Woodside, South Australia, Australia, 20th Oct 2026, Grand Newswire –
Humane HR magazine Issue 2 – October 2026 Edition is now live, featuring interviews and expert contributions on human resources, workplace practices and leadership.

The issue of the HR for Humans at Work publication examines approaches to workplace management, employee development, recognition, performance, wellbeing and organisational change. Contributors discuss practices such as outcome-based performance measurement, flexible work arrangements, employee-led learning, peer recognition, mentorship and the integration of artificial intelligence into professional development.

The edition’s expert roundups also bring together perspectives on the factors that influence employee engagement, accountability and workplace experiences. Contributors address how trust, communication, autonomy and defined expectations inform management practices and team performance.

The issue also features the Humane HR Awards 2025 recipients, whose work covers areas including neuro-inclusive leadership, workplace safety, human–technology integration, emotional intelligence, employee wellbeing and organisational transformation.

Through interviews and expert responses, the October edition considers how human resources practitioners and organisational leaders can account for employee needs while addressing business objectives. The contributions examine the role of leadership decisions, workplace systems and development opportunities in shaping how people participate and contribute at work.

Issue 2 continues the magazine’s coverage of human resources through perspectives from professionals working across different roles and sectors.

The October 2026 edition is available via major retailers including Amazon. More details can be found via the Humane HR Magazine page at the website of HR for Humans at Work. 

Alongside the magazine’s release, HR for Humans at Work has announced the opening of nominations for the Humane HR Awards 2027. The awards provide an opportunity to recognise individuals and organisations whose work contributes to human resources, workplace practices and leadership. Interested individuals and organisations can consult the HR for Humans at Work website for nomination details and further information about the awards.

About HR for Humans at Work

HR for Humans at Work covers human resources, workplace practices and leadership through interviews, articles and professional perspectives. Its content examines how organisations approach people management, employee development, workplace relationships and organisational responsibilities.

About Humane HR Magazine

Humane HR Magazine is a publication focused on human resources, workplace leadership and the relationship between organisational practices and the people affected by them. Through interviews and expert contributions, the magazine covers topics including employee engagement, workplace wellbeing, professional development, inclusion, technology and organisational change.

About Humane HR Awards

The Humane HR Awards programme is hosted by HR for Humans at Work to recognise individuals, initiatives, companies and organisations contributing to more human-centred workplaces. The global awards recognise achievements across human resources and related fields, with consideration given to areas such as employee wellbeing, inclusion, leadership, professional development, workplace safety, innovation and organisational effectiveness. Through its recognition programme, the Humane HR Awards seeks to highlight practices that balance organisational objectives with the dignity, growth and wellbeing of people at work.

For more information and nomination details, visit https://hrforhumansatwork.com/humane-hr-awards/. 

Media Contact

Organization: HR for Humans at Work

Contact
Person: Esperanza Pretila

Website:

https://hrforhumansatwork.com/

Email:

esperanza.pretila@hrforhumansatwork.com

Address:82 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside, South Australia 5244

City: Woodside

State: South Australia

Country:Australia

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Godspower Oshodin, founder of the Africa Literature Trust Fund, has announced public readings and book signings for his book Even the Devil Wears a Pretty Smile in Kigali on 7 November, Accra on 4 December and Cannes on 18 December 2026.

ABUJA, Nigeria, 20 October 2026 – Godspower Oshodin, founder of the Africa Literature Trust Fund (ALTF), today announced a book tour for his book “Even the Devil Wears a Pretty Smile,” with public readings and book signings in Rwanda, Ghana and France in November and December 2026.

Confirmed tour dates

7 November 2026 – Kigali, Rwanda

4 December 2026 – Accra, Ghana

18 December 2026 – Cannes, France

Each event will include a reading from the book, a book signing and time for questions from the audience. Further dates are planned for 2027 and will be announced once they are confirmed.

“Reading aloud in front of an audience is one of the oldest ways of sharing a story,” said Godspower Oshodin. “I am glad to take this book to readers in Africa and Europe, and to do it as part of the work we do at the Africa Literature Trust Fund to bring books and readers together.”

About Godspower Oshodin

Godspower Oshodin is a Nigerian writer and the founder of the Africa Literature Trust Fund. “Even the Devil Wears a Pretty Smile” is published by ALTF.

About the Africa Literature Trust Fund

The Africa Literature Trust Fund is a foundation based in Abuja, Nigeria, founded in 2013. It promotes reading, writing and language across Africa and publishes work by African writers. Writers can submit manuscripts through the organisation’s website at www.africaliteraturetrustfund.org.

