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  • Tesla launches North India’s first in-mall EV charging facility in Delhi

    New Delhi, July 6: Tesla has opened its first in-mall electric vehicle (EV) charging facility in North India at a shopping complex in Delhi, marking a new step in expanding urban charging infrastructure in the region.

    The facility allows EV users to charge their vehicles while visiting the mall, combining convenience with time-saving accessibility. The charging station is designed to support urban commuters who may not have dedicated home charging options or prefer fast, on-the-go charging during daily activities.

    The launch reflects Tesla’s focus on strengthening its charging network in key metropolitan areas, as electric mobility continues to gain traction in India. Industry observers say such installations can help reduce range anxiety among users and encourage wider adoption of EVs in cities.

    The initiative is also expected to complement India’s broader push toward clean transportation by improving the availability of public charging points in high-footfall commercial locations.

     

  • Nepal’s economy grows 3.51pc in Q3 despite prolonged slowdown: Report

    July 6: Nepal’s economy expanded by 3.51% in the third quarter, according to a recent report, even as the country continues to experience a prolonged economic slowdown.

    The report said the growth was driven by modest improvements in agriculture, services, and domestic trade. However, overall economic activity remained under pressure due to weak investment levels and subdued industrial performance.

    It added that inflation concerns, limited private sector spending, and external economic pressures continue to weigh on growth prospects. Despite this, gradual recovery in consumption and select sectors provided some support to overall economic output.

    Analysts said sustained reforms and stronger investment flows will be important to support more stable and higher growth in the coming quarters.

  • Cooperatives drive inclusive growth in India: Report

    New Delhi, July 6: India’s cooperative ecosystem is emerging as a strong pillar of inclusive development, playing a growing role in supporting rural livelihoods and broad-based economic participation, according to a recent report.

    The report highlighted that cooperative institutions across agriculture, dairy, credit, fisheries, and small-scale enterprises are helping improve access to affordable finance, fair markets, and essential services. This has particularly benefited farmers, rural households, and self-help groups by strengthening income opportunities at the grassroots level.

    It added that ongoing policy support, institutional reforms, and increasing digital adoption have improved transparency, efficiency, and outreach within the cooperative framework. These developments have enabled cooperatives to function more effectively as community-driven economic units.

    Experts noted that the cooperative model continues to contribute to balanced regional development by reducing disparities between urban and rural economies. They said its expanding role in employment generation, skill development, and value-chain integration is helping position it as a key engine of inclusive growth in India’s development landscape.

  • 46 Fake Hotel Booking, VIP Darshan Websites Taken Down Ahead of Rath Yatra; Pilgrims Lose INR 10 Lakh to Cyber Fraud

    Bhubaneswar, July 6 (UDN): With the annual Rath Yatra set to attract lakhs of devotees to Puri, cybercriminals have stepped up online scams by creating fake hotel booking portals and fraudulent VIP darshan websites to cheat unsuspecting pilgrims.

    46 Fake Hotel Booking, VIP Darshan Websites Taken Down Ahead of Rath Yatra; Pilgrims Lose ₹10 Lakh to Cyber Fraud

    Representational image

    The Odisha Crime Branch, in coordination with the Puri Police, has identified and taken down around 46 bogus websites that were allegedly being used to dupe devotees seeking accommodation and temple-related services online.

    According to officials, fraudsters cloned websites of genuine hotels and created deceptive portals offering attractive room tariffs and guaranteed accommodation. These fake websites often appeared prominently in online search results, prompting devotees to make advance payments for bookings that never existed.

    Cyber criminals were also found luring pilgrims with false promises of VIP darshan of Lord Jagannath in exchange for online payments. Victims were persuaded to transfer money through UPI and digital wallets, after which the fraudsters became unreachable by switching off their mobile phones or blocking communication.

    Police said around 40 devotees were cheated of nearly ₹10 lakh in the past week alone through such fraudulent schemes.

