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Pesticide industry seeks tighter e-commerce rules to curb fake sales

The pesticide industry on Wednesday urged the government to tighten the regulation for e-commerce platforms selling crop protection products, warning that basic compliance checks are insufficient and calling for mandatory authorisation certificates to prevent fake products from reaching farmers. Industry body CropLife India said that the government should issue clear rules under the existing Insecticides Act, 1968, and include explicit provisions in the draft Pesticides Management Bill to regulate online sales, as concerns mount over product authenticity and supply chain traceability. "As digitisation is increasing in India, the usage of these platforms will grow. Pesticide is a regulated industry, and the entire supply chain should follow the regulatory framework," CropLife India Chairman Ankur Aggarwal told reporters after a national conference on crop protection product sales on e-commerce platforms. P K Singh, Agriculture Commissioner at the Ministry of Agriculture, said at the

MATTER Motor Works plans to invest $100 million over next three years

Electric motorcycle maker MATTER Motor Works plans to invest USD 100 million dollars (nearly Rs 915 crore) in the next three years, as it plans to roll out four bikes besides entering the electric scooter segment, its Founder and Group CEO Mohal Lalbhai said on Wednesday. The company is targeting annual sales of 3 lakh units by 2029, while it looks to start exports to overseas markets by 2027, Lalbhai told PTI. "We are talking about four different classes of products. There will be variants underneath, but it will be four motorcycles and one scooter," he said when asked about the company's product rollout plans. Elaborating further, Lalbhai said, "We started off with a 175 to 200 cc equivalent (electric bike). We are going to be bringing in a 150 cc (equivalent) in 2026, then bringing in a 125 cc product in 2027, creating different form factors of the 150 cc and the 200 cc over 2028 and 2029." Then, towards 2029, he said, "We are looking at introducing a scooter once our entire ...

A Short History of the Gaza Strip: Anne Irfan's book traces roots of crisis

Gaza, the city, is as old as the Old Testament in which it finds a mention. Gaza, the modern-day strip, was born in 1948, its fate entwined with the establishment and expansion of Israel

EU on cusp of free trade pact with India: Ursula von der Leyen at Davos

She further linked the trade push to upcoming high-level engagement, saying she will travel to India next weekend after the conclusion of the World Economic Forum in Davos

UAE deal offers timely financial backstop as foreign investors pull out

A short visit by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed has resulted in investment plans linked to GIFT City and infrastructure, offering a confidence boost amid sustained foreign fund outflows

Compressed biogas emerges as fast-growing pillar of India's energy mix

India's compressed biogas sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, aided by policy support, blending mandates and investment, though challenges around feedstock and scale persist

Valentino Garavani, leading Italian fashion designer, dies at 93

Valentino one of Italys leading fashion designers died on Monday at his Roman residence his foundation announced. He was 93 years old

We Are Eating the Earth: Future shocks in the global food economy

We Are Eating the Earth is research-heavy and Mr Grunwald has spoken to many people in the course of the book

SME chatroom: Para 4.15 of FTP vs ANF 7A - Procedure defeats policy intent

DGFT procedures and ANF 7A requirements risk undermining Foreign Trade Policy benefits, raising concerns over deemed exports, duty drawback claims and delayed rollout of interest subvention

India, UAE set $200 billion trade target, deepen nuclear and infra ties

India, UAE announced a dozen outcomes after talks between PM Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, including a $200 billion trade target, nuclear cooperation and new investments

Video of man urinating at Delhi Metro station triggers public outrage

A video purportedly showing a man urinating inside a Delhi Metro station was widely shared online, triggering widespread criticism from users over poor civic sense and hygiene at public places. Reacting to the video, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) urged commuters to help maintain cleanliness on its premises. "DMRC requests all its passengers to help in keeping the premises clean and hygienic. If passengers notice any such activity by a fellow passenger, they should immediately bring the same to the notice of DMRC authorities," it said. Several social media users condemned the act, calling it "shameful" and "deeply disturbing," while questioning the lack of basic civic responsibility in shared public spaces. One user wrote that such behaviour 'undermines the effort put into maintaining public infrastructure," while another urged authorities to impose strict penalties to deter similar incidents. Users also tagged the DMRC, seeking firm action against those violating cleanli

