British PM Keir Starmer, during his maiden trip to India, believes that the India-UK free trade agreement has great potential and will act as a catalyst for growth. India's expected rise to the third largest global economy by 2028 makes it a lucrative market for British businesses. Starmer, accompanied by 125 business leaders, aims to enhance bilateral relations.
Dolly Parton's sister, Freida, has asked fans to pray for her recovery as the singer has been dealing with health challenges and had to postpone concerts due to medical procedures. Dolly explained that she had a kidney stone and infection, and also lost her husband earlier this year. She joked about needing a "100,000-mile check-up" and assured fans that she is rehearsing for upcoming shows.
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is a wealthy and influential figure known for his escape from Russian intelligence and his innovative contributions to social networking. In a recent interview, he discussed various topics, including literature and AI. Durov has anonymously donated sperm in 12 countries, to normalize and assist in fertility treatments.
PM Modi urges investment in India, citing government's reforms and welcoming approach. He highlights opportunities in manufacturing of semiconductors, mobiles, and electronics. Digital connectivity is now a crucial part of every Indian's life, with India having the world's fastest-growing developer population. India has also achieved a major indigenous feat with its Made in India 4G Stack.
Vruj Patel, a 26-year-old Indian-origin man, was sentenced to 22 years in jail for rape, sexual assault, and other indecent acts against minors and women. His brother, Kishan Patel, was also sentenced to 15 months for possessing indecent images of children. The Metropolitan Police is appealing for more victims to come forward.
Popular Punjabi singer Rajvir Jawanda, 35, died on October 8, 2025, due to a severe road accident in Himachal Pradesh. He was hospitalized for 12 days at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, but succumbed to brain and spinal injuries. His sudden demise has left the industry and his fans devastated, with many mourning and honoring his talent.
Kyiv reported on Tuesday that an Indian national has been captured by Ukrainian forces after allegedly fighting alongside the Russian army. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it is verifying the reports and has not yet received any formal update from Ukrainian authorities regarding the detention.
The Ministry of Education's decision to make Zoho Office Suite mandatory for official use has sparked a debate on the Swadeshi movement and promoting homegrown innovation in India. While there is criticism for the delay in implementation, others support Zoho and its founder for their potential in creating jobs and developing skills in rural areas.
Lloyds Metals and Energy has received approval from the CCI to acquire a 49.99% stake in Thriveni Pellets. The deal has been deemed to have no competition concerns in the market. Lloyds Metals' share price has seen a 4.42% increase this year. Lloyds Metals and Energy operates in various segments including iron ore mining, DRI production, and pellet trading.
British Airways is expanding its services to India by adding a third daily flight between London and Delhi in 2026. This follows the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India. The airline also plans to bring back its First cabin on flights to Mumbai and introduce its latest business class Club Suite on all five Indian routes by 2026.
Gita Gopinath, former IMF Chief Economist, criticizes the "Liberation Day" tariffs imposed by the US, stating they have not benefited the economy and have instead burdened domestic firms and consumers. The tariffs have increased government revenue but also led to higher prices and inflation, with no improvement in trade balance or manufacturing sector.
Titan's share price saw a 4% jump in early trade following their second-quarter business update. The domestic jewellery segment reported 19% year-on-year growth, with strong performances from Tanishq, CaratLane. Brokerages like Motilal Oswal and Nomura have maintained a buy rating on the stock, with target prices of Rs 4,150 and Rs 4,275 respectively.
The ED conducted a sweep against Malayalam superstars, including Mammootty, Prithviraj, Dulquer Salman, and Amit Chakkalackal, in connection to the Kerala luxury car smuggling case. The raids were conducted at 17 locations, revealing a syndicate involved in illegal activities. The investigation also uncovered the use of forged documents, shell entities, and launder foreign currency.
A study in Australia shows that younger generations, especially Gen Z, are choosing to not drink alcohol due to changing norms and health concerns. This could have positive long-term health effects and is changing the perception of celebration in society. However, binge-drinking is still a concern among older adults.
Two companies, Advance Agrolife and Om Freight Forwarder, had their IPOs listed on Day 1. Advance Agrolife's IPO was subscribed 56.90 times, while Om Freight Forwarder's IPO received an overall subscription of 3.87 times. The companies raised Rs 192.86 crore and Rs 122.31 crore, respectively, through their IPOs.
Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Phase 2B of Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3, which will run from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade. This is a significant step that is being taken to improve Mumbai’s city transport. This phase, once complete, will also complete the Aqua Line project which will make daily travel easier for millions of people.
