DBS Bank’s Pivotal Study Reveals Indian Businesses More Focused Than Global Peers on ESG Reporting and Compliance
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DBS Bank’s Pivotal Study Reveals Indian Businesses More Focused Than Global Peers on ESG Reporting and Compliance

DBS Bank’s Pivotal Study Reveals Indian Businesses More Focused Than Global Peers on ESG Reporting and Compliance

July 29, 2024, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India : A comprehensive, global study entitled ‘Pivotal: How treasury and finance enable a new era of globalisation’ conducted by DBS Bank in partnership with the Financial Times Longitude reveals the strategic priorities as well as the potential challenges for businesses in a new era of globalisation. Surveying over 570 senior executives from 15 countries1, including India, it offers valuable insights into how financial strategies and diversification efforts are driving growth and innovation.

The research study identifies the top three priorities for Indian businesses over the next two years:

78% will give precedence to securing new skills and talent,
76% will focus on improving productivity and operational performance,
72% are committed to business diversification through innovation, financing, and exploring new market channels.

When examining insights from the subcontinent, it was seen that Indian businesses are more likely than their regional peers to be engaged in ESG reporting and compliance (65% in India, compared with 62% in Singapore, 53% in Hong Kong and 41% in China). This aligns with the increase in stringency and rigour required from mandatory reporting and disclosure norms in the country. Another interesting aspect that emerged was that one of the biggest considerations for Indian companies deciding where to locate their treasury and finance functions was the presence of a diverse talent pool, with 84% of organisations citing it as a critical factor, compared to a global average of 70%. A stable political environment and robust financial ecosystem, aspects that are very reliable in India, also rank high on this list of location influencers, each factor cited by 72% of businesses in India.

Speaking on the launch of this survey, Rajat Verma, Managing Director and Head of Institutional Banking, DBS Bank India said, “Amidst global headwinds, there are emerging opportunities for companies to benefit from the shift towards Asia by harnessing the power of innovation and data-driven decision making. The new DBS study reveals how the role of Treasury has been evolving strategically within this paradigm to drive business results, unlock value and manage risk. As a trusted partner, DBS Bank is committed to leveraging our established regional network and expertise in digitalisation to help companies navigate this path forward.”

A significant finding is that 42% of Indian executives (compared to the global average of 27%) perceive the emergence of new market entrants as a key barrier, hampering business growth. Access to capital (40%), and growing regionalisation and nationalism, (36%), are also fundamental concerns. Despite these challenges, Indian enterprises are actively pursuing global expansion, with treasury and finance departments playing an increasingly central role. These functions are driving decisions, with 92% of treasury and finance teams engaged in corporate strategy and 88% of these teams in Indian businesses closely involved in procurement and supply chain management, vital functions in the current trade landscape.

Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director & Head – Global Transaction Services, SME & Institutional Liability Business, DBS Bank India shared, “The Pivotal 2024 survey indicates that businesses in India are leading their regional peers in ESG reporting and compliance, which corresponds closely to trends we have seen with DBS clients in the country. Treasury and finance teams are going beyond their traditional remit in driving value for the organisations. They are increasingly looking to better leverage emerging technologies like AI & Gen AI to build their core businesses. As companies become more global, the competitive advantage derived from integrating sustainability and digitalisation into operations will be the deciding factor for long-term business success.”

The findings of the DBS Bank study, in partnership with the Financial Times Longitude, point to the fact that companies that embrace the more involved role of their treasury and finance leaders and enable them to adapt to new responsibilities, stand to benefit from a more informed approach to unlocking new opportunities in a dynamic global marketplace.
1Over 85% of respondents were from companies with an annual revenue of over USD 1 billion. The study was conducted by FT Longitude, the specialist thought leadership division of the Financial Times Group.

