2, Jul 2026
India’s Coal Output Rises 14.9 pc to 17.88 Million Tonnes in June

New Delhi, July 2: India’s coal production increased by 14.9 per cent year-on-year to 17.88 million tonnes in June, reflecting continued growth in domestic coal output and stable supply momentum across the sector.

The rise in production highlights improved mining operations and sustained demand from key consuming sectors, particularly power generation and industry. Officials noted that the growth trend is aligned with ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic coal availability and reduce supply constraints.

Industry observers said the increase in output underscores steady operational performance across coal-producing regions, supported by better logistics and enhanced mining efficiency.

With demand for energy remaining firm, coal production is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining supply stability in the coming months.

Overall, the June performance indicates continued resilience in India’s coal sector amid evolving energy requirements.

2, Jul 2026
Policy Changes Expected to Shape Bullion Market Outlook in H2 2026

New Delhi, July 2: The bullion market is expected to remain sensitive in the second half of 2026 as recent tax revisions and customs duty adjustments begin to influence overall trade dynamics.

Market observers indicate that changes in fiscal policies may affect gold and silver demand, pricing trends, and import activity. Retail sentiment and investment demand are also likely to respond to the evolving tax structure and regulatory updates.

Industry experts are closely tracking both domestic policy developments and global economic conditions to assess their impact on bullion prices. Stability in taxation and customs policy is expected to play a key role in supporting market confidence in the coming months.

Overall, the bullion sector is likely to experience fluctuations driven by policy adjustments and international market trends through H2 2026.

2, Jul 2026
AFC Furniture Solutions Maharashtra Push Targets Nagpur’s MIHAN And Pune’s Hinjewadi Industrial Zones.

Mumbai , July 2 : AFC Furniture Solutions, India’s fastest-growing manufacturer of modular and ergonomic office furniture, has announced expansion beyond the established Mumbai market, targeting Pune’s technology corridors and Nagpur’s MIHAN zone.II AFC’s Maharashtra Push Targets Nagpur’s MIHAN And Pune’s Hinjewadi Industrial Zones

The company is targeting 25–30% of its revenue from western India, driven by the strong demand from over 900 companies located across the Special Economic Zone and non-SEZ areas of Hinjewadi, as well as Nagpur’s Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport . AFC’s plans correlate to Pune’s Q1 2026 numbers that, according to Cushman & Wakefield, reported GCCs driving 69 percent of the city’s total office leasing demand, concentrated across Hinjewadi, Kharadi, and Baner. AFC is an early mover in Nagpur’s MIHAN zone. With many companies in various stages of operations and operational preparedness, the state plans to develop New Nagpur as a full-scale business and financial district on the lines of Mumbai’s BKC.

“The Maharashtra GCC Policy 2025 was the clearest signal yet of the state’s investment plans and industrial growth. The plan targets 400 new Global Capability Centres, 4,00,000 high-skilled jobs, and Rs 50,600 crore in investments across the state by FY 2029-30. The policy has put institutional momentum behind markets that AFC had already identified as the next wave,” said Maanoj Tomar, Founder, AFC Furniture Solutions.

AFC Furniture Solutions already has a large presence in Mumbai’s commercial real estate market. The company has delivered Trilegal, Emirates, Tata Capital, WNS Mumbai, HDFC Aeroli, Unity Bank, ICICI Bank, IDFC Bank, and NPCI across the state, building on the systems and client relationships developed through its Mumbai operations. The company plans to scale this presence throughout the state through project acquisitions, deeper design consultancy, efficient executions,  and stronger partnerships with developers and architects in the region.

AFC’s 4 lakh sq. ft. IGBC gold-rated manufacturing facility at Noida produces over 18,000 workstations and ergonomic seating systems every month. Its landmark fit-out at Noida International Airport, where AFC deployed over 6,000 low-emission furniture systems across nearly 1 lakh sq m with a recyclability rate of 66 per cent, reflects the kind of large-scale, ESG-compliant delivery that GCC operations in Maharashtra are increasingly demanding. As India’s first BIFMA Level 3 certified furniture manufacturer, AFC will bring that capability directly to the state’s growth markets in Pune and Nagpur.

“We have had a strong run in Greater Mumbai, and that gave us a good read on Maharashtra’s market. When we saw the GCC Policy come through, and when the Pune and Nagpur numbers started aligning with what we had anticipated, the decision to push harder was straightforward. We are not reacting to this market. We saw it coming, and we are ready for it,” added Tomar.

