When Peter Thiel told a room full of Stanford students that "competition is for losers," he wasn't being provocative for its own sake. He was articulating a philosophy that would come to define how the most valuable companies in the world are built. In Zero to One, Thiel argues that the goal of every serious business should not be to beat competitors — it should be to make competition irrelevant.
The RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group has acquired a 1.4 GW solar portfolio from ReNew Solar Power for Rs 4,859 crore, as part of the surge in mid-sized mergers and acquisitions in the renewable energy sector. This is one of many deals in the past six months, as companies aim to expand their portfolios through inorganic growth.
Despite El Nino's negative impact on the southwest monsoon, frequent low-pressure systems in July improved rainfall in central India and reduced the deficit from 36% to 12%. Climate experts predict continued variability in rainfall, but recent showers have aided kharif crop sowing. While the monsoon season has seen below-average rainfall, there are signs that El Nino may have a beneficial effect.
India's unemployment rate reached 5.4% in April-June 2026, the highest in four quarters, affecting both rural and urban areas. The rise in joblessness was mainly among young females in cities. Out of the 566 million employed, 402 million were male and 164 million were female. The labour force participation rate also decreased, raising concerns about the declining female participation rate.
Acer India aims to boost market share in PC segment through premium laptops, gaming PCs, and offline retail. Chief sales officer, Sanjeev Mehtani, prioritizes profitability and expansion in untapped areas. Despite challenges, Acer is now the second-largest PC maker in India. Focus on enterprise, small and medium businesses, and reclaiming lost ground.
TCG Real Estate, a part of The Chatterjee Group, has launched a new residential brand, Yukio, with two properties in Pune and plans to add 1,500 more beds in other cities. It aims to cater to the evolving urban housing landscape and provide curated amenities for young professionals.
India to produce first gene-edited rice this winter, Pusa DST Rice 1, with high tolerance to salinity and alkalinity. Expected to increase yield by 10-30% under stress conditions and promote sustainable agriculture. Genome-editing technology used for precise changes in plant genes, reducing environmental impact. Will be available for widespread adoption by farmers in upcoming seasons.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg urges for a reevaluation of AI policies in the US and introduces Muse Glimmer, an open-weight model for agentic tasks on consumer hardware. He defends the use of AI distillation and advocates for less restrictions on training data to maintain the country's leadership in open source. Meta also plans to release its advanced model, Muse Spark 1.2, soon.
India and the SACU are finalizing a PTA that will lower duties on select items. This is happening amidst South Africa's plan to raise duties on cars from India and China. The ToR outlines the goals and areas of focus for trade talks, aiming to enhance trade and collaboration in key industries.
Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC introduced two new investment funds, Apex Equity Long-Short Fund and Apex Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund, with a flexible equity investment approach. These funds provide diversified exposure to the equity market and can adjust equity exposure according to market conditions. They are ideal for long-term growth and are open for subscription until August 24, 2026.
The Indian government's iDEX programme has boosted the country's defence innovation ecosystem, with numerous start-ups and MSMEs working on military-defined issues. The programme has expanded to include more complex technologies and increased funding to bridge the gap between development and usability. Other initiatives have also been launched to support indigenous defence technology.
Axis Securities predicts Nifty to reach 27,200 by the end of 2026 with a price to earnings multiple of 19.5x. This is dependent on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, improvement in monsoon, and a rate cut by RBI. In a bull case scenario, Nifty could close at 28,615 with FPI inflows of Rs 1.4-1.8 lakh crore. However, in case of an escalation in the West
FlixBus India is expanding its intercity mobility services in India, with Andhra Pradesh as its fastest-growing market. It plans to increase its fleet by 80% this year and aims to make India its biggest market by 2030. The company also plans to establish a Global Capability Centre and deploy 500 electric buses with Vertelo.
The Railway Board has approved new daily services and extensions of existing trains in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Passengers can now enjoy more travel options and improved connectivity on key regional routes. The new services include the Kasganj-Aishbagh Express and Valsad-Surat MEMU, while three existing trains will be extended to additional destinations.
Russia is exploring an alternative rail route to the Indian Ocean through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus for shipping. The proposed route could also strengthen connectivity with India, Central Asia, and Iran. However, the commercial viability and geopolitical complexities of the route remain uncertain.
The MMRDA is constructing a 9.6-km metro line between Thane and Dombivli to alleviate transportation congestion. The project will cost Rs 4,500 crore and include 7-8 stations. It will enhance connectivity between various modes of transport and link with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail station at Diva. Additionally, it will connect with Mumbai Metro Line 12, improving accessibility to Kaly.
