PLATFORM ECONOMY
Telangana implements gig worker rules, mandates minimum pay, social security benefits
The Telangana government has launched the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers Rules, which establish rights for gig workers. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy introduced the legislation during a ceremony with Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad. The new rules include provisions for social security benefits, minimum remuneration, and protection against arbitrary account deactivation. Shaik Salauddin from the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union emphasized the need for effective implementation of these rights.
PM Modi swiped his Metro smart card to buy my ticket, says D K Shivakumar
During a light-hearted moment, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar recounted a playful encounter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who swiped his card to cover Shivakumar's Metro fare. This amusing incident highlighted the importance of collaboration in governance for national progress. Additionally, Shivakumar acknowledged Karnataka's vital role in bolstering India's economy and the enhancement of public transportation and children's education during their journey.
China border has become 'more alive,' India enhancing frontier infrastructure: Jaishankar
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the need for increased troop presence along the China border. He highlighted the significant enhancements in infrastructure and military capabilities since the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020. Jaishankar noted that improving border infrastructure had been neglected until about a decade ago. The talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping marked a shift towards normalising relations.
Congress believes in making workers partners, will stand by gig workers: Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad
Congress and Telangana government have launched the Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme in Hyderabad. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi emphasized the importance of data rights for gig workers during the event. He noted that workers currently lack access to their work-related information from digital platforms. Additionally, he addressed the challenging working conditions faced by gig workers while promising improvements.
Microsoft outage shows the risks of relying on a single technology provider for essential services
Microsoft 365 services, including Outlook, Teams and AI assistant Copilot, were interrupted. As the outage entered its second day Friday, Microsoft said it saw "encouraging recovery progress." But the company also warned that "intermittent access issues or delayed email delivery" may persist for some users.
ETtech Deals Digest: Olyv leads as weekly funding falls to $12 million, down 97% on-year
Olyv led deal activity with $6.1 million, followed by Froncort.AI at $2.3 million, mistEO at $1.9 million and Rigi at $1.1 million. BeyondSeed was among the most active investors during the week, backing BCC Media Network and Quintessential Basics.
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Government notifies commodity trading contract as financial product for IFSC GIFT City
The government has notified commodity trading contracts as financial products under the IFSCA Act. This aims to establish GIFT City as a global commodity trading hub for India. IFSCA will regulate these contracts to enhance international trading capabilities. Establishing a global platform will help India capture a larger share of commodity trade. This initiative is crucial for managing India’s vulnerabilities to global price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.
AWS CEO defends data centres amid growing opposition in the US: ‘There's a weird disconnect there’
Garman said AWS has committed to becoming water positive by 2030. This means the company aims to return more water to the communities where it operates than it consumes. He also claimed that even AWS's largest data centres use less water than 40 US households.
The Microsoft trap: One outage can bring the business world tumbling down
Microsoft outage: The digital transformation that promised uninterrupted productivity has also created new points of systemic vulnerability. A world that has moved its offices, correspondence, records and increasingly its decision-making into the cloud cannot afford to discover that its business continuity depends on a single provider keeping its servers running.
Sachin Tendulkar takes minority stake in waste management startup Recykal
Sachin Tendulkar has become a strategic investor in Recykal, acquiring a minority stake to support its mission. Recykal aims to enhance awareness and adoption of responsible waste management practices in India. The company recently closed a $23 million funding round to strengthen technology and expand operations. Tendulkar's involvement forms part of their efforts to drive behavioral change among one billion people.
Donald Trump's AI task force met Thursday, discussed AI-powered cyberattacks
Members of Trump's AI task force convened to discuss the necessity of reporting AI-driven cyberattacks. The group aims to develop national standards for reporting safety incidents and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Critical sectors such as banking and energy are particularly at risk from these potential cyber threats.
Five facts about APEC with Trump, Putin and Xi set to attend
A summit featuring leaders from the US, China, and Russia is scheduled for next week in Shenzhen. This event marks the third time China hosts the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting since 2001. Many key global issues including trade, energy security, and geopolitical tensions will likely be discussed. Attendances include notable leaders from Australia, Canada, and several Asian nations, while Taiwan will send its envoy.
Karnataka targets Rs 7.5 lakh crore investments, 20 lakh jobs by 2030; to host Global Investors Meet in April
The targets have been set under the state's Industrial Policy 2025-30, with Karnataka seeking investments in sectors such as semiconductors, aerospace, artificial intelligence, clean energy, life sciences and electric mobility.
Kattappa stabbed Baahubali, but India won't: Piyush Goyal's message to a world full of betrayals
Piyush Goyal Katappa video: Piyush Goyal has invoked the famous Kattappa-Baahubali question from SS Rajamouli's blockbuster to highlight India's position as a reliable global trade partner. He says countries seeking trustworthy business partners can count on India, which stands by its commitments and never betrays its partners.
Zee Entertainment approves share buyback worth Rs 600 crore at Rs 91 per share
Zee Entertainment has approved a Rs 600 crore share buyback of up to 6.59 crore shares at Rs 91 apiece through the tender offer route. The buyback represents 6.86% of its paid-up equity capital. Promoters and promoter group members will not participate in the proposed buyback.
