Apple MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e and more go on sale in India: Price, offers

Apple’s latest lineup — iPhone 17e, iPad Air (M4), MacBook Neo, MacBook Air (M5), MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/Max) and Studio Display/XDR — is now on sale in India via Apple Store online and select partners. Offers include no-cost EMIs and cashback up to Rs 10,000 (Rs 4,000 on iPad Air).

Motilal Oswal reiterates Buy on Bikaji Foods with ₹900 target (~46% upside), citing demand for branded snacks, new categories, and distribution gains. FY25–28 CAGR: revenue 15%, EBITDA 29%, PAT 39%. Capacity use seen rising to ~70%. Risks: regional concentration, new rivals.

Emami Agrotech launched the Healthy & Tasty “FOR CHEF” range for HoReCa/B2B at AAHAR 2026, targeting Rs 2,000 cr in 2–3 years. Bulk oils, spices, atta, maida, sooji, besan, soya; sauces/condiments and RTC/RTE to follow. Hires: Samantha Dutta (SVP), advisor Vikas Mittal; KPMG shaping route-to-market.

Xiaomi launches 17 and 17 Ultra in India on Mar 11, 11am IST (YouTube). Both use Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 1–120Hz LTPO AMOLED (3,500 nits), HyperOS 3, satellite comms. 17: 6,300mAh, 100W/50W, IP69, triple 50MP. 17 Ultra: 6,000mAh, 90W, Leica 200MP continuous zoom, 4K120, 1-inch 50MP sensor.

Shias, Islam’s second-largest branch, believe leadership passed to Ali and his descendants. Centered on the Imamate and Karbala, they share Islam’s core tenets but differ from Sunnis on authority. 

Waaree Renewable shares rose up to 6.9% after it signed an EPC contract for a 300 MWac/420 MWp ground-mounted solar PV plant, targeted for FY27–28. Q3 net profit jumped 125% to ₹120.22 cr on 136% revenue growth. It plans to buy 55% of ASPL for ₹1,225 cr; its parent earlier took 64% of Kotsons.

HG Infra Engineering jumped up to 10.6% after a ₹401.33 crore BOQ order from Anuppur Thermal Energy to build railway infrastructure for a 2x800 MW MP plant, to be executed in 18 months. Stock beat a falling Nifty; volume 3.3x avg; YTD −28%. Q3FY26

Day 12 of the US‑Israel–Iran war sees intensifying, regionwide strikes: Iran reports heavy civilian losses; the US targets mine‑laying boats; Israel hits Tehran and Tabriz; Gulf states down drones. India faces LPG shortages as Reliance lifts output. Oil edges up on cuts and shipping snags.

The IEA is considering the largest-ever release of oil from strategic reserves to calm global markets amid supply disruptions from the West Asia conflict. Officials say the coordinated move could exceed the 182 million barrels released in 2022.

JPMorgan turns bullish on Indian life insurers, initiating Max Financial at Overweight with ₹2,170 target (~27% upside). Expects GST-free protection and commission reforms to lift demand, margins, and VNB. Overweight SBI Life, HDFC Life, ICICI Pru, LIC; notes bancassurance competition and mix risks.

India: 24k gold up ₹10 to ₹1,62,390/10g; 22k at ₹1,48,860. Silver up ₹100 to ₹2,90,100/kg (₹3,00,100 in Chennai). City 24k: Mumbai ₹1,62,390, Kolkata ₹1,62,370, Delhi ₹1,62,540, Chennai ₹1,64,190. Globally, gold +0.4% to $5,213.99/oz; silver +0.6%; platinum, palladium also rose.

Trump announced a new oil refinery in Brownsville, Texas—the first in the US in 50 years—calling it part of a $300B deal and thanking India’s Reliance for investment. He says it will create thousands of jobs and boost energy security; details remain unclear. The news comes amid West Asia turmoil.

Indian equities rebounded on softer crude and hopes of easing Iran tensions. Sensex +640 to 78,206; Nifty +234 to 24,262; BSE mcap +Rs6 tn. Brent near $90; VIX -19% to 18.9 but still elevated. Broad gains led by ICICI, HDFC; mid/smallcaps outperformed. Focus stays on West Asia, oil.

Finance Ministry seeks Parliament nod for Rs 2.81 lakh crore extra spending in FY2025-26 via second supplementary, with net cash outgo of Rs 2.01 lakh crore offset by savings/receipts.

India is using its digital stack to tighten fertiliser and food subsidies. AgriStack-linked farmer IDs (7.67 crore, target 11 crore by FY27) curb excess urea use—Haryana pilots saved 102k t urea, 72k t DAP—and may enable DBT. PDS pilots deploy CBDC/e-RUPI vouchers for traceable.

