Category Archives: Business

Her Story, In Every Slice: A Women’s Day Celebration by Theobroma

March 05: : Women’s Day is a celebration of the many layers that make a woman who she is. Her strength and softness, her ambition and warmth, her early mornings and well-earned dessert breaks. It is about recognising the many roles she embraces every day and celebrating the richness of her multi-layered personality.

This Women’s Day, Theobroma, India’s much-loved patisserie and chocolate brand, honours that spirit with a specially curated limited-edition collection. Inspired by contrasts and crafted the Theobroma way, the menu brings together flavours and textures that are bold yet comforting, indulgent yet balanced.

At Theobroma, “Made of More” is a celebration of women and all that they hold within them. More strength. More softness. More ambition. More heart. Because a woman is a beautiful blend of many layers, each one shaping her story. And this Women’s Day, Theobroma celebrates every layer in her through creations crafted with depth, flavour and care.

Being “Made of More” is about embracing every side of her. The bold and the gentle. The driven and the indulgent. The leader and the nurturer.

Because every woman is layered with depth, character and beautiful complexity and that is exactly what makes her extraordinary.

At the heart of the collection are thoughtfully curated cakes, cupcakes and gift hampers, designed for office celebrations, intimate gatherings and meaningful gifting moments.

Women’s Day Raspberry Vanilla Cake [550g]

Layers of house-made raspberry compote, creamy custard and soft vanilla sponge come together in a cake that is both vibrant and comforting. Finished with a smooth white chocolate glaze and delicate buttercream florals, it is tart yet sweet, bold yet elegant, a celebration of contrasts in every slice.

Allergens: Gluten, Milk, Soy, Nuts.

Women’s Day Special Brownie

A fudgy, eggless choco chip brownie made with rich couverture chocolate and topped with a Women’s Day special wish. Simple, heartfelt and deeply indulgent, perfect for a small celebration or a thoughtful gesture.

Allergens: Wheat, Dairy, Soy.

Women’s Day Special Cupcakes [2 Pieces / 4 Pieces]

Theobroma’s signature Red Velvet and Chocolate cupcakes, adorned with a Women’s Day special wish. Available in sets of two or four, these are ideal for desk drops, team surprises and sweet mid-day pauses.

Allergens: Wheat, Dairy, Soy.

Women’s Day Gift Hamper Bags

Thoughtfully curated for meaningful celebrations and warm gestures, the Women’s Day hampers bring together signature favourites and festive specials. From indulgent brownies to crisp cookies and handcrafted treats, each hamper reflects a balance of textures and flavours crisp and soft, dark and sweet much like the women they celebrate. Available in three variants, they make for perfect gifts at work, home or anywhere you want to say “you are made of more.”

Available for a limited time across Theobroma stores pan India, the Women’s Day Specials invite everyone to celebrate the women who are truly made of more with flavour, warmth and a little extra sweetness.

Luxury Dubai apartment sold for AED422M

Sale hailed as major sign of confidence in city’s real estate market and security in UAE

Dubai, UAE, March 5:  A luxury apartment in Dubai has been sold off-plan for AED422 million, and the deal has been hailed as powerful sign of confidence in the city’s real estate market, and security in the UAE. 

The sale yesterday of the 31,201 sq ft apartment at Aman Residences Dubai on the Jumeirah Peninsula, has been confirmed by fäm Properties.

Data from DXBinteract, the data platform developed by the company in partnership with Dubai Land Department, said the transaction put the value at AED 13,525 per sq ft.

Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, said: “The sale of an ultra-luxury villa at this level is particularly relevant in the current circumstances. It underlines the fact that the Dubai real estate market is structurally stronger than it has ever been.

“Over 70% of transactions are now end-user driven, not speculative. The buyer base is globally diversified. Mortgage activity has doubled in four years.

“The regulatory environment has matured. The UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index rates Dubai moderate risk, while cities like Miami and Tokyo sit in the high-risk zone. The fundamentals haven’t changed overnight because of regional events.

