Author: Sreelatha M

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Beyond

India may stay away from sugar exports

India is unlikely to return to the global sugar export market anytime soon, as worsening weather risks and rising ethanol production are expected to keep domestic sugar supplies under pressure for several years.

Industry officials, traders and analysts say the combination of a developing El Niño weather pattern and the government’s push for ethanol blending is reducing the amount of sugar available for export. The situation has triggered concerns across the sugar sector, with fears that India could even become a sugar importer within the next few years if production continues to lag demand.

India was once the world’s second-largest sugar exporter, shipping an average of 6.8 million tonnes annually in the five seasons leading up to 2022-23. However, exports have sharply declined. This season, shipments were limited to about 800,000 tonnes before restrictions were tightened to protect domestic supplies.

The biggest concern is the weather. A strengthening El Niño is threatening to weaken monsoon rainfall, delay sugarcane planting and reduce crop yields in key producing states. Lower cane availability could significantly affect sugar production over the next three seasons.

At the same time, a growing share of sugarcane is being diverted towards ethanol production as India pursues its clean-fuel and energy-security goals. While the ethanol programme helps reduce dependence on imported crude oil, it also leaves less cane available for sugar manufacturing.

Current estimates suggest India’s sugar output could fall to around 27.9 million tonnes, below annual domestic consumption of roughly 28.5 million tonnes. If this gap persists, inventories may drop to multi-year lows, leaving little room for exports and increasing the possibility of imports by 2027-28,  something India has not needed in nearly a decade.

For consumers, there is no immediate cause for alarm, but the tightening supply outlook is being closely watched. For global markets, India’s reduced presence could keep sugar prices elevated, while farmers and millers brace for an uncertain period shaped by climate pressures and shifting energy priorities.

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1 Minute-Read

AI influencers drive marketing campaigns

Brands across the world are increasingly turning to AI-generated influencers to promote products on social media, reshaping the digital marketing landscape. These virtual personalities can create content around the clock, speak multiple languages and cost significantly less than human influencers.

Companies say AI influencers offer greater control over messaging and branding, while helping reach wider audiences. However, critics have raised concerns about transparency, authenticity and the potential impact on consumer trust.

Experts believe AI influencers will continue gaining popularity, but stress the need for clear disclosure rules to ensure users know when content is created by artificial intelligence.

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1 Minute-Read

CDSCO cracks down on HCG ethics panel

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has suspended the ethics committee of HCG Hospital, Bengaluru, for two years over alleged violations in the oversight of clinical trials.

The action follows an inspection that reportedly uncovered deficiencies in regulatory compliance and ethical review procedures. While the committee cannot approve new clinical studies during the suspension period, it has been instructed to continue monitoring ongoing trials and ensure participant safety.

The regulator’s move highlights growing scrutiny of clinical research practices in India and reinforces the need for strict adherence to ethical standards, transparency and patient protection in medical studies.

Categories
Leaders

Apple bets on design revival under John Ternus

Apple is preparing for a significant leadership transition, and industry observers believe the company’s next chapter could be shaped by a renewed emphasis on product design. As John Ternus gets ready to succeed Tim Cook as chief executive officer on September 1, reports suggest one of his top priorities will be revitalising Apple’s once-celebrated design culture.

According to technology analyst Mark Gurman, Ternus is expected to place greater focus on product engineering, industrial design and innovation, areas that many believe have received less attention in recent years as Apple concentrated on operational efficiency and financial performance.

For decades, Apple’s design team was considered the creative force behind iconic products such as the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. However, the department’s influence reportedly declined following the departure of legendary designer Jony Ive and several other senior design leaders. Over time, the team lost some of its prominence within Apple’s leadership structure.

Ternus, who currently serves as Apple’s senior vice-president of hardware engineering, is already familiar with the challenges facing the design organisation. Reports indicate that he assumed direct oversight of the design group last year, signalling his intention to play a more active role in shaping Apple’s future products.

The incoming CEO to strengthen the design department’s position within the company and potentially appoint new leadership to help restore its influence. The goal, according to reports, is to ensure that design once again becomes a central pillar of Apple’s product strategy rather than a supporting function.

The anticipated shift comes at a crucial time for Apple as competition intensifies across smartphones, artificial intelligence, wearables and next-generation computing devices. Industry experts believe distinctive design and user experience could play a key role in helping the company stand out in an increasingly crowded technology market.

While no immediate product changes have been announced, expectations are growing that the Ternus era could bring a stronger emphasis on bold ideas, fresh aesthetics and breakthrough innovation.

