Author: News Desk

Adani Group and Brazilian aerospace major Embraer have announced a strategic collaboration to establish a regional aircraft manufacturing facility in India, marking a major step forward for the country’s indigenous aviation and aerospace ambitions. Focus on Regional ConnectivityWith India emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, the partnership aims to strengthen air connectivity to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities by supporting the production of regional transport aircraft tailored to domestic needs. MoU Signed in New DelhiThe Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Adani Defence & Aerospace and Embraer at an event hosted by the Ministry of…

LuLu Group India has unveiled a significant expansion plan, aiming to strengthen its retail and food processing presence across the country. The growth strategy includes developing shopping malls and logistics centres in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, alongside launching new hypermarkets in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, reflecting the company’s long-term commitment to India’s retail sector. As part of this initiative, Yusuffali M.A., Chairman of LuLu Group, signed an agreement with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for multiple projects in the state. The plan features a mega shopping mall in Visakhapatnam, a food sourcing and export centre in…

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit India in the first week of March, with plans to sign agreements on uranium, energy, minerals, artificial intelligence, education, and culture, according to Dinesh Patnaik, India’s High Commissioner to Canada. Carney has been actively working to diversify Canada’s alliances beyond the United States, the country’s largest trading partner. Last week at Davos, he received a standing ovation for declaring that the old rules-based global order is no longer functioning and urging middle powers like Canada to build coalitions to create a fairer, more resilient world. This push follows Canada’s recent trade…

Anke Gowda hails from Mandya district in Karnataka. He started his career as a bus conductor before going on to establish the world’s largest free-access library, Pustak Mane. A passionate reader, Gowda turned his love for books into a public space where people of all ages and backgrounds can access knowledge. At 75, he has been awarded the Padma Shri for his efforts in promoting reading and making books widely available across India. The library, named The Ankegowda Book House, is located in Haralahalli village near Mysuru. It houses over two million books in 20 languages, including rare manuscripts, around…

India and the European Union have finalized a historic free trade agreement, marking the largest tariff liberalisation India has ever offered to a trading partner. The deal covers economies with a combined population of nearly 2 billion, strengthening economic and political ties between the world’s second- and fourth-largest economies amid heightened global trade uncertainty. Major Boost to Trade and Exports The FTA is expected to significantly increase bilateral trade, with EU exports to India projected to double over time. Analysts forecast a potential rise in India’s trade surplus with the EU of over $50 billion by FY31, while domestic equity…

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and this year’s chief guest at India’s 77th Republic Day, drew attention on Monday in a maroon-and-gold brocade bandhgala jacket paired with off-white trousers—a striking blend of elegance and traditional Indian style that suited the grandeur of the occasion. Typically known for her tailored pantsuits at international events, von der Leyen’s choice of traditional Indian attire for the parade marked a notable departure, showcasing her respect for Indian culture and a thoughtful nod to the importance of the celebration. As she watched the parade featuring India’s armed forces, cultural tableaux, and…

India and the European Union (EU) are expected to announce a landmark free-trade agreement (FTA) today. The deal aims to create a comprehensive framework to navigate the uncertainties caused by US policies under President Donald Trump. Here’s a concise breakdown: Background and significance: Trade context:

Import duty reductions on labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and footwear, along with concessions on cars and wines, are expected to feature in the India–European Union free trade agreement (FTA), which is likely to be announced on 27 January, according to a PTI report citing people familiar with the matter. The agreement is also expected to ease regulatory norms across multiple service sectors. India has consistently pushed for zero-duty access for labour-intensive industries including textiles, leather, apparel, gems and jewellery, and handicrafts. This demand has been a core part of India’s FTA negotiations and has been secured in deals with…

India’s digital payments ecosystem continues to be dominated by two major platforms, Paytm and PhonePe, each charting distinct corporate paths. Paytm, operated by One97 Communications, recently reported profits, while PhonePe, backed by Walmart, is preparing for a public listing, having filed its Updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus in January 2026. Both platforms provide consumer payments, merchant payments, and financial services distribution built on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) network. However, differences in transaction volumes, financial results, and monetisation strategies are increasingly visible as both companies report under different frameworks. For H1 FY26, PhonePe reported revenue from operations of ₹3,918.47 crore,…

At just 31, Daniel Tom has turned one of the least glamorous services into a booming business. As owner of Bay Area Sanitation, he now manages nearly 2,000 portable toilets across the San Francisco Bay Area, generating $4.3 million (around Rs 39 crore) in annual revenue in 2025, up from $3.1 million in 2024. Tom launched the company in 2023 with a single truck and 100 rentable units. The business turned profitable in its first year and has scaled rapidly, supported by the region’s growth in outdoor events and construction activity. With 12 vacuum pumper trucks and 19 employees, the…