SBI Life’s new film shines a light on the ‘Anokhe Heere’, honouring the undying spirit of the Indian para-athletes

The new film brings alive the power of determination and the promises that drive individuals to pursue their aspirations, reinforcing SBI Life’s commitment to protecting what matters most.

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SBI Life Insurance, one of India’s most trusted private life insurers, has unveiled a new film spotlighting the ‘Anokhe Heere‘ — Indian para-athletes whose indomitable spirit and determination enable them to overcome challenges, pursue their aspirations and honour their promises. The film highlights how true brilliance goes beyond what meets the eye, shining through the strength of one’s intentions and the resolve to turn them into action.

Narrated through the innocent curiosity of a young boy, Aksh, searching for extraordinary diamonds, the film unfolds as a heartwarming journey of this discovery. Looking for brilliance in everyday objects, the boy gradually discovers a different kind of sparkle at a para-athlete training centre. He witnesses the determination, discipline and perseverance of para-athletes, realising that these are the true ‘Anokhe Heere’ — individuals whose resolve enables them to pursue their aspirations and honour the promises they make to their loved ones. The film brings alive the thought, “Yehi toh hai Anokhe Heere, jo apne iraadon ki chamak se vaadon ko nibhate hain,” highlighting how the strength of one’s resolve can turn aspirations into action.

Click here to view SBI Life’s new film: https://youtu.be/TRgnKEw4ndc 

Commenting on the launch of the new film, Mr. Ravindra Sharma, EVP & Chief of Brand, Corporate Communication & CSR, SBI Life Insurance said, “Every aspiration carries a promise — to oneself and, often, to the people who matter most. The journeys of our para-athletes demonstrate how determination and an unwavering belief in oneself can help individuals move beyond limitations and pursue what they truly aspire to achieve. They are our ‘Anokhe Heere‘, whose resolve shines through their actions and gives meaning to the promises they make. At SBI Life, our association with para-sport stems from a shared belief in the power of human potential and the importance of enabling individuals to pursue what matters to them. Through this film, we hope to bring this belief to life and connect with people through a simple yet meaningful thought — that every aspiration deserves to be pursued, and every promise to our loved ones holds significance. This is the spirit behind the brand’s core philosophy – Apne Liye, Apno Ke Liye.”

The new film draws a connection between the determination of para-athletes and the promises that inspire individuals to keep moving forward. It brings alive the thought that pursuing one’s aspirations often goes hand in hand with fulfilling commitments to loved ones, with SBI Life’s association reinforcing the importance of protecting what matters most along the journey. The new film captures this role through the thought, “Aur inhi sabhi anokhe iraadon ki suraksha karta hai SBI Life,” positioning the brand as a thoughtful partner in helping individuals protect their commitments that matter to them.

As the Principal Partner of the Indian Contingent at the Para Commonwealth and Asian Games 2026, SBI Life continues to strengthen its association with para-sport and the values of aspiration, resilience and determination. Through this FILM, the brand brings the focus to the human stories behind sporting achievements — the personal resolve, unwavering commitment and promises that inspire individuals to keep moving forward.

The film closes on a simple yet powerful thought: true brilliance lies in the conviction to keep moving towards one’s dreams. Through ‘Anokhe Heere’, SBI Life pays tribute to India’s para-athletes whose journeys reflect resilience, purpose, and the courage to keep going.

About SBI Life Insurance

SBI Life Insurance (‘SBI Life’ / ‘The Company’), one of the most trusted life insurance companies in India, was incorporated in October 2000 and is registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in March 2001.

Serving millions of families across India, SBI Life’s diverse range of products caters to individuals as well as group customers through Protection, Pension, Savings and Health solutions.

Driven by ‘Customer-First’ approach, SBI Life places great emphasis on maintaining world class operating efficiency and providing hassle-free claim settlement experience to its customers by following high ethical standards of service. Additionally, SBI Life is committed to enhance digital experiences for its customers, distributors and employees alike.

SBI Life strives to make insurance accessible to all, with its extensive presence across the country through its 1,241 offices, 29,055 employees, a large and productive network of about 2,93,443 agents, 81 corporate agents and 9 bancassurance partners with more than 40,000 partner branches, 161 brokers and other insurance marketing firms.

In addition to doing what’s right for the customers, the company is also committed to provide a healthy and flexible work environment for its employees to excel personally and professionally.

SBI Life strongly encourages a culture of giving back to the society and has made substantial contribution in the areas of child education, healthcare, disaster relief and environmental upgrade. In 2025-26, the Company touched over 20,500 direct beneficiaries through various CSR interventions.

Listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (‘BSE’) and the National Stock Exchange (‘NSE’), the company has an authorized capital of ₹ 20.0 billion and a paid up capital of ₹ 10.0 billion. The AuM is ₹ 5,248.5 billion.

For more information, please visit our website: www.sbilife.co.in and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

(Numbers & data mentioned above are for the period ended June 30, 2026)

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Ford Foundation Charts New Course to Support Preconditions for Thriving Democracies

New strategy will refocus the foundation’s mission to protect and strengthen democratic values, fundamental freedoms, and inclusive economies worldwide

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Ford Foundation today unveiled its new strategic direction to support the preconditions necessary for democracies to thrive. The foundation will refocus its institutional mission to protect and strengthen democratic values, fundamental freedoms, and inclusive economies worldwide, so people are empowered to shape their futures.

