1) Ignoring protests Greece's Parliament approved bill to extend the workday to 13 hours from the current 8 hours.
Greece's parliament passed a controversial labor reform bill, sparking nationwide protests from unions who labeled the law "barbaric." The legislation does not mandate a 13-hour workday, but rather legalizes an employee's right to hold a second job of up to five hours after their primary eight-hour shift. The government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also introduced measures allowing employers to implement six-day work weeks in certain sectors and utilize 'on-demand' contracts, significantly enhancing labor flexibility for businesses in the private sector.
The government's value proposition for this deregulation is rooted in supply-side economics. Labour Minister Niki Kerameus argued the bill provides an option for employees to boost their income—with a 40% pay increase for the extra hours—without the need for a second commute. This policy is designed to address significant labor shortages, particularly in the vital tourism sector, and to enhance the competitive advantage of the Greek economy by making the labor market more agile and responsive to business demands.
The bill faced severe stakeholder resistance. Labor unions staged general strikes that paralyzed public transport and services, arguing that this "optional" flexibility will become coercive. In a country that already works some of Europe's longest hours, critics fear employers will pressure staff into longer shifts, thereby eroding work-life balance, increasing burnout, and negatively impacting the long-term well-being of the nation's human capital.
2) Tourism generates the most jobs per dollar invested: Union Minister Piyush Goyal
Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s statement positions the tourism sector as a strategic priority for India, emphasizing its status as a highly labor-intensive industry. The core of his argument is that the capital-labor ratio in tourism is exceptionally favorable; a dollar of capital expenditure (capex) in hospitality or travel infrastructure generates more direct employment—for guides, hotel staff, and transport workers—than a comparable investment in a capital-intensive sector.
The sector's true economic power lies in its high employment multiplier effect, which creates a significant ripple effect across the value chain. Tourist spending supports a vast network of indirect jobs in upstream linkages (food suppliers, construction) and downstream linkages (local artisans, retail). For instance, pilgrimage tourism, accounting for 35% of domestic trips, generates over Rs 1.2 lakh crore annually. This high velocity of money maximizes the Return on Investment (ROI) for the national economy.
This economic characteristic is central to India's growth strategy, with the government identifying 50 destinations for infrastructure upgrades to attract high-value tourists. Projections indicate the sector's contribution could reach Rs 42 trillion by 2035. The government's vision, aiming for 200 million jobs and 100 million international arrivals by 2047, relies on this high job-creation efficiency to leverage India's cultural and natural assets for inclusive economic development.
3) Calcutta Stock Exchange shutting down after 117 years due loss of investor confidence after 2001 Ketan Parekh scam, and repeated non-compliance.
The Calcutta Stock Exchange (CSE), a 117-year-old institution founded in 1908, is preparing for a voluntary exit from its stock exchange business. This follows a decade-long decline after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) suspended its trading operations in April 2013 due to persistent regulatory non-compliance. The exchange's shareholders approved the exit application in April 2025, signaling the end of regional exchanges that failed to adapt to the disruptive innovation of national, screen-based platforms like the NSE and BSE.
The primary catalyst for the CSE's demise was the 2001 Ketan Parekh scam, a catastrophic failure of corporate governance and risk management. The Rs 120-crore scandal exposed severe operational vulnerabilities, where brokers linked to Parekh defaulted on settlement obligations, triggering a massive payment crisis. This event irretrievably shattered investor confidence—the most critical intangible asset for any financial marketplace—and exposed the exchange to severe regulatory scrutiny from which it never recovered.
After failing to revive operations for over a decade, the CSE board resolved to withdraw its legal challenges and seek the voluntary exit. SEBI has appointed a valuation agency to oversee the final steps. While the exchange license will be surrendered, the CSE will transition its business model to function as a holding company. Its subsidiary, CSE Capital Markets Pvt Ltd, will continue to operate as a registered broker on the national NSE and BSE platforms, preserving a fraction of its original legacy.
4) Indebted Gucci owner sells beauty unit to L'Oreal for Rs 41,000 cr, and focus on fashion.
Kering, the indebted parent company of Gucci, has executed a major corporate restructuring by agreeing to sell its beauty division to L'Oreal in a deal valued at approximately $4.66 billion (around €4 billion, close to the Rs 41,000 cr figure). This significant divestiture includes the high-end fragrance house Creed. The move is a key part of Kering's strategy to deleverage its balance sheet and reduce its 9.5 billion euro debt load, which has been a concern following slowing growth.
