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New Delhi, July 22: Global crude oil prices moved higher as rising tensions between the United States and Iran triggered concerns over possible disruptions to energy supplies, pushing Brent crude to a five-week high near USD 92 per barrel.

The increase in oil prices reflects growing caution among investors and energy traders, who are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and their potential impact on global crude supply chains.

The Middle East remains one of the world’s most important energy regions, and any uncertainty surrounding production or transportation routes can significantly influence international oil markets. The latest developments have increased concerns about supply stability, leading to upward pressure on crude prices.

Market analysts said the movement in oil prices will depend on the evolving geopolitical situation, global demand trends, and the availability of supplies. Continued tensions could keep markets volatile, while easing concerns may help bring some stability.

The rise in crude prices has also drawn attention from oil-importing economies, where higher energy costs can affect fuel prices, transportation expenses, inflation, and broader economic conditions.

Energy experts highlighted the importance of maintaining diversified energy sources and strengthening supply resilience to manage fluctuations in the global oil market.

The latest surge in crude prices underscores the close connection between geopolitical events and global economic stability, with energy markets continuing to remain sensitive to international developments.

Mumbai, July 22: India’s gem and jewellery export sector witnessed a strong recovery in June, recording a 26.5 per cent rise in exports, driven by renewed demand from international markets and improved business sentiment, according to industry data.

The growth marks a positive turnaround for the sector, reflecting the resilience of Indian exporters and the continued global appeal of the country’s craftsmanship, design capabilities, and jewellery manufacturing expertise.

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said the rise in exports was supported by stronger demand across key international markets. The improvement indicates renewed confidence among buyers and provides fresh momentum to exporters after a period of global uncertainty.

India’s gem and jewellery industry, one of the country’s important export sectors, plays a significant role in employment generation and economic growth. The sector has been focusing on innovation, technology adoption, quality enhancement, and expanding its presence in global markets.

Industry representatives said the positive export performance highlights the strength of India’s jewellery ecosystem, supported by skilled artisans, established manufacturing capabilities, and growing international partnerships.

The industry expects continued growth opportunities as global demand improves and Indian exporters strengthen their position in overseas markets through new designs, sustainable practices, and enhanced competitiveness.

The latest export performance reflects the sector’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions and reinforces India’s position as a leading global hub for gems and jewellery.

Mumbai, July 22: On Saturday evening, 18th July 2026, Istituto Marangoni Mumbai, the renowned Italian fashion and design school, unveiled ‘Astitva’, its annual student showcase featuring the work of its second-year Fashion Design students. More than a fashion presentation, the showcase brought together deeply personal narratives expressed through contemporary fashion, celebrating the journeys, experiences and perspectives that shape each designer’s creative voice.

Derived from the Sanskrit word meaning identity or existence, ‘Astitva’ invited audiences to reflect on the many influences that define who we are. Through nine distinctive collections, students explored themes ranging from memory and family to resilience, grief, heritage and transformation, demonstrating how fashion can become a powerful medium for personal storytelling.

Inspired by Mumbai — a city where cultures, traditions and aspirations coexist — the showcase reflected the dialogue between heritage and modernity, intimacy and ambition. This year’s runway installation echoed that spirit, juxtaposing raw industrial materials with reflective surfaces and sculptural lighting to create an immersive environment where fashion, architecture and emotion converged.

“With Astitva, our students have demonstrated that great design begins with authenticity,” said Mr. Tarun Pandey, COO — Istituto Marangoni, Mumbai. “This year’s showcase is a celebration of identity, not as something fixed, but as something continually shaped by memory, culture, lived experience and transformation. Each collection reflects a deeply personal journey while speaking to universal ideas of belonging, resilience and self-discovery. At Istituto Marangoni Mumbai, we encourage our students to look inward before they look outward, because the strongest creative voices are those rooted in individuality. As they graduate into an increasingly global fashion landscape, Astitva is a testament to their ability to translate personal narratives into contemporary design with confidence, purpose and originality” he added.9

The collections showcased at Astitva reflected the culmination of each student’s creative evolution at Istituto Marangoni Mumbai, nine emerging designers unveiled three looks each, translating deeply personal narratives into distinctive contemporary fashion expressions. Rooted in themes of identity, belonging and transformation, the showcase celebrated not only technical excellence and creative innovation, but also the emergence of a new generation of designers ready to contribute to the global fashion conversation.

The students who showcased their collections at ‘Astitva’ were [in alphabetical order]:

Anshika Yadav [Ecdysis]: The collection explores transformation through the symbolic journey of a bird, tracing five stages—origin, expectation, conflict, struggle and liberation. As the bird evolves from nest to flight, it becomes a metaphor for human growth, resilience and the pursuit of self-definition.