    In view of the increasing number of cyber fraud cases, the Crime Branch has issued a public advisory urging devotees to remain vigilant while making online bookings. Pilgrims have been advised to verify hotel contact details through reliable sources, avoid clicking on unknown links or the first search results without verification, and refrain from making full advance payments to unverified entities.

    Authorities have also recommended booking accommodation only through trusted travel platforms or official tourism websites and cautioned the public against anyone claiming to offer special or VIP darshan in exchange for money.

    The Crime Branch has appealed to victims of cyber fraud to immediately report incidents through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to facilitate prompt action and improve the chances of recovering the lost amount.

    Police said surveillance of online platforms has been intensified, and strict action will continue against those attempting to exploit devotees during the Rath Yatra.

  • India’s deal value jumps 127 pc to four-year high in Q2: Report

    New Delhi, July 6: India’s deal-making activity recorded a sharp surge in the second quarter, with total deal value rising 127% to a four-year high, according to a recent report.

    The report attributed the jump to increased mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and strong activity in sectors such as technology, financial services, and infrastructure. Large-value transactions played a key role in pushing overall deal value higher.

    It added that investor confidence in India’s long-term growth story remains strong, supported by stable macroeconomic conditions and continued foreign and domestic capital inflows.

    However, the report noted that global uncertainties and fluctuating market conditions could influence deal momentum in the coming quarters, even as India continues to remain a preferred investment destination.

     

  • BlackRock CEO Flags Power Supply as Key Constraint for AI Expansion

    July 6: The Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock has identified reliable power supply as one of the most critical challenges facing the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) globally.

    He noted that while AI technology is advancing at a fast pace, the increasing scale of data centres and high-performance computing systems is driving unprecedented demand for electricity. This rising energy requirement is placing significant pressure on existing power infrastructure across many regions.

    According to his remarks, the future growth of AI will depend not only on innovation in software and hardware but also on the availability of stable, scalable, and efficient energy systems. He emphasized that countries and companies capable of ensuring consistent power supply will be better positioned to lead in the AI-driven global economy.

    The statement highlights growing industry concerns about the intersection of technology growth and energy capacity, as AI adoption continues to expand across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and enterprise services.

    The remarks underline the need for long-term planning in energy infrastructure to support the next phase of digital transformation.

  • India–New Zealand Trade, Travel Surge Ahead of FTA Rollout

    July 6: Trade and tourism between India and New Zealand are witnessing strong growth ahead of the implementation of the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations.

    Export volumes from India have increased in recent months, reflecting higher demand for Indian goods and services in overseas markets. At the same time, there has been a noticeable rise in visitor arrivals from India to New Zealand, driven by tourism, education, and business travel.

    Officials from both countries said this upward trend signals growing confidence among businesses and travellers as economic ties continue to strengthen. They added that the upcoming FTA is expected to further reduce trade barriers, simplify customs procedures, and open new opportunities for exporters, investors, and service providers.

    The agreement is also expected to boost cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, technology, education, and tourism, while improving market access for businesses on both sides.

    Overall, the rising trade and travel activity highlights deepening economic engagement between India and New Zealand ahead of the formal rollout of the FTA.

  • Ujjivan Small Finance Bank launches Mutual Fund Distribution Services

    Bengaluru, July 06: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank recently launched its Mutual Fund distribution services, marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s journey towards offering comprehensive banking solutions. This offering is designed to provide customers with a seamless and digitally enabled investment experience that is supported by curated fund options, simplified onboarding processes along with in-depth analytics for better financial planning. The platform offers easy onboarding with minimal customer input, multi-channel access through Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, and RM channel.

    Ujjivan Small Finance Bank has partnered with leading AMCs to offer customers a wide range of investment options.

