News Broadcasting
Phillips reports sales growth of 10 per cent in 2Q
MUMBAI: Royal Philips Electronics has reported that sales in the second quarter were up 10 per cent year-on-year. Its net income was 301 million euros.
Sales increased strongly in the second quarter to 7,601 million euros. This represents a 10 per cent rise from the same quarter last eyar.
Adjusted for the effects of currency movements and consolidation changes, comparable sales increased by 11 per cent driven by strong growth in all operating divisions.
EBIT amounted to 367 million euros compared to 158 million euros in the same period of last year. In difficult market conditions, the EBIT of the consumer electronics division held up. Brand campaign costs were 47 million euros lower than in the same quarter for last year due to an amended seasonal spend pattern.
Financial income and expenses resulted in income of 127 million euros compared to an expense of 57 million euros in thew same quarter last year. The improvement is due to the recognition of a TSMC cash dividend of EUR 223 million, net of tax.
Cash inflow from operating activities increased to 300 million euros, compared to 52 million euros in the same quarter last year due to lower additional working capital requirements. Inventories as a percentage of sales amounted to 12.2 per cent, a decrease of 1.2 percentage points compared to Q2 2005.
Philips’ president and CEO Gerard Kleisterlee says, “We had an excellent second quarter to round off a good first half year. Our transformation into a market-driven healthcare, lifestyle and technology company starts to show its merits, with strong profit contributions from Medical Systems, Lighting and DAP. Our consumer electronics business model is showing its robustness in difficult conditions for the industry and Semiconductors is delivering the expected benefits of its business renewal programme.
“Continuing our consistent focus on shareholder value, we are pleased to announce the launch of a further 1.5 billion euros share repurchase programme, to start in the third quarter.”
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
