Huawei betting big on telecoms’ Agentic AI revolution


Posted by Harry Baldock: The Chinese tech giant says AI agents will not only help telcos become more efficient, but will open crucial new revenue streams 

For many years now, the global telecommunications industry has been racing to achieve the somewhat amorphous goal of ‘digital transformation’, focused on replacing hardware with software, shift workloads to the cloud, and incorporate digital technologies. Today, in the age of AI, this digital transformation has become a mere stepping stone to a far more paradigmatic shift for telcos: the move towards comprehensive digital intelligence, incorporating AI and automation throughout operations. 

For Huawei, this is less a change in direction than it is the natural next step of digital strategy. Digitalisation of telco functions offered the industry a huge wealth of data, as well as the operational agility to begin using it effectively. Huawei first introduced a formal AI strategy back in 2018, aiming to use AI as a catalyst for this data boom across the telco sector. At that time,  AI served primarily as a reporting or analytical tool, offering insights and limited automation.   

Fast forward to 2025, and rapid advances in AI technology have seen the development of AI agents, fully collaborative operational partners capable of making data-driven decisions and acting upon them fully autonomously. The agentic AI revolution is already underway and, according to Huawei, telcos cannot afford to be left behind.   

Digital twins and Agentic AI combine for intelligent networks 

Huawei’s core AI strategy in the agentic AI era is built upon the powerful, synergistic convergence of two key technologies: digital twins and agentic AI.  

This fusion establishes a new operational paradigm where human expertise works in close collaboration with specialised, multi-layered AI agents. The digital twin acts as a virtual, real-time, and highly accurate replica of the physical network, creating a risk-free environment for experimentation.  

This virtual playground allows AI to explore complex scenarios, model failures, and test automated decisions without ever impacting live services. The AI then uses this simulation capability to move beyond simply reactive fault resolution, instead becoming a fully autonomous, intelligent system capable of accurately predicting faults, self-healing, and self-optimising in real time.  

This powerful combination, creating a new operating model for telcos, was at the heart of Huawei’s demonstrations at this year’s MWC Barcelona, including breakthroughs for both fixed and 5G networks. 

A multi-agent framework for O&M 

Operations and maintenance (O&M) is an area where this combination is particularly effective, with Huawei leveraging this dual strategy to achieve unprecedented levels of automation. The company’s approach is predicated on an AI multi-agent framework, where specialised intelligent agents operate and communicate across different network domains (e.g., transport, core, and RAN). These agents are tasked with specific functions, such as fault detection in a single domain or performance optimisation, but collaborate closely, using the predictive and simulation capabilities of the digital twin to contextualise their actions and resolve cross-domain issues. 

This collaborative structure enables a complete closed-loop automation chain, which Huawei describes as ‘perception–analysis–decision–execution’. The agents work in real time to intelligently detect subtle anomalies, rapidly demarcate complex cross-domain faults, precisely localise the root cause of issues, and initiate automated closed-loop handling.  

For operators, the benefits are significant. Faults can be identified and resolved in seconds rather than minutes, resulting in a much improved experience for customers. One customer reported consumer churn was reduced by 57% after incorporating these agents. 

AI with OSS/BSS 

The benefits of AI agents extend far beyond network management. AI agents can also be tailored for critical Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operational Support Systems (OSS) roles, driving up efficiencies and even generating new revenue streams.  

Huawei’s work in this area is built on its unified LLM Engine agent platform, which hosts numerous specialised agents. Human engineers can use simple language to present a problem to the agents on this platform and built-in Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities ensure that the agents answer the prompt using predefined data sets. This not only ensures the answers generated represent best practice, but also ensures data security, providing greater control over the data these agents interact with.  

Alongside lightweight analytics models, these agents can assist in complex, mission-critical decision-making processes. They transform cumbersome, multi-step business workflows into streamlined, intelligent interactions. 

New revenue streams with business agents 

  • Leveraging a comprehensive AI-Native strategy, agents in the BSS domain can also see AI agents deployed across a range of revenue-generating contexts. For example:  
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): agents predict churn risk, and suggest hyper-personalised product bundles, moving marketing from mass campaigns to precise, data-driven targeting. In addition, in the B2B business domain, agents help account managers gain insights into lead opportunities, prepare materials for high-level visits, generate solutions, forecast profitability, and review contract risks, significantly improving business processing efficiency and accelerating business growth.  
  • Convergent Billing System (CBS):  offering Design Agents can reduce the time to market for packages, significantly accelerating operators’ business innovation and revenue realisation. Throughout the billing process, Huawei CBS enables Intelligent Bill Run Management, Intelligent Invoice Agent, Intelligent Dispute Resolution, and Intelligent Dunning and Payment. CBS deeply integrates AI into the entire billing and business operations process this creates a zero-confusion billing experience for end-users, solidifying the foundation for sustainable business growth driven by superior 
  • customer experience. Artificial Intelligence Contact Center (AICC):  AI is available for agents to help drive higher productivity and an enhanced employee experience, AI performs two broad functions, real-time call guidance and robotic process automation, through capabilities like post-call summarisation, suggest scripts to agents for targeted response, support agents with the right information through knowledge recommendations, AI-powered voice/chat/video bots for outbound marketing and leverages AI-powered insights about customers’ product and channel preferences to provide personalised marketing messages.  
  • Mobile Money: agents assist in fraud detection and complex transaction monitoring, assuring security while streamlining customer enrolment and service usage. 
Ultimately, we are seeing AI used to streamline core business processes, reduce the time-to-market for new services, and drive substantial new revenue streams through more precise commercial execution. For Huawei, agentic AI will form the foundation of a new telco operating and business model, one in which autonomous intelligence drives efficiency, resilience, and, crucially, sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive market. 

A benchmark for digital intelligence transformation in telecoms 

Huawei’s recent recognition at the World Communication Awards reinforces that its vision for digital intelligence is already taking shape with global operators. The company secured the Silver Award for Total Experience, demonstrating how intelligent agents can transform enterprise engagement and service assurance. By reducing business processing time and speeding up repair cycles, these agents enable faster, more responsive interactions for enterprise customers.   

The second Silver Award, in the Best Digital Transformation Programme category, points to structural change within network operations. By combining automated diagnostics with closed-loop execution, operators are cutting manual workloads and accelerating fault resolution, while strengthening the commercial foundations for new digital services.   Together, the wins underline how far Huawei has come since first introducing its AI strategy in 2018. What began with analytics and automation has evolved into collaborative AI agents that elevate customer experience, reshape O&M, and drive commercial outcomes. For operators pursuing digital intelligence, these awards signal a mature and scalable model for AI adoption, and a glimpse of the new operating model the industry is moving toward.  Huawei betting big on telecoms’ Agentic AI revolution
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Nissan to invest $17.6 bn in EV development over next 5 years


IANS Photo

Tokyo, (IANS): As the adoption of electric vechicles enters top gear globally amid rising petrol-diesel prices, Japanese auto-maker Nissan on Monday said it will invest $17.6 billion (2 trillion Yen) in developing new EVs and battery technology over the next five years.

