Archives January 2026

Mumbai, Jan 06: Toscano is known for serving authentic Italian cuisine, delivering a sophisticated fine-dining experience that extends well beyond its much-loved pizzas.

The much-loved Italian restaurant chain continues its expansion in Mumbai with the launch of its third outlet at Nariman Point. After winning diners over with their Tuscan-inspired flavours in Andheri and Navi Mumbai, Toscano is now arriving at one of South Mumbai’s most iconic addresses. It brings the same familiar warmth of rich, handmade creamy pastas, crisp salads, classic grills, fresh sourdough pizzas and more.

Toscano is the shared vision of Chef Jean Michel and Chef Goutham to make the true taste of Italy available across India. Chef Michel brings European techniques as Chef Goutham infuses them creatively to local sensibilities. Together, they craft traditional Italian recipes made using premium ingredients that deliver the authenticity of a faraway pizza land. Over the years, the brand has built a strong presence covering major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, and now expanding with its 3rd outlet within Mumbai.

Favourites on their menu feature artisanal Sourdough pizzas, Insalata di formaggio di capra e pere (Goat Cheese & Roasted Pear Salad), Salmone Grigliato (Grilled Norwegian Salmon), Chicken di Toscano (Spinach & Ricotta Filled Chicken Breast, an Italian comfort food) and Spaghetti Aglio Olio. For a round of desserts, you can order from the classic Tiramisu or the indulgent Kahlua Mousse which is a crowd favourite.There are refreshing mocktails like Toscano Sling, Ginger Berry Fizz, Lychee Lemonade and more that complement your main course The entire menu celebrates Tuscan traditions while appealing to modern tastes.

The interiors echo familiarity with earthy tones, warm lighting on the deep green and maroon accents. The spacious seating arrangements bring a little feel of enjoying pizzas and pastas in cozy European diners. With the new outlet, get ready to pair Toscano’s well-loved Italian flavours with one of Mumbai’s most iconic locations. Come in for a romantic date night, an after-work pizza outing or a family dine-out to relish the best creamy pastas.

Schbang gracefully steps into 2026 with an original music video that’s bold, energetic, and unapologetically creative. It’s a tribute to the partners who’ve trusted the agency to show up in every way that matters: as mainline partners, media partners, performance partners, AI partners, and everything in between. The film captures how an ecosystem comes alive when built with intention, and what happens when trust and creativity collide. This is what we’ve built together.

Many Roles, Many Colours—One Intent

The music video is a joyful reflection of Schbang‘s journey with 150+ brands across so many touchpoints.  From high-impact campaigns to driving 10x engagement on major launch days, each project has been an opportunity to learn and grow together.

The film showcases the work the agency is proud of: hyper-realistic CGI films, the development of Schbang AI, a “second brain” that helps the team work smarter, and 360-degree brand journeys across categories. Every frame is a thank you to the partners who trusted Schbang with their stories.

“We’re incredibly grateful to have been trusted by our partners across so many facets of their business,” said Harshil Karia, Founder, Schbang. “This film isn’t a showreel, it is a heartfelt reflection of how we’ve grown together. There was far more to say than words could capture, so we chose to celebrate it in a way that felt true to who we are: with energy, creativity, and genuine appreciation for everyone who’s been part of this journey.

A Culture Built on Care

Over ten years, Schbang has grown into a 1,200-strong family across its verticals – Schbang Tech, Schbang Media, Fluence, and Schbang Motion Pictures. The work has earned over 50 awards, but the film serves as a reminder: “that’s not the real win. It’s the culture we build. The people within.”

With initiatives like “Schbang Unwind” and spaces where people can truly grow, learn, and belong, the agency has tried to give its team everything. The ecosystem exists to support brands end to end, from awareness to conversion, from films to on-ground experiences – all built with care and partnership at the core.

Building with Purpose, Together

Over the past decade, Schbang has steadily expanded its specialized verticals—Schbang Tech, Schbang Media, Fluence, and Schbang Motion Pictures, while developing proprietary tools, apps, websites, and an internal AI suite. All of this has been built with one clear intent: to be a better, more integrated partner for the brands who have placed their trust in the agency.

