The Economic Times
Elections 2026Economy / The Economic Times
Singtel plans to enter Indias emerging satellite communications (satcom) market, targeting public and private enterprises through its Indian subsidiary Singapore Telecom India.
As of June 2026, CLINT had approximately S$1.7 billion (roughly 8,820 crore) of borrowings. As of June, CLINT's assets under management stood at S$3.5 billion.
India has mobilised $73 billion in foreign exchange inflows in less than 11 weeks, surpassing the scale and pace of the RBIs 2013 FCNR(B) swap scheme, the finance ministry said.
Medical device makers now avoid loan licenses for outsourced sterilization services. This change simplifies business while industry leaders express concerns about new labeling rules. Printing sterilizer license numbers on device labels may hinder export flexibility and cause shipment delays. Manufacturers worry about losing the ability to choose the fastest available sterilization facility. The government also recognized the European Union for clinical investigation waivers.
The government is contemplating the enforcement of mandatory chloride contamination limits for E20 petrol. Automakers have expressed worries over fuel quality and its potential effects on vehicle components. Presently, the chloride contamination thresholds are merely part of voluntary standards for ethanol-blended petrol. The Bureau of Indian Standards is striving to implement these requirements as mandatory. This initiative aims to elevate the quality standards of automotive fuels across the co
Lufthansa Group executive says tronger passenger and premium demand makes India an attractive market. India is now Lufthansa's second-largest intercontinental market after the United States. The airline is expanding capacity and adding premium services to India. A partnership with Air India could further shape Lufthansa's India strategy.
Several celebrities and influencers have stopped endorsing food and beverage brands. This action follows increased regulatory oversight and judicial pressure on the sector. Brands face scrutiny over mandatory labelling for high salt, sugar, and fat content. Celebrities are concerned about reputational damage more than financial penalties. This shift reflects a growing respect for regulatory enforcement and legal provisions.
Vehicle buyers are increasingly taking multiple loans, while the average amount borrowed is also rising, raising potential credit risks for lenders. The trend is most visible in commercial vehicle finance, where borrowers with two or more loans rose to 19.9% in June from 15.7% a year earlier.
Leading Indian manufacturers significantly increased exports in the last fiscal year. These companies collectively achieved net foreign exchange positive status. Export earnings grew by twenty-nine percent, reaching over one lakh crore rupees. Companies navigated import cost pressures through increased localization efforts. This strategic approach benefited margins and expanded market reach.
Suzlon Group is set to launch an impressive 1,325 MW of wind energy projects in Andhra Pradesh, backed by a 10,000 crore investment. This venture promises to create about 4,000 direct and indirect jobs. With a vision to integrate an additional 5 GW of renewable energy projects by 2030, Suzlon is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy, having already invested 12,000 crore in the region since 2004.
India's drug regulator has cleared the path for local lenacapavir manufacturing. Two Indian pharmaceutical companies received waivers for local clinical trials. This move will improve access to the HIV prevention injection. Lenacapavir is a breakthrough twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention. Patient groups had urged the regulator to expedite this process.
Strong FCNR(B) deposit inflows have led analysts to raise their estimates for dollar mobilisation through the scheme. Jefferies now expects inflows to reach $90-100 billion by August 31, up from its earlier estimate of $70-80 billion.
Banks are tightening their forensic auditor empanelment framework. This action follows Enforcement Directorate observations against two audit firms. Two audit firms have been de-empanelled from the Agencies for Specialised Monitoring list. Lenders will review the framework for empanelling audit firms further. Public sector banks reported a record net profit in FY26.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has won an ultra-mega contract to execute a gas compression project for a major Gulf client, expanding its hydrocarbon infrastructure business. The company classifies orders above 15,000 crore as ultra-mega but did not disclose the contract value.
The energy industry seeks assured offtake commitments for coal gasification projects. Viability gap funding alone may not be enough to unlock investments in capital-intensive plants. Project developers require certainty on demand and pricing for gasification output. The government has rolled out a 37,500 crore incentive scheme for coal gasification. Industry also seeks freight support and land allocation near mines or ports.
India expects private operators to invest approximately 8,622 crore in eleven airports. These airports will be awarded through five bundles to single concessionaires. The Bhubaneswar-Hubballi bundle requires the highest investment of 2,725 crore. The government aims to limit bidder concentration by capping bundle awards. This initiative follows a previous privatization round where Adani Group secured all six airports.
The Delhi High Court has ordered the income tax department to refund Vodafone Idea 53.09 crore. This refund is for assessment years 2003-04 and 2008-14, held for over two years. The court mandated the refund with interest by September 30, or additional interest will apply. This ruling highlights significant issues within the department regarding tax refunds. Vodafone Idea won a legal battle before the tribunal in June 2024.
