Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Reliance Brookfield is set to open a new data centre next week, intensifying competition in India’s rapidly expanding market. The sector is projected to grow about 40% annually and attract roughly USD 5 billion in investments by 2025, as Reliance enters a field already heating up with Adani Group and Bharti Airtel pushing capacity.
A proposed California bill targeting caste discrimination has met fierce backlash, with opponents arguing it is unnecessary and risks infringing free speech and religious freedom. They claim caste is tightly linked to religious practices and that existing anti-discrimination laws already cover most cases. Yet past lawsuits in California show employers have faced allegations of caste discrimination.
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Bengaluru textile tech startup STCH has raised $5.5 million in a pre-Series A led by Omnivore, with Kae Capital and WVC participating. The startup plans to expand AI capabilities, R&D, and partnerships with textile mills and global fashion brands. Using a CDMO model, STCH targets AI-native fabric innovation, with an order book exceeding $15 million from UK, Europe, and the US.
Devesh Sachdev has joined credit platform GLAAS as a co-founder, investing USD 5 million. The startup targets embedded credit for MSMEs across India, building on Sachdev’s earlier Fusion Finance experience. GLAAS is also strengthening its NBFC, Gromor Finance, and expanding its partner network to scale lending through existing business ecosystems.
Nancy Guthrie remains missing, but a retired detective says the case is anything but cold. Investigators are reportedly still working behind the scenes, with forensic analysis seen as a possible turning point. While the exact timeline is unclear, the detective suggests key breakthroughs may emerge within months, though a final resolution could take longer.
The Supreme Court held that a husband cannot be ordered to pay child maintenance when conclusive DNA testing proves he is not the biological father, even if the child was born during the marriage. Rejecting a wife’s appeal, the court upheld lower courts that denied maintenance after non-paternity was established.
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Ranveer Singh’s spy blockbuster Dhurandhar The Revenge has surged past major milestones, becoming the first Hindi film to cross ₹1,000 crore net in India. By week three, it has earned about ₹1,680 crore worldwide gross, and now needs roughly ₹187 crore more to overtake Pushpa 2 The Rule’s lifetime collection.
The IMF has trimmed its 2026 global growth forecast, citing the ripple effects of the war in the Middle East. It links the downgrade to a major oil price shock and warns that higher energy and food costs could push inflation upward, complicating the outlook for economies already facing fragile demand and tighter budgets.
Max Healthcare Institute plans a major capacity expansion, targeting 10,000 beds within the next 3–4 years. The company is set to invest around Rs 4,000–5,000 crore to serve surging domestic healthcare demand and attract medical tourists, positioning the network for faster growth in high-demand specialties.
Pearson VUE and HCLTech are expanding their network of PTE test centres across India. The first new locations have already been launched in Ambala and Kurukshetra (Haryana), Bathinda and Barnala (Punjab), Anand (Gujarat) and Jammu. Seven more centres are planned to open across the country in 2023, widening access for test-takers.
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The Centre plans to raise about Rs 8 lakh crore via dated securities between April and September 2026-27, the finance ministry said. The borrowing is aimed at funding the government’s revenue gap. The move highlights how fiscal needs are being met ahead of the first half of the next financial year, potentially shaping bond market expectations.
Global equity markets appear to be shifting from panic to opportunity as investor sentiment suggests the sharpest selloff could be over. With geopolitical tensions continuing, traders are increasingly rotating toward long-term themes—especially technology. Even with oil expected to stay elevated, many investors don’t view energy costs as damaging enough to derail global economic growth.
Bybit says it used an AI-driven risk control framework to intercept and recover more than $300 million tied to scam-linked crypto withdrawals in Q4 2025. The system flagged suspicious transactions across multiple risk tiers, helping prevent losses for thousands of users as global crypto fraud rises.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) is now placing greater weight on compensating scam victims, signaling a shift in how financial enforcement delivers justice. The change is being framed as both an evolution of the agency’s role and a way to strengthen public confidence in India’s financial system, with banks reportedly welcoming the direction and scale of support.
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Former law minister Kapil Sibal has sharply attacked the Election Commission, saying the West Bengal Assembly polls amount to an “experiment in disenfranchisement.” He questioned the very need for elections and offered a sarcastic jab at the Chief Election Commissioner, implying his actions deserve a Padma Bhushan. The remarks raise fresh questions over election fairness and governance.
Airtel, Jio and Vi are challenging the government’s idea to allocate spectrum directly for 5G private (captive) networks to enterprises. Telcos say this could steal a potential business opportunity, while enterprise and tech firms argue it accelerates adoption and supports next-generation industrial connectivity. The dispute boils down to who should own and benefit from private 5G spectrum.
Stockholm based AI app builder Lovable says it did not suffer a data breach after users worried that chat messages and code inside projects were visible when set to public. The company argues the visibility was “intentional,” pointing to how its public settings work. Still, the episode raises questions about privacy defaults and user safeguards.
