Trump restores full H-2B visa quota after private lobbying push from Mar-a-Lago allies

Donald Trump quietly backed away from plans to tighten the H-2B seasonal worker program, despite it being a cornerstone of his broader immigration restrictions.

The Karnataka government has introduced the Karnataka Apartment Bill, 2026 to protect the interests of apartment owners and update outdated laws. The bill includes measures such as clearer ownership rights, a two-stage dispute resolution process, and a redevelopment framework. The CM has promised to consider public input and involve political parties.

Western Railway has introduced a special weekly train service between Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to ease the travel rush. The train will run from Bandra Terminus to Azamgarh and cover important stations such as Surat, Vadodara, Ratlam, Kota, Tundla Junction, Subedarganj, and Banaras.

The SBI Funds Management IPO, India's largest asset management company, is closing its final day of bidding with strong demand from all investor categories. Analysts advise looking beyond subscription numbers, as the IPO offers long-term growth potential at a lower valuation compared to peers.

Uttar Pradesh government has finalised plans to roll out 16 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Employment and Industrial Zones (SVPEIZ) in the first phase. The project will integrate skill development, employment generation, industry and entrepreneurship through a nine-region hub-and-spoke model. Each zone will offer skill training, plug-and-play infrastructure, and support for start-ups.

PM Modi is going to launch ₹25,000 Crore worth of infrastructure projects in Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh, including India's first hydrogen-powered train. These projects will enhance connectivity and boost economic growth. The Prime Minister's schedule includes inaugurating and laying foundation stones, flagging off the hydrogen train, and launching the Delhi-Amritsar expressway.

The monsoon in India is uneven, with more than half of the districts experiencing a deficit in rainfall. Jharkhand is the most affected state, with 96% of its districts facing a shortfall. While the national deficit has improved, many districts are still struggling, showing that the monsoon is patchy and inconsistent. Heavy rains are expected to intensify in eastern India.

IRCTC has launched a beta version of its revamped website with a cleaner interface, improved navigation, and a more modern design to enhance the ticket booking experience. Passenger can click on the beta website link available on the homepage of the existing IRCTC website. The beta version is now available for users to explore and provide feedback.

Patanjali Foods reassured investors that there were no undisclosed material events causing the recent sharp drop in share price. The stock plunged 20% and 87 million shares worth Rs 3,055 crore were traded. Graviton Research Capital was among the buyers, purchasing 9.34 million shares at Rs 351.51 apiece.

In May, net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows turned negative after four months of being positive. Net FDI outflows were $0.1 billion, compared to $0.9 billion inflows a year ago. Net FDI inflows were at a five-year high of $6.6 billion in April, and for April-May, they were 160% higher year-on-year.

The Indian government has initiated the eighth round of auctions for 20 key mineral blocks, including rare earth elements, graphite, and lithium. These blocks will be auctioned online and are located in nine states. The government also plans to establish a coal exchange to improve market efficiency and mineral security. The launch of India Mining Week aims to promote the mining sector.

SBI Funds Management's IPO received strong demand on the second day, with a subscription of 2.77 times across all categories. Non-institutional investors showed the highest interest, followed by retail investors. Qualified institutional buyers also showed increased interest. Brokerages recommend subscribing to the issue, but warn of market volatility and regulatory changes as potential risks.

CLS, a subsidiary of DivyaSree Group, has introduced a new investment plan called HIP that allows retail investors to access professionally managed hospitality assets. The plan follows a build-sell-leaseback model with a long-term master lease and guarantees an 8.5% return.

India and the UK have seen a significant increase in trade, with $140 million worth of shipments leaving Indian shores for the UK on the day a new trade agreement, CETA, was implemented. The agreement aims to boost trade to $100 billion by 2030 and includes duty reductions for key export sectors.

US senators have proposed tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil, including India and China, which could threaten India's energy security and increase crude costs. Russian crude has become India's strongest energy security hedge, and any reduction in purchases would lead to higher prices and limited replacement options.

The Cabinet has approved the National Investment Policy for Urea-2026 to establish 8-9 new plants and eliminate imports. It will promote gas-based units, save Rs 250 crore per plant, and meet the demand for urea. This policy aims to increase self-sufficiency, reduce import reliance, generate jobs, and make the sector more sustainable.

India and the UK have signed a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) that eliminates duties for 99% of India's exports to the UK. The deal covers services, investment, and government procurement and has safeguards for sensitive sectors. It could serve as a model for future agreements, but its success will depend on implementation, simplicity, and dispute-resolution mechanisms.

