ADB launches $70 billion connectivity plan; Asia power and digital networks to expand by 2035

The Asian Development Bank on Sunday rolled out an ambitious $70 billion regional investment roadmap to strengthen electricity links and digital infrastructure across Asia and the Pacific by 2035, in a push to improve resilience, reduce costs and widen access, PTI reported.The package combines two large programmes –a $50 billion Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative and … Read more

Air India board to review losses on May 7, cost-saving plans and CEO hunt in focus

Air India’s board will meet on May 7 to review cost-saving measures, discuss CEO succession plans and consider the airline’s FY26 financials as mounting losses and the Middle East conflict intensify pressure on the Tata Group-owned carrier, PTI reported.Sources told news agency PTI that the board, chaired by Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, is scheduled … Read more

FPIs continue to exit Indian markets, sold Rs 60,847 cr worth equities in April

Foreign investors continued their selling spree from Indian equities in April, pulling out Rs 60,847 crore from the market. This comes after a massive sell-off in March, when overseas investors had already offloaded shares worth Rs 1,17,775 crore, according to National Securities Depository Limited data. The back-to-back withdrawals have pushed cumulative foreign portfolio investor (FPI) … Read more

OPEC+ raises crude oil’s June output quotas, group signals continuity after UAE exit

Saudi Arabia, Russia and five other OPEC+ countries on Sunday increased their oil production quota in a move seen as reinforcing continuity within the producers’ alliance after the United Arab Emirates’ shock withdrawal, AFP reported.The seven major producers will add “188,000 barrels per day” to their combined production quota for June, according to a statement … Read more

New hospital building norms ease capacity limits, NATHEALTH says healthcare access to improve

Healthcare industry body NATHEALTH on Sunday welcomed the government’s National Building Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026, saying the new norms easing height restrictions for hospitals are expected to reduce infrastructure bottlenecks and improve access to healthcare, PTI reported.The industry body said the revised standards allow hospitals to build beyond earlier limits and permit Intensive Care Units … Read more

Nestle India flags cost volatility, bets on volume-led growth despite global risks

FMCG major Nestle India has flagged volatility in input costs amid geopolitical uncertainties but said it will continue to pursue volume-led growth in the new fiscal, with focus on expanding consumption, improving penetration and driving efficiencies, PTI reported.Chairman and Managing Director Manish Tiwary said the maker of Maggi noodles, Nescafé and KitKat remains cautious as … Read more

Leather, footwear sector seeks duty relief as Middle East crisis drives up input costs

India’s leather and footwear industry is struggling with high input costs due to the ongoing Middle East crisis and is seeking import duty exemptions on essential raw materials, machinery and components. Industry representatives have taken up the issue with the commerce and industry ministry, warning that the disruption has sharply raised the cost of several … Read more

Market watch this week: State poll verdicts, oil prices and Q4 earnings to steer stock market mood, analysts say

Stock markets are heading into a crucial week, with investors likely to keep a close watch on state election results, crude oil prices and the ongoing Middle East conflict. Vote counting for assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will begin on Monday, May 4, and analysts believe the results could … Read more

Market recap: Top 10 firms add Rs 2.20 lakh crore in value; Reliance emerges biggest gainer

Dalal Street closed the holiday-shortened week in the green, lifting the combined market valuation of India’s top 10 most valued firms by Rs 2.20 lakh crore. Reliance Industries led the rally as investor sentiment remained resilient despite a volatile trading environment.The gains came even as the stock market moved within a narrow range. The BSE … Read more

Pakistan faces economic strain; oil surge drives inflation toward 11%

Pakistan’s struggling economy is likely to remain under sustained pressure, with double-digit inflation expected to persist if global oil prices continue to surge amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, according to a report by Dawn.Topline Securities Ltd, in its latest “Pakistan Strategy” report released Saturday, provided a grim assessment of the impact of rising energy … Read more