July 28, 2025
Supreme Court Allows Draft Electoral Roll Publication, Upholds Aadhaar and Voter ID for Verification Under SIR Rules
The Supreme Court declined to grant an interim stay on the publication of draft electoral rolls in Bihar amid challenges to the Election Commission's special intensive revision (SIR) exercise. The Court scheduled a final hearing and directed the Election Commission to continue accepting Aadhaar and voter ID cards as valid documents for voter verification, recognizing their presumption of genuineness. Petitioners, including an NGO and political leaders, argued that the SIR could disenfranchise voters due to alleged unchecked discretion by electoral officers and exclusion of certain documents. The Election Commission defended the SIR as necessary to maintain electoral integrity by removing ineligible voters and stated it accepted multiple identification documents. The Court emphasized addressing any forgery on a case-by-case basis rather than broadly excluding voters and sought timelines for arguments to resolve the matter conclusively.
July 28, 2025
Airline Grounded for Overdue Emergency Slide Inspection Under Aviation Safety Enforcement Policy
The aviation regulator initiated enforcement action against a national airline after discovering that an aircraft's emergency slide inspection was overdue during an audit. The aircraft was immediately grounded until rectification was completed. The regulator is pursuing action against the airline and responsible personnel under its enforcement policy. This followed concerns raised about flights operating with overdue safety checks prior to a recent fatal crash involving the airline. The regulator affirmed its commitment to safety through regular surveillance and enforcement measures, including warnings, suspensions, cancellations, and financial penalties, emphasizing that its officials are trained for oversight and enforcement duties. Specific dates of the audit and enforcement actions were not disclosed.
July 28, 2025
Court to decide on ED chargesheet cognisance in Rs 2000 crore money laundering case under relevant laws
A Delhi court is expected to rule on the cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's chargesheet in a case involving allegations of conspiracy and money laundering related to the takeover of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore belonging to a publishing company. The chargesheet names several accused, including prominent political figures, former party leaders, associates, and private companies. The Enforcement Directorate alleges that the accused fraudulently acquired a majority stake in a private company that took control of the publishing company's assets in exchange for a loan. The court had reserved its order after hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defense regarding the cognisance of the chargesheet.
July 28, 2025
Gold drops Rs 500 amid US-EU trade deal; silver falls Rs 1,000 as market optimism rises
Gold prices fell by Rs 500 to Rs 98,020 per 10 grams in the national capital, marking the fourth consecutive decline due to continued selling by stockists following a US-EU trade deal that reduced safe-haven demand. Silver prices also dropped by Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,13,000 per kilogram. The trade agreement imposes a 15% tariff on most European goods entering the US and includes significant EU investments in American industry. Market analysts attribute the decline in precious metals to optimism over trade relations, a stronger US dollar, and easing tariff concerns. Upcoming US economic data and developments regarding the Federal Reserve's independence are expected to influence future price movements.
July 28, 2025
Pet Care Campaign Highlights Risks of Feeding Pets Human Food and Promotes Balanced Packaged Nutrition
A multinational pet care company launched a campaign in India to address widespread nutritional deficiencies in pet diets, highlighting that feeding pets home-cooked human food often lacks essential nutrients. Supported by a veterinary survey, the campaign emphasizes that packaged pet foods offer complete and balanced nutrition tailored to dogs and cats, improving pet health outcomes such as digestion, energy, and coat condition. Veterinarians report that many pet illnesses stem from nutritional imbalances caused by feeding pets human food without professional guidance. The campaign aims to educate pet owners on the biological differences in pet nutrition and promote scientifically formulated pet food as a safer alternative. The initiative is disseminated through various retail and digital channels to encourage evidence-based feeding practices and reduce health issues linked to improper diets.
July 28, 2025
Sugarcane Ethanol Rates Should Match Grain-Based to Protect Sugar Mills and Farmers, Says Industry Rep
A representative of the sugar cooperatives sector expressed concern over the disparity in purchase rates between grain-based and sugarcane-based ethanol production, highlighting that this difference adversely affects sugar mills' investments. The recent government approval allowing the use of food grains for ethanol production at higher rates than sugarcane-based ethanol may undermine the financial viability of sugar factories, which rely on ethanol as supplementary income. The official urged for equalization of rates to support sugar mills and farmers and called for a long-term policy to regulate sugar production and promote ethanol production from cane juice and molasses. The shift toward grain-based ethanol, which constitutes the majority of ethanol purchases by oil companies, risks increasing food grain prices and threatens the sustainability of sugar mills.