Honeywell and Air India Sign Long-Term Deal for APU Aftermarket Support
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Honeywell and Air India Sign Long-Term Deal for APU Aftermarket Support

Mumbai, India, July 29, 2024 – Honeywell has signed a long-term agreement with Air India Limited, India’s leading global airline and a Tata Group enterprise, for Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) aftermarket support covering both Air India’s existing and new fleets. The agreement provides comprehensive maintenance support for Honeywell APUs, ensuring high aircraft dispatch reliability and fleet availability, and lower unplanned maintenance costs across Air India’s fleet.

Honeywell Signs Long-Term Agreement with Air India for Auxiliary Power U...

The APU is a critical piece of aircraft equipment that provides electrical power and air conditioning to a plane while it is on the ground. It helps ensure passenger comfort and supplies the air source before a pilot is ready to start the main engines. APUs are part of a broad range of Honeywell technologies shaping the future of aviation. This is one of three global megatrends that Honeywell’s portfolio is aligned to, which also includes Automation and Energy Transition.

“We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with Air India and help in its fleet modernization efforts, as part of a long-standing commitment to supporting the carrier’s innovation and growth objectives,” said Ashish Modi, President of Honeywell India. “This latest milestone in our 30-year-plus partnership with Air India is a testament to our key role in accelerating the growth of India’s aviation sector through innovative technology.”

With air travel steadily growing, the need for easily accessible aftermarket services continues to rise. Under the agreement, Honeywell will deliver to Air India comprehensive APU aftermarket support to ensure the continued reliability and efficiency of Air India’s extensive fleet of more than 300 aircraft. This includes its legacy fleet, which consists of over 100 A320 aircraft, 15 B777 aircraft and its new fleet of 190 B737-8 aircraft, and will cover Honeywell’s 131-9A, 131-9B and 331-500 series APUs. Honeywell’s extensive global service and support network is designed to ensure that its APUs operate at optimal performance with minimal operational disruption.

Sisira Kanta Dash, chief technical officer, Air India, said: “This is an exciting milestone that adds to our long-standing partnership with Honeywell. This agreement forms part of our global growth and transformation plans, to help achieve more efficient, reliable operations, with maximized fleet availability, through Honeywell’s advanced technology services that enable us to continue meeting the needs of our valued customers.”

With over seven decades of experience and having produced over 100,000 gas turbine APUs, Honeywell is a trusted leader in auxiliary power solutions. Honeywell’s time-tested APUs are known for their reliability and play a crucial role in enhancing flight safety and ensuring operational dependability and fuel efficiency. Honeywell also offers a global, comprehensive support network with fully integrated service solutions that meet the industry’s evolving needs.

The Inclusive Lens: Bringing Disability in Focus – A Film Festival Hosted by Embassy of Spain and Embassy of Finland
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The Inclusive Lens: Bringing Disability in Focus – A Film Festival Hosted by Embassy of Spain and Embassy of Finland

The Inclusive Lens: Bringing Disability in Focus - A Film Festival Hosted by Embassy of Spain and Embassy of Finland

July 29, 2024,New Delhi, Delhi, India : The Embassy of Spain and the Embassy of Finland, in collaboration with the ETI Services, are proud to announce the successful culmination of “The Inclusive Lens: Bringing Disability in Focus”, a pioneering film festival dedicated to highlighting the experiences and stories of people with disabilities.

Cinema is not just a visual medium of expression; it is an exploration of the many lives a character has lived, and wants to live. In this exploration, the lives of people with disabilities have seldom found a space. A space to showcase their mundanity, their complexities, and the colors of their everyday challenges – their reds, blues, yellows, and others — in between and beyond. The film festival was a platform to embrace the landscape of disability through the lens of cinema, alongside the voices, and visions of expert panelists who get together in the hope of an inclusive future.

The festival, held from 26th July – 27th July 2024, at the Instituto Cervantes, New Delhi showcased a diverse selection of films from Spain, Finland and India, celebrating the talents and creativity of filmmakers who portray the multifaceted lives of people with disabilities. The event aimed to foster greater awareness, understanding, and inclusion through the powerful medium of cinema.