Developed in response to the unprecedented geopolitical, economic, and societal factors of this moment, this new strategy is anchored in protecting and strengthening the core principles that sustain democracy and the rule of law. It comes one year after Heather Gerken was appointed the foundation’s 11th president. The strategy features seven interconnected funding areas: Protecting Democratic Governance and the Rule of Law; Building Just and Inclusive Economies; Defending Information as a Public Good; Securing Safety, Justice, and Fairness; Accelerating Gender Equality; Fostering Global Cooperation; and Advancing Racial Justice.

The foundation’s deep, decades-long commitment and ongoing support for social justice and marginalized communities will be embedded across all seven new funding areas—bringing this work to scale across all of our grantmaking.

The strategies for each area will be launched and implemented on a rolling basis over the course of 2027. This will be the first strategic refresh of the foundation’s areas of work in over a decade.

The public report, “How We Meet This Moment,“ outlines the strategy and its development and reflects on Ford’s history in critical moments alongside its current work. Senior leaders at the foundation conducted the review, in partnership with staff and experts across the sector, to set the course for the foundation’s next chapter.

The strategy reflects a renewed commitment to the foundation’s roots, exemplified by the Gaither Report, commissioned by the foundation’s Board of Trustees in 1950, another turbulent period in world history. At that time, the Ford Foundation’s trustees charged the foundation with “the advancement of the ideals and principles of democracy.”

“The Ford Foundation’s new vision is an evolution, not a revolution, of our work, and a reflection of this era’s rapidly changing global landscape,” said Heather Gerken, president of the Ford Foundation and a nationally recognized expert in democracy and constitutional law. “Conditions have changed since our last strategy review, and we are marshaling all of our resources to respond to these new challenges while staying true to our legacy as a social justice foundation.”

“We believe this new strategy reflects the fundamental convictions that have guided Ford for generations,” said Ursula Burns, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Ford Foundation. “This strategy reflects the ambition, dedication, and experience of the leadership team and is exactly what this moment requires.”

Operationally, the foundation will respond by delivering larger, multiyear general operating support; executing well-integrated and adaptive strategies for impact; and driving continuous innovation and investment across the philanthropic sector through its newly created Office of Innovation.

The Ford Foundation’s Seven Funding Areas

The seven new funding areas address what the foundation describes as the necessary preconditions for democracy in a period marked by growing autocracy, intensifying inequality, and the overall erosion of public trust.

Protecting Democratic Governance and the Rule of Law: The Ford Foundation will work to ensure democracy lives up to its promise and that people and communities are able to shape the policies that affect their lives. This depends on the rule of law, vibrant democratic representation, civil rights and civil liberties, and effective governance to bring people back into the political process, restore trust in government, and rebuild governing institutions that have been dismantled or degraded.

Building Just and Inclusive Economies: Severe economic inequality is both a product of democratic decline and a force that accelerates it. The Ford Foundation will prioritize approaches that create fairer economic rules, advance opportunities for people with disabilities, and help workers and marginalized communities adapt to fast-changing realities, while addressing the concentration of economic power that leaves too many behind.

Defending Information as a Public Good: A healthy democracy requires an informed citizenry, and the erosion of shared, trustworthy information has undermined public faith in government itself. The Ford Foundation will defend an information and media environment to strengthen rather than undermine democracy. The strategy will work to change how digital technologies are designed, deployed, and governed so they serve the public good.

Securing Safety, Justice, and Fairness: There is strong public support for a pragmatic approach to safety and justice that moves beyond the false binary of tough-on-crime versus soft. The Ford Foundation will advance solutions that keep communities safe, reduce criminalization and incarceration, and ensure people receive the support and justice they need and deserve.

Accelerating Gender Equality: Democratic backsliding has gone hand in hand with attacks on gender equality worldwide, depriving many of the basic dignity and essential freedom to build stable, meaningful lives. The Ford Foundation will protect the rights and autonomy of women and LGBTQ+ people, including expanding to support the full spectrum of reproductive health care while shifting social norms and closing gaps in the law that allow gender-based violence to persist globally.

Fostering Global Cooperation: The multilateral institutions built for the previous world order have lost power and legitimacy at a time when cross-border challenges like climate change, artificial intelligence, and sovereign debt demand global cooperation. The Ford Foundation will work to rebuild effective multilateralism and support regional coalitions and plurilateral partnerships that ensure the Global South has a seat at the table.

Advancing Racial Justice: Building on the Ford Foundation’s legacy in the fights for civil rights and against apartheid, the foundation will continue that tradition by establishing a racial justice fund. Ford will deploy dedicated staff to support the field and integrate this work across the foundation’s entire portfolio. To counter a growing crisis of historic erasure and retreat from honest reckoning, this institution-wide commitment will operate across all of the Ford Foundation’s grantmaking.

“Our commitment to social justice and to communities that have been pushed to the margins, denied equal justice or economic opportunity, will remain a throughline across all of our areas of work,” said Gerken. “Those commitments are essential to building healthy, vibrant democracies and societies.”

