29, Oct 2026
Fresh Low-Pressure System Over Andaman Sea Likely to Become Depression by October 31
Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the intensification of a fresh low-pressure system over the South Andaman Sea into a depression by October 31, with the system likely to move west-northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast in the following days.
Representational Image
According to the IMD, the low-pressure area was identified over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining regions at 11:30 am on Thursday. It is likely to consolidate into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands around October 31.
The weather system is then expected to intensify further while continuing its west-northwestward movement over the subsequent two days.
New System Under Weather Watch
The anticipated development of the low-pressure area is being closely monitored as it could bring further changes to weather conditions over the Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal regions.
However, the system’s future intensity, movement and potential impact will depend on its subsequent development. The latest IMD forecasts and advisories will be crucial in assessing any implications for coastal areas, including Andhra Pradesh.
Cyclone Arnab’s Remnant Continues to Weaken
Meanwhile, the depression associated with the remnants of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab was reported over central Chhattisgarh and adjoining Odisha on Thursday. The system was moving northwards at a speed of around 23 kmph.
According to the bulletin cited in the report, its centre was located near latitude 20.2°N and longitude 81.7°E, approximately 110 km south of Raipur in Chhattisgarh and 170 km west of Titlagarh in Odisha, among other nearby locations.
The system was expected to continue moving northwards and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over north Chhattisgarh and adjoining northwestern Odisha by Thursday evening.
IMD Monitoring Both Weather Systems
While the remnants of Cyclone Arnab are expected to weaken further, the newly formed low-pressure area over the Andaman Sea may gradually intensify. The two systems are at different stages of development, and their progress will be monitored separately by meteorological authorities.
Residents and fishermen in potentially affected coastal areas should follow official IMD bulletins and local administration advisories for the latest information.
- 0
- By Neel Achary
29, Oct 2026
HelpMeSee Releases New Pathway to Eliminating Cataract Blindness by 2045
The new pathway explores what it will take to build sustainable cataract care and calls for partnership across the global eye-health community
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HelpMeSee has launched The Pathway to Eliminating Preventable Cataract Blindness by 2045, outlining the interconnected elements needed to build sustainable cataract care and calling for partnership across the global eye-health community.
The Pathway is being released alongside the Global Summit for Eye Health, taking place November 2 in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). The high-level Summit will bring together government leaders, primarily form the British Commonwealth of Nations international organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), funding institutions and private-sector leaders to advance commitments and action on avoidable sight loss.
Cataract blindness is treatable, yet millions of people continue to live with cataract-related blindness and vision impairment because quality surgical care is not readily accessible around the world. The HelpMeSee backed pathway suggests that eliminating this burden requires looking beyond any single intervention and strengthening the entire system connecting unmet need with sustainable, quality care.
“What happens after a patient is identified as someone who needs cataract surgery? There must be a qualified professional with the skills to treat that patient, a health system that enables them to provide quality care, and a pathway for patients to access those services. Building that capacity requires organizations with different capabilities working together. That is the conversation we want this pathway to advance,” says Doug May, HelpMeSee, CEO and President.
From Unmet Need to Sustainable Cataract Care
The Pathway to Eliminating Preventable Cataract Blindness by 2045 identifies a series of interconnected requirements for sustainable progress: identifying unmet cataract need; building a qualified and appropriately distributed surgical workforce; expanding high-quality training capacity; developing and demonstrating surgical competency; supporting transition into live surgery; establishing sustainable local surgical capacity; connecting patients with accessible and affordable quality care; and ultimately increasing effective coverage and reducing untreated cataract blindness.
The framework also recognizes that progress depends on broader conditions including health-system infrastructure, equipment, financing, regulation, mentorship, patient access, measurement, quality assurance, and partnership.
No single organization controls all of these factors.
For HelpMeSee, one of the most critical constraints is the availability of appropriately trained surgical professionals. The organization works with partners to expand access to instructor-led, competency-based cataract surgical training using high-fidelity simulation, standardized curricula, eLearning, assessment and training-management systems.
