West Asia Conflict Poses Near-Term Challenges to Indian Economy: RBI MPC Member
RBI monetary‑policy committee member Nagesh Kumar warned that the West Asia conflict creates near‑term headwinds for India, notably higher oil prices, export disruptions and reduced remittances. He stressed that inflation remains benign, with headline CPI at 1.3% in December 2025 and projected around 2.5% for FY 2026. Kumar called for coordinated fiscal and monetary action to lift GDP growth from roughly 7% to 8%, leveraging a stronger manufacturing base. Diversifying oil supplies, such as tapping Venezuelan crude, could cushion the shock.
Why Employee Engagement Should Feel ‘Calm and Boring’ and Other Takeaways With McKesson’s Sr. Director of Talent Succession
Jenessa Disler, McKesson’s Senior Director of Talent Succession, argues that effective employee engagement should feel calm and boring, driven by role clarity, two‑way feedback, and cohesive systems. She highlights three themes for HR leaders: AI as an amplifier that frees...
Taylor Wimpey Launches £52m Share Buyback as Profits Plummet 54%
Taylor Wimpey announced a £52 million share‑buyback programme even as full‑year 2025 pre‑tax profit plunged 54.3% to £146.5 million, while revenue rose 13% to £3.84 billion. The profit decline was driven by a £222.2 million increase in cladding remediation costs and an £18 million CMA...
Bookipi Survey Shows Small Businesses Embracing AI BUT, Complexity, Not Cost, Slows Workflow Adoption
The 2026 Bookipi Small Business AI Adoption Report, based on 2,121 owners across four regions, shows nearly half of small firms (48%) will raise AI budgets while only 2% plan cuts. Companies are comfortable using AI for customer‑facing tasks such...
ITV Predicts 2% Drop in Ad Revenues for Q1 2026
ITV announced it expects a 2% decline in advertising revenue for the first quarter of 2026, following a 5% year‑on‑year drop in 2025. The broadcaster attributes the slowdown to weaker consumer spending and increased competition from digital platforms. Management signaled...
Give Peas a Chance, Says Birds Eye, in Fresh OOH Push
Birds Eye, the frozen‑food brand owned by Nomad Foods, has launched a new out‑of‑home (OOH) campaign that puts peas at the centre of its messaging. The “Give peas a chance” creative, devised by Havas London, decorates London Underground escalator ribbons...
Model Ashley Graham Joins Stuart Weitzman for ‘Concrete Paradise’
Stuart Weitzman has launched its Spring 2026 "Concrete Paradise" campaign, starring supermodel Ashley Graham. The black‑and‑white visuals, shot by Ned Rogers, place Graham in the historic Westsider Rare & Used Books shop on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The campaign highlights the Vinnie Sculptural heel collection and...
Middle East Weekly: Aito Secures First UAE Order, Qatar Launches 36 Digital Services, Dubai Tests Autonomous Taxis, and More
Chinese EV makers are deepening their Gulf foothold as Greenland Group inks a deal to export 5,000 vehicles to the UAE and Aito lands its first 200‑unit order in the Emirates. Dubai is set to launch autonomous taxis, initially deploying...
Active ETF Research Reveals Transatlantic Market Is Splitting in Two: Broadridge
Broadridge’s latest research shows the active‑ETF market is diverging sharply across the Atlantic. Global assets under management are nearing $1.8 trillion, growing over 50 % annually, yet U.S. funds exhibit roughly two percentage points higher tracking error and charge 70‑90 bps fees compared...
MakeMyTrip to Acquire Majority Stake in Flamingo Transworld
MakeMyTrip has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in regional tour operator Flamingo Transworld, though the purchase price remains undisclosed. Flamingo, with a 30‑year history, runs group travel packages across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh through 51...
Making Creativity Your Commercial Advantage
Charli Wright argues that Middle East brands suffer from a disconnect between marketing creativity and commercial objectives, not a lack of ideas. Fragmented thinking leads to short‑term, visually impressive campaigns that miss regional buying triggers and fail to deliver sustainable...
QFEX Launches with $9.5m Seed Round to Disrupt Global Trading
QFEX, a Cambridge‑backed trading exchange, launched after closing a $9.5 million seed round that values the startup at $95 million. The platform offers 24/7 direct trading of traditional assets, perpetual futures with no expiry, and up to 50× leverage, eliminating brokers and...
