Category Archives: business

BIZ BUZZ: Xavier ‘XP’ Loinaz: Mentor of CEOs

As Xavier P. Loinaz, affectionately known as “XP,” joined his Creator, tributes continued to pour in for the esteemed banking luminary.

XP had a remarkable career at the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), serving as CEO for 22 years and dedicating another 16 years as a board member.

During his long tenure as CEO, he mentored many other bankers who looked up to him for guidance and inspiration. His leadership left an indelible mark on the banking industry and on those who had the privilege of working with him.
https://business.inquirer.net/551036/biz-buzz-xavier-xp-loinaz-mentor-of-ceos

India, Qatar Discuss Steps To Strengthen Trade & Investment Ties

Doha: India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a “fruitful” meeting with his Qatar counterpart, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, in Doha on Monday to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries.

“We discussed ways to increase India-Qatar bilateral trade and also reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the multifaceted partnership across trade, investment, and strategic cooperation, opening immense avenues for greater collaboration,” Piyush Goyal wrote on X.

Goyal also co-chaired the India-Qatar Ministerial Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Cooperation with H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Qatar.

“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the India-Qatar partnership by building on our strong bilateral trade. We also agreed to further intensify cooperation to achieve the trade and investment goals set by our leadership during the visit of His Highness the Amir of Qatar to India in February this year,” Goyal further stated.

During his two-day visit to Qatar, Goyal also addressed the inaugural meeting of the India-Qatar Joint Business Council, along with Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani.

“Encouraged businesses on both sides to build on our strategic partnership and cultural connect to further deepen India-Qatar economic ties, and emphasised how our robust economies provide greater synergies across various sectors for shared growth and prosperity,” the Indian minister said.

In addition to these engagements, Goyal met Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority & the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority. The minister described the discussions as productive, focusing on ways to further deepen trade, investment, and financial cooperation between India and Qatar.

Earlier, on August 28, India and Qatar held a high-level meeting in Delhi focused on enhancing Qatari investments in India, especially in sectors such as infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, transport, logistics, food processing, health, semiconductors, and finance.

These discussions aimed to advance Qatar’s commitment to invest $10 billion and open an office of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in India, a pledge made during the State visit of the Amir of the State of Qatar to India in February 2025.

In this context, both countries decided to promote further discussions for investments by QIA and other Qatari entities, focusing on key sectors, specific projects, and companies. The Qatari side indicated that they see various investment opportunities in India, given the country’s economic growth and technological development.

QIA has already made investments in several sectors in India, including retail, utilities, media, housing, healthcare, and realty. Meanwhile, the Indian community in Qatar has also invested in the country, especially in the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector.

*(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/india-qatar-discuss-steps-to-strengthen-trade-investment-ties

The ‘etrog’ wars: How the Ottoman Empire turned a sacred fruit into a global commodity

The Etrog Wars: How the Ottoman Empire Turned a Sacred Fruit into a Global Commodity

From the groves of Corfu and Cephalonia to the orchards of Tiberias and Jaffa, the saga of the etrog under Ottoman rule reveals how a fruit became entangled in struggles of faith and trade.

Etrogim on Display

The fruit’s distinctive bumpy skin and bright color made it both a ritual object and a coveted commodity across Jewish communities.

Photo Credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

By Alex Winston

https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/article-869505

Bihar Election 2025: AAP releases first list of candidates

**Bihar Election 2025: AAP Releases First List of Candidates**

*By Snehil Singh | Oct 06, 2025, 05:35 PM*

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its first list of 11 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. This announcement comes ahead of the Election Commission’s press conference, which confirmed that the polls will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the results scheduled to be declared on November 14.

**Contesting All 243 Seats Independently**

AAP plans to contest all 243 assembly seats across Bihar, aiming to replicate its electoral successes in Delhi and Punjab. The party has made it clear that it will be contesting independently, without forming alliances. State co-incharge Abhinav Rai stated, “Our alliance is with the people of Bihar. We won’t ally with any party or coalition.”

**First List of Candidates**

The 11 candidates announced include:

– Dr. Meera Singh from Begusarai
– Yogi Chaupal from Kusheshwarsthan (Darbhanga)
– Amit Kumar Singh from Taraiya (Saran)
– Bhanu Bharatiya from Kasba (Purnia)
– Shubhada Yadav from Benipatti (Madhubani)
– And others

**Focus on Governance and Development**

AAP leaders have actively highlighted the party’s governance achievements in Delhi and Punjab, particularly improvements in education, healthcare, and public welfare sectors. Bihar in-charge Ajesh Yadav emphasized, “We have an approved model of growth and governance” that they aim to implement in Bihar.

The party is also expected to announce its star campaigners soon. Prominent leaders such as Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have recently visited Bihar to engage with local voters ahead of the elections.

