Comviva and Aduna Showcase Network Intelligence for Financial Services at Money20/20

 NEW DELHI and LAS VEGAS, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Comviva, a global leader in digital transformation solutions, and Aduna, the global aggregator of standardized network APIs, are advancing the use of network intelligence to address growing digital identity and fraud challenges in financial services. At Money20/20 USA, taking place October 18–21, 2026, in Las Vegas, the companies will showcase the progress of their collaboration and demonstrate how network APIs can help financial institutions strengthen identity verification, detect SIM-swap detection, enhance fraud prevention, and streamline customer onboarding. By enabling financial institutions to leverage network-derived insights, the collaboration aims to strengthen digital trust while supporting more secure and frictionless customer experiences.

The showcase comes nearly a year after Comviva and Aduna announced their strategic partnership in November 2025 to accelerate enterprise adoption and monetisation of Network APIs through Comviva’s NGAGE platform. Through the platform, enterprises can access communication and network APIs through a single interface, while Aduna brings together standardised network capabilities from its global operator ecosystem. NGAGE platform already operates at significant commercial scale, supporting 7,000+ enterprises, 40+ deployments, 100+ industry use cases, 130+ Communication APIs, and 25+ Network APIs, while processing 250+ billion messages annually. NGAGE is deployed across industries.

For banks and fintechs, network-level intelligence can provide an additional layer of information for customer verification and risk assessment. Capabilities such as number verification and SIM-swap detection can help identify potential fraud, strengthen authentication and support faster, lower-friction onboarding and KYC journeys.

The focus on financial services builds on Comviva’s established presence in the sector and its experience supporting digital financial services ecosystems globally. The collaboration brings this expertise together with network intelligence to address practical challenges across identity, fraud prevention and customer onboarding.

Rajesh Chandiramani, Chief Executive Officer, Comviva, said, “Over the past year, NGAGE has evolved as a unified and scalable access point for enterprises looking to bring network intelligence into their digital journeys. Financial services is a natural priority because the impact can be measured directly through outcomes such as faster onboarding, stronger fraud controls and reduced dependence on OTPs and other verification steps. Our collaboration with Aduna, combined with Tech Mahindra’s BFSI reach, enables us to take these capabilities to financial institutions across markets and help address these challenges at scale.”

Peter Arbitter, Chief Commercial Officer, Aduna Global, said, “Standardisation is essential to scaling the use of network APIs across financial services. Aduna brings together CAMARA-standardised APIs from leading mobile operators, simplifying access to trusted network intelligence across operators and markets. Working with Comviva and Tech Mahindra makes it easier for banks and fintechs to embed these capabilities into customer verification, fraud prevention and onboarding processes, helping them strengthen security while reducing friction for their customers.”

The collaboration will continue to focus on expanding the use of Network APIs across financial services markets and exploring applications beyond identity and fraud, including lending risk, payments intelligence and other areas where real-time network information can support secure and seamless digital experiences.

Comviva will showcase its NGAGE, a new-age Communication Platform as a Service that draws its power and performance from robust AI engines at Money20/20 USA alongside its parent company Tech Mahindra at MC-7. Together, the companies will demonstrate how AI, advanced analytics, network APIs and digital platforms are helping financial institutions accelerate innovation, strengthen fraud prevention and identity verification, and deliver more seamless customer experiences.

About Aduna

Aduna is a landmark venture between some of the world’s leading telecom operators and Ericsson, dedicated to enabling developers worldwide to accelerate innovation by leveraging networks to their full potential via common network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Its venture partners include AT&T, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, KDDI, Orange, Reliance Jio, Singtel, Telefonica, Telstra, T-Mobile, Verizon and Vodafone. By combining network APIs from multiple operators globally under a unified platform based on the CAMARA open-source project, driven by the GSMA and the Linux Foundation, Aduna provides a standardized platform to foster collaboration, enhance user experiences, and drive industry growth. To find out more about network APIs and Aduna, visit adunaglobal.com

About Comviva

Comviva empowers organizations to drive transformative growth with measurable business impact. Our AI-driven digital solutions and intelligent platforms enable our customer to unlock new revenue opportunities, enhance customer experiences, and simplify operational complexities to achieve exponential success.

