Archives March 2026

Thales Launches SkyDefender: The Integral Air and Missile Defence Dome With Artificial Intelligence

Business Wire India

  • SkyDefender is a multi-layer, multi-domain Integrated Air and Missile Defence system providing full protection against all types of air threats, on land, at sea and in space.
  • SkyDefender integrates a network of advanced sensors and effectors with a versatile command and control (C2) system. With its open and modular architecture, it is fully compatible with existing air defence systems.
  • Combining Thales’ expertise in cybersecurity and advanced artificial intelligence through cortAIx, Thales AI accelerator, SkyDefender enables operational superiority and proactive defence against cyberattacks and evolving threats.
  • Thales is capable of delivering this critical protection globally from today.

 

As air and missile threats are evolving faster than ever, from slow-moving drones to hypersonic missiles, attacks are becoming increasingly complex, saturating and unpredictable.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260310398606/en/

 

SkyDefender © Thales

SkyDefender © Thales

 

Thales SkyDefender provides full protection against all types of air threats, from a few kilometres to several thousands of kilometres:

  • Short-range: for protection of forces, vital assets and sensitive sites: ForceShield creates a real protection bubble against lower layer and surface threats at very short- and short-range, such as drones.
  • Medium-range: for protection at theatre-level defence: SAMP-T NG by eurosam1 with up to 150 km engagement range, including Thales’ powerful Ground Fire radar with 350 km range and 360°/90° coverage against medium-range defence.
  • Long-range: for protection against long-range threats with early-warning capabilities: a unique capacity that empowers armed forces with superior tracking, identifying hard-to-find targets including fighter jets and ballistic missiles bolstering Space Domain Awareness. Thales SMART-L MM and UHF radars, which can detect potential threats at distances of up to 5,000 km, are key differentiators. Thales Alenia Space offers an early warning solution from geostationary orbit thanks to satellites equipped with infrared sensors that can detect a missile threat, and give the accurate location of the launch, even before it enters the areas covered by ground-based radars. Combined with the ground-based UHF advanced long-range radars, it provides a unique capability of permanent surveillance, early detection and trajectory follow-up of long-range threats.

 

All elements are managed through Thales’ SkyView command and control (C2) system, with SkyView Alliance ensuring seamless interoperability with NATO and allied multi-domain platforms.

 

Built on an open, modular architecture, SkyDefender integrates easily with existing defences and can be further developed as threats evolve. The development and deployment of the system is open to partnerships with other industrial players.

 

SkyDefender is fully compatible with a wide variety of sensors and weapon systems, including those from different manufacturers and existing legacy platforms.

 

“Thales is proud to contribute to the sovereignty of our nations with SkyDefender, the global air and missile defence dome based on our latest advanced technologies, from counter-drone protection to early warning capacities. With SkyDefender Thales provides a combat-proven system, easy-to-integrate and available today, confirming our position as a long-term trusted partner for the armed forces.” Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President, Land and Air Systems, Thales.

 

About Thales

 

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

 

The Group allocates €4.5 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies.

 

Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of €22.1 billion.

 

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Recent images of Thales and its Defense, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital activities can be found on the Thales Media Library. For any specific requests, please contact the Media Relations team.

 

   
1 The SAMP/T NG programme is overseen by the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR). Eurosam, a joint-venture between Thales and MBDA, is the lead contractor for the entire system.

 

 

 

 

 

Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time by Ben G. Price, now available from Histria Books

Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time by Ben G. Price, now available from Histria Books

Histria Books is pleased to announce the paperback release of Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time by Ben G. Price. This compelling book is published by Histria SciFi & Fantasy, an imprint of Histria Books encompassing outstanding, innovative works in the genres of science fiction and fantasy.

In Ogden, fantasy collides with the age of machines in a world of crumbling stone circles, hissing steam and monsters who might be more human than the people who fear them. This is a found family story, a gentle-giant outcast tale, and a grim look at industrial progress all wrapped into one character-driven epic.

Readers who love “monster as metaphor,” morally gray societies, and slow-burn bonds will find plenty to sink their teeth into. Trolls who literally cannot lie face humans who refuse to hear the truth, while secret orders and ruthless industrialists decide who counts as a person.

Ogden is for fans of myth-touched, low-technology fantasy who crave emotional stakes over chosen-one prophecy and intimate relationships over battlefield heroics. It asks what happens when the creature in the cage refuses to play its part in the story and chooses kindness in a world that profits from cruelty.