Simulation allows learners to repeatedly develop transferrable surgical skills in a controlled environment without touching a patient. HelpMeSee views simulation-based training as a way to strengthen, scale and accelerate an important segment of surgical workforce development, and not a replacement, preparing the trainee for a smooth transition to supervised live surgery.
A Call for Partnership
The Pathway is also an invitation to organizations that can contribute different capabilities to the larger global effort.
HelpMeSee is seeking conversations with governments and ministries of health, hospitals and health systems, universities and training institutions, eye-health organizations, NGOs, funders, technology and innovation companies, and clinical partners interested in strengthening sustainable cataract surgical capacity.
Potential collaboration could include expanding cataract surgical training capacity, strengthening national or institutional workforce development, supporting pathways into supervised clinical experience, investing in sustainable training infrastructure, advancing surgical education technology, or integrating workforce development into broader eye-health programs.
“HelpMeSee has an important role to play, but we are only one part of a much larger ecosystem. Our goal is to identify where our capabilities intersect with those of governments, institutions, funders, technology partners and other eye-health organizations so that together we can build sustainable capacity where it is needed most,” says Thomas Myhren, Chief of Business Development and Advocacy at HelpMeSee.
The Pathway is intended to begin, rather than conclude, the conversation. HelpMeSee plans to follow the initial framework with additional thought leadership in 2027 examining the data, metrics, actions, and milestones needed to measure progress toward the long-term goal.
No single organization is the pathway. The pathway is what the global eye-health community builds together.
Organizations and delegates interested in exploring the 2045 Pathway, downloading the thought leadership paper or discussing partnership opportunities with HelpMeSee can visit: helpmesee.org/pathway2045
Or contact:
Thomas C. Myhren
Chief of Business Development and Advocacy
partnerships@helpmesee.org
About HelpMeSee
In a world where 100 million people are blind or visually impaired due to cataract, HelpMeSee, a not-for-profit under IRS 501(c)(3), has the global mission to eradicate cataract blindness by increasing the training of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS). This high quality, very low-cost procedure delivers successful outcomes at a fraction of the cost of alternative procedures. The HelpMeSee MSICS training system features very high-fidelity, virtual reality simulation with realistic haptic feedback, sophisticated competency courseware, learning management systems, and electronic learning aids.
HelpMeSee was founded by Al and Jim Ueltschi, who imagined building the MSICS training system by incorporating many of the methods and techniques used successfully in commercial pilot training. As co-founder of Orbis International where he served as its chairman for 35 years. He founded FlightSafety International, the world’s foremost aviation training company. Al Ueltschi was an icon in the aviation industry and was devoted to ending preventable blindness in the developing world. HelpMeSee trains high quality, very low-cost MSICS to ensure that all communities have access to sight restoring affordable treatment. With more than 40 simulators and 19 training centers worldwide, HelpMeSee partners with governments, universities and innovators to fight the global cataract blindness crisis. For more information, visit http://www.helpmesee.org.
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29, Oct 2026
Cyclone Arnab Aftermath: Heavy Rain Batters Odisha, Flooding and Landslides Disrupt Normal Life
Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: Although Cyclone Arnab has weakened and is moving north towards Chhattisgarh, its impact continues to disrupt normal life across Odisha. Heavy rainfall has triggered flooding, landslides and road blockages in several districts, while authorities have intensified rescue and relief operations amid growing concerns over public safety and crop damage.
Representational Image
According to the weather update cited in the report, the system is moving towards Chhattisgarh at around 15 kmph and is expected to weaken further into a depression before developing into a well-marked low-pressure area.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Bargarh, while eight other districts remain under a yellow alert for heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms, lightning and heavy to very heavy rain are likely in the affected areas.
Ganjam Flooding: Rescue Operations Intensified
Ganjam district is among the areas facing serious challenges following days of continuous rainfall. Flooding in Sorada, driven by rising water levels in the Rushikulya River, has inundated parts of the town and nearby villages, leaving residents stranded.
Odisha authorities are seeking assistance from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to airlift around 120 people from four affected locations in Ganjam as part of initial rescue efforts.
Earlier, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg reported that around 2,000 people had been left marooned across 70 villages in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, prompting intensified rescue and relief measures.
