J. Kumar Infraprojects Achieves TBM Breakthrough on DMRC Corridor

 May, 14  : J. Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. (JKIL) today announced the successful breakthrough of Tunnel Boring Machine at Mahipalpur, marking a critical progress milestone on Contract DC-08 awarded by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

The breakthrough forms part of a technically complex underground package covering the design and construction of twin tunnels, a crossover box, and four underground stations along the Aerocity to Tughlakabad corridor of DMRC Phase-IV, one of the most significant urban metro expansions currently underway in India.

The TBM drive was executed under sustained adverse ground conditions: hard strata interspersed with unexpected boulders, micaceous zones, and continuous water ingress throughout the alignment. The most significant challenge was a stretch of nearly 300 metres beneath multiple interconnected ponds, creating persistent hydrostatic pressure and highly sensitive surface conditions that required continuous monitoring and real-time geotechnical intervention.

The breakthrough at the diaphragm wall at Mahipalpur was achieved without compromise to safety or structural integrity; a result of disciplined engineering execution and coordinated on-ground effort sustained across the full duration of the drive.

Dr. Nalin Gupta, Managing Director, J. Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. said:

“The TBM drive at Mahipalpur tested us in ways that few projects do. The geotechnical conditions were among the most demanding we have worked through, but the team never lost focus. What broke through that D-wall was not just a machine. It was months of precision, persistence, and collective resolve. This is what JKIL is built on.”

The Mahipalpur breakthrough adds to JKIL’s expanding record of complex underground works under DMRC. The company currently operates seven TBM machines across active project sites and has established itself as one of DMRC’s most prominent contractors by order book.

UAE hits new heights in wellness real estate

Keturah founder says government vision and national mandates have made human wellbeing a development priority 

Dubai, UAE, May 14: Dubai luxury developer Keturah has welcomed a new global report showing the UAE as one of the world’s fastest-growing wellness real estate markets, saying the findings reflect a fundamental shift in how the industry must think and build.

 The study, released earlier this week by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), reveal that wellness real estate now represents over 12% of all construction in the UAE, where the market grew from $3.3 billion to $14.6 billion between 2017 and 2025.

 With the global market projected to more than double from $876 billion in 2025 to $1.8 trillion by 2030, the report says over 555,000 wellness-focused residential units now in the pipeline across the UAE and Saudi Arabia alone.

 Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand, said today: “The UAE‘s growth in this sector is the direct result of government vision and national mandates that have made human wellbeing a development priority, and policy will continue to shape the market.”

 He says the GWI, the leading research organization for the global wellness industry, is fully justified in defining wellness real estate as a response to, and a correction of, past “unwell” development.

 “For too long the industry built environments that looked impressive, but took little account of the health and quality of life of the people living in them,” said Talal. “Those days are over. It is no longer just about energy ratings or green certifications. The social, physical, mental and community dimensions of how people actually live create a far more meaningful standard today.”

 Two Keturah projects under development in Dubai are built around these principles. The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Keturah Resort is the Middle East’s first fully wellness-certified resort. Located on the shores of Dubai Creek, adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, it comprises 12 water front mansions, 193 apartments, a five-star boutique hotel, standalone wellness centre and private marina.

 Meanwhile, Keturah Reserve, the AED5.7 billion bio-living community at Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s District 7, is a 540-home development of low-rise apartments, townhouses and villas designed around nature, natural light and the science of daily wellbeing.

 The GWI report highlights nature, culture and heritage as important assets in wellness real estate. “In fact, they are what give a development its soul,” says Talal. “A community rooted in its landscape and its identity is one that residents feel proud to live in. Without that, you simply have a building.”

 “Another key takeaway is that wellness real estate must serve all members of a community, not just its buyers, and this is something built into our culture at Keturah. Wellness real estate has to work for everyone, and that responsibility starts at home. Developers who genuinely care about the wellbeing of their own employees set a standard that runs through everything they build.”

 Based on a review of over 300 independent studies, the GWI says wellness-focused residential properties at the middle and upper ends of the market command a price premium of 10-25%. “Wellness real estate sells at stronger prices, attracts buyers who are in it for the long term, and holds its value,” says Talal. “The market is rewarding developers who made this commitment early.”

 Looking ahead, he sees demographic change as the industry’s next great opportunity. “Older residents, younger buyers, and changing family needs each bring new possibilities. The developers who pay attention to those shifts now will be the ones setting the pace in years to come.” The new GWI research was presented at the Global Wellness Summit’s Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium in New York City on Tuesday.

Steaming Hot Pots & Comfort Classics Take Over Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach

Visakhapatnam, May 14: This May, Red Bowl at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach will serve up a comforting culinary experience with the Hot & Pot Food Festival, featuring warm, soulful, and flavour-forward dishes from 15th May to 24th May.

Inspired by the universal appeal of soulful meals served fresh and hot, the festival will showcase an assortment of steaming delicacies ranging from soups and slow-cooked curries to hot pots and freshly prepared specialties. Focused on rich flavours and satisfying dining experiences, the festival aims to offer guests an inviting setting to enjoy comforting meals during the dinner hours.

The specially curated à la carte menu will feature a selection of dishes including Nasu Dengaku, Tori Teriyaki and Goong Pad Prik, highlighting preparations that are best enjoyed, warm and freshly served. Bringing together diverse flavours and comforting favourites, the festival reflects the essence of relaxed and indulgent dining.

Through experiences such as the Hot & Pot Food Festival, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach continues to curate distinctive culinary experiences that bring together flavour, hospitality, and thoughtfully designed dining concepts for its guests.

