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Author: Roshan Kumar

  • Instagram and Edits roll out Valentine-themed fonts, stickers, and hidden phrases

    Instagram and Edits roll out Valentine-themed fonts, stickers, and hidden phrases

    If your feed suddenly looks like Cupid discovered kinetic typography, that is by design. Meta Platforms has introduced Instagram Valentine features across Stories, Reels, Notes, and direct messages for Valentine’s Day 2026, adding a mix of themed fonts, animated text effects, sticker frames, interactive “secret phrase” triggers, and a dedicated DM chat look. The rollout is time-limited in parts, which means creators and casual posters alike have a small window to use the newest seasonal touches without needing a third-party editor.

    Alongside the in-app updates, the company’s short-form editing companion, Edits, is also getting Valentine-themed additions, including new text styles and playful sound effects. Unlike the seasonal Instagram layer, several of the Edits upgrades are positioned as longer-term tools that stay available even after the holiday window closes.

    What is new on Instagram for Valentine’s Day 2026

    The update spreads across multiple surfaces so it is not just a “one sticker pack and done” moment. Here is what changes in the main app.

    New fonts and animated text effects for Stories and Reels

    Instagram is adding Valentine-themed fonts and animated text styles that can be applied while building a Story or Reel. The intent is simple: help posts look “occasion-ready” without forcing users to hunt for templates elsewhere. This also lines up with how creators typically work in February, when quick seasonal publishing can outperform overproduced edits.

    Where it shows up

    • Stories text editor
    • Reels text overlays and captions styling

    Valentine sticker frames for photos and selfies

    For people who prefer a clean photo post but still want a themed finish, Instagram is also adding Valentine sticker frames that can wrap around photos and selfies shared in Stories. This can be especially useful for brands and creators who want a festive look while keeping the image itself untouched.

    Story comment secret phrases

    This is the feature designed to reward the curious. Certain phrases typed into Story comments can trigger hidden visual themes and animations. Think of it as a tiny interactive layer that makes the comment section feel less like admin work and more like a mini event.

    Creators may find this useful for engagement prompts, since it nudges followers to comment something specific rather than just dropping a heart emoji and leaving.

    Notes get hint text, themes, and hidden triggers

    Notes are also part of the Valentine rollout, with themed prompts and styling plus hidden phrases that can unlock effects. If you have been using Notes for quick updates, this is one of the easiest places to “go seasonal” with almost zero effort.

    A themed DM looks for light and dark mode

    Instagram is adding an Instagram DM chat theme for Valentine’s Day. It can be enabled as a dedicated chat appearance, and it is available in both light and dark modes. If you manage communities or brand DMs, this is a small touch that can make conversations feel more timely without changing how you actually message.

    What’s new in Edits for Reels creators

    Edits is getting a Valentine’s pass too, but with a more “creator tool” angle than a purely seasonal skin.

    Valentine fonts and text presets

    Edits is adding Edits Valentine fonts, giving creators new text presets designed for quick, themed overlays. If you create short-form content daily, this can shave minutes off each edit, which adds up fast.

    Valentine sound effects

    Edits is also adding themed audio flourishes, including harp-style tones and heartbeat effects. These are lightweight, but that is the point. They are meant to be quick accents for transitions, reveals, and punchlines.

    Speed controls up to 100x

    The headline tool update is Edits 100x speed. Playback speed can be increased up to 100x for exaggerated motion effects, fast-cut montages, or stylised “blink and you’ll miss it” sequences. Used carefully, it can add energy. Used recklessly, it can turn your Reel into a caffeinated slideshow, so restraint is doing the heavy lifting here.

    Availability dates and what stays after Valentine’s week

    Instagram’s Valentine-themed features are available from February 12 through February 16, 2026. After that, the seasonal layer is expected to disappear. The edits, including fonts, sound effects, and the high-speed playback control, are positioned to remain available going forward, so creators can keep using them past the holiday window.

