The Trump administration has launched a pilot program to require some US visa applicants to pay a refundable bond of up to $15,000, in an effort to prevent visa overstays and increase border security. This policy may disproportionately affect travelers from developing countries, including Indians applying for B-1 and B-2 visas.
Motilal Oswal has recommended three stocks in its latest report, with potential upside of up to 29%. These companies are expected to see steady growth, driven by operational efficiency, margin expansion, and sectoral tailwinds. The recommended stocks include Persistent Systems, Tech Mahindra, and Cyient DLM.
The Trump administration's Project Firewall aims to prioritize job opportunities for skilled American workers by cracking down on visa fraud and abuse. Stricter rules are being enforced for the H-1B program, with major visa sponsor TCS announcing they will no longer apply for new visas.
Pankaj Dheer, known for his iconic role as Karn in Mahabharat, passed away at 68 due to health issues. Actor Firoz Khan shared the news on social media, and CINTAA released an official statement. Dheer was also known for his roles in Adalat, Yug, Badho Bahu, and movies like Sadak, Soldier, and Baadshah.
Delhi High Court grants relief to Hrithik Roshan in protecting his personality rights against Generative AI. Court orders removal of links and listings on internet and e-commerce sites. Roshan joins other celebrities in the fight against unauthorized use of their images and videos.
Power Mech Projects, an infrastructure company, has received a Rs 2,500 crore order from BHEL for an 800 MW super thermal power project in Telangana. The company will handle all aspects of the project, including design, engineering, construction, and maintenance. In FY25, Power Mech Projects reported a revenue of Rs 5,279 crore, with a 40% YoY profit growth.
Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has raised concerns about Bengaluru's poor infrastructure and garbage management, urging the government to take immediate action. This follows a statement by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar about the government's efforts to improve the city's civic infrastructure. However, Shaw's post has sparked a debate, with some criticizing the government.
In 2025, the Supreme Court relaxed the ban on firecrackers for Diwali, with the comeback of green crackers. E-commerce offers alternatives, such as Laxmi bombs, ladis, and colourful matches, that look and feel like traditional firecrackers, but are better for the environment. Eco-friendly options include seed crackers, chocolate crackers, anaar incense cones, and more.
"Diwali mithai is a beloved tradition, but it comes with a health risk. Adulterants like bad-quality ghee, starch, and artificial colors can cause digestive issues, allergies, and even increase the risk of diseases like cancer. Nutritionist Sakshi Lalwani suggests simple home tests to check the purity of mawa and ensure safe consumption and gifting of Indian sweets."
The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a case challenging the rule that allows the dependents of H-1B visa holders, also known as H-4 visa holders, to work in the United States, Reuters reported.
In 2025, Diwali is the ideal time for travelers to visit their dream destinations or have a staycation. Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and Australia are top choices for Indian tourists, while Sri Lanka and Malaysia are also popular for international celebrations. Gen Z and millennials are leading the travel trends, with Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi.
Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, known for his Michelin Star restaurant in NYC, shares his secret to staying fit at 53. In a candid podcast, he reveals his disciplined routine and love for cycling. He believes in the importance of rituals, including working out and eating home-cooked meals. While the breakfast debate continues, experts suggest consulting a doctor before making any dietary changes.
Enforcement agencies in Bihar have seized cash, drugs, liquor, and freebies worth Rs 33.97 crore to prevent voter inducement in the upcoming elections. The state will have polls on November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14. Expenditure observers and real-time seizure reporting have been deployed to monitor expenses. The Election Commission has urged citizens to not face any inconvenience.
Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai of the Indian Army disclosed that Pakistan lost more than 100 soldiers on the Line of Control during Operation Sindoor in May. He emphasized the grave repercussions if Pakistan had not restrained after the Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian Armed Forces effectively targeted and collaborated with multiple agencies to counter the enemy.
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan surprised fans by featuring the popular Labubu doll in his car, causing a frenzy on the internet. Fans speculated whether the doll resembled Bachchan's character in his film Piku, while others joked that Google Maps should have his voice. The actor's crossover with the Gen Z trend left fans in awe and Labubu was deemed lucky to have him as a narrator.
Despite challenges in the market and policy changes, Persistent Systems has reported a strong Q2 FY26 performance, leading to a rise in its stock price. Brokerages have raised their target price by up to 31%, with Motilal Oswal, JM Financial, Nomura, and Nuvama Equities maintaining a positive outlook due to the company's focus on AI and impressive earnings growth and margins.