Media Contact

Organization: Africa Literature Trust Fund

Contact Person: Godspower Oshodin

Website: http://www.africaliteraturetrustfund.org

Email:
greatpoet6@gmail.com

Contact Number: +2349094142307

Address: 8, Adebayo Adedeji Crescent, Utako

City: Abuja

State: FCT

Country: Nigeria

Release id: 50036

View source version on King Newswire:
Godspower Oshodin of Africa Literature Trust Fund Announces Book Tour in Kigali Accra and Cannes

Timing combines five-minute activity records, calendar planning, and reflection to help users compare what they intended to do with how their day actually unfolded.

Wonju, South Korea, 20th Oct 2026 – Where did my day go? For someone who made a plan in the morning but cannot explain where the hours went by evening, the problem may be less about planning than knowing what actually happened. Timing, a time-tracking app from South Korean company NALDA, is designed to make that gap visible and offer a starting point for reflection.

According to NALDA, users had logged a combined 200,000 hours in Timing as of October 1, 2026. The figure represents the total time recorded by users across the app.

Timing is built around the distinction between recording time and understanding it. Instead of treating a completed time log as the goal, the app invites users to notice where their intentions and actions diverged. Observing that difference offers a concrete basis for reviewing habits, revising plans, and making the next choice.

The approach grew out of NALDA’s Jumadeung Diary, a paper journal developed with an education professor specializing in educational counseling. The journal centered on recording daily activities and looking back at them. Timing brings that practice to a smartphone, offering a record of actions as a simple starting point for reflection, even when feelings are difficult to describe.

Timing uses a color-coded grid to make that record easy to read: each cell represents five minutes, and each row represents one hour. Users log focused work, breaks, and everyday tasks to see how a day unfolded. What might otherwise be remembered as a blur of activity becomes a pattern they can revisit.

Planning is paired with activity records rather than kept apart from them. Timing integrates with Apple Calendar and Google Calendar, allowing users to view scheduled events while planning their days and weeks. They can compare their plans with actual records side by side, see which tasks took longer than expected, and identify when the day took a different direction. Those differences can help inform more realistic plans.

Daily and weekly summaries show how time is distributed across activities, including focus and rest. A day remembered as uninterrupted work, for example, may reveal frequent task switching. For Timing, reviewing such patterns is the link between keeping a record and exercising self-discipline: users can consider what to change next instead of simply counting how many hours they logged.

Live Activities and widgets extend self-monitoring beyond the app. Users can check their current activity and recording status from the Lock Screen or Home Screen, making it easier to notice what they are doing as the day unfolds. A Pomodoro timer also lets users set a focus period and track the session. Together, these tools support awareness in the moment, while activity summaries support reflection afterward.

Rather than promise a perfectly optimized day, NALDA frames Timing as a way to pay attention to everyday behavior. An unfinished plan becomes something to examine against the activity record, not just an unchecked task. The intended practice is repeatable: make a plan, observe what happens, reflect on the difference, and decide what to do next.

NALDA also reports that Timing is being used at the Gangwon Smart-shim Center(Internet Addiction Prevention Center) in South Korea, an example of its use in an organizational setting as well as by individuals.

For NALDA, the point of a time record is not the record itself. It is the question that record can help answer: Where did my day go, and what might I do differently tomorrow? By bringing planning, observation, and reflection together, Timing aims to give users a clearer basis for the next choice.

About NALDA: NALDA Co., Ltd. is a South Korea-based technology company specializing in digital wellness, time management solutions, and behavioral reflection applications.

For more information, please visit https://nalda.co

Media Contact

Organization: NALDA Co., Ltd.

Contact Person: Yisub Heo

Website: https://nalda.co/

Email: Send Email

City: Wonju

Country: South Korea

Release id: 50059

View source version on King Newswire:
Beyond Productivity: South Korea’s Timing App Helps Users See Where Their Time Goes

The broker outlines its regulatory structure, client fund arrangements and the information traders can review when assessing broker legitimacy.

Malaysia, 20th Oct 2026 – AIMS has outlined several points traders can check when assessing a forex broker, including the company behind an account, its regulatory licence and the way client funds are handled.

The information reflects AIMS’ own operating structure across several regulated jurisdictions and is intended to make broker verification more straightforward for traders, particularly in Southeast Asia.

What Is AIMS?

AIMS is a financial brokerage brand serving retail traders, introducing brokers, affiliates and money managers across Southeast Asia and other markets. The company has operated in financial markets for more than 11 years.

AIMS works through different legal entities in different jurisdictions. Its regulatory coverage includes an Australian Financial Services Licence issued by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, AFSL No. 526125; a Labuan Forex Money Broking Licence, No. MB/17/0017; a Cambodia Derivative Broker Licence issued by the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia, No. 035; and an Indonesian licence issued by BAPPEBTI, No. SI/09/2025.