Jefferies, a global brokerage house, has increased SBI Life Insurance's target price to Rs 2,600, predicting a 40% potential gain. The company had a strong Q1FY27, surpassing estimates with a 19% higher Value of New Business (VNB). The growth was driven by APE and group term insurance, as well as a rise in agency channel and individual product sales.
A little more than a decade ago, David Wright and Melanie Alder were selling fridge magnets online from Alder’s living room. They were not chasing a billion-dollar business. They were simply looking for a way to earn some extra money and support their families.
A special train will operate between Mumbai CSMT and Madgaon on select days, providing another option for passngers to reach Goa by rail. The train will operate in both directions with multiple stops along the Konkan coast, allowing passengers from various stations to board. The train will have 24 coaches and will run on August 13 and 15, 2026.
Indian Railways has launched a new special train between New Delhi and Supaul, connecting major stations in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The train will run daily from August 6 to September 30, 2026, offering passengers a direct rail service to the Mithilanchal region. The service will also provide an additional option for passengers and improve connectivity between major cities and towns.
Jefferies, a brokerage firm, has adjusted its India-focused long-only equity portfolio by removing HDFC Bank and PolicyBazaar and adding MCX and Lenskart. It has also replaced REC with Bajaj Finance and increased its allocation to Eternal while reducing Bharti Airtel. These changes reflect positive trends in foreign investments and strong domestic indicators, such as bank credit growth.
According to Oxford International’s third Student Global Mobility Index, as many as 81% of Indian students who plan to study abroad said they expect to return to India after finishing their courses.
Middle East diplomacy entered a tense holding pattern this weekend, with US President Trump signalling restraint toward Iran while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly rejected a US-backed Gaza peace framework, exposing cracks in Washington's regional strategy just months before midterm elections.
The Mehta Schools, funded by the Mehta Family Foundation, are a new approach to Indian technical education with a focus on global challenges. The latest addition is the Mehta Family School of Sustainability at IIT Indore, offering India's first undergraduate degree in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Engineering. This model extends to other domains and emphasizes global collaborations.
IITs are shifting from traditional engineering programs to include humanities, social sciences, and management. This was showcased in IIT Delhi's 57th convocation where non-traditional programs like Bachelor of Design and MA in Culture, Society, Thought were introduced. They are also collaborating with NITs and implementing new initiatives to break disciplinary barriers.
In the first half of 2026, EV sales in India doubled hybrid car sales, with top EV models outperforming total hybrid sales by more than double. This is due to automakers launching affordable EVs with diverse body styles. Toyota leads in hybrids, but other global players are gearing up to introduce new models. With more options for green cars, the customer will ultimately benefit.
Hyundai's highly anticipated Creta Electric, launched in January 2025, has impressive engineering and features but has seen disappointing sales due to its high starting price of Rs 17.99 lakh. To make EV ownership more accessible, Hyundai has introduced Battery-as-a-Service with a lower entry price of Rs 10.99 lakh and a 60% buyback program.
Maruti Suzuki aims to achieve its next million sales milestone ahead of schedule, driven by SUVs and alternative powertrains. It plans to increase production capacity and launch seven new SUV models in the next five years. The company predicts the Indian passenger vehicle market to grow to 6.1-6.3 million units by FY31 and is also focusing on expanding exports and adopting alternative fuels.
Automakers are gearing up for a strong festive season with aggressive product refresh cycles. Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, and others are launching new models and facelifts across SUVs, electric vehicles, and premium cars.
Samsung has released two new foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra, which have similar features and performance. The Ultra has a larger display, better camera, and bigger battery. The main difference is the Ultra's 8-inch inner and 6.5-inch outer screens, compared to the Fold8's 7.6-inch and 5.5-inch displays. Both phones use the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.
Many companies fail to recognize the risks associated with unstructured data, also known as "dark data," which can have serious legal, operational, and strategic implications. To avoid increased legal costs, regulatory issues, and unreliable AI results, it is crucial for companies to address this issue by identifying, organizing, and managing their dark data.
The Lok Sabha passed a Bill allowing the government to impose a fee on UPI and other electronic payments. While the government assures that most transactions will remain free, there are concerns about the impact on India's popular payment mode.
Uttar Pradesh has received investment commitments of over Rs 45,000 crore from eight leading companies, in industries such as manufacturing, semiconductors, electronics, and renewable energy. The projects, concentrated in Gautam Buddha Nagar, are expected to create more than 25,000 direct jobs and boost the state's position as a top industrial destination.