Service prices showed mixed trends in the first quarter of FY27. Airline and railway service prices saw notable increases during this period. Insurance and telecom services also recorded price hikes, while banking services declined. Securities transaction services experienced a price fall, reversing previous gains. Provisional data from the commerce ministry highlighted these varied movements.
UPI has completed a decade of transforming Indias digital payments landscape, with annual transactions soaring from 1.78 crore in 2016-17 to 24,162 crore in 2025-26.
An employee's experience has sparked a workplace debate after he said years of positive reviews and extra responsibilities were followed by a sudden PIP after he asked for a salary raise. The Reddit user said he had accepted a promotion without a pay hike, hoping to prove his value first, but months after requesting higher pay, management cited anonymous complaints and questioned his performance.
Marriott International expects India to become its second-largest global market within three to four years, overtaking China and Mexico, CEO Anthony Capuano told ET.
Jaggery prices have increased significantly in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh recently. This surge is driven by a government crackdown and expected lower sugarcane availability. Consumers face higher costs for sweets as festive season approaches. Prices are anticipated to remain firm until new production begins in October. Elevated jaggery prices could persist through 2027, impacting sweet makers and consumers.
Indias near-term AI advantage lies in using AI to transform businesses rather than competing immediately with the US and China on computing power and foundation models, Publicis Sapient CEO Nigel Vaz said.
India can benefit from global shifts driven by AI, geopolitical tensions, tariffs, energy security and changing capital flows, but it must build the ability to adapt quickly as industries are disrupted, Bain & Company chairman Manny Maceda said.
A Bengaluru techies experience shows how a high monthly income and regular investments can create a strong sense of financial security, while an unexpected family crisis can reveal gaps that are easy to overlook. His story led to a discussion among young earners about saving, investing, emergency preparedness and what being financially secure actually means.
10 Baby Names Inspired By Rare Words That Describe Beautiful Emotions
A new trend is emerging as retired electric vehicle batteries are repurposed to fuel artificial intelligence data centres. Retaining considerable capacity, these batteries offer a budget-friendly energy storage alternative. In Nevada, a pioneering initiative combines solar energy with numerous second-life battery systems, illustrating their effectiveness for intensive computing needs. As these projects grow, they will provide further insights into the durability of these energy solutions for maj
Can chimpanzees, apes and bonobos remember friends they have not seen for decades? A Johns Hopkins University surprising study in 2023 found that chimpanzees and bonobos can recognize former groupmates after more than 25 years apart, revealing remarkable social memories that may be surprisingly similar to those of humans. The team worked with chimpanzees and bonobos at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, Planckendael Zoo in Belgium, and Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan.
Two spiders, Arabella and Anita, flew on Skylab 3 to test web-building in space. Initially disoriented, the spiders eventually adapted to the weightless environment. Their webs in space differed from those constructed on Earth. Astronauts provided additional food and water, and even altered Arabella's web. A student's curiosity led to this significant experiment about biological adaptation.
Kunchacko Boban and Lijomol Joses Malayalam psychological crime thriller Unmadham is set to make its digital debut after its theatrical release earlier this year. Directed by Kiran Das and written by Shahi Kabir, the film follows a police officer who comes across an old and mysterious case involving the death of a young woman. What starts as a routine investigation soon takes a disturbing turn as the officer begins experiencing strange visions and struggles to separate reality from his own thoug
United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a new sanctions campaign targeting Iran. He warned all countries have a defined timeline to cease identified activities. President Donald Trump is contacting world leaders with specific requests to end interactions. Economic engagement of any kind with Iran will expose parties to American power. The United States will enforce a zero leakage approach to Iran sanctions.
A foreign bank account can create a major U.S. tax filing duty. The FBAR, or FinCEN Form 114, applies when qualifying foreign accounts exceed $10,000 combined at any time. U.S. citizens, residents, and certain entities may need to report them. For 2026, a non-willful FBAR violation can reach $16,536. Willful violations can reach $165,353 or 50% of the account balance.
Kit Harington will portray Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO's Harry Potter series. He replaces Nicholas Hoult due to scheduling conflicts with other projects. Harington previously voiced Lockhart for Audible's Harry Potter audiobooks. His character is a flamboyant Hogwarts professor known for his vanity. Harington's role offers a stark contrast to his Jon Snow portrayal.
Russia has assured India of uninterrupted supplies of energy and fertilisers amid disruptions from the West Asia crisis, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Jaishankar and Russian officials also discussed expanding economic ties. Bilateral trade has nearly quadrupled from $13 billion in FY22 to almost $60 billion in FY26, but the trade imbalance has widened sharply from $6.6 billion to over $50 billion.