Changing How Ford Funds: Advancing Grantmaking Excellence

Alongside the shift to the foundation’s areas of work, the Ford Foundation is evolving its approach to grantmaking to meet its renewed mission while helping philanthropy respond more effectively to an evolving nonprofit sector.

“The Ford Foundation is committed to driving impact across the philanthropic sector,” said Nicholas Turner, executive vice president, programs of the Ford Foundation. “Today, that requires continuing to trust our grantees and adapting how we work so we can move quickly and better support the grantees and communities we serve.”

The Ford Foundation is also transforming how it works. Under its new strategy, Ford will commit to flexible funding and more closely integrated, flexible teams to ensure its grantmakers can pivot quickly and respond to real-time changes. The foundation will expand its general operating support, increase multiyear funding, make larger grants, and continue to strengthen the institutional capacity of its grantees and the sector at large. This approach builds on decades of research and learning showing that grantees with flexible, long-term funding were far better equipped to respond to unexpected challenges.

“Throughout the strategy review process, it became abundantly clear that this unpredictable and volatile period requires much from philanthropy,” said Turner. “We will work strategically, ambitiously, and nimbly, so we can make a meaningful difference for people of color, people with disabilities, and for those who have been sidelined from our democratic and economic systems.”

In addition, Ford will invest directly in strengthening the nonprofit sector itself, funding and building in areas ripe for collective action, including shared infrastructure, strategic consolidation and partnership, workforce support, and ethical technology tools.

The foundation will continue to adopt innovative mechanisms to drive financial resources to the sector, including impact investing, engagement with private markets, and unlocking new capital-allocation mechanisms for its grantmakers.

Starting January 2027, program staff across the foundation will shift to three functional units focused on strategy design, transitional grantmaking, and responsible sunsetting of areas of work.

This restructure aims to support Ford’s mission and grantees at this crucial moment. It will allow program staff to develop full strategies quickly while ensuring ongoing grantmaking continues.

Details of the Ford Foundation’s new strategic vision are fully outlined in the public report, “How We Meet This Moment,” available to read at fordfoundation.org.

About the Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation is an independent global organization that protects and strengthens the democratic values, fundamental freedoms, and inclusive economies that empower people to shape their own futures. For 90 years, it has promoted human dignity, human rights, and human achievement by supporting leaders, ideas, and organizations on the frontlines of social change. Today, with an endowment of $18 billion, the foundation has headquarters in New York and 10 regional offices across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Learn more at http://www.fordfoundation.org.

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Seatrium and Karpowership Sign Contract for a Series of Whale Class Powership Conversion and Integration Projects

SINGAPORE, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Seatrium Limited and its strategic partner, floating power leader Karpowership, have strengthened their longstanding collaboration with the award of a contract for the development, major conversion and integration of Karpowership’s third-generation hydrogen-ready Whale Class Powerships, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to delivering reliable, flexible and sustainable energy solutions to meet growing global electricity demand.

Under the contract, Seatrium will undertake the major conversion work and integration of five Whale Class Powerships. Seatrium’s scope of work encompasses equipment integration, mechanical completion and pre-commissioning works. Engineering activities are currently underway – both parties are working closely to advance the project’s execution phase progressively, with the first vessel in the series targeted for arrival in Seatrium Tuas Boulevard Yard in December 2027.

Powerships are floating power plants equipped with hydrogen-ready multi-fuel generation systems and integrated onboard substations that connect directly to national electricity grids. Leveraging Karpowership’s plug-and-play design, they can begin generating electricity in as little as 30 days. The next-generation Whale Class offers Karpowership’s highest capacity, engineered to deploy up to 600 MW of immediate, grid-ready power using an ultra-efficient footprint optimised for seamless, continuous fuel supply.

By combining advanced power generation technologies with maritime engineering excellence, these vessels will enhance energy security while providing the flexibility to support diverse market requirements.

Mr Alvin Gan, Executive Vice President, Repairs and Upgrades, Seatrium, said, “This significant milestone marks Seatrium’s first major conversion work and integration of Karpowership’s Whale Class Powerships. We are proud to support Karpowership’s drive to pioneer innovative floating power solutions and the next phase of its fleet development, bringing our capabilities in complex vessel integration and offshore engineering to the project. We thank Karpowership for the continued trust and look forward to advancing cutting-edge floating solutions that bolster energy resilience worldwide.”

Building on a strategic relationship established in 2018, Seatrium and Karpowership share an ambition to deepen their partnership and shape the next generation of energy infrastructure, strengthening energy resilience in Singapore and worldwide.

Mr Gokhan Kocak, Chief Technical Operations Officer, Karpowership, said, “Karpowership has transformed global power generation with its innovative Powership model, delivering fast-track and dependable electricity solutions to millions worldwide. The next-generation Whale Class Powerships demonstrate our continued commitment to innovation, operational excellence and energy security. We are pleased to build on our strong partnership with Seatrium, whose proven expertise in complex vessel integration make them an ideal partner.”