2, Jul 2026
India and Japan Deepen Strategic Partnership with New Collaboration and Investment Commitments

New Delhi, July 2: India and Japan have further strengthened their strategic partnership following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The meeting concluded with several key initiatives aimed at expanding cooperation in technology, manufacturing, trade, and economic development.

One of the key outcomes was the signing of the first bilateral agreement for the joint development of advanced industrial and strategic technologies, reflecting the growing trust and collaboration between the two countries. The initiative is expected to promote innovation, research, technological advancement, and stronger industrial partnerships.

The discussions also highlighted Japan’s continued confidence in India’s growth story, with Japanese companies expected to announce investments of around $12.5 billion across multiple sectors. The proposed investments are anticipated to support manufacturing, infrastructure development, clean energy, and emerging technologies while creating employment opportunities and strengthening industrial growth.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and building stronger economic and strategic ties. The talks focused on promoting innovation, enhancing business partnerships, improving regional connectivity, and fostering sustainable growth for the mutual benefit of both nations.

The outcomes of the summit reflect the continued progress of the India–Japan partnership and underscore the shared vision of both countries to build a stronger, future-ready relationship founded on mutual trust, collaboration, and shared prosperity.

2, Jul 2026
PM Modi, Japan PM to Inaugurate Maruti Suzuki Plant in Haryana

Haryana, July 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are set to jointly inaugurate Maruti Suzuki’s fourth manufacturing plant in Kharkhoda, Haryana, marking a key milestone in India–Japan industrial cooperation.

The new facility is expected to strengthen India’s automobile manufacturing capacity under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, featuring advanced production systems, improved efficiency, and large-scale employment opportunities.

The Kharkhoda plant is part of Maruti Suzuki’s broader expansion strategy aimed at increasing production output and meeting growing domestic and global demand for automobiles. The inauguration also highlights the deepening economic and strategic partnership between India and Japan in the manufacturing sector.

2, Jul 2026
DriveX Mobility Accelerates Karnataka Expansion with new Store in Bengaluru’s Ganga Nagar

DriveX Mobility Accelerates Karnataka Expansion with new Store in Bengaluru’s Ganga Nagar

Bengaluru, July 02: DriveX, a pioneering pre-owned two-wheeler platform, today announced the launch of its newest Company-Owned Company-Operated (COCO) outlet in Ganga Nagar, Bengaluru. The new facility further strengthens the company’s retail footprint in Karnataka and marks its seventh COCO store in Bengaluru, underscoring DriveX’s continued focus on scaling its organised retail network and making trusted, high-quality pre-owned mobility solutions more accessible to customers.

The launch represents another important milestone in DriveX’s ongoing expansion strategy as it continues to expand its network of more than 50 outlets through a combination of company-owned and franchise-led models.

Strategically located in one of North Bengaluru’s rapidly developing corridors, the Ganga Nagar store is designed to cater to the increasing demand for reliable and affordable pre-owned two-wheelers. The outlet will provide customers with a transparent and hassle-free buying experience, backed by quality assurance, financing solutions, warranty support, and post-purchase assistance.

Customers visiting the new store will have access to a curated portfolio of quality-verified pre-owned two-wheelers spanning multiple brands and models. Every vehicle undergoes comprehensive inspections and quality checks before being offered for sale. The outlet also offers DriveX Finance solutions to make ownership more accessible, along with exchange options and customer support services that simplify the purchase journey.

Commenting on the launch, Devesh Taparia, CEO, DriveX Mobility, said: “Every new store reflects our broader vision of making trusted and organised pre-owned mobility accessible to more customers. As demand for reliable and value-driven transportation continues to grow, we are focused on building a strong omnichannel ecosystem that combines quality-assured vehicles, financing, exchange, and after-sales support. Our expansion strategy is centred on delivering superior customer experience while strengthening DriveX’s leadership position in the organised pre-owned two-wheeler market.”

The inauguration of the Ganga Nagar outlet further reinforces DriveX’s vision of bringing greater structure and trust to India’s largely unorganised pre-owned two-wheeler market. As the company continues its retail expansion across key urban centres, it remains focused on enhancing accessibility, affordability, and customer confidence through a consistent and technology-enabled ownership experience.

2, Jul 2026
Avantor India Appointed as Exclusive Distributor for Sartorius Filter Papers to Serve India’s Laboratory Consumables Sector

GURGAON, India, July 02 - Avantor, a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to the life sciences and advanced technology industries, announced it has been appointed the exclusive distributor of Sartorius Filter Papers in India. This partnership strengthens Avantor India’s filtration portfolio and enhances access for customers across academic research, quality control, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food & beverage, and industrial laboratories. 