From maximizing customer lifetime value to enabling large-scale digital transformation, Comviva is trusted by 200+ global communication service providers and enterprises to solve complex challenges and prepare for the future. With our solutions deployed across 100+ countries, Comviva has brought the benefits of digital innovation and mobility to billions worldwide. As a subsidiary of Tech Mahindra and a member of the Mahindra Group, Comviva is committed to driving growth, efficiency, and transformation for tomorrow. For more information, visit us at www.comviva.com

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Altimetrik Opens Healthcare & Life Sciences Center of Excellence in Hyderabad

Launches PharmaOS as the Center’s first offering, taking clients from concept to validation in a week

HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Altimetrik, an AI engineering company, today opened its Healthcare & Life Sciences Center of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad to accelerate AI innovation for its clients. The Center’s first launch is PharmaOS, Altimetrik’s agentic AI framework for life sciences, built on Altimetrik’s ALTi AIOS™ (operating system), with more offerings to be built alongside clients across the industry. With PharmaOS, the Center promises to take clients from a defined concept to a validated, governed AI agentic workflow in one week, helping organizations move quickly from an initial idea to a working, validated use case.

The CoE brings together AI engineers and life sciences specialists to build agents that meet regulatory requirements, trace every output to trusted sources and keep people accountable for decisions. The Center is part of Altimetrik’s 22,000 sq ft office at Phoenix Equinox in Gachibowli, near HITEC City, which is home to more than 300+ Altimetrik employees. It will support work across drug discovery, clinical development, commercial operations, manufacturing, patient engagement and care delivery.

“Enterprises want AI that delivers meaningful outcomes, and in healthcare and life sciences, that means engineering solutions that are grounded in industry context, regulatory requirements and trusted data. PharmaOS is our first offering from the Healthcare & Life Sciences Center of Excellence, designed to help global customers build and scale governed AI agents across critical workflows. Hyderabad’s deep pharma expertise and technology talent make it the right home for this Center, bringing together the capabilities needed to deliver practical, industry-specific innovation,” said Raj Sundaresan, Chief Executive Officer, Altimetrik.

PharmaOS connects AI agents to life sciences workflows

Built on Altimetrik’s ALTi AIOS™ framework, PharmaOS brings together more than 35 purpose-built agents and accelerators spanning commercial operations, clinical and regulatory evidence review, manufacturing and quality, responsible AI and data modernization. The framework connects them to enterprise processes and trusted data, traces their outputs to source evidence and keeps people responsible for decisions. This approach allows organizations to apply AI to tasks such as clinical study report review, GxP compliance checks and batch-release readiness, while building governed capabilities that can be reused across teams and workflows.

PharmaOS is designed to work with leading enterprise AI ecosystems, including Google, Anthropic, and OpenAI, with model flexibility supported by its underlying architecture.

A one-week path from concept to production-grade execution

Alongside PharmaOS, Altimetrik is introducing a one-week delivery model designed to shorten the time between identifying an AI use case and assessing its potential for deployment. Given a defined business challenge, agreed data access and a bounded workflow, life sciences specialists and AI engineers use reusable agents and industry-specific accelerators to build an executable workflow within a week.

The engagement incorporates security, observability, source traceability, quality checks, human decision rights and a measurable business KPI from the outset. Clients can therefore assess an agentic workflow in its enterprise context and make an informed decision on the next stage of investment.

“Across healthcare and life sciences, organizations must move faster without compromising patient safety or compliance. AI can transform that value chain, but only when it works within a regulated and governed environment and earns the trust of the teams who own the outcomes. PharmaOS is our first offering from the Center, giving clients a validated agent on their own data in a week, and the start of a broader portfolio we’ll co-create with clients across the industry,” said Ramji Vasudevan, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, Altimetrik.

“In pharma, AI’s value comes from helping our teams work faster while preserving trust in the evidence and accountability for decisions. PharmaOS brings together capabilities we look for: agents built for life sciences workflows, outputs traceable to trusted sources, and human oversight. This foundation supports the responsible use of AI in developing pharmaceutical products, building trust in technology to serve the larger purpose of healthcare and life sciences—improving patient care and outcomes,” said Dr Vivek Jha, Global Healthcare Pharma Leader, Co-Founder DANRICX.

Hyderabad strengthens Altimetrik’s India expansion

Altimetrik chose Hyderabad to place the CoE close to the pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations whose workflows will shape its life sciences offerings. The city’s pool of clinical, regulatory, quality and engineering specialists will support the development of those offerings for global clients. Following its recent expansion in Pune, which took its global workforce past 10,000, the Hyderabad launch gives Altimetrik a dedicated industry-focused center in India and expands the role of its India teams in global AI engineering delivery.

Learn more about the CoE.

About Altimetrik

Altimetrik is an AI engineering company helping some of the most revered and iconic enterprises modernize systems, data, and processes at the heart of their business, so they can move faster, operate more efficiently, and innovate continuously. Through ALTi AIOS™, its AI-native operating system, Altimetrik combines the latest AI capabilities with deep engineering expertise to help clients solve complex challenges, accelerate modernization, and deliver measurable outcomes at scale.