The contract marks the next step following an earlier Letter of Intent (LOI) signed in August 2025, solidifying the long-term partnership between the two companies. The LOI had provided for three FSRU conversions and the potential integration of up to six new-generation Powerships. Since 2018, Seatrium has successfully delivered seven FSRU conversion projects to Karpowership, with the eighth and ninth FSRU conversion projects secured this year.

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Quantinuum to Report Third Quarter Financial Results on November 5, 2026

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quantinuum Inc. (NASDAQ: QNT) (“Quantinuum”) today announced it will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, on November 5, 2026, after market close.

Quantinuum will host a conference call at 5:00 PM Eastern time that same day to discuss its financial results. The call will be available through a live webcast available here.

An archive replay of the webcast will be made available on the Quantinuum Investor Relations website following the call and will remain available for one year.

About Quantinuum

Quantinuum is a leading quantum computing company offering a full-stack platform designed to make quantum computing deployable in real-world environments. The company has commercially deployed multiple generations of quantum systems built on the well-established QCCD architecture, which it has implemented with novel designs and capabilities to achieve the industry’s highest accuracy levels based on average two-qubit gate fidelity as of December 31, 2025. Quantinuum has active engagements with market leaders across pharmaceuticals, material science, financial services, and government and industrial markets. Quantinuum’s headquarters is in Broomfield, Colorado, with additional facilities across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Qatar and Singapore.

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Frost & Sullivan: Total Airport Management Market to More than Double to $10.36 Billion by 2034 as Airports Integrate Operations Data

With passenger traffic heading toward twice today’s levels and little room for new runways, airports are connecting people, processes and technology into a single operating picture.

CUPERTINO, Calif., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Airports face a capacity challenge that new construction alone cannot solve, with global passenger traffic expected to nearly double by 2045 while opportunities to add runways and terminals remain limited. Total airport management (TAM), the practice of linking airside, landside, passenger and resource data into one coordinated operation, is moving from a conceptual framework to an operational priority for airports of every size and maturity.

Frost & Sullivan’s latest study, Total Airport Management (TAM) Market, Global, 2025–2034, values the global market at $4.80 billion in 2025. The market is expected to reach $10.36 billion by 2034, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. Software accounts for the largest share of spending, ahead of hardware and services, as airports invest in the data and decision layers that allow systems from different vendors and stakeholders to work together.

Digital Twins Lead a Shift from Monitoring to Orchestration

Airport simulation and digital twin platforms form the fastest-growing component of the market, expanding at a CAGR of 13.9%. Operators use these virtual replicas to test scenarios, train staff and validate safety, capacity and sustainability initiatives before committing capital. Artificial intelligence (AI) is pushing the wider TAM stack in the same direction, beyond the dashboards of the last decade toward agents that anticipate disruptions and coordinate responses across airlines, ground handlers and air navigation service providers. Capacity management and planning also grows ahead of the overall market, since tools that model what-if scenarios can release effective capacity without the cost of physical expansion.

Born-digital Hubs and Legacy Upgrades Move at Different Speeds

Implementation follows two distinct paths that depend on the age and maturity of each airport. New airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are adopting full-suite TAM as part of their original design, which is why these regions record the fastest growth and attract most new high-value contract awards. Mature airports tend to modernize piece by piece, integrating new components with existing systems to avoid disruptive replacement programs. The Americas illustrate this pragmatic approach, generating more than a third of global revenue through modular, FAA-aligned upgrades such as surface collaborative decision-making, while Europe remains the benchmark for standardized, regulation-driven deployment.

Cybersecurity and Governance Set the Pace of Adoption

The study finds that the main restraints affect the timing and sequencing of investment while leaving its overall direction intact. Every new sensor and data exchange widens the attack surface, the absence of a globally agreed TAM architecture raises integration costs, and airlines remain cautious about sharing proprietary turnaround data without a clear commercial benefit. Airports that resolve governance, privacy and cybersecurity questions early are best placed to capture the gains in on-time performance, passenger experience and operating cost that successful implementations deliver.

“A complete understanding of the entire airport enterprise, whether legacy upgrade or born digital, is crucial to the successful implementation of total airport management,” said Jason Buster, Industry Principal, Aerospace and Defense at Frost & Sullivan.

“Airports should look beyond the Internet of Things toward the integration of things, meaning people, process and technology working together,” adds Buster. “Those that prepare that foundation now, and decide why they need each capability before choosing what to buy, will be the ones that remain competitive in 2035.”

For more insights into the total airport management market and Frost & Sullivan’s analysis, click here.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Pipeline Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. Through Growth Pipeline as a Service, the company provides transformational strategies and best-practice models to identify, prioritize and realize growth opportunities.

Schedule Your Growth Pipeline Dialog™ with Frost & Sullivan

Editor’s Note

To arrange an interview or for any questions, please contact:

Faustino Mercadal

Marketing & Communications

Americas, Frost & Sullivan

faustino.mercadal@frost.com

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Designed for Global Expectations: The First LEPAS Global Concept Car, AURA, Makes Its World Premiere

WUHU, China, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On October 22, the World Premiere of the LEPAS Concept Car took place at Global Elegance Night in Luolan Town, Wuhu, during the inaugural LEPAS Global Elegant Lifestyle Week. Unveiled as the brand’s first global concept car, AURA brings Next-Generation Evolution and Leopard Aesthetics to life through Future-Inspired Design. Drawing on LEPAS’s “Natural Energy” philosophy, the LEPAS All-New Concept Car combines leopard-inspired proportions, flowing surfaces and expressive lighting with a new family design identity and opportunities for personalization, previewing LEPAS’s vision for the Future of Elegant Mobility.