Stay tuned for more updates on AAP’s campaign and candidate announcements as the Bihar Assembly elections approach.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/bihar-election-2025-aap-releases-first-list-of-candidates/story

Production milestone! Ather Energy rolls out its 5,00,000th electric scooter

**Production Milestone! Ather Energy Rolls Out Its 500,000th Electric Scooter**

*By Akash Pandey | Oct 06, 2025, 04:37 PM*

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle manufacturer Ather Energy has reached a significant milestone by rolling out its 500,000th electric scooter from its manufacturing facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The landmark unit is the company’s latest family-focused model, the Rizta, which has rapidly become one of Ather’s strongest growth drivers since its launch last year.

### Journey from Niche to Full-Range EV Manufacturer

Over the years, Ather has evolved from a niche performance EV brand into a full-range manufacturer catering to both family riders and enthusiasts. The company has aggressively expanded across middle and northern India, entering several tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This expansion aligns with Ather’s goal of making its growing product lineup and charging infrastructure more accessible to a wider audience.

### Expansion of Manufacturing Capabilities

Currently, Ather operates two facilities in Hosur: one dedicated to vehicle assembly and another focused on battery production. Together, these facilities have a combined capacity of 420,000 scooters per year. To meet the rising demand for its electric scooters, Ather is establishing a third facility, Factory 3.0, located in Bidkin, Maharashtra.

The new facility will be developed in two phases implementing Industry 4.0 principles. Once fully operational, Ather’s total manufacturing capacity will increase to 1.42 million (14.2 lakh) electric two-wheelers per year.

### Commitment to Quality and Reliability

Commenting on this milestone, Swapnil Jain, Co-founder and CTO of Ather Energy, described crossing the half-million mark as a major achievement. He highlighted that the company’s journey has been focused not only on building vehicles but also on establishing a scalable and reliable manufacturing ecosystem.

Jain credited years of dedicated engineering, rigorous testing, and meticulous attention to quality at every stage of production as key factors underpinning Ather’s continued success.

Ather Energy’s recent milestone underscores its growing influence in India’s electric mobility space and its commitment to innovation, quality, and accessibility. The company is poised for further growth as it expands its product portfolio and manufacturing footprint.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/auto/ather-reaches-half-million-mark-prepares-to-triple-production-capacity/story

AMD shares surge 25% on chip supply deal with OpenAI

**AMD Shares Soar 25% Following Major AI Chip Supply Deal with OpenAI**

*By Mudit Dube | October 6, 2025*

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has entered into a multi-year agreement to supply artificial intelligence (AI) chips to OpenAI, marking a significant milestone for both companies. This landmark deal is expected to generate tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue for AMD and offers OpenAI an option to acquire up to a 10% stake in the chipmaker.

The partnership serves as a strong endorsement of AMD’s AI chips and software capabilities and aligns with the company’s strategic efforts to deepen its presence in the fast-expanding AI market.

**Market Reaction: Shares Surge 25%**

Following the announcement, AMD shares jumped 25% in premarket trading. Forrest Norrod, AMD’s Executive Vice President, described the deal as “certainly transformative, not just for AMD, but for the dynamics of the industry,” highlighting its potential to reshape the AI chip landscape.

The agreement involves deploying hundreds of thousands of AMD AI chips and graphics processing units (GPUs), representing a capacity of six gigawatts over several years beginning in the second half of 2026.

**OpenAI to Establish 1-Gigawatt Facility Using AMD Chips**

A key component of the deal includes OpenAI’s plan to establish a one-gigawatt facility powered by AMD’s next-generation MI450 series chips starting next year. This facility is expected to kickstart revenue generation for AMD shortly thereafter.

AMD anticipates that this partnership, combined with ripple effects from other customers, could bring in more than $100 billion in new revenue over the next four years.

**Context and Industry Impact**

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed confidence that the collaboration with AMD will help the organization build sufficient AI infrastructure to support its ambitious projects.

This development follows NVIDIA’s announcement to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI and supply at least 10 gigawatts of its systems. Meanwhile, OpenAI continues to work on developing its own AI-specific silicon in partnership with Broadcom, underscoring its multi-faceted approach to building robust AI hardware capabilities.

This deal marks a pivotal moment in the AI hardware sector, emphasizing AMD’s growing influence and OpenAI’s commitment to scaling its AI infrastructure through diverse strategic partnerships.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/amd-inks-multi-year-ai-chip-deal-with-openai/story

Tiffany Stratton Reacts To Controversial WWE Decision Amidst Backlash

Tiffany Stratton has recently spoken out about a controversial WWE decision—and revealed that she is actually happy with it.

Originally, WrestleMania was set to take place in New Orleans the year following the monetary success of WrestleMania 41. However, WWE decided to bring the show back to Las Vegas instead. This move has sparked backlash among fans, many of whom are unhappy with the repeated choice of location and the expenses associated with the city.

