Book Review: World atlas of innovation

In "The New Geography of Innovation," Mohit Hira Mehran Gul examines the changing landscape of global innovation, showcasing success stories from diverse regions such as Silicon Valley, Seoul, and Southeast Asia. The book challenges the notion that only the US and China lead in innovation and explores the key factors that contribute to a thriving technology ecosystem.

Government introduces new rule to incentivise digital payments at toll plazas starting November 15. Vehicles without valid FASTag will be charged twice the toll fee if paid in cash, but only 1.25x if paid through UPI. The amendment aims to promote ease of commuting, transparency, and efficiency in toll collection. The change will be effective from November 15, 2025.

Gen Z has made a mark in the corporate world with their non-conformist mindset, leading to several of them becoming billionaires. From tech founders to crypto traders, they have used their tech-savviness to create successful businesses. Some notable Gen Z billionaires include Alexandr Wang, Palmer Luckey, Ed Craven, Evan Spiegel, Ben Francis, Vitalik Buterin, and Kim Jung-Youn.

Rishikesh, a pilgrimage spot, is India's priciest vacation destination according to a recent Hotelivate report. Top leisure destinations like Mumbai and Delhi are dominated by business cities, while Goa shows signs of slowing down. The report also discusses the effects of airfares, location, and geopolitics. Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad are the top business destinations.

The proposed HIRE Act in the US has raised concerns in India's IT-BPM industry due to its 25% excise tax on foreign service providers and discouragement of tax deductions. This may push the industry to shift towards investing in assets, productization, and co-investment models to create intellectual property and establish India as an innovation hub on a global scale.

Allcargo Logistics's subsidiary, ALX Shipping Agencies India, has filed a complaint against its CEO and a business associate for alleged financial irregularities. The complaint, filed with the Economic Offences Wing, seeks criminal proceedings against the two for a conspiracy involving unauthorized agreements worth Rs 10 crore. The company is conducting a deeper investigation.

Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla's risky decision to produce Covishield before clinical trials proved successful, boosting revenue and profits. He has also invested in non-banking finance and film production, and is now prioritizing the development of SII's own intellectual property for future vaccines. Poonawalla's accomplishments have earned him recognition as a top pharmaceutical leader.

Two coaches attending the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi were bitten by stray dogs and have been treated for their injuries. Social media users are calling for action and stricter measures to control stray dogs near the stadium, with some suggesting relocation to shelter homes. The Organising Committee blames individuals who feed stray dogs, raising concerns about athlete safety.

Vodafone Idea has named Tejas Mehta as their new CFO and Key Managerial Personnel, replacing Murthy GVAS. Mehta, with over 25 years of experience, has worked in India and abroad in senior leadership roles. His appointment comes amidst the company's current challenges.

The governments of MP, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu have banned Coldrif cough syrup due to reports of children dying from consuming it. The MP CM has formed a team to investigate, while the drug controller in Rajasthan has been suspended and batches of Dextromethorphan-based medicines have been stopped. Tamil Nadu is also conducting inspections and the Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory.

Sameer Wankhede, former NCB Director, stirred controversy with his statements on the youth's choice of role models, expressing disbelief in their preference for actors over real-life heroes like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Tanaji Malusare. He also made headlines for taking legal action against Shah Rukh Khan's production company for a character's resemblance.

Japan's ruling LDP has elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, paving the way for her to become the country's first female prime minister. Her victory over Shinjiro Koizumi is seen as an effort to restore public confidence amid rising living costs and support for stricter immigration policies. Takaichi, a conservative politician and graduate of Kobe University, aims to turn anxieties into hope.

Taylor Swift released her new album, 'Life of a Showgirl', on October 3. On The Graham Norton Show, she announced her engagement to Travis Kelce, a Super Bowl champion. Their social media post received over 35 million likes and showed off her engagement ring, sharing that Kelce had planned her proposal. She mentioned wedding plans, but is currently focusing on her album.

PM Modi launches youth-focused initiatives worth Rs 62,000 crore, with special focus on Bihar. This includes the PM-SETU scheme to upgrade ITIs, a revamped allowance and skill training scheme for graduates, and the redesigned Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme. He also inaugurates Bihar Yuva Ayog and Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University to empower the state's young population.

ITI Mutual Fund CEO Jatinderpal Singh sees market corrections as a chance for investors to join India's growth. He stresses the need to consider goals, risk, and horizon when choosing an SIP. Reforms are increasing transparency and trust, and the specialized investment fund category will drive product innovation. The fund's outlook for the market is optimistic in the medium term.

The U.S. Treasury has revealed a draft design for a $1 coin honoring President Trump and the 250th anniversary of American independence. The design features Trump in profile, with the words "liberty" and "1776-2026" and a reference to his "fight, fight, fight" remark.

