Category Archives: News

A Right-Sided Heart, A 3kg Tumour: A Rare Surgery at Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad Gives An 11-Year-Old a New Life

Maximally invasive to minimally invasive thoracic tumours: a typical week’s work

AHMEDABAD, India, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lung and thoracic cancers are rising rapidly in India with a sevenfold increase since the last decade. Nearly three-quarters of patients are being diagnosed only after they reach an advanced stage. Late diagnosis often means late intervention, by which, tumours have had the time to grow large enough to distort or compress the organs around them, resulting into a far more complex surgical problem.

A similar case was of an 11-year-old girl who complained of exhaustion from her everyday activities for months. When she was taken for an ECG, the results raised a red flag as her heart’s position didn’t match that of the ECG leads present in the machine. An X-ray and CT were then done which showed a mass. The treating physician suspected her to have a tumour and realising the gravity of the situation, immediately referred her to Dr. Mahesh D. Patel, GI, Lung and Thoracic Oncology Surgeon at Zydus Cancer Hospital, who has a repute for treating such complex, high-risk cases and has also performed some of the India’s firsts.

At Zydus, they did a 2D echocardiogram, and the results mimicked dextrocardia. Dr. Mahesh explains, as the tumour had grown to weigh 3 kgs with a margin spanning 23 cm, its sheer mechanical force compressed her entire left lung and the middle lobe of her right lung, which is why it mimicked dextrocardia (a condition in which the heart is on the right side). The remaining lung tissue was straining to compensate for the deflated portions, which eventually gave way and tiny air sacs ruptured under pressure that caused bleeding inside her lung and blood in her sputum. The tumour also displaced her diaphragm and, with it, her heart. Her inferior vena cava (IVC), the large vein that carries blood from the lower body back to the heart, was compressed so the blood began backing up and putting pressure on her liver (which drains into the IVC) which grew congested and enlarged with time. The vein widened below the point of compression. “Operating this close to the heart was tricky; and manipulating the tumour could result in further displacement or trigger an arrhythmia so our team kept a defibrillator on standby throughout the procedure, ready for emergency cardioversion (an urgent procedure that restores normal heart rhythm),” Dr. Mahesh said. As the tumour adhered to a lot of structures, it had to be excised carefully to avoid any other complications.  

He adds, “We used a clamshell incision to gain enough room to work around the tumour without compressing the heart further or damaging any crucial organs”. These clamshell incisions run across the chest and are about 30cm wide, giving a full view of the operating region. After 3 hours of thoracic surgery, the tumour was carefully mobilised and guided leftward along a plane that allowed it to be removed completely. As soon as the pressure lifted, her lungs reinflated. In the days that followed, her heart slowly drifted back towards its normal position, and she was discharged within a week. She regained her stamina and symptoms gradually returned to normal. “The final reports indicated that the 3kg mass was, in fact, a lipoblastoma,” said Dr. Mahesh. Lipoblastoma is a rare, benign tumour composed of immature fat tissues. The largest reported thoracic lipoblastoma ever removed weighed 0.9kg.

Though these cases are rare, incidentally there was another patient who was also referred to Dr. Mahesh in the past. He was an 11-year-old boy who was rushed to the Zydus emergency with a mediastinal germ-cell tumour in his chest, spanning 22 cm. He was in a dire state and had to be put on ventilator support. Germ-cell tumours are best known for arising in the reproductive organs but they occasionally develop instead in the mediastinum (the narrow space between the lungs that also houses the heart, major vessels, and airway). Germ-cell tumours usually require chemotherapy before surgery. “After chemo, the tumour markers became normal although its size remained the same. Location and the size of his tumour made his case extremely complex to operate. Here too, we used a clamshell incision to completely resect the tumour,” he added. The boy’s condition eventually got better and he was discharged within a few weeks. He remains cancer free till date.

Dr. Mahesh has also built a significant body of work in robotic surgery in India. He adds, “The trade-off often works in the patient’s favour as there is a smaller scar, lesser blood loss and it can offer more precision especially when the tumour’s location is tricky”. He has performed several complicated surgeries on international patients as well, and recalls a recent case, “An 80-year-old patient from Africa consulted me after being diagnosed with a mediastinal paraganglioma, 3cm in size. Though most tumours of this kind occur in the abdomen, his case was rare as the tumour was found in his chest wall (mediastinum), nestled right between the superior vena cava, aorta, pulmonary artery, descending aorta, and the trachea – some of the most critical structures in the chest, all within millimetres of each other.” Germ cell tumours are notorious for secreting factors that shoot up the blood pressure even during surgery. The real challenge was to safely navigate the tumour that was wedged extremely close to major blood vessels and left no room for error.