Praise for Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time:

“A fantasy of the highest order. Ogden will leave you in wonder, wistful for more and an unwavering insight that Nature is sentient. On this great, green planet, we are but one set of eyes among many that see.” — Tom Mullian, editor at La Mott Times

Ben G. Price is a U.S.-based writer who pioneered Rights of Nature legislation in the United States and assisted scores of communities to enact community and nature’s rights-protecting laws. He serves as the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund’s education director and, in addition to Ogden, he is author of How Wealth Rules the World: Saving Our Communities and Freedoms from the Dictatorship of Property.

Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time by Ben G. Price, 432 pp., ISBN 978-1-59211-579-2, is available at HistriaBooks.com and from all major book retailers. The book is also available as an eBook and a hardcover. Titles published under the imprints of Histria Books are distributed in the United States and Canada by Simon & Schuster and in the rest of the world through Unified Book Distribution.

Generali Central Life Insurance Expands into Jhansi, Strengthening Focus on Tier-2 Markets

Generali Central Life Insurance Expands Deeper into Bharat with New Branch in Jhansi, Strengthening Focus on Tier‑2 Markets

Mumbai, Mar 11: Generali Central Life Insurance,formed through the partnership of leading global insurer Generali and Central Bank of India, today announced the opening of its new branch in Jhansi further strengthening the Company’s presence in North India and reinforcing its commitment to expanding life insurance access across high‑potential Tier‑2 and emerging markets in Bharat.

Generali Central Life Insurance Expands Deeper into Bharat with New Branch in Jhansi, Strengthening Focus on Tier 2 Markets_ Press Release

 With this launch, Generali Central Life Insurance now operates 11 branches in Uttar Pradesh and 30 branches across the northern region, significantly enhancing its geographical footprint and customer access.

Uttar Pradesh continues to offer immense growth potential, with rising financial awareness, expanding demand for life insurance solutions within semi-urban and rural areas of the region. The launch of the Jhansi branch underscores the Company’s commitment to reaching deeper into Bharat, enabling last‑mile access, and serving markets where the need for protection‑led financial planning is rapidly accelerating. This expansion aligns with the Company’s strategy to build deeper local connections and offer customised life insurance solutions that are culturally relevant and accessible at the grassroots level. The Company is also building a future‑ready agency network, enabling deeper penetration through trusted, trained local advisors who understand regional needs and unlock new customer potential.

Commenting on the launch of the branch, Mr. Alok Rungta, Managing Director & CEO, Generali Central Life Insurance said:

“Our new branch in Jhansi reinforces our commitment to expanding our footprint in Bharat, especially in markets beyond metros where life insurance awareness and growth potential are rapidly accelerating. To reach Bharat meaningfully, we must be present on ground, closer to communities, with financial solutions that matter. This expansion strengthens our ability to tap into the region’s unrealized potential, broaden our reach, and ensure protection‑led solutions are truly accessible across the region.”

Sophia and Cassius by Anna Canic now available from Histria Books

Sophia and Cassius by Anna Canic now available from Histria Books

 

Histria Books is pleased to announce the paperback release of Sophia and Cassius by Anna Canic. This novel is published by Histria Romance, an imprint of Histria Books dedicated to outstanding books in the romance genre.

Sophia and Cassius is a bold, genre-bending historical spiritual novel for readers who crave rebellious women, dangerous love, and faith put on trial. This is for fans of subversive biblical retellings, palace-intrigue dramas, and morally conflicted heroes who refuse to bow.

Here, the familiar myths of Eden and imperial Rome are turned inside out. The “fallen woman” becomes the one who says no. The emperor’s sister stops playing pawn and starts playing god. A hardened centurion finds himself caught in a forbidden pull between duty, desire, and a truth that could ruin them all.

Expect court politics, cults, and secret rites. Expect slow-burn tension where loyalty and attraction collide. Expect the “strong female character” to be truly dangerous, not just decorative.

Sophia and Cassius asks what it really means to be faithful when faith itself has been weaponized and survival demands a little heresy.

Praise for Sophia and Cassius: 

“Yearning spans centuries in Anna Canić’s bold feminist novel Sophia and Cassius, about a Lilith-inspired woman who is reborn to love a warrior… Steeped in ideals about love and justice, the provocative alternative history novel Sophia and Cassius explores a storied woman’s influence on the Roman Empire” —Karen Rigby, Foreword Magazine

Anna Canic (b. 1987, Odesa, Ukraine) is a multilingual translator, publicist, and author of Sophia and Cassius (originally published in Croatia). Described by JSTOR as a “multifaceted literary figure,” she has written articles, stage plays, reviews, poems, and song lyrics, and served as vice editor-in-chief of the Polish art and culture magazines Moja Przestrzeń Kultury and Dziennik Teatralny. Her work has appeared widely in European and American magazines and anthologies, and two of her dramas have been staged in Polish theatres. Fluent in six languages, she lives in Split, Croatia, with her family.