    A practical way to use these without making your content cringe

    If you want to ride the seasonal wave while keeping your feed tasteful, try this approach:

    • Use Reels Valentine text effects for emphasis on one key line, not every line
    • Keep frames subtle, especially on product shots
    • Treat secret phrases as a call-to-action tool, not a gimmick
    • Test speed effects on b-roll, not on faces, unless you want accidental comedy

    Seasonal features like this are low-stakes, high-reward. They give casual users a reason to post, and they give creators a quick engagement hook without demanding a full redesign of their style. The only real risk is doing too much. If your Valentine post needs five effects to feel romantic, the content might be the part that needs the upgrade.

  • JSW Steel Share Price: Why Sajjan Jindal-Led Firm’s Stock Jumped Nearly 3% Today?

    JSW Steel Share Price: Why Sajjan Jindal-Led Firm’s Stock Jumped Nearly 3% Today?

    The shares of steel manufacturer JSW Steel led by Sajjan Jindal gained as much as 2. 68 per cent to Rs 979.75 after the Supreme Court ordered to maintain the status quo on the Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd.

    This marked the biggest intraday gain since May 12 this year.

    The counter has risen 14.5 per cent this year, compared to a 5.6 per cent advance in the benchmark Nifty50. JSW Steel has a total market capitalisation of Rs 2.5 trillion.

    JSW Steel’s resolution plan for Bhushan Power

    The Supreme Court on Monday directed that the status quo be maintained on Bhushan Power & Steel for now. The court issued the direction following a plea filed by JSW Steel, as it seeks a stay on liquidation proceedings for Bhushan Power.

    Earlier this month, India’s apex court set aside a resolution plan submitted by JSW Steel for BSPL, holding it illegal and in violation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

    JSW had acquired BPSL through the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) more than five years ago for nearly Rs 20,000 crore. and has since made substantial investments in the company.

    The review petition is significant for JSW Steel, not just from a legal standpoint but also due to the financial and strategic importance of BPSL to its domestic operations. 

    A bench comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma had criticised the conduct of all key stakeholders in the resolution process, the resolution professional, the Committee of Creditors (CoC) and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), for enabling what it dubbed as “flagrant violation” of the IBC and ordered the liquidation of BSPL under the IBC.

    The bench mentioned that the CoC was found to have approved JSW’s resolution plan without proper application of its commercial wisdom.

    As of 2:48pm on Monday, the shares of JSW Steel was trading 2.13 per cent higher at Rs 1,030. 

  • Paras Defence Stock Tanks 8%—Should You Cash Out Now?

    Paras Defence Stock Tanks 8%—Should You Cash Out Now?

    Paras Defence Share Price: The stock price of Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd nosedived as much as 8.02 per cent to hit an intraday low of Rs 858.60 apiece in trade on Monday, July 7, 2025. This was a direct result of the defence major’s recent 1:2 stock split.

    Back in September 2021, the manufacturer of defence and space applications had launched its IPO to garner Rs 170.78 crore via a fresh issue of Rs 175 per share, which is now equivalent to Rs 87.50 post the spilt.

    However, the defence stock despite the pullback has registered impressive gains of 881.25 per cent as compared to its public listing price within a span of four years.

    Meanwhile, the Indian stock market indices BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 have placed this defence stock under the long-term ASM (Additional Surveillance Measure), which indicates high price movement volatility. This comes eve after the technical indicators supported growth, and bullish cues prevailed.

    The reversal in trend came into effect after Paras Defence witnessed an 8 per cent surge in stock price on last Friday’s trading session.

    From a technical perspective, Paras Defence is reportedly likely to find support in the Rs 856–850 range, with the next support zone around Rs 790–780. On the upside, a decisive break above the Rs 950–970 range is needed to signal further upward potential. Meanwhile, analysts are recommending to book profits at the present level. 

    The company is mainly engaged in the designing, developing, manufacturing and testing of various defence and space engineering products. Majorly, it has five major product category offerings in defence and space optics, defence electronics, heavy engineering, electromagnetic pulse protection solutions and niche technologies.

    As of May 19, 2025, the promoter’s group of this defence major as per BSE data held 53.74 per cent stake, which was 3.31 per cent lower as compared to the quarter ended March 2025. 