One ecosystem. One name. Six verticals electrified under one roof—Solutions, Tech, Media, Fluence, SMP, and AI. They work in sync to support brands end to end, from awareness to conversion, from films to on-ground experiences. Built piece by piece, partnership by partnership, to create impact that’s anything but quiet.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

While the music video celebrates a decade of learning and growth, it also sets the tone for what’s ahead. As Schbang steps into 2026, the agency remains deeply committed to creating work that is impactful, integrated, and truly “schbanging.” Work that honors the trust and collaboration that has brought it this far.

The film is both a celebration and a thank you: to every brand, client, and partner who has been part of building this ecosystem. It’s a reminder that the best work happens when we build together, with purpose and genuine partnership at the core.

“JNP is one of the most critical gateways for India’s EXIM trade, and our capacity expansion here is both strategic and timely. By enhancing our yard space and warehousing infrastructure, we are strengthening our ability to handle increased cargo flows with precision and efficiency. With a digital-first operational approach and a robust facility network, Allcargo Terminals is well-positioned to support the evolving needs of customers and contribute meaningfully to the region’s logistic ecosystem”

“The capacity expansion addresses growing customer requirements and feedback. With increased yard and warehouse capacity, backed by Allcargo Terminals’ myCFS platform and yard management solutions, we are better positioned to handle higher volumes with improved planning, visibility, and execution.“

Luxury family travel is no longer about ticking destinations off a list, it’s about journeys that feel intentional, immersive and emotionally rewarding. At Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, families are invited to travel differently, guided by personal passions, meaningful connections and experiences that justify the time, effort and investment of a long-haul escape. Across Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, the Indian Ocean becomes a canvas for multi-generational storytelling where children learn by doing, parents rediscover adventure, and grandparents slow down to moments that matter.

Ocean-Led Learning with Real-World Impact

Few destinations offer families the chance to engage so deeply with the natural world. Surrounded by one of the planet’s most biodiverse marine environments home to over 1,100 fish species, 250 coral varieties and thriving manta ray populations Four Seasons Resorts Maldives transforms curiosity into contribution. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the Junior Marine Savers programme (ages 8–12) introduces young explorers to the fundamentals of marine science through coral-frame building, reef monitoring, turtle rehabilitation visits and dolphin-spotting expeditions. Learning unfolds organically, blending play with purpose and planting early seeds of environmental responsibility. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, older teens step into more advanced roles through the Trainee Marine Biologist programme (ages 13–18). Working alongside resident experts from the resort’s Marine Discovery Centre, participants contribute to ongoing research including manta ray photo identification, coral reef regeneration and biodiversity surveys. It’s an immersive experience that resonates with families seeking travel that educates, empowers and leaves a legacy.

Underwater Journeys for Every Age

With PADI Five-Star Dive Centres at both resorts, underwater exploration becomes a shared family pursuit rather than an individual activity. Thanks to a special dispensation from PADI, children as young as eight can begin their journey directly in the lagoon through Bubblemaker sessions, avoiding confined pool settings and building confidence in calm, natural surroundings. For teens and adults, the resorts’ streamlined certification process enhanced by pre-arrival eLearning allows guests to complete PADI Open Water certification in as little as two days, maximising time in the water. The reward is access to over 2,300 square kilometres of coral reefs, where families encounter technicolour reef fish, coral caves, eagle rays and reef sharks each dive becoming a shared story retold long after returning home.

Surf, Paddle and Flow Together

At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at  Kuda Huraa, surfing is more than a sport; it’s a lifestyle woven into the island’s rhythm. Families enjoy privileged access to six internationally renowned surf breaks, each offering distinct wave profiles suitable for different abilities. Beginners can ease into the experience with sheltered lagoon lessons, while intermediate and advanced surfers refine technique through structured Ride Clinics. For families seeking something truly extraordinary, the Seaplane Surfing Safari delivers access to remote, uncrowded waves across the Maldivian archipelago combining aerial adventure with pure surf exploration. Beyond surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and catamaran sailing invite families to experience the ocean at their own pace, reinforcing shared confidence and mutual encouragement across generations.

