Author: Staff Writer

Categories
Technology

JioHotstar introduces monthly plans from Rs. 79

JioHotstar has rolled out monthly subscription plans across all its service tiers, giving users the option to pay on a month-to-month basis instead of committing to longer durations. The new plans will be available to new subscribers from January 28, 2026, while existing users will continue on their current plans as long as auto-renewal remains active.

Under the revised structure, the Mobile plan is priced at Rs. 79 per month. It allows streaming on a single mobile device and is ad-supported. Hollywood content is not included by default but can be added for an extra Rs. 49 per month. Quarterly and annual options for this tier remain unchanged.

The Super plan, priced at Rs. 149 per month, supports streaming on up to two devices simultaneously. It offers full access to JioHotstar’s content library, including Hollywood titles, but continues to carry advertisements. Users can also choose quarterly or annual subscriptions at higher discounts.

For viewers looking for a premium experience, the Premium plan is now available at Rs. 299 per month. This tier supports up to four devices, offers 4K streaming quality, and provides an ad-free experience, except during live sports and live events. Quarterly and annual plans continue to be available for this category as well.

JioHotstar said the introduction of monthly plans is aimed at meeting changing viewer preferences, especially the growing demand for flexible payments and large-screen viewing through connected TVs. The move is expected to attract more users who prefer short-term subscriptions and greater control over their spending.

Also Read: China’s economy grows 5% in 2025

Categories
Beyond

China’s economy grows 5% in 2025

China’s economy grew by 5 per cent in 2025, meeting the government’s annual growth target despite sluggish domestic activity and ongoing trade tensions with the United States. The growth was supported primarily by strong exports, which helped the country navigate challenges from slower consumer spending, low investment, and deflationary pressures.

Data released by Chinese authorities show that GDP rose 5 per cent year‑on‑year, although growth slowed in the fourth quarter to 4.5 per cent, marking the weakest quarterly expansion since the country reopened after the pandemic. Nominal GDP, which does not account for inflation, rose only 4 per cent, highlighting the pressure on domestic economic activity.

Exports remained the key driver of growth. Demand from overseas markets, including Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, helped offset a slowdown in shipments to the United States caused by higher tariffs. China’s trade surplus reached about $1.2 trillion in 2025, underlining the strength of its external sector.

Domestic consumption and investment, however, showed uneven performance. Retail sales rose only modestly, while fixed‑asset and private investment weakened. Deflation continued for a third straight year, limiting consumer spending and overall confidence. Industrial production held up better, but the domestic economy’s recovery remained fragile.

Policy makers in Beijing acknowledge the imbalance between strong exports and weak internal demand. Plans under the new five‑year strategy aim to strengthen household consumption and the service sector, but authorities are cautious about large-scale stimulus due to local government debt and inflation concerns.

Analysts warn that China’s heavy reliance on exports makes growth vulnerable to future global trade disruptions. Sustainable long-term expansion will depend on boosting domestic demand and implementing structural reforms to encourage private investment and household spending.

Also Read: UAE signs $2.5bn LNG deal with HPCL

Categories
1 Minute-Read

Shadowfax launches ₹1,907 cr IPO, mixed market response on Day 1

Shadowfax Technologies launched its ₹1,907 crore IPO on January 20, priced between ₹118–₹124 per share. The issue combines new shares and an offer for sale by existing investors and will remain open until January 22.

Early data shows moderate overall subscription, with retail investors showing the strongest interest. The grey market indicates potential listing gains of 5–6%, though analysts warn valuations are on the higher side compared to industry peers.

Investors are advised to consider the company’s growth prospects before applying.

Categories
Corporate

UAE signs $2.5bn LNG deal with HPCL

UAE and India have signed a landmark liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement that will deepen energy cooperation between the two nations. The deal, inked between ADNOC Gas, the gas marketing division of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), is valued at $2.5 billion and spans ten years.

Under the agreement, ADNOC Gas will supply about 500,000 tonnes of LNG annually to HPCL. The gas will be sourced from ADNOC’s Das Island facility, one of the world’s established LNG plants, known for its consistent production and export capacity.

This long-term supply is expected to enhance India’s energy security and support its growing demand for cleaner fuels. HPCL plans to use the imported LNG to fuel its refining operations, as well as expand city gas distribution networks for industrial, residential, and commercial use.

