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  • Digital fraud in eastern Uttar Pradesh are on the rise

    Digital fraud in eastern Uttar Pradesh are on the rise

    A sharp rise in digital fraud cases has been reported across eastern Uttar Pradesh, with cybercriminals increasingly targeting users through fake delivery links, phishing messages, and bogus banking alerts, according to Airtel.

    Major urban centres, such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, have seen a worrying uptick, while districts such as Jaunpur, Kushinagar, Mau, Mirzapur and Kanpur Dehat that comprise large rural parts also witnessing growing instances of such cyber frauds, it noted.

    Airtel in a statement on Wednesday said as part of its nationwide rollout of AI-powered fraud detection system, it has successfully safeguarded more than 15 million users in Uttar Pradesh (east) within just 56 days of launching the advanced features.

    The telecom operator has 36,260,483 users in UP East, a company official here, citing TRAI data updated till May 2025. The figures for UP (West) were not immediately available, the official added.

    “With Uttar Pradesh ranked as one of India’s most digitally advanced states, the threat of online fraud has grown in both its urban and rural regions. Fraudsters increasingly target users through phishing links, fake deliveries, and spurious banking alerts,” Airtel said.

    “Cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, along with remote areas such as Kanpur Dehat, Jaunpur, Kushinagar, Mau, and Mirzapur among others, have seen a sharp rise in such fraudulent attempts,” it added, without any specific numbers on such offences.

    On Wednesday, Bharti Airtel CEO Uttar Pradesh (East) Amit Gupta met Naveen Arora (IPS), ADG, Technical Services, Uttar Pradesh Police, to discuss Airtel’s Fraud Detection Solution and explore collaborative measures to tackle the growing threat of cyber frauds in the state, according to the statement.

    The company said its advanced system that scans and filters links across SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, E-mail and other browsers are automatically enabled for all Airtel mobile and broadband customers.

    “It leverages real-time threat intelligence to examine over 1 billion URLs daily and blocks access to harmful sites in under 100 milliseconds,” Airtel stated. PTI

  • As per UN, investment in data & AI exceed those in tangible assets

    As per UN, investment in data & AI exceed those in tangible assets

    The purchase of physical assets was eclipsed last year by a surge in investment in intangible items like software, data and AI, the UN said Wednesday, describing a “fundamental shift in how economies grow and compete”.

    Investment in intellectual property-backed assets grew three times faster in 2024 than investments in physical objects like machinery and buildings, which have been hit by high interest rates and a subdued economic recovery, the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) said in a fresh report.

    The report, which was co-published with Italy’s Luiss Business School, showed that intangible investment across 27 high- and middle-income economies grew about three percent in real terms last year, reaching $7.6 trillion, up from $7.4 trillion a year earlier.

    “We’re witnessing a fundamental shift in how economies grow and compete,” WIPO chief Daren Tang said in a statement.

    “While businesses have slowed down investing in factories and equipment during uncertain times, they’re doubling down on intangible assets,” he said, stressing that “this trend has profound implications for policymakers”.

    “Countries that understand and nurture intangible investment will be better positioned to grow and thrive in a global economy increasingly driven by technological, digital and cultural innovation.”

    In 2024, the United States led in absolute levels of intangible asset purchases, investing nearly double what runners-up France, Germany, Japan and Britain pumped into such assets, WIPO said.

    Sweden meanwhile remained the world’s most intangible-asset-intensive economy, with such investments accounting for 16 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

    The United States, France and Finland followed, each with an intensity of 15 percent of GDP.

    India’s intangible investment intensity of nearly 10 percent put it ahead of several European Union economies and of Japan, WIPO said.

    The report indicated that investment in intangible assets has shown sustained and resilient growth even during periods of crisis, swelling at a compound annual rate of around four percent between 2008 and 2024.

    That compares to just one percent for tangible asset investments, WIPO said.

    Software and databases account for the fastest growing types of intangible asset investments, growing by more than seven percent annually between 2013 and 2022, the report showed.

    At the same time, it highlighted that such investments coincided with and were likely driven by the current artificial intelligence boom.

    AI has already been driving investments in tangible infrastructure, including chips, servers and data centres, and the report suggested it had begun boosting more intangible investments in things like data sets needed to train AI systems.

