Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Doha Debates holds Toronto town hall on football, money and fandom

Doha, Qatar - Wednesday, 02. September 2026


A sports journalist, a historian and a filmmaker join students from Qatar, Canada and Mexico to debate the impact of wealthy club backing on football and its fans

 


 


Football fans embody club loyalty that no boardroom can manufacture. But as global capital reshapes the world’s most-watched sport, who it belongs to is increasingly contested. This question is at the heart of Qatar Foundation’s latest Doha Debates town hall, “Football fandom: Community or commodity?”, now available on Doha Debates and Al Jazeera Digital platforms.


The episode was filmed at The Terminal Theatre in Toronto in partnership with the Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, a national initiative that builds lasting relationships between countries by creating spaces where people can meet and learn from different perspectives. This Doha Debates collaboration brought that purpose to life through a conversation connecting young people across borders.


Moderated by journalist Imran Garda, the Majlis-style debate brought together Shireen Ahmed, senior contributor at CBC Sports; David Goldblatt, a football historian and sociologist and Kely Nascimento, president of the Nascimento Foundation, to explore the sport’s evolution. Twenty students from Qatar, Canada, Mexico and beyond joined the discussion.


Goldblatt held firm that football—and its fans—cannot be bought or sold: “Football clubs should not be privately owned by anyone. They shouldn’t be owned by states, or by rich men or rich women. They are collective forms of cultural capital,” he said.


Nascimento, a documentary filmmaker and the daughter of football legend Pelé, challenged that position, questioning whether football was necessarily healthier before the influx of wealth. “I did some research into what it was like before the money. It didn’t seem like it was that great,” she said, going on to question whether Goldblatt’s stance was more of a utopian idea than reality.


Ahmed challenged her fellow debaters to more closely examine where the money is coming from and how it is used. “This discussion that money is bad in all cases—it’s nuanced, and it’s complicated. So I would rather have accountability for that money and transparency,” she said.


The students added other relevant dimensions to the debate. “I wonder why the working class have difficulties attending, and it’s not accessible for them to attend Premier League matches,” said Nawaf Al-Kuwari, a naval architecture and marine engineering graduate from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.  It seems to me like it’s more of a luxury than it is accessible.”


Regina Aldrete, an international relations student at Tecnológico de Monterrey University, commented on the game’s political nature. “Football is inherently political. Therefore, it is like a mirror of society,” she said, pointing to tensions surrounding football matches between El Salvador and Honduras as an example of how the sport can reflect global conflict.


For Amjad Atallah, managing director of Doha Debates, the conversation reflected Doha Debates’ commitment to in-depth examination of timely topics. “Very few things hold a billion people's attention at once–fewer still spark this much passionate debate. In Toronto, our expert guests and students refused the easy answer, and that is what truth-seeking looks like.”


He added: “We’re proud to have built this debate with the Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, an initiative that shares our belief in the value of cultural exchange. We invite audiences everywhere to watch it, and decide for themselves where they stand.”


“Football fandom: Community or commodity?” is part of Doha Debates’ global town hall series, which brings young people and experts together for Majlis-style, truth-seeking dialogue on complex global issues.


About:


Doha Debates engages a vanguard of intellectually curious truth-seekers to constructively debate differences in order to build a better future. We emphasize unity over division, encouraging conversations that bring us together rather than drive us apart.


More at DohaDebates.com.


Doha Debates


Website: DohaDebates.com


X/Twitter: @DohaDebates


Instagram: @DohaDebates


TikTok: @DohaDebates


Facebook.com/DohaDebates


YouTube.com/DohaDebates


Threads.net/@dohadebates


 



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Contacts

Sumi Alkebsi


Director of Communications and Marketing


salkebsi@dohadebates.com

MEX Exchange, part of MultiBank Group, Strengthens Global Operations and Technology Leadership with Three Senior Promotions

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, 02. September 2026 AETOSWire  



Jeremy Pearce and Beth White promoted to regional COO roles, with James Longo named CTO

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- MEX Exchange, the institutional electronic trading platform of MultiBank Group, has announced three senior promotions as it strengthens its operational and technology leadership to support the continued development and international growth of its institutional trading business.