“For LEPAS, elegance is a way of life, and a promise we keep through our products,” said Zhai Xiaobing, CEO of LEPAS. “We bring elegance into everyday life through design, technology and experience.” AURA expresses this vision through a new design language.

Ivan Dulanović, Global Chief Designer of LEPAS, explained AURA builds on the brand’s core “Natural Energy” design philosophy. Inspired by the leopard, AURA embodies elegance, confidence and mystery. Balanced proportions and flowing surfaces convey composure, while taut shoulder lines and Leopard headlamps, inspired by the eyes of the leopard, evoke the leopard’s strength. With a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a wide stance, AURA establishes a distinctive family identity through its new front fascia, signature Leopard headlamps and porcelain finish. Side air vents balance form and aerodynamics, while front and rear light screens enable personalized lighting and animation.

Three new exterior colors were also unveiled: Dawn Pearl, Bacalar Blue and Provence Twilight. Inspired by dawn in Tahiti, midday at Bacalar Lagoon and sunset in Provence, the colors capture three moments of natural light, expressing elegance that is warm, fresh and mysterious.

For the unveiling, LEPAS collaborated with Global Elegant Lifestyle Partners Vassilis Zoulias, a Greek fashion designer, and Pericles Kondylatos, a jewelry designer. Fashion, jewelry and AURA shared the stage, reflecting its elegant character.

“The concept is not the end — it is the inspiration for the future of LEPAS design,” said Ivan Dulanović. AURA’s front fascia, lighting, porcelain finish and color explorations will continue to inspire future LEPAS designs. Through evolving design and product experiences, LEPAS will respond to user expectations and bring “Drive Your Elegance” into everyday life.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/designed-for-global-expectations-the-first-lepas-global-concept-car-aura-makes-its-world-premiere-302917217.html

Ford Foundation Charts New Course to Support Preconditions for Thriving Democracies

New strategy will refocus the foundation’s mission to protect and strengthen democratic values, fundamental freedoms, and inclusive economies worldwide

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Ford Foundation today unveiled its new strategic direction to support the preconditions necessary for democracies to thrive. The foundation will refocus its institutional mission to protect and strengthen democratic values, fundamental freedoms, and inclusive economies worldwide, so people are empowered to shape their futures.

Developed in response to the unprecedented geopolitical, economic, and societal factors of this moment, this new strategy is anchored in protecting and strengthening the core principles that sustain democracy and the rule of law. It comes one year after Heather Gerken was appointed the foundation’s 11th president. The strategy features seven interconnected funding areas: Protecting Democratic Governance and the Rule of Law; Building Just and Inclusive Economies; Defending Information as a Public Good; Securing Safety, Justice, and Fairness; Accelerating Gender Equality; Fostering Global Cooperation; and Advancing Racial Justice.

The foundation’s deep, decades-long commitment and ongoing support for social justice and marginalized communities will be embedded across all seven new funding areas—bringing this work to scale across all of our grantmaking.

The strategies for each area will be launched and implemented on a rolling basis over the course of 2027. This will be the first strategic refresh of the foundation’s areas of work in over a decade.

The public report, “How We Meet This Moment,“ outlines the strategy and its development and reflects on Ford’s history in critical moments alongside its current work. Senior leaders at the foundation conducted the review, in partnership with staff and experts across the sector, to set the course for the foundation’s next chapter.

The strategy reflects a renewed commitment to the foundation’s roots, exemplified by the Gaither Report, commissioned by the foundation’s Board of Trustees in 1950, another turbulent period in world history. At that time, the Ford Foundation’s trustees charged the foundation with “the advancement of the ideals and principles of democracy.”

“The Ford Foundation’s new vision is an evolution, not a revolution, of our work, and a reflection of this era’s rapidly changing global landscape,” said Heather Gerken, president of the Ford Foundation and a nationally recognized expert in democracy and constitutional law. “Conditions have changed since our last strategy review, and we are marshaling all of our resources to respond to these new challenges while staying true to our legacy as a social justice foundation.”

“We believe this new strategy reflects the fundamental convictions that have guided Ford for generations,” said Ursula Burns, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Ford Foundation. “This strategy reflects the ambition, dedication, and experience of the leadership team and is exactly what this moment requires.”

Operationally, the foundation will respond by delivering larger, multiyear general operating support; executing well-integrated and adaptive strategies for impact; and driving continuous innovation and investment across the philanthropic sector through its newly created Office of Innovation.

The Ford Foundation’s Seven Funding Areas

The seven new funding areas address what the foundation describes as the necessary preconditions for democracy in a period marked by growing autocracy, intensifying inequality, and the overall erosion of public trust.

