News for '-dado-ruvic'

WhatsApp bans 36.77 lakh accounts in India in December

WhatsApp bans 36.77 lakh accounts in India in December

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The banned WhatsApp accounts in India include 13.89 lakh accounts which were barred proactively before being flagged by users.

Indians remitted nearly $2 bn in Nov under Reserve Bank's LRS scheme

Indians remitted nearly $2 bn in Nov under Reserve Bank's LRS scheme

Rediff.com20 Jan 2023

Indians remitted close to $2 billion in November under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) liberalised remittance scheme (LRS), latest data released by the central bank showed. Outward remittances under the scheme jumped 29 per cent to $1.99 billion compared to $1.54 billion in the year-ago month. Sequentially, outward remittances under the scheme were up about 3.5 per cent.

Telcos to stop high-frequency band 5G services in and around airports

Telcos to stop high-frequency band 5G services in and around airports

Rediff.com30 Nov 2022

Telecom operators will need to shut down 5G services in high-frequency bands in and around airports following restrictions imposed by the Department of Telecom at the request of the civil aviation ministry, according to sources. Based on buffer and safety zone details provided by the aviation ministry, the DoT has asked telecom operators to not install 5G base stations in the 3.3-3.6 Ghz band in the area of 2.1 kilometres from both ends of the runway and 910 meters from the centre line of the runway of Indian airports with immediate effect. "Telecom operators will need to shut down 5G service in the 3.3-3.6 Ghz band only in and around airports based on the order.

Zudio Is Indian Retail's 2023 Blockbuster

Zudio Is Indian Retail's 2023 Blockbuster

Rediff.com8 Jan 2024

Zudio was the standout performer as it tapped into the pentup demand in small-town India, at a pace never seen before, notes Indrajit Gupta, co-founder and director, Founding Fuel.

Outward remittances under RBI's LRS rise 50% to $9.1 billion in Q1

Outward remittances under RBI's LRS rise 50% to $9.1 billion in Q1

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

Outward remittances under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) liberalised remittance scheme (LRS) surged by 50.64 per cent to $9.1 billion in the April-June quarter (first quarter, or Q1) of 2023-24 (FY24), driven by healthy growth across segments due to a revision in the timeline of tax collected at source under the LRS scheme and normalisation in international travel. Major drivers include equity and debt investments, deposits, and the international travel segment, among others. According to the latest RBI data, the amount remitted under LRS stood at $9.1 billion in Q1FY24, compared with $6.05 billion in the same quarter last year.

'BYJU's showing green shoots towards profitability'

'BYJU's showing green shoots towards profitability'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2024

'If you look at assets truly working for us, you should look at Aakash and Great Learning.'

Third round of layoffs: Meta's senior India executives get pink slips

Third round of layoffs: Meta's senior India executives get pink slips

Rediff.com27 May 2023

With the third and final round of layoffs implemented by Facebook's parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in process globally, India, too, has seen its impact, with some senior executives being asked to leave. Some of the executives to have been impacted are Avinash Pant, India's director of marketing; Saket Jha Sourabh, director and head of media partnerships; and Amrita Mukherjee, one of the directors on the legal team. An email sent to the company did not elicit any comment on the development until the time of going to press.

Oil marketing companies likely to feel the heat of high crude oil prices

Oil marketing companies likely to feel the heat of high crude oil prices

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

India's trade account could come under pressure and there could be an inflation push if crude oil prices remain above the $90 per barrel (Brent) for a prolonged period since India imports over 85 per cent of its oil and roughly 50 per cent of its gas. A rebound in economic activity is bound to lead to higher fuel demand. While India is the third-largest importer of crude, it is a net exporter of refined products, which helps to compensate to some degree.

Data Protection Bill panel gets 5th extension till Winter Session

Data Protection Bill panel gets 5th extension till Winter Session

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

The JCP was constituted in the Lok Sabha in December 2019 and was expected to submit its report in the Budget Session.

Forex reserves fall to $634.29 bn

Forex reserves fall to $634.29 bn

Rediff.com28 Jan 2022

The country's foreign exchange reserves declined by $678 million to $634.29 billion in the week ended January 21, according to RBI data. In the previous week ended January 14, the reserves had increased by $2.23 billion to $634.96 billion. It touched a lifetime high of $642.45 billion in the week ended September 3, 2021.

5G spectrum auction likely in early June

5G spectrum auction likely in early June

Rediff.com28 Apr 2022

The government is likely to hold 5G spectrum auction in early June, telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday. The minister said that the Department of Telecom is working as per expected timeline and the process is on to resolve industry concerns around spectrum pricing. Asked about the schedule of the spectrum auction, Vaishaw said that it is expected to be in early June.