Jeremy Pearce has been promoted to COO – Middle East, Africa & Asia, Beth White to COO – Americas & Europe, and James Longo to Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The appointments establish dedicated operational leadership across MEX Exchange’s key international markets, supported by experienced technology leadership as the company continues to develop its global electronic trading infrastructure.


Pearce brings 20 years of experience running and supporting trading businesses across global financial institutions. His career includes serving as COO of FX Sales & Trading at Nomura, as well as roles across interest rate swaps, emerging market bonds, high-yield bonds and credit default swaps at J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Barclays.


White brings more than 30 years of experience building and running financial technology businesses. She previously served as Managing Director and COO of Cürex Group, and as Director and Head of Operations at Hotspot. Earlier in her career, she served as Head of Operations at DLJ.


Longo brings more than 30 years of experience in electronic FX technology. He previously served as Managing Director and Head of Software Engineering at Cürex Group and as Senior Vice President at Citi, where he was Technical Lead for the first generation of CitiFX Velocity. He also served as Lead Developer for LavaFX.


Brian Andreyko, CEO of MEX Exchange, said: “As we continue to build MEX Exchange, having experienced leadership across operations and technology is critical to our ability to scale effectively. Jeremy, Beth and James bring decades of experience across institutional markets, electronic trading and financial technology, and their expanded roles strengthen our ability to execute across key regions while continuing to advance our technology infrastructure.”


The promotions further strengthen the leadership team of MEX Exchange as it expands its institutional capabilities and develops its presence across global electronic trading markets.


ABOUT MULTIBANK GROUP


MultiBank Group, established in California, USA in 2005, is a global leader in financial derivatives, serving over 2 million clients across 100 countries, and boasts a daily trading volume that exceeds $35 billion. Renowned for its innovative trading solutions, robust regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service, the Group offers an array of brokerage services and asset management solutions. It is regulated across five continents by 18+ of the most reputable financial authorities globally. The group’s award-winning trading platforms offer up to 1000:1 leverage on a diverse range of products, including Forex, Metals, Shares, Commodities, Indices, and Cryptocurrencies. MultiBank Group has received over 80 financial awards recognizing its trading excellence and regulatory compliance. For more information, visit MultiBank Group’s www.multibankgroup.com.


 


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nikolas.neofytou@multibankfx.com

NIQ and Similarweb Advance Agentic Commerce Measurement for the AI Shopping Era


 CHICAGO -

New solution will connect AI-driven discovery to consumer intent, product content, AI-driven traffic and sales conversion


(BUSINESS WIRE) -- NIQ (NYSE: NIQ), a leading consumer intelligence company, today announced further advancements in its Agentic Commerce Measurement strategy through a collaboration with Similarweb (NYSE: SMWB). The companies are collaborating on a new solution to help brands, retailers and technology platforms understand how products are purchased in an increasingly agentic economy.


The work adds a measurement component to NIQ's Commerce Intelligence strategy, focused on deploying NIQ’s world-class, AI-ready content directly into agentic commerce workflows and equipping brands and retailers with the signals they need to react effectively.


AI agents are moving beyond product discovery to become part of the purchase itself. New infrastructure, including Google's Universal Commerce Protocol and OpenAI's Agentic Commerce Protocol, is enabling consumers to complete the entire buying journey, from item discovery to evaluation and recommendation to purchase, inside of a single AI experience.


This creates a new measurement and growth challenge. Brands and retailers need to know whether their products are appearing in AI-driven discovery, whether they are being represented accurately and whether that visibility is ultimately leading to traffic and sales. They also need to know what to do next.


NIQ is bringing together its product intelligence, consumer behavior data and retail sales measurement to deliver a comprehensive view of consumer behavior across both traditional and emerging AI-driven discovery environments. Similarweb will provide the foundational digital data, adding visibility into AI-driven consumer behavior inside generative AI platforms and along the agentic path to purchase.


Together, these capabilities will connect AI-driven discovery to measured sales outcomes, allowing brands to improve product visibility, strengthen content, increase conversion and drive growth. An initial version of the solution will be available in Q4 2026, beginning with a focused set of categories and markets and expanding over time.