“And of course, the enormous lengths that the UAE authorities have gone to in order to keep everyone who lives and works here safe at all times, sends out the strongest possible message to investors.

“That has long been the case, and the effect of all this is highlighted by an apartment being sold for AED422 million in the current climate, at a time when the eyes of the world are on Dubai, and the Gulf region.

“It’s a sale which says so much about the UAE as a whole, and in this case in particular, about Dubai as one of the world’s leading destinations for wealthy real estate investors.

“While headlines elsewhere paint one picture of the UAE, the reality for those of us living and working here is completely different.”

IBM Launches Its First Infrastructure Innovation Center in India to Accelerate Enterprise-Scale AI

Bengaluru, India March 05:  IBM today announced the launch of its first  Infrastructure Innovation Center, the Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Center, housed within its new India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus. The center underscores IBM’s continued investment in India as a strategic hub for advanced infrastructure engineering and AI innovation serving both domestic and global markets.

Designed as a collaborative engineering hub, the center will bring together IBM’s systems architects and infrastructure specialists from ISDL to co-create AI solutions with clients, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Global System Integrators (GSIs), Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and ecosystem partners. By bringing together cutting-edge infrastructure technologies, hybrid cloud capabilities and AI solutions under one roof, the center is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of secure, scalable and responsible enterprise AI systems. The initiative supports enterprise transformation in India while contributing to global infrastructure innovation.

“India is at a pivotal moment in its AI journey, and infrastructure will define the pace and scale at which organizations can innovate,” said Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India & South Asia. “Across industries, enterprises in India are modernizing mission-critical systems to become AI-ready. This Center reflects IBM’s long-term commitment to India and strengthens our ability to design, build, and scale infrastructure solutions locally; tailored to  India’s unique market needs while contributing to global innovation. As India advances toward becoming a global AI leader, resilient, secure, and high-performance infrastructure will be the bedrock of that transformation.”

Subhathra Srinivasaraghavan, Vice President, IBM India Systems Development Lab, added, “AI is only as powerful as the infrastructure that supports it. From hybrid cloud platforms to data architectures and automation, the backbone of AI lies in robust, secure and scalable infrastructure. This center brings together deep systems engineering expertise and ecosystem collaboration to help clients operationalize AI at scale while ensuring performance, security, governance, and reliability across mission-critical environments.”

The launch builds on strong infrastructure investment trends highlighted in a recent study by the IBM Institute for Business Value, which found that 58% of Indian organizations have increased infrastructure investments due to rising AI demand. The study also projected a 19% growth in infrastructure budgets in 2025, with 43% of organizations establishing or planning AI Centers of Excellence. As enterprises move from experimentation to scaled deployment, infrastructure readiness is emerging as a strategic priority.

With the establishment of this center, IBM further strengthens India’s position as a critical engine for AI infrastructure innovation supporting enterprises in building secure, scalable and future-ready AI systems.

Lincotrade Launches Freehold Residential Project “The Shang Residence” in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mar 05: Lincotrade & Associates Holdings Limited is proud to announce the unveiling of its first property development in Kuala Lumpur, The Shang Residence, a premium freehold residential project located in the established township of Kuchai Lama. The soft launch took place on 28 February 2026, with the official launch scheduled for June 2026 and project completion expected by 2029.

The Shang Residence comprises 449 exclusive units designed as a modern urban sanctuary for multi-generational families. Strategically located within walking distance of the proposed MRT Line 3 (Jalan Klang Lama Station) and minutes from retail and lifestyle hubs such as Mid Valley Megamall, Bangsar South, and KL Eco City, the project also offers seamless connectivity via major highways including NPE, KESAS, MEX, and the Federal Highway.

