India’s brewing excellence shone at the Asia Beer Challenge 2025, with Devans Modern Breweries Ltd. and Kimaya Himalayan Beverages LLP winning six awards. Kimaya’s BeeYoung Beyond clinched Gold in the International Style Pilsner category, while BeeYoung Crafted Strong earned Silver in Strong Lager. Devans’ Godfather Super Strong 8% won Gold in Strong Lager, with Six Fields Blanche and Six Fields Cult securing Silvers in Witbier and Dubbel Wit categories. Godfather Luxury Lager took Bronze in Tropical-Style Light Lager. The competition, judged via blind tasting by Asia-based beer buyers, underscores India’s growing presence in premium and craft beer segments across Asia’s booming market. (PC: Brewer World)

Ragini Das, co-founder of the recently shuttered professional women's network Leap.club, has been appointed as the Head of Google for Startups in India. This new role marks a full circle for Das, who had previously been rejected by the tech giant 12 years ago. After her startup, Leap.club, paused its operations in June, Das found a role at Google that aligned with her experience in the startup ecosystem. In a LinkedIn post, she expressed her excitement to support Indian startups with her new role. (PC: X)

Luxury automaker Aston Martin has ventured into premium parenting products by launching an exclusive baby stroller in collaboration with renowned British brand egg. The high-end stroller merges Aston Martin's iconic design philosophy with egg's expertise in luxury childcare products, targeting affluent parents seeking premium mobility solutions for their infants. The collaboration represents Aston Martin's strategic brand extension beyond automotive into lifestyle luxury goods, following the success of other premium car manufacturers in diversifying their product portfolios. The stroller features sophisticated styling cues inspired by Aston Martin's legendary sports cars while maintaining egg's focus on comfort, safety, and functionality. This partnership marks a significant entry into the luxury baby products market, where discerning parents increasingly seek premium alternatives that reflect their lifestyle aspirations and brand preferences.

President Trump announced 100% tariffs on all branded or patented pharmaceutical products starting October 1, 2025, unless companies build manufacturing plants in the US. Indian pharmaceutical giants faced sharp declines Friday morning as Cipla dropped 1.91%, Sun Pharma fell 3%, Dr Reddy's declined 1.50%, and Zydus Lifesciences plunged 3.22%. Alkem Laboratories also dropped 2.26%. The Nifty Pharma index fell 1.40% to 21,669.80 points. The tariff announcement particularly impacts Indian firms who supply affordable generics covering nine out of ten US prescriptions. This move threatens both manufacturers' revenues and low-cost medicine availability in America, as the US imported nearly $233 billion worth of pharmaceutical products in 2024. (PC: X & Getty Images)

The Trump administration's sharp increase in H1B visa fees was expected to boost outsourcing to India as companies seek cost-effective alternatives. However, this anticipated surge faces potential disruption from new legislation. Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio has introduced the Halting International Relocation of Employment (HIRE) Act in the US Senate this month. The Republican-sponsored bill could significantly dampen the expected rise in Indian outsourcing if enacted in its current form. This legislative development represents a dual approach to restricting foreign employment practices - both through increased visa costs and potential legal barriers to offshore outsourcing. The proposed act signals continued political pressure on companies utilizing international workforce solutions, potentially reshaping global business strategies. (PC: The Telegraph)

Indian IT stocks plummeted up to 6% on Monday following H-1B visa turmoil. Tech Mahindra led losses, opening 6% lower at Rs 1,499 from previous close of Rs 1,533. The selloff followed Trump administration's proclamation hiking H-1B visa fees to $100,000 with one-day deadline, causing panic among visa holders. However, clarification emerged that this applies only to new applicants as one-time payment, not renewals or existing holders. Nifty IT fell 2.54% to 35,648 by 9:30 AM, with all 10 sectoral stocks declining. Major losers included Persistent Systems, LTI Mindtree, and Mphasis. Analysts expect knee-jerk reactions but note reduced H-1B dependence could provide relief for IT companies.

Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran expressed optimism that the 25% penal tariff imposed by the United States on certain Indian imports will likely be withdrawn after November 30. Speaking at a Merchants' Chamber of Commerce and Industry event in Kolkata, Nageswaran stated the duties on certain products are expected to be withdrawn after November 30. The CEA noted that both the original reciprocal tariff of 25% plus the penal tariff of 25% were not anticipated, believing geopolitical circumstances may have led to the second 25% tariff. This signals potential easing of trade restrictions amid ongoing India-US negotiations and improving bilateral ties, offering relief to Indian exporters affected by these additional duties. (PC: Finance Veda & Mint)

Adani Group stocks surged on Friday after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) cleared the group of fraud charges. SEBI dismissed all allegations made by US short seller Hindenburg Research in its January 2023 report. Adani Total Gas rose 10%, Adani Power jumped 7.4%, while Adani Enterprises gained 4.3%. SEBI said the transactions under review did not violate rules at that time and all loans were repaid. Chairman Gautam Adani welcomed the decision, saying the claims were baseless. He said the report caused huge investor losses and demanded an apology from those spreading false narratives. (PC: NDTV)

Markets regulator SEBI has dismissed all allegations made by US short seller Hindenburg Research against the Adani Group. SEBI said there were no violations in the transactions between Adani companies and other firms, and all loans were repaid. The regulator confirmed that funds were used properly and no fraud was found. Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani said the findings proved the Hindenburg claims were “baseless.” He added that the report hurt investors and demanded an apology from those who spread false stories. Former SEBI director JN Gupta said the order gave final closure on the issue. (PC: NDTV)

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has dismissed allegations of stock manipulation made by US-based short seller Hindenburg Research against Gautam Adani and Adani Group firms. In an official filing on Thursday, Sebi said its investigation could not establish any wrongdoing by Adani companies, including Adani Ports and Adani Power. The regulator confirmed that no liability or penalties would apply. Kamlesh C. Varshney, Sebi’s whole-time member, stated that the matter has been disposed of without directions. Hindenburg’s claims, first made in 2023, had caused major controversy and market turbulence around the Adani Group. (PC: Reuters)