Sartorius filter papers are widely recognized for their consistent performance, precise pore structures, and suitability for a broad range of qualitative and quantitative laboratory and industrial filtration applications. 

Through this partnership, customers can procure Sartorius filter paper through Avantor’s established distribution network, supported by reliable customer service and expert guidance on product handling, storage, and selection across common laboratory environments. 

“This association with Sartorius reinforces our commitment to delivering trusted, high-quality laboratory consumables to the Indian scientific community,” said Puneet Pant, Managing Director and Lab Solutions Leader, India at Avantor. “By combining Sartorius’ filtration expertise with Avantor’s strong market reach and customer support, we aim to deliver a seamless experience and enhanced value to our customers.” 

The Sartorius filter paper range addresses routine laboratory filtration needs, including sample clarification, gravimetric analysis, environmental testing, and process quality control. With Avantor as the exclusive distributor in India, customers can expect reliable supply, strong product availability, and technical support backed by a global life sciences organization. 

This appointment further underscores Avantor focus on strengthening its partnerships with globally respected manufacturers and expanding its consumables portfolio to meet evolving customer requirements. 

2, Jul 2026
Rreal Tacos Acquires the Red Mesa Cantina Building in Downtown St. Pete
The fast-growing Mexican hospitality group takes over the entire historic three-story landmark at 128 3rd Street South — five bars, the best patio courtyard in the city, and 100-plus years of St. Petersburg history — to create one of its most ambitious hospitality destinations yet.
 

Rreal Tacos Acquires the Red Mesa Cantina Building in Downtown St. Pete

 

 
St. Petersburg, Fl — July 2 — Rreal Tacos announced it has acquired the entire historic building at 128 3rd Street South in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg — the longtime home of the beloved Red Mesa Cantina. The three-story landmark — with more than 16,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor space across its floors, courtyard, and rooftop — will be reimagined into a multi-concept dining and hospitality destination operated under a single ownership group. The acquisition marks the Atlanta-based group’s second location in Florida, following a downtown Tampa restaurant set to open in late 2026.
 
Spanning interior, courtyard, and rooftop space, the property carries five bars across its floors and what locals widely regard as the finest patio courtyard in the city. Rreal Tacos plans to bring three distinct concepts to the building and expects to employ more than 250 working team members once all floors are open. The ground floor is slated to open first, in early 2027, with the group making a combined eight-figure investment in the acquisition and build-out.
 
Rreal Tacos is known for coming into historic downtowns and historic buildings, and respecting the building — preserving and celebrating its original character rather than stripping it away. The company is coming to St. Petersburg to put down local roots, grow the community, and become part of the fabric of this downtown.
 
 
The acquisition came together with remarkable speed. The same day word spread that Red Mesa Cantina would be closing, Rreal Tacos‘ CEO, Damian Otero, boarded a flight to St. Petersburg — and was sitting across the table from the building‘s owner within hours of hearing the news.
 
The introduction that set everything in motion came from Harrison Gault, a young broker whose connection brought the two sides together and made the deal possible — moving a once-in-a-generation downtown property from rumor to signed deal in record time.
 
From the very first conversation, the building‘s previous owner, Dean Kucera, and Rreal Tacos agreed on what mattered most: this landmark should be preserved, not torn down. Both sides deliberately turned away from the obvious alternative — a conventional real estate transaction that would have folded the property into an assembly of adjacent lots and replaced this historic building with a new, different development.
 
Rather than pursue a deal that would have ended in demolition, Kucera chose to sell to Rreal Tacos precisely because the group committed to keeping the building intact and converting it into a hospitality-based destination experience — three concepts under one roof, the best patio in downtown StPete, and a build-out that honors the property’s remarkable history. At every stage, both parties shared the same goal: to serve downtown St. Petersburg with an exceptional culinary and hospitality experience while protecting the building that has anchored this corner for more than a century.
 
The property is a true vertical entertainment block, with room for nearly 800 guests across its levels. Each level was built out for hospitality at scale, anchored by indoor and outdoor bars and crowned by an open-air rooftop overlooking downtown.
 
Rreal Tacos will operate the entire building, bringing three distinct concepts to its three levels — all under the same hospitality group. The build-out will highlight and preserve the property’s historic features rather than strip them away, in keeping with the company’s signature approach to adaptive reuse.
 
