24, Jun 2026
Growing Middle Class and Innovation Drive India’s Market Potential: Aker BioMarine
June 24: India’s growing middle class, large consumer base and swift adoption of innovation and technology are positioning the country as one of the most attractive long-term growth markets globally, according to Aker BioMarine Chief Executive Officer Matts Johansen.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, Johansen said India continues to offer significant opportunities for businesses seeking sustainable growth.
He noted that the combination of a large population, rising consumer spending and openness to new technologies creates a strong foundation for continued economic expansion. According to Johansen, these factors are likely to support long-term demand across a wide range of industries.
Reflecting the company’s confidence in the Indian market, Aker BioMarine is expanding its local presence and is in the process of establishing an office in Mumbai. The Norwegian biotechnology company has been active in India for several years, supplying ingredients to the country’s shrimp farming industry, one of the largest aquaculture markets in the world.
Beyond aquaculture, the company plans to deepen its engagement with India by providing ingredients for food products and human health supplements, aligning with growing consumer demand for nutrition and wellness products.
Johansen also highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in driving productivity and operational efficiency. He said AI is expected to play an increasingly important role across manufacturing, sales, marketing and finance functions, helping businesses improve performance and unlock new growth opportunities.
As companies worldwide accelerate their adoption of emerging technologies, India’s innovation-driven ecosystem and expanding consumer market are expected to remain key attractions for global investors and multinational businesses.
The Summer Davos meeting, being held in Dalian, China, has brought together leaders from business, government, academia and international organisations to discuss innovation, entrepreneurship and the future of economic development.
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- By Neel Achary
24, Jun 2026
Global Crude Prices Ease Further Amid Stable Supply Conditions
June 24: Global crude oil prices hovered near four-month lows on Wednesday as easing supply concerns and improving market conditions reduced fears of potential shortages.
International benchmark Brent crude remained under pressure, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also traded at relatively subdued levels. The decline followed signs of stable supply flows and reduced geopolitical risks, which have helped calm energy markets after recent periods of volatility.
Market participants noted that concerns over disruptions to global oil supplies have eased significantly, prompting traders to reassess risk premiums that had previously pushed prices higher. Expectations of adequate production from major oil-producing countries have also contributed to the softer price environment.
Lower crude oil prices are being viewed positively by major oil-importing economies, as they help ease inflationary pressures, reduce import costs and improve fiscal stability. For countries heavily dependent on energy imports, the decline in oil prices could provide support to economic growth and consumer spending.
Investors are now closely monitoring global demand trends, production decisions by major producers and broader economic indicators for clues on the future direction of oil markets.
Despite the recent weakness, analysts believe crude oil prices could remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, supply adjustments and shifts in global economic activity in the coming months.
24, Jun 2026
Markets Trade in a Narrow Range as IT Stocks Lead Early Gains
Mumbai, June 24: Indian equity markets traded within a narrow range on Wednesday morning as investors assessed improving macroeconomic conditions and sector-specific opportunities. Lower crude oil prices and a stable rupee helped support sentiment, although caution persisted due to concerns over below-normal monsoon rainfall.
The benchmark Sensex and Nifty posted modest gains in early trade, extending the subdued movement seen in the previous session. Market activity remained selective, with investors favouring sectors expected to benefit from current economic trends.
Information technology stocks led the gains, emerging as the strongest performers among major sectors. Healthcare and pharmaceutical shares also attracted buying interest, reflecting investor preference for relatively defensive sectors. Banking stocks traded in positive territory, lending additional support to the broader market.
Meanwhile, metal and automobile stocks faced mild selling pressure as traders booked profits and reassessed near-term growth prospects.
The decline in global crude oil prices has provided relief for India by reducing inflationary pressures and easing concerns over import costs. A more stable currency and reduced foreign investor outflows have further strengthened market confidence.
Despite these positives, market participants continue to monitor the progress of the monsoon season. Lower-than-expected rainfall could affect rural demand and consumer spending, particularly in sectors closely linked to agricultural incomes.