The development features resort-inspired lifestyle amenities and communal spaces, including:

• 30m infinity pool, fitness studio, yoga & pilates studios

• Himalayan salt sauna, pickleball court, sky dining pavilion, party pavilion & hotpot pavilion

• Mini theatre & KTV rooms, co-working lounge, and private meeting suites

Mr. Jackie Soh Loong Chow, CEO of Lincotrade, stated:

“The Shang Residence marks our maiden property development in Kuala Lumpur. With its prime location in Kuchai Lama, thoughtfully curated facilities, and convenient connectivity, we are confident it will appeal to discerning homeowners seeking elevated urban living with long-term value. Limited freehold residential options in mature areas like Kuchai Lama further enhance the project’s appeal.”

Mr. Alan Tee Kai Loon, Managing Director of Linc Venture, added:

“The Shang Residence integrates four key pillars — Harmony, Vitality, Precision, and Stewardship — to create homes that combine functional design with resort-inspired amenities. Our goal is to offer residents both comfort and enduring value in a vibrant urban setting.”

YES BANK celebrates International Women’s Day with the launch of exclusive Salary Account for Women

Bengaluru, Mar 05: Celebrating this International Women’s Day, YES BANK – the leading Indian private sector bank has announced the launch of ‘YES Essence Women’s Salary Account’, a comprehensive solution designed to support the financial and lifestyle needs of working women. This new offering will bring together a suite of specialised services spanning financial protection, preventive healthcare, lifestyle privileges and wealth-creation, all benefits on a single platform.

According to a report by the Ministry of Labour & Employment (Government of India), women employment has seen significant growth between 2017-18 and 2023-24, with rural India witnessing a 96% rise and urban areas reflecting a 43% growth in female employment. Over 1.56 crore women have joined the formal workforce in the past seven years, indicating strong participation in overall economic growth.

This consistent growth underscores the need for financial solutions coupled with health benefits. In alignment with the evolving workforce dynamic, YES Essence Women’s Salary Account will focus on three integrated pillars:

Financial Solution

• Exclusive Free locker facility for the 1^st Year
• 100% Demat AMC waiver for the first year on a 3-in-1 account
• Opportunity to Earn & Redeem 34,000 YES Rewardz in the 1^st year

Health & Wellness Security

• INR 5 lakh Super Top-Up Health Cover complimentary for a year
• Annual preventive health check-up once a year (with home visit and lab collection options)
• Complimentary 1-year membership provided by our partner, offering healthcare services such as parenting toolkit, consultations with gynecologists, pediatricians, psychologists, nutritionists and other specialists

Lifestyle Privileges

•  A complimentary Elegance Debit Card with 5% cashback worth up to INR 6,000 annually on select categories such as utilities, groceries, travel and more

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Dheeraj Sanghi, Country Head – Retail Liabilities, Fee & Business Banking, YES BANK, said, “With ‘YES Essence Women’s Salary Account’, we have taken one more step towards supporting the community of working women. The acceleration in women’s participation in the formal workforce reflects a dynamic shift in India’s growth trajectory. As more women play a significant role in professional and financial decision-making, the need for integrated, protection-led banking solutions becomes imperative. This curated salary account is our commitment to building an inclusive financial solution that empowers women’s financial independence while prioritising their health and well-being.’’

With this proposition, YES BANK emphasises its focus on customer‑first approach and digitally enabled services for building a more inclusive financial ecosystem for all segment of customers.

Myntra expands its women entrepreneur initiative with MynShakti 2.0 to support 100 women-led fashion, beauty and home brands

Bengaluru, Mar 05: Ahead of International Women’s Day, Myntra has announced the launch of MynShakti 2.0, the next phase of its women seller enablement initiative under its ShECommerce umbrella. Building on the success of its first edition, the program aims to onboard and nurture 100 women-led businesses across fashion, beauty and home categories, reinforcing Myntra’s commitment to inclusive growth in digital commerce.

The first edition of MynShakti supported 20 women entrepreneurs across categories, including clothing, jewellery, educational toys, pet apparel and personal gifting. Many of these brands were early-stage brands with fewer than 50 SKUs. Through access to Myntra’s large customer base, tech-enabled shopping ecosystem and operational support, these entrepreneurs strengthened their brand presence, streamlined logistics and expanded their reach nationwide.

