India, Apr 24: Onix, a leading data, cloud, and AI solutions provider and recognised 18−times as Google Cloud Partner of the Year, today announced the launch of Wingspan 2.0, the next evolution of its agentic AI platform, at Google Cloud Next ’26.

Built for the AI-first era, Wingspan 2.0 is designed as an Enterprise Intelligence Fabric that helps organizations create an AI-first operating model at scale. By combining agentic AI with deep business context, Wingspan 2.0 enables enterprises to accelerate modernization by 3X, reduce manual effort by 50−80%, and move from fragmented pilots to enterprise-wide AI execution.

At the core of Wingspan 2.0 is the Semantic Twin-a living intelligence layer that maps an organization’s entire data landscape, system dependencies, and business context. While traditional AI initiatives often fail due to a lack of context, the Semantic Twin provides a “connective tissue” that ensures AI agents operate with 99.9% data validation accuracy and tighter alignment to enterprise objectives. Empowered by this foundational infrastructure, Onix is now able to deliver true business outcome-based services.

“Most enterprises are trapped in a cycle of perpetual modernization because they lack a cohesive data foundation,” said Sanjay Singh, CEO of Onix. “Wingspan 2.0 breaks this cycle by establishing a living semantic layer. This provides the enterprise context and meaning behind the date that AI needs to move beyond simple automation toward autonomous, high-accuracy decision-making that drastically accelerates speed-to-value.”

Onix’s  Wingspan 2.0  addresses the industry’s most persistent challenges—from fragmented data to AI programs that struggle to move beyond experimentation. By leveraging autonomous, purpose-built agents to maintain a Semantic Twin, the platform orchestrates modernization and operations within a single, context-aware framework. This eliminates manual rework and cost leakage, significantly shortening the path to AI impact. Already in use across complex enterprise environments, Wingspan 2.0 is helping organizations operationalize AI at scale and realize outcomes faster.

“Onix is helping transform IBX into a true AI-first enterprise,” said Sushma Akunuru, CIO at IBX. “Wingspan provides our team direct access to data for faster, cost-optimized decision-making. The impact is profound, reducing manual effort and enabling the real-time insights we need to deliver a deeply personalized healthcare experience for our millions of members.”

The launch of Wingspan 2.0 reflects Onix’s continued investment in agentic AI innovation and its commitment to helping customers realize greater value from Google Cloud across data, infrastructure, and AI transformation initiatives. This momentum builds on Onix’s expanded collaboration with Google Cloud and its recognition as a 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year for AI Agentic Workplace Transformation and Google Workspace in North America.

New Delhi, Apr 24 (BNP): India’s real estate sector saw a sharp decline in deal value during the January–March quarter, even as transaction activity remained strong, according to a report by Grant Thornton Bharat.

The report said total deal value fell 63% to about $763 million compared to the previous quarter, largely due to the absence of large-ticket transactions that had boosted earlier numbers.

Despite the drop in value, the sector recorded healthy deal activity with 32 transactions during the quarter, making it the second-highest quarterly volume on record, just behind Q3 2025.

Analysts noted that the market continued to show interest in real estate investments, but the composition of deals shifted towards smaller and mid-sized transactions, leading to lower overall value.

The report highlighted that while investor participation remains steady, the lack of high-value deals significantly impacted quarterly totals.

Overall, the data suggests a more balanced but value-light phase for the sector, with sustained activity but cautious capital deployment.

Pune, Apr 24 (BNP): Domestic consumption continues to remain a key driver of India’s economic growth, and predictable policy support is essential to sustain the country’s GDP expansion momentum, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday.

Speaking at an event organised by State Bank of India in Pune, the Finance Minister highlighted that strong consumer demand is helping the economy maintain steady growth despite global uncertainties. She emphasised the need for consistent and predictable policy measures to support long-term economic stability.

Sitharaman also said that a committee of bankers is currently examining whether banks should be allowed to enter exclusive tie-ups for distributing third-party financial products or move towards an open-architecture model that allows wider participation.

She further advised banks to maintain a strong focus on customer relationships and physical interaction, even as the sector rapidly expands its digital and global footprint.

The remarks underline the government’s emphasis on balancing digital transformation in banking with strong customer engagement and a stable policy environment to support sustained economic growth.

