Ascendion Expands AI Advisory Community with Four Global Business and Technology Leaders

Former Global CTO of Banco Santander, former Group CIO of Currys, former CEO of IBPAP, and former Microsoft CVP and CTO of AI join the advisory community

Advisors will provide guidance on AAVA platform innovation, AI strategy, C-suite alignment, and enterprise adoption across Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the UK

The growing community of advisors will bring practitioner perspective closer to Ascendion as enterprises move AI from experimentation to governed, production-scale outcomes

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ascendion, an AI-native software engineering company, today announced the appointment of four global business and technology leaders to its AI Advisory Community: Andy Gamble, Jack Madrid, Julieta Ross, Ph.D., and Joseph Sirosh, Ph.D. 

The advisors bring perspectives rarely found in one group: executives who answered to Boards, regulators, and C-suites for what technology actually delivered; a builder of AI and data platforms at global scale; and a leader who shaped one of the world’s largest technology-services and talent ecosystems. Their experience spans banking, high-tech, media, and retail. Each will work directly with Ascendion’s regional and engineering leaders, so their counsel reaches the decisions it is meant to shape. 

“We are changing how software gets built. Enterprise leaders have moved past experiments. They want AI that delivers outcomes boards can measure and risk they can manage. Andy, Jack, Julieta, and Joseph have the experience and know where transformation succeeds. They will challenge our thinking, raise our ambition, and help us navigate a period of intense — and exciting — change,” said Karthik Krishnamurthy, CEO, Ascendion. 

Each advisor will map to a different part of the business, strengthening Ascendion’s alignment with leadership communities across the globe. 

• Julieta Ross, Ph.D., former Global CTO of Banco Santander, brings two decades of leading technology inside global banks, along with public-company board experience. She will work with Ascendion’s leadership on executive relationships, go-to-market strategy, and growth, and will help the company meet the governance, regulatory, and risk expectations that banking and financial services leaders place on AI. 

• Andy Gamble, former Group CIO of Currys plc, has spent nearly three decades as a technology buyer and transformation leader across consumer electronics, industrial, and retail businesses. He will advise Ascendion’s work across Europe and the UK, with a focus on consumer goods, manufacturing, and retail, and will share what executive teams and Boards expect from a technology partner. 

• Joseph Sirosh, Ph.D., former Microsoft CVP and CTO of AI, has spent his career building and scaling machine learning platforms in the high-tech industry. He will advise Ascendion’s engineering leadership on the evolution of AAVA and its broader platform strategy as AAVA becomes an orchestration and harness layer for enterprise AI. 

• Jack Madrid, former President and CEO of IBPAP, spent five years leading the industry association behind one of the world’s largest technology and business-services ecosystems, centered in the Philippines. He brings robust experience working across industries, including banking, high-tech, and media, and will advise Ascendion on Asia-Pacific markets and on how AI is reshaping global delivery, skills, and workforce models. 

Together, the advisors give Ascendion an outside perspective on the full spectrum of enterprise AI, from agentic platform strategy and product engineering to industry alignment and delivery. They will add capacity to Ascendion’s ongoing work on AI governance, helping ensure trusted impact from AI-native software engineering, and their practice-based insight will inform how Ascendion applies its Engineering to the Power of AI™ approach to commercial models, platform design, service execution, and workforce development. 

About Ascendion

Ascendion is a global AI-native software engineering company delivering trusted business outcomes – capital unlock, innovation velocity, lower risk – to 250+ enterprise clients. The company delivers business outcomes at scale by combining expert engineers, AI agents, and AAVA, Ascendion’s agentic AI platform. Together, they design, engineer, and operate production-ready software that improves everyday work and life. Learn more at www.ascendion.com.

Engineering to the Power of AI™, Engineering to Elevate Life™, and AAVA™ are trademarks or service marks of Ascendion. AAVA™ is pending registration. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.

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Piramal Pharma Limited Announces Results for Q2 and H1 FY27

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Piramal Pharma Limited (NSE: PPLPHARMA | BSE: 543635), a leading global pharmaceutical, health and wellness company, today announced its standalone and consolidated results for the Second Quarter (Q2) and Half Year (H1) ended 30^th September 2026.

Key Highlights

• Broad-based Revenue Growth: Revenue grew 28% YoY in Q2FY27 and 23% YoY in H1FY27, driven by strong performance across all three businesses.
• Significant Profitability Improvement: EBITDA increased 72% YoY in Q2FY27 and H1FY27, with over 350bps EBITDA margin expansion in both periods. This was driven by higher capacity utilization, operating leverage, disciplined execution, and sustained cost optimization initiatives.
• Robust RFP Activity and Order Inflows: Added 22 new customers and successfully hosted 110 customer audits in H1FY27.
• Best-in-Class Quality & Compliance: Successfully completed 12 regulatory inspections and 110 customer audits during H1FY27, while maintaining the Company’s track record of no Official Action Indicated classifications across US FDA inspections.
• Upgrade FY27 Outlook: Based on the strong first-half performance and continued business momentum, we upgrade our FY27 outlook and now expect revenue growth of 19% to 20%, accompanied by meaningfully higher profitability.