Unveiling the 'Nissan Ambition 2030' plan, the company announced it will launch 23 new electrified models, including 15 new EVs, aiming for 50 per cent electrification mix, by fiscal year 2030.

"We will drive the new age of electrification, advance technologies to reduce carbon footprint and pursue new business opportunities. We want to transform Nissan to become a sustainable company that is truly needed by customers and society," said Makoto Uchida, Nissan CEO.

Over the next 10 years, Nissan aims to deliver exciting, electrified vehicles and technological innovations while expanding its operations globally.

The vision supports Nissan's goal to be carbon neutral across the life cycle of its products by fiscal year 2050.

With the introduction of 20 new EV and e-POWER equipped models in the next five years, Nissan intends to increase its electrification sales mix across major markets by fiscal year 2026, including Europe by more than 75 per cent of sales, Japan by more than 55 per cent of sales, China by more than 40 per cent of sales and the US by 40 per cent of EV sales in fiscal year 2030.

"With our new ambition, we continue to take the lead in accelerating the natural shift to EVs by creating customer pull through an attractive proposition by driving excitement, enabling adoption and creating a cleaner world," said Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta.

Representing the next stage of Nissan's electrified future, the company also unveiled three new concept cars that offer enhanced experiences through sophisticated technology packaging.

Nissan aims to launch EV with its proprietary all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) by fiscal year 2028 and ready a pilot plant in Yokohama as early as fiscal year 2024.

With the introduction of breakthrough ASSB, Nissan will be able to expand its EV offerings across segments and offer more dynamic performance.

"By reducing charging time to one-third, ASSBs will make EVs more efficient and accessible. Further, Nissan expects ASSB to bring the cost of battery packs down to $75 per kWh by fiscal year 2028 and aims to bring it further down to $65 per kWh to achieve cost parity between EV and gasoline vehicles in the future," the company announced.

Nissan intends to increase its global battery production capacity to 52 GWh by fiscal year 2026, and 130 GWh by fiscal year 2030.

Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from news agency feeds and has not been edited by The Morung Express.Source: IANS Nissan to invest $17.6 bn in EV development over next 5 years | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Diversity in Workplace


Diversity in Workplace.(photo:IANSLIFE)

New Delhi, (IANSlife) The current state of the planet may be among its most tumultuous in recent memory. Every ingrained standard in life and the workplace has been rattled and tested over the last two years. A number of new orders arose and disintegrated. The secret to surviving in the modern world is to adapt to anything new that comes along. In order to survive the upheaval of the previous two years, organisations had to reinvent themselves.

The business world has made significant efforts to securely navigate through the turbulent waters of recent times, from adopting new work cultures and upskilling the workforce to extensively investing in R&D and offering new products & services. Nevertheless, not every organisation was successful, despite their best efforts. Unfortunately, a lot of organisations either completely failed or suffered serious harm. What, then, was the difference? The answer to this query is workplace diversity.

Significance of diversity in the workforce

Any organisation can greatly benefit from workplace diversity, especially during trying times. Many organisations give little attention to diversity, while others have very limited views of it. Diversity includes having workers from various cultural and racial origins as well as having adequate or equal representation of both genders (or other genders) in the workforce. Additionally, demographic diversity is a key component.

The workplace is safer and more encouraging for everyone to offer their best effort when there is a good balance of all the genders in the workforce. This enables an organisation to take corrective action by better understanding the problems faced by persons of various genders (and orientations). People of different genders frequently approach a subject from a variety of perspectives. In this manner, an organisation can work with as many different viewpoints as possible to complete a task or resolve a problem. This aids any organisation in avoiding future social, legal, or cultural issues.

Diversity goes beyond gender diversity

Imagine a situation where an organisation is forced to hunt for new markets to sell its goods or services due to a regional economic collapse. Organisations with members from various cultural or racial origins will find it simpler to explore new terrain in such circumstances. People from various backgrounds provide more expertise about emerging markets, increasing the likelihood that an organisation will locate and establish itself in one.

Groupthink behaviour is among the most hazardous things for any organisation. Groupthink and similar thinking have been documented in organisations with homogeneous workforces. Groupthink behaviour frequently exhibits a highly limited view of the world and results in negative outcomes. A diverse workforce has a lower propensity for this type of behaviour. Groupthink is avoided by the diverse perspectives that people of different sexes, races, age groups, and cultures contribute to each scenario.

For every organisation, having people from all age groups is also crucial. Teams with elder members add stability, maturity, and experience while those with younger members add dynamism and adaptability. People in their middle years serve as a bridge between the aforementioned two quite dissimilar generations. All of these components must be present for any business to run smoothly.

The globe is changing at an unprecedented rate, but people are also becoming more sensitive to things like religion, culture, and legacy. Businesses must take great care to avoid offending any faith or community when launching any new product or service, marketing initiative, or public relations campaign. A workforce with diverse cultures and values can internally alert management to any such error before it becomes widely known. In the event that such an error is made and a community is insulted, the appearance of someone from that community can help to diffuse the situation.Nearly all business executives recognise the value of diversity in the workplace, and historically the most successful organisations have been those that include a good mix of employees from all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Recent economic and pandemic instability and pandemic have restored this ancient knowledge's legitimacy. Diversity in Workplace | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Paytm wants Sri Lanka to build “world’s most seamless travel corridor” for Indian tourists

Paytm CEO for Travel and COO for Consumer Payments Vikash Jalan – Pic by Ruwan Walpola
  • Says modern tourism depends on seamless, invisible payments and destinations become more attractive when travellers do not worry about currency or acceptance
  • Notes with UPI acceptance in Sri Lanka, Indian arrivals boosted; opines country could attract 1 m Indians annually if payments become fully frictionless
  • Stresses digital payments must reach micro-merchants and SMEs, enabling homestays, guides, tuk-tuk drivers and fishermen to earn instantly, become visible to all
  • Suggests creating a national fintech-tourism task force to build a unified digital journey for travellers, make India-Sri Lanka travel corridor most seamless in the region
By Charumini de Silva: Paytm CEO for Travel and COO for Consumer Payments Vikash Jalan on Wednesday urged Sri Lanka to position itself as the “most frictionless, trusted, and convenient overseas destination” for Indian travellers, insisting that digital payments and fintech infrastructure will be just as critical as flights, hotels, and marketing in shaping the country’s next phase of tourism growth.

Speaking at the India-Sri Lanka Tourism Connect forum on the theme “Role of Fintech in Tourism Experiences,” Jalan said modern tourism is increasingly defined by action and ease, not advertising, and that seamless payment experiences are now fundamental to destination choice, visitor satisfaction, and spending levels.

“A traveller shouldn’t have to worry about currency, conversion, or acceptance. When payments disappear into the background, destinations become instantly more attractive,” he pointed out.

He explained that payments are often invisible when they work smoothly, but “painfully visible” when they don’t; affecting not only the individual tourist, but also a destination’s revenue, reputation, and repeat visitation.