The Honourable Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Juan Antonio March Pujol remarked, “In Spain, disability inclusion is a priority. That is why in 2022, the Government of Spain approved the Spanish Disability Strategy 2022-2030. Within that framework, in the Embassy of Spain, we are dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. This festival is part of a larger, sustained effort to raise awareness and advocate for disability rights throughout the year. It is not a one-time event but a commitment to continuous engagement and support.”

The Honorable Ambassador of Finland, Kimmo Lähdevirta stated, “In Finland, we have long recognized the importance of disability inclusion, not only in our policies and workplaces, but also in our cultural expressions. Finnish cinema has been a pioneer in presenting authentic and diverse stories, ensuring that persons with disabilities are represented not just as characters, but as real, multi-faceted individuals.”

Dr Sukriti Chauhan, CEO, ETI Services remarked, “The Inclusive Lens’ transcends the boundaries of a traditional film festival; it stands as a powerful testament to the resilience and diversity of the human spirit. By centre-staging the narratives of individuals with disabilities, we are not only celebrating their stories but also challenging societal perceptions and promoting a more inclusive world. We are deeply honored to have partnered with the Embassies of Spain and Finland in this endeavor, and we believe that through such initiatives, we can foster greater empathy, understanding, and ultimately, a more equitable society.”

The festival featured a range of activities, including the screenings of Spanish film Campeonex (dir: Javier Fesser, 2023), Finnish film The Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See The Titanic (dir: Teemu Nikki, 2021), and the Indian film Margarita With A Straw (dir: Shonali Bose, 2014), a lively panel discussion with members from the disability community, academicians and youth leaders, where the panelists discussed the representation of disability in cinema, and highlighted how authentic and nuanced representation, informed by empathy and inclusion, should form the cornerstone of production of films about disability. The festival also had an interactive Q&A session with filmmaker Shonali Bose, a theatrical puppetry performance by Kayakalp and stalls from organizations working in the disability sector. Audiences were moved by the compelling narratives and powerful performances that highlighted the richness and diversity of the disability experience.

HiLife Jewels: The Ultimate Exhibition of Premium Masterpiece Jewelry
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HiLife Jewels: The Ultimate Exhibition of Premium Masterpiece Jewelry

fashion

Hilife Jewels showcases over 100 top jewellery brands, and famous jewellery designers all under one roof

Many jewellery lovers, celebrities, and jewellery lovers grace the grand launch of “hilife jewels exhibition” in Bengaluru one of the most premium jewellery exhibitions in the nation.

Over 100 renowned jewellery brands & jewellery designers are part of the 3-day (26th,27th,28th July) hilife jewels exhibition.

29th July 2024, Bengaluru: Hilife Jewels, the nation’s most premium jewellery exhibition, is currently captivating jewellery enthusiasts in Bengaluru with an unparalleled showcase of exquisite craftsmanship and dazzling gemstones. The event, which commenced on July 26th, is set to continue its splendour until July 28th at the prestigious Hotel Taj West End. Graced by the luminous presence of celebrity Nandita Shweta at its launch, Hilife Jewels has been a beacon of luxury, bringing together a curated collection of India’s top jewellery brands under one roof. From resplendent gold and diamond ensembles to rare gemstones and silver masterpieces, the exhibition offers an immersive experience for discerning connoisseurs and jewellery lovers alike.

“Hilife Exhibitions has established itself as a leading platform for fashion, lifestyle, and luxury experiences across India and internationally,” said Mr Aby P Dominic, MD & CEO of Hilife Exhibitions. “HILIFE JEWELS is a testament to our commitment to bringing the finest in jewellery to our patrons. We are thrilled to present this extraordinary collection to the discerning audience in Bengaluru.”

With over 100 renowned jewellery brands and designers participating, the exhibition presents a unique opportunity to explore a diverse range of styles, trends, and traditional artistry. Hilife Jewels is not just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of opulence and elegance.

