Author: Sreelatha M

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Leaders

Gucci-owner to launch AI smart glasses with Google

French luxury group Kering, best known for brands like Gucci, is planning to step into the world of smart technology with a new line of high-end smart glasses, developed in partnership with Google. The company aims to launch the product as early as next year, signalling a shift toward combining fashion with advanced digital features.

The idea is simple: take the elegance and style associated with Gucci and merge it with Google’s expertise in artificial intelligence and wearable tech. The result could be a pair of smart glasses that not only look premium but also offer practical features powered by AI.

This move comes at a time when the luxury industry is looking for new ways to attract customers. Kering, in particular, has been facing slower growth at Gucci, its biggest brand. By entering the smart eyewear space, the company hopes to open up a fresh revenue stream and appeal to younger, tech-savvy consumers.

Competition in this space is already heating up. Companies like EssilorLuxottica have partnered with Meta to produce Ray-Ban smart glasses, which combine classic design with features like cameras and voice assistance. Kering’s entry could raise the bar by bringing a stronger focus on luxury and design.

Kering’s leadership says the project is part of a broader plan to expand beyond traditional fashion and adapt to changing consumer habits. As people increasingly look for products that combine style with functionality, smart glasses could become a key category in the future.

Also Read: Sam Altman seeks relief in sister’s lawsuit

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Corporate

Sensex ends 123 points lower, Nifty slips below 24,200

Indian stock markets closed lower on April 16 after a choppy trading session, with both the Sensex and Nifty giving up early gains as selling pressure intensified in the second half.

The Sensex ended 123 points lower, while the Nifty slipped below the 24,200 mark, reflecting cautious sentiment among investors. Markets had opened on a positive note and traded higher in early hours, supported by global cues, but failed to hold on to gains.

As the session progressed, profit booking set in, particularly in banking and financial stocks, which dragged the indices into negative territory. The Sensex also retreated sharply from its intraday highs, highlighting the volatile nature of the day.

Among individual stocks, TCS, Infosys, and Tata Steel were among the key gainers, supported by strength in IT and metal sectors. On the other hand, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank were among the top losers, putting pressure on the indices.

Market sentiment remained cautious due to global uncertainties, especially rising tensions in the Middle East and concerns over crude oil prices, which could impact inflation and economic stability.

The session also coincided with weekly derivatives expiry, adding to intraday volatility as traders adjusted their positions.

Despite the fall in benchmark indices, broader markets showed some resilience, with selective buying seen in midcap and smallcap stocks.

Also Read: IMF cuts global growth, India holds at 6.5%

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Technology

108 malicious Chrome extensions flagged

A cybersecurity warning has been issued after researchers uncovered 108 malicious Google Chrome extensions that have impacted more than 20,000 users worldwide.

These extensions were designed to look like harmless tools such as games, ad blockers, or productivity apps, making them easy for users to trust and install. However, once added to the browser, they began collecting sensitive user data in the background.

According to researchers, the extensions could track browsing activity, access login information, and gather personal data without users being aware. In some cases, they were also capable of injecting advertisements into websites and running hidden scripts.

One of the most concerning findings was that all these extensions were linked to a single remote server, suggesting a coordinated effort by attackers. This setup allowed them to control the extensions and potentially expand their activity over time.

Despite being flagged, some of these extensions reportedly remained active, raising concerns about how quickly such threats are removed.

Users are urged to check their installed extensions and remove any unfamiliar ones, while also downloading add-ons only from trusted sources.

Also Read: IMF cuts global growth, India holds at 6.5%

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Leaders

Sam Altman seeks relief in sister’s lawsuit

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has asked a US court to dismiss part of a lawsuit filed by his sister, Annie Altman, who has accused him of sexual abuse during their childhood.

In his latest legal move, Altman has specifically challenged the claim for punitive damages, arguing that it should not be allowed under the law. While he is seeking to limit the scope of the case, he continues to strongly deny all allegations, calling them untrue.

