Your journey spans architecture, entrepreneurship, and real estate leadership. Looking back, what has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about creating homes that are not only visually appealing but also enhance everyday living?

The biggest lesson I have learned is that a building can be an art piece without becoming difficult to live in. At Object 1, we see the UAE as an open-air gallery, where every development adds something to the character of the city. But beauty alone is not enough. A home has to work naturally around the people inside it.

My background in architecture taught me to notice how light enters a room and how someone moves through a space. Real estate taught me to look beyond the drawing and consider daily routines. The best homes feel distinctive when you first see them, then comfortable and intuitive once you begin living there. That balance is what gives design lasting value.

With your background in architecture and design, how has your understanding of how people interact with spaces influenced the way you approach residential developments at Object 1?

My understanding of space begins with observation. People rarely experience a home as a finished composition. They experience it while entering with shopping bags, moving between rooms, working near a window or looking for a quiet corner at the end of the day. At Object 1, this shapes how I review a residential plan. I pay attention to circulation, furniture placement, storage, privacy and the transition from the apartment into shared areas. A beautiful lobby matters, but so does the feeling of arriving home. Amenities should sit naturally within a resident’s routine rather than feel added for display. Architecture becomes meaningful when it understands behaviour and gives people room to live in their own way.

RA1N Residence marks Object 1’s first completed residential project and the successful handover of homes. Beyond achieving this milestone, what does this completion represent for the company’s design philosophy and commitment to homeowners?

RA1N Residence represents a promise fulfilled to the people who placed their trust in Object 1. Purchasing a home before completion requires confidence in the developer’s ability to deliver the design and quality presented at the beginning. With RA1N, residents can now see those commitments reflected in the completed apartments and communal spaces. The handover also allows us to understand how our design decisions perform in daily life, from the entrances and layouts to the co-working, fitness and family areas. This experience helps us see what works well and where we can improve. It also reinforces that our responsibility does not end when construction finishes. Each completed project should strengthen our accountability and make us more precise in the homes we create.

The development brings together co-working spaces, wellness amenities, family facilities, and social areas under one roof. How important has it become to design communities that support different aspects of modern lifestyles rather than simply providing residential units?

Designing a complete living environment has become closely tied to the long-term value of a development. People are more likely to stay in a community when the building can continue to support them as their routines and lifestyles change. Investors are also thinking about whether a property will remain attractive to future tenants. That is why we see shared facilities as an important part of the residential experience. At RA1N Residence, residents have spaces to work, exercise, spend time with their children and meet their neighbours. This also reflects the UAE’s 2025 Year of Community, which focused on stronger social connections, as well as the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s emphasis on liveable, well-connected neighbourhoods.

Many homeowners appreciate a space as a whole but may not notice the countless design decisions behind it. Is there a particular detail within RA1N Residence, whether in the layouts, material selection, or communal spaces, that you’re especially proud of because of the impact it has on everyday living?

We are especially proud of the apartment layouts because they have such a direct impact on everyday comfort. At RA1N Residence, we focused on bright, efficient spaces with clear zoning, so each area has a purpose without making the home feel rigid. Kitchens were planned around practical storage and easy movement, while living areas remain open enough for dining, relaxing or working from home. We also paid close attention to wardrobes and concealed storage to reduce clutter and make the spaces easier to live in. Alongside this, we selected contemporary European finishes for durability as much as appearance. For us, good residential design is when all these decisions work quietly together and the homeowner simply feels that the space makes sense.

As urban lifestyles continue to evolve, flexibility has become a defining feature of residential design. Were there any specific design decisions within RA1N Residence that were made with adaptability and future living trends in mind?

For us, adaptability also starts with where a project is located. RA1N Residence is in JVC, which already gives residents access to established schools, parks, retail and everyday services, while connecting easily to Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. That was important because people increasingly want to spend less time travelling between different parts of their lives. We also look at how an area is likely to develop over time. JVC continues to benefit from wider infrastructure investment, and Dubai’s approved Gold Line is planned to serve the community in the future. So future living is not only about flexible interiors. It is also about choosing a location that can become more connected and convenient over time.

Object 1 has announced the completion of its second project, V1TER Residence, a residential development located in District 12 of Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), one of Dubai’s most active, family-oriented communities.

