Author: Sreelatha M

Categories
Corporate

Suraj Estate launches ₹1,200‑cr Mumbai commercial hub

Suraj Estate Developers has taken a significant step in expanding its commercial presence with the launch of ‘One Business Bay’, a premium workspace project valued at ₹1,200 crore. The development is located on Senapati Bapat Marg, an emerging business corridor in South‑Central Mumbai, offering excellent connectivity via western and central railway lines, and soon, the Mahim‑BKC connector.

The project, designed by celebrated architect Hafeez Contractor, features 182 premium office spaces alongside retail outlets, restaurants, cafés, and a double‑height “E‑Deck” for collaborative work and relaxation. Spanning 2.09 lakh sq ft, One Business Bay combines modern design with sustainability, including UV‑protected double‑glazed facades, advanced air filtration systems, central air-conditioning, and a target Gold LEED certification.

According to Rahul Thomas, Whole-Time Director at Suraj Estate, the project reflects rising demand from institutional and corporate tenants seeking well-designed, sustainable workspaces in Mumbai’s key micro-markets. The company has already launched projects worth approximately ₹1,600 crore in the current financial year.

The market responded positively as the company’s stock jumped nearly 6% intraday on the BSE following the announcement, signaling investor confidence in its commercial growth strategy.

With One Business Bay, Suraj Estate is betting on a new wave of premium commercial spaces in a strategically connected business belt, blending modern design, sustainability, and convenience for Mumbai’s evolving corporate landscape.

Also Read: Adani Cement’s big green leap with TNFD adoption, a first in India

Categories
Corporate

Adani Cement’s big green leap with TNFD adoption, a first in India

Adani Cement has taken a big step toward greener growth, becoming the first Indian cement company to adopt the global Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework. With this decision, the maker of Ambuja and ACC cement joins a small group of global leaders who are choosing to place nature and biodiversity at the centre of business strategy.

The company plans to start publishing TNFD-aligned disclosures from FY26. For Adani Cement, this is not just a formal compliance move — it is part of a larger shift towards responsible manufacturing and climate resilience.

Vinod Bahety, CEO of the cement business at Adani Group, described the moment as “pivotal,” noting that the business believes long-term success is possible only when growth goes hand-in-hand with environmental care. He pointed to recent milestones like deploying the world’s first commercial RotoDynamic Heater™ for low-carbon production as signs of the company’s momentum.

Over the past few years, Adani Cement has worked to deepen its sustainability footprint,  from planting more than seven million trees and achieving 12 times water positivity, to expanding its range of green, blended cement, which now forms over 85% of its portfolio. These efforts, the company says, reflect a commitment to building not just infrastructure, but a healthier future.

The TNFD adoption also aligns with national goals on climate action and biodiversity protection. With targets like 30% alternative fuel use and 60% green energy share by FY28, Adani Cement hopes to set a benchmark for the broader industry.

As one of the world’s major cement producers, this step of Adani Cement is expected to encourage others in the sector to prioritise transparency, sustainability and nature-aligned growth.

Also Read: Reliance’s Campa Energy partners with Ajith Kumar Racing

Categories
Beyond

Gold dips ₹12,785/g, Silver rises ₹1,73,100/kg

Gold and silver prices showed mixed movement in India on Friday. Gold slipped slightly, with 24-carat gold trading at around ₹12,785 per gram, down about ₹80 from the previous day. The 22-carat variant also fell a little to roughly ₹11,720 per gram.

Silver, however, moved higher. Prices rose by ₹100 to about ₹1,73,100 per kilogram, continuing its stronger trend seen over recent sessions.

A slightly weaker US dollar in global markets helped limit gold’s downside and added some support to silver. Traders believe that domestic demand, currency movements, and festival-season buying will influence price trends in the coming days.

Market participants say the small decline in gold is due to continued uncertainty over global interest-rate decisions. Higher interest rates usually reduce the appeal of gold, which does not offer any yield. Silver, on the other hand, is getting support from both investor demand and industrial use, helping it hold a firmer tone.

Overall, the precious-metals market remains steady, with silver showing more strength than gold for now. If global cues stay stable, prices are expected to move in a narrow range with mild day-to-day changes.

Also Read: Sensex sheds 300, Nifty below 25,800, muted opening

Categories
Technology

OpenAI launches GPT‑5.1 with smarter, human-like chat

OpenAI has launched GPT‑5.1, the latest version of ChatGPT, designed to make AI conversations feel more natural, human-like, and context-aware.

The update introduces two modes: Instant, optimized for faster and friendlier responses, and Thinking, which handles complex questions with detailed, clear answers.

Users can now customize the AI’s tone and style using six personality presets under the heads – Friendly, Professional, Candid, Quirky, Efficient, and Nerdy,  and adjust warmth, formality, and even emoji use.

GPT‑5.1 also improves instruction-following, reduces technical jargon, and applies adaptive reasoning to balance speed and depth depending on the query.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called it “a nice upgrade,” highlighting enhanced intelligence, conversational style, and usability.

With these changes, GPT‑5.1 aims to make interactions feel more like speaking with a thoughtful human while giving users greater control over responses, whether for professional tasks, education, or casual conversation.

The rollout begins today for paid users, with free users gaining access shortly afterward.

Also Read: Government lifts quality rules on polyester fibre and yarn

Categories
Corporate

Reliance’s Campa Energy partners with Ajith Kumar Racing

Indian motorsport is getting a powerful boost as Ajith Kumar Racing, the brainchild of actor and racer Ajith Kumar, has joined hands with Campa Energy, the energy‑drink brand from Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) , in a partnership that’s about more than sponsorship, it’s about shared dreams.

