10, Jul 2026
New Zealand Welcomes UPI to Strengthen Digital Economy
New Delh, July 10: New Zealand has welcomed the expansion of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), describing it as a significant step towards modernising its digital economy and strengthening financial connectivity between the two countries.
Speaking on the growing partnership in digital payments, New Zealand’s Trade Minister said the introduction of UPI would make transactions more seamless for businesses, tourists, students, and the Indian diaspora, while supporting greater economic engagement.
The move is expected to simplify cross-border digital payments, improve convenience for travellers, and encourage stronger trade and investment ties. It also reflects the increasing global recognition of India’s digital public infrastructure and its role in enabling secure and efficient financial transactions.
The collaboration marks another milestone in India-New Zealand economic relations, with both countries looking to deepen cooperation in digital innovation, fintech, and technology-driven commerce.
The adoption of UPI in New Zealand is expected to enhance payment accessibility while reinforcing efforts to build a more connected, inclusive, and digitally enabled economy.
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- By Neel Achary
10, Jul 2026
Mutual Fund Investments Gain Momentum with 26 pc Jump in Equity Inflows
July 10: Investors continued to show strong confidence in equity mutual funds, with inflows rising 26 per cent to Rs 28,973 crore in June, according to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
The increase reflects growing participation from investors despite changing market conditions. Equity mutual funds have remained a preferred investment option for many individuals seeking long-term wealth creation through market-linked instruments.
The data showed continued interest across different categories of equity schemes, supported by regular investments through systematic investment plans (SIPs). The steady flow of funds highlights the growing acceptance of mutual funds among retail investors.
Industry experts said the rise in inflows indicates improved investor awareness and confidence in disciplined, long-term investing. Mutual funds have increasingly become an important avenue for households looking to participate in India’s capital markets.
The latest figures underline the expanding role of mutual funds in India’s financial landscape and the increasing involvement of individual investors in equity markets.
10, Jul 2026
Government’s Customs Duty Rationalisation Strengthens India’s Electronics Manufacturing Ecosystem: IESA
The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) has welcomed the Government of India’s decision to rationalise customs duties on capital equipment and critical inputs used for manufacturing lithium-ion battery cells, display assemblies and critical inputs used in the manufacture of wireless charging inductor coil modules, calling it a strategic policy measure that will accelerate India’s transition from an assembly-led economy to a globally competitive electronics manufacturing hub.
The customs duty relief is expected to reduce capital costs, improve project viability and catalyse investments across the electronics value chain. The policy complements the Government’s Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) and Semicon India Programme, which together are aimed at deepening domestic manufacturing capabilities and increasing value addition.
India’s electronics market is projected to exceed US$400 billion by 2030, while semiconductor demand is expected to cross US$103 billion during the same period. Simultaneously, India is building a multi-hundred GWh lithium-ion battery manufacturing ecosystem to support the rapid growth of electric mobility and energy storage. Lower duties on manufacturing equipment will improve the competitiveness of these investments and strengthen supply chain resilience.
The announcement will benefit a wide range of sectors, including electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, consumer electronics, telecom equipment, wearable devices, medical electronics, industrial electronics, drones, renewable energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Domestic manufacturing of display assemblies and wireless charging modules will also increase local value addition in high-volume products, particularly smartphones and other smart devices.
Although the measure does not directly target semiconductor fabrication, it will have a strong multiplier effect by expanding domestic electronics manufacturing, increasing demand for semiconductor devices and encouraging deeper integration of India’s electronics and semiconductor value chains.
Ashok Chandak, President, IESA, said:
“This is much more than a customs duty rationalisation—it is a strategic investment in India’s manufacturing future. By reducing the cost of producing three of the most critical building blocks of modern electronics—advanced batteries, display assemblies and wireless charging modules—the Government is enabling higher domestic value addition, improving global competitiveness and making India a more attractive destination for electronics manufacturing investments. Every smartphone, EV, telecom system, medical device and energy storage solution built in India creates demand for semiconductors. A stronger component ecosystem today lays the foundation for a stronger semiconductor ecosystem tomorrow. This is another important step towards making India not just a market for electronics, but a globally trusted hub for product creation and advanced manufacturing.”
