Business

Meri Policy Mere Haath Campaign Delivers Crop Insurance Policies to Farmers in Bilaspur Bilaspur (HP), March 7: Crop insurance policies are being delivered directly to farmers at their homes under the Himachal Pradesh government's "Meri Policy Mere Haath" campaign, according to Bilaspur Deputy Director of Agriculture Kulbhushan Dhiman.The initiative, which runs until March 15, 2026, aims to ensure that farmers receive their crop insurance documents and understand the benefits and coverage available under the scheme.Doorstep Delivery of Crop Insurance Policies Dhiman said that representatives from agricultural insurance companies are visiting farmers’ homes to hand over the insurance policies. The effort is designed to provide...

AI Could Add Up to $149.9 Billion in Value for Manufacturing MSMEs by 2035: PwC India-ORF Report New Delhi, Saturday, March 7: Artificial intelligence is set to play a significant role in transforming India’s manufacturing sector, with the potential to add between $135.6 billion and $149.9 billion in value to manufacturing MSMEs by 2035, according to a joint report released by PwC India and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).The report highlights how the integration of AI across manufacturing processes could accelerate productivity, innovation, and competitiveness among micro, small and medium enterprises.AI to Unlock Trillions in Manufacturing Growth The report states that India’s manufacturing MSMEs could unlock growth...

Bangladesh’s Boeing Order Raises EU Concerns Over Trade Balance Boeing Aircraft Deal with the United States Draws Scrutiny from the European Union New Delhi, March 7: Bangladesh’s decision to move ahead with a plan to purchase 14 aircraft from US aerospace manufacturer Boeing instead of European aircraft maker Airbus has triggered concern within the European Union, according to a report.The development comes as the EU seeks parity in its trade relationship with the South Asian nation.Aircraft Purchase Linked to US Tariff Agreement The issue surfaced after Bangladesh’s interim government signed a reciprocal tariff agreement with the United States in February. Under the agreement, Bangladesh committed to increasing purchases of US...

India Can Become Reliable Global Supply Chain Base Amid Geopolitical Shifts, Says Devendra Fadnavis India’s Democratic Framework Positions It as Stable Supply Chain Hub Nagpur, March 7: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that a democratic country like India can serve as a dependable base for global supply chains at a time when geopolitical tensions are reshaping trade routes and supply networks worldwide.Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the XSIO (Logistics) Advanced Industrial Park in Nagpur, Fadnavis highlighted that global supply chains are undergoing significant changes due to geopolitical developments and increasing instances of supply chains being used as strategic tools.He said...

BYD Unveils Blade Battery 2.0 With 1,000 km Range and Five Minute Flash Charging Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced its next generation Blade Battery 2.0, a new battery technology designed to deliver more than 1,000 kilometers of driving range, ultra fast charging capability, and enhanced safety performance.The company said the battery marks a major advancement in electric vehicle technology and will power its upcoming premium electric models.Driving Range Crosses 1,000 Kilometers According to BYD, the Blade Battery 2.0 can provide a driving range of more than 1,000 kilometers under the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).This represents a significant upgrade from the first generation Blade Battery...

Govt Issues SOP for Ports to Handle Disruptions from West Asia Crisis, Allows Charge Waivers Nodal Officers to Be Appointed as Single Point of Contact at Ports Mumbai, March 7: The Union Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Waterways has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for ports to address operational challenges arising from the ongoing West Asia crisis, while also allowing them to consider requests for reductions, waivers, or remission of various charges, including vessel change charges.The SOP was finalised after extensive consultations with stakeholders on Friday and is aimed at ensuring a coordinated response across ports to manage disruptions affecting cargo movement and shipping operations.Under the new framework, each...

SBI Launches USD 500 Million Syndicated Term Loan to Advance Women Empowerment New Delhi, March 7: India’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), on Saturday announced the launch of a USD 500 million syndicated term loan facility dedicated to women empowerment, with a greenshoe option, ahead of International Women’s Day.The bank said the transaction marks a major step in both SBI’s ESG financing initiatives and the global push for gender-focused financial instruments.A Landmark Gender-Themed Financing Initiative According to SBI, the syndicated loan is designed to accelerate social impact by supporting initiatives that promote women empowerment and reduce the gender gap. The financing also aligns with the United Nations...

