Milliken showcases advanced polymer additives improving clarity, barrier performance, recyclability and manufacturing efficiency at PLASTINDIA 2026.
Milliken & Company is presenting advanced polymer additives at PLASTINDIA 2026 that improve optical clarity, processing efficiency, barrier performance and recyclability. Key offerings include next-generation clarifiers for polypropylene, nucleating agents, barrier improvers for polyethylene enabling downgauging and mono-material design, performance modifiers for virgin and recycled resins, and specialized colorants and laser-marking additives for engineered polymers and food-contact applications.

India-GCC FTA ToR set the negotiation framework for tariff, services, investment and market access commitments.
The Terms of Reference create the formal negotiation framework for an India-GCC Free Trade Agreement, defining scope and modalities to guide talks on tariff and non tariff measures, rules of origin, services, investment provisions and mechanisms to enhance predictability and stability; the ToR aim to translate existing trade and investment linkages into negotiated commitments on market access, investment facilitation and sectoral cooperation.

Startup recognition framework revised to raise turnover limits, create deep tech category and include cooperative societies.
The revised framework raises the general startup turnover threshold from Rs.100 crore to Rs.200 crore, establishes a Deep Tech Startup category with an extended age limit of 20 years and a turnover cap of Rs.300 crore, and extends startup recognition eligibility to Multi State and State/UT Cooperative Societies subject to other criteria.

Coca Cola India expands hydration access and local vendor employment at Magh Mela 2026, adding recycled plastic public infrastructure.
Coca Cola India and bottling partner SLMG Beverages deployed an on ground ecosystem at Magh Mela 2026 to provide chilled beverages via hydration carts and coolers across Prayagraj and travel corridors, integrating local vendors and retailers to create income opportunities under the "Locally Yours" campaign, while Anandana - The Coca Cola India Foundation's #MaidaanSaaf organised waste collection and installed public utilities made from recycled plastic to manage waste and enhance visitor infrastructure.

NexTech Summit 2026: invite-only CIO forum on AI operationalization, cyber resilience, and enterprise modernization.
NexTech Summit 2026 is an invite-only, attendance limited forum for over 500 CIOs and senior technology leaders focused on AI operationalization, cyber resilience, enterprise architecture modernization, and aligning technology programs with measurable business outcomes through closed-door keynotes, panels, and curated discussions supported by an enterprise technology partner ecosystem.

VinFast India and Bank of Baroda sign MoU to provide INR 200 crore in dealer invoice financing for dealers.
An MoU between VinFast Auto India and Bank of Baroda establishes dealer invoice financing: Bank of Baroda will extend INR 200 crore on flexible terms to VinFast dealers, using its pan India network and digital platforms to provide supply chain and inventory financing tailored to dealer liquidity and distribution expansion.

LTIMindtree named Leader for payments IT services, highlighting ISO 20022 migration, real-time payments and AI-driven modernization.
LTIMindtree was positioned as a Leader in the Everest Group Payments IT Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2025 for delivering large-scale payments transformation that combines modernization scale, platform alliances, and innovation to enable real-time, cross-border, and ISO 20022-compatible payment environments, backed by product engineering, payment hub modernization, scheme compliance, Centers of Excellence, and AI-driven capabilities via the BlueVerse ecosystem.

The Belgian Waffle Co's Waffletine's offers Rs.100 off on Rs.399+ orders with early-bird loyalty access and in-store experiences.
The Belgian Waffle Co's Waffletine's campaign offers a flat Rs.100 discount on bills of Rs.399+ across its product range at 720+ stores nationwide between 12-14 February, with an early-bird start on 11 February exclusively for Waffleverse loyalty members, supported by influencer promotion, in-store experiential elements, and social amplification.

RBI pauses rate cuts, keeps repo at 5.25% with neutral stance amid low inflation and rupee depreciation risks.
The Monetary Policy Committee retained the repo rate at 5.25 per cent with a neutral stance, pausing further rate cuts after cumulative easing of 125 basis points since February 2025. The decision reflects very low CPI-based retail inflation-including a 0.25 per cent trough in October 2025-and the statutory inflation mandate of 4 per cent 2 percentage points, while weighing stronger GDP growth and a significant rupee depreciation that could raise imported inflation risks.

Bitcoin and Asian markets fell as technology stocks and AI spending concerns drove broad market losses.
Asian equities and US futures fell as technology sector weakness and investor concern over large AI investments pressured markets; Bitcoin plunged about 9 percent (briefly over 12 percent), wiping out gains since the prior US election. Precious metals retreated after a safe haven rally, crude oil edged higher, and currencies showed modest moves amid cross asset volatility.

