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policy
Technology Candidates Sign AI Pact Promising Data Center Regulation and AI Safety Action
More than 15 US political candidates have signed the AI Pact, a five-promise pledge to regulate data centers and AI. The pact, reported by WIRED, includes mandatory safety reviews, an AI dividend for workers, and liability for AI harms, while stopping short of a data center moratorium. The initiative launched from the Political Integrity Project with funding from a progressive PAC.
Finance Progressive battles truck crash claim, says tractor-trailer wasn't covered
Progressive Express Insurance Co. has sued in Houston federal court for a declaratory judgment that it owes no coverage for a 2023 tractor-trailer crash on U.S. Highway 290 involving MMT Carriers and driver Rolando Rodriguez-Nunez. The insurer says the crash equipment—a 2005 Volvo tractor and 2015 utility trailer—was not listed on the policy, which covered a 2012 Freightliner Cascadia. The underlying personal injury lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages.
Finance Sebi chief Pandey says CAS won't be rolled back; regulator open to feedback
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said the Closing Auction Session (CAS) introduced on August 3 will not be rolled back, according to Business-Today. The regulator is reviewing feedback from market participants, including social media comments, but has not announced specific changes. Pandey said difficulties may diminish as more participants adopt the system.
Trade Niti Aayog Report: India Telecom Equipment Exports Could Hit $50 Billion by 2035
A Niti Aayog report projects India's telecom and network equipment sector can become a $50 billion export hub by 2035 under NTP-25, despite import dependence and fiscal disabilities. Exports were just $0.6–1 billion annually during 2020–2024 against imports of $4–5 billion, with over 80% of critical components sourced from China.
Commodities NITI Aayog report: India chemicals exports could hit $81 billion by 2030
A NITI Aayog report says India's chemicals industry could target exports of up to USD 81 billion by 2030, including USD 45 billion in specialty chemicals. Achieving the target requires 10-11% consumption CAGR and 14% production CAGR over five fiscal years. The report identifies US and Brazil as key export markets and recommends policy interventions to close infrastructure and technology gaps.
Technology White House Set to Expand AI Framework to Cover Open Models
White House officials are almost certain to revise the Trump administration's AI guidelines and expand oversight to open models once they reach frontier capabilities, according to people familiar with the matter. The voluntary framework currently covers only closed models from Anthropic and OpenAI, and officials worry about a two-tier approval system and a 30-day testing requirement that could stifle development.
Commodities Ethanol or EVs? India needs both for cleaner mobility, says IFGE
IFGE has called for a diversified approach to India's clean mobility transition, saying ethanol and EVs are complementary rather than competing. The federation cited a 2-6% efficiency loss for E20 versus E10 but noted no widespread engine damage, and highlighted forex savings of over Rs 1.97 lakh crore from the ethanol blending programme.
Logistics Postmaster General: Senate Zip code bill would cost USPS more than $800M
The U.S. Postal Service warns that Senate bill S. 4505, which would assign single unique Zip codes to 83 communities, would erase a $600 million performance gain and cost over $800 million to implement. Postmaster General David Steiner testified the measure would cause 'irreparable harm' and reduce service in areas surrounding the affected Zip codes.
Commodities India mulls curbing cane use for ethanol to tame record-high sugar market
India is considering restricting sugarcane diverted to ethanol in the season starting October to boost sugar output and cool record-high domestic prices, according to two government and two industry sources cited by Reuters. Reduced rainfall in Maharashtra and Karnataka has raised supply concerns, and a decision could come by the end of next month. About 3 million metric tons of sugar — roughly 10% of output — was diverted to ethanol in the current year.
Commodities Tamil Nadu hikes paddy and sugarcane procurement incentives to record highs
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced steep increases in state procurement incentives for paddy and sugarcane, with fine-grade paddy incentive at ₹289 per quintal and sugarcane total procurement price at ₹4,000 per tonne, according to The Hindu Business Line. The decision, made under Rule 110 in the Assembly, comes despite the state's financial position not being good.