From Island Courts to Open Seas

For guests who enjoy staying active on land, both resorts offer professional tennis coaching, while Landaa Giraavaru’s panel court introduces a fast-paced, social alternative that appeals to all ages. When exploration calls, private yacht charters open up the Maldives beyond the resort islands. Custom itineraries include dolphin encounters at dusk, snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks, castaway sandbank picnics and sunset cruises each journey shaped around family preferences and energy levels. It’s slow travel with a sense of discovery, ideal for families seeking immersion without compromise.

Wellness as a Shared Experience

Wellness at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives is holistic and unforced integrated into daily life rather than scheduled rigidly. Sunrise yoga, ocean swims, guided breathing sessions and Ayurvedic-inspired spa therapies offer moments of renewal for adults, while younger guests naturally benefit from active days spent outdoors, away from screens. For families travelling during winter months, the Maldives presents an appealing form of “coolcationing” escaping colder climates without confronting extreme heat, making it an ideal destination for restorative, health-focused travel.

Private Residences Designed for Real Family Living

Multi-generational travel thrives when space is generous and thoughtfully designed. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, the Four-Bedroom Landaa Estate offers sweeping beachfront living, expansive decks and private pools ideal for large families seeking both communal moments and quiet retreat. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the Three-Bedroom Kuda Estate delivers a more intimate yet equally luxurious setting, with direct beach access and indoor-outdoor living that encourages connection across age groups. Each residence includes dedicated butler service, bespoke dining options, and tailored experiences allowing families to personalise everything from in-villa celebrations to private wellness sessions.

At Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, family travel becomes more than a holiday; it becomes a shared chapter, shaped by intention, curiosity and meaningful time together. For families seeking depth, value and unforgettable connection, these island sanctuaries offer experiences that feel genuinely worth the journey.

Bengaluru, Jan 06: Centre for Teacher Accreditation (CENTA®), the world’s largest professional platform for teachers, has successfully concluded the 10th edition of International TPO (International Teaching Professionals’ Open), marking a decade of the world’s largest and most inclusive competition for teachers. This year, International TPO drew more than 200,000 registrations from over 100 countries and brought together 3,000 teachers for the global Finals.

Originating in India and now held globally, International TPO 2025 continued to attract strong participation from Indian teachers while also witnessing significant international engagement. Educators from emerging economies across Asia and Africa, and the GCC, formed a substantial share of this year’s global cohort, reflecting the growing relevance of CENTA’s India-led model of professional standards and assessment.

International TPO 2025 assessed educators on their teaching competencies, including subject expertise, pedagogy, classroom practice, and continuous professional development. Participants qualified through CENTA’s multiple pathways: learning on the CENTA app, performance in the CENTA Teaching Quotient (TQ) assessment, or nominations from school leaders, parents, colleges, and significant government departments. This year, two Indian State Governments – Jharkhand and Odisha nominated teachers, signalling rising institutional recognition of CENTA’s frameworks.

With the global Finals now completed, the results of the international competition will be announced on January 31, 2026. Prize winners will receive cash awards totalling to INR 30 lakhs (USD 35,000), global certifications, fellowships, and media recognition.

Ratan Sharma, a finalist from D.B.M.S. English School, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, said,

“The experience went beyond an examination. Simulating real classroom scenarios, handling a distracted class, and teaching concepts authentically became powerful moments of self-reflection. It reinforced that such platforms are not just about winning, but about learning, evolving, and becoming better educators.”

International TPO 2025 was conducted in partnership with leading global institutions such as the University of California Santa Cruz, and Oxford University Press. These partners support awards such as the Oxford Teachers Academy Certification, opportunities to participate in the UCSC Science Internship Program, and the chance to shadow leading scientists.

Speaking about the impact of TPO, Ramya Venkataraman, Founder and CEO of CENTA, said,

“Across the world, we are facing a critical challenge in ensuring quality education for every child. A big part of this challenge is the lack of recognition and support for teachers as skilled professionals. Through CENTA and TPO, we are working to close this gap by building a platform that recognises teacher competencies, creates career opportunities, and puts teachers at the heart of education reform. As we mark ten years of this journey, I am inspired to see teachers in India leading with passion, skill, and purpose on a global stage.”