Protecting Democratic Governance and the Rule of Law: The Ford Foundation will work to ensure democracy lives up to its promise and that people and communities are able to shape the policies that affect their lives. This depends on the rule of law, vibrant democratic representation, civil rights and civil liberties, and effective governance to bring people back into the political process, restore trust in government, and rebuild governing institutions that have been dismantled or degraded.

Building Just and Inclusive Economies: Severe economic inequality is both a product of democratic decline and a force that accelerates it. The Ford Foundation will prioritize approaches that create fairer economic rules, advance opportunities for people with disabilities, and help workers and marginalized communities adapt to fast-changing realities, while addressing the concentration of economic power that leaves too many behind.

Defending Information as a Public Good: A healthy democracy requires an informed citizenry, and the erosion of shared, trustworthy information has undermined public faith in government itself. The Ford Foundation will defend an information and media environment to strengthen rather than undermine democracy. The strategy will work to change how digital technologies are designed, deployed, and governed so they serve the public good.

Securing Safety, Justice, and Fairness: There is strong public support for a pragmatic approach to safety and justice that moves beyond the false binary of tough-on-crime versus soft. The Ford Foundation will advance solutions that keep communities safe, reduce criminalization and incarceration, and ensure people receive the support and justice they need and deserve.

Accelerating Gender Equality: Democratic backsliding has gone hand in hand with attacks on gender equality worldwide, depriving many of the basic dignity and essential freedom to build stable, meaningful lives. The Ford Foundation will protect the rights and autonomy of women and LGBTQ+ people, including expanding to support the full spectrum of reproductive health care while shifting social norms and closing gaps in the law that allow gender-based violence to persist globally.

Fostering Global Cooperation: The multilateral institutions built for the previous world order have lost power and legitimacy at a time when cross-border challenges like climate change, artificial intelligence, and sovereign debt demand global cooperation. The Ford Foundation will work to rebuild effective multilateralism and support regional coalitions and plurilateral partnerships that ensure the Global South has a seat at the table.

Advancing Racial Justice: Building on the Ford Foundation’s legacy in the fights for civil rights and against apartheid, the foundation will continue that tradition by establishing a racial justice fund. Ford will deploy dedicated staff to support the field and integrate this work across the foundation’s entire portfolio. To counter a growing crisis of historic erasure and retreat from honest reckoning, this institution-wide commitment will operate across all of the Ford Foundation’s grantmaking.

“Our commitment to social justice and to communities that have been pushed to the margins, denied equal justice or economic opportunity, will remain a throughline across all of our areas of work,” said Gerken. “Those commitments are essential to building healthy, vibrant democracies and societies.”

Changing How Ford Funds: Advancing Grantmaking Excellence

Alongside the shift to the foundation’s areas of work, the Ford Foundation is evolving its approach to grantmaking to meet its renewed mission while helping philanthropy respond more effectively to an evolving nonprofit sector.

“The Ford Foundation is committed to driving impact across the philanthropic sector,” said Nicholas Turner, executive vice president, programs of the Ford Foundation. “Today, that requires continuing to trust our grantees and adapting how we work so we can move quickly and better support the grantees and communities we serve.”

The Ford Foundation is also transforming how it works. Under its new strategy, Ford will commit to flexible funding and more closely integrated, flexible teams to ensure its grantmakers can pivot quickly and respond to real-time changes. The foundation will expand its general operating support, increase multiyear funding, make larger grants, and continue to strengthen the institutional capacity of its grantees and the sector at large. This approach builds on decades of research and learning showing that grantees with flexible, long-term funding were far better equipped to respond to unexpected challenges.

“Throughout the strategy review process, it became abundantly clear that this unpredictable and volatile period requires much from philanthropy,” said Turner. “We will work strategically, ambitiously, and nimbly, so we can make a meaningful difference for people of color, people with disabilities, and for those who have been sidelined from our democratic and economic systems.”

In addition, Ford will invest directly in strengthening the nonprofit sector itself, funding and building in areas ripe for collective action, including shared infrastructure, strategic consolidation and partnership, workforce support, and ethical technology tools.

The foundation will continue to adopt innovative mechanisms to drive financial resources to the sector, including impact investing, engagement with private markets, and unlocking new capital-allocation mechanisms for its grantmakers.

Starting January 2027, program staff across the foundation will shift to three functional units focused on strategy design, transitional grantmaking, and responsible sunsetting of areas of work.

This restructure aims to support Ford’s mission and grantees at this crucial moment. It will allow program staff to develop full strategies quickly while ensuring ongoing grantmaking continues.

Details of the Ford Foundation’s new strategic vision are fully outlined in the public report, “How We Meet This Moment,” available to read at fordfoundation.org.

About the Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation is an independent global organization that protects and strengthens the democratic values, fundamental freedoms, and inclusive economies that empower people to shape their own futures. For 90 years, it has promoted human dignity, human rights, and human achievement by supporting leaders, ideas, and organizations on the frontlines of social change. Today, with an endowment of $18 billion, the foundation has headquarters in New York and 10 regional offices across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Learn more at http://www.fordfoundation.org.