This M&A deal is more than a simple sale; it establishes a "long-term strategic partnership" between the two French giants. As part of the agreement, L'Oreal will also secure 50-year exclusive licensing agreements for the creation, development, and distribution of fragrance and beauty products for Kering's flagship fashion houses, including Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga. This leverages L'Oreal's world-class expertise in the beauty sector to accelerate the growth of these brands.
The transaction allows Kering to execute a pure-play core competency strategy, enabling it to focus its capital and management resources on its primary value proposition: high-end luxury fashion and leather goods. Kering CEO Luca de Meo stated the partnership allows the company to "focus on what defines us best: the creative power and desirability of our Houses," effectively outsourcing the capital-intensive beauty segment to a market leader.
5) China imports no soyabeans from US for the 1st time in 7 yrs amid trade war.
This headline captures a critical moment in the US-China trade war (circa 2018-2019), when geopolitical risk directly fractured a massive global supply chain. In response to US tariffs, China deployed economic statecraft by imposing a 25% retaliatory tariff on US soybeans. As the world's largest soybean importer, China's action immediately made US farm products uncompetitive, leading to a complete halt in purchases by Chinese state-owned and private buyers.
The impact was a forced, rapid supply chain realignment. US farmers lost their most valuable export market, which had been worth over $12 billion annually, leading to a domestic surplus, price collapses, and the need for significant government subsidies. Simultaneously, China executed a diversification strategy to reduce its supplier dependency on the US, massively increasing its sourcing from South America. Brazil became the primary beneficiary, with its soybean exports to China surging to fill the gap.
This event demonstrated the profound vulnerability of agricultural exporters to protectionist policies and the use of commodities as leverage in trade negotiations. The 25% tariff effectively depressed US soybean prices by an estimated 4-5% while simultaneously raising prices for Brazilian soybeans. While trade flows partially resumed under subsequent "Phase One" deals, the conflict permanently altered the market, accelerating China's efforts to ensure its food security by diversifying its import portfolio.
6) Indians gradually getting less sunshine over last 30 years due to air pollution.
A long-term analysis (1988–2018) confirms that India is experiencing a significant decline in sunshine duration, a phenomenon known as "global dimming." This is not a cyclical weather pattern but a direct negative externality of persistent air pollution. The study, involving researchers from BHU and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, found that aerosols—particulate matter from industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and crop burning—are scattering and absorbing solar radiation before it reaches the surface.
The environmental impact is geographically uneven but widespread. The northern plains, home to heavy industry and agriculture, are the most affected, losing an average of 13 sunshine hours annually. The Himalayan region follows with a 9.5-hour annual drop. This trend represents a significant long-term risk to multiple sectors. For India's ambitious green energy goals, this dimming effect could impair the asset utilization and overall Return on Investment (ROI) of its vast solar power infrastructure.
The economic consequences extend beyond energy. Reduced solar radiation directly impacts agricultural productivity, potentially lowering crop yields and threatening food security. Furthermore, the combined effect of pollution and increased monsoon cloud cover poses a complex sustainability challenge, affecting the long-term health of the nation's human capital and its ecological balance, demanding a more integrated approach to industrial and environmental policy.
7) Russia's clean energy share to up from 41% to 90% by 2050: Deputy PM
Russia has announced a major strategic pivot in its long-term energy policy, aiming to derive 90% of its energy from "clean" sources by 2050. This ambitious target was articulated by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who outlined the country's decarbonization roadmap. This goal involves a significant shift in the nation's energy mix, moving from a current clean energy share of approximately 41% (comprising 20% nuclear, 19% hydropower, and 2% renewables).
This strategy, however, relies heavily on a definition of "clean energy" that includes large-scale nuclear and hydro power, which Russia already possesses as legacy assets from the Soviet era. The plan involves increasing the nuclear power share to 25% and maintaining gas-fired generation (which President Putin has previously classified as "low-carbon") at around 40-45%. The share of coal is slated for a drastic divestiture, dropping from 15% to about 8-10%.
While this long-term strategy positions Russia to compete in a carbon-constrained global economy, its reliance on nuclear and gas, rather than wind and solar (slated for only an 8-10% share), differs from Western sustainability models. This approach leverages Russia's existing core competencies in nuclear technology—where it holds about 90% of the global market for power plant construction—to achieve climate targets while retaining its competitive advantage as a dominant global energy supplier.
8) India's services exports have grown at a CAGR of 14.8% in 30 years.