“If Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association Were a Startup, We’d Be in the Scaling Phase”
BESCO, Bulgaria’s leading entrepreneurial association, says it is entering a scaling phase similar to a fast‑growing startup. Over the past three years its membership surged from about 300 to nearly 1,000 companies and its staff tripled, bolstered by a growing...
Top Books for Startup Founders This World Book Day
Startups Magazine’s World Book Day roundup highlights essential titles for founders, ranging from networking guides to lean methodology. The list features "Find Your 9others" on building supportive ecosystems, Katie Tucker’s market‑research primer, James Church’s pitch framework, and the VC‑inspired "Venture...
Semtech Expands Data-Center Portfolio by Acquiring HieFo for $34m
Semtech Corp announced it has acquired HieFo Corp for approximately $34 million in cash. HieFo supplies indium phosphide (InP) optoelectronic devices, including lasers and gain chips, used in data‑center interconnects. The deal, cleared by CFIUS, expands Semtech’s domestic semiconductor portfolio and...
DoubleLine Highlights Emerging Market Opportunities Despite Middle East Tensions
DoubleLine Capital sees a "virtuous feedback loop" in emerging markets as a weakening U.S. dollar and ongoing central‑bank rate cuts create attractive local‑currency fixed‑income opportunities. While recent U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran sparked a sharp sell‑off in EM currencies and equities,...
Capitec’s New AI Tool Knows Your Problem Before You Explain It
Capitec has introduced Pulse, an AI‑powered contact‑centre tool that delivers real‑time context about a client’s issue before the call starts. By aggregating payment data, app diagnostics and risk signals, Pulse enables agents to resolve queries faster, cutting handling times by...
The EBA Sets Out Harmonised Reporting Standards to Enhance Oversight of Third‑country Branches
The European Banking Authority released its final report on draft Implementing Technical Standards for supervisory reporting of third‑country branches under CRD VI. The new framework standardises formats, definitions and reporting frequencies, introducing a core‑plus‑supplement approach that differentiates smaller and larger branches....
Exclusive: Rainmatter Leads InfinityBox’s Pre-Series A Round
InfinityBox, a Jaipur‑based reusable packaging startup, closed a pre‑Series A round of ₹14.1 crore, led by existing backer Rainmatter. The round also saw participation from AAR EM Ventures, Capital‑A and an individual investor, bringing the post‑money valuation to roughly ₹87 crore. Revenue surged 3.1‑fold...
Can You Avoid the Incoming MTD Headache?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax launches on 6 April 2026, initially applying to businesses with £50,000 turnover. The threshold will subsequently fall to £30,000 and then £20,000, pulling a large swath of small landlords and part‑time self‑employers into the regime....
B2B Used Car Auction Merger Cleared by CMA
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared Constellation Developments’ acquisition of ABVR Holdings (Aston Barclay) through its British Car Auctions (BCA) business after a phase‑2 inquiry. BCA is the UK’s largest B2B used‑vehicle auction provider, while Aston Barclay ranks...
The Monzo Money Pulse: Research Finds Financial Admin Could Cost Irish SMEs €2.1 Billion a Year in Lost Productivity
Monzo’s second Money Pulse study of 500 Irish SMEs finds financial administration consumes nearly three hours per week, costing each business about €8,500 annually and the Irish economy €2.1 billion in lost productivity. Expense management, payment chasing and tax planning are...
Canstar Signs LoI to Acquire Three Exploration Licences in Sweden
Canstar Resources signed a non‑binding letter of intent with LithOps to acquire full ownership of three exploration licences in Sweden’s Skellefte district, covering about 310 km². The deal provides LithOps with 15 million common shares, $150,000 cash and a 2.5% net smelter...
How to Overcome the Biggest Data Challenges in Startups
Startups often sideline data initiatives because of tight budgets and scarce talent, leaving them vulnerable to security risks and missed insights. Financial constraints and the inability to hire full‑time data experts hinder the development of robust data governance. The article...