IDFC FIRST Bank Q1 FY25 PAT at Rs. 681 Crores, Core Operating Profit up 30.2 percent YOY
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IDFC FIRST Bank Q1 FY25 PAT at Rs. 681 Crores, Core Operating Profit up 30.2 percent YOY

IDFC FIRST Bank Q1 FY25 PAT at Rs. 681 Crores, Core Operating Profit up 30.2 percent YOY

July 29, 2024, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India : Financial results at a glance The Board of Directors of IDFC FIRST Bank, in its meeting held today, approved the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Deposits & Borrowings

Total Deposits of the Bank increased by 35.8% YOY from Rs. 1,54,427 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 2,09,666 crore as of June 30, 2024.
Customer Deposits increased by 37.8% YOY from Rs. 1,48,474 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 2,04,572 crore as of June 30, 2024.
CASA Deposits grew by 36.1% YOY from Rs. 71,765 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 97,692 crore as of June 30, 2024.
CASA Ratio stood at 46.6% as of June 30, 2024.
Retail Deposits grew by 43.5% YOY from Rs. 1,14,272 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 1,64,001 crore as of June 30, 2024.
Retail Deposits constitutes 80.2% of total customer deposits as of June 30, 2024.
Legacy High Cost Borrowings reduced from Rs. 16,055 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 10,084 crore as of June 30, 2024.
The Bank opened 11 new branches during Q1 FY25 to reach branch count of 955 by June 30, 2024.

Loans and Advances

Loans and Advances (including credit substitutes) increased by 22.0% YOY from Rs. 1,71,578 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 2,09,361 crore as of June 30, 2024.
The Bank continues to wind down infrastructure financing as per the stated strategy and now constitutes only 1.3% of total funded assets as of June 30, 2024.
Exposure to top 20 single borrowers improved from 7.0% as of June 30, 2023 to 5.4% as of June 30, 2024.
Credit to Deposit Ratio improved from 107.3% as of June 30, 2023 to 98.1% as of June 30, 2024.
Incremental Credit to Deposit ratio between June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2024 was 72.1%.

Assets Quality

Gross NPA of the bank has improved from 2.17% as of June 30, 2023 to 1.90% of June 30, 2024, improved by 27 bps on YOY basis.
Net NPA of the bank has improved from 0.70% as of June 30, 2023 to 0.59% of June 30, 2024, improved by 11 bps on YOY basis.
Gross NPA of the Retail, Rural and MSME Finance has improved from 1.53% as of June 30, 2023 to 1.46% as of June 30, 2024, improved by 7 bps on YOY basis.
Net NPA of the Retail, Rural and MSME Finance has improved from 0.52% as of June 30, 2023 to 0.46% as of June 30, 2024, improved by 6 bps on YOY basis.
Excluding the infrastructure financing book, which the Bank is running down, the GNPA and NNPA of the Bank would have been 1.60% and 0.43% respectively as of June 30, 2024.
SMA-1 and SMA-2 in Retail, Rural and MSME Finance portfolio continues to be low at 1.01%, but increased from 0.85% as of March 31, 2024 due to rise in SMAs of JLG book (due to floods) which increased from 1.26% as of March 31, 2024 to 1.70% as of June 30, 2024.
Provision coverage ratio (excluding technical write-off) of the bank has increased from 68.11% as of June 30, 2023 to 69.38% as of June 30, 2024. Excluding the run-down infrastructure book, PCR was at 73.48% at June 30, 24.
Profitability