The contract formalizes prior commercial arrangements and converts a heads-of-agreement into a binding sale and purchase pact. Officials from both sides emphasized that this deal positions India as a key LNG customer for the UAE, with Indian companies projected to take a significant portion of ADNOC Gas’ exports in the coming years.

The signing coincided with the official visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to New Delhi. During the visit, both countries highlighted the broader significance of energy cooperation and reiterated commitments to strengthen trade, technology, and strategic partnerships.

Also Read: Global markets fall on US Greenland tariff threats

Categories
Beyond

Global markets fall on US Greenland tariff threats

Global markets fell this week after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on several European countries over his Greenland plans. Investors became cautious, pulling back from stocks and turning to safer assets like gold and silver.

In Asia, major stock markets dropped around 0.5%, while US S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq futures were all pointing to lower openings. The declines came amid uncertainty as the US observed the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, limiting regular trading.

European markets also fell sharply, with France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX among the hardest hit. Traders worried about possible import tariffs on European goods, which could hurt trade and corporate profits.

Bond markets reacted too. US Treasury prices fell slightly, pushing yields higher. Japanese long-term bonds also saw small increases in yields, reflecting the global ripple of the tariff news.

The US dollar strengthened against most currencies, while safe-haven assets like gold and silver rose to record levels before slightly easing. This showed that investors were seeking security amid growing trade uncertainties.

Experts said the tariff threats come at a sensitive time, with markets already balancing central bank policies, corporate earnings, and other global tensions. Potential retaliation from Europe could further affect trade and investor confidence.

Also Read: India’s power utilities make ₹2,701 cr profit after

Categories
Beyond

Gold at ₹1,46,250, Silver at ₹3,05,100 as bullion prices rise

Gold and silver prices moved higher in the domestic market on Tuesday, reflecting continued investor interest in precious metals amid global economic uncertainty. According to market data, the price of 24-carat gold increased marginally by ₹10 to ₹1,46,250 per 10 grams. Though the rise was modest, it extended the recent firm trend in gold prices.

Silver registered a stronger gain, with prices rising by ₹100 to trade at ₹3,05,100 per kilogram. The metal has been witnessing steady buying, supported by both industrial demand and investment interest, making its price movement more pronounced compared to gold.

The price of 22-carat gold also edged up and was quoted at around ₹1,34,060 per 10 grams. Gold rates across major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, remained largely in line with national averages, with only minor variations due to local taxes and transportation costs.

Market experts attributed the firm prices to ongoing global uncertainties, including concerns over inflation, interest rate outlooks, and geopolitical developments. In such an environment, investors tend to shift towards gold and silver, which are traditionally viewed as safe-haven assets during volatile times.

Jewellery traders noted that retail demand remains cautious at current elevated price levels. Many buyers are making need-based purchases rather than large investments. However, investment demand from long-term investors and high-net-worth individuals continues to lend support to bullion prices.

Also Read: Sensex falls 350 points, Nifty slips below 25,500

Categories
Beyond

Steel prices rise on safeguard duty and exports

Domestic steel prices in India have witnessed a significant uptick in recent weeks, as mills increased hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices by ₹500‑750 per tonne. The move comes amid the recently imposed safeguard duty, rising input costs, and robust export demand, according to market intelligence firm BigMint.

Since mid-December, HRC list prices have climbed between ₹3,000 and ₹5,250 per tonne, pushing trade-level prices close to ₹52,000 per tonne. The rise is being seen across major steel products, including long products, where supply remains tight. The cost pressures are driven largely by higher prices of imported met coke and other raw materials, alongside a weaker rupee, which has increased the landed cost of imports.

Export demand has also supported the price hike. Indian steel exports surged by 31% year-on-year during April to November 2025, benefiting from pre-buying by European buyers ahead of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) implementation. Safeguard duty on HRC imports has further strengthened domestic pricing power, providing relief to local mills and supporting margins.

Industry experts note that while demand is gradually improving, the market is cautious. Some analysts expect that as new capacities come online and demand growth slows, the price momentum could moderate. However, for now, the combination of strong exports, policy measures, and input cost pressures has created a favorable environment for domestic steel producers.