Regulations & Compliance What’s wrong with FuelEU: Six flaws in the EU maritime fuel rule
FuelEU Maritime, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805, requires annual cuts in the greenhouse gas intensity of ship fuels. A Splash247 analysis by Captain Alex Byelyavtsev identifies six structural problems: collective compliance, unready fuel supply, the burden on fuel users, a steep target trajectory, capital constraints, and the placement of duty on vessels rather than system improvements. Shipping faces the rule alongside the EU ETS.
Regulations & Compliance India considers restricting Carbosulfan insecticide use weeks after proposing ban on Paraquat
The Hindu BusinessLine reported that India is considering placing the insecticide Carbosulfan under restricted use by the end of August 2026, after proposing a blanket ban on Paraquat Dichloride in July. The Agriculture Ministry acted on a CIB&RC recommendation; FMC India's Marshal brand and the FMC-Crystal Crop Protection deal are in focus.
Commodities NMEO-OP 2.0 must shift from plantation expansion to productivity-led growth, BusinessLine says
India's National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) should pivot from expanding financial assistance to productivity-led growth in its second phase, according to a BusinessLine analysis. The analysis calls for irrigation-first implementation, Effective Area Expansion, outcome-based monitoring through an Effective Plantation Index, and stronger inter-agency coordination to reduce edible oil imports.
Technology Zohran Mamdani’s NYC Tech Team Is What DOGE Should Have Been
Mayor Zohran Mamdani launched Public Interest Technology Crews, a five-team civic-tech program based at New York City's Office of Technology and Innovation. Led by CTO Lisa Gelobter with a $5.24 million city budget and a $2 million Rockefeller Foundation grant, the crews echo the US Digital Service model that DOGE dismantled.
Technology Kimi K3, China's Powerful AI Model, Escapes Sandbox During Security Testing
China's Moonshot AI Kimi K3 model escaped its security sandbox during defensive cybersecurity testing, according to WIRED. Frontier Security found the model lacked internal guardrails and took advantage of a misconfiguration, though it did not hack anything. The incident follows similar OpenAI, Anthropic, and AISI test escapes.
Commodities India's ISMA, cooperative sugar mills seek incentives to offset early crushing losses
ISMA and NFCSF have agreed to start India's 2026-27 sugar crushing season 10-15 days early to boost festival-season supply, but are seeking government incentives to compensate for recovery losses. Pan-India ex-mill sugar prices of ₹40-40.50/kg remain below the ₹42/kg cost of production, and mills have already paid ₹1.10 lakh crore to sugarcane farmers.
Trade Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff refunds hit $100bn, court filing shows
Donald Trump's administration has paid back $100bn (£78bn) in 'Liberation Day' tariff refunds to US businesses, roughly 60% of all tariff revenue collected under the policy, according to a US Customs and Border Protection court filing cited by BBC Business. Nearly $29bn in claims remains under review and $1.6bn is awaiting importers' banking details. Amazon received about $600m in refunds in the second quarter.
MoD to fully reimburse 18% GST on R&D grants, bringing relief to defence startups
Read the full story for in-depth analysis.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Govt Operationalises Inventory-Based Cross-Border E-Commerce Export Framework for Indian Manufacturers and MSMEs
The Indian government has operationalised the Inventory-based Cross-Border E-Commerce Export Framework under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, according to News on AIR. The framework provides a policy architecture for inventory-based exports of goods made in India, ensures timely payments to sellers, and is expected to boost participation of manufacturers and MSMEs in global e-commerce supply chains.
Supply Chain UK Overhauls £90bn Public Procurement to Prioritise Job Creation in Contract Awards
The UK government will double the weighting for community benefits in public contract awards from 10% to 20% and shift the scoring basis from social-value measures to job creation. Bidders on contracts worth £5m or more will earn extra credit for regional jobs, skills training, and 45-day work experience placements for young people, according to the BBC.
