News for 'Dado'

India's forex kitty jumps $3.03 bn to $576.76 bn

India's forex kitty jumps $3.03 bn to $576.76 bn

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

India's forex reserves increased by $3.034 billion to $576.76 billion as of January 27, making it the third consecutive week of a jump in the kitty. The overall reserves had risen by $1.727 billion to $573.727 billion in the previous reporting week. It can be noted that in October 2021, the country's forex kitty had reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

Twitter closes Delhi, Mumbai offices; staff asked to work from home

Twitter closes Delhi, Mumbai offices; staff asked to work from home

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

Amid layoffs and a severe cost-cutting, Twitter has closed offices in Delhi and Mumbai and asked staff to work from home, according to sources. The micro-blogging platform's Bengaluru office that largely has engineering staff remains operational, the sources said. The Delhi and Mumbai offices shuttered a few weeks ago, with remaining staff now working from home, sources privy to the matter said.

Forex reserves drop by $1.268 bn to $561.583 bn

Forex reserves drop by $1.268 bn to $561.583 bn

Rediff.com13 Jan 2023

India's forex reserves declined by $1.27 billion to $561.58 billion for the week ended January 6, the Reserve Bank said on Friday. The overall reserves had increased by $44 million to $562.85 billion in the previous reporting week after two consecutive weeks of the slide. In October 2021, the country's foreign exchange kitty reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

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.

Remittances decline 23% sequentially to $2.1 billion in February

Remittances decline 23% sequentially to $2.1 billion in February

Rediff.com30 Apr 2023

Outward remittances in February under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) liberalised remittance scheme (LRS) fell 23 per cent over January, latest data released by the central bank, in its monthly bulletin, revealed. In February, Indians remitted $2.1 billion under the RBI's liberalised scheme. On a year-on-year (YoY) basis - aided by international travel - LRS jumped 15.24 per cent. Further, in April 2022-February 2023, outward remittances under LRS stood at $24.18 billion, an all-time high.

Loss At Byju's May Only Be Tip Of Iceberg

Loss At Byju's May Only Be Tip Of Iceberg

Rediff.com18 Nov 2023

'Byju's financials only reflect the core business. At a group level, they are experiencing substantial losses.'

Facebook parent Meta to slash 11,000 jobs to cut expenses, transform its business model

Facebook parent Meta to slash 11,000 jobs to cut expenses, transform its business model

Rediff.com9 Nov 2022

Facebook parent Meta announced on Wednesday to slash around 11,000 jobs as a part of mass layoffs to cut expenses and transform its business model. As the tech industry is slashing jobs, Meta too announced layoffs. "We are also taking a number of additional steps to become a leaner and more efficient company by cutting discretionary spending and extending our hiring freeze through Q1," said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a statement on Wednesday.

Forex reserves down $691 mn to $562.81 bn

Forex reserves down $691 mn to $562.81 bn

Rediff.com30 Dec 2022

India's forex reserves dropped by $691 million to $562.808 billion as of December 23, making it the second consecutive week of decline in the kitty, according to the RBI data. The overall reserves had dropped by $571 million to $563.50 billion in the previous reporting week, snapping a five-week trend of an increase in the kitty. In October 2021, the country's foreign exchange reserves reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

Govt set to approve Micron Technology's $1-billion semiconductor plant

Govt set to approve Micron Technology's $1-billion semiconductor plant

Rediff.com2 May 2023

The government is close to approving a proposal by Micron Technology to set up an assembly, testing, marking and packaging (ATMP) facility in the country involving an investment of about $1 billion. The world's fifth largest semiconductor company, based in Idaho, USA, will use the facility to process some of its own wafers, manufactured across the globe.

Meta India executive Manish Chopra resigns, fourth major exit in 6 months

Meta India executive Manish Chopra resigns, fourth major exit in 6 months

Rediff.com17 May 2023

Meta's director and head of partnerships in India Manish Chopra has quit the company. He joined the social media giant in January 2019. Chopra took to LinkedIn to announce his departure. However, he will help in the transition over the next few weeks. "The recent months have been trying times for everyone in so many ways.