Analysts expect markets to remain driven by sector-specific developments and economic indicators in the near term, with investors maintaining a balanced approach amid mixed signals from domestic and global markets.
24, Jun 2026
Encalm Eats Debuts with its First In-House Brand Concept, IndiSip Café at Delhi Airport
June 24: Encalm, a leader in redefining the airport hospitality experience in India, has announced the launch of Encalm Eats – a dedicated food and beverage vertical focused on creating distinctive culinary brands and hospitality-led dining experiences. Built on the same philosophy of creating delightful experiences that defines Encalm, the venture combines thoughtful concept creation, culinary craftsmanship, and operational excellence to deliver memorable food experiences.
Conceived as a natural extension of Encalm’s ecosystem, Encalm Eats will focus on developing original food and beverage concepts while also managing a portfolio of partner brands, bringing together authentic flavours, contemporary formats, and consistent execution to deliver culinary experiences tailored to evolving consumer preferences.
Marking the venture’s first milestone, IndiSip is now operational at Delhi Airport. Inspired by the brand’s promise of bringing India to travellers, one sip at a time, the café celebrates the country’s rich beverage traditions alongside familiar comfort foods. From signature chai in flavours like Ginger Cardamom, Kesar, Gulab and Kashmiri Kahwa to iced lattes, handcrafted espressos and indulgent shakes, every offering is thoughtfully crafted to celebrate India’s rich beverage heritage while bringing familiar flavours into the modern travel journey. The food menu complements this with regional favourites such as the fan-favourite Masala Samosa, Khopara Patties, Irani Bun Maska and Achari Paneer Tikka/Chicken Tikka Wraps, alongside café classics like croissants, muffins and cookies.
“Encalm Eats marks the next chapter in Encalm’s journey to build a comprehensive hospitality ecosystem that resonates with today’s consumers. Food and beverage has always been one of hospitality’s most powerful expressions, and with Encalm Eats we are bringing together our understanding of consumer needs, culinary craftsmanship, and thoughtfully designed experiences to build distinctive food brands. IndiSip is the first step in that journey, reflecting our belief that every meal, beverage, and interaction should enrich the overall guest experience.” said Vikas Sharma, Group Chief Executive Officer, Encalm.
Deepak Bhatia, Business Head, Encalm Eats, said
“With Encalm Eats, we are building a portfolio of food and beverage concepts rooted in authentic flavours, strong consumer insight, and consistent quality. IndiSip is the first step, a café that brings together India’s rich beverage culture and familiar café favourites in a contemporary format. As we grow, every concept we create will be designed with the same focus on quality, consistency, and memorable guest experiences.”
The launch of IndiSip marks the beginning of Encalm Eats’ broader ambition to build a portfolio of innovative food and beverage offerings across diverse formats and destinations. Building on Encalm’s established presence across the hospitality ecosystem, the venture will continue to develop concepts that are rooted in authentic flavours, shaped by consumer insight, and delivered with the consistency, quality, and creativity that define the Encalm experience. As it expands, Encalm Eats will continue to respond to the evolving preferences of today’s consumers through distinctive culinary brands and thoughtfully crafted dining experiences.
24, Jun 2026
WINS Acquires Control of 5 Newbuilt DP Crew Transfer Vessels Through Acquisition of Controlling Stake in Fast Offshore Supply Pte Ltd
JAKARTA, June 24 - WINS acquires control through taking full ownership of Fast Offshore Supply Pte Ltd, expanding into the building and operation of Fast Aluminium Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV) with 5 units of new CTVs to be delivered in 2027 and a shipbuilding contract of 5 additional units for 2028 delivery.
PT Wintermar Offshore Marine Tbk (WINS) has acquired the remaining 52.5% shareholding of associated company Fast Offshore Supply Pte Ltd (“FOS”) in Singapore, and 49% of PT Fast Offshore Indonesia (“FOI”), in which WINS previously had a 51% stake, thereby gaining full control of FOS and its subsidiary FOI.