Amid the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict, LIC’s equity portfolio fell 4.7% (₹70,105 cr) to ₹14.17 tn by Mar 9, 2026; YTD loss ₹1.08 tn (7.1%). Banks (SBI, ICICI, HDFC) drove 21.8% of losses; L&T ~11% on West Asia exposure. Indian indices fell ~4.5–5%; brokerages flag near-term headwinds.

Assocham warns a prolonged US‑Israel‑Iran conflict could disrupt Strait of Hormuz trade, raising oil/LNG prices and straining India’s energy supplies, CAD and inflation. Gulf remittances and $98.7bn imports face risk; shipping delays mount, hitting gems, pharma, electronics and agri exports.

Marine insurance is cheap and competitive, with war risks typically excluded. Rising tensions led India’s GIC Re to withdraw war-risk cover on key routes, pressuring refiners’ oil imports. Dependence on pricier European reinsurers and a cumbersome proposed US backstop widens the insurance gap.

TCS’s market cap has slid from a $200.15B Jan 2022 peak to ~$99B, erasing $100B amid AI-driven worries over IT outsourcing. Shares ~45% off; P/E ~19x vs ~40x. Infosys/HCL/Wipro down 32–44%; Nifty IT −35%, Nifty 50 −8%. India’s $100B club shrinks; Reliance, HDFC Bank, Airtel, SBI remain.

Blue Earth Capital provided €27m sustainability-linked financing to Captain Fresh to expand global seafood distribution. The partnership targets traceability, waste reduction, job creation and sustainable sourcing, leveraging Captain Fresh’s tech-enabled, multi-species brands across US, Europe, UAE.

Amid an LPG crunch and cylinder suspensions, NRAI urged restaurants to cut gas use by favoring low-fuel dishes, pausing long-cook/deep-fry items, shutting idle pilots, batching prep off-peak, and shifting some work to electric/induction gear.

Mozark raised $40M Series B led by IFC and RMB Capitalworks, with Kalaari. Funds will drive global expansion, acquisitions, and R&D, including agent-to-agent testing. Its AI platform measures real-world digital performance without user data. Serves 50+ clients in 20+ countries.

X is testing an iOS upload toggle to “block modifications by Grok,” curbing reply-tag image edits (even for Premium) but not other edit paths; rollout unclear and hard to find. It follows backlash over Grok-enabled explicit, nonconsensual images. Separately, OpenAI again delayed ChatGPT “Adult mode”

The Centre has invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to prioritise natural gas and LPG supply for domestic, industrial, and vehicular use amid global energy disruptions. The Act empowers the government to regulate production, supply and distribution of key commodities.

State-run OMCs IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL are boosting LPG production and prioritising domestic and essential sectors following Centre orders. The move addresses supply disruptions from West Asia amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict

Microsoft launched Copilot Cowork for Microsoft 365—an AI agent that turns requests into plans and completes tasks across Outlook, Teams, Excel and more using emails, meetings, and files. Powered by Work IQ and Anthropic’s Claude, it runs under M365 security for scheduling and research.

The National Restaurant Association of India warned that curbs on commercial LPG—amid price hikes and a push to prioritise domestic supply—could force mass restaurant closures. It urged sustained LPG supply to protect food availability, a ₹5.7‑trillion sector, and 8 million jobs.

WhatsApp is testing softer, more rounded chat bubbles in Android beta 2.26.10.2, aiming for a cleaner, modern look and better readability. Multimedia now appears as standalone rounded bubbles, with headers for group/forwarded items. Rollout is limited to select beta testers, expanding soon.

After a US strike kills Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba—still a Hojjatoleslam—became Supreme Leader on March 9. The piece explains why he needn’t be an Ayatollah, outlining Shia clerical ranks, Iran’s 1989 constitutional change, velayat-e faqih, and Qom–Najaf contrasts.

OnePlus will launch Nord Buds 4 Pro in India on March 19. Highlights: up to 55dB ANC (TUV-certified), LHDC 5.0, spatial audio, 12mm titanium-coated drivers with stronger bass, 3 mics per bud, built-in volume slider, 4.4g weight, new case 10% smaller, colors Radiant Gray and Raven Black.

SAT upheld Sebi’s action against Sahara’s SICCL over OFCDs, ruling the 1998–2008 issues were public offers that raised ₹14,106 crore from 19.8m investors. It sustained orders for refunds, disclosures and market bars, rejected repayment claims, found no regulatory delay, but cleared certain employees

SAT upheld Sebi’s action against Sahara India Commercial Corp over illegal OFCDs, ruling its 1998–2008 issuances a public offer that raised ₹14,106 cr from 19.8 mn investors. It affirmed refund, disclosures and debarments, rejected repayment claims, found no delay by Sebi, absolved some employees

Vietnam’s trade ministry urges businesses to promote work-from-home to save fuel amid supply disruptions and price spikes linked to the Iran war. Gasoline, diesel, kerosene up 32–80%; queues at stations. Govt warns against hoarding, seeks Gulf supplies, suspends fuel import tariffs.