A frictionless payment layer, he said, creates a self-reinforcing cycle; destination choices expand, travellers increase, revenues rise, and experience quality improves, helping that destination win in a highly competitive regional market.

Jalan stressed that India’s payments ecosystem is now among the most advanced in the world, driven by Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which processed 85 billion transactions last year, accounting for over 83% of all non-cash retail payments.

“India has gone from ‘cash-first to mobile-first in less than a decade’ and Sri Lanka’s rapid progress in digital payments places it on a parallel track,” he said.

He said over 67% of Sri Lanka’s merchant transactions now run through digital channels, and with UPI acceptance enabled in Sri Lanka in 2024, Indian travellers can simply ‘scan and pay’ as they would at home.

“This changes everything,” Jalan said, pointing to the sharp rise in Indian arrivals.

He noted that Sri Lanka saw 430,000 Indian visitors in 2024, up from 300,000 the previous year, and has already welcomed over 450,000 Indians in the first 10 months of 2025. “If Sri Lanka reaches its projected 3 million annual tourist arrivals, at least 1 million could come from India alone, especially if Sri Lanka becomes a fully frictionless UPI-enabled destination,” he added.

Jalan described the opportunity as transformational, particularly with the next wave of outbound Indian travellers emerging from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. These new travellers are value-conscious, but digitally confident.

“They trust Indian apps, Indian payment systems and Indian digital journeys. If Sri Lanka gets the experience right, it becomes closer than Bangkok, more convenient than Dubai and more interesting than many Southeast Asian markets,” he said.

To unlock this potential, Jalan argued that payment acceptance must be universal, extending beyond hotels and big retailers to micro-merchants, homestays, guides, tuk-tuk drivers, craft sellers, fishermen and local eateries.

He outlined how fintech can bring thousands of Sri Lankan small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the formal digital economy, making them discoverable and bookable, while enabling transparent pricing and instant settlements.

“Imagine a fisherman in Jaffna getting paid instantly through QR, or a small homestay in Yala earning digitally from Indian travellers. When you solve trust and transparency, participation increases and prices stabilise naturally,” he opined.

He added that digital payments generate valuable insights to personalise tourism offerings whether for families heading to beaches, couples preferring hill country, or younger groups seeking nightlife and adventure. “A mature payments ecosystem allows Sri Lanka to curate experiences at scale,” he said.

Jalan proposed developing a national fintech–tourism task force bringing together Government, tourism authorities, banks, fintech companies and travel platforms to address issues such as cross-border settlements, QR standardisation, and merchant on-boarding and regulatory clarity.

He said this could evolve into a unified marketplace allowing travellers to discover, book, pay and experience everything in one digital journey.

Jalan said fintech is no longer an add-on, but the invisible backbone of modern tourism. “Imagine a traveller who plans on Paytm, lands in Colombo, discovers local gems, moves around easily, pays instantly, books the next experience on the go and returns home already planning the next visit. That is what happens when payments and travel work together,” he said.

“India has fintech. Sri Lanka has the most charming destination. It’s time to connect them and build the world’s most seamless travel corridor,” he added. Paytm wants Sri Lanka to build “world’s most seamless travel corridor” for Indian tourists | Daily FT
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The High-End Fashion Industry’s Reaction to Economic Turmoil


Illustration by Ruhi Bishnoi

While inflation has pinched the wallets of many, it’s ironically fueling the growth of luxury fashion. As most consumers scale back on spending due to rising costs, iconic brands like Chanel, Rolex, and Hermès are boldly raising their prices, sometimes surpassing inflation itself. For some, it's a response to economic pressures; for others, it’s a strategic move to preserve their elite status.

Luxury brands excuse their price inflation by claiming inflation pressures and rising material costs, but their figures do not hold up. Consider, for instance, Chanel in 2019, the average price for a Classic Flap bag stood at $5,800. At present, it has reached about $10,200, a phenomenal increase of about 76% in price. Chanel justified this by claiming a commitment to quality and exclusivity. This argument was pushed by the CEO, Leena Nair for the price hike, she said "We use exquisite raw materials and our production is very rigorous, laborious, handmade-so we raise our prices according to the inflation that we see." But is there more to it? Many consumers and analysts suspect otherwise, wondering whether such price bounds are truly to do with keeping up with cost or simply to maintain their ultra-high-end status.

The watch market is no different. Patek Philippe and Rolex rank among the world's most desirable brands, but to purchase them at retail is effectively impossible for someone who lacks any insider affiliation. On the secondary market, though, such timepieces tend to fetch two to three times their retail price. Are these brands genuinely facing supply chain restrictions, or do they limit production on purpose to keep demand strong? Most industry professionals believe the latter.

Beyond the realm of economics, luxury brands have learned a thing or two about price psychology. Economists call it the Veblen Effect; as the price for some luxury items rises, so does their demand. In contrast to mass-market items, a client does not buy Chanel handbags or Rolex watches just for their fine craftsmanship; he or she buys them for their prestige. Price hikes aren’t just about inflation; they create an aura of exclusivity around such goods. In short, the higher the price, the more desirable they become.

Hermès exemplifies this strategy. The brand, synonymous with scarcity and strict pricing, increased the price of an average Birkin bag by nearly 10% in 2023, exceeding inflation rates. A close examination of the discourse further reveals the possible truth that these bags do not just serve as accessories but genuine investments, worth holding and appreciating. Louis Vuitton had equally to trade from a playbook wherein multiple price raises go within a year despite the depressing foreign retail markets. These luxury goods stack up nowadays according to Business of Fashion on an average basis for around fifty-four percent more than they did during 2019. Yet, sales remain booming-some even argue more than ever. Why? Because these have successfully groomed the idea that affordability in hand and wrist should become a tag as status hallmark for completion in being successful. However, it too ends up being an ethical debate. Should luxury companies literally be allowed to raise prices this steeply while others are still cash-strapped? Some would just say that this is merely a business concept as the saying goes"If you find someone willing to pay, why not charge him more?" while some see it as a deliberate ploy to keep out regular buyers, thus making it all the more desired by ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

So, what’s next in the future? Will brands continue to push prices higher, or are we approaching a breaking point? History suggests that as long as affluent consumers remain eager to buy into exclusivity, luxury brands will continue raising prices, regardless of economic conditions. But there’s always the risk of alienating aspirational buyers, the ones who save up for a dream luxury purchase, if prices keep climbing.

Indeed, changes in behavior control the portion of this high drama. The industry remains high-class and entry-level as long as there is pursuit by people to be status seekers, this profit will always be there for these brands, be it a recession or not.Ruhi Bishnoi is a Data Science, Economics, and Business student at Plaksha University, set to graduate in 2027. She is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to drive strategic business decisions and create meaningful impact. The High-End Fashion Industry’s Reaction to Economic Turmoil | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Maruti Suzuki's Jimny 5-door export from India surpasses 1 lakh units milestone

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): In a landmark achievement, the Jimny 5-door SUV has surpassed a cumulative export of 1 lakh units from India, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said on Thursday.