  • Coffee Day Stock Soars 25% in 3 Days—What Is Brewing?

    Coffee Day Stock Soars 25% in 3 Days—What Is Brewing?

    Shares of Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd (CDEL) have jumped nearly 25% in just three days, rising from Rs 49.90 on Friday to Rs 62.35 by Wednesday’s close. The sudden rally has surprised many, especially since the company hasn’t made any official announcement.

    The stock saw a sharp rise in trading activity, with about 15.83 lakh shares changing hands on the BSE—far higher than the two-week average of 2.70 lakh shares. The day’s turnover stood at ₹6.48 crore, and the company’s market capitalisation was at Rs 869.93 crore.

    Stake Purchase 

    The recent surge in Coffee Day Enterprises’ stock appears to have been sparked by a key update in the company’s shareholding data for the June 2025 quarter. According to disclosures on the BSE, noted investor Dolly Khanna made her entry into the company’s list of shareholders—a move that caught the market’s attention.

    As per the filing, Khanna held 32.78 lakh shares during the quarter, which amounts to a 1.55% stake in the company. Known for spotting undervalued opportunities in the mid- and small-cap space, Khanna’s investments often generate buzz among retail investors, many of whom see her entry as a vote of confidence.

    Revival of fortunes

    There’s growing talk in the market that Coffee Day may be working on settling its debts and planning a comeback. Since founder V.G. Siddhartha’s death in 2019 exposed the company’s financial troubles, it has been trying to get its finances in order.

    Although its café network has reduced, the brand still holds value. That’s why some investors believe a partnership or stake sale might be on the cards.

    Financial Performance

    On the financial front, Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd (CDEL) managed to narrow its net loss to Rs 33 crore in the fourth quarter of FY25, a sharp improvement from the Rs 303 crore loss it reported in the same quarter last year. The company also posted a 7% year-on-year rise in Q4 revenue, which came in at Rs 268 crore.

    After facing several challenging years, CDEL has also shown progress on the operating side. Its EBITDA for Q4 stood at Rs 89 crore, a turnaround from the negative Rs 319 crore recorded a year earlier. For the full year, EBITDA improved to Rs 223 crore, compared to a loss of Rs 208 crore in the previous fiscal, according to the company’s statement.

    About the company

    Coffee Day Enterprises Limited is the parent company of the Coffee Day Group, known for its Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) chain, which pioneered the coffee culture in India’s chained cafe segment. The company is involved in various businesses, including coffee retail and exports, hospitality, technology parks and SEZs, logistics, investments, and financial services.

    Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are purely informational, and Republic Media Network does not vouch for, promote or endorse any opinions stated by any third party. Stock market and Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, and readers are advised to seek expert advice before investing in stocks, derivatives and Mutual Funds

  • SBI Sets Stage for Historic Rs 25,000 QIP: What It Means For Investor

    SBI Sets Stage for Historic Rs 25,000 QIP: What It Means For Investor

    The State Bank of India (SBI) has set its stage for a historic qualified institutional placement (QIP) worth Rs 25,000-crore and it has seen very strong investor interest so far as it was subscribed three-times its offer size in less than a day.

    SBI QIP Worth Rs 25,000

    The PSU lender had launched the QIP in the second half of July 16 at a floor price of Rs 811.05 apiece, at a slight discount of the last traded price.

    These funds are supposed to help the public sector lender’s loan growth and strengthen the balance sheet further. This is also the first time ever since 2017 that SBI has tapped into the equity market to raise funds.

    The QIP has received bids for Rs 75,000 crore worth of shares as against its offer size of Rs 25,000 crore.

    The anchor investor for the QIP is the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and it led the race among domestic fund houses by bidding for shares worth Rs 7,000 crore.

    Quant Mutual Fund has followed, by bidding for shares worth Rs 3,000 crore. HDFC Pension Fund, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund and Birla Mutual Fund also participated strongly.

