Business

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the first menthol-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers. The approval includes four menthol e-cigarettes from Njoy, a vaping brand recently acquired by tobacco giant Altria, known for Marlboro cigarettes. The FDA's decision bolsters the vaping industry’s claims that e-cigarettes can significantly reduce the harms of traditional smoking, responsible for 480,000 annual deaths in the U.S. due to cancer, lung disease, and heart disease. However, the move has sparked criticism from parent groups and anti-tobacco advocates, concerned about youth vaping.“This decision could mean we’ll never be able to close the Pandora’s box of the youth vaping epidemic,” said Meredith Berkman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes. ...

Leading telecom operator Vi has partnered with Samsung to deploy cutting-edge virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) solutions across key regions in India. After successful trials in Chennai, Vi has extended Samsung's deployments to Karnataka and Bihar, marking a significant step towards fulfilling its 5G Minimum Rollout Obligation (MRO). The collaboration between Vi and Samsung over the past 12-18 months has focused on integrating vRAN technology into Vi's existing infrastructure, blending traditional RAN deployments with innovative cloud-based solutions. This approach not only enhances network performance but also promises a superior customer experience. Jagbir Singh, Chief Technical Officer at Vodafone Idea Limited, emphasized the strategic importance of this deployment, stating, "...

Vi Business has announced compelling findings from its 'ReadyForNext MSME Growth Insights Study Vol 2.0, 2024'. Released on World MSME Day, the study surveyed 1.6 lakh MSMEs across 16 sectors in India, highlighting that nearly 60% of these enterprises plan to digitize their operations by 2025. The study underscores significant strides in digital adoption across sectors such as IT-ITES, Financial Services, and Transportation. Despite challenges, including knowledge gaps and financial constraints, MSMEs are increasingly leveraging cloud computing, IoT, and advanced workspace tools to boost productivity and market reach. Notably, sectors like Retail and Construction are also witnessing notable digital advancements.In Guwahati, a burgeoning market in the Northeast, businesses are gearing u...

Vi has bolstered its entertainment arsenal with the integration of Zee5 into its flagship Vi Movies & TV App, alongside the introduction of innovative subscription plans offering access to 17 leading OTT platforms.Vi’s renewed commitment to meeting the evolving demands of Indian consumers for affordable yet expansive entertainment solutions has been underscored by today's announcement. Following its successful rebrand earlier this year, Vi Movies & TV now stands as the only app to aggregate top-tier OTT players like Disney+ Hotstar, Sonyliv, and the newly added Zee5 under one comprehensive plan. Subscribers can now enjoy a vast library of content spanning movies, shows, and live TV channels, all accessible for just Rs. 248 per month. Avneesh Khosla, Chief Marketing Officer of V...

In a major boost to pilgrimage centre, the Vaishno Devi shrine, the much-awaited helicopter service from Jammu to Vaishno Devi via Panchhi helipad started on Tuesday(26 June 2024) The service will offer a convenient and comfortable mode of transportation to the shrine. The direct helicopter service from Jammu to Vaishno Devi was confirmed by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at its 72nd meeting on April 3, 2024. To cost Rs 35,000 The shrine board has set up two packages as per the need of pilgrims, the same day return (SDR) package which costs Rs 35,000 while the next day return (NDR) package costs Rs 60,000. The first sortie which took off from Jammu Airport by 11 am was received at Panchhi helipad at about 11.20 am by Anshul Garg, the Chief Executive Officer of the boa...

The Railway Ministry has issued a statement clarifying that any individual with an IRCTC account can book e-tickets for others, dismissing as false and misleading a social media claim suggesting restrictions based on differing surnames. A post on the social media platform X claimed that a person with an account on the website of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will be not able to book tickets from his account for other people who carry different surnames. A spokesperson from the Railway Ministry denied the claim, saying the news doing rounds on social media about restrictions on booking e-tickets due to different surnames was not true. The spokesperson also mentioned that tickets are booked on the IRCTC website as per the guidelines of the Railway Board a...

Oriflame, the leading Swedish beauty brand with a global presence, has announced India its being one of the top-priority market. Building on its current success, the premier cosmetic brand aims to on-board 1 million brand partners within the next five years (2029), thereby promoting micro-entrepreneurship and nurturing a dynamic start-up culture across the country. This ambitious target aligns perfectly with India's growth trajectory and the Government of India's emphasis on employment generation and self-reliance. Oriflame fosters an entrepreneurial spirit by empowering individuals to become brand partners, instilling ethical values, and providing flexibility in work schedules. This approach fosters a fulfilling career, prioritizing social and mental well-being, and paving the way for...