The finance ministry has released Rs 58,000 crore for food subsidy to FCI to supply free rice and wheat to 800 million people under PMGKAY. Timely release of expenses can control rising economic costs of carrying surplus food grains. FCI holds 90.49 MT of rice and wheat, and economic costs for these grains may increase in the future, causing the food subsidy budget for FY27 to exceed.
Only 18% of approved pharmaceutical units have received incentives under the government's technology-upgradation scheme due to delays in meeting manufacturing norms. Compliance remains low despite the scheme's goal of aiding MSME units. The government has extended the deadline to December 2025 and is addressing operational difficulties for smaller companies, as urged by a parliamentary panel.
The Indian government plans to increase the minimum investment threshold for large foreign projects needing approval, from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore. This move aims to attract more foreign investments and improve ease of doing business. The process for handling FDI proposals has also been revised, with a set timeline for security clearance and approvals from relevant ministries.
The National Pension System (NPS) offers a triple tax advantage that extends beyond just a tax deduction at the time of investment. With no capital gains tax on portfolio rebalancing, NPS allows for investment decisions to be driven by financial goals and risk appetite.
The closing auction session (CAS) has caused temporary price dislocations and increased volatility in arbitrage funds. This may result in slightly higher NAV fluctuations, but does not necessarily indicate higher risk. The impact of CAS on long-term returns is expected to be minimal, and investors should focus on post-tax returns, spreads, and fund consistency.
Monsoon rainfall in July has positively impacted kharif sowing, but uneven distribution and regional disparities raise concerns for crop growth and yield. Adequate rainfall in August and September is crucial for paddy, cotton, soybean, groundnut, and pulses. Monsoon deficit has decreased to 11%, but Gujarat faces adverse effects of excessive rainfall.
The Lok Sabha amendment has exempted REITs and InvITs from dividend tax under the new tax regime, leading to increased investor interest and inflows. This, coupled with REITs' inclusion in Nifty equity indices in 2026, is expected to benefit a wide range of investors and strengthen these structures.
Iran has set new and tougher conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid talks on a deal to manage the waterway. Tehran now insists that the United States should "correct its behaviour" and provide compensation for 'violating' an earlier agreement.
India plans to introduce electric air taxis by 2028, with testing starting next year. The government sees this as a solution for city congestion, especially in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi where road travel to the airport can take up to two hours. The Civil Aviation Minister has set a two-year target for commercial use, pending safety and affordability.
India's data centre capacity has grown fourfold in six years, fueled by rising demand for cloud services, AI, and high-performance computing. Private companies, both local and global, are investing in data centres in major cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, as well as emerging locations like Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency will complete the rollout of body cameras for its officers and agents by the end of August, Acting Director David Venturella said on Saturday.
The US Senate passed a bill allowing President Trump to impose high tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, including India. This could greatly affect Indian exports, especially in the engineering industry. The bill also mandates a review of the top five buyers of Russian energy every 180 days.
Several companies, such as DocHome, Doctor@Home, Pulse Doctor at Home, Doctor Dada, Dr Morepen, DocNCR, Apollo, Medanta, and Max Healthcare, offer doctor home visit services within 20-60 minutes in metropolitan cities. These services include urgent consultations, medicine delivery, and diagnostic services.
Brazil will play two friendlies in Australia before their match against India in Kolkata. Despite their World Cup disappointment, Brazil is still popular in India. The match is seen as a marketing success, but issues like the absence of a domestic league and match practice have been ignored.
Scented candles are a trendy addition to our homes, but they can pose health hazards. Despite their relaxing ambiance, they emit harmful substances such as VOCs and chemicals that can harm our lungs. To minimize risks, doctors suggest choosing natural ingredients and avoiding synthetic fragrances and dyes. Prolonged use in poorly ventilated areas can also have negative effects.
Dr. Lekh Ram Sharma emphasizes the correct usage of nutrient supplements, stating that slow-release versions may not be suitable for everyone. It is crucial to follow a doctor's recommendations and take supplements with the right foods for proper absorption. They should not replace a balanced diet and require medical supervision, especially for those with absorption problems.
Chhattisgarh Forest Department launches India's first hornbill safari in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve to protect Malabar Pied Hornbill. Visitors can witness the bird in its natural habitat and spot other species. Safari also trains local youth as birdwatchers and promotes eco-tourism and community conservation. Best time to visit is August to February.
Fermented foods like sauerkraut and gundruk are gaining popularity due to influential figures like US President Donald Trump's cabinet members adopting them. These foods not only evoke nostalgia but also provide health benefits as natural probiotics and essential nutrients. They are also being incorporated into modern dishes and drinks, showcasing their versatility and evolution.