India's services sector has demonstrated remarkable competitive advantage and sustained growth, expanding at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.8% over the last three decades. This impressive performance, highlighted by the National Stock Exchange (NSE), outpaces the 9.8% CAGR of merchandise exports during the same period. This disruptive growth has transformed India into a global services hub, ranking it seventh worldwide with a 4.3% share of global services exports.
The primary growth drivers have been high-value, knowledge-based industries. Telecom, IT, and business services constitute nearly 75% of this export basket, with technology exports alone surpassing the $200 billion (Rs. 17,58,800 crore) mark in FY25. A key pillar of this success is India's dominance in the Global Capability Centres (GCCs) market. The number of GCCs in India rose from 1,430 in FY19 to 1,700 in FY24, with the market size projected to hit $100 billion by FY30.
This robust diversification of the economy, moving up the value chain from manufacturing to services, is underpinned by major structural reforms. The NSE credits initiatives like the GST, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), and the internationalization of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for boosting investor confidence. This services-led boom is a cornerstone of India's strategy to become the world's third-largest economy by 2027.
9) India Post to launch next-day delivery by January 2026, right now it takes 3 to 5 days.
The Department of Posts is undertaking a significant operational efficiency overhaul to enhance its value proposition in the competitive logistics market. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that by January 2026, India Post will launch guaranteed 24-hour and 48-hour delivery services for mail and next-day delivery for parcels. This initiative is a direct competitive strategy to challenge private courier and e-commerce giants by drastically improving its Service Level Agreements (SLAs) from the current 3-to-5-day window.
This transformation requires a comprehensive supply chain optimization, including technological integration and process re-engineering. Recent upgrades like One-Time Password (OTP) based delivery verification, real-time tracking, and online booking services are foundational to this shift. The department is moving from a traditional cost-center model to a profit-center business model, with a target for this transition by 2029.
The strategic goal is to leverage India Post’s unparalleled distribution network, which has unmatched reach in rural and remote areas, and combine it with the speed and reliability that defines the modern logistics sector. By improving its logistics management, India Post aims to capture a larger share of the burgeoning e-commerce market and reinforce customer confidence in its flagship Speed Post service.
10) Rich countries must trade with Africa with mutual respect: Nigeria's foreign minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for a fundamental shift in the terms of trade between wealthy nations and the African continent. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT Gulf summit, Tuggar argued against the prevailing neocolonial dynamic, which he likened to a "game of Minecraft" where external powers focus purely on resource extraction. He stressed that trade relationships must be based on mutual respect and a genuine commitment to African development, not just securing raw materials.
This diplomatic stance is a core component of Nigeria's "4D" foreign policy (Diaspora, Development, Demography, and Democracy), which prioritizes national interest and economic diversification. Tuggar's analysis is that the current model, where Africa primarily exports unprocessed raw materials and imports finished goods, stunts value chain localization and impedes industrialization. This trade imbalance, he argues, is a root cause of underdevelopment and the resulting irregular migration.
Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria, with its massive internal market of 230 million people and diverse partners like China, Brazil, and India, possesses significant strategic autonomy. The call for "mutual respect" is a demand for partnerships that foster Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in manufacturing and processing, allowing Africa to move up the global value chain and achieve sustainable economic growth.
11) OpenAI and Perplexity launched their web browsers, because they serve as the gateway to everything online, giving companies more control.
AI-native companies like OpenAI and Perplexity are executing a vertical integration strategy by launching their own browsers, such as Atlas and Comet, respectively. This move is a direct challenge to the incumbents Google and Apple, who currently act as gatekeepers by controlling the primary distribution channels (Chrome, Safari). By operating within these existing browsers, AI companies remain dependent applications, ceding control over the user experience (UX) and valuable data.
Owning the browser allows these firms to control the entire value chain of information retrieval. Instead of being a feature on a platform, they become the platform itself. This disruptive innovation embeds their AI assistants, like ChatGPT, directly into the browsing experience, enabling "agentic" tasks like summarizing pages, comparing products, and even automating multi-step workflows like shopping. This fundamentally changes the business model from search (providing links) to synthesis (providing answers).
The core strategic asset in this maneuver is data. By controlling the "gateway to everything," OpenAI and Perplexity can capture a massive, continuous stream of user interaction data. This data is the most critical raw material for training more powerful and personalized AI models, creating a formidable competitive advantage and a self-reinforcing flywheel effect that could lock Google out of the next generation of web interaction.