India Notifies Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards to Boost National Green Hydrogen Mission New Delhi, March 7: The Government of India has announced new standards for green ammonia and green methanol, marking a key step toward accelerating the trade and development of green hydrogen derivatives under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.The standards, notified on February 27, 2026 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), define emission thresholds and eligibility conditions required for ammonia and methanol to be classified as “green”. These rules are expected to bring regulatory clarity for industries and investors involved in the emerging green fuels ecosystem.National Green Hydrogen Mission Framework The...

India’s Billionaire Count Rises to 308 in 2026, Wealth Surges to ₹112.6 Trillion: Hurun Report India Ranks Third Globally in Number of Billionaires India now has 308 billionaires, an increase of 24 individuals from last year, according to the Hurun Global Rich List 2026 released on Saturday. The rise highlights continued wealth creation and sustained economic momentum in the country.With this increase, India ranks third globally in the number of billionaires, behind the United States and China.Combined Wealth of Indian Billionaires Jumps 10% The total wealth held by Indian billionaires rose 10 percent year on year to ₹112.6 trillion, reflecting strong growth across multiple sectors.Out of the 308 billionaires:199 individuals...

US Allows India to Purchase Russian Oil Already at Sea to Ease Global Supply Pressure The United States has allowed India to purchase Russian oil that is already loaded on vessels in waterways, as part of a temporary measure aimed at easing global supply pressures during the ongoing conflict in West Asia.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the decision in an interview with Fox Business on Friday, stating that the authorization was intended to ensure adequate oil supply in global markets.Temporary Relief Measure for Global Oil Supply Bessent said the US Treasury Department has authorized Indian refiners to buy Russian crude that is already on ships."The world has ample oil supplies. Yesterday, the Treasury Department...

Boeing Nears Historic Aircraft Deal With China Ahead of Trump’s Beijing Visit Boeing Co. is approaching one of the largest aircraft sales in its history as negotiations advance with China for a massive order of narrowbody jets. The potential deal is expected to coincide with US President Donald Trump’s upcoming state visit to Beijing, according to reports.Proposed Order for 500 Boeing 737 Max Jets The discussions center on a potential order for 500 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, which could be formally announced during President Trump’s visit to China from March 31 to April 2. The trip would mark his first state visit to the country since 2017.If finalized, the order would represent one of Boeing’s largest aircraft deals ever and a...

Air India, Air India Express Plan Additional Flights to Bring Back Stranded Passengers from West Asia Air India and Air India Express are operating additional unscheduled flights on March 7 to bring back passengers stranded in West Asia following airspace closures in parts of the region.The airlines said the extra flights have been arranged to support travelers affected by disruptions caused by ongoing restrictions in regional airspace.Extra Flights Scheduled from Key West Asia Cities According to the airline’s statement, additional unscheduled flights have been planned to operate to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Sharjah on March 7.These flights are aimed at bringing stranded passengers back to India after...

Oil Prices Slip as US Grants India 30-Day Waiver to Purchase Russian Oil Oil prices declined in early trading on Friday after the United States announced a temporary 30 day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea. The move eased concerns around supply disruptions that had intensified following the recent US Israel and Iran conflict.Brent and WTI Crude Decline in Early Trade The April contract of benchmark Brent crude on the Intercontinental Exchange was trading at $84.21 per barrel, down 1.52 percent from the previous close.Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate crude fell 2.10 percent to $79.31 per barrel during early trading.The decline comes after oil prices had surged more than 15 percent...