Landslides Cut Off Villages in Kandhamal and Gajapati
Continuous rainfall has triggered fresh landslides in Kandhamal district, including along Kalinga Ghat, disrupting road connectivity. Falling boulders and uprooted trees have created additional risks for commuters travelling through hilly areas.
In neighbouring Gajapati district, landslides and flash floods have blocked roads, damaged access routes and disrupted connectivity with several villages. A landslide along the Balibada Ghati road in Mohana block reportedly cut off six villages.
The disruption has also affected emergency travel. In Ganjam, a landslide at Taptapani Ghat forced an ambulance carrying a critically ill patient to turn back while travelling towards Berhampur. The patient was subsequently admitted to Mohana hospital in Gajapati.
Train Services Disrupted, Farmers Face Crop Losses
The effects of the heavy rainfall have extended to railway operations. The East Coast Railway has cancelled eight train services and curtailed three others on October 28 and 29 due to waterlogging and operational disruptions. Passengers have been advised to check train status before travelling.
Meanwhile, farmers in Malkangiri are concerned about damage to paddy crops ahead of the harvest. Strong winds and persistent rainfall have flattened standing crops, while waterlogging has submerged some ripe and unripe paddy fields.
Authorities Monitor Situation as Rain Continues
The weakening of Cyclone Arnab has not brought an immediate end to the weather-related challenges. With heavy rain continuing in several parts of Odisha, concerns remain over flooding, road connectivity, agricultural losses and the safety of people in vulnerable areas.
Residents in affected districts are advised to follow official weather warnings, avoid flooded roads and landslide-prone routes, and cooperate with local authorities during rescue and relief operations.
29, Oct 2026
The Vodia PBX Now Supports Grok
BOSTON: Oct 29 – Vodia Networks, Inc., a provider of unified cloud communications solutions to enterprises, contact centers, and managed service providers (MSPs), is pleased to announce the industry-standard Vodia PBX now supports Grok.
What is Grok and what does it do?
In 2023 Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, released Grok, an AI chatbot. Like other AI chatbots, it provides direct responses to user queries, but with what are described as “direct, rebellious and unfiltered” replies, with a “personality” far more informal and less filtered than standard bots.
Much like other chatbots, Grok answers questions, assists with coding, comes up with ideas, creates images, writes emails, and enables voice chat; it also integrates with Google Drive. As with most AI-enabled platforms. It is accessible via a browser or app; the basic version is available without a subscription.
In January of this year xAI released Grok Imagine, which can create high-quality images, accurate text and logos, and portraits. It includes a sketchpad feature, though users can simply upload images. Grok has integrated with X since November 2023 – it pulls information from posts and answers questions.
Grok setup in the Vodia PBX
Unlike the Vodia PBX OpenAI integration, there is no dedicated Grok trunk type in the Vodia PBX. The Grok SIP path is configured as a generic SIP gateway trunk pointed at xAI’s SIP ingress, combined with a phone number registered against an xAI account via the API.
Users need to log into the xAI Cloud Console and create an API key, for number registration below and inside the Voice Agents script. xAI doesn’t provision numbers – users must register a number under origin: “byo_trunk”, and xAI matches inbound SIP against it. The number doesn’t need to be dialable on the PSTN — it’s only used between your PBX and xAI, but it must be a well-formed E.164 number, since xAI validates the format.
Voice agents AI transfer
Vodia JavaScript Voice Agents capabilities enable a basic Voice Agents script that uses xAI’s Grok Speech to Speech API. As with the OpenAI example, the audio (RTP) is established through a SIP call to xAI, while call control and function calls are handled over a WebSocket bound to the same call by the unique call_id xAI delivers in its webhook.
As with the Grok setup, users must register their phone numbers with xAI, configure the webhook and SIP authentication, and then set up the generic SIP trunk and dialplan on Vodia.
Vodia continues to refine and strengthen V70 so it supports the integrations Vodia PBX users need to build peerless business communication ecosystems.
29, Oct 2026
East Coast Railway Cancels 8 Trains, Restricts 3 Services Amid Waterlogging in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: Train services connecting Odisha with Andhra Pradesh and other destinations have been disrupted due to waterlogging and operational difficulties following heavy rainfall associated with Cyclone Arnab. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has cancelled eight trains and curtailed the journeys of three others on October 28 and 29.