The Union Cabinet has given the green light to two major manufacturing initiatives worth Rs 1.9 lakh crore. These programs, ISM 2.0 and MPMS, aim to boost India's self-reliance in chip production, attract investments of Rs 4 lakh crore, and generate production worth Rs 2 lakh crore.

India's stricter grid-discipline regulations, set to take effect in 2027, could reduce wind-project revenues by 48% and solar revenues by 11%, hindering the country's goal of reaching 500 GW of non-fossil power by 2030. This could also impact investor returns and impede the energy transition, causing concern among investors.

India's overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.5% in June, but there was a significant increase in joblessness among the youth, particularly in urban areas. The urban and rural unemployment trends diverged, with urban unemployment rising to 6.6% while rural unemployment slowed slightly to 5.0%.

India's attempts to decrease gold imports have failed as the import bill rose by 47.1% in the first quarter of FY27. Despite higher import duty and a plea from PM Modi to limit purchases, domestic gold prices have negated the duty hike. In contrast, silver imports have dropped due to restrictions and delays in import quotas.

TMPV opposes BEE's proposal to sell compliance credits under the CAFE credit-debit mechanism, stating it would distort the credit market and discourage investment in cleaner vehicle technologies. They suggest BEE should only regulate, verify, and facilitate the credit market, while compliance credits should be left to automakers.

The Indian automobile industry saw a strong growth in June, with passenger vehicle sales rising by 24.1% and two-wheeler sales by 18.6%. Scooters outperformed motorcycles, while three-wheeler sales also remained strong. The industry is expecting a steady demand in the upcoming festive season, supported by lower vehicle prices, easier financing, and improving monsoon conditions.

Embraer, a Brazilian aircraft maker, is discussing a potential aircraft order with Alliance Air as the regional carrier deals with problems with its current fleet. The airline is looking at the E175 and E190-E2 from Embraer's E-Jet family, which has been certified for operations in India. This will enable regional airlines to use bigger planes and enhance connectivity to smaller cities.

US President Donald Trump surprised both America's Gulf allies and many of his own advisers when he announced a plan to charge a 20% toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal triggered confusion inside the White House and concern across the Middle East before Trump abandoned the idea just a day later. 

A car fire in India's first undersea road tunnel caused traffic to halt for over an hour. Emergency teams responded, and the tunnel was closed for firefighting. Commuters panicked and evacuated, but no injuries were reported. The damaged vehicle was removed and traffic resumed. Advanced safety systems in the tunnel ensured public safety.

Nomura maintains 'Buy' rating and Rs 400 target price for Nuvoco Vistas due to improving prices and cost management. Ongoing capacity expansion plan and strong June quarter performance, despite monsoon challenges, expected to strengthen company's position. Non-trade segment played a major role in revenue growth, with potential wider implications according to Nomura.

ICICI Securities reiterates ‘Buy’ rating on Bajaj Consumer Care with a target price of Rs 760, citing a 15% upside. The company’s EPS estimates for FY27 and FY28 have been upgraded by 24% and 28%, respectively. Q1FY27 saw strong revenue growth of 25%, driven by flagship brand Almond Drops and non-ADHO portfolio.

The Karnataka government has announced a plan to become the country's AI capital, including building two green data centres, establishing an AI university, and promoting sustainable digital infrastructure. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged developers and entrepreneurs to support this ambitious roadmap.

Morgan Stanley predicts a promising future for affordable housing finance companies, with increased disbursements and loan growth leading to higher earnings. The brokerage has raised target prices on five stocks, with potential gains of up to 42%.

Football fans and officials are upset with FIFA's plan to extend the 2026 World Cup final's half-time break to 30 minutes for a "Super Bowl-style" show featuring popular artists like Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. This move is seen as prioritizing commercial entertainment over the game's integrity, further adding to the controversy surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

More than a year after the Air India Boeing 787 crash that claimed 260 lives near Ahmedabad, investigators are in the final stages of finding out what went wrong.

IRCTC has launched a revamped website to improve the booking experience for passengers. The new platform offers a cleaner interface, fewer interruptions, and faster bookings. This decision was made after a viral video by a student exposed the challenges faced while using the old website.

Tripura CM Manik Saha inaugurated 11 development projects worth Rs 105.73 crore in Udaipur, Gomati district, highlighting the state government's focus on public welfare and infrastructure development. The projects span key sectors such as education, healthcare, sports, and public administration, and are part of Tripura's larger plan to accelerate development.

