Author: Sreelatha M

Categories
1 Minute-Read

Roche introduces 7-minute lung cancer shot in India

Roche has launched a new injection-based lung cancer treatment in India that can be given in just seven minutes. The therapy, called Tecentriq SC, is used for certain patients with non-small cell lung cancer and is administered under the skin instead of through a long IV drip.

Doctors said the shorter treatment time could reduce hospital waiting hours and make cancer care more comfortable for patients. The treatment is mainly suitable for patients with high PD-L1 levels. Roche said patient support programmes will help improve access, as the therapy remains expensive.

Categories
Corporate

JSW Steel plans ₹14,000 crore fundraising

JSW Steel has approved plans to raise ₹14,000 crore and cleared the merger of BMM Ispat as part of its expansion strategy.

The company’s board approved fundraising through a combination of debentures, equity shares and convertible securities. JSW Steel said the funds will support future expansion, business growth and operational requirements.

The board also approved the merger of BMM Ispat with JSW Steel. Industry experts believe the merger will strengthen the company’s long steel products business and improve production efficiency.

BMM Ispat operates a steel manufacturing plant in Karnataka with a production capacity of around one million tonnes annually. The facility is located near JSW Steel’s Vijayanagar plant, which is expected to help reduce transportation costs and improve operations after the merger.

Company officials said the acquisition would also provide access to additional land for future expansion projects. Analysts noted that large steel companies are increasing investments as domestic demand for steel remains strong due to infrastructure projects, housing development and industrial growth.

The fundraising plan comes at a time when JSW Steel has reported strong financial performance and rising production capacity. Market experts said the latest decisions reflect the company’s focus on strengthening its position in India’s growing steel sector.

Also Read: DLF plans ₹20,000 cr luxury housing push

Categories
Beyond

Petrol, diesel up by ₹3, CNG prices by ₹2

Petrol, diesel and CNG prices were increased across India on Friday following a sharp rise in global crude oil prices amid escalating tensions involving Iran. The fuel price revision comes as international energy markets remain volatile due to fears of supply disruptions in West Asia.

Oil marketing companies increased petrol and diesel prices by around ₹3 per litre in major cities, while CNG prices were raised by ₹2 per kilogram. The revised rates came into effect early Friday morning and impacted fuel prices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and several other cities.

In Delhi, petrol prices crossed ₹108 per litre while diesel moved above ₹97 per litre after the latest revision. Similar increases were recorded in other metropolitan cities depending on local taxes and transportation charges.

Officials said the hike was driven by rising global crude oil prices and increased import costs. International markets have witnessed sharp fluctuations in recent days following concerns that tensions involving Iran could affect oil production and shipping routes in the region.

India imports a large portion of its crude oil requirements, making domestic fuel prices highly sensitive to developments in global energy markets. Analysts said any prolonged geopolitical conflict in West Asia could keep crude prices elevated and increase pressure on Indian fuel retailers.

The increase in CNG prices is also expected to impact public transport services, commercial vehicles and auto-rickshaw operations in urban areas. Transport operators warned that higher fuel costs may lead to an increase in freight rates and passenger fares in the coming weeks.

The latest revision has triggered criticism from opposition parties, which accused the Centre of adding to the financial burden on common people already affected by inflation and rising living expenses. Several leaders demanded tax reductions and immediate relief measures to control fuel prices.

Also Read: Gold near ₹1 lakh and silver at ₹97,000

Categories
Corporate

Sensex falls 100 points as Nifty tests 23,700

Indian equities opened on a subdued note on Friday, tracking mixed global cues and weakness in GIFT Nifty, which signaled a cautious start for domestic benchmarks. Investors remained on the sidelines amid concerns over rising crude oil prices and uneven global risk sentiment.

The Sensex slipped over 100 points in opening trade to hover around the 78,400 mark, while the Nifty 50 traded below the crucial 23,700 level during early deals, reflecting subdued investor sentiment.

Among early gainers, select banking stocks provided support, with private lenders leading mild upside traction. Financials remained relatively resilient, helped by steady credit outlook and selective buying at lower levels. Defence-linked and capital goods names also showed early strength on stock-specific momentum.

On the losers’ side, IT stocks came under early pressure, extending weakness seen in previous sessions due to concerns over global tech demand and cautious client spending. Oil-sensitive and energy-linked stocks also slipped, tracking higher crude prices, which raised fears of margin pressure and inflationary impact.