Did WhatsApp access mic when smartphone was not in use? Govt to probe

Did WhatsApp access mic when smartphone was not in use? Govt to probe

Rediff.com10 May 2023

The government will investigate a claim that WhatsApp accessed the microphone of smartphone users while the phone was not in use, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Wednesday.

Google now says will cooperate with CCI on way forward

Google now says will cooperate with CCI on way forward

Rediff.com20 Jan 2023

With the Supreme Court turning down Google's plea for a stay on the CCI order, the tech giant on Friday said it is reviewing the details of the decision which is limited to interim relief and did not decide the merits of the appeal. The company said it remains committed to users and partners and "will cooperate with the CCI on the way forward in parallel with our appeal." In a setback to Google, the Supreme Court on Thursday endorsed the order of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) declining to grant an interim stay on the imposition of Rs 1,337 crore penalty on the US tech major by the competition regulator for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the Android mobile device ecosystem.

Forex reserves decrease by $587 mn to $635.08 bn

Forex reserves decrease by $587 mn to $635.08 bn

Rediff.com31 Dec 2021

India's forex reserves decreased by $587 million to $635.08 billion for the week ended December 24, the RBI said on Friday. In the previous week ended December 17, the overall reserves had decreased by $160 million to $635.67 billion. The kitty had touched a lifetime high of $642.45 billion in the week ended September 3, 2021.

Who will pay extra costs for Tokyo Olympics delay?

Who will pay extra costs for Tokyo Olympics delay?

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

Tokyo 2020 organising committee chief executive Toshiro Muto said, on Tuesday, it is not clear who will pay the extra costs arising from the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.

ED freezes over Rs 64-cr bank deposits of crypto exchange WazirX

ED freezes over Rs 64-cr bank deposits of crypto exchange WazirX

Rediff.com5 Aug 2022

The federal agency said it conducted raids against a director of Zanmai Lab Pvt Ltd, which owns WazirX, on August 3 in Hyderabad and alleged he was "non-cooperative". The agency's probe against the crypto exchange is linked to its ongoing investigation against a number of Chinese loan apps (mobile applications) working in India.

Forex reserves slide $11.17 bn; steepest fall in a week

Forex reserves slide $11.17 bn; steepest fall in a week

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

In the steepest weekly fall ever, India's forex reserves slid by $11.17 billion to $606.47 billion as the currency came under pressure due to geopolitical developments, according to the Reserve Bank data released on Friday. For the previous reporting week ended March 25, the overall reserves had slid by $2.03 billion to $617.65 billion. The steep fall in the reserves was because of a decline in the core currency assets, which fell by $10.73 billion to $539.73 billion.

Forex reserves dip by $160 mn to $635.67 bn

Forex reserves dip by $160 mn to $635.67 bn

Rediff.com24 Dec 2021

The country's foreign exchange reserves declined by $160 million to stand at $635.667 billion in the week to December 17, RBI data showed on Friday. In the previous week ended December 10, the reserves had decreased by $77 million to $635.828 billion. It touched a lifetime high of $642.453 billion in the week ended September 3, 2021.

Covid-19: Remittances from West Asia hit in FY21

Covid-19: Remittances from West Asia hit in FY21

Rediff.com25 Jul 2022

The money sent home by Indians from West Asian countries took a beating in 2020-21 due to the pandemic. On the other hand, overseas Indians in advanced nations - the United States, United Kingdom and Singapore - emerged as important sources of remittance, according to a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) survey. Indians working in informal sectors in West Asia seem to have been impacted the most due to the lockdowns and subdued crude oil prices as well as slower pace of migration in recent years.

Will shut down Facebook ops if you don't cooperate in probe, warns HC

Will shut down Facebook ops if you don't cooperate in probe, warns HC

Rediff.com15 Jun 2023

The high court of Karnataka has orally warned Facebook (Meta) that it may order its operations in India to be shut down if it does not cooperate with police investigation over a fake profile.

Sony likely to seek forensic audit of Zee Entertainment, say lawyers

Sony likely to seek forensic audit of Zee Entertainment, say lawyers

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

Japan's Sony Corporation, which is merging its Indian television content company with Zee Entertainment Enterprises, is likely to seek a fresh forensic audit of the company after market regulator Sebi levelled fund diversion charges against Zee promoters, top lawyers said. The Sebi also barred Zee founder Subhash Chandra and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Puneet Goenka from holding any position as director. "As the Sebi has made fund diversion charges, which may change the nature of audited reports already filed, the acquirer (Sony) can seek a fresh forensic audit," said H P Ranina, a corporate lawyer.

