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  • AVer Receives 2026 Unified Communications Product of the Year Award from TMCnet

    AVer Receives 2026 Unified Communications Product of the Year Award from TMCnet

     Taipei, Taiwan – June 26: AVer Information Inc., an award-winning provider of AI audio-video solutions, announced today that TMC, a global, integrated media company helping clients build communities via in person and digital marketing campaigns has named the VB150 as a 2026 Unified Communications Product of the Year Award winner.

    “We are honored to receive TMC’s 2026 Unified Communications Product of the Year Award for the VB150,” said Marc Happes, Sr. Product Manager at AVer Information Inc. “The VB150 was designed to simplify hybrid collaboration in smaller meeting rooms while delivering exceptional video and audio experiences for every participant. TMCnet’s recognition reflects our commitment to creating innovative solutions that help organizations communicate and collaborate more effectively in today’s dynamic workplace.”

    AVer’s VB150 is a next-generation USB video bar designed to make hybrid collaboration effortless, accessible and highly impactful. Built specifically for huddle rooms and small meeting spaces, the VB150 combines powerful 4K video performance, intelligent AI features and simple plug-and-play connectivity to deliver seamless hybrid meeting experiences for BYOD and PC-based room solutions.

    The VB150 features a high-performance 4K camera with a 120° wide-angle lens, ensuring every participant is clearly visible and included in the conversation. The VB150 also includes intelligent features such as AI Voice Tracking, which automatically follows the active speaker, while Smart Composition frames all meeting participants for a balanced, engaging view. Together, these capabilities create a natural and inclusive meeting experience without requiring manual camera adjustments.

    The VB150’s advanced audio system ensures every voice is heard clearly. Equipped with five beamforming microphones and AI noise reduction, the system captures speech accurately while minimizing background distractions. An optional expansion microphone can further extend audio pickup range, making the VB150 adaptable to a variety of room layouts.

    “It gives me great pleasure to honor AVer as a 2026 recipient of TMC’s Unified Communications Product of the Year Award for their innovative solution, VB150,” said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. “Our judges were very impressed with the ingenuity and excellence displayed by AVer in their groundbreaking work on VB150.”

    Winners of the 2026 Unified Communications Product of the Year Award will be announced online and highlighted in INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine online.

     

     

  • IICT and Wacom India Join Hands For Creative Learning Through Manga and Anime Engagements

    Strengthening the growing collaboration between India and Japan in the creative technology ecosystem, IICT extended the earlier signed MoU for a series of engagements around Manga, Anime, digital creativity and skill development bringing together Japanese industry expertise, technology leaders and India’s emerging AVGC talent ecosystem.

    IICT and Wacom India Join Hands For Creative Learning Through Manga and Anime Engagements

    As part of this collaboration, a Manga Masterclass was conducted on 22nd June 2026 in collaboration with Wacom India, which facilitated the participation of Akiko-San, a renowned Manga Artist from Japan with over 30 years of industry experience. The session introduced participants to the history and evolution of Manga, traditional Manga creation techniques, storytelling methods and professional approaches used in the industry.

    Held at the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, the workshop was conducted across two batches of 30 participants each, with one session exclusively for IICT students and another open to the public. The free masterclass received over 250 registrations, reflecting the growing interest among Indian creators and students in Japanese creative formats and global storytelling practices.

    The Manga Masterclass was part of a broader India–Japan engagement focused on expanding opportunities in Anime, Manga and creative technology education. A strategic meeting was also held between Mr. Koji Yano, Global Head of the Creative Experience Unit at Wacom Co., Ltd., Japan; Mr. Rajiv Malik, Senior Director, Wacom India; Ms. Jenica Kalra from JETRO; and representatives from IICT, including its leadership team and faculty members from Animation and Comics disciplines.

    The discussions explored opportunities for specialised training initiatives in Anime and Manga, knowledge exchange, industry engagement and strengthening industry led education models for future creators.