M3ter Expands Integration With Salesforce to Support Advanced Usage Monetization in Agentforce Revenue Management
m3ter announced that its Connector for Salesforce now integrates with Revenue Cloud Advanced and Revenue Cloud Billing, extending support beyond Agentforce Sales and CPQ. Salesforce has appointed m3ter as an advanced metering and rating partner for both RCA and RCB,...
Workshop Calls for Natural Capital to Anchor Vietnam S Economic Policy
The Finance for Nature workshop in Hanoi gathered policymakers, economists and finance leaders to push natural‑capital accounting into Vietnam’s macroeconomic framework. Organisers unveiled a report that applies the Integrated Economic‑Environmental Modelling (IEEM) and GTAP‑InVEST tools to embed ecosystem services in...
SEABOURN INTRODUCES “YOURS TO EXPLORE EVENT,” OFFERING SUITE UPGRADES AND SHIPBOARD CREDIT
Seabourn has launched the “Yours to Explore Event,” a promotion running through May 5 2026 that grants a complimentary two‑category Veranda Suite upgrade and shipboard credit for bookings on 2026 and later voyages. Credits are tiered at $300 for itineraries of 13...
‘Create Your Own Rom-Com Moment’: Fnp.ae Reveals Strategy Behind Valentine’s Campaign
Fnp.ae turned the crowded UAE Valentine’s market into a cultural moment with its “Create Your Own Rom‑Com Moment” campaign. The brand deployed a fully integrated media mix—DOOH billboards, premium digital screens, front‑page print, cultural publishers and live radio—to saturate commuter...
Keeping the Door Open: Many Would Return to Companies That Laid Them Off
A BioSpace LinkedIn poll of 1,267 biopharma professionals revealed that 51% would consider returning to the employer that laid them off. Tight labor markets, limited local opportunities, and the appeal of consulting contracts drive this willingness. Respondents cite generous severance...
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Impacts 4% of Global Dry Bulk Trade
BIMCO analysis shows bulk‑carrier transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell about 70% week‑over‑week, affecting roughly 4% of global dry‑bulk volumes. Arrow Shipbroking data indicate 1.9% of Capesize, 5.6% of Panamax and 5.7% of Supramax/Handymax demand passed the strait in...
EUR/USD: Oil-Driven Terms of Trade Support Dollar – Commerzbank
Commerzbank analyst Michael Pfister argues that higher oil prices and the United States' shift to a net oil exporter improve its terms of trade, bolstering the dollar against the euro. Because central banks focus on stabilising inflation, price adjustments occur...
Iran Crisis Could Disrupt Supply of Key Chipmaking Materials, South Korea Warns
A South Korean ruling‑party lawmaker warned that the escalating US‑Israel war with Iran could jeopardize the supply of essential semiconductor materials, particularly helium, which is critical for heat management in chip fabrication. The Korean chip sector, responsible for roughly two‑thirds...
How to Maintain Customer Loyalty When Tariffs Increase Prices
U.S. import tariffs jumped from an average 2.6% to 13% last year, shifting most of the cost burden onto domestic firms and their customers. The article argues that price‑increase conversations succeed only when salespeople act as trusted advisors rather than...
Robot Manufacturer Agrointelli Files for Bankruptcy
Danish robot maker Agrointelli, creator of the Robotti field robot, has filed for bankruptcy in a Danish court due to insufficient cash flow. The company announced the filing on LinkedIn and is now seeking a buyer, with a deadline of...
ITV Remains in Sky Deal Talks, Posts Slight Full-Year Studios Profit Drop, Ad Revenue Falls 5 Percent
ITV confirmed it is still negotiating a potential sale of its Media & Entertainment unit to Sky for about £1.6 billion, while reporting a modest decline in ITV Studios profit and a 5% drop in advertising revenue for 2025. Total external...
Nigerian AI Startup Intron Expands Speech Recognition Platform to 57 Languages
Nigerian AI startup Intron has upgraded its Sahara speech‑recognition platform to support 57 languages, adding 24 new ones and a bilingual Swahili‑English model that handles code‑switching. The v2 release incorporates offline deployment on Nvidia Jetson devices and claims benchmark gains...
Bac Ninh Consolidates Position at Top of Vietnam's FDI Landscape
Bac Ninh Province recorded over US$18.6 billion in registered foreign direct investment in 2025, placing it among Vietnam’s top two FDI destinations. Major infrastructure projects—including the accelerated Ring Road 4 corridor and a new National Highway 3 overpass—have dramatically improved connectivity to Hanoi,...
