during times of crisis. By harnessing the power of cryptocurrencies and Web3 solutions, Binance Charity aims to bridge the gap between those in need and the resources required to rebuild lives and communities. With a strong commitment to global humanitarian causes, Binance Charity continues to spearhead innovative approaches to drive positive change worldwide.

About Binance

Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 300 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means.

For more information, visit https://www.binance.com

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2026 World Robot Conference: Zoomlion Showcases Industrial Embodied Intelligence

BEIJING, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zoomlion” or “the Company”; 1157.HK) is showcasing its embodied intelligence technologies and robotic products for industrial applications at the 2026 World Robot Conference (WRC), taking place from Aug. 19-23, 2026, in Beijing, China.

Since 2015, the WRC has brought together companies, researchers and industry stakeholders to showcase advances in robotics and practical applications. The 2026 edition focuses on human-robot collaboration and closer alignment between technology development and industrial demand.

A Showcase for Zoomlion’s Embodied Intelligence Systems

At the WRC, Zoomlion is presenting the bipedal humanoid robot Z01, the wheeled humanoid robot Z03, and the quadrupedal robot dogs D15 and D40, as well as its self-developed joint modules.

These robotic products reflect Zoomlion’s application of embodied intelligence to address practical manufacturing pain points such as flexible sorting, precision assembly and wire-harness handling, with each robot configured for the requirements of its assigned task.

Zoomlion’s booth features Robot Ops, an embodied intelligence operating system that debuted at Hannover Messe in April 2026. Designed as a professional development platform for embodied intelligence in the Software 3.0 era, Robot Ops integrates four core modules: basic tools, imitation learning, reinforcement learning and task orchestration. It supports a closed-loop development lifecycle covering data collection, model training, simulation and validation, as well as deployment and operations.

The platform is designed to support applications involving humanoid robots, industrial robots, construction machinery and autonomous driving, empowering industries through a single integrated platform while providing a standardized and replicable engineering pathway for the large-scale deployment of embodied intelligence.

Alongside Robot Ops, Zoomlion is also presenting ZBrain, an embodied intelligence system which enables traditional industrial robots to move beyond fixed-program execution and become intelligent operating units capable of sensing their environment, understanding tasks, making autonomous decisions and executing closed-loop operations.

Empowered by ZBrain, users can issue task instructions, after which the system autonomously performs detection, planning, execution and verification. It is designed to support high-mix, low-volume production, significantly shortening deployment timelines, accelerating changeover cycles and lowering the barrier to adoption.

At the conference, Zoomlion is highlighting capabilities that are grounded in real-world testing. Zoomlion has validated its robots across nearly 20 manufacturing scenarios at Zoomlion Smart City, where they have been deployed in active manufacturing environments. This operational experience provides the data and know-how needed to move intelligent technologies and robotic products toward large-scale industrial deployment.

Industrial and Interactive Demonstrations

Visitors can experience the capabilities of Zoomlion’s robots firsthand through a series of industrial and interactive demonstrations. The Z03 performs material picking, sorts irregularly shaped items and completes the preassembly of rearview mirrors, while the Z01 handles and organizes wire harnesses. The demonstrations also include synchronized dance performances, robot-guided tours and gesture-based interactions with Z01.

The Company is advancing embodied intelligence from laboratory research to deployable industrial applications and supporting intelligent manufacturing across industries.

Visitors to the WRC 2026 can find Zoomlion at Booth D403 in Hall D.

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