Latest Developments

Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Five Trends That Will Shape the Future of Obesity Care in India: Ajanta Pharma Shares Its Perspective on the Next Decade of Metabolic Health

MUMBAI, India , July 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- India is approaching a pivotal moment in the evolution of obesity and metabolic health management. As awareness grows among healthcare professionals and patients alike, the obesity care ecosystem is rapidly transitioning from reactive treatment toward proactive and long-term disease management. According to recent estimates, India is home to one of the world's largest populations living with overweight and obesity. This growing burden is contributing substantially to the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and other metabolic disorders. As healthcare systems increasingly recognize obesity as a chronic disease requiring long-term management, the need for comprehensive and evidence-based obesity care has never been greater. Ajanta Pharma today outlined five emerging trends that are expected to shape the future of obesity care in India over the coming years. Experts increasingly recognize that the future of obesity management extends beyond weight reduction alone. Effective obesity care is expected to play a critical role in comprehensive cardiometabolic risk management, including diabetes prevention, cardiovascular health, improvement in obesity-related complications, and long-term enhancement of overall metabolic well-being. Ajanta Pharma believes these trends highlight the need for comprehensive care models that combine medical innovation with education and patient engagement. To support this evolving landscape, the company is investing in initiatives focused on patient awareness, healthcare professional engagement, and digital support solutions designed to improve treatment adherence and long-term outcomes. As part of this commitment, Ajanta Pharma has expanded its obesity management portfolio with Ozanta ® , a semaglutide-based therapy, while simultaneously exploring patient support programs, expert-led education initiatives, and digital engagement platforms. "The future of obesity management will be defined not only by scientific advancements but by how effectively we support patients throughout their journey. Building awareness, improving access to information, and strengthening patient engagement will be critical to long-term success," said Mr. Pourus Vakil, President - India Business, Ajanta Pharma. As obesity continues to emerge as one of India's most pressing health challenges, Ajanta Pharma remains committed to supporting healthcare professionals and patients through science-led innovation and responsible healthcare initiatives. Ajanta Pharma is a speciality pharmaceutical formulation company having major focus on branded generic business across India, Asia & Africa. Company has ground presence in each of these 30+ countries. Many of company's products are 1st to market and are leading in their sub-therapeutic segments. Company also has presence in USA in generic business and institution business in Africa. Company's state of the art R&D centre is in Mumbai. Company has 7 world class manufacturing facilities located in India. “This is a company press release that is not part of editorial content. No journalist of The Hindubusinessline was involved in the publication of this release.”

Five Trends That Will Shape the Future of Obesity Care in India: Ajanta Pharma Shares Its Perspective on the Next Decade of Metabolic Health
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Sony Pictures Networks India FY26 profit rises 15.6% to ₹556 cr, revenue up 9%

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), earlier known as Culver Max Entertainment, has reported a 15.6 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit to ₹556.1 crore in 2025-26, according to the RoC filing from the broadcast major. Its revenue from operations was up 9 per cent to ₹6,830.04 crore in FY26. Total consolidated income, which includes other income, was at ₹7,064.08 crore, up 9.36 per cent for the financial year ended on March 31, 2026, as against ₹6,459.43 crore a year ago. The company, which owns 28 channels in entertainment, sports, and infotainment, along with an OTT platform SonyLiv, had reported a net profit of ₹481.21 crore in FY25, and its revenue from operations for that year was at ₹6,261.16 crore. Total expenses of SPNI were also up 7.78 per cent to ₹6,311.47 crore in FY26 -- the first full year of its MD and CEO, Gaurav Banerjee. In FY26, SPNI's advertisement spend was up 24 per cent to ₹1,262.88 crore against ₹1,018.34 crore in FY25. According to industry experts, there is a complete turnaround in the company's performance, driven by advertising income, as it held the broadcast rights for several marquee cricket properties across the Indian subcontinent. SPNI has exclusive TV and digital rights for all Men’s and Women’s Asia Cups through 2031 and aired the Asia Cup 2025. Besides, KBC and Wheel of Fortune also helped SPNI, a company jointly owned by SPE Mauritius Holdings and SPE Mauritius Investments, achieve 9 per cent growth in advertising revenue in FY25, they said. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

