Microsoft's AI group has hired over two dozen employees from Google's DeepMind, including top management, causing a major reshuffle at Alphabet's Google. As tensions rise between Copilot and Gemini, key roles have been left vacant. Meta also offered a $100 million signing bonus to OpenAI employees, leading to the hiring of Scale AI and former GitHub CEOs.
The pay increase for government staff has been higher than per capita net national income since the mid-1990s, resulting in a burden on the exchequer. Salaries and pensions now account for 18% of the Centre's revenue expenditure, with pension expenses surpassing salaries due to increased life expectancy.
Johar's Dharma Productions sold a 50% stake to Serum Institute's Adar Poonawalla due to financial strain. Johar relied on childhood friend Apoorva Mehta as a negotiator. The deal aimed to expand the production house's reach and fund bigger projects. Despite criticism, Johar has successfully built Dharma into a prestigious production house with hit films.
TikTok star Kaelin Bradshaw, 29, has passed away after battling stage four Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). Her husband confirmed the heartbreaking news on Wednesday, just less than a year after her diagnosis. Kaelin was determined to fight the rare cancer and fulfilled her promise to never give up, but unfortunately, the disease progressed beyond her body's ability to keep fighting.
President Trump has ordered the Department of War to begin testing nuclear weapons, citing the testing programs of other countries. This decision was made before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and following Russia's successful test of a nuclear-powered super torpedo.
Alphabet's financial results exceeded expectations, with strong performance in advertising and cloud computing. Despite worries about an AI bubble, the company is increasing its projected capital expenditures to meet customer demand and take advantage of opportunities. Google's CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the company's investment in growth.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reported strong revenue growth in the third quarter. However, they also announced plans for significant capital expenses next year to support their investments in artificial intelligence. This includes building data centers, which will impact profit margins.
Microsoft's AI infrastructure spending has surpassed expectations, raising concerns about its sustainability. The company reported a record $35 billion in capital expenditure for Q1 and expects it to increase further. Other tech giants also warned of higher spending due to capacity constraints. However, the investment has paid off, with Azure cloud revenue growing 40%.
CPPIB, a Canadian pension fund, will increase investments in India due to its booming economy and favorable market conditions. India is the third-largest market for the fund in Asia-Pacific with C$29.5 billion in assets. Investments will target various assets like real estate, energy, infrastructure, e-commerce, and emerging technologies like AI and data centers.
MUFG, Japan's largest bank, is investing in India's fintech landscape and backing startups such as Jupiter, M2P, Lentra, and Dhan through its corporate venture arm, MUFG Innovation Partners (MUIP). The firm sees potential in India's digital financial growth story and AI-led innovations.
Melania Trump has already decorated the White House for Halloween 2025, despite the East Wing being reduced for a $300 million ballroom. Meanwhile, Trump's childhood home in NYC has been renovated and is back on the market. Locals are relieved but worried about the new owner, hoping they won't rent it out to students. The property is expected to sell for over $1 million.
Amway plans to invest Rs 100 crore in India over the next three to five years to enhance distribution capabilities and expand physical stores. India is a key market for the company and one of its three global manufacturing hubs. The local production hub helps mitigate geopolitical and tariff-related challenges.
Great Learning, a professional upskilling company, experienced a significant increase in profits and revenue for FY25, thanks to the high demand for AI upskilling globally. This growth was achieved through innovative approaches and integration of generative AI.
Siddharth Mehta, founder and CIO of Bay Capital, believes that the next big opportunities in the Indian market will come from businesses that cater to domestic demand rather than relying on momentum or leverage. He also discusses the need for financial netting and FPI flows, and highlights emerging themes in the economy.
India's AI ecosystem is growing fast and will need 100,000 GPUs in the future to support its use in critical areas like manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture. This reflects the country's push to decrease reliance on foreign infrastructure and develop domestic capacity.
BII, a UK development finance institution, is giving a $75 million loan to Blueleaf Energy, an Asia-focused renewable energy platform. The funding will aid Blueleaf's growth and investment in India's renewable energy projects, adding 2GW of clean energy capacity and reducing 3.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions yearly.
Sebi has prohibited mutual funds from investing in pre-IPO placements due to liquidity risks. This process allows for private sale of shares before an official IPO, offering buyers a discount. While it can enhance returns, there are also liquidity and valuation risks. This has sparked debate among mutual funds, who see it as a disadvantage compared to US funds that can invest in pre-IPO shares.
AWS is making a significant impact in India's public sector by collaborating with the government to implement successful projects in healthcare, public procurement, and transportation. Their long-term commitment to India includes a $12.7 billion investment by 2030.