July 28, 2025
Real estate developer secures approval for large residential project in special investment region until 2029
A real estate developer obtained regulatory approval from the state's real estate authority for a residential project in a designated special investment region. The approval covers development on a land parcel of over 10,000 square meters and remains valid until 2029. The project is positioned to benefit from significant upcoming infrastructure developments, including an international cargo airport and an expressway expected to be operational by the end of 2025. The region has attracted substantial investment interest, including major industrial projects, indicating potential growth and increased real estate demand.
July 28, 2025
Educational institution partners with bilateral council to boost startups' global growth and market access
An educational institution's innovation park entered into a partnership with a bilateral economic council to support ventures in scaling operations and expanding internationally. The collaboration establishes a framework for entrepreneurs associated with the institution to access the partner country's innovation ecosystem, providing mentorship, cross-border exposure, and support for market entry. The agreement aims to promote inclusive entrepreneurship and facilitate the growth of scalable business models by connecting startups to a dynamic foreign market known for fostering transformative ideas. This partnership is intended to enhance the global outlook and operational capabilities of startups from the institution's region.
July 28, 2025
Hospital Achieves Milestone with First Cytoreductive Surgery and Heated Chemotherapy for Advanced Cancer
A hospital successfully completed its first Cytoreductive Surgery combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy on a 60-year-old woman with advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment at the facility. The patient was initially misdiagnosed at another hospital but received proper diagnosis and treatment after admission to the ICU, including chemotherapy and fluid drainage. After five months of chemotherapy, the patient underwent a complex 12-hour surgery involving heated chemotherapy delivered intraoperatively, resulting in positive recovery and discharge in stable condition nine days post-surgery. This procedure required multidisciplinary coordination and represents a milestone for the hospital's cancer care capabilities. The hospital is part of a large healthcare network with numerous accreditations and a wide geographic presence across India.
July 28, 2025
New $4M Tech Venture Launches AI-Enabled Connected Device Manufacturing with Modular ODM Platform
Two private technology companies have jointly established a new entity with $4 million in seed funding to provide original design manufacturing services for AI-enabled connected devices. The new company integrates product design, prototyping, certification, and manufacturing under one roof, targeting startups and enterprises in sectors including automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics. It operates advanced manufacturing facilities in India and has secured substantial orders across multiple global regions. The entity collaborates with semiconductor firms to enhance AI and connectivity capabilities in its products. Its business model emphasizes accelerating product development timelines through a modular platform and an on-demand, self-service ODM marketplace. The venture aims to leverage vertical integration and strategic partnerships to drive innovation and scale production of intelligent edge devices internationally.
July 28, 2025
Stock indices fall for third day as bank profits drop and loan stress worries grow
The benchmark stock indices declined for the third consecutive day, driven primarily by significant losses in a major private bank following its quarterly profit drop and concerns over stressed loan portfolios amid adverse economic conditions. Market sentiment was further dampened by disappointing corporate earnings, foreign institutional investor sell-offs, and uncertainty surrounding a bilateral trade agreement. Several other prominent companies also saw share price declines due to asset quality worries and planned workforce reductions, prompting regulatory scrutiny. While some sectors and companies recorded gains, overall market breadth was negative with a majority of stocks falling. The domestic currency weakened against the US dollar due to increased import-related demand. Global markets showed mixed performance, with some Asian indices down and European and US markets up. The market outlook remains cautious pending upcoming monetary policy decisions and further corporate earnings reports.
July 28, 2025
Tech Company Probed Under PMLA for Illegal Online Gambling Ads and Money Laundering Activities
Representatives of a major technology company were questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act related to the promotion of illegal online betting and gambling platforms. The ED is examining how such platforms advertise on social media and app stores, seeking documents and statements from the company's compliance officers. The investigation involves multiple cases across the country, including a specific app promoted by individuals from a particular region. The agency alleges that these platforms engaged in cheating users and laundering substantial sums of money while evading taxes. The company stated its commitment to preventing illegal gambling advertisements and cooperating with authorities. Another major social media firm did not participate in the deposition process. The inquiry also extends to public figures suspected of involvement in promoting these illegal activities.
