FOSSIL And 2025-2026 Global Brand Ambassador Nick Jonas Release Exclusive “Machine Luxe” Capsule

Global superstar, actor, and philanthropist Nick Jonas has teamed up with leading watch and accessories brand FOSSIL for a bold and nostalgic new collection, launching August 20, 2025. Each limited-edition timepiece blends Jonas' passion for watch collecting, his distinct personal style and Fossil's decades-long design heritage to deliver styles that are both timeless and distinctly modern—all while reinvigorating our customers' love for and personal connection to the brand.

 

"It’s the use of materials that give this collection a distinct personality. They’re exceptionally personal pieces that elevate any look,” says Nick Jonas.. “I’m excited to share my love of watches and this collection with the world."

 

A lifelong watch enthusiast whose first watch was a FOSSIL, Jonas has partnered with the brand to mark the full-circle moment with a global campaign, captured in Jonas' native New Jersey. Shot by renowned creative director and photographer Anthony Mandler, and styled by celebrity image maker, Sydney Lopez, the campaign sees Jonas in iconic styles, participating in activities that marked his childhood like visiting local diners and going to the bowling alley. This nod to Jonas’ childhood era will reignite the same nostalgic memories in customers and brand fans, reminding them of small and monumental moments alike throughout their lives.

 

“Collaborating with the FOSSIL design team has been a dream come true. They were receptive and open to my ideas throughout the entire process,” said Nick Jonas. “I still remember the excitement and pure joy I felt when I purchased my first FOSSIL watch shortly after one of my early performances. I wanted to capture that feeling for today’s customers and give them styles that feel elevated and luxurious, but still embody the nostalgia synonymous with FOSSIL.”

 

The “Machine Luxe” collection is a reimagined take on our bold and bestselling Machine platform, consisting of seven new watches and two new watch rings. Each style features a statement shaped case and signature knurling, characteristic of the Machine series at large.

 

The Machine Luxe Sunray Dial watches are available in Blue Vignette and Gold-Toned, featuring finely etched lines that fan out from the center of the dial to create a radiant sunray texture. The Blue Vignette paired with a brown croc-embossed leather strap was a personal request by Jonas, echoing a treasured piece from his own collection. Retail: 15,995INR.

 

The Machine Luxe Automatic models elevate the offering with a skeletonized dial that reveals a premium Japanese automatic movement and hand-assembled parts. Available in Gunmetal and Gold-Toned, these refined timepieces retail for 24,495INR.

 

Showcasing rich natural materials, the Machine Luxe Stone Dial watches arrive in genuine Malachite, Aventurine, and Marble at 24,495INR. The signature knurling extends onto the bracelet, adding a bold twist to the classic dress watch silhouette.

 

Completing the capsule are the Machine Luxe Watch Rings in Gunmetal and Green Vignette. Retailing at 11,995INR, the rings mirror the timepieces’ aesthetic, bringing signature FOSSIL design details into the brand’s distinct, best-selling watch ring.

 

“Nick Jonas has a genuine love for watches and an authentic connection with FOSSIL brand, it having been his first watch,” said Melissa Lowenkron, Chief Brand Officer of Fossil. “There’s a sense of nostalgia and personal style he brings to the design—rooted in his own journey—that we know will resonate with fans and collectors alike.”

 

The Nick Jonas x FOSSIL Collection will be available at FOSSIL.in, all FOSSIL stores beginning August 20, 2025, and premium global retailers beginning September 2025.

LIC HFL Trying To Recover Defaulted Loans Worth Rs 340 Crore From Ex-MP's Properties

LIC HFL, one of India’s leading housing finance companies, has set out on yet another attempt to recover dues worth Rs. 340 Crores from Butta Infrastructure Private Limited. Scheduled for August 25, 2025, this latest effort underscores LICHFL's determined approach to recovering outstanding dues totaling Rs 340 crores, plus accrued interest, from loans that were defaulted upon after being transferred to the company.

The loan was sanctioned in 2018, when former MP, Butta Renuka and her husband, Neelakanta Shiva Butta, served as Directors of the company. Properties owned by the ex MP and her family in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad and other locations were mortgaged for the same. 

According to reports and NCLT documents, the borrowers initially paid installments amounting to Rs 40 crore but have defaulted for the past five years, leading to the current dues of Rs 340 crore. LICHFL approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) after repayment discussions, including proposals for loan restructuring or partial asset sales, did not align with regulatory norms. The NCLT has been overseeing related proceedings, including the liquidation of Butta Infrastructure Private Limited since February 2022.