    Further strengthening this partnership, IICT and Wacom India exchanged an addendum to their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), building on their collaboration in creative education, industry readiness and access to global digital creative technologies. The MoU provides a framework for joint workshops, expert sessions, industry-oriented training programmes, access to professional creative tools, inter-institutional initiatives and mentorship opportunities for students.

    Speaking on the India–Japan collaboration, Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, Chief Executive Officer, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), said,

     “India’s creative economy is at a stage where global partnerships, industry exposure and access to advanced tools will play a key role in building future-ready talent. The collaboration between Indian and Japanese stakeholders brings together Japan’s expertise in Manga, Anime and creative technology with India’s growing talent base in the AVGC sector. Such initiatives will help create stronger pathways for learning, innovation and international engagement for aspiring creators.”

    Mr. Koji Yano, Global Head of the Creative Experience Unit at Wacom Co., Ltd said,

     “I am truly honored to have the opportunity to hold this workshop at the IICT campus. This innovative workshop allows participants to learn the essential skills of idea creation and storytelling through Manga, one of Japan’s most iconic cultural expressions. I hope this experience will inspire young creators and strengthen the creative connection between Japan and India. Wacom has been supporting creative education in India through its partnership with IICT, and we look forward to building an even stronger partnership to help nurture and empower many more creators in India.”

    Mr. Rajiv Malik, Senior Director, Wacom India, said,

    “At Wacom, we believe India has the potential to become a global leader in the AVGC ecosystem. Our collaboration with IICT reflects Wacom’s long-term commitment to strengthening the country’s creator economy by investing in skill development, industry-academia partnerships, and access to world-class digital creative technologies. Through initiatives such as the Manga Workshop and continued engagement, we aim to equip students with globally relevant creative skills while encouraging innovation, storytelling, and digital content creation. We see this partnership as the beginning of a long-term roadmap to nurture future-ready talent, support the growth of India’s AVGC sector, and contribute to building a globally competitive creative workforce.”

  • 5 Skills Indian Employers Will Prioritize Over Degrees in 2026

     By Arindam Mukherjee, Co-founder & CEO, NextLeap

    As India’s job market continues to evolve, employers are increasingly shifting their focus from traditional qualifications to practical, job-ready skills. According to NextLeap, a career accelerator helping learners transition into high-growth careers, companies in 2026 will prioritize candidates who can demonstrate real-world capabilities, problem-solving abilities, and immediate workplace impact. Based on hiring trends across emerging industries, these are the five skills expected to matter more than degrees in the coming years. 

    1. Data Analytics

    It is clear that companies create huge volumes of data nowadays, yet the success of those companies relies heavily on specialists who will be able to extract valuable information from that volume. Nowadays, employers look for people who are capable of utilizing databases like SQL, Excel, Power BI, and Tableau.

    In this age of data, it becomes increasingly common for organizations to require skills in analytics as a part of the main responsibilities of employees, not just an analytical role. Employees who will be able to interpret business data will definitely have an edge in the labor market.

    2. Product Management

    Organizations do not want people who only know how to follow instructions but professionals who know how to find the problems of their customers and create solutions to those problems. With product management skills, professionals will be able to understand the needs of users, assess the priorities of the business, and make decisions that will lead to growth.

    There is growing interest in digital products, which is why product thinking is now useful outside of the field of products too.

    3. UX/UI Design

    The success or failure of a product in the competitive digital world hinges on user experience. There is a need for individuals who can come up with experiences that are not only intuitive and easy to use but will increase user engagement and retention.

    It is now necessary to understand the users, as user experience skills such as conducting user research, doing wireframes, prototypes, and usability tests become key elements of business success.

    4. Business Analysis

    With businesses undergoing their digital transformations, the requirement for individuals who would be able to connect between their goals and action plans has increased tremendously. The role of a Business Analyst involves assisting the organization with finding the problem areas and converting their complex requirements into viable solutions.

    Employers prefer those individuals who have the ability to comprehend business processes, be able to communicate well, and make decisions based on data.

