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West Midlands announces ‘A mission to seize the moment’ to India during the Year of the Free Trade Agreement

The UK’s Mayoral-led mission to India – the first of 2026 – to strengthen economic and cultural ties between West Midlands and Indian subregions. Trade mission to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru from 23rd to 27th February follows recent signing of UK-India Free Trade Agreement.Official trade mission partners include Aston University, Birmingham City University (BCU), energy provider E.ON, GEDU Global Education, University of Birmingham and University of Warwick. BIRMINGHAM, England, Feb. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From 23rd to 27th February 2026, Richard Parker, Mayor of the UK’s West Midlands region is set to lead a strategic trade mission to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru, building on the historic UK-India Free Trade Agreement signed in July 2025.  

The mayoral-led mission to India – the first from the UK in 2026 – aims to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two markets and forge valuable partnerships for the benefit of the region’s universities, businesses and communities. It will also deepen political engagement with key national and state-level leaders, reinforcing the West Midlands’ role as a trusted long-term partner for India. As well as promoting new job creation the mission aims to affirm the region – including the flagship West Midlands Investment Zone – as an advantageous location for innovative Indian businesses looking to expand. It will also facilitate strategic engagement with Indian travel trade agents and tour operators, cement cultural ties and celebrate cultural exchange, as India gears up to host the 2030 centenary Commonwealth Games.  Led by Mayor Richard Parker, the delegation of West Midlands business, academic and political leaders will also include Dr Julie Nugent, CEO at Coventry City Council, Prof. David Mba, Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University and Greg Clark, Executive Chair of University of Warwick Innovation District, alongside senior representatives from the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) – the official investment promotion agency for the UK’s West Midlands region. The official trade mission partners include Aston University, Birmingham City University (BCU), energy provider E.ON, GEDU Global Education, University of Birmingham and University of Warwick. The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) – in collaboration with the India Global Forum and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce - has organised a series of events and meetings with senior figures from Indian businesses and institutions. These include multinational manufacturer Tata Motors, multinational technology company Infosys, motorcycle manufacturer TVS Motors and energy company Atri Energy Transition. The West Midlands delegation will also host an event in Ahmedabad focused on ”The Commonwealth Legacy”, with the city set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and will host a number of roundtable events bringing together key industry bodies and intermediaries. These include visitor economy-focused roundtables with VisitBritain in Mumbai and Bengaluru; a roundtable with India technology trade association NASSCOM, following its Technology and Leadership Forum; a roundtable on Urban Transformation and Smart Cities with the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority and an event on AI Skilling & the Future of Work, with the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.   The West Midlands has a uniquely strong cultural relationship with India, through its ‘living bridge’ of 276,000 ethnic Indians that live and work in the region. The two markets have strong economic links, with India representing the UK’s second largest source of investment projects for six consecutive years and the West Midlands representing the UK’s largest recipient of FDI projects from India outside London.  The number of visits from Indian tourists to the region has grown by more than 20 per cent over the last decade and Indian visitors also spend more in the West Midlands than any English region outside of London, valuing experiences such as world-class cricket at Edgbaston and Birmingham’s premium retail and dining scenes.  The region is already home to some of India’s biggest companies, including Tata Group, TVS, Infosys, Hexaware Technologies, Enzen Global, Suprajit Group, State Bank of India, Microland, and more recently, Firstsource and Mahindra.  Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The West Midlands and India already share real strengths in manufacturing and automotive, in digital tech and in clean energy. That gives us a solid foundation to turn last year’s trade deal into something that delivers here at home. “We’ve built a strong trading relationship with India over many years, rooted in trust and deep cultural ties across our communities. This mission is about taking that further – growing exports from West Midlands firms, attracting new investment into our towns and cities, and bringing more visitors to our region. “If we get this right, it means good jobs for local people, stronger businesses and more money going back into people’s pockets across the West Midlands.” Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to South Asia & Deputy High Commissioner to Western India, said:  “The economic partnership between the UK and India is at an all-time high following the signing of the landmark trade deal last year. The Mayor of West Midlands’ visit to India is another strong testament to our ever-strengthening collaboration. Besides reinforcing the growing contribution of the West Midlands to the UK-India partnership, this visit will help businesses from both sides to gear-up to take advantage of the deal which will boost growth by adding billions of pounds across both economies.” Further commentary from the delegation: Professor Aleks Subic, Aston University Vice-Chancellor and CEO, said:     “Aston University has a long-term commitment to education, skills, and research partnerships with India, spanning UK study pathways, high-quality transnational education in India, and collaboration with our partner universities and research institutes.    “As a central partner in the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, Aston is also helping attract significant international investment into Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.   ”This mission is a timely opportunity to showcase Birmingham as a global innovation city and to deepen collaboration with Indian industry, researchers, and policymakers on shared global challenges.”  Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of BCU, said:  “For Birmingham City University this mission is about strengthening mutually beneficial economic, cultural and educational links between India and the West Midlands.   “We are proud of our Birmingham roots but are always striving to reach beyond, including the deep ties we have in South Asia – thousands of our students are either from India or part of the local Indian diaspora.  “This visit will give BCU new opportunities to advance the implementation of our ambitious 2030 Strategy, including the chance to deepen collaborative research on sustainable cities and cultural exchanges through our Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.”  Vijay Tank, Chief Commercial Officer at E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions, said:  “Local energy systems are vital in delivering the benefits of the energy transition where they are most needed. Tailoring solutions to specific areas can drive economic growth, create local jobs and skills, and attract investment and innovation where needed.  “Whether it’s our Net Zero Training Academy equipping apprentices with sustainable tech skills; providing batteries that cut bills for vulnerable customers, or our strategic partnership to accelerate Coventry’s clean energy future, at E.ON we are already delivering some of those very real benefits and we’re well placed to champion the Mayor’s ambitions for the West Midlands as well as supporting investors in the region when it comes to navigating any energy challenges.”  Kevin McCole, Managing Director at GEDU Global Education, said:  “This delegation is important as India matters to the West Midlands and the West Midlands matters to India. There are strong people to people links, strong economic ties across a range of innovation-rich sectors, and deep education partnerships. We’re proud to support the Mayor’s mission which will bring more investment to the West Midlands, increase two-way trade, and strengthen our education partnerships.”  The Rt Hon Greg Clark, Executive Chair of the University of Warwick’s Innovation District, said:  ”The University of Warwick has a long history of strong ties with India – from the students on campus, to our business partnerships, to our research collaborations.   “As we deepen the cultural, economic, and educational ties between Warwick, the West Midlands, and India, we will accelerate innovation, develop talent, and drive growth that will benefit us all.  ”Working with the West Midlands Growth Company and our partners in India, Warwick looks forward to creating a better world together.”  Notes to editors: West Midlands Growth Company The West Midlands Growth Company helps the region make its mark nationally and internationally. Its primary purpose is to attract investment, jobs, visitors and businesses to the West Midlands. The West Midlands Growth Company focuses on the WMCA geography of Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, and the Black Country. Once the powerhouse of the industrial revolution, the West Midlands has evolved into a world-class and highly sought-after international business destination, with an economy worth £117bn. Situated at the heart of the UK, the region is home to three major cities (Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton) and four thriving boroughs, which come together to form one of Europe’s most dynamic and diverse metropolitan clusters.   Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2902991/West_Midlands.jpgLogo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2702236/5793849/WMGC_Logo.jpg  