Nandini Piramal, Chairperson, Piramal Pharma Limited said, “We delivered a strong H1FY27, with revenue growth of 23% and EBITDA margin expansion of over 350 basis points, driven by healthy demand across our businesses, disciplined execution, and improved operating leverage. The performance was led by our CDMO business, which grew 28% on the back of strong order inflows and robust execution. Our CHG business complemented this momentum with 24% growth, supported by inhalation anesthesia sales in ex-US markets and the integration of the Kenalog, while Consumer Healthcare continued to deliver steady 14% growth through the strong performance of Power Brands and e-commerce.

With H2 typically stronger than H1, we are well positioned to deliver a strong full-year performance, supported by a healthy order book, encouraging customer engagement, and continued operating discipline.”

1. Exceptional items include, one time insolvency proceeds received from a claim filed against a third-party supplier of our complex hospital generics business, with the NCLT in November 2023

Earnings Conference Call

Piramal Pharma Limited will be hosting a conference call for investors / analysts on 28^th October 2026 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM (IST) to discuss its Q2 and H1 FY2027 Results.

The dial-in details for the call are as under:

About Piramal Pharma Limited:

Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL, NSE: PPLPHARMA I BSE: 543635), offers a portfolio of differentiated products and services through its 17 global development and manufacturing facilities and a global distribution network in over 100 countries. PPL includes Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization; Piramal Critical Care (PCC), a complex hospital generics business; and the Piramal Consumer Healthcare (PCH) business, selling over-the-counter consumer and wellness products. In addition, one of PPL’s associate companies, Abbvie Therapeutics India Private Limited, a joint venture between Abbvie and PPL, has emerged as one of the market leaders in the ophthalmology therapy area in the Indian pharma market.

For more information, visit:  Piramal Pharma | LinkedIn

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etisalat achieves record 9M 2026 performance as consolidated net profit rises 46% YoY to AED 17.2 billion

• Consolidated revenues for the first nine months of 2026 reached AED 57.6 billion, an increase of 10.0 per cent YoY
• Consolidated net profit for the first nine months of 2026 reached AED 17.2 billion, up 45.9 per cent YoY
• Group subscriber base reached 254.8 million
• Group marks 50 years by taking the etisalat name forward into a new era of growth

ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — etisalat today announced its Q3 2026 consolidated financial results, reporting consolidated revenue of AED 19.5 billion, growing 6.9 per cent year-over-year (YoY). Consolidated revenues for the first nine months of 2026 reached AED 57.6 billion, up 10.0 per cent YoY. Consolidated net profit in Q3 reached 11.2 billion, while consolidated net profit for the first nine months of 2026 reached AED 17.2 billion, up 45.9 per cent YoY, reinforced by continued progress in building higher-value capabilities across connectivity, sovereign digital infrastructure and AI and by disciplined portfolio management.

In Q3, EBITDA rose by 5.1 per cent YoY, reaching AED 9.0 billion with a margin of 46.1 per cent. For the first nine months of 2026, EBITDA reached AED 26.7 billion, a growth of 10.3 per cent YoY, with a margin of 46.4 per cent.

etisalat’s total subscriber base reached 254.8 million in Q3 2026, representing 29.4 per cent YoY growth. In the UAE, subscribers rose 5.2 per cent YoY to 16.5 million, driven by strong demand for advanced digital services and intelligent connectivity. 

Financial Highlights

• Net Profit adjusted for Vodafone gain in Q3 2026 is AED 3.2bn and EPS AED 0.37
• Net Profit adjusted for Vodafone gain in 9M 2026 is AED 9.2bn and EPS 1.06

The quarter also saw the completion of etisalat’s sale of its entire stake in Vodafone Group, generating total consideration of AED 21.9 billion, including the final dividend and gain of approximately AED 8.0 billion. The transaction contributed to the group’s financial performance during the quarter, providing additional financial flexibility.

As etisalat marks its 50^th anniversary, it has set out a new vision to become a leading AI-powered and enabling telco and moved forward under the etisalat name, symbolising the central role of connectivity in the AI era. This ambition builds on the capabilities developed across digital services, cloud, cybersecurity, AI, infrastructure and fintech, bringing them into sharper focus around our strong telecommunications foundation with AI at its core.

Building on UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced technology and AI, etisalat plans to expand its international connectivity capacity to more than 500 terabits per second (Tbps) by 2030, an increase of over twenty-five times of the current capacity, in addition to developing diverse routes designed to enhance connectivity efficiency and reliability, delivering advanced, low-latency performance. This reiterates the importance of the digital infrastructure as a fundamental pillar for supporting emerging technologies and enabling a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.

Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Group CEO of etisalat, said: “Our performance in Q3 2026 underscores the resilience of our business model and the discipline with which we are turning growth opportunities into tangible results. Consolidated revenue reached AED 19.5 billion, an increase of 6.9 per cent YoY, while EBITDA reached AED 9.0 billion, up 5.1 per cent, with an EBITDA margin of 46.1 per cent. These results reflect the strength of our core connectivity business and the discipline of our execution. Combined with our focus, these strengths underpin our confidence in our ability to excel and create long-term value to our stakeholders”

Masood added: “Over the past several years, etisalat has built an integrated portfolio of broad range of advanced capabilities across AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital services, and fintech. Today, as AI is integrated more deeply into core enterprise and government operations, the foundational connectivity, compute, and secure infrastructure powering it become more critical. With the group firmly establishing itself as a key enabler, we will continue to provide the secure digital infrastructure and ultra-fast connectivity that power this wide-reaching transformation.”

