India-US trade deal cuts reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18%; commerce minister to brief Parliament.
The United States and India have agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 percent to 18 percent, altering import duty treatment for affected exports. The Commerce Minister is expected to make a parliamentary statement to inform legislators and stakeholders of the agreement and its administrative implications for customs and trade policy.

WhatsApp and Meta face an interim order over data-sharing and privacy; court requires an undertaking before any data sharing.
Supreme Court scrutinised WhatsApp and Meta's data-sharing practices in appeals challenging NCLAT affirmation of a CCI penalty, directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to be joined, and signalled an interim order to prevent data sharing unless platforms give a clear undertaking; the bench stressed protection of the right to privacy and referenced findings of abuse of dominance.

Protean secures Rs 25 crore contract to build AI-powered digital public infrastructure for Ethiopia agriculture.
Protean eGov Technologies Ltd will act as system integrator under a Rs. 25 crore contract to build an AI-powered national Digital Public Infrastructure for Ethiopia's agriculture, creating Global Digital Public Goods including unique farmer and farm IDs, integrated crop, soil and livestock data, and an AI-driven advisory layer to enable interoperable, citizen-centric access to credit, inputs, markets and government services.

Aarti Industries posts sequential Q3 growth-revenue, EBITDA and PAT up despite tariff pressures and a one time labour code cost.
Aarti Industries reported Q3 FY26 sequential improvement with revenue up 11% to Rs. 2,492 crore, EBITDA up 11% to Rs. 323 crore and PAT up 25% to Rs. 133 crore; performance benefited from resumed U.S. volumes and higher capacity utilisation while absorbing selective margin pressure from U.S. trade actions and tariffs. The company recorded a one time exceptional expense of about Rs. 15 crore for implementation of the new labour code and is awaiting government notifications to refine provisions.

Casa Bacardi launches a Tropical Edition festival in Goa with international acts, a CDC streetwear collaboration, and ticket sales.
Casa Bacardi introduces a travelling Tropical Edition festival beginning in Goa to deliver immersive, brand-led music and culture experiences under the "Do What Moves You" platform. The Goa edition features an international and domestic afrobeat/electronic lineup, experiential zones, branded bar takeovers, and a co-branded Casa Bacardi x Crep Dog Crew streetwear collaboration. Operational specifics include venue (W Goa), dates (7-8 February 2026), ticket sales via District, and branded responsible-drinking disclaimers.

Young Chef Olympiad 2026 promotes culinary diplomacy and AI-supported preservation of global food heritage with an oath to fair competition.
The Young Chef Olympiad 2026 convened 40 countries in Bengaluru as a platform for culinary diplomacy and cultural exchange, framing AI as a supportive tool to preserve living culinary heritage while emphasising human-led learning. Organisers highlighted an international Grand Jury and an adjudication framework to guarantee standards, and conducted an Oath Taking Ceremony binding contestants, mentors, and judges to fair play, hospitality, and respect. Symbolic exchanges-the Culinary Dossier handover and trophy unveiling-reinforced the event's educational and heritage-preservation objectives.

Shanghai-Yunnan cultural exchange pairs Jia Ma woodblock prints and Fengxian printmaking with public programs and retail events.
An exhibition pairing Dali Jia Ma woodblock prints with Fengxian printmaking at CHANDO's Oriental Beauty Valley advances interregional cultural exchange under the Fengxian-Dali cooperation framework. Organized and sponsored by CHANDO Group, the program pairs exhibition sections on each tradition with participatory public activities and commercial events, using corporate cultural programming, product co-branding, and tourism-linked retail to promote intangible cultural heritage preservation and broaden public engagement.

Skin Aesthete offers EMFACE: a non invasive HIFES plus radiofrequency treatment for structural facial lift and skin quality.
Skin Aesthete is the sole Navi Mumbai clinic offering EMFACE, a US FDA approved non invasive platform combining HIFESTM and synchronized monopolar radiofrequency to target facial elevator muscles, improve skin quality, and enhance collagen and elastin without needles or downtime; EMFACE complements the clinic's earlier adoption of EXION and is promoted under physician led, evidence backed protocols.

Dhaba Estd. 1986 Delhi relaunches Nehru Place with premium Dhaba Luxe menu, refined classics, and franchise-led repositioning.
Relaunch of Dhaba Estd. 1986 Delhi's Nehru Place Epicuria outlet repositions the brand toward a premium, design-forward hospitality offering while preserving signature dhaba dishes; the initiative-led by Azure Hospitality with named franchise partners-combines a curated 68-seat environment, refined execution of legacy menu items, a premium Dhaba Luxe sub-menu using upscale ingredients, and a new beverage concept to target a cosmopolitan clientele and support urban market expansion.

US-India trade deal reduces reciprocal tariffs to 18%, intended to boost Indian export competitiveness and bilateral economic ties.
The bilateral trade instrument reduces the reciprocal tariff to 18 per cent from 25 per cent, modifying market access for Indian goods and intended to enhance export competitiveness and bilateral economic cooperation by lowering tariff barriers.