For traders checking whether AIMS is regulated, the relevant licence is the one attached to the legal entity serving their account.

Indonesia is one part of that structure. AIMS has a locally licensed presence through BAPPEBTI, Indonesia’s commodity futures regulator. This gives Indonesian traders a local regulatory reference when checking the broker’s status.

Regulation and Client Fund Arrangements

AIMS also identifies segregated client funds and professional indemnity insurance (PII) among its client-protection measures.

Segregated funds are intended to keep client money separate from a broker’s operating funds. Professional indemnity insurance serves a different purpose and covers specified liabilities associated with the business.

Neither arrangement removes the financial risk involved in trading, and neither should be treated as protection against trading losses.

These details are relevant to common questions around whether AIMS is safe, reliable or legitimate. Rather than relying on a single claim, traders can look at the company name, regulatory status and client-fund arrangements together.

The applicable documentation may differ depending on the jurisdiction and legal entity through which a client is served.

What Traders Can Check Before Opening an Account

A broker’s website is usually the starting point, but the information shown there should match the entity and jurisdiction connected to the account.

A practical review can focus on five points:

– the legal name of the company providing the service;

– the regulator responsible for that entity;

– the licence number shown for the company;

– whether client funds are held separately from operating funds;

– the legal and risk documentation available to clients.

These checks are also useful when traders come across similar brand names, unofficial websites or third parties claiming to represent a broker.

AIMS advises clients to use official company channels when accessing account information or communicating about financial services.

Regulation, fund segregation and insurance arrangements do not eliminate market risk. They form part of the information traders can review when verifying who they are dealing with and which legal entity is responsible for the account.

About AIMS

AIMS is a financial brokerage brand serving retail traders, introducing brokers, affiliates and money managers across multiple markets. The brand operates through regional legal entities subject to the regulatory requirements of their respective jurisdictions. AIMS

AURIC INTERNATIONAL MARKETS CO., LTD (AIMS)

+62 21 31138057

Visit us on social media:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

TikTok

AIMS | World’s Leading STP Broker

Media Contact

Organization: AURIC INTERNATIONAL MARKETS CO., LTD (AIMS)

Contact Person: documents@aimsfx.com

Website: https://www.aimsfx.com/

Email: Send Email

Contact Number: +622131138057

Country: Malaysia

Release id: 50045

View source version on King Newswire:
AIMS Highlights Key Checks for Verifying a Regulated Forex Broker

Singapore, Singapore, October 20th, 2026, Chainwire

The discretionary buyback represents close to 1% of circulating supply and precedes four planned product milestones culminating in Grvt 2.0.

Grvt, a self-custodial trading platform built on its own zero-knowledge (ZK) chain, announced that the Foundation’s token issuer has completed its first GRVT token buyback, purchasing and burning 1.1 million GRVT tokens on the open market.

The transaction permanently removed close to 1% of GRVT’s circulating supply at the time of purchase. It marks the first of five milestones ahead of the planned launch of Grvt 2.0 at the end of November 2026.

A Discretionary Buyback with On-Chain Verification

The Foundation’s token issuer intends to conduct further buybacks on a monthly basis. Each transaction remains entirely at the issuer’s discretion, with no predetermined purchase amount or guaranteed schedule.

Buybacks are executed through an independent execution partner, with purchased tokens transferred to a designated burn address and permanently removed from circulation.

The transactions can be independently verified through the public buyback dashboard, which records the number of tokens purchased and burned, the percentage of circulating supply represented, cumulative burns and on-chain transaction hashes.

“The GRVT token is an important part of the ecosystem we are building,” said Hong, co-founder and CEO of Grvt. “We welcome the issuer’s buybacks as a demonstration of its long-term commitment to the ecosystem and community. Grvt is expanding its products and markets, and the issuer’s buybacks sit alongside that as a supportive mechanism aimed at reducing circulating token supply.”

Grvt Outlines Four Product Milestones

The announcement follows GRVT’s token generation event in July 2026 and precedes a series of planned launches.Grvt Earn, scheduled for the End of October, will introduce yield opportunities backed by tokenized assets, with target yields of up to 11%. Potential returns are expected to derive from underlying asset cash flows, including interest, premiums and invoice-related income. Asset-supplying partners will be announced at launch. Target yields are not guaranteed.

Stable Funding Perps, scheduled for November, will introduce perpetual futures linked to commodities, stocks, foreign exchange and indices. The contracts are planned to carry zero trading fees and use once-daily funding. Grvt aims to list more than 1,000 markets by the end of December 2026.

