Archives December 2024

11th December 2024 – FinEdge, a leading digital wealth creation and goal-based investing platform, proudly announces that its proprietary investing platform, Dreams Into Action (DiA), has been conferred with Champion of the Year Award for Innovation in Investing by Franklin Templeton. This recognition demonstrates FinEdge’s commitment to enabling investors through innovative and purpose-driven solutions.

While presenting the award, Mr. Avinash Satwalekar, President of Franklin Templeton Asset Management, applauded FinEdge for its innovative platform, stating, “This recognition is a direct result of FinEdge’s persistent effort in developing a hyper-focused, customizable solution which is called ‘Dreams Into Action’. Their work not only sets them apart but also sets a very high benchmark for innovation in the investing space. I am very proud to say they have done an exceptional job”

Harsh Gahlaut, Founder and CEO of FinEdge, expressed his excitement in receiving the honour, saying “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award from Franklin Templeton. FinEdge believes that the future of investment is at the convergence of human insight and technical innovation. Dreams Into Action is intended to enable both investors and investment managers to make better, more collaborative decisions. This award recognizes our entire team’s hard work and commitment to providing value and improving the investing experience for our users.”

Dreams Into Action is a first-of-its-kind bionic investing platform that combines the power of human expertise with cutting-edge technology. It enables a generation of better investors by democratizing wealth creation and making long-term investing accessible, purposeful, and personalized. DiA is built on a foundation of rational expectations, hyper-customization, collaboration, and joint decision-making, fostering a seamless partnership between investors and investment experts. The platform integrates five core ingredients that drive investing success:

· People: DiA brings investment experts and investors together through a strong conversation-led investment process. The platform encourages customization, collaboration, and co-ownership of goals, allowing investment managers to deliver personalized solutions while ensuring client interests are protected.

· Personalization: DiA tailors every aspect of the investment journey, from understanding cash flows and financial ratios to analysing individual behaviour and attitudes toward risk and reward. Its ability to hyper-customize ensures that every investment aligns perfectly with each client’s unique needs and goals.

· Purpose: DiA focuses on purposeful investing by identifying and prioritizing financial goals, aligning investment solutions, and educating clients on critical concepts like inflation, time value of money, compounding, and diversification. This approach helps investors cut through information clutter and stay focused on their long-term objectives.

· Process: Perseverance is a cornerstone of successful investing, and DiA emphasizes regular conversations, scenario analyses, and goal-oriented benchmarks. By addressing behavioural challenges and building discipline, the platform helps clients manage volatility and stay committed to their investment plans.

· Products: DiA aligns the right financial products with individual goals and risk profiles, deploying tools like SIPs, STPs, step-up investments, and time-led realignment strategies.

The Champion of the Year Award by Franklin Templeton recognises individuals and organisations that are driving transformative change in the investment landscape. FinEdge’s Dreams Into Action stood out for its ability to seamlessly integrate technology and human expertise, fostering better decision-making, improved financial outcomes, and enhanced client experiences.

December 11, 2024: Hyderabad, India – Rajesh Vetcha, the founder of Hyderabad Runners and Race Director of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon, has been elected as a Board Member of the prestigious Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) for a period of 4 years. The election took place during the 24th AIMS World Congress, marking a significant milestone for India in the global distance running community.

He achieves the rare distinction of becoming the first individual from the running community and the second from India to be elected to the AIMS board since its inception in 1982. This distinction underscores India’s growing influence in global distance running.

His election is of significance to India in general and Telangana in particular. This is the global recognition accorded to the endurance and road running community in Hyderabad. What his elections mean to the running community is access to information, expertise, and support to local long-distance races and runners who want to qualify to participate in international marathons and also continue to raise the stature of the marathons in India to a global level.

As a board member, his work would be to,

To foster and promote distance running throughout the world,
To work with the World Athletics on all international road racing matters and
To exchange information, knowledge and expertise among the members of the Association.

This achievement highlights the growing recognition of Indian marathons on the global stage and the impact of our collective efforts in promoting running and fitness.

Rajesh Vetcha has been a trailblazer in the Indian running movement, founding Hyderabad Runners in 2007. Under his leadership as President from 2011 to 2018, Hyderabad Runners transformed into one of the largest running organizations in India. The group institutionalized the running community with a focus on Advocacy, Training, and Events, promoting active lifestyles across the country.