Most surgeries of this kind, worldwide, have relied on a sternotomy, cutting open the breastbone for direct access. Dr. Mahesh chose to operate robotically instead, retracting the trachea and the superior vena cava to clear a safe path, then removing the tumour through an incision just 2 centimetres wide, without nicking any nearby vessels. The biggest scar was just 2 cm. Pulling it off through a less invasive approach took real surgical skill, which made careful planning essential. The patient recovered well and was discharged in a week. Only 5 such cases have ever been performed robotically worldwide, and none in India before this one.

Having performed a legion of India’s firsts and anatomically complex cases, including India’s first 3D-printed sternal implant, nation’s first robotic resection of a segment 1 hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) and tracheal resection under ECMO, some of the rarest resections involving the IVC and the abdominal aorta, managing SVC resections and chest wall reconstruction in invasive thymoma, and modified Appleby’s procedure for pancreatic cancer. Dr. Mahesh has done some of the stellar work in GI, lung and thoracic onco surgeries across. Some of his extraordinary work has been compiled into a coffee table book (Surgical Marvels) and published across. To know more, visit Zydus Cancer Hospital in Ahmedabad.

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CGTN: Why the world is watching the Xi-Trump meeting: Steering China-US ties, shaping the future

CGTN published an article on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States. Drawing on the stories of young Americans who have engaged with China and Xi’s latest announcement inviting 100,000 young Americans to China over the next five years, the article highlights how head-of-state diplomacy is shaping the direction of China-US ties while examining the broader global significance of cooperation between the two countries.

BEIJING, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For Marlon Forrester and Joey Zhang, a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping brought an unexpected reply.

The two were among nearly 100 students from 10 US universities who recently participated in youth exchanges in China. After the trip, they wrote to Xi to share what they had seen and experienced. A reply arrived on the eve of Xi’s state visit to the United States.

In an exclusive interview with CGTN, Forrester, a Harvard faculty member, and Zhang, a Columbia University student, said the experience made them feel part of a new generation carrying forward exchanges between the two countries. They described Xi’s engagement with young people as “planting seeds” and “laying a foundation” for future exchanges.

There may be many more such stories ahead. At a White House welcome ceremony on September 24, Xi announced that China will invite 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study over the next five years.

This commitment highlights how high-level decisions translate into the real-life experiences of ordinary people and further illustrates why the world is watching as China and the US shape the future of their relationship.

Steering the course of China-US ties

Frequent interactions between Xi and US President Donald Trump in 2026 have steadily steered the giant ship of China-US relations forward.

During a phone call in February, Xi and Trump agreed to “accomplish more big things and good things,” with Xi urging both nations to make 2026 a year of advancing toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

Three months later, Trump visited China. The two presidents spent nearly nine hours together and reached a milestone political consensus to build “a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability.”

For Xi, setting the direction is only the beginning. “Building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability is neither an expedient measure nor something that can be achieved overnight,” he told Trump in Washington, calling on both sides to implement their consensus with the “spirit of driving the nail.”

That effort is reflected in flourishing people-to-people ties. From students at Lincoln High School in Washington State to youth groups from Maryland and Florida, Xi has repeatedly responded to letters and encouraged young people to become a new generation of friendship envoys.

Economic ties offer another solid foundation. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, as of July 2026, US companies had established over 84,000 foreign-invested enterprises in China, with investment growing 7.8% year on year in the first half of the year. A survey of 175 US companies by the US-China Business Council revealed that 95% viewed their China operations as vital to global competitiveness.

Responsibility extending beyond two countries

The stakes of the China-US relationship extend far beyond Beijing and Washington.

At the White House, Xi said “China-US cooperation may not solve every problem in the world. But, without our cooperation, it would be hard to solve many of the world’s problems.”

He called on both sides to “lengthen the list of cooperation, and shorten the list of issues,” pointing to areas ranging from trade and investment to artificial intelligence, counternarcotics, law enforcement and direct flights.

Sun Taiyi, an associate professor at Christopher Newport University, noted that bilateral cooperation reduces market uncertainty, manages tech risks, and improves crisis communication. “Even limited cooperation can generate important positive spillovers for global stability.”

