Latest Developments

Europe
BBC Business

Trump wants to reduce the cost of fuel as the midterms loom - will it work?

Image source, Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesByRachel ClunBusiness reporter, Reporting fromNew YorkPublished6 hours agoPrices for gasoline and diesel have more than doubled since the US-Israel conflict with Iran began in February, affecting transport businesses, farmers and anyone who drives a vehicle in America. Ahead of the critical midterm elections, there have been growing calls for more to be done to reduce the price of fuel, and US President Donald Trump has made several comments and announcements aimed at getting costs down. The question is: what is he able to do with just a few weeks to go before election day - and will it work? Trump's announcement of a waiver on the use of red dye diesel at a campaign stop this week underscored the importance of gas prices in a midterm election dominated by affordability issues. The election comes as there is widespread public concern over the rising costs of fuel, food and other goods. Voters have tied the issue to Trump and his party, weighing down Republicans running in November. Polls show a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy and the war in Iran, which has contributed to high diesel and gas prices in the US. Global oil supplies have been restricted since the conflict in the Middle East effectively halted the usual flow of oil and refined products through the Strait of Hormuz for months. While the flow of crude oil is nearly back to pre-war levels the price remains above $100 a barrel, and sustained high oil prices have had a knock-on effect for diesel and gasoline. David Ruisard, pricing manager for commodities intelligence firm Argus says the ongoing Russian war with Ukraine has also impacted oil supplies, contributing to higher fuel prices. "Our estimates are that your price increase from about $3 a gallon up to $6 a gallon [for diesel] is 60% connected to the Strait of Hormuz, 40% connected to the Russia-Ukraine conflict," he says. Those higher energy prices are responsible for most of the uptick in inflation this year, Oxford Economics chief US economist Michael Pearce says, which is pushing up interest rates. "The combined impact of higher rates and higher energy prices is squeezing household budgets and adding to firms' costs," he says.

Trump wants to reduce the cost of fuel as the midterms loom - will it work?
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Mumbai airport firm on capacity reduction, says airlines free to take network decisions

Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) maintains that passenger capacity of five million needs to be reduced from next summer, overlooking concerns raised by airlines. In a communication to the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) on Monday, the airport has said individual airlines have complete freedom to make their own decisions regarding the 2027 summer schedule or beyond. “This includes choosing to relocate to Navi Mumbai International Airport (partially or fully), temporarily suspending operations at Mumbai airport until T1 is operational again in 2030, or pursuing other location alternatives. As we explained in the meeting on October 13, approximately 5 million passenger capacity needs to be restricted at Mumbai airport from 2027 summer schedule,” MIAL has said. Airlines have questioned the need to cut five million passenger capacity especially as Terminal 1 is operating below capacity. AOC has also said that the airport operator needs to adhere to Civil Aviation Ministry guidelines on slot allocation before finalising any capacity reduction. Airlines have presented their views while opposing the plan to shift one-third of international flights to Navi Mumbai airport from the summer schedule. “We reiterate that all historic slots at Mumbai airport will be fully maintained and restored once Terminal 1 is redeveloped. The purpose of these consultations is to avoid any perception of unilateral decision-making. We want to provide a genuine, collaborative platform to discuss all possible scenarios mutually. We look forward to a transparent and productive discussion at our upcoming meeting on 28 October 2026 to achieve mutually acceptable solutions,” MIAL has 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.

Mumbai airport firm on capacity reduction, says airlines free to take network decisions
Europe
BBC Business

AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president

Image source, Bloomberg via Getty ImagesByMitchell LabiakBusiness reporterPublished4 hours agoMilk and washing machines are currently more regulated than AI, the president of Microsoft has said. Brad Smith said there needed to be global safety rules in place, including a legal obligation to tell a "victim" if their system is breached by a rogue AI agent as well as deciding when outside evaluators should sign off on an AI product before it is released. His comments put him at odds with President Donald Trump, who said the sector should regulate itself so US firms don't lose out to Chinese rivals. But Smith said: "Right now, your washing machine is subject to more safety rules than AI. Every carton of milk that you see in the grocery store is subject to safety rules and inspection." Demands for laws and rules to control AI have grown after experts in the sector said they believed the technology its a threat to humanity. The bosses of the US-based AI giants such as Anthropic, OpenAI and Google DeepMind have all backed the idea of an AI development slowdown, but Trump has pushed against this. Speaking to the BBC's Big Boss Interview, Smith called AI both a "tool and a weapon" that urgently needed to be regulated. He said firms need "emergency brakes" – often known in the industry as 'kill switches' – to pause or slowdown AI if it got out of control in some way. He also said there should be a legal requirement for firms to write "incident reports" and tell victims if the technology goes rogue. He also suggested that independent government evaluators should vet new AI technology. "We know how to do this for other products," Smith said. "We should build on that knowledge and think about how to apply it to AI." Smith said the UK was best placed to drive forward these global rules for AI because of its AI Security Institute, external, launched during former prime minister Rishi Sunak's government as the AI Safety Institute. "In the world of technology, in the tech sector, most people that I know would say, if you ask them, name the country that is the leader in having this technical capability, they would say, it's very simple. It's the United Kingdom. They are the best."

AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Aayush Wellness launches calcium, vitamin supplement

Aayush Wellness, an integrated healthcare company, has expanded its nutraceutical portfolio with the launch of Aayush Calcium Vitamin Tablets, a scientifically advanced formulation designed to address calcium and vitamin deficiencies. The launch marks the BSE-listed company’s entry into the bone and joint health segment, estimated at $16.3 billion, and strengthens its presence in the dietary supplements market, valued at $178 billion. The supplement combines calcium citrate and vitamin D2 to support calcium absorption and bone mineralisation. It also contains magnesium and zinc to support muscle function and joint support, along with folic acid, which contributes to healthy cell renewal and metabolic balance. The formulation aims to help address nutritional gaps and support bone strength, mobility and musculoskeletal health. Kashiram Jadhav, Director of Aayush Wellness said the company’s entry into this category was aligned with an important consumer health need as India faces widespread calcium and vitamin deficiencies. Aayush Calcium Vitamin Tablets are part of the focus on preventive healthcare and science-backed nutritional solutions, he said. The category also presents opportunities for growth as consumers become more conscious of their nutritional needs and long-term wellbeing, he added. India faces one of the world’s highest rates of Vitamin D deficiency, affecting up to 80-90 per cent of the population and impacting bone health due to poor calcium absorption. Over 50 per cent of adults have inadequate calcium intake and face the risk of weakened bones. The dual deficiency of vitamin D and calcium can lead to severe health repercussions, including muscle spasms, fatigue, and increased joint problems across age groups. 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.

Aayush Wellness launches calcium, vitamin supplement
North America
Yahoo Finance

3 Stocks That Have More Than Doubled the S&P 500’s Return This Year

Three stocks left the S&P 500's 2025 return in the dust, but gains that large raise one uncomfortable question: is the opportunity already gone, or does one of them still have a real runway ahead? It sounds nuts, but SoFi is giving new Active Invest users up to $3,000 in stock for a limited time, and all it takes is a $50 deposit to get started. See for yourself (Sponsor) This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them. Through Oct. 7, the S&P 500 has returned 13.75% year to date. That is a solid year by historical standards. Three stocks have gone far past it, with gains measured in the hundreds of percent over the same window. The harder question for investors is whether any of these runs still has room, or whether the good news is already in the price. To rank them, we used four tests: year-to-date return against the index, earnings quality (profits and earnings beats), forward visibility (backlog, contracts and guidance), and valuation relative to what the business is expected to earn. Counting down from #3, we cover Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA | MRNA Price Prediction), Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) and SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK). Moderna has returned nearly 537% this year, rising from $29.49 to $196.48. The catalyst was cancer treatment. Moderna said its Phase 3 intismeran melanoma study with Merck (NYSE:MRK) produced the first statistically significant and clinically meaningful adjuvant benefit of its kind. Detailed data was set for an ESMO presentation, and the stock gained 28.79% over the past month. The operating business has not caught up. Second-quarter revenue was $145 million, +2.1% YoY, and the net loss came to $782 million. Management guides to up to 10% revenue growth for 2026. The shares now trade well above the average analyst target of $120.67, and they fell 7.75% in the latest session. The pipeline win is real. The valuation already assumes it turns into commercial revenue. Dell has returned more than 353% year to date, and AI servers explain the move. In its fiscal second quarter, non-GAAP EPS of $7.04 beat the $4.90 estimate, and revenue rose 57.8% to $46.97 billion. Management said the company “booked a record $60.9 billion in orders, recognized a record $16.4 billion in revenue and exited the quarter with a record $95 billion backlog.” Full-year guidance now calls for $192 billion in revenue and non-GAAP EPS of $25.50. The weak spots are margins and cash. Free cash flow fell 47% to $986 million, and management described the company as “supply constrained.” At roughly 30x earnings, the stock is fully valued. Even so, the backlog gives Dell revenue visibility well into next year, and the stock rose 8.44% over the past month. All of that server demand still has to be powered, cooled and connected by somebody, and we covered seven of those suppliers in a free AI infrastructure report. SanDisk leads the group with a nearly 515% return, climbing from $237.38 to $1,692.42. AI inference drove demand for flash storage, and the fiscal fourth quarter showed the result. Non-GAAP EPS of $39.25 beat the $33.28 estimate, revenue rose 371.6%, and gross margin reached 84.6%. Visibility is what sets apart SanDisk from a typical memory cycle. Its multi-year customer agreements carry a minimum of $93.9 billion in expected revenue, and management now cites “over four years of visibility.” First-quarter guidance calls for EPS of $44 to $46. The stock trades at 23x trailing earnings and just 8x forward earnings, against an average analyst target of $2,136.54. The main risks are memory-price cycles and its Kioxia reliance. Shares are down 2.62% over the past month, which leaves room if pricing holds. Against a 13.75% index return, all three cleared the bar by a wide margin. Their expectations now split. SanDisk still has the most room. Signed revenue, guidance pointing to higher earnings and a single-digit forward multiple mean the fundamentals are still ahead of the stock. If NAND pricing breaks, the contract floors limit how much earnings can fall.