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TraceLink Unveils Chorus to Integrate-Once™ Across Enterprise and Internet Data Sources with MCP or API Access

Chorus extends the OPUS Agentic Supply Chain Operating System with governed, real-time access to enterprise and internet data, enabling humans and OPUS Agents to work with information and take approved actions while records remain in their authoritative source systems

BOSTON, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TraceLink, the world’s largest Agentic Business Network, today announced Chorus, a new capability of the OPUS Agentic Supply Chain Operating System (ASCOS). Chorus extends TraceLink’s Integrate-Once™ approach beyond traditional business transaction exchange, enabling human teams and governed OPUS Agents to access information and perform approved work across enterprise applications, partner systems, and internet data sources through a single agentic operating environment.

Large enterprises operate in increasingly complex technology environments. According to Boston Consulting Group, organizations used an average of more than 1,000 applications throughout the enterprise in 2024, yet only 29% were integrated for data exchange. This fragmentation increases integration costs, slows decision-making, and makes it difficult to coordinate business processes spanning internal systems and external partners.

“Chorus integrates all sources of information into the semantic ontology of the Agentic Supply Chain Operating System, enabling end-to-end intelligence,” said Shabbir Dahod, President and CEO of TraceLink. “OPUS is the only platform that provides a complete environment for humans and agents to collaboratively perform work with comprehensive end-to-end intelligence across all systems of record and supply chain partners.”

Extending Integrate-Once™ Across Enterprise Environments and Data Sources

TraceLink’s Integrate-Once™ approach enables companies to link once to the TraceLink Network and exchange information spanning systems, transactions, communication channels, and trading partners without rebuilding point-to-point integrations for every partner or process.

Chorus extends this approach by representing external enterprise and internet records as governed Business Objects within ASCOS. With Bridge as its supporting execution layer, Chorus accesses data through application programming interfaces (APIs) and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. A canonical, metadata-driven model preserves relationships among these Business Objects, providing consistent operational context without requiring underlying records to be moved from their authoritative source systems.

This approach expands the value of existing enterprise technology investments by making information from otherwise separate systems available to Agentic Business Processes, without requiring organizations to replace those applications or create new point-to-point integrations for each process.

Operational Context for Agentic Business Processes

Once available within ASCOS, external Business Objects can be used by OPUS Agents, OPUS Actions, OPUS Reports and Dashboards, and humans. The OPUS Metadata Model and OPUS Meta-Reasoning capabilities provide shared operational context, enabling these components to interpret relationships among orders, inventory, forecasts, invoices, and compliance records from otherwise separate systems.

Through Bridge, Chorus supports approved query, read, modify, and create operations in external systems using APIs and MCP servers. These operations are governed by defined roles, permissions, and approval requirements, with traceability to support accountability and auditability. This enables OPUS Agents to go beyond retrieving and interpreting information to initiating approved actions within the systems of record.

For example, an OPUS Agent supporting inventory reconciliation can retrieve inventory information from multiple enterprise ERP systems, including SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and NetSuite, compare it with partner-reported inventory from a third-party logistics provider (3PL) or contract manufacturing organization (CMO), identify discrepancies, and initiate approved corrective actions through Bridge within a governed Agentic Business Process. This can accelerate discrepancy identification and resolution while reducing the manual effort required to assemble information from multiple systems.

TraceLink previewed Chorus at FutureLink Barcelona, where attendees explored how the new capability expands the reach of ASCOS and supports more intelligent, coordinated supply chain operations.

About TraceLink

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

Learn more at www.tracelink.com.

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Georgiamune and Menarini Group Enter Exclusive Global License and Collaboration Agreement for GIM-621, a First-in-Class Oral Immuno-Oncology Agent

• GIM-621 is a preclinical-stage, first-in-class oral small molecule immunotherapy with potential application across multiple solid tumors.
• Georgiamune to receive $45 million in upfront and near-term payments, as part of a total deal value of up to $1.1 billion, plus royalties.

FLORENCE, Italy and GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Menarini Group (“Menarini”), a leading international pharmaceutical and diagnostics company, and Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (“Stemline”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Menarini Group focused on bringing transformational oncology treatments to cancer patients, along with Georgiamune Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing first-in-class therapies that reprogram immune signaling pathways to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases, today announced an exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement for GIM-621.

GIM-621 is a preclinical-stage first-in-class oral small molecule immunotherapy with potential application across multiple solid tumors. It is one of multiple therapeutic candidates generated from Georgiamune’s research into novel mechanisms governing immune activation, suppression and homeostasis.

Under the terms of the license and collaboration agreement, Stemline receives an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize GIM-621. Georgiamune will receive $45 million in upfront and near-term payments. Georgiamune is also eligible for preclinical, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, for a total potential deal value of up to $1.1 billion, plus royalties.

“At Georgiamune, we are focused on uncovering novel mechanisms that control immune-cell function and translating that biology into first-in-class medicines across autoimmune disease and oncology,” said Samir N. Khleif, M.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Georgiamune. “GIM-621 is one of multiple programs to emerge from that work, alongside three programs already in clinical development across autoimmune disease and oncology. This agreement brings Menarini’s global oncology development and commercial capabilities to GIM-621 while allowing Georgiamune to continue advancing a broad pipeline built on distinct immune mechanisms.”