FOS has a significant presence in Brunei, having supplied offshore vessels there for 10 years. In 2025, FOS won an international tender to supply 5 units of next generation aluminum Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV) to a major oil company in Brunei, with delivery in 2027. These 5 units will be owned by FOS and chartered for an initial 5-year period with options to extend. Subsequently, FOS was awarded a shipbuilding contract by the same client to build and sell an additional 5 units of CTVs by 2028. These 55m CTVs are innovatively designed to meet stringent requirements, particularly for availability and operability throughout the year. Equipped with a motion-compensated gangway for safe personnel transfer to offshore platforms, DP systems, and triple bow thrusters, they will be powered by 4 units of CAT engines delivering 9,000 BHP and 4 units of Hamilton HT810 waterjets for propulsion. These high tier vessels provide critical station-keeping capability for safe personnel and cargo transportation services.
FOS is a specialized shipbuilder, having designed and built aluminum vessels in their shipyard in Singapore since 2008. FOS currently owns 7 units of Fast Multi-purpose Aluminum Vessels (FMPV), which were built in FOS’s shipyard in Singapore. With the acquisition, Wintermar’s high tier fleet will increase from 12 to 22 units including the 5 new build CTVs, while the DP fleet owned will increase to 25 units.
With strong oil prices, the OSV industry globally has demand growth while supply of new vessels has been limited. The lack of significant new building in the past years has also brought the average age of Wintermar’s fleet up to 16 years. This acquisition brings a fleet of newly built DP vessels with long term contracts, thus lowering the average age of the fleet to 14 years and providing earnings visibility, as well as introducing a new earnings stream from shipbuilding.
The Company is acquiring 52.5% of FOS from Seacoral Maritime Pte Ltd, an affiliated company of WINS, at a valuation of US$26 million, and 49% of FOI from FOS at US$7 million. The acquisition prices are in line with the independent valuation report, and this transaction has obtained a fairness opinion issued by an Independent Appraiser, KJPP Tri, Santi dan Rekan, dated 17 June 2026, in compliance with OJK regulation POJK 42/2020 regarding Affiliated Party Transactions and Potential Conflict of Interest Transactions, which states that the affiliated party transaction by WINS is fair. The transaction value represents a price-to-book ratio of 1.01% (FOS) and 0.96% (FOI) and is earnings accretive, as WINS will be able to fully consolidate the earnings arising from the 5-year charter and the shipbuilding contract. WINS will finance the acquisition through internal cash flow and a loan of US$20 million. Following the acquisition, FOI will be converted to a fully domestic Indonesian company compliant with Indonesian cabotage regulations and will focus on supplying Indonesian-flagged aluminum vessels in anticipation of stronger Indonesian demand.
With the acquisitions, FOS and FOI will become wholly owned subsidiaries of WINS, allowing WINS to fully capture the financial upside of the imminent charter and shipbuilding contracts without minority leakage. WINS has further strengthened its position as a leading OSV owner and operator of DP vessels in Asia and acquired a new fleet of DP vessels with long term contracts. This acquisition has expanded the scope of business and improves earnings visibility for the WINS group.
24, Jun 2026
Probook Raises $40M from Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia to Scale the AI Operating System for Home Services
America’s largest home service brands run on Probook, built around dispatch
NEW YORK, NY — June 24: Probook, the AI Operating System for home service businesses, today announced $40 million in funding. The investment comprises a $34 million Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and a $6 million Seed round led by Sequoia Capital. Sequoia also participated in the Series A.
Home service operators spent the last three years buying AI. A voice agent. A chat widget. A follow-up tool. Each one owned a slice of the customer, and none of them talked to each other. Every vendor built for the top of the funnel, where leads come in — and ignored dispatch, the brain of every home service business, where customer experience is made or broken. Operators ended up with a stack of point solutions and a piecemeal customer experience.
Probook built dispatch first. Intake, data cleaning, customer messaging, and outbound came next, only possible because everything shares one context layer. Every customer stays on one text thread, with one number, from the first touch through the front door. Every inbound lead is answered with perfect information. Every booking is cleaned before assignment. Humans manage exceptions. Techs sell more. Shops run more jobs. Operators add points to their EBITDA and, for the first time, run a connected customer experience.