The new trends reshaping India's art market
Art Mumbai is back, showcasing a wider array of international exhibitors while highlighting the evolution of art collections. With community initiatives and social media playing pivotal roles, art accessibility and engagement are being transformed in India.
India's innovation journey begins in classrooms: Narayana Murthy
Advocating for transformative educational reforms, NR Narayana Murthy suggested a nationwide program to prepare 500,000 teachers annually by engaging retired STEM professionals. He stressed that enhancing educational quality is vital for India's goal of a $5-trillion economy. With an estimated budget of $20 billion over 20 years, the initiative seeks to improve teacher welfare and develop critical thinking skills in the nation's classrooms.
What is ASEAN and why does the bloc matter amid global tensions?
Major powers will join a summit next week of Southeast Asian nations hosted by the Philippines against one of the most complex backdrops for the regional bloc, from the Iran war that has battered economies to the growing US-China rivalry.
Quick commerce delivers huge festive triumph for D2C brands
Beauty brand Pilgrim and healthy snacks brand Open Secret both doubled their sales year-on-year (YoY) during the festive period, driven by purchases on quick-commerce platforms.
Instagram’s 90-minute video bet could soon take it into direct confrontation with YouTube
Instagram is testing videos of up to 90 minutes with select creators in the US and Brazil as it looks to expand beyond short-form content and compete with YouTube and OTT platforms for viewers and advertising budgets. The move could bring podcasts, comedy specials and episodic shows to the platform, with creators using Reels to attract viewers to longer videos. Instagram is also working on a TV version of Reels to tap into connected TV (CTV) audiences. No India launch timeline has been announced.
AI training startup Mercor valued at $20 billion in latest funding round
Mercor said on Tuesday it had raised $750 million in a funding round that valued the AI training startup at $20 billion. The Series D round drew participation from Benchmark, Felicis, Fundomo, Nvidia and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo, among others.
India’s product landscape is changing: Which products are setting the benchmark across technology, finance, and consumer markets?
The ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 showcase India's rapidly growing product ecosystem by honoring groundbreaking innovations across diverse sectors such as enterprise technology, financial services, and consumer markets. These awards place emphasis on products that have made a significant market impact, gained customer adoption, and demonstrated exceptional innovation, motivating companies to present their tangible successes and contributions to the industry.
Ode to a compassionate algorithm: Philanthropists are backing AI for public good
From Flipkart’s Binny Bansal to Chrys Capital’s Ashish Dhawan and Karishma Sanghvi of Sun Pharma, a growing number of entrepreneurs are writing cheques for AI that can diagnose diseases, empower teachers, modernise courts and strengthen public services, betting that the technology can create social returns as significant as commercial ones.
South Africa expands Electronic Travel Authorization to Indian travellers
South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorization system now allows online visa applications for 53 countries including India. The new ETA system simplifies the visa process for eligible travellers and their families. Minors can now apply online, enhancing accessibility for younger visitors. The expansion aims to support tourism growth ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. The transition from the eVisa system to ETA will be completed by December 1, 2026.
Dhanteras rush: Quick commerce apps flag high demand, surge charges
The platforms’ home screens were heavily themed around Dhanteras, the first day of the Diwali festivities, when it is traditionally considered auspicious to buy gold, silver, and utensils. The apps promoted gold and silver coins, steelware freebies, and gadgets, among other things. Lakshmi and Ganesh coins in gold and silver were also advertised.
Aadhaar App: 300 organisations adopt offline verification system; users can verify identity without photocopies
In a significant move, UIDAI has rolled out its offline verification service to incorporate 300 organizations spanning diverse sectors like hospitality, healthcare, education, and consumer services. This initiative enables users to validate their identities through the Aadhaar App, which boasts upgraded security features. Consequently, the requirement for physical Aadhaar cards during transactions is eliminated, showcasing the increasing importance of Aadhaar in routine transactions, extending well beyond governmental functionality.
Kazakhstans growing presence in global technology landscape
Kazakhstan is improving its position in global digital development as it prepares for integrating artificial intelligence. The country ranked 60th in the Government AI Readiness Index, a notable rise of 16 places. Additionally, it was placed 24th in the UN E-Government Survey for digital services, reflecting strong advancements.
Bulls roar! Market value of BSE-listed companies crosses Rs 500 lakh cr for first time as Sensex soars 2,000 pts. More upside ahead?
Indian markets rallied sharply, pushing BSE's total market capitalisation past Rs 500 lakh crore for the first time. Easing crude oil prices, renewed FII buying, a stronger rupee and improving geopolitical sentiment supported gains. However, analysts caution that sustained momentum depends on foreign inflows, earnings growth and crude prices.
Gig workers may get social security benefits through 2% transaction levy on businesses
The government is considering implementing a 2% transaction-based levy on aggregators to support social security for gig workers. This levy will fund benefits such as insurance, health, and maternity support for over 12 million workers. There is a consensus that this approach ensures fairness among different types of aggregators. The new scheme is expected to be launched in 2027, requiring gig workers to meet specific work criteria.
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