Godrej Properties has acquired a 26-acre land parcel in South Bengaluru near Sarjapur Road for a premium residential project with an estimated revenue of Rs 1,100 crore. The company has a significant presence in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Pune, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy started an ‘AI vs Human’ debate on October 14 with a tweet cautioning against Artificial intelligence that masters in mimicking human emotions too closely.
The Trump administration's plan to use the government shutdown to cut jobs has only resulted in a fraction of the expected number of dismissals. The President is using the shutdown as a bargaining tool but is facing legal challenges and criticism from lawmakers and unions. A federal judge will hear the case on October 15.
A massive explosion in an autobody shop sparked a five-alarm fire in Hillside, New Jersey, causing multiple businesses and homes to be consumed. One firefighter was injured and 20 residents were displaced. The fire chief warned of toxic smoke and the mayor called it one of the worst fires in the area in 18 years. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
Mishra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI) has secured a new order worth Rs 306 crore, bringing its total open order position to around Rs 2,212 crore. The Hyderabad-based defence PSU plays a crucial role in strengthening India's defence and space sectors. It has formed a joint venture with NALCO to set up a high-end aluminium alloy production plant.
President Trump honored the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, praised for his dedication to truth and freedom. Kirk's widow accepted the award and thanked Trump for prioritizing the event. Trump commended Kirk for inspiring young voters and condemned violence from the "far-left."
A 59-year-old Arab American businessman, Eddie Jawad, was shot outside his $1.9 million mansion in Michigan on Tuesday morning. He owns over 20 gas stations and the shooting was believed to be a targeted attack. Detectives are looking for a dark SUV seen fleeing the scene. Jawad's wife reported that the shooter jumped out from behind bushes and it may involve more than one person.
Bank of Maharashtra, a public sector lender, saw a 23.09% increase in net profit for the September quarter due to higher net interest income and improved asset quality. The bank's operating income and return on assets also showed significant growth. The CEO praised the bank's strong performance, particularly in low-cost deposits and various segments.
India's retail inflation reached an eight-year low in September, but UBS predicts that the full impact of the GST rate cut will be seen in October. The global brokerage expects inflation to average at 2.4% in FY26, thanks to factors like good monsoons, low energy prices, and the GST rate cut. However, core inflation, which excludes food and fuel, rose to 4.5% due to higher gold prices.
Sanjeev Prasad, MD of Kotak Institutional Equities, expects a decline in consumer demand due to slow private investment and job scarcity. He foresees a stable market with limited growth potential and high valuations, but is optimistic about earnings and future growth. However, foreign investors may not return until conditions improve.
India Post will resume postal services to the US on October 15, after being suspended since August 25 due to duty exemption removal by the Trump administration. The new DDP system will collect customs duties upfront in India and remit them to US Customs, providing cost advantages for small exporters. The system has been tested and ensures compliance and faster customs clearance.
Former Goa CM Ravi Naik, a respected leader known for his humility and dedication to public welfare, passed away at 79 due to a cardiac arrest. He had a long and successful political career, serving as MLA and CM multiple times. Thousands paid tribute to him as his mortal remains were brought to his residence.
US President Donald Trump has once again accused the BRICS bloc and its members of undermining the strength of the US dollar. During a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said the United States would impose new tariffs on countries choosing to work alongside BRICS.
Despite US attempts to cut trade with Russia due to the Ukraine crisis, India remains the largest supplier of oil to the country, accounting for 34% of imports in September. While there has been a 10% decrease in imports in the first eight months of 2025, overall crude shipments from Russia have reached a 28-month high.
The US Department of State revoked visas of 6 foreigners who celebrated the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, after he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised to protect the country's borders and remove any foreigners who wish harm upon Americans. The State Department shared screenshots of social media posts.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan expressed their condolences for the 20 passengers who lost their lives in a tragic bus fire in Rajasthan. The bus, carrying 57 passengers, caught fire on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, leaving 16 critically injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh and rescue efforts were underway.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has told employees to be ready for another round of job cuts this year, even as the Wall Street giant posts record profits. The bank is said to be going through a major internal transformation, looking to cut costs across its businesses while using artificial intelligence to make operations smoother and boost long-term growth, Bloomberg reported.
Ashley Tellis, a US policy expert of Indian origin, has been arrested for allegedly keeping secret government documents and meeting with Chinese officials. The 64-year-old is accused of unlawfully holding information pertaining to national defence, including over a thousand pages of top-secret and classified documents.
