Author: Faisal Mahmood

Partnership opens pathway for joint product development and regional expansion Osborne aligns interests by taking S$5m equity stake in Octopus Spain-based Grupo Osborne (“Osborne”), one of Europe’s oldest producers of wines and spirits, has appointed Octopus (APAC) Holdings Limited (“Octopus” or “Company”) as its principal distributor in Singapore under a five-year mandate, alongside a S$5 million strategic equity investment, marking a step towards extending the Company’s business model beyond distribution into brand creation. Founded in 1772, Osborne is an international food and beverage group with a portfolio of premium brands and a presence in over 70 countries, supported by production…

SIMBA Uproar 2026 concluded its Mumbai edition on 11th April at the MMRDA Grounds, bringing together over 4000+ attendees for an immersive celebration of hip-hop, live performance and action sports.   KR$NA commanded the stage at SIMBA Uproar 2026, MMRDA Grounds, Mumbai, delivering a high-energy set for 4000+ fans in a no-barriers hip-hop celebration Following a successful edition in Delhi, the platform expanded its scale in Mumbai with a strong focus on community-driven experiences and accessible live entertainment. This year introduced a single-tier, no-VIP format, creating a shared space where artists and audiences experienced the event together, without barriers.   KR$NA…

NDTV has achieved a significant milestone in applied artificial intelligence, with its research paper accepted at ACM SIGIR 2026 – widely regarded as the world’s leading conference in search and information retrieval.   Rohan Tyagi, Chief Product Officer, NDTV Digital   The paper, ‘All the News That Fits in Bits: Learned Rotation-Aware Binary Projections for Efficient News Retrieval at NDTV’, focuses on a challenge that sits at the core of modern news platforms – how to find and surface the right information instantly from a rapidly expanding universe of content.   As newsrooms scale and archives grow, delivering relevant stories…

Knowledgeum Academy, a premier IB World School in Bengaluru, recently celebrated its third annual graduation ceremony, Transcendence 2026 – the beginning of becoming – for its International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) cohort. Hosted near the academy’s campus in Jayanagar, the event served as a milestone for the graduating learners, marking their transition from rigorous academic inquiry to impactful global leadership.   Snippets from the Knowledgeum Academy’s Transcendence 2026   The ceremony highlighted Knowledgeum Academy’s vision to deliver a holistic and internationally recognised curriculum in the heart of Bengaluru. This aligns with the IBDP’s mission to nurture independent thinkers who are…

Bridging the academia-industry gap, Chandigarh University (CU) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global big 4 consulting firm EY India,’ to offer 10 Professional Certifications under its MBA Flagship and BBA Flagship Programs to boost employability of business management students with future-ready skills for bright career opportunities in the rapidly evolving global business landscape.    Students to get industry-recognised certificates embedded in curriculum, hands-on learning with real-world business applications The dignitaries who graced the MoU signing ceremony at Chandigarh University included Anand Akhouri, Director, EY India, Prof (Dr) Devinder Singh, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Chandigarh University, Prof (Dr)…

OPPO, a leading global smartphone maker, recently announced that the latest models from its popular F-series – OPPO F33 5G and OPPO F33 Pro – will be launched on April 15th, 2026. The brand took to social media to share important updates, including the design and colour options of the two handsets. The F33 5G will be the base variant, and OPPO’s latest smartphones will continue the company’s tradition of offering exceptional front cameras, with a wide field of view.   Get the latest OPPO F33 5G on Bajaj Finserv Easy EMIs and enjoy a seamless upgrade   Users planning an upgrade…

Chitkara University has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JAN AI, a flagship initiative of the Head Held High Foundation, to advance innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive access to Artificial Intelligence.    Chitkara University signs MoU with Jan AI to advance innovation and accessible AI The MoU was formalised in the presence of Dr. Madan Padaki, Founder of JAN AI, along with senior leadership and academic representatives from the University. This collaboration marks a forward-looking step towards democratising AI by enabling students and communities to engage with emerging technologies while addressing real-world challenges. It will focus on building capacity…

As part of its strategy to strengthen its global sourcing and distribution capabilities, Aeroplane Rice proposes to establish a wholly owned subsidiary in Singapore. The subsidiary will serve as a strategic hub for expanding the Company’s specialty rice portfolio and enhancing its international trade operations. Singapore is one of the world’s leading international logistics hubs, offering excellent connectivity to major rice-producing regions in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand and Vietnam. Through this subsidiary, the Company intends to expand its product portfolio by sourcing specialty rice varieties, including Jasmine Rice from Thailand and Vietnam, and Hommali Rice from Thailand and Vietnam,…

Superplum, the company behind India’s first modern farm-to-shelf fruit supply chain, has launched InstaTrace™ — a first-of-its-kind digital intelligence system that does something no other fruit brand in the world does: it lets consumers see everything.   Superplum InstaTrace™ QR Scanner   Every Superplum pack carries a unique QR code. One scan — no app download, no login — and families get the full, verifiable life story of their fruit: where it was grown, who grew it, how it was tested, and how it reached their home. In a market where consumers have been told to just “trust the label,”…

Bata India, India’s most trusted footwear brand, is set to launch its latest campaign, “Everyday Essentials. Reinvented,” bringing renewed focus to open footwear, an enduring staple in Indian wardrobes. Fronted by actor Taapsee Pannu, the campaign celebrates the category’s deep-rooted relevance in India while presenting a contemporary collection designed for modern women.   Everyday Essentials Reinvented The collection focuses on open silhouettes, including flat and low-heeled sandals, peep-toes, woven straps and styles with adjustable buckles. Crafted using lightweight materials and supportive construction, the range is designed for long hours of wear while keeping the look fresh, minimal and easy to…