The launch reflects Object 1’s continued focus on delivering residential projects with long-term relevance, underpinned by consistent execution, operational continuity, and alignment with Dubai’s broader growth agenda. At a time when buyers and investors are placing increasing importance on reliability and tangible delivery, V1TER Residence reinforces the developer’s position as a steady market participant focused on end users and sustainable value.

Rising 25 storeys, V1TER Residence will comprise 175 apartments, including 34 studios, 91 one-bedroom units, 42 two-bedroom units, and eight three-bedroom homes. JVC remains one of Dubai’s most sought-after rental communities, driven by sustained mid-market demand from both residents and investors. Apartments continue to dominate in such communities, accounting for 61% of sales searches and 80% of rental searches, reinforcing JVC’s position as a well-connected and value-driven residential destination.

The development’s amenities are designed around everyday livability, with a landscaped podium, lounge lobby, clubhouse, swimming pool, gym, sauna, indoor and outdoor sports areas, and dedicated spaces for children, including a kids’ zone and pool.

Within the residences, the focus remains on quality and practicality. The units include built-in appliances, three-metre ceiling heights, smart air conditioning controls, and integrated access systems.

Tatiana Tonu, CEO of Object 1, said: “ As Object 1’s second completed project in Dubai this year, V1TER reflects our approach to development in Dubai, grounded in continuity, build quality, and the confidence that comes from consistent execution. Our projects align with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan through a focus on connected communities, everyday convenience, and residential environments designed to support long-term quality of life. We remain committed to delivering developments that retain value, serve real residents, and contribute to the city’s future.”

V1TER Residence benefits from strong connectivity while maintaining the community appeal that continues to drive demand in JVC. The development is located two minutes from Circle Mall and in proximity to Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Marina, and key business and leisure districts, with direct access to Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The Roads and Transport Authority’s Hessa Street Phase II project is expected to further enhance accessibility by increasing road capacity and reducing travel times for surrounding communities.

The launch of V1TER Residence comes as market confidence continues to favour developers with proven delivery track records and long-term commitment. The project reinforces Object 1’s focus on stability, steady execution, and residential developments designed to deliver lasting value.

We have become careful about what enters our bodies. We read food labels, track sleep, count steps and invest in treatments designed to help us stay healthier for longer. Yet one of the biggest influences on daily wellbeing is often treated as background. People spend about 90% of their time indoors, and levels of some pollutants can be two to five times higher indoors than outdoors. Studies also suggest that genetics account for around half of the variation in human lifespan, leaving environment and behaviour with an equally important role. Beyond how a home looks, what does it quietly do to the people living inside it every day? That question sits at the heart of EYWA and its approach to longevity-led living.

Design for longevity

A building cannot diagnose illness or replace clinical care. It can, however, support or undermine sleep, breathing, recovery and stress levels every day. For a long time, the relationship between architecture and health received limited attention beyond basic building standards. This is where design choices come into play. Research has found that cognitive scores were 61% higher under green building conditions than in conventional space. Separate studies suggest that biophilic interiors can support recovery from stress and anxiety.

Material selection is equally important. Low-VOC, non-toxic and durable materials can help protect indoor air quality while reducing the need for frequent replacement. At EYWA, materials such as travertine and terracotta were selected for their natural qualities and  durability.

However, longevity cannot be reduced to one plant, one curved wall or one air filter. It comes from the combined effect of many decisions working together. Natural light can support sleep and the body’s daily rhythm while creating a stronger connection to the changing conditions outside.

Acoustics must also be carefully balanced. Too much noise can create stress, but complete silence is not always the goal. The sounds of water, nature or life within a community can create comfort and connection, while quieter spaces give residents the privacy and calm needed for rest and recovery.

Passive and active support

Design creates the foundation, but supporting longevity also means thinking about how the home functions once people begin living in it. This can be achieved through two forms.

The first is passive support. It is built into the architecture, materials, air, water, lighting, acoustics and technology. Residents do not need to activate it or add it to their schedules. The intention is for the home to handle many of these fundamentals quietly in the background.

At EYWA, this principle is carried through the everyday systems residents rarely need to think about. Air is continuously refreshed and filtered, with additional sterilisation and cleaning measures built into the ventilation system, while water passes through multiple stages of purification. The same thinking extends to the materials used throughout the building, with choices considered for toxicity, mould prevention and how they perform over time.