Also Read: ChatGPT adds ads, Google’s Gemini stays clean

Categories
Technology

ChatGPT adds ads, Google’s Gemini stays clean

OpenAI has started testing advertisements in its ChatGPT chatbot, marking a key shift in how generative AI is monetised. Ads will appear at the bottom of responses for free-tier users and those on the lower-cost ChatGPT Go plan, while paid subscribers,  including Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise,  will remain ad-free. OpenAI assures that ads will be clearly labeled, won’t influence responses, and user conversations won’t be shared with advertisers.

The move is aimed at generating additional revenue from ChatGPT’s large user base, currently estimated at around 800 million weekly active users, without forcing subscription fees on everyone. This step reflects OpenAI’s push to balance monetisation with user trust, especially as AI infrastructure costs continue to rise.

In contrast, Google has no plans to introduce ads into its Gemini AI assistant. Dan Taylor, Google VP of Global Ads, said inserting ads could undermine the assistant’s purpose, which is to help users analyse, create, and complete tasks. Instead, Google focuses on integrating AI-powered ad surfaces in products like AI Overviews in search results, where ads can coexist without affecting the core AI assistant experience.

Also Read: India’s power utilities make ₹2,701 cr profit after

Categories
Beyond

India’s power utilities make ₹2,701 cr profit after

India’s electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) have recorded a net profit of ₹2,701 crore in FY25, marking a significant turnaround after years of heavy losses. In FY24, these utilities had reported a combined loss of ₹25,553 crore, and the sector had faced even larger deficits in previous years.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal welcomed the results, calling them a “new chapter” for the sector. He highlighted that a financially healthy power distribution system is essential for India’s economic growth and development goals.

The turnaround is mainly attributed to several policy and operational reforms. Programs like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) helped modernize infrastructure, install smart meters, and improve efficiency. New rules for electricity tariffs and subsidies also made cost recovery more transparent and reliable.

Efficiency has improved significantly. Technical and commercial losses, energy lost or not billed, have dropped from 22.6% in 2013–14 to 15% in FY25. The gap between the cost of supply and revenue earned narrowed to just ₹0.06 per unit, compared with ₹0.78 per unit a decade ago.

Financial management has also strengthened. Outstanding dues to power generators fell dramatically by 96%, from ₹1.39 lakh crore in 2022 to ₹4,927 crore in January 2026. The average payment cycle for utilities shortened from 178 days in FY21 to 113 days in FY25, ensuring smoother cash flow and timely payments.

Also Read: Sandeep Bakhshi gets reappointed as ICICI Bank CEO

Categories
Beyond

DGCA fines IndiGo ₹22.2 cr for Dec. flight disruptions

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has imposed a ₹22.2 crore penalty on IndiGo Airlines for large-scale flight disruptions that occurred in December, triggering widespread passenger inconvenience and renewed debate over airline accountability.

The action follows a detailed inquiry ordered by the DGCA after IndiGo faced severe operational breakdowns during the first week of December. Over a span of three days, the airline cancelled more than 2,500 flights and delayed nearly 1,900 services, leaving over three lakh passengers stranded across major airports. The disruption coincided with the implementation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms for pilots, which aim to reduce fatigue and enhance flight safety.

According to the DGCA, the crisis was not caused by a single factor but by systemic planning failures. The regulator cited over-ambitious scheduling, insufficient buffer in crew and aircraft deployment, weaknesses in operational software systems, and inadequate preparedness for the new duty norms. These shortcomings, it said, exposed gaps in IndiGo’s management oversight and operational control mechanisms.

Of the total fine, ₹1.8 crore relates to one-time violations of aviation safety and operational rules. The remaining ₹20.4 crore was levied for continued non-compliance over several weeks, during which IndiGo sought repeated exemptions from full implementation of the revised duty norms while continuing to operate a dense flight schedule.

In addition to the monetary penalty, the DGCA issued warnings to senior IndiGo executives, including top management, for failing to anticipate and manage the operational fallout. The regulator also directed changes in responsibility within the airline’s operations control structure.

To ensure long-term corrective action, IndiGo has been asked to submit a ₹50 crore bank guarantee under a Systemic Reform Assurance Plan. The guarantee will be released in phases, subject to DGCA verification of improvements in crew planning, fatigue management, digital systems, leadership oversight, and governance practices.

The penalty has sparked mixed reactions across the aviation sector. While some pilots’ bodies and experts argue the fine is inadequate given the scale of passenger hardship, others point out that existing laws limit the DGCA’s ability to impose harsher financial penalties.

Also Read: EU and Mercosur seal major trade deal