Open to women-led businesses across fashion, beauty and home, MynShakti 2.0 offers structured enablement support, including:

• Seamless Onboarding & Dedicated Account Management: End-to-end onboarding support with dedicated account managers for six months to help optimise performance.
• Expert-led Webinars & Mentorship: Through a series of interactive mentorship sessions and expert-led webinars, brands will receive strategic recommendations on marketing, order fulfillment, and leveraging Myntra’s platform for maximum impact.

A significant addition this year, Myntra has introduced a dedicated vernacular video series to simplify seller onboarding, account management and growth strategies. By making knowledge resources accessible in regional languages, the initiative aims to drive participation from aspiring women entrepreneurs across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Commenting on the launch, Govindraj MK, CHRO, Myntra, said,

“India’s e-lifestyle landscape is being shaped by a new generation of entrepreneurs, with women increasingly taking the lead in building brands that cater to the evolving aspirations of diverse consumer cohorts. MynShakti, under our ShECommerce vision, is focused on enabling women-led brands with the right tools, insights and mentorship to scale sustainably. Following a successful first edition, we are expanding the program with a sharper structure and deeper support to empower more women entrepreneurs to build, lead and transform meaningful brands at scale.”

Women entrepreneurs looking to scale their made-in-India fashion, beauty and lifestyle businesses can apply through the program survey link or can apply through our social media channels (LinkedIn & Instagram).

MynShakti 2.0 underscores Myntra’s vision of building a more inclusive digital commerce ecosystem, one that enables women-led businesses to transition from local enterprises to national brands.

PPDS announces appointment of experienced AV/IT professional Jonas Fjeld as Country Sales Manager for Philips Professional Displays in the ‘thriving’ Norwegian market

Jonas Field

Amsterdam, Mar 5: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is excited to announce the appointment of sought-after AV professional, Jonas Field, to lead its next wave of growth in the Norwegian market.

Accepting the role of Country Sales Manager for Philips Professional Displays, Jonas brings more than 10 years of hands on, top tier AV/IT knowledge and experience, and is a highly regarded and commercially driven industry professional. Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships across the channel, including distributors, integrators, consultants, and end customers.

Based in Oslo, and reporting to Roeland Scholten, PPDS Sales Director for Benelux and Nordics, Jonas will take ownership of the commercial strategy for Philips Professional Displays in Norway. His focus will include expanding distributor partnerships, increasing brand visibility within the channel, supporting partners with targeted go to market initiatives, and driving market share growth across key verticals.

Total market solutions 

Jonas joins PPDS as the AV market in Norway continues to flourish, with rising demand for high quality AV solutions in markets such as corporate, education, and entertainment due to a growing need for video conferencing, digital signage, and live event production, including LED.

PPDS has maintained an upward trajectory in the country – and the Nordics region – in recent years, with sales of Philips digital signage, ePaper, interactive displays, and dvLED surpassing expectations, while Philips hotel TVs continue to be firmly established as a brand of choice for the hospitality industry. Sister brand, AOC, was also recently named as Norway’s market leader for home and office monitors.

Jonas will work closely with the full AV channel, including distributors, system integrators, AV/IT teams, designers/architects, among others, to identify new market and project opportunities, ensuring PPDS remains a key choice for tenders, big and small, across all market verticals, including retail, corporate, hospitality, transportation, control rooms, public venues, and broadcast.

Seizing opportunity

Discussing his appointment, Jonas commented: “PPDS has become a major force in Norway, and I am excited to seize this opportunity to join such a flexible and forward thinking company with a great team. I believe that, with my skillset and understanding of the market, backed by the incredible portfolio of Philips Professional Displays and associated software and solutions, together we can achieve great things.”

 Roeland Scholten added: “In a competitive market, we need strong leaders and personalities to move forward and get where we want to be. Jonas has an impeccable background, working at some of the industry’s most established manufacturers and distributors, and has demonstrated from day one that he is the right fit for PPDS, sharing our values and ambitions. I am delighted to welcome Jonas to the team.”