HDFC Bank's second quarter results, to be released on October 18, show a 9% increase in advances year-on-year, with a total of Rs 27.69 lakh crore. Deposits also saw double-digit growth, with an average of Rs 27.10 lakh crore during the quarter. CASA deposits grew 7.4% and time deposits increased 18.6%, leading to a total deposit amount of Rs 28.02 lakh crore.

Edtech company PhysicsWallah, co-founded by Alakh Panday and Prateek Maheshwari, has seen a remarkable 223% surge in wealth to Rs 14,510 crore, surpassing Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's net worth of Rs 12,490 crore. Despite narrowing its net loss and recording a revenue of Rs 2,886 crore, PhysicsWallah has filed for a Rs 3,820 crore IPO, with leading banks appointed to manage

An American man's post flaunting his 5-year Indian visa and comparing PM Modi and President Trump's treatment of foreigners has gone viral. The post highlights India's welcoming attitude towards foreign talent in blockchain and AI, with others also sharing their Indian visa pictures and calling India their home.

Congress leader Harish Chaudhary mourns the death of former Bikaner MP Rameshwar Lal Dudi, who died at 62 after being in a coma for two years. Dudi was a strong advocate for marginalized communities and his political career started in his student days. His passing is a huge loss for Rajasthan.

After Hamas signalled its acceptance of key parts of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan on Friday, international reactions started pouring in. The plan aims to free Israeli hostages in Gaza and bring an end to the nearly two-year conflict.

Tata Capital, a Tata Group company, raised Rs 4,642 crore from anchor investors for its upcoming IPO. The demand was almost five times higher than the shares on offer, with top domestic and global investors such as LIC, ICICI Pru MF, and Goldman Sachs participating. The IPO, opening on October 6, aims to raise Rs 15,512 crore to boost the company's Tier-1 capital and lending capacity.

Kantara: Chapter 1, the action-thriller directed by Rishab Shetty, has become a massive hit in just two days, grossing Rs 106.85 crore. The prequel to the 2022 film Kantara, it is one of the fastest to cross the Rs 100 crore mark. Despite competition from Bollywood's 'Sunny Sanskari ki Tulsi Kumari', Kantara: Chapter 1 continues to dominate the box office, with a

Biocon MD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has called out the rampant corruption in Karnataka, questioning the state's pride if its administration is corrupt. This was in response to former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai's post exposing the "most corrupt departments" in India. Pai tagged CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, urging them to take action against corruption.

Hamas has accepted some of Trump's 20-point ceasefire plan, agreeing to release hostages and negotiate with the Palestinian body for control of Gaza. Israel has halted operations in Gaza and focused on defence. PM Modi has praised the move as a significant step towards peace. Trump has expressed gratitude to countries for their support in achieving the ceasefire.

Tally Solutions plans to increase its customer base from 2.7 million to 3.5 million in 2-3 years. This growth will be fueled by SMEs adopting digitisation and the expected impact of GST 2.0. MD Tejas Goenka predicts that the revised GST regime and rise of digital-first entrepreneurs will drive even more demand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded US President Donald Trump for his efforts in brokering peace in Gaza. His statement came hours after Hamas agreed to follow parts of Trump’s 20-point peace plan. 

Apple removes ICEBlock app from App Store due to government pressure, sparking dispute with app creator. Civilian surveillance of ICE increases under Trump administration, with activists aiming to protect communities. Legal experts say surveillance is constitutional. Apple removes over 1,700 apps in 2024 due to government demands, majority from China.

Disgraced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for prostitution-related crimes, the NY Times reported. The Manhattan federal court verdict came after months of lurid testimony and years of accusations involving sexual assault, racketeering, and other misconduct.

A second U.S. appeals court has declared President Trump's effort to limit birthright citizenship unconstitutional, upholding injunctions that have stopped the executive order from taking effect nationwide. The court cited the 14th Amendment's protection of anyone born in the U.S. as a citizen.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after late Loknete D B Patil, with approvals for renaming Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar airports also expected soon. The Centre and state are in agreement on the naming, with the Prime Minister assuring that it will be done as per the state's proposal.

President Trump has changed his mind about reducing $187 million in security funding for New York, a move that Governor Kathy Hochul called "devastating." The grants, managed by FEMA, aid in counterterrorism and emergency readiness efforts. This reversal follows lawsuits and a federal judge's halt on cutting funds for states led by Democrats.

A coalition of unions, employers, and religious groups have filed a lawsuit to block President Trump's plan to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. The plaintiffs argue that Trump does not have the authority to alter the visa program and that the fee will harm the economy and national security. The program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers, with India being the largest beneficiary.

Eyewear retailer Lenskart has received Sebi approval for its IPO, which includes a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 2,150 crore and an offer for sale of up to 132 million shares by existing investors and promoters. Promoters will sell 20 million shares, while institutional and other shareholders own 80%. The company plans to use the proceeds for expansion.