Sophia and Cassius by Anna Canic, 400 pp., ISBN 978-1-59211-667-6, is available at HistriaBooks.com and from all major book retailers. The book is also available as an eBook and a hardcover. Titles published under the imprints of Histria Books are distributed in the United States and Canada by Simon & Schuster and in the rest of the world through Unified Book Distribution. 

 

Ribbon of Dreams by Randy O’Brien, now available from Histria Books

Ribbon of Dreams by Randy O’Brien, now available from Histria Books

 

Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of Ribbon of Dreams by Randy O’Brien. This novel is published by Histria Fiction, an imprint of Histria Books dedicated to outstanding original works of fiction.

Set in the charged, sultry South of the 1970s, Ribbon of Dreams is a coming-of-age story for anyone who has ever felt like the outsider in their own life. Caught between a strict

stepfather, a fractured family, and a country on fire with protest, Skid is that sensitive kid who

sees too much and belongs nowhere.

This is a novel of first love and bad decisions, of boys taught to be tough who are secretly

breaking, of found mentors and broken idols. It leans into the tropes we crave: the misfit hero searching for his voice, the small town that keeps its ugliest secrets, the “good son” who refuses

to stay quiet, the road trip that changes everything.

Ribbon of Dreams will speak to readers who love character driven fiction, emotionally raw

family drama, and the messy, beautiful moment when youth collides with the real world.

Randy O’Brien is the author of the critically acclaimed historical novels Gettysburg by Morning and The Farm. He is a retired award-winning radio journalist and long-time book reviewer for AudioFile magazine. An avid audiobook reader, O’Brien enjoys thrillers, biographies, and histories while hiking.

Ribbon of Dreams by Randy O’Brien, 300 pp., ISBN 978-1-59211-677-5, is available at HistriaBooks.com and from all major book retailers. The book is also available as an eBook. Titles published under the imprints of Histria Books are distributed in the United States and Canada by Simon & Schuster and in the rest of the world through Unified Book Distribution.

HMD Announces Strategic Collaboration with Flipkart; First Launch of Its 2026 Smartphone Line-Up in India

New Delhi, Mar 11: Human Mobile Devices (HMD) and Flipkart announced a strategic collaboration to bring HMD’s 2026 smartphone line-up to consumers in India. As part of this partnership, HMD’s first smartphone launch in India for 2026 will take place on Flipkart, which will serve as a key e-commerce partner alongside other leading online and retail channels.

HMD Announces Strategic Collaboration with Flipkart; First Launch of Its 2026 Smartphone Line-Up in India

 HMD has been steadily strengthening its presence in India with a focus on human-centric design, durability, repairability, and the democratization of AI-led experiences across its portfolio. The launch of HMD’s first smartphone of 2026 under this partnership represents an important milestone in its India growth journey. By utilizing Flipkart’s deep understanding of Indian consumers, robust supply chain capabilities, and scale, HMD aims to make its upcoming devices more accessible and affordable across metro cities as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

HMD will introduce smartphones across key price segments (10K to 20K), catering to India’s diverse and rapidly evolving usage needs, focusing on consumers seeking reliability, affordability, and meaningful AI-powered experiences. The first HMD smartphone of 2026 under this is expected to be unveiled in the coming months, followed by a phased rollout of multiple devices over the next 2–4 months, as both organizations come together to deliver a diverse range of smartphones catering to the evolving needs of Indian consumers. Further details on product specifications, pricing, availability, and consumer programs will be revealed closer to launch.

Ravi Kunwar, CEO and VP, HMD India and APAC, commented on the:

““We are excited to collaborate with Flipkart as one of our key e-commerce partners as we gear up to launch the first HMD smartphone of 2026 in India. Flipkart’s extensive reach and strong consumer connect will play an important role in bringing our latest innovation to customers across the country. As part of our broader distribution strategy, Flipkart serving as a key e-commerce partner alongside other retail channel., as we continue to deliver human-centered design and accessible technology to more consumers.”

Commenting on this, Ajay Veer Yadav, Senior Vice President, Flipkart said:

“Flipkart remains focused on enabling India’s digital ambitions by ensuring customers have access to the latest mobile innovations. Our strategic collaboration with HMD brings their upcoming smartphone portfolio to millions of consumers across the country. With our expansive distribution network and flexible affordability offerings, we are well-positioned to make cutting-edge devices more accessible and inclusive. Together, we aim to accelerate HMD’s growth in India while delivering a superior experience to customers.”