Representational Image
The disruptions have affected several passenger services operating to and from Bhubaneswar and Brahmapur. Railway authorities have taken precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety.
Six Trains Cancelled on October 29
Six train services have been cancelled for their scheduled journeys on October 29 due to waterlogging between Ichchapuram and Sompeta railway stations.
The cancelled trains are:
Train No. 58531: Brahmapur–Visakhapatnam Passenger
Train No. 58532: Visakhapatnam–Brahmapur Express
Train No. 18525: Brahmapur–Visakhapatnam Express
Train No. 20841: Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express
Train No. 17015: Bhubaneswar New–Secunderabad Junction Visakha Express
Train No. 22819: Bhubaneswar New–Visakhapatnam Intercity Express
Passengers travelling on these routes are advised to check the latest train status before starting their journeys.
Two Intercity Express Trains Also Cancelled
In a separate development, two intercity services have been cancelled on October 29 due to delays in the arrival of link rakes, which are train sets shared between connected services.
The affected trains are:
Train No. 22839: Rourkela–Bhubaneswar Intercity Express
Train No. 22840: Bhubaneswar–Rourkela Intercity Express
Passengers scheduled to travel on these services are advised to make alternative arrangements.
Three Trains Short-Terminated or Short-Originated
Waterlogging in the Ichchapuram–Sompeta section has also led to changes in the routes of three train services on October 28 and 29.
The affected trains are:
Train No. 68419: Bhubaneswar–Palasa MEMU — short-terminated at Chatrapur on October 29.
Train No. 68420: Palasa–Bhubaneswar MEMU — short-originated from Chatrapur on October 29.
Train No. 18448: Jagdalpur–Bhubaneswar Express — short-terminated at Palasa on October 28.
A short-terminated train ends its journey before reaching its scheduled destination, while a short-originated train begins its journey from an intermediate station instead of its regular starting point.
Passengers Advised to Check Train Status
The cancellations and route changes are precautionary measures taken amid waterlogging and operational disruptions. Passengers are advised to check official East Coast Railway announcements and the latest train-running information before travelling to avoid inconvenience.
Travellers should confirm their train’s current status through official railway channels, including the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), before leaving for the station.
29, Oct 2026
EBC Thailand Extends Care to Bangkok Flood Victims with Relief Bag Donation
80 relief bags handed over through district officials to reach families rebuilding their lives after the floods
BANGKOK, THAILAND, 29 October 2026 — From late September into early October 2026, relentless heavy rain left many communities in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces under floodwater. In response, EBC Thailand organised a corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity to ease immediate hardship for families affected by the floods in Bangkok.
On Wednesday, 14 October 2026, the EBC Thailand team handed over 80 relief bags to the Din Daeng District Office at Wichutit School, Soi Pracha Songkhro 13. Officials have since taken the bags to Nong Chok District for distribution to affected residents.
The Water Recedes, but Life Starts Over
The rain affected many areas, including the Lat Krabang, Min Buri, Nong Chok, Saphan Sung, and Din Daeng districts. In some places, the water was deep enough to make travel difficult. Trips for food, drinking water, and daily essentials, once simple, became a struggle for many families.
As the water recedes, getting back to normal life takes time. During this period, small forms of help, such as food and drinking water that can be used straight away, mean a great deal to families starting again.
80 Relief Bags of Carefully Chosen Essentials
Each bag contained dry and ready-to-eat food, clean drinking water, snacks, and household necessities. The team chose items that keep well and can be used straight away. The aim was to give families easier access to food, water, and essentials while they put their homes and lives back in order, and to show that others care.
All 80 relief bags went through the district office, whose officials work closely with local communities and know which areas still need help. This helps the team’s support reach the families who need it most.
Growing Without Leaving Communities Behind
This activity follows the EBC Thailand team’s visit in September to the Orphan Welfare Association of Thailand, where the team hosted a meal for the children and donated essentials. Both activities stem from the team’s belief that small actions can make a meaningful difference to the people around them.