Yield as Margin, also scheduled for November, will allow eligible Grvt Earn balances to support trading positions while continuing to accrue yield, subject to applicable product terms and risk parameters.

Grvt 2.0, scheduled for the End of November, will consolidate these capabilities into a single self-custodial app, alongside a new name, visual identity, and the company’s 2027 roadmap.

Addressing Idle Capital

The expansion follows a survey of Grvt traders conducted earlier in 2026. Six in ten respondents reported keeping at least a quarter of their capital on the platform idle, while many reported moving funds elsewhere to pursue yields of 8% or more.

Grvt’s upcoming products aim to reduce the separation between earning yield and deploying capital for trading.

“Traders shouldn’t have to choose between putting their capital to work and keeping it ready to trade,” Hong said. “Grvt 2.0 is designed around a single self-custodial balance that can support both activities.”

Founded in 2022, Grvt currently supports perpetual futures across approximately 200 cryptocurrency and real-world asset markets.

The GRVT token launched in July 2026 and confers no ownership, profit or other economic rights.

Further details are available in the full announcement.

About Grvt

Grvt is a self-custodial trading platform operating on its own zero-knowledge chain. The platform supports cryptocurrency and real-world asset perpetual futures and is developing products that allow eligible balances to earn yield while supporting trading activity.

Learn more at grvt.io.

Contact

Head of Marketing
Lesner Chua
GRVT ASIA PTE. LTD
lesner.chua@grvt.io

Singapore, Singapore, October 20th, 2026, Chainwire

The discretionary buyback represents close to 1% of circulating supply and precedes four planned product milestones culminating in Grvt 2.0.

Grvt, a self-custodial trading platform built on its own zero-knowledge (ZK) chain, announced that the Foundation’s token issuer has completed its first GRVT token buyback, purchasing and burning 1.1 million GRVT tokens on the open market.

The transaction permanently removed close to 1% of GRVT’s circulating supply at the time of purchase. It marks the first of five milestones ahead of the planned launch of Grvt 2.0 at the end of November 2026.

A Discretionary Buyback with On-Chain Verification

The Foundation’s token issuer intends to conduct further buybacks on a monthly basis. Each transaction remains entirely at the issuer’s discretion, with no predetermined purchase amount or guaranteed schedule.

Buybacks are executed through an independent execution partner, with purchased tokens transferred to a designated burn address and permanently removed from circulation.

The transactions can be independently verified through the public buyback dashboard, which records the number of tokens purchased and burned, the percentage of circulating supply represented, cumulative burns and on-chain transaction hashes.

“The GRVT token is an important part of the ecosystem we are building,” said Hong, co-founder and CEO of Grvt. “We welcome the issuer’s buybacks as a demonstration of its long-term commitment to the ecosystem and community. Grvt is expanding its products and markets, and the issuer’s buybacks sit alongside that as a supportive mechanism aimed at reducing circulating token supply.”

Grvt Outlines Four Product Milestones

The announcement follows GRVT’s token generation event in July 2026 and precedes a series of planned launches.Grvt Earn, scheduled for the End of October, will introduce yield opportunities backed by tokenized assets, with target yields of up to 11%. Potential returns are expected to derive from underlying asset cash flows, including interest, premiums and invoice-related income. Asset-supplying partners will be announced at launch. Target yields are not guaranteed.

Stable Funding Perps, scheduled for November, will introduce perpetual futures linked to commodities, stocks, foreign exchange and indices. The contracts are planned to carry zero trading fees and use once-daily funding. Grvt aims to list more than 1,000 markets by the end of December 2026.

Yield as Margin, also scheduled for November, will allow eligible Grvt Earn balances to support trading positions while continuing to accrue yield, subject to applicable product terms and risk parameters.

Grvt 2.0, scheduled for the End of November, will consolidate these capabilities into a single self-custodial app, alongside a new name, visual identity, and the company’s 2027 roadmap.

Addressing Idle Capital

The expansion follows a survey of Grvt traders conducted earlier in 2026. Six in ten respondents reported keeping at least a quarter of their capital on the platform idle, while many reported moving funds elsewhere to pursue yields of 8% or more.

Grvt’s upcoming products aim to reduce the separation between earning yield and deploying capital for trading.

“Traders shouldn’t have to choose between putting their capital to work and keeping it ready to trade,” Hong said. “Grvt 2.0 is designed around a single self-custodial balance that can support both activities.”

Founded in 2022, Grvt currently supports perpetual futures across approximately 200 cryptocurrency and real-world asset markets.

The GRVT token launched in July 2026 and confers no ownership, profit or other economic rights.

Further details are available in the full announcement.

About Grvt

Grvt is a self-custodial trading platform operating on its own zero-knowledge chain. The platform supports cryptocurrency and real-world asset perpetual futures and is developing products that allow eligible balances to earn yield while supporting trading activity.

