Deakin University and University of Wollongong's first year at GIFT City has been met with mixed reactions due to small student cohorts and difficulty in attracting foreign faculty. The curriculum's emphasis on problem-solving and peer learning aligns with GIFT City's demand for skilled professionals, but geopolitical changes may impact Indian students' preferences.
Singapore Airlines' September-quarter profit decreased by 82% due to Air India's losses, resulting in a S$417 million decrease in SIA's share of results from associated companies. Despite this, SIA remains dedicated to its multi-hub strategy, as Air India allows access to a rapidly growing market.
Tata Steel is set to expand its Indian operations by 7-7.5 MT, with a focus on increasing production at its Kalinganagar facility and commissioning a new electric arc furnace. The company is also awaiting clearances for its Neelachal facility and plans to boost production at its Gamharia and Meramandali sites. In Europe, it is benefiting from EU protection measures.
The IAMAI opposes India's draft amendment on AI labelling, stating it could lead to over-regulation and duplication of laws. They argue that the definition of "synthetically generated information" is too broad and could cover harmless digital edits.
The Maharashtra government has passed an ordinance that changes the process of appointing trustees and structuring boards for charitable trusts. The Charity Commissioner now has the authority to register trusts, oversee trustee appointments, and resolve disputes.
LG India's Q2FY26 net profit declined by 27.3% and revenue remained flat due to GST transition issues, higher costs, and deferment of purchases by consumers. However, the company expects improvement in Q3 as channel inventories stabilize and demand increases. They have also launched a new series of products.
Hero MotoCorp's Q2 performance showed significant growth, with a 15.7% increase in net profit and 16% rise in revenue. The simplified GST framework and festive sentiment boosted demand, resulting in the sale of 1.69 million vehicles. Overseas markets also contributed to the company's success. Additionally, the board approved an investment for a global parts centre in Andhra Pradesh.
Stride Ventures, a homegrown venture debt fund, is raising three funds worth $600 million in India, the GCC, and the UK. This highlights the growing use of venture debt for cross-border financing as startups expand globally. The firm has already raised $300 million and aims to close the rest by March.
The ED arrested the former MD of Jaypee Infratech for cheating homebuyers and diverting funds for non-construction purposes. The agency initiated an investigation based on FIRs filed by homebuyers, revealing that the diverted funds were siphoned off to related group entities and trusts.
The government has removed Quality Control Orders for 14 petrochemical products, including polyester yarn, PVC, and polyurethanes. This decision will benefit user industries by providing access to more suppliers and reducing costs and time. The textile and apparel sector is expected to see increased cost competitiveness due to the removal of QCOs.
Sebi plans to increase retail involvement in IPOs by easing lock-in rules for current shareholders and replacing abridged prospectus with a simplified summary. The new system aims to reduce listing delays and enhance investor comprehension by including key disclosures in public offer documents.
Tata Motors, now focused on its commercial vehicle arm, reported a net loss of Rs 867 crore for the July-September quarter due to mark-to-market losses. Revenue rose 6%, and expenses increased by 15%. The company expects growth in the second half with the festive season and GST reforms.
The Financial Services Secretary and NABARD Chairman emphasized the importance of microfinance institutions in promoting financial inclusion and women's empowerment. They also stressed the need for reasonable interest rates and operational efficiency, while noting the easing stress in the MFI sector.
The government has introduced a new Seed Bill to improve seed quality and prices, combat counterfeit products, and provide farmers with high-quality seeds. However, concerns have been raised about inadequate compensation for poor-performing seeds and limited state regulation.
Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced a political charter referendum and national elections for February 2026. The July Charter, drafted by Yunus after consulting with political parties, includes over 80 reform proposals. However, parties have differences on its implementation, with BNP wanting a referendum on voting day and Jamaat by November.
The government plans to conduct a nationwide survey from July 2026 to June 2027 to gather accurate data on migration. This survey will cover various aspects such as labour mobility, urbanisation, remittance flows, and migrant integration.
Manipal Education and Medical Group India, led by Ranjan Pai, has submitted a second expression of interest to participate in the insolvency resolution process of Byju's parent company, Think & Learn. Manipal meets all eligibility norms and has requested access to information to prepare a resolution plan.
Niti Aayog has asked Crisil to evaluate the fertiliser subsidy scheme, which accounts for 45% of the Centre's budget, for efficiency and fiscal sustainability. The Nutrient Based Subsidy policy aims to insulate farmers from global price hikes, but the subsidy has remained elevated post-Covid.
India's import of edible oils, including palm, soybean, and sunflower, reached a record high of Rs 1.61 lakh crore in the 2024-25 oil year, with a 22% increase in value. Despite a minimal increase in volume, global prices have risen by over 20%.