July 28, 2025
Philanthropic Foundation Teams with First Ladies to Boost Fertility Care and Fight Infertility Stigma Globally
A philanthropic foundation has partnered with African and Asian First Ladies to enhance fertility care capacity across multiple countries by training local embryologists and reproductive specialists. The foundation has awarded over 700 scholarships for advanced training in fertility and reproductive medicine to healthcare professionals from 41 countries. It also launched a campaign to break infertility stigma, promote infertility prevention, and raise awareness of male infertility through educational films, media training, and community outreach. Additionally, the foundation supports infertile women by providing business training to foster economic independence. The initiative includes culturally adapted children's storybooks and music to address social stigma and domestic violence linked to infertility. The foundation collaborates with governments and media to promote equitable access to reproductive healthcare and empower women, aiming to reduce discrimination and improve quality of life for infertile individuals in underserved regions.
July 28, 2025
Robotic Neurointervention Trial Shows Equal Safety, Cuts Operator Radiation by 96% Under GCP Standards
A multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluated a neurointerventional robotic system developed by a Chinese biomedical company in collaboration with several hospitals. The trial, conducted under Good Clinical Practice standards and registered as NCT05778214, enrolled 128 patients undergoing cerebral angiography, comparing robot-assisted procedures to conventional manual operations. The study demonstrated that the robotic system is non-inferior in safety and efficacy, achieving 100% clinical success in both groups, while reducing the primary operator's radiation exposure by 96% without increasing patient risk. The system received regulatory market authorization in August 2024. Technical innovations include a master-slave architecture and a proprietary catheter interface enabling precise control. The company plans further product iterations and regulatory submissions to expand the system's neurointerventional applications. This trial's publication in a leading international neurointerventional journal marks a significant milestone for robotic-assisted neurovascular procedures and supports the system's potential to become a standard clinical tool globally.
July 28, 2025
AI-Powered Merchant Onboarding Suite Automates Verification, Classification, and Risk Management Under AML/KYC Rules
A payments infrastructure provider has launched an AI-driven Merchant Onboarding, Verification, and Classification Suite designed to enhance compliance, reduce fraud, and expedite the onboarding process for banks and payment aggregators. The platform uses AI and machine learning to assess merchant risk in real time, verify merchant data through trusted sources, and automate merchant classification and MCC code mapping. It enables institutions to set transaction limits based on risk scores, reclassify merchants in bulk, and maintain adherence to AML/KYC regulations and central bank guidelines. The solution aims to mitigate risk by flagging high-risk merchants, protect revenue by preventing misclassification, and improve operational efficiency by automating manual processes. This suite supports acquiring institutions in building compliant, low-risk merchant portfolios and is available for deployment to modernize payment infrastructure operations.
July 28, 2025
Industrial production growth slows to 1.5% in June 2025, hit by mining and power sector declines
Industrial production growth in the referenced country declined to 1.5 percent in June 2025, marking a 10-month low primarily due to decreased output in the mining and power sectors, which were affected by early monsoon rains. Manufacturing output showed a slight increase to 3.9 percent compared to the previous year. Mining production fell by 8.7 percent, reversing a prior growth of 10.3 percent, while power production dropped by 2.6 percent from an earlier growth of 8.6 percent. The overall industrial production growth for the April-June quarter of fiscal year 2026 was 2 percent, down from 5.4 percent in the same period the previous year. The National Statistics Office also revised May's industrial growth upward to 1.9 percent from an earlier estimate of 1.2 percent.
July 28, 2025
Jewellery Brand Offers Limited-Time Discount on 22KT and 18KT Gold with Savings per Gram
A leading jewellery brand has launched a limited-time promotional offer allowing customers to purchase handcrafted gold jewellery at significantly reduced rates compared to current market prices, with savings of approximately INR 1455 per gram for 22KT gold and INR 1292 per gram for 18KT gold. The offer, valid until mid-August 2025, applies to syndicate uncut diamond or Polki jewellery and is available both in-store and online nationwide. The brand's business model avoids hedging gold with banks, enabling direct transfer of procurement and manufacturing cost savings to customers. This initiative aims to provide genuine value, enhance accessibility to luxury jewellery, and simplify the buying experience while maintaining craftsmanship and authenticity. The brand plans further expansion across multiple cities following positive consumer response to a similar previous campaign.
July 28, 2025
RBI invites feedback on draft Master Direction for Business Authorization of Co-operative Banks until August 25, 2025
The Reserve Bank has issued a draft Master Direction concerning Business Authorization for Co-operative Banks, inviting public and stakeholder comments until August 25, 2025. Feedback can be submitted via the RBI's official website or by mail to the Chief General Manager at the Department of Regulation, Central Office. This initiative aims to regulate and standardize business authorization processes for co-operative banks.
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