    Among foreign institutional investors (FIIs), Nomura has bid for shares worth Rs 1,800 crore while Marshall Wace and Millennium bid for Rs 1,500 crore shares each.

    What Does This Mean For Investors?

    This is part of SBI’s broader plans to support loan growth, strengthen its balance sheet and meet regulatory requirements.

    The PSU bank has also shortlisted six investment banks to manage the transaction, including the Indian arms of Citigroup Inc. and HSBC Holdings Plc, as well as ICICI Securities Ltd., Kotak Investment Banking, Morgan Stanley, and SBI Capital Markets Ltd., Bloomberg said in a report.

  • Jio Financial Q1 FY26 Results: Mukesh Ambani-Led NBFC Reports 3.8% YoY Rise In Net Profit

    Jio Financial Services Limited, the NBFC arm of Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, announced its Q1 FY26 results, showing steady growth in profitability and a sharp jump in revenue.

    The company reported a net profit of Rs 324.66 crore, up 3.8% year-on-year, while revenue from operations surged nearly 47% to Rs 612.46 crore, driven by strong interest income and fair value gains.

    The company’s revenue from operations stood at Rs 612.46 crore in Q1 FY26, a significant 46.6% increase from Rs 417.82 crore in Q1 FY25. This growth was driven mainly by higher interest income and gains on fair value changes. Interest income rose to Rs 362.86 crore, up from Rs 161.74 crore a year ago, marking a sharp 124.3% year-on-year increase.

    The company also earned Rs 196.02 crore from fair value changes in Q1 FY26, compared to Rs 178.07 crore in the same period last year. Total income, including other income, rose to Rs 619.06 crore in Q1 FY26 from Rs 418.27 crore in Q1 FY25—an overall 47.9% increase.

    Total expenses rose to Rs 229.64 crore from Rs 168.79 crore in Q1 FY25, primarily due to higher finance costs and employee benefit expenses.

    Earnings per share (EPS), on a basic basis before exceptional items, were Rs 0.47 in Q1 FY26, slightly lower than Rs 0.49 in Q1 FY25.

    On the bottom line, total comprehensive income, which includes other comprehensive income (OCI), jumped to Rs 16,576.45 crore in Q1 FY26 from Rs 4,534.26 crore in Q1 FY25. This surge was largely due to gains in equity instruments valued through OCI, amounting to over Rs 11,212 crore.

  • Ajay Bagga Decodes Big Question For Markets

    Ajay Bagga Decodes Big Question For Markets

    In a recent development, the US customs duties collections has surged again in June as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs talks were reiterated again, topping $100 billion for the first time during a fiscal year and helping to produce a surprise $27 billion budget surplus for the month, the Treasury Department reported.

    According to US budget data, tariffs are starting to become a significant revenue contributor for the federal government, with customs duties in June hitting new records.

    Previously Trump had said that “the big money” would start to flow in after he imposes higher “reciprocal” tariffs on U.S. trading partners on August 1.

    What Does Market Expert Ajay Bagga Say?

    The US markets were up on strong economic data, market expert Ajay Bagga said on Friday as the Asian markets are following the lead, with Australian markets hitting an all time high.

    Bagga added that the Japanese inflation is coming down just before this months’ election and this is seen in a positive light.

    Additionally, “markets have been driven by concerns on US deficit and debt, Trump policy uncertainty, tariff’s impact and the White House criticism of the US Fed and Chair Powell, with markets unnerved by talk of Trump firing Powell.”

    The Chair of the US Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell was recently on Trump’s target as he has suggested that he is considering removing Powell.

    “However, strong earnings and a stable US economy is providing a silver lining which markets are grasping to rally to all time highs,” Bagga added.

    “India is seeing continued FPI selling and another underwhelming earnings season for IT so far. As more bellwethers come out with their earnings, the guidance for the rest of the year and the next will provide the catalyst for Indian markets,” he further added.

    How Can The US Customs Collect $100 Bn In Enhanced Tariff Revenues?

    According to Ajay Bagga, though the US CPI is rising, it is still below 3%.