AI governance is drawing particular global focus. “Both China and the United States are leading nations in artificial intelligence,” Xi said in the meeting, emphasizing their shared responsibility to ensure AI remains “under human control and serves the well-being of the people.”

Wang Honggang, director of the Institute of Peaceful Development at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, added that joint AI governance would be a prime example of China-US cooperation benefiting the world.

Global public opinion reflects these stakes. A CGTN survey across 39 countries showed that 75% of respondents – rising to 78.3% in developing nations – consider stable China-US relations vital to the international community.

With China hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and the US hosting the G20 Summit this year, global focus will closely follow how the two leaders interact, sustain communication, and expand cooperation.

As Xi put it in his White House speech, “China and the United States, as two major countries, shoulder a historic responsibility of advancing human development and progress.”

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-09-25/Why-the-world-is-watching-the-Xi-Trump-meeting-1QIgAZq6BMY/p.html 

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Avalara Brings Agentic AI Speed to Enterprise Integration with Versori by Avalara

Specialized AI agents plan, connect, build, and deploy production-grade connectors in days, dramatically reducing the time and cost to unlock the value of integrations

PUNE, India, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Avalara, Inc., the agentic AI leader in global tax and compliance, today announced the availability of Versori by Avalara, an agentic integration fabric that dramatically accelerates how developers and partners connect enterprise systems to Avalara tax and compliance solutions. The offering is now available through the Avalara Developer Portal and was showcased at Avalara CRUSH, the company’s flagship customer and partner conference.

Invariably, businesses implement and make changes to a complex mix of ERP systems, billing platforms, e-commerce applications, and custom technology. Those changes create significant budgetary and staffing burdens, and can delay critical business outcomes. They can require significant specialized engineering and create cost overruns, complexity, and delays as businesses grow and their technology stacks evolve.

With Versori by Avalara, integration time and expense are no longer sticking points for these projects. AI agents do the complex research, analysis, and coding in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional integration tools. Rather than relying on generic code generation or rigid pre-built templates, Versori by Avalara’s specialized AI agents execute the integration lifecycle.

“Businesses should not have to spend significant engineering time just to connect tax and compliance to the systems where they already work,” said Hugo Sarrazin, Chief Executive Officer at Avalara. “Versori by Avalara changes that equation. Specialized AI agents can research, build, test, and deploy production-grade connectors in days, giving developers and partners a dramatically faster path to bring Avalara into virtually any enterprise system. For customers, that means less integration work, faster time to value, and greater freedom to use the technology that works for their business.”

From integration requirements to production-ready connectors

Versori by Avalara uses four core AI agents to guide developers from initial mapping to certified release:

• Plan: Analyzes endpoint schemas, API contracts, and compliance requirements to scope integration architecture.
• Connect: Establishes secure authentication and automated system-to-system handshakes across ERPs, billing engines, e-commerce systems, and custom databases.
• Build: Generates production-ready transformation logic, mapping rules, and error-handling code. Customers and partners retain access to the generated connector code and business logic.
• Deploy: Runs automated testing, validates against Avalara certification benchmarks, and publishes the live connector.

Rather than relying on generic code generation or rigid pre-built templates, Developers and partners can access Versori by Avalara today through the Avalara Developer Portal. Users can explore API documentation and enroll in hands-on Versori by Avalara training.

About Avalara

Avalara is the agentic AI leader in global tax and compliance. For more than two decades, Avalara’s trusted tax content, deep compliance expertise, proprietary data, and technology have helped customers succeed on a global scale. Avalara now pairs that foundation with agentic AI to help businesses execute complex compliance work while keeping people in control. Avalara processes more than 54 billion AvaTax API calls annually and supports millions of businesses worldwide. For more information, visit Avalara.com.

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EasyShiksha’s B2B Partner Network Grows Past 50 Members — Now Inviting More Educators and Institutions to Earn Commission for Life

Individual educators, counsellors, and institutions across India and internationally have joined EasyShiksha’s referral program since launch, earning 15–30% commission on student enrollments — including on every future purchase a referred student makes, not just their first

GURGAON, India, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EasyShiksha, an online education platform operated by EdSpectra Global Private Limited, today announced that its B2B Partner Network has surpassed 54 approved partners, and is opening its doors wider to educators, counsellors, coaching institutes, colleges, and organizations looking to turn their existing networks into a recurring source of income.