 “We are delighted to partner with Georgiamune, a company with deep expertise in immuno-oncology which has led to the discovery of GIM-621, a first-in-class oral immunotherapy with promise across multiple solid tumors,” said Elcin Barker Ergun, CEO of the Menarini Group. “This program is a strong complement to our solid tumor portfolio, and our established oncology development and commercial capabilities position us well to accelerate its progress. We look forward to working closely with the Georgiamune team to unlock the full potential of this innovative approach to benefit patients with cancer.”

About Georgiamune

Georgiamune is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing first-in-class therapies designed to reprogram immune signaling pathways to treat cancer and autoimmune disease. The company’s research focuses on novel mechanisms that govern T-cell activation, regulatory T-cell function and immune homeostasis. Georgiamune has three clinical-stage programs: GIM-407, an oral Treg activator in autoimmune disease; GIM-122, a dual-functioning antibody in oncology; and GIM-531, an oral Treg inhibitor in oncology. Georgiamune is also advancing a broader pipeline of preclinical candidates across oncology and autoimmune disease, including GIM-621. The company was founded by Dr. Samir N. Khleif based on discoveries from his laboratory into mechanisms that control immune responses. For more information, visit www.georgiamune.com.

About The Menarini Group

The Menarini Group is a leading international pharmaceutical and diagnostics company, with a turnover of $5.5 billion and over 17,000 employees. Menarini is focused on therapeutic areas with high unmet needs with products for cardiology, oncology, pneumology, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, diabetology, inflammation, and analgesia. With 18 production sites and 9 Research and Development centers, Menarini’s products are available in 140 countries worldwide. For further information, please visit www.menarini.com.

About Stemline Therapeutics Inc.

Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (“Stemline”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Menarini Group, is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing transformational oncology treatments to patients. Stemline commercializes elacestrant, an oral endocrine therapy indicated for the treatment of postmenopausal women or adult men with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following at least one line of endocrine therapy, in the U.S., Europe, and other global regions. Stemline also commercializes tagraxofusp-erzs, a novel targeted therapy directed to CD123, for patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), an aggressive hematologic cancer, in the United States, Europe, and other global regions. In addition, Stemline commercializes selinexor, an XPO1 inhibitor for multiple myeloma, in Europe. The company is also conducting multiple label-expansion studies with elacestrant and tagraxofusp in breast and hematologic cancer indications, respectively, and has an extensive clinical pipeline of additional drug candidates in various stages of development for a host of solid and hematologic cancers.

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SUNMI Launches Windows Commercial Product Family, Expanding Computing Choices for Intelligent Commerce

SINGAPORE, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SUNMI Technology (06810.HK) today unveiled its new SUNMI Windows commercial product family at SUNMI Developer Conference 2026 (SDC 2026). The lineup comprises FLEX 3 WIN in 18.5-inch, 21.5-inch and 27-inch models, alongside T3 PRO WIN and T3 PRO MAX WIN.

Marking SUNMI’s first expansion into the x86/Windows commercial terminal market since 2013, the launch extends its product portfolio beyond Android-based BIoT devices while maintaining a shared ecosystem of peripherals, device management and AI capabilities.

Many retailers and chain brands continue to rely on Windows-based core business systems, including ERP, inventory management and POS software. SUNMI’s approach is straightforward: technology should adapt to business, not the other way around. The new lineup enables businesses to upgrade their hardware and adopt on-device AI without replacing proven software systems or disrupting established workflows.

“Many retailers continue to run their core business operations on Windows. SUNMI’s Windows commercial product family gives them access to on-device AI and unified device management without rebuilding their existing systems,” said Frank Yuan, Co-President of SUNMI.

“AI delivers value when it works in real-world environments. By combining Intel’s edge AI technology with SUNMI’s expertise in physical commerce, we are building scalable solutions to help retailers develop their AI capabilities,” said Mariya Zorotovich, General Manager of Consumer Industry, Client Computing and Physical AI at Intel.

On-Device AI, Built for Commercial Operations

Powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, the lineup delivers up to 21 TOPS of on-device AI computing performance. It supports local AI inference for applications such as AI-assisted selling and intelligent checkout, reducing reliance on cloud processing. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC provides a platform designed for long-term stability and enterprise maintenance. FLEX 3 WIN models have been independently certified under the Intel® Premium POS Certification Program.

One Ecosystem Across Windows and Android

Windows models share a consistent design language and peripheral compatibility with corresponding Android devices. Through SUNMI DMP, businesses can manage Windows and Android devices within one platform for remote monitoring, bulk configuration, over-the-air updates and troubleshooting. The solutions have been adapted and validated with software partners across specialty retail, supermarkets and apparel chains.

SUNMI opened global orders on October 22, with deliveries beginning in Europe in November and expanding to other international markets. The company also released a joint white paper with Intel on AI transformation in retail.

About SUNMI

SUNMI Technology (06810.HK) is a global leading provider of Physical AI infrastructure for commerce. Combining commercial IoT devices, AI OS and cloud platforms, SUNMI delivers cloud-edge collaborative AI solutions to developers and merchants in more than 200 countries and regions.

Website: www.sunmi.com

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