22, May 2026
Western Pop Artist Kat Velasco Releases “Shutting Down Midtown” Today, Continuing Build Toward Debut Album Cowgirl Complex
Kat Velasco continues building momentum ahead of her debut album Cowgirl Complex with her new single “Shutting Down Midtown,” out today on all major streaming platforms.
Credit Justin Hammond
LOS ANGELES, CA – May 22, 2026 – Western pop artist Kat Velasco releases her new single “Shutting Down Midtown,” out today on all major streaming platforms. The track is a vibrant, story-driven celebration of Nashville’s Midtown nightlife, offering a portrait of the city’s late-night culture beyond its renowned Broadway strip.
While Nashville is best known for its honky tonks on Broadway, “Shutting Down Midtown” turns its attention to another iconic pocket of the city, one defined by its mix of locals, visiting party crowds, and the artists who call it home.
Written alongside close friends and collaborators Johnny Gates and Joey Myron, the song brings Midtown’s nightlife to life with vivid detail and name checks to local staples including Losers and Red Door, positioning the track as both an anthem and an unofficial guide to a night out in Nashville.
“Nashville gets painted as this one thing but if you live here, you know it’s so much more than just Broadway… There are all these different corners of the city that feel like their own world and of course, Midtown is one of them. This song is about those nights, blended with all types of people… I think the majority of locals have been caught ‘Shutting Down Midtown’ if I had to guess,” Kat Velasco shares.
Kat Velasco’s music reflects a shift toward self-definition, shaped by stepping away from expectation to fully embrace her voice as an artist. After initially pursuing a more traditional career path, she ultimately committed to songwriting full-time, developing her sound in Nashville through collaboration and self-driven storytelling.
Now over half a million streams into her career with early support from Spotify and CMT, she is carving out a distinct lane in Western pop through her self-described “complex cowgirl” identity, rooted in Southern upbringing, shaped by Nashville, and defined by a modern, unfiltered perspective. That evolution leads into her debut era, anchored by her forthcoming album Cowgirl Complex and a series of releases expanding her narrative world.
Blending country storytelling with pop and rock influences, Velasco’s music is grounded in real-life experience and emotional honesty, earning early comparisons to Stevie Nicks and Maren Morris. Her recent releases, including “You’re Drunk” (2026), “I Should Quit Drinking” with Johnny Gates (2026), and “Show Pony” (2025), build a catalog defined by vulnerability, attitude, and sharp observational songwriting ahead of her debut album.
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- By Neel Achary
22, May 2026
Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor Inaugurates Its 19th Outlet in Bengaluru’s Koramangala Amid Grandeur and Cultural Celebration
Bangalore: The grand inauguration of the 19th outlet of Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor was successfully held in Koramangala, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s continued expansion.
The evening was graced by renowned personalities including actor and singer Ambarish Bhattacharya, actor, director, and singer Anirban Bhattacharya, and acclaimed artist Sreenanda Shankar, whose presence added to the celebratory spirit of the occasion.
The inauguration ceremony, illuminated with traditional lamps, reflected a vibrant blend of culture, music, and celebration. The guests of honour marked the occasion with heartfelt interactions and engaging performances, creating a memorable evening for all attendees.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajib Paul, the driving force behind the brand, shared his vision of bringing the rich culinary heritage of Bengal to audiences across India and beyond. His continued commitment to authenticity and innovation has been instrumental in the brand’s growing success.
Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor is not just a restaurant; it is an emotion deeply connected to Bengal’s culture, nostalgia, and flavours. With every new outlet, our vision is to bring people closer to authentic Bengali culinary experiences while preserving the warmth and spirit of our heritage,” said Rajib Paul.
Inspired by the imaginative worlds of Bhooter Raja and Shundi Raja, the new outlet in Koramangala has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the charm, warmth, and cultural essence of Bengal.
With this launch, Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor continues its journey of celebrating authentic flavours and warm hospitality, welcoming food lovers from all backgrounds to experience its distinctive culinary offerings.