Mumbai, Apr 24 (BNP): Domestic equity markets opened on a weaker note on Friday, tracking heightened global uncertainties and a mixed start to the Q4 earnings season, with selling pressure seen across key sectors.

 The Sensex declined around 400 points, or 0.51%, to trade near 77,263 in early deals, while the Nifty slipped about 100 points, or 0.41%. Broad-based weakness was observed in IT, financial services, and pharma stocks, while select buying in FMCG and chemicals offered limited support.

Heavyweights such as Cipla, Infosys, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, and ICICI Bank were among the top losers, dragging key indices lower.

Sectorally, the Nifty IT index fell over 1.5%, reflecting pressure on technology stocks amid global risk-off sentiment. Banking and pharma indices also ended in the red, while broader market sentiment remained cautious.

Market experts said volatility is likely to persist in the near term due to geopolitical tensions, crude oil price movements, and ongoing earnings announcements. They advised investors to remain selective and focus on fundamentally strong stocks during market corrections.

Analysts further noted that a sustained uptrend in the Nifty would require a decisive move above the 24,500 level, which could signal improved market sentiment and renewed bullish momentum.

On the global front, crude oil prices remained firm, with Brent trading near $107 per barrel and WTI around $97.6, adding to inflation and margin concerns for markets worldwide.

Asian markets showed a mixed trend, with Nikkei posting gains while Hang Seng and KOSPI traded in the red, reflecting uneven regional sentiment.

Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling streak for the fourth straight session, offloading equities worth ₹3,254 crore. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs), however, provided some support by purchasing shares worth ₹941 crore, helping to cushion broader losses.

Overall, markets remained sensitive to global cues, with investors closely tracking geopolitical developments and commodity price trends for near-term direction.

New Delhi, Apr 24 (BNP): The government has taken steps to further strengthen the quality assurance framework for medicines sold through Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country by signing new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key agencies involved in the scheme.

The initiative aims to ensure that medicines available under the affordable healthcare programme continue to meet strict safety and quality standards. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana provides low-cost generic medicines through a wide network of retail outlets, helping reduce healthcare expenses for millions of citizens.

Officials said the latest MoUs will enhance monitoring systems, strengthen coordination between implementing bodies, and improve quality testing processes for medicines supplied to Jan Aushadhi stores. The focus is on making the supply chain more robust and transparent.

At present, medicines under the scheme are sourced only from certified manufacturers and undergo quality checks before being distributed. The new arrangements are expected to further tighten these procedures and ensure greater consistency in standards across all outlets.

The government has been expanding the Jan Aushadhi network in recent years to improve access to affordable healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

Officials added that strengthening quality assurance will help boost public confidence in generic medicines and support the broader goal of making essential drugs more accessible and affordable across the country.

Chennai, Apr 24 (BNP): Sanju Samson produced a brilliant unbeaten 101 to lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a strong total of 207 runs in a dominant batting display.

Samson held the innings together after early wickets and played a controlled yet aggressive knock, ensuring CSK recovered well and finished strongly. His timely acceleration in the death overs helped push the team past the 200-run mark.

The right-hander’s effort stood out as a lone fightback, with limited support from the other end, but he maintained composure throughout to anchor the innings.

With this century, Samson once again underlined his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure in big matches.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 24 (BNP): In a consumer-friendly move during the intense summer season, the Odisha government has directed that electricity connections will not be disconnected for non-payment of dues during the peak heat period.

The instruction has been issued by Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister K. V. Singh Deo to the state Energy Department and all power distribution companies (DISCOMs).

The decision has been taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply for residents as temperatures rise sharply across the state, increasing the demand for electricity for cooling and essential household needs.

Officials said the directive is aimed at providing temporary relief to consumers, especially vulnerable households, during extreme weather conditions. However, they added that the relaxation is seasonal and does not waive outstanding dues, which will still need to be cleared by consumers in due course.

The move is expected to help prevent hardship during peak summer months while maintaining focus on reliable power access across urban and rural areas.

Authorities have also urged consumers to use electricity judiciously, even as supply companies work to manage rising demand across the state.