He continued: “This gives the etisalat brand, which means ‘communications’, a renewed purpose with a new and deeper meaning. Connectivity is no longer just about moving data, for us. It is about enabling the modern digital economy by building and operating the infrastructure and intelligent platforms that will define the future.”

Masood concluded: “etisalat has proven its ability to create sustainable value and to translate technological progress into direct, tangible commercial and economic impact. Building on decades of strategic achievements, enduring customer relationships, strong operational efficiency and infrastructure designed for maximum readiness and reliability, we remain focused on enabling the networks of the future, anchoring the region’s digital economies, and cementing the UAE’s position at the heart of the global digital economy.  As etisalat embarks on its next fifty years journey, we renew our commitment to build on the UAE leadership’s forward-looking vision and to continue investing with full confidence to compete and lead on the global scale.”

Contact

Nancy Sudheer

nsudheer@etisalat.ae 

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Seatrium and Karpowership to Jointly Develop Floating Power Solutions and Digital Infrastructure, Supporting Singapore and Southeast Asia’s Energy Resilience

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced at Singapore International Energy Week 2026
• Combines Seatrium’s offshore engineering expertise with Karpowership’s proven leadership in floating power to pursue flexible power and digital infrastructure solutions
• To co-develop solutions that strengthen Singapore’s energy security and support regional power demand amid recent disruptions to global energy supplies

SINGAPORE, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Seatrium Limited (“Seatrium” or the “Group“) today announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU“) with global floating power solutions leader Karpowership to pursue a joint venture to develop floating power and infrastructure solutions in Singapore, with the potential to extend cooperation to the wider Southeast Asia market.

Building on their longstanding strategic relationship, the two companies will create an integrated platform combining infrastructure development, financing, engineering, construction and operations. The collaboration brings together Seatrium’s global offshore engineering, procurement and construction and systems integration capabilities with Karpowership’s expertise in developing, financing, owning and operating floating power and digital infrastructure, alongside its experience in delivering behind-the-meter power solutions for super intelligence.

Announced at Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2026 and witnessed by Dr. Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry), the MoU establishes a framework to jointly develop rapidly deployable power and infrastructure solutions in Singapore, which may include Powerships, floating data centres, turbine-based or hybrid vessels and floating nuclear solutions. The partners share a longer-term ambition to bolster Singapore’s position to serve as a resilient regional hub for rapidly deployable energy and digital infrastructure solutions.

Chris Ong, Chief Executive Officer of Seatrium, said, “Energy resilience is fundamental to Singapore’s long-term competitiveness and Southeast Asia’s continued growth. As demand for power and digital infrastructure accelerates, our industry has an opportunity to develop new solutions that combine speed of deployment, flexibility and scale. Building on our longstanding strategic relationship with Karpowership, we aim to strengthen Singapore’s status as a hub for next-generation floating energy and digital infrastructure, using the best-available technologies, including hydrogen-ready power generation. Seatrium’s offshore engineering heritage, systems integration capabilities and advanced facilities in Singapore provide a strong foundation for this ambition, supporting domestic needs and opportunities across Southeast Asia. For Seatrium, this represents a strategic opportunity to extend our role across the energy infrastructure value chain, creating new avenues for growth where we can apply our proven capabilities to shape critical infrastructure that underpin the region’s future competitiveness.”

Orhan Remzi Karadeniz, Chief Executive Officer of Karpowership, said, “Access to reliable power increasingly determines where industries invest, how economies grow and how quickly digital ambitions become reality. Karpowership has pioneered floating power infrastructure worldwide, expanding its capabilities to deliver gigawatt-scale, behind-the-meter power solutions for the most developed markets, floating digital infrastructure and turnkey data centre solutions spanning the entire value chain. Karpowership’s decades-long relationships with OEMs and technology partners, including Seatrium, now extend to a global network of commercial partnerships, including with hyperscalers. These relationships position Karpowership as a go-to provider of integrated infrastructure solutions at pace and scale. This partnership marks a strategic next chapter in that journey. Together with Seatrium, our ambition is to build an integrated platform in Singapore that brings development, financing, engineering and operations together to deliver power where and when it is needed, strengthening energy security and enabling growth across Southeast Asia.”

The companies will combine their unparalleled execution capabilities and commitment to excellence to support Singapore’s ambition to lead the development of next-generation energy and digital infrastructure.

Today, Singapore remains heavily reliant on imported natural gas, which accounts for approximately 95% of its electricity generation, according to the Energy Market Authority. Continued disruptions to global fuel supplies have reinforced the need for diversifying energy sources and strengthening the resilience of Singapore’s electricity system. At the same time, EMA estimates that Singapore’s peak electricity demand is projected to grow between 2.4% and 4.8% annually to reach up to 11.4 gigawatts by 2031, driven in part by transport electrification and the expansion of energy-intensive industries on the island, including semiconductor manufacturing and data centres.