The brand looks forward to strengthening its presence and continuing its growth across new markets in the coming years.
22, May 2026
Vodia PBX V70 Webinar Now Available on Demand
BOSTON: May 22, 2026 – Vodia Networks, Inc., a provider of unified cloud communications solutions to enterprises, contact centers, and service providers, is pleased to announce the recording of the company’s May 14, 2026 webinar, “Vodia PBX V70: Admin Interface, Analytics, AI, and Multi-Tenant Performance,” is now available on demand.
This webinar introduced attendees to V70’s completely revamped admin portal and interface, new inbound and outbound AI agents, built-in automation, and scalable multi-tenant performance. Sales Engineer Eric Altman and VoIP Engineer Hamlet Collado hosted the webinar, which also included a live Q&A session.
Why Watch the V70 Webinar?
This webinar is a deep dive into V70, which Vodia officially released in March. V70 features snapshots and centralized remote provisioning to reduce operational risk, alongside custom dashboards, emergency alerts, Jitsi Meet, and WhatsApp Business integration.
V70’s latest features and improvements include:
● Admin interface
● Call capacity
● Cross-tenant presence and BLF sharing
● Custom dashboards
● Emergency alerts
● External presence sharing
● Inbound and outbound AI agents
● Jitsi Meet
● Snapshots
● Skills-based routing
● Multiple supported operating systems
● WhatsApp Business integration
Prior to the webinar, Eric Altman joined Doug Green, publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss V70 in detail on the Technology Reseller News podcast.
What’s next?
Vodia continues to expand and improve V70, and the company has already evolved the platform to V70.2. Development will continue throughout 2026 with ongoing improvements focused on real-world deployments, scalability, and operational visibility.
User Feedback Matters
Vodia believes the best way to improve its platform is by working closely with its partners and customers.
22, May 2026
UT MD Anderson names Albert Koong, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer
Houston, May 22 : The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced that Albert Koong, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally recognized physician-scientist, has been appointed chief scientific officer (CSO), effective June 1. Koong has served as CSO ad interim since Jan. 1.
The CSO role oversees UT MD Anderson’s laboratory and clinical research enterprise, champions innovation, develops strong partnerships, and provides focused leadership on the science and clinical translation of research programs. In this role, Koong already has accelerated the institution’s momentum on key strategies around impact, accessibility and culture, as well as strengthened communication, alignment and trust across the research community.
Koong has made substantial contributions in the field of oncology research since joining UT MD Anderson nine years ago, and has served in multiple leadership roles, including as division head of Radiation Oncology.
“Dr. Koong has consistently demonstrated exceptional capability and strategic insight, and he has a true commitment to teamwork, transparency and innovation,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of UT MD Anderson. “At a time of rapid scientific advancement, expanding artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and unprecedented opportunity, we need a leader with deep institutional knowledge and broad national and global respect. Dr. Koong is that leader, and I am confident that he will keep UT MD Anderson at the forefront of cancer science.”
In addition to his strong record leading a department and a division, Koong has been involved in a wide range of institutional committees, deepening his understanding and relationships within UT MD Anderson’s scientific community. He leads a highly productive laboratory funded by the National Cancer Institute and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and he has served as principal investigator on numerous clinical studies that have advanced standards of care in gastrointestinal radiation oncology.
His honors include the Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award, the Richard T. Hoppe Leadership Award, and election as a Fellow of both the American College of Radiology and the American Society for Radiation Oncology . He is widely respected not only for his clinical and scientific expertise but also for his leadership contributions to organizations such as the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society for Radiation Oncology .
“I am truly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead an incredible team of talented researchers who are committed to making advancements in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship,” Koong said. “The inspiring work being done at this institution is built on a foundation of curiosity, collaboration, and compassion. I enthusiastically embrace this pivotal moment to create a resilient research enterprise that will ensure UT MD Anderson maintains our position as the global leader in cancer care and research.”
Koong earned his M.D. from Northwestern University Medical School and his Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Stanford University School of Medicine. He subsequently completed his internship in internal medicine at Santa Clara Kaiser and a residency in radiation oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine.