Altimetrik’s clients get access to the latest AI innovations while maintaining flexibility to choose the right technologies for their business, through trusted relationships with OpenAI, Google Gemini, Anthropic, Databricks, and major hyperscalers.

A member of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for AI Excellence, the Forum’s global hub for shaping responsible AI, Altimetrik is also recognized in the 2025 Constellation Research ShortList™ for Global AI Services and named a Major Contender in multiple Everest Group PEAK Matrix® assessments, including Software Product Engineering Services (2026), Enterprise Quality Engineering Services (2025), and Digital Engineering Services for BFSI and Life Sciences.

Learn more at altimetrik.com

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Health Innovation South West and Helfie AI announce partnership to evaluate digital-first hypertension screening

Findings from real-world settings will add to the evidence base for preventing cardiovascular disease

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Helfie AI and UK-based Health Innovation South West have announced a partnership to explore how digital-first approaches to hypertension screening can support earlier identification of people at risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The collaboration will test and evaluate the potential of smartphone-based screening technology to engage people in prevention, particularly those who may face barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services.

Hypertension remains one of the leading modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, yet many people remain undiagnosed until they experience serious health problems. By combining Helfie’s technology with Health Innovation South West’s expertise in implementation and evaluation, the partnership will explore how smartphone-enabled screening can be integrated into healthcare pathways and assessed in real-world settings, with a particular focus on improving access for underserved and hard-to-reach populations. Insights generated through the programme will contribute to the evidence base for innovative approaches to prevention and population health.

Rania Awad, Chief Strategy Officer, Helfie AI, said: “Prevention only works if it reaches people where they are. Our mission is early detection, proactive prevention and optimised wellbeing for all eight billion-plus humans, and that has to include the person who cannot easily get to a clinic.”

Christelle Kelley, Population Health Lead, Helfie AI, said: “Population health is about understanding the needs of communities and shaping prevention around the people and places we serve. Digital innovation brings opportunities to reach beyond traditional healthcare settings and support place-based care. I’m excited to explore not only how we can identify and support more people at risk of hypertension, but how we translate that opportunity into meaningful, equitable improvements in cardiovascular health.”

ABOUT HELFIE

Helfie is a global health platform for early detection, proactive prevention and optimised wellbeing for all humans. Science-backed and AI-powered, it delivers 30+ easy, instant and affordable health checks via smartphone, working with governments and businesses to make preventive health accessible to everyone.

More details: www.helfie.ai

Helfie AI has part-funded this project, including elements of the work to evaluate the impact of incorporating the platform within cardiovascular disease prevention pathways. The outputs and findings arising from this partnership should not be interpreted as an endorsement, recommendation, or procurement guidance from Health Innovation South West in relation to any specific product, technology, or manufacturer.

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Playing Loud Music on Trains Can Invite Penalties: Know the Railway Rules, Fine and Jail Terms

New Delhi, Oct 19: Passengers who play music or watch videos at high volume on mobile phone speakers during train journeys could face legal consequences under railway rules. The practice, which often disturbs fellow travellers in coaches and at railway stations, has prompted Southern Railway to reinforce its warning against creating noise and causing inconvenience to others.

 Representational Image 

According to a recent railway advisory, passengers found engaging in nuisance on railway premises may face a fine of up to Rs 1,000 and removal from the premises. In cases where the offence attracts the provision for continued nuisance, the consequences could include simple imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 5,000.

The warning highlights the importance of maintaining a peaceful environment in shared public spaces, particularly on long-distance trains where passengers may be trying to sleep, work or rest.

What Does the Railway Act Say?

Section 145 of the Railways Act, 1989, deals with drunkenness, nuisance and certain forms of misconduct on railway premises. The provision covers behaviour that causes inconvenience to passengers, including nuisance inside railway carriages and at stations.

The penalties cited in the railway advisory are intended to discourage conduct that interferes with the comfort of other travellers. However, the applicable punishment depends on the specific conduct, the relevant statutory provision and the circumstances of the case.

Passengers should note that playing audio through a phone speaker is not automatically equivalent to every offence covered by Section 145. The circumstances and whether the conduct amounts to a legally actionable nuisance are important.

Why Has Southern Railway Issued the Warning?

Southern Railway has reportedly drawn attention to complaints involving passengers playing music, streaming videos and using mobile phone speakers at high volume inside trains and on railway premises.

With affordable mobile data and online entertainment becoming increasingly accessible, watching videos and listening to music while travelling have become common habits. Problems arise when passengers play content loudly without considering those seated nearby.