Salzer Advances India’s Smart Electricity Metering Ecosystem with Wirepas Certified Platform

Coimbatore, India Mar 05: Salzer has announced the integration of Wirepas Certified platform into its smart electricity meters, delivering next-generation metering solutions that help utilities operate more efficiently and intelligently. This adoption highlights Salzer’s commitment to innovation, interoperability and building resilient energy infrastructure across India.

The Wirepas Certified platform allows Salzer meters to form a self-optimizing, collaborative network, automatically adjusting to ensure uninterrupted data flow across urban, rural and mixed infrastructure environments. Utilities benefit from reliable performance without the need for extensive additional infrastructure, enabling smarter energy management at every scale.

“Smart metering is about empowering utilities with accurate, reliable and adaptable technology,” said Lakshminarayana (LN), Vice President at Salzer. “With the Wirepas Certified platform, we can offer solutions that not only meet current industry standards but are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow’s grids. This partnership strengthens our vision of creating truly intelligent energy systems.”

Sebastian Pellorce, SVP AMI India at Wirepas, added, “Salzer’s adoption of the Wirepas Certified platform demonstrates a forward-looking approach to smart metering. It’s about building networks that utilities can trust for years to come.”

By leveraging the platform’s adaptive capabilities, Salzer meters work together to ensure network resilience, scalability and operational efficiency, helping utilities deliver consistent service to customers while reducing operational complexity.

NETSCOUT Report Highlights Rising Sophistication and Scale of Global DDoS Attacks

Bengaluru, Mar 5: NETSCOUT Systems, Inc. has released its DDoS Threat Intelligence Report for the second half of 2025, revealing significant shifts in the scale, sophistication, and coordination of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks worldwide. According to the report, more than eight million DDoS attacks were recorded across 203 countries and territories, with some attacks reaching sizes of up to 30 terabits per second (Tbps).

The findings indicate a new era of hyper-scale cyber threats driven by AI adoption, coordinated botnets, and persistent hacktivist groups. The rapid growth of DDoS-for-hire services is also enabling a wider range of threat actors to launch complex attacks, increasing operational risks for digitally connected enterprises and organizations.

Security experts warn that the implications extend beyond large-scale traffic floods. Attackers are now leveraging reconnaissance techniques and adaptive evasion strategies, challenging traditional security defenses and requiring organizations to adopt intelligent and automated protection systems.

“Threat actors actively target organizations that lack advanced defenses to withstand sophisticated and coordinated DDoS attacks that can disrupt critical infrastructure,” said Richard Hummel, Director of Threat Intelligence at NETSCOUT. “Traditional security measures are no longer sufficient. As attack size and complexity reach new levels, automated and proactive defenses are now essential business safeguards rather than just technical tools.”

Key Findings from the Report

• Massive Global Attack Volume: Over eight million DDoS attacks were detected across 203 countries and territories in the second half of 2025.

• Multi-Vector Attack Strategies: Around 42% of attacks involved two to five attack vectors, with some dynamically adapting during the attack to evade detection.

• Impact on Broadband and Mobile Providers: Compromised IoT devices and customer-premises equipment generated outbound traffic floods exceeding 1 Tbps, posing risks for service providers.

• Critical Infrastructure Targeted: High-value services such as NTP and DNS systems continue to experience sustained attack pressure, emphasizing the need for resilient network architectures.

• Growing Threat Actor Collaboration: A surge of more than 20,000 botnet-driven attacks in July 2025 demonstrated how coordinated campaigns can overwhelm defenses and disrupt government, finance, and transportation systems.

• Persistent Hacktivist Activity: Despite international efforts to dismantle DDoS-for-hire platforms, hacktivist groups and botnet operators continue to operate and evolve.

• AI-Driven Threat Expansion: The report highlights a 219% increase in discussions of malicious AI tools across underground forums, with threat actors using large language models (LLMs) to accelerate vulnerability discovery and botnet expansion.

NETSCOUT monitors the global DDoS landscape through passive internet vantage points, offering deep visibility into attack trends. For more than 15 years, the company has provided intelligence based on directly observed attack traffic, ensuring consistent and verifiable analysis.