    “People think that we are already in the middle of the AI (boom), but we are actually just at the beginning,” Sacha Wunsch-Vincent, head of WIPO’s department for economics and data analytics. AFP

  • Sky provides 5 Gbps, the fastest broadband in the UK

    Sky provides 5 Gbps, the fastest broadband in the UK

    Britain’s Sky said it would launch the country’s fastest broadband service from a major provider, with a 5 gigabits per second (Gbps) connection thanks to its tie-up with network operator CityFibre and a hub using the latest WiFi 7 technology.

    The pay-TV company, owned by Comcast announced last year it would start using CityFibre’s network in addition to BT’s national Openreach network.

    The top speed offered by Sky is more than 20 times faster than Britain’s average broadband speed of 223 megabits per second (Mbps), according to data from regulator Ofcom in December.

    The service, available from Wednesday in Sky stores, will start at 80 pounds ($109) a month. A 2.5 Gbps speed will be available for 70 pounds.

    It will be offered to customer who can access CityFibre’s network, which has a footprint of 4.5 million premises. Reuters

  • HBO rebranding of Max is live

    HBO rebranding of Max is live

    HBO Max is back.

    The Hollywood Reporter reported on Tuesday that Warner Bros. Discovery would officially rebrand its Max streaming service to HBO Max on Wednesday, per a source familiar with the matter — and that change over is now live.

    The name change, first announced onstage at WBD’s upfront presentation back in May, will see Max rebrand to HBO Max, the name it used from 2020 until 2023. “I know you’re all shocked, but the good news is I have a drawer full of stationery from the last time around,” HBO chief Casey Bloys quipped onstage at the upfront.

    The pivot comes after WBD decided to change its streaming strategy and lean into the premium nature of HBO’s offering, pulling back in some areas like unscripted and kids and family programming, rather than compete on scale with the likes of Netflix.

    “This evolution has been influenced by changing consumer needs, and the fact that no consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers are saying they want better content,” the company said in a statement in connection with the name change. “With other services filling the more basic needs with volume, WBD has clearly distinguished itself through its quality and distinct stories, and no brand has done that better and more consistently over 50-plus years than HBO.”

    The HBO Max logo, which includes a simpler black and white color scheme, will replace Max within the existing app for users Wednesday. Unlike the transition from HBO Max to Max, no new downloading of apps or account changes will be required. (The brands are having trouble, however, getting X to change their names back on the platform.)

    The name change comes during a somewhat slow month for the service, which debuted the Warner Bros. film Sinners earlier this month. Billy Joel: And So It Goes will debut July 18, and it will have content related to Shark Week later this month. But it also comes ahead of the open for Emmy voting, which begins in a couple of weeks. As usual, the service is expected to have a number of shows securing nominations, like the latest season of The White Lotus.

    The change comes as WBD is set to undergo larger changes, with the company to be split in two next year. HBO Max will be part of a new company led by David Zaslav alongside the Warner Bros. film and TV studios, with the linear TV networks spun into a new company to be led by Gunnar Weidenfels.

    The company is also taking HBO Max globally, launching the brand in 12 new markets this month.

    Alex Sherman first reported the date of the rebranding. The Hollywood Reporter

  • Directors are elected with consent via Zee shareholders

    Directors are elected with consent via Zee shareholders

    Shareholders of media and entertainment company Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd have approved the appointments of Divya Karani as an independent director and Saurav Adhikari as a non-executive director on the board of the company.

    While Zee said the approvals reflected shareholders’ confidence in the board, proxy advisory firms iAS and SES had recommended against ratifying Adhikari’s and Karani’s appointments.

    Zee said its board has been making efforts to enhance its guidance to the management and strengthen the governance framework with policies. “As part of this approach, the composition of the board is also being enhanced by enlisting experienced members from diverse sectors,” it added.

    Karani comes with over three decades of experience spearheading advertising and media agencies across India, South Asia, the UK and Asia Pacific. Previously, she served as the CEO of Dentsu Media, South Asia, leading the agency for over 12 years. She currently serves on the Board of Kulfi Collective, a media network that builds brands and studios that function at the intersection of content, commerce and culture, as its chairperson and executive director.

    Adhikari also comes with over three decades of domain expertise in global businesses and markets across technology, FMCG and consumer durables sectors as an operations, general management and investment specialist. His prior experience includes senior global leadership and executive roles across HCL, Unilever and PepsiCo, amongst others. He is currently the founder and senior partner at Indus Tech Edge Fund I, a growth fund focused on globalizing India’s technology ecosystem.