Net Interest Income (NII) grew 25% YOY from Rs. 3,745 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 4,695 crore in Q1 FY25.
Net Interest Margin (Gross of IBPC and sell-down) reduced from 6.33% in Q1 FY24 to 6.22% in Q1 FY25.
Fee and Other Income grew by 19% YOY from Rs. 1,341 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 1,595 crore in Q1 FY25.
Core Operating income grew 24% from Rs. 5,086 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 6,290 crore in Q1 FY25.
Operating Expense grew by 21% YOY from Rs. 3,659 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 4,432 crore in Q1 FY25.
Core Operating Profit grew by 30% YOY from Rs. 1,427 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 1,858 crore for Q1 FY25.
Provisions increased 109% YOY from Rs. 476 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 994 crore in Q1 FY25. This was primarily due to rise in provisions of JLG portfolio, impacted by the flood in Tamil Nadu and seasonal impact.
The annualized credit cost as % of average funded assets (gross of IBPC) for Q1 FY25 was 1.90%. Without the impact of JLG book, the annualized credit cost as % of average funded assets for Q1-FY25 was 1.70%. Bank expects the credit cost to get normalized from Q3-FY25 onwards.
Net Profit de-grew 11% YOY from Rs. 765 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 681 crore in Q1 FY25. Excluding trading gains from respective period, the degrowth in profit was at 7% YOY.
Provisions for JLG business was higher by Rs. 132 crores in Q1 FY25 over the Q1 FY 24. Excepting this impact, the PAT for the quarter would have been higher by Rs. 100 crores.
RoA stood at 0.91% and RoE stood at 8.32% in Q1 FY25.

Capital Position

Capital Adequacy including profit for Q1-25 was strong at 15.88% with CET-1 Ratio at 13.34% as on June 30, 2024. Including Capital raised in July 2024, the Capital Adequacy Ratio as on June 30, 2024 would be 17.21%, with CET-1 ratio at 14.67%.

Comments from Managing Director & CEO

Mr. V Vaidyanathan, Managing Director and CEO, IDFC FIRST Bank, said,

“The biggest requirement in Banking today is the ability to raise deposits. On this front, we continue to get strong growth in deposits based on top quality service levels, top in class mobile App, and excellent corporate governance. Our CASA ratio is sustained at 46.6%. Our customer deposits have grown 38% YOY. We thank our customers for their goodwill towards us.

Overall Gross NPA was stable at 1.90% and Net NPA was 0.59%. Provisions normalized this quarter in line with the industry. We took extra provisions for MFI business because of massive floods in Tamil Nadu and because of seasonality. We expect credit cost to normalise in H2 FY25 as guided earlier.

On the profitability front, the Core Operating Profit (Income less Opex) rose 31% YOY excluding trading gains. This continues on the back of strong core Operating Profit in FY24, which was up 31% from Rs. 4,607 crore in FY23 to Rs. 6,030 crore in FY24.”

Lineage Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering
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Lineage Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering

Lineage Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering

July 29, 2024,NOVI, Mich., United States : Lineage, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LINE) today announced the closing of its underwritten initial public offering of 56,882,051 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $78.00 per share. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $4.2 billion, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds received from the offering to repay borrowings outstanding under its delayed draw term loan, repay borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility, fund one-time cash grants to certain of its employees in connection with this offering and estimated cash to pay tax withholding obligations associated with stock grants and redeem its Series A preferred stock. Following such uses, the Company expects to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of additional borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility.

The Company’s common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on July 25, 2024, under the ticker symbol “LINE”.

Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo Securities acted as joint lead book-running managers for the offering. RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Rabo Securities USA, Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., UBS Securities LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Truist Securities, Inc., Evercore ISI, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., CBRE Capital Advisors, Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Piper Sandler & Co. and Regions Securities LLC acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. Blaylock Van, LLC, Cabrera Capital Markets LLC, C.L. King & Associates, Inc., Drexel Hamilton, LLC, Guzman & Company, Loop Capital Markets LLC, Roberts & Ryan Investments, Inc. and R. Seelaus & Co., LLC acted as co-managers.

A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2024. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus related to this offering may be obtained from Morgan Stanley, Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, New York, New York 10014, or email: prospectus@morganstanley.com; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, telephone: 1-866-471-2526, facsimile: 212-902-9316, or email: prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com; BofA Securities, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department, email: dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com and postsalemanualrequests@broadridge.com; and Wells Fargo Securities, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, at 800-645-3751 (option #5) or email a request to WFScustomerservice@wellsfargo.com.