22, May 2026
Graphene quantum dots show promise in targeting Parkinson’s-related protein clumping
TSUKUBA, Japan, May 22 – The buildup of a protein called 𝛂-synuclein (ASN) into toxic clumps is a hallmark of synucleinopathies, a group of neurodegenerative diseases that includes Parkinson’s and multiple system atrophy (MSA).
These aggregates are associated with cellular dysfunction and lead to progressive neuronal loss. Because current treatments only manage symptoms rather than stopping the underlying protein clumping, scientists are exploring new strategies, including nanomaterials that can prevent these aggregates from forming or help clear them from the brain.
A multinational research team led by Professor Małgorzata Kujawska at the Poznań University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, Poland, has found that graphene quantum dots (GQDs)—nanoscale carbon particles—can counteract this clumping process.
In a study published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM), the researchers detailed how these dots interact with ASN to prevent it from forming the long, toxic fibers that characterize the disease.
“This study points to a promising new direction for strategies against neurodegenerative diseases,” says Professor Kujawska. “While clinical use of GQDs remains a long way off, these findings strengthen the case for further research.”
The study used a multi-stage approach, testing the GQDs in cell-free environments, neuronal cultures, and animal models of MSA. The researchers found that when GQDs were administered intranasally in mice, the particles significantly reduced the presence of toxic protein aggregates. Furthermore, the treatment appeared to activate autophagy, a biological recycling process that helps cells break down and remove damaged proteins.
At concentrations relevant to its biological effects, the GQD showed a favorable safety profile, although some changes in cellular stress and immune responses were observed at higher doses. This is an important consideration, as many nanomaterials face hurdles in medical applications due to concerns over long-term biocompatibility.
While the results are promising, challenges remain, such as preventing quantum dots from clumping in liquid suspensions. “GQDs may serve as a useful research tool,” says Professor Kujawska. “What we learn as we optimize their properties and conduct a comprehensive safety evaluation could help design more effective nanomaterial-based strategies not just for synucleinopathies, but also for other conditions characterized by the buildup of toxic proteins.”
22, May 2026
Fabindia Welcomes the Season with ‘That Summer Feeling’ Campaign
New Delhi,May 22 : Fabindia, India’s much-loved homegrown brand, unveils its Summer 2026 campaign, ‘That Summer Feeling’. Inviting you to step into the world of Fabindia, this thoughtfully curated collection celebrates the Indian summer through breathable apparel, artisanal accessories, and elevated home essentials. Crafted in natural fabrics such as cotton and linen, the range spans menswear, womenswear, kidswear, and home décor, offering effortless elegance and versatility for everyday comfort.
Inspired by the distinctive rhythm of the Indian summer, the collection captures the quiet pleasures of the season. Rooted in Fabindia’s craft legacy, the range showcases timeless techniques like Ajrakh, Indigo, Dabu, Ikat, Kalamkari and hand-block printing, reinterpreted for contemporary living.
Speaking on the launch, a Fabindia spokesperson said:
“Summer in India is more than a season, it is a feeling shaped by familiar moments, from quiet afternoons to breezy evenings with loved ones. With ‘That Summer Feeling,’ we sought to capture this sense of lightness through breathable fabrics, effortless silhouettes, and the enduring beauty of Indian craftsmanship.”
The heart of the collection is a vibrant Western wear line, blooming with a seasonal palette of indigo, white, mustard, soft pink, and earthy reds. This range brings a fresh energy to summer style, blending sophisticated trailing floral prints that captures the rhythmic, meandering beauty of climbing vines and stylized blossoms with geometric patterns. Whether it’s the breezy comfort of halter and V-necklines or the sharp, clean look of Cuban and band collars, every piece is a celebration of premium cotton and linen woven fabrics.
The summer story continues with a specialized workwear curation designed to keep you cool and polished throughout the workday. To complete the experience, the Home & Lifestyle range brings those same artisanal touches into your living space. Featuring hand-block printed cushions, airy bed linens, and handcrafted dinnerware, the collection offers everything needed to turn your home into a calm, refreshing summer sanctuary.