The second is active support, where the environment makes healthier routines easier to choose.  Pools, movement spaces, saunas, treatment rooms, meditation areas and shared community spaces make recovery and physical activity easier to include in daily life. A Health and Longevity Concierge adds a human layer by helping residents navigate suitable wellbeing, recovery and preventive health programmes. The purpose is to make healthier choices more accessible.

From wellbeing to longevity

Wellbeing and longevity are closely connected, but they are not the same. Wellbeing often describes how someone feels today. Longevity looks further ahead. It asks how people can preserve their health, independence and quality of life over time.

Healthcare is gradually moving from treating illness after it appears towards prevention, early detection and maintaining health for longer. Consumers are responding by investing more in sleep, nutrition, movement, mental wellbeing and recovery. McKinsey found that up to 60% of consumers across the markets it surveyed consider healthy ageing a top or very important priority.

Real estate forms part of this shift because the home is where healthy routines either become part of everyday life or remain difficult to sustain. The built environment influences the air residents breathe, the water they use, their exposure to natural light and noise, how well they sleep and how easily they can move, recover and connect with others.

This is also beginning to change the definition of luxury. Location, views and square footage remain important, but buyers are increasingly looking beyond what they can immediately see and asking how a home may support their quality of life over the long term.

Can buildings heal?

Not in the medical sense. Buildings cannot replace doctors, treatment or personal responsibility. But they can reduce environmental pressures, support natural rhythms and create conditions that allow the body and mind to function more effectively.

Over the next 10 to 20 years, this may become the expected standard. Homes may no longer be judged only by how well they shelter and comfort us, but by how intelligently they support cleaner air, better water, deeper rest, recovery and social connection.

EYWA was created around that possibility. Its philosophy is that the home should not be a passive container for life, but an active partner in living well.

The future of real estate will not be defined by one wellness room, device or certification. It will be defined by how intelligently architecture, nature, technology, services and human behaviour work together. That is the benchmark luxury developments must now aim for.

After spending almost two decades in banking, what inspired you to make the leap into hospitality?

I’ve always believed that entrepreneurship was where I ultimately wanted to be. Banking gave me an incredible foundation—it taught me discipline, financial acumen and, most importantly, how relationships are built on trust. But throughout those years, I found myself increasingly drawn to hospitality because it’s one of the few industries where you have the opportunity to create memorable experiences every single day.

After nearly two decades in banking, I felt it was time to challenge myself and build something of my own. I wanted to create a brand that reflected my personality and values—where people could connect, celebrate milestones, build relationships and feel genuinely welcomed. Bondz is the result of that vision. It’s more than a hospitality business; it’s about creating spaces where meaningful conversations and lasting connections happen naturally.

Entrepreneurship often comes with uncertainty. Looking back, what has been your biggest learning curve since making the transition?

The biggest lesson has been understanding that no amount of planning can prepare you for every challenge. When you’re building a business from scratch, you’re constantly making decisions with incomplete information, taking calculated risks and adapting to situations you never anticipated.

I’ve learned that resilience is one of an entrepreneur’s greatest strengths. There will always be setbacks, but each challenge teaches you something valuable—whether it’s about your business, your team or yourself. Hospitality, in particular, is an industry that evolves every day, so staying flexible, listening to your customers and continuously improving are essential. Every obstacle has helped shape Bondz into what it is today.

Bondz is a distinctive name. What does it represent beyond simply bringing people together?

The name Bondz carries multiple meanings, and that’s exactly what we wanted. At its heart, it’s about the bonds people create over food, drinks and shared experiences. Some of the most meaningful conversations, partnerships and friendships begin around a table.

At the same time, because we’re located in DIFC—one of the world’s leading financial districts—we liked the subtle connection to the financial term “bonds.” It reflects our roots while also reinforcing our vision of creating a place where business and social life intersect naturally.

Ultimately, Bondz represents connection in every sense of the word. Whether you’re meeting a client, reconnecting with friends or celebrating a milestone, we want every visit to leave you with a memorable bond.

DIFC attracts professionals from across industries. How has that influenced the concept?

