Category: Business

Mumbai, Apr 17 (BNP): With Akshaya Tritiya around the corner, gold buying activity is picking up across the country, and this year, much of the action is happening online.

Fintech platforms, financial service providers, and jewellery brands are rolling out festive offers and campaigns to tap into the seasonal demand. The growing buzz reflects not just the cultural significance of the festival, but also a clear shift in how consumers prefer to buy gold.

Data from the World Gold Council shows that India’s digital gold market expanded sharply in 2025, growing 69% year-on-year to 13.5 tonnes. The numbers underline how quickly digital gold is becoming a mainstream choice, especially among younger buyers looking for convenience and flexibility.

Sensing this trend, companies are sweetening the deal with incentives. Amazon Pay, for instance, is offering cashback on digital gold purchases—2% for Prime members and 1% for others—making small-ticket investments more attractive.

At the same time, platforms like PhonePe are promoting 24K digital gold options, allowing users to buy, sell, and store gold with just a few taps on their phones.

While buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya remains a long-standing tradition symbolising prosperity and good fortune, the way people participate in it is clearly evolving. Digital gold is steadily bridging the gap between tradition and technology, giving consumers a modern, hassle-free way to mark the occasion.

Mumbai, Apr 17 (BNP): The Indian rupee moved higher in early trading on Friday, gaining 28 paise to reach 92.86 against the US dollar, supported by a more positive global outlook and firm domestic equities.

The currency opened the session at 92.93 in the interbank foreign exchange market and extended its gains shortly after, reflecting renewed investor confidence.

Traders pointed to easing geopolitical tensions as a key factor lifting sentiment. Hopes that recent developments in the Middle East could lead to broader stability have encouraged investors to return to emerging markets, including India.

Another supportive factor for the rupee has been fresh buying in Indian equities by foreign institutional investors. These inflows tend to boost demand for the local currency, contributing to its upward movement.

However, gains in the rupee were somewhat limited by the continued strength of the US dollar in global markets. A firm dollar often weighs on emerging market currencies, keeping traders cautious despite positive domestic cues.

Overall, the rupee’s early performance reflects a balance between improving risk appetite and external pressures, with investors closely watching global developments and capital flows for further direction.

Mumbai, Apr 17 (BNP): Indian benchmark indices began Friday’s session on a positive note, buoyed by improving global sentiment and renewed foreign investment.

 The BSE Sensex rose by 177.52 points to reach 78,166.20 in early trading, while the NSE Nifty gained 37.4 points, climbing to 24,234.15.

Market sentiment was lifted by signs of easing geopolitical tensions. A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has sparked hopes of broader stability in the region. Analysts believe this development could also revive the possibility of fresh negotiations between the United States and Iran.

In addition, steady inflows from foreign investors added further support to the upward momentum in equities.

Chandigarh, Apr 17:  Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of Gateway Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. This is a greenfield project.

Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said, “Supported by its natural landscape and improving accessibility, Dirang is witnessing growing demand from both leisure travellers and adventure enthusiasts. Its strategic location enroute to Tawang positions it as an important destination in Arunachal Pradesh’s tourism itinerary. The signing of Gateway Dirang reflects IHCL’s focus on pioneering new and emerging destinations and we are delighted to partner with Mr. Phurpa Tsering for this project.”

The 70-key Gateway Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh features an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant and a bar. It offers a spacious banquet hall along with dedicated meeting rooms. Recreational facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa.

Mr. Phurpa Tsering, said, “We are pleased to partner with IHCL to introduce the Gateway brand to Dirang. As the destination continues to gain prominence, this collaboration brings IHCL’s expertise to the region supporting sustainable tourism and local development.”

Located in West Kameng district, Dirang is known for its scenic setting amidst apple orchards, terraced farms and pine-covered hills. It is also renowned for its natural hot water springs, which remain a key attraction for visitors travelling through the region.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 21 hotels in the North East, including 12 under development.

 

Bengaluru, India, Apr 17 – VIRGIO, the fashion-tech brand at the intersection of sustainability and trend-forward design, is defining a new way of dressing, one where fashion is not just desirable, but also responsible.

Built on the belief that fashion can be both desirable and responsible, VIRGIO stands for a shift in how consumers engage with clothing today. As the market moves toward more conscious consumption, the brand is shaping Clean Fashion as the future of mainstream fashion, moving it beyond a niche idea into an everyday standard.