"AI is becoming a new commerce channel, and NIQ intends to make it measurable," said Troy Treangen, Chief AI and Product Officer at NIQ. "Our clients want to know where AI is already influencing their business, how quickly that influence is growing and what they should do about it. NIQ has the AI-ready data foundation and the product, consumer and sales intelligence needed to answer those questions. With Similarweb, we can extend that intelligence across the AI-influenced purchase journey: from discovery to traffic, conversion and sales."


The solution will focus initially on five areas:


Consumer Intent: What consumers are asking AI assistants, and which needs, questions, or prompts are shaping their agentic commerce decisions


Agentic Shelf Visibility: Where products appear when AI assistants recommend options to shoppers, and how a brand’s presence compares with competitors


Product Content Readiness: Whether product content is complete, structured and optimized so AI assistants can find, understand and accurately recommend it


AI-Driven Traffic: How much of the traffic reaching brand and retailer product pages is driven by AI platforms, including both direct clicks and subsequent visits influenced by agentic discovery.


AI-Driven Conversion: How AI-influenced engagement connects to verified omnichannel purchasing behaviour


"AI’s influence does not stop when a consumer leaves an AI platform," said Susan Dunn, Chief Revenue Officer, Similarweb. "Similarweb provides the foundational digital signals that reveal what happens across the entire AI-driven consumer journey. Combined with NIQ’s product and sales intelligence, those signals can give brands and retailers a clearer view of how AI-driven discovery translates into commercial outcomes."


Agentic Commerce Measurement adds a new critical capability to NIQ’s growing AI portfolio: helping clients see and act on AI’s commercial influence in the marketplace.


More information, including initial categories, markets and availability, will be announced as development progresses.


FAQ


What are NIQ and Similarweb announcing?

NIQ and Similarweb are collaborating on a new Agentic Commerce Measurement solution. The planned solution is designed to help brands, retailers and technology platforms understand and improve how AI influences product discovery, consumer intent, product traffic, conversion and verified online sales.


Is Agentic Commerce Measurement available today?

No. NIQ is currently building the solution. An initial version of the solution will be available in Q4 2026, beginning with a focused set of categories and markets and expanding over time. More information about its capabilities, availability and market rollout will be shared as it progresses toward launch.


What problem will the solution address?

As consumers increasingly use AI to discover, research and evaluate products, organizations need a clearer way to understand how those interactions affect commercial outcomes. Existing measurement approaches provide visibility into areas such as retail, ecommerce, search and media, but do not provide a comprehensive view of the AI-mediated purchase journey.


The planned solution is intended to connect AI-driven discovery and engagement with downstream traffic, conversion and verified online sales.


What will the solution measure?

The solution will focus initially on five areas:


Consumer Intent: What consumers are asking AI assistants, and which needs, questions, or prompts are shaping their agentic commerce decisions


Agentic Shelf Visibility: Where products appear when AI assistants recommend options to shoppers, and how a brand’s presence compares with competitors


Product Content Readiness: Whether product content is complete, structured and optimized so AI assistants can find, understand and accurately recommend it


AI-Driven Traffic: How much of the traffic reaching brand and retailer product pages is driven by AI platforms, including both direct clicks and subsequent visits influenced by agentic discovery.


AI-Driven Conversion: How AI-influenced engagement connects to verified omnichannel purchasing behaviour


Which AI platforms and markets will be covered?

The new solution will provide measurement coverage across leading AI discovery platforms, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode, Perplexity and Claude. The solution is expected to begin with a focused set of categories and markets and expand over time. Specific launch timing and market availability are not being announced at this stage.


Why are NIQ and Similarweb working together?

NIQ brings product intelligence, consumer behavior data and retail sales measurement. Similarweb will provide the foundational digital data and expertise, adding visibility into AI-driven consumer behavior - both inside generative AI platforms and along the agentic path to purchase. Together, these capabilities are intended to connect AI-driven discovery to commercial outcomes and help clients identify actions that can improve performance.


How does Agentic Commerce Measurement relate to NIQ Optiq and ConnectAI?