10, Jul 2026
The UAE’s aviation sector showed its resilience and ability to effectively manage operational challenges and disruptions
10, Jul 2026
Small Businesses Set to Benefit from Faster Payment Mechanism Under TReDS
New Delhi, July 10: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has said that the TReDS settlement mandate will help accelerate payments to small businesses and improve their access to working capital.
The Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) enables MSMEs to convert their unpaid invoices into immediate funds by allowing them to receive payments from financiers before the actual due date. The new settlement mechanism is expected to make the process faster, smoother, and more efficient.
The ministry said the move will address one of the biggest challenges faced by MSMEs — delayed payments — and provide businesses with better liquidity to manage operations, expand capacity, and invest in growth.
Officials highlighted that improving cash flow for small enterprises will strengthen the MSME ecosystem and support entrepreneurship across the country.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to create a more supportive business environment for MSMEs and ensure timely access to finance for small and emerging enterprises.
10, Jul 2026
WeR1 Consultants Approved for Two Programmes Under SGX’s S$30 Million Value Unlock Initiative
SINGAPORE, July 10 – WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd (“WeR1”), a specialist in corporate strategy and investor relations, has been appointed by Singapore Exchange Limited (“SGX”) as a service provider for both programmes under the Value Unlock initiative designed to strengthen foundations and drive value creation among SGX-listed companies (“listcos”).
Founded in 1999, WeR1 has been approved for both the Equip and the Elevate programmes of the S$30 million MAS-SGX initiative under which Singapore listcos can avail themselves to grants to offset costs for professional services related to enhancing corporate strategies, sharpening investment narratives and deepening investor and media engagement, as well as costs for training programmes to strengthen capabilities.
WeR1 is launching three training programmes – Lining Your IR Calendar Effectively, Turning Crisis into Opportunity, and Specialist Writing for Financial Markets – under the Equip Grant, under which participating companies can claim 50% co-funding support of up to S$15,000 each.
For the Elevate Grant, WeR1 has been approved to offer investor relations (“IR”) services. Undervalued companies which intend to bridge the valuation gap can receive 50% co-funding support, capped at S$200,000 per listco, for this programme.
WeR1’s appointment reflects its 27-year proven track record of helping small- to mid-cap listcos, which often struggle with weak market visibility, in their financial communications. Led by former Reuters correspondent and Merrill Lynch equity analyst Lai Kwok Kin (“KK Lai”), the firm has supported dozens of listcos in the region for corporate strategy, IPO and crisis communications, and IR.
A core approach of WeR1 for the Elevate programme is its Corporate & Business Update (“CBU”) methodology, a disclosure-based narrative refresh designed for listcos with limited analyst coverage, uneven trading liquidity and low investor engagement. WeR1 has helped more than 30 companies articulate their corporate transformation, including Fu Yu Corporation and Zico Holdings.
KK Lai, WeR1’s Founder and Managing Director, said: “We are deeply honoured to have been approved for both programmes under the MAS-SGX Value Unlock Initiative. Many smaller listcos remain undervalued because they do not communicate with clarity and consistency. WeR1 intends to bring its experience and approaches to help these companies overcome the valuation gap and increase trading liquidity.”
WeR1 is inviting SGX-listed companies, particularly smaller Mainboard and Catalist issuers, to explore their eligibility under the Equip and Elevate programmes.
10, Jul 2026
Airties to Acquire Aprecomm to Accelerate Growth in Emerging Markets & Expand Portfolio of AI-Driven Connectivity Experience Management Solutions to ISPs
Bengaluru, July 10: Airties, a global leader of AI-driven software that improves the connectivity experience for ISPs’ subscribers, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aprecomm, a leading provider of intuitive, self-healing network and customer experience solutions. The acquisition accelerates Airties’ geographic expansion serving broadband operators in high-growth regions and benefits from synergies across product portfolios, R&D, and added AI expertise from Aprecomm to further serve ISPs around the world. Financial details were not disclosed.
