Business
AI boom drives global VC funding to record $300bn
BENGALURU: Global venture funding hit a record $300 billion in the Jan-March quarter, the highest ever for a single quarter, according to Crunchbase data. The surge, driven largely by artificial intelligence deals, has reignited the debate on whether venture markets are truly recovering or if capital is concentrating in a narrow set of companies.Nearly 80%…
War in Gulf, layoffs hit discretionary spends
MUMBAI: Consumers seem to be cutting back on discretionary spends, allocating more budgets to essentials and value purchases as a mix of war-driven uncertainty and layoffs have nudged people to tighten their purse strings and save more. Even as the US and Iran agreed upon a two-week ceasefire last week, the prospects of a peace…
From homes to police stations, IGL expands PNG network amid energy supply crunch
Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) is pushing expansion of PNG connections across Delhi-NCR as it looks to rapidly grow its user base and reduce dependence on LPG, its chief executive Kamal Kishore Chatiwal said.The expansion comes amid disruptions to energy supplies triggered by the Middle East conflict, which has strengthened the government’s push towards wider adoption…
‘If we catch them… ‘: Trump threatens China with 50% tariff if it helps Iran militarily as talks in Pak fail
US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened China with “staggering” new tariffs if Beijing provides military assistance to Iran in the ongoing Middle East conflict.During an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump whether his warning of a 50% tariff on countries aiding Iran was aimed at China.“Yes, China and…
Coal imports fall 8.5% in February on high domestic stockpiles
India’s coal imports declined 8.5 per cent to 16.55 million tonnes in February, as record domestic stockpiles and firm global prices reduced reliance on overseas supplies, according to data compiled by mjunction services, reported PTI. The country’s coal imports are expected to remain subdued in the near term, with domestic miners stepping up efforts to…
Stock market outlook: US-Iran talks collapse, oil prices to weigh on sentiment; inflation data, Q4 earnings in focus
The collapse of talks between Iran and the US is likely to weigh on investor sentiment when markets open on Monday, analysts said, with crude oil prices and key macroeconomic data also set to drive trends in a holiday-shortened week, PTI reported.Stock markets will remain closed on Tuesday on account of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti.The…
TCS makes 25,000 fresher offers for FY27, hiring to depend on demand: CEO
India’s largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has made 25,000 offers to fresh graduates for FY27, with further hiring dependent on demand conditions, its CEO and managing director K Krithivasan said.“We have made 25,000 offers to freshers for FY27. Clarity on demand will lead to more hiring,” Krithivasan said in an interview, signalling…
Gold, silver outlook: US-Iran talks collapse to drive volatility; inflation data, global cues in focus
Gold, silver outlook: Precious metals are expected to remain volatile when markets open on Monday as the breakdown of US-Iran negotiations keeps sentiment fragile, with investors also tracking domestic inflation data and key global cues, analysts said.Apart from developments in West Asia, traders will monitor the US Producer Price Index (PPI), crude oil prices and…
India ramps up 5-kg LPG supply, accelerates PNG rollout amid Middle East crisis
India has stepped up supply of smaller 5-kg LPG cylinders and accelerated the rollout of piped natural gas (PNG) connections to manage fuel availability amid disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict, with domestic supplies remaining stable, according to an official statement.More than 13 lakh 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders have been sold since March…
Russian crude with Indian touch: What is Bangladesh’s new crude sourcing strategy?
Bangladesh is weighing a proposal that would see Russian crude oil refined in India before the finished fuel is imported back, as the country grapples with supply pressures triggered by the Middle East conflict. According to people aware of the development, the arrangement under consideration would require Bangladesh to pay for the import of crude,…