Across Southeast Asia, the similar growth of digital industries has also led to increased infrastructure requirements. According to the 9^th ASEAN Energy Outlook, 20% of ASEAN’s projected electricity demand growth in the next five years will be attributable to data centres. This, compounded with structural drivers of industrialisation and urbanisation, emphasise the need for reliable power to support industrial activity and other energy-intensive facilities.

Against this backdrop, floating power infrastructure could provide additional options to enhance supply security, including through the rapid deployment of generation capacity, contingency power provision and support for critical infrastructure, including data centres. Such solutions, including the potential use of emerging energies such as hydrogen, could also offer flexibility in deployment locations, enable power generation assets to be adapted or redeployed, and chart a longer-term transition pathway as energy requirements continue to evolve.

This MoU represents a new phase in the companies’ relationship, extending their collaboration from the delivery of individual assets to the joint development of infrastructure opportunities. Since 2018, Seatrium has delivered seven FSRU conversions to Karpowership, with the 8^th and 9^th unit awarded this year, supporting the deployment of Karpowership’s LNG-to-power solutions across international markets. Seatrium has most recently secured a contract in October for the development and integration of Karpowership’s hydrogen-ready third-generation Whale Class Powerships to be deployed in countries requiring reliable energy supply.

Today, Karpowership owns and operates the world’s only fleet of Powerships, consisting of 45 vessels, which are floating power plants that can be deployed to provide electricity to markets requiring additional generation capacity.

In the coming months, the parties are committed to progress discussions towards the formation of a joint venture, subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements and the necessary approvals.

Discover more:

Seatrium Limited: Website | LinkedIn

Karpowership: Website | LinkedIn

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BWH® Hotels Unveils Enterprise Transformation, Uniting Global Portfolio Under WorldHotels™

The strategic evolution brings together more than 4,000 hotels across 100 countries and introduces WorldHotels Rewards™, a unified loyalty program launching Jan. 5, 2027

PHOENIX, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Leading global hospitality enterprise BWH Hotels today announced a comprehensive transformation, bringing more than 4,000 hotels and 18 brands under a single loyalty program and global masterbrand, WorldHotels. The move is designed to strengthen portfolio awareness, create greater clarity for travelers and hotel owners and accelerate growth through a unified platform and enhanced digital capabilities, while delivering a guest experience that’s powered by local expertise.

Grounded in rigorous consumer research and guest feedback, this strategic evolution reflects how today’s travelers discover, evaluate and book hotels, while preserving the local character of each independent property.

“We have a hotel for virtually every travel occasion, but many travelers only know a portion of our portfolio,” said Larry Cuculic, President and Chief Executive Officer, WorldHotels. “WorldHotels gives us a clearer way to tell our story. By connecting our brands, loyalty program and digital capabilities under one masterbrand, we’re making it easier for travelers to understand who we are today, while enabling our hoteliers to better compete on a global scale and preserving the independence and individuality of our 4,000 hotels.”

Though the company’s portfolio has expanded across luxury, boutique, upscale, extended-stay and economy segments, research indicates many travelers are aware of only part of its offerings. The move to WorldHotels is intended to create greater clarity and awareness, while preserving the distinct identities of its brands and properties. Unifying under WorldHotels bridges this gap, giving guests a seamless way to navigate its full spectrum of hospitality options.

Local Expertise at Global Scale

Unlike many large hospitality companies built around standardized experiences, WorldHotels is building its platform around local expertise. The transformation is designed to scale the knowledge of thousands of independent hoteliers throughout the global network—surfacing neighborhood insights from on-the-ground hotel teams and making those local experiences easier for travelers to discover across the portfolio.

While individual property identities, signage and iconic flags will remain unchanged, the WorldHotels platform will expand cross-portfolio discovery, strengthen direct relationships with guests and increase visibility for hotel owners worldwide.

By combining local expertise with the scale of a global hospitality company, WorldHotels will offer travelers both the confidence of a trusted network and the authenticity of destination-driven experiences.

WorldHotels Rewards: A Unified Loyalty Program for 70 Million Members

Central to the transformation is WorldHotels Rewards, a new, unified loyalty program that consolidates Best Western Rewards® and WorldHotels Rewards with 70 million existing members combined. Simple, transparent and rewarding, the new program introduces three streamlined membership tiers, while protecting all current benefits such as status matching, member rates and points that never expire. Members will retain their existing points value and enjoy additional opportunities to earn points, while gaining access to a more connected global portfolio and simplified rewards experience.

Additional details about the new loyalty program will be announced on Nov. 16, 2026. 

“WorldHotels Rewards was designed with our guests at the heart of every decision. Through extensive consumer research and member feedback, we learned travelers want a loyalty program that feels intuitive and transparent, that recognizes them wherever they travel,” said Joelle Park, Chief Marketing Officer, WorldHotels. “By bringing our loyalty program together under WorldHotels Rewards, we’re making it easier for guests to discover the full breadth of our portfolio, find the right hotel for every journey and feel welcomed wherever they stay.”