DIFC is one of the most dynamic business communities in the region, bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs and global executives from every corner of the world. That diversity played a significant role in shaping Bondz.

We wanted to create a space that adapts to different needs throughout the day. During business hours, it’s a sophisticated setting for meetings, networking, coffee catch-ups and executive lunches. As the day transitions into evening, the atmosphere evolves into an elegant lounge where guests can unwind over handcrafted cocktails, curated entertainment and exceptional dining.

Our menu, design and service philosophy have all been created with an international audience in mind, ensuring guests from different cultures and industries feel equally at home.

You often speak about creating experiences rather than simply serving food. What does memorable hospitality look like to you?

Great food and exceptional drinks are important, but they’re only one part of the experience. What guests remember long after they’ve left is how they were made to feel.

For me, memorable hospitality is built on genuine service. It’s about anticipating a guest’s needs, paying attention to the smallest details and creating an atmosphere where people feel comfortable, valued and recognised.

Guests may not always remember every dish they ordered, but they’ll always remember how your team treated them. That’s why we’ve invested heavily in building a culture where service is warm, attentive and authentic. It’s this emotional connection that transforms first-time visitors into regular guests.

How closely did you work with Executive Chef Brando Del Mundo in shaping the menu?

It was a highly collaborative process. I had a clear vision of the kind of dining experience I wanted Bondz to offer—globally inspired cuisine that complements both business lunches and relaxed evening dining.

Chef Brando brought that vision to life with his creativity, technical expertise and deep understanding of international flavours. Together, we focused on creating a menu that’s approachable yet refined, offering dishes that are memorable without being overly complicated. The result is a menu that reflects Bondz’s personality—contemporary, versatile and designed to bring people together.

From co-working and networking during the day to cocktails and conversations in the evening, Bondz embraces two very different personalities. How do you ensure each experience feels authentic without compromising the other?

That balance was intentional from day one. We never wanted Bondz to feel like two separate concepts operating under one roof. Instead, we designed it as a venue that naturally evolves with the rhythm of the day.

Our recently introduced Executive Work Hours reflect this philosophy perfectly. During the day, Bondz offers professionals a refined alternative to noisy cafés or hotel lobbies, providing a comfortable setting for meetings, focused work and networking over quality food and coffee. As the evening unfolds, the space seamlessly transforms into an intimate speakeasy-inspired lounge with curated music, handcrafted cocktails and vibrant social energy.

We’re fortunate to have Nitesh Manghnani of Knite Events, who brings more than two decades of experience in curating nightlife experiences, alongside an experienced hospitality team that understands how to manage this transition effortlessly. Most importantly, we continuously listen to our guests. Their feedback plays a vital role in shaping our offerings, ensuring Bondz remains relevant, welcoming and authentic throughout every hour of the day.

This is Athireege, the cultural heart of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within Sun Siyam. It is not a museum, nor a demonstration staged for the camera. It is a living sanctuary where the crafts, rituals and flavours of traditional  Maldivian life are practised by hand, by voice and by fire. Here, an immersive cultural journey invites guests to discover the traditions, flavours and stories that continue to shape island life, offering a deeper connection to the Maldives beyond its postcard-perfect beaches.

Once a week, guests are invited to experience Maldivian Roots Day, a journey that reveals the customs, skills and traditions that have shaped island life for generations. Visitors leave with more than memories of turquoise waters they leave with a deeper understanding of the place they have called home, even if only for a few days.

The experience begins with a hands-on coconut oil making class, uncovering traditional crafting techniques first-hand at Athireege. Authenticity is the soul of this space, where traditional island living is brought to life using real, handcrafted tools. Guests can run their fingers over the very techniques that Maldivians have used to sustain island life for centuries whether witnessing the intricate art of palm weaving known as Fangi Vinun, trying their hand at coir rope making, known in Dhivehi as Roanu Veshun or playing traditional mancala style games like Ohvalhu Gondi Kulhun.

As the afternoon softens into evening, pandan-infused tea is served alongside sweet and savoury local delicacies. As daylight fades, stories take their place. History of Maldives, real experiences with island tales and memories of life before tourism are shared aloud, reviving a tradition that once passed history from one generation to the next.