    5. AI-Enabled Problem Solving

    Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way things get done at work, which makes the knowledge of AI an important requirement in the workplace. Companies need employees that know how to take advantage of AI to increase efficiency, automate mundane activities, and come up with insights faster.

    The key factor is being able to utilize the power of AI along with human decision-making skills. The employees who will know how to apply AI to problem-solving and decision-making are likely to be in great demand by 2026.

  • Crude Oil Extends Losses, Set for Weekly Drop

    Crude Oil Extends Losses, Set for Weekly Drop

    June 26: Crude oil prices fell by up to 2% in early trading on Friday, extending losses through the week amid concerns over supply-demand imbalances and shifting global market sentiment.

    Benchmark crude contracts continued to remain under pressure as investors weighed expectations of steady production levels against uncertain demand outlooks in key consuming regions. The decline has put oil prices on track for their sharpest weekly losses in recent weeks.

    Market analysts said the downward trend reflects cautious trading sentiment, with participants closely tracking global economic indicators, inventory data, and production signals from major oil-producing nations.

    Despite short-term volatility, energy markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments and policy decisions that could influence future supply dynamics.

    Traders are expected to monitor upcoming economic data and industry reports for further direction in global crude price movements.

  • India, UK Explore New Avenues to Strengthen Economic and Trade Partnership: Piyush Goyal

    New Delhi, June 26: India and the United Kingdom are exploring new opportunities to further deepen their economic and trade partnership, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday.

    Goyal said both countries are actively engaged in discussions aimed at expanding bilateral trade, enhancing investment flows, and identifying new areas of cooperation to strengthen the overall economic relationship.

    He noted that the India–UK partnership continues to offer significant growth potential across key sectors, including technology, manufacturing, services, and innovation. According to him, ongoing engagements reflect a shared commitment to building a stronger, more balanced, and mutually beneficial trade relationship.

    The minister added that closer economic cooperation between the two countries will help create new opportunities for businesses and contribute to long-term economic growth on both sides.

    India and the UK have been regularly engaging through high-level dialogues to further deepen their strategic and economic ties.

  • Muharram Holiday: Stock Markets to Remain Closed

    Mumbai, June 26: The Indian stock markets will remain closed today on account of Muharram, a scheduled trading holiday.

    Both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will not conduct trading in equity, equity derivatives, securities lending and borrowing (SLB), and currency derivatives segments. Normal trading activities will resume on the next working day.

    The closure is in line with the official holiday calendar issued by the stock exchanges. Investors and market participants have been advised to plan their trading and settlement activities accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.

    While markets remain closed, investors can still access their trading platforms to view portfolios and place orders, which will be processed once trading resumes.

    The exchanges periodically release trading holiday schedules to ensure smooth functioning and advance planning for all stakeholders in the financial markets.

  • Chennai Bulls secure the last semi-final berth at HSBC Rugby Premier League powered by Avid Season 2

    Hyderabad, June 26: The 10th day of the HSBC Rugby Premier League powered by Avid Season 2 witnessed Chennai Bulls secure Semi Final qualification with a 14-14 draw against the Bengaluru Bravehearts while Delhi Redz and hosts Hyderabad Heroes secured victories at the Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Gachibowli, Hyderabad on Thursday.

    Delhi Redz knock out Kolkata Banga Tigers 40-28

    Delhi Redz made a commanding start, patiently building their attacks before Nygel Amaitsa broke through to open the scoring. Samuel Asati and Josep Serres quickly added further tries, while Hitesh Dagar extended the advantage as the Redz dominated possession and territory.

    With their semi–final hopes hanging in the balance, Kolkata Banga Tigers finally found a response through Vuiviwa Naduvalo before half-time. Serres struck again after the break, but Naduvalo almost single-handedly dragged the Tigers back into the contest with two brilliant individual tries late in the third quarter. Jon Okeyo restored Delhi’s breathing space in the final period, while Naduvalo produced another moment of magic, though the Redz maintained their composure and controlled the closing stages to secure an important win.