    According to him, in order to collect $100 billion in enhanced tariff revenues, US corporates would need to deliver steady margins and profits, and it would be imperative that the US labour market stops seeing mass layoffs on shrinking corporate margins.

    Additionally, the US retail consumption would need to stay steady and upwards.

    Further, Bagga added that no one is footing the $100 billion in 6 months, $ 64 billion in Q2 , and expected to be $ 300 billion in 12 months bill, starting from US consumers to corporates, especially in terms of reducing margins so far.    

    What Is Happening Then?

    According to Ajay Bagga, the following factors are occurring:

    1. The fall in energy and services prices is helping keep US inflation low.
    2. Foreign exporters have cut their pricing and absorbed a large part of the tariffs so far.
    3. A lot of non-perishable goods were front loaded and preordered from December to March 2025, those inventories are now running down.
    4. As foreign exporters absorb some of the tariffs via lower offered prices, their margins shrink, they pressurise their suppliers, who pressurise their suppliers…that deflation is evident across the world in the form of negative WPI/PPI….

    Will This Sustain?

    “As per estimates, the tariff impact has been absorbed by various parties…Foreign suppliers, their supply chains; US importers and their margins; US consumers (2.9% core CPI in June),” Bagga said.

    Going ahead, Bagga added, investors should expect more pass through to US consumers as exporter margins reach loss making levels, as US importers are not able to absorb any more of the tariffs.

    Additionally, inflation will rise past 3% in the next quarter.

    “As de-inventorisation happens (running at around $600 billion per month now), more price decisions will need to be taken by Exporters/Importers/Retailers/ End Consumers,” the market expert noted.

    Further, Bagga added that this $300 billion tariff will ultimately be a drag on the $16 trillion US consumer market or on the $3.2 trillion US goods import market.

    The impact is masked by absorption of these costs in supply chain margins for now, he added. As pass throughs accelerate, investors can expect demand to be impacted.

  • OnePlus 13 Series to Arrive in India on January 7: What to Expect?

    OnePlus 13 Series to Arrive in India on January 7: What to Expect?

    OnePlus 13 Series launch: OnePlus is set to host its Winter Launch Event in India on January 7. At the event, the company will launch the OnePlus 13 series smartphones, which will include the OnePlus 13 5G and the OnePlus 13R 5G.

    While the company has already launched the OnePlus 13 5G in China, it is yet to launch the OnePlus Ace 5 or the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro, one of which is expected to arrive as the OnePlus 13R in India.

    Ahead of the January 7 launch event, here is everything to know about the OnePlus 13 Series smartphones:

    OnePlus 13 5G: What to expect?

    OnePlus has already confirmed a host of details about the OnePlus 13 5G ahead of its launch in India. For instance, we know that the phone will arrive in three colour variants — Midnight Ocean with vegan leather finish, Black Eclipse and Artic Dawn. The company has also revealed that the smartphone will be powered Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset that was launched at Qualcomm’s flagship event in Hawaii back in October this year.

    In addition to these features, the OnePlus 13 5G will come a big battery with a capacity of 6,000mAh and have IP69 and IP68 dust and water protection on the front and at the back. The company has also revealed that the upcoming smartphone will run Android 15-based OxygenOS 15 and come with a Clear Burst mode, which the company says will capture fast-motion images clearly.

    As mentioned before, the company has already launched the OnePlus 13 in China, which sports a 6.82-inch OLED display with a dynamic screen refresh rate of 120Hz and a 1440p resolution. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Lite that is coupled with up to 1TB of storage space and a 6,000mAh battery. On the camera front, the phone gets a 50MP triple camera setup at the back and a 32MP camera in the front.

    OnePlus is expected to bring the phone with same features to India and its global markets.

    On the pricing front, the OnePlus 13 5G is expected to be priced around Rs 60,000 in India.

    OnePlus 13R 5G: What to expect?

    Coming to the OnePlus 13R, the company has confirmed that this smartphone will come in Nebula Noir and Astral Trail colour variants. It has also confirmed that the phone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which is the same chip that powers the OnePlus 12 smartphone. It will also sport a 6,000mAh battery and run Android 15-based OxygenOS 15.