Every handcrafted garment in the collection carries the Craftmark Tag, reaffirming Fabindia’s commitment to authenticity and artisan excellence.
22, May 2026
PVR INOX presents ‘Summer Moviecation’, a cheerful big-screen summer experience
May 22: PVR INOX, India’s largest and most premium cinema exhibition company, today announced the launch of its much-awaited summer campaign, “Summer Moviecation” a six-week initiative running until June 30, 2026, positioned as a joyful summer outing for families, friends, and movie lovers across the country entertainment escape right within their home cities.
Curated as a celebration of the season, Summer Moviecation brings together an exciting line-up of Indian and international films across genres, creating a vibrant big-screen destination for audiences this summer. From highly anticipated titles like Drishyam 3, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Peddi, Masters of the Universe, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Disclosure Day, Cocktail 2, Toy Story 5, Supergirl and Welcome to the Jungle, the campaign promises audiences a diverse and immersive cinematic journey throughout the holiday season.
It is more than just a movie outing, the initiative transforms every cinema visit into a complete summer experience – one that feels relaxed, entertaining, and memorable. With specially curated ticket-and-food bundles, seasonal offers, and the joy of shared movie moments, Summer Moviecation encourages families, friends, and movie lovers to rediscover the magic of watching films together on the big screen.
At its heart, Summer Moviecation reflects PVR INOX’s belief in the enduring appeal of the theatrical experience bringing together stories, spectacle, and social connection in a way that feels fresh, immersive, and distinctly rewarding for audiences across cities this summer season.
Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Mr. Gautam Dutta, CEO – Revenue & Operations, PVR INOX Ltd, said,
“Summer is a time for families and friends to come together and create memorable shared experiences. With ‘Summer Moviecation’, we are building on the growing preference for accessible, community-led entertainment and experiences closer to home. At a time when travel and leisure costs continue to rise, PVR INOX remains committed to offering premium cinematic experiences at compelling value. Through a strong blockbuster line-up, curated Ticket + Food bundles, and world-class viewing experiences, we are bringing audiences an exciting and affordable summer escape within their own cities. The campaign also resonates with the broader national sentiment around discovering and celebrating local experiences, while continuing to reinforce the enduring magic of the big screen.”
22, May 2026
LTIMindtree offers to acquire Randstad’s tech consulting business in Europe and Australia
Mumbai, May 22 : LTM and Randstad announced that LTM has issued an offer to acquire Randstad’s Technology and Consulting Services business in France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Australia, representing USD 500+ million in annual revenue, to scale domain-driven solutions and AI services in the region.
The proposed acquisition would expand LTM’s presence in key markets, primarily across Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, Utilities and BFS. It would enable local domain expertise and complementary regional capabilities in domain-driven digital engineering, cybersecurity andIoT, supported by onshore and nearshore delivery through centers in Romania and Portugal.
This would create a more diversified portfolio for LTM – expanding its scale in Europe and Australia, enhancing its position in regulated and high-growth verticals through marquee customer relationships.
The deal would augment LTM’s global AI-centric capabilities with local domain and near-shore expertise crucial for delivering digital and AI transformation for customers in a sovereign-compliant and scalable model. It would reinforce LTM’s global delivery foundation through expanded regional presence.
The proposed acquisition is part of a 360° collaboration including a five-year IT services partnership to drive AI-enabled transformation for Randstad’s India Global Capability Center, and a strategic talent MSP to support LTM’s expanding global workforce.
Venu Lambu, CEO & MD of LTM said:
“The proposed agreement is aligned with our five-year strategy to build a more resilient, diversified, balanced portfolio. By combining our global AI-centric capabilities with local context and industry depth, this acquisition would strengthen our ability to deliver compliant, domain-driven AI services and sovereign solutions in markets that are strategically important to us. This 360°partnership with Randstad would be a key step forward in our growth journey.”