Sony Pictures Networks India FY26 profit rises 15.6% to ₹556 cr, revenue up 9%
North America
CNBC Finance

Seniors in Medicare are about to get landmark obesity drug coverage — but many may not know it yet

Millions of older Americans in Medicare are about to gain access to obesity drugs for the first time — but that landmark shift may be flying under the radar for many of them. Starting Wednesday, eligible beneficiaries can get obesity drugs through Medicare's new Bridge demonstration program for a monthly copay of just $50. The coverage marks a long-sought victory for patients, physicians and obesity advocates who have pushed for broader access to the blockbuster treatments from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, which have remained out of reach for many Americans. But a staggering 82% of all older Americans — including 79% of Republicans and 84% of Democrats — say they are unaware that Medicare is about to begin covering obesity drugs, according to a survey released in early June by the Obesity Care Advocacy Network. The survey, conducted in late March among more than 2,100 adults ages 65 and older, was completed weeks before the government announced it would extend the Bridge program through 2027. That data may not come as a surprise: While the government has done robust outreach to healthcare providers and pharmacists, some physicians and other experts told CNBC that they have noticed limited advertising of the new coverage to the general public from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or Novo and Lilly. There may be good reasons for it. CMS has done limited public outreach on the program ahead of July 1 because beneficiaries are "most moved to take action" when a benefit is actually available to them, an agency official told reporters on Thursday. They added that CMS will put out more promotions after the launch, "in the interest of being good stewards of our taxpayer dollars." Other experts also told CNBC that it may come down to making sure providers and pharmacies are prepared and resources are in place before pursuing broad public outreach. Still, some experts say the lack of awareness may delay some eligible adults from taking advantage of the new coverage and getting on the treatments immediately. "I have not seen a lot of information out there for the public, and I think there are going to be plenty of people who have zero knowledge of the Bridge program," said Dr. Shauna Levy, medical director of the Tulane Bariatric and Weight Loss Center. "And I think for patients, it's just going to take even longer for them to find out about it, and then see if they're eligible." Unlike traditional Medicare drug coverage, enrollment in the Bridge program is not automatic. Patients must meet eligibility requirements, obtain a prescription and receive prior authorization approval through CMS before coverage begins. The relatively quiet lead-up to the rollout stands in contrast to the marketing campaigns Novo and Lilly have historically deployed for their obesity and diabetes medicines, which have appeared everywhere from television commercials to subway advertisements. Novo spent nearly $500 million on U.S. advertising for its obesity drug Wegovy and its diabetes counterpart Ozempic in the first 9 months of 2025, more than double the just over $200 million Lilly spent promoting its rival injections, Zepbound and Mounjaro, Reuters reported, citing data from the ad-tracking firm MediaRadar. "I was a little surprised that there hasn't been more advertising by Lilly and Novo for seniors to be ready to get their prescription," said Leerink Partners analyst David Risinger, adding that it takes time to book an appointment with a provider to obtain one.

Seniors in Medicare are about to get landmark obesity drug coverage — but many may not know it yet
North America
CNBC Finance