“I started Probook to solve a problem in my own business,” said George Eliadis, CEO and co-founder of Probook. “I grew up pressure washing in upstate New York with my dad. Six summers in the truck. I spent two to three hours of my day driving between jobs. I’d be up on a ladder washing a house and miss calls because I couldn’t hear my phone ringing.”
Eliadis later spent a summer inside TR Miller, a $40M HVAC, plumbing, and electrical shop in Illinois that became Probook’s first customer. There, he saw the same problems at scale.
“Most AI vendors flocked to this space because it looked attractive on a spreadsheet,” he continued. “We came to it because we grew up in it. Dispatch is the hardest problem in home services. If you don’t start there, you can’t understand the business.”
Probook deploys with customers in person, configures the platform alongside their front-line teams, and stays on the hook for the outcomes it sells.
Probook serves customers across hundreds of locations nationwide, from independently owned shops to private equity-backed platforms. Notable customers include TurnPoint Services, Master Trades Group, Del-Air, Peterman Brothers, and Sila Services.
“With Probook, we’ve centralized dispatch across 11 markets and 200 technicians without adding overhead. That scalability is critical to how we grow,” said Chad Peterman, CEO of Peterman Brothers.
Summers Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, with 14 locations and 260 technicians on the platform, booked 2,542 jobs in its first month on Probook with zero human intervention.
Del-Air, an 8-location operation in Florida, runs Probook across the stack. “We chose Probook
over other AI vendors because they know dispatch. They’re also part of our front-line CSR,” noted Rick Rogers, CEO.
“Dispatch is the nerve center of every home service business, and Probook built their entire platform around it.” said David Haber, General Partner at Andreesen Horowitz. “It’s a years-old structural moat. America’s largest home service brands run on Probook today. We’re proud to have led their Series A.”
Konstantine Buhler, Partner at Sequoia Capital, added: “Most founders building for the trades have never worked in them. George has. Pair that with the team’s outlier technical depth, and you see why we backed Probook at Seed and why we’re doubling down now.”
Probook will use the capital to scale its go-to-market team against surging demand, and grow engineering and customer success to deliver on it.
24, Jun 2026
Chef Lekhpal Singh Rawat Honored with Global Culinary Excellence Award at National Prestige Awards 2.0
Chef Lekhpal Singh Rawat, currently serving as Master Chef at Saffron Indian Cuisine Restaurant, North Carolina, USA, has been honored with the prestigious Global Culinary Excellence Award at the National Prestige Awards 2.0, held at the renowned Radisson Blu Hotel, Dwarka, New Delhi.
The award recognizes Chef Rawat’s exceptional contribution to the global culinary landscape, his dedication to preserving authentic Indian flavors, and his commitment to elevating Indian cuisine on the international stage. The recognition was presented during a grand ceremony attended by industry leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and distinguished guests from across the country.
Over the years, Chef Lekhpal Singh Rawat has earned a reputation for culinary innovation, operational excellence, and his ability to blend traditional Indian cooking techniques with contemporary presentation. At Saffron Indian Cuisine Restaurant in North Carolina, he has played a key role in delivering authentic dining experiences while promoting the richness and diversity of Indian gastronomy to international audiences.
Receiving the award, Chef Rawat expressed his gratitude and said,
“This recognition is a reflection of my passion for Indian cuisine and the unwavering support of my team, mentors, and family. It inspires me to continue showcasing the richness of Indian culinary traditions across the world.”
The National Prestige Awards 2.0, powered by the Insights Excellence Awards (IEA) 2026, celebrates outstanding professionals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and leadership in their respective fields. The event serves as a platform to recognize individuals who are making a significant impact within their industries and communities.
Chef Rawat’s achievement highlights the growing global appreciation of Indian cuisine and underscores the important role culinary professionals play in promoting India’s rich cultural heritage worldwide. His dedication to excellence, innovation, and authenticity continues to inspire aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals across the globe.
This prestigious recognition further strengthens Chef Lekhpal Singh Rawat’s position as one of the leading ambassadors of Indian cuisine internationally and marks another significant milestone in his distinguished culinary career.