Nomura maintains a Buy rating on IndusInd Bank and Neutral on Bank of Baroda and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Q2 FY26 saw mixed trends in loan and deposit growth, with one stock having potential for 29% upside. IndusInd Bank's loan growth was weak, while Bank of Baroda and Kotak Mahindra Bank showed strong growth.
The ANZAC Jawan Cenotaph, a memorial honoring Indian soldiers who fought alongside Australians in WWI, has been repeatedly vandalized. The Indian flag has been disrespected and thrown off its pole, causing community leaders to condemn the acts as hate-motivated. Complaints have been lodged and changes suggested, but the vandalism continues.
Indian indices opened flat on Wednesday with the Nifty 50 and Sensex showing no major movement. The Bank Nifty opened lower and small and midcap stocks saw a decline. Key factors to watch include early gainers and laggards, major movers, and stocks on radar such as Satin Finserv and Lodha Developers. JLR reported a significant drop in sales and is expected to have a weak financial performance.
ICICI Securities maintains 'Add' rating on Indegene with a target price of Rs 610 per share, citing recent acquisition of BioPharm as a key growth driver. The report highlights potential upside of 7% from current market price, with revenue estimates increased by 5-10% and EPS cut by 0.5% for FY26/27/28.
Elon Musk's AI startup xAI is raising $20 billion in a funding round, with an equity investment from Nvidia. The financing will be split between $7.5 billion of equity and $12.5 billion of debt, and will be used to purchase Nvidia processors. This investment comes after xAI's launch in 2023 as an alternative to OpenAI's ChatGPT. Musk denied previous reports of a $10 billion funding round.
Contaminated cough syrups have caused multiple deaths in Mumbai, Jammu, Gambia, Uzbekistan, Cameroon, and Madhya Pradesh due to the use of Diethylene glycol (DEG). Experts recommend a root cause analysis and setting standards for DEG use, along with joint inspections by regulators to prevent deviations. A proactive approach is necessary to prevent further tragedies.
President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met in Washington this week for a friendly round of talks. The meeting, held at the White House, was meant to ease growing trade tensions.
A tanker carrying chemicals collided with a truck loaded with LPG cylinders, causing a massive fire on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway in Rajasthan. No major injuries were reported, but measures will be taken to prevent similar accidents in the future. The Deputy CM visited the site and the truck driver and conductor were hospitalized.
California Gov Gavin Newsom signed a bill making Diwali an official statewide holiday, following Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Indian-origin and Hindu communities expressed gratitude on X. Starting from January 1, 2026, public schools and community colleges will be allowed to close on the festival day. The bill was co-authored by Indian-American assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has assured employees that the company will continue sponsoring H-1B visas and cover the full cost of the new $100,000 application fee as per US President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, Business Insider reported.
Indian equity benchmarks started slow due to global factors such as crude oil prices and currency trends. However, the Sensex and Nifty closed higher on October 7, with important global and domestic cues to monitor on October 8. The US dollar strengthened, crude oil prices rose, and FIIs became net buyers.
Kantara Chapter 1, directed by Rishab Shetty, has been a major success at the box office, surpassing Rs 400 crore worldwide and becoming the first Kannada film of 2025 to do so. The film has also gained popularity in Hindi, with a 20% increase in collections on Day 6 and an overall occupancy rate of 33%.
The government shutdown has caused air traffic control staffing issues, resulting in delays at major airports like Chicago O'Hare and Newark. The FAA is reducing flights at O'Hare due to staffing shortages, while other airports are also affected. Political parties are blaming each other, and severe weather and unpaid controllers have worsened the situation.
Indian equity markets ended on a positive note on October 7, with Nifty crossing 25,100. Investors are keeping a close eye on developments in auto, FMCG, real estate, metals, and logistics sectors. JLR saw a decline in sales due to cyber attacks and tariffs, while Titan saw slower growth in domestic and jewellery sales.
A landslide in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district killed 15 passengers and trapped many others in a bus carrying 25-30 passengers. The region has been experiencing heavy rain, making the slopes unstable. Rescue operations are ongoing and the deceased have been identified. President Murmu, PM Modi, and other leaders expressed grief and offered condolences.
LG Electronics India's much-awaited IPO is now open for subscription, with a price band of Rs 1,080-1,140 per share. The IPO, which is entirely an offer for sale, will see the South Korean parent company liquidating 15% stake. The GMP has surged over 28% to Rs 322 per share, indicating a listing at Rs 1,462. The company has raised Rs 3,475 crore from anchor investors and the issue closes on
The Reserve Bank of India is carefully planning the launch of a central bank digital currency and emphasizing responsible use of AI in the financial sector. Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar announced new initiatives at the Global Fintech Fest, such as integrating AI in financial systems and creating a framework for ethical AI adoption.