Learn more at grvt.io.

Contact

Head of Marketing
Lesner Chua
GRVT ASIA PTE. LTD
lesner.chua@grvt.io

New cargo securement line combines one-touch release technology, automatic retraction, and reinforced webbing for professional and everyday hauling needs

Ningbo, China, 20th Oct 2026 – Towmax, a family-owned cargo securement brand, has announced the U.S. launch of its upgraded auto-retract ratchet strap series on Amazon, featuring a top-mounted one-touch release button, automatic webbing retraction, and reinforced polyester webbing. 

Designed for truckers, contractors, movers, and weekend haulers, the new line combines practical handling features with reinforced materials for repeated cargo securement and outdoor use.

The launch marks another step in Towmax’s commitment to developing practical cargo securement equipment. Combining single-handed release with thickened, double-stitched polyester webbing, the upgraded series is designed to simplify everyday handling while addressing the demands of repeated transport and outdoor use.

The defining feature is its top-mounted release button, positioned for convenient thumb access. According to Towmax, the design allows users to release strap tension with a single press, reducing the lifting and repositioning associated with conventional ratchet mechanisms. The accessible button placement is also intended to make operation more convenient when wearing work gloves.

Another key feature is the single-pull automatic retraction mechanism, which allows loose webbing to retract into the housing in one motion after unloading, reducing the need for manual winding.

Watch Towmax’s auto-retract ratchet straps in action to see how the top-release button and automatic retraction mechanism work.

Say goodbye to webbing breakage and jamming during webbing retraction！Towmax has introduced thickened, double-stitched polyester webbing engineered for greater resistance to cuts, abrasion, and UV exposure. The reinforced construction is intended to support repeated cargo handling, while coated steel hooks provide corrosion resistance for trailer, marine, and outdoor applications. A compact, rounded, ergonomic housing complements the design, offering a more comfortable grip and effectively prevents the webbing from jamming during retraction.

The upgraded series reflects the company’s broader approach to product development, which emphasizes durability, ease of use, and practical innovation.

Towmax says its family-owned manufacturing heritage spans more than 20 years, with knowledge of ratchet strap production passed down through generations. 

The company has continued expanding its cargo securement portfolio while focusing on products that address the everyday needs of transportation professionals and recreational users.

The upgraded Towmax Retractable Ratchet Straps represent the company’s latest effort to combine practical design improvements with durable cargo securement materials.

A Towmax representative commented on the motivation behind the new product line: “For too long, securing a load has meant sore hands, frayed webbing, and straps that refuse to coil back up. We built the auto-retract ratchet strap line because truckers, contractors, and weekend haulers deserve a tie-down that respects their time and their knuckles. Automatic retraction isn’t a gimmick — it’s the difference between fighting your gear and finishing the job.”

Alongside the newly launched series, Towmax offers additional cargo securement products through Amazon U.S. Its 1-inch by 12-foot retractable ratchet straps (4-pack) feature automatic retraction and are designed for motorcycles, trailers, and general cargo applications.

The company’s heavy-duty 20-foot ratchet straps with J-hooks offer another tie-down option for equipment transportation, featuring reinforced stitching and curved hooks for secure anchor connections.

For vehicle transportation, the Towmax wheel chock tie-down kit features bright green webbing and an E-track-compatible design intended to secure tires while limiting unnecessary suspension compression.

Towmax’s self-retracting ratchet strap series further reflects the brand’s focus on convenient strap handling and storage.

With the U.S. Amazon launch, Towmax aims to make its upgraded cargo securement solutions accessible to a broader audience while continuing to invest in practical product innovation.

About Towmax

Towmax is a family-owned cargo securement business based in Ningbo, China, with a manufacturing heritage spanning multiple generations. The company specializes in retractable ratchet straps, E-track systems, cargo tie-downs, and bungee cords for professional and recreational transportation applications.

According to the company, Towmax has more than 450 employees, operates a 50,000-square-foot factory, and generates annual sales exceeding $50 million. Its product development focuses on durability, versatility, and practical cargo securement solutions.

Contact Email: Mary20482@outlook.com

Media Contact

Organization: Towmax

Contact Person: Mary Yu

Website: https://www.towmaxgear.com/collections/all-products

Email: Send Email

City: Ningbo

Country: China

Release id: 50049

View source version on King Newswire:
Towmax Launches Auto-Retract Ratchet Straps on Amazon U.S. With Top Release Button

Internationally Acclaimed Performers Bring Laughter Beyond Language Barriers to Osaka, Building on the Momentum of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

Osaka, Japan, 20th Oct 2026 — Bringing together internationally acclaimed performers and productions recognized at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 celebrated the universal language of laughter in Osaka’s Minami district from October 10 to 12. The international comedy festival showcased nonverbal comedy that transcends language barriers, while a program held in conjunction with the festival saw Cirque du Soleil hold its first-ever clown auditions in Japan. Organized as part of Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City’s efforts to sustain the momentum generated by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the festival welcomed a total of 73,658 attendees over three days. 