Mideast Gulf Ports Resume Operations After Drone Strike
Operations at several Gulf ports have resumed after precautionary shutdowns caused by drone incidents linked to the US‑Iran conflict. Cargo movements between Iraqi ports and regional destinations are proceeding normally, but all tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains...
Study: Advertisers Face a ‘Paradox of Plenty’ in Measurement
The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and the 4As released a study revealing a "Paradox of Plenty" for U.S. advertisers: abundant data and sophisticated tools have not translated into higher confidence in media measurement. Surveying 197 senior marketers, the...
Lee Orders Swift Execution of 100 Tln-Won Financial Package Amid Middle East Crisis
South Korean President Lee Jae‑Myung ordered an immediate rollout of a 100 trillion‑won (US $68.3 billion) financial package to stabilise capital markets amid the escalating Middle East conflict. The plan targets volatility in stocks and exchange rates while explicitly avoiding direct government share...
Coal India Shares Rise 4% as Citi Hikes Target Price, Puts Stock in 90-Day Catalyst Watch. Check Details
Citi placed Coal India Ltd on a 90‑day Upside Catalyst Watch and lifted its target price to ₹430, prompting the stock to climb over 4%. The brokerage cited stronger global coal prices and a potential shift from gas to coal...
Lidl GB Appoints Roberto Eretta as Chief Operating Officer
Lidl GB will appoint Roberto Eretta as chief operating officer, succeeding Maciej Tylkowski who moves to an international role this summer. Eretta, currently COO of Lidl Italy, has spent nearly two decades with the retailer, rising from area manager to...
7 Out of Last 8 Mainboard IPOs Delivered Negative Listing Gains. What Is Going Wrong with India’s IPO Market?
India’s IPO market has stalled, with seven of the last eight main‑board listings debuting below their issue prices. The Nifty’s 6% year‑to‑date decline and heightened volatility have curbed investor appetite for new issues. Overpriced offerings such as Omnitech Engineering and...
India Bonds Firm on RBI Buying Hopes, Stronger Rupee
Indian government bonds rallied on Thursday after a record ₹202 billion (≈$2.19 billion) of bonds were net‑bought by the RBI and institutional investors on Wednesday. The 10‑year benchmark yield steadied around 6.66%, reversing a brief rise, while the rupee strengthened to ₹91.61...
Call for Stronger Professional Standards to Rebuild Trust in Jobs
Employers are being urged to tighten professional standards as the Chartered Week Alliance, a coalition of over 40 bodies, writes to the government for stronger backing of Chartered status and professional registration. The alliance argues that clear competence, ethics and...
Paschi Ushers in Exit of CEO Lovaglio After Mediobanca Deal
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS) announced that CEO Luigi Lovaglio will not be considered for the top job, just months after he sealed a transformative deal with Mediobanca. The board presented three alternatives: Fabrizio Palermo of Acea, former...
Sallie Has An Ad Business And Meta Is Declining Credit Cards
Meta confirmed it will drop credit‑card payments for ads next month, moving advertisers to invoice‑only billing to curb fraud and the “cashback loophole.” At the same time, student‑loan giant Sallie introduced Backpack Media, a retail‑media network that sells ad inventory...
Personalisation without Paranoia
The marketing industry’s long‑standing belief that more data equals better personalization is being upended by AI and privacy regulation. In the Middle East, the Personal Data Protection Law forces companies to redesign systems around contextual, real‑time signals rather than persistent...
Automatically Post Gemini Images to Slack From Form Submissions
Zapier now lets teams trigger Google AI Studio’s Gemini to generate brand‑aligned images whenever a form is submitted, and automatically post the result to a Slack channel. The workflow requires a single prompt that maps form fields, ensuring each visual...
A QUICker SASE Client: Re-Building Proxy Mode
Cloudflare has rebuilt the proxy mode of its Cloudflare One client, swapping the WireGuard‑based L3 tunnel for direct L4 proxying over QUIC. By leveraging HTTP/3 CONNECT and MASQUE, traffic remains at the transport layer, eliminating the smoltcp conversion step. Internal...