Forex reserves decline by $571 mn to $563.5 bn

Forex reserves decline by $571 mn to $563.5 bn

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

After rising for five consecutive weeks, India's forex kitty dropped $571 million to $563.5 billion for the week ended December 16, according to RBI data released on Friday. In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves had swelled $2.91 billion to $564.06 billion, making it the fifth straight week of an increase in the kitty after a protracted decline. In October 2021, the country's foreign exchange kitty had reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

Sensex tanks 981 points; settles below 60k

Sensex tanks 981 points; settles below 60k

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

From the Sensex pack, Tata Steel plunged nearly 5 per cent. Other major laggards were Tata Motors, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finserv, Reliance Industries, Wipro, IndusInd Bank, Larsen & Toubro and Maruti Suzuki.

JP Morgan's inclusion of India to emerging market debt index may boost G-secs

JP Morgan's inclusion of India to emerging market debt index may boost G-secs

Rediff.com24 Oct 2023

India's inclusion in JP Morgan's bond index can channel billions of dollars into India. How will the government securities market handle it?

Forex reserves swell by $2.91 bn to $564.06 bn

Forex reserves swell by $2.91 bn to $564.06 bn

Rediff.com16 Dec 2022

India's forex reserves rose by $2.908 billion to $564.06 billion for the week ended on December 9, according to the Reserve Bank data released on Friday. In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves had soared by $11 billion to $561.16 billion. This is the fifth consecutive week of an increase in the reserves.

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.

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.

PE/VC investments nearly halve in Feb 2023

PE/VC investments nearly halve in Feb 2023

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

Investments by private equity and venture capital funds declined by 44 per cent to $3.7 billion in February compared to the same period a year ago, a report said on Monday. The bets by the long-term investors were 13 per cent lower when compared to the investments in the preceding month of January, the report by industry lobby Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association and consultancy firm EY, said. "...rising global recession concerns, increasing cost of capital and mismatch in valuation expectations between sellers and investors are turning out to be major impediments in the deployment of capital," EY's partner Vivek Soni said.

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.

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.

WhatsApp bans over 4.5mn accounts in India in Feb

WhatsApp bans over 4.5mn accounts in India in Feb

Rediff.com1 Apr 2023

WhatsApp had banned 2.9 million accounts in January, 3.6 million accounts in December and 3.7 million accounts in November.

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.

Tribunal directs Google to pay 10% of Rs 1,337.76 cr CCI penalty

Tribunal directs Google to pay 10% of Rs 1,337.76 cr CCI penalty

Rediff.com4 Jan 2023

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal on Wednesday directed Google to pay 10 per cent of the Rs 1,337.76-crore penalty imposed on the tech giant by fair trade regulator CCI. A two-member bench, however, declined to grant any immediate stay the operations of Competition Commission of India (CCI) penalty and said it would pass any order after hearing out other parties. The appellate tribunal has issued notices to CCI and directed to list the matter on February 13, for hearing over interim stay.

ITC AGM, Q1FY24 nos: When will the stock break out from consolidation mode?

ITC AGM, Q1FY24 nos: When will the stock break out from consolidation mode?

Rediff.com20 Aug 2023

The "asset-right" strategy, reiterated by ITC chairman Sanjiv Puri during the company's 112th annual general meeting (AGM) on August 11, received a thumbs up from the analysts. They, however, believe that sustained earnings growth and synergies with the demerged hotel's vertical will help the stock break out from the ongoing consolidation. "The stock is expected to consolidate between Rs 420 and Rs 450 in the near future.

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.

Forex kitty grows for 2nd consecutive week; rises $2.54 bn to $547.25 bn

Forex kitty grows for 2nd consecutive week; rises $2.54 bn to $547.25 bn

Rediff.com25 Nov 2022

In the second consecutive week of an increase in the kitty, India's forex reserves have grown by $2.54 billion to $547.25 billion for the week ended November 18, the RBI said on Friday. In the previous reporting week, the overall kitty had swelled by $14.72 billion in the highest weekly rise since August 2021 to $544.71 billion. It can be noted that in October 2021, the country's forex kitty had reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

SVB crisis: $200 mn worth start-up deposits moved to GIFT City

SVB crisis: $200 mn worth start-up deposits moved to GIFT City

Rediff.com17 Mar 2023

Around $200 million worth of deposits of Indian start-ups have been withdrawn from Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which was taken over by US banking regulators last week after it collapsed, and moved to the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) IFSC, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state (MoS) for electronics and information technology said on Thursday. "It turns out that there was over a billion dollars of deposits of Indian start-ups in SVB. "The existential, solvency crisis that was there six-seven days ago has become much more manageable, even the short-term liquidity crisis is being addressed as the bank allows access to deposits," the minister said while speaking at Lenovo's Tech World India Edition event.