Organized by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive Committee, the three-day festival took place at Namba Square and SPACE14 on the 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO. Centered on nonverbal comedy, the program brought together performers and productions that have earned international recognition, offering audiences from Japan and abroad the chance to enjoy comedy without language barriers. The event was managed by Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese entertainment company and talent agency.

Bringing the Energy of Expo 2025 to Osaka’s Cultural Scene

OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL is part of the Osaka International Cultural Arts Project, an initiative designed to build on the international attention generated by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and sustain it through ongoing cultural and tourism exchanges.

The inaugural festival was held during Expo 2025. For its second edition, the festival took place in Minami, one of Osaka’s major entertainment and shopping districts, presenting three days of free street performances.

The festival sought to share Osaka’s distinctive comedy culture—traditionally represented by manzai, a form of Japanese double-act comedy, and rakugo, a traditional form of comic storytelling—with audiences around the world through physical and nonverbal comedy.

Festival Highlights and Attendance

– Total attendance: 73,658 over three days
– Street performances: Namba Square, October 10–12 (free admission)
– Theater performances: SPACE14, 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO
・CHALLENGE: October 10, with two performances
・SKIT COMEDY SHOW: October 11
– Program held in conjunction with the festival: Cirque du Soleil Casting auditions, October 7–9

Internationally Acclaimed Performers Take the Stage

Cirque du Soleil Holds Its First-Ever Clown Auditions in Japan

As part of a program held in conjunction with the festival, Cirque du Soleil Casting conducted auditions in the clown and circus act categories. This marked the first time the company had held clown auditions in Japan.

Charlie Burrows, who oversees casting for all of Cirque du Soleil’s resident shows, traveled from Las Vegas to attend the auditions and took part in the opening ceremony on the festival’s first day. Reflecting on the performers he saw in Osaka, he said, “I saw so many wonderful performers in Osaka.”

THE TOKYO IDIOTS, Featuring Britain’s Got Talent Finalist TONY

THE TOKYO IDIOTS invite audience members onto the stage for a coordinated comedy routine.

THE TOKYO IDIOTS, a comedy unit featuring TONY (Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura), WES-P and GASSY (Koikuchi Ichikawa), took to the center stage at Namba Square.

TONY reached the finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2023, while WES-P has appeared on Got Talent programs in more than 10 countries and regions. The trio have also appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the world’s largest performing arts festivals, and received the “Sea of Laughter Award” at the Busan International Comedy Festival in South Korea.

Their coordinated routines, including a segment that brought audience members onto the stage, filled Namba Square with laughter and applause.

CHALLENGE: Five-Star-Rated Nonverbal Comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 CHALLENGE, a nonverbal comedy production that received a five-star review at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

At SPACE14 on the 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO, the festival presented CHALLENGE, a nonverbal comedy production that received a five-star review during the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Written, directed and produced by Akira Ishida of the Japanese comedy duo NON STYLE, the show incorporates distinctly Japanese elements, including sword-fighting choreography and kendama, a traditional Japanese skill toy. Through facial expressions, physical movement and music, the production tells its story without relying on dialogue.

The theater welcomed many international visitors. Following the performance, audience members shared reactions such as, “I’ve never seen a show like this before” and “It was much more fun than I expected.”

GABEZ, Known for Their Tokyo 2020 Olympic Pictogram Performance, Close the Festival

Namba Square, the venue for the festival’s free street performances. OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 drew a total of 73,658 attendees over three days.

Nonverbal performance duo GABEZ brought the festival’s final day to a close on the main stage. The duo are widely known for their pictogram performance at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Combining pantomime, dance and audience participation, their performance drew enthusiastic applause from spectators of all ages, including children and international tourists, through to the finale.

Akira Ishida, Festival MC and Director of CHALLENGE, Shares His Vision

Akira Ishida of NON STYLE, festival MC and director of CHALLENGE.

Akira Ishida of NON STYLE, who served as the festival’s overall master of ceremonies and directed CHALLENGE, commented:

“We have performers here who can make people laugh without relying on words. I really hope audiences from overseas will find them funny, too!”

OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL to Continue in 2027 and Beyond

OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL is scheduled to continue in 2027 and beyond. Details of the next edition, including dates and program information, will be announced on the official website and social media channels as soon as confirmed.