    Hyderabad Heroes overpower Mumbai Dreamers 33-0

    The Heroes dictated proceedings through swift ball movement and aggressive defensive pressure, stretching the Dreamers across the width of the field. Manuel Moreno opened the scoring after a well-worked move before Taitaifono Tavita exploited space out wide to add another try.

     The Heroes continued to dominate territory in the second quarter, with Tavita crossing over again from the left wing and Francisco Cosculluela capitalising on sustained pressure as Mumbai struggled to retain possession and build phases. Although the Dreamers tightened their defence in the third quarter and limited scoring opportunities, Hyderabad maintained control through possession and field position. Ravuama Seruvakula eventually broke through in the final quarter, while the Heroes’ organised defence and superior pace prevented Mumbai from finding a way onto the scoresheet.

    Chennai Bulls play out 14-14 draw with Bengaluru Bravehearts

    The Bulls made the brighter start, using their physicality and quick recycling of possession to pin the Bravehearts inside their own half.

    Santiago Alvarez finished off the early pressure with a well-taken try, but Bengaluru responded efficiently whenever they had the ball, with Jonas Mikalcius completing a patient attacking move to level the scores at the end of the opening quarter.

     Defences dominated the second period as both sides closed down space and disrupted attacking phases. Magomederassul Magomedov drove the Bravehearts forward after the restart, allowing Akuila Rokolisoa to finish a promising move and hand Bengaluru the advantage.

     However, Mohit Khatri responded almost immediately with a powerful run through the middle to restore parity.

     Chennai applied sustained pressure in the closing stages, but Bengaluru’s resilient defence ensured the points were shared.

  • Odisha Speaker Appoints Pramila Mallik to Head Public Accounts Committee for 2026–27

    Bhubaneswar, June 26: Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Chief Whip of the BJD Legislature Party, Pramila Mallik, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Odisha Legislative Assembly for the financial year 2026–27.

    The appointment was made by Speaker Surama Padhy through a notification issued by the Odisha Legislative Assembly Secretariat. Mallik was nominated to head the committee under Rule 197(1) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

    The 12-member Public Accounts Committee has been constituted under Rule 135(1) of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.

    The committee comprises Chairperson Pramila Mallik along with members Rama Chandra Kadam, Dr. Aruna Kumar Sahu, Ganeswar Behera, Sanatan Bijuli, Akash Dasnayak, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, Ashok Mohanty, Babu Singh, Santosh Khatua, Amar Kumar Nayak and Arabinda Mohapatra.

    The Public Accounts Committee is one of the most significant financial oversight bodies of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. It examines the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and scrutinises government expenditure to ensure that public funds are utilised in accordance with legislative approvals and established financial norms. The committee plays a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline in public administration.

    The constitution of the committee for 2026–27 is expected to further strengthen legislative oversight over the state’s financial management and expenditure.

  • As AI Concerns Grow, 66% of Enterprise Event Professionals Now Say AI Translation Outperforms Human Interpreters

     

    New study finds AI translation exceeds human interpretation on quality, access, and cost as multilingual demand surges

    LOS ALTOS, CA – June 26 – For years, human interpreters have been considered the gold standard for multilingual communication. New research suggests the standard is changing.

    The “2026 State of AI Translation and Captions” survey, conducted independently by Dimensional Research and commissioned by Wordly, finds that two-thirds (66%) of enterprise event planners now say AI translation and captions deliver better quality than human interpreters. That shift strengthens with AI usage. Among regular users, 79% say AI performs better, while just 12% prefer human interpreters.

    “Much of the public conversation around AI still focuses on risk, uncertainty, and what the technology cannot do,” said Lakshman Rathnam, Wordly Founder & CEO. “But research shows that organizations that use AI translation are making decisions based on outcomes, not assumptions. They’re seeing measurable gains in quality, accessibility, and scale and that is reshaping what they expect from language technology.”

    Key Findings from the 2026 State of AI Translation and Captions Survey:

    ●A New Quality Standard: 66% of enterprise event planners report that AI translation and captioning delivers higher quality than human interpreters (compared to 25% who still prefer traditional interpretation services).