A 'perfect storm' points to a much smaller U.S. auto market by 2040

Ten years ago, a record 17.6 million cars, trucks and SUVs were sold in the U.S. Some forecasts say the country might not come close to that number again. Analysts at consulting firm Bain & Company said several signs indicate the market is about to shrink even more. Falling birth rates, behavioral changes, high car prices and a growing array of alternatives could drive sales down by more than 2 million units by 2040, according to their analysis. These indications point to a future where automakers fiercely compete for a shrinking number of customers, said Mark Gottfredson, a partner at Bain & Company. The auto industry has historically depended on an annual 1% growth rate that tracks the increase of the overall population, Gottfredson said. But all over the world, government statistics show population growth has slowed, and some countries are already seeing declines. "It is the perfect storm, isn't it," Gottfredson said. "It starts with the population declines. You're no longer a growth industry. You're a declining industry. You're a declining industry at a time when the technology is disrupting everything." The U.S. fertility rate in 2025 was about 1.6 births per woman. While not as low as some countries in Europe or Asia, it's considered below the replacement rate of 2.1, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Bain said that has been offset by relatively high immigration — about a million people coming to the U.S., according to the historical average it cited. But the firm said it expects restrictive immigration policies will last for the next 15 years, cutting historical net migration rates of the past 20 years in half, which means it could again reach low levels seen in 2019. That remaining population's behavior has changed — in part due to high prices and affordable alternatives, according to Bain. Half of 16-year-olds today don't have a driver's license, compared with nearly 70% of 16-year-olds between the years of 1966 and 1984, Gottfredson said. The stat might reflect a mere delay rather than a total refusal — Bain's research suggests most people still get licenses by age 25. Still, the share of new vehicle registrations among people aged 18 to 34 fell from 12% in the first quarter of 2021 to under 10% by mid-2025, according to S&P Global Mobility. Buyers 55 and older account for nearly half of all new registrations and have held the largest share for eight straight quarters, the firm said. "The engine behind it is affordability," said Craig Daitch, founder and president of Telemetry, a firm that does market research for the auto industry. New vehicle monthly payments are up 30% over four years, and nearly one in five new vehicles now carries a payment over $1,000 a month, he added. AutoForecast Solutions, a forecasting firm, expects U.S. new car sales to stay relatively flat at around 16 million through 2033, the furthest year in the future for which the company issues estimates. "When you look into the future, younger people are more likely to use Uber or Lyft when they're going somewhere," Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting for the company. "We're still seeing groups of young people who enjoy driving and want a new car, but fewer can afford it."

A 'perfect storm' points to a much smaller U.S. auto market by 2040
North America
CNBC Economy

Core inflation rate hit 3.4% in May, highest since October 2023, Fed’s preferred gauge shows

The Federal Reserve's primary price gauge rose at its highest level since 2023, reinforcing the central bank's recent tough talk on inflation. Excluding food and energy, the personal consumption expenditures price index showed a 3.4% annual rate after rising 0.3% for the month, both in line with the Dow Jones consensus. The annual core reading was the highest since October 2023. For the all-items reading, the PCE index showed inflation running at a seasonally adjusted 4.1% annual rate, the highest since April 2023, according to a Commerce Department report Thursday. On a monthly basis, the PCE accelerated 0.4%. The annual level was in line with the Dow Jones consensus estimate while the monthly reading was 0.1 percentage point below. While Fed officials look at both headline and core rates, they generally consider the latter a better measure of long-run trends, particularly in light of this year's inflation surge that was driven largely by an acceleration in energy prices tied to the Iran war that have slowly been seeping into other parts of the economy. Stock market futures held in positive territory following the release while Treasury yields slipped. Traders continued to expect the Fed to approve a rate hike in September, though they lowered odds slightly. Energy again provided the largest source of price gains, with related goods and services prices up 4% for the month. Housing cost rose 0.3%, while financial services and insurance jumped 1.2%. "Inflation is at a 3-year high due to the war in Iran and it's painful for middle-class and moderate-income Americans," said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union. "People are spending more on gas, along with healthcare and utilities. New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has made his commitment clear to bring inflation down. The key will be how much relief happens by September." Even with the elevated inflation levels, consumer spending for the month came in stronger than expected. Personal consumption expenditures, a proxy for spending, rose 0.7% for the month, 0.1 percentage point above the forecast and ahead of the inflation rate. Personal income also climbed 0.7%, well above the 0.4% forecast. The personal saving rate rose to 3%. The report comes a little more than a week after the Fed and Warsh delivered what markets widely viewed as a tough talk on rates and inflation. Warsh in particular stressed the importance of price stability, with the Federal Open Market Committee adopting language in its post-meeting statement unequivocally stating that it would "deliver price stability" after missing its 2% inflation target for five years running. In addition, officials took off a previously indicated rate cut this year and indicated a likelihood of a hike. However, the inflation picture has been complicated. Fed officials generally look through the kind of supply-driven spike that the energy surge has driven, but concerns are rising that price increases are becoming more widespread and also are being fed by tariffs.