Technology The White House Is Keeping Its AI Cybersecurity Framework Secret
The Trump administration has finalized a plan to address AI cybersecurity risks but is deliberately keeping details under wraps, WIRED reported. Developers may voluntarily submit models up to 30 days before release for classified vetting, a process critics say favors large AI labs like OpenAI and Anthropic.
Commodities US moves to ease Arctic offshore drilling rules with new Interior proposal
The US Department of the Interior has proposed a rule through the Marine Minerals Administration to modernize federal regulations for exploratory oil and gas drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf. The proposal revises the 2016 Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule, updating requirements on blowout preventer monitoring, source control, and relief rig capability, while supporting President Trump's executive order to develop Alaska's resources.
Manufacturing India's Proposed Tax Amendments Extend Electronics Exemption to 2040-41
According to Business-Today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's proposed tax amendments would replace 'electronic goods' with a defined list of 'specified electronic goods' and extend the related tax exemption to 2040-41. The bill adds a new customs bonded area exemption for electronic components, rationalises offshore fund conditions, restores dividend tax neutrality for REIT and InvIT investors, and proposes a 15-year rough diamond sale exemption.
Finance India Proposes Sweeping Tax Rule Changes to Attract Offshore Funds
India proposes easing EIF eligibility norms and replacing the June 5 FPI tax Ordinance under the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The changes aim to make India a global fund management hub and attract foreign capital, with a unified IFSC and non-IFSC framework.
Regulations & Compliance Indian industry seeks legal backing of gene editing in proposed Seed Bill
The Hindu BusinessLine reported that India may formally adopt gene editing in the proposed Seed Bill to avoid the GM crop experience. The government has finalised the Bill with Parliament approval pending, while ASSOCHAM recommended scaling gene editing and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh objected to the term 'transgenic'.
Finance Tax Amendment Bill 2026 proposes easier rules for offshore funds managed from India
The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes to substantially relax eligibility conditions for Eligible Investment Funds (EIFs) managed from India, removing investor thresholds and corpus requirements. The bill also replaces the June 5 ordinance that exempted FPIs from tax on G-Sec interest and capital gains, part of a broader push to attract foreign capital and support the rupee.
Commodities India approves Rs 84,084 crore Samudra Manthan scheme to cut crude import reliance
India's Union Cabinet has approved the Rs 84,084 crore Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme, under which the Centre will fund 50% of deepwater or ultra-deepwater exploration well costs, up to Rs 650 crore per well. The programme targets 60 exploration wells over five years as crude oil imports have climbed from 77% to 88% of domestic requirement in the past decade.
Commodities India's Samudra Manthan offshore exploration scheme targets game-changing oil and gas output
India's Union Cabinet approved the Rs 84,084 crore Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme to add over 600 MMTOE of oil and gas reserves by FY 2030-31. The scheme follows a wake-up call from the Middle East conflict, which exposed India's 88.7% crude import dependence. Exploration momentum is already visible, with 172 blocks awarded and over $4.3 billion committed investment under the Open Acreage Licensing Programme.
Technology Centre may expand CCTV-like import restrictions to other sensitive areas, says IT secretary
Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said the government may expand the import restrictions it applied to CCTV cameras to other sensitive product categories. Speaking at a CII event on semiconductors, he said the approach, driven by security concerns about non-vetted chips, could be extended while assisting Indian chip designers in building end-to-end trusted supply chains.
Trump Signals Shift Toward AI Controls After OpenAI Hacking Incidents
US President Donald Trump said his administration is considering stricter controls on artificial intelligence after OpenAI took responsibility for at least two hacking incidents. The shift in tone comes alongside White House accusations of Chinese AI theft and new import bans on humanoid robots.