The EasyShiksha B2B Partner Network, launched on earlier this month, allows partners to refer students to EasyShiksha’s catalog of certification courses, online internship programs, and university-affiliated certifications, earning commission on each paid enrollment without taking on any responsibility for teaching, certification, or student support.

Unlike typical referral or affiliate arrangements that pay a one-time commission and end the relationship there, EasyShiksha’s model is built around what the company calls lifetime attribution: once a student is linked to a partner’s referral code, every future purchase that student makes — a second certification, an internship, a subscription — continues to generate commission for the original partner, indefinitely, with no need to refer that student again.

Commission scales with volume rather than staying flat, starting at 15% for partners referring up to 100 paid students a month and rising to 30% for partners above 1,000, a structure designed to reward institutions and high-network individuals who treat referrals as an ongoing activity rather than a one-off.

“Fifty-four partners at this stage might sound modest set against where we’re headed, but every one of them is someone who looked at this model and decided it was worth trying with their own students, colleagues, or network,” said Sunil Sharma, CEO, EasyShiksha.

“We built this program because we believe the people who already have a student’s trust — a teacher, a counsellor, an institute — are better positioned to guide them toward the right opportunity than another advertisement ever could be. Fifty-four partners in, that belief is starting to prove itself out, and we want many more people to be part of what comes next.”

EasyShiksha says the partner base reflects the program’s intended breadth: individual educators and career counsellors with an engaged personal or professional network, alongside institutional partners such as coaching centres, colleges, and placement offices referring at higher volume. Both categories operate on identical commercial terms, with the only practical difference being the information collected during application.

The program is open to applicants both within India and internationally, with commission paid via bank transfer for India-based partners and PayPal for international partners.

Applying to the EasyShiksha B2B Partner Network takes approximately five minutes and does not require any marketing or sales background. Applicants provide basic contact and account details, and — for India-based applicants — PAN details and, where applicable, GST registration information. Most applications are reviewed and approved within one to two business days, after which a partner’s referral code and dashboard access go live immediately.

Approved partners receive access to a real-time dashboard tracking referrals, commission tier, and payout history, along with ready-to-use marketing materials, message templates, and — as of recently — a dedicated partner support contact to assist with onboarding and ongoing questions.

“Anyone who’s ever been asked ‘where should I learn this?’ already has what it takes to be a partner,” Sharma added. “You don’t need to be a marketer. You just need to be someone people already trust for that kind of advice — and we’ll handle everything from there.”

Educators, counsellors, coaching institutes, colleges, and organizations interested in joining the EasyShiksha B2B Partner Network can apply at https://easyshiksha.com/b2b-partners. There is no cost to apply, and no obligation to hit any particular referral volume to remain an active partner.

EasyShiksha is an online education platform offering certification courses, internship programs, and certifications in association with partner universities, spanning technology, business, and professional-skills subjects. EasyShiksha is operated by EdSpectra Global Private Limited.

EdSpectra Global Private Limited is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013, headquartered at Gurgaon, India. EdSpectra operates EasyShiksha and maintains educational partnerships with schools, universities, and organizations through its Educational Alliances initiative.

Media Contact

Richa Sharma

Corporate Partnerships Manager

Email: richa@easyshiksha.com

Phone: +91 8178790608

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Bare Bones Collective turns Ganesh Chaturthi’s ‘Morya’ chant into an interactive campaign for BigBasket

The Morya Meter transformed a giant modak into a functioning decibel meter, drawing 5,000+ participants, 10,000+ attempts and a 120-decibel “Morya” in Mumbai

MUMBAI, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Creative agency Bare Bones Collective transformed one of Ganesh Chaturthi’s most instinctive traditions into an interactive brand experience for BigBasket with the Morya Meter; a giant modak fitted with a functioning decibel meter that invited Mumbaikars at Carter Road to shout “Morya” and compete to see who could register the loudest response.

The campaign was rooted in a simple cultural observation: someone says “Ganpati Bappa” and everyone around instinctively responds with “Morya”  loudly and collectively. Rather than create another piece of festive communication for audiences to passively consume, Bare Bones turned something people already do and love doing into the experience itself.

The modak was equally intentional. Synonymous with Ganesh Chaturthi as both an offering and festive essential, it created a natural connection to BigBasket as a destination for Ganesh Chaturthi essentials.

Girish Narayandass, Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer, Bare Bones Collective, said, “The best cultural ideas often come from noticing something people already do instinctively. You say ‘Ganpati Bappa’ and everyone around responds with ‘Morya!’  loudly and collectively. We didn’t want to manufacture a festive behaviour for the brand; we wanted to build upon one that already belonged to people. The Morya Meter came from asking one very simple question: what if we could actually measure that energy?”

