Business Bureau

Xiaomi India on Saturday launched the Xiaomi 17T, a new flagship smartphone that combines Leica-powered imaging, AI-driven features, immersive display technology and a large-capacity battery, as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the premium smartphone segment. The Xiaomi 17T features a Leica-powered triple-camera system led by a 50MP main sensor and, for the first time in the Xiaomi T Series, a Leica 5x periscope telephoto camera. The device also introduces Leica Live Moment and Leica Live Portrait, aimed at enhancing photography and storytelling through richer visual experiences. The smartphone sports a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with up to…

Snapchat has reported a sharp rise in advertiser adoption in India, with the number of advertisers on the platform increasing tenfold over the past two years and the number of advertisers spending across all four quarters tripling during the period. The company attributed the growth to rising demand for immersive advertising formats, expansion of Chat as a high-attention advertising surface, and investments in AI-powered targeting and advertising tools. With more than 250 million users in India, Snapchat said it has become a key platform for brands seeking to engage Gen Z consumers, a demographic that currently accounts for 43 per…

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept key policy rates and its monetary policy stance unchanged, while continuing to monitor inflationary pressures and global economic developments, according to market reactions following the central bank's latest policy announcement. Reacting to the policy decision, Upasna Bhardwaj, Chief Economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the RBI had expectedly maintained both rates and stance, while highlighting amplified risks on the inflation front. She noted that the central bank remains cautious amid evolving macroeconomic conditions and inflation concerns. Bhardwaj said the bank expects a cumulative 50 basis points rate hike cycle to begin from October…

Marking World Hunger Day, Hunger Free World, a humanitarian initiative of Malabar Group, released a rehabilitation impact report highlighting how its Street Meal Distribution Programme has helped transform the lives of vulnerable people living on the streets through consistent food outreach and rehabilitation support. Titled "Impact Stories: How a Daily Meal Opens the Door to a Transformed Life", the report documents cases where regular meal distribution led to medical assistance, shelter access, dignity restoration and family reunification. The programme is implemented on the ground by Thanal. According to the report, the initiative was launched to address hunger through regular access…

Renault India on Friday announced that its new Duster Turbo TCe 100 has achieved an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 19.41 km per litre, highlighting the company's focus on combining performance with fuel economy in the competitive SUV segment. The automaker said the Duster Turbo TCe 100 is powered by a turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 100 PS of power and 160 Nm of torque. Paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the powertrain has been designed to offer responsive performance, smooth drivability and improved fuel efficiency across varied driving conditions. Dr. V. Vikraman, Chief of Renault Engineering, Renault Group India, said…

Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Meta have launched Silent Mobile Verification (SMV) capabilities for Vi users across WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, a move that reflects the increasing focus on secure digital authentication and fraud prevention in India’s expanding digital economy. The network-based authentication technology enables users to verify their mobile numbers in the background without manually entering OTPs, switching applications or waiting for verification messages. The solution supports key user journeys such as new user registration, mobile number validation, login and re-login, account recovery, and authentication during security checks. Market participants view the launch as a significant development in India's digital…

ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the super-premium and luxury spirits subsidiary of Allied Blenders & Distillers (ABD), has entered the Odisha market with the launch of four premium brands — AODH Irish Whiskey, WOODBURNS Contemporary Indian Malt Whisky, YELLO Designer Whisky and RANGEELA Contemporary Indian Vodka. The launch, held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, marks a key milestone in the company’s expansion strategy as it seeks to strengthen its presence in high-potential markets across India. ABD Maestro said the move aligns with its vision of building a future-focused portfolio of premium spirits tailored to evolving consumer preferences. The company, which counts Bollywood…

Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)-Factor 121 Finance has crossed ₹10 crore in cumulative disbursements through GeM Sahay, the credit facility integrated with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), marking a significant milestone in expanding digital credit access for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The company said it has disbursed more than 2,600 loans to over 400 MSMEs across 173 cities in 27 states, helping small suppliers secure working capital against confirmed government purchase orders. Built on the Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN), GeM Sahay allows eligible MSMEs to access collateral-free, short-term financing within minutes using transaction data linked to government procurement orders.…

Tata Motors has launched the all-new Intra V40 pickup, strengthening its position in the alternate fuel small commercial vehicle (SCV) and pickup segment as demand grows for cost-efficient and flexible last-mile transport solutions. The Intra V40 comes with CNG-petrol bi-fuel technology and is designed for high-load operations. The vehicle offers a best-in-class payload capacity of 1,525 kg and a 2,960 mm (9.7 ft) load body, aimed at helping operators maximise earnings while ensuring uninterrupted operations across different routes. Powered by a 1.2-litre engine, the pickup delivers 58 bhp of power and 106 Nm of torque. It also features a 110-litre…

HSBC Mutual Fund has launched the RedHex Hybrid Long-Short Fund, a Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) strategy aimed at investors seeking regular returns along with long-term capital appreciation. The New Fund Offer (NFO) opened on June 2 and will remain available for subscription until June 16, 2026. The fund combines investments across multiple asset classes, including fixed income, equity arbitrage, REITs and INVITs, with the objective of generating risk-adjusted returns across different market cycles. The strategy is benchmarked against the NIFTY 50 Hybrid Composite Debt 50:50 Index. HSBC Mutual Fund said the product is designed for “mid-ticket” investors and requires a…