Is India's NavIC Better Than GPS?

Is India's NavIC Better Than GPS?

Rediff.com28 Oct 2023

NavIC consists of a constellation of seven satellites and a network of ground stations and is touted to be more accurate than GPS.

Patna man arrested for running 'anti-India' WhatsApp group

Patna man arrested for running 'anti-India' WhatsApp group

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

A 26-year-old man was arrested in Patna on Friday for allegedly propagating "anti-India" views through a WhatsApp group that he operated, the police said.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Rediff.com4 Feb 2021

When the world wears a white blanket...

HSBC acquires Silicon Valley Bank's UK arm for 1 pound

HSBC acquires Silicon Valley Bank's UK arm for 1 pound

Rediff.com13 Mar 2023

The UK government announced on Monday that it has facilitated London-based banking major HSBC to buy the embattled UK arm of Silicon Valley Bank for 1 pound, securing the deposits of more than 3,000 customers worth around 6.7 billion pounds. Santa Clara, California-based Silicon Valley Bank - which specialised in lending to technology companies - was shut down by US regulators on Friday in what was the largest failure of a US bank since 2008. According to experts, although the UK arm of SVB was small with only around 3,000 business customers, its collapse would have presented a risk for the tech sector which is seen as crucial to Britain's economic growth.

Sebi ban not a problem: Zee's Goenka to staff

Sebi ban not a problem: Zee's Goenka to staff

Rediff.com17 Jul 2023

The merger of ZEE Entertainment and Sony has reached an advanced stage of completion, and the issues faced by promoters with Sebi should not become a problem for the company, debarred ZEEL MD Punit Goenka has said in a letter to employees, according to sources. Goenka, who along with his father Subhas Chandra, was denied any interim relief against a Sebi order that barred them from holding the position of director or key managerial post in any listed company, in the letter ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) staff asserted that the merger of Culver Max (earlier known as Sony Pictures Networks India) is at a very important juncture. With the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) restricting him from holding a directorial or key managerial position in a listed company, Goenka told the employees that the ZEEL board has constituted an interim committee of senior executives to ensure smooth operations and day-to-day functioning.

Nokia, Tech Mahindra ink pact for 5G-based solutions

Nokia, Tech Mahindra ink pact for 5G-based solutions

Rediff.com12 Jan 2022

Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia and Tech Mahindra have joined hands to deploy 5G-based solutions for business organisations, according to a joint statement by the two companies. Under the collaboration, Tech Mahindra will leverage Nokia's private wireless DAC (digital automation cloud) solution for customers across industries and facilitate in automating 5G private wireless network management on a cloud computing system and enabling them deploy internet of things like technology.

Flow of money into NRI deposits moderates to $3.23 bn in FY22

Flow of money into NRI deposits moderates to $3.23 bn in FY22

Rediff.com26 May 2022

Flow of money into non-resident Indian (NRI) deposits moderated sharply to $3.23 billion in April 2021-March 2022 from $7.36 billion in the same period of the previous year. Outstanding deposits have also gone down to $139.02 billion at the end of March 2022. This compares to $141.89 billion a year ago, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data.

Meta expands WhatsApp payments service in India

Meta expands WhatsApp payments service in India

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

WhatsApp on Wednesday announced the expansion of its payments service in India to make it easier for people transacting with businesses to pay for purchases directly in the chat, with a choice of UPI apps, including rival digital payment options, as well as credit and debit cards. Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg asserted that India is leading the world in people and businesses embracing messaging. WhatsApp said it is working with partners Razorpay and PayU "to make paying for something as simple as sending a message", as the Meta-owned platform unveiled a host of new features to woo businesses in India's booming commerce market.

Editors Guild advises caution as The Wire retracts Meta stories

Editors Guild advises caution as The Wire retracts Meta stories

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

The Editors Guild of India on Friday said it was 'disturbed' by the recent turn of events with respect to reports published by news portal The Wire on Meta and urged newsrooms to 'resist the temptation of moving fast on sensitive stories'.

Surprise oil output cut by OPEC+ to delay price revision in India

Surprise oil output cut by OPEC+ to delay price revision in India

Rediff.com3 Apr 2023

The surprise decision of OPEC and its allies, including Russia, to cut oil output may cause an immediate rise in prices, delaying revision in fuel prices in India, industry sources said. The grouping of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, called OPEC+, on Sunday decided to further cut oil output by around 1.16 million barrels. The move led to Brent rising by almost 6 per cent to $84.58 per barrel on Monday.

