The Indian government has implemented stricter regulations for foreign funding received by NGOs, requiring them to clearly define their purpose and geographical area of work. Religious activities are permitted, but not proselytisation. The definition of a "key functionary" has been expanded, and NGOs must disclose more information and demonstrate greater accountability.
India's growing senior population is driving a focus on preventive health and lifestyle management, with half of the population prioritizing longevity. The use of digital tools and AI-supported health solutions is on the rise, and the global longevity and wellness industry is projected to reach $106.0 billion by 2033.
The sleep industry is undergoing a transformation with the introduction of new products and technologies like smart sleep trackers, aromatherapy, and breathable bedding. Companies like Eight Sleep and Wakefit are utilizing AI to personalize sleep experiences, while brands like Ohria Ayurveda and Hilton are incorporating sleep rituals.
Magome and Tsumago, two well-preserved post towns in Japan, offer a glimpse into the Edo-period history through traditional inns, homes, and cuisine. The 8-km trail connecting them allows visitors to experience the old meeting the new, with a train and bus ride through the Kiso Valley. These towns were once vital rest stops for travellers on the Nakasendo highway.
Tahini, a creamy paste from sesame seeds, is a staple in middle eastern cuisine. Chefs are now using it in unexpected ways in Indian dishes, adding a nutty and rich flavor. With its health benefits, practicality, and deep roots in both cuisines, tahini has become a popular and versatile ingredient.
Outdoor advertising is transforming with technology and immersive experiences. Brands are adopting 3D and digital billboards to make a lasting impact in busy cities. This signifies a shift in marketing approach from just gaining visibility to providing interactive experiences.
23-year-old engineering student Mansi Kalyan changed her late-night snacking habits to include fiber-rich options like beans, lentils, and chia-based items. This not only improved her digestion and energy levels, but also reflects a larger trend among young consumers prioritizing fiber in their diets.
Natural disasters are named for communication and preparedness, based on cultural significance or local languages. The recent typhoons, Dim-Sum and Dolphin, are named after Cantonese cuisine and Chinese white dolphins. Atlantic hurricanes follow an A-Z sequence, with some names retired due to destruction. Earthquakes and volcanoes are named after locations, while tsunamis are not named.
Despite the pandemic, the Indian economy is thriving, but there are worries about low consumption. In his book Breakpoint, Saurabh Mukherjea delves into the struggles of the middle class, who are crucial to the economy. Unemployment, stagnant incomes, and the effects of AI on employment are addressed, along with the risks of overspending and speculation.
AI-powered voice recorders are changing the game for audio capture and organization. They can transcribe, identify speakers, and summarize meetings. Available in different sizes and with unique features like vibration sensors and noise-cancellation, they come at a cost with limited free transcription minutes and specialized charging accessories.
The prestige and international attention of Unesco World Heritage Sites come with challenges for communities like Vlkolínec in Slovakia and the Maasai in Tanzania, including over-tourism and land use restrictions. This has sparked debates about the impact on the rights and livelihoods of locals.
The Power of Pull by Rob Snyder focuses on customer demand for business success. Daron Acemoglu's What Happened to Liberal Democracy? delves into the rise and fall of liberalism and proposes a new theory for its future. In Design Love In, Marcus Buckingham advocates for the power of love in driving performance and growth.
A young filmmaker's controversial movie about three generations of men in modern Hungary is now followed by a sprawling family novel that explores themes of perversion, betrayal, and class privilege. The novel follows the Lázár family through the country's turbulent century, from the fading years of the Habsburg monarchy to the aftermath of the Hungarian uprising in 1956.
SPNI to launch new Tamil channel, Sony VIZHA, in October featuring original fiction, global reality shows, movies, and popular franchises like Kaun Banega Crorepati and Indian Idol. Aiming to connect with Tamil households through culturally relevant and emotional content, marking its entry into the competitive south Indian market dominated by Sun TV, Star Vijay, and ZEE.
The Central government has lowered taxes on exports of petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). The windfall tax on diesel exports has been reduced to Rs 24 per litre, while duty on ATF has come down by Rs 2.5 per litre. Duty on petrol exports has been reduced to nil. The government reviews rates every fortnight based on international prices.
On Independence Day, we often talk about different forms of freedom, but crossing over from India to Bhutan reveals a unique kind of freedom - freedom from driving stress and honking, and the respect for fellow road users. This was experienced during a trip from Jaigaon to Phuentsholing, Bhutan in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class named 'Gottlieb' as part of the company's 140-year global tour.