The government has received 13 proposals for the PLI Scheme for white goods, with a total investment of Rs 1,914 crore. Most of the proposals are for air conditioner component manufacturing, while some are for LED components. The scheme has attracted over Rs 10,000 crore of investment and is expected to generate production worth Rs 1.72 lakh crore and create 60,000 jobs.
Voltas, a leading air-conditioning and engineering services company, faced a 74.4% decline in net profit in Q2 due to a lean summer and GST-led demand deferment. Revenue also fell 10.4%, with Ebitda margins contracting to 3%.
Muthoot Finance had a successful second quarter, with a significant increase in standalone net profit and revenue from operations. The company aims to raise ₹35,000 crore through NCDs and has raised its disbursement growth guidance for the year. The MD also predicts a rise in gold loan growth and anticipates regulatory changes to drive demand.
Benchmark indices end flat despite positive cues, investors book profits ahead of Bihar election results. Market breadth negative, 2,380 losers against 1,846 gainers. Sensex gains 1.52%, Nifty adds 1.52% in last four sessions. Sensex opens positive, slips into red, rebounds on US government shutdown end and RBI rate cut expectations.
Passenger vehicle manufacturers are divided on relaxed emission norms for small cars, with Maruti supporting and Tata Motors and Mahindra opposing. They want higher super credits for electric vehicles, as the current draft gives similar credits to transitional technologies. A multiplier of 4 for EVs is being sought to create a stronger business case and prevent penalties for non-compliance.
Zepto and Swiggy's Instamart have removed handling and surge fees, making fast deliveries more affordable for customers. But this has caused a decrease in earnings for delivery partners due to lower base rates and batched runs. This has caused discontent among workers and a shift towards variable pay.
The 2025 Korea Grand Music Awards (KGMA) ceremony, created by Ilgan Sports, is back for its second year this weekend. Nam Ji Hyun will be the main MC, joined by Red Velvet's Irene and KISS OF LIFE's Natty. Popular actors like Byeon Woo Seok, Ahn Hyo Seop, and Choi Sooyoung will present trophies to musical stars. The event will be live-streamed globally on TikTok.
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has entered the life insurance market through a 50:50 joint venture with Canada's Manulife, with a total capital commitment of Rs 7,200 crore ($800 million). The JV is expected to reach a valuation of Rs 30,000 crore in 10 years and will focus on rural and semi-urban India.
ReNew Energy Global Plc has committed to investing Rs 60,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh to set up multiple green energy projects, bringing its total investment in the state to Rs 82,000 crore. These projects include a 6 GW PV ingot-wafer plant, a 2 GW pumped hydro project, a 300 KTPA green ammonia facility, and 5 GW of hybrid projects.
The Cabinet has approved a Rs 45,060 crore package for exporters, which includes a 2-3% reduction in cost of credit through interest subsidy and credit guarantee schemes. While the industry and experts see this as a positive move, they believe it may not fully address tariff and other challenges.
The CGSE provides low-interest loans with no guarantee fee or collateral needed to help direct and indirect exporters overcome working capital challenges. It has a loan limit of Rs 50 crore per borrower and will be in effect until March 2026 or until Rs 20,000 crore worth of guarantees are issued.
Shardul Thakur has been traded from Lucknow Super Giants to Mumbai Indians in a cash deal for Rs 2 crore ahead of the upcoming IPL auction. Along with Thakur, MI has also acquired all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans for Rs 2.6 crore. Arjun Tendulkar, who was bought by MI in 2023, has been traded to LSG. The IPL 2026 mini-auction is set for December
Jubilant Foodworks, a major food services company, reported a 3x increase in net profit and a 19.7% rise in revenue in the September quarter, surpassing market expectations. The company attributed this growth to strong demand for its brands, including Domino's, Popeyes, Dunkin, and Hong's Kitchen.
India adds 5.09 GW of thermal capacity in first half of FY25-26, aiming for 12.86 GW for the year. Pace has slowed, with only 4.53 GW added in FY25. Experts predict 9.4 GW added this year. 26 projects with 37.62 GW still under construction, facing delays. Despite challenges, India continues to expand thermal power capacity.
Dawn, a prominent English daily in Pakistan, received criticism for publishing an article with a response from an AI tool. The newspaper has corrected the error in the online version and launched an internal investigation. The online version also carries an Editor's note on the same.
Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles recorded a loss of Rs 867 crore in Q2 FY26, citing a one-time impairment charge. However, the company saw a 6.26% YoY revenue growth and a 12% YoY volume growth, driven by GST 2.0 and festive season demand. MD & CEO Girish Wagh emphasized on improved product availability, pricing strategy, and market performance.