    Zee’s shareholders have been unhappy with the extent of control the promoters have over the company despite their small stake.

    Following its failed merger with the Indian entertainment business of Japan’s Sony Group Corp., Zee has set in motion a turnaround plan to cut costs and double down on growth-focused investments.

    Zee is developing new business units to expand its audience and augment revenue streams, as per an investor presentation published this month. LiveMint

  • USD 362.1B will be the global market for clinical lab services

    USD 362.1B will be the global market for clinical lab services

    The global clinical laboratory services market was valued at USD 231.8 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 362.1 billion by the end of 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2025 to 2035. This growth is driven by rising demand for early disease diagnosis, advancements in laboratory technologies, and the increasing prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases. Additionally, the growing trend of preventive healthcare and personalized medicine is further fueling market expansion.

    Growing incidence of infectious and chronic diseases is driving demand for diagnostic testing on an extensive count, with healthcare providers looking for prompt and accurate information to guide treatment. In addition, technological advancements including automation and molecular diagnostics have improved speed and accuracy of laboratory services, thereby driving market expansion. Moreover, the growing population of elderly individuals is also driving the need for laboratory tests, as the geriatric population would generally be required to undergo health checks more often.

    Regional analysis
    North America holds the largest market share, bolstered by its sophisticated healthcare systems, high per capita healthcare spending, and the presence of major market players. The region benefits from ongoing technological advancements and a strong focus on preventive healthcare.

    Europe represents a substantial market, characterized by well-established healthcare frameworks and a growing emphasis on precision medicine. Countries like Germany and the UK are key contributors to the regional market.

    Asia Pacific is poised for remarkable expansion. The sheer population size, coupled with increasing government and private investment in healthcare infrastructure, burgeoning medical tourism, and a rising incidence of chronic diseases, makes it a highly attractive market for clinical laboratory service providers.

    Market drivers and challenges
    Market drivers
    Rising Incidence of Chronic and Infectious Diseases: The global increase in conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and various infectious diseases necessitates frequent and accurate diagnostic testing.

    Technological Advancements: Innovations in molecular diagnostics, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and point-of-care testing are enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and speed of laboratory services.

    Growing Geriatric Population: An aging global population is more prone to chronic conditions, leading to increased demand for diagnostic and monitoring services.

    Emphasis on Personalized Medicine: The shift towards tailored treatments based on an individual’s genetic makeup is driving the demand for specialized genetic and genomic testing.

    Increasing Awareness and Preventive Healthcare: Greater public awareness about early disease detection and the importance of regular health check-ups is boosting the utilization of clinical laboratory services.

    Rising Healthcare Expenditure: Governments and private entities are increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure and services, supporting market growth.

    Market challenges
    Pricing Pressure and Reimbursement Policies: Healthcare payers and providers often face pressure to reduce costs, impacting reimbursement rates for laboratory tests.

    Regulatory Hurdles and Compliance: Obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses and accreditations can be complex and time-consuming, with strict quality and safety standards to adhere to.

    Shortage of Skilled Labor: A lack of trained laboratory professionals can hinder the operational efficiency and expansion of services.

    Procedural Shift towards Home-Based/Point-of-Care Testing: While offering convenience, this trend could potentially impact the volume of tests conducted in traditional laboratory settings.

    Data Security and Privacy Concerns: Managing vast amounts of sensitive patient data requires robust cybersecurity measures and compliance with stringent data protection regulations.

    Market trends
    Automation and Digitalization: Increasing adoption of robotic systems, automated analyzers, and advanced software solutions (e.g., Laboratory Information Management Systems – LIMS) to enhance efficiency, reduce manual errors, and improve throughput.

    Integration of AI and Machine Learning: AI algorithms are being integrated to analyze complex data, improve diagnostic accuracy, predict disease outcomes, and streamline laboratory workflows.

    Growth of Personalized and Precision Medicine: A significant trend driving demand for genetic sequencing, pharmacogenomics, and biomarker testing to tailor treatments to individual patients.

    Expansion of Point-of-Care (POC) Testing: The development of portable and rapid diagnostic devices allows for testing outside traditional laboratory settings, improving accessibility and turnaround times.

