US President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with "very heavy tariffs" if he perceives their actions as hostile, specifically in response to Canada's efforts to deepen economic and strategic ties with the EU. This comes as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the EU's first "associate member" to strengthen resilience amid global trade uncertainties and US trade policies.
At least four to five privately placed infrastructure investment trusts (Invits) are expected to transition to public listings by the end of the 2026-27 financial year, significantly increasing the number of publicly traded Invits to 12-14, according to N S Venkatesh, CEO of the Bharat Invits Association (BIA).
India's manufacturing sector growth decelerated to a five-year low of 52.8 in August, down from 53.5 in July, as output and new orders moderated due to softer demand conditions, according to the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI).
New research from the University of Sheffield indicates that greenhouse gas emissions from petrochemical production could increase by 50 per cent by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, provides the first detailed global map of these emissions, identifying key sources and highlighting the challenge of decarbonising the sector.
US lawmakers are racing to amend the Russia sanctions bill before recess. One amendment specifically names India, China, and other countries as potential targets for 100% tariffs due to their oil trade with Russia. Another significant amendment proposes to scrap the tariff section entirely, while others address presidential waiver powers and aid to Ukraine.
One of the important topics of discussion between the two leaders is expected to be the Northern Sea Route and the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor.
The US House of Representatives is debating a bill that would authorise the President to impose sanctions on Russia and steep tariffs on its oil and gas trading partners, including India and China. The bill, aimed at pressuring Russia over the Ukraine war, has faced opposition but is expected to be put to a vote.
The highlight of the successful BRICS Summit was its ability to deliver a joint statement that all members, including Iran and the United Arab Emirates, embroiled in the war in West Asia, signed.
Former Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta, who served under ex-chief minister Sheila Dixit, has allegedly died by suicide at his Noida residence. Police recovered a suicide note citing 'mental and health issues' as reasons. Mehta, a 1975 batch IAS officer, was 74 and had been credited with significant infrastructure projects in Delhi during his tenure from 2007 to 2010.
Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma stated that the government's new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on large-value UPI transactions will significantly increase the company's revenue and profitability. The 0.4% fee on UPI transfers exceeding Rs 2,000 to merchants, effective October 15, is expected to give Paytm a competitive edge. Sharma also highlighted the company's focus on generating free cash flow, expanding internationally, and developing proprietary artificial intelligence capabilities to drive future growth.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged the Reserve Bank of India to accelerate its central bank digital currency initiatives, emphasising the need to sharpen capabilities with the digital rupee amidst rapid advancements in tokenisation, agentic AI, and quantum computing. She also highlighted critical concerns regarding cybersecurity, warning that autonomous AI systems are evolving rapidly and require robust safeguards. Sitharaman proposed a federated industry platform to give India's technology ecosystem a collective international voice.
Moody's Ratings has sharply increased India's GDP growth forecast for fiscal 2026-27 to 7 per cent, making it the fastest among G20 economies, driven by economic resilience despite the Middle East conflict. However, the agency flagged significant inflation risks stemming from elevated oil prices and potential El Nino disruptions.
The Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group, the second-largest shareholder in Tata Sons, has publicly endorsed a listing of the Tata Group's holding company, aligning with the board's push for greater transparency and public accountability despite opposition from the Tata Trusts.
State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainers and HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force, and Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans. This significant handover, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, underscores India's progress towards self-reliance in aerospace, strengthening both military and civil aviation capabilities with indigenous platforms.
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIF) has appointed Gauravjit Singh as managing partner to lead its global capital formation efforts. Simultaneously, PB Fintech's payment aggregator platform, PB Pay, has gone live, offering consolidated payment acceptance for merchants. In a move to enhance trade efficiency, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has introduced open API integration for Certificate of Origin, allowing exporters to streamline their application processes.
A government bill proposing to widen the remit of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) is facing scrutiny from Members of Parliament. Concerns have been raised that the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, could reduce the premier institute's autonomy. The bill, currently under examination by a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, aims to incorporate ISI as a 'body corporate' to strengthen governance and promote academic excellence, but critics fear increased government control.
India's Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare announced that cab aggregators have been ordered to cease advance tipping options, deeming the practice misleading and unfair. This follows the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposing a Rs 10 lakh penalty on Rapido for unfair business practices, including advance tipping and "dark patterns" that pressure users to pay more. Investigations into Uber and Ola are ongoing, with the government emphasizing that tipping should be voluntary and post-ride.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasized that both nations must show sensitivity to each other's core issues and be guided by mutual respect, sensitivity, and interest. Modi highlighted the critical importance of peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control for the development of India-China relations, while also addressing concerns regarding Taiwan and Tibet.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.
Pakistan's government is exploring measures, including potential smart lockdowns and austerity, to reduce petroleum consumption. This comes after recent fuel price hikes driven by rising global oil prices and West Asia tensions, which have also raised concerns about oil supply disruptions. The government is also implementing a fuel relief scheme and faces public pressure over the price increases.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration rule that sought to cap the stays of foreign students, journalists, and exchange visitors, citing potential 'catastrophic' damage to the US economy and higher-education system.