AESL shareholders approve proposal to increase authorised share capital, paving way for rights issue. NCLAT gives "green signal" for move. RP representing Think & Learn raises objections, citing ongoing legal proceedings. AESL Chairman states capital increase and rights issue are critical for continuity and stability of operations.
Capital Small Finance Bank aims to double its loan book to Rs 16,000 crore by FY29, with a focus on MSME and mortgage segments. It plans to expand its branch network and enter new markets like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. The bank also aims to increase its gold loan book and maintain a high share of CASA deposits. It reported a 5% growth in net profit and targets to improve NIM and reduce NPA ratio.
RBI issues draft guidelines to streamline cross-border inward payments, aiming to reduce delays in crediting funds to beneficiaries. The new norms align with the G20 road map and require banks to inform the receipt of transactions immediately and credit them to customer accounts on the same business day.
PepsiCo has revealed a new corporate identity, including a new logo, tagline, and website, after 25 years. The rebrand highlights the company's diverse portfolio and global presence, with a focus on sustainability and consumer-centric values. Experts believe this could impact Indian operations and lead to a shift towards purpose-driven and emotionally engaging brands.
Nifty futures rollover percentage drops to 76% in October series, according to Nuvama report. Telecom, IT, and infrastructure sectors see significant open interest addition at the start of November series. Nifty has historically performed well in November, with a 1.6% average gain over the past decade.
Halloween, a traditional American holiday, is becoming increasingly popular in India and is now celebrated on October 31. This festival has gained attention in Indian cities with themed parties, costumes, and trick-or-treating. Get ready to add some creativity to your social media posts with these Halloween quotes and captions, ranging from spooky to funny, witchy to magical.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) reported a 16% increase in consolidated net profit for the July-September quarter, but narrowly missed Bloomberg's consensus estimate. The company's revenue rose 10.4% year-on-year, but fell short of estimates. The quarter saw strong order inflows, with new orders worth Rs 1,15,784 crore. L&T's order book stood at Rs 6,67,047 crore, with international orders contributing 49
The Pune Grand Tour, India's first Pro State Elite Race for men, will take place in January 2026. Bajaj Group and Serum Institute of India are the title and co-sponsors, respectively, aiming to promote cycling and boost tourism. The 4-day race will cover 437 km and serve as a qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with plans for expansion.
The Supreme Court has granted Vodafone Idea a temporary relief in the AGR case, allowing the government to review only an additional demand of Rs 9,449 crore. This review will not alter the company's current AGR dues or repayment plan. However, experts do not expect this to greatly improve the telco's financial state, with liabilities of almost Rs 1.99 lakh.
MAX&CO, a popular Italian fashion brand, will be launching in India in 2022 through a partnership with Reliance Brands. The first store will open in Mumbai, showcasing the brand's modern and bold take on femininity. Reliance Brands, with over 50 partnerships, is excited to introduce MAX&CO to Indian consumers and plans to expand nationally after the Mumbai launch.
Havells India and other investors have invested Rs 1,422 crore to acquire a 21% stake in Goldi Solar, a leading solar PV module manufacturer. This partnership will aid Goldi Solar's global expansion and boost their manufacturing capacity, backward integration, and innovation in high-efficiency solar technologies.
Paradoxical insomnia is a unique sleep disorder where individuals believe they are not sleeping, despite evidence showing they are. It can be caused by anxiety, depression, and cognitive hyperarousal, and is treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. Diagnosis requires thorough analysis and overnight sleep studies.
SEBI's proposed reduction in TER and brokerage fees caused a sharp decline in the stock prices of market intermediaries, asset management companies, and mutual fund distributors. While bigger fund houses are not too worried, smaller players may face a significant impact on their earnings.
US President Donald Trump has announced progress in a trade deal with India, with both sides agreeing on most issues. The focus is now on non-tariff barriers, and the key issue of tariffs has been resolved. Trump's remarks have also had a positive impact on the stock market, especially for sectors affected by US tariffs. India is pushing for the removal of these tariffs.
The parent company of boAt, Imagine Marketing, has filed an updated draft red herring prospectus for an IPO of Rs 1,500 crore. The IPO will include a fresh issue of Rs 500 crore and an offer for sale of Rs 1,000 crore by existing shareholders. Private equity major Warburg Pincus and co-founders will sell shares, with the funds being used for working capital.
NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub has released a report outlining a roadmap for India to become a global leader in advanced manufacturing. The report identifies 13 key sectors and 5 clusters, with AI, machine learning, and robotics as critical enablers.
The CBDT has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns and audit reports for the assessment year 2025-26 to December 10 and November 10 respectively. This is the second extension, with the first being from September 30 to October 31. The extension was granted due to difficulties faced by taxpayers and practitioners, including disruptions caused by floods and natural calamities.