South Korea Antitrust Watchdog Reviews Penalties Over Alleged Sweetener Price-Fixing Cartel FTC Concludes Investigation Into Seven-Year Sweetener Price Collusion Seoul, March 6: South Korea’s antitrust regulator has begun reviewing potential penalties against four major food companies accused of colluding to fix the prices of sweeteners for more than seven years.Inspectors at the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) recently completed a six month investigation that concluded the companies formed a cartel to coordinate prices of starch sugar products between May 2018 and October 2025.The companies under scrutiny are Daesang, SajoCPK, Samyang, and CJ Cheiljedang.Alleged Collusion Impacted Revenue Worth 6.2 Trillion Won According to officials...

Angel One Client Base Nears 37 Million in February 2026 as Retail Market Share Reaches Record High Angel One’s client base rose to 36.93 million in February 2026, marking a 20.8 percent increase from 30.58 million in February 2025 and a 1.5 percent rise from 36.39 million in January 2026.During the month, the company added 0.57 million new clients, compared with 0.74 million in January 2026 and 0.49 million in February 2025.The average client funding book stood at ₹59.33 billion in February, declining 3 percent from ₹61.18 billion in January but rising sharply by 46.4 percent compared with ₹40.53 billion a year earlier.Trading activity moderated slightly during the month. Total orders executed stood at 144.01 million compared with...

8th Pay Commission Invites Stakeholder Submissions; Memoranda Deadline Set for April 30 The Eighth Central Pay Commission has invited representations from stakeholders and set April 30, 2026 as the deadline for submitting memoranda, according to an official statement issued on March 6.The commission has introduced an online structured submission system to collect feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including employee associations, pensioners, institutions, and individual citizens.Online Portal Open for Representations To streamline the consultation process, the commission has made a structured format available on its official website for submitting memoranda and representations.The same format is also accessible on the...

IndiGo Suspends Europe Flights as West Asia Airspace Restrictions Ground Dreamliner Fleet EASA Safety Advisory Disrupts IndiGo’s Long-Haul Operations Escalating tensions in West Asia and new safety advisories issued by European aviation regulators have forced IndiGo to suspend its operations to Europe. The airline’s entire fleet of leased wide body aircraft has remained grounded for more than a week since February 28, affecting flights to major destinations such as London, Manchester, and Amsterdam.According to sources, all six Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft leased by IndiGo from Norse Atlantic Airways have been grounded following a safety advisory issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The advisory prohibits...

China Lowers GDP Target to 4.5% to 5% Amid Trade Tensions and Domestic Economic Pressures Beijing, March 5: China has lowered its gross domestic product growth target to a range of 4.5 percent to 5 percent for the current year, citing escalating global uncertainties, trade tariff tensions with the United States, and mounting domestic economic challenges.The revised target was announced by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in his government work report presented at the opening session of the National People's Congress, which convened in Beijing on Thursday.First Reduction in Three Years For the past three years, China has maintained an annual GDP growth target of around 5 percent despite intensifying domestic and external pressures. This year...

Elon Musk Testifies He Paid Full $44 Billion for Twitter Citing Bias by Delaware Judge San Francisco: Elon Musk told jurors that he agreed to pay the full $44 billion to acquire Twitter Inc. in 2022 after being advised that he was unlikely to prevail in court, alleging bias from the Delaware judge overseeing the case.Testifying at a trial in San Francisco that is revisiting the turbulent takeover, Musk said his legal team warned him that the presiding judge in the lawsuit brought by Twitter to compel completion of the deal was “extremely biased” against him. The case had been filed in the Delaware Chancery Court.Musk Says Legal Advice Left Him With “No Choice” The lawsuit was overseen by Chief Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick, who...

Nvidia Investments in OpenAI and Anthropic Near Completion Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has indicated that the company’s recent investments in OpenAI and Anthropic may mark its final major equity positions in the two artificial intelligence firms, as both companies prepare for potential public listings this year.Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom conference on Wednesday, Huang said the opportunity to invest as much as $100 billion in OpenAI is no longer feasible, given that the creator of ChatGPT is expected to move toward an initial public offering later this year.$100 Billion Deal Abandoned as IPO Nears Nvidia and OpenAI had previously announced a $100 billion deal in September last year...