Currently serving as Race Director for the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon, a World Athletics Basic Label event and the second-largest marathon in India, Rajesh has also played a pivotal role in mentoring and establishing running groups and marathon events nationwide, including in Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Bhopal, Raipur, and Visakhapatnam.

An accomplished long-distance runner himself, Rajesh has participated in nearly 165 events, including marathons, half-marathons, and ultra-marathons. He views running as a way to connect with people, explore cultures, and promote community fitness as an enjoyable and accessible lifestyle choice.

Rajesh’s election to the AIMS Board highlights his significant contributions to the global running community. AIMS, with over 448 members across 113 countries, works to foster distance running worldwide and promote the exchange of expertise among its members.

Expressing his gratitude, Rajesh said, “It is an honor to be elected to the AIMS Board. This is not just a personal achievement but a recognition of the growing prominence of Indian marathons on the global stage. I look forward to furthering the cause of India’s vibrant running ecosystem with insights from the experiences of the races overseas and making the voice of India heard on the global distance running space.

With over three decades of professional experience across the Corporate, Infrastructure, and Sports sectors, Rajesh continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership in sports management, policy development, and advocacy. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at NALSAR University, Hyderabad, his focus on regulatory frameworks enhances his deep understanding of governance and stakeholder engagement.

His appointment to the Board of AIMS is another step toward his vision of making running a preferred fitness activity worldwide.

As 2024 draws to a close, Mirae Asset Capital Markets has unveiled its top 10 stock picks for December, offering valuable insights for investors looking to position themselves for the upcoming year. These stocks have been selected for their potential to deliver returns across different market segments, with large-cap stocks expected to provide steady returns in the range of 3-4% and small- and mid-cap stocks expected to offer higher growth potential around 8%. Below is a detailed look at each of Mirae Asset’s top picks for December.

1) Aadhar Housing Finance (AADHARHF)
Aadhar Housing Finance, with a market capitalization of INR 184,135 million and a current market price (CMP) of INR 430.0, is one of the top picks for December. The company is positioned strongly within the affordable housing sector in India, which continues to witness significant demand.

2) Bank of Baroda (BOB)
Bank of Baroda, one of the largest public sector banks in India, has a market capitalization of INR 1,367,567 million and a CMP of INR 264.0. The bank has demonstrated resilience in the face of challenging market conditions and is capitalizing on India’s growing financial inclusion efforts.

3) Home First Finance (HOMEFIRS)
With a market capitalization of INR 92,538 million and a CMP of INR 1,045.0, Home First Finance has established itself as a leading player in the affordable housing loan sector. As India continues to witness rapid urbanization and a rising demand for affordable housing, the company is poised for steady growth.

4) Infosys (INFO)
Infosys, one of the largest and most well-established IT services companies in India, has a market capitalization of INR 7,960,895 million and a CMP of INR 1,919.0. With its strong global presence and expertise in digital transformation, Infosys continues to lead the Indian IT sector.

5) KRBL (KRB)
KRBL, a leader in the premium Basmati rice market, boasts a market capitalization of INR 72,192 million and a CMP of INR 314.6. The company is well-positioned to benefit from the increasing global demand for high-quality rice. With a strong presence both in India and internationally,

6) Lemon Tree Hotels (LEMONTRE)
Lemon Tree Hotels has a market capitalization of INR 108,974 million and a CMP of INR 137.7. The hospitality sector in India is experiencing a resurgence, with domestic and international travel picking up significantly after the pandemic. Lemon Tree Hotels, with its focus on mid-market hotels, stands to benefit from the increased demand for affordable yet high-quality lodging options.

7) LT Foods (LTFOODS)
LT Foods, with a market capitalization of INR 148,051 million and a CMP of INR 427.0, is a leading player in the Indian food industry. Known for its premium rice brands like Daawat and Royal, LT Foods has a strong presence in both domestic and international markets. The company is benefiting from increasing consumer demand for healthier and organic food products. With a focus on quality and sustainability, LT Foods is well-positioned to capture the growing consumer preference for high-quality, organic food. This makes LT Foods an attractive option for investors looking to diversify into the food sector.

8) Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL)
Maruti Suzuki India, with a market capitalization of INR 3,560,185 million and a CMP of INR 11,303.0, remains the undisputed leader in the Indian automotive market. The company continues to benefit from rising middle-class income levels and a growing demand for affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles.