Asian nations are rolling out emergency fuel-saving steps as West Asia conflict disrupts oil supplies and jolts prices. Pakistan ordered school closures and WFH, Bangladesh capped fuel sales, and the Philippines adopted a four-day work week, while others imposed price controls and tax cuts.

Leaked CAD renders hint the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold will mirror the 10 Pro Fold but be thinner (10.1mm folded, 4.8mm open), revise the camera island (flash/mic in pill), possibly use a MediaTek modem, add new face unlock, keep Tensor G6 and size. Rumored August launch; price unknown.

After reports that a QR code on the CBSE Class 12 Maths paper linked to Astley’s video, the board said the papers were genuine and security uncompromised. QR codes are for authentication. CBSE is probing steps to prevent repeats. Students said scanning during the March 9 exam triggered a “rickroll”

POCO X8 Pro series launches in India March 17: X8 Pro (Dimensity 8500 Ultra) and X8 Pro Max (9500s). Expect 1.5K 120Hz AMOLEDs (6.59/6.83in), 50MP OIS, 20MP selfie, big batteries (~7560/9000mAh) with 100W, IP69K, white/black colors; likely Redmi Turbo 5/5 Max rebrands.

IT Dept asks brokers to return excess STT for FY24 and earlier, with 1% monthly interest, to be deposited with NSE within 7 days; NSE will remit to govt. STT was Rs 52,197 cr in FY24. From Apr 1, F&O STT rises: futures 0.02%→0.05%, option premium 0.1%→0.15%, exercise 0.125%→0.15%.

Xiaomi Pad 8 debuts in India with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 11.2-inch 3.2K/144Hz display in nano-texture or glossy, 9,200mAh battery, 45W charging (67W in box), HyperOS 3 on Android 16, and Workstation Mode. Up to 12GB/256GB. Prices start Rs 33,999; on sale Mar 17 with bank offers till Mar 31.

BCCI announced ₹131 crore for India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 win, covering players, coaches, and support staff. Under Suryakumar Yadav, India defended the title with a 96-run win over New Zealand, making it their third T20 WC trophy.

Indian gas stocks rebounded after Trump said the Iran war was “very complete” and the US may control the Strait of Hormuz. Petronet, IGL, GAIL, Adani Total Gas rose as Nifty +0.65%. Brent spiked then fell. Broker warns India’s LNG is exposed to Hormuz; PG Electroplast got a gas-shortage notice.

India faces contrasting weather: IMD warns of isolated heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail and 30–50 kmph winds over J&K–Ladakh Mar 10 and NE/east states through Mar 15; J&K/HP may see snow Mar 11. Meanwhile heatwave grips west/central India (4–7°C above normal); Delhi partly cloudy, 35–37°C.

Google’s Pixel 10a (India, Feb 18) is a mild refresh of the 9a: same design vibe, Tensor G4, 48+13MP cameras and 5100mAh battery, but adds flush camera, Gorilla Glass 7i, brighter screen, louder speakers, and 45W charging. Good cameras/AI, thick bezels, heating; Rs 49,999 (8/256).

Opinion: Trump’s misread of Iran helped pave Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise, consolidating a hardline regime tied to the IRGC. Iran is built for asymmetric, long war—survival equals victory—threatening oil markets and allies. Trump must either find an off-ramp or prepare for a costly, protracted fight.

Kharg Island, 25 km off Iran in the Persian Gulf, is the country’s main oil export hub, loading up to 7m bpd and handling about 90% of shipments via deep-water jetties. Untouched in recent Iran-Israel strikes, it remains a vulnerable linchpin—any attack could trigger global oil shocks.

JSW Steel’s consolidated crude steel production fell 2% year-on-year to 2.37 million tonnes in February 2026 due to the shutdown of Blast Furnace 3 at its Vijayanagar plant for a capacity upgrade.

Trump says the war against Iran is “very complete,” touts major damage to Iran’s defenses, and suggests the U.S. may take control of the Strait of Hormuz. He claims Operation Epic Fury crippled missiles, drones, and navy after Khamenei’s killing, as Iran retaliates regionwide.

Minda Corp shares jumped up to 4.8% after its unit Spark Minda Green Mobility Systems formed a JV with UK’s Turntide Drives to develop EV motor controllers, axial flux motors and pumps in India (49/51 split). Stock outperformed Nifty on high volume.