From an idea to a giant modak in two weeks

Bare Bones Collective had just two weeks between locking the idea and taking it live.

The agency partnered with MOMS Outdoor to turn the concept into a functioning installation, while Sujay Kulkarni and team captured the unscripted reactions on ground, allowing the physical activation to extend onto social media.

The team initially set the challenge at 90 decibels. That benchmark didn’t last long.

Participants began returning for multiple attempts, trying to beat their own scores and one another’s. Soon, queues began forming around the giant modak.

Over the course of the activation, more than 5,000 people stepped up to the Morya Meter, clocking over 10,000 attempts. The loudest “Morya” eventually hit 120 decibels.

The Morya Meter was born from BigBasket’s brief to break through the sameness of festive communication around Ganesh Chaturthi. The brand wanted an on-ground activation that could build awareness and brand love while reinforcing BigBasket as a destination for Ganesh Chaturthi essentials and an idea that could travel organically from the street to social media.

The campaign also builds on an existing relationship between BigBasket and Bare Bones Collective, with the agency having previously worked on the brand’s performance campaigns. BigBasket’s collaborative approach and willingness to explore unconventional ideas gave Bare Bones the creative freedom to move beyond conventional festive advertising and turn a cultural insight into a participative brand experience.

About Bare Bones Collective

Bare Bones Collective is an independent creative agency founded by Girish Narayandass, Anuya Jakatdar and Swati Dua, built on the belief that great brands are built through audacious work. A team of communication problem solvers, Bare Bones is led by the idea first and the medium second, creating work across film, outdoor, digital, social, influencer, experiential, 360-degree and performance marketing.

In under four years, the agency has worked with 20+ brands, including Google, Prime Video, Nykaa, BigBasket and CEEW, with its work generating 500 million+ views and appearing across 250+ billboards.

Website: https://www.barebonescollective.com/ 

For Media/Interviews contact:

Dhvani Zatakia | PRwallahs

M: +91 99206 20987 | E: dzatakia@prwallahs.com

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Cuttack Durga Puja 2026 to be live-streamed, bringing the city’s grand celebrations to a global audience

Cuttack, Sept. 25 (UDN): Devotees unable to visit Cuttack during this year’s Durga Puja will be able to experience the city’s iconic celebrations from anywhere in the world, as the district administration has announced live streaming of the festival for the first time.

 Representational Image

The online broadcast will cover major Durga Puja pandals, virtual darshan of the Goddess, and the colourful immersion processions, allowing viewers to follow the festivities from home.

Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde said the initiative has been planned on the lines of the successful live telecasts of Rath Yatra and Bali Jatra.

According to him, discussions have already been held with the Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Department, which has agreed to facilitate the live streaming. A technical team from the department will visit Cuttack to finalise the necessary arrangements before the festival.

Where to watch

The live coverage will be available on the I&PR Department’s official YouTube channel as well as the Cuttack district administration’s website, making the celebrations accessible to audiences across India and overseas.

Bringing Cuttack’s festive grandeur online

Widely regarded as one of Odisha’s biggest Durga Puja celebrations, Cuttack’s festival is known for its elaborate pandal decorations, silver filigree craftsmanship, and spectacular immersion processions that draw thousands of visitors every year.

Officials said the digital initiative aims to ensure that elderly devotees, people living outside Odisha, and those unable to travel can still participate in the festive atmosphere through a virtual experience.

The live broadcast is expected to showcase the city’s vibrant pandals, cultural celebrations, and the grand immersion procession that marks the conclusion of the annual festival.

Nandankanan’s rescued orangutan infants recovering as haemoglobin levels improve

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 25: The five rescued orangutan infants undergoing care at Nandankanan Zoological Park are showing encouraging signs of recovery, with recent blood tests indicating an improvement in haemoglobin levels in two of the animals, zoo authorities said on Friday.

 File_UDN

Veterinarians confirmed that all five infants are eating normally, remaining active, and displaying healthy behaviour while continuing to receive round-the-clock monitoring at the zoo’s quarantine facility.

As part of a routine health assessment, a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test was conducted on each infant. The results showed improved haemoglobin levels in two orangutans identified as M3 and F2. M3 has also received supportive injections to help raise its haemoglobin levels further.