9) TVS Motor (TVSL)
TVS Motor, with a market capitalization of INR 1,198,740 million and a CMP of INR 2,521.0, has made significant strides in the two-wheeler and electric vehicle markets. The company’s focus on innovation and sustainability, particularly in the electric vehicle segment, positions it well to benefit from the growing shift towards eco-friendly transportation.

10) Suzlon Energy (SUEL)
Suzlon Energy, with a market capitalization of INR 921,989 million and a CMP of INR 67.3, stands out as a leader in the renewable energy sector in India. The company is capitalizing on India’s growing focus on renewable energy, particularly in the wind power segment.

These picks offer a diversified mix of stocks across sectors like housing, IT, food, hospitality, and renewable energy, making them solid choices for investors.

11th December 2024: OPPO India, in collaboration with the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has expanded the nationwide electronic-waste awareness drive to Bengaluru, Karnataka under its ‘Generation Green’ programme (Managed by 1M1B). City’s Dayananda Sagar University has joined the initiative as an ‘Eco-Conscious Champion Institute’ to promote green skills among youth through activities like awareness sessions, e-surveys, and Green Day celebrations.

Under the programme, Dayananda Sagar University will educate students from more than 10 colleges and schools, and citizens from neighbouring villages, about the increasing challenge of electronic waste management and the need for effective disposal for a sustainable future. To mark the occasion, an e-waste awareness drive was organised at the University’s campus today where over 300 students engaged in awareness activities, such as Nukkad Nataks, Ideathon, and fashion show where e-waste was used as embellishments.

Over 5000 students were informed about effective e-waste disposal, including mobile phones, chargers, batteries, and wires. Present at the occasion were Mr Syed Khaja Mohiddin, Senior Environmental Zonal Officer, KSPCB, Ms. Anuka K Kumar, General Manager, Public Affairs, OPPO India, Dr. Amit R. Bhatt, Vice Chancellor, Dayanand Sagar University, and officials from the University and 1M1B.

Generation Green targets one million youth engagements by the end of 2024 to create a lasting impact on e-waste management and environmental preservation. Commenting on the same, Mr. Rakesh Bhardwaj, Head of Public Affairs at OPPO India said, “Generation Green embodies our commitment to Government of India’s Net-Zero vision. In just a few months, we have engaged with over 1400 educational institutions across the country. Bengaluru, as a vital IT hub, plays a key role in this mission, and we deeply appreciate the enthusiasm and dedication of Dayananda Sagar University and its students in driving e-waste awareness in the region. With over 9 lakh Green Pledges already taken, we are well on track to engage a million students by year-end.”

“E-waste is one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges of our time, and the youth will play a pivotal role in addressing it,” said Mr. Buddha Chandrasekhar, CCO, AICTE. “By creating awareness through programs like Generation Green, we are fostering a culture of environmental responsibility that will shape a sustainable tomorrow.”

Dr. Amit R. Bhatt, Vice Chancellor, Dayanand Sagar University, said, “Partnering with OPPO India for this e-waste awareness drive, under the aegis of AICTE, is a pivotal moment in our journey towards sustainability at University. Being named an Eco-Conscious Champion highlights University’s vision and dedication to tackling the critical environmental challenges of our time. We are equipping the next generation with the knowledge and tools to take the lead in building a more responsible and sustainable future. We strongly believe that educational institutions like us can serve as torchbearers for strengthening environmental awareness and responsibility among students.”

Launched in September 2024, the national e-waste awareness drive kicked-off at Ramjas College, University of Delhi. Prominent education institutions such as St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, Amity University Jharkhand, Silver Oak University, Ahmedabad, JECRC University, Jaipur, and SRM University-AP are already recognized as ‘Eco-Conscious Champions’ under the programme.

The first phase of the campaign saw AICTE and OPPO India partner with 1M1B to promote sustainable practices among youth by offering green internships to students across India. In the first phase, OPPO India onboarded sustainability champions from over 20 states and 3 Union Territories, who are now inspiring others to act for a cleaner sustainable future. Join the movement for a sustainable future, visit www.iamgenerationgreen.in and take the pledge.

11TH DECEMBER 2024: The Grand Finale of Avinya, a nationwide initiative by Veranda K-12 to foster innovation among students from Grades 8 to 12, concluded on a high at IIIT-Bangalore. The event celebrated the ingenuity and determination of India’s young minds, who presented innovative ideas addressing global challenges. Veranda K-12, a Veranda Learning enterprise, delivers innovative learning solutions for school education. Avinya builds on this expertise by equipping students with the tools to think critically and innovate solutions that contribute meaningfully to society.