HAL, Adani Defence Systems, and BEML have joined forces to manufacture fuselage structures for the Prachand LCH, the first time private industry is involved in helicopter production. This partnership will boost capacity, strengthen the domestic supply chain, and enhance indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
The Indian EHTP ecosystem experienced notable growth in the past two years, with 79 units and exports worth Rs 11,150 crore. The EHTP Scheme, promoting electronic hardware exports, provides fiscal incentives and benefits. Karnataka leads with 34 units and Rs 8,300 crore exports, followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
The MoD has signed contracts worth Rs 1,577 crore with TASL and NIBE to supply loitering munition systems, munitions, and accessories for the Indian Army. This is the largest-ever purchase order for drones in Indian military history and will be executed under the 'Buy (Indian)' category. The agreements were signed in New Delhi on August 14 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
PM Modi calls for India to become a global supplier of advanced military systems, highlighting defence as the fifth 'Shakti' in his 'Shakti Ki Saptadhara' vision. He stresses the need for self-reliance and leadership in hypersonic defence technologies, while also emphasizing the country's other strengths in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, Gati Shakti etc.
Trump wants to claim the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, but Iran disagrees. The ongoing conflict has caused gas prices to rise and has led to widespread disapproval of Trump's actions. Both sides are sticking to their own versions of events, suggesting that the conflict is far from over.
PM Modi aims to achieve 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, with 5 new reactors planned in the next decade. The SHANTI Act will facilitate this growth by streamlining clearances and attracting private and public investment, while maintaining strategic control. Nuclear energy is crucial for India's energy security and will support key sectors like technology, data centers, and heavy industry.
PM Modi said the first “shakti” of the Sapta Dhara is the manufacturing sector, where India must focus on “cost, quality and scale,” warning that “there should be no compromise with quality. This will be our brand value.” The second stream is agriculture and food processing, which he tied to new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that now give Indian MSMEs access to larger global markets.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia, followed by aftershocks. A tsunami warning was initially issued but later lifted, as the quake caused heavy damage and casualties. Shocking visuals of collapsed buildings and evacuations have emerged on social media. Hospitals were also affected, with patients being evacuated and treated outside.
India's BoP had a $8.1 billion deficit in April-June, with current and capital account positions worsening. However, strong capital accounts and a special window for non-resident Indians have eased concerns. The current account deficit was impacted by high energy prices, but services trade surplus and remittances balanced it.
The government aims to use RBI's CBDC to distribute food subsidies and reduce leakages in the free ration scheme. This will be done through pilots, allowing beneficiaries to redeem them at empanelled FPSs, addressing challenges in biometric authentication and ensuring secure transactions. A parliamentary panel has suggested using CBDC features to improve subsidy delivery efficiency.
Story TV is launching The Bose Network, an AI-integrated historical thriller based on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's life, on August 15. The series covers four countries and four years of wartime history, using AI in post-production to create period settings. The company plans to produce 1,000+ AI-powered shows, and the series will be accessible in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on the Story TV app.
A potentially record-breaking El Nino is forming in the Pacific, with a 69% chance of being the strongest since 1950. The US-based NOAA predicts it will continue to strengthen, potentially affecting India's southwest monsoon. However, it could bring positive effects to the northeast monsoon season. The impact on India's monsoon is uncertain due to various factors.
The US's efforts to limit Chinese imports with tariffs have been unsuccessful, resulting in a change in trade and suspicions of Chinese products being shipped to 40 countries, including India. The White House released a report proposing ways to improve enforcement and implement AI to detect risky shipments.
Eight Australian universities are expanding their presence in India by setting up branch campuses and centres, with four opening this year. The focus is on STEM and business courses, with a 50% cost reduction for students. Australia is becoming a top choice for Indian students, with a 22-member delegation showcasing their offerings and engaging with stakeholders.
HSBC has waived off forex markup for Indian residents using their credit cards from August 15. This applies to both in-store and online foreign currency transactions. While HSBC has extended this to all their credit cards, other issuers like Axis Bank, RBL, and IDFC First are limiting it to premium card variants.
In July, WPI inflation in India decreased to 9.78% due to lower fuel prices, while wholesale food and core inflation increased. The rise in inflation was driven by higher energy prices due to the West Asia conflict. Experts predict a gradual decline in WPI inflation, but the effects of higher fuel and food prices are evident in other inflation measures.
Mahindra Truck and Bus Division (MTBD) plans to boost its share in India's heavy commercial vehicle market to 10-12% by FY31 by introducing the fuel-efficient Blazo-I truck and ensuring better after-sales support with a 48-hour breakdown guarantee. This move is targeted towards attracting a younger and more tech-savvy customer base.
OpenAI, a top AI startup, is facing a series of high-level departures as it gears up for its public offering. Denise Dresser, the Chief Revenue Officer, is the latest to resign, following a string of leadership changes and researchers leaving for a competitor. Dresser, who joined less than a year ago, cited personal reasons for her departure.