International TPO 2025 aligns with the objectives of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST), promoting performance-based recognition and continuous professional development. CENTA’s approach enables measurable and scalable improvement in teaching quality, impacting student outcomes and national growth.

With a community of 1.9 million teachers across 170+ countries and more than twenty million learning engagements annually, CENTA is building a professional ecosystem that drives aspiration, growth, and transformation in education.

New Delhi, India  Jan 06: KPIT Technologies, a global leader in mobility technology solutions, is showcasing its Next-Generation Agentic AI solution suite at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, marking a significant leap in how vehicle software is developed, validated, and integrated for the mobility ecosystem.

Mobility OEMs today face mounting challenges: increasingly complex software architectures, rising defect rates, and the pressure to deliver safer, smarter, and more connected vehicles—faster than ever before. Traditional development cycles struggle to keep pace with rapid innovation, often resulting in delayed launches, higher costs, and inconsistent software quality.

With over 25 years of deep domain expertise and experience across 2,000+ vehicle production programs, KPIT is pioneering a new era of mobility intelligence—where AI-driven agents accelerate innovation, enhance safety, and deliver smarter, more connected experiences for OEMs and end consumers.

At the heart of this transformation is KPIT’s Mobility Agentic AI solution suite—a modular, cloud-ready ecosystem designed to address the complexities of modern automotive software. This suite of AI agents that can reimagine the entire Software Development Lifecycle and unlocks speed, reliability and cost efficiency that can benefit OEMs significantly. Pilot implementation in vehicle production programs in Connected Vehicles and Autonomy domains are helping OEMs reimagine workflows and unlock delight for product planners, software developers and quality engineers.

The agentic AI solution suite harnesses the transformative power of Generative AI and taps into Microsoft Foundry that provides model orchestration, evaluation, and policy guardrails. This collaboration is helping bring scale of delivery to global automotive OEMs.

KPIT’s approach goes beyond technical innovation. By infusing its deep mobility knowledge base with Generative AI, KPIT empowers OEMs to innovate at scale, reduce time-to-market, and deliver vehicles that continuously improve through intelligent software. The measurable impact includes significant reductions in defect resolution time, improved code quality, and enhanced consumer satisfaction.

“KPIT is reimagining how vehicle software comes to life, using the power of Generative AI and agents to transform every stage of development. Off-board intelligence is helping us build new ways to create, test, and deliver mobility solutions. Embedded AI is shaping how vehicles sense, decide, and respond in real time. Collaborating with Microsoft and tapping into the AI infrastructure helps us scale our solution suite across global OEMs.” said Kishor Patil, CEO, KPIT Technologies.

“At Microsoft, we’re advancing responsible AI that helps industries innovate at scale. Working with KPIT, we’re combining trusted AI infrastructure with agentic AI to reimagine mobility software and deliver smarter, connected experiences for OEMs, partners, and consumers,” said Dayan Rodriguez, Corporate Vice President, Manufacturing and Mobility, Microsoft.

India, Jan 06: In honor of Thyroid Awareness Month, St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, is shining a spotlight on empowering Indians to have a greater awareness of thyroid disorders, conditions that often go undiagnosed despite their widespread prevalence. 

Thyroid diseases, particularly hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), are among the most underdiagnosed health conditions in India. It is estimated that over 42 million Indians live with some form of thyroid disorder, making the country one of the highest-burden markets globally. Despite this prevalence, a significant proportion of cases remain undetected due to the subtle and often nonspecific nature of symptoms such as persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain or loss, hair thinning, menstrual irregularities, and mood fluctuations. As a result, many individuals continue for years without realising they have an underlying thyroid condition, delaying diagnosis and appropriate management.

Early Detection in Thyroid Disease Diagnosis

Timely diagnosis of thyroid disorders can make a profound difference. When detected and treated promptly, patients can avoid serious complications from thyroid disorders, including infertility, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic imbalance.

Healthcare professionals recommend that adults, especially those over age 35 or with a family history of thyroid disease, include thyroid function tests as part of their annual health screenings. These simple blood tests measure hormone levels and allow doctors to spot potential dysfunction before it progresses.