At group level, EBC Financial Group continues to support social causes, including the UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign. It also works with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to advance women’s empowerment.
For EBC, CSR is part of sustainable growth. The company believes doing business should go hand in hand with caring for the communities where it operates, in ordinary times and when those communities need support most.
EBC Thailand sends its best wishes to every family rebuilding their homes and lives after the floods. The Thailand team will continue to take part in community activities in the months ahead.
29, Oct 2026
Bank of Thailand Holds at 1% as Others Tighten, and Flags the Cost of Cheap Money
The central bank lifted its growth forecasts on exports tied to artificial intelligence, but EBC Financial Group explains why a weaker baht, rising oil prices, and a wide gap with US rates may leave it less room to ease
BANGKOK, THAILAND | Oct 29 – The Bank of Thailand (BOT) kept its policy rate, the benchmark interest rate it sets for the economy, at 1.00% on 28 October for a fourth straight meeting, even though many central banks have tightened this year. The US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan both raised rates in September, although the Fed held steady on 28 October, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) counts 14 of 33 major central banks that have raised rates since the second quarter of 2026.
Its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to hold, with one of its seven members absent, and raised its growth forecasts on exports tied to artificial intelligence (AI). It also added a line that markets may read as a limit on further easing, saying it will monitor “the effects of low interest rates on long-term macro-financial stability”.
“Thailand is holding still while much of the world tightens, and that choice now shows up in the currency,” said Sana Ur Rehman, Financial Market Analyst, EBC Financial Group. “The BOT has good reasons to wait, from weak consumption to shrinking credit for small firms. By pointing to the side effects of low rates, though, it may have raised the bar for any further cut.”
Stronger Growth, Narrow Gains
The MPC now expects the economy to grow 2.4% in 2026 and 2.1% in 2027, up from the 2.3% and 1.8% it forecast in June, on stronger-than-expected merchandise exports and private investment linked to the technology and AI cycle. The 2026 figure would match last year’s growth of 2.4%.
The committee was clear that the gains are narrow. Growth remains below potential, meaning slower than the economy could sustain without stoking inflation, and the benefits are concentrated among businesses and workers in related manufacturing and services. High household debt, a fragile labour market, and weak purchasing power, particularly among low-income households, continue to hold back consumer spending, and the BOT expects foreign tourist arrivals to fall as oil prices rise.
|
BOT forecast |
2026 |
2027 |
|
GDP growth, October forecast |
2.4% |
2.1% |
|
GDP growth, June forecast |
2.3% |
1.8% |
|
Headline inflation, October forecast |
2.1% |
1.3% |
|
Core inflation, October forecast |
1.2% |
1.3% |
Source: Bank of Thailand MPC statements, 24 June and 28 October 2026. GDP is gross domestic product, the total value of the economy’s output.
A Temporary Rise in Inflation
Headline inflation, which covers all consumer prices, is projected to average 2.1% in 2026 and 1.3% in 2027. Core inflation, which strips out volatile energy and fresh food prices, is projected at 1.2% and 1.3%. The BOT expects prices to rise through the rest of this year and into early 2027 on energy costs and El Niño, a Pacific weather pattern that can disrupt harvests and lift food prices, before falling back as base effects, the comparison with this year’s higher prices, and weak demand take hold.
Medium-term inflation expectations, meaning what households and businesses expect prices to do over the next few years, remain within the BOT’s 1% to 3% target range. The committee nonetheless flagged upside risks from the conflict in the Middle East, the limited capacity of energy subsidies, and companies passing higher costs on to customers.
Credit Is Growing, but Not for Small Firms
Overall lending has picked up, driven by large companies borrowing for working capital, higher operating costs, and a new wave of investment. Loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to shrink across most sectors, as banks remain cautious about lending to riskier borrowers. Overall loan quality is stable, but the BOT said the repayment ability of SMEs and vulnerable households needs close monitoring.
The pattern matters for policy. Borrowing costs on private loans have stayed in line with the policy rate, so the obstacle for small firms appears to be accessed to credit rather than its price. That helps explain why the BOT pairs low rates with targeted financial measures, and why a further cut might do little for the borrowers who most need help.
