Business

A new Aadhaar-based framework has been introduced for cooperative banks, enabling authentication and eKYC services. This initiative, spearheaded by the Cooperation Ministry and UIDAI, allows state cooperative banks to register directly with UIDAI, while district central cooperative banks can utilize their state counterparts’ infrastructure. The move aims to enhance financial inclusion in rural areas by…

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Washington soon to advance India-US trade negotiations, which have shown positive progress. This visit follows constructive discussions between US and Indian negotiators regarding a proposed bilateral trade agreement.

President Trump and President Xi Jinping had a productive call, discussing trade, fentanyl, and the TikTok deal. They agreed to meet at the APEC Summit in South Korea, with plans for reciprocal visits to China and the US next year.

IATA is set to present 14 working papers at the ICAO Assembly, addressing critical issues in aviation safety, sustainability, and efficiency. Key focuses include boosting SAF production, reaffirming CORSIA, safeguarding radio frequencies amid 5G rollouts, and advocating for timely accident reports. IATA also supports raising the pilot retirement age to 67, with appropriate medical oversight.

SEBI has introduced a simplified framework for transferring securities from a nominee to a legal heir, aiming to reduce tax and compliance burdens. A new reporting code, ‘TLH,’ will be implemented from January 1, 2026, ensuring these transfers are correctly reported and not taxed as capital gains. This move streamlines the asset transition process, benefiting…

Wall Street experienced a slight rise on Friday, continuing its path toward a potentially record-setting week. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw gains, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up. Investor optimism persists due to expectations of further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, with FedEx’s strong performance contributing to market stability.

Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) has upgraded India’s long-term sovereign credit rating to ‘BBB+’ with a Stable Outlook, marking the third upgrade in 2025. This decision reflects confidence in India’s domestic demand-driven growth, prudent fiscal management, and the government’s effective economic policies. The upgrade highlights India’s resilient macroeconomic fundamentals amid global uncertainties.

The European Union is contemplating accelerating its timeline for phasing out Russian liquefied natural gas imports, potentially moving faster than the initially planned 2027 deadline. This consideration follows pressure from the US and is being explored through sanctions and modifications to the RePowerEU plan.