The Economic Times

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proposed banning public schools in the state from sponsoring H-1B visas for foreign workers, a move that could affect school districts that use the federal visa programme to address teacher shortages.Abbott said on Tuesday that he wants the Texas Legislature to pass a law ensuring exactly zero employees at public schools in the state are working under H-1B visas.Also Read| H-1B visa extensions could soon come with a hefty new price tag under new Trump planThe propo

Ankur Warikoo advises people who hate their jobs but value financial stability not to quit impulsively. Instead, he suggests continuing the job diligently while using nights, weekends and holidays to explore interests and build skills. Rather than pressuring a new path to earn immediately, allow it to develop naturally. Once you find something you enjoy and excel at, it can eventually become an income source and offer the freedom to leave.

Kotak Mahindra Bank successfully raised $650 million through its five-year dollar bonds. This issuance occurred at a coupon rate 27 basis points below initial guidance. Indian lenders have collectively raised $6.95 billion since June 5. These funds will diversify sources and support general corporate purposes. The Reserve Bank of India's swap facility closes on August 31.

IRCTC has intensified inspections across railway stations and trains. Quick Response Teams have seized more than 8,000 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water. Unauthorised ice cream and flavoured milk were also confiscated during surprise checks. The inspections aim to ensure that food and beverage products meet prescribed safety standards.

Bengaluru CA Meenal Goel suggests married couples divide their income into four accounts instead of keeping everything in one. Her framework allocates 30% to household expenses, 15% to personal wants, 15% to shared experiences and 40% to long-term goals such as education, a home and retirement. The percentages can be adjusted based on individual circumstances. The aim is to create structure and manage money before it manages you.

The government will provide cheaper domestic gas to distributors. This incentivizes converting inactive piped natural gas meters into working connections. The scheme aims to increase piped natural gas customers across India. This initiative will reduce reliance on imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas. The program is set to begin on September first.

A salary hike can quickly disappear into higher EMIs, credit card spending, BNPL purchases and lifestyle upgrades. CA Nitin Kaushik advises using an increment to strengthen your finances first. After paying minimums on all debts, he suggests attacking the highest-interest debt, freeing monthly cash flow and then increasing investments. With credit cards charging far more than home loans, aggressively prepaying low-cost debt while carrying expensive debt may not make financial sense.

India-Japan trade at USD 27.5 billion in FY 2025-26 still a fraction of potential: Piyush Goyal

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Tuesday said strict action would be taken against violations of law at eateries operating near educational institutions and said that the intensified enforcement drive would have a major impact in the next 8-10 days.

Air New Zealand will appoint Campbell Wilson and Robert McDonald as directors. Wilson previously led Air India and founded Scoot Airlines. McDonald currently chairs Contact Energy and sits on the FleetPartners board. These appointments occur as the airline faces delivery delays and engine issues. Elevated fuel costs also present challenges for the national carrier.

Indian refiners are facing a sharp rise in crude procurement costs as tightening physical supplies push Gulf and West African grades to higher premiums. Russian oil discounts have largely disappeared, while Venezuelan discounts have narrowed. Refiners are turning to costlier spot markets and distant suppliers as disruptions squeeze term-deal supplies.

India's top private banks are reducing their employee numbers significantly. This workforce contraction occurred after substantial hiring in the previous fiscal year. Technology-led efficiencies are enabling banks to expand operations without increasing staff. Some midsize lenders, however, have increased their headcount during this period. Banks are accelerating AI and automation deployment across their operations.

BRICS countries are considering a Russian-backed proposal to create a grain exchange that would allow producers and buyers to trade directly and reduce dependence on major global commodity exchanges. The proposal is expected to be discussed at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.

Albert Einstein is best known for changing our understanding of physics, but a quote attributed to him offers a different look at the complexity of human emotions. Laws of human heart are more complicated than the laws of cosmos. In physics, things obey rules; in love, people destroy them, reflects on how love and human behaviour often refuse to follow clear rules.

Mahanagar Gas Ltd is increasing capital expenditure by twenty percent this financial year. The company plans to triple daily piped natural gas connections to three thousand. They are targeting one million new piped natural gas connections driven by government policies. This expansion aims to convert households from liquefied petroleum gas to piped gas. MGL is increasing infrastructure spend to expand its existing network.