Jimny 5-door export journey began in 2023, shortly after the SUV made its debut in India. The SUV, manufactured exclusively in India, has been shipped across more than 100 countries, including Japan, Mexico, and Australia.

"Jimny 5-door’s entry in Japan in January 2025, under the name 'Jimny Nomade', sparked off an overwhelming response with orders crossing the 50,000 mark within days of introduction. This reflects Jimny’s strong resonance in one of the world’s most evolved and quality-conscious automobile markets," the company said.

According to Maruti Suzuki, the Jimny 5-door is built for performance, combining a ladder-frame chassis with Suzuki’s proven ALLGRIP PRO (4WD), offering superior off-road dynamics and stability.

Powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, it embodies a balance of durability, simplicity and dependable performance, traits that appeal to both rugged terrain drivers and global customers attuned to quality and functionality.

“The Jimny has over half a century of heritage globally. Jimny 5-door crossing 1 lakh export mark is a proud achievement for Maruti Suzuki. We are deeply thankful to customers around the world for their trust in this acclaimed SUV," Maruti Suzuki India Limited Managing Director and CEO, Hisashi Takeuchi, said.

Jimny’s strong off-road DNA, reliable performance and uncompromising quality have earned admiration in over 100 countries, he added.

The Jimny, along with 16 other models exported by Maruti Suzuki, stands as a shining example of ‘Make in India for the World’.

The year-on-year rise in the company’s exports reflects the love and confidence of customers in our products and highlights India’s rise as a hub for world-class automobile manufacturing, Takeuchi said.

This achievement reinforces Maruti Suzuki’s robust and sustained export growth trajectory.

With over 2 lakh vehicles exported in H1 FY 2025-26, the company grew by around 40 per cent and recorded its highest-ever half-yearly export volume. In FY 2024-25, the Company had exported over 3.3 lakh vehicles.Maruti Suzuki commands over 46 per cent share in India’s passenger vehicle exports.Maruti Suzuki's Jimny 5-door export from India surpasses 1 lakh units milestone | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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TPG suffers data breach impacting 280,000 customers


Posted by Harry Baldock : Attackers reportedly hacked into an order management system from TPG’s subsidiary, the broadband provider iiNet Australia’s TPG has become the latest telco to suffer a major cybersecurity breach this weekend, with data having been exfiltrated from its ISP subsidiary, iiNet.

The breach occurred on August 16, where reports suggest it was quickly detected and contained. Nonetheless, the attack reportedly compromised around 280,000 active email addresses; 20,000 active landline phone numbers; 10,000 iiNet customer names, street addresses, and phone numbers; and 1,700 modem setup passwords.

“We unreservedly apologise to our iiNet customers impacted by this incident,” TPG said in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange. “We will be taking immediate steps to contact impacted iiNet customers, advise of any actions they should take and offer our assistance. We will also contact all non-impacted iiNet customers to confirm they have not been affected.”

No sensitive customer information, like bank details or personal identity documents, was impacted by the breach, as this data was not stored in the iiNet order management system.

“We do not currently have any evidence to suggest an impact to our broader systems or other customers,” TPG said.

TPG says it is working closely with the Australian Cyber Security Centre, National Office of Cyber Security, Australian Signals Directorate, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner to better understand the breach and take appropriate action.

Investigations into how the attackers gained access to these systems are underway, with early indications suggesting that account credentials had been stolen from an employee.

The first half of this decade has not been kind to TPG when it comes to cybersecurity. The company’s Hosted Exchange service, which provides email hosting for iiNet and Westnet business customers, was notably hacked at the end of 2022, impacting around 15,000 business customers. The attackers appeared to be accessing customers’ cryptocurrency and financial information.

Investigations into this attack are still ongoing.

Both attacks combined, however, still pale in comparison to that experienced by TPG’s rival Optus in 2022, when bad actors gained access to the data of up to 10 million of the company’s current and former customers. Illegally obtained information included customers’ names, dates of birth, home addresses, and more.

While a ransom of $1.5 million was initially demanded for the return of the data, the attacker ultimately backed down, allegedly deleting the stolen data due to the unwanted attention it garnered from law enforcement.Keep up with all the latest telecoms news with the Total Telecom newsletter TPG suffers data breach impacting 280,000 customers | Total Telecom
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Indian entrepreneurs outpace global counterparts on adopting luxury lifestyles, mobility

Image/IANS)

New Delhi, (IANS) Unlike their global counterparts, entrepreneurs in India are overwhelmingly positive about their personal wealth outlook, with 95 per cent predicting their wealth will grow over the next few years, a report showed on Monday.

Among them, 56 per cent believe their wealth will improve significantly, while 39 per cent expect moderate growth.

Rich entrepreneurs in India are spending their wealth on luxury lifestyle as their optimism and global outlook help them expand their horizons across borders, according to research from HSBC Private Bank.

The HSBC’s 'Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2025' reveals that allocations toward real estate for personal use (64 per cent), health and wellness (61 per cent), and luxury experiences (59 per cent) are significantly higher among entrepreneurs in India compared to their global counterparts.

“Their investments in luxury lifestyles, global mobility, and diversified portfolios signal not just confidence in their wealth trajectory but also their readiness to capitalize on the next wave of global opportunities and deepening international wealth corridors as globalisation enters a new phase,” said Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking, HSBC India.

This optimism is particularly pronounced in markets such as the UK, the UAE, India, and Singapore. Key drivers of this optimism in India are opportunities for new investments and ventures (64 per cent), positive performance of investment portfolios (56 per cent), favourable economic outlook for the local economy (54 per cent) and positive business performance (43 per cent).

According to the report, entrepreneurs in India have a particularly global outlook, with 73 per cent holding multi-residency status — significantly higher than the global average of 56 per cent. The vast majority are open to relocating abroad, with the UK and US emerging as the top destinations, followed by Switzerland, UAE, and Singapore.Among those entrepreneurs looking to make a personal move, the primary motivations for cross border movements include better quality of life for themselves and their families (78 per cent); access to new investment opportunities (75 per cent); and expansion of business into new markets (71 per cent).Indian entrepreneurs outpace global counterparts on adopting luxury lifestyles, mobility | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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VE Commercial Vehicles to invest Rs 544 crore to boost manufacturing in India

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), a joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, on Thursday announced an investment of Rs 544 crore (about 576 million Swedish Krona) to set up a new factory for the production and final assembly of Volvo Group’s advanced 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) systems.

The greenfield facility will come up at the Vikram Udyogpuri Integrated Industrial Township near Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

This new plant marks another milestone in the 18-year-long successful partnership between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, strengthening India’s position as a key manufacturing hub for the global automotive industry.

Sofia Frandberg, Chairperson of VE Commercial Vehicles and Senior Leader at Volvo Group, said that the new investment reflects the growing trust and synergy between the two partners.

“This investment represents another win-win collaboration with the Volvo Group and leverages the strong technical and industrial capabilities we have built over the past 18 years,” she said.