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Beyond

CCPA penalises Storia, Mrs Bector over product claims

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalties of ₹1 lakh each on Storia Foods and Mrs Bector Food Specialities for allegedly making misleading claims about their products. The action comes as regulators tighten scrutiny of advertising practices and seek greater transparency for consumers.

According to the consumer watchdog, both companies promoted certain products using “100%” claims that could potentially mislead consumers regarding the nature, composition or quality of the products. The CCPA observed that such claims may create an impression that products are entirely natural or free from additives, even when packaging disclosures indicate otherwise.

The authority said advertisements must provide accurate and complete information so that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. It noted that broad claims such as “100%” should be backed by clear evidence and should not exaggerate product attributes in a manner that could influence consumer behaviour unfairly.

As part of its order, the CCPA directed the companies to discontinue or modify the disputed advertisements and ensure future promotional material complies with consumer protection guidelines. The regulator also instructed them to issue corrective disclosures to address concerns arising from the advertising claims.

The case highlights the increasing focus on marketing practices in India’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. In recent years, regulators have intensified efforts to curb misleading advertisements, particularly those involving health, nutrition and product purity claims. Authorities believe consumers should not be left with inaccurate impressions because of promotional language that lacks adequate clarification.

Consumer rights advocates welcomed the move, arguing that stricter enforcement helps improve accountability and encourages responsible advertising. They say shoppers often rely on packaging and advertisements while making purchasing decisions, making transparency essential.

For companies, the order serves as a reminder that marketing messages must be supported by verifiable facts and presented in a manner that does not create confusion. Industry experts expect regulators to continue monitoring advertising claims across sectors as consumer awareness grows.

Also Read: Windows users to see Copilot added automatically soon

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Technology

Windows users to see Copilot added automatically soon

Microsoft is preparing to automatically roll out its Microsoft 365 Copilot app to eligible Windows devices, signalling a major step in the company’s efforts to bring artificial intelligence into everyday workplace operations.

The deployment, expected to begin over the next few weeks, will target business customers using Microsoft 365 applications on Windows systems. Users may find the Copilot app installed on their devices without manually downloading it, as Microsoft plans to make the rollout automatic by default. However, IT administrators will have the option to block or disable the installation if their organisations choose not to participate.

The move reflects Microsoft’s growing confidence in AI-powered productivity tools. The Microsoft 365 Copilot app acts as a central hub for AI features integrated across popular workplace applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. Through these tools, users can generate content, analyse data, summarise information and automate routine tasks.

For many businesses, the rollout could provide easier access to AI capabilities without requiring employees to install additional software. Microsoft believes this approach will encourage wider adoption of its AI ecosystem and help organisations improve efficiency in day-to-day operations.

At the same time, the decision has sparked discussion among IT professionals and enterprise customers. Some administrators have questioned the practice of automatically deploying software, arguing that organisations should have greater control over what appears on employee devices. Others have raised concerns about governance, security policies and the management of AI tools in regulated industries.

Microsoft has stressed that the rollout only installs the application and does not automatically activate premium Copilot services. Users and organisations will still need the required licences and subscriptions to access advanced AI features.

The development comes as competition among technology giants intensifies in the race to integrate artificial intelligence into mainstream software products. Companies are increasingly positioning AI assistants as essential workplace tools rather than optional add-ons.

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Beyond

Gold slips to ₹1.46 lakh, silver trades at ₹2.49 lakh

Gold prices edged lower on Monday, offering slight relief to buyers after recent volatility in the bullion market. The decline was modest, but it reflected cautious sentiment among investors as they tracked global economic developments and movements in international precious metal prices.

According to the latest rates released by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), 24-carat gold slipped by ₹10 to ₹1,46,070 per 10 grams. Other gold categories also witnessed minor declines. The price of 22-carat gold stood at ₹1,33,800 per 10 grams, while 18-carat gold was quoted at ₹1,09,553 per 10 grams. Despite the small correction, gold continues to trade near record-high levels.

Silver prices also weakened during the session. The white metal fell by ₹100 and was trading at ₹2,49,900 per kilogram, reflecting cautious sentiment in the commodities market. Analysts said silver remains sensitive to both industrial demand expectations and broader global economic signals.

The latest movement comes after precious metals witnessed sharp swings in recent weeks. Investors have been closely monitoring geopolitical developments, inflation trends and expectations regarding interest-rate decisions by major central banks. These factors continue to influence demand for safe-haven assets such as gold and silver.

For retail buyers, especially those planning jewellery purchases for weddings or upcoming festive occasions, the slight decline may provide a small opportunity to enter the market. However, jewellers advise consumers to keep an eye on daily price movements, as bullion rates can change quickly in response to international developments.

