Category Archives: industry

Cebu Oversea Hardware expands to Cavite

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MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Overseas Hardware Company Inc. (Cohci) unveiled its flagship retail hub in Cavite on Friday.

The company aims to capitalize on the expanding home improvement and construction market in Southern Luzon.

As a family-owned enterprise, Cohci emphasized that its latest facility is strategically positioned to provide mid-to-premium products to homeowners, builders, and contractors at competitive prices.
https://business.inquirer.net/550613/cebu-oversea-hardware-expands-to-cavite

Nitanshi Goel to star opposite Anand Deverakonda in pan-India film

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**Nitanshi Goel to Star Opposite Anand Deverakonda in Pan-India Film**

*By Isha Sharma | Sep 30, 2025, 10:37 AM*

Rising star Nitanshi Goel, who gained recognition with Kiran Rao’s *Laapataa Ladies*, has secured her next big project. The 18-year-old actor will be starring opposite popular Telugu actor Anand Deverakonda, 33, in a highly anticipated pan-India film backed by Sithara Entertainment, according to Filmfare.

### Film Details

The film is set to begin shooting next month and is touted as one of the most awaited cross-industry collaborations of 2025. While plot details remain under wraps, insiders reveal that the movie will be a high-energy entertainer with strong mass appeal.

The makers are reportedly investing in grand-scale production and stylish visuals, promising audiences a gripping cinematic experience. An official announcement about the project is expected in the coming weeks.

### Career Progression: Nitanshi Goel

Nitanshi Goel has quickly emerged as a promising new face in Indian cinema. She made her debut in *Laapataa Ladies*, acting alongside Pratibha Ranta and Sparsh Shrivastava. This year, she also made a noteworthy appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, where her viral red carpet looks paid tribute to Bollywood legends such as Rekha, Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Nargis, and Sridevi.

In addition to the film with Anand Deverakonda, Nitanshi has been approached for another exciting project opposite actor Abhay Verma, signaling strong momentum in her budding career.

Stay tuned for more updates on Nitanshi Goel’s upcoming projects.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/nitanshi-goel-to-work-with-anand-deverakonda-in-upcoming-project/story

Mahindra Thar hits 3L sales mark in just 5 years

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**Mahindra Thar Hits 3 Lakh Sales Mark in Just 5 Years**
*By Mudit Dube | Sep 29, 2025, 03:58 PM*

Mahindra’s iconic Indian SUV, the Thar, has achieved a significant milestone by crossing the 300,000 sales mark. This achievement comes just five years after the launch of its second-generation model in October 2020, underscoring the vehicle’s growing popularity and strong market presence.

### Market Impact: Five-Door Roxx Variant Drives Exponential Growth

A major factor behind this impressive growth is the five-door Thar Roxx variant, launched in September 2024. In just one year, the Roxx has sold 71,000 units and now accounts for nearly two-thirds of all Thar sales in the first five months of FY2026. Its family-friendly design has broadened the SUV’s appeal, attracting a wider customer base and positioning the Thar as a serious contender in the mass-market SUV segment.

### Sales Performance: Thar’s Contribution to Mahindra’s SUV Success

Since its second-generation launch, the Thar has contributed approximately 15% to Mahindra’s overall SUV sales. Between April and August 2025, it emerged as the company’s second best-selling model, trailing only behind the Scorpio twins. With recent price reductions driven by GST cuts—up to ₹1.33 lakh—and a facelifted three-door model in the pipeline, the Thar is poised to hit its next sales milestone even sooner.

### Engine Specifications and Appeal

The second-generation Thar’s three-door model has been celebrated for its blend of rugged off-road capability and daily usability, packed with modern features. Offering powerful diesel and turbo-petrol engines, it delivers superior power and torque figures compared to direct competitors. While this model has won over off-roading enthusiasts, it is the five-door Roxx variant that has truly transformed the brand’s overall sales trajectory.