3 Stocks That Have More Than Doubled the S&P 500’s Return This Year
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Axis Bank, Visa launch festive credit card campaign with Shahid Kapoor

Axis Bank and Visa on Monday unveiled a joint festive campaign titled ‘Dil Se Open Celebrations 2026’, anchored around the tagline ‘Iss festive season, har khushi ko banao badi’ (This festive season, make every joy bigger). The digital-first campaign features actor Shahid Kapoor and carries an original score by composer Amit Trivedi. The campaign centres on a film in which Shahid Kapoor uses an Axis Bank Visa Credit Card to fulfil a young girl’s wishes through a magical dollhouse. Conceptualised by Leo India, the campaign will run across digital platforms, social media, outdoor media, ATMs and Axis Bank’s branch network. On the offers front, Axis Bank and Visa are rolling out 100-plus deals for eligible credit cardholders across electronics, travel, lifestyle and mobiles. Participating brands include Samsung, LG, Sony, MakeMyTrip, Air India, Burberry and OPPO, among others. Benefits include up to 20 per cent off and EMI options on credit card purchases. Anoop Manohar, Chief Marketing Officer at Axis Bank, said the campaign aims to help customers make festive moments more meaningful while delivering tangible value on their spends. Gaurav Ramdev, Head of Marketing at Visa India and South Asia, said the partnership is designed to power bigger celebrations through relevant offers. Axis Bank currently operates 6,414 domestic branches and 12,533 ATMs across India, as of September 30, 2026. 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.

Axis Bank, Visa launch festive credit card campaign with Shahid Kapoor
Europe
BBC Business

Citroen revives the 2CV for an electric age

Image source, StellantisByTheo LeggettInternational Business CorrespondentPublished11 October 2026French carmaker Citroen has brought back its 2CV brand in a bid to boost sales of electric cars in a difficult market. The new model, unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, is a small city runabout with retro styling which harks back to one of the company's most famous designs. As a "concept car" intended to show Citroen's direction of travel, it is not yet ready to go on sale but the plan is to have a version in showrooms by 2028. As they face mounting competition from Chinese manufacturers, Citroen and other European brands are exploiting their heritage as a means of selling modern motors. Citroen chief executive Xavier Chardon described the new car as "a modern, ingenious and refreshing response to the mobility challenges of tomorrow". The original Citroen 2CV was launched in 1948, as Europe was recovering from the ravages of World War Two. It was designed as a cheap, robust way for French farmers and country folk to get around. The car had high wheel arches and soft suspension, letting it travel across a ploughed field or rough roads - as legend would have it, without breaking a tray of duck eggs. Its high roof let drivers wear a hat at the wheel. It was easy to drive and simple to repair. The car was so popular, it remained in production for more than 40 years. Over time, it went from being a utilitarian tool for the countryside to a cult classic, and a favourite of hippies and counter-culturalists. Now, Citroen wants to draw on that heritage to sell an electric, small city car that is expected to sell for about £13,000. The look of the new 2CV may well evolve as Citroen develops its design. But as it stands, it shares plenty of styling features with its famous predecessor. The high, flared wheel arches, the tall, curved roof and the eye-like headlights are all reminders of the original "deux chevaux" or "two horses".