City gas firms want the government to reinstate a pooled gas mechanism. This is due to ongoing supply and price uncertainties in West Asia. The mechanism was previously withdrawn after a perceived easing of regional tensions. Companies are now seeking mid-term purchases to bridge supply gaps. A revival of pooled gas could stabilize prices for consumers and businesses.

Small and mid-sized developers are increasingly using insolvency proceedings to acquire distressed real estate companies as land prices soar in major cities. With projects, development rights and urban assets on offer, NCLT-approved deals are rising, but buyers face risks involving titles, approvals, litigation, liabilities and stalled project execution.

The power ministry is exploring subordinated debt for NHPC's Sawalkote project. This low-interest financing aims to support the large hydropower development in Jammu and Kashmir. The project's estimated cost stands at 31,380 crore, with approvals pending. India is accelerating hydropower projects, especially on western rivers. Other large projects in Arunachal Pradesh have also received government approval.

The Supreme Court will decide pleas by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and other telecom operators seeking release of 3,300 crore in bank guarantees following a Bombay High Court ruling against retrospective one-time spectrum charges. The apex court declined to direct the government, noting it has not stayed the high court order.

Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting will acquire a 60% stake in premium skincare brand Dermatouch at an enterprise value of 387.5 crore, marking its entry into digital-first brands. The remaining 40% will be acquired over three years. Dermatouch, founded by Anish Nagpal and Amit Purswani, reported 131 crore revenue in FY26.

Indias outward FDI rose 17% year-on-year to $5.70 billion in July from $4.88 billion a year earlier, according to provisional RBI data. It was also higher than the $3.14 billion recorded in June.

Indian Railways seeks to expand green hydrogen suppliers and reduce procurement costs. Hydrogen trains have already completed over 2,500 kilometers of commercial operations. The government offers incentives for electrolyzer manufacturing and green hydrogen production. India aims for a domestic green hydrogen capacity of 5 million metric tonnes by 2030. This progress makes affordable green hydrogen a realistic future possibility.

10 Baby Names Inspired by Powerful Norse, Egyptian and Slavic Mythology Deities

Indian exporters received an awareness session on the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism regulations. This mechanism, effective January 1, imposes a carbon tax on specific imported goods. The session covered the framework, applicable products, and reporting requirements for exporters. Practical case studies for iron, steel, and aluminium sectors were also discussed. Exporters were urged to prepare for these emerging international sustainability requirements.

Food regulator FSSAI said Dabur India, Ferns N Petals, Lotte India and other food businesses have taken corrective measures after being flagged over labelling, product classification and advertising violations. The actions include revising product listings and labels, removing unsupported claims, updating promotional material and withdrawing non-compliant advertising.

Apollo Hospitals will now offer routine healthcare services on Sundays. This initiative extends outpatient consultations and diagnostic services to weekends. Scheduled procedures and follow-up care will also be available, complementing existing emergency services. The hospital group aims to improve access for busy professionals and families. This move reinforces Apollo's commitment to preventive and timely medical care.

The apex court also directed the special court in Mumbai dealing with money-laundering cases to decide within two weeks on the CBI's plea seeking further investigation into a sixth transaction involving Rs 1,574 crore.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the Rs 4,000-crore project is being mounted at a scale more commonly associated with Hollywood event films. Sony Pictures is handling worldwide distribution, giving the film access to a global distribution network from the outset.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged public sector banks to attract young customers. She suggested a focused 'Banking for Youth' campaign starting October 2. Banks must also improve priority sector lending quality and reach. Credit for farmers and MSMEs remains a government priority. Financing strategies must adapt to local agricultural conditions.

Volkswagen Group is open to ceding majority control in its Indian operations to a local partner as Skoda Auto moves closer to signing an MoU within weeks. Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer said majority ownership is not an issue, stressing that a partnership could deliver greater scale, local decision-making and investment capacity.