Despite the criticism, Tiffany Stratton expressed enthusiasm for WWE’s decision to return WrestleMania to Las Vegas. In a recent interview with Sidewalks Entertainment, she described going back to the city where she made her WrestleMania debut as “perfect” for her.

Stratton explained that Las Vegas held a special place in her heart, especially given how nervous she was for her very first WrestleMania match. She also highlighted that WWE plans to host not only WrestleMania but also Raw, SmackDown, and an NXT show there. The vibrant energy surrounding these events, including after parties and watch parties along the Las Vegas Strip, makes the location exciting for her.

“Last year was actually my first WrestleMania ever. I was super nervous. It was in Las Vegas. So I felt like it was the perfect state for my first-ever WrestleMania,” Stratton shared. “I feel like Las Vegas is iconic. It’s the sports entertainment capital of the world. So it was the perfect place to host WrestleMania. WrestleMania is like the Super Bowl of wrestling for WWE. They have literally something for everybody in Las Vegas. This year they’re going to have Raw. They’re going to have SmackDown. They’re going to have NXT Stand and Deliver there. There are going to be after parties. There are going to be watch parties all along the strip. So I’m excited to go back.”

### Tiffany Stratton Set for Huge Challenge at WWE Crown Jewel

Tiffany Stratton is also gearing up for a major match at WWE Crown Jewel. She will face off against the Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer in a Champion vs. Champion matchup. Both superstars are rising names in WWE with strong fan followings, making this an eagerly anticipated showdown.

Stratton enters this match following a recent high-profile botch, adding intrigue about how she will perform and what’s next in her WWE career.

Stay tuned to see how this compelling rivalry unfolds!
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-tiffany-stratton-reacts-to-controversial-wwe-decision-amidst-backlash

Framber Valdez’s wife Isamal rocks a sleek black bodycon dress with waist cutout and slinky silhouette on date night with the Astros ace

Despite leading the AL West for the majority of the regular season, Framber Valdez and the Houston Astros ultimately surrendered the top spot to their rivals, the Seattle Mariners, in the closing stages of the campaign.

The Astros had maintained a stronghold on first place for most of the season, showcasing consistent performance and determination. However, as the regular season drew to a close, the Mariners surged ahead, overtaking Houston in a dramatic finish.

This shift has set the stage for an intense rivalry as both teams prepare for the postseason, with fans eagerly anticipating how the Astros will respond after losing their division lead late in the season.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-framber-valdez-s-wife-isamal-rocks-sleek-black-bodycon-dress-waist-cutout-slinky-silhouette-date-night-astros-ace

Glamorous Lauren Sanchez wears a cleavage boosting silk Valentino dress as she joins husband Jeff Bezos and his daughter for a lavish dinner in Paris

Lauren Sanchez looked incredible in a Valentino dress as she joined husband Jeff Bezos and his daughter for a lavish dinner in Paris on Sunday.

The former journalist, 55, was snapped exiting alongside the billionaire Amazon tycoon, 61, and his adoptive daughter, whom he shares with ex-wife MacKenzie Scott. The American philanthropist was the epitome of fashion in the silk ruched number, flashing a glimpse of her ample assets. She accessorised the stunning dinner look with a quilted red chain-strap bag, also from Valentino, and wore elegant matching heels.

Meanwhile, the business mogul opted for an all-black look and shielded behind dark shades.

The wealthy entrepreneur, who was ranked by Forbes as the third richest person in the world in May 2025, shares three sons and one daughter with his ex-wife MacKenzie, and one adopted son with Lauren, who also has three kids of her own.

The couple’s appearance comes almost three months after she said “I do” to Jeff during their Venice nuptials. Described as the “wedding of the century,” the Amazon founder and former journalist exchanged vows in front of almost 200 VIP guests on San Giorgio Maggiore island.

Following the ultra-exclusive ceremony, the billionaire couple threw a star-studded reception attended by high-profile guests, including the Kardashian sisters, Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump, Usher, and Orlando Bloom. The extravagant affair, reportedly costing $20 million and drawing ire from locals, was capped off with an eyebrow-raising gift from the bride.

The wedding, held two years after Jeff proposed to Lauren aboard his $500 million superyacht, was described as “extremely intimate” with a strict no-phone policy. Around 70 of the 200 guests were family members.

During wedding week, the philanthropist debuted her stunning Schwartz ring while stepping out in a Schiaparelli gown. Courtesy of celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz, the ring is believed to be around 30 carats and valued between $1.5 million and $3 million.

“We don’t have a lot of traditions that we’re keeping,” Sanchez told Vogue ahead of the big day. “I mean, I love traditions, but for a 55-year-old woman, it’s a little different.”