The investigations by NCLT as per published reports found that the lease agreements used to secure the loans were unenforceable due to pre-existing, uncancelled leases with other parties. Further, a tenant testified before the NCLT that letters purportedly signed by a Mr. Rama Rao—instructing rent deposits to the loan authority—were forged, as no such individual had ever been employed by the organization. These revelations highlighted potential fraud and abuse of power, complicating the recovery. However, there is no update regarding a case being pursued on these points. 

The 13th Auction is scheduled for 25th August as per a notification published in newspapers, and has a reduced reserve price of Rs 71 crores to attract bidders.

SAP And UNICEF YuWaah Launch Yutopia To Advance Institutional Collaboration With Young People

 A public-private-youth collective that aims to embed youth-inclusive practices encompassing culture, leadership, and decision-making across organizations

 

SAP and UNICEF YuWaah (the India Chapter of Generation Unlimited) are proud to jointly launch Yutopia – an initiative that unites public, private, and civil society stakeholders to build inclusive systems that truly understand, reflect, and respond to the needs and aspirations of young people, placing youth at the centre of every effort. The launch event, hosted at the UN House in New Delhi, brought together leadership from the private sector, civil society organizations along with government participation from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) and young changemakers.

 

In a world facing complex social and environmental challenges, young people are not only among the most impacted but also uniquely positioned to drive change. As innovators, digital natives, and community leaders, they bring fresh perspectives and bold ideas to the table. However, their meaningful participation in institutional processes remains limited, causing a gap between intent and impact. This presents a critical opportunity: by actively engaging young people as equal stakeholders, institutions can design more relevant, inclusive, and future-ready solutions.

Yutopia seeks to bridge this gap by co-creating pathways and frameworks for institutions to engage young people not merely as beneficiaries or employees, but as active collaborators. By embedding youth leadership and participation across policies, programmes, and platforms, Yutopia aims to place young people at the heart of systems change.

 

Yutopia will co-create new ways for youth to drive structural changes within organisations by:

 

• Convening partners, including ministries, private Sector and civil society organisations to spark collaboration across sectors

• Building capacities of organisations for meaningful youth engagement 

• Using human centre design thinking approach to co-create frameworks and best practices that advance youth centrality and then amplify thought leadership

 

“At SAP, we firmly believe that young people must be at the heart of how organizations think, lead, and grow. Our global corporate social responsibility initiatives are dedicated to equipping youth with the skills, mentorship, and leadership opportunities they need to thrive. With Yutopia, in partnership with UNICEF YuWaah, we are deepening this commitment—creating systems where young people are not just participants, but active co-creators influencing decisions and shaping the workplaces of the future,” said Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director, SAP Labs India, and Head, Customer Innovation Services, SAP.  

 

“The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is committed to empowering young people as key partners in India’s development. Through initiatives like the National Service Scheme and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, we engage youth in leadership, service, and nation-building. We continue to strengthen systems that ensure young people are heard, included, and involved in shaping programmes and policies. We congratulate YuWaah on this initiative that is in alignment with our commitment. By work with diverse stakeholders we aim to embed youth leadership across institutions and create opportunities for young people to drive national progress.” said Dr. Sarah Jayal Swakmie, Director, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

 

Arjan De Wagt, Deputy Representative, UNICEF India said “UNICEF believes every child and young person has the right to be heard and to participate meaningfully in decisions that impact their lives. We are committed to strengthening systems that support their development, protection, and engagement at every stage. India has a sizeable youth population, YuWaah works with diverse groups of young people to co-create pathways to facilitate their voices and inform every stage of our programmes. Yutopia is a timely initiative to position young people as equal stakeholders in shaping inclusive, youth-responsive organisations, reflecting our commitment to work for youth and with youth.”

 

“When young professionals are given the space to make decisions, to learn, and even to grow from their mistakes, they bring fresh energy, creativity, and new perspectives to an organisation. This not only helps them build confidence and leadership skills but also enables the organisation to benefit from innovative ideas and approaches. All we need is the right support and the freedom to explore, experiment, and contribute meaningfully” said Pooja Mahaldar, Young People's Action Team Member, UNICEF YuWaah.

 

With over 350 million young people in India, Yutopia marks a strategic step toward building youth-affirmative systems that engage young people as equal stakeholders in national development.

 

About SAP  

SAP’s strategy is to help every business run as a sustainable intelligent enterprise. As a market leader in enterprise application software, we help companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: 87% of the world’s total global commerce touches an SAP® system. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers’ businesses into sustainable intelligent enterprises. We help by providing people and organizations with deep business insights and foster collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. SAP simplifies technology for companies so they can consume SAP software the way they want – without disruption. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improve people’s lives. 