Information for International Media

The festival’s international media contact team welcomes inquiries in both English and Japanese regarding:

– Media materials: Official photographs from all three days and daily highlight videos are available for news coverage of the event only. No credit line is required. Online use of video footage is limited to one video of no more than five minutes, with use permitted until December 31, 2026.
– Future coverage and interviews: Inquiries are welcome regarding coverage of the next edition and interviews with performers and event organizers.

Event Information

Event name: OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 (Part of the Osaka International Cultural Arts Project)
Dates: October 10 (Saturday)–12 (Monday, national holiday), 2026
Venues:

– Street performances: Namba Square, 5-1 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
– Theater performances: SPACE14, 14th floor, Shinsaibashi PARCO, 1-8-3 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka

Organizers: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive Committee
Committee members: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, and Kansai Tourism Bureau
Total attendance: 73,658
Official website: https://oc-fes.com
Official social media channels:
X: @osaka_comedyfes
Instagram: @osaka_comedy_festival

Media Inquiries

International Media Desk
Osaka Cultural Arts Project Operations Secretariat
International Public Relations (APOC Co., Ltd.)
Email: pr@apocc.co.jp
Tel: +81-3-6823-8848

Office hours: Weekdays, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time (UTC+9). Email inquiries are accepted 24 hours a day.
General Inquiries and Performance Information in Japan
Osaka Cultural Arts Project Operations Secretariat
Tel: 06-7177-6938 (weekdays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. JST)
Email: info@oica-project.jp

Media Contact

Organization: Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Contact Person: Satoko Kimura

Website: https://www.yoshimoto.co.jp

Email: Send Email

Address: 1-9-1 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi

City: Osaka

Country: Japan

Release id: 50054

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OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 Draws 73,658 Attendees, Cirque du Soleil’s First Clown Auditions in Japan

Mastek using its proprietary ADOPT-AI platform will help the council modernise finance, procurement, HR and payroll services, supporting future-ready public service delivery and local government reorganisation readiness

United States, 20th Oct 2026 –  Mastek (UK) Limited, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Mastek Limited (NSE: MASTEK; BSE: 523704), a trusted AI-first digital engineering and cloud transformation partner, today announced that it has been selected by Staffordshire County Council to deliver a significant Oracle Cloud transformation programme spanning Finance, Procurement, Human Resources and Payroll.

Under the engagement, Mastek will use its ADOPT AI platform to deliver Oracle Cloud as the Council’s single, integrated platform for Finance, Procurement, HR and Payroll. The new environment will enable the Council to consolidate legacy systems, strengthen data governance, enhance employee experience and establish a modern digital foundation to support ongoing transformation.

As one of England’s largest county councils, Staffordshire County Council serves more than 875,000 residents and delivers a broad range of essential public services across education, social care, highways and community services. Supporting these services requires efficient, resilient and future-ready corporate operations capable of adapting to evolving organisational and service delivery requirements.

The programme forms a key part of Staffordshire County Council’s wider ambition to modernise its corporate services and establish a more agile, digitally enabled operating model. The council is focused on simplifying and standardising back-office processes, improving operational visibility and governance, reducing manual effort, and creating a scalable foundation capable of supporting future organisational change.

Abhishek Singh, President UKI & Europe, Mastek, said, “We are delighted to partner with Staffordshire County Council on this important transformation programme. Local authorities are increasingly focused on modernising operations while preparing for future structural and service delivery changes. By combining Oracle Cloud technology with Mastek’s extensive public sector transformation expertise and AI native approach, we look forward to helping the council build a more efficient, resilient and future-ready operating model that delivers long-term value for employees, stakeholders and residents.”

Pete Shakespear, Director of Finance & Resources, Staffordshire County Council, said, “As we continue to evolve our operating model and prepare for future organisational change, it is important that our corporate systems are modern, efficient and capable of supporting long-term transformation. Mastek demonstrated a strong understanding of our objectives, and we look forward to partnering with them to deliver a platform that will help us build a more agile and future-ready organisation.”

The programme marks another important milestone in Mastek’s continued growth within UK Local Government and reinforces its position as a trusted transformation partner for large-scale public sector modernisation initiatives.

Following a competitive procurement process, Mastek was selected based on its Oracle Cloud expertise, extensive UK local government experience, collaborative delivery approach and strong understanding of Staffordshire County Council’s transformation objectives.

The engagement further strengthens Mastek’s position as a trusted transformation partner within UK Local Government and expands its Oracle Cloud footprint across finance, procurement and human capital management. The programme is particularly significant as councils across England prepare for local government reorganisation and seek modern, scalable technology platforms capable of supporting organisational change while improving service resilience. The win also enhances Mastek’s growing portfolio of Oracle Cloud transformation programmes and provides a strong reference point for other local authorities pursuing enterprise-wide modernisation initiatives.