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Apollo Athenaa Launches ‘Holding Hope’, India’s First Dedicated Handbook for Cancer Caregivers, during National Cancer Survivors Month

Authored by Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead – Medical and Precision Oncology, Apollo Athenaa, the handbook aims to empower caregivers with practical guidance, emotional support, and clinical insights throughout the cancer journeyNEW DELHI, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Marking Cancer Survivors Month and reinforcing the importance of holistic cancer care, Apollo Athenaa, Asia’s first comprehensive cancer centre dedicated exclusively to women, marked a significant step in India’s oncology support landscape with the launch of Holding Hope: A Handbook for Cancer Caregivers—India’s first dedicated resource designed exclusively to support individuals caring for loved ones with cancer.

While cancer survivorship is often celebrated through the resilience and recovery of patients, the journey is rarely undertaken alone. Behind every survivor is a network of family members and caregivers who provide emotional, physical, logistical, and financial support throughout diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and beyond. Data indicates that 95 per cent of cancer patients in India have at least one primary caregiver; 57 per cent are supported by three to four caregivers, and 23 per cent have five to seven individuals involved in their care1. Yet despite their critical role, caregivers often navigate this demanding responsibility without access to structured guidance or dedicated support.Recognising this unmet need, Holding Hope: A Handbook for Cancer Caregivers has been authored by Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead – Medical and Precision Oncology, Apollo Athenaa, along with Dr. Hussain Shaik, Associate Consultant – Medical Oncology, Apollo Athenaa. Drawing on years of clinical experience and patient interactions, the handbook serves as a practical companion for caregivers, offering actionable guidance on managing treatment journeys, navigating difficult conversations, supporting emotional well-being, understanding medical decisions, and prioritising self-care.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead, Medical and Precision Oncology, Apollo Athenaa said, “When we celebrate cancer survivors, it is equally important to acknowledge the caregivers who stand beside them through every treatment cycle, every setback, and every milestone. With over 15 lakh new cancer cases reported in India in 20242, the number of families navigating the complexities of cancer care continues to grow. Caregivers are often the silent pillars of strength in a patient’s journey, yet many feel unprepared for the emotional and practical challenges that come with the role. Through Holding Hope, we wanted to create a trusted resource that equips caregivers with knowledge, confidence, and reassurance at every stage of the cancer journey.”Sharing his experience as a caregiver, Mr. Sudesh, who has supported his wife through her cancer journey said, “When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, caregivers often find themselves navigating uncertainty, difficult decisions, and emotional challenges with little guidance. The launch of Holding Hope is a welcome initiative. Its practical advice on managing treatment, understanding medical decisions, supporting emotional well-being, and prioritising self-care will help many caregivers like me feel more informed, prepared, and supported.”Highlighting the importance of equipping caregivers with the right knowledge and support, Dr. Hussain Shaik, Associate Consultant, Medical Oncology, Apollo Athenaa added, “Caregivers play a vital role in the cancer journey, often serving as the bridge between patients and healthcare teams. However, many find themselves navigating complex medical decisions, treatment-related challenges, and emotional stress with little formal guidance.” This handbook combines evidence-based medical information with practical caregiving strategies and real-life experiences to help caregivers better understand their role and foster stronger communication with patients and clinicians. Importantly, it also addresses an often-overlooked aspect of caregiving, the need for caregivers to prioritise their own physical and emotional well-being while supporting their loved ones.The launch of Holding Hope reflects Apollo Athenaa’s broader vision of advancing patient-centred and family-centred cancer care. By placing caregivers at the heart of the oncology continuum, the initiative seeks to strengthen support systems that contribute meaningfully to patient outcomes, quality of life, and long-term survivorship.As conversations around cancer care continue to evolve, Apollo Athenaa hopes that Holding Hope will encourage greater recognition of caregivers and foster a more compassionate, informed, and inclusive approach to cancer survivorship in India.1 Profile of cancer caregivers among adult Indian rural cancer patients: A prospective survey. | Journal of Clinical Oncology 2 https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU3233_xEZ9oE.pdf?source=pqalsAbout Apollo AthenaaApollo Athenaa, a unit of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, is Asia’s first dedicated cancer centre for women, rooted in empathy and powered by science. It is not just a facility—it’s a mission. Apollo Athenaa is envisioned as a safe, specialised space exclusively for women, combining cutting-edge oncology expertise with compassion, dignity, and privacy. Women are the cornerstones of families and communities, and their health directly impacts the strength of the nation. Recognising the need for timely, specialised, and compassionate care, Apollo has taken a pioneering step forward. Apollo Athenaa provides comprehensive women-focused cancer care, from preventive screenings and advanced diagnostics to surgical oncology, breast oncoplasty, fertility preservation, and reconstructive care. Supported by multidisciplinary expertise and precision oncology, the centre also offers nutrition, physiotherapy, onco-psychology, and palliative care, ensuring a continuum of services that place women’s health, dignity, and well-being at the forefront. Log on to: https://www.apollohospitals.com/hospitals/apollo-athenaa-womens-cancer-centre 

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Affle Announces Strategic Acquisition of AdColony Technology Assets and Trademark from DT

Acquisition Strengthens Affle 3i Consumer Platform Tech Stack and Reinforces Commitment to Accelerated Growth with Ongoing Commercial Partnership with DTSAN FRANCISCO and GURUGRAM, India, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Affle, a global technology company that delivers premium consumer conversions for advertisers with its verticalized AI-powered Consumer Platform, announced that Affle MEA FZ LLC has entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with DT (NASDAQ: APPS), formerly Digital Turbine, to acquire select strategic AdColony assets including the AdColony SDK for Android and iOS devices, tech platform, existing integration with in-app publishers and mediation platforms, the brand name, domain and the goodwill exclusively related to the assets.