The collaboration brings together two homegrown champions. Firstly, chasing speed on the track, the other energising people every day. Ajith Kumar Racing has already made waves internationally, finishing third overall at the 2025 Creventic 24H European Endurance Championship. Now, with Campa Energy backing them, the team aims even higher.

For RCPL, it’s a chance to celebrate determination, grit, and performance while supporting India’s rising motorsport talent. Together, the partnership is not just about racing, it’s about showing the world the spirit of India, one fast lap at a time.

Also Read: Cabinet approves ₹45,060 cr plan to boost exports

Categories
Corporate

ReNew to invest ₹82,000 cr in Andhra Pradesh

ReNew Energy Global Plc plans to invest ₹82,000 crore across Andhra Pradesh in a wide range of renewable energy projects. The investment includes a 6 GW solar ingot-wafer plant, a 2 GW pumped-hydro project, a 300 ktpa green ammonia facility, and about 5 GW of hybrid solar-wind-storage projects.

The company has already signed four MoUs with the state government for fresh commitments of ₹60,000 crore, in addition to a previous ₹22,000 crore pledge. ReNew’s existing footprint in the state includes around 717 MW of wind and 60 MW of solar power across ten sites.

 CEO Sumant Sinha said the projects will create a fully integrated clean-energy value chain, supporting India’s push for self-reliance in energy and green technologies.

This massive expansion is expected to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s position as a hub for renewable energy.

Also Read: SpiceJet adds 5 planes, daily flights rise to 176

Categories
1 Minute-Read

Jaishankar meets Rubio at G7, India-US ties strengthen

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Canada.

The leaders discussed enhancing trade, strengthening supply chains, and boosting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Global challenges, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, were also on the agenda.

Rubio expressed condolences over the recent Delhi blast, which Jaishankar acknowledged. The meeting reflects growing India-U.S. collaboration on economic, security, and strategic issues amid shifting global dynamics.

Categories
Corporate

Mahindra, Manulife launch 50:50 life insurance joint venture

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) and Canadian insurer Manulife Financial Corporation have agreed to form a life-insurance joint venture in India, with each holding a 50 % stake. The venture is still subject to regulatory approvals from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

The companies plan a total investment of up to ₹3,600 crore over the next 10 years, with about ₹1,250 crore from each partner in the first five years. The JV will focus on long-term savings and protection products for individuals, combining Manulife’s global insurance experience with M&M’s strong rural and semi-urban network.

The partnership targets India’s growing life-insurance market, especially in areas where financial penetration is low. The venture is expected to start operations within 15–18 months and may take 10–12 years to break even.

India’s life-insurance sector has been growing steadily, with new business premiums for individual policies rising 12.1 % year-on-year in October 2025, highlighting a strong demand for insurance products across the country.

This collaboration also aligns with India’s broader goal of increasing insurance penetration nationwide, offering financial protection and long-term savings solutions to a larger population.

Also Read: Asian Paints brushes up 47% profit gain in Q2

Categories
Corporate

Tata Steel Q2 profit soars 272% to ₹3,102 crore

Tata Steel Ltd reported a sharp rise in earnings for the second quarter of FY 2026, backed by solid domestic demand, cost efficiencies, and a recovery in its European operations.

The steelmaker’s consolidated net profit surged 272% year-on-year to ₹3,102 crore, compared with ₹833 crore in the same quarter last year. Revenue from operations rose 9% to ₹58,689 crore, against ₹53,905 crore a year earlier, supported by higher deliveries and better realisations.

Operating profit (EBITDA) climbed 46% to ₹9,106 crore, reflecting improved spreads and a favourable product mix. The company said its India operations remained the key growth driver, with deliveries rising to 7.91 million tonnes from 7.52 million tonnes last year. Production also edged up to 7.69 million tonnes.

Tata Steel’s European business posted a core profit of €92 million, up sharply from €22 million a year ago, aided by efficiency measures and better operating conditions in the Netherlands.

The company said strong domestic consumption, particularly from infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, cushioned the impact of fluctuating global steel prices. It continues to focus on value-added products, cost optimisation, and deleveraging to strengthen its balance sheet.

Following the announcement, Tata Steel shares gained over 3% in early trading on Thursday.

 Analysts remain positive on the stock, citing stable demand and improved profitability, though they caution that global steel price movements and input costs will influence future performance.

Tata Steel said it remains committed to sustainable growth and operational excellence, as it continues to invest in technology and capacity expansion to meet rising demand across key markets.

Also Read: Trump signs bill to end 43-day US shutdown

Categories
Leaders

Trump signs bill to end 43-day US shutdown

The US government reopened on Wednesday after being shut down for 43 days, the longest closure in American history. President Donald Trump signed a funding bill approved by both the Senate and House of Representatives, ending weeks of political gridlock.

The House passed the bill 222–209, with a few Democrats supporting it and two Republicans opposing it. The shutdown had left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay and disrupted airport operations, public offices, and social services.

President Trump said the deal “sends a clear message that we will never give in to extortion” and added that it was “an honour to get our country working again.”

The budget deadlock began over a dispute about health insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democrats wanted to extend these credits, saying their expiry would raise insurance costs and affect millions of Americans.

Economists estimate the shutdown cost the US economy around $11 billion, some of which may never be recovered.

With the new bill in place, federal workers will soon receive back pay, and all government departments are returning to normal operations. However, debates over healthcare funding and budget priorities are expected to continue in Congress.

Also Read: India urges rich nations on climate finance at COP30