12) Victoria's Secret's 2025 fashion show marked a bold comeback, celebrating diversity including plus-size models and athletes.
The 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show represents a critical corporate turnaround strategy, attempting a comprehensive rebranding to align with modern consumer sentiment. For decades, the brand's value proposition was rooted in an exclusive, aspirational fantasy embodied by its "Angels." However, this model became a liability as market share rapidly eroded to agile competitors like Aerie and Fenty, which championed inclusivity, body positivity, and authenticity.
The comeback show was a deliberate brand repositioning, moving away from its legacy of market segmentation based on a single body type. The event, which was canceled in 2019, returned by pointedly rejecting the "Angel" concept. Instead, its marketing mix prominently featured a diverse cast, including WNBA star Angel Reese—the first professional athlete to walk the show—and Olympic gymnast Suni Lee, alongside celebrated plus-size models.
This shift is a high-stakes attempt to repair significant brand dilution and regain market penetration with lost demographics, particularly Millennials and Gen Z. By embracing a diversification of beauty standards, Victoria's Secret is signaling a fundamental change in its corporate identity, betting that this new, inclusive value proposition can restore its brand equity and secure its long-term financial viability.
13) India's exports of processed potatoes like dehydrated potato granules and pellets surged over 450% in 3 years.
India's processed potato sector is experiencing exponential growth, marking a successful diversification from low-margin raw commodity exports to high-margin value-added products. According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), exports of dehydrated potato granules and pellets skyrocketed from $11.4 million in FY22 to $63.3 million in FY25, a surge of over 450% in three years. This shift significantly enhances the profitability and sustainability of the agricultural value chain.
This market development is driven by robust demand from Southeast and East Asia. Malaysia is the largest importer, with purchases rising from $5.1 million to $22.1 million, while the Philippines and Indonesia registered growth of 600% and 924%, respectively. These nations' booming snack food and quick-service restaurant (QSR) industries rely on these semi-processed inputs. India has effectively captured this market share from European competitors, who face higher energy costs.
This competitive advantage is supported by strong supply chain management and domestic capacity building. States like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have become processing hubs with modern dehydration plants, cold storage networks, and contract farming. Preferential tariffs under the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement further bolster India's price competitiveness, cementing its new role as a reliable, year-round supplier for Asia's food industry.
14) The Centre has amended the IT Rules, 2021, to ensure transparency and accountability in removing unlawful online content.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified amendments to the IT Rules, 2021, strengthening the regulatory framework for online intermediaries. The changes are designed to increase corporate accountability and operational transparency in the content moderation process, moving away from broad, opaque takedown notices. These amendments will impose stricter due diligence obligations on platforms, particularly "Significant Social Media Intermediaries" (SSMIs).
The new framework introduces crucial safeguards to balance state regulation with citizen rights. Crucially, any government intimation to remove unlawful content must now be a "reasoned intimation" issued only by a senior, authorized officer (Joint Secretary rank or equivalent). This order must clearly specify the legal basis, the nature of the unlawful act, and the specific URL of the content, enhancing procedural fairness and precision.
This move increases the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) burden on tech companies. All takedown orders will also be subject to a monthly review by a high-level officer (Secretary rank) to ensure the actions are proportionate and lawful. For platforms, this necessitates a more robust and transparent stakeholder communication process, as they must now navigate a more formalized and accountable risk management system for content removal.
15) Indian Govt to woo-back India-origin STEM researchers from other nations, with grants from IITs and labs.
The Indian government is operationalizing a new talent acquisition strategy aimed at reversing the nation's long-standing "brain drain." This initiative is a form of strategic human capital management designed to attract "star faculty" and established researchers of Indian origin from top global institutions back to India. The value proposition includes substantial "set-up grants" to establish labs, access to premier infrastructure at IITs and national labs, and greater research autonomy.
This policy, which includes initiatives like the Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) fellowship, targets high-impact human capital in 12-14 priority STEM fields. The VAIBHAV program, for example, offers a flexible collaboration model, allowing researchers to work in India for one to two months annually. This lowers the barrier to entry and facilitates a "brain circulation" or "brain reconnection," rather than demanding a permanent, high-risk relocation.
The long-term strategic objective is to bolster India's domestic innovation ecosystem. By repatriating this high-skilled talent, the government aims to accelerate Research and Development (R&D), generate valuable intellectual property (IP), and create positive knowledge spillovers that mentor the next generation. This investment in intellectual infrastructure is deemed critical for enhancing India's global competitiveness and driving sustainable economic growth.