German Proverb of the Day: The laugh is always on the loser describes how people facing misfortune may also become targets of mockery. The proverb highlights the uncomfortable reality that mistakes, losses and embarrassing situations can attract ridicule from others. Through its ironic wording, it reflects on human behaviour while also inviting consideration of how people respond when someone else experiences a setback.
Emerging from the ashes of the Korean War, South Korea became a beacon of transformation, where enhanced educational access laid the groundwork for robust economic development. This shift not only propelled industries forward but also significantly improved living conditions, contributing to a remarkable surge in life expectancy. Today, young adults enjoy high levels of higher education, demonstrating the fruit of continuous investments in human capital across generations.
In 2024, Phoenix City Council planned to plant over 27,000 new trees and build 550 new shade structures under a $60 million plan to combat extreme temperatures. The Shade Phoenix Plan focuses on trees, built shade, bus stops, parks and streets. More than half of the investment is planned for low- and moderate-income communities. The plan also covers tree maintenance, public education and urban forestry jobs.
Quote of the Day by Sofa Vergara: Sofa Vergaras quote, I love heels, Im telling you. When I walk in flats, I get knee pain, explores the importance of personal style, comfort, and individual preferences in fashion. The quote suggests that comfort is not the same for everyone and that people can feel more confident and comfortable wearing the styles they personally enjoy. Vergaras humorous observation also highlights how fashion choices can be influenced by personal experience rather than simply
Jed York, the owner of the San Francisco 49ers, has entered a no contest plea to two misdemeanor charges, resulting in a one-day jail sentence for each charge, running concurrently. Additionally, he was fined $1,150 and mandated to complete an online educational course. York's arrest stemmed from allegations related to an online advertisement soliciting sexual activities. His connections trace back to the Youngstown, Ohio area, where the arrest occurred.
Philosophy suggests that people who watch videos or other content while eating may experience the pleasure of food differently because their attention is divided between the meal and the screen. Aristotles ideas about pleasure, attention and competing activities offer a way to understand this everyday habit, while modern research suggests that screen use during meals can also influence eating behaviour.
A content creators two-part AC experiment has sparked discussion after she reported a monthly electricity bill drop from about Rs 3,500 to Rs 1,292 after raising the temperature setting from 22C to 28C. She said usage remained around five to seven hours daily. While her calculation suggests possible annual savings of about Rs 26,500, she noted that actual results depend on the appliance and conditions.
In 1999, American teacher Ronald Sakolsky gave $5,000 to Chinese environmentalist Yin Yuzhen after seeing her fight against desertification in Inner Mongolia. Sakolsky eventually travelled to Inner Mongolia and met Yin in person in 2000. Decades later, their reunion ended in tears as the trees she planted grew into a forest of more than 50,000 trees.
The Adani Group plans to establish a significant 2,000-bed hospital in New Town. Half of these beds will be allocated for free treatment of the poor. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed this development. He stated that Karan Adani had met him regarding the project. Gautam Adani has sent a commitment letter to begin work soon.
Indias house price index rose 1.1% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 FY27 (April-June), driven mainly by Chandigarh, Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal asked Japanese companies to source steel from India. He questioned trade protection for firms not supporting Indian domestic producers. India has imposed a safeguard duty only on lower grades of steel. This measure aims to protect domestic manufacturers from dumping. Goyal highlighted India's ongoing need to expand its steel capacity.
Gitanjali Rao's journey as a young innovator began at the age of ten when she created Tethys, a device to detect lead in drinking water. This remarkable invention garnered her recognition in a national competition. Following her success, she tackled challenges like opioid addiction and cyberbullying, which earned her the title of Kid of the Year.
Bajaj Auto will launch three new products and two brands by mid-October. Updated Pulsar 125 and 150 models were recently introduced to the market. The company anticipates strong demand during the upcoming festive season. Near-term trends in the 125cc motorcycle segment show softer performance. Bajaj Auto aims to attract new buyers and retain existing customers.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has urged Japanese auto and capital goods companies to increase localisation, set up R&D and Global Capability Centres (GCCs), and build new manufacturing capacity in India to use the country as a base for global exports.
To tackle urban heat island effects, Philadelphia is trialing cool pavement solutions. In Hunting Park, a reflective light-colored coating was applied to the asphalt, and initial observations reveal it remains cooler than conventional surfaces. The influence on air temperatures is yet to be confirmed. Scientists are currently testing an additional layer to improve cooling capabilities, aiming to determine if reflective pavement could be key in combating extreme heat.

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