Anushka Puranik [Anchors of Immanence]: The collection explores how family remains as anchor despite physical distance. Inspired by the balance between isolation and support, it translates their presence into life-sustaining elements of nature. Structured silhouettes and layered forms reflect a deeply personal journey of finding strength, stability and belonging, even from afar.

Diya Gupta [Unfinished Rooms]: Inspired by the designer’s childhood room, Unfinished Rooms explores how the spaces we grow up in continue to shape us. Though the room remains unchanged, she has evolved within it. The collection reflects a journey of quiet growth, self-discovery and becoming—where unfinished is not incomplete, but a state of continual transformation.

Drishti Bachwani [Alexithymia]: Inspired by the psychological condition that makes it difficult to identify and express emotions. It reflects her experience of carrying countless thoughts and feelings that rarely find words. Through this collection, the designer explores the disconnect between what she feels and what she shows—a deeply personal expression of everything I’ve kept inside.

Natalia Kumar [Inheritance Adorned]: Inspired by Indian jewellery and precious gemstones, Inheritance Adorned traces the evolution of adornment through five acts—from innocence to quiet radiance. Rooted in the bridal world, each ensemble explores how ornament transforms into an expression of identity, memory and personal evolution.

Paarvi Khullar [Learning to Breathe Again]: The collection draws from the designer’s journey through anxiety, self-doubt and emotional loss over the past two years. Inspired by the feeling of holding everything in, it traces a gradual path towards healing, vulnerability and self-acceptance.

Pallavi Singh [REVIVE]: Inspired by the resilience of Kutch after the 2001 Bhuj earthquake, REVIVE celebrates the revival of Bhujodi weaving, Ajrakh block printing and Kumaoni hand-knitting. Reimagined through contemporary winter wear, the collection honours India’s living craft traditions and the communities whose determination continues to preserve them.

Tarini Kakar [La Révolution]: Inspired by the phrase, “From dust you are and to dust you shall return,” La Révolution explores transformation as a continuous cycle of creation, rupture, renewal and transcendence. Through evolving forms and textures, the collection celebrates impermanence, not as loss, but as an essential passage towards resilience, beauty and becoming.

Vanya Gupta [Fleeting Grief]: The collection explores the lasting impact of losing her mother to cancer at sixteen. Through light, fluid silhouettes and a muted palette, it traces a journey from grief to acceptance, transforming a deeply personal experience into a story of resilience, healing and becoming.

Talking about this year’s showcase, Kristian Steinberg, Director of Education — Istituto Marangoni Mumbai, said, “At Istituto Marangoni Mumbai, we encourage our students to embrace their own stories and cultural identities as the foundation of their creative practice. ‘Astitva’ reflects that philosophy beautifully, with each collection demonstrating how personal experiences can be transformed into contemporary fashion that is both locally rooted and globally relevant.”

Pallavi Singh was awarded Istituto Marangoni Mumbai’s ‘The Designer of the Year 2026’ for her ‘REVIVE’ collection that she showcased at the event.

Additionally, this year for the first time, Istituto Marangoni Mumbai conferred Anushka Puranik with the ‘The Sustainability Award 2026’ for her collection, ‘Anchors of Immanence’, which explores the enduring value of craftsmanship, conscious creation, heirloom design, and mindful luxury.

The excellent reputation enjoyed by the school lies in the distinctive elements that have marked its identity since its foundation; first of all, the enhancement and promotion of ‘Made in Italy’ values, combined with a strong international vocation, and expressed through an educational system of proven quality and effectiveness, which makes use of the contribution of, and the established collaboration with, the most prominent fashion companies of the world.

Appreciations:

• Show Creative Direction: Kristian Steinberg, Director of Education, Istituto Marangoni, Mumbai.
• Studio:  Lianne Trowbridge, Abhishek Gaherwar, Ashay Chaturvedi, Jeetinder Sandhu.
• Style Direction: Kayaan Contractor (assisted by Abhinav & Manu Lodhi).
• Show Director(s): Vahbiz Mehta, Delnaz Daruwala, & Kamal Mehta.
• Founded in 2002, Amal Embroideries creates handcrafted embroideries for leading European couture and luxury fashion houses. Committed to preserving traditional artisanal techniques, the studio also supported this showcase by contributing handcrafted embroidery to selected student looks.
• Salon academy, Daniel Bauer Academy, supported the hair and makeup curation for the fashion showcase.
• Fragrance partner ŚASVA is a modern luxury fragrance house rooted in India and founded in 2022 by Istituto Marangoni alumnus Sriman Subramanian. Drawing on a 70-year family legacy, the brand creates contemporary fragrances inspired by Indian art, culture, landscapes and heritage, reimagined for a global audience.
• The Source by Sula offers fresh, elegant, and delightful wines, globally recognized as among the best Indian wines, representing sustainable winemaking and the purest expression of select Nashik valley vineyards.