Siddhartha Lal, Chairman of Eicher Motors, said the initiative further strengthens the joint venture’s technological foundation.

“Since its inception in 2008, our partnership has consistently delivered advanced programmes. This new AMT project is built on trust and capability and marks another important step towards our vision of becoming a leading commercial vehicle player in India and other emerging markets,” he said.

Jens Holtinger, Executive Vice President of Group Trucks Technology and Volvo Group CTO, said the new AMT facility demonstrates the Volvo Group’s commitment to efficient and collaborative global manufacturing.

“VECV has become a core part of Volvo Group’s supply chain over the years, and this investment marks a new chapter in our successful relationship,” he said.

Vinod Aggarwal, Managing Director and CEO of VE Commercial Vehicles, highlighted the transformative impact of the AMT technology on the Indian commercial vehicle industry.

“As the market moves towards higher-capacity vehicles, Eicher truck customers and drivers will benefit from Volvo Group’s world-class AMT technology, which enhances fuel efficiency, reduces driver fatigue, and improves productivity,” he said.

The new facility will be built to Volvo Group’s global standards and aligns with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ vision.The plant will have an initial capacity to produce up to 40,000 units annually, with production and local sourcing to be ramped up gradually in line with Volvo’s quality benchmarks. VE Commercial Vehicles to invest Rs 544 crore to boost manufacturing in India | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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AI regulatory violations to push 30 pc rise in tech firms' legal disputes by 2028


IANS Photo

New Delhi,  (IANS): Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulatory violations will result in a 30 per cent increase in legal disputes for tech companies by 2028, a report said on Monday.

Over 70 per cent of IT leaders indicated that regulatory compliance is within their top three challenges for their organisation’s widespread GenAI productivity assistants deployment.

Meanwhile, only 23 per cent of them are very confident in their organisation’s ability to manage security and governance components when rolling out GenAI tools in their enterprise applications, Gartner, a business and technology insights company, said in a report.

“Global AI regulations vary widely, reflecting each country’s assessment of its appropriate alignment of AI leadership, innovation and agility with risk mitigation priorities,” said Lydia Clougherty Jones, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner.

“This leads to inconsistent and often incoherent compliance obligations, complicating alignment of AI investment with demonstrable and repeatable enterprise value and possibly opening enterprises up to other liabilities," Jones added.

At the same time, the impact of the geopolitical climate is steadily growing, but the ability to respond lags.

As many as 57 per cent of non-US IT leaders highlighted that the geopolitical climate at least moderately impacted GenAI strategy and deployment, with 19 per cent of respondents reporting it has a significant impact.

Yet, nearly 60 per cent of those respondents reported that they were unable or unwilling to adopt non-U.S. GenAI tool alternatives, the report highlighted.

The report was prepared based on inputs from 360 IT leaders involved in the rollout of generative AI tools.

In a separate poll, Gartner found that 40 per cent of the 489 respondents indicated that their organisation's sentiment to AI sovereignty - defined as the ability of nation-states to control the development, deployment, and governance of AI technologies within their jurisdictions - is “positive”, and 36 per cent indicated their organisation’s sentiment was “neutral”.
While 66 per cent of them indicated they were proactive and engaged in response to sovereign AI strategy, and 52 per cent indicated that their organisation was making strategic or operating model changes as a direct result of sovereign AI. AI regulatory violations to push 30 pc rise in tech firms' legal disputes by 2028 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Oklo announces plans for Tennessee fuel recycling plant


A rendering of the recycling facility (Oklo Inc)

Oklo Inc has announced plans to design, build, and operate a facility at Oak Ridge in Tennessee to recycle used nuclear fuel into fuel for fast reactors like the company's own Aurora powerhouse, and is teaming up with TVA to look into recycling the utility's used fuel.

The fuel recycling facility will be the first phase of a USD1.68 billion advanced fuel centre, the company said.

It is also exploring opportunities with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to recycle the utility's used fuel at the new facility and to evaluate potential power sales from future Oklo powerhouses in the region to TVA, a collaboration which Oklo says would be the first time a US utility "has explored recycling its used fuel into clean electricity using modern electrochemical processes".

"Fuel is the most important factor in bringing advanced nuclear energy to market," said Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte. "By recycling used fuel at scale, we are turning waste into gigawatts, reducing costs, and establishing a secure US supply chain that will support the deployment of clean, reliable, and affordable power. Tennessee is showing the nation that recycling can be done to support new nuclear development and growth."

Oklo said it has completed a licensing project plan for the fuel recycling facility with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and is currently in pre-application engagement with the regulator's staff.

The Aurora powerhouse is a fast neutron reactor that uses heat pipes to transport heat from the reactor core to a supercritical carbon dioxide power conversion system which can generate both electricity and usable heat using fuel made from either fresh high-assay low-enriched uranium or used nuclear fuel. Oklo is planning to build its first Aurora powerhouse on a site at Idaho National Laboratory for which it has previously said it intends to submit a combined construction and operating licence application to the NRC later this year. Oklo is one of the 11 initial companies selected by the Department of Energy for support through the Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to see at least advanced reactor projects achieve criticality in less than one year from now.

Attendees at the announcement of the planned advanced nuclear fuel centre included state and federal representatives (Image: Oklo Inc)

More than 94,000 tonnes of used nuclear fuel is currently stored at US nuclear power plant sites, and these contain considerable reserves of recyclable fuel. The fuel recycling facility will be the first phase of a multi-facility campus aimed at supporting recycling and fuel fabrication, Oklo said.

The US government halted reprocessing of used fuel from commercial reactors in 1977, as part of its stance against nuclear proliferation, but there have been several policy shifts since the early 2000. The Executive Orders signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year included directions to the Department of Energy to bring forward national policies on the management of used fuel and high-level waste and evaluate private-sector reprocessing options, amongst other things.

Government-owned TVA is the largest public power company in the USA, with a diverse generating portfolio including nuclear, hydro, coal, gas, solar and advanced technologies. Earlier this year, it submitted an application for a permit to construct an SMR at Clinch River, near Oak Ridge, using GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300 technology. More recently, it has signed a collaborative agreement with ENTRA1 Energy to deploy up to 6 GW of NuScale SMR capacity, and has also signed a power purchase agreement with Kairos Power for up to 50 MW of electricity from Kairos Power's Hermes 2 demonstration reactor, which is to be built at Oak Ridge.

"The next generation of nuclear technologies are being built and developed right here in our own backyard," said TVA President and CEO Don Moul. "Our partnership with Oklo represents yet another step forward in shaping the future of nuclear energy and ensuring a secure energy future for the Valley and beyond."The facility in Tennessee is expected to begin producing metal fuel for Aurora powerhouses by the early 2030s, following regulatory review and approvals, the company said. Oklo announces plans for Tennessee fuel recycling plant
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India's tyre industry projected to see robust growth in current fiscal



New Delhi, (IANS): Driven by consistent investments in capacity expansion, improved manufacturing efficiency and a stronger focus on R&D capabilities, India's tyre industry is projected to see a robust growth in the current fiscal (FY26).

