Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: Domestic markets tumbled today, rattled by heightened volatility after Trump’s trade tariff announcement on neighbouring countries. With a weak Q3 earnings recovery and a depreciating INR, further FII outflows now seem inevitable.

TOP STORIES

IKEA is Saving ₹100 Million While Saving the Planet

What Happened?

IKEA is driving into the future—literally—with 90% of its deliveries in India now powered by electric vehicles (EVs). Cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune are already hitting 100% EV delivery rates. The company isn’t stopping there—it plans to power all its operations in India with renewable energy by next year. Oh, and while saving the planet, IKEA also saved nearly ₹100 million on electricity bills. 

Why It Matters

Saving money while saving the planet? That’s IKEA’s secret sauce. Globally, their eco-friendly efforts have cut their carbon footprint by 30%, all while growing their business by nearly 24%. Locally, they’re shifting gears to boost Indian manufacturing, aiming to increase value addition from 33% to 50%. This means more jobs, affordable furniture, and possibly fewer reasons for you to curse while assembling that wardrobe. 

Fun fact: India makes up only 1.5% of global furniture exports, so IKEA sees huge potential here—think “assemble and conquer.”

Anything else?

To top it off, half of IKEA’s workforce in India are women. That’s equality, flat-packed and ready to go.

With new stores planned in Gurgaon and Noida and partnerships brewing with local manufacturers, IKEA is in India for the long haul.

PAISON KA KHEL

Swiggy Slides 9%, Thanks to Zomato’s Slowdown

Swiggy shares took a 9.55% dive to ₹433.25 after Zomato’s surprise Q3 slowdown report. Zomato’s food delivery growth was disappointing at 17% YoY sparking broker downgrades. Target prices fell to as low as ₹130, with big names like Nomura and Kotak joining the cut party.

Swiggy’s shares have now tumbled 25% from their peak. Clearly, delivery giants are serving cold profits with a side of competition.

JSW’s ₹3 Lakh Crore Love Letter to Maharashtra

JSW Group is injecting ₹3 lakh crore to make Maharashtra greener, smarter, and steelier. Announced at Davos, this mega investment includes eco-friendly steel plants, EV factories, and solar energy projects. Maharashtra plans to fast-track clearances, so no red tape slows this green dream.

Chief Minister Fadnavis hailed it as a jackpot for jobs and innovation, while JSW boss Sajjan Jindal called it a “green leap.”

TOP STORIES

The Fuel to Light Up India’s Future

What Happened?

A US startup, Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE), wants to power up India with thorium. CCTE has created a special fuel combining thorium and enriched uranium, promising cleaner and more efficient energy. They’ve named it Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life (ANEEL)—fancy, right? 

The startup plans to team up with NTPC and Larsen & Toubro to bring this technology to India. Early tests in the US show this fuel is four times more efficient than what India’s reactors currently use.

Why It Matters

Here’s the deal: India depends on coal for 75% of its electricity. That’s not great for the environment—or anyone’s lungs. Nuclear power only makes up 2% of India’s energy, and that’s where thorium could shine. India has loads of it, but it’s mostly been a future plan.

CCTE’s fuel could change the game. It skips some costly steps in India’s current nuclear program and boosts efficiency. Plus, with only 24 nuclear reactors producing 8.1 gigawatts of power, India could use a serious energy upgrade. 

Conclusion

Thorium has been India’s energy “maybe someday” metal for years. But with CCTE’s tech, “someday” might finally be here. Sure, there are hoops to jump through—approvals and more tests—but the potential is huge. Cleaner energy, less coal, and a step closer to energy independence. 

GLOBAL NAZARA

Panama’s Firm Reply to Trump’s ‘Take Back’ Canal Claim

Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, rejected Donald Trump’s claim to “take back” the Panama Canal. Trump had argued that China was controlling the vital waterway, but Mulino swiftly shut it down, asserting that Panama’s control over the canal, which was handed back in 1999, “is and will remain” in the country’s hands.

The canal handles about 5% of global trade, with 40% of US container ships passing through it. While Trump’s remarks sparked a debate about national security, Mulino reminded everyone that the canal wasn’t a concession—it was earned. 

Apple Bites the Dust in China

Apple’s iPhone sales in China nosedived 18.2% last quarter, dethroning the tech giant from its top spot. Now third in the world’s largest smartphone market, Apple holds just one-sixth of the market share. Huawei, strutting in with its Mate 70 series powered by homegrown chips has snagged the crown.

Globally, Apple saw a 5% drop in sales, with its AI features in China stuck in a “loading” loop due to unresolved local tech partnerships.

TOP STORIES

Reliance Jio to Raise Prices Again

What Happened?

Reliance Jio is planning another round of price hikes in the next fiscal year (FY26) to increase its average revenue per user (ARPU). Last June, Jio raised prices on some plans by over 25%, and it worked—ARPU hit ₹200 in the December quarter, though it was still a bit shy of expectations. 

• Jio’s subscriber count is still growing, now at 482 million, but it’s slowing down after last year’s price increases.

Why It Matters

Jio’s goal here is simple: more revenue for a better IPO. With an eye on the stock market, Jio wants to increase ARPU without losing too many customers. Previous hikes did cause slower subscriber growth, with just 1.3 million new users in Q3, but it’s hoping that higher rates will boost cash returns from 10% in FY24 to 14% in FY27. The key will be getting that balance right—charging more but not scaring off users.

Zoom out

Jio is playing it smart (hopefully) with these price hikes. They want the extra cash without losing the crowd. So, this time, the hikes will likely target premium segments to avoid upsetting the user base too much. We’ll see if their cautious approach pays off or if users start grumbling about the rising prices.

MIRCH MASALA

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