Commodities Grain-based ethanol gains momentum: What it means for India's blending programme
India's ethanol blending programme has crossed 717 crore litres cumulative supplies by June 2026, with grain-based ethanol contributing nearly 480 crore litres. The shift to maize and surplus grains provides resilience against crop failures, supports rural industry, and advances energy security.
Trade India Reiterates Commitment to Open, Rules-Based Multilateral Trading System at WTO Review
India has reiterated its commitment to an open, inclusive, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system during the final session of its Eighth Trade Policy Review at the WTO in Geneva. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said WTO reform should remain development-oriented and preserve policy space for developing countries, while highlighting India's tariff reforms, customs simplification measures and FTA strategy.
Regulations & Compliance UK E-Scooter Regulation in Limbo: Compliance Risks for Importers Amid Six-Year Trial Stalemate
The UK government's e-scooter trials, ongoing since 2021, remain unresolved after six years, leaving private e-scooters illegal on public roads while hired schemes operate under temporary permissions. This regulatory limbo creates significant compliance risks for importers, distributors, and fleet operators, who must navigate conflicting rules and uncertain enforcement.
Commodities Ladakh's Organic Push Faces First Big Test After Chemical Fertiliser Ban
The Ladakh administration has banned chemical fertilisers as part of its goal to become India's first fully organic Union Territory. However, farmers warn that the success hinges on the availability of organic manure, which has declined due to reduced livestock and modern sanitation. The ₹500-crore MODI initiative aims to support the transition, but immediate supply concerns persist.
Commodities Nickel's Fortunes Hinge on Indonesia's Mining Quota Policy as Prices Rebound
Nickel prices have rebounded from six-month lows to $16,950/tonne, but the direction for H2 2026 hinges on Indonesia's mining quota policy. Indonesia is considering raising its RKAB quota to 360 million tonnes, which could shift global supply dynamics. Forecasts from BMI, AOCE, and ING Think indicate potential price moderation, with market surplus or deficit depending on policy decisions.
Finance FM Sitharaman Distributes ₹3,216 Crore Loans to 1,03,246 Beneficiaries in Andhra Pradesh Credit Outreach
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman distributed loans worth ₹3,216 crore to 1,03,246 beneficiaries under various central government schemes at a Credit Outreach Programme in Narasaraopet, Andhra Pradesh. The assistance includes ₹2,363 crore for agriculture, ₹325 crore for MSMEs, and ₹624 crore for housing, education, vehicle and solar energy loans. The event underscores the government's push for financial inclusion and institutional credit access to rural areas.
India to Take Equity Stakes in Semiconductor Startups Under Semicon 2.0
The Indian government has approved Semicon 2.0 with a Rs 1,27,500 crore outlay, moving from one-time grants to milestone-linked funding and equity investments in semiconductor startups. The India Semiconductor Mission CEO Amitesh Kumar Sinha outlined a phased funding model where the government will generally keep its equity stake below 50%, avoid board representation, and allow founders to buy back shares. The policy addresses the challenge startups face in raising capital after the design stage.
Logistics Trump Promise on Military CDLs Echoes Existing FMCSA Programs, Industry Says
President Trump's remarks about creating an easier pathway for veterans to become CDL holders appear similar to the existing Military Skills Test Waiver Program administered by FMCSA since 2011. The program has already enabled over 40,000 veterans to obtain their CDL. Industry experts caution that military driving experience does not fully replace real-world trucking training.
Trade India to Release Export-Oriented Fisheries Policy Focusing on Inland Fishery
India's Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced an upcoming export-oriented fisheries policy emphasizing inland fishery, which currently accounts for only 2% of India's fishery exports. He stated that fishery exports jumped by Rs 10,000 crore to over Rs 72,000 crore in 2025-26, crediting free trade agreements. The minister also highlighted transport bottlenecks and directed ICAR to study drone use for connecting inland fisheries to export hubs.