At its core, VIRGIO brings together trend-forward design with a more thoughtful approach to materials, production, and value. This creates a fashion experience that feels good in every sense, aesthetically, ethically, and emotionally—resonating with a growing consumer mindset that seeks both style and substance.

Unlike traditional approaches that isolate sustainability into limited collections, VIRGIO embeds Clean Fashion across its entire value chain. From mindful material choices and longevity-driven design to greater transparency in pricing and storytelling, the brand is building a more aware and intentional fashion ecosystem.

More than a brand narrative, VIRGIO is helping shape what Clean Fashion truly means today. Through cultural storytelling, creator-led conversations, and consumer-first communication, it is reframing conscious fashion as something that is not just responsible but also relevant, aspirational, and scalable.

VIRGIO’s approach challenges long-standing industry norms of opacity, inflated markups, and disconnected storytelling. Instead, it champions clarity, better choices, and a more informed relationship between consumers and what they wear—without compromising on style or individuality.

At a time when consumers are seeking greater awareness and intention in their choices, VIRGIO positions Clean Fashion as a natural evolution of fashion itself—where looking good and doing better are no longer separate ideas.

Amar Nagaram, Founder, VIRGIO, said, “VIRGIO was built on the belief that fashion can be both desirable and responsible. Clean Fashion, for us, is about bringing that balance to life, where great design is matched by transparency, better choices, and a deeper awareness of how clothes are made. We don’t see Clean Fashion as a niche or a trend. We see it as the future of how people will dress. Our focus is on shaping what that future looks like, making it relevant, accessible, and meaningful for today’s consumer.”

By positioning Clean Fashion as the future of mainstream fashion, VIRGIO is not just responding to change; it is helping define it, encouraging a move toward more thoughtful, informed, and meaningful choices in how India dresses.

 

 

 

TERO Pro leads the new series with 0.1-second adaptive returns and post-session reports that convert rallies into measurable improvement.

Los Angeles, CA, USA, April 17, 2026 – LUMISTAR, a sports technology company focused on making high-quality training more accessible, today announced its flagship TERO series Tennis Training Partner will be available for preorder by April 30, with sales beginning May 30, 2026. The series includes TERO and TERO Pro, with the Pro model offering the most responsive experience and the deepest training feedback through the Vision Module, including post-session training reports that offer clear feedback and next steps.

Tennis improvement often hits a ceiling that has little to do with talent or effort. Consistency is the difference maker, and it’s hard to build without a partner who can keep up and always be available when you are. When that’s missing, practice gets fragmented. Players end up doing workarounds that don’t feel like real points, or they simply don’t get the reps they need to keep progressing. A reliable, always-available partner changes that equation and that’s what LUMISTAR envisions TERO to be. TERO Pro Sets a New Standard for Match-Real Tennis Training on a Personal Level

For players who want the most comprehensive training loop, the TERO Pro takes competitive tennis even further. After each session, TERO Pro generates personal training reports with an objective breakdown of performance, then saves those reports in your history so you can track progress over time and plan the next step with purpose. TERO Pro is also designed around a more advanced hardware and interaction stack, including:

• The All-in-One Court Kit that keeps racket, balls, a detachable bag and machine
  integrated into one seamless system
• Real-time visual perception and AI insight that unlocks new ways to play through
  modes such as “All Star Game”, where you can face off against tennis legends like
  Roger Federer and Serena Williams
• 4K AI dual-focal lens (60fps) with an automotive-grade SoC and pre-trained AI model
  that makes each rally smarter and more adaptive as you grow (with Vision Module)
• Extendable system intelligence with swappable modules that allow TERO Pro to
  evolve and upgrade as new features are released

TERO Delivers Reliability to Tennis Training for Consistent Reps and Real Progress TERO is designed to make practice feel less like feeding and more like playing. With 238 built-in drills, it gives players a deep library to train consistency, patterns and point-ready scenarios without needing to plan every session from scratch. The session itself stays dynamic and reactive, so you can train against changing tempo and placement instead of settling into predictable routines.

Just as importantly, TERO is built to keep you in rhythm. You can start a session with one click, then make changes through voice and gesture control for speed and spin adjustments, or placement without stopping to dig through menus. With wristband positioning and swing-speed detection, TERO also understands your location, timing and pace during the rally, which makes the next ball feel earned and responsive rather than pre-programmed.