Mahindra’s Thar continues to evolve, cementing its position as one of India’s most beloved SUVs and a key contributor to the company’s success story.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/auto/mahindra-thar-reaches-3l-sales-mark-in-5-years/story

‘We were back to zero’: Triptii recalls ‘Laila Majnu’ failure

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**“We Were Back to Zero”: Triptii Dimri Recalls ‘Laila Majnu’ Failure**

*By Isha Sharma | Sep 28, 2025, 10:03 am*

Triptii Dimri, who made her lead debut in the 2018 romantic drama *Laila Majnu*, recently opened up about the film’s initial box office failure in an interview with *Filmfare*. Despite receiving positive reviews, the film, which also starred Avinash Tiwary, underperformed commercially.

“When the film did not do well, I felt very disappointed because we were back to zero,” Dimri shared.

**Dimri’s Empathy for Co-star Avinash Tiwary**

Dimri expressed particular concern for her co-star Avinash Tiwary, who had been in the industry much longer than she had. “I had been around for at least two years, but Avinash Tiwary had been here for 14 years,” she recalled. “Then we started giving auditions again, and I felt bad for him.”

Despite the setback, Dimri remained optimistic about the film’s lasting impact on audiences.

**The Film’s Journey: From Failure to Cult Success**

Although *Laila Majnu* struggled initially, it has since gained a huge following and achieved cult status. The film found commercial success during its re-release in 2024, surpassing the lifetime collections of its original run.

“I knew it would receive appreciation, because even today, eight years after its release, people still talk about it,” Dimri said.

**Behind the Scenes of *Laila Majnu***

Reflecting on her experience filming the movie, Dimri described it as both challenging and rewarding. “There were many challenges on a day-to-day basis because we were shooting in the valleys of Kashmir for 20 or even 24 hours at a stretch,” she recalled. “Many times, I cried during that period, wondering what I was doing, because none of it was easy.”

Despite these hardships, she considers *Laila Majnu* a special film that taught her a great deal about acting.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/triptii-dimri-talks-impact-of-laila-majnu-box-office-failure/story

Mumbai: NGT-Ordered Committee Finds Ashapura Meinchem Limited Guilty Of Severe Environmental Violations In Ratnagiri, Recommends Crores In Fines

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**Mumbai: National Green Tribunal Committee Highlights Severe Environmental Violations by Ashapura Meinchem Ltd. in Ratnagiri**

A committee constituted under the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has released a report exposing major environmental violations committed by Ashapura Meinchem Ltd., a mining company operating in Rowle village, Ratnagiri. The investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged by Bhavesh Karekar, an engineer-turned-agriculturalist, who accused the company of illegal bauxite mining and causing significant environmental degradation in the area.

### Complaint Details

Bhavesh Karekar raised serious concerns about the company’s unregulated excavation activities, including:

– Illegal mining operations without the required permissions or No Objection Certificates (NOCs)
– Haphazard mining and crushing activities leading to severe environmental damage
– Depletion and contamination of groundwater resources in surrounding areas
– Uncontrolled air pollution due to mining without proper air quality monitoring
– Failure to conduct mandated plantation drives in the affected zones
– Damage to public roads caused by overloading of transport vehicles
– Significant structural damage to a public bridge over the Barja River, a critical evacuation route for mined materials
– Night-time mining operations, violating existing regulations

### Committee Findings

The committee’s report corroborated many of Karekar’s allegations and found that Ashapura Meinchem Ltd. had obtained Environmental Clearance (EC) based solely on subsurface mining rights for 228 hectares. However, the company did not hold agreements for surface rights over all the land involved.

Additionally, the report noted the company’s failure to adhere to conditions related to:

– Tree plantation requirements
– Mineral transportation protocols
– Operation of stone crushers without acquiring necessary consents from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)

### Concerns Regarding Infrastructure

The investigation also raised alarms about the Barja River bridge, which currently shows visible cracks and has limited load-bearing capacity. The committee recommended that the Public Works Department (PWD) and Regional Transport Office (RTO) conduct a thorough safety audit of the bridge. Until the audit is completed, the transportation of minerals via this bridge should be suspended to prevent further damage or potential accidents.