US tariff reduction to 18% on Indian goods improves market access and boosts exporters, manufacturing and MSMEs.
A bilateral trade agreement lowered the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods in the United States from 25% to 18%, modifying customs duties applicable to Indian exports and enhancing market access. The reduction is intended to benefit Indian manufacturing, exporters, MSMEs, and job creation by increasing competitiveness in US markets and supporting deeper commercial cooperation under the agreement's reciprocal tariff structure.

Customs reforms revise baggage allowances, remove courier export value caps, enable RTO, extend deferred duty payments, and digitise clearances.
The package updates passenger and transfer of residence baggage treatment under the Baggage Rules, 2026-revising duty free allowances, refining definitions (including jewellery and long term foreign professionals), introducing electronic declarations and temporary import/re import certificates, and limiting land border concessions. It removes the Rs.10 lakh courier export value cap, enables Return to Origin and a risk based digital returns mechanism for e commerce, extends deferred import duty payment to 30 days with an "Eligible Manufacturer Importer" class, and advances automation, warehousing digitisation, AEO facilitation, NII scanning and single window digital integration to simplify trade and compliance.

PNG Drive 2.0 promotes PNG and CNG adoption through a harmonised, multi platform national communications campaign.
An industry-led PNG Drive 2.0 coordinated under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board and BPCL promotes PNG and CNG adoption through a harmonised City Gas Distribution outreach framework. ONE Advertising is the creative partner responsible for the campaign idea, visual language and communication architecture, and the rollout uses multi platform channels-print, digital video, social media, on ground activations and community outreach-to translate supply, cost, safety and convenience benefits into a nationally consistent yet locally adaptable message to drive consumer adoption.

IIM Udaipur India Digital Conclave highlights technology-led growth, AI governance, digital infrastructure, resilience, inclusion, upskilling and startups.
IIM Udaipur's D'Future: India Digital Conclave focused on technology-led growth, resilience, and inclusive nation-building through digital public infrastructure and governance reforms. Key themes included operationalising AI with governance and evaluation mechanisms, workforce upskilling, AI applications in rural healthcare and disaster response, and corporate examples of AI-enabled optimisation in logistics. The event combined policy, research and student/start-up innovations to promote academia-industry collaboration and broaden access to digital services and entrepreneurship.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair treats mitral regurgitation minimally invasively, helping high-risk patients recover with shorter hospital stays.
Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) is a minimally invasive option for mitral regurgitation that brings valve leaflets closer together via a transvascular delivery system to reduce regurgitation. It is especially suited to elderly or high risk patients ineligible for open-heart surgery, improves symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue, shortens hospital stay, and depends on advanced imaging and multidisciplinary evaluation to match device delivery to individual valve anatomy.

Ventive Hospitality Q3 shows strong revenue and EBITDA growth, high margins, and forward looking disclosures.
Ventive Hospitality reported consolidated Q3 FY2026 results: revenue INR 722 crore (27% yoy), EBITDA INR 348 crore (25% yoy) with 48% consolidated EBITDA margin, and PAT INR 141 crore. Hospitality revenue was INR 565 crore (35% yoy) and hospitality EBITDA INR 226 crore (54% yoy) with a 40% EBITDA margin; India and international segments showed 22% and 46% revenue growth respectively and EBITDA margins of 41% and 39%. The release notes an INR 16.9 crore exchange gain and includes forward looking statements subject to risks and a non updating disclaimer, and summarizes the company's portfolio and public listing.

India US trade and critical minerals cooperation: tariff cut to 18% and ministerial to diversify supply chains.
S. Jaishankar will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio before attending the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial; the visit coincides with an announced bilateral trade arrangement reducing the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 percent to 18 percent. The ministerial aims to strengthen and diversify critical minerals supply chains critical to technological innovation, economic strength, and national security, with senior U.S. supply chain and economic officials delivering opening remarks.

Air India inspections of Boeing 787 fuel control switches; crews must report defects and Boeing has been notified for evaluation.
Air India has initiated a precautionary fleet-wide re-inspection of the Fuel Control Switch latch on its 33 Boeing 787s after a reported malfunction, has escalated the matter to Boeing for priority evaluation, grounded affected aircraft for checks, and instructed crews to report defects and complete required actions before accepting aircraft.

India US trade deal reduces US tariff to 18% for India; framework lacks timelines and detailed implementation commitments.
The bilateral trade framework commits both governments to reduce tariffs and non tariff barriers, with a reciprocal US tariff rate of 18% for India and stated cooperation on critical minerals, technology, and supply chain resiliency. The announcement remains at a Framework stage: India's USD 500 billion purchase commitment lacks timelines and private sector implementation plans, and specific tariff line and NTM reductions are not disclosed, leaving legal effect contingent on future negotiating texts and implementation agreements.

Forgery of disability certificate used to obtain MBBS admission prompts criminal investigation for fraud and conspiracy.
Allegations state that an individual, aided by another person, procured and produced a forged physical disability certificate and false economically weaker section representation to secure MBBS admission; the Economic Offences Wing opened a criminal inquiry on grounds suggesting forgery, dishonest use of forged documents, and conspiracy to obtain the seat.