Stock markets fell as IT stocks lagged and investors awaited a central bank policy decision amid foreign fund outflows.
Stock indices opened lower with IT heavyweights leading losses as investors remained cautious ahead of a central bank monetary policy announcement; foreign institutional selling and global technology weakness were cited as primary downward drivers affecting short-term market dynamics and sector volatility.

Rupee rises on central bank monetary policy anticipation; gains limited by FII outflows and rising crude oil prices.
Rupee appreciation to 90.23 against the US dollar was driven by market positioning ahead of the central bank's monetary policy announcement, with guidance from that announcement cited as the main near term driver. Gains were capped by net foreign portfolio outflows, a firmer dollar index and rising global crude oil prices, which together limited stronger upward movement and shaped short term market expectations.

Trans-Arunachal highway compensation scam: Enforcement agency seizes Rs2.2 crore during PMLA money laundering probe linked to fake beneficiaries and inflated assessments
Enforcement Directorate searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act seized about Rs 2.2 crore from premises linked to an alleged Trans Arunachal Highway compensation scheme. The probe alleges large scale irregularities in assessment, certification and disbursement of land acquisition compensation, diversion of funds into savings accounts, issuance of cheques to fabricated or ineligible beneficiaries, inflated and fictitious assessments and inclusion of non existent structures, causing an alleged loss of about Rs 44 crore.

Telangana minority reservations, caste survey data and a proposed hate speech law tied to protecting the four per cent quota.
Telangana's Chief Minister challenged the BJP to form government after past statements promising to end the four per cent minority reservation, and stated the state has finalized Muslim population figures via a caste survey to support making that reservation permanent. He announced that a hate speech law and policy document will be prepared for the upcoming budget session to deter and punish hate crimes and inflammatory remarks, and that a former judge has been asked to assist in drafting the legislation.

Retired IIT Bombay staffer cheated of Rs 4.62 crore through impersonation and bank account laundering.
A retired IIT Bombay employee was induced by callers impersonating officials to withdraw deposits and transfer Rs 4.62 crore into bank accounts supplied by cybercriminals; a case was registered for cheating by impersonation and Information Technology Act offences and transferred to a regional cyber cell. Investigation traced the funds to two intermediaries who had opened multiple accounts, withdrew the deposits, and handed proceeds to fraudsters for commission; both were arrested and further inquiries to identify other participants and trace funds continue.

Amazon announces surge in capital spending amid strong Q4 sales but shares fall despite AWS growth.
Amazon reported a 14% fourth quarter sales increase and announced a near 60% rise in capital expenditures to USD 200 billion to expand AI, robotics, semiconductors and satellites, alongside workforce reductions and store closures, while AWS grew 24% with USD 35.6 billion revenue.

Santa Cruz del Norte faces power outages and fuel shortages after disrupted oil shipments and threatened import tariffs.
Persistent power outages and fuel shortages in Santa Cruz del Norte stem from disrupted oil shipments and threatened tariffs that have constrained imports. Residents rely on coal, firewood, improvised stoves and charged lanterns, face rising prices and broken household devices, and endure impacts on transport, hospitals, schools and food production. Government statements label the situation complex but provide no detailed reserve or supply plan; diplomatic contacts and pledged humanitarian aid are noted while many households remain unable to afford alternatives.

US announces $6M humanitarian aid to Cuba amid accusations of an energy blockade and worsening fuel shortages.
The United States announced USD 6 million in humanitarian aid for hurricane affected eastern Cuba, to be delivered by the Catholic Church and Caritas while US embassy personnel monitor distribution to prevent regime diversion. US officials fault Cuban resource misallocation for shortages and signalled potential further assistance if Cuba permits greater US support. Cuban leadership describes US threats to oil suppliers as an "energy blockade," cites fuel shortages and blackouts, and conditions dialogue on respect for Cuban sovereignty.

Amazon Q4 earnings disclosed EPS below estimates, AWS growth strong, and a planned $200B capital expenditure increase.
Amazon reported Q4 net income of USD 21.2 billion and revenue of USD 213.4 billion, with EPS of USD 1.95 below analyst estimates; AWS revenue rose 24% to USD 35.6 billion. The company announced an increase in planned capital expenditures to USD 200 billion from USD 125 billion to fund investments in AI, robotics, semiconductors, and satellites, and after-hours trading reflected an approximately nine percent share decline.

Wall Street plunges as tech stocks and bitcoin fall, job reports lower yields and raise rate-cut prospects.
Equity and crypto markets fell sharply as technology stocks and bitcoin dropped, coinciding with labor-market reports showing rising unemployment claims, increased layoffs and fewer job openings; these signals pushed Treasury yields lower and heightened discussion that weaker labor conditions could raise the likelihood of central-bank interest-rate easing, while commodities also swung sharply and corporate earnings produced mixed sectoral effects.