New Delhi:, 23 July: Recognising the Delhi Metro as more than just a mode of transport, MARS Cosmetics has chosen the space to connect with women where life unfolds every day. Whether commuting to college, heading to work, running errands, or navigating new chapters of life, the activation celebrates the confidence women carry with them through every journey.

Drawing from the thought, “Har Life Ke Bahar, Ek Life Hoti Hai,” from its recent campaign ‘Living the MARS Life’ the metro creatives highlight familiar commuting experiences through relatable storytelling. One of the key creatives reads, 

“Rajiv Chowk ki Bheed & No Seat, Life Still Feels Like A Party,” capturing the optimism and individuality that can exist even amid crowded platforms, packed coaches, and fast-paced routines. The messaging reinforces the belief that confidence is not reserved for special occasions but is woven into everyday moments.

The Delhi Metro provides MARS Cosmetics with a powerful platform to engage with its audience in a setting that feels authentic and relevant. By bringing its communication into one of India’s busiest transit systems, the brand ensures its message reaches women in the context of their daily lives, creating a stronger emotional connection than traditional advertising spaces.

Speaking about the metro activation, Anmol Sahai Mathur, Vice President (Marketing),  MARS Cosmetics, commented, “By taking #LivingTheMARSLife to the Delhi Metro, we can reach out to our consumers in the context where they are living their lives. From the student rushing to college to the professional commuting to her place of work or the woman going through a phase of transformation, these journeys capture the essence of all the lives that women live. With this activation, we want to let every woman know that being confident means not changing yourself but embracing yourself.”

The Delhi Metro activation extends MARS Cosmetics‘ ongoing #LivingTheMARSLife campaign, featuring actor Fatima Sana Shaikh alongside creators Aastha Shah and Anshika Pandey. While the campaign showcases women across different stages of life, from college and careers to marriage and personal transformation, the metro activation brings these narratives into the spaces where such journeys are lived every day.

By moving beyond digital platforms and into the everyday commute, MARS Cosmetics continues to create experiences that resonate with its audience in meaningful ways. The Delhi Metro activation reflects the brand’s commitment to celebrating modern womanhood through relatable storytelling, reminding women that confidence is not something reserved for milestone moments but something they carry with them every single day.

The activation is now live across the Delhi Metro‘s Yellow Line, inviting commuters to experience #LivingTheMARSLife and embrace the belief that “Har Life Ke Bahar, Ek Life Hoti Hai

New Delhi, July 22: India has achieved a new milestone in agricultural exports with the first shipment of frozen French fries from Uttarakhand to Iraq, marking an important step in expanding the state’s presence in international food markets.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/PMOIndia

The export initiative was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which supported the promotion of processed food products from the region and helped connect local producers with global buyers.

The shipment highlights the growing potential of Uttarakhand’s food processing sector and reflects the increasing demand for Indian processed agricultural products in overseas markets. The move is expected to encourage farmers, food processors, and exporters to explore new opportunities in the global value chain.

Frozen French fries, made from processed potatoes, have emerged as a high-demand product in international markets due to their convenience and long shelf life. The successful export from Uttarakhand demonstrates the state’s capability to produce quality processed food products that meet global standards.

APEDA has been working to promote agricultural exports by improving market access, supporting exporters, and encouraging value addition in farm products. Such initiatives aim to increase farmers’ incomes, strengthen rural industries, and enhance India’s position in the global food trade.

The first export shipment to Iraq marks a significant achievement for Uttarakhand and opens new possibilities for expanding the state’s processed food exports to other international destinations.

New Delhi, July 22: India’s export sector has started the new financial year on a positive note, with ASEAN countries and African markets emerging as major drivers of growth during the first two months of FY27.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/PMOIndia

The strong performance highlights India’s expanding global trade presence and the growing demand for Indian products across emerging markets. Increased exports to these regions reflect the success of efforts to diversify trade partnerships and create new opportunities for businesses.

ASEAN nations continued to remain important destinations for Indian exports, with sectors such as engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture, and manufactured products contributing to the growth. At the same time, rising trade engagement with African countries has opened fresh avenues for Indian companies seeking to expand their international presence.

The government has been actively working to strengthen trade relations, improve market access, and support exporters through policy initiatives designed to enhance competitiveness. Expanding the export network beyond traditional markets remains a key focus area for sustaining long-term growth.

Industry leaders believe that deeper partnerships with emerging economies will help Indian businesses explore new opportunities, strengthen supply chains, and increase their participation in global trade.

With growing demand from diverse international markets, India’s export sector is poised to build further momentum and contribute to the country’s broader economic growth objectives.