The Grand Finale marked the end of an inspiring journey that began with over 350 entries from 14 cities and towns across India. Following a rigorous evaluation process, the finalists underwent specialized training sessions and mentorship, helping them refine their ideas.

The top three winners of Avinya 2024 were:

Winner: Radhika Thakur and Aranya Ojha from Vagdevi Vilas School (Varthur branch), Bengaluru.

First Runner-Up: Anjana V. from Kamala Niketan Montessori School and Harshaa Vardhini A P from Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Trichy.

Second Runner-Up: Aakash H Prasad and Adithya Sahani from BVM Global School, Coimbatore.

These participants showcased exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills in tackling real-world challenges.

Empowering Changemakers of Tomorrow

Avinya’s mission is to inspire students to think creatively, solve pressing problems, and contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future. The initiative reached over 100 cities, engaging more than 1 lakh students this year. For more details, visit www.verandak12.com/avinya.

The finale featured live presentations judged by a distinguished panel, including Mr. Bhavin Shah (Director & CEO, Education World), Mr. Prateek Madhav (Co-founder & CEO, AssisTech Foundation), Ms. Gayatri Chauhan (Founder & CEO, BuzzOnEarth), and Mr. Rajesh Pankaj (Chief Program Officer, Veranda Learning Solutions).

Preceding the finale, participants were guided through an intensive Bootcamp, which offered invaluable insights into ideation, implementation, and entrepreneurship. This experience equipped students with the tools to transform innovative ideas into actionable solutions.

Chief Guest for the Awards Ceremony, Prof. Chandrashekar Ramanathan, Dean of Academics, IIIT-Bangalore, highlighted the importance of nurturing a culture of innovation. “Avinya exemplifies how education, mentorship, and creativity can come together to empower students to address global challenges. These young innovators have demonstrated extraordinary vision and commitment, and we are proud to host such an inspiring event,” he said.

Mr. Subramanyam Kantheti, CEO of Veranda K-12, reiterated the significance of Avinya as a platform for young changemakers. “Avinya serves as a powerful platform for young innovators to refine their ideas under the guidance of world-class mentorship. By nurturing their talent and encouraging them to think beyond traditional boundaries, we are empowering the leaders of tomorrow to create a more sustainable and inclusive world,” He stated.

Hyderabad, December 11, 2024……Media Day Marketing (MDM), a city-based well-known expos organiser to organise four expos 4th Edition of the Dairy & Food Expo and 6th Edition of India Green Energy Expo & the 4th Edition of the Green Vehicle Expo from December 12 to 14th for three days at Hitex Exhibition Centre, Madhapur, Hyderabad.

MDM is a Hyderabad-based B2B management team of marketing professionals with over 20 years of hands-on experience handling successful events in the automotive, food processing, dairy, renewable energy, and e-mobility sectors being done in various parts of the country.

Shri Ponnam Prabhakar Honorable Minister of Transport, Government of Telangana consented to be the chief guest and inaugurate the same on 12th December 2024 at 10 am.

The other dignitaries include Sri Sandeep Kumar Sultania, IAS Principal Secretary (Energy), Shri Vem Narender Reddy, Advisor to Chief Minister of Telangana; Shri Venugopal Harkara, Advisor to Chief Minister of Telangana; Sri Suresh Kumar Singhal President, FTCCI; Mrs Dasari Aruna, President Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) Hyderabad – Telangana State; Shri Burra Ashok Kumar Goud – President of Telangana Solar Energy Association; Actor Shri Adnan Sajid Khan (Gullu Dada fame); Actor Shri Shehbaazkhan and other Government officials along with Automotive & Renewable Association & Industry members.

Kashif Razz, Mohd Mudassar, LN Rao and Sandeep Ralhan seen unveiling the brochures of four expos

Disclosing this addressing a press conference at FTCCI in Red Hills on Tuesday Mr Ram Soundalkar, Mr Mohd Mudassar and Mr Kashif Razz, the three Directors of Media Day along with Shri Sandeep Ralhan Managing Director from Ryoto Electrix who are the vehicle sponsors said that these concurrent events give a very good opportunity for all the stakeholders to connect with each other.