The lawsuit was filed in Missouri and relates to alleged incidents that Annie Altman says took place between 1997 and 2006, when both were living at their family home. She has claimed that the abuse began when she was a minor.

Earlier, parts of the case were dismissed by the court on the grounds that they were filed beyond the usual legal time limits. However, the judge allowed her to file an amended complaint under a law that gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse more time to bring cases forward.

Following this, Annie Altman refiled her claims, bringing the case back into active legal proceedings.

Sam Altman has also responded with a defamation counterclaim, stating that the allegations have harmed his reputation and caused personal distress. His legal team has argued that the claims are baseless and suggested they may be linked to ongoing family disputes.

The case has drawn attention due to Altman’s prominent position in the technology industry, but it remains a private legal matter currently under review by the court.

Also Read: Gold near ₹1.55 lakh, Silver above ₹2.70 lakh

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Corporate

Sensex jumps over 250 points, Nifty above 24,300

Indian equity markets opened on a positive note on 16 April 2026, as Sensex rose over 250 points in early trade, while the Nifty50 moved back above 24,300, driven by buying interest in financials, autos, and energy counters.

Buying momentum was visible across heavyweight stocks, with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, and Mahindra & Mahindra leading early advances. Banking stocks continued to attract investor interest on expectations of steady credit growth and stable earnings outlook, while Reliance supported index strength through consistent institutional demand.

The IT sector traded mixed in early action. While select mid-cap technology names showed mild recovery, TCS remained under pressure, weighing slightly on sentiment due to cautious growth expectations. Profit booking was also seen in a few defensive and recently strong-performing counters.

Broader market sentiment remained constructive, supported by steady foreign institutional inflows and positive global cues. FIIs were seen active on the buy side in select large-cap names, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided additional support, helping sustain early gains.

On the downside, TCS, Jio Financial Services, and select metal stocks saw mild weakness, reflecting stock-specific selling pressure. However, overall market breadth remained positive, with more advancing stocks than declining ones in early trade.

Sector-wise, banking and auto stocks led gains, followed by energy, while IT and metals showed mixed performance.

Also Read: SEBI eases IPO rules, plans checks on trading errors

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Corporate

Sensex up 1,264 points, Nifty tops 24,200

Indian stock markets ended the session on a strong note on 15th April, with benchmarks rallying sharply on renewed buying across key sectors.

The BSE Sensex surged 1,264 points to close above 24,200 levels on the Nifty 50, reflecting improved investor sentiment and broad-based participation. The sharp rise came after a volatile start, as markets gradually picked up momentum through the day.

Buying was seen across banking, IT, and select financial stocks, which helped lift the indices higher. Sentiment improved as investors responded to favourable global cues and expectations of steady corporate earnings.

Among the top performers, IT stocks led the rally, with heavyweights such as Infosys and TCS witnessing strong buying interest. Banking stocks also contributed significantly, with gains in major private lenders helping push the indices higher.

On the broader front, midcap and smallcap stocks also participated in the rally, indicating wider market strength beyond just large-cap names. This added to overall optimism and supported the upward move in the benchmarks.

Market experts noted that the rally was driven by value buying after recent volatility, along with positive global signals that helped boost risk appetite among investors.

However, some sectors like FMCG and select defensive stocks saw mild profit booking, but this did not impact the overall bullish momentum.

Foreign institutional investor (FII) activity is also expected to play a key role in determining near-term market direction.

Also Read: Tata invests ₹1,500 cr to expand iPhone production

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Beyond

SEBI eases IPO rules, plans checks on trading errors

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken steps to make life easier for companies planning to go public, while also trying to make stock market trading safer.

In a recent move, SEBI has allowed companies to reduce the size of their IPOs by up to 50% without going through a long and complex approval process. Earlier, companies could only make smaller changes without restarting paperwork.