Industry is pushing for GST reforms that would let companies use unused tax credits from one state to pay GST liabilities in another, potentially freeing up working capital trapped across state registrations.
A recent Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report reveals that over 70,500 corruption complaints were lodged against various government bodies last year, with banks and the Railways accounting for the highest numbers. While a significant portion of these complaints has been disposed of, thousands remain under process, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing corruption within public sector entities.
Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humaiun Kobir, announced that the country seeks to "reset" its relationship with India, moving towards a new bilateral engagement based on mutual interests. He described ties during the previous government's tenure as "uncomfortable" and emphasised the need for Bangladesh to approach India as "just another country," focusing on balanced relations rather than an "excessive preoccupation." This comes after Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman did not attend the BRICS Summit in India.
Experts laud the decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move, along with a dedicated fund for small merchants, is seen as crucial for creating a sustainable digital payments ecosystem, incentivising expansion in rural areas, and funding innovation while keeping most transactions free for users.
Weak verbs and poor language can make even impressive achievements seem ordinary, points out Nayagam PP, a career coach and founder of EduJob360.
'The number of airport bundles that may be awarded to a single bidder would be capped.'
J R D Tata, chairman of the Tata group from 1938 to 1991, said that whenever he had to make a difficult decision, he would ask himself, what will be good for India, and what will be good for the Tatas. If he had a doubt, he would decide in favour of India. In the long run, it would turn out well for the Tatas too, he said, points out Arun Maira.
Left parties have strongly condemned the government's decision to impose charges on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000, with CPI General Secretary D Raja alleging the move was made under "US pressure" to favour foreign payment companies. Both CPI and All India Forward Bloc demand the withdrawal of this "anti-people decision," arguing it burdens consumers and merchants while undermining UPI's role as a public digital infrastructure. They highlight concerns that the charges weaken India's digital sovereignty and serve commercial interests of foreign corporations like Visa and Mastercard.
Telecom industry body COAI and the British High Commission signed an MoU to boost cooperation in AI, connectivity, and digital trust, fostering responsible tech innovation. The pact, signed at the CO.AI 2026 event, focused on AI's role in intelligent networks, security, and public services. Discussions highlighted AI's importance in combating fraud, improving network efficiency, and ensuring secure digital services. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti and Acting British High Commissioner Ben Mellor emphasised the need for balanced governance and international collaboration to ensure secure, inclusive, and responsible digital transformation.
Farmers under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha have initiated a week-long protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border, demanding a minimum support price (MSP) based on the C2 plus 50 per cent formula, debt waivers, and opposing the proposed India-US trade deal, Electricity Amendment Bill, and Seed Bill. They also raised concerns about water depletion and sought resolutions based on riparian principles.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal highlighted the critical need for India to diversify its services exports beyond the dominant IT/ITeS and professional services sectors. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, he emphasised the vast potential in the global financial services market, where India currently holds a small share, and stressed how fintech solutions, like UPI, can drive growth, reduce remittance costs, and support MSME trade finance, ultimately leading to sustainable economic expansion.
India's Engineering Research and Development (ER&D) sector is projected to exceed USD 100 billion in revenue by 2030, driven significantly by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into engineering workflows. This growth, highlighted by Nasscom, positions India as a critical global engineering hub, necessitating focus on talent development and strategic partnerships.
Senior Indian officials highlight the indispensable role of the private sector in translating India-US cooperation in AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and critical minerals into tangible outcomes. The collaboration aims to build trusted, resilient technology ecosystems and position India as a global electronics and semiconductor hub.
Bank credit to industry in India surged by 20 per cent year-on-year in July, significantly accelerating from the previous year, driven by strong expansion in sectors like engineering, gems and jewellery, and petroleum-related industries, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, growth in gold loans, while still expanding, saw a sharp moderation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a new investment platform, based on the New Development Bank (NDB), to fund projects in trade, infrastructure, logistics, and technology across BRICS nations, emphasising that the grouping's expanding economic cooperation is not 'against anyone' but aims to advance members' national interests.
India is making a significant push to establish itself as a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, driven by strategic investments and policy support. The upcoming SEMICON India 2026 event will showcase the country's advancements and ambitions in this critical industry, which underpins virtually all modern electronic devices and has faced global supply chain vulnerabilities.
Amazon's ultra-fast delivery service, Amazon Now, has achieved $1 billion in annualised gross sales in India over the last three months, marking it as the fastest-growing e-commerce business in Amazon India's history, with orders doubling every quarter.
Gurugram police have escalated charges to attempt to murder against Kalyan Bainsla after woman biker Shivani Chauhan (Sia) released a new video alleging deliberate targeting in a hit-and-run incident, raising serious road safety concerns.
'There is mis-alignment in strategic thinking of the board and management.' 'As the business environment and customer behaviour evolve rapidly, boards are increasingly looking for leaders who can bring new ideas and challenge legacy approaches.'