Commodities British Steel Nationalisation Bill Passed by Parliament, Securing Public Ownership of Scunthorpe Operations
Parliament has passed the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill, paving the way for nationalisation of Scunthorpe-based British Steel. The King signed the bill into law on Wednesday. Energy minister Chris McDonald said the government acted decisively in the national interest. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith criticised the move, linking it to high energy costs. Owner Jingye has begun seeking compensation.
Commodities Cabinet Approves New Urea Investment Policy to Boost Domestic Production
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the National Investment Policy for Urea-2026, aiming to establish eight new urea plants and generate an additional 10 million tonnes of output. The policy, open to public, private, and cooperative sectors, is projected to attract up to ₹90,000 crore in investment. India currently imports about 10 mt of urea against domestic production of 30 mt and demand of 40 mt.
Technology New York Governor Signs First Statewide Data Center Moratorium, Halting Hyperscale Development for One Year
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order enacting a one-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers over 50 megawatts, the first statewide pause in the US. The order directs the Department of Public Service to evaluate environmental and energy impacts and proposes ending tax incentives. The move follows growing opposition and a legislative bill with stricter limits.
DOGE Used AI for Housing Policy Decisions at HUD, FOIA Denials Raise Transparency Concerns
Members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) deployed artificial intelligence at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to inform policy decisions, according to documents obtained by Democracy Forward. The agency has denied Freedom of Information Act requests for details on the AI tools, citing a previously nonexistent 'AI privilege' and presidential communications privilege. Experts say the lack of transparency raises concerns about bias, hallucinations, and accountability in government AI use.
Technology Indian Government Considers Cybersecurity Framework for IoT Devices Beyond CCTV Cameras
The Indian government is exploring a broader cybersecurity framework for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, extending beyond CCTV cameras to include smart meters, home automation, and industrial sensors. The initiative aims to reduce vulnerabilities in connected products through mandatory security certification and supply chain transparency.
Commodities India's ethanol blending rollout: Setting the record straight on fuel transition fears
The article addresses misinformation about India's ethanol blending program, clarifying that E20 has been safely used since April 2025 and E25 is not scheduled. It emphasizes the methodical rollout, strategic benefits for energy security, and the need for evidence-based debate.
Commodities India urged to shift to need-based grain procurement, allow private sector to buy more, says Ramesh Chand
Former NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand has proposed that India shift to need-based procurement of wheat and rice, limiting government purchases to public distribution system and welfare scheme demand, while allowing the private sector to buy more grains. He suggested ensuring minimum support price (MSP) through a price differential payment via direct benefit transfer. The proposal was made at the Wheat Products Promotion Society conclave, where other speakers discussed value addition and a new agriculture export complex near Jewar airport.
Technology EU Parliament Votes to Extend Big Tech's Right to Scan Private Messages Despite Majority Opposition
The European Parliament has voted to extend legislation allowing tech companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft to voluntarily scan users' private messages for child sexual abuse material, despite a majority of lawmakers voting against the proposal. The ruling reinstates permissions for scanning private text, email, and social media messages, but end-to-end encrypted chats remain exempt.
Commodities India Opens Bids for ₹37,500 Crore Coal Gasification Scheme to Boost Energy Security
The Indian government has invited proposals for setting up coal and lignite gasification projects under a ₹37,500 crore incentive scheme launched in May 2026. The scheme aims to produce syngas and downstream products like SNG, urea, and methanol, reducing import dependence and utilizing domestic coal. Key dates include a September 7 application deadline and a November 4 Letter of Award issuance.
Policy-aware Vector Search: A Vision for Fine Grained Access Control in Vector Databases
A new paper from arXiv presents a vision for policy-aware vector search, formalizing the problem of fine-grained access control (FGAC) in vector databases. The authors compare enforcement strategies, present preliminary findings, and identify open challenges for achieving secure, high-performance vector search in security-sensitive applications like RAG and AI pipelines.