Rreal Tacos isn’t coming to St. Petersburg as an outsider — it’s coming to put down roots. The group is approaching this as a local company: hiring locally, partnering with the people and organizations that make downtown what it is, and investing in a building and a block that matter to this community. The aim from day one is to be a genuine part of downtown StPete, not just a business in it.
 
Most of all, Rreal Tacos wants to bring new energy to this corner of the city. Three concepts, five bars, the best patio in the city, and a rooftop made for sunsets and celebration — all under one historic roof. The vision is a downtown destination where neighbors, visitors, and the whole StPete community can gather, eat, drink, and celebrate together for the next chapter of this building‘s life.
 
Founded in Atlanta in 2015, Rreal Tacos has grown into one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing independent restaurant groups — without following the usual playbook. The company is not a franchise. It has no private equity backing and no outside investors. Instead, the people who run each location own a piece of it: the chefs, general managers, bar managers, and regional managers leading each restaurant hold real equity in it.
 
Leaders are developed from within, and every expansion is funded by disciplined reinvestment back into the business. That independence shows up in the details guests can taste: handmade tortillas made to order, and an award-winning agave program built around one of the country’s most extensive tequila and mezcal selections. It’s the same long-term, build-it-to-last approach Rreal Tacos is bringing to St. Petersburg — investing in a single landmark building and opening it thoughtfully, in phases, rather than rushing.
 
“This building has watched over downtown StPete for more
than a hundred years. We didn’t buy it to change what it is — we bought it to honor it, fill it with life and hospitality for the next chapter of its life.”
— Damian Otero, CEO, Rreal Tacos
2, Jul 2026
Precious Metals Trade Mixed as Markets Weigh Possible Fed Rate Hold

Precious Metals Trade Mixed as Markets Weigh Possible Fed Rate Hold

July 2: Global gold and silver markets traded mixed amid rising expectations that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates unchanged in the near term.

Gold prices moved with mild volatility as investors assessed inflation trends and signals from the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy outlook. Silver also saw uneven trading, reflecting cautious sentiment across the commodities sector.

Market participants are closely watching upcoming US economic data and central bank commentary for clearer cues on the future direction of interest rates, which are expected to influence precious metals in the days ahead.

2, Jul 2026
Annapurna Girls’ Hostel enhances Student Dining Experience with Fresh, Seasonal, and Balanced Meal Plans

Noida, July 02:  Annapurna Girls’ Hostel enhances student dining experience by offering fresh and healthy meals as the need for nutritious food increases. These nutritious meals assist in improving the health of the students. This motive shows the hostel’s aim to create a home-like environment where students grow academically as well as physically. 

As the demand for accommodation that goes beyond basic amenities grows among students, Annapurna Girls’ Hostel has made it its goal to enhance its food services to keep pace with students’ changing requirements. The meal plans are carefully compiled and consist of various vegetables and fruits, fresh food items, and healthy, well-nourished ingredients, prepared using hygienic cooking methods. As the monsoon season approaches, Annapurna Girls’ Hostel prepares its menu list by ensuring students get the home-made food feel in the mess. Dishes that are easy to digest are prepared. Apart from healthy food ingredients, the hostel caters to an interactive dining area where residents socialise with each other and form good friendships. It proves the fact that when humans receive genuine and true care, they develop a positive sense of feeling about the living conditions. This goal perfectly aligns with Annapurna Girls’ Hostel’s motive, which ensures students living there get nutritious food, a clean environment, and activity areas to help them relax. 

On this approach, the Founder of Annapurna Girls’ Hostel, Kunwar Gaurav Giri, stated that numerous students every year leave their homes for a new place for studies and jobs. This change is believed to be one of the challenging phases of their lives, where food portrays a great emotional setback for them. The Annapurna Girls’ Hostel serves each meal with the approach to provide both healthy and comfort food so that students feel like they are at home. As soon as monsoon time comes near, catering to residents’ needs regarding food becomes essential. The hostel strives to maintain a healthy living environment for every individual, considering improving their well-being, which includes food as one of the major components. 

As the fitness of the students remains a significant component of living, Annapurna Girls’ Hostel has improved its facilities by focusing mainly on healthy meals, socialisation, and peace. The goal is to provide a positive living experience for students by combining a home-like dining experience with the safety and comfort of a warm and inviting environment, along with resident-focused services By offering an enriching living experience, the hostel aims to support students throughout their academic journey, while helping students to feel “at home” at any time during the year.