The highlight of the expo is Varcas -R yto Electrix is selling EV Scooter for Rs 24,500/- as against Rs 38,500/- during the expo. Addressing a press conference Sandeep Ralhan, CTO of the company said that they were not very keen in selling EV Two Wheelers. We are here to develop EV Infrastructure and Ecosystem. We have come with a revolutionary model to install Two and Three Wheeler Charging Stations at a throw away price of Rs 11,000/- From Kirana shop, to pan shop to tyre puncture person will be able to set up a charging station at such a low cost and can earn Rs 5000/- a month. All they need is three phase electricity connection and a sufficient parking space for the vehicle to be charged. It will work 24×7 with the support of an custom built app E-Volt. Those interested in setting up a charging station may contact on Mobile: 9154758247/9024482830. The company aims to set up 25000 charging stations in next one year.

The 6th edition of Green Vehicle Expo will have a display of Electric and hybrid vehicles, bikes, scooters, cars, LCVs,HCV, Trucks, battery-powered vehicles, spare parts, accessories/components, Batteries, GPS systems OEM suppliers and allied industries While the 4th edition of INDIA GREEN ENERGY EXPO will focus on acting as a one-stop platform for the stakeholders in the Renewable Energy sector such as Manufactures, Developers, Technology Providers, Traders and Consultants with key focus on Solar, Wind, Hydro and Bio Mass Energy, Carbon credits and role of RE

Visitors to Green Vehicle Expo stand a chance to win one electric two wheeler a day for three days thanks to Ryoto Electrix.

The exhibition also gives the people of Telangana an opportunity to clear all their doubts related to electric vehicles and also have a hands-on experience to test drive new vehicles and see the new technology

On the other hand, the 4th edition of the Dairy and Food Expo is the only show in Telangana dedicated to the Food and Dairy sector. Dairy, Food Products, Beverages, Processing, Packaging, Cold Chain, Kitchen Equipment, Bakery Equipment and allied Industry. FTCCI, DICCI, Telangana and other local bodies support the exhibition.

FTCCI, DICCI, Telangana Solar Energy Association and other local bodies support the exhibitions.

The recently announced EV policy of Telangana is a big boost to the EV Industry in the state. The Green Vehicle Expo being held at Hitex Exhibition Centre stands as a very good platform for the promotion of the new EV policy of the state and will help in attracting New Players and investment in the EV sector in the state, the three directors stated.

The 3-day four expos are expected to witness about 15000 visitors.

All four expos put together will have 100 exhibitors.

The exhibitors of Dairy and Food include Players like Heritage Foods, Creamline Jersey, Masqati Dairy, Akshayakalpa Organic, Goma Engineering, Vijaya Telangana etc showcasing more than 700 different products.

The Green and Energy expos will have exhibitors like V-Guard Industries Limited, Motovolt, Micronix Energy Pvt Ltd, ADMS Electric Bikes, Sakthi Accumulators Private Limited, Loom Solar Pvt Ltd, Micronix Energy Pvt Ltd, MLR Motors Pvt Limited, Creative Fasteners showcasing different products.

The expos will showcase the complete range of technology and products across sectors

These events will offer participants an opportunity to get acquainted with the latest trends, as well as create conditions to expand cooperation and establish new business relationships that will boost investment and introduce new technologies in those relevant sectors.

11th December, 2024 — Tenable, the exposure management company, today announced new vulnerability intelligence, risk prioritization and web application scanning features for Tenable Security Center, the world’s 1 vulnerability management solution managed on-premises.

Tenable Security Center identifies, investigates and prioritizes vulnerabilities, providing customers with a risk-based view of their security and compliance posture for their on-premises environments. Equipped with Tenable Vulnerability Intelligence, organizations have contextualized vulnerability data at their fingertips to effectively know, expose and close their critical vulnerabilities. Now available in Tenable Security Center, the curated database streamlines processes, providing enhanced visibility and threat context necessary to close critical risk.

“Traditional on-premise vulnerability management tools limit visibility and leave organizations unknowingly vulnerable. At Tenable, we support organizations’ desire to manage data on-premises and provide them with advanced vulnerability management tools to widen visibility, understand exposures and prioritize risk,” said Shai Morag, chief product officer, Tenable. “Tenable is a trusted partner and advisor for our cloud, on-premises and hybrid customers, delivering advanced solutions that significantly improve their vulnerability management programs at scale.”