Core performance specs (TERO series):

• Max ball speed: 140 km/h
• Max range: 26 m
• Max height: ≥ 4.2 m
• 238 built-in drills
• Upgradeable with the Vision Module to add “sight” and expanded capabilities (Vision + AI features enabled with the module)
• The world’s first dual-axis, dual-end gimbal design, uniquely engineered for a
  rock-solid, stable feed

“Reps matter, but reps alone don’t necessarily make you a better player. You improve when practice gives you instantaneous feedback, real variety and moments that force better decision making,” said Rachel Yang, CMO at LUMISTAR. “That’s what we had in mind when designing TERO. We want it to truly feel like the training partner you wish you had on call, ready when you are, reacting instantly and pushing you in all the right ways. Then it shows you what actually improved and what still needs to be worked on.”

Further details for the TERO and TERO Pro, including ordering information and pricing will be announced towards the end of April.For product details and preorder updates, visit: https://lumistar.ai

SAN FRANCISCO- RealSense today announced expanded support for Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (GMSL) across its depth camera portfolio, delivering a scalable, production-ready perception platform for robotics and industrial automation. The company will showcase its new GMSL-enabled lineup at Hannover Messe 2026, Hall 26, Stand D29.

Robots and industrial automation require high-precision, robust and reliable perception systems to ensure they navigate safely and operate predictably across a variety of conditions. GMSL is rapidly emerging as the preferred standard for robotic industrial vision systems, overcoming the limitations of USB with improved synchronization, longer cable reach and greater dependability in demanding environments.

By enabling rugged, scalable multi-camera perception through a single cable infrastructure, GMSL supports the next generation of autonomous machines operating in factories, warehouses and logistics environments.

Expanding the GMSL Portfolio

RealSense is introducing GMSL support across three of its most widely used depth cameras:

• D401: Sub-millimeter precision in a compact form factor, ideal for robotic arms and humanoids, with a tiny GMSL package that enables near-invisible integration into manipulators
• D430: High-accuracy, mid-range 3D depth sensing, deployed extensively across robotics systems worldwide
• D415: Precision mid-range scanning and spatial intelligence in factories and warehouses

These join the existing D457, creating the industry’s most comprehensive lineup of industrial-ready GMSL depth cameras.

The cameras are powered by the RealSense SDK 2.0, featuring native ROS 2 support for seamless integration into modern robotics stacks. The RealSense D457 also includes native models in Isaac Sim, accelerating development and significantly reducing sim-to-real deployment time. Crucially, all RealSense cameras perform depth processing directly on-device via the company’s AI Vision ASIC, eliminating the need for external compute while delivering low-latency, reliable performance at the edge.

Built for Industrial Scale

USB-based systems often require complex synchronization and can suffer from instability in harsh environments. GMSL enables:

• Consistent, predictable performance with reduced calibration needs
• Native multi-camera synchronization with up to 8 cameras per system
• Long-reach, secure industrial cabling via FAKRA connectors
• Reduced system complexity and cost with up to four cameras per deserializer

These capabilities allow OEMs and system integrators to deploy scalable, multi-camera perception systems with greater reliability and lower total cost of ownership.

From Cameras to a “Visual Cortex”

The launch marks a shift from standalone sensors to an integrated perception platform, designed for industrial-scale deployment and multi-camera autonomy. This innovation reinforces RealSense as the visual cortex of Physical AI, delivering the perception layer that enables machines to see, understand and act in the physical world.

“Industrial autonomy depends on perception that works in the real world, not just in the lab,” said Nadav Orbach, CEO of RealSense. “With our GMSL portfolio, we enable scalable multi-camera vision with the reliability, reach and integration simplicity required for production deployment. Together with partners like AVerMedia, we are making it easier to build and deploy complete perception systems, faster and at scale.”

Partner Ecosystem and Live Demonstrations

At Hannover Messe, RealSense and its partners will demonstrate real-world applications of scalable perception:

• AVerMedia Demo (Multi-Camera Scaling): Built on a compact indoor AMR, the AVerMedia SenseEdge Development Kit demonstrates real-time 3D perception for navigation through synchronized multimodal sensing and on-device inference. Powered by RealSense GMSL cameras and the RealSense Visual Cortex, the system supports up to 4 cameras per interface and scales to 8 cameras out of the box.
• Inbolt Demo (Real-Time Control): Inbolt will demonstrate real-time part tracking and robot control using AI-driven software and a RealSense D435 depth camera integrated into a robot-mounted system. The demo highlights continuous localization and closed-loop trajectory control, showing how perception translates directly into precise robotic action in production environments.