·         Venue: Red Bowl, Novotel Visakhapatnam

·         Festival Dates: 15th May – 24th May 2026

·         Timings: Lunch: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM || 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

·         Service Style: À la carte

Child Care Aware of Missouri’s Beth Ann Lang Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Nonprofit’s Deputy CEO Lang brings more than three decades of early childhood experience to her role.

(St. Louis, Mo., May 14, 2026) Beth Ann Lang, Deputy CEO at Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO), recently celebrated her 25^th anniversary with the nonprofit. Her responsibilities include overseeing all programs and services administered by CCAMO, as well as positioning the organization for sustainable growth through strategic planning.

During her tenure, Lang has provided oversight and guidance on projects related to the early childhood workforce. She has served as the organization’s Chief Program Officer since 2017. When she joined CCAMO in 2001, Lang was the inaugural Director of the TEACH Early Childhood Missouri Scholarship, a statewide program aimed at increasing the quality of child care through education, compensation, and commitment.

Among Lang’s notable achievements are launching the TEACH Early Childhood Missouri CDA Project in 2019 and supporting St. Louis County legislation to fund WAGE$, a salary supplement program for child care educators. She serves on the TEACH Early Childhood National Advisory Committee and the Council for Professional Recognition’s State Partners Roundtable, where she represents Missouri at the national level.

“Beth Ann’s leadership has shaped every facet of our work, from elevating the early childhood workforce to strengthening the programs families rely on every day,” said CCAMO CEO Robin Phillips. “For 25 years, she has been a tireless champion for educators, continuously helping move our organization and state toward higher quality, greater equity, and better outcomes for children.”

Founded in 1999, CCAMO is a statewide nonprofit that focuses on a comprehensive early childhood education experience through impactful programs and partnerships. The organization’s services include workforce development, child care business supports, advocacy and policy work, and its new Child Care Keeps Missouri Working, a regional campaign offering concierge solutions to businesses undergoing employee recruitment and retention challenges due to the overwhelming shortage of quality child care options. For more information, call (314) 535-1458 or visit www.mochildcareaware.org.

The Overlooked Opportunity to Engage the Next Generation After an Insurance Payout

Empathy and LIMRA joint research shows the claims experience is a powerful — yet underused — engine of long‑term growth for the industry

NEW YORK – May 14, 2026 – Empathy, the technology company transforming how the world plans for and navigates life’s hardest moments, and LIMRA, today announced new research examining how the life insurance claims experience shapes long-term customer relationships. The findings reveal a critical disconnect: while insurers have invested meaningfully in operational improvements, they are missing the opportunity to turn one of the most meaningful customer moments into lasting loyalty.

U.S. life insurers pay out almost $100 billion in death benefits each year, yet fewer than one in ten beneficiaries go on to become customers themselves. The Empathy and LIMRA research uncovered this gap is not due to a lack of beneficiary engagement, but rather a lack of relevant, human-centered support aligned with what beneficiaries are actually experiencing during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. While the industry has optimized for operational efficiency and a smooth claims process, these efforts often fall short of addressing beneficiaries’ emotional and practical needs, resulting in a transactional experience that fails to build long-term and generational loyalty.

“What this research makes clear is that the claims moment is not just an operational milestone or well-executed transaction, it’s a relationship-defining experience,” said Ohad Gutman, Chief Business Officer at Empathy. “When the beneficiary is handled with clarity, empathy, and meaningful support, it can lead to long-term loyalty. When it’s treated as a transaction, that opportunity is lost.”

Key Findings from the Research

The study surfaces several critical insights into what drives and limits long-term engagement following a claim:

The claims experience performs well operationally, but falls short as a relationship moment

• 91% of beneficiaries report being satisfied with their claims experience

• Core elements like communication (87%), clarity (85%), and timeliness (83%) are rated highly

• Yet according to LIMRA, fewer than 1 in 10 beneficiaries go on to become customers, highlighting a disconnect between satisfaction and long-term loyalty 

Perception after the claim is the strongest predictor of future business

• Post-claim perception is the #1 driver of both recommendation and purchase intent

• Among less satisfied beneficiaries, 71% say a better experience would have increased purchase intent, while 78% say it would have increased their likelihood of recommending the carrier

A major “delivery gap” exists between the support beneficiaries want and what they receive

• 84% say dedicated support such as a specific person to guide them, grief or financial resources, or tools to help manage the process, would make the insurer more appealing

  • Financial education: 65% want it, only 25% receive it

  • Grief resources: 68% want it, only 35% receive it

  • Emotional wellness programs: 81% want it; 24% receive it

  • Assistance with probate: 81% want it; 17% receive it

  • Well-being check-ins: 76% want it;  43% receive it

Beneficiaries are highly open to ongoing engagement

• 96% are open to post-claim communication across channels

• Most prefer personalized, practical guidance and not generic outreach

A Shift From Transaction to Relationship

The research reframes the claims experience as a pivotal moment in the customer lifecycle, not the end of a transaction but the beginning of a relationship.

“This research shows that beneficiaries are not inherently disengaged – they are highly open to continued interaction,” said Lai-Sahn Hackett, Corporate Vice President at LIMRA. “It underscores an opportunity for insurers to rethink how the claims experience contributes to ongoing engagement and business outcomes.”

The findings highlight that beneficiaries are not disengaging by default, they are responding to the experience they receive. While insurers have made meaningful progress on operational efficiency, the research shows that emotional and practical support during and after the claim is what ultimately shapes long-term outcomes.

Technology and Support as the Next Frontier

As expectations evolve, the industry is beginning to shift toward more holistic, support-driven models of care. Solutions that combine digital tools with human guidance can help carriers extend support beyond the payout and better meet beneficiary needs.

To read the full report and its findings, visit empathy.com/resources/research/generational-loyalty-blueprint.