    Commenting on the launch Mr. Hitendra Jha, Head of Retail Liabilities – TASC & TPP, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank said, “At Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, we are committed to empowering our customers with accessible and transparent wealth creation opportunities. The launch of our Mutual Fund distribution platform marks an important milestone in our journey of providing comprehensive financial solutions. With a seamless digital experience, wide range of mutual fund offerings across channels, we aim to simplify investing and help customers make informed financial decisions aligned with their goals.”

  • Sensex, Nifty extend 4-day winning streak as realty and auto stocks drive market rally

    Mumbai, July 6: Indian equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty extended their gains for the fourth consecutive trading session, supported by strong buying interest in realty and auto stocks.

    Sensex, Nifty extend 4-day winning streak as realty and auto stocks drive market rally

    The markets opened on a positive note and maintained upward momentum through the session, with sectoral strength in real estate and automobile shares leading the rally. Broader market indices also traded firm, indicating healthy participation across segments.

    Analysts said investor sentiment has improved due to sustained domestic inflows and optimism in select sectors. Realty stocks gained on expectations of steady demand and strong project pipelines, while auto stocks advanced on hopes of stable sales trends and improving rural demand outlook.

    However, market experts cautioned that global cues, including movements in crude oil prices, inflation trends, and overseas market performance, could influence near-term volatility. They also noted that intermittent profit booking may emerge after the recent multi-session rally.

  • Infobip Launches PitchMate An AI Fan Companion for Global Football

    India, July 06: Global AI-first cloud communications platform Infobip launched PitchMate, a new AI-powered conversational agent that brings football fans closer to the action of the world’s biggest football tournament. Purpose-built for the global football audience, PitchMate joins the TGR Haas F1 Team RaceMate — Infobip’s AI fan engagement solution for the TGR Haas F1 Team — in demonstrating how conversational AI is transforming fan engagement across sports worldwide.

    RaceMate, launched last April for this year’s motorsport season, is an AI agent on WhatsApp and Apple Messages for Business that puts TGR Haas F1 Team fans at the center of the action. It delivers real-time race data, personalized content, team radio highlights, trivia, and native multilingual support, turning passive viewers into active participants through natural, human-like conversations across every race weekend. Since its launch, RaceMate has reached users in more than 60 countries, achieving more than 40,000 messages exchanged within the platform. It has also seen a 26.8% return-user rate, with top fans returning more than 25 times and exchanging almost 300 messages with the AI agent.

    Launched last June 11th, PitchMate is a personalized AI companion that brings the football tournament directly to fans on their preferred messaging channels, such as WhatsApp and RCS. Fans can choose their favorite team and receive a fully tailored experience: personalized schedules, fixtures, and match statistics through Match Central; quizzes and an AI gamification solution like Vocalize – where fans use their voice to match the soundwave and AI scores it in real-time – driving engagement through Fan Arena; and different options to set up game reminders, specific time zones and still challenge a friend via gamification through Back Office. With cross-session memory and optional matchday reminders, PitchMate builds a continuous engagement journey that keeps fans connected from the opening match to the final whistle.

    “Fan expectations have shifted. They want personalized, real-time experiences on their terms — and if a team or league doesn’t deliver it, another entertainment option will. AI-powered conversational engagement is no longer a differentiator for sports properties; it’s becoming table stakes”, said independent industry analyst Jon Arnold, Principal at J Arnold & Associates.

    “With RaceMate, we’ve shown how AI can transform a fan’s journey from watching a race to living it. Fans don’t just follow the action they are part of it. Now, with PitchMate we give fans a personalized AI companion that knows their team, keeps them updated in real time, and invites them to interact, and engage. This is the future of fan experiences — and it’s powered by Infobip”, said Krešo Žmak, Chief Innovation Officer at Infobip.

    Both PitchMate and RaceMate are powered by the Infobip AgentOS platform, combining generative AI, conversational data intelligence, and omnichannel messaging capabilities, within a single orchestration layer. The same technology is available to any brand looking to deploy intelligent AI agents for customer engagement.