Additional new features available in Tenable Security Center include:

Threat Landscape Overview – Multiple curated categories provide a unique way to proactively surface threats that warrant further review by highlighting Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) currently being exploited, actively being used in ransomware campaigns, in the news and others of importance. Selecting a category brings up details on the category, the vulnerabilities associated with it and affected assets.

Natural Language and Advanced Search – Search for a specific CVE by number or common name and review distilled vulnerability information. Advanced search enables teams to build queries by combining criteria, such as Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) metrics, key drivers of the Tenable Vulnerability Priority Rating (VPR) and other Tenable Research metadata.
Expanded Web Application Scan Scaling – In a single Security Center console, support thousands of web applications and fully qualified domain names (FQDN), manage large web environments with ease, reduce hardware needs and minimize complexity for faster and more efficient scanning.

Support for CVSSv4 and EPSS – Prioritize vulnerabilities using the latest CVSSv4 and EPSS models. Along with Tenable VPR, Security Center helps organizations allocate resources effectively and accurately assess and prioritize vulnerabilities that pose the greatest real-world risk.

December 11, 2024 – Cloudflare, Inc., the leading connectivity cloud company, today published its fifth annual Year in Review, exploring global Internet insights and security trends during 2024, accompanied by a deeper dive on the most popular Internet services.

The Internet is the cornerstone of global connection, providing access to the critical information and services that power our daily lives. This dependency on the Internet has made it the backbone of today’s society – from helping first responders save lives, allowing communities to connect with elected officials and register to vote or supporting global digital economies. Cloudflare’s 2024 Year in Review underscores how every year, as more people and devices connect to the Internet, global traffic surges(up 17% YoY), generating new trends that showcase our global dependence on its capabilities.

“We rely on the Internet almost constantly, yet many still see it merely as a collection of web pages. But the Internet is everywhere, woven throughout almost all of the daily activities of modern life – how we interact and connect on social media, use our smart refrigerators and vacuums, travel from one place to another through rideshare apps, connect to our banks and more,” said Matthew Prince, CEO and co-founder at Cloudflare. “All of these interactions we often take for granted, behind the scenes, are connected to the Internet in one way or another, with a huge percentage running through Cloudflare’s network every second of every day. And as one of the largest in the world, Cloudflare’s global network has an unmatched comprehensive view into usage and overall quality and connectivity across the web.”

With its Year in Review report, Cloudflare aims to share key data insights about the changing Internet landscape to help keep the online world more informed, resilient, and secure. Some of the biggest highlights of 2024 include:

Most Popular Internet Service: Google came in first for the third year in a row, followed by Facebook (2), Apple (3) and TikTok (4) – unchanged from 2023. However, WhatsApp broke into the top ten most popular services globally for the first time.

Most Popular Generative AI Service: Codeium, Claude and CoPilot were new entrants to the top ten most popular generative AI services (3, 5 and 7 respectively), while OpenAI held onto the number one position for the second year in a row.

Most Popular Gaming Services: Gaming consumers drove Steam into the top five most popular services for the first time, while Minecraft entered the top ten this year. Meanwhile, Roblox ranked 1 for the fourth year in a row.

Most Targeted Industry: Globally, the Gaming and Gambling industry became the top target for threat actors, overtaking the Finance sector, which was the most targeted category in 2023. Notably, threats increased largely in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl in the United States.

Internet Outages Observed: Over half of all global Internet outages were a result of government directed shutdowns – often in response to protests, civil unrest or even to prevent cheating during exams – impacting countries like Mozambique, Iraq, Syria, Bangladesh, Senegal, Pakistan and others.

Malicious Traffic: The Internet has not become significantly more dangerous over the past year, with about 6.5% of all global traffic mitigated as potentially malicious – only a slight increase from 2023.

Most Aggressive AI Bots: AI bots and crawlers have been in the news for voraciously consuming content. But while Bytespider (ByteDance) and ClaudeBot (Anthropic) were the most active, both of their overall traffic gradually declined over the course of the year.

“Cloudflare Radar was launched in 2020 when we witnessed the drastic impact the pandemic had on the way we interact with the Internet, and the importance of those insights to be accessible to anyone,” said David Belson, Head of Data Insight at Cloudflare. “Our Year in Review is a part of Radar’s commitment to democratize Cloudflare’s data, offering a window into Internet trends and patterns for anyone to explore at their fingertips.”