Aprecomm, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, has built a reputation for its intuitive, self-healing Wi-Fi and broadband network solutions for ISPs. Aprecomm allows ISPs to improve connectivity through AI-driven software services that deliver real-time insights and optimizations to reduce operational costs and increase customer satisfaction. Today, Aprecomm manages more than seven million homes and business locations, serving more than 50 ISPs worldwide.
Under the terms of the agreement, Aprecomm will operate as a subsidiary of Airties following the close of the deal. Aprecomm will continue to provide tailored solutions to serve its customers and the markets in which it operates.
“Aprecomm is very well positioned in growth markets like India and Southeast Asia, so we now have an unmatched foundation to accelerate our expansion further across Asia-Pacific and into South America, two markets where demand for intelligent connectivity is growing at extraordinary speed,” said Metin Taskin, CEO and Co-Founder of Airties. “In addition, the acquisition is aligned with our vision of helping ISPs move to agentic AI platforms for the connected home, where the network autonomously anticipates, adapts and acts to provide the best broadband connectivity experience, lower churn and unlock new revenue for ISPs.”
“Joining Airties, the industry’s pioneer and leader in advancing connectivity experience, is a strong validation of the vision that has shaped Aprecomm from the start,” said Pramod Gummaraj, CEO and Co-Founder of Aprecomm. “Aprecomm was built with the belief that every service provider should be able to deliver a far more intelligent and reliable broadband experience. This combination gives us a broader platform to take that vision further and extend our impact across more markets globally.”
“This combination brings together Airties’ global reach and Aprecomm’s AI-native platform. With our edge AI, cloud-native architecture, and vendor-agnostic design, we have a strong foundation to deliver smarter, more scalable connectivity experiences to service providers worldwide,” said Guharajan Sivakumar, CTO and Co-Founder of Aprecomm.
The acquisition brings complementary go-to-market capabilities for ISPs across the globe. Aprecomm’s software suite enables service providers to deliver intuitive, self-healing networks and improved in-home broadband experiences. Distinctively, Aprecomm’s product portfolio was purpose-built to address the economics and ARPU profiles of ISPs in developing markets, while delivering core improvements to home connectivity for consumers. Conversely, many of the world’s leading Tier-1 operators rely upon Airties’ proven AI-powered Connectivity Experience Management Platform to optimize performance, lower churn, reduce expenses, boost satisfaction, unlock new revenue, and build stronger customer relationships. Airties complete product suite, including Airties Home, Airties Pro, and Airties Multi is designed to provide the performance, features, scale, and flexibility required to serve Tier-1 operators across their fibre, cable/DSL, and fixed wireless access (FWA) footprints. Having different offers available underneath the Airties or Aprecomm banners will enable Airties to customize solutions and address a wide range of customer requirements and market dynamics.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close later in 2026. Additional details about Airties is at www.airties.com, and more about Aprecomm is at https://aprecomm.ai/.
10, Jul 2026
Breathe Battery Technologies’ Dr Ian Campbell Presented with Princess Royal Silver Medal
London, July 10 – Dr Ian Campbell, co-founder of Breathe Battery Technologies, was presented with The Princess Royal Silver Medal last night by HRH The Princess Royal at the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Awards Dinner in London.
His win was announced last week, and the medal is one of the Academy’s most prestigious individual honours, recognising an outstanding personal contribution to UK engineering by an early- to mid-career engineer.
Ian received the medal alongside fellow 2026 honourees Dr Liucheng Guo (TG0) and Professor Robert Thomson FREng (Heriot-Watt University).
Breathe Battery Technologies is a London-based company whose software simulates the inner workings of batteries to optimise charging and design without any hardware changes.
Its technology has been adopted by major automotive and technology partners including Volvo Cars, OPPO and Bang & Olufsen.
Speaking when his win was announced last week, Dr Ian Campbell said:
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the Princess Royal Silver Medal. Climate change and air pollution continue to threaten health and livelihoods worldwide. By combining battery physics simulation with materials libraries built in industrial-scale labs, we can screen millions of potential designs and rapidly optimise the most promising candidates using advanced software. This capability is helping to bring cleaner, quieter, healthier and more affordable cars, trucks and energy storage systems to market faster.”