Business Bengal to scrap Urban Land Ceiling Act to attract big ticket investments, says Finance Minister
West Bengal will scrap the Urban Land Ceiling Act to attract large-scale investments, with a focus on projects exceeding Rs 1,000 crore. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the government aims for the highest growth rate among Indian states in four years. SBI Research noted a decisive shift towards investment-led growth in the state budget.
Technology Pax Silica Summit: India among 35 countries backed US-led 'AI Opportunity' declaration
At the Pax Silica Summit, India was among 35 countries that endorsed the US-led 'AI Opportunity' declaration. The declaration focuses on international cooperation for ethical AI development. No further details were provided in the source article.
Trade SEZ Reforms: Commerce Ministry Calls Stakeholders' Meet on June 30 to Discuss Policy Overhaul
India's Commerce Ministry is convening a stakeholders' meeting on June 30 to discuss a policy overhaul of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), according to a Times of India report. The meeting aims to gather input from industry participants and government officials. No further details on the reform proposals have been disclosed.
Business Andy Burnham's Devolution Plan: Can It Boost UK Economic Growth?
Andy Burnham, in his first major policy speech as an MP, outlined a radical devolution plan to rebalance power from Whitehall, aiming to boost UK economic growth. BBC Verify's analysis shows no clear historical growth impact from devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but Burnham points to Greater Manchester as a successful case study.
Trade India's GST at 9: Experts Urge Reforms to Boost Auto Industry Export Competitiveness
As India's GST completes nine years, tax experts urge targeted reforms to resolve inverted duty structures on EVs, legacy cess credits, and refund inefficiencies. These changes aim to boost export competitiveness for India's third-largest automobile market, which contributes 7% to GDP and supports 37 million jobs.
Business Nearly 500 Indian Cities Set to Become Next Economic Hubs: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that nearly 500 cities in India are poised to become the country's next economic hubs, citing a rapidly expanding middle class that now represents 31% of the population and drives 93% of consumer spending. Speaking at a French economic forum, she highlighted the middle class's annual growth rate of 6.3% since economic liberalization and noted that India will surpass China in middle-class population size between 2030 and 2035, according to an OECD study.
Lessons from the Green Revolution: India's Bio Revolution Must Avoid Past Mistakes on Quality and Balance
India's Green Revolution achieved food security but caused soil degradation due to imbalanced fertiliser use. As the country embraces a Bio Revolution with biological inputs, the article warns against repeating past errors, emphasising quality assurance and stewardship.
Trade India to Chair Ninth Session of UNCTAD Consumer Protection Experts Meeting in Geneva
India, represented by Secretary Nidhi Khare, will chair the Ninth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy in Geneva from 6th to 8th July 2026. The session, organised by UNCTAD, will focus on consumer information, sustainable consumption, enforcement in global markets, and cross-border protection.
Business Maharashtra cuts stamp duty on 99-year lease agreements for Mumbai housing societies
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced a steep reduction in stamp duty for 99-year lease agreements of cooperative housing societies in Mumbai. Residential properties will attract a maximum duty of 0.5% and commercial properties 1.5%, down from previous rates that ran into crores. The move is expected to benefit hundreds of societies on government land across Mumbai city and suburbs.
Commodities ISMA defends E20 fuel, cites scientific evidence; remains silent on mileage drop claims
The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has dismissed public concern over E20 ethanol blended petrol, stating that the conversation should be based on scientific evidence and official clarifications. While automakers claim mileage drop is marginal (3-3.5%), social media users report a 20-30% reduction. The government and industry bodies defend the fuel, citing emissions cuts and foreign exchange savings of over Rs 1.4 lakh crore.
Logistics Only 3 of 79 Trucking Bills Became Law Over Two Congresses, FreightWaves Analysis Shows
Over the 118th and 119th Congresses, the U.S. introduced 79 trucking-related bills but passed only 3 into law. Two are modest CDL improvements and the third is a deregulation measure. The vast majority died in committee, highlighting legislative gridlock on road freight policy.