Author: News Desk
Following successful store openings in Makkah and Madinah, Lulu has launched its latest hypermarket in Al Rusayfah, strategically located on Abdullah Areef Street. This expansion reinforces Lulu’s mission to deliver world-class shopping experiences while supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative. Grand Inauguration by Prominent Officials The grand opening was officiated by Abdullah Hanif, Secretary General of the Makkah Chamber, and Fahd Abdulrahman Al-Mutaz, Mayor of Rusayfah. Also in attendance were Ashraf Ali M.A., Executive Director of Lulu Group, Shehim Mohammed, Director of Lulu KSA, and other dignitaries, marking yet another milestone in Lulu’s growing presence in the Kingdom. A State-of-the-Art…
The anticipation surrounding Malayalam cinema continues to grow, extending well beyond Kerala. In a unique gesture, Good Shepherd College in Bengaluru has declared a holiday on March 27, allowing students to watch the highly awaited Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan on its release day. A Tribute to Mohanlal The college management made the announcement in a playful statement, declaring, “Lights, Camera, Holiday!” The decision is attributed to the institution’s chairman, who is a dedicated admirer of Mohanlal. To make the occasion even more special, the college has gone a step further by organizing an exclusive screening for students. Special Screening for Students A…
A viral social media post claiming that BSNL customers’ SIM KYC has been suspended by TRAI, leading to SIM deactivation within 24 hours, has been circulating widely. The notice also includes a contact number for a “KYC verification executive,” urging users to call immediately. However, Channeliam Fact Check has found this claim to be false. Fake BSNL Notice Spreads Misinformation The viral message suggests that BSNL is deactivating SIM cards unless customers update their KYC details. However, BSNL has clarified that this notice is completely fake and is being circulated by fraudsters to deceive users. The message is part of…
Land Rover has a long and dynamic history, having been owned by multiple companies over the years. Currently, it is owned by Tata Motors, an Indian automotive giant that acquired the brand along with Range Rover in 2008. Under Tata’s leadership, Land Rover vehicles have been modernized with more efficient engines. In 2012, Land Rover was grouped with Jaguar to form Jaguar Land Rover Limited (JLR), and in 2023, the company simplified its name to JLR as part of a broader sustainability and branding strategy. This change also streamlined model naming, avoiding redundancies like “Land Rover Range Rover.” Land Rover…
Starting April 2025, car prices in India will increase as leading automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra, announce price hikes. The decision comes in response to rising input costs, inflation, and operational expenses. Maruti Suzuki, the country’s top passenger car manufacturer, plans to raise prices across its entire model range by up to 4%. Hyundai Motor India will implement a price increase of up to 3%, while Mahindra & Mahindra will raise prices for its SUVs and commercial vehicles by a similar margin. Tata Motors is also set to hike prices on its passenger and…
The Indian cola industry is witnessing intense competition in the sugar-free segment, with Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Reliance Consumer’s Campa vying for dominance. To attract health-conscious consumers, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have introduced affordable 200 ml packs of their diet and light drinks for just ₹10. These smaller, lower-priced bottles are gaining popularity without impacting the prices of their flagship products. Diet and Light Drinks Expand Market Reach Both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have launched sugar-free variants like Thums Up X Force, Coke Zero, Sprite Zero, and Pepsi No-Sugar. Industry officials claim this is the first time diet and light drinks are available…
Several Tata Group companies have reportedly partnered with electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla, contributing to its global supply chain network. According to The Times of India, firms like Tata AutoComp, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Technologies, and Tata Electronics played a role in supplying $2 billion worth of components from India to Tesla in FY24. Tesla’s Plans to Expand Supplier Base Tesla is also engaging with suppliers to establish facilities closer to its manufacturing hubs. This strategic move aims to strengthen its supply ecosystem while reducing dependency on certain regions. An industry source told The Economic Times, “Tesla is, in a way, readying the supplier base in India. We are very sure that once Tesla starts manufacturing here, Indian…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a revision in ATM interchange fees, increasing charges by ₹2 for financial transactions and ₹1 for non-financial transactions. This change, set to take effect from May 1, is expected to have a greater financial impact on smaller banks with a limited ATM network. Potential Cost Burden on Customers While banks have yet to decide whether to pass on the increased interchange fees to customers, industry experts suggest that customers will eventually bear the additional costs. A senior banking official noted that every interchange fee revision in the past decade has led to…
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has laid off up to 180 employees at its Boeing India Engineering Technology Center (BIETC) in Bengaluru. The job cuts are part of a broader global workforce reduction, a source confirmed. Boeing, which employs around 7,000 people in India, is facing various challenges worldwide. The layoffs occurred during the December 2024 quarter, as the company continues efforts to streamline its operations. Boeing’s Global Workforce Reduction Last year, Boeing announced plans to reduce its global workforce by 10%. The layoffs in India have been relatively measured, ensuring minimal impact on customer service, safety, and quality standards, according…
Bain Capital, a global private investment firm, has entered into definitive agreements to acquire joint control in Manappuram Finance, a Kerala-based non-banking financial company (NBFC). The investment will be made through Bain Capital’s affiliates, BC Asia Investments XXV Ltd. and BC Asia Investments XIV Ltd. Despite the new partnership, the existing promoters will continue to remain fully invested in the company. Investment Details As part of this strategic transaction, Bain Capital will invest ₹4,385 crore to acquire an 18% stake in Manappuram Finance on a fully diluted basis. The acquisition will be conducted through a preferential allotment of equity and…