Stock-specific activity remained active. Adani Enterprises was among the most tracked counters in early trade, moving on sectoral cues and broader market sentiment. Meanwhile, Tata Motors, particularly its passenger vehicle (PV) segment, saw movement as investors reacted to demand outlook and input cost trends in the auto space.

Broader market sentiment stayed cautious, with traders preferring selective positioning over aggressive bets. While buying interest in financials provided some cushion, weakness in IT and energy-linked stocks limited upside momentum.

Also Read: LinkedIn to cut 5% of workforce in latest restructuring

Categories
Corporate

Adani Airports, IHG to build five airport-linked hotels across India

Adani Airport Holdings has entered into a partnership with global hospitality company IHG Hotels & Resorts to develop five new hotels across important airport locations in India.

The agreement will add around 1,500 hotel rooms across multiple cities, with projects planned in Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including Navi Mumbai. These hotels will be built as part of Adani’s wider airport-led development strategy, which focuses on creating commercial ecosystems around airports.

The aim is to improve passenger convenience and support growing travel demand by offering accommodation closer to major aviation hubs. The hotels are expected to serve a mix of business travellers, tourists, and transit passengers who often require short-stay options near airports.

The development will include several well-known IHG brands such as Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. A key highlight of the partnership is the entry of Kimpton Hotels into India for the first time, bringing a premium lifestyle hospitality brand known for boutique-style luxury experiences.

Adani Airport Holdings said the collaboration supports its long-term plan of transforming airports into integrated urban centres. Instead of functioning only as transport facilities, the airports are being designed to include hotels, retail spaces, and other commercial developments that can enhance both passenger experience and non-aeronautical revenue.

IHG Hotels & Resorts said India remains one of its most important growth markets, especially as air travel expands rapidly and new airport infrastructure is being developed across the country. The company already operates several hotels in India and sees strong demand in airport-linked locations.

Also Read: Adani Ports partners Oceaneering for Europe expansion

Categories
Technology

Instagram’s launches ‘Instants’

Instagram has launched a new feature called “Instants” that allows users to send disappearing photos through direct messages, as social media platforms continue shifting towards more private and temporary communication.

The feature enables users to share photos that vanish automatically after being viewed once. Unlike regular Instagram posts or stories, the images are not stored permanently on profiles or feeds. The tool is designed for quick, informal sharing between friends.

Meta, which owns Instagram, said the feature aims to encourage users to share everyday moments more freely without worrying about maintaining a perfect online image. The company noted that many users now prefer direct conversations and private sharing over public posting.

The launch comes at a time when user behaviour on social media is changing rapidly. Experts say younger audiences increasingly prefer smaller social circles, direct messaging and disappearing content instead of public updates visible to large numbers of followers.

Instagram’s new feature closely resembles tools already popular on Snapchat, where disappearing photos and temporary messages have long been a key attraction. Social media companies are now competing heavily in this area as messaging becomes central to user engagement.

Technology analysts believe platforms are moving away from highly curated social feeds and focusing more on real-time interactions. Temporary content is seen as more personal, less stressful and more authentic for users.

It is said that Instagram is testing additional messaging-focused experiences and exploring new ways to improve private communication on the platform. Meta has been introducing several updates across Instagram in recent months, including AI-powered tools, creator features and advanced messaging options.

The company said Instants will become available gradually in different regions over the next few weeks. Users will be able to access the feature directly through Instagram chats once it is activated on their accounts.

Also Read: Amul, Mother Dairy raise milk prices by ₹2

Categories
Beyond

India stops sugar exports till Sept 2026

India has suspended sugar exports until September 30, 2026, in a decisive move to address domestic supply concerns and stabilise prices in the local market.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued an order classifying raw, white, and refined sugar under the “prohibited” export category. This change effectively blocks new export contracts and halts fresh outbound shipments for the duration of the policy.

The government stated that the restriction is necessary to maintain adequate sugar availability within the country. Authorities have been monitoring the supply-demand balance closely amid signs of tightening output and rising domestic consumption.

While the ban is comprehensive, certain exemptions have been retained. Sugar consignments that have already been loaded, cleared through customs, or fall under specific previously approved arrangements may still be allowed to proceed. This ensures partial continuity of pre-existing trade commitments.

India, a major global sugar producer and exporter, plays a critical role in international sugar markets. As a result, any restriction on exports is expected to have both domestic and global implications.

On the domestic front, the move is expected to support price stability by improving supply availability in the short term. The government has acted amid concerns over lower sugar production in recent seasons, driven by irregular weather conditions, reduced cane yields, and production constraints.