This change comes at a time when global uncertainties, including tensions involving Iran, have made markets unpredictable. Because of this, many companies have been cautious about raising funds, as investor sentiment has weakened.

With the new rule, companies can now adjust their IPO plans more easily if market conditions are not favourable. However, they still need SEBI’s approval, and the purpose of the IPO must remain the same. The relaxation is temporary and applies to companies planning to launch IPOs in the coming months.

At the same time, SEBI is also focusing on making trading more secure. It is looking to reduce “fat finger” errors, mistakes made when traders accidentally enter the wrong price or quantity.

To address this, SEBI may ask stock exchanges to introduce tighter and more flexible price limits in the options trading segment. These limits would help prevent sudden spikes or crashes caused by such errors.

Also Read: Tata invests ₹1,500 cr to expand iPhone production

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Technology

Tata invests ₹1,500 cr to expand iPhone production

Tata Group is stepping up its push in electronics manufacturing by investing an additional ₹1,500 crore into its iPhone production business.

The fresh funding will go into Tata Electronics, which has quickly become a key player in making iPhones in India. This investment is part of a larger plan to strengthen the company’s role in global supply chains and expand its manufacturing capacity.

Over the past few years, India has become an important base for smartphone production, especially for Apple. A growing number of iPhones are now being made in the country, and Tata is playing an increasing role in this shift alongside other global manufacturers.

The latest investment is expected to help Tata scale up operations, improve infrastructure, and support future expansion. It also reflects the group’s long-term commitment to the electronics sector, which is seen as a major growth area.

Tata has also been strengthening its position by taking control of existing manufacturing operations, including those previously run by international partners. This has helped the company quickly build capabilities and increase production.

Tata is aiming to build a broader presence in high-tech manufacturing, including semiconductors and advanced electronics. These sectors require large investments, but they are also key to the future of global technology.

The company’s growth in this space has been steady, with rising revenues and improving financial performance as production scales up. The new investment is expected to support this momentum.

Also Read: ₹10,000 cr fund 2.0 to boost India startups

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Beyond

₹10,000 cr fund 2.0 to boost India startups

The government has rolled out a new ₹10,000 crore fund to support startups, giving a fresh push to India’s growing innovation ecosystem.

The initiative, called Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, is designed to help startups, especially those in early stages, get better access to funding. Many young companies struggle to raise money in their initial years, and this fund aims to ease that challenge.

Instead of investing directly in startups, the government will route the money through investment funds. These funds will then support promising startups across sectors. This approach is expected to attract more private investors and create a stronger funding network.

A key focus of the new fund will be on deep-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. These areas often require larger investments and longer time to grow, making funding harder to secure.

The scheme also aims to support startups beyond major cities, helping businesses in smaller towns and emerging hubs. By doing so, the government hopes to spread innovation more evenly across the country.

This is the second phase of the Startup India fund. The first phase, launched in 2016, helped several startups grow by improving access to capital and encouraging investor participation. The new phase builds on that effort with a sharper focus on future-ready technologies.

India’s startup ecosystem has grown rapidly in recent years, with thousands of new companies entering the market. However, many still face funding gaps, especially in high-risk or capital-intensive sectors.

Officials believe this fund will help bridge that gap and encourage more investment into innovative ideas. It is also expected to create jobs and support long-term economic growth.

Also Read: Lufthansa strike grounds flights, disrupts travel

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1 Minute-Read

Lufthansa strike grounds flights, disrupts travel

Thousands of passengers faced travel chaos as pilots at Lufthansa went on a two-day strike, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations.

Major airports like Frankfurt and Munich saw long queues and delays, leaving many travellers stranded or rushing to make alternate plans. The strike is part of an ongoing dispute between pilots and the airline over pay and benefits.

The situation may worsen, as cabin crew unions have also warned of possible strikes soon. Passengers have been advised to check flight updates regularly as talks continue, with no clear resolution yet.