    Telehealth Integration: Clinical laboratories are increasingly integrating with telehealth platforms to provide remote consultation and facilitate sample collection.

    Focus on Molecular Diagnostics: Continued growth in molecular testing for infectious diseases, oncology, and genetic disorders due to its high sensitivity and specificity.

    Consolidation and Strategic Partnerships: Mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations among market players to expand service portfolios, enhance technological capabilities, and extend geographical reach.

    Future outlook
    The clinical laboratory services market is poised for a dynamic future. The emphasis on preventive healthcare and early diagnosis will continue to drive demand. The integration of advanced technologies like AI, big data analytics, and automation will revolutionize how tests are performed and interpreted, leading to more accurate, faster, and cost-effective diagnostics. The rise of personalized medicine will further necessitate highly specialized and complex testing. While regulatory challenges and pricing pressures remain, the intrinsic value of accurate diagnostics in guiding clinical decisions ensures a positive long-term outlook for this essential market. Transparency Market Research

  • Kerala HC seeks learn more about the laws set for hospital audits

    Kerala HC seeks learn more about the laws set for hospital audits

    The Kerala High Court has orally sought details from the State government of rules framed to ensure periodic inspection of government hospitals, medical colleges, and other clinical establishments to maintain quality standards.

    The Kerala High Court has orally sought details from the State government of rules framed to ensure periodic inspection of government hospitals, medical colleges, and other clinical establishments to maintain quality standards.

    The Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji sought the details while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by G. Samuel of Mavelikara and two others seeking a directive to ensure effective administration of government-run medical colleges, hospitals, and health centres.

    The PIL was filed following the death of a woman following the collapse of an old building on July 3 at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kottayam, and the recent disclosure by Haris Chirackal, Head of the Department of Urology of the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, about severe shortage of surgical equipment at the hospital.

    The State Attorney referred to Rule 21 of the Kerala Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Rules, which deals with preparation of a panel of assessors for inspection and assessment of such establishments. Not satisfied, the court said the Rule did not deal with periodic inspections, and cited the need for a specific framework for the purpose and adjourned the matter for hearing by two weeks. The Hindu

  • EU sets a plan for stockpiling & medical countermeasures

    EU sets a plan for stockpiling & medical countermeasures

    The European Commission launches two initiatives under its Preparedness Union agenda: an EU Stockpiling Strategy and a Medical Countermeasures Strategy. Both are designed to improve access to essential goods for European citizens and societies, businesses and economies – ensuring continuity of essential goods and lifesaving medical supplies at all times, in particular during crises such as major energy blackouts, natural disasters, conflicts or pandemics.

    EU Stockpiling Strategy: safeguarding essential supplies ahead of crises
    The EU Stockpiling Strategy is designed to secure essential goods — such as food, water, oil, fuel and medicines – in the event of a crisis. It is the first ever EU comprehensive approach to stockpiling.

    Key actions in the Stockpiling Strategy include:

    • Establishing an EU Stockpiling Network with Member States to share best practices, coordinate stocks, and develop joint recommendations.
    • Identifying stock gaps and duplications through information sharing and strengthening cooperation among Member States and with the EU.
    • Expanding EU-level stockpiles to fill gaps in essential goods, supported by initiatives like rescEU for medical gear, shelter, generators, and more.
    • Enhancing transport and logistics for rapid crisis response.
    • Promoting civil-military, public-private, and international partnerships to maximise resource use efficiently and on time.

    Medical Countermeasures Strategy: fortifying health crisis preparedness
    With rising disease outbreaks and growing antimicrobial resistance, exacerbated by climate change, deteriorating biodiversity and ecosystems, and geopolitical challenges, the EU’s Medical Countermeasures Strategy seeks to accelerate the development, production, deployment, and accessibility of lifesaving medical tools.

    Key actions of the strategy include:

    • Advancing next-generation flu vaccines, new antibiotics for antimicrobial resistance, antivirals for vector-borne diseases, and improving access to CBRN countermeasures.
    • Boosting intelligence and surveillance by developing an EU list of priority medical countermeasures, preparedness roadmaps, and EU/global wastewater sentinel systems.
    • Accelerating innovation via the Medical Countermeasures Accelerator, R&D hubs, and expanding the HERA Invest programme.
    • Securing scalable production through EU FAB’s ever-warm capacity and the new RAMP UP partnership.
    • Improving medicine access and deployment through joint procurement and support for ready-to-use labs.
    • Strengthening global cooperation and cross-sector collaboration, including civil-military preparedness, public-private efforts, citizen readiness, and workforce investment.