NIQ Optiq, ConnectAI and Agentic Commerce Measurement address different but connected parts of NIQ’s AI strategy. NIQ Optiq and Optiq Bridge help bring NIQ intelligence into AI-powered applications and enterprise environments. ConnectAI brings NIQ technology, engineering and data science teams together with clients to build AI-enabled workflows. Agentic Commerce Measurement extends that strategy into Commerce Intelligence by helping organizations understand how AI is influencing consumer discovery, traffic, conversion and sales.


Together, they connect AI-ready data to decision, action and measurement.


About NIQ


NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. By combining an unmatched global data footprint and granular consumer and retail measurement with decades of AI modeling expertise, NIQ builds decision systems that help companies turn complex data into confident action.


With operations in more than 90 countries, NIQ covers approximately 82% of the world’s population and more than $7.4 trillion in global consumer spend. Through cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, NIQ delivers The Full View™—helping brands and retailers understand what consumers buy, why they buy it, and what to do next.


For more information, please visit www.niq.com.


About Similarweb


Similarweb (NYSE: SMWB) powers businesses to win their markets with Digital Data. By providing essential web and app data, analytics, and insights, we empower our users to discover business opportunities, identify competitive threats, optimize strategy, acquire the right customers, and increase monetization. Similarweb products are integrated into users’ workflow, powered by advanced technology, and based on leading comprehensive Digital Data.


*All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.


Forward-Looking Statements


This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the anticipated capabilities and benefits of ConnectAI Charter Program Clients, the expected benefits of AI-enabled enterprise workflows, and the future adoption of AI-native operating models. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "designed to," "explore," "future," "accelerate," "will," "should," "may," and similar references to future events or performance. These statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside our control, including changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, technological developments, competitive dynamics, and our ability to develop, deliver and monetize new products and solutions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Additional information on these and other risks is contained in the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update them except as required by law.


All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.


© 2026 Nielsen Consumer LLC. All Rights Reserved.


NIQ-GENERAL


 


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Contacts

Media Contacts

Media.relations@nielseniq.com

press@similarweb.com


 

EMVCo Requests Feedback on Framework for Secure, Interoperable and Scalable Card-Based Agentic Payments

LONDON - Tuesday, 01. September 2026

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- EMVCo – the technical body that creates and manages EMV® Specifications and programmes – has released a draft framework to help promote secure, interoperable and scalable card-based agentic payments. The framework provides a foundation for further industry engagement and potential specification development, with all interested stakeholders encouraged to provide their feedback on EMV® Agentic Payments – Framework for Specifications by Wednesday 30 September.

A key focus across the agentic commerce ecosystem is how to establish intent and determine that a consumer delegated authority to an AI agent to make a purchase on their behalf. Following industry input, EMVCo has focused on card-based agentic payment scenarios where intent needs to be managed over time, such as recurring purchases, cumulative budgets and post-transaction activities. These scenarios may require access to a shared intent ‘state’ that persists across multiple participants and their interactions.

EMVCo has identified an opportunity to complement cryptographic assurance provided by existing industry solutions, such as Verifiable Intent, with a common coordination point that can help participants consistently interpret consumer-authorised intent.

The draft EMV® Agentic Payments – Framework for Specifications therefore introduces the concept of ‘Intent Services’. Intent Services provide a shared, interoperable layer that enables payment participants to register, reference, retrieve and manage consumer-authorised intent before, during and after a transaction. The framework provides an overview of ecosystem roles and data fields for registering intent, maintaining lifecycle and state information, and enabling the authorised retrieval of intent-related data.

Junya Tanaka, EMVCo Executive Committee Chair, comments: “Card-based agentic payments require a globally interoperable foundation that consumers, merchants and issuers can all trust. This publication marks an important step forward by outlining a consistent approach for establishing and communicating intent alongside payment-related information, and we encourage participants from across the industry to share their feedback to shape its ongoing development.”

EMVCo has established a dedicated Agentic Payments Task Force and is actively engaging with the hundreds of industry stakeholders that participate as EMVCo Associates and Subscribers. It is also collaborating closely with various industry partners and technical bodies, including the FIDO Alliance, the OpenID Foundation, the OpenWallet Foundation and W3C.