According to sector leaders, citing industry data, the domestic tyre industry is expected to achieve strong growth on the back of the strong domestic replacement demand despite muted OE (original equipment) offtakes.

The replacement demand will likely be supported by factors like favourable rural sentiments, festive demand, and expected rate cut effect on consumption, even as urban demand is soft, according to analysts.

The festive season, recent repo rate cuts, and favourable monsoon conditions are expected to boost consumer sentiment.

A recent Crisil Ratings report mentioned that India’s tyre sector will see steady revenue growth of 7-8 per cent during the current financial year, driven by replacement demand that accounts for half of annual sales.

Rising premiumisation is expected to give a slight leg-up to realisations. However, escalating trade tensions and the risk of dumping by Chinese producers diverting inventories because of US tariffs could pose challenges, the report states.

Operating profitability is likely to remain steady at 13-13.5 per cent, supported by stable input costs and healthy capacity utilisation.

“This, along with strong accruals, lean balance sheets and calibrated capital spending, should help sustain the sector’s stable credit outlook,” according to the report.

The report was based on an analysis of India’s top six tyre makers, catering to all vehicle segments and accounting for 85 per cent of the sector’s approximately Rs one lakh crore revenue. Domestic demand remains the mainstay, propelling around 75 per cent of total volume, with exports making up the rest.According to Crisil Ratings senior director Anuj Sethi. volume growth is seen at 5-6 per cent this fiscal, mirroring last fiscal. The replacement segment, accounting for around 50 per cent of volume, is set to grow 6-7 per cent on the back of a large vehicle base, strong freight movement and rural recovery. India's tyre industry projected to see robust growth in current fiscal | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Digicel Group and Symptai Join Forces to Offer Better Access to World Class Business Solutions


Digicel Group and Symptai Consulting Limited have joined forces to offer businesses better access to world-class solutions and experts to support all their technology needs. This milestone builds on Digicel’s initial stake in Symptai, acquired in December 2021, and underscores the Group’s continued commitment to driving secure digital growth and transformation across the region.

Symptai, a leading technology advisory and cybersecurity consultancy firm, boasts a 27-year track record as regional experts in cybersecurity, data privacy and protection, anti-money laundering, risk and compliance, and digital transformation. With Digicel Business’ mobile and ICT solutions, Symptai’s deep expertise supporting governments, financial institutions and large enterprises will continue to enhance Digicel’s business solutions across the Caribbean.

“This is a major step forward in strengthening Digicel’s capabilities in cybersecurity, data privacy and digital transformation,” said Liam Donnelly, Chief Business Officer, Digicel Group. “For over five years, Digicel has been a pioneer in the cyber and SOC (security operation centre) services for businesses and now we’re taking it to the next level. Globally, there’s a dearth of cyber expertise, so you can imagine across the Caribbean, with a population of about 45 million people, the demand is great. Now, with the combined expertise of Digicel and Symptai, there is an even larger pool of knowledge and experts to better serve our customers and have even greater reach across the region and beyond.”

“Symptai and Digicel have been working in tandem for a number of years now and as a business partner, Digicel has everything you could want for your company,” said Marlon Cooper, CEO, Symptai Consulting. “The technology, the network, the consultants, the partners (locally and internationally) are all there, which means that whether you’re a small, medium or large-sized business, we have the products, services and people to meet you where you are, and also to help you as you scale.”

Now that Symptai is fully part of the Digicel Business family, customers can expect a seamless and strengthened value proposition—backed by Digicel’s global strategic partners and Symptai’s proven experience. This unified approach positions Digicel Business as the leading technology partner for businesses of all sizes, not just in Jamaica, but throughout the region.

Digicel Business and Symptai Consulting remain committed to delivering greater value and stronger security solutions to customers, empowering Caribbean businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

ENDS

About Digicel

Enabling customers to live, work, play and flourish in a connected world, Digicel’s world class LTE and fibre networks deliver state-of-the-art mobile, home and business solutions.

Serving 10 million consumer and business customers in 25 markets in the Caribbean and Central America, our investments of over US$5 billion and a commitment to our communities through our Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago have contributed to positive outcomes for over 2 million people to date.

With our Connecting. Empowering vision at the heart of everything we do – supported by our DIGI values of Diversity, Integrity, Growth and Innovation – our 5,000 employees worldwide work together to make that a powerful reality for customers, communities and countries day in, day out.

Digicel Business provides end-to-end fully managed business solutions with its robust network, expert resources and cutting-edge technology. These all work in synergy with one aim – efficiencies across businesses, large or small. Partnering with industry-leaders to deliver innovative products and technology, Digicel Business’ consultative approach to customer engagement ensures the best possible solutions for all businesses.  Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more. Digicel Group and Symptai Join Forces to Offer Better Access to World Class Business Solutions | Total Telecom
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Suzuki to invest Rs 70,000 crore in India over next 5–6 years

IANS File Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation on Tuesday announced that it will invest Rs 70,000 crore in India over the next five to six years.

The investment will be used to increase production, introduce new car models, and protect its leadership position in the world’s third-largest automobile market.

The announcement was made by Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki during the launch of Maruti Suzuki’s first electric SUV, the ‘e-Vitara’, at the company’s Hansalpur plant in Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first batch of the electric SUVs at the inauguration ceremony.

The e-Vitara will be manufactured exclusively at Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG), a unit of Maruti Suzuki India, and exported to more than 100 countries.

The first shipment will leave from Pipavav port for Europe, covering markets like the UK, Germany, France, Norway, Italy, and several others.

Suzuki also confirmed that the electric SUV will be exported to Japan.

Toshihiro Suzuki said the Gujarat facility is being developed into one of the world’s largest automobile hubs with a planned capacity of 10 lakh units annually.

“We chose this facility to manufacture our first battery electric vehicle, the e-Vitara, and make it a global production hub,” he said.

Calling it a “historic day” that coincided with Ganesh Chaturthi, Suzuki praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in driving India’s green mobility push.

“Suzuki has proudly partnered in India’s mobility journey for over four decades, and we remain committed to supporting India’s vision of sustainable mobility and contributing to Viksit Bharat,” he added.

India is Suzuki’s biggest market by sales and revenue, largely through its majority-owned subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, the country’s top carmaker.

Over the years, Suzuki has invested more than Rs 1 lakh crore in India, creating over 11 lakh direct jobs in its value chain.

Alongside the e-Vitara launch, the company also marked another milestone by beginning production of India’s first lithium-ion battery and cell with electrode-level localisation.

These batteries, used in hybrid vehicles, will now be made in India with only raw materials and some semiconductor parts imported from Japan.

Suzuki said this step is a strong push towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, and the company will follow a ‘multi-powertrain strategy’ to meet its carbon neutrality goals.