IMF raises India's growth forecast for 2025/26 by 0.2%, citing strong first-quarter carryover and offsetting impact of high U.S. tariffs. India remains fastest growing major economy with 7.8% GDP growth in April-June, thanks to strong private consumption. However, IMF lowers growth forecast for next fiscal year by 0.2%.
Nomura sets a target price of Rs 365/share for Tata Motors' CV entity and Rs 367/share for PV entity post-demerger. The PV entity includes domestic PV business, Jaguar Land Rover, and other investments, while the CV entity comprises domestic CV business, Iveco, and Tata Capital.
The US labor market is stagnant, with low hiring and firing rates. However, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell believes the economy may be stronger than expected. Policymakers are struggling with balancing job market weakness and high inflation. Despite tension between spending and job creation, Powell urges a balanced approach to interest rate cuts.
Mutual funds allocated Rs 400 crore from cash balances in September, led by Kotak MF, Nippon India MF, and Quant MF. Some schemes increased cash buffers, while others showed a tilt towards equity.
HCLTech and TCS have different approaches to AI, with TCS investing in infrastructure while HCLTech focuses on partnerships and proprietary IP. TCS aims to be the world's largest AI-led tech company, while HCLTech targets service transformation. HCLTech's AI revenue hit $100 million in September, but wage hikes may affect margins.
Indian Railways introduces three new freight projects to enhance logistics and connectivity: a container train service between Delhi and Kolkata, a parcel service between Mumbai and Kolkata, and an integrated logistics hub at Sonik.
Indian renewable company ReNew Energy Global has received a revised non-binding proposal from key shareholders to acquire shares at $8.15 per share, a 15.3% increase from the initial offer. A special committee has been formed by the board to consider the 28.5% premium to the undisturbed share price. Active discussions are ongoing with the consortium and a potential transaction is being evaluated.
Two Brothers Organic Farms receives ₹110 crore in Series B funding, led by 360 ONE Asset and joined by Rainmatter Investments, Narotam Sekhsaria Family Office, and IGNITE Growth LLP. The investment will drive growth and global expansion, including investments in manufacturing, farmer training, technology, and new markets.
India and Saudi Arabia held discussions on investing in India's apparel and textiles industry, focusing on government initiatives. The dialogue emphasized opportunities for Saudi investment in ready-made garments and strategies to increase production and market presence.
LT Foods, the owner of Daawat rice brand, is acquiring Global Green Europe Kft for 25 million euros to expand in the European packaged food market. The deal includes an upfront payment of 6 million euros and an additional 1.8 million euros over two years. The company will also take on the target company's debt.
Brookfield Asset Management and Blackstone Group are competing to buy ESR-Allianz's 10-million-square-foot warehousing portfolio for around Rs 4,000 crore. The joint venture between ESR and Allianz Real Estate had previously called off a deal due to valuation mismatch. If Brookfield wins, it will be their first foray into warehousing, while Blackstone already owns ventures in the country.
Tech Mahindra's net profit grew by 4.7% in the second quarter, but fell short of Bloomberg's estimates. However, the company exceeded expectations in revenue and Ebitda, with margins increasing to 15.5%. This growth was attributed to operational efficiency and successful deals. Employee metrics showed steady growth and dependence on US H-1B visas was limited.
BSE is making changes to its options segment, switching from weekly to monthly expiries for index contracts. This has boosted their premium turnover market share and is expected to increase trading activity. However, regulatory changes in the F&O segment may pose a risk, causing a decline in stock prices. BSE maintains a Neutral rating with a target price of Rs 2,250.
A report reveals that India's frequent revisions in import tariffs for edible oils have caused market distortion, complicated import planning, and increased transaction costs. Duty hikes immediately raise retail prices, while cuts do not always benefit consumers.
Tata Consultancy Services aims to retrain 100,000 employees every year, a sixth of its global workforce, to keep up with advancements in AI. CTO Harrick Vin emphasizes the need for new testing and quality assurance methods due to the rise of generative AI.
Silver ETFs have seen a surge in premiums, forcing fund managers to halt investments. The metal's prices have hit an all-time high in the domestic market, with a 105% increase since January. The shortage of physical silver and high lease rates have caused this distortion.
EPFO has made it easier for subscribers to withdraw funds by merging 13 complex provisions into one streamlined rule. Three types of withdrawals are available for essential needs, housing needs, and special circumstances. Education and marriage withdrawals have been increased to 10 and 5 times respectively.