    As per reports, OnePlus is expected to bring the OnePlus Ace 5 as the OnePlus 13R in India. This smartphone is expected to get a 6.78-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1.5K. It is likely to get a 50MP + 8MP + 2MP camera setup at the back. It is also likely to come with an in-display fingerprint sensor.

    As far as the pricing is concerned, the OnePlus 13R is expected to be priced around Rs 40,000.

  • Apple’s Zero-Bezel iPhone is Not Arriving in 2026: Report

    Apple’s Zero-Bezel iPhone is Not Arriving in 2026: Report

    Apple has been trying to reduce the bezels in its iPhone models for long time. Reports in the past have hinted towards the company introducing a bezel-less iPhone or a zero-bezel iPhone in 2026. But a new report hints towards this timeline getting pushed ahead. This means that the iPhone 18 is unlikely to come with a zero-bezel design as reports have hinted to in the past.

    According to a report by Korean Publication the Elec, Apple is working on developing a zero-bezel iPhone that maintains the design language of the existing iPhone models, which includes a flat display with angular sides, while extending the screen over to the edges. This design is similar to the Apple Watch design, and it is known for its pebble-like aesthetics.

    This requirement makes it necessary for suppliers of iPhone’s displays, LG and Samsung, to adopt two technologies — Thin Film Encapsulation (TFE) and Optical Clear Adhesive (OCA). TFE, as per the report, protects the display from environmental damage, while the OCA is used bonding transparent adhesive films around curved edges. In addition to implementing these two technologies, Apple’s display suppliers also need to ensure that there is ample space for other components such as the antenna.

    The report also says that the adoption of the OCA technology has been difficult as the two companies have not been able to resolve the lateral vision distortion issue. The companies also need to make the display more durable especially when the display overflows to the side of the iPhone.  

    Company insiders told the publication that in order to mass produce the zero-bezel displays in 2026, final details with the manufacturers should have been finalised by now. However, the companies are still discussing the details, which indicates that Apple is unlikely to introduce a zero-bezel iPhone in 2026.

    Separately, reports suggest that the company could launch its first foldable display iPhone in the second half of 2026 and that Apple’s entry in this market segment is likely to drive sales at a time when the foldables market is witnessing a slowdown.  

  • OnePlus Ace 5 Makes a Debut, Likely to Arrive in India as OnePlus 13R

    OnePlus Ace 5 Makes a Debut, Likely to Arrive in India as OnePlus 13R

    OnePlus today debuted the OnePlus Ace 5 Series smartphones. The OnePlus Ace 5 series includes two models — the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro and the OnePlus Ace 5, which is expected to arrive in India as the OnePlus 13R next month.

    For the unversed, OnePlus will be hosting a special event in India on January 7 wherein the company will launch the OnePlus 13 series smartphones, which will include the more premium OnePlus 13 5G and the OnePlus 13R 5G smartphones.

    Both these smartphones will come with a 6,000mAh battery and run Android 15-based OxygenOS 15 update. While the OnePlus 13 will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the OnePlus 13R will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip that was available in the OnePlus 12 smartphone.

    Ahead of OnePlus’ Winter Launch Event, here is everything we know about the OnePlus Ace 5 smartphone, which is expected to arrive in India as the OnePlus 13R:

    OnePlus Ace 5 features

    The OnePlus Ace 5 comes with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a dynamic screen refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits. It also comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage.

    The OnePlus Ace 5 has a triple rear camera setup, which includes a 50MP lens with Sony IMX 906 sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens with Sony IMX 355 sensor and a 2MP macro lens. On the front, it has a 16MP lens with Sony IMX 480 sensor. It is backed by a 6,415mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC fast charging support.

    OnePlus Ace 5 Pro features

    OnePlus also introduced the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro smartphone. This smartphone has the same display and camera system as the OnePlus Ace 5, but it differs in terms of the processor and battery backup.

    The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and it is backed by a 6,100mAh battery with 100W SuperVOOC fast charging support.