Newswala aaya, taaza khabre laya! Good morning!
 

BUSINESS

Tata's $125M iPhone Leap

What Happened

In a surprising twist, Tata Group is set to rock the tech world by becoming India's first-ever homegrown iPhone manufacturer.

Tata will start crafting Apple iPhones in India, both for the local market and the world.

This move comes after Wistron Corporation, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, gave a nod to sell its facility to the conglomerate, making Tata the new iPhone-making maestro in town.

Wistron confirmed the deal for a staggering $125 million.

Why It Matters

So, why should you care about this desi iPhone twist? Well, for one, it's a monumental step for Tata and Apple.

This move helps Apple expand beyond its Chinese roots and puts more eggs in the Indian tech manufacturing basket.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT is also on board, supporting the growth of Indian electronics companies that can partner with global tech giants, aligning with India's ambition to become a global electronics powerhouse.

This deal isn't just about iPhones; it's about India's role in the global tech scene.

Zoom Out

Beyond the immediate iPhone buzz, the Tata Group is on a mission to conquer various business domains, from salt to cutting-edge tech services.

They've dipped their toes into electronics manufacturing and e-commerce, with plans to manufacture iPhones and even venture into chipmaking.

As Tata, Apple, and other tech giants set their sights on India, the future of electronics manufacturing is looking more exciting and vibrant than ever.

Who knows, your next iPhone might have a touch of India's magic!

The Newswala silently watches Tata say- “Mai expert hoon! mujhe sab aata hai!”

BIG MONEY MOVES

Antitrust Heat: Google's $26.3B Default Pact

In 2021, Google reportedly shelled out a whopping $26.3 billion to secure its place as the default search engine on mobile devices and web browsers, a move that's stirred an antitrust dispute.

Google's payments to partners have come under scrutiny for enabling its search monopoly.

Google argues it's all about staying competitive, but the legality of these revenue-sharing agreements is now in the spotlight.

India Sets $800/MT Minimum Onion Export Price till Dec 31

India sets a $800/ metric ton Minimum Export Price (MEP) for onions, effective until December 31, 2023, to ensure ample supply for domestic consumers as stored onion crops decrease.

The MEP is roughly ₹67/kg. Additionally, the government will procure 2 lakh tons of onions to add to the existing 5 lakh tons.

These onions are distributed to consumers at ₹25/kg through mobile vans.

BUSINESS

UltraTech's 13,000 Crore Cement Carnival

What Happened

India's leading cement manufacturer, UltraTech, is on a roll, literally!

They've just announced an investment worth a whopping Rs 13,000 crore to boost their cement production capacity.

This upgrade will pump up their capabilities by  21.9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), making them an absolute powerhouse in the cement world.

Now, this plan involves a mix of 'greenfield' (starting from scratch) and 'brownfield' (building upon existing structures) projects, adding four of each type of plant along with four greenfield bulk terminals.

In simpler terms, they're going all out to produce more cement.After this expansion, they're looking at a grand total capacity of 182 MTPA.

That's a lot of cement!

Why it matters

Over the past seven years, UltraTech poured over Rs 50,000 crores into the country's infrastructure landscape.

This commitment means they're not just expanding their own footprint; they're helping India build the homes, roads, and vital infrastructure it needs.

It's like having a superhero come in and help build your dream house.

With this expansion, they're going to have cement facilities spread across the country, with substantial production in the south, east, north, central, and west regions.

They're pretty much covering all bases.

Zoom Out

Now, if we zoom out a bit, we see that UltraTech's move reflects the bigger picture of India's ever-evolving growth story.

It's a country that's constantly on the move, building, expanding, and developing. And cement, well, it's the unsung hero in all of this.

We might not think much about it, but it's the foundation (literally!) upon which our cities and towns are built.\

BIG PICTURE

OneWeb, Airtel-Backed Satellite Services Launching Soon

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, announced that OneWeb's satellite constellation, comprising over 618 low earth orbit satellites, is set to provide internet services nationwide next month.

This development comes after OneWeb launched 72 satellites with ISRO last year, paving the way for remote areas to access these services.

Musk's Starlink to aid Gaza Amid Communication Shutdown

Elon Musk's Starlink offers internet support to aid organizations in war-affected Gaza after Israeli actions led to a communication shutdown.

Netizens rallied with the hashtag #StarlinkForGaza. Starlink, a SpaceX project, deploys satellites to expand connectivity, and Israel is in talks with SpaceX to improve wartime communications, potentially providing continuous internet service to front-line towns.

BUSINESS

Sahasra Semiconductors Leads India's Memory Chip Renaissance!

What Happened

India's Sahasra Semiconductors has thrown its hat into the ring of chip production.

The Rajasthan-based company recently started commercial production of the first-ever "Made in India" memory chips, and it's a big deal!

They've outpaced even the heavyweight Micron Technology.

The action began at their semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging unit in Rajasthan's Bhiwadi district just this month.

So, India's making memory chips, and they're not forgetting it!

Why it matters

Well, these little chips are the brainy bits inside our gadgets, making them work like magic.

Sahasra isn't just manufacturing any memory chips; they've got the "Made in India" tag.

Sahasra's move is also part of India's grand plan to be a semiconductor manufacturing hub.

The government is playing its part too via initiatives like the production-linked incentive (PLI) program and the promotion of manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors (SPECS).

Zoom Out

Sahasra's entry is part of a broader narrative in the tech world.

The semiconductor industry is a fiercely competitive arena, and Sahasra's move signifies that they're aiming for a spot at the top.

This move is not just about producing memory chips; it's about Sahasra marking its territory in the global semiconductor landscape.

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