Loud phone conversations, speakerphone calls and other disruptive behaviour can also affect the comfort of fellow passengers, especially in reserved coaches and during night journeys.

The railway administration has called for greater awareness of the restrictions, including through regular public announcements at stations and other railway locations.

Who Can Take Action Against Offenders?

As reported in the advisory, authorised railway commercial staff, including ticket examiners at or above the specified rank, may be empowered to take action in accordance with the applicable rules.

Passengers who receive instructions from authorised railway personnel should cooperate and stop any activity causing a disturbance. The precise enforcement powers and penalties depend on the relevant legal provision and the circumstances involved.

How Can Passengers Avoid a Fine?

Travellers can prevent unnecessary disputes by following a few simple practices during their journeys:

Use headphones or earphones: Listen to music and watch videos without disturbing others.

Keep conversations quiet: Avoid loud phone calls and speakerphone conversations inside coaches.

Respect night-time quiet: Allow fellow passengers to rest, particularly in sleeper and air-conditioned coaches.

Follow railway instructions: Stop disruptive activities when asked to do so by authorised staff.

Report persistent disturbances: Inform railway personnel if another passenger repeatedly creates a nuisance.

A Reminder to Respect Fellow Travellers

Rail journeys bring together passengers of different ages and needs in a shared space. While listening to music or watching videos is a routine part of travelling for many people, doing so at excessive volume can create avoidable discomfort and conflict.

The railway advisory serves as a reminder that passenger convenience must be balanced with consideration for others. Using headphones, keeping conversations at a reasonable volume and following railway instructions can help ensure a more comfortable journey for everyone.

Before assuming that every instance of loud music carries a fixed penalty, passengers should check the applicable provision and official railway instructions. The legal consequences depend on the nature of the nuisance and the circumstances of the incident.

TraceLink Expands Global Investment in Track & Trace and Supply Chain Agentic Business Processes

Dedicated Commercial, R&D, and Services organizations accelerate innovation, customer success, and agentic transformation across both commercial business lines

BOSTON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TraceLink, the world’s largest Agentic Business Network, today announced a major organizational investment, establishing dedicated global Commercial, Research & Development (R&D), and Services teams for its Track & Trace Compliance and Supply Chain Agentic Business Process (ABP) businesses.

The evolved operating model provides each business with specialized expertise spanning product innovation, customer engagement and education, implementation, and ongoing success. The investment reinforces TraceLink’s long-term commitment to its Track & Trace customers worldwide while accelerating the development and adoption of Agentic Business Processes across both commercial business lines.

Doubling Down on Track & Trace Customer Success and Innovation

TraceLink is expanding its commitment to Track & Trace customers through a new dedicated Customer Account Management organization, continued global compliance innovation, and the rapid introduction of Track & Trace Agentic Business Processes.

Dedicated Customer Account Managers will help organizations that partner with TraceLink maximize the value of their existing investments, improve operational and compliance outcomes, and navigate evolving regulatory requirements. TraceLink continues to advance its multinational compliance roadmap, including emerging requirements in Egypt and Ethiopia, the FDA’s transition to a uniform 12-digit National Drug Code, and regulatory developments across other markets.

At the same time, TraceLink is accelerating the introduction of Track & Trace ABPs that combine governed OPUS Agents with serialization, traceability, compliance, and supply network information. These advancements will help customers automate compliance reporting, manage exceptions and recalls, improve productivity, and progressively agentify their Track & Trace operations.

Scaling Supply Chain Agentic Business Processes

Growing adoption of TraceLink’s MINT, POET, and groundbreaking OPUS Agents solutions has enabled the company to establish a dedicated global commercialization organization for Supply Chain ABPs.

Specialized Sales Executives, Agentic Business Process Architects, Value Engineers, and supporting teams will work with customers to identify high-value opportunities, establish business cases, and deploy Agentic Business Processes that digitalize and agentify complex supply chain operations across planning, procurement, manufacturing, inventory, logistics, and commerce.

These resources will help customers accelerate their transformation journeys and achieve measurable improvements in productivity, service, cost, working capital, and operational performance.

Dedicated Expertise Across Two Business Lines. One TraceLink Platform.

“We are making major investments for our customers with enormous opportunities ahead,” said Shabbir Dahod, President and CEO of TraceLink. “By aligning our Commercial, R&D, and Services organizations around each business, we are strengthening our commitment to existing customers while accelerating transformation and growth. Agentic Business Processes are central to the future of both Track & Trace and Supply Chain operations. We intend to create synergistic value for all end-to-end supply chain processes.”