While her Dolce earrings served as the traditional “something borrowed,” Lauren gave “something blue” a cosmic twist by carrying an artifact from her recent 11-minute space journey.

“Blue Origin,” she said. “It’s something from my space flight.”

The ex-journalist carried a secret, nearly unattainable souvenir from space, explaining it was “because it was literally one of the most profound experiences I’ve ever had in my life.”

“Seeing Earth from space, I came down and I couldn’t describe it,” she told Vogue. “It was the greatest experience I’ve ever had. Jeff said, ‘It’s gonna change you more than you think,’ and it completely has, visually, spiritually.”

But the lavish celebrations also ruffled some feathers, with the nuptials facing backlash from locals as well as activists.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15164787/Lauren-Sanchez-Jeff-Bezos-daughter-dinner-paris.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

Juventus 0-0 Milan – Honours even in cagey affair in Turin as Pulisic misses penalty

**Juventus and Milan Share the Points After Goalless Draw at Allianz Stadium**

Juventus and Milan played out a tense 0-0 draw at the Allianz Stadium this evening, a match marked by a dramatic penalty miss from in-form Rossoneri forward Christian Pulisic.

The game started as a cagey affair, with neither side willing to take many risks early on. An early promising move saw Davide Bartesaghi make a strong run down the left flank, delivering a good ball into the box for Fofana, who unfortunately ballooned his shot over the bar.

Jonathan David continued his struggles in front of goal in the first of two communication mix-ups with Weston McKennie. David rose to meet a cross and headed the ball down to McKennie, who lacked the time to react effectively. The following ten minutes were slow and battle-heavy in midfield, but the play shifted out wide again, resulting in another cross for McKennie—who reacted too slowly and conceded a free-kick for a foul on Fofana.

**Both Sides Threaten Mainly From Wide Areas But Lack the Final Touch**

Both teams looked most dangerous down the flanks, exploiting the space behind the compact defenses. Milan’s first clear chance came just after the 20-minute mark when Christian Pulisic stole possession in midfield and made a surging run into Juventus’ penalty area before losing his footing.

A poor clearance from Juventus nearly gifted Fofana a golden opportunity, but the Old Lady’s defense quickly recovered to snuff out the danger. David and McKennie mixed up their communication once again soon after, squandering another promising moment.

Juventus continued to attack down wide areas, with McKennie getting on the end of a cross but sending the ball past everyone and out for a goal kick.

Shortly afterward, Manuel Locatelli played a superb pass through to Kalulu on the right wing, who neatly set up Jonathan David. However, the summer signing slipped as he prepared to shoot, and the chance went begging.

Milan had the final opportunity of the first half when Pavlovic made a surging run down the flank, delivering a great ball into the box. Santiago Gimenez rose to head but sent his effort wide from close range.

**Pulisic Misses Penalty; Milan Rue Missed Opportunity**

The second half began strongly for Juventus. After a short corner taken by Francisco Conceicao, the winger delivered a dangerous ball that flew past everyone to the back post, where Gatti volleyed a powerful shot. However, Mike Maignan produced a brilliant reflex save to deny the Juventus defender.

Milan finally had a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Lloyd Kelly clumsily fouled Gimenez inside the box. Christian Pulisic stepped up to take the penalty but blasted the ball over the bar, handing Juventus a huge reprieve.

Following the missed spot-kick, Milan seized control of the game, pressing hard with Luka Modric orchestrating the play in midfield.

Juventus had some flashes of attacking moments after the hour mark. Portuguese forward Rafael Leao, who came on as a substitute, almost made an instant impact. Spotting Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio off his line, Leao attempted to lob from the halfway line. Although well struck and forcing the keeper to scramble, the shot narrowly cleared the crossbar.

**Substitutions Fail to Break Deadlock**

Both Massimiliano Allegri and Igor Tudor made tactical substitutions in an attempt to change the dynamic of the game. Tudor brought on high-profile players like Dusan Vlahovic and Emmanuel Openda, while Allegri introduced Leao, Christopher Nkunku, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

While the Juventus substitutes injected some much-needed energy, the decision came at the cost of taking off their two most dangerous players of the night — Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao.

In the closing stages, the match lost momentum. Tudor made a late change, swapping Daniele Rugani for Filip Kostic, but it proved too little, too late.

Milan dug in to secure a clean sheet and come away with a valuable point on the road. Leao had two late chances to snatch all three points for the Rossoneri but failed to make quality contact on both attempts.

Despite the missed penalty and the late opportunities, Milan will be left disappointed not to have won at the home ground of one of their fiercest rivals. Juventus, meanwhile, can be pleased to have held firm and taken a steady point after a hard-fought encounter.
https://football-italia.net/juventus-0-0-milan-honours-even-in-cagey/