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Valentine’s Day gifting trends are witnessing a shift from traditional items such as chocolates and flowers to more thoughtful, wellness-oriented choices, with California Almonds emerging as a preferred option that combines taste with everyday nutrition. Consumers are increasingly choosing gifts that reflect care, practicality, and long-term value, extending celebrations beyond romantic partners to friends, family, and self-care occasions. Nutrition experts highlight the growing role of almonds in daily routines, particularly as part of morning habits. Ritika Samaddar, Regional Head of Dietetics at Max Healthcare, noted that almonds, rich in protein and dietary fibre, can support better blood sugar response, fasting…

The launch of the driver-owned, subscription-based ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi has triggered fresh discussions on tax policy clarity, with driver groups urging the government to differentiate between SaaS-based mobility platforms and traditional commission-driven aggregators. Designed as a cooperative model, Bharat Taxi aims to provide auto and cab drivers greater control over pricing and earnings through a fixed membership subscription rather than trip-based commissions. The debate centres on the proposed 5 percent GST on ride fares under the subscription or SaaS model. Unlike conventional e-commerce aggregators that control pricing and collect payments, SaaS platforms merely provide digital access while fares are…

The recent surge in global commodity prices appears to have run its course, with analysts suggesting that most commodities may now trade sideways or remain under pressure in the coming months.Prices across a broad spectrum — from base metals such as copper, zinc and lead to precious metals like gold and silver — have declined sharply, slipping up to 21 per cent from their 52-week highs reached in late January 2026. Natural gas has been the worst hit, plunging nearly 62 per cent from $7.83 per MMBtu in late January to around $2.99. Brent crude has also fallen about 13…

Max Financial Services Limited reported robust financial performance for the first nine months of FY’26, with consolidated revenue excluding investment income rising 18% year-on-year to ₹24,625 crore. Including investment income, consolidated revenue stood at ₹36,891 crore, while profit after tax was ₹137 crore. Axis Max Life Insurance, the group’s life insurance arm, continued to outperform the private industry, reporting a 20% year-on-year increase in Individual Adjusted First Year Premium (FYP) to ₹6,396 crore and gaining 53 basis points in private market share to reach 9.8%. Gross Written Premium grew 18% to ₹25,195 crore, while renewal premiums rose 17% to ₹15,551…