The centre of this cultural journey is the Malaafaih, a magnificent, traditional Maldivian banquet. Translating roughly to “abundance,” the Malaafaih was historically prepared for grand celebrations, weddings, and community gatherings. This carefully curated feast invites guests to gather, share, and experience authentic local flavours in a deeply communal setting, honouring the true spirit of island hospitality.

At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, the Malaafaih is celebrated both at sunrise, as a traditional breakfast, and beneath the stars as an evening feast. The menu changes with the season and the day’s catch, but its spirit remains the same, dishes are shared, conversations unfold naturally, and strangers often leave the table feeling like friends. Whether beginning the day with a traditional breakfast or gathering beneath the stars for an evening feast, guests can completely immerse themselves in this rare culinary ritual, tailored exclusively to their stay.

At a time when travellers increasingly seek meaningful connections with the places they visit, Athireege offers something becoming increasingly rare: traditions that are still lived rather than performed. Long after the final stories have been told and the feast has ended, it is often these moments not simply the beaches or the villas that guests remember most. At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, space has always been made for the culture that made these islands worth travelling to in the first place.

Society UAE, the premier lifestyle dining destination, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated new Brunch offer, going live across both its Dubai and Abu Dhabi locations on August 15th.

Society Unveils A Signature Brunch Across Dubai And Abu Dhabi

Served exclusively on Society’s signature wooden brunch board, the new offering is a meticulously curated feast crafted from the finest, freshest ingredients. Each board is designed to deliver a complete and balanced culinary experience, featuring one hearty main course, one freshly baked pastry, one savoury side dish, and one indulgent dessert. The selections of main dishes include a creamy roasted chicken and mushroom pie, truffle soft scramble on a warm croffle, and huevos rancheros. Desserts include a range of Society’s classic French Toast, Syrniki and creamy dessert cups by MAD Hospitality’s nostaligc dessert concept, HAZE. Fresh pastries include mini garlic bread, mini shio pan and almond croissant while guests can indulge in their favorite side dishes including french fries, chicken sausage or arugula salad. To complement the meal, guests can select one classic beverage of their choice, featuring premium coffee or fresh juice to savour throughout the brunch.

The wooden board concept is designed to be the ultimate centerpiece for social gatherings. Whether it is a relaxed weekend morning with the family or a long catch-up with friends, Society’ Brunch offers a communal, high-quality dining experience tailored for sharing and savoring.

Offer Details:

• Launch Date: August 15, 2026
• Locations: Society Dubai, Jumeirah 1 and Society Abu Dhabi, Al Mamsha, Al Saadiyat
• The Menu: The signature wooden brunch board includes 1 Main, 1 Pastry, 1 Side Dish, 1 Dessert, plus 1 Classic Drink.
• Pricing: AED 120 per board (including drink)
• Availability:  Saturday and Sunday from 8:00AM until 2:00PM
• For reservations and more information, please call: +971 56 408  7099 for Society Abu Dhabi, and +97150 210 0096 for Society Dubai.

Opening its doors today, Bloom Arjaan by Rotana marks a new chapter for hospitality on Saadiyat Island. Developed through a partnership between Rotana, one of the region’s leading hotel management companies, and Bloom Holding, the contemporary lifestyle hotel introduces a fresh, neighbourhood-led approach to hospitality in the capital.

Located in Saadiyat Island’s Marina District, Bloom Arjaan by Rotana sits at the heart of one of Abu Dhabi’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, just steps from the waterfront promenade, restaurants, cafés, and boutiques of Mamsha Al Saadiyat and minutes from the world-renowned Saadiyat Cultural District, home to Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena, Zayed National Museum, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. The 217-key property combines the flexibility of residential living with the services of a premium hotel, complemented by flexible co-working spaces, dedicated pet-friendly facilities, and Distrikt Social, a vibrant neighbourhood restaurant designed to bring together residents, visitors and the local community.

Commenting on the opening, Rotana CEO, Philip Barnes said: “The opening of Bloom Arjaan by Rotana marks another important step in our growth in Abu Dhabi, complementing our already strong offering on the island through Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas. In response to evolving travel and lifestyle trends, we are focused on curating flexible experiences that reflect how people increasingly choose to stay, work and connect. Our partnership with Bloom Holding enables us to bring this vision to life while continuing to evolve our portfolio around the changing needs of our guests.”