Mari Selvaraj's Bison Kaalamaadan, a socially relevant sports drama, has garnered widespread acclaim since its Diwali release. Its thought-provoking narrative and commentary on societal problems have been appreciated by viewers and critics alike. The movie, along with other Tamil hits like Kaantha and Dude, will soon be streaming on Netflix.
Markets closed flat as investors awaited the crucial Bihar election results, with Nifty below 25,900 and Sensex stable. All attention is on the election's impact on government stability. Experts predict NDA's victory, but exit polls may not be accurate. In the long term, market performance will depend on earnings growth and potential factors.
Zohran Mamdani's transition team for NYC's mayoral administration received 50,000 job applications in just one week. They are seeking candidates of all experience levels to support their affordability agenda. With over $500,000 in donations raised, Mamdani's administration plans to prioritize freezing rents and expanding social benefits. He will officially become mayor on January 1, 2026.
Muthoot Finance, a top Indian gold loan provider, saw an 87.5% rise in Q2FY26 profit thanks to surging gold prices and increased loan demand. Standalone profit reached Rs 2,345.17 crore, with interest income up by 55%. Regulatory changes and tighter credit conditions have also contributed to higher demand, leading to a 47% growth in loan assets.
Sanlam Investment Group CEO Carl Roothman aims to increase their shareholding in Shriram's asset and wealth management businesses in India, where they have a successful 20-year partnership.
India's data centre industry is set for explosive growth, driven by AI, data consumption, cloud adoption, and data localisation norms. By 2030, the country's total DC capacity is expected to rise to 8GW, requiring a colossal $30 billion in capex. AI workloads are expected to take up 35% of capacity, with specialized AI data centres growing by 80% by 2027.
After Hema Malini's post defending Dharmendra against death rumours, his son Sunny Deol slammed paparazzi for invading their privacy and standing outside their home. Despite reassurances from the family, the rumours continued to circulate.
Jubilant Foodworks, operator of Domino’s India, saw a massive 192% YoY profit growth in Q2 FY26, with consolidated profits reaching Rs 194 crore compared to Rs 66 crore in Q2 FY25. The company also reported a 19.7% revenue growth, with consolidated revenue reaching Rs 2,340 crore. However, EBITDA margins decreased by 4 basis points to 20.3% in the quarter.
As Warren Buffett prepares to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor’s real estate choices reflect his trademark simplicity. Despite a net worth of over $149 billion, Buffett has lived in the same Omaha home since 1958 and owns little else beyond farmland and one former vacation house.
Tech giants Infosys and Accenture are set to establish development centres in Andhra Pradesh, with the state government offering incentives and selling land at a token price. The companies will invest Rs 2,000 crore and the state has signed 401 MoUs promising an inflow of Rs 9.8 lakh crore. The state also signed agreements with Taiwanese companies for an investment of Rs 18,400 crore
Motilal Oswal, a leading brokerage house, has a Buy rating on three stocks: Hindustan Aeronautics, Ashok Leyland, and Kirloskar Oil Engines. The company expects a 32% upside in one stock and has maintained its target price for Hindustan Aeronautics at Rs 1,800. Ashok Leyland is expected to see a rise in demand due to consumption revival, while Kirloskar Oil Engines' Q2 earnings came in strong.
A petition has been filed against Reliance Industries for allegedly stealing $1.55 billion worth of natural gas from ONGC wells. The Bombay High Court has issued a notice to the CBI and government for a probe. The petitioner claims Reliance committed a "massive organized fraud" by drilling into ONGC's blocks.
Paresh Rawal's film, The Taj Story, has faced criticism but still earned nearly 20 crore at the box office. Despite a lukewarm opening, it gained momentum during its first weekend and is now the fifth biggest hit of Rawal's career. It has a chance to surpass his fourth biggest hit, Raja Natwarlal.
Eicher Motors, the parent company of Royal Enfield, reported a net profit of Rs 1,369.45 crore in Q2FY26, a 24.46% increase from the previous year. Revenue also saw a significant jump of 45%, reaching Rs 6,071.19 crore. Royal Enfield recorded its highest-ever sales volume of 3,27,067 motorcycles, while VECV, saw a revenue increase by 10.3% to Rs 6,106 crore.
Indian equity benchmarks ended Thursday's session flat, with Nifty 50 closing at 25,879 and Sensex increasing by 12 points. Nifty Bank outperformed, settling 107 points higher, while midcap stocks declined and smallcap stocks saw a slight increase. Positive global and domestic cues, including Trump signing a funding bill and hopes of tariff relief, buoyed the market.