By providing a common foundation for card-based agentic payments, the framework will help identify potential future enhancements to other EMV technologies – including EMV 3-D Secure (3DS), EMV Payment Tokenisation, EMV Secure Remote Commerce (SRC) and the EMV Digital Payment Credential (DPC). It will also inform opportunities to complement existing and emerging identity and credential standards.

Development may also be required to help enable the consistent identification of agentic transactions across the payments ecosystem. To support this, EMVCo may consider capabilities related to Know Your Agent (KYA) and Agentic Transaction Indicators to be included in future publications. Together, these could help provide interoperable mechanisms for identifying the agent involved in a payment interaction, communicating relevant agent attributes, and signalling that a transaction involved an agent acting on behalf of a consumer.

Following initial review from EMVCo Associates, EMV® Agentic Payments – Framework for Specifications is now available for public review until Wednesday 30 September. As work continues to progress, all interested stakeholders are encouraged to explore ways to participate in EMVCo and share input on the strategic considerations and technical advances shaping agentic payments.

About EMVCo:

EMV® is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries and an unregistered trademark elsewhere. The EMV trademark is owned by EMVCo, LLC.

EMVCo creates and manages EMV Specifications and programmes that enable seamless and secure card-based payments for businesses and consumers worldwide.

EMV Specifications support technologies including EMV Contact Chip, EMV Contactless Chip, EMV Mobile, EMV QR Codes, EMV Secure Remote Commerce, EMV 3-D Secure and EMV Payment Tokenisation and are widely used by the payments industry to develop products and services that deliver trusted and convenient in-store, online and remote card-based payments.

As a global technical body, EMVCo is collectively owned by American Express, Discover Network, JCB, Mastercard, UnionPay and Visa. Hundreds of payments stakeholders, including merchants, banks and technology providers, participate as EMVCo Associates and Subscribers to develop, evolve and enhance flexible EMV Specifications that support innovation and address marketplace needs. All EMV Specifications are available royalty free on the EMVCo website.

 

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Contacts

david@iseepr.co.uk

JEOL: Launch of the New Benchtop Scanning Electron Microscope “JCM-7000Plus NeoScope™”

 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- JEOL Ltd. (President & CEO: Izumi Oi) has developed the benchtop scanning electron microscope (SEM) “JCM-7000Plus” and will begin sales on September 1, 2026.


[Development Background]


Benchtop scanning electron microscopes are increasingly used in fields including electrical and electronics, automotive and machinery, steel and metals, chemical and pharmaceuticals. They are utilized not only in research and development but also in manufacturing-related applications, such as quality control and product inspection. In addition, they are adopted in educational settings at middle and high schools as well as universities. Given these diverse applications, there is growing demand for improved operational efficiency, simpler and more automated operation, and enhanced observation, analysis, and measurement performance.


To meet these needs, we have expanded the landing voltage (accelerating voltage) to 20 kV. This has improved resolution to 6 nm, enabling measurements at higher magnification.


On the software side, the new JCM-7000Plus retains the simple, user-friendly GUI of the current JCM-7000, including Zeromag, which enables a seamless transition from optical imaging to SEM observation, and the Live Analysis function, which allows real-time elemental analysis during observation. It also adds the enhanced automation feature Neo Action.


In addition to the three existing Live functions (Live Analysis, Live Map, and Live 3D), we have added two new features: Live Particle, which automatically measures particle size and count in real time while observing, and Live Report, which automatically acquires data and generates reports while moving the field of view, a feature available in high-end FE-SEMs. These features simplify routine tasks, making them more intuitive and efficient while significantly supporting users' analytical workflows.


[Main Features]


1. Expanding landing voltage to 20 kV for improved resolution (secondary electron image: 6 nm, backscattered electron image: 8 nm)


2. Improved backscattered electron detector for enhanced image quality


3. New Live Particle function automatically measures particle size and count, simplifying workflow


4. Live Report enables data acquisition and report creation while moving the field of view, improving work efficiency


5. Simple and user-friendly GUI retained, with added automation functions for more intuitive and easier operation


[Sales target]


300 units/year


[Related link]


Product Information: JCM-7000Plus NeoScope™ Benchtop SEM

https://www.jeol.com/products/scientific/sem/jcm-7000plus.php


 


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Contacts

JEOL Ltd.