“The opening of Bloom Arjaan by Rotana reflects our long-term vision of curating destinations that enrich the way people live and experience our communities. Hospitality has always been an integral part of Bloom Holding’s strategy, complementing our residential developments while elevating the appeal and vibrancy of the destinations we create. Through our portfolio of internationally recognised five-star hotels and serviced residences, developed in partnership with leading global hospitality brands, we continue to attract visitors, support tourism, and contribute to the long-term economic value of Abu Dhabi. Bloom Arjaan by Rotana further strengthens this vision by introducing a hospitality offering that responds to evolving guest expectations with quality and exceptional service in Saadiyat Island, one of the capital’s most sought-after destinations,” added Bloom Holding CEO, Carlos Wakim.

Designed for both short visits and extended stays, the hotel features spacious studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, guest rooms, and suites, with connecting options available for families. Merging the comfort of apartment-style living with the services and amenities of a full-service hotel, the accommodation offers generous open-plan living spaces, contemporary interiors, and well-appointed kitchens. Pet-friendly accommodation, including a dedicated Pawfect Apartment, complemented by thoughtful amenities for four-legged companions, ensures that every member of the family feels welcome.

Beyond the accommodation, Bloom Arjaan by Rotana offers a range of facilities that support both work and leisure. Guests can enjoy a rooftop infinity pool, whirlpool, sauna, fitness centre, five flexible meeting rooms, co-working spaces, complimentary access to Saadiyat Beach, and two outdoor event venues.

Dining is centred around Distrikt Social, the hotel’s vibrant all-day restaurant and bar, where fresh ingredients, global and local flavours, and a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere set the tone from morning through to night. From speciality coffee and signature breakfasts to colourful lunches, bar bites, creative cocktails, zero-proof drinks, and lively evenings, the venue has been designed as a place where guests, residents, and visitors naturally come together. With indoor seating, a lively bar, selected pet-friendly areas, and a ground-floor terrace with easy street access, Distrikt Social offers a flexible setting for everyday dining, theme nights, brunches, social gatherings, and private events.

Available within Distrikt Social, the 24/7 Grab & Go offers light snacks and drinks for guests on the move, with a convenient self-checkout counter where guests can simply grab, scan, pay and go. Round-the-clock in-room dining further complements the hotel’s flexible dining offering.

Now open, Bloom Arjaan by Rotana invites guests to book their stay and discover a new neighbourhood destination where contemporary residential living, vibrant dining, and warm hospitality come together in the heart of Saadiyat Island. The opening marks another milestone in the long-standing partnership between Rotana and Bloom Holding, reflecting their shared commitment to delivering distinctive hospitality experiences that enrich Abu Dhabi’s evolving tourism landscape.

NETSCOUT® (NASDAQ: NTCT), a leading provider of observability, AIOps, cybersecurity, and DDoS attack protection solutions, today announced continued investments in infrastructure and technology to double its Arbor® Cloud DDoS attack mitigation capacity to 33 Tbps, which is aimed at keeping critical digital services available during DDoS attacks, protecting revenue-generating digital operations, supporting always-on AI-driven businesses, and maintaining customer trust.

This capacity enhancement, coupled with NETSCOUT’s recent acquisition of DDoS network and infrastructure, reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering industry-leading cloud-based DDoS defense at global scale. By fully owning and securing end-to-end control over the platform, NETSCOUT has a clear path to scale innovative, resilient services for customers worldwide. Unlike cloud mitigation services that merely add bandwidth, Arbor Cloud combines global mitigation capacity with global threat intelligence, drawing on NETSCOUT’s unparalleled visibility into real-world internet attack activity. Spanning 16 global scrubbing centers, this significant increase in capacity equips customers with the ability to defend against the growing scale, frequency, and sophistication of DDoS attacks by consistently balancing mitigation capacity across all attack vectors in their environments.

According to Markets and Markets, the DDoS protection market size is expected to continue to grow, driven by increasingly sophisticated attacks and accelerated cloud adoption. Today, multi-vector attacks are the norm. Bad actors are launching more simultaneous attacks as well as quick hit and run attacks, forcing shorter response times from defenders. In addition, mega-botnets like Aisuru and Kimwolf have raised the ceiling on attack sizes with a few attacks approaching or exceeding 30 Tbps. Enterprises and service providers have a compelling need right now to improve the protection levels of their critical digital infrastructure.