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Technology

Deepinder Goyal’s Temple unveils new health biomarker

Deepinder Goyal’s health-tech startup Temple has announced what it describes as a major breakthrough in wearable technology with the discovery of a new biomarker called “Entropy”. The company claims the metric can measure the body’s real-time metabolic activity and provide a more accurate picture of energy expenditure than conventional heart-rate monitoring.

According to Temple, Entropy is a live score ranging from 1 to 250 that updates every second. The biomarker is designed to track the body’s “cost of being alive” by monitoring changes in metabolism triggered by everyday activities such as exercise, sleep, stress, meals, caffeine intake and meditation.

The startup says the biomarker can only be measured from the temple region of the head using its wearable device. Founder Deepinder Goyal revealed that Temple benchmarked Entropy against a laboratory-grade metabolic cart, widely regarded as a gold standard for measuring calorie expenditure. In internal testing involving more than 100 cardio sessions, Entropy reportedly showed a stronger correlation with metabolic readings than heart rate.

Temple has also introduced two related metrics,  Entropy Maxima and Entropy Minima. While Maxima reflects peak physical output during exertion, Minima measures the body’s lowest resting metabolic state. The company believes these indicators could help users better understand fitness, recovery and long-term health.

The announcement has generated significant interest within the health-tech community. However, experts have also called for greater transparency around the underlying science, methodology and peer-reviewed validation supporting the claims.

As wearable technology increasingly shifts from activity tracking to predictive health monitoring, Temple’s Entropy could represent a new frontier in personal health analytics. Whether it becomes a widely accepted health metric will depend on future scientific validation and real-world adoption.

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Beyond

SEBI clears reforms to boost markets

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced a fresh set of reforms aimed at making India’s financial markets more efficient, flexible and investor-friendly. The decisions, approved during the regulator’s latest board meeting, are expected to benefit investors, mutual funds, listed companies and alternative investment funds alike.

Among the key announcements is the revival of open-market share buybacks through stock exchanges. The mechanism, which allows companies to repurchase shares directly from the market, will return from August 2026 after being largely phased out in recent years. The move is expected to provide companies with a more flexible way to return surplus cash to shareholders while improving market participation.

SEBI has also allowed mutual funds to access intraday borrowing facilities to address temporary cash flow mismatches. The regulator said the borrowing facility can be used for short-term liquidity needs and will help fund houses manage redemption pressures more effectively. Industry participants believe the decision will strengthen operational efficiency without increasing systemic risk.

The board also approved measures to simplify fundraising for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). Faster approvals and streamlined processes are expected to help fund managers launch new investment schemes more quickly, supporting capital flow into startups, emerging businesses and other growth sectors.

In addition, SEBI introduced changes aimed at strengthening India’s broader financial ecosystem. The regulator approved reforms related to municipal bonds, securitisation and fundraising norms for smaller listed companies. These steps are designed to deepen capital markets and improve access to funding across different segments of the economy.

The latest decisions reflect SEBI’s continued focus on balancing market development with investor protection. By reducing procedural hurdles and improving liquidity management, the regulator hopes to make India’s capital markets more competitive and attractive for both domestic and global investors.

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Categories
Corporate

Accenture’s $4.2bn cybersecurity bet on Dragos

Accenture has made one of its largest cybersecurity investments to date, acquiring a majority stake in industrial cybersecurity firm Dragos and taking full ownership of runZero and NetRise in a deal worth about $4.2 billion. The move highlights the company’s growing focus on protecting critical infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Each company brings a different strength. Dragos is known for securing operational technology environments such as power grids, factories and industrial facilities. RunZero specialises in asset discovery and vulnerability management, while NetRise focuses on software and device security. Together, they will create a comprehensive cybersecurity platform aimed at helping organisations identify, monitor and protect critical systems.

Accenture said the acquisitions will strengthen its $10 billion cybersecurity business and expand its operational technology security capabilities. Demand for industrial cybersecurity is rising as more physical systems become connected to digital networks and businesses adopt AI-powered technologies, creating new security challenges.

As part of the deal, Dragos will continue to operate independently under co-founder and CEO Robert Lee. The company will also integrate runZero and NetRise to build a broader platform focused on securing critical infrastructure globally. The transactions are expected to close later this year, pending regulatory approvals.

The investment comes as Accenture looks to expand beyond its traditional consulting business and accelerate growth in high-demand technology sectors. Industry experts see the Dragos deal as a strategic move to address the increasing need for stronger protection of industrial operations, where cyberattacks can disrupt production and impact essential services.

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