Nandankanan Deputy Director Pradeep Mirase said the infants are being closely observed by veterinary teams, with treatment being adjusted according to their health requirements.

Expert recommendations

The recovery follows recent examinations by wildlife health specialists, including Dr. Abhijit Bhawal, Veterinary Officer at Delhi Zoo, and Dr. Sanath Krishna Mulia, Wildlife Veterinarian at the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun.

After reviewing the infants’ condition, the experts recommended gradually increasing their food intake, introducing additional dietary items, and administering antiparasitic medicines such as ivermectin or doramectin to reduce worm burden.

Earlier anaemia concerns

Previous health assessments had found that three of the five orangutan infants were suffering from anaemia, with one diagnosed with severe anaemia and two showing mild symptoms. Since then, the animals have been receiving supportive supplements and targeted veterinary care under the guidance of an expert committee.

The latest improvement in haemoglobin levels has been viewed as a positive development in their ongoing recovery.

Rescue and trafficking probe

The orangutan infants were rescued on September 8 after being spotted in the Rankotha Reserved Jhau Forest in Odisha’s Bhogarai area. They were subsequently shifted to Nandankanan Zoological Park, where they remain in quarantine under specialised care.

Authorities continue to investigate the suspected trafficking network and the circumstances that led to the endangered primates being abandoned in the forest.

Loyalty Juggernaut Advances Responsible AI with ISO/IEC 42001 Certification

British Standards Institution certifies the AI management system governing GRAVTY®’s pioneering Agentic Systems portfolio.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global loyalty technology leader Loyalty Juggernaut today announced that it has achieved ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification for its Artificial Intelligence Management System, which governs the development, deployment, oversight and continual improvement of AI capabilities within its GRAVTY® platform. The certified scope encompasses AI systems using supervised and unsupervised learning and large language models to support hyper-personalized engagement, fraud management, loyalty intelligence, autonomous decision-making and loyalty operations.

An internationally recognized management system standard, ISO/IEC 42001 provides a structured framework for managing AI-related risks while promoting responsible governance, transparency, accountability and security throughout the AI lifecycle.

Within this certified management system, GRAVTY® brings together six Agentic Systems designed to help loyalty programs continuously sense, analyze, decide, act and learn:

• Program Intelligence System: Transforms program data into actionable insights, forecasts and strategic recommendations.
• Personalization System: Orchestrates individualized offers and experiences at scale.
• Growth and Retention System: Identifies opportunities to acquire, engage, retain and grow customers.
• Commerce and Experience System: Connects loyalty, commerce and customer experiences across the loyalty ecosystem.
• Trust and Risk System: Detects anomalies, mitigates fraud and strengthens program integrity.
• Productivity and Workflow System: Automates complex operational workflows and augments human decision-making.

“Agentic AI marks a fundamental shift from systems that provide intelligence to systems that interpret conditions, recommend strategies, take coordinated action and learn from outcomes,” said Kalpak Shah, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Loyalty Juggernaut. “ISO/IEC 42001 certification validates the rigorous management system behind our AI innovation, giving clients greater confidence that GRAVTY®’s AI capabilities are developed and deployed with strong governance, transparency, security, accountability and human oversight.”

“AI will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of loyalty, but innovation must go hand in hand with trust and responsible governance,” said Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Head of Emirates Skywards. “Loyalty Juggernaut’s ISO/IEC 42001 certification provides an important level of assurance as we explore next-generation capabilities within GRAVTY®. Ultimately, our focus is on using AI to create greater value for our members while ensuring that transparency, accountability and trust remain at the heart of how we innovate.”

The certification builds on Loyalty Juggernaut’s broader commitment to enterprise-grade security, privacy, reliability and responsible innovation.

About Loyalty Juggernaut

Loyalty Juggernaut is the leading provider of enterprise loyalty technology. Its cloud-native, patented GRAVTY® platform enables brands to design, operate and continuously optimize sophisticated loyalty ecosystems at scale. Loyalty Juggernaut serves clients across airlines, hospitality, retail, financial services, telecommunications and diversified business groups worldwide.

About Emirates

Founded in 1985, Emirates is a global connector of people, places and economies. Based in Dubai, the airline’s global network serves more than 146 destinations in 81 countries across six continents. Its luxurious amenities, regionally inspired gourmet cuisine, award-winning in-flight entertainment system and the unmatched hospitality of its iconic multilingual cabin crew have made Emirates one of the world’s most recognized airline brands.