Sander van ‘t Noordende, CEO of Randstad said:
“The proposed agreement marks a deliberate step in our Partner For Talent strategy. By partnering with LTM, we would ensure our clients continue to receive world-class services while we streamline our portfolio to invest in growth segments and digital marketplaces that offer the most scale and value. We are equally excited to partner with LTM in India, where their AI expertise will be instrumental in evolving our digital capabilities.”
This acquisition is proposed to be completed through LTM’s wholly owned subsidiary – LTIMindtree UK Limited (‘LTM UK’) subject to customary regulatory approvals, and other closing conditions.
22, May 2026
AD Ports Group Establishes Consolidated Multimodal Inland Logistics Network to Strengthen UAE Industrial Supply Chains
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 22 May 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of trade, logistics and industry, announced the establishment of a consolidated, multimodal inland logistics network of rail-linked dry ports and cargo depots, including KEZAD Group’s Industry City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD). This network will position Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals as dual gateways for the UAE industry, while strengthening the movement of industrial cargo across the UAE and the wider region.
In support of this effort, the Group signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four leading UAE manufacturers, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), EMSTEEL Group, Al Ghurair Iron & Steel, and Tenaris, positioning them as anchor industrial cargo clients of AD Ports Group’s rail-linked inland logistics network.
The network aims to facilitate the efficient movement of industrial inputs, finished goods and strategic cargo across the UAE. It will connect Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals to rail-linked inland dry ports, ICAD, and cargo depots across the UAE, creating a more integrated logistics backbone that supports seamless flows between production sites, inland markets and regional trade corridors.
Designed to enhance supply chain performance, the network will enable more reliable inbound flows of industrial feedstock and raw materials to UAE manufacturers, whilst offering greater flexibility for outbound distribution of finished and semi-finished goods, through multiple inland and gateway options, strengthening corridor resilience, reducing reliance on single gateways, and improving access to the UAE and regional markets.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “Through establishing a consolidated, multimodal inland logistics network, anchored by the UAE’s leading industrial champions, we aim to further strengthen the UAE’s industrial logistics backbone. This network will connect Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals to a rail-linked network of inland dry ports and cargo depots, enhancing commercial use of the UAE’s national rail infrastructure. It will also provide improved access to industrial inputs, greater export flexibility, and long-term competitiveness for national supply chains, in line with the vision of our wise leadership.”
By strengthening inland cargo connectivity between ports, industrial zones and end markets, the consolidated network will support the UAE’s industrial growth agenda, improving trade corridor optionality for strategic cargo across the UAE and the wider region. Its benefits will extend to manufacturers and industries across KEZAD and other UAE industrial sectors, enabling more efficient access to raw materials and streamlined export of finished goods through Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals as key gateways.
22, May 2026
Cleantech REPS gets $23.6M to turn road traffic into clean electricity at scale
REPS patented technology converts vehicle traffic into electrical energy. In 6 months since first it has generated over 6,700 kWh of electricity from real traffic conditions.
Tyrol, Austria – May 22: Every day, enormous amounts of energy are lost through motion, pressure, and vibration. On roads, that loss is constant, predictable, and concentrated in the same places over and over again: entrances, exits, curves, speed-limited zones, loading areas, and any point where heavy vehicles naturally slow down. REPS was built to recover that wasted mechanical energy and convert it into clean electricity at scale, using infrastructure that already exists.
Today, REPS announced a $23.6M equity financing round to scale its Road Energy Production System, a patented “road power plant” that converts vehicle traffic into electrical energy.
What REPS is building
REPS stands for Road Energy Production System. Its core product is a patented road power plant that installs directly into existing road infrastructure and harvests energy from trucks and cars driving over it, without disrupting traffic flow or logistics operations.
The technology is particularly effective where vehicles naturally slow down or brake, or where slopes create additional force. REPS is initially targeting ports, logistics hubs, cities, industrial sites, and other high-traffic infrastructure operators that want to reduce energy costs while improving sustainability.