Enhanced Digital Platform Designed to Scale Local Hospitality

To power this new rewards program and modernize guest engagement, WorldHotels has invested heavily in its digital infrastructure, launching a new website and redesigned mobile app. At the core of the experience is a proprietary discovery platform built from more than 10,000 hours of insights gathered from hotel teams around the world.

These insights will help travelers discover hotels, neighborhoods and experiences across the portfolio, alongside a user experience that makes it easy to manage booking and loyalty activity. By connecting local expertise, loyalty and digital discovery on a single platform, WorldHotels is helping travelers explore more of its portfolio while increasing visibility and direct-booking opportunities for hotel owners.

WorldHotels Collection™: Independent, Character-Rich Hotels

As part of this transformation, the portfolio’s upscale and luxury hotels will now be unified under WorldHotels Collection, a global platform for independent properties that preserves the individuality that increasingly drives traveler choice. WorldHotels Collection comprises six categories: WorldHotels Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive, WorldHotels Crafted, WorldHotels Backdrop™ and WorldHotels Residences™.

“The future of luxury hospitality isn’t about standardization. It’s about helping exceptional independent properties compete and grow on a global stage, while remaining true to their identity,” said Ron Pohl, President,  WorldHotels Collection. “WorldHotels Collection sits at the intersection of independence and scale, giving owners access to the commercial power, technology and demand drivers of a major hospitality network while maintaining the tailored, local experiences today’s travelers are seeking.”

WorldHotels Collection is expanding in some of the hospitality industry’s fastest-growing categories: WorldHotels Residences combines private homeownership with luxury hospitality services and brand affiliation, while WorldHotels Backdrop connects travelers with distinctive destinations where immersive natural settings and elevated accommodations converge. Together, these platforms broaden growth opportunities for developers, owners and independent operators seeking access to global distribution and brand recognition.

For more information, please visit WorldHotels.com. New WorldHotels logos, high-resolution images and b-roll are available here.

About WorldHotels™

WorldHotels™ is a global hospitality portfolio with more than 4,000 hotels and resorts across 18 brands in over 100 countries. From luxury and boutique stays to value-driven travel, WorldHotels pairs global scale with local expertise, serving the needs of leisure and business travelers as well as hoteliers worldwide. Guided by a commitment to make travel more welcoming, WorldHotels connects guests to the neighborhoods and experiences that make each destination unique.

Through WorldHotels Rewards™, 70 million members can enjoy simplified benefits across the portfolio with points that never expire, exclusive member rates and flexible redemption opportunities. For more information, visit WorldHotels.com and follow WorldHotels on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About WorldHotels Rewards™

WorldHotels Rewards is the global loyalty program of the WorldHotels™ portfolio, connecting 70 million members to rewarding travel experiences across more than 4,000 hotels worldwide. Designed around simplicity, the program features points that never expire, exclusive member rates and flexible redemption opportunities. Members can manage bookings, track rewards and redeem points through the WorldHotels Rewards app and online.

WorldHotels Rewards members can earn and redeem rewards across a portfolio of brands, including:

• Luxury & Lifestyle: WorldHotels Collection™, WorldHotels Backdrop™, Aiden®
• Upscale: Best Western Premier®, BW Premier Collection®
• Everyday Travel: BW Signature Collection®, Best Western Plus®, GLō®, Best Western®
• Value: SureStay® Hotels, SureStay Collection®
• Longer Stays: Executive Residency®, @HOME by Best Western®, SureStay Studio®

Learn more or enroll for free at WorldHotels.com/RewardsOverview.

MEDIA CONTACT

Praytell

worldhotels@praytellagency.com

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CYPHER Agent Brings On-the-Job Answers, Coaching and Practice Into Frontline Work

Workers can ask questions, rehearse customer conversations and get step-by-step guidance from approved company knowledge.

DALLAS, Oct. 27, 2026 — CYPHER Learning, the AI-native platform that puts company knowledge to work, today announced the next generation of CYPHER Agent will go where the learning management system never could: into the work itself. Using company knowledge, CYPHER Agent will answer on-the-job questions, coach people through live situations, build personalized training, help them practice, and assess who is ready to perform.

For more than two decades, the LMS has worked the same way: experts write courses, people take them, and learning and development (L&D) reports completions. That model breaks down at the moments knowledge matters most — when a server learns a guest has a food allergy, a technician opens an unfamiliar repair, or an insurance agent fields a question about a new state rule. No one has time to search a course catalog or handbook. CYPHER Agent will put the answer, the coaching and the practice into a conversation anyone can start, whenever they need it, in their own language.

“The traditional LMS, built only to deliver and manage courses, is now outdated technology,” said John Mazur, CEO of CYPHER Learning. “Work doesn’t happen in courses. A server in the middle of a dinner rush or a contractor on a job site needs the right next step now, a chance to practice before it counts, and a manager who knows whether they’re ready. CYPHER Agent will do all of that from knowledge a company already has. It’s the most significant change in how organizations build capability since training moved online.”

From course catalog to coach

CYPHER Agent will replace menus, catalogs, and search bars with a conversation. Learners, managers, subject matter experts and L&D teams can say or type what they need, and the agent will respond from approved company knowledge.