Core inflation rate hit 3.4% in May, highest since October 2023, Fed’s preferred gauge shows
Asia-Pacific
The Straits Times

OPEC+ approves further oil output increase as Hormuz exports start to recover

OPEC+ has agreed in principle to increase quotas by 188,000 barrels per day from August. LONDON – OPEC+ has agreed a further increase in output targets from August, the group said in a statement on July 5, adding to global supply at a time when oil prices are falling due to the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports. The oil-producing group agreed during an online meeting to increase quotas by 188,000 barrels per day from August, on top of similar increases for June and July. Seven core members of OPEC+, which groups OPEC and allied producers, including Russia, have hiked their output quotas from April to July by almost 800,000 barrels per day. Yet the increase has remained largely on paper because of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which closed the Strait of Hormuz for passage of tankers from some of the most important OPEC+ members, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. OPEC+ output fell to 33.13 million bpd in May, according to OPEC data, from 42.77 million bpd in February. It began to recover in June thanks to US efforts to help the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other OPEC+ nations export more oil, but it is still below pre-war levels. Despite persisting supply disruptions, oil prices have returned to pre-war levels, pressured by lower Chinese imports, higher exports from non-Middle East producers, and a record global strategic stock release coordinated by the International Energy Agency. “The group of seven kept unwinding their production cuts as widely expected,” UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. “The near-term focus will remain on how many tankers will manage to cross the Strait of Hormuz and how quickly demand and Chinese crude imports recover.” The memorandum of understanding to end the war has also helped convince traders that supply will ultimately return to normal levels. Brent crude prices traded near US$72 per barrel on July 3, down from recent peaks of more than $120 per barrel and back to levels traded just before the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb 28.

OPEC+ approves further oil output increase as Hormuz exports start to recover
North America
CNBC Economy

Trump pledges rapid U.S. response for Venezuela after historic earthquakes kill dozens

President Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to deploy U.S. resources to earthquake-stricken Venezuela after back-to-back tremors of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck near the country's northern coast, flattening buildings in the capital Caracas and prompting a state of emergency. "The U.S. stands ready, willing, and able to help," Trump said in a Truth Social post Wednesday evening stateside. The president added that he had instructed all government agencies to prepare to "move quickly," calling Venezuela's people the "new and great friends." Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said earlier in the day that the U.S. was in touch with Venezuelan authorities and has been mobilizing assistance for the South American nation. The State Department has already mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to Venezuelans, including search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian resources, according to senior State Department official Jeremy Lewin. The U.S. Geological Survey issued two consecutive red alerts through its PAGER system, and estimated a 41% probability that fatalities could exceed 10,000 and a 17% chance they could reach 100,000. The authority also projected that the devastating earthquake could dent Venezuela's GDP by up to 7%. Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency in a national address on Wednesday night, and later said at least 164 people were killed and 971 were injured, according to Reuters. In a video message posted on X Thursday morning, Rodriguez thanked the Trump administration for providing "support and solidarity," and the Dominican Republic for sending rescue teams to Venezuela. China and Brazil have sent humanitarian aid to the country, she said, and the Qatar government has prepared a rescue brigade set to arrive Thursday. The quakes are among the strongest to strike the country in the past century. Venezuela lies in a seismically active zone where the Caribbean Plate meets the South American Plate. The swift U.S. offer of assistance reflects a degree of diplomatic realignment between the Trump administration and the Venezuelan interim government, led by Rodriguez. Washington has exerted control over Venezuela's oil exports after a January military intervention that seized the country's then-president, Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. has remained Venezuela's largest oil buyer since January, with the estimated value of US-controlled exports surging to $3.7 billion in April from $600 million in January, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, estimating $8 billion in flows have moved through the arrangement with little transparency or oversight. India and Spain are the next largest recipients. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services.