Tata Elxsi's Q1 earnings disappoint street with sequential decline in earnings, lower margins, and demand challenges in key business segment. Leading brokerage house cuts target price and maintains 'Sell' rating, citing slow recovery and high valuations. Stock under pressure despite year-on-year growth, as investors focus on weak margins and uncertainty in largest business segment.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor urges for dialogue with protesting students and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, acknowledging their frustration with the failing merit-based system. Tharoor, recalling his own upbringing, urges the government to engage with the youth and address their concerns.

Gulf producers are racing to build pipelines and ports that let oil leave the region without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Investors in SBI Funds Management's IPO have a unique opportunity to apply under two categories - retail and shareholder reservation. Eligible SBI shareholders can submit two separate applications, potentially increasing their chances of receiving an allotment.

JM Financial maintains 'Buy' rating on Bharti Airtel with Rs 2,450 price target, highlighting strong ARPU growth potential and premiumization strategy. Emphasises tariff repair in the Indian wireless industry, expects 12% CAGR in ARPU by FY29. Bharti Airtel is expanding home services and exploring new growth areas like data centres and financial services.

The US Congress passed the 'Sunshine Protection Act' to make daylight saving time permanent, pending Senate and presidential approval. This would eliminate clock changes but states can still choose to observe DST. Mixed reactions include concerns about safety, productivity, and air travel.

Devotees from Barbil and Bangriposi in Odisha now have convenient new train options to reach Puri for the Jagannath Rath Yatra. The East Coast Railway has introduced two special trains to ease trathe vel rush during the festival. The Barbil-Puri Special Train will run on July 15 and 23, while the Bangriposi-Puri Special Train will run on July 15, 23, and 24.

India's life sciences industry is moving towards innovative drug discovery, with a significant increase in programs and successful assets. The sector has attracted more investments and startups, but needs to improve in areas such as funding, research, trials, and regulations. Companies are taking different approaches to compete globally, and India has a competitive edge with lower costs and data.

The West Bengal government has transferred 1,024.75 acres of land to the BSF for fencing along the India-Bangladesh border. This aims to enhance national security and overcome obstacles in the delayed fencing work. The state has also taken steps to identify and detain illegal immigrants and prevent smuggling. The BSF has also reviewed its operational readiness.

Novak Djokovic, the record holder for most Grand Slam singles titles in tennis, shares his mindset and habits that have kept him at the top for two decades. Success was not a choice for Djokovic, but a must, driven by his duty to his family. He attributes his resilience to his supportive environment and ability to learn from defeat.

A lawsuit has been filed against Meta by 26 former and current employees, alleging that the company used AI to conduct discriminatory mass layoffs. The plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary ruling to stop the layoffs and have an independent audit of the AI systems. Meta denies the claims and faces concerns about its use of AI in tracking employee data.

The Dholera International Airport in Gujarat, part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, is almost finished, with 80% of construction completed. The airport will have a 4-km runway, modern cargo facilities, and a strategic location near Dholera Smart City. It will start operations by October, improving connectivity, trade, and industrial growth in the region.

Akasa Air will resume its Noida-Navi Mumbai direct flight service from October 1, 2026, improving connectivity between the two airports. Meanwhile, IndiGo has suspended its non-stop flight service between Noida International Airport and Chandigarh Airport. The airline is planning to connect Noida International Airport with 16 destinations and offer one-stop connectivity on 14 city routes.

Maruti Suzuki's Dzire remains the top-selling car in India for the first half of 2026, with Tata Motors' compact SUVs Punch and Nexon following closely behind. Maruti Suzuki dominates the top 10 list with its Ertiga, Wagon R, Swift, Baleno, and Fronx models, while Hyundai's Creta and Mahindra's Scorpio/N take the ninth and tenth spots.

Indian Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has introduced several reforms to modernize the country's freight system. These include container-based transportation for fly ash, simplified rules for container train operators, and a flexible system for fertiliser movement. A skilled certification framework for railway workers and stricter rules for contractors are also part of the reforms.

Uttar Pradesh is set for a major infrastructure boost with the approval of new road works worth ₹50,000–60,000 crore. The state will see the construction of several highways, including the Ayodhya–Gonda four-lane road project and the Agra–Gwalior greenfield six-lane Expressway. The government also plans to expand the National Highway network and develop service roads along Lucknow's Kisan Path.

Trump has made significant changes to the White House, using it as a venue for various events such as UFC fights and a Tesla showroom. Recently, the lawns were transformed into a motorcar-racing circuit, with Trump hosting IndyCar drivers and receiving his own Grand Prix helmet. This was a preview for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix.