Global News

[ad_1] CHENNAI: Singapore-based private equity firm Quadria Capital is likely to invest $100120 million in Maxivision eyecare chain, owned by serial healthcare entrepreneur G S K Velu of Trivitron Healthcare and Neuberg Diagnostics. The private equity firm is in talks to pump in around $200 million overall in the eyecare chain over two years. “Talks are in an advanced stage and a formal announcement is likely to be made in about a fortnight. The investment will enable the eyecare chain, a leader in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, to spread its wings to 100 locations over two years,” multiple sources told TOI. Velu, who is the chairman of Maxivision, could not be reached for comment. At present, Maxivision has a presence in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, besides its leadership position in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is keen to add Karnataka and Kerala, besides Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to its network in some years. The idea is to spread across south India, ...

[ad_1] SINGAPORE: Air quality in parts of Singapore hit unhealthy levels on Saturday as winds brought haze from Indonesian forest fires to the city-state, its environment agency said. A prolonged dry season has led to a higher risk of wildfires on Indonesia 's major islands, stoking fears of a repeat of the smoke-belching blazes that have affected air quality in neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore in recent years. Singapore's National Environment Agency said the pollutant standards index (PSI) breached the unhealthy level of 100 on Saturday, hitting 111 in an eastern suburb and 102 in the island's centre before midday. At PSI levels between 100 and 200, residents are advised to "reduce prolonged strenuous outdoor physical exertion", according to NEA guidelines. However, people were still seen jogging and cycling in one park in the city's east. The agency said late Friday that the number of fire "hotspots" on the nearby Indonesian island of ...