8 YouTube channels blocked for spreading disinformation against India

8 YouTube channels blocked for spreading disinformation against India

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

The government on Thursday ordered blocking of eight YouTube channels, including one operating from Pakistan, for allegedly spreading disinformation related to India's national security, foreign relations and public order.

Will Disney Exit India?

Will Disney Exit India?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2023

Disney Star India, bought at a valuation of $15 billion, could be on the block for roughly one-third that amount.

US investor BlackRock slashes Byju's valuation by 95% to $1 billion

US investor BlackRock slashes Byju's valuation by 95% to $1 billion

Rediff.com15 Jan 2024

BlackRock has again reduced the valuation of its share in edtech firm Byju's - this time to about $1 billion, TechCrunch reported on Friday, citing disclosures made by the US-based asset manager. This is 95 per cent less than its peak valuation of $22 billion in 2022. The markdown comes at a time when the company is facing a multitude of challenges, including securing fresh capital, delays in financial reporting and legal disputes with lenders.

Forex reserves down by $997 mn to $638.65 bn

Forex reserves down by $997 mn to $638.65 bn

Rediff.com1 Oct 2021

The country's foreign exchange reserves declined by $997 million to reach $638.646 billion in the week ended September 24, RBI data showed on Friday. In the previous week ended September 17, 2021, the reserves had tumbled by $1.47 billion to $639.642 billion. The forex kitty had surged by $8.895 billion to a lifetime high of $642.453 billion in the week ended September 3, 2021.

Forex reserves decline $4 bn to $603.93 bn

Forex reserves decline $4 bn to $603.93 bn

Rediff.com25 Jun 2021

Sliding from a lifetime high, India's forex reserves declined by $4.148 billion to reach $603.933 billion for the week ended June 18 due to a fall in gold and currency assets, RBI data showed on Friday. The forex kitty had surged by $3.074 billion to a record high of $608.081 billion in the previous reporting week. The foreign currency assets (FCA), a major component of the overall reserves, declined by $1.918 billion to $561.540 billion for the reporting week, as per data by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Byju's in talks with investors to raise $300 mn in return for more controls

Byju's in talks with investors to raise $300 mn in return for more controls

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

With investors asking for a change in the board structure at Byju's, the edtech giant's founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Byju Raveendran, is now asking them to put $300 million into the company for more control. The company has rung up $5.8 billion from investors such as General Atlantic, Sofina, the Qatar Investment Authority, Sumeru Ventures, Vitruvian Partners, BlackRock, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Sequoia, Silver Lake, Bond Capital, Tencent, and Tiger Global.

After 15 months, RBI allows AmEx to acquire new credit card customers

After 15 months, RBI allows AmEx to acquire new credit card customers

Rediff.com25 Aug 2022

The Reserve Bank of India has on Wednesday lifted the ban on new customer acquisition by American Express which was imposed with effect from May 2021 due to non-compliance with local data storage norms. "In view of the satisfactory compliance demonstrated by American Express Banking Corp. with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) circular dated April 6, 2018, on Storage of Payment System Data, the restrictions imposed, vide order dated April 23, 2021, on onboarding of new domestic customers have been lifted with immediate effect," RBI said. Similar bans were imposed on Diners Club International and Mastercard previously.

After Reliance-bp, Nayara Energy sells petrol, diesel at Re 1 less than PSUs

After Reliance-bp, Nayara Energy sells petrol, diesel at Re 1 less than PSUs

Rediff.com30 May 2023

After Reliance Industries Ltd and its partner bp plc of the UK, Nayara Energy - the nation's largest private fuel retailer - has started selling petrol and diesel at Re 1 less than the fuel sold by state-owned retailers, officials said. While state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) continue to hold prices despite a drop in international rates, private fuel retailers have started passing on the benefit to consumers. "To further stimulate domestic consumption and cater to local customers better, we have introduced a Re 1 discount in our retail outlets until the end of June 2023," a spokesperson for Nayara Energy said.

Android probe: CCI 'protecting' Amazon, Google tells SC

Android probe: CCI 'protecting' Amazon, Google tells SC

Rediff.com7 Jul 2023

Google, in its latest appeal to the Supreme Court, has said the Competition Commission of India (CCI) is protecting Amazon's interests after having complained that India's anti-competition body (CCI) had copied part of a European Commission ruling against it for allegedly abusing the market dominance of Android. The latest twist to the Google-CCI case comes as Google filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on June 26, against the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT's) March 29 order. The tech giant's contention is that the NCLAT failed to apply the "effect analysis" part in the CCI order.