This includes electric vehicles, strong hybrids, ethanol flex-fuel vehicles, and compressed biogas.Following the announcement, shares of Maruti Suzuki India Limited were trading higher at Rs 14,608.10, up 1.04 per cent during intra-day trade on Tuesday. Suzuki to invest Rs 70,000 crore in India over next 5–6 years | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Prysmian and International Telecom to deliver Hawaiian subsea cable system

Posted by Harry Baldock, Ocean Networks, the Hawaii-based telecom development and service company, has moved a step closer to delivering the Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL) by naming Prysmian and International Telecom (IT) as its partners for the new inter-island cable.

The HIFL is part of Hawaii’s Connect Kākou broadband initiative, aimed at expanding access to high-speed connectivity across the state. The system will span roughly 740km between Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi, and include 24 fibre pairs.

Prysmian will supply approximately the cable itself while IT will provide essential engineering and installation services for the HIFL system. Ocean Networks is responsible for the supply, construction, operations and maintenance of the system, under the oversight of the University of Hawaiʻi System Office for Information Technology with support from the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi.

“We are thrilled to be working with industry leaders like Prysmian and International Telecom, whose expertise is crucial to achieving our goal of enhancing high-speed broadband access across Hawaiʻi,” said David Blau, Chief Operating Officer of Ocean Networks. “Securing these contracts represents a major step forward in the construction timeline for the HIFL project, bringing us closer to fulfilling the promise of improved connectivity for all of Hawaiʻi’s residents, businesses, education, and government entities.”

The project’s funding and governance were first laid out in 2024, including a $120 million funding package, partially drawn from federal grants and private equity.

The system is expected to be ready for service in late 2026.How is the subsea network ecosystem changing in 2025? Join the industry in discussion at Submarine Networks EMEA 2026 Prysmian and International Telecom to deliver Hawaiian subsea cable system | Total Telecom
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Digicel Group and Symptai Join Forces to Offer Better Access to World Class Business Solutions


Digicel Group and Symptai Consulting Limited have joined forces to offer businesses better access to world-class solutions and experts to support all their technology needs. This milestone builds on Digicel’s initial stake in Symptai, acquired in December 2021, and underscores the Group’s continued commitment to driving secure digital growth and transformation across the region.

Symptai, a leading technology advisory and cybersecurity consultancy firm, boasts a 27-year track record as regional experts in cybersecurity, data privacy and protection, anti-money laundering, risk and compliance, and digital transformation. With Digicel Business’ mobile and ICT solutions, Symptai’s deep expertise supporting governments, financial institutions and large enterprises will continue to enhance Digicel’s business solutions across the Caribbean.

“This is a major step forward in strengthening Digicel’s capabilities in cybersecurity, data privacy and digital transformation,” said Liam Donnelly, Chief Business Officer, Digicel Group. “For over five years, Digicel has been a pioneer in the cyber and SOC (security operation centre) services for businesses and now we’re taking it to the next level. Globally, there’s a dearth of cyber expertise, so you can imagine across the Caribbean, with a population of about 45 million people, the demand is great. Now, with the combined expertise of Digicel and Symptai, there is an even larger pool of knowledge and experts to better serve our customers and have even greater reach across the region and beyond.”

“Symptai and Digicel have been working in tandem for a number of years now and as a business partner, Digicel has everything you could want for your company,” said Marlon Cooper, CEO, Symptai Consulting. “The technology, the network, the consultants, the partners (locally and internationally) are all there, which means that whether you’re a small, medium or large-sized business, we have the products, services and people to meet you where you are, and also to help you as you scale.”

Now that Symptai is fully part of the Digicel Business family, customers can expect a seamless and strengthened value proposition—backed by Digicel’s global strategic partners and Symptai’s proven experience. This unified approach positions Digicel Business as the leading technology partner for businesses of all sizes, not just in Jamaica, but throughout the region.

Digicel Business and Symptai Consulting remain committed to delivering greater value and stronger security solutions to customers, empowering Caribbean businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

ENDS

About Digicel

Enabling customers to live, work, play and flourish in a connected world, Digicel’s world class LTE and fibre networks deliver state-of-the-art mobile, home and business solutions.

Serving 10 million consumer and business customers in 25 markets in the Caribbean and Central America, our investments of over US$5 billion and a commitment to our communities through our Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago have contributed to positive outcomes for over 2 million people to date.

With our Connecting. Empowering vision at the heart of everything we do – supported by our DIGI values of Diversity, Integrity, Growth and Innovation – our 5,000 employees worldwide work together to make that a powerful reality for customers, communities and countries day in, day out.

Digicel Business provides end-to-end fully managed business solutions with its robust network, expert resources and cutting-edge technology. These all work in synergy with one aim – efficiencies across businesses, large or small. Partnering with industry-leaders to deliver innovative products and technology, Digicel Business’ consultative approach to customer engagement ensures the best possible solutions for all businesses. Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more. Digicel Group and Symptai Join Forces to Offer Better Access to World Class Business Solutions
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TAFFT launches feed manufacturing plant in Tseminyu

Tepzen Agro-Food & Farmtech officially launched its new feed manufacturing plant at Tesophenyu, Tseminyu district on July 30.

Tepzen Agro-Food & Farmtech (TAFFT) officially launched its new feed manufacturing plant at Tesophenyu, Tseminyu district on July 30. The inauguration was graced by the Deputy Commissioner of Tseminyu, Japheth Woch, who formally inaugurated the facility.

Addressing the gathering, DC Woch lauded the initiative and acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing such an enterprise. He emphasised that starting a business does not necessarily require capital, but rather courage and determination. “All successful ventures begin small and nothing grows overnight,” he said, encouraging the team to remain focused on their goals despite life’s challenges.

He further observed that many people in Nagaland tend to replicate others’ business ventures instead of exploring new opportunities. Urging the public to be bold and innovative, he stressed the importance of engaging in farming and supporting local enterprises. Noting that the factory sources its materials locally, he pointed out that farmers from the area stood to benefit directly by supplying their produce. “We are all interconnected; collective effort is key to growth,” he added.

Dr Renabeni Tep, Managing Director of TAFFT, recounted her journey from pig farming to feed production in 2021. She shared that increased demand for quality feed led to the initiation of the project in 2024, which had now come to fruition. Highlighting the company’s four main components, feed industry, training or technology transfer centre, low-cost model farms for youth and women, and agro-food production, Dr Tep noted that the training centre was the first of its kind in Nagaland.

She added that the company’s feed machines are of world-class standard and that their product had received an A-grade certification. Emphasising that no growth promoters are used, she assured that health and safety remain top priorities. Blending modern nutrition with traditional methods, TAFFT’s approach had also earned them an innovation award. She appealed for public support to help the initiative grow further.

Chairman of Tesophenyu New, Shentheyi Kath, extended his gratitude to the TAFFT team for setting up the facility in the district. He said the plant had brought recognition to the district and encouraged the public to promote the district’s development by supporting such ventures.TAFFT feeds are currently being distributed across several parts of Nagaland, with positive feedback from end users who reported improved livestock health and growth. TAFFT launches feed manufacturing plant in Tseminyu | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Zayo Europe partners with Ciena for German network boost


Press Release: Posted by Harry Baldock, Leading network infrastructure provider Zayo Europe has deployed Ciena’s optical technology to launch a new German network covering 3,000km of fibre across 8 core domestic metros including Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Dusseldorf and Berlin. The network also extends to a 14th key hub across the border in Strasbourg, France.