The upcoming launches reflect the evolving needs of Indian smartphone users, where affordability and differentiated experiences increasingly shape buying decisions. Through this, HMD aims to build sustained momentum by combining thoughtful product positioning with broad market access.

The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia by Johnny Teague, now available from Histria Books

The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia by Johnny Teague, now available from Histria Books

Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia by Johnny Teague. This compelling novel is published by Histria Fiction, an imprint of Histria Books dedicated to outstanding original works of fiction.

In The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia, a forgotten confessional surfaces from beneath a Roman basilica and refuses to stay buried. This is a story for lovers of secret histories, dark academia and morally complex heroines. 

At its heart are two souls divided by five centuries yet bound by the same questions. What if the woman history branded a poisoner and seductress had written her own defense? What if her words could upend everything we think we know about power, faith and female ambition?  

Moving between glittering Renaissance courts and the shadows of modern Rome, the novel explores the allure and danger of sacred objects, the seduction of corruption and the cost of choosing conscience over survival. For readers of dual timeline epics, ecclesiastical thrillers and feminist retellings, The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia invites you into a world where every relic hides a story and every story threatens the official truth.

Dr. Johnny Teague is a historian, author, and patented inventor. With four published books to his name, his works have gained notable recognition. His book Preaching Your Way Out of a Mess was awarded Preaching Magazine’s 2019 Book of the Year. The Lost Diary of Anne Frank earned a place on the Association for Jewish Studies Honor Roll of 2021 and is available in hardcover, softcover, eBook, and Audible formats. His other notable works include The Lost Diary of George Washington, The Revolutionary War Years (Editors’ Pick in The Manhattan and finalist for the Goethe Book Award) and The Lost Diary of Mary Magdalene, which received a 5-star rating from Readers’ Favorite.

The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia by Johnny Teague, 150 pp., ISBN 978-1-59211-600-3, is available at HistriaBooks.com and from all major book retailers. The book is also available as an eBook. Titles published under the imprints of Histria Books are distributed in the United States and Canada by Simon & Schuster and in the rest of the world through Unified Book Distribution. For information on publishing with Histria Books, please visit HistriaBooks.com or contact us at info@histriabooks.com.

 

Bangkok Bites Comes to Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore

Take your taste buds on a vibrant culinary journey to Thailand without leaving the city. Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore invites guests to savour the bold, aromatic, and irresistible flavours of Thai street food with Bangkok Bites, a specially curated dining experience at The Bengaluru Brasserie.

Inspired by the bustling food lanes of Bangkok, the festival brings together an indulgent spread of wok-tossed delicacies, fragrant curries, and beloved street-side classics that capture the spirit of Thailand’s dynamic food culture. Expect a menu brimming with punchy flavours, fresh herbs, and comforting dishes that celebrate the balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and savoury.

Perfect for food lovers looking to explore global flavours, Bangkok Bites promises an immersive dining experience that blends authentic taste with the warm hospitality of Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore, right in the heart of the city.

Event Details

  • Venue: The Bengaluru Brasserie, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore

  • Date: 06 March onwards

From sizzling wok creations to rich curries and iconic Thai street favourites, this limited-time festival is a delicious invitation to discover the essence of Bangkok, one bite at a time.

Skyhawk Appoints Aaron Deves as Chief Commercial Officer to Lead Commercialization of SKY-0515 for Huntington’s Disease

Industry veteran brings more than 30 years of experience launching therapies for neurological diseases, including Huntington’s disease, and will prepare Skyhawk for the launch of SKY-0515 as early as 2027.

BOSTONMar 11 — Skyhawk Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel small molecule therapies to modulate critical RNA targets for a series of challenging neurological diseases, announces the appointment of Aaron Deves as Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Deves brings more than 30 years of experience commercializing therapies for neurological disorders, including for chorea associated with Huntington’s disease (HD) with AUSTEDO®. SKY-0515 is Skyhawk’s lead program and is being developed as a potential disease-modifying therapy for Huntington’s disease.

 
Aaron Deves, Skyhawk Chief Commercial Officer
Aaron Deves, Skyhawk Chief Commercial Officer

“Skyhawk may receive accelerated approval for SKY-0515 in Australia within the next twelve months, and in other major markets during 2027,” said Bill Haney, CEO of Skyhawk Therapeutics. “Aaron’s 30 years of experience successfully building commercial teams and launching innovative drugs for challenging neurological conditions helps prepare Skyhawk to bring a much-needed disease-modifying treatment to patients with Huntington’s disease as quickly as possible – pending additional clinical results and regulatory approvals.”