A growing scam in India is using stolen PAN details to apply for and secure loans without the victim’s consent. These fraudulent accounts can rapidly damage credit scores, making future borrowing harder. Victims are urged to act immediately—contact lenders, file a police complaint, and update credit bureaus—while pushing for stronger, secure data-sharing practices.
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Infosys has partnered with OpenAI to weave advanced AI tools into enterprise software projects. The collaboration targets a shift from experimentation to practical deployment, supporting software engineering, modernization, and productivity gains. By accelerating delivery timelines, the partnership could change how businesses build and scale with AI—moving from PoCs to production-ready systems faster.
Baramati and Rahuri assembly bypolls have recorded over 50% voter turnout. Sunetra Pawar is contesting in Baramati, while Jay Pawar’s remarks about possibly seeking the seat in 2029 have stoked speculation of a potential split within the Pawar family. The campaign now has an added layer of political anticipation heading toward the next elections.
The National Restaurants Association of India is again clashing with Swiggy and Zomato, this time over their quick-food café formats built around delivery partners that can prepare and serve in as little as 10 minutes. NRAI claims these concepts harm dining standards and local restaurants, while platforms push speed and scale. The next phase could reshape India’s restaurant ecosystem fast.
The Supreme Court ruled that a husband can be held jointly liable for stock market losses incurred by his wife through margin trading if evidence shows both were actively involved in financial transactions. The court said an oral agreement can be relevant, and similar outcomes may follow in other cases where shared liability or use of profits is established.
India’s real estate market recorded 32 deals worth $763 million in Q1 2026, with volumes rising even as total deal value fell. Investors are gravitating toward mid-sized, income-generating commercial assets such as offices and retail. Domestic investors and private equity are driving activity, signaling a more mature market focused on yield and asset quality rather than sheer pricing.
SEBI’s updated delisting framework, which provides an alternative to the reverse book building process, is drawing pushback from public shareholders. Critics argue the new mechanism may weaken transparency and reduce safeguards meant to ensure fair outcomes for minority investors. The opposition raises questions about how delisting offers will be priced and whether shareholder interests will be sufficiently protected.
Salaried workers are bracing for changes as India’s new labour codes and income tax rules approach implementation. While companies are planning new pay structures, rollouts are delayed until final government notifications. A move toward a fixed-heavy salary mix and higher basic pay could lower current take-home while improving retirement savings over time.
As RBI regulations tighten, fintech companies are scrambling to secure or pursue NBFC licences. For many players, the licence is more than compliance—it’s a survival lever and growth pathway. Direct lending can deliver higher margins than simply providing technology to banks or existing NBFCs, reshaping competition and strategy across the sector.
A McKinsey report says India has become a major smartphone supplier to the United States, covering about 40% of demand that China previously met. The shift highlights how supply chains are being redrawn, with Indian production playing an outsized role in meeting US handset needs. The development could reshape bargaining power for global mobile brands.
The Supreme Court has asked the National Company Law Tribunal to quickly decide whether a court-appointed oversight committee is required for Supertech’s 30 stalled projects. The direction follows the suspension of the interim resolution professional, raising worries among homebuyers about timelines and project completion. NCLT will examine whether such a committee should cover all projects or only those handled by NBCC.
China has begun operations at its mega Kuqa solar-to-hydrogen plant, projected to produce about 20,000 tons of green hydrogen each year. The rollout stands out because it marks the first large-scale use by a Chinese company of solar power specifically for hydrogen production, signaling acceleration in the country’s clean energy and industrial decarbonization push.
India’s new Code on Social Security expands the wage base for gratuity, which could raise employee payouts. But tax calculations under both the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the upcoming Income-tax Act, 2025 still hinge on basic pay plus dearness allowance. That gap could make part of the higher gratuity taxable, unless labour and tax rules align.
Maharashtra is rolling out a new government recruitment system to fill more than 70,000 posts in phases. The Maharashtra Public Service Commission will manage around 50,000 recruitments, while eligibility and skill-based decisions are set to become central to the process. The state expects greater transparency and efficiency, with a governance reform model taking shape within a year.
A 26-year-old ICICI Bank relationship manager in Kota, Rajasthan, has been arrested for allegedly stealing Rs 4.58 crore from customers, including senior citizens, between 2020 and 2023. Investigators say she broke FDs, created overdrafts and personal loans, and manipulated bank systems and customer details to hide funds used for speculative F&O trading.
Bitcoin has rebounded to around $70,000 after a sharp drop to roughly $62,000, as a wave of liquidation forced out leveraged long positions. While major altcoins moved in mixed directions, global crypto market cap inched higher. Still, traders remain cautious, weighing macro risks and interest-rate expectations before committing to fresh bets.