Media Contact: media@lji.io

Europe’s Largest NING SERVICE Experience Center Opens in Norway

OSLO, Norway, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On 24 September 2026, CATL opened its largest NING SERVICE centre outside Asia in Oslo, extending its battery lifecycle service network in Europe.

The 8,000 square metre centre will serve Norway and the wider Nordic region, providing battery services, training local technicians and supporting circular economy efforts across the region.

Norway is one of the world’s most advanced EV markets. In August, battery electric vehicles made up 98.7% of new passenger car registrations, and electric buses accounted for more than 60% of bus and coach registrations. As this fleet grows and ages, demand for battery diagnostics, repair and life extension is rising. The Norway Centre is built to meet it.

Full-lifecycle battery services

• Drawing on CATL’s R&D and manufacturing expertise, NING SERVICE covers the full battery lifecycle: testing, maintenance, repair, insurance, second life and recycling. Its services span transport, energy storage and robotics.
• NING SERVICE is helping shift the aftermarket from replacing batteries to repairing them, and has cut turnaround for complex repairs from 72 to 48 hours.
• Its deep repair capability covers 76.8% of EV models and applies CATL’s production-line quality standards. The Intelligent Eagle Eye System, used in more than 150 repair facilities, provides full traceability and quality control.
• The centre will also serve as a brand experience space and sales agent for emerging electric applications, including vessels, eVTOL aircraft and robotics. NING SERVICE already manages agency sales for CATL’s ecosystem partners, such as AutoFlight and Galbot.

Circularity and local skills

CATL launched the Global Energy Circularity Commitment (GECC) in strategic partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. In line with its vision, NING SERVICE is building an aftermarket ecosystem that keeps batteries in use for longer and returns their materials into new batteries.

“In a circular economy, batteries stay in use at their highest value for as long as possible, and their materials are recovered to make new ones. Inspection, maintenance and repair services are an important part of making that happen at scale,” said Miranda Schnitger, Climate Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

The centre will create skilled green jobs and become NING SERVICE’s main training hub in the Nordics. Drawing on a training network across 39 European countries and a team of 14 experienced instructors, it will offer courses certified by CATL and practical training for local technicians. NING SERVICE also plans to work more closely with Norwegian universities and technical institutions to build local expertise.

Bringing service closer to customers

CATL is expanding its local presence worldwide through local infrastructure and ecosystem partnerships. The Norway Centre will be a key hub in NING SERVICE’s European network, bringing high-quality service closer to customers in line with its promise to be “Your Nearby New Energy Service Expert.”

“CATL brings technology, industry expertise and a trusted brand. Combined with YES-EU’s local knowledge and service capabilities, we can build a stronger battery service ecosystem across the Nordics and support the long-term growth of Europe’s EV market,” said Benedikt G. Gudmundsson, Founder and Chairman of YES-EU Group.

“Customers are at the heart of everything we do at NING SERVICE. Working closely with our local partners, we will provide reliable battery lifecycle services that meet the needs of Norway’s EV market and support its continued electrification,” said Bruce Li, President of Quality Systems, Aftermarket Business Division, CATL.

NING SERVICE operates 1,394 service locations across 85 countries and regions. It aims to reach 100 countries and regions by 2027 and 10,000 service locations by 2030.

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IBSAT 2026 MBA Entrance Exam Schedule Announced for Admissions Across 9 Campuses

ICFAI Business School has announced its exam dates and invites MBA/PGPM aspirants to explore case-based learning, the IBSAT National Mock Test, and merit scholarship opportunities

HYDERABAD, India, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ICFAI Business School (IBS) has announced the IBSAT 2026 for admission in 9 IBS Campuses. ve. IBSAT serves as a single application pathway for admission opportunities across the institution’s nine campuses. IBS Hyderabad, IBS Bangalore, IBS Jaipur, and IBS Dehradun offer the MBA program, and IBS Mumbai, IBS Pune, IBS Gurgaon, IBS Ahmedabad, and IBS Kolkata offer the PGPM program. IBSAT 2026 MBA entrance examination is scheduled on the first 4 weekends of December 2026.

Application Deadlines:

Tests 1 & 2: December 1, 2026

Tests 3 & 4: December 8, 2026

Tests 5 & 6: December 15, 2026

Tests 7 & 8: December 22, 2026

Due to limited slot capacity for each test window, candidates are advised to apply early to secure their preferred exam date and time.

IBSAT 2026 Test Dates Schedule

Selection briefing will be held in January 2027.