10, Jul 2026
Solar Rooftop Expansion in India Set to Gain Momentum with World Bank Support
New Delhi, July 10: India’s efforts to expand clean energy access have received a major boost after the World Bank approved financing support for the country’s solar rooftop programme.
The initiative aims to increase the adoption of rooftop solar systems among households, businesses, and communities while making renewable energy more accessible and affordable.
The funding support is expected to strengthen solar infrastructure, encourage greater use of clean power, and create new opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
The programme aligns with India’s broader goal of increasing renewable energy capacity and reducing dependence on traditional energy sources. It is also expected to support sustainable growth and contribute to the country’s long-term climate commitments.
With the latest support, India’s rooftop solar expansion is set to gain further momentum as the nation continues its transition towards a cleaner energy future.
10, Jul 2026
Swaranjali Delhi Successfully Organises “Colours of India 2026” in Gurugram
Gurugram, July 10: Swaranjali Delhi successfully organized Colours of India 2026 in association with Eternal Oasis Gurugram on July 9, 2026, at Prakriti Hall, Eternal Oasis, Sector 42, Gurugram. The cultural evening, supported by the Art and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Haryana, brought together renowned classical musicians, dancers, and art enthusiasts for an unforgettable celebration of India’s diverse artistic traditions.
The evening commenced with a captivating Kathak dance performance by the talented young artiste Ms. Oyeshi Bhattacherjee, whose graceful footwork, technical finesse, and expressive abhinaya won the appreciation of the audience.
The instrumental segment featured an inspiring Swar Ragini presentation by Pt. Subhas Ghosh, who mesmerized listeners with Raag Bageshree through compositions set in Jhaptaal, Ektaal, and Teentaal, followed by a vibrant folk dhun. He was accompanied by Pt. Susamoy Mishra on tabla and Shri Suresh Kumar on special effects, creating a memorable musical experience.
The vocal recital by Smt. Laxmi Priya Nayak showcased the beauty of Raag Shyam Kalyan with soulful vilambit and drut compositions, followed by a melodious Dadra presentation. She was accompanied by Shri Jitendra Swain on tabla and Ustad Zakir Dholpuri on harmonium.
The grand finale featured an enchanting sitar recital by Pt. Uma Prakash Shankar, who presented Raag Jhinjhoti with remarkable artistry. Pt. Siddhartha Chatterjee provided accomplished tabla accompaniment, bringing the evening to a fitting musical conclusion.
The event was graced by distinguished guests Shri Umesh Mathur, noted author, educationist, journalist, and filmmaker, and Smt. Niharika Mathur, Manager and Program Director of Eternal Oasis. The programme was seamlessly anchored by Shri Subrata De, whose engaging presentation added to the evening’s charm.
Shreyas Webmedia Solutions served as the Online Media Partner for the event.
The organizers expressed gratitude to the performers, guests, supporters, and audience members for making Colours of India 2026 a memorable celebration of India’s classical arts while reaffirming Swaranjali Delhi’s commitment to promoting and preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage.
About Eternal Oasis
Eternal Oasis is a unique centre dedicated to arts, culture, and spirituality, founded on the belief that music and creative expression have the power to connect, heal, and inspire. Located in Sector 42, Gurugram, the expansive 1 lakh sq. ft. campus offers panoramic Aravalli-facing views and world-class infrastructure designed to nurture the mind, body, and spirit.
The centre features three performance venues, six flexible workshop spaces, a large art gallery, a professional recording studio, 30 residential rooms, an 80-seater eatery, a modern Buddhist temple and meditation room, spacious terrace areas, lush green lawns, and dedicated parking for up to 100 vehicles.
Envisioned as a vibrant “third space” beyond home and workplace, Eternal Oasis provides a platform where individuals can reconnect with art, culture, and spirituality through a wide range of performances, workshops, exhibitions, and wellness programmes. Under the leadership of its founder Umesh Mathur, the centre continues to emerge as a prominent cultural and spiritual destination in Gurugram.
For updates on upcoming programmes, follow @eternaloasis_gurugram on social media.
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