Both business lines operate on TraceLink’s OPUS Platform and Integrate-Once™ Agentic Business Network, enabling customers to build on existing digital foundations as they adopt new Agentic Business Processes. Track & Trace Compliance intersects and integrates with all end-to-end supply chain operations. With the single Agentic OPUS Platform, customers can integrate business transactions and information, with agents working across all processes.

Customers benefit from dedicated expertise across each business, coordinated account engagement, and the full support of TraceLink’s global services, technical support, education resources, and partner ecosystem.

Learn More at FutureLink Barcelona

Explore TraceLink’s latest Track & Trace capabilities, emerging Track & Trace ABPs, and Supply Chain Agentic Business Processes at FutureLink Barcelona, October 19–21, 2026.

About TraceLink

TraceLink powers the transformation to an Agentic Supply Chain Operating Model, enabling organizations to perform and improve supply chain work across their business and trading partner networks. The OPUS Agentic Supply Chain Operating System brings together Agentic Business Processes, Agentic Control Towers, governed OPUS Agents, and the Integrate-Once™ Agentic Business Network to link systems, end-to-end business transactions, and collaborative peer-to-peer processes with trusted, real-time operational context. In this agentic environment, humans and agents work together with greater speed, reasoning, control, and accountability to improve organizational productivity, service, inventory, working capital, cost, compliance, quality, resilience, and revenue performance.

Learn more at www.tracelink.com.

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ECOVACS launches DEEBOT X12 OmniCyclone and WINBOT mini 2: This Diwali is about your guests, not your cleaning

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ECOVACS Robotics today announced the launch of its flagship DEEBOT X12 OmniCyclone robot vacuum and the WINBOT mini 2 window-cleaning robot, built to take floor and window cleaning off your list during the festive season.

Diwali is when homes fill with family and friends. Between the sweets, rangoli, late-night gatherings and constant footfall, floors and windows take a beating, and cleaning up should not take away from the celebration. ECOVACS lets hosts stay present while their home looks after itself.

DEEBOT X12 OmniCyclone: Host the Party, Skip the Clean-Up

• Stubborn festive stains, gone. Sticky sweets, spilled chai and dried-on cooking splatters are pre-softened by FocusJet Stain Pre-dissolving Technology, then lifted by a continuously freshwater-rinsed OZMO ROLLER 3.0, leaving floors streak-free.
• Spotless to the edges. TruEdge 3.0 cleans right along walls, cabinets and corners where crumbs gather, while BLAST suction clears dust, debris and hair, and ZeroTangle 4.0 prevents brush tangles.
• Hands-free, always ready. The OmniCyclone station takes care of the robot too. PureCyclone 2.0 Auto-empty Technology clears dust automatically with no replacement bags to buy, and automated station maintenance keeps your robot vacuum clean and ready for action, with minimal upkeep from you.
• Power through the busiest days. PowerBoost Charging Plus restores 13% battery in just 3 minutes, supporting uninterrupted cleaning across spaces of over 1,000 m² in adaptive charging mode.

“Festive seasons such as Diwali are when homes are at their fullest and floors work the hardest. With the DEEBOT X12 OmniCyclone, we want families to enjoy every moment with their guests while their home stays effortlessly clean,” said Chua Han Xiong, ECOVACS Robotics’ Head of Sales, South-east Asia and South Asia.

WINBOT mini 2: The Diwali Gift That Keeps Giving

Looking for something more thoughtful than sweets and dry fruits? The WINBOT mini 2 is an affordable, practical gift that makes everyday home care easier long after the festival ends.

• Sparkling windows, no climbing. No stools, no stretching, no streaks, so windows are ready for festive lights and family photos. Ultrasonic Atomization Spray softens built-up stains for a thorough clean.
• Made for tricky spaces. Its ultra-slim 55mm body fits narrow windows, and upgraded four-corner brushes clean as close as 1mm from the frame.
• Smart and safe. WIN-SLAM 4.0 plans an efficient cleaning path, while 8,000Pa suction and a Ten-Tier Safety System keep operation secure.
• More than windows. It also cleans full-length mirrors, glass dividers and tiled bathroom walls, so one gift works across the whole home.

Set Up in Minutes, Supported Across India

ECOVACS offers free installation and demonstration after purchase, so customers never have to worry about setting up, backed by a service network spanning 200+ cities across India.

Make This Diwali Effortless

The DEEBOT X12 OmniCyclone and WINBOT mini 2 are available now at the ECOVACS official website, Amazon India and authorised retailers.