With Ciena’s Reconfigurable Line System (RLS) and WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) solutions, Zayo Europe can now offer universal 400G wave services across key German markets, with the scope to scale to 800G and 1.6Tb/s in the future as required. This will enable Zayo Europe’s customers to meet the rising data demands driven by increased AI adoption and cloud usage.

“Germany is a key strategic market for Zayo Europe, and with the EU pushing to advance AI capabilities across the continent, there’s a pressing need for networks within Germany that can support these new workloads. Our approach to service delivery, utilising the latest generation optical networking technology powered by Ciena, enables us to provide our customers with ultra-low latency connectivity and unparalleled support for AI and cloud services.” said Colman Deegan, CEO, Zayo Europe.

“There’s a growing need for high-capacity networks across Germany to meet the demands of an increasingly digital economy. As a Carrier Managed Services partner leveraging Ciena optical technology, Zayo Europe can offer differentiated wavelength services across its entire European footprint, including key long haul routes across Germany.” said Virginie Hollebecque is Vice President and Leader of EMEA at Ciena.

Ciena’s WL6e is the industry’s first high-bandwidth coherent transceiver using state-of-the-art 3nm silicon to drive significant economic benefits for operators, including a 50% reduction in space and power per bit. Ciena’s 6500 RLS is a compact, simple-to-deploy, photonic layer solution that improves scalability, reduces footprint, and offers more flexibility and programmability.How is the German connectivity market changing in 2025? Join the discussion at Connected Germany 2025 live in Munich Zayo Europe partners with Ciena for German network boost | Total Telecom
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Oracle’s $3 billion bet on AI and cloud infrastructure


News

Oracle has unveiled a substantial $3 billion investment to significantly expand its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in Europe. This strategic commitment is designed to meet soaring demand for AI services and sovereign cloud solutions, catering to enterprises, public sector entities, and AI developers amid an evolving technological landscape.

In the Netherlands, Oracle plans to invest $1 billion over the next five years, concentrating its efforts in the Amsterdam region to enhance its Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) capabilities. This development aims to empower a wide range of organisations – from large enterprises to startups and public institutions – by providing more robust AI and sovereign cloud services. Wilfred Scholman, Oracle’s vice president and country leader in the Netherlands, highlighted the nation’s dynamic technology ecosystem and governmental ambitions to foster a technology-driven industrial environment. Key sectors targeted include financial services, logistics, life sciences, and energy, where organisations are actively migrating workloads to the cloud, modernising applications, and leveraging cutting-edge AI innovation. Oracle asserts its unique position as the only hyperscaler able to deliver over 200 AI and cloud services across various environments, including edge, customer data centres, multi-cloud, and public cloud settings, which is critical for addressing stringent EU data privacy requirements and minimising latency.

Meanwhile, Germany will see a $2 billion investment focused on expanding Oracle’s OCI footprint in Frankfurt, reinforcing AI infrastructure capacity in tandem with the country’s commitment to digital transformation and industrial evolution. Thorsten Herrmann, Oracle Germany’s senior vice president and country leader, emphasised that this investment aims to accelerate AI and cloud transformation across numerous sectors, supporting Germany’s ambition to cement itself as a leading hub for AI innovation in Europe. The initiative is particularly designed to benefit manufacturing, automotive, renewable energy, healthcare, and scientific research sectors. Germany’s Federal Minister for Digital Affairs, Karsten Wildberger, welcomed the development, noting that it positions Germany as an attractive centre for digital innovation and investment.

These investments not only reflect Oracle’s intent to expand its European cloud infrastructure but also align with broader strategic imperatives related to data sovereignty and compliance with stringent EU regulations. Oracle’s focus on sovereign cloud services, such as OCI Dedicated Region and Oracle Cloud@Customer, addresses growing demands for localised data governance and regulatory adherence—an increasingly critical factor for both public institutions and private enterprises operating under tight data protection regimes. This places Oracle in a competitive race alongside other major hyperscalers like Google, Microsoft, and AWS, all seeking to establish sovereign cloud presences across Europe.

Additionally, Oracle’s expansion efforts are connected to its collaboration with OpenAI, particularly within the Stargate initiative, which involves the development of advanced AI data centre infrastructure globally. While financial returns from this partnership may not surface until 2028, it underscores Oracle’s forward-looking approach to AI infrastructure investment, positioning the company to capitalise on the technology’s accelerating adoption worldwide.

By bolstering infrastructure in two of Europe’s most pivotal markets, Oracle is strategically advancing its capabilities to serve the increasing demand for AI innovation, digital transformation, and sovereign cloud services across the continent. This investment not only supports existing industries but also strengthens the foundation for startups and new AI ventures, enabling European organisations to navigate evolving regulatory landscapes while fostering technological growth.How appropriate… this article is part of the Total Telecom AI content creation trial and is supplied by Noah Wire Services. Let us know if you spot any errors. Oracle’s $3 billion bet on AI and cloud infrastructure
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Tech Giants Slash 61,000 Jobs in 2025 AI Revolution


By Aamna Aamna, In 2025, the technology sector’s labor force is revealing a record number of job cuts with industry giants laying off more than 61,000 people in 130+ organizations as artificial intelligence completely redefines business procedures. This enormous downsizing marks the biggest tech layoff since the pandemic period as a sign that it is shifting to a path of AI efficiency.

Microsoft

The Microsoft has become the pioneer in 2025 tech layoffs with 6,000 jobs, which is its largest reduction in the workforce since 2023. Redmond, Washington-based firm made the announcement on May 13 that it would cut a number of departments, and the state of Washington suffered 2,000 job casualties. The strategy of Microsoft is concerned with its effort to reduce the levels of the management and emphasize the importance of engineering role rather than management work.

Google

Google by Alphabet has cut down their staff by hundreds of workers in key departments such as Android and Pixel within the Android team and Chrome team. These technological retrenchments are as a result of the change by the company to integrate its Platforms and Devices units in 2024, which made redundancies in the operations of the company and thus required the optimization of its workforce.

IBM

Supposedly speaking, International Business Machines Corporation has cut around 8000 jobs and Human Resources departments where hit the hardest. The calculated layoff directly relates to the vigorous use of AI in IBM, where robotic capabilities are reorganizing the regular HR duties and removing about 200 expertise positions.

Amazon The reduction in team size follows a job cut of around 100 positions in the Devices and Services unit of Amazon, which oversees Alexa voice assistants and Amazon Echo smart speakers, Kindle e-readers, and the still-in-development Zoox autonomous vehicle project. These aggressive technological layoffs positively reflect on how Amazon attempts to rationalize the activities and streamline the appropriations in alignment with its future product development agenda. Tech Giants Slash 61,000 Jobs in 2025 AI Revolution
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