This data comes from Cloudflare Radar, a free tool that lets anyone view global trends and insights across the Internet. Radar is powered by data from Cloudflare’s global network (one of the world’s largest, spanning 330+ cities in 120+ countries), and aggregated and anonymized data from Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 public DNS Resolver, widely used as a fast and private way to browse the Internet.

December 10, 2024 – Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW), the AI Data Cloud company, today announced at its annual developer conference, BUILD 2024, new innovations that make it easy and secure for teams to find, evaluate, and share data, AI models, and apps internally, and with external partners and customers. Through Snowflake’s leading cross-cloud collaboration capabilities, users can now accelerate their AI initiatives with direct access to Snowflake’s expansive ecosystem of enterprise data and AI products, while speeding up app development for end users — all from within the security and governance boundaries of the AI Data Cloud.

“To keep up with the evolving data and AI landscape, enterprises need instant access to all of the data within their organizations, supplemented with their customers’ and partners’ data, in order to build powerful AI apps at scale for crucial decision-making.” said Prasanna Krishnan, Head of Collaboration and Horizon, Snowflake. “That’s where Snowflake’s industry-leading cross-cloud collaboration comes in, enabling organizations to not only access and share their most valuable data, but also apps and AI models, both internally and externally with third-parties. Snowflake’s latest innovations unlock new ways for teams to collaborate on these initiatives and bring AI and apps into production faster, while handling security and governance implications to reduce risk.”

Snowflake Enables Collaboration and Sharing Within Enterprises, With Built-In Governance
Building AI apps and fine-tuning models is often resource-intensive and time-consuming, and it’s difficult for many enterprises to collaborate on this work across various teams without introducing significant complexity and privacy considerations. With Snowflake’s Internal Marketplace (now generally available), users can easily discover available data, apps, and AI products from other teams and business units within their organizations — while preventing unintended sharing to external parties.

The Internal Marketplace also allows users to share fine-tuned large language models (LLMs) (now in public preview), making it easier for them to collaborate on generative AI use cases with increased model accuracy and performance for use case-specific tasks, and then deploy them into production. This is all done securely from within the AI Data Cloud, eliminating the need to make copies of data or transfer it between accounts. Data products listed on an organization’s Internal Marketplace can also be easily evaluated using natural language with the new Copilot for Listings (now in private preview), an AI assistant that generates and executes high-quality SQL commands and answers questions on structured data, enabling customers to quickly determine whether shared data is relevant to their work.

“As a leading global mobility-tech company, it’s crucial to use the full potential of data to provide our customers an unforgettable travel experience,” said Tobias Hadem, Vice President of Engineering, Flix Mobility. “Snowflake’s Internal Marketplace will empower our data teams to promote and securely share their data products within the organization, driving informed, data-driven decisions across the company.”

Build, Distribute, and Monetize Data and AI Products Faster
In the era of AI, enterprises need speed and flexibility to build sophisticated AI-powered apps at scale. Snowflake is streamlining the app development process so customers can focus on building the apps and models that matter most to their businesses, reducing operational burden and accelerating time to production.

To help organizations further build and deliver advanced apps, Snowflake is arming users with the Snowflake Native App Framework Integration with Snowpark Container Services (now generally available on AWS and public preview on Microsoft Azure). The integration allows users to easily build apps in their preferred programming language with fully customizable user experiences and then deploy them on top of configurable GPU and CPU instances, significantly enhancing the developer’s
time-to-value. Published apps can then be seamlessly distributed across clouds and regions, all with enhanced observability and security across the end-to-end app development process. Companies like Genesis Computing, Kumo AI, LandingAI, RelationalAI, and more are using the integration to deliver and monetize AI-powered apps to Snowflake customers through Snowflake Marketplace, unlocking new revenue streams.

“We’re building our business exclusively on Snowflake, and thanks to the Snowflake Native App integration with Snowpark Container Services, we were able to launch our first product in a matter of weeks,” said Matthew Glickman, Co-Founder and CEO, Genesis Computing. “The integration gives us the flexibility to build sophisticated, enterprise-grade AI Data Agents at scale and quickly deploy and monetize our products on Snowflake Marketplace. Our partnership with Snowflake is providing tremendous customer value, and enabling Snowflake customers to harness the power of agentic AI in just a few clicks — all within the security and governance boundaries of the AI Data Cloud.”