India, UAE edge towards defence partnership, vow action on terrorism

The MEA said the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and underscored their shared interest in regional peace, security and stability

India, UAE agree to boost ties, finalise LNG deal at leaders' meeting

The two sides also witnessed the finalisation of a 10-year agreement for ‌the supply of 0.5 ​million metric tons of LNG by Abu Dhabi state oil firm ‍ADNOC to India's Hindustan Petroleum Corp ‍Ltd

TVS Infrastructure Trust raises ₹830 cr under ₹1,100-cr NCD programme

TVS Infrastructure Trust, an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) sponsored by TVS Industrial & Logistics Parks (TVS ILP), on Monday said that it has raised Rs 830 crore under tranche-1 of its Rs 1,100 crore Non-Convertible Debenture (NCD) programme. The company, in a statement, said the funds were raised through a 20-year, long-tenor bond issuance, anchored by the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID). "This long-tenor bond issuance, extending up to the year 2046, is among the first of its kind in India's industrial infrastructure space," Ravi Swaminathan, Founder and Vice Chairman, TVS ILP, said. Samuel Joseph Jebaraj, Deputy Managing Director Lending & Project Finance, NaBFID, said, "This investment is aligned with NaBFID's mandate to support institutionally governed infrastructure platforms that contribute meaningfully to India's sustainable economic development." The bonds are rated AAA by ICRA. TVS ILP is backed by a broad, diversified ..

Everstone to sell stake in Burger King operator Restaurant Brands Asia

Under the deal, Restaurant Brands Asia will get a new strategic investor, said the two sources, who declined to be named as the matter is confidential

India's new FTA playbook looks beyond trade and tariffs to investment ties

India's recent free trade agreements mark a shift from tariff-led negotiations to deeper economic partnerships, embedding investment commitments, market access and supply chain integration

Align tax saving with your financial goals, horizons, and liquidity needs

Begin making these investments now, based on informed choices, instead of waiting till the last moment when mistakes are more likely

Fly, Wild Swans is Jung Chang's return to memory and writing against power

Jung Chang revisits her life, her mother, and modern China in Fly, Wild Swans, a reflective coda to her landmark memoir and a meditation on memory, freedom and power

High Seas Treaty takes effect, setting new rules for ocean conservation

The world's first legally binding agreement to protect marine life in international waters took effect Saturday, marking a historic moment for ocean conservation after nearly two decades of negotiations. The High Seas Treaty will govern nearly half the planet's surface the vast ocean areas beyond any country's control. These waters face mounting threats from destructive fishing practices, shipping, plastic pollution, overfishing and potential deep sea mining, all compounded by climate change. The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen, making its health critical for addressing the climate crisis. The treaty entered into force 120 days after it reached the threshold of ratification by 60 countries in September. As of Friday, 83 countries had ratified it, including the recent addition of major maritime powers such as China and Japan. The treaty creates the first framework for establishing Marine Protected Areas on the high seas, which make up about two-thirds of the world'

Uganda's Yoweri Museveni wins 7th term as Opposition rejects poll results

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni won his seventh term with 71.65 per cent of votes, according to official results Saturday, in an election marred by internet shutdown and fraud claims by his youthful challenger, who rejected the outcome and called for peaceful protests. The musician-turned-politician best known as Bobi Wine took 24.72 per cent of the vote, the final results showed. Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has condemned what he described as an unfair electoral process and alleged abductions of his polling agents. He said he had rejected the fake results and urged Ugandans to peacefully protest until the rightful results are announced. Wine said he had to escape to avoid arrest by security forces who stormed his house Friday night. His party said earlier he was forcefully taken away in an army helicopter but police denied it. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said Wine was not under arrest and was free to leave his house, but there was controlled access for .