Ready-made food prices are likely to stay high due to increased input and packaging expenses. Inflation in these products accelerated to nine percent year-on-year in July. Key commodity prices like tomatoes and edible oil have seen significant year-on-year increases. Higher costs for spices, herbs, and seeds are also contributing to price pressures. These elevated expenses are gradually being passed on to consumers.

R Madhavans approach to working with a young co-star offers a simple lesson in what it means to be a true gentleman on a film set. When he was paired with a 19-year-old newcomer for Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, his conduct made her feel safe and comfortable during her first experience in the film industry. Years later, she recalled how easily she could be herself around him and described him as a total gentleman, showing how an actors behaviour off camera can leave as lasting an impression as his

India's commerce minister invited Japanese businesses to deepen investments and partnerships. He will visit Japan to strengthen trade and investment ties between both nations. Key sectors for collaboration include manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure development. Japan has set a significant investment target in India over the next decade. Bilateral trade between India and Japan holds substantial untapped potential for growth.

India's fair trade regulator CCI has approved Prudential Corporation Holdings' stake acquisition. This acquisition involves a significant equity shareholding in Bharti Life Insurance Company. UK-based Prudential plc will acquire a majority 75 percent stake for Rs 3,500 crore. The transaction requires Prudential to reduce its holding in an existing venture. Post completion, Prudential's Indian operations will include majority-owned Bharti Life Insurance.

Regional Rural Banks saw gross loans rise 10.3 percent to Rs 5,78,349 crore. Their performance under Priority Sector Lending targets remained strong, achieving 91.7 percent. Agriculture and allied activities formed the largest credit component, accounting for 77 percent. MSME lending focused on micro enterprises, supporting rural entrepreneurs and small businesses. RRBs also extended significant credit to weaker sections and inclusive development areas.

In a significant move, Jubilant Ingrevia will take a 40% stake in Zettaone Technologies for Rs 189.2 crore. This acquisition is expected to bolster Jubilant's position in the electronics value chain. Zettaone Technologies, with its integrated electronics design and manufacturing prowess, will see the deal finalized in two stages by September 2027, aligning with Jubilant Ingrevia's strategic growth in the EDMS industry.

Skoda Auto India has re-entered the diesel segment after five years. The company unveiled its premium executive sedan, the all-new Superb, and the new Slavia. Skoda also announced the return of the sportier Octavia RS model. The new Slavia offers enhanced styling and new technologies for customers. India remains a key global growth market for Skoda Auto.

The Federation of Indian Pilots has urged the DGCA to introduce oral-fluid drug testing alongside existing urine-based screening and raise pilots annual random testing to 20-25% from 10%. The proposal follows an Air India pilot testing positive for drugs, prompting the airline group to order mandatory one-time testing for pilots.

During World War II, Louis Speedy Weber spent three years away from his wife, Frances, while serving with the U.S. Army in Europe. He wrote more than 300 letters to her, documenting everything from Army life and his experiences during D-Day to the loneliness of being separated from home. The letters were anonymously donated to the USO in 2022, but researchers initially knew little about what happened to the couple after the war.

Indian exporters may see revenue tailwinds from rupee depreciation fade soon. Elevated prices and currency depreciation supported export growth in the first quarter. These supportive factors are expected to diminish in the second half of FY27. The information technology sector's earnings accelerated due to the weaker rupee. Currency movements remain a significant risk for companies with overseas revenues.

Dabur India, Ferns N Petals and four other food businesses have taken corrective action after receiving notices from FSSAI over misleading labels, claims and advertisements. Measures include changing product categorisation, removing claims, revising packaging and marketing material, and correcting chocolate labels, as the regulator steps up industry accountability.

L&T Finance plans to add twenty-six new locations by March twenty twenty-seven. This expansion aims to deepen its presence in West Bengal's gold-credit market. The company currently operates twenty-eight locations and has a portfolio of Rs one hundred sixty-five crore. West Bengal's gold-loan market is estimated at Rs forty-seven thousand crore. New RBI guidelines aim to create a level playing field for lenders.

Gujarat Cotex has unveiled its strategic plans to broaden its business horizons. With the introduction of new divisions, the company is set to venture into both edible oils and infrastructure sectors.