About ECOVACS ROBOTICS:

Founded in 2006, ECOVACS ROBOTICS is a global leader in home service robotics with a diverse portfolio of products encompassing robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic window cleaners. With its expansion into robotic lawn mowers, commercial cleaning robots, robotic pool cleaners and robotic pet companion, ECOVACS solidified its position as a multi-category leader in home service robotics.

Guided by the mission “Robotics for All,” ECOVACS continues to advance technology and enhance the user experience to make life smarter and more stylish for consumers worldwide. With sales subsidiaries in Germany, the United States, Japan, and Singapore, ECOVACS products reach nearly 180 major markets and serve over 38 million households globally.

A testament to this market leadership, ECOVACS ROBOTICS has ranked first in China’s robotic vacuum cleaner market by share for ten consecutive years (2015-2024), and in India for four (2023-2026).

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Questex’s IHIF Asia Connects Hospitality Leaders with Investors Managing $450B in AUM

HONG KONG, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Questex’s IHIF Asia united leaders spanning hospitality, investment and real estate to explore market trends, economic factors and opportunities. It attracted 470+ delegates from 38 countries, a testament to its international reach. 46% of attendees were from investor, capital and ownership-related organisations representing $450B in AUM, 60% were first-time attendees.

“IHIF Asia demonstrated the strength of hospitality investment across the region, uniting the capital and leadership shaping the future. It reinforced its position as the premier platform for hospitality investment in Asia-Pacific,” said IB Saravanan, VP, Questex Asia.

The programme delivered thought leadership through panel discussions, fireside chats, presentations and networking. 125 speakers from 21 countries shared perspectives on investment, ownership, development, operations and policy.

The CEO panel united leaders from Minor Hotels, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts and Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide Inc. who discussed competitive advantages, unlocking new value streams and building future-ready organizations.

Hospitality has emerged as a real estate asset class for family office capital. Reflecting on this investment, IHIF Asia featured content and networking for family offices and family office-owned property groups, supporting engagement and connections across this investor segment. The dedicated programme united 30+ family offices and family office-owned property groups.

Two new tracks focused on the region’s areas of growth. The BxR Asia – Brand x Residential track examined the intersection of hospitality brands and residential real estate. The Nippon Track examined the opportunities within its domestic hospitality market and the growing role of Japanese capital. It attracted 160 attendees and 20 speakers across four hours of focused programming.

Government and tourism organisations reinforced IHIF Asia’s role in connecting public and private sector stakeholders to advance hospitality investment and destination development including Singapore Tourism Board, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Tourism Western Australia, Oman, Turismo de Portugal, Brunei Investment Agency and Marjan. UN Tourism provided a global perspective on tourism growth, capital flows and investment opportunities.

IHIF Asia Digital lets you watch coverage of main stage sessions, extending the event’s reach to the broader hospitality investment community.

IHIF Asia 2027 takes place 8-10 September in Hong Kong.

Media Contact

Meryl Franzman

mfranzman@questex.com          

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Liwa International Festival 2027 Returns to Al Dhafra Region with New Experiences, Global Entertainment and More to Discover

• Nitro Circus, a global action sports entertainment brand, makes its festival debut
• More than half of Liwa Village rides and attractions are new or reimagined
• A first-ever Heritage Village showcases Emirati culture

ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Liwa International Festival 2027 (Liwa 2027), Al Dhafra Region’s flagship winter celebration, will return from 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027 amid the dunes of Liwa desert. The 2027 edition brings a reimagined Liwa Village, a new international entertainment show, motorsport championships, heritage experiences and family activities that have made it a longstanding highlight of the United Arab Emirate’s winter calendar.

Liwa International Festival 2027, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, is organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in collaboration with Liwa Sports Club, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Media Network, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and Al Dhafra Hospitals – Seha.

Set against the backdrop of Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest dune at more than 300 metres in height, the festival has grown since its founding in 2001 into an award-winning event that brings together Emirati heritage, sport, entertainment and family-friendly fun. Last year, the festival welcomed more than 700,000 visitors across 23 days and was named ‘Best Festival of the Year’ at the Middle East Events Awards 2026.

New attractions and experiences at Liwa Village

At the heart of the festival lies Liwa Village, a lively hub of entertainment, dining, and family fun, with more than half of its rides and attractions featuring new or reimagined concepts this year.

New experiences include the Circus Swinger, Tagada and Space Tower, alongside new challenges including Play Strike, Ninja Challenge, Pixel Run and Desert Heist, Drift Trike, Target Shooting and Climb Quest.

Visitors can also take on the new Bungee Jumping, adding another adrenaline-fuelled experience to the festival. Returning favourites include the Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, Slingshot, Booster, Classic Cars, Go Water Kart, Mini Tank Paint Ball, House of Horror, Maze Adventure and 4×4 Track.