For more information, visit www.sap.com 

Honda Establishes New Subsidiary In India For Retail Financing Services

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) today announced the recent establishment of a new company in India, Honda Finance India Private Ltd., (“Honda Finance India”) that will offer customers retail sales financing services including loans and lease sales options for Honda products in India.

In India, where further growth of the motorcycle and automobile markets is expected, the number of customers using loans to purchase motorcycles and cars is also expected to increase. Until now, retail sales financing services in the Indian market have mainly been provided by local financial institutions. However, in light of market trends, Honda will further strengthen its business in India by offering its own sales financing services through a local subsidiary in India.

Honda Finance India Private Ltd. will apply for a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) license to conduct financial services business in India. After obtaining the license, the company will begin offering retail sales financing services to help customers finance their purchase of motorcycles, automobiles and services provided by Honda.

Financial services business has been one of the main business areas of Honda, and the company has established local subsidiaries specializing in retail sales financing services in Japan and various countries in key regions such as North America, and Europe. With the establishment of the new company, India became the ninth country where Honda has a local subsidiary to offer financial services.

Honda will work to establish long-term relationships with customers by offering flexible financial services tailored to the specific needs of customers in each region. Moreover, in anticipation of the global expansion of software-defined vehicle (SDV) sales in the future, Honda is looking into opportunities to offer new financial services designed to increase customer satisfaction and the value of the customer experience using various data from Honda SDVs. With such new services, Honda will further strengthen its financial services business not only in India but across the globe. 

Treat Mobile Phones As Essential Goods – ICEA Calls For 5% GST

India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), representing India’s leading mobile and electronics manufacturers, has urged that mobile phones and components be placed in the 5% GST slab reserved for essential goods. ICEA emphasises that the current 18% GST is regressive, and that mobile phones - the primary tool of digital access for over 90 crore Indians must be treated as necessities in the forthcoming GST reform. 

“The mobile phone is no longer aspirational; it is essential digital infrastructure for education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and governance. It should rightly be taxed at 5% GST, in line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s GST reform agenda and his vision of a USD 500 billion electronics ecosystem,” said Mr. Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA.

 

In his Independence Day address, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced next-generation GST reforms focused on rate rationalisation and relief for everyday items. ICEA urges that mobile phones, being indispensable to daily life and the backbone of digital inclusion, be treated as essential goods in this exercise.

 

“India cannot build an inclusive Digital India if the very device that enables it remains unaffordable for millions. A 5% GST classification will restore affordability, stimulate demand, and accelerate India’s journey towards universal digital access,” added Mr. Mohindroo.

 

India’s mobile phone sector has emerged as one of the greatest achievements of Make in India. Production has grown from Rs. 18,900 crore in FY15 to Rs. 5,45,000 crore in FY25, while exports have crossed Rs. 2,00,000 crore, making India the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer globally.

 

At the same time, the domestic market has weakened. Since the GST hike to 18% in 2020, annual consumption has fallen from nearly 300 million units to about 220 million units. This has hurt affordability, slowed replacement cycles, and disproportionately impacted volume growth. With 99.5% of mobile phones sold in India now manufactured domestically, stronger domestic demand will directly fuel production, deepen value addition, and strengthen India’s global competitiveness.

 

When GST was designed in 2017, the Fitment Committee tasked with assigning goods and services to appropriate slabs followed a clear principle: GST incidence should match the pre-GST burden to ensure continuity and avoid hardship. For mobile phones, the combined excise and VAT incidence averaged around 6%, which naturally fit the 5% GST slab.

 

However, mobile phones were initially placed in the 12% slab as a transitional compromise. The subsequent increase to 18% in 2020 contradicted this principle and created distortions that hurt affordability and slowed demand. In the pre-GST era, most states consciously capped VAT on mobile phones at 5%, recognising them as essential goods.

“Placing mobile phones in the 5% slab is not a concession, it is a correction. It restores the intent of the Fitment Committee and ensures coherence between GST design and the Prime Minister’s vision for digital inclusion,” emphasised Mr. Mohindroo.

 

ICEA’s Position

·         Classify mobile phones and components under the 5% GST slab, as essential goods.

·         Ensure accessories and sub-parts are aligned accordingly, removing anomalies and supporting domestic value addition.

 

A National Priority

Correcting GST on mobile phones will deliver a double dividend: it will ease the burden on consumers while directly sustaining India’s manufacturing base. Affordable devices will broaden access for students, households, and rural users, while rising domestic demand will anchor production growth. This step is vital for scaling towards the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s reform agenda, USD 500 billion electronics vision and advancing Digital India through universal access.