28,000 crore

Tata Capital, the financial services arm of the Tata group, has raised Rs 4,641.8 crore from 135 anchor investors ahead of its IPO launch. Top investors such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are among the anchor investors. The IPO will open on October 6 and close on October 8, with a total size of Rs 15,512 crore and shares priced at Rs 310 to Rs 326, valuing the company at Rs.

Over Rs 2.57 lakh crore worth of shares from 79 companies will be unlocked between October 6 and January 30, with Rs 41,427 crore available for sale in the first 30 days. However, not all shareholders are expected to sell their stake. Bharti Hexacom, Waaree Energies have the highest value of shares to be unlocked while Urban Company and HDB Financial Services face pressure due to lock-in expiry.

Two-wheeler manufacturers saw a 9% increase in dispatches to dealerships in September, thanks to the cut in GST rates and the start of the Navratri season. Hero MotoCorp, Royal Enfield, TVS Motor, and Bajaj Auto all saw growth in their volumes, with Royal Enfield leading the pack with a 43% surge. However, some demand was held back due to lack of discounts and extended monsoon.

Trai suggests a digital radio broadcast policy for private broadcasters in 13 major cities, with higher reserve prices in Mumbai and Delhi. The shift to simulcast mode allows for one analogue, three digital, and one data channel on a single frequency. Existing FM operators can migrate and new entrants can start in digital. The revenue model includes 4% AGR for cities and 2% for border and hills.

India has launched an anti-dumping investigation into the alleged dumping of stainless steel sheets from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) filed a complaint, stating that these imports were causing losses to domestic producers. The DGTR has also initiated investigations into imports of melamine, wallpaper and others.

The Honor X7c 5G is a sturdy and reliable option in the mid-range phone category with solid build quality, water and dust resistance, and durability. It features a bright and sharp 6.8-inch display, dual 5G SIM support, and a powerful Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor. The phone also has a long-lasting battery and supports super-fast charging.

The iPhone Air is Apple's newest and most advanced device, boasting a slim and lightweight design that has captivated fans and tech lovers. With a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, an A19 Pro chip, and a 48MP Fusion camera system, it offers top-notch performance and features like Centre Stage for photos and videos. Despite its cost, it's a must-have for daily use, gaming, and more.

Air India to move one-third of domestic departures from Delhi airport's T3 to T2 from October 26. 60 out of 180 daily domestic flights to shift to upgraded T2, while Air India Express to relocate to renovated T1. International flights to continue from T3. Passengers to receive free shuttle services and extra ground staff during transition.

Agentic AI, such as Lenovo's AI assistant, Lena, is transforming customer support with its blend of efficiency, scalability, and human-like engagement. As businesses prioritize AI and restructure support operations, these systems are becoming more responsive, intelligent, and empathetic at scale. By analyzing data, making independent decisions, and learning from interactions.

India is dominating GitHub's developer community with 19.2 million users and is projected to become the largest by 2028. The country's contributions to AI innovation have increased by 95%, aided by Microsoft-owned GitHub's AI tools like Copilot. This will boost productivity and job satisfaction, creating a citizen-developer culture and positioning India as a top talent hub in the AI era.

FCI rice stocks have hit a 10-year high of 36.3 MT, causing concerns about economic costs and the food subsidy bill. Paddy procurement for 2025-26 will further add to the stocks. Despite efforts to reduce stocks, the economic cost of rice may rise. Wheat inventories have also reached a four-year high.

Warburg Pincus-owned Truhome Finance, formerly Shriram Housing Finance, will receive Rs 500 crore from the private equity firm this month. With assets of Rs 20,000 crore, they plan to expand to tier-II and III cities and become a top affordable housing finance company. They are also investing in technology and seeking a credit rating upgrade.

The DGCA's first-ever rankings of FTOs showed that none received an A+ or A rating, with safety standards and training infrastructure being identified as the weakest links. Concerns were raised about the quality of training and pilots being produced. Nearly two-thirds of FTOs ranked 'C' will receive notices to improve, and the next round of rankings will include more institutes.

This weekend's OTT releases have something for everyone, from action-packed thrillers to heart-warming romantic dramas. AR Murugadoss's Madharaasi and Netflix's Genie, Make a Wish are must-watch Tamil and Korean offerings, while Steve and Monster: The Ed Gein Story offer intense psychological dramas.

India's pension industry is set to expand the National Pension System (NPS) tenfold in five years, with the launch of the Multi Scheme Framework (MSF) offering multiple differentiated schemes. Reforms in distribution, fee structure, and exit rules aim to make NPS more attractive and flexible for savers.

Marico's Q2FY26 saw a 30% increase in revenue, driven by price hikes and strong sales of premium hair oils. Despite GST 2.0 reforms, domestic volume grew high-single-digit. However, high input costs and brand-building investments may lead to modest operating profit growth. International markets, especially Bangladesh and MENA, showed strong growth for the company.