    Together, these strategies mark a key step toward a more proactive European response in the face of future crises. European Commission

  • MultiChoice is fined ₦766M by Nigeria for violating privacy

    MultiChoice is fined ₦766M by Nigeria for violating privacy

    Regulators have levied a 766 million naira fine (about $500,000) on the Nigerian subsidiary of Africa’s biggest subscription television operator for a “patently intrusive” privacy breach.

    The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Sunday accused MultiChoice Nigeria, the Nigerian outpost of South African cable TV provider MultiChoice, of violating data protection laws.

    Babatunde Bamgboye, who heads the NDPC’s enforcement unit, said the commission began its investigation of the breach in the second quarter of 2024 after the company was suspected of carrying out an “illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians”.

    “NDPC found, among others, that MultiChoice violated the data privacy rights of subscribers and their friends who are not necessarily subscribers,” Bamgboye said in a statement.

    “The Commission also found that MultiChoice carries out illegal cross-border transfer of personal data relating to data subjects in Nigeria.”

    MultiChoice did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.

    This is not the first time Nigeria has clamped down on the company.

    Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) froze the company’s account in 2022 and asked it to pay a 1.8 trillion naira ($1.27 billion) tax claim and a $342 million claim for value-added taxes.

    MultiChoice began operating in Nigeria in 1993 and has more than 2,000 employees in the country.

    It has lost about 1.4 million Nigerian subscribers in the last two years as the west African country contends with its worst economic crisis in decades. AFP

  • By 2030, Global cloud market anticipates to nearly double

    By 2030, Global cloud market anticipates to nearly double

    The Cloud Computing Market is expected to significantly increase from USD 1,294.9 billion in 2025 to USD 2,281.1 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 12.0% during the forecast period, according to Markets and Markets.

    Cloud computing has revolutionized how data is stored, processed, and accessed. It allows businesses to scale operations without heavy upfront investments. With growing reliance on remote work and digital tools, cloud platforms offer the flexibility and speed organizations need. Security, automation, and AI integration are also gaining importance in modern cloud strategies.

    The compute subsegment will register the largest market share during the forecast period
    Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) compute is undergoing rapid advancements driven by the surge in artificial intelligence and high-performance workloads. Cloud providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure are integrating cutting-edge technologies such as AI-optimized processors (e.g., AWS Trainium, Google TPU v5p) and high-speed networking to support increasingly complex applications. These innovations enable organizations to handle massive datasets, accelerate model training, and deploy real-time services with greater efficiency. A notable example is Google Cloud’s partnership with CoreWeave to supply high-performance GPU computing infrastructure for OpenAI, helping support the scaling needs of models like ChatGPT. This shift highlights the growing importance of specialized compute in IaaS to power next-generation digital services.

    The supply chain management subsegment is poised for the highest growth rate during the forecast period
    Supply chain management in Software as a Service (SaaS) now incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as AI-powered demand forecasting, IoT-enabled tracking, and blockchain-backed transparency within cloud platforms. AI models detect demand fluctuations and optimize inventory, while IoT sensors provide real-time visibility into shipments, preventing spoilage and delays. Blockchain ensures tamper-proof logging and smart contracts for smoother supplier interactions. For example, Trimble’s Supplier Xchange platform connects over 10,000 digital partners and handles 130,000 monthly quote requests totaling USD 18?billion, automating pricing-to-order workflows. By combining these emerging technologies, SaaS SCM solutions help businesses reduce errors, enhance collaboration, and boost responsiveness to market changes, driving inventory accuracy, cost reductions, and operational agility across complex supply chains.

    The US will account for the largest market during the forecast period
    The US accounts for the largest market in cloud computing, driven by its advanced digital infrastructure, early technology adoption, and strong presence of leading cloud service providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. US enterprises across sectors, ranging from finance and healthcare to retail and manufacturing, are heavily investing in cloud solutions to enhance agility, reduce operational costs, and accelerate innovation. The widespread use of AI, data analytics, and hybrid cloud models further amplifies demand. Additionally, supportive regulatory frameworks and high cloud readiness position the US as the dominant force in the global cloud computing landscape. Markets and Markets