Holding While Others Tighten
On 16 September, the US Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.75% to 4.00%, according to its policy statement, its first increase since 2023 and held it there on 28 October by a 10 to 2 vote, with both dissenters favouring another rise. The Bank of Japan raised its rate to 1.25% in September, India’s central bank lifted its rate in October, and the International Monetary Fund found that 14 of 33 major central banks had raised rates since the second quarter of 2026. The BOT, by contrast, cut six times between October 2024 and February 2026, by a total of 150 basis points, or 1.5 percentage points.
With the Fed’s target range at 3.75% to 4.00% and the BOT’s policy rate at 1.00%, US policy rates sit 2.75 to 3.00 percentage points above Thailand’s. A wider gap makes dollar assets more rewarding to hold than baht ones, and the BOT itself said the baht weakened as markets moved towards expectations of tighter US policy, with rising oil prices adding to the pressure. A weaker baht also makes imported fuel more expensive in local terms, which can feed the inflation risks the committee is watching. That is the bind: rates low enough to support an uneven recovery, and a currency that may be more sensitive to every move abroad.
What to Watch
All 26 economists polled by Reuters expected the 28 October hold, and most expect the rate to stay at 1.00% through the end of 2027. Capital Economics sees a final quarter-point cut in 2027, while BOT Deputy Governor Piti Disyatat said in October that policy would remain accommodative and the rate would normalise once the economy was ready. Views on the next move therefore point in both directions.
The next markers are Thailand’s October inflation figures, due in early November, the path of oil prices, the Federal Reserve’s final meeting of the year in December, and the MPC’s own December meeting.
“For businesses watching the baht, no single release will settle the outlook,” Sana added. “October inflation, oil prices, and the Federal Reserve’s next decision will each affect how much room the BOT has, so it’s worth watching all three.”
29, Oct 2026
Watlow Brings Integrated Thermal Intelligence to SEMICON Europa 2026
Munich, Germany | Oct 29 — Watlow will showcase a new generation of integrated thermal technologies for semiconductor manufacturing at SEMICON Europa 2026. At Hall B1, Booth 612, visitors can explore how advanced heating, sensing, control and thermal data can improve process precision, equipment uptime and energy performance across wafer processing, tool-level heating and subfab applications. Watlow specialists will be available throughout the event to discuss new tool designs, existing equipment upgrades, thermal uniformity, subfab reliability and data-driven maintenance strategies.
|
AT THE BOOTH
Ceramic pedestal heater with POWERGLIDE multi-zone control • PowerNode smart control • ASTRO demonstration • FLUENT in-line heater • ULTRAMIC ceramic heater • Zone-heater technologies |
From wafer-level precision to subfab intelligence
As semiconductor geometries shrink and process windows tighten, thermal performance has a direct impact on uniformity, repeatability, yield and tool availability. Watlow’s 2026 exhibit will show how thermal components and controls can be engineered as a coordinated system rather than treated as isolated devices.
At wafer level, a ceramic pedestal heater with POWERGLIDE multi-zone control will demonstrate precise, independently tuneable thermal zones for demanding deposition and etch processes. ULTRAMIC ceramic heaters, zone-heater technologies, FTH and FLUENT in-line heating will extend the discussion to applications requiring rapid response, compact integration and repeatable heat delivery.
For subfab environments, the ASSURANT SF display with an ASTRO demonstration unit will highlight approaches to thermal management in process gas delivery and abatement applications, where reliability, contamination control and maintainability are critical. The PowerNode smart control module will demonstrate how temperature and power control can be combined with electrical and thermal monitoring to simplify diagnostics and support stable process performance.
Turning thermal data into actionable insight
Watlow will also contribute to the SEMICON Europa technical programme. Mark Joyner, Sales Executive Expert, Semiconductor, will present “Hidden Costs, Visible Gains: How Sub-Fab Thermal Intelligence Drives Uptime, Energy Savings, and Sustainable Operations”, featuring Watlow’s THERMALWATCH technology, at the Fab Management Forum at the Fab Management Forum on Wednesday, 11 November at 14.25.