• Answers people can trust. Organizations upload handbooks, product guides, and compliance rules once. Every answer cites its source, and built-in escalation rules tell workers when to stop and get a manager — for example, when a guest reports an allergy.

• Coaching in the moment of need. Beyond answering questions, CYPHER Agent will guide people through a live situation one step at a time, including by voice, asking what happened and adjusting each instruction to match.

• Practice out loud. Workers can rehearse real conversations, such as calming an upset customer, by speaking with an AI role-play partner. Afterward, the agent will show which steps they covered and which they missed, with references back to the guide.

• Build by asking. Managers and experts can create refreshers, step-by-step skills and full courses by describing what they need. A one-hour course with gamification, assessments, visual media, and translation into more than 50 languages takes 10 to 15 minutes to build, and creators review and edit every section before it is published.

• Readiness, not just completion. Managers can ask “Who on my team is behind?” and see overdue training, stalled learners, and practice activity at a glance, so they know who is ready to perform, not only who finished a course.

From a manager’s request to a server’s next step in minutes

During a recent preview, a major restaurant chain asked CYPHER Agent to create a skill for handling guest complaints, test it, and publish it to every server in under two minutes. Moments later, a server asked what to do about an overcooked steak. The agent walked her through each step, from thanking the guest to alerting the kitchen to checking back that the replacement was right.

One source of knowledge, tailored to every role

The same approach works anywhere knowledge has to reach many people, in many roles, fast. A restaurant franchise rolling out new menu items can give managers, chefs, and servers guidance specific to each role. An auto dealership can quickly prepare its technicians for a new recall repair. An insurer can bring agents in different states up to date on new compliance requirements. Because CYPHER Agent works from a single, governed source of knowledge, every role, region and contractor network will get tailored guidance while L&D keeps control of what is published.

Preview CYPHER Agent at DevLearn

CYPHER Learning will preview the new CYPHER Agent at DevLearn 2026, Nov. 4–6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, at Booth #362, with general availability slated for Q1 2027. On Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 9:15 a.m. PT, Gwen O’Neil, director of U-Haul University, and Mark Schuster, product lead at CYPHER Learning, will take the DevLearn Expo Stage to discuss how U-Haul is modernizing its approach to learning and where AI can support an established learning ecosystem today.

To learn more, visit www.cypherlearning.com.

Fios Genomics bioinformatics team and services move to Excelra

Edinburgh-based team joins Excelra’s scientific consulting group, strengthening its omics analytics expertise and presence in the UK and Europe

EDINBURGH, Scotland and HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Excelra, a global scientific informatics company, today announced that the bioinformatics services of Fios Genomics Ltd, and the team behind them, have moved to Excelra with effect from 20 October 2026.

Fios Genomics, based in Edinburgh, has spent nearly two decades turning complex omics data into impactful insights for pharma, biotech, and other life science researchers, with particular depth in multi-omics study analysis. The team joins Excelra’s wider scientific consulting group and will continue to serve Fios clients with the same scientists and the same platform.

“This is about continuity and making a larger impact for our clients,” said Sarah Lynagh, CEO of Fios Genomics. “Fios has always been defined by the quality of its science and the care we take with each study. Excelra shares those values and brings the wider data science and scientific informatics capability to do more for the researchers we work with.”

“Fios is known for rigorous, study-level analysis delivered quickly and explained clearly, exactly what researchers need when a dataset lands,” said Jannick Bendtsen, Vice President – Bioinformatics, Excelra. “That way of working fits naturally with our focus on integrative multi-omics, translational insight, and scientific AI. The team now has Excelra’s data assets, AI engineering, and a far larger pool of domain specialists behind it.”

“Fios has built a team of bioinformaticians that clients trust with their hardest questions, and we are delighted to welcome them to Excelra,” said Anandbir Singh Brar, CEO of Excelra. “Omics data keeps growing, but the questions don’t change: which target? which indication? which patients? Pairing Fios’ scientific depth with our own bioinformatics, data, and AI-native engineering means we can answer those questions even faster and with more confidence.”

Fios clients can reach the team at team.fiosgenomics@excelra.com

About Excelra

Excelra engineers trust into AI-driven R&D, combining AI-ready data and platforms, including GOSTAR, connected lab informatics, and multi-omics expertise to turn R&D complexity into decisions you can defend. Science led. Data driven. Outcomes focused.

About Fios Genomics

Founded in 2008 as a University of Edinburgh spin-out, Fios Genomics has delivered bioinformatics analysis and biological interpretation across genomics, transcriptomics and multi-omics studies to pharma, biotech, and life science researchers worldwide.

Contact

Prashant Sharma

contact@excelra.com 

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HABANOS, S.A. UNVEILED A WORLD PREMIERE: THE QUAI D’ORSAY CONCORDIA EDICIÓN LIMITADA 2026

The Belle Époque comes to Las Ventas: Quai D’Orsay celebrates La Nuit D’Orsay

More than 400 guests gathered at Las Ventas to celebrate La Nuit D’Orsay, an evening that marked the international unveiling of the brand’s second Limited Edition.

