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Weekly News Platter |
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19 Sep, 2026, 04:57PM IST, PTI |
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Hello Reader,
In case you had a busy week, these are the top stories you need to get caught up to speed...
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 India’s GDP to rise from $4.015 trillion to $38 trillion in 20 years: NSA Ajit Doval |
| National Security Advisor Ajit Doval spoke at IIT Roorkee's convocation ceremony. He predicted India's GDP will grow significantly over the next two decades. Doval stated the nation's economy will expand from USD 4.015 trillion to USD 38 trillion. He encouraged students to be courageous and embrace the transformative era. Doval shared three success mantras learned from a Sherpa during his career. Read more |
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 UPI's free lunch is over: Why the 0.4% MDR charge is fair, needed and overdue |
| Digital payment charges are necessary for service efficiency and wider reach. Person-to-person and small transactions remain free from new fees. This move supports competition and prevents market dominance by large corporations. Merchants are mandated not to pass these charges onto customers. The digital payments ecosystem requires investment for continued growth and innovation. Read more |
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 Village phones are changing as India's hinterland seeks something more |
| Rural India's telecom landscape shifted from voice to data over a decade. Wireless connections grew significantly, replacing declining wireline services across the nation. Telecom operators now focus on connection quality and user experience for rural consumers. Reliable electricity remains a critical challenge for last-mile network expansion. The focus has moved from basic access to digital productivity and economic growth. Read more |
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 Digital gold may come under RBI, Sebi oversight; physical backing proposed |
| Discussions are underway to tighten digital gold rules, requiring physical bullion backing for every unit. The government is considering joint oversight by the Reserve Bank of India and Sebi. Digital gold, managing approximately three billion dollars in assets, is seen as an unregulated segment. Stakeholders agree that bringing this popular product under regulatory supervision is urgently needed. Read more |
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 US, China to hold final tariff talks ahead of expected Xi-Trump summit |
| Top US and Chinese negotiators will meet in Washington for final preparatory talks. Discussions will focus on economic and trade issues, including tariffs and artificial intelligence. President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the United States for a summit with President Trump. The two nations are also negotiating a reciprocal tariff reduction framework. This meeting occurs amid new US sanctions on countries buying Russian oil and gas. Read more |
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 Nestle India faces FSSAI action over '5 HMOs', 'easy-to-digest' whey claims in baby food |
| FSSAI has filed three adjudication cases against Nestlé India concerning infant nutrition products. These cases involve alleged non-compliance with regulations for NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1. Promotional claims made for these products were flagged by the food regulator. A separate issue involved a sub-standard biotin content found in a Nestlé follow-up formula. The FSSAI is pursuing these cases based on regulatory violations and laboratory findings. Read more |
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 Dubai hotels filling up again but rates yet to recover |
| Dubai hotels are heading into the winter season with occupancy recovering towards last year’s levels, but travellers could still find cheaper rooms. Operators expect rates to remain 10-15% below 2025 levels as they prioritise filling rooms, with Indian tourists emerging as an important source of demand amid continued disruption to international flights. Read more |
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 Tata Sons approves five-year extension for N Chandrasekaran to prepare for IPO |
| Tata Sons' board approved N. Chandrasekaran's reappointment as executive chairman for five years. The company also initiated plans for a potential public listing following regulatory directives. This decision reverses Chandrasekaran's earlier announcement about not seeking another term. The listing follows the RBI's rejection of Tata Sons' request to exit shadow banking regulations. This move prepares Tata Sons for significant structural changes and a new operational phase. Read more |
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 Festive season likely to create 2-2.5 lakh jobs in H2 2026: Report |
| Mumbai anticipates creating 2 to 2.5 lakh seasonal and gig jobs by late 2026. Festive hiring is projected to increase by fifteen to twenty percent during this period. Businesses in e-commerce and retail are preparing for heightened consumer demand. Tier II and III cities will contribute forty-five percent of total festive hiring needs. This expansion offers new employment opportunities beyond traditional urban talent pools. Read more |
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 The Congress that Rahul Gandhi controls: Born of a split, symbol freeze |
| Rahul Gandhi criticised the Election Commission's actions regarding party symbols. Ironically, the Congress party itself experienced a significant split decades ago. Indira Gandhi orchestrated this split, leading to a new party symbol. The Election Commission settled these rival claims by freezing the original symbol. This historical event mirrors recent party symbol disputes in Indian politics. Read more |
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 Asian Games 2026: Colourful yet somber ceremony opens Aichi-Nagoya Asiad, silver-lining to stormy build-up |
| Japan opened the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya with a colourful yet restrained ceremony that showcased its technological prowess, industrial heritage and cultural traditions under the theme ‘Harmonic Heart Beat’. Around 11,000 athletes from 45 nations will compete across 43 sports for 469 gold medals through October 4. The ceremony also highlighted Japan’s organisational challenges during the build-up, while India’s 150-strong contingent was led by Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat. Read more |
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 Tirupati Laddu prasadam made from palm oil, chemicals, says ED, arrests ghee company owner |
| The Enforcement Directorate arrested a ghee company promoter on money laundering charges. Adulterated ghee used for Tirupati Laddu prasadam was allegedly made with palm oil. This fraudulent supply to TTD was valued at approximately Rs 230 crore. The arrested promoter manufactured about Rs 96 crore of this adulterated product. He also coordinated supplies through several front entities to conceal the fraud. Read more |
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 RBI rate hike imminent? Fed's move pressures India to tighten monetary policy amid rising inflation |
| Global central banks are tightening monetary policy, prompting calls for India to follow suit. The US Federal Reserve recently increased its interest rates, signaling further tightening ahead. India's retail inflation has reached a 20-month high, strengthening the case for a rate hike. Economists anticipate the Reserve Bank of India will raise its policy rate soon. This move aims to maintain a sufficient yield gap for foreign investments. Read more |
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100% US tariff law raises uncertainty, may disrupt India's exports if imposed: Exporters
Blackstone came close to giving up on India; now it calls the country its best bet
India to see 'unparalleled' economic growth for decades amid AI-led changes: Tata Sons' N Chandrasekaran
Hydrogen train has room for 2,600 passengers, but only 40-60 are riding it: Two months after launch, here’s why Railways is planning to extend it to Delhi
Canada invites 2,000 skilled workers to apply for permanent residency in latest Express Entry draw, CRS cut-off falls to 519
Cough syrup bottles may soon carry a warning label in 'red'
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