3-1-2, Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo, 196-8558, Japan

Izumi Oi, President & CEO

(Stock code: 6951, Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market)

https://www.jeol.com/


JEOL Ltd.

SI Sales Division

webmaster@jeol.co.jp

https://www.jeol.com/contacts/products.php

Strategic Combination of ITC Infotech and Happiest Minds Technologies to Create a Scaled, Future-Ready, AI-First Global Technology Services Enterprise with US$ 1 Billion Revenue by FY28[1]

 

ITC Infotech Board approves proposed acquisition of 22.1% promoter stake and a Scheme of Amalgamation of the two companies


(BUSINESS WIRE) -- ITC Infotech (ITCI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Limited and a leading global technology services player, today announced the proposed strategic combination with Happiest Minds Technologies Limited (Happiest Minds) to create a scaled, future-ready, AI-first global technology services enterprise. The ITCI Board approved a proposal to acquire 22.1% equity stake from the promoter of Happiest Minds in two tranches under a Share Purchase Agreement. The transaction would be funded through a Rights Issue by ITC Infotech. ITCI Board has also approved a proposed Scheme of Amalgamation of Happiest Minds with ITCI which will be effected after the share acquisition. Pursuant to the scheme, the shares of ITCI will be listed on the stock exchanges. The proposed transaction has also been endorsed by the Board of Directors of ITC Limited.


This strategic combination will synergistically blend ITCI’s AI-led capabilities across Cloud, Data Analytics, PLM, SAP, enterprise transformation, industry-specific technology solutions and full-stack managed services together with Happiest Minds’ strengths in build-led Digital Product Engineering, Data, Cybersecurity, and specialized AI expertise. The proposed combination will lead to a step change in scale for ITCI, enhancing its competitiveness to win large transformation-led mandates and augment capability in critical areas to effectively serve its client base and address new value pools that are emerging with rapid adoption of AI across enterprises. The combined entity will also lead to substantially enhanced presence in the US markets as well as in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance vertical. Further, key industry segments such as Healthcare, Hitech and Edutech would also get added to ITCI’s portfolio. By adding marquee clients to ITCI’s customer base, the proposed combination will also unlock significant cross-selling & up-selling opportunities.


With a combined global workforce of over 19,000 professionals, it will also deepen complementary capabilities to deliver a full-stack value proposition for end-to-end solutions spanning Build, Intelligence, and Operations whilst expanding into high potential verticals including Hi-Tech, Healthcare and EdTech.


Sanjiv Puri, Chairman of ITC Limited and ITC Infotech, said, "Today marks an important milestone in the journey towards Happiest Minds becoming an integral part of ITC Infotech, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals. The coming together of our complementary strengths, deep domain expertise and future-ready capabilities will further enhance our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions across geographies. I am particularly encouraged by the shared values, people and customer-centricity that define our organisations. We look forward to the invaluable experience, expertise and dedication of the employees of Happiest Minds as we embark on this exciting new chapter.”


Ashok Soota, Chairman & Chief Mentor, Happiest Minds Technologies, said “I am delighted that after the completion of legal formalities, Happiest Minds will become an important part of a larger organization through its amalgamation with ITC Infotech. The two organizations are aligned on our values and shared vision for the future. There is very significant complementarity in our business portfolios which will ensure synergy. We believe that ITC Infotech is the best partner for Happiest Minds to fulfil its destiny and we are pleased that our team will have a welcoming new home.”


Manas Chakraborty, MD & CEO, ITC Infotech, highlighted that “This combination is fundamentally about elevating the value we deliver to our customers. Integrating Happiest Minds’ Digital Engineering, Data, AI, and Cybersecurity capabilities with our deep domain expertise, cloud and engineering capabilities will enable us to serve as a full stack AI-led transformation partner.”