“RealSense’s new GMSL cameras significantly advance 3D perception capabilities, and our expanded SenseEdge Development Kit provides a validated, production-ready platform to deploy them at scale,” said Alex Liu, Vice President, Industrial Product Division at AVerMedia. “By enabling the full RealSense GMSL lineup across both AGX Orin and NVIDIA Jetson AGX Thor editions, we’re helping customers accelerate from development to real-world deployment in robotics and industrial environments.”

Thought Leadership and Sessions

RealSense executives will also lead key sessions at Hannover Messe, including:

• Panel Discussion: Led by Mike Nielsen, RealSense CMO, “The Visual Cortex for Industrial Robots: From Perception to Predictable Autonomy,” will be held April 21 at 10:25 CEST in Hall 26, Solution Lab (E43), Expert Stage 2
• Demo Talk: Chris Matthieu, RealSense VP Developer Ecosystem, will explore human-robot interaction and identity recognition in his presentation, “When Robots Recognize You,” on April 24 at 10:20 CEST in Hall 26, Solution Lab, Spotlight Stage

For more information, contact Penny Malsch, RealSense Global Senior Marketing Strategist, at penny.malsch@realsenseai.com

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 16 April 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of trade, industry, and logistics solutions, has successfully drawn on its diversified logistics capabilities to strengthen local and regional supply chains in the Gulf region, ensuring continued resilience.

Since the onset of the recent regional developments at the end of February, the Group has continued to operate as normal, serving the needs of its global clients by establishing alternative routes and rerouting cargo across land, rail, sea, and air to mitigate supply chain disruptions affecting Arabian Gulf ports, in light of the traffic conditions through the Strait of Hormuz.

To date, AD Ports Group handled over 54,000 TEUs at Fujairah Terminals and Khor Fakkan Port, and successfully transported over 22,000 containers through its land logistics services, alongside 18,000 TEUs across its maritime network, supported by a dedicated fleet of 24 vessels operating 8 feeder services. In addition, the Group has transported more than 8,000 tonnes of cargo through its air logistics services, enabled by more than 100 chartered flights. 

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “Our long-term investments in a diversified and comprehensive network of logistics and trade infrastructure have enabled one of the UAE’s largest-ever logistics redeployments to be executed with speed, agility and efficiency. Under the guidance of our wise leadership in the UAE, AD Ports Group will continue to guarantee the flow of goods across local and regional markets, particularly essential commodities such as food, medicines, strategic reserves, and other critical inputs. Our commitment towards serving our partners and customers remains firm, while safeguarding the safety of our workforce and strengthening the resilience of local and regional supply chains.”

To ensure continuity of regular shipping services to Khalifa Port, and across three key trade corridors linking the UAE’s eastern ports with ports in the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, the Group has launched new regional feeder shipping services to maintain supply chain integrity, which redeployed and scaled up its dedicated vessel fleet to 24 container and bulk cargo vessels, with plans to increase fleet capacity.

Feeder shipping services operated by the Group’s SAFEEN Feeders and Global Feeder Shipping (GFS) have been rerouted via Fujairah Terminals and Khor Fakkan Port, both located on the Gulf of Oman, providing alternative gateways to the UAE and the wider GCC region.

New container feeder shipping services have been established connecting ports in India, Pakistan and Oman, as well as Red Sea ports, and ports along the Upper Arabian Gulf region.

By leveraging its logistics assets and extensive strategic and commercial networks, the Group has established an air bridge comprising three chartered aircraft, to transport vital goods, with plans to further increase capacity.

The Group has also established a land bridge to transport cargo from Fujairah and Khor Fakkan through bonded customs corridors in the UAE to Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali Port, and Sharjah, using 800 trucks and four new daily rail service trips by Etihad Rail. These efforts are supported by the Group’s expanded warehousing and storage capacity for essential goods, currently exceeding 76,000 sqm, with plans to more than double to 188,000 sqm.

Leveraging its award-winning digital trade infrastructure, the Group has launched new freight management platforms that deliver visibility and resilience, enabling the efficient management of trade flows. By unifying and processing data across the Group’s global operations, these platforms have enabled the Group to leverage real-time trade lane intelligence to strengthen supply chain integrity, while repurposing empty import containers for export along alternative high-volume corridors– enhancing resilience and reducing time and cost for customers. 

Working closely with UAE authorities and industry partners, AD Ports Group continues to safeguard its workforce, partners and stakeholders, while ensuring uninterrupted services to customers.