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.
PayPal CEO Alex Chriss believes that the future of money lies in domestic digital wallets, which will create a borderless payments ecosystem. With the launch of PayPal World, the company aims to connect local wallets to its platform, allowing users to make payments anywhere in the world.
Titan, India's largest jewellery retailer, is expecting a significant portion of its festive season sales to come from old gold exchange programs. Despite a rise in gold prices, the company reported a growth in domestic sales. However, there has been a decline in buyer count, with premium consumers driving sales.
Taylor Swift's new project 'The Life of a Showgirl' has been a huge hit, with her album breaking records and the accompanying movie topping the Box Office with $50 million in its opening weekend. The release party, featuring exclusive footage and insights from Swift, was a fan favourite. This cements Swift's position as one of the most successful artists in both music and film.
Passenger vehicle retail sales during Navratri period saw a 35% increase year-on-year, setting the tone for a record-breaking Diwali season. Lower GST rates and festive fervour led to a surge in sales, with a 6% overall growth in September. Two-wheeler, three-wheeler, commercial vehicle, and tractor sales also saw healthy gains.
US and India are determined to finalize their Bilateral Trade Agreement by November, despite the US government shutdown. Talks have been ongoing, with India pushing for the removal of additional tariffs and a reduction in reciprocal tariffs. The talks were postponed in August due to oil-related tariffs, but have resumed with a visit from the US chief negotiator.
British energy company bp plans to increase investments in India's energy sector, particularly in natural gas, renewable energy, and efficiency technologies. They will be participating in upcoming rounds of Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OELP) and have partnerships with Reliance Industries and ONGC.
Tata Capital's IPO, valued at Rs 15,512 crore, has been subscribed to 75% on the second day of the sale. The company received bids for 24,96,33,260 shares against 33,34,36,996 shares on offer. The QIB portion received 86% subscription, while non-institutional investors and retail investors subscribed to 76% and 67% respectively. The IPO will conclude on Wednesday and the company will use the
LG Electronics India Ltd, the Indian arm of South Korea's LG, saw its IPO fully subscribed on the first day of bidding. The three-day IPO received bids for 7,44,73,685 shares against 7,13,34,320 shares on offer. The IPO size is Rs 11,607 crore and the price band is Rs 1,080 to Rs 1,140 per share. The company will not receive any IPO proceeds as it is an offer-for-sale
A recent study challenges the notion that diet sodas are healthier than sugary beverages. It shows that even one diet soda per day can raise the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by 60%, while sugary drinks increase the risk by 50%. This condition can lead to serious health issues, making water the best choice for hydration.
The World Bank has increased India's growth forecast for this year to 6.5%, but lowered it to 6.3% for next year due to US tariffs. The report also notes India's robust private consumption and investment, aided by government initiatives and infrastructure developments.
The Trump family is known for their impressive height, with Donald Trump standing at 6'2 and his youngest son Barron towering at 6'9. Despite his love for soccer, Barron's height has hindered his dream of pursuing a career in the sport. He has now shifted his focus to business and cryptocurrency becoming one of the wealthiest teenagers with a net worth of $150 million.
Sujeeth's action-packed blockbuster "The Call Him OG" starring Pawan Kalyan, Emraan Hashmi (in his Telugu debut), Prakash Raj, Priyanka Mohan, and more has been a hit at the box office, earning over Rs 180 crores domestically and Rs 283 crores worldwide. It faced tough competition from other releases and saw a decline in collections on its 12th day, despite Pawan Kalyan's star power.
Jaguar Land Rover, owned by Tata Motors, experienced a significant decline in sales in Q2 FY26 due to a six-week shutdown caused by cyber attacks. All markets were affected, with the UK being the most impacted. Production is gradually resuming and upfront cash is being provided to smaller parts suppliers.
The Indian real estate sector remained strong in Q3 of 2025, with a 1% increase in sales in major cities. Mumbai and Chennai saw growth, while Pune experienced a decline. The market is stabilizing after a prolonged upcycle, thanks to lower inflation and interest rates. Developers should shift focus to affordable housing as demand for luxury homes is weakening.
Motilal Oswal maintains a 'Buy' rating on Avenue Supermarts despite weak Q2 FY26 growth and margins. DMart's revenue grew 15.4% YoY in Q2 FY26, driven by store additions and mid-single digit SSSG. However, margin pressures are expected to continue due to muted SSSG. The company added 8 stores in Q2 FY26 and is expected to add 60 net stores in FY26.
Indian equity benchmarks ended the day higher, with the Nifty 50 closing 0.12% higher and the Sensex jumping 0.17%. The Nifty Bank settled 0.24% higher, while midcap stocks surged. The BSE Midcap declined 0.45%, and the BSE Smallcap finished 0.15% lower. Analysts believe that the markets may see a short-term pause, but the overall trend remains positive.
NITI Aayog CEO emphasizes the significance of robust trading ties with neighbouring countries, especially China and its $18 trillion economy. Reforms to be announced before Diwali, with first reports already submitted. Learning from other nations, increasing trade with neighbours crucial. CEO urges focus on Asia and competing with China, acknowledging past missed chances for India.
For decades, Indian families have looked at the United States as the ultimate destination, a place where hard work, education, and opportunity could rewrite one’s destiny. For many young Indians, the way to live those dreams was through marriage, with families hoping to find a match working on H-1B visa in America.
The World Bank predicts India's economy to grow at 6.5% in FY26, making it the fastest-growing major economy. However, US tariffs on Indian exports could hinder growth. The report emphasizes the need to reduce trade barriers and invest in AI skills to boost growth and create jobs.
The sale of Coldrif cough syrup has been banned in multiple states due to high levels of toxic substance DEG. 14 children, mostly under 5, have died from consuming the syrup, sparking a nationwide investigation and arrests. The Centre has warned against giving the syrup to children under 2 and suggests safer alternatives like honey and steam inhalation.