The second Limited Edition in the brand’s history introduces a new vitola, combining a distinctive format with a balanced flavour profile. Crafted using the brand’s mild-strength blend and benefiting from the additional ageing that characterises the Limited Editions, it offers a refined and unique expression of the brand’s craftsmanship.

HAVANA, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Habanos, S.A. unveiled the Quai D’Orsay Concordia Edición Limitada 2026, marking the second Limited Edition in the history of Quai D’Orsay, a brand established in 1974 and synonymous with French culture and elegance.

Concordia introduces a vitola with dimensions never before seen in the Quai D’Orsay portfolio. In keeping with the Habanos Limited Editions tradition, its wrapper, binder and filler leaves undergo an additional ageing process of at least two years. The wrapper also benefits from an extended fermentation process, deepening its colour and imparting an oily texture. The result is a distinctive appearance that sets Concordia apart from the lighter tones traditionally associated with Quai D’Orsay.

Quai D’Orsay Concordia Edición Limitada 2026: A new and refined expression of the brand

Named in honour of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, Concordia pays tribute to Quai D’Orsay’s longstanding connection with France. Established at the initiative of Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, then France’s Minister of Finance, the brand was conceived as a refined diplomatic gift, created to complement the country’s portfolio of luxury products.

Concordia is presented in the Preciosos factory name, measuring 145 mm in length with a 50 ring gauge. Introduced to the Quai D’Orsay portfolio for the first time, this distinctive format offers a fresh expression of the brand’s signature elegance.

In keeping with Habanos’ Limited Edition tradition, the wrapper, binder and filler leaves undergo an additional ageing process of at least two years. The wrapper also benefits from extended fermentation, resulting in a deeper, darker colour and a distinctive oily texture. This richer appearance contrasts with the lighter shades traditionally associated with Quai D’Orsay and reflects a defining characteristic of Habanos’ Limited Edition releases.

“Totally Handmade with Long Filler”, (Totalmente a Mano) using leaves from the Vuelta Abajo* region of Pinar del Río*, Cuba*, Concordia preserves the medium strength and balanced flavour profile that define the Quai D’Orsay brand. It marks the second Limited Edition in the brand’s history, following the Quai D’Orsay Senadores Limited Edition 2019.

Concordia is presented in a specially designed box containing 20 cigars. Each cigar features the brand’s primary band, complemented by an exclusive 2026 Limited Edition band and an additional foot band, underscoring the distinctive character of this release.

The Presentation of Quai D’Orsay Concordia in Madrid

The world premiere took place on 24 October in Madrid, during La Nuit D’Orsay, held at the iconic Las Ventas bullring. Organised by Club Pasión Habanos, the event welcomed more than 400 guests, transforming the historic venue into an immersive setting inspired by the Parisian Belle Époque. A celebration of elegance and refinement, the evening brought together gastronomy, music and Habanos, paying tribute to Quai D’Orsay’s enduring connection with French culture and heritage.

The evening began with an aperitif served beneath the interior arches and portals of the bullring, featuring a curated selection of premium drinks and delicacies. Highlights included EPC Champagne paired with Antonius caviar, a French-inspired cocktail crafted with Marcillac Armagnac, jamón ibérico from Casa 959, premium beers from Mahou, wines from Ximénez-Spínola, Marinero vermouth and Harvey’s Bristol Cream. Dinner was served beneath a specially decorated marquee in the bullring arena, with a menu featuring tributes to classic French cuisine. The experience continued with pairings of Habanos and premium spirits, including The Dalmore, Havana Club Unión and Ximénez-Spínola, complemented by speciality coffees from Dromedario.

Music accompanied every stage of the evening. Jazz performed by Pianobar, from the iconic Madrid venue Toni 2, set the tone for dinner before the stage welcomed singer Soraya Arnelas. Opening with “La Vie en Rose” before moving into “Fumando Eepero”, her performance continued with a repertoire of hits spanning the decades, from 1974, the year Quai D’Orsay was founded, through the defining anthems of the 1980s and 1990s. The performance brought the evening to a lively crescendo, transforming the bullring arena into a dance floor.

Juan Girón, Communications Director at Tabacalera, said: “Today, we have the privilege of attending the global launch of the Limited Edition Concordia. With a ring gauge of 50 and a length of 145 mm, it is a cigar of incredible proportions. It is visually stunning, which is why its vitola de galera is, quite fittingly, called ‘Preciosos’.”

“The filler, wrapper and binder have all been aged for at least two years, allowing the blend to reach its full potential. It is a smooth cigar, but not overly so, presented in boxes of 20, featuring subtle notes reminiscent of cedar and toasted hazelnut. As for the rest… discover it for yourselves!”

Product details:

• Brand: Quai D’Orsay
• Commercial name: Quai D’Orsay Concordia Edición Limitada 2026
• Factory name: Preciosos
• Dimensions: 50 x 145 mm in length
• Strength: Light
• Format: Parejo (straight-sided)
• Presentation: Special packaging of 20 units

Tasting notes:

Before lighting, the Quai d’Orsay Concordia Edición Limitada offers notes reminiscent of cedar and toasted hazelnut. Once lit, subtle notes of cocoa emerge, accompanied by a delicate floral nuance.