Nissan will introduce the new SUV Tekton in India in 2026, produced at Renault's Chennai factory. It will rival popular models like Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Nissan's India managing director, Saurabh Vatsa, promises a more premium vehicle compared to their previous model, Terrano. This is a part of Nissan's efforts to revive its presence in the Indian market.
The WTO predicts a 2.4% growth in global merchandise trade in 2025, thanks to strong performance in the first half of the year. The report notes the effects of tariff wars on trade, with a delay in their impact until 2026. The rise in demand for AI products is a key factor in trade growth, especially in South-South trade. Services trade is also expected to increase, influenced by AI.
Five more states – Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir – will join the government’s flagship scheme that seeks to provide unique IDs for farmers.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman warns against weaponizing technology and stresses the importance of ethical boundaries. She emphasizes the need for safeguards against digital deception and highlights the role of AI in shaping the financial future. India ranks third in fintech and leads in digital payments.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal will visit Brussels to meet with EU negotiators and take stock of progress made on the proposed FTA. Minister Piyush Goyal will also be in Brussels to discuss the agreement. Negotiations have resumed after an 8-year gap and are expected to conclude by the end of the year. The FTA covers 23 policy areas and is crucial as the EU is India's biggest trading partner.
Netflix India has partnered with IICT and Ficci to support students in the country for AVGC-XR. A memorandum of understanding was signed at Ficci FRAMES 2025 event. The agreement includes scholarships for select students identified by IICT, funded by Netflix's creative equity fund. The fund aims to create opportunities for underrepresented talent in the media and entertainment industry.
The premium housing segment dominates the residential market, with homes above Rs 1 crore making up 52% of sales in Q3 2025. This has impacted the market's health and prices, as high-end home sales grew by 15% while the sub-Rs 1 crore segment declined. New launches and slower absorption are driving prices up and increasing unsold inventory, but the market remains stable.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plans to allocate spectrum to satellite broadband operators in December, with commercial services starting in 2026. However, the delay in finalizing administrative pricing is due to the DoT seeking clarifications from Trai, including the use of DBN fund to subsidize user terminals.
The government has intervened to resolve the dispute within Tata Trusts, with Noel Tata and N Chandrasekaran meeting with top officials. The government wants dissenting trustees to follow the "Tata way" to prevent any negative impact on Tata Sons. A meeting of the Trusts is scheduled for October 10, with four dissenting trustees seeking more control over Tata Sons.
The Reserve Bank of India has proposed new guidelines for expected credit loss framework, replacing the current provisioning system. The guidelines include staging criteria for asset classification and higher provisions for certain loans. The impact on minimum regulatory capital requirements will be minimal and there will be a five-year transition period.
NPCI has launched biometric authentication for UPI transactions, using Aadhaar-based Face Authentication. This eliminates the need for managing multiple OTPs or card details, making onboarding faster and simpler for first-time users, senior citizens, and those without easy access to cards.
Axis Bank CEO Amitabh Chaudhry plans to expand the bank's financing capabilities through mergers and acquisitions following RBI's proposal for a framework for domestic banks. The bank aims to compete with foreign banks in bond and loan syndication and become a leading player in the Indian corporate market.
The PMO-led group is reviewing India's audit regulations to help local firms compete with the Big Four. Changes in advertising and amendments in the Companies Act are being discussed to create large Indian multi-disciplinary partnership firms. CEO of Grant Thornton Bharat, Vishesh Chandiok, highlights the importance of these changes in an interview.
The PRIP scheme, valued at Rs 5,000 crore, aims to boost India's pharmaceutical industry by promoting innovation and providing financial assistance for R&D, technology development, and product commercialization. Its effectiveness relies on sustained support, faster regulatory approvals, patent protection, and private funding.
Media veterans at FICCI Frames Summit stress on light-touch regulation for growth and innovation in the media and entertainment sector. The sector, valued at Rs 2.5 lakh crore, is expected to reach Rs 3 lakh crore by 2027. Aroon Purie criticizes TRAI for choking the industry, while Sanjay Jaju emphasizes on the need for responsible growth in the OTT industry.
TVS Venu International, the luxury and lifestyle venture of TVS Motor Company's founding family, has acquired French porcelain maker JL Coquet. Led by Tara S Venu, Atelier Expressions is focused on acquiring heritage brands that embody artistry and elegance. JL Coquet will continue its expansion with new showrooms in New York and Seoul, under Atelier Expressions.