“With the increased use of AI, threat actors are targeting organizations whose defenses are vulnerable to the new, more complex DDoS attacks designed to take down critical infrastructure,” stated Carlos Morales, SVP and general manager, Arbor Cloud, NETSCOUT. “As enterprises increasingly rely on AI-powered applications and cloud-native services, while at the same time, attack size and complexity continue to rise, implementing automated and proactive defenses for uninterrupted availability has become a business risk imperative. Arbor Cloud plays a key role in achieving that objective.”

Increasing Arbor Cloud capacity provides significant advantages, including:

• Greater intelligent mitigation capacity – absorbs and blocks larger volumetric and more sophisticated attacks without losing effectiveness.
• Multiple threat mitigation – handles multiple concurrent targets (e.g., from carpet bombing attacks) or multiple attack vectors simultaneously.
• Consistent operational performance – protects critical infrastructure, ensuring capacity does not become a constraint as attack size and frequency increase.
• Faster stabilization post spikes – acts as a shield wall preventing attacks from reaching customer infrastructure and creating collateral damage that lasts well beyond when the actual attack subsides.
• Operational confidence – provides added assurance for mission-critical sectors, like financial services, hospitals, retail, and the public sector, which require that protection remains available when legitimate traffic surges and cyberattacks occur simultaneously.

Arbor Cloud plays a critical role as part of NETSCOUT’s multi-layered, adaptive DDoS protection, combining on-premises DDoS defense with cloud-based traffic scrubbing services that are tightly integrated via automated cloud signaling. This hybrid design stops attacks as close to the source as possible while seamlessly absorbing loud volumetric attacks in the cloud. Offering comprehensive global protection, Arbor Cloud is supported by a 24×7 Security Operations Center staffed by NETSCOUT’s DDoS protection experts. The capacity expansion is expected to be fully completed by the end of August 2026.

This investment reinforces NETSCOUT’s long-standing leadership in DDoS protection by combining one of the world’s largest dedicated DDoS mitigation networks with decades of cyber defense expertise, industry-leading threat intelligence, and global Internet visibility. As digital infrastructures continue to evolve rapidly, and AI accelerates both innovation and cyber threats, NETSCOUT remains committed to providing organizations with the scale, intelligence, and operational resilience required to confidently protect what matters most.

Dynatrace (NYSE: DT), the leading AI-powered observability platform, announced major advancements to Dynatrace Intelligence that help automatically resolve incidents, prevent disruptions, and accelerate operations while maintaining the human oversight and governance enterprises require.

Building on the introduction of Dynatrace Intelligence earlier this year, Dynatrace is adding new autonomous agents for incident triage and remediation, and no-code custom agent creation capabilities. The platform is also expanding its ecosystem of integrations, bringing insights directly into the tools and workflows teams already use.

AI systems typically lack the real-time context and controls to make reliable decisions, with most AI initiatives promising automation but often unable to deliver on production goals. Dynatrace addresses this by combining agentic AI with deterministic, real-time understanding of complex environments, creating AI that acts on facts, not guesses.

“Our operations teams are under constant pressure to manage increasingly complex environments while maintaining reliability and speed,” said Angel Marchena, Director of Technical Operations at Western Governors University. “Dynatrace helps us reduce manual effort by providing automation that is grounded in real-time context, which allows our teams to focus on higher-value work while improving operational outcomes.”

How Dynatrace Intelligence Works

Dynatrace Intelligence goes beyond providing answers to acting on them automatically. The release introduces:

• Autonomous SRE Agent: Triggers autonomously on newly detected problems to determine whether they are part of an existing investigation. If confirmed, the agent enriches the investigation with additional insights and updates the detected problem with a reference to the ongoing investigation.
• Cloud SRE Agent: Coordinates remediation activities and integrates with agents across AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud environments, centralizing findings to provide a single auditable record for autonomous operations.
• Agent Builder: Enables customers to create and deploy custom AI agents without code, extending autonomous operations to workflows unique to their environments.
• Enhanced Dynatrace Assist: Newcapabilities bring natural-language investigation and agent-ready workflows to even more users.
• Expanded Integration Ecosystem: New integrations with hyperscalers like AWS, Azure and Google; enterprise platforms like ServiceNow, Atlassian, and PagerDuty; developer tools and leading AI technologies enable teams to resolve and remediate across the systems they already use.