HCLTech collaborates with SAP India to upskill technology professionals
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HCLTech collaborates with SAP India to upskill technology professionals

NOIDA, India, July 29, 2024—HCLTech, a leading global technology company, has collaborated with SAP in India to provide SAP-certified training to professionals in Consulting, IT and Engineering sectors. HCLTech will leverage SAP Learning platform to offer trainings on new and existing SAP software solutions, delivered through HCLTech’s proprietary learning platform Career Shaper™.

SAP and HCLTech have the experience to cater to 25 diverse industry verticals as well as technology tracks. This initiative will accelerate the efforts of enterprises to build talent pools with SAP software and Digital competencies. Tech professionals across all career levels will have access to industry-leading experts to acquire essential SAP skills, such as Advanced Business Application Programming (ABAP), Finance and Controlling (FICO) and Production Planning (PP) as they learn how to apply them in today’s digital transformation process.

“India’s young and large technology talent is a valuable resource for enterprises. As India strives to harness its demographic dividend and solidify its position as the talent hub for the world, armed with technological advances such as AI, it is critical to bridge the existing talent demand and supply gap. This is possible only by empowering individuals with the rights skills and tools. Our collaboration with HCLTech is an extension of this objective and aims to nurture a new cohort of SAP experts and prepare them for jobs of tomorrow,” said Nitish Agrawal, Chief Partner Officer, SAP Indian Subcontinent.

“Together with SAP India, we are taking another step forward for talent development and addressing the growing demand for professionals with multi-disciplinary competencies. This collaboration underscores HCLTech’s commitment to provide a comprehensive suite of learning and assessment solutions to global clients through our proprietary Career Shaper™ platform. Under this collaboration, we will deliver industry-led content for improving the job relevance of individuals,” said Srimathi Shivashankar, Corporate Vice President and Global Head, EdTech Business, HCLTech.

Introducing LEDGER FLEX — Easy, Secure Self-Custody, Free From Compromise
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Introducing LEDGER FLEX — Easy, Secure Self-Custody, Free From Compromise

Introducing LEDGER FLEX — Easy, Secure Self-Custody, Free From Compromise

July 29, 2024,PARIS, France & Nashville, Tenn., United States : Ledger, the world leader in Digital Asset security for consumers and enterprises, today launched for sale Ledger Flex, its second new product launch in 2024. Released during Ledger’s tenth anniversary, Ledger Flex and the previously released Ledger Stax mark the inception of a new generation of Ledger hardware, featuring secure E Ink® touchscreen displays powered by Ledger’s Secure OS. Ledger Flex is available to purchase today on Ledger.com and through our retail partners around the world for $249, shipping immediately.

Ledger Flex marks the new standard for Ledger devices, featuring NFC and a secure E Ink® touchscreen, at an attractive price point. Ledger Flex is an homage to the iconic black and steel motif featured on Ledger devices for a decade, a reminder of Ledger’s heritage of uncompromising security. Its high-resolution, 2.8” display provides clarity when signing transactions or approving logins. E Ink® offers unmatched energy efficiency, so the battery can last for weeks or even months on one charge.

“After a decade of setting the standard for security and self-custody in crypto and digital assets, I’m proud to say we’re raising the bar again,” says Pascal Gauthier, Chairman & CEO of Ledger. “By launching both Ledger Flex and Ledger Stax this year, we’re redefining the experience of self-custody. Ledger devices already secure more than 20% of the world’s digital assets, and our new secure touchscreen category will make self-custody more accessible than ever before for more consumers and enterprises.”

Secure signing devices are key to a future where Proof of You becomes essential — as more of our value becomes digitized, society will need trusted methods to prove identity. The rapid advancement of AI pushes provenance to the forefront of technology’s biggest challenges, and trusting what you see becomes increasingly difficult. Ledger devices are the only products in the world with secure touchscreens, making them essential for protecting both your digital value and your identity. Ledger devices bring security to your inherently insecure devices.

After a decade of building uncompromising secure devices and a robust open-source developer ecosystem, Ledger is ready to secure a world that’s embracing AI. Where AI creates abundance, the blockchain is a natural partner by creating scarcity and authenticity. Ledger secures the blockchain, and will build applications to serve the need for Proof of You.