The company currently protects two-thirds of the routed IPv4 internet, securing network edges that carried peak global traffic of over 800 Tbps during the second half of 2025. Its monitoring infrastructure spans 376 industry sectors and 12,698 Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs), enabling the detection of tens of thousands of DDoS attacks daily.

Resources

• Download the NETSCOUT DDoS Threat Intelligence Report H2 2025

• View real-time attack insights on the NETSCOUT Cyber Threat Horizon platform

Nykaa Reinforces Korean Beauty Portfolio with Exclusive Launch of Illiyoon

Mumbai, Mar 05: Nykaa has strengthened its leadership in the Korean beauty category with the exclusive launch of Illiyoon, a renowned dermocosmetic brand from Amorepacific. The launch marks a significant milestone in the decade-long strategic partnership between the two companies and expands Nykaa’s growing portfolio of Korean skincare brands in India.

 Nykaa has been instrumental in bringing Korean beauty innovations to India since 2016, beginning with the introduction of Innisfree through its collaboration with Amorepacific. Over the years, the platform has introduced several globally popular K-beauty brands including Laneige, COSRX, Sulwhasoo and Aestura, helping shape India’s rapidly expanding Korean skincare ecosystem.

The debut of Illiyoon further strengthens Nykaa’s Korean beauty offering, introducing Indian consumers to a brand known for its barrier-focused, clinically proven dermocosmetic formulations designed for both face and body care. The brand’s products focus on strengthening the skin barrier, improving moisture retention and delivering long-lasting hydration through advanced skincare science.

The growing popularity of Korean beauty in India reflects changing consumer preferences. According to the Nykaa Beauty Trends Report developed with Redseer, Indian consumers are increasingly seeking gentle, clinically backed skincare products that support long-term skin health. With greater awareness around barrier protection, sensitivity and clean formulations, demand for science-led dermocosmetics is steadily rising.

Illiyoon’s formulations feature patented technologies such as Soy-Ceramide and Ceramide Skin Complex™ 2.0, designed to reinforce skin resilience and support healthier-looking skin. Among its most popular offerings are the ATO Lotion and ATO Concentrate Cream, known for their gentle, fragrance-free formulas suitable for sensitive and dry skin across age groups.

Over the past decade, Nykaa has built one of India’s largest Korean beauty portfolios through its dedicated Korean Beauty Store online and a network of over 280 retail stores nationwide, enabling wider access to premium global skincare brands.

Commenting on the launch, Anchit Nayar, Executive Director and CEO, Nykaa Beauty, said the partnership with Amorepacific has played a key role in shaping India’s K-beauty landscape.

“Our decade-long partnership with Amorepacific has played a defining role in shaping India’s K-beauty journey. Together, we have introduced beloved brands like Laneige, Aestura, Innisfree, Sulwhasoo and COSRX to Indian consumers, catalysing the K-beauty phenomenon in the country. The launch of Illiyoon marks the next chapter in this journey as Indian consumers increasingly prioritise barrier health and sensitive-skin solutions,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Paul Lee, Managing Director and Country Head, Amorepacific India, said the company values its long-standing collaboration with Nykaa.

“We deeply value our decade-long partnership with Nykaa, through which we have played a meaningful role in introducing and shaping the K-Beauty movement in India. With consumers becoming more informed and ingredient-conscious, demand for clinically proven, barrier-focused skincare continues to grow. Following the successful launch of Aestura, we are delighted to introduce Illiyoon as our second K-derma brand in collaboration with Nykaa,” he said.

Illiyoon has launched in India with a curated range of globally trusted products including ATO Lotion, ATO Concentrate Cream, ATO Top to Toe Wash, ATO Gentle Toner, Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser, Fresh Moisture Lotion, and Stretch Mark Cream.

The brand is now available exclusively on Nykaa’s website and mobile app, offering Indian consumers access to advanced Korean dermatological skincare designed for comfort, hydration and long-term skin health.