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.

Google approaches tribunal against CCI's order on Android

Google approaches tribunal against CCI's order on Android

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

Google has approached the appellate tribunal NCLAT challenging the CCI's order on unfair business practices in Android mobile device ecosystem, the company spokesperson said on Friday. The Competition Commission in October slapped a steep penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on internet giant Google for abusing its dominant position in multiple markets in relation to Android mobile devices and ordered the internet major to cease and desist from various unfair business practices. A Google spokesperson told PTI: "We have decided to appeal the CCI's decision on Android as we believe it presents a major setback for our Indian users and businesses who trust Android's security features, and potentially raising the cost of mobile devices."

Bureau of Indian Standards to engage e-commerce players for self-regulation

Bureau of Indian Standards to engage e-commerce players for self-regulation

Rediff.com21 Dec 2022

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will engage stakeholders in the e-commerce space to establish standards with the objective of self-regulation, said its deputy director Parul Gupta at the Internet Commerce Summit 2022 in Bengaluru. "Standardisation will allow parties to transact qualified commodities and services at any location and time," said Gupta. BIS recently released standards for e-commerce players, travel portals, and food delivery platforms that publish consumer reviews online, as part of the government's efforts to crack down on fake reviews, said Gupta.

Forex reserves down $3 bn to $561 bn

Forex reserves down $3 bn to $561 bn

Rediff.com2 Sep 2022

The country's foreign exchange reserves declined by $3.01 billion to $561.05 billion in the week ended August 26, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data showed. In the previous week ended August 19, the reserves had dipped by $6.69 billion to $564.05 billion. The fall in the reserves during the reporting week ended August 26 was on account of a dip in the foreign currency assets (FCA), a major component of the overall reserves, and the gold reserves, according to the Weekly Statistical Supplement released by the RBI on Friday.

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.

Forex reserves drop $4.85 bn to $532.66 bn

Forex reserves drop $4.85 bn to $532.66 bn

Rediff.com7 Oct 2022

India's forex reserves dropped by $4.85 billion to $532.66 billion as on September 30, the Reserve Bank said on Friday. The reserves, which have been dipping as the central bank deploys the kitty to defend the rupee amid pressures caused majorly by global developments, had declined by over $8.13 billion to $537.52 billion in the previous reporting week. In October 2021, the country's forex kitty had reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

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.

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.

SBI in talks with EIB for euro 200 mn green funding

SBI in talks with EIB for euro 200 mn green funding

Rediff.com14 Nov 2022

After securing a euro 150 million Credit line for solar energy finance from a German financial institution, State Bank of India is in talks with european Investment Bank for about euro 200 million to fund climate finance. Recently the country's largest lender obtained euro 150 million in green funding from German government-owned KFW on soft terms and a long repayment period. SBI will use funds to finance solar energy projects.

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.

Can Threads Be The 'Twitter Killer'?

Can Threads Be The 'Twitter Killer'?

Rediff.com24 Jul 2023

'If Threads doesn't become a distinct identity, and just a text version in the shadows of Instagram, then it may fizzle out.'

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.

Spam calls: Govt notice to WhatsApp, says onus of user safety with platforms

Spam calls: Govt notice to WhatsApp, says onus of user safety with platforms

Rediff.com11 May 2023

The digital platforms are responsible and accountable for ensuring the safety of 'digital nagriks', the minister said, adding that the government will respond to every instance of alleged misuse or alleged breach of users' privacy.

India's imports from OPEC at all-time low as Russian oil buy peaks

India's imports from OPEC at all-time low as Russian oil buy peaks

Rediff.com7 May 2023

Oil producers cartel OPEC's share in India's oil imports fell to an all-time low of 46 per cent in April as purchases of cheaper Russian oil peaked, industry data showed. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) nations, mainly in the Middle East and Africa, had a 72 per cent share of all crude oil India imported in April 2022. This share slid to 46 per cent in April 2023, according to energy cargo tracker Vortexa.