This begins with a new app for Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex: Ledger Security Key, providing Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Passkey capabilities. Passkeys provide a secure and convenient alternative to traditional passwords, and can eliminate phishing from your security risk factors. With Ledger Security Key, you can use your Ledger wallet to login without having to pull up your password or use a less secure 2FA such as a browser extension or SMS. This feature is built on the open FIDO 2 specification, ensuring decentralized access across platforms, and is already compatible with Google, Amazon, Binance, Coinbase, and much more. Simply tap your Ledger Flex or Ledger Stax to your phone to login to supported services, or connect via USB to your laptop or PC.

“Without a secure screen, you are not secure. Period. The easy-to-use secure touchscreens of Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex are the only truly secure touchscreens in the world, battle tested by the Donjon and third parties,” says Ian Rogers, Chief Experience Officer at Ledger. “With growing digital ownership and AI fakes, digital asset security, proof-of-humanity, and proof-of identity is more crucial than ever. Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex are the secure touchscreens to go with the insecure touchscreen in your pocket.”

Ledger Flex is partnered by Ledger Live, the leading omni-chain companion app, which enables users to connect seamlessly with their Ledger device. Ledger Live is the most secure way to buy, sell, swap and earn yield on your crypto, integrated with global providers such as Moonpay, Coinbase, PayPal, and Lido. To date, Ledger supports over 10,000 coins & tokens on more than 70 blockchains in Ledger Live, and approximately 200 dApps have been integrated into the Ledger ecosystem. Developers who want to build on the Ledger ecosystem can check out our updated Developer Portal here.

Embracing a future built on digital value requires secure recovery options, ensuring your digital value or identity is never lost. In 2023 Ledger launched Ledger Recover, provided by Coincover, a service that enables users to encrypt, shard, and backup their secret recovery phrase, which supports Ledger Flex from launch, in addition to the already available Ledger Stax. With Ledger Recover you never have to worry about recovering access to your wallet, even if your physical Secret Recovery Phrase backup is lost or destroyed. With Ledger Live, ™Ledger Security Key, and Ledger Recover, the entire digital ownership experience is present and possible only on the Ledger ecosystem.

Ledger Flex is available today on Ledger.com and in Best Buy all across the US for $249. A special Ledger Flex BTC Edition is also available. Accessories to protect your Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex are shipping now.

With the introduction of Ledger Flex, there is now a Ledger device available at a price point for everyone:

LEDGER NANO S PLUS™: Ledger’s uncompromising security for your Bitcoin and crypto, available for just $79.
LEDGER NANO X™: More connectivity, featuring Bluetooth for on the go transactions at $149.
LEDGER FLEX™: Ledger’s next-generation touch interface and form factor at $249.
LEDGER STAX™: Premium next-gen design featuring the world’s first curved E Ink® display, with Qi charging and stacking magnets. Designed by Tony Fadell. Secured by Ledger, at $399, with a magnet shell in every box.

LEDGER FLEX SPECS:
Dimensions: 78.40 mm × 56.50 mm × 7.70 mm
Security: Ledger EAL 6+ certified secure element (ST33K1M5)
Screen type: E Ink® (up to 16 grays), customizable always-on lock screen, capacitive touch
Screen resolution: 2.8”, 600 x 480 pixels
Weight: 57.5g
Connectivity: USB C, Bluetooth® 5.2, NFC

Inspira Enterprise Welcomes Arvind Lakshmiratan as Chief Marketing Officer
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Inspira Enterprise Welcomes Arvind Lakshmiratan as Chief Marketing Officer

Bangalore, 29th July 2024: Inspira Enterprise, a global cybersecurity services organization is pleased to announce the appointment of Arvind Lakshmiratan as Chief Marketing Officer. With over two decades of experience in IT marketing, Arvind is set to lead the marketing function at Inspira reporting to Chetan Jain, Managing Director, Inspira Enterprise. Based in Bangalore, Arvind will focus on strategic marketing where he will build and grow the organization’s cybersecurity business across global markets – the US, India & the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.