The acquisition aligns with Affle’s 10X growth strategy to augment its Consumer Platform technology stack with broader SDK reach, spanning a wide and diverse range of mobile publisher connections globally. Affle’s deep verticalization strategy and expanded IP portfolio ensure enhanced human-vs-non-human data distillation to drive premium consumer conversions through its differentiated CPCU (Cost Per Converted User) business model.”We are excited to announce this strategic acquisition of assets as part of our 10X growth plan,” said Anuj Khanna Sohum, Chairperson, MD & CEO of Affle. “The integration of AdColony is a significant step towards driving global scale for Affle’s advertisers with premium conversions powered by deeper audience intelligence across all our industry verticals. With our integrated stack, we will unlock greater ROI for our advertisers and publishers alike, and thus drive long-term value for our stakeholders.”The transaction enables DT to further focus investment and resources on its core media and distribution platforms and differentiated data and intelligence assets.”We made the strategic decision following our Fyber and AdColony acquisitions to consolidate around a single exchange platform, which became the foundation for what is now DTX,” said Bill Stone, CEO of DT. “That decision allowed us to simplify our technology stack, focus our investment, and build a stronger long-term platform. Affle is a natural partner for these AdColony assets, and this transaction creates an opportunity to deepen our commercial relationship, leveraging our respective supply, demand and technology strengths to deliver greater value for advertisers, publishers and partners.””This acquisition reinforces Affle’s commitment to continuously scaling globally and delivering personalized recommendations across the connected consumer journeys,” said Sameer Sondhi, CEO of North America and Chief Strategic Investments Officer at Affle. “AdColony brings a long-standing and trusted reputation with publishers globally that complements Affle’s broader strategy. The acquisition further strengthens Affle’s ability to drive deeper engagement with both existing and new advertisers worldwide. Enhanced reach, combined with richer audience intelligence for premium consumer conversions, will enable truly differentiated impact.”Through this acquisition and its ongoing commercial partnership with DT, Affle aims to deliver enhanced value for advertisers, publishers and stakeholders globally.About Affle Inc.Affle Inc. is a global technology company enabling verticalized AI-led consumer conversions for advertisers globally, powered by the differentiated CPCU business model across Mobile, CTV and other agentic/autonomous intelligent connected devices (AICDs). Affle 3i Consumer Platform enables advertisers to optimize targeting, personalize user engagement and maximize ROI by combining proprietary data, deep audience intelligence and advanced agentic AI capabilities. With innovative technology integrations, Affle maximizes user engagement at every stage of the consumer journey across connected devices with algorithms that go beyond automation and efficiency to deliver next-gen experiences through deep human-vs-non-human data distillation.Affle Inc. is a step-down US subsidiary of Affle 3i Limited, which is listed on the NSE: AFFLE and BSE: 542752.For more information, visit – www.affle.com   

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U.S. News Unveils 2026-2027 Best Global Universities Rankings

Universities in more than 100 countries are evaluated in the newest edition. WASHINGTON, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings and consumer advice, today published the 2026-2027 Best Global Universities rankings, which evaluate more than 2,250 schools on academic research and reputation.

The latest edition includes universities from more than 100 countries. The following countries have the most schools in the overall rankings:China: 409United States: 275India: 123United Kingdom: 93Japan: 86″For students seeking universities with strong academic excellence and global recognition, the Best Global Universities rankings offer an essential comparative resource,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “Our methodology focuses on a school’s research mission and scholarly impact, helping students identify institutions that are truly at the forefront of global knowledge creation.”Of the 51 subject rankings, four will have more schools ranked this year, including: water resources; chemical engineering; energy and fuels; and clinical medicine.Powered by data and metrics from the Web of Science Core Collection and InCites Benchmarking & Analytics provided by Clarivate, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, the Best Global Universities methodology weighs factors that measure a university’s global and regional research reputation and academic research performance.For the overall ranking, this includes bibliometric indicators such as publications, citations and international collaboration. Each of the 51 subject rankings has its own weighting based on academic research performance in that specific area.2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities*See the full rankings here.Overall Best Global Universities – Top 10Harvard UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Stanford UniversityUniversity of OxfordUniversity of CambridgeTsinghua UniversityUniversity of California BerkeleyYale UniversityUniversity College LondonColumbia UniversityAfrica – Top 3University of Cape Town (South Africa)Cairo University (Egypt)University of Witwatersrand (South Africa)Asia – Top 3Tsinghua University (China)National University of Singapore (Singapore)Peking University (China)Australia/New Zealand – Top 3University of Melbourne (Australia)University of Sydney (Australia)University of New South Wales Sydney (Australia)Europe – Top 3University of Oxford (United Kingdom)University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)University College London (United Kingdom)Latin America – Top 3Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil)Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (Chile)University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)The Best Global Universities rankings serve the broader U.S. News mission of providing trusted information and rankings – such as Best High Schools, Best Colleges and Best Online Programs – to empower all students in making informed choices about their education.For more information on the Best Global Universities, visit X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram using #BestGlobal.About U.S. News & World ReportU.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, insurance, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.About ClarivateClarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com.

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