 

About ICEA

India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) is the apex industry body for mobile and electronics manufacturing, representing leading domestic and global companies. ICEA works in close partnership with the Government of India and State Governments to promote investments, manufacturing, and digital growth in line with the national vision of Digital India and Make in India.

 

Website: https://www.icea.org.in

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/india-cellular-electronics-association/

Twitter: @ICEA_India

Civil Liberties Bar, Toronto Takes Over 7Rivers At Taj MG Road, Bengaluru

This August, 7Rivers Brewing Co., the high-spirited gastropub at Taj MG Road, Bengaluru, will host a one-night-only bar takeover with Nikolai Kennedy from one of North America’s most celebrated cocktail destinations — Civil Liberties Bar, Toronto.

Ranked #3 on Canada’s 100 Best Bars and #21 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025, Civil Liberties is famed for its menu-free philosophy, guest-led creations, and innovative techniques like vacuum distillation. At the helm is Founder and Senior Executive Barback Nikolai Kennedy, whose dive-bar soul and world-class craftsmanship have redefined cocktail culture globally.

Expect bespoke cocktails, unexpected flavour combinations, and immersive storytelling, all set against the vibrant, industrial-chic backdrop of 7Rivers. Known for its artisanal brews, small plates, and buzzing atmosphere, 7Rivers is the perfect stage for this international collaboration.

Date: 21st August 2025
Time: From 7:00 PM onwards
Venue: 7Rivers Brewing Co., Taj MG Road, Bengaluru
Price: À la carte
Reservations: +91 832 993 2956 | tanuj.koul@tajhotels.com

This Bengaluru stop is part of Civil Liberties’ multi-city India tour, following its grand debut at The Blue Bar, Taj Palace, New Delhi, and moving on to DPB at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, Visk at Taj Deccan Hyderabad, and Wink at President, IHCL SeleQtions, Mumbai.

Raise a glass to Canadian cocktail artistry — no passport required.

Defying Age, Defining Hope: Trustwell Hospitals Pioneers Rare Kidney Transplant In Elderly Patient

In a rare and inspiring turn of events, a successful kidney transplant at Trustwell Hospitals, Bengaluru, is reshaping perceptions around age and eligibility in organ donation. The story unfolds between two lives—one ended at 73, another renewed at 77.

Last week, the medical team at Trustwell performed a deceased donor renal transplant using a kidney from a 73-year-old donor—an age group typically considered marginal or “expanded criteria” in the transplantation community. What makes this case even more remarkable is the age of the recipient: 77 years old, living with multiple comorbidities, and yet a candidate for this life-saving procedure.

In India, organ donations from individuals over 70 are uncommon. The general hesitance stems from concerns around organ function, recovery challenges, and long-term outcomes. Often, such kidneys are discarded. However, in this instance, compassion met clinical courage—and the result has been extraordinary.

"This transplant represents more than just medical success—it’s a message of hope," said Dr. Arvind C, Senior Consultant Nephrologist at Trustwell Hospitals said. "We often underestimate the value of organs from older donors. But with rigorous screening and careful post-operative care, they can offer years of quality life to recipients, even in their twilight years."

The recipient, a 77-year-old man with multiple underlying health issues, was closely monitored in the post-operative phase. A week after surgery, he was discharged in stable condition, with his serum creatinine levels at an encouraging 1.26 mg/dL—clear evidence that the transplanted kidney is functioning well.

This landmark case demonstrates the untapped potential of extended criteria donors (ECD)—a category defined globally as donors aged >60 without significant comorbidities, or aged >50 with at least two conditions such as hypertension, cerebrovascular death, or raised serum creatinine.

While challenges remain in public awareness and clinical acceptance of ECD organs, Trustwell’s success story brings renewed focus to a demographic often overlooked in donation conversations. For the families involved, the story is personal; for the medical community, it’s precedent-setting.

“In the world of transplantation, age should not be a barrier if science and compassion walk hand in hand,” Dr. Arvind C added. “We hope this case encourages others to re-evaluate what's possible and give the gift of life—at any age.”

As India continues to bridge the gap in organ availability, stories like these remind us that second chances can come from the most unexpected places—and at any stage of life.

About Trustwell Hospitals

Trustwell Hospital is a Multi-super specialty 250 bedded hospital in the heart of the city of Bangalore. Trustwell Hospital is a unique venture where the people who actually understand the needs of a patient are also the ones running it. Trustwell is a place where clinical experts in their chosen fields who have been constantly delivering quality medical care over several decades have come together to put up the best possible hospital infrastructure and also bring with them industry best practices to run such a place.