Trump pledges rapid U.S. response for Venezuela after historic earthquakes kill dozens
Europe
BBC Business

US blocks long-term renewal of North American trade deal

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, US President Donald Trump speaks about the United States - Mexico - Canada agreement, known as USMCA, during a visit to Dana Incorporated, an auto supplier manufacturer, in Warren, Michigan, January 30, 2020. The US has declined to renew the landmark US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form, according to a senior US official. This decision means the trilateral trade pact will miss out on an automatic 16-year extension. The official said the administration "chose not to rubber stamp a USMCA renewal without addressing existing issues," and "the United States did not agree to renew the USMCA in its current form". If the countries fail to unanimously agree to renew the agreement, "it essentially sets a ten year shot lock to termination," per the official. Under the pact guidelines, each country must decide whether to renew the agreement for another 16-year term. While the free trade deal remains in place for now, the lack of a long-term commitment creates fresh economic uncertainty across North America. The agreement, which underpins around $2tn (£1.5tn ) in trade each year, is facing pressure over unresolved disputes. US trade officials are pushing for major changes before committing to a long-term extension. Washington has consistently raised concerns over automotive rules of origin, dairy market access, and stopping third-party countries like China from exploiting the regional agreement. Under the USMCA's original terms, unanimous agreement on an extension would have seen the trade deal kept in place until 2042. The US opting out will force the nations to meet every year to negotiate changes. Business groups across the continent had called for the pact to be extended. The decision also kicks off a ten-year countdown towards the deal expiring as early as 2036. The US Chamber of Commerce had warned that sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture rely heavily on cross-border certainty.

US blocks long-term renewal of North American trade deal
Europe
BBC Business

World Cup dreams shattered as StubHub tickets cancelled at last minute

When Sergio Enrique Alvarado Montalvo paid $1,700 (£1,300) on StubHub to surprise his father with World Cup tickets, he envisioned an unforgettable Father's Day watching Lionel Messi play. Instead, after flying his parents from Mexico to Dallas for the Argentina v Austria match, and spending nearly $6,000 (£4,600) on travel and hotels, the family was left stranded outside the stadium gates. Just one day before they were set to travel to Dallas, StubHub abruptly notified Montalvo that the seller could not deliver the tickets, refusing to provide comparable replacements due to soaring prices. They turned up at the stadium anyway, hoping they could still get their tickets, with Montalvo on the phone to StubHub up until an hour before kick-off. "I was so sad and so frustrated, and so filled with rage, anger," the 45-year-old told the BBC. "It was a mix of feelings that is hard to explain." Montalvo's nightmare is part of what industry insiders are calling one of the largest ticketing collapses in history. As the 2026 World Cup sweeps across 16 cities the US, Canada and Mexico, many fans are finding their bucket lists ruined by last-minute cancellations on secondary marketplaces. The primary culprit is believed to be an industry practice known as "speculative ticketing", where unverified sellers list tickets they do not yet own, hoping to source them cheaper and closer to the event. When ticket prices soar, these sellers simply back out of the deal to resell them for a higher profit, leaving buyers like Montalvo empty-handed with a refund for their tickets that doesn't cover their expensive travel costs. Eben Pingree, 44, from Boston, faced an identical scenario after his wife Caitlin paid $2,800 on StubHub for tickets to the Scotland v Haiti match to surprise their 11-year-old son Cole. They had co-ordinated an extensive trip with another father-son duo, only for the tickets to vanish on match day. "They basically had to just leave us there, and so my son was just devastated," Pingree told the BBC. Back in Dallas, Montalvo and his family spent their match evening at a local fan festival instead of watching from the stands. "It was a super sad weekend... inside, outside... [but] we enjoyed the time together," Montalvo added.

World Cup dreams shattered as StubHub tickets cancelled at last minute