24, Jun 2026
AD Ports Group Increases Ownership in Global Feeder Shipping to 81% by Acquiring an Additional 30% Stake
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 24 June 2026: AD Ports Group (ADPORTS:ADX), a leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, today announced that it has acquired an additional 30% equity stake valued at AED 1.1 billion (USD 300 million) in one of its most strategic assets, Global Feeder Shipping (GFS), raising its holding to 81%.
In February 2024, AD Ports Group acquired a 51% stake in Dubai-based GFS, the world’s fourth-largest container feeder shipping line by capacity, with a call option to increase its ownership by December 2026. The Group has now exercised this call option at the same total Enterprise Value of AED 3.67 billion (USD 1 billion) set in 2024. The acquisition will be funded through a mix of debt and asset monetisation transactions.
AD Ports Group’s container feeder shipping business, which involves the transport of goods using small and medium-sized vessels between major transit hubs and smaller ports, has grown rapidly since its initial launch in 2020. GFS is among the Group’s most strategically significant assets. Through a sustained period of maritime disruption, GFS has maintained and expanded trade connectivity where other operators withdrew, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of cargo for customers across the GCC region, whilst serving the Indian Subcontinent, Red Sea, Far East, Mediterranean, and Africa regions — reinforcing AD Ports Group’s role as a reliable enabler of trade through volatility. In doing so, it has extended the Group’s geographic reach, broadened its customer base, and connected its terminals to a wider set of economies, with increased depth across the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf.
The increase in ownership to 81% reinforces AD Ports Group’s cash flow generation and provides greater strategic and operational control over this core asset, enabling deeper integration with the Group’s ports, economic cities and logistics operations. This will further strengthen the end-to-end trade and logistics solutions AD Ports Group offers to customers worldwide.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director & Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “Through the acquisition of an additional 30% stake in Global Feeder Shipping, AD Ports Group is reaffirming its commitment to investing in one of the most important and high-performing assets within our integrated business portfolio. GFS has expanded our reach into new markets and brought us closer to our customers, connecting our ports to more economies across the Red Sea and the Gulf at a time when reliable trade connectivity matters most. Our increased ownership in GFS allows us to deepen its integration within the Group’s portfolio and enables further growth across our shipping business. We will now be in a stronger position to accelerate our journey to enable trade for our stakeholders, in line with the vision of our wise leadership.”
Amir Maghami, CEO of Global Feeder Shipping, said: “Today marks an important step for GFS as we become more closely integrated into AD Ports Group, reinforcing the strength of our partnership. While the shipping industry continues to adapt to volatile market conditions, AD Ports Group’s support has enabled us to steadily expand our services and grow our fleet. Staying flexible and keeping customers at the centre of what we do has always been our priority, and I am excited to build on this momentum as we broaden our network and deliver even greater value in the months and years ahead.”
In 2025, GFS transported 2.8 million TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) and made more than 700 voyages covering 89 ports in 54 countries. Since the acquisition of its initial 51% stake in February 2024, GFS generated total cumulative EBITDA of over AED 1.8 billion (USD 500 million).
Alongside SAFEEN Feeders and Transmar, GFS forms the core of the Group’s container feeder shipping business, providing essential services for the movement of goods in and out of the UAE. In 2025, overall container feeder shipping revenue rose 17% year-on-year from 2024. The business also expanded the Group’s global footprint, playing an integral role in its trade ecosystem spanning Ports, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Maritime & Shipping, Logistics, and Digital services business clusters.
In 2025, the total revenue of the Maritime & Shipping Cluster grew 33% to AED 10.7 billion while the Cluster EBITDA rose 25% year-on-year to AED 2.5 billion. Overall, the Maritime & Shipping Cluster generated 51% of AD Ports Group’s revenue, and 45% of the Group’s EBITDA.