Preventive steps may include:

• Scheduling regular thyroid screening

• Maintaining balanced iodine intake

• Monitoring persistent or unexplained symptoms

• Managing stress levels

• Following a healthy diet and staying physically active

• Avoiding excessive or unregulated supplement use

Mumbai, Jan 06: GlobalPay, a trusted standard in cross-border payments for students, leisure, and corporate travelers, today announced the launch of its new brand identity and next-generation platform, marking its transformation into India’s first global transit-led, cross-border fintech platform.

The reinvention positions GlobalPay as a single window solution that integrates international payments, forex cards, and travel-linked mobility services into one seamless ecosystem. Powered by the GlobalPay App, India’s first Global Transit App.  The app enables end-to-end financial and travel management from doorstep to destination designed for today’s globally mobile Indian traveler.

WSFx Global Pay Limited (GlobalPay) is an RBI-authorized AD-II and BSE-listed company with over 40 years of experience in cross-border payments. The company serves more than 10 lakh customers, with over 2 lakh active transacting users annually, and is trusted by 850+ corporates and 650+ channel partners nationwide.

The refreshed brand identity reflects a shift from a forex-led service provider to an experience-led, mobility-first platform. The new black-and-white visual system and signature “Pulse” mnemonic symbolizes clarity, trust, and continuous global money movement, reinforcing GlobalPay’s philosophy of “Money That Travels with you” – anchored in transparency, control, and digital ownership.

At GFF 2025, GlobalPay also unveiled its full prepaid card stack, signaling its transition from distributor to issuer and the renewed relevance of prepaid cards in global travel. The portfolio includes the Xplorer Metal Global Card (invite-only), Smart Switch Card, Multi-Currency Card, Smart Switch Card and Co-Branded Forex Cards. All cards support tokenization on Samsung Wallet and Google Wallet, enabling secure, contactless, globally accepted payments.

A key highlight of the transformation is the launch of India’s first Global Transit App, which brings together forex card management and on-demand travel services such as global eSIM, travel insurance, airport lounge access, Meet & Assist services, baggage-fee support, and premium airport experiences. The pay-per-use model allows travelers to access services only when required, without subscriptions or bundled commitments.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Srikrishna Narasimhan, Whole Time Director & CEO, GlobalPay, said: “This is a foundational transformation, not a cosmetic change. By launching our own card stack and expanding digital and mobility services, we are now shaping how India moves abroad—not just how India spends abroad. Our platform is designed to make international travel and payments seamless, secure, and intuitive from start to finish.”

Mr. Dilip Modi, Founder, GlobalPay, added: “GlobalPay has evolved from a forex-led business into a complete mobility-driven financial platform. This new identity strengthens our purpose of empowering Indian travelers with confidence, access, and frictionless global experiences through one integrated ecosystem.”

With this reinvention, GlobalPay strengthens its position as a next generation global travel and payments platform, built for the evolving needs of modern Indian travelers.

Bengaluru, Jan 06: The Education News Network (ENN) proudly honoured Mrs Rajeshwari BC, Principal of Embassy Academy, Devanhalli, with the prestigious “Dynamic Principal 2025” award, recognizing her visionary leadership, progressive educational practices, and steadfast commitment to holistic student development.

An esteemed jury presented the award at the 13th National Conference on K–12 Leadership and India School Merit Awards 2025, to be held on December 5, 2025, at The Taj, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru, in the presence of leading educators and institutional heads from across India.

The Education News Network is a pioneering daily digital education news platform and a proud arm of EducationToday, one of India’s most respected magazines dedicated to K–12 education. This exclusive recognition celebrates handpicked education leaders who have demonstrated innovation, resilience, and transformative impact within their institutions.

Under the leadership of Mrs Rajeshwari B. C., Embassy Academy, Devanhalli has emerged as a progressive learning institution, recognized for its student-centric approach, strong academic foundations, emphasis on values-based education, and focus on nurturing confident, future-ready learners. Her efforts have played a key role in fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

The Education News Network congratulated Mrs Rajeshwari B.C. on this well-deserved honor and acknowledged her meaningful contributions to advancing leadership excellence in Indian education.