Citroen revives the 2CV for an electric age
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Sathya Agencies completes acquisition of Bengaluru-based Unilet Appliances

The acquisition has provided Sathya Agencies with an entry into Karnataka’s consumer durables and electronics market through an established store network, the company said. IPO-bound Sathya Agencies, the Chennai-based retail player, has completed the acquisition of the Bengaluru-based Unilet Appliances for around ₹140 crore, said sources. The acquisition will help the company to strengthen its presence in Karnataka with the addition of 54 showrooms across the state, says a release. This acquisition has provided Sathya Agencies with an entry into Karnataka’s consumer durables and electronics market through an established store network, supported by local market expertise and a complementary product mix, the release said. India’s 5th largest consumer electronics retailer by revenue from operations in FY2025, Sathya Agencies is gearing up for its first major Dussehra and Diwali festive season in the state, with attractive offers for consumers across the region. As at January 31, 2026, the company had successfully expanded its footprint to a network of 427 stores across South India, spanning Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. 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.

Sathya Agencies completes acquisition of Bengaluru-based Unilet Appliances
Europe
The Guardian

Trump made ‘clear’ that media ban was due to critical coverage, court told

The CNN booth at the White House after Donald Trump announced he would ban CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House in Washington DC on 18 September 2026. Photograph: Evan Vucci/ReutersView image in fullscreenThe CNN booth at the White House after Donald Trump announced he would ban CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House in Washington DC on 18 September 2026. Photograph: Evan Vucci/ReutersMediaTrump made ‘clear’ that media ban was due to critical coverage, court toldLawyer for CNN, MS Now and Politico says Trump admitted he banned networks from White House over their coverage Donald Trump continues to be the strongest witness for the media companies arguing that they were unfairly barred from the White House at his direction, a lawyer representing CNN, MS Now and Politico told a federal judge on Thursday afternoon. The media coalition was in court asking the judge to extend the temporary restraining order (TRO) he issued on 24 September requiring the White House to lift the ban for 14 days. That temporary reprieve was scheduled to expire on Thursday, but district court judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, said he would extend it until Tuesday and that he would probably rule on a motion for a preliminary injunction by that day. That means the White House will be forced to allow journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico to continue accessing the building until at least Tuesday. Theodore J Boutrous, who has represented numerous media companies that have sued the Trump administration over access issues, said the president made abundantly clear in a recent interview with Time magazine that he chose to bar the three news organizations because of their critical coverage of him. (Under binding court precedent, news organizations cannot be removed from the White House for editorial or viewpoint-based reasons.) Asked by Time for the “impetus” for the ban, Trump replied: “It’s just bad story after bad story, and when I say bad story, I can handle bad stories. I’ve got a lot of bad stories. Most of them are fake, and it’s not only CNN, and it’s not only MSDNC [sic]. It’s a lot of other people.” He made no mention of national security concerns, one of the primary reasons that has been given by government lawyers as a rationale for the ban. “The case has gotten stronger for the plaintiffs thanks to President Trump,” Boutrous told the judge, citing what he said was “a confession of viewpoint discrimination and retaliation”. He added: “It’s really just absolutely clear … President Trump, to give him credit – he’s not hiding it.” While the judge didn’t give a strong indication of which direction he was leaning, he accepted Boutrous’s argument when questioning the lone lawyer representing the White House, Michael Velchik. “The decision-maker seems to have said I’m taking this action because of X and Y, and the government is saying: ‘No, it’s Z,’” the judge said. “It just seems like that fact pattern is a hard one around.” Velchik, who began his argument by saying “the White House is a sacred place,” said a failure to adhere to basic standards of journalistic conduct was also one of the precipitating factors in the decision, something he said was in line with Trump’s comments criticizing the way that these three specific news organizations operate. He also faulted the media companies for not responding to post-hoc letters giving the plaintiffs a chance to rebut the charges against them, something that Boutrous later described as a “sham process”. In his ruling granting a TRO for the media plaintiffs, Kelly said the White House had violated constitutional requirements for due process by not giving the companies adequate notice for what the standards for acceptable conduct are and not giving them a chance to protest against the potential sanction in advance. Nothing from Thursday’s hearing seemed to indicate that the judge had changed his thinking on that important standard, suggesting he is likely to adhere to his earlier decision-making and extend the lifting of the ban.

Trump made ‘clear’ that media ban was due to critical coverage, court told