24, Jun 2026
Bitget Rewards Cross-Market Trading With New VIP Miracle Badge Program
Global, June 24: Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has launched the VIP Miracle Badge Program, a new initiative designed to recognize active traders across crypto, stocks, and CFD markets while expanding access to premium services and exclusive rewards. The program introduces a series of achievement badges tied to trading activity across multiple asset classes and forms part of Bitget‘s broader effort to build a comprehensive VIP ecosystem for multi-asset traders.
As trading increasingly moves beyond a single asset class, users are building strategies across crypto, equities, commodities, foreign exchange products, and derivatives. The VIP Miracle Badge Program was created to recognize that evolution, rewarding traders who actively participate across the broader Universal Exchange ecosystem rather than within a single market segment.
“Most traders today rarely stay within one market,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “As users diversify their portfolios and move across markets, expectations around service, execution, and access continue to evolve. The VIP Miracle Badge Program builds on our VIP offering by recognizing trading achievements while giving users access to services and experiences designed for a multi-asset environment.”
The VIP Miracle Badge Program introduces four achievement categories based on trading participation and performance across different markets. The UEX Trading Master badge recognizes users active across multiple asset classes. The Futures Trading Master badge is designed for derivatives traders, while the Stock Trading Master and CFD Trading Master badges recognize participation across tokenized equities, commodities, foreign exchange products, and global indices.
The launch follows a series of initiatives aimed at expanding access to Bitget‘s VIP services. Recent programs include the VIP Fast Track Program, which allows eligible traders to access VIP benefits more efficiently, and the VIP Airdrop Season, which provides exclusive opportunities across products and asset categories. Together, these initiatives support Bitget‘s Universal Exchange strategy by creating a more connected experience for users participating across crypto and traditional financial markets.
As Bitget continues to expand access to tokenized stocks, commodities, foreign exchange products, and digital assets through a single platform, the VIP Miracle Badge Program adds a new layer of recognition and rewards for traders operating across global markets. The initiative reflects the growing role of multi-asset participation within the Universal Exchange ecosystem and the increasing demand for services built around the needs of active traders.
24, Jun 2026
Organic Tattva Introduces ‘Shuddhasana’: Because Wellness Begins Long Before You Step on the Yoga Mat
New Delhi, June 24: While Yoga Day often celebrates physical postures and mindfulness practices, Organic Tattva is shifting the conversation to what truly fuels holistic wellness: purity on the plate.
With the launch of its new sprouts campaign featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Organic Tattva introduces the philosophy of Shuddhasana the practice of embracing purity in everyday food choices. The brand believes that wellness doesn’t begin when you step onto a yoga mat; it begins with the food you consume every day.
The message comes at a critical time when food transparency is under the spotlight, and regulators are cracking down on misleading health and organic claims. As consumers navigate a growing number of wellness labels, Organic Tattva is encouraging them to look beyond surface-level claims and ask deeper questions about quality, safety and authenticity.
In the pulses category, terms such as “unpolished” have become common, but it’s not sufficient. However, Organic Tattva believes true purity demands far more than a single processing claim. The brand’s organic dals and pulses are backed by:
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Non-fumigated processing practices
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Testing for over 250 pesticide residues
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Certified organic sourcing
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End-to-end traceability and quality assurance
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No artificial preservation methods
For Organic Tattva, Shuddhasana is not merely a campaign , it is a commitment to helping consumers make informed choices rooted in purity and trust.
Kriti Mehrotra, Co-Founder, Organic Tattva, said:“Yoga is not limited to an hour on the mat. The choices we make every day from what we eat to what we feed our families are equally important. Through Shddhasana, we want to inspire consumers to embrace purity as a way of life. In food, purity goes far beyond labels like ‘unpolished.’ Consumers deserve to know whether their dals are non-fumigated, whether they have been tested for pesticide residues and whether every stage of sourcing and processing meets the highest standards. At Organic Tattva, our promise is simple: complete transparency, uncompromising quality and food that families can trust.”
The company’s Yoga Day initiative highlights sprouts as one of nature’s most wholesome foods while reinforcing a larger message: wellness starts with purity. In an increasingly crowded health-food landscape, Organic Tattva believes consumers should expect evidence not just claims.
Because true wellness is not just about Asanas. It is about Shuddhasana.