International entertainment takes centre stage

Nitro Circus will make its festival debut on 19 and 20 December, with three fast-paced shows, featuring more than 15 athletes performing stunts across freestyle motocross (FMX), bicycle motocross (BMX), choreographed performances and pyrotechnics. Tickets are now available for purchase on Platinumlist.

Motorsport thrills galore

Organised by Liwa Sports Club, the festival will feature a packed programme of motorsport and desert sports. Highlights include Freestyle Display (11-12, 21-22 December), Motorbike Drag Race (13 December), Falcon Race (14-16 December), Sand Freestyle Display (18-19, 27-28 December), Liwa UTV Track (20 December), Traditional Pigeon Race (22-23 December), Liwa Burnout Challenge (24 December) and Liwa Drift (25-26 December).

The programme will build towards the Tal Moreeb Car Championship finale, which will take place from 30 December – 2 January, bringing the festival into the New Year.

Visitors can also take part in a series of sporting and fitness activities including the Liwa Sign Climb Challenge (19 December), a cycling race (21 December), the Liwa Festival Community Run (23 December), a padel tournament (24–25 December) and a fitness tour (29 December).

Celebrating Emirati heritage

Alongside its new attractions and sporting experiences, Liwa International Festival 2027 continues to celebrate Emirati heritage and traditions.

Presented by Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Heritage Village is inspired by a traditional Emirati neighbourhood (Al Fareej). Its programme brings together demonstrations and activities that introduce families and younger generations to aspects of life in the past through learning, observation and hands-on participation.

The House of Poetry and Poets celebrates the place of poetry in Emirati heritage through sessions introducing visitors to Nabati poetry, its role in social life, and its expression of the community’s values, experiences and traditions.

At the Falconry Tent, visitors can discover the Emirati tradition of falconry through live falcon displays and demonstrations explaining how falcons are raised, trained and cared for, as well as the tools used in the practice. Young visitors can also take part in workshops to make model falcon hoods.

The programme also includes a traditional games and heritage experiences area, with interactive activities suitable for different ages. These include traditional games such as Teelah and Karabi, tug of war, camel riding, a palm-climbing simulation, and workshops in making palm-leaf products (khoos) and weaving.

The Heritage Village also introduces visitors to Emirati social etiquette through the Emirati Majlis, with practical explanations of majlis etiquette, including entering, greeting, seating, welcoming guests and honouring them. This highlights the majlis’s role in social life and in passing values and customs between generations.

The experience is complemented by a live workshop on preparing and serving Emirati Gahwa, introducing visitors to the tools used and the etiquette involved, while highlighting the traditions and values of Emirati hospitality.

The festival experience will also extend beyond the main festival site, with activations at several forts and heritage attractions across Al Dhafra Region, connecting visitors with the area’s history, culture and landscapes.

These include the Liwa Sign landmark, retail and dining at Dhafeer Fort, Al Meel Fort and Al Yabana Fort, a heritage experience at Khanour Fort featuring traditional Emirati crafts, and a cultural experience at Mezairaa Fort inspired by the stories and heritage of Liwa.

Plan your visit

Ready to experience Liwa International Festival 2027? Plan your visit, explore the full festival programme and find more on liwainternationalfestival.ae.

The festival’s first official app will also be launched, allowing visitors to explore the event calendar, stay up to date with the latest announcements, select and book camping spots and RV parking spaces, and explore commercial participation opportunities at the festival.

Book your tickets:

For Liwa Village tickets, visit liwavillage.ae

For Nitro Circus tickets, visit platinumlist.ae

Follow @liwafest for the latest festival updates.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. 

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae.

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Canara HSBC Life Insurance Introduces ‘Global Wealth Plan’ on Policybazaar, Offers Access to Insurance Linked Global Investing Opportunities

A USD-denominated unit-linked life insurance plan, offered through GIFT City, provides access to global equity, precious metals like Gold/Silver and debt funds across three plan options tailored to different financial goals

NEW DELHI, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited (“Canara HSBC Life Insurance”) has announced the launch of Global Wealth Plan (UIN: 2026L002V01), an individual, unit-linked, non-participating life insurance-cum-savings plan available through GIFT City. The plan provides customers with access to global investment opportunities through USD-denominated insurance-linked investments, combining long-term wealth creation with life protection. The product is being currently distributed through Policybazaar, extending access to NRI customers on its platform who are seeking USD-denominated investment and protection solutions through GIFT City.