According to a recent report by Gartner, only 54% of marketing leaders report having the capabilities needed to deliver on strategy. Today’s marketing leaders are expected to interpret data, build brands, and influence business decisions at the highest level. Yet many professionals find themselves stuck in execution-heavy roles, unable to make the transition to senior strategic positions. Kellogg Executive Education’s Strategic Marketing Leadership Program is designed to change that, fast-tracking marketers from doers to decision-makers in a world where strategic clarity is the new currency.

This is not another marketing course that revisits familiar playbooks. It’s a 30-week, deeply structured journey built around what modern marketing leadership actually demands. Participants develop a sharp, end-to-end understanding of marketing, from uncovering customer insight to driving brand growth and leveraging analytics for competitive advantage. The focus is clear: move beyond fragmented knowledge and build a cohesive, strategic view of marketing that directly impacts business outcomes.

At the heart of the program are three critical pillars: strategy, analytics, and brand leadership. Professionals learn how to turn data into direction, not just dashboards. They build the ability to connect customer understanding with business strategy and translate that into brand decisions that drive measurable growth. This integrated approach reflects how marketing really works today, where no decision exists in isolation, and leaders must connect the dots across functions.

But technical expertise alone isn’t enough to step into senior roles. What sets this program apart is its strong leadership focus. Participants actively develop the skills to influence stakeholders, lead teams, and drive alignment across the organization. Through real-world case studies and a capstone project, they don’t just learn frameworks; they apply them in ways that mirror the complexity of real business environments. The result is a shift in how they think, communicate, and lead.

Delivered in a flexible online format for working professionals, the program meets marketers where they are and takes them where they need to be. Backed by Kellogg Executive Education’s globally recognized marketing expertise, it offers more than knowledge. It offers participants a chance to uniquely combine behavioral marketing, automation and AI to optimize ops efficiency and impact the bottom line.

Program Details:

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Mumbai: Global crude oil prices surged on Friday, rising up to 2% as renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East kept energy markets volatile, even as the United States announced a unilateral ceasefire move.

Brent crude climbed to around $107 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to nearly $97.6 per barrel, reflecting persistent concerns over global supply stability.

In the domestic market, crude oil futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) traded lower at around ₹9,077 per barrel, down nearly 1%, indicating mixed sentiment between global and local benchmarks.

For the week, both major global crude benchmarks recorded strong gains—Brent up nearly 19% and WTI rising about 17%—driven by fears of supply disruptions and heightened geopolitical risk.

Market analysts said ongoing uncertainty around key maritime routes, especially the Strait of Hormuz, continues to support prices. Any disruption in this critical shipping corridor could significantly impact global oil flows.

Brent crude faces near-term resistance around $99, with potential upside towards $104–$110 if bullish momentum continues. On the downside, support is seen near $95, with stronger levels around $90–$88.

Geopolitical developments, including shifting signals on ceasefires and military activity in the region, have added to market volatility. While diplomatic efforts are underway, traders remain cautious.

Domestic equity markets also reflected global risk aversion, with Sensex and Nifty trading lower in early sessions amid broad-based selling pressure.

Overall, analysts expect crude oil to remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments in the near term, with volatility likely to persist.

Mumbai, Apr 24 (BNP): Precious metals witnessed weakness in early trade on Friday, with both gold and silver prices declining on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) amid a broadly cautious global market sentiment.

Gold futures for June delivery opened lower at ₹1,51,167 per 10 grams, down 0.39%, compared with the previous close. The metal extended losses during the session, touching an intraday low of ₹1,50,750 before recovering some ground. At the last update, gold was trading marginally lower at around ₹1,51,449.

Silver futures also came under pressure, slipping nearly 1% in early trade. The May contract fell to an intraday low of ₹2,39,200 per kg before recovering slightly to trade around ₹2,41,345.

In international markets, precious metals mirrored the weak trend, with gold and silver both trading lower on COMEX amid profit-booking and risk-off sentiment.

Market analysts attributed the decline to a stronger US dollar, elevated bond yields, and ongoing global uncertainty. Rising crude oil prices, which have moved above the $100 per barrel mark, have also added inflation concerns, influencing investor sentiment across commodity markets.

Broader financial markets remained under pressure as well, with domestic equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty trading lower in early sessions, reflecting cautious sentiment among investors.

Experts suggest that near-term volatility in gold and silver is likely to continue as global macroeconomic factors, including inflation trends and geopolitical developments, remain in focus.