“I am incredibly excited to join Skyhawk,” said Aaron Deves, Chief Commercial Officer of Skyhawk Therapeutics. “Skyhawk’s Huntington’s disease program can be the cornerstone of a powerful commercial neuro business.  And the company’s rich pre-clinical pipeline of RNA targeting drug programs addresses the most impressive set of challenging neurological conditions I’ve seen in my career – and does so with small molecules that are often the most patient friendly modality. I’m thrilled to join the company to prepare for the launch of SKY-0515 and to help ensure the broadest number of patients can access this important therapy.

 

Icertis Reports Record Year of New Business Growth

Business Wire India

Icertis, the global leader in AI-native contract intelligence, today announced a record year of new business growth in 2025. Nine Fortune-ranked companies, including BMW and McDonald’s, became new Icertis customers, along with prominent U.S. public sector organizations like the Defense Logistics Agency. The company now supports one out of every five businesses in the Fortune Global 500.

 

Additionally, more than half of its customers expanded relationships with Icertis last year to realize even greater value from contract intelligence. Monthly active users on the Icertis Contract Intelligence platform are up more than 60 percent year-over-year, and the company achieved a record number of go-lives while also driving a 70 percent reduction in implementation timelines.

 

 

“Icertis raised the bar in 2025 across our AI, industry solutions, customer experience, and strategic partnerships as we continue to meet the rising demand for contract intelligence,” said Anand Subbaraman, CEO, Icertis. “We are connecting agreements, data, and systems to create an enterprise-wide intelligence layer for our customers that drives better decisions, speeds execution, and ultimately enables them to reach commercial goals faster.”

 

 

Building Momentum with AI

 

 

2025 marked the debut of Icertis Vera, a smarter AI for contracts that delivers intelligence enterprises can trust. With deep contextual understanding that enables higher accuracy, Vera ensures that contract obligations are met to optimize performance at scale.

 

 

Icertis immediately followed the launch of Vera with the acquisition of Dioptra to deliver an AI-first experience for customers across every touchpoint. Dioptra extended the Icertis platform’s operations capabilities with surgical redlining, automated playbook creation, and pre-signature agents that handle first line of review on every agreement.

 

 

These AI investments and new agentic capabilities enabled Icertis to increase AI annual recurring revenue (ARR) by nearly 40 percent year-over-year.

 

 

Driving Industry Excellence

 

 

Icertis continues to deliver industry-specific solutions that address the unique contracting needs of organizations in the public sector, healthcare, financial services, and more. In 2025, the company launched Icertis for Healthcare Providers to reduce time to value by combining Vera AI with contract capabilities built expressly for healthcare.

 

 

Icertis also grew its public sector practice by more than 80 percent year-over-year and solidified relationships with the country’s most mission-critical government agencies. In the second quarter, Icertis will open a new office in Reston, Va., to serve as the central hub for its federal and government contracting business.

 

 

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

 

 

SAP and Icertis expanded their partnership in 2025, with Icertis joining the highest tier of SAP partners as the only SAP Solution Extension for contracting that enables native integration with SAP Ariba. SAP Ariba Contract Intelligence by Icertis speeds and simplifies product deployment with preconfigured integrations, an improved user experience, and one-stop licensing. Looking ahead, Icertis is co-innovating with SAP to rebuild an agent-first contracting experience embedded within next-gen SAP Ariba.

 

 

Within its partner ecosystem, Icertis also continued to deepen relationships with existing partners like Accenture – the flagship customer for Vera Analytics – and form new strategic collaborations with industry leaders like Thomson Reuters to transform legal work through an integration with its GenAI assistant, CoCounsel.

 

 

“Enterprises choose Icertis Contract Intelligence because we offer a comprehensive, easy-to-use platform driven by the most complete contract AI in the market,” said Nitin Khorana, Executive Vice President, Global Sales, Icertis. “Our strategic partners like SAP and clear focus on the healthcare, public sector, and financial services industries continue to position Icertis as a future-proof AI investment for customers looking to realize value.”

 

 

Icertis is recognized as a contract lifecycle management (CLM) leader by IDC and Forrester, and one of the Fastest Growing Companies in the Americas according to the Financial Times. With the backing of investors including B Capital, Eight Roads Ventures, Greycroft, and Penny S. Pritzker (PSP) Partners, Icertis continues to drive the CLM market and pave the way for the future of autonomous contracting.

 

 

About Icertis

 

 

Icertis is the AI-native contract intelligence company that turns enterprise strategy into faster execution at scale. Powered by Vera, the Icertis platform delivers an enterprise-wide contract intelligence layer that understands business and industry context – connecting agreements, data, and systems to drive the future of autonomous contracting.