Spain has introduced a mass legalization program for undocumented migrants, offering eligible applicants a renewable residence permit. The government says hundreds of thousands may qualify, provided they have been living in Spain for at least five months and have no criminal record. Officials want to bring newcomers into the workforce and fully integrate them into the economy and social security system.
The Odisha High Court quashed a husband’s criminal cases under Section 498A and dowry provisions after he obtained a mutual consent divorce. The court held that continuing the proceedings would achieve nothing because the marriage stood dissolved legally under the Hindu Marriage Act, bringing an end to a 14-year legal battle between the parties.
Zerodha-backed Rainmatter has invested Rs 20 crore into Chennai-based wealth advisory startup Prime Investor, its first institutional funding. The money will help Prime Investor shift from pure advisory to full-stack portfolio management, focusing on clients with at least Rs 50 lakh in assets and using technology to streamline client acquisition and day-to-day operations.
IIM Lucknow’s 2026 final placements reportedly delivered a surprising shift: the highest India-based package edged above overseas offers. For 559 students, the institute tied it to strong demand across consulting, finance and technology, with over 580 roles made available—suggesting a broader domestic pull than expected.
Bristol Myers Squibb CEO Chris Boerner tells ET Prime that India’s pharma talent pool is exceptionally strong. He also highlights the company’s push to become one of the fastest-growing firms by decade’s end, with AI playing a key role. Boerner says the approach could lead to truly transformational medicines while the company expands its footprint in India.
India’s recent Securities Transaction Tax increase brings back a 2004-era levy meant to curb speculation and reduce capital-gains leakage. Originally designed to replace LTCG, STT now sits alongside it, aiming at a booming Gen Z-driven F&O market. The result: higher trading costs, cooler volumes, and pressure on market intermediaries.
Indian students are increasingly returning home after studying abroad as visa policies—especially in the US and UK—become harder to predict. Rising living costs and weaker job prospects are adding pressure, prompting many to rethink overseas degrees. Instead, students are leaning toward shorter programs or shifting to alternative destinations to reduce risk and improve career outcomes.
India Inc expects average salaries to rise 9.1% in 2026, led by Global Capability Centres at 10.4%. Financial services and e-commerce are also projecting strong growth, while attrition is stabilizing. Companies are increasingly tying pay to skills, with emerging tech roles earning premiums and long-term incentives becoming more common, including for CEOs with performance-linked pay.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das cautioned that inflation pressures are spreading globally even as trade trends move toward deglobalization. With risks to the global economy rising, multilateral institutions like the IMF have lowered growth projections and flagged recession dangers, raising uncertainty for policymakers and markets alike.
NASA has announced the four astronauts for SpaceX’s Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station, now targeting launch no earlier than mid-September. The flight is designed to accelerate space station crew rotations and support future Moon-Mars preparations. Jessica Watkins, aboard a second SpaceX Dragon mission, is poised to make history as NASA works to tighten its human spaceflight timeline.
Mukesh Ambani has again filed for a nil salary as Reliance Industries chairman, continuing a streak for the fifth consecutive year that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Ambani’s own pay is reportedly ₹0, his children Isha, Akash, and Anant earned ₹2.31 crore each as non-executive directors, alongside steady compensation for other executives.
Retatrutide, an investigational weight-loss drug, is drawing global attention after early clinical results showed substantial weight reduction. What makes it stand out is its “triple-action” approach, targeting three hormone receptors involved in metabolism. Researchers are also exploring whether it could support broader longevity goals, potentially offering new options for obesity and related diabetes.
Renault Duster has secured a 5-star safety rating from BNCAP, with strong performance in both adult and child occupant protection tests. The top rating covers multiple variants of the SUV and highlights solid structural integrity. Safety tech such as ESC and ADAS features including Adaptive Cruise Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking further strengthen its crash protection credentials.
PepsiCo India says layered agricultural supply chains today restrict farmers’ ability to see pricing and form direct links with organized buyers. As rising costs and shifting consumer demand pressure the system, the company argues that stronger, more transparent farm-to-shelf linkages could improve stability for suppliers while helping it plan more reliably for future demand.
The Supreme Court has held that a US divorce based on irretrievable breakdown cannot be enforced in India because that ground is not recognized under the Hindu Marriage Act. Even after long separation, the court set aside the High Court’s view and relied on its Article 142 powers to grant divorce, effectively carving out an exception for the case at hand.
Singapore Airlines is increasing its involvement with Air India by placing its executives directly in operational areas such as flight operations and engineering. The shift comes as Air India battles record financial losses and safety concerns. While Tata Group remains the majority owner, it is said to be focusing its attention on other business functions.
India is dramatically expanding piped natural gas (PNG) adoption, adding over 5 lakh new connections as disruptions strain cooking gas supplies. The government and utilities are pushing households and industries to shift from LPG to PNG for convenience, while LPG availability is managed in parallel. New pipeline installations are being fast-tracked to sustain the rollout.
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