The sugar industry is facing challenges with surplus stocks, underused distilleries, and delayed payments to farmers due to a smaller allocation of ethanol. ISMA is urging the government to increase the allocation to at least 50% of the total requirement and allow exports of 2 MT of raw sugar.
Varun Beverages, a PepsiCo bottler, has entered the alcoholic beverages market by changing its MoA and teaming up with Carlsberg for distribution in some African countries. This strategic move is expected to boost long-term growth and margins, as demand for carbonated drinks has been impacted by weather.
PHDCCI suggests 15% tax rate for new manufacturing companies in 2026-27 Budget to boost domestic investments and attract foreign firms. Section 115BAB of Income Tax Act, which offers 15% corporate tax rate for new manufacturing units, should be extended beyond March 2024. Industry body also proposes lower tax rates for individuals and changes in GST Act for refund mechanism.
Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced a second fund for startups, focusing on deep tech companies, to boost innovation and decrease reliance on foreign investors. The fund, along with a previous one, will provide over Rs 100,000 crore to support startups and help India become a leader in key technologies.
Legal experts are divided on Mehli Mistry's argument over the interpretation of a 2024 resolution by Tata Trusts. Some say all trustees must be reappointed for life, while others say it only applies to those unanimously reappointed. The Trust Deed will be crucial, and Mistry may challenge Venu Srinivasan's reappointment. But the Charity Commissioner and Bombay High Court will have the final say.
Suzuki Motor Corporation has ambitious plans for the Indian market, with the introduction of eight new SUVs and a goal to regain 50% market share. The company also plans to invest Rs 70,000 crore and become a leader in producing, selling, and exporting EVs. With a focus on decarbonization, Suzuki is building CBG plants and has nine projects in Gujarat.
In FY25, logistics-tech unicorn Shiprocket reported a positive adjusted Ebitda of Rs 7 crore and a 24% increase in revenue. Despite steady expenses, cash profit doubled. However, the rise of in-house logistics capabilities among e-commerce companies poses challenges for 3PL providers like Shiprocket. The company is using profits to expand its core business.
India and the European Union are making progress towards a free trade agreement, with 10 out of 20 chapters finalized. However, discussions on sensitive issues like auto and steel trade and carbon tax regulations are ongoing.
Indian economy expected to grow at 7% this year due to policy measures like income tax relief and GST rate rationalization. Chief Economic Advisor predicts growth at the upper end of projected range. Positive ratings from global agencies and on track to break into 'A' rating category, reducing cost of capital. Economy shows resilience and strength.
The government has formed a committee to review the tax refund rates under the export schemes RoDTEP and RoSCTL, which are set to expire by the end of this financial year. The panel, headed by Neeraj Kumar Gupta, will submit its main report by March 31, 2026. The committee will also interact with various stakeholders to work out the modalities for calculating taxes and levies on exported products.
Harshvardhan Rane, a non-industry actor, found success in Bollywood with "Sanam Teri Kasam" in 2016 after a tough journey that included running away from home at 16 and working odd jobs. Today he is a famous star and his latest release is out in theatres: "Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat"
Honda is shifting its focus to India, the US, and Japan as key markets for growth. They will introduce three new SUVs with hybrid and electric powertrains by 2027 and are planning to expand production and explore new opportunities in India. The Honda 0 α (alpha) will debut at the Japan Mobility Show and be available in both Japan and India in 2027.
The Japan Mobility Show 2025, a top automobile show, is featuring Indian-centric innovation from Japanese giants like Suzuki, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Maruti Suzuki displayed the made-in-India Jimny and eVitara, while Honda revealed its Honda 0 α prototype, to be launched in India and Japan in 2027.
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has launched its ultra-luxury brand, Century, at the Japan Mobility Show, with a focus on bespoke craftsmanship rooted in Japanese tradition. Positioned above Lexus, the lineup currently includes a sedan and SUV, with plans for a luxury SUV in 2023. The company also unveiled a two-seater luxury car prototype and showcased a new Corolla and partially built IMV Origin.
Radico Khaitan, a liquor maker, reported a 73% increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 139.56 crore in Q2. This was due to strong volume growth, with consolidated revenue from operations at Rs 5,056.72 crore. Total expenses were higher at Rs 4,872.75 crore, but the company remains focused on premiumization and expanding distribution.
ITC will release its Q2FY26 results on October 30, with a focus on the impact of new GST rates on sales. Mixed trends have been seen in FMCG results, and the company's performance will be closely monitored. Key factors to watch include demand outlook, raw material trends, competitive intensity, and performance of agri and paper segments.