By analysing thermal and electrical behaviour, data-driven monitoring can help fabs identify abnormal conditions earlier, prioritise maintenance and move from reactive troubleshooting toward more predictive decision-making. The objective is practical: protect uptime, simplify root-cause analysis and make better use of the data already generated by thermal systems.
Meet the semiconductor thermal experts
SEMICON Europa gives OEMs, fab operators and engineering teams the opportunity to bring specific thermal challenges to Watlow specialists. Discussions at the booth can range from new equipment design and thermal uniformity to retrofits, controls integration, subfab reliability and strategies for using thermal data to support predictive maintenance.
29, Oct 2026
ProHance Launches AI Adoption Index to Measure AI ROI
A scorecard to help organizations confirm that AI use is approved, applied to real work and producing results
BENGALURU, India, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ProHance, an AI-led Productivity Orchestration platform, today launched the AI Adoption Index, an AI realization scorecard that helps enterprises measure AI usage and confirm that it is on approved tools, applied to real work and turning into delivered value.
The launch comes as unmanaged AI use draws closer scrutiny from security and risk teams. A 2026 industry study of data breaches found that incidents involving shadow AI (AI tools, browser extensions and agents used by employees without IT approval) accounted for 43% of all breaches, up from 20% in 2025. Among organizations that reported an AI-related security incident, 92% lacked adequate AI access controls.
Enterprises can usually see who uses AI and how much. Leadership still lacks answers on whether that use is sanctioned, whether it reaches real work, and what it produces. The AI Adoption Index gives leaders a single, evidence-based view to understand whether AI-First teams are driving outcomes.
For every enterprise, the AI Adoption Index lets leaders:
- Map: See how AI is being used across teams, and place each team on a maturity model from AI-Aware to AI-First.
- Measure: Identify which teams are behind on adoption, and how much capacity is being freed for higher-value work.
- Mitigate: Detect shadow AI, route each tool through a review workflow and keep a permanent audit trail.
Usage analytics stop at activity. Governance and security tools control approval and spend but cannot show whether AI changes how work gets done, and a separate set of tools tracks output shipped. The AI Adoption Index brings all three views together in one place, across every AI tool and every team.
“ProHance is envisioning to solve a critical problem of assessing AI’s impact on the workforce by helping leaders understand how to reskill and reshape their workforce with AI by measuring actual impact of AI and humans together,” said Ankur Dhingra, CEO, ProHance. “AI Adoption Index shows leaders who is using what, how deeply, at what cost, and where AI is running without approval, measured from the work itself, so they can decide where to act.”
The Index follows ProHance’s launch of its outcome measurement layer for Outsourcing Performance Management (OPM), which gives enterprises independent evidence of what their outsourced and contingent teams deliver. Across both launches, ProHance is focused on driving visibility for enterprises, so that AI-ready organizations can improve outcomes from their people and their AI together.
About ProHance
ProHance is an AI-led Productivity Control Room platform that gives enterprises real-time visibility into productivity, operations and workforce performance. By combining AI, analytics and automation, ProHance helps organizations optimize efficiency, improve compliance, reduce costs and drive better business outcomes. ProHance is trusted by more than 450,000 users across 55+ countries and has been named the Star Performer in the Everest Group People Analytics Platforms PEAK Matrix® 2026. For more information, visit www.prohance.ai or follow ProHance on LinkedIn.