About Mastek

Mastek (NSE: MASTEK; BSE: 523704) is a global provider of enterprise AI, digital, and cloud services, enabling clients to achieve measurable and sustainable returns on their technology investments. The company has a presence in over 40 countries and a skilled workforce of close to 5,000 employees. Through its “Lead with AI” approach, Mastek integrates intelligence across its solutions and operations, enabling organizations to accelerate transformation using ethical, scalable, and domain-driven AI adoption. Mastek partners with industry leaders such as Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft, AWS, Snowflake, and Databricks, serving key sectors such as Public Sector, Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing, Higher Education, and Financial Services. Mastek is committed to driving innovation by developing a strong ecosystem of start-ups, academia, and IPs. With its core values of trust, value, and velocity, the company empowers 400+ active customers to transform their business in the evolving tech landscape. Mastek has always been a solutions-focused and relationship-centric company, valuing both employees and clients. With its humane approach, Mastek fosters growth through sustainable goals, high ethical standards, and responsible governance.

Media Contact

Organization: Mastek

Contact Person: David Marcelline

Website: https://mastek.com/us/industries/retail

Email: Send Email

Country: United States

Release id: 49938

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Mastek Selected by Staffordshire County Council to Drive AI Enabled – Oracle Cloud Transformation

BrightStag Films has announced the pre-launch phase for The 18 Missing Years, a 35-time award-winning episodic series inspired by The Aquarian Gospel. The project explores the untold story of Yeshua Ben Yosef (Jesus) from ages 12 to 30 as he travels across six countries along the Silk Road, including Mesopotamia. By merging deep narrative mystery with a Neill Blomkamp-style Human-AI Hybrid pipeline, the campaign aims to build audience traction ahead of an upcoming crowdfunding launch. 35-Time Award-Winning Screenplay Sparks Dialogue on Ancient Accounts While Pioneering a Human-Centric Generative Workflow Ahead of Crowdfunding Launch

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 20th Oct 2026 –  BrightStag Films, an independent production company based in Philadelphia, today announced the official pre-launch phase for its episodic series project, The 18 Missing Years. Written and created by Jean Galliano, the award-winning script has already achieved widespread acclaim, securing over 35 prestigious film festival and screenplay accolades. This pre-launch effort builds momentum and subscriber support ahead of the project’s upcoming official crowdfunding launch.

Inspired by the text of The Aquarian Gospel, The 18 Missing Years explores the untold story of Yeshua Ben Yosef (Jesus) during his lost years from ages 12 to 30, detailing his journeys across the Silk Road—including India, Tibet, Persia, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Egypt. Rather than presenting the show as historical or theological fact, the production aims to ignite curiosity, foster open dialogue, and invite audiences to ask deeper questions about ancient history.

Visually and technologically, the series positions itself at the intersection of narrative intrigue and technological innovation. The project aspires to build on the performance-driven production model popularized by filmmaker Neill Blomkamp in his short film Nightborne, which captured the faces, voices, and micro-expressions of 32 real people under likeness agreements to anchor generative visual media in genuine human emotion. BrightStag Films intends to adopt a similar Human-AI Hybrid Production Pipeline alongside the right production partners, ensuring that real actor performances remain the core driver of the visual world.

“Our goal with The 18 Missing Years is twofold: to provoke thoughtful discussion around an unseen story, and to demonstrate how advanced generative tools can elevate—rather than replace—the essential human element in television,” said Fredric Schwartz, producer. “By combining deep narrative mystery with a performance-driven AI workflow, we are creating a unique experience for both audiences and industry partners.”

BrightStag Films has launched an official preview landing page featuring the concept trailer, project overview, creator commentary, and early-access sign-ups for future supporters ahead of the upcoming crowdfunding campaign.

For more information, to view the trailer, or to join the project mailing list ahead of the campaign launch, visit the18missingyears.com.

About BrightStag Films

BrightStag Films is an independent production company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dedicated to high-concept storytelling, compelling episodic narratives, and next-generation visual techniques, BrightStag Films bridges classical storytelling traditions with emerging cinematic technology.

Media Contact

Organization: BrightStag Films

Contact Person: Fredric Schwartz

Website: https://www.brightstagfilms.com/

Email: Send Email

Contact Number: +12153003503

Address: 1511 E Tulpehocken St

City: Philadelphia

State: Pennsylvania

Country: United States

Release id: 50038

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BrightStag Films Announces Pre-Launch for The 18 Missing Years, a 35-Time Award-Winning Screenplay