The first third delivers a creamy, dense smoke with a gentle sweetness and hints of nuts. In the second third, woody notes and a subtle touch of citrus complement the mild strength of this Habano. The final third develops notes of leather and dark chocolate, accompanied by a compact, light-coloured ash. Its extended aging adds depth, resulting in an elegant and sophisticated tasting experience.

Duration: 45-50 minutes

*P.A.O. (Protected Appellations of Origin)

Recommended retail price:

• €914 (box of 20)

About Habanos, S.A.

Corporación Habanos, S.A. is the world leader in the commercialization of premium cigars, both in Cuba and across the globe. It operates through an exclusive distribution network spanning five continents and more than 130 territories. For more information, please visit www.habanos.com

Habanos, S.A. markets 27 premium brands – all crafted “Totally by Hand” (*Totalmente a Mano*) – including notable names such as Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás, Hoyo de Monterrey, H. Upmann, and Trinidad. These brands are protected under the Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) * HABANOS.

Habanos cigars have been crafted “Totally by Hand” for over 500 years, serving as a global benchmark ever since.

(P.D.O.) * Protected Designations of Origin

For more information about Habanos, S.A.:

www.habanos.com 

https://www.instagram.com/habanos_oficial/ 

https://twitter.com/Habanos_Oficial 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCstGLy96wdZG7eCM4855_DA 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/habanos-sa/ 

https://open.spotify.com/user/habanosmusic 

Notes for editors

• High-resolution product images: HERE
• High-resolution photographs of the launch event: HERE

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XPPen Brings Magic Pro 13 to Market: A Professional All-Scenario Drawing Pad Connecting Mobile Inspiration with Professional Creation

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XPPen, a global leader in digital art innovation, today officially launches the Magic Pro 13, a Professional All-Scenario Drawing Pad that also functions as a desktop-grade drawing display through its industry-first hardware-level Drawing Display Mode. It combines the X4 Smart Chip Stylus, a 3K 120Hz paper-like display, and deep hardware-software integration for versatile digital drawing experiences.

Following its debut at IFA 2026, the Magic Pro 13 received four “Best of IFA 2026” honors from Gadgety Awards, TechRadar, Yanko Design, and Android Headlines, recognizing its innovation and approach to combining portable drawing with professional desktop workflows.

“Artists need creative tools that can adapt to the way they work, wherever they create,” said Brian Huang, Marketing Director at XPPen. “The Magic Pro 13 is an industry-first 2-in-1 device that works as both a standalone drawing pad and a professional drawing display, giving creators greater flexibility in developing their ideas. We believe creative tools should continue to evolve alongside artists, opening up new possibilities for how they bring their ideas to life.”

Industry-First Hardware-Level Drawing Display Mode

A key feature of the Magic Pro 13 is its industry-first hardware-level Drawing Display Mode in the digital drawing pad category. With a single full-featured USB-C cable, it connects to a compatible PC as a professional drawing display. Its dedicated hardware architecture supports up to 3K resolution at 120Hz with native color reproduction, alongside ultra-low-latency pen input. The stylus retains its full functionality, including 16K pressure levels, tilt detection, hover preview, and customizable barrel buttons, enabling a seamless transition from on-the-go sketching to desktop refinement.

Portable Design and Integrated Creative Tools

Featuring an 8MP front camera and a 13MP rear camera, the Magic Pro 13 offers added flexibility for capturing visual references and creative ideas. At just 6.65 mm thick and 655 g, it combines portability with a 10,200 mAh battery and 45W PD fast charging to support extended creative sessions. Both USB-C ports support 45W PD charging, while the upper port on the right side enables Drawing Display Mode for direct PC connection, allowing users to continue creating while charging.

Running on Android 16, the Magic Pro 13 also offers a versatile creative software ecosystem. The XPPen-developed Shelf app helps users organize visual references with image tagging, annotations, and smart search, while the Canvas app provides a dedicated space for sketching and capturing inspiration. Additional features such as Quick Draw with Screen Off, Freeform Windowing, and Screenshot Doodle make creative tasks more convenient across a wider range of scenarios.

X4 Smart Chip Stylus and 3K 120Hz Paper-like Display

The Magic Pro 13 comes with the X4 Smart Chip Stylus, which combines a power-efficient chip, an optimized sensor, and a bullet-shaped nib for fast, stable, and precise strokes. With 16K pressure levels, 2g initial activation force, and 60° tilt support, it captures subtle pressure variations for detailed drawing and natural shading.

The display offers 3K resolution and an adjustable refresh rate of 60, 90, or 120Hz. AG+AF nano-etched glass provides a paper-like feel, while 650-nit peak brightness and TÜV SÜD Low Blue Light certification enhance the viewing experience. With 100% sRGB and 96% DCI-P3 coverage, it also supports system-level color gamut switching between sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 to meet different professional color requirements.

Price and Availability

The Magic Pro 13 is available as of October 27, 2026, with an early bird price of $899 (pricing and availability may vary by region). For more product information, visit: https://www.xp-pen.com/product/magic-pro-13.html

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