Arvind Lakshmiratan, CMO, of Inspira Enterprise

Arvind’s core area of expertise includes B2B marketing and building strong technology brands across geographies. He has been establishing and leading high-impact marketing teams across the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and India. Prior to joining Inspira, Arvind served as the Vice President and Head of Marketing Services at Mphasis, where he led global marketing and shared services initiatives. Before that, he was the Global Marketing Director for the Digital Foundation Business at HCL Technologies, responsible for building and managing the digital infrastructure for global clients. Additionally, Arvind headed the marketing team at Capgemini as Director and Marketing Stream Lead. His extensive career also includes leadership roles at Wipro, Sify, and other prominent organizations.

“I am delighted to welcome Arvind Lakshmiratan as Inspira Enterprise’s CMO,” said Chetan Jain, Managing Director, Inspira Enterprise. “He has proven to be an accomplished leader having led high-performance marketing teams in large organizations. Arvind will be an integral part of our management team as we continue to strengthen our leadership in the cybersecurity services domain globally and help customers defend their digital assets.”

Arvind has also been recognized among the “Most Influential Marketing Leaders in 2022’ and ‘100 Most Innovative Marketing Leaders in 2019’.

Commenting on his appointment, Arvind Lakshmiratan, CMO, of Inspira Enterprise, said, “I am excited to join the talented team at Inspira Enterprise, an organization known for its commitment to innovation and excellence in the cybersecurity services space. I look forward to working with the leadership team, to enhance our value proposition as we help our customers stay a step ahead of cyber threats.”

Inspira Enterprise has a proven track record of successfully protecting businesses across the globe offering tailor-made cybersecurity solutions to suit customers’ needs. The organization has expertise in Threat Detection and Prevention, Incident Response, Compliance, and Risk Management.

Inspira Enterprise has forged strategic alliances with industry leaders such as IBM, Palo Alto, Microsoft, Fortinet, Saviynt, and others. The organization is expanding its service portfolio with innovative solutions while its proactive approach positions it as a forward-thinking partner in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity services.

LambdaTest Unveils Live Inspect for Enhanced App Automation Testing
Praveen technology
LambdaTest Unveils Live Inspect for Enhanced App Automation Testing

LambdaTest Unveils Live Inspect for Enhanced App Automation Testing

July 29, 2024,San Francisco, United States & Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India : LambdaTest, a leading cloud-based unified testing platform, introduces its latest offering, the Live Inspect feature for app automation testing. This tool empowers developers and testers to optimize their app automation processes with unparalleled live debugging capabilities directly from the LambdaTest automation dashboard.

The Live Inspect feature allows users to interact with their automated test devices in real time, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of automated tests. With features such as real-time navigation, detailed UI element inspection, and screenshot capture, teams can now troubleshoot issues directly as they arise with their automation scripts, moving beyond mere video playback to active engagement with their applications.

LambdaTest’s Live Inspect features include real-time interaction, which allows users to navigate their apps, inspect UI elements, capture screenshots, and generate unique custom xpaths while the automation script runs seamlessly. The enhanced UI Inspector also provides a tailored experience that adapts to the user’s script, ensuring precise interactions based on the Appium session. Users can perform app automation testing across 3000+ devices, OS, and browser combinations for comprehensive coverage.

The Live Debugger is easy to use: simply run your app automation test on LambdaTest, access your live running tests from the dashboard, and click the Live Inspect option to engage with an extended UI Inspector. This allows for seamless interaction with the app while the automation script runs, ensuring a smoother testing experience.

“The Live Inspect feature empowers teams to take control of their app testing like never before,” said Mayank Bhola, Co-Founder and Head of Product at LambdaTest. “By integrating real-time unique xpath generation for native and hybrid apps, we’re helping organizations streamline their workflows, reduce time-to-market, and improve overall quality. This feature is a game-changer for teams aiming for agility in their development cycles.”

LambdaTest aims to empower teams with tools that lead to faster development cycles and higher-quality applications as part of its commitment to innovation.