The proposed transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary statutory, shareholder and regulatory approvals, including approvals from the Competition Commission of India, the relevant stock exchanges and the National Company Law Tribunal. The companies expect the transaction to be completed within the next 15 months and will continue to operate independently until all approvals have been obtained. Shares of ITC Infotech will be listed on the stock exchanges post receipt of all approvals.


About ITC Infotech:


ITC Infotech is a leading global technology services and solutions provider, led by Business and Technology Consulting. ITC Infotech provides business-friendly solutions to help clients succeed and be future-ready, by seamlessly bringing together digital expertise, strong industry specific alliances and the unique ability to leverage deep domain expertise from ITC Group businesses. The company provides technology solutions and services to enterprises across industries such as Banking & Financial Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Travel and Hospitality, through a combination of traditional and newer business models, as a long-term sustainable partner.


For more information, please visit: http://www.itcinfotech.com.


About Happiest Minds Technologies Limited:


Happiest Minds Technologies Limited is an AI First, customer-centric digital engineering company committed to delivering ‘Happiest People. Happiest Customers’. With an integrated approach that spans from chip to cloud, Happiest Minds delivers secure and scalable solutions across product engineering, cybersecurity, analytics, and automation platforms. Happiest Minds brings purpose and precision to every engagement, helping enterprises solve complex business challenges and fast-track their digital evolution across industry sectors such as Banking, Financial Services & Insurance(BFSI), EdTech, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Hi-Tech and Media & Entertainment, Industrial, Manufacturing, Energy & Utilities, and Retail, CPG & Logistics.


Happiest Minds has been honored by both the Golden Peacock Awards and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for its exemplary Corporate Governance practices. Guided by its mission of ‘Happiest People. Happiest Customers’ and consistently recognized as a great place to work, Happiest Minds is headquartered in Bengaluru, India, with a global presence across the Americas, UK, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.


____________________


[1] On a Pro-forma basis


 


 


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Contacts

Nazeeb Arif

nazeeb.Arif@itc.in

Executive Vice President & Head,

Corporate Communications,

ITC Limited

Angel’s Profits Grew Robustly in the First Half of 2026 with Europe and North America Turning Profitable Ahead of Schedule


 SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. - 

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Angelalign Technology Inc. (“Angel” or the “Company”) (6699.HK) (angelaligner.com), the second largest clear aligner supplier by revenue, announced today that its revenue grew 42.9% to US$230.7 million and net profit grew 79.6% to $25.5 million for the six months ending June 30, 2026. Angel’s business in Europe and North America crossed into profitability ahead of plan while the business in Chinese mainland delivered market share gains well above expectations.


Doctors and staff in every region report that they are increasingly selecting Angel’s solutions after experiencing more predictable outcomes, especially on complex cases, and embracing the positive culture of the company. Dr. Mark Holt D.D.S., M.S. of Holt Orthodontics in Northern California, states: “We treat over half of our patients with clear aligners and our experience with Angel’s treatment plans and clear aligners has been tremendous.”


“Our main focus is to provide great service to and being a rock-solid partner for our customers. The fact that our profits are growing ahead of plan means we can do even more in product innovation and customer support,” said Fox Hu, Chief Executive Officer of Angel. “We have invested heavily in professional education teams, sales service teams and local clinical support teams that are now producing economies of scale. We appreciate the trust of our customers and the dedication of our employees.”


Reflecting strong profits and robust operating cashflow, Angel’s Board of Directors has declared an interim dividend of US$100 million, underscoring the Company's commitment to delivering superior shareholder returns.


For more detailed information about Angel’s first half 2026 financial results, recent innovations, and go-to-market activities, please see a full description at: https://ir.angelalign.com/en/announcements/.


About Angelalign Technology Inc.


Founded in 2003 and publicly listed since 2021, Angelalign Technology Inc. provides clear aligner solutions to clinically focused professionals and patients in over 60 countries. Having surpassed 2 million cumulative cases and with a US$2 billion market capitalization, the Company focuses on clinical innovation and professional support to help experts achieve extraordinary outcomes. Learn more at angelaligner.com.


Forward-Looking Statements


This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Angelalign undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.


 


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Contacts

Media Contact:

Sue Kolb

sue.kolb@angelaligner.com