In addition, increasing diversion of sugarcane towards ethanol production under the national blending programme has reduced the quantity of cane available for sugar manufacturing, further tightening supply.

Industry participants expect the policy to ease inflationary pressure in the sugar segment but warn that millers and exporters may face operational challenges due to halted overseas sales and disrupted contracts.

Globally, reduced Indian exports could tighten supply conditions, particularly in import-dependent markets, potentially supporting international sugar prices.

The government is expected to monitor production trends, domestic prices, and stock levels closely before reviewing the restriction.

Also Read: Gold hits ₹1,62,010, silver rises ₹3,10,100

Categories
Beyond

India’s CPI inflation rises to 3.48% in April

India’s retail inflation touched 3.48% in April, marking the highest level in over a year as rising food and service costs continued to affect household budgets.

Data released by the government showed that prices of several daily-use items increased during the month. Food inflation remained a major concern, with vegetables, edible oils and packaged products becoming more expensive in many parts of the country.

Consumers also paid more for eating out, as restaurants passed on higher fuel and ingredient costs to customers. Education expenses, including school and tuition fees, also recorded a rise.

Pet care emerged as another growing contributor to inflation, with urban households spending more on pet food, healthcare and grooming services.

Meanwhile, gold and silver jewellery prices surged after the Centre increased import duties on precious metals to support the rupee and reduce imports.

While inflation remains below the RBI’s 4% target, experts say households are beginning to feel the impact of rising prices across both essential goods and lifestyle-related spending categories.

Analysts said rising crude oil prices and global tensions are adding pressure on inflation and could affect transportation and fuel costs in the coming months.

Also Read: Sensex up 50 points, Nifty ends above 23,400

Categories
Corporate

Sensex up 50 points, Nifty ends above 23,400

Indian stock markets ended slightly higher on Wednesday, where the BSE Sensex rose 50 points to close at 74,609, while the NSE Nifty gained 33 points to settle above the 23,400 mark. Markets witnessed sharp swings during the session as investors tracked rising crude oil prices, rupee weakness and global geopolitical tensions.

Metal and commodity stocks led the recovery on Dalal Street. Asian Paints emerged among the top gainers with a rise of over 4%, while Tata Steel and Adani Enterprises also posted strong gains. Stocks such as Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel and Bharat Electronics attracted buying interest during the session.

On the other hand, IT and auto stocks remained under pressure. Infosys, Tech Mahindra and Mahindra & Mahindra were among the major losers, limiting the broader market rally. TCS and Sun Pharma also ended lower.

Sector-wise, metal stocks outperformed the market, with the Nifty Metal index seeing strong gains. Consumer durable, oil & gas and infrastructure shares also ended in positive territory. However, weakness in banking and technology stocks capped overall gains.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee touched another record low against the US dollar during the day, weighed down by rising oil prices and foreign fund outflows.

Analysts said markets remained cautious despite the recovery, mainly because of uncertainty around global crude oil prices and continued foreign investor selling. Concerns linked to tensions in West Asia and their possible impact on inflation and fuel costs also kept investors on edge.

Also Read: General Motors lays off 600 IT employees

Categories
Beyond

Kevin Warsh confirmed to US Federal Reserve Board

The US Senate has confirmed economist Kevin Warsh to the Federal Reserve Board, bringing him one step closer to leading the country’s central bank at a crucial time for the American economy.

Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor, was approved after a closely watched Senate vote that reflected sharp political divisions in Washington. His confirmation comes as the US continues to deal with inflation concerns, high interest rates and uncertainty caused by global conflicts and rising energy prices.

With his return to the Federal Reserve, attention is now turning to whether he could soon replace current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term is nearing its end.

Warsh is no stranger to the institution. He previously served on the Federal Reserve Board during the 2008 global financial crisis and was involved in some of the key decisions taken during that period. Over the years, he has also worked in finance, law and economic policy.

Supporters describe him as experienced and capable of handling difficult economic conditions. However, his nomination has also sparked debate, especially among Democrats who questioned whether the Federal Reserve would remain politically independent under his leadership.

During his confirmation hearing, Warsh said the central bank must continue to make decisions independently and focus on controlling inflation and supporting economic stability.

The Federal Reserve plays a major role in shaping the US economy by deciding interest rates and managing inflation. Any change in its leadership is closely watched by investors, businesses and governments around the world because Fed decisions often influence global financial markets.

The confirmation also comes during a sensitive period for the global economy, with concerns over slowing growth, geopolitical tensions and volatility in oil prices affecting markets worldwide.

Also Read: Samsung enters India’s refurbished phone market