Business

Global energy markets were thrown into a state of high alarm today as crude oil prices surged by more than 7.5%, driven by intensifying fears that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could lead to a total closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude, the international benchmark, spiked toward the $80-a-barrel mark after reports surfaced suggesting that military escalations between the U.S., Israel, and Iran have reached a critical tipping point. The Strait of Hormuz is widely considered the world's most important oil transit chokepoint, with approximately 21 million barrels of oil—roughly 20% of global daily consumption—passing through its narrow waters. Any disruption to this route, which connects Middle Eastern producers to key markets in Asia, Europe, and North America, would trigger a s...

For doctors, nurses and thousands of patients who walk through its doors each year, the latest recognition for Medanta – The Medicity is more than just a ranking. The hospital, operated by Global Health Limited, has been named India’s No. 1 hospital in Newsweek’s prestigious World’s Best Hospitals 2026 list, compiled in partnership with Statista Inc.. The achievement marks the seventh consecutive year Medanta has featured among the world’s leading hospitals. The 2026 rankings evaluated over 2,500 hospitals across 32 countries, including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Australia and Canada. The assessment drew on recommendations from thousands of medical experts, patient experience data, hospital quality metrics and a Patient-Reported Outcome Mea...

Oriflame India has moved to consolidate its position in the premium beauty segment by appointing Karishma Tanna as the face of its NovAge+ advanced skincare range and Supreme Tribute Ezzénza fragrance, reflecting a broader industry shift toward science-backed, high-value personal care products. The NovAge+ portfolio, developed at Oriflame’s Skin Research Institute in Sweden, is built on patented technologies including Bio Aspartolift (collagen and elastin support), Oripeptide-3 (fine line reduction), Bio Lumilock (pigmentation management), and Bio Re:Barrier (moisture barrier strengthening). Clinical testing indicates visible improvements in smoothness, radiance and firmness within two weeks, reinforcing its premium positioning. Structured as a four-step regimen—cleanse, eye care, boos...

The Indian stock market is currently witnessing a fascinating masterclass in conviction as the portfolios of the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala (now managed by Rekha Jhunjhunwala) and veteran investor Radhakishan Damani face a significant turbulence. Despite two of their high-profile holdings crashing by more than 55% from their peak values, these "Big Bulls" have notably refused to dump their shares, sparking intense curiosity among retail investors. Typically, a drop of over 50% triggers a panic sell-off for the average trader, but the steadfastness of India's most successful investment families suggests a deeper, long-term strategic play. Market data reveals that while stocks like Concord Biotech and BF Utilities have faced severe price erosion due to sector-specific headwinds and high opera...

Seagram’s Royal Stag has formally launched the fourth edition of Royal Stag BoomBox – The Original Sound of Generation Large – with a high-impact opening at Aquatica Ground in Kolkata on February 21, marking the beginning of its four-city national rollout. The initiative reflects a structured brand leadership strategy centered on immersive, youth-driven engagement under its ‘Living It Large’ philosophy. The Kolkata edition drew thousands of attendees, with the venue redesigned into a multi-sensory platform featuring vibrant installations, curated food experiences and interactive gaming zones. The evening commenced with a live gaming face-off led by Payal Dhare, reinforcing the event’s integration of digital culture with live entertainment. DJ Sahil Gulati set the tone with an energetic...

As neurological disorders contribute nearly 10% to India’s overall disease burden, innovation in advanced neurotechnology is gaining momentum. Gurugram-based Medanta – The Medicity is positioning its Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) programme, widely known as ‘Brain Pacemaker’ surgery, at the forefront of technology-led neurological care. Recognised as an international destination for DBS and ranked Best Private Hospital in India by Newsweek for six consecutive years, Medanta’s programme has evolved into a centre of excellence offering relief to patients with advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, refractory epilepsy (adult onset), essential tremor and advanced obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), particularly when conventional therapies fail. The initiative is led by Dr. Anirban...

ManipalCigna Health Insurance has announced the expansion of its Northeast operations, reinforcing its commitment to improving access to quality healthcare through its flagship product, ManipalCigna Sarvah, recognised as Product of the Year 2025 – Health Insurance in a NielsenIQ consumer survey. The company said the product continues to drive strong national retail growth while addressing diverse customer needs, ranging from essential health coverage to comprehensive plans with innovative benefits such as zero waiting period options. As part of its regional growth strategy, ManipalCigna has scaled up to eight operational branches across key Northeast cities and plans to onboard around 10,000 advisors over the next three years, including a targeted initiative to empower 3,000 women advi...

India received over 4,168 crore spam calls in 2025, underscoring the rising scale of digital fraud risks, while the Truecaller community successfully blocked 1,189 crore unwanted calls, helping millions of users avoid scams and financial losses, according to the company’s 2025 India Insights Report released on Thursday. The report also detected nearly 770 crore fraudulent calls, many impersonating banks, government authorities, payment platforms, and well-known brands. Spam messaging remained a major concern, with more than 12,903 crore spam SMS identified during the year. Based on an average call duration of 1.8 minutes, spam blocking helped Indians save around 21.7 lakh hours daily, preserving time, productivity, and consumer confidence in digital communication. “In a country wher...

A story of love, resilience, and success, this is the tale of two individuals who turned their dreams into reality together with Oriflame. Shanyo Horam and Worchinan Kasar’s journey is one of belief, ambition, and shared dreams, built through perseverance and partnership. Shanyo grew up in a small village with just 33 houses. As the eldest daughter, responsibility arrived early. Life demanded that she give up her formal education to support her family, stepping into work long before she felt ready. While circumstances limited her opportunities, they never dimmed her ambition. Even then, she was clear about what she wanted from life: financial independence, stability, the freedom to travel, and the ability to care for her loved ones. She worked across roles, learning on the job and moving ...

India’s overnight indexed swaps (OIS) indicate that the Reserve Bank of India’s rate-cut cycle may have ended, with markets beginning to price in the possibility of a rate hike over the next year.The one-year OIS stands at 5.50%, about 25 basis points above the RBI’s repo rate, suggesting expectations of tighter policy ahead. Meanwhile, the five-year OIS — sensitive to inflation and growth outlook — has climbed 23 bps since January to 6.15%, reflecting firming long-term expectations.The shift follows the RBI’s upward revision of GDP growth and inflation forecasts. While retail inflation remained subdued at 1.3% year-on-year in December and is projected at 2.1% for the current fiscal, it is expected to accelerate in the next financial year. Strong capex spending and new trade agreements wi...