Brands
ICC & Unilever partner to push women’s cricket
MUMBAI: It’s got a lever into the International Cricket Council (ICC) – the apex body of the cricketing world. FMCG behemoth Unilever has announced a two-year partnership for two of its personal care brands, Rexona and Dove, with the cricket body for women’s cricket that will run until the end of 2027.
The alliance was unveiled during a vibrant criiio cricket festival in Dubai on International Women’s Day, featuring 100 participating girls. This strategic collaboration brings together two influential organisations committed to accelerating the growth of women’s cricket globally.
The partnership comes at a crucial time when women’s cricket is experiencing unprecedented growth. It will span several major tournaments, beginning with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and including Women’s T20 World Cups, U19 Women’s T20 World Cups, and the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027.
ICC chairman Jay Shah described the deal as “a pivotal moment for women’s cricket” that will “empower female cricketers, inspire future generations, and contribute significantly to the continued growth and success of women’s cricket globally.”
ICC chief commercial officer Anurag Dahiya highlighted the significance of pursuing partnerships specifically focused on the women’s game, noting that this deal “not only highlights the growing commercial appeal of women’s cricket but also underlines ICC’s position as one of the pioneers of the women’s sport movement.”
Rexona, as the world’s leading deodorant brand with a mission to inspire movement and confidence, will implement various initiatives including a flag bearers programme and digital experiences during events. The brand will also support participation through women’s criiio festivals and leverage its expertise to collaborate on women’s hygiene education programmes.
Hindustan Unilever CEO& MD Rohit Jawa called the partnership “an exciting opportunity for Rexona to tap into a cultural moment, connect with new audiences, and importantly help drive women’s cricket further.”
The deal was facilitated by Unilever International, the company’s global business unit focused on exploring new market opportunities.
Brands
Trump announces $300bn Texas oil refinery with Reliance, calls it the biggest in US history
First new US refinery in 50 years planned at Brownsville port with Reliance
WASHINGTON: The United States may soon see the first brand-new oil refinery built on its soil in half a century.
Donald Trump announced a proposed $300 billion refinery project in Texas, calling it a landmark moment for American energy production and jobs.
Posting on Truth Social on 10 March, Trump said the facility would be built at the Port of Brownsville and developed by a company called America First Refining, with major investment from India’s Reliance Industries.
The announcement frames the project as a centrepiece of the administration’s push for “energy dominance”, with Trump claiming it would deliver thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity to South Texas.
If realised, the plant would mark the first all-new major refinery constructed in the United States since the 1970s. In recent decades, oil companies have largely chosen to expand existing facilities rather than build new ones, citing high costs, regulatory hurdles and environmental scrutiny.
Trump described the proposed investment as the “biggest in US history”, positioning it as proof that policy changes such as streamlined permits and lower taxes are drawing large-scale energy investments back into the country.
The refinery is planned for the Port of Brownsville, a strategic Gulf Coast location that provides easy access to shipping routes and export markets.
A key partner in the project is Reliance Industries, controlled by billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The company already runs the world’s largest refining complex in Jamnagar, India, making it one of the most experienced operators in large-scale petroleum processing.
The Texas venture would mark a significant step for the group into America’s domestic refining sector, potentially strengthening industrial ties between the US and India.
The proposed refinery is being promoted as a next-generation facility capable of processing American shale oil while maintaining high environmental standards. Trump said it would be “the cleanest refinery in the world”, although the specific technologies behind that claim have not yet been detailed.
Industry observers also note that the $300 billion figure is unusually large for a refinery project, and analysts are waiting for more clarity on whether the number reflects total construction costs, long-term infrastructure investment, or broader economic impact estimates.
As of 11 March, Reliance Industries had not publicly confirmed the investment size or the structure of its involvement.
For now, the announcement has sparked equal parts excitement and curiosity in energy markets. If the plan moves from promise to pouring concrete, the refinery could reshape the Gulf Coast energy landscape, and reopen a chapter in American refining that has been quiet for nearly fifty years.