    ●High Satisfaction Across the Board: 79% of regular users say AI translation performs better than traditional options (with just 12% preferring human interpreters), while 61% of occasional users report a superior experience.

    ●Rapid Technology Advances: 93% of respondents state that AI translation quality has noticeably improved over the past year.

    ●Economics Driving Adoption: 95% of enterprise organizations find AI translation more affordable and easier to deploy than human interpretation, allowing them to expand language access within budget constraints.

    ●Surging Multilingual Demand: 88% of respondents report an increase in non-English-speaking participants, up from 77% the previous year.

    ●A Universal Corporate Priority: 96% of surveyed organizations state that providing comprehensive language access is now an official priority.

    What’s Next: The Future Strategy for Enterprise Language Access

    Despite near-universal adoption of AI interpretation (88%) and captioning (91%), 97% of respondents want capabilities beyond live translation, including:

    ●58% are interested in adding full multilingual transcripts

    ●53% would like to add subtitle and voice dubbing files

    ●51% are interested in creating meeting notes with action items

    ●50% would like to add marketing-ready summaries

    A complete copy of the 2026 State of AI Translation and Captions can be found online at https://www.wordly.ai/research/state-of-ai-translation-2026. An infographic highlighting the biggest trends of the survey is also available.

    Survey Methodology: The 2026 State of AI Translation and Captioning survey was commissioned by Wordly and conducted by Dimensional Research. The study surveyed 205 qualified meeting and event stakeholders from the United States and United Kingdom between May 11 and May 21, 2026. Participants were responsible for external events and/or internal meetings involving multilingual audiences at organizations with more than 1,000 employees.

     

     

  • Dabur India Limited inducts the importance of Wonder Herb Pudina

    Dabur India Limited inducts the importance of Wonder Herb Pudina

    Bhubaneswar, June 26: Moving forward in its mission to propagate the benefits of Ayurvedic herbs, India’s largest Science-based Ayurveda company, Dabur India Ltd, launched a campaign to promote Pudina as a wonder herb. Pudina is packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients that can work wonders for the human stomach especially during the scorching summers. 

    With the accelerating frequency of heatwaves & rising mercury levels, health issues have become recurrent during the summer season. Tackling these intensifying seasonal health concerns, Dabur is manifesting the use of Pudina for those who remain under the sun for the longest hours of the day and become prone to common summer diseases.

    “The best management to modern day diseases are deep embedded in the manuscripts of Ayurveda. The historical background of Pudina goes back to 3,000 years and it has been christened as the Wonder Herb which is beneficial for human digestive system. The menthol present in Pudina stimulates the enzymes necessary for digestion, relaxes the muscles of the stomach, reducing the chances of indigestion and spasms. It is also known for its calming effect on stomach cramps and ability to triumph over acidity and flatulence.” said Dr. Ambika Prasad Nayak. 

    Today a lot of antacids are available in market which contains harsh chemicals like aluminum/magnesium hydroxides which if taken on regular basis can have some harmful effect on health. Dabur Pudin Hara which is over 100 Yrs old brand from Dabur, is an ayurvedic solution with goodness of Pudina Satva to give fast and effective relief in all stomach problems like Gas, Indigestion, Stomach Pain and acidity.  Pudin Hara is available in multiple formats like tablets/Liquid, Powder format as Pudin Hara Fizz –which is natural remedy for acidity vs harsh chemicals. 

    Speaking at the event, Mr. Sriram Padmanabhan, Director Marketing, Dabur India Ltd said: “Observing the evolving trends in lifestyles and work patterns the consumers today are continuously multi-tasking and therefore they require effective and natural solutions. Dabur, as the most trusted healthcare company, strengthens its goal of instigating traditional Ayurveda to combat daily health issues and Pudin Hara is one sure shot solution for multiple gastric disorders. Considering the numerous diseases prevalent during the summer season, Pudin Hara helps in managing stomach problems like indigestion, Gas and Acidity”.