India and the European Union have taken a significant step towards strengthening their economic ties by agreeing to expedite negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA). This decision, made during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, comes at a crucial time when the global trade landscape is facing uncertainty due to a potential tariff war initiated by the US.
The government has called an all-party meeting on July 21 to discuss key issues ahead of Parliament's Budget Session starting July 22, which will notably see Rahul Gandhi's first expected attendance after becoming Leader of Opposition. However, TMC members will skip this meeting due to their annual observance of Martyrs Day commemorating those killed by police firing in 1993.
Tesla has leased a significant office space in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex as part of its expansion into India, indicating an anticipated launch by late 2025 with Model Y as likely the first offering. The company aims to target India's luxury electric car segment initially while possibly expanding into more affordable ranges later, amidst slowing global sales.
Metropolis Healthcare Limited has acquired Scientific Pathology, a diagnostic chain in Agra, for ₹55-83 crore, expanding its B2C network in western Uttar Pradesh. This acquisition aligns with Metropolis's strategy of integrating regional chains and increasing its presence in the region's ₹2,000 crore diagnostics market.
Sabeer Bhatia, founder of Hotmail, sparked a debate on the relevance of IIT curricula, claiming they are outdated compared to Stanford's focus on current technologies. Critics agree, citing the lack of practical skills and slow curriculum updates, while others defend IITs' focus on theoretical knowledge and industry collaborations.