### Recommended Actions

The committee suggested strict punitive measures against Ashapura Meinchem Ltd. for non-compliance, including:

– Installation of CCTV cameras to closely monitor mining activities
– Maintenance and repair of public roads at the company’s expense, following the Polluter Pays Principle

### Environmental Compensation

Based on its findings, the committee recommended imposing substantial environmental compensation fees on the company, including:

– Rs. 1,74,60,000 for violations related to environmental regulations, such as insufficient tree plantation and illegal mining operations
– Rs. 26,73,600 for unauthorized groundwater extraction without obtaining the necessary NOC from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)

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This report underscores the urgent need for stricter regulatory oversight and stringent enforcement of environmental laws to curb illegal mining activities and protect the fragile ecosystem of Ratnagiri.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-ngt-ordered-committee-finds-ashapura-meinchem-limited-guilty-of-severe-environmental-violations-in-ratnagiri-recommends-crores-in-fines

Mumbai News: FIR Registered Against Industrialist Nusli Wadia, Family Members And Four Others Following Court Order

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The Bangur Nagar police have registered an FIR against noted industrialist Nusli Wadia, 81, Maureen Wadia, 78, Ness Wadia, 54, and four others under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

The complainant, Manohar Dhanji Chande, 70, a resident of Versova and CEO of Ferani Hotels Pvt Ltd, stated that on March 15 he submitted a written complaint to the senior inspector of Bangur Nagar police station. Subsequently, on March 24, he also filed the complaint with the police commissioner regarding certain documents.

However, since there was no response from the authorities, Mr. Chande approached the court of the metropolitan magistrate, 68th court in Borivli. On September 20, the court directed the senior inspector of Bangur Nagar police to register the FIR.

The Free Press Journal (FPJ) made attempts to contact the Wadias for their response, but there was no reply.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-fir-registered-against-industrialist-nusli-wadia-family-members-and-four-others-following-court-order

ASEAN Digital Content Summit 2025: Region’s games industry needs fewer silos, more collaboration and shared talent

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Industry at Another Transition Period: Southeast Asia Must Seize the Opportunity

Despite recent layoffs, Triple-A game flops, and a lingering negative perception of the gaming industry, sales continue to rise in Southeast Asia. “Sales are just going up,” said Saranpat Sereewiwattana, Vice President of the Thai Game Software Industry Association. He shared these insights during the “Associations Driving Industry Synergy” panel at the ASEAN Digital Content Summit held from September 3-7 in Johor Bahru.

The panel, moderated by Don Baey, Chairperson of the Singapore Games Association, included Saranpat along with Ken Natasha, Operations and Strategic Partnership Manager at Asosiasi Game Indonesia (AGI).

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### Collaboration and Talent Development: The Next Step for ASEAN

Saranpat emphasized that Southeast Asia’s next big move in game development is clear: **collaborate more, especially on talent.** With generative AI already lowering the cost of game production, ASEAN studios can offload routine tasks to AI—under human supervision—and focus their human resources on ideas and game design.

“We are now at another transition period in the gaming and animation industry,” Saranpat said, drawing parallels to past upheavals such as the launch of the App Store and the rise of game development platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine. He urged ASEAN companies to seize this disruption before the industry settles into a new status quo and opportunities slip away.

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### Indonesia: A Huge Market with a Small Workforce

Ken Natasha highlighted a striking disparity in Indonesia’s gaming scene: nearly 300 million people make up the audience, yet only about 3,000 individuals work in the local video game industry. While the sector has grown over the past two decades, significant expansion only started post-2016. Recently, the country sees between 10 to 20 new studios emerging annually.

One challenge Indonesia faces is the absence of large gaming companies establishing offices locally, which limits the transfer of best practices and expertise to local talent. As Ken noted, “Everyone had to self-learn.”

Funding remains a significant barrier. Although Indonesia’s Ministry of Creative Economy provides some support, it often falls short of covering even the development of game prototypes. Ken expressed hope for greater regional collaboration to support small studios in prototype development and market testing.

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### Learning and Growing Together Across ASEAN

Saranpat agrees that ASEAN should act as a unified community. “Countries have backed games at different times and in different ways, so learning from one another should be the starting point,” he said.