“Roads are everywhere. Traffic is everywhere. What was previously wasted energy can now be transformed into clean electricity through REPS,” said Alfons Huber, Founder and CEO of REPS.
REPS says its converter delivers 254x higher efficiency than the next-best alternative currently on the market, and unlike weather-dependent renewables, the system operates independently of time of day and weather conditions.
Why this matters
Most renewable energy has focused on generating new power through solar and wind. REPS takes a different approach by recovering energy that’s already being wasted. The company’s first application is roads, where the energy lost through traffic alone could theoretically cover around 5% of global electricity demand.
The broader opportunity sits inside a category called energy harvesting, converting lost mechanical impulses into usable electricity. REPS believes the reason energy harvesting hasn’t become a major force in the energy transition is straightforward: existing mechanical converters have historically failed on efficiency and durability, which makes the economics fall apart. REPS had to reinvent the energy converter itself to unlock a system that can operate under heavy traffic conditions for more than 20 years and amortize within years.
Proof in the field
The first commercial REPS system has been operating at the Port of Hamburg since November 2025. Since then, more than 115,000 trucks have crossed the system, generating over 6,700 kWh of electricity from real traffic conditions.
The Hamburg deployment has translated into strong international demand. Following the launch, the company is engaged with over 90 parties from the port industry alone, spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America, and it says interest has now expanded beyond ports to logistics hubs and cities.
REPS also shared internal projections for what scale could look like. A rollout of around 230 systems across the Port of Hamburg’s public roads, excluding terminals, could generate approximately 10 GWh of electricity per year, enough to power around 2,800 households, and offset roughly 9.81% of the CO₂ emissions caused by port traffic. The return on investment in that scenario would be below four years.
On a city scale, the company estimates that deploying around 64,000 systems in a city the size of Dubai could recover approximately 3.2 TWh of electricity annually, equivalent to about 10.8% of the city’s total energy consumption today.
Justin Karnbach, CEO of Hamburger Container Service GmbH, said ” The installation at our facility demonstrates the potential of REPS: where vehicles have to brake anyway, clean energy is recovered and can be used directly where we need it. Without any interference with traffic and without additional space.”
Jens Maier, CEO HPA and President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors, added: “We can’t wait to see REPS in action – not just in the Port of Hamburg, but throughout the city and far beyond, all over the world. The Port of Hamburg aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2040. HPA actively supports this ambition by implementing innovative technologies. REPS is a future-orientated technology that generates electricity from previously unused energy sources, making a significant contribution toward achieving climate neutrality. With its high volume of truck movements and its role as a central logistics hub, the Port of Hamburg offers ideal conditions to test technologies like REPS under real-world conditions.”
The origin story
REPS was founded after Alfons Huber dropped out of his physics degree and spent 6.5 years developing the technology while defending his inventor rights against two universities. That work ultimately led to what REPS describes as the world’s first operational road power plant, now running at the Port of Hamburg.
“We spent six years developing the technology. Now the scaling phase begins. The strong demand from ports and logistics operators worldwide confirms the need for our solution, and with this financing round we can now scale at the speed required by the energy transition,” added Alfons Huber.
What’s next
Longer term, REPS sees roads as the first proof point for a broader energy-harvesting platform. The ambition is to turn high-traffic infrastructure into decentralized power assets, capturing energy that’s already being wasted and making it economically meaningful at scale wherever high masses move at high frequency.
Elisabeth Zehetner, State Secretary for Energy, Startups and Tourism, said “Start-ups are no longer a side topic, they are the innovation lab of our economy. This is where technologies like REPS from Austria are created. REPS is innovation made in Austria and showcases what our founders are capable of: they don’t just make small adjustments; they transform entire systems. A road becomes a power plant, and existing infrastructure becomes a building block for a sustainable future. Our role in politics is clear: we must ensure that start-ups find the right framework conditions in Austria. With the Start-up Umbrella Fund, we aim to make sure that innovation is financed, developed, and scaled here in Austria and Europe instead of eventually returning to us as an import from the U.S. or Asia”