AI That Acts on Answers, Not Guesses

Unlike approaches that rely primarily on probabilistic outputs, Dynatrace Intelligence grounds every action in deterministic, real-time system understanding. Every action is rooted in environment-specific context and designed to be transparent, auditable, and governed – giving enterprises the confidence to automate increasingly complex operational workflows.

“Most observability platforms stop at data – leaving humans to find answers, determine what to do, and execute,” said Steve Tack, Chief Product Officer at Dynatrace. “With these advancements to Dynatrace Intelligence, we’re helping organizations move from understanding problems to resolving them automatically. By grounding agentic AI in deterministic context, Dynatrace enables enterprises to automate operations with confidence while maintaining governance and control.”

“Enterprises investing in AI-driven observability have an opportunity to turn data into intelligence that translates into trusted, autonomous action,” said Stephen Elliot, Group VP, IDC. “The gap between AI-generated insight and safe, governed execution is one of the biggest concerns; customers need a deterministic, real-time context with automation and auditability to drive trusted and reliable outcomes.”

Cloud SRE Agent, Enhanced Dynatrace Assist, and the expanded integration ecosystem are available to SaaS customers on DPS today. Autonomous SRE Agent and Agent Builder are expected to be available in August.

HONOR, a global AI device ecosystem company, today announced the official open sale of the HONOR X7e Plus 5G, delivering exceptional battery life, industry-leading durability, and advanced AI features at an accessible price point. Designed for everyday users who need a reliable smartphone that can keep up with demanding days, the HONOR X7e Plus 5G sets a new benchmark for smartphones available within its range.

The Biggest Battery in Its Segment

At the heart of the HONOR X7e Plus 5G is its massive 8100mAh battery[1], the largest battery in its category, engineered to keep up with demanding lifestyles from morning until night and beyond. The device also supports 45W HONOR SuperCharge, allowing for fast and efficient power recovery whenever needed.

Built for Real-Life Durability

Built for real life, the HONOR X7e Plus 5G brings durability features rarely seen at this price point. The device offers up to 2.5m drop resistance, supported by an all-round drop protection architecture and backed by SGS Premium Performance Certification with a 5-Star industry leading Drop Resistance rating.

Industry-Leading Water and Dust Resistance

The durability story continues with IP68, IP69 and IP69K water and dust resistance, helping the device withstand challenging everyday conditions including rain, dust, splash exposure, and even 1.5m water submersion.

Wet-hand Touch also helps the display remain responsive when users’ hands or the screen are damp, making it easier to continue navigating, messaging or answering calls when moisture gets in the way.

Creativity Powered by AI Image-to-Video 2.0

HONOR X7e Plus 5G introduces AI Image-to-Video 2.0, enabling users to transform still images into dynamic video content using natural language prompts and built-in templates. This next-generation feature unlocks new creative possibilities, allowing users to bring static memories to life in a more immersive, cinematic format.

Intuitive AI Integration and Superior Processing

Furthermore, the newly launched smartphone comes with a dedicated AI Button, separate from the power key, for quick access to smart tools. A double press instantly opens the camera—even from the lock screen—while customizable gestures allow users to launch apps or access features.

Flagship-Level AI for Everyday Convenience

Beyond endurance and protection, the HONOR X7e Plus 5G delivers an intelligent user experience powered by MagicOS 10.0 based on Android 16.

The device comes equipped with a range of AI-powered productivity and creativity tools, including AI Translation, AI Image to Video 2.0, AI Eraser, AI Upscale, AI Notes, AI Recorder and Magic Portal, bringing flagship-level AI capabilities to more users.

Color, Price and Availability

HONOR X7e Plus 5G is available for purchase in three stunning color variants: Velvet Black, Meteor Silver and Desert Gold for an affordable price starting from AED 899. Consumers can buy HONOR X7e Plus 5G through HONOR’s official online store and authorized retail partners across the UAE.