CATEGORIES

'India-Canada FTA talks paused due to political reasons'

The negotiations between India and Canada on the free trade agreement (FTA), which resumed after a decade, have come to a halt due to political concerns, said a senior government official on Friday

Goods trade deficit swells to 10-month high in Aug

India’s merchandise trade gap swelled to the highest in 10 months in August as exports continued to slow due to weak demand in the West and China, even as sustained geo-political tensions keep inflation and interest rates elevated.

UAE to circulate COP28 draft declaration on food security

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the host of the UN climate change conference (COP28) this year, will circulate a draft landmark declaration for food security transition to member countries in a few days, UAE’s climate change and environment minister Mariam Al Mehairi said in an interview

The rich history of Swiss embroidery

There is more to Switzerland than chocolates and watches. It also has a rich legacy of embroidery and lace

WHAT'S NEXT IN THE WAR AGAINST PSEUDOSCIENCE?

Although the gains made in promoting rational thinking over legitimised quackery in India are small, they are gathering strength

Creating intimacy in a home takes some planning

A decade ago, Delhi-based Anagram Architects fashioned a house they called Kindred House

Monetizing Generative AI: Smaller Models Target Wider Accessibility

While Microsoft, Google and OpenAI are advancing work on large language models (LLMs) that power mainstream generative AI (artificial intelligence), a few others are gearing up to deploy small AI models, which are likely to reach the consumers sometime in 2024.

The Great Smids Rally: Who's At Risk?

FOMO is at play and many retail investors are in a zone of danger

London has a cool new hotel: Churchill's old war office

After a seven-year renovation, the building will soon reopen as the five-star hotel Raffles London at the OWO

The New Delhi Declaration and Paris Agenda show a way forth

The transformative changes welcomed by world leaders should benefit all vulnerable developing countries in all regions

Parliament dress codes should retain neutrality

A political row over a dress mandate for the staff at our democracy's legislative heart comes down to whether promotion of the ruling party's iconography is okay. Use an association test.

Private equity recruits data science talent to tackle ML

More PE firms are adding chief data officers as they incorporate machine learning

ECB increases interest rates to all-time high

Economists, traders expect hike to be the last in current tightening cycle

GST on brand name usage baffles banks

Banks are facing uncertainty on the applicability of goods and services tax (GST) on the use of a common brand name of the bank by all its branches and subsidiaries, said two people privy to the development.

HSBC to boost startup funding across sectors

The bank has already utilized 80% of the $250 mn set aside for startups

L'Oréal plans growth blitz to double India biz in 3-5 years

French firm expects to grow at twice the rate of domestic beauty personal care industry

Tata to 'gadgetize' EVs in PV folio shift

Tata Motors, the country’s leading electric passenger vehicle company, is beginning to revamp its passenger vehicle line-up, including EVs, to stay competitive in a market where new launches from automakers are increasing choices for younger, aspirational Indian buyers.

Maruti bets small cars will gain from SUV ride

Co urges dealers to stock up more hatchbacks, rationalizes production

'Strong tailwinds make it the right time to list Yatra Online'

As online travel agency Yatra Online Ltd’s IPO will open for subscriptions this Friday, its co-founder and CEO, Dhruv Shringi, in an exclusive conversation with Mint, said there are strong tailwinds behind the business, and this is the right time to list. The company plans to use ₹150 crore from the IPO proceeds for strategic investments, acquisitions, and inorganic growth, while ₹392 crore could be used for investments in customer acquisition and retention, technology, and organic growth initiatives.

Ex-Global Silicon Valley exec joins Celesta as partner

Deeptech-focused venture capital (VC) firm Thursday said it has roped in Anita Rehman, an investor previously at US-based investor GSV (Global Silicon Valley), as a partner.

Kedaara picks stake in Orchids schools owner

Large minority stake in K12 Techno is Kedaara’s second big deal this week

Food ministry to seek jute bag exemption for sugar packaging

The department of food and public distribution will seek an exemption for sugar from mandatory 20% jute bag packaging starting next month.

Data rules may debut in graded manner

The central government is planning a “graded\" transition regarding compliance with rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, an official of the plans said. Under this approach, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will get longer time frames to comply, while larger corporations will get less.

WPI inflation hits 5-mth high in Aug, but stays in negative

Easing veg prices saw wholesale food inflation fall to 5.62% in August after 7.75% in July

I&B ministry weighs bill to regulate OTT, DTH

The ministry of information and broadcasting is considering introducing a new bill to regulate broadcasting services, including over-the-top (OTT) apps and direct-to-home services, two people aware of the development said.

EbixCash's IPO filing doesn't disclose an adverse court order

EbixCash Ltd, payment services company that plans to go public, is yet to disclose in its draft share sale documents an adverse arbitration order passed by a Singapore court in June that could cost it ₹100-200 crore.

New licensing policy to boost drug safety

Proposed changes aim at uniformity in licensing across India

Reliance Retail In Talks With Investors To Raise $1.5 Billion

India's Reliance Retail is in talks with existing investors including the sovereign wealth funds of Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia for combined new investments of around $1.5 billion, three persons with direct knowledge of the plan said.

Our Inflation Index Lens Is Hazy But Clear Enough

A more accurate picture of the rising cost of living in India would help, but so long as the CPI broadly captures price changes usefully, high-pixel grabs will not necessarily improve policy

India's Unemployment Challenge Can't Be Tackled By Doles As Usual

Structural changes in our economy have resulted in improved education levels and provided a modicum of social security