As an International Financial Services Centre, GIFT City enables NRIs to access internationally diversified investment opportunities through a familiar and trusted framework. The ability to invest and receive benefits in US Dollars makes the solution particularly relevant for customers with global lifestyles, helping them grow wealth, protect their families and plan for future goals in the same currency in which many of their expenses and obligations may arise.

Commenting on the launch, Rishi Mathur, Chief Distribution Officer, Alternate Channels and Chief Marketing Officer, Canara HSBC Life Insurance, said, “Customer needs of Non-Resident Indians are evolving rapidly, with a growing preference for solutions that combine long-term wealth creation with financial protection. Through our partnership with Policybazaar, we are expanding access to global investment opportunities via GIFT City. Global Wealth Plan brings together USD-denominated investing, globally diversified fund options and life insurance protection within a single solution. With three distinct plan variants, customers can align their investments to their unique goals, whether building wealth, securing a child’s future or creating a lasting legacy, while benefiting from the assurance of life cover.”

Vivek Jain, Chief Business Officer Life insurance, Policybazaar, said, “NRI customers are increasingly seeking opportunities to diversify their portfolios and participate in global growth themes. Global Wealth Plan has been designed to meet this evolving need by combining access to international investment opportunities through GIFT City with the long-term discipline and protection of life insurance. We are pleased to partner with Canara HSBC Life Insurance to bring this differentiated offering to customers looking to build wealth through a globally diversified investment solution.”

Key Product Highlights

• Global investment access: Customers can invest in US Dollars through GIFT City across a range of global equities, precious metals like Gold/Silver and debt funds.
• The offering has no allocation charges or administration charges, allowing more of the customer’s premium to remain invested.
• Three purpose-led options: Wealth for long-term wealth creation, Wealth Plus with Premium Funding Benefit to help secure family financial goals, and Wealth Forever with whole life cover to support legacy creation and wealth transfer. All three options come with life benefits.
• Goal Protection Benefit: Under Wealth Plus, in the event of the Life Assured’s death, the Sum Assured is paid immediately, and all future due premiums are funded by the Company, allowing the policy to continue until maturity.
• Fund Boosters: The Plan also offers benefits like Loyalty Additions & Maturity Boosters basis the option selected by the customer, which helps to boost the overall fund value.

With Global Wealth Plan, Canara HSBC Life Insurance brings together global investment access, wealth creation and life protection in a solution designed around different stages of a customer’s financial journey. From creating wealth and securing a child’s future to preserving wealth for generations, the plan seeks to provide customers with greater flexibility in how they build and protect their financial future.

About Canara HSBC Life Insurance

Incorporated in 2007, Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited is a public listed company co-promoted by Canara Bank (36.5%) and HSBC Insurance (Asia-Pacific) Holdings Limited (25.5%), with the remaining shareholding held by public shareholders, including Punjab National Bank (13%). As a bancassurance-led insurance company with its corporate office at Gurugram, Haryana and 107 branch offices as of September 30, 2026, pan India, Canara HSBC Life brings together the trust and market knowledge of public and private banks.

For more than 18 years now, Canara HSBC Life Insurance has sold insurance products to customers through multiple channels and a well-diversified network of Canara Bank, HSBC Bank and its other bancassurance partners located in multiple Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities across the country. Canara HSBC Life Insurance has a vast portfolio of life insurance solutions and offers various products across individual and group spaces comprising of life, term plans, retirement solutions, credit life and employee benefit segments through partner banks and digital channels.

With an aim to provide simpler insurance and faster claim process, Canara HSBC Life Insurance intends to keep the promises of their customers alive with their ‘Promises Ka Partner’ philosophy.

About Policybazaar

As one of India’s largest digital insurance platforms, Policybazaar is committed to making insurance accessible, transparent, and personalised for every Indian and global customer. Since 2008, Policybazaar has issued 71.6 Mn (till June 2026), and helped protect families against death, disease, and disability. Policybazaar works with 55 insurance partners offering products across health, life, motor, and corporate insurance. The company supports customers with 24/7 digital assistance and on-ground insurance advisors, ensuring a seamless experience across all touchpoints.

Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited is registered as a Composite Broker | Registered Office – Plot No.119, Sector – 44, Gurgaon, Haryana – 122001 | CIN: U74999HR2014PTC053454 |Registration No. 742, Registration Code No. IRDA/ DB 797/ 19, Valid till 09/06/2027, License category- Composite Broker I Gift city branch address- Shilp Incubation Centre, Office No. SI-M-B014, Unit B, 1st Floor, Plot 11 T3 &11 T5, Block 11, Gift SEZ city, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382355| IIIO License No. IFSCA/IIIO/026/2025-26, Valid till 09th June 2027.

For further press queries email us on prateek.sharma@canarahsbclife.in

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