The Snowflake Native App Framework is also adding support for the Snowpark ML Modeling API, which uses familiar Python frameworks such as scikit-learn, LightGBM, and XGBoost for preprocessing data, feature engineering, and training models inside Snowflake. Through Snowflake’s new Secure Model Sharing (now in public preview), model developers can use the Snowpark ML Modeling API to create and train models, store them in model registries within their accounts, and securely distribute and monetize these models through a Snowflake Native App on Snowflake Marketplace.

To give developers more control over their data, apps, and AI product distribution costs, Snowflake is unveiling a new Egress Cost Optimizer (generally available soon) to remove incremental egress costs, or fees associated with transferring data out of a cloud service or data center, when sharing data products to multiple cloud regions. The Egress Cost Optimizer offers developers significant cost savings, allowing them to allocate more resources to the initiatives that matter most for their businesses.

Gain Direct Access to Secure, Enterprise-Grade AI and Data Products In a Just Few Clicks
In just a few clicks, enterprises can try, buy, and deploy sophisticated AI apps and data products from Snowflake Marketplace, built by providers that can easily leverage the security and governance tools provided by Snowflake. Snowflake Marketplace continues to grow, with 220+ apps and 2,500+ datasets readily available today¹ for customers to harness within seconds.

For organizations with high levels of security requirements who have deployed Snowflake on Virtual Private Snowflake (VPS), or use AWS PrivateLink, Snowflake is introducing the Snowflake Native App Support for Secure Deployments (now generally available). Through this support, organizations on those secure deployments can now install and use Snowflake Native Apps. The Snowflake Native App Support for Secure Deployments enables secure data handling by reducing exposure to external threats, while helping customers maintain compliance with even the most stringent industry standards.
Additionally, Snowflake Native App Compliance Badging (now private preview) allows organizations to easily identify apps that meet their internal compliance requirements like SOC 2, and recognize enterprise-grade products on Snowflake Marketplace at a glance.

Gaurs Group, a leading real estate developer in India, has achieved a remarkable milestone with its luxury residential project, ‘Legacy by Gaurs’, located in Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida. The first phase of the project has generated Rs 1,300 crore in sales, with nearly 200 apartments sold, underscoring the Group’s strong position in the luxury real estate market.

Nestled within the prestigious enclave of Jaypee Greens, ‘Legacy by Gaurs’ offers an unparalleled golf-course living experience, with every apartment overlooking the lush expanse of a championship golf course. This exclusive location blends natural beauty with sophisticated living. The project comprises spacious residences in two configurations: 3,500 sq. ft. and 4,700 sq. ft., across four premium towers, totaling approximately 250 apartments. With world-class amenities and a serene environment, the development caters to discerning buyers seeking elegance, privacy, and an elevated lifestyle.

Sarthak Gaur, Director, Gaurs Group, said: “The overwhelming response to ‘Legacy by Gaurs’ is a true reflection of the trust and confidence homebuyers have in us. For over 30 years, we’ve focused not only on delivering homes but on creating long-term value for our customers. In the last decade alone, we’ve delivered nearly 50,000 units, with each project serving as a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation. ‘Legacy by Gaurs’ is not just about luxury living; it’s about creating spaces that resonate with our customers’ aspirations and stand the test of time. The remarkable success of this project reinforces our belief that well-executed design and an unwavering commitment to excellence are the foundation of trust in real estate.”

Gaurs Group’s legacy in the luxury segment is further highlighted by its high-profile projects such as ‘The Islands by Gaurs,’ ‘Trecento Residences by Gaurs,’ and ‘Gaur NYC Residences,’ the latter of which sold out within just 2.5 days of its launch in Wave City.

This latest achievement with ‘Legacy by Gaurs’ showcases the Group’s ongoing dedication to designing homes that blend elegance, functionality, and sustainability. Beyond aesthetic appeal, the project offers residents a lifestyle defined by world-class amenities, excellent connectivity, and a peaceful setting against the backdrop of the championship golf course.

As Gaurs Group celebrates 30 years of excellence, it continues to set benchmarks in luxury real estate, consistently redefining what modern homebuyers can expect. With a steadfast focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, the Group remains a trailblazer in creating visionary and enduring projects.

Looking ahead, Gaurs Group is preparing for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) within the next one to two years. The company also plans to expand its portfolio with a range of ultra-luxury housing, office spaces, hotels, schools, retail developments, and sports projects, further solidifying its role in shaping the future of Indian real estate.