India's electronics exports have reached Rs 4.24 lakh crore in FY2025-26, driven by mobile phone manufacturing and government incentives. Women now make up 30% of the workforce, and the industry has generated 12 lakh jobs. The country is the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer, with a focus on domestic manufacturing and the growth of the digital economy contributing to its success.
CLSA has chosen Hindustan Aeronautics, Bharat Electronics, and Larsen & Toubro as top players in the defence manufacturing sector. India's Make in India initiative is predicted to bring a Rs 10.3 lakh crore opportunity in the next 10 years, including military aircraft, transport planes, helicopters, and defence upgrades.
Samsung Electronics has opened a new HVAC manufacturing facility in Pune, Maharashtra to cater to the growing data centre infrastructure market. The plant will produce advanced cooling systems for AI data centres and other critical infrastructure in India and the Asia-Pacific region.
The Indian Navy launched the second Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), INS Shruti, in Kolkata. The vessel is designed to support a wide range of missions, including maritime surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, and anti-piracy operations.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) saw a 5% drop in share price due to a disappointing Q1. Despite some positives from JLR, the stock has plummeted. Uncertainty surrounds the stock due to Tata Group's succession plan and varying target prices from major brokerages. Motilal Oswal rates 'Sell', Nomura remains 'Neutral', and JM Financial has a different view.
Abakkus Mutual Fund's analysis reveals that the Nifty 50 is still 8% away from its January peak, while the Nifty Midcap 150 is almost back at its record level. The Nifty 100 and Nifty Smallcap 250 also require gains of 6.9% and 3.92%, respectively, to recover their previous peaks.
The US Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General (OIG) has stepped up its investigation into possible fraud in the H-1B visa programme, with Inspector General Anthony P. D'Esposito personally leading checks at business locations in Dallas, Texas, this week.
Light House Green Data Centre, a five-month-old company in Tamil Nadu, made headlines at the Vetri Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2026 with a Rs 10,000-crore investment deal for an AI-enabled data centre. Despite having a paid-up capital of only Rs 1 lakh, the company's proposed investment is 10 million times its current capital.
Jefferies has a 'Buy' rating on MCX, Gateway Distriparks, and Nykaa, with separate growth triggers for each stock. MCX is backed by potential FPI participation, Gateway Distriparks by capacity expansion and rail opportunity, and Nykaa by sustained growth and profitability. Risks include regulatory execution, competition, and valuation. MCX, Gateway Distriparks, and Nykaa.
Boost, a 50-year-old health food drink brand, has become the 21st brand in Hindustan Unilever's portfolio to surpass Rs 1,000 crore in sales. Despite a decline in the category, Boost has achieved steady growth and expanded into new markets and consumer segments. However, it faces challenges from protein drinks and supplements, as well as regulatory scrutiny.
The IPO of Milky Mist Dairy Food has attracted significant attention from investors due to its high valuation and focus on value-added dairy products. The IPO has been oversubscribed by 54.57 times, indicating a strong response. The company's revenue and profits have been growing steadily, and the IPO proceeds will be used to repay debt.
Motilal Oswal has given a ‘Buy’ rating on Gokaldas Exports, Laxmi Dental, and VIP Industries. These stocks have potential upside ranging from 39% to 46%. Gokaldas Exports is expected to benefit from its diversified manufacturing footprint, Laxmi Dental from stronger international demand and VIP Industries from premium products and a sharper brand strategy.
Karnataka witnessed a statewide bandh organized by pro-Kannada groups to protest the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. While major cities remained unaffected, there were some disruptions. The bandh was sparked by the CWRC's decision, leading to demands for a permanent solution.
The introduction of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected UPI merchant transactions could result in a significant boost in revenue and profits for Paytm. This move could create a revenue opportunity of Rs 8,000-11,500 crore for the payments industry, with Paytm being one of the biggest beneficiaries.
The Indian Ministry of Defence has launched a tender for 60 multirole transport aircraft worth Rs 1 lakh crore to upgrade the Indian Air Force's cargo fleet and improve strategic airlift capabilities. The programme will involve top Indian defence companies, highlighting a push for domestic participation and manufacturing.
Tata Group stocks in focus as chairman announces decision to not seek reappointment in 2027. Jefferies retains four preferred Tata names – Indian Hotels, Tata Consumer Products, Tata Steel, and Voltas – with 'Buy' ratings. Titan and Trent are 'Hold' calls, while Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, and Tata Power are 'Underperform' calls.
Gold prices remain strong amid global uncertainty, impacting not only the yellow metal but also companies lending against it. Muthoot Finance and Manappuram Finance, two major names in the gold loan space, are seeing strong gold-linked growth. Jefferies has given different outlooks on the two stocks, downgrading Muthoot Finance to 'Hold' and maintaining a 'Buy' rating on Manappuram Finance.