He stressed the importance of collaborative talent development to prepare young people for the industry’s future. A major issue is the disconnect between industry curricula and actual market needs—students graduate only to find the industry has evolved beyond their training.

Thailand offers a promising example: for the past four years, a national gaming and animation pipeline program has invited students to submit projects, compete nationally, and connect with peers from across ASEAN and beyond. Participants receive guidance from industry professionals to better navigate the post-graduation landscape.

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### Attracting Talent and Changing Perceptions

Ken pointed out that attracting talent remains one of the biggest challenges. “The video game industry is not as sexy as the IT industry,” she said. She emphasized the need to educate and familiarize young people with gaming careers early on.

Since mainstream education rarely addresses the gaming industry, aspiring developers often gain experience through extracurricular programs like “game gyms.” Within a year, successful participants may form their own studios and participate in events such as the Indonesia Game Developer eXchange (IGDX), an annual government-supported gathering.

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### Facing Uncertainty and Looking Ahead

With ongoing speculation about AI’s impact and persistent funding and talent gaps, Ken admits there are no clear answers yet. However, she stresses the importance of adaptability: “I have no idea how all this uncertainty is going to turn out, but we know that this is happening now. The most important thing is that we need to find ways to be on top.”

Clearly, ASEAN’s gaming and animation associations have a crucial role to play in helping the ecosystem stabilize and thrive. The question remains: who will step up to lead the way?

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*By fostering collaboration, bridging talent gaps, and embracing new technologies like generative AI, Southeast Asia’s gaming industry is poised at a pivotal moment. Seizing this opportunity could usher in a new era of creativity, growth, and global impact.*
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/asean-digital-content-summit-2025-regions-games-industry-needs-fewer-silos-more

Hitachi Considers Selling Its White Goods Division

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Hitachi is reportedly considering the sale of its home appliance division, which includes refrigerators, washing machines, and microwave ovens. This business is operated by Hitachi Global Life Solutions and is part of broader structural reforms aimed at concentrating resources on higher-margin infrastructure sectors such as power systems and railways.

According to the South Korean daily Maeil Business Newspaper, companies including Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have expressed interest in acquiring the division. Both Korean firms, widely recognized for their televisions and digital appliances, are also expanding aggressively in the white goods market.

Hitachi’s domestic appliance sales have been overshadowed by foreign competitors in recent years. The company’s appliance unit posted sales of about 360 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2025, representing less than 4 percent of Hitachi Group’s overall revenue of 9.78 trillion yen. For consumers, appliances have long served as an important point of brand recognition, but for Hitachi as a whole, the division has become relatively small.

One paradox is that Japan’s strength in producing durable, high-quality appliances has also limited replacement demand. Washing machines and refrigerators often last 10 to 15 years, resulting in fewer opportunities for repeat purchases. Unlike subscription-based services, white goods are typically sold once, generating little recurring revenue.

Hitachi has been shifting focus toward digital services under its Lumada brand, which can generate stable, ongoing income, unlike one-off appliance sales. In 2020, Hitachi had already transferred 60 percent of its overseas appliance business to Turkish manufacturer Arcelik, signaling a gradual withdrawal from the sector.

Competitive pressures have also eroded Japan’s position. Chinese companies such as Haier and Midea have expanded through acquisitions, gaining market share with low-priced products. Domestically, Hitachi and Panasonic attempted to maintain competitiveness by introducing a system that allows manufacturers to set fixed retail prices, ensuring stable margins for both makers and retailers. While beneficial in theory, the policy has been difficult to communicate to consumers accustomed to bargaining for discounts.

The broader challenge is that further functional differentiation in appliances has become limited. With most products already highly advanced—washing machines now even automate detergent use—manufacturers struggle to offer features that justify premium pricing.

As Hitachi weighs the sale of its appliance division, the move reflects a strategic shift to focus on sectors with higher growth potential and more sustainable revenue streams. Meanwhile, the home appliance market remains fiercely competitive, with innovation and pricing playing crucial roles in market positioning.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/146989.php