Candidates who opt for early slots have more time to prepare for the selection process, which will be held at IBS Hyderabad’s lush green campus. Early test takers can plan their journey based on their convenience and budget.

Management Aspirants seeking admission in two-year full-time MBA/PGPM programmes of ICFAI Business School (IBS) for the 2027–29 academic session can choose any dates mentioned above.

Management candidates can also apply through a valid scorecard of CAT, XAT, NMAT by GMAC™ or GMAT™, subject to applicable admission requirements.

IBSAT 2026: Key Examination and Admission Details

IBSAT is a national-level management aptitude examination conducted by the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE). The test is designed to assess candidates across areas relevant to management education, including verbal ability, reading comprehension, quantitative aptitude, and data adequacy and data interpretation.

The key details are as follows:

• Examination: IBSAT 2026
• Programme: MBA/PGPM, two-year full-time programme
• Academic session: 2027–29
• Examination month: First Four Weekends of December 2026
• Application fee: ₹1,800
• Application process: Online registration through the official IBSAT website

For more information, candidates may visit https://ibsat.org/.

Eligibility Criteria for IBSAT 2026

Candidates seeking admission to the MBA/PGPM programmes at ICFAI Business School (IBS) are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Graduation in any discipline with 50% or above marks, with English as the medium of instruction.
• Completion of a minimum of 15 years of education under the 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 pattern.
• Candidates whose graduation was not conducted in English must submit a valid TOEFL, NELT, or IELTS score, as per the applicable institutional requirements.
• Final-year undergraduate students may also apply, provided they complete their graduation requirements within the prescribed deadline.
• Candidates admitted provisionally must submit the required academic documents and proof of graduation within the timeline specified by the ICFAI Business School admission team.

Case-Based Learning: Connecting Management Concepts with Business Practice

Emphasis on case-based learning is one of the key features of the academic approach at ICFAI Business School (IBS). Through the use of real-world and simulated business situations, students are encouraged to examine managerial challenges, evaluate alternatives, and understand the implications of business decisions.

The ICFAI Business School (IBS) academic ecosystem incorporates management cases, classroom discussions, analytical exercises, and practical applications to help students develop a broader understanding of business functions and organisational decision-making.

IBSAT National Mock Test: An Opportunity to Strengthen Exam Preparation

To support MBA aspirants in their preparation for IBSAT, ICFAI Business School (IBS) has introduced the IBSAT National Mock Test 2026, an online proctored practice initiative designed to help candidates become familiar with the examination format and assess their preparation.

The upcoming IBSAT National Mock Test series is scheduled on the following dates:

• September 26, 2026
• October 24, 2026
• November 21, 2026
• December 9, 2026

The IBSAT National Mock Test comes with prizes. The first prize is INR 2 lakhs, the second prize is INR 1 lakh, the third prize is INR 50 thousand, and from 4^th to 100^th rankers will get INR 5000.

Rs 10 Crore Scholarship Programme for MBA/PGPM Aspirants

As part of its admission initiatives for the 2027–29 academic session, ICFAI Business School has announced a scholarship programme worth ₹10 crore. The programme includes 500 scholarships of ₹2 lakh each, subject to the applicable scholarship terms and conditions.

The scholarship initiative is intended to provide financial assistance to eligible students and recognise academic performance. Candidates applying through IBSAT 2026, as well as eligible applicants using CAT, XAT, NMAT by GMAC™ or GMAT™ scores, may be considered under the applicable scholarship guidelines. Scholarships via IBSAT will be declared after every slot, and CAT/XAT/NMAT by GMAC™/ GMAT scholarship will be declared in the month of January 2027.

Through its management education programmes, ICFAI Business School (IBS) aims to provide students with exposure to business concepts, case discussions, professional interactions and practical learning opportunities.

Apply for IBSAT 2026

With the IBSAT 2026 examination scheduled for December, MBA aspirants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria, complete their applications within the prescribed timeline, and make use of available preparation resources.

Candidates can access the official registration portal, examination updates, National Mock Test information, and scholarship details at:

Website: https://www.ibsat.org/

Registration: https://admissions.ibsindia.org/ibsat/index.aspx

Contact Us:

IBS Admission Office

Plot No. 65, Nagarjuna Hills

Punjagutta, Hyderabad – 500082

Telangana

Ph: 040 – 23440963 (5 lines)

Toll Free:1800 425 55 66 77

E-mail: ibsat@ibsindia.org

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