CATEGORIES

How to avoid the dangers of greenwashing

Given the high financial costs, it's critical for diamond brands to help consumers discern between what's green and what's greenwashing

A year-end salute to a unique, captivating species

Tripping over the interesting is the redeeming allure of the internet. Last week I stumbled on the elegantly named Vulpes vulpes (the red fox), collided with Ursus maritimus (the polar bear) and then discovered a genus of moths called Athletes. I was idly Hudyan 7 dem surfing while writing a column and it struck me that these sporting people I write about all the time, they're pretty much a species on their own.

NEW ON SCREENS

Perpetually online youth, crash survivors, migrating mallards and other titles to close the year out with

DECIPHERING 2023 WITH 15 COMPELLING READS

Mint's Long Story is where we embrace the challenge of delving deep into a story and telling it well every day of the week. This space allowed us, over the course of a year, to report on and explore a wide range of stories that captured the zeitgeist. From the short-seller attack on the Adani group to the chaos at healthcare company Pristyn Care, from the human cost of futures and options trade to the underbelly of Bank of Baroda's app usage fiasco, we unearthed corporate stories that stirred the nation. Here are 15 stories that highlight the breadth and depth of our reporting, from among the 238 long stories we published in 2023.

2023 marked the return of the OG supermodels

As designers looked beyond celebrity showstoppers this year, the supermodels of the 1990s and 2000s returned in full force

Political outcomes aren't likely to impact the economy too much

Global economic trends are likely to be driven by AI and tech innovations for climate action, not prevailing uncertainties

Women's vote achieved: We need faster progress

Universal adult suffrage became a reality in 2023 after Vatican City gave women voting rights. Yet, patriarchal politics thrives. A real voice for all must not take another century

Why India's markets have so few accredited investors

Experts say there is a need to further simplify the accreditation process for such investors

Israel bombs Gaza as UN says civilians face 'grave peril'

Israeli forces on Thursday heavily bombed the besieged Gaza Strip as the centre of fierce combat against Hamas moves steadily south, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering.

US allies wary of task force

Some are reluctant to be publicly associated with an international response to the Houthi attacks in Red Sea

Qatar court commutes death sentence of eight Indians

The former naval officers were given the death penalty for allegedly spying for Israel

Double-digit growth marks a historic year for hospitality industry

In a year defined by challenges, including soaring hotel fees, increased airfares, and heightened movement costs, it was a promising 2023 for the tourism and travel sector. This was facilitated by Indian tourists seizing every opportunity to explore, leaving their mark on the world stage.

Grim outlook for real-money gaming

After a disruptive 2023, many real money gaming operators are paring down estimates for 2024 as they prepare for a bleak future. Home to around 400 startups, the sector faces challenges in planning for near term growth due to the double disruptions caused by a new tax regime.

Consumer cos expect volumes surge in 2024

Optimism buoyed by election-year prospects, as well as easing inflation

Cautious optimism: OTT players adapt to changing trends

Services are diversifying, offering free content, knowing that relying solely on subscription may not suffice

Bollywood roars back: Gross box office may breach ₹12k cr in 2023

Hindi films contributed 44% to India's annual gross box office collections, up from 33% in 2022, and 19% in 2021

Firstcry's parent files IPO papers with Sebi

Co to raise ₹1,816 cr via new shares; existing investors to sell 54.39 mn shares

Apple chases the ultimate health watch, but it could take years

It is facing technical puzzles and patent-wielding competitors as it tries to create an all-in-one health wearable

A shift in filmmaker preferences

Filmmakers from the south are commended for presenting actors as larger-than-life heroes

RBI dy guv urges banks to prudently lend to NBFCs

In Nov, RBI hiked risk weights on bank loans to NBFCs and on unsecured loans that banks and NBFCs disburse

Zomato gets ₹401 cr showcause notice over delivery charges

Tax notice on 26 December is based on the delivery charges collected from customers over two-and-a-half years

Order-winning spree puts Mazagon Dock stock on the warpath

Warship building company Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDSL) has been on an order-bagging spree of late. On 20 December the company signed a contract worth ₹1,600 crore with the Ministry of Defence – its third order win just this month.

Metals sector to see gradual uplift

After an impressive rally of nearly 22% in calendar year 2022, the Nifty Metals index has seen modest returns of 18% so far in 2023. The performance was hindered by several challenges: a strong US dollar, subdued global demand, cost inflation, and China's delayed economic recovery. China's pivotal role in the metals market means its economic shifts have significant bearing on demand and pricing in the sector.

Xiaomi launches its first EV, aims to rival Porsche, Tesla

The SU7, which stands for Speed Ultra, will be powered by batteries from Chinese market leaders

'Apple warnings issue being probed professionally'

A report said IT ministry officials had put pressure on Apple to \"help soften the political impact of the warnings\"

Neo Asset revs up infrastructure fund

Peak XV Neo Asset Partners-backed Management, which floated its infrastructure-focussed vehicle in August, has now concluded raising its target corpus and will avail the greenshoe option, a top executive told VCCircle.

Adani group inks AI JV with UAE's IHC

The Adani group, led by Gautam Adani, has formed a joint venture with a unit of UAE's International Holding Co. to explore artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies, signalling deepening ties between the conglomerate and its Middle-East backers.

Invest in new ideas, not season's flavour, says Accel's Prakash

Sectors that are familiar and better-understood tend to see a fierce investment competition, said Prashant Prakash, co-founder of Accel India, but warned that they do not necessarily yield significant profits. Such sectors represent opportunities of the past, and not those shaping the future.

'DPDP rules for consultation shortly'

The rules will specify clear definitions for age-gating, used to verify a user's age for allowing access

India to sign clean and fair economy deals under IPEF

Commerce ministry to move Cabinet note after completion of legal vetting by February