MAM
Narendra Modi logs into AI future at Paris summit with Macron
MUMBAI: India’s tech diplomacy got a high-tech twist as prime minister Narendra Modi landed in Paris to co-chair the artificial intelligence (AI) Summit alongside French president Emmanuel Macron. The summit, a hotspot for world leaders, tech moguls, and policy architects, is tackling the biggest brain-busting questions around AI and how to harness its potential while keeping the digital genie from wreaking havoc.
With AI rapidly reshaping industries from healthcare to defence, Modi’s presence at the summit signals India’s growing role in global tech governance. The discussions are expected to focus on ethical AI development, regulatory frameworks, and ensuring the technology doesn’t widen economic and social gaps. Amid growing concerns over deepfakes, job disruptions, and data privacy, the summit aims to establish a blueprint for responsible AI innovation.
Beyond the tech talk, Modi and Macron are set to discuss India-France collaborations across aerospace, defence, and energy sectors. With joint ventures already in the works from Rafale jets to nuclear reactors the visit is expected to reinforce the strategic ties between the two nations.
As AI continues to reshape the world at breakneck speed, the Paris summit is more than just a meeting of minds; it’s a race to ensure that intelligence, artificial or otherwise, serves humanity rather than outpaces it.
Brands
Domino’s Q1 profit falls 6.6 per cent, announces $1 billion buyback
Sales rise 3.4 per cent as pizza giant balances growth and shareholder returns
NEW YORK: Domino’s reported a mixed start to 2026, with first-quarter net income slipping even as global sales and store expansion held steady. The company also announced a fresh $1 billion share buyback, underlining its continued focus on shareholder returns.
Global retail sales rose 3.4 per cent on a constant-currency basis to $4.74 billion. The US remained a key growth engine, with same-store sales inching up 0.9 per cent, supported by a 1.5 per cent rise at company-owned outlets.
International markets, however, painted a more uneven picture. While Domino’s added 161 net new stores overseas during the quarter, international same-store sales declined 0.4 per cent. Overall revenues still climbed 3.5 per cent to $1.15 billion, driven by higher supply chain revenues and a 2.6 per cent increase in food basket pricing for franchisees.
On the profitability front, net income fell 6.6 per cent to $139.8 million, compared to $149.7 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share dropped to $4.13 from $4.33. The decline was largely attributed to a $30 million unfavourable swing in unrealised gains linked to its investment in DPC Dash Ltd.
Despite this, operational performance showed resilience. Income from operations rose 9.6 per cent to $230.4 million, supported in part by a $7.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a corporate aircraft.
Domino’s footprint continued to expand, with the company ending the quarter at 22,322 stores across more than 90 markets. In the US, digital orders remained dominant, accounting for over 85 per cent of retail sales in 2025.
The company also maintained its dividend payout, declaring $1.99 per share, payable on 30 June 2026. After repurchasing $75.1 million worth of stock during the quarter, the new authorisation lifts the total available for buybacks to $1.29 billion.
Domino’s chief executive officer Russell Weiner said the company’s scale and store-level economics position it well to capture further market share in 2026, even as competition intensifies.
As Domino’s leans into expansion and capital returns, the latest results show a business managing short-term pressures while keeping its long-term growth strategy firmly in play.