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29, Oct 2026
Vasudev Jagannath to Become IIFL Capital MD; Firm to Launch NBFC
- Consolidated operating revenues for the quarter was ₹722 crores, up 14% Q-o-Q and 22% Y-o-Y
- Operating profit before tax for the quarter stood at ₹206 crores, up 38% Q-o-Q and 25% Y-o-Y
- As of September 30, 2026, total assets under management stood at ₹2,64,154 crores
MUMBAI, India, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —
Summary: Consolidated – Q2FY27
|
₹ Crore |
Q2FY27 |
Q1FY27 |
Q-o-Q |
Q2FY26 |
Y-o-Y |
|
Revenue From Operations |
722 |
631 |
14 % |
592 |
22 % |
|
Operating Profit Before Tax |
206 |
149 |
38 % |
164 |
25 % |
|
Profit Before Tax |
174 |
239 |
(27 %) |
120 |
45 % |
|
Profit After Tax |
127 |
184 |
(31 %) |
85 |
49 % |
Summary: Consolidated – H1FY27
|
₹ Crore |
H1FY27 |
H1FY26 |
Y-o-Y |
|
Revenue from operations |
1,353 |
1,209 |
12 % |
|
Operating Profit Before Tax |
355 |
329 |
8 % |
|
Profit Before Tax |
414 |
347 |
19 % |
|
Profit After Tax |
311 |
261 |
19 % |
Mr. R. Venkataraman, Managing Director, IIFL Capital Services Ltd, said, “In Q2FY27, we maintained strong operating momentum, with operating revenues growing 22% y-o-y. This performance was supported by growth witnessed in institutional equities, underscoring the resilience of our diversified platform amid market volatility.”
Non-Institutional Business
IIFL Capital is a key player in the capital market with over 2,600+ partners and 90+ branches across India to service clients.
For the quarter, the average daily market turnover (including F&O) for the broking business was ₹3,05,073 Crores (BSE + NSE), down 3% Q-o-Q and up 16% Y-o-Y.
Financial Product Distribution AUM stood at ₹60,772 crores up 6% Q-o-Q.
Investment Banking
Investment banking division completed 28 deals across capital markets and private placement/advisory in Q2FY27. Select transactions completed includes IPO for National Stock Exchange of India, Horizon Industrial Parks, Leap India, MilkyMist Dairy, RentoMojo, Money View, Kanohar Electricals, Molbio Diagnostics, Manipal Payments, Laser Power & Infra, QIP for, Adani Enterprises Limited, Adani Energy Solutions, Aditya Infotech, Netweb Technologies, OFS for Life Insurance Corporation of India, Knowledge Realty Trust and other advisory transactions. The deal pipeline remains robust and there are multiple transactions which are at various stages of execution.
Update on Fairfax Investment
The Company has received all requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals for the proposed change in control pursuant to FIH Mauritius Investments Ltd and its affiliate (“Fairfax”) acquiring up to 51% stake in the Company through a preferential allotment, open offer and arrangements with the existing promoters. The preferential allotment and open offer are under implementation and will be completed within the prescribed statutory timelines. The promoter arrangements will be subject to the outcome of shares tendered in the open offer.
Upon completion of the transaction, Fairfax will join the Promoter Group alongside the existing promoters. Fairfax will also have the right to nominate up to two directors to the Board, for which shareholder approval has been received.
Proposed Incorporation of a Wholly Owned NBFC Subsidiary
The Company proposes to incorporate a wholly owned subsidiary that will apply for an NBFC license. The initiative aligns with the Company’s strategy to expand its financial services offerings and develop dedicated lending and credit capabilities, with a focus on high-net-worth (HNI) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNI) clients. Subject to the requisite regulatory approvals, the subsidiary is intended to offer structured lending solutions, including financing against financial assets, promoter funding and bespoke credit products to meet clients’ investment and liquidity needs.
Proposed Leadership Succession Planning
As part of its leadership succession, the Board has approved the appointment of Mr. Vasudev Jagannath as Additional Director and Whole-time Director for three years, subject to requisite approvals. With nearly two decades of experience with the Company, deep Capital market knowledge and broad leadership experience, Mr. Vasudev is well positioned to lead the Company through its next phase of growth and will accordingly be re-designated as Managing Director with effect from January 1, 2027. Mr. R. Venkataraman will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.
About IIFL Capital Services Ltd (IIFL Capital)
IIFL Capital Services Ltd (NSE: IIFLCAPS) (BSE: 542773) is one of the key capital market players in the Indian financial services space. IIFL Capital offers broking services, wealth management, financial products distribution, institutional broking & research and investment banking services.
This document may contain certain forward-looking statements based on management expectations. Actual results may vary significantly from these forward-looking statements. This document does not constitute an offer to buy or sell IIFL Capital products, services or securities. The